Health Headlines - March 22

U.S. Personnel in Japan Offered Potassium Iodide

U.S. government personnel and their dependents who are in the vicinity of the damaged Japanese nuclear power station are being offered potassium iodide (KI), the State Department said Monday.

Officials said the offer to Americans in Nagoya, Tokyo, Yokohama and 15 prefectures is being made "out of an abundance of caution," and added that no one should take KI at this time, Agence France-Presse reported.

"While there is no indication that it will become advisable to take KI, out of an abundance of caution the United States government is making it available to its personnel and family members to be used only upon direction if a change in circumstances were to warrant," the State Department said in a travel warning.

Earlier on Monday, a plume of smoke that rose from one of the reactors at the Fukushima nuclear facility led to the removal of workers trying to get the situation under control, AFP reported.

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Pelosi Released From Rome Hospital

Following a brief stay in a Rome hospital, U.S. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi was released Monday and is resuming her schedule in Italy, says her spokesman.

"After several flights yesterday in Afghanistan, and a long flight back to Italy that arrived early this morning, Leader Pelosi was not feeling well," Nadeam Elshami said in an e-mailed statement, Bloomberg News reported.

"This morning in Rome, the leader was advised to visit a clinic, and the closest medical facility was a hospital," the spokesman said.

Pelosi, 70, is on an official trip to Rome with a congressional delegation. Her health concerns forced her to cancel a meeting with the Italian defense minister, Bloombergreported.

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WHO Concerned About Radiation Levels in Japanese Food

A immediate ban on the sale of food from areas around the damaged Japanese nuclear plant is needed if the food has excessive levels of radiation, says the World Health Organization.

Contaminated food poses a greater long-term risk to people's health than radioactive particles in the air, WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl told the Associated Press.

"They're going to have to take some decisions quickly in Japan to shut down and stop food being used completely from zones which they feel might be affected," he said. "Repeated consumption of certain products is going to intensify risks, as opposed to radiation in the air that happens once and then the first time it rains there's no longer any radiation in the air."

Some Japanese milk and vegetables have "significantly higher" radiation levels than what is allowed under Japanese law, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

It was expected that Japanese officials on Tuesday would have a comprehensive plan to limit food shipments from radiation-affected areas, the AP reported.

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Study Participants Riddled With Metal Particles

Hundreds of tiny particles of the heavy metal tungsten were left in the chest muscles and breast tissue of about 30 U.S. breast cancer patients who took part in a study of new radiation technique.

The particles came from a device called the Axxent FlexiShield Mini, which was used to shield healthy tissue from radiation. The device has since been recalled, The New York Times reported.

It's not known if the tungsten particles pose a threat to the women's health because little research has been done on its long-term effects in the body. However, the metal does show up on mammograms and may make them difficult to read.

Neither the U.S. Food and Drug Administration nor the manufacturer could explain what went wrong with the Axxent FlexiShield Mini device.

The incident raises questions about safeguards for people who participant in medical research and about the FDA's ability to protect patients from defective medical devices,The Times reported.

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Trial Begins in Hurricane Katrina Hospital Deaths Lawsuit

A jury trial involving a lawsuit over deaths and injuries that occurred at a New Orleans hospital after Hurricane Katrina is set to begin Monday.

The class-action suit against Tenet Healthcare Corporation alleges that a number of problems at Memorial Medical Center, including insufficiencies in the backup electrical system and failed plans for patient care and evacuation, resulted in personal injury and death, The New York Times reported.

The bodies of 45 patients were discovered at the hospital following Hurricane Katrina, far more than at any other hospital. Some doctors later admitted they injected patients with drugs to speed their deaths. The hospital sheltered about 1,800 people after the August 2005 storm.

It's expected that the hearing will feature previously unreleased email exchanges between the hospital and its corporate headquarters in Dallas, The Times reported.

"Are you telling us we are on our own and you cannot help?" Sandra Cordray, a communications manager at the hospital wrote to Tenet officials after asking them for supplies and an airlift.

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Blood Test Reveals Long-Term Diabetes Risk

A simple blood test could detect diabetes up to 10 years before the first symptoms appear, according to U.S. researchers.

Their study of 2,422 people found that examining levels of five amino acids in the blood correctly identified the 201 people who went on to develop type 2 diabetes, BBC Newsreported.

Those with the highest levels of the amino acids were five times more likely to develop diabetes within the following 12 years.

The findings in the journal Nature Medicine suggest that a test like this could be used to screen for type 2 diabetes, said the Harvard University team.

They added that further studies are needed before the test could be available for general use, BBC News reported.

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Boston Hospital Performs First U.S. Full-Face Transplant

The first full face transplant in the United States has been performed by doctors at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

The procedure last week involved a 25-year-old patient from Forth Worth, Texas. Surgeons replaced the entire facial area of Dallas Wiens, including the nose, lips, facial skin, and muscles and nerves of facial movement, the Associated Press reported.

The surgery, which took more than 15 hours, is "a new milestone in ... transplant surgery," according to Betsy Nabel, president of Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Spanish doctors performed the world's first full-face transplant in 2010, the AP reported.

Health Tips for March 22

Health Tip: Keep Toes Cool, Clean and Dry

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection, medically called tinea pedis. If the fungus takes hold between your toes, it can cause itchiness, cracking and peeling.

