Health Tip: Living With MS
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, causing nerve damage that tends to worsen over time.
There is no cure for MS. But here's information about treatment options that may help alleviate symptoms, provided by the U.S. National Library of Medicine:
* Drugs to help control the immune system, including interferons (Avonex, Betaseron or Rebif), monoclonal antibodies (Tysabri), and glatiramer acetate (Copaxone).
* Steroids to minimize damage caused when the immune system attacks the nervous system.
* Medications to decrease the incidence of muscle spasms.
* Antidepressants.
* Physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy.
* A regular exercise program, especially when begun just after diagnosis.
Health Tip: Understanding Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes ulcers to form along the gastrointestinal tract.
Symptoms may range from mild to severe; some severe cases may require surgery.
Here's more information about Crohn's disease, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:
* Symptoms often include stomach cramps, diarrhea and bloody stools.
* Additional signs may include fatigue, nausea and joint pain.
* For mild forms, antibiotics and drugs called salicylates may help. Steroids are generally prescribed for people with more severe disease.
* Crohn's cannot be cured, but many people who are treated have no symptoms for long periods.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Friday, October 19, 2007
Health Headlines - October 19
Millions of American Teens Smoke, Drink, Use Drugs Each Day: Report
On an average day in 2006, 1.2 million American teens smoked cigarettes, 631,000 drank, 586,000 used marijuana, almost 50,000 used inhalants, 27,000 used hallucinogens, 13,000 used cocaine, and 3,800 used heroin, according to a government report released Thursday.
It also found that on an average day, almost 8,000 adolescents ages 12 to 17 drank alcohol for the first time, about 4,300 used an illicit drug for the first time, about 4,000 smoked cigarettes for the first time, almost 3,600 used marijuana for the first time, and about 2,500 abused pain reliever for the first time.
The report, by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is based on national surveys conducted and analyzed by the agency's Office of Applied Studies.
"While other studies have shown that significant progress has been made in lowering the levels of substance abuse among young people in the last few years, this report shows many young people are still engaging in risky behavior," SAMHSA Administrator Terry Cline said in a prepared statement.
"By breaking the data down and analyzing on a day-to-day basis, we gain fresh perspective on how deeply substance abuse pervades the lives of many young people and their families," Cline said.
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Pfizer Stops Making Inhaled Insulin Product
Pfizer Inc. announced Thursday that it was halting production of its inhaled insulin product Exubera, which was touted as a major advance for diabetes patients when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it in January 2006.
"Despite our best efforts, Exubera failed to gain the acceptance of patients and physicians. We have therefore concluded that further investment in this product is unwarranted," Pfizer Chief Executive Jeff Kindler said in a prepared statement.
There were a number of problems with Exubera, Forbes reported. The drug seemed to decrease lung function, apparently due to the way the insulin was delivered into the lungs. There were also problems with dosing because it proved a challenge to convert a patient's normal insulin dose into a dosage of Exubera.
And as Pfizer was forced to conduct safety studies on Exubera's effect on lung function, other companies developed less painful methods of insulin injection, Forbes reported.
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U.S. West Nile Infections Reach 3,022
So far this year, there have been 3,022 reported cases of human West Nile virus illness in 42 states, with 76 fatalities, according to a report published Thursday in this week's issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Of the cases reported so far this year, 1,646 (55 percent) occurred males and the median age of patients was 51 years, with an age range of 15 months to 97 years.
There have been 265 presumptive West Nile viremic donors (PVDs) reported: 46 in California, 37 in Texas, 24 in North Dakota, 21 in South Dakota, 20 in Colorado, 17 in Minnesota, 16 in Oklahoma, 13 in Montana, 12 in Mississippi, 11 in Missouri, seven in Arizona, six in Ohio, five each in Iowa and Utah, four each in Kentucky and New Mexico, three each in Puerto Rico and Wyoming, two each in Indiana and Pennsylvania, and one each in Louisiana, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Of those reported PVD cases, 52 subsequently developed West Nile fever and two people developed neuroinvasive illness.
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FDA Widens Approval of Meningitis Vaccine for Young Kids
The approved age range for the bacterial meningitis vaccine Menactra has been expanded to include children ages 2 to 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday. The vaccine had been approved for people ages 11 to 55.
Previously, a product called Menomune was the only meningitis vaccine approved in the U.S. for use in children ages 2 and older. Both Menactra and Menomune are made by Sanofi Pasteur Inc. and offer protection against four groups of the bacterium that can cause meningitis.
In the United States, about 2,600 people become ill from bacterial meningitis each year. About 10 percent of those patients die and about 15 percent suffer brain damage or limb amputation.
Meningitis vaccine is recommended for children ages 2 to 10 who are at increased risk for developing meningitis including: those who have had their spleen removed or whose spleen is not functioning; those who are traveling to areas outside the U.S. where the disease is common; and those with a condition called terminal complement component deficiency, which makes it difficult to fight infection. Vaccination is also used to control outbreaks of bacterial meningitis.
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Regular Aspirin Use Against Heart Attack May Only Work for Men
An aspirin a day to protect against heart attack may only work for men, say Canadian researchers who reviewed data from 23 international studies involving more than 113,000 people.
The University of British Columbia team found that regular aspirin use reduced heart attack risk by 25 percent in men, but had almost no effect on women, the Toronto Star reported. The findings were published online Wednesday in the journal BMC Medicine.
"For people without risk factors who haven't had heart attacks in the past ... Aspirin in women is not very effective. In fact, it's not effective," said study co-author Dr. Don Sin, an assistant professor of medicine. "Whereas it seems to be quite effective in preventing heart attacks in men."
The disparity between men and women may due to gender-related physiological differences, suggested Dr. Peter Liu, head of circulatory research at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Star reported.
In men, heart attacks are often caused by plaque build-ups that break off an arterial wall and block an important blood vessel. In women, it's believed that plaque wears away at coronary arteries, causing them to spasm shut and trigger a heart attack.
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Britain Facing Obesity Crisis: Report
By 2050, 60 percent of men, 50 percent of women, and 25 percent of children in Britain could be obese unless drastic action is taken, warns a British government report that found little evidence that current anti-obesity policies are effective
The document said that excess weight has become the norm and described Britain as an "obesogenic" society. Over the last 25 years, the number of overweight and obese people in Britain has tripled and about one-quarter of adults are now obese, the Associated Press reported.
In the United States, one-third of adults are obese and two-thirds are overweight.
The authors of the report proposed a number of measures to control weight gain, including: earlier action when young children start gaining too much weight; controlling high-calorie foods; increasing employer responsibility; targeting people at increased risk for weight gain; and changing the designs of towns in order to increase residents' physical activity, the AP reported.
"There is a danger that the moment to act radically and dramatically will be missed," said Sir David King, head author of the report and the government's chief scientific adviser. "It (obesity) is a problem that is getting worse every year."
Health Tips for October 19
Health Tip: Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which the body doesn't properly process the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar. This form of diabetes is controlled with medication, proper diet and exercise, and maintaining a healthy body weight, and normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse lists common risk factors for type 2 diabetes:
* Being overweight.
* Being over age 45.
* Having a family history of type 2 diabetes.
* Giving birth to a large baby (more than 9 pounds).
* Having high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
* Having a history of heart disease.
* Maintaining a sedentary lifestyle and getting little or no exercise.
Health Tip: Soothing Morning Sickness
When you're pregnant, it's important to eat healthy, regular meals to provide plenty of nutrients for your developing baby. But morning sickness can make that a tough task.
Here are some suggestions when you're dealing with morning sickness, courtesy of the University of Michigan Health System:
* Get enough rest.
* First thing in the morning, eat a few pretzels, crackers or some dry cereal.
* Eat small meals frequently throughout the day.
* Stay away from greasy, fried or spicy foods.
* Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Try to drink them between meals instead of just with them.
* If you don't feel like you can eat anything and can't drink water, try some ice chips, fruit juice or fruit juice popsicles.
* Steer clear of offensive odors.
Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which the body doesn't properly process the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar. This form of diabetes is controlled with medication, proper diet and exercise, and maintaining a healthy body weight, and normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse lists common risk factors for type 2 diabetes:
* Being overweight.
* Being over age 45.
* Having a family history of type 2 diabetes.
* Giving birth to a large baby (more than 9 pounds).
* Having high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
* Having a history of heart disease.
* Maintaining a sedentary lifestyle and getting little or no exercise.
Health Tip: Soothing Morning Sickness
When you're pregnant, it's important to eat healthy, regular meals to provide plenty of nutrients for your developing baby. But morning sickness can make that a tough task.
Here are some suggestions when you're dealing with morning sickness, courtesy of the University of Michigan Health System:
* Get enough rest.
* First thing in the morning, eat a few pretzels, crackers or some dry cereal.
* Eat small meals frequently throughout the day.
* Stay away from greasy, fried or spicy foods.
* Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Try to drink them between meals instead of just with them.
* If you don't feel like you can eat anything and can't drink water, try some ice chips, fruit juice or fruit juice popsicles.
* Steer clear of offensive odors.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Health Headlines - October 18
Children's Care a 'Gap' in U.S. Pandemic Plans: Report
U.S. government plans for a flu pandemic have major gaps in terms of treating and caring for children, says a report released Wednesday by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Trust for America's Health (TFAH).
The report noted that children ages 0-19 account for nearly 46 percent of all deaths caused by the H5N1 bird flu virus.
"Children are not simply small adults, especially when it comes to medical concerns. The fact the H5N1 has been disproportionately impacting children and adolescents should give us pause," Jeff Levi, TFAH executive director, said in a prepared statement. "As the U.S. prepares for the threat of a possible pandemic flu, we must make caring for our kids a priority, not an afterthought."
The report identified four major areas of concern: child-appropriate doses of vaccine and medications; management and treatment of children who become ill; inclusion of children in strategies to slow the spread of influenza in communities; and caring for and supervising the health of children if schools and childcare facilities are closed for extended periods of time.
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Diabetes Drug Byetta Linked to Acute Pancreatitis
Doctors and patients are being warned that the diabetes drug Byetta may cause acute pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas that can be fatal, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued the alert after it reviewed 30 cases of acute pancreatitis that have been reported since Byetta was approved for sale in the U.S. in 2005.
The drug is marketed by Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. of San Diego and Eli Lilly & Co. of Indianapolis. Amylin has agreed to update Byetta's label to provide clear advice on the signs and symptoms of acute pancreatitis that doctors should look for, the Wall Street Journal reported. Those signs include persistent, severe abdominal pain that can radiate to the back and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Tests are needed to confirm the condition, the FDA said.
Patients should stop taking Byetta if pancreatitis is suspected, the agency said. If the condition is confirmed, patients shouldn't start taking the drug again until the cause of the pancreatitis is found.
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Egg Freezing Shouldn't Be Offered to Healthy Women, Experts Say
Egg freezing shouldn't be marketed or offered to healthy women who want to delay having children until later in life, says a joint statement issued Tuesday by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the American Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologies.
The statement said the procedure is still too experimental and healthy women seeking egg freezing should receive counseling that clearly explains the many downsides of the procedure, including the fact that only two to four percent of frozen eggs produce a live birth, the Canadian Press reported.
Experts are worried that healthy women who want to freeze eggs so they can have children later in life may not have an accurate idea of the low success rates, said Dr. Marc Fritz, chair of the committee that prepared the policy statement.
He also noted that the science of egg freezing is still new and little is known about whether babies born from frozen eggs are healthy, both at birth and over the long term, the CP reported.
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Average Cost of Having a Baby in U.S. now $7,600
The average cost of having a baby in the United States has now topped $7,600, according to the latest News and Numbers summary from the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
The cost, in 2004 dollars, includes payments for prenatal office visits, prescription medicines, hospital childbirth, and other services.
Among the other findings in the summary:
- Women with private insurance and those with Medicaid had about the same average costs ($2,000) for prenatal care. However, inpatient delivery costs for those with private insurance averaged $6,520, compared with $4,577 for those on Medicaid.
- Privately insured women paid about eight percent of their total expenses out of pocket (about $600 for a woman with an average level of expenses), while women on Medicaid paid about one percent out of pocket.
- About 23 percent of all women had some prescription drug expenses associated with their pregnancy. The median amount of the expenses was $640. About three-quarters of all prescription drug expenses were for nutritional products such as prenatal vitamins.
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FDA Approves New Breast Cancer Drug
A new chemotherapy drug called Ixempra received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval Tuesday for treatment of women with advanced breast cancer who haven't responded to treatment with three other types of chemotherapy.
The drug, made by Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., was also approved for use with the chemotherapy drug capecitabine (brand name Xeloda) for treatment of women with breast cancer that's spread to other parts of the body, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Ixempra was granted priority review status by the FDA. This status, which cuts four months off the standard 10-month drug review time, is given to products that are considered to be an advance over existing therapies on the market.
Ixempra, which belongs to a new class of drugs called epothilones, is designed to stop the growth of cancer cells. It does this by targeting a protein called tubulin that helps cells proliferate, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Bristol-Myers is also studying the use of Ixempra for treatment of earlier-stage breast cancer, as well as ovarian, prostate, renal, pancreatic and non small cell lung cancers.
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FDA Panel Supports Earlier Use of Phosphate Binders Against Kidney Disease
Earlier use of drugs called phosphate binders to treat hyperphosphatemia (elevated levels of phosphorus in the blood) in patients with Stage 4 chronic kidney disease was recommended Tuesday by a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory committee.
However, the Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee didn't reach consensus on which additional studies may be required, according to a news release from Shire Pharmaceuticals, which makes a product to treat hyperphosphatemia. The FDA is not required to follow the advisory panel's recommendation. No time frame has been set on when the FDA will make a decision on the committee's recommendation.
Normal adult blood phosphorus levels are 2.5 to 4.5 milligrams per deciliter, but levels in patients on dialysis often exceed 6.5 mg/dL. Hyperphosphatemia can cause bone pain, brittle bones, skeletal deformities and fractures, as well as calcification of vascular and other soft tissues. The condition also contributes to cardiovascular disease, which accounts for nearly half of all deaths among dialysis patients.
The National Kidney Foundation recommends that monitoring for hyperphosphatemia should begin in patients with Stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and that serum phosphorus levels should be maintained within a target range of 2.7 to 4.6 mg/dL in patients with CKD Stages 3 and 4, and within a range of 3.5 to 5.5 mg/dL for patients with CKD Stage 5.
Health Tips for October 18
Health Tip: Risk Factors for Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes, sometimes called juvenile diabetes, affects the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels.
Here is a list of potential risk factors for the disease, courtesy of Aurora Health Care:
* A family history of type 1 diabetes.
* Having another autoimmune disease.
* Being born to an older mother.
* Being born to a mother who had preeclampsia.
* Being of Northern European or Mediterranean descent.
* Certain environmental factors, including stress or exposure to certain toxins.
Health Tip: Minimize Scarring After a Burn
Most serious burns will cause scarring. Although some scarring may always be visible, there are steps you can take to help minimize their appearance on your child.
The Lucile Packard Children's Hospital offers these suggestions:
* Wear a pressure garment around the burn.
* Wear a splint to prevent a contracture -- a serious complication of burn scarring that can restrict movement.
* Perform exercises recommended by a physical therapist that promote a wide range of motion.
* Encourage your child to be active and to do things independently. Daily activities will help keep the scar area stretched and prevent complications.
Type 1 diabetes, sometimes called juvenile diabetes, affects the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels.
Here is a list of potential risk factors for the disease, courtesy of Aurora Health Care:
* A family history of type 1 diabetes.
* Having another autoimmune disease.
* Being born to an older mother.
* Being born to a mother who had preeclampsia.
* Being of Northern European or Mediterranean descent.
* Certain environmental factors, including stress or exposure to certain toxins.
Health Tip: Minimize Scarring After a Burn
Most serious burns will cause scarring. Although some scarring may always be visible, there are steps you can take to help minimize their appearance on your child.
The Lucile Packard Children's Hospital offers these suggestions:
* Wear a pressure garment around the burn.
* Wear a splint to prevent a contracture -- a serious complication of burn scarring that can restrict movement.
* Perform exercises recommended by a physical therapist that promote a wide range of motion.
* Encourage your child to be active and to do things independently. Daily activities will help keep the scar area stretched and prevent complications.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Health Headlines - October 17
Drug Treatment for HIV a Challenge in Africa
In sub-Saharan Africa, more than one-third of HIV patients taking antiretroviral drugs die or discontinue treatment within two years of starting it, says a Boston University School of Public Health study published online in the journal Public Library of Science. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.
The researchers examined antiretroviral treatment programs in 13 sub-Saharan countries and found that two years after the start of treatment, only 61.6 percent of patients were still taking the drugs, BBC News reported.
There were a number factors for this low rate of adherence. Some patients started taking the drugs too late and died within a few months of starting treatment. Others stopped because it was too difficult to obtain the drugs (for example, they lived too far away from the clinic that dispensed the medication). Also cost appeared to be a factor for some patients.
The study also found that retention rates varied widely across Africa. In Uganda, one program had a patient retention rate of 46 percent over two years, while another program in South Africa had an 85 percent retention rate, BBC News reported.
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Acupuncture May Reduce Chances of IVF
Having acupuncture while undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) may lessen a woman's chances of getting pregnant, says a University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center study.
One group of 46 women had acupuncture for 25 minutes before and after embryo transfer, while the 43 women in the control group had no acupuncture. The study found that 43.8 percent of the women in the acupuncture group became pregnant, compared with 69.6 percent of those in the control group, the Daily Mail in the U.K. reported.
"The results of our study suggest that women having fertility treatment should not be advised to have acupuncture," said study author Dr. LaTasha Craig, a fertility expert at the University of Oklahoma.
These findings contradict previous studies that found acupuncture improved a woman's chances of getting pregnant while undergoing IVF, the Daily Mail reported.
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Obesity Strongest Risk Factor for Colorectal Cancer in Women: Study
In women, obesity is the strongest risk factor for developing colorectal cancer, say researchers who examined data from 1,252 women who had colonoscopies. The research was led by scientists at Stony Brook University in New York.
The women were classified according to age, smoking history, family history of colorectal cancer, and body mass index (BMI). Obesity was defined as having a BMI of at least 30, CBC News reported.
Among women in the study who had colorectal cancer, 20 percent were obese and 14 percent were smokers. The findings were presented Monday at the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology.
"Given the increasing number of obese patients in the U.S., identifying them as high risk may have important screening implications," said Dr. Joseph Anderson, one of the study authors. "While obesity is positively associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer, patients who lower their BMI could potentially reduce their risk of developing this disease in the future," CBC News quoted him as saying.
