Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Health Headlines - September 30

More Than 90% of Nursing Homes Violate U.S. Standards: Report

More than 90 percent of U.S. nursing homes were cited last year for violating at least one federal health and safety standard, The New York Times reported Monday.

About 17 percent of nursing homes had violations that led to "actual harm or immediate jeopardy" to residents, according to the report by the inspector general to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Citations were issued for violations including infected bedsores, drug errors, resident malnutrition, and patient abuse or neglect, the newspaper reported.

About 37,150 complaints were sent to inspectors last year about nursing home conditions, of which 39 percent were validated, the report said. Some 20 percent of the verified complaints involved patient abuse or neglect.

Two-thirds of nursing homes are owned by companies that make a profit, 27 percent are owned by nonprofit corporations, and 6 percent are owned by government entities.

Some 94 percent of for-profit homes were cited last year, as were 88 percent of nonprofit homes, and 91 percent of government-owned homes, according to the report by HHS Inspector General Daniel R. Levinson.

Levinson said Medicaid was sometimes charged for services that "were not provided, or were so wholly deficient that they amounted to no care at all."

More than 1.5 million people live in 15,000 U.S. nursing homes. Violation rates ranged from 76 percent in Rhode Island to 100 percent in Alaska, Idaho, Wyoming and the District of Columbia, the newspaper reported.

In related news, state Medicaid organizations will spend an estimated $1.6 trillion on long-term care over the next two decades, a study by America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) found.

When federal matching funds are added to the tab, total government expenditures for long-term care will burgeon to $3.7 trillion, the analysis predicted.

It would mean that Medicaid spending for long-term care would rise faster than overall health care spending, Medicare, or the Gross Domestic Product, according to an AHIP media release.

While 15 states are expected to spend $1 billion or more this year on long-term care services, that number is expected to rise to 25 states by 2027, the release said.

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FDA Approves New Test for 'Superbug'

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new test that can detect skin infections, including antibiotic-resistant infections such as the so-called "superbug" MRSA, in less than an hour, the test's manufacturer said Monday

Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Cepheid said its Xpert test should help doctors to quickly determine which antibiotic would be most effective in treating the infections.

MRSA, or methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, is becoming more prevalent in hospitals, long-term care facilities and community settings. Existing tests for the bacterium can take up to three days, extending hospital stays and costing more money, the Associated Press reported.

"The ability to detect MRSA or SA (Staphylococcus aureus) in less than one hour, versus two to three days with current culture methods, will enable clinicians to make real-time decisions as to the best course of treatment or management," Cepheid Chief Executive John Bishop said in a news release.

In the release, Cepheid said the Institute of Healthcare Improvement reported that about 800,000 surgeries are complicated by infections annually, with a $9.5 billion cost to the U.S. health care system. According to a study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, the increased length of stay following a MRSA infection is 18 days.

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Light Cigarettes Still Pack a Nicotine Punch, Study Says

Apparently, just about the only thing "light" about cigarettes that are advertised that way is the wording in the ad itself.

According to a news release from the University of California, Los Angeles, the latest research indicates that so-called light cigarettes deliver nearly as much nicotine to the brain as regular cigarettes.

UCLA psychiatry professor Dr. Arthur L. Brody and his colleagues found that even the smallest amount of nicotine in a person's system will activate a significant percentage of the brain's nicotine receptors. It is the receptors in the brain that lead to nicotine addiction.

Brody and his colleagues looked at the effect on the brain of a type of cigarette called a de-nicotized cigarette, which contains only a fraction of nicotine (0.05 milligrams) in both light and regular cigarettes.

They found that even that low a nicotine level is enough to occupy a sizable percentage of receptors. "The two take-home messages are that very little nicotine is needed to occupy a substantial portion of brain nicotine receptors," Brody said in the news release, "and cigarettes with less nicotine than regular cigarettes, such as 'light' cigarettes, still occupy most brain nicotine receptors."

And even though de-nicotinized cigarettes activate about 66 percent fewer receptors in the brain than light cigarettes, it's still enough to "light up" almost 25 percent of them, Brody said. "Researchers, clinicians and smokers themselves should consider that fact when trying to quit," he concluded.

The UCLA study is in the current online edition of the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology.

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Melamine Contamination From China Found in Some Snack Foods

China's melamine contamination problem continues to spread to the snack world.

On Monday, Cadbury pulled products made at its Beijing plant from Asian stores after finding traces of the industrial chemical in its chocolate. Cadbury Asia Pacific said it was recalling all 11 products made at the chocolate factory as a precautionary move after preliminary tests "cast doubt on the integrity of a range of our products manufactured in China." The majority of the recalled candies are sold in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, the Wall Street Journal reported.

And in the wake of recalls late last week of a vanilla-flavored snack known as White Rabbit from stores in Britain, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia, the Associated Press reported that the product was also removed from store shelves in Hong Kong. Government officials said the snack contained more than five times the allowable amount of melamine, the wire service reported.

The problem is that melamine, an industrial chemical, has long been in China as an additive to milk powder. Almost 55,000 Chinese infants have been sickened from the milk powder, according to government estimates, including four who died.

But the milk powder has also been used in making creamy snacks, the AP reported, and health officials are only now beginning to determine how widespread the problem may be.

Food company and health officials also have to be aware of how rapidly a rumor can spread. Last week, the wire service reported, the Internet was crackling with reports that the middle of the Oreo cookie contained melamine. This promoted a quick and intense response from Kraft Foods, emphasizing that Oreos' middles are not made with milk.

Meanwhile, seven "Mr. Brown"-brand instant coffee and tea products, produced in China, are being recalled, because they may be contaminated with melamine, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday.

According to a statement posted on the FDA Web site, the recalled adult coffee products, made by China's Shandong Duqing Inc., are:

  • Mr. Brown Mandheling Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1).
  • Mr. Brown Arabica Instant Coffee (3-in-1).
  • Mr. Brown Blue Mountain Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1).
  • Mr. Brown Caramel Macchiato Instant Coffee (3-in-1).
  • Mr. Brown French Vanilla Instant Coffee (3-in-1).
  • Mr. Brown Mandheling Blend Instant Coffee (2-in-1).
  • Mr. Brown Milk Tea (3-in-1).

No illnesses related to the candy, coffee, or tea products have been reported in the United States, Bloomberg News cited the FDA as saying.

Health Tips for September 30

Health Tip: Eating Out With Food Allergies

If you are allergic to one or more foods, dining out does include possible risks. But food allergies don't mean you have to stay home to stay safe.

The University of Virginia Health System offers these suggestions to help reduce the risk of an allergic reaction while eating out:

* Review the ingredient list of menu items where you are eating. Try to obtain the menu ahead of time.
* Tell your server about your food allergy, and ask for information on how particular dishes are prepared. If your server isn't sure, speak to the manager or the chef.
* Don't eat from buffets or order family-style dishes, as these foods may be contaminated by other foods or utensils.
* Stay away from fried foods. The same oil may be used to fry several different dishes.

Health Tip: Common Triggers for Allergy and Asthma

Allergy and asthma symptoms can be caused by a variety of factors, both indoors and outdoors.

The American Lung Association offers this list of common "triggers" that can set off a reaction in the lungs and elsewhere in the body:

* Breathing cold air.
* Exposure to smoke, from tobacco products and wood-burning fires.
* Exposure to chemicals with strong odors or fumes, such as hairspray, perfume or paint.
* Allergens, such as dust mites, pollen, animal dander, molds and pollution.
* Respiratory illnesses, such as a cold or the flu.

Other factors may spur your symptoms, and your doctor may suggest keeping an asthma diary to help pinpoint which triggers affect you.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Health Headlines - September 29

Light Cigarette Nicotine Brain Activation Almost as Strong as Regular Cigarettes, Study Says

Apparently, just about only thing "light" about cigarettes who are advertised that way is the wording in the ad itself.

According to a news release from the University of California at Los Angeles, the latest research indicates that so-called light cigarettes deliver nearly as much nicotine to the brain as regular cigarettes.

UCLA psychiatry professor Dr. Arthur L. Brody and his colleagues found that even the smallest amount of nicotine in a person's system will activate a significant percentage of the brain's nicotine receptors. It is the receptors in the brain that lead to nicotine addiction.

Brody and his colleagues looked at the effect on the brain of a type of cigarette called a de-nicotized cigarette, which contains only a fraction of nicotine (0.05 milligrams) in both light and regular cigarettes.

They found that even that low a nicotine level is enough to occupy a sizable percentage of receptors. "The two take-home messages are that very little nicotine is needed to occupy a substantial portion of brain nicotine receptors," Brody said in the news release, "and cigarettes with less nicotine than regular cigarettes, such as 'light' cigarettes, still occupy most brain nicotine receptors."

And even though de-nicotinized cigarettes activate about 66 percent fewer receptors in the brain than light cigarettes, it's still enough to "light up" almost 25 percent of them, Brody says. "Researchers, clinicians and smokers themselves should consider that fact when trying to quit," he concludes.

The UCLA study is in the current online edition of the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology.

-----

Melamine Contamination From China Found in Some Snack Foods

China's melamine contamination problem may be spreading to the snack world.

In the wake of recalls late last week of a vanilla-flavored snack known as white Rabbit from stores in Britain, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia, the Associated Press reports that the product was also removed from store shelves in Hong Kong. Government officials say the snack contained more than five times the allowable amount of melamine, the wire service reports.

The problem is that melamine, an industrial chemical, has long been in China as an additive to milk powder. Almost 55,000 Chinese infants have been sickened from the milk powder, according to government estimates, including four who died.

But the milk powder has also been used in making creamy snacks, the A.P. reports, and health officials are only now beginning to determine how widespread the problem may be.

Food company and health officials also have to be aware of how rapidly a rumor can spread. Last week, the wire service reports, the Internet was crackling with reports the middle of the Oreo cookie contained melamine. This promoted a quick and intense response from Kraft Foods, emphasizing that Oreos' middles are not made with milk.

Meanwhile seven "Mr. Brown"-brand instant coffee and tea products, produced in China, are being recalled because they may be contaminated with the industrial chemical melamine, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday.

According to a statement posted on the FDA Web site, the recalled adult coffee products, made by China's Shandong Duqing Inc., are:

  • Mr. Brown Mandheling Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
  • Mr. Brown Arabica Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
  • Mr. Brown Blue Mountain Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
  • Mr. Brown Caramel Macchiato Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
  • Mr. Brown French Vanilla Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
  • Mr. Brown Mandhling Blend instant Coffee (2-in-1)
  • Mr. Brown Milk Tea (3-in-1)

No illnesses related to the candy, coffee, or tea products have been reported in the United States, Bloomberg News cited the FDA as saying.

-----

CDC Notes Mild West Nile Season

The 2008 West Nile virus season is shaping up to be the mildest since 2001, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.

The 368 severe cases tallied as of Tuesday represented less than one-third of the 2007 total, the Associated Press reported.

Most cases of West Nile are reported in August and September. The CDC said it wasn't clear why this season was on track to be so mild. Seven years ago, the last time so few severe cases were reported, the virus was just emerging in the United States and had only been identified in 10 states, the AP said.

Only about one in five people bitten by a West Nile infected mosquito becomes sick, and only about one in 150 contracts severe symptoms. These can include neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, and paralysis.

-----

U.S. Halts Chelation Study Enrollment

The U.S. government has stopped enrolling participants in the largest alternative medicine study it's ever funded to assess whether candidates were properly informed of the potential risks, the Associated Press reported Friday.

More than 1,500 people who had survived a heart attack had been enrolled in the $30 million study of chelation, a controversial method most often used as a remedy for lead poisoning. Despite the halt to new enrollees, existing participants are still being treated.

The study is meant to test the use of high doses of vitamins, minerals, and chelation -- a therapy that involves injection of a drug (disodium EDTA) that proponents claim helps rid the body of calcium-causing plaque that's built up in artery walls. The therapy hasn't been proven safe or effective in treating heart disease.

At least two of the participants have died, although the study's lead physician denied the deaths were related to the therapy.

"We think we have a safe and ethical trial and we're protecting our patients," the AP quoted Dr. Gervasio Lamas of the University of Miami as saying.

Lamas couldn't say precisely how many study enrollees had died. He also conceded that some participating physicians who had been disciplined by state boards or who had criminal records had been asked to withdraw from the study, the wire service said.

Study critics said the research, approved in 2002, represented a conflict of interest for more than half of the physicians involved, since they made money by selling chelation treatments to patients, the AP reported.

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Standardized Color Plan for Hospital Wristbands Faces Hurdles

A new standardized system for color-coded wristbands in hospitals to prevent potentially dangerous mistakes is essential to patient safety, proponents say, but others fear they may compromise patient privacy, The New York Times reported.

The movement to standardize color coding of the hospital bands gathered steam, in part, because of a 2005 Pennsylvania case where a patient nearly died when a nurse mistakenly used an incorrect band. The plan is to have the wristbands designate patient conditions so treatment can be checked: Purple, or amethyst, means Do Not Resuscitate (D.N.R.); red, or ruby, indicates allergies; and yellow, or amber, identifies someone at risk for falling, according the Times.

But the Joint Commission, the nation's leading hospital-accreditation agency, has cited concerns about branding patients by their end-of-life choices, or inadvertently broadcasting those choices to family and friends not involved in those choices, the newspaper said. The commission even pointed out that children sometimes unknowingly trade the wristbands like baseball cards. And some hospitals have had problems with colored bracelets that patients bring with them, such as the yellow Lance Armstrong Livestrong bracelets. Most hospitals ask patients to cut these other bands off or cover them up with tape instead, the Times said.

"You need to strike a balance between the need for patient safety and accuracy and the whole privacy concern and sensitivity and compassion for the patient, Roxanne G. Tena-Nelson, executive vice president of the Continuing Care Leadership Coalition, a group of long-term care providers in New York, told the Times.

In most places, the newspaper reported, the new bracelets replace colored ones that have been used for decades without uniformity. A survey by the Greater New York Hospital Association last year found nine different colors used to denote patients with D.N.R. orders, five to indicate allergies, and nine to highlight risks of falling, but there is still some variation.

Health Tips for September 29

Health Tip: Prevent Ear Pain in Flight

If you are taking a plane trip with your child, there are steps you can take to ease the child's pain and discomfort from air pressure changes.

The Nemours Foundation offers this advice:

* Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids during the flight. Water is best, but make sure the drink doesn't have caffeine.
* If the child usually has ear pain associated with plane travel, give the child a pediatric dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen about a half an hour before takeoff and landing.
* If at least 3 years old, let your child suck on hard candy or chew gum.
* Bring a bottle or pacifier along, or plan to breast-feed during the trip.
* Encourage your child to yawn frequently.
* Have the child use a nasal decongestant spray before takeoff and landing.
* Don't allow napping during takeoff and landing, as it's more difficult to keep the middle ear equalized during sleep.

Health Tip: Prevent Jet Lag

Jet lag can dampen the fun of any trip when your body struggles to adjust to a new time zone.

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions to prevent jet lag:

* Start your trip well-rested. Make sure you get plenty of sleep before your trip.
* Avoid alcohol and overeating.
* Eat healthy meals.
* Get as much exercise as possible.
* Avoid sleep medications. If you use them, don't take them for more than a few days.
* Follow the schedule of the time zone you are in. Eat meals and go to bed when the locals do.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Health Headlines - September 28

Melamine Contamination From China Found in Some Snack Foods

China's melamine contamination problem may be spreading to the snack world.

In the wake of recalls late last week of a vanilla-flavored snack known as white Rabbit from stores in Britain, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia, the Associated Press reports that the product was also removed from store shelves in Hong Kong. Government officials say the snack contained more than five times the allowable amount of melamine, the wire service reports.

The problem is that melamine, an industrial chemical, has long been in China as an additive to milk powder. Almost 55,000 Chinese infants have been sickened from the milk powder, according to government estimates, including four who died.

But the milk powder has also been used in making creamy snacks, the A.P. reports, and health officials are only now beginning to determine how widespread the problem may be.

Food company and health officials also have to be aware of how rapidly a rumor can spread. Last week, the wire service reports, the Internet was crackling with reports the middle of the Oreo cookie contained melamine. This promoted a quick and intense response from Kraft Foods, emphasizing that Oreos' middles are not made with milk.

Meanwhile seven "Mr. Brown"-brand instant coffee and tea products, produced in China, are being recalled because they may be contaminated with the industrial chemical melamine, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday.

According to a statement posted on the FDA Web site, the recalled adult coffee products, made by China's Shandong Duqing Inc., are:

  • Mr. Brown Mandheling Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
  • Mr. Brown Arabica Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
  • Mr. Brown Blue Mountain Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
  • Mr. Brown Caramel Macchiato Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
  • Mr. Brown French Vanilla Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
  • Mr. Brown Mandhling Blend instant Coffee (2-in-1)
  • Mr. Brown Milk Tea (3-in-1)

No illnesses related to the candy, coffee, or tea products have been reported in the United States, Bloomberg News cited the FDA as saying.

-----

CDC Notes Mild West Nile Season

The 2008 West Nile virus season is shaping up to be the mildest since 2001, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.

The 368 severe cases tallied as of Tuesday represented less than one-third of the 2007 total, the Associated Press reported.

Most cases of West Nile are reported in August and September. The CDC said it wasn't clear why this season was on track to be so mild. Seven years ago, the last time so few severe cases were reported, the virus was just emerging in the United States and had only been identified in 10 states, the AP said.

Only about one in five people bitten by a West Nile infected mosquito becomes sick, and only about one in 150 contracts severe symptoms. These can include neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, and paralysis.

-----

U.S. Halts Chelation Study Enrollment

The U.S. government has stopped enrolling participants in the largest alternative medicine study it's ever funded to assess whether candidates were properly informed of the potential risks, the Associated Press reported Friday.

More than 1,500 people who had survived a heart attack had been enrolled in the $30 million study of chelation, a controversial method most often used as a remedy for lead poisoning. Despite the halt to new enrollees, existing participants are still being treated.

The study is meant to test the use of high doses of vitamins, minerals, and chelation -- a therapy that involves injection of a drug (disodium EDTA) that proponents claim helps rid the body of calcium-causing plaque that's built up in artery walls. The therapy hasn't been proven safe or effective in treating heart disease.

At least two of the participants have died, although the study's lead physician denied the deaths were related to the therapy.

"We think we have a safe and ethical trial and we're protecting our patients," the AP quoted Dr. Gervasio Lamas of the University of Miami as saying.

