Every year the New Year's bashes are becoming bigger and bigger. Organizers are innovating to the hilt to pull in the crowds. The crowd itself is getting increasingly eclectic because the travel is often included in the party charges. People from all over the world converge onto places like New York, Australia and Bali for New Year’s Eve. Amongst all the fun and noise it is important to ensure that the proceedings are engulfed in a net of safety. New Year’s Eve is a night that is ripe for the occurrence of any untoward event. It should not only be left to the law to take care that nothing bad happens. There are a host of safety measures that people can take for their own good on the big night.
The common sense tactics include not drinking and driving. A driver has to be designated before having that first drink. Public transportation is another safe option. If traveling in the back of a cab sounds unappealing then spend the night at a friend's place. If you are the host of the party please ensure that nonalcoholic drinks are also served. A close friend could become a drunken lout; have the strength to refuse him/her a drink if he/she is finding it difficult to keep their emotions in check.
A pet at home could be a problem because pets can easily get scared with the fireworks and large crowd. If enough pre-planning is done, the pet can be desensitized to sound, but if that is not possible, the pet can be reassured by the tone of the owner’s voice time and again. Make sure that your pet has ID tags with current information on them, and that they are safely secured both before and through the holiday period. Candles, kids and pets don’t mix. Keep them away from each other.
The onus of a safe party lies with the host. The host should know a few things about the liquor that is being served. Beer and wine are just as intoxicating as hard liquor. A 12-ounce can of beer, a five-ounce glass of wine, a 12-ounce wine cooler and an ounce and a half of liquor contain the same amount of alcohol. Mixers won't help dilute alcohol. Carbonated mixers like club soda or tonic water cause alcohol to be absorbed into a person's system more quickly. Fruit juice and other sweet mixers mask the taste of alcohol and may cause people to drink more. Fatty food provided with the alcohol will help because it will create a lining around the stomach that will prevent the alcohol from getting inside. This will ensure that the drinker is not overly dehydrated. There is a tendency to rely on someone’s physical appearance to determine his/her state of drunkenness, this must be avoided at all costs.
Lighting fireworks can create the desired visual and psychological effect but water must be kept at hand at all times. There is a temptation to ignore this because it will be snowing and a snowball can douse a firework gone awry. Snow is not the same thing as water!
Have your chimney checked each year. Install a carbon monoxide detector. Fireplace ashes should be disposed of in a metal container with a tight fitting lid not in paper sacks, cardboard boxes or plastic trashcans. Seventy percent of all home fire fatalities occur in homes where there are no smoke alarms or alarms that work. Nearly one quarter of home smoke alarms are not working. Buy special smoke alarms for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. Develop an exit plan with the whole family.
If New Year’s is going to be spent with work place colleagues then hire a shuttle or limousine service to provide transportation for those that have been drinking. If you provide an open bar, be sure the bartender has had server training to prevent overserving and serving guests under the legal drinking age. Do not push drinks and don’t let anyone else do so either.
If boating is the preferred mode of celebration on New Year’s Eve then enjoy the fire in the sky by keeping it safe. Make the most of your boating experience this New Year's Eve by being prepared and safe. If you're on the water, ensure a life jacket is available for each person on board. Do a thorough check of the boats safety gear. Switch on your navigation lights. If you are the master of the vessel then drink very judiciously. Don't set off flares. It's illegal and dangerous. Be patient at the end of the midnight fireworks. Event organizers need to check all fireworks have exploded before traffic can be allowed under the bridge.
Here's hoping you and yours have a safe and happy new year!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Health Headlines - December 31
Bush Signs Extension of Child Health-Care Program Into Law
President Bush on Saturday signed legislation that would extend a controversial children's health insurance program, after twice denying attempts to expand its reach.
The extension of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) should provide states with funds to cover those enrolled through March 2009, the Associated Press reported. Bush and Republican legislators contend the program will cover families that currently fall into a coverage gap -- earning too much to qualify for Medicaid but too little to afford private insurance.
But Democrats, with the support of some Republican legislators, were pushing hard for an expansion of the program to cover an estimated four million more children, the AP said. Their proposal, which would have added $35 billion to SCHIP coffers, was to have been paid for by an increase in the tobacco tax.
But Bush claimed that the Democrats' plan ignored the nation's neediest children. He also objected to the tax increase and what he described as a move toward more government-funded health care.
The current program covers about 6 million children, but Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Saturday said her party won't stop "until 10 million children receive the health-care coverage they deserve."
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FDA Warns of Norovirus in Louisiana Oysters
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers to avoid eating raw oysters harvested from the West Karako Bay area of Louisiana between Dec. 3 and 21 because they may carry a potentially deadly pathogen called norovirus.
"FDA has received reports of norovirus infection in seven individuals who ate raw oysters on Dec. 13 at a restaurant in Chattanooga, Tenn.," the agency said in a statement released Saturday. "Test results from two of the ill patients were positive for norovirus," they add, and tests of oysters harvested from West Karako Bay and served at the restaurant also tested positive for the virus.
Norovirus infection presents with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps, along with fatigue, fever, chills, and headache. The illness usually passes within 48 hours but can be serious for the very young, the elderly, or those with compromised immune systems.
According to the FDA, the infected oysters were distributed by Bon Secour Fisheries in Alabama to the restaurant in Chattanooga, and the shellfish may "still [be] available in other retail and food service settings."
The agency notes that cooking (boiling or steaming) oysters destroys norovirus.
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FDA Warns About Supplements Marketed to Treat Impotence
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to buy or use products marketed as dietary supplements to treat erectile dysfunction because they could reduce blood pressure to dangerous levels in some men.
The products, produced in China, are marketed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and for sexual enhancement. Although they're marketed as dietary supplements, they don't qualify as supplements because they contain "undeclared" active ingredients of FDA-approved prescription drugs for erectile dysfunction. That makes the products illegal because they lack FDA approval, the agency said in a statement released Friday evening.
The products are marketed as Super Shangai, Strong Testis, Shangai Ultra, Shangai Ultra X, Lady Shangai, Shangai Regular and Shangai Chaojimengnan products, the FDA said.
The agency said it performed chemical testing that showed that Super Shangai, Strong Testis, Shangai Ultra, Shangai Ultra X and Lady Shangai contain sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, an FDA-approved drug for impotence. Shangai Regular, also marketed as Shangai Chaojimengnan, contains an unapproved substance with a chemical structure akin to sildenafil that may cause similar side effects and drug interactions.
These undeclared ingredients could interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs -- such as nitroglycerin -- and can lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. People with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates. Erectile dysfunction is a common problem in men with these medical conditions.
"Products like these put consumers at considerable risk because they contain undeclared active ingredients in FDA-approved drugs that require a prescription to obtain," said Dr. Janet Woodcock, the agency's deputy commissioner for scientific and medical programs, and acting director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "An unsuspecting consumer with underlying medical issues may buy and take these products without knowing that they can cause serious drug interactions."
The products are packaged and distributed by Shangai Distributor Inc. of Coamo, Puerto Rico, the FDA said.
-----
Here's to a Happy and Healthy New Ear -- and Nose and Throat
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery is offering some tips to protect the health of your ears, nose and throat in the new year.
"Ear, nose, and throat health problems are some of the most common ailments that Americans face," Dr. Jeffrey Spiegel, associate professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at the Boston University School of Medicine, said in a prepared statement. "From colds and the flu in the winter to allergies in the spring, a few simple tips can help people enjoy a more productive, healthful 2008."
More than 37 million American adults suffer from the common respiratory condition sinusitis, and 45 million children and adults struggle with recurring seasonal and perennial allergies. Each season can bring a variety of ear, nose, and throat problems, the academy said.
The otolaryngologists -- doctors trained to treat conditions of the ear, nose, and throat -- recommend following these tips:
- Track your symptoms. Each winter, many people assume they're only suffering from a one-time bout with a cold or flu when they develop symptoms like a stuffy nose or watery eyes. But, they may have a chronic condition like sinusitis or allergies that can be easily controlled with proper treatment. If you suffer from the same symptoms time after time, or they occur at the same time every year, see an otolaryngologist for a diagnosis.
- Enjoy leisure time, but be aware. During the summer and fall, kids are at their most active. After a day at the pool, check with your kids to make sure they aren't suffering from symptoms of swimmer's ear. It's easy for water to get trapped in the ear canal after a swim or even a bath.
- Turn the volume down. Most people are exposed to noise 365 days a year, but they can help their hearing health by turning down the volume when they listen to music, watch TV, or use their cell phones. More than 20 million Americans have suffered permanent damage to their hearing from too much loud noise.
-----
Milk Considered Source of Food Poisoning That Killed 2 in Mass.
