Health Tips for April 22

Health Tip: Is Knee Replacement Safe?

Knee replacement surgery may be a solution for disabling arthritis, pain caused by other medical problems, or a tumor affecting the knee.

But if you've got certain risk factors, your doctor may advise against the surgery, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says. Here are some examples:

• Having an infection affecting the knee.
• Being morbidly obese.
• Having very weak muscles at the front of the thigh, making it difficult to walk.
• Being severely mentally impaired.
• Having insufficient blood flow to the leg, which could prevent proper healing.
• Having terminal cancer that continues to spread.

Health Tip: After You Have Knee Surgery

During surgery to reconstruct a damaged anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a new ligament is attached to the knee.

Your doctor should send you home with instructions for what to do while you recover.

The ADAM Encyclopedia's suggestions for recovery from ACL surgery include the following:

• Rest as much as you can with your leg elevated on a couple of pillows placed beneath your calf muscle or foot.
• Keep the dressing on your knee dry.
• Don't use a heating pad on the knee.
• If recommended by your doctor, wear a supportive stocking to help decrease the risk of blood clots.
• Do any exercises recommended by your doctor to help improve circulation and reduce blood-clot risk.
• If so directed by your doctor, use crutches and wear a supportive knee brace.
• Physical therapy may be prescribed as soon as two weeks after your surgery.

Health Headlines - April 21

Hospital Outpatient Care Pricier Than Doctor's Office Visits: Report

Only five percent of all ambulatory doctor visits in the United States in 2008 were to doctors in hospital outpatient departments, but these types of visits accounted for more than 20 percent of the $309 billion spent on that type of care, says a federal government report released Wednesday.

The average cost of a hospital outpatient doctor visit was $1,275, compared to $199 for a visit to a doctor's office, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

The average cost of a hospital emergency department in which a patient was seen by a doctor was $922. This type of visit accounted for only four percent of all ambulatory visits but 14 percent of the total amount spent on ambulatory doctor care.

Patients who received hospital outpatient care from a doctor were about seven times more likely to have surgery than patients seen in a doctor's office and four times more likely than patients seen by a doctor in a hospital emergency department, the report said.

In cases where patients didn't have surgery, the average expense per visit for physician care was 44 higher in the hospital emergency department than in the outpatient department -- $821 vs. $569.

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FDA Approves Cervical Cancer Test

A test to identify women at high risk for cervical cancer has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The test can detect two types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) associated with more than 70 percent of cervical cancer cases, as well as 12 other types of HPV that can also cause the disease, Bloomberg News reported.

FDA approval of the test from Roche Holding AG was based on a study of more than 47,000 women in the United States.

In 2010, more than 12,000 cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed in the U.S. and more than 4,000 women died of the disease, according to the National Cancer Institute,Bloomberg reported.

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Rituxan Approved to Treat Blood Vessel Inflammation Disorders

The arthritis and cancer drug Rituxan has been approved to treat two rare disorders that cause blood vessel inflammation, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday.

In combination with steroids called glucocorticoids, Rituxan (rituximab) can be used to treat patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). The diseases each affect less than 200,000 people in the United States.

The FDA approval was based on a single clinical trial that included 197 patients with WG or MPA. Common side effects included infection, nausea, diarrhea, headache, muscle spasms and anemia.

The drug already has FDA approval to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

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Policy Shift Will Reduce Medicare Drug Plan Service Cuts

The Obama administration will award quality bonuses to hundreds of Medicare Advantage plans rated as average, a move that could prevent service cuts to millions of seniors enrolled in the plans.

The decision will lead to a $6.7 billion infusion into the popular private insurance plans and could avert service cuts that would have been a political problem for the president and Democrats in Congress, the Associated Press reported.

The quality bonuses will change what would have been averaged out as a net loss for the Medicare Advantage plans in 2012 into a small gain, according to the insurance industry.

Plans with average ratings account for more than half of the approximately 11 million Medicare Advantage enrollees, the AP reported.

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Woman Shows Off New Hand

A 26-year-old American woman who showed off her newly transplanted right hand Tuesday said she's still getting used to it.

"I do feel like it's mine. Slowly but surely, every day it becomes more and more mine," Emily Fennell said Tuesday at a news conference at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, the Associated Press reported.

She received her new hand March 5 during a 14 1/2-hour operation at the medical center. It was the first such transplant at the hospital and the 13th in the United States.

Doctors said Fennell, who lost her hand in a traffic crash, faces a long rehabilitation process, the AP reported.

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Breath Test for Cancer a Step Closer: Scientists

Researchers say they're a step closer to creating a breath test that can detect cancer.

Israeli scientists who created an "electronic nose" found that it was able to identify chemical signals of cancer in the breath of 80 patients with lung or head and neck cancer, BBC News reported.

The findings appear in the British Journal of Cancer.

"There's an urgent need to develop new ways to detect head-and-neck cancer because diagnosis of the disease is complicated, requiring specialist examinations," said lead researcher Professor Hossam Haick of the Israel Institute of Technology, BBC Newsreported.

"We've shown that a simple 'breath test' can spot the patterns of molecules which are found in head-and-neck patients in a small, early study," Haick said. "We now need to test these results in larger studies to find if this could lead to a potential screening method for the disease."

While the findings are encouraging, it will take years of research to determine if the breath test could be used in the clinic, Dr. Lesley Walker, of Cancer Research UK, told BBC News.

Health Tips for April 21

Health Tip: Aggravating Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an immune system disorder that causes red, scaly patches of skin.

The American Academy of Family Physicians says the following triggers can cause the disorder to flare:

• Having an infection, such as the common cold or strep throat.
• Having a disease that weakens the immune system.
• Being under stress.
• Being a smoker.
• Irritating the skin.
• Being exposed to cold.
• Taking certain medications, such as beta blockers for high blood pressure.

Health Tip: Living With Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin condition that occurs when immature skin cells rise too quickly above the surface of the skin. This leads to symptoms including patches of thick, red skin that itch or feel sore.

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases describes how psoriasis can impact a person's quality of life:

• It can cause pain and discomfort, and in some cases, disability.
• It can interfere with simple tasks such as sleeping, walking and taking care of yourself.
• It can lead to emotional problems, including lack of self-confidence.
• If psychological distress is serious enough, it can trigger self-isolation and depression.

Health Headlines - April 20

U.S. Spending on Medicines Slows: Study

Spending on medicines in the United States grew at a slower rate in 2010, rising 2.3 percent compared to 5.1 percent in 2009, a new study says.

The total spent on medicines last year was $307.4 billion, according to the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics, Dow Jones Newswires reported.

Spending on brand name medicines fell 0.7 percent in 2010 while spending on generic medicines increased. Generic medicines now account for 78 percent of all retail prescriptions, the study said.

It also found that the number of doctor offices visits decreased 4.2 percent in 2010, and the number of new patients starting new treatments for chronic conditions fell by 3.4 million, Dow Jones reported.

A high jobless rate and rising healthcare costs were the reason for the slowdown in healthcare spending last year, according to the researchers.

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First Public Appearance for Hand Transplant Patient

A California woman who received a new hand in a transplant procedure last month is scheduled to appear at a news conference Tuesday.

The 26-year-old mother lost her right hand in a traffic accident several years ago and had been living with a prosthetic. She wanted a new hand to better care for her daughter, the Associated Press reported.

The 14 1/2-hour transplant surgery was conducted at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. During the procedure, a team of nearly 20 surgeons, nurses and support staff connected bones, blood vessels, nerves and tendons between the hand from a deceased donor and the recipient.

The patient was able to move the fingers on her new hand soon after the surgery. She still requires several months of rehabilitation and will have to take anti-rejection drugs for the rest of her life, the AP reported

This is the 13th hand transplant in the United States. The world's first hand transplant was conducted in Ecuador in 1964 and there have been dozens since.

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Diet During Pregnancy Affects Child's DNA and Obesity Risk: Study

Eating low levels of carbohydrates during pregnancy can alter a developing child's DNA and increase the risk of childhood obesity, a new study says.

This effect on obesity at ages six and nine years is considerably greater than birth weight and does not depend on how thin or fat the mother is, according to the researchers, BBC News reported.

"All women who become pregnant get advice about diet, but it is not always high up the agenda of health professionals," said study leader Professor Keith Godfrey, from the University of Southampton in the U.K. "The research suggests women should follow the advice as it may have a long term influence on the baby's health after it is born."

The study will appear in the journal Diabetes.

The findings strengthen "the case for all women of reproductive age having greater access to nutritional, educational and lifestyle support to improve the health of the next generation, and to reduce the risk of conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, which often follow obesity," Professor Mark Hanson, of the British Heart Foundation, toldBBC News.

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Ovarian Cancer Begins in Fallopian Tubes: Study

Ovarian cancer starts in the fallopian tubes, not the ovaries, according to a new study.

Scientists at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, made the finding after conducting lab experiments in which they recreated the process by which ovarian cancer forms,Agence France-Presse reported.

The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, may lead to new ways to fight ovarian cancer. Each year, about 200,000 women worldwide are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and about 115,000 die of the disease.

A number of previous studies have suggested that ovarian cancer may originate elsewhere, but this study shows how the cancer first takes root in fallopian tissue, AFPreported. The fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus.

Health Tips for April 20

Health Tip: Understanding Autoimmune Diseases

Having an autoimmune disease means that the body's germ-fighting immune system mistakenly attacks normal cells.

The womenshealth.gov Web site says there are more than 80 known autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and psoriasis.

While anyone can acquire an autoimmune disease, the site mentions these factors that increase a person's risk:

• Being a woman of childbearing age.
• Having a family history of one or more autoimmune diseases.
• Exposure to certain chemicals and environmental factors.
• Being of a particular ethnic background or race. Risk varies based on the particular disease.

Health Tip: Living With Multiple Sclerosis

Although multiple sclerosis lasts a lifetime, symptoms may come and go.

The American Academy of Family Physicians says it's important to stay as healthy as possible, despite your illness. The academy offers these suggestions:

• Stick to a healthy diet with nutritious foods that are low-fat and fiber-rich.
• With your doctor's approval, exercise regularly. Stretching is an excellent way to manage stiffness and help improve mobility.
• Get plenty of sleep each night, and rest when you need it.
• Avoid extreme temperatures, especially extreme heat. Take care when using hot tubs or saunas.
• Ask family, friends and other loved ones for support and encouragement.

Health Headlines - April 19

Study of Daily Anti-HIV Pill Halted

A study of a daily pill to prevent HIV infection has been halted because partial results show that the drug offers no benefit to women using it, researchers say.

The findings from the clinical trial involving thousands of African women show that those taking the drug Truvada are just as likely to get HIV as women taking a placebo pill, theAssociated Press reported.

The decision to halt the trial was announced Monday by Family Health International, a nonprofit group that launched the study two years ago. While no safety problems were seen with Truvada, women taking the pill were more likely to become pregnant than those taking the placebo.

"That's both a surprising finding and one that we can't readily explain" by what's currently known about the drug's effects on women using hormonal contraceptives, said Dr. Timothy Mastro of Family Health International, the AP reported.

A study released last fall found that Truvada did help prevent HIV infection in gay and bisexual men when used with prevention services such as condoms, counseling.

The leader of that study said it's difficult to understand why the drug didn't protect women against HIV infection. Blood samples may explain whether that failure is related to how faithfully women in the study took the drug, Dr. Robert M. Grant told the AP.

Truvada, made by California-based Gilead Sciences Inc., is a combination of two drugs, tenofovir and emtricitabine. It is already sold for treating HIV infection, the AP reported.

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Supreme Court Silent on Health Care Law Case

The U.S. Supreme Court made no mention Monday of a case involving Virginia's request for a swift review of the national health care law.

The case was among those scheduled for discussion during the justices' private conference Friday, but there was no notice about the case when the court convened Monday, the Associated Press reported.

There could be a number of reasons for this silence, such as a justice asking for more time to consider the case or to write a short opinion that would accompany an order.

Pending cases will be discussed again Friday.

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Remarks Deemed Offensive Cause Head of Surgeons Group to Resign

After weeks of controversy over an editorial that outraged many women in the medical field, the president-elect of the American College of Surgeons resigned his position Sunday.

Dr. Lazar Greenfield was editor in chief of Surgery News when he wrote a Valentine's Day editorial that touted the mood-enhancing effects of semen on women during unprotected sex, The New York Times reported.

His editorial referred to a study that suggested compounds in semen may have antidepressant effects on women. "So there's a deeper bond between men and women than St. Valentine would have suspected, and now we know there's a better gift for that day than chocolates," Greenfield concluded in the editorial.

Many women in the medical field were angered by the editorial, saying it reflected a macho culture in surgery. As a result, the entire issue of Surgery News was withdrawn and Greenfield resigned as editor in chief.

But the controversy continued to follow him and Greenfield said he decided to resign as president-elect of the American College of Surgeons "rather than have this remain a disruptive issue," he said in a statement sent by e-mail, The Times reported.

Greenfiled is an emeritus professor of surgery at the University of Michigan School of Medicine.

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New Anti-Fatigue Rules for Air Traffic Controllers

Longer breaks between shifts for air traffic controllers are among the new anti-fatigue rules announced by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration following a series of incidents in which air traffic controllers fell asleep on the job.

Air traffic controllers will now have at least nine hours off between shifts instead of the current eight-hour minimum, under the new rules. In addition, controllers will not be allowed to switch shifts with another controller unless they have had at least nine hours off, and FAA managers will be working more late-night and early-morning shifts to better monitor controllers, USA Today reported.

But allowing controllers to have naps during a shift doesn't appear to be under consideration, even though some experts believe it's a good idea.

"On my watch, controllers will not be paid to take naps," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said on Fox News Sunday, according to USA Today. "We want to make sure they're well rested. We want to make (sure) that in the workplace there's the ability for them to do their job, but we're not going to pay controllers to be napping. We're not going to do that."

Health Tips for April 19

Health Tip: You Don't Have to Run to Get Runner's Knee

Patellofemoral pain, commonly called runner's knee, describes a host of conditions that cause a dull pain in the front of the kneecap where it connects to the thighbone.

Activities that put heavy stress on the knees increase the risk of runner's knee. Besides people who run, skiers, cyclists and soccer players may develop runner's knee, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says.

The academy mentions these contributing factors for development of runner's knee:

• A poorly aligned kneecap.
• A dislocated knee.
• Another type of injury to the knee.
• Training too vigorously or overusing the knee.
• Thigh muscles that are weak, improperly balanced, or tight.
• Flat feet.

Health Tip: When to See a Doctor for a Knee Injury

Injuries to the knee -- the body's largest joint -- lead to more than 19 million visits to the doctor each year, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says.

While not all knee injuries are serious, the academy says these warning signs should prompt a trip to the doctor:

• Your knee made a popping sound and feels like it "gave out" when you hurt it.
• You have significant pain in the knee.
• You are unable to move the knee.
• You limp when you walk.
• Your knee is swollen.

Health Headlines - April 18

FDA Approves Electricity Treatment for Brain Cancer

A first-of-a-kind treatment that uses electrical energy fields to fight brain cancer has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The NovoTTF device was approved for patients with aggressive brain cancer that has returned after treatment with chemotherapy, the Associated Press reported.

The device, made by Novocure, disrupts the division of cancer cells that allows tumors to grow. The electrical signals are delivered through four electrodes attached to the patient's head.

The FDA approval was based on a study of 237 patients that found those treated with the device lived as long as those receiving chemotherapy and had far fewer side effects, the AP reported.

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Generic Heartburn Drug Recalled

A dissolvable generic heartburn drug may clump and cause problems for patients using an oral syringe or feeding tube, warns a U.S. Food and Drug Administration letter to doctors.

The drug, which is made by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and is a generic version of Prevacid SoluTabs, reduces stomach acid and is used to treat certain types of stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal reflux disease, Dow Jones Newswires reported.

The clumping problem has resulted in some patients requiring emergency medical assistance and to have their feeding tubes unclogged or replaced, the FDA letter said.

Teva has stopped distributing the product but patients and pharmacies and other health facilities may still have supplies of the drug, Dow Jones reported. The drug may carry the following labels: Sharp Corporation, Cardinal Health and Quality Packaging Specialist Inc.

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Woman Who Withheld Cancer Drugs From Son Sentenced to 8-10 Years

A prison sentence of 8 to 10 years was given to a Massachusetts woman who withheld chemotherapy drugs from her young autistic son who had lymphoma.

Kristen LaBrie, 38, was found guilty Tuesday and sentenced Friday by Judge Richard Welch, who said her actions "really do chill one's soul," msnbc.com reported.

Her son, Jeremy Fraser, was 9 years old when he died in 2009. He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma shortly after he turned 7. La Brie testified that she withheld the cancer drugs because she thought the side effects would kill her son.

Before she was sentenced, LaBrie wept and apologized, msnbc.com reported.

"I am remorseful for my actions and I wish I could have done things differently," she said.

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FDA Should Ban Weight Loss Drugs Alli, Xenical: Public Citizen

The growing number of reported health problems associated with the prescription weight loss drugs Alli and Xenical should prompt their removal from the U.S. market, says Public Citizen.

On Thursday, the consumer watchdog group issued its second petition in five years calling for the Food and Drug Administration to ban the drugs due to side effects such as liver damage, kidney stones and pancreatitis, ABC News reported.

"These drugs have the potential to cause significant damage to multiple critical organs, yet they provide meager benefits in reducing weight loss in obese and overweight patients," said Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group.

The FDA rejected the group's first petition and it's unclear whether it will accept the new petition regarding Alli and Xenical, ABC News reported.

Also on Thursday, GlaxosmithKline announced that it is trying to sell its ownership of the two brands of weight loss drugs to other drug companies.

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Workers at Japanese Nuclear Plant Advised to Store Blood Stem Cells

Workers at the damaged Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant in Japan are being advised to store blood stem cells now in case they require them later to treat radiation overdose.

Experts say the years of clean-up work needed at the plant will put workers at risk of accidental radiation exposure. High doses of radiation can destroy the blood-making cells of the bone marrow, a potentially deadly problem. But the condition can be treated with blood stem cell transplants, the Associated Press reported.

Banking blood stem cells involves receiving injections for several days to get stem cells from the bone marrow to enter the bloodstream. Blood is then drawn and processed to extract the stem cells, which are then stored. Later, workers who are accidentally exposed to a large radiation dose could receive infusions of their own stem cells, the experts explained.

They outline their idea in a letter published online Thursday in The Lancet.

Stem cell transplants would only help workers exposed to radiation does within a narrow range, Dr. Nelson Chao of Duke University told the AP. They could recover from a lower dose and would suffer untreatable damage at a higher dose, he explained.

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Breast Radiation Shield Recall Most Serious Type: FDA

U.S. health officials say the recall of a radiation shield used in breast cancer patients is now the most serious type of recall.

The Food and Drug Administration recall of the Axxent FlexiShield Mini is classified Class I, which means "there is a reasonable probability that use of these products will cause serious adverse health consequences or death," The New York Times reported.

The silicone rubber and tungsten devices were used to help shield healthy tissue while women received radiation treatment for breast cancer. But the products were flawed and left hundreds of particles of tungsten in the breasts and chest muscles of 29 women in the U.S.

There's little research about the long-term health effects of tungsten, but it does show up on mammograms and may make them difficult to read. This could be a serious issue for women who have had breast cancer and worry about recurrences. On mammograms, the tungsten particles resemble calcium deposits, which can indicate cancer, The Timesreported.

That's why the recall has been classified as the most serious type, an FDA spokeswoman said.

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Leukemia Drug Shortage Threatens Patients' Lives

A shortage of the leukemia drug cytarabine in the United States is putting patients' lives at risk, doctors warn.

Shortages have been reported in 30 states and began last fall due to manufacturing delays, according to the Food and Drug Administration, ABC News reported.

For patients with acute lymphblastic leukemia (AML), the drug offers cure rates of 40 to 50 percent. Without the drug, patients have no chance of survival. There is no viable alternative treatment.

"If we can't get this drug, then the patients are going to die," Dr. Hagop Kantarjian, chairman of the department of leukemia, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, told ABC News.

Health Tips for April 18

Health Tip: Managing Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis occurs when there's nerve and muscle damage that slows the process that empties the stomach.

The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse suggests how to help manage gastroparesis:

• By taking medication, including drugs that encourage the stomach muscles to contract.
• By eating several small meals a day, in place of three big meals.
• By eliminating foods high in fat and or fiber from your diet. Those ingredients can be tougher to digest.
• In more severe cases, by sticking to a liquid or pureed diet.

Health Tip: Screening Early for Colorectal Cancer

The general rule is that most people don't need to be screened for colorectal cancer until the age of 50. But for some who meet certain criteria, earlier screening is recommended.

The American Academy of Family Physicians suggests you may be a candidate for earlier colorectal cancer screening if:

• You have a previous history of polyps or colorectal cancer.
• Other people in your family have had colorectal cancer or polyps.
• You've had Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
• You have an inherited colon cancer syndrome.
• Your diet largely consists of foods that are high in fat and low in fiber.

Health Headlines - April 17

FDA Approves Electricity Treatment for Brain Cancer

A first-of-a-kind treatment that uses electrical energy fields to fight brain cancer has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The NovoTTF device was approved for patients with aggressive brain cancer that has returned after treatment with chemotherapy, the Associated Press reported.

The device, made by Novocure, disrupts the division of cancer cells that allows tumors to grow. The electrical signals are delivered through four electrodes attached to the patient's head.

The FDA approval was based on a study of 237 patients that found those treated with the device lived as long as those receiving chemotherapy and had far fewer side effects, the AP reported.

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Generic Heartburn Drug Recalled

A dissolvable generic heartburn drug may clump and cause problems for patients using an oral syringe or feeding tube, warns a U.S. Food and Drug Administration letter to doctors.

The drug, which is made by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and is a generic version of Prevacid SoluTabs, reduces stomach acid and is used to treat certain types of stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal reflux disease, Dow Jones Newswires reported.

The clumping problem has resulted in some patients requiring emergency medical assistