Health Headlines - April 30

Nursing Home Costs Continue to Rise

For the fifth consecutive year, the costs of U.S. nursing homes, assisted living facilities and some in-home care services have increased, according to a study released Tuesday by Genworth Financial Inc. The survey also found that costs could rise further due to a shortage of long-term care workers.

Between 2004 and 2008, the annual average cost for a private room in a nursing home rose 17 percent, from $65,185 to $76,460, or $209 per day. The cost per day this year ranged from $125 in Louisiana to $515 in Alaska, the Associated Press reported.

The average annual cost this year for assisted living facilities is $36,090, a 25 percent increase from $28,763 in 2004. Per month costs this year ranged from $1,981 in Arkansas to $4,921 in New Jersey.

The cost of a Medicare-certified home health aide increased to an average of $38 an hour, while costs for in-home workers not certified by Medicare were an average of $18 an hour for homemaker services and $19 for home health aide services, the AP reported.

The study authors analyzed data from more than 10,000 nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home care providers.

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Chromosome 1 Linked With Triglycerides

A region on human chromosome 1 is linked with triglyceride levels, say researchers at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio. High levels of triglycerides increase the risk of heart disease.

The study appears in the Journal of Lipid Research.

Many factors influence levels of circulating triglycerides, including diet, exercise and smoking. But about 40 percent of triglyceride level variation among people is due to genetic factors, United Press International reported.

In this study of 714 people from 388 white families with premature heart disease, the Cleveland Clinic team identified an area on chromosome 1 that's linked with triglyceride levels. It contains 375 known genes, but the researchers have zeroed in on three genes.

The genes are: angiopoietin-like 3, which inhibits enzymes that break down fats; sterol carrier protein 2, which helps convert cholesterol into bile acids; and the receptor for the appetite hormone leptin, UPI reported.

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American Women Concerned About Health Costs

Many American women are worried about rising health costs, suggests a survey conducted by Meredith Corp. and NBC Universal.

The survey of 3,000 women, ages 18 to 64, found that two-thirds of respondents felt financial strain was a major threat to the American family. In fact, they rated it a much greater threat than divorce, loss of faith/spirituality, both parents working, unwed mothers, couples living together, and liberal views on sex and sexuality, United Press International reported.

Among the survey's other findings:

• 46 percent of respondents said they were extremely concerned about rising health care costs, and 18 percent said they didn't have health insurance. That rate was 24 percent among single mothers with minor children.
• Among women with health insurance, 46 percent were worried about being able to afford healthcare when they retired, and 40 percent said their co-payments kept increasing and were becoming too expensive.
• One-quarter of women with health insurance said they could only afford generic prescriptions and 22 percent said they sometimes didn't fill a prescription because it was too expensive.
• 69 percent of mothers ages 18 to 34 had incurred medical debt, compared to 30 percent of all women in the United States.

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FDA Rejects Merck Cholesterol Drug

An experimental cholesterol drug developed by Merck & Co. has been rejected by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

In issuing the "not approvable" letter, the agency said Monday that it needed more information about Cordaptive, also known as MK-0524A. The FDA also rejected Cordaptive as a brand name for the drug, the Associated Press reported.

The drug lowers bad (LDL) cholesterol and raises good (HDL) cholesterol, according to Merck officials, who said they'll make another application for FDA approval of the drug, but under the brand name Tredaptive.

"We plan to meet with the FDA and to submit additional information to enable the agency to further evaluate" the drug, Peter S. Kim, president of Merck Research Laboratories, said in a prepared statement, the AP reported. "We firmly believe that MK-0524A provides physicians with an important option to manage their patients' cholesterol."

Last week, an advisory committee recommended that European countries approve the drug, Merck noted.

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White House Hinders EPA Action on Toxic Chemicals: Report

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's capacity to determine the health threat posed by toxic chemicals is being compromised by the Bush administration, which allows nonscientists to have a larger -- often secret -- role in the process, according to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report.

The GAO said allowing the Defense Department, the Energy Department, NASA and other agencies to be involved in the early stages of the process adds years of delay to the EPA's ability to take action on dangerous chemicals and threatens the program's credibility, the Associated Press reported.

In many cases, discussions involving outside agencies "occur in what amounts to a black box" of secrecy because the Bush administration claims they're private executive branch meetings, said the GAO, which noted this kind of secrecy "reduces the credibility of the ... assessments and hinders the EPA's ability to manage them."

The GAO report will be the subject of a Senate Environment Committee hearing Tuesday.

"The (EPA) scientists feel as if they have lost complete control of the process, that it's been taken over by the White House and that they're calling the shots," said an EPA scientist who spoke on condition of anonymity, the AP reported.

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Daycare May Reduce Children's Leukemia Risk

Children who attend daycare or playgroups are about 30 percent less likely to develop the most common type of childhood leukemia, according to University of California, Berkeley researchers who reviewed 14 studies involving nearly 20,000 children, including 6,000 who developed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

It's believed that early infections that prime the immune system may help fight off ALL, which accounts for more than 80 percent of leukemia cases among children, and most often occurs between ages 2 to 5, BBC News reported.

"Combining the results from these studies together provided us with more confidence that the protective effect (of social interaction and exposure to infection at a young age) is real," said lead researcher Professor Patricia Buffler.

The study was to be presented at a leukemia conference in London, England.

One expert cautioned against drawing firm conclusions from the study and emphasized there's no solid evidence of an association between infections and leukemia.

"What this study does say is that there is a need for further comprehensive research," Dr. Carole Easton, of the charity CLIC Sargent, told BBC News. "Until we have conclusive evidence then we cannot say for certain what causes childhood leukemia."

Health Tips for April 30

Health Tip: Create a Space for Sleep

Difficulty sleeping can be caused by simply having too many distractions and discomforts in your bedroom.

Try these steps to create an environment for better sleep, courtesy of the National Sleep Foundation:

* Make sure your room is quiet. If necessary, try using a white noise machine or earplugs.
* Keep your room at a temperature that's comfortable. Slightly cooler temperatures often are best for sleep.
* Keep the bedroom dark. Also make sure you get plenty of exposure to light during the day.
* Make sure your bed and pillows are comfortable and clean, and big enough for you and your sleep partner to share.
* Avoid TV or a computer in the bedroom.
* Offer pets their own bed or other comfy sleep spot.

Health Tip: Keep a Sleep Diary

If you're having trouble sleeping, you may be able to pinpoint the cause of your problem by keeping a sleep diary.

Helpguide.org suggests what to record in a sleep diary:

* The time you woke and went to bed.
* The number of hours you slept.
* How well you slept.
* How often and what time you woke during the night, and what you did to get back to sleep.
* Any caffeine or alcohol that you had during the day; what time you had it and how much you had.
* What foods and drinks you had during the day, and what time you had them.
* Medications that you took that day.
* How you were feeling before you went to sleep -- stressed, sad, happy, anxious, etc.

Health Headlines - April 29

Tomato Paste Boosts Skin's Sun Protection: Study

Consumption of tomato paste may help boost the skin's protection against harmful ultraviolet rays, which can lead to premature aging and skin cancer, British researchers say.

The study included 10 people who consumed about 55 grams of tomato paste and 10 grams of olive oil a day, and 10 others who consumed just the 10 grams of olive oil. After three months, an analysis of skin samples showed that those in the tomato paste group had 33 percent more protection against sunburn and higher levels of a molecule called procollagen, which gives skin its structure and keeps it firm, BBC News reported.

The study was presented at a meeting of the British Society for Investigative Dermatology.

The researchers believe the antioxidant lycopene was behind the apparent skin benefit, BBC News reported.

"These weren't huge amounts of tomato we were feeding the group. It was the sort of quantity you would easily manage if you were eating a lot of tomato-based meals," said Professor Lesley Rhodes, a University of Manchester dermatologist.

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Digitek Heart Tablets Recalled

Digitek-brand digoxin heart tablets are being recalled because of a potential safety risk, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Some tablets may be double the appropriate thickness and contain twice the approved level of active ingredient, United Press International reported.

The products are made by Actavis Totowa LLC and distributed by Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., under a "Bertek" label and by UDL Laboratories, Inc. under a "UDL" label.

Digitek is used to treat heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. Double-strength tablets could cause digitalis toxicity in patients with renal failure, resulting in nausea, vomiting, dizziness, low blood pressure, cardiac instability and brachycardia -- a below-normal heartbeat. Excessive digitalis intake can also cause death.

Patients and caregivers with questions can call 888-276-6166. Any adverse reactions should be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Program at 800-332-1088.

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Pfaltzgraff/Nautica Dinnerware Recalled

Certain Pfaltzgraff Villa della Luna pattern and Nautica J Class pattern stoneware dinnerware products are being recalled by Lifetime Brands, Inc. of Garden City, N.Y., because they may contain unacceptably high levels of lead and/or cadmium.

No illnesses have been reported to date, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The products included in the recall are: Nautica J Class red dinner plates; Villa della Luna dinner plates; Nautica J Class red salad plates; and Villa della Luna soup/cereal bowls.

The products may have been sold as part of a set or individually online and at retail stores across the United States. Call 800-4991976 for more information about the Pfaltzgraff recall, and 866-928-0060 for more information about the Nautica recall.

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Gene Therapy Helps People With Rare Form of Blindness

Scientists used gene therapy to improve vision in six people with a rare inherited disorder called Leber's congenital amaurosis, USA Today reported. The condition causes a gradual deterioration of eyesight beginning at birth, leading to blindness by a person's mid-20s.

While none of the six patients regained normal vision, four have much better eyesight than before the gene therapy, according to two studies published online in the New England Journal of Medicine. The studies were conducted by an international team led by doctors at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania.

Experts hailed the achievement as a welcome success in gene therapy, which has shown promise but has had significant setbacks.

"It's a breakthrough. It really helps to validate that gene therapy can work and is going to be important," Ronald Crystal, chairman of the department of genetic medicine at New York's Weill Medical College of Cornell University, told USA Today.

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Virus Outbreak in China Kills 20 Children

An outbreak of enterovirus 71 in eastern China has sickened nearly 1,200 children, killing 20, according to health officials in Anhui province, the Associated Press reported.

The first infections were noted in March in the city of Fuyang, but the virus may have gone undetected before that since the symptoms were similar to other common childhood illnesses, said Fen Lizhong, an official with the Anhui public health bureau.

Most of the stricken children were under two years old and none was older than six. About 371 children are still being treated and more than 550 have recovered, according to information on the health bureau's Web site, the AP reported.

This is the season when enterovirus 71 is prevalent. It's one of several viruses that cause hand, foot and mouth disease, which is characterized by fever, mouth sores and a rash with blisters. Enterovirus 71 is spread by direct contact with saliva, nose and throat discharges, fluid from blisters, or the stool of an infected person.

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Philippines Banning Most Kidney Transplants for Foreigners

A permanent ban on most kidney transplants for foreign patients is expected to be announced this week by health officials in the Philippines, according to the Philippine Society of Nephrology.

Under the new law, foreign patients will not be able to receive a kidney from a living Filipino who isn't a blood relative, Agence France-Presse reported.

Last month, a temporary suspension of transplants to foreigners was announced, to give health officials time to create new guidelines for organ donations.

Many doctors and religious leaders have expressed concern about the widespread trafficking of kidneys from impoverished and poorly-educated Filipinos, who can sell a kidney to a foreigner for about $3,000, AFP reported.

In 2006, a total of 436 kidney transplants from unrelated living donors were carried out in 24 Philippine hospitals, according to government figures.

Health Tips for April 29

Health Tip: Talking to Your Dentist

Good dental care protects your teeth, and helps prevent other health problems. So, it's important to talk to your dentist about how to take proper care of your teeth.

Here are questions to ask your dentist, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* What kind of toothbrush is best for my teeth and gums?
* Do I have specific problems with my teeth and oral health that need watching?
* How do I floss properly?
* Should I use any special instruments to clean my teeth, such as an electric toothbrush?
* Should I use any special rinses or mouth washes?

Health Tip: Wear and Tear on the Knees

Knee joints can wear as you age, or after years of high-impact exercise.

Here are ways to help minimize damage to knees, courtesy of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:

* Avoid activities that tend to damage the knees, such as running, tennis, baseball and basketball.
* Engage in low-impact activities, such as swimming, biking, golf or walking.
* Talk to your doctor about anti-inflammatory medications, or joint supplements to help preserve the knees. Anti-inflammatory medications may also be injected by your doctor.
* Physical therapy and icing the knees can help improve function.
* Protective gear such as a brace, splint or elastic bandage can help support a weakened knee.

Health Headlines - April 28

VA Official Denies Cover-Up of Veterans' Suicide Statistics

A Department of Veterans Affairs official has testified that his agency has not tried to cover up the number of suicides committed by veterans, the Associated Press reports.

Testifying last Thursday at a trial in a San Francisco federal court, VA undersecretary for health Dr. Michael Kussman said the discrepancy in the number of suicides his agency reported to Congress and the number found in VA documents was because of different veteran categories included in the statistics.

VA Secretary James Peake had reported in February that 144 combat veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan committed suicide between October 2001 and December 2005, the A.P. reports. But the plaintiffs' lawyer produced internal VA e-mails indicating that 18 veterans a day were committing suicide, the wire service says.

The discrepancy, Kussman testified is that the internal emails included all 26 million veterans, and that Vietnam veterans were killing themselves in increasing numbers, possibly because of having more health problems as they age. The lawsuit was brought by two veterans groups who allege government neglect in providing timely and adequate health care for returning veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq, the A.P. reports.

"I disagree with the premise that there was some effort to cover something up," the wire service quotes Kussman as testifying. "We don't obfuscate."

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Blood Vessel Laser Scanner Gets U.S. Government Approval

After its initial submission for approval more than two years ago, a cardiac catheter using a laser to scan for the best place to implant a stent has received U.S. government approval, the New York Times reports.

The LipiScan laser catheter, made by InfraReDx of Burlington, Mass., will be able to show images of arterial walls and help doctors keep from placing coronary stents in arteries that could actually cause a heart attack, the newspaper reports.

Stents are thin, metal mesh tubes placed in a blocked blood vessel -- usually an artery -- in a procedure called angioplasty that opens up the artery, providing better blood flow. One of the problems in stent implanting, the Times reports, is that an improperly placed stent could cause the rupturing of vessel walls called lipid pools. When a lipid pool ruptures, a heart attack is likely to occur, the newspaper reports.

The LipiScan emits a laser light that can give a clearer image of lipids in blood vessel walls, which should help surgeons determine where to place a stent or to decide whether angioplasty is actually necessary, the Times says.

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Lexington, Ky. Tops 100 Spring Allergy Capitals

Gesundheit!

Lexington, Ky., sits atop the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America's 2008 ranking of the leading 100 spring allergy capitals.

Trailing Lexington on the annual list are: Greensboro, N.C.; Johnson City, Tenn.; Augusta, Ga.; and Jackson, Miss.

Least likely to make you sneeze and wheeze among the top 100 is Spokane, Wash, preceded by the California cities of San Francisco and Bakersfield, Sarasota, Fla; and Lancaster, Penn.

Spring is the worst season for many of the more than 35 million Americans with hay fever, medically called allergic rhinitis. The AAFA said it based the rankings on criteria including seasonal pollen counts, use of over-the-counter and prescription allergy drugs, and the number of board certified allergists in each city.

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Public Smoking Snuffed in Beijing Before Olympics

In a country where cigarettes are so popular that more than half of all male doctors smoke, China has put the kibosh on public smoking in the capital city of Beijing, USA Today reports.

The crackdown, in advance of the Olympic Games that begin in August, affects most public buildings. But restaurants, bars, and hotels will still allow smoking, assuming they also provide areas that are smoke-free.

Second-hand smoke kills some 100,000 Chinese annually, according to government estimates cited by the newspaper.

Earlier this month, experts raised concern over Olympic athletes' health amid Beijing's pervasive air pollution problem. A senior health official in Beijing acknowledged this week that China has 320 million smokers, or close to one-quarter of the world's total, USA Today said.

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Tablets to Treat Gonorrhea Available in U.S.

Tablets for first-line treatment of gonorrhea are now available in the United States, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. The prescription cefiximine 400 milligram tablets are available as of this month.

In April last year, the CDC updated its recommendations for gonorrhea treatment, no longer recommending fluoroquinoline antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and levofloxacin) due to data that indicated widespread resistance in the United States to these drugs.

That left a single class of antibiotics called cephalosporins as the single recommended treatment for gonorrhea. Within this class, the only recommended treatment for all types of gonorrhea (urogenital, rectal and pharyngeal) is an injection form called ceftriaxone. However, for uncomplicated gonorrhea (which hasn't spread to the blood or central nervous system), the CDC now also recommends cefiximine tablets. Since 2002, it's only been available in liquid form, which limited its use because it's not as convenient as a tablet.

"The availability of cefiximine tablets this month will have a tremendous impact in fighting gonorrhea. This oral option expands a physician's arsenal to combat this serious disease, while giving patients a drug that is easier to take," Dr. Kevin Fenton, director of CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, said in a prepared statement.

Gonorrhea is the second most commonly reported infectious disease in the United States, after chlamydia.

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Doctors Need to Improve Bedside Manner: Poll

Some 78 percent of American adults want their doctors to improve their bedside manner, a new survey finds.

The poll of 1,000 people also found that less than half described their doctor's recent conduct as attentive, and just 32 percent described their doctor as compassionate during their most recent appointment, United Press International reported.

Among the other findings from the survey conducted for the Arnold P. Gold Foundation:

• Less than half of doctors cited displayed an interest in their patients' overall well-being, rather than focusing on specific ailments.
• 40 percent said their doctor made them feel rushed.
• 36 percent said their doctor didn't provide enough opportunity to discuss their concerns.
• 36 percent said their physician was outright rude or condescending.

"Many past studies have shown a strong correlation between patient and doctor satisfaction and better overall patient outcomes when doctors develop a relationship with their patients," Dr. Arnold P. Gold, founder of the foundation, said in a prepared statement.

"What this survey shows us is that patients are still craving for their physician to see the 'person' behind the prognosis and really want a 'connectedness' with their doctor," UPI quoted Gold as saying.

Health Tips for April 28

Health Tip: Getting Up After a Fall

If you fall, you can injure yourself even more just by trying to get back on your feet.

Here are suggestions on how seniors can pull themselves back up safely after a fall, courtesy of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:

* Take a few deep breaths and don't panic. If you feel like you are hurt, call for help if there's someone close by. In any case, don't try to get up until you feel better.
* If you feel like you are not hurt, try rolling onto your side, turning your head in the direction you are rolling.
* Crawl over to a chair, couch or other sturdy piece of furniture, and slowly pull yourself up.
* Put your hands down flat on the furniture. Bend your stronger knee and keep the other knee on the floor, and slowly stand up.
* Slowly twist yourself around and sit down on the chair or couch. Call a family member or emergency services if you need help.

Health Tip: Ear Infection May Not Need Antibiotic

If your child has an ear infection, it's important to take the child to a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. The pediatrician will determine if the infection is bacterial or viral.

Here are suggestions on how to treat your child's ear infection, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

* If the infection is bacterial, your doctor probably will prescribe an antibiotic.
* If the infection is viral, an antibiotic won't treat it, so prescribing one may be counterproductive.
* You can give your child a pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Don't give your child aspirin, unless the doctor says so.
* Apply a warm heating pad to the ear to relieve pain.
* The doctor may prescribe ear drops.

Health Headlines - April 27

Lexington, Ky., Tops 100 Spring Allergy Capitals

Gesundheit!

Lexington, Ky., sits atop the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America's 2008 ranking of the leading 100 spring allergy capitals.

Trailing Lexington on the annual list are: Greensboro, N.C.; Johnson City, Tenn.; Augusta, Ga.; and Jackson, Miss.

Least likely to make you sneeze and wheeze among the top 100 is Spokane, Wash, preceded by the California cities of San Francisco and Bakersfield, Sarasota, Fla; and Lancaster, Penn.

Spring is the worst season for many of the more than 35 million Americans with hay fever, medically called allergic rhinitis. The AAFA said it based the rankings on criteria including seasonal pollen counts, use of over-the-counter and prescription allergy drugs, and the number of board certified allergists in each city.

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Public Smoking Snuffed in Beijing Before Olympics

In a country where cigarettes are so popular that more than half of all male doctors smoke, China has put the kibosh on public smoking in the capital city of Beijing, USA Today reports.

The crackdown, in advance of the Olympic Games that begin in August, affects most public buildings. But restaurants, bars, and hotels will still allow smoking, assuming they also provide areas that are smoke-free.

Second-hand smoke kills some 100,000 Chinese annually, according to government estimates cited by the newspaper.

Earlier this month, experts raised concern over Olympic athletes' health amid Beijing's pervasive air pollution problem. A senior health official in Beijing acknowledged this week that China has 320 million smokers, or close to one-quarter of the world's total, USA Today said.

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Tablets to Treat Gonorrhea Available in U.S.

Tablets for first-line treatment of gonorrhea are now available in the United States, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. The prescription cefiximine 400 milligram tablets are available as of this month.

In April last year, the CDC updated its recommendations for gonorrhea treatment, no longer recommending fluoroquinoline antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and levofloxacin) due to data that indicated widespread resistance in the United States to these drugs.

That left a single class of antibiotics called cephalosporins as the single recommended treatment for gonorrhea. Within this class, the only recommended treatment for all types of gonorrhea (urogenital, rectal and pharyngeal) is an injection form called ceftriaxone. However, for uncomplicated gonorrhea (which hasn't spread to the blood or central nervous system), the CDC now also recommends cefiximine tablets. Since 2002, it's only been available in liquid form, which limited its use because it's not as convenient as a tablet.

"The availability of cefiximine tablets this month will have a tremendous impact in fighting gonorrhea. This oral option expands a physician's arsenal to combat this serious disease, while giving patients a drug that is easier to take," Dr. Kevin Fenton, director of CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, said in a prepared statement.

Gonorrhea is the second most commonly reported infectious disease in the United States, after chlamydia.

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Doctors Need to Improve Bedside Manner: Poll

Some 78 percent of American adults want their doctors to improve their bedside manner, a new survey finds.

The poll of 1,000 people also found that less than half described their doctor's recent conduct as attentive, and just 32 percent described their doctor as compassionate during their most recent appointment, United Press International reported.

Among the other findings from the survey conducted for the Arnold P. Gold Foundation:

• Less than half of doctors cited displayed an interest in their patients' overall well-being, rather than focusing on specific ailments.
• 40 percent said their doctor made them feel rushed.
• 36 percent said their doctor didn't provide enough opportunity to discuss their concerns.
• 36 percent said their physician was outright rude or condescending.

"Many past studies have shown a strong correlation between patient and doctor satisfaction and better overall patient outcomes when doctors develop a relationship with their patients," Dr. Arnold P. Gold, founder of the foundation, said in a prepared statement.

"What this survey shows us is that patients are still craving for their physician to see the 'person' behind the prognosis and really want a 'connectedness' with their doctor," UPI quoted Gold as saying.

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Recalled LawnBott Mowers Pose Laceration Hazard

About 530 LawnBott lawn mowers are being recalled because they may pose a laceration hazard, says the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The cutting blades may continue to rotate when the mower is lifted from the ground, and the spacing on the side of the mower could allow room for a person's foot to go beyond the shield and be struck by the blade, the agency said.

There's been one report of a consumer who had minor lacerations after lifting a mower from the ground.

The recall involves mowers with model numbers LB2000, LB2100, LB3000 and LB3200. They were sold at Kyodo America dealers across the U.S. from January 2006 through December 2007.

Consumers should stop using the mowers and should call Kyodo America at 877-465-9636 to register their mowers for repairs that will be available by the end of June, the CPSC said.

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U.S Senate Passes Genetic Anti-Discrimination Bill

In a 95-0 vote, the U.S. Senate passed a bill Thursday to protect the jobs and health insurance of people who learn through genetic testing that they may be susceptible to serious diseases.

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, which now goes back the House of Representatives, forbids employers from using genetic information in the hiring, firing or promotion of workers and bars health insurance companies from using genetic information to set premiums or determine eligibility, the Associated Press reported.

"For the first time we act to prevent discrimination before it has taken firm hold and that's why this legislation is unique and groundbreaking," said Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), one of the sponsors of the bill.

She noted there are more than 1,100 genetic tests currently available but they're "absolutely useless" if people don't use them or take part in clinical trials because they're worried about discrimination.

The bill, which could be approved by the House early next week, is supported by the White House, the AP reported.

Health Tips for April 27

Health Tip: Caring for a Ruptured Eardrum

A ruptured eardrum typically is caused by an ear infection, an injury to the ear, or sudden changes in air pressure.

Here are suggestions to help heal a ruptured eardrum, courtesy of the University of Michigan Health System:

* Follow all instructions from your doctor, and don't put anything inside your ear unless your doctor says it's OK.
* Keep water out of your ear when you take a bath or shower.
* Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
* Be gentle when blowing your nose until your ear has healed.
* Don't go swimming or submerge your ear in water until your doctor approves.

Health Tip: Having a Throat Culture?

A throat culture is a diagnostic test that's often used to diagnose strep throat. While not painful, a throat culture may be uncomfortable and rather frightening for children.

Here is information to help you prepare for a throat culture, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* A throat culture is taken by using a long stick with cotton on the end to swab the throat and check for bacteria.
* Gagging is common during a throat culture, but try to resist the reflex.
* You shouldn't use an antiseptic mouthwash before the test.
* Side effects and pain are rare from a throat culture, but some people may feel nauseous, or may vomit or cough.
* The presence of abnormal bacteria on the culture indicates an infection, often strep throat.

Health Headlines - April 26

Tablets to Treat Gonorrhea Available in U.S.

Tablets for first-line treatment of gonorrhea are now available in the United States, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. The prescription cefiximine 400 milligram tablets are available as of this month.

In April last year, the CDC updated its recommendations for gonorrhea treatment, no longer recommending fluoroquinoline antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and levofloxacin) due to data that indicated widespread resistance in the United States to these drugs.

That left a single class of antibiotics called cephalosporins as the single recommended treatment for gonorrhea. Within this class, the only recommended treatment for all types of gonorrhea (urogenital, rectal and pharyngeal) is an injection form called ceftriaxone. However, for uncomplicated gonorrhea (which hasn't spread to the blood or central nervous system), the CDC now also recommends cefiximine tablets. Since 2002, it's only been available in liquid form, which limited its use because it's not as convenient as a tablet.

"The availability of cefiximine tablets this month will have a tremendous impact in fighting gonorrhea. This oral option expands a physician's arsenal to combat this serious disease, while giving patients a drug that is easier to take," Dr. Kevin Fenton, director of CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, said in a prepared statement.

Gonorrhea is the second most commonly reported infectious disease in the United States, after chlamydia.

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Doctors Need to Improve Bedside Manner: Poll

Some 78 percent of American adults want their doctors to improve their bedside manner, a new survey finds.

The poll of 1,000 people also found that less than half described their doctor's recent conduct as attentive, and just 32 percent described their doctor as compassionate during their most recent appointment, United Press International reported.

Among the other findings from the survey conducted for the Arnold P. Gold Foundation:

• Less than half of doctors cited displayed an interest in their patients' overall well-being, rather than focusing on specific ailments.
• 40 percent said their doctor made them feel rushed.
• 36 percent said their doctor didn't provide enough opportunity to discuss their concerns.
• 36 percent said their physician was outright rude or condescending.

"Many past studies have shown a strong correlation between patient and doctor satisfaction and better overall patient outcomes when doctors develop a relationship with their patients," Dr. Arnold P. Gold, founder of the foundation, said in a prepared statement.

"What this survey shows us is that patients are still craving for their physician to see the 'person' behind the prognosis and really want a 'connectedness' with their doctor," UPI quoted Gold as saying.

-----

Recalled LawnBott Mowers Pose Laceration Hazard

About 530 LawnBott lawn mowers are being recalled because they may pose a laceration hazard, says the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The cutting blades may continue to rotate when the mower is lifted from the ground, and the spacing on the side of the mower could allow room for a person's foot to go beyond the shield and be struck by the blade, the agency said.

There's been one report of a consumer who had minor lacerations after lifting a mower from the ground.

The recall involves mowers with model numbers LB2000, LB2100, LB3000 and LB3200. They were sold at Kyodo America dealers across the U.S. from January 2006 through December 2007.

Consumers should stop using the mowers and should call Kyodo America at 877-465-9636 to register their mowers for repairs that will be available by the end of June, the CPSC said.

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U.S Senate Passes Genetic Anti-Discrimination Bill

In a 95-0 vote, the U.S. Senate passed a bill Thursday to protect the jobs and health insurance of people who learn through genetic testing that they may be susceptible to serious diseases.

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, which now goes back the House of Representatives, forbids employers from using genetic information in the hiring, firing or promotion of workers and bars health insurance companies from using genetic information to set premiums or determine eligibility, the Associated Press reported.

"For the first time we act to prevent discrimination before it has taken firm hold and that's why this legislation is unique and groundbreaking," said Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), one of the sponsors of the bill.

She noted there are more than 1,100 genetic tests currently available but they're "absolutely useless" if people don't use them or take part in clinical trials because they're worried about discrimination.

The bill, which could be approved by the House early next week, is supported by the White House, the AP reported.

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Electric Simmer Wax Pots Pose Fire and Shock Hazard

About 830,00 electric simmer wax pots distributed by Waxcessories of Dracut, Mass., have been recalled because they have wire connections that can come loose and pose a fire and electric shock hazard.

So far, there have been 161 reports of problems with the wire connections, but no reports of injuries or damage, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The Chinese-made simmer pots were sold in a variety of styles and were designed to melt scented wax in a ceramic cup, which sits on a ceramic base that contains a 40-watt bulb, socket and electric cord. The recall includes all designs of the electric simmer pots and all item numbers.

The pots were sold at gift and novelty shops across the United States from April 2002 through April 2008 for between $17 and $25.

Consumers should stop using the simmer pots and contact Waxcessories for instructions on how to receive a free replacement product. Contact the company at 1-800-899-5884.

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Heart Disease Becoming a Major Problem in India

India could account for 60 percent of heart disease cases worldwide within two years, says a study by Canadian and Indian researchers.

They analyzed data on nearly 21,000 heart attack patients admitted to 89 hospitals in 50 cities across India and found that many heart disease risk factors were the same as elsewhere in the world, such as tobacco use, high blood pressure, and diets rich in saturated fat, BBC News reported.

However, certain risk factors were unique to India, such as the time it takes to get access to medical help. On average, it took 300 minutes to reach a hospital, which is twice as long as in rich nations, the study found. Due to financial constraints, many patients couldn't afford an ambulance and had to use private or public transport to get to a hospital.

The researchers also found that many patients can't afford routine treatments and that many of the Indian heart attack patients were three to six years younger than heart attack patients in richer nations, BBC News reported.

The study was published in the journal The Lancet.

Health Tips for April 26

Health Tip: Protect Yourself Against Cervical Cancer

A prime cause of cervical cancer is human papillomavirus, which includes more than 30 types that can be transmitted sexually. A Pap test can find changes on the cervix caused by an HPV infection.

Here are suggestions on how to protect yourself from cervical cancer, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

* Get regular Pap tests -- as often as your doctor recommends.
* Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables that are rich in carotene and vitamins C and E. These substances may reduce your risk of cervical and other cancers.
* Don't smoke.
* Always use a condom for vaginal, anal or oral sex.
* Practice monogamy.

Health Tip: Before a Pap Smear

A pap smear is used to detect changes in the cells of a woman's cervix that could indicate cancer. The test is usually recommended for all women age 21 and older, and women younger than 21 if they have been sexually active for three or more years.

Certain things can lead to inaccurate results of a pap smear. Here's a list of activities to avoid in the 48 hours before your test, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

* Sexual intercourse.
* Vaginal deodorant sprays or powders.
* Douching.
* Tampons.
* Any vaginal creams, suppositories or medications.

Health Headlines - April 25

Proximity to Mercury Pollution Source Linked to Autism Risk

The first study to show a statistical relationship between autism and proximity to industrial sites that release mercury has been published by researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Their analysis of data from 1,040 Texas school districts and data from 39 coal-fired power plants and 56 industrial facilities in the state showed that autism rates decreased by one percent to two percent for each 10 miles of distance from a mercury pollution source.

Among the other findings:

• For every 1,000 pounds of mercury released by all industrial sources in Texas in 1998, there was a corresponding 2.6 percent increase in autism rates in Texas school districts in 2002.
• For every 1,000 pounds of mercury released by Texas power plants in 1998, there was a corresponding 3.7 percent increase in autism rates in Texas school districts in 2002.

The research appears in the journal Health & Place.

"This study was not designed to understand which individuals in the population are at risk due to mercury exposure. However, it does suggest generally that there is greater autism risk closer to the polluting source," lead author Raymond Palmer, associate professor of family and community medicine, said in a prepared statement.

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Experts Stress Importance of Childhood Vaccinations

As part of National Infant Immunization Week (April 19-26), parents, caregivers and health providers are being reminded of the benefits of vaccination and the importance of routine childhood vaccination.

"A substantial number of children in the United States still aren't adequately protected from vaccine-preventable diseases," Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said in a prepared statement.

"The suffering or death of even one child from a vaccine-preventable disease is an unnecessary human tragedy. Let us renew our efforts to ensure that no child, adolescent or adult will have to needlessly suffer from a vaccine-preventable disease," she said.

Schuchat said there are vaccines to protect children against 15 diseases before the age of 2, yet more than 20 percent of 2-year-olds in the United States aren't fully immunized against infectious diseases to which they're especially vulnerable.

While vaccinating infants is especially important because they're more vulnerable to many diseases than older children and adults, "it's important for adults to also be vaccinated to keep themselves healthy and to keep from spreading infections to vulnerable people, including children," Schuchat said.

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Senate to Vote on Genetic Information Bill

The U.S. Senate was to vote Thursday on a bill that would protect people from losing their jobs or health insurance if they have genetic testing to find out if they're predisposed to serious diseases.

Under the proposed legislation, insurance companies could not use genetic information to set premiums or determine eligibility, and employers would be prohibited from using genetic information to hire, fire or promote workers, the Associated Press reported.

It's expected the Senate will pass the measure by a large margin and the House of Representatives could take it up early next week, before sending it to President Bush for his signature. A similar bill approved last year had White House support.

While genetic testing could help patients with a wide range of hereditary-based diseases get early, lifesaving treatment, many people have expressed concern that genetic information could be used against them.

If patient protection is guaranteed by law, ""researchers and clinicians can actively encourage Americans to participate in clinical trials and appropriate genetic testing unencumbered by the fear of discrimination based upon the results," Aravinda Chakravarti, president of the American Society of Human Genetics, told the AP.

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New Law Strengthens Mad Cow Disease Safeguards

Certain cattle materials that carry the highest risk of mad cow disease cannot be included in any animal feed, including pet food, says a U.S. Food and Drug Administration final regulation announced Wednesday.

The prohibited materials include the brains and spinal cords from cattle 30 months of age and older. The entire carcass of cattle not inspected and passed for human consumption is also prohibited, unless the cattle are less than 30 months old, or the brains and spinal cords have been removed, the FDA said.

It's believed the risk of mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy -- BSE) is extremely low in cattle less than 30 months old.

The final rule is effective a year from now in order to give the livestock, meat, rendering, and feed industries time to adapt their practices to the new regulation, which is designed to strengthen existing safeguards against mad cow disease, the FDA said.

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Atlantic City Bans Smoking in Casinos

Many employees of Atlantic City casinos felt like they won the jackpot after city council voted 9-0 Wednesday to plug a loophole in a statewide ban on smoking in public places that excluded casinos.

The casino smoking ban takes effect Oct. 15, but customers will still be allowed to smoke in unstaffed smoking lounges away from the table games and slot machines -- if individual casinos decided to build such lounges, the Associated Press reported.

Casino workers who attended the council meeting burst into applause and chanted, "Thank you, thank you, thank you," when the votes were counted. Many of the workers wore T-shirts with the slogan "Nobody deserves to work in an ashtray."

The city council tried in January 2007 to ban smoking in casinos. But intense pressure from the casino industry forced council to adopt a compromise law that restricted smoking to no more than 25 percent of the casino floor. But the smoking areas aren't walled off from nonsmoking areas, and secondhand smoke still drifts throughout the casino floor, the AP reported.

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Acupuncture Relieves Hot Flushes Caused by Breast Cancer Drug

Acupuncture helped relieve hot flushes in women taking the drug tamoxifen after breast cancer surgery, says a Norwegian study.

It included 59 patients randomly selected to receive either 10 weeks of traditional Chinese acupuncture or sham acupuncture. The women who received traditional acupuncture had a 50 percent reduction in daytime and nighttime hot flushes, United Press International reported.

"Acupuncture is increasingly used in western countries to treat the problem of hot flushes in healthy postmenopausal women, so we wanted to see whether it was effective in women with breast cancer suffering from hot flushes as a result of their anti-estrogen medication," study author Jill Hervik, a physiotherapist and acupuncturist at Vestfold Central Hospital in Tonsberg, said in a prepared statement.

Tamoxifen can cause hot flushes and many other symptoms experienced by women going through menopause, UPI reported.

The study was presented at the European Breast Cancer Conference in Berlin.

Health Tips for April 25

Health Tip: Risk Factors for Premature Birth

Premature birth is defined as any baby born at fewer than 37 weeks' gestation.

Here's a list of potential triggers of early labor, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* Diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease.
* An infection.
* Insufficient prenatal care.
* An unhealthy diet.
* Preeclampsia, a condition occurring after the 20th week of pregnancy and characterized by high blood pressure and abnormal protein in the urine.
* Substance abuse.
* Becoming pregnant at age 17 or younger.

Health Tip: Using a Breast Pump

A breast pump allows mothers to extract and store breast milk for instances when they can't be present for a baby's feeding.

Here are suggestions on how to use a breast pump, courtesy of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:

* When using the product for the first time, carefully read the entire instruction manual.
* Wash your hands with warm water and soap for 10 seconds to 15 seconds, then dry thoroughly.
* You may want to wash your breasts if you have used a cream, ointment or other topical product.
* Make sure your pump is properly assembled, and that you are in a comfortable place where you can relax.
* Position the breast shield carefully on your nipple, so that it does not pull or pinch.
* Once you are comfortable and the pump is properly in place, turn it on or begin pumping manually.
* Typically, you can expect to pump for about 10 minutes to 15 minutes per breast. But your session should only last as long as it is comfortable.

Health Headlines - April 24

Wisconsin Leads U.S. in Drunken Driving: Survey

Wisconsin has the highest incidence of drunken driving in the nation, a new federal report finds.

More than a quarter of adult drivers in Wisconsin, noted for its beer breweries, reported driving under the influence of alcohol, according to the just-released survey from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Completing the worst five were: North Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota, the Associated Press reported. Nationwide, 15 percent of adult drivers said they drove under the influence.

Utah had the lowest drunk driving rate, followed by West Virginia, Arkansas, Kentucky, and North Carolina.

The agency, part of the National Institutes of Health, also found that blacks had significantly lower drinking rates than whites, the AP reported.

And the number of drivers with blood alcohol levels of 0.08 percent or higher involved in alcohol-related crashes remained about the same over a decade -- from 12,348 in 1996 to 12,491 in 2006.

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Rate Doubles for Nasty Infection Among Hospital Patients

The number of U.S. hospital patients stricken with a nasty infection called Clostrdium difficile soared by 200 percent between 2000 and 2005, a new federal report finds.

Commonly called C difficile or "C diff," the infection can cause severe diarrhea, blood poisoning, and even death, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality said in a statement to coincide with its weekly AHRQ News and Numbers report. The infection often results when antibiotic use suppresses the bacteria normally found in the colon.

The report also found:

• There were more than 2 million cases of the illness in U.S. hospitals from 1993 to 2005.
• Two of three infected patients in 2005 were elderly.
• People with the illness were hospitalized an average of about three times longer than uninfected people.

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Social Bullying Linked to Adult Depression

The psychological effects of social bullying -- shunning a child or spreading rumors rather than threatening physical violence -- can last well into a person's adult life, a new University of Florida study concludes.

The research involving 210 college students found that victims of social bullying were more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety in early adulthood. Lead author Allison Dempsey, a doctoral student, graduated from Colorado's Columbine High School one year before the 1999 shootings at the school. It was widely reported that the two boys who committed the murders were largely shunned by classmates.

Dempsey and her colleagues found no difference between boys and girls in this type of bullying and its link to depression and fear, the university said in a prepared statement. In a surprising finding, they also found that having friends and other positive social relationships didn't dampen the tendency to develop depression and anxiety in adulthood.

Results of the research are published in the journal Psychology in the Schools.

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Mother's Diet May Influence Child's Gender

What a woman eats at about the time of conception could influence whether her baby is a boy or girl, British researchers say.

The study by the Universities of Exeter and Oxford found that a high-calorie diet, including regular breakfasts, could raise a woman's odds of having a boy, BBC News reported.

The trend toward low-calorie diets in developed nations could explain why the ratio of boys to girls is shifting in those countries, the network said.

In studying 740 first-time pregnancies, the researchers found 56 percent of women with high-calorie diets at the time of conception had boys, compared to 45 percent of women who had low-calorie diets. Women who had sons also were more likely to consume nutrients including potassium, calcium, and vitamins C, E, and B12, the researchers said.

The study was published in the journal Biological Sciences.

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VA Mental Health Chief Should Resign: Senators

The mental health director of the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department tried to cover up the rising number of suicides among veterans and should resign, two Democratic senators said Tuesday.

Dr. Ira Katz attempted to withhold important information on the true suicide risk among veterans, said Sens. Daniel Akaka of Hawaii and Patty Murray of Washington state, the Associated Press reported. Akaka is chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, and Murray is a committee member.

In an e-mail message made public this week, Katz starts with "Shh!" and writes that 12,000 veterans a year attempt suicide while under VA care.

"Is this something we should (carefully) address ourselves in some sort of release before someone stumbles on it?" Katz asks in the e-mail, the AP reported.

"Dr Katz's irresponsible actions have been a disservice to our veterans, and it is time for him to go," said Murray, "The No. 1 priority of the VA should be caring for our veterans, not covering up the truth."

A VA spokesmen declined to comment Tuesday, the AP reported.

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Loss of Biodiversity Threatens Development of New Medicines

If action isn't taken to protect the Earth's biodiversity, the opportunity to develop many new kinds of medical treatments will be lost, a senior United Nations environmental official warned Wednesday, the Associated Press reported.

Living organisms offer a variety of naturally-produced chemical compounds that can be used to create new medicines, explained Achim Steiner, executive director of the U.N. Environment Program. But an increasing number of species are at risk of extinction.

"We must do something about what is happening to biodiversity. We must help society understand how much we already depend on diversity of life to run our economies, our lives, but more importantly, what we are losing in terms of future potential," he told journalists attending a UNEP-organized conference in Singapore, the AP reported.

"Because of science and technology ... we are in a much better position to unlock this ingenuity of nature found in so many species. Yet, in many cases, we will find that we have already lost it before we were able to use it," Steiner said.

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World Faces 'Silent Tsunami' of Hunger

A "silent tsunami" of worldwide hunger could be unleashed by rising food costs, according to the head of the United Nations World Food Program.

Josette Sheeran said increasing food prices could push more than 100 million people into a level of poverty where they can't afford to feed themselves. She spoke at a summit in Britain to discuss the crisis, CBC News reported.

"This is the new face of hunger -- the millions of people who were not in the urgent hunger category six months ago but now are," said Sheeran, who described the crisis as "a silent tsunami that respects no borders."

"The world's misery index is rising ... as soaring food and fuel prices roll through the lives of the most vulnerable," she said.

A number of factors are contributing to increasing food costs: poor harvests; rising energy prices; increasing use of fields to produce corn for ethanol; and growing demand in China and India, CBC News reported.

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Whirlpool Suspends Workers for Lying About Smoking

Whirlpool Corp. has suspended 39 workers at its Evansville, Ind., plant because they claimed on their health insurance that they were nonsmokers but were seen smoking in designated areas outside the plant. The company requires smokers to pay an extra $500 in insurance premiums.

Company spokeswoman Debby Castrale told Fox News that Whirlpool considers falsifying company documents a serious offense. Fact-finding meetings will be held with each of the suspended workers over the next few days, followed by final disciplinary action. Some may be fired.

Most of the 39 suspensions involved production workers. More suspensions, possibly including some administrative staff, could come, Castrale said.

Whirlpool had to recall some laid-off workers to keep production running due to the suspensions, the Associated Press reported.

Health Tips for April 24

Health Tip: Why Breast-Feed?

Whether to breast-feed is a personal choice that new mothers should consider carefully.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers this list of potential breast-feeding benefits to both baby and mother:

* Breast milk is the most complete source of nutrition for babies. Many babies digest breast milk more easily than formula.
* Some studies show that babies who are breast-fed may develop better.
* Breast-feeding can help new moms to lose baby weight, as it burns calories.
* Studies have shown that women who breast-fed their children may have a reduced risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, as well as bone problems later in life, such as osteoporosis.
* Breast-feeding can help new mothers and their babies bond.

Health Tip: If You Have to Take Iron Supplements

If you are anemic or need iron supplements for another reason, taking the pills can be difficult.

The American Academy of Family Physicians suggests how to make taking iron supplements a little easier:

* Take the pills with food.
* Gradually work your way up to the number of pills your doctor prescribed each day. Start out with one a day, then after three to five days, begin increasing the amount until you've reached the daily dose recommended by your doctor.
* If iron pills make you constipated, add fiber to your daily diet.
* If the pills make your stomach upset, don't take them before you go to sleep.
* If a particular brand causes problems, ask your doctor about different brands or formulas.

Health Headlines - April 23

Smog Causes Premature Death: Report

There's a clear link between short-term exposure (up to 24 hours) to smog (ozone) and premature deaths, says a study released Tuesday by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.

"The committee has concluded from its review of health-based evidence that short-term exposure to ambient ozone is likely to contribute to premature deaths," said the 13-member panel, the Associated Press reported.

They said more research is needed on long-term chronic smog exposure, where the risk of premature death "may be larger than those observed in acute effects studies alone."

The findings challenge the White House stance on the issue.

"The report is a rebuke of the Bush administration which has consistently tried to downplay the connection between smog and premature death," Frank O'Donnell, president of Clean Air Watch, a Washington-based advocacy organization, told the AP.

The Academy's findings "refutes the White House skepticism and denial" of a proven link between acute ozone exposure and premature deaths, said Vickie Patton, deputy general counsel for the Environmental Defense Fund. She noted that the Bush administration has used such arguments to question the health benefits of reducing air pollution.

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KFC Cakes Recalled

Double Chocolate Chip Cakes sold by KFC Corporation are being recalled because certain ingredients -- eggs, milk, wheat, soy and possibly traces of tree nuts -- aren't individually listed on the packaging.

People with allergies to these ingredients could suffer a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they eat the cake. There has been one reported incident of an allergic reaction, according to a news release on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Web site.

The cakes, distributed nationwide at KFC restaurants, come in a round 16-ounce package with a black or clear plastic bottom and a clear plastic dome. Customers with allergies who've purchased the cakes should return them to KFC for a full refund.

There is no health risk for consumers who are not allergic to any ingredients in the cakes.

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Lifestyle Factors Affect Sleep

Gender, jobs and marital/family status all affect how much sleep people get, suggests a new Statistics Canada report. It found that those who commute, work longer hours and have more children get less sleep than the rest of Canadians, CBC News reported.

Among the findings from the analysis of national survey data:

• People who make more than $60,000 a year sleep 40 minutes less than those who make $20,000 a year.
• People with commutes of an hour or more sleep an average of seven hours and 41 minutes, while those with a commute of between one and 30 minutes sleep an average of 22 minutes longer.
• Men get less sleep than women -- an average of eight hours and seven minutes versus eight hours and 18 minutes. But 35 percent of women have trouble falling asleep, compared with 25 percent of men.
• Men with full-time jobs sleep 14 minutes less than women with full-time jobs.
• Single people get more sleep than couples -- eight hours and 29 minutes versus eight hours and five minutes.
• People with children younger than age 15 sleep less than those with no children.

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Viagra Ad Failed to Mention Risks: FDA

Pfizer Inc. was told by U.S. officials to discontinue a 30-second online video ad for Viagra that doesn't mention the risks associated with the drug. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warning letter was issued last week and posted online Monday.

The FDA letter said the ad "raises public health and safety concerns through its complete omission of risk information for Viagra," the Associated Press reported. Federal law requires negative side effects to be mentioned in any ad that highlights a drug's benefits.

The video ad on CNN.com featured a group of Nashville musicians singing the refrain "Viva Viagra." In a statement, Pfizer said a technical issue with CNN's Web site prevented the risk information from appearing on a banner accompanying the video. The company has pulled the ad, the AP reported.

Viagra's label warns users of potential risks to patients with existing heart conditions, and possible side effects including headaches and abnormal vision.

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Beco Baby Carriers Recalled Due to Fall Hazard

About 2,000 "Beco Baby Carrier Butterfly" infant carriers are being recalled because the buckles on the shoulder straps can suddenly release tension, causing the strap to slip through and posing a fall hazard to the infant. The manufacturer, Beco Baby Carrier Inc., of Newport Beach, Calif., has received eight reports of straps slipping through the shoulder buckles, but there have been no reports of injures, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The following styles are included in the recall: Mia, Pony Express, Carnival, Addison, Ethan, Sophia, Cameron, Ava and Joshua.

The carriers were sold at specialty retail stores and through the Internet from January 2008 through February 2008 for about $140.

Consumers should stop using the carriers and contact Beco at 888-943-8232 for information on how to return them for repair.

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Mundane Tasks Numb the Brain

Monotonous tasks really do numb the brain, according to researchers who used MRI scans to monitor blood flow in the brains of volunteers. The results showed that the brain will shift to an at-rest mode when a person is doing something mundane, even if the person doesn't want it to, Agence France-Presse reported.

"There's this thing that's probably intrinsic where your brain says I do need to take a little break here and there's nothing you can do about it," said study author Tom Eichele of the University of Bergen in Norway. "Probably everyone knows that feeling that sometimes your brain is not as receptive or as well performing and you didn't do anything to actually induce that."

Eichele and his colleagues also found that this shift to at-rest mode begins about 30 seconds before a person makes a mistake. This finding suggests it may be possible to develop an early warning system to keep people more focused and careful in order to improve workplace safety and performance in certain jobs, such as airport security screening.

"We might be able to build a device (that could be placed) on the heads of people that make these easy decisions," Eichele told AFP.

The study appears in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Health Tips for April 23

Health Tip: Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an illness that causes people to obsess over daily activities. While everyone has daily habits and behaviors, when they interfere with daily life, it's a possible warning sign of OCD.

The American Academy of Family Physicians lists these potential examples of OCD:

* Obsessing over whether things are done in order or correctly, in an exact fashion.
* Being unusually afraid of dirt or germs, and as a result, repeatedly engaging in activities such as washing the hands or showering.
* Constantly and repeatedly checking on a situation, such as making sure the home's doors are locked or appliances are shut off.
* Thinking about specific sounds, images, words or numbers repeatedly.
* Seeking constant reassurance or approval.

Health Tip: Taming a Temper Tantrum

Temper tantrums are a child's means of expressing anger at an age where they haven't learned or adopted other coping methods.

The C.S. Mott Children's Hospital offers these suggestions to help manage your child's temper tantrums:

* If the tantrum is triggered by frustration, offer support, encouragement, and help with what's frustrating the child.
* If the tantrum appears to be a way to get attention or to get the child's way, try to ignore it. Never give in to the child's demands when expressed this way.
* Try to anticipate and avoid a tantrum by giving the child a five-minute warning. If the child doesn't end up where you want the child to be, physically carry the child there.
* If the child becomes extremely loud or violent, send the child to his or her bedroom for a two-to-five-minute timeout.
* If your child seems out of control or could cause self-injury, hold the child for about one to three minutes until you feel the child's body begin to relax.

Health Headlines - April 22

Low Vitamin D Levels May Increase Breast Cancer Risk

Women with low blood levels of a marker for vitamin D have an increased risk of breast cancer, German researchers say.

They studied levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in 1,394 breast cancer patients and an equal number of healthy postmenopausal women, finding that those with a very low blood level of 25(OH)D were much more likely to develop breast cancer, United Press International reported.

The link between low levels of 25(OH)D and increased breast cancer risk was strongest among women who didn't take hormones for relief of menopausal symptoms. The researchers did note that chemotherapy or lack of sunlight during prolonged hospital stays may have contributed to low vitamin D levels in breast cancer patients.

The body produces vitamin D in response to sunlight, and the vitamin is present in certain foods.

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Drug Effective in Shrinking Breast Tumors: Study

A drug called lapatinib may shrink breast cancer tumors within six weeks and could prove to be a valuable pre-surgery treatment, according to researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, who studied 45 patients with locally advanced breast cancer in which the HER-2 gene was overexpressed.

The women received lapatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets cell surface receptors, for six weeks. That was followed by a combination of weekly trastuzumab and three-times-a-week docetaxel for 12 weeks before primary surgery, United Press International reported.

Tests conducted before and after lapatinib treatment showed "significant tumor regression after six weeks of single-agent lapatinib," said study author Dr. Angel Rodriguez.

The study was to be presented at the European Breast Cancer Conference in Berlin.

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FDA OKs Compact Heart Assist Device

A compact heart assist device designed to fit women and smaller men has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Heart assist devices are implanted mechanical devices that help weakened hearts pump blood while heart failure patients await a heart transplant. Previous models were too large to fit the upper abdomen of women and men of smaller stature, the FDA said.

The HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist System is just 3 inches in length and weighs about 1 pound. A cable that powers the device passes through the patient's skin to an external controller, allowing the device to be powered either by battery or while connected to an electrical outlet.

In clinical testing on 126 people, 57 percent survived to undergo a heart transplant, which the FDA said is comparable to larger heart assist devices.

The manufacturer, Pleasanton, Calif.-based Thoratec Corp., will be required to conduct a post-approval study of the device's performance, the agency said.

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Inhibition Strong Predictor of Sexual Problems in Women

Among women, sexual inhibition is the strongest predictor of sexual problems such as low sexual interest and arousal difficulty, says a U.S. study that included 540 women.

Researchers found that the ease with which arousal can be disrupted by situational factors (arousal contingency) and concerns about sexual function can predict sexual problems, United Press International reported.

The findings appear in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior.

"Although further research is needed to confirm these findings with other samples, particularly clinical samples of women seeking help for sexual problems, these findings suggest that high scores on sexual inhibition may help predict which women are vulnerable to experience sexual problems," according to a statement from study co-author Cynthia Graham, a research fellow at Indiana University's Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction.

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VA Lawsuit Over Lack of Mental Health Treatment Going to Trial

A class-action lawsuit charging that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs isn't doing enough to treat veterans' mental health problems is scheduled to go to trial this week.

The lawsuit was filed in July by two nonprofit groups representing veterans, who say the VA is failing to address the "rising tide" of mental health problems, especially post-traumatic stress disorder, the Associated Press reported. The groups want the judge to order the VA to make major changes.

"That failure to provide care is manifesting itself in an epidemic of suicides," the groups wrote in court papers filed Thursday.

A December e-mail between top VA officials said an average of 18 military veterans kill themselves each day, and five of them are under VA care when they commit suicide. The e-mail was filed as part of the lawsuit, the AP reported.

Government lawyers counter that the VA has been increasing the amount of resources for mental health and is making suicide prevention a top priority. The lawyers also argue that the courts don't have the authority to tell the VA how to operate, the news service said.

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Consumers Warned About Lead in Mexican Candies

California health officials are warning consumers not to eat Chaca Chaca Chacatrozo candy imported from Mexico because tests found it had potentially harmful levels of lead.

The tests by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) found as much as 0.30 parts per million (ppm) of lead in the candy, according to a news release on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Web site. In California, products with 0.10 ppm lead are considered to be contaminated.

The candies are being removed from store shelves, and consumers who've purchased these candies should discard them. The CDPH also advised pregnant women and parents of children who've consumed these candies to consult a health-care provider to determine if medical testing is required.

Consumers who see Chaca Chaca Chacatrozo candies for sale are encouraged to call the CDPH complaint hotline at 1-800-495-3232.

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Women in Academics Least Likely to Have Children

Women with academic careers are the least likely of all professional women to have children, according to University of Utah researchers who analyzed data from the 2000 U.S. Census.

For example, they found that male faculty members are 21 percent less likely than male doctors to have a child in their household, while female faculty members are 41 percent less likely than female doctors to have children, United Press International reported.

The researchers noted that it can take much longer for academics to achieve job security -- 40 is the average age when professors achieve tenure -- than other professionals.

The study is to be presented this week at the annual meeting of the Population Association of America, UPI reported.

"Many studies have examined the effects of childbirth on professional success, but few have considered how career choice affects fertility," researcher Nicholas Wolfinger said in a prepared statement. "If women are sacrificing families for jobs, the sexual revolution has not come nearly as far as might otherwise be expected."

Health Tips for April 22

Health Tip: Warm Up Before Exercise

Warming up should be part of every exercise program, as it prepares your body for more intense activity.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers this additional information about warming up before a workout:

* Warming up your muscles allows body temperature to rise, blood to flow, and breathing to increase.
* Warming up can help you to get a more effective workout.
* If you are just starting to exercise, you should spend more time warming up than someone who exercises regularly.
* Stretching is a good way to slowly warm up muscles.
* A light aerobic warm-up at a relaxed pace is a safe way to start your workout.

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 Headlines - April 21

Artificial-Turf Playing Fields Under Scrutiny

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is looking into the possible health hazards of lead in some artificial-turf playing fields across the country.

Two New Jersey fields, one in a park, the other at a university, were closed last week after state health officials detected what they called unexpectedly high levels of lead in two nylon fields, both AstroTurf surfaces, and raised fears that athletes could swallow or inhale fibers or dust from the playing surface, the Associated Press reported. There was no lead in 10 polyethylene-surface fields that were also examined.

Industry officials denied the products are dangerous. Jon Pritchett, chief executive of General Sports Venue, the licensee of AstroTurf products in the United States, said the company's tests have shown a low risk of exposure to lead. "Obviously, we take very seriously any concerns about the safety of our products, and this is no exception," Pritchett said.

But the CPSC is concerned about "any consumer product that could be used by children where children could potentially be in harm's way because of lead exposure," spokesman Scott Wolfson said.

The AP reported that the industry's Synthetic Turf Council estimates there are about 3,500 synthetic playing fields made of various materials, including nylon and polyethylene, and about 800 are installed each year at schools, colleges, parks and stadiums.

Pigment containing lead chromate is used in some surfaces to make the turf green and hold its color in sunlight. But it is not clear how widely the compound is used.

New Jersey's epidemiologist, Dr. Eddy Bresnitz, told the AP that fibers and dust created through wear and weathering might become airborne, where they could be inhaled or swallowed. He has ordered more test on how easily fibers and particles from artificial turf can be swallowed or inhaled .

But Rick Doyle, president of the Synthetic Turf Council, said the lead is fixed in place in the nylon and does not leach out, and therefore poses no health risk. "In the 40 years that synthetic sports turf has been in use in the United States and around the world, not one person has ever reported any ill effects related to the material composition of the fibers," he said.

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Canada Warns About Chemical Used in Baby Bottles

Canadian health officials announced plans Friday to limit the use of the controversial chemical bisphenol A, a move that could lead to a ban on baby bottles containing the chemical.

A draft report from Health Canada found the chemical to be potentially dangerous to infants and the environment, CTV reported.

The widely used chemical is also found in hard plastic water bottles, dental sealants, DVDs, CDs and hundreds of other common items. Canadian Health Minister Tony Clement said the levels of bisphenol A (BPA) that most adults are exposed to is not harmful.

Health Canada's action could be the first step toward Canada banning the chemical altogether, the Associated Press reported.

Earlier this week, the U.S. National Toxicology Program said there was "some concern" about BPA from experiments on rats that linked the chemical to changes in behavior and the brain, early puberty and possibly precancerous changes in the prostate and breast. While animal studies only provide "limited evidence" of risk, the draft report said a possible effect on humans "cannot be dismissed," the AP said.

More than 6 million pounds of BPA are produced in the United States each year, the AP said.

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World's Oldest Person Turns 115

Her name is Edna Parker, she lives in a nursing home in Shelbyville, Ind., and she's the world's oldest person. And on Sunday, she celebrates another birthday -- her 115th.

"We don't know why she's lived so long," Don Parker, her 59-year-old grandson, told the Associated Press. "But she's never been a worrier and she's always been a thin person, so maybe that has something to do with it."

Researchers from the New England Centenarian Study at Boston University took a blood sample from Parker in 2006 for the group's DNA database of so-called supercentenarians -- people who live to 110 and beyond. Her DNA is now preserved with samples of about 100 other people who made the 110-year milestone and whose genes are being analyzed, said Dr. Tom Perls, who directs the project. "They're really our best bet for finding the elusive Holy Grail of our field -- which are these longevity-enabling genes," Perls told the news service.

Perls said the key to a long life is now believed to be a mix of genetics and environmental factors such as health habits. He said his research on about 1,500 centenarians suggests another factor that may protect people from illnesses such as heart attacks and stroke -- they don't seem to dwell on stressful events.

Just 75 people -- 64 women and 11 men -- are 110 or older, according to the Gerontology Research Group of Inglewood, Calif., which verifies reports of very old ages, the AP said.

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More Reports of Sickness Linked to Supplements With Selenium

U.S. health officials are investigating more than 180 reports of illness in people who took dietary supplements containing toxic levels of the mineral selenium, the Associated Press reported.

The manufacturer recalled the products March 27, but reports of 184 illnesses indicate people are still taking them, health officials said.

On March 27, the Food and Drug Administration warned consumers not to purchase or use "Total Body Formula" in flavors Tropical Orange and Peach Nectar, and "Total Body Mega Formula" in the Orange/Tangerine flavor after receiving reports of adverse reactions in users in Florida and Tennessee. The reactions generally occurred after five to 10 days of daily ingestion of the product, and included significant hair loss, muscle cramps, diarrhea, joint pain, deformed fingernails, and fatigue, the FDA said.

Health officials are now looking into reports of illnesses in 10 states -- Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, Texas, Louisiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina. No deaths have been reported. One person has been hospitalized, the AP said.

Selenium, a naturally occurring mineral, is needed only in very small amounts for good health. Selenium can boost the immune system. Generally, normal consumption of food and water provides adequate selenium to support good health, the FDA said.

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Katrina's Legacy Still Haunts, Studies Find

From alcohol abuse to the loss of a home, new research continues to assess the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina and the toll it extracted from its victims.

In a study presented this week at the Population Association of America's annual meeting in New Orleans, University of Michigan researchers reported that Katrina survivors were more than three times likelier to exhibit alcohol abuse after a stress experience. And if the survivor experienced a trauma, they were five times more likely to become alcohol dependent.

The difference between a stress and a trauma is one of degree, said study co-author Sandro Galea, an associate professor at the university's School of Public Health. An example of stress might be dealing with insurance companies or contractors; a trauma is losing a loved one, he said.

Another paper found that New Orleans residents who lost their homes in the 2005 storm were more than five times more likely to experience serious psychological distress a year after the disaster than those who did not.

The study, by University of Michigan researcher Narayan Sastry and Tulane University's Mark VanLandingham, examined the mental health of pre-Katrina New Orleans residents in the fall of 2006 -- one year after the hurricane. In all, about 66 percent of the respondents reported that their homes were badly damaged or unlivable.

"Our findings suggest that severe damage to one's home is a particularly important factor behind socioeconomic disparities in psychological distress, and possibly behind the levels of psychological distress," Sastry said. "These effects may be partly economic, because, for most families who own their home, home equity is the largest element of household wealth.

Health Tips for April 21

Health Tip: Symptoms of Depression in Alzheimer's Patients

People with Alzheimer's disease sometimes suffer from depression, often when they begin to understand their loss of memory.

The symptoms of depression may make it even more difficult for Alzheimer's patients to function.

The American Academy of Physicians lists these common warning signs:

* No desire to participate in any activities, or even to move around.
* Talking about feeling worthless or very sad.
* Not eating, and significant weight loss.
* Excessive sleeping, or not sleeping at all.
* Crying or being very emotional.
* Getting very angry or agitated.

Health Tip: Don't Suddenly Stop Taking an Antidepressant

If you want to stop taking an antidepressant, it's important to speak with your doctor first, the American Academy of Family Physicians says. The doctor may recommend weaning your body off the medication gradually.

People who stop an antidepressant too quickly may trigger a host of symptoms that doctors call antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. Symptoms may include:

* Anxiety.
* Feelings of depression or sadness.
* Moodiness and irritability.
* Tiredness.
* Headaches and dizziness.
* Nausea and vomiting.
* Diarrhea.

If an antidepressant is causing an unpleasant side effect, your doctor may opt to lower your dose or prescribe a different type of antidepressant altogether.

Health Headlines - April 20

Canada Warns About Chemical Used in Baby Bottles

Canadian health officials announced plans Friday to limit the use of the controversial chemical bisphenol A, a move that could lead to a ban on baby bottles containing the chemical.

A draft report from Health Canada found the chemical to be potentially dangerous to infants and the environment, CTV reported.

The widely used chemical is also found in hard plastic water bottles, dental sealants, DVDs, CDs and hundreds of other common items. Canadian Health Minister Tony Clement said the levels of bisphenol A (BPA) that most adults are exposed to is not harmful.

Health Canada's action could be the first step toward Canada banning the chemical altogether, the Associated Press reported.

Earlier this week, the U.S. National Toxicology Program said there was "some concern" about BPA from experiments on rats that linked the chemical to changes in behavior and the brain, early puberty and possibly precancerous changes in the prostate and breast. While animal studies only provide "limited evidence" of risk, the draft report said a possible effect on humans "cannot be dismissed," the AP said.

More than 6 million pounds of BPA are produced in the United States each year, the AP said.

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World's Oldest Person Is Turning 115

Her name is Edna Parker, she lives in a nursing home in Shelbyville, Ind., and she's the world's oldest person. And on Sunday, she'll celebrate another birthday -- her 115th.

"We don't know why she's lived so long," Don Parker, her 59-year-old grandson, told the Associated Press. "But she's never been a worrier and she's always been a thin person, so maybe that has something to do with it."

Researchers from the New England Centenarian Study at Boston University took a blood sample from Parker in 2006 for the group's DNA database of so-called supercentenarians -- people who live to 110 and beyond. Her DNA is now preserved with samples of about 100 other people who made the 110-year milestone and whose genes are being analyzed, said Dr. Tom Perls, who directs the project. "They're really our best bet for finding the elusive Holy Grail of our field -- which are these longevity-enabling genes," Perls told the news service.

Perls said the key to a long life is now believed to be a mix of genetics and environmental factors such as health habits. He said his research on about 1,500 centenarians suggests another factor that may protect people from illnesses such as heart attacks and stroke -- they don't seem to dwell on stressful events.

Just 75 people -- 64 women and 11 men -- are 110 or older, according to the Gerontology Research Group of Inglewood, Calif., which verifies reports of very old ages, the AP said.

-----

More Reports of Sickness Linked to Supplements With Selenium

U.S. health officials are investigating more than 180 reports of illness in people who took dietary supplements containing toxic levels of the mineral selenium, the Associated Press reported.

The manufacturer recalled the products March 27, but reports of 184 illnesses indicate people are still taking them, health officials said.

On March 27, the Food and Drug Administration warned consumers not to purchase or use "Total Body Formula" in flavors Tropical Orange and Peach Nectar, and "Total Body Mega Formula" in the Orange/Tangerine flavor after receiving reports of adverse reactions in users in Florida and Tennessee. The reactions generally occurred after five to 10 days of daily ingestion of the product, and included significant hair loss, muscle cramps, diarrhea, joint pain, deformed fingernails, and fatigue, the FDA said.

Health officials are now looking into reports of illnesses in 10 states -- Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, Texas, Louisiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina. No deaths have been reported. One person has been hospitalized, the AP said.

Selenium, a naturally occurring mineral, is needed only in very small amounts for good health. Selenium can boost the immune system. Generally, normal consumption of food and water provides adequate selenium to support good health, the FDA said.

-----

Katrina's Legacy Still Haunts, Studies Find

From alcohol abuse to the loss of a home, new research continues to assess the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina and the toll it extracted from its victims.

In a study presented this week at the Population Association of America's annual meeting in New Orleans, University of Michigan researchers reported that Katrina survivors were more than three times likelier to exhibit alcohol abuse after a stress experience. And if the survivor experienced a trauma, they were five times more likely to become alcohol dependent.

The difference between a stress and a trauma is one of degree, said study co-author Sandro Galea, an associate professor at the university's School of Public Health. An example of stress might be dealing with insurance companies or contractors; a trauma is losing a loved one, he said.

Another paper found that New Orleans residents who lost their homes in the 2005 storm were more than five times more likely to experience serious psychological distress a year after the disaster than those who did not.

The study, by University of Michigan researcher Narayan Sastry and Tulane University's Mark VanLandingham, examined the mental health of pre-Katrina New Orleans residents in the fall of 2006 -- one year after the hurricane. In all, about 66 percent of the respondents reported that their homes were badly damaged or unlivable.

"Our findings suggest that severe damage to one's home is a particularly important factor behind socioeconomic disparities in psychological distress, and possibly behind the levels of psychological distress," Sastry said. "These effects may be partly economic, because, for most families who own their home, home equity is the largest element of household wealth.

-----

When It Comes to Happiness, It Really Is a Shade of Gray

Oh to be young again? Not so fast, says a new study that found that older Americans tend to be happier than younger ones.

The University of Chicago study also found that baby boomers aren't as content as other generations, blacks are less happy than whites, women are happier than men, and as people age, their happiness increases.

"Understanding happiness is important to understanding quality of life. The happiness measure is a guide to how well society is meeting people's needs," study author Yang Yang, an assistant professor of sociology, said in a prepared statement.

The study was based on data from the General Social Survey of the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. Yang charted happiness across age and racial groups and found that among 18-year-olds, white men are the happiest, with a 33 percent probability of being very happy, followed by white women (28 percent), black women (18 percent) and black men (15 percent).

But curiously, those differences vanish over time. Black men and black women have slightly more than a 50 percent chance of being very happy by their late 80s, while white men and white women are close behind.

The increase in happiness with age is consistent with the "age as maturity hypothesis," Yang said.

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Network Offers Experimental Treatments to Dying Cancer Patients

Great Britain has opened a government-run network of cancer clinics that will provide experimental treatments to dying cancer patients and may also speed up the drug testing process, the Associated Press reported.

There are clinics in France, Italy and the Netherlands that offer experimental treatments to cancer patients, but Britain is the only European country with a national network of clinics. Currently, only a few hundred patients with late-stage cancer in Britain have access to experimental drugs, but officials hope the new network of clinics will soon benefit thousands of patients.

Expanding drug tests for terminal cancer patients preys on their desperation, according to some critics of the program, the AP reported. But the process is fair as long as patients are told about potential side effects, counter some ethicists.

In the United States, cancer patients can sign up for experimental drug treatment, but there's no official national program to help them enroll. About 80 percent of American cancer patients are treated in community hospitals, while most drug trials are conducted at academic medical centers, the AP reported.

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Institute Seeks to Use Stem Cells to Heal Wounded Soldiers

A new U.S. research institute will try to develop methods to help wounded soldiers use their own stem cells to regenerate skin, muscle and even limbs, Agence France-Presse reported.

The $250 million Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine will fund and direct research by a number of universities and hospitals. The Pentagon will provide $85 million over five years, $80 million will come from participating universities and hospitals, and $100 million will be provided by the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

"The new institute will work to develop techniques that will help to make our soldiers whole again," said Lieutenant General Eric Schoomaker, the army surgeon general. "We'll use the soldiers' own stem cells to repair nerve damage, to re-grow muscles and tendons, to repair burn wounds, and to help them heal without scarring."

The institute will also attempt to develop ways to salvage and reconstruct damaged limbs, hands, fingers, ears and noses, and to reconstruct damaged craniums, AFP reported.

Health Tips for April 20

Health Tip: Understanding Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes ulcers to form along the gastrointestinal tract.

Symptoms may range from mild to severe; some severe cases may require surgery.

Here's more information about Crohn's disease, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

* Symptoms often include stomach cramps, diarrhea and bloody stools.
* Additional signs may include fatigue, nausea and joint pain.
* For mild forms, antibiotics and drugs called salicylates may help. Steroids are generally prescribed for people with more severe disease.
* Crohn's cannot be cured, but many people who are treated have no symptoms for long periods.

Health Tip: Controlling Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease causes inflammation of the digestive tract, resulting in symptoms including abdominal pain and diarrhea.

While there is no cure, a combination of medication, nutritional supplements and surgery can help control symptoms.

The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse offers this list of treatment options:

* Most people with Crohn's are initially treated with mesalamine, a substance that helps control inflammation of the digestive tract.
* Other medications are available if mesalamine doesn't prove effective or cannot be tolerated, including Remicade (infliximab) or a class of drugs called corticosteroids.
* Medications that suppress the immune system.
* Fluid replacement treatments and anti-diarrhea medications.
* Eating a healthy, balanced diet, and avoiding foods that trigger symptoms.
* Nutritional supplements.
* Surgery may well be required to alleviate blockages, or treat other complications including intestinal perforations, abscesses or bleeding.

Health Headlines - April 19

When It Comes to Happiness, It Really Is a Shade of Gray

Oh to be young again? Not so fast, says a new study that found that older Americans tend to be happier than younger ones.

The University of Chicago study also found that baby boomers aren't as content as other generations, blacks are less happy than whites, women are happier than men, and as people age, their happiness increases.

"Understanding happiness is important to understanding quality of life. The happiness measure is a guide to how well society is meeting people's needs," study author Yang Yang, an assistant professor of sociology, said in a prepared statement.

The study was based on data from the General Social Survey of the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. Yang charted happiness across age and racial groups and found that among 18-year-olds, white men are the happiest, with a 33 percent probability of being very happy, followed by white women (28 percent), black women (18 percent) and black men (15 percent).

But curiously, those differences vanish over time. Black men and black women have slightly more than a 50 percent chance of being very happy by their late 80s, while white men and white women are close behind.

The increase in happiness with age is consistent with the "age as maturity hypothesis," Yang said.

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Network Offers Experimental Treatments to Dying Cancer Patients

Great Britain has opened a government-run network of cancer clinics that will provide experimental treatments to dying cancer patients and may also speed up the drug testing process, the Associated Press reported.

There are clinics in France, Italy and the Netherlands that offer experimental treatments to cancer patients, but Britain is the only European country with a national network of clinics. Currently, only a few hundred patients with late-stage cancer in Britain have access to experimental drugs, but officials hope the new network of clinics will soon benefit thousands of patients.

Expanding drug tests for terminal cancer patients preys on their desperation, according to some critics of the program, the AP reported. But the process is fair as long as patients are told about potential side effects, counter some ethicists.

In the United States, cancer patients can sign up for experimental drug treatment, but there's no official national program to help them enroll. About 80 percent of American cancer patients are treated in community hospitals, while most drug trials are conducted at academic medical centers, the AP reported.

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Chemical in Plastic Changes Breast Cell Gene Activity: Study

A new U.S. study says that trace amounts of bisphenol A -- a chemical used to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins lining most tin cans -- can alter the activity of genes in normal breast cells in ways similar to what's seen in deadly breast cancers.

This link "is highly supportive of the concept that overexposure to BPA and/or similar compounds could be an underlying factor in the aggressiveness, if not in the causality" of breast cancers, study lead author Shanaz Dairkee, a senior scientist at the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute in San Francisco, said in an e-mail, Toronto's Globe and Mail newspaper reported.

For this study, Dairkee and colleagues took small samples of normal, non-cancerous cells from the unaffected breasts of eight women who already had breast cancer. The cells were placed in test tubes and exposed to the BPA.

The findings were published in the journal Cancer Reserach, which designated the study a "priority report," the Globe and Mail reported.

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Institute Seeks to Use Stem Cells to Heal Wounded Soldiers

A new U.S. research institute will try to develop methods to help wounded soldiers use their own stem cells to regenerate skin, muscle and even limbs, Agence France-Presse reported.

The $250 million Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine will fund and direct research by a number of universities and hospitals. The Pentagon will provide $85 million over five years, $80 million will come from participating universities and hospitals, and $100 million will be provided by the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

"The new institute will work to develop techniques that will help to make our soldiers whole again," said Lieutenant General Eric Schoomaker, the army surgeon general. "We'll use the soldiers' own stem cells to repair nerve damage, to re-grow muscles and tendons, to repair burn wounds, and to help them heal without scarring."

The institute will also attempt to develop ways to salvage and reconstruct damaged limbs, hands, fingers, ears and noses, and to reconstruct damaged craniums, AFP reported.

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New Food and Drug Safety Measures Proposed

New fees for drug and food companies and increased Food and Drug Administration oversight of food and drug plants are among the proposals included in draft legislation designed to improve food and drug safety in the United States.

The first hearing on the draft legislation, created in response to a number of recent food and drug scares, is scheduled for April 24, USA Today reported.

Among the proposals:

• U.S. food production facilities and those exporting food to the United States would have to pay $2,000 per facility per year to register with the FDA. That would generate about $600 million a year, more than doubling the agency's current food safety budget.
• The FDA would be required to inspect food plants -- and the plants' food safety plans -- every four years. Currently, food plants are inspected about once every 10 years, according to lawmakers.
• Drug and medical device makers, as well as companies that import those products, would also have to pay registration fees to the FDA.
• The FDA would have to inspect domestic and foreign drug manufacturing facilities every two years.
• Food and drug makers would have to list on drug labels where active ingredients are made.
• The FDA would have the power to order food and drug recalls.

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Bird Flu Vaccine Shows Promise

U.S. researchers say they're developing a new bird flu vaccine that could be longer-lasting, provide broader protection, and be easier to produce than existing vaccines.

Currently, the only vaccine approved by U.S. health officials requires a very high dose, is only effective in about 60 percent of people who receive it, and doesn't protect against new strains of the H5N1 bird flu virus, Agence France-Presse reported.

The new vaccine, which uses a mutated version of a common cold virus to deliver genes from two types of the H5N1 virus, protected mice from bird flu infection for more than a year and was broad enough to protect against some mutations of the virus. The findings were published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases. The vaccine hasn't been tested in humans.

"We want to have a vaccine that can be stored in advance and have the potential to provide protection for a period of time until we can change the vaccine to match the latest form of avian influenza," said study author Suresh Mittal of Purdue University, AFP reported. "The combination of flu genes that we've used to produce the vaccine, I think, will provide that capability."

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Key Chains With High Lead Levels Recalled by Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart is recalling about 12,000 Chinese-made "Hip Charm" key chains that contain high levels of lead, which can cause serious health problems in children.

On April 16, the Illinois Attorney General informed Wal-Mart and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) that a key chain was found in the home of a 9-month-old-child with high blood levels of lead. The child had been seen mouthing the key chain.

The recalled key chains have several charms including a button, clover, leaf, heart, and a sand dollar. The charms hang from a silver-colored chain. The words "Hip Charm" and UPC (#31568 11017) are printed on the packaging of the product, which was sold at Wal-Mart stores nationwide from April 2005 through April 2008 for about $6.

Consumers should not allow children to handle the key chains and should return them to any Wal-Mart store for a full refund, the CPSC said. For more information, phone Wal-Mart at 800-925-6278.

Health Tips for April 19

Health Tip: Talking to a Person With Alzheimer's Disease

As Alzheimer's disease progresses, communicating becomes more of a challenge.

The U.S. National Institute on Aging offers these suggestions for talking to someone with Alzheimer's:

* Speak in a calm, soothing tone of voice.
* Use simple, short words and sentences -- but avoid baby talk, or speaking like you would to a child.
* Avoid talking about the person in front of him or her.
* Turn off the TV, radio or any other possible distractions when trying to communicate.
* Get the person's full attention before speaking, and refer to the person by name.
* If the person is trying to communicate but is having trouble finding words, gently try to suggest words the person may be looking for.
* Be patient and give the person plenty of time to think and respond.

Health Tip: When Alzheimer's Patients Wander

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

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

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

Health Headlines - April 18

Good Use of Rotavirus Vaccine in U.S.: Report

Since the new rotavirus vaccine RotaTeq was recommended in February 2006 by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), it has been widely used, and health providers have adhered to age recommendations, says a report in the latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The ACIP said that routine rotavirus vaccination of U.S. infants should follow a three-dose schedule and be administered at two, four and six months of age.

CDC researchers examined vaccination coverage among infants from February 2006 until May 2007 and found that, by May 15, 2007, almost half of three-month-old infants had received one dose of rotavirus vaccine. The researchers also found most of the doses were administered according to ACIP recommendations.

Rotavirus vaccination is believed to be the most effective way to protect children against rotavirus, the CDC researchers said. Worldwide, rotavirus is the leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in children younger than age five. Each year, rotavirus causes more than 200,000 emergency room visits and 55,000 to 70,000 hospitalizations in the United States alone.

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States Get Grants to Improve Medicaid Primary Care

Twenty states will receive grants totaling $50 million to improve access to primary medical care so that Medicaid beneficiaries can avoid improper use of costly hospital emergency rooms, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Thursday.

"These grants provide new programs and services to help people get the non-emergency care they need in the most appropriate setting," CMS Acting Administrator Kerry Weems said in a prepared statement.

The first $37.5 million in grants is now available to fund 29 programs in the 20 states. The remaining $12.5 million will be made available in 2009. The grant money will be used to establish new community health centers; extend the hours of operation at existing clinics; educate Medicaid beneficiaries about new services; and provide for electronic health information exchange between facilities for better coordination of care.

The states receiving the grant funds are: Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, and Washington.

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U.S. Troops Suffer Mental Health Problems, Brain Injuries: Study

About 18.5 percent (300,000) of American troops who've served in the wars in Iraq and in Afghanistan are suffering from major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and about 19 percent (320,000) may have suffered brain injuries, says a RAND Corporation study released Thursday. Many of them haven't received treatment.

The study, completed in January, included a survey of 1,965 active and former members from all branches of the armed forces, the Associated Press reported.

Among the other findings:

• Only 43 percent of those who suffered head injuries reported ever being evaluated by a doctor for those injuries.
• Only 53 percent of those with depression or PTSD sought help over the past year. Worries about medication side effects, the belief that family and friends could help, and the fear that seeking care may damage their careers were among the reasons given for not seeking help.
• Women and reservists had the highest rates of PTSD and major depression.

"There is a major health crisis facing those men and women who have served our nation in Iraq and Afghanistan," Terri Tanielian, the project's co-leader and a researcher at the nonprofit RAND Corporation, told the AP. "Unless they receive effective care for these mental health conditions, there will be long-term associated consequences for them and for the nation."

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Judge Upholds NYC Restaurant Calorie Menu Law

A U.S. federal judge on Wednesday upheld a New York City regulation requiring some chain restaurants to post calories on menus. The judge rejected the New York State Restaurant Association's argument that the law violates the First Amendment by forcing restaurants to "convey the government's message regarding the importance of calories."

"It seems reasonable to expect that some consumers will use the information disclosed ... to select lower calorie meals ... and these choices will lead to a lower incidence of obesity," said U.S. District Judge Richard Holwell, the Associated Press reported.

The new regulation, which applies to restaurants that are part of chains with at least 15 outlets nationwide, goes into effect Monday. The city's health department said it would wait until June 3 before it starts fining restaurants that violate the law.

The American Diabetes Association applauded the judge's decision.

"If individuals are expected to make informed, healthy food choices, we must give them the nutritional tools they need to do so," Dr. John Buse, ADA president of medicine and science, said in a prepared statement.

"We know that frequent eating at restaurants is linked with obesity, and obesity is a significant contributor to the development of type 2 diabetes -- the greatest public health epidemic of the 21st century. By requiring chain restaurants to provide calorie information, New York City is supporting residents in making changes in their diet, and in turn lowering their risk of type 2 diabetes," Buse said.

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More Pork Plant Workers Ill

More workes who processed pig brains at pork plants in Minnesota, Indiana and Nebraska are developing a mysterious neurological illness, researchers said Wednesday. There are now as many as 24 cases, the Associated Press reported.

Details about the ongoing investigation into the cases were presented at a meeting of the American Academy of Neurology. Symptoms experienced by the workers include pain, weakness, fatigue and numbness.

A unique pattern of antibodies has been found in all the patients. All the affected employees used compressed air to blow pig brains out of the skulls, said Dr. Daniel Lachance, a Mayo Clinic neurologist. All the pork plants have discontinued the practice, the AP reported. Lachance told journalists that the some of the pigs' brain tissue may have been turned into a fine mist by the compressed air. Workers exposed to this mist may have developed an autoimmune response that caused nerve damage, he said.

"The precise mechanism by which that is occurring, we do not yet understand," Lachance said.

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Flu Shot Aids COPD Patients: Study

Annual flu vaccines may help prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from worsening, according to researchers in India who studied 87 COPD patients, average age of about 65, who'd never previously had a flu shot.

The patients were followed for a year before and after they received the vaccine. The flu vaccine reduced overall breathing problems by 67 percent, the study found. Among patients with severe COPD, there was a 75 percent reduction in the incidence of additional respiratory problems, United Press International reported. The study findings were published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice.

"Our study was undertaken in a population where uptake of the vaccine is traditionally low and it had marked effect on the men who received it," study lead author Dr. Balakrishnan Menon, of the University of Delhi, said in a statement, UPI reported. "This could explain why our 67 percent reduction was higher than the 32 percent to 45 percent falls reported by previous studies carried out in populations where the vaccine is more common," Menon said.

Health Tips for April 18

Health Tip: What's Behind My Migraine?

Migraines are severe headaches that can also cause nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.

Migraines are more common in women than men. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services lists these common triggers of migraines in women:

* Not getting enough to eat.
* Not getting enough sleep.
* Exposure to bright lights or loud noise.
* Fluctuating hormone levels, such as during your period.
* Changes in the weather.
* Emotional factors, such as stress or anxiety.
* Chocolate, alcohol, nicotine or foods with additives such as MSG.

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 Headlines - April 17

Generic Bupropion Antidepressant Safe, Effective: FDA

Teva Pharmaceuticals' version of generic bupropion extended-release tablets (marketed as Budeprion XL 300 milligram) is a safe and effective choice for the treatment of depression and meets all requirements for approval, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.

The FDA launched an evaluation of the drug after it received reports of loss of antidepressant effect and new or worsening side effects in some patients who switched from the brand-name drug, Wellbutrin XL, made by GlaxoSmithKline.

The FDA reviewed adverse event reports and other data on the drug, made by Impax Laboratories of California and distributed by Teva, in order to assess its safety and effectiveness.

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Low-Calorie Diet May Protect Against Skin Cancer

A low-calorie diet may help prevent skin cancer, a U.S. study of mice suggests.

Researchers concluded that eating fewer calories prevented activation of two signaling pathways associated with the growth and development of cancer, while a high-calorie diet activated the pathways, CBC News reported.

The study was presented Tuesday at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, in San Diego.

"These results, while tested in a mouse model of skin cancer, are broadly applicable to epithelial cancers in other tissues," said senior author John DiGiovanni, director of the department of carcinogenesis at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, CBC News reported.

The mice in the study had precancerous skin lesions called papillomas and were fed four different diets. Two groups of mice ate calorie-reduced diets (15 percent and 30 percent) while the two other groups ate diets in which 10 percent and 60 percent of calories came from fat.

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Western Rider Push Toys and S'morestick Kits Recalled

About 9,000 Western Rider push toys are being recalled in the United States because surface paint on the toys contains excessive levels of lead, the Associated Press reported.

The Chinese-made toys were imported by Santa's Toy Corp. and sold at dollar and discount stores across the country between February 2005 and February 2008, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said. There have been no reports of illnesses. For more information phone 800-638-2772.

Another recall involves S'morestick Kits with chocolate pieces that contain milk that's not listed as an ingredient on the packaging. This could pose a health hazard for people with milk allergies. Grand Carnival L.L.C. has received one report of an allergic reaction, the AP reported.

The kits, sold in clear, plastic tubs with a "use by" date of 2/14/09, were distributed to Garden Ridge stores in Florida, Texas, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, Virginia, Arkansas, Michigan, and Indiana. For more information, phone 877-305-3382.

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South Korea Declares Nationwide Bird Flu Alert

In response to a number of bird flu outbreaks since early April, the South Korean government on Wednesday issued a nationwide bird flu alert, Agence France-Presse reported. Troops have been deployed and firefighters put on standby as part of the effort to try to contain the spread of the disease.

There have been 20 confirmed outbreaks involving the H5 virus and the deadly H5N1 virus has been confirmed as the cause of at least six of them. The agriculture ministry is investigating 14 more suspected outbreaks of bird flu. There have been no reports of human infections.

So far, 2.2 million chickens and ducks have been slaughtered in and around infected farms, mainly in the South and North Jeolla provinces, AFP reported.

Troops are helping to cull chickens and ducks and are manning checkpoints to control movements in areas with reported infections. Firefighters have been told to be ready to help disinfect vehicles and farms or do other tasks.

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Heparin Contaminant May Have Been Added to Boost Profits: FDA

Batches of Baxter International Inc.'s blood thinner heparin may have been intentionally contaminated to increase profit, U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach suggested at a Senate hearing Tuesday.

"It was apparently, we suspect, done by virtue of economic fraud," he told a Senate Appropriations subcommittee that oversees FDA spending, Bloomberg news reported. However, after the hearing, von Eschenbach said his comments may have gone too far and noted that the FDA has no evidence the contamination was deliberate.

Since January 2007, 62 people have died due to allergic reactions or low blood pressure after receiving Baxter's heparin. Some samples of the company's heparin -- in which the main ingredient is made from pig intestines and imported from China -- were contaminated with a cheaper substance derived from animal cartilage.

The FDA hasn't pinpointed where in the supply chain the contaminant was added, but Baxter has said it appears to have occurred before the product reached the company's supplier, Bloomberg reported.

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Bisphenol A May Be Linked to Hormonal Problems: Report

The chemical bisphenol A, used in a wide range of consumer products including baby bottles, may be linked to a number of hormonal problems, says a preliminary report released Tuesday by the U.S. National Toxicology Program, the Associated Press reported.

When rats were fed or injected with low doses of the chemical, they developed precancerous tumors, urinary tract problems and early puberty, the report said. While these findings are based on tests with rats, the possible effects on humans "cannot be dismissed," said the group, which includes scientists from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health.

A final version of the report will be released this summer. Some environmental groups said the findings confirmed their concerns, while chemical companies continued to insist bisphenol A is safe, the AP reported.

According to the CDC, more than 90 percent of Americans are exposed to trace amounts of the chemical, which leaches out of the linings of cans and other products made with it.

Last summer, a team of researchers assembled by the National Institutes of Health called for more research into how bisphenol A may affect humans. Last November, the FDA said there is "no reason at this time to ban or otherwise restrict its use," the AP reported.

Health Canada is looking into the health risks of bisphenol A and is expected to release its findings within the next few days.

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Suicides Halt Psychiatric Admissions to VA Hospital in Dallas

After four suicides so far this year, the VA Medical Center in Dallas has stopped admitting patients to its 51-bed psychiatric unit, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.

The decision was made by Joe Dalpiaz, director of the Veterans Affairs Department's North Texas medical system. The decision was made "to give us an opportunity to stand down and reassess the environment and the processes in place," said Dr. Catherine Orsak, the hospital's associate chief of staff for mental health.

Dalpiaz "has been very vocal that this is not an assumption that there is blame to find or that (the suicides) could have been prevented. But it is an opportunity to look at things without the demands of an active inpatient unit," Orsak told the Star-Telegram.

Officials at VA headquarters in Washington, D.C., have started examining patient records and are scheduled to visit the psychiatric unit next week. The unit, which currently has nine patients, will refer new patients to the VA hospital in Waco and to private hospitals.

Health Tips for April 17

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 Tip: Donating Blood

Donating blood is a safe and easy procedure that can help save lives.

Here is information on what to expect when you donate blood, courtesy of the American Red Cross:

* You'll have a mini-physical exam, where your blood pressure, pulse and temperature will be checked. You also will be asked questions about your lifestyle and health.
* The injection site on your arm will be sterilized, then a sterile needle will be inserted. Some minor stinging or discomfort is common when the needle enters the skin.
* It takes about 10 minutes to collect a pint of blood.
* You may need to lie still for a few minutes after the donation, and have a snack or a drink.
* If you donate to the Red Cross, you'll be given a form with follow-up instructions and a phone number to call in case you realize that your blood may not be safe to give to another person.
* A small number of donors may experience dizziness, fatigue or bruising at the injection site.

Health Headlines - April 16

Many Uninsured Can't Meet Cost-Sharing Requirements for HSAs

Many uninsured American households don't have enough financial assets to cover the cost-sharing in consumer-driven health plans tied to health savings accounts (HSAs), says a Kaiser Family Foundation study that looked at 2004 data.

Researchers looked at the asset levels of households with two or more uninsured members and compared that to the range of cost-sharing features in HSA-qualified health plans. Among their findings: 33 percent of households with at least two uninsured members had gross financial assets of at least $2,000, the minimum deductible for an HSA-qualified family plan in 2004, and only 9 percent of those households had enough assets to cover the out-of-pocket maximum of $10,000.

Overall, the study showed a large gap in terms of financial assets between uninsured and insured households.

"Although lower premiums may increase the ability of the uninsured to buy some coverage, high out-of-pocket liability may leave families exposed to costs that they cannot meet," the study authors wrote in an abstract.

The study was published online by the journal Health Affairs.

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Bisphenol A May Be Listed as Dangerous Substance in Canada

Health Canada is expected to declare bisphenol A a dangerous substance, the Globe and Mail reported Tuesday. It would be the first regulatory body in the world to make that determination and to take steps to control human exposure to the chemical.

Bisphenol A is one of the most widely used synthetic chemicals in the world and is found in a wide range of products. Experts are concerned about the use of the hormonally active chemical in food and beverage containers.

"Bishphenol A is in every Canadian home. It threatens the health of every Canadian. Moving against it would be a hugely significant victory for public health and the environment," Rick Smith, executive director of the group Environmental Defence, told the Globe and Mail.

A declaration by Health Canada that bisphenol A is a possible threat will put pressure on American and European regulators to re-consider the status of the chemical.

"If this chemical is listed as toxic (by Health Canada), it will be an internationally significant decision," Smith said.

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Model Helicopter Chargers, Batteries Pose Burn Hazard

About 3,200 lithium-polymer battery chargers and lithium-polymer batteries used with model helicopters sold by Hobby-Lobby International Inc. of Brentwood, Tenn., are being recalled, because they can ignite while charging and pose a fire hazard.

To date, the company has received three reports of incidents, including one consumer who suffered serious burns to his hand when a battery ignited, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

The recall involves the charger and batteries sold with the AT600 Falcon Helicopter kit and any spare charger (Model ATS6046) or spare battery (Model AT600B) purchased for this kit.

The helicopter kit was sold from April 2006 through July 2007 for about $300 per kit, while the spare chargers sold for about $15, and the spare batteries sold for about $45. Consumers should stop using these products and go to the Hobby-Lobby Web site (www.hobby-lobby.com) for further instructions. Consumers can also phone the company at 866-933-5972.

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Scientists Create 1st Libraries of Avian Flu Antibodies

The first libraries of avian influenza antibodies have been created by American and Turkish researchers, who say the achievement could lead to the development of treatments for people infected with the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus.

The libraries include more than 300 antibodies that work against H5N1. The samples were collected from survivors of bird flu outbreaks that occurred in Turkey in 2005 and 2006, CTV News reported.

To date, the scientists have found that three of the antibodies are effective against both the H1 (common flu) and H5 (avian) subtypes.

"Three global influenza pandemics have occurred within the past 100 years, each with devastating consequences," said Richard A. Lerner, president of the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, Calif. "Our study holds out the hope that a new outbreak could potentially be stopped at an early stage, and that effective treatment could be available to those infected."

The research appears in this week's issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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Possible Link Between Air Pollution and Pneumonia: Study

The pneumonia deaths of thousands of people in England in recent years may be linked to high levels of air pollution, according to University of Birmingham researchers who looked at pneumonia deaths in 352 areas between 1996 and 2004.

They compared those deaths with air pollution levels and found a "strong correlation," BBC News reported. The 35 areas with the highest pneumonia death rates also tended to have higher rates of rheumatic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and some cancers.

"High mortality rates were observed in areas with elevated ambient pollution levels. The strongest single effect was an increase in pneumonia deaths," said study author Prof. George Knox.

He noted that vehicles were "the chief source of emissions responsible, although it was not possible to discriminate between the different chemical components," BBC News reported.

The study appears in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

More detailed research is needed in order to establish a conclusive link between air pollution and pneumonia, lung experts told BBC News.

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French Bill Would Make it Illegal to Promote Extreme Thinness

French lawmakers on Tuesday approved an anti-anorexia bill that would make it illegal for advertisers, fashion magazines, Web sites or anyone else to publicly incite extreme thinness, the Associated Press reported.

The bill was approved by the National Assembly and will go to the Senate in the coming weeks. Valery Boyer, the author of the bill, said encouraging anorexia or severe weight loss should be punishable in court.

The move is opposed by the fashion industry but welcomed by doctors and psychologists who treat patients with anorexia nervosa, the AP reported.

However, it's nearly impossible to prove a link between media images of thin women and eating disorders, said Marleen S. Williams, a psychology professor at Brigham Young University in Utah who researches the media's effect on anorexic women.

She told the AP that with the new French bill, "you're putting your finger in one hole in the dike, but there are other holes, and it's much more complex than that."

Health Tips for April 16

Health Tip: Having High Blood Pressure

Having high blood pressure puts you at higher-than-normal risk of heart disease and stroke, among other medical problems.

Here are risk factors that may make you more likely to develop high blood pressure, courtesy of the American Heart Association:

* Being significantly overweight or obese.
* Eating a diet that's too high in sodium (salt).
* Drinking alcohol to excess, or too frequently.
* Getting insufficient exercise.
* Feeling too much stress or anxiety.
* Having a family history of high blood pressure.
* Being African-American.
* Being age 35 or older.

Health Tip: Pain in Your Side

The appendix is a tube-like organ, with no known purpose, attached to the large intestine. Appendicitis describes when the appendix becomes inflamed, making it prone to rupturing, which is a serious medical emergency.

You should seek medical attention at once if you have symptoms in the following list, provided by the U.S. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.

* Abdominal pain, particularly pain that starts around the belly button and moves to the lower right side.
* Lack of appetite.
* Nausea or vomiting.
* Diarrhea, constipation or difficulty passing gas.
* Low fever that begins after other symptoms start.
* Swelling in the abdomen.

Health Headlines - April 15

Some People Face Huge Drug Costs Under New Policies

Under new policies being adopted by health insurance companies, patients have to pay hundreds and even thousands of dollars for expensive prescription medications that can slow the progress of serious diseases or save their lives, The New York Times reported.

Traditionally, patients paid a fixed price for a prescription, no matter what the drug actually cost. Now, many insurers are charging patients a percentage (often 20 percent to 33 percent) of the cost of hundreds of expensive medications, including those used to treat diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, hemophilia, hepatitis C and some types of cancer.

Since there aren't less expensive options, patients have to pay or do without the drugs. As a result, some patients drug expenses are higher than their mortgages or even than their monthly incomes, The Times reported.

Insurers say this new system, called Tier 4, helps keep everyone's drug premiums down at a time when some new treatments for diseases such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis can cost $100,000 a year.

But the Tier 4 system leaves seriously ill people with massive drug bills, James Robinson, a health economist at the University of California, Berkeley, told The Times.

"It is a very unfortunate social policy. The more the sick person pays, the less the healthy person pays," he said.

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Baby Boomers May Overwhelm Health System: Report

Aging American baby boomers could swamp the country's health care system for seniors, warns an Institute of Medicine report cited Monday by the Associated Press.

The report evaluates the state of future health care for the 78 million baby boomers about to start reaching age 65. Among its findings:

• There aren't enough geriatric medicine specialists. Currently, there are about 7,100 doctors certified in geriatrics in the United States, which works out to one per 2,500 older Americans. There's insufficient training, and geriatric specialists are underpaid.
• Turnover among nurse aides averages 71 percent a year, and as many as 90 percent of home health aides leave their jobs within the first two years.
• Medicare doesn't provide for team care that's required by many elderly patients.
• Elderly people tend to be healthier and live longer than in previous generations, but people aged 65 and older often have more complex conditions and health care needs than younger people.

"We face an impending crisis as the growing number of older patients, who are living longer with more complex health needs, increasingly outpace the number of health care providers with the knowledge and skills to care for them capably," said John W. Rowe, a professor of health policy and management at Columbia University, the AP reported.

Rowe led the Institute of Medicine committee that wrote the report. The Institute of Medicine is an arm of the National Academy of Sciences. The committee recommended that: all health care workers be trained in basic geriatric care; the minimum number of hours of training for direct-care workers be increased from 75 to at least 120; and that geriatric specialists, doctors, nurse and care workers get better pay.

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Parents Often Misinformed About Drugs Prescribed for Children

Less than one-third of prescription medicines used to treat children have been formally approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in youngsters, but many parents believe all such drugs are FDA-approved, says a survey released Monday by the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health.

Among the findings:

• 83 percent of parents believed the last medication prescribed for their child was FDA-approved.
• 94 percent of parents feel a child's doctor is responsible for disclosing whether a medication is not FDA-approved for use in children.
• 77 percent want their child's doctor to prescribe only medicines that are FDA-approved for use in children.
• Women are more likely than men to want their child's doctor to prescribe only medicines with pediatric labeling.
• Parents with less education are more likely to want only FDA-approved medicine for their children.

"FDA labeling is very important to parents, but that's a problem when only one-third of medicines have FDA approval for use in children," Dr. Matthew M. Davis, director of the National Poll on Children's Health, said in a prepared statement. "The solution to that is to either get more medicines that are FDA-approved by increasing clinical studies, or working to help physicians and parents negotiate the situation when physicians want to use medicines that are safe and effective, but may not have FDA approval."

The national online survey included 2,131 adults, ages 18 and older.

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Sludge Spread on Yards of Low-Income Families

In a U.S. government-funded study, researchers spread sludge made from treated industrial and human waste on the yards of nine low-income black families in Baltimore to test whether the sludge would protect children from lead poisoning, the Associated Press reported.

The families were told the sludge was safe and never informed about any possibly dangerous elements. In exchange for allowing the sludge to be spread in yards, the families received food coupons and new lawns, according to documents obtained by the AP.

The researchers said the sludge (leftover solid wastes from treatment plants) reduced the children's risk of lead-related brain or nerve damage. The phosphate and iron in sludge can bind to lead and other hazardous metals in soil. This means that, if a child eats contaminated soil, the harmful metals will pass safely through the body. The study was published in the journal Science of the Total Environment in 2005.

However, many experts are skeptical about this claim. While the sludge can bind to lead in soil, "it's not at all clear that the sludge binding the lead will be preserved in the acidity of the stomach" when it's eaten, said soil chemist Murray McBride, director of the Cornell Waste Management Institute.

He questioned why the families weren't told about possibly harmful ingredients in the sludge and why low-income people were chosen for the research.

"If you're not telling them what kinds of chemicals could be in there, how could they even make an informed decision. If you're telling them it's absolutely safe, then it's not ethical," McBride told the AP.

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Gene Discovery May Lead to New Treatments for Iron Disorders

The discovery of a gene (TMPRSS6) that causes a rare form of iron deficiency may help in the development of new ways to treat iron disorders in the general population, according to researchers who studied five families with iron-refractory iron-deficiency anemia (IRIDA).

The families all had a variety of mutations in TMPRSS6. Deficiency of the TMPRSS6 protein results in overproduction of a hormone called hepcidin, which inhibits intestinal absorption of iron, Agence France-Presse reported.

The finding suggests that drugs designed to stimulate TMPRSS6 production may help some patients with anemia, particularly those with hepcidin overproduction. On the other hand, a drug that blocks TMPRSS6 production could help patients with iron overload disorders by increasing levels of hepcidin in order to limit intestinal iron absorption.

The study was published online Sunday in the journal Nature Genetics.

Lack of iron is the most common of nutritional deficiencies and a leading cause of anemia, AFP reported.

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Exercise Boosted Prostate Tumor Growth in Mice

Exercise caused prostate tumors to grow more quickly in mice, but men shouldn't take that to mean they can protect themselves by not exercising, say Duke University Medical Center researchers.

They implanted prostate tumors into 50 mice and then put half the mice in cages with exercise wheels and half in cages with no wheels. The exercising mice ran an average of more than one-half mile a day. All the mice were fed the same diet, United Press International reported.

"Our study showed that exercise led to significantly greater tumor growth than a more sedentary lifestyle did, in this mouse model," senior investigator Lee Jones of the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, said in a prepared statement.

The study was presented this weekend at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in San Diego.

The Duke team urged caution in interpreting the findings, UPI reported.

"These mice were not receiving (cancer) treatment and we were allowing aggressive tumors to grow unchecked for the sake of the experiment. Patients would not find themselves in the same situation," study investigator Stephen Freedland said in a prepared statement.

Health Tips for April 15

Health Tip: Tornado Safety

If you live in an area that's prone to tornadoes, you should know how to prepare for these destructive storms.

Here are suggestions to help you stay safe, courtesy of the National Center for Atmospheric Research:

* Head to a basement or storm cellar, staying away from any windows. Protect yourself under a piece of strong, sturdy furniture, away from room corners that attract debris.
* If you don't have a basement, go to an inner hallway, bathroom or other interior room, preferably one without windows.
* Use your arms to cover your head, neck and face.
* If you are in a car or mobile home, get out immediately and find safer shelter.
* If you are outside, seek shelter inside a sturdy building. If this isn't possible, find a ditch or other low-lying area.

Health Tip: Taking Kids on the Road

Packing up the family for a trip can disrupt sleep schedules and diet.

To keep kids happy and healthy on a trip, here are suggestions from the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* Pack snacks and other foods that your child likes, such as sugar-free cereals, crackers, cheeses or fruits.
* For babies, pack premixed formula or jars of baby food.
* Try to keep your child on a regular schedule for eating and sleeping.
* If flying, give children sugar-free gum to help with pressure in the ears. For babies, a pacifier may help.
* Make sure your child drinks plenty of water, especially on a plane.

Health Headlines - April 14

21 Salmonella Cases Reported in 13 States After Cereal Recall

At least 21 people in 13 states have been infected with the latest outbreak of Salmonella poisoning, possibly from a number of processed cereal products that were recalled by the manufacturer April 5.

In issuing a consumer warning, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the strain of salmonellosis in the victims was the same found in the recalled containers of unsweetened Puffed Rice and unsweetened Puffed Wheat cereals produced by Malt-O-Meal, of Minneapolis, Minn.

According to the FDA, the recalled products were also distributed nationally under private label brands including Acme, America's Choice, Food Club, Giant, Hannaford, Jewel, Laura Lynn, Pathmark, Shaw's, ShopRite, Tops and Weis Quality. The cereals have Best If Used By dates from April 8, 2008 (coded as "APR0808") through March 18, 2009 (coded as "MAR1809"), the FDA says.

Consumers are warned to throw out any of the cereal that is part of the recalled lots. You can get a complete list of the recalled products at this Malt-O-Meal site.

While there have been no reports of deaths in these latest cases, the Salmonella bacterium causes nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists the following states and number of reported cases: California reported 1; Colorado, 1; Delaware, 1; Maine, 3; Massachusetts, 2; Minnesota, 1; North Dakota, 1; New Hampshire, 2; New Jersey, 3; New York, 3; Pennsylvania, 1; Rhode Island, 1; and Vermont, 1.

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Former NYC Hospital Employee Charged in Theft of 50,000 Patient Records

The hospital records of as many as 50,000 patients have been stolen from a major New York City hospital, the New York Times reports.

A former employee of New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center has been charged with the thefts, according to the Times. Dwight McPherson, 38, a patient admissions representative, was arrested Saturday and charged with stealing nearly 50,000 patient files and selling at least 1,000 of them, the newspaper reported.

McPherson was charged with selling about 1,000 patient files to a person described only as "a man from Brooklyn" for $750, the Times said. The theft of the files, which contained no medical records but had other personal information, possibly including a patient's Social Security number, had been going on since 2006, the Times reported.

McPherson, who had been suspended in February after the investigation began, told government officials that he had been offered money for information about male patients born between 1950 and 1970, the newspaper quotes the criminal complaint as stating.

While saying that there had been as yet no reports of a patient falling prey to a financial scam or fraud, hospital spokeswoman Myrna Manners told the Associated Press that the missing information was possibly part of a "larger criminal enterprise."

Manners said the patients -- all of whom had been treated in the past two years -- had been notified, and that a hotline had been established for them to use as more information became available.

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Nine States Chosen for Health Care Quality Improvement

Nine states have been selected to take part in the State Quality Improvement Institute, a program to help states devise and implement action plans to improve performance in a number of health care quality indicators. The institute is a collaboration of the Commonwealth Fund and AcademyHealth.

"Our State Scorecard on Health System Performance found that we could save thousands of lives and billions of dollars if all states could achieve the level of the top performers on key indicators of health outcomes, quality, access, efficiency, and equity," Karen Davis, Commonwealth Fund president, said in a prepared statement.

"The State Quality Institute will allow states to learn best practices to improve health care quality, and is an important step toward achieving a high performing health care system in the U.S.," she said.

Each state will appoint a team to take part in an interactive process for developing policy and program strategies. The nine states selected for participation are: Colorado, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.

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Recalled Dietary Supplements May Pose Serious Health Hazard

Twelve dietary supplements containing ephedra, aristolochic acid or human placenta that may pose a serious health hazard to consumers are being recalled by Herbal Science International, Inc.

The recalled products are: Wu Yao Shun Qi San; Qing Bi Tang (nasal cleanser); Zhong Fong Huo Luo Wan (stroke revito formula); Xiao Qing Long Tang (Little Green Dragon); Ding Chuan Tang; Xiao Xu Ming Tang; Feng Shi Zhi Tong Wan (joint relief); Guo Min Bi Yan Wan; Fang Feng Tong Sheng San; Tou Tong San (headache formula); Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang (Du Huo joint relief); and Seng Jong Tzu Tong Tan.

Ephedrine alkaloids can have potentially dangerous effects on the heart, while aristolochic acid is potent carcinogen and can cause serious kidney damage. Human placenta can transmit disease, and dietary supplements that contain it are not allowed to be sold in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration said.

All 12 products were distributed in white plastic bottles of 100 capsules and sold nationwide in herbal stores, by acupuncturists and on the Internet. Consumers who bought these products should immediately stop using them and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

People who have taken these products and have had adverse reactions should consult a doctor, the FDA said.

For more information, call Herbal Science International, Inc. at 626-333-9998.

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Michaels Recalls 310,000 Seasonal Writing Pens

About 310,000 Flower Writers, Christmas Writers, Easter Writers and Spooky Writers Seasonal Writing Pens with high levels of lead are being recalled by Michaels Stores Inc., of Irving, Texas. Lead levels in the surface coating on the Chinese-made pens violate the federal lead paint standard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said. The pens, with decorations including flowers, Christmas, Easter and Halloween ornamentation, were sold individually at Michaels stores from August 2007 through March 2008.

Consumers should stop using these pens and return them to any Michaels to receive a refund, the CPSC said.

For more information, contact Michaels at 800-642-4235.

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Scientists Say EPA's New Smog Standard Fails to Protect Public

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new air quality standard for smog doesn't protect public health as required by law and needs to be strengthened, an advisory panel of scientists wrote in a letter to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson.

In the letter, sent earlier this week, the 25 scientists expressed frustration that their unanimous recommendation for a stricter standard was ignored, the Associated Press reported.

The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, created by Congress to advise the EPA, recommended the ozone (smog) limit be lowered from 80 parts per billion to between 60 parts per billion and 70 parts per billion. The EPA's new standard is 75 parts per billion.

In the letter, the scientists also criticized the EPA for not further strengthening a separate smog standard meant to protect forests, agricultural land and the ecosystem, the AP reported.

Health Tips for April 14

Health Tip: Get Enough Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that's found primarily in citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, broccoli, potatoes and other fruits and veggies.

Significant enough vitamin C deficiency can lead to a condition called scurvy.

Here are warning signs that you're not getting enough vitamin C, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* Excessively dry hair with ends that split easily.
* Scaly, rough, dry skin.
* Bleeding or inflamed gums.
* Wounds that heal slowly, frequent infections, and bruising easily.
* Frequent nosebleeds.
* Pain and swelling in the joints.
* Anemia.
* Weakened tooth enamel.

Health Tip: Having Neck Pain?

Neck pain has a variety of causes, often muscle strain or tension.

Here are some other common triggers, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* Sitting at or bending over a desk for long periods, especially with poor posture.
* Reading, working or watching TV with poor posture.
* Working at a computer screen that is too high or too low.
* Sleeping in an awkward position.
* Injuring the neck during exercise by twisting or straining the muscles.
* Medical conditions, including arthritis, fibromyalgia, meningitis or a herniated disk.

Health Headlines - April 13

40,000 Patient Records Reported Stolen From NYC Hospital

The hospital records of as many as 40,000 patients may have been stolen from a major New York City hospital, the Associated Press reports.

The the thief is most likely an employee, the wire service says, and the discovery of the missing records came as the result of an internal audit and a federal investigation.

The records in question did not contain health information, the A.P. quotes New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell spokeswoman Myrna Manners as saying, but they did contain a lot of personal information -- names, addresses, phone numbers, and possibly Social Security numbers.

While saying that there had been as yet no reports of a patient falling prey to a financial scam or fraud, Manners told the A.P. that the missing information was possibly part of a "larger criminal enterprise." She would not name the employee in question.

Officials from the U.S. Attorney's office acknowledged to the wire service there was an investigation into the missing hospital patient records but declined to elaborate. Manners said the 40,000 patients -- all of whom had been treated in the past two years -- had been notified, and that a hotline had been established for them to use as more information became available.

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Nine States Chosen for Health Care Quality Improvement

Nine states have been selected to take part in the State Quality Improvement Institute, a program to help states devise and implement action plans to improve performance in a number of health care quality indicators. The institute is a collaboration of the Commonwealth Fund and AcademyHealth.

"Our State Scorecard on Health System Performance found that we could save thousands of lives and billions of dollars if all states could achieve the level of the top performers on key indicators of health outcomes, quality, access, efficiency, and equity," Karen Davis, Commonwealth Fund president, said in a prepared statement.

"The State Quality Institute will allow states to learn best practices to improve health care quality, and is an important step toward achieving a high performing health care system in the U.S.," she said.

Each state will appoint a team to take part in an interactive process for developing policy and program strategies. The nine states selected for participation are: Colorado, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.

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Recalled Dietary Supplements May Pose Serious Health Hazard

Twelve dietary supplements containing ephedra, aristolochic acid or human placenta that may pose a serious health hazard to consumers are being recalled by Herbal Science International, Inc.

The recalled products are: Wu Yao Shun Qi San; Qing Bi Tang (nasal cleanser); Zhong Fong Huo Luo Wan (stroke revito formula); Xiao Qing Long Tang (Little Green Dragon); Ding Chuan Tang; Xiao Xu Ming Tang; Feng Shi Zhi Tong Wan (joint relief); Guo Min Bi Yan Wan; Fang Feng Tong Sheng San; Tou Tong San (headache formula); Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang (Du Huo joint relief); and Seng Jong Tzu Tong Tan.

Ephedrine alkaloids can have potentially dangerous effects on the heart, while aristolochic acid is potent carcinogen and can cause serious kidney damage. Human placenta can transmit disease, and dietary supplements that contain it are not allowed to be sold in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration said.

All 12 products were distributed in white plastic bottles of 100 capsules and sold nationwide in herbal stores, by acupuncturists and on the Internet. Consumers who bought these products should immediately stop using them and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

People who have taken these products and have had adverse reactions should consult a doctor, the FDA said.

For more information, call Herbal Science International, Inc. at 626-333-9998.

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Michaels Recalls 310,000 Seasonal Writing Pens

About 310,000 Flower Writers, Christmas Writers, Easter Writers and Spooky Writers Seasonal Writing Pens with high levels of lead are being recalled by Michaels Stores Inc., of Irving, Texas. Lead levels in the surface coating on the Chinese-made pens violate the federal lead paint standard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said. The pens, with decorations including flowers, Christmas, Easter and Halloween ornamentation, were sold individually at Michaels stores from August 2007 through March 2008.

Consumers should stop using these pens and return them to any Michaels to receive a refund, the CPSC said.

For more information, contact Michaels at 800-642-4235.

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Scientists Say EPA's New Smog Standard Fails to Protect Public

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new air quality standard for smog doesn't protect public health as required by law and needs to be strengthened, an advisory panel of scientists wrote in a letter to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson.

In the letter, sent earlier this week, the 25 scientists expressed frustration that their unanimous recommendation for a stricter standard was ignored, the Associated Press reported.

The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, created by Congress to advise the EPA, recommended the ozone (smog) limit be lowered from 80 parts per billion to between 60 parts per billion and 70 parts per billion. The EPA's new standard is 75 parts per billion.

In the letter, the scientists also criticized the EPA for not further strengthening a separate smog standard meant to protect forests, agricultural land and the ecosystem, the AP reported.

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Drug, Device Makers Pledge Disclosure About Promotional Spending

Facing the threat of legislation from Congress, drug and medical device manufacturers say they're going to be more open about the consulting fees and free trips they give to doctors, as well as their sponsorship of educational conferences attended by physicians.

In most cases, these financial ties don't have to be disclosed and critics say they can improperly influence patient care, the Associated Press reported.

With Congress considering legislation to force disclosure, a dozen drug and medical device makers have told Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, that they're developing plans to publicly disclose grants to outside groups. The companies will provide details on their Web sites.

The companies are just trying to head off the legislation, said Dr. Peter Lurie of the consumer group Public Citizen. "If they were doing this out of the goodness of their heart, they would have done so decades ago," he told the AP.

Health Tips for April 13

Health Tip: Potassium-Rich Foods

Potassium is a mineral that plays an important role in regulating blood pressure. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that most people get 4,044 milligrams of potassium each day.

Here are some good food sources of potassium, says the American Academy of Family Physicians:

* Potatoes, both sweet and regular.
* Beans; especially lima beans, soybeans, white beans and kidney beans.
* Yogurt and skim milk.
* Bananas, peaches, cantaloupes and honeydew melons.
* Fish, such as halibut, yellowfin tuna, rockfish and cod.
* Tomato products, such as tomato sauce, juice, puree and paste.

Health Tip: Avoiding Cellulite

Cellulite is fat that collects just under the surface of the skin, and causes a dimply appearance. It appears most often on the hips, thighs and buttocks.

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

* Include plenty of fruits, vegetables and fiber in your diet.
* Drink plenty of fluids to keep your body well-hydrated.
* Maintain good muscle tone and strong bones with regular exercise.
* Try to stay at a healthy body weight, and avoid frequently gaining and losing weight.
* Don't smoke.

Health Headlines - April 12

Nine States Chosen for Health Care Quality Improvement

Nine states have been selected to take part in the State Quality Improvement Institute, a program to help states devise and implement action plans to improve performance in a number of health care quality indicators. The institute is a collaboration of the Commonwealth Fund and AcademyHealth.

"Our State Scorecard on Health System Performance found that we could save thousands of lives and billions of dollars if all states could achieve the level of the top performers on key indicators of health outcomes, quality, access, efficiency, and equity," Karen Davis, Commonwealth Fund president, said in a prepared statement.

"The State Quality Institute will allow states to learn best practices to improve health care quality, and is an important step toward achieving a high performing health care system in the U.S.," she said.

Each state will appoint a team to take part in an interactive process for developing policy and program strategies. The nine states selected for participation are: Colorado, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.

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Recalled Dietary Supplements May Pose Serious Health Hazard

Twelve dietary supplements containing ephedra, aristolochic acid or human placenta that may pose a serious health hazard to consumers are being recalled by Herbal Science International, Inc.

The recalled products are: Wu Yao Shun Qi San; Qing Bi Tang (nasal cleanser); Zhong Fong Huo Luo Wan (stroke revito formula); Xiao Qing Long Tang (Little Green Dragon); Ding Chuan Tang; Xiao Xu Ming Tang; Feng Shi Zhi Tong Wan (joint relief); Guo Min Bi Yan Wan; Fang Feng Tong Sheng San; Tou Tong San (headache formula); Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang (Du Huo joint relief); and Seng Jong Tzu Tong Tan.

Ephedrine alkaloids can have potentially dangerous effects on the heart, while aristolochic acid is potent carcinogen and can cause serious kidney damage. Human placenta can transmit disease, and dietary supplements that contain it are not allowed to be sold in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration said.

All 12 products were distributed in white plastic bottles of 100 capsules and sold nationwide in herbal stores, by acupuncturists and on the Internet. Consumers who bought these products should immediately stop using them and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

People who have taken these products and have had adverse reactions should consult a doctor, the FDA said.

For more information, call Herbal Science International, Inc. at 626-333-9998.

-----

Michaels Recalls 310,000 Seasonal Writing Pens

About 310,000 Flower Writers, Christmas Writers, Easter Writers and Spooky Writers Seasonal Writing Pens with high levels of lead are being recalled by Michaels Stores Inc., of Irving, Texas. Lead levels in the surface coating on the Chinese-made pens violate the federal lead paint standard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said. The pens, with decorations including flowers, Christmas, Easter and Halloween ornamentation, were sold individually at Michaels stores from August 2007 through March 2008.

Consumers should stop using these pens and return them to any Michaels to receive a refund, the CPSC said.

For more information, contact Michaels at 800-642-4235.

-----

Scientists Say EPA's New Smog Standard Fails to Protect Public

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new air quality standard for smog doesn't protect public health as required by law and needs to be strengthened, an advisory panel of scientists wrote in a letter to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson.

In the letter, sent earlier this week, the 25 scientists expressed frustration that their unanimous recommendation for a stricter standard was ignored, the Associated Press reported.

The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, created by Congress to advise the EPA, recommended the ozone (smog) limit be lowered from 80 parts per billion to between 60 parts per billion and 70 parts per billion. The EPA's new standard is 75 parts per billion.

In the letter, the scientists also criticized the EPA for not further strengthening a separate smog standard meant to protect forests, agricultural land and the ecosystem, the AP reported.

-----

Drug, Device Makers Pledge Disclosure About Promotional Spending

Facing the threat of legislation from Congress, drug and medical device manufacturers say they're going to be more open about the consulting fees and free trips they give to doctors, as well as their sponsorship of educational conferences attended by physicians.

In most cases, these financial ties don't have to be disclosed and critics say they can improperly influence patient care, the Associated Press reported.

With Congress considering legislation to force disclosure, a dozen drug and medical device makers have told Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, that they're developing plans to publicly disclose grants to outside groups. The companies will provide details on their Web sites.

The companies are just trying to head off the legislation, said Dr. Peter Lurie of the consumer group Public Citizen. "If they were doing this out of the goodness of their heart, they would have done so decades ago," he told the AP.

-----

Plan to Move U.S. Foot-and-Mouth Lab Causes Concern

A plan to move the only U.S. laboratory for research on foot-and-mouth disease from isolated Plum Island, N.Y., to a mainland location is raising concerns about the possibility of a catastrophic outbreak that could devastate the country's livestock industry.

Foot-and-mouth disease, which does not affect humans, is one of the most contagious animal diseases. The Bush administration is considering five possible locations for the new National Bio-and Agro-Defense Facility: Manhattan, Kan.; Athens, Ga.; Butner, N.C.; San Antonio; and Flora, Miss., the Associated Press reported.

Democrats in Congress are skeptical about the move and want to see internal documents they believe highlight the risks and consequences of such a move. The Bush administration says modern laboratory safety rules would protect against an outbreak.