Massachusetts health officials have warned consumers not to drink milk produced by a local dairy, saying it was probably the source of a bacterial illness that killed two men and sickened two others, the Associated Press reported.
Whittier Farms has suspended operations and distribution, said Dr. Alfred DeMaria, the state director of communicable disease control, the AP reported. The news service said calls to Whittier Farms seeking comment were not immediately returned on Thursday.
The state Department of Public Health issued the warning Thursday after identifying four cases of listeriosis. Two of the victims, a 78-year-old man and a 75-year-old man, died in June and October, the AP said.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, listeriosis is a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The disease affects primarily pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems. Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal problems such as nausea or diarrhea. If infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions can occur.
Some steps to take to avoid listeriosis, according to the CDC, include:
- Thoroughly cooking raw food from animal sources, such as beef, pork, or poultry;
- Thoroughly washing raw vegetables before eating;
- Avoiding unpasteurized milk or foods made from unpasteurized milk.
-----
U.S. Ruling Allows Insurance Cutbacks for Retirees Over 65
U.S. employers can cut or eliminate altogether health benefits for retired people over age 65, the Equal Opportunity Commission ruled Wednesday.
The agency's decision permits the creation of two classes of retirees -- people younger than 65 who are entitled to more comprehensive benefits, and people 65 and older who can be afforded limited health benefits from their former employers or none at all, The New York Times reported. At age 65, many retirees become eligible for Medicare.
Employer-sponsored health premiums have risen an average of 6.1 percent this year and a total of 78 percent since 2001, the newspaper reported, citing statistics from the Kaiser Family Foundation.
The commission said employers are not required by federal law to offer health benefits to either active or former employees. However, in issuing its edict, the commission noted, "The final rule is not intended to encourage employers to eliminate any retiree health benefits they may currently provide."
Nonetheless, the AARP and other organizations representing seniors condemned the decision. "This rule gives employers free rein to use age as a basis for reducing or eliminating health care benefits for retirees 65 and older, said AARP attorney Christopher Mackaronis, who said the ruling could affect as many as 10 million people.
In June, a U.S. Court of Appeals decision upheld the commission's right to establish this sort of exemption to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967. The AARP has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review that decision, the Times said.
In related news, a federal judge on Wednesday struck down a portion of a San Francisco program that provided health care benefits to some 82,000 uninsured residents, the Associated Press reported.
Employers cannot be forced to subsidize the city government's plan, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White ruled. "By mandating employee health benefit structures and administration, those requirements interfere with preserving employer autonomy over whether and how to provide employee health coverage, and ensuring uniform national regulation of such coverage," White's decision said.
Health Tips for December 31
Health Tip: Gain a Foothold on Winter Walking Safety
Staying on your feet in the snow, slush and ice of winter requires special walking tactics, health and safety experts say.
"You can never be too careful, particularly since we haven't had this type of weather in quite awhile," Dr. Ronald Grelsamer, a hip and knee specialist at Mount Sinai's Department of Orthopaedics in New York City, said in a prepared statement. "People should also pay special attention when exiting trains, buses and cars, because you never know what the surface will be like until your feet hit the ground, especially at night."
Grelsamer offered three key techniques to safe winter walking:
- Move feet slightly apart while walking. This provides better balance. A very slippery street can also be better managed with slightly bent knees.
- Walk sideways down an incline. While many people may be tempted to cross one foot over another going downhill, Grelsamer warned this actually makes balancing more difficult. As with slippery surfaces, slightly bent knees can help maintain balance on a steep slope.
- Plan to protect the dominant arm -- that's the right one for right-handed people, the left for lefties. Falls are unpredictable, but holding a coat over that dominant arm or a package in that hand may force the use of the other, weaker arm in the event of a fall.
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 30, 2007
Health Headlines - December 30
FDA Warns About Supplements Marketed to Treat Impotence
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to buy or use products marketed as dietary supplements to treat erectile dysfunction because they could reduce blood pressure to dangerous levels in some men.
The products, produced in China, are marketed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and for sexual enhancement. Although they're marketed as dietary supplements, they don't qualify as supplements because they contain "undeclared" active ingredients of FDA-approved prescription drugs for erectile dysfunction. That makes the products illegal because they lack FDA approval, the agency said in a statement released Friday evening.
The products are marketed as Super Shangai, Strong Testis, Shangai Ultra, Shangai Ultra X, Lady Shangai, Shangai Regular and Shangai Chaojimengnan products, the FDA said.
The agency said it performed chemical testing that showed that Super Shangai, Strong Testis, Shangai Ultra, Shangai Ultra X and Lady Shangai contain sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, an FDA-approved drug for impotence. Shangai Regular, also marketed as Shangai Chaojimengnan, contains an unapproved substance with a chemical structure akin to sildenafil that may cause similar side effects and drug interactions.
These undeclared ingredients could interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs -- such as nitroglycerin -- and can lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. People with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates. Erectile dysfunction is a common problem in men with these medical conditions.
"Products like these put consumers at considerable risk because they contain undeclared active ingredients in FDA-approved drugs that require a prescription to obtain," said Dr. Janet Woodcock, the agency's deputy commissioner for scientific and medical programs, and acting director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "An unsuspecting consumer with underlying medical issues may buy and take these products without knowing that they can cause serious drug interactions."
The products are packaged and distributed by Shangai Distributor Inc. of Coamo, Puerto Rico, the FDA said.
-----
Here's to a Happy and Healthy New Ear -- and Nose and Throat
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery is offering some tips to protect the health of your ears, nose and throat in the new year.
"Ear, nose, and throat health problems are some of the most common ailments that Americans face," Dr. Jeffrey Spiegel, associate professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at the Boston University School of Medicine, said in a prepared statement. "From colds and the flu in the winter to allergies in the spring, a few simple tips can help people enjoy a more productive, healthful 2008."
More than 37 million American adults suffer from the common respiratory condition sinusitis, and 45 million children and adults struggle with recurring seasonal and perennial allergies. Each season can bring a variety of ear, nose, and throat problems, the academy said.
The otolaryngologists -- doctors trained to treat conditions of the ear, nose, and throat -- recommend following these tips:
- Track your symptoms. Each winter, many people assume they're only suffering from a one-time bout with a cold or flu when they develop symptoms like a stuffy nose or watery eyes. But, they may have a chronic condition like sinusitis or allergies that can be easily controlled with proper treatment. If you suffer from the same symptoms time after time, or they occur at the same time every year, see an otolaryngologist for a diagnosis.
- Enjoy leisure time, but be aware. During the summer and fall, kids are at their most active. After a day at the pool, check with your kids to make sure they aren't suffering from symptoms of swimmer's ear. It's easy for water to get trapped in the ear canal after a swim or even a bath.
- Turn the volume down. Most people are exposed to noise 365 days a year, but they can help their hearing health by turning down the volume when they listen to music, watch TV, or use their cell phones. More than 20 million Americans have suffered permanent damage to their hearing from too much loud noise.
-----
Milk Considered Source of Food Poisoning That Killed 2 in Mass.
Massachusetts health officials have warned consumers not to drink milk produced by a local dairy, saying it was probably the source of a bacterial illness that killed two men and sickened two others, the Associated Press reported.
Whittier Farms has suspended operations and distribution, said Dr. Alfred DeMaria, the state director of communicable disease control, the AP reported. The news service said calls to Whittier Farms seeking comment were not immediately returned on Thursday.
The state Department of Public Health issued the warning Thursday after identifying four cases of listeriosis. Two of the victims, a 78-year-old man and a 75-year-old man, died in June and October, the AP said.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, listeriosis is a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The disease affects primarily pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems. Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal problems such as nausea or diarrhea. If infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions can occur.
Some steps to take to avoid listeriosis, according to the CDC, include:
- Thoroughly cooking raw food from animal sources, such as beef, pork, or poultry;
- Thoroughly washing raw vegetables before eating;
- Avoiding unpasteurized milk or foods made from unpasteurized milk.
-----
U.S. Ruling Allows Insurance Cutbacks for Retirees Over 65
U.S. employers can cut or eliminate altogether health benefits for retired people over age 65, the Equal Opportunity Commission ruled Wednesday.
The agency's decision permits the creation of two classes of retirees -- people younger than 65 who are entitled to more comprehensive benefits, and people 65 and older who can be afforded limited health benefits from their former employers or none at all, The New York Times reported. At age 65, many retirees become eligible for Medicare.
Employer-sponsored health premiums have risen an average of 6.1 percent this year and a total of 78 percent since 2001, the newspaper reported, citing statistics from the Kaiser Family Foundation.
The commission said employers are not required by federal law to offer health benefits to either active or former employees. However, in issuing its edict, the commission noted, "The final rule is not intended to encourage employers to eliminate any retiree health benefits they may currently provide."
