Health Headlines - August 31

Use of Angioplasty to Clear Blocked Arteries Soars

Use of angioplasty to open blocked arteries nearly doubled between 1993 and 2005, to 800,000 procedures each year from 418,000, the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality said Thursday.

By contrast, more invasive heart bypass surgeries declined from 344,000 a year to 278,000 over the span, the agency said. Angioplasty is now used nearly three times more often than bypass surgery.

Angioplasty involves inflation of a balloon at the end of a catheter to open a blocked vessel and restore proper blood flow to the heart.

The AHRQ said its analysis also found that while the average hospital stay for angioplasty fell to 2.7 days in 2005 from 4.6 days, hospital charges for angioplasty rose to $48,000 (adjusted for inflation) from $31,300.

With 1.1 million hospitalizations in 2005, coronary artery disease was the third most common reason for a hospital stay, behind childbirth and pneumonia. It was the second leading reason for men, and the seventh for women, the agency said.

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Workers Sickened at Poultry Vaccine Plant

As many as 21 employees of a Maine plant that produces a vaccine for poultry were sickened by salmonella exposure last year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday.

Although tests confirmed salmonella exposure in only five of the workers, as many as 21 showed symptoms of infection with the bacteria. Exposure was traced to an accidental spill in November of a contaminated liquid, the agency said in its Aug. 31 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

The Lohmann Animal Health International plant maintained cultures of four strains of salmonella for use in poultry vaccines, the Associated Press reported. The worker who discovered the spill in a restricted area tried to clean it up with a bleach solution and commercial disinfectant. But the worker then threw away materials and sterilized the mop in more frequently used areas, the wire service said.

It's believed that some of the workers became sick from being in the room where the materials were disposed of, and others became ill from subsequent person-to-person contact, the CDC said.

None of the workers -- who had common symptoms of salmonella infection including diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and vomiting -- required hospitalization, the agency said.

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Type 2 Diabetes May Be Linked to Brain Cell Disorder

Defects in brain neurons' ability to respond to glucose (blood sugar) may play a role in the onset of type 2 diabetes, according to a new study published in the journal Nature.

In this form of the disease, the body's cells fail to adequately regulate the amount of blood glucose. Previous research had suggested that this stems from two simultaneous problems: the improper function of pancreatic beta cells, and the inability of insulin to act on targeted areas of the body, including the liver, fat and muscles.

The new study identifies a third factor that could contribute to the disease: neurons in the brain that aren't properly stimulated by glucose. The study was led by researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Oregon Health and Science University, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

"For many years, we've known that subpopulations of neurons in the brain become 'excited' by glucose," Dr. Bradford Lowell, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, said in a statement. "But we haven't understood exactly how or why this is significant. With this study we show that these neurons sense increases in glucose and then initiate responses aimed at returning blood-glucose levels to normal. This is the first demonstration that glucose-sensing by neurons plays an important role in responding to rising blood glucose levels."

The findings, Lowell said, could lead to new treatments for type 2 diabetes.

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Toys 'R' Us Coloring Cases Recalled for Lead Hazard

About 27,000 "Imaginarium" wood coloring cases made in China and sold at Toys "R" Us stores are being recalled because the ink on the outer packing of the wood contains lead, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday. Some of the black watercolor paint included in the kit also contains excessive amounts of lead, the CPSC said. No injuries have been reported.

The 213-piece kits include crayons, pastels, colored pencils, fiber pens, a paintbrush, ruler, and pencil sharpener. Toys "R" Us stores across the United States sold the product from October 2006 to this month for about $20.

Consumers should take the product away from children immediately and return it to the nearest Toys "R" Us store for store credit.

This recall is the latest in a series involving toys made in China that contain lead-based paint.

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Fresh Spinach Recalled for Possible Salmonella Contamination

Bags of fresh spinach sold throughout the continental United States and Canada are being recalled for possible contamination with salmonella bacteria, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.

There were no immediate reports of illness from the spinach, distributed by Metz Fresh LLC of King City, Calif. While the recall includes 8,118 cases of spinach, the company said it had withheld more than 90 percent of the affected product from distribution.

The recall includes 10- and 16-ounce bags, 4-pound cartons, and cartons that contain four 2.5-pound bags. The following tracking codes are affected: 12208114, 12208214 and 12208314.

The recall was announced nearly a year after an outbreak of E. coli bacteria in fresh spinach led to the deaths of three people and made 200 others sick, the AP reported. That outbreak was traced to spinach from Natural Selection Foods LLC, a company in San Juan Bautista, Calif.

To learn more about the latest recall, contact Metz Fresh at 831-386-1018.

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1 in 8 Ground Zero Workers Has Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

One in eight workers who toiled at the World Trade Center site after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said Wednesday.

The findings, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, come from the World Trade Center Health Registry's initial survey of nearly 30,000 workers, the department said in a statement. Respondents ranged from police officers and firefighters to clergy and construction workers.

The incidence of PTSD was greatest among workers who were at the site for three months or longer, suggesting that shortening work periods after future emergencies might reduce workers' risk of acquiring the disorder, the department said.

For reasons that aren't well understood, firefighters developed PTSD at nearly twice the rate of police officers.

Symptoms of PTSD include intense fear, hopelessness, and horror, and reliving the triggering event when reminded of it. Common triggers include war, terrorism, and personal assault.

Health Tips for August 31

Health Tip: When Alzheimer's Patients Wander

Wandering -- moving about without a definite purpose in mind -- is a common trait of a person with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. This can be dangerous for the patient, and be a source of great stress for worried caregivers and loved ones.

Here are suggestions for what to do when Alzheimer's patients wander, courtesy of the Alzheimer's Association:

* Enroll your loved one in a nationwide identification program specifically for dementia-related wandering, which can help them return home safe.
* Keep contact information at hand for neighbors and local emergency services personnel, and keep them informed about the patient's condition.
* Install deadbolt or slide-bolt locks on all exterior doors. But never attempt to lock an Alzheimer's patient indoors without supervision.
* Limit access to dangerous areas, both inside and near the home.
* Keep in mind that Alzheimer's patients may wander in virtually any form of transportation, including bus or taxi.

Health Tip: Considering Breast Reduction Surgery?

Breast reduction surgery can alleviate painful symptoms in women who have unusually large breasts. These symptoms may include back or neck pain, and painful indentations in the shoulders caused by pressure on bra straps.

If you're considering breast reduction surgery, here are possible complications to keep in mind, courtesy of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons:

* Reduced feeling in the nipples.
* Small sores around the nipples.
* Permanent scarring.
* Breasts of slightly uneven size.
* Nipples that are slightly unevenly placed.
* Inability to breast feed.
* As with any surgery, infection, bleeding and reaction to anesthesia are possible.

Health Headlines - August 30

Fresh Spinach Recalled for Possible Salmonella Contamination

Bags of fresh spinach sold throughout the continental United States and Canada are being recalled for possible contamination with salmonella bacteria, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.

There were no immediate reports of illness from the spinach, distributed by Metz Fresh LLC of King City, Calif. While the recall includes 8,118 cases of spinach, the company said it had withheld more than 90 percent of the affected product from distribution.

The recall includes 10- and 16-ounce bags, 4-pound cartons, and cartons that contain four 2.5-pound bags. The following tracking codes are affected: 12208114, 12208214 and 12208314.

The recall was announced nearly a year after an outbreak of E. coli bacteria in fresh spinach led to the deaths of three people and made 200 others sick, the AP reported. That outbreak was traced to spinach from Natural Selection Foods LLC, a company in San Juan Bautista, Calif.

To learn more about the latest recall, contact Metz Fresh at 831-386-1018.

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1 in 8 Ground Zero Workers Has Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

One in eight workers who toiled at the World Trade Center site after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said Wednesday.

The findings, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, come from the World Trade Center Health Registry's initial survey of nearly 30,000 workers, the department said in a statement. Respondents ranged from police officers and firefighters to clergy and construction workers.

The incidence of PTSD was greatest among workers who were at the site for three months or longer, suggesting that shortening work periods after future emergencies might reduce workers' risk of acquiring the disorder, the department said.

For reasons that aren't well understood, firefighters developed PTSD at nearly twice the rate of police officers.

Symptoms of PTSD include intense fear, hopelessness, and horror, and reliving the triggering event when reminded of it. Common triggers include war, terrorism, and personal assault.

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Waits for Botox Are Shorter Than for Skin Cancer Exams

The typical wait to see a dermatologist for a Botox injection is shorter than the average wait for a skin cancer examination, a new study finds.

A survey of dermatologists in 12 cities found that the typical wait is eight days for an injection of Botox for wrinkles, compared to an average of 26 days to evaluate moles for possible skin cancer, according to researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

The study appears in the current online issue of The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

According to an account of the study by The New York Times, the average wait in Boston for a Botox visit was 13 days, versus 68 days for a mole exam. In Seattle, the average Botox wait was 7.5 days, compared to 35 days for a mole appointment.

"The difference in wait times between medical dermatology and cosmetic dermatology patients is clearly real," said Dr. Jack Resneck, Jr., a UCSF assistant dermatology professor and the study's lead author. "We need to look further and figure out what is leading to shorter wait times for cosmetic patients."

