NurseTips: 09/01/2009

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Health Headlines - September 30

Appeals Court Upholds U.S. Military Anthrax Vaccination

The U.S. military can require personnel to be vaccinated against anthrax, the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.

The court upheld a lower court's decision to dismiss a case brought by eight members of the military who argued against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's stance that the vaccine was effective, the Associated Press reported.

In addition, the plaintiffs challenged the Defense Department's requirement that personnel at risk for anthrax exposure must be vaccinated.

In its decision, the appeals court said the plaintiffs didn't provide any scientific evidence to prove the vaccine was ineffective, the AP reported.

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FDA Delays Cervarix Decision

A decision about whether to approve the Cervarix vaccine for cervical cancer has been delayed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. An announcement about a decision had been expected Tuesday.

The drug has been approved in nearly 100 other countries, but its approval has been delayed in the United States since 2007, when the FDA requested addition data from drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline, the Associated Press reported. Cervarix blocks the two main viruses that cause cervical cancer.

Another vaccine, Gardasil, has been available in the United States since 2006.

Also on Tuesday, it was reported that a 14-year-old English girl died after receiving the Cervarix vaccine. Her death appears to have been caused by an extremely rare, severe reaction to the vaccine.

The girl became ill soon after receiving the vaccine and died in hospital a few hours later, the AP reported.

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Neocate Infant Formula Recalled: FDA

A blending error has prompted a recall of some cans of Neocate specialized infant formula, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday.

About 3,700 cans of the formula contain protein levels lower than that declared on the label, United Press International reported. Short-term use of the recalled formula would be unlikely to cause nutritional problems for infants, but long-term consumption may affect growth in certain infants, said Nutrica North America Inc. of Gaithersburg, Md.

The FDA said the recalled 14-ounce cans were distributed to pharmacies, healthcare professionals and consumers nationwide. The recall includes cans with "Lot#P91877" printed on the bottom of each can. The lot number also appears on the right hand side of the case label, UPI reported.

For more information, consumers can call the company at 800-365-7354, options 8-6061.

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EPA Warns About PCBs in School Window/Door Caulking

Schools across the United States need to check window and door caulking to see if it contains potentially cancer-causing PCBs, says the Environmental Protection Agency. If significant amounts of PCBs are found, the caulking should be removed.

Although an exact number isn't known, PCBs may be present in many schools that were built or renovated before the chemicals were banned in the late 1970s, said EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, according to the Associated Press. The danger to students is uncertain.

"We're concerned about the potential risks associated with exposure to these PCBs, and we're recommending practical, common sense steps to reduce this exposure as we improve our understanding of the science," Jackson said in a news release.

The agency plans to conduct research into the link between PCBs in caulk and in the air and will conduct tests on PCBs in schools, the AP reported. The EPA has set up a PCBs-in-caulk hot line (1-888-835-5372) and Web site at www.epa.gov/pcbsincaulk.

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Senate Committee Discusses Dietary Supplements Regulation

Government regulation of dietary supplements will be discussed at a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday. The issue is being looked at because steroids and other banned substances are turning up in over-the-counter bodybuilding products.

The dietary supplements industry was deregulated by Congress in 1994.

"We're looking at whether there's adequate protection for consumers from getting these supplements, which have steroids or steroid-like substances," Sen. Arlen Specter, D.-Pa., who convened the committee hearing, told the Associated Press. "These tainted products can cause life-threatening injuries, such as kidney failure and liver injury."

The lack of dietary supplement regulation is a major problem for amateur and professional athletes who use OTC supplements, because they can be suspended if they test positive for a banned substance, said Don Fehr, head of the Major League Baseball Players Association.

"Players, like everyone else, have no idea what they're taking," Fehr told the AP. "I'm sure there are some good supplement products in the market that are safe, effective and accurately identified. I hope these products can be protected. But as of now, there is no way a player or anyone else can know with certainty that what they are taking is accurately described on the label."

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Food Workers Heaviest Smokers: Study

Food preparation and food serving workers are the heaviest smokers among people with full-time jobs, according to a new U.S. report.

The study of 2006-08 data found that 33.6 million full-time employees ages 18-64 smoked cigarettes in the past month.

Smoking was reported by 44.7 percent of food preparation/serving workers, followed by 42.9 percent of construction and mining/extraction workers. The lowest smoking rates were among people in education, training and library occupations (12.3 percent) and those who worked in the life, physical and social sciences area (15.4 percent), according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration study.

Among the other findings:

Unemployed people ages 18 to 64 had a much higher percentage of past-month cigarette use than full-time workers -- 45.4 percent vs. 28 percent.
Among full-time workers, the rate of past month smoking was higher among those ages 18 to 25 (40.1 percent) than those ages 26 to 34 (33.9 percent), ages 35 to 49 (26.7 percent), and ages 50 to 64 (20.7 percent).
Overall, men with full-time jobs were more likely than women to have smoked in the past month, but women with community and social services, healthcare, and technical occupations had higher smoking rates than men in those occupations.

"The study provides important insight and updated information that can be used to assist in developing or refining smoking cessation efforts for specific workplace groups," SAMHSA Acting Administrator Eric Broderick said in a news release.

Health Tips for September 30

Health Tip: Get Enough Sleep

You feel better when you're well-rested, but insufficient sleep can affect more than your cheerful disposition.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says lack of sleep has been linked to development or worsening of these chronic health conditions:

Type 2 diabetes.
Cardiovascular disease (notably heart disease, cardiac arrhythmia, stroke and high blood pressure).
Depression.
Obesity.

Health Tip: Nightmares Keeping You Up?

While nightmares mostly affect children, even adults have an occasional bad dream.

Why do nightmares happen? The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers this list of possible causes:

Being stressed or anxious, often resulting from a significant life event.
Withdrawing too quickly from alcohol use, or drinking too much alcohol.
Having a sleep disorder, such as narcolepsy.
Being sick with a fever.
Having a side effect or reaction to a drug.
Eating too close to bedtime, which raises your metabolism and increases brain activity.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Health Headlines - September 29

Hundreds More Nursing Homes Candidates for Inspection: Report

Hundreds of potentially sub-par nursing homes aren't included in a U.S. government program that pays special attention to poorly performing nursing homes, says a Government Accountability Office report.

The report looked at a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services program that identifies as many as 136 nursing homes as "special focus facilities" that warranted more frequent inspections, the Associated Press reported.

But GAO investigators said as many as 580 nursing homes could be considered candidates for the program. The GAO report didn't identify the nursing homes.

The findings suggest that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services program has too narrow a focus, said Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wisc., chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, the AP reported.

"If far more than 136 nursing homes boast the bleakest conditions, then perhaps we should consider expanding" the program, Kohl said. At the least, he said he wants stronger warnings used on Medicare's Nursing Home Compare Web site.

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Switch to Digital Patient Records Driven by Big Hospitals

Large hospitals seeking to improve patient care and gain a competitive edge are driving the United States' move toward computerized medical records, The New York Times reported.

One example is North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System. On Monday, the regional hospital group was scheduled to announce plans to offer its 7,000 affiliated doctors subsidies of up to $40,000 each over five years to adopt digital patient records, the newspaper said.

That amount would be in addition to a federal program that offers up to $44,000 over five years for doctors who switch to computerized medical records.

Around the nation, similar incentive programs to assist affiliated doctors are in place at Memorial Hermann Healthcare System in Houston and Tufts Medical Center in Boston, the Times reported.

Electronic health records can be shared by hospitals, doctors' offices, and labs to coordinate patient care, prevent unnecessary tests, and reduce medical mistakes. In addition, doctors may form a stronger association with hospitals that subsidize the switch to computerized records. Those doctors may be more likely to admit their patients to those hospitals, the Times said.

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Possible Link Between Diabetes Treatment Januvia and Pancreatitis

There may be a link between the diabetes treatment Januvia and cases of acute pancreatitis, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Friday.

The agency said that between October 2006 and February 2009, there were 88 cases of acute pancreatitis reported in patients taking Januvia, the Associated Press reported.

"It is recommended that health care professionals monitor patients carefully for the development of pancreatitis after initiation or dose increases," the FDA said in a news release. Januvia should be used with caution and with appropriate monitoring in patients with a history of pancreatitis.

The FDA is working with drug maker Merck & Co. to include new warning information on the drug's label, the AP reported.

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Whooping Cough Vaccination Recommended for Adults and Teens

Most adults and teens should be vaccinated against whooping cough (pertussis), says the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Many people believe that whooping cough is no longer a major public health concern in the United States, but health experts estimate there are up to 600,000 cases each year in adults alone, according to the AAFP.

The organization this week launched a public health initiative to promote awareness about the importance of whooping cough vaccination to protect adolescents and adults from this highly contagious respiratory disease.

"For protection against whooping cough, health experts ... recommend that most adolescents and adults get a single dose of the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) vaccine to replace Td (tetanus and diphtheria toxoids)," Dr. Ted Epperly, president of the AAFP, said in a news release.

Health Tips for September 29

Health Tip: Choosing a Child Safety Seat

A child safety seat could save your youngster's life in the event of a serious automobile accident.

The Nemours Foundation offers this list of safety features to look for in a child safety seat:

The product should be labeled as meeting or exceeding Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
If you can, invest in a new child safety seat rather than accepting a hand-me-down or buying a used one.
Never use a child safety seat that was made more than 10 years ago or one that was in a car accident.
Make sure that any infant younger than a year old and weighing less than 20 pounds is in an infant safety seat facing backward. Toddlers 1 year and older and weighing 20 pounds to 40 pounds can ride in a forward-facing safety seat. Children who are between 40 pounds and 80 pounds should use a booster seat.
Make sure your child's safety seat is a good fit -- don't get one that's too small or too large.

Health Tip: Testing for Allergies

If you're allergic to one or more things, your doctor may recommend allergy testing to find out what's behind your symptoms.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers this look at different types of allergy diagnostics:

Skin tests, which involve placing potential allergens under the skin to look for any reaction. Skin tests can gauge pollen, food, mold and other potential allergens.
An elimination diet test looks for foods that can be causing allergy symptoms, and involves removing foods from the diet one at a time.
Blood tests can be used to detect antibodies to potential allergens in the blood.
Provocation (challenge) testing exposes someone to particular allergens in a controlled environment to see if there is a reaction.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Health Headlines - September 28

Possible Link Between Diabetes Treatment Januvia and Pancreatitis

There may be a link between the diabetes treatment Januvia and cases of acute pancreatitis, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Friday.

The agency said that between October 2006 and February 2009, there were 88 cases of acute pancreatitis reported in patients taking Januvia, the Associated Press reported.

The FDA is working with drug maker Merck & Co. to include new warning information on the drug's label, the AP reported.

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Whooping Cough Vaccination Recommended for Adults and Teens

Most adults and teens should be vaccinated against whooping cough (pertussis), says the American Academy of Family Physicians.

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Toxins in Drinking Water at Thousands of U.S. Schools

Unsafe levels of lead, pesticides and other types of toxins have been found in drinking water at thousands of schools across the United States over the last decade, according to an analysis of Environmental Protection Agency data by the Associated Press.

Toxic contamination of drinking water is most common in schools with wells, which account for up to 11 percent of the 132,500 schools in the country. About 20 percent of schools with their own water supply violated the Safe Drinking Water Act in the past decade.

The number of violations increased over that time because of stricter standards for such contaminants as arsenic and some disinfectants, the EPA told the AP. The EPA doesn't have the power to require drinking water testing for all schools.

"It's an outrage," Marc Edwards, an engineer at Virginia Tech who has been honored for his work on water quality, told the AP. "If a landlord doesn't tell a tenant about lead paint in an apartment, he can go to jail. But we have no system to make people follow the rules to keep school children safe?"

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Many U.S. Parents Underestimate Swine Flu Risk for Kids: Survey

Only 40 percent of American parents plan to have their children vaccinated against the H1N1 swine flu virus even though the flu has become more active now that children are back in school, a new survey found.

A vaccine against the H1N1 virus has been tested and is expected to be available in October.

Among the parents who don't plan on having their children vaccinated against H1N1 flu, 46 percent said they're not worried about their children getting swine flu and 20 percent said they believe the flu isn't serious, according to the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health, which surveyed 1,678 parents from Aug. 13 to 31.

"This information about parents' plans to vaccinate their kids against H1N1 flu suggests that parents are much less concerned about H1N1 flu than seasonal flu for their kids. That perception may not match the actual risks," Dr.Matthew Davis, director of the poll and associate professor of pediatrics and internal medicine in the Child Health Evaluation and Research Unit at the University of Michigan Medical School, said in a news release.

The survey found racial/ethnic differences. More than half of Hispanic parents said they've have their children vaccinated against H1N1 flu, compared with 38 percent of white parents and 30 percent of black parents.

Rates of illness and hospitalization related to H1N1 flu are higher for children than for other age groups, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But the survey found that only one-third of parents believe H1N1 flu will be worse for children than seasonal flu.

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House Passes Bill to Halt Medicare Part B Premium Hike

A bill to eliminate all premium increases next year for Medicare coverage of doctor visits was passed by the House Thursday in a 406-to-18 vote.

Supporters noted that older Americans aren't expected to get a cost-of-living increase from Social Security next year and therefore shouldn't have to pay higher Medicare Part B premiums, the Associated Press reported. In most cases, Medicare premiums are deducted from Social Security payments.

Most Medicare recipients are already exempt from Part B premium increases when there is no increase in Social Security payments. But the bill would prevent monthly premium increases of $8 to $23 for several million people.

The bill, which wouldn't affect scheduled premium increases for the Medicare prescription drug plan, now goes to the Senate, the AP reported.

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Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg Hospitalized Briefly

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was hospitalized overnight Thursday after she fell ill at work after receiving a treatment for anemia.

Ginsberg, 76, was released Friday morning from Washington Hospital Center and was expected back in her office later in the day, the Associated Press reported.

On Thursday, Ginsberg received an iron sucrose infusion to treat an iron deficiency anemia that was diagnosed in July. About an hour later, she became lightheaded and fatigued. She was found to have slightly low blood pressure, which can occur after the type of treatment she'd received earlier, the court said.

In February, Ginsberg underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer. At the time, doctors said they found no spread of the cancer elsewhere, the AP reported. Ginsberg later said the surgery completely removed the cancer but that she was to undergo chemotherapy. Anemia is a common side effect of chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer.