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U.S. Bill Urges Research Into Postpartum Depression
A bill promoting more research into postpartum depression was passed Monday by the U.S. House and now goes to the Senate. The bill encourages federal health agencies to aggressively pursue ongoing studies into postpartum depression and to launch a national campaign to increase awareness of the condition, the Associated Press reported. The bill allocates $3 million to fund those objectives.
Bill sponsor Rep. Bobby Rush (D.-Ill.) said increased attention on postpartum depression would mean it would no longer "be dismissed as mere 'baby blues.'"
Postpartum depression affects up to one-fifth of new mothers and can lead to more serious mental health problems if left untreated, the AP reported. Rush said that 90 percent of postpartum cases are treatable, but only 15 percent of women with the condition receive treatment.
The bill, which passed by a vote of 382-3, also included a Republican-backed provision that approves a National Institutes of Mental Health study into the psychological effects experienced by women who have an abortion.
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Daily Ejaculation May Boost Fertility of Men With Damaged Sperm
Men with damaged sperm should ejaculate every day in order to boost the likelihood of becoming fathers, according to a study by researchers at Sydney University in Australia.
It's common for men with fertility problems to abstain from sex for several days in order to increase sperm numbers. But the Sydney University team said this could result in poorer quality sperm in some men, BBC News reported.
The study included 42 men with abnormally-shaped sperm. The researchers compared samples of the men's sperm after three days' abstinence and samples collected when the men ejaculated daily for seven days. All but five of the men showed less sperm damage in the samples collected during daily ejaculation than in samples collected after abstinence.
The findings were presented at a meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
"This research shows that when you put people on a daily ejaculation regime, it reduces the figure for DNA damage," Dr. Allan Pacey, the secretary of the British Fertility Society, told BBC News.
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CDC to Recommend Shingles Vaccine for Older Adults
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control is expected to recommend that people 60 and older receive a vaccine that prevents shingles, according to CBC News. The vaccine, called Zostavax, is made by Merck and Co.
"The vaccine is safe and effective and anybody 60 and above should seek out the vaccine," CDC spokesman Curtis Allen told CBC News. He said CDC has been unofficially recommending the vaccine for people 60 and older since October 2006, when a panel of experts made the recommendation.
A formal CDC announcement will likely be made in about a month and will be published in the agency's journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
The CDC believes the vaccine is a safe and effective way of reducing the risk of shingles in older adults. "It can happen a number of times and it can be debilitating, particularly for older people," Allen told CBC News.
A shingles rash is painful and can be accompanied by headache, chills, fever and upset stomach. In rare cases, shingles can lead to hearing problems, blindness, pneumonia, brain inflammation or death.
Health Tips for October 17
Health Tip: Breast Self-Exams
Women should give themselves a breast exam each month, beginning at age 20. This exam should be performed at about the same time every month.
Here are suggestions on what to look for during breast self-exam, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:
* Any changes in an existing lump or a new lump that you haven't felt before.
* Abnormal thickening of the breasts.
* Discharge from the nipples that is bloody or sticky.
* Differences in the skin on your nipples, especially dimpling or puckering of the skin.
* An increase in size of one breast.
* One breast that hangs lower than the other.
Any of these warnings signs should be evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible.
Health Tip: If You Have an Eye Infection
Contact lenses may rub against the surface of the eye, leading to an irritation or an infection. Left untreated, some infections can be serious enough to cause vision loss.
It is important to seek prompt care if your contact lenses are irritating your eyes. If you have any symptoms of infection including blurred vision, pain, discharge, swelling, burning or sensitivity to light, follow these suggestions provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:
* Immediately remove your contact lenses, and don't put another set in your eyes.
* Store your lenses in a case with solution to take to your eye doctor. He or she may need to examine them to diagnose the problem.
* Immediately contact your eye doctor, and don't wear your lenses again until after you've spoken with your doctor.
Women should give themselves a breast exam each month, beginning at age 20. This exam should be performed at about the same time every month.
Here are suggestions on what to look for during breast self-exam, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:
* Any changes in an existing lump or a new lump that you haven't felt before.
* Abnormal thickening of the breasts.
* Discharge from the nipples that is bloody or sticky.
* Differences in the skin on your nipples, especially dimpling or puckering of the skin.
* An increase in size of one breast.
* One breast that hangs lower than the other.
Any of these warnings signs should be evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible.
Health Tip: If You Have an Eye Infection
Contact lenses may rub against the surface of the eye, leading to an irritation or an infection. Left untreated, some infections can be serious enough to cause vision loss.
It is important to seek prompt care if your contact lenses are irritating your eyes. If you have any symptoms of infection including blurred vision, pain, discharge, swelling, burning or sensitivity to light, follow these suggestions provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:
* Immediately remove your contact lenses, and don't put another set in your eyes.
* Store your lenses in a case with solution to take to your eye doctor. He or she may need to examine them to diagnose the problem.
* Immediately contact your eye doctor, and don't wear your lenses again until after you've spoken with your doctor.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Health Headlines - October 16
Personal Care, Food Service Workers Have Highest Depression Rates
Personal care and food service workers have the highest rates of depression (10.8 percent and 10.3 percent, respectively) among full time workers in the United States, says a report released Monday by the federal government's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Overall, seven percent of fulltime workers ages 18-64 experienced one or more major depressive episodes in the past year. Women were more likely than men to suffer depression and young adults, ages 18-25, had the highest rate of depression (8.9 percent) among all age groups of adults working fulltime.
Depression rates among other age groups were: 7.6 percent, ages 26-34; 7.2 percent, ages 35-49; 5.1 percent, ages 50-64. Among young adult workers, those in health care and technical occupations had the highest rate of depression within the past year (11.9 percent).
Occupations with the lowest rates of depression were: engineering, architecture and surveying, 4.3 percent; life, physical and social science, 4.4 percent; and installation, maintenance and repair, 4.4 percent.
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California Bans Kids' Products with Dangerous Chemical
Toys and baby products such as teething rings that contain more than a trace amount of a chemical used to soften plastics will be banned from California beginning in 2009. Studies have found that the chemical, phthalate, interferes with hormones and may lead to early puberty, reproduction defects and other health issues, the Associated Press reported.
Under the bill, signed into law Sunday, any product made for young children that contains more than one tenth of one percent of phthalates can't be made, sold or distributed in California, the first state to impose such a ban. Some other states are considering banning phthalates in certain products.
The European Union and at least 14 other countries have banned phthalates, the Associated Press reported.
Toy industry representatives have claimed that the levels of toxic chemicals and the length of exposures associated with children's toys are both so low that they're not a health threat.
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Chlamydia Harms Male Fertility
The common sexually transmitted disease chlamydia damages male fertility, according to a Spanish study of 143 men. It was already known that untreated chlamydia infection can cause infertility in women.
In this new study, researchers analyzed sperm from men infected with chlamydia who hadn't been able to father children. The level of DNA damage in the men's sperm was more than three times higher than in healthy men, BBC News reported.
The researchers also found that the men with chlamydia infection had low sperm concentrations, defective-shaped sperm, and sperm that were unable to swim quickly. When 95 of the infertile men were treated with antibiotics, their DNA sperm damage improved an average of 36 percent within four months.
After completion of antibiotic treatment, 86 percent of the men were able to impregnate their partners, BBC News reported. The study was presented at an American Society for Reproductive Medicine meeting.
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Medtronic Warns of Faulty Heart Implant Component
U.S. medical device maker Medtronic said Sunday that an important component in its most recent implantable heart defibrillator models is prone to a defect that has caused hundreds of malfunctions and may have contributed to five deaths.
The company warned doctors to stop using the faulty Sprint Fidelis electrical lead, a wire that connects the heart to the defibrillator, which is designed to shock faltering hearts back into normal rhythm, The New York Times reported. Medtronic has halted sales of the Sprint Fidelis lead and plans to recall all leads not yet implanted in patients.
All the estimated 235,000 patients with the Sprint Fidelis lead should see their doctors to determine whether the lead has developed a fracture that can cause the defibrillator to misread heart-rhythm data, Medtronic said.
The company said this type of malfunction can cause the defibrillator to deliver an unnecessary electrical jolt to the heart, or fail to deliver a shock when it's actually needed, the Times reported.
According to Medtronic, about 2.3 percent (4,000 to 5,000) patients with the Fidelis lead may experience a lead fracture within 30 months of implantation. In such cases, surgery will be required to replace the faulty lead.
Dr. Daniel Schultz, director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, offered some reassurance to patients. "We know it can be frightening for a patient to learn that a product they rely on so much might have a serious defect," he said in a statement released Monday. "However, patients can be assured that the likelihood of fracture is very low and FDA is committed to ensuring that the risk to patients is minimized."
Schultz added that his agency will soon be issuing a "recall classification" regarding the Sprint Fidelis leads. This does not mean that the devices must be surgically removed, he said, only that new ones should not be implanted in patients.
"Neither FDA, Medtronic, nor representatives of the Heart Rhythm Society, recommend the routine surgical removal of a fractured lead because removal carries risks," Schultz said. "Instead, physicians should weigh the benefits and risks of either continuing to use the lead with careful monitoring or capping the lead so it is no longer useable and implanting a different model."
Schultz also noted that "a small number of Sprint Fidelis leads are used with defibrillators made by manufacturers other than Medtronic." Patients who are unsure as to whether they are using the Sprint Fidelis lead should consult with their physician, he said.
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More Family Dinners Seen as Help in Fighting Teen Obesity
The family that eats together may have healthy weight together.
So say University of Minnesota researchers who studied ways parents could help their obese teenage children lose weight.
According to the Associated Press, the scientists, who studied the eating habits of more than 2,500 adolescents over a five year period found that 44 percent of the girls and 20 percent of the boys had weight issues. Among these, 25 percent of the females and 10 percent of the males used extreme measures to control their weight, including vomiting and laxatives.
"We know that these behaviors tend to actually increase weight gain over time, the A.P. quotes lead author Dianne Neumark-Sztainer as saying. "It points to a need to address these behaviors with... overweight kids."
Part of the solution, the researchers concluded, was to have as many family meals together as possible, with no teasing about eating habits, and offering healthful menus. This should accompany family participation in outdoor activities and exercise, the wire service reported.
The study is to be published in the November issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
-----
Fearful Expressions More Rapidly Identified, Study Says
The old axiom that some animals can "smell" fear in another creature has been found to have a slightly different face -- literally -- when it comes to humans recognizing when someone is afraid.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University say they have found evidence that the human brain recognizes fear in a person's face more quickly than it does other emotions.
In a study appearing in the November issue of the journal Emotion, scientists from Vanderbilt's department of psychology attempted to find out how quickly humans could recognize emotional changes in each other's faces, according to a university news release.
Using a technique called continuous flash suppression that keeps people from becoming aware of what they are seeing for up to 10 seconds, the researchers were able to project multiple images to study participants. What they found was that fearful faces were most immediately recognizable.
The reason for this, said David Zald, associate professor of psychology and a co-author of the study, may be because a brain area called the amygdala shortcuts the normal brain pathway for processing visual images.
"We think the amygdala has some crude ability to process stimuli and that it can cue some other visual areas to what they need to focus on," Zald said in the university news release."Fearful eyes are a particular shape, where you get more of the whites of the eye showing," he added.
"That may be the sort of simple feature that the amygdala can pick up on."
Health Tips for October 16
Health Tip: Donating Blood
Donating blood is a safe and easy procedure that can help save lives.
Here is information on what to expect when you donate blood, courtesy of the American Red Cross:
* You'll have a mini-physical exam, where volunteers will check your blood pressure, pulse and temperature. They'll also ask questions about your lifestyle and health.
* The injection site on your arm will be sterilized, then a sterile needle will be inserted. Some minor stinging or discomfort is common when the needle enters the skin.
* It takes about 10 minutes to collect a pint of blood.
* You may need to lie still for a few minutes after the donation, and have a snack or a drink.
* If you donate to the Red Cross, you'll be given a form with follow-up instructions and a phone number to call in case you realize that your blood may not be safe to give to another person.
* A small number of donors may experience dizziness, fatigue or bruising at the injection site.
Health Tip: Tattoos Can Pose Health Risks
Getting a tattoo can pose serious health risks if it's not done properly. The procedure should only be performed under regulated, sanitary and professional conditions.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration lists these potential risks associated with getting a tattoo:
* Infection, including hepatitis and skin infections.
* Allergic reaction to inks.
* Bumps or nodules that may form around the tattooed area, called granulomas.
* Keloids -- abnormal scar growth.
* In rare cases, swelling may occur during an MRI.
* Inability to completely remove the tattoo if you ultimately decide you don't want it.
Donating blood is a safe and easy procedure that can help save lives.
Here is information on what to expect when you donate blood, courtesy of the American Red Cross:
* You'll have a mini-physical exam, where volunteers will check your blood pressure, pulse and temperature. They'll also ask questions about your lifestyle and health.
* The injection site on your arm will be sterilized, then a sterile needle will be inserted. Some minor stinging or discomfort is common when the needle enters the skin.
* It takes about 10 minutes to collect a pint of blood.
* You may need to lie still for a few minutes after the donation, and have a snack or a drink.
* If you donate to the Red Cross, you'll be given a form with follow-up instructions and a phone number to call in case you realize that your blood may not be safe to give to another person.
* A small number of donors may experience dizziness, fatigue or bruising at the injection site.
Health Tip: Tattoos Can Pose Health Risks
Getting a tattoo can pose serious health risks if it's not done properly. The procedure should only be performed under regulated, sanitary and professional conditions.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration lists these potential risks associated with getting a tattoo:
* Infection, including hepatitis and skin infections.
* Allergic reaction to inks.
* Bumps or nodules that may form around the tattooed area, called granulomas.
* Keloids -- abnormal scar growth.
* In rare cases, swelling may occur during an MRI.
* Inability to completely remove the tattoo if you ultimately decide you don't want it.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Health Headlines - October 15
More Family Dinners Seen as Help in Fighting Teen Obesity
The family that eats together may have healthy weight together.
So say University of Minnesota researchers who studied ways parents could help their obese teenage children lose weight.
According to the Associated Press, the scientists, who studied the eating habits of more than 2,500 adolescents over a five year period found that 44 percent of the girls and 20 percent of the boys had weight issues. Among these, 25 percent of the females and 10 percent of the males used extreme measures to control their weight, including vomiting and laxatives.
"We know that these behaviors tend to actually increase weight gain over time, the A.P. quotes lead author Dianne Neumark-Sztainer as saying. "It points to a need to address these behaviors with... overweight kids."
Part of the solution, the researchers concluded, was to have as many family meals together as possible, with no teasing about eating habits, and offering healthful menus. This should accompany family participation in outdoor activities and exercise, the wire service reported.
The study is to be published in the November issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
-----
Fearful Expressions More Rapidly Identified, Study Says
The old axiom that some animals can "smell" fear in another creature has been found to have a slightly different face -- literally -- when it comes to humans recognizing when someone is afraid.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University say they have found evidence that the human brain recognizes fear in a person's face more quickly than it does other emotions.
In a study appearing in the November issue of the journal Emotion, scientists from Vanderbilt's department of psychology attempted to find out how quickly humans could recognize emotional changes in each other's faces, according to a university news release.
Using a technique called continuous flash suppression that keeps people from becoming aware of what they are seeing for up to 10 seconds, the researchers were able to project multiple images to study participants. What they found was that fearful faces were most immediately recognizable.
The reason for this, said David Zald, associate professor of psychology and a co-author of the study, may be because a brain area called the amygdala shortcuts the normal brain pathway for processing visual images.
"We think the amygdala has some crude ability to process stimuli and that it can cue some other visual areas to what they need to focus on," Zald said in the university news release."Fearful eyes are a particular shape, where you get more of the whites of the eye showing," he added.
"That may be the sort of simple feature that the amygdala can pick up on."
-----
Smoking Could Speed MS Disability
Smokers with multiple sclerosis show more evidence of brain tissue shrinkage on MRI scans than people with the illness who do not smoke, U.S. researchers say.
A team at the University of Buffalo's Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center (BNAC) compared the MRIs of 368 MS patients, 128 of who had a history of smoking. Most of the patients had one of the three most common forms of MS -- relapsing-remitting (acute attacks with recovery), primary-progressive (steadily worsening), or secondary progressive (occasional attacks with progression).
Smokers had higher disability scores than nonsmokers, as well as lower brain volumes. As packs-per-day smoked increased, the volume of the neocortex -- a key brain area linked to higher thinking -- shrank, the team said.
Based on the findings, "MS patients should be counseled to stop smoking, or at least to cut down so they can preserve as much brain function as possible," lead researcher Dr. Robert Zivadinov, professor of neurology and director of the BNAC, said in a statement.
The findings were to be presented Saturday at the Congress of the European Committee for the Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, in Prague, Czech Republic.
-----
Staph Skin Infections Spreading in U.S. Schools
Schools across America are reporting outbreaks of Staphylococcus aureus skin infections, some of them drug-resistant, according to the Associated Press. Most infections are being spread in school gyms and locker rooms as athletes with minor cuts and abrasions share equipment, experts said.
"Most of these are mild infections," Nicole Coffin, spokeswoman at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told the AP. "They can be as simple as a pimple or a boil, or as serious as a blood infection."
Most worrisome are cases of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which resists treatment with many antibiotics. In a Newport News, Va., high school, four students were infected with staph, one of them carrying the MRSA strain. That patient, a football player, was briefly hospitalized this week, the AP said.
Other outbreaks of a similar nature have occurred in schools in Illinois, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina, the AP added.
Experts say the best way to minimize the risk of staph skin infections is through frequent and thorough handwashing, by covering any wounds, and by avoiding sharing personal items such as towels and razors.
-----
FDA Approves New AIDS Medication
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved a new kind of pill to fight AIDS.
According to the Associated Press, Merck & Co.'s Isentress could be a valuable new weapon for patients battling tough-to-treat forms of AIDS, since it targets an enzyme produced by HIV called integrase.
Existing medications do not act on this enzyme, but they do target two other enzymes crucial to HIV's infection and spread. Adding twice-a-day Isentress to standard drug cocktails should boost overall treatment effectiveness, the AP said.
A Merck spokeswoman said Isentress will cost about $27 a day, similar to other HIV/AIDS medications, and the drug should be on pharmacy shelves within about 2 weeks. Side effects include diarrhea, nausea, headache and itching.
-----
Report Raises Concerns About Lead in Lipsticks
Tests of 33 top-brand lipsticks sold in the United States showed that more than half had detectable levels of lead and 11 exceeded 0.1 parts per million, the federal lead limit for candy, says a report released Thursday by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
"The cosmetics industry definitely has a lead problem," Stacy Malkan, a spokesperson for the coalition of environmental and public health groups advocating toxin-free products, told the Houston Chronicle.
L'Oreal, CoverGirl, Christian Dior and Maybelline were among the brands found to have high lead levels. For example, L'Oreal Colour Riche True Red had a lead content of 0.65 parts per million, L'Oreal Colour Riche Classic Wine had 0.58 parts per million and CoverGirl's Incredifull Lipcolor Maximum Red had 0.56 parts per million.
The lipstick samples were randomly collected in four cities -- Boston, Hartford, Conn., San Francisco, Minneapolis -- and tested by Bodycote Testing Group in Santa Fe Springs, Calif., the Chronicle reported.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it's aware of past concerns about lead in lipstick and has no plans to take action in response to the report.
Health Tips for October 15
Health Tip: Baby Steps
Ever wonder at what age infants recognize that tools can make difficult or impossible tasks easier?
The psychology department at the University of Dundee in Scotland conducted a simple test with a number of infants. Researchers placed a towel on the floor, and put a toy on the far end of the towel. They wanted to see how old each infant had to be before he or she was smart enough to pull on the towel in order to get the toy.
As reported in the journal Developmental Behavior, infants discovered the use of tools earlier than you might think. In fact, most learned they could get the toy by pulling on the towel by the age of 6 months.
Health Tip: Symptoms of Depression in Alzheimer's Patients
People with Alzheimer's disease sometimes suffer from depression, often when they begin to understand their loss of memory.
The symptoms of depression may make it even more difficult for Alzheimer's patients to function.
The American Academy of Physicians lists these common warning signs:
* No desire to participate in any activities, or even to move around.
* Talking about feeling worthless or very sad.
* Not eating, and significant weight loss.
* Excessive sleeping, or not sleeping at all.
* Crying or being very emotional.
* Getting very angry or agitated.
Ever wonder at what age infants recognize that tools can make difficult or impossible tasks easier?
The psychology department at the University of Dundee in Scotland conducted a simple test with a number of infants. Researchers placed a towel on the floor, and put a toy on the far end of the towel. They wanted to see how old each infant had to be before he or she was smart enough to pull on the towel in order to get the toy.
As reported in the journal Developmental Behavior, infants discovered the use of tools earlier than you might think. In fact, most learned they could get the toy by pulling on the towel by the age of 6 months.
Health Tip: Symptoms of Depression in Alzheimer's Patients
People with Alzheimer's disease sometimes suffer from depression, often when they begin to understand their loss of memory.
The symptoms of depression may make it even more difficult for Alzheimer's patients to function.
The American Academy of Physicians lists these common warning signs:
* No desire to participate in any activities, or even to move around.
* Talking about feeling worthless or very sad.
* Not eating, and significant weight loss.
* Excessive sleeping, or not sleeping at all.
* Crying or being very emotional.
* Getting very angry or agitated.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Health Headlines - October 14
Smoking Could Speed MS Disability
Smokers with multiple sclerosis show more evidence of brain tissue shrinkage on MRI scans than people with the illness who do not smoke, U.S. researchers say.
A team at the University of Buffalo's Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center (BNAC) compared the MRIs of 368 MS patients, 128 of who had a history of smoking. Most of the patients had one of the three most common forms of MS -- relapsing-remitting (acute attacks with recovery), primary-progressive (steadily worsening), or secondary progressive (occasional attacks with progression).
Smokers had higher disability scores than nonsmokers, as well as lower brain volumes. As packs-per-day smoked increased, the volume of the neocortex -- a key brain area linked to higher thinking -- shrank, the team said.
Based on the findings, "MS patients should be counseled to stop smoking, or at least to cut down so they can preserve as much brain function as possible," lead researcher Dr. Robert Zivadinov, professor of neurology and director of the BNAC, said in a statement.
The findings were to be presented Saturday at the Congress of the European Committee for the Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, in Prague, Czech Republic.
-----
Staph Skin Infections Spreading in U.S. Schools
Schools across America are reporting outbreaks of Staphylococcus aureus skin infections, some of them drug-resistant, according to the Associated Press. Most infections are being spread in school gyms and locker rooms as athletes with minor cuts and abrasions share equipment, experts said.
"Most of these are mild infections," Nicole Coffin, spokeswoman at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told the AP. "They can be as simple as a pimple or a boil, or as serious as a blood infection."
Most worrisome are cases of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which resists treatment with many antibiotics. In a Newport News, Va., high school, four students were infected with staph, one of them carrying the MRSA strain. That patient, a football player, was briefly hospitalized this week, the AP said.
Other outbreaks of a similar nature have occurred in schools in Illinois, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina, the AP added.
Experts say the best way to minimize the risk of staph skin infections is through frequent and thorough handwashing, by covering any wounds, and by avoiding sharing personal items such as towels and razors.
-----
FDA Approves New AIDS Medication
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved a new kind of pill to fight AIDS.
According to the Associated Press, Merck & Co.'s Isentress could be a valuable new weapon for patients battling tough-to-treat forms of AIDS, since it targets an enzyme produced by HIV called integrase.
Existing medications do not act on this enzyme, but they do target two other enzymes crucial to HIV's infection and spread. Adding twice-a-day Isentress to standard drug cocktails should boost overall treatment effectiveness, the AP said.
A Merck spokeswoman said Isentress will cost about $27 a day, similar to other HIV/AIDS medications, and the drug should be on pharmacy shelves within about 2 weeks. Side effects include diarrhea, nausea, headache and itching.
-----
U.S. and China Discuss Product Safety
U.S. officials met with Chinese representatives Friday in an effort to develop a plan to ensure the safety of Chinese foods, drugs and other products exported to the United States, the Associated Press reported.
While he wouldn't disclose any details about measures that China agreed to take to improve the safety of its exports, U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Andrew C. von Eschenbach did say that Chinese officials will travel to the United States later this month to finalize details of a "memorandum of agreement" between the two nations.
"They are as concerned about confidence in the quality and safety of food and drugs as we are in the United States," von Eschenbach said, the AP reported.
China has faced intense international criticism due to a large number of serious health and safety problems involving products it exports. On Thursday, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee reported that China's food supply chain does not meet international standards.
-----
Sen. Kennedy Has Surgery for Artery Blockage
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, 75, underwent an hour-long operation Friday for a partial blockage in his neck's left carotid artery. The left and right carotid arteries carry blood to the head and blockages can cause a stroke.
A statement from Kennedy's office said the procedure was completed without any complications and Kennedy is expected to be released from Massachusetts General Hospital in several days, the Associated Press reported.
This kind of surgery, called a carotid endarterectomy, is performed on more than 180,000 people in the United States each year.
Kennedy's blockage was discovered during a routine examination of an old back injury he suffered in a 1964 plane crash, the AP reported.
"As part of a routine evaluation of Senator Kennedy's back and spine, MRI studies picked up an unrelated, asymptomatic blockage in the senator's left carotid artery," said the statement from Kennedy's office.
-----
Report Raises Concerns About Lead in Lipsticks
Tests of 33 top-brand lipsticks sold in the United States showed that more than half had detectable levels of lead and 11 exceeded 0.1 parts per million, the federal lead limit for candy, says a report released Thursday by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
"The cosmetics industry definitely has a lead problem," Stacy Malkan, a spokesperson for the coalition of environmental and public health groups advocating toxin-free products, told the Houston Chronicle.
L'Oreal, CoverGirl, Christian Dior and Maybelline were among the brands found to have high lead levels. For example, L'Oreal Colour Riche True Red had a lead content of 0.65 parts per million, L'Oreal Colour Riche Classic Wine had 0.58 parts per million and CoverGirl's Incredifull Lipcolor Maximum Red had 0.56 parts per million.
The lipstick samples were randomly collected in four cities -- Boston, Hartford, Conn., San Francisco, Minneapolis -- and tested by Bodycote Testing Group in Santa Fe Springs, Calif., the Chronicle reported.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it's aware of past concerns about lead in lipstick and has no plans to take action in response to the report.
Health Tips for October 14
Senior Health Tip: How is your appetite?
It is probably not the same as it used to be. As you age your appetite may change which can affect nutrition.
If your appetite is not up to par – jump start your appetite by trying:
* New seasonings
* New foods
* New recipes
* Eating small frequent meals
* Eating with friends
* Sharing a meal
Health Tip: Colds and flu – what to do!
Do these things to protect yourself:
1. Wash your hands.
2. Cover your cough.
3. Get a flu shot.
4. Stay home if you are ill.
5. Avoid close contact with someone who is sick.
It is probably not the same as it used to be. As you age your appetite may change which can affect nutrition.
If your appetite is not up to par – jump start your appetite by trying:
* New seasonings
* New foods
* New recipes
* Eating small frequent meals
* Eating with friends
* Sharing a meal
Health Tip: Colds and flu – what to do!
Do these things to protect yourself:
1. Wash your hands.
2. Cover your cough.
3. Get a flu shot.
4. Stay home if you are ill.
5. Avoid close contact with someone who is sick.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Health Headlines - October 13
U.S. and China Discuss Product Safety
U.S. officials met with Chinese representatives Friday in an effort to develop a plan to ensure the safety of Chinese foods, drugs and other products exported to the United States, the Associated Press reported.
While he wouldn't disclose any details about measures that China agreed to take to improve the safety of its exports, U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Andrew C. von Eschenbach did say that Chinese officials will travel to the United States later this month to finalize details of a "memorandum of agreement" between the two nations.
"They are as concerned about confidence in the quality and safety of food and drugs as we are in the United States," von Eschenbach said, the AP reported.
China has faced intense international criticism due to a large number of serious health and safety problems involving products it exports. On Thursday, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee reported that China's food supply chain does not meet international standards.
-----
Sen. Kennedy Has Surgery for Artery Blockage
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, 75, underwent an hour-long operation Friday for a partial blockage in his neck's left carotid artery. The left and right carotid arteries carry blood to the head and blockages can cause a stroke.
A statement from Kennedy's office said the procedure was completed without any complications and Kennedy is expected to be released from Massachusetts General Hospital in several days, the Associated Press reported.
This kind of surgery, called a carotid endarterectomy, is performed on more than 180,000 people in the United States each year.
Kennedy's blockage was discovered during a routine examination of an old back injury he suffered in a 1964 plane crash, the AP reported.
"As part of a routine evaluation of Senator Kennedy's back and spine, MRI studies picked up an unrelated, asymptomatic blockage in the senator's left carotid artery," said the statement from Kennedy's office.
-----
Report Raises Concerns About Lead in Lipsticks
Tests of 33 top-brand lipsticks sold in the United States showed that more than half had detectable levels of lead and 11 exceeded 0.1 parts per million, the federal lead limit for candy, says a report released Thursday by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
"The cosmetics industry definitely has a lead problem," Stacy Malkan, a spokesperson for the coalition of environmental and public health groups advocating toxin-free products, told the Houston Chronicle.
L'Oreal, CoverGirl, Christian Dior and Maybelline were among the brands found to have high lead levels. For example, L'Oreal Colour Riche True Red had a lead content of 0.65 parts per million, L'Oreal Colour Riche Classic Wine had 0.58 parts per million and CoverGirl's Incredifull Lipcolor Maximum Red had 0.56 parts per million.
The lipstick samples were randomly collected in four cities -- Boston, Hartford, Conn., San Francisco, Minneapolis -- and tested by Bodycote Testing Group in Santa Fe Springs, Calif., the Chronicle reported.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it's aware of past concerns about lead in lipstick and has no plans to take action in response to the report.
-----
500,000 Women Die Each Year During Pregnancy, Childbirth
Each year, more than half a million women worldwide die during pregnancy and childbirth and that death toll is decreasing too slowly to meet a target set by the United Nations, warns a report released Friday by a number of groups including the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
The document noted that 99 percent of those deaths occur in developing countries, Agence France-Presse reported.
In 2005, 536,000 women died of maternal causes, compared to 576,000 deaths in 1990. The rate of decline is far less than the target set out in the UN's Millennium Development Goals, which calls for a 5.5 percent decrease in maternal deaths per year until 2015. The decline in 2005 was less than one percent.
In 2005, the maternal death rate in developing nations was 450 per 100,000 live births, compared to nine per 100,000 in developed countries, said the report. It said more needs to be done to improve women's healthcare and access to reproductive health services in developing regions, AFP reported.
-----
Nevada Jury Awards Women $134.5 Million in HRT Lawsuit
Three Nevada women who claimed the hormone replacement drugs Premarin and Prempro caused their breast cancer were awarded a total of $134.5 million in past and future damages in their lawsuit against New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company Wyeth.
The decision by a jury in Reno is the largest award to date against Wyeth, which faces about 5,300 similar lawsuits in state and federal courts across the U.S., the Associated Press reported.
Each of the three women was awarded $7.5 million in past damages. In addition, two women received $36 million each for future damages and one woman received $40 million.
The five-man, two-woman jury, which deliberated for two days before announcing its verdict late Wednesday, will return to the courtroom Friday to consider punitive damages against Wyeth, the AP reported.
-----
Arthritis Limits Ability to Work: Survey
About one-third of working-age American adults with arthritis say the chronic condition limits their ability to work, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey released Thursday.
The 2003 survey, the latest data available, found that 33 percent of U.S. workers ages 18 to 64 with arthritis experienced limitations in doing their jobs, the Associated Press reported. Rates ranged from a high of 51.3 percent in Kentucky to a low of 25.1 percent in Nevada.
The survey, published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, is the first to give a state-by-state overview of the problem, the AP reported.
"These findings show that large numbers of workers in every state are affected by arthritis," Janet Collins, director of CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, said in a prepared statement. "With the increasing number of older Americans in the nation's workforce, it is important that employers, health departments and others take steps that help people with arthritis stay employed or become employed.
Arthritis is the most frequent cause of disability in the United States.
Health Tips for October 13
Health Tip: Triggers of Bulimia
Bulimia is an eating disorder that causes a person to eat large amounts of food (binge), then vomit (purge) to avoid gaining weight.
While symptoms of bulimia are physical, the disorder is often brought on by emotional problems.
Here are some common triggers of bulimia, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services:
* Societal and cultural pressures to have a thin and perfect body.
* Having relatives who are bulimic or who are overly concerned with body image and weight.
* Traumatic events or stressful changes in life, like a sexual assault, death in the family, divorce or a new job.
* Having low self-esteem, compulsive behaviors or a feeling of hopelessness.
* Hormonal or chemical imbalances.
Health Tip: Symptoms of Depression in Alzheimer's Patients
People with Alzheimer's disease sometimes suffer from depression, often when they begin to understand their loss of memory.
The symptoms of depression may make it even more difficult for Alzheimer's patients to function.
The American Academy of Physicians lists these common warning signs:
* No desire to participate in any activities, or even to move around.
* Talking about feeling worthless or very sad.
* Not eating, and significant weight loss.
* Excessive sleeping, or not sleeping at all.
* Crying or being very emotional.
* Getting very angry or agitated.
Bulimia is an eating disorder that causes a person to eat large amounts of food (binge), then vomit (purge) to avoid gaining weight.
While symptoms of bulimia are physical, the disorder is often brought on by emotional problems.
Here are some common triggers of bulimia, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services:
* Societal and cultural pressures to have a thin and perfect body.
* Having relatives who are bulimic or who are overly concerned with body image and weight.
* Traumatic events or stressful changes in life, like a sexual assault, death in the family, divorce or a new job.
* Having low self-esteem, compulsive behaviors or a feeling of hopelessness.
* Hormonal or chemical imbalances.
Health Tip: Symptoms of Depression in Alzheimer's Patients
People with Alzheimer's disease sometimes suffer from depression, often when they begin to understand their loss of memory.
The symptoms of depression may make it even more difficult for Alzheimer's patients to function.
The American Academy of Physicians lists these common warning signs:
* No desire to participate in any activities, or even to move around.
* Talking about feeling worthless or very sad.
* Not eating, and significant weight loss.
* Excessive sleeping, or not sleeping at all.
* Crying or being very emotional.
* Getting very angry or agitated.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Health Headlines - October 12
Arthritis Limits Ability to Work
About one-third of working-age American adults with arthritis say the chronic condition limits their ability to work, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey released Thursday.
The 2003 survey, the latest data available, found that 33 percent of U.S. workers ages 18 to 64 with arthritis experienced limitations in doing their jobs, the Associated Press reported. Rates ranged from a high of 51.3 percent in Kentucky to a low of 25.1 percent in Nevada.
The survey, published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, is the first to give a state-by-state overview of the problem, the AP reported.
"These findings show that large numbers of workers in every state are affected by arthritis," Janet Collins, director of CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, said in a prepared statement. "With the increasing number of older Americans in the nation's workforce, it is important that employers, health departments and others take steps that help people with arthritis stay employed or become employed.
Arthritis is the most frequent cause of disability in the United States.
-----
Cochlear Implants Might Heighten Meningitis Risk: FDA
In response to the deaths of two children within the past year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday warned doctors and consumers that the cochlear implant device used in profoundly deaf or severely hard-of-hearing patients is associated with increased risk of bacterial meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Children with cochlear implants with a positioner component are at greatest risk.
The meningitis deaths involved two children, ages 9 and 11, who had cochlear implants with positioners. Neither child was fully vaccinated, and one died because of the lack of vaccination, the FDA said.
The agency reminded healthcare providers and consumers that people who receive cochlear implants must by fully immunized according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
Because children with cochlear implants are at increased risk for pneumococcal meningitis, they should receive pneumococcal vaccination under the same schedules that apply to others at high risk for invasive pneumococcal disease, the CDC recommends.
-----
Scientists Map Genome of Deadly Drug-Resistant TB
In what may prove an major breakthrough, South African scientists have sequenced the genome of a highly deadly strain of drug-resistant tuberculosis, Agence France-Presse reported.
Using special technology, scientists at a government-sponsored research center decoded and sequenced the genome of Extreme Drug Resistant (XDR) TB, which was first discovered in Kwazulu-Natal, one of the areas worst hit by HIV/AIDS in South Africa.
This achievement may lead to better diagnosis of XDR TB and improved understanding of the mechanisms that make it so resistant to current drugs, knowledge that could help in the development of new treatments, AFP reported.
To date, 300 people in Kwazulu-Natal are known to have contracted XDR TB and 188 of them died. In one instance, all but one of a group of 53 people infected with XDR TB died within 25 days of diagnosis.
-----
FDA Panel Supports Approval of New Drug-Coated Stent
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration should approve Medtronic's new drug-coated heart stent, Endeavor, but also require follow-up safety studies on the artery-opening device, an FDA advisory panel unanimously recommended Thursday.
The panel's decision was based on trial data from Medtronic that suggests that the new stent is less prone than other stents to having clots form inside it years after it's implanted, The New York Times reported.
However, the apparent safety advantage of Endeavor, which is based on relatively short-term data, also suggests that the stent releases its drug relatively quickly (95 percent of it within 10 days) and is less effective at keeping blood vessels open than the Taxus stent from Boston Scientific or the Cypher from Johnson & Johnson, The Times reported.
Stents are inserted into coronary arteries in order to keep them open after blockages have been cleared. Drug-coated stents are more effective than bare-metal stents at preventing reformation of blockages.
Although it's not required to follow the advice of its advisory panels, the FDA usually heeds their recommendations.
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California Bans Smoking in Vehicles Carrying Children
California became the third state to protect children in vehicles from secondhand smoke when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday signed a bill that makes it illegal to smoke if someone under age 18 is present in a vehicle. The ban takes effect Jan.1.
Violators will face fines of up to $100. But police will only be able to hand out a citation for the offense if they've already pulled someone over for another violation, such as speeding or an illegal turn, the Associated Press reported.
Currently, Arkansas forbids smoking in vehicles when children age 6 and younger are present, and Louisiana doesn't allow smoking in vehicles carrying children 13 and younger. Overall, at least 20 states and municipalities have considered limiting smoking in vehicles when children are present, the AP reported.
Secondhand smoke in cars can be up to 10 times more of a health risk than secondhand smoke in a home, according to a Harvard School of Public Health study released last year.
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Curious George Doll Has High Lead Levels
A Curious George doll that had 10 times the U.S. federal government limit for lead has prompted Marvel Entertainment Group to halt all new shipments of Chinese-made Curious George products, the Boston Herald reported.
The test on the doll, which found high lead concentrations in paint on the doll's plastic face, was conducted by the California-based Center for Environmental Health. The lead levels were 6,000 parts per million.
"I was quite shocked. We have never seen a toy with (lead) levels so high," Caroline Cox, the group's research director, told the Herald.
While Marvel has halted shipments of new products, company spokesman David Collins said the company doesn't plan to pull the Curious George items off store shelves until it does its own testing.
He promised quick action if the company's tests confirm high lead levels.
"If we find a problem, we will do a recall, it's the only appropriate thing to do," Collins told the Herald.
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Pollution Cuts Life Expectancy: Study
The average European's lifespan has been cut by nearly a year due to air and water pollution and the environmental effects of global warming, the European Environment Agency says.
In a 400-page report released at an environmental conference in Serbia, the agency said governments must move rapidly to control the emission of greenhouse gasses, and to improve air and water quality, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.
Due to air pollution alone, "the estimated annual loss of life is significantly greater than that due to car accidents," the agency's report said. And more than 100 million Europeans don't have safe drinking water, it added.
European men currently have a life expectancy of 70, versus 74 for women, the wire service said.
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Medicare Web Site Offers Tools to Help Select '08 Drug Plan
More than 90 percent of Medicare beneficiaries in 2008 will have access to at least one Part D prescription drug plan with premiums lower than what they are paying now, the U.S. government said Wednesday.
Open enrollment to select a 2008 plan begins Nov. 15. To help Medicare recipients make sense of each plan, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says its Web site at www.medicare.gov offers a host of new tools and services.
The site's enhanced Plan Finder offers expanded information about each plan, including out-of-pocket costs, pharmacy networks, and formularies, the agency said in a statement.
People without Internet access can get the same information by calling 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227).
More than 4.75 million Medicare beneficiaries have enrolled in a drug plan since the program began in 2006, acting administrator Kerry Weems said.
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U.S. Hospital Death Rates Declining
Steep drops in the death rates of hospitalized patients mean that 136,000 people who would have died a decade earlier survived their hospital stays in 2004, the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality said Wednesday.
The agency said it compared the death rates for 2004 and 1994 for people hospitalized for heart attack, congestive heart failure, stroke, pneumonia, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and hip fracture.
For every 1,000 people hospitalized for their condition, heart attack deaths fell by 43; deaths from congestive heart failure, pneumonia, and stroke each fell by about 30; gastrointestinal hemorrhage fell by 21; and hip fracture declined by 16.
The numbers were adjusted to account for how ill patients were over time, the agency said.
Health Tips for October 12
Health Tip: Add Essential Fatty Acids to Your Diet
Since Omega-3 fatty acids aren't produced by the body, it's important to stock your diet with plenty of foods rich in these essential nutrients.
The University of Maryland Medical Center says the following foods are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids:
* Cold-water, oily fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines and halibut.
* Flaxseeds and flaxseed oils.
* Canola oil, perilla seed oil and purslane.
* Walnuts and walnut oil, pumpkin seeds and pumpkin oil, and soybeans and soybean oil.
Health Tip: Got Low Back Pain?
The effects of low back pain can range from a mild inconvenience to debilitating. Some pain may go away on its own after the back has had a chance to heal, but sometimes surgery may be needed.
Here are potential treatments to help ease low back pain, courtesy of the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke:
* Pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medications.
* A cold compress immediately after the injury to reduce swelling.
* Heat on the back several days after the injury to help relax muscles.
* A short period of bed rest to allow muscles to heal.
* Gentle exercises to stretch and strengthen back muscles.
Since Omega-3 fatty acids aren't produced by the body, it's important to stock your diet with plenty of foods rich in these essential nutrients.
The University of Maryland Medical Center says the following foods are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids:
* Cold-water, oily fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines and halibut.
* Flaxseeds and flaxseed oils.
* Canola oil, perilla seed oil and purslane.
* Walnuts and walnut oil, pumpkin seeds and pumpkin oil, and soybeans and soybean oil.
Health Tip: Got Low Back Pain?
The effects of low back pain can range from a mild inconvenience to debilitating. Some pain may go away on its own after the back has had a chance to heal, but sometimes surgery may be needed.
Here are potential treatments to help ease low back pain, courtesy of the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke:
* Pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medications.
* A cold compress immediately after the injury to reduce swelling.
* Heat on the back several days after the injury to help relax muscles.
* A short period of bed rest to allow muscles to heal.
* Gentle exercises to stretch and strengthen back muscles.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Health Headlines - October 11
Pollution Cuts Life Expectancy: Study
The average European's lifespan has been cut by nearly a year due to air and water pollution and the environmental effects of global warming, the European Environment Agency says.
In a 400-page report released at an environmental conference in Serbia, the agency said governments must move rapidly to control the emission of greenhouse gasses, and to improve air and water quality, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.
Due to air pollution alone, "the estimated annual loss of life is significantly greater than that due to car accidents," the agency's report said. And more than 100 million Europeans don't have safe drinking water, it added.
European men currently have a life expectancy of 70, versus 74 for women, the wire service said.
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Medicare Web Site Offers Tools to Help Select '08 Drug Plan
More than 90 percent of Medicare beneficiaries in 2008 will have access to at least one Part D prescription drug plan with premiums lower than what they are paying now, the U.S. government said Wednesday.
Open enrollment to select a 2008 plan begins Nov. 15. To help Medicare recipients make sense of each plan, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says its Web site at www.medicare.gov offers a host of new tools and services.
The site's enhanced Plan Finder offers expanded information about each plan, including out-of-pocket costs, pharmacy networks, and formularies, the agency said in a statement.
People without Internet access can get the same information by calling 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227).
More than 4.75 million Medicare beneficiaries have enrolled in a drug plan since the program began in 2006, acting administrator Kerry Weems said.
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U.S. Hospital Death Rates Declining
Steep drops in the death rates of hospitalized patients mean that 136,000 people who would have died a decade earlier survived their hospital stays in 2004, the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality said Wednesday.
The agency said it compared the death rates for 2004 and 1994 for people hospitalized for heart attack, congestive heart failure, stroke, pneumonia, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and hip fracture.
For every 1,000 people hospitalized for their condition, heart attack deaths fell by 43; deaths from congestive heart failure, pneumonia, and stroke each fell by about 30; gastrointestinal hemorrhage fell by 21; and hip fracture declined by 16.
The numbers were adjusted to account for how ill patients were over time, the agency said.
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ConAgra Pot Pies May Be Linked to Salmonella Outbreak
U.S. food and health officials have issued a warning about a possible link between 139 salmonella cases in 30 states and pot pies made by ConAgra Foods.
The company has stopped production of Banquet and store-brand pot pies at its Marshall, Mo., plant and advised consumers not to eat the chicken or turkey pot pies until investigations are complete, the Associated Press and USA Today reported.
ConAgra isn't recalling the pot pies but is offering store returns and mail-in refunds. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is advising consumers to toss the pies in the garbage, said the exact source of the outbreak isn't known. The affected pies have "P-9" printed on the side of the box as part of the code above the use-by date.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been tracking the salmonella outbreak since last Wednesday, the AP and USA Today reported. Earlier this year, salmonella in peanut butter made by ConAgra was linked to the illnesses of more than 625 people in 47 states.
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FDA Approves Generic Versions of Trileptal
The first generic versions of the anticonvulsant drug Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The generic versions are approved for use alone or in combination with other medications in the treatment of partial seizures in adults and children ages four and older.
The generic tablets in three strengths (150 milligrams, 300mg, and 600 mg) are made by Roxanne Laboratories Inc., Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd., and Sun Pharmaceutical Ltd.
The FDA noted that the labeling of the generic versions may differ from that of Trileptal because parts of the brand name drug's labeling are protected by patents and/or exclusivity.
In 2006, Trileptal was the 74th best selling brand name drug by retail dollars in the U.S., according to the publication Drug Topics.
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Free Mental Health Screenings Across U.S. Oct. 11
On Thursday, Oct. 11, more than 1,000 sites across the United States will offer free, anonymous mental health screenings as part of the 17th annual National Depression Screening Day. Online screenings will also be available.
This year's free screenings, developed by the nonprofit Screening for Mental Health, Inc., are meant to educate people about symptoms of depression and warning signs of suicide, and what to do in such cases. As part of the program, mental health professionals will be available, free of charge, to speak to people regarding their concerns.
To locate the nearest screening site or to take an online screening, go here.
"As with other illnesses such as cancer or hypertension, the early detection of mental health disorders greatly increases the chances that an individual will receive the appropriate treatment and experience a better quality of life," Dr. Douglas G. Jacobs, associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and founder of Screening for Mental Health, Inc., said in a prepared statement.
Health Tips for October 11
Health Tip: Warning Signs of Anorexia
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder in which a person refuses to stay at even a minimum recommended body weight, resulting in severe weight loss that could be life-threatening.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine lists these common warning signs of anorexia:
* Extreme fear of gaining weight.
* Distorted impression of weight and body.
* Excessive weight loss, or being seriously underweight.
* Frequent use of laxatives, diet pills, or diuretics with the goal of losing weight.
* Eating very little food or very few calories.
* Missing periods, low blood pressure, lack of fat on the body, or pale or yellowish skin.
* Depression.
Health Tip: Say Cheers With Red Wine
Red wine has been shown to help improve cardiovascular health, most likely because it is rich in antioxidants called flavonoids.
You should limit yourself to a 4-ounce glass of wine daily, Yale-New Haven Hospital advises. But check with your doctor, especially if you presently don't drink alcohol.
Here's more information:
* Drinking for health should be done only in moderation -- binge drinking or drinking large amounts of alcohol is dangerous.
* If you have health problems such as liver disease, very high blood pressure or depression, you should not drink alcohol.
* Wines thought to contain the highest concentrations of flavonoids are Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Syrah and Pinot Noir.
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder in which a person refuses to stay at even a minimum recommended body weight, resulting in severe weight loss that could be life-threatening.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine lists these common warning signs of anorexia:
* Extreme fear of gaining weight.
* Distorted impression of weight and body.
* Excessive weight loss, or being seriously underweight.
* Frequent use of laxatives, diet pills, or diuretics with the goal of losing weight.
* Eating very little food or very few calories.
* Missing periods, low blood pressure, lack of fat on the body, or pale or yellowish skin.
* Depression.
Health Tip: Say Cheers With Red Wine
Red wine has been shown to help improve cardiovascular health, most likely because it is rich in antioxidants called flavonoids.
You should limit yourself to a 4-ounce glass of wine daily, Yale-New Haven Hospital advises. But check with your doctor, especially if you presently don't drink alcohol.
Here's more information:
* Drinking for health should be done only in moderation -- binge drinking or drinking large amounts of alcohol is dangerous.
* If you have health problems such as liver disease, very high blood pressure or depression, you should not drink alcohol.
* Wines thought to contain the highest concentrations of flavonoids are Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Syrah and Pinot Noir.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Health Headlines - October 10
Patients Have Died Due to Crowded Emergency Rooms: Survey
Patients have died because of crowded conditions in U.S. emergency departments, according to some doctors who took part in a survey released Tuesday by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) at its annual meeting.
The survey of 1,496 emergency physicians found that nearly 80 percent (1,200) expressed grave concerns about overcrowding in their emergency departments. Half of the respondents said they'd personally encountered a patient who'd suffered due to "boarding" -- a practice in which admitted emergency patients wait (often in hallways) for an inpatient bed in the hospital. And 200 doctors said they knew of patients who'd died because of boarding.
The poll also found that 80 percent of respondents said crowded conditions have worsened in the past year, while 21 percent said their hospitals actively support ending or reducing the problem of boarding.
The ACEP is calling for an Emergency Patients' State of Rights that would include: the right to emergency care; the right to privacy; the right to be treated in a reasonable amount of time; the right to health plan coverage based on symptoms; the right to move out of the emergency department to an inpatient area once admitted to the hospital; and the right to access on-call specialty consultants.
The organization also wants Congress to pass the proposed Access to Emergency Medical Services Act, which would provide more funding to emergency departments.
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Major Gaps in European Flu Pandemic Plans
There are major weaknesses in European plans to deal with a possible flu pandemic, says a study published Tuesday in the October issue of the WHO Bulletin.
Problems with vaccine and antiviral drug distribution, insufficient stockpiles, and jumbled plans for border controls were among the shortcomings identified by scientists at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine who looked at pandemic planning in 29 European countries, Agence France-Presse reported.
"Our findings show that even in Europe, which may be better prepared than some regions, considerable gaps and inconsistencies persist and several areas of operational planning have not been addressed," the study authors wrote. They concluded that "the remaining gaps and inconsistencies need urgent attention."
Since 2003, 329 people worldwide have been infected by the H5N1 bird flu virus. Of those, 201 died. Most of the infections were due to close contact with infected poultry. But experts fear that the H5N1 virus may mutate into a form that's easily transmitted among humans and trigger a pandemic that could threaten millions, AFP reported.
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Power Co. Agrees to Massive Cut in Air Pollution
In the single largest environmental enforcement settlement in U.S. history, American Electric Power has agreed to reduce air pollution by 813,000 tons a year at an estimated cost of $4.6 billion, pay a $15 million penalty, and spend $60 million to lessen the effects of its past excess emissions.
The settlement was announced Tuesday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice. The federal government's partners in the settlement included eight states and 13 citizen groups.
The agreement imposes caps on emissions of pollutants from 16 power plants in five states: West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio and Indiana. New pollution control measures mean the plants will emit 79 percent less sulfur dioxide and 69 percent less nitrogen oxides than they did in 2006.
"Today's settlement will save $32 billion in health costs per year for Americans," Granta Nakayama, assistant administrator for EPA's enforcement and compliance assurance program, said in a prepared statement. "Less air pollution from power plants means fewer cases of asthma and other respiratory illnesses."
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Depression Common Among Japanese Teens
About 10.7 percent of Japanese youth aged 12 to 13 suffer depression, according to a survey conducted by researchers at Hokkaido University. The finding comes at a time of growing concern about a recent rash of youth suicides in the country, Agence France-Presse reported.
"It is surprising that the prevalence rate is that high," said research team leader Professor Kenzo Denda. "Cases of depression among children have been overlooked until now. But we should consider measures seriously in view of the fact that such depression has a causal relationship with suicides."
The researchers, who conducted face-to-face interviews with young people, also found that about 4.2 percent of children aged 9 to 13 suffered from depression and the rate increased as children got older, AFP reported.
Bullying at school has been pinpointed as a major factor in the recent wave of child suicides in Japan.
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Verbal Abuse by Teachers Linked to Early Sexual Activity
Verbal abuse by teachers is associated with an increased risk that children (especially girls) will have sex before the age of 14, concludes a Canadian study in the October issue of the American Journal of Public Health.
The researchers, who followed 312 children in a rural Quebec town from kindergarten to age 23, found that those who were subjected to shouting, harsh criticism or embarrassment by elementary school teachers were more likely to have early sexual intercourse, the Canadian Press reported.
Students who were most disruptive in the classroom were most frequently targeted by teachers. The study also found an association between peer rejection and girls engaging in early sexual intercourse, perhaps as a way to boost self-esteem.
About 10 to 15 percent of students are regularly subjected to verbal abuse by teachers, and about the same percentage experience peer rejection, said study lead author Mara Brengden, a psychology professor at the Universite du Quebec in Montreal. She said teacher training should include the potential consequences of negative behavior toward students.
"Teachers need to have a lot more training, but also a lot more support in dealing with problem children," Brengden told the CP. "On the side of children, it is also important to maybe think about targeted interventions to help them develop positive relationships with their teachers and with their classmates."
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Health 'Report Cards,' Counseling Cut Risk of Heart Disease, Stroke
Health "report cards" and telephone counseling reduced the risk of heart disease and stroke in high-risk patients, according to the results of the first year of a study of hundreds of people, ages 45-64, in British Columbia, Canada.
The study found that receiving health risk profiles from their doctors and having follow-up telephone sessions with a lifestyle counselor resulted in a "statistically significant" reduction in risk among patients, CBC News reported.
In preparing the health risk profiles, doctors looked at a number of factors, including cholesterol levels, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking status, physical activity, and body mass index. In the telephone sessions, the lifestyle counselors discussed the health risk profiles with patients and encouraged them to set goals, such as reducing blood pressure and losing weight.
The findings were published Tuesday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. The researchers plan to continue the study for two more years, CBC News reported.
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