Health Headlines - March 31

Diabetes Drug Candidate Appears Safe: FDA

A potentially important diabetes medication called Onglyza appears to be free from heart-related side effects seen in similar treatments, according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration briefing documents posted online.

An FDA panel of outside experts will meet Wednesday to review safety data on the drug, the Associated Press reported. The panel will then make a recommendation on whether the drug should be approved for use in the United States.

The FDA, which generally follows the advice of its expert panels, could make a decision about Onglyza by the end of April.

Bristol-Myers Squibb and partner AstraZeneca are seeking approval to market Onglyza to reduce blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, the APreported.

Studies conducted by the companies indicate the level of heart attacks, deaths and other cardiovascular problems appeared well within new FDA safety limits, the agency said in the briefing documents.

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U.S. Task Force Urges Docs to Screen for Depression in Teens

Primary care doctors should routinely screen adolescents, ages 12 to 18, for major depression, says the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The benefits of screening outweigh any risks if doctors can assure accurate diagnosis, treatment and follow-up, according to the task force.

That's a change from 2002, when the task force concluded there wasn't sufficient evidence to recommend or oppose screening for adolescents. The task force said there's still not enough evidence to make a recommendation about depression screening for children ages 7 to 11, USA Today reported.

In an article in the journal Pediatrics, the task force noted that questionnaires can accurately identify depression in adolescents, and that there's new evidence that therapy and/or some antidepressants can help depressed teens. They emphasized the need for careful monitoring, because it's been shown that antidepressants can increase suicidal behavior in teens.

About 1 in 20 teens suffers depression, which is associated with lower grades, more physical illness, increased drug use, and early pregnancy, USA Todayreported.

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Triathlons Can Pose Deadly Heart Risks for the Unprepared: Study

Triathletes take note: A new study finds that participants in these swim-bike-run athletic events face at least twice the risk of sudden death as marathoners do, theAssociated Press reported. And, it's the swimming section of the race that's the riskiest.

About 1,000 triathlons are held each year, and several hundred thousand Americans try one, often without adequate preparation or check-up to see if they have any hidden physical problems, the study suggested. "It's something someone just signs up to do," often without proper training or a medical checkup to rule out heart problems, Dr. Kevin Harris, lead author and a cardiologist at the Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, told the AP. Harris presented his study over the weekend at the American College of Cardiology annual meeting in Orlando, Fla.

While the risk for sudden death is low -- about 15 out of a million participants, according to Harris, -- it's not inconsequential because of the numbers of people who take part in triathlons. Stress and cold water for the swimming section -- often the first of the three events in the competitions -- can constrict blood vessels and make the heart work harder or aggravate pre-existing problems, Harris told the AP.

Doctors offered these tips for would-be triathletes, the AP said:

• Get a checkup to make sure you don't have any hidden heart problems.
• Start training long before the event and include open-water swims, not just laps in a pool. Acclimate to the water temperature before a race and wear a wetsuit if the water is too cold.
• Check that race officials have medical staff and defibrillators on site.

Health Tips for March 31

Health Tip: Breathe Fresh Air at Home

If the air inside your home is dirty, you and your housemates can have symptoms including headache, dizziness, asthma and allergy symptoms, and fatigue.

The National Women's Health Information Center offers these suggestions to keep the air in your home clean:

• When using chemicals such as paint or paint thinner, open the windows and keep the area well-ventilated.
• Use a humidifier or dehumidifier to keep humidity levels between 30 percent and 50 percent.
• If you use a humidifier, clean it and replace the water daily to prevent the growth of mold and mildew in the appliance.
• Use an exhaust fan in the kitchen and bathroom, and vent clothes dryers outside.
• If rugs or carpets get wet, quickly have them cleaned to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria.
• Clean your home regularly, being careful to remove dust and any other allergens.

Health Tip: Protect Aging Feet

Foot problems that develop as people age restrict mobility and limit seniors' ability to enjoy life.

The American Podiatric Medical Association offers these suggestions to help seniors keep their feet healthy:

• Keep walking. Feet need exercise, and walking is the best kind.
• Make sure you wear shoes that fit properly and are comfortable. Shoes should offer a sturdy sole and a soft upper area.
• If you have a foot problem such as a corn or callus, see a podiatrist. Never try to remove a corn or callus yourself.
• Wash your feet each day in warm water (never too hot) and gentle soap. Carefully dry and moisturize the feet afterward.
• Cut your toenails regularly, and always straight across, not at an angle.
• Get a foot exam by a podiatrist twice yearly. More frequently, perform a self-inspection to look for any redness, swelling or injuries.

FDA Investigating Salmonella-Tainted Pistachios

U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials said Monday night that the agency is investigating a salmonella contamination that could involve 1 million pounds of pistachios that were sold in at least 31 states.

The current contamination is not connected to the recent salmonella scare involving peanuts, the officials said.

"We are not dealing with an outbreak here," Dr. David Acheson, associate commissioner for foods at the FDA, said during a teleconference Monday evening. "This is a proactive move by the firm to recall contaminated product, and it is very distinctly not linked to an outbreak. This recall is being undertaken by sampling by part of the food industry."

The California Department of Public Health is also involved in the investigation.

The company in question, Setton Farms, is recalling certain pistachio nuts based on these findings, Acheson said. Investigators are honing in on pistachios packaged in a plant in Terra Bella, Calif.

"These findings came to light because of testing that another company was doing as part of routine analysis in which they found a variety of different types of salmonella. Based on this, they contacted the FDA," he said.

On March 24, Kraft Foods alerted the FDA and started a recall of its Back to Nature Nantucket Blend trail mix, Acheson said.

Setton Farms supplies pistachios in large quantities to 36 wholesalers who repackage them or resell them, Acheson said.

"The number of products that are going to be recalled over the coming days will grow simply because these pistachios have been repackaged to consumer level containers," Acheson said.

Setton Farms also supplied pistachios to grocer Kroger Co., which has already issued a recall, Acheson said. Those nuts were sold in 31 states, the Associated Press reported.

There have been some consumer complaints about these products, Acheson said. "That does mean definitively that they caused illness. Some consumers developed gastrointestinal illness, and called [the] FDA," he said.

The agency is recommending that people avoid eating any pistachio products. However, they should hold on to these products until it's clear which ones are affected, Acheson added.

This is not the first time this year that nut products have been found to be tainted with salmonella.

In January, U.S. officials launched a criminal investigation into a salmonella outbreak tied to tainted peanut products that sickened almost 700 people and may have contributed to at least nine deaths. The probe will focus on possible criminal violations at the Georgia processing plant owned by Peanut Corp. of America (PCA), which knowingly shipped peanut butter and peanut paste products that had tested positive for salmonella, officials said at the time.

And just last month, FDA officials issued a warning that consumers shouldn't eat any peanuts or peanut products sold by Westco Fruit and Nuts Inc. because they may be contaminated with salmonella. Peanuts used in the Westco products may have come from PCA, officials said.

Health Headlines - March 30

Transit Users More Likely to Meet Exercise Guidelines: Study

Transit users are three times more likely to achieve fitness guidelines than those who don't use transit, say Canadian researchers who interviewed 18,326 people in Atlanta, Ga., who kept diaries of their modes of travel over two consecutive days.

The study used the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada's suggested daily minimum of 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day, five days a week, CBC News reported.

The more people in the study used their cars, they less likely they were to meet the minimum activity guideline, said the University of British Columbia study.

"The idea of needing to go to the gym to get your daily dose of exercise is a misperception," associate professor Lawrence Frank, who teaches community and regional planning, said in a news release, CBC News reported.

"These short walks throughout our day are historically how we have gotten our activity," he noted. "Unfortunately, we've engineered this activity out of our daily lives."

The study was published in the Journal of Public Health Policy.

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VA Says 10 Patients Test Positive for Hepatitis

Ten people have tested positive for hepatitis after they were exposed to contaminated colonoscopy equipment, the U.S. Veterans Affairs department said Friday.

The 10 are among thousands of patients told to get blood tests after having colonoscopies at VA facilities in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Miami and Augusta, Ga. The equipment at those facilities wasn't properly sterilized between procedures, theAssociated Press reported.

Four patients have tested positive for hepatitis B, and six have tested positive for hepatitis C, which can cause permanent liver damage and is potentially life-threatening.

The patients will receive treatment from the VA even though it hasn't been confirmed that their infections were the result of the unclean colonoscopy equipment, said VA spokeswoman Katie Roberts, the AP reported.

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China Reports More Cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

So far this year, 41,000 people in China have been sickened by hand, foot and mouth disease, and 18 children have died, Chinese health officials said Friday.

Based on previously release data, about twice as many people have been infected so far this year compared with the same time period last year, the Associated Pressreported.

May through July is the normal peak season for the spread of the disease, so this early spike suggests this year's toll will be higher than average, said Li Xinwang, a doctor at Beijing's Ditan Hospital.

He suggested the high number of cases so far this year may be due to "dramatic temperature fluctuations" which helped spread the virus, especially in rural areas where sanitation and health care are substandard, the AP reported.

Hand, foot and mouth disease typically strikes infants and children. It can be deadly, but most cases are mild, and children recover quickly after suffering little more than a fever and rash.

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Hot Tea May Increase Throat Cancer Risk: Study

Drinking hot tea may increase the risk of throat cancer, according to Iranian researchers.

They studied people in Golestan province, which has one of the highest rates of esophageal cancer in the world. Tea consumption in the province averages 1.8 pints per person per day, but there are low levels of tobacco and alcohol use,Agence France Presse reported.

The study of 300 throat cancer patients and 571 healthy people found that those who drank hot tea (65-69 degrees Celsius, 149-156 degrees Fahrenheit) were twice as likely to develop throat cancer as those who drank warm or lukewarm tea. Those who drank very hot tea (at least 70 C, 158 F) were eight times more likely to develop throat cancer than those who drank warm or lukewarm tea.

The findings were published Friday in the BMJ.

The team from the Digestive Disease Research Center at Tehran University of Medical Sciences found no association between the amount of tea consumption and cancer risk. The study didn't look at coffee or other hot beverages, AFPreported.

In an accompanying editorial, David Whiteman from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research Australia, said the study contributes to evidence that scorching fluids may cause damage to the throat's epithelial lining and lead to cancer. How this may occur remains unclear.

But the editorial also said there's no reason for panic, because most people drink tea at a warm temperature. It recommended tea drinkers wait at least four minutes before drinking from a freshly boiled cup, AFP reported.

Health Tips for March 30

Health Tip: Getting Older and Weakened Immunity

As you age, your body often isn't able to protect you against disease as effectively as when you were younger.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine lists these changes to the immune system that may occur as part of the aging process:

• Decreased ability to protect against infection.
• Decreased effectiveness and duration of vaccinations.
• Increased risk of developing an autoimmune disease.
• Decreased ability to heal from wounds and other injuries.
• Decreased ability to detect and correct cell defects, which could raise the risk of certain cancers.

Health Tip: Bones, Muscles and Aging

Getting older means changes throughout your body, and the bones and muscles are no exception. So get them into shape, and help ward off certain effects of aging.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers this advice:

• Do lots of stretches. Stretching will help your muscles stay flexible.
• Try some lightweight training to build up and strengthen your muscles.
• Over time, getting regular exercise can help you retain muscle mass and help prevent weight gain.
• Even occasional exercise can benefit blood pressure, heart health, and some studies indicate it might reduce your risk of cancer.
• Getting just 30 minutes of exercise can boost your overall health. Try fun activities such as dancing and swimming.

If you haven't exercised before, talk to your doctor before you start.

Health Headlines - March 29

Transit Users More Likely to Meet Exercise Guidelines: Study

Transit users are three times more likely to achieve fitness guidelines than those who don't use transit, say Canadian researchers who interviewed 18,326 people in Atlanta, Ga., who kept diaries of their modes of travel over two consecutive days.

The study used the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada's suggested daily minimum of 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day, five days a week, CBC News reported.

The more people in the study used their cars, they less likely they were to meet the minimum activity guideline, said the University of British Columbia study.

"The idea of needing to go to the gym to get your daily dose of exercise is a misperception," associate professor Lawrence Frank, who teaches community and regional planning, said in a news release, CBC News reported.

"These short walks throughout our day are historically how we have gotten our activity," he noted. "Unfortunately, we've engineered this activity out of our daily lives."

The study was published in the Journal of Public Health Policy.

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VA Says 10 Patients Test Positive for Hepatitis

Ten people have tested positive for hepatitis after they were exposed to contaminated colonoscopy equipment, the U.S. Veterans Affairs department said Friday.

The 10 are among thousands of patients told to get blood tests after having colonoscopies at VA facilities in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Miami and Augusta, Ga. The equipment at those facilities wasn't properly sterilized between procedures, the Associated Press reported.

Four patients have tested positive for hepatitis B, and six have tested positive for hepatitis C, which can cause permanent liver damage and is potentially life-threatening.

The patients will receive treatment from the VA even though it hasn't been confirmed that their infections were the result of the unclean colonoscopy equipment, said VA spokeswoman Katie Roberts, the AP reported.

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China Reports More Cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

So far this year, 41,000 people in China have been sickened by hand, foot and mouth disease, and 18 children have died, Chinese health officials said Friday.

Based on previously release data, about twice as many people have been infected so far this year compared with the same time period last year, the Associated Press reported.

May through July is the normal peak season for the spread of the disease, so this early spike suggests this year's toll will be higher than average, said Li Xinwang, a doctor at Beijing's Ditan Hospital.

He suggested the high number of cases so far this year may be due to "dramatic temperature fluctuations" which helped spread the virus, especially in rural areas where sanitation and health care are substandard, the AP reported.

Hand, foot and mouth disease typically strikes infants and children. It can be deadly, but most cases are mild, and children recover quickly after suffering little more than a fever and rash.

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Hot Tea May Increase Throat Cancer Risk: Study

Drinking hot tea may increase the risk of throat cancer, according to Iranian researchers.

They studied people in Golestan province, which has one of the highest rates of esophageal cancer in the world. Tea consumption in the province averages 1.8 pints per person per day, but there are low levels of tobacco and alcohol use, Agence France Presse reported.

The study of 300 throat cancer patients and 571 healthy people found that those who drank hot tea (65-69 degrees Celsius, 149-156 degrees Fahrenheit) were twice as likely to develop throat cancer as those who drank warm or lukewarm tea. Those who drank very hot tea (at least 70 C, 158 F) were eight times more likely to develop throat cancer than those who drank warm or lukewarm tea.

The findings were published Friday in the BMJ.