Previous incidents show that the foot-and-mouth virus can escape from a research facility, the AP reported. A virus believed to have escaped from a site shared by a government research center and a vaccine maker caused a foot-and-mouth outbreak last year in Great Britain, the news service said.

Health Tips for April 12

Health Tip: Taking Folic Acid

Folic acid is an important B vitamin for women -- especially for those who are pregnant or who are planning to become pregnant. It can help prevent serious birth defects of the baby's brain and spine.

Folic acid may also benefit men and women of any age, the U.S. National Institutes of Health says. Some studies show that it may help prevent heart disease, stroke, some cancers and Alzheimer's disease.

You should always talk to your doctor about what's an appropriate amount for you. The NIH site womenshealth.gov offers these general guidelines about folic acid:

* Women who are able to become pregnant should take 400 micrograms of folic acid each day.
* Pregnant women need 600 micrograms daily.
* Breast-feeding women need 500 micrograms daily.
* Women who have had a baby with certain birth defects -- such as spina bifida or anencephaly -- and who want to have another baby should check with their doctor. These women may need as much as 4,000 micrograms of folic acid per day.
* Women who have had a baby with these birth defects and who do not plan to have another baby should take 400 micrograms daily.

Health Tip: Battling Bunions

A bunion is a painful enlargement at the joint of the big toe, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

The skin over the joint becomes swollen and can be very tender. Bunions can be inherited as a family trait, can develop on their own, or can be caused by poorly fitting shoes.

A key part of treatment is wearing shoes that conform to the shape of the foot and don't cause pressure points.

In severe cases, bunions can be disabling. Several types of surgery are available that can relieve the pain and improve the foot's appearance.

Health Headlines - April 11

Organ-Rejection Drugs Linked to Nervous System Disorder: FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it is reviewing data involving a link between two drugs used to prevent organ rejection after transplant and a rare central nervous system disorder called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).

Use of CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil) and Myfortic (mycophenolic acid) may lead to the sometimes fatal disorder, the FDA said. PML usually affects people with weakened immune systems.

Roche, the maker of CellCept, has provided the agency with data showing that PML can be a rare side effect, and the company is recommending that an advisory be added to the drug's label. The FDA said it also has asked the maker of Myfortic, Novartis, to provide any PML data associated with the drug's use.

PML's symptoms may include vision changes, loss of coordination, memory loss, difficulty speaking or understanding others, and leg weakness.

The FDA said during the ongoing review, patients shouldn't change the way they use either medication.

In October, the agency warned that CellCept could cause birth defects and miscarriages, and could also weaken the effectiveness of certain birth control drugs.

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Suicide Leading Cause of Violent Death in U.S.

In 2005, violent deaths claimed the lives of 15,962 people in 16 states, according to data collected by the National Violent Death Reporting System. The study was included in this week's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The majority (56.1 percent) of these deaths were suicides, followed by homicides and deaths involving legal intervention (29.6 percent), deaths of undetermined intent (13.3 percent), and unintentional firearm deaths (0.7 percent).

The study also found that intimate partner violence and relationship problems, mental health problems, and drug and alcohol use at the time of death were common precipitating factors. In nearly 87 percent of cases where homicide was followed by the suicide of a suspect, a personal crisis occurred in the two weeks prior to the incident.

Former or current military personal accounted for 20 percent of all suicides.

Each year in the United States, about 50,000 people (137 per day) suffer a violent death. Programs to enhance social problem-solving and coping skills, and skills for dealing with stressful life events, may help reduce violence, the study authors said.

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U.S. Postpartum Depression Rates Vary

The prevalence of postpartum depression in 17 U.S. states in 2004-2005 ranged from 11.7 percent in Maine to 20.4 percent in New Mexico, a new study concludes.

It also found that younger women, women with less education, and women who received Medicaid benefits for their deliveries were more likely than other women to report postpartum depression. State and local health departments should assess the effectiveness of targeting mental health services to these mothers, the study authors said.

In addition, the prevalence of postpartum depression was higher among women who were physically abused before or during pregnancy, ranging from 30.8 percent in Minnesota to 52.7 percent in South Carolina.

Postpartum depression is an important and widespread public health issue and health care providers should screen women for the condition through the first year after they've had a baby, the researchers said.

The study appears in this week's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Chocolate-Covered Almonds and Peanuts Recalled

Five-ounce bags of chocolate-covered almonds and chocolate double-dipped peanuts have been recalled by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. The bags of almonds may contain peanuts and the bags of peanuts may contain almonds, posing the risk of life-threatening allergic reactions for certain people.

The products, sold at Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores in 41 states, were packaged in a clear bag with a red and white diamond pattern on the label. No illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported to date, and there is no health risk for people who aren't allergic to peanuts or almonds. No other candies or packaged food items are included in the recall, according to a news release on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Web site.

The problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the supplier's labeling and packaging process, Cracker Barrel officials said.

Consumers with the recalled products can return them to any Cracker Barrel store for a full refund. For more information, call the company at 800-333-9566.

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U.S. Wastes $1.2 Trillion in Health-Care Spending Each Year: Report

As much as $1.2 trillion of the $2.2 trillion spent on health care each year in the United States is wasted on excess health spending and inefficiency, according to an analysis released Thursday by PricewaterhouseCooper's Health Research Institute.

The biggest area of wasteful spending identified in the analysis is defensive medicine, such as redundant, inappropriate or unnecessary tests and procedures. That's followed by inefficient health-care administration and the cost of care spent on conditions such as obesity, which is considered preventable by lifestyle changes.

The analysis authors classified health system inefficiencies into three categories: consumer behavior; operational inefficiencies; and clinical overuse, misuse or under-use. Behavioral issues such as patient non-adherence to medical advice and prescriptions, alcohol abuse, smoking and obesity fall into all three categories.

The analysis, which included a review of more than 35 industry reports and interviews with health industry representatives, was included in a report presented Thursday at a meeting of health-industry leaders in Washington, D.C.

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Global Study Examines Osteoporosis Management

A landmark, multi-national osteoporosis management study that will include nearly 60,000 women aged 55 and older was announced Thursday. The aim of the Global Longitudinal Registry of Osteoporosis in Women (GLOW) is to learn more about how to improve the standard of care for postmenopausal women at risk of osteoporosis.

The study includes women from 17 cities in 10 countries on three continents.

"We know that there are patients at high risk for osteoporosis, sometimes already having suffered a broken bone, who aren't getting diagnosed and treated. We have to figure out why not," Dr. Robert Lindsay, GLOW executive committee co-chair and chief of internal medicine at Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw, N.Y., said in a prepared statement.

"Globally we have an aging female population that wants to maintain independence and vitality. We can help by finding the key to improving diagnosis and treatment of this debilitating disease," Lindsay said.

"We want to understand regional differences in physician and patient behavior and how that impacts patient outcomes. Hopefully, armed with that knowledge, we will be able to recommend best practices and improve the management of osteoporosis worldwide," Professor Pierre Delmas, GLOW executive committee co-chair and professor of medicine and rheumatology at the Universite Claude Bernard in Lyon, France, said in a prepared statement.

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Intestinal Nerves May Play Role in Blood Sugar Control

Canadian researchers have found that the intestines play a major role in controlling blood sugar levels, a discovery that could help in efforts to create safer and more effective diabetes medications, the Toronto Star reported.

The University Health Network team's tests on rats revealed that a set of nerves in the intestines is intimately involved in controlling blood glucose levels. This cluster of nerves senses the presence of food and signals the brain to halt the liver's glucose production. But the researchers found that a high-fat diet can switch off this signaling system, the Star reported.

"The cure for diabetes is to lower blood glucose levels... and this will be an innovative and effective approach to do that," said study senior author Tony Lam, the Star reported.

He noted that the gut can access drugs directly, instead of having to rely on blood for drug delivery. This finding about the role of intestines in controlling blood sugar levels could make it easier to create drugs to correct blood sugar problems.

The study was published in the journal Nature.

Health Tips for April 11

Health Tip: Symptoms of Diabetes

Diabetes occurs when your blood sugar rises too high because your body doesn't produce enough of the hormone insulin, or the insulin doesn't work correctly.

Insulin, made by the pancreas, helps body cells absorb sugars from food.

Here are some common warning signs of diabetes, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

* Excessive thirst and urination.
* Feeling very hungry frequently.
* Feeling very tired.
* Unintentional weight loss.
* Frequent infections, or wounds that don't heal.
* Blurred vision.
* Numbness or tingling in hands and feet.
* Dry, itchy skin.

If you have any of these symptoms, visit your doctor to be tested for diabetes, especially if you are 45 or older.

Health Tip: Weight Gain During Pregnancy

Women who are at a healthy body weight before pregnancy should gain between 25 pounds and 37 pounds, the American Pregnancy Association says.

It offers this additional information about weight gain during pregnancy:

* Women who are underweight before pregnancy should gain between 28 pounds and 40 pounds.
* Women who are overweight before pregnancy should gain between 15 pounds and 25 pounds.
* Eat healthy meals with sufficient calories, and avoid eating fatty foods and junk food.
* Eat a daily well-rounded diet, including three servings of milk, yogurt, and cheese; three servings of protein; three servings of fruits; four servings of vegetables; and nine servings of whole grain products.

Health Headlines - April 10

Hazardous Amounts of Selenium Found in Supplements: FDA

Hazardous amounts of the trace mineral selenium have been found in samples of the dietary supplements "Total Body Formula" and "Total Body Mega Formula," the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Wednesday.

The agency said it has 43 reports from nine states of serious adverse reactions among people who took the supplements, which have been recalled by the distributor.

Last month, the FDA warned consumers not to buy or use tropical orange or peach nectar flavors of "Total Body Formula," or the orange/tangerine flavor of "Total Body Mega Formula." The agency cited adverse reactions occurring within 10 days of the products' use, including hair loss, muscle cramps, diarrhea, joint pain, deformed fingernails, and fatigue.

Selenium, an immune-system boosting mineral, is needed in very small amounts. But the FDA said its analysis found that the supplements contained up to 200 times the amount per serving that had been indicated on the products' labeling.

The agency said it is investigating how the excess selenium wound up in the products, which are distributed by Atlanta-based Total Body Essential Nutrition. The supplements were distributed nationwide in 32-ounce plastic bottles.

Consumers should immediately stop using the products and throw the remainder away, the FDA said.

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Elevated Lung Cancer Cases in Users of Inhaled Insulin

Patients who used the inhaled insulin product Exubera had an elevated number of lung cancer cases, drug maker Pfizer Inc. disclosed Wednesday. The lung cancer cases were discovered in an analysis of clinical trials and post-approval reports to Pfizer and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Bloomberg news reported.

All the patients who developed lung cancer "had a prior history of cigarette smoking" and "there were too few cases to determine whether the development of lung cancer is related to the use of Exubera," Pfizer said in a statement.

Last October, Pfizer stopped selling Exubera, which failed to catch on with patients and doctors due to its cost and cumbersome delivery device, Bloomberg reported.

In addition, the inhaled insulin seemed to decrease lung function, apparently due to the way the insulin was delivered into the lungs, Forbes reported at the time.

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6,700 Children Hospitalized for Neglect, Abuse in 2005

Of the 6,700 children in the United States hospitalized for neglect or physical abuse in 2005, more than 200 died and all the children who died were under age 5, according to the latest News and Numbers from the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

The analysis of hospital data showed that children under age 5 accounted for 80 percent of all those under age 18 who were hospitalized for abuse or neglect. The average hospital stay for these children cost $14,800, which is 75 percent more than the cost of an average child's hospital stay. The total 2005 hospital care cost for children who suffered physical, sexual or emotional abuse or neglect was nearly $100 million.

Other findings from the analysis:

• Children hospitalized due to abuse or neglect were seven times more likely to die in the hospital than children admitted for other reasons.
• More than one-third of children hospitalized for physical abuse had head injuries, 26 percent had bruises, 21 percent had bleeding behind the eye, 20 percent had epileptic convulsions, and 18 percent had broken legs or feet.
• Children from the poorest communities accounted for nearly 36 percent of hospitalizations for abuse or neglect, while 14 percent were from wealthy communities.
• Nearly 71 percent of these hospitals stays were billed to Medicaid and 21 percent to private insurers. About 5 percent were uninsured and the rest were charged to other government payers.

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U.S. Officials Seize Unapproved Impotence Drugs

U.S. authorities have seized more than 14,000 dosage units of unapproved drugs marketed as natural supplements to treat erectile dysfunction, the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.

The seized products, worth more than $100,000, included Shangai Regular, Shangai Ultra, Super Shangai, Naturale Super Plus and Lady Shangai. The FDA said they contained undeclared active ingredients found in approved prescription drugs for erectile dysfunction.

The use of these seized products could cause serious side effects and they may interact in dangerous ways with other medications being taken by a consumer. The products, which originated in China, are packaged and distributed by Shangai Distributors of Coamo, Puerto Rico.

Consumers who've bought any of these products should stop using them and consult their health-care providers if they've experienced any problems they believe may be related to the use of the products, the FDA said.

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U.S. Surgeons Perform 6 Simultaneous Kidney Transplants

In what's believed to be the first operation of its kind, Johns Hopkins surgeons transplanted six kidneys simultaneously, hospital officials announced Tuesday. The 10-hour surgeries on Saturday required six operating rooms and nine surgical teams, the Associated Press reported.

"All 12 (donor and transplant) patients are doing great, the kidneys are working well," said Dr. Robert Montgomery, director of Hopkins' transplant center and head of the transplant team.

The transplants were made possible when a donor who was willing to donate a kidney to anyone was found to be a match for one of the transplant candidates. The other five candidates each had a willing donor whose kidney wasn't a match for their particular relative or friend, but was a match for one of the other candidates, the AP reported.

The donors and recipients were matched using a living-donor system developed at Johns Hopkins.

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THC/Alcohol Combination Kills Brain Cells: Study

A combination of THC -- the active ingredient in marijuana -- and alcohol caused widespread nerve cell death in the brains of rats, says a German study.

Researchers injected THC, a synthetic form of THC, ethanol, the anticonvulsant drug MK-801, and phenobarbital to rats 1 to 14 days old, United Press International reported.

When administered alone, neither THC nor synthetic THC caused cell death. But both did cause cell death when given with lower-than-toxic amounts of ethanol. The researchers also found that THC increased the neurotoxic effect of MK-801 and phenobarbital.

"Nerounal degeneration became disseminated and very severe when THC was combined with a mildly toxic ethanol dose," the researchers said in a statement. The study was published in the journal Annals of Neurology.

The researchers said the combined effect of THC and alcohol on the developing brain requires further investigation, UPI reported.

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Pre-Eclampsia May Increase Child's Heart Disease Risk

Children born to mothers who develop pre-eclampsia during pregnancy may have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life, according to researchers at the University of Cambridge in Great Britain.

Pre-eclampsia can reduce the amount of oxygen a fetus receives. This may impair the growth of the baby's cardiovascular, metabolic and endocrine systems, said the researchers, who studied pregnancies at high altitude (where oxygen is restricted) and conducted tests on pregnant animals, BBC News reported.

Their findings were to be presented at a meeting of the Society for Endocrinology.

"We have known for a while that changes in maternal nutrition can affect fetal development and influence disease susceptibility later in life, but relatively little work has investigated how low oxygen levels in the womb may affect infant development," said lead researcher Dr. Dino Giussani, BBC News reported.

"Our research shows that changes to the amount of oxygen available in the womb can have a profound influence on the development of the fetus in both the short- and long-term, and trigger an early origin of heart disease."

Health Tips for April 10

Health Tip: Swelling During Pregnancy

Production of additional fluids and blood during pregnancy sometimes leads to swelling in the woman's face, hands, legs, ankles and feet.

Here are ways to help control swelling during pregnancy, courtesy of the American Pregnancy Association:

* Don't stand for long periods. Sit and rest with your feet elevated.
* Avoid hot temperatures.
* Wear comfortable, flat shoes with stockings that provide support.
* Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes.
* Relax in a pool, or swim a few laps.
* Drink plenty of water, and reduce the amount of salt (sodium) in your diet.
* Apply a cold compress to swollen areas.

Health Tip: Before Getting Plastic Surgery

You should do your homework before you elect to have plastic surgery.

Here are suggestions on how to prepare for the procedure, courtesy of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons:

* Research the surgery until you fully understand its possible benefits and risks.
* Talk to your doctor about what to expect after the surgery, including likely results, how much time it may take you to recover, and what the recovery period will feel like.
* Talk to other people who have had the procedure to gain their insight.
* Don't be afraid to discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. Be sure the physician knows your complete medical history.
* Make sure the surgeon you select is qualified, properly trained, and certified to perform the procedure.

Health Headlines - April 9

FDA Reports More Deaths Related to Tainted Heparin

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration now says 62 deaths are associated with use of tainted batches of the blood thinner heparin, more than triple the previous estimate of 19 deaths.

The FDA said Tuesday that the deaths weren't new ones. The revised count is based on more data received recently by the agency after reports of the contaminated blood thinner first surfaced in February. The 62 deaths appear to be the allergic-type reactions seen with the other fatalities, the Wall Street Journal reported.

There were only three deaths due to allergic reactions in 2006, the FDA said.

Heparin is often given to dialysis patients and people undergoing heart surgery. The raw materials for the drug come from the mucous lining of pig intestines. Many of those pigs come from rural farms in China, with the intestines often processed by unregulated mom-and-pop workshops.

The FDA last month identified the contaminant in heparin as oversulfated condroitin sulfate, which was found in samples of the blood thinner produced in China for Baxter Healthcare Corp., of Deerfield, Ill.

Oversulfated chondroitin sulfate mimics heparin's qualities and is a modified form of chondroitin sulfate. Chondroitin sulfate is a naturally occurring substance made from animal cartilage and is often used in supplements to treat arthritic joints. But, oversulfated chondroitin sulfate is man-made and doesn't occur naturally.

On Tuesday, the FDA posted a month-by-month heparin mortality count on its Web site, showing that a sudden jump in allergic-style fatal reactions actually began last November -- possibly signaling the time when the contamination began, the Associated Press reported.

FDA officials don't know how the contaminant got into the heparin.

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Dyslexia's Impact Differs, Depending on the Language

The areas of the brain affected by dyslexia differ between children who learned to read in English and those who learned to read in Chinese, say researchers who compared MRI brain scans of children, the Associated Press reported.

"This finding was very surprising to us. We had not ever thought that dyslexics' brains are different for children who read in English and Chinese. Our finding yields neurobiological clues to the cause of dyslexia," said study lead author Li-Hai Tan, a professor of linguistics and brain and cognitive sciences at the University of Hong Kong.

The study was published Monday in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Children who learn English and other alphabetical languages learn the sounds of letters and how to combine them into words, while Chinese children memorize hundreds of symbols that represent words, Guinevere F. Eden, director of the Center for the Study of Learning at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., told the AP.

This finding shows that "we cannot just assume that any dyslexic child is going to be helped by the same kind of intervention," said Eden, who was not involved in the study.

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Magnetic Dart Boards Recalled

About 870,000 Fun 'N Games Magnetic Dart Boards are being recalled by Henry Gordy International Inc., of Plainfield, N.J., because small magnets on the ends of the darts can detach and be swallowed by young children.

If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause potentially fatal intestinal blockages or perforations. There have been no injuries reported, said the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The recalled dart boards are about 5.5 inches in diameter and came with two 2.75-inch magnetic darts. The Chinese-made toys were sold at Family Dollar stores across the United States from September 2002 through March 2008 for about $1.

Consumers with the recalled dart boards should return them by first class mail to: Henry Gordy International Inc., 809A Market Street, Hermann, Mo., 65041 for a full refund including tax and shipping costs. For more information, contact the company at 888-790-2700.

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Breakfast Cereals Recalled for Salmonella Threat

Certain batches of Malt-O-Meal Unsweetened Puffed Rice and Puffed Wheat cereals are being recalled because they may be contaminated with salmonella. The recall affects cereals with "Best If Used By" codes between April 8, 2008 (coded as "APR0808") and March 18, 2009 (coded as "MAR1809").

The recalled products were distributed across the United States, marketed under the Malt-O-Meal brand, as well as under private label brands including Acme, America's Choice, Food Club, Giant, Hannaford, Jewel, Laura Lynn, Pathmark, Shaw's, ShopRite, and Weis Quality, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

A full list of recalled products can be found at www.malt-o-meal.com/recallinfo. There have been no illnesses reported in connection with the recalled cereals.

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Baby With 2 Faces Born in India

A baby with two faces born in a northern Indian village is doing well and being worshipped as the reincarnation of Durga, the Hindu goddess of valor, the Associated Press reported.

The baby, Lali, has two noses, two pairs of lips and two pairs of eyes, the result of an extremely rare condition called craniofacial duplication. It's often associated with serious health complications, but a doctor said Lali is doing fine.

"She drinks milk from her two mouths and opens and shuts all the four eyes at one time," said Sabir Ali, the director of Saifi Hospital. Lali has no breathing difficulties and the doctor said he saw no need for surgery, the AP reported.

"My daughter is fine -- like any other child," said father Vinod Singh, a poor farm worker.

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Pfizer Halts Melanoma Drug Trial

A late-stage study of the experimental melanoma treatment tremelimumab has been halted by drug maker Pfizer Inc., after a data review showed the drug was no more effective than standard chemotherapy.

Even though the trial has been stopped, study investigators will work with patients to determine if they're benefiting from treatment and should continue taking tremelimumab, the Associated Press reported.

All the data from the study is being analyzed, and more details about the results are expected to be available at June's annual meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology, in Chicago.

"We continue to focus on additional studies involving tremelimumab alone and in combination with other therapies which are currently ongoing in patients with several types of cancer," said Charles Baum, vice president and oncology therapeutic area head at Pfizer Global Research and Development, the AP reported.

Baum also said Pfizer "will continue to assess the study data to understand the clinical benefit seen in some patients who received tremelimumab."

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Deadliest Form of Skin Cancer Largely Unknown

Merkel cell carcinoma -- the deadliest form of skin cancer -- hasn't received much scientific scrutiny, and most people probably haven't heard of it, according to the Associated Press.

Funding is a major issue. Researchers investigating the disease have long had to rely on small pilot grants and family fund-raising.

It's only been about 15 years since Merkel cell carcinoma was recognized as distinct from melanoma. Since then, the number of diagnosed cases in the United States has tripled to about 1,500 a year. Merkel cell carcinoma is more aggressive than melanoma and requires different treatment -- intense radiation.

Last month, the first comprehensive report on Merkel cell carcinoma symptoms and risk factors was published. The disease almost exclusively develops on sun-exposed skin on Caucasians over age 50, the AP reported.

In January, University of Pittsburgh scientists announced they'd identified a possible cancer-triggering virus inside Merkel cell tumors.

Health Tips for April 9

Health Tip: Having Neck Pain?

Neck pain has a variety of causes, often muscle strain or tension.

Here are some other common triggers, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* Sitting at or bending over a desk for long periods, especially with poor posture.
* Reading, working or watching TV with poor posture.
* Working at a computer screen that is too high or too low.
* Sleeping in an awkward position.
* Injuring the neck during exercise by twisting or straining the muscles.
* Medical conditions, including arthritis, fibromyalgia, meningitis or a herniated disk.

Health Tip: Taming a Temper Tantrum

Temper tantrums are a child's means of expressing anger at an age where they haven't learned or adopted other coping methods.

The C.S. Mott Children's Hospital offers these suggestions to help manage your child's temper tantrums:

* If the tantrum is triggered by frustration, offer support, encouragement, and help with what's frustrating the child.
* If the tantrum appears to be a way to get attention or to get the child's way, try to ignore it. Never give in to the child's demands when expressed this way.
* Try to anticipate and avoid a tantrum by giving the child a five-minute warning. If the child doesn't end up where you want the child to be, physically carry the child there.
* If the child becomes extremely loud or violent, send the child to his or her bedroom for a two-to-five-minute timeout.
* If your child seems out of control or could cause self-injury, hold the child for about one to three minutes until you feel the child's body begin to relax.

Health Headlines - April 8

Hispanic Toddlers at Greater Risk of Iron Deficiency

Hispanic toddlers have double the rate of iron deficiency as white toddlers, concludes a new study published in the current issue of the journal Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine.

In analyzing iron deficiency data from 1976-2002, researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center found that overweight toddlers also were at greater-than-average risk.

Over the span, iron deficiency rates dropped among some groups, from 23 percent to 12 percent in 1-year-old children, from 22 percent to 9 percent among poor toddlers, and from 16 percent to 6 percent in black toddlers, the school said in a prepared statement.

The researchers attributed the decreases to ongoing efforts to fortify infant formula and foods with iron, and to the federal Women, Infants and Children nutrition program. They recommended stepped-up efforts to provide nutrition education at clinics and community outreach programs, and that all overweight toddlers be screened for iron deficiency.

Lack of dietary iron can lead to iron-deficiency anemia, where the body does not have enough iron to form sufficient hemoglobin, a blood protein that carries oxygen to the body's cells.

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2 Mad Cow Deaths Reported in Spain

Two people in Spain have died from the human variant of mad cow disease, Spanish officials reported Monday.

The two deaths from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease occurred in Spain's Castilla-Leon region in December and February. The victims, aged 40 and 51, represent the nation's first deaths from the brain-wasting illness since 2005, the Associated Press reported.

A health official from the region, north of Madrid, told the wire service that the victims apparently contracted the disease before 2001. Preventive guidelines on livestock and meat production are considerably stricter now, the official said.

Mad cow, first reported in Britain in the 1980s, has been attributed to the use of recycled meat and bone meal in cattle feed. The human variant appears to be acquired by eating meat from infected animals.

Unidentified officials in Spain, appealing for calm, insisted that it was safe to eat domestic beef, the AP said.

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Stuffed Insect Toys Recalled for Choking Hazard

Some 300,000 "Cuddly Cousins" plush insect toys are being recalled because they contain small parts that could pose a choking hazard to small children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Monday. The toys, made in China, were available in six designs: a lady bug, bumble bee, caterpillar, snail and two butterflies. The product number is 903995, and the UPC code is 6 39277 03995 8 with a date code of 71.

The toys were sold for about $1 at Dollar Tree, Dollar Bill$, Dollar Express, Greenbacks, Only One $1, and Deal$ stores nationwide from March 2007 through December 2007.

Consumers should take the toys away from children immediately and return them to the place of purchase for a refund. For more information, call Dollar Tree Stores at 800-876-8077.

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Hospitalized Kids Often Victims of Drug Mishaps

About one of every 15 hospitalized children is the victim of a drug mix-up, accidental overdose, or medication reaction, a new study estimates.

That number far exceeds earlier estimates, the Associated Press reported. The finding follows the well-publicized case of actor Dennis Quaid, whose newborn twins were accidentally overdosed at a Los Angeles hospital with the blood thinning drug, heparin. The infants have recovered from the life-threatening incident.

In the new study, Dr. Charles Homer of the National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality used new detection methods to conclude that 540,000 hospitalized children each year are victim of a drug-related harmful event.

More than half of the problems cited involved overdoses or allergic reactions to painkillers.

Homer and his colleagues, writing in the April issue of the journal Pediatrics, said their findings confirm the need for "aggressive, evidence-based prevention strategies to decrease the substantial risk for medication-related harm to our pediatric inpatient population."

Experts cited by the AP said the problem could well be bigger than the study concluded, since researchers reviewed only selected cases and hospitals.

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Millions Endangered by Global Climate Change

Global climate change -- including rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns -- could expose millions of people worldwide to poverty, disease and hunger, the World Health Organization said Monday.

A rise in malaria-carrying mosquitoes, notably in the cooler climates of South Korea and portions of Papua New Guinea, is an ominous sign that global warming has already begun to impact human health, the WHO said.

Hotter weather tends to shorten the breeding cycle of mosquitoes, allowing them to breed much faster and increase the risk of disease, the Associated Press quoted WHO Director Shigeru Omi as saying.

"Without urgent action through changes in human lifestyle, the effects of this phenomenon on the global climate system could be abrupt or even irreversible, sparing no country and causing more frequent and more intense heat waves, rain storms, tropical cyclones and surges in sea level," he predicted.

Residents of poorer countries are particularly vulnerable, since they already face widespread malnutrition among other serious health issues, Omi said.

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Some Teaching Hospitals Cost More Than Others: Study

The U.S. government is paying nearly four times the price to care for chronically ill people at certain teaching hospitals than at other teaching institutions, new research concludes.

The evaluation of Medicare spending to care for chronically ill elderly and disabled people was done by researchers at the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice.

The authors concluded that the government could save billions if some hospitals practiced more efficiently, USA Today reported Monday.

Teaching hospitals usually are associated with medical schools and allow new doctors to deal with complex medical cases and use new technologies.

The researchers evaluated cases that ended in death involving 192,242 Medicare patients between 2001-2005. All had at least one of nine chronic ailments such as heart disease or diabetes. Factors evaluated included the length of hospitalization, the number of doctors involved, and time spent in the intensive care unit.

Among the 93 teaching hospitals included, the average cost for hospitalization over a patient's last two years of life was $67,369, the study found.

Health Tips for April 8

Health Tip: Why am I Constipated?

Constipation often is defined as producing fewer than three bowel movements in a week. Other symptoms may include producing small, hard stools; and significant straining during bowel movements.

The University of Michigan Health System lists these common causes of constipation:

* Insufficient fiber in the diet.
* Dehydration.
* Not getting enough exercise.
* Lifestyle factors, including taking certain medications, pregnancy, travel or aging.
* Not acting on the urge to produce a bowel movement.
* Having conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, a blockage of the colon or rectum, or certain systemic diseases.

Health Tip: Take Care of Your Feet

Proper foot care can help keep feet healthy and pain free.

Here are some suggestions, courtesy of the University of Michigan Health System:

* Inspect feet regularly for cuts, blisters, calluses, sores or redness.
* Keep feet clean and nails well-trimmed, and change socks frequently.
* To prevent sweaty feet, sprinkle them with powder.
* Wear properly fitting, comfortable shoes.
* Wear shoes or sandals when in damp, warm area, such as in a locker room or near a pool.
* Alternate shoes you wear each day to give them a chance to air out.
* Don't use someone else's towels to wipe or dry your feet.
* Use cotton socks while exercising or playing sports.

Health Headlines - April 7

Norovirus Strikes 65 Attendees at Medical Meeting

A common gastrointestinal virus associated with facilities where many people congregate to eat and drink was in the news with an ironic twist over the weekend.

About 65 people attending a medical convention became ill late Thursday and Friday after leaving the meeting at the newly-opened Gaylord resort in Oxon Hill, Md., outside Washington, D.C., the Washington Post reported.

The first reports of illness -- primarily nausea -- came as a medical alert from Reagan International Airport late Thursday from conventioneers who were waiting for flights home, the Post said. According to local health officials, 14 people who had attended the medical meeting became ill at the airport, and the remainder later reported the same symptoms after arriving home.

Those 14 were taken to local hospitals and treated, the newspaper said, while another seven were given assistance at the airport but not hospitalized. A cause of the illness, known as norovirus, had not been determined, the Post reported, but the Gaylord had begun an extensive cleaning of its guests room and public gathering areas. More than 350 people attended the medical meeting, the Post reported.

Norovirus causes the stomach and intestines to become inflamed, according to the U.S.Centers for Disease Control, and Prevention. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. The virus is not usually life-threatening, the CDC says, and is caused by coming in contact -- usually by touching -- with contaminated food or liquids, tainted objects or being in contact with an infected person.

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1-in-4 Repeat Iraq Combat Vets Suffering Mental Stress, Army Report Says

More than 25 percent of U.S. Army combat troops who have been deployed to Iraq more than once are suffering from anxiety, depression, or acute stress, the New York Times reports.

Citing an official Army survey of 2,295 anonymous Iraq veterans and additional interviews with soldiers who served in combat brigades, the newspaper cites Army commanders as being concerned about the morale and mental well-being in two particular categories: sergeants who often have frontline responsibility and captains, who comprise the future of the Army's command staff.

Since the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003, about 513,000 active-duty soldiers have served in Iraq, and more than 197,000 have deployed two or more times, the newspaper reports. For soldiers who have gone to Iraq more than twice, the study showed that 27 percent of noncommissioned officers exhibited post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, which can cause disorientation and an inability to function properly during the stress of combat, the Times reports.

And because any significant troop withdrawals from Iraq seem unlikely during the remainder of the Bush administration, Army top brass are struggling as to how to handle the situation.

"Lengthy and repeated deployments with insufficient recovery time have placed incredible stress on our soldiers and our families, testing the resolve of our all-volunteer force like never before," Army vice chief of staff Gen. Richard A. Cody, told a Congressional committee last week, the Times reported.

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Olympics President: Beijing Smog May Affect Athletes' Performances

Talk about your good news-bad news scenario:

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge told the Associated Press over the weekend that the bad air pollution in Beijing should not endanger the health of the athletes who compete in China this summer. But, he added, the smog may adversely affect their performances.

Chinese authorities have promised to solve the smog problem before the Olympic Games begin in August, the A.P. reported, but Rogge wasn't so certain. "It might be that some [competitors] will have to have a slightly reduced performance, but nothing will harm the health of the athletes. The IOC will take care of that," he is quoted as saying.

The world's most-acclaimed marathon runner, Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia, has said he won't compete in that event in the 2008 Olympics because of the smog, the wire service reported. Roggee told the A.P. that Gebrselassie is "slightly asthmatic," but that he might change his mind.

"I would say, wait and see ... when he sees the data that we are providing for them," the wire service quotes Rogge as saying. The Olympics Committee president has earlier said that there might be dealys in outdoor events if the smog gets too bad, the A.P. reported.

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Medical Archive Web Site Restores 'Abortion' as a Search Word

An alert California research librarian prompted Johns Hopkins officials to change a Web site dealing with population issues and funded by the U.S. government, so that the word "abortion" was restored as an option in the site's search engine.

According to the Baltimore Sun, Dr. Michael J. Klag, Dean of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Friday told POPLINE administrators to restore "abortion" as a search term "immediately." He also said he would launch an inquiry into why the decision was made to limit searches.

The Web site POPLINE (POPulation information onLINE), which is funded by the United States Agency on International Development (USAID), contains more than 360,000 items concerning health and population control worldwide, the Sun reports. The U.S. government denies funding for any program that promotes abortion as a method for population control internationally, the newspaper said, and this may be what promoted the decision to remove the word from the Web site.

Gloria Won, a librarian at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, sent an e-mail inquiry to POPLINE administrator Debra L. Dickson, asking why fewer responses were coming from the search engine when she entered the word "abortion," the Sun reports. Dickson responded that limiting the search was intentional.

"Yes, we did make a change to POPLINE," the newspaper quotes Dickson as answering the librarian. "We recently made all abortion words stop words. As a federally funded project, we decided this was best for now." A stop word is one that a search engine ignores.

The reason, the Sun says is because USAID officials found two items in the POPLINE database concerning abortion advocacy. After that, someone made the decision to restrict the word "abortion" as a search option, the Sun reports.

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Sedentary Children Face Increased Risk of Heart Trouble in Adulthood

Sedentary children are up to six times more likely than active ones to be at serious risk for heart disease when they're older, according to a University of North Carolina study that included hundreds of children.

At ages 7 through 10, the children were checked for a number of key health indicators, such as height, body mass and fat, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, along with physical activity levels, Agence France-Presse reported.

The children were checked again seven years later to see if they'd developed any signs of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms that point to increased risk of heart trouble.

Almost 5 percent of them had at least three core symptoms of metabolic syndrome. Those with these core symptoms were six times likelier to have had low aerobic fitness as children, and five times likelier to have had low levels of physical activity at the start of the study, AFP reported.

The study appears in the journal Dynamic Medicine.

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Human-to-Human Transmission of Bird Flu Confirmed in Pakistan

The first human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 bird flu virus in Pakistan has been confirmed by the World Health Organization.

The case late last year involved members of a family in northwest Pakistan. A poultry worker became infected and survived, but three of his brothers were infected and two died, BBC News reported.

Genetic-sequencing tests on bird flu virus samples collected from three of the four brothers confirmed human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 virus.

While there was human-to-human transmission between the brothers, the "outbreak did not extend into the community, and appropriate steps were taken to reduce future risks of human infections," the WHO said.

The northwestern region of Pakistan has 85 percent of the country's poultry farms, BBC News reported. It was one of the regions hit by bird flu last year, and thousands of birds were killed to prevent the spread of the disease.

Health Tips for April 7

Health Tip: What's an A1c Test?

A hemoglobin A1c test is recommended for many diabetics several times per year. The test helps doctors see how well blood sugar has been controlled over the prior two or three months.

The University of Michigan Health System offers this additional information about the test:

* The amount of hemoglobin A1c in your blood indicates how high your blood sugar has been over the past three months. This can help determine if medication, diet and other remedies prescribed by your doctor are working.
* The test should be done every three months, unless you have your sugar well- controlled. In that case, your doctor may suggest getting the test every six months.
* Test results can help predict the likelihood of diabetic complications, including heart disease, or damage to the eyes, kidneys or nervous system.

Health Tip: Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetics are prone to many complications, particularly if their blood sugar levels aren't well controlled.

Diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage, makes it difficult for the nerves to send signals to other parts of the body. The symptoms described below should be evaluated by a physician without delay.

The American Academy of Family Physicians lists these warning signs of nerve damage in diabetics:

* Numbness, particularly in the fingers or toes.
* Sharp pains or a tingling sensation.
* Sores found on the feet.
* Weakness in the muscles.
* A burning sensation anywhere in the body.
* Male erectile dysfunction.

Health Headlines - April 6

Olympics President: Beijing Smog May Affect Athletes' Performances

Talk about your good news-bad news scenario:

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge told the Associated Press over the weekend that the bad air pollution in Beijing should not endanger the health of the athletes who compete in China this summer. But, he added, the smog may adversely affect their performances.

Chinese authorities have promised to solve the smog problem before the Olympic Games begin in August, the A.P. reported, but Rogge wasn't so certain. "It might be that some [competitors] will have to have a slightly reduced performance, but nothing will harm the health of the athletes. The IOC will take care of that," he is quoted as saying.

The world's most-acclaimed marathon runner, Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia, has said he won't compete in that event in the 2008 Olympics because of the smog, the wire service reported. Roggee told the A.P. that Gebrselassie is "slightly asthmatic," but that he might change his mind.

"I would say, wait and see ... when he sees the data that we are providing for them," the wire service quotes Rogge as saying. The Olympics Committee president has earlier said that there might be dealys in outdoor events if the smog gets too bad, the A.P. reported.

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Medical Archive Web Site Restores 'Abortion' as a Search Word

An alert California research librarian prompted Johns Hopkins officials to change a Web site dealing with population issues and funded by the U.S. government, so that the word "abortion" was restored as an option in the site's search engine.

According to the Baltimore Sun, Dr. Michael J. Klag, Dean of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Friday told POPLINE administrators to restore "abortion" as a search term "immediately." He also said he would launch an inquiry into why the decision was made to limit searches.

The Web site POPLINE (POPulation information onLINE), which is funded by the United States Agency on International Development (USAID), contains more than 360,000 items concerning health and population control worldwide, the Sun reports. The U.S. government denies funding for any program that promotes abortion as a method for population control internationally, the newspaper said, and this may be what promoted the decision to remove the word from the Web site.

Gloria Won, a librarian at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, sent an e-mail inquiry to POPLINE administrator Debra L. Dickson, asking why fewer responses were coming from the search engine when she entered the word "abortion," the Sun reports. Dickson responded that limiting the search was intentional.

"Yes, we did make a change to POPLINE," the newspaper quotes Dickson as answering the librarian. "We recently made all abortion words stop words. As a federally funded project, we decided this was best for now." A stop word is one that a search engine ignores.

The reason, the Sun says is because USAID officials found two items in the POPLINE database concerning abortion advocacy. After that, someone made the decision to restrict the word "abortion" as a search option, the Sun reports.

----

Sedentary Children Face Increased Risk of Heart Trouble in Adulthood

Sedentary children are up to six times more likely than active ones to be at serious risk for heart disease when they're older, according to a University of North Carolina study that included hundreds of children.

At ages 7 through 10, the children were checked for a number of key health indicators, such as height, body mass and fat, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, along with physical activity levels, Agence France-Presse reported.

The children were checked again seven years later to see if they'd developed any signs of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms that point to increased risk of heart trouble.

Almost 5 percent of them had at least three core symptoms of metabolic syndrome. Those with these core symptoms were six times likelier to have had low aerobic fitness as children, and five times likelier to have had low levels of physical activity at the start of the study, AFP reported.

The study appears in the journal Dynamic Medicine.

-----

Human-to-Human Transmission of Bird Flu Confirmed in Pakistan

The first human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 bird flu virus in Pakistan has been confirmed by the World Health Organization.

The case late last year involved members of a family in northwest Pakistan. A poultry worker became infected and survived, but three of his brothers were infected and two died, BBC News reported.

Genetic-sequencing tests on bird flu virus samples collected from three of the four brothers confirmed human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 virus.

While there was human-to-human transmission between the brothers, the "outbreak did not extend into the community, and appropriate steps were taken to reduce future risks of human infections," the WHO said.

The northwestern region of Pakistan has 85 percent of the country's poultry farms, BBC News reported. It was one of the regions hit by bird flu last year, and thousands of birds were killed to prevent the spread of the disease.

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Scientists Discover Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in Soil

Hundreds of types of bacteria in soil that can eat antibiotics have been discovered by Harvard University researchers.

The discovery, published Friday in the journal Science, was made by scientists who collected soil samples from 11 locations in Massachusetts, Maine, Minnesota and Pennsylvania, the Associated Press reported.

Many of the bacteria from the soil samples could survive when put in laboratory dishes where antibiotics (18 different types) were the only source of nutrition. Some of the bacteria could survive levels of antibiotics 50 to 100 times greater than what would be given to a patient.

Researchers are now trying to learn more about how these soil bacteria can survive exposure to antibiotics, the AP reported.

Learning more about these bacteria is important because more and more disease-causing bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics, and there's concern that some infections may soon become untreatable.

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U.S. Identifies New Toys That Pose Choking Hazard

About 16,400 Imaginarium Multi-Sided Activity Centers and Jungle Activity Centers sold by Toys "R" Us are being recalled in the United States because small parts can detach from the toys and pose a choking hazard to young children.

There have been 12 reports of small parts detaching from the toys, but no reports of injuries, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

The Chinese-made toys were sold by Toys "R" Us from August 2007 through February 2008 for between $20 and $50. The recalled products have item numbers 69042 (multi-sided) and 69083 (jungle) printed on the back of the box, near the bar code.

These activity centers should be taken away from children and returned to the nearest Toys "R" Us store for a refund or store credit. For more information, contact Toys "R" Us at 800-869-7787.

Health Tips for April 6

Health Tip: Calculating Your BMI

Body-mass index (BMI) is a good indicator of whether you are at a healthy weight.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine says BMI is calculated by multiplying your weight in pounds by 703, and dividing that number by your height in inches. Then divide the result again by your height in inches.

The agency offers the following ranges for interpreting BMI:

* A score below 18.5 indicates being underweight.
* Between 18.5 and 24.9 means a healthy body weight.
* Between 25 and 29.9 means you are overweight.
* Between 30 and 39.9 indicates obesity.
* A score of 40 or higher indicates morbid obesity.

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 - April 5

Sedentary Children Face Increased Risk of Heart Trouble in Adulthood

Sedentary children are up to six times more likely than active ones to be at serious risk for heart disease when they're older, according to a University of North Carolina study that included hundreds of children.

At ages 7 through 10, the children were checked for a number of key health indicators, such as height, body mass and fat, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, along with physical activity levels, Agence France-Presse reported.

The children were checked again seven years later to see if they'd developed any signs of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms that point to increased risk of heart trouble.

Almost 5 percent of them had at least three core symptoms of metabolic syndrome. Those with these core symptoms were six times likelier to have had low aerobic fitness as children, and five times likelier to have had low levels of physical activity at the start of the study, AFP reported.

The study appears in the journal Dynamic Medicine.

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Human-to-Human Transmission of Bird Flu Confirmed in Pakistan

The first human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 bird flu virus in Pakistan has been confirmed by the World Health Organization.

The case late last year involved members of a family in northwest Pakistan. A poultry worker became infected and survived, but three of his brothers were infected and two died, BBC News reported.

Genetic-sequencing tests on bird flu virus samples collected from three of the four brothers confirmed human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 virus.

While there was human-to-human transmission between the brothers, the "outbreak did not extend into the community, and appropriate steps were taken to reduce future risks of human infections," the WHO said.

The northwestern region of Pakistan has 85 percent of the country's poultry farms, BBC News reported. It was one of the regions hit by bird flu last year, and thousands of birds were killed to prevent the spread of the disease.

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Terrorist Alert System Doesn't Stress Police

Police officers don't seem to be experiencing undue stress from the U.S. government's color-coded system to warn about the risk of terrorist attacks, say researchers who reviewed calls to a law enforcement crisis hot line in New Jersey, United Press International reported.

The study "did not find any evidence to support the concern that elevating the alert status places undue stress on those receiving the alert," George S. Everly Jr., of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, said in a prepared statement. "Our study needs to be replicated with groups other than law enforcement, especially the civilian population."

The researchers analyzed calls made to the Cop 2 Cop crisis line between Sept. 9, 2002, to Jan. 30, 2004. During that time, the Homeland Security national alert level was raised five times from yellow (elevated) to orange (high), UPI reported.

The study, which also included researchers from the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey, appears in the International Journal of Emergency Mental Health.

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Scientists Discover Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in Soil

Hundreds of types of bacteria in soil that can eat antibiotics have been discovered by Harvard University researchers.

The discovery, published Friday in the journal Science, was made by scientists who collected soil samples from 11 locations in Massachusetts, Maine, Minnesota and Pennsylvania, the Associated Press reported.

Many of the bacteria from the soil samples could survive when put in laboratory dishes where antibiotics (18 different types) were the only source of nutrition. Some of the bacteria could survive levels of antibiotics 50 to 100 times greater than what would be given to a patient.

Researchers are now trying to learn more about how these soil bacteria can survive exposure to antibiotics, the AP reported.

Learning more about these bacteria is important because more and more disease-causing bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics, and there's concern that some infections may soon become untreatable.

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Binge-Drinking Teens Have Memory Problems: Study

Days after binge drinking, teens suffer forgetfulness and absent-mindedness, say British researchers who suggest binge drinking may harm teens' developing brains.

The team from Northumbria and Keele Universities compared 26 binge drinkers and 34 non-bingers, ages 17 to 19, and found that the binge drinkers did worse on memory tests, BBC News reported. The teens were tested three to four days after their last drinking session.

Binge drinking was defined as at least eight units of alcohol per drinking session for a man and six for a woman, once or twice a week.

"There is evidence that excess alcohol and binge drinking in particular damages parts of the brain that underpin everyday memory," said study leader Dr. Thomas Heffernan of the University of Northumbria, BBC News reported. "Not only may these teenagers be harming their memory, if their brains are still developing, they could be storing up problems for the future."

The study was presented at a British Psychological Society conference.

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U.S. Identifies New Toys That Pose Choking Hazard

About 16,400 Imaginarium Multi-Sided Activity Centers and Jungle Activity Centers sold by Toys "R" Us are being recalled in the United States because small parts can detach from the toys and pose a choking hazard to young children.

There have been 12 reports of small parts detaching from the toys, but no reports of injuries, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

The Chinese-made toys were sold by Toys "R" Us from August 2007 through February 2008 for between $20 and $50. The recalled products have item numbers 69042 (multi-sided) and 69083 (jungle) printed on the back of the box, near the bar code.

These activity centers should be taken away from children and returned to the nearest Toys "R" Us store for a refund or store credit. For more information, contact Toys "R" Us at 800-869-7787.

Health Tips for April 5

Health Tip: Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar During Exercise

Exercise typically will lower blood sugar, since insulin is more effective during exercise. But in people with diabetes, too much of a reduction in blood sugar can be dangerous.

The University of Michigan Health System offers these suggestions for diabetics to maintain healthy blood sugar levels when exercising:

* Check your blood sugar before and after exercise -- and during if you can -- and record your results.
* If you are going to exercise strenuously, make sure you eat a meal first.
* Keep snacks -- especially some with sugar -- on hand when you exercise.
* Talk to your doctor about possibly adjusting your insulin dose for exercise.
* Don't inject insulin into a part of the body that will be strenuously used during exercise, as it will absorb more quickly. For example, if you will run, inject your abdomen instead of your leg.

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 Headlines - April 4

Two Million Children Were Living With HIV in 2007

In 2007, more than 2 million children worldwide were living with HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), about 290,000 children under age 15 died of AIDS, and 12.1 million children in sub-Saharan Africa lost one or both parents to AIDS, says a joint study released Thursday by the World Health Organization, UNICEF and UNAIDS.

"Today's children and young people have never known a world free of AIDS," said UNICEF executive director Ann Veneman, who added that children "must be at the heart of the global AIDS agenda," Agence France-Presse reported.

The authors of the "Children and AIDS" study said children listed four major areas that need to be addressed to combat the epidemic: prevention of HIV transmission from mothers to children; prevention of infection among adolescents and young people; providing pediatric treatment; and protecting and supporting children affected by AIDS.

While there are significant challenges, progress is being made in some areas, the study said. For example, 21 countries are now on track to reach 80 percent coverage to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission by 2010, compared to only 11 countries in 2005, AFP reported.

From 2005 to 2006, the number of HIV-positive children in low- and middle-income nations receiving retroviral drugs climbed from 75,000 to 127,000 -- a 70 percent increase.

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No Health Benefit From Drinking Eight Glasses of Water a Day: Study

A new study pours cold water on the popular belief that drinking eight glasses of water a day provides a range of health benefits ranging from improving skin tone to keeping organs healthy and preventing weight gain.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia reviewed published clinical studies and found no evidence that average, healthy people need to drink that much water, United Press International reported.

The review authors did find evidence that increased water intake improves kidney function, but there was no indication of any sort of clinical benefit.

Studies on water and weight control were inconclusive and no studies have shown a link between increased water intake and clinical benefit to skin tone, UPI reported.

The findings appear in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

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Children's Sunglasses Recalled Due to Lead Hazard

About 144,000 "Main Street Drag" children's sunglasses distributed by StyleMark Inc. of Ormond Beach, Fla. are being recalled due to excessive levels of lead paint in lettering on the sunglasses' frames.

The Chinese-made sunglasses have dark blue or dark metallic red fronts and gray checkered sides. Main Street Drag characters are printed on the bottom of one lens and "Main Street Drag" is printed in orange at the temples. Style number DI25K711 is printed on the left temple, United Press International reported.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Association said the sunglasses were sold at Walgreen's, Academy Sports, and CVS stores across the United States from October 2007 through March 2008 for between $6 and $9.

Consumers can call StyleMark at 866-928-1913 to find out how to return the sunglasses and receive a free replacement pair.

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Icelandic Men Have Longest Male Life Expectancy

Men in Iceland have a longer life expectancy (79.4 years in 2007) than males anywhere else in the world, according to Statistics Iceland.

An agency spokeswoman could offer no explanation for the finding, Agence France-Presse reported.

Iceland, one of the richest countries in the world, has a population of 313,400. Women in Iceland have a life expectancy of 82.9 years, which isn't as long as Japanese women, with an average nearly 86 years. Life expectancy for Japanese men is 78.6 years.

According to United Nations statistics, the combined life expectancy for women and men in Japan in 2007 was 82 years, followed by Iceland at more than 81 years, and France at almost 81 years, AFP reported.

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Warning About Psychiatric Side Effects Added to Relenza Information

A warning of possible psychiatric problems have been added to the list of side effects accompanying the GlaxoSmithKline flu drug Relenza. The company made the move under pressure from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Associated Press reported.

The new information cites delirium and hallucinations as among the side effects experienced by some people taking Relenza, according to information posted Wednesday on the FDA Web site. Glaxo alerted doctors to the changes in a letter last month.

Most of the psychiatric side effects have occurred among children in Japan, which is the largest market in the world for flu drugs, the AP reported.

Last month, Swiss drug maker Roche made similar labeling changes for its drug Tamilfu.

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House Panel Votes to Give FDA Powers to Regulate Tobacco

The U.S. House of Representatives' Energy and Commerce Committee passed a bill Wednesday that increases the likelihood that the Food and Drug Administration will be given broad new powers to regulate tobacco products.

The bill, passed by a vote of 38-12, would give the FDA authority to reduce nicotine levels and require larger and more informative health warnings on cigarette packs. A similar bill has been approved by a Senate committee, the Associated Press reported.

The proposed legislation also would ban candy-flavored cigarettes, which attract younger smokers, and would prohibit the use of terms such as "light" or "mild" on cigarette packs.

Some opponents argue that the FDA already has enough trouble ensuring the safety of the nation's food supply and medicines, and can't take on this extra oversight. To address the issue of lack of FDA resources, the House committee bill proposes user fees on tobacco companies that could collect $90 million this year and as much as $755 million by 2018, the AP reported.

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U.S. Lawmakers Look to Expand Humanitarian Funding

In a 308-116 vote Wednesday, the House of Representatives approved tripling to more than $10 billion a year U.S. humanitarian funding to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in poorer nations.

Of the $50 billion to be spent over five years, about $41 billion would be directed to the fight against HIV/AIDS, the Associated Press reported. The White House backs the House bill.

A similar $50 billion bill has been approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The bills seek to extend and broaden the $15 billion President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief that was enacted in 2003. The program is credited with saving more than one million lives in Africa alone, the AP reported.

According to the United Nations, more than 33 million people worldwide were living with HIV and AIDS in 2007.

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Sex Therapists: 3 to 13 Minutes Just Right

The optimal length of time for sexual intercourse is three to 13 minutes, according to a survey of dozens of American and Canadian sex therapists. However, that time doesn't include foreplay.

The findings appear to challenge the widely held belief that endurance is essential for a great sex life. Researcher Eric Corty said he hoped the survey results would ease the minds of people who believe that "more of something good is better, and if you really want to satisfy your partner, you should last forever," the Associated Press reported.

While three to 13 minutes was deemed optimal, some of the sex therapists noted that optimal time depended on the couple. All the therapists did agree that one to two minutes of sexual intercourse is "too short."

The findings are published in the May issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

"There are so many myths in our culture of what other people are doing sexually. Most people's sex lives are not as exciting as other people think they are," Marianne Brandon, a clinical psychologist and director of Wellminds Wellbodies in Annapolis, Md., told the AP.

Health Tips for April 4

Health Tip: Risk Factors for Alcohol Abuse

Attitudes developed during the childhood and teen years may contribute to problem drinking later in life, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says.

The agency offers this list of factors that may make a person more vulnerable to an alcohol-related problem:

* Having a family history of alcohol abuse or dependence.
* Being surrounded by peers or an environment that encourages heavy drinking.
* Experiencing depression, anxiety, or problems with self-esteem.
* Undergoing significant stress at home, work, or in relationships.
* It's likely that some people have a genetic tendency to become alcohol-dependent.

Health Tip: Avoiding Cellulite

Cellulite is fat that collects just under the surface of the skin, and causes a dimply appearance. It appears most often on the hips, thighs and buttocks.

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

* Include plenty of fruits, vegetables and fiber in your diet.
* Drink plenty of fluids to keep your body well-hydrated.
* Maintain good muscle tone and strong bones with regular exercise.
* Try to stay at a healthy body weight, and avoid frequently gaining and losing weight.
* Don't smoke.

Health Headlines - April 3

British Scientists Create Embryos Combining Human Cells and Cow Eggs

A British scientist has created the world's first hybrid embryos, using human cells and a cow egg, according to Bloomberg News.

The procedure, which has been hotly debated in the UK Parliament during the past few months, was announced Tuesday by Newcastle University, where the lead scientist, Lyle Armstrong, and his research team said they had developed the eggs, which are designed to be the first step in creating embryonic human stem cells to fight disease.

These eggs are not to be used for anything other than the development of human stem cells, according to Bloomberg News. But the idea that embryos could be developed from the cells of a human and a cow has ignited a political and ethical debate in the United Kingdom.

Edinburgh's Cardinal Keith O'Brien called the embryo creation "experiments of Frankenstein proportions,'' the news service said. But Newcastle University's head of the Institute of Human Genetics, John Burn, is quoted as saying that the embryo creation was just a first step to finding a way to create the best stem cells for human medical research.

"Cells grown using animal eggs cannot be used to treat patients on safety grounds, but they will help bring nearer the day when new stem cell therapies are available,'' he told Bloomberg News.

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Drug Ads Should Tell Where to Report Side Effects: Petition

Nearly 12 percent of Americans who've ever taken a prescription drug have suffered a side effect serious enough to send them to a doctor or hospital. But only 35 percent of consumers know they can report serious side effects to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, says a new Consumer Reports poll.

To help improve awareness, Consumers Union on Wednesday presented the FDA with a petition that has signatures from nearly 56,000 people who want an FDA toll-free number and Web site included in all TV drug ads. Consumers Union is the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports.

Last year, Congress said all print drug ads must carry FDA MedWatch reporting information, and told the FDA to conduct a study to determine if it was appropriate to include reporting information in TV drug ads. The report was due by the end of March but has not been completed.

"You can't turn on a TV today without seeing a drug ad, but those ads never mention that consumers should be reporting serious drug side effects to the FDA," Liz Foley, campaign coordinator with Consumers Union, said in a prepared statement. "What better way for the FDA to let consumers know how to report serious problems with their medications than putting a toll-free number and Web site in all those drug ads we're bombarded by each day?"

The Consumer Reports poll found that 87 percent of respondents said TV ads should contain reporting information.

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Midwest States Receive Fewest Public Health Dollars From CDC

Midwestern states receive less public health funding from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention than other states, according to a Trust for America's Health (TFAH) study released Wednesday.

The study found that Midwestern states received an average of $16.24 per person in 2007, compared to $19.74 per person for Western states, $23.37 per person for Northeastern states, and $29.40 per person for Southern states.

On a state-by-state basis, Alaska received the most ($69.76 per person) while Kansas received the least ($13.61 per person), according to the study.

The CDC funds are used by state and local communities for a variety of public health programs, including cancer prevention; chronic disease prevention; health promotion; diabetes control; environmental health; HIV prevention; immunization; infectious disease prevention; and bioterrorism preparedness.

"Every American should have the opportunity to be as healthy as he or she can be. Every community should be safe from threats to health. If we're serious about improving the health of Americans, we need to make a much bigger investment in disease prevention efforts in every state and every region," Jeff Levi, executive director of TFAH, said in a prepared statement.

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Untreated Cavities More Common Among Low-Income Children

Children in low-income families are much more likely to have untreated dental cavities than children from high-income families, says the latest News and Numbers from the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

The analysis of data from surveys conducted between 1999 and 2004 found that 31 percent of low-income children had untreated cavities, compared to about six percent of high-income children. If untreated, the infection that causes tooth decay and cavities can lead to pain, tooth loss and more serious infections.

Among the other findings:

• Only 36 percent of low-income children visited a dentist in the past year, compared to 70 percent of high-income children.
• Among low-income children, untreated cavities were more common in those ages 6 to 11 (37 percent) than those ages 12 to 17 (27 percent).
• In high-income families, untreated cavities were also more common among children ages 6 to 11 (12 percent) than among those ages 12 to 17 (7 percent).

Most children should have a dental check-up at least twice a year, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Some children need more frequent visits due to increased risk of tooth decay, unusual growth patterns, or poor oral hygiene.

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Repealing Motorcycle Helmet Laws Leads to More Deaths

Motorcyclist death rates increased an average of 12.2 percent in U.S. states that repealed universal helmet laws in the past decade, while the death rate in states with universal helmet laws was 11.1 percent lower than in states with no helmet laws, according to a national study.

Death rates in states with partial helmet laws weren't statistically different from rates in states with no helmet laws, said researchers from the University of Missouri Truman School of Public Affairs and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, United Press International reported.

The study was published in the American Journal of Public Health.

Since 1975, when most states mandated the use of motorcycle helmets, more than 100,000 motorcycle riders have died in the United States. Currently, about 20 states have universal laws that require all riders to wear helmets, while 26 states have partial helmet laws, usually only for young riders, UPI reported.

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Young Men More Likely to Misinterpret Friendly Behavior

Young men are more likely than women to interpret friendly facial expressions and body gestures as signs of sexual interest, says a study by Indiana University and Yale researchers.

They showed images of friendly people to 280 college-age men and women and found that 12 percent of the males and 8.7 percent of the females incorrectly believed the people in the images were "sexually interested," CBC News reported.

There was even more confusion when the volunteers were shown images of sexually interested people -- 37.8 of the men and 31.9 percent of the women said the images represented friendly members of the opposite sex.

The researchers said they don't believe the differences noted in the study are due to men oversexualizing situations. They suggested that women's greater emotional range may make them more adept at interpreting non-verbal cues, CBC News reported.

The study was published in the April issue of the journal Psychological Science.

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New Strain of Deadly Water-Borne Disease Discovered in Peru

Scientists have identified a new strain of deadly water-borne disease in the Peruvian Amazon and say it may be responsible for up to 40 percent of the region's cases of a disease called leptospirosis, which can have a fatality rate as high as 20 percent to 25 percent.

Leptospirosis, which can cause jaundice, kidney failure, lung hemorrhage and other problems, affects tens of millions of people a year and is most common in tropical regions.

Joseph Vinetz, of the University of California, San Diego's Division of Infectious Diseases, and colleagues discovered the new strain while examining patients in the Iquitos region of Peru, Agence France-Presse reported.

Of 881 patients, 41 percent had antibodies that reacted only to this new strain of bacteria. The findings were published in the Public Library of Science journal Neglected Tropical Diseases.

"This observation is relevant to other regions of the world where leptospirosis is likely to be common, because it's necessary to identify the right strain of leptospirosis in order to make the correct diagnosis," Vinetz said, AFP reported.

Health Tips for April 3

Health Tip: Getting Up After a Fall

If you fall, you can injure yourself even more just by trying to get back on your feet.

Here are suggestions on how seniors can pull themselves back up safely after a fall, courtesy of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:

* Take a few deep breaths and don't panic. If you feel like you are hurt, call for help if there's someone close by. In any case, don't try to get up until you feel better.
* If you feel like you are not hurt, try rolling onto your side, turning your head in the direction you are rolling.
* Crawl over to a chair, couch or other sturdy piece of furniture, and slowly pull yourself up.
* Put your hands down flat on the furniture. Bend your stronger knee and keep the other knee on the floor, and slowly stand up.
* Slowly twist yourself around and sit down on the chair or couch. Call a family member or emergency services if you need help.

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 - April 2

Many Drugs Can Cause Eye Problems: Report

There are 62 drugs that can cause eye problems, and patients and doctors need to be aware of the risk, Public Citizen, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group, says in a new posting on its WorstPills.org Web site.

The eye is made up of numerous types of cells and drugs can affect each type of cell. The 62 drugs can cause a number of eye problems, including cataracts, glaucoma, optic nerve diseases, retinal abnormalities, eyelid and conjunctival diseases, and eye surgery complications, says the Public Citizen posting, which summarizes an article published in Drug Safety.

While many doctors and patients are aware of the adverse effects drugs can have on other parts of the body, potential risks to the eyes are often not considered, Public Citizen said.

Drugs that can cause eye problems include: chloroquine and hydroxycholoroquine, used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, amoebae and malaria; the antibiotic linezolid; ethambutol, used to treat tuberculosis; corticosteroids; alpha-1 blockers; botulinum toxin (Botoxz); morphine; and drugs in the anticholinergic and adrenergic categories, Public Citizen said.

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CDC Said to Ignore Scientist's Pleas About Formaldehyde Threat

Officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ignored urgent requests to warn Gulf Coast hurricane victims about formaldehyde dangers in federal government-issued trailers, says a top CDC scientist.

At a House Science and Technology subcommittee hearing Tuesday, Christopher De Rosa also said his bosses told him last year not to write e-mails about his warnings of a "pending public health catastrophe" that could be caused by formaldehyde in the trailers, the Associated Press reported.

Formaldehyde, which can cause respiratory problems, has been classified as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and a probable carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The House of Representatives subcommittee is looking into how the CDC and other agencies dealt with complaints about formaldehyde levels in the trailers issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Democrats have accused FEMA of manipulating scientific research to minimize the potential dangers, and charge that the CDC helped FEMA mislead people living in the trailers, the AP reported.

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Transplant Patients Develop Cancer

Four U.S. transplant patients developed cancer after receiving organs last year from a 15-year-old boy with undiagnosed lymphoma. Two of the patients have since died of the same type of cancer, and the two other recipients are undergoing chemotherapy.

The donor was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. However, a month after his death, officials at Stony Brook University Medical Center in New York told his parents that he actually died of a rare lymphoma, Newsday reported.

Stony Brook and New York University Medical Center -- which received two of the donor's organs -- were cleared in a recently concluded investigation by the New York state Department of Health.

Since the incident, NYU and the University of Minnesota -- which also received one of the donor's organs -- have changed their policies and now require stronger proof of bacterial meningitis in donors, Newsday reported.

The case was the subject of an article in the American Journal of Transplantation.

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Tai-Chi Benefits Diabetes Patients: Studies

The gentle, controlled movements of the ancient Chinese exercise tai-chi can help people with type 2 diabetes, according to new studies by researchers in Australia and Taiwan.

Both studies found that diabetes patients who did tai-chi for a few hours a week for three months showed significant improvements in health compared to control groups, Agence France-Presse reported.

Improved blood glucose levels, weight loss, stronger immune system, better sleep, and more energy were among the benefits noted in those who did tai-chi. The findings appear in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Previous research has shown that other types of moderate exercise can help keep type 2 diabetes under control, but tai-chi is easy to learn and doesn't require any complicated or expensive equipment, noted some of the researchers, AFP reported.

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Fat Droplets Help TB Bacteria Survive

U.K. scientists have found that many types of tuberculosis bacteria have protective fat droplets that may help them survive difficult conditions as they're passed in the sputum of an infected person to another person, BBC News reported.

The finding, by researchers at the University of Leicester and St. George's, University of London, may help lead to new treatments for the disease, which kills about two million people worldwide each year. The study appears in the journal Public Library of Science Medicine.

"This work forms the foundation to develop a new drug that works effectively against these fat and lazy bacteria," said Prof. Philip Butcher of St. George's, BBC News reported.

The study "helps us understand just why the TB bug is an extremely tough cookie built to survive," addedDr. John Moore-Gillon, of the British Lung Foundation, which co-funded the study. "It adds to our knowledge of why TB bacteria are so difficult to eradicate from the body and why drug resistant strains develop."

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Recalled Salad Dressing Has Undeclared Ingredients

Bay Valley Foods is recalling 535 cases of America's Choice Classic Caesar Dressing because the bottle labels don't warn about the presence of fish, soy and wheat. Consumers who have allergies to these ingredients may suffer a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the dressing.

The incorrect labels on the bottles contain information for Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing. To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the mislabeled Caesar Dressing, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

The recalled dressing comes in 16-ounce plastic bottles marked with a "best before" date code of 02-09-09, which can be found on the back label. Consumers with the recalled dressing should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. The recalled bottles of dressing were distributed through Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P) stores including A&P, Super Fresh, Food Basics USA, and Waldbaum's in Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, and the District of Columbia.

For more information, phone Bay Valley Foods at 1-800-983-0823.

Health Tips for April 2

Health Tip: Potassium-Rich Foods

Potassium is a mineral that plays an important role in regulating blood pressure. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that most people get 4,044 milligrams of potassium each day.

Here are some good food sources of potassium, says the American Academy of Family Physicians:

* Potatoes, both sweet and regular.
* Beans; especially lima beans, soybeans, white beans and kidney beans.
* Yogurt and skim milk.
* Bananas, peaches, cantaloupes and honeydew melons.
* Fish, such as halibut, yellowfin tuna, rockfish and cod.
* Tomato products, such as tomato sauce, juice, puree and paste.

Health Tip: Choosing a Babysitter

When choosing a babysitter, it's important to make sure the sitter is experienced and prepared to handle any situation that arises.

Here are guidelines to keep in mind when selecting a sitter, courtesy of the University of Michigan Health System:

* Try to find a trusted friend or family member, or select a sitter that is recommended by your friend.
* Do not choose a sitter younger than 12 years old.
* Meet your sitter first. Once you're comfortable with the person, see how the sitter interacts with your child and how the sitter reacts to emergencies or unusual situations.
* Check the sitter's references before the sitter watches your child.
* Make sure the sitter knows CPR and first aid.
* Encourage your sitter to take a babysitting class offered by the American Red Cross.

Health Headlines - April 1

Anti-Obesity Drug Trials Limited to Lower Doses: Merck

Four-milligram and 6-mg doses of the investigational obesity treatment taranabant won't be included in future clinical trials, because they've been linked to increased rates of mental health problems, Merck & Co. announced Monday.

In a late stage trial, 2-mg, 4-mg, and 6-mg doses of taranabant were compared with placebo. The drug did help reduce patients' weight, but those taking the two higher doses had higher rates of depression, anxiety and irritability, the AP reported.

"Based on the benefit-risk considerations and the lack of substantial improvement in the efficacy of taranabant at the 4-milligram and 6-milligram doses seen in our clinical program compared to the 2-milliogram dose, we have decided to continue to evaluate taranabant in doses up to and including 2 milligrams in our Phase III studies," Dr. John Amatruda, Merck's vice president of clinical research, metabolic disorders, said in a prepared statement.

Also on Monday, Merck said it stopped patient enrollment in a late-stage trial of its cholesterol drug candidate Cordaptive, while the company looks at recent results from similar studies, including a failed trial of the cholesterol drug Vytorin, the AP reported.

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Glass Fragment Risk Prompts Yogurt Recall

Due the possibility of glass fragments in the product, Stonyfield Farm of Londonderry, N.H., has recalled its six-ounce, nonfat blueberry yogurt with product codes that start with the following dates: Apr 14 08, Apr 15 08, Apr 25 08, Apr 26 08, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

People who bite into or swallow a glass fragment could be injured. There have been no reports of injuries.

The yogurt is sold at natural food stores and major grocery retailers across the United States. Consumers should return the recalled containers to their retailers, where they'll receive a full refund. Stonyfield Farm has instructed its distribution network to remove the yogurt from store shelves, the FDA said.

For more information, contact Stonyfield Farm at 1-800-PRO-COWS.

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Starting Family at Young Age Beneficial for Some: Study

Starting a family at a young age may actually be beneficial for some people, suggests a Pennsylvania State University study that found little difference in depressive symptoms between young adults who had children early in life and those who did not.

The study, which included 8,000 people, suggests that the conventional view that young people should complete their education and postpone marriage may not apply to everyone, United Press International reported.

"It's believed that those individuals -- ages 18 to 25 -- who fail to postpone these family transitions miss out on better career opportunities, make poor choices on partners, and may experience problems," lead author Alan Booth said in a prepared statement.

But he and his colleagues said that escaping a troubled home and parents with poor parenting skills to marry or have children may offer young people an escape from an unloving home and an opportunity to create a more positive family environment, UPI reported.

The study was published in the Journal of Marriage and Family and was expected to be presented April 17 in New Orleans at the annual meeting of the Population Association of America.

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Scientists Cure Cirrhosis in Rats

Japanese scientists successfully cured liver cirrhosis in rats and say this treatment may be available for use in humans within five years, Agence France-Presse reported.

The Sapporo Medical University team used a tiny vitamin A-laced sac containing a genetic material to block the production of collagen, which contributes to hardening of the liver. This treatment proved effective even on rats with full-blown cirrhosis.

The research was published in the journal Nature Biotechnology.

"We want to carry out clinical tests with private companies and put this to practical use within five years," one of the researchers told AFP.

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Antidepressant May Offer New Treatment for Cystic Fibrosis

The antidepressant drug amitriptyline shows promise as a treatment for cystic fibrosis (CF), according to German researchers who conducted tests on mice.

In mice, the drug (sold under brand names such as Elavil, Endep and Vanatrip) reduced levels in the lung of a fatty molecule called ceramide, Agence France-Presse reported.

An accumulation of ceramide results in the death of lung cells and inflammation, causing bacterial infection, which is the leading cause of death among CF patients.

The researchers said amitriptyline could offer a "new and important" strategy to control infection. However, they added the drug would have to be carefully dosed so that it didn't totally eliminate ceramide, which plays an important role in cell maintenance, AFP reported.

The study was published in the journal Nature Medicine.

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3 New Bowel Cancer Gene Mutations Identified

British scientists have identified three new gene mutations that increase the risk of bowel cancer, including one mutation that increases risk in people of European descent, but not in Japanese people.

It's the first time that a racial difference in a bowel cancer gene mutation has been identified, and could improve understanding of why Japanese people tend to be more resistant to the disease, BBC News reported.

Using these three new gene mutations and four previously identified mutations, scientists hope to develop methods of identifying people at high risk for the disease in order to diagnose it at an early stage or to prevent it. Currently, bowel cancer often isn't detected until it's well-advanced, which greatly lowers the chances of successful treatment.

This study is "an important step forward in our knowledge of the causes of bowel cancer, bringing us ever closer to a genetic test for those at high risk of the disease," said research leader Professor Malcolm Dunlop, of the Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, BBC News reported.

The study was published in the journal Nature Genetics.

Health Tips for April 1

Health Tip: Reading Food Labels

Reading and understanding the nutrition facts label on food products can help you maintain a well-balanced diet that contains healthy amounts of fat and calories.

Here are guidelines to help you interpret food labels, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

* Pay attention to the serving size -- usually the first line on the label. The serving size is the manufacturer's estimate of how much a person is likely to eat at one time. If you eat more than the serving size, be sure to increase the label's other values accordingly.
* The percent daily value shows, for each ingredient, how much of that ingredient's recommended daily amount you are getting in each serving.
* Limit foods with unhealthy amounts of saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol.
* Favor foods with healthy fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Health Tip: Have a Healthy Trip

If you're heading to a foreign country, some basic precautions can help reduce your risk of getting sick.

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions to help keep you healthy while you travel:

* Always eat meals that are very hot and have been cooked thoroughly in a restaurant. Avoid foods from street vendors, especially in countries where visitors are prone to diarrhea.
* Don't drink water from the tap, and don't use ice, brush your teeth or wash foods with tap water. Use only bottled water for these activities.
* Get shots that are appropriate for the country you are visiting. Ask your doctor how far in advance you should get them to get the highest amount of protection.
* Don't forget a repellent that contains DEET, to help ward off diseases carried by mosquitoes and other insects.
* Don't swim in freshwater lakes or streams.
* Avoid using crowded forms of public transportation.