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FDA Approves West Nile Test for Donated Blood and Organs

A new test to detect the West Nile virus in donated blood and organs has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Roche's cobas TaqScreen WVN test uses nucleic acid technology to detect the virus even before the donor's body begins to produce antibodies or show symptoms of infection, the agency said in a statement. The test is not intended to diagnose West Nile in non-donors.

Most people with West Nile show no symptoms, but in rare cases serious symptoms may develop including brain inflammation, headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. People with compromised immune systems are more susceptible to the more serious infections with West Nile.

The virus is most often transmitted by infected mosquitoes, but it can also be passed from person to person by blood transfusion or organ transplant.

Since the virus first appeared in the United States in 1999, as many as 3 million cases have been reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Pictures of Diseased Lungs to Appear on U.K. Cigarette Packs

Smokers in Britain who light up next year are in for a graphic look at what the habit can do to the human body.

Beginning in the second half of 2008, U.K. cigarette packs will be required to show graphic photos including a diseased lung, an open chest before heart surgery, and a large tumor on a man's neck, the Associated Press reported.

The bid to scare Britons into quitting coincides with a rise in the legal age to buy tobacco products from 16 to 18.

Britain is the first European Commission nation to require such images on cigarette packs, a government health official said.

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Married Men More Lax on Housework: Study

New research supports the notion that many married men don't do enough around the house.

Married men say they do less housework than their spouses, and also do fewer household chores than men who cohabit with women, according to results of a study of more than 17,000 men and women in 28 countries.

Women who cohabit also do less housework than women who are married, according to the researchers, from Virginia's George Mason University and North Carolina State University. The findings are published in the September edition of the Journal of Family Issues.

Marriage seems to traditionalize the idea that women do more housework, even if the married partners view each other as equals, according to the study's lead author Shannon Davis.

"Beliefs about this egalitarian notion of women and men sharing equal responsibility for paid work and household tasks matter differently for cohabitating men than ... for married men," Davis, an assistant professor of sociology at George Mason, told USA Today.

The average age was 44 among the 9,517 women surveyed and 48 for the 8,119 men who were polled.

Health Tips for August 30

Health Tip: Coping With Chronic Pain

Chronic pain persists for longer than six months. Besides pain medications, the American Academy of Family Physicians offers this list of additional treatment options:

* Physical therapy, including stretching and strengthening exercises.
* Low-impact exercise, including swimming, biking and walking.
* Occupational therapy to learn how to change daily activities to avoid making pain worse.
* Behavioral therapy, such as yoga and meditation, to increase relaxation and decrease stress.
* Lifestyle changes, including quitting smoking, getting plenty of sleep, eating a proper diet, and getting enough exercise.

Health Tip: Risk Factors for Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are swollen, enlarged veins that bulge past the skin surface. They are usually purplish or bluish in color, and mostly appear on the backs of the legs or calves.

Here are common risk factors for varicose veins, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

* Aging.
* A family history of vein problems.
* Hormonal changes that occur during puberty, pregnancy and menopause.
* Taking birth control pills, or other medications with estrogen or progesterone.
* Pregnancy.
* Obesity.
* Leg injury or prolonged standing.

Health Headlines - August 29

NYC Tuna Sushi Laden With Mercury: Report

Enough mercury was found in samples of sushi tuna sold in New York City that if the average 150-pound New Yorker ate 8 oz. of tuna sushi each week, blood levels would reach 300 percent of the amount recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a new report finds.

More than 20 percent of samples exceeded the FDA "action" level of 1.0 parts per million (ppm), according to the report from the consumer group GotMercury.org. The FDA has the power to order the removal from retail markets of any fish with mercury levels above the warning threshold, according to a prepared statement from the organization.

"Eating tuna in New York has moved from fashionable dining to a high risk sport," said Caryn Mandlebaum, the report's author. "Consumers need to know the risks of eating tuna sushi and know about healthier alternatives when it comes to dining out."

Recent research has shown that adults who regularly consume mercury-laden seafood are at 15 percent greater risk of heart attack, the group's statement said. Higher levels of mercury in pregnant women may increase the risk of cognitive problems in their children, who are at greatest risk of mercury's most toxic effects, the statement added.

GotMercury.org urged restaurants and markets that sell tuna sushi to post signs warning of the risks of mercury-laden fish consumption, and identifying fish that contained the highest mercury levels.

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Blood Banks Urging Latinos to Donate

Blood banks across the United States are seeking to boost donations from Latinos, who are more likely than others to have type O blood, the Associated Press reports.

Type O is the most common blood type, and there's concern of a significant imbalance as demand for type O blood grows without a corresponding increase in giving, the wire service said.

People who have type O blood can only accept a type O transfusion. Blood of other types contain antigens, a marker on blood cells that triggers an immune system response. If type O people were accidentally given blood of another type, the body's immune system would spot the blood's antigens and attack.

Blood of type O doesn't have those antigens, which means that people of other blood types can accept type O in an emergency. That's why people who have type O blood are sometimes called universal donors. About 45 percent of the U.S. population is type O, the AP reported.

While type O is often most sought after, blood of all types is scarce in many places. More than 34,000 pints of blood are needed nationwide each day. And while more than 60 percent of the U.S. population are eligible to donate, only 5 percent actually do, the AP said.

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Toy Watering Cans Made in China Recalled

Some 6,000 "Robbie Duckie" toy watering cans made in China are being recalled because the yellow paint contains excess lead, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Tuesday.

Lead can be toxic if ingested by young children, increasing their risk of health problems including neurological disorders and kidney damage. Earlier this month, Mattel and other companies announced recalls of millions of toys that contained lead-based paint.

The "Robby Ducky" toys were sold at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft stores nationwide from February 2007 through August 2007 for about $10. No injuries have been reported.

The toy is about 10 inches high and 6 inches wide, and includes a sticker on the bottom that says "Robby Ducky Garden Collection Duck Watering Can."

Consumers should immediately take the toy away from children and return it to any Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft store for a refund. To learn more, contact the company toll-free at 888-739-4120, extension 7.

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Blood Clotting Protein Approved for Surgery

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the blood-clotting protein Evithrom (human thrombin) to help stem bleeding during surgery, the agency said Tuesday.

Evithrom is the first form of human thrombin approved since 1954, and is the only form of the human protein currently licensed. Derived from human blood plasma, it is obtained from "carefully screened and tested U.S. donors and has undergone steps to further reduce the risk for transfusion-transmitted diseases," the FDA said in a statement.

The product, applied to the surface of bleeding tissue, is used to stop minor bleeding from small blood vessels when standard surgical techniques are impractical or ineffective.

Forms of thrombin currently used are obtained from cattle. In clinical trials, Evithrom was found "comparable" to the cattle-derived equivalents, the FDA said.

Evithrom is made by the Israeli firm Omrix Biopharmaceuticals and will be distributed domestically by Johnson & Johnson Wound Management of Somerville, N.J.

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Asthma Rates Elevated Among Ground Zero Recovery Workers

Recovery workers who responded to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center have contracted asthma at 12 times the normal rate of the general population, the New York City Department of Health said Monday.

Some 3.6 percent of the 25,000 workers enrolled in World Trade Center Health Registry have developed the lung disease, the department said in a prepared statement. Workers who arrived at Ground Zero on Sept. 11, 2001, and worked on the site more than 90 days had the highest rate of asthma, at 7 percent.

The data were published Monday in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

Workers who did not wear masks or respirators were two to three times more likely to develop asthma than those who did wear the protective equipment, the department added. However, asthma rates were above average even among workers who did wear the masks.

"The events of 9/11 were unprecedented," New York City Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden said in a prepared statement. "With the urgency of rescue operations and the difficulty of prolonged physical exertion with most types of respirators, there are no easy answers."

The study found no differences among rescue workers of different occupations, but found that asthma rates were significantly higher among those who worked on dust-laden debris piles, versus those who worked elsewhere on the Ground Zero site, the department said.

Health Tips for August 29

Health Tip: Weather Can Affect Asthma

Asthma symptoms can be exacerbated by a variety of triggers, including exercise. Attacks also may be brought on by certain types of weather.

Here, courtesy of the Nemours Foundation, is a list of different types of weather that have been linked to asthma:

* Cold, dry winter air.
* Windy weather that stirs up pollen and other irritants.
* Hot and humid air.
* Thunderstorms, possibly because of wind or changes in barometric pressure.

Health Tip: Prevent Cooking Fires

Kitchen stoves are a common source of fires in the home.

Here are guidelines to help prevent fires in the kitchen, courtesy of New York's Department of State:

* Never place dishrags, pot holders or towels on or near a burner.
* When cooking, don't wear loose-fitting clothing or reach across the stove.
* Don't use any aerosol spray cans near the stove.
* Never lean against the stove while it's in use.
* Don't use towels in place of pot holders.
* Never let children around a hot stove or stove top.
* Don't place items above the stove -- like candy or cookies -- that children may try to reach.

Health Headlines - August 28

Asthma Rates Elevated Among Ground Zero Recovery Workers

Recovery workers who responded to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center have contracted asthma at 12 times the normal rate of the general population, the New York City Department of Health said Monday.