The team from the Digestive Disease Research Center at Tehran University of Medical Sciences found no association between the amount of tea consumption and cancer risk. The study didn't look at coffee or other hot beverages, AFP reported.

In an accompanying editorial, David Whiteman from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research Australia, said the study contributes to evidence that scorching fluids may cause damage to the throat's epithelial lining and lead to cancer. How this may occur remains unclear.

But the editorial also said there's no reason for panic, because most people drink tea at a warm temperature. It recommended tea drinkers wait at least four minutes before drinking from a freshly boiled cup, AFP reported.

Health Tips for March 29

Health Tip: Warning Signs of Peptic Ulcer

A peptic ulcer is a sore that occurs in the lining of the stomach or small intestine.

A bacterium, called H. pylori, causes the sore to form. While the foods you eat don't cause peptic ulcers, foods can aggravate these sores.

Peptic ulcers can be treated with antibiotics and acid-reducing medications.

The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse lists these common warning signs of a peptic ulcer:

• Dull pain in the abdomen.
• Abdominal pain that fluctuates, but often occurs on an empty stomach or several hours after a meal.
• Abdominal pain that subsides after eating or taking antacid medications.
• Loss of weight and lack of appetite.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Feeling bloated or frequent burping.

Health Tip: Treating an Ulcer

Ulcers are sores that occur in the lining of the digestive tract. They can be triggered by factors such as bacteria, medication or excess production of stomach acid.

If you have an ulcer, here are things you should discuss with your doctor to promote healing, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

• Medications can help ulcers heal. Antibiotics are prescribed to thwart bacteria, and other medications may be taken to help reduce stomach acid.
• Avoid smoking.
• Don't take anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol in your diet. If you do have some, try to make sure it's after you've eaten a meal or snack.
• Don't eat foods that seem to aggravate your ulcer. Examples may include chocolate, coffee, certain herbs and spices, and some spicy foods.
• Eat several small meals throughout the day, rather than one big meal.

Health Headlines - March 28

Transit Users More Likely to Meet Exercise Guidelines: Study

Transit users are three times more likely to achieve fitness guidelines than those who don't use transit, say Canadian researchers who interviewed 18,326 people in Atlanta, Ga., who kept diaries of their modes of travel over two consecutive days.

The study used the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada's suggested daily minimum of 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day, five days a week, CBC News reported.

The more people in the study used their cars, they less likely they were to meet the minimum activity guideline, said the University of British Columbia study.

"The idea of needing to go to the gym to get your daily dose of exercise is a misperception," associate professor Lawrence Frank, who teaches community and regional planning, said in a news release, CBC News reported.

"These short walks throughout our day are historically how we have gotten our activity," he noted. "Unfortunately, we've engineered this activity out of our daily lives."

The study was published in the Journal of Public Health Policy.

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VA Says 10 Patients Test Positive for Hepatitis

Ten people have tested positive for hepatitis after they were exposed to contaminated colonoscopy equipment, the U.S. Veterans Affairs department said Friday.

The 10 are among thousands of patients told to get blood tests after having colonoscopies at VA facilities in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Miami and Augusta, Ga. The equipment at those facilities wasn't properly sterilized between procedures, the Associated Press reported.

Four patients have tested positive for hepatitis B, and six have tested positive for hepatitis C, which can cause permanent liver damage and is potentially life-threatening.

The patients will receive treatment from the VA even though it hasn't been confirmed that their infections were the result of the unclean colonoscopy equipment, said VA spokeswoman Katie Roberts, the AP reported.

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China Reports More Cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

So far this year, 41,000 people in China have been sickened by hand, foot and mouth disease, and 18 children have died, Chinese health officials said Friday.

Based on previously release data, about twice as many people have been infected so far this year compared with the same time period last year, the Associated Press reported.

May through July is the normal peak season for the spread of the disease, so this early spike suggests this year's toll will be higher than average, said Li Xinwang, a doctor at Beijing's Ditan Hospital.

He suggested the high number of cases so far this year may be due to "dramatic temperature fluctuations" which helped spread the virus, especially in rural areas where sanitation and health care are substandard, the AP reported.

Hand, foot and mouth disease typically strikes infants and children. It can be deadly, but most cases are mild, and children recover quickly after suffering little more than a fever and rash.

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Hot Tea May Increase Throat Cancer Risk: Study

Drinking hot tea may increase the risk of throat cancer, according to Iranian researchers.

They studied people in Golestan province, which has one of the highest rates of esophageal cancer in the world. Tea consumption in the province averages 1.8 pints per person per day, but there are low levels of tobacco and alcohol use, Agence France Presse reported.

The study of 300 throat cancer patients and 571 healthy people found that those who drank hot tea (65-69 degrees Celsius, 149-156 degrees Fahrenheit) were twice as likely to develop throat cancer as those who drank warm or lukewarm tea. Those who drank very hot tea (at least 70 C, 158 F) were eight times more likely to develop throat cancer than those who drank warm or lukewarm tea.

The findings were published Friday in the BMJ.

The team from the Digestive Disease Research Center at Tehran University of Medical Sciences found no association between the amount of tea consumption and cancer risk. The study didn't look at coffee or other hot beverages, AFP reported.

In an accompanying editorial, David Whiteman from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research Australia, said the study contributes to evidence that scorching fluids may cause damage to the throat's epithelial lining and lead to cancer. How this may occur remains unclear.

But the editorial also said there's no reason for panic, because most people drink tea at a warm temperature. It recommended tea drinkers wait at least four minutes before drinking from a freshly boiled cup, AFP reported.

Health Tips for March 28

Health Tip: Depression Among Seniors

Depression affects more than 6 million people aged 65 or older in the United States, but only about 10 percent of them are treated, the Cleveland Clinic says.

The clinic offers this list of risk factors for depression in seniors:

• Living alone without much social interaction.
• Having persistent pain or illness.
• Being overly afraid of dying.
• Having a family history or personal history of depression or suicide attempts.
• Having had a recent bereavement, such as the death of a close family member.
• Having problems with drugs or alcohol.
• Taking certain medications, alone or combined with other medications.
• Problems with body image after a surgery or major illness, such as cancer or heart disease.

Health Tip: What Seniors Eat

Nutrition is an important part of a healthy lifestyle at any age, a requirement that doesn't change as you get older.

Here are some dietary guidelines for older people, courtesy of the Cleveland Clinic:

• Seniors should get 1- to 1.2-grams of protein each day per kilogram of their weight. For instance, a 150-pound person (70 kg) should get 70 to 100 grams of protein daily. Those with chronic kidney disease should ask their doctor about how much protein is safe.
• Seniors need 1,000 milligrams of calcium each day, and 1,000 units of vitamin D daily.
• Seniors should take special care to eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Seniors should take a multivitamin if their diet isn't balanced, they've been sick, or are losing weight. Vitamins don't include protein, however.

Health Headlines - March 27

Experts Put Worldwide Cost of Dementia at $315.4 Billion

Worldwide prevalence of dementia may be much higher than previously thought, costing societies around the globe an estimated $315.4 billion, say scientists attending the Alzheimer's Disease International conference this week in Singapore.

Health-care and social services systems in developed and developing countries are under strain dealing with what the experts said was a "greying of the world." Projections indicate as many as 29.4 million people suffer from Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, the scientists reported in a news release about the conference issued Thursday. And, worldwide prevalence of dementia may quadruple to almost 120 million people by 2050, they added.