Health Tips for September 28

Health Tip: If You Fear Going to the Dentist

Regular dental checkups and cleanings are key to having healthy teeth and gums. But the sights, sounds and potential pain of the dentist's office are enough to keep many people away.

The American Dental Association offers these suggestions for making a dental appointment less frightening:

Talk to your dentist about your fears. The dentist and the staff should do what they can to make the experience easier.
Schedule your appointment during a time that's not busy. Opt for an appointment early in the morning or sometime on a Saturday.
Bring a portable music device with you. Focus on the soothing tunes, instead of the sounds of the dental instruments.
Close your eyes and visualize a relaxing scene -- to take your mind off what's happening in the dentist's chair.

Health Tip: Prevent Bleeding Gums

Bleeding gums can occur because teeth haven't been properly brushed and flossed, or as a side effect of conditions including leukemia, scurvy or vitamin K deficiency.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these suggestions to help keep gums healthy:

Don't smoke or use other forms of tobacco.
Take vitamin supplements, as recommended by your doctor.
Don't take aspirin, unless your doctor advises otherwise.
If medication is causing your gums to bleed, ask your doctor about possible alternatives.
Massage your gums gently with an oral irrigation tool. Set the device on low.
Make sure dentures fit properly, and talk to your dentist if they cause bleeding or soreness.
If your gums do bleed, wet a gauze pad with ice water and hold it to the affected area.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Health Headlines - September 27

Possible Link Between Diabetes Treatment Januvia and Pancreatitis

There may be a link between the diabetes treatment Januvia and cases of acute pancreatitis, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Friday.

The agency said that between October 2006 and February 2009, there were 88 cases of acute pancreatitis reported in patients taking Januvia, the Associated Press reported.

The FDA is working with drug maker Merck & Co. to include new warning information on the drug's label, the AP reported.

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Whooping Cough Vaccination Recommended for Adults and Teens

Most adults and teens should be vaccinated against whooping cough (pertussis), says the American Academy of Family Physicians.

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Toxins in Drinking Water at Thousands of U.S. Schools

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Many U.S. Parents Underestimate Swine Flu Risk for Kids: Survey

A vaccine against the H1N1 virus has been tested and is expected to be available in October.

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House Passes Bill to Halt Medicare Part B Premium Hike

A bill to eliminate all premium increases next year for Medicare coverage of doctor visits was passed by the House Thursday in a 406-to-18 vote.

The bill, which wouldn't affect scheduled premium increases for the Medicare prescription drug plan, now goes to the Senate, the AP reported.

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Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg Hospitalized Briefly

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was hospitalized overnight Thursday after she fell ill at work after receiving a treatment for anemia.

Ginsberg, 76, was released Friday morning from Washington Hospital Center and was expected back in her office later in the day, the Associated Press reported.

Health Tips for September 27

Health Tip: Ward Off Runner's Knee

Runner's knee describes a dull, aching pain in front of the knee. The injury is more common in runners, soccer players, cyclists, skiers and others whose activities stress the knees.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these suggestions to help prevent runner's knee:

Stay physically fit and maintain a healthy body weight. Those extra pounds add more stress to the knees.
Always stretch and warm up before any exercise, especially running.
If you're upping the intensity of your workout, do it slowly. A sudden increase in your workout can stress the knees.
Invest in quality shoes with plenty of shock absorption. Make sure they're in good shape and fit well. Use shoe inserts if you have flat feet.
Run in the proper form, leaning forward with the knees bent. Try to run on an even and fairly soft surface.

Health Tip: Could It Be a Torn Rotator Cuff?

The rotator cuff is a network of muscles and tendons that cover the upper arm bone and allow the arm to rotate. An injury or overuse can lead to a painful rotator cuff tear.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons provides this list of common symptoms of a torn rotator cuff:

Shrinking or thinning muscles surrounding the shoulder.
Pain that occurs when you try to lift your arm, or lower it when completely raised.
A feeling of weakness when you move or lift your arm.
A "crackling" sensation when you move your shoulder in certain ways.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Health Headlines - September 26

Possible Link Between Diabetes Treatment Januvia and Pancreatitis

There may be a link between the diabetes treatment Januvia and cases of acute pancreatitis, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Friday.

The agency said that between October 2006 and February 2009, there were 88 cases of acute pancreatitis reported in patients taking Januvia, the Associated Press reported.

The FDA is working with drug maker Merck & Co. to include new warning information on the drug's label, the AP reported.

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Whooping Cough Vaccination Recommended for Adults and Teens

Most adults and teens should be vaccinated against whooping cough (pertussis), says the American Academy of Family Physicians.

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Toxins in Drinking Water at Thousands of U.S. Schools

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Many U.S. Parents Underestimate Swine Flu Risk for Kids: Survey

A vaccine against the H1N1 virus has been tested and is expected to be available in October.

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House Passes Bill to Halt Medicare Part B Premium Hike

A bill to eliminate all premium increases next year for Medicare coverage of doctor visits was passed by the House Thursday in a 406-to-18 vote.

The bill, which wouldn't affect scheduled premium increases for the Medicare prescription drug plan, now goes to the Senate, the AP reported.

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Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg Hospitalized Briefly

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was hospitalized overnight Thursday after she fell ill at work after receiving a treatment for anemia.

Ginsberg, 76, was released Friday morning from Washington Hospital Center and was expected back in her office later in the day, the Associated Press reported.

Health Tips for September 26

Health Tip: Protect Yourself From Running Injuries

Running is a healthy exercise, but to avoid injury, you shouldn't sprint right into it after months of inactivity.

The American Podiatric Medical Association offers these suggestions when beginning or resuming a running program:

Don't push yourself too hard in the beginning. Start slowly, and gradually challenge yourself.
Be sure to stretch before and after you run or jog.
Get shoes made just for running or jogging.
When trying on new shoes, be sure to wear the socks you'll run in. They can affect how the shoes fit.
Consider arch supports or orthotic inserts to protect against problems such as knee pain or shin splints.

Health Tip: Don't Let Minor Knee Pain Slow You Down

Knees can become painful for many reasons, including injury or arthritis. While knee pain that keeps you from walking should be evaluated by a doctor, minor knee pain shouldn't keep you off your feet.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these suggestions to soothe minor knee pain:

Take it easy on your sore knee. Keep your weight off it, and avoid straining it.
Ice the knee frequently. On the first day, apply ice for 15 minutes every hour. After the first day, ice it at least four times throughout the day.
Elevate the knee; try sleeping with your knees propped up on a pillow, or with a pillow placed between your knees.
Wear a brace or bandage on the knee.
Take an over-the-counter medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help ease pain and swelling.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Health Headlines - September 25

Tylenol Maker Recalls Some Products for Kids

The manufacturer of Tylenol is voluntarily recalling more than 20 liquid medications for children and infants because some ingredients in the medicines didn't meet the company's testing standards.

McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a division of Johnson & Johnson, which makes the products, reported that there were no injuries associated with the recall, according to Dow Jones. The company also said all of the medicine that reached store shelves meet qualifications.

The recalled products, made between April and June 2008, include about 50 batches of children's and infants' liquid Tylenol products. The company began recalling the products in August from warehouses and retail stores after bacteria was detected in an inactive ingredient that was not used in the final products but was manufactured at the same time.

Consumers with questions about the recall should call the company at 1-800-962-5357. For a complete list of the recalled products, go to the Tylenol Web site.

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FDA Advisers Back New OxyContin Pill

U.S. health advisers on Thursday recommended approval of a new version of the painkiller OxyContin that is designed to lessen its misuse.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's panel of experts voted 14-4 in favor of the reformulated Purdue Pharma drug, which has a plastic-like coating that makes it harder to crush or dissolve in water.

But the experts also recommended the company be required to conduct a follow-up study to track patients taking the drug over the long term, the Associated Press reported.

The FDA is not required to follow its experts' advice, though it usually does.

OxyContin was hailed as a breakthrough treatment for severe chronic pain when it was introduced in 1996. But drug abusers quickly discovered they could get a heroin-like high by crushing the pills and snorting or injecting them.

On Tuesday, FDA scientists called the new version's resistance to abuse "limited," but said that "may provide an advantage over the currently available OxyContin."

Last year, an FDA advisory panel told Purdue that it needed to conduct more tests to demonstrate the tamper resistance of the new version.

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Obesity Could Become Leading Cause of Cancer in Women: Study

For women in Western nations, being overweight or obese could become the leading cause of cancer within 10 years, says a new study.

Currently, obesity accounts for up to 8 percent of cancers. But European researchers said that could dramatically increase due to the obesity epidemic and a sharp decline in major causes of cancer such as smoking and hormone replacement therapy for women, the Associated Press reported.

The researchers calculated that in 2002, being overweight or obese was associated with 70,000 of two million cancer cases in 30 European countries. By 2008, at least 124,000 cases of cancer were linked with obesity. The researchers found that colorectal cancer, breast cancer in postmenopausal women and endometrial cancer accounted for 65 percent of all cancers associated with being overweight or obese.

The study was presented Thursday at the joint meeting of the European Cancer Organization and the European Society for Medical Oncology.

"Obesity is catching up at a rate that makes it possible it could become the biggest attributable cause of cancer in women within the next decade," said Andrew Renehan, a cancer expert at the University of Manchester in England, the AP reported.

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FDA Requests Review Of Medical Device Approval System

In response to criticism by safety advocates and others, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has asked the federal Institute of Medicine to review the agency's approval system for certain types of medical devices.

The institute will examine the FDA's 510k review procedure, which allows companies to immediately introduce products similar to those already on the market, the Associated Press reported.

This system was designed to hasten approval of simple medical devices such as wheelchairs and bandages, but has been used to approve high-risk devices such as heart implants and hip replacements.

Health Tips for September 25

Health Tip: Talking to Loved Ones With Cancer

When a dear friend or family member has been diagnosed with cancer, you'll want to offer your love, support and sympathy.

Though it may be very difficult, the American Cancer Society says you should be supportive, honest and a good listener.

The Society offers these suggestions:

Be honest. Concede that you don't quite know what to say, but let your loved one know how much you care and that he or she is in your thoughts.
It's alright to express sympathy about the diagnosis.
Ask how he or she is holding up and handling everything.
Lend an ear, and offer to be a willing listener when your loved one needs to talk.
Offer to help in any way that's needed.
Respect the way the person has decided to treat his or her cancer, even if you don't agree.
Avoid giving too much advice or judging every aspect of the situation.

Health Tip: Caring for Mouth Sores From Cancer Treatment

Chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer can lead to small, painful mouth sores.

The American Cancer Society offers these suggestions to help ease the pain and make it easier to eat:

Since brushing teeth can be painful, switch to a softer brush. And soften it with hot water before you brush.
Use a gentle toothpaste that doesn't contain hydrogen peroxide.
Rinse your mouth before and after you eat with a solution of baking soda, salt and water. Don't use commercial mouthwashes, which may irritate the sores.
Moisturize your lips with lotion or balm.
Swab the sores with Maalox or Milk of Magnesia -- if your doctor recommends it.
Drink beverages and liquid foods with a straw.
Stick to foods that are soft, moist and cold.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Health Headlines - September 24

Food Production Must Increase 70 Percent By 2050: U.N.

A 70 percent increase in global food production will be needed to feed the 9.1 billion people who will be on the Earth in 2050, says the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Currently, the world's population is 6.8 billion.

While the FAO said it was "cautiously optimistic about the world's potential to feed itself by 2050," there will be a number of significant challenges, said FAO Assistant Director-General Hafez Ghanem, Agence France Presse reported.

In its forecast, the FAO said most of the world's population growth will occur in developing countries. "Sub-Saharan Africa's population is expected to grow the fastest (up 108 percent, 910 million people), and East and South East Asia's the slowest (up 11 percent, 228 million)."

The FAO also predicted that about 70 percent of the world's population will live in cities or urban areas by 2050, compared with 49 percent today, AFP reported.

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Green Tea May Protect Bones: Study

Chemicals in green tea may help slow bone breakdown, according to a Chinese study.

Researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong exposed cultured bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) to a number of major ingredients of green tea for several days. One of the compounds, epigallocatechin, increased the activity of an enzyme that promotes bone growth by as much as 79 percent, United Press International reported.

Also, high concentration of epigallocatechin blocked the activity of osteoclasts, which are cells that break down or weaken bones. There was no evidence that epigallocatechin had any toxic effects on bone cells, the news service said.

The study was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

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Personal Emergency Response Button Poses Choking Hazard: FDA

A type of personal emergency response button worn around the neck poses a choking hazard, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Tuesday.

Between 1998 and 2009, there were six reports of serious injury or death, including four deaths in the United States, after the cord on the Philips Lifeline Personal Help Button became entangled on other objects, the FDA said.

The choking risk is greatest for people with mobility limitations or for those who use wheelchairs, walkers, beds with guard rails, or other objects that could entangle with the device's neck cord.

Users and caregivers should consult with health-care providers to determine which style of emergency button is best for an individual patient, the FDA said. Some emergency buttons are worn on the wrist.

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New OxyContin Offers 'Limited' Resistance to Abuse: FDA

A new version of the painkiller OxyContin is somewhat harder to abuse than the current version, say U.S. health officials.

The new version, made by Purdue Pharma LP, has a plastic-like coating that's designed to make it more difficult to crush, snort or inject the drug, the Associated Press reported.

On Tuesday, U.S. Food and Drug Administration scientists said the new version's resistance to abuse is "limited," but "may provide an advantage over the currently available OxyContin."

Last year, an FDA advisory panel told Purdue that it needed to conduct more tests to demonstrate the tamper resistance of the new version. On Thursday, the panel will decide whether new data submitted by Purdue is sufficient to recommend approval of the new version of OxyContin, the AP reported.

Health Tips for September 24

Health Tip: Protect Your Eyes

Eye protection may be required on the job, but don't forget to protect your eyes at home, too.

The U.S. National Safety Council says you should always wear protective eye gear when you:

Work on do-it-yourself projects around the house or on your car.
Cook with ingredients that could splash into the eye and cause burns or injury.
Work with chemicals such as pesticides, fertilizers, drain cleaners or cleaning sprays.
Play sports such as tennis, racquetball or baseball.
Do yard work, such as mowing the lawn, trimming plants or cutting weeds.

Health Tip: When Your Child Needs Glasses

Some children may resist wearing eyeglasses, despite the resulting improvement in vision, school work and even extracurricular sports.