Nonetheless, the AARP and other organizations representing seniors condemned the decision. "This rule gives employers free rein to use age as a basis for reducing or eliminating health care benefits for retirees 65 and older, said AARP attorney Christopher Mackaronis, who said the ruling could affect as many as 10 million people.
In June, a U.S. Court of Appeals decision upheld the commission's right to establish this sort of exemption to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967. The AARP has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review that decision, the Times said.
In related news, a federal judge on Wednesday struck down a portion of a San Francisco program that provided health care benefits to some 82,000 uninsured residents, the Associated Press reported.
Employers cannot be forced to subsidize the city government's plan, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White ruled. "By mandating employee health benefit structures and administration, those requirements interfere with preserving employer autonomy over whether and how to provide employee health coverage, and ensuring uniform national regulation of such coverage," White's decision said.
-----
Avastin Improves Advanced Breast Cancer Survival: Study
Avastin (bevacizumab), a drug that inhibits the growth of blood vessels that supply tumors, slows the progression of metastatic breast cancer and prolongs survival, researchers wrote in the Dec. 27 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Their study of 722 women with recurrent breast cancer found that women who took Avastin combined with standard chemotherapy had progression-free survival of 11.3 months, compared to 6 months on standard chemotherapy alone.
"This therapy is a one-two punch! You hit the tumor with the chemo and sabotage new blood vessel growth by restricting its oxygen supply with Avastin," Dr. Melody Cobleigh, a study co-author and director of the Coleman Foundation Comprehensive Breast Center at Rush University, said in a statement.
Avastin not only slowed the growth of tumors, it also doubled the remission rate -- the shrinkage of tumors by 50 percent or more, the statement said.
About 178,000 women will be diagnosed in the United States this year with breast cancer, and an estimated 40,000 will die from the disease, the American Cancer Society says.
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Diabetic Test Strips Recalled
Certain diabetic test strips used with Bayer's Contour TS Blood Glucose Meter are being recalled, because they may overstate how much blood sugar a user has by up to 17 percent, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.
An error in the strips' manufacturing process led to the recall, Bayer said. Affected strips have lot numbers beginning with WK, followed by the characters 7D, 7E, 7F, or 7G, then followed by a series of additional letters and numbers.
The strips were sold mostly by mail order in the United States and may also have been distributed in France, Austria, Turkey, Korea, and Mexico.
The recall affects only the strips and not the meters themselves. Other strips and meters produced by Bayer are unaffected.
For more information, go to www.bayerdiabetes.com, or call toll-free 800-348-8100.
Health Tips for December 30
Health Tip: Put Safety First During Winter Fun
Winter sports provide kids with great exercise and fun, but proper safety measures are needed to prevent injuries, say pediatric trauma experts. "We see a startling number of injuries among children, from sledding accidents to snowmobile crashes and beyond," Amy Teddy, manager of the pediatric injury prevention program at the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, said in a prepared statement. "That's why it's so important for parents to make sure their children have taken the proper safety precautions before heading out into the snow."
Teddy and Cindy Wegryn, pediatric trauma coordinator at Mott, offer the following winter sports safety tips:
- Children should wear a helmet when they're snowboarding, sledding, snowmobiling and skiing.
- Dress to keep warm and safe. Wear layers of clothing and top it off with coats that are wind- and water-resistant. When snowmobiling, make sure that scarves and any loose fabrics are tucked in.
- Parents should always supervise young children and keep them in sight. Older children should always have at least one companion.
- Don't play on ice, which poses a serious fall risk. When skating, use ice only in areas designated for skating, and check for cracks and debris on the ice.
- When skiing, snowboarding or sledding, always make sure the path is clear of people and other obstacles.
- Only take part in winter sports in areas well-lit by sunlight or artificial light.
- No matter what the winter activity, always think about safety. For example, never pull your child in a sled behind a snowmobile or other motorized vehicle.
Because food is such a focal point of the holidays, it's all too easy to pack on extra pounds when joining family and friends in celebration.
But a bit of planning may help you avoid weight gain, says Jennifer Ebelhar, an assistant professor of nutrition and dietetics at Saint Louis University.
"It's OK to indulge in a little of your favorite holiday treats. But try planning ahead for indulgences and cutting back in other areas. If you simply must have the dessert, try cutting back on other high-calorie sides that don't matter as much to you," she said in a prepared statement.
Ebelhar offered the following tips for preventing holiday weight gain:
- Make healthy changes to your favorite holiday treats. For example, use applesauce instead of oil in your holiday breads, use egg substitute instead of whole eggs, and try plain, nonfat yogurt instead of sour cream in recipes.
- Choose wisely. Before you fill your plate, think about which foods are your favorites and which ones you can do without. It's also a good idea to fill up on low-calorie foods first to avoid overindulging. Remember that foods aren't the only major source of calories. Drinks such as sodas, fruit punch, eggnog and alcoholic beverages can contain 150 to 450 calories per glass.
- Chew slowly and enjoy your food. "Make one plate of the foods you really want. Eat it slowly, enjoying it and savoring every last bite. And then pop in a stick of gum and position yourself away from the food," Ebelhar said.
- Instead of putting out lots of cookies, candy and other sweet treats, provide healthier choices like fruit, vegetables and nuts for your family and friends.
- Get exercise. It can help keep off unwanted pounds, relieve stress and regulate your appetite.
- Don't put too much pressure on yourself. You're not going to be able to lose weight during the holidays. Your goal is to try to maintain your weight. "If you overindulge at a holiday party, put it behind you and return to your usual eating plan the next day without guilt or despair," Ebelhar said.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Health Headlines - December 29
Milk Considered Source of Food Poisoning That Killed 2 in Mass.
Massachusetts health officials have warned consumers not to drink milk produced by a local dairy, saying it was probably the source of a bacterial illness that killed two men and sickened two others, the Associated Press reported.
Whittier Farms has suspended operations and distribution, said Dr. Alfred DeMaria, the state director of communicable disease control, the AP reported. The news service said calls to Whittier Farms seeking comment were not immediately returned on Thursday.
The state Department of Public Health issued the warning Thursday after identifying four cases of listeriosis. Two of the victims, a 78-year-old man and a 75-year-old man, died in June and October, the AP said.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, listeriosis is a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The disease affects primarily pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems. Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal problems such as nausea or diarrhea. If infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions can occur.
Some steps to take to avoid listeriosis, according to the CDC, include:
- Thoroughly cooking raw food from animal sources, such as beef, pork, or poultry;
- Thoroughly washing raw vegetables before eating;
- Avoiding unpasteurized milk or foods made from unpasteurized milk.
-----
U.S. Ruling Allows Insurance Cutbacks for Retirees Over 65
U.S. employers can cut or eliminate altogether health benefits for retired people over age 65, the Equal Opportunity Commission ruled Wednesday.
The agency's decision permits the creation of two classes of retirees -- people younger than 65 who are entitled to more comprehensive benefits, and people 65 and older who can be afforded limited health benefits from their former employers or none at all, The New York Times reported. At age 65, many retirees become eligible for Medicare.
Employer-sponsored health premiums have risen an average of 6.1 percent this year and a total of 78 percent since 2001, the newspaper reported, citing statistics from the Kaiser Family Foundation.
The commission said employers are not required by federal law to offer health benefits to either active or former employees. However, in issuing its edict, the commission noted, "The final rule is not intended to encourage employers to eliminate any retiree health benefits they may currently provide."
Nonetheless, the AARP and other organizations representing seniors condemned the decision. "This rule gives employers free rein to use age as a basis for reducing or eliminating health care benefits for retirees 65 and older, said AARP attorney Christopher Mackaronis, who said the ruling could affect as many as 10 million people.
In June, a U.S. Court of Appeals decision upheld the commission's right to establish this sort of exemption to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967. The AARP has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review that decision, the Times said.
In related news, a federal judge on Wednesday struck down a portion of a San Francisco program that provided health care benefits to some 82,000 uninsured residents, the Associated Press reported.
Employers cannot be forced to subsidize the city government's plan, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White ruled. "By mandating employee health benefit structures and administration, those requirements interfere with preserving employer autonomy over whether and how to provide employee health coverage, and ensuring uniform national regulation of such coverage," White's decision said.
-----
Avastin Improves Advanced Breast Cancer Survival: Study
Avastin (bevacizumab), a drug that inhibits the growth of blood vessels that supply tumors, slows the progression of metastatic breast cancer and prolongs survival, researchers wrote in the Dec. 27 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Their study of 722 women with recurrent breast cancer found that women who took Avastin combined with standard chemotherapy had progression-free survival of 11.3 months, compared to 6 months on standard chemotherapy alone.
"This therapy is a one-two punch! You hit the tumor with the chemo and sabotage new blood vessel growth by restricting its oxygen supply with Avastin," Dr. Melody Cobleigh, a study co-author and director of the Coleman Foundation Comprehensive Breast Center at Rush University, said in a statement.
Avastin not only slowed the growth of tumors, it also doubled the remission rate -- the shrinkage of tumors by 50 percent or more, the statement said.
About 178,000 women will be diagnosed in the United States this year with breast cancer, and an estimated 40,000 will die from the disease, the American Cancer Society says.
-----
New Drug Treats Blood Loss From Surgery
Voluven was approved Thursday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to prevent and treat significant loss of blood from surgery.
The intravenous solution, containing a synthetic starch that does not dissolve in water, expands the volume of blood plasma. This helps draw the blood into the small vessels called capillaries, preventing the potentially fatal cases of shock that can result from a massive loss of blood, the agency said in a statement.
In clinical testing, Voluven proved as safe and effective as other so-called "blood volume expanders" such as Hespan.
Voluven (6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 in 0.9% sodium chloride injection) is produced by the German firm Fresenius Kabi.
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Children's Blocks Recalled for Choking Hazard
| About 170,000 sets of toy blocks made in China are being recalled because the plastic covering on the blocks can detach, posing a choking hazard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday. The Tot Tower blocks, distributed by eeBoo Corp. of New York City, were produced in sets of 10 blocks with various images and themes. Sold at specialty and gift shops across the United States from January 2003 through September 2007, sets cost about $20 each. The company has received two reports of the plastic laminate detaching from the blocks. No injuries have been reported. |  |
Consumers should immediately take the blocks away from children and return them to the place of purchase for a refund or replacement toy. For more information, contact eeBoo at 800-791-5619.
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Diabetic Test Strips Recalled
Certain diabetic test strips used with Bayer's Contour TS Blood Glucose Meter are being recalled, because they may overstate how much blood sugar a user has by up to 17 percent, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.
An error in the strips' manufacturing process led to the recall, Bayer said. Affected strips have lot numbers beginning with WK, followed by the characters 7D, 7E, 7F, or 7G, then followed by a series of additional letters and numbers.
The strips were sold mostly by mail order in the United States and may also have been distributed in France, Austria, Turkey, Korea, and Mexico.
The recall affects only the strips and not the meters themselves. Other strips and meters produced by Bayer are unaffected.
For more information, go to www.bayerdiabetes.com, or call toll-free 800-348-8100.
Health Tips for December 29
Health Tip: What's an A1c Test?
A hemoglobin A1c test is recommended for many diabetics several times per year. The test helps doctors see how well blood sugar has been controlled over the prior two or three months.
The University of Michigan Health System offers this additional information about the test:
* The amount of hemoglobin A1c in your blood indicates how high your blood sugar has been over the past three months. This can help determine if medication, diet and other remedies prescribed by your doctor are working.
* The test should be done every three months, unless you have your sugar well- controlled. In that case, your doctor may suggest getting the test every six months.
* Test results can help predict the likelihood of diabetic complications, including heart disease, or damage to the eyes, kidneys or nervous system.
Health Tip: Triggers of Acne
While acne is commonly attributed to poor diet and skin care, this and other types of problem skin are often triggered by factors beyond a person's control.
The U.S. National Women's Health Information Center offers this list of potential risk factors for acne:
* Hormonal changes caused by puberty.
* Hormonal changes caused by menopause, menstrual cycles or pregnancy.
* Some medications, including some used for epilepsy and depression.
* Wearing makeup.
* Irritation to the skin caused by friction from hats, helmets or backpacks.
* A family history of acne.
A hemoglobin A1c test is recommended for many diabetics several times per year. The test helps doctors see how well blood sugar has been controlled over the prior two or three months.
The University of Michigan Health System offers this additional information about the test:
* The amount of hemoglobin A1c in your blood indicates how high your blood sugar has been over the past three months. This can help determine if medication, diet and other remedies prescribed by your doctor are working.
* The test should be done every three months, unless you have your sugar well- controlled. In that case, your doctor may suggest getting the test every six months.
* Test results can help predict the likelihood of diabetic complications, including heart disease, or damage to the eyes, kidneys or nervous system.
Health Tip: Triggers of Acne
While acne is commonly attributed to poor diet and skin care, this and other types of problem skin are often triggered by factors beyond a person's control.
The U.S. National Women's Health Information Center offers this list of potential risk factors for acne:
* Hormonal changes caused by puberty.
* Hormonal changes caused by menopause, menstrual cycles or pregnancy.
* Some medications, including some used for epilepsy and depression.
* Wearing makeup.
* Irritation to the skin caused by friction from hats, helmets or backpacks.
* A family history of acne.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Health Headlines - December 28
U.S. Ruling Allows Insurance Cutbacks for Retirees Over 65
U.S. employers can cut or eliminate altogether health benefits for retired people over age 65, the Equal Opportunity Commission ruled Wednesday.
The agency's decision permits the creation of two classes of retirees -- people younger than 65 who are entitled to more comprehensive benefits, and people 65 and older who can be afforded limited health benefits from their former employers or none at all, The New York Times reported. At age 65, many retirees become eligible for Medicare.
Employer-sponsored health premiums have risen an average of 6.1 percent this year and a total of 78 percent since 2001, the newspaper reported, citing statistics from the Kaiser Family Foundation.
The commission said employers are not required by federal law to offer health benefits to either active or former employees. However, in issuing its edict, the commission noted, "The final rule is not intended to encourage employers to eliminate any retiree health benefits they may currently provide."
Nonetheless, the AARP and other organizations representing seniors condemned the decision. "This rule gives employers free rein to use age as a basis for reducing or eliminating health care benefits for retirees 65 and older, said AARP attorney Christopher Mackaronis, who said the ruling could affect as many as 10 million people.
In June, a U.S. Court of Appeals decision upheld the commission's right to establish this sort of exemption to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967. The AARP has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review that decision, the Times said.
In related news, a federal judge on Wednesday struck down a portion of a San Francisco program that provided health care benefits to some 82,000 uninsured residents, the Associated Press reported.
Employers cannot be forced to subsidize the city government's plan, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White ruled. "By mandating employee health benefit structures and administration, those requirements interfere with preserving employer autonomy over whether and how to provide employee health coverage, and ensuring uniform national regulation of such coverage," White's decision said.
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Avastin Improves Survival in Women With Advanced Breast Cancer: Study
Avastin (bevacizumab), a drug that inhibits the growth of blood vessels that supply tumors, slows the progression of metastatic breast cancer and prolongs survival, researchers wrote in the Dec. 27 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Their study of 722 women with recurrent breast cancer found that women who took Avastin combined with standard chemotherapy had progression-free survival of 11.3 months, compared to 6 months on standard chemotherapy alone.
"This therapy is a one-two punch! You hit the tumor with the chemo and sabotage new blood vessel growth by restricting its oxygen supply with Avastin," Dr. Melody Cobleigh, a study co-author and director of the Coleman Foundation Comprehensive Breast Center at Rush University, said in a statement.
Avastin not only slowed the growth of tumors, it also doubled the remission rate -- the shrinkage of tumors by 50 percent or more, the statement said.
About 178,000 women will be diagnosed in the United States this year with breast cancer, and an estimated 40,000 will die from the disease, the American Cancer Society says.
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New Drug Treats Blood Loss From Surgery
Voluven was approved Thursday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to prevent and treat significant loss of blood from surgery.
The intravenous solution, containing a synthetic starch that does not dissolve in water, expands the volume of blood plasma. This helps draw the blood into the small vessels called capillaries, preventing the potentially fatal cases of shock that can result from a massive loss of blood, the agency said in a statement.
In clinical testing, Voluven proved as safe and effective as other so-called "blood volume expanders" such as Hespan.
Voluven (6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 in 0.9% sodium chloride injection) is produced by the German firm Fresenius Kabi.
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Children's Blocks Recalled for Choking Hazard
| About 170,000 sets of toy blocks made in China are being recalled because the plastic covering on the blocks can detach, posing a choking hazard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday. The Tot Tower blocks, distributed by eeBoo Corp. of New York City, were produced in sets of 10 blocks with various images and themes. Sold at specialty and gift shops across the United States from January 2003 through September 2007, sets cost about $20 each. The company has received two reports of the plastic laminate detaching from the blocks. No injuries have been reported. | |
Consumers should immediately take the blocks away from children and return them to the place of purchase for a refund or replacement toy. For more information, contact eeBoo at 800-791-5619.
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Diabetic Test Strips Recalled
Certain diabetic test strips used with Bayer's Contour TS Blood Glucose Meter are being recalled, because they may overstate how much blood sugar a user has by up to 17 percent, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.
An error in the strips' manufacturing process led to the recall, Bayer said. Affected strips have lot numbers beginning with WK, followed by the characters 7D, 7E, 7F, or 7G, then followed by a series of additional letters and numbers.
The strips were sold mostly by mail order in the United States and may also have been distributed in France, Austria, Turkey, Korea, and Mexico.
The recall affects only the strips and not the meters themselves. Other strips and meters produced by Bayer are unaffected.
For more information, go to www.bayerdiabetes.com, or call toll-free 800-348-8100.
Health Tips for December 28
Health Tip: What's Causing Your Dizziness?
Dizziness is not a disease, but a symptom of another condition. While it's usually not serious and is often temporary, it helps to know what's causing the problem.
The University of Michigan Health System lists these common causes of dizziness:
* An infection or other condition affecting the inner ear.
* Fatigue, stress or fever.
* Low blood sugar.
* Anemia.
* Dehydration.
* An injury to the head.
* A heart or circulatory condition.
* Stroke.
* A side effect of certain medications.
Health Tip: If You're a Shy Teen
Many teens deal with shyness, especially as their bodies change and they begin to feel more self-conscious.
The Nemours Foundation offers these suggestions for overcoming shyness:
* Try being more open around people you already know, and practice conversing, making eye contact and asking questions.
* Smile -- it will help build your confidence.
* Come up with a couple of ways to start a conversation with someone, so that you're prepared in a situation with someone new.
* If you need to make a call, give a speech or have a conversation that you're nervous about, write it down and rehearse it first.
* Try joining groups or clubs where you and other people have similar interests.
* Learn to stand up for yourself, and don't be afraid to ask questions or ask for help.
Dizziness is not a disease, but a symptom of another condition. While it's usually not serious and is often temporary, it helps to know what's causing the problem.
The University of Michigan Health System lists these common causes of dizziness:
* An infection or other condition affecting the inner ear.
* Fatigue, stress or fever.
* Low blood sugar.
* Anemia.
* Dehydration.
* An injury to the head.
* A heart or circulatory condition.
* Stroke.
* A side effect of certain medications.
Health Tip: If You're a Shy Teen
Many teens deal with shyness, especially as their bodies change and they begin to feel more self-conscious.
The Nemours Foundation offers these suggestions for overcoming shyness:
* Try being more open around people you already know, and practice conversing, making eye contact and asking questions.
* Smile -- it will help build your confidence.
* Come up with a couple of ways to start a conversation with someone, so that you're prepared in a situation with someone new.
* If you need to make a call, give a speech or have a conversation that you're nervous about, write it down and rehearse it first.
* Try joining groups or clubs where you and other people have similar interests.
* Learn to stand up for yourself, and don't be afraid to ask questions or ask for help.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Health Headlines - December 27
N.J. Approves HIV Testing for Pregnant Women, Some Newborns
HIV testing will become part of routine prenatal care for pregnant women in New Jersey under a law signed Wednesday by acting Gov. Richard Codey, the Associated Press reported. The measure also requires a newborn to be tested if the mother tests positive for the AIDS-causing virus or if her HIV status isn't known.
The law, which takes effect in six months, does allow a woman to opt out of the testing if she chooses. The measure was signed by Codey, who is acting governor while Gov. Jon Corzine is out of the country for the holidays. Codey sponsored the measure as president of the state Senate.
"We can significantly reduce the number of infections to newborns and help break down the stigma associated with the disease," Codey said. "For newborns, early detection can be the ultimate lifesaving measure."
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended voluntary HIV testing for all pregnant women, the AP said. This and other medical interventions during pregnancy can lower mother-to-child HIV transmission from 25 percent to 2 percent, the CDC said.
The American Civil Liberties Union and some women's groups have contended that even though the testing is voluntary, the law deprives women of "the authority to make medical decisions," the AP reported.
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Medication Pumps Recalled
Cardinal Health is recalling an unspecified number of infusion pumps that are used to dispense medication because a manufacturing error could lead to overinfusion of medication, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.
Affected Alaris Pump model 8100 modules were shipped prior to Sept. 27, 2007. They may contain misassembled occluder springs, which could work intermittently and give no warning of overinfusion, the agency said. Overinfusion of medication could "result in serious adverse health consequences or death," the FDA said in a statement.
The recalled pumps were distributed to 46 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Saudi Arabia.
Anyone with questions about the recall may contact Cardinal Health customer service at 800-625-6627.
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'Fertility Diet' Book Causes Controversy
Harvard School of Public Health researchers may be feeling the heat from a controversial new book that suggests a link between diet and human fertility, the Boston Globe reported Wednesday.
While "The Fertility Diet" doesn't make a direct claim that the new Harvard plan is a cure for infertility, the book's title, media hype and public statements by its authors make a case for a strong insinuation, the newspaper reported.
The authors studied more than 17,000 women who recorded their dietary habits and their attempts to become pregnant. The researchers concluded that women had a lower risk of infertility caused by the lack of a viable monthly egg if their diets included monosaturated fats (i.e., olive oil instead of trans fat); vegetable proteins (in beans and nuts, rather than animal fats); whole grains instead of carbohydrates that cause a rapid rise in blood sugar; some whole milk products (ice cream in moderation); multivitamins containing folic acid; and iron (from foods and supplements), the newspaper said.
The newspaper reported that the book seems to go beyond establishing a statistical correlation between diet and fertility. "We have discovered 10 simple changes that offer a powerful boost in fertility for women with ovulation-related infertility," the Globe quoted the book's authors as saying.
And in a Dec. 10 interview with Newsweek, the authors said their diet plan was aimed at preventing and "reversing" infertility, the newspaper reported.
Critics of the book worry that some women could blame themselves if they did not get pregnant, or worse -- fail to see a doctor for needed medical guidance.
"This book is blatantly irresponsible," the Globe quoted Dr. Gil Wilshire, a reproductive endocrinologist at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, Mo., as saying. "I will be having women who wasted one, two, three years of their lives with imprecise, ineffective treatment. Those are precious years you can't get back."
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Russian Farm Culls 600,000 Chickens to Block Bird Flu
Authorities at a farm in southern Russia have destroyed an estimated 600,000 chickens, hoping to prevent the H5N1 strain of bird flu from spreading, the Canadian Press reported Wednesday.
The massive cull occurred in the Rostov-on-Don region. Birds sickened from the deadly virus also have been reported in the neighboring Tselinsky district and Krasnodar region, the CP reported.
While no human cases of bird flu have been reported in Russia, the H5N1 strain has been confirmed among fowl in several other regions since 2005.
Global health authorities say avian flu is still difficult to transmit between fowl and people, but they have long feared that the virus could mutate and pose a significant threat of a human flu pandemic.
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Survey Finds Parents Don't Admit Kids Are Fat
Despite ongoing reports of the global obesity epidemic, many American parents whose children are obese do not see it, a new survey finds.
The survey of 2,060 adults, conducted by Internet research firm Knowledge Networks, collected height and weight measurements on the children from their parents, then used that to calculate body mass index. When a child's BMI was higher than the 95th percentile for children who are the same age and gender, the child was considered obese.
Among parents with an obese, or extremely overweight, child between 6 and 11 years old, 43 percent said their child was "about the right weight," 37 percent said their child was "slightly overweight," and 13 percent said "very overweight." Others said "slightly underweight."
For those with an obese teen between 12 and 17 years old, the survey found more awareness of weight as a problem. Fifty-six percent said their child was "slightly overweight," 31 percent responded "very overweight," 11 percent said "about the right weight," and others said "slightly underweight."
The findings "suggests to me that parents of younger kids believe that their children will grow out of their obesity, or something will change at older ages," said Dr. Matthew M. Davis, a University of Michigan professor of pediatrics and internal medicine who led the recently released study, the Associated Press reported.
Parental denial about their kids' weight is worrisome, experts say, because obese children run the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol problems and other ailments more commonly found in adults.
U.S. government statistics estimate that 9 million adolescents (17 percent of the population) are overweight and 80 percent of overweight adolescents grow up to be obese adults. Childhood obesity rates have tripled since 1970.
Dr. Reginald Washington, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, told the AP that in about half the cases where a child is obese, at least one of the parents is overweight also.
Health Tips for December 27
Health Tip: If You Fear Going to the Dentist
Anxiety about going to the dentist is common, but fear shouldn't prevent you from keeping your teeth in good health.
The American Dental Association offers these suggestions to help ease anxiety at the dentist's office:
* Talk to your dentist or hygienist about your anxiety, so they can better understand and accommodate your needs.
* Schedule appointments when you have plenty of time and won't feel rushed -- such as very early in the morning, or on a Saturday.
* Bring soothing music to distract you during your appointment -- especially if the sounds of a dental office bother you.
* Visualize yourself somewhere pleasant -- on a beach, with family or at a park.
Health Tip: Teach Yourself to Shave
Many teen boys begin to develop facial hair during puberty, and want to begin shaving.
The Nemours Foundation offers these suggestions for a smooth, painless shave:
* Try shaving your face right after getting out of the shower. Or, wet your face with warm water to soften the skin and facial hair.
* Thoroughly cover the areas to be shaved with a moisturizing shave gel or cream.
* Moving the razor in the direction of the hair, shave in short, slow strokes.
* Don't press too hard -- only hard enough to make sure you're cutting the hairs, not the skin.
* Start with the sides of your face, then do the tougher parts like the chin, upper lip, throat and around your mouth.
* Rinse your face well with cool water, and apply an aftershave or moisturizing cream.
Anxiety about going to the dentist is common, but fear shouldn't prevent you from keeping your teeth in good health.
The American Dental Association offers these suggestions to help ease anxiety at the dentist's office:
* Talk to your dentist or hygienist about your anxiety, so they can better understand and accommodate your needs.
* Schedule appointments when you have plenty of time and won't feel rushed -- such as very early in the morning, or on a Saturday.
* Bring soothing music to distract you during your appointment -- especially if the sounds of a dental office bother you.
* Visualize yourself somewhere pleasant -- on a beach, with family or at a park.
Health Tip: Teach Yourself to Shave
Many teen boys begin to develop facial hair during puberty, and want to begin shaving.
The Nemours Foundation offers these suggestions for a smooth, painless shave:
* Try shaving your face right after getting out of the shower. Or, wet your face with warm water to soften the skin and facial hair.
* Thoroughly cover the areas to be shaved with a moisturizing shave gel or cream.
* Moving the razor in the direction of the hair, shave in short, slow strokes.
* Don't press too hard -- only hard enough to make sure you're cutting the hairs, not the skin.
* Start with the sides of your face, then do the tougher parts like the chin, upper lip, throat and around your mouth.
* Rinse your face well with cool water, and apply an aftershave or moisturizing cream.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Health Headlines - December 26
Survey Finds Parents Don't Admit Kids Are Fat
Despite ongoing reports of the global obesity epidemic, many American parents whose children are obese do not see it, a new survey finds.
The survey of 2,060 adults, conducted by Internet research firm Knowledge Networks, collected height and weight measurements on the children from their parents, then used that to calculate body mass index. When a child's BMI was higher than the 95th percentile for children who are the same age and gender, the child was considered obese.
Among parents with an obese, or extremely overweight, child between 6 and 11 years old, 43 percent said their child was "about the right weight," 37 percent said their child was "slightly overweight," and 13 percent said "very overweight." Others said "slightly underweight."
For those with an obese teen between 12 and 17 years old, the survey found more awareness of weight as a problem. Fifty-six percent said their child was "slightly overweight," 31 percent responded "very overweight," 11 percent said "about the right weight," and others said "slightly underweight."
The findings "suggests to me that parents of younger kids believe that their children will grow out of their obesity, or something will change at older ages," said Dr. Matthew M. Davis, a University of Michigan professor of pediatrics and internal medicine who led the recently released study, the Associated Press reported.
Parental denial about their kids' weight is worrisome, experts say, because obese children run the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol problems and other ailments more commonly found in adults.
U.S. government statistics estimate that 9 million adolescents (17 percent of the population) are overweight and 80 percent of overweight adolescents grow up to be obese adults. Childhood obesity rates have tripled since 1970.
Dr. Reginald Washington, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, told the AP that in about half the cases where a child is obese, at least one of the parents is overweight also.
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FDA Takes Steps to Prevent Tampering With Foods, Cosmetics
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has released "self-assessment tools" for the food and cosmetics industries to minimize the risk of intentional contamination of products.
"The tools FDA is providing will help members of the food and cosmetic industry identify opportunities to better guard against intentional contamination of their products," Dr. David Acheson, acting director of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, said in a prepared statement Friday.
In 2003, the FDA issued a set of Food and Cosmetic Security Preventive Measures Guidance documents. The documents are designed for operators of food and cosmetic establishments, as well as businesses that produce, process, store, repack, re-label, distribute, sell or transport foods, food ingredients, and cosmetics. The documents are intended to help operators minimize the risk of malicious, criminal, or terrorist actions involving products under their control.
Using industry feedback, the FDA repackaged the information in the guidance documents and created a corresponding self-assessment tool for each document. By using the tools, industry members can get a quick and detailed assessment of the measures they currently have in place to protect against intentional contamination of their products. With this information, it will be easy for them to see where improvements to their current practices can be made, the agency said.
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Certain Brain Injuries Lessen PTSD Incidence: Study
People who have certain brain injuries are less likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a new study of combat-exposed Vietnam War veterans shows.
The findings indicate that certain drugs or pacemaker-like devices that suppress activity in these areas of the brain could be effective treatments for PTSD, according to the study authors from the U.S. National Institutes of Health and the National Naval Medical Center.
PTSD is characterized by the frequent reliving of traumatic events through nightmares and flashbacks. Up to 30 percent of Vietnam veterans, which could mean more than 1 million of them, have been diagnosed with the disorder, the NIH said in a statement. A similar rate has been reported among Hurricane Katrina survivors.
Millions more Americans may have PTSD from more personal experiences, including assault, rape, child abuse, and car accidents, the statement said.
"If we could show that lesions in a specific brain region eliminated PTSD, we knew we could say that the region is critical to developing the disorder," said study lead author Jordan Grafman, a senior investigator at the NIH's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Grafman and his colleagues examined 193 veterans with brain injuries and 52 who had combat exposure but no brain injury. Those with injuries to two parts of the brain -- the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and the amygdala -- were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with PTSD than veterans who didn't have brain injuries.
Results of the findings appear in the current online issue of the journal Nature Neuroscience.
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Canned Green Beans Recalled for Possible Botulism
Cans labeled "GFS Fancy Blue Lake Cut Green Beans" are being recalled because they may be contaminated with the deadly bacterium that causes botulism, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.
The institutional sized 6-pound, 5-ounce cans were sold at GFS Marketplace stores in 11 states. They were labeled with lot code 19H7FL and UPC code 93901 11873. To date, the FDA said it has no reports of illness from the recalled product, manufactured by the New Era Canning Co., of New Era, Mich.
The product may be contaminated with C botulinum bacteria, which produce a toxin that could lead to life-threatening illness or death. Consumers or institutions who have cans involved in the recall should carefully double-bag the cans in plastic bags and dispose of them, the FDA said. Even tiny amounts of the bacterium that is accidentally ingested, inhaled or absorbed through cuts in the skin could cause serious illness. Hands should be washed immediately after handling affected cans, whether opened or not.
New Era is recalling 171 cases of the beans, and the FDA said it is working with the company and the Michigan Department of Agriculture to determine if additional cans may be involved.
The recalled beans were distributed in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The FDA said it doesn't believe the beans were initially distributed outside the United States.
Symptoms of botulism poisoning can start from six hours to two weeks after contaminated food is eaten. Warning signs may include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and muscle weakness that feels like it is traveling down the body. Botulism poisoning also can cause paralysis of the breathing muscles.
Anyone with questions about the recall may call the FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.
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USDA Issues Alert for Tainted Beef Possibly Sold at Safeway
Federal health officials issued a public health alert for ground beef that may have been tainted with multi-drug resistant salmonella and sold at Safeway Inc. stores in five states between Sept. 19 and Nov. 5.
A news release from the USDA stressed that these products are not still available for sale, but consumers who may have bought the beef and stored in the freezer for later use should discard or destroy it if they find it.
The five states the beef was sold in were Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and New Mexico.
The alert was issued on Thursday following a CDC investigation that determined there was an association between the beef products and 38 illnesses reported in Arizona (16); California (18); Idaho (1); and Nevada (3). After an exhaustive search, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service was unable to track down specific lots or shipments that might have been contaminated with salmonella Newport, the release said.
The Pleasanton, Calif.-based supermarket chain said no Safeway product has tested positive for salmonella to date, according to Dow Jones Newswires.
Health Tips for December 26
Health Tip: Post-Holiday Letdown Can Be Avoided
Eating a balanced diet and staying active are key to beating the blues this holiday season, say mental health experts.
"I see more cases of depression in January than any other time of year," Dr. Gary L. Malone, medical director and chief of behavioral health at Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth, Texas, said in a prepared statement.
Once the party is over, and the wrapping paper has been picked up, many otherwise festive people may feel unusually down.
According to Baylor health system experts, the holiday season is fraught with triggers for depression. Eating, drinking and spending too much are among the causes of holiday blues. Add family tension or grief over lost loved ones, and the mix can become potent.
