NurseTips

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Health Tips for June 20

Health Tip: Protect Aging Skin

During the natural aging process, skin becomes thinner and the layer of fat beneath it thins, says the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Aging skin also becomes less sensitive to sensations of touch, pressure, vibration and temperature. As the skin loses this sensitivity, injuries to the skin become more likely.

Since many skin changes are linked to sun exposure, use a quality sunscreen when outdoors, even in the winter.

Dehydration increases the risk of skin injury, so be sure to drink plenty of water and eat balanced, healthy meals. Use a lotion to keep skin moist, but don't use a lotion or soap that is heavily perfumed, the agency advises.

Health Tip: Sleeping During Pregnancy

it's important to get plenty of sleep during a pregnancy, that's often easier said than done. Difficulty getting comfortable, the need to urinate frequently, leg cramps and backaches often make it difficult for pregnant women to get a good night's rest.

Here are some suggestions:

* Cut out caffeinated drinks. If you have to have them, limit them to the morning or early afternoon.
* Limit all food and drink in the hours before bed. Have bigger meals and drink more fluids earlier in the day.
* Put yourself on a sleep schedule, where you wake up and go to bed at the same time each day.
* Avoid exercise right before bed, but relax yourself with a warm bath.
* Get plenty of calcium to help prevent leg cramps.
* Try taking yoga (with your doctor's permission) or a similar class to help you unwind. Enroll in a childbirth class if you are anxious about becoming a parent.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Health Headlines - June 19

Prostate Cancer Report Grades States

Five states -- Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Wisconsin -- received failing grades on the second annual Prostate Cancer Report Card, issued Monday by the National Prostate Cancer Coalition (NPCC).

Three of those states -- Arkansas, Mississippi, and Wisconsin -- flunked for the second-straight year on the report card, which assigns grades based on measures including prostate death and screening rates, support for prostate cancer-related legislation, and patient accessibility to urologists and clinical trial sites.

The five states with the best grades were: Connecticut (A), New Jersey (A-), Rhode Island (A-), California (B+) and Iowa (B+).

"More than 230,000 men will be diagnosed with [prostate cancer] this year, but with greater access to yearly screenings, early detection can save lives," NPCC CEO Dr. Richard N. Atkins said in a statement.

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World's Oldest Man is 111

A 111-year old resident of southern Japan is the world's oldest man, says the Guinness Book of World Records. Tomoji Tanabe took the title in January after the death of 115-year-old Emiliano Mercado del Toro of Puerto Rico.

Tanabe, born Sept. 18, 1895, was officially certified as the world's oldest man earlier this month and received a certificate from the Guinness Book of World Records at a ceremony Monday, the Associated Press reported.

Tanabe, a former city land surveyor, does not drink alcohol or smoke. He lives in the city of Miyakonojo.

The world's oldest woman -- also the world's oldest person -- lives in Japan, too. Yone Minagawa, 114, was born Jan. 4, 1893, the AP reported.

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Infants at Risk for Elevator Injuries

Among children, infants up to two years old are most likely to suffer elevator-related injuries, says a study by researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine and Ohio State University.

They analyzed 29,030 elevator-related injuries suffered by children in the United States between 1990 and 2004 that were severe enough to require a visit to a hospital emergency room.

Of those injuries, 28.6 percent involved children up to two years of age, according to the study, which appears in an advance online issue of the journal Clinical Pediatrics.

"What really surprised us was the number of infants with head injuries in our study. As the elevator doors close mothers may not realize the vulnerability of babies in strollers or in their arms," lead author Dr. Joseph O'Neil, assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine, said in a prepared statement.

Overall, 98 percent of children with elevator-related injuries were treated and released from the emergency department. Of the two percent admitted to hospital for additional treatment, most had head, hand, or finger injuries.

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Women with Twin Brother Less Likely to Have Children

Women with a twin brother may be 25 percent less likely to have children than women with a twin sister, says a U.K. study that examined centuries-old Finnish medical records, BBC News reported.

Exposure in the womb to the male hormone testosterone may be an important factor, said Sheffield University researchers. Their study appears in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The study also found that females with a twin brother were 15 percent less likely to marry than women with a twin sister, BBC News reported.

The researchers said they analyzed data on twins in the 1700s and 1800s because advanced healthcare and modern fertility/conception treatments would skew modern data.

"There is some evidence to support this observation. Exposure to testosterone in the womb in sheep recreates a similar syndrome to a condition called PCOS, which is a known cause of infertility in humans," Dr. Laurence Shaw, a fertility expert at the London Bridge Fertility Centre and a spokesman for the British Fertility Society, told BBC News.

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Scientists Identify Hearing Loss Gene

Belgian scientists have identified a gene variant that causes otosclerosis, the single most common cause of hearing loss among white adults. The finding may lead to new treatments for the condition, which affects about one in 250 people.

Otosclerosis is caused by abnormal bone growth in the middle ear, which blocks sound waves from reaching the inner ear. University of Antwerp scientists found that many people with otosclerosis had a specific variant in a gene called TGBF1, BBC News reported.

The finding was presented at a European Society of Human Genetics conference, where the researchers also said that a more active variant of TGBF1 actually helped protect against otosclerosis.

This is a significant finding, Vivienne Michael, chief executive of Deafness Research UK, told BBC News.

"At the moment the most common treatment is surgery, but this findings opens the door to alternative therapies which would prevent or slow the abnormal bone growth that causes the condition," Michael said.

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Asthmatics With Gene Defect May Need More Medicine

Defects in a gene that produces the protein filaggrin affect how often people with asthma need to take medicines, say British researchers, who added that their finding could lead to reductions in medication requirements for asthmatics.

Last year, the University of Dundee team identified the gene that produces filaggrin. The protein is normally found in large quantities in the skin's outermost layers and acts as a barrier to keep moisture in and foreign organisms out, BBC News reported.

Research in children with asthma revealed that defects in the gene can make asthma patients three-to-six times more likely to need to use their inhaler every day and more likely to require extra asthma medicines in addition to inhaled steroids, the scientists said.

The study appears in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

'Pill Splitting' Cuts Drug Costs for Patients, Health Plans

A practice patients often use to cut down on drug costs, called "pill splitting," can also save money for insurance companies and employers, a study of the University of Michigan's own health benefit plan shows.

In pill splitting, patients cut larger-dose tablets in half to double the amount of smaller-dose pills they receive in a single prescription -- for example, dividing 40-milligram tablets to create twice as many 20-milligram doses for the same price. And since drug companies and pharmacies don't usually double the price of medications as the dose doubles, that can mean lower overall per-pill drug costs and fewer drug store co-pays for consumers.

"Splitting is not really new," added study lead researcher Hae Mi Choe, who is an assistant clinical professor of pharmacy at the university. "What was different about this study was that we found out what it would be like if you return some of those savings to the patient."

Her team's study involved more than 100 university health plan members who take cholesterol-reducing drugs such as statins. Statins tend to be good candidates for splitting, the researchers noted, because they linger in the body for a long time, and any impact splitting might have on their action wouldn't greatly alter their effects.

The authors cautioned, however, that not all pills can be safely split. For example, those that pass through the body rather quickly, or have special time-release coatings, are not good candidates for splitting.

After the six-month randomized trial, 89 percent said they'd be willing to continue splitting their cholesterol medications in exchange for a 50 percent reduction in their prescription co-pays, the study found.

A survey returned by 109 health plan members found that 59 percent would be willing to split medications for as little as $5 to $10 in savings per prescription. However, for 12 percent of the survey respondents, no amount of monetary reward would encourage them to split pills.

In 2006, the university's health benefit plan (which covers 80,000 employees) offered the pill-splitting program for three statin drugs that reduce cholesterol. The program saved 500 employees who chose that option a total of $25,000 in co-pay reductions. In turn, the university saved $195,000 in drug costs, Choe added.

The study, published in the American Journal of Managed Care's June issue, also showed that pill splitting did not negatively affect participants' adherence to either their medication regimens or health status. Other types of medications are expected to be added to the program, Choe said.

In the corporate world, "early adapters" are looking at adding an incentive for pill-splitting in their 2009 health plans, said Eric Michael of Mercer Human Resource Consulting, in Minneapolis, a pharmacist and expert on corporate health plans. The University of Michigan's "study will go a long way toward promoting financial incentives, because it's from a credible, independent source," Michael said.

Splitting co-pays might not be quite enough of a financial incentive to get large numbers of patients to take the extra trouble to split pills, according to Greg Scandlen, president of the nonprofit Consumers for Health Care Choices, based in Maryland. If insurance carriers or employers "shared savings 50-50 with the patient, that would be a real incentive," he added.

And with an increased use of health savings accounts -- from which consumers pay 100 percent of drug costs -- "you'd have a substantial incentive," added Scandlen, whose group supports private health insurance.

