Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Health Headlines - September 14, 2005

Katrina Displaces Thousands With HIV

About 8,000 people with HIV and AIDS who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina now face the massive challenge of trying to manage their disease without their doctors, their clinics and their support systems.

Experts: Headphones Worsen Hearing Loss

Researchers fear the growing popularity of portable music players and other items that attach directly to the ears -- including cell phones -- is contributing to hearing loss in younger people.

WHO Launches Polio Vaccination Campaign

The U.N. health agency said Tuesday it has launched a series of polio immunization campaigns in east Africa after a new case was confirmed in Somalia, a country that had been free of the disease since 2002.

Katrina Shows Need to Computerize Records

Federal health officials are working to open a database of prescription drug records to help Hurricane Katrina evacuees piece their health care back together.

Researchers Find No Obesity, Sprawl Link

A growing chorus of planners, health officials and others has said that spread-out suburbs discourage walking and might encourage obesity.

Resistant E. Coli Cases Rising in England

Strains of E. coli bacteria that are resistant to most types of antibiotics and may be spread in food are increasing rapidly in England, the government's health agency said.

Conference Studies Poverty, Health Woes

Scientists and officials from around the world met Monday in Bombay to examine what impact poverty has on health problems in the developing world and how to increase research into fighting diseases that affect the poor.

India to Vaccinate Kids for Encephalitis

More than 20 million children across 60 districts in northern India, considered endemic to Japanese encephalitis, will be vaccinated against the mosquito-born disease, the health minister said Monday.

Health Tip: Treating Iron Deficiency Anemia

If your child's been diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia offers these tips:

To make your child's medicine more palatable, mix it with one ounce of apple or orange juice.
Wipe the teeth after each dose to prevent discoloration of the enamel.
Give your child foods high in iron, including meats, fish, chicken, raisins, dried fruits, sweet potatoes, greens, lima beans, chili beans, green peas, and peanut butter.
Infant formulas have iron, but regular milk does not. Don't give children under the age of one year regular milk without first talking to your child's doctor.

Health Tip: If You're Breastfeeding

When breast-feeding moms return to work, they should do so gradually, says the Baylor College of Medicine.

By initially taking one day off a week, your body will get used to being back at work. Too much too soon and you're likely to see your milk supply decrease because of the stress of working full time and caring for your child when you get home.

To help keep your milk flowing, nurse more often in the evenings and on weekends. It's also a good idea to have a supply of frozen breast milk on hand.

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