The Adam Encyclopedia offers these suggestions to help protect your feet from athlete's foot:

• Dry your feet completely after getting out of the bath, shower or pool.
• Slip on a pair of sandals or flip-flops when walking at public pools or showers.
• Swap sweaty socks for a clean dry pair at least once daily.
• If you tend to get athlete's foot, use an antifungal or drying powder.
• Choose shoes made of natural material (such as leather) that offers good ventilation. Avoid shoes with plastic lining.
• Don't wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row, so the shoes can air out.

Health Tip: Kick Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot fungus makes the feet itchy, red, cracked and flaky. Fortunately, treatment usually is effective, although the infection is prone to returning.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine suggests these treatment options for athlete's foot:

• Use an over-the-counter antifungal cream or powder.
• Look for antifungals that include the ingredients tolnaftate, clotrimazole or miconazole.
• Keep using the antifungal medication for a week or two after symptoms subside.
• Thoroughly wash and dry your feet and toes.
• Wear clean cotton socks, and change them often.
• Keep feet dry at all times.
• See your doctor if symptoms don't improve within about four weeks.

Health Headlines - March 21

New Brain Cancer Treatment Supported by FDA Panel

A noninvasive device that uses an electrical field to destroy cancer cells has the support of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel of medical experts as a treatment for brain cancer.

The NovoTTF device is meant for use in patients with a common form of brain cancer called glioblastoma that does not respond to initial treatments, the Wall Street Journalreported.

The FDA advisory panel voted 7 to 3 in favor of a question that asked whether the device's benefits outweigh its risks. Two panel members abstained from the vote. All panel members agreed the device was safe but were split on whether it is effective.

The panel's vote is regarded as a recommendation that the FDA approve the device. Though not required to, the FDA usually heeds the advice of its expert panels. A final FDA decision about the device is expected in about three months, the Wall Street Journalreported.

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New Yorkers Consume Too Much Salt: Study

New York City residents consume twice as much salt as they should, says a study by the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

The study found that the average New Yorker takes in 3,150 milligrams per day, about twice the recommended limit of 1,500 mg for most adults, The New York Times reported.

Nearly 80 percent of that salt intake comes from packaged or restaurant foods, and only 11 percent is from salt shakers or home-cooked meals, according to the health department.

The study said that only one in five adult New Yorkers' salt consumption is within recommended limits: 1,500 mg a day for people over 50, blacks, and people with high blood pressure, diabetes and chronic kidney disease; and less than 2,300 for other adults,The Times reported.

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Obama Requests Safety Review of U.S. Nuclear Plants

U.S. regulators have been asked to conduct a comprehensive safety review of the country's nuclear plants, President Barack Obama said Thursday.

In announcing his request to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Obama also said: "Nuclear energy is an important part of our own energy future," the Associated Pressreported.

The president also said the nuclear crisis in Japan poses no threat to the United States.

"We do not expect harmful levels of radiation to reach the West Coast, Hawaii, Alaska or the U.S. territories in the Pacific," Obama said.

The U.S. has a responsibility to learn from the events in Japan, he noted.

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Older Gardeners Eat More Veggies: Study

Older people who garden eat more vegetables than non-gardeners, says a new study.

Researchers at Texas A&M University and Texas State University analyzed the responses of 261 adults age 50 and older who completed an online survey, United Press International reported.

"Our results support previous studies that indicated gardeners were more likely to consume vegetables compared with non-gardeners. Interestingly, these results were not found in regard to fruit consumption," researcher Tina Waliczek said in a news release.

The length of time a person had been a gardener didn't seem to have an effect on their vegetable and fruit consumption, UPI reported.

The study appears in the journal HortTechnology.

The findings suggest "that gardening intervention programs late in life would be an effective method of boosting vegetable and fruit consumption in older adults," Waliczek said.

Health Tips for March 21

Health Tip: What May Cause a Stress Fracture

A stress fracture often occurs from a sudden increase in activity.

Abrupt overuse of the muscles means they can no longer absorb the shock of a particular activity. This causes a small crack to develop in nearby bone.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers this list of common reasons for stress fractures:

• Suddenly exercising more frequently or more intensely.
• Exercising on a new type of surface, such as when a tennis player changes from soft clay to a harder surface.
• Using worn or inappropriate exercise equipment, such as shoes without adequate support.
• A sudden increase in physical stress, such as when a sports player is abruptly given more playing time.

Health Tip: Let a Stress Fracture Heal

A stress fracture is an overuse injury that usually occurs from exercise, such as running.

Fatigued muscles after a while aren't able to absorb the stress of a certain activity, so the bone begins to absorb the impact, resulting in a tiny fracture.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggests how to help a stress fracture heal:

• Take a break from the exercise or activity that triggered the stress fracture. Generally, healing takes about six to eight weeks.
• If possible, limit yourself to light activity that doesn't cause pain for your particular fracture.
• Using a brace or shoe insert may help speed healing.
• Don't resume the activity too early, as re-injuring the area could cause an even larger, longer-lasting problem.

Health Headlines - March 20

New Brain Cancer Treatment Supported by FDA Panel

A noninvasive device that uses an electrical field to destroy cancer cells has the support of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel of medical experts as a treatment for brain cancer.

The NovoTTF device is meant for use in patients with a common form of brain cancer called glioblastoma that does not respond to initial treatments, the Wall Street Journalreported.

The FDA advisory panel voted 7 to 3 in favor of a question that asked whether the device's benefits outweigh its risks. Two panel members abstained from the vote. All panel members agreed the device was safe but were split on whether it is effective.

The panel's vote is regarded as a recommendation that the FDA approve the device. Though not required to, the FDA usually heeds the advice of its expert panels. A final FDA decision about the device is expected in about three months, the Wall Street Journalreported.

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New Yorkers Consume Too Much Salt: Study

New York City residents consume twice as much salt as they should, says a study by the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

The study found that the average New Yorker takes in 3,150 milligrams per day, about twice the recommended limit of 1,500 mg for most adults, The New York Times reported.

Nearly 80 percent of that salt intake comes from packaged or restaurant foods, and only 11 percent is from salt shakers or home-cooked meals, according to the health department.

The study said that only one in five adult New Yorkers' salt consumption is within recommended limits: 1,500 mg a day for people over 50, blacks, and people with high blood pressure, diabetes and chronic kidney disease; and less than 2,300 for other adults,The Times reported.

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Obama Requests Safety Review of U.S. Nuclear Plants

U.S. regulators have been asked to conduct a comprehensive safety review of the country's nuclear plants, President Barack Obama said Thursday.

In announcing his request to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Obama also said: "Nuclear energy is an important part of our own energy future," the Associated Pressreported.

The president also said the nuclear crisis in Japan poses no threat to the United States.

"We do not expect harmful levels of radiation to reach the West Coast, Hawaii, Alaska or the U.S. territories in the Pacific," Obama said.

The U.S. has a responsibility to learn from the events in Japan, he noted.

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Older Gardeners Eat More Veggies: Study

Older people who garden eat more vegetables than non-gardeners, says a new study.

Researchers at Texas A&M University and Texas State University analyzed the responses of 261 adults age 50 and older who completed an online survey, United Press International reported.

"Our results support previous studies that indicated gardeners were more likely to consume vegetables compared with non-gardeners. Interestingly, these results were not found in regard to fruit consumption," researcher Tina Waliczek said in a news release.

The length of time a person had been a gardener didn't seem to have an effect on their vegetable and fruit consumption, UPI reported.

The study appears in the journal HortTechnology.

The findings suggest "that gardening intervention programs late in life would be an effective method of boosting vegetable and fruit consumption in older adults," Waliczek said.

Health Tips for March 20

Health Tip: Returning Home After Hip Fracture

Home life after surgery to repair a hip fracture is much different than it was before your injury. The simplest activities become more challenging, including the task of getting comfortable without pain.

The ADAM Encyclopedia offers these suggestions:

• Continue with exercises recommended by your physical therapist.
• Continue using your cane or crutches until your doctor or physical therapist says you can stop.
• Try to get up and move around at least every 45 minutes.
• Sit in chairs that have arm rests, and avoid low chairs that place your knees higher than your hips.
• Instead of crossing your legs, sit with both feet flat on the floor, with your legs and feet pointed slightly outward.
• Use a raised toilet seat for the first few weeks.
• Avoid bending over to pick up things off the floor.
• Don't sleep on your stomach or on the side affected by your surgery.

Health Tip: Signs That Shoulder Pain is a Broken Collarbone

The collarbone doesn't completely harden until about age 20 years. This makes younger people -- especially participants in contact sports -- more susceptible to a broken collarbone, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says.

The academy says common symptoms of a broken collarbone include:

• Having a shoulder that droops.
• Being in too much pain to lift one or both arms.
• Feeling a "grinding" as you try to lift an arm.
• Feeling pain when touching the collarbone.
• Detecting an abnormal bump or swelling on the collarbone.

Health Headlines - March 19

New Brain Cancer Treatment Supported by FDA Panel

A noninvasive device that uses an electrical field to destroy cancer cells has the support of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel of medical experts as a treatment for brain cancer.

The NovoTTF device is meant for use in patients with a common form of brain cancer called glioblastoma that does not respond to initial treatments, the Wall Street Journalreported.

The FDA advisory panel voted 7 to 3 in favor of a question that asked whether the device's benefits outweigh its risks. Two panel members abstained from the vote. All panel members agreed the device was safe but were split on whether it is effective.

The panel's vote is regarded as a recommendation that the FDA approve the device. Though not required to, the FDA usually heeds the advice of its expert panels. A final FDA decision about the device is expected in about three months, the Wall Street Journalreported.

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New Yorkers Consume Too Much Salt: Study

New York City residents consume twice as much salt as they should, says a study by the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

The study found that the average New Yorker takes in 3,150 milligrams per day, about twice the recommended limit of 1,500 mg for most adults, The New York Times reported.

Nearly 80 percent of that salt intake comes from packaged or restaurant foods, and only 11 percent is from salt shakers or home-cooked meals, according to the health department.

The study said that only one in five adult New Yorkers' salt consumption is within recommended limits: 1,500 mg a day for people over 50, blacks, and people with high blood pressure, diabetes and chronic kidney disease; and less than 2,300 for other adults,The Times reported.

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Obama Requests Safety Review of U.S. Nuclear Plants

U.S. regulators have been asked to conduct a comprehensive safety review of the country's nuclear plants, President Barack Obama said Thursday.