Treating worldwide dementia includes $105 billion for informal care -- non-professional care usually provided by families -- that makes up 37 percent of the total dollars. Seventy-seven percent of dementia treament costs occurred in the world's more developed regions, according to the news release.

"In light of the rapidly growing future prevalence estimates, in particular in less developed regions, the economic impact of dementia is a great challenge for every society," Dr. Anders Wimo, of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at the Karolinska Institutet, in Stockholm, said in the news release.

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U.S. Halts Trial of Concentrated Saline Solution for Shock

A clinical trial studying the use of concentrated saline solution in trauma patients suffering from severe shock due to severe bleeding has been halted early by the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute because there was no benefit to patients.

In the study, the solution was given to patients as they rode in ambulances to hospital. But patients who received the concentrated saline solution were no more likely to survive than those who received a normal saline solution.

Saline solution is widely used in trauma patients to compensate for blood loss and buy time until they can receive blood transfusions in the hospital. It's believed concentrated saline solution compensates for blood loss more effectively, lessens excessive inflammatory responses, and prevents brain swelling, the NHLBI said.

A parallel study of concentrated saline for traumatic brain injury without shock continues.

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Energy Drinks Increase Blood Pressure, Heart Rate: Study

Energy drinks can boost blood pressure and should not be consumed by people with high blood pressure or heart disease, say U.S. researchers.

They found that drinking two cans of an energy drink a day increased blood pressure and heart rate in healthy adults, United Press International reported.

These increases were insignificant for healthy people but could prove harmful to those with a heart-related condition, said lead author James Kalus, senior manager of Patient Care Services at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

"Based on our findings, we recommend that people who have hypertension or heart disease and are taking medication for them to avoid consuming energy drinks because of a potential risk to their health," Kalus said in a news release,UPI reported.

Caffeine and taurine levels in energy drinks could cause the increases in blood pressure and heart rate, the researchers said. The study was published in theAnnals of Pharmacotherapy.

Health Tips for March 27

Health Tip: Asthmatics Don't Have to Stop Exercising

Exercise is good for most people, even asthmatics who have their doctor's approval.

The American Council on Exercise offers these suggestions to help reduce your risk of an asthma attack while exercising:

• Keep your inhaler or other asthma medication nearby, in case you become short of breath during exercise.
• Warm up for at least 15 minutes before exercise.
• Take plenty of time to cool down, and slowly decrease your activity.
• Drink plenty of water before exercise.
• Don't exercise outdoors when air quality is compromised by allergens or pollution.
• Don't overexert yourself.
• Breathe deeply, in through your nose and out through your mouth.
• Don't push yourself too much. Give yourself a break, especially if it feels like you're on the verge of an asthma attack.

Health Tip: Exercise for Bone Health

As you age, your bones tend to lose density, become weaker and are more likely to fracture. Regular exercise is one of the best ways to help keep bones strong.

Besides recommending that you get enough bone-building vitamin D and calcium in your diet, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these exercise recommendations:

• Walking and jogging.
• Hiking.
• Cross-country skiing.
• Stair-climbing machines, or climbing stationary stairs.
• Dancing and jumping rope.
• Sports such as soccer, volleyball, basketball, field hockey and softball.

Health Headlines - March 26

Treating Heart Ailments Costs $78 Billion: Survey

Treating heart ailments -- from opening blocked arteries to keeping heart patients alive and caring for them -- cost an estimated $78 billion in 2006, or about 8 percent of the more than $1 trillion spent on all medical care for the community population, a U.S. survey says.

The analysis was based on data in a nationally representative sampling from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, according to an agency news release issued Wednesday. The figures represent the costs for hospital admissions, emergency department visits, visits to doctors' offices and hospital outpatient departments, as well as money spent on home health care and prescription drugs. Among the survey's findings:

• Hospital admissions took up $43.9 billion, or 56 percent.
• Visits to doctors and hospital outpatient departments absorbed $15.3 billion, or 20 percent.
• Outpatient prescription drugs cost $7.9 billion, almost 10 percent.
• Home nursing and other home care services ran $6.7 billion, or 9 percent.
• Emergency room care costs were $4.3 billion, or 6 percent.

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Overactive Nerves Cause Tinnitus: Study

Australian scientists believe they've identified the root cause of tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, a finding that could boost efforts to find a cure for the condition, which is often associated with hearing loss.

The study, conducted in guinea pigs, found that uncontrolled nerve activity within brain areas that process sound results in the noises experienced by people with tinnitus. This increased nerve activity was linked to changes in genes that regulate the activity of nerve cells, BBC News reported.

The finding suggests it may be possible to treat tinnitus by silencing nerve activity.

"Identifying genes associated with spontaneous nerve cell activity is crucial. It means it may be possible to use drugs to block this activity and treat conditions such as tinnitus in the future," said lead researcher Professor Don Robertson, BBC News reported.

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Single Embryo Transplant More Effective, Cheaper: Study

It's more effective and less costly to implant single embryos instead of two embryos at a time, says a study that challenges the belief that implanting multiple embryos during in-vitro fertilization (IVF) improves a woman's chances of becoming pregnant and is more cost-effective.

Finnish researchers looked at more than 1,500 women who went through more than 3,600 assisted reproduction cycles. They found the live birth rate was 5 percent higher for women who had a single embryo implanted at a time, compared to double embryo transplants, Agence France Presse reported.

The single embryo method was also less costly, especially when the researchers factored in health complications due to multiple pregnancies.

The study was published in the journal Human Reproduction.

"At a time when there is an intense debate in many countries about how to reduce multiple pregnancy rates and provide affordable fertility treatment, policy makers should be made aware of our results," study lead researcher Hannu Martikainen, of the University of Oulu, said in a news release, AFP reported.

"These data should also encourage clinics to evaluate their embryo transfer policy and adopt elective single embryo transfer as their everyday practice for women younger than 40," Martikainen said.

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Many Chronically Ill Patients Report Medical Errors: Survey

A new survey finds that 23 percent of chronically ill U.S. patients and their caregivers report they've been victims of a medical error.

The AARP survey found that 21 percent of chronically ill patients said their healthcare providers didn't communicate well with one another, and 20 percent of patients said their health suffered as a result, United Press International reported.

Among the other findings:

• 26 percent of chronically ill patients say they lack confidence in the healthcare system.
• 30 percent say their healthcare provider did not have all the necessary information when they arrived.
• 24 percent received conflicting information from two or more healthcare providers.
• 16 percent say they received unnecessary medical tests.

"Health spending for an older person with just one chronic disease is more than twice that of a healthy person," John Rother, AARP executive vice president, said in a news release, UPI reported.

"Chronic conditions are often preventable, and they take a terrible toll on millions of Americans. Our fragmented healthcare system makes it incredibly difficult for chronically ill patients and their caregivers to get the appropriate care they so desperately need," Rother said.

Health Tips for March 26

Health Tip: Remember to Take Your Medicine

Many medications should be taken at the same time every day, both to ensure their effectiveness and so that you remember to take them.

The American Heart Association offers these suggestions to help keep you on schedule:

• Make taking your medication a part of your daily routine, as you would brushing your teeth.
• Take your medicine while performing another daily activity, such as having breakfast.
• Use a daily pill box to organize and track when you've taken your medication.
• Track taking your medication on a calendar, and mark off the day afterward.
• Use a white board to keep track of when you've taken your medication.
• Ask a family member or friend to remind you each day.