According to Malone, there are a few things people can do to avoid post-holiday letdown:
- Eat a balanced diet, which results in more energy and an improved sense of wellbeing. Cut back on caffeine if you are having trouble sleeping and cut back on the festive cocktails.
- Go for a walk. Physical activity helps you lose weight and improves your mood. If the winter weather looks foreboding, work out inside. Take advantage of New Year's specials to join a gym or your fellow post-holiday shoppers walking the outer edge of the mall.
- Talk about it. According to Malone, sharing your troubles with someone else can be a relief, and they may be able to offer another perspective that could help you.
If these steps don't help ease the blues away, consider talking to a physician.
The symptoms of depression include a persistent sad or "empty" mood; sleeping too little or too much; weight loss or weight gain; loss of interest in once-enjoyed activities; restlessness; difficulty concentrating; tiredness; and thoughts of death or suicide.
Health Tip: Beware Holiday Toys That Can Injure Young EyesWhile concern about lead in toys has attracted a great deal of attention lately, it's just one of the potential dangers that toys may pose to children. For example, some toys can damage children's eyes, warns the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).
There were more than 210,000 toy-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms in 2005, and about 6,000 of those involved injuries to the eyes of children under age 15, according to the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission.
"The holidays are supposed to be a time of happiness and celebration. A serious eye injury can bring an abrupt end to the celebration. Parents should choose a toy that is appropriate for their child's age, abilities, maturity, and the parent's willingness to supervise use of the toy," Dr. David Coats, clinical correspondent for the AAO and a pediatric ophthalmologist at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, said in a prepared statement.
BB guns, darts, pellet guns and paintball guns are among the toys that pose a threat to the eyes.
"Any toy that can eject or propel an object can lead to a serious eye injury if used incorrectly. This includes innocuous appearing toys such as a popgun or a paddleball set," Coats said.
He also said children who receive sports equipment as gifts should be given protective eyewear.
"If you plan to give sports equipment, provide appropriate protective gear, such as helmets, facemasks or goggles with polycarbonate lenses," Coats said.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Health Headlines - December 25
Merry Christmas !!
FDA Takes Steps to Prevent Tampering With Foods, Cosmetics
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has released "self-assessment tools" for the food and cosmetics industries to minimize the risk of intentional contamination of products.
"The tools FDA is providing will help members of the food and cosmetic industry identify opportunities to better guard against intentional contamination of their products," Dr. David Acheson, acting director of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, said in a prepared statement Friday.
In 2003, the FDA issued a set of Food and Cosmetic Security Preventive Measures Guidance documents. The documents are designed for operators of food and cosmetic establishments, as well as businesses that produce, process, store, repack, re-label, distribute, sell or transport foods, food ingredients, and cosmetics. The documents are intended to help operators minimize the risk of malicious, criminal, or terrorist actions involving products under their control.
Using industry feedback, the FDA repackaged the information in the guidance documents and created a corresponding self-assessment tool for each document. By using the tools, industry members can get a quick and detailed assessment of the measures they currently have in place to protect against intentional contamination of their products. With this information, it will be easy for them to see where improvements to their current practices can be made, the agency said.
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Certain Brain Injuries Lessen PTSD Incidence: Study
People who have certain brain injuries are less likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a new study of combat-exposed Vietnam War veterans shows.
The findings indicate that certain drugs or pacemaker-like devices that suppress activity in these areas of the brain could be effective treatments for PTSD, according to the study authors from the U.S. National Institutes of Health and the National Naval Medical Center.
PTSD is characterized by the frequent reliving of traumatic events through nightmares and flashbacks. Up to 30 percent of Vietnam veterans, which could mean more than 1 million of them, have been diagnosed with the disorder, the NIH said in a statement. A similar rate has been reported among Hurricane Katrina survivors.
Millions more Americans may have PTSD from more personal experiences, including assault, rape, child abuse, and car accidents, the statement said.
"If we could show that lesions in a specific brain region eliminated PTSD, we knew we could say that the region is critical to developing the disorder," said study lead author Jordan Grafman, a senior investigator at the NIH's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Grafman and his colleagues examined 193 veterans with brain injuries and 52 who had combat exposure but no brain injury. Those with injuries to two parts of the brain -- the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and the amygdala -- were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with PTSD than veterans who didn't have brain injuries.
Results of the findings appear in the current online issue of the journal Nature Neuroscience.
-----
Canned Green Beans Recalled for Possible Botulism
Cans labeled "GFS Fancy Blue Lake Cut Green Beans" are being recalled because they may be contaminated with the deadly bacterium that causes botulism, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.
The institutional sized 6-pound, 5-ounce cans were sold at GFS Marketplace stores in 11 states. They were labeled with lot code 19H7FL and UPC code 93901 11873. To date, the FDA said it has no reports of illness from the recalled product, manufactured by the New Era Canning Co., of New Era, Mich.
The product may be contaminated with C botulinum bacteria, which produce a toxin that could lead to life-threatening illness or death. Consumers or institutions who have cans involved in the recall should carefully double-bag the cans in plastic bags and dispose of them, the FDA said. Even tiny amounts of the bacterium that is accidentally ingested, inhaled or absorbed through cuts in the skin could cause serious illness. Hands should be washed immediately after handling affected cans, whether opened or not.
New Era is recalling 171 cases of the beans, and the FDA said it is working with the company and the Michigan Department of Agriculture to determine if additional cans may be involved.
The recalled beans were distributed in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The FDA said it doesn't believe the beans were initially distributed outside the United States.
Symptoms of botulism poisoning can start from six hours to two weeks after contaminated food is eaten. Warning signs may include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and muscle weakness that feels like it is traveling down the body. Botulism poisoning also can cause paralysis of the breathing muscles.
Anyone with questions about the recall may call the FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.
-----
USDA Issues Alert for Tainted Beef Possibly Sold at Safeway
Federal health officials issued a public health alert for ground beef that may have been tainted with multi-drug resistant salmonella and sold at Safeway Inc. stores in five states between Sept. 19 and Nov. 5.
A news release from the USDA stressed that these products are not still available for sale, but consumers who may have bought the beef and stored in the freezer for later use should discard or destroy it if they find it.
The five states the beef was sold in were Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and New Mexico.
The alert was issued on Thursday following a CDC investigation that determined there was an association between the beef products and 38 illnesses reported in Arizona (16); California (18); Idaho (1); and Nevada (3). After an exhaustive search, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service was unable to track down specific lots or shipments that might have been contaminated with salmonella Newport, the release said.
The Pleasanton, Calif.-based supermarket chain said no Safeway product has tested positive for salmonella to date, according to Dow Jones Newswires.
------
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.
-----
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.
Health Tips for December 25
Merry Christmas !!
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: Maintaining Routine Can Chase Holiday Blues Away
While the Christmas season is a time of joy and celebration for many, it can trigger holiday blues in some people.
If you are prone to holiday blues, there are things you can do to help prevent them, says Dr. Rajnish Mago, director of the Mood Disorders Program at the Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
Mago offered the following tips:
* Maintain your daily routine as much as possible. Don't vary by more than an hour either way the time you normally wake up, eat and go to bed. Sticking to your daily routine can help stabilize your biorhythm and reduce stress and sadness.
* Get exercise, which is an important stress-reliever. Research has shown that aerobic exercise alone can reduce depression. Get at least 30 minutes (45 minutes is better) of exercise a day. If you're older or have health problems, check with your doctor before you start an exercise program.
* Limit your chocolate consumption. Research has shown that chocolate can give people a temporary mood boost, but it can increase sadness over the long-term.
* If you have to spend time with relatives or friends with whom there may be conflict, determine beforehand how you're going to deal with the situation, rather than simply getting swept up in a bad situation.
* Instead of scouring overcrowded stores for the perfect gift for each person, buy gift cards or certificates. Or you can purchase presents online or over the phone.
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: Maintaining Routine Can Chase Holiday Blues Away
While the Christmas season is a time of joy and celebration for many, it can trigger holiday blues in some people.
If you are prone to holiday blues, there are things you can do to help prevent them, says Dr. Rajnish Mago, director of the Mood Disorders Program at the Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
Mago offered the following tips:
* Maintain your daily routine as much as possible. Don't vary by more than an hour either way the time you normally wake up, eat and go to bed. Sticking to your daily routine can help stabilize your biorhythm and reduce stress and sadness.
* Get exercise, which is an important stress-reliever. Research has shown that aerobic exercise alone can reduce depression. Get at least 30 minutes (45 minutes is better) of exercise a day. If you're older or have health problems, check with your doctor before you start an exercise program.