Some 3.6 percent of the 25,000 workers enrolled in World Trade Center Health Registry have developed the lung disease, the department said in a prepared statement. Workers who arrived at Ground Zero on Sept. 11, 2001, and worked on the site more than 90 days had the highest rate of asthma, at 7 percent.

The data were published Monday in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

Workers who did not wear masks or respirators were two to three times more likely to develop asthma than those who did wear the protective equipment, the department added. However, asthma rates were above average even among workers who did wear the masks.

"The events of 9/11 were unprecedented," New York City Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden said in a prepared statement. "With the urgency of rescue operations and the difficulty of prolonged physical exertion with most types of respirators, there are no easy answers."

The study found no differences among rescue workers of different occupations, but found that asthma rates were significantly higher among those who worked on dust-laden debris piles, versus those who worked elsewhere on the Ground Zero site, the department said.

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FDA Expands Recall of Raw Oysters

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has expanded its Aug. 10 recall of raw oysters harvested from the Hood Canal region in Washington state.

Originally limited to "growing area 6," the recall now includes raw oysters harvested from neighboring "growing area 5," the agency said Monday. The oysters may be contaminated with Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria, which could lead to symptoms including diarrhea, cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever and chills. Symptoms usually develop within 24 hours of eating the tainted food, and should last no longer than three days. People with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible to this type of illness.

It has now been determined that raw oysters harvested from the newly identified growing area between July 31 and Aug. 20 sickened at least six people in Washington state, the FDA said in a prepared statement. Records indicate the oysters were distributed domestically in Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Washington state.

The oysters were shipped internationally to British Columbia, Canada; Bali, Indonesia; Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand.

Both growing areas 5 and 6 have been closed, and companies that harvested any oysters from either region have been asked to recall them, the FDA said. Consumers who bought raw oysters should contact the place of purchase to ask if the oysters were harvested from affected growing areas.

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Dunkin' Donuts Dumps Most Trans Fats

Dunkin' Donuts says it has dumped most harmful trans fats from more than 50 menu items and says its menu will be "zero grams trans fat" by Oct. 15, the Associated Press reported Monday.

About 400 of the 5,400 Dunkin' Donuts locations nationwide took part in a four-month switchover to a new blend of palm, soy and cottonseed oils, the wire service said. These included locations in New York City and Philadelphia, which are requiring restaurants to eliminate artery-clogging trans fats.

The donut chain isn't claiming that it will be entirely trans fat-free because federal regulations allow the "zero gram" designation provided levels fall below a half gram per serving, the AP said.

In related news, Baskin-Robbins plans to be "zero grams trans fat" by Jan. 1, the wire service said. The ice cream chain is owned by the donut company's parent, Dunkin' Brands Inc.

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2 Dry Dog Food Brands Recalled After Salmonella Discovered

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued another alert for a pet food recall, this time because salmonella bacteria was found in test samples.

Two brands of dry dog food are involved. The first is sold in five-pound bags in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania under the name Krasdale Gravy dry dog food. The second is sold in 50-pound bags in Pennsylvania under the name Red Flannel Large Breed Adult Formula.

Both brands have been recalled by their maker, Mars Petcare US of Franklin, Tenn., the FDA says, because of tests that revealed the presence of Salmonella Schwarzengrund, a type of salmonella that can be resistant to traditional antibiotic treatment.

The FDA did not indicate that this recall had anything to do with a massive recall of scores of pet food brands in March. Those recalls were prompted by reports of illnesses in dogs and cats, possibly by their eating foods that contained melamine, a chemical used to make plastics.

Salmonella, which can cause fever and diarrhea in humans and can be particularly dangerous to the elderly and small children, could be acquired by humans handling contaminated pet food, the FDA says in a news release.

So far this year, 64 human cases of Salmonella Schwarzengrund have been reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention according to the FDA, but none of them has been connected to the two recalled pet foods.

The coding information on the pet food bags is UPC Code: 7513062596 with the Best By Dates of July 16 and July 17, 2008. Consumers can call Mars Petcare US, Inc. at 866-298-8332 for more information.

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Avian Flu Reported on Farm in Bavaria

The deadly strain of avian flu that has caused the deaths of millions of birds worldwide has re-emerged in Europe, this time in Germany.

According to the Associated Press, tests on ducklings at a farm in northern Bavaria found the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu, and about 160,000 birds were being slaughtered to keep the virus from spreading.

This is the first case of a flock of German farm poultry contracting bird flu, the wire service reports, although several cases of the virus were found in wild birds in Germany this year.

Health officials remain alert to the possibility that the avian flu virus could mutate and cause it to be transmitted from human to human. Although the World Health Organization puts the number of human deaths from avian flu at 190, none of them is ascribed to contagion between humans, the AP reports.

Since it first began its worldwide spread in 2004, the H5N1 avian flu virus has caused the deaths of millions of birds in Asia, Europe, the South Pacific and Africa.

Health Tips for August 28

Health Tip: Excessive Sweating

Excessive sweating -- even when at rest -- is a medical condition called hyperhidrosis. It's caused by overactive sweat glands, which produce sweat for no reason, even when the body is cool. It most often causes excessive sweating in the feet, hands and armpits.

Here are suggestions on how to help control hyperhidrosis, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* Strong antiperspirants containing 10 percent to 15 percent aluminum chloride hexahydrate.
* Anticholinergic drugs, which help reduce stimulation of the sweat glands. Beta-blockers or benzodiazepines may help reduce stress-induced sweating.
* A procedure (iontophoresis) that uses electricity to temporarily stop sweat glands from functioning.
* Botox injections in the underarm.
* Minimally invasive surgery to reduce excessive sweating in the palms.

Health Tip: Soothing a Sore Throat

A sore throat can be caused by many factors, including allergies, tonsillitis or the common cold.

Try following these suggestions from the American Academy of Family Physicians on how to help a sore throat:

* Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like aspirin, naproxen or ibuprofen.
* Gargle a few times daily with a warm salt water solution, created with one teaspoon of salt in a glass of water.
* Suck on hard candies or throat lozenges throughout the day to keep the throat moist.
* Eat a frozen dessert, such as a popsicle or ice cream, to soothe the throat.
* In the less humid months of winter, keep a humidifier going in the bedroom while you sleep, and in other rooms you frequent during the day.
* Drink plenty of fluids.

Health Headlines - August 27

Two Dry Dog Food Brands Recalled After Salmonella Discovered

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has has issued another alert for a pet food recall, this time because salmonella bacterium was found in test samples.

Two brands of dry dog food are involved. The first is sold in five pound bags in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania under the name Krasdale Gravy dry dog food. The second is sold in 50 pound bags in Pennsylvania under the name Red Flannel Large Breed Adult Formula.

Both brands have been recalled by their maker, Mars Petcare US of Franklin, Tenn., the FDA says, because of tests that revealed the presence of Salmonella Schwarzengrund, a type of salmonella that can be resistant to traditional antibiotic treatment.

The FDA did not indicate that this recall had anything to do with a massive recall of scores of pet food brands in March. Those recalls were prompted by reports of illnesses in dogs and cats, possibly by their eating foods that contained melamine, a chemical used to make plastics.

Salmonella, which can cause fever and diarrhea in humans and can be particularly dangerous to the elderly and small children, could be acquired by humans handling contaminated pet food, the FDA says in a news release.

So far this year, 64 human cases of Salmonella Schwarzengrund have been reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention according to the FDA, but none of them has been connected to the two recalled pet foods.

The coding information on the pet food bags is UPC Code: 7513062596 with the Best By Dates of July 16 and July 17, 2008. Consumers can call Mars Petcare US, Inc. at 866-298-8332 for more information.

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Avian Flu Reported on Farm in Bavaria

The deadly strain of avian flu that has caused the deaths of millions of birds worldwide has re-emerged in Europe, this time in Germany.

According to the Associated Press, tests on ducklings at a farm in northern Bavaria found the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu, and about 160,000 birds were being slaughtered to keep the virus from spreading.

This is the first case of a flock of German farm poultry contracting bird flu, the wire service reports, although several cases of the virus were found in wild birds in Germany this year.

Health officials remain alert to the possibility that the avian flu virus could mutate and cause it to be transmitted from human to human. Although the World Health Organization puts the number of human deaths from avian flu at 190, none of them is ascribed to contagion between humans, the A.P. reports.

Since it first began its worldwide spread in 2004, the H5N1 avian flu virus has caused the deaths of millions of birds in Asia, Europe, the South Pacific and Africa.

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U.S. Maternal Childbirth Death Rate Climbing

It's difficult to believe, but the rate of women who die from giving birth in the United States is rising, according to recent government statistics.

The U.S. government's National Center for Health Statistics gave a report last week showing that The U.S. maternal mortality rate rose to 13 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2004, up one death per 100,000 from 2003. Statistically, that figure is significant, the Associated Press reports. What's even more alarming is that the 2003 figure was the first to exceed 10 deaths per 100,000 since 1977, according to the A.P.

The reasons for the hike? Obesity, increasing use of Caesarean sections and new reporting systems all are contributing factors, health experts told the wire service.

"There's an inherent risk to C-sections," Dr. Elliott Main, who reviews obstetrics care in California, told the wire service. "As you do thousands and thousands of them, there's going to be a price."

