Health Headlines - March 7

Fla. Judge Suspends His Ruling Against Health Reform Law

A federal judge in Florida, who ruled in January that the controversial health-care reform law passed by Congress last spring is unconstitutional because it requires people to buy health insurance or pay a penalty, stayed -- or suspended -- his own ruling on Thursday. This will allow the law to be implemented as the case progresses through the Courts of Appeal and on to the U.S. Supreme Court, The New York Times reported.

Judge Roger Vinson said the stay was conditioned on the U.S. Justice Department's pursuit of an expedited appeal, which he said had to be filed within seven days, the newspaper reported.

"The sooner this issue is finally decided by the Supreme Court, the better off the entire nation will be," Vinson wrote. "And yet, it has been more than one month from the entry of my order and judgment and still the defendants have not filed their notice of appeal."

Vinson had written that his decision should be considered the "functional equivalent" of an injunction, which would have blocked implementation of the law. But the Obama administration did not immediately cease implementing the law. And instead of seeking a stay of the judge's decision, it asked him to clarify his ruling. As a result, states were unsure how to proceed, with some stopping all planning for the new law and others acting as if it had to be carried out, the Times reported.

Following Vinson's stay on Thursday, Gov. Sean Parnell of Alaska, a Republican who said last month his state would not put the new law into effect following Vinson's initial ruling, said "our administration will treat the federal health care law as being in place," theTimes reported

In recent lower court rulings on the Affordable Care Act, three judges appointed by Democratic administrations have so far supported the law, while two judges -- including Vinson -- appointed by Republican administrations have ruled it unconstitutional.

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FDA Warns of Birth Defects Tied to Epilepsy Drug

The epilepsy drug Topamax (topiramate) and its generic versions increase the risk for the birth defects cleft lip and cleft palate in babies born to women who use the medication while pregnant, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday.

Before prescribing topiramate, which is approved to treat certain types of seizures in people who have epilepsy, health-care professionals should tell women of childbearing age about the potential risk, the agency said in a news release.

Topiramate is also approved to prevent migraine headaches, but not to relieve migraine pain.

"Health-care professionals should carefully consider the benefits and risks of topiramate when prescribing it to women of childbearing age," said Dr. Russell Katz, director of the FDA's Division of Neurology Products. "Alternative medications that have a lower risk of birth defects should be considered."

Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects that occur when parts of the lip or palate don't completely fuse together early in the first trimester of pregnancy, a time when many women don't know they're pregnant. Surgery often is performed to close the lip and palate and most children do well after treatment, the FDA said.

Citing new data from the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry, the FDA noted an increased risk of oral clefts in infants exposed to topiramate during the first trimester of pregnancy.

As a result, topiramate will have a stronger warning on its label, and the patient medication guide and prescribing information for Topamax and generic topiramate will be updated with the new information, the agency said.

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High Blood Pressure Affects 1 in 4 U.S. Adults

High blood pressure was reported by more than 59 million Americans age 18 and older in 2008 and three quarters of those people were overweight, obese or morbidly obese, says a federal government report released Thursday.

Nearly 32 percent of black adults had high blood pressure, compared with 27 percent of whites and 18 percent of Hispanics, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

It also said that adults who did vigorous exercise for 30 minutes or more at least three times a week were one-third less likely to have high blood pressure than those who didn't exercise as much -- 21 percent vs. 32 percent.

Among the other findings from the analysis of 2008 data:

• Among adults younger than 65, high blood pressure was reported by 29 percent with public health insurance, 19 percent with private insurance, and 14 percent of the uninsured.
• High blood pressure was diagnosed in nearly 59 percent of those age 65 and older, 34 percent of those ages 45 to 64, 10 percent of those ages 25 to 44, and nearly three percent of younger adults.

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Congresswoman Giffords Continues Recovery Progress

Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords recently sang "American Pie," and is eating chicken soup as she continues to recover from a gunshot wound to the head suffered during an assassination attempt in January, says a rabbi who has been visiting Giffords a couple of times a week.

She "is making the kind of progress that all of us would anticipate, whether it's words or emotions," Rabbi David Lyon told Houston TV station KHOU, msnbc.com reported.

He also said that Giffords, who is in the TIRR Memorial Hermann hospital in Houston, has a healthy appetite. She recently sang the classic folk rock song "American Pie" with her longtime friend Rabbi Stephanie Aaron.

"Gabby likes to reach out and hold my hand and she listens carefully and smiles easily. Prayer for her is meaningful," Lyon, of Congregation Beth Israel in Houston, told KHOU,msnbc.com reported.

Health Tips for March 7

Health Tip: What's Behind Iron Deficiency

Iron is an essential mineral that's present in all cells. As a key component of hemoglobin in the blood, for example, it helps carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

People who don't have enough iron in the blood may have fewer-than-normal red blood cells, a condition called iron deficiency anemia.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these risk factors for iron deficiency:

• Being a baby or toddler, or a pregnant woman.
• Having lost a significant amount of blood.
• Eating a diet that lacks enough meat, poultry or fish that are rich in iron.
• Being vegetarian.
• Taking certain medications to manage ulcers or acid reflux.

