Health Tip: Women and Antibiotics
Antibiotics are safe and effective medications prescribed to treat bacterial infections.
Here are possible side effects that women should be aware of before using these medications, courtesy of the Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics:
* Yeast infections.
* Diarrhea, upset stomach and vaginal infections.
* Decreased effectiveness of birth control pills.
* Certain antibiotics should not be taken by a woman who is pregnant or nursing, unless prescribed by a physician who is familiar with the woman's condition.
* Antibiotics can interact with many other medications.
Health Tip: Tattoos Can Pose Health Risks
Getting a tattoo can pose serious health risks if it's not done properly. The procedure should only be performed under regulated, sanitary and professional conditions.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration lists these potential risks associated with getting a tattoo:
* Infection, including hepatitis and skin infections.
* Allergic reaction to inks.
* Bumps or nodules that may form around the tattooed area, called granulomas.
* Keloids -- abnormal scar growth.
* In rare cases, swelling may occur during an MRI.
* Inability to completely remove the tattoo if you ultimately decide you don't want it.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Health Headlines - December 22
Do Stem Cells Play a Prime Role in Cancer?
Cancerous stem cells are the focus of a preliminary study that will be launched within the next few months by scientists at three U.S. medical centers: the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
Some experts believe that cancerous stem cells play a major role in maintaining and propagating malignant tumors, while others disagree, The New York Times reported.
The cancerous stem cell hypothesis is closer to religion than science and proponents are so attached to the idea that they dismiss or ignore evidence against it, says Dr. Scott E. Kern, a leading pancreatic cancer researcher at Johns Hopkins University.
But others say that developing new drugs that target cancerous stem cells may provide a treatment breakthrough.
"Within the next year, we will see medical centers targeting stem cells in almost every cancer," Dr. Max S. Wicha, director of the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, told the Times. "We are so excited about his. It has become a major thrust of our cancer center."
The U.S. National Cancer Institute will provide $5.4 million in funding for cancer stem cell studies.
"If this is real, it could have almost immediate impact," Dr. R. Allan Mufson, chief of the institute's Cancer Immunology and Hematology Branch, told the Times.
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Wii Sports Games Do Little to Prevent Weight Gain: Study
There's no evidence that Nintendo's Wii sports games can help prevent weight gain in children, according to researchers at Liverpool John Moores University in England.
Using a wireless controller, Wii users move their bodies while playing games such as bowling, boxing and tennis. While many people believe this helps burn calories, this study found only a minimal effect, Agence France-Presse reported.
The researchers monitored energy expenditure in six boys and five girls, ages 13 to 15, while they played the Wii games and conventional, sedentary video games. The study found that the children used 51 percent more energy while playing the Wii sports games compared to the sedentary games.
However, the children burned only 60 calories per hour (about one-quarter of a Mars bar) while playing the Wii sports games, AFP reported.
"In a typical week of computer play for these participants, active gaming rather than passive gaming would increase total energy expenditure by less than two percent," the study authors wrote in the British Medical Journal.
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Moving Child From Orphanage to Foster Home Boosts IQ
A study of Romanian children found dramatic improvements in IQ once youngsters were removed from orphanages and placed in foster care instead.
The study, led by Dr. Charles Nelson III of Harvard Medical School, involved 136 young children from Bucharest's six orphanages. The children were randomly assigned to continue living in the orphanage or be moved into the new state-run foster care system.
The main finding: "The longer they stay in the institution, the worse their IQ," Nelson told the Associated Press. Improvements were most marked among children who left the orphanage before age 2, a period that experts believe is key to healthy brain development.
In fact, by 4.5 years of age, children who had been moved to foster care were scoring almost 10 points higher on IQ tests than those who had remained in the orphanage, and those who had made the move before age 2 scored an average 15 points higher, the researchers said.
In many cases, this leap in IQ meant the difference between borderline retardation and average intelligence, the team reported in the Dec. 21 issue of Science.
Children raised in their biological homes fared best of all, with IQ scores averaging 10-20 points higher than the foster-care children, the study found.
"The research provides concrete scientific evidence on the long-term impacts of the deprivation of quality care for children," UNICEF child protection specialist Aaron Greenberg told the AP. "The interesting part about this is the one-on-one caring of a young child ... impacts cognitive and intellectual development," he said.
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Accidental CO Poisoning Kills More Than 400 Americans a Year
A new report underscores the importance of taking precautions to protect you and your loved ones from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, especially when using heating appliances during the winter.
From 1999 to 2004, accidental carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning killed an average of 439 people a year in the United States, says a study in the latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CO is a colorless, odorless, tasteless toxic gas produced by devices such as natural gas-powered furnaces and portable generators. Many people overlook or aren't aware of symptoms of CO poisoning, including headache, nausea, dizziness and confusion.
From 1999 to 2004, there were a total of 2,631 unintentional, non-fire-related CO deaths in the nation, for an annual average age-adjusted death rate of 1.5 deaths per one million people. Those most likely to die this way included adults over age 65 (628), men (1,958), non-Hispanic whites (1,941), and non-Hispanic blacks (305).
Most of the deaths occurred in January and, among states, Nebraska had the highest CO-related death rate.
The report also noted that unintentional CO exposure causes about 15,000 emergency department visits a year in the U.S.
The authors called for increased public education, especially during the winter heating season, to help prevent deaths from CO poisoning. They also recommended establishment of a national surveillance system to monitor CO-related health outcomes. This information could help target public prevention efforts and reduce CO-related injury and death.
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African Nations Facing Major Meningitis Outbreak: Red Cross
Fourteen African countries may be on the verge of the worst meningitis outbreak in a decade, Red Cross officials warned Thursday. The first indications of an epidemic could appear in February or March.
In preparation, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is starting meningitis prevention programs in those countries, Agence France-Presse reported. These efforts include a four-month awareness campaign, and training about 25,000 volunteers in community-based first aid.
Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes that cover the central nervous system. Some forms are mild and resolve on their own, but other forms are deadly, AFP reported.
"Meningococcal meningitis is one of the most feared epidemic diseases in Africa because of its rapid onset, high fatality rates and long-term impacts such as brain damage and deafness affecting many survivors," said Jari Vainio, senior Red Cross public health officer.
Countries facing a possible meningitis outbreak are: Burkina Faso, Benin, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Togo and Uganda.
Health Tips for December 22
Health Tip: Holiday Blues?
With all of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it's easy to feel stressed and overwhelmed.
Here are suggestions to help you beat the holiday blues, courtesy of the American Psychological Association:
* Don't try to deal with issues that you have with family members -- try to steer clear of them and avoid conflict.
* Exceeding your holiday budget on gifts will only add more stress. Stick to a budget you can afford, and look for meaningful -- not necessarily expensive -- gifts.
* Only go to holiday get-togethers that you really want to attend. Don't feel like you need to say "yes" to every invitation.
* Make time for yourself when you need it. If you're going through a tough period, talk with understanding family and friends.
* If you feel like your "blues" may be more serious or long-term, seek counseling from a psychiatrist or psychologist.
Health Tip: Help Prevent Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a respiratory infection, caused by either bacteria or a virus, that can be acquired on its own, or as a common complication of the flu.
A vaccine is available to combat pneumococcal pneumonia, a type of pneumonia caused by bacteria. Ask your doctor if you are at greater risk of this type of pneumonia, and if you should be vaccinated.
Here are additional ways to help protect yourself from pneumonia, courtesy of the American Lung Association:
* Get a flu vaccine every flu season.
* If you notice respiratory symptoms that last for several days, seek treatment at once.
* Get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy diet.
* If you are taking antibiotics for any bacterial infection, be sure to finish the entire prescription.
With all of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it's easy to feel stressed and overwhelmed.
Here are suggestions to help you beat the holiday blues, courtesy of the American Psychological Association:
* Don't try to deal with issues that you have with family members -- try to steer clear of them and avoid conflict.
* Exceeding your holiday budget on gifts will only add more stress. Stick to a budget you can afford, and look for meaningful -- not necessarily expensive -- gifts.
* Only go to holiday get-togethers that you really want to attend. Don't feel like you need to say "yes" to every invitation.
* Make time for yourself when you need it. If you're going through a tough period, talk with understanding family and friends.
* If you feel like your "blues" may be more serious or long-term, seek counseling from a psychiatrist or psychologist.
Health Tip: Help Prevent Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a respiratory infection, caused by either bacteria or a virus, that can be acquired on its own, or as a common complication of the flu.
A vaccine is available to combat pneumococcal pneumonia, a type of pneumonia caused by bacteria. Ask your doctor if you are at greater risk of this type of pneumonia, and if you should be vaccinated.
Here are additional ways to help protect yourself from pneumonia, courtesy of the American Lung Association:
* Get a flu vaccine every flu season.
* If you notice respiratory symptoms that last for several days, seek treatment at once.
* Get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy diet.
* If you are taking antibiotics for any bacterial infection, be sure to finish the entire prescription.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Health Headlines - December 21
Moving Child From Orphanage to Foster Home Boosts IQ
A study of Romanian children found dramatic improvements in IQ once youngsters were removed from orphanages and placed in foster care instead.
The study, led by Dr. Charles Nelson III of Harvard Medical School, involved 136 young children from Bucharest's six orphanages. The children were randomly assigned to continue living in the orphanage or be moved into the new state-run foster care system.
The main finding: "The longer they stay in the institution, the worse their IQ," Nelson told the Associated Press. Improvements were most marked among children who left the orphanage before age 2, a period that experts believe is key to healthy brain development.
In fact, by 4.5 years of age, children who had been moved to foster care were scoring almost 10 points higher on IQ tests than those who had remained in the orphanage, and those who had made the move before age 2 scored an average 15 points higher, the researchers said.
In many cases, this leap in IQ meant the difference between borderline retardation and average intelligence, the team reported in the Dec. 21 issue of Science.
Children raised in their biological homes fared best of all, with IQ scores averaging 10-20 points higher than the foster-care children, the study found.
"The research provides concrete scientific evidence on the long-term impacts of the deprivation of quality care for children," UNICEF child protection specialist Aaron Greenberg told the AP. "The interesting part about this is the one-on-one caring of a young child ... impacts cognitive and intellectual development," he said.
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Accidental CO Poisoning Kills More Than 400 Americans a Year
A new report underscores the importance of taking precautions to protect you and your loved ones from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, especially when using heating appliances during the winter.
From 1999 to 2004, accidental carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning killed an average of 439 people a year in the United States, says a study in the latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CO is a colorless, odorless, tasteless toxic gas produced by devices such as natural gas-powered furnaces and portable generators. Many people overlook or aren't aware of symptoms of CO poisoning, including headache, nausea, dizziness and confusion.
From 1999 to 2004, there were a total of 2,631 unintentional, non-fire-related CO deaths in the nation, for an annual average age-adjusted death rate of 1.5 deaths per one million people. Those most likely to die this way included adults over age 65 (628), men (1,958), non-Hispanic whites (1,941), and non-Hispanic blacks (305).
Most of the deaths occurred in January and, among states, Nebraska had the highest CO-related death rate.
The report also noted that unintentional CO exposure causes about 15,000 emergency department visits a year in the U.S.
The authors called for increased public education, especially during the winter heating season, to help prevent deaths from CO poisoning. They also recommended establishment of a national surveillance system to monitor CO-related health outcomes. This information could help target public prevention efforts and reduce CO-related injury and death.
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African Nations Facing Major Meningitis Outbreak: Red Cross
Fourteen African countries may be on the verge of the worst meningitis outbreak in a decade, Red Cross officials warned Thursday. The first indications of an epidemic could appear in February or March.
In preparation, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is starting meningitis prevention programs in those countries, Agence France-Presse reported. These efforts include a four-month awareness campaign, and training about 25,000 volunteers in community-based first aid.
Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes that cover the central nervous system. Some forms are mild and resolve on their own, but other forms are deadly, AFP reported.
"Meningococcal meningitis is one of the most feared epidemic diseases in Africa because of its rapid onset, high fatality rates and long-term impacts such as brain damage and deafness affecting many survivors," said Jari Vainio, senior Red Cross public health officer.
Countries facing a possible meningitis outbreak are: Burkina Faso, Benin, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Togo and Uganda.
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Study Suggests Nervous System/PMS Link
A depressed nervous system may contribute to severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS), suggests a Japanese study in the journal BioPsychoSocial Medicine.
The researchers studied 62 women and found that those with PMS had decreased activity in the autonomic nervous system each month just before menstruation. This was most pronounced in women with the most severe PMS symptoms, BBC News reported.
The findings suggest that women with lower autonomic nervous system function may be more vulnerable to PMS symptoms, said researcher Dr. Tamaki Matsumoto.
The study results are interesting, but more research is needed before it could lead to a real breakthrough in PMS treatment, Professor Shaughn O'Brien, an obstetrics and gynecology expert at Keele University Medical School in the U.K., told BBC News.
"If the newly published work did prove to be clinically useful it has the potential at least to provide a relatively non-invasive method to distinguish women with PMS from those who have different non-hormonal types of mood disorder," O'Brien said.
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High-Strain Jobs Linked to Absenteeism, Less Productivity
High levels of work strain lead to increased employee absenteeism and decreased productivity, according to a new Statistics Canada study that looked at data from a 2002 national health survey, CBC News reported.
Work strain takes into account pace of work, psychological effects, and control over decision-making.
Compared to men with low-strain jobs, those with high-strain jobs were 1.7 times more likely to have performed less work due to a long-term health condition, and were 1.5 times more likely to have taken at least one disability day in the two weeks prior to the survey, the study said.
Women were more likely (28 percent) than men (20 percent) to report having high-strain jobs, and about one-third of women reported being a bit or extremely stressed most work days, compared with about 29 percent of men, CBC News reported.
Shift workers (29 percent) were more likely to say they had high-strain jobs than other employees (20 percent).
"A supportive environment both at and away from work may help prevent reduced work activities by mitigating the effects of work-related stress," the study concluded.
Health Tips for December 21
Health Tip: What's Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a common condition -- caused by overuse -- and characterized by often severe pain in the heel.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers additional information about the condition, including its risk factors:
* Women and people who are overweight are more likely than others to develop plantar fasciitis.
* Frequent running or walking for exercise may increase your risk of developing the condition.
* People with flat feet or very high arches are at greater risk.
* Standing or walking on hard surfaces for long periods also may increase your risk.
* The injury usually doesn't hurt during exercise, but pain begins to develop afterward.
* Pain may be most severe when waking up in the morning, or after rest.
* Plantar fasciitis requires treatment to prevent it from becoming chronic.
Health Tip: Tracking Ovulation
Women who are trying to get pregnant need to understand their menstrual cycles, especially when they are ovulating.
Ovulation is the release of a mature egg that occurs once during each menstrual cycle, in which the egg is ready to be fertilized.
Here is information to help you understand your monthly ovulation cycle, courtesy of the American Pregnancy Association:
* A menstrual cycle is measured from the first day of one menstrual period to the first day of the next menstrual period.
* A menstrual cycle typically lasts between 28-32 days, but it can be shorter or longer.
* Determine the date of ovulation by calculating the middle of your menstrual cycle -- ovulation typically occurs between day 11 and day 21 of a cycle.
* Ovulation can also be calculated by counting 12 to 16 days before the first day of your next period.
Plantar fasciitis is a common condition -- caused by overuse -- and characterized by often severe pain in the heel.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers additional information about the condition, including its risk factors:
* Women and people who are overweight are more likely than others to develop plantar fasciitis.
* Frequent running or walking for exercise may increase your risk of developing the condition.
* People with flat feet or very high arches are at greater risk.
* Standing or walking on hard surfaces for long periods also may increase your risk.
* The injury usually doesn't hurt during exercise, but pain begins to develop afterward.
* Pain may be most severe when waking up in the morning, or after rest.
* Plantar fasciitis requires treatment to prevent it from becoming chronic.
Health Tip: Tracking Ovulation
Women who are trying to get pregnant need to understand their menstrual cycles, especially when they are ovulating.
Ovulation is the release of a mature egg that occurs once during each menstrual cycle, in which the egg is ready to be fertilized.
Here is information to help you understand your monthly ovulation cycle, courtesy of the American Pregnancy Association:
* A menstrual cycle is measured from the first day of one menstrual period to the first day of the next menstrual period.
* A menstrual cycle typically lasts between 28-32 days, but it can be shorter or longer.
* Determine the date of ovulation by calculating the middle of your menstrual cycle -- ovulation typically occurs between day 11 and day 21 of a cycle.
* Ovulation can also be calculated by counting 12 to 16 days before the first day of your next period.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Health Headlines - December 20
NIH Project Examines Impact of Microbes on Human Health
A large research project to explore the role of bacteria, fungi and other microbes in human health and disease was announced Wednesday by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Over the next five years, the Human Microbiome Project will award a total of $115 million to researchers.
As part of the project, scientists will collect and analyze microbes present in five specific body regions known to be inhabited by microbial communities: the digestive tract, the mouth, the skin, the nose and the female urogenital tract.
Researchers will also sequence hundreds of microbial genomes.
"The human microbiome is largely unexplored. It is essential that we understand how microorganisms interact with the human body to affect health and disease. This project has the potential to transform the ways we understand human health and prevent, diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions," NIH Director Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni said in a prepared statement.
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Immigrant Children in NYC Have Higher Risk of Lead Poisoning
In New York City, immigrant children are five times more likely than U.S.-born children to acquire lead poisoning, says a city health department study published online in the American Journal of Public Health.
The study of children tested for lead poisoning in 2002 found that the risk was highest among recent immigrants. Children who had arrived in the United States within the previous six months were 11 times more likely to have lead poisoning than U.S.-born children.
The highest-risk children were from the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mexico and Pakistan.
Lead-based paint is the primary cause of lead poisoning in both U.S.- (80 percent) and foreign-born children (65 percent) in New York City. But immigrant children may have been exposed to other sources of lead in their homes countries, including pollution, foods, herbal medicines, dishes, toys, jewelry, and cosmetics, researchers said.
"This study suggests that immigrant children are being exposed to lead in their home countries before they arrive in New York City," study co-author Jessica Leighton, Deputy Commissioner of Environmental Health, said in a prepared statement. "And some immigrant families may be bringing tainted products with them to New York City. We encourage all parents, especially parents who are recent immigrants, to be sure their children are tested for lead poisoning at ages one and two, as required by law."
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U.S. Hospital Admissions Rise for Pulmonary Heart Disease
Between 1997 and 2005, U.S. hospital admissions for chronic pulmonary heart disease rose from 301,400 to 456,500, an increase of more than 50 percent, according to the latest News and Numbers from the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Pulmonary heart disease is a serious, often fatal, lung blood vessel disorder that causes symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, dizziness and fainting. Most people with pulmonary heart disease have an underlying heart or lung disorder.