Health Tip: Medications and Pregnancy

You may take certain over-the-counter supplements and medications without thinking twice. But when you're pregnant, even drugs that you can buy without a prescription can affect the developing fetus.

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these safety guidelines about medications and pregnancy:

• Don't take any medicine or herbal supplement without checking with your doctor.
• Try not to take any medicine during your first trimester of pregnancy, when your baby is most likely to be affected.
• If you are having pain, acetaminophen is usually safe for pregnant women to take for a short period. But you should first check with your doctor.
• Don't take aspirin while you're pregnant.
• Don't take an NSAID -- such as Advil, Motrin or Aleve -- while you're pregnant, particularly during your third trimester.

Health Headlines - March 25

Insurers Say They May Drop Higher Premiums for Sick Patients

America's health insurers are offering to drop their controversial practice of charging higher premiums to sick people, the Associated Press reported.

In a letter to key senators charged with reforming the U.S. health care system, America's Health Insurance Plans and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association said they are willing to "phase out the practice of varying premiums based on health status in the individual market" if all Americans are required to get coverage.

There are an estimated 48 million uninsured people in the United States, according to the AP. The insurance industry is trying to head off creation of a government insurance plan that could compete with them to provide those people services, the wire service reported.

HIV Contributes to a Quarter of TB Deaths: WHO

One in four tuberculosis deaths worldwide is HIV-related, a rate twice as high as previously believed, says the World Health Organization.

There were an estimated 1.37 million new cases of TB among HIV-infected people and 456,000 deaths worldwide in 2007. Despite the fact that TB kills more people with HIV than any other disease, only 1 percent of people with HIV had a TB screen in 2008, BBC News reported.

HIV has caused a tripling of TB incidence in Sub-Saharan Africa since the 1990s. In some countries, 80 percent of TB patients are also infected with HIV, the WHO said.

"These findings point to an urgent need to find, prevent and treat TB in people living with HIV and to test for HIV in all patients with TB. Countries can only do that through stronger collaborative programs and stronger health systems that address both diseases," said Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO director-general, BBC News reported.

VA Hospital Warns Colonoscopy Patients About Unclean Equipment

Improperly sterilized colonoscopy equipment was used on more than 3,000 patients at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Miami. The patients have been told they should be tested for HIV and other diseases.

The incident involved tubing on equipment, not any device that touched a patient, and the risk of infection is minimal, according to the VA, the Associated Press reported.

This have been similar problems recently. In February, more than 6,000 colonoscopy patients at a VA clinic in Tennessee were told they may have been exposed to infectious body fluids.

And 1,800 veterans treated at an ear, nose and throat clinic in Augusta, Ga., were warned they may have been exposed to an infection due to improper disinfection of an instrument, the AP reported.

Real Doctors Learn Poor Technique From TV Doctors: Study

Television doctors can have a bad influence on how real doctors perform some medical procedures, according to a Canadian study of 80 medical students and residents.

The University of Alberta Hospital researchers conducted the study to find out why so many medical students and residents were using an improper technique to insert breathing tubes in patients, United Press International reported.

Many of the participants said they learned through trial and error, but a large number admitted they learned their technique from watching doctors and nurses on television shows, with "ER" cited as the most popular show.

When the researchers analyzed a full season of "ER," they found that some feature of the head positioning for inserting a breathing tube was incorrect in all 22 intubations they were able to fully view on screen, UPI reported.

The study was published in the journal Resuscitation.

Robin Williams Recovering After Heart Surgery

Actor Robin Williams, 57, was recovering after he had heart surgery to replace an aortic valve on March 13, his publicists said Monday. He's expected to make a complete recovery in the next eight weeks.

Earlier this month, Williams was in Florida when he suffered shortness of breath and had to cancel the remainder of his one-man comedy show, "Weapons of Self-Destruction," the Associated Press reported. He was initially treated at the University of Miami Hospital before being transferred to the Cleveland Clinic, where he had the heart surgery.

"His heart is strong, and he will have normal heart function in the coming weeks with no limitations on what he'll be able to do. A couple of hours after surgery, he was entertaining the medical team and making us all laugh," said Dr. A. Marc Gillinov, a cardiothoracic surgeon, the AP reported.

In a prepared statement, Williams thanked staff at both hospitals and said the experience gave him fresh fodder for his act.

"I got some great new material for the tour and can't wait to get back on the road. I'm thinking the next leg of the tour will be "Weapons of Self-Destruction and Reconstruction!"

Health Tips for March 25

Health Tip: Taking a Daily Aspirin

A daily low-dose aspirin can help reduce the risk of heart attack in people with higher-risk conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

While aspirin is generally safe, there are some people who shouldn't take it, since the drug can irritate the stomach lining.

The American Diabetes Association says the following people should talk to their doctor before beginning daily aspirin therapy:

• People younger than age 21.
• People who bleed often or easily.
• People who are allergic to aspirin.
• People who have had recent bleeding in the digestive tract.
• People with current liver disease.

Health Tip: Taking an NSAID

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

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

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

Health Headlines - March 24

FDA Ordered to Re-examine Limits on 'Morning-After' Pill

A U.S. District Court judge has ordered the Food and Drug Administration to rethink its plan to limit the non-prescription "morning-after" pill to women who are at least 18 years old, the Washington Post reported Monday.

In 2005, the agency announced that it would limit over-the-counter access to the pill, also known as Plan B, to women 18 and older. U.S. District Judge Edward R. Korman said the FDA must reconsider whether to make the drug available to all women, regardless of age, without a prescription.

The "record is clear that the FDA's course of conduct regarding Plan B departed in significant ways from the agency's normal procedures regarding similar applications to switch a drug from prescription to non-prescription use," the newspaper quoted from Korman's 52-page ruling.

The plan B pill is intended to prevent pregnancy up to 72 hours after a woman has unprotected sex.

Groups critical of the FDA's original decision praised the judge's ruling.

"The message is clear: The FDA has to put science first and leave politics at the door. We are encouraged that the FDA under new leadership, when they look at the evidence, will remove the unique barriers that have been in place and [Plan B] will finally be available to all women without any barriers," the Post quoted Suzanne Novak, senior staff attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights, as saying.

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Symbyax Approved for Treatment-Resistant Depression

The bipolar depression drug Symbyax has received U.S. approval as a therapy for patients with treatment-resistant depression, Eli Lilly & Co. announced Monday.

The FDA approval applies to use in adult patients who haven't responded to two separate rounds of therapy with different antidepressants, the Indianapolis Business Journal reported.

"Living with major depressive disorder is difficult and distressing for anyone, but even more so for patients whose symptoms continue despite treatment," Lilly medical director Dr. Sara Corya said in a company news release. "Now, after two failed attempts with other antidepressants, doctors and patients have a new treatment option."

To get this FDA approval, Lilly had to change the drug label information to include stronger language about the risk of weight gain and diabetes.

Symbyax, a combination of Lillys drugs Zyprexa and Prozac in one pill, was approved by the FDA to treat bipolar depression in 2003, the Indianapolis Business Journal reported.

In related news, the FDA approved the use of Zyprexa and Prozac, in separate pills, to treat bipolar depression and treatment-resistant depression.

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Westco Peanut Products Recalled

Consumers shouldn't eat any peanuts or peanut products sold by Westco Fruit and Nuts Inc. (Westco/Westcott), because they may be contaminated with salmonella, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Monday.

