Many Type 2 Diabetes Patients Morbidly Obese: U.S. Study
Twenty percent of Americans with type 2 diabetes are more than 100 pounds overweight (morbidly obese), according to a Loyola University Health System study.
"The rate of morbid obesity among people with diabetes is increasing at a very alarming rate, and this has substantial public health implications," lead author Dr. Holly Kramer said in a news release, United Press International reported.
An analysis of national data showed that 62.4 percent of U.S. adults with type 2 diabetes are obese and 20.7 are morbidly obese, or have a body mass index of more than 40.
Kramer and colleagues also found that morbid obesity among type 2 diabetes patients increased 141 percent from 1976 to 1980 and 2005 to 2006, UPI reported.
The study appears online in the Journal of Diabetes and its Complications.
-----
Injection Drug Users at High Risk for HIV
Injection drug users continue to account for a large proportion of newly diagnosed HIV cases in the United States, says a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study.
Researchers analyzed data collected in 34 states between 2004 and 2007 and found that injection drug users (IDUs) accounted for 13 percent of all new HIV diagnoses.
Among the injection drug users diagnosed with HIV, most were male (62 percent), black (58 percent) and lived in an urban area (75 percent). One-third were people ages 33 to 44.
Black IDUs had a 12-fold higher HIV diagnosis rate than whites (11 per 100,000 population vs. 0.9/100,000), while the rate for Hispanic IDUs was 4.9/100,000.
The CDC researchers called for comprehensive HIV prevention programs for injection drug users, including HIV testing, substance abuse treatment and access to sterile syringes, condoms and other health services.
The study appears in this week's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the CDC.
Another study in the same issue found that the number of acute HIV infection (AHI) cases identified in New York has increased since 2008, when the city started routine RNA screening for AHI among patients with negative rapid HIV test results at four sexually transmitted disease clinics.
-----
Santa Volunteers Seek Swine Flu Shots
A group of volunteer Santas wants the same swine flu vaccination priority as health care workers and teachers.
The 200 members of "Santa America" visit sick and traumatized children during the holiday season and need to be protected against kids who may be carrying the H1N1 virus, group leader Ernest Berger told National Public Radio, according to Agence France Presse.
The group's Web site lists precautions that the volunteer Santas can take.
"As wonderful as it is, be cautious of children burying their faces in your beard for a hug. If this happens, use sanitizer in your beard," says the Web site, AFP reported.
Among the other instructions:
"Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, or mouth. Do not touch children's faces. If you do, immediately sanitize your hands."
"Santa should be taking needed vitamins and other doctor approved boosters to keep his immune system at peak performance."
-----
Coma Patient Was Lonely and Frustrated
A Belgian man who was conscious during the 23 years he appeared to be in a coma says he felt lonely and frustrated during those decades.
Rom Houben typed out the message with the help of a speech therapist who moved his finger letter by letter along a touch-screen keyboard, the Associated Press reported.
Houben was diagnosed as being in a vegetative state after an auto accident in the 1980s. Recently, an expert using a specialized type of brain scan determined that Houben was conscious but paralyzed.
"It was especially frustrating when my family needed me. I could not share in their sorrow. We could not give each other support," Houben wrote during an interview with AP Television News at the 't Weyerke institute in eastern Belgium. "Just imagine. You hear, see, feel and think but no one can see that. You undergo things. You cannot participate in life."
Speech therapist Linda Wouters said Houben uses gentle pressure to guide her hand to place his finger on the correct letters on the keyboard.
But one expert who saw a video of Houben's hand being moved on the keyboard expressed doubts.
"That's called 'facilitated communication,'" Arthur Caplan, a bioethics professor at the University of Pennsylvania, told the AP. "That is ouija board stuff. It's been discredited time and time again. When people look at it, it's usually the person doing the pointing who's doing the messages, not the person they claim they are helping."
-----
U.S. Nursing Homes Face Seasonal Flu Vaccine Shortage
In an effort to remedy a shortage of seasonal flu vaccine in nursing homes, U.S. health officials are trying to shift vaccine supplies away from chain pharmacies and supermarkets.
Seniors are highly vulnerable to seasonal flu, and a shortage of flu shots could lead to a wave of deaths in nursing homes this winter, The New York Times reported.
Exact figures aren't available, but the vaccine shortage in nursing homes is "a very big problem," said Janice Zalen, director of special programs for the American Health Care Association, which represents 11,000 nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.
"It's a problem, and it's all over the country," agreed Dr. Carol Friedman, head of adult immunization at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Times reported.
People 65 and older account for more than 90 percent of the 36,000 Americans who die of seasonal flu in an average year. Flu outbreaks in nursing homes are particularly deadly.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Health Tips for November 30
Health Tip: Determining Migraines in Children
Migraines are common in kids, affecting up to 5 percent of grade-school children, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. So how do you know if your little one has another type of headache, or is suffering from a migraine? Children with migraines may complain of the sensation of their heart pounding in their head, or the feeling that they need to vomit, the academy says. Or they may want to rest in a dark, quiet room. Other symptoms may include pain surrounding the eyes, just across the forehead or on the side of the head, and pain that worsens with activity. If your child complains of these symptoms, let the child lie down in a quiet, cool and dark room with a damp, cool rag across the head. Then talk to your child's doctor about what can be done to alleviate symptoms. Health Tip: Things That Trigger Migraines
|
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Health Headlines - November 29
Many Type 2 Diabetes Patients Morbidly Obese: U.S. Study
Twenty percent of Americans with type 2 diabetes are more than 100 pounds overweight (morbidly obese), according to a Loyola University Health System study.
"The rate of morbid obesity among people with diabetes is increasing at a very alarming rate, and this has substantial public health implications," lead author Dr. Holly Kramer said in a news release, United Press International reported.
An analysis of national data showed that 62.4 percent of U.S. adults with type 2 diabetes are obese and 20.7 are morbidly obese, or have a body mass index of more than 40.
Kramer and colleagues also found that morbid obesity among type 2 diabetes patients increased 141 percent from 1976 to 1980 and 2005 to 2006, UPI reported.
The study appears online in the Journal of Diabetes and its Complications.
-----
Injection Drug Users at High Risk for HIV
Injection drug users continue to account for a large proportion of newly diagnosed HIV cases in the United States, says a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study.
Researchers analyzed data collected in 34 states between 2004 and 2007 and found that injection drug users (IDUs) accounted for 13 percent of all new HIV diagnoses.
Among the injection drug users diagnosed with HIV, most were male (62 percent), black (58 percent) and lived in an urban area (75 percent). One-third were people ages 33 to 44.
Black IDUs had a 12-fold higher HIV diagnosis rate than whites (11 per 100,000 population vs. 0.9/100,000), while the rate for Hispanic IDUs was 4.9/100,000.
The CDC researchers called for comprehensive HIV prevention programs for injection drug users, including HIV testing, substance abuse treatment and access to sterile syringes, condoms and other health services.
The study appears in this week's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the CDC.
Another study in the same issue found that the number of acute HIV infection (AHI) cases identified in New York has increased since 2008, when the city started routine RNA screening for AHI among patients with negative rapid HIV test results at four sexually transmitted disease clinics.
-----
Santa Volunteers Seek Swine Flu Shots
A group of volunteer Santas wants the same swine flu vaccination priority as health care workers and teachers.
The 200 members of "Santa America" visit sick and traumatized children during the holiday season and need to be protected against kids who may be carrying the H1N1 virus, group leader Ernest Berger told National Public Radio, according to Agence France Presse.
The group's Web site lists precautions that the volunteer Santas can take.
"As wonderful as it is, be cautious of children burying their faces in your beard for a hug. If this happens, use sanitizer in your beard," says the Web site, AFP reported.
Among the other instructions:
"Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, or mouth. Do not touch children's faces. If you do, immediately sanitize your hands."
"Santa should be taking needed vitamins and other doctor approved boosters to keep his immune system at peak performance."
-----
Coma Patient Was Lonely and Frustrated
A Belgian man who was conscious during the 23 years he appeared to be in a coma says he felt lonely and frustrated during those decades.
Rom Houben typed out the message with the help of a speech therapist who moved his finger letter by letter along a touch-screen keyboard, the Associated Press reported.
Houben was diagnosed as being in a vegetative state after an auto accident in the 1980s. Recently, an expert using a specialized type of brain scan determined that Houben was conscious but paralyzed.
"It was especially frustrating when my family needed me. I could not share in their sorrow. We could not give each other support," Houben wrote during an interview with AP Television News at the 't Weyerke institute in eastern Belgium. "Just imagine. You hear, see, feel and think but no one can see that. You undergo things. You cannot participate in life."
Speech therapist Linda Wouters said Houben uses gentle pressure to guide her hand to place his finger on the correct letters on the keyboard.
But one expert who saw a video of Houben's hand being moved on the keyboard expressed doubts.
"That's called 'facilitated communication,'" Arthur Caplan, a bioethics professor at the University of Pennsylvania, told the AP. "That is ouija board stuff. It's been discredited time and time again. When people look at it, it's usually the person doing the pointing who's doing the messages, not the person they claim they are helping."