The AHRQ found that:
- About 20,000 hospital patients died from chronic pulmonary heart disease in 2005 -- a death rate of 4.4 percent. That's two times higher than the overall death rate for all hospital patients.
- Women accounted for 60 percent of hospital stays for pulmonary heart disease.
- In 2005, hospitalizations for pulmonary heart disease cost $5.6 billion. Each hospital stay for a patient with pulmonary heart disease cost an average of $12,400, compared to an average of $8,100 for all hospital stays.
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Contaminated Syringes Linked to Blood Infections
U.S. health authorities are investigating a suspected link between bacteria-contaminated syringes and blood infections in 40 people in Illinois and Texas, including 20 outpatients from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, the Associated Press reported. There have been no deaths.
Earlier this month, Rush doctors traced the infections to heparin-filled syringes used during home treatment for cancer and other health problems. Heparin is a blood thinner. The heparin-filled syringes were from a single batch produced by Sierra Pre-Filled of Angier, N.C., the AP said.
Syringes from that same batch were also sent to Colorado, Florida and Pennsylvania, but no infections have been reported in those states, said Dr. Arjun Srinivasan, of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the AP reported.
The infections, caused by bacteria called Serratia marcescens, can cause fever and chills. While such infections can be serious, they generally respond well to antibiotics.
Sierra Pre-Filled has recalled the affected batch of syringes and is cooperating with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the investigation, the AP reported. Doctors are being alerted about the contaminated syringes and asked to watch for cases of infection.
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Green Tea Halves Risk of Advanced Prostate Cancer: Study
Men who drink five or more cups of green tea a day may reduce their risk of advanced prostate cancer by about half, according to a Japanese study published online Wednesday in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
The study included 49,920 men who were surveyed in 1990 and 1993 and followed until 2004. During that time, 404 of the men were diagnosed with prostate cancer: 114 with advanced cancer; 271 with localized cancer; and 19 with cancer of undetermined stage, Agence France-Presse reported.
The researchers found that men who drank five or more cups of green tea a day were 50 percent less likely to have advanced prostate cancer than those who drank less than one cup of green tea daily.
There was no association between green tea and localized prostate cancer, the study authors said, AFP reported.
The researchers noted that green tea contains catechin, a substance that curbs levels of testosterone. The male hormone is believed to be a risk factor for prostate cancer.
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Marijuana Smoke Packed With Toxins
Inhaled marijuana smoke contains higher levels of certain toxins than tobacco smoke, according to a Health Canada study, BBC News reported.
Compared to tobacco smoke, marijuana smoke contains 20 times as much ammonia (a chemical linked to cancer) and about five times as much hydrogen cyanide (heart damage) and nitrogen oxides (lung damage), the Canadian government researchers said.
However, the found that tobacco smoke contained higher levels of a toxin linked to infertility, BBC News reported. The findings were reported in New Scientist.
Previous research has concluded that marijuana smoke does more harm to the lungs than tobacco smoke because marijuana smoke is inhaled more deeply and held in the lungs for a longer time.
"The health impact of cannabis is often overlooked amid the legal debate," Dr. Richard Russell, a specialist at the Windsor Chest Clinic in the United Kingdom, told BBC News. "These findings do not surprise me. The toxins from cannabis smoke cause lung inflammation, lung damage and cancer."
Health Tips for December 20
Health Tip: Ear Infection May Not Need Antibiotic
If your child has an ear infection, it's important to take the child to a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. The pediatrician will determine if the infection is bacterial or viral.
Here are suggestions on how to treat your child's ear infection, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:
* If the infection is bacterial, your doctor probably will prescribe an antibiotic.
* If the infection is viral, an antibiotic won't treat it, so prescribing one may be counterproductive.
* You can give your child a pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Don't give your child aspirin, unless the doctor says so.
* Apply a warm heating pad to the ear to relieve pain.
* The doctor may prescribe ear drops.
Health Tip: Protect Injury With Elastic Bandage
An elastic bandage applied to an injured joint can help control pain and swelling, and provide support while the injury heals.
The University of Michigan Health System describes how to properly apply an elastic bandage:
* Start wrapping the bandage lower than the area that is injured.
* Continue to wrap upward around the injury.
* Fully wrap the entire area that is injured, wrapping securely. But do not wrap so tightly that the bandage causes the area to swell.
* If the area or surrounding area begins to swell, turn cold, blue or numb, loosen the bandage.
* Continue to use the bandage until the injury has healed.
If your child has an ear infection, it's important to take the child to a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. The pediatrician will determine if the infection is bacterial or viral.
Here are suggestions on how to treat your child's ear infection, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:
* If the infection is bacterial, your doctor probably will prescribe an antibiotic.
* If the infection is viral, an antibiotic won't treat it, so prescribing one may be counterproductive.
* You can give your child a pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Don't give your child aspirin, unless the doctor says so.
* Apply a warm heating pad to the ear to relieve pain.
* The doctor may prescribe ear drops.
Health Tip: Protect Injury With Elastic Bandage
An elastic bandage applied to an injured joint can help control pain and swelling, and provide support while the injury heals.
The University of Michigan Health System describes how to properly apply an elastic bandage:
* Start wrapping the bandage lower than the area that is injured.
* Continue to wrap upward around the injury.
* Fully wrap the entire area that is injured, wrapping securely. But do not wrap so tightly that the bandage causes the area to swell.
* If the area or surrounding area begins to swell, turn cold, blue or numb, loosen the bandage.
* Continue to use the bandage until the injury has healed.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Health Headlines - December 19
FDA: Birth Control Chemical Won't Inhibit STDs
The chemical nonoxynol 9 (N9), used in many vaginal contraceptives and spermicidal products, does not protect users from infection from sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday.
The agency said it mandated that all over-the-counter products containing N9 -- including contraceptive gels, foams, films, or inserts -- include the warning on their labels.
"FDA is issuing this final rule to correct misconceptions that the chemical N9 in these widely available stand-alone contraceptive products protects against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection," Dr. Janet Woodcock, the agency's deputy commissioner for scientific and medical programs, said in a prepared statement.
The FDA warned that N9 can irritate the vagina and rectum, increasing the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS from an infected partner. It also warned that people should not use any product containing N9 if the user or partner is infected with the AIDS virus.
"Consumers can protect themselves from the transmission of STDs and HIV by practicing abstinence, being in a monogamous relationship where neither partner is infected, and using condoms consistently and correctly," the FDA said.
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Canada Confirms New Mad Cow Case
Canada has confirmed another case of mad cow disease, found in a 13-year-old animal from an Alberta farm. It's the 11th case of the disease in the country since the first case was discovered in May 2003, the Canadian Press reported.
The cow in this latest case was born before Canada implemented new feed controls in 1997. No part of the cow's carcass entered the human or animal food chains, said a news release on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Web site.
This new case of mad cow disease was identified by Canada's national monitoring program, which focuses on cattle most at risk. The program has tested about 190,000 cattle since 2003, the CP reported.
Canada's international standing as a country with a controlled risk for mad cow disease will not be affected by this new case, according to the food and inspection agency.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, mad cow disease (BSE, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy) is a fatal disease that causes progressive neurological degeneration in cattle. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare disease that occurs in humans that's similar to mad cow. While it's not certain how mad cow-like disease may spread to humans, evidence indicates that humans may acquire it after consuming BSE-contaminated cattle products.
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FDA Approves New Hypertension Drug
A new beta blocker called Bystolic (nebivolol) has been approved for treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Monday.
The approval was based on findings from four studies in which more than 2,000 people received Bystolic. The drug's efficacy was similar to that of other FDA-approved beta blockers. Common side effects experienced by people taking Bystolic included headache, fatigue, dizziness and diarrhea.
Beta blockers are a well-established class of medications that lower blood pressure by reducing the force with which the heart pumps blood. Nearly one in three American adults has high blood pressure, which increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, heart attack, kidney failure and death.
"High blood pressure is often called the 'silent killer' because it usually has no symptoms until it causes damage to the body," Dr. Douglas C. Throckmorton, FDA's deputy director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a prepared statement. "Bystolic offers a new treatment option for people who need to control their high blood pressure."
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Taking Blood Pressure Pills at Night May Offer Benefits: Study
For certain people, it may be better to take high blood pressure medications at night instead of in the morning, says an Italian study in the December issue of the American Journal of Kidney Diseases.
The researchers concluded that this simple change may help normalize blood pressure patterns in people at increased risk from heart and kidney disease, the Canadian Press reported.
In healthy people, blood pressure drops by 10 percent to 20 percent during sleep. Scientists suspect that this may occur in order to give arteries a bit of rest. People with hypertension who don't experience this blood pressure dip at night are more likely to develop serious heart disease than other hypertension patients who do experience the dip.
People with chronic kidney disease are most likely to be "non-dippers," which increases their risk of worsening kidney damage and heart disease.
In this study, 32 non-dippers with kidney disease started taking a high blood pressure drug at night instead of in the morning, the CP reported. Within two months, nearly 90 percent had turned into dippers, with an average seven-point drop in nighttime blood pressure. There were also signs of improved kidney function. The patients experienced no side effects or increases in daytime blood pressure.
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European Commission Approves Once-a-Day HIV Pill
European regulators have approved the once-a-day HIV pill Atripla, which combines three existing drugs (efavirenz, tenofovir and emtricitabine). The pill will soon be available to HIV patients in a number of European countries, BBC News reported.
Atripla was approved in the United States in July last year and is now given to about half of all newly diagnosed HIV patients.