Peanuts used in the Westco products may have come from the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). The PCA plant in Blakely, Ga., has been identified as the source of a nationwide salmonella outbreak that's sickened 691 people and may have contributed to nine deaths.

The FDA told Irvington, N.J.-based Westco/Westcott to voluntarily recall all its products containing peanuts from PCA. Westco/Westcott sold these peanuts in various sizes and packaging configurations, and also used them as an ingredient in a variety of mixed nut products and trail mix produced between Nov. 19, 2008, and mid-Feb. 2009.

Consumers who have Westco/Westcott peanuts or peanut products in their homes should dispose of the products by placing them in a plastic bag with bleach. Seal the bag properly and place it in a trash bin. Consumers should then was their hands, the FDA said.

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

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J&J Baby Products Safe: Chinese Officials

Cancer-causing agents were not used as additives in Johnson & Johnson baby products, China's State Food and Drug Administration announced on its Web site.

The officials launched an investigation after a U.S. activist group said dozens of the products contained formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane, the Associated Press reported. The products were also declared safe by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

Last week, the report by Campaign for Safe Cosmetics prompted Shanghai-based Nonggongshan Supermarkets Corp. to pull J&J's baby products from its 3,500 stores in China. The supermarket chain resumed sales of the products after they were cleared by government officials.

J&J denies the allegations by Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a coalition of nonprofit organizations. The company says all its products are in compliance with safety laws in the countries were they're sold, the AP reported.

Health Tips for March 24

Health Tip: Get Needed Vitamins and Minerals

A diet rich in vitamins and minerals is an important part of staying healthy and feeling well.

Here is a list of important vitamins and minerals to include in your diet, and how to get them, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

• Calcium, which is found in yogurt, cheese, milk and other dairy products; sardines, salmon and perch; soybeans and white beans; spinach and oatmeal.
• Potassium, which is found in sweet potatoes, seafood, fruits including bananas, peaches and honeydew; beans and dairy products.
• Magnesium, which is found in vegetables, bran, beans, tofu, brown rice and nuts.
• Vitamin A, which is found in the meat organs such as liver and giblets; vegetables such as pumpkin, sweet potatoes and spinach; and cantaloupe.
• Vitamin C, which is found in oranges, grapefruit, kiwi, strawberries, cantaloupe, guava and papaya; and vegetables such as red and green peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, and sweet potatoes.
• Vitamin E, which is found in nuts and seeds, turnip greens, peanut butter and spinach.

Health Tip: The Signs of Hunger

When you have a desire to eat, are you really hungry? Other factors can make you feel like you want to eat, including feeling sad or lonely, the time of day, craving certain foods, or being thirsty.

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers this list of actual hunger signs:

• Your stomach growls or rumbles.
• You feel hunger pangs in your stomach.
• You have a slight headache, or difficulty concentrating.
• You feel grumpy or irritable.

Health Headlines - March 23

Children's Taste for Sweets Linked to Growth

A high growth rate is the reason why many children like sweets so much, say U.S. researchers who studied sweet preference, biological measures of growth and physical maturation in 143 children, ages 11 to 15.

Sensory taste tests were used to determine whether the children had a high or low sweet taste preference. Children with a low preference were found to have lower levels of a biomarker associated with bone growth, United Press Internationalreported.

The researchers said it appears that children's taste for sweets is related to their high growth rate and that sweet preferences decrease as their growth slows and eventually stops.

"The relationship between sweet preference and growth makes intuitive sense, because when growth is rapid, caloric demands increase. Children are programmed to like a sweet taste, because it fills a biological need by pushing them towards energy sources," Danielle Reed, a geneticist at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, said in a news release, UPI reported.

The study is published in the journal Physiology & Behavior.

DDT Exposure Increases Women's Obesity Risk: Study

Females exposed to the insecticide DDT while in the womb are more likely to be obese, says a Michigan State University study.

The researchers checked levels of DDE (a breakdown of DDT) in the adult daughters of 250 women who eat fish from Lake Michigan and were recruited for a large study in the early 1970s, United Press International reported.

Compared to daughters with the lowest levels of DDE, those with intermediate levels had an average of 13 pounds more weight, and those with higher levels were more than 20 pounds heavier, said lead author Janet Osuch.

"What we have found for the first time is exposure to certain toxins by eating fish from polluted waters may contribute to the obesity epidemic in women," Osuch said in news release, UPI reported. "These findings not only apply to the offspring of women in our cohort but to any woman who has been exposed to high levels of DDE when she was growing in her mother's womb -- mothers with the highest DDE levels are women who have consumed a lot of fish or high-fat meats."

The findings were published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine. The U.S. banned DDT in 1973, but the chemical and its by-products persist in the environment, the study reported.

Children's Exercise Sessions Often Too Short to Prevent Obesity

Too few children and teens engage in exercise sessions that last long enough to reduce their risk of obesity, say Canadian researchers.

They analyzed data on 2,498 young people, ages 8 to 17, who took part in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Motion sensors were used to measure the participants' levels of physical activity. The results showed that two-thirds of their physical activity involved short, sporadic sessions that lasted less than five minutes, United Press International reported.

"Even in 60-minute physical education classes or team practices, children are inactive for a large portion of the time, and this would not necessarily count as sustained exercise," study author Ian Janssen, of Queen's University, said in a news release. "When children engage in longer periods of sustained physical activity, there is a smaller likelihood that they will be overweight or obese."

The study is in the May issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Health Tips for March 23

Health Tip: Coping With Juvenile Arthritis

Arthritis isn't just a disease of the elderly. Children may be affected by a disease called juvenile arthritis.

The Arthritis Foundation offers these suggestions to help families cope with the condition:

* Family members should openly discuss what each person is feeling, including concerns, anger and fears.
* The child with juvenile arthritis should not be allowed to shirk responsibilities, as long as he or she is physically able to fulfill them.
* Teach your child about the disease, including information about management and treatment, in an age-appropriate way.
* Don't be overbearing or overprotective. Encourage independence and responsibility.
* Spend time with each other -- as a family, and one-on-one with your child.

Health Tip: Have Your Child's Hearing Checked

Children need regular hearing tests to help identify any hearing problems before they worsen.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has issued guidelines for when school-age children should have their hearing examined.

A hearing test should be performed:

* Before children start school, and each year beginning with kindergarten through the third grade. The test should be repeated when children are in the seventh and 11th grades.
* If concerns arise about a child's language, speech, learning or hearing capabilities.
* If a family history of hereditary hearing loss exists, particularly later in life.
* If there are persistent ear infections.
* If there are problems with the skull or face that may affect hearing, or an injury to the head that rendered the child unconscious.
* If there are other factors that could lead to hearing loss, such as being exposed repeatedly to very loud noise.

Health Headlines - March 22

Children's Taste for Sweets Linked to Growth

A high growth rate is the reason why many children like sweets so much, say U.S. researchers who studied sweet preference, biological measures of growth and physical maturation in 143 children, ages 11 to 15.

Sensory taste tests were used to determine whether the children had a high or low sweet taste preference. Children with a low preference were found to have lower levels of a biomarker associated with bone growth, United Press Internationalreported.

The researchers said it appears that children's taste for sweets is related to their high growth rate and that sweet preferences decrease as their growth slows and eventually stops.