Health Tip: Help Prevent Anemia

Anemia occurs when a person has too few red blood cells or insufficient amounts of a vital blood protein called hemoglobin. This means your blood may not be carrying enough oxygen to all parts of your body.

Some types of anemia are preventable, the National Women's Health Information Center says. It offers these suggestions:

• Eat plenty of iron-rich foods, such as tofu, green and leafy vegetables, lean red meat, lentils, beans and iron-fortified cereals and breads.
• Eat and drink vitamin C-rich foods and drinks.
• Avoid drinking tea or coffee with your meals, as they can affect iron absorption.
• Get enough vitamin B12 and folic acid in your diet.

Health Headlines - March 6

Fla. Judge Suspends His Ruling Against Health Reform Law

A federal judge in Florida, who ruled in January that the controversial health-care reform law passed by Congress last spring is unconstitutional because it requires people to buy health insurance or pay a penalty, stayed -- or suspended -- his own ruling on Thursday. This will allow the law to be implemented as the case progresses through the Courts of Appeal and on to the U.S. Supreme Court, The New York Times reported.

Judge Roger Vinson said the stay was conditioned on the U.S. Justice Department's pursuit of an expedited appeal, which he said had to be filed within seven days, the newspaper reported.

"The sooner this issue is finally decided by the Supreme Court, the better off the entire nation will be," Vinson wrote. "And yet, it has been more than one month from the entry of my order and judgment and still the defendants have not filed their notice of appeal."

Vinson had written that his decision should be considered the "functional equivalent" of an injunction, which would have blocked implementation of the law. But the Obama administration did not immediately cease implementing the law. And instead of seeking a stay of the judge's decision, it asked him to clarify his ruling. As a result, states were unsure how to proceed, with some stopping all planning for the new law and others acting as if it had to be carried out, the Times reported.

Following Vinson's stay on Thursday, Gov. Sean Parnell of Alaska, a Republican who said last month his state would not put the new law into effect following Vinson's initial ruling, said "our administration will treat the federal health care law as being in place," theTimes reported

In recent lower court rulings on the Affordable Care Act, three judges appointed by Democratic administrations have so far supported the law, while two judges -- including Vinson -- appointed by Republican administrations have ruled it unconstitutional.

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FDA Warns of Birth Defects Tied to Epilepsy Drug

The epilepsy drug Topamax (topiramate) and its generic versions increase the risk for the birth defects cleft lip and cleft palate in babies born to women who use the medication while pregnant, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday.

Before prescribing topiramate, which is approved to treat certain types of seizures in people who have epilepsy, health-care professionals should tell women of childbearing age about the potential risk, the agency said in a news release.

Topiramate is also approved to prevent migraine headaches, but not to relieve migraine pain.

"Health-care professionals should carefully consider the benefits and risks of topiramate when prescribing it to women of childbearing age," said Dr. Russell Katz, director of the FDA's Division of Neurology Products. "Alternative medications that have a lower risk of birth defects should be considered."

Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects that occur when parts of the lip or palate don't completely fuse together early in the first trimester of pregnancy, a time when many women don't know they're pregnant. Surgery often is performed to close the lip and palate and most children do well after treatment, the FDA said.

Citing new data from the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry, the FDA noted an increased risk of oral clefts in infants exposed to topiramate during the first trimester of pregnancy.

As a result, topiramate will have a stronger warning on its label, and the patient medication guide and prescribing information for Topamax and generic topiramate will be updated with the new information, the agency said.

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High Blood Pressure Affects 1 in 4 U.S. Adults

High blood pressure was reported by more than 59 million Americans age 18 and older in 2008 and three quarters of those people were overweight, obese or morbidly obese, says a federal government report released Thursday.

Nearly 32 percent of black adults had high blood pressure, compared with 27 percent of whites and 18 percent of Hispanics, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

It also said that adults who did vigorous exercise for 30 minutes or more at least three times a week were one-third less likely to have high blood pressure than those who didn't exercise as much -- 21 percent vs. 32 percent.

Among the other findings from the analysis of 2008 data:

• Among adults younger than 65, high blood pressure was reported by 29 percent with public health insurance, 19 percent with private insurance, and 14 percent of the uninsured.
• High blood pressure was diagnosed in nearly 59 percent of those age 65 and older, 34 percent of those ages 45 to 64, 10 percent of those ages 25 to 44, and nearly three percent of younger adults.

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Congresswoman Giffords Continues Recovery Progress

Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords recently sang "American Pie," and is eating chicken soup as she continues to recover from a gunshot wound to the head suffered during an assassination attempt in January, says a rabbi who has been visiting Giffords a couple of times a week.

She "is making the kind of progress that all of us would anticipate, whether it's words or emotions," Rabbi David Lyon told Houston TV station KHOU, msnbc.com reported.

He also said that Giffords, who is in the TIRR Memorial Hermann hospital in Houston, has a healthy appetite. She recently sang the classic folk rock song "American Pie" with her longtime friend Rabbi Stephanie Aaron.

"Gabby likes to reach out and hold my hand and she listens carefully and smiles easily. Prayer for her is meaningful," Lyon, of Congregation Beth Israel in Houston, told KHOU,msnbc.com reported.

Health Tips for March 6

Health Tip: Treating Canker Sores

Canker sores are small ulcers that form inside and around the mouth, often due to an injury to sensitive tissue.