The Cleveland Clinic offers these suggestions to help your child accept a new pair of glasses:

Choose frames that fit well, and don't pinch, slip or feel too heavy.
Ensure that your child's lenses are the right prescription.
Encourage your child to wear the new glasses a little bit at a time, gradually wearing them for longer periods.
Ultimately, make putting on and taking off glasses a part of your child's daily morning and bedtime routines.
Encourage your child with praise every time he or she is wearing the glasses.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Health Headlines - September 23

Personal Emergency Response Button Poses Choking Hazard: FDA

A type of personal emergency response button worn around the neck poses a choking hazard, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Tuesday.

The choking risk is greatest for people with mobility limitations or for those who use wheelchairs, walkers, beds with guard rails, or other objects that could entangle with the device's neck cord.

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New OxyContin Offers 'Limited' Resistance to Abuse: FDA

A new version of the painkiller OxyContin is somewhat harder to abuse than the current version, say U.S. health officials.

The new version, made by Purdue Pharma LP, has a plastic-like coating that's designed to make it more difficult to crush, snort or inject the drug, the Associated Press reported.

On Tuesday, U.S. Food and Drug Administration scientists said the new version's resistance to abuse is "limited," but "may provide an advantage over the currently available OxyContin."

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Exercise Boosts Postmenopausal Women's Cardiovascular Fitness

Despite changes in hormones and body composition, postmenopausal women show significant cardiovascular improvements when they do regular, vigorous exercise, according to a U.S. study.

The study included 10 healthy but sedentary women, average age 55, who did endurance training on an exercise bike for one hour, five days a week, at 65 percent of their maximum lung capacity, United Press International reported.

The women's ability to consume and use oxygen increased by an average of 16 percent, and their resting heart rates decreased by an average of four beats per minute. By the end of the study, the women had the cardiovascular and metabolic traits of women 16 years younger, said the University of California, Berkeley researchers.

The study appears in the journal Metabolism.

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Eye Test Detects Stroke Better Than MRI: Study

A quick, inexpensive eye movement test was better than magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at identifying patients with strokes, a U.S. study found.

The one-minute eye exam reveals eye movement changes associated with stroke damage in various areas of the brain, United Press International reported.

"The idea that a bedside exam could outperform a modern neuroimaging test such as MRI is something that most people had given up for dead, but we've shown it's possible," Dr. David E. Newman-Toker, of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said in a news release.

Some stroke patients can't immediately adjust their eye position if they turn their heads quickly to the side, while others may have jerky eye movements when trying to focus on a doctor's finger positioned on either side of their head, UPI reported.

The study was published in the journal Stroke.

Health Tips for September 23

Health Tip: Crib Mattress Safety

When picking out baby's crib, you must make sure you've chosen a mattress that's safe.

The mattress must fit snugly inside the crib, says the U.S. National Safety Council. If two adult fingers can fit between the sides of the crib and the mattress, the mattress is too small for the crib.

Never attempt to protect baby's mattress with plastic, such as with a mattress cover or plastic bag of any type. Those materials can stick to an infant's face and pose a suffocation hazard.

Make sure that the mattress is flat and firm, and not too soft. Also, to further reduce the risk of suffocation, don't place soft blankets or pillows beneath your child, the council advises.

Health Tip: Signs That Baby Is in Pain

Young infants may cry a lot. And new parents may not know exactly what's wrong.

The University of Michigan Health System lists these warning signs that your new baby may be in pain:

A more insistent cry that lasts longer than usual, or a cry that's higher in pitch.
Silence doesn't always mean baby is fine. Very sick or premature babies may not have the energy to cry.
Making unusual faces, such as wrinkling the brow, squeezing eyes closed, getting deep creases around the nose, grimacing or holding the mouth open.
Stiff or tense posture, with limbs completely stretched out or pulled tight into the body. Babies may also wiggle or squirm, or be "floppy" as if they've lost muscle tone.
Fussiness or irritability that can't be soothed or comforted.
Not eating or not sleeping.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Health Headlines - September 22

U.S. Issues Alert About Cocaine Laced With Veterinary Drug

Doctors, substance abuse treatment centers and other public health officials need to be aware that cocaine laced with the veterinary anti-parasitic drug levamisole is a widespread problem, the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration said in a nationwide public health alert issued Monday.

To date, there have been about 20 confirmed or probable cases of a serious blood disorder called agranulocytosis among people who've used cocaine that contains levamisole. Two people have died, the agency said.

The official number of cases of affected people is expected to increase as more health professionals become aware of this issue, SAMHSA said.

Ingestion of cocaine laced with levamisole can cause a serious decrease in white blood cell levels, leading to a weakened immune system that's unable to fight off even minor infections. This means that people who used levamisole-contaminated cocaine can suffer rapidly developing, life-threatening infections, the agency said.

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Model Predicts Postnatal Depression Risk

A model to predict postnatal depression is 80 percent accurate in the months after a woman gives birth, Spanish researchers say.

The researchers studied 1,397 women who gave birth and used a type of modeling they call artificial neuronal networks, United Press International reported.

The model includes a number of risk factors, including a mother's amount of social support, emotional changes during birth, neuroticism, mutations in the serotonin transport gene, and family history of psychiatric problems.

During the study, the researchers found that being older and working during pregnancy decreased a woman's risk of postnatal depression, UPI reported.

The study was published in the journal Methods of Information in Medicine.

"Now (the model) needs clinical evaluation, and for psychiatrists to start to test it directly on patients in order to study that true potential of these tools," lead author Salvador Tortajada, of the Polytechnic University of Valencia, said in a news release.

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Sunshine, Vacation Linked to Lower Summer Death Rate

The health benefits of increased exposure to sunlight and vacations may explain why fewer people in northern countries die in late summer and early fall, according to a new study.

American and Greek researchers found that death rates are lowest in August in North America and Sweden, in September in the Mediterranean, and in March in Australia, CBC News reported.

The link between these times of the year and lower death rates may be due to the physiological effect of increased vitamin D production by the body due to sun exposure, coupled with the stress-lowering benefits of vacation, the study authors suggested.

Vitamin D "may have beneficial effects for cardiovascular disease, renal failure, certain malignant diseases, autoimmune disorders and infections, including influenza," wrote Dr. Matthew Falagas, of the Alfa Institute of Biomedical Sciences in Greece, and his colleagues, CBC News reported.

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Aspirin May Reduce Colon Cancer Risk: Study

Taking aspirin daily can reduce the risk of colon cancer in people with a genetic susceptibility to the disease, according to European researchers who studied more than 1,000 people.

The participants had Lynch syndrome, a genetic mutation that puts them at increased risk for colon and other types of cancers. The syndrome causes about 5 percent of all colon cancer cases, the Associated Press reported.

For about four years, half the participants took aspirin daily while the others took a placebo. Six people in the aspirin group developed colon cancer, compared with 16 in the placebo group. The findings were presented Monday at a meeting of the European Cancer Organization.

"We are delighted" with the results, study leader John Burn of Newcastle University in Britain said in a news release, the AP reported. "All the more so because we stopped giving the aspirin after four years, yet the effect is continuing."

Further research to determine how aspirin fights colon cancer might lead to new treatments, the researchers said.

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Patients in Vegetative State Able to Learn: Study

Patients in a persistent vegetative state may still be able to learn, according to British scientists who studied 22 patients with severe brain damage who didn't appear to have any signs of consciousness.

The researchers played a noise prior to delivering a puff of air to the patients' eyes and found that some of the patients learned to anticipate the puff, causing their eye muscles to twitch, BBC News reported.

"They were clearly anticipating the stimulus would come, so there is some kind of perception and from the point of view of the patient who is allegedly unconscious this could have profound implications," said study leader Dr. Tristan Bekinschtein of Cambridge University.

He said it had been believed that learning to link one stimulus with another was dependent on explicit awareness of the association, BBC News reported.

The findings, published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, may lead to tests to identify severely brain damaged patients who could recover, the researchers said.

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Delinquents Misinterpret Facial Expressions: Study

Teen boys who run afoul of the law appear to have difficulty interpreting other peoples' facial expressions, Japanese researchers say.

The researchers showed photos of faces expressing six basic emotions to 24 young male offenders and found that they were more likely to mistake disgust for anger than peers who hadn't been in trouble with the law, BBC News reported.

The findings offer the first real evidence that young offenders may have difficulty telling the difference between disgust and anger in others. This type of misinterpretation may cause them to regard a situation as more hostile than it actually is, the researchers said.

"This bias towards misrecognising other emotions as anger is particularly significant because anger appears to play an important role in delinquency," said study leader Wataru Sato of Kyoto University, BBC News reported. "Taken together the data suggest that delinquents might be projecting their own heightened angry emotions onto others when they misperceive others' negative, but not hostile, emotional states as anger."

The study was published in the journal Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health.

Health Tips for September 22

Health Tip: Help Prevent Your Child's Constipation

Constipation is a common problem in children and can be painful for young ones. But you can take steps to help prevent constipation in your child.

The Nemours Foundation offers these suggestions:

Make sure your child drinks plenty of water daily. Typically, a child should drink three to four glasses per day.
Feed your child plenty of fiber, in the form of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Keep your child active, and make sure he or she gets plenty of exercise every day.
Set a schedule for meals and snacks, as regular meals can help lead to regular bowel movements.
Set aside a few times each day, such as after a meal, when your child tries to go to the bathroom.

Health Tip: When Bedwetting Signals Another Problem

Bedwetting affects many young children and often doesn't indicate a serious medical issue.

However, the Nemours Foundation says, if bedwetting starts all of a sudden or is accompanied by these other factors, it's time to call a pediatrician.

Bedwetting that resumes after a child has had dry nights for at least six months.
Sudden behavioral problems, either at home or at school.
Complaints from your child that there's burning or pain during urination.
An increase in the frequency of urination.
An increase in appetite or thirst.
Swelling of the ankles or feet.
Bedwetting that continues at age 7 or older.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Health Headlines - September 21

FDA Approves New AIDS Test

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new test that detects both types of the virus that causes AIDS.

The FDA said Friday that Abbott Laboratories' Abbott Prism HIV O Plus test can detect HIV types 1 and 2. HIV type 2 is mostly found in West Africa, while HIV type 1 is made up of various virus subgroups found in both the United States and West Africa, the Associated Press reported.

The test will be used to screen for HIV in blood and organ donations.

HIV attacks the body's immune system, eventually causing AIDS. More than 1.1 million Americans are estimated to have HIV and 232,000 do not know it, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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VA Facilities Improve Endoscopic Safety: Report

Progress has been made in correcting the endoscopic procedure problems at Veterans Affairs medical centers that put thousands of patients at risk for HIV and other infections, according to a report released Friday by the VA's inspector general.

The IG said surprise visits to 128 VA medical facilities found that all were compliant in following procedures and all but one of the facilities showed staff were being properly trained in the use of endoscopic devices, the Associated Press reported.

Inspections earlier this summer at several facilities found that less than half were in compliance.

Early this year, about 10,000 people were warned they may have been exposed to infections while undergoing colonoscopies or other endoscopic procedures at VA hospitals in Miami, Augusta, Ga., and Murfreesboro, Tenn. Equipment used in the procedures was improperly cleaned.

Of those patients, 50 subsequently tested positive for infections, including eight who tested positive for HIV, the AP reported.

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FDA Warns About Stolen Respiratory Medicines

Consumers should be watchful for stolen respiratory medications that may not have been stored or handled properly, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Thursday.

The medications are Ipratropium Bromide Inhalation Solution, 0.02 percent, and Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution, 0.083 percent, made by Dey L.P., a subsidiary of Mylan Inc. The medications were part of a shipment on a tractor trailer that was stolen in Tampa, Fla., United Press International reported.

The stolen drugs are from the following lots:

Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution with the brand name "Dey," lot numbers 9GO4, 9FD8, 9FD9, and 9FE1.
Ipratropium Bromide Inhalation Solution with the brand name "Dey," lot numbers F09089, C09119 and C09120.

The FDA said consumers can get more information by contacting Dey at 800-527-4278, UPI reported.

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Swine Flu Vaccine Production Lower Than Expected: WHO

Worldwide production of vaccine for the H1N1 swine flu will fall short of the previous maximum prediction of 94 million doses a week because some manufacturers are still making vaccines for seasonal flu, according to the World Health Organization.

Production problems have also contributed to the lower-than-expected weekly output of H1N1 vaccine, WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl said Friday, the Associated Press reported.

Still, the WHO says that, in theory, all 6.3 billion people worldwide should receive at least one dose of the pandemic vaccine, the AP reported.

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U.S. Will Share 10 Percent of Swine Flu Vaccine With Other Nations

The United States will share 10 percent of its stock of H1N1 swine flu vaccine with other countries worldwide, President Barack Obama announced Thursday.

According to the Associated Press, the White House said the vaccine will be made available to the global fight against swine flu via the World Health Organization. The United States is coordinating with Australia, Brazil, France, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, which are also sharing vaccines.

Speaking at United Nations headquarters in New York City, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Susan Rice, said that, "as vaccine supplies emerge, they will be made available to the WHO on a rolling basis to assist countries that will not otherwise have direct access to the vaccine."

The aim, she said, is to help minimize global economic and social disruptions caused by H1N1. "We invite and encourage other nations to join in this urgent global health effort, donating vaccine, money and/or technical assistance in an international effort to save lives around the world," Rice said.

Health Tips for September 21

Health Tip: Do You Have an Impacted Tooth?

Teeth below the gums are supposed to continue growing and break through. But sometimes, teeth -- most often wisdom teeth -- don't emerge and become impacted.

Head and neck pain may signal an impacted tooth, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says. Here's a more complete list of common symptoms:

Persistent bad breath.
Problems trying to open the mouth.
Sore or tender gums, or pain in the jaw.
Headache.
Swollen or red gums near the impacted tooth.
Swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck.
Persistent bad taste in the mouth.

Health Tip: At Risk for Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a disease of the mouth that can damage the gums, ligaments and sockets that surround the teeth.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, people with these risk factors should be extra careful about preventing gingivitis:

People with poor dental health or dental hygiene practices.
Pregnant women, as certain hormonal changes can increase gum sensitivity.
Diabetics who can't manage or control their disease.
People with teeth that are poorly aligned, or with braces or fillings with rough edges.
People taking certain medications, including birth control pills and phenytoin.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Health Headlines - September 20

FDA Approves New AIDS Test

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new test that detects both types of the virus that causes AIDS.

The test will be used to screen for HIV in blood and organ donations.

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VA Facilities Improve Endoscopic Safety: Report

Inspections earlier this summer at several facilities found that less than half were in compliance.