Already, some managed care plans require pill splitting without financial incentive for appropriate medications, Michael explained.

Many other prescription drugs already are scored at their surface and are ready to be split apart by hand, Michael added. For example, he noted that Buspar, an anti-anxiety medication, is scored to break in either half or in thirds. Newer medications, he said, are less likely to come pre-scored, he said. According to Choe, participants in the University of Michigan study used pill-splitter devices to avoid problems with pills crumbling or being too hard to cut

Michael said he favors having pharmacists, not patients, split the pills, and some states -- but not all -- already authorize pharmacists to do this for customers. For one thing, certain patient groups, such as the elderly, might not be appropriate for pill splitting because of problems with dexterity, he said.

In addition, "A patient might forget to split and [therefore] might take twice the dose," Michael reasoned. "That might not be life-threatening, depending upon the medication, but it could be if they took it for a sustained amount of time."

Choe agreed that those kinds of concerns should be considered when deciding what pills to include in a splitting program. "If doubling the dose will lead to detrimental consequences, I wouldn't recommend splitting," she said.

Colgate says fake toothpaste a low health risk

Colgate-Palmolive Co. said on Friday counterfeit toothpaste that may contain a toxic chemical posed a low health risk, and it was picking up suspected fakes labeled "Colgate" brand from discount stores in four U.S. states.

'"It's a low health risk but the bottom line is, it doesn't belong in toothpaste," said Doug Arbesfeld, a spokesman for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

After analyzing some counterfeit samples, Colgate said it agreed with Arbesfeld's statement.

Two residents of the New York City borough of Staten Island who said they had used the counterfeit toothpaste were hospitalized, the Staten Island Advance newspaper reported.

The FDA traced the counterfeit toothpaste to New Jersey distributor MS USA Trading Inc., Arbesfeld said.

On Thursday, Colgate reported finding phony "Colgate" toothpaste in discount stores in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

The company said the discount stores with the counterfeit toothpaste were independently owned.

The counterfeit toothpaste may contain the toxic chemical diethylene glycol, or DEG, and is labeled as being manufactured in South Africa. It comes in a 5-ounce (100 ml) tube, a size Colgate does not make or sell in the United States, the company said.

The chemical is sometimes illegally used as an inexpensive sweetener and thickening agent. It is also found in solvents and antifreeze.

DEG-contaminated toothpaste has been seized in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Panama and Nicaragua. The sweet substance, sometimes used as a substitute for glycerin, was found in cough syrup in Panama that led to the deaths of at least 100 people last year.

According to the newspaper article, Doris Harrell said she developed nausea, stomach pain, dizziness and irregular bowel movements after using the toothpaste last week.

Her cousin Ricky Simmons was cited in the article as saying he had stomach pains after using the toothpaste two weeks ago, the article said.

Harrell said she bought the toothpaste at Neighborhood Discount Inc. on Staten Island last month, according to the newspaper.

The store's manager, Ashraf Elbaz, told Reuters he pulled tubes of toothpaste off shelves early Friday morning as soon as he heard about the incident.

Colgate said it had contacted all of its accounts and that none reported having any of the fake toothpaste. The company said it would take it off shelves if it heard of any stores with it in stock.

Colgate said it was trying to reach the people on Staten Island who reported becoming ill to be helpful and to obtain information about the counterfeit product.

MS USA is recalling all lots of 5-ounce Colgate toothpaste tubes it distributed to discount retail stores in the four states, according to a statement. MS USA could not be reached for additional comment.

Consumers can identify the counterfeit product by the size as well as the label tracing it to South Africa, Colgate said. In addition, there are misspellings on the package including "SOUTH AFRLCA" and "isclinically," Colgate said.

Two weeks ago the FDA warned consumers to avoid any toothpaste made in China after its inspectors found DEG in tubes sold at two stores. It also issued an import alert to prevent all toothpaste from three Chinese companies that make brands found to contain DEG from entering the United States.

It was unclear where the fake Colgate toothpaste originated.

Colgate said on Thursday it was working with the FDA to identify those responsible for the counterfeit products. The company said it does not use DEG in its toothpaste.

Colgate shares closed down 22 cents at $66.63 on the New York Stock Exchange.

More information about the toothpaste products in question can be found on the FDA's web site http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/toothpaste.html.

Health Tips for June 19

Health Tip: Be Careful During Hot Weather

Heatstroke occurs when a person's temperature soars to 104 degrees F or higher, effectively shutting down the body's heat-regulating mechanism. Symptoms may include hot, dry skin, inability to sweat, muscle cramps, and shallow breathing.

Here are suggestions to help prevent heatstroke, courtesy of the University of Michigan Health System:

* Avoid working or playing outside in the hot sun. If you must be outside, limit your direct exposure to the sun, and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
* Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.
* Drink plenty of water regularly, even if you aren't thirsty.
* Keep your home air conditioned, or keep windows open and use lots of fans to keep the air circulating.
* Eat small meals, and limit your alcohol consumption when temperatures are high or you're not used to the climate.

Health Tip: Paternal Bonding

Even though dads can't participate when moms are breastfeeding, there are many other ways for new fathers to bond with newborns.

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

* Dad should be present through labor and delivery to share the baby's first moments.
* Dad can help with bottle feedings, and can still be present during breast feedings.
* Dad can read and sing to the baby, and give her a bath.
* Dad can make the same coos and noises that she makes as she begins to try to communicate.
* Dad can carry the newborn using a baby carrier that rests across the chest.
* Dad can let the baby feel and grab his face and hair, helping her get to know him.

Monday, June 18, 2007

Health Headlines - June 18

Higher Screening Rates Credited With Drop in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is on the decline in the United States, but doctors aren't declaring victory just yet against the deadly disease.

It's one of the few completely preventable forms of cancer -- but only if people get regular screenings, doctors say.

"Unfortunately, only about half of individuals who should be screened are not up to date in their screenings," said Dr. Durado Brooks, director of colorectal cancer for the American Cancer Society.

The American Cancer Society estimates there will be about 112,340 new cases of colon cancer and 41,420 new cases of rectal cancer in 2007 in the United States. Combined, they will cause about 52,180 deaths.

A recent study by researchers at the University of California, Irvine, found that increased screening for colorectal cancer may have contributed to the disease's decline in the United States between 1988 and 2002. According to the researchers, colorectal cancer decreased from 42.8 cases per 100,000 people in 1988-90 to 38.6 cases per 100,000 in 2000-02.

Meanwhile, there was an 80 percent increased use of colonoscopy to test for the disease by Americans between 1997 and 2002.

Many health experts also credit the "Katie Couric Effect," citing the TV newswoman's nationally televised 2000 colonoscopy, prompting more Americans to get screened for the malignancy.

The falling colorectal cancer rates and the climbing colonoscopy rates are linked, because the disease can be averted by removing polyps in the colon that are known to lead to cancer. Those polyps are found through colonoscopy and other screening methods.

"By finding non-cancerous polyps and removing them, we can actually prevent cancer," Brooks said. "Avoiding the disease is probably the most important reason screening needs to be done."

Beginning at age 50, both men and women should follow one of five screening options, according to the American Cancer Society:

A yearly stool blood test or fecal immunochemical test.
A flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years.
A yearly stool blood test plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years.
A double contrast barium enema every five years.
A colonoscopy every 10 years.

Colonoscopy has been presented as the best option, because polyps can be detected and removed during the same procedure. During a colonoscopy, a slender, lighted tube is inserted through the anus up into the colon, allowing a thorough scan of the organ.

But Dr. Bernard Levin, vice president of cancer prevention at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, said the emphasis on a colonoscopy shouldn't keep people from pursuing other forms of screening if colonoscopy isn't available where they live.

Any screening test that gets done is the best, Levin said. "We have to accept that colonoscopy is not available to everybody. Other screening methods should not be considered second-rate," he said.

Other screening methods might also seem more palatable to patients who don't want to be anaesthetized, undergo the cleansing process necessary to prepare themselves for a colonoscopy, or have some other objection to the procedure.

"Some patients absolutely refuse having anything inserted into their body as a screening tool," Brooks said.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is similar to colonoscopy, but the tube is inserted only into the lower part of the colon, making the procedure less invasive.

In a barium enema screening, a chalky substance is used to partly fill and open up the colon. Air is then pumped in to cause the colon to expand, allowing X-rays to be taken.

An additional screening tool, virtual colonoscopy, could make it easier than ever to be checked. Virtual colonoscopy uses CT scans and computers to produce two- and three-dimensional images of the colon and display them on a screen.

However, Brooks said, it's too soon to tell whether virtual colonoscopy is a dependable means of detecting or preventing colon cancer.

"Right now, virtual colonoscopy is not recommended as a screening tool," he said. "There is a significant body of evidence that supports its usefulness as a test, but it is being evaluated."

Levin decries another misconception about colon cancer, that men are more likely than women to get the disease.