Lamas couldn't say precisely how many study enrollees had died. He also conceded that some participating physicians who had been disciplined by state boards or who had criminal records had been asked to withdraw from the study, the wire service said.

Study critics said the research, approved in 2002, represented a conflict of interest for more than half of the physicians involved, since they made money by selling chelation treatments to patients, the AP reported.

-----

Standardized Color Plan for Hospital Wristbands Faces Hurdles

A new standardized system for color-coded wristbands in hospitals to prevent potentially dangerous mistakes is essential to patient safety, proponents say, but others fear they may compromise patient privacy, The New York Times reported.

The movement to standardize color coding of the hospital bands gathered steam, in part, because of a 2005 Pennsylvania case where a patient nearly died when a nurse mistakenly used an incorrect band. The plan is to have the wristbands designate patient conditions so treatment can be checked: Purple, or amethyst, means Do Not Resuscitate (D.N.R.); red, or ruby, indicates allergies; and yellow, or amber, identifies someone at risk for falling, according the Times.

But the Joint Commission, the nation's leading hospital-accreditation agency, has cited concerns about branding patients by their end-of-life choices, or inadvertently broadcasting those choices to family and friends not involved in those choices, the newspaper said. The commission even pointed out that children sometimes unknowingly trade the wristbands like baseball cards. And some hospitals have had problems with colored bracelets that patients bring with them, such as the yellow Lance Armstrong Livestrong bracelets. Most hospitals ask patients to cut these other bands off or cover them up with tape instead, the Times said.

"You need to strike a balance between the need for patient safety and accuracy and the whole privacy concern and sensitivity and compassion for the patient, Roxanne G. Tena-Nelson, executive vice president of the Continuing Care Leadership Coalition, a group of long-term care providers in New York, told the Times.

In most places, the newspaper reported, the new bracelets replace colored ones that have been used for decades without uniformity. A survey by the Greater New York Hospital Association last year found nine different colors used to denote patients with D.N.R. orders, five to indicate allergies, and nine to highlight risks of falling, but there is still some variation.

Health Tips for September 28

Health Tip: Ease PMS Symptoms

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects many women before the start of the menstrual cycle. Symptoms can include moodiness, fatigue, insomnia, upset stomach, and joint and muscle pain, among others.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers these suggestions to help alleviate PMS symptoms:

* Take a daily multivitamin with folic acid, and a calcium supplement with vitamin D.
* Get plenty of exercise.
* Stick to a healthy diet, including lots of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, before and during your period.
* Avoid salt, sugar, caffeine, alcohol and smoking, especially when you have PMS symptoms.
* Try to get eight hours of sleep every night.
* Alleviate stress by talking to friends, exercising or keeping a journal.
* Try an over-the-counter pain reliever to ease sore breasts, muscle pain, headaches or painful cramps.

Health Tip: Prepare a Fire Safety Plan

Fires in the home can spread quickly, so it's important to devise a fire safety plan.

Here are suggestions to prepare for a fire emergency, courtesy of the U.S. National Safety Council:

* It's best to sleep with the door closed. Teach children, in the event of a fire emergency, to feel the door for heat before opening.
* Create an escape route for each area of the home, and decide on a meeting point outside the home.
* Create a map that's easy for everyone to read.
* Tell young children not to hide during a fire. Also explain that they shouldn't be afraid of firemen -- that firemen are there to help.
* Teach children to drop down and crawl beneath the smoke to escape the home.
* In low-level homes, make sure that bedroom windows open easily (aren't painted shut), as they may be a secondary means of escape.
* Make sure that everyone in the house knows how to use an escape ladder.
* Explain that no one must ever go back into a burning building.
* Young children should know their last name, street address, and how to dial 911 from a neighbor's house or cell phone.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Health Headlines - September 27

Chinese-Made Instant Coffee, Tea Products Recalled in U.S.

Seven "Mr. Brown"-brand instant coffee and tea products, produced in China, are being recalled because they may be contaminated with the industrial chemical melamine, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday.

The FDA also said consumers shouldn't eat Chinese-made White Rabbit Creamy Candy, which New Zealand authorities have found contains high levels of melamine, the Bloomberg news service reported.

Melamine, used to make plastics, is at the center of a scandal in China involving contaminated baby-formula products. At least four Chinese infants have died, and tens of thousands more have been sickened from ingesting the milk-based products, which it's believed were deliberately contaminated to mask that they had been watered down.

According to a statement posted on the FDA Web site, the recalled adult coffee products, made by China's Shandong Duqing Inc., are:

  • Mr. Brown Mandheling Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
  • Mr. Brown Arabica Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
  • Mr. Brown Blue Mountain Blend Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
  • Mr. Brown Caramel Macchiato Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
  • Mr. Brown French Vanilla Instant Coffee (3-in-1)
  • Mr. Brown Mandhling Blend instant Coffee (2-in-1)
  • Mr. Brown Milk Tea (3-in-1)

No illnesses related to the candy, coffee, or tea products have been reported in the United States, Bloomberg cited the FDA as saying.

In related news, the government of Hong Kong said Friday it had detected traces of melamine in baby foods imported from China, according to the Associated Press. Melamine has been detected in products from 22 Chinese dairy firms, the wire service said.

The World Health Organization and UNICEF have issued a joint statement condemning baby-food makers that deliberately contaminate their products.

"Whilst any attempt to deceive the public in the area of food production and marketing is unacceptable, deliberate contamination of foods intended for consumption by vulnerable infants and young children is particularly deplorable," the statement read.

-----

CDC Notes Mild West Nile Season

The 2008 West Nile virus season is shaping up to be the mildest since 2001, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.

The 368 severe cases tallied as of Tuesday represented less than one-third of the 2007 total, the Associated Press reported.

Most cases of West Nile are reported in August and September. The CDC said it wasn't clear why this season was on track to be so mild. Seven years ago, the last time so few severe cases were reported, the virus was just emerging in the United States and had only been identified in 10 states, the AP said.

Only about one in five people bitten by a West Nile infected mosquito becomes sick, and only about one in 150 contracts severe symptoms. These can include neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, and paralysis.

-----

U.S. Halts Chelation Study Enrollment

The U.S. government has stopped enrolling participants in the largest alternative medicine study it's ever funded to assess whether candidates were properly informed of the potential risks, the Associated Press reported Friday.

More than 1,500 people who had survived a heart attack had been enrolled in the $30 million study of chelation, a controversial method most often used as a remedy for lead poisoning. Despite the halt to new enrollees, existing participants are still being treated.

The study is meant to test the use of high doses of vitamins, minerals, and chelation -- a therapy that involves injection of a drug (disodium EDTA) that proponents claim helps rid the body of calcium-causing plaque that's built up in artery walls. The therapy hasn't been proven safe or effective in treating heart disease.

At least two of the participants have died, although the study's lead physician denied the deaths were related to the therapy.

"We think we have a safe and ethical trial and we're protecting our patients," the AP quoted Dr. Gervasio Lamas of the University of Miami as saying.

Lamas couldn't say precisely how many study enrollees had died. He also conceded that some participating physicians who had been disciplined by state boards or who had criminal records had been asked to withdraw from the study, the wire service said.

Study critics said the research, approved in 2002, represented a conflict of interest for more than half of the physicians involved, since they made money by selling chelation treatments to patients, the AP reported.

-----

Standardized Color Plan for Hospital Wristbands Faces Hurdles

A new standardized system for color-coded wristbands in hospitals to prevent potentially dangerous mistakes is essential to patient safety, proponents say, but others fear they may compromise patient privacy, The New York Times reported.

The movement to standardize color coding of the hospital bands gathered steam, in part, because of a 2005 Pennsylvania case where a patient nearly died when a nurse mistakenly used an incorrect band. The plan is to have the wristbands designate patient conditions so treatment can be checked: Purple, or amethyst, means Do Not Resuscitate (D.N.R.); red, or ruby, indicates allergies; and yellow, or amber, identifies someone at risk for falling, according the Times.

But the Joint Commission, the nation's leading hospital-accreditation agency, has cited concerns about branding patients by their end-of-life choices, or inadvertently broadcasting those choices to family and friends not involved in those choices, the newspaper said. The commission even pointed out that children sometimes unknowingly trade the wristbands like baseball cards. And some hospitals have had problems with colored bracelets that patients bring with them, such as the yellow Lance Armstrong Livestrong bracelets. Most hospitals ask patients to cut these other bands off or cover them up with tape instead, the Times said.

"You need to strike a balance between the need for patient safety and accuracy and the whole privacy concern and sensitivity and compassion for the patient, Roxanne G. Tena-Nelson, executive vice president of the Continuing Care Leadership Coalition, a group of long-term care providers in New York, told the Times.

In most places, the newspaper reported, the new bracelets replace colored ones that have been used for decades without uniformity. A survey by the Greater New York Hospital Association last year found nine different colors used to denote patients with D.N.R. orders, five to indicate allergies, and nine to highlight risks of falling, but there is still some variation.

Health Tips for September 27

Health Tip: If Your Child Stutters

Many young children stutter, but they often outgrow it by about age 5, the Nemours Foundation says.

