Health Headlines - July 11

Low Testosterone Levels in Women May Boost Heart Risk

Low levels of testosterone in postmenopausal women may be associated with an increased risk of heart disease, concludes a Belgian study of 112 women.

Testosterone is a male sex hormone, but women also produce it.

As reported by BBC News, half of the women in the study had atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries). Those women had much less testosterone than women without atherosclerosis, said the study, which was published in the European Journal of Endocrinology.

It's known that testosterone plays a number of important roles in both men and women, including maintaining bone density and muscle strength. The researchers at the Free University of Brussels said testosterone may also suppress chemical signals that cause inflammation in arterial walls, BBC News reported.

"The results from this small study identify an association between low testosterone levels in postmenopausal women and a build up of fatty material in the carotid artery -- the artery that supplies blood to the head and neck," said a statement from the British Heart Foundation. "However it is unclear why this occurs. Further work is required to enhance our understanding of the mechanism behind this."

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Ice Baths Won't Help Athletes' Recovery: Study

Taking an ice bath after a tough workout or game does not speed athletes' recovery, according to an Australian study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Proponents claim that an icy cold dunk causes blood vessels to tighten and push out blood that contains lactic acid and other exercise-related waste products. When the athlete steps out of the ice bath, the blood vessels fill up with oxygen-rich fresh blood that aids muscle repair, according to the theory.

But the University of Melbourne study of 40 volunteers found that those who took an ice bath after exercise reported more muscle pain after 24 hours than those who took a tepid bath, BBC News reported.

"This study challenges the use of ice-water immersion in athletes," the researchers wrote. "Ice-water immersion offers no benefit for pain, swelling, isometric strength and function, and in fact may make athletes more sore the next day."

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Office Workers Most Likely to Suffer Dry Eye

U.S. workers with office-based jobs such as administrative, finance and information technology positions are most likely to suffer dry eye, according to a list released Tuesday by the National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC).

Other occupations at the top of the list include construction/manufacturing, health care/medical, education, and retail/sales. Prolonged computer use, exposure to dust, allergens and wind, and long hours on the road are among the job-related factors that contribute to dry eye.

Symptoms of dry eye include dryness, itchiness, irritation, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, excessive tearing, and a feeling of having something in the eye. Dry eye affects more than 20 million people in the United States but remains a largely unrecognized on-the-job health issue, according to the NWHRC.

"If left untreated, dry eye can progress and lead to increased risk of infection and impaired vision," Dr. Marguerite McDonald, clinical professor of ophthalmology at Tulane University Health Sciences Center, said in a prepared statement.

Treatment options include eye drops and prescription products.

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Connecticut Inspectors Seize 705 Tubes of Tainted Toothpaste

State inspectors in Connecticut have seized 705 tubes of toothpaste containing the chemical diethylene glycol, which is used in some antifreeze products. The toothpaste was removed from six of 120 stores inspected since July 2 and inspections will continue this week, The New York Times reported.

Diethylene glycol can cause liver and kidney damage. No injuries have been reported in Connecticut.

The toothpaste confiscated so far includes 430 tubes of a counterfeit Colgate toothpaste reportedly made in South Africa and 275 tubes of Chinese-made Dentakleen and the blueberry and strawberry flavors of Dentakleen Junior, said the state's Department of Consumer Protection.

The toothpaste was found in stores in Derby, Hartford, North Branford Waterbury and West Hartford, the Times reported. Connecticut officials launched the inspections after a consumer spotted tainted toothpaste on the shelves of some stores after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a recall order.

Last month, about 900,000 tubes of tainted toothpaste were found in some prisons, state institutions and hospitals in the United States. The FDA ordered a recall of the counterfeit Colgate toothpaste and told consumers to throw out all Chinese-made toothpaste, regardless of the brand, the Times reported.

In related news, China executed its former chief drug regulator for taking bribes, and officials outlined plans to improve the safety of drugs and food produced in the country, Bloomberg news reported. China faces international criticism over the quality of its food and drug exports.

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Anti-Smoking Drug May Also Treat Problem Drinking

The anti-smoking drug varenicline (brand name Chantix) may also help treat problem drinking, preliminary findings from research with rats suggest.

Scientists in California trained rats to become heavy drinkers and then gave them varenicline. The drug curbed the rats' drinking. After the drug treatment was halted, the rats started drinking again but did not binge drink, the Associated Press reported.

The findings were published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The California researchers and the U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism are now planning the first human studies to examine the effect of varenicline on alcohol cravings and dependence, the AP reported.

The anti-smoking pill Chantix has been sold in the United States since last August. The drug targets a pleasure center in the brain that's activated by nicotine. It's believed this same pleasure center also plays a role in alcohol dependence, the researchers said.

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Mutant Gene Kills Pancreatic Cancer Cells in Mice

In research with mice, U.S. scientists found that a mutant gene called Bik can shrink or kill pancreatic tumors. Bik produces a protein that forces cancer cells to kill themselves, said the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center team.

The finding, published Monday in the journal Cancer Cell, offers hope for a new treatment for one of the deadliest human cancers, Agence France-Presse reported.

"This looks like a promising approach to gene therapy for pancreatic cancer and we are working to bring it to a clinical trial," said James Abbruzzese, professor and chairman of the department of gastrointestinal oncology at the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

"There are no good options for pancreatic cancer patients now," said Abbruzzese, who estimated that it will take one to two years to complete U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements for a phase I clinical trial in humans, AFP reported.

About 96 percent of pancreatic cancer patients die within five years of diagnosis, one of the lowest cancer survival rates.

Health Tips for July 11

Health Tip: Tame Symptoms of PMS

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects many women just before their menstrual cycles. Common symptoms include cramps, bloating, fatigue and moodiness.

Here are suggestions on how to help curb PMS, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

* Get regular exercise.
* Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and avoid foods high in salt, sugar, caffeine and alcohol.
* Try to get at least eight hours of sleep each night.
* Avoid smoking.
* Keep stress at bay. Diversions might include talking to friends or writing in a journal.

Health Tip: When Your Child Is Stressed

Problems at school, home, or frustrations with friends can all lead to stress in children. Like adults, children need to learn healthy outlets for stress, and how to deal with their emotions.

Here are suggestions to help your child when she's stressed, courtesy of the Nemours Foundation:

* Encourage her to talk to people she trusts -- if not you, then a teacher, counselor or relative.
* Help her work out her stress, by biking or walking, listening to music, or writing in a journal.
* Don't let her take stress out on herself.
* Once she's calm, work with her to figure out a solution to the problem that's causing her stress.
* Try to keep her feeling positive -- there are few problems that can't be solved, and stress is only temporary.

Health Headlines - July 10

Study to Examine Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Eye Disease in Preemies

U.S. researchers are about to begin a study to examine whether omega-3 fatty acids can help prevent a disease that causes eye damage in premature babies.

The condition, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), affects about 16,000 infants in the United States each year and blinds hundreds, the Associated Press reported.

This study will investigate whether adding omega-3 fatty acids to premature babies' intravenous feedings can decrease the risk of ROP-related eye damage. The research is being led by Dr. Lois Smith, an ophthalmologist at Children's Hospital Boston.

Normally, mothers pass omega-3s onto their unborn children during the third trimester, a period of rapid eye development. But premature babies miss out on most or all of that omega-3 transfer, the AP reported.

In a study published last month in the journal Nature Medicine, Smith and her colleagues reported that a diet high in omega-3s reduced retinal disease by half among mice that had their retinas damaged in a way that mimicked ROP.

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Switzerland Approves New Kind of Brain Cancer Treatment

A new kind of treatment for brain cancer has been approved for commercial use in Switzerland, U.S. maker Northwest Biotherapeutics Inc. said Monday. It's the first time this kind of treatment -- which primes a patient's immune system to attack cancer cells -- has received market approval, the company said.

The personalized therapeutic vaccine, called DCVax-Brain, will be available to patients in certain hospitals and medical centers in Switzerland before the end of September, Agence France-Presse reported.

For the treatment, a patient's master immune cells (dendritic cells) are taken from the bloodstream while they're still immature. While the cells mature in a laboratory dish, they're exposed to biomarkers from the patient's own tumor. This programs the immune cells to recognize the cancer enemy. When they're mature, the immune cells are injected back into the patient's body, AFP reported.

Data from an ongoing clinical study showed that patients treated with DCVax-Brain survived twice as long (33 months or more) as patients who received a placebo. On average, patients with brain cancer live 14.6 months after diagnosis.

Unlike chemotherapy, DCVax-Brain does not cause debilitating side effects, according to Northwest Biotherapeutics.

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Indonesia Confirms 81st Bird Flu Death

Indonesia's bird flu death toll increased to 81 after a 6-year-old boy died over the weekend, Agence France-Presse reported.

A health ministry official said Monday that tests confirmed that the boy was infected with the H5N1 bird flu virus. The boy, identified only by the initials FZ, was from the industrial town of Cilegon, located 72 kilometers (50 miles) west of the capital Jakarta.

The boy developed symptoms on July 1 and was admitted to a local hospital four days later. He was then transferred to Jakarta's Sulianti Saroso hospital, the country's main center for treating bird flu patients, AFP reported.

The health ministry official said it's not clear whether the boy had contact with dead or infected poultry.

Since 2003, the H5N1 virus has infected 317 people worldwide and 191 of them have died. Indonesia has reported 102 cases of infection and 81 deaths, the highest of any country.

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FDA Approves Skin Patch for Alzheimer's Patients

Swiss drug maker Novartis AG says its Exelon skin patch for treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, AFX News reported Monday. The drug itself received FDA approval last year.

The once-daily patch offers continuous drug delivery for 24 hours and provides a novel approach to Alzheimer's treatment, according to Novartis.

The company said the efficacy of the Exelon patch is similar to that of the highest doses of Exelon capsules and provides significant improvements in patients' memory and ability to perform everyday activities, compared to a placebo. Novartis also said the patch minimizes gastrointestinal side effects caused by the oral form of the drug, AFX News reported.

The Exelon patch is expected to be available in the United States soon, Novartis said.

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China Suspends Sale of Leukemia Drug

In the aftermath of a series of scandals involving corruption in its drug industry, China's version of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced it is suspending the sale of a drug used to treat acute leukemia and rheumatoid arthritis.

The Associated Press reports that China's State Food and Drug Administration announced Saturday on its Web site that it had suspended the sale of methotrexate made by Hualian Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd of Shanghai.

In the past few months, the United States, which imports thousands of Chinese-made products, has announced suspensions of a number of items, ranging from toothpaste to fish.

And, reports the A.P., China has started to respond in the most stringent way possible by cracking down on safety issues and corruption in its many exporting enterprises. A former department head at the State Food and Drug Administration has sentenced to death after having been found guilty of taking bribes, the wire service reports.

Additionally, during the past year, five drug makers have had their licenses suspended, and 128 others had been penalized, the A.P. said.

Health Tips for July 10

Health Tip: Got GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when a muscle at the end of the esophagus does not close properly, allowing irritating stomach contents to leak back into the esophagus. Symptoms include heartburn and acid indigestion.

If you have these symptoms more than twice a week, it may be GERD.

Medication can help tame GERD, and the U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these additional suggestions to control symptoms:

* Avoid foods that may cause heartburn, like fatty, spicy or acidic foods.
* Eat small meals.
* Avoid eating right before bedtime.
* Wear loose-fitting clothing.
* Maintain a healthy body weight.

Health Tip: Caring for a Callus

A callus is an area of thickened skin that has formed because of excess pressure over an extended period. The skin may be tinted yellow or gray, and may feel like a tough bump. Calluses can occur on the hands, fingers, feet and toes.

To treat a callus and help the skin heal faster, the Nemours Foundation recommends soaking the area in warm, soapy water for about 10 minutes. Then, gently scrub the callus with a pumice stone to help remove the dead skin.

You can wear gloves to keep hand calluses from getting worse, the foundation says. For calluses on your feet, protective shoe pads can help relieve pressure on the area, so the callus can heal.

Health Headlines - July 9

China Suspends Sale of Leukemia Drug

In the aftermath of a series of scandals involving corruption in its drug industry, China's version of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced it is suspending the sale of a drug used to treat acute leukemia and rheumatoid arthritis.

The Associated Press reports that China's State Food and Drug Administration announced Saturday on its Web site that it had suspended the sale of methotrexate made by Hualian Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd of Shanghai.

In the past few months, the United States, which imports thousands of Chinese-made products, has announced suspensions of a number of items, ranging from toothpaste to fish.

And, reports the A.P., China has started to respond in the most stringent way possible by cracking down on safety issues and corruption in its many exporting enterprises. A former department head at the State Food and Drug Administration has sentenced to death after having been found guilty of taking bribes, the wire service reports.

Additionally, during the past year, five drug makers have had their licenses suspended, and 128 others had been penalized, the A.P. said.

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U.S. Tobacco Tax Hike Considered, May Help Pay for Health Insurance

An increase in the United States tobacco tax to help pay for children's health insurance?

To some, it sounds like poetic justice. The Associated Press reports that the Democrat leadership in Congress is considering $50 billion in additional funding for federal children's health insurance programs, and the possibility exists that much of the money could come from an increase on tax the U.S. government puts on the sale of each pack of cigarettes.

While the Democrat leadership hasn't committed to a higher cigarette tax, the A.P. reports, lobbyists representing the health industry have been campaigning hard for the additional levy. The current rate is 39 cents a pack.

"I've every reason to believe an increase in the tobacco tax will be part of the way expanded health insurance for children is paid for," the wire service quotes Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA, an advocacy group that promotes universal health insurance, as saying.

About 45 million American smoke cigarettes, the wire service reports, and the federal tax generates approximately $7.2 billion to the general fund of the U.S. Treasury.

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Quarantined TB Patient Says He Was 'Tricked' into Isolation

Andrew Speaker claims he was deceived by federal officials into being quarantined after being told he had a particularly virulent and contagious form of tuberculosis.

In an interview with the Associated Press Friday, Speaker, a 31-year-old attorney who made headlines in May when he made a flight to Europe after having been told about his medical condition, repeated that that he wasn't aware of how serious health officials believed his condition to be.

He has been in isolation in a Colorado hospital undergoing treatment for the past month.

He told the wire service he would have gladly gone into quarantine if health officials had asked him to. But Speaker said they asked to him to visit a New York City hospital for testing after his European vacation. He did so, he told the A.P., and armed guards were then posted outside his door. "They tried to trick me when it was unnecessary," Speaker, who is the first American quarantined since 1963, told the wire service.

"I'm worried about people coming after me," the A.P. quotes him as saying. Speaker became the focus of a CDC investigation - and an international uproar - when proceeded in May with a long-planned wedding trip to Europe after health officials said they advised him not to fly.

CDC officials also said a May 22 test result indicated Speaker had extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis, or XDR-TB, which is extremely difficult to treat. But Speaker's doctors said last week that subsequent testing has shown only the less-dangerous multidrug-resistant TB.

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Counterfeit Toothpaste Has More Bacteria Than First Thought

Early testing in Canada of recalled counterfeit Colgate toothpaste suggests it may harbor more harmful bacteria than first suspected, the government's Health Canada agency said Friday.

The products are labeled "Colgate Fluoride Toothpaste Herbal" and "Colgate Fluoride Toothpaste Maximum Cavity Protection," the CBC reported. In its initial announcement June 29, Health Canada said the products were believed to contain harmful bacteria, and that consumers should stop using the toothpaste immediately.

The packaging has several typographical errors including a statement that the phoney product came from "SOUTH AFRLCA" and had been sanctioned by the "South African Dental Assoxiation."

Separately, Health Canada also said the antifreeze chemical diethylene glycol had been found in three more brands of Chinese toothpaste imported into Canada, the CBC said.

Canadian officials said they've now confiscated 24 unapproved brands of Chinese toothpaste that contain the chemical, which experts say can be lethal if ingested.

U.S. officials have similarly confiscated thousands of tubes of toothpaste imported from China that contain the chemical, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned Americans not to use any brand of toothpaste that comes from China.

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Penalty in China for Drug Agency Corruption: Death

A once high-ranking official in China's food and drug agency has been sentenced to death for allegedly approving counterfeit drugs and for accepting bribes, The New York Times reports.

Until two years ago, Cao Wenzhuang was in charge of drug registration approvals at the State Food and Drug Administration, the newspaper said. He's convicted of taking more than $300,000 in bribes from drug companies.

Less than two months ago, the agency's director was sentenced to death by the same Beijing court for accepting $850,000 in bribes. Four other senior agency officials have been sentenced to long prison terms, the newspaper said.

The harsh sentences have been handed down amid growing international criticism of China's lax food and drug policies. Recent scandals include a huge recall of Chinese-made pet food ingredients that were found to contain an industrial chemical, and a global recall of Chinese toothpaste that contained a chemical used to make antifreeze.

Health Tips for July 9

Food Fact:
Water works.

Water has no calories, vitamins or minerals, but drinking plenty of it it can reduce your risk of disease. Drinking more than six glasses of water each day cuts the risk of developing bladder cancer in half. Some evidence suggests that staying well hydrated cuts the risk of colon and breast cancer, and lessens your chances of developing kidney stones -- even if you've already passed one or more. Women should aim for about nine cups of fluids daily. Men should shoot for 12 cups.

Fitness Tip of the day:
Shop 'til you drop...pounds.

When you walk around the mall, you'll get more than you bargained for: A leg up on fitness. Mall walking is a perfect way to make exercise feel less like a chore and more a part of daily life. Shopping centers are heated in winter, air-conditioned in summer, safe, well lit, and free of snapping dogs and pollen. Not only will you burn calories and tone your legs, if you maintain good posture when you walk, you'll give your abs a workout. Keep yourself straight up while holding in your ab muscles; every step becomes a mini sit-up. Most of us lean forward when we walk, but we can catch ourselves easily at the mall: Just check your posture in your reflection in the windows.

FAQ of the day:
Should I throw out my saltshaker?

If you're concerned about sodium, your saltshaker isn't your biggest concern. For starters, eat fewer processed foods, which tend to be high in salt, and more fruits and vegetables. But typically, rather than limiting sodium, blood pressure control depends more on maintaining a healthy weight and getting enough calcium, potassium (found in all fruits and vegetables) and magnesium (in green vegetables, whole grains and nuts). In the large DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) study, more than 600 volunteers who ate 10 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, along with three servings of calcium-rich low-fat dairy foods, significantly reduced blood pressure across all age groups and ethnicities.

Health Headlines - July 8

U.S. Tobacco Tax Hike Considered, May Help Pay for Health Insurance

An increase in the United States tobacco tax to help pay for children's health insurance?

To some, it sounds like poetic justice. The Associated Press reports that the Democrat leadership in Congress is considering $50 billion in additional funding for federal children's health insurance programs, and the possibility exists that much of the money could come from an increase on tax the U.S. government puts on the sale of each pack of cigarettes.

While the Democrat leadership hasn't committed to a higher cigarette tax, the A.P. reports, lobbyists representing the health industry have been campaigning hard for the additional levy. The current rate is 39 cents a pack.

"I've every reason to believe an increase in the tobacco tax will be part of the way expanded health insurance for children is paid for," the wire service quotes Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA, an advocacy group that promotes universal health insurance, as saying.

About 45 million American smoke cigarettes, the wire service reports, and the federal tax generates approximately $7.2 billion to the general fund of the U.S. Treasury.

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Quarantined TB Patient Says He Was 'Tricked' into Isolation

Andrew Speaker claims he was deceived by federal officials into being quarantined after being told he had a particularly virulent and contagious form of tuberculosis.

In an interview with the Associated Press Friday, Speaker, a 31-year-old attorney who made headlines in May when he made a flight to Europe after having been told about his medical condition, repeated that that he wasn't aware of how serious health officials believed his condition to be.

He has been in isolation in a Colorado hospital undergoing treatment for the past month.

He told the wire service he would have gladly gone into quarantine if health officials had asked him to. But Speaker said they asked to him to visit a New York City hospital for testing after his European vacation. He did so, he told the A.P., and armed guards were then posted outside his door. "They tried to trick me when it was unnecessary," Speaker, who is the first American quarantined since 1963, told the wire service.

"I'm worried about people coming after me," the A.P. quotes him as saying. Speaker became the focus of a CDC investigation - and an international uproar - when proceeded in May with a long-planned wedding trip to Europe after health officials said they advised him not to fly.

CDC officials also said a May 22 test result indicated Speaker had extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis, or XDR-TB, which is extremely difficult to treat. But Speaker's doctors said last week that subsequent testing has shown only the less-dangerous multidrug-resistant TB.

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Counterfeit Toothpaste Has More Bacteria Than First Thought

Early testing in Canada of recalled counterfeit Colgate toothpaste suggests it may harbor more harmful bacteria than first suspected, the government's Health Canada agency said Friday.

The products are labeled "Colgate Fluoride Toothpaste Herbal" and "Colgate Fluoride Toothpaste Maximum Cavity Protection," the CBC reported. In its initial announcement June 29, Health Canada said the products were believed to contain harmful bacteria, and that consumers should stop using the toothpaste immediately.

The packaging has several typographical errors including a statement that the phoney product came from "SOUTH AFRLCA" and had been sanctioned by the "South African Dental Assoxiation."

Separately, Health Canada also said the antifreeze chemical diethylene glycol had been found in three more brands of Chinese toothpaste imported into Canada, the CBC said.

Canadian officials said they've now confiscated 24 unapproved brands of Chinese toothpaste that contain the chemical, which experts say can be lethal if ingested.

U.S. officials have similarly confiscated thousands of tubes of toothpaste imported from China that contain the chemical, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned Americans not to use any brand of toothpaste that comes from China.

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Penalty in China for Drug Agency Corruption: Death

A once high-ranking official in China's food and drug agency has been sentenced to death for allegedly approving counterfeit drugs and for accepting bribes, The New York Times reports.

Until two years ago, Cao Wenzhuang was in charge of drug registration approvals at the State Food and Drug Administration, the newspaper said. He's convicted of taking more than $300,000 in bribes from drug companies.

Less than two months ago, the agency's director was sentenced to death by the same Beijing court for accepting $850,000 in bribes. Four other senior agency officials have been sentenced to long prison terms, the newspaper said.

The harsh sentences have been handed down amid growing international criticism of China's lax food and drug policies. Recent scandals include a huge recall of Chinese-made pet food ingredients that were found to contain an industrial chemical, and a global recall of Chinese toothpaste that contained a chemical used to make antifreeze.

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Great Lakes Fish Unfit to Eat: Report

Fish found in the Great Lakes are so contaminated by industrial pollution that they're unsafe to eat, the Toronto-based group Environmental Defense says.

The chemicals include dioxins, PCBs, and methyl mercury, the Globe and Mail reported.

Contamination is worst in Lake Ontario, but is worrisome even in Lake Superior, the least polluted body, the newspaper said.

Although PCBs, once a byproduct of electrical equipment, were banned in the 1970s, some fish including salmon, rainbow trout, walleye, pike and lake trout still harbor unsafe levels, the environmental group said.

Canada's Ministry of Environment rejected the report's conclusions, the newspaper said. An agency spokeswoman said contaminant levels in fish have been falling, noting that the ministry also has devised more rigorous standards for contaminant levels that are safe for people to eat.

Environmental Defense said its report wasn't meant to discourage people from eating fish entirely, but to promote the need to clean up the waterways.

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Burger King Banishing Trans Fats

By the end of next year, the Burger King fast food chain says it will be using trans-fat-free cooking oil at all 7,100 restaurants in the United States.

The world's second-largest hamburger chain behind McDonald's, Burger King said it was already using the trans-fat-free oil at hundreds of U.S. restaurants, the Associated Press reported. The company said it would meet the trans fat ban sooner if adequate supplies of the alternative oil became available.

Trans fats, usually listed on food labels as partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, have been shown to clog arteries, raise so-called "bad" cholesterol, and promote heart disease.

In May, the Washington, DC-based Center for Science in the Public Interest sued Burger King, claiming it was taking too long to introduce a healthier oil, the wire service said. At the time, Burger King said it expected to begin a national rollout of its trans-fat-free oil by the end of the year.

Earlier this year, McDonald's announced it had selected a healthier alternative; Starbucks announced in May that it would end use of trans fats by the end of the year; Wendy's said it began using a trans-fat-free oil in August 2006; KFC in April said its fried chicken now contained zero grams of trans fats; and Taco Bell also said it had switched to a trans fat-free oil, the AP reported.

Health Tips for July 8

Food Fact:
Outsmart the menu.

It's possible to eat out and still keep a healthy diet -- if you master a few key strategies. Start by getting the food you want in the amounts you need. If restaurants insist on serving gigantic portions, take advantage of appetizers, soups, salads, a la carte items and side dishes. Split oversized menu items with a dining partner. When eating in a group, order one or two fewer dishes than the number of people at the table, and eat family style.

Fitness Tip of the day:
Highway to health.

Wellness doesn't have to be expensive -- walking is an economical first step. It's easy, too. What better way to make exercise feel less like a chore and more a part of daily life? Some of the benefits of daily walks include reducing your risk of developing high blood pressure, lowering existing high blood pressure, lowering your risk of developing colon cancer, and reducing your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

FAQ of the day:
What causes heart attacks?

Usually, a cholesterol-laden plaque becomes unstable and bursts, causing clots that block blood flow completely, starving the heart muscle. Today, medical personnel can treat clots en route to the hospital with enzymes that chew them up, restoring blood flow in the blocked arteries. Cholesterol-lowering drugs make plaques more stable and less likely to burst. Better yet, a diet rich in whole foods and low in red meat keeps your blood cholesterol levels low, helps prevent clots, maintains healthy blood pressure, assists in weight control, and reduces the risk of diseases such as diabetes and certain cancers to boot.

Health Headlines - July 7

Counterfeit Toothpaste Has More Bacteria Than First Thought

Early testing in Canada of recalled counterfeit Colgate toothpaste suggests it may harbor more harmful bacteria than first suspected, the government's Health Canada agency said Friday.

The products are labeled "Colgate Fluoride Toothpaste Herbal" and "Colgate Fluoride Toothpaste Maximum Cavity Protection," the CBC reported. In its initial announcement June 29, Health Canada said the products were believed to contain harmful bacteria, and that consumers should stop using the toothpaste immediately.

The packaging has several typographical errors including a statement that the phoney product came from "SOUTH AFRLCA" and had been sanctioned by the "South African Dental Assoxiation."

Separately, Health Canada also said the antifreeze chemical diethylene glycol had been found in three more brands of Chinese toothpaste imported into Canada, the CBC said.

Canadian officials said they've now confiscated 24 unapproved brands of Chinese toothpaste that contain the chemical, which experts say can be lethal if ingested.

U.S. officials have similarly confiscated thousands of tubes of toothpaste imported from China that contain the chemical, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned Americans not to use any brand of toothpaste that comes from China.

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Penalty in China for Drug Agency Corruption: Death

A once high-ranking official in China's food and drug agency has been sentenced to death for allegedly approving counterfeit drugs and for accepting bribes, The New York Times reports.

Until two years ago, Cao Wenzhuang was in charge of drug registration approvals at the State Food and Drug Administration, the newspaper said. He's convicted of taking more than $300,000 in bribes from drug companies.

Less than two months ago, the agency's director was sentenced to death by the same Beijing court for accepting $850,000 in bribes. Four other senior agency officials have been sentenced to long prison terms, the newspaper said.

The harsh sentences have been handed down amid growing international criticism of China's lax food and drug policies. Recent scandals include a huge recall of Chinese-made pet food ingredients that were found to contain an industrial chemical, and a global recall of Chinese toothpaste that contained a chemical used to make antifreeze.

-----

Great Lakes Fish Unfit to Eat: Report

Fish found in the Great Lakes are so contaminated by industrial pollution that they're unsafe to eat, the Toronto-based group Environmental Defense says.

The chemicals include dioxins, PCBs, and methyl mercury, the Globe and Mail reported.

Contamination is worst in Lake Ontario, but is worrisome even in Lake Superior, the least polluted body, the newspaper said.

Although PCBs, once a byproduct of electrical equipment, were banned in the 1970s, some fish including salmon, rainbow trout, walleye, pike and lake trout still harbor unsafe levels, the environmental group said.

Canada's Ministry of Environment rejected the report's conclusions, the newspaper said. An agency spokeswoman said contaminant levels in fish have been falling, noting that the ministry also has devised more rigorous standards for contaminant levels that are safe for people to eat.

Environmental Defense said its report wasn't meant to discourage people from eating fish entirely, but to promote the need to clean up the waterways.

-----

Burger King Banishing Trans Fats

By the end of next year, the Burger King fast food chain says it will be using trans-fat-free cooking oil at all 7,100 restaurants in the United States.

The world's second-largest hamburger chain behind McDonald's, Burger King said it was already using the trans-fat-free oil at hundreds of U.S. restaurants, the Associated Press reported. The company said it would meet the trans fat ban sooner if adequate supplies of the alternative oil became available.

Trans fats, usually listed on food labels as partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, have been shown to clog arteries, raise so-called "bad" cholesterol, and promote heart disease.

In May, the Washington, DC-based Center for Science in the Public Interest sued Burger King, claiming it was taking too long to introduce a healthier oil, the wire service said. At the time, Burger King said it expected to begin a national rollout of its trans-fat-free oil by the end of the year.

Earlier this year, McDonald's announced it had selected a healthier alternative; Starbucks announced in May that it would end use of trans fats by the end of the year; Wendy's said it began using a trans-fat-free oil in August 2006; KFC in April said its fried chicken now contained zero grams of trans fats; and Taco Bell also said it had switched to a trans fat-free oil, the AP reported.

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Contractors Returning From Iraq Have PTSD Symptoms

U.S. government contractors returning from Iraq show some of the same combat-related mental health problems as returning soldiers, The New York Times reports.

As many as 126,000 contractors work for the American government in Iraq. While many work alongside soldiers, most are on their own when it comes to accessing the civilian medical system when they return to the states, the newspaper said. They aren't eligible for care in the Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) or military healthcare systems.

As a result, many contractors with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental illnesses aren't properly diagnosed, experts told the Times.

The federal government hasn't investigated the Iraq war's toll on private contractors, Pentagon and VA officials told the newspaper. "To my knowledge, it has not been looked at systematically," said Dr. Matthew Friedman, who directs the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

In addition to mental illness, there's also a physical toll on civilians who have served in Iraq. About 1,000 contractors have died since the Iraq war began and nearly 13,000 have been injured, the Times said.

Health Tips for July 7

Health Tip: Having a Pet Can Help Children

Pets can help build your child's self esteem and self-confidence, according to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

They can also enrich your child's emotional development by:

* Offering your child important exposure to issues like reproduction, birth, illness, accidents, death and grief.
* Teaching your child responsibility.
* Providing a connection to nature and teaching respect, empathy and patience for other living things.
* Offering unconditional love, loyalty, affection and comfort.

Health Tip: Symptoms of Scabies

Scabies is a skin disease caused by a mite. It can be very contagious via skin-to-skin contact, or by sharing bedding or towels with an infected person.

The itchy rash that characterizes scabies is an allergic reaction to the mite.

Here are other common symptoms, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* Itchiness, especially at night.
* Very thin, pencil-mark like lines.
* Abrasions, caused by scratching and digging at the rash.
* Small blisters.

Health Headlines - July 6

Contractors Returning From Iraq Have PTSD Symptoms

U.S. government contractors returning from Iraq show some of the same combat-related mental health problems as returning soldiers, The New York Times reports.

As many as 126,000 contractors work for the American government in Iraq. While many work alongside soldiers, most are on their own when it comes to accessing the civilian medical system when they return to the states, the newspaper said. They aren't eligible for care in the Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) or military healthcare systems.

As a result, many contractors with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental illnesses aren't properly diagnosed, experts told the Times.

The federal government hasn't investigated the Iraq war's toll on private contractors, Pentagon and VA officials told the newspaper. "To my knowledge, it has not been looked at systematically," said Dr. Matthew Friedman, who directs the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

In addition to mental illness, there's also a physical toll on civilians who have served in Iraq. About 1,000 contractors have died since the Iraq war began and nearly 13,000 have been injured, the Times said.

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Children's Costume Jewelry Recalled for Lead Hazard

Some 20,000 pieces of costume jewelry imported from China are being recalled because they contain high levels of the lead, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday. The products, branded "Essentials for Kids," are imported by Future Industries, of Cliffwood Beach, N.J. They include a necklace, bracelet and pair of earrings made of green, blue or pink plastic beads. The necklaces have painted metallic pendants in the shape of shoes, girls, blackboards with "ABCD," or school buses. Other sets include seven pendants, one for each day of the week. The products were sold at gift stores, dollar stores and discount stores nationwide from August 2005 through April 2007 for about $1.

Lead is toxic if ingested by small children. The products should be taken away immediately from children and returned to the store where purchased for a refund.

Contact Future Industries at 800-929-0006 for more information.

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Panama Reports 94 Deaths From Tainted Medicine

At least 94 people in Panama have died from medicine contaminated with diethylene glycol, the same chemical found in Chinese-made toothpaste that has been recalled in the United States, a Panamanian prosecutor told the Associated Press.

The deaths have continued in Panama this year, despite domestic recalls on the tainted medicine that were ordered since October, prosecutor Dimas Guevara told the wire service.

Panamanian authorities previously had confirmed only 51 deaths from the medicine, the AP said.

Diethylene glycol, which can be deadly if ingested in even trace amounts, is commonly used in antifreeze and brake fluid products. It's a chemical cousin of glycerin, a sweetener frequently used in medicines and food.

Diethylene glycol was found in Panamanian drugs including cough syrup, antihistamines, calamine lotion, and rash ointments, the AP said. Investigations revealed that the chemical had been made by a Chinese company and illegally passed off as glycerin.

At least 293 more possible cases of poisoning from the tainted medicines have been identified in Panama, but haven't been confirmed by forensic tests, the wire service said.

In the United States, some 900,000 tubes of toothpaste containing the deadly chemical have been found in institutions for the mentally ill, hospitals, prisons, and juvenile detention centers in Georgia and North Carolina, recent news reports said. Officials in those states have no reports of illness from the tainted tubes, which have been replaced with domestic products.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned Americans not to use any Chinese-made toothpaste, regardless of brand.

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Swans in France Died From Bird Flu

Three swans found dead in the Moselle region of France have tested positive for the H5N1 strain of bird flu, the government said Thursday.

The Agriculture Ministry said its response included the segregation of nearby domestic birds and a ban on bird-related activities, including pigeon-racing competitions, the Associated Press reported.

Recent positive bird flu tests on fowl also have been reported in Germany in Bavaria and Saxony, the wire service said.

While it remains difficult for people to acquire bird flu, at least 191 people worldwide have died from the disease in recent years, the AP reported, citing the World Health Organization.

Experts worry, however, that the virus will mutate into a form that's more easily passed between people, sparking a human pandemic.

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U.S. Food Education Program Not Working: Survey

The U.S. government's nutrition education program of more than $1 billion is failing, a survey by the Associated Press reveals.

The money spent on videos of dancing fruits and vegetables, Web site emphasis on snacking on carrots and celery, and repeated instruction on how eating well makes a person feel good are all coming to naught, the wire service says.

The AP reviewed 57 scientific studies that looked at the effectiveness of the federal program and found that only four showed any measurable success in changing the way children ate.

Here are the major obstacles that come into play, the wire service reports:

Parents. If parents don't practice proper nutrition, most times their children won't, either.

Poverty. Less healthful food -- especially fast food -- is cheaper and more often eaten by poor children, the researchers found.

Advertising. Not one of the almost 9,000 television ads for food products aimed at children between ages 8 and 12 in the study promoted fruits or vegetables.

Health Tips for July 6

Health Tip: Positive Pap Results

Most women should get their first Pap smear -- a test to detect cervical cancer -- once they become sexually active or reach age 18, the American Academy of Family Physicians says.

The test is recommended once a year until a woman has had at least three negative ones. After this, a woman should have a Pap smear at least every three years, unless her doctor thinks the test is needed more often, the academy says.

What could a positive result mean? The academy lists these possibilities:

* Inflammation of the cervix, attributable to factors including a yeast infection, HPV, herpes virus or other infection.
* Very early signs of cancer of the cervix, a condition called dysplasia.
* Moderately advanced cervical cancer.
* Very advanced stages of cancer.

Health Tip: Keeping Seniors on Their Feet

When an elderly person falls, it could cause life-threatening injury.

Here are steps you can take to make your home safe for seniors, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

* Keep the house well lit. Use bright lamps and overhead lighting, and keep night lights throughout the house.
* Fasten area rugs and carpeting well to the floor, and use nonskid rug pads.
* Keep electrical cords neat and out of areas where people walk.
* Install hand rails in bathrooms and stairways.
* In the kitchen, keep items within easy reach. Don't store things too high, where a stepladder is needed to reach them.

Health Headlines - July 5

Government Food Education Program Not Changing Children's Eating Habits, Survey Finds

The U.S. government's nutrition education program of more than $1 billion is failing, a survey by the Associated Press reveals.

The money spent on videos of dancing fruits and vegetables, Web site emphasis on snacking on carrots and celery, and repeated instruction on how eating well makes a person feel good are all coming to naught, the wire service says.

The A.P. reviewed 57 scientific studies that looked at the effectiveness of the federal program and found only four showed any measurable success in changing the way children ate.

Here are the major obstacles that come into play, the wire service reports:

Parents If parents don't practice proper nutrition, most times their children won't, either.

Poverty Less healthful food -- especially fast food -- is cheaper and more often eaten by poor children, the researchers found.

Advertising Not one of the almost 9,000 television ads for food products aimed at children between ages 8 and 12 in the study promoted fruits or vegetables.

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Study Shows Reduced Pregnancy Rate for Women Using Alternative Medical Therapies

Alternative medical treatments and herbal supplements may reduce a woman's chance of getting pregnant, according to a study presented July 4 at a meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in France.

According to the Associated Press, the study was conducted on 800 Danish women who were receiving in vitro fertilization. Alternative medical treatments and/or herbal supplements such as reflexology, homeopathy, kinesiology and acupuncture were used by 261 of the participants, the wire service reported.

The results showed that the women who used one or more of these therapies were 20 percent less likely to become pregnant. While more research is needed to determine a cause and effect relationship, one of the researchers, Dr. Jacky Boivin of Cardiff University, told the A.P. that the lowered fertility incidence didn't seem to be accidental.

"There still seems to be an association between the use of complementary therapies and the reduced chances for pregnancy," Boivin said. "Doctors tend to think that these kinds of therapies are benign, but maybe they're not as benign as we think they are."

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Asthma Drug Label Gets Anaphylaxis Warning

Labeling on the Genentech asthma medication Xolair (omalizumab) has been updated to include the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's strongest possible "black box" warning, advising doctors and consumers of the risk of anaphylaxis, the agency said Tuesday.

Anaphylaxis is a sudden, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction, with possible symptoms including trouble breathing, chest tightness, dizziness, fainting, itching, hives, and swelling of the mouth and throat.

Xolair, an injected medication, was approved in 2003 for people 12 years and older with moderate-to-severe persistent asthma that is inadequately controlled with inhaled corticosteroids.

In a statement, the FDA said it also ordered that a "new medication guide" warning of the anaphylaxis risks be distributed with each dose of Xolair.

Anaphylaxis has occurred in some Xolair users as early as the first dose, but it has occurred in others one year or more after the medication was begun, the agency said. Moreover, the reaction can occur more than 24 hours after administration of a dose.

The FDA, which ordered the warning earlier this year, recommended that Xolair only be administered in a healthcare setting under direct supervision by a medical professional who understands the drug's risks.

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Drug May Help Bad Memories Fade

A drug frequently used in heart patients can quash memories of a traumatic event, U.S. and Canadian researchers report.

The drug, a beta blocker called propranolol, was injected while study participants were asked to recall a traumatic memory from a decade earlier, BBC News reported. Nineteen participants involved in either a vehicle crash or sexual assault were injected with either the drug or a non-medicinal placebo for 10 days.

Those injected with propranolol, when asked to recall the event after completing the regimen, showed fewer signs of stress than those who didn't get the drug, the researchers said.

Experts not involved with the study cautioned that the research was preliminary, that post-traumatic stress was a complex condition, and that the long-term effects of the drug hadn't been evaluated, the BBC said.

Results of the study, by scientists at McGill University in Montreal and Harvard University in Boston, were published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research.

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Endometriosis Raises Cancer Risk: Study

Endometriosis, a painful condition in which womb tissue begins to grow abnormally elsewhere in the abdomen, may raise a woman's cancer risk, new research finds.

Women with endometriosis have a greater chance of contracting many types of cancer, including those of the ovaries, kidneys, hormonal glands, brain, skin and breasts, the Times of London reported of the Swedish study's conclusions.

Endometriosis causes lesions that often impair a woman's chances of becoming pregnant. And while female infertility has been shown in prior studies to raise a woman's risk of certain cancers, this study found that endometriosis itself may be linked to an increased cancer risk, study authors at Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm said.

The scientists studied 63,000 women with endometriosis, finding they were 38 percent more likely to develop tumors of the hormonal glands, and were at higher risk of ovarian cancer (37 percent), kidney cancer (36 percent), thyroid cancer (33 percent), brain cancer (37 percent), skins cancer (23 percent), and breast cancer (8 percent) than women who didn't have endometriosis, the Times reported.

The research was released at a meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Lyon, France.

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Many With Food Allergies Ignore Warnings: Study

Some 12 million Americans are allergic to at least one type of food, and a growing number of them are ignoring advisory warnings that appear on food labels, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) said Monday.

The label warnings state that the product could unintentionally contain an allergen by virtue of being produced at a facility that makes other products that contain allergens, the FAAN said. So-called "advisory labeling" is unregulated and is voluntary, the network said.

In study results published in the July issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, researchers said 75 percent of food allergy sufferers surveyed in 2006 heeded the advisory warnings, down from 85 percent in 2005. The study was conducted by the FAAN and the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.

"We believe that allergic consumers are increasingly ignoring the advisory labeling because the warnings are now used so frequently that consumers assume they are not serious," said study co-author Dr. Scott Sicherer of the Jaffe Institute.

The researchers said the wording of these advisories made a significant difference. A warning stating "may contain [allergen]" was heeded by 88 percent of those surveyed, while only 65 percent heeded a warning stating "made in a facility that uses [allergen]," the FAAN said.

Health Tips for July 5

Health Tip: Preventing Swimmer's Ear

Otitis externa, commonly known as swimmer's ear, is an infection that is common in people who spend a lot of time in the water. Bacteria and fungi can grow inside the ear when moisture is present, such as after swimming.

Here are suggestions to prevent swimmer's ear, courtesy of the Nemours Foundation:

* Wear earplugs when swimming.
* After swimming, gently dry out the ears with a soft towel, and turn the head side to side to help water run out of the ears.
* Apply drops to the ears (diluted acetic acid) after getting out of the pool.
* Never let children clean their ears themselves, and never use a Q-tip.

Health Tip: Endometriosis and Pregnancy

Endometriosis occurs when the endometrium that lines the uterus attaches itself to organs outside the uterus. These implants continue to grow, causing abdominal pain and discomfort.

Other symptoms may include: painful menstruation or sexual intercourse, infertility, painful bowel movements, fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, painful urination or lower back pain.

Although endometriosis can cause scar tissue that can make it difficult for some women to conceive, others have full-term, healthy pregnancies, the American Pregnancy Association says.

Proactive treatments have been successful in helping some women with endometriosis to become pregnant.

Health Headlines - July 4

Happy Independence Day!

Asthma Drug Label Gets Anaphylaxis Warning

Labeling on the Genentech asthma medication Xolair (omalizumab) has been updated to include the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's strongest possible "black box" warning, advising doctors and consumers of the risk of anaphylaxis, the agency said Tuesday.

Anaphylaxis is a sudden, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction, with possible symptoms including trouble breathing, chest tightness, dizziness, fainting, itching, hives, and swelling of the mouth and throat.

Xolair, an injected medication, was approved in 2003 for people 12 years and older with moderate-to-severe persistent asthma that is inadequately controlled with inhaled corticosteroids.

In a statement, the FDA said it also ordered that a "new medication guide" warning of the anaphylaxis risks be distributed with each dose of Xolair.

Anaphylaxis has occurred in some Xolair users as early as the first dose, but it has occurred in others one year or more after the medication was begun, the agency said. Moreover, the reaction can occur more than 24 hours after administration of a dose.

The FDA, which ordered the warning earlier this year, recommended that Xolair only be administered in a healthcare setting under direct supervision by a medical professional who understands the drug's risks.

-----

Drug May Help Bad Memories Fade

A drug frequently used in heart patients can quash memories of a traumatic event, U.S. and Canadian researchers report.

The drug, a beta blocker called propranolol, was injected while study participants were asked to recall a traumatic memory from a decade earlier, BBC News reported. Nineteen participants involved in either a vehicle crash or sexual assault were injected with either the drug or a non-medicinal placebo for 10 days.

Those injected with propranolol, when asked to recall the event after completing the regimen, showed fewer signs of stress than those who didn't get the drug, the researchers said.

Experts not involved with the study cautioned that the research was preliminary, that post-traumatic stress was a complex condition, and that the long-term effects of the drug hadn't been evaluated, the BBC said.

Results of the study, by scientists at McGill University in Montreal and Harvard University in Boston, were published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research.

-----

Endometriosis Raises Cancer Risk: Study

Endometriosis, a painful condition in which womb tissue begins to grow abnormally elsewhere in the abdomen, may raise a woman's cancer risk, new research finds.

Women with endometriosis have a greater chance of contracting many types of cancer, including those of the ovaries, kidneys, hormonal glands, brain, skin and breasts, the Times of London reported of the Swedish study's conclusions.

Endometriosis causes lesions that often impair a woman's chances of becoming pregnant. And while female infertility has been shown in prior studies to raise a woman's risk of certain cancers, this study found that endometriosis itself may be linked to an increased cancer risk, study authors at Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm said.

The scientists studied 63,000 women with endometriosis, finding they were 38 percent more likely to develop tumors of the hormonal glands, and were at higher risk of ovarian cancer (37 percent), kidney cancer (36 percent), thyroid cancer (33 percent), brain cancer (37 percent), skins cancer (23 percent), and breast cancer (8 percent) than women who didn't have endometriosis, the Times reported.

The research was released at a meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Lyon, France.

-----

Many With Food Allergies Ignore Warnings: Study

Some 12 million Americans are allergic to at least one type of food, and a growing number of them are ignoring advisory warnings that appear on food labels, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) said Monday.

The label warnings state that the product could unintentionally contain an allergen by virtue of being produced at a facility that makes other products that contain allergens, the FAAN said. So-called "advisory labeling" is unregulated and is voluntary, the network said.

In study results published in the July issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, researchers said 75 percent of food allergy sufferers surveyed in 2006 heeded the advisory warnings, down from 85 percent in 2005. The study was conducted by the FAAN and the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.

"We believe that allergic consumers are increasingly ignoring the advisory labeling because the warnings are now used so frequently that consumers assume they are not serious," said study co-author Dr. Scott Sicherer of the Jaffe Institute.

The researchers said the wording of these advisories made a significant difference. A warning stating "may contain [allergen]" was heeded by 88 percent of those surveyed, while only 65 percent heeded a warning stating "made in a facility that uses [allergen]," the FAAN said.

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New Medicare Task Force Fights Equipment Fraud

Medicare has established a "fraud strike force" to combat fraudulent suppliers of medical equipment including motorized wheelchairs, nebulizers, prosthetics and orthotic supplies, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt announced Monday.

The two-year initiative, launched in South Florida and Southern California, has already led to charges being filed against 56 people in Florida, accused of fraudulently billing Medicare for more than $258 million, Leavitt said in a statement. The initiative involves federal, state and local investigators.

A similar operation last year in Los Angeles resulted in 770 suppliers having their Medicare billing privileges revoked, the statement said.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services hopes to expand the program nationwide, Leavitt added.

Health Tips for July 4

Happy Independence Day!

Health Tip: When It Comes to Fireworks, Leave the Shows to the Pros

Sparklers seem innocent enough, as delighted children twirl them about, creating light trails in the warm summer darkness.

But in truth, they are extremely dangerous.

Sparklers burn at 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit and shoot off sparks. In the month surrounding the Fourth of July 2005, they accounted for almost half the injuries to children younger than 5 years of age, and proved as dangerous as bottle rockets, according to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission.

"Many people don't even think of those as fireworks, but they cause as many injuries as things like bottle rockets," said Dr. Sandra S. Block, a professor with the Illinois College of Optometry and a member of the Pediatric Advisory Committee of Prevent Blindness America.

As the Fourth of July approaches, doctors and medical experts are stepping up their warnings about fireworks.

"There is no such thing as safe fireworks," said Sarah Hecker, spokeswoman for Prevent Blindness America. "You see places that sell 'safe and sane fireworks,' but even the safest ones can cause injury. These things are just dangerous."

Experts have suggested for years that parents find safe alternatives for their children. But statistics show that few heed the warnings.

Fireworks caused an estimated 10,800 injuries to be treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms in 2005, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. That was up 1,200 from 2004, when the commission estimated there were 9,600 injuries. And the number of injuries has been rising steadily since 1996.

"Every time you talk to someone who's been injured, you hear the same thing -- 'I've been using bottle rockets for years without a problem,' " Hecker said.

The threat of injury intensifies during the month surrounding the Fourth of July, when fireworks are more available. An estimated 6,500 fireworks-related injuries were treated in emergency rooms between June 18 and July 18 in 2005.

"Around the Fourth, there's a real push to get fireworks out in people's hands," Block said. "This is dangerous and should not be done in the backyard."

During that one-month period in 2005, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission:

* Children under 15 accounted for 45 percent of the injuries. When the age was raised to children and young adults under 20, they accounted for 55 percent of all injuries.
* Firecrackers were to blame for the greatest number of injuries -- 1,700. Rockets and sparklers were next -- 1,100 injuries each.
* The body parts most often injured were the hands, with about 2,000 injuries; the eyes, 1,600 injuries; and the head, face and ear -- 1,300 injuries.
* More than half of the injuries were burns. In fact, burns were the most common injury to all parts of the body except the eyes, where cuts and contusions were the norm.

Children love the glitz and flash of fireworks, but there are safer alternatives, doctors said.

"There are so many ways you can celebrate the Fourth that are safer than fireworks," Hecker said.

For example, Block recommends replacing sparklers with glow sticks, glow necklaces or novelty flashlights. "Pick something that's safe versus something that's dangerous," she said.

If you live in the right areas of the country, you can enlist kids' help in catching nature's alternative to fireworks -- a jarful of fireflies, Block said.

And the loud bang of fireworks can be replaced with burst balloons or paper bags, or with safe novelty noisemakers from a party store. Parents with an added dose of patience can also let their kids bang pots and pans from the kitchen, or let them run loose with horns, whistles, bells and cymbals, the experts suggested.

A Fourth of July party for kids can include a number of fun and safe activities, according to Prevent Blindness America. These include:

* Letting little ones make decorations with crepe paper, construction paper, stickers and glue.
* Planning food-making activities like patriotic pizzas and desserts.
* Getting the kids to decorate T-shirts or hats with paint and decals that glow in the dark. By the time nightfall rolls around, their new night-bright clothes will be dry and ready to model.

Finally, there's no substitute for the real thing, so head to a professional fireworks display. "Take the family as a group to observe it, and let the licensed professionals handle the show," Block said.

And be sure to warn your children about attending neighbors' displays, where most injuries occur to bystanders.

Health Tip: The Dangers of Binge Drinking

Binge drinking -- commonly defined as having four to five drinks in a row within a short period -- can lead to short-term problems in concentrating, memory lapses, and mood changes.

But the Nemours Foundation says binge drinking also can cause more serious, longer-lasting problems, including:

* Alcohol poisoning, which can hinder involuntary functions like breathing and a person's gag reflex.
* Impaired judgment, which can lead to risk taking like having unprotected sex.
* Health issues, including an increased risk of obesity and high blood pressure.
* Mental health concerns, including moodiness and personality changes.
* Increased risk of becoming an alcoholic.

Health Headlines - July 3

Many With Food Allergies Ignore Warnings: Study

Some 12 million Americans are allergic to at least one type of food, and a growing number of them are ignoring advisory warnings that appear on food labels, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) said Monday.

The label warnings state that the product could unintentionally contain an allergen by virtue of being produced at a facility that makes other products that contain allergens, the FAAN said. So-called "advisory labeling" is unregulated and is voluntary, the network said.

In study results published in the July issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, researchers said 75 percent of food allergy sufferers surveyed in 2006 heeded the advisory warnings, down from 85 percent in 2005. The study was conducted by the FAAN and the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.

"We believe that allergic consumers are increasingly ignoring the advisory labeling because the warnings are now used so frequently that consumers assume they are not serious," said study co-author Dr. Scott Sicherer of the Jaffe Institute.

The researchers said the wording of these advisories made a significant difference. A warning stating "may contain [allergen]" was heeded by 88 percent of those surveyed, while only 65 percent heeded a warning stating "made in a facility that uses [allergen]," the FAAN said.

-----

New Medicare Task Force Fights Equipment Fraud

Medicare has established a "fraud strike force" to combat fraudulent suppliers of medical equipment including motorized wheelchairs, nebulizers, prosthetics and orthotic supplies, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt announced Monday.

The two-year initiative, launched in South Florida and Southern California, has already led to charges being filed against 56 people in Florida, accused of fraudulently billing Medicare for more than $258 million, Leavitt said in a statement. The initiative involves federal, state and local investigators.

A similar operation last year in Los Angeles resulted in 770 suppliers having their Medicare billing privileges revoked, the statement said.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services hopes to expand the program nationwide, Leavitt added.

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FDA Approves Generic Lamisil for Fungal Infections

The first generic versions of prescription Lamisil (terbinafine hydrochloride), used to treat fungal infections of the toenail or fingernail, have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Remaining patents for the brand-name drug, made by Novartis Pharmaceuticals, expired at the end of June, the agency said. Fourteen manufacturers were granted license to produce a generic equivalent.

The FDA said Lamisil tablets were the 57th highest selling brand name drug in the United States, citing the online trade magazine Drug Topics.

The agency said it also approved a generic version of over-the-counter Lamisil cream to treat athlete's foot.

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Chronic Stress Can Help Spur Obesity: Study

An international team of researchers say a biological switch may promote obesity in chronically stressed people, the Washington Post reported.

Scientists led by researchers at Georgetown University, in Washington, D.C., say they've identified a neurochemical pathway in mice that triggers fat growth among animals that eat a high-fat, high sugar diet. Blocking signals to this pathway could prevent fat from accumulating and actually shrink existing fat deposits, the researchers said.

"There is a lot of uncontrollable stress right now in our societies," Mary Dallman at the University of California, San Francisco, wrote in a commentary accompanying the research. "This could help explain the obesity epidemic."

The researchers cautioned that their findings need to be replicated in people, the Post reported. Human testing could begin within two years, they added.

Results of the research are published online in the journal Nature Medicine.

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Doctors Preserve Eggs from Young Cancer Patients

Israeli scientists say they have extracted eggs from girls as young as five who have cancer, possibly giving these patients a way to conceive when they reach maturity.

Aggressive chemotherapy needed to fight childhood cancer sometimes causes infertility, and the artificially matured eggs may someday enable pregnancy for these girls, who ranged between five and 10 years of age, said researchers from Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem.

The eggs were extracted and then frozen, BBC News Online reports. The researchers were to present their findings at a fertility conference in Lyon, France, later this week.

Researchers have experimented with freezing ovarian tissue from young cancer patients, which theoretically could be implanted back in their bodies when they are older. But scientists feared this tissue could also contain cancerous cells, a possibility that's eliminated with the egg harvesting technique, BBC reported.

In related news, Canadian doctors announced the first birth of a baby conceived from eggs that were artificially matured, the Bloomberg news service reported Monday.

The eggs had been removed, matured in the laboratory, then frozen. The new procedure offered hope to women who cannot mature their eggs inside their bodies, the researchers said.

The procedure "has the potential to become one of the main options for fertility preservation, especially for patients who cannot have ovarian stimulation and all patients who do not have enough time to undergo ovarian stimulation," Bloomberg quoted lead author Hananel Holzer at Montreal's McGill Reproductive Center as saying.

Three other women are now pregnant after having the treatment, the researchers said.

Health Tips for July 3

Health Tip: Picnic Precautions

Picnickers are prone to leaving food unrefrigerated for long periods, preparing some dishes well in advance, and having food handled by several people -- all of which can lead to growth and spread of harmful bacteria.

Here are suggestions to keep your summer picnic healthy, courtesy of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension:

* Anyone who will be handling or preparing food, containers or utensils should thoroughly wash their hands before doing so.
* Don't prepare foods more than one day in advance, unless the food will be frozen.
* Keep cut melons and mayonnaise-based foods, like potato salad, refrigerated or on ice.
* Keep hot foods hot -- don't allow them to cool to room temperature.
* Throw away leftovers that have been sitting out for more than an hour.

Health Tip: Driving in the Rain

Slick roadways are a prime contributor to car accidents. But practicing safe driving techniques while it's raining or snowing can help lessen your chances of ending up in a fender bender.

The National Safety Council offers these suggestions:

* Drive slowly and cautiously, especially on curves.
* Leave plenty of space between you and other cars.
* When you need to stop or slow down, brake slowly and gently -- never slam on the brakes.
* If your car starts to skid, slowly take your foot off the gas and turn in the direction you want the front of the car to go.
* Stay away from puddles, and try to travel in the same part of the road as cars before you.

Health Headlines - July 2

Massachusetts Mandates Health Insurance for All

Massachusetts on Sunday became the first state in the country to require that its 6.5 million residents have health insurance or face financial penalties.

A law approved by the legislature last year to make health insurance mandatory is aimed at reducing the ranks of the state's 400,000 uninsured and the number of people who seek costly "uncompensated" care in hospital emergency rooms, according to the Washington Post.

Although July 1 marks the beginning of the "individual mandate" -- the legal obligation to obtain health insurance -- the real deadline is Dec. 31. When Massachusetts residents file their state tax returns next spring, they must certify that they had acceptable coverage as of the end of 2007 -- or lose the $219 personal exemption, the Post report said.

Businesses with at least 11 full-time employees that do not offer health insurance must pay an annual "fair share" assessment of $295 per employee. And businesses must arrange to allow workers to pay health insurance premiums with pre-tax dollars.

And the state government, under its new Commonwealth Care program, is subsidizing coverage with no annual deductible on a sliding scale for people with incomes of up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level, or $61,950 for a family of four.

The state's costs have some analysts wondering whether Massachusetts will be able to keep funding the $1.6 billion-a-year program if the economy slumps or if costs rise substantially over the next few years.

But if it works, the state's plan could become a model for major changes in health care across the country, the Post reported.

Democratic presidential candidates are borrowing some of its elements for their campaign platforms, and President Bush signaled last week that state experiments such as Massachusetts's will play a key role in remaking the troubled U.S. health-care system.

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England's Smoking Ban Goes Into Effect

A ban on smoking in public buildings in England, including pubs, restaurants and even Buckingham Palace, began Sunday, the Associated Press reported.

Taxi and delivery drivers also face a £50 fine if they light up inside their cars, the wire service said.

Newly appointed Health Secretary Alan Johnson said, "A smoke-free country will improve the health of thousands of people, reduce the temptation to smoke and encourage smokers to quit."

England joins France, Spain, Italy, Iran, Norway, Sweden, Singapore, South Africa, Uruguay and New Zealand in passing federal legislation to restrict smoking. The United States has no federal policy, but some states, including New York and Florida, have imposed some of the globe's most stringent laws against smoking, the AP said.

Public smoking was already banned in the rest of the United Kingdom. Wales and Northern Ireland instituted the ban in April and Scotland did so last year. The Republic of Ireland made the move three years ago.

Despite the bans, the World Health Organization predicts there will be an additional 2 billion smokers worldwide by 2030, the wire service said.

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New Mexico to Begin 'Unique' Medicinal Marijuana Program

New Mexico is getting into the marijuana business.

Beginning Sunday, New Mexico joins 11 other states that protect from prosecution those who use marijuana medicinally. But, as the Associated Press reports, there's an added irony in this particular law: The state will be required to grow and distribute the marijuana used for medical purposes.

There is a reason for this, the wire service reports. State health officials want to make sure that the cannabis being used meets the standards for medical treatment. Marijuana is often used by those suffering from diseases that cause pain, and also by those whose treatment brings about nausea and depression.

The New Mexico law specifically mentions approved marijuana use for cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and HIV-AIDS, and also by some patients in hospice care.

"The long-term goal is that the patients will have a safe, secure supply that doesn't mean drug dealers, that doesn't mean growing their own," Reena Szczepanski, director of Drug Policy Alliance New Mexico, told the AP

There still is one obstacle. The U.S. government doesn't recognize marijuana as a medicinal drug, so theoretically, the New Mexico employees who grow and distribute the drug could be subject to federal prosecution, the wire service reports.

The state doesn't have a specific answer for that, but Dr. Steve Jenison, who heads up the marijuana growth and distribution program for New Mexico, told the AP that it is unique and might be acceptable to the U.S. government. "The production part is unprecedented," Jenison said. "No other state law does that. So we're trying to be very thoughtful in how we proceed."

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China Promises to Help Improve Quality of Imported Seafood

The Chinese government says it will cooperate with U.S. regulators to improve the safety of food imported to the United States, but its response to the latest partial ban by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on imported seafood was far from humble.

Dr. David Acheson, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's assistant commissioner for food protection, on Thursday identified the banned fish as catfish, basa (similar to catfish), shrimp, dace (similar to carp) and eel, which he said may contain chemicals that are potentially carcinogenic.

The New York Times reports that the Chinese government said Friday that it would work with the United States to improve the quality of food it imports, but it urged a quick resolution and claimed that U.S. food imports to China also had quality problems. "Just like the U.S. imported food in China, there are quality problems with aquatic products that are exported to the U.S. by some Chinese enterprises," the Times quotes a statement on a Chinese government Web site.

China is the third largest importer of seafood to the United States, and the problem of quality is not a new one. "There have been problems with farmed fish products produced in China and exported to the U.S. since 2001," Margaret O' K. Glavin, FDA's associate commissioner for Regulatory Affairs, said Thursday during a teleconference. For example, in 2006, the FDA placed a countrywide alert on all Chinese eel due to residues of malachite green, Glavin said.

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Veggie Snack Recalled for Salmonella Risk

A snack called Veggie Booty is being recalled nationwide due to possible contamination with salmonella bacteria, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported.

The product, made by Robert's American Gourmet Food Inc., of Sea Cliff, N.Y., is sold in foil bags of 4-ounce, 1-ounce, and half-ounce sizes.

Consumers are urged to throw any packages of the product away. Veggie Booty is often eaten by children, and parents are urged to watch for signs of gastrointestinal illness in any youngster who has already eaten the product, the FDA advised Thursday.

The agency has had 52 reports of illness in 17 states, beginning in March. Almost all of the victims have been children under age 10, mostly toddlers. Four were hospitalized with symptoms including bloody diarrhea. The FDA said it learned of the illnesses on June 27 from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is investigating the outbreak. The product also is sold in Canada.

In addition to bloody diarrhea, other symptoms of salmonella poisoning may include abdominal cramps and fever. Symptoms usually begin within four days of exposure, the FDA said.

People with weaker immune systems, including the young and elderly, are especially prone to salmonella poisoning.

Health Tips for July 2

Food Fact:
Citrus alert.

If you're taking certain medications, your doctor will want to know if you're a grapefruit juice drinker. There's a chemical in grapefruit and grapefruit juice that inhibits the enzyme needed to break down many drugs, including antihistamines, calcium-channel blockers (used to treat high blood pressure), immunosuppressants (taken by organ-transplant patients), sedatives and protease inhibitors (treatment for AIDS). As a result, blood levels of these drugs may stay high, with serious side effects.

Fitness Tip of the day:
Prime exercise time.

You can burn a lot of calories watching sports on TV. Or a movie, or a game show or anything else -- just park a high-quality exercise bike, treadmill or stair climber in front of the tube and exercise away. You'll never even notice how hard you worked, and whatever you spend on the equipment can be more cost-effective than a gym membership you never use.

FAQ of the day:
Is fish less nutritious if it's handled poorly?

Extended cooking, or cooking at a very high heat, can destroy heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, as can exposure to light and air. Try not to overcook fish, and stay away from the deep-fat fish fry. It's better to bake, broil, poach, steam or grill until the fish is just done, no more.

Health Headlines - July 1

China Promises to Help Improve Quality of Imported Seafood

The Chinese government says it will cooperate with U.S. regulators to improve the safety of food imported to the United States, but its response to the latest partial ban by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on imported seafood was far from humble.

Dr. David Acheson, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's assistant commissioner for food protection, Thursday identified the banned fish as catfish, basa (similar to catfish), shrimp, dace (similar to carp) and eel, which he said may contain chemicals that are potentially carcinogenic.

The New York Times reports that the Chinese government said Friday that it would work with the United States to improve the quality of food it imports, but it urged a quick resolution and claimed that U.S. food imports to China also had quality problems. "Just like the U.S. imported food in China, there are quality problems with aquatic products that are exported to the U.S. by some Chinese enterprises," the Times quotes a statement on a Chinese government Web site.

China is the third largest importer of seafood to the United States, and the problem of quality is not a new one. "There have been problems with farmed fish products produced in China and exported to the U.S. since 2001," Margaret O' K. Glavin, FDA's associate commissioner for Regulatory Affairs, said Thursday during a teleconference. For example, in 2006, the FDA placed a countrywide alert on all Chinese eel due to residues of malachite green, Glavin said.

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Veggie Snack Recalled for Salmonella Risk

A snack called Veggie Booty is being recalled nationwide due to possible contamination with salmonella bacteria, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported.

The product, made by Robert's American Gourmet Food Inc., of Sea Cliff, N.Y., is sold in foil bags of 4-ounce, 1-ounce, and half-ounce sizes.

Consumers are urged to throw any packages of the product away. Veggie Booty is often eaten by children, and parents are urged to watch for signs of gastrointestinal illness in any youngster who has already eaten the product, the FDA advised Thursday.

The agency has had 52 reports of illness in 17 states, beginning in March. Almost all of the victims have been children under age 10, mostly toddlers. Four were hospitalized with symptoms including bloody diarrhea. The FDA said it learned of the illnesses on June 27 from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is investigating the outbreak. The product also is sold in Canada.

In addition to bloody diarrhea, other symptoms of salmonella poisoning may include abdominal cramps and fever. Symptoms usually begin within four days of exposure, the FDA said.

People with weaker immune systems, including the young and elderly, are especially prone to salmonella poisoning.

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English Smoking Ban Begins Sunday

A ban on smoking in public buildings starts Sunday in England, to include pubs, restaurants, and even Buckingham Palace, the Associated Press reports.

Taxi and delivery drivers also face a £50 fine if they light up inside their cars, the wire service said.

England joins France, Spain, Italy, Iran, Norway, Sweden, Singapore, South Africa, Uruguay and New Zealand in passing federal legislation to restrict smoking. The United States has no federal policy, but some states, including New York and Florida, have imposed some of the globe's most stringent laws against smoking, the AP said.

Public smoking is already restricted in the rest of Britain, including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Despite these bans, the World Health Organization predicts there will be an additional 2 billion smokers worldwide by 2030, the wire service said.

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Plane Travel Boosts Blood Clot Risk: WHO

Long airline flights of four hours or more double a passenger's risk of dangerous blood clots, a new World Health Organization (WHO) study concludes.

Clots called venous thromboembolisms (VTE) usually form in the legs and can be deadly if they travel to the lungs.

A similar risk applies to people who travel for long periods by car, bus or rail, the Bloomberg news service reported. Each year, more than 600,0000 people in the United States contract a VTE that travels to the lungs, referred to as a pulmonary embolism. About 10 percent of these people die, Bloomberg reported.

Other activities linked to such clots include the use of drugs such as estrogen and birth control pills, and childbirth within the past six months, the news service said.

In a statement, the WHO urged air carriers to provide passengers with information about these risks, including current prevention advice that encourages leg exercise and avoiding prolonged sitting.

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Bacterium's Genome Transplanted

Human genome sequencing pioneer J. Craig Venter and his colleagues say they have successfully transplanted the genome of one type of bacteria into another, The New York Times reports.

Venter directs a nonprofit research laboratory that bears his name in Rockville, Md. He said the achievement was the first step in creating a synthetic bacterium, which could ultimately be used to produce an alternative to fossil fuels and limit the effects of global warming, the newspaper reported.

Experts praised the Venter announcement as a landmark accomplishment, but said it was among a long series of steps required before synthetic chromosomes could be adapted to living cells, the Times said.

The research is published in the online version of Science.

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Respiratory Disorders Common Among Young ER Visitors

Nearly three of every 10 children and teens admitted to a U.S. hospital after visiting the emergency room have a significant respiratory disorder, including asthma, pneumonia or acute bronchitis, the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reported Thursday.

Of all child admissions with respiratory problems in 2004, asthma accounted for more than one-third of them, the agency said in a statement.

Among children ages 5 to 9, respiratory illness accounted for 26 percent of ER visits that led to a hospital admission. Among children 10 to 14, the rate fell to 12 percent, and among teens ages 15 to 17, the rate was 8 percent, AHRQ said.

Overall, about half of the 2.3 million hospital admissions involving children and teens each year begin in hospital emergency departments, the agency said.

Health Tips for July 1

Food Fact:
Jump-start a balanced diet.

By adding key foods to your diet, you can get daily allowances for key nutrients in one serving. For instance, 1 cup cantaloupe cubes has 190% of the recommended daily allowance for vitamin C; 1 cup frozen cooked spinach has 295% of the RDA for beta-carotene; and 6 oz. pink baked or broiled salmon fillet has 201% RDA for vitamin D. The greater the variety of healthy foods you eat, the greater your nutritional coverage.

Fitness Tip of the day:
Beat the clock.

By making physical activity a natural part of your day, you get all the benefits of exercise -- in a fraction of the time. Walk to an appointment. Take the stairs. Scrub the floor or your car. Leading an active life gives you many of the same benefits as structured exercise, and you don't have to "make time" to do it.

FAQ of the day:
Is sushi safe?

Most sushi is raw fish. Public health outbreaks are rare at Japanese restaurants, but eating raw fish is inherently more risky than eating it cooked. Raw seafood can carry bacteria, viruses, worms and parasites that can cause severe illness such as hepatitis. Only cooking can kill the microorganisms that cause these illnesses. Most sushi restaurants also offer cooked seafood, as well as vegetable rolls. If you are pregnant, or have any disease that compromises your immune system, don't eat raw seafood under any circumstances.