"Over a woman's lifetime, they have the same chance as men," Levin said. "It's not a man's disease."

Those who are screened regularly for colorectal cancer are being met halfway by the medical profession, which is working to improve the quality of its screenings.

For example, a recent study found that doctors are more likely to get better results during a colonoscopy if they spend at least six minutes looking for abnormal growths.

The key is withdrawing the instrument slowly after it has been fully inserted, Levin and Brooks said.

"You have to do a high-quality examination for that examination to be effective," Brooks said. "Doctors who took their time and removed the scope slowly were able to find abnormalities at a rate of three times more compared with doctors who removed the scope at a more rapid rate."

Levin agreed. "If you're not withdrawing slowly enough to see every aspect of the colon, you're short-changing that patient," he said.

A Safe Summer Means More Fun for Kids

Following simple safety rules can help protect children from injury while they're having fun this summer, say experts from Safe Kids East Central and the Medical College of Georgia's Children's Medical Center.

Here are some safety guidelines:

When riding in a vehicle, children age 12 and under should be secured in the back seat in a child safety seat, booster belt or safety belt that's appropriate for their age and size. Children ages 4 to 8, or those weighing more than 40 pounds, should be in a car booster. Children taller than 4 feet 9 inches may use an adult seat belt.
Teach children never to play in or around parked cars. They should be taught where the trunk release is located. Never leave a child alone inside a car.
Never let a child under age 10 cross a street alone. Make sure all children know when and where to cross a street. At night, make sure children wear reflective materials. Never let children walk alone at night.
Always supervise young children around pools, spas, baths and buckets. Children should always wear a personal flotation device when on boats, near open water, and when taking part in water sports.
Enroll children in swimming lessons with a certified instructor, but don't assume that swimming lessons make children "drown-proof." They still need to be supervised when doing water-related activities.
Children should always wear proper protective equipment (such as helmets and pads) when using bicycles, scooters, inline skates and skateboards. Teach children the rules of the road.
Always supervise children at the playground or in the backyard. Make sure they play on a safe surface, such as mulch, rubber or fine sand. Check that playground equipment is in good shape and safe.

Girls Who Like Dad Favor Partners Who Look Like Him

Women who had a good childhood relationship with their father are more likely to choose partners who resemble their father, new research suggests.

The study, published in the July issue of the journal Evolution and Human Behavior by British and Polish psychologists, also found that women who had a negative/less positive childhood relationship with their father weren't attracted to men who looked like their father.

The researchers had 49 Polish women (eldest daughters) look at pictures of 15 faces and choose the one they found most attractive. Their selections were compared to their fathers' faces. The women were also asked to rate their childhood relationship with their father.

The findings offer new insight into how people select partners and the effect that parents have on the process, the researchers said. Until recently, it was believed that this parental influence was a passive process. But this study adds to growing evidence that it's actually an active process.

The results of this study "show for certain that the quality of a daughter's relationship with her father has an impact on whom she finds attractive. It shows our human brains don't simply build prototypes of the ideal face based on those we see around us, rather they build them based on those to whom we have a strongly positive relationship. We can now say that daughters who have very positive childhood relationships with their fathers choose men with similar facial characteristics to their fathers," study author Dr. Lynda Boothroyd of Durham University said in a prepared statement.

Health Tips for June 18

Food Fact:
Carrots: Good as gold.

A 24-carrot solution leaves you rich in vitamin A -- and helps reduce cancer risk. You don't really have to eat 24 to get the benefits: A single carrot more than meets an average person's daily vitamin A needs, with 6mg of beta-carotene. But you can certainly eat more: Carrots are low in fat and high in fiber. Long-term studies have shown carrots to be powerful cancer fighters -- eating five or more carrots a week has been linked with a 60% reduction in risk of lung cancer.

Fitness Tip of the day:
Chocolate on a diet!

Yes, you can find 25-calorie treats! The trick for dieters who get tripped up by feelings of deprivation is learning to indulge in favorites wisely rather than swearing them off entirely. If you love chocolate, a kiss has only 25 calories, compared to 270 in a chocolate bar. For many, such substitutions make them more likely to stick to a healthier eating plan. But everyone is different: If you find that "just a little" leads to a lot, stay away from temptation, at least for awhile.

FAQ of the day:
If I have 4 oz. of raw meat, how much is it when cooked?

Apply these rules of thumb to convert raw quantities of meat to the cooked amount whenever you shop or review restaurant menus:

Raw meat with no bone: 4 oz. raw = 3 oz. cooked.
Raw meat with bone: 5 oz. raw = 3 oz. cooked.
Raw poultry with skin: 4 to 4 1/2 oz. = 3 oz. cooked. The extra 1/4 to 1/2 oz. accounts for the skin (which you should remove before eating to cut out lots of fat).

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Health Headlines - June 17

FDA Approves Drug for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved the drug Letairis (ambrisentan) for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension, a rare but life-threatening condition marked by continuous high blood pressure within the arteries of the lungs.

"Letairis represents a valuable addition to the treatment alternatives for this orphan disease," said Dr. John Jenkins, director of FDA's Office of New Drugs. "Letairis is similar to an existing drug, but offers the potential for fewer drug interactions."

In pulmonary arterial hypertension, the small arteries in the lungs become narrowed or blocked, so the heart must work harder to pump blood through them. Eventually, the overworked heart muscle may become weak and lose its ability to pump enough blood through the lungs. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, dizzy spells and fainting.

About 100,000 people in the United States have pulmonary arterial hypertension, the FDA said.

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Heart Group Suggests a Lifesaving Father's Day Gift

Looking for a Father's Day gift for Sunday? The Association for Eradication of Heart Attack (AEHA) is suggesting that families give dads a heart attack prevention test. The association is also asking hospitals, clinics and physicians to offer Father's Day specials with discounted rates.

"One of the most meaningful Father's Day gifts would be a heart attack preventive screening test," said Dr. Morteza Naghavi, founder of the AEHA and chairman of its SHAPE (Screening for Heart Attack Prevention and Education) Task Force. "This is an excellent way to show Dad that you love him and want him to enjoy a long and healthy life."

The SHAPE guideline calls for men from 45 to 75 years old and women 55 to 75 years old to undergo screening to assess coronary plaque or carotid wall thickness. It also recommends the coronary calcium scan (Heart Scan) or carotid scan (Carotid IMT) -- two tests that have proven to be strong predictors of those who are vulnerable to a heart attack or stroke.

"The key is identifying asymptomatic patients at risk before a critical event occurs. With current medical therapies, we can reduce the chances of having a heart attack or sudden death by approximately 75 percent," said Dr. Daniel Berman, director of cardiac imaging at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. "The imaging tests are far more accurate than blood tests in identifying the patients at risk and in need of medical therapy."

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there will be approximately 700,000 first heart attacks in 2007, and an estimated 159,600 men will lose their lives, many within an hour of the event.

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First OTC Weight Loss Drug Goes on Sale in U.S.

The first FDA-approved over-the-counter weight loss pill goes on sale across the United States Friday. The drug, called alli, prevents the absorption of fat in the intestine. It's a lower-dose version of the prescription weight-loss drug Xenical.

While some welcome the arrival of the OTC pill -- which will cost about $1.80 a day -- others have reservations or are openly critical, Newsday reported.

Weight loss specialist Dr. Dennis Gage, of Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, isn't impressed with alli.

"The reality of weight loss pills is that people rarely lose weight when they take them. And when they do lose weight, it comes back," he told Newsday. Gage noted that Xenical produces only moderate weight loss.

Dr. Irwin Klein, chief of endocrinology and metabolism at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y., noted that alli causes the same side effects as Xenical, including frequent bowel movements.

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Counterfeit Toothpaste Poses Low Health Risk: Colgate

Counterfeit toothpaste imported from South Africa poses a low health risk to consumers, Colgate-Palmolive Co. said Friday.

Colgate said it analyzed samples of the counterfeit toothpaste and said its findings match the results of tests by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Associated Press reported.

The counterfeit toothpaste, labeled as Regular, Gel, Triple and Herbal versions of Colgate toothpaste, were recalled in the United States because they may contain a poisonous chemical called diethylene glycol, which is used in antifreeze.

The toothpaste was sold in discount stores in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. It was imported by MS USA Trading Inc. of North Bergen, N.J.

Colgate is currently collecting suspected counterfeit toothpaste at discount stores and is also scrutinizing all accounts that handle Colgate toothpaste to ensure that they do not have any counterfeit versions, the AP reported.

The FDA has posted an update list of recalled toothpaste products and toothpaste products that tested positive for diethylene glycol at http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/toothpaste.html.

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Rotavirus Vaccine to Carry Warning About Rare but Serious Disease

A vaccine for rotavirus, the most common cause of severe diarrhea in young children, has been linked to isolated reports of a serious illness called Kawasaki disease in children who got the oral vaccine, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday.