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Obese Man Undergoes Weight Loss Surgery in Attempt to Win Adoption Case

A 558-pound man who was claims he was denied the right to adopt a child because of his obesity underwent gastric bypass surgery in Dallas Friday in hopes that the procedure would spur the weight loss necessary to increase his chances.

According to the Associated Press, 34-year-old Gary Stocklaufer and his wife had taken baby Max into their home since he was a week old. The infant, now 4 months, is related to the Stocklaufers, who live in Independence, Mo., the wire service said.

When it came time to proceed with the adoption, Max was given to another family, and the Stocklaufers told the A.P. they believe it is because of Gary's obesity, a charge on which Missouri officials declined comment. The Jackson County Mo. court is required "to consider the welfare and best interests of the child" which is a "complicated determination," court spokeswoman Kelley Carpenter said in an e-mail to the wire service.

"They have legally kidnapped this child," the A.P quotes Cindy Stocklaufer as saying Friday after her husband's surgery. "There's no guarantee losing the weight will change anything, but we have to try."

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Fatty Diet Linked to Infertility

In mice, a high-fat diet damages eggs in the ovaries and prevents them from becoming healthy embryos, a finding that may help explain infertility problems in obese women, say researchers at the University of Adelaide in Australia.

They discovered that the main cause of diet-induced infertility in mice is a protein called peroxisome proliferator-activated gamma -- found in cells that nourish eggs, Agence France-Presse reported.

"The behavior of this protein helps to determine the way in which the ovaries sense and respond to fats," said researcher Cadence Minge. "Being able to control this protein will be very important in the quest to reverse fertility caused by poor diets."

She and her colleagues found that the anti-diabetes drug rosglitazone helped counter the effects of this protein in mice, resulting in better rates of fetal survival and higher birth weights. However, due to potential side effects, this drug can't be used as a "quick fix" for infertile obese women, AFP reported.

Weight loss is the most effective way for obese women to restore fertility, Minge said.

-----

Baby Carrots Recalled for Bacteria Contamination

Sweet baby carrots sold in 12 states are being recalled because they may be contaminated with Shigella bacteria, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.

Infection with the bacteria -- especially among the very young, elderly, or people with compromised immune systems -- can trigger symptoms including diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Illness usually lasts four to 14 days, the agency said in a statement on its Web site.

The product was sold in packages with two labels. The first was branded "Los Angeles Salad Genuine Sweet Baby Carrots" and distributed by retail stores including Kroger, King Sooper, and Publix in Colorado, California, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, South Carolina, and Florida. Affected 7- and 8-oz. plastic bags had a sell-by date up to and including Aug. 16, 2007.

The second label was "Trader Joe's Genuine Sweet Baby Carrots," distributed by Trader Joe's stores in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Affected 7-oz. bags had a sell-by date up to and including Aug. 8, 2007.

The carrots were produced by the Los Angeles Salad Co. At least four people who ate the carrots were sickened in Canada between Aug. 4 and Aug. 6, the FDA said, although none was hospitalized. The source of the contamination is under investigation.

To learn more, contact Los Angeles Salads at 626-322-9017.

Health Tips for August 27

Food Fact:
Thrilla in vanilla

In low-fat desserts, high-quality vanilla can make you a champ. Vanilla imparts a warm, rounded flavor of its own and serves as a backdrop for other spices. Its quality is crucial in low-fat desserts, because without a lot of fat the other flavors stand out more. Avoid imitation extracts; they simply taste bad. Buy vanilla extract that is labeled "pure." Or better yet, make your own: Slit 4 whole vanilla beans lengthwise, place in a jar, cover with vodka or brandy, and let steep for at least 2 weeks.

Fitness Tip of the day:
Don't just stand -- stretch!

It's easy to fit stretching into your day; try these 3 tips. Practice some stretches while waiting in shopping lines. Simple neck and shoulder rolls are a great way to release stress and relax tight muscles. And make use of the stairs -- a great tool for stretching out your calves. How important is it to stretch? The American College of Sports Medicine has added stretching to its fitness recommendations.

FAQ of the day:
Are walking shoes a waste of money?

To find the right shoe, start with knowledgeable salespeople. If someone suggests a shoe designed for another sport as a walking shoe, move on. Ask a salesperson to measure your feet every time you buy new walking shoes -- foot size and width can change over time. Try on shoes after you've exercised and your feet are at their largest. Put on the socks you normally wear when you're walking. Make sure the shoe fits in the heel -- many women mistakenly choose shoes that are too small just because they feel secure in the heel as they walk. Replace walking shoes every 500 miles, or about twice a year.

Make a New Assault on Salt

If you're like most Americans, there's too much salt in your diet, which can lead to high blood pressure and increased risk of heart attack or stroke, experts warn.

The issue is so important that the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Heart Association, the American Dietetic Association and the U.S. National Institutes of Health have launched a campaign to cut Americans' salt intake by half. The AMA has even gone so far as to urge the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to withdraw salt's designation as "safe."

The average American consumes 4,000 to 6,000 milligrams of salt per day. The FDA recommends a limit of 2,400 mg a day, while the Institute of Medicine recommends a maximum of 1,500 mg a day.

In the April 19, 2007 issue of the British Medical Journal, two studies found that reducing salt intake by 25 percent to 35 percent could cut the risk of cardiovascular disease by as much as 25 percent and lower the risk of death by 20 percent.

Many people mistakenly believe that simply removing the salt shaker from the table will solve the problem, but many kinds of packaged, processed and restaurant foods contain high levels of salt. It's used for taste, to preserve foods, and provide texture.

Here are some tips on how you can reduce your salt intake:

* Identify foods that have a high salt (sodium) content.
* Limit your daily salt intake to between 1,500 and 2,400 milligrams.
* When dining out, ask for unsalted menu items.
* At home, use herbs and spices to season your food.
* Remove salt from recipes when possible.
* Don't put the salt shaker on your dining table.

Bird flu found at German poultry farm

Tests have found that birds at a poultry farm in southern Germany died of the H5N1 strain of bird flu, and some 160,000 birds were being slaughtered as a precaution, authorities said.

The virus was detected in ducklings at the farm near Erlangen, in northern Bavaria. A federal lab confirmed that the birds died of the "highly pathogenic" H5N1 variant, the state consumer protection ministry said Saturday.

More than 400 birds had died over a short period of time at the farm, ministry spokeswoman Sandra Brandt said. Authorities planned to start Saturday evening with the slaughter of the 160,000 birds at the farm.

Several cases of the virus have surfaced among wild birds in Germany this year. Last month, it was detected in a domestic goose in the east of the country.

The H5N1 virus has killed more than 190 people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.

It remains hard for humans to catch, but experts fear it could mutate into a form that spreads easily among people, potentially sparking a global pandemic. So far, most human cases have been traced to contact with infected birds.

Ragweed Season Doesn't Mean Suffering

Ragweed season, which lasts from about mid-August to October in many parts of the United States, can bring misery to the estimated 36 million Americans with seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

Symptoms such as sneezing, runny noses, swollen, itchy watery eyes are so severe that they disrupt a person's ability to function normally at work or school, says the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).

The academy notes that almost 80 percent of people with seasonal allergies suffer sleep problems, resulting in daytime fatigue and poor concentration. Each year, ragweed-related allergies cause more than 3.8 million lost days of work and school.

The AAAAI offers some tips on how to reduce exposure to ragweed:

* Avoid areas where ragweed plants thrive, such as ditches, roadsides, riverbanks, vacant lots, and the edges of wooded areas.
* Keep windows closed during ragweed season in order to prevent pollen from getting into your home. Use air conditioning, which cools, cleans and dries the air.
* Keep your car windows closed.
* Limit the amount of time you spend outdoors when pollen counts are high.
* After you spend time outside, take a shower to wash pollen from your skin and hair.
* Minimize your exposure to other allergens during ragweed season. Hay fever symptoms are often the result of cumulative exposure to multiple allergens.
* Start taking allergy medications 10 to 14 days before peak ragweed season in your area.
* Get up-to-date pollen information from the National Allergy Bureau (www.aaaai.org/nab).

Health Headlines - August 26

U.S. Maternal Childbirth Death Rate Climbing

It's difficult to believe, but the rate of women who die from giving birth in the United States is rising, according to recent government statistics.

The U.S. government's National Center for Health Statistics gave a report last week showing that The U.S. maternal mortality rate rose to 13 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2004, up one death per 100,000 from 2003. Statistically, that figure is significant, the Associated Press reports. What's even more alarming is that the 2003 figure was the first to exceed 10 deaths per 100,000 since 1977, according to the A.P.

The reasons for the hike? Obesity, increasing use of Caesarean sections and new reporting systems all are contributing factors, health experts told the wire service.

"There's an inherent risk to C-sections," Dr. Elliott Main, who reviews obstetrics care in California, told the wire service. "As you do thousands and thousands of them, there's going to be a price."

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Obese Man Undergoes Weight Loss Surgery in Attempt to Win Adoption Case

A 558-pound man who was claims he was denied the right to adopt a child because of his obesity underwent gastric bypass surgery in Dallas Friday in hopes that the procedure would spur the weight loss necessary to increase his chances.

According to the Associated Press, 34-year-old Gary Stocklaufer and his wife had taken baby Max into their home since he was a week old. T he infant, now 4 months, is related to the Stocklaufers, who live in Independence, Mo., the wire service said.

When it came time to proceed with the adoption, Max was given to another family, and the Stocklaufers told the A.P. they believe it is because of Gary's obesity, a charge on which Missouri officials declined comment. The Jackson County Mo. court is required "to consider the welfare and best interests of the child" which is a "complicated determination," court spokeswoman Kelley Carpenter said in an e-mail to the wire service.

"They have legally kidnapped this child," the A.P quotes Cindy Stocklaufer as saying Friday after her husband's surgery. "There's no guarantee losing the weight will change anything, but we have to try."

-----

Fatty Diet Linked to Infertility

In mice, a high-fat diet damages eggs in the ovaries and prevents them from becoming healthy embryos, a finding that may help explain infertility problems in obese women, say researchers at the University of Adelaide in Australia.

They discovered that the main cause of diet-induced infertility in mice is a protein called peroxisome proliferator-activated gamma -- found in cells that nourish eggs, Agence France-Presse reported.

"The behavior of this protein helps to determine the way in which the ovaries sense and respond to fats," said researcher Cadence Minge. "Being able to control this protein will be very important in the quest to reverse fertility caused by poor diets."

She and her colleagues found that the anti-diabetes drug rosglitazone helped counter the effects of this protein in mice, resulting in better rates of fetal survival and higher birth weights. However, due to potential side effects, this drug can't be used as a "quick fix" for infertile obese women, AFP reported.

Weight loss is the most effective way for obese women to restore fertility, Minge said.

-----

Two New Norovirus Strains Identified by U.S. Health Officials

Two new strains of norovirus were identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during an outbreak late last year that made thousands ill and may have killed as many as 19 people.

So far, norovirus has been confirmed as the cause of death in only one case -- a 90-year-old nursing home resident in North Carolina, the Associated Press reported.

The two new strains may have played a role in the unusually high number of cases -- 1,300 outbreaks in 24 states -- reported last winter, says an article in this week's issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the CDC.

Noroviruses, sometimes called Norwalk-like viruses, are a group of highly contagious viruses that cause gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. In recent years, there have been a number of norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships. During last winter's outbreak, many cases occurred in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

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False Lab Tests May Explain Rising Whooping Cough Numbers

False lab tests may be behind a reported surge in whooping cough (pertussis) cases in the United States, according to researchers with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

They found that a regularly used lab test for whooping cough misdiagnosed cases among suspected outbreaks in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Tennessee, the Associated Press reported.

As a result of those false test results, thousands of people may have taken antibiotics unnecessarily. One New Hampshire hospital even limited the number of patients admitted because it was thought some hospital workers had the sometimes lethal respiratory infection.

Previously, U.S. federal health officials said the number of reported whooping cough cases in the country had tripled since 2001, reaching 26,000 in 2005. But nearly half those cases were diagnosed using this apparently faulty lab test, the AP reported.

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Baby Carrots Recalled for Bacteria Contamination

Sweet baby carrots sold in 12 states are being recalled because they may be contaminated with Shigella bacteria, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.

Infection with the bacteria -- especially among the very young, elderly, or people with compromised immune systems -- can trigger symptoms including diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Illness usually lasts four to 14 days, the agency said in a statement on its Web site.

The product was sold in packages with two labels. The first was branded "Los Angeles Salad Genuine Sweet Baby Carrots" and distributed by retail stores including Kroger, King Sooper, and Publix in Colorado, California, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, South Carolina, and Florida. Affected 7- and 8-oz. plastic bags had a sell-by date up to and including Aug. 16, 2007.

The second label was "Trader Joe's Genuine Sweet Baby Carrots," distributed by Trader Joe's stores in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Affected 7-oz. bags had a sell-by date up to and including Aug. 8, 2007.

The carrots were produced by the Los Angeles Salad Co. At least four people who ate the carrots were sickened in Canada between Aug. 4 and Aug. 6, the FDA said, although none was hospitalized. The source of the contamination is under investigation.

To learn more, contact Los Angeles Salads at 626-322-9017.

Health Tips for August 26

Food Fact:
Like buttermilk...

Despite its rich-sounding name, buttermilk is tremendous for low-fat cooks. Today's commercial buttermilk is made from skim or low-fat milk that has healthful bacteria added to it, which thickens the milk and gives it a pleasant dairy tang. Use buttermilk in salad dressings, low-fat biscuits and muffins, or in our favorite, buttermilk mashed potatoes. But what about that name? It's a relic of the past, when buttermilk was the liquid left after churning butter.

Fitness Tip of the day:
Don't discount fitness.

Can't fit exercise into your schedule? Here's how to exercise when you shop, and buy a little extra time! Mall walking makes exercise feel less like a chore and more a part of daily life. When the weather is bad walk laps with a friend around your area mall -- a great cardiovascular workout. To find a mall-walking program in your area, contact the management office of your local mall.

FAQ of the day:
Does "spot reducing" really work?

While specific exercises have specific effects -- for example, a leg press on a weight machine will improve strength and endurance of the involved muscles -- fat isn't selectively metabolized by exercise. The possible exception is "abdominal obesity," the "apple shape" common in men and some women. There is some evidence that exercise effectively targets this "visceral fat" associated with a high risk of heart attack and Type 2 diabetes. Generally speaking, as you burn more calories than you consume, you will burn fat from all over your body. Focus on a balanced exercise program for both aerobic and musculoskeletal fitness, which can give you a strong, healthy, fit body, no matter what its shape.

Health Headlines - August 25

Fatty Diet Linked to Infertility

In mice, a high-fat diet damages eggs in the ovaries and prevents them from becoming healthy embryos, a finding that may help explain infertility problems in obese women, say researchers at the University of Adelaide in Australia.

They discovered that the main cause of diet-induced infertility in mice is a protein called peroxisome proliferator-activated gamma -- found in cells that nourish eggs, Agence France-Presse reported.

"The behavior of this protein helps to determine the way in which the ovaries sense and respond to fats," said researcher Cadence Minge. "Being able to control this protein will be very important in the quest to reverse fertility caused by poor diets."

She and her colleagues found that the anti-diabetes drug rosglitazone helped counter the effects of this protein in mice, resulting in better rates of fetal survival and higher birth weights. However, due to potential side effects, this drug can't be used as a "quick fix" for infertile obese women, AFP reported.

Weight loss is the most effective way for obese women to restore fertility, Minge said.

-----

Human Activities Triggering Emergence of New Diseases: WHO

Changes in sexual behavior, intensive farming and a growing world population are among the reasons for an unprecedented number of emerging diseases in recent decades, says the World Health Organization.

The U.N health agency noted that HIV/AIDS and 38 other pathogens that now affect people were unknown a few decades ago, the Associated Press reported.

"We've seen a shift in a trend that reflects a transition of human civilization," said WHO epidemics expert Dr. Mike Ryan. "The relationship to the animal kingdom, our travel, our social, sexual and other behaviors have changed the nature of our relationship with the microbial world and the result of that is the emergence of new pathogens and the spread of those pathogens around the world."

"We've urbanized a world. We have moved people and food around that world at ever increasing speed," Ryan noted. "We're not saying that's a bad thing. What we're saying is that we must recognize the risk we create in the process and invest to manage those risks."

Intensive poultry farming may have been a factor in the global spread of bird flu, noted WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan, who added that the majority of new diseases (including SARS, Ebola and bird flu) stemmed from animals, the AP reported.

-----

Two New Norovirus Strains Identified by U.S. Health Officials

Two new strains of norovirus were identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during an outbreak late last year that made thousands ill and may have killed as many as 19 people.

So far, norovirus has been confirmed as the cause of death in only one case -- a 90-year-old nursing home resident in North Carolina, the Associated Press reported.

The two new strains may have played a role in the unusually high number of cases -- 1,300 outbreaks in 24 states -- reported last winter, says an article in this week's issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the CDC.

Noroviruses, sometimes called Norwalk-like viruses, are a group of highly contagious viruses that cause gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. In recent years, there have been a number of norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships. During last winter's outbreak, many cases occurred in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

-----

False Lab Tests May Explain Rising Whooping Cough Numbers

False lab tests may be behind a reported surge in whooping cough (pertussis) cases in the United States, according to researchers with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

They found that a regularly used lab test for whooping cough misdiagnosed cases among suspected outbreaks in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Tennessee, the Associated Press reported.

As a result of those false test results, thousands of people may have taken antibiotics unnecessarily. One New Hampshire hospital even limited the number of patients admitted because it was thought some hospital workers had the sometimes lethal respiratory infection.

Previously, U.S. federal health officials said the number of reported whooping cough cases in the country had tripled since 2001, reaching 26,000 in 2005. But nearly half those cases were diagnosed using this apparently faulty lab test, the AP reported.

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AMA Promotes Help for the Uninsured

A multimillion-dollar media campaign aimed at helping people get health insurance was launched Thursday by the American Medical Association.

One in seven Americans doesn't have health insurance. The AMA's proposals include tax credits and more federal funding to expand government programs such as Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program, the Associated Press reported.

As part of the "Voices for the Uninsured" campaign, the AMA placed full-page color ads in Thursday's New York Times and USA Today.

For the initial part of the campaign -- timed to coincide with the upcoming presidential election -- the AMA is spending $5 million on newspaper, television and radio ads in early primary states such as Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, the AP reported.

Next year, the AMA will take the campaign national and lobby Congress to pass legislation to help the uninsured, the wire service said.

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Baby Carrots Recalled for Bacteria Contamination

Sweet baby carrots sold in 12 states are being recalled because they may be contaminated with Shigella bacteria, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.

Infection with the bacteria -- especially among the very young, elderly, or people with compromised immune systems -- can trigger symptoms including diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Illness usually lasts four to 14 days, the agency said in a statement on its Web site.

The product was sold in packages with two labels. The first was branded "Los Angeles Salad Genuine Sweet Baby Carrots" and distributed by retail stores including Kroger, King Sooper, and Publix in Colorado, California, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, South Carolina, and Florida. Affected 7- and 8-oz. plastic bags had a sell-by date up to and including Aug. 16, 2007.

The second label was "Trader Joe's Genuine Sweet Baby Carrots," distributed by Trader Joe's stores in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Affected 7-oz. bags had a sell-by date up to and including Aug. 8, 2007.

The carrots were produced by the Los Angeles Salad Co. At least four people who ate the carrots were sickened in Canada between Aug. 4 and Aug. 6, the FDA said, although none was hospitalized. The source of the contamination is under investigation.

To learn more, contact Los Angeles Salads at 626-322-9017.

Health Tips for August 25

Health Tip: Keep Lead Out of Your Home

Lead exposure can damage the kidneys, and brain and blood cells. While newer homes may not contain hazardous lead-based paint, lead is still present in some work environments and can be carried home on clothing.

If your workplace may expose you to lead, the American Academy of Family Physicians offers the following suggestions:

* Don't wear clothing or shoes at home that you wear to work -- don't wear them inside the house even to change.
* Wash and dry work clothing separately from clothing you wear at home -- keep that clothing separate from the rest of the family's clothing.
* Always wash your hands thoroughly before you eat or drink.
* When at work, only eat and drink in areas designated to be free of lead, dust and fumes.
* Mop floors rather than dry vacuum or sweep them to prevent stirring up lead-contaminated dust.
* Wear a well-fitted respirator at work.

Health Tip: Are You at Greater Risk For Cervical Cancer?

The most common cause of cervical cancer is infection with the human papillomavirus. Before cancer develops in the cervix, cervical cells begin to develop abnormally -- a process known as dysplasia. These abnormal cells can be detected by a test called a Pap smear.

The U.S. National Cancer Institute lists these risk factors for developing cervical cancer:

* Not having regular Pap smears.
* Abnormal Pap results.
* Having sex at a young age.
* Having many sexual partners.
* Giving birth to many children.
* Smoking.
* Taking oral contraceptives.
* Having a weakened immune system.

Health Headlines - August 24

Baby Carrots Recalled for Bacteria Contamination

Sweet baby carrots sold in 12 states are being recalled because they may be contaminated with Shigella bacteria, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.

Infection with the bacteria -- especially among the very young, elderly, or people with compromised immune systems -- can trigger symptoms including diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Illness usually lasts four to 14 days, the agency said in a statement on its Web site.

The product was sold in packages with two labels. The first was branded "Los Angeles Salad Genuine Sweet Baby Carrots" and distributed by retail stores including Kroger, King Sooper, and Publix in Colorado, California, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, South Carolina, and Florida. Affected 7- and 8-oz. plastic bags had a sell-by date up to and including Aug. 16, 2007.

The second label was "Trader Joe's Genuine Sweet Baby Carrots," distributed by Trader Joe's stores in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Affected 7-oz. bags had a sell-by date up to and including Aug. 8, 2007.

The carrots were produced by the Los Angeles Salad Co. At least four people who ate the carrots were sickened in Canada between Aug. 4 and Aug. 6, the FDA said, although none was hospitalized. The source of the contamination is under investigation.

To learn more, contact Los Angeles Salads at 626-322-9017.

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Study Offers New Insight Into Autism

In people with autism, connections between brain cells may be deficient within single regions, and not just between regions as was previously believed, says a study in this month's issue of the journal Biological Psychiatry.

The finding may lead to earlier diagnosis and development of more targeted drugs to treat autism, said lead author Tony Wilson, assistant professor of neurology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C. He conducted the study while at the University of Colorado.

Using brain imaging technology, Wilson and his team analyzed brain activity in 10 children with autism and 10 children without the disorder as the children listened to a series of clicking sounds.

The researchers noted a considerable difference between the two groups of children in the auditory area of the left hemisphere of the brain, which controls language and logic. Children with autism showed no response while those without autism showed an immediate response.

"Our results made sense. Both anecdotal and behavioral evidence suggest children with autism have significantly disturbed brain circuits on the local level within an individual brain area," Wilson said.

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Severe Burns Can Cause Heart Problems

Severe burns can cause a major reduction in heart function and increase the risk of death, says an American study in the journal Critical Care.

Researchers from Shriners Hospitals for Children studied 189 children with burns, finding that those who had burns over 80 percent of their bodies had a "marked" decline in heart function, BBC News reported.

The study found that burns trigger heightened inflammatory and metabolic activity, which severely stress the heart and other vital organs. In addition, wounds take longer to heal and patients are vulnerable to infection.

Patients with severe burns have high death rates. These findings have implications for the care of those patients, according to lead researcher Marc Jeschke. He said treatments must focus on a number of areas, and adequate cardiovascular support is one essential component, BBC News reported.

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Infectious Diseases Spreading Faster Than Ever: WHO

International air travel is a major reason why infectious diseases are spreading faster than ever before, putting the world at high risk for a major epidemic, the World Health Organization says in its annual report.

To reduce the risk, the WHO said countries need to boost efforts to fight disease outbreaks, and must share virus data in order to develop vaccines, BBC News reported.

"Given today's universal vulnerability to these threats, better security calls for global solidarity," WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said in an introduction to the report. "International public health security is both a collective aspiration and a mutual responsibility," she said.

Since the 1970s, 39 new diseases have appeared in the world, the report said. In just the last five years, the WHO has identified more than 1,100 epidemics involving a number of diseases such as bird flu, cholera and polio, BBC News reported.

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Eardrum Rupture May Warn Of Brain Injury in Soldiers

Among soldiers who survive roadside bombs and other explosions, those with ruptured eardrums are nearly three times more likely to have a concussion or similar brain injury, according to research published Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The study by U.S. military doctors looked at 210 blast victims treated at a field hospital in Iraq. The finding may help improve detection of such brain injuries, which can be overlooked when doctors are dealing with more obvious or severe wounds, the Associated Press reported.

The researchers were led by Air Force Lt. Col. Dr. Michael Xydakis, who noted that the eardrum is only a half-millimeter thick and is easily ruptured. He also noted that the eardrum is only a half-inch away from the brain so "whatever hits the eardrum is going to hit the brain," such as the pressurized shock that follows an explosion.

However, Xydakis added that more research is needed to confirm that eardrum rupture is a good marker for possible brain injury, the AP reported.

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Monkey Ovaries Removed, Frozen, and Returned

In a study that raises hopes that women can have a natural pregnancy after chemotherapy or other cancer treatments, Japanese researchers successfully removed, froze and put back the ovaries of monkeys.

After removal, the ovaries were stored in liquid nitrogen at minus 196 degrees Celsius (minus 321 degrees Fahrenheit) for two to three weeks. In two of the five monkeys (long-tailed macaques), the returned ovaries were producing estrogen, the hormone needed to grow eggs, Agence France-Presse reported.

The study will be presented next week at an conference in Japan.

The researchers plan to examine if the returned ovaries produce healthy eggs and if the monkeys can become pregnant naturally, AFP reported.

Currently, female cancer patients who plan to get pregnant after treatment have eggs removed and frozen for possible in-vitro fertilization.

Health Tips for August 24

Health Tip: Breast Self-Exams

Women should examine their breasts regularly to detect lumps or abnormalities that could signal breast cancer. An exam should be done once a month, several days after the last day of a woman's period.

Here are the five basic steps to a breast self-exam, courtesy of Breastcancer.org:

* Standing with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips, face a mirror. Look for any differences in size, shape, color, swelling or bulging of the skin, changes in the nipple, or any signs of redness or rash.
* Raise your arms, and examine your breasts for any of those differences.
* Gently squeeze each nipple to check for any discharge.
* Lie down, and feel each breast with the hand of the opposite arm. Feel all the tissue, applying pressure to check deep tissue for any lumps or abnormalities.
* Examine the breasts while you are standing or sitting, gently examining the entire breast. You may want to try this method in the shower, while the skin is slippery.

Health Tip: Dangerous Dieting

The right way to diet and lose weight is slowly, over time, and while eating a balanced diet with plenty of healthy foods, the American Heart Association says.

Diets that encourage eating only one type of food or encourage rapid weight loss can be dangerous to your health.

The association offers this list of the possible risks posed by fad diets:

* Nutritional deficiencies caused by a lack of a balanced diet.
* Lack of physical activity from emphasis on diet only can increase the risk of heart disease.
* Lack of variety in foods can cause boredom and frustration, and make it difficult to maintain the diet for more than a brief period.
* Severe restrictions on the foods you can eat may make it difficult to establish and maintain a healthy diet in the future.
* Many quick weight-loss diets are based on unfounded claims that may do more harm than good.

Health Headlines - August 23

Doctors Often Dismiss Concerns About Drug Side Effects: Study

Doctors often dismiss or ignore patient concerns about possible side effects of prescription drugs, says a University of California, San Diego study published this week in the journal Drug Safety.

The analysis of 650 patients taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs found that 87 percent of patients spoke to their doctors about possible side effects of the medications. Patients said their concerns were either dismissed or not addressed 50 percent of the time.

Responses from doctors included: "These drugs have no side effects" and "You're just getting older." Some patients were told they were imagining side effects, or they just didn't like taking pills.

The researchers noted that physician monitoring of drug side effects is essential to ensuring drug safety.

"If doctors don't acknowledge the possible connection of a patient's symptom to their drug, we are at risk both of missing important safety information and of having patient care compromised," lead author Beatrice Golomb, an associate professor of medicine, said in a prepared statement.

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Melamine Found in Dog Treats Once Sold at Wal-Mart

Tests show that two Chinese-made brands of dog treats sold at Wal-Mart stores contained traces of melamine, a Wal-Mart spokeswoman said. The treats were pulled from Wal-Mart stores in late July after customers complained that the treats made their dogs ill.

Contamination with melamine, a chemical used to make plastics, prompted a huge pet food recall in March.

The two brands of dog treats pulled from Wal-Mart shelves were Chicken Jerky Strips from Import-Pingyang Pet Product Co. and Chicken Jerky from Shanghai Bestro Trading, the Associated Press reported.

Wal-Mart did not issue a public recall when it stopped selling the treats in late July, but said Tuesday that customers could return the products to the nearest store for a refund.

Company spokeswoman Deisha Galberth said Wal-Mart didn't make a public announcement in July because it wanted to wait for test results on the treats, the AP reported.

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43 Million Americans Regularly Use Aspirin

About 43 million people age 18 and older in the United States take aspirin every day or every other day, according to 2005 data from the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Aspirin relieves pain, reduces fever, and can also reduce the risk of heart attack, blood-clot related strokes and other blood circulation problems.

The AHRQ data also show that:

• Aspirin was taken regularly by 54 percent of the estimated 26 million adults who were told by a doctor that they had indicators of heart disease, compared with 15 percent of people with no indicators of heart disease.
• Among people age 65 and older, 48.5 percent took aspirin regularly. Among people in this age group with indicators of heart disease, 64 percent took aspirin regularly.
• About one-quarter of all people ages 45-64 took aspirin regularly. But that increased to 56 percent among those who had indicators of heart disease.
• Among whites with indicators of heart disease, 55 percent took aspirin regularly, compared with 49 percent of Hispanics and 48 percent of blacks who had these indicators.

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Suicidal Thoughts Increasing Among Katrina Survivors

As the recovery from Hurricane Katrina continues, thoughts of suicide and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are increasing among U.S. Gulf Coast residents, a new survey finds.

A survey conducted six months after the hurricane found that about three percent of people in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama had contemplated suicide in the aftermath of the storm. The new survey by researchers with the Hurricane Katrina Community Advisory Group found that the number has doubled to 8 percent in the New Orleans area, the Associated Press reported.

The new survey found that 21 percent of respondents showed signs of PTSD, compared to 16 percent in the earlier survey.

The first survey included 1,000 people and the researchers were able to interview 800 of them for the most recent survey, the AP reported.

Lead researcher Ronald Kessler of Harvard Medical School said the findings are striking. He said initial underlying optimism about rebuilding has worn thin due to the slow pace of recovery in some areas, especially New Orleans.

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FDA to Study TV Drug Ads

A study by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will examine whether relaxing, upbeat images used in TV drug ads distract consumers from warnings about risks associated with the medications, the Associated Press reported.

The FDA study, announced on its Web site, will investigate whether 2,000 people who watch TV drug ads come away with a largely positive impression of the drugs, despite voice warnings in the ads that caution about potential side effects.

The FDA's announcement on Tuesday came a week after the New England Journal of Medicine published a study that suggested a steady decline in the FDA's enforcement of drug ad rules, which require drug companies to present a balanced depiction of a drug's benefits and risks, the AP reported.

Critics charge that images of smiling and relaxed people in TV drug ads weaken the voice warnings about possible risks.

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State Attorneys General Condemn Ads for Alcoholic Energy Drinks

The U.S. government should investigate the ingredients and marketing of alcoholic energy drinks that often target underage consumers, says a letter signed by more than two dozen state attorneys general.

The letter -- sent to federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau administrator John Manfreda -- says aggressive, and possibly fraudulent, marketing of the drinks focuses on teens and young adults, the Associated Press reported.

The attorneys general also charged that some ads for these products make misleading health-related claims, such as increasing energy and stamina. This kind of marketing warrants investigation and possible enforcement action by the federal government, the letter said.

"Combining alcohol with caffeine hardly seems healthy and that false claim is what we seek to halt," said Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, the AP reported.

Health Tips for August 23

Health Tip: Before a Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy -- used to detect colon cancer and other potential problems -- involves use of a long, flexible tube with a camera that takes images of the colon.

Before having a colonoscopy, you should follow certain do's and don'ts to ensure an accurate procedure. This list is provided by the U.S. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse:

* Avoid all solid foods and any beverages with food coloring for one to three days before a colonoscopy.
* You may eat fat-free bouillon or broth soups, or gelatin.
* You may drink water, strained fruit juice, plain coffee, plain tea or diet soda (no food coloring).
* As certain medications may affect your results, tell your doctor if you are taking aspirin, arthritis medications, blood thinners, medications for diabetes, or any vitamins containing iron.

Health Tip: While Chewing Gum May Relieve Stress ...

While chewing gum may help you feel better when you're stressed, don't overdo it, advises the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

When you're stressed, you may be prone to chewing more vigorously, which can strain your jaw.

Chewing too hard can cause fatigue and soreness in the jaw. It can also trigger a condition called TMJ, affecting the temporomandibular joint. The condition can causes pain in the head and the neck, and difficulty in opening and closing the jaw.

If you have any of these symptoms, give your jaw a rest and stop chewing gum for a few days. If symptoms don't subside, see a doctor.

Health Headlines - August 22

27,000 Chinese-Made Toy Train Sets Recalled

Vermont-based Hampton Direct has recalled some 27,000 Chinese-made magnetic toy train sets with paint that contains excessive amounts of lead that could be dangerous to young children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Tuesday.

The recall involves Magnetic Alphabet and Number train sets that include a wooden engine, caboose, letters and numbers. The alphabet train set contains 28 pieces and the number train set has 12 pieces.

The train sets were sold across the United States by Johnson Smith Co., The Paragon Gifts Inc., and Starcrest Products of California from December 2005 through July 2007. The sets sold for about $30.

Consumers should dispose of the products, the CPSC said. For information about obtaining a replacement set, contact Hampton Direct at 1-800-208-4050 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

In June, some 1.5 million Thomas & Friends wooden train sets made in China were recalled for paint that contained excess lead. At the time, HealthDay reported that 70 percent to 80 percent of toys sold in the United States are made in China, according to the Toy Industry Association, which represents most American toy companies and importers.

Earlier this month, Mattel announced two recalls totaling more than 1.5 million Chinese-made toys. Most had excessive levels of lead paint. Others were recalled because they contained small magnets that could attach to each other inside the body if swallowed.

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More Women Know High School Weight Than Current Cholesterol Count

About 79 percent of adult women in the United States know how much they weighed in high school, but only 32 percent know their current cholesterol count, says a survey released Tuesday by the Society for Women's Health Research, an advocacy group based in Washington, D.C.

The telephone survey of 524 women conducted from June 29 to July 1 also found that of women who had a recent cholesterol test, only 57 percent could recall the cholesterol count.

Among the survey's other findings:

• 63 percent of the women said they were concerned that high cholesterol would be a health concern during their lifetime, and 60 percent said they were actively trying to manage their cholesterol.
• 88 percent said they knew that high cholesterol is linked to hardening of the arteries and heart disease, and 85 percent knew that high cholesterol can lead to stroke.
• Most of the women (94 to 96 percent) said they knew that exercise and a healthy diet could help fight high cholesterol.

"Clearly, strides have been made in educating women on the risks of high cholesterol, but the disconnect between awareness and action needs to be addressed," Phyllis Greenberger, the society's president and CEO, said in a prepared statement. "Knowing your cholesterol number is the first step in controlling cholesterol."

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Thousands of African Children Die of Preventable Diseases

Every five minutes, eight African children under the age of five die of vaccine-preventable diseases, the United Nations said Tuesday.

Polio, tetanus and measles are the primary killers of the children, said a UN statement released at a meeting in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. Delegates were discussing ways to increase child vaccination rates in Africa, Agence France-Presse reported.

About 155 of every 1,000 children born in Africa die before the age of five, the UN said. The UN's World Health Organization and children's fund UNICEF want to halve that death rate by 2015.

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Some Medicare Participants Still Can't Afford Drugs

One in five U.S. Medicare drug benefit enrollees has put off or even skipped getting medications due to the program's high costs, according to a survey of more than 16,000 seniors published online by the journal Health Affairs.

The survey authors noted that many low-income seniors don't know that they can get additional government subsides to lower their prescription drug costs, the Los Angeles Times reported.

On the positive side, the proportion of seniors with no prescription drug coverage declined to about eight percent after the Medicare drug benefit took effect in January 2006, compared to about one-third the year before.

The program has had mixed results, the study researchers said.

"It has helped in expanding coverage to people who didn't have it, and that is a great thing, but there is still work to be done in making medications more affordable for seniors," said Tricia Neuman of the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation, the Times reported.

Researchers from the Commonwealth Fund and the Tufts-New England Medical Center also took part in the study.

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New Rules Hamper State Efforts to Fund Child Health Coverage

The Bush Administration has announced new standards for the Children's Health Insurance Program that make it much more difficult for states to extend coverage to children in middle-income families, The New York Times reported.

The new standards, outlined in a letter sent to state health officials last week, are designed to return the program to its original focus on low-income families and to prevent the program from becoming a substitute for private health insurance, White House officials said.

States that want to cover children in families with incomes 250 percent above the federal government's poverty level ($20,650 for a family of four) will have to enroll at least 95 percent of children in the state below 200 percent of the federal poverty level who are eligible for either Medicaid or the child health program.

But state officials cited by the newspaper said the Bush administration's new policy imposes unachievable standards and hinders states' efforts to provide more children with health coverage.

"No state in the nation has a participation rate of 95 percent," Deborah Bachrach, a deputy commissioner in the New York State Health Department, told The Times.

"We are horrified at the new federal policy. It will cause havoc with our program and could jeopardize coverage for thousands of children," said Ann Clemency Kohler, deputy commissioner of human services in New Jersey.

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Merck Fighting Each Vioxx Suit Separately

Merck's plan to aggressively fight each Vioxx-related lawsuit separately seems to be successful. Of the 45,000 people who have sued American's third-largest drug maker, none has received payments from the company, The New York Times reported.

The lawsuits were brought by people who contend that they or a loved one had a heart attack or stroke after taking Vioxx. The drug was taken off the market in 2004, after a clinical trial found that the drug increased the risk of heart attack when taken for 18 months or more.

To date, fewer than 20 Vioxx suits have reached juries. At the current rate, it will take years to work through the backlog of Vioxx cases and many plaintiffs may die before their case is heard in court, The Times reported.

Even if a plaintiff wins, it may take years to receive the financial award. Merck has appealed every case it has lost.

Merck maintains that it adequately warned patients and doctors of Vioxxs heart risks and that it never knowingly endangered patients. The company, which has spent more than $1 billion in legal fees over the last three years, has steadfastly refused the idea of an overall settlement to resolve all the lawsuits at once, The Times reported.

Health Tips for August 22

Health Tip: Treating Acne Scars

While there is no perfect treatment to eliminate all acne scars, there are remedies that can significantly reduce their appearance.

The Nemours Foundations offers this list of potential options:

* Laser resurfacing, which removes the top layer of damaged skin.
* Dermabrasion, which wears down the skin, fostering a new, smoother layer of skin as it heals.
* Fractional laser therapy, which affects deeper layers of skin without damaging the top layer.
* A chemical peel.
* Injections or surgery.

Health Tip: Keep Bugs at Bay

Insect bites can itch, cause pain, and be quite uncomfortable. While they can't always be prevented, there are ways to reduce your chances of being bitten.

Here are suggestions to help prevent insect bites, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* Don't poke, pick up or otherwise provoke insects.
* Be cautious around nests and hives, and avoid sudden or rapid movement.
* Avoid heavy perfumes, and clothing that has a floral pattern.
* Wear protective clothing that covers the skin, and apply insect repellent when you're outside.
* Pay attention when eating outside, especially when drinking sugary beverages or sitting near garbage cans.
* People with known allergies to bites or stings should carry an emergency epinephrine kit.

Health Headlines - August 21

Loneliness Can Speed Up Physical Decline: Study

Being lonely, especially as you age, can speed up the natural physical decline that occurs as you get older, a new study finds.

University of Chicago psychologists studied people of two age groups: those of college age, and middle-age people in their 50s and 60s. Loneliness had a more profound effect on the older people than the college-age crowd, the researchers wrote in the August issue of Current Directions in Psychological Science.

"The lonely people in the older group have significantly higher blood pressure than the non-lonely," study author Louise Hawkley told the Calgary Herald in a phone interview. "That wasn't true in the younger group, so it speaks to the decline. You don't see it in young adults, but it's accumulating over time and showing up later in life."

Hawkley said loneliness represented more than the mere fact of being alone. "People can be alone and not be lonely. People can be surrounded by other people and yet feel lonely. What we're getting at is a sense of discontent with their social relationships," she told the newspaper.

Her solution was to recommend volunteering to help others. "Instead of trying to fill your own needs, you might ironically find your needs met by meeting somebody else's," she said.

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Psychologists May Assist U.S. Military Interrogators

The American Psychological Association (APA) won't forbid its members from assisting interrogators at Guantanamo Bay and other U.S. military detention centers, the group's policy-making council has decided.

The council voted Sunday against a proposal to ban any involvement in interrogations of detainees. But it did pass a resolution that reaffirms the APA's opposition to torture and prohibits members from assisting interrogators who use sleep deprivation, forced nudity and similar practices, the Associated Press reported.

APA members who violate the rules could be expelled from the association and lose their state licenses to practice.

Critics of the proposal to ban any involvement in interrogations said the presence of psychologists helps insure interrogators don't abuse prisoners. Proponents of the ban said psychologists shouldn't be working in facilities where prisoners are detained indefinitely without being charged with a crime, the AP reported.

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Painkiller Sales Soar in U.S.

Between 1997 and 2005, there was a 90 percent increase in U.S. retail sales of five major painkillers, according to an Associated Press analysis of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration statistics.

The data revealed that more than 200,000 pounds of codeine, morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone and meperidine were sold at retail stores in 2005 -- enough to give more than 300 milligrams of painkillers to every person in the United States.

The largest increase in sales (nearly six-fold between 1997 and 2005) was noted for oxycodone, which is used in OxyContin, the AP reported.

Reasons cited for the increased use of painkillers include: an aging population, increased marketing by drug companies, and doctors' increased emphasis on pain management.

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Unsafe Sex Now Leading Cause of HIV Infection in China

For the first time, unsafe sex has overtaken intravenous drug use as the main cause of HIV infection in China, state media say. The news raises concerns that HIV infection is moving from high-risk groups into the mainstream population, BBC News reported.

According to an official report, there were about 70,000 new cases of HIV in China in 2005 and nearly half of those new infections occurred during sexual intercourse. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.

In the past, China has focused HIV prevention programs on high-risk groups such as drug users. But it now appears that more emphasis will have to be placed on mainstream sexual behavior, BBC News reported.

This could prove challenging in a country that still has conservative attitudes about sex and where many people have difficulty discussing the topic.

Sexual behavior in China is changing, as pre-marital sex becomes more acceptable. Many of the millions of male migrant workers in Chinese cities live far from their homes and wives. According to some surveys, one in 10 sexually active men in China today has bought sex from a prostitute, BBC News reported.

The Chinese government says there are about 650,000 people with HIV, but it's believed that there is widespread under-reporting of HIV cases.

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Billy Graham Recovering from Intestinal Bleeding

Evangelist Billy Graham, 88, was reported in fair condition Monday morning after being admitted to hospital Saturday with intestinal bleeding, said a spokeswoman for Mission Health and Hospitals in Asheville, N.C.

"He had an excellent night," spokeswoman Merrell Gregory said Monday morning. No date had been set for Graham's release from hospital, the Associated Press reported.

The bleeding may have been caused by diverticuli, small pouches that form in the lower intestine, according to hospital officials. This type of bleeding can begin suddenly and may stop on its own.

Graham had a similar bout with intestinal bleeding in 1995, the evangelist's spokesman, Larry Ross, told the AP.

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Medicare Won't Pay for Preventable Hospital Errors, Injuries or Infections

Medicare is changing its coverage so that it will no longer pay for hospital incidents that could have been prevented, according to The New York Times.

These conditions are caused by negligence or improper medical practice, the Times reports, and the Bush administration has decided that Medicare will no longer pay the additional costs for treating them. Included are conditions and infections such as bedsores (pressure ulcers), injuries caused by falls in circumstances where they could have been prevented, and infections resulting from use of catheters for long periods.

Private insurers, too, are considering following Medicare's lead, which may cause hospital officials to emphasize reducing staph infections and medical errors and replacing health workers who are neglectful of patients' needs.

According to the Times, figures from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that almost 100,000 people a year -- about 270 a day -- die in U.S. hospitals from improper treatment or neglect.

Some of procedures have been termed "serious preventable events," such as leaving a sponge in a patient during surgery or giving a transfused patient the wrong blood type. Medicare says it will no longer reimburse hospitals for these mistakes, the newspaper reports.

"If a patient goes into the hospital with pneumonia, we don't want them to leave with a broken arm," Herb B. Kuhn, acting deputy administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, told the Times.