If it lasts longer, there is no known cure for stuttering. But you can help your child overcome this difficulty in speaking, the foundation says. It offers these suggestions:

* Don't push your child to speak correctly all the time. Just encourage the child to talk, and allow it to be enjoyable.
* Have plenty of family conversations during meals, without television or radio to distract your child's attention.
* Don't worry your child with instructions that may make him or her more self-conscious. Don't tell the child to slow down, start over, relax, etc.
* If your child is upset or nervous, don't force talking.
* Maintain a relaxed and peaceful home environment, and make sure that you speak to your child in a non-hurried, calm and clear manner.
* Make eye contact with your child when he or she is talking, and don't seem upset or frustrated if your child begins to stutter.
* Let your child finish talking, and don't stop to interrupt or correct.

Health Tip: Help Your Child Develop Healthy Habits

Healthy habits for regular exercise and a good diet start at home, and they should start at a young age.

The American Heart Association offers these suggestions to help your child stay healthy for life:

* Set a good example by living a healthy lifestyle yourself.
* Make exercise a family activity that involves everyone. Make family time for exercise every day, choosing sports and games that everyone enjoys.
* Set a limit on the amount of time your child spends watching TV, playing video games, or on the computer.
* Set goals for your child, such as a certain amount of daily physical activity or limits on the amount of unhealthy foods allowed.
* Encourage and reward good behavior, but never with food.
* Have a healthy dinner as a family every night.
* Teach your child to read food labels, and to recognize which foods are healthy and which aren't.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Health Headlines - September 26

European Union Bans Chinese Milk Products

Baby food products that contain milk imported from China were banned Thursday by the European Union in response to the deaths of four Chinese infants who ingested locally made tainted formula.

The European Commission also called for tighter controls on other foods imported from China, the Associated Press reported.

In addition to the four deaths, Chinese formula tainted with the plastics chemical melamine has caused more than 54,000 Chinese babies to become sick. The chemical, which can lead to kidney stones and kidney failure, is considered particularly harmful to children.

Melamine has been detected in products from 22 Chinese dairy firms, the AP reported. It's thought that suppliers used the chemical to mask the watering down of various milk products.

The practice may now be affecting animals, the wire service reported, as a lion cub and two baby orangutans have developed kidney stones at a zoo near Shanghai.

The World Health Organization and UNICEF issued a joint statement Thursday condemning baby-food makers that deliberately contaminate their products.

"Whilst any attempt to deceive the public in the area of food production and marketing is unacceptable, deliberate contamination of foods intended for consumption by vulnerable infants and young children is particularly deplorable," the statement read.

-----

Standardized Color Plan for Hospital Wristbands Faces Hurdles

A new standardized system for color-coded wristbands in hospitals to prevent potentially dangerous mistakes is essential to patient safety, proponents say, but others fear they may compromise patient privacy, The New York Times reported.

The movement to standardize color coding of the hospital bands gathered steam, in part, because of a 2005 Pennsylvania case where a patient nearly died when a nurse mistakenly used an incorrect band. The plan is to have the wristbands designate patient conditions so treatment can be checked: Purple, or amethyst, means Do Not Resuscitate (D.N.R.); red, or ruby, indicates allergies; and yellow, or amber, identifies someone at risk for falling, according the Times.

But the Joint Commission, the nation's leading hospital-accreditation agency, has cited concerns about branding patients by their end-of-life choices, or inadvertently broadcasting those choices to family and friends not involved in those choices, the newspaper said. The commission even pointed out that children sometimes unknowingly trade the wristbands like baseball cards. And some hospitals have had problems with colored bracelets that patients bring with them, such as the yellow Lance Armstrong Livestrong bracelets. Most hospitals ask patients to cut these other bands off or cover them up with tape instead, the Times said.

"You need to strike a balance between the need for patient safety and accuracy and the whole privacy concern and sensitivity and compassion for the patient, Roxanne G. Tena-Nelson, executive vice president of the Continuing Care Leadership Coalition, a group of long-term care providers in New York, told the Times.

In most places, the newspaper reported, the new bracelets replace colored ones that have been used for decades without uniformity. A survey by the Greater New York Hospital Association last year found nine different colors used to denote patients with D.N.R. orders, five to indicate allergies, and nine to highlight risks of falling, but there is still some variation.

-----

Health Insurance Premiums Rise 5%

Health insurance premiums in the United States rose about 5 percent this year, a modest rise compared to the 119 percent jump overall since 1999, according to a report released Wednesday.

Premiums for family coverage rose to an average of $12,680 during the past year, while premiums for single coverage increased to an average $4,704, according to the analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research and Educational Trust.

While about 75 percent of each premium is still absorbed by employers, the trend in recent years has been to require workers to pay a higher percentage, the Associated Press reported.

In the past year, employees who paid deductibles of $1,000 or more rose to 18 percent from 12 percent, the wire service said. About one in three people employed by a small business now pays at least a $1,000 deductible.

Only about 62 percent of companies with fewer than 200 employees offer a health insurance benefit, the AP said. By comparison, 99 percent of larger businesses offer coverage.

-----

Armstrong, Stressing Cancer Project, Returning to Cycling

Lance Armstrong, who despite a battle with cancer won seven straight Tour de France bicycle races before he retired three years ago, will return to the sport in January, he said Wednesday.

At a New York City press conference, Armstrong also said that shortly after a race next year in Australia, he would hold the first global meeting of the Livestrong campaign to raise cancer awareness, The New York Times reported.

The 37-year-old Armstrong said he also would try for an eighth straight Tour de France victory next July.

He promised that his anti-cancer campaign would "touch all aspects of our society, all continents of our society, and certainly touch all the different aspects of cancer," the Times quoted him as saying.

Armstrong formed his foundation after a well-publicized bout with testicular cancer in the late 1990s.

-----

Hospital Blood-Thinner Rules Need Tightening: Commission

Rules that govern hospitals' use of heparin and related medicines need to be tightened after at least 28 deaths resulted from drug errors involving the blood-thinners over the decade ending in 2007, a regulatory group said Wednesday.

The Joint Commission said hospitals should consider preventive measures including bar coding and computer technology to prevent similar errors, the Associated Press reported. A highly publicized example was a dangerous heparin overdose given to the newborn twins of actor Dennis Quaid at a Los Angeles hospital in November.

In all, 59,316 errors involving blood thinners were reported from 2001 to 2006 to a company that tracks such errors, the commission said. About 1,700, or almost 3 percent, of those cases led to patient harm or death, the wire service reported.

Too much of a blood thinner can lead to bleeding that's difficult to control, and too little after surgery or an injury can result in dangerous blood clots.

The commission is a privately run organization that accredits most U.S. hospitals -- a measure of prestige that also influences federal funding, the AP reported.

-----

Experts Warn of Caffeine Levels in Energy Drinks

Caffeine intoxication is possible from so-called energy drinks that can contain as much of the stimulant as 10 cans of Coca-Cola, experts warn.

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine want caffeine doses prominently displayed on the drinks' labeling, which the scientists say also should include a warning of the products' potential risks, the CanWest News Service reported.

Children and adolescents who aren't habitual caffeine consumers are particularly vulnerable to caffeine intoxication, they wrote in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence. Symptoms could include nervousness, restlessness, anxiety, upset stomach, tremors and rapid heartbeat.

"Many of these products are not labeled with the amount of caffeine. There are no cautionary notes," the news service quotes Roland Griffiths, a professor in the Hopkins departments of psychiatry and neuroscience, as saying.

Griffiths added that younger people who seek the caffeine high from energy drinks could be more likely to abuse prescription stimulants, such as Ritalin, recent research indicates.

Some 906 million gallons of the drinks -- with brand names including Red Bull, Full Throttle, and AMP Energy -- were consumed worldwide in 2006, the researchers said.

Health Tips for September 26

Health Tip: Keep Kidney Infections at Bay

Kidney infections are usually the result of a more common urinary tract infection that makes its way to a kidney.

You're at greater risk of contracting a kidney infection if you have a history of conditions including cystitis or kidney stones.

Your risk is also greater if you've had chronic or recurring urinary tract infections, and when the infection is caused by aggressive strains of bacteria.

Here are ways to help reduce your risk of a kidney infection, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* If you have a urinary tract infection, see your doctor and treat it promptly with antibiotics.
* After urinating, wipe from front to back to reduce the chances of rectal bacteria entering the urethra.
* Try to urinate right after sexual intercourse.
* Don't wait too long to use the bathroom.
* Drink plenty of fluids -- between 64 ounces and 128 ounces per day.
* Drink cranberry juice, as it can help control some bacteria that can cause an infection.

Health Tip: Choosing a Knee Brace

A knee brace can help protect an injured knee from further injury, or help prevent injury in a weakened or arthritic knee.

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers this list of different types of knee braces:

* A prophylactic knee brace can protect knees from injury during contact sports, including football.
* Functional braces can help protect an already injured knee from further damage.
* Rehabilitative braces help stabilize and protect knees that are recovering from injury or surgery.
* Unloader or offloader braces offer support and protection to knees that are affected by arthritis.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Health Headlines - September 25

Health Insurance Premiums Rise 5%

Health insurance premiums in the United States rose about 5 percent this year, a modest rise compared to the 119 percent jump overall since 1999, according to a report released Wednesday.

Premiums for family coverage rose to an average of $12,680 during the past year, while premiums for single coverage increased to an average $4,704, according to the analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research and Educational Trust.

While about 75 percent of each premium is still absorbed by employers, the trend in recent years has been to require workers to pay a higher percentage, the Associated Press reported.

In the past year, employees who paid deductibles of $1,000 or more rose to 18 percent from 12 percent, the wire service said. About one in three people employed by a small business now pays at least a $1,000 deductible.

Only about 62 percent of companies with fewer than 200 employees offer a health insurance benefit, the AP said. By comparison, 99 percent of larger businesses offer coverage.

-----

Armstrong, Stressing Cancer Project, Returning to Cycling

Lance Armstrong, who despite a battle with cancer won seven straight Tour de France bicycle races before he retired three years ago, will return to the sport in January, he said Wednesday.

At a New York City press conference, Armstrong also said that shortly after a race next year in Australia, he would hold the first global meeting of the Livestrong campaign to raise cancer awareness, The New York Times reported.

The 37-year-old Armstrong said he also would try for an eighth straight Tour de France victory next July.

He promised that his anti-cancer campaign would "touch all aspects of our society, all continents of our society, and certainly touch all the different aspects of cancer," the Times quoted him as saying.

Armstrong formed his foundation after a well-publicized bout with testicular cancer in the late 1990s.

-----

Hospital Blood-Thinner Rules Need Tightening: Commission

Rules that govern hospitals' use of heparin and related medicines need to be tightened after at least 28 deaths resulted from drug errors involving the blood-thinners over the decade ending in 2007, a regulatory group said Wednesday.

The Joint Commission said hospitals should consider preventive measures including bar coding and computer technology to prevent similar errors, the Associated Press reported. A highly publicized example was a dangerous heparin overdose given to the newborn twins of actor Dennis Quaid at a Los Angeles hospital in November.

In all, 59,316 errors involving blood thinners were reported from 2001 to 2006 to a company that tracks such errors, the commission said. About 1,700, or almost 3 percent, of those cases led to patient harm or death, the wire service reported.

Too much of a blood thinner can lead to bleeding that's difficult to control, and too little after surgery or an injury can result in dangerous blood clots.

The commission is a privately run organization that accredits most U.S. hospitals -- a measure of prestige that also influences federal funding, the AP reported.

-----

Experts Warn of Caffeine Levels in Energy Drinks

Caffeine intoxication is possible from so-called energy drinks that can contain as much of the stimulant as 10 cans of Coca-Cola, experts warn.

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine want caffeine doses prominently displayed on the drinks' labeling, which the scientists say also should include a warning of the products' potential risks, the CanWest News Service reported.

Children and adolescents who aren't habitual caffeine consumers are particularly vulnerable to caffeine intoxication, they wrote in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence. Symptoms could include nervousness, restlessness, anxiety, upset stomach, tremors and rapid heartbeat.

"Many of these products are not labeled with the amount of caffeine. There are no cautionary notes," the news service quotes Roland Griffiths, a professor in the Hopkins departments of psychiatry and neuroscience, as saying.

Griffiths added that younger people who seek the caffeine high from energy drinks could be more likely to abuse prescription stimulants, such as Ritalin, recent research indicates.

Some 906 million gallons of the drinks -- with brand names including Red Bull, Full Throttle, and AMP Energy -- were consumed worldwide in 2006, the researchers said.

-----

Drug Maker to Make Doctor Payments Public

Global drug maker Eli Lilly and Co. plans to become the first pharmaceutical firm to make public the amount it pays doctors to advise the company or speak at conferences on its behalf, the Associated Press reported.

The revelation comes as Congress considers legislation designed to guard against such payments influencing doctors' prescribing practices and other medical decisions, the wire service said.

Lilly said starting next year, it will reveal payments of $500 or more to doctors who offer advice or who speak at conferences. Eventually, the company said it would widen disclosure to include payments for travel, entertainment and gifts, the AP reported.

Since 2006, House and Senate lawmakers have proposed bills to require drug companies to disclose physician payments of $25 or more. The drug industry took issue with the $25 threshold, and Lilly had said it would comply with key provisions of the legislation if the threshold were raised to $500, the wire service said.

Trade groups representing physicians, including the American Medical Association, also had said they would support the legislation if it included the higher threshold, the AP said.

Only a few states -- including Minnesota, Vermont, Virginia, and Maine -- and the District of Columbia now have disclosure laws, the wire service said.

Health Tips for September 25

Health Tip: Satisfying Food Cravings

Food cravings are common, and most people have them at one time or another.

The Cleveland Clinic offers these facts to help you satisfy your cravings without wrecking your weight:

* Satisfying a food craving can help improve your mood, relax you and give you more energy.
* Women are likely to crave certain foods during certain times of the year and month, and are more likely to be happy when they've satisfied their cravings.
* Don't deny yourself something that you are craving. Instead, allow yourself a small portion.
* Denying yourself a small treat that you crave can lead to an intensified craving, and eventually binge eating.
* Take care of your craving shortly after it starts. The more time you have to think about it, the stronger the craving probably becomes and the more likely you are to binge eat.

Health Tip: Eating a Brain-Healthy Diet

What you eat can go a long way toward keeping your brain sharp and efficient.

AARP.org offers these brain-healthy nutritional suggestions:

* Vegetables -- Eat as many as you can, of all different colors, shapes and varieties.
* Antioxidants -- Found in vitamins C, E and beta carotene, you should get plenty of these substances. They occur naturally in many fruits and vegetables.
* Omega-3 fatty acids -- They are found in fatty fish such as mackerel, herring, sardines, anchovies, whitefish, tuna and sablefish.
* A B vitamin -- Take one daily.
* A multivitamin -- Also take one daily, but never exceed recommended dose. Taking more vitamins doesn't make it healthier -- doing so could be dangerous.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Health Headlines - September 24

Chinese Milk Scandal Toll at 54,000; System Called 'Out of Control'

China's milk-gathering system was "out of control" and led to abuses that have now sickened some 54,00 babies, killing four, China's agriculture minister acknowledged Tuesday, the Associated Press reported.

The industrial chemical melamine was found in infant formula and milk products from 22 of China's dairy companies and is blamed for causing kidney stones and kidney failure in infants. European Union customs authorities are keeping a closer eye on food imports from China, where it is believed that suppliers may have tried to cut costs by adding melamine to watered-down milk, since its high nitrogen content can mask protein deficiencies, the AP said.

China's Sanlu Group Co. had received complaints about the tainted formula last December but waited eight months to tell local authorities, who then delayed informing higher officials for another month. As a result, Li Changjiang resigned Monday as director of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, the Chinese agency responsible for the safety of China's food supply chain, the AP said.

The sick have so far have included 12,892 babies who were hospitalized, 39,965 who have received outpatient treatment, and 1,579 more patients discharged from hospitals, the AP reported.

-----

Obesity Increases Risk of Recurrent Miscarriage

Women who have had a miscarriage may be at increased risk of another miscarriage if they're obese, says a U.K. study that tracked 696 women who had miscarriages classified as "unexplained" by doctors.

The researchers at London's St. Mary's Hospital found that being obese increased the risk of another miscarriage by 73 percent, BBC News reported. The study was presented at an international meeting of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, held in Montreal.

"This is the first study to look directly at the link between BMI (body-mass index) and recurrent miscarriage. It shows that obese women who experience recurrent miscarriage are at greater risk of subsequent pregnancy loss," said Winnie Lo, a clinical nurse specialist who presented the study at the meeting.

"All women with recurrent miscarriage should be weighed at their first consultation. Those who are found to be obese should be counseled regarding the benefits of weight loss," Lo was quoted by BBC News as saying.

-----

Low-Calorie Diet Can Influence Lifespan: Study

A low-calorie diet can affect two genes in a way that increases lifespan, suggest U.S. researchers, who studied the gene TOR in tiny roundworms called C. elegans. TOR regulates cell growth and plays a role in the development of cancer.

A loss of TOR has been shown to slow aging in C. elegans, which shares similar genetics to humans.

"Our work with C. elegans reveals that TOR depends on a second gene called pha4/FoxA to control the aging process," said study co-author Susan Mango of the University of Utah, United Press International reported.

Mango and colleagues also found that an abundance of food increases TOR activity, which decreases the action of pha4/FoxA and results in a shorter lifespan.

The study appears in the journal Current Biology.

-----

Critics Assail White House Over Perchlorate in Drinking Water

Under pressure from the Bush administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency appears poised to abandon a drinking water safety standard for the rocket fuel chemical perchlorate, which has been linked to thyroid problems in pregnant women, newborns and young children, the Washington Post reported.

A near-final document obtained by the newspaper showed that the EPA's "preliminary regulatory determination" was heavily edited by White House officials. They eliminated important scientific sections and told the EPA to use a new computer modeling method to calculate health risks associated with perchlorate, the newspaper said.

"They have distorted the science to such an extent that they can justify not regulating" the chemical, University of Massachusetts Professor Robert Zoeller told the Post. "Infants and children will continue to be damaged and that damage is significant," said Zoeller, a specialist in thyroid hormone and brain development.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has endorsed legislation requiring the EPA to set a federal standard for perchlorate and to monitor levels of the chemical in tap water. Committee chair Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., was outraged that the EPA may not establish a standard for the chemical.

"Perchlorate has been a serious, persistent and widespread problem which threatens the health of our families, especially our children," Boxer told the Post. "For the Bush EPA to walk away from this problem and shrug off this danger is, in my view, unforgivable and immoral."

-----

Gut Bacteria May Increase Colon Cancer Risk

Bacteria called Enterococcus faecalis that live in human intestines may produce harmful chemicals that damage DNA and trigger gene activity linked to colon cancer, a U.S. study says.

E. Faecalis, also known as Group D Streptococcus, is one of many normally harmless or beneficial kinds of bacteria that live in the human gut. But in some people, E. faecalis may pose a threat, say researchers at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Oklahoma City, BBC News reported.

They examined how colon cells in the laboratory reacted to the presence of E faecalis when it's in a "fermentation" state and produces a kind of oxygen molecule called "superoxide," which can damage DNA in surrounding cells.

The researchers discovered that superoxide has other harmful effects.

"We found that superoxide led to strong signaling in immune cells called macrophages. It also altered the way some cells in the gut grew and divided, and even increased the productivity of genes which are associated with cancer," said research leader Professor Mark Huycke, BBC News reported.

He and his colleagues found that the expression of 42 genes linked to critical processes in human cells was altered by the presence of E. faecalis in the fermentation state.

The study was published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology.

-----

British Plastic Surgeons Protest Ads That Promise Too Much

While cosmetic surgeons may take pride in their work, the vast majority of them don't claim to be Rembrandt.

That's why the BBC News is reporting that the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) is taking issue with advertising from some cosmetic surgery clinics in England that may be taking liberty with just how effective their reconstructive surgery is.

BAAPS officials claim that some of the advertising shows models with "anatomically impossible" breasts while other ads offer "lunchtime facelifts," according to the BBC.

In fact, the news service reported, one clinic offered a discount worth about $350 for having cosmetic surgery quickly, and the plastic surgery association says there is no such thing as a "lunchtime facelift."

A spokesman for the Advertising Standards Authority, which oversees advertising propriety in the United Kingdom, told the BBC, "We look into all complaints and make an adjudication. This is not something we are inundated about but there are more [advertisements] of that nature out there now, so you might expect more complaints."

Health Tips for September 24

Health Tip: Prevent a Pain in the Neck

A stiff or painful neck can be caused by an injury or everyday activities that cause muscle strain or tension.

Prevent neck pain with these suggestions from the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* Try relaxation techniques and regular exercise to relieve stress and muscle tension.
* Stretch your neck muscles every day -- always before and after exercise.
* If exercise seems to cause neck pain, apply an ice pack after working out.
* Maintain good posture, and stretch your neck muscles frequently when you work at a computer. Make sure your monitor and any paperwork are at eye level.
* Use a headset when you talk on the phone.
* If your sleeping position causes neck pain, consider using a special neck pillow.

Health Tip: Prevent Stomach Pain

Stomach pain can be caused by factors including diet and lifestyle, illness and infections.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the following actions can help prevent many stomach aches:

* Eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of only a few large ones.
* Choose healthy, well-balanced meals that are high in fiber and rich in fruits and vegetables.
* Avoid foods that cause gas.
* Drink lots of water each day.
* Get plenty of regular exercise.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Health Headlines - September 23

Obesity Increases Risk of Recurrent Miscarriage

Women who have had a miscarriage may be at increased risk of another miscarriage if they're obese, says a U.K. study that tracked 696 women who had miscarriages classified as "unexplained" by doctors.

The researchers at London's St. Mary's Hospital found that being obese increased the risk of another miscarriage by 73 percent, BBC News reported. The study was presented at an international meeting of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, held in Montreal, Canada.

"This is the first study to look directly at the link between BMI (body mass index) and recurrent miscarriage. It shows that obese women who experience recurrent miscarriage are at greater risk of subsequent pregnancy loss," said Winnie Lo, a clinical nurse specialist who presented the study at the meeting.

"All women with recurrent miscarriage should be weighed at their first consultation. Those who are found to be obese should be counseled regarding the benefits of weight loss," Lo was quoted by BBC News as saying.

-----

Low-Calorie Diet Can Influence Lifespan: Study

A low-calorie diet can affect two genes in a way that increases lifespan, suggest U.S. researchers, who studied the gene TOR in tiny roundworms called C. elegans. TOR regulates cell growth and plays a role in the development of cancer.

A loss of TOR has been shown to slow aging in C. elegans, which shares similar genetics to humans.

"Our work with C. elegans reveals that TOR depends on a second gene called pha4/FoxA to control the aging process," said study co-author Susan Mango of the University of Utah, United Press International reported.

Mango and colleagues also found that an abundance of food increases TOR activity, which decreases the action of pha4/FoxA and results in a shorter lifespan.

The study appears in the journal Current Biology.

-----

Critics Assail White House Over Perchlorate in Drinking Water

Under pressure from the Bush administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency appears poised to abandon a drinking water safety standard for the rocket fuel chemical perchlorate, which has been linked to thyroid problems in pregnant women, newborns and young children, the Washington Post reported.

A near-final document obtained by the newspaper showed that the EPA's "preliminary regulatory determination" was heavily edited by White House officials. They eliminated important scientific sections and told the EPA to use a new computer modeling method to calculate health risks associated with perchlorate, the newspaper said.

"They have distorted the science to such an extent that they can justify not regulating" the chemical, University of Massachusetts Professor Robert Zoeller told the Post. "Infants and children will continue to be damaged and that damage is significant," said Zoeller, a specialist in thyroid hormone and brain development.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has endorsed legislation requiring the EPA to set a federal standard for perchlorate and to monitor levels of the chemical in tap water. Committee chair Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., was outraged that the EPA may not establish a standard for the chemical.

"Perchlorate has been a serious, persistent and widespread problem which threatens the health of our families, especially our children," Boxer told the Post. "For the Bush EPA to walk away from this problem and shrug off this danger is, in my view, unforgivable and immoral."

-----

Nearly 53,000 Chinese Infants Affected by Tainted Formula

The official number of Chinese infants sickened by tainted baby formula jumped late Sunday from 6,200 to nearly 53,000, and the head of the country's product quality watchdog resigned Monday as a result of the scandal, the Associated Press reported.

The industrial chemical melamine has been found in infant formula and milk products from 22 of China's dairy companies and is blamed for causing kidney stones and kidney failure in infants. So far, four infants have died.

The Health Ministry said 12,892 of the children hospitalized in recent weeks are 2 years old or younger. Of the infants in a hospital, 104 are in serious condition. Officials said another 39,965 children received outpatient treatment at hospitals and were now considered "basically recovered," the AP reported.

The scandal has prompted the recall of infant formula and other milk products from stores across China, and dairy-related products made in China have been banned across Asia.

As a result of the crisis, Li Changjiang resigned as director of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, the agency responsible for ensuring the safety of China's food supply chain.

-----

Gut Bacteria May Increase Colon Cancer Risk

Bacteria called Enterococcus faecalis that live in human intestines may produce harmful chemicals that damage DNA and trigger gene activity linked to colon cancer, a U.S. study says.

E. Faecalis, also known as Group D Streptococcus, is one of many normally harmless or beneficial kinds of bacteria that live in the human gut. But in some people, E. faecalis may pose a threat, say researchers at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Oklahoma City, BBC News reported.

They examined how colon cells in the laboratory reacted to the presence of E faecalis when it's in a "fermentation" state and produces a kind of oxygen molecule called "superoxide," which can damage DNA in surrounding cells.

The researchers discovered that superoxide has other harmful effects.

"We found that superoxide led to strong signaling in immune cells called macrophages. It also altered the way some cells in the gut grew and divided, and even increased the productivity of genes which are associated with cancer," said research leader Professor Mark Huycke, BBC News reported.

He and his colleagues found that the expression of 42 genes linked to critical processes in human cells was altered by the presence of E. faecalis in the fermentation state.

The study was published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology.

-----

British Plastic Surgeons Protest Ads That Promise Too Much

While cosmetic surgeons may take pride in their work, the vast majority of them don't claim to be Rembrandt.

That's why the BBC News is reporting that the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) is taking issue with advertising from some cosmetic surgery clinics in England that may be taking liberty with just how effective their reconstructive surgery is.

BAAPS officials claim that some of the advertising shows models with "anatomically impossible" breasts while other ads offer "lunchtime facelifts," according to the BBC.

In fact, the news service reported, one clinic offered a discount worth about $350 for having cosmetic surgery quickly, and the plastic surgery association says there is no such thing as a "lunchtime facelift."

A spokesman for the Advertising Standards Authority, which oversees advertising propriety in the United Kingdom, told the BBC, "We look into all complaints and make an adjudication. This is not something we are inundated about but there are more [advertisements] of that nature out there now, so you might expect more complaints."

Health Tips for September 23

Health Tip: Prevent Stomach Pain

Stomach pain can be caused by factors including diet and lifestyle, illness and infections.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the following actions can help prevent many stomach aches:

* Eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of only a few large ones.
* Choose healthy, well-balanced meals that are high in fiber and rich in fruits and vegetables.
* Avoid foods that cause gas.
* Drink lots of water each day.
* Get plenty of regular exercise.

Health Tip: When a Stomachache Requires Medical Attention

While stomachache or abdominal pain are quite common and often harmless, these conditions sometimes can signal a more serious problem.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine says the following symptoms require a trip to the emergency room:

* Very sharp, severe and sudden pain.
* Fever along with your stomach or abdominal pain.
* Vomiting blood, or having bloody diarrhea.
* Soreness or tenderness in the abdomen.
* An abdomen that is hard and rigid.
* Inability to have a bowel movement, particularly if you are also vomiting.
* Pain in the chest, neck or shoulder.
* Dizziness or lightheadedness.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Health Headlines - September 22

Health Tips for September 22

Health Tip: Something in Your Eye?

Getting something in your eye can be irritating enough, but you do more damage to your eye while trying to get it out.

To get dust, an eyelash, or other small particle out of your eye without injuring yourself, follow these suggestions from the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* Wash your hands thoroughly, and examine your eye in a mirror in a well-lighted room. Look up, down, and side to side, and try to locate the particle in your eye.
* Do not rub your eye.
* If you can't find the particle, gently pull down the skin beneath your eye and look under the lower lid. Also gently grasp the upper lid and look underneath there, as well.
* Try to gently rinse the eye or eyelid with water when you find the particle.
* If you can't easily remove the particle or it looks like it's already damaged the eye, seek immediate medical attention.

Health Tip: Wear Eye Protection

Eye injuries can occur when you're playing sports, working with tools or chemicals, or even in the kitchen.

The U.S. National Safety Council says you should always wear eye protection when you are:

* Working with or around any type of chemical.
* Using tools to make repairs around the home.
* Playing any sport that involves a ball or other object that could strike your eye.

You can protect your glasses or contact lenses with safety goggles. You should also always wear sunglasses when you're out in the sun.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Health Headlines - September 21

Despite New Law, HIV-Positive Travelers Still Banned from Entering U.S.

Even though President Bush signed a bill in July that ended a 15-year ban on international travelers with HIV from entering the United States, nothing has changed, the Associated Press reports.

The law Bush signed was a $48 billion bill to combat AIDS (the disease caused by HIV), tuberculosis and malaria, the wire service says, and in that law was a provision that ended the ban on HIV-positive travelers entering the United States.

So far, however the, department of Health and Human Services hasn't written the new rule that needs to be adopted to cause the new law to go into effect. A number of U.S. legislators and representatives from gay organizations have been lobbying HHS to act quickly.

"We're working hard to revise the regulation and it's our goal to have it completed during this administration," HHS spokeswoman Holly Babin told the A.P. She added that it was "a time-consuming process and we are giving it the attention it deserves in an effort to anticipate all issues and get it right."

The travel ban hasn't been limited to HIV-positive travelers. A report last week from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that 33 would-be air travelers with suspected or confirmed infectious tuberculosis were placed on the U.S. government's public health "Do Not Board" list in the first year of its existence.

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Chinese Tainted Milk Crisis Widens

The tainted milk crisis in China widened Friday as stores pulled dairy products off their shelves after government officials said the industrial chemical melamine was found in liquid milk produced by three of the country's major dairy companies.

Inspectors found that about 10 percent of liquid milk samples taken from Mengniu Dairy Group Co. and Yili Industrial Group Co. -- the country's two largest dairy producers -- contained melamine. The chemical was also found in milk samples from Shanghai-based Bright Dairy, the Associated Press reported.

On Friday, Hong Kong's two biggest grocery chains -- PARKnSHOP and Wellcome -- cleared their shelves of all liquid milk from Mengniu. On Thursday, Hong Kong recalled all milk, yogurt, ice cream and other dairy products made by Yili Industrial Group Co.

The 300 Starbucks cafes in mainland China were told to stop using milk supplied by Mengniu. And Singapore told stores to remove a Chinese-made yogurt bar that may be contaminated, the AP reported.

It had been thought the milk crisis was limited to tainted baby formula that's killed four infants and sickened 6,200 in China. About 1,300 infants are in hospitals and 158 of them are suffering from acute kidney failure.

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Boost Public Confidence in Vaccines: Coalition

Americans' confidence in vaccine safety needs to be restored to help keep dangerous disease outbreaks under control, says a coalition of 22 major medical organizations that includes the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The coalition wants public health officials to counteract campaigns by advocacy groups that claim vaccines can cause autism, even though there's no scientific proof that's true, the Associated Press reported. Public information campaigns and more vaccine research are among the ways to boost public confidence in vaccines, according to the coalition.

"We do not want to become a nation of people who are vulnerable to diseases that are deadly or that can have serious complications, especially if those diseases can be prevented," Dr. Renee Jenkins, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said in a news release.

The coalition was formed after health officials revealed last month that 131 children in the United States had gotten the measles so far this year, the most in more than a decade. Nearly half of those cases involved children whose parents rejected vaccination, the AP reported.

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Experts Urge Global Action Against Antibiotic Resistance

Without a focused global response to the rising rate of bacterial resistance to drugs, the world could "return to the pre-antibiotic era," experts warn in an editorial in the British Medical Journal.

Existing antibiotics are losing their effectiveness at an alarming rate while the development of new antibiotics is declining, noted Otto Cars of Uppsala University Hospital in Sweden and colleagues, United Press International reported.

Even thought experts have called for action to tackle the growing threat of antibiotic resistance, antibiotics are still overprescribed by doctors, illegally sold over the counter in some countries, and people still self-medicate with leftover antibiotics, the editorial noted.

There are reports from around the world about serious consequences of antibiotic resistance, but there is little data on the magnitude and burden of antibiotic resistance, or its economic impact on individuals, health care and society. Cars and his colleagues suggested this may explain why there's been little response to this public health threat, UPI reported.

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Electronic Cigarettes Ineffective, Possibly Dangerous: WHO

So-called "electronic cigarettes" aren't an effective nicotine-replacement therapy and may be highly poisonous, warns the World Health Organization.

These devices are usually made of stainless steel and have a chamber for storing liquid nicotine in various concentrations. The devices produce a fine, heated mist that's absorbed into the lungs, United Press International reported.

"It's 100 percent false to affirm this is a therapy for smokers to quit," WHO anti-tobacco official Douglas Bettcher said. "There are a number of chemical additives in the product that could be very toxic."

The WHO is especially concerned because some manufacturers of electronic cigarettes use the WHO's name or logo on advertisements, package inserts and other promotional methods.

First developed in China in 2004, electronic cigarettes are now sold in several countries, including Brazil, Britain, Canada, Finland and Turkey, UPI reported.

Health Tips for September 21

Health Tip: Taking an NSAID

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are pain relievers, many of which are available without a doctor's prescription. They include aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen.

While NSAIDs are safe for most people in recommended doses, the American Academy of Family Physicians says the following people shouldn't take these drugs unless they've consulted a doctor first:

* Anyone who takes a blood-thinning medication.
* Anyone with bleeding in the stomach, intestines or any type of bleeding disorder.
* Anyone who has stomach ulcers.
* Anyone who has liver or kidney disease.
* Anyone who consumes three or more alcoholic drinks per day.

Health Tip: When Flat Feet Cause Pain

Flat feet may pose few or no problems for some adults. But for others, flat feet can cause pain that makes standing or moving difficult.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says you should see your doctor if flat feet are causing any of these conditions:

* Feet that tire easily, or become painful after standing for long periods.
* Problems standing on your toes, or moving your heel or the middle of your foot.
* Pain in the heel or arch, or swelling along the inside of the foot.
* Inability to exercise or play sports because of foot pain.
* Foot pain and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). About half of people with RA develop a worsening flat-foot deformity.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Health Headlines - September 20

Chinese Tainted Milk Crisis Widens

The tainted milk crisis in China widened Friday as stores pulled dairy products off their shelves after government officials said the industrial chemical melamine was found in liquid milk produced by three of the country's major dairy companies.

Inspectors found that about 10 percent of liquid milk samples taken from Mengniu Dairy Group Co. and Yili Industrial Group Co. -- the country's two largest dairy producers -- contained melamine. The chemical was also found in milk samples from Shanghai-based Bright Dairy, the Associated Press reported.

On Friday, Hong Kong's two biggest grocery chains -- PARKnSHOP and Wellcome -- cleared their shelves of all liquid milk from Mengniu. On Thursday, Hong Kong recalled all milk, yogurt, ice cream and other dairy products made by Yili Industrial Group Co.

The 300 Starbucks cafes in mainland China were told to stop using milk supplied by Mengniu. And Singapore told stores to remove a Chinese-made yogurt bar that may be contaminated, the AP reported.

It had been thought the milk crisis was limited to tainted baby formula that's killed four infants and sickened 6,200 in China. About 1,300 infants are in hospitals and 158 of them are suffering from acute kidney failure.

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Boost Public Confidence in Vaccines: Coalition

Americans' confidence in vaccine safety needs to be restored to help keep dangerous disease outbreaks under control, says a coalition of 22 major medical organizations that includes the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The coalition wants public health officials to counteract campaigns by advocacy groups that claim vaccines can cause autism, even though there's no scientific proof that's true, the Associated Press reported. Public information campaigns and more vaccine research are among the ways to boost public confidence in vaccines, according to the coalition.

"We do not want to become a nation of people who are vulnerable to diseases that are deadly or that can have serious complications, especially if those diseases can be prevented," Dr. Renee Jenkins, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said in a news release.

The coalition was formed after health officials revealed last month that 131 children in the United States had gotten the measles so far this year, the most in more than a decade. Nearly half of those cases involved children whose parents rejected vaccination, the AP reported.

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Experts Urge Global Action Against Antibiotic Resistance

Without a focused global response to the rising rate of bacterial resistance to drugs, the world could "return to the pre-antibiotic era," experts warn in an editorial in the British Medical Journal.

Existing antibiotics are losing their effectiveness at an alarming rate while the development of new antibiotics is declining, noted Otto Cars of Uppsala University Hospital in Sweden and colleagues, United Press International reported.

Even thought experts have called for action to tackle the growing threat of antibiotic resistance, antibiotics are still overprescribed by doctors, illegally sold over the counter in some countries, and people still self-medicate with leftover antibiotics, the editorial noted.

There are reports from around the world about serious consequences of antibiotic resistance, but there is little data on the magnitude and burden of antibiotic resistance, or its economic impact on individuals, health care and society. Cars and his colleagues suggested this may explain why there's been little response to this public health threat, UPI reported.

-----

Electronic Cigarettes Ineffective, Possibly Dangerous: WHO

So-called "electronic cigarettes" aren't an effective nicotine-replacement therapy and may be highly poisonous, warns the World Health Organization.

These devices are usually made of stainless steel and have a chamber for storing liquid nicotine in various concentrations. The devices produce a fine, heated mist that's absorbed into the lungs, United Press International reported.

"It's 100 percent false to affirm this is a therapy for smokers to quit," WHO anti-tobacco official Douglas Bettcher said. "There are a number of chemical additives in the product that could be very toxic."

The WHO is especially concerned because some manufacturers of electronic cigarettes use the WHO's name or logo on advertisements, package inserts and other promotional methods.

First developed in China in 2004, electronic cigarettes are now sold in several countries, including Brazil, Britain, Canada, Finland and Turkey, UPI reported.

Health Tips for September 20

Health Tip: Is LASIK Right for You?

LASIK surgery is performed on the eyes to improve vision, often reducing the need for glasses or contact lenses.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine, in cooperation with the American Academy of Ophthalmology, lists these guidelines for the ideal LASIK candidate:

* Being at least 18 years old. But, in some cases, young children with one very nearsighted eye and one normal eye may benefit from LASIK.
* Women should not be pregnant or nursing.
* Having healthy eyes with vision prescriptions that are relatively stable.
* Candidates should not be taking certain prescription drugs, including Accutane or oral prednisone.
* Being in overall good health, without chronic conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, glaucoma, herpes eye infections, or cataracts.
* Being unsatisfied with wearing glasses or contacts.
* Having realistic expectations of the surgery and results.

Health Tip: Massage Arthritis Pain

Medication can help ease arthritis pain, but a gentle massage can also provide relief.

The Arthritis Foundation has this advice:

* If you start to feel pain or discomfort while massaging the arthritic area, stop right away.
* Avoid massaging any joints that are swollen or very painful.
* Use lotion or massage oil on your skin.
* If you massage using a menthol gel, make sure to wash it all off before you apply any heat to the area. This will help prevent burns.
* If you go to a professional masseuse, make sure he or she has experience in working with people who have arthritis.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Health Headlines - September 19

Tainted Baby Milk Claims Fourth Life

A fourth Chinese infant has died after being fed baby milk contaminated with the industrial chemical melamine, government officials announced Thursday. The latest death occurred in the Xinjiang region in China's far west.

More than 6,200 infants across the country have become ill from tainted powdered baby formula made by 22 dairy companies, all of which have said they're recalling their milk products, The New York Times reported. It's believed watered-down milk used to make the formula had melamine added to it in order to artificially increase its protein content.

Babies who drink the contaminated formula over several months can develop kidney stones or kidney failure.

In other developments, police arrested a dozen more people in connection with the scandal, and the mayor of the city of Shijiazhuang was dismissed after being accused of failing to take action to deal with early reports of tainted baby milk. Four other city officials were also fired.

Sanlu, one of China's largest dairy companies, has its headquarters in Shijiazhuang, which is in the northern province of Hebei. Sanlu first received complaints about contaminated products months ago but didn't tell city officials until Aug. 2. City officials waited until Sept. 9 to tell provincial officials, who alerted the central government the next day, the Times reported.

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Companies Face Charges Over False Cancer Cures

Five companies have been charged with making false and misleading claims for cancer cures and settlements have been reached with six other companies, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission announced Thursday.

Products marketed by the companies include essiac teas and other herbal mixtures, laetrile, black salve (a corrosive ointment), and mushroom extracts.

"There is no credible scientific evidence that any of the products marketed by these companies can prevent, cure, or treat cancer of any kind," said Lydia Parnes, director of the FTC's bureau of consumer protection, the Associated Press reported.

More than 100 warning letters were issued and many companies changed or dropped their claims about the products. In cases where settlements were reached, companies paid restitution ranging from $9,000 to $250,000.

The five companies facing charges of false and deceptive advertising, according to AP, are: Omega Supply, San Diego, Calif.; Native Essence Herb Company, El Prado, N.M.; Daniel Chapter One, Portsmouth, R.I.; Gemtronics, Inc., Franklin, N.C.; and Herbs for Cancer, Surprise, Ariz.

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World's Oldest Man Celebrates 113th Birthday

On his 113th birthday Thursday, the world's oldest man said he'd like to live another five years.

Tomoji Tanabe, who was born Sept. 18, 1895, lives on Japan's southern island of Kyushu and received birthday gifts, flowers and $1,000 in cash from the mayor of his hometown Miyakonojo, the Associated Press reported.

Tanabe is in good health and maintains a regular daily schedule. He gets up early and reads the newspaper, drinks milk every afternoon and eats regular meals. He doesn't smoke or drink alcohol. The former city land surveyor lives with his son and daughter-in-law.

The fact that a healthy diet rich in fish and rice is common in Japan is often cited as a reason why the country has one of the world's longest life expectancies -- nearly 86 years for women and 79 years for men. In the last six years, the number of Japanese living past 100 has more than doubled, the AP reported.

The oldest person in the world is 115-year-old Edna Parker of Indiana. She was born April 20, 1893.

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FDA Proposes New Labeling Rule for Refused Imported Food

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Thursday proposed new label requirements for imported food that is refused entry into the United States, in a move designed to reduce a practice known as "port shopping," where companies ship the refused food to another port in hopes it will be admitted there.

The new regulation would require that shipping containers of food turned away from U.S. ports, and any accompanying documents, be labeled as refused. This would make it easier for inspectors to identify previously-refused food, the FDA said.

"This system will make it more difficult for food importers to evade import controls after being denied admission into the United States. It will complement our ongoing efforts to monitor food imports," Randall Lutter, the FDA's deputy commissioner for policy, said in a news release.

Comments on the proposed regulation will be accepted for 75 days following its publication in the Federal Register.

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Researchers Study Near-Death Experiences

The near-death experiences of about 1,500 cardiac arrest survivors will be examined in a study by doctors at 25 hospitals in the United States and the United Kingdom, BBC News reported.

The three-year study will determine if people with no heartbeat or brain activity can have "out of body" experiences, such as recalling looking down from the ceiling as medical staff work over their body.

As part of the study, special shelving will be placed in resuscitation areas. Pictures that are only visible from the ceiling will be put on the shelves.

"If you can demonstrate that consciousness continues after the brain switches off, it allows for the possibility that the consciousness is a separate entity," said lead researcher Dr. Sam Parnia, BBC News reported.

"It is unlikely that we will find many cases where this happens, but we have to be open-minded," Parnia said. "And if no one sees the pictures, it shows these experiences are illusions or false memories."

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New Biologic Drug Benefits Psoriasis Patients

The experimental biologic drug ustekinumab was more effective than the leading biologic drug Enbrel in treating people with moderate-to-severe cases of psoriasis, according to a study released Thursday by Centocor, Inc., the biotech unit of Johnson & Johnson.

The study was the first head-to-head comparison of biologic drugs in psoriasis patients, the Associated Press reported. Biologic drugs, which need to be injected, are complex treatments manufactured by living cells.

This international study of 900 women and men found that ustekinumab reduced psoriasis patches by at least three-quarters in 74 percent of patients who received a 90-milligram dose and in 68 percent of those who got a 45-milligram dose. The injections were given at the start of the study and four weeks later.

Psoriasis patches were reduced by at least three quarters in 57 percent of patients who received Enbrel injections, given twice every week, the AP reported.

The findings were presented at a European conference of dermatologists. Johnson & Johnson has applied for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of ustekinumab and a decision is expected before the end of the year.

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MS Rates Increase With Distance From Equator

Rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) increase with distance from the equator in both the northern and southern hemispheres, according to a new report that summarizes information on the neurodegenerative disease in 112 countries.

The authors of the MS Atlas report, released Wednesday by the World Health Organization and the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation, said their findings show that MS is a global disease, not just one that affects more developed "northern" and "western" countries, CBC News reported.

"Typically, our results confirmed the well-established suggestion that there are strong geographical patterns to the disease and that the frequency of MS varies by geographical region throughout the world, increasing with distance from the equator in both hemispheres," the report authors wrote.

They also found that low- and middle-income nations have a lack of services and resources to care for people with MS, and that poorer countries have fewer diagnostic tools, which means the disease is probably underreported in those countries.

The highest estimated rate of MS is in Hungary (176 per 100,000 people), followed by: Slovenia (150); Germany (149); United States (135); and Canada (132.5).