The vaccine, called Rotateq and made by Merck & Co., was approved in February 2006. Its adverse reactions section on the label will now carry a warning about the potential risk of Kawasaki disease.

There have been five cases of Kawasaki disease among the 36,150 infants who received the vaccine and one case among the 35,536 infants who received a placebo, the FDA said in a prepared statement.

Kawasaki disease is a serious but uncommon illness in children that is poorly understood, and the cause is unknown. Symptoms include high fever and inflammation of the blood vessels. The illness can affect the lymph nodes, skin, mouth and heart, the FDA said.

The cases of Kawasaki disease reported so far are no more frequent than would be expected by chance, the agency said.

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Many Pancreatic Cancer Patients Not Offered Surgery

A U.S. study found that nearly 40 percent of early-stage pancreatic cancer patients who qualified for surgery did not get it, greatly reducing their life expectancy.

The researchers noted that about 30 percent of patients with early stage pancreatic cancer who have surgery live at least five years, compared with less than five percent of those who don't have surgery, the Associated Press reported.

The analysis of national cancer data revealed that 3,644 (38 percent) of 9,559 early-stage pancreatic cancer patients were not offered surgery. Those least likely to be offered surgery were: blacks, patients older than 65, and those with less education and lower annual incomes.

There may be a number of reasons why so many patients aren't offered surgery, said study co-author Dr. Mark Talamonti, a cancer surgeon at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago and chief of surgical oncology at Northwestern University's Medical School.

He said the factors include: lack of access to centers with experience in doing the surgery; lack of doctor awareness about improvements in the surgery; and the fact that many doctors view pancreatic cancer as a virtual death sentence, the AP reported.

The findings were published in an early online edition of the August issue of the journal Annals of Surgery.

Health Tips for June 17

Food Fact:
Is apple juice healthy?

It's better than soda -- but it still shortchanges you and your kids. Whole apples have lots of fiber that's missing from juice, which is mostly water and sugar. An apple has just 80 calories, making it a great choice to satisfy between-meal hunger.

Fitness Tip of the day:
Easy steps for weight loss.

Want to burn 160 calories in 30 minutes? You don't even need a gym! All you have to do is walk -- a great way to tone up, decrease your risk of heart disease and colon cancer, and help control your weight. A 150-lb. person, walking briskly for 30 minutes, can burn 160 calories.

FAQ of the day:
Are beans good for weight loss?

If you replace high-calorie proteins such as meat and cheese with legumes, then eating more grain or bean dishes will help you cut your caloric intake. But remember that beans have more calories than green vegetables. A cup of black beans cooked without fat has about 230 calories, while a cup of steamed chopped broccoli has only about 45. So use modest portions of legumes for protein, and bulk up your dinners with fresh vegetables.

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Health Headlines - June 16

Surgeons Plan to Remove Section of TB Patient's Lung

Surgeons plan to remove a tennis-ball sized section of lung from the 31-year-old Atlanta lawyer with extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB), the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.

The targeted lung tissue contains most of the bacteria responsible for Andrew Speaker's TB and its removal will eliminate a breeding ground for the bacteria and enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics, doctors say.

The surgery is scheduled for sometime in July at the University of Colorado Hospital's Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora. Speaker is currently in isolation at National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver and will return there after the lung surgery, the Times reported.

In related news, Speaker's case has prompted leading TB experts in the United States to call for more federal funding of TB research, tighter travel restrictions on TB-infected people, and better education for TB patients about their risk of infecting other people, The New York Times reported.

Speaker caused a panic when he went to Europe for his wedding in May, even though he'd been diagnosed with TB and advised by public health officials in Georgia not to travel. After his trip to Europe, he returned home by first flying to Canada and then crossing into the U.S. by car.

Since then, public health authorities have been searching for passengers who sat near Speaker on his flights to and from Europe in order to test them for TB.

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NYC Health Department Urges 4,500 People to Get Hepatitis C Test

About 4,500 patients treated by a Manhattan anesthesiologist are being contacted by New York City's health department after three patients were found to have hepatitis C, a virus that can harm or destroy the liver, The New York Times reported.

The anesthesiologist administered pain-deadening drugs by needle to the 4,500 patients at 10 Manhattan outpatient centers (including doctors' offices and clinics) between Dec. 1, 2003 and May 1, 2007. None of the procedures took place in a hospital.

"The common risk factor is the doctor, not the medical procedure," said Dr. Marcelle Layton, assistant commissioner of the bureau of communicable diseases, who noted that the three infected patients received the painkilling drugs at three different times.

The health department has sent letters to the 4,500 patients (who were identified using medical records from the 10 treatment sites) telling them to get tested for the virus, which can have an incubation period of six months or longer, The Times reported.

There are a number of effective treatments for hepatitis C.

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Company Warns of Malfunction in Brain Cancer Radiotherapy Units

A German company has issued a warning about a malfunction in one of its radiotherapy machine models used to treat brain cancer patients, but says it's a small targeting error that's unlikely to pose a threat to patients.

However, a notification sent by Munich-based BrainLAB to a U.S. clinic warned that the problem could cause "injury or death," the Associated Press reported.

Four hospitals in France, two in the United States and one in Spain have the affected models. BrainLAB would not release the name of the two U.S. hospitals but a company official did say they were located in Ohio and Washington state.

The Cleveland Clinic in Ohio confirmed that it does have a BrainLAB unit and stopped using it after it was alerted about the problems last week, the AP reported.

Radiotherapy expert Dr. Georges Noel, of the Paul Strauss cancer center in Strasbourg, France, said this kind of malfunction was potentially harmful.

"A mistargeted machine could irradiate healthy brain tissue ... It could kill healthy tissue," he told the AP. The impact on a patient would depend on the part of the brain affected, Noel said.

A BrainLAB official said a software update should correct the problem.

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Lyme Disease Cases Jump in U.S.

Reported cases of Lyme disease in the United States have more than doubled since 1991 and 93 percent of those cases have been reported in just 10 states, says this week's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In 1991, there were fewer than 10,000 reported cases of Lyme disease, which is transmitted primarily by ticks. By contrast during 2003-2005, there were 64,382 cases of Lyme disease reported in 46 states and the District of Columbia.

States with the most cases were: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.

During 2003-2005, two age groups had the most cases of Lyme disease -- children ages 5-14 (10 cases per 100,000), and adults ages 55-64 (9.9 cases per 100,000).

Fever, headache, fatigue, and a skin rash can be among the early symptoms of Lyme disease. Left untreated, the infection can spread to the heart, joints, and nervous system.

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EPA Studying Air Emissions From Livestock

The first nationwide study of air emissions from dairy, poultry and swine animal feeding operations (AFOs) was announced Thursday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

During the two-and-a-half-year, $14.6 million study, researchers from eight universities will measure levels of hydrogen sulfide, particulate matter, ammonia, nitrous oxide, volatile organic compounds, and other gases from livestock facilities.

The study will include 24 sites in nine states. The EPA says the findings will help it control emissions from AFOs.

"There has never been an agricultural air emissions study this comprehensive or long term," lead scientist Al Heber of Purdue University said in a prepared statement. "We don't know enough about what is being emitted into the atmosphere. This study will give the EPA the data it needs to make science-based decisions."

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U.S. Program Seeks to Improve Community Cancer Care

A three-year pilot phase of a new program to bring state-of-the-art cancer care to patients in community hospitals across the country was launched Thursday by the U.S. National Cancer Institute.

The goal of the National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program is to encourage collaboration between private-practice medical, surgical and radiation oncologists and a network of 63 NCI-designated Cancer Centers, principally based at large research universities.

The program will investigate new ways to assist, educate, and better treat underserved groups -- including elderly, rural, inner-city, and low-income cancer patients -- as well as racial/ethnic groups with unusually high rates of cancer.

The pilot phase of the program will begin at eight free-standing community hospitals and six additional hospitals operated by health care systems.

Health Tips for June 16

Health Tip: Understanding Sun Protection Factor

Sun protection factor (SPF) is a rating given to sunscreens to help gauge the amount of protection they provide against the sun's damaging UV rays.

An SPF of 15 means you'll have 15 times the amount of protection from the sun that you normally would without any sunscreen. That means spending 15 minutes in the sun with SPF 15 applied is the equivalent of spending roughly 1 minute in the sun without any sunscreen.

Sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher is recommended for anyone, especially children. Sunscreens that protect against both UVA and UVB rays offer the most benefit, the foundation says.

Health Tip: Dealing With Temper Tantrums

When some young children become frustrated, they throw temper tantrums.

To help a child learn to deal with his or her emotions in a healthier way, follow these suggestions:

* Help your child express what he's feeling and why. Have a conversation with him, instead of an argument. Praise your child for talking calmly about what's making him angry.
* Encourage your child to walk away from a situation when he is angry, and allow him to spend some time alone to calm down.
* Give your child other methods of expressing his anger -- let him write or draw what he is feeling.
* Have your child perform another activity that can help take his mind off of what's made him angry. Have him run around outside, dance around the bedroom, or do a few cartwheels.