The Nemours Foundation suggests how to ease pain and discomfort as canker sores heal:

• Use a mixture of peroxide and glycerin to clean and coat the sores.
• Create a homemade rinse of hydrogen peroxide and water, or one with water, baking soda and salt. These mixtures should never be swallowed.
• Use an over-the-counter remedy designed for these sores; many include the ingredients menthol, eucalyptol and benzocaine.
• Prescription medications can help treat canker sores that are severe or won't heal.

Health Tip: Why Do I Have Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is a mild type of gum disease. Left untreated, however, it can progress to a more serious form called periodontitis.

The American Academy of Periodontology says these are risk factors for developing gingivitis:

• Practicing poor oral hygiene.
• Being malnourished.
• Being under stress.
• Being diabetic or having a systemic infection.
• Being a smoker, abusing drugs or taking certain medications.
• Undergoing hormonal changes, including during puberty or pregnancy.

Health Headlines - March 5

Fla. Judge Suspends His Ruling Against Health Reform Law

A federal judge in Florida, who ruled in January that the controversial health-care reform law passed by Congress last spring is unconstitutional because it requires people to buy health insurance or pay a penalty, stayed -- or suspended -- his own ruling on Thursday. This will allow the law to be implemented as the case progresses through the Courts of Appeal and on to the U.S. Supreme Court, The New York Times reported.

Judge Roger Vinson said the stay was conditioned on the U.S. Justice Department's pursuit of an expedited appeal, which he said had to be filed within seven days, the newspaper reported.

"The sooner this issue is finally decided by the Supreme Court, the better off the entire nation will be," Vinson wrote. "And yet, it has been more than one month from the entry of my order and judgment and still the defendants have not filed their notice of appeal."

Vinson had written that his decision should be considered the "functional equivalent" of an injunction, which would have blocked implementation of the law. But the Obama administration did not immediately cease implementing the law. And instead of seeking a stay of the judge's decision, it asked him to clarify his ruling. As a result, states were unsure how to proceed, with some stopping all planning for the new law and others acting as if it had to be carried out, the Times reported.

Following Vinson's stay on Thursday, Gov. Sean Parnell of Alaska, a Republican who said last month his state would not put the new law into effect following Vinson's initial ruling, said "our administration will treat the federal health care law as being in place," theTimes reported

In recent lower court rulings on the Affordable Care Act, three judges appointed by Democratic administrations have so far supported the law, while two judges -- including Vinson -- appointed by Republican administrations have ruled it unconstitutional.

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FDA Warns of Birth Defects Tied to Epilepsy Drug

The epilepsy drug Topamax (topiramate) and its generic versions increase the risk for the birth defects cleft lip and cleft palate in babies born to women who use the medication while pregnant, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday.

Before prescribing topiramate, which is approved to treat certain types of seizures in people who have epilepsy, health-care professionals should tell women of childbearing age about the potential risk, the agency said in a news release.

Topiramate is also approved to prevent migraine headaches, but not to relieve migraine pain.

"Health-care professionals should carefully consider the benefits and risks of topiramate when prescribing it to women of childbearing age," said Dr. Russell Katz, director of the FDA's Division of Neurology Products. "Alternative medications that have a lower risk of birth defects should be considered."

Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects that occur when parts of the lip or palate don't completely fuse together early in the first trimester of pregnancy, a time when many women don't know they're pregnant. Surgery often is performed to close the lip and palate and most children do well after treatment, the FDA said.

Citing new data from the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry, the FDA noted an increased risk of oral clefts in infants exposed to topiramate during the first trimester of pregnancy.

As a result, topiramate will have a stronger warning on its label, and the patient medication guide and prescribing information for Topamax and generic topiramate will be updated with the new information, the agency said.

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High Blood Pressure Affects 1 in 4 U.S. Adults

High blood pressure was reported by more than 59 million Americans age 18 and older in 2008 and three quarters of those people were overweight, obese or morbidly obese, says a federal government report released Thursday.

Nearly 32 percent of black adults had high blood pressure, compared with 27 percent of whites and 18 percent of Hispanics, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

It also said that adults who did vigorous exercise for 30 minutes or more at least three times a week were one-third less likely to have high blood pressure than those who didn't exercise as much -- 21 percent vs. 32 percent.

Among the other findings from the analysis of 2008 data:

• Among adults younger than 65, high blood pressure was reported by 29 percent with public health insurance, 19 percent with private insurance, and 14 percent of the uninsured.
• High blood pressure was diagnosed in nearly 59 percent of those age 65 and older, 34 percent of those ages 45 to 64, 10 percent of those ages 25 to 44, and nearly three percent of younger adults.

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Congresswoman Giffords Continues Recovery Progress

Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords recently sang "American Pie," and is eating chicken soup as she continues to recover from a gunshot wound to the head suffered during an assassination attempt in January, says a rabbi who has been visiting Giffords a couple of times a week.

She "is making the kind of progress that all of us would anticipate, whether it's words or emotions," Rabbi David Lyon told Houston TV station KHOU, msnbc.com reported.

He also said that Giffords, who is in the TIRR Memorial Hermann hospital in Houston, has a healthy appetite. She recently sang the classic folk rock song "American Pie" with her longtime friend Rabbi Stephanie Aaron.

"Gabby likes to reach out and hold my hand and she listens carefully and smiles easily. Prayer for her is meaningful," Lyon, of Congregation Beth Israel in Houston, told KHOU,msnbc.com reported.

Health Tips for March 5

Health Tip: Do You Have Enlarged Adenoids?

The adenoids are lymphatic tissue, resembling the tonsils, found in the airway between the nose and back of the throat.

The adenoids have a tendency to swell, especially in younger children. The ADAM Medical Encyclopedia says common symptoms of enlarged adenoids include:

• Dry mouth.
• Cracked lips.
• Bad breath.
• Daytime breathing with the mouth open.
• Breathing through the mouth, especially at night.
• Restlessness while trying to sleep.
• Chronic nasal stuffiness or runny nose.

Health Tip: Warning Signs That You Have Strep Throat

Strep throat is a nasty infection, dubbed "strep" because it's caused by streptococcus bacteria.

The American Academy of Family Physicians says common symptoms of strep throat include:

• Having a fever.
• Having swelling and pain in the glands that surround the neck.
• Having swelling and redness of the tonsils.
• Having visible white patches on the tonsils or in the throat.
• Having a headache.
• In children, having a rash or pain in the belly, or vomiting.

Health Headlines - March 4

High Blood Pressure Affects 1 in 4 U.S. Adults

High blood pressure was reported by more than 59 million Americans age 18 and older in 2008 and three quarters of those people were overweight, obese or morbidly obese, says a federal government report released Thursday.

Nearly 32 percent of black adults had high blood pressure, compared with 27 percent of whites and 18 percent of Hispanics, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

It also said that adults who did vigorous exercise for 30 minutes or more at least three times a week were one-third less likely to have high blood pressure than those who didn't exercise as much -- 21 percent vs. 32 percent.

Among the other findings from the analysis of 2008 data:

• Among adults younger than 65, high blood pressure was reported by 29 percent with public health insurance, 19 percent with private insurance, and 14 percent of the uninsured.
• High blood pressure was diagnosed in nearly 59 percent of those age 65 and older, 34 percent of those ages 45 to 64, 10 percent of those ages 25 to 44, and nearly three percent of younger adults.

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Gabrielle Giffords Continues Recovery Progress

Congresswomen Gabrielle Giffords recently sang "American Pie," and is eating chicken soup as she continues to recover from a gunshot wound to the head suffered during an assassination attempt in January, says a rabbi who has been visiting Giffords a couple of times a week.

She "is making the kind of progress that all of us would anticipate, whether it's words or emotions," Rabbi David Lyon told Houston TV station KHOU, msnbc.com reported.

He also said that Giffords, who is in the TIRR Memorial Hermann hospital in Houston, has a healthy appetite. She recently sang the classic folk rock song "American Pie" with her longtime friend Rabbi Stephanie Aaron.

"Gabby likes to reach out and hold my hand and she listens carefully and smiles easily. Prayer for her is meaningful," Lyon, of Congregation Beth Israel in southwest Houston, told KHOU, msnbc.com reported.

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Most U.S. Nursing Homes Employ People With Criminal Records: Report

A new report says 92 percent of U.S. nursing homes have one or more employees who have been convicted of at least one crime, and five percent of all nursing home workers have at least one criminal conviction.

The inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services checked the names of more than 35,000 nursing home employees against FBI records, The New York Times reported.

"Our analysis of FBI criminal history records revealed that 92 percent of nursing facilities employed at least one individual with at least one criminal conviction," said Daniel R. Levinson.

"Nearly half of nursing facilities employed five or more individuals with at least one conviction. For example, a nursing facility with a total of 164 employees had 34 with at least one conviction each," he added.

Levinson noted that no federal law or regulation specifically requires nursing homes to check whether prospective employees have federal or state criminal records.

"This sounds like a very important study. It cries out for additional regulation. Residents in these homes are so vulnerable," Charlene A. Harrington, a professor at the School of Nursing at the University of California, San Francisco, told The Times.

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Researchers Retract Lung Cancer Study

A lung cancer study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2006 has been retracted by former Duke University researcher Anil Potti and colleagues.

The study said that a gene profiling test could help identify lung cancer patients who most need chemotherapy. But in letter published online Wednesday by the journal, the researchers said they have not been able to reproduce the results and "deeply regret" the effect this has had on other scientists, the Associated Press reported.

Last November, Potti resigned from Duke University amid questions about other studies he led, and as the university was investigating whether he had lied on a federal grant application.

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Surgeons Announce First Artificial Bronchus Graft

In a world-first, French surgeons say they successfully grafted an artificial bronchus into a 78-year-old patient with lung cancer. A bronchus is a main branch of the airway that carries air to the lungs.

The surgery in October 2009 prevented the need for complete removal of the patient's lung. Details about the achievement appear in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

The patient "is very well," thoracic and vascular surgeon Emmanuel Martinod told Agence France-Presse.

The artificial bronchus was created using biological material strengthened by a stent. It took 10 years of research before the surgeons were ready to use this innovation in a patient.

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Loss of Unborn Baby Affects Women for Years: Study

Depression and anxiety suffered by women who lose an unborn baby can continue long after they have a healthy baby, finds a new study.

Researchers looked at more than 13,000 women in the U.K. and found that those who had lost a baby in a previous pregnancy had significantly higher levels of depression and anxiety during their next pregnancy, BBC News reported.

This psychological impact continued for nearly three years after the women gave birth to a healthy baby, said the American and British researchers.

The study appears in the British Journal of Psychiatry.

"This study is important to the families of women who have lost a baby, since it is so often assumed that they get over the event quickly, yet as shown here, many do not," said Professor Jean Golding, founder of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children at the University of Bristol, BBC News reported.

"This has implications for the medical profession as well as the woman and her family," she added.

Health Tips for March 4

Health Tip: Does Your Child Have Mastoiditis?

When the mastoid bone in the skull becomes infected, it's called mastoiditis. Often it's triggered by an infection in the middle ear, and it's most common in children.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine mentions these symptoms that may indicate mastoiditis:

• Fluid draining from the ear.
• Pain or discomfort in the ear.
• A fever, which may suddenly rise and get very high.
• Headache.
• Loss of hearing.
• Reddening of the ear or the area behind it.
• Swelling of the area behind the ear, which can make the ear protrude.

Health Tip: Why People Get Ear Infections

An ear infection is a common ailment, especially among young children whose eustachian tubes clog easily.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine says possible causes of ear infection include:

• A sinus infection or the common cold.
• Allergies.
• Exposure to tobacco smoke or other irritating substances.
• Infected or overgrown adenoids.
• A side effect of teething among young children.

Health Headlines - March 3

Long-term Use of Popular Heartburn Drugs May Lower Magnesium Levels: FDA

Popular stomach acid reducing drugs called proton pump inhibitors, which include Nexium, Prevacid and Prilosec, will have to carry a new warning that they may cause low magnesium levels, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.

Low serum magnesium levels (hypomagnesemia) can result in muscle spasms, irregular heartbeat and seizures, according to the notice posted on the FDA website, Dow Jones Newswires reported.

Proton pump inhibitors include prescription drugs such as Nexium that are used to treat certain types of stomach ulcers and other conditions that affect the esophagus.

Over-the-counter proton pump inhibitor medicines such as Prevacid and Prilosec are widely used to treat frequent heartburn, according to Down Jones.

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Serena Williams Undergoes Emergency Treatment

U.S. tennis star Serena Williams received emergency treatment Monday for a hematoma, a few days after a blood clot was found in her lungs, according to her spokeswoman.

Spokeswoman Nicole Chabot told People magazine that the 29-year-old Williams "underwent emergency treatment for a hematoma suffered as a result of treatment for a more critical situation," the Associated Press reported.

Williams is being treated at a Los Angeles hospital.

"Doctors are continuing to monitor her situation closely to avoid additional complications," Chabot told the magazine, the AP reported.

Williams has undergone two operations on her right foot after being cut by glass at a restaurant. The blood clot was found after she returned to Los Angeles from New York "for doctor appointments for the ongoing issues with her foot," Chabot said.

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Happiness Boosts Health and Lifespan: Study

Being happy may improve your health and help you live longer, suggests a new study.

Researchers reviewed more than 160 studies and found that positive moods increase immune function, reduce stress-related hormones and promote fast recovery of the heart after exertion. On the other hand, anxiety, depression, pessimism and a lack of enjoyment of daily activities are associated with higher rates of disease and a shorter lifespan, United Press International reported.

"We reviewed eight different types of studies. And the general conclusion from each type of study is that your subjective well-being -- that is, feeling positive about your life, not stressed out, not depressed -- contributes to both longevity and better health among healthy populations," Ed Diener, professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, said in a news release.

The study was published in the journal Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being.

"Happiness is no magic bullet, but the evidence is clear and compelling that it changes your odds of getting disease or dying young," said Diener, UPI reported.

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Unethical Medical Studies Could Still Occur: Experts

Despite numerous rules and regulations meant to prevent unethical medical studies, there is no guarantee that such research won't occur, experts told the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues on Tuesday.

Last fall, the U.S. government apologized for federal doctors infecting prisoners and mental patients in Guatemala with syphilis 65 years ago. President Barack Obama asked the commission to determine whether this kind of unethical study could ever happen again, the Associated Press reported.

In recent decades, as many as 1,000 rules, regulations and guidelines to ensure the ethical conduct of medical research have been enacted worldwide. But unethical studies can still occur, experts told the commission.

"It's night and day" between now and "what you could do in the 'good old days' with no one knowing about it," said Dr. Robert Califf, vice chancellor for clinical research at Duke University, the AP reported.

"But there's no 100 percent guarantee. There still will be bad things that will happen," he added.

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E. Coli on Many Shopping Cart Handles: Study

About 50 percent of shopping cart handles have E. coli on them, along with a number of other types of bacteria, say U.S. researchers who tested shopping cart handles in four states.

"That's more than you find in a supermarket's restroom," said lead researcher Charles Gerba, a professor of microbiology at the University of Arizona, msnbc.com reported. "That's because they use disinfecting cleaners in the restrooms. Nobody routinely cleans and disinfects shopping carts."

He said the findings may explain previous findings that children who ride in shopping carts are at increased risk for infections caused by bacteria such as salmonella and campylobacter.