"The relationship between sweet preference and growth makes intuitive sense, because when growth is rapid, caloric demands increase. Children are programmed to like a sweet taste, because it fills a biological need by pushing them towards energy sources," Danielle Reed, a geneticist at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, said in a news release, UPI reported.

The study is published in the journal Physiology & Behavior.

DDT Exposure Increases Women's Obesity Risk: Study

Females exposed to the insecticide DDT while in the womb are more likely to be obese, says a Michigan State University study.

The researchers checked levels of DDE (a breakdown of DDT) in the adult daughters of 250 women who eat fish from Lake Michigan and were recruited for a large study in the early 1970s, United Press International reported.

Compared to daughters with the lowest levels of DDE, those with intermediate levels had an average of 13 pounds more weight, and those with higher levels were more than 20 pounds heavier, said lead author Janet Osuch.

"What we have found for the first time is exposure to certain toxins by eating fish from polluted waters may contribute to the obesity epidemic in women," Osuch said in news release, UPI reported. "These findings not only apply to the offspring of women in our cohort but to any woman who has been exposed to high levels of DDE when she was growing in her mother's womb -- mothers with the highest DDE levels are women who have consumed a lot of fish or high-fat meats."

The findings were published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine. The U.S. banned DDT in 1973, but the chemical and its by-products persist in the environment, the study reported.

Children's Exercise Sessions Often Too Short to Prevent Obesity

Too few children and teens engage in exercise sessions that last long enough to reduce their risk of obesity, say Canadian researchers.

They analyzed data on 2,498 young people, ages 8 to 17, who took part in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Motion sensors were used to measure the participants' levels of physical activity. The results showed that two-thirds of their physical activity involved short, sporadic sessions that lasted less than five minutes, United Press International reported.

"Even in 60-minute physical education classes or team practices, children are inactive for a large portion of the time, and this would not necessarily count as sustained exercise," study author Ian Janssen, of Queen's University, said in a news release. "When children engage in longer periods of sustained physical activity, there is a smaller likelihood that they will be overweight or obese."

The study is in the May issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Health Tips for March 22

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: 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 Headlines - March 21

DDT Exposure Increases Women's Obesity Risk: Study

Females exposed to the insecticide DDT while in the womb are more likely to be obese, says a Michigan State University study.

The researchers checked levels of DDE (a breakdown of DDT) in the adult daughters of 250 women who eat fish from Lake Michigan and were recruited for a large study in the early 1970s, United Press International reported.

Compared to daughters with the lowest levels of DDE, those with intermediate levels had an average of 13 pounds more weight, and those with higher levels were more than 20 pounds heavier, said lead author Janet Osuch.

"What we have found for the first time is exposure to certain toxins by eating fish from polluted waters may contribute to the obesity epidemic in women," Osuch said in news release, UPI reported. "These findings not only apply to the offspring of women in our cohort but to any woman who has been exposed to high levels of DDE when she was growing in her mother's womb -- mothers with the highest DDE levels are women who have consumed a lot of fish or high-fat meats."

The findings were published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine. The U.S. banned DDT in 1973, but the chemical and its by-products persist in the environment, the study reported.

Children's Exercise Sessions Often Too Short to Prevent Obesity

Too few children and teens engage in exercise sessions that last long enough to reduce their risk of obesity, say Canadian researchers.

They analyzed data on 2,498 young people, ages 8 to 17, who took part in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Motion sensors were used to measure the participants' levels of physical activity. The results showed that two-thirds of their physical activity involved short, sporadic sessions that lasted less than five minutes, United Press International reported.

"Even in 60-minute physical education classes or team practices, children are inactive for a large portion of the time, and this would not necessarily count as sustained exercise," study author Ian Janssen, of Queen's University, said in a news release. "When children engage in longer periods of sustained physical activity, there is a smaller likelihood that they will be overweight or obese."

The study is in the May issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Food Industry Safety Checks Under Fire

A House Energy and Commerce Investigations subcommittee released new pictures and documents it says show the food industry's self-policing policies failed to catch unsanitary conditions at the peanut processing plant responsible for a nationwide salmonella outbreak. The incident sickened almost 700 people and is being blamed for at least nine deaths, the Associated Press reported Thursday.

Dozens of companies that bought peanut paste and other ingredients from Peanut Corp., which is under criminal investigation in connection with the outbreak, failed to pick up the problems because they relied on safety audits by inspectors hired by Peanut Corp. "There is an obvious and inherent conflict of interest when an auditor works for the same supplier it is evaluating," said Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), chairman of the subcommittee, calling it a "cozy relationship," the AP reported.

Thursday's hearing was held as calls for major changes in the U.S. food safety system grew louder, from consumer groups, politicians, and even the head of Kellogg Co. He called for an overhaul of policing policies after the cereal maker lost $70 million in the salmonella outbreak when it had to recall millions of products, the AP reported. David Mackay, Kellogg's chief executive, said companies should be required to have written safety plans and submit to annual inspections.

Last week, President Barack Obama launched a special review of food safety programs, and lawmakers have introduced legislation to take safety oversight away from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and create a new agency with stronger powers and more funding, the AP reported.

Health Tips for March 21

Health Tip: Your Body Needs Zinc

Zinc is an important mineral found in almost every cell in the human body.

The U.S. National Institutes of Health says that zinc stimulates the activity of approximately 100 enzymes, which are substances that promote biochemical reactions in your body.

Zinc supports a healthy immune system, is needed for wound healing, helps maintain your sense of taste and smell and is needed for DNA synthesis. Zinc also supports normal growth and development during pregnancy, childhood and adolescence.

Zinc is found in lots of foods, and oysters contain more zinc per serving than any other. But if you can't get your hands on oysters or don't like them, there many alternatives.

Red meat and poultry provide the majority of zinc in the American diet. Other good food sources include beans, nuts, certain seafood, whole grains, fortified breakfast cereals and dairy products.

Zinc absorption is greater from a diet high in animal protein than a diet rich in plant proteins.

Health Tip: Coping With Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a painful, tiring condition that affects about five million adults in the United States, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) says.

While the condition's cause is poorly understood, NIAMS offers these suggestions to help you manage symptoms:

* Even if exercise sounds painful, physical activity is recommended for people with fibromyalgia. Some light and regular exercise -- even just walking -- can help boost energy and ease pain.
* Eat a healthy diet, and stay away from any foods that seem to trigger fibromyalgia symptoms.
* Make sure you get enough sleep each night.
* Stay comfortable at work. When possible, make sure your chair and desk are set up comfortably, limit the hours you work, and try to adjust your responsibilities (if they include standing, lifting, etc.)

Health Headlines - March 20

Food Industry Safety Checks Under Fire

A House Energy and Commerce Investigations subcommittee released new pictures and documents it says show the food industry's self-policing policies failed to catch unsanitary conditions at the peanut processing plant responsible for a nationwide salmonella outbreak. The incident sickened almost 700 people and is being blamed for at least nine deaths, the Associated Press reported Thursday.

Dozens of companies that bought peanut paste and other ingredients from Peanut Corp., which is under criminal investigation in connection with the outbreak, failed to pick up the problems because they relied on safety audits by inspectors hired by Peanut Corp. "There is an obvious and inherent conflict of interest when an auditor works for the same supplier it is evaluating," said Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), chairman of the subcommittee, calling it a "cozy relationship," the AP reported.