Friday, June 15, 2007

Health Headlines - June 15

Lyme Disease Cases Jump in U.S.

States with the most cases were: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.

During 2003-2005, two age groups had the most cases of Lyme disease -- children ages 5-14 (10 cases per 100,000), and adults ages 55-64 (9.9 cases per 100,000).

Fever, headache, fatigue, and a skin rash can be among the early symptoms of Lyme disease. Left untreated, the infection can spread to the heart, joints, and nervous system.

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EPA Studying Air Emissions From Livestock

The first nationwide study of air emissions from dairy, poultry and swine animal feeding operations (AFOs) was announced Thursday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The study will include 24 sites in nine states. The EPA says the findings will help it control emissions from AFOs.

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U.S. Program Seeks to Improve Community Cancer Care

A three-year pilot phase of a new program to bring state-of-the-art cancer care to patients in community hospitals across the country was launched Thursday by the U.S. National Cancer Institute.

The pilot phase of the program will begin at eight free-standing community hospitals and six additional hospitals operated by health care systems.

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Counterfeit Colgate Toothpaste Recalled in 4 U.S. States

Counterfeit 5-ounce tubes of toothpaste with the Colgate label sold in discount stores in four U.S. states are being recalled because they may contain the poisonous chemical diethylene glycol, which is used in antifreeze.

The toothpaste was imported from South Africa and sold in discount stores in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland, the Associated Press reported. The boxes containing the counterfeit Regular, Gel, Triple and Herbal toothpaste have "Made in South Africa" printed on them.

The company that imported the toothpaste, MS USA Trading, Inc. of North Bergen, N.J., said the chemical was detected during routine testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. According to the company, there have been no cases of illness caused by the toothpaste, the AP reported.

Consumers who bought the toothpaste can return the product to the place of purchase for a refund, MS USA Trading said.

In a news release issued Thursday, Colgate-Palmolive said it does not use, and has never used, diethylene glycol as an ingredient in Colgate toothpaste anywhere in the world. The company said it's working closely with the FDA to identify the source of the counterfeit toothpaste, the AP reported.

In recent weeks, a number of countries have recalled Chinese-made toothpaste containing diethylene glycol.

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Kellogg to Change Nutritional Content of Kid's Cereals, Snacks

In response to the threat of a lawsuit, U.S.-based Kellogg Co. has agreed to improve the nutritional content of the cereals and snacks it markets to children, the Associated Press reported.

The world's largest cereal maker faced a lawsuit by American parents and nutrition advocacy groups concerned about increasing rates of child obesity in the United States. In order to avoid a legal battle, Kellogg said it will not market foods in TV, radio, print or Web site ads to audiences that include at least 50 percent of people under age 12 unless a single serving of the product meets certain standards: no more than 200 calories; no more than 230 milligrams of sodium, except for Eggo frozen waffles; no trans fat and no more than 2 grams of saturated fat; no more than 12 grams of sugar, not counting sugar from fruit, dairy and vegetables.

The company said it would change products to meet these standards or stop marketing them to children under age 12 by the end of 2008, the AP reported.

Kellogg was expected to make a formal announcement Thursday about these and other changes in its marketing to children.

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U.S. Launches Pilot Program to Boost Hispanic Elders' Health

A new program to improve the health and quality of life of Hispanic elders in the United States was announced Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The initiative will use community partnerships to encourage Hispanic elders and their families to take advantage of new Medicare benefits, including prescription drug coverage, flu shots, diabetes screening and self management, cardiovascular screening, cancer screening, and smoke cessation services.

"Improving Hispanic Elders' Health: Community Partnerships for Evidence-Based Solutions" will be piloted in up to seven metropolitan areas with large Hispanic populations. Nine communities have been invited to apply to participate in the pilot project: Chicago, Ill.; El Paso, Texas; Houston, Texas; Los Angeles, Calif.; McAllen, Texas; Miami, Fla.; New York, N.Y.; San Antonio, Texas; San Diego, Calif.

A 2006 report by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality said that there are persistent and growing health disparities between elderly Hispanics and elderly whites. By 2028, it's estimated that there will be 7.1 million Hispanics age 65 and older in the United States and they'll account for more than 10 percent of the nation's elderly population.

Health Tips for June 15

Health Tip: Are Joint Supplements For You?

Glucosamine and chondroitin are substances that occur naturally in the body. Taken as supplements, they can help relieve arthritic joint pain.

Glucosamine is an amino sugar that's believed to help cartilage formation and repair, the Arthritis Foundation says. And chondroitin sulfate can help give cartilage elasticity.

But the supplements aren't recommended for everyone, the Arthritis Foundation says. Among those who should take great care or avoid them altogether:

* Children, pregnant women, and women who may become pregnant.
* Diabetics, who should be careful when taking these supplements, as the amino sugars can cause blood glucose levels to rise.
* People who are taking blood-thinning medications, since these substances can trigger blood thinning.
* People who are allergic to shellfish, from which these supplements often are extracted.

Health Tip: What Causes Nightmares?

Nightmares can cause poor sleep and anxiety, triggering health problems.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine says the following factors can contribute to nightmares:

* Eating just before bed, which can increase brain activity.
* Any anxiety or stress.
* Any major life event, including the death of a loved one.
* Illness, including fever.
* An adverse reaction, side effect or withdrawal from a drug.
* Alcohol withdrawal, or excessive alcohol consumption.
* Breathing disorders, including sleep apnea.
* Sleep disorders, including narcolepsy.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Health Headlines - June 14

Environmental Improvements Could Save 13 Million Lives a Year: WHO

Reducing indoor air pollution and improving sanitation are among the environmental improvements that could save 13 million lives worldwide each year, concludes a report released Wednesday by the World Health Organization.

Environmental health hazards threaten the lives of people in all countries, but have a much more significant impact in poor nations. In poorer nations, people lose 20 times more healthy years of life than people in richer nations.

The document noted that poor sanitation and indoor air pollution caused by solid fuels used for cooking and heating account for 10 percent of deaths in 23 countries, Bloomberg news reported.

The WHO said that children under age 5 are especially vulnerable to environmental risk factors. For example, children in that age group account for about 74 percent of all deaths from diarrhea caused by poor water and sanitation.

Climate change, ultraviolet radiation, damage to agriculture, and workplace hazards (including exposure to chemicals) are among other environmental causes of death cited by the WHO, Bloomberg reported.

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Cod Liver Oil May Help Prevent Depression

A spoonful of cod liver oil a day may help reduce the risk of depression by as much as 30 percent, according to a Norwegian study that looked at almost 22,000 people, ages 40-49 and 70-74, BBC News reported.

The study, conducted from 1997 to 1999, found that 2.5 percent of people who took cod liver oil had depressive symptoms, compared with 3.8 percent in the rest of the population.

The researchers also suggested that the longer a person took cod liver oil, the less depressed they became, BBC News reported. The study appears in the Journal of Affective Disorders.

Cod liver oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are believed to offer a number of health benefits, including reduced risk of heart attack, stroke and cancer.

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Cannondale Recalls Mountain Bikes With Faulty Forks

Connecticut-based bicycle maker Cannondale is recalling about 6,700 mountain bikes with carbon and aluminum forks that can break, causing the rider to lose control, fall and suffer serious injuries, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday.

So far, Cannondale has received 15 reports of bicycle forks breaking. In five of those cases, riders suffered injuries including a broken collarbone, concussion, broken ribs and bruises.

The recall involves Lefty Speed SL and Lefty Speed DLR Forks on bicycles sold between June 2006 and May 2007. Consumers should stop using bikes with the recalled forks, which will be repaired free of charge at authorized Cannondale dealers.

For more information, call Cannondale at 1-800-245-3872 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or go to the company's Web site at www.cannondale.com.

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Early Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer Identified

Bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, and frequent or urgent need to urinate may be early signs of ovarian cancer so women who have these symptoms for more than a few weeks should see their doctors, new recommendations from a coalition of cancer experts suggest.

It was long believed that ovarian cancer gave no warning signs until it was far advanced, which is why it is considered one of the deadliest cancers. The new recommendations are the first official recognition that ovarian cancer does cause symptoms at earlier stages in many women, The New York Times reported.

The new recommendations -- from the American Cancer Society, the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation and the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists -- are expected to be formally announced on June 25.

It's hoped that the new recommendations will increase doctor and patient awareness about early symptoms of ovarian cancer, which could help prolong patient survival and possibly save lives, the Times reported.

The new recommendations have been endorsed by more than a dozen other groups, including CancerCare, Gilda's Club and several medical societies.

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FDA Announces Tomato Safety Initiative

In an effort to reduce the incidence of tomato-related foodborne illness, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has launched a multi-year Tomato Safety Initiative.

The program -- a collaborative effort between the FDA and state and agriculture departments in Florida and Virginia -- will identify practices or conditions that can cause contamination of tomatoes and will evaluate the need for additional safety research, education and outreach.

Several universities and members of the produce industry are also taking part in the program, which the FDA announced on Tuesday.

Over the past decade, 12 different foodborne illness outbreaks in the United States have been caused by fresh and fresh-cut tomatoes. There were 1,840 confirmed cases of illness in those outbreaks, most of which were traced to tomatoes from Florida and the eastern shore of Virginia, the FDA said in a prepared statement.

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EU Approves New Flu Vaccine

The European Union has approved a new flu vaccine called Optaflu, made by Swiss drug maker Novartis AG. The drug has also been approved in Iceland and Norway.

Company officials say the use of proprietary cell culture technology to produce Optaflu represents a major advance in flu vaccine production, the Associated Press reported. The increased flexibility and reliability of the manufacturing process will help meet demand for seasonal vaccines, as well as vaccines that can be used in the event of a pandemic, according to Novartis.

It's expected that Optaflu will be available in Austria and Germany for the next flu season and will be available in the other 25 EU countries by the 2008-09 flu season, the AP reported.

Novartis said that it will probably apply next year for approval in the United States.

Health Tips for June 14

Health Tip: Suggestions for Stretching

Stretching before exercise is a great way to warm up your muscles and prevent injury. But stretching the wrong way can cause problems, too.

Here are guidelines on how to stretch safely, courtesy of the Women's Heart Foundation:

* Stretch for at least five to seven minutes before exercising.
* Keep muscles relaxed, and stretch slowly. Never bounce your muscles while stretching.
* Stretch until you feel some tension in your muscles, but never until it hurts.
* Hold each stretch for at least 15 seconds, and breathe slowly and deeply.
* Relax, then stretch again for a few seconds longer at each stretch. Repeat each stretch several times.

Health Tip: Keeping Kids Safe

Young children can turn a typical home into a house full of potential safety hazards.

Here are suggestions from the American Academy of Family Physicians on how to keep kids safe at home:

* Don't leave plastic bags or deflated balloons where children can reach them, as these objects pose choking hazards.
* Don't leave electrical outlets exposed to little fingers -- keep plastic covers on all outlets that aren't used.
* Alcohol, cigarettes, matches and lighters should be kept out a child's reach.
* Store loaded guns outside of the home, or store them securely locked and unloaded in the home.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Health Headlines - June 13

Camp Lejeune Drinking Water Tainted with Dry Cleaning Solvent

For 30 years, drinking water at the Tarawa Terrace family housing area of U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, in North Carolina, was contaminated with the dry cleaning solvent tetrachloroethylene (PCE), a chemical that may cause cancer and birth defects.

During those 30 years, from November 1957 to February 1987, as many as 75,000 people may have lived in Tarawa Terrace, the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) said Tuesday.

The PCE leaked into the drinking water system from a dry cleaning business located off the base. In 1987, the Tarawa Terrace water treatment plant was disconnected from the base's drinking water supply.

The maximum concentration of PCE in the drinking water was estimated to be about 200 micrograms per liter, at a time when the Environmental Protection Agency's maximum contaminant level for PCE was five micrograms per liter.

Former Marines and their families who lived in Tarawa Terrace can get more information by calling the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at 1-800-232-4636.

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Survey Shows Women's Knowledge of Breast Cancer

Many American women believe they are more informed and educated than ever about breast cancer, suggests a survey of more than 500 women released Tuesday by the nonprofit group CancerCare.

The survey of women ages 50 to 65 found that 76 percent said they believe they know a fair amount about breast cancer. But the survey also found that while 67 percent of respondents know chemotherapy and radiation are used to treat breast cancer, only 23 percent knew about newer targeted treatment options.

Among the other findings:

82 percent said they believed progress had been made in breast cancer treatments, but 63 percent did not know the benefits of these treatments
If they were diagnosed with breast cancer, 71 percent said they'd research breast cancer on their own in addition to discussing treatment options with their doctor
However, 86 percent said they were uncertain about the right questions to ask their doctor in the event of a breast cancer diagnosis.

CancerCare offers five key questions that women diagnosed with breast cancer should ask their doctor:

What kind of breast cancer do I have?
What kind of treatment will help me the most?
What are the risks and benefits of that treatment?
What is my risk that it will come back and/or spread to another part of my body?
Where do I go for support when I need it?

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Scientists Developing Clothing That Monitors Health

Clothing with sensors designed to monitor a wearer's health is being developed by European scientists. The embedded sensors in the "intelligent textiles" will be able to scrutinize body fluids such as sweat and blood.

The clothing would be used to check the status of recovering hospital patients, injured athletes and people with chronic illnesses, BBC News reported.

A prototype multi-sensor test patch is nearly complete. Once it is, the experimental fabric will be tested on volunteers. The first sensor will track sweat by measuring perspiration rate, salinity and acidity.

Researchers involved in the Biotex project hope to eventually develop clothing with sensors that are able to provide a wide range of information including: vital signs; progression of wound healing; and early detection of infections and illnesses by identifying abnormalities in metabolism, BBC News reported.

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Stem Cells Slow Parkinson's Disease in Monkeys

In what experts regard as a major advance, U.S. scientists injected human stem cells into monkeys with Parkinson's disease symptoms. Until now, this type of treatment had only been tested in rodents.

After receiving the stem cell injections, the monkeys' damaged brain cells stopped deteriorating. However, after four months their condition started to worsen again, BBC News reported. The study appears in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The researchers said they were surprised that the stem cells did not replace the monkeys' damaged brain cells -- as anticipated -- but instead helped protect the injured cells and prevented further deterioration.

The failure of the stem cell treatment after a few months may have been due to the monkeys' immune systems rejecting foreign tissue, the researchers said. They said further research needs to be done into suppressing that immune response, BBC News reported.

While this is a promising start, many more years of research are needed before there's any possibility of using this kind of approach to treat people with Parkinson's disease, experts stressed.

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FDA Official May Have Been Reprimanded for Avandia Recommendation

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it's investigating whether a former official was reprimanded for recommending that the diabetes drug Avandia be made to carry a "black box" warning that it may increase the risk of congestive heart failure, USA Today reported.

Recently published research raised concerns about the safety of the drug, which prompted the FDA to call for a black box warning on the labels of Avandia and a related drug called Actos.

In February 2006, Rosemary Johann-Liang recommended a black box warning for Avandia. At the time, she was deputy director of the FDA's Division of Drug Risk Evaluation in the Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology. FDA staff members told Senate Finance Committee investigators that Johann-Liang was verbally reprimanded for making the recommendation, USA Today reported.

The staff members said Johann-Liang was told she should talk to her director before making any major recommendations related to drug safety.

Last Friday, Johann-Liang left her job with the FDA for a position as chief medical officer in the vaccine injury compensation program at the federal Health Resources and Services Administration. She said she left the FDA mostly for personal reasons.

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Weight-Loss Drug Linked to Suicidal Thoughts

U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulators said Monday that Sanofi-Aventis' weight-loss drug rimonabant may raise users' risk of suicidal thoughts.

The assessment was posted on the agency's Web site one step ahead of an advisory panel meeting Wednesday to weigh U.S. approval for the drug, which is also known as Acomplia or Zimulti.

The FDA has already postponed a decision on rimonabant three times, the Bloomberg news service reported.

The drug, already approved in Europe, is among a new class of medicines called CB1 antagonists, which block brain receptors that regulate hunger.

But the FDA documents posted Monday noted two suicides among clinical trial participants who tested the medicine, Bloomberg said. Other r eported side effects included mood swings, anxiety and depression.

The advisory panel will help the agency decide whether there is a causal link between the drug and suicidal thoughts, and if the drug's benefits outweigh its potential risks.

Sanofi seeks the drug's approval to treat obesity and as a treatment for diabetes, Bloomberg said. The FDA's final word is due by July 27.

Health Tips for June 13

Health Tip: Drink Responsibly

Provided you don't have a drinking problem, are of legal age, and are not pregnant, the U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these suggestions for drinking alcohol responsibly:

* Never drive a car if you've been drinking.
* Drink alcohol with food -- never on an empty stomach.
* Drink slowly and in moderation to avoid severe impairment.
* If you are taking any medications, don't drink alcohol without checking first with your doctor.
* Alcohol is not safe -- even in moderation -- if you have a history of alcohol abuse.

Health Tip: Ward Off Jet Lag

Jet lag occurs when the body has trouble adjusting to travel across time zones.

