Health Tip: Risk Factors for Gallstones
Gallstones are formed when bile inside the gallbladder hardens into rock-like pieces. They may or may not be painful, and may have to be removed or broken apart if they're causing problems such as infection.
Here are common risk factors for gallstones, courtesy of the U.S. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse:
* Retaining excess estrogen, from pregnancy, birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.
* Having a family history of gallstones.
* Being overweight or obese.
* Undergoing excessive, rapid weight loss, which can be characteristic of fad dieting.
* Eating a diet low in fiber and high in cholesterol and fat.
* Having diabetes.
Health Tip: Soothing Infants' Sore Gums
Babies whose teeth are growing in tend to become fussy and irritable.
Here are suggestions to help teething infants, courtesy of the Nemours Foundation:
* Give your baby something cool to chew on -- a damp rag or a teething ring that's been refrigerated. Just make sure it's big enough that she can't choke on it.
* Gently rub the gums with your finger or a damp, cool cloth.
* Ask your doctor about giving your baby children's acetaminophen. Never apply an aspirin to your baby's gums.
* Teething babies often get a rash from drooling, so gently dry her face frequently.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Health Headlines - September 19
FDA OKs Gene Test for Warfarin Sensitivity
A new genetic test to help doctors assess whether a patient may be especially sensitive to the blood thinning drug warfarin has been approved for use in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday.
Warfarin is used to prevent potentially fatal blood clots but about one-third of patients who receive it metabolize the drug differently than expected and are at an increased risk of bleeding. Warfarin is the second most common cause (behind insulin) of emergency room visits for adverse drug events.
Variants of two genes -- CYP2C9 and VKORC1 -- are known to play a role in some of the unexpected patient responses to warfarin. The new Nanosphere Verigene Warfarin Metabolism Nucleic Acid Test is able to detect some variants of both genes.
The FDA approved the test for use on a clinical laboratory test system called the Verigene System. Both products are made by Nanosphere Inc. of Northbrook, Ill.
The approval "offers physicians the first FDA cleared genetic test for warfarin sensitivity, which is another step in our commitment to personalized medicine," Dr. Daniel Schultz, director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said in a prepared statement. "With this test, physicians may be able to use genetic information along with other clinical information to treat their patients."
-----
Revised Warnings Section on Haloperidol Label
Doctors are being advised that there's a revised warnings section of the prescribing information for the antipsychotic drug haloperidol, drug maker Johnson and Johnson and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Monday.
The revision includes a new subsection alerting doctors about cases of sudden death, or heart troubles known as QT prolongation and Torsades de Pointes (TdP) in patients treated with haloperidol, especially when the drug is given intravenously or at higher-than-recommended doses.
Injectable haloperidol is only approved by the FDA for intramuscular injection. However, the agency said there is considerable evidence that intravenous administration of haloperidol is a relatively common off-label clinical practice.
There have been at least 28 case reports of QT prolongation and TdP, including some deaths, after haloperidol has been given intravenously. Doctors should consider this new information when making treatment decisions for patients, the FDA said.
-----
Smoking May Boost Women's Acne Risk
Female smokers may be much more likely to develop non-inflammatory acne (NIA) than women who don't smoke, says an Italian study in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Researchers looked at more than 1,000 women and found that 40 percent of those who smoked had NIA, compared with 10 percent of nonsmokers. Blocked pores, large white heads and small cysts are characteristic of NIA, BBC News reported.
The team at the San Gallicano Dermatological Institute in Rome said they conducted the study in women because the condition seems to be more prevalent in women than in men. Compared to nonsmokers, smokers in the study had half the levels of skin secretions of vitamin E and had other skin-related variations. The study also found that smokers who had acne in their teens were four times more likely to suffer NIA than nonsmokers who experienced teen acne.
The findings add to previous research that links smoking with acne, Colin Holden, president of the British Association of Dermatologists, told BBC News.
-----
E. coli Prompts Dole Salad Mix Recall
Packages of Dole salad mix have been recalled in at least nine U.S. states and in a number of Canadian provinces after a package in Canada tested positive for E. coli bacteria, the Associated Press reported.
The recall covers all packages of Dole's Hearts Delight salad mix with a "best if used by" date of Sept. 19, 2007, and a production code of "A24924A" or "A24924B." They were sold in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime provinces in Canada, and in Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee starting around Sept. 8, said Dole spokesman Marty Ordman.
He said that 755 cases containing 4,530 bags of the salad mix were distributed in the United States and 88 cases with 528 bags were distributed in Canada, the AP reported. The romaine, green leaf and butter lettuce hearts used in the salad mix were grown in California, Colorado and Ohio and processed at Dole's plant in Springfield, Ohio.
This recall comes one year after an outbreak of E. coli linked to bagged baby spinach sold under the Dole brand killed three people and sickened hundreds in the United States.
-----
U.S. Per Capita Health Spending Highest in Northeast
New England and the rest of the northeastern United States had the highest annual health-care spending per person in the country in 2004, a new study says.
The report said annual health-care spending per person was $6,409 in New England and $6,151 in the rest of the Northeast, compared to a national average of $5,283 in 2004, the year for which the most recent figures are available, the Associated Press said.
Those costs covered spending on all individual health care from all sources, including personal expenses, insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. Leading per capita spending in the Northeast were: the District of Columbia ($8,295); Massachusetts ($6,683); Maine ($6,540); and New York state ($6,535).
Outside of the Northeast, Alaska ($6,450) was the only state where spending was above $6,000. In the Southwest and Rocky Mountain regions, per capita health-care spending was below the national average. Utah had the lowest annual health-care spending per person ($3,972), the AP reported.
The study, by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, was published Tuesday in the journal Health Affairs.
-----
Mutant Gene Hinders Brain Cells in People With Fragile X Syndrome
A mutant gene that causes fragile X syndrome -- the most common cause of inherited mental retardation -- hinders communication between brain cells, say Emory University researchers, who were able to use drugs to reverse the mutation in rats' brain cells.
They say their findings, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, may help in efforts to develop a treatment for fragile X syndrome, BBC News reported.
In 1991, Emory researchers first identified a mutant form of the FMR1 gene as the cause of fragile X syndrome. People with this mutation can't produce an important protein called FMRP.
In this new study, the researchers found that the lack of FMRP results in a chemical imbalance that leads to a breakdown in communications between brain cells. This results in the mental deficits typically seen in people with fragile X syndrome, BBC News reported.
Health Tips for September 19
Health Tip: Breast Reduction Surgery
While breast reduction surgery can solve some physical problems and issues with a woman's self-esteem, it's not the best option for everyone.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the best candidates for this surgery are women who:
* Have physical pain or discomfort caused by their breasts, particularly back or neck pain.
* Are not just looking for cosmetic enhancements or improvements.
* Have restricted physical activity because of the size of their breasts.
* Have fully developed breasts.
* Do not plan to breast-feed.
* Are mature enough to understand the surgery and have realistic expectations of its aftermath.
Health Tip: Brightening Your Pearly Whites
There are plenty of ways to whiten your teeth, using at-home kits or having them professionally brightened.
Here are things to keep in mind when considering a tooth whitening procedure, according to the American Dental Association:
* Teeth that have naturally turned a yellowish color usually respond well to tooth bleaching.
* Teeth that have discolored to a brownish or gray shade may not respond very well to bleaching.
* If you have bonding or tooth-colored fillings, they probably won't bleach well, and will stand out after your natural teeth are whitened.
* Porcelain veneers or dental bonding may be good options for people with dental work that doesn't bleach well.
While breast reduction surgery can solve some physical problems and issues with a woman's self-esteem, it's not the best option for everyone.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the best candidates for this surgery are women who:
* Have physical pain or discomfort caused by their breasts, particularly back or neck pain.
* Are not just looking for cosmetic enhancements or improvements.
* Have restricted physical activity because of the size of their breasts.
* Have fully developed breasts.
* Do not plan to breast-feed.
* Are mature enough to understand the surgery and have realistic expectations of its aftermath.
Health Tip: Brightening Your Pearly Whites
There are plenty of ways to whiten your teeth, using at-home kits or having them professionally brightened.
Here are things to keep in mind when considering a tooth whitening procedure, according to the American Dental Association:
* Teeth that have naturally turned a yellowish color usually respond well to tooth bleaching.
* Teeth that have discolored to a brownish or gray shade may not respond very well to bleaching.
* If you have bonding or tooth-colored fillings, they probably won't bleach well, and will stand out after your natural teeth are whitened.
* Porcelain veneers or dental bonding may be good options for people with dental work that doesn't bleach well.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Health Headlines - September 18
Study Examines Heart Risks Linked to ADHD Drugs
A large study of possible heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular risks associated with drugs to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was announced Monday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
Researchers will analyze clinical data of about 500,000 children and adults who've taken ADHD medications, which can increase heart rate and blood pressure.