-----
U.S. Nursing Homes Face Seasonal Flu Vaccine Shortage
In an effort to remedy a shortage of seasonal flu vaccine in nursing homes, U.S. health officials are trying to shift vaccine supplies away from chain pharmacies and supermarkets.
Seniors are highly vulnerable to seasonal flu, and a shortage of flu shots could lead to a wave of deaths in nursing homes this winter, The New York Times reported.
Exact figures aren't available, but the vaccine shortage in nursing homes is "a very big problem," said Janice Zalen, director of special programs for the American Health Care Association, which represents 11,000 nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.
"It's a problem, and it's all over the country," agreed Dr. Carol Friedman, head of adult immunization at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Times reported.
People 65 and older account for more than 90 percent of the 36,000 Americans who die of seasonal flu in an average year. Flu outbreaks in nursing homes are particularly deadly.
Twenty percent of Americans with type 2 diabetes are more than 100 pounds overweight (morbidly obese), according to a Loyola University Health System study.
"The rate of morbid obesity among people with diabetes is increasing at a very alarming rate, and this has substantial public health implications," lead author Dr. Holly Kramer said in a news release, United Press International reported.
An analysis of national data showed that 62.4 percent of U.S. adults with type 2 diabetes are obese and 20.7 are morbidly obese, or have a body mass index of more than 40.
Kramer and colleagues also found that morbid obesity among type 2 diabetes patients increased 141 percent from 1976 to 1980 and 2005 to 2006, UPI reported.
The study appears online in the Journal of Diabetes and its Complications.
-----
Injection Drug Users at High Risk for HIV
Injection drug users continue to account for a large proportion of newly diagnosed HIV cases in the United States, says a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study.
Researchers analyzed data collected in 34 states between 2004 and 2007 and found that injection drug users (IDUs) accounted for 13 percent of all new HIV diagnoses.
Among the injection drug users diagnosed with HIV, most were male (62 percent), black (58 percent) and lived in an urban area (75 percent). One-third were people ages 33 to 44.
Black IDUs had a 12-fold higher HIV diagnosis rate than whites (11 per 100,000 population vs. 0.9/100,000), while the rate for Hispanic IDUs was 4.9/100,000.
The CDC researchers called for comprehensive HIV prevention programs for injection drug users, including HIV testing, substance abuse treatment and access to sterile syringes, condoms and other health services.
The study appears in this week's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the CDC.
Another study in the same issue found that the number of acute HIV infection (AHI) cases identified in New York has increased since 2008, when the city started routine RNA screening for AHI among patients with negative rapid HIV test results at four sexually transmitted disease clinics.
-----
Santa Volunteers Seek Swine Flu Shots
A group of volunteer Santas wants the same swine flu vaccination priority as health care workers and teachers.
The 200 members of "Santa America" visit sick and traumatized children during the holiday season and need to be protected against kids who may be carrying the H1N1 virus, group leader Ernest Berger told National Public Radio, according to Agence France Presse.
The group's Web site lists precautions that the volunteer Santas can take.
"As wonderful as it is, be cautious of children burying their faces in your beard for a hug. If this happens, use sanitizer in your beard," says the Web site, AFP reported.
Among the other instructions:
"Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, or mouth. Do not touch children's faces. If you do, immediately sanitize your hands."
"Santa should be taking needed vitamins and other doctor approved boosters to keep his immune system at peak performance."
-----
Coma Patient Was Lonely and Frustrated
A Belgian man who was conscious during the 23 years he appeared to be in a coma says he felt lonely and frustrated during those decades.
Rom Houben typed out the message with the help of a speech therapist who moved his finger letter by letter along a touch-screen keyboard, the Associated Press reported.
Houben was diagnosed as being in a vegetative state after an auto accident in the 1980s. Recently, an expert using a specialized type of brain scan determined that Houben was conscious but paralyzed.
"It was especially frustrating when my family needed me. I could not share in their sorrow. We could not give each other support," Houben wrote during an interview with AP Television News at the 't Weyerke institute in eastern Belgium. "Just imagine. You hear, see, feel and think but no one can see that. You undergo things. You cannot participate in life."
Speech therapist Linda Wouters said Houben uses gentle pressure to guide her hand to place his finger on the correct letters on the keyboard.
But one expert who saw a video of Houben's hand being moved on the keyboard expressed doubts.
"That's called 'facilitated communication,'" Arthur Caplan, a bioethics professor at the University of Pennsylvania, told the AP. "That is ouija board stuff. It's been discredited time and time again. When people look at it, it's usually the person doing the pointing who's doing the messages, not the person they claim they are helping."
-----
U.S. Nursing Homes Face Seasonal Flu Vaccine Shortage
In an effort to remedy a shortage of seasonal flu vaccine in nursing homes, U.S. health officials are trying to shift vaccine supplies away from chain pharmacies and supermarkets.
Seniors are highly vulnerable to seasonal flu, and a shortage of flu shots could lead to a wave of deaths in nursing homes this winter, The New York Times reported.
Exact figures aren't available, but the vaccine shortage in nursing homes is "a very big problem," said Janice Zalen, director of special programs for the American Health Care Association, which represents 11,000 nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.
"It's a problem, and it's all over the country," agreed Dr. Carol Friedman, head of adult immunization at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Times reported.
People 65 and older account for more than 90 percent of the 36,000 Americans who die of seasonal flu in an average year. Flu outbreaks in nursing homes are particularly deadly.
Health Tips for November 29
Health Tip: Determining Migraines in Children
Migraines are common in kids, affecting up to 5 percent of grade-school children, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. So how do you know if your little one has another type of headache, or is suffering from a migraine? Children with migraines may complain of the sensation of their heart pounding in their head, or the feeling that they need to vomit, the academy says. Or they may want to rest in a dark, quiet room. Other symptoms may include pain surrounding the eyes, just across the forehead or on the side of the head, and pain that worsens with activity. If your child complains of these symptoms, let the child lie down in a quiet, cool and dark room with a damp, cool rag across the head. Then talk to your child's doctor about what can be done to alleviate symptoms. Health Tip: Things That Trigger Migraines
|
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Health Headlines - November 28
Many Type 2 Diabetes Patients Morbidly Obese: U.S. Study
Twenty percent of Americans with type 2 diabetes are more than 100 pounds overweight (morbidly obese), according to a Loyola University Health System study.
"The rate of morbid obesity among people with diabetes is increasing at a very alarming rate, and this has substantial public health implications," lead author Dr. Holly Kramer said in a news release, United Press International reported.
An analysis of national data showed that 62.4 percent of U.S. adults with type 2 diabetes are obese and 20.7 are morbidly obese, or have a body mass index of more than 40.
Kramer and colleagues also found that morbid obesity among type 2 diabetes patients increased 141 percent from 1976 to 1980 and 2005 to 2006, UPI reported.
The study appears online in the Journal of Diabetes and its Complications.
-----
Injection Drug Users at High Risk for HIV
Injection drug users continue to account for a large proportion of newly diagnosed HIV cases in the United States, says a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study.
Researchers analyzed data collected in 34 states between 2004 and 2007 and found that injection drug users (IDUs) accounted for 13 percent of all new HIV diagnoses.
Among the injection drug users diagnosed with HIV, most were male (62 percent), black (58 percent) and lived in an urban area (75 percent). One-third were people ages 33 to 44.
Black IDUs had a 12-fold higher HIV diagnosis rate than whites (11 per 100,000 population vs. 0.9/100,000), while the rate for Hispanic IDUs was 4.9/100,000.
The CDC researchers called for comprehensive HIV prevention programs for injection drug users, including HIV testing, substance abuse treatment and access to sterile syringes, condoms and other health services.
The study appears in this week's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the CDC.
Another study in the same issue found that the number of acute HIV infection (AHI) cases identified in New York has increased since 2008, when the city started routine RNA screening for AHI among patients with negative rapid HIV test results at four sexually transmitted disease clinics.
-----
Santa Volunteers Seek Swine Flu Shots
A group of volunteer Santas wants the same swine flu vaccination priority as health care workers and teachers.
The 200 members of "Santa America" visit sick and traumatized children during the holiday season and need to be protected against kids who may be carrying the H1N1 virus, group leader Ernest Berger told National Public Radio, according to Agence France Presse.
The group's Web site lists precautions that the volunteer Santas can take.
"As wonderful as it is, be cautious of children burying their faces in your beard for a hug. If this happens, use sanitizer in your beard," says the Web site, AFP reported.
Among the other instructions:
"Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, or mouth. Do not touch children's faces. If you do, immediately sanitize your hands."
"Santa should be taking needed vitamins and other doctor approved boosters to keep his immune system at peak performance."
-----
Coma Patient Was Lonely and Frustrated
A Belgian man who was conscious during the 23 years he appeared to be in a coma says he felt lonely and frustrated during those decades.
Rom Houben typed out the message with the help of a speech therapist who moved his finger letter by letter along a touch-screen keyboard, the Associated Press reported.
Houben was diagnosed as being in a vegetative state after an auto accident in the 1980s. Recently, an expert using a specialized type of brain scan determined that Houben was conscious but paralyzed.
"It was especially frustrating when my family needed me. I could not share in their sorrow. We could not give each other support," Houben wrote during an interview with AP Television News at the 't Weyerke institute in eastern Belgium. "Just imagine. You hear, see, feel and think but no one can see that. You undergo things. You cannot participate in life."