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these recommendations to minimize symptoms:

* Get plenty of sleep before you leave.
* Avoid alcohol consumption right before, during, and right after your flight.
* Eat healthy, well-balanced meals and healthy portion sizes.
* Get plenty of exercise during your trip.
* If you take sleep medication, use it only for a few days.
* Follow the local schedule of your new time zone, not the old one.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Health Headlines - June 12

Weight-Loss Drug Linked to Suicidal Thoughts

U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulators said Monday that Sanofi-Aventis' weight-loss drug rimonabant may raise users' risk of suicidal thoughts.

The assessment was posted on the agency's Web site one step ahead of an advisory panel meeting Wednesday to weigh U.S. approval for the drug, which is also known as Acomplia or Zimulti.

The FDA has already postponed a decision on rimonabant three times, the Bloomberg news service reported.

The drug, already approved in Europe, is among a new class of medicines called CB1 antagonists, which block brain receptors that regulate hunger.

But the FDA documents posted Monday noted two suicides among clinical trial participants who tested the medicine, Bloomberg said. Other reported side effects included mood swings, anxiety and depression.

The advisory panel will help the agency decide whether there is a causal link between the drug and suicidal thoughts, and if the drug's benefits outweigh its potential risks.

Sanofi seeks the drug's approval to treat obesity and as a treatment for diabetes, Bloomberg said. The FDA's final word is due by July 27.

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Overall UV Exposure May Influence Skin Cancer Risk

Overall exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays in childhood, not just sunburns, may be a major factor influencing a person's risk for skin cancer later in life, suggest initial results of research looking at the interaction of genes and UV exposure in 214 people with melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer.

Dr. Nancy Thomas, a dermatologist at the University of North Carolina, used satellite data to track average UV radiation in the towns and states where the patients lived at different times of their lives, the Associated Press reported.

She and her colleagues found that the patients who'd experienced the highest UV exposure by age 20 had the highest number of melanoma-related BRAF gene mutations. The same patients also had the most moles, another important risk factor for melanoma.

More research is needed, but Thomas suggested that rapidly growing skin on young people may be especially vulnerable to damage from UV rays, the AP reported.

In related news, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is putting the finishing touches to new rules for sunscreen ratings. Currently, sun protection factor (SPF) ratings tell consumers only how well a sunscreen protects against UV-B rays that cause sunburn.

The agency wants the SPF ratings to also include how well sunscreens protect against UV-A rays that cause cancer and wrinkles, the AP reported. The proposed changes should be introduced within the next few weeks, but are subject to a public comment period before they take effect.

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Chinese Patients Given Drips With Fake Plasma Protein

Chinese officials say 18 hospitals and more than 30 pharmacies in the northeastern state of Jilin were sold or were selling fake plasma protein (albumin) used in drips for patients suffering from shock and burns or those having open-heart surgery, BBC News reported.

"There was no element of protein, so it could not perform its intended function," said Xu Fei, the deputy director of the food and drug administration in Jilin. "These were out-and-out fakes."

The fake plasma protein could prove fatal for patients who are already in serious condition, experts said. Chinese officials did not reveal whether any patients had died or become ill after receiving the fake plasma protein. However, one Chinese newspaper said a patient had died, BBC News reported.

This is the latest in a series of cases involving counterfeit food and medicine products made in China. Both the United States and European Union have expressed concern over food and drug imports from China.

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Researchers Call for Studies on Anti-Epilepsy Drugs for Children

There's an urgent need to conduct safety studies on newer anti-epilepsy drugs that are being prescribed in rapidly increasing numbers to children, says a study in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

U.K. researchers analyzed data on anti-epilepsy drugs given to nearly 8,000 children over a 13-year period, and found that the use of such drugs increased five-fold over that time, BBC News reported. In particular, there was a "massive" increase in prescriptions for three drugs -- lamotrigine, topiramate, and levetiracetam.

"The uptake of these drugs has been rapid, yet their long-term safety has not been established and further research must now be seen as a priority," said lead author Professor Ian Wong, of the Center for Pediatric Pharmacy Research in London.

He and his colleagues noted that many of the drugs have not been fully tested in children. This means that doctors have no official guidance on doses and have to estimate a safe and effective dose based on a child's age and size, BBC News reported.

Wong noted that there have been reports of multi-organ failure, renal failure, blood disorders and skin reactions in some patients taking lamotrigine.

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Report Compares U.S. States' Health Care Quality

States have made promising gains in certain areas of health care quality but need to improve in other areas, according to the annual State Snapshots report released Monday by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

The analysis of 2006 data focused on 129 health care quality measures -- ranging from preventing bed sores to screening for diabetes-related foot problems to providing antibiotics -- and included the 50 states and Washington, D.C.

The report found that, across the states, an average of about 59 percent of adult surgery patients insured by Medicare received appropriate timing of antibiotics.

It also found that only about 54 percent of men over 50 reported that they'd ever had a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy and that only 54 percent of Medicare managed care patients said their health care providers always listened carefully, explained things clearly, and spend enough time with them.

Certain states were better in specific areas. For example, New York had the lowest suicide rate, Montana was ranked first for pneumonia vaccinations for seniors, and Utah had the lowest colorectal cancer death rate.

"It is clear that the nation must continue pursuing important opportunities to improve the quality of health care," AHRQ Director Dr. Carolyn M. Clancy said in a prepared statement. "The State Snapshots help policymakers understand the breadth of those problems and how their states compare with others. With that knowledge, they are better equipped to take vital steps that will improve the health of people in their states."

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Court Hearing Looks at Link Between Vaccines, Autism

A court hearing scheduled to begin Monday is the first of a number test cases dealing with claims by U.S. parents that their children's autism was caused by routine vaccinations.

The hearing in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims will be presided over three special master appointed by the court, the Associated Press reported. The hearing, expected to last until June 29, will explore the theory that autism is caused by the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine in combination with other vaccines containing a preservative called thimerosal, which is about 50 percent mercury by weight.

Since 1999, more than 4,800 families have filed claims with the U.S. government alleging that their children's autism was caused by vaccines that contained thimerosal. If the link is proven, the families would be entitled to compensation from a multibillion dollar trust fund, the AP reported.

Large studies have concluded there is no association between autism and vaccines that contain thimerosal, which is no longer found in routine childhood vaccines. However, it is still used in some flu vaccines.

Health Tips for June 12

Health Tip: Stay Awake Behind the Wheel

Driving when sleep-deprived can be extremely dangerous.

To help you stay awake and alert, follow these suggestions from the National Sleep Foundation:

* Get plenty of quality sleep the night before a long drive.
* If there's a time that you typically begin to feel sleepy, avoid driving during that time.
* If you're planning to drive through the night, try to get at least some shuteye between midnight and 6 a.m.
* If driving all day, stop and take a mid-afternoon nap.
* Try to take a break about every 100 miles or so -- stop to get gas, walk around, stretch, nap or get some exercise.
* If traveling with a passenger, it helps if he or she is awake, too. Talk to each other to keep yourselves alert.

Health Tip: Thunderstorm Safety

Thunderstorms can be dangerous if you're caught outside, but they can pose dangers inside the home, too.

Follow these safety suggestions to prevent injury during a thunderstorm, courtesy of the Association of Volunteer Emergency Response Teams:

* Don't use the telephone.
* Unplug the television. In the event of a power failure, unplug other electrical devices and appliances.
* Don't take a bath or a shower during a storm -- copper pipes conduct electricity.
* Be aware of the dangers of flooding, hail, high winds and tornadoes.
* Keep a battery-powered radio and a flashlight on hand.
* Never go outside during a thunderstorm, and never approach downed power lines during or after a storm.

Monday, June 11, 2007

Health Headlines - June 11

5.7 Million Pounds of Meat Suspected of Having E.Coli Recalled

A California meat supplier has recalled almost 6 million pounds of ground beef in 11 Western states because of the possibility it may contain the E. coli bacterium, which causes stomach cramps and diarrhea.

The Associated Press reports that 14 cases of E. coli reported last April are linked to the fresh and frozen ground beef distributed by United Food Group, LLC. The acting administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection service told the wire service Saturday that some of the 5.7 million pounds of recalled meat may have found its way into consumers' homes.

"It is important for consumers to look in their freezers," David Goldman said, adding that none of the meat is in stores because it was distributed between Apr. 6 and Apr. 20, and its expiration date has long passed.

All the patients who reported having the E.coli infection have recovered, according to the A.P.. The states where the meat was carried are Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. It was sold under the brand names Moran's All Natural, Miller Meat Company, Stater Bros., Trader Joes Butcher Shop,Inter-American Products, Inc., and Basha's.

United Food Group's hot line is 1-800-325-4164. The A.P. reports that the USDA said consumers should either throw away the meat or return it to the store where they bought it for a refund.

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Hypertension Drug Shows Paromise as Parkinson's Treatment

A drug that treats high blood pressure may be able to slow or halt the progression of Parkinson's disease.

Scientists at Northwestern University report that he drug isradipine appears to rejuvenate older dopamine cells in the brain. It is the death of these cells and their transmission of neurons that is believed to cause Parkinson's, which produces tremors and ultimately, lack of a person's ability to control his or her movements.

According to a university press release, lead researcher Dr. D. James Surmeier and his team of scientists found that isradipine restores dying dopamine neurons. In the laboratory experiment performed on animals, isradipine (commercial name DynaCirc) protected dopamine neurons from toxins that would normally kill them by restoring the neurons to a younger state in which they are less vulnerable.

"Our hope is that this drug will protect dopamine neurons, so that if you began taking it early enough, you won't get Parkinson s disease, even if you were at risk," Surmeier said in the news release. "It would be like taking a baby aspirin every day to protect your heart."

About one million Americans suffer from Parkinson's disease. The Northwestern study is published in the online edition of the international journal Nature.

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Excessive Use of Anti-Pain Cream Caused Teen Runner's Death, M.E. Says

One of the most widely used over-the-counter anti-pain creams caused the death of a 17-year-old runner from the New York City borough of Staten Island, according to reports in the Staten Island Advance and the Associated Press.

Arielle Newman, a cross-country runner, used too much methyl salicylate -- more commonly known as oil of wintergreen -- to ease pain in her legs, the New York City Medical Examiner's office concluded Friday, the wire service reports. Methyl salicylate is found in a variety of anti-pain creams such as Bengay and Icy Hot.

Newman attended Notre Dame Academy on Staten Island and had won many track awards. She died Apr. 13, and the reason for her death had remained a mystery until Friday. The medical examiner's spokeswoman, Ellen Borakove, told the A.P. that this was the first time her office had ever reported a death caused by excessive anti-pain cream use. Borakove told the wire service that Newman used "topical medication to excess."

Alice Newman, Arielle's mother, told the Advance she couldn't believe what caused her daughter's death. "I am scrupulous about my children's health," she told the newspaper. "I did not think an over-the-counter product could be unsafe."

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Malnourishment Still Evident in the United Kingdom

Being overweight doesn't necessarily protect a person from being malnourished.

In fact, the Associated Press reports, at least 2 million Britons residents are malnourished, even if many of them don't look like they are. A recent survey revealed that a typical British diet -- high in fat, salt and calorie content -- doesn't contain the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other substances required to maintain a nutritious balance.

"People may be eating too much food, but they may not be eating enough fruits and vegetables," the wire service quotes Dr. Marinos Elia, a professor of clinical nutrition and metabolism at Southampton University, as saying.

In fact, the A.P. cites some medical experts praising the rationing system the British used during World War II, when food wasn't so plentiful. "Rationing was a huge success because it ensured that if you got your allotted amounts, you got a nutritionally reasonable diet," Dr. Colin Waine, chairman of the National Obesity Forum, told the wire service. "I'm not advocating a return to rationing, but it was a more balanced diet back then."

Fewer than 20 percent of adults in the United Kingdom eat the recommended daily portions of fruits and vegetables, the A.P. reports.

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China Orders Companies to Stop Producing, Selling Zelnorm

Officials with China's State Food and Drug Administration on Friday ordered companies in China to halt production and sales of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) drug Zelnorm, and told patients to stop taking the medication.

The Novartis drug was being made by three companies in China and a fourth company was preparing to produce it, the Associated Press reported.

In a statement posted on its Web site, the Chinese drug watchdog warned the "risks of Zelnorm outweigh the possible benefits for some patients based on analyses from home and abroad."

There have been 98 incidents of adverse reactions among users of Zelnorm reported to China's Center for Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring since the drug went on sale in the country in 2003. Diarrhea and nausea were the most commonly reported problems. There was one reported case of low blood pressure and one of abnormally fast heartbeat.

In March, Novartis complied with a U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration request to withdraw Zelnorm from the American market after the drug was linked with increased risk of heart attack, stroke and chest pain that can become a heart attack, the AP reported.

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G8 Leaders Pledge $60 Billion to Fight Disease/Poverty in Africa

G8 leaders promised Friday to provide $60 billion to combat disease and poverty in Africa, CBC News reported.

The money from the world's richest nations would be targeted to fight illnesses such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, said Germany's development minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, who announced the agreement on Berlin television.

She said the United States pledged to donate half the money aimed at increasing African patients' access to drugs and treatment, CBC News reported.

At their 2005 summit, G8 members promised to increase aid to Africa by $50 billion by 2010. That pledge is set to miss its target by $30 billion, according to international aid organizations.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Health Headlines - June 10

Excessive Use of Anti-Pain Cream Caused Teen Runner's Death, M.E. Says

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Malnourishment Still Evident in the United Kingdom

Being overweight doesn't necessarily protect a person from being malnourished.

Fewer than 20 percent of adults in the United Kingdom eat the recommended daily portions of fruits and vegetables, the A.P. reports.

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China Orders Companies to Stop Producing, Selling Zelnorm

The Novartis drug was being made by three companies in China and a fourth company was preparing to produce it, the Associated Press reported.

In a statement posted on its Web site, the Chinese drug watchdog warned the "risks of Zelnorm outweigh the possible benefits for some patients based on analyses from home and abroad."

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G8 Leaders Pledge $60 Billion to Fight Disease/Poverty in Africa

G8 leaders promised Friday to provide $60 billion to combat disease and poverty in Africa, CBC News reported.

She said the United States pledged to donate half the money aimed at increasing African patients' access to drugs and treatment, CBC News reported.

At their 2005 summit, G8 members promised to increase aid to Africa by $50 billion by 2010. That pledge is set to miss its target by $30 billion, according to international aid organizations.

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New Vaccine Could Help Eradicate Meningitis in Africa

A new meningitis vaccine that costs just 40 cents (U.S.) per dose could help wipe out the disease in Africa, says the World Health Organization.

The vaccine, developed in India, proved successful in tests on 12- to 23-month old children in Mali and Gambia. The tests found that the vaccine was safe and produced antibody levels in the children 20 times higher than levels produced by more expensive vaccines currently on the market, Agence France-Presse reported. Further tests are planned.

"When it becomes part of the public health arsenal, this vaccine will make a real difference in Africa," F. Marc LaForce, director of the Meningitis Vaccine Project, said in a prepared statement. The project is a partnership between the WHO and a U.S. non-profit group called PATH.

"The vaccine will allow elimination of the meningococcal epidemics that have afflicted the continent for more than 100 years," said LaForce, who added that the vaccine could be introduced in Burkina Faso by the end of 2008.

He said the vaccine could be used in a mass vaccination campaign that targets 350 million people between 2008 and 2020, AFP reported.

The results of the vaccine tests bring "real hope that the lives of thousands of children, teenagers, and young adults will be saved by immunization and that widespread suffering, sickness and socioeconomic disruption can be avoided," said WHO Director General Margaret Chan.

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Stem Cell Bill Passes Congress, But White House Veto Looms

A bill that would undo federal funding restrictions on embryonic stem cell research passed the House on Thursday, but it did not have the requisite two-thirds majority needed to block a threatened veto by President Bush, the Associated Press reported.

The 264-176 vote (210 House Democrats and 37 Republicans supporting), follows on the Senate's passage of the bill a few weeks ago. The Senate ballot was one vote shy of the two-thirds majority needed to sidestep a White House veto.

Because they have the power to grow into any type of cell in the body, embryonic stem cells have long been viewed as a potential source of replacement tissue to treat a myriad of diseases. But opponents of embryonic stem cell research, including President Bush, object to the destruction of embryos as an assault on the sanctity of human life.

Supporting the bill, paralyzed congressman Rep. James Langevin, D-R.I., said that, "My education has filled me with tremendous hope, not only that stem cell research might one day lead to a cure for spinal cord injuries, but that one day ... families will no longer watch in agony as a loved one with Parkinson's or Alzheimer's gradually declines," the AP reported.

But in a statement issued last week, President Bush said that if the bill was ever made law, "American taxpayers would for the first time in our history be compelled to support the deliberate destruction of human embryos. Crossing that line would be a grave mistake."

Bush announced on Aug. 9, 2001, that his administration would only allow federal funding for research involving a limited number of preexisting stem cell lines. Critics charge that those lines cannot supply the demands of U.S. researchers, and that many of the lines are contaminated.

NurseTips

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Health Tips for June 20

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Health Headlines - June 19

Health Tips for June 19

Monday, June 18, 2007

Health Headlines - June 18

Health Tips for June 18

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Health Headlines - June 17

Health Tips for June 17

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Health Headlines - June 16

Health Tips for June 16

Friday, June 15, 2007

Health Headlines - June 15

Health Tips for June 15

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Health Headlines - June 14

Health Tips for June 14

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Health Headlines - June 13

Health Tips for June 13

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Health Headlines - June 12

Health Tips for June 12

Monday, June 11, 2007

Health Headlines - June 11

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Health Headlines - June 10

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