Health Headlines - March 31

Six More Type 2 Diabetes Genetic Markers Identified

Six more genetic variants have been identified that may contribute to a person's risk of getting type 2 diabetes. This brings the number of genetic traits to 16 associated with type 2 diabetes, which affects almost 21 million Americans and 400 million people worldwide, according to a news release from the U.S. government's National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

An international team of scientists had previously identified 10 genetic factors that might contribute to a person's chances of getting type 2 diabetes, but the additional six were a surprise, according to the news release. One of the genetic variants had been associated with prostate cancer risk.

"Each of these genes, therefore, provides new clues to the processes that go wrong when diabetes develops," said one of the senior authors, Dr. Mark McCarthy, of the University of Oxford in England. "And each provides an opportunity for the generation of new approaches for treating or preventing this condition."

The analysis is published in the latest online edition of Nature Genetics, and it was based on data from more than 70,000 people. An international research team from more than 40 centers in Europe and North America contributed to the findings.

Individually, the genetic markers heighten the possibility of getting diabetes only very slightly, the NIH news release said, but collectively, they may be able to be a powerful predictive tool. Scientists are analyzing the findings to develop a practical diagnostic model.

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Two Coronary Stents Implanted at the Same Time Increase Clotting Risk, Study Finds

Heart patients who have two coronary stents used during an emergency procedure have more than four times the chance than other patients of having a clot inside one of the stents block blood flow to the heart.

This finding by Dutch researchers presented in Chicago March 29 at a scientific session sponsored by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) concluded that one-in-six stent patients could expect a single incident of stent thrombosis, which could lead to a heart attack. But those who had more than one stent used at the same time had four times the risk of thrombosis.

A stent is a tiny, wire mesh tub the forces the walls of a clogged artery open, but medical experts are still debating whether its benefits consistently outweigh possible disadvantages.

According to a joint news release from the ACC and SCAI, cardiologist Dr. Jochem Wouter van Werkum and his colleagues examined the results of 437 heart patients who received stents between 2004 and 2007. There were 74 incidents of stent thrombosis (16.9 percent), the study found. But when more than one stent had been used, the likelihood of stent thrombosis increased 4.2 times.

The conclusion: Additional stent placement at the time of emergency treatment for the first stent thrombosis should be avoided, the researchers said.

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Dole Fresh Fruit Joins Cantaloupe Recall

In response to an outbreak of salmonella poisoning in 16 states, the Dole Fresh Fruit Company has joined the recall of cantaloupes grown in Honduras and shipped by an independent grower, according to the Associated Press.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advised U.S. grocery companies, produce wholesalers and food service operators March 22 to remove cantaloupes from the Honduran grower and packer Agropecuaria Montelibano, because of the possibility they contain the bacterium Salmonella Litchfield, which can cause intestinal illness in humans. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.

On March 27, Chiquita Brands International Inc. and Simply Fresh Fruit Inc. issued recalls, the wire service reports. Whole cantaloupes were recalled by Chiquita, and Simply Fresh Fruit identified cut fruit products, the AP said.

Dole Fresh Fruit, headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., said its recalled cantaloupes had been distributed in the United States and Canada in cardboard cartons with the brand "Dole" and "Product of Honduras" printed on the side panels, according to the wire service.

Although the three fruit companies have helped in identifying the suspect cantaloupes, it may still be difficult for consumers to determine the origin of fruit they buy. The FDA is asking people who have recently bought cantaloupes to check with the place of purchase to determine if the fruit came from the Honduran grower in question. If it was, consumers should throw away the cantaloupes, the FDA says.

Fifty cases of salmonella poisoning have been reported in 16 states with 14 hospitalizations, the FDA says. There have been no fatalities. The affected states span the country: Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The FDA also has issued the following tips for making sure the cantaloupes you buy are fresh: Purchase cantaloupes that are not bruised or damaged; if buying fresh-cut cantaloupe, be sure it is refrigerated or surrounded by ice; after purchase, refrigerate cantaloupes promptly; wash your hands with hot, soapy water before and after handling fresh cantaloupes; scrub whole cantaloupes by using a clean produce brush and cool tap water immediately before eating; if there happens to be a bruised or damaged area on a cantaloupe, cut away those parts before eating it.

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Balloon Angiography OK for Some Medical Centers Without Coronary Surgical Backup: Study

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) -- more commonly known as balloon angioplasty -- doesn't need to be performed only in hospitals with coronary surgical backup, a new study has found.

A report presented Saturday at a joint cardiology meeting in Chicago, sponsored by the American College of Cardiology (ACC), found that medical centers with "well-organized, highly skilled" PCI programs can safely and effectively perform the angioplasty.

Researchers compared 9,029 patients who had angioplasty at 61 centers without cardiac backup surgery to 299,132 patients at 404 centers with a cardiac surgery program from January 2004 through March 2006. And they found there was no statistical difference in mortality.

According to a news release from the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, the findings should not be interpreted as an endorsement of "boutique angioplasty." Lead investigator Dr. Michael A. Kutcher, of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., said, "These medical centers are doing angioplasty for the right reasons: to improve outcomes for heart attack patients and to better serve patients in remote geographic areas."

The findings represent the largest clinical study ever to compare PCI programs that have on-site cardiac surgery to PCI programs that transfer patients to a surgical hospital in case of emergency, according to the SCAI news release.

PCI involves threading a slender balloon-tipped tube from an artery in the groin to the clogged place in the coronary artery. By inflating the balloon, the vessel-clogging plaque is compressed, allowing better blood flow.

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FDA Seeks $2.2 Million Penalty from Hearing Aid Maker

Hearing aid maker Advanced Bionics LLC is being penalized $2.2 million by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for alleged violations including failing to adhere to manufacturing standards and for failing to notify the agency that it had changed suppliers, the FDA said Friday.

The Sylmar, Calif., company makes a device called the HiRes90k Implantable Cochlear Stimulator. The device is surgically implanted behind the ear to treat profound hearing loss in both adults and children.

The agency's legal complaint alleges that the company exposed device users to unnecessary health risks by failing to follow standard manufacturing procedures and by distributing devices that contained a component provided by an unapproved vendor.

The complaint says Advanced Bionics shipped hearing aids in violation of the law between January 2005 and July 2006. At least some of the alleged violations occurred after a 2001 inspection, which had found similar failures that the company had promised to correct, the agency said.

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New Test Recommended to Determine Cardiovascular Disease Risk

The way doctors treat patients at risk for cardiovascular disease may change after Friday's release of new guidelines from the American Diabetes Association and the American College of Cardiology.

The guidelines say an additional test should be added to the standard cholesterol test used to determine cardiovascular disease risk. The guidelines endorse the use of advanced lipoprotein testing by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) as a more accurate method to determine risk and to check whether LDL ("bad") cholesterol-lowering therapies are having an effect in patients.

NMR lipoprotein testing measures the number of LDL particles, which carry cholesterol through the body, rather than cholesterol levels alone. Studies have shown that it's the number of lipoprotein particles present in the blood, not the amount of cholesterol carried by these particles, that form blockages inside arteries.

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FDA Issues Warning About 'Total Body Formula' and 'Total Body Mega Formula' Supplements

Consumers should not buy or consume the Tropical Orange and Peach Nectar flavors of "Total Body Formula" or the Orange/Tangerine flavor of "Total Body Mega Formula" because these liquid dietary supplements may cause problems including significant hair loss, muscle cramps, diarrhea, joint pain and fatigue, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The products have been recalled by the distributor, Total Body Essential Nutrition of Atlanta, and the FDA is analyzing samples of the products to identify the cause of the problems. It's suspected the products contain excessive amounts of selenium, which can cause the symptoms shown by some consumers. Only small amounts of selenium -- a trace mineral -- are needed for good health.

The FDA received reports from the Florida Department of Health about 23 people who suffered serious reactions seven to 10 days after using these products. The FDA is also investigating reports of similar cases in Tennessee.

Consumers with these products should stop using them and throw them away. Anyone who has had adverse reactions after taking the products should consult a health care professional, the FDA said.

For more information, call the FDA's Food Safety Hotline at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.

Health Tips for March 31

Health Tip: After a Car Accident

Traffic accidents often cause more than physical injuries -- they can also cause emotional and mental trauma.

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions to prepare your mind and body for a return to the road:

* Take care of your physical injuries -- see your doctor about any post-accident pain.
* As long as your injuries permit, try to get some exercise. Speak to your doctor about setting limits.
* Talk about the experience with your friends and family. This may help you better deal with post-accident anxiety.
* Resume your old routine and daily activities.
* Teach yourself to become a more defensive driver. Always wear a seat belt, and practice good driving habits.

Health Tip: Muscle Injury?

Many minor overuse injuries to muscles and tendons can be treated at home.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggests the RICE method, which includes:

* Resting the injured area by avoiding exercise, sports or activities that may aggravate the injury until the pain subsides.
* Icing the area with an ice pack (protecting the skin) several times a day for about 20 minutes per session.
* Compressing the area by wearing an elastic compression bandage.
* Elevating the area, keeping it above the level of your heart.

Health Headlines - March 30

Dole Fresh Fruit Joins Cantaloupe Recall

In response to an outbreak of salmonella poisoning in 16 states, the Dole Fresh Fruit Company has joined the recall of cantaloupes grown in Honduras and shipped by an independent grower, according to the Associated Press.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advised U.S. grocery companies, produce wholesalers and food service operators March 22 to remove cantaloupes from the Honduran grower and packer Agropecuaria Montelibano, because of the possibility they contain the bacterium Salmonella Litchfield, which can cause intestinal illness in humans. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.

On March 27, Chiquita Brands International Inc. and Simply Fresh Fruit Inc. issued recalls, the wire service reports. Whole cantaloupes were recalled by Chiquita, and Simply Fresh Fruit identified cut fruit products, the AP said.

Dole Fresh Fruit, headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., said its recalled cantaloupes had been distributed in the United States and Canada in cardboard cartons with the brand "Dole" and "Product of Honduras" printed on the side panels, according to the wire service.

Although the three fruit companies have helped in identifying the suspect cantaloupes, it may still be difficult for consumers to determine the origin of fruit they buy. The FDA is asking people who have recently bought cantaloupes to check with the place of purchase to determine if the fruit came from the Honduran grower in question. If it was, consumers should throw away the cantaloupes, the FDA says.

Fifty cases of salmonella poisoning have been reported in 16 states with 14 hospitalizations, the FDA says. There have been no fatalities. The affected states span the country: Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The FDA also has issued the following tips for making sure the cantaloupes you buy are fresh: Purchase cantaloupes that are not bruised or damaged; if buying fresh-cut cantaloupe, be sure it is refrigerated or surrounded by ice; after purchase, refrigerate cantaloupes promptly; wash your hands with hot, soapy water before and after handling fresh cantaloupes; scrub whole cantaloupes by using a clean produce brush and cool tap water immediately before eating; if there happens to be a bruised or damaged area on a cantaloupe, cut away those parts before eating it.

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Balloon Angiography OK for Some Medical Centers Without Coronary Surgical Backup: Study

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) -- more commonly known as balloon angioplasty -- doesn't need to be performed only in hospitals with coronary surgical backup, a new study has found.

A report presented Saturday at a joint cardiology meeting in Chicago, sponsored by the American College of Cardiology (ACC), found that medical centers with "well-organized, highly skilled" PCI programs can safely and effectively perform the angioplasty.

Researchers compared 9,029 patients who had angioplasty at 61 centers without cardiac backup surgery to 299,132 patients at 404 centers with a cardiac surgery program from January 2004 through March 2006. And they found there was no statistical difference in mortality.

According to a news release from the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, the findings should not be interpreted as an endorsement of "boutique angioplasty." Lead investigator Dr. Michael A. Kutcher, of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., said, "These medical centers are doing angioplasty for the right reasons: to improve outcomes for heart attack patients and to better serve patients in remote geographic areas."

The findings represent the largest clinical study ever to compare PCI programs that have on-site cardiac surgery to PCI programs that transfer patients to a surgical hospital in case of emergency, according to the SCAI news release.

PCI involves threading a slender balloon-tipped tube from an artery in the groin to the clogged place in the coronary artery. By inflating the balloon, the vessel-clogging plaque is compressed, allowing better blood flow.

-----

FDA Seeks $2.2 Million Penalty from Hearing Aid Maker

Hearing aid maker Advanced Bionics LLC is being penalized $2.2 million by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for alleged violations including failing to adhere to manufacturing standards and for failing to notify the agency that it had changed suppliers, the FDA said Friday.

The Sylmar, Calif., company makes a device called the HiRes90k Implantable Cochlear Stimulator. The device is surgically implanted behind the ear to treat profound hearing loss in both adults and children.

The agency's legal complaint alleges that the company exposed device users to unnecessary health risks by failing to follow standard manufacturing procedures and by distributing devices that contained a component provided by an unapproved vendor.

The complaint says Advanced Bionics shipped hearing aids in violation of the law between January 2005 and July 2006. At least some of the alleged violations occurred after a 2001 inspection, which had found similar failures that the company had promised to correct, the agency said.

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New Test Recommended to Determine Cardiovascular Disease Risk

The way doctors treat patients at risk for cardiovascular disease may change after Friday's release of new guidelines from the American Diabetes Association and the American College of Cardiology.

The guidelines say an additional test should be added to the standard cholesterol test used to determine cardiovascular disease risk. The guidelines endorse the use of advanced lipoprotein testing by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) as a more accurate method to determine risk and to check whether LDL ("bad") cholesterol-lowering therapies are having an effect in patients.

NMR lipoprotein testing measures the number of LDL particles, which carry cholesterol through the body, rather than cholesterol levels alone. Studies have shown that it's the number of lipoprotein particles present in the blood, not the amount of cholesterol carried by these particles, that form blockages inside arteries.

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Stroke Hospitalizations Higher Among U.S. Blacks

Black Americans and people living in the Southeast have the highest rates of stroke hospitalizations among Medicare beneficiaries in the United States, says a report released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The report -- Atlas of Stroke Hospitalizations Among Medicare Beneficiaries -- also found that a large number of beneficiaries live in counties where there is no access to care, or inadequate choices for emergency care when they suffer a stroke.

About 21 percent of counties had no hospital, 31 percent had a hospital without an emergency department, and 77 percent had a hospital with no neurology services.

The atlas provides county-level maps of stroke hospitalizations for blacks, whites and Hispanics. It showed the that stroke hospitalization rate for blacks is 27 percent higher than for the U.S. population in general, 30 percent higher than for whites, and 36 percent higher than for Hispanics.

"The atlas highlights that where you live can determine how you live, regarding your ability to take part in activities that reduce your risk of stroke," study lead author Michele Casper, an epidemiologist at the CDC's Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, said in a prepared statement.

"Examples of community conditions that can influence a person's risk for stroke include the availability of affordable healthy food, safe options for physical activity, access to high quality health care, and anti-smoking legislation and polices," Casper said.

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FDA Issues Warning About 'Total Body Formula' and 'Total Body Mega Formula' Supplements

Consumers should not buy or consume the Tropical Orange and Peach Nectar flavors of "Total Body Formula" or the Orange/Tangerine flavor of "Total Body Mega Formula" because these liquid dietary supplements may cause problems including significant hair loss, muscle cramps, diarrhea, joint pain and fatigue, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The products have been recalled by the distributor, Total Body Essential Nutrition of Atlanta, and the FDA is analyzing samples of the products to identify the cause of the problems. It's suspected the products contain excessive amounts of selenium, which can cause the symptoms shown by some consumers. Only small amounts of selenium -- a trace mineral -- are needed for good health.

The FDA received reports from the Florida Department of Health about 23 people who suffered serious reactions seven to 10 days after using these products. The FDA is also investigating reports of similar cases in Tennessee.

Consumers with these products should stop using them and throw them away. Anyone who has had adverse reactions after taking the products should consult a health care professional, the FDA said.

For more information, call the FDA's Food Safety Hotline at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.

Health Tips for March 30

Health Tip: Experience Grief as a Healthy Emotion

Grief is a normal, healthy emotion experienced when a person has a significant loss, such as the death of someone close, or even the end of a relationship.

The American Academy of Family Physicians lists these common symptoms of grief:

* Numbness, shock and denial are common initially.
* Feelings of abandonment may occur once reality has set in.
* Anger -- directed at the person who is gone, yourself, others and even religion -- is common.
* Temporary depression and guilt may set in once the grieving person realizes what the loss means.
* Thinking frequently about the person and reliving memories are normal reactions, as well.
* Little by little, you should begin to feel better. Eventually, you should begin to focus on resuming relationships and activities. It's not uncommon to initially feel "disloyal" to someone as you start to move on.

Health Tip: Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation under professional supervision often is recommended for people who have had a heart attack, heart surgery, or a related operation.

The American Heart Association lists these benefits of cardiac rehabilitation:

* A rehab program, based on a medical evaluation, often is tailored to a person's specific needs and health problems.
* During physical activity, your blood pressure and heart rate are closely monitored.
* Getting regular exercise can help reduce stress, strengthen your heart, and increase your energy.
* Rehabilitation often includes counseling on making lifestyle changes, including on what to eat, how to prepare food, how to manage stress, quitting smoking, and the importance of taking your medications.
* An associated support group may be available to help you talk about and deal with your concerns and health issues.

Health Headlines - March 29

FDA Seeks $2.2 Million Penalty from Hearing Aid Maker

Hearing aid maker Advanced Bionics LLC is being penalized $2.2 million by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for alleged violations including failing to adhere to manufacturing standards and for failing to notify the agency that it had changed suppliers, the FDA said Friday.

The Sylmar, Calif., company makes a device called the HiRes90k Implantable Cochlear Stimulator. The device is surgically implanted behind the ear to treat profound hearing loss in both adults and children.

The agency's legal complaint alleges that the company exposed device users to unnecessary health risks by failing to follow standard manufacturing procedures and by distributing devices that contained a component provided by an unapproved vendor.

The complaint says Advanced Bionics shipped hearing aids in violation of the law between January 2005 and July 2006. At least some of the alleged violations occurred after a 2001 inspection, which had found similar failures that the company had promised to correct, the agency said.

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Brain Changes Affect Teen Behavior

Natural changes in adolescents' brains affect their cognition, emotion and behavior, say U.S. National Institute of Mental Health researchers, who used MRI to examine the brains of volunteers.

The researchers found that brain gray matter increases in volume until the early teens, then decreases until old age. The findings appear in the April issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health.

"Adolescence is a time of substantial neurobiological and behavioral change, but the teen brain is not a broken or defective adult brain," wrote researcher Dr. Jay N. Giedd.

The findings come from the NIMH Longitudinal Brain Imaging Project, which began in 1989.

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New Test Recommended to Determine Cardiovascular Disease Risk

The way doctors treat patients at risk for cardiovascular disease may change after Friday's release of new guidelines from the American Diabetes Association and the American College of Cardiology.

The guidelines say an additional test should be added to the standard cholesterol test used to determine cardiovascular disease risk. The guidelines endorse the use of advanced lipoprotein testing by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) as a more accurate method to determine risk and to check whether LDL ("bad") cholesterol-lowering therapies are having an effect in patients.

NMR lipoprotein testing measures the number of LDL particles, which carry cholesterol through the body, rather than cholesterol levels alone. Studies have shown that it's the number of lipoprotein particles present in the blood, not the amount of cholesterol carried by these particles, that form blockages inside arteries.

-----

Stroke Hospitalizations Higher Among U.S. Blacks

Black Americans and people living in the Southeast have the highest rates of stroke hospitalizations among Medicare beneficiaries in the United States, says a report released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The report -- Atlas of Stroke Hospitalizations Among Medicare Beneficiaries -- also found that a large number of beneficiaries live in counties where there is no access to care, or inadequate choices for emergency care when they suffer a stroke.

About 21 percent of counties had no hospital, 31 percent had a hospital without an emergency department, and 77 percent had a hospital with no neurology services.

The atlas provides county-level maps of stroke hospitalizations for blacks, whites and Hispanics. It showed the that stroke hospitalization rate for blacks is 27 percent higher than for the U.S. population in general, 30 percent higher than for whites, and 36 percent higher than for Hispanics.

"The atlas highlights that where you live can determine how you live, regarding your ability to take part in activities that reduce your risk of stroke," study lead author Michele Casper, an epidemiologist at the CDC's Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, said in a prepared statement.

"Examples of community conditions that can influence a person's risk for stroke include the availability of affordable healthy food, safe options for physical activity, access to high quality health care, and anti-smoking legislation and polices," Casper said.

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CF Drug Shows Promise

An investigational oral drug called VX-770 showed promising results in treating cystic fibrosis (CF) patients who carry the G551D mutation of CF, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation said.

The drug is being co-developed by the foundation and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.

A 14-day phase 2a trial of 20 patients found that they showed significant improvements in several key indicators of CF, including lung function, nasal potential difference measurements, and sweat chloride (salt) levels. The findings suggest that the drug improves function of what is known as the CFTR protein.

This is the first time any potential therapy has been shown to improve abnormal sweat chloride levels in CF patients. Excessive sweat chloride is a key clinical indicator of CF.

"These early results are an extraordinary endorsement of our hypothesis -- that small molecules can correct the basic defect and affect the clinical indicators of cystic fibrosis," Robert J. Beall, president and CEO of the foundation, said in a prepared statement.

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FDA Issues Warning About 'Total Body Formula' and 'Total Body Mega Formula' Supplements

Consumers should not buy or consume the Tropical Orange and Peach Nectar flavors of "Total Body Formula" or the Orange/Tangerine flavor of "Total Body Mega Formula" because these liquid dietary supplements may cause problems including significant hair loss, muscle cramps, diarrhea, joint pain and fatigue, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The products have been recalled by the distributor, Total Body Essential Nutrition of Atlanta, and the FDA is analyzing samples of the products to identify the cause of the problems. It's suspected the products contain excessive amounts of selenium, which can cause the symptoms shown by some consumers. Only small amounts of selenium -- a trace mineral -- are needed for good health.

The FDA received reports from the Florida Department of Health about 23 people who suffered serious reactions seven to 10 days after using these products. The FDA is also investigating reports of similar cases in Tennessee.

Consumers with these products should stop using them and throw them away. Anyone who has had adverse reactions after taking the products should consult a health care professional, the FDA said.

For more information, call the FDA's Food Safety Hotline at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.

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Brain Able to Detect Calorie Content of Food: Study

Even when the brain can't sense taste, it can still detect the calorie content of food, say Duke University researchers, who genetically altered the brains of mice so that they lost their ability to taste the "sweetness" in foods.

When the mice were given a choice of two solutions -- one sweetened with sugar, the other with the non-caloric sweetener sucralose -- they showed a strong preference for the sugar solution, CBC News reported.

This suggests that calorie content, not taste, guided their choice, said the researchers, who also found that consuming the sugar solution activated reward circuits in the brains of the mice. The study appears in the journal Neuron.

"Our findings suggest that calorie-rich nutrients can directly influence brain reward circuits that control food intake independently of palatability or functional taste transduction," the researchers wrote.

The study results may help in efforts to treat obesity, CBC News reported.

Health Tips for March 29

Health Tip: Managing After a Miscarriage

The aftermath of a pregnancy loss is an extremely difficult and frustrating time for the affected couple.

Here are suggestions to help the woman and her partner cope after a miscarriage, courtesy of the American Pregnancy Association:

* Seek psychological counseling for you and your partner.
* Ask for comfort and support from your partner, friends and family.
* Allow yourself to grieve, and give yourself plenty of time to recover emotionally.
* Be considerate of your partner's needs, feelings and emotions.
* Communicate with each other frequently, openly and honestly.
* Understand that everyone grieves differently, and respect each other's methods of coping.

Health Tip: How a Pacemaker Helps the Heart

A pacemaker is a small, battery-powered device that is implanted in the skin of the chest or abdomen, and helps regulate the heartbeat.

Here are reasons for why a pacemaker may be prescribed, courtesy of the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute:

* To correct a slow, fast or irregular heartbeat.
* To ensure that the heart's ventricles contract normally, in cases of atrial fibrillation.
* To regulate the electrical signals between the upper and lower chambers of the heart, and in other cases, between the ventricles of the heart.

Health Headlines - March 28

FDA Launches Safety Reviews of Three Medications

Safety reviews of Regranex Gel (becaplermin), Ziagen (abacavir) and Videx (didanosine) are being conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the agency announced. All three are FDA-approved medications.

The review of Regranex Gel, a skin product used to heal leg and foot ulcers, was prompted by study data suggesting there may be an increased risk of death from cancer in diabetic patients who use the gel. While the review is ongoing, health care professionals should discuss the risks and benefits of the product with patients, the FDA said.

Recent findings from a study on anti-HIV drugs indicate that patients infected with HIV-1 who take Ziagen or Videx may have an increased risk of heart attack.

Until the safety review is complete, health care professionals should evaluate the potential risks and benefits of each HIV-1 antiretroviral drug their patients are taking, the FDA said.

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Drug Store Test May Settle Paternity Question

A $29.99 paternity kit that's now available at some 4,300 Rite Aid drug stores in 30 states may help settle the question, "Who's Your Daddy" for thousands of curious families, MSNBC reports.

The do-it-yourself Indentigene test, produced by Sorenson Genomics of Salt Lake City, uses DNA to determine paternity. The kit includes swabs for collecting cheek cell samples from the possible father and the child. It's recommended that the mother provide her cells, too, to help bolster the results.

Cheek cells are mailed to a Sorenson lab for analysis. Results -- a probability figure -- are available online, by telephone or by mail in three to five business days, MSNBC reported. The total cost is about $150, including a $120 lab fee. For an additional $200, a more sophisticated test can be performed that meets legal requirements for determining paternity, the network said.

The Sorenson lab is accredited by the AABB (formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks). But this type of test doesn't have to be reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration nor is certification required under the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment, MSNBC pointed out.

Identigene's chief operating officer, Douglas Fogg, said most users appear to be buying the kit to settle social questions, not legal ones. Experts told MSNBC that it's still to be decided whether results of this test would stand up in court, especially given that such a test taken at home is subject to fraudulent use.

Fogg said he expects to sell at least 52,000 of the kits this year.

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Physical Restraint Use in Nursing Homes Declines

In recent years, there's been a 40 percent decline in the use of physical restraints -- such as wheelchair belts or bed rails -- on nursing home patients in the United States, according to a report from the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

In 2006, about 5.9 percent of 1.5 million long-term patients were repeatedly physically restrained, compared with 9.7 percent in 2002, the Associated Press reported.

States where physical restraints were used most often in 2006 included: California (13.4 percent), Arkansas (13.2 percent), and Oklahoma (11.5 percent). Restraints were used on nursing home patients least often in Nebraska (1.3 percent), and Iowa, Kansas and Maine (2 percent).

The overall decline in the use of physical restraints is the result of efforts by federal and state governments and the nursing home industry to do away with what was once a common practice, the AP reported.

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Recalls for Rocker Toys and Warming Bears

Two recalls of Chinese-made products were announced Thursday by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

One involves about 122,000 Rock 'N Ride plush rocker toys distributed by Tek Nek Toys International L.P. of Southlake, Texas. The base of the rocker can become unstable and allow the rocker to tip forward or backward, posing a fall hazard. The company has received 35 reports of rockers tipping over, including 10 reports of injuries such as bumps, bruises and lacerations.

Consumers should take these rockers away from children and contact Tek Nek at 888-686-2728 for a free replacement base.

The other recall includes about 113,000 Cozy Warming Polar Bears distributed by Avon Products Inc. The buckwheat-filled warming pouch inside the bears can overheat and ignite when heated in a microwave oven, posing a fire and burn hazard. Avon has received 41 reports of product overheating, including six reports of minor burns.

Consumers should stop using the warming bears and return the warming pouch for a full refund. For more information, contact Avon at 877-217-0916.

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Large Increase in Kidney Disease Hospitalizations: Report

Between 1980 and 2005, the number of hospitalizations for kidney disease in the United States increased from 416,000 to 1.6 million, says a study published Thursday in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Hospitalization rates for kidney disease, including chronic and acute kidney failure, were consistently higher (30 percent to 40 percent) among men than women, increasing from 25 to 66.5 per 100,000 in men and from 17.8 to 45.8 per 100,000 in women.

In 2005, about 61.4 percent of hospitalized kidney disease patients were 65 and older, compared to 49.9 percent in 1980. An increasing number of kidney disease-related hospital admissions were associated with diabetes or high blood pressure, the study said.

The report authors said more research is needed to learn why hospitalization rates for kidney disease are increasing and to better understand the link between kidney disease and chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

In addition, there needs to be increased focus on early detection of kidney disease through screening, and encouraging health-care professionals to standardize criteria for diagnosing kidney disease.

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Tobacco Company Helped Fund Lung Cancer Study

There's widespread dismay and concern after it was revealed that researchers who concluded that lung scans may help save smokers from cancer failed to reveal their financial ties to a tobacco company, the Associated Press reported.

The Weill Cornell Medical College researchers didn't disclose the money links to the parent company of cigarette maker Liggett Group Inc. when they submitted two studies to the Journal of the American Medical Association and the New England Journal of Medicine. The studies were published in 2006. News of the tobacco funding was first reported Tuesday in The New York Times.

In a statement released Wednesday, Liggett spokeswoman Carrie Bloom said the company "had not control or influence over the research."

Cornell Dean Dr. Antonio Gotto said there was no attempt to hide the fact the research was co-funded by the tobacco company, the AP reported. Gotto said the university made a public announcement about the funding.

Dozens of organizations, including the American Cancer Society, also funded the Cornell team's research. But the cancer society wouldn't have contributed to the study if it knew "Big Tobacco" was also providing funding, said ACS chief medical officer Dr. Otis Brawley.

A statement released by Dr. John Niederhuber, director of the U.S. National Cancer Institute, said scientists must maintain the trust of patients in research studies and "any breach of that trust is not simply disappointing but, I believe, unacceptable," the AP reported.

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Targeting RNA May Lead to New Disease Treatments

By silencing key genetic material in cells, it may be possible to treat a number of kinds of diseases, suggests a study by Danish researchers.

They silenced strands of micro-RNA in the liver cells of monkeys, which resulted in lower cholesterol levels. This was the first time this technique was used in primates. Previous tests were conducted in test tubes and rodents, BBC News reported.

The study, published in the journal Nature, was conducted by a team from Copenhagen-based Santaris Pharma.

The researchers said this technique could eventually prove effective in treating a number of diseases, including liver disease, diabetes, certain types of cancer, and cardiac diseases, BBC News reported.

This could be done by developing a new generation of drugs that silence certain types of RNA, which is believed to be the main regulator of activity within cells. Some types of RNA have been found to be associated with disease.

Health Tips for March 28

Health Tip: Help Your Child's Cognitive Development

Cognitive development refers to fostering a person's ability to think and reason. In a child's case, it's an important part of his or her emotional and mental growth.

The Lucile-Packard Children's Hospital offers these suggestions to encourage your adolescent child's cognitive development:

* Talk to your child about adult, complex topics such as politics, world issues and current events.
* Encourage discussions where the child can express thoughts, ideas and opinions.
* Encourage the child to develop personal goals, opinions and ideas.
* Recognize and praise the child for making good, well-planned decisions, and help the child learn from mistakes.
* Teach the child to think about and plan for the future, the possibilities that lie ahead, and how to best reach personal goals.

Health Tip: Facts About Ovulation

Ovulation is part of a healthy woman's monthly menstrual cycle, and usually occurs in the middle of the cycle. Ovulation refers to the release of a mature egg that is available to be fertilized.

The American Pregnancy Association offers the following information about ovulation:

* Once an egg has been released from the ovary, it can live for 12 hours to 24 hours.
* Women are born with millions of immature eggs. Typically, only one egg that has matured is released each month.
* Ovulation can be affected by factors such as stress, anxiety, illness, or an interruption of usual lifestyle and routine.
* Ovulation may cause feelings of aching, tenderness or soreness in and around the ovaries.
* Each egg that is unfertilized is absorbed by the uterine lining.

Health Headlines - March 27

Lilly to Pay $15 Million to Settle Alaska Zyprexa Lawsuit

In what's seen as a surprise announcement, Eli Lilly and the state of Alaska announced Wednesday that the drug maker has agreed to pay $15 million to settle a state lawsuit claiming its schizophrenia drug Zyprexa caused users to develop diabetes.

The announcement comes three weeks into a trial in Anchorage. The case hadn't reached the jury, but it was expected that closing arguments would take place this week, The New York Times reported.

In the statement released Wednesday, Lilly did not admit wrongdoing.

The state of Alaska sued Lilly to recover the cost of medical care allegedly generated by Medicaid patients who developed diabetes while taking Zyprexa. A number of other states have sued Lilly with similar claims, or are taking part in settlement talks led by federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania.

Lilly has already shelled out $1.2 billion to settle 30,000 individual lawsuits from people who said they developed diabetes while taking Zyprexa, the Times reported. Since the drug was introduced in the U.S. in 1996, more than 23 million people have taken it.

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FDA Issues Draft Guidelines for Drug-Eluting Stents

Draft guidelines to help in the development, testing and manufacture of coronary drug-eluting stents were issued Wednesday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Stents are hollow mesh cylinders used to prop open arteries that were once blocked. Drug-eluting stents have a coating that slowly releases a drug to prevent the growth of scar tissue.

For more than two years, there has been growing concern about the possibility of dangerous clot formation in some patients. Since 2006 when such concerns were raised, medical societies have urged patients to take anti-clotting drugs for at least a year after the devices are implanted, the Associated Press reported.

The proposed guidelines recommend that the device manufacturers conduct large, analytic studies of the devices, the AP said.

The guidelines also include a recommendation that a device maker should track patients for up to five years after a drug-eluting stent receives FDA approval, the wire service said. Public comment on the draft guidelines is being accepted for 120 days.

The FDA has so far sanctioned drug-coated stents made by three manufacturers: Boston Scientific, Medtronic, and Johnson & Johnson. Each year in the United States, about 650,000 patients receive this type of stent.

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New Yorkers Gain 10 Million Pounds in Two Years

The Big Apple is getting much bigger.

Between 2002 and 2004, New York City residents gained a total of more than 10 million pounds, about 173,500 residents became obese, and more than 73,000 were diagnosed with diabetes, says a study by the city's health department.

During those two years, the city's rates of obesity and diagnosed diabetes both increased by 17 percent, compared to a six percent increase in obesity and no increase in diabetes diagnoses nationwide.

In New York City, obesity increased by 20 percent among whites and by 14 percent among Hispanics. Among older residents, the obesity rate increased by 28 percent, and shot up by 33 percent among foreign-born residents.

There were large increases in diabetes diagnoses among both U.S.- and foreign-born residents, 15 percent and 26 percent, respectively. The highest diabetes rates were among black and Hispanic adults, and among people in low-income neighborhoods.

In another study, health department researchers said calories from sodas and other sugary drinks are a major cause of the city's obesity epidemic. Overall, 27 percent of New York City adults consume an average of nearly two sugar-sweetened sodas a day, which contain nearly 300 calories.

The studies appear in the journal Preventing Chronic Disease and in the Journal of Urban Health.

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Three More Countries Recall Heparin

Denmark, France and Italy have announced recalls of the blood-thinning drug heparin or its ingredients due to suspected contamination with a chemical called oversulfated chondroitin sulfate. Similar recalls have been announced in Germany and the United States.

There have been no adverse reports of people taking heparin in Denmark, France or Italy, the Wall Street Journal reported. Officials in those countries believe oversulfated chondroitin sulfate is the contaminant, but that hasn't been confirmed.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it knows of 19 people who died after taking heparin, apparently from allergic reactions. Hundreds of other patients have become ill.

FDA officials are "in communication with the regulatory authorities in [European] countries and are still vigorously pursuing our investigation," Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a prepared statement, the Wall Street Journal reported.

It's believed that Chinese-made heparin ingredients are the source of the contamination.

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FDA Warns Men Not to Use 'Blue Steel' or 'Hero' Products

Consumers shouldn't buy or use "Blue Steel" or "Hero" products sold as treatments for erectile dysfunction or sexual enhancement because they are considered unapproved drugs and haven't been proven safe or effective, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned.

The products, promoted and sold over the Internet, contain undeclared ingredients that may have a dangerous effect on a person's blood pressure, the agency said. The products are labeled as all natural dietary supplements but don't qualify as such because they contain undeclared and unapproved substances similar in chemical structure to sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, the FDA said.

"Because these products are labeled as 'all natural dietary supplements,' consumers may assume that they are harmless and pose no health risk," Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a prepared statement. "But an unsuspecting consumer with underlying medical issues may take these products without knowing that they can cause serious side effects and interact in dangerous ways with drugs that a consumer is already taking."

Men with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take prescription drugs that contain nitrates. Erectile dysfunction is common in these men, but they're advised against taking Viagra or similar drugs. Instead, some of these men look for "all natural" products to treat erectile dysfunction.

Any men who have taken Blue Steel or Hero products should stop using them and consult their doctor if they've had problems that may have been caused by the products, the FDA said.

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Switching Off Genes May Put Cancers to Sleep: Study

It may be possible to switch off genes and put cancer tumors "to sleep" instead of having to treat patients with chemotherapy, suggests a study by American and Australian researchers.

In tests with mice, the scientists found that by switching a gene called Id1 off or on, it was possible to either shrink or encourage growth in certain kinds of breast tumors. They also found that breast cancers with high levels of the Id1 gene became very aggressive and were likely to spread to other parts of the body, Agence France-Presse reported.

"We also showed that if we genetically switch off the Id1 gene in an established tumor, those mice live much longer than mice with continual Id1 expression in their tumor," said Dr. Alex Swarbrick of the Garvan Institute in Sydney, Australia. "In fact, about 40 percent of them were cured and the tumors just shrank away."

The findings, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggest it may be possible to target genes that switch off cancers in order to put tumors to sleep, Swarbrick told AFP.

"You induce a terminal sleep, and then the immune system just gobbles [the tumors] up," he said.

Health Tips for March 27

Health Tip: Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction

Allergic reactions can range from very mild to life-threatening. Severe allergic reactions require immediate medical attention, but even reactions that are milder should be checked out by a doctor.

Here are warning signs of a mild allergic reaction, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* Skin rash.
* Hives, especially on the neck or the face.
* Itchy skin.
* Red or watery eyes.
* Nasal congestion.

If you have more serious symptoms of an allergic reaction, including difficulty breathing, swelling, dizziness, chest discomfort, abdominal pain, or feelings of apprehension and anxiety, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Health Tip: Stressed Teens

The teen years can be difficult to manage with their many physical, emotional and lifestyle changes.

Here are some suggestions, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

* Write down all of the things that cause anxiety or stress. Making a list may help you organize your thoughts and come up with a plan to help resolve problems.
* Reduce stress where you can. If work, sports or extracurricular activities cause too much stress, cut back on how much time you devote to them.
* Accept that you can't eliminate all the stress in your life, that it's OK to make mistakes, and that you can't control everything.
* Don't push yourself too hard. If you feel too tired or too overwhelmed, say "no" to additional commitments.
* Talk to family members, friends or a counselor about what's bothering you and causing stress.

Health Headlines - March 26

Cod Liver Oil May Help Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Some rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who took a 10g daily dose of cod liver oil cut their use of painkilling non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by 30 percent, says a study by researchers at Dundee University in the U.K.

The nine-month trial of about 60 patients found that 39 percent of those who took cod liver oil reduced their use of NSIADs, compared to 10 percent of patients who took a placebo, BBC News reported. Reduced NSAID use was not associated with any worsening of pain or disease.

The study was published in the journal Rheumatology.

Concerns about the side effects of NSAIDs have led researchers to look for alternative treatments. It's believed that fatty acids in cod liver oil have anti-inflammatory properties, BBC News reported.

Since this was a small study, it's difficult to draw any firm conclusions, said Dr. Andrew Bamji, president of the British Society for Rheumatology.

"It does look as if the results are positive and that is quite interesting," he told BBC News.

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Children's Water Bottles Recalled Due to Lead Hazard

About 18,000 Backyard and Beyond children's metal water bottles have been recalled due to excessive levels of lead in the paint on the outside of the bottles, said the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The Chinese-made bottles, distributed by Downeast Concepts Inc., of Yarmouth, Maine, have a black plastic sip-top and came in green, pink or blue, with assorted animal or insect graphics on them.

The bottles were sold nationwide from February 2006 through February 2008 for about $8. Consumers should immediately take the water bottles away from children and return them to the place of purchase for a refund, the CPSC said.

For more information, phone Downeast Concepts at 1-800-343-2424.

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Polio Halted in Somalia: WHO

World Health Organization officials claim that polio transmission has been halted in Somalia, but they acknowledge that the deadly disease could easily return to the unstable, troubled nation.

If polio has been stopped in Somalia, it would meant that the disease remains in only a dozen countries, including four (Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan) where it's common, the Associated Press reported.

There hasn't been a case of polio reported in Somalia in a year. Over the past decade, about 10,000 Somali health workers and volunteers worked to vaccinate nearly every child under the age of five.

Somalia was declared polio-free in 2002, but the disease reappeared in the country in 2005, the AP reported.

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Genetic Mapping Tool Could Improve Tumor Treatment

A genetic mapping tool that may help improve diagnosis and treatment of common tumors has been developed by U.S. researchers, Agence France-Presse reported.

The researchers mapped the molecular features of the most common and deadly primary brain tumor so that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could be used to identify the tumor's various subtypes. This same method could be used to identify other types of tumors, the researchers said.

"We found a way to allow MRIs to give us detailed molecular information about these tumors," lead author Michael Kuo, of the University of California, San Diego, told AFP. "In the past the only way you'd get it is by doing invasive biopsies and running expensive tests that aren't standardized."

This approach, which can be used with other types of imaging technologies such as CAT scans, needs to undergo further testing before it could be ready for clinical use, Kuo said.

The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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Baby Milk Powder May Cause Breathing Problems

Prolonged exposure to baby milk powder may increase the risk of breathing problems such as wheezing and breathlessness, says a British study that included about 170 laborers and 76 office staffers at a baby milk powder factory in Thailand.

The University of Birmingham team found that the workers with direct exposure to the baby milk powder were twice as likely as office staffers to have symptoms of breathing problems, BBC News reported. Among the factory floor workers, 24 percent had wheezing and 33 percent had breathlessness, compared to 12 percent and 16 percent of the office staff. The factory floor workers were also twice as likely to have asthma.

The researchers said at-risk workers should be monitored, but added that mothers and babies are safe because they have relatively little exposure to the milk powder.

"The effects of inhaled milk powder are relevant for occupational settings, so workers with such exposure should be protected as much as possible using exposure control measures, such as wearing latex gloves. They should also have regular check-ups of their respiratory health," said study leader Dr. Maritta Jaakkola, BBC News reported.

"Nannies, and bakers, both groups who are exposed to milk powder during their working life, may also benefit from respiratory tests," Jaakkola added.

The study was published in the European Respiratory Journal.

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HRT May Protect Against Alzheimer's Disease

A new British study suggests that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may help protect postmenopausal women against memory loss and Alzheimer's disease, BBC News reported.

The London Institute of Psychiatry researchers found that a halt in the production of the hormone estrogen -- which occurs in menopause -- was linked to a decline in memory. But this was reversed when estrogen supplies were restored, as occurs when women have HRT.

This study appears to support a current theory that estrogen may help prevent the accumulation of harmful protein tangles in the brain that eventually lead to Alzheimer's.

"There may be a critical window of time around the menopause when HRT may have a beneficial effect in protecting against Alzheimer's dementia," said lead researcher Dr. Michael Craig, BBC News reported.

But one expert urged caution.

"This is not conclusive evidence and women are not advised to start HRT specifically to protect against dementia since it can have side effects and possibly increase the risk of cancer," said Rebecca Wood, chief executive officer of the Alzheimer's Research Trust in the U.K., BBC News reported.

Health Tips for March 26

Health Tip: Get Screened for Cancer

Early detection, by way of regular screening, is one of the best ways to beat cancer.

The American Cancer Society offers these guidelines for cancer screenings:

* Women, starting at age 40, should get an annual mammogram to screen for breast cancer. Breast exams should start at age 20. An annual exam is recommended at age 40. Before that, women at normal risk should be examined about every three years.
* Beginning at age 50, women and men need regular screening for colorectal cancer. People at an increased risk for colorectal cancer should be tested earlier.
* Women need regular Pap smears to screen for cervical cancer. Pap smears should be given within three years of starting intercourse, or by age 21, whichever is earlier.
* Men 50 and older should get the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and a digital rectal examination annually. Men at higher risk should begin testing at age 45.

Health Tip: Can't Keep Asthma Under Control?

If your treatment regimen for asthma isn't helping your symptoms, you and your doctor may need to figure out what's really behind your asthma.

Here are possible reasons for ongoing asthma symptoms, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

* Allergies to something in your home, school or workplace, such as pet dander or dust mites.
* Not taking your medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
* Not using your inhaler properly.
* The medication you're using simply is not effective for you.
* Your respiratory symptoms are being caused by something other than asthma.

Health Headlines - March 25

Another U.S. Company Recalls Heparin

Another company has announced a U.S.-wide recall of the blood thinner heparin. B. Braun Medical Inc. said it's recalling 23 lots of heparin as a precautionary measure, but added that no adverse events have been reported in connection with its product, the Associated Press reported.

Contaminated heparin distributed by a different company, Baxter International Inc., has been associated with 19 deaths and hundreds of allergic reactions. The heparin was contaminated with a chemical called oversulfated chondroitin sulfate, which does not occur naturally.

Braun decided to issue the recall after one of its suppliers, Scientific Protein Laboratories in Wisconsin, warned that a Chinese-sourced ingredient it supplied to Braun contained oversulfated chondroitin sulfate.

Scientific Protein Laboratories is also a suppler to Baxter International Inc., which has recalled nearly all of its heparin distributed in the United States. There have been similar heparin recalls in Germany and Japan, the AP reported.

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Recall of Neuromodulation Implantable Infusion Pumps

A U.S. Food and Drug Administration notice of a Class I recall of Medtronic's Neuromodulation Implantable Infusion Pumps has been issued to healthcare providers. Medtronic has received reports of inflammatory mass formations at or near the tip of catheters that infuse opioids, baclofen, or chemotherapy drugs into patients in order to treat pain, spasticity or cancer.

Medtronic has updated the labeling for the devices to include current patient management and treatment recommendations, the FDA said.

In late January, 2008, the company sent a letter to doctors who implant the devices and/or provide care to patients with the implanted device. In the letter, Medtronic described the problem, patient risks and management, recommendations and next steps.

Company representatives will document their contact with each doctor regarding the recall, and doctors will be asked to sign and return a reply card, the FDA said.

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Live Chickens Banned in Jakarta

Beginning in 2010, the trade of live chickens in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta will be banned as part of the effort to control the spread of bird flu, the Associated Press reported.

Livestock official Edy Setiarto said poultry will have to be killed at government-licensed slaughterhouses outside Jakarta before being brought to market in the city. Currently, most people prefer to buy live chickens, which are then slaughtered.

About 70 percent of Indonesia's bird flu cases occur in Jakarta and the surrounding area, Setiarto said. Last year, the government told city residents they could no longer keep chickens in backyards, but the rule has been largely ignored, the AP reported.

Indonesia has been hardest hit by the H5N1 bird flu virus. Of the 236 people worldwide killed by the virus since it first appeared in poultry in 2003, 105 of the victims have been in Indonesia.

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Court Ruling Upholds Integrity of Journals' Peer Review Process: Editorial

A recent court ruling that protected confidential information held by the Journal of the American Medical Association and the journal Archives of Internal Medicine allows the journals' peer review process to work without outside interference, according to an editorial published online Monday by JAMA editor-in-chief Dr. Catherine D. DeAngelis and JAMA editorial counsel Joseph P. Thornton.

Last year, attorneys for Pfizer, Inc. issued subpoenas to obtain confidential information from the journals about studies published on the COX-2 inhibitor pain relief drugs celecoxib and valdecoxib.

According to the editorial, "the subpoenas sought all documents regarding the decision to accept or reject manuscripts, copies of rejected manuscripts, the identities of peer reviewers and the manuscripts they reviewed, and the comments by and among peer reviewers and editor regarding manuscripts, revisions, and publications decisions."

The journals argued that the sanctity of the peer review process should not be violated and, in a ruling issued March 14, the court agreed with the journals.

"The subpoenas attempted to invade the peer review process, and we are delighted that Magistrate Judge Keys said so when he ruled they could not be enforced against us," the journal editorial said.

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Hyperactive Girls Have More Problems Later in Life: Study

Young girls who are hyperactive are more likely than other girls to have major problems when they're older, such as teen pregnancy, abusive relationships, and poor job prospects, says a study by Canadian and British researchers.

The researchers assessed more than 800 girls yearly between the ages of 6 and 12 for hyperactive behavior -- such as restlessness, fidgeting, jumping up and down -- and signs of physical aggression. When the girls were in their early 20s, those with both hyperactivity and aggression were more likely to report early pregnancy, welfare dependence and physical and psychological aggression toward partners, BBC News reported.

The study was published in the journal Archives of General Psychiatry.

The researchers noted that most research on the lasting impact of childhood hyperactivity has focused on boys, BBC News reported.

"Hyperactivity is less common in girls than in boys but there are girls with this behavior which can lead to serious problems in later life," said study leader Dr. Nathalie Fontaine, a researcher at University College London.

She and her colleagues said hyperactive young girls should be targeted early in life to help them do better in school.

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More Than 200 Suspected Salmonella Cases in Alamosa, Colo.

As of Sunday, there were 68 confirmed and 148 suspected salmonella cases in the southern Colorado town of Alamosa in an outbreak believed to be linked to municipal tap water. Nine people have been hospitalized during the outbreak, but only one person was believed to still be in a hospital, said public information officer Jim Shires.

Beginning Tuesday morning, officials plan to start flushing the water system with a chlorine solution, the Associated Press reported. The flushing could take several days.

Residents were told last Wednesday to stop drinking and cooking with municipal water after bacterial contamination was detected in tap water samples. Bottled water is available and residents can fill large containers at water-distribution centers set up around the town.

On Friday, Gov. Bill Ritter declared a public health emergency, which made available $300,000 in aid and activated the Colorado National Guard to help distribute safe water, the AP.

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Man Brings Horse to Visit Hospital Patient

Did you hear the one about a man and his horse? Well, officials at a hospital in Hawaii did and certainly weren't laughing.

A man walked a horse through the lobby of the Wilcox Memorial Hospital, got on an elevator and made it to the third floor before being stopped by security guards, BBC News reported.

The man brought what he believed to be a sick relative's favorite horse to cheer up the patient. Hospital spokeswoman Lani Yukimura said there is a visitation policy for "cats and dogs, but not for horses," BBC News reported.

"We just hope people understand this is not a place for a horse," Yukimura said. "It's a very dangerous thing. Our greatest concern is patient care."

The horse did leave a few scuff marks but caused no damage or injuries, BBC News reported.

Health Tips for March 25

Health Tip: Have Hives?

Hives are red, raised patches of skin that are usually very itchy. Hives themselves often are not serious, but they may indicate a more serious condition.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine lists these common triggers for hives:

* Some medications.
* Foods that many people are allergic to, including shellfish, nuts, eggs and milk.
* Pollen.
* Dander from animals, notably cats.
* Bites from insects.
* Infections and some illnesses, including lupus and leukemia.
* Stress or anxiety.
* Prolonged exposure to the sun or the cold.
* Excessive sweating.

Health Tip: Sports Safety for Kids

Kids need to take special care to prevent injuries to growing bones and muscles while playing sports.

Here are safety guidelines for kids, courtesy of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:

* Prepare for sports by getting into good physical shape.
* Learn all the rules of the sport.
* Always wear appropriate protective equipment, and learn how to use it correctly.
* Always warm up and stretch before you play.
* If you feel pain or you are too tired, avoid playing until you feel better.

Health Headlines - March 24

Life Expectancy Gap Continues to Grow Between Richer, Poorer Americans

The disparity in life expectancy has almost doubled between more affluent Americans and its poorest residents over an 18-year period, the New York Times reports.

Citing new government data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Healthy People 2010 project, the newspaper says that U.S. residents at top income levels can expect to live an average of 4.5 years longer than the poorest Americans -- 79.2 years vs. 74.7 years. What's even more troubling, the Times reports, is that the information from 1998-2000 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows a dramatic increase from the same information from 1980-1982. During that period, the longevity disparity between the richest and poorest Americans was 2.8 years -- 75.8 vs 73.

Why is this gap widening, despite advances in medical knowledge and better treatment options? According to the Times, medical experts give these explanations, among others:

Better-educated, more affluent people can take advantage of the latest advances in heart disease and cancer treatment than the poor.

Better-educated, more affluent people smoke less than poorer people.

Poorer people are exposed to unhealthier food and more dangerous living conditions, than better-educated, affluent people.

Poorer people are less likely to have health insurance and less likely to receive checkups and engage in measures to prevent the onset of some diseases.

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50 Cases of Salmonella Poisoning Linked to Imported Cantaloupes

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is attributing the occurrence of 50 cases of salmonella poisoning in 16 states to cantaloupes imported from Honduras.

In a March 22 news release, the FDA says it has advised U.S. grocery companies, produce wholesalers and food service operators to remove cantaloupes from the Honduran grower and packer Agropecuaria Montelibano, because of the possibility they contain the bacterium Salmonella Litchfield, which can cause intestinal illness in humans. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.

While it is difficult for consumers to determine the origin of fruit they buy, the FDA is asking people who have recently bought cantaloupes to check with the place of purchase to determine if the fruit came from the Honduran grower in question. If it was, consumers should throw away the cantaloupes, the FDA says.

Fifty cases of Salmonella poisoning have been reported in 16 states with 14 hospitalizations, the FDA says. There have been no fatalities. The affected states span the country: Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The FDA also has issued the following tips for making sure the cantaloupes you buy are fresh: Purchase cantaloupes that are not bruised or damaged; if buying fresh-cut cantaloupe, be sure it is refrigerated or surrounded by ice; after purchase, refrigerate cantaloupes promptly; wash your hands with hot, soapy water before and after handling fresh cantaloupes; scrub whole cantaloupes by using a clean produce brush and cool tap water immediately before eating; if there happens to be a bruised or damaged area on a cantaloupe, cut away those parts before eating it.

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Drug Charges Against Ex-Army Nurse Tied to Hepatitis C Outbreak

The criminal case of a U.S. Army nurse charged with illegally possessing painkillers from an El Paso, Tex. military hospital has developed into a complex legal and medical puzzle, with additional lawsuits alleging the nurse caused at least 15 military service members or their relatives to be infected with an incurable type of hepatitis.

The Associated Press reports that federal prosecutors believe the nurse, retired Army captain Jon Dale Jones, may have spread hepatitis C in 2004 during surgeries at William Beaumont Army Medical Center when he stole a painkiller used as anesthesia.

It took three years of investigation for Jones to be charged with the theft, the wire service reported, and he worked as a nurse in Texas and Washington, D.C. after he left the Army. Just how the surgical patients -- including the son of a former commanding general, an active-duty soldier and the wife of a retired Marine Corps sergeant -- became infected isn't clear.

Jones has been federally charged with assaulting only three of the 15 patients, the A.P. reports, and possession of a controlled substance by fraud. But at least seven other people who became infected with hepatitis have sued him and the nursing agency that placed him at the Army hospital, claiming irreparable harm from hepatitis C.

Jones tested positive for hepatitis C in 2004, the A.P. reports. It is a blood-borne illness that can be treated but not cured and causes jaundice, abdominal pain, and tiredness.

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China Orders Tighter Controls on Heparin Production

China's drug agency has ordered local authorities to tighten control on the production of the blood thinner heparin. The move is a reversal of the agency's previous position that ensuring the quality of Chinese-made compounds was the responsibility of importers and importing countries, the Associated Press reported.

Tainted heparin has been linked to 19 deaths in the United States and hundreds of allergic reactions. Earlier this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it had found a contaminant called oversulfated chondroitin sulfate in batches of Chinese-made heparin distributed by U.S. pharmaceuticals company Baxter International Inc.

In an order posted Friday on its Web site, China's State Food and Drug Administration said heparin producers must obtain the raw chemicals used to make heparin from registered suppliers, who must improve their product management and testing, the AP reported.

Both U.S. and Chinese authorities are continuing their investigations into how the heparin batches became contaminated with oversulfated chondroitin sulftate, which is not a naturally occurring substance. Officials haven't confirmed if the contaminant actually caused the dangerous allergic reactions.

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Toys Recalled for Lead Paint Danger

Two more recalls of Chinese-made toys that violate the U.S. lead paint standard have been announced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

One recall involves about 198,000 toy puzzle vehicle sets distributed by Merchant Media Corp. of Framingham, Mass., and sold exclusively by QVC. The 16-piece Puzzle Track Play (also known as Battery Operated Puzzle Vehicle sets) have QVC item number T16876 printed on the exterior of the brown box packaging.

The sets should be taken away from children and returned to QVC for a full refund. For more information contact QVC at 1-800-367-9444, the CPSC said.

The second recall involves about 13,000 Camouflage Easter Egg treat containers and Easter Spinning Egg Tops imported by Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. of Oklahoma City, Okla., and sold at Hobby Lobby stores nationwide.

The recalled containers, sold in packages of eight, are white, brown and green camouflage colors and have Item # 1031 printed on the front of the packaging. The UPC code number 43078 01031 is printed on the back of the packaging.

The Easter Spinning Egg Tops were sold in packages of a single egg and a rip cord. Item # 1054 is printed on the front of the packaging and the UPC code number 43078 01054 is printed on the back of the packaging.

The camouflage egg containers sold for about $2.50 and the spinning egg tops sold for about $2. Consumers should take these toys away from children and contact Hobby Lobby to receive a $3 exchange card.

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Health Canada Issues Advisory About Carbamazepine

Reports of serious skin reactions in people of Asian ancestry have prompted Health Canada to issue an advisory about the drug carbamazepine, commonly used to treat epilepsy, mania, bipolar disorder and the facial disorder trigeminal neuralgia, CBC News reported.

"Serious and sometimes fatal skin reactions known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis have been known to occur very rarely with carbamazepine," the health advisory says. "While all patients treated with carbamazepine are at risk of these skin reactions, the risk is approximately 10 times higher in Asian countries than in Western countries."

Health Canada said a genetic test can identify people of Asian ancestry who may be at increased risk of developing serious skin reactions when taking the drug, CBC News reported. Anyone considering taking carbamazepine should talk to their doctor about this genetic test, the health agency advised.

Any patients who aren't experiencing any skin reactions should not stop treatment before they discuss the matter with their doctor. Any patients taking the drug should immediately consult a doctor if they have any symptoms of serious skin reactions, such as rash, red skin, blistering of the lips, eyes or mouth, or peeling skin accompanied by fever, Health Canada warned. Patients who've experienced skin reactions while taking the drug should not take it again.

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Tap Water Suspected in Colorado Salmonella Outbreak

Tap water is being investigated as the possible cause of 47 confirmed and 76 suspected cases of salmonella among residents of the southern Colorado community of Alamosa, about 160 miles south of Denver.

Health officials said Alamosa's tap water tested positive for bacteria believed to be salmonella, but they're still waiting for final test results to confirm that, the Associated Press reported. Investigators are still looking into the cause of the contamination.

Residents of the community of about 8,500 people have been told to boil tap water for 15 seconds to kill the bacteria, or to use bottled water instead of tap water for brushing teeth, cooking, drinking, washing dishes and making baby formula.

Health Tips for March 24

Health Tip: Tracking Ovulation

Women who are trying to get pregnant need to understand their menstrual cycles, especially when they are ovulating.

Ovulation is the release of a mature egg that occurs once during each menstrual cycle, in which the egg is ready to be fertilized.

Here is information to help you understand your monthly ovulation cycle, courtesy of the American Pregnancy Association:

* A menstrual cycle is measured from the first day of one menstrual period to the first day of the next menstrual period.
* A menstrual cycle typically lasts between 28-32 days, but it can be shorter or longer.
* Determine the date of ovulation by calculating the middle of your menstrual cycle -- ovulation typically occurs between day 11 and day 21 of a cycle.
* Ovulation can also be calculated by counting 12 to 16 days before the first day of your next period.

Health Tip: Signs of an Unhealthy Menstrual Cycle

A regular, healthy menstrual cycle is a good indicator of a woman's reproductive health. If you have problems with your period, see your doctor.

Here's a list of warning signs that something may be wrong, provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

* If you have no menstrual cycle by age 15, or within three years of breast development.
* If you have no period for more than 90 days.
* If you suddenly have irregular periods after having had regular periods consistently.
* If you have periods very often (21 days or less since the prior one) or very infrequently (45 days or more since the prior one).
* If you have periods that last longer than seven days.
* If you have abnormally heavy bleeding, or bleed or spot between periods.
* If you have severe pain, sickness or fever during your period or after using tampons.

Health Headlines - March 23

Happy Easter!

Drug Charges Against Ex-Army Nurse Tied to Hepatitis C Outbreak

The criminal case of a U.S. Army nurse charged with illegally possessing painkillers from an El Paso, Tex. military hospital has developed into a complex legal and medical puzzle, with additional lawsuits alleging the nurse caused at least 15 military service members or their relatives to be infected with an incurable type of hepatitis.

The Associated Press reports that federal prosecutors believe the nurse, retired Army captain Jon Dale Jones, may have spread hepatitis C in 2004 during surgeries at William Beaumont Army Medical Center when he stole a painkiller used as anesthesia.

It took three years of investigation for Jones to be charged with the theft, the wire service reported, and he worked as a nurse in Texas and Washington, D.C. after he left the Army. Just how the surgical patients -- including the son of a former commanding general, an active-duty soldier and the wife of a retired Marine Corps sergeant -- became infected isn't clear.

Jones has been federally charged with assaulting only three of the 15 patients, the A.P. reports, and possession of a controlled substance by fraud. But at least seven other people who became infected with hepatitis have sued him and the nursing agency that placed him at the Army hospital, claiming irreparable harm from hepatitis C.

Jones tested positive for hepatitis C in 2004, the A.P. reports. It is a blood-borne illness that can be treated but not cured and causes jaundice, abdominal pain, and tiredness.

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China Orders Tighter Controls on Heparin Production

China's drug agency has ordered local authorities to tighten control on the production of the blood thinner heparin. The move is a reversal of the agency's previous position that ensuring the quality of Chinese-made compounds was the responsibility of importers and importing countries, the Associated Press reported.

Tainted heparin has been linked to 19 deaths in the United States and hundreds of allergic reactions. Earlier this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it had found a contaminant called oversulfated chondroitin sulfate in batches of Chinese-made heparin distributed by U.S. pharmaceuticals company Baxter International Inc.

In an order posted Friday on its Web site, China's State Food and Drug Administration said heparin producers must obtain the raw chemicals used to make heparin from registered suppliers, who must improve their product management and testing, the AP reported.

Both U.S. and Chinese authorities are continuing their investigations into how the heparin batches became contaminated with oversulfated chondroitin sulftate, which is not a naturally occurring substance. Officials haven't confirmed if the contaminant actually caused the dangerous allergic reactions.

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Certain Motor Vehicle Features Benefit Seniors

When older adults are looking for a new vehicle, they should consider features such as a thicker steering wheel, wide-angle mirrors, large dashboard controls, and six-way adjustable seats, according to the AAA (American Automobile Association) and the Florida National Older Driver Research and Training Center.

The Smart Features for Mature Drivers program recommendations -- meant to address the physical, visual and cognitive changes that affect older drivers -- were announced Friday at the New York International Auto Show.

A recent AAA survey found that 43 percent of drivers over age 55 have at least one of nine common age-related driving difficulties, such as reduced range of motion, arthritic joints, diminished fine motor skills, and trouble with night vision and recovery from glare.

"There are ways to counteract the difficulties brought on by age-related changes so that seniors can maintain their safe driving abilities. One of these is through proper use of particular vehicle features," Dennis McCarthy, co-director of the National Older Driver Research and Training Center and a research assistant professor at the University of Florida College of Public Health, said in a prepared statement.

Other recommendations include keyless entry and ignition and the purchase of four-door models, because the doors require less strength to open and close than those on two-door models.

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Toys Recalled for Lead Paint Danger

Two more recalls of Chinese-made toys that violate the U.S. lead paint standard have been announced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

One recall involves about 198,000 toy puzzle vehicle sets distributed by Merchant Media Corp. of Framingham, Mass., and sold exclusively by QVC. The 16-piece Puzzle Track Play (also known as Battery Operated Puzzle Vehicle sets) have QVC item number T16876 printed on the exterior of the brown box packaging.

The sets should be taken away from children and returned to QVC for a full refund. For more information contact QVC at 1-800-367-9444, the CPSC said.

The second recall involves about 13,000 Camouflage Easter Egg treat containers and Easter Spinning Egg Tops imported by Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. of Oklahoma City, Okla., and sold at Hobby Lobby stores nationwide.

The recalled containers, sold in packages of eight, are white, brown and green camouflage colors and have Item # 1031 printed on the front of the packaging. The UPC code number 43078 01031 is printed on the back of the packaging.

The Easter Spinning Egg Tops were sold in packages of a single egg and a rip cord. Item # 1054 is printed on the front of the packaging and the UPC code number 43078 01054 is printed on the back of the packaging.

The camouflage egg containers sold for about $2.50 and the spinning egg tops sold for about $2. Consumers should take these toys away from children and contact Hobby Lobby to receive a $3 exchange card.

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Health Canada Issues Advisory About Carbamazepine

Reports of serious skin reactions in people of Asian ancestry have prompted Health Canada to issue an advisory about the drug carbamazepine, commonly used to treat epilepsy, mania, bipolar disorder and the facial disorder trigeminal neuralgia, CBC News reported.

"Serious and sometimes fatal skin reactions known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis have been known to occur very rarely with carbamazepine," the health advisory says. "While all patients treated with carbamazepine are at risk of these skin reactions, the risk is approximately 10 times higher in Asian countries than in Western countries."

Health Canada said a genetic test can identify people of Asian ancestry who may be at increased risk of developing serious skin reactions when taking the drug, CBC News reported. Anyone considering taking carbamazepine should talk to their doctor about this genetic test, the health agency advised.

Any patients who aren't experiencing any skin reactions should not stop treatment before they discuss the matter with their doctor. Any patients taking the drug should immediately consult a doctor if they have any symptoms of serious skin reactions, such as rash, red skin, blistering of the lips, eyes or mouth, or peeling skin accompanied by fever, Health Canada warned. Patients who've experienced skin reactions while taking the drug should not take it again.

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Tap Water Suspected in Colorado Salmonella Outbreak

Tap water is being investigated as the possible cause of 47 confirmed and 76 suspected cases of salmonella among residents of the southern Colorado community of Alamosa, about 160 miles south of Denver.

Health officials said Alamosa's tap water tested positive for bacteria believed to be salmonella, but they're still waiting for final test results to confirm that, the Associated Press reported. Investigators are still looking into the cause of the contamination.

Residents of the community of about 8,500 people have been told to boil tap water for 15 seconds to kill the bacteria, or to use bottled water instead of tap water for brushing teeth, cooking, drinking, washing dishes and making baby formula.

Health Tips for March 23

Health Tip: Build Healthy Bones

Osteoporosis doesn't have to be an inevitable part of aging -- if you begin practicing healthy habits when you're young.

Here are some facts about osteoporosis, and suggestions to help prevent brittle bones, courtesy of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:

* Women who are or have been pregnant, who are breast-feeding, or who have had a hysterectomy are more likely to lose bone mass, putting them at higher risk of osteoporosis.
* Women who are menopausal or postmenopausal produce less estrogen than before, which weakens bones.
* Ideally, weight-bearing exercises should begin during the teen years, when the bones grow rapidly.
* It's never too late to start protecting your bones, which may continue to grow throughout your 20s, and even into your early 30s.
* Avoid smoking and excess alcohol, which weaken bones.

Health Tip: Try Cross Training

Cross training involves varying your fitness regimen with a host of different activities.

Here are some benefits of cross training, courtesy of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:

* Cross training allows you to work your entire body, rather than strengthening just one area.
* A good program includes weight-training exercises (weight lifting, for example), aerobics (stair climbing), and flexibility exercises (yoga).
* Rotating between several types of exercise keeps your routine fresh, fun and prevents boredom.
* Overuse injuries are less likely, since muscles aren't used in the same way all of the time.
* Using muscles throughout the body can help you adapt better to new sports and activities.

Health Headlines - March 22

China Orders Tighter Controls on Heparin Production

China's drug agency has ordered local authorities to tighten control on the production of the blood thinner heparin. The move is a reversal of the agency's previous position that ensuring the quality of Chinese-made compounds was the responsibility of importers and importing countries, the Associated Press reported.

Tainted heparin has been linked to 19 deaths in the United States and hundreds of allergic reactions. Earlier this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it had found a contaminant called oversulfated chondroitin sulfate in batches of Chinese-made heparin distributed by U.S. pharmaceuticals company Baxter International Inc.

In an order posted Friday on its Web site, China's State Food and Drug Administration said heparin producers must obtain the raw chemicals used to make heparin from registered suppliers, who must improve their product management and testing, the AP reported.

Both U.S. and Chinese authorities are continuing their investigations into how the heparin batches became contaminated with oversulfated chondroitin sulftate, which is not a naturally occurring substance. Officials haven't confirmed if the contaminant actually caused the dangerous allergic reactions.

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Certain Motor Vehicle Features Benefit Seniors

When older adults are looking for a new vehicle, they should consider features such as a thicker steering wheel, wide-angle mirrors, large dashboard controls, and six-way adjustable seats, according to the AAA (American Automobile Association) and the Florida National Older Driver Research and Training Center.

The Smart Features for Mature Drivers program recommendations -- meant to address the physical, visual and cognitive changes that affect older drivers -- were announced Friday at the New York International Auto Show.

A recent AAA survey found that 43 percent of drivers over age 55 have at least one of nine common age-related driving difficulties, such as reduced range of motion, arthritic joints, diminished fine motor skills, and trouble with night vision and recovery from glare.

"There are ways to counteract the difficulties brought on by age-related changes so that seniors can maintain their safe driving abilities. One of these is through proper use of particular vehicle features," Dennis McCarthy, co-director of the National Older Driver Research and Training Center and a research assistant professor at the University of Florida College of Public Health, said in a prepared statement.

Other recommendations include keyless entry and ignition and the purchase of four-door models, because the doors require less strength to open and close than those on two-door models.

-----

Toys Recalled for Lead Paint Danger

Two more recalls of Chinese-made toys that violate the U.S. lead paint standard have been announced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

One recall involves about 198,000 toy puzzle vehicle sets distributed by Merchant Media Corp. of Framingham, Mass., and sold exclusively by QVC. The 16-piece Puzzle Track Play (also known as Battery Operated Puzzle Vehicle sets) have QVC item number T16876 printed on the exterior of the brown box packaging.

The sets should be taken away from children and returned to QVC for a full refund. For more information contact QVC at 1-800-367-9444, the CPSC said.

The second recall involves about 13,000 Camouflage Easter Egg treat containers and Easter Spinning Egg Tops imported by Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. of Oklahoma City, Okla., and sold at Hobby Lobby stores nationwide.

The recalled containers, sold in packages of eight, are white, brown and green camouflage colors and have Item # 1031 printed on the front of the packaging. The UPC code number 43078 01031 is printed on the back of the packaging.

The Easter Spinning Egg Tops were sold in packages of a single egg and a rip cord. Item # 1054 is printed on the front of the packaging and the UPC code number 43078 01054 is printed on the back of the packaging.

The camouflage egg containers sold for about $2.50 and the spinning egg tops sold for about $2. Consumers should take these toys away from children and contact Hobby Lobby to receive a $3 exchange card.

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Diabetes-Related Amputations Increase Among U.S. Hispanics

Between 2001 and 2004, hospitalizations of adult Hispanics for diabetes-related foot or leg amputations increased from 63 per 100,000 people to nearly 80 per 100,000, says the latest News and Numbers summary from the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

During that same period, the hospitalization rate for diabetes-related amputations among whites remained at about 28 to 31 per 100,000. Among blacks, the rate decreased from 113 per 100,000 to 104 per 100,000, which is still more than three times higher than the rate for whites.

Diabetes-related leg or foot amputations typically occur because the disease reduces blood circulation. In addition, diabetes-related nerve damage can impair a person's ability to feel a blister or other sore, which increases the risk of infection.

Diabetes is the leading cause of leg or foot amputations in the United States. About 86,000 Americans had diabetes-related amputations in 2004. Proper care by doctors and diabetes patients can reduce or eliminate the risk of amputation.

But the AHRQ summary noted that only 38 percent of Hispanic diabetes patients age 40 and over had three recommended annual screenings -- foot exams, eye exams and blood sugar level checks -- in 2004, compared to 47 percent for both whites and blacks.

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Health Canada Issues Advisory About Carbamazepine

Reports of serious skin reactions in people of Asian ancestry have prompted Health Canada to issue an advisory about the drug carbamazepine, commonly used to treat epilepsy, mania, bipolar disorder and the facial disorder trigeminal neuralgia, CBC News reported.

"Serious and sometimes fatal skin reactions known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis have been known to occur very rarely with carbamazepine," the health advisory says. "While all patients treated with carbamazepine are at risk of these skin reactions, the risk is approximately 10 times higher in Asian countries than in Western countries."

Health Canada said a genetic test can identify people of Asian ancestry who may be at increased risk of developing serious skin reactions when taking the drug, CBC News reported. Anyone considering taking carbamazepine should talk to their doctor about this genetic test, the health agency advised.

Any patients who aren't experiencing any skin reactions should not stop treatment before they discuss the matter with their doctor. Any patients taking the drug should immediately consult a doctor if they have any symptoms of serious skin reactions, such as rash, red skin, blistering of the lips, eyes or mouth, or peeling skin accompanied by fever, Health Canada warned. Patients who've experienced skin reactions while taking the drug should not take it again.

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Tap Water Suspected in Colorado Salmonella Outbreak

Tap water is being investigated as the possible cause of 47 confirmed and 76 suspected cases of salmonella among residents of the southern Colorado community of Alamosa, about 160 miles south of Denver.

Health officials said Alamosa's tap water tested positive for bacteria believed to be salmonella, but they're still waiting for final test results to confirm that, the Associated Press reported. Investigators are still looking into the cause of the contamination.

Residents of the community of about 8,500 people have been told to boil tap water for 15 seconds to kill the bacteria, or to use bottled water instead of tap water for brushing teeth, cooking, drinking, washing dishes and making baby formula.

Health Tips for March 22

Health Tip: Weight-Bearing Exercises Strengthen Bones

Getting plenty of calcium and vitamin D in your diet are great ways to ward off the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercises are another way to help maintain bone health.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends these forms of weight-bearing exercise:

* Brisk walking, jogging or hiking.
* Strenuous yard work such as pushing a lawn mower, or active gardening.
* Sports such as soccer, basketball, baseball, tennis or racquetball.
* Climbing the stairs, step aerobics or dancing.
* Activities such as skiing, bowling, skating or karate.
* Use of free weights or weight machines.

Health Tip: Use Tampons Properly

Tampons, which help women control menstrual bleeding, must be used properly to prevent an infection called toxic shock syndrome (TSS).

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers these guidelines for tampon safety:

* Follow directions provided by the manufacturer to ensure that tampons are used properly.
* Use the lowest possible absorbency to control your menstrual bleeding.
* Change the tampon at least every four to eight hours.
* Try to alternate use of tampons with sanitary pads.
* Call your doctor immediately if you have any symptoms of TSS, which may include: sudden fever of more than 102 degrees, muscle aches, diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, fainting, rash, sore throat or bloodshot eyes.

Health Headlines - March 21

Many Americans Self-Medicate

According to a new survey, 76 percent of American adults use non-prescription drugs for themselves and their children to treat a variety of common illnesses, and many of them don't consult a health-care provider about the use of these medicines.

Many people self-medicate because it's more convenient (86 percent) or they don't believe their illness is serious enough to see a doctor (78 percent), according to the survey of 1,005 adults, which was conducted for the National Council on Patient Information and Education and released Wednesday. The survey received funding from drug maker Sanofi-Aventis.

Respondents who self-medicate were most likely to do so for colds (56 percent), coughs (37 percent), and seasonal allergies (29 percent), and year-round allergies (14 percent).

Of the nine of 10 adults who self-medicate a number of common conditions, many said they did so because they were familiar with how to treat their own (90 percent) or their child's illness (93 percent) due to past experience with the illnesses.

However, 76 percent said they recognized that self-medication can pose possible risks. About one in five adults who typically self-medicates said they have not used non-prescription drugs as directed, either by taking more than the recommended dose (20 percent) or be taking them more frequently than indicated (17 percent).

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Some Americans Question Private Health System

Many Americans aren't certain the country's private health-care system is better than public health care in Canada, France, and Great Britain, suggests a Harvard School of Public Health survey released Thursday, Bloomberg News reported.

The telephone survey of 1,026 people found that 45 percent believed the U.S. health system was generally the best, while 54 percent said they didn't know or thought the other countries' health systems were better.

"Most Americans still think that the quality here is relatively good, but they are concerned about cost and affordability. They don't have strong views on where it is better, however," Robert Blendon, a professor of health policy and political analysis, told Bloomberg.

The survey found that 68 percent of people who identified themselves as Republicans, 32 percent as Democrats, and 40 percent as independents believed the U.S. system was superior. In terms of quality of care, 72 percent of Republicans, 49 percent of Democrats, and 48 percent of independents believed the U.S. system was best.

But only 40 percent of Republicans, 19 percent of Democrats and 22 percent of independents said the U.S. system was best in terms of affordable health care, Bloomberg reported.

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Tuberculosis Disparities Persist in U.S.

There are continuing disparities and a slowing decline in tuberculosis rates in the United States, says a report Thursday in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Researchers analyzed 2007 national TB surveillance data and found that the nation's TB rate that year fell to an all-time low of 4.4 cases per 100,000 people. However, they also found that the average annual rate of decline in TB cases was 3.8 percent between 2000-2007, compared to 7.3 percent between 1993-2000.

The report said that TB -- which typically attacks the lungs -- continues to disproportionately affect foreign-born people and racial/ethnic minorities. The TB rate among foreign-born people was nearly 10 times higher than that of U.S.-born people (20.6 vs. 2.1 cases per 100,000).

Compared to whites, TB rates were 23 times higher among Asians, eight times higher among blacks, and seven times higher among Hispanics.

The rate of multidrug-resistant TB remained stable, accounting for 1.1 percent of all cases in 2006.

The continued disparities and slowing decline in TB rates threatens efforts to eliminate the disease in the United States, the report authors said.

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Medicare Cuts Trigger Concerns About Healthcare Access: AMA

Cuts in Medicare payments to doctors have eight out of 10 Americans concerned about access to care for seniors and baby boomers, according to a survey released Wednesday by the American Medical Association.

On July 1, there will be a 10.6 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors. Over the next decade those cuts will grow to about 40 percent, while medical practice costs increase by 20 percent, according the AMA.

In response to this year's payment cut, 60 percent of doctors say they'll be forced to limit the number of new Medicare patients they can treat. Currently, about 30 percent of Medicare patients looking for a new primary care doctor are having difficulty finding one, and the payment cuts will make access even more difficult, the group said.

"As physicians, we are terribly concerned about how these Medicare cuts will impact our senior patients," AMA board member Dr. William A. Hazel said in a prepared statement. "Seniors and boomers are concerned too; our new poll shows that 88 percent of current Medicare patients are worried about how the cuts will impact their access to health care."

The first wave of baby boomers will be eligible for Medicare in three years when they turn 65.

Nearly three-quarters of the 1,006 telephone survey respondents, aged 18 and older, said they believe Congress should stop the cuts so that doctors can continue to treat Medicare patients, the AMA said.

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Immunization Information Systems Enroll More Children

The number of U.S. children ages 6 years old and younger who participated in an Immunization Information System (IIS) increased from 56 percent (13 million) in 2005 to 65 percent (15 million) in 2006, a new federal report found.

In addition, IIS private health care provider site participation increased from 44 percent in 2005 to 47 percent in 2006, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2006 Immunization Information System Annual Report.

IISs can provide accurate data for making informed immunization decisions in order to better protect against vaccine-preventable diseases. Most IIS grantees (70 percent) reported that they have the capacity to track vaccinations for people of all ages.

While data on vaccinations were entered within 30 days of vaccine administration for 69 percent of children ages 6 years old and younger, results for several data completeness measures were low, said the report authors, who added that the findings highlight the need to continue efforts to overcome barriers to full participation and to ensure high quality immunization information.

The study findings were published Thursday in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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Allergy Symptoms Affect Mood, Self-Image: Survey

In addition to physical symptoms such as sneezing, sniffling and watery eyes, allergies can have a major impact on a person's mood and self-perception, according to a survey of 1,000 allergy sufferers, 1,000 consumers, and 300 physicians.

The Harris Interactive phone survey, released Thursday, found that 62 percent of allergy sufferers said allergies affected their mood, 51 percent of sufferers said they felt annoyed, 48 percent felt irritable, 42 frustrated, 22 percent said allergies made them feel less attractive, and 19 percent felt self-conscious.

Among the other findings:

• About 48 percent of allergy suffers felt their spouse or significant other didn't consider their allergies to be a serious health condition, and that relatives (81 percent), friends (86 percent), and coworkers (78 percent) viewed their allergies as somewhat serious or not serious.
• About 34 percent of allergy sufferers said they see a doctor when symptoms are bothering them.
• Most physicians considered insomnia (83 percent) and osteoarthritis (69 percent) to be less serious or equally serious as allergies. They viewed diabetes (90 percent) and hypertension (84 percent) as more serious than allergies.
• Many consumers viewed diabetes (81 percent), hypertension (76 percent) and arthritis (57 percent), as more serious than allergies. About 29 percent said insomnia was more serious than allergies.
• While 78 percent of consumers felt sorry for allergy sufferers, 36 percent believed sufferers overstated the severity of their symptoms.

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FDA Approves Artiss Medical Adhesive for Burn Treatment

The medical adhesive Artiss has been approved for use in attaching skin grafts to treat burn patients, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

Artiss is a fibrin sealant, which is a tissue adhesive that contains the proteins fibrinogen and thrombin, which are essential to the clotting of blood. Artiss is different from other fibrin sealants in that it contains a lower concentration of thrombin, which gives surgeons more time to position skin grafts over burns before the graft starts to adhere to the skin. In addition, Artiss contains aprotinin, a synthetic protein that delays the breakdown of blood clots, the FDA said.

A study of 138 patients concluded that Artiss was as good as surgical staples in attaching skin grafts on wound sites. Artiss is made by Baxter Healthcare Corp. of Deerfield, Ill.

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Cortisol May Benefit Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Patients

The stress hormone cortisol may provide significant symptom relief to people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, says a U.S. researcher who reviewed the findings of 50 published studies.

The review author said the adrenal glands -- which produce cortisol and sex hormones -- don't function properly in chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia patients, CBC News reported.

"My review of existing studies suggests that a treatment protocol of early administration of cortisol may help improve and reduce the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia," Dr. Kent Holtorf, medical director of the Holtorf Medical Group Center for Endocrine, Neurological and Infection Related Illness in Torrance, Calif., said in a prepared statement.

He also conducted a study of 500 patients who received cortisol and found that by the fourth treatment, 75 percent of patients showed significant improvement and 62 percent reported substantial improvement, CBC News reported.

The research appears in the Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Health Tips for March 21

Health Tip: Taking Cough Medicine?

An over-the-counter cough medicine may offer some relief for a simple cough or cold, but cough medicine probably won't alleviate symptoms of more serious conditions.

Here are warning signs that your cough requires a call to your doctor, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

* A "productive cough," characterized by coughing up phlegm or mucus.
* A wheezing sound when you cough or breathe.
* A persistent cough caused by smoking, chronic bronchitis or emphysema.
* A cough that has lasted for longer than a week.
* A cough accompanied by a fever, rash, or persistent headache.

Health Tip: The ABCs of School Bus Safety

It's important to teach your child basic safety rules to be followed when boarding or exiting a school bus.

Here are suggestions, courtesy of the U.S. National Safety Council:

* Always wait on a sidewalk until the bus comes to a complete stop and the doors open. Never wait on a street, road, or alley.
* Make sure that the driver can always see you. Never walk behind the bus.
* If crossing in front of the bus, walk at least 10 feet in front of it, until you can turn around and easily see the driver.
* Pay careful attention to traffic, traffic signals and signs from the driver on when it is safe to cross the street.
* Use the bus handrail to climb up or down the steps.

Health Headlines - March 20

Medicare Cuts Trigger Concerns About Healthcare Access: AMA

Cuts in Medicare payments to doctors have eight out of 10 Americans concerned about access to care for seniors and baby boomers, according to a survey released Wednesday by the American Medical Association.

On July 1, there will be a 10.6 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors. Over the next decade those cuts will grow to about 40 percent, while medical practice costs increase by 20 percent, according the AMA.

In response to this year's payment cut, 60 percent of doctors say they'll be forced to limit the number of new Medicare patients they can treat. Currently, about 30 percent of Medicare patients looking for a new primary care doctor are having difficulty finding one, and the payment cuts will make access even more difficult, the group said.

"As physicians, we are terribly concerned about how these Medicaid cuts will impact our senior patients," AMA board member Dr. William A. Hazel said in a prepared statement. "Seniors and boomers are concerned too; our new poll shows that 88 percent of current Medicare patients are worried about how the cuts will impact their access to health care."

The first wave of baby boomers will be eligible for Medicare in three years when they turn 65.

Nearly three-quarters of the 1,006 telephone survey respondents, aged 18 and older, said they believe Congress should stop the cuts so that doctors can continue to treat Medicare patients, the AMA said.

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Carbon Monoxide May Benefit Lung Disease Patients: Study

Extremely low doses of carbon monoxide -- a dangerous gas found in car exhaust and produced by faulty heating equipment -- may help ease symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), suggests a study by researchers at the University Medical Center at Groningen in the Netherlands.

The study included 18 people who were given a low dose of carbon monoxide for two hours on four consecutive days. When the researchers checked the level of a certain type of immune cell linked to inflammation in lung mucus, they found it had decreased by about one third, on average, in the participants, BBC News reported. In addition, the volunteers' lungs seemed to become more resistant to the effects of an irritating chemical.

The study was published in New Scientist magazine. The Dutch team plans to conduct more studies with larger numbers of people.

One expert told BBC News he has serious concerns about the safety of this kind of treatment.

"The difficulty with carbon monoxide is that there is a fine balance between levels that influence COPD, and toxic levels, and it would be very hard to gauge a safe dose for patients. This makes it potentially quite dangerous," said Dr. Paolo Paredi, of the National Heart and Lung Institute, in Great Britain.

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Gene Variations Influence PTSD Risk

Gene differences may explain why some people recover from a traumatic event while others develop post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), according to a study that included 900 adults who suffered abuse when they were children.

The study found that specific variations in a stress related gene may be influenced by trauma at a young age, and these variations increase the risk of PTSD in adulthood. Among adults who suffered severe child abuse, those with the gene variations scored 31 on a scale of PTSD, compared to 13 for those without the variations, the Associated Press reported.

The study, published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association, is one of the first to show that external, non-genetic factors can affect genes in a way that increases the risk of PTSD, the researchers said.

The findings suggest there are important periods in childhood when the brain is vulnerable "to outside influences that can shape the developing stress-response system," said study co-author Dr. Kerry Ressler of Emory University, the AP reported.

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FDA Delays Decision on New Antibiotic

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration wants more information about how a new antibiotic called ceftobiprole works before the agency decides whether to approve the medicine. It is designed to treat diabetic food infections and complicated skin infections, including methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

On Tuesday, the FDA said it issued an approvable letter for ceftobiprole, which means the agency wants more time to inspect study locations and review data. It's not clear whether new studies will have to be conducted or how long the extended review will take, Bloomberg News reported.

The drug, developed by Johnson & Johnson and Basilea Pharmaceutica AG, has also been submitted for approval in Europe, Canada and Switzerland.

Ceftobiprole is among a number of new antibiotics being developed to fight MRSA, which sickens about two million Americans a year and costs about $20 billion a year to treat, Bloomberg reported. MRSA causes nearly two-thirds of all skin infections in emergency rooms. About one in 20 patients hospitalized with MRSA dies, according to the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

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FDA Cautions on COPD Inhaler and Stroke Risk

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cautioned Tuesday that a respiratory inhaler used for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may heighten the risk for stroke.

The agency said that German drug maker Boehringer Ingelheim, which manufactures Spiriva HandiHaler, reported that ongoing safety monitoring identified a possible increased risk of stroke in patients who take the medicine.

The inhaler contains tiotropium bromide and is used to treat bronchospasm associated with COPD, the FDA said in a prepared statement, adding that additional information is needed to further evaluate this preliminary information.

Boehringer Ingelheim reported that it has conducted an analysis of the safety data from 29 placebo-controlled clinical studies involving 13,500 patients with COPD, the FDA said. In 25 of the clinical studies, patients were treated with Spiriva HandiHaler, which is a once-daily, long-term maintenance medicine. In the other four, patients were treated with another formulation of tiotropium approved in Europe, Spiriva Respimat.

Based on data from these studies, the FDA statement said, the preliminary estimates of the risk of stroke were eight patients per 1,000 patients treated for one year with Spiriva, and six patients per 1,000 patients treated for one year with a placebo. That translates to an estimated excess risk of any type of stroke due to Spiriva to two patients for each 1,000 patients using Spiriva over a one-year period.

The FDA said it was working with the drug maker to evaluate the potential link, and it cautioned patients using Spiriva to not stop using the medication without talking to their doctors.

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Stress Common Among U.S. College Students: Survey

Stress is a major problem for many U.S. college students, according to a survey that included 2,253 undergraduate students, ages 18-24, at 40 schools nationwide.

Four in 10 students said they were stressed often, nearly 20 percent said they felt stress all the time, one in five said they had felt too stressed to be with friends or do homework, and about the same number said things had been so bad in the past three months that they had given serious consideration to dropping out of school, the survey found.

The poll was conducted for the Associated Press and mtvU, a television network available at many colleges and universities.

Among the other findings:

• Many students said they had symptoms such as: difficulty concentrating, sleeping and being motivated; agitation; worry; being too tired to work; eating problems; and feeling lonely and depressed.
• About one in six said they had friends in the past year who had discussed committing suicide, and about one in 10 respondents said they had seriously considered suicide themselves.
• Primary sources of stress included school work and grades, financial problems, relationships and dating, family problems, and extracurricular activities.
• Women were more likely than men to feel stressed -- 45 percent vs. 34 percent.
• White students reported more stress than black and Hispanic students.
• About 26 percent of students said they considered talking to a counselor or getting other professional help, but only 15 percent said they actually did so.

Health Tips for March 20

Health Tip: Massage During Pregnancy

The medical community continues to debate the merits of getting a massage during pregnancy, according to the American Pregnancy Association.

Before you get a massage while you're pregnant, always check with your doctor. The association believes for many pregnant women, massage can offer benefits that include:

* Improved regulation of hormones related to stress and anxiety.
* Reduced swelling of the joints.
* Improvement of nerve pain.
* Better circulation.
* Fewer muscle aches and pains.
* Better sleep.

The association advises that you should always work with a certified prenatal massage therapist, who is attuned to the needs of pregnant women. Of particular concern may be your body's position during the massage. Discuss this with your doctor and massage therapist in advance.

Women with high-risk pregnancies or medical conditions such as preeclampsia should be particularly careful about discussing the risks of massage with their physician.

Health Tip: Treating Head Lice

Head lice are tiny insects that live in the hair. They can be transmitted from person to person, or by sharing items such as clothing or linens with an infested person.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these suggestions to treat and remove head lice and their eggs:

* Thoroughly wash hair with a medicated shampoo or lotion that contains permethrin.
* Use a metal nit comb to pick eggs out of the hair. Metal combs are more effective than plastic ones. Rub olive oil on the hair or rub the comb in beeswax before combing to make eggs easier to remove.
* Begin treatment as soon as you spot symptoms of lice.
* Thoroughly wash all clothing, towels and bed linens in very hot water and detergent.

Health Headlines - March 19

FDA Cautions on COPD Inhaler and Stroke Risk

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cautioned Tuesday that a respiratory inhaler used for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may heighten the risk for stroke.

The agency said that German drug maker Boehringer Ingelheim, which manufactures Spiriva HandiHaler, reported that ongoing safety monitoring identified a possible increased risk of stroke in patients who take the medicine.

The inhaler contains tiotropium bromide and is used to treat bronchospasm associated with COPD, the FDA said in a prepared statement, adding that additional information is needed to further evaluate this preliminary information.

Boehringer Ingelheim reported that it has conducted an analysis of the safety data from 29 placebo-controlled clinical studies involving 13,500 patients with COPD, the FDA said. In 25 of the clinical studies, patients were treated with Spiriva HandiHaler, which is a once-daily, long-term maintenance medicine. In the other four, patients were treated with another formulation of tiotropium approved in Europe, Spiriva Respimat.

Based on data from these studies, the FDA statement said, the preliminary estimates of the risk of stroke were eight patients per 1,000 patients treated for one year with Spiriva, and six patients per 1,000 patients treated for one year with a placebo. That translates to an estimated excess risk of any type of stroke due to Spiriva to two patients for each 1,000 patients using Spiriva over a one-year period.

The FDA said it was working with the drug maker to evaluate the potential link, and it cautioned patients using Spiriva to not stop using the medication without talking to their doctors.

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Stress Common Among U.S. College Students: Survey

Stress is a major problem for many U.S. college students, according to a survey that included 2,253 undergraduate students, ages 18-24, at 40 schools nationwide.

Four in 10 students said they were stressed often, nearly 20 percent said they felt stress all the time, one in five said they had felt too stressed to be with friends or do homework, and about the same number said things had been so bad in the past three months that they had given serious consideration to dropping out of school, the survey found.

The poll was conducted for the Associated Press and mtvU, a television network available at many colleges and universities.

Among the other findings:

• Many students said they had symptoms such as: difficulty concentrating, sleeping and being motivated; agitation; worry; being too tired to work; eating problems; and feeling lonely and depressed.
• About one in six said they had friends in the past year who had discussed committing suicide, and about one in 10 respondents said they had seriously considered suicide themselves.
• Primary sources of stress included school work and grades, financial problems, relationships and dating, family problems, and extracurricular activities.
• Women were more likely than men to feel stressed -- 45 percent vs. 34 percent.
• White students reported more stress than black and Hispanic students.
• About 26 percent of students said they considered talking to a counselor or getting other professional help, but only 15 percent said they actually did so.

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U.N. Agency Warns of Indonesian Bird Flu Crisis

The "critical" H5N1 bird flu situation in Indonesia could lead to a virus mutation that could trigger a human pandemic, the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization warned Tuesday.

The prevalence of the H5N1 strain of bird flu remains serious, despite national and international efforts to contain it. Joseph Domenech, the U.N. agency's chief veterinary officer, said he's "deeply concerned that the high level of virus circulation in birds in the country could create conditions for the virus to mutate and to finally cause a human influenza pandemic," Agence France-Presse reported.

He noted that the virus is present in nearly all areas of Indonesia, which has reported a total of 105 human deaths from bird flu, including 11 this year.

To date, most human cases of bird flu in Indonesia and other affected countries have been the result of close contact with infected poultry. However, experts fear that H5N1 may mutate into a form that's easily transmitted between people.

Domenech said the human death rate "from bird flu in Indonesia is the highest in the world, and there will be more human cases if we do not focus more on containing the disease at the source in animals," AFP reported.

New H5N1 variants have recently emerged, "creating the possibility that vaccines currently in use may not be fully protecting poultry against the disease," Domenech said.

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Progress Against TB Slowing: WHO

Progress against the global tuberculosis epidemic may be slowing, a World Health Organization report suggests.

The report, released Monday, found that the rate of new cases fell by less than 1 percent between 2005 and 2006, far less than the targeted annual decrease of 5 to 7 percent, the Associated Press reported.

The WHO report, based on government data from 202 countries and regions, said there were an estimated 9.2 million new TB cases and 1.5 million TB deaths worldwide in 2006. Countries with the most TB cases were India, China, Indonesia, South Africa and Nigeria. By region, Asia (55 percent) and Africa (31 percent) had the majority of TB cases.

The WHO said TB infection rates decreased about 3 percent in the United States and were stable in Europe, the AP reported.

Outdated drugs, obsolete diagnostic tests, overburdened health systems, and a lack of vaccines are among the factors contributing to the slowdown in the fight against TB, Dr. Marcos Espinal, executive secretary of the WHO's Stop TB Partnership, told the AP.

Some health experts say the WHO's TB policy is too passive and the organization needs a more proactive strategy to combat the disease.

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Vegan Diet May Reduce Heart Disease Risk in Arthritis Patients

A vegan diet may help reduce the increased risk of heart attack and stroke in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), says a Swedish study.

RA causes inflammation that affects arteries; heart attack and stroke are among the leading causes of death among people with RA. The new study found that RA patients who ate a vegan diet had lower levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol, a major heart disease risk factor, BBC News reported.

The study by researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm included 38 people who ate a vegan diet that included nuts, sunflower seeds, fruits and vegetables, millet, corn and sesame milk. The diet led to a decrease in total cholesterol levels and a reduction in the amount of LDL cholesterol. The volunteers on the diet also had a lower body mass index at the end of the 12-month study.

The findings were published in the journal Arthritis Research and Therapy.

The new research is interesting, but should be considered with caution, a spokeswoman for the Arthritis Research Campaign told BBC News. "A vegan diet may be helpful in reducing cholesterol, but it is difficult to get enough of some important nutrients on a vegan diet," she said.

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ADHD May Increase Girls' Risk of Eating Disorders

Teen girls with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have a significantly increased risk of developing eating disorders, says a University of Virginia study that included 140 girls with ADHD and 88 girls without the disorder.

The researchers found that some of the girls with ADHD were 5 percent to 10 percent more likely to show signs of an eating disorder than girls without ADHD, CBC News reported.

"Girls with ADHD may be more at risk of developing eating disorders as adolescents because they already have impulsive behaviors that can set them apart from their peers," study lead author Amori Yee Mikami said in a prepared statement. "As they get older, their impulsivity may make it difficult for them to maintain healthy eating and a healthy weight, resulting in self-consciousness about their body image and the binging and purging symptoms."

The study, published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, also found that girls with ADHD were more likely to have received critical parenting when they were younger, had more difficulty relating to peers, and were more likely to be overweight, CBC News reported.

ADHD affects about 5 percent of school-age children, the researchers said.

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Children With Allergies Less Active Than Peers: Survey

Many American children with allergies aren't getting the treatment they need, and children with allergies are less active and productive than their peers, according to survey presented Monday at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

The survey included more than 500 parents of children with allergic rhinitis and a similar number of parents of children without allergies. Among the findings:

• About 76 percent of parents said spring was the worst time of year for their children's nasal allergies.
• Forty percent of parents said their children's allergies interfered with sleep, compared to eight percent of parents of children without allergies.
• Twenty-one percent of parents said allergies limited their children's activities, compared with 11 percent of parents of children without allergies.
• Forty percent of parents of children with allergies said the condition interfered with school performance. Only 10 percent of parents of children without allergies said health issues caused poorer school performance.
• The most bothersome symptom for children with allergic rhinitis is a stuffed up nose (27 percent), but about 46 percent of parents said their children also suffered more serious symptoms, such as headache and ear and facial pain.
• About 48 percent of allergic children in the survey are currently taking prescription drugs to treat symptoms. Of those, 57 percent have had their medication switched. Ineffective allergy control was the leading reason for changing medications.
• Bothersome side effects -- such as products dripping down the throat, bad taste, burning, and headache -- were among the reasons for dissatisfaction with allergy medications.

The Pediatric Allergies in America survey was released by Sepracor Inc, a manufacturer and distributor of respiratory pharmaceutical products.

Health Tips for March 19

Health Tip: Tame Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are often triggered by stress or anxiety, causing pain and muscle tension in the head and neck.

Here are suggestions to help keep tension headaches at bay, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* Help control stress and anxiety with exercise, meditation, yoga or other stress-relieving methods.
* Get plenty of sleep each night.
* If you have muscle soreness in the upper back, neck or head, gently massage the muscles in these areas.
* Know what causes headaches for you, and try to prevent the condition. For example, if cold temperatures tend to cause your headaches, try to keep warm.
* Try sleeping with a different pillow, or sleeping in a different position.
* Maintain good posture. Exercise the neck and shoulders often, especially when typing, reading or working at a computer.

Health Tip: A Sprain in the Neck

A neck sprain can be caused by a car accident, a sudden impact or fall. Neck pain should be evaluated by a doctor, to see what kind of treatment may be required.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons lists these possible symptoms of a neck sprain:

* Pain in the back of the neck -- especially pain that increases when the neck is moved.
* Stiffness or decreased range of neck movement.
* Pain that is greater a day or so after an injury than immediately following it.
* Muscle pain or spasms in the tops of the shoulders.
* Headache, particularly at the back of the head.
* Sore throat.
* Numbness in the arms or hands, or weakness or a tingling sensation in the arms.
* Irritability, fatigue, problems sleeping and an inability to concentrate.

Health Headlines - March 18

Children With Allergies Less Active Than Peers: Survey

Many American children with allergies aren't getting the treatment they need, and children with allergies are less active and productive than their peers, according to survey presented Monday at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

The survey included more than 500 parents of children with allergic rhinitis and a similar number of parents of children without allergies. Among the findings:

• About 76 percent of parents said spring was the worst time of year for their children's nasal allergies.
• Forty percent of parents said their children's allergies interfered with sleep, compared to eight percent of parents of children without allergies.
• Twenty-one percent of parents said allergies limited their children's activities, compared with 11 percent of parents of children without allergies.
• Forty percent of parents of children with allergies said the condition interfered with school performance. Only 10 percent of parents of children without allergies said health issues caused poorer school performance.
• The most bothersome symptom for children with allergic rhinitis is a stuffed up nose (27 percent), but about 46 percent of parents said their children also suffered more serious symptoms, such as headache and ear and facial pain.
• About 48 percent of allergic children in the survey are currently taking prescription drugs to treat symptoms. Of those, 57 percent have had their medication switched. Ineffective allergy control was the leading reason for changing medications.
• Bothersome side effects -- such as products dripping down the throat, bad taste, burning, and headache -- were among the reasons for dissatisfaction with allergy medications.

The Pediatric Allergies in America survey was released by Sepracor Inc, a manufacturer and distributor of respiratory pharmaceutical products.

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Symptoms of Severe West Nile Can Last for Years

Most people who suffer a severe West Nile virus infection continue to have symptoms for years and may have symptoms for the rest of their lives, according to a U.S. study that followed 108 patients in Texas for five years.

"What we are finding is that about 60 percent of people, one year after severe infection with West Nile, still report symptoms," researcher Kristy Murray, of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, said in a prepared statement.

She and her colleagues also found that most, if not all, recoveries from West Nile infection appeared to occur within two years.

"Once they hit two years it completely plateaus. If a patient has not recovered by that time, it is very likely they will never recover," Murray said.

About 40 percent of patients in the study continued to have symptoms five years after infection. Memory loss, tremors and loss of balance were among the long-term symptoms.

The findings were presented Monday in Atlanta at the International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

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Genomics and Health Disparities Are Focus of New NIH Center

A new center to study how genetic, clinical, lifestyle and socio-economic factors affect the health of minority groups in the United States has been created by the National Institutes of Health.

The Intramural Center for Genomics and Health Disparities will be a resource "to help move research related to the complex factors underlying health disparities into the 21st century," NIH Director Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni said in a prepared statement.

The new center will be directed by genetic epidemiologist Charles N. Rotimi, former director of the National Human Genome Center at Howard University.

"The priority of our center will be to understand how we can use the tools of genomics to address some of the issues we see with health disparities," Rotimi said in a prepared statement. "The availability of tremendous expertise and the remarkable research infrastructure at NIH will make our research activities more robust and will allow us to tackle questions in ways that were not feasible in the past."

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EPA Introduces Poison-Prevention Video

As part of National Poison Prevention Week (March 16-22), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has launched a poison-prevention segment on Green Scene, the agency's new series of environmental videos.

The segment includes information about how to protect children from toxic substances around the home and what to do in case of an accidental poisoning.

Every 13 seconds, a U.S. poison control center receives a call about an unintentional poisoning. In 2006, poison centers reported more than 77,000 calls prompted by concerns about potential exposure to common household pesticides (potential exposures do not necessarily represent a poisoning). More than 50 percent of the 2 million poisoning incidents each year involve children younger than six years old, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers.

As part of this year's National Poison Prevention Week, the EPA is conducting extensive outreach targeting Hispanic people, including television interviews to be aired on "Cada Dia," Telemundo's national morning program and the Telemundo Washington affiliate in the District of Columbia. Other interviews include Univision TV and Radio, and CNN Radio en Espanol.

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Exercise Doesn't Help Fight Depression: Study

A new study challenges previous research suggesting that exercise helps fight depression and anxiety. Dutch researchers followed 7,200 twins and 1,200 of their siblings for up to 11 years and found that a common set of genes influences both mental health and exercise behavior, USA Today reported.

The researchers concluded that people who are most mentally healthy also tend to be active and that genes, not environment, are the most significant factor.

"I'm not saying exercise might not help someone's mood. But it also may not work at all," said Eco DeGeus, a psychologist who specializes in exercise at Vrije University in Amsterdam, USA Today reported.

The findings were presented at a meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society.

Duke University Medical Center psychologist Dr. James Blumenthal said there's strong evidence that exercise can help ease depression symptoms.

"I doubt that there's no link between exercise and mood because again and again we've seen that when they become sedentary, people are more likely to get depressed, and becoming active improves mood," Blumenthal told USA Today.

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Male Reproductive Health Set in Early Stages of Pregnancy

Men's fertility problems are determined while they're developing in the womb, say University of Edinburgh researchers whose studies in rats showed that common male genital disorders, low sperm count and testicular cancer may all be connected to hormone levels during the early stages of pregnancy.

Based on their findings in rats, the researchers concluded that a human male's future reproductive health is determined by levels of male hormones (androgens) in a critical "window" at 8-12 weeks of pregnancy, BBC News reported.

In addition, the researchers said there's a link between levels of male hormones at this stage of pregnancy and the distance between the base of the penis and the anus. They suggested checking this measurement in baby boys could help predict future reproductive problems.

"We know from other studies that androgens work during fetal development to program the reproductive tract. But our assumption was that it would be much later in pregnancy," said study leader Dr. Michelle Welsh, BBC News reported.

The findings appear in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

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China Reports New H5N1 Outbreak

H5N1 bird flu was responsible for the deaths of chickens in poultry markets in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, but the outbreak has been contained, according to the country's Ministry of Agriculture.

On it's Web site last week, the ministry said bird flu killed 114 chickens and prompted the slaughter of 518 others, Agence France-Presse reported. This is the fifth H5N1 bird flu outbreak in China this year.

So far this year, the H5N1 virus has killed three people in China. The country, which is the largest poultry-producer in the world, has reported 20 human deaths since the virus first appeared in 2003. Chinese officials have pledged to aggressively combat the virus.

The H5N1 virus has killed 235 people worldwide. Most of the human cases have been linked to close contact with infected birds. Officials fear the virus may mutate into a form that's easily transmitted between humans, triggering a pandemic that may kill millions of people worldwide.

Health Tips for March 18

Health Tip: Use Sunscreen Year-Round

While you may remember to use sunscreen before you head to the beach during the summer heat, your skin should be protected any time you are in the sun -- even during winter.

Here are suggestions for how and when to use sunscreen, courtesy of The Skin Cancer Foundation:

* Children aged 6 months or older should always wear sunscreen when they are outdoors. Children younger than 6 months should not be exposed to the sun whenever possible.
* People who work or sit near windows for long periods should wear sunscreen. Harmful UV rays do pass through windows.
* Wear sunscreen year-round, even on cloudy days, whenever you'll be outside.
* Use sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or higher. Make sure the product offers broad-spectrum protection.

Health Tip: Risk Factors for Melanoma

Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. While it can be treated when caught early, it can spread and become deadly over time.

It is important to inspect your skin carefully and regularly to check for any new or changing moles or colored patches.

The Skin Cancer Foundation says you are at greater risk for melanoma if you have any of these risk factors:

* Having prolonged or frequent exposure to the sun or UV rays, especially if you don't wear sunscreen.
* Having a lot of moles.
* Having fair skin.
* Having a family history of melanoma.
* Having been previously diagnosed with melanoma.
* Having an immune system weakened by chemotherapy, a recent organ transplant, HIV/AIDS, or lymphoma.

Health Headlines - March 17

Optical Scanning Method May Be Able to Detect Early Onset of Alzheimer's

A team of researchers from Harvard Medical School and Boston University says it has found a way to detect the amyloid plaque in the brain that may be able to signal the progression of Alzheimers disease while the patient is still alive.

According to a news release from the Optical Society of America, the detection method, which uses near-infrared light detection to scan a person's brain to find the plaque, is being tested on living subjects. Finding the amyloid substances, believed to be the chief cause of memory loss and other symptoms of Alzheimer's dementia, had previously been accomplished only during autopsies.

"We're primarily interested in finding a way of diagnosing and monitoring Alzheimer's disease during life," U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Research Scientist Eugene Hanlon says in the news release. "We think this technique has a lot of potential for detecting the disease early on."

Hanlon and his colleagues from Harvard Medical School-Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Boston University used the near-infrared scanning technology to demonstrate that as the microscopic plaques accumulate, the optical properties of the brain change. The current research on living subjects will determine the technology's effectiveness as a an early-detection tool, the news release said.

The study is published in the current issue of the journal Optics Letters.

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Varicose, Spider Vein Removal Jump to No. 2 as Most-Performed Cosmetic Surgery

Varicose vein removal has moved ahead of eyelid surgery as the second most often performed cosmetic surgical procedure, according to a new survey.

The reason for this, The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) says in a news release, is cosmetic surgery preferences of men, not women, have changed dramatically. Sclerotherapy, the removal of spider veins and varicose veins, has increased about 226 percent among U.S. men in the past five years, the AACS says, while it has only increased about 3.5 percent as a preference for U.S. females.

By contrast, U.S men seem to be thinking twice about hair transplants, according to the survey. Price may be a factor, with hair transplant costs increasing by almost $1,300 in the past five years, while sclerotherapy costs have declined by slightly more than $100, according to AACS statistics.

Liposuction remains the top cosmetic surgical procedure, the AACS says, followed by sclerotherapy and blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery). The top non-surgical cosmetic procedure is Botox injection, the AACS reports.

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Meningitis Kills 1 of 3 College Students in Upstate New York

An 18-year-old student at an upstate New York college has died from what health officials suspect is a case of bacterial meningitis, the New York Times reports.

The death March 14 of Craig Schiesser, a freshman at the State University of New York (SUNY) College at Oswego on Lake Ontario, was one of three bacterial meningitis cases reported on two upstate New York college campuses in the past week-and-a-half, the newspaper reports.

Two Cornell University students, a 21-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man, have been hospitalized, the Times reports, causing health to warn students that they may need to take medicine to prevent their contracting the disease.

This is particularly true of anyone who may have been in contact with Schiesser during the past 10 days, the newspaper said. Health and college officials were also investigating whether the three cases were connected through campus parties, because the two colleges are relatively near each other.

Earlier this year, two fatal cases of bacterial meningitis struck a high school guidance counselor and a 17-year-old high school senior over a 24-hour period and within a few miles of each other in the New York City suburban area of Long Island.

Bacterial meningitis inflames the outer membranes of the brain and spinal cord and kills a few hundred people nationwide each year, the Times reports. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms include a sore neck, headaches, flu-like symptoms and a high fever.

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Breast Cancer Awareness Program Unites U.S., Mexico

The effort to expand breast cancer awareness went beyond United States borders this weekend as U.S. First lady Laura Bush joined Mexico's First Lady Margarita Zavala in announcing an alliance between the two countries for awareness and research into cures for the deadly disease.

The Associated Press reports that the U.S.-Mexico Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research was officially launched March 14, with Bush and Zavala speaking about ways to educate people not only about preventative measures but also in getting rid of stigmas associated with breast cancer.

"In Mexico, one out of every 258 women will discover they have breast cancer in the next 10 years," the wire service quotes Bush saying at the ceremony in the Mexico City. "The majority of these cases will be detected in their later stages, greatly reducing their chances of survival."

Eventually, the partnership will extend to Brazil and Costa Rica, the A.P. reported. And the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation create training programs in Mexico.

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Lubbock Has Worst Teeth in U.S.: Study

The best teeth in the United States are found in Madison, Wis., Nashville, Tenn., and Raleigh, N.C., while the worst are in Lubbock, Texas. Three other cities in the Lone Star state -- El Paso, San Antonio, and Dallas -- are also in the bottom 15 cities, says an article in next month's Men's Health magazine.

The authors looked at U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data on the number of annual dentists visits, canceled appointments, regular flossers, and households using fluoride in 100 large cities, the Associated Press reported.

Some experts theorized that high level of fluoride in Lubbock's well water may be a factor. Too much fluoride in water can cause tooth enamel to become rough, leaving white or brown stains.

Others suggested that dental care is too expensive, which means low-income people can't afford regular checkups or education, the AP reported.

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Microwave Popcorn Chemical Damages Airways: Study

Inhalation of a chemical used in microwave popcorn artificial butter flavoring damaged the airways of mice, which developed a condition that can lead to a life-threatening lung disease, says a study by researchers at the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).

Mice exposed to diacetyl vapors for three months developed lymphocytic bronchiolitis, a precursor to obliterative bronchiolitis (popcorn lung). None of the mice developed the more serious disease, said ConsumerReports.org.

"This is one of the first studies to evaluate the respiratory toxicity of diacetyl at levels relevant to human health. Mice were exposed to diacetyl at concentrations and durations comparable to what may be inhaled at some microwave popcorn packaging plants," study co-author Daniel L. Morgan, chief of the Respiratory Toxicology Group at the NIEHS, said in a prepared statement.

He and his colleagues concluded that workplace exposure to diacetyl contributes to the development of obliterative bronchiolitis, but noted that more research was needed. The study was published online in the journal Toxicological Sciences.

Obliterative bronchiolitis has been noted in microwave popcorn packaging plant workers who have inhaled significant concentrations of artificial butter flavoring. Late last year, a number of leading popcorn makers said they planned to eliminate diacetyl from their products, ConsumerReports.org said.

Health Tips for March 17

Health Tip: Seniors, Listen to Your Bodies

With a doctor's approval, exercise is a great choice for everyone, including seniors. But older people must listen to what their bodies tell them about how much they can handle.

Here are warning signs that you have done too much and that you should contact your doctor without delay, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

* Chest pain or pressure in your chest.
* Dizziness or lightheadedness.
* Difficulty breathing, or severe shortness of breath.
* Balance problems.
* Nausea.
* Sore or strained muscles, especially if the pain lasts for several days.

Health Tip: Take a Childbirth Class

A childbirth class can provide moms-to-be with lots of useful information and help reduce the fear and uncertainty often associated with giving birth.

The American Pregnancy Association mentions these benefits of childbirth classes:

* You will learn about options and methods to help control pain, including medications, massage, breathing and relaxation techniques.
* The information and experiences you share can help you feel more confident about your body being able to handle childbirth.
* Talking about your fears, questions and expectations with other participants can help relieve anxiety and better prepare you.
* The shared experience can help create a stronger bond between you and your partner.
* Taking a tour of the hospital where you plan to have your baby (often where the class is offered) allows you to become familiar with the environment, observe the staff and ask questions.

Health Headlines - March 16

Meningitis Kills 1 of 3 College Students in Upstate New York

An 18-year-old student at an upstate New York college has died from what health officials suspect is a case of bacterial meningitis, the New York Times reports.

The death March 14 of Craig Schiesser, a freshman at the State University of New York (SUNY) College at Oswego on Lake Ontario, was one of three bacterial meningitis cases reported on two upstate New York college campuses in the past week-and-a-half, the newspaper reports.

Two Cornell University students, a 21-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man, have been hospitalized, the Times reports, causing health to warn students that they may need to take medicine to prevent their contracting the disease.

This is particularly true of anyone who may have been in contact with Schiesser during the past 10 days, the newspaper said. Health and college officials were also investigating whether the three cases were connected through campus parties, because the two colleges are relatively near each other.

Earlier this year, two fatal cases of bacterial meningitis struck a high school guidance counselor and a 17-year-old high school senior over a 24-hour period and within a few miles of each other in the New York City suburban area of Long Island.

Bacterial meningitis inflames the outer membranes of the brain and spinal cord and kills a few hundred people nationwide each year, the Times reports. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms include a sore neck, headaches, flu-like symptoms and a high fever.

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Breast Cancer Awareness Program Unites U.S., Mexico

The effort to expand breast cancer awareness went beyond United States borders this weekend as U.S. First lady Laura Bush joined Mexico's First Lady Margarita Zavala in announcing an alliance between the two countries for awareness and research into cures for the deadly disease.

The Associated Press reports that the U.S.-Mexico Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research was officially launched March 14, with Bush and Zavala speaking about ways to educate people not only about preventative measures but also in getting rid of stigmas associated with breast cancer.

"In Mexico, one out of every 258 women will discover they have breast cancer in the next 10 years," the wire service quotes Bush saying at the ceremony in the Mexico City. "The majority of these cases will be detected in their later stages, greatly reducing their chances of survival."

Eventually, the partnership will extend to Brazil and Costa Rica, the A.P. reported. And the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation create training programs in Mexico.

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Unique Risk Factors May Help Spread Heart Disease in Developing Nations

Certain health issues may be helping the rapid spread of heart disease in developing nations, suggests a study that looked at 1,593 black and white cardiovascular disease patients in South Africa.

Many of the patients were obese, a recognized risk factor for heart disease. But the researchers noted other factors in these patients, including HIV infection and tuberculosis, late diagnosis, and a tendency to seek medical care only after consultation with a traditional healer failed to help, Agence France-Presse reported.

The study appears in The Lancet medical journal. An accompanying commentary noted that the study's findings are "relevant to many areas of the world that face similar threats and the emergence of epidemics of heart disease."

The commentary said that in "some developing countries, such as India, the epidemiological transition has been more rapid and the speed of transition will vary from country to country depending on the exposure time and competing causes."

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Lubbock Has Worst Teeth in U.S.: Study

The best teeth in the United States are found in Madison, Wis., Nashville, Tenn., and Raleigh, N.C., while the worst are in Lubbock, Texas. Three other cities in the Lone Star state -- El Paso, San Antonio, and Dallas -- are also in the bottom 15 cities, says an article in next month's Men's Health magazine.

The authors looked at U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data on the number of annual dentists visits, canceled appointments, regular flossers, and households using fluoride in 100 large cities, the Associated Press reported.

Some experts theorized that high level of fluoride in Lubbock's well water may be a factor. Too much fluoride in water can cause tooth enamel to become rough, leaving white or brown stains.

Others suggested that dental care is too expensive, which means low-income people can't afford regular checkups or education, the AP reported.

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Microwave Popcorn Chemical Damages Airways: Study

Inhalation of a chemical used in microwave popcorn artificial butter flavoring damaged the airways of mice, which developed a condition that can lead to a life-threatening lung disease, says a study by researchers at the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).

Mice exposed to diacetyl vapors for three months developed lymphocytic bronchiolitis, a precursor to obliterative bronchiolitis (popcorn lung). None of the mice developed the more serious disease, said ConsumerReports.org.

"This is one of the first studies to evaluate the respiratory toxicity of diacetyl at levels relevant to human health. Mice were exposed to diacetyl at concentrations and durations comparable to what may be inhaled at some microwave popcorn packaging plants," study co-author Daniel L. Morgan, chief of the Respiratory Toxicology Group at the NIEHS, said in a prepared statement.

He and his colleagues concluded that workplace exposure to diacetyl contributes to the development of obliterative bronchiolitis, but noted that more research was needed. The study was published online in the journal Toxicological Sciences.

Obliterative bronchiolitis has been noted in microwave popcorn packaging plant workers who have inhaled significant concentrations of artificial butter flavoring. Late last year, a number of leading popcorn makers said they planned to eliminate diacetyl from their products, ConsumerReports.org said.

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Officials Investigating Possible CJD Deaths in Quebec

Health officials are investigating whether two people who died in Quebec in the last few months had a form of neurodegenerative Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), CBC News reported.

The two deaths in the Saguenay-Lac St. Jean region -- one in December and another in February -- are being treated with extreme caution by Canadian health authorities, who said it generally takes a few months to get test results in such cases. They refused to release any details.

So-called classic CJD appears only in humans, while variant CJD is believed to occur in humans who have eaten beef from cattle with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), otherwise known as mad cow disease. Both forms are fatal. Classic CJD kills one in a million Canadians each year.

The two Quebec cases were made public in a story first aired Wednesday by CKRS-FM radio in Chicoutimi, CBC News reported. The radio story noted that two patients have never died of CJD within such a short period of time in one area of Canada.

Health Tips for March 16

Health Tip: The Road to a Healthy Heart

The American Heart Association says there are a few simple things you can do to keep active and promote a healthier heart:

* Do housework yourself, instead of hiring someone else to do it.
* Work in the garden or mow the grass. Using a riding mower doesn't count.
* Go out for a short walk before breakfast, after dinner or both. Start with a 10-minute walk and work up to 30 minutes.
* Walk or bike to the corner store.
* When watching television, pedal a stationary bicycle.
* Park on the outskirts of a shopping mall and walk to the stores.

Health Tip: Let Shin Splints Heal

Shin splints occur when too much or too strenuous exercise causes pain in the lower legs. They usually aren't serious.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these suggestions on how to help shin splints heal:

* Most shin splints will benefit from plenty of rest. You should not exercise for at least a week, and take a break of at least two-to-four weeks from running.
* Ice the injury for 20 minutes, at least twice a day.
* Use over-the-counter pain relievers to ease discomfort.
* For stress fractures, at least a month's rest is required. You should not run or exercise during that time.

Health Headlines - March 15

Unique Risk Factors May Help Spread Heart Disease in Developing Nations

Certain health issues may be helping the rapid spread of heart disease in developing nations, suggests a study that looked at 1,593 black and white cardiovascular disease patients in South Africa.

Many of the patients were obese, a recognized risk factor for heart disease. But the researchers noted other factors in these patients, including HIV infection and tuberculosis, late diagnosis, and a tendency to seek medical care only after consultation with a traditional healer failed to help, Agence France-Presse reported.

The study appears in The Lancet medical journal. An accompanying commentary noted that the study's findings are "relevant to many areas of the world that face similar threats and the emergence of epidemics of heart disease."

The commentary said that in "some developing countries, such as India, the epidemiological transition has been more rapid and the speed of transition will vary from country to country depending on the exposure time and competing causes."

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Lubbock Has Worst Teeth in U.S.: Study

The best teeth in the United States are found in Madison, Wis., Nashville, Tenn., and Raleigh, N.C., while the worst are in Lubbock, Texas. Three other cities in the Lone Star state -- El Paso, San Antonio, and Dallas -- are also in the bottom 15 cities, says an article in next month's Men's Health magazine.

The authors looked at U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data on the number of annual dentists visits, canceled appointments, regular flossers, and households using fluoride in 100 large cities, the Associated Press reported.

Some experts theorized that high level of fluoride in Lubbock's well water may be a factor. Too much fluoride in water can cause tooth enamel to become rough, leaving white or brown stains.

Others suggested that dental care is too expensive, which means low-income people can't afford regular checkups or education, the AP reported.

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South Korean Researcher Retracts Anti-Aging Papers

Two papers on anti-aging technology published in international journals have been retracted by a professor at a South Korean technical university after it was discovered that he fabricated evidence, the Associated Press reported.

Officials at the state-run Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology said biotechnology professor Kim Tae-kook admitted that he used forged data in a 2005 paper on anti-aging technology published in the journal Science, and in a follow-up 2006 paper published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology.

Kim has been suspended from teaching and conducting research at the institute, which is still investigating whether to impose additional disciplinary measures, the AP reported. It's not clear if Kim will face criminal charges.

In the 2005 paper, Kim claimed to have found a way to use magnetic nanoparticles to find target proteins in the human body, a discovery he claimed could lead to the development of anti-aging drugs. In the 2006 paper, Kim said he had used the technology to identify target proteins and had developed two chemical substances that could slow aging.

In 2005, it was revealed that leading South Korean scientist Hwang Woo-suk faked evidence in what had been hailed as breakthrough stem cell research.

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Microwave Popcorn Chemical Damages Airways: Study

Inhalation of a chemical used in microwave popcorn artificial butter flavoring damaged the airways of mice, which developed a condition that can lead to a life-threatening lung disease, says a study by researchers at the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).

Mice exposed to diacetyl vapors for three months developed lymphocytic bronchiolitis, a precursor to obliterative bronchiolitis (popcorn lung). None of the mice developed the more serious disease, said ConsumerReports.org.

"This is one of the first studies to evaluate the respiratory toxicity of diacetyl at levels relevant to human health. Mice were exposed to diacetyl at concentrations and durations comparable to what may be inhaled at some microwave popcorn packaging plants," study co-author Daniel L. Morgan, chief of the Respiratory Toxicology Group at the NIEHS, said in a prepared statement.

He and his colleagues concluded that workplace exposure to diacetyl contributes to the development of obliterative bronchiolitis, but noted that more research was needed. The study was published online in the journal Toxicological Sciences.

Obliterative bronchiolitis has been noted in microwave popcorn packaging plant workers who have inhaled significant concentrations of artificial butter flavoring. Late last year, a number of leading popcorn makers said they planned to eliminate diacetyl from their products, ConsumerReports.org said.

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Officials Investigating Possible CJD Deaths in Quebec

Health officials are investigating whether two people who died in Quebec in the last few months had a form of neurodegenerative Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), CBC News reported.

The two deaths in the Saguenay-Lac St. Jean region -- one in December and another in February -- are being treated with extreme caution by Canadian health authorities, who said it generally takes a few months to get test results in such cases. They refused to release any details.

So-called classic CJD appears only in humans, while variant CJD is believed to occur in humans who have eaten beef from cattle with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), otherwise known as mad cow disease. Both forms are fatal. Classic CJD kills one in a million Canadians each year.

The two Quebec cases were made public in a story first aired Wednesday by CKRS-FM radio in Chicoutimi, CBC News reported. The radio story noted that two patients have never died of CJD within such a short period of time in one area of Canada.

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More Americans Getting Colorectal Cancer Screenings

The percentage of Americans age 50 and older who had a colorectal cancer screening test increased from 53.9 percent to 60.8 percent between 2002 and 2006, a new report found.

However, while rates of colorectal cancer screening increased among all racial and ethnic groups, minority groups continued to have lower screening rates than whites. In addition, rates continued to be lower among those with no health insurance, low income, and less than a high school education.

The findings are reported in the March 14 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Lack of awareness of the need for colorectal cancer screening, lack of doctor recommendations for screening, lack of health insurance, and lack of a usual source of health care are among the factors that may contribute to disparities in colorectal cancer screening rates, the study authors said.

Previous studies found that men were more likely than women to be checked for colorectal cancer, but data in this new study suggest a narrowing of that gender gap.

"While we are encouraged to see an increase in colorectal cancer screening rates, certain groups are still not getting screened as recommended," report lead author Dr. Djenaba A. Joseph, medical officer in the CDC's division of cancer prevention and control, said in a prepared statement. "We need to ensure that all adults have access to these life-saving tests because there is strong evidence that screening can prevent colorectal cancer deaths."

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. In 2004, nearly 145,000 people in the country were diagnosed with the disease and more than 53,000 died from it, the CDC said. Regular colorectal cancer screening is recommended for everyone age 50 and older.

Health Tips for March 15

Health Tip: Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation under professional supervision often is recommended for people who have had a heart attack, heart surgery, or a related operation.

The American Heart Association lists these benefits of cardiac rehabilitation:

* A rehab program, based on a medical evaluation, often is tailored to a person's specific needs and health problems.
* During physical activity, your blood pressure and heart rate are closely monitored.
* Getting regular exercise can help reduce stress, strengthen your heart, and increase your energy.
* Rehabilitation often includes counseling on making lifestyle changes, including on what to eat, how to prepare food, how to manage stress, quitting smoking, and the importance of taking your medications.
* An associated support group may be available to help you talk about and deal with your concerns and health issues.

Health Tip: Before You Use a Blood Thinner

Blood thinning medications are prescribed to help prevent heart attacks, strokes and blood vessel blockages caused by clots.

They also are prescribed for people who have cardiac problems including atrial fibrillation, phlebitis or congestive heart failure, the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital says.

Blood thinners may interact with popular medications -- like aspirin, ibuprofen and antacids -- so before you take a blood thinner, you should tell your doctor about any other medications you take.

People who use blood thinners need to avoid drinking alcohol and smoking. They also should have their blood tested regularly, to monitor how well the medication is working.

Health Headlines - March 14

More Americans Getting Colorectal Cancer Screenings

The percentage of Americans age 50 and older who had a colorectal cancer screening test increased from 53.9 percent to 60.8 percent between 2002 and 2006, a new report found.

However, while rates of colorectal cancer screening increased among all racial and ethnic groups, minority groups continued to have lower screening rates than whites. In addition, rates continued to be lower among those with no health insurance, low income, and less than a high school education.

The findings are reported in the March 14 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Lack of awareness of the need for colorectal cancer screening, lack of doctor recommendations for screening, lack of health insurance, and lack of a usual source of health care are among the factors that may contribute to disparities in colorectal cancer screening rates, the study authors said.

Previous studies found that men were more likely than women to be checked for colorectal cancer, but data in this new study suggest a narrowing of that gender gap.

"While we are encouraged to see an increase in colorectal cancer screening rates, certain groups are still not getting screened as recommended," report lead author Dr. Djenaba A. Joseph, medical officer in the CDC's division of cancer prevention and control, said in a prepared statement. "We need to ensure that all adults have access to these life-saving tests because there is strong evidence that screening can prevent colorectal cancer deaths."

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. In 2004, nearly 145,000 people in the country were diagnosed with the disease and more than 53,000 died from it, the CDC said. Regular colorectal cancer screening is recommended for everyone age 50 and older.

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Violence-Related Injuries Led to 308,200 Hospitalizations in 2005

In 2005, U.S. hospitals treated 308,200 people for attempted suicide, assault, rape, abuse, and other violence-related trauma, at a cost of $2.3 billion, says the latest News and Numbers report from the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

The number of violence-related hospitalizations increased by 24,000 between 2002 and 2005, the report said. In 2005, about 23 percent of violence-related hospitalizations involved uninsured patients and 27 percent involved Medicaid recipients.

Among the other findings:

• About 66 percent of all violence-related hospital patients had attempted suicide or injured themselves on purpose; about 31 percent were victims of attempted murder, fights, rape or other assaults; and about four percent were victims of sexual or other abuse.
• More than half the patients admitted for self-inflicted injuries had mixed or overdosed on drugs.
• Crushing and internal injuries, skull and facial fractures, and head injuries were the main reasons for admitting half of the assault victims.
• Nearly 52 percent of abuse cases involved children. About one-third of them were victims of child neglect, physical and psychological abuse, or physical assault such as shaken baby syndrome.

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Toy Sundae Sets Pose Choking Hazard

A potential choking hazard has prompted the recall of about 22,000 Play Wonder toy sundae sets distributed by Battat Inc. of Plattsburgh, N.Y., and sold at Target stores from December 2006 through December 2007.

The recalled toy includes six wooden scoops of ice cream, three cherries that attach to the top of the ice cream scoops, banana slices, a spoon and bowl. The wooden cherries pose a choking hazard to young children, said the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The recall affects model number DPCI-204-12-0526, which can be found on the packaging.

There have been no reports of injuries, the CPSC said.

Consumers with the recalled toy sundae sets should take them away from children and return the toy to any Target store for a full refund. For more information, phone Battat Inc. at 1-800-247-6144.

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EPA Announces Modest Tightening of Smog Standards

Ignoring its own scientific advisory panel's recommendation for a much stricter smog standard, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday announced only a modest tightening of the standard.

Currently, the standard for average concentrations of ozone at ground level over an eight-hour period is 84 parts per billion. The EPA's expert panel recommended a new level of 60 to 70 parts per billion. The EPA decided to lower it to 75, but implementation of that less ambitious standard could take decades, The New York Times reported.

The EPA's decision was criticized by many environmental and health groups.

"The EPA's own risk estimates show that between 75 and 70, there will be hundreds more deaths and thousands more visits to emergency rooms, and hundreds of thousands of more lost school days," Dr. John M. Balbus, the chief health scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund, told the Times.

"The Environmental Protection Agency has missed a real opportunity to protect children's health with (its) decision to reduce the ozone standard from its current 0.08 parts per million (ppm) to 0.075 ppm," American Academy of Pediatrics President Dr. Renee R. Jenkins said in a prepared statement. "While any reduction in air pollution is a step in the right direction, EPA's new ozone standard, the first in a decade, fails to go far enough."

"The science is clear: ozone pollution harms children," Jenkins said.

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FDA Criticized for Oversight of Spinach Facilities

Even though serious sanitation problems were found in nearly half of all U.S. Food and Drug Administration inspections since 2001 of facilities that package fresh spinach, the agency took no "meaningful" enforcement action, according to report released Wednesday by the U.S. House of Representatives' Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Litter piles, inadequate restroom sanitation, indoor condensation that posed a risk of food contamination by microorganisms, workers with uncovered hair and poor hygiene, and buildings vulnerable to rodent infestation were among the problems noted by FDA inspections of 67 facilities, the Washington Post reported.

None of the problem facilities were referred to FDA enforcement authorities, and the FDA didn't send any warning letters to, or seek injunctions against, the facilities. The House committee report also found that the FDA inspected spinach facilities about once every 2.4 years, even though federal guidelines state that most of the facilities should have been visited at least once a year.

"The inspection reports ... raise serious questions about the ability of the FDA to protect the safety of fresh spinach and other fresh produce," committee investigators wrote. "It appears the FDA is inspecting high-risk facilities infrequently, failing to take vigorous enforcement action when it does inspect and identify violations, and not even inspecting the most probable sources of many outbreaks."

Since 1995, 20 serious outbreaks of E. coli contamination in the United States have been traced to fresh spinach or lettuce. One of the most serious outbreaks occurred in 2006, when bagged spinach processed by California-based Natural Selection Foods sickened more than 200 people and was linked to three deaths, the Post reported.

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Dementia Diagnosis May Provide Relief: Study

Telling patients they have Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia may actually give them a measure of relief, suggests a study by researchers at Washington University in St. Louis.

Some doctors are reluctant to deliver this kind of diagnosis because they fear it may overwhelm patients. But this study found that giving a dementia diagnosis didn't increase anxiety or depression among patients or caregivers. In fact, most were relieved to have symptoms explained and to learn where they can find help, the Associated Press reported.

The study, which included 90 patients and caregivers, appears in the March issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

"No one is pleased to find out they have dementia," study co-investigator Brian Carpenter, associate professor of psychology, told the AP. "But some people find comfort in getting resolution to their anxiety and concerns, and knowing people can help them."

Health Tips for March 14

Health Tip: When You're Diabetic and Sick

A common cold, flu or infection that is an inconvenience to many people can cause much more serious health problems in diabetics.

When you're sick, your body is under stress and releases hormones that can affect your blood sugar. So it's important to know how to take care of yourself.

Here are suggestions for diabetics on dealing with an illness, courtesy of the American Diabetes Association:

* Closely monitor and regulate your blood sugar, which can fluctuate more than usual while you're sick.
* Keep a notebook where you record your blood sugar and urine ketone levels.
* Talk to your doctor to see if your medications need to be adjusted when you're sick. Have a plan ready ahead of time.
* In advance of illness, prepare a list of contact names and phone numbers of your doctor, dietitian, and diabetes educator.
* Know when you should call your doctor. For instance, if you've been sick for an extended period or can't get your blood sugar under control.

Health Tip: Early-Stage Alzheimer's

People with early-stage Alzheimer's disease may fear losing their independence and being reliant on someone else.

Here are suggestions on how to maintain independence longer, courtesy of the Alzheimer's Association:

* Hire a service or ask a friend to help with activities, such as paying bills, cooking meals, cleaning the house or going to the grocery.
* Write instructions on how to work appliances, place labels on items you frequently forget, and compose notes to help you remember to perform certain tasks.
* Help keep your home safe by reducing the risk of slips and falls. For example, install grab bars in the bathroom. Also, make sure appliances have automatic shutoffs.
* Enroll in a safety alert program, so you can immediately get help if you need it.
* If you can't drive, get a bus schedule, have a cab company's phone number handy, or ask friends and family to drive you.
* Try to stay as physically and socially active as you can, and don't be afraid to ask for help.

Health Headlines - March 13

FDA Panel Backs New Platelet Drug

An experimental biotech drug to treat a blood-clotting disorder won a recommendation for approval Wednesday from U.S. health experts.

A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel voted unanimously in favor of Amgen's drug, Nplate, according to a company spokeswoman.

The company is seeking approval for Nplate for patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura, a disorder that causes the body to attack its own platelets, tiny components of blood that help with clotting, the Associated Press reported. The condition, which causes bruising and bleeding after minor injuries, affects about 200,000 people in the United States.

Amgen submitted studies that showed patients treated with the drug had significantly higher platelet levels than those taking placebo. The drug is a genetically engineered version of the protein that encourages platelet production, the AP reported.

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Meth Use Declines in U.S.

A U.S. government crackdown on the availability of chemicals used to make methamphetamine may be one reason why meth use continued to drop in nearly every part of the country last year.

A study released Wednesday by New Jersey-based drug testing company Quest Diagnostics Inc. found that the number of U.S. employees who tested positive for meth decreased 22 percent overall in 2007, the Associated Press reported. However, meth use in the Northest remained steady.

And a new report from the Drug Enforcement Agency said the number of illegal meth lab seizures decreased from 7,347 in 2006 to 5,080 in 2007, a drop of 31 percent. White House drug policy director John Walters said the market for meth has been disrupted by laws restricting the sale of cold medicines that contain pseudoephedrine (a key ingredient in meth), and increased efforts to block the flow of illegal drugs from Mexico.

The Quest study, based on the results of more than 8.4 million worker drug tests, also found that cocaine use in the workforce decreased by 19 percent last year, the largest single-year drop in a decade, the AP reported.

However, positive tests for amphetamines increased by 5 percent, the Quest study said.

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Scientists Discover Key to Pneumonia Bacterium's Penicillin Resistance

U.K. scientists have discovered how a bacterium that causes pneumonia becomes resistant to penicillin, a finding that could lead to the development of new drugs to fight different types of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

The University of Warwick researchers studied Streptococcus pneumoniae, which kills five million children a year worldwide, BBC News reported. S. pneumoniae is among a growing number of bacteria that have developed resistance to penicillin and other drugs.

The researchers found that S. pneumoniae deploys a protein called MurM in order to protect itself from the effects of penicillin. The study appears in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

These findings may help in the development of new drugs that disrupt the chemistry of MurM in order to prevent the bacterium from developing resistance to penicillin, BBC News reported. The research could also help in efforts to combat drug resistance in other types of bacteria.

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Schizophrenics Process Memories Differently: Study

Compared to normal people, schizophrenia patients appear to use different areas of the brain to process short-term memories, says a study by researchers at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.

The findings may helps explain why schizophrenia is often associated with memory problems.

While normal people in the study used the right side of the brain to remember specific locations, those with schizophrenia used a wider network of areas on both sides of the brain, BBC News reported.

"This suggests that while healthy people recruit a specialized and focused network of brain areas for specific memory function, schizophrenic patients seem to rely on a more diffuse and wider network to achieve the same goal, " said researcher Professor Sohee Park.

"Cognitive impairment, including problems with memory, is one of the most disabling symptoms of schizophrenia, but is even more poorly understood than the other main symptoms -- hallucinations and delusions," Paul Corry, of the schizophrenia charity Rethink, told BBC News. "These findings offer some pointers to further research."

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Kmart Launches $1 OTC Drug Program

A program that offers consumers their choice of one of 10 over-the-counter (OTC) medications for $1 with every prescription purchase has been launched by Kmart Pharmacy.

The 10 kinds of Kmart's American Fare brand OTC medications that are part of the program include aspirin, ibuprofen, children's pain reliever, baby aspirin, nasal decongestant, cough suppressant, anti-diarrhea medication, and cold and allergy tablets.

The program was launched in Florida last week and will be available at every Kmart pharmacy in April. All of the specially labeled $1 American Fare OTC products will be kept behind the pharmacy counter, while regular-priced American Fare products will be on store shelves, the retailer said.

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Researchers 'Hack' Into Heart Device

A team of computer security researchers in the United States was able to reprogram a combination heart defibrillator and pacemaker to make it shut down and deliver potentially fatal jolts of electricity if the device had been implanted in a person, The New York Times reported.

In this laboratory test, the experts from the University of Washington and the University of Massachusetts were also able to gather personal patient data by eavesdropping on signals from the Medtronic Maximo's tiny wireless transmitter, which is used by doctors to monitor and adjust the device without the need for surgery.

But this success at gaining access into the heart device doesn't mean that people with implanted defibrillators or pacemakers need to fear hacker attacks, the researchers emphasized. For this experiment, they needed more than $30,000 worth of lab equipment and a lot of effort. In addition, the Maximo was placed within 2 inches of the test gear, the Times reported.

But the team, which chose the Maximo because it's typical of many implants with wireless communications features, said the results suggest that too little attention is being paid to security in the growing number of medical devices with wireless communications.

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Belgian Parents Face Jail Over Polio Vaccine Fight

Belgian authorities are using prison sentences to force parents to have their children vaccinated against polio. Recently, two sets of parents were given five-month prison terms for failing to have their children vaccinated against the disease. In addition, each parent was slapped with a fine of $4,100 euros ($8,000 U.S).

But the parents' prison sentences have been delayed to give them a chance to have their children vaccinated, the Associated Press reported. Due to privacy laws, Belgian officials did not discuss specifics about the cases, such as why the parents refused to have their children vaccinated or how long the parents have before they're sent to prison.

Belgium and France are the only countries where polio vaccinations are mandated by law. In the United States, polio is one of the diseases children must be vaccinated against, but most states allow exceptions in cases of religious or philosophical objections.

Polio is highly infectious and the hard line taken by Belgian officials is supported by some experts.

"Nobody has the right to unfettered liberty, and people do not have the right to endanger their kids," John Harris, a professor of bioethics at the University of Manchester in Great Britain, told the AP. "The parents in this case do not have any rights they can appeal to. They have obligations they are not fulfilling."

Health Tips for March 13

Health Tip: Age Affects the Senses

Getting older leads to many changes involving your senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch.

Here are common ways that aging impacts the senses, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* Parts of the ear begin to deteriorate as you get older, potentially affecting your hearing and balance.
* Vision can begin to deteriorate due to age as early as your 30s. By the time you reach 55, you are likely to need glasses -- at least part of the time. Problems with dry eyes, the sharpness of your vision, and inability to tolerate glare and bright lights are common.
* The number of taste buds decreases as you age, and you produce less saliva, which can impact taste.
* Sense of smell often decreases with age, commonly due to deterioration of the nerve endings in the nose.
* Many older people become less sensitive to heat, cold, pain, vibration or pressure.

Health Tip: Am I Getting Too Old to Drive?

Driving can become dangerous for some seniors as they decline both physically and mentally.

Here are warning signs that a senior may no longer be safe behind the wheel, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* Memory problems, such as forgetting the destination or route.
* Difficulty concentrating.
* Difficulty seeing in general, or under certain conditions.
* Hearing problems.
* Arthritis, especially when it affects the hands and fingers.

Health Headlines - March 12

More Than Half of Americans Covered by Colon Cancer Screening Laws

For the first time, more than half of the U.S. population -- 54 percent -- is covered by state laws that require insurance providers to cover the cost of colon cancer screening tests, says a report card released Tuesday by a coalition of 11 leading public health organizations, including the American Cancer Society and the American College of Gastroenterology.

The 2008 Colorectal Cancer Legislation Report Card gave an "A" grade to 19 states for colon cancer coverage laws that met certain guidelines, while 26 states received a "D" or "F" for failing to require coverage of colon cancer screening.

Screening rates in states with "A" level coverage laws increased 40 percent faster than the rates in states without such laws, according to a 2006 analysis by the American Cancer Society.

If all Americans aged 50 and older had regular colon cancer screening, colorectal cancer deaths could be reduced by as much as 60 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But only half of people at risk for colon cancer get screened for the disease. Concern about insurance coverage is a major barrier to colon cancer screening, the American Cancer Society analysis found.

When detected early, colon cancer is one of the most treatable cancers. About 90 percent of people diagnosed with early-stage colon cancer survive five years, compared with 10 percent of patients diagnosed with late-stage colon cancer.

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Anemia Drugs Linked to Increased Death Risk: FDA

The anemia drugs Aranesp, Epogen and Procrit are associated with increased risk of death and faster-spreading tumors at high doses, according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration briefing information posted Tuesday on the agency's Web site.

The information said eight clinical trials indicated the drugs -- used to treat weakness or fatigue in patients with chronic kidney disease or those who are undergoing cancer chemotherapy -- posed greater risks for patients with breast, lung, head and neck, and cervical cancers, Bloomberg news reported.

"There is now mounting evidence of documented effects on survival, tumor progression," and blood clots, and this evidence "requires a re-assessment of the net benefits of this class of drugs," FDA staff wrote.

The briefing information was prepared in advance of Thursday's scheduled meeting of an FDA advisory panel that will consider the risks and benefits of the three anemia drugs. They may decide that new restrictions need to be imposed on the use of the drugs, Bloomberg reported.

Aranesp and Epogen are made by Amgen Inc., while Procrit is made by Johnson & Johnson.

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FDA Issues Alert About Tussionex Cough Medicine

Due to numerous reports of serious side effects and death associated with the misuse and inappropriate use of the long-acting prescription cough medicine Tussionex Pennkinetic Extended-Release Suspension, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday issued an alert on the safe and correct use of the medicine.

Tussionex, which contains the narcotic hydrocodone and the antihistamine chlorpheniramine, is approved for use in adults and children over the age of 6. It should be taken no more than once every 12 hours, the FDA said.

"There is a real and serious risk for overdose if this medication is not used according to the labeling," Dr. Curtis Rosebraugh, acting director of the FDA's Office of Drug Evaluation II, said in a prepared statement.

Reports suggest that doctors and other health professionals are sometimes prescribing, and patients are sometimes taking, more than the recommended dose or taking the medication more frequently than once every 12 hours. Reports also indicate that the medicine is being given to children less than 6 years old, the FDA said.

In its alert, the FDA reminded doctors and patients about the proper use of Tussionex. The manufacturer of the cough medicine -- UCB Inc., of Smyrna, Ga. -- has agreed to update to labeling to highlight that Tussionex should not be prescribed or used in children younger than 6, as well as the need for accurate dosing.

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JCPenney Recalls Deep Fryers Due to Fire/Burn Hazard

About 27,000 Cooks Deep Fryers have been recalled by JCPenney Co. due to a faulty heating element that can overheat and pose a fire and burn hazard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Tuesday.

To date, there have been five reported incidents involving the deep fryers, including three reports of damaged countertops and one report of a minor burn injury.

The recalled fryers have a brushed stainless steel exterior, a lid with a window, black handles, and 1/3-gallon capacity. "Cooks" is stamped on the side of the fryers and model number 22016 is printed on the bottom of the fryers, which were sold from August 2007 through January 2008 for about $50.

Consumers with recalled fryers should immediately stop using them and return the fryer to the nearest JCPenney store for a full refund, the CPSC said. For more information, contact JCPenney toll-free at 888-333-6063 anytime.

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Stagnant Funding Threatens U.S. Health Research: Report

If the budget of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) remains stagnant, the country could lose a generation of young researchers and their potential discoveries, which would pose a threat to the future of Americans' health, warns a report released Tuesday by seven leading academic research institutions.

The report, A Broken Pipeline? Flat Funding of the NIH Puts a Generation of Science at Risk, details how five consecutive years of flat funding for the NIH have affected 12 promising junior researchers who specialize in areas such as stem cells, cancer and brain diseases, and kidney disease.

"This is a real problem, discussed at almost every meeting one attends on campus, that can't simply be dismissed," Drew Faust, president of Harvard University, said in a prepared statement.

"This is about the investment that America is -- or is not -- making in the health of its citizens and its economy. Right now, the nation's brightest, young researchers, upon whom the future of American medicine rests, are getting the message that biomedical research may be a dead end and they should explore other career options -- and in too many cases, they're taking that message to heart. The President's latest budget proposal that calls for another year without an increase will only make the problem worse," Faust said.

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HIV Can Hide in Cells for Years

U.S. researchers have found that HIV is able to hide in some of the body's cells for years in order to avoid destruction by antiretroviral drugs. The finding confirms that HIV-positive people must take the drugs indefinitely to maintain control of the virus, which causes AIDS, BBC News reported.

The U.S. National Cancer Institute team followed 40 HIV-positive patients and found that 77 percent of them still had low levels of dormant HIV seven years after starting -- and responding well to -- antiretroviral therapy.

The researchers believe that HIV hides in CD4+ cells, which play a role in the immune system. It's likely that HIV infects these cells before the start of antiretroviral therapy and the amount of virus produced by the infected cells is low, BBC News reported.

The findings were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"It is extremely important that new drugs are developed to eradicate HIV infection as the side effects associated with long-term HIV treatment can be severe," said researcher Dr. Sarah Palmer.

Health Tips for March 12

Health Tip: Take Medicines As Prescribed

It's important to follow your doctor's instructions precisely when taking any medication, especially if you're taking more than one.

The American Heart Association offers these suggestions:

* Schedule a time to take your medication every day.
* Try to take your meds when you perform another daily activity, such as brushing your teeth.
* Use a day-of-the-week pillbox.
* Mark the day off on a calendar when you've taken your medication.
* Ask a friend or family member to remind you to take your meds. Have the person call at the same time each day.
* On a white board, write down the names of all of your meds, and mark the board when you've taken them.

Health Tip: Packing Your Prescriptions

If you're planning to hit the road this summer and you need to take your medications along, here are suggestions from AARP:

* In case of an emergency, pack a complete list of all medications you take, including those sold over-the-counter.
* If you're flying, pack medications in their original packages in a carry-on bag, instead of checking them.
* Take more medication than you expect to need, in case travel plans change or you run into problems getting home.
* Pack any medications that need to be refrigerated in insulated, cooled packaging.
* If you're going to another country, make sure you comply with that nation's laws on bringing in medications.

Health Headlines - March 11

U.S. Drinking Water Contains Wide Variety of Pharmaceuticals

A broad range of prescription and over-the-counter drugs are present in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans, according to an Associated Press investigation that raises questions about the potential impact on human health.

The investigation included reviews of scientific studies and federal drinking water databases, visits to environmental study sites and water treatment plants, and interviews with hundreds of experts and officials.

Among the findings:

• Pharmaceutical drugs have been detected in the drinking water of 24 major metropolitan areas.
• Testing in Philadelphia revealed 56 pharmaceuticals or byproducts in treated drinking water.
• A sex hormone was found in San Francisco's drinking water.
• A metabolized angina medicine and the mood-stabilizing drug carbamazepine was found in the drinking water of 850,000 people in northern New Jersey.
• A portion of the drinking water supplied to 18.5 million people in Southern California contained anti-epileptic and anti-anxiety medications.
• Six pharmaceuticals were detected in the drinking water for Washington, D.C. and surrounding areas.

When people take a medication, the body doesn't use all of it. The excess is flushed out with other wastes and ends up in wastewater treatment plants, which discharge treated water into rivers, lakes or reservoirs, the AP said.

The concentrations of pharmaceuticals found in drinking water were extremely low and the exact risks to human health from long-term exposure aren't fully understood, the AP reported. However, recent research has shown that such drugs cause alarming effects on human cells and wildlife.

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Gene Variant Linked to Gout

A gene variant that may increase a person's risk of gout has been identified by Scottish researchers, who said their finding may lead to improved treatments for the painful joint condition, BBC News reported.

In healthy people, uric acid is removed by the kidneys and passed out of the body in urine. Gout occurs when there's a buildup of uric acid in the blood, forming crystals in the joints, resulting in inflammation, stiffness and pain. Diet is believed to play a major role in the development of gout. However, many people whose eating habits would seem to put them at risk for gout don't develop the disease.

This new study, by researchers at the MRC Human Genetics Unit in Edinburgh, may help explain why. The researchers found that a variant of the SLC2A gene appears to make it more difficult for the body to remove excess uric acid from the blood, BBC News reported.

The SLC2A gene plays an important role in determining the efficiency of uric acid transport across the membranes of the kidney, the researchers explained. Depending on the form of the gene they inherit, some people will have a higher or lower risk of gout.

The researchers said it may be possible to develop new drugs that target SLC2A, and the protein it controls, in order to better treat gout, BBC News reported. The findings may also lead to improved diagnosis of the condition.

The study was published in the journal Nature Genetics.

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Probiotic Treatment May Benefit Kidney Stone Sufferers

Treatment with "friendly" bacteria may benefit people who suffer from recurrent kidney stones, suggests a Boston University study of about 500 people, BBC News reported.

The study found that those who naturally carry the bacterium Oxalobacter formigenes in their gut were 70 percent less likely to have recurrent calcium oxalate kidney stones. Calcium oxalate is the major component in up to 80 percent of kidney stones.

The study also found that O. formigenes was present in 38 percent of those with no kidney stones, compared to 17 percent of those with recurrent kidney stones, BBC News reported.

The study was published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. The researchers are now investigating the possibility of using the bacteria as a probiotic treatment.

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Are Mothers 'Hard-Wired' to Protect Their Babies?

The same instinct that makes mothers in the animal kingdom protect their offspring against danger appears to be a part of the human mother's brain as well.

The New York Times reported that researchers in Tokyo made magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of 13 mothers, each of whom had a child about 16 months old. The mothers were taken out of the room where they had been with their babies, and a videotape was made of the toddlers crying and reaching for their mothers, the newspaper reported.

When each mother saw the image of her child in distress, the MRI showed a markedly different neural reaction than when she was watching other mothers' babies, the Times said. This dramatic brain pattern reaction seems "to be biologically meaningful in terms of adaptation to specific demands associated with successful infant care," the newspaper quoted the study authors as noting in the study.

No similar study has yet been done with fathers, the Times said. The research was published in the February issue of the journal Biological Psychiatry.

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Texas Closes Shellfish Beds After Detecting Red Tide Organism

The microbe that produces what is known as red tide in coastal waters has been detected in some Texas shellfish beds, causing the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to close a number of bays to shellfish harvesting.

In addition to closing the shellfish beds at Aransas, Corpus Christi and Copano bays, the state has also issued a recall of oysters, clams and mussels because of an algae bloom of the Dinophysis organism, which can poison the shellfish and cause sickness in humans if they eat them.

According to a DSHS news release, all shellfish harvested from the affected bays since March 1 have been recalled from stores and restaurants. Texas state health officials said anyone who recently bought shellfish and think they may have come from the affected areas should call the stores where they were purchased to determine their origin.

The Dinophysis organism produces okadaic acid, which permeates shellfish and can cause diarrhea, nausea and cramping in humans. Boiling the shellfish will not remove the contamination, Texas officials said. The symptoms can begin within 30 minutes of consumption and can last for up to three days. The contamination usually is not fatal in humans.

Texas DSHS officials are monitoring the affected coastal shellfish beds to determine when they can be re-opened for harvesting. No cases of okadaic acid poisoning had yet been reported by March 8, the state said.

Health Tips for March 11

Health Tip: Your Diet and Sleep

If you've noticed that you feel particularly sleepy or more energized after eating certain foods, that's because what you eat can have an impact on how well you sleep and how awake you are during the day.

Here are examples of foods that can affect your sleep, courtesy of the National Sleep Foundation:

* Carbohydrate-rich foods, such as pastas and breads, can make you more sleepy.
* Carbohydrates work well with proteins to induce sleepiness, which makes combinations such as peanut butter on toast, cereal with milk, or cheese and crackers good bedtime snacks.
* A large meal can make you more tired, especially one with a lot of carbohydrates.
* Caffeine in foods and beverages is a stimulant that blocks hormones in the brain that make you feel sleepy.
* While alcohol may help you relax and fall asleep in the short term, over the course of the night it inhibits the sleep process and can prevent you from getting deep, restful sleep.

Health Tip: Is GERD Causing Sleep Problems?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause symptoms during the night that can prevent a good night's sleep.

The National Sleep Foundation offers these suggestions to keep GERD symptoms calm at night:

* Be careful of the foods you eat from late afternoon until bedtime. Try to avoid spicy foods, onions and chocolate.
* Eat a larger meal at lunch, and have a small, light dinner.
* Don't eat anything after two or three hours before you plan to go to bed.
* Don't drink alcohol or smoke before bed.
* Sleep on a pillow or two, with your head and shoulders elevated.
* Try sleeping on your left side.

Health Headlines - March 10

Are Mothers 'Hard-Wired' to Protect Their Babies?

The same instinct that makes mothers in the animal kingdom protect their offspring against danger appears to be a part of the human mother's brain as well.

The New York Times reports that researchers in Tokyo made magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of 13 mothers, each of whom had a child about 16 months old. The mothers were taken out of the room where they had been with their babies, and a videotape was made of the toddlers crying and reaching for their mothers, the newspaper reports.

When each mother saw the image of her child in distress, the MRI showed a markedly different neural reaction than when she was watching other mothers' babies, the Times says. This dramatic brain pattern reaction seems "to be biologically meaningful in terms of adaptation to specific demands associated with successful infant care," the newspaper quotes the study authors as noting in the study.

No similar study has yet been done with fathers, the Times says. The research was published in the February 2008 issue of the journal Biological Psychiatry.

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Texas Closes Three Shellfish Beds After Detecting Red Tide Organism

The microbe that produces what is known as red tide in coastal waters has been detected in some Texas shellfish beds, causing the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to close a number of bays to shellfish harvesting.

In addition to closing the shellfish beds at Aransas, Corpus Christi and Copano bays, the state has also issued a recall of oysters, clams and mussels because of an algae bloom of the Dinophysis organism, which can poison the shellfish and cause sickness in humans if they eat them.

According to a DSHS news release, all shellfish harvested from the affected bays since March 1 have been recalled from stores and restaurants. Texas state health officials say that anyone who recently bought shellfish and think they may have come from the affected areas should call the stores where they were purchased to determine their origin.

The Dinophysis organism produces okadaic acid, which permeates shellfish and can cause diarrhea, nausea and cramping in humans. Boiling the shellfish will not remove the contamination, Texas officials said. The symptoms can begin within 30 minutes of consumption and can last for up to three days. The contamination usually is not fatal in humans.

Texas DSHS officials are monitoring the affected coastal shellfish beds to determine when they can be re-opened for harvesting. No cases of okadaic acid poisoning had yet been reported by March 8, the state said.

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More 'Black Box' Warnings Added to Anemia Drugs' Labels

The manufacturer of three popular anemia drugs -- erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) -- has expanded each medication's "black box" warning to include information about tumor growth and death in patients with early stage breast cancer and cervical cancer.

The Associated Press reports that California-based Amgen has added the warnings about accelerated tumor growth on each container of Aranesp, Epogen and Procrit (Procrit is made by Amgen but sold by New Jersey-based Johnson & Johnson). There are already similar alerts about other types of cancer on the drugs' labels, the wire service said.

The decision to expand the warning comes less than a week before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was scheduled to review the risks of using the drugs, which increase the production of red blood cells at a rapid rate, restoring a patient's energy, at least temporarily.

On Nov. 8, 2007, the FDA approved new black box warnings on labels of the three ESAs. The warnings detailed the dangers to patients with cancer and patients with chronic kidney failure. Those dangers include heart attack, stroke, heart failure and cancer tumor growth and shortened survival, the FDA said.

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Drug Maker Withheld Diabetes Link to Schizophrenia Drug, Expert Witness Says

The pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly knew about serious side effects from its best selling anti-psychotic drug Zyprexa as early as 1998 and should have warned physicians that using the drug could cause diabetes, an expert witness testified in an Alaska lawsuit March 7.

According to the New York Times, Dr. John Guriguian, a diabetes specialist and reviewer for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for more than 20 years, said that Lilly had evidence of the link between Zyprexa, introduced in 1996, and diabetes, but put "profit over concern of the consumer."

The State of Alaska is suing Eli Lilly in an attempt to recover Medicaid costs it incurred by treating schizophrenia patients who developed diabetes after taking Zyprexa, the newspaper reports.

Alaska claims that although the drug company knew by 1998 that Zyprexa caused weight gain and blood sugar changes in many schizophrenia patients, the company deliberately withheld the information from the FDA, the Times reports.

In fact, a 2002 company internal memo specifically instructed its sales representatives not to discuss diabetes concerns with U.S. doctors, the newspaper reports. "We will NOT proactively address the diabetes concerns," the Times cites an internal Lilly memo as saying.

Lilly denies that it withheld any information from the FDA and that the issue of linking Zyprexa's use with diabetes is still subject to clinical review and debate, the newspaper reports.

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Many Later-Stage Premature Babies Require Long-Term Care

About a third of premature babies born between 29 and 33 weeks still need specialist care at age 5, says a French study that looked at 400 full-term babies (40 weeks) and 1,800 born before 33 weeks.

It was already known that very early birth greatly increases the risk of physical and learning problems later in childhood. But this new study suggests that many children born at a later stage of prematurity still require long-term care, BBC News reported.

All the children in the study underwent physical and mental assessments at age 5. As expected, those born before 28 weeks had the highest disability rate (195 children/49 percent), but the actual number of children with disabilities was highest among those born between 29 and 33 weeks -- 441 children/36 percent.

When the researchers examined the specialist health services (such as physiotherapy, psychology, occupational therapy) required by the children, they found that these resources were used by 42 percent of children born at 24-28 weeks, 31 percent of children born at 29-32 weeks, and 16 percent of children born at 39-40 weeks.

The study appears in The Lancet.

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New Anesthesia Recovery Drug Appears Effective: FDA

A new injectable drug designed to reverse the effects of anesthesia in patients after surgery appears effective, but there are still questions about its safety, according to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration analysis posted Friday on the agency's Web site.

The Schering-Plough Corp. drug, called Bridion, will be the subject of a review next Tuesday by an FDA panel of experts, the Associated Press reported. The panel's recommendation will be an important factor as the FDA considers whether to approve Bridion.

In its analysis, the FDA said the drug appears safe in healthy adults, but said more studies may be needed to investigate concerns about allergic reactions and Bridion's effects on children's teeth.

While there are already similar drugs on the market, Schering claims that Bridion is unique because it reverses the effects of mild and serious anesthesia, the AP reported.

Health Tips for March 10

Health Tip: Safe Snow Shoveling

Along with winter weather comes the possibility of shoveling heavy snow.

Here are some snow shoveling suggestions, courtesy of the National Safety Council:

* People who have had a heart attack, or who have been diagnosed with heart problems, shouldn't shovel snow without a doctor's permission.
* People who rarely get physical activity should be especially careful.
* Snow shoveling is exercise -- warm up, stretch out, cool down and don't strain yourself too much. Stop immediately if you feel pain in your chest, or you're getting out of breath.
* Avoid eating a big meal or smoking right before shoveling.
* Be extra careful with wet snow that has been on the ground for a while. Try to shovel when it has just fallen and is likely to be more light and powdery.
* Push the snow instead of lifting and carrying it. When you do have to lift the shovel, lift with your legs instead of your back.

Health Tip: Cell Phone Safety

Cell phone use is a common cause of accidents while driving. In some states, it's illegal for a driver to use a cell phone without a hands-free device.

The University of Texas at San Antonio Police Department offers these safety suggestions to help reduce accidents caused by cell phone use:

* Use a hands-free accessory whenever possible.
* Don't risk an accident trying to reach your phone. Store it in an accessible place, but don't answer it if you can't reach for it safely.
* Memorize your keypad, speed dial and other functions so that you can pay attention to the road while using your phone.
* Don't talk on your phone while driving through construction zones, heavy traffic, bad weather or other situations that require your full attention.
* Plan your calls around your trip. Call once you're safely in your lane on the interstate, rather than making a call as you're trying to merge into traffic.

Health Headlines - March 9

More 'Black Box' Warnings Added to Anemia Drugs' Labels

The manufacturer of three popular anemia drugs -- erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) -- has expanded each medication's "black box" warning to include information about tumor growth and death in patients with early stage breast cancer and cervical cancer.

The Associated Press reports that California-based Amgen has added the warnings about accelerated tumor growth on each container of Aranesp, Epogen and Procrit (Procrit is made by Amgen but sold by New Jersey-based Johnson & Johnson). There are already similar alerts about other types of cancer on the drugs' labels, the wire service said.

The decision to expand the warning comes less than a week before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was scheduled to review the risks of using the drugs, which increase the production of red blood cells at a rapid rate, restoring a patient's energy, at least temporarily.

On Nov. 8, 2007, the FDA approved new black box warnings on labels of the three ESAs. The warnings detailed the dangers to patients with cancer and patients with chronic kidney failure. Those dangers include heart attack, stroke, heart failure and cancer tumor growth and shortened survival, the FDA said.

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Drug Maker Withheld Diabetes Link to Schizophrenia Drug, Expert Witness Says

The pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly knew about serious side effects from its best selling anti-psychotic drug Zyprexa as early as 1998 and should have warned physicians that using the drug could cause diabetes, an expert witness testified in an Alaska lawsuit March 7.

According to the New York Times, Dr. John Guriguian, a diabetes specialist and reviewer for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for more than 20 years, said that Lilly had evidence of the link between Zyprexa, introduced in 1996, and diabetes, but put "profit over concern of the consumer."

The State of Alaska is suing Eli Lilly in an attempt to recover Medicaid costs it incurred by treating schizophrenia patients who developed diabetes after taking Zyprexa, the newspaper reports.

Alaska claims that although the drug company knew by 1998 that Zyprexa caused weight gain and blood sugar changes in many schizophrenia patients, the company deliberately withheld the information from the FDA, the Times reports.

In fact, a 2002 company internal memo specifically instructed its sales representatives not to discuss diabetes concerns with U.S. doctors, the newspaper reports. "We will NOT proactively address the diabetes concerns," the Times cites an internal Lilly memo as saying.

Lilly denies that it withheld any information from the FDA and that the issue of linking Zyprexa's use with diabetes is still subject to clinical review and debate, the newspaper reports.

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Many Later-Stage Premature Babies Require Long-Term Care

About a third of premature babies born between 29 and 33 weeks still need specialist care at age 5, says a French study that looked at 400 full-term babies (40 weeks) and 1,800 born before 33 weeks.

It was already known that very early birth greatly increases the risk of physical and learning problems later in childhood. But this new study suggests that many children born at a later stage of prematurity still require long-term care, BBC News reported.

All the children in the study underwent physical and mental assessments at age 5. As expected, those born before 28 weeks had the highest disability rate (195 children/49 percent), but the actual number of children with disabilities was highest among those born between 29 and 33 weeks -- 441 children/36 percent.

When the researchers examined the specialist health services (such as physiotherapy, psychology, occupational therapy) required by the children, they found that these resources were used by 42 percent of children born at 24-28 weeks, 31 percent of children born at 29-32 weeks, and 16 percent of children born at 39-40 weeks.

The study appears in The Lancet.

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New Anesthesia Recovery Drug Appears Effective: FDA

A new injectable drug designed to reverse the effects of anesthesia in patients after surgery appears effective, but there are still questions about its safety, according to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration analysis posted Friday on the agency's Web site.

The Schering-Plough Corp. drug, called Bridion, will be the subject of a review next Tuesday by an FDA panel of experts, the Associated Press reported. The panel's recommendation will be an important factor as the FDA considers whether to approve Bridion.

In its analysis, the FDA said the drug appears safe in healthy adults, but said more studies may be needed to investigate concerns about allergic reactions and Bridion's effects on children's teeth.

While there are already similar drugs on the market, Schering claims that Bridion is unique because it reverses the effects of mild and serious anesthesia, the AP reported.

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Hamilton Beach, Proctor-Silex Toasters Pose Fire Hazard

About 482,000 Hamilton Beach and Proctor-Silex toasters are being recalled due to a potential fire hazard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

The 2-slice and 4-slice toasters can remain on after popping up and ignite flammable items covering or in contact with the toaster. To date, there have been 63 reports of malfunctions, but no reports of fires or injuries.

The recalled toasters, made in China, were sold across the United States from August 2007 through February 2008 for between $13 and $40. The toasters are black, red, white chrome or brushed chrome and have Hamilton Beach or Proctor-Silex printed on the side, the CPSC said.

Consumers with these toasters should immediately stop using them and contact Hamilton Beach Brands Inc. of Glen Allen, Va., for instructions on how to receive a free replacement toaster. Contact the company at 1-800-574-6800 for more information.

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U.S. Senate Passes Bill to Improve Safety of Children's Products

A public database of consumer complaints and new safety standards for toys are among the measures included in a U.S. Senate bill meant to improve the safety of children's products made outside the United States.

The bill, approved Thursday by a 79-13 vote, would also ban lead in children's goods, boost the ability of the Consumer Product Safety Commission to certify the safety of foreign-made goods, and increase the civil penalty cap for safety violations, the Associated Press reported.

The Senate bill also calls for a ban on phthalates -- chemicals in plastic believed to be a health threat to youngsters -- from children's products.

In December, the House of Representatives passed its own version of a children's product safety bill. Negotiators from each chamber will now try to reconcile their differences.

These moves by U.S. lawmakers are in response to recalls last year of millions of Chinese-made toys that posed a health and safety threat to children, the AP reported.

Health Tips for March 9

Health Tip: Choose the Right Backpack

Children can suffer bruises, muscle stiffness and strains from backpacks that are too heavy or are worn improperly.

The U.S. National Safety Council makes these recommendations when selecting a backpack for your child:

* Choose a backpack designed for safety and comfort, with padding in the back and shoulders.
* A backpack should have belts that strap around the hips and chest for extra support.
* Look for pockets and compartments inside the backpack to more evenly distribute the weight across the back.
* Look for a backpack with straps on the sides or bottom to compress the contents, so that items are as close to the back as possible
* Look for a backpack with reflective stripes for increased visibility at night.

Health Tip: Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, often called the central nervous system.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine says episodes (attacks) of MS can trigger the following symptoms, ranging from mild to severe:

* Weakness, paralysis, pain, or extremity tremor.
* Muscle spasms or atrophy.
* Numbness or tingling.
* Vision problems, including loss of vision, blurred vision, double vision, eye pain, or uncontrolled rapid eye movement.
* Dizziness, vertigo, loss of balance, decreased coordination, or difficulty walking.
* Urinary problems, including frequent urination and incontinence.
* Decreased mental capacity, including ability to think clearly, concentrate, remember, generalize, and think in abstract terms.

Health Headlines - March 8

Many Later-Stage Premature Babies Require Long-Term Care

About a third of premature babies born between 29 and 33 weeks still need specialist care at age 5, says a French study that looked at 400 full-term babies (40 weeks) and 1,800 born before 33 weeks.

It was already known that very early birth greatly increases the risk of physical and learning problems later in childhood. But this new study suggests that many children born at a later stage of prematurity still require long-term care, BBC News reported.

All the children in the study underwent physical and mental assessments at age 5. As expected, those born before 28 weeks had the highest disability rate (195 children/49 percent), but the actual number of children with disabilities was highest among those born between 29 and 33 weeks -- 441 children/36 percent.

When the researchers examined the specialist health services (such as physiotherapy, psychology, occupational therapy) required by the children, they found that these resources were used by 42 percent of children born at 24-28 weeks, 31 percent of children born at 29-32 weeks, and 16 percent of children born at 39-40 weeks.

The study appears in The Lancet.

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New Anesthesia Recovery Drug Appears Effective: FDA

A new injectable drug designed to reverse the effects of anesthesia in patients after surgery appears effective, but there are still questions about its safety, according to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration analysis posted Friday on the agency's Web site.

The Schering-Plough Corp. drug, called Bridion, will be the subject of a review next Tuesday by an FDA panel of experts, the Associated Press reported. The panel's recommendation will be an important factor as the FDA considers whether to approve Bridion.

In its analysis, the FDA said the drug appears safe in healthy adults, but said more studies may be needed to investigate concerns about allergic reactions and Bridion's effects on children's teeth.

While there are already similar drugs on the market, Schering claims that Bridion is unique because it reverses the effects of mild and serious anesthesia, the AP reported.

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Hamilton Beach, Proctor-Silex Toasters Pose Fire Hazard

About 482,000 Hamilton Beach and Proctor-Silex toasters are being recalled due to a potential fire hazard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

The 2-slice and 4-slice toasters can remain on after popping up and ignite flammable items covering or in contact with the toaster. To date, there have been 63 reports of malfunctions, but no reports of fires or injuries.

The recalled toasters, made in China, were sold across the United States from August 2007 through February 2008 for between $13 and $40. The toasters are black, red, white chrome or brushed chrome and have Hamilton Beach or Proctor-Silex printed on the side, the CPSC said.

Consumers with these toasters should immediately stop using them and contact Hamilton Beach Brands Inc. of Glen Allen, Va., for instructions on how to receive a free replacement toaster. Contact the company at 1-800-574-6800 for more information.

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U.S. Senate Passes Bill to Improve Safety of Children's Products

A public database of consumer complaints and new safety standards for toys are among the measures included in a U.S. Senate bill meant to improve the safety of children's products made outside the United States.

The bill, approved Thursday by a 79-13 vote, would also ban lead in children's goods, boost the ability of the Consumer Product Safety Commission to certify the safety of foreign-made goods, and increase the civil penalty cap for safety violations, the Associated Press reported.

The Senate bill also calls for a ban on phthalates -- chemicals in plastic believed to be a health threat to youngsters -- from children's products.

In December, the House of Representatives passed its own version of a children's product safety bill. Negotiators from each chamber will now try to reconcile their differences.

These moves by U.S. lawmakers are in response to recalls last year of millions of Chinese-made toys that posed a health and safety threat to children, the AP reported.

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Companies Charged in Connection With Tainted Toothpaste

Prosecutors in Los Angeles have filed criminal charges against a company alleged to have imported and distributed nearly 90,000 tubes of Chinese-made toothpaste that contained diethylene glycol, a poisonous substance used in antifreeze and as a solvent.

Selective Imports Corp. sold the toothpaste to distributors across the United States between December 2005 and May 2007, according to prosecutors, who have also charged a wholesaler, Vernon Sales Inc., of buying some of the toothpaste and reselling it to Los Angeles-area stores, the Associated Press reported.

The misdemeanor charges against the companies and their top executives were filed Monday. Selective Imports, its president Frahad Nazarian and vice president Yones Ghermezi each were charged with two criminal counts of receiving, selling and delivering products containing diethylene glycol (DEG). Vernon Sales, its president Kamyab Toofer and vice president Pejman Mossay each were charged with 14 criminal counts of receiving, selling and delivering an adulterated drug.

Each count carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine, the AP reported.

DEG has been used by some Chinese manufacturers as a cheaper alternative to glycerin, which is used to thicken toothpaste. Exposure to DEG can cause kidney and liver damage over time, the news service said.

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Soy, NSAIDs May Reduce Breast Cancer Risk: Studies

Women with the highest levels of genistein, a compound found in soybeans, were one-third less likely to develop breast cancer than those with the lowest levels, says a Japanese government study that followed about 25,000 women, ages 40-69, for an average of 10.5 years, Agence France-Presse reported.

In Japan, traditional soybean-based foods include tofu, miso soup or fermented beans known as natto. In this study, the women with the highest concentrations of genistein in their blood consumed 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of tofu or 50 grams (1.75 ounces) of natto per day. The findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

However, the researchers at the National Cancer Center in Tokyo warned that excessive intake of genistein -- especially through supplements -- may actually increase the risk of breast cancer, AFP reported.

In related news, another study suggests that taking aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may reduce the risk of breast cancer. British researchers reviewed 21 studies conducted over the past 27 years and found that the use of NSAIDS cut breast cancer incidence by 20 percent, AFP reported.

"NSAIDs may well offer significant protection against developing breast cancer in the first place and may provide a useful addition to treatment currently available to women who already have the disease," said study author Professor Ian Fentiman of Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital in London.

The findings were published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice.

Health Tips for March 8

Health Tip: Understanding Autoimmune Diseases

An autoimmune disease occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly begins to attack itself. More commonly known autoimmune diseases include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

Here is more information about autoimmune diseases, courtesy of the U.S. National Women's Health Information Center:

* Autoimmune diseases affect more women than men, and tend to run in families.
* Symptoms may come and go, with no symptoms for a while, then a sudden, severe attack called a "flare-up."
* Symptoms and severity can vary greatly from disease to disease.
* Medication can help control symptoms, as can reducing stress. Meditation and self-hypnosis also have helped some people.
* People with an autoimmune disease should practice healthy habits including getting regular exercise, eating a proper diet, and getting plenty of sleep.

Health Tip: A Sprain in the Neck

A neck sprain can be caused by a car accident, a sudden impact or fall. Neck pain should be evaluated by a doctor, to see what kind of treatment may be required.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons lists these possible symptoms of a neck sprain:

* Pain in the back of the neck -- especially pain that increases when the neck is moved.
* Stiffness or decreased range of neck movement.
* Pain that is greater a day or so after an injury than immediately following it.
* Muscle pain or spasms in the tops of the shoulders.
* Headache, particularly at the back of the head.
* Sore throat.
* Numbness in the arms or hands, or weakness or a tingling sensation in the arms.
* Irritability, fatigue, problems sleeping and an inability to concentrate.

Health Headlines - March 7

U.S. Agrees to Make Payment in Vaccine Injury Case

U.S. health officials have agreed that childhood vaccines given a young Georgia girl worsened an underlying disorder that led to autism-like symptoms and say she should be compensated from a federal vaccine-injury fund, the Associated Press reported Thursday.

The decision is significant because, while the government has not conceded that vaccines cause autism, parents and advocates for children with the disorder see the decision as a victory that may help thousands of other families with claims that thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative once widely used in vaccines, may cause autism.

The government "has not conceded that vaccines cause autism," Linda Renzi, the lawyer representing U.S. officials, told the AP. Federal health officials have consistently maintained that childhood vaccinations are safe, and several studies have discounted any link between thimerosal and autism, despite other pending claims.

According to documents obtained by the AP, five vaccines the girl received on one day in 2000 aggravated a previous condition, predisposing her to problems that manifested as worsening brain function "with features of autism spectrum disorder." The term "autism spectrum disorder" was created in the 1990s to encompass autism and a group of milder, related conditions.

The documents, the AP said, do not address whether it was the thimerosal -- or something else in the vaccines -- that was at fault.

The compensation fund, which is run by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, lists problems with brain function, such as the girl had, as a rare side effect of certain vaccines. Those problems are enough by themselves to warrant compensation, the AP reported, even without autism-like symptoms. The fund has already made payouts in such cases, the wire service added.

The girl's parents have declined to comment, because the case is not final, and the payment amount has not been set, the AP said.

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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Patterns Vary Between States: Report

There are wide variations between states in behaviors such as illicit drug use, underage drinking and psychological distress, says a U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration report released Thursday.

For example, past month underage drinking (by those ages 12-20) ranged from a high of 38.3 percent in Vermont to a low of 21.5 percent in Utah. However, Utah had the highest level of adults reporting serious psychological distress in the past year (14.4 percent), while Hawaii had the lowest rate (8.8 percent).

The State Estimates of Substance Use report is based on data from the 2005-06 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Among other findings in the report:

• Past month underage binge drinking was highest in North Dakota (28.5 percent) and lowest in Georgia (15.2 percent).
• Past month use of illicit drugs for people age 12 or older was highest in Rhode Island (11.2 percent) and lowest in North Dakota (5.7 percent).
• Utah had the lowest past month use of marijuana among people age 12 or older (4.3 percent), while Vermont had the highest (9.7 percent).
• Oklahoma had the highest rate (6.7 percent) of past year use by people age 12 or older of pain relievers for non-medical reasons, while Hawaii, New Jersey, and South Dakota had the lowest rate (3.9 percent).
• The District of Columbia had the highest rate (12.3 percent) of substance abuse disorders (either drug or alcohol dependence or abuse), while New Jersey had the lowest (7.5 percent). The highest rate of illicit drug dependence or abuse was in the District of Columbia (4.3 percent) and the lowest was in Iowa (2.1 percent). The highest rate of alcohol dependence or abuse was in Montana (10.8 percent), while the lowest was in Kentucky (6.3 percent).
• Nevada had the highest rate of people age 18 or older reporting at least one major depressive episode in the past year (9.4 percent), while Hawaii had the lowest (5.0 percent).

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Falls a Serious Health Threat for Older Americans

In 2006, about 5.8 million Americans age 65 and older reported falling at least once in the previous three months, and 1.8 million reported sustaining some type of fall-related injury that required a visit to a doctor or restricted activity for at least a day, according to this week's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The authors said the statistics reinforce the need to raise awareness and to provide effective interventions for falls, which can cause injuries that can seriously impair older adults' quality of life and add a significant burden to the health care system.

The report also found that while there was no difference in the percentage of men and women who reported falling, about 36 percent of women sustained injuries from their falls, compared to about 25 percent of men.

To help older adults lead independent, healthy lives, the CDC offers two free publications.

One is called Preventing Falls: What Works. A Compendium of Effective Community-Based Interventions From Around the World. The other publication is called Preventing Falls; How to Develop Community-Based Falls Prevention Programs for Older Adults.

Both publications are available on the CDC Web site at http://cdc.gov.

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Patrick Swayze Faces Tough Struggle Against Pancreatic Cancer

Doctors say actor Patrick Swayze faces a difficult fight after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, ABC News reported.

"Patrick has a very limited amount of disease and he appears to be responding well to treatment thus far," George Fisher, Swayze's doctor, said in a prepared statement released by the actor's publicists.

People with pancreatic cancer have about a five percent chance of being alive five years after diagnosis, according to the U.S. National Cancer Institute. One reason for the poor prognosis is that there's no reliable screening method for pancreatic cancer.

"Sixty (percent) to 70 percent of pancreatic cancers are diagnosed in the most advanced stage -- when it has spread to other organs -- and we have, at best, minimally effective therapies for advance pancreatic cancer," William Blackstock, professor of radiation oncology at the Wake Forest University Comprehensive Cancer Center in Winston-Salem, N.C., told ABC News.

"In most cases we don't even get a chance to cure it; at the time of presentation and the clinical manifestation of the symptoms, the cat's already out of the bag," noted Andrew Warshaw, surgeon-in-chief at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center in Boston. "For 80-plus percent, maybe even 90 percent of people at the time diagnosis is first made, there is nothing beyond palliative care to help them," he told ABC News.

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2 More Colorectal Cancer Tests Endorsed

Two tests not previously endorsed to prevent or detect colorectal cancer are now being recommended by the American Cancer Society and other groups, The New York Times reported.

The groups said there's evidence that these two tests -- virtual colonoscopy and a DNA test -- are effective enough to recommend for all adults 50 and older and for some younger people with symptoms or risk factors for colorectal cancer. They're now among several testing options available for patients. Experts hope that offering more choices will boost the number of people who get screened for colorectal cancer.

Virtual colonoscopy uses a CT scan to search for abnormal growths. Unlike standard colonoscopy, it doesn't require insertion of a camera-tipped tube into the rectum. The second newly recommended test looks for abnormal DNA associated with cancer. It requires an entire bowel movement to be collected from a patient and sent to a laboratory, the Times reported.

In 2008, it's expected there will be 148,810 new colorectal cancer cases and 49,960 deaths in the United States. It's the second leading cause of cancer death in the country.

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U.S. Men Doing More Housework, Which May Lead to More Sex

While American men still don't do their fair share of household chores, they are getting better, says a report released Thursday by the Council on Contemporary Families. And one expert suggested that men who do help out around the house get more sex.

The authors of the report analyzed several recent studies on family dynamics in the United States. One study said there was a tripling of the amount of time men spent on child care over the past four decades, while another study concluded that the amount of housework done by men doubled over the same period, the Associated Press reported.

"More couples are sharing family tasks than ever before, and the movement toward sharing has been especially significant for full-time, dual-earner couples," the report said. "Men and women may not be fully equal yet, but the rules of the game have been profoundly and irreversibly changed."

Equitable division of household chores can make for a happier marriage and boost a couple's sex life, said Joshua Coleman, a San Francisco-area psychologist affiliated with the Council on Contemporary Families.

"If a guy does housework, it looks to the woman like he really cares about her -- he's not treating her like a servant," Coleman told the AP. "And if a woman feels stressed out because the house is a mess and the guy's sitting on the couch while she's vacuuming, that's not going to put her in the mood."

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Thursday Is World Glaucoma Day

Thursday is the first World Glaucoma Day and experts are urging all people over age 40 and those with other risk factors for the disease to take steps to recognize and understand the potentially devastating consequences of the disease.

In people with glaucoma, a buildup of pressure from fluid inside the eye damages the optic nerve, which carries visual signals from the eye to the brain, the Dayton Daily News reported.

Glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness in the world, affects at least three million Americans, according to the American Glaucoma Society. But about 50 percent of people with glaucoma don't know they have it, and 50 percent of people diagnosed with the disease don't receive treatment until they've already suffered irreversible vision loss.

World Glaucoma Day is a joint initiative of the World Glaucoma Association and the World Glaucoma Patient Association.

"World Glaucoma Day offers an opportunity to send a clear message that taking action to diagnose and treat glaucoma may help prevent permanent vision loss in patients with the disease," Dr. Robert Weinreb, president of the American Glaucoma Society, said in a prepared statement. "Individuals over age 40 or those who have other risk factors for glaucoma should have regular, comprehensive eye exams that include evaluation of the optic nerve and measurement of eye pressure."

Health Tips for March 7

Health Tip: Help Prevent Stress Fractures

A stress fracture occurs when overused bones and muscles can't absorb additional shock. When the stress on them becomes too great, the impact is transferred to a bone, causing a small fracture.

Here are suggestions to help prevent stress fractures, courtesy of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:

* When starting a new exercise routine or a new sport, build up your tolerance and stamina. Don't try to do too much too soon, as your body needs time to adjust.
* Vary your activities to rest and alternate strain on your muscles and bones. For example, alternate running with biking.
* Get plenty of vitamin D and calcium in your diet to strengthen bones.
* If swelling or pain results from a particular activity, stop and allow your body to rest for a few days. If pain continues after rest, see your doctor.

Health Tip: Get Enough Vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential in helping the body absorb calcium. It also helps keep a healthy balance of phosphorous and calcium in the blood.

Here are foods that are good sources of vitamin D, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* Dairy products, including cheese, butter, cream and fortified milk.
* Fish.
* Oysters.
* Fortified cereals.
* Margarine.

Health Headlines - March 6

U.S. Retiree Couples Need $225,000 for Health Costs: Report

Another report suggesting that Americans need to set aside a large chunk of cash to cover health costs during retirement was released Wednesday by Boston-based Fidelity Investments.

It concluded that a couple (both partners age 65) retiring this year will need about $225,000 in savings to cover medical costs for the remainder of their lives, the Associated Press reported. That's an increase of 4.7 percent from Fidelity's $215,000 estimate for a couple retiring in 2007.

The Fidelity figure is based on the assumption that workers don't have employer-sponsored retiree health coverage. The figure includes Medicare premium payments, co-payments, and deductibles, as well as out-of-pocket prescription drug expenses.

"With health care costs continuing to outpace wage increases and companies trimming retiree health benefits, financing health care has to be central to retirement planning," Brad Kimler, executive vice president of Fidelity's benefits consulting group, said in a prepared statement, the AP reported.

Last month, the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College released a report that estimated a couple retiring this year would need about $206,000 for health care coverage.

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Researchers ID Protein That Stimulates Production of Fat Cells

A protein that stimulates production of fat cells has been identified by Swedish researchers, who say the finding may lead to new treatments for obesity, Agence France-Presse reported.

The Karolinska Institute team made the finding in studies of cell cultures and mice and also found that obese people have excessive levels of the TRAP (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase) protein.

TRAP "stimulates the formation of new fat cells and can thus precipitate the development of obesity," said a statement released by the institute.

Study leader Professor Goeran Andersson said it may be possible to develop new anti-obesity treatments that inhibit the action of TRAP. He also said the protein "is potentially useful in the treatment of conditions involving morbid cachexia (weight loss), such as cancer diseases," AFP reported.

The research was published online Wednesday in the journal Public Library of Science.

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Tamiflu Gets Stronger Warning Label for Psychiatric Problems

A specific warning of sometimes fatal psychiatric problems in a small number of patients has been added to the label of the prescription influenza drug Tamiflu. Roche, the Swiss company that makes the drug, also said in a letter to doctors that cases of delirium and self-injury have been reported among patients taking the drug, the Associated Press reported.

The letter and the updated labeling were posted Tuesday on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Web site.

Previously, the Tamiflu label mentioned reports of psychiatric problems among some patients. The new label warning, recommended by FDA advisers at a meeting in November, specifies that these psychiatric troubles sometimes proved to be fatal, the AP reported.

According to the FDA, there have been nearly 600 cases of psychiatric problems reported in people taking Tamiflu. About75 percent of the cases occurred in Japan, where at least five children died after "falling from windows or balconies or running into traffic," the FDA said.

The drug's new label states that "the contribution of Tamiflu to these events has not been established," and it notes that flu -- with or without treatment -- can cause delirium, hallucinations and other behavioral abnormalities.

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Drug Prices Increased 7.4 Percent in 2007: AARP Study

The wholesale prices of brand name medicines most commonly prescribed to elderly Americans increased an average of 7.4 percent last year, an increase about 2.5 times greater than general inflation, says a study released Wednesday by the advocacy group AARP.

The study looked at 220 brand name prescription drugs and found that all but four had wholesale price increases in 2007, the Associated Press reported. Among the top 25 medicines, the sleep aid Ambien had the largest price increase (27.7 percent). At the other end of the list were the blood thinner Plavix (0.5 percent increase) and the cholesterol drug Zocor (no increase).

The increase in drug prices in 2007 continues a long-standing trend, said AARP, which noted that price increases have been slightly larger since the Medicare drug benefit took effect Jan. 1, 2006, the AP reported. In the four years before the drug benefit was launched, wholesale drug prices increased between 5.3 percent and 6.6 percent a year, according to AARP figures.

There were loud complaints about high drug prices at the time that Congress approved the Medicare drug benefit, but that outrage has since eased, perhaps because the federal government now pays for much of the cost of Medicare beneficiaries' drugs, the news service said.

"Unfortunately, many manufacturers have taken the absence of an outcry as a green light to go ahead and raise prices even more," said John Rother, AARP's policy director, the AP reported.

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Many Americans Have Trouble Paying For Drugs: Survey

Many Americans say that they have trouble paying for drugs or that they skip prescriptions or cut pills because of the costs, according to a survey released Tuesday by USA Today, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health.

The national telephone survey of 1,695 found that 40 percent of Americans (and half of those who regularly take at least one medication) reported at least one of three cost-related concerns in their family: 16 percent said they have a "serious" problem paying for prescription drugs; 29 percent said they haven't filled a prescription in the past two years because of the cost; and 23 percent said they've cut pills in half or skipped doses in order to make medications last longer.

These types of issues were most common among people who lack drug coverage (52 percent), have low incomes (54 percent), and those who take at least four drugs regularly (59 percent).

Almost 80 percent of respondents said the cost of prescription drugs is unreasonable, 70 percent said drug companies are too concerned with profits and not concerned enough about helping people, and 64 percent said there's not enough government regulation of drug prices. Almost 60 percent said insurers should only pay for new drugs if they're proven to be not just safe, but also more effective than existing drugs.

The survey also found that about half of respondents said they take a prescription drug daily, and 20 percent said they take at least four prescription drugs regularly.

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Aunt Jemima Pancake and Waffle Mixes Recalled

Potential salmonella contamination has prompted the recall of some batches of Aunt Jemima pancake and waffle mixes, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday.

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the elderly and others with weakened immune systems. In healthy people, salmonella infection can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled products, made by the Quaker Oats Co.

The recall includes 2- and 5-pound boxes of pancake and waffle mix with Best Before dates of FEB 08 09 H through FEB 16 09 H stamped on the top, and with the following UPC codes:

• 30000 43272: Aunt Jemima Buttermilk Complete, 5 lb.
• 30000 05040: Aunt Jemima Original, 2 lb.
• 30000 05070: Aunt Jemima Original Complete, 2 lb.
• 30000 05300: Aunt Jemima Buttermilk Compete, 2 lb.

Consumers with these products should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, phone Quaker at 1-800-407-2247.

Health Tips for March 6

Health Tip: Anxiety Attacks

Anxiety attacks cause sudden, severe and sometimes paralyzing fear, often for no apparent reason.

The American Academy of Family Physicians lists these common symptoms of an anxiety attack:

* Feeling shortness of breath or a choking feeling.
* Tightness or pain in the chest, and rapid or pounding heart.
* Rapid pulse.
* Dizziness, nausea, sweating and lightheadedness.
* Shaking or trembling.
* Hot flashes, chills or feelings of tingling or numbness in the hands and feet.
* Feelings of a dream-like state, losing control or going crazy.

Health Tip: Choose the Right Backpack

Children can suffer bruises, muscle stiffness and strains from backpacks that are too heavy or are worn improperly.

The U.S. National Safety Council makes these recommendations when selecting a backpack for your child:

* Choose a backpack designed for safety and comfort, with padding in the back and shoulders.
* A backpack should have belts that strap around the hips and chest for extra support.
* Look for pockets and compartments inside the backpack to more evenly distribute the weight across the back.
* Look for a backpack with straps on the sides or bottom to compress the contents, so that items are as close to the back as possible
* Look for a backpack with reflective stripes for increased visibility at night.

Health Headlines - March 5

Many Americans Have Trouble Paying For Drugs: Survey

Many Americans say that they have trouble paying for drugs or that they skip prescriptions or cut pills because of the costs, according to a survey released Tuesday by USA Today, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health.

The national telephone survey of 1,695 found that 40 percent of Americans (and half of those who regularly take at least one medication) reported at least one of three cost-related concerns in their family: 16 percent said they have a "serious" problem paying for prescription drugs; 29 percent said they haven't filled a prescription in the past two years because of the cost; and 23 percent said they've cut pills in half or skipped doses in order to make medications last longer.

These types of issues were most common among people who lack drug coverage (52 percent), have low incomes (54 percent), and those who take at least four drugs regularly (59 percent).

Almost 80 percent of respondents said the cost of prescription drugs is unreasonable, 70 percent said drug companies are too concerned with profits and not concerned enough about helping people, and 64 percent said there's not enough government regulation of drug prices. Almost 60 percent said insurers should only pay for new drugs if they're proven to be not just safe, but also more effective than existing drugs.

The survey also found that about half of respondents said they take a prescription drug daily, and 20 percent said they take at least four prescription drugs regularly.

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Herbal Supplement Firm Settles False Advertising Suit

An herbal supplement company that once advertised that its product could combat colds has agreed to pay $23.3 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging false advertising, CNN reported Tuesday.

Airborne Health Inc. and two other defendants have admitted no wrongdoing but have agreed to settle the suit filed in U.S. District Court in California, CNN said. The network quoted the non-profit Center for Science in the Public Interest (CPSI) as saying the company would issue refunds to consumers who bought the Airborne products, and the firm would also take out ads in major publications instructing users on how they could get their money back.

"There's no credible evidence that what's in Airborne can prevent colds or protect you from a germy environment," said a senior nutritionist for CPSI, which is among those that sued Airborne for deceptive advertising.

Airborne was first sued in March 2006, following a report by ABC News that the company's clinical trials were conducted by laypeople, not by scientific or medical experts. CPSI joined the suit later that year.

Airborne changed its ads after the suit was filed, dropping claims that the product cured colds but touting new claims that it helped the body's immune system, CNN said.

A hearing to consider the settlement is set for June 16.

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Oregon Holding Health Insurance Lottery

Health insurance is the prize in an Oregon lottery for people who aren't poor enough for Medicaid but can't afford private insurance. Since registration opened in January, more than 80,000 people have signed up for the lottery, which begins drawing names this week, the Associated Press reported.

There will be only a few thousand winners, who'll be eligible for a standard benefit program offered by the state. For little or no cost, enrollees will get coverage for the most basic health services, medications, hospital and vision services and some dental services.

It could take a few months for all the winners to be chosen in series of lottery draws, the AP reported.

The large response to the lottery underscores the health insurance problem in Oregon, say advocates for the uninsured. About 600,000 people in the state don't have health insurance, according to the Oregon Department of Human Services.

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Protein Discovery May Help Lead to HIV Vaccine

A new finding about the key role a protein called FOX03a plays in fighting HIV infection may help in the development of a vaccine against the virus, say American and Canadian researchers.

They found that FOX03a can be manipulated to limit the deterioration of T-cells and central memory cells, both of which are targeted by HIV and play a critical role in fighting the spread of infection, CBC News reported.

The study, published online in the journal Nature Medicine, included HIV-infected men.

"This is the first study to examine, in people rather than animals, what shields the body's immune system from infection and to pinpoint the fundamental role of FOX03a in defending the body," study co-author Elias Haddad, a researcher at the University of Montreal, said in a prepared statement.

Haddad and colleagues said findings could help in the creation of a vaccine against HIV, and may also prove useful in combating other viral diseases that weaken the immune system, such as arthritis, hepatitis C and cancer, CBC News reported.

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Spirometry Screening for COPD Not Recommended for All Adults

Spirometry should not be used to screen for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults with no symptoms, says a new recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

Spirometry is the most common method of screening for COPD, a lung disease in which the airways are damaged, making it hard to breathe. In spirometry, patients breathe into a tube attached to a spirometer machine that calculates the amount of air the lungs can hold and the rate that air can be inhaled and exhaled.

But the task force concluded that the benefits of spirometry screening in adults with no COPD symptoms were small. About 400 adults, ages 60 to 69, would have to be screened in order to identify one patient who may later develop COPD symptoms severe enough to require immediate medical care.

The task force also said spirometry can substantially over-diagnose people over the age of 70 who have never smoked (a major COPD risk factor) and can produce some false-positives in younger adults.

The recommendation was published online in the Annals of Internal Medicine and will be published in the April 1 print issue of the journal.

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Hepatitis Outbreak May Be 'Tip of Iceberg' at U.S. Clinics

The director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Julie Gerberding, said a hepatitis C outbreak traced to a Nevada endoscopy clinic may be "the tip of an iceberg" of safety issues at clinics across the country, the Associated Press reported.

Last Friday, Las Vegas officials closed down the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada after it was determined that six patients contracted hepatitis C due to unsafe practices, such as the re-use of syringes and vials. State health officials are now trying to contact about 40,000 patients who received anesthesia by injection at the clinic to tell them they should get tested for hepatitis C, hepatitis B and HIV.

Gerberding met Monday with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to discuss the issue. During a media conference call after their meeting, Reid and Gerberding strongly condemned practices at the clinic, the AP reported.