Gerba said parents should wipe shopping cart handles with a disinfecting wipe before they place their children in the shopping cart seat, msnbc.com reported.

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Painkillers Like Aspirin May Hike Impotence Risk: Study

Regular use of pain relievers such as aspirin and ibuprofen may increase men's risk for erectile dysfunction, a new study says.

Researchers looked at more than 80,000 men, ages 45 to 69, and found that those who used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) three times a day for more than three months have a 22 percent increased risk of erectile dysfunction, USA Todayreported.

Men who regularly used NSAIDs were about 2.4 times more likely to have erectile dysfunction than those who didn't use the drugs regularly or at all.

"Regular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use is associated with erectile dysfunction beyond what would be expected due to age and other conditions," said Steve Jacobsen, director of research for Kaiser Permanente Southern California, USA Today reported.

He added that further research is needed and it's premature for men to avoid NSAIDs based solely on these findings, which appear in this week's Journal of Urology.

Health Tips for March 3

Health Tip: If Your Child Has Diabetes

It can be stressful for any parent to leave a child in the care of a babysitter, particularly if your child is diabetic.

The American Diabetes Association says parents of diabetic children should ensure that babysitters know the basics about:

• Checking blood glucose levels and ketones. Practice with the sitter before you leave.
• The ideal range for your child's blood glucose, warning signs of a problem, and what to do if the levels are high or low.
• Giving your child insulin, when to give it and how much. Again, practice before you leave.
• What the sitter should do if there is an emergency, including administering medication, and how to reach you.

Health Tip: Diabetes May Contribute to Hearing Loss

Diabetics are twice as likely as non-diabetics to have hearing loss, according to the American Diabetes Association. It's thought that diabetes damages the small blood vessels and nerves in the inner-ear, the ADA says.

The association suggests diabetics heed these warning signs of hearing loss:

• Asking people frequently to repeat themselves.
• Having trouble keeping track of conversations with more than two participants.
• Noticing that other people appear to be mumbling.
• Having difficulty hearing in places where there's loud noise.
• Having difficulty hearing young children and women.
• Needing to turn the radio or TV louder than is comfortable for others.

Health Headlines - March 2

Many Colorectal Cancer Deaths in U.S. Could be Prevented: Report

Many of the 141,000 colorectal cancer cases and 49,000 deaths from the disease expected in the United States this year could be prevented, says an American Cancer Society report released Tuesday.

The number of colorectal cancer cases and deaths could be reduced by increasing access to and use of screening tests and by applying existing knowledge about prevention of the disease.

The Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2011-2013 report was released during National Colon Cancer Awareness Month.

It says that:

• Nearly half of Americans 50 and older do not get screened according to guidelines.
• Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S. and the third leading cause of cancer death.
• The lifetime risk of being diagnosed with colorectal cancer is about five percent for both men and women in the U.S.
• Black men and women have the highest colorectal cancer incidence and death rates in the U.S. -- 20 percent and 45 percent higher, respectively, than in whites.
• Colorectal cancer rates in the U.S. vary widely by geographic area.

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No Extra Health Risk From Menthol Cigarettes: FDA Panel

Menthol cigarettes don't pose a greater health risk to smokers than unflavored cigarettes, according to a preliminary report from a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel.

However, they did say that menthol cigarettes may be more addictive, Bloomberg Newsreported.

"Menthol provides an unmistakable sensory experience -- the minty taste, cooling sensation and throat irritation or impact," the panelists wrote. "The taste and odor are pleasurable for menthol cigarette smokers and may reinforce smoking behavior."

Their comments are contained in two draft chapters of a report posted online by the FDA. The final report must be submitted by March 23, Bloomberg reported.

The advisory panel will recommend whether or not the FDA should ban menthol cigarettes. Though not bound by law, the FDA typically follows the advice of its expert panels.

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DEA Imposes Restrictions on Fake Pot

As of Tuesday, certain types of "fake pot" that give users a marijuana-like high will be temporarily restricted, says the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

The new rules target five chemicals commonly used in smokable herb blends sold in smoke shops, convenience stores and online, Bloomberg News reported.

The DEA says there has been a "rapid and significant increase in abuse of these substances in the United States," and the restrictions are meant to avoid "an imminent hazard to the public safety."

Fake pot, which has become especially popular among teens and young adults, have been marketed as legal because the active ingredients are different from those in real marijuana, Bloomberg reported.

In 2010, the use of these substances led to more than 3,500 calls to U.S. poison control centers, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers.

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States May be Allowed Earlier Opt-Out From Health Care Law: Obama

In what's seen as a major concession to critics of the new health care law, President Barack Obama said Monday that he would support moving up the timetable in which states may opt out of the law.

In a speech at the winter meeting of the National Governors Association, Obama said he would approve of permitting states to opt out of the new law by 2014 if they could offer health care coverage for as many people as they would under the law and not increase the deficit, the Washington Post reported.

Under the original law, states had to wait until 2017 to opt out of the Affordable Care Act.

The earlier opt-out provision was first proposed by a bipartisan group of senators, the Postreported.

"I think that's a reasonable proposal, I support it," Obama told the governors. "It will give you more flexibility more quickly, while still guaranteeing the American people reform. If your state can create a plan that covers as many people as affordably and comprehensively as the Affordable Care Act does - without increasing the deficit - you can implement that plan. And we'll work with you to do it."

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Gene Therapy Leads to HIV-Resistant Blood Cells

Many scientists were thrilled four years ago when an AIDS patient in Germany was apparently cured after receiving blood cells from a donor with natural immunity to HIV.

To determine whether this feat could be safely replicated, a group of researchers in California used genetic engineering to infuse billions of HIV-resistant blood cells into six male patients. On Monday, they announced that the new HIV-resistant cells were flourishing -- meaning that the men's bodies were now making some of their own HIV-resistant cells.

The new cells lack the protein receptor -- also known as a "docking station" -- called CCR5, through which HIV invades the T-cells that are major players in the human immune system. A handful of people are missing both copies of the CCR5 gene and so appear completely resistant to HIV.

The company behind the tests is a California biotechnology company called Sangamo BioSciences Inc.

"For the first time, people are beginning to think about a cure," Dr. John Zaia, head of the government panel that oversees gene therapy experiments, told reporters during a news conference announcing the results.

But, Dr. Jacob Lalezari, director of Quest Clinical Research of San Francisco, who led the first test of the engineered cells for the company and his colleagues at the University of California in San Francisco and Los Angeles, told the Associated Press that talk of a cure was "way overstated."

"It's an overreach of the data" to suggest that the results so far are a possible cure. There are a lot of people out there with hopes and dreams around the C-word," so it's important to be cautious, he said.

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U.S. Health Care Quality Slowly Improving, Disparities Persist: Reports

Health care quality in the United States is improving by a rate of about 2.3 percent per year, but gaps based on race, socioeconomic status and other factors remain high, according to federal government reports released Monday.

The findings are based on an analysis of more than 200 health care measures in categories of quality such as effectiveness, patient safety, timeliness, efficiency, access, care coordination and focus on the patient.

Improvements were seen in a number of categories, with the greatest advances in treatment of acute illness or injuries. For example, the number of heart attack patients who had procedures to open up blocked heart arteries within 90 minutes improved from 42 percent in 2005 to 81 percent in 2008, said the 2010 National Healthcare Quality Report and National Healthcare Disparities Report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

In addition, modest gains were achieved in rates of screening for preventive services and child and adult immunization. But no improvements were seen in measures of lifestyle modifications such as preventing or reducing obesity, smoking cessation and substance abuse.

The reports also said that few disparities in quality of care are improving and almost no disparities in access to care are decreasing. Blacks, American Indians and Alaska Natives received worse care compared to whites for about 40 percent of core measures, Asians received worse care than whites for about 20 percent of core measures, and Hispanics received worse care than whites for about 60 percent of core measures. Poor people received worse care than rich people for about 80 percent of core measures.

Looking at the 22 measures of access to health care services covered by the report, 60 percent showed no gains and 40 percent declined. Americans reported barriers to care on average about one-fifth of the time. This included three percent saying they couldn't get or had to wait for prescription drugs to 60 percent saying their usual care provider wasn't available on weekends or at night.

"All Americans should have access to high-quality, appropriate and safe health care that helps them achieve the best possible health, and these reports show that we are making very slow progress toward that goal," said AHRQ Director Dr. Carolyn M. Clancy, said in an agency news release. "We need to ramp up our overall efforts to improve quality and focus specific attention on areas that need the greatest improvement."

Health Tips for March 2

Health Tip: Factors That Increase Your Risk of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis, frequently dubbed "hardening of the arteries," is the number one cause of death in the United States, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says.

The agency adds these factors can increase your risk of developing atherosclerosis:

• High blood levels of "bad" cholesterol and low levels of "good" cholesterol.
• High blood pressure.
• Smoking.
• Having diabetes.
• Being overweight.
• Not getting enough exercise.
• Eating an unhealthy diet full of fat, cholesterol, sugar or salt.
• Getting older.
• Having a family history of heart disease, especially at an early age.

Health Tip: Choose Heart-Healthy Foods

A heart-healthy diet can help keep blood vessels clear of plaque, and help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Womenshealth.gov offers these guidelines for a heart-healthy diet:

• Eating plenty of vegetables and fruits.
• Making at least half of your daily grain consumption whole grains. These may include whole-grain barley, brown rice, whole-grain corn and oatmeal.
• Eating low-fat dairy foods, such as yogurt, cheese and milk.
• Getting lots of nuts and dry beans, lean meat, fish and poultry without the skin.
• Favoring polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats via vegetable oils, fish and nuts.
• Avoiding: saturated and trans fats, sodium (salt), cholesterol and added sugars.

Health Headlines - March 1

Gene Therapy Leads to HIV-Resistant Immune Cells

Many scientists were thrilled four years ago when a U.S. patient in Germany was apparently cured after receiving blood cells from a donor with natural immunity to HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

To determine whether this feat could be safely replicated, a group of researchers used genetic engineering to infuse billions of HIV-resistant blood cells into six male patients. This Monday, they announced that the new HIV-resistant immune cells were flourishing -- meaning that the mens bodies were now making some of their own resistant cells.

The new cells lack the protein receptor -- also known as a "docking station" -- called CCR5, through which HIV invades the T-cells that are the first line of defense in the human immune system. A handful of people are missing both copies of the CCR5 gene and so appear completely resistant to HIV.

The company behind the tests is a California biotechnology company called Sangamo BioSciences Inc.

"For the first time, people are beginning to think about a cure," Dr. John Zaia, head of the government panel that oversees gene therapy experiments, told reporters during a news conference announcing the results.

But, Dr. Jacob Lalezari, director of Quest Clinical Research of San Francisco, who led the first test of the engineered cells for the company and his colleagues at the University of California in San Francisco and Los Angeles, told the Associated Press that talk of a cure was "way overstated."

"It's an overreach of the data" to suggest that the results so far are a possible cure. There are a lot of people out there with hopes and dreams around the C-word," so its important to be cautious, he said.

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U.S. Health Care Quality Slowly Improving, Disparities Persist: Reports

Health care quality in the United States is improving by a rate of about 2.3 percent per year, but gaps based on race, socioeconomic status and other factors remain high, according to federal government reports released Monday.

The findings are based on an analysis of more than 200 health care measures in categories of quality such as effectiveness, patient safety, timeliness, efficiency, access, care coordination and focus on the patient.

Improvements were seen in a number of categories, with the greatest advances in treatment of acute illness or injuries. For example, the number of heart attack patients who had procedures to open up blocked heart arteries within 90 minutes improved from 42 percent in 2005 to 81 percent in 2008, said the 2010 National Healthcare Quality Report and National Healthcare Disparities Report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

In addition, modest gains were achieved in rates of screening for preventive services and child and adult immunization. But no improvements were seen in measures of lifestyle modifications such as preventing or reducing obesity, smoking cessation and substance abuse.

The reports also said that few disparities in quality of care are improving and almost no disparities in access to care are decreasing. Blacks, American Indians and Alaska Natives received worse care compared to whites for about 40 percent of core measures, Asians received worse care than whites for about 20 percent of core measures, and Hispanics received worse care than whites for about 60 percent of core measures. Poor people received worse care than rich people for about 80 percent of core measures.

Looking at the 22 measures of access to health care services covered by the report, 60 percent showed no gains and 40 percent declined. Americans reported barriers to care on average about one-fifth of the time. This included three percent saying they couldn't get or had to wait for prescription drugs to 60 percent saying their usual care provider wasn't available on weekends or at night.

"All Americans should have access to high-quality, appropriate and safe health care that helps them achieve the best possible health, and these reports show that we are making very slow progress toward that goal," said AHRQ Director Dr. Carolyn M. Clancy, said in an agency news release. "We need to ramp up our overall efforts to improve quality and focus specific attention on areas that need the greatest improvement."

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Higher Education Linked to Lower Blood Pressure

More education is associated with lower blood pressure levels, according to a new study.

Researchers analyzed data from 4,000 people in the 30-year Framingham Offspring Study and found that systolic blood pressure (the top number) readings for women with 17 years or more of education (a master's degree or doctorate) were 3.26 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) lower compared to those who dropped out of high school, Agence France-Presse reported.

Systolic blood pressure readings for men who went to graduate school were 2.25 mmHg lower than men who were high school dropouts.

Men and women who earned associate's or bachelor's degrees at college but did not continue on to graduate school also had lower blood pressure readings than those with less education, AFP reported.

The study appears online in the journal BMC Public Health.

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Tobacco Companies Sue FDA

Some members of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory committee considering whether the agency should ban or restrict menthol in cigarettes have a conflict of interest, alleges a lawsuit filed against the FDA by two major tobacco companies.

The lawsuit by Lorillard and R.J. Reynolds claims that three members of the advisory committee have received payment as expert witnesses in litigation against cigarette makers and as advisers to drug companies that make smoking cessation products, The New York Times reported.

The advisory committee will hold two meetings before it makes its recommendations by March 23. The FDA typically follows the advice of its advisory committees.

The FDA would not comment on the lawsuit, which was filed Friday, the Times reported.

Health Tips for March 1

Health Tip: Watch Your Diet if You Have an Ulcer

Watching your diet can help manage a peptic ulcer, simply by avoiding irritants and eating the foods that can help promote healing.

The ADAM Encyclopedia suggests these dietary practices:

• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Drink only moderate amounts of milk, and include yogurt in your diet.
• Limit coffee to a maximum of three cups per day.
• Avoid large amounts of garlic, peppers or spices if they irritate your stomach.
• Consume olive oil, which may be effective in combating many strains of H. pylori bacteria, which have been shown to be a major cause of peptic ulcers.

Health Tip: NSAIDs Induce Ulcers in Some

Peptic ulcers are sores that form inside the stomach or intestines. Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for chronic pain can contribute to NSAID-induced ulcers in some people, the American Gastroenterological Association says.

The association mentions these risk factors for NSAID-induced ulcers:

• Being age 60 or older.
• Having a history of internal bleeding or ulcers.
• Taking steroids such as prednisone, or blood thinners such as warfarin.
• Regularly using tobacco or alcohol.
• Having side effects from NSAIDs, such as heartburn or upset stomach.
• Using NSAIDs in greater doses than recommended, or using them long term.
• Taking multiple medications that contain NSAIDs.