Speech therapist Linda Wouters said Houben uses gentle pressure to guide her hand to place his finger on the correct letters on the keyboard.
But one expert who saw a video of Houben's hand being moved on the keyboard expressed doubts.
"That's called 'facilitated communication,'" Arthur Caplan, a bioethics professor at the University of Pennsylvania, told the AP. "That is ouija board stuff. It's been discredited time and time again. When people look at it, it's usually the person doing the pointing who's doing the messages, not the person they claim they are helping."
-----
U.S. Nursing Homes Face Seasonal Flu Vaccine Shortage
In an effort to remedy a shortage of seasonal flu vaccine in nursing homes, U.S. health officials are trying to shift vaccine supplies away from chain pharmacies and supermarkets.
Seniors are highly vulnerable to seasonal flu, and a shortage of flu shots could lead to a wave of deaths in nursing homes this winter, The New York Times reported.
Exact figures aren't available, but the vaccine shortage in nursing homes is "a very big problem," said Janice Zalen, director of special programs for the American Health Care Association, which represents 11,000 nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.
"It's a problem, and it's all over the country," agreed Dr. Carol Friedman, head of adult immunization at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Times reported.
People 65 and older account for more than 90 percent of the 36,000 Americans who die of seasonal flu in an average year. Flu outbreaks in nursing homes are particularly deadly.
Twenty percent of Americans with type 2 diabetes are more than 100 pounds overweight (morbidly obese), according to a Loyola University Health System study.
"The rate of morbid obesity among people with diabetes is increasing at a very alarming rate, and this has substantial public health implications," lead author Dr. Holly Kramer said in a news release, United Press International reported.
An analysis of national data showed that 62.4 percent of U.S. adults with type 2 diabetes are obese and 20.7 are morbidly obese, or have a body mass index of more than 40.
Kramer and colleagues also found that morbid obesity among type 2 diabetes patients increased 141 percent from 1976 to 1980 and 2005 to 2006, UPI reported.
The study appears online in the Journal of Diabetes and its Complications.
-----
Injection Drug Users at High Risk for HIV
Injection drug users continue to account for a large proportion of newly diagnosed HIV cases in the United States, says a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study.
Researchers analyzed data collected in 34 states between 2004 and 2007 and found that injection drug users (IDUs) accounted for 13 percent of all new HIV diagnoses.
Among the injection drug users diagnosed with HIV, most were male (62 percent), black (58 percent) and lived in an urban area (75 percent). One-third were people ages 33 to 44.
Black IDUs had a 12-fold higher HIV diagnosis rate than whites (11 per 100,000 population vs. 0.9/100,000), while the rate for Hispanic IDUs was 4.9/100,000.
The CDC researchers called for comprehensive HIV prevention programs for injection drug users, including HIV testing, substance abuse treatment and access to sterile syringes, condoms and other health services.
The study appears in this week's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the CDC.
Another study in the same issue found that the number of acute HIV infection (AHI) cases identified in New York has increased since 2008, when the city started routine RNA screening for AHI among patients with negative rapid HIV test results at four sexually transmitted disease clinics.
-----
Santa Volunteers Seek Swine Flu Shots
A group of volunteer Santas wants the same swine flu vaccination priority as health care workers and teachers.
The 200 members of "Santa America" visit sick and traumatized children during the holiday season and need to be protected against kids who may be carrying the H1N1 virus, group leader Ernest Berger told National Public Radio, according to Agence France Presse.
The group's Web site lists precautions that the volunteer Santas can take.
"As wonderful as it is, be cautious of children burying their faces in your beard for a hug. If this happens, use sanitizer in your beard," says the Web site, AFP reported.
Among the other instructions:
"Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, or mouth. Do not touch children's faces. If you do, immediately sanitize your hands."
"Santa should be taking needed vitamins and other doctor approved boosters to keep his immune system at peak performance."
-----
Coma Patient Was Lonely and Frustrated
A Belgian man who was conscious during the 23 years he appeared to be in a coma says he felt lonely and frustrated during those decades.
Rom Houben typed out the message with the help of a speech therapist who moved his finger letter by letter along a touch-screen keyboard, the Associated Press reported.
Houben was diagnosed as being in a vegetative state after an auto accident in the 1980s. Recently, an expert using a specialized type of brain scan determined that Houben was conscious but paralyzed.
"It was especially frustrating when my family needed me. I could not share in their sorrow. We could not give each other support," Houben wrote during an interview with AP Television News at the 't Weyerke institute in eastern Belgium. "Just imagine. You hear, see, feel and think but no one can see that. You undergo things. You cannot participate in life."
Speech therapist Linda Wouters said Houben uses gentle pressure to guide her hand to place his finger on the correct letters on the keyboard.
But one expert who saw a video of Houben's hand being moved on the keyboard expressed doubts.
"That's called 'facilitated communication,'" Arthur Caplan, a bioethics professor at the University of Pennsylvania, told the AP. "That is ouija board stuff. It's been discredited time and time again. When people look at it, it's usually the person doing the pointing who's doing the messages, not the person they claim they are helping."
-----
U.S. Nursing Homes Face Seasonal Flu Vaccine Shortage
In an effort to remedy a shortage of seasonal flu vaccine in nursing homes, U.S. health officials are trying to shift vaccine supplies away from chain pharmacies and supermarkets.
Seniors are highly vulnerable to seasonal flu, and a shortage of flu shots could lead to a wave of deaths in nursing homes this winter, The New York Times reported.
Exact figures aren't available, but the vaccine shortage in nursing homes is "a very big problem," said Janice Zalen, director of special programs for the American Health Care Association, which represents 11,000 nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.
"It's a problem, and it's all over the country," agreed Dr. Carol Friedman, head of adult immunization at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Times reported.
People 65 and older account for more than 90 percent of the 36,000 Americans who die of seasonal flu in an average year. Flu outbreaks in nursing homes are particularly deadly.
Health Tips for November 28
Health Tip: Caring for Baby's Umbilical Cord
Newborns still have a little stump of what's left of the umbilical cord. Though it should fall off on its own by the end of the third week, some doctors recommend that parents take additional steps to prevent infection. Other doctors recommend leaving the area alone.
If the pediatrician approves, the Nemours Foundation says, here are suggestions to help parents care for a newborn's umbilical cord:
* Use a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol to gently dab the area.
* Don't submerge the baby's navel in water until the cord has fallen off. Keep the area dry, and give sponge baths instead.
* Look for any potential signs of infection, such like a reddening of the area, discharge or an unpleasant odor.
---
Health Tip: Bonding With Your New Baby
Caring for a tiny new being can be daunting at first, but new parents should concentrate immediately after birth on creating a strong bond between parent and child.
The Nemours Foundation offers these suggestions:
* Each parent should spend time holding baby directly against the skin.
* Gently rub or stroke baby's skin in various motions.
* Try some gentle infant massage techniques. You can learn how from a book, or from your pediatrician.
* Talk, sing, coo or babble to your baby, so the infant gets used to the sound of your voice.
* Listen to relaxing music together.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Health Headlines - November 27
Many Type 2 Diabetes Patients Morbidly Obese: U.S. Study
Twenty percent of Americans with type 2 diabetes are more than 100 pounds overweight (morbidly obese), according to a Loyola University Health System study.
"The rate of morbid obesity among people with diabetes is increasing at a very alarming rate, and this has substantial public health implications," lead author Dr. Holly Kramer said in a news release, United Press International reported.
An analysis of national data showed that 62.4 percent of U.S. adults with type 2 diabetes are obese and 20.7 are morbidly obese, or have a body mass index of more than 40.
Kramer and colleagues also found that morbid obesity among type 2 diabetes patients increased 141 percent from 1976 to 1980 and 2005 to 2006, UPI reported.
The study appears online in the Journal of Diabetes and its Complications.
-----
Injection Drug Users at High Risk for HIV
Injection drug users continue to account for a large proportion of newly diagnosed HIV cases in the United States, says a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study.
Researchers analyzed data collected in 34 states between 2004 and 2007 and found that injection drug users (IDUs) accounted for 13 percent of all new HIV diagnoses.
Among the injection drug users diagnosed with HIV, most were male (62 percent), black (58 percent) and lived in an urban area (75 percent). One-third were people ages 33 to 44.
Black IDUs had a 12-fold higher HIV diagnosis rate than whites (11 per 100,000 population vs. 0.9/100,000), while the rate for Hispanic IDUs was 4.9/100,000.
The CDC researchers called for comprehensive HIV prevention programs for injection drug users, including HIV testing, substance abuse treatment and access to sterile syringes, condoms and other health services.
The study appears in this week's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the CDC.
Another study in the same issue found that the number of acute HIV infection (AHI) cases identified in New York has increased since 2008, when the city started routine RNA screening for AHI among patients with negative rapid HIV test results at four sexually transmitted disease clinics.
-----
Santa Volunteers Seek Swine Flu Shots
A group of volunteer Santas wants the same swine flu vaccination priority as health care workers and teachers.
The 200 members of "Santa America" visit sick and traumatized children during the holiday season and need to be protected against kids who may be carrying the H1N1 virus, group leader Ernest Berger told National Public Radio, according to Agence France Presse.
The group's Web site lists precautions that the volunteer Santas can take.
"As wonderful as it is, be cautious of children burying their faces in your beard for a hug. If this happens, use sanitizer in your beard," says the Web site, AFP reported.
Among the other instructions:
- "Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, or mouth. Do not touch children's faces. If you do, immediately sanitize your hands."
- "Santa should be taking needed vitamins and other doctor approved boosters to keep his immune system at peak performance."
-----
Coma Patient Was Lonely and Frustrated
A Belgian man who was conscious during the 23 years he appeared to be in a coma says he felt lonely and frustrated during those decades.
Rom Houben typed out the message with the help of a speech therapist who moved his finger letter by letter along a touch-screen keyboard, the Associated Press reported.
Houben was diagnosed as being in a vegetative state after an auto accident in the 1980s. Recently, an expert using a specialized type of brain scan determined that Houben was conscious but paralyzed.
"It was especially frustrating when my family needed me. I could not share in their sorrow. We could not give each other support," Houben wrote during an interview with AP Television News at the 't Weyerke institute in eastern Belgium. "Just imagine. You hear, see, feel and think but no one can see that. You undergo things. You cannot participate in life."
Speech therapist Linda Wouters said Houben uses gentle pressure to guide her hand to place his finger on the correct letters on the keyboard.
But one expert who saw a video of Houben's hand being moved on the keyboard expressed doubts.
"That's called 'facilitated communication,'" Arthur Caplan, a bioethics professor at the University of Pennsylvania, told the AP. "That is ouija board stuff. It's been discredited time and time again. When people look at it, it's usually the person doing the pointing who's doing the messages, not the person they claim they are helping."
-----
U.S. Nursing Homes Face Seasonal Flu Vaccine Shortage
In an effort to remedy a shortage of seasonal flu vaccine in nursing homes, U.S. health officials are trying to shift vaccine supplies away from chain pharmacies and supermarkets.
Seniors are highly vulnerable to seasonal flu, and a shortage of flu shots could lead to a wave of deaths in nursing homes this winter, The New York Times reported.
Exact figures aren't available, but the vaccine shortage in nursing homes is "a very big problem," said Janice Zalen, director of special programs for the American Health Care Association, which represents 11,000 nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.
"It's a problem, and it's all over the country," agreed Dr. Carol Friedman, head of adult immunization at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Times reported.
People 65 and older account for more than 90 percent of the 36,000 Americans who die of seasonal flu in an average year. Flu outbreaks in nursing homes are particularly deadly.
Health Tips for November 27
Health Tip: Managing Herniated Disk Pain
A herniated disk occurs when the nucleus of a disk in the back or neck pushes out of the disk toward the spinal canal, putting pressure on surrounding nerves.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers this list of potential non-surgical treatment options:
- Rest your back, taking care to avoid any strain of the spine and surrounding muscles.
- Take an anti-inflammatory medication -- over-the-counter or prescription -- to ease pain and inflammation.
- A few times each day, apply ice or a cold compress to the area. But don't leave it on for longer than 20 minutes each time.
- Once the spasms have stopped, apply heat to the area.
- Perform exercises to strengthen surrounding muscles.
- Talk to your doctor about cortisone injections to help ease inflammation.
Health Tip: Help Prevent Low Back Pain
It's not always possible to prevent low back pain. But the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says there are things you can do to help keep it away:
- Get plenty of regular exercise, including aerobics and exercises to strengthen your back and abdominal muscles.
- When carrying heavy objects, lift with your legs, not your back. Always bend at the knees with a straight back; don't bend over.
- If you're overweight, lose those extra pounds to reduce stress on the lower back muscles.
- Don't smoke. Smoking contributes to degeneration of the spine.
- Maintain good posture, especially while sitting, lifting objects and standing.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Health Headlines - November 26
Happy Thanksgiving!
Many Type 2 Diabetes Patients Morbidly Obese: U.S. Study
Twenty percent of Americans with type 2 diabetes are more than 100 pounds overweight (morbidly obese), according to a Loyola University Health System study.
"The rate of morbid obesity among people with diabetes is increasing at a very alarming rate, and this has substantial public health implications," lead author Dr. Holly Kramer said in a news release, United Press International reported.
An analysis of national data showed that 62.4 percent of U.S. adults with type 2 diabetes are obese and 20.7 are morbidly obese, or have a body mass index of more than 40.
Kramer and colleagues also found that morbid obesity among type 2 diabetes patients increased 141 percent from 1976 to 1980 and 2005 to 2006, UPI reported.
The study appears online in the Journal of Diabetes and its Complications.
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Injection Drug Users at High Risk for HIV
Injection drug users continue to account for a large proportion of newly diagnosed HIV cases in the United States, says a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study.
Researchers analyzed data collected in 34 states between 2004 and 2007 and found that injection drug users (IDUs) accounted for 13 percent of all new HIV diagnoses.
Among the injection drug users diagnosed with HIV, most were male (62 percent), black (58 percent) and lived in an urban area (75 percent). One-third were people ages 33 to 44.
Black IDUs had a 12-fold higher HIV diagnosis rate than whites (11 per 100,000 population vs. 0.9/100,000), while the rate for Hispanic IDUs was 4.9/100,000.
The CDC researchers called for comprehensive HIV prevention programs for injection drug users, including HIV testing, substance abuse treatment and access to sterile syringes, condoms and other health services.
The study appears in this week's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the CDC.
Another study in the same issue found that the number of acute HIV infection (AHI) cases identified in New York has increased since 2008, when the city started routine RNA screening for AHI among patients with negative rapid HIV test results at four sexually transmitted disease clinics.
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Santa Volunteers Seek Swine Flu Shots
A group of volunteer Santas wants the same swine flu vaccination priority as health care workers and teachers.
The 200 members of "Santa America" visit sick and traumatized children during the holiday season and need to be protected against kids who may be carrying the H1N1 virus, group leader Ernest Berger told National Public Radio, according to Agence France Presse.
The group's Web site lists precautions that the volunteer Santas can take.
"As wonderful as it is, be cautious of children burying their faces in your beard for a hug. If this happens, use sanitizer in your beard," says the Web site, AFP reported.
Among the other instructions:
- "Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, or mouth. Do not touch children's faces. If you do, immediately sanitize your hands."
- "Santa should be taking needed vitamins and other doctor approved boosters to keep his immune system at peak performance."
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Coma Patient Was Lonely and Frustrated
A Belgian man who was conscious during the 23 years he appeared to be in a coma says he felt lonely and frustrated during those decades.
Rom Houben typed out the message with the help of a speech therapist who moved his finger letter by letter along a touch-screen keyboard, the Associated Press reported.
Houben was diagnosed as being in a vegetative state after an auto accident in the 1980s. Recently, an expert using a specialized type of brain scan determined that Houben was conscious but paralyzed.
"It was especially frustrating when my family needed me. I could not share in their sorrow. We could not give each other support," Houben wrote during an interview with AP Television News at the 't Weyerke institute in eastern Belgium. "Just imagine. You hear, see, feel and think but no one can see that. You undergo things. You cannot participate in life."
Speech therapist Linda Wouters said Houben uses gentle pressure to guide her hand to place his finger on the correct letters on the keyboard.
But one expert who saw a video of Houben's hand being moved on the keyboard expressed doubts.
"That's called 'facilitated communication,'" Arthur Caplan, a bioethics professor at the University of Pennsylvania, told the AP. "That is ouija board stuff. It's been discredited time and time again. When people look at it, it's usually the person doing the pointing who's doing the messages, not the person they claim they are helping."
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U.S. Nursing Homes Face Seasonal Flu Vaccine Shortage
In an effort to remedy a shortage of seasonal flu vaccine in nursing homes, U.S. health officials are trying to shift vaccine supplies away from chain pharmacies and supermarkets.
Seniors are highly vulnerable to seasonal flu, and a shortage of flu shots could lead to a wave of deaths in nursing homes this winter, The New York Times reported.
Exact figures aren't available, but the vaccine shortage in nursing homes is "a very big problem," said Janice Zalen, director of special programs for the American Health Care Association, which represents 11,000 nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.
"It's a problem, and it's all over the country," agreed Dr. Carol Friedman, head of adult immunization at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Times reported.
People 65 and older account for more than 90 percent of the 36,000 Americans who die of seasonal flu in an average year. Flu outbreaks in nursing homes are particularly deadly.
Health Tips for November 26
Holiday Eating Without the Guilt -- or the Pounds
If you love the five-week holiday smorgasbord from Thanksgiving to New Year's, but are already stressing about the added pounds you'll have to sweat off come Jan. 1, help is at hand. It's possible, say nutrition experts, to enjoy holiday eating and make it to 2010 weighing the same as you do today.
It's all about devising a strategy and thinking about holiday food just a little differently, said Connie Diekman, director of university nutrition at Washington University in St. Louis, and Julie Redfern, manager of the Nutrition Consult Services at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
Both are registered dietitians who shared their best holiday eating tips.
First, have a plan. Ponder it before family dinners and parties, said Redfern. For instance, you may decide before going to a family sit-down dinner that you will fix your plate once and it will include lots of vegetables. About one-fourth of the plate will be protein-rich food and about one-fourth carbs. You will not go back for seconds.
Eat before you go. Starving guests are more apt to load up their plates, so Diekman suggests having a piece of fruit smeared with peanut butter or a small container of yogurt prior to heading out. You can then approach the buffet table more relaxed.
Think ''pick and choose," not ''sample." Picking and choosing is a great strategy, said Redfern, if it involves picking the one dessert or other goodie you love and can't live without. Instead of sampling all three pies at a holiday dinner, decide which one you'll wish you had had, and then go for it, she suggested.
Remember, alcohol is loaded with calories. Start off at a party with seltzer water or sparkling water, then switch to alcoholic beverages. Delaying the alcohol may also make you take in fewer calories from foods, Redfern said. "Once you have alcohol, it lessens your resolve," she said.
Enlist the waiter's help. If your holiday dinner is in a restaurant, focus on your first course of vegetables, salad or soup, and ask the waiter to hold your main course until you finish, Diekman suggested. You may be fuller than you think, and waiting to eat the main course may mean you'll eat less.
Take control as hostess. If you're the holiday host or hostess, you have a lot of work -- but also enjoy control. Take advantage of that, Diekman said. "Prepare or serve [ready-make] broth-based soups that are packed with vegetables as a first course," she said. "Switch from buffets to meals served by the course to pace eating," she said. It's probable you'll eat less overall that way.
If you love gravy, make it from fat-free broth. Include more casserole dishes -- you can increase the vegetables with hardly anyone noticing.
Move, even a little. Squeezing in a little exercise, no matter how hectic the schedule, will help, Diekman said. "Walk the mall before you can spend any money," she suggested. "After spending a predetermined amount, take another mall walk."
Take a 10-minute walk every day, she said. "Everyone has that time."
Defend your resolve. Even with the best strategies in play, some people fall apart when face-to-face with those ubiquitous food pushers -- those holiday hosts and hostesses who encourage you to eat, eat, eat.
You can resist them, Redfern said. "Start off with a compliment," she said. Something like: "I love your pie, but I am full."
This works much better, she said, than telling them you have to cut back. That's an invitation for them to come back with tough-to-resist lines such as "Oh, it's only one day," or "You can afford it."
If you still experience resistance, tell your hostess: "I'd love to take some home for later." Redfern added: "They don't need to know if you actually eat it."
But if you don't want that temptation -- the pumpkin pie calling from the kitchen at midnight -- learn to be firm and repetitive as a guest, Redfern said.
''It almost takes three times for them to get the message," she said. So, repeat, repeat, repeat, cheerfully but firmly.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Health Headlines - November 25
U.S. Nursing Homes Face Seasonal Flu Vaccine Shortage
In an effort to remedy a shortage of seasonal flu vaccine in nursing homes, U.S. health officials are trying to shift vaccine supplies away from chain pharmacies and supermarkets.
Seniors are highly vulnerable to seasonal flu, and a shortage of flu shots could lead to a wave of deaths in nursing homes this winter, The New York Times reported.
Exact figures aren't available, but the vaccine shortage in nursing homes is "a very big problem," said Janice Zalen, director of special programs for the American Health Care Association, which represents 11,000 nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.
"It's a problem, and it's all over the country," agreed Dr. Carol Friedman, head of adult immunization at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Times reported.
People 65 and older account for more than 90 percent of the 36,000 Americans who die of seasonal flu in an average year. Flu outbreaks in nursing homes are particularly deadly.
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Infant Deaths Spur Recall of 2.1 Million Stork Craft Cribs
Reports of four infant suffocations have led to the North American recall of about 2.1 million Stork Craft drop-side cribs. The recall covers cribs sold since 1993 and includes nearly 150,000 with the Fisher-Price logo.
The cribs have a side that moves up and down to allow parents to lift children from the cribs more easily. Hardware on the cribs can break, deform or get lost after years of use. In addition, owners may make mistakes while assembling the cribs. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said it received 110 reports of drop-sides detaching from the cribs, the Associated Press reported.
When the drop-side detaches, it creates a space between the drop-side and crib mattress where a child can become trapped.
The CPSC said the cribs were distributed between January 1993 and October 2009 and sold at major retailers and online for between $100 and $400, the AP reported.
Parents with the cribs should stop using them until they receive a free repair kit from Stork Craft Manufacturing, which is based in Canada. The kit converts the drop-side into a fixed side.
To order the free repair kit, phone Stork Craft 877-274-0277 or go to the company's Web site.
Earlier this year, Stork Craft recalled about 500,000 cribs because of problems with the metal brackets that support the mattress, the AP reported. Some of the same models in the earlier recall are also part of the new recall, CPSC said.
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Swine Flu Batch Pulled in Canada
Health workers in Canada have been told to stop using a batch of H1N1 swine flu vaccine that may trigger life-threatening allergies.
GlaxoSmithKline PLC issued the advice because people receiving shots from the vaccine batch suffered more allergic reactions than normal, the Associated Press reported.
The batch was distributed across Canada and contains 172,000 doses of the vaccine, company spokeswoman Gwenan White said Tuesday. She didn't say how many doses had been administered before the company told health workers on Nov. 18 to stop using the batch.
White said GlaxoSmithKline and Canadian health authorities are investigating the matter, the AP reported.
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Global HIV Infection Rate Stable: Report
Over the last two years, the number of people worldwide infected with HIV has remained at about 33 million, according to a report released Tuesday by the World Health Organization and UNAIDS, the United Nations Joint Program on HIV/AIDS. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.
The document said about 33.4 million people currently have HIV, compared with 33.2 million in 2007, the Associated Press reported. The disease appears stable in most regions of the world, except for Africa. In 2008, 72 percent of the 2.7 million new HIV cases worldwide were in sub-Saharan Africa.
The experts who prepared the report also said the global HIV epidemic probably peaked in 1996.
The findings should change the funding priorities of international donors, according to some experts. HIV causes about 4 percent of deaths worldwide but receives about 23 cents of every public health dollar, the AP reported.
"We shouldn't let this single disease continue to distort overall global funding, especially when bigger killers like pneumonia and diarrhea in developing countries are far easier and cheaper to treat," Philip Stevens of International Policy Network, a London-based think tank, told the news service.
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Law Offers Genetic Testing Protections
A new law that took effect Saturday protects Americans from being forced by employers or health insurers to undergo genetic testing.
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act prohibits employers from requesting genetic testing or using someone's genetic background when making decisions about hiring, firing or promotions, The New York Times reported.
In addition, health insurers and group plans can't require or use a customer's genetic information -- such as a family history of a certain disease -- to deny coverage or set premiums or deductibles.
The law also forbids the common group health plan practice of giving lower premiums or one-time payments to workers who provide their family medical histories when filling out health risk questionnaires.
"The message to employees is they should now be able to get whatever genetic counseling or testing they need and be less fearful about doing so," Peggy Mastroianni, associate legal counsel for the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, told The Times.
Health Tips for November 25
Health Tip: The Skinny on Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates include foods with fiber, sugars and starches.
Simple carbohydrates have one or two sugars, while complex carbohydrates contain at least three sugars, says the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Simple carbohydrates with natural sugars include milk products, fruits and vegetables. Simple carbs with refined sugars -- including candy, soda and syrups -- have little nutritional value and should be avoided in excess, the agency says.
Examples of complex carbohydrates include starchy vegetables, legumes (such as dried peas, beans and lentils) and whole-grain foods.
The NLM says between 40 percent and 60 percent of your daily total caloric intake should come from carbohydrates, mostly from complex carbohydrates.
Health Tip: Risks Associated With Unpasteurized Juice
Fruit juice that's untreated or unpasteurized may taste great, but it could also harbor germs that could make you sick, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
Most juices sold in the United States are treated (such as with UV irradiation) or pasteurized (heated to a high temperature) to reduce the risk of foodborne disease, the agency says.
Juices labeled as raw or unpasteurized should be avoided, especially among young children, elderly adults and others with compromised immune systems.
If the label is unclear about whether the juice has been treated to kill any bacteria, it should be avoided, the CDC says.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Health Headlines - November 24
Law Offers Genetic Testing Protections
A new law that took effect Saturday protects Americans from being forced by employers or health insurers to undergo genetic testing.
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act prohibits employers from requesting genetic testing or using someone's genetic background when making decisions about hiring, firing or promotions, The New York Times reported.
In addition, health insurers and group plans can't require or use a customer's genetic information -- such as a family history of a certain disease -- to deny coverage or set premiums or deductibles.
The law also forbids the common group health plan practice of giving lower premiums or one-time payments to workers who provide their family medical histories when filling out health risk questionnaires.
"The message to employees is they should now be able to get whatever genetic counseling or testing they need and be less fearful about doing so," Peggy Mastroianni, associate legal counsel for the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, told The Times.
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Common Skin Germs May Protect Against Allergies
Being too clean can decrease the skin's ability to heal, says a U.S. study that may help explain why exposure to germs during childhood helps protect against the development of allergies -- the so-called hygiene hypothesis.
The University of California, San Diego researchers found that normal Staphylococci bacteria that live on the skin help prevent overactive immune responses that can cause cuts and scrapes to swell, BBC News reported.
"The exciting implication of the work is that it provides a molecular basis to understand the hygiene hypothesis and has uncovered elements of the wound repair response that were previously unknown," said research leader Professor Richard Gallo said. "This may help us devise new therapeutic approaches for inflammatory skin diseases."
The study appears online in the journal Nature Medicine.
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Man in Coma for 23 Years Was Actually Conscious
A Belgian man who spent 23 years in an apparent coma was fully conscious but couldn't respond to other people because he was paralyzed, according to his mother.
Rom Houben had been believed comatose since a car crash in 1983. Even though doctors said he was in a vegetative state, Houben's family believed he was conscious and sought further medical advice, the Associated Press reported.
One of the experts she consulted was Steven Laureys, who determined that the medical diagnosis of a coma was wrong and taught Houben how to communicate through a special keyboard.
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NFL May Change Concussion Policy
In what would be a major policy change, the National Football League may be considering using independent doctors to determine when players who've suffered concussions should return to play.
The league has faced harsh criticism from outside experts and lawmakers over how it handles players with concussions. Recently, the House Judiciary Committee compared the NFL to the tobacco industry, The New York Times reported.
Currently, doctors and trainers employed by the teams make decisions about when players who've suffered concussions should return to play. That's raised charges of possible conflict of interest when owners and coaches want players to resume playing before they may be fully recovered.
"As we learn more and more, we want to give players the best medical advice. This is a chance for us to expand that and bring more people into the circle to make sure were making the best decisions for our players in the long term," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said during an interview Sunday on the NBC program "Football Night in America."
He didn't provide any details about the new guideline, such as when it might take effect, how independent doctors would be identified and paid, or even whether teams would have to follow the doctors' advice, The Times reported.
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Health Care Reform Bill Moves to Senate Floor for Debate
Senate Democrats managed to push health care reform legislation past a key hurdle on Saturday night, with a cloture vote that will lead to a debate on the Senate floor later this month, the Associated Press reported.
The Senate bill roughly mirrors a health care reform bill that has already been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, although some major differences would have to be ironed out before a bill could reach the desk of President Barack Obama.
According to the New York Times, the Senate bill seeks to extend health benefits to roughly 31 million Americans who are now uninsured, at a cost of $848 billion over 10 years.
U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) announced the vote Saturday night.
"On this vote, the yays are 60, the nays are 39, three-fifths of the senators duly chosen and sworn having voted in the affirmative, the motion is agreed to," Dodd told reporters.
Prior to the vote, all 40 Republicans were on record as opposing the bill, and the Democrats did not have a single vote to spare, needing every Democrat and Independent who normally votes with Democrats to vote in favor of the motion. Two key Democrat votes were secured on Saturday.
During a long day of debate, Senate Majority leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), had appealed to senators to advance the bill to the floor, saying it is their job to debate such a crucial issue.
President Barack Obama has made health care reform a top priority of his administration.
"Tonight we have the opportunity, the historic opportunity to reform health care once and for all," Sen. Max Baucus (D.-Mont.), a chief architect of the legislation, said, according to the Times. "History is knocking on the door. Let's open it. Let's begin the debate."
Health Tips for November 24
Health Tip: Treating an Ingrown Toenail
An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail grows into the skin. It can be quite painful and become infected, so it's important to take prompt care of an ingrown toenail as soon as it's recognized.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these suggestions:
- Soak the foot in warm water three or four times each day.
- When not soaking, make sure the foot is clean and dry.
- Wear open-toed sandals or similar while the condition heals. Otherwise, opt for comfortable shoes that don't squeeze the toes.
- Carefully wedge a small piece of clean cotton or waxed dental floss between the skin and the toenail. Be sure to change this packing daily.
- Use an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
- You should start to see improvement within two or three days. If you don't, contact your doctor.
Health Tip: Stretch Your Feet
Little else feels better than a good foot massage or stretch.
The American Podiatric Medical Association offers these suggestions for keeping your feet happy and healthy:
- Stretch your arch, either by placing a towel around the ball of your foot and gently pulling with your hands, or by standing in front of a wall and slightly leaning forward until you feel your arches stretch.
- Strengthen toes by placing a toe separator between them and squeezing toes together for five seconds; do it 10 times. Or, wrap toes with a rubber band and spread against the resistance.
- Grab a golf ball or other similar-sized ball, and place it on the floor under your bare feet. Gently roll it around under your feet.
- Stand up on the balls of your feet and hold for five seconds; do this 10 times.
- Stand with feet flat, then one at a time lift your heel from the floor and roll weight into the ball of your with your toes pointing down. Flex your foot, hold, and repeat on each foot.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Health Headlines - November 23
Health Care Reform Bill Moves to Senate Floor for Debate
Senate Democrats managed to push health care reform legislation past a key hurdle on Saturday night, with a cloture vote that will lead to a debate on the Senate floor later this month, the Associated Press reported.
The Senate bill roughly mirrors a health care reform bill that has already been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, although some major differences would have to be ironed out before a bill could reach the desk of President Barack Obama.
According to the New York Times, the Senate bill seeks to extend health benefits to roughly 31 million Americans who are now uninsured, at a cost of $848 billion over 10 years.
U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) announced the vote Saturday night.
"On this vote, the yays are 60, the nays are 39, three-fifths of the senators duly chosen and sworn having voted in the affirmative, the motion is agreed to," Dodd told reporters.
Prior to the vote, all 40 Republicans were on record as opposing the bill, and the Democrats did not have a single vote to spare, needing every Democrat and Independent who normally votes with Democrats to vote in favor of the motion. Two key Democrat votes were secured on Saturday.
During a long day of debate, Senate Majority leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), had appealed to senators to advance the bill to the floor, saying it is their job to debate such a crucial issue.
President Barack Obama has made health care reform a top priority of his administration.
"Tonight we have the opportunity, the historic opportunity to reform health care once and for all," Sen. Max Baucus (D.-Mont.), a chief architect of the legislation, said, according to the Times. "History is knocking on the door. Let's open it. Let's begin the debate."
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U.S. Military Studying PTSD Risk Factors
U.S. military researchers are trying to identify genetic and other factors that may help single out soldiers most at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
A better understanding of underlying contributing causes might help reduce the incidence of PTSD and improve treatment.
"Right now, we can't determine with certainty who will and who won't develop PTSD," Paula Schnurr, deputy executive director of the Department of Veterans Affairs' National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, told the Associated Press. "Perhaps with better measures, we can get closer."
Members of certain Marine and Army units are undergoing extensive physical and mental assessments -- including stress exams, brain imaging and genetic testing -- before combat deployment. The soldiers are monitored in the war zones and assessed again when they return home.
The purpose of learning more about factors that contribute to PTSD is not to bar certain people from military service, Cmdr. Bryan Schumacher, the 1st Marine Division's top doctor, told the AP. If the research identifies ways to prevent PTSD, those who are vulnerable could be given special training to reduce their risk, he explained.
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University of Nebraska May Restrict Stem Cell Research
The University of Nebraska may become the first such state institution in the United States to impose limits on stem cell research that are more restrictive than what state and federal laws allow.
The university's board of regents was to vote Friday on whether to limit stem cell experiments to 21 cell lines approved by the Bush administration in 2001, The New York Times reported. Since 2001, researchers have created hundreds of cell lines that could be eligible for federal financing from the Obama White House.
Board members have faced weeks of intense lobbying from opponents and supporters of embryonic stem cell research.
Restrictions on stem cell research would seriously harm the university's reputation and its ability to attract stem cell scientists and funding, warn advocates of embryonic stem cell research.
"It would taint this university for a long time," Dr. Harold M. Maurer, chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, told the Times.
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Trial of Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy for Eye Disease Planned
U.S. scientists have asked the federal government to approve human trials of embryonic stem cell therapy to treat a common form of juvenile blindness.
The researchers plan to inject retinal cells derived from embryonic stem cells into 12 patients who are losing their sight to Stargardt disease, which is currently untreatable, the Agence France Presse reported.
Experiments in mice and rats showed that this treatment prevented further vision loss without causing any harmful side effects, according to Dr. Robert Lanza, chief scientific officer at Advanced Cell Technology.
He said the trial could begin as soon as early 2010 if it's approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, AFP reported.
The FDA has received only one other proposal for a clinical trial of stem cell therapies. That project, which would treat spinal injury patients, is not expected to begin before late 2010.
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Vicks Nasal Spray Recalled Due to Bacteria
Proctor & Gamble Co. is recalling about 120,000 bottles of its Vicks Sinex nasal spray due to bacteria the company found in some samples during testing, the Associated Press reported Thursday.
According to P & G spokesman Tom Millikin, the voluntary recall is a precaution after small amounts of the B. cepacia bacteria were found in the non-prescription spray in a routine check at a plant in Germany. The recall involves three lots of the spray sent to the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Regulatory agencies in all three countries have been informed, the company asid.
No illnesses linked to the contamination have yet been reported, Millikin said, but the bacteria could harm people with chronic lung ailments or weak immune systems.
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Flu Worries Shouldn't Affect Travel Plans: CDC
The threat of the H1N1 flu shouldn't prevent people from traveling this holiday season, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which on Thursday launched a public education campaign about staying healthy while traveling.
"The holidays are one of the busiest travel times of the year," Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said in a news release. "People are in close contact - whether they're on a plane, train, ship or just visiting with loved ones. This campaign provides practical advice to help travelers prepare for their trips and stay healthy during their holiday travel."
The agency offers the following advice:
- Travel only when you feel well.
- Get vaccinated for flu (both seasonal flu and H1N1 flu if you're in a priority group).
- Wash your hands often.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a sleeve or tissue.
"We know that flu - and specifically H1N1 this year - is a big concern for people, but flu shouldn't ruin the holidays," Schuchat said. "By practicing a little prevention, people can enjoy their holidays and stay well at the same time."
The CDC's campaign will run through the holiday season and use a variety of media, including posters at major airports, border crossings and ports of entry.
Health Tips for November 23
Health Tip: Help Prevent Bunions
A bunion is a painful protrusion at the base of the big toe that can make even walking a chore. A severe bunion can affect the alignment of several toes, causing some to overlap.
You can't always prevent bunions, but you can take steps to reduce your risk. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these suggestions:
- Make sure shoes fit properly.
- Choose shoes that are soft and comfortable, and form around the shape of your toes and feet.
- Look for soft-soled shoes with plenty of room in the toes and instep.
- If shoes are too tight, have them professionally stretched.
- Don't wear shoes with pointy toes or with a heel that's more than 2 1/4 inches high.
Health Tip: Foot Care for People With Diabetes
People with diabetes are especially prone to foot problems, so it's important to take good care of your feet and inspect them frequently.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these suggestions:
- Wash your feet daily with soap and water, and carefully dry them afterward.
- Use a rich moisturizer on your feet, but don't apply it between the toes.
- Keep toenails trimmed, but cut them straight across. Clipping the corners can lead to ingrown nails.
- Avoid using antiseptics, sharp tools or heating pads on the feet.
- Keep feet warm and dry with cozy socks.
- Prevent circulatory problems by avoiding smoking. And don't sit with your legs crossed.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Health Headlines - November 22
U.S. Military Studying PTSD Risk Factors
U.S. military researchers are trying to identify genetic and other factors that may help single out soldiers most at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
A better understanding of underlying contributing causes might help reduce the incidence of PTSD and improve treatment.
"Right now, we can't determine with certainty who will and who won't develop PTSD," Paula Schnurr, deputy executive director of the Department of Veterans Affairs' National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, told the Associated Press. "Perhaps with better measures, we can get closer."
Members of certain Marine and Army units are undergoing extensive physical and mental assessments -- including stress exams, brain imaging and genetic testing -- before combat deployment. The soldiers are monitored in the war zones and assessed again when they return home.
The purpose of learning more about factors that contribute to PTSD is not to bar certain people from military service, Cmdr. Bryan Schumacher, the 1st Marine Division's top doctor, told the AP. If the research identifies ways to prevent PTSD, those who are vulnerable could be given special training to reduce their risk, he explained.
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University of Nebraska May Restrict Stem Cell Research
The University of Nebraska may become the first such state institution in the United States to impose limits on stem cell research that are more restrictive than what state and federal laws allow.
The university's board of regents was to vote Friday on whether to limit stem cell experiments to 21 cell lines approved by the Bush administration in 2001, The New York Times reported. Since 2001, researchers have created hundreds of cell lines that could be eligible for federal financing from the Obama White House.
Board members have faced weeks of intense lobbying from opponents and supporters of embryonic stem cell research.
Restrictions on stem cell research would seriously harm the university's reputation and its ability to attract stem cell scientists and funding, warn advocates of embryonic stem cell research.
"It would taint this university for a long time," Dr. Harold M. Maurer, chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, told the Times.
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Trial of Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy for Eye Disease Planned
U.S. scientists have asked the federal government to approve human trials of embryonic stem cell therapy to treat a common form of juvenile blindness.
The researchers plan to inject retinal cells derived from embryonic stem cells into 12 patients who are losing their sight to Stargardt disease, which is currently untreatable, the Agence France Presse reported.
Experiments in mice and rats showed that this treatment prevented further vision loss without causing any harmful side effects, according to Dr. Robert Lanza, chief scientific officer at Advanced Cell Technology.
He said the trial could begin as soon as early 2010 if it's approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, AFP reported.
The FDA has received only one other proposal for a clinical trial of stem cell therapies. That project, which would treat spinal injury patients, is not expected to begin before late 2010.
-----
Vicks Nasal Spray Recalled Due to Bacteria
Proctor & Gamble Co. is recalling about 120,000 bottles of its Vicks Sinex nasal spray due to bacteria the company found in some samples during testing, the Associated Press reported Thursday.
According to P & G spokesman Tom Millikin, the voluntary recall is a precaution after small amounts of the B. cepacia bacteria were found in the non-prescription spray in a routine check at a plant in Germany. The recall involves three lots of the spray sent to the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Regulatory agencies in all three countries have been informed, the company asid.
No illnesses linked to the contamination have yet been reported, Millikin said, but the bacteria could harm people with chronic lung ailments or weak immune systems.
-----
Flu Worries Shouldn't Affect Travel Plans: CDC
The threat of the H1N1 flu shouldn't prevent people from traveling this holiday season, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which on Thursday launched a public education campaign about staying healthy while traveling.
"The holidays are one of the busiest travel times of the year," Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said in a news release. "People are in close contact - whether they're on a plane, train, ship or just visiting with loved ones. This campaign provides practical advice to help travelers prepare for their trips and stay healthy during their holiday travel."
The agency offers the following advice:
- Travel only when you feel well.
- Get vaccinated for flu (both seasonal flu and H1N1 flu if you're in a priority group).
- Wash your hands often.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a sleeve or tissue.
"We know that flu - and specifically H1N1 this year - is a big concern for people, but flu shouldn't ruin the holidays," Schuchat said. "By practicing a little prevention, people can enjoy their holidays and stay well at the same time."
The CDC's campaign will run through the holiday season and use a variety of media, including posters at major airports, border crossings and ports of entry.
Health Tips for November 22
Health Tip: Managing Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy, resulting in high blood sugar levels that can pose dangers for mom and baby.
The National Diabetes Clearinghouse offers suggestions about possible treatments for gestational diabetes:
- Get regular exercise, such as swimming or walking.
- Keep desserts and sweets to a minimum.
- Control portion sizes, focusing on three small meals and several snacks.
- Limit carbohydrate intake.
- Increase fiber with whole-grain foods, vegetables and fruits.
- Take insulin to manage blood glucose, if necessary.
Health Tip: When a Loved One Has Diabetes
When a friend or family member is diagnosed with diabetes, you may be unsure of how you can help.
The American Diabetes Association offers these suggestions:
- Learn everything you can about diabetes, including what it is and how it's treated.
- There are different types of diabetes with different treatment requirements, so it helps to learn the specifics about your loved one's condition.
- Talk to your loved one about what he or she needs from you, and what's needed to cope emotionally.
- When your loved one asks for help, follow through.
- If your loved on needs professional assistance -- with diabetes or a related issue -- help the person get it.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Health Headlines - November 21
U.S. Military Studying PTSD Risk Factors
U.S. military researchers are trying to identify genetic and other factors that may help single out soldiers most at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
A better understanding of underlying contributing causes might help reduce the incidence of PTSD and improve treatment.
"Right now, we can't determine with certainty who will and who won't develop PTSD," Paula Schnurr, deputy executive director of the Department of Veterans Affairs' National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, told the Associated Press. "Perhaps with better measures, we can get closer."
Members of certain Marine and Army units are undergoing extensive physical and mental assessments -- including stress exams, brain imaging and genetic testing -- before combat deployment. The soldiers are monitored in the war zones and assessed again when they return home.
The purpose of learning more about factors that contribute to PTSD is not to bar certain people from military service, Cmdr. Bryan Schumacher, the 1st Marine Division's top doctor, told the AP. If the research identifies ways to prevent PTSD, those who are vulnerable could be given special training to reduce their risk, he explained.
-----
University of Nebraska May Restrict Stem Cell Research
The University of Nebraska may become the first such state institution in the United States to impose limits on stem cell research that are more restrictive than what state and federal laws allow.
The university's board of regents was to vote Friday on whether to limit stem cell experiments to 21 cell lines approved by the Bush administration in 2001, The New York Times reported. Since 2001, researchers have created hundreds of cell lines that could be eligible for federal financing from the Obama White House.
Board members have faced weeks of intense lobbying from opponents and supporters of embryonic stem cell research.
Restrictions on stem cell research would seriously harm the university's reputation and its ability to attract stem cell scientists and funding, warn advocates of embryonic stem cell research.
"It would taint this university for a long time," Dr. Harold M. Maurer, chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, told the Times.
-----
Trial of Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy for Eye Disease Planned
U.S. scientists have asked the federal government to approve human trials of embryonic stem cell therapy to treat a common form of juvenile blindness.
The researchers plan to inject retinal cells derived from embryonic stem cells into 12 patients who are losing their sight to Stargardt disease, which is currently untreatable, the Agence France Presse reported.
Experiments in mice and rats showed that this treatment prevented further vision loss without causing any harmful side effects, according to Dr. Robert Lanza, chief scientific officer at Advanced Cell Technology.
He said the trial could begin as soon as early 2010 if it's approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, AFP reported.
The FDA has received only one other proposal for a clinical trial of stem cell therapies. That project, which would treat spinal injury patients, is not expected to begin before late 2010.
-----
Vicks Nasal Spray Recalled Due to Bacteria
Proctor & Gamble Co. is recalling about 120,000 bottles of its Vicks Sinex nasal spray due to bacteria the company found in some samples during testing, theAssociated Press reported Thursday.
According to P & G spokesman Tom Millikin, the voluntary recall is a precaution after small amounts of the B. cepacia bacteria were found in the non-prescription spray in a routine check at a plant in Germany. The recall involves three lots of the spray sent to the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Regulatory agencies in all three countries have been informed, the company asid.
No illnesses linked to the contamination have yet been reported, Millikin said, but the bacteria could harm people with chronic lung ailments or weak immune systems.
-----
Flu Worries Shouldn't Affect Travel Plans: CDC
The threat of the H1N1 flu shouldn't prevent people from traveling this holiday season, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which on Thursday launched a public education campaign about staying healthy while traveling.
"The holidays are one of the busiest travel times of the year," Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said in a news release. "People are in close contact - whether they're on a plane, train, ship or just visiting with loved ones. This campaign provides practical advice to help travelers prepare for their trips and stay healthy during their holiday travel."
The agency offers the following advice:
- Travel only when you feel well.
- Get vaccinated for flu (both seasonal flu and H1N1 flu if you're in a priority group).
- Wash your hands often.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a sleeve or tissue.
"We know that flu - and specifically H1N1 this year - is a big concern for people, but flu shouldn't ruin the holidays," Schuchat said. "By practicing a little prevention, people can enjoy their holidays and stay well at the same time."
The CDC's campaign will run through the holiday season and use a variety of media, including posters at major airports, border crossings and ports of entry.
Health Tips for November 21
Health Tip: Determining Migraines in Children
Migraines are common in kids, affecting up to 5 percent of grade-school children, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. So how do you know if your little one has another type of headache, or is suffering from a migraine? Children with migraines may complain of the sensation of their heart pounding in their head, or the feeling that they need to vomit, the academy says. Or they may want to rest in a dark, quiet room. Other symptoms may include pain surrounding the eyes, just across the forehead or on the side of the head, and pain that worsens with activity. If your child complains of these symptoms, let the child lie down in a quiet, cool and dark room with a damp, cool rag across the head. Then talk to your child's doctor about what can be done to alleviate symptoms. Health Tip: Help Prevent Childhood Migraines
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Friday, November 20, 2009
Health Headlines - November 20
Vicks Nasal Spray Recalled Due to Bacteria
Proctor & Gamble Co. is recalling about 120,000 bottles of its Vicks Sinex nasal spray due to bacteria the company found in some samples during testing, theAssociated Press reported Thursday.
According to P & G spokesman Tom Millikin, the voluntary recall is a precaution after small amounts of the B. cepacia bacteria were found in the non-prescription spray in a routine check at a plant in Germany. The recall involves three lots of the spray sent to the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Regulatory agencies in all three countries have been informed, the company asid.
No illnesses linked to the contamination have yet been reported, Millikin said, but the bacteria could harm people with chronic lung ailments or weak immune systems.
-----
Flu Worries Shouldn't Affect Travel Plans: CDC
The threat of the H1N1 flu shouldn't prevent people from traveling this holiday season, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which on Thursday launched a public education campaign about staying healthy while traveling.
"The holidays are one of the busiest travel times of the year," Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said in a news release. "People are in close contact - whether they're on a plane, train, ship or just visiting with loved ones. This campaign provides practical advice to help travelers prepare for their trips and stay healthy during their holiday travel."
The agency offers the following advice:
- Travel only when you feel well.
- Get vaccinated for flu (both seasonal flu and H1N1 flu if you're in a priority group).
- Wash your hands often.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a sleeve or tissue.
"We know that flu - and specifically H1N1 this year - is a big concern for people, but flu shouldn't ruin the holidays," Schuchat said. "By practicing a little prevention, people can enjoy their holidays and stay well at the same time."
The CDC's campaign will run through the holiday season and use a variety of media, including posters at major airports, border crossings and ports of entry.
-----
Senate Introduces Health Reform Bill
The 10-year, $849-billion Senate health reform bill unveiled Wednesday night would require most Americans to have health insurance, provide subsidies to help low-income earners afford coverage, force insurance companies to accept all applicants, increase payroll taxes for the wealthy, and place a new tax on patients who have elective cosmetic surgery.
The bill -- which the Congressional Budget Office estimates suggest would reduce deficits by $127 over a decade -- would not require employers to offer coverage to workers. However, medium and large companies would have to pay a fee if the government had to subsidize their employees' insurance, the Associated Pressreported.
The bill, which also proposes cuts in future Medicare spending, was hailed by Democrats and President Barack Obama.
"From Day One, our goal has been to enact legislation that offers stability and security to those who have insurance and affordable coverage to those who don't, and that lowers costs for families, businesses and governments across the country," said Obama, who added that the Senate bill "meets those principles."
But Republicans oppose the bill and vowed a tough fight.
"Higher premiums, tax increases and Medicare cuts to pay for more government. The American people know that is not reform," said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
The bill needs 60 votes to move beyond a must-pass procedural requirement before it can be debated. That vote could take place this weekend, the APreported.
The House recently passed a more expensive and liberal version of the health-care bill.
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FDA Sends Warning Letters to Drug Web Sites
Warnings about the illegal sale of unapproved or misbranded drugs have been sent to 22 operators of Web sites, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday.
The agency said the action was part of a coordinated, week-long 26-nation effort meant to target illegal actions involving medical products, United Press Internationalreported.
The 136 Web sites targeted by the FDA appeared to be involved in the illegal sale of unapproved or misbranded drugs to American consumers. None of the Web sites were for pharmacies in the United States or Canada.
Along with the warning letters to the Web sites, the FDA also notified Internet service providers and domain registrars that the Web sites were selling products in violation of U.S. law, UPI reported.
"Many U.S. consumers are being misled in the hopes of saving money by purchasing prescription drugs over the Internet from illegal pharmacies. Unfortunately, these drugs are often counterfeit, contaminated or unapproved products, or contain an inconsistent amount of the active ingredient. Taking these drugs can pose a danger to consumers," FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg said in a news release.
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Poll Shows Americans Support Malpractice Award Limits
A new survey finds that many Americans want Congress to put limits on medical malpractice lawsuit awards, which are a major factor in rising medical costs.
The Associated Press poll of 1,502 adults found that 54 percent support making it more difficult for people to sue doctors and hospitals for making mistakes, 32 percent are opposed, and the remainder are undecided or don't know.
Support for limits on malpractice lawsuits was expressed by 61 percent of Republican respondents, 47 percent of Democrats and 58 percent of independents.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, limits on malpractice awards could reduce the federal deficit by $54 billion over 10 years. That's because there'd be a decrease in the number of tests ordered by doctors caring for Medicare and Medicaid patients to protect themselves from lawsuits, the AP reported.
The survey found that 59 percent of respondents said they believe at least half of tests ordered by doctors are unnecessary and are prompted by fear of lawsuits.
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Movie Theater Popcorn High In Calories and Fat: Study
A medium popcorn and soda combo at a Regal movie theater has the same amount of calories as three McDonald's Quarter Pounders with 12 pats of butter, a new study shows.
The nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest found that the movie theater combo has 1,160 calories and three days (60 grams) worth of fat. A small popcorn has 670 calories -- equivalent to a Pizza Hut Personal Pepperoni Pan Pizza, CBS News reported.
Regal is the largest movie chain in the United States. Similar fat and calorie levels were found at AMC, the nation's second largest movie chain. The study appears in the December issue of Nutrition Action Healthletter.
"It's hard enough for Americans to maintain a healthy weight even when limiting their eating to breakfast, lunch and dinner," said CSPI senior nutritionist Jayne Hurley, CBS News reported. "Who realizes that they might be taking in a meal's worth of calories during a movie? Splitting a medium popcorn with two other people sounds like a reasonable thing to do, but who would think they're getting an entire day's worth of saturated fat?"
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Study Suggests Racial Bias in Kidney/Pancreas Transplants
Doctor bias may keep black and Hispanic American patients from receiving kidney/pancreas transplants, suggests a new study.
In an effort to reduce racial and economic disparities, the federal government increased Medicare coverage for people requiring a simultaneous kidney/pancreas transplant. But this study found that blacks were 27 percent less likely than whites to be recommended for this type of transplant, and Hispanics were 25 percent less likely to be recommended, United Press International reported.
"So, the situation for African-Americans and Hispanics actually got worse instead of better," study leader Dr. Keith Melancon, of Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, said in a news release. "I don't think the medical community has been aggressive enough about kidney/pancreas transplant, especially in African-Americans who are assumed to have type 2 diabetes."
The study was published in the American Journal of Transplantation.
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