Friday, July 15, 2005

Health Headlines - July 15

Health Tip: Heed These Travel Safety Precautions

Women who travel alone should take certain safety precautions, advises the American Automobile Association.

Here are some pointers:

* Take a doorstop in your luggage and jam it under your closed hotel room door when you retire for the night.
* Avoid ground level hotel rooms. Concierge floors often offer extra security.
* Keep a business card from your hotel in your purse, in case you get lost.
* If you're traveling in segregated areas, such as orthodox religious neighborhoods, take cues from the women around you and try to blend in.
* Don't leave your drink unattended in a restaurant or bar.
* Have phone numbers and know the location of places such as the U.S. embassy and the police.
* When registering, use only your last name and first initial, if possible.

Health Tip: Step on Something Sharp?

If you step on a nail or broken glass, it may not be a good idea to pull out the embedded object, advises St. John Ambulance. This may cause more damage and bleeding.

Instead:

* Place a clean, preferably sterile, dressing around the object.
* Build up paddings around it so it doesn't move.
* Secure the paddings with a narrow bandage.
* Get medical help from a nearby clinic or emergency room.

Panel says 3 asthma drugs should stay on market

Three GlaxoSmithKline Plc and Novartis AG asthma drugs are safe enough to stay on the market amid concerns they raise the risk of severe asthma attacks in rare cases, a U.S. advisory panel unanimously said on Wednesday.

Glaxo's drugs Serevent and Advair already come with "black box" warnings about one study showing Serevent patients had a higher, albeit small, risk of life-threatening asthma attacks and deaths.

Novartis' medicine Foradil, part of the same category of drugs, should carry a similar warning about the study, the Food and Drug Administration advisory panel ruled.

Dual pacemakers no better for people over 70

For people over 70, pacemakers that stimulate only one part of the heart are just as effective as newer and more expensive devices that apply electricity to two of the heart's four chambers, British researchers said.

Group calls for health warnings on soft drinks

A U.S. consumer group on Wednesday called for cigarette-style warnings on soft drinks to alert consumers that too much of the sugary beverages can make people fat and cause other health problems.

Antipsychotics suppress OCD symptoms-study

People suffering with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who do not respond adequately to antidepressant therapy may benefit from the addition of an antipsychotic agent, results of a study hint.

Relaxation treatment helps teens with headaches

Relaxation techniques appear to help teenagers fight off frequent migraines or tension headaches, a study shows.

Male fertility not harmed by phthalates-study

Contrary to earlier reports, everyday exposure to phthalates -- chemical plasticizers used extensively in household products and in certain medical products -- may not have harmful effects on fertility in young men, a new study shows.

Getting a flu shot may reduce your risk of stroke

Getting a flu shot may not only protect you from catching the virus, it may also protect you from suffering a stroke, according to a study in which German doctors found an association between influenza vaccination and a reduced risk of stroke.

Stem cells may protect brain, nervous system -study

Stem cells may protect the brain and nervous system against damage from tumors and conditions such as multiple sclerosis, researchers at Milan's San Raffaele Scientific Institute found.

High BP worsens impact of stroke on brain function

In women who suffer a stroke, high blood pressure before the event predicts greater declines in cognitive function afterward, results of a study suggest.

Balance of 'good' fats may help lower cholesterol

Striking a balance between two healthy forms of dietary fat may be key to lowering blood cholesterol, a small study suggests.

Food Fact:
A touch of cinnamon.


For diabetes control, a dash of cinnamon may have a surprisingly sweet payoff. Researchers have found it may enhance insulin's ability to metabolize glucose. It's estimated that as little as 1/4 tsp. cinnamon may have a positive effect on blood sugar. Cinnamon is also rich in catechins, which are potentially health-protective, although the catechins in cinnamon are not as well studied as those found in tea. If your cinnamon has been sitting on the shelf for more than a year, toss it out. As with most spices, its flavor goes flat with time.

Fitness Tip of the day:
The 100-yard sale.


The gym isn't the only place to burn calories; you can find lots of ways to get in shape at the mall, if you know where to look. Start by parking an extra 100 yards away and walking to the mall entrance. Take a few laps around the shopping center when you go window shopping. Bring some friends; you'll have so much fun, you may not even realize how much of a workout you're all getting.

FAQ of the day:
Is tofu a good source of calcium?


Many kinds of tofu are excellent sources of calcium, but not all. If tofu is processed with calcium sulfate -- as most are -- it will have about 260mg of calcium per cup. This calcium is as absorbable by the body as the calcium in milk. But tofu processed with nigiri will have little calcium. Similarly, calcium-fortified soy milk contains 300mg of calcium, the same as a cup of milk, but not all soy milks are fortified. Read the label to be sure.

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