Of those patients, 50 subsequently tested positive for infections, including eight who tested positive for HIV, the AP reported.

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FDA Warns About Stolen Respiratory Medicines

Consumers should be watchful for stolen respiratory medications that may not have been stored or handled properly, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Thursday.

The stolen drugs are from the following lots:

Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution with the brand name "Dey," lot numbers 9GO4, 9FD8, 9FD9, and 9FE1.
Ipratropium Bromide Inhalation Solution with the brand name "Dey," lot numbers F09089, C09119 and C09120.

The FDA said consumers can get more information by contacting Dey at 800-527-4278, UPI reported.

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Swine Flu Vaccine Production Lower Than Expected: WHO

Production problems have also contributed to the lower-than-expected weekly output of H1N1 vaccine, WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl said Friday, the Associated Press reported.

Still, the WHO says that, in theory, all 6.3 billion people worldwide should receive at least one dose of the pandemic vaccine, the AP reported.

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U.S. Will Share 10 Percent of Swine Flu Vaccine With Other Nations

The United States will share 10 percent of its stock of H1N1 swine flu vaccine with other countries worldwide, President Barack Obama announced Thursday.

Health Tips for September 20

Health Tip: Understanding Gum Disease

Your risk of developing gum (periodontal) disease increases as you age. Over time, your gums may begin to detach from your teeth.

Left untreated, the supporting bone may dissolve, and when this happens, your teeth may become loose and fall out, says the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

So if you notice that your gums are swollen, red, tender or bleed easily, or that your teeth feel loose, see your dentist as soon as possible. Meanwhile, don't forget to floss and brush your teeth after every meal using a fluoride toothpaste.

Health Tip: Prevent Cavities

Cavities are holes that form in the teeth, and can cause pain until they are filled by a dentist.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine suggests how to help prevent cavities:

Practice good oral hygiene, which means flossing each day, brushing at least twice daily and getting a professional teeth cleaning twice a year.
If you want something sticky, sweet or chewy, eat it with other foods as part of a meal instead of alone. Brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with water afterward.
Minimize snacking, which increases acid production in the mouth.
Avoid high-sugar drinks, chewing gum with sugar, or sucking on sugary candy.
Consider getting a dental sealant applied to your molars to help prevent cavities.
Use mouth wash and toothpaste with fluoride.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Health Headlines - September 19

VA Facilities Improve Endoscopic Safety: Report

Inspections earlier this summer at several facilities found that less than half were in compliance.

Of those patients, 50 subsequently tested positive for infections, including eight who tested positive for HIV, the AP reported.

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FDA Warns About Stolen Respiratory Medicines

Consumers should be watchful for stolen respiratory medications that may not have been stored or handled properly, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Thursday.

The stolen drugs are from the following lots:

Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution with the brand name "Dey," lot numbers 9GO4, 9FD8, 9FD9, and 9FE1.
Ipratropium Bromide Inhalation Solution with the brand name "Dey," lot numbers F09089, C09119 and C09120.

The FDA said consumers can get more information by contacting Dey at 800-527-4278, UPI reported.

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Swine Flu Vaccine Production Lower Than Expected: WHO

Production problems have also contributed to the lower-than-expected weekly output of H1N1 vaccine, WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl said Friday, the Associated Press reported.

Still, the WHO says that, in theory, all 6.3 billion people worldwide should receive at least one dose of the pandemic vaccine, the AP reported.

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U.S. Will Share 10 Percent of Swine Flu Vaccine With Other Nations

The United States will share 10 percent of its stock of H1N1 swine flu vaccine with other countries worldwide, President Barack Obama announced Thursday.

Health Tips for September 19

Health Tip: When Bedwetting Signals Another Problem

Bedwetting affects many young children and often doesn't indicate a serious medical issue.

However, the Nemours Foundation says, if bedwetting starts all of a sudden or is accompanied by these other factors, it's time to call a pediatrician.

Bedwetting that resumes after a child has had dry nights for at least six months.
Sudden behavioral problems, either at home or at school.
Complaints from your child that there's burning or pain during urination.
An increase in the frequency of urination.
An increase in appetite or thirst.
Swelling of the ankles or feet.
Bedwetting that continues at age 7 or older.

Health Tip: Help Prevent Pinkeye

Conjunctivitis, commonly called pinkeye, is a highly contagious infection.

The Nemours Foundation offers these suggestions to protect your child and help reduce pinkeye's spread:

Teach your child to wash hands frequently, using soap and warm water.
Tell your child to never share products such as eye makeup, washcloths, eye drops, pillowcases or towels.
Limit exposure to allergens by keeping windows closed (when outdoor allergen levels are high) and vacuuming often.
After you've cared for a child with pinkeye, wash your hands thoroughly, and discard anything used to clean the eyes.
Carefully wash in very hot water, and separate from other washables, any towels or linens that the infected child used.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Health Headlines - September 18

U.S. Will Share 10 Percent of Swine Flu Vaccine With Other Nations

The United States will share 10 percent of its stock of H1N1 swine flu vaccine with other countries worldwide, President Barack Obama announced Thursday.

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Scald Burns Increasing Among Older Americans

From 2001 to 2006, 52,000 seniors in the United States were treated in hospital emergency departments for nonfatal scald burns caused by hot liquid or steam, says a new study.

The number of such injuries could increase dramatically as the population ages, say the researchers. They noted that many more older Americans are living alone and there's been a substantial rise in the incidence of all types of injuries among this population.

Scald burns among people 65 and older could be substantially reduced through preventive measures such as not leaving food unattended on the stove and by keeping the hot water heater set to less than 120 degrees, the researchers said.

The study was published Thursday in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Brain Infection Warning Added To Safety Info About MS Drug

A warning about cases of rare brain infection has been included in updated safety information about the multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The agency's update says the risk of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) "appears to increase with the number of Tysabri infusions received." The average number of infusions received by patients before they were diagnosed with PML was 25, Dow Jones reported.

"There is minimal experience in patients who have received more than 35 infusions of Tysabri," according to the FDA update. Patients receive the drug through an intravenous infusion about once a month.

The FDA emphasized that the overall rate of PML among patients taking Tysabri remains below the one-in-1,000 rate noted on the label, Dow Jones reported.

Concerns about PML prompted the FDA to pull Tysabri from the market for 18 months in 2005. Since the drug was allowed back on the market, there have been 13 confirmed cases of PML.

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Many Common Products Contain Toxic Chemicals: Group

Lead and toxic chemicals were found in a wide range of common household items such as women's plastic handbags, chew toys for cats, and some tennis balls for dogs, says the Michigan-based nonprofit group The Ecology Center.

The group said Wednesday that it's expanded its online database (healthystuff.org) to include 15,000 test results on more than 5,000 common products, The New York Times reported.

The database was expanded in response to increased public demand for information about the potential health risks posed by a wide range of products, said Jeff Gearhart, the center's research director.

He said the announcement about the database expansion was meant to help boost efforts in Congress to introduce tighter regulation of toxic chemicals used in many household items, The Times reported.

"Current laws that regulate individual products are stopgap measures," Gearhart said. "Ultimately we need to move to a system that doesn't regulate the end product but regulates the chemicals themselves."

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Woman's Tooth Used To Restore Vision

One woman's eye tooth really lives up to its name.