Early HIV drug therapy required patients to take as many as 30 pills on an empty stomach at different times, BBC News reported. That had been reduced to just several pills a day for newly -diagnosed HIV patients. This new pill further simplifies the mediation regimen.
Atripla was developed through a collaboration of three drug makers -- Gilead Sciences, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck.
"This is a big advance for patients. It almost normalizes HIV," Dr. Simon Portsmouth, a leading HIV consultant, told BBC News. "They can just take this pill before they go to bed at night, and it doesn't take over their whole life."
-----
Canadian Reactor Resumes Production of Medical Isotopes
A Canadian nuclear reactor that's a major global source of radioisotopes resumed operations Sunday after being shut down for about a month. The shutdown led to a shortage of medical isotopes, which are essential for medical imaging and diagnostic scans for cancer, heart conditions and fractures.
Because they have a short shelf life, it isn't possible to stockpile radioisotopes.
The National Research Universal reactor in Chalk River, Ont. is producing new supplies of medical isotopes, which should be ready for distribution within a few days, CBC News reported.
The facility was shut Nov. 18 for a week of maintenance, but the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission wouldn't let it resume operations until a number of safety issues were addressed. Last week, Canada's Parliament passed legislation to get the reactor back online.
Health Tips for December 19
Health Tip: Living With Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance makes it difficult for someone to digest a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products.
Here are suggestions, courtesy of the Nemours Foundation, to help a child who is lactose-intolerant:
* Try consuming dairy products in moderation.
* Try cheese and yogurt, which may be easier for lactose-intolerant children to digest than milk.
* Try lactose-free or lactose-reduced milk.
* Try a lactose enzyme supplement before eating dairy products, to help the body digest lactose.
* Try eating dairy products along with non-dairy foods, which may help ease digestion.
* Try getting extra calcium in the form of calcium-fortified juices, broccoli, beans, tofu and soy milk.
Health Tip: Athletes Should Wear a Mouth Guard
As vital as a helmet is to protecting an athlete's head, a mouth guard can help defend against injury to the mouth and teeth.
The California Dental Association offers these additional reasons for why mouth guards are important:
* Injuries to the mouth are very common in both contact sports (basketball, football, hockey) and non-contact sports (baseball, biking and skateboarding).
* Mouth guards help prevent injuries such as fractured jaw, broken teeth, damage to roots and nerves of the teeth, and serious cuts to the cheek and tongue.
* Mouth guards help provide a cushion for the mouth, jaw and teeth.
Lactose intolerance makes it difficult for someone to digest a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products.
Here are suggestions, courtesy of the Nemours Foundation, to help a child who is lactose-intolerant:
* Try consuming dairy products in moderation.
* Try cheese and yogurt, which may be easier for lactose-intolerant children to digest than milk.
* Try lactose-free or lactose-reduced milk.
* Try a lactose enzyme supplement before eating dairy products, to help the body digest lactose.
* Try eating dairy products along with non-dairy foods, which may help ease digestion.
* Try getting extra calcium in the form of calcium-fortified juices, broccoli, beans, tofu and soy milk.
Health Tip: Athletes Should Wear a Mouth Guard
As vital as a helmet is to protecting an athlete's head, a mouth guard can help defend against injury to the mouth and teeth.
The California Dental Association offers these additional reasons for why mouth guards are important:
* Injuries to the mouth are very common in both contact sports (basketball, football, hockey) and non-contact sports (baseball, biking and skateboarding).
* Mouth guards help prevent injuries such as fractured jaw, broken teeth, damage to roots and nerves of the teeth, and serious cuts to the cheek and tongue.
* Mouth guards help provide a cushion for the mouth, jaw and teeth.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Health Headlines - December 18
Canadian Reactor Resumes Production of Medical Isotopes
A Canadian nuclear reactor that's a major global source of radioisotopes resumed operations Sunday after being shut down for about a month. The shutdown led to a shortage of medical isotopes, which are essential for medical imaging and diagnostic scans for cancer, heart conditions and fractures.
Because they have a short shelf life, it isn't possible to stockpile radioisotopes.
The National Research Universal reactor in Chalk River, Ont. is producing new supplies of medical isotopes, which should be ready for distribution within a few days, CBC News reported.
The facility was shut Nov. 18 for a week of maintenance, but the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission wouldn't let it resume operations until a number of safety issues were addressed. Last week, Canada's Parliament passed legislation to get the reactor back online.
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Disgraced South Korean Scientist Trying to Resume Stem Cell Research
Disgraced South Korean cloning scientist Hwang Woo-Suk is trying to get back into stem cell research. He's part of a team that's seeking government approval to begin a new stem cell project, Agence France-Presse reported.
The South Korean Health Ministry said a research lab opened by Hwang in 2006 submitted the request last week.
An official at the ministry's bioethics and safety bureau told AFP that the scientist "was one of eight researchers from the Suam Biotechnology Institute who filed an application to conduct stem cell studies."
It's expected that the bioethics and safety bureau will meet in February to consider the request, the official said.
Hwang was banned from research using human eggs after it was discovered that he had lied about claims that he created the world's first cloned human stem cells. He is awaiting trial for fraud, embezzlement, ethical breaches and other charges, AFP reported.
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New Drug Benefits Breast Cancer Patients: Studies
Treatment with a drug called Tykerb reduced levels of breast cancer stem cells, which helped eliminate cancer in two-thirds of patients, according to a study presented Sunday at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
The study found that breast cancer stem cells were reduced by about half in 30 patients who received Tykerb for six weeks. After follow-up treatment with Herceptin and chemotherapy, 63 percent of the patients were cancer-free, Bloomberg news reported.
A second study presented at the meeting found that Tykerb shrank the size of brain tumors by at least 20 percent in patients whose breast cancer had spread to the nervous system.
Tykerb received U.S. approval in March and European approval last week. Tykerb, which belongs to a class of drugs called dual-kinase inhibitors -- is recommended for treatment of advanced or metastatic breast cancer in patients with the HER-2 gene.
"This drug does seem to have different ways to prevent cancer from spreading, based on the early studies we're seeing. It's rare to have a huge breakthrough, so at this point we take an optimistic wait-and-see approach," Stephen Jones, medical director for U.S. Oncology Research Inc. in Houston, told Bloomberg.
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Swad Sindoor Recalled Over Lead Concerns
Consumers should not use 3.5-ounce packages of Swad-brand sindoor -- a colored powder used in some South Asian Pacific ceremonies -- because it may contain high levels of lead, warns the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The agency said that even though the red or orange powder is usually applied to the face or scalp and is not intended to be sold as food, the product's labeling is confusing and implies that it can be consumed, United Press International reported.
Two cases of lead poisoning in consumers who used sindoor as an ingredient in home-cooked meals have been confirmed by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The high levels of lead make the sindoor dangerous for cosmetic or any kind of use, the FDA noted.
The agency said that Raja Foods LLC of Skokie, Ill., distributed at least 280 packages of the sindoor to Indian food specialty stores in Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin, UPI reported.
Consumers with recalled packages of sindoor should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
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Gene Mutations May Increase Bowel Cancer Risk: Study
Two genetic mutations that may triple the risk of bowel cancer have been identified by U.K. scientists, says a study in the journal Nature Genetics.
In earlier research, the same team of scientists identified a part of the human genome responsible for Hereditary Mixed Polyposis Syndrome (HMPS), a condition that greatly increases the risk of bowel cancer in Ashkenazi Jews - descendents of Jews from Austria, Germany, Poland and Eastern Europe, BBC News reported.
In this new study, the researchers took at closer look at that region of the human genome. They identified two mutations that are present in many more people with bowel cancer than in the general population.
This is a significant finding, said Professor Ian Tomlinson, joint lead researcher at the Institute of Cancer Research.
"Finding out that a region we thought was only relevant to bowel cancer risk in Ashkenazi Jews was also related to risk in the wide U.K. population is very important," he told BBC News. "This could help us understand how different variants of the same gene affect risk and how genes interact to increase overall risk."
Health Tips for December 18
Health Tip: Make Exercise Fun
Getting young children to exercise is easier if you keep it entertaining, fun and interesting.
The Nemours Foundations offers these suggestions to make exercise more enjoyable:
* Keep your child busy by asking her to hunt for things such as animals, items of a certain color, or objects of a certain shape.
* Sing while you walk or exercise, or say a nursery rhyme or tell a story together.
* Don't just walk -- skip, hop, jump, race and walk backwards.
* Encourage your child to learn while exercising. Have her count how many things she sees, and identify shapes and colors.
Health Tip: Cuticle Care
The tearing of a hangnail, or other cuts and tears in the sensitive skin around the fingernails or toenails, can trigger an infection.
Here are suggestions reduce your risk, courtesy of the University of Michigan Health System:
* Do not pick at your nails and avoid cutting the cuticles.
* Push cuticles back from the nail gently, using a sterile instrument.
* Never pull a hangnail.
* Wear gloves if you are performing an activity that may cut or scratch your fingers.
* See your doctor about a diabetes screening if you get frequent nail infections.
Getting young children to exercise is easier if you keep it entertaining, fun and interesting.
The Nemours Foundations offers these suggestions to make exercise more enjoyable:
* Keep your child busy by asking her to hunt for things such as animals, items of a certain color, or objects of a certain shape.
* Sing while you walk or exercise, or say a nursery rhyme or tell a story together.
* Don't just walk -- skip, hop, jump, race and walk backwards.
* Encourage your child to learn while exercising. Have her count how many things she sees, and identify shapes and colors.
Health Tip: Cuticle Care
The tearing of a hangnail, or other cuts and tears in the sensitive skin around the fingernails or toenails, can trigger an infection.
Here are suggestions reduce your risk, courtesy of the University of Michigan Health System:
* Do not pick at your nails and avoid cutting the cuticles.
* Push cuticles back from the nail gently, using a sterile instrument.
* Never pull a hangnail.
* Wear gloves if you are performing an activity that may cut or scratch your fingers.
* See your doctor about a diabetes screening if you get frequent nail infections.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Health Headlines - December 17
Liposuctioned Fat Stem Cells Effective in Breast Reconstruction after Lumpectomy, Study Finds
A small Japanese study shows promise for using stem cells from liposuctioned fat to reconstruct a woman's breast after she has had a procedure called a lumpectomy to remove small, malignant tumors.
Other methods for reconstructing the breast after lumpectomies have met with only limited success, the Associated Press reports. But the use of fat that contains stem cells appears to allow the tissue to keep from dying and to grow normally.
The study was presented Dec. 15 at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, the wire service reported. San Diego-based Cytori Therapeutics, which developed the procedure, says it will have more studies in Europe and Japan next year.
The Japanese study involved 21 breast cancer patients who had liposuctioned fat removed their tummies, hips or thighs. Half of the fat was used to extract stem cells and was then added to the remaining fat, the A.P. reported. The subjects were injected in three places around the breast.
There was a statistically significant improvement in breast tissue thickness at one and six months after treatment, the lead researcher, Dr. Keizo Sugimachi of Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan, reported. Eight months after treatment, "about 80 percent of the patients are satisfied" with the results, Sugimachi told the wire service.
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CDC Cancels Bids for National Medical Processing Center for Ground Zero Workers
A national plan to provide medical assistance workers from outside the New York metropolitan area who came to assist in The World Trade Center cleanup immediately after its destruction in 2001 has been put on hold, the New York Times reports.
The U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had requested bids to establish a business processing center to administer medical claims at clinics across the country from workers who were experiencing after-effects, especially respiratory problems.
But late in the day on Dec. 13, the CDC cancelled the bidding process, saying that those interested in giving a proposal seemed confused about the requirements for obtaining the government contract, the Times reports.
This latest snag in systematizing medical relief for the thousands of people who came to ground zero from outside new York City after Sep. 11 2001, was "a sign of continued confusion and lack of commitment to this program within this administration," the newspaper quotes Dr. James M. Melius, chairman of the steering committee for the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program, as saying.
The national business center was to help in recruiting doctors to treat those who had medical problems resulting from working at ground zero and to standardize reimbursement. Melius told the Times the national program also would administer a centralized pharmaceutical benefits plan designed to save money over separate prescription plans.
-----
New Human Bird Flu Cases Reported in Asia
The avian flu that health officials worry may still cause a worldwide pandemic has surfaced again in Asia, claiming more human victims, the Associated Press reports.
While there is still no evidence that the H5N1 flu virus has mutated to allow human-to-human transmission, people who raise fowl or are constantly around birds continue to be vulnerable.
Indonesia Friday announced its 93rd human death this year, out of 115 people infected with avian flu, the wire service said.
And the first human case of bird flu case in Myanmar was reported by the World Health organization, the A.P. said. The 7-year-old girl, who became ill in late November, has recovered.
In the eastern Nanjing province of China, a father and son became ill earlier this month. The son, 24, has died, the wire service said, becoming Chinas 17th bird flu victim.
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Recalled Valucraft Booster Cables Pose Shock Hazard
| About 140,00 Valucraft car booster cables are being recalled because the clamps were assembled incorrectly, resulting in reverse polarity. This poses electrical shock and explosion hazards, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says. The Chinese-made cables were sold for between $12 and $20 at AutoZone stores across the United States and on AutoZone's Web site from June 2007 through October 2007. |  |
AutoZone Parts Inc., of Memphis Tenn., has received four reports of incidents of reverse polarity that led to minor property damage.
The recall includes Valucraft eight-gauge and 10-gauge booster cables, which are orange and have "8GA" or "10GA" printed on them. Consumers should stop using these cables and return them to any AutoZone store for a full refund or a free replacement.
For more information, contact AutoZone at 1-800-230-9786.
-----
More Blood Contaminants Found in People with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Study
People with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma have higher levels of environmental contaminants, such as PCBs and organochlorine pesticides, in their blood than people without the disease, a Canadian study found. This suggests that the chemicals may be a factor in the disease, the study authors said.
B.C. Cancer Agency researchers collected blood samples from 900 residents of British Columbia, including 422 people with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, CTV News reported.
Compared to those without the disease, the cancer patients had higher levels of almost every chemical tested for in the study. People with the greatest exposure to PCBs were twice as likely to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma than those with the least exposure.
The findings will appear in the International Journal of Cancer.
"We know that the incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has been steadily rising for the past 30 years worldwide, but there hasn't been clear evidence to explain the increase," lead author John Spinelli, a senior scientist at the B.C. Cancer Agency, told CTV News.
"Our study helps to provide answers to this puzzle by showing a strong link between these specific environmental contaminants and this particular type of cancer," he said.
-----
Minnesota Bans Mercury in Cosmetics
A new Minnesota law banning mercury in mascara, eye liner and skin-lightening creams takes effect on Jan. 1, making Minnesota the first state to forbid intentionally added mercury in cosmetics. The new law means the state will have a tougher standard than the federal government, the Associated Press reported.
While most makeup manufacturers have stopped using mercury, it's still added to some eye products as a preservative and germ killer, an industry association spokesman told the wire service.
"Mercury does cause neurological damage to people even in tiny quantities. Every source of mercury adds to it. We wanted to make sure it wasn't (in cosmetics)," said state Sen. John Marty, the Democrat who sponsored the ban, the AP reported.
Under the new law, retailers who knowingly sell mercury containing cosmetics could be fined as much as $700, while manufacturers who fail to disclose mercury on product labels could be fined as much as $10,000.
Health Tips for December 17
Health Tip: Preventing Illness at Day Care
Day care centers harbor germs that can be difficult to contain.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine suggests these ways to reduce the spread of illness at day care centers:
* Teach your child, if old enough, to wash his hands after using the bathroom.
* Keep your child home if he is sick.
* Breastfeeding your baby can help strengthen her immune system, which could lower her chances of getting sick.
* The day care center should have strict policies and employee training on ways to reduce germs.
* Diaper changing or disposal should never occur near food preparation.
* All employees and children should be required to have regular immunizations.
Health Tip: Spare the Needless Calories
Proteins are an important part of a healthy diet, and can help fill you up without consuming excess calories.
Here are some suggestions from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on how choose and prepare meats:
* Buy meats labeled "extra lean."
* Buy skinless chicken, or pull the skin off before you cook it.
* Choose low-fat lunch meats for sandwiches.
* Trim off fat from any meat before you cook it.
* Bake, broil or grill meats instead of frying them.
* Don't add breading or any other fattening seasonings.
Day care centers harbor germs that can be difficult to contain.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine suggests these ways to reduce the spread of illness at day care centers:
* Teach your child, if old enough, to wash his hands after using the bathroom.
* Keep your child home if he is sick.
* Breastfeeding your baby can help strengthen her immune system, which could lower her chances of getting sick.
* The day care center should have strict policies and employee training on ways to reduce germs.
* Diaper changing or disposal should never occur near food preparation.
* All employees and children should be required to have regular immunizations.
Health Tip: Spare the Needless Calories
Proteins are an important part of a healthy diet, and can help fill you up without consuming excess calories.
Here are some suggestions from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on how choose and prepare meats:
* Buy meats labeled "extra lean."
* Buy skinless chicken, or pull the skin off before you cook it.
* Choose low-fat lunch meats for sandwiches.
* Trim off fat from any meat before you cook it.
* Bake, broil or grill meats instead of frying them.
* Don't add breading or any other fattening seasonings.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Health Headlines - December 16
CDC Cancels Bids for National Medical Processing Center for Ground Zero Workers
A national plan to provide medical assistance workers from outside the New York metropolitan area who came to assist in The World Trade Center cleanup immediately after its destruction in 2001 has been put on hold, the New York Times reports.
The U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had requested bids to establish a business processing center to administer medical claims at clinics across the country from workers who were experiencing after-effects, especially respiratory problems.
But late in the day on Dec. 13, the CDC cancelled the bidding process, saying that those interested in giving a proposal seemed confused about the requirements for obtaining the government contract, the Times reports.
This latest snag in systematizing medical relief for the thousands of people who came to ground zero from outside new York City after Sep. 11 2001, was "a sign of continued confusion and lack of commitment to this program within this administration," the newspaper quotes Dr. James M. Melius, chairman of the steering committee for the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program, as saying.
The national business center was to help in recruiting doctors to treat those who had medical problems resulting from working at ground zero and to standardize reimbursement. Melius told the Times the national program also would administer a centralized pharmaceutical benefits plan designed to save money over separate prescription plans.
-----
New Human Bird Flu Cases Reported in Asia
The avian flu that health officials worry may still cause a worldwide pandemic has surfaced again in Asia, claiming more human victims, the Associated Press reports.
While there is still no evidence that the H5N1 flu virus has mutated to allow human-to-human transmission, people who raise fowl or are constantly around birds continue to be vulnerable.
Indonesia Friday announced its 93rd human death this year, out of 115 people infected with avian flu, the wire service said.
And the first human case of bird flu case in Myanmar was reported by the World Health organization, the A.P. said. The 7-year-old girl, who became ill in late November, has recovered.
In the eastern Nanjing province of China, a father and son became ill earlier this month. The son, 24, has died, the wire service said, becoming Chinas 17th bird flu victim.
-----
Recalled Valucraft Booster Cables Pose Shock Hazard
| About 140,00 Valucraft car booster cables are being recalled because the clamps were assembled incorrectly, resulting in reverse polarity. This poses electrical shock and explosion hazards, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says. The Chinese-made cables were sold for between $12 and $20 at AutoZone stores across the United States and on AutoZone's Web site from June 2007 through October 2007. | |
AutoZone Parts Inc., of Memphis Tenn., has received four reports of incidents of reverse polarity that led to minor property damage.
The recall includes Valucraft eight-gauge and 10-gauge booster cables, which are orange and have "8GA" or "10GA" printed on them. Consumers should stop using these cables and return them to any AutoZone store for a full refund or a free replacement.
For more information, contact AutoZone at 1-800-230-9786.
-----
More Blood Contaminants Found in People with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Study
People with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma have higher levels of environmental contaminants, such as PCBs and organochlorine pesticides, in their blood than people without the disease, a Canadian study found. This suggests that the chemicals may be a factor in the disease, the study authors said.
B.C. Cancer Agency researchers collected blood samples from 900 residents of British Columbia, including 422 people with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, CTV News reported.
Compared to those without the disease, the cancer patients had higher levels of almost every chemical tested for in the study. People with the greatest exposure to PCBs were twice as likely to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma than those with the least exposure.
The findings will appear in the International Journal of Cancer.
"We know that the incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has been steadily rising for the past 30 years worldwide, but there hasn't been clear evidence to explain the increase," lead author John Spinelli, a senior scientist at the B.C. Cancer Agency, told CTV News.
"Our study helps to provide answers to this puzzle by showing a strong link between these specific environmental contaminants and this particular type of cancer," he said.
-----
Minnesota Bans Mercury in Cosmetics
A new Minnesota law banning mercury in mascara, eye liner and skin-lightening creams takes effect on Jan. 1, making Minnesota the first state to forbid intentionally added mercury in cosmetics. The new law means the state will have a tougher standard than the federal government, the Associated Press reported.
While most makeup manufacturers have stopped using mercury, it's still added to some eye products as a preservative and germ killer, an industry association spokesman told the wire service.
"Mercury does cause neurological damage to people even in tiny quantities. Every source of mercury adds to it. We wanted to make sure it wasn't (in cosmetics)," said state Sen. John Marty, the Democrat who sponsored the ban, the AP reported.
Under the new law, retailers who knowingly sell mercury containing cosmetics could be fined as much as $700, while manufacturers who fail to disclose mercury on product labels could be fined as much as $10,000.
-----
FDA to Issue New Guidelines for Drug-Coated Stents
New testing requirements for drug-coated stents will be issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration within the next few weeks, according to Daniel Schultz, director of the agency's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Stents are used to prop open arteries that have been cleared of blockages.
The revised rules were created in response to concerns among some experts that drug-coated stents may cause serious complications, including increased risk of blood clots years after implantation of the stents.
The new FDA guidelines for coated stents are expected to be more stringent than current rules, the Wall Street Journal reported. They'll likely specify the numbers of patients on whom new stents can be tested and for how long, and may offer a recommended length of time that patients should take an anti-clotting drug after receiving a drug-coated stent.
Health Tips for December 16
Health Tip: Insulin Shots
Many diabetics need to inject themselves with insulin to help regulate their blood sugar.
Here are instructions on how to administer an insulin shot, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:
* Thoroughly wash your hands before handing any of the equipment.
* With an alcohol swab, clean the area of the skin to be injected, as well as the top of the insulin bottle.
* Pull back the syringe's plunger, insert it into the insulin bottle, and push the plunger so that air is injected into the bottle.
* With the bottle upside down, pull the plunger back again until the syringe is filled to the appropriate amount of insulin.
* If there are air bubbles, tap on the syringe with your finger, or inject the insulin back into the bottle and refill the syringe.
* Pinch a section of skin, usually on the thigh, arm or stomach, and inject the contents of the syringe at a 90-degree angle.
Health Tip: Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which the body doesn't properly process the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar. This form of diabetes is controlled with medication, proper diet and exercise, and maintaining a healthy body weight, and normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse lists common risk factors for type 2 diabetes:
* Being overweight.
* Being over age 45.
* Having a family history of type 2 diabetes.
* Giving birth to a large baby (more than 9 pounds).
* Having high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
* Having a history of heart disease.
* Maintaining a sedentary lifestyle and getting little or no exercise.
Many diabetics need to inject themselves with insulin to help regulate their blood sugar.
Here are instructions on how to administer an insulin shot, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:
* Thoroughly wash your hands before handing any of the equipment.
* With an alcohol swab, clean the area of the skin to be injected, as well as the top of the insulin bottle.
* Pull back the syringe's plunger, insert it into the insulin bottle, and push the plunger so that air is injected into the bottle.
* With the bottle upside down, pull the plunger back again until the syringe is filled to the appropriate amount of insulin.
* If there are air bubbles, tap on the syringe with your finger, or inject the insulin back into the bottle and refill the syringe.
* Pinch a section of skin, usually on the thigh, arm or stomach, and inject the contents of the syringe at a 90-degree angle.
Health Tip: Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which the body doesn't properly process the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar. This form of diabetes is controlled with medication, proper diet and exercise, and maintaining a healthy body weight, and normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse lists common risk factors for type 2 diabetes:
* Being overweight.
* Being over age 45.
* Having a family history of type 2 diabetes.
* Giving birth to a large baby (more than 9 pounds).
* Having high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
* Having a history of heart disease.
* Maintaining a sedentary lifestyle and getting little or no exercise.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Health Headlines - December 15
Recalled Valucraft Booster Cables Pose Shock Hazard
| About 140,00 Valucraft car booster cables are being recalled because the clamps were assembled incorrectly, resulting in reverse polarity. This poses electrical shock and explosion hazards, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says. The Chinese-made cables were sold for between $12 and $20 at AutoZone stores across the United States and on AutoZone's Web site from June 2007 through October 2007. | |
AutoZone Parts Inc., of Memphis Tenn., has received four reports of incidents of reverse polarity that led to minor property damage.
The recall includes Valucraft eight-gauge and 10-gauge booster cables, which are orange and have "8GA" or "10GA" printed on them. Consumers should stop using these cables and return them to any AutoZone store for a full refund or a free replacement.
For more information, contact AutoZone at 1-800-230-9786.
-----
More Blood Contaminants Found in People with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Study
People with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma have higher levels of environmental contaminants, such as PCBs and organochlorine pesticides, in their blood than people without the disease, a Canadian study found. This suggests that the chemicals may be a factor in the disease, the study authors said.
B.C. Cancer Agency researchers collected blood samples from 900 residents of British Columbia, including 422 people with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, CTV News reported.
Compared to those without the disease, the cancer patients had higher levels of almost every chemical tested for in the study. People with the greatest exposure to PCBs were twice as likely to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma than those with the least exposure.
The findings will appear in the International Journal of Cancer.
"We know that the incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has been steadily rising for the past 30 years worldwide, but there hasn't been clear evidence to explain the increase," lead author John Spinelli, a senior scientist at the B.C. Cancer Agency, told CTV News.
"Our study helps to provide answers to this puzzle by showing a strong link between these specific environmental contaminants and this particular type of cancer," he said.
-----
Minnesota Bans Mercury in Cosmetics
A new Minnesota law banning mercury in mascara, eye liner and skin-lightening creams takes effect on Jan. 1, making Minnesota the first state to forbid intentionally added mercury in cosmetics. The new law means the state will have a tougher standard than the federal government, the Associated Press reported.
While most makeup manufacturers have stopped using mercury, it's still added to some eye products as a preservative and germ killer, an industry association spokesman told the wire service.
"Mercury does cause neurological damage to people even in tiny quantities. Every source of mercury adds to it. We wanted to make sure it wasn't (in cosmetics)," said state Sen. John Marty, the Democrat who sponsored the ban, the AP reported.
Under the new law, retailers who knowingly sell mercury containing cosmetics could be fined as much as $700, while manufacturers who fail to disclose mercury on product labels could be fined as much as $10,000.
-----
FDA to Issue New Guidelines for Drug-Coated Stents
New testing requirements for drug-coated stents will be issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration within the next few weeks, according to Daniel Schultz, director of the agency's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Stents are used to prop open arteries that have been cleared of blockages.
The revised rules were created in response to concerns among some experts that drug-coated stents may cause serious complications, including increased risk of blood clots years after implantation of the stents.
The new FDA guidelines for coated stents are expected to be more stringent than current rules, the Wall Street Journal reported. They'll likely specify the numbers of patients on whom new stents can be tested and for how long, and may offer a recommended length of time that patients should take an anti-clotting drug after receiving a drug-coated stent.
-----
FDA Panel Supports New Sterilization Method for Women
A new method for sterilizing women -- which would provide an alternative to tubal ligation -- should be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, an advisory panel to the agency recommended Thursday.
This new approach, which takes about 15 minutes to accomplish, involves the use of radio signals to create a lesion inside the fallopian tube, the Associated Press reported. Doctors use a catheter to place a soft material -- smaller than a grain of rice -- into the fallopian tube. Healthy tissue grows on and around the material and blocks the tube.
The product, called Adiana, is made by Hologic Inc. of Bedford, Mass, which promotes it as a low-risk procedure that can be performed in a doctor's office. According to study data in FDA documents, the efficacy rate for Adiana is 98.9 percent, the AP reported.