Thursday's hearing was held as calls for major changes in the U.S. food safety system grew louder, from consumer groups, politicians, and even the head of Kellogg Co. He called for an overhaul of policing policies after the cereal maker lost $70 million in the salmonella outbreak when it had to recall millions of products, the AP reported. David Mackay, Kellogg's chief executive, said companies should be required to have written safety plans and submit to annual inspections.

Last week, President Barack Obama launched a special review of food safety programs, and lawmakers have introduced legislation to take safety oversight away from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and create a new agency with stronger powers and more funding, the AP reported.

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Study Offers Clues to Epilepsy in Some Alzheimer's Patients

Tests in mice show why about a third of Alzheimer's patients develop epilepsy, say researchers at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.

They found that Alzheimer's-related amyloid clumps that form in the brain increase the sensitivity of nerve cells, making them prone to seizures, BBC News reported.

The study was published in the Journal of Neuroscience.

If the same thing is found in humans, some Alzheimer's patients will need different types of drugs. Currently, a class of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors are widely used to treat Alzheimer's patients, BBC News reported.

The drugs halt the breakdown of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter associated with memory. However, these drugs also increase the risk of seizure. To complicate matters, drugs that control seizures can worsen Alzheimer's symptoms.

New drugs that can treat both problems need to be developed, said researcher Professor Tibor Harkany, BBC News reported.

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FDA Panel Backs Heart Drug Multaq

The drug Multaq should be approved for sale in the United States to treat the common heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation, a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel recommended Wednesday.

In 2006, the FDA rejected Multaq due to a study that found the drug increased the risk of death and cardiovascular problems. Drug maker Sanofi-Aventis SA was told to conduct an additional study, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The new study found that patients taking Multaq had a 24 percent decrease in the combined risk of hospitalization for heart problems and death from any cause. Last year, Sanofi resubmitted its application for FDA approval of the drug.

In a 10-3 vote, the panel of outside medical experts recommended FDA approval of Multaq, the newspaper reported. The FDA isn't required to approve the drug, but generally follows its advisory panels' recommendations.

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U.S. Won't Prosecute Legal Medical Marijuana Distributors

The U.S. Justice Department won't prosecute medical marijuana dispensaries operating legally in more than a dozen states, a decision that represents a major shift from the Bush administration.

Medical marijuana advocates and civil libertarians welcomed the change in federal drug policy, announced Wednesday by Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., the Los Angeles Times reported. There had been great speculation about how the Obama administration would handle the issue.

"Whatever questions are left, today's comments clearly represent a change in policy out of Washington. (Holder is) sending a clear message to the DEA," said Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance.

The Bush administration went after medical marijuana distributors even in states where medical marijuana use was legal for cancer patients and those with chronic pain or other serious conditions.

Holder said the Obama administration will still target people and organizations operating in violation of both federal and state law, the Times reported.

Health Tips for March 20

Health Tip: Managing Urinary Incontinence

Many women have urinary incontinence, notably after having a baby or after beginning menopause.

The National Women's Health Information Center says there are many treatment options for urinary incontinence in women, among them:

• Performing Kegel exercises can help strengthen the muscles in your pelvis. This may help prevent stress leakage.
• Losing extra pounds can help relieve pressure on your bladder.
• Eliminating from your diet certain foods and liquids -- such as alcohol, tea, coffee and other caffeinated products -- can help reduce incontinence.
• Scheduling certain times each day to go to the bathroom, instead of waiting until you need to go, can help you regain bladder control.
• Taking medications prescribed by your doctor can help reduce certain types of leakage.

Health Tip: Women and High Blood Pressure

In women, the risk factors for high blood pressure can be different than those for men.

The American Heart Association lists these factors that may increase the risk of high blood pressure in women:

• Taking birth control pills.
• Being pregnant.
• Being postmenopausal.
• Being black.
• Being overweight.
• Having a family history of high blood pressure.

Natasha Richardson Died From Head Trauma

Epidural hematoma is a blood clot between the brain and the skull

Actress Natasha Richardson died from a blunt impact to the head after falling Monday on a beginner's ski slope in Canada, the New York City medical examiner said Thursday.

The cause of death, which was ruled an accident, was "epidural hematoma due to blunt impact to the head," said medical examiner spokeswoman Ellen Borakove, the Associated Press reported. An epidural hematoma is a blood clot that pools between the brain and the skull.

The 45-year-old, award-winning Richardson, who died Wednesday at a hospital in New York City, reportedly suffered the head injury after falling during a private lesson at a resort in Quebec.

Richardson seemed fine after she fell, but about an hour later, she complained she didn't feel well. She was hospitalized Tuesday in Montreal and later flown to Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, where she died, the AP reported.

Until the autopsy results were released Thursday, many were wondering how Richardson suffered a devastating brain injury after an apparently minor fall on a beginner's ski slope.

"If you take the name Natasha Richardson out of the picture and ask how a neurosurgeon would think of a case where someone has a fall which seems fairly minor and then deteriorates a few hours later, quite a few things would go through the surgeon's differential thinking," Dr. Arno Fried, chairman of neurosurgery at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, said Wednesday. "It's not an uncommon scenario."

A worse-case scenario would be bleeding either on the surface or deep inside the brain, Fried said.

According to news reports, Richardson fell during a beginner skiing lesson at the Mont Tremblant ski resort north of Montreal. She was not wearing a helmet.

Richardson suffered no immediately apparent injuries and was able to walk and talk right after the accident. "She was awake and alive and laughing and breathing," Catherine Lacasse, the public relations supervisor for Mont Tremblant Resorts, told Bloomberg News. "She refused to see a doctor. She said she was fine, and everything was OK."

But, Richardson complained of a headache about an hour after the mishap and her condition deteriorated. She was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, then transferred to Hopital du Sacre-Coeur de Montreal and then flown Tuesday afternoon to New York City, where she reportedly received care at Lenox Hill Hospital before passing away on Wednesday.

Dr. Steven R. Flanagan, director of the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine at New York University's Langone Medical Center in New York City, said Wednesday that a diagnosis of hemorrhage would account for the headache that surfaced after the accident.

"It's not terribly common, but someone can be perfectly lucid [after hitting their head], then go rapidly downhill," Flanagan said. "It's not a major surprise. It's clearly reported in the literature."

Fried said that "slow bleeding [could] take a few hours to make itself known."

"The brain is contained within the skull, and the skull is a rigid box. There is no movement [possible]," he added. "Any pressure that builds up will put pressure on the brain, which is very unforgiving and sensitive to pressure."

Dr. Eugene Flamm, chairman of neurosurgery at Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, agreed. He stressed that the low-velocity, low-impact type of accident that Richardson experienced would typically not result in a grave outcome.

Such outcomes are "pretty rare," Flamm said. However, he added that it was certainly a possibility that physicians hold in their mind when seeing patients.

"It's quite unusual, but we see a lot of people in the emergency room, and if they have a head injury, and the scan is OK, we send them home but with instructions to 'look out,' " Flamm said. "I don't think any neurologist would say they had never heard of this scenario."

Richardson, who had appeared in several movies and won a 1998 Tony Award for her performance in Cabaret, was married to the actor Liam Neeson. The couple's two sons were reportedly with Richardson on the ski holiday.

Richardson was born into one of the most lauded acting families in Great Britain. She was the daughter of the actress Vanessa Redgrave and film director Tony Richardson, who died in 1991, the niece of the actress Lynn Redgrave, and the granddaughter of Sir Michael Redgrave.