Doctors in Florida used 60-year-old Sharron Thornton's eye tooth to help restore the vision she lost in 2000 when her cornea was damaged by a reaction to a drug she was taking, USA Today reported. Her eye surface was too dry for a corneal transplant, a standard treatment.

Instead, doctors at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine removed Thornton's eye tooth and part of her jaw and created a hole in the tooth in order to fit an optical cylinder lens. The tooth acts as a base for the lens.

On the Labor Day weekend, doctors surgically implanted the tooth lens prosthesis into the eye. It was the first time the surgery was performed in the United States, USA Today reported.

"Sharon was able to see 20/60 this morning. She was seeing only shadows a couple of weeks ago," ophthalmologist and surgeon Victor Perez said Wednesday when details of the surgery were announced.

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Senate Introduces $856 Billion Health Care Bill

Under a new bill introduced Wednesday, all Americans would have to buy health care insurance or pay a fine, and insurance companies would be forbidden to charge higher premiums to people with serious health problems.

The $856 billion, 10-year version of health system reform was introduced by Sen. Max Baucus, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. There don't appear to be any Republican backers, which means the bill faces a rough ride through Congress, the Associated Press reported.

"The Finance Committee has carefully worked through the details of health care reform to ensure this package works for patients, for health care providers and for our economy," Baucus said.

Under a new purchasing exchange, people could shop for and compare insurance plans. The bill would also expand Medicaid and place caps on patients' yearly health costs, the AP reported.

The bill doesn't include a government-run insurance plan to compete with private insurers, once one of the key goals of President Barack Obama's proposed health care reform package.

Health Tips for September 18

Health Tip: Stress Has Its Warning Signs

Everyone has a certain amount of stress. But too much of it may make us feel quite fearful or worried, not to mention the physical effects it can cause, such as a rise in blood pressure.

The National Women's Health Information Center offers this list of warning signs that you may be stressed out:

Insomnia.
Diarrhea, constipation, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome or stomach cramps.
Feeling tense, irritable, anxious, sad, angry or depressed.
Difficulty paying attention or feeling like you don't have any energy.
Significant changes in eating habits or body weight.
Skin reactions, including hives.
Increased symptoms associated with diabetes, asthma or arthritis.
A rise in blood pressure.
Decreased sexual desire.
Pain in the back or neck.

Health Tip: Laughter is Good for You

A genuine belly laugh can be priceless medicine for life's everyday stresses. And you don't have to worry about any side effects -- except, maybe, a case of the giggles.

When appropriate, make an effort to relax and let yourself laugh. Helpguide.org offers these suggestions:

Instead of worrying about the souring economy or complaining about your work day, ask friends or family to tell a funny story.
Surround yourself with people who laugh, smile and who are just plain playful and fun.
Start smiling more. Make a conscious effort to smile, think about pleasant things and feel happy.
Make a list of all the things you have to be happy about and thankful for. When you're feeling sad, pull out the list.
Gravitate toward laughter. When you see a group of friends or coworkers having a good laugh, join in the conversation and treat yourself to a laugh, too.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Health Headlines - September 17

Senate Introduces $856 Billion Health Care Bill

"The Finance Committee has carefully worked through the details of health care reform to ensure this package works for patients, for health care providers and for our economy," Baucus said.

Under a new purchasing exchange, people could shop for and compare insurance plans. The bill would also expand Medicaid and place caps on patients' yearly health costs, the AP reported.

The bill doesn't include a government-run insurance plan to compete with private insurers, once one of the key goals of President Barack Obama's proposed health care reform package.

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Coronary Artery Disease No Longer Top Cause of Hospitalization in U.S.

From 1997 and 2007, the number of Americans admitted to hospital for treatment of coronary artery disease decreased by 31 percent, which means it's no longer the No. 1 disease treated in hospitals. Pneumonia was the most common disease treated in U.S. hospitals in 2007.

A analysis of national data also showed that hospitalizations for heart attack decreased 15 percent (732,000 to 625,000) from 1997 to 2007, according to the latest News and Numbers from the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. That means that heart attacks have moved from No. 4 to No. 10.

Among the other findings:

Stroke-related hospitalization fell by 14 percent, from 616,000 to 527,000, dropping in rank from No. 6 to No. 15.
Hospitalizations for irregular heartbeat rose by 28 percent, from 572,000 to 731,000, but remained at No. 7 in rank.
The number of hospitalizations for congestive heart failure rose by three percent, from 991,000 to just over one million, moving it from No. 3 to No. 2.

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Drug Must Carry Warning About Possible Tissue Damage: FDA

The antihistamine and anti-nausea drug promethazine must carry a warning that it can cause tissue injuries, including gangrene, if it's administered incorrectly, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The agency said Tuesday that the drug's label must carry a warning that it should not be administered into an artery or under the skin. The drug should be injected deep into muscle, the Associated Press reported.

A requested label revision would caution doctors who choose to administer promethazine intravenously to limit the concentration and rate of administration of the drug.

Manufacturers must submit the safety label changes to the FDA within 30 days or make a case for why they feel changes aren't needed, the AP reported.

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35 Percent Of Iraq War Vets Will Seek Treatment for PTSD: Study

As many as 35 percent of U.S. military personnel who serve in Iraq will seek treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the Veterans Affairs Department needs to boost its mental health resources to deal with the demand, say Stanford University researchers.

They said the tempo of deployment cycles to Iraq is higher than for any war since World War II, United Press International reported.

The researchers combined a mathematical operations research model with deployment and PTSD data from the Iraq War and came up with the 35 percent estimate. The study appears in the journal Management Science.

There are already long waits for people seeking PTSD treatment in the VA system, which must increase its ability to deal with the expected high demand, the researchers said, UPI reported.

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Increases Forecast for Employer-Based Health Premiums

Another modest rise in employer-sponsored health insurance premiums this year likely will be followed by larger increases in coming years, says a new report from the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research and Educational Trust.

For the third straight year, there was a 5 percent increase in the average annual premium for family coverage, which now stands at more than $13,000, the Associated Press reported. About 74 percent of the premium is paid by employers, while workers cover the rest of the cost.

The average annual premium for single coverage remained relatively flat at $4,824, with employers paying 84 percent.

From 2000 to 2004, premiums increased between 10 percent to 13 percent a year, the AP reported. The smaller premium increases in recent years may be due to the recession and the push for public health reform. Both factors discourage insurance companies from introducing large rate hikes, the report said.

But, the lower premium increases likely won't last, according to Kaiser CEO Drew Altman. "We've historically seen these peaks and valleys before, and we always have a bounce back effect," he told the AP.

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Doctors' Groups Urge Climate Change Action

Failure to tackle climate change could have "catastrophic" health consequences, the heads of 18 doctors' associations warned Wednesday in a joint appeal published in the British Medical Journal and The Lancet.

The doctors urged governments to take decisive action at a U.N. climate change conference scheduled to take place in Copenhagen, Denmark, in early December, Agence France Presse reported.

The letter said doctors must take a lead in speaking out about the urgency of taking action against climate change.

"There is a real danger that politicians will be indecisive, especially in such turbulent economic times as these," the letter stated, AFP reported. "Should their response be weak, the results for international health could be catastrophic."

The many health threats posed by climate change include malnutrition caused by drought, the spread of mosquito-borne diseases to temperate regions, and the risk of cholera caused by flooding, the scientists warned.