By a 10-3 vote, the FDA's Obstetrics and Gynecology Devices Panel recommended that Adiana be approved for use in the United States. But the panel attached certain conditions, including follow-up of patients treated with Adiana. The FDA isn't required to follow the advice of its advisory panels, but usually does.
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Infantino Lion Teethers Recalled Due to Choking Hazard
| About 28,000 Infantino lion teethers are being recalled because the plastic nose on the teethers can detach and pose a choking hazard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said. So far, there have been eight reports of the nose detaching, including one incident where a child gagged on the dislodged piece. The yellow and orange teethers look like a lion's face. The Chinese-made teethers were distributed in the United States by Infantino LLC, of San Diego, Calif. |  |
They sold for about $5 at specialty stores nationwide from June 2006 through December 2007, the CPSC said.
The recalled products have date codes 6116, 6129, 6158, 6137, 0606, 0806, 0906, and 1006, which can be found on the back of the teether, above the Infantino logo. The recalled teethers should be taken away from young children immediately.
Consumers can contact Infantino at 888-808-3111 for a replacement teether or a product of equal value.
Health Tips for December 15
Health Tip: Help Keep Diabetic Hearts Healthy
Diabetes is a prime risk factor for heart disease, since too much blood sugar can damage the cardiovascular system, notably the blood vessels.
To help diabetics lower their risk, the American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions:
* Check your blood sugar regularly and exercise often -- at least once daily. Also, eat a healthy diet. Avoid fatty and sugar-laden foods.
* Talk to your doctor about whether you need medication to control your diabetes, blood pressure, and/or cholesterol.
* Lose weight, and maintain a healthy body weight.
* Quit smoking.
Health Tip: Diabetics, Examine Your Feet
Diabetics are prone to foot problems that can be serious enough to require amputation.
Good hygiene and regular inspection of the feet can help catch potential problems early.
Here are suggestions for diabetics on how to care for the feet and prevent injury, courtesy of the U.S. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse:
* Thoroughly wash your feet each day in warm -- not hot -- water. Make sure you dry them completely after washing.
* Inspect your feet every day, looking for blisters, calluses, cuts, sores or any signs of redness.
* For dry skin, apply lotion -- but never between the toes.
* Gently file down corns and calluses with a pumice stone after washing your feet.
* Cut your toenails regularly, and file the edges with an emery board.
* Avoid walking barefoot, make sure shoes fit well, and always wear socks or stockings with shoes.
Diabetes is a prime risk factor for heart disease, since too much blood sugar can damage the cardiovascular system, notably the blood vessels.
To help diabetics lower their risk, the American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions:
* Check your blood sugar regularly and exercise often -- at least once daily. Also, eat a healthy diet. Avoid fatty and sugar-laden foods.
* Talk to your doctor about whether you need medication to control your diabetes, blood pressure, and/or cholesterol.
* Lose weight, and maintain a healthy body weight.
* Quit smoking.
Health Tip: Diabetics, Examine Your Feet
Diabetics are prone to foot problems that can be serious enough to require amputation.
Good hygiene and regular inspection of the feet can help catch potential problems early.
Here are suggestions for diabetics on how to care for the feet and prevent injury, courtesy of the U.S. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse:
* Thoroughly wash your feet each day in warm -- not hot -- water. Make sure you dry them completely after washing.
* Inspect your feet every day, looking for blisters, calluses, cuts, sores or any signs of redness.
* For dry skin, apply lotion -- but never between the toes.
* Gently file down corns and calluses with a pumice stone after washing your feet.
* Cut your toenails regularly, and file the edges with an emery board.
* Avoid walking barefoot, make sure shoes fit well, and always wear socks or stockings with shoes.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Health Headlines - December 14
Drug-Related Poisonings Boost Some Death Rates
Unintentional drug-related poisonings are the main reason why certain death rates among adults in the United States have started to increase after a long period of decline, says a study in the current Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Between 1979 and 1999, so-called "injury death rates" in the U.S. declined, but then increased 5.5 percent between 1999 and 2004.
Death rates for unintentional injury, suicide, and undetermined intent injury increased between 1999 and 2004, while homicide rates remained relatively stable.
Increases in poisoning deaths accounted for 61.9 percent of the increase in unintentional injury, 28 percent of the increase in suicide, 81.2 percent of the increase in underdetermined intent injury, and 55.7 percent of the increase in total injury deaths.
Increases in poisoning deaths are most likely being driven by increases in drug-related poisonings, the study authors said.
Adults ages 45 to 54 had the largest increase (25 percent) in total injury death rates, with an additional 8,000 deaths in 2004. By comparison, adults ages 20 to 29 had an 8 percent increase in total injury death rates. Unintentional poisonings accounted for more than 50 percent of the increase in each group.
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CDC To Test Formaldehyde Levels in Katrina Victims' Trailers
Testing of formaldehyde levels in trailers and mobile homes that provide temporary housing for Hurricane Katrina victims will begin Dec. 21, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Thursday.
The testing is being done in response to concerns raised by residents and community members. The CDC plans to test air samples from 500 trailers and mobile homes in Louisiana and Mississippi, and a summary of the findings will be released in early 2008. Residents who take part in the testing will be notified of the results for their individual trailers or mobile homes. Formaldehyde is used in the manufacturing of a number of building products.
"We are mindful of the importance of this information to people who have been living in temporary housing for such a long time," Dr. Henry Falk, director of CDC's Coordinating Center for Environmental Health and Injury Prevention, said in a prepared statement.
"This is a complex task," he said. "Knowledge about health effects of formaldehyde on long-term residents of temporary housing is limited. Levels we find in these tests will help everyone involved in this process make better informed decisions about what steps to take."
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FDA Approves Drug for PKU Patients
A drug called Kuvan (sapropterin dihydrochloride) has been approved for treatment of a rare genetic disorder called tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4)-responsive phenylketonuria (PKU), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday.
The disorder, which causes mental retardation, smaller brain size, delayed speech and other neurological problems, occurs in one of every 12,000 to 15,000 live births in the United States. Kuvan is the first drug approved to slow the effects of PKU.
The FDA approval was based on the results of four short-term (up to 30 weeks) clinical studies that included a total of 579 patients. Common adverse effects reported in the studies included headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain, upper respiratory tract infection and throat pain.
People with PKU aren't able to break down phenylalanine (Phe), an amino acid found in foods that contain proteins, such as meat, dairy and egg products. As a result, PKU patients can develop high blood levels of Phe, which are toxic to the brain.
Kuvan must be used in combination with a Phe-restricted diet, and patients on the drug must have blood levels of Phe checked frequently, the FDA said.
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Many Incontinent Adults Suffer in Silence
One in four American adults will experience incontinence at some point in their lives, but fewer than half of those with the condition -- the inability to control urination or bowel movements -- will voluntarily disclose symptoms to a doctor, says a panel of experts convened by the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
Women are most likely to develop incontinence. Growing older, being overweight, and lack of exercise are among the risk factors for both women and men, the Associated Press reported.
The panel called for more research to find better ways to prevent incontinence and to ease the stigma so that more people with condition will seek help. The experts noted that there are a number of effective treatments, ranging from exercise to medications to surgery.
"We as a society need to get over our discomfort with this subject so that incontinence sufferers receive the compassion, acceptance and care they need, and our aging population can take steps to prevent incontinence in the future," said panel leader Dr. C. Seth Landefeld, chief of geriatrics at the University of California, San Francisco.
Regular physical activity and weight control can help prevent incontinence. The experts recommended that obstetricians should end routine use of episiotomy, an incision to enlarge the vaginal opening during childbirth, the AP reported.
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U.S. House Committee Investigating Zetia Trial
The handling of a key clinical trial of the cholesterol-lowering drug Zetia by drug makers Merck and Schering-Plough is being investigated by a U.S. Congressional committee, The New York Times reported.
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce this week sent a letter to the two drug companies demanding more information about the Enhance trial. It was completed in April 2006, but results have yet to be released.
The letter requested that officials at Merck and Schering-Plough agree to discuss the matter with investigators and said the drug makers should retain important documents about the trial, The Times reported.
Independent experts consider the Enhance trial results as vital because they may answer lingering questions about Zetia's safety and about whether the drug's ability to reduce cholesterol has any real biologic benefit for patients.
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Bush Again Vetoes Children's Health Insurance Legislation
U.S. President George W. Bush on Wednesday again vetoed legislation to expand the State Children's Health Insurance program by $35 billion over five years and to increase enrollment to about 10 million children, the Washington Post reported.
Bush, who vetoed a similar version of the bill on Oct. 3, said he opposed the latest bill because it boosted cigarette taxes and provided coverage for children of middle-class families, instead of concentrating on children of the working poor.
But Democrats and Republicans who supported the bill said the revised version addressed Bush's major concern by capping eligibility at 300 percent of the federal poverty line, which works out to about $60,000 for a family of four, the Post reported.
Supporters of the legislation couldn't muster enough support to override Bush's first veto. It's unclear whether they'll attempt to override this latest action.
Health Tips for December 14
Health Tip: Dealing With Anxiety
For some people, anxiety can be so severe that it is difficult to function.
The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions for dealing with anxiety:
* It's OK to worry about some things -- but try not to let anxiety consume your day. Set aside a certain amount of time each day to consider all of the things that are concerning you, and come up with ways to deal with them. Once your time is up, try to move on.
* Try relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing and stretching.
* Get regular exercise and plenty of sleep. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
* Take care of issues that caused you to worry in the past.