In announcing his request to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Obama also said: "Nuclear energy is an important part of our own energy future," the Associated Pressreported.

The president also said the nuclear crisis in Japan poses no threat to the United States.

"We do not expect harmful levels of radiation to reach the West Coast, Hawaii, Alaska or the U.S. territories in the Pacific," Obama said.

The U.S. has a responsibility to learn from the events in Japan, he noted.

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Older Gardeners Eat More Veggies: Study

Older people who garden eat more vegetables than non-gardeners, says a new study.

Researchers at Texas A&M University and Texas State University analyzed the responses of 261 adults age 50 and older who completed an online survey, United Press International reported.

"Our results support previous studies that indicated gardeners were more likely to consume vegetables compared with non-gardeners. Interestingly, these results were not found in regard to fruit consumption," researcher Tina Waliczek said in a news release.

The length of time a person had been a gardener didn't seem to have an effect on their vegetable and fruit consumption, UPI reported.

The study appears in the journal HortTechnology.

The findings suggest "that gardening intervention programs late in life would be an effective method of boosting vegetable and fruit consumption in older adults," Waliczek said.

Health Tips for March 19

Health Tip: What Causes Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis occurs when the membrane that protects the eye, the conjunctiva, becomes inflamed. A red, watery eye is a primary symptom of this very contagious condition.

The University of Virginia Health System says possible causes of conjunctivitis include:

• An viral or bacterial infection.
• An allergic reaction, often to a seasonal allergen.
• Irritation from air pollutants or smoke.
• Irritation from soap, chlorine or cosmetics.
• Irritation from a chemical that makes contact with the eye.

Health Tip: Help Contain Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, commonly called pinkeye, is a contagious infection affecting the membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the inner eyelid. The eyes of someone with conjunctivitis can appear very red and irritated.

The Nemours Foundation offers these suggestions to help prevent the spread of pinkeye:

• Do not touch a person who has pinkeye.
• Do not touch objects (such as towels or tissues) touched by a person with pinkeye.
• Stay away from a person with pinkeye who is coughing or sneezing.
• Don't swim with a person who has pinkeye.
• Keep kids home from school or daycare when they have pinkeye.
• Wash hands carefully and often throughout the day.

Health Headlines - March 18

Recalled Pogo Sticks Pose Fall Hazard

About 169,000 pogo sticks are being recalled in the United States because they pose fall and laceration hazards to users, says the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The bottom of the Chinese-made pogo sticks' frame tube can break or come apart, and a pin holding the spring in place can break. There have been 123 reports of incidents involving the pogo sticks, including nine reports of injuries such as a chipped tooth, a knocked-out tooth, and stitches.

The recall includes the Rocket Stick Pogo, Pop Stick Pogo, Monster Stick Pogo and Twin Stick Pogo distributed by Bravo Sports of Santa Fe Springs, Calif. Only pogo sticks with manufacturing data codes between 04/01/2010 - 046HE and 10/31/2010 - 046HE are included in the recall, said the CPSC.

For more information, contact Bravo Sports at the company's Web site.

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OTC Asthma Inhaler Will be Gone by Year's End: FDA

The only over-the-counter asthma inhaler sold in the United States will be pulled from the market at the end of year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday.

It's not that Primatene Mist inhalers aren't effective, it's that they are bad for the environment, the Washington Post reported. The inhalers contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which deplete the ozone. The U.S. is a partner in an international agreement to phase out CFCs.

The FDA said the advance notice should give people time to seek alternative asthma treatments, but also warned that supplies of Primatene Mist could run out before the end of the year.

Prescription asthma medications may cost more than Primatene Mist, so the FDA offers advice for people who may find it hard to pay for their new asthma medications, the Postreported.

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Radiation Fears Lead to Shortage of Potassium Iodide in U.S.

Fears that radiation from Japan's damaged nuclear power plants could reach the United States have led to a shortage of potassium iodide in the U.S., according to companies that supply the product.

Potassium iodide protects against radiation poisoning of the thyroid gland. Virginia-based Anbex Inc. sold out of its supply of more than 10,000 14-tablet packages on Saturday, company president Alan Morris told the Wall Street Journal.

The company was getting about three orders a minute, compared with as few as three a week normally. "Those who don't get it are crying. They're terrified," Morris said.

"It's actually been insanity here," Deborah Fleming, co-owner of Fleming Pharmaceuticals in St. Louis County, told the Wall Street Journal. She estimates the company is getting dozens of calls an hour, along with emails, from people seeking potassium iodide.

But government officials say there's no cause for alarm. For example, no harmful levels of radiation have been detected in California and Washington state and no dangerous levels are expected to occur.

"Japan has an evacuation area of about 12 miles from the nuclear plants. Washington state is 5,000 to 6,000 miles away from Japan," Tim Church, a spokesman for the Washington State Department of Health, told the Wall Street Journal.

Health Tips for March 18

Health Tip: Reduce Your Baby's Risk of SIDS

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) occurs when an infant under the age of 1 year dies without an explainable cause.

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these suggestions on how you can help reduce your baby's risk of SIDS:

• Make sure baby sleeps on his or her back, on a firm mattress in a crib that meets government safety standards.
• Ideally, only use a fitted sheet in baby's crib. If you use a blanket, carefully tuck it into the mattress. Also avoid crib bumpers (unless they are thin, tightly secured and firm), and pillows, quilts or comforters.
• Don't let baby sleep on a chair, couch, water bed, cushion or sheepskin.
• Set up baby's crib in your room, but don't let baby sleep in your bed.
• Make sure baby doesn't get too hot while sleeping. Keep the room at a temperature that's comfortable for you.
• Don't smoke or allow anyone else to smoke around baby.
• Avoid products that claim to reduce an infant's risk of SIDS. No product has been proven to do so, the academy says.

Health Tip: Check Baby's Toys for Safety Issues

Play time for babies and toddlers should be fun for both the young ones and their parents.

The U.S. Home Safety Council says parents should check all toys to make sure they're safe and age-appropriate for children. It offers these guidelines:

• Use a toilet paper roll to gauge safe toy size. (Toys should be too big to fit into the child's mouth.) If any of your young one's toys fit inside the toilet paper roll, they probably are a choking hazard.
• Inspect toys to ensure there are no broken parts.
• Search your home for any tiny toys or parts that could pose a choking hazard.
• Store toys and games designed for older children out of reach of younger ones.
• Avoid toys with cords or strings that could become wrapped around a child.
• Keep latex balloons away from children.
• Make sure all toys have been safety-tested.
• Don't let young children play with motorized or electric toys.
• Throw away packaging from new toys as soon as possible.

Health Headlines - March 17

Radiation Fears Lead to Shortage of Potassium Iodide in U.S.

Fears that radiation from Japan's damaged nuclear power plants could reach the United States have led to a shortage of potassium iodide in the U.S., according to companies that supply the product.

Potassium iodide protects against radiation poisoning of the thyroid gland. Virginia-based Anbex Inc. sold out of its supply of more than 10,000 14-tablet packages on Saturday, company president Alan Morris told the Wall Street Journal.

The company was getting about three orders a minute, compared with as few as three a week normally. "Those who don't get it are crying. They're terrified," Morris said.

"It's actually been insanity here," Deborah Fleming, co-owner of Fleming Pharmaceuticals in St. Louis County, told the Wall Street Journal. She estimates the company is getting dozens of calls an hour, along with emails, from people seeking potassium iodide.

But government officials say there's no cause for alarm. For example, no harmful levels of radiation have been detected in California and Washington state and no dangerous levels are expected to occur.

"Japan has an evacuation area of about 12 miles from the nuclear plants. Washington state is 5,000 to 6,000 miles away from Japan," Tim Church, a spokesman for the Washington State Department of Health, told the Wall Street Journal.

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State Medical Boards Often Fail to Take Action: Study

A new study says that state medical boards failed to discipline 55 percent of U.S. doctors punished by hospitals between 1990 and 2009.

The consumer advocacy group Public Citizen examined the National Practitioner Data Bank to find cases of disciplinary action and medical malpractice payments against doctors during the 20-year period, the Washington Post reported.

Of the 10,672 physicians who had their clinical privileges restricted or revoked by hospitals during that time, 5,887 did not face any licensing action by state medical boards, said the study.

It also found that 2,071 of the 5,887 physicians who faced no action from state medical boards were punished by hospitals for serious violations such as: posing an immediate threat to health or safety; being incompetent or negligent; or providing substandard care, the Post reported.

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Medicare Paid Millions for Erectile Dysfunction Drugs

Medicare spent $3.1 million in 2007 and 2008 to buy erectile dysfunction drugs for senior citizens, even though the drugs are not covered by the health program, say U.S. government investigators.

Of that amount, more than $3 million was paid for Viagra. Other erectile dysfunction drugs included Cialis, according to the report released Tuesday by George Reeb, acting director inspector general for audit services at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bloomberg News reported.

A software error was to blame for the spending on erectile dysfunction drugs, said Medicare administrators. They added that they will try to recover payments to private drug insurers who administer Medicare's drug plans.

Reeb also said that Medicare paid an undetermined amount for erectile dysfunction drugs in 2009 and 2010, Bloomberg reported.

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Gay, Lesbian Families More Accepted Than Single Moms: Survey

Americans appear to be more accepting of gay and lesbian families than single mothers, suggests a new survey.

The Pew Research Center poll of 2,691 people found that one-third of respondents are comfortable with a wide range of family situations (acceptors), one-third consider non-traditional family structures a threat to the country's moral fabric (rejectors), and another third have mixed views (skeptics), msnbc.com reported.

Most acceptors and skeptics believe gay and lesbian families are at least OK and may even offer something positive to society. But single mothers don't have the same level of acceptance.

The survey found that 98 percent of acceptors believe there's nothing wrong with women raising their children alone, but 99 percent of skeptics and 98 percent of rejectors believe this type of family unit is bad for society, msnbc.com reported. The poll only asked about single mothers, not single fathers.

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White House Pushes to Slow Challenge to Health Care Law

The U.S. Supreme Court should not allow Virginia to bypass a federal appeals court in the state's challenge to the new federal health care law, the Obama administration said in court papers filed with the justices Monday.

The federal government says there is no reason to take the rare step of "short-circuiting" review by appellate judges, a process that has already been accelerated, the Associated Press reported.

The health care law's requirement that all citizens must buy health insurance or face a penalty was struck down by a federal judge in Virginia. The Obama administration says the requirement is within Congress' powers and asked the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va. to reverse that ruling.

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli then petitioned the Supreme Court in an effort to sidestep the appeals court, the AP reported.

Health Tips for February 17

Health Tip: Signs That Headaches Need Attention

Most everyone suffers from an occasional headache. But frequent, severe headaches could be an indication of a more serious health problem.

The Womenshealth.gov Web site says these warning signs should prompt a visit to your doctor:

• Headaches that occur multiple times each month and persist for hours or days.
• Headaches that are so severe that work, school and home life are affected.
• Headaches accompanied by tingling or numbness, changes in vision, vomiting or nausea.
• Headaches accompanied by pain surrounding the ear or eye, convulsions or stiffness in the neck.
• Losing consciousness or feeling confused during headaches.
• A headache that follows an injury to the head.
• Headaches that suddenly occur when you've rarely had headaches in the past.

Health Tip: Keep a Headache Diary

If you suffer from migraines, identifying what you've been eating, drinking or doing can help you keep these painful headaches under control.

The womenshealth.gov Web site suggests what to log in a headache diary:

• The date and time of the migraine.
• The activity you were doing and where you were when the pain began.
• A list of all foods and drinks consumed within 24 hours of when the migraine began.
• For women, the span of your menstrual cycle.

Health Headlines - March 16

Medicare Paid Millions for Erectile Dysfunction Drugs

Medicare spent $3.1 million in 2007 and 2008 to buy erectile dysfunction drugs for senior citizens, even though the drugs are not covered by the health program, say U.S. government investigators.

Of that amount, more than $3 million was paid for Viagra. Other erectile dysfunction drugs included Cialis, according to the report released Tuesday by George Reeb, acting director inspector general for audit services at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bloomberg News reported.

A software error was to blame for the spending on erectile dysfunction drugs, said Medicare administrators. They added that they will try to recover payments to private drug insurers who administer Medicare's drug plans.

Reeb also said that Medicare paid an undetermined amount for erectile dysfunction drugs in 2009 and 2010, Bloomberg reported.

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Gay, Lesbian Families More Accepted Than Single Moms: Survey

Americans appear to be more accepting of gay and lesbian families than single mothers, suggests a new survey.

The Pew Research Center poll of 2,691 people found that one-third of respondents are comfortable with a wide range of family situations (acceptors), one-third consider non-traditional family structures a threat to the country's moral fabric (rejectors), and another third have mixed views (skeptics), msnbc.com reported.

Most acceptors and skeptics believe gay and lesbian families are at least OK and may even offer something positive to society. But single mothers don't have the same level of acceptance.

The survey found that 98 percent of acceptors believe there's nothing wrong with women raising their children alone, but 99 percent of skeptics and 98 percent of rejectors believe this type of family unit is bad for society, msnbc.com reported. The poll only asked about single mothers, not single fathers.

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White House Pushes to Slow Challenge to Health Care Law

The U.S. Supreme Court should not allow Virginia to bypass a federal appeals court in the state's challenge to the new federal health care law, the Obama administration said in court papers filed with the justices Monday.

The federal government says there is no reason to take the rare step of "short-circuiting" review by appellate judges, a process that has already been accelerated, the Associated Press reported.

The health care law's requirement that all citizens must buy health insurance or face a penalty was struck down by a federal judge in Virginia. The Obama administration says the requirement is within Congress' powers and asked the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va. to reverse that ruling.

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli then petitioned the Supreme Court in an effort to sidestep the appeals court, the AP reported.

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Plastic Pieces Found in Lean Cuisine Spaghetti With Meatballs

A recall of more than 10,000 packages of Lean Cuisine spaghetti with meatballs that may contain bits of hard plastic was announced Monday.

Pieces of plastic in the Nestle Prepared Foods products were found by customers in Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin, said the U.S. Department of Agriculture, theLos Angeles Times reported.

The products were packaged Oct. 10, 2010 and distributed to several states east of the Rocky Mountains.

The recalled products have the establishment number "P-7991" and the case code "0298595519P" and a best before date of November 2011 printed on the side of the package, beneath the ingredient listing, the Times reported.

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Surgery May Help Male Cancer Survivors Become Fathers

A special surgical technique can help male survivors of cancer to become fathers, say U.S. researchers.

Many cancer treatments can leave survivors infertile, meaning they have to use donor sperm or adopt if they want to be parents. In this procedure, surgeons conduct biopsies of testicular tissue to search for pockets of hidden sperm that can be used in standard in vitro fertilization to fertilize a partner's eggs, the Associated Press reported.

In this study, surgeons were able to extract small amounts of sperm from 27 of 73 male childhood cancer survivors, resulting in the birth of 20 children. The findings were published Monday in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

The surgery -- which costs about $10,000 to $12,000, plus the costs of IVF -- is offered at a number of medical centers across the U.S., the AP reported.

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Guatemalan Victims of U.S. Syphilis Experiments File Lawsuit

A lawsuit against American health officials has been filed by Guatemalans who were subjected to U.S. syphilis experiments in the 1940s.

The experiments to study the effects of penicillin were conducted by the National Institutes of Health from 1946 to 1948. About 700 Guatemalan prisoners, mental patients, soldiers and orphans were deliberately infected with syphilis without their knowledge or consent, the Associated Press reported.

Details about the tests were made public in 2009.

Lawyers for the people subjected to the experiments said they asked the Obama administration to establish an out-of-court claims process but received no response by last Friday's deadline. The lawsuit was filed Monday, the AP reported.

Health Tips for March 16

Health Tip: What's Causing My Shoulder Pain?

Pain in the shoulder can impact most moves you make, so it's important to identify the source and treat it.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these possible causes of shoulder pain:

• Bursitis, an inflammation of the small fluid-filled sacs in the shoulder joint.
• Tendinitis, an inflammation of tendons in the shoulder.
• A torn tendon.
• Impingement, pressure on the soft tissues in the shoulder applied by the top of the shoulder blade.
• A dislocation or fracture.
• Arthritis.

Health Tip: Make Work Less Painful If You Have Arthritis

Sitting at a desk and working at a computer all day can be painful for someone with arthritis.

The Arthritis Foundation offers these suggestions to ease arthritis pain and stiffness while you're at work:

• Take regular breaks every 20 minutes to 30 minutes, getting up to stretch and move around.
• Make sure your desk chair fits you well, and sit with your feet flat on the floor.
• Set up your computer screen so it's level with your eyes.
• Place papers in a document holder so they're easier to see without straining.
• If your chair lacks lumbar support, use a rolled-up towel or small pillow to provide better support for your lower back.

Health Headlines - March 15

Giffords Likely to Attend Space Shuttle Launch: Doctors

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' ability to walk and talk is improving and there is a good chance she'll be able to attend astronaut husband Mark Kelly's space shuttle launch in April, her doctors said Friday.

The medical team at TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, where she has been undergoing rehabilitation, also said that Giffords has been told that she was shot. Her memory is improving, but she does not recall the shooting rampage, the Associated Pressreported.

The doctors described several milestones in the congresswoman's recovery in recent weeks, including the removal of her breathing tube and her improving ability to walk with assistance and talk in complete sentences.

"I'm very happy to report that she's making leaps and bounds in terms of neurological recovery," said Dr. Dong Kim, according to the AP report.

Giffords is displaying emotion at times, including smiles when she achieves key advances in her recovery, he added.

"She has a personality that's already showing through," Kim said. "She's very upbeat, focused on getting better. She hasn't shown us depression, and she's just been very forward-looking and even with the speech she's not showing much frustration."

Giffords was shot in the head Jan. 8 while she hosted a political event outside a grocery store in Tucson, Ariz. The attacker killed six people and wounded 12 others.

Rabbi David Lyon, who visits Giffords three times a week, also said her speech was improving.

"There are words that are becoming clearer and opportunities to communicate are increasing," he told the AP.

Any decision on Giffords' trip to the Florida launch of Endeavour, which Kelly will command, will be based on her ability to move independently, how much assistance is available to her, and whether she is capable of handling the hectic setting of an airport, her medical team said, according to AP.

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Seroquel Settlement Costs AstraZeneca $68.5 Million

In what's believed to be the largest multi-state pharmaceutical settlement of its kind, AstraZeneca will pay $68.5 million to settle out-of-court allegations that it promoted the psychiatric drug Seroquel for unapproved uses.

The money will be paid to 37 states and the District of Columbia, the Associated Pressreported.

The states alleged that AstraZeneca promoted Seroquel for insomnia, Alzheimer's and other off-label uses. The drug was approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression.

"Consumers rightfully expect pharmaceutical companies to engage in responsible marketing efforts that are consistent with approved purposes," said Thomas Calcagni, acting director of New Jersey's division of consumer affairs, the AP reported.

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Extracurricular Activities Reduce Teen Pot Use: Study

Participation in extracurricular activities reduces the likelihood of marijuana use by nearly one-half in teen girls and by more than one-quarter in teen boys, says a new study.

The analysis of data from about 4,500 Connecticut high school students also found that younger students and those with good grades were also less likely to use marijuana, said the Yale University School of Medicine researchers.

Teens who smoked, drank alcohol and used other substances were more likely to use marijuana. Other behaviors linked to marijuana use included fighting, carrying a weapon, depressed mood and any form of self-harm.

More than 40 percent of the teens in the study said they had used marijuana at some time in their life and 24.5 percent said they had used it within the last 30 days. Boys were more likely than girls to report lifetime use (42 vs. 39 percent) and past-month use (27 vs. 22 percent).

The study appears in the March issue of the Journal of Addiction Medicine.

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Deal Increases FDA Oversight of McNeil Plants

Greater federal oversight at three plants involved in recalls of children's Tylenol and other widely used over-the-counter medicines is part of an agreement reached between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a unit of Johnson & Johnson.

The deal was reached Thursday and covers plants in Fort Washington, Pa, Lancaster, Pa., and Las Piedras, Puerto Rico, The New York Times reported. The FDA said manufacturing practices at the plants failed to comply with federal law.

The agency said the agreement requires Johnson & Johnson to hire an independent expert to assess whether operations at the plants meet federal standards and to ensure that quality systems are in place.

The FDA would also have the authority to force McNeil to halt manufacturing of medicines or to launch recalls. The agreement needs to be approved by a federal judge.

"Weve had a long engagement with McNeil over the last year with regard to their quality system," Douglas Stearn, an FDA official who helps oversee compliance by drug makers, told The Times. "We think this represents necessary important steps to assuring quality across the board."

Health Tips for March 15

Health Tip: Get Some Exercise

If it's difficult to motivate yourself to exercise, a change of venue may be in order. How about the great outdoors?

With warmer weather on the way, the American Diabetes Association suggests these outdoor activities may get you moving:

• Go for a walk outside.
• Pull months' worth of weeds in the garden.
• Go for a hike on a wooded trail.
• Play a game of Frisbee.
• Try kayaking or canoeing.
• Head to the park for a walk or a game of tag with the kids or grandchildren.

Health Tip: Help Prevent Exercise-Induced Asthma

In some people, exercise can worsen or even trigger symptoms of asthma.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine suggests how to help prevent exercise-induced asthma:

• Wear a scarf across your mouth and breathe through your nose when exercising outside in cold, dry air.
• Avoid exercising when air pollution is high.
• Avoid exercising near lawns that have just been mowed.
• Always warm up at the beginning of your workout and cool down at the end.
• Try sports that may not aggravate asthma as much as others, such as swimming or baseball.
• Avoid sports that involve constant movement, such as basketball, running or soccer.

Health Headlines - March 14

Giffords Likely to Attend Space Shuttle Launch: Doctors

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' ability to walk and talk is improving and there is a good chance she'll be able to attend astronaut husband Mark Kelly's space shuttle launch in April, her doctors said Friday.

The medical team at TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, where she has been undergoing rehabilitation, also said that Giffords has been told that she was shot. Her memory is improving, but she does not recall the shooting rampage, the Associated Pressreported.

The doctors described several milestones in the congresswoman's recovery in recent weeks, including the removal of her breathing tube and her improving ability to walk with assistance and talk in complete sentences.

"I'm very happy to report that she's making leaps and bounds in terms of neurological recovery," said Dr. Dong Kim, according to the AP report.

Giffords is displaying emotion at times, including smiles when she achieves key advances in her recovery, he added.

"She has a personality that's already showing through," Kim said. "She's very upbeat, focused on getting better. She hasn't shown us depression, and she's just been very forward-looking and even with the speech she's not showing much frustration."

Giffords was shot in the head Jan. 8 while she hosted a political event outside a grocery store in Tucson, Ariz. The attacker killed six people and wounded 12 others.

Rabbi David Lyon, who visits Giffords three times a week, also said her speech was improving.

"There are words that are becoming clearer and opportunities to communicate are increasing," he told the AP.

Any decision on Giffords' trip to the Florida launch of Endeavour, which Kelly will command, will be based on her ability to move independently, how much assistance is available to her, and whether she is capable of handling the hectic setting of an airport, her medical team said, according to AP.

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Seroquel Settlement Costs AstraZeneca $68.5 Million

In what's believed to be the largest multi-state pharmaceutical settlement of its kind, AstraZeneca will pay $68.5 million to settle out-of-court allegations that it promoted the psychiatric drug Seroquel for unapproved uses.

The money will be paid to 37 states and the District of Columbia, the Associated Pressreported.

The states alleged that AstraZeneca promoted Seroquel for insomnia, Alzheimer's and other off-label uses. The drug was approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression.

"Consumers rightfully expect pharmaceutical companies to engage in responsible marketing efforts that are consistent with approved purposes," said Thomas Calcagni, acting director of New Jersey's division of consumer affairs, the AP reported.

-----

Extracurricular Activities Reduce Teen Pot Use: Study

Participation in extracurricular activities reduces the likelihood of marijuana use by nearly one-half in teen girls and by more than one-quarter in teen boys, says a new study.

The analysis of data from about 4,500 Connecticut high school students also found that younger students and those with good grades were also less likely to use marijuana, said the Yale University School of Medicine researchers.

Teens who smoked, drank alcohol and used other substances were more likely to use marijuana. Other behaviors linked to marijuana use included fighting, carrying a weapon, depressed mood and any form of self-harm.

More than 40 percent of the teens in the study said they had used marijuana at some time in their life and 24.5 percent said they had used it within the last 30 days. Boys were more likely than girls to report lifetime use (42 vs. 39 percent) and past-month use (27 vs. 22 percent).

The study appears in the March issue of the Journal of Addiction Medicine.

-----

Deal Increases FDA Oversight of McNeil Plants

Greater federal oversight at three plants involved in recalls of children's Tylenol and other widely used over-the-counter medicines is part of an agreement reached between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a unit of Johnson & Johnson.

The deal was reached Thursday and covers plants in Fort Washington, Pa, Lancaster, Pa., and Las Piedras, Puerto Rico, The New York Times reported. The FDA said manufacturing practices at the plants failed to comply with federal law.

The agency said the agreement requires Johnson & Johnson to hire an independent expert to assess whether operations at the plants meet federal standards and to ensure that quality systems are in place.

The FDA would also have the authority to force McNeil to halt manufacturing of medicines or to launch recalls. The agreement needs to be approved by a federal judge.

"Weve had a long engagement with McNeil over the last year with regard to their quality system," Douglas Stearn, an FDA official who helps oversee compliance by drug makers, told The Times. "We think this represents necessary important steps to assuring quality across the board."