"Case reports have described adverse cardiovascular events in adult and pediatric patients with certain underlying risk factors who receive drug treatment for ADHD, but it is unknown whether or not these events are causally related to treatment. The goal of this study is to develop better information on this question," Dr. Gerald Dal Pan, director of FDA's Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology, said in a prepared statement.
The analysis of the data will take about two years to complete.
ADHD affects about three percent to five percent of school-age children and about four percent of adults, according to the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health. People taking or being considered for treatment with ADHD drugs should work with their doctor or other health care professional to develop a treatment plan that includes a careful health history and evaluation of current health status, the FDA and AHRQ recommend.
-----
Doctors' White Coats, Neckties Banned in British Hospitals
Doctors' traditional white coats -- along with jewelry and watches, neckties, fake nails and long sleeves -- are being banned in British hospitals as part of the effort to control deadly hospital-borne infections, the Associated Press reported.
All the banned items could harbor germs, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the deadly "superbug" bacteria that's resistant to nearly every available antibiotic.
"Ties are rarely laundered but worn daily," the Department of Health noted in announced the new "bare below the elbows" dress code. "They perform no beneficial function in patient care and have been shown to be colonized by pathogens."
The new rules take effect next year.
A 2004 study of neckties worn by doctors at a New York City hospital found that nearly half the ties were contaminated with at least one species of infectious microbe, the AP reported.
-----
U.S. Women Ahead of Men in Handwashing
American women are much more likely than men to wash their hands after using a public bathroom, says a study released Monday by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and The Soap and Detergent Association, the Associated Press reported.
Researchers observed the behavior of 6,076 adults at six locations in four cities last month. They found that 88 percent of women and 66 percent of men washed their hands after using public restrooms. A similar study conducted two years ago found that 90 percent of women and 75 percent of men washed their hands.
The overall hand-washing rate in 2007 was 77 percent, compared with 83 percent in 2005, the AP reported.
Chicago had the most conscientious hand washers (81 percent), followed by New York City (79 percent), Atlanta (73 percent) and San Francisco (73 percent).
-----
U.S. Congress Reaches Compromise on Child Health Coverage
Even though U.S. House and Senate negotiators said Sunday that they reached a compromise on health coverage for uninsured children, a bill based on the deal would still face a veto by President Bush, The New York Times reported.
The lawmakers agreed on a framework for a compromise bill that would provide coverage for four million uninsured children and relax some of the limits on eligibility imposed by the White House. Under the compromise, tobacco taxes would be increased to provide coverage for more children.
Certain details have yet to be worked out, but Congressional aides said it's likely that Congress would approve the compromise before the fiscal year ends on Sept. 30, The Times reported.
However, it does not have the support of the Bush administration.
"The House and the Senate still appear to be far away from legislation that we would find acceptable," Tony Fratto, a White House spokesman, said Sunday.
-----
Fewer High-Calorie Soft Drinks in U.S. Schools
There are fewer high-calorie soft drinks in American schools' vending machines, according to a report released Monday by the American Beverage Association, which represents makers of non-alcoholic drinks such as sodas, fruit drinks and bottle water.
Nondiet soda accounted for 32 percent of drinks for sale at schools during the 2006-07 school year, compared to 47 percent in 2004, the Associated Press said. Beverages distributed to schools in 2006-07 contained about two-fifths fewer calories than they did in 2004.
During that same period, there was a 22.8 percent increase in the volume of bottle water in school vending machines, the beverage industry report said. Shipments of sugary fruit drinks declined by 56.2 percent and shipments of full-calorie soft drinks decreased by 45.1 percent.
The industry report noted that some states have banned the sale of sodas in schools and the beverage industry is introducing healthier drinks, the AP said.
-----
DNA Test Reveals Chemical-Related Health Damage
An American scientist has developed a new DNA test that may help determine if a person's health has been harmed by exposure to chemicals, BBC News reported.
Experts say the test, developed by Dr. Bruce Gillis of the University of Illinois, could play an important role in civil cases where workers seek compensation for injury caused by exposure to chemicals.
The technique, called msds1, can read specific patterns of DNA changes triggered by exposure to chemicals. For the test, samples of DNA are taken from a healthy person and exposed to specific chemicals to see which genes are affected. Those findings are then compared to a claimant's DNA, BBC News reported.
Evidence from this test has already been used in more than 20 civil court cases in California, including one involving a man who was exposed to more than eight chemicals and developed gall bladder cancer.
"None of the chemicals was a carcinogen on its own, but we showed that in combination they increased the activity of cancer-causing genes," Gillis said.
Health Tips for September 18
Health Tip: Plan Healthy Family Meals
Families that regularly eat healthy dinners together often encourage children to make healthier food choices.
Here are suggestions on how to make family dinners both healthy and convenient, courtesy of the National Dairy Council:
* Plan to include three servings of milk, cheese or yogurt per day to boost calcium intake.
* Use the Food Guide Pyramid as a tool to make sure your family is getting plenty of nutrients. Choose different foods from each of the categories to keep variety in your family's diet.
* Plan your meals ahead, and buy groceries in advance. This can help prevent opting for an easy, less healthy option when nothing else is available.
* Keep plenty of healthy ingredients on hand so that it's easy to prepare a quick, healthy meal at home.
* While it's good to include some of the family's favorite foods and dishes in your meals, it's also important -- especially for children -- to try new foods and develop new tastes.
Health Tip: Yeast Infections Can Recur
Vaginal yeast infections are common and often recur in many women. But they are easily treated with either over-the-counter or prescription medications.
These are common triggers of yeast infections, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
* Becoming stressed or not getting enough sleep.
* Maintaining a poorly balanced diet, particularly one that's high in sugar.
* Being pregnant.
* Taking certain medications, including steroids, birth control pills or antibiotics.
* Getting your period.
* Having certain health conditions, including HIV or poorly managed diabetes.
Families that regularly eat healthy dinners together often encourage children to make healthier food choices.
Here are suggestions on how to make family dinners both healthy and convenient, courtesy of the National Dairy Council:
* Plan to include three servings of milk, cheese or yogurt per day to boost calcium intake.
* Use the Food Guide Pyramid as a tool to make sure your family is getting plenty of nutrients. Choose different foods from each of the categories to keep variety in your family's diet.
* Plan your meals ahead, and buy groceries in advance. This can help prevent opting for an easy, less healthy option when nothing else is available.
* Keep plenty of healthy ingredients on hand so that it's easy to prepare a quick, healthy meal at home.
* While it's good to include some of the family's favorite foods and dishes in your meals, it's also important -- especially for children -- to try new foods and develop new tastes.
Health Tip: Yeast Infections Can Recur
Vaginal yeast infections are common and often recur in many women. But they are easily treated with either over-the-counter or prescription medications.
These are common triggers of yeast infections, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
* Becoming stressed or not getting enough sleep.
* Maintaining a poorly balanced diet, particularly one that's high in sugar.
* Being pregnant.
* Taking certain medications, including steroids, birth control pills or antibiotics.
* Getting your period.
* Having certain health conditions, including HIV or poorly managed diabetes.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Health Headlines - September 17
China Recalls Two Leukemia Drugs
The Chinese government has recalled yet another group of products because of possible adverse medical reactions -- this time drugs designed to fight leukemia.
The Associated Press reports that the drugs -- methotrexate and cytarabin hydrochloride -- were causing leg pains and other problems. China's news agency said that most of the tainted drugs had been recovered but did not say whether any of the medications had been exported, the A.P. said.
The drugs were manufactured by the Shanghai Hualian Pharmaceutical Co., the wire service reported. It said China's State Food and Drug Administration and Health Ministry banned the two leukemia drugs after receiving reports that several children with leukemia who were taking them complained of leg pains and difficulty walking.
A number of products exported from China have had to be recalled during the past two years, ranging from millions of toys that had too much lead content to millions of pounds of pet food additives.
The most highly-publicized case resulted in the July execution of China's top drug regulator because he took bribes and approved substandard drugs that resulted in at least 10 deaths.
-----
15 New Blood Typing Tests Approved by the FDA
In order to allow more choices in determining blood types, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has licensed 15 new blood typing tests.
Announcing the decision in a news release, the FDA said the tests, known as blood grouping reagents and manufactured by Alba Bioscience, Inc. of Durham, N.C., were previously unavailable in the United States.
As with other blood typing tests, the ALBAclone Blood Grouping Reagents will determine the blood type of donors, the key in making sure that a blood transfusion is carried out successfully.
In addition to the common ABO and Rh tests, the blood grouping reagents will also be used to test for rare blood types. The reagents used in the blood typing are monoclonal antibodies, the FDA said, and it is the highly specific nature of them that "ensures product uniformity and availability."
"Licensure of these additional blood grouping reagents will help ensure a more stable supply of these tests, especially important in the event of a product shortage," said Dr. Jesse L. Goodman, director of the FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, in the news release.
-----
UK Begins Health Guidelines for Fashion Models
Following up on its promise to do everything it could to ensure the health of fashion models after a series of eating disorder deaths of models in 2006, the British government has issued a set of recommendations for modeling during upcoming London Fashion Week.
BBC News reports that the government says fashion models should provide "good health" certificates from doctors who specialize in eating disorders, and the government is recommending that all female models under the age of 16 not participate in the week-long parade of fashions from international designers.
The death in 2006 of 21-year-old Ana Carolina Reston of Brazil who died of a an infection caused by anorexia caused the UK government to begin considering health guidelines, the BBC reports.
Other recommendations include establishment of a permanent model health panel and having models aged 16 to 18 being accompanied by chaperones "where appropriate."
In Spain the sponsors of Madrid Fashion Week banned U.S. size zero -- the equivalent of a UK size four -- and instead uses a ratio of height to weight to calculate the acceptable size for meach model, the BBC reports.
-----
U.S. to Allow Imports of Older Canadian Cattle
The risk of mad cow disease from Canada is negligible and, as of Nov. 19, older Canadian cattle and meat products made from them will be allowed again into the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Friday.
In May 2003, U.S. borders were closed to all Canadian cattle and beef products after the first case of mad cow was reported in Canada, CBC News reported. In July 2005, the United States started to allow imports of Canadian cattle under the age of 30 months, which were believed to be at less risk for contracting the disease than older cattle.
Friday's announcement applies to cows born on or after March 1, 1999 and meat products made from those animals, CBC News reported.
"This rule is firmly based on science and ensures that we continue to protect the U.S. against BSE," (bovine spongiform encephalopathy, the medical term for "mad cow") Bruce Knight, U.S. undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs, said in a prepared statement. "It also is consistent with our commitment to promote fair trade practices and further normalizes trade with countries that institute the appropriate safeguards to prevent the spread of BSE."
-----
Gene Activity May Cause Poor Health in Lonely People: Study
A possible genetic cause of poor health in lonely people has been identified by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles.
They found that certain genes -- many of them with links to the immune system and inflammation -- are more active in people who feel socially isolated, BBC News reported. Previous studies have shown an association between lack of social support and health problems such as heart disease.
The authors of the new study assessed levels of social interaction of 14 people and examined gene activity in their white blood cells. Various genes tended to be overexpressed in people who were classified as lonely, BBC News reported.
"What this shows us is that the biological impact of social isolation reaches down into some of our most important basic internal processes -- the activity of our genes," said study leader Dr. Steven Cole. "These findings provide molecular targets for our efforts to block the adverse health effects of social isolation."
-----
High Gas Prices May Lower Obesity Rate
Soaring gas prices may help reduce the high rate of obesity in the United States, suggests a health economics researcher at Washington University in St. Louis.
In his study, Ph.D. student Charles Courtemanche wrote that "a $1 (U.S.) increase in gas prices would, after three years, reduce U.S. obesity by approximately 15 percent, saving 16,000 lives and $17 billion a year."
He said higher gas prices would convince more people to walk, cycle or use public transit (which involves walking to and from a bus or rail stop) instead of driving, the Toronto Star reported. In addition, high gas prices may encourage people to eat healthier home-cooked meals more often, instead of driving to restaurants.
He also estimated that a decline in real gas prices contributed to 13 percent of the growth in the U.S. obesity rate between 1979 and 2004. Courtemanche reached his conclusions after analyzing average fuel prices and U.S. government-reported health trends, the Star reported.
Health Tips for September 17
Health Tip: Quit Smoking
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or 'tough guy' stance of Hollywood smokers. Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette…. the next one.
Health Tip: Reduce Stress
Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like: Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink clouds….then float on them.
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or 'tough guy' stance of Hollywood smokers. Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette…. the next one.
Health Tip: Reduce Stress
Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like: Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink clouds….then float on them.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Health Headlines - September 16
15 New Blood Typing Tests Approved by the FDA
In order to allow more choices in determining blood types, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has licensed 15 new blood typing tests.
Announcing the decision in a news release, the FDA said the tests, known as blood grouping reagents and manufactured by Alba Bioscience, Inc. of Durham, N.C., were previously unavailable in the United States.
As with other blood typing tests, the ALBAclone Blood Grouping Reagents will determine the blood type of donors, the key in making sure that a blood transfusion is carried out successfully.
In addition to the common ABO and Rh tests, the blood grouping reagents will also be used to test for rare blood types. The reagents used in the blood typing are monoclonal antibodies, the FDA said, and it is the highly specific nature of them that "ensures product uniformity and availability."
"Licensure of these additional blood grouping reagents will help ensure a more stable supply of these tests, especially important in the event of a product shortage," said Dr. Jesse L. Goodman, director of the FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, in the news release.
-----
U.S. to Allow Imports of Older Canadian Cattle
The risk of mad cow disease from Canada is negligible and, as of Nov. 19, older Canadian cattle and meat products made from them will be allowed again into the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Friday.
In May 2003, U.S. borders were closed to all Canadian cattle and beef products after the first case of mad cow was reported in Canada, CBC News reported. In July 2005, the United States started to allow imports of Canadian cattle under the age of 30 months, which were believed to be at less risk for contracting the disease than older cattle.
Friday's announcement applies to cows born on or after March 1, 1999 and meat products made from those animals, CBC News reported.
"This rule is firmly based on science and ensures that we continue to protect the U.S. against BSE," (bovine spongiform encephalopathy, the medical term for "mad cow") Bruce Knight, U.S. undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs, said in a prepared statement. "It also is consistent with our commitment to promote fair trade practices and further normalizes trade with countries that institute the appropriate safeguards to prevent the spread of BSE."
-----
Gene Activity May Cause Poor Health in Lonely People: Study
A possible genetic cause of poor health in lonely people has been identified by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles.
They found that certain genes -- many of them with links to the immune system and inflammation -- are more active in people who feel socially isolated, BBC News reported. Previous studies have shown an association between lack of social support and health problems such as heart disease.
The authors of the new study assessed levels of social interaction of 14 people and examined gene activity in their white blood cells. Various genes tended to be overexpressed in people who were classified as lonely, BBC News reported.
"What this shows us is that the biological impact of social isolation reaches down into some of our most important basic internal processes -- the activity of our genes," said study leader Dr. Steven Cole. "These findings provide molecular targets for our efforts to block the adverse health effects of social isolation."
-----
High Gas Prices May Lower Obesity Rate
Soaring gas prices may help reduce the high rate of obesity in the United States, suggests a health economics researcher at Washington University in St. Louis.
In his study, Ph.D. student Charles Courtemanche wrote that "a $1 (U.S.) increase in gas prices would, after three years, reduce U.S. obesity by approximately 15 percent, saving 16,000 lives and $17 billion a year."
He said higher gas prices would convince more people to walk, cycle or use public transit (which involves walking to and from a bus or rail stop) instead of driving, the Toronto Star reported. In addition, high gas prices may encourage people to eat healthier home-cooked meals more often, instead of driving to restaurants.
He also estimated that a decline in real gas prices contributed to 13 percent of the growth in the U.S. obesity rate between 1979 and 2004. Courtemanche reached his conclusions after analyzing average fuel prices and U.S. government-reported health trends, the Star reported.
-----
Experts Challenge Study on Youth Suicide Rates
A number of experts are questioning a recent study that linked a 2004 increase in children's suicides to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration warning about the use of antidepressants in youngsters, The New York Times reported.
The study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, suggested that as a result of the FDA warning, severely depressed teens may not have received needed treatment.
However, outside experts say data in the study do not support that theory, the Times reported. The experts noted that the data in the study shows that while there was a 14 percent increase in suicides among Americans ages 19 and younger in 2004, there was not a substantial decline in the number of antidepressant prescriptions for that age group.
There was a sharp decline in antidepressant prescription rates for minors in 2005, but data on suicide rates for that year are not yet available from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"There doesn't seem to be any evidence of a statistically significant association between suicide rates and prescription rates provided in the paper" for the years after the FDA warnings, Thomas R. Ten Have, a professor of biostatistics at the University of Pennsylvania, told the Times.
-----
San Francisco Offers Free Health Care to Uninsured
San Francisco has launched a new program that offers free or subsidized health care to all of the city's 82,000 adults without health insurance.
Healthy San Francisco, financed mostly by the city, is the first attempt by a locality to guarantee health care to all uninsured adult citizens, The New York Times reported.
The program underwent a two-month trial at two clinics in Chinatown, and is scheduled to become available at 20 more locations across the city on Sept. 17. The 14 city health clinics and eight affiliated community clinics involved in the program will emphasize prevention and management of chronic diseases.
So far, more than 1,300 people have enrolled in the program, and city officials hope to have 45,000 people sign up in the first year of the initiative, the Times reported.
Health Tips for September 16
Health Tip: Move More
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that's great when you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!
Health Tip: Cut Fat
Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean, fat-burning machine…. Then be one!
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that's great when you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!
Health Tip: Cut Fat
Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean, fat-burning machine…. Then be one!
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Health Headlines - September 15
Experts Challenge Study on Youth Suicide Rates
A number of experts are questioning a recent study that linked a 2004 increase in children's suicides to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration warning about the use of antidepressants in youngsters, The New York Times reported.
The study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, suggested that as a result of the FDA warning, severely depressed teens may not have received needed treatment.
However, outside experts say data in the study do not support that theory, the Times reported. The experts noted that the data in the study shows that while there was a 14 percent increase in suicides among Americans ages 19 and younger in 2004, there was not a substantial decline in the number of antidepressant prescriptions for that age group.
There was a sharp decline in antidepressant prescription rates for minors in 2005, but data on suicide rates for that year are not yet available from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"There doesn't seem to be any evidence of a statistically significant association between suicide rates and prescription rates provided in the paper" for the years after the FDA warnings, Thomas R. Ten Have, a professor of biostatistics at the University of Pennsylvania, told the Times.
-----
San Francisco Offers Free Health Care to Uninsured
San Francisco has launched a new program that offers free or subsidized health care to all of the city's 82,000 adults without health insurance.
Healthy San Francisco, financed mostly by the city, is the first attempt by a locality to guarantee health care to all uninsured adult citizens, The New York Times reported.
The program underwent a two-month trial at two clinics in Chinatown, and is scheduled to become available at 20 more locations across the city on Sept. 17. The 14 city health clinics and eight affiliated community clinics involved in the program will emphasize prevention and management of chronic diseases.
So far, more than 1,300 people have enrolled in the program, and city officials hope to have 45,000 people sign up in the first year of the initiative, the Times reported.
-----
Preventable Diseases Could Claim 36 Million Lives a Year by 2015: WHO
Unless action is taken, the number of deaths from preventable "lifestyle" diseases worldwide will double to 36 million annually by 2015, says the World Health Organization.
The WHO noted that about 17 million people die prematurely each year from largely preventable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes and obesity, Agence France-Presse reported.
"Unless national interventions are urgently taken to reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases, 36 million people will die of these diseases by 2015, nearly half of them before they turn 70," Shigeru Omi, director of the WHO regional committee for the Western Pacific, said Friday as the committee completed a five-day meeting in South Korea.
Most of these diseases are caused by known and preventable risk factors -- unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and tobacco use. Omi said a "whole-of-society" approach is needed to deal with this issue, AFP reported.
"All sectors, from government to private enterprises, civil society and communities, will have to work together," Omi said.
-----
1,395 West Nile Virus Cases, 38 Deaths in U.S.
So far this year, there have been 38 deaths among the 1,395 reported human cases of West Nile virus in 38 states, a federal study found.
Of the 1,395 cases as of Sept. 11, the median age of patients was 49 and 770 (56 percent) of the cases occurred in males. There have been 136 reported cases of West Nile virus detected in blood donors, including 33 in California, 20 in Texas, 13 in Oklahoma, 11 in South Dakota, nine in Minnesota, and seven each in Missouri and North Dakota.
Of those 136 cases, two people subsequently had neuroinvasive illness and 31 later developed West Nile fever.
More than 1,200 dead birds with West Nile virus infection have been reported in 29 states and New York City, and infections have been reported in horses in 26 states, one dog in Oregon, 11 squirrels in California, and three unidentified animal species in Idaho and Montana.
The findings are published in the Sept. 14 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
-----
Reduce Meat Consumption and Help Fight Climate Change?
You can help fight climate change by eating less meat, says a paper in this week's issue of The Lancet medical journal.
The authors of the paper said agriculture accounts for 22 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions -- about the same as industry and more than that of cars and other forms of transportation. And livestock production accounts for nearly 80 percent of agricultural emissions, Agence France-Presse reported.
Currently, average meat consumption worldwide is 100 grams (3.5 ounces) per person per day. But the average in rich countries is 200 to 250 grams (7 to 8.8 ounces), compared to 20 to 25 grams (0.71 to 0.88 ounces) in poor countries.
The paper's authors said the global average should be reduced to 90 grams (3.17 ounces) per day per person by 2050. That means that people in rich countries need to reduce their meat intake to the equivalent of one hamburger per day, AFP reported.
Not only would that benefit the environment, it would also improve health by lowering the risk of heart disease, obesity, colorectal cancer, and perhaps other kinds of cancers, the authors said.
-----
Older Siblings May Stunt Younger Children's Growth
Having older siblings may stunt the growth of younger children, say researchers at University College London in England. This is especially true if older siblings are brothers.
The study found that children in larger families were likely to be shorter than average, BBC News reported.
The researchers analyzed data from 14,000 families and found that children with three siblings were 2.5 centimeters (one inch) shorter than the average height for their age.
Multiple siblings may spread thin the resources that parents can offer their children, the researchers suggested.
"If you are the oldest child, having younger siblings will not affect your development significantly but if you are one of the younger ones, then you can expect to be shorter than your older siblings," said study leader David Lawson, BBC News reported.
Health Tips for September 15
Health Tip: Falling Asleep
We spend about one-third of our lives asleep, but sometimes sleep can be elusive.
Almost everyone has had transient insomnia -- the inability to fall asleep once in a while, or waking up feeling tired.
Chronic insomnia lasts longer. The common condition may be brought on by medical or psychiatric causes, such as colds, pain or depression. But 10 percent of all insomnia occurs in the absence of any medical or psychiatric disorder, and is called primary insomnia.
Duke University offers these good sleep habits:
* Keep a schedule for when you get up, eat, take medicines, go to bed, etc.
* Establish a relaxing pre-sleep ritual, such as taking a warm bath, reading for 10 minutes, or having a light snack. This lets your body know that bedtime is near.
* Go to bed only when sleepy and get out of bed if you're not sleeping. By spending long periods awake in bed, your body learns that it's OK to be awake in bed.
* Exercise regularly. It's best to exercise in the late afternoon, about six hours before bedtime.
* Avoid caffeine, alcohol and smoking around bedtime.
* Don't nap. If you must, it's best to take naps in mid-afternoon.
If these habits aren't working, tell your doctor. More assessment and treatment may be needed.
Health Tip: Do's and Don'ts While Breastfeeding
Since a new mother's diet can affect her breast milk, what a breast-feeding mother eats can be as important as when she was pregnant.
Here are dietary suggestions for breast-feeding women, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:
* Do eat a well balanced diet of plenty of fruits, vegetables, beans or meats, and whole grains.
* Do get plenty of calcium via dairy foods like milk and cheese. Talk to your doctor about calcium supplements and other ways to get more calcium.
* Do eat more calories than normal -- about 500 more per day -- and increase your fluid intake.
* Don't take any medications without talking to your doctor.
* Don't smoke.
* Don't use alcohol or caffeine.
* Don't eat foods that seem to bother your baby.
We spend about one-third of our lives asleep, but sometimes sleep can be elusive.
Almost everyone has had transient insomnia -- the inability to fall asleep once in a while, or waking up feeling tired.
Chronic insomnia lasts longer. The common condition may be brought on by medical or psychiatric causes, such as colds, pain or depression. But 10 percent of all insomnia occurs in the absence of any medical or psychiatric disorder, and is called primary insomnia.
Duke University offers these good sleep habits:
* Keep a schedule for when you get up, eat, take medicines, go to bed, etc.
* Establish a relaxing pre-sleep ritual, such as taking a warm bath, reading for 10 minutes, or having a light snack. This lets your body know that bedtime is near.
* Go to bed only when sleepy and get out of bed if you're not sleeping. By spending long periods awake in bed, your body learns that it's OK to be awake in bed.
* Exercise regularly. It's best to exercise in the late afternoon, about six hours before bedtime.
* Avoid caffeine, alcohol and smoking around bedtime.
* Don't nap. If you must, it's best to take naps in mid-afternoon.
If these habits aren't working, tell your doctor. More assessment and treatment may be needed.
Health Tip: Do's and Don'ts While Breastfeeding
Since a new mother's diet can affect her breast milk, what a breast-feeding mother eats can be as important as when she was pregnant.
Here are dietary suggestions for breast-feeding women, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:
* Do eat a well balanced diet of plenty of fruits, vegetables, beans or meats, and whole grains.
* Do get plenty of calcium via dairy foods like milk and cheese. Talk to your doctor about calcium supplements and other ways to get more calcium.
* Do eat more calories than normal -- about 500 more per day -- and increase your fluid intake.
* Don't take any medications without talking to your doctor.
* Don't smoke.
* Don't use alcohol or caffeine.
* Don't eat foods that seem to bother your baby.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Health Headlines - September 14
1,395 West Nile Virus Cases, 38 Deaths in U.S.
So far this year, there have been 38 deaths among the 1,395 reported human cases of West Nile virus in 38 states, a federal study found.
Of the 1,395 cases as of Sept. 11, the median age of patients was 49 and 770 (56 percent) of the cases occurred in males. There have been 136 reported cases of West Nile virus detected in blood donors, including 33 in California, 20 in Texas, 13 in Oklahoma, 11 in South Dakota, nine in Minnesota, and seven each in Missouri and North Dakota.
Of those 136 cases, two people subsequently had neuroinvasive illness and 31 later developed West Nile fever.
More than 1,200 dead birds with West Nile virus infection have been reported in 29 states and New York City, and infections have been reported in horses in 26 states, one dog in Oregon, 11 squirrels in California, and three unidentified animal species in Idaho and Montana.
The findings are published in the Sept. 14 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
-----
Reduce Meat Consumption and Help Fight Climate Change?
You can help fight climate change by eating less meat, says a paper in this week's issue of The Lancet medical journal.
The authors of the paper said agriculture accounts for 22 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions -- about the same as industry and more than that of cars and other forms of transportation. And livestock production accounts for nearly 80 percent of agricultural emissions, Agence France-Presse reported.
Currently, average meat consumption worldwide is 100 grams (3.5 ounces) per person per day. But the average in rich countries is 200 to 250 grams (7 to 8.8 ounces), compared to 20 to 25 grams (0.71 to 0.88 ounces) in poor countries.
The paper's authors said the global average should be reduced to 90 grams (3.17 ounces) per day per person by 2050. That means that people in rich countries need to reduce their meat intake to the equivalent of one hamburger per day, AFP reported.
Not only would that benefit the environment, it would also improve health by lowering the risk of heart disease, obesity, colorectal cancer, and perhaps other kinds of cancers, the authors said.
-----
Older Siblings May Stunt Younger Children's Growth
Having older siblings may stunt the growth of younger children, say researchers at University College London in England. This is especially true if older siblings are brothers.
The study found that children in larger families were likely to be shorter than average, BBC News reported.
The researchers analyzed data from 14,000 families and found that children with three siblings were 2.5 centimeters (one inch) shorter than the average height for their age.
Multiple siblings may spread thin the resources that parents can offer their children, the researchers suggested.
"If you are the oldest child, having younger siblings will not affect your development significantly but if you are one of the younger ones, then you can expect to be shorter than your older siblings," said study leader David Lawson, BBC News reported.
-----
U.S. Failed to Boost Salad Green Inspections After E. coli Scare
U.S. authorities failed to act on demands for increased inspections of salad greens prompted by last year's E. coli outbreak in spinach that killed three people and sickened more than 200, according to an Associated Press investigation.
The failure to boost government oversight of U.S. producers of salad greens means that consumer safety depends on a hodgepodge of largely unenforceable regulations and the industry itself, the AP reported.
The news agency reviewed data obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. They found that, on average, companies that grow and process salad greens are inspected by federal regulators only once every 3.9 years.
Companies would be subjected to inspections at least four times a year under some proposals being considered by Congress, the AP reported.
-----
Trasylol Should Remain on Market: FDA Panel
Despite being linked with increased risk of death and other serious side effects, the drug aprotinin (brand name Trasylol) should remain on the market, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel said Wednesday.
Trasylol-- sold by Bayer AG -- was approved by the FDA in 1993 to prevent excessive bleeding and the need for blood transfusions in patients undergoing bypass surgery for clogged coronary arteries.
The FDA appointed the advisory panel to review the drug's safety following the publication of studies within the past few years that linked the drug to an increased risk of death and serious side effects, including heart attacks, strokes and kidney problems, the AP reported.
The panel voted 16-1, with one abstention, to recommend that Trasylol remain on the market. The FDA is not bound to follow its advisory panels' recommendations but does so in most cases.
In December 2006, the FDA strengthened the "black-box" warnings on Trasylol to say the drug should be given only to bypass surgery patients at increased risk of blood loss and transfusion, the AP reported.
-----
Global Child Death Rate at All-Time Low in 2006
The number of young children who died around the world dropped to an all-time low in 2006, due to immunization programs, anti-malaria measures and increased rates of breast feeding, says Unicef.
The UN children's agency said that 9.7 million children under age five died in 2006, compared with nearly 13 million in 1990, BBC News reported. The figures are based on government-conducted surveys in more than 50 countries.
But experts noted that many young children still die of preventable causes and more needs to be done to reduce the death toll.
Morocco, Vietnam and the Dominican Republic had the largest improvement -- deaths of young children in those countries declined by a third, BBC News reported. The majority of young children's deaths in 2006 were in sub-Saharan Africa (4.8 million) and south Asia (3.1 million).
Health Tips for September 14
Health Tip: Once Baby Makes Three
The arrival of a new baby is an exciting and happy time, but adjusting to a new schedule and lack of sleep can leave parents stressed and anxious.
Here are suggestions to help make the adjustment easier, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:
* Keep an open line of communication with your partner, and choose times when you are both relaxed to discuss what's bothering you.
* When you do have disagreements, stay calm and discuss issues openly without getting angry.
* Find time each day to spend together, to talk or just to enjoy each other's company. Stay awake for an extra 30 minutes after the baby goes to sleep, or grab some time together when the baby takes a nap.
* Be flexible about life, chores and schedules. Don't get upset about small things.
* Take turns with tasks, and show your partner plenty of encouragement and appreciation.
* Be aware of your partner's needs and stress level -- if he or she seems particularly stressed, offer to take on an extra task or chore.
Health Tip: When Acupuncture May Help
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese procedure in which points on the body are stimulated using a number of very fine needles.
Here are conditions and symptoms that may benefit from acupuncture, courtesy of the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine:
* Nausea triggered by chemotherapy or surgery.
* Menstrual cramps, low back pain or headaches.
* Fibromyalgia or osteoarthritis.
* Asthma.
* Carpal tunnel syndrome or tennis elbow.
* Stroke rehabilitation.
* Addiction.
Speak to your doctor to find out if acupuncture may be right for you.
The arrival of a new baby is an exciting and happy time, but adjusting to a new schedule and lack of sleep can leave parents stressed and anxious.
Here are suggestions to help make the adjustment easier, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:
* Keep an open line of communication with your partner, and choose times when you are both relaxed to discuss what's bothering you.
* When you do have disagreements, stay calm and discuss issues openly without getting angry.
* Find time each day to spend together, to talk or just to enjoy each other's company. Stay awake for an extra 30 minutes after the baby goes to sleep, or grab some time together when the baby takes a nap.
* Be flexible about life, chores and schedules. Don't get upset about small things.
* Take turns with tasks, and show your partner plenty of encouragement and appreciation.
* Be aware of your partner's needs and stress level -- if he or she seems particularly stressed, offer to take on an extra task or chore.
Health Tip: When Acupuncture May Help
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese procedure in which points on the body are stimulated using a number of very fine needles.
Here are conditions and symptoms that may benefit from acupuncture, courtesy of the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine:
* Nausea triggered by chemotherapy or surgery.
* Menstrual cramps, low back pain or headaches.
* Fibromyalgia or osteoarthritis.
* Asthma.
* Carpal tunnel syndrome or tennis elbow.
* Stroke rehabilitation.
* Addiction.
Speak to your doctor to find out if acupuncture may be right for you.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Health Headlines - September 13
Employer-Sponsored Health Plan Premiums Increase 6.1 Percent
The cost of employer-sponsored health insurance in the United States increased 6.1 percent this year and continues to outpace increases in inflation and wages.
That's the finding of an annual report released Tuesday by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research and Educational Trust.
Average annual premiums this year were $12,106 for family coverage and $4,479 for single coverage. Of those totals, workers paid $3,281 and $694, respectively, the Los Angeles Times reported. The amount paid by workers increased 10 percent for family coverage and 11 percent for single coverage from last year.
Family coverage premiums have increased 78 percent since 2001, while wages have increased 19 percent and the cost of inflation has increased by 17 percent. The report said the average total cost of health-care premiums for a family of four now exceeds the yearly income of a minimum wage worker.
Rising premium costs and plan deductibles aren't the only issues. The Kaiser study noted that 95 percent of covered workers are now responsible for co-payments and shared costs for out-of-plan services, outpatient surgeries and hospital stays, the Times reported.
-----
Injured Football Player Moving Arms and Legs
Doctors said Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett's condition had improved dramatically, that he was moving his arms and legs, and could eventually walk out of the hospital, The New York Times reported.
The 25-year-old NFL player was paralyzed from the shoulders down after a collision with another player during a game Sunday against the Denver Broncos.
On Sunday night, Everett underwent surgery to repair damage to his third and fourth cervical vertebrae and spinal cord. The surgery was performed by orthopedic spinal surgeon Dr. Andrew Cappuccino, who said Monday afternoon that Everett's chances of a complete recovery were between 5 and 10 percent.
But another doctor who consulted with Cappuccino said Tuesday that Everett will eventually walk out of the hospital, the Times reported.
"Kevin Everett is moving his arms and legs, his legs stronger than his arms," said neurosurgeon Dr. Barth Green. "He's moving them both to a point, to a degree that he will end up walking. He will walk out of the hospital."
-----
Lipitor Tops 2004 Drug Sales
The cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor ranked first in terms of total spending on prescription drugs by people ages 18 to 64 in the United States in 2004. Sales of the drug reached nearly $5 billion, says the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
Another cholesterol-lowering drug, Zocor, ranked fourth overall with sales of $2.3 billion. In second and third place were two proton-pump inhibitors that reduce stomach acid -- Nexium ($2.7 billion) and Prevacid ($2.4 billion). The antidepressant Zoloft was fifth, with $1.9 billion sales.
The AHRQ data also showed that:
- Among people 65 and older, Lipitor and Zocor ranked first and second in total spending ($4.35 billion and $2.4 billion), followed by: the antiplatelet drug Plavix ($1.7 billion); the calcium channel blocker drug Norvasc, which can be used to treat high blood pressure and certain kinds of chest pain, such as angina ($1.5 billion); and Nexium ($1.5 billion).
- Among those 17 and younger, the top five drugs were: the asthma medication Singulair ($680 million); the attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder drugs Concerta ($490 million), Strattera ($430 million) and Adderall ($410 million); and the antihistamine Zyrtec ($420 million).
-----
Birth Control Pills May Reduce Long-Term Cancer Risk
Birth control pills may reduce the long-term risk of cancer of any kind by 3 to 12 percent. That's the finding of a study that examined 36 years of data on 46,000 women who took part in the Royal College of General Practitioners' oral contraception study in Great Britain.
If the true figure is 12 percent, that would translate into one less cancer case for every 2,200 women who used the pill. If the true figure is 3 percent, there would be one less cancer case for every 10,000 women who used the pill, The Guardian newspaper reported.
The two different rates in cancer reduction were arrived at using calculations of different datasets.
The study found that women who were once on the pill -- but did not take it for more than eight years -- were significantly less likely than women who never used the pill to be diagnosed with a number of kinds of cancer, particularly ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer, The Guardian reported.
However, women who took the pill for more than eight years had an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
-----
Lead-Tainted Chinese Toys Subject of U.S. Senate Hearing
The recent wave of Chinese-made toys tainted with lead paint will be the focus of a U.S. Senate subcommittee hearing Wednesday that will feature testimony from members of the toy industry, consumer groups, and federal regulators.
The hearing comes a day after China signed an agreement to prohibit the use of lead paint on toys exported to the United States, the Associated Press reported. In recent months, the presence of lead paint has led to the recall of millions of Chinese-made toys.
Lead can cause serious harm to children.
China is facing increasing international criticism after health and safety concerns prompted recalls this year of a number of the country's exports, including pet food ingredients, toys, fish, and jewelry, the AP reported.
-----
Many Countries Have Food Nutrition Logo Systems
While a number of countries have established standardized food label logo systems that provide consumers with quick information about the nutritional value of food products, there's no such system in the United States.
That's resulted in a patchwork of nutritional labeling information systems that experts fear may cause consumers even more confusion when they're looking for healthy eating choices, the Associated Press reported.
In what it says is the first step toward consideration of establishing a national system, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at a meeting Monday invited food companies, medical experts and other organizations to share their views on how easy-to-understand logos on food packaging may help improve public health.
Even if it eventually does establish a national system, the FDA says it would be voluntary.
While the FDA studies the issue, a number of U.S.-based food companies are taking action on their own. For example, next month, Kellogg Co. and General Mills Inc. breakfast cereal boxes will start to carry symbols that summarize nutritional information, the AP reported.
The Hannaford Bros. supermarket chain in New England also uses a zero to three-star system to rate the nutritional quality of more than 25,000 food items on its shelves.
Health Tips for September 13
Health Tip: Tension Headaches
A tension headache is characterized by tight, painful pressure across the forehead. The pain may also extend into the neck, and is usually steady, rather than sharp or stabbing.
Tension headaches may be brought on by everyday stress and frustration, eyestrain and poor posture, says the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center. Other symptoms may accompany these headaches, including fatigue, depression and difficulty sleeping.
Tension headaches may be prevented by prescription medications such as tricyclic antidepressants, beta blockers and divalproex sodium. Over-the-counter medications -- such as aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen -- can help alleviate pain.
Health Tip: Early Signs of Pregnancy
While morning sickness and a missed period are classic signs that a woman may be pregnant, there are others.
While symptoms differ from woman to woman, here are additional early signs of possible pregnancy, courtesy of the American Pregnancy Association:
* Spotting, cramping or a period that is shorter and lighter than usual.
* Swelling or tenderness of the breasts, and a darkening of the skin around the nipples.
* Fatigue.
* Nausea.
* Lower back pain and headaches.
* Frequent need to urinate.
* Strong cravings for certain foods.
A tension headache is characterized by tight, painful pressure across the forehead. The pain may also extend into the neck, and is usually steady, rather than sharp or stabbing.
Tension headaches may be brought on by everyday stress and frustration, eyestrain and poor posture, says the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center. Other symptoms may accompany these headaches, including fatigue, depression and difficulty sleeping.
Tension headaches may be prevented by prescription medications such as tricyclic antidepressants, beta blockers and divalproex sodium. Over-the-counter medications -- such as aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen -- can help alleviate pain.
Health Tip: Early Signs of Pregnancy
While morning sickness and a missed period are classic signs that a woman may be pregnant, there are others.
While symptoms differ from woman to woman, here are additional early signs of possible pregnancy, courtesy of the American Pregnancy Association:
* Spotting, cramping or a period that is shorter and lighter than usual.
* Swelling or tenderness of the breasts, and a darkening of the skin around the nipples.
* Fatigue.
* Nausea.
* Lower back pain and headaches.
* Frequent need to urinate.
* Strong cravings for certain foods.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Health Headlines - September 12
Many Countries Have Food Nutrition Logo Systems
While a number of countries have established standardized food label logo systems that provide consumers with quick information about the nutritional value of food products, there's no such system in the United States.
That's resulted in a patchwork of nutritional labeling information systems that experts fear may cause consumers even more confusion when they're looking for healthy eating choices, the Associated Press reported.
In what it says is the first step toward consideration of establishing a national system, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at a meeting Monday invited food companies, medical experts and other organizations to share their views on how easy-to-understand logos on food packaging may help improve public health.
Even if it eventually does establish a national system, the FDA says it would be voluntary.
While the FDA studies the issue, a number of U.S.-based food companies are taking action on their own. For example, next month, Kellogg Co. and General Mills Inc. breakfast cereal boxes will start to carry symbols that summarize nutritional information, the AP reported.
The Hannaford Bros. supermarket chain in New England also uses a zero to three-star system to rate the nutritional quality of more than 25,000 food items on its shelves.
-----
U.S. Falling Short on Flu Pandemic Preparedness
A lack of training and testing by federal agencies is hampering the United States' ability to prepare for a potential influenza pandemic, according to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released Monday.
The GAO noted that a number of federal agencies have overlapping responsibilities that aren't clearly defined, the Associated Press reported. Since the Bush administration's bird flu plan was released in May 2006, there have been no national pandemic exercises involving the multiple federal agencies that would respond to such a crisis. These types of exercises would demonstrate which agencies understand their responsibilities, the GAO said.
It's alarming that key federal leadership roles haven't been adequately defined or tested, said Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif), chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. He was one of the lawmakers who requested the GAO report, the AP reported.
"It is vital to resolve questions of turf, responsibility, and performance in advance, rather than in the heat of an actual pandemic," Waxman said.
The secretaries of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services need to conduct thorough response exercises for pandemic influenza, the GAO recommended.
-----
New Clues to How Antioxidants Fight Cancer
Antioxidants such as vitamin C fight cancer by removing free radicals that promote the protein HIF-1 needed by tumor cells to convert sugar to energy without using oxygen, according to a U.S. study in the journal Cancer Cell.
This unexpected finding -- that vitamin C and other antioxidants may destabilize a tumor's ability to grow in oxygen-starved conditions -- is new. It was previously believed that antioxidants prevented cancer growth by removing free radical molecules that damage DNA, United Press International reported.
"The potential anti-cancer benefits of antioxidants have been the driving force for many clinical and preclinical studies," lead author Dr. Chi Dang, of the Johns Hopkins University, said in a statement. "By uncovering the mechanism behind antioxidants, we are now better suited to maximize their therapeutic use."
The researchers noted that this is preliminary study conducted in mice, and people shouldn't rush out to buy large quantities of antioxidants in hopes of preventing cancer.
-----
U.S. Panel Calls for Enhanced Safety of Imported Goods
The U.S. government needs to improve methods of identifying risks and preventing problems associated with imported goods before they reach the United States. That's the conclusion of a new report that said increasing inspections once products reach the country would not adequately improve safety, the Associated Press reported.
The report was released Monday by an advisory commission established in July by President George W. Bush in response to a number of recalls of products made in China, including dog food, toothpaste and toys.
In its first report to the president, the commission said the federal government must work more closely with the private sector and improve its sharing of information in order to ensure that products are safe before they're imported into the country, the AP reported.
The commission did not provide details on additional resources that would be required but is expected to provide recommendations on spending within 60 days.
-----
Depression Common in Pregnant Women Who Smoke
Many pregnant women who smoke suffer from depression, says a Columbia University study published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology. Depression can make it even more difficult to quit smoking, experts say.
The study of 1,500 pregnant women found that 22 percent smoked at some point during their pregnancy and about 12 percent were classified as nicotine-dependent, the Associated Press reported.
'The study said that pregnant smokers were typically poor, less educated and had less access to health care than nonsmokers. The researchers also found that about 30 percent of pregnant smokers and 50 percent of those who were nicotine-dependent had some kind of mental health disorder. In the majority of cases, the disorder was depression.
Overall, pregnant smokers were about three times more likely to have a mental health disorder than pregnant nonsmokers, the AP reported.
-----
High Fetal Testosterone Levels Linked to Autistic Traits
High levels of the male sex hormone testosterone in fetuses are associated with an increased risk of developing autistic traits in childhood, says a study by researchers at the University of Cambridge in England.
But the researchers said it isn't clear whether high testosterone levels cause autistic traits or are a byproduct of those traits. The researchers also emphasized that their study only found a link between testosterone and autistic traits, but no direct link to autism itself, BBC News reported.
The eight-year study compared the development of 253 children to the levels of testosterone they were exposed to in the womb. The researchers concluded that fetal testosterone levels accounted for about 20 percent of the variability in scores on a questionnaire filled out by the children's mothers. The questionnaire helps assess the number of autistic traits in children.
"This is the first time autistic traits have been linked to levels of fetal testosterone, measured in the womb using amniocenteses," noted study co-author Professor Simon Baren-Cohen, BBC News reported.
The findings were presented at the BA Festival of Science in York. The researchers are planning another study to examine if there's a direct link between testosterone levels in fetuses and autism.
Health Tips for September 12
Health Tip: Symptoms of Sinus Infection
A sinus infection may be caused by bacteria, viruses or even fungi. Treatment depends on the type of infection, so you should see your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment options.
Here are common symptoms of a sinus infection, courtesy of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases:
* Headache, particularly first thing in the morning.
* Pain in the forehead, jaw, teeth and cheeks, or between the eyes.
* Swollen or inflamed tear ducts, eyelids, and other tissues surrounding the eyes.
* Congestion, sore throat, neck pain or cough.
* Fever.
* Weakness and fatigue.
Health Tip: If Your Child Has a Bruise
Bruises are common in children, and most heal on their own. Some bruises, however, may require examination by a doctor.
The University of Virginia Health System says these symptoms should be evaluated by a physician:
* Bruising often or easily, without a known injury or cause.
* Significant or increased pain or swelling around a bruise.
* Inability to move a limb or a joint.
* Injury or bruising to an eye.
* Signs that a bone may be broken.
A sinus infection may be caused by bacteria, viruses or even fungi. Treatment depends on the type of infection, so you should see your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment options.
Here are common symptoms of a sinus infection, courtesy of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases:
* Headache, particularly first thing in the morning.
* Pain in the forehead, jaw, teeth and cheeks, or between the eyes.
* Swollen or inflamed tear ducts, eyelids, and other tissues surrounding the eyes.
* Congestion, sore throat, neck pain or cough.
* Fever.
* Weakness and fatigue.
Health Tip: If Your Child Has a Bruise
Bruises are common in children, and most heal on their own. Some bruises, however, may require examination by a doctor.
The University of Virginia Health System says these symptoms should be evaluated by a physician:
* Bruising often or easily, without a known injury or cause.
* Significant or increased pain or swelling around a bruise.
* Inability to move a limb or a joint.
* Injury or bruising to an eye.
* Signs that a bone may be broken.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Health Headlines - September 11
A Suicide Occurs Every 30 Seconds: WHO
Each day around the world, almost 3,000 people commit suicide, which works out to about one suicide every 30 seconds, says a World Health Organization report released Monday to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day.
The report also said that for every person who commits suicide, there are at least 20 more people who try to kill themselves, Agence France-Presse reported.
The global suicide rate has risen 60 percent over the last 50 years. Suicide is now among the top three causes of death among people ages 15 to 34. However, most suicide victims are 60 and older, the WHO said.
The agency said it's striving "to ensure that suicide is no longer seen as a taboo or an acceptable result of personal or social crises, but as a health condition influenced by psycho-social, cultural and environmental risk factors," AFP reported.
-----
Asymptomatic Patients Can Spread C. difficile
People who have Clostridium difficile spores in the gastrointestinal tract but don't show any signs of illness -- such as diarrhea -- may help spread the common infection in hospitals and long-term care facilities, a U.S. study finds.
Researchers evaluated 73 patients at the Louis Stokes Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio. They discovered that the bacteria was nearly as likely to be found on the skin or around the bedside of asymptomatic patients with C. difficile as on patients sick with C. difficile diarrhea, the Canadian Press reported.
The findings contradict previous studies that concluded that asymptomatic C. difficile carriers don't contribute to the spread of the bacteria in health care settings. The new study will be published in the Oct. 15 issue of the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.
"The patients we should worry the most about are the patients who are having diarrhea," said senior author Dr. Curtis Donskey, director of infection control at Louis Stokes, and a researcher at Case Western Reserve University. "But there are a lot of patients in hospitals and nursing homes who are carrying the organism. And even though they're not having diarrhea, they're often incontinent or very sick and often have kind of reduced standards of hygiene."
-----
3D Face Scan Helps Detect Genetic Disorders
3D face scans can help identify children with rare genetic disorders, according to British researchers who developed software that compares a person's face with a catalogue of images of people with known genetic conditions, BBC News reported.
There are more than 700 genetic conditions that can affect facial traits. However, some of these conditions are rare, and because facial differences can be extremely subtle, initial diagnosis are sometimes difficult.
Professor Peter Hammond, of the University College London Institute for Child Health, collected 3D images of children with known genetic disorders. The software uses these images to produce the "average face" of a child with a genetic disorder, BBC News reported
"When we have a child with an unknown condition, we take a 3D picture of their face and we have developed techniques that allow us to compare their face with these averages," Hammond said.
Details about the technique, which has a 90 percent success rate, were presented at the BA Festival in York, BBC News reported.
-----
FDA Reviews Nutritional Symbols on Food Packaging
The usefulness of easy-to-understand symbols on the front of food packaging to quickly convey nutritional information is being assessed at a two-day U.S. Food and Drug Administration hearing that began Monday.
The agency will gather opinions from medical experts, watchdog organizations, food companies and trade groups, the Associated Press reported. The FDA is trying to determine whether this approach can provide consumers with clear, concise nutritional information instead of having to scan small print information usually located on the back of food boxes, cans or bags.
The agency wants to collect information on how consumers respond to such symbols and whether the symbols promote healthier eating habits. Any FDA action on the matter is likely years away, however.
Some U.S. food companies already use symbols to indicate the nutritional value of their products. One New England supermarket chain uses a zero to three-star system to rate more than 25,000 food items on its shelves, the AP reported. In England, some food companies use a "traffic light" symbol to rank foods based on levels of fat, salt and sugar.
-----
Brain-Injured Soldiers Challenge U.S. Medical System
The thousands of American troops with blast-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) are proving a challenge for the U.S. medical system, according to the Associated Press.
Blast-related brain injuries are markedly different from brain injuries caused by falls and car crashes.
"I've been in the field for 20-plus years dealing with TBI. I have a very experienced staff. And they're saying to me, 'We're seeing things we've never seen before,'" Sandy Schneider, director of Vanderbilt University's brain injury rehabilitation program, told the AP.
Doctors are learning that symptoms of blast-related TBI often overlap with post-traumatic stress disorder and both conditions must be treated.
The exact number of U.S. troops with blast-related TBI isn't known, but the numbers are straining the resources of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the AP reported.
About one-fifth of troops with mild TBI, and nearly all of those with moderate or severe TBI, will have prolonged or lifelong symptoms requiring continuing care, according to the U.S. military.
-----
Brains of Liberals and Conservative Differ: Study
When confronted with difficult choices, the brains of liberals and conservatives respond differently, says a New York University study in the current issue of the journal Nature Neuroscience.
The study included 43 people who did a series of computer tests designed to evaluate their responses to cues to deviate from a well-established routine, Agence France-Presse reported.
While the participants did the computer tests, the researchers scanned activity in an area of the brain called the anterior cingulate cortex, which is strongly linked with the self-regulatory process of conflict monitoring.
The study found that the brains of participants who described themselves as liberals showed "significantly greater conflict-related neural activity" when they were prompted to deviate from normal routine. Conservatives showed less flexibility and refused to break from normal routine "despite signals that this ... should be changed," the researchers said.
The findings suggest that some people's political preferences may be hard-wired, AFP reported.
Health Tips for September 11
Health Tip: When Your Taste Buds Sour
Taste impairments can be caused by anything that affects the way the brain processes your sense of taste, including smoking, a vitamin deficiency, a drug, or even the common cold.
Here are other common causes of taste problems, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:
* Aging.
* Strep throat or flu.
* An injury to the mouth, nose, or head.
* Gingivitis (gum disease).
* Conditions such as Bell's Palsy, Sjogren Syndrome, or pharyngitis.
* Dryness of the mouth.
* An infection in the nasal passages, sinusitis or nasal polyps.
Health Tip: Dealing With Dandruff
Dandruff, also known as seborrheic dermatitis, occurs when flakes of skin develop on the scalp or inside the ear.
The skin condition, which can run in families, may be triggered by stress, fatigue, oily skin, acne or using hair or skin products that contain alcohol, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says. Infrequent showering or shampooing may also trigger dandruff.
To treat the condition, over-the-counter dandruff or medicated shampoos should be used daily. Active ingredients in these shampoos include salicylic acid, coal tar, zinc, resorcin, ketoconazole or selenium.
The hair and other affected areas should be washed for about five minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
Taste impairments can be caused by anything that affects the way the brain processes your sense of taste, including smoking, a vitamin deficiency, a drug, or even the common cold.
Here are other common causes of taste problems, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:
* Aging.
* Strep throat or flu.
* An injury to the mouth, nose, or head.
* Gingivitis (gum disease).
* Conditions such as Bell's Palsy, Sjogren Syndrome, or pharyngitis.
* Dryness of the mouth.
* An infection in the nasal passages, sinusitis or nasal polyps.
Health Tip: Dealing With Dandruff
Dandruff, also known as seborrheic dermatitis, occurs when flakes of skin develop on the scalp or inside the ear.
The skin condition, which can run in families, may be triggered by stress, fatigue, oily skin, acne or using hair or skin products that contain alcohol, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says. Infrequent showering or shampooing may also trigger dandruff.
To treat the condition, over-the-counter dandruff or medicated shampoos should be used daily. Active ingredients in these shampoos include salicylic acid, coal tar, zinc, resorcin, ketoconazole or selenium.
The hair and other affected areas should be washed for about five minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Health Headlines - September 10
Laura Bush Back at White House After Pinched Nerve Surgery
First lady Laura Bush's Saturday surgery to relieve pain from pinched nerves in her neck was successful, the Associated Press reports.
The two-and-a-half hour minimally invasive surgery at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C. did not require an overnight stay, and the wire service quotes Sally McDonough, Mrs. Bush's spokeswoman as saying she was back at the White House and resting comfortably.
Mrs. Bush injured her neck while hiking earlier this year and had been treating it with physical therapy, the A.P. reported, but the condition had become serious enough to require surgery. It caused Mrs. Bush to cancel accompanying her husband on his trip to Australia for the annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.
While Mrs. Bush had no activities scheduled Monday, McDonough told the wire service the First Lady would be resuming her schedule soon. "Every patient is different, so there's no kind of set timeframe. She will certainly ease back into her schedule," McDonough said.
----
Painful Mosquito-Borne Virus Confirmed in Northern Italy
While U.S. health professionals work to prevent outbreaks of the sometimes fatal West Nile virus, Europe now has a confirmed outbreak of another mosquito-borne illness, this one called chikungunya.
According to BBC News, 160 cases of chikungunya, which is caused by a mosquito bite, have been confirmed in northern Italy in the villages of Castiglione di Ravenna and Castiglione di Cervia.
The name chikungunya is derived from Swahili, meaning "that which bends up," the BBC reports, because most of the symptoms are arthritic-type and leave victims stooped over.
While not often fatal, chikungunya is quite painful and can persist for several weeks or months, similar to the way Lyme Disease affects Americans. But Lyme disease, usually caused by a deer tick bite, is bacterial and can be treated with antibiotics. This is ineffective for chikungunya, which is caused by a virus.
European medical authorities are warning travelers in Italy to take extra mosquito protection measures, including repellent spray, and health officials in the affected area say steps have been taken to reduce the mosquito population, according to the BBC reports. There is no vaccination to protect against chikungunya, the BBC added.
-----
U.S. Dog Population Now Rabies-Free, Government Says
Although rabies is still found in North American wild animals, there have been no reported cases of canine rabies in the United States this year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
Commemorating Sept. 7 as World Rabies Day in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO) and a number of other groups, the CDC formally declared rabies as having been eliminated in the U.S. dog population.
"The elimination of canine rabies in the United States represents one of the major public health success stories in the last 50 years," Dr. Charles Rupprecht, Chief of the CDC Rabies Program, said in an agency news release.
There are still at least 55,000 rabies deaths worldwide every year, the CDC says. The last death reported in the United States was in 2006, when a Wisconsin teenager was bitten by a bat and didn't receive the rabies treatment inoculation in time.
-----
Alcohol Consumption Can Double Uterine Cancer Risk, Study Says
Two or more alcoholic drinks a day may double the risk of endometrial (uterine) cancer, researchers at the University of Southern California have found.
According to a USC news release, the scientists found that the relationship between estrogen levels and alcohol in post-menopausal women is the key element. "Previous studies have shown that alcohol consumption has been associated with higher levels of estrogens in postmenopausal women, which could be the mechanism by which daily alcohol intake increases ones risk of endometrial cancer," Veronica Wendy Setiawan, assistant professor of preventive medicine at USC's Keck School of Medicine, says in the news release.
The researchers used a huge database of more than 215,000 people developed in 1993 by Dr. Brian Henderson, dean of the Keck School of Medicine of USC, and Dr. Laurence Kolonel of the University of Hawaii. They examined the drinking habits of more than 41,000 multi-ethnic women from Los Angeles and Hawaii for an average of eight years.
The results are preliminary, Henderson said, but he added he was encouraged that "This discovery is important as it suggests that changes to certain lifestyle choices may potentially help alter risk of the disease."
The study will appear in a later issue of the International Journal of Cancer.
-----
Dietary Supplement Recalled for Unapproved Ingredients
The maker of Zencore Tabs, marketed as a dietary supplement to enhance male sexual stamina, is recalling the product because it contains undeclared ingredients including aminotadalafil and sildenafil, chemicals whose derivatives are used in prescription medicines for erectile dysfunction, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday.
These and two other chemical ingredients, sulfosildenafil and sulfohomosildenafil, may interact with nitrates found in certain prescription drugs and could lower blood pressure to dangerous levels, the FDA said in a statement.
Zencore is marketed by Los Angeles-based Bodee LLC.
Consumers who have this product are urged to stop using it immediately and to see a health-care professional if they notice any side effects, the FDA said.
-----
Chinese-Made Candles Pose Burn Hazards
Some 83,000 Chinese-made outdoor candles sold at Ace Hardware stores nationwide are being recalled because their unusually high flames pose burn and fire hazards to users, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Friday.
The Hayes citronella "Avant Yarde" decorative candles have glazed lower portions that are brown, blue or green. Item number 18134 can be found on a label on the bottom of the product.
The candles were sold from February 2006 through June 2007 for about $8.
Consumers should stop using the products immediately and return them to any Ace Hardware store for a refund. To learn more, contact the distributor, Hayes Co. Inc., at 800-838-5053.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)