"This is the largest number of patients that have ever been contacted for a blood exposure in a health-care setting. But unfortunately we have seen other large-scale situations where similar practices have led to patient exposures," Gerberding said during the conference call.

"Our concern is that this could represent the tip of an iceberg and we need to be much more aggressive about alerting clinicians about how improper this practice is," she said, "but also continuing to invest in our ability to detect these needles in a haystack at the state level so we recognize when there has been a bad practice and patients can be alerted and tested."

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Scientists ID Proteins Linked to Stomach Expansion While Eating

A potential new method of treating obesity by preventing the stomach from expanding while a person eats has been identified by researchers at University College London in Great Britain.

The scientists pinpointed two cell proteins -- P2Y1 and P2Y11 -- that relax the stomach so it can enlarge to make room for food, BBC News reported. It may be possible to develop a drug that blocks this stomach relaxation, thus reducing a person's ability and desire to eat too much, the researchers said.

The study is published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

The "resting" internal volume of the stomach is 75 milliliters, but relaxation of its muscular wall can increase the volume to 2 or more liters, BBC News reported.

Currently, two surgical procedures -- stomach stapling and gastric banding -- are used to reduce the stomach's maximum volume in order to treat obesity.

Health Tips for March 5

Health Tip: When Caregiving Becomes Too Stressful

Caring for a loved one who needs extensive help can be physically and emotionally draining. To continue providing loving care, it's important to monitor your own well-being, too.

Here are some warning signs of caregiver stress, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

* Feeling unusually angry or resentful toward the person you care for, yourself or your family.
* Withdrawing from social activities.
* Anxiety.
* Sleeping too much or having difficulty sleeping.
* Feeling irritable.
* Being sick frequently.

Health Tip: End-of-Life Planning

Caregivers assume a host of vital responsibilities, but an easily neglected or often-avoided task is end-of-life planning.

Here are some suggestions, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

* Be sure that your loved one makes advance directives, including instructions on what kinds of medical services he or she wants (or doesn't want) if unable to communicate.
* Talk to your loved one about receiving hospice care, which can help provide comfort as a disease or condition progresses.
* Be sure the person's finances are in order. Review the will, life insurance policy, and other legal documents with an attorney.
* Make funeral arrangements, according to your loved one's wishes.

Health Headlines - March 4

Black Tea May Help Fight Diabetes

Certain ingredients in black tea could act as an insulin substitute and might help prevent type 2 diabetes, according to a study by researchers at Dundee University in Scotland.

They found that several components of black tea -- called theaflavins and thearubigins -- mimic the action of insulin, BBC News reported. Diabetes develops when the body fails to make enough insulin or use it properly.

"What we have found is that these constituents can mimic insulin action on proteins known as foxos," said team leader Dr. Graham Rena. "Foxos have previously been shown to underlie associations between diet and health in a wide variety of organisms including mice, worms and fruit flies."

Rena said the next step is to determine whether there's a way to translate these findings into something that could benefit humans, BBC News reported.

"People shouldn't be rushing to drink masses of black tea thinking it will cure them of diabetes. We are still some way from this leading to new treatments or dietary advice," he said. "Our research into tea compounds is at a preclinical, experimental stage and people with diabetes should continue to take their medication as directed by their doctor."

The study was published in the journal Aging Cell.

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Scientists ID Proteins Linked to Stomach Expansion While Eating

A potential new method of treating obesity by preventing the stomach from expanding while a person eats has been identified by researchers at University College London in Great Britain.

The scientists pinpointed two cell proteins -- P2Y1 and P2Y11 -- that relax the stomach so it can enlarge to make room for food, BBC News reported. It may be possible to develop a drug that blocks this stomach relaxation, thus reducing a person's ability and desire to eat too much, the researchers said.

The study is published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

The "resting" internal volume of the stomach is 75 milliliters, but relaxation of its muscular wall can increase the volume to 2 or more liters, BBC News reported.

Currently, two surgical procedures -- stomach stapling and gastric banding -- are used to reduce the stomach's maximum volume in order to treat obesity.

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Frog's Skin Secretions May Lead to New Diabetes Treatment

A compound -- pseudin 2 -- secreted in the skin of a South American frog stimulates insulin release, and a synthetic version of this compound could be used to develop new drugs to treat type 2 diabetes, according to research presented at the Diabetes UK annual conference.

Scientists from the University of Ulster and United Arab Emirates University found that a synthetic version of pseudin 2 stimulated secretion of insulin in pancreatic cells in the laboratory and caused no toxic side effects, BBC News reported.

The researchers said the synthetic version was better than natural pseudin 2, which is found on the skin of the "shrinking" frog, which grows to 27 cm (10.6 inches) as a tadpole, but then shrinks to 4 cm (1.6 inches) as a mature frog. Psedin 2 protects the frogs from infection.

There's a growing body of research around nature-based treatments for diabetes. For example, a recently developed drug called exenatide was developed from a hormone in the saliva of the Gila monster, a lizard that lives in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, BBC News reported.

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Low-Intensity Aerobic Exercise Boosts Energy: Study

A University of Georgia study found that low-intensity aerobic exercise can boost energy levels and reduce fatigue.

The study included 36 healthy, but sedentary, young people who reported persistent fatigue but hadn't been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, CBC News reported.

One group of volunteers did low-intensity aerobic exercise for 20 minutes three times a week for six weeks. Their energy levels increased by 20 percent and their fatigue levels decreased by 65 percent.

Another group that did moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for the same amount of time also experienced a 20 percent boost in energy levels but only a 49 percent drop in fatigue, CBC News reported.

"It could be that moderate-intensity aerobic exercise is too much for people who are already fatigued," study co-author Patrick O'Connor, co-director of the UGA Exercise Physiology Laboratory, said in a prepared statement. "And that might contribute to them not getting as great an improvement as they would have had they done the low-intensity exercise."

The findings are published in the February issue of the journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics.

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U.S. Disposes of Last of Its Original Smallpox Vaccine

America's oldest smallpox vaccine is no more.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced late last week that it had arranged for the elimination of the last of its 12 million doses of Dryvax, the vaccine that was largely responsible for eliminating the worldwide scourge of a disease that killed millions of people in the 1700s and 1800s.

The Associated Press reported that Dryvax, developed by the pharmaceutical company Wyeth in the late 1800s, was actually used quite recently -- in 2003 -- to help stem an outbreak of monkey pox in the United States. The last case of human smallpox was reported in Somalia in 1977.

No one in the United States gets smallpox vaccinations anymore, but because of concern about biological terrorism, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved replacing Dryvax with more than 200 million doses of a vaccine known as ACAM2000, made by Acambis Inc. of Cambridge, England, the wire service reported.

Despite its effectiveness, Dryvax had its problems, the AP reported, with evidence of heart attacks and heart inflammation in some cases.

But overall, the vaccine's importance can't be overlooked, Dr. William Schaffner, chairman of Vanderbilt University's department of preventive medicine, told the wire service. He called it a "historical moment, because it's our oldest vaccine."

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Solution Offered for U.K. Binge Drinking: Smaller Bottles of Wine

A recent report of binge drinking among wine aficionados in some of the more affluent British circles has prompted a rather simple solution: offer wine in half bottles.

BBC News reported that Trish Groves, the deputy editor of the British Medical Journal, made the suggestion because people in the United Kingdom have little choice when buying wine. The amount of wine in a standard bottle is 750 milliliters, about 1.6 pints.

"It's no wonder Britain's middle classes are getting wasted," BBC News quoted Groves as saying. "It's all too tempting to finish the bottle there and then to avoid waste."

Using her own experiences, Grove said that her local wine store was typical of the problem throughout the United Kingdom -- almost all wine is sold in full bottles.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association was receptive to the idea, BBC News said. "As an industry, we're always keen to provide our consumers with a range of options to choose from," a spokesperson was quoted as saying.

Health Tips for March 4

Health Tip: Safe Snow Shoveling

Along with winter weather comes the possibility of shoveling heavy snow.

Here are some snow shoveling suggestions, courtesy of the National Safety Council:

* People who have had a heart attack, or who have been diagnosed with heart problems, shouldn't shovel snow without a doctor's permission.
* People who rarely get physical activity should be especially careful.
* Snow shoveling is exercise -- warm up, stretch out, cool down and don't strain yourself too much. Stop immediately if you feel pain in your chest, or you're getting out of breath.
* Avoid eating a big meal or smoking right before shoveling.
* Be extra careful with wet snow that has been on the ground for a while. Try to shovel when it has just fallen and is likely to be more light and powdery.
* Push the snow instead of lifting and carrying it. When you do have to lift the shovel, lift with your legs instead of your back.

Health Tip: Dental Care for Your Youngster

Dental care for your child should begin even before the first tooth emerges, the Nemours Foundation says.

Use a damp washcloth and run it over the child's gums to ward off harmful germs.

Once the teeth start coming in, use a child's toothbrush, but without toothpaste. At about age 2 or 3, a pea-sized amount of toothpaste is OK, as long as you're there to supervise. Make sure the child spits the toothpaste out and doesn't swallow it.

Toddlers should see a dentist by their first birthday, experts recommend.

Health Headlines - March 3

U.S. Disposes of Last of Its Original Smallpox Vaccine

America's oldest smallpox vaccine is no more.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced late last week that it had arranged for the elimination of the last of its 12 million doses of Dryvax, the vaccine that was largely responsible for eliminating the worldwide scourge of a disease that killed millions of people in the 1700s and 1800s.

The Associated Press reports that Dryvax, developed by the pharmaceutical company Wyeth in the late 1800s, was actually used quite recently -- in 2003 -- to help stem an outbreak of monkey pox in the United States. The last case of human smallpox was reported in Somalia in 1977.

No one in the United States gets smallpox vaccinations anymore, but because of concern about biological terrorism, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved replacing Dryvax with more than 200 million doses of a vaccine known as ACAM2000, made by Acambis Inc. of Cambridge, England, the wire service reports.

Despite its effectiveness, Dryvax had its problems, the AP reports, with evidence of heart attacks and heart inflammation in some cases.

But overall, the vaccine's importance can't be overlooked, Dr. William Schaffner, chairman of Vanderbilt University's department of preventive medicine, told the wire service. He called it a "historical moment, because it's our oldest vaccine."

-----

Solution Offered for U.K. Binge Drinking: Smaller Bottles of Wine

A recent report of binge drinking among wine aficionados in some of the more affluent British circles has prompted a rather simple solution: offer wine in half bottles.

BBC News reports that Trish Groves, the deputy editor of the British Medical Journal, made the suggestion because people in the United Kingdom have little choice when buying wine. The amount of wine in a standard bottle is 750 milliliters, about 1.6 pints.

"It's no wonder Britain's middle classes are getting wasted," BBC News quotes Groves as saying. "It's all too tempting to finish the bottle there and then to avoid waste," she told the BBC.

Using her own experiences, Grove, said that her local wine store was typical of the problem throughout the United Kingdom - almost all wine is sold in full bottles.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association was receptive to the idea, BBC News said. "As an industry, we're always keen to provide our consumers with a range of options to choose from," a spokesperson is quoted as saying.

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Pills Reported Found in Recalled Frozen Fish

Gorton's frozen fish sold in 10 states is being recalled after unidentified pills were found in the product by a Pennsylvania family, the Associated Press reported.

The company ordered the precautionary recall of about 1,000 cases of the fish, as a laboratory worked to identify the pills. Results of the tests are expected early next week. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Pennsylvania authorities, and the company are investigating the incident.

A New Freedom, Pa., woman said she had bitten into one of the pills and her 9-year-old daughter found another pill in the fish, the wire service said. Neither got sick, and both were checked out at a local hospital. The pills were described as beige and about the size of an aspirin.

The recall affects Gorton's 6 Crispy Battered Fish Fillets in 11.4-ounce packages. The UPC code is 44400157770, with a date code of 7289G1 and a best-if-used-by date of April 2009.

In addition to Pennsylvania, the fish also was distributed in: Alabama, Delaware, California, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

For more information, contact Gorton's at 800-896-9479.

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FDA: Inhaler Capsules Mistakenly Being Swallowed

Some consumers prescribed respiratory inhalers that include capsules full of medicine are mistakenly swallowing the capsules instead of inhaling the contents, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned.

The Spiriva HandiHaler and the Foradil Aerolizer are prescribed to people with asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases, the Associated Press reported. The FDA said it has received several reports of people swallowing the capsules, which will do nothing to assist breathing. The only proper way to use the capsules is to inhale the contents with the inhalers.

The FDA "indicated that not many of the patients who swallowed the capsules reported side effects," the AP reported.

The Spiriva product is produced and co-marketed by Boehringer Ingelheim and Pfizer; the Foradil inhaler is made by Novartis and marketed in the United States by Schering-Plough.

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Wyeth's New Antidepressant Gets FDA OK

Drug maker Wyeth has received U.S. government approval to replace its successful antidepressant Effexor XR (venlafaxine hydrochloride), which is facing patent expiration within the next two years with a different drug that the company says has some added advantages.

The New York Times reports that Wyeth received approval Feb. 29 from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to market Pristiq (desvenlafaxine succinate). Effexor XR's patent expires in 2010.

Wyeth maintains that Pristiq has some new features, the Times reports. First, patients will be able to begin treatment at the therapeutic dose level of 50 milligrams (mg). Usually, a patient starting out on an antidepressant has to take a lower dose for a few weeks before working up to the therapeutic dose.

Second, the drug doesn't have to be broken down by the liver, as its predecessor does, the newspaper reports. This eliminates problems of drug interactions, the Times quotes a Wyeth spokesperson as saying.

Effexor XR's 2007 sales were $3.8 billion, the newspaper said.

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Walker's Four Bean Salad Recalled

Potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum bacteria has prompted a recall of 16-oz., 5-lb., and 10-lb. containers of Four Bean Salad made by Walker's Food Products Company of North Kansas City, Mo., the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday.

This kind of bacteria can cause botulism, a serious and potentially fatal kind of food poisoning. Symptoms include general weakness, dizziness, double vision, trouble speaking or swallowing, difficulty breathing, muscle weakness, abdominal distension and constipation. Anyone with such symptoms should seek immediate medical help, the FDA said.

No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled Four Bean Salad, which was sent to distributors in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa for sale to retail stores and restaurants. The 16-oz. containers were packaged under the Kay's Gourmet brand name, while the 5-lb. and 10-lb. containers were packaged under the Walker's Food Products Co. brand name.

The recall includes salad with expiration dates 12/23/07 through 04/5/08. The expiration dates are stamped on the bottom of the round clear plastic containers.

Anyone who bought the recalled salad should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, call Walker's Food Products at 1-800-725-2372.

Health Tips for March 3

Health Tip: Low-Sodium Meals

Sodium (salt) is a contributing factor to high blood pressure, and too much in one's diet can be dangerous, especially for those with heart disease.

Here are suggestions on how to prepare meals with less sodium, courtesy of the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute:

* Avoid adding extra salt to your food when you eat it.
* Reduce the amount of salt that you use when you cook. Use fresh herbs instead.
* Don't salt the water used to boil rice or pasta.
* Avoid using packets of sauce or seasoning. They are usually high in sodium.
* Use fresh foods and ingredients when you can. Prepackaged or processed foods often contain a lot of sodium.

Health Tip: Get Plenty of Potassium

Potassium is a dietary mineral that's vital to the body and healthy cell function. A big drop in the body's potassium levels can be life-threatening, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says.

The agency lists common symptoms of potassium deficiency:

* An abnormal heart rhythm (particularly in people with heart conditions).
* Constipation.
* Fatigue.
* Weakness in the muscles, or muscle spasms.
* Paralysis, including paralysis of the lungs.

Health Headlines - March 2

Pills Reported Found in Recalled Frozen Fish

Gorton's frozen fish sold in 10 states is being recalled after unidentified pills were found in the product by a Pennsylvania family, the Associated Press reported.

The company ordered the precautionary recall of about 1,000 cases of the fish, as a laboratory worked to identify the pills. Results of the tests are expected early next week. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Pennsylvania authorities, and the company are investigating the incident.

A New Freedom, Pa., woman said she had bitten into one of the pills and her 9-year-old daughter found another pill in the fish, the wire service said. Neither person got sick, and both were checked out at a local hospital. The pills were described as beige and about the size of an aspirin.

The recall affects Gorton's 6 Crispy Battered Fish Fillets in 11.4-ounce packages. The UPC code is 44400157770, with a date code of 7289G1 and a best-if-used-by date of April 2009.

In addition to Pennsylvania, the fish also was distributed in: Alabama, Delaware, California, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

For more information, contact Gorton's at 800-896-9479.

-----

FDA: Inhaler Capsules Mistakenly Being Swallowed

Some consumers prescribed respiratory inhalers that include capsules full of medicine are mistakenly swallowing the capsules instead of inhaling the contents, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned.

The Spiriva HandiHaler and the Foradil Aerolizer are prescribed to people with asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases, the Associated Press reported. The FDA said it has received several reports of people swallowing the capsules, which will do nothing to assist breathing. The only proper way to use the capsules is to inhale the contents with the inhalers.

The FDA "indicated that not many of the patients who swallowed the capsules reported side effects," the AP reported.

The Spiriva product is produced and co-marketed by Boehringer Ingelheim and Pfizer; the Foradil inhaler is made by Novartis and marketed in the United States by Schering-Plough.

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Wyeth's New Antidepressant Gets FDA OK

Drug maker Wyeth has received U.S. government approval to replace its successful antidepressant Effexor XR (venlafaxine hydrochloride), which is facing patent expiration within the next two years with a different drug that the company says has some added advantages.

The New York Times reports that Wyeth received approval Feb. 29 from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to market Pristiq (desvenlafaxine succinate). Effexor XR's patent expires in 2010.

Wyeth maintains that Pristiq has some new features, the Times reports. First, patients will be able to begin treatment at the therapeutic dose level of 50 milligrams (mg). Usually, a patient starting out on an antidepressant has to take a lower dose for a few weeks before working up to the therapeutic dose.

Second, the drug doesn't have to be broken down by the liver, as its predecessor does, the newspaper reports. This eliminates problems of drug interactions, the Times quotes a Wyeth spokesperson as saying.

Effexor XR's 2007 sales were $3.8 billion, the newspaper said.

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Walker's Four Bean Salad Recalled

Potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum bacteria has prompted a recall of 16-oz., 5-lb., and 10-lb. containers of Four Bean Salad made by Walker's Food Products Company of North Kansas City, Mo., the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday.

This kind of bacteria can cause botulism, a serious and potentially fatal kind of food poisoning. Symptoms include general weakness, dizziness, double vision, trouble speaking or swallowing, difficulty breathing, muscle weakness, abdominal distension and constipation. Anyone with such symptoms should seek immediate medical help, the FDA said.

No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled Four Bean Salad, which was sent to distributors in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa for sale to retail stores and restaurants. The 16-oz. containers were packaged under the Kay's Gourmet brand name, while the 5-lb. and 10-lb. containers were packaged under the Walker's Food Products Co. brand name.

The recall includes salad with expiration dates 12/23/07 through 04/5/08. The expiration dates are stamped on the bottom of the round clear plastic containers.

Anyone who bought the recalled salad should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, call Walker's Food Products at 1-800-725-2372.

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Scientists Identify Gene That Blocks HIV

American and Canadian researchers have identified a human gene called TRIM22 that can block HIV infection by preventing certain forms of the virus from replicating, CBC News reported.

In laboratory tests, the scientists found that cells in which TRIM22 was switched off couldn't defend themselves against HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

"This means that TRIM22 is an essential part of our body's ability to fight off HIV," Dr. Stephen Barr, a researcher in the department of medical microbiology and immunology at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, said in a prepared statement.

The study was published in the Public Library of Science journal Pathogens. Previous research had found that other genes in the TRIM family could prevent certain forms of HIV viruses from replicating, CBC News reported.

Barr and his colleagues are now investigating how TRIM22 can be switched on in people who can't defend themselves against HIV.

"We hope that our research will lead to the design of new drugs and/or vaccines that can halt the person-to-person transmission of HIV and the spread of the virus in the body, thereby blocking the onset of AIDS," said Barr, who added that this type of achievement could take decades.

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Alcohol Doesn't Erase Bad Memories

Alcohol doesn't help drown a person's sorrows, it actually makes bad memories linger, say researchers at the University of Tokyo in Japan.

After conducting tests on rats, the researchers concluded that ethanol -- an intoxicating agent in alcohol -- locks memories in place, Agence France-Presse reported.

The rats in the study were shocked in their cages and then injected with either ethanol or saline. Afterwards, the rats would immediately curl up in fear when put in their cages. This fear response lasted longer (an average of two weeks) in the rats that were injected with ethanol. The findings were published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.

"If we apply this study to humans, the memories they are trying to get rid of will remain strongly, even if they drink alcohol to try to forget an event they dislike and be in a merry mood for the moment," the study authors wrote. "The following day, they won't remember the merriness they felt."

Team leader and pharmacology professor Norio Matsuki said it's best to "overwrite" a negative memory with positive memory at an early stage and avoid drinking alcohol, AFP reported.

Health Tips for March 2

Health Tip: A Word About Warts

A wart is a common but unsightly growth that can occur just about anywhere on the skin, on the genitals, or inside the mouth.

Here is more information about warts, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

* Warts are caused by a virus.
* Some people seem to have more resistance to the virus, and are less likely to get warts. Others are more susceptible, and may get them frequently.
* Warts on the skin can be passed from person to person -- from skin-to-skin contact, or from using the same towels or other objects that have touched the wart.
* Genital warts are highly contagious, and may be passed from person to person when obvious symptoms aren't necessarily present.
* If treatment is needed, options may include removal or medication designed to shrink the wart.

Health Tip: Before a Wart is Removed

Before your doctor removes a wart, often by a freezing process called cryosurgery, there are things you can do to prepare for the procedure.

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions:

* For two weeks, thoroughly clean the wart with soap and water each night. Once it is dry, apply a salicylic acid gel to the wart.
* Once the gel has been applied, cover the wart with a salicylic acid pad. Be sure the pad is large enough to cover the wart completely.
* Keep the pad on the wart for 24 hours. Repeat this process once daily until the removal procedure.
* If the wart becomes red and sore, discontinue using the gel and see your doctor.

Health Headlines - March 1

Walker's Four Bean Salad Recalled

Potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum bacteria has prompted a recall of 16-oz., 5-lb., and 10-lb. containers of Four Bean Salad made by Walker's Food Products Company of North Kansas City, Mo., the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday.

This kind of bacteria can cause botulism, a serious and potentially fatal kind of food poisoning. Symptoms include general weakness, dizziness, double vision, trouble speaking or swallowing, difficulty breathing, muscle weakness, abdominal distension and constipation. Anyone with such symptoms should seek immediate medical help, the FDA said.

No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled Four Bean Salad, which was sent to distributors in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa for sale to retail stores and restaurants. The 16-oz. containers were packaged under the Kay's Gourmet brand name, while the 5-lb. and 10-lb. containers were packaged under the Walker's Food Products Co. brand name.

The recall includes salad with expiration dates 12/23/07 through 04/5/08. The expiration dates are stamped on the bottom of the round clear plastic containers.

Anyone who bought the recalled salad should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, call Walker's Food Products at 1-800-725-2372.

-----

Scientists Identify Gene That Blocks HIV

American and Canadian researchers have identified a human gene called TRIM22 that can block HIV infection by preventing certain forms of the virus from replicating, CBC News reported.

In laboratory tests, the scientists found that cells in which TRIM22 was switched off couldn't defend themselves against HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

"This means that TRIM22 is an essential part of our body's ability to fight off HIV," Dr. Stephen Barr, a researcher in the department of medical microbiology and immunology at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, said in a prepared statement.

The study was published in the Public Library of Science journal Pathogens. Previous research had found that other genes in the TRIM family could prevent certain forms of HIV viruses from replicating, CBC News reported.

Barr and his colleagues are now investigating how TRIM22 can be switched on in people who can't defend themselves against HIV.

"We hope that our research will lead to the design of new drugs and/or vaccines that can halt the person-to-person transmission of HIV and the spread of the virus in the body, thereby blocking the onset of AIDS," said Barr, who added that this type of achievement could take decades.

-----

Home-Based HIV Treatment Slashes Death Rates: African Study

Antitretroviral drug treatment of African HIV patients in their own homes instead of in a clinic slashed death rates by more than 90 percent, says a study of more than 1,000 HIV patients in rural communities in Uganda.

This home-based approach to treatment also reduced the number of deaths of young children within the families of the HIV patients, showing that good care of HIV-positive parents improves their ability to look after their children, BBC News reported.

The study, by a team from the Centers for Disease Control in Kenya, was published in The Lancet.

Antiretroviral drugs prolong the lives of HIV-infected people and these drugs are increasingly available in Africa. However, there are few clinics in poor areas of Africa, which makes it difficult to establish treatment programs, which rely on regular testing and medication adherence, BBC News reported.

This study shows that a home-based treatment approach could help address that problem, said Dr. Ade Fakoya, an adviser to the International HIV/AIDS Alliance.

"Getting HIV treatment to people who live in rural areas is difficult, and this could have an impact. This is affordable and could be carried out on a larger scale," Fakoya told BBC news.

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Alcohol Doesn't Erase Bad Memories

Alcohol doesn't help drown a person's sorrows, it actually makes bad memories linger, say researchers at the University of Tokyo in Japan.

After conducting tests on rats, the researchers concluded that ethanol -- an intoxicating agent in alcohol -- locks memories in place, Agence France-Presse reported.

The rats in the study were shocked in their cages and then injected with either ethanol or saline. Afterwards, the rats would immediately curl up in fear when put in their cages. This fear response lasted longer (an average of two weeks) in the rats that were injected with ethanol. The findings were published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.

"If we apply this study to humans, the memories they are trying to get rid of will remain strongly, even if they drink alcohol to try to forget an event they dislike and be in a merry mood for the moment," the study authors wrote. "The following day, they won't remember the merriness they felt."

Team leader and pharmacology professor Norio Matsuki said it's best to "overwrite" a negative memory with positive memory at an early stage and avoid drinking alcohol, AFP reported.

Many U.S. Adults Don't Get Enough Rest or Sleep

Only 29.6 percent of adults in four states (Delaware, Hawaii, New York and Rhode Island) reported no days of insufficient rest or sleep in the past 30 days, and 10.1 percent reported insufficient rest or sleep every day during the past month, according to a study that analyzed 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor data collected in those states.

The study also found that 24.8 percent of adults unable to work were more likely to have insufficient rest or sleep. The findings are outlined in this week's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The article noted that 50 million to 79 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders. Sleep disorders and sleep loss may be associated with mental distress, depression, anxiety, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and certain risk behaviors such as smoking, heavy drinking and physical inactivity, the article added.

More studies and data are needed to assess the prevalence and national impact of insufficient rest or sleep on adults, the article said. Adults need seven to nine hours of sleep a night, according to the National Sleep Foundation.

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FDA Approves Nexium for Young Children

The drug Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium) has been approved for short-term treatment of children ages one to 11 years with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday.

The approval includes delayed-release capsule and liquid forms of the drug.

Nexium belongs to a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which decrease stomach acid production and help heal erosions in the lining of the esophagus (erosive esophagitis).

The FDA said children prescribed this drug should be monitored by their doctors for side effects, which may include headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, gas, constipation, dry mouth and sleepiness.

Health Tips for March 1

Health Tip: Get More Whole Grains

Whole grains are an important part of a healthy diet. They help maintain a healthy body weight and a healthy heart.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture suggests how to include more whole grains in your diet:

* Replace refined foods, such as white bread and white rice, with whole wheat bread and brown rice.
* Use whole wheat pasta in casseroles, macaroni and cheese, and other pasta dishes.
* Snack on whole grain, low-fat chips or popcorn (without salt or butter).
* Cook with whole grain flour.
* Use whole grain cracker crumbs or bread crumbs as a breading in meatloaf.

Health Tip: Pack a Healthier Lunch

Packing a lunch made at home may seem like a good way to save money and calories, but even homemade sandwiches can contribute to a bulging waistline.

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions to limit calories when making sandwiches:

* Choose low-fat or fat-free lunch meats and cheeses, or stick to lean meats such as chicken or turkey. Try using veggie patties or veggie hot dogs.
* Make a sandwich or a pita stuffed with fresh vegetables, low-fat cheese, and a fat-free condiment such as mustard.
* Try using all-natural or reduced-fat peanut butter.
* Instead of chips, pack carrot sticks, celery or other crunchy veggies to go with your sandwich.
* Use low-fat or fat-free mayonnaise when making chicken or tuna salad sandwiches.