* Talk to your doctor about your anxiety and concerns.
Health Tip: The Benefits of Tying the Knot
Marriage offers real benefits to a person's mental and physical health, research has found.
Here are some examples, courtesy of Hope College:
* Better general health than non-married people, and fewer illnesses.
* Lower incidence of alcoholism.
* Lower rate of suicide.
* Fewer average time spent in hospitals than non-married people, and faster rates of recovery.
* Stronger immune system.
* Less risk of depression, and reduced stress and anxiety.
For some people, anxiety can be so severe that it is difficult to function.
The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions for dealing with anxiety:
* It's OK to worry about some things -- but try not to let anxiety consume your day. Set aside a certain amount of time each day to consider all of the things that are concerning you, and come up with ways to deal with them. Once your time is up, try to move on.
* Try relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing and stretching.
* Get regular exercise and plenty of sleep. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
* Take care of issues that caused you to worry in the past.
* Talk to your doctor about your anxiety and concerns.
Health Tip: The Benefits of Tying the Knot
Marriage offers real benefits to a person's mental and physical health, research has found.
Here are some examples, courtesy of Hope College:
* Better general health than non-married people, and fewer illnesses.
* Lower incidence of alcoholism.
* Lower rate of suicide.
* Fewer average time spent in hospitals than non-married people, and faster rates of recovery.
* Stronger immune system.
* Less risk of depression, and reduced stress and anxiety.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Health Headlines - December 13
Health Experts Warn of Loss of Momentum in Fight Against Smoking
Noting that U.S. smoking rates are stagnant after nearly a decade of decline, a coalition of public health organizations warned Wednesday that the nation's progress in reducing smoking is at risk unless states significantly increase funding for programs to prevent children from smoking and help smokers quit.
The warning, contained in an annual report, assesses whether states are keeping their promise to use proceeds from the 1998 state tobacco settlement to fight tobacco use. This year, the report found that states have increased funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs by 20 percent -- to $717.2 million, the highest level in six years.
But, most states still fail to fund these programs at minimum levels recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the states combined are providing less than half of what the CDC has recommended, the report said.
The report, "A Broken Promise to Our Children: The 1998 State Tobacco Settlement Nine Years Later," was released by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.
Among the report's findings:
- Only three states -- Maine, Delaware and Colorado -- currently fund tobacco prevention programs at CDC minimum levels.
- Only 17 other states fund tobacco prevention programs at even half the CDC's minimum amount.
- Thirty states and the District of Columbia are spending less than half the CDC minimum, while Connecticut has appropriated no funding for tobacco prevention this year.
- Total state funding for tobacco prevention amounts to less than 3 percent of the record $24.9 billion the states will collect this year from the tobacco settlement and tobacco taxes. Just 6.4 percent of this tobacco revenue would fund prevention programs in every state at CDC minimum levels.
- The states' funding of tobacco prevention pales compared to the $13.4 billion a year spent on tobacco marketing and the nearly $100 billion spent each year on health-care bills due to tobacco use.
The report comes as recent surveys have found that the nation's progress in reducing smoking has stalled among both children and adults. The CDC recently reported that 20.8 percent of adults smoked in 2006, about the same as the 20.9 percent in 2004 and 2005. This followed a steady decline between 1997 and 2004. High school smoking rates have similarly stalled after declining from a high of 36.4 percent in 1997, and 23 percent of high school students still smoke, according to the most recent CDC data cited by the report.
The CDC has attributed this stall to several factors, including cuts in tobacco prevention funding, increases in tobacco marketing and stagnant cigarette prices due to industry discounting.
"It is unacceptable to stand still in the fight against the number one preventable cause of death in our country," said William V. Corr, executive director of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "As the Institute of Medicine and the President's Cancer Panel found, we know what works to reduce smoking, save lives and save money by reducing tobacco-related health care costs. What's needed is the political leadership to fund and implement these measures as aggressively as the tobacco companies continue to market their deadly and addictive products."
Tobacco use is the nation's leading preventable cause of death, killing more than 400,000 people and costing nearly $100 billion in health-care bills each year, the report said.
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U.S. Cholesterol Average Drops to New Low
For the first time since it began in 1960, a national survey has found that the average total cholesterol level among American adults is in the ideal range. The average level in 2005-2006 was 199, according to the survey of about 4,500 people 20 and older. A level of 200 or less is desirable.
The National Center for Health Statistics conducts the blood test survey in two-year intervals. The average total cholesterol level was 204 in 1999-2000 and 222 in 1960, the Associated Press reported.
The new survey also found that the percentage of adults with high cholesterol (240 or higher) was 16 percent, compared to 20 percent in the early 1990s. Among survey respondents, 65 percent of men and 75 percent of women had been screened for high cholesterol in the previous five years.
A primary reason for the positive news may be rising use of cholesterol-lowering drugs in people 60 and older, said report author Susan Schober, a senior epidemiologist at the National Center for Health Statistics, the AP reported.
"These age groups are the ones most likely to be treated with medication," she said.
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Annual U.S. Hospital Bill May Hit $1 Trillion in 2008: Report
In 2005, U.S. hospitals charged a combined $873 billion for patient treatment, nearly 90 percent more than the $462 billion cumulative hospital bill in 1997, according to the latest News and Numbers from the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Over the past several years, the average annual rate of increase in the national hospital bill was 4.5 percent. At that rate, the annual tally may hit $1 trillion by 2008, the report said.
Medicare paid the majority of the 2005 national hospital bill ($411 billion), followed by private insurers ($272 billion) and Medicaid ($124 billion). Uninsured patients accounted for $38 billion in charges. The remaining $28 billion was paid for by other insurers, including Workers' Compensation, TRICARE, Title V, and other government programs.
Five conditions accounted for a considerable chunk of the national hospital bill: coronary artery disease ($46 billion); pregnancy and childbirth ($44 billion); newborn infant care ($35 billion); heart attack ($32 billion); and congestive heart failure ($30 billion).
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U.S. and China Sign Drug and Food Safety Accords
After nearly seven months of negotiations, the United States and China have signed a pact to strengthen regulation of drugs and medical devices exported to the United States, The New York Times reported.
Under the accord, all Chinese companies that make certain drugs for export to the United States will have to register with Chinese regulators. Drugs covered under the pact include the cholesterol-lowering drug atorvastatin (Lipitor), the erectile dysfunction drug sildenafil (Viagra), and the antibiotic gentamicin sulfate.
However, the pact does little to regulate bulk pharmaceutical ingredients made by thousands of unlicensed chemical companies in China. Some of those ingredients are substandard and dangerous, the newspaper said.
While this agreement doesn't address all areas of concern, American officials said it's an important first step in helping the Chinese government regulate unlicensed companies, the Times reported.
The United States and China also signed an agreement that places new registration and inspection requirements on 10 food products exported by Chinese companies. The specified products include some preserved foods, pet foods and farm-raised fish, all of which have come under suspicion of being tainted, The Times said.
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People With Asian Ancestry Should Be Tested Before Taking Carbamazepine: FDA
Drugs that contain the active ingredient carbamazepine will carry a warning that patients with Asian ancestry should get a genetic blood test before taking the drugs. The test will determine if they're at increased risk for rare, but serious, skin reactions, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.
Drugs that contain carbamazepine -- sold under the brand names Carbatrol, Equetro and Tegretol -- are used to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder and neuropathic pain.
The risk of skin reactions -- which can include lesions, blisters, fever and itching -- is about 1 to 6 people per 10,000 among new users of such drugs in countries with mainly white populations. However, the risk is estimated to be about 10 times higher in some Asian countries.
It's estimated that about 5 percent of patients being considered for treatment with affected drugs are of Asian ancestry and would need to have this test, which looks for an inherited variant of an immune system gene found almost exclusively in people with Asian ancestry, the FDA said.
Patients who test positive shouldn't be treated with carbamazepine unless the benefit clearly outweighs the increased risk of serious skin reactions, the agency said.
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Excess Weight Reduces Women's Fertility: Study
The more overweight a woman becomes, the less fertile she becomes, according to results of a Dutch study published in the journal Human Reproduction.
Researchers evaluated 3,000 women with fertility problems and found that every point increase in body mass index (BMI) among women with a BMI between 30 and 35 resulted in a 4 percent decrease in conception rates, compared to women with a BMI between 21 and 29, BBC News reported.
People with a BMI above 25 are considered overweight, while those with a BMI over 30 are defined as obese.
The study also found that severely obese women (a BMI greater than 35) were between 26 percent and 49 percent less likely to get pregnant than those with a BMI between 21 and 29, BBC News reported.
"Given the increased prevalence of obesity, this is a worrying finding," said study leader Dr. Jan Willem van der Steeg. "We think women should be informed about their lower pregnancy chances due to their overweight."
The researchers suggested that losing weight may increase the likelihood of conception without the need for fertility treatment, BBC News reported.
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Death Toll Reaches 30 in Uganda Ebola Outbreak
The death toll from an Ebola outbreak in Uganda is now 30 out of 116 people known to have been infected with the deadly virus, Agence France-Presse reported.
Health officials are still registering new infections in Bundibugyo district, the epicenter of the outbreak and home to 250,000 people. Hundreds of medical workers and villagers who have had physical contact with infected patients are under observation, Ugandan authorities said.
Experts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are continuing their testing for the virus, which has been identified as a new strain of Ebola, AFP reported. The outbreak began in September but was only identified as Ebola in late November.
Ebola is a blood-borne disease that's spread through contact with bodily fluids.
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