* Limit your chocolate consumption. Research has shown that chocolate can give people a temporary mood boost, but it can increase sadness over the long-term.
* If you have to spend time with relatives or friends with whom there may be conflict, determine beforehand how you're going to deal with the situation, rather than simply getting swept up in a bad situation.
* Instead of scouring overcrowded stores for the perfect gift for each person, buy gift cards or certificates. Or you can purchase presents online or over the phone.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Health Headlines - December 24
Canned Green Beans Recalled for Possible Botulism
Cans labeled "GFS Fancy Blue Lake Cut Green Beans" are being recalled because they may be contaminated with the deadly bacterium that causes botulism, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.
The institutional sized 6-pound, 5-ounce cans were sold at GFS Marketplace stores in 11 states. They were labeled with lot code 19H7FL and UPC code 93901 11873. To date, the FDA said it has no reports of illness from the recalled product, manufactured by the New Era Canning Co., of New Era, Mich.
The product may be contaminated with C botulinum bacteria, which produce a toxin that could lead to life-threatening illness or death. Consumers or institutions who have cans involved in the recall should carefully double-bag the cans in plastic bags and dispose of them, the FDA said. Even tiny amounts of the bacterium that is accidentally ingested, inhaled or absorbed through cuts in the skin could cause serious illness. Hands should be washed immediately after handling affected cans, whether opened or not.
New Era is recalling 171 cases of the beans, and the FDA said it is working with the company and the Michigan Department of Agriculture to determine if additional cans may be involved.
The recalled beans were distributed in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The FDA said it doesn't believe the beans were initially distributed outside the United States.
Symptoms of botulism poisoning can start from six hours to two weeks after contaminated food is eaten. Warning signs may include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and muscle weakness that feels like it is traveling down the body. Botulism poisoning also can cause paralysis of the breathing muscles.
Anyone with questions about the recall may call the FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.
-----
USDA Issues Alert For Tainted Beef Possibly Sold at Safeway
Federal health officials issued a public health alert for ground beef that may have been tainted with multi-drug resistant salmonella and sold at Safeway Inc. stores in five states between Sept. 19 and Nov. 5.
A news release from the USDA stressed that these products are not still available for sale, but consumers who may have bought the beef and stored in the freezer for later use should discard or destroy it if they find it.
The five states the beef was sold in were Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and New Mexico.
The alert was issued on Thursday following a CDC investigation that determined there was an association between the beef products and 38 illnesses reported in Arizona (16); California (18); Idaho (1); and Nevada (3). After an exhaustive search, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service was unable to track down specific lots or shipments that might have been contaminated with salmonella Newport, the release said.
The Pleasanton, Calif.-based supermarket chain said no Safeway product has tested positive for salmonella to date, according to Dow Jones Newswires.
------
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.
-----
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.
-----
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.
-----
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.
Health Tips for December 24
Health Tip: Give Yourself the Gift of Sleep for the Holidays
Many people sacrifice sleep in order to complete all their shopping, decorating, cooking and other holiday preparations. But a lack of sleep can reduce your ability to enjoy the season, warns Dr. Alejandro D. Chediak, president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
"In order to best enjoy the holiday season, anticipate and budget the extra time needed to carry out your holiday 'to-do' list. Getting an early start and doing a little bit each day will save time and relieve stress. Delaying your 'to-do' list until the last possible minute not only leads to sleep loss, it also makes one contend with heavier street traffic and more aggressive crowds in stores," Chediak said in a prepared statement.
Chediak offered the following holiday season sleep tips:
* Take time to relax in the evening. Giving your brain time to calm down before bed will help you sleep better.
* Stick to your regular sleep/wake schedule. Customary pre-sleep rituals, such as a warm bath or a few minutes of reading, can also help ensure you get a good sleep.
* Plan ahead for holiday activities. Set aside time to wrap gifts, decorate the house, or plan your holiday menu.
* If you become drowsy while driving, pull off into a rest area and take a short nap -- about 15 to 20 minutes.
* Don't eat a heavy meal before bedtime. This can cause heartburn or discomfort that can make it difficult to fall asleep or disturb your sleep.
* When you're at evening holiday parties, don't have too much alcohol or caffeine. Both can inhibit your normal sleep pattern.
Health Tip: Maintaining Routine Can Chase Holiday Blues Away
While the Christmas season is a time of joy and celebration for many, it can trigger holiday blues in some people.
If you are prone to holiday blues, there are things you can do to help prevent them, says Dr. Rajnish Mago, director of the Mood Disorders Program at the Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
Mago offered the following tips:
* Maintain your daily routine as much as possible. Don't vary by more than an hour either way the time you normally wake up, eat and go to bed. Sticking to your daily routine can help stabilize your biorhythm and reduce stress and sadness.
* Get exercise, which is an important stress-reliever. Research has shown that aerobic exercise alone can reduce depression. Get at least 30 minutes (45 minutes is better) of exercise a day. If you're older or have health problems, check with your doctor before you start an exercise program.
* Limit your chocolate consumption. Research has shown that chocolate can give people a temporary mood boost, but it can increase sadness over the long-term.
* If you have to spend time with relatives or friends with whom there may be conflict, determine beforehand how you're going to deal with the situation, rather than simply getting swept up in a bad situation.
* Instead of scouring overcrowded stores for the perfect gift for each person, buy gift cards or certificates. Or you can purchase presents online or over the phone.
Many people sacrifice sleep in order to complete all their shopping, decorating, cooking and other holiday preparations. But a lack of sleep can reduce your ability to enjoy the season, warns Dr. Alejandro D. Chediak, president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
"In order to best enjoy the holiday season, anticipate and budget the extra time needed to carry out your holiday 'to-do' list. Getting an early start and doing a little bit each day will save time and relieve stress. Delaying your 'to-do' list until the last possible minute not only leads to sleep loss, it also makes one contend with heavier street traffic and more aggressive crowds in stores," Chediak said in a prepared statement.
Chediak offered the following holiday season sleep tips:
* Take time to relax in the evening. Giving your brain time to calm down before bed will help you sleep better.
* Stick to your regular sleep/wake schedule. Customary pre-sleep rituals, such as a warm bath or a few minutes of reading, can also help ensure you get a good sleep.
* Plan ahead for holiday activities. Set aside time to wrap gifts, decorate the house, or plan your holiday menu.
* If you become drowsy while driving, pull off into a rest area and take a short nap -- about 15 to 20 minutes.
* Don't eat a heavy meal before bedtime. This can cause heartburn or discomfort that can make it difficult to fall asleep or disturb your sleep.
* When you're at evening holiday parties, don't have too much alcohol or caffeine. Both can inhibit your normal sleep pattern.
Health Tip: Maintaining Routine Can Chase Holiday Blues Away
While the Christmas season is a time of joy and celebration for many, it can trigger holiday blues in some people.
If you are prone to holiday blues, there are things you can do to help prevent them, says Dr. Rajnish Mago, director of the Mood Disorders Program at the Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
Mago offered the following tips:
* Maintain your daily routine as much as possible. Don't vary by more than an hour either way the time you normally wake up, eat and go to bed. Sticking to your daily routine can help stabilize your biorhythm and reduce stress and sadness.
* Get exercise, which is an important stress-reliever. Research has shown that aerobic exercise alone can reduce depression. Get at least 30 minutes (45 minutes is better) of exercise a day. If you're older or have health problems, check with your doctor before you start an exercise program.
* Limit your chocolate consumption. Research has shown that chocolate can give people a temporary mood boost, but it can increase sadness over the long-term.
* If you have to spend time with relatives or friends with whom there may be conflict, determine beforehand how you're going to deal with the situation, rather than simply getting swept up in a bad situation.
* Instead of scouring overcrowded stores for the perfect gift for each person, buy gift cards or certificates. Or you can purchase presents online or over the phone.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Health Headlines - December 23
USDA Issues Alert For Tainted Beef Possibly Sold at Safeway
Federal health officials issued a public health alert for ground beef that may have been tainted with multi-drug resistant salmonella and sold at Safeway Inc. stores in five states between Sept. 19 and Nov. 5.
A news release from the USDA stressed that these products are not still available for sale, but consumers who may have bought the beef and stored in the freezer for later use should discard or destroy it if they find it.
The five states the beef was sold in were Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and New Mexico.
The alert was issued on Thursday following a CDC investigation that determined there was an association between the beef products and 38 illnesses reported in Arizona (16); California (18); Idaho (1); and Nevada (3). After an exhaustive search, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service was unable to track down specific lots or shipments that might have been contaminated with salmonella Newport, the release said.
The Pleasanton, Calif.-based supermarket chain said no Safeway product has tested positive for salmonella to date, according to Dow Jones Newswires.
------
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.
-----
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.
-----
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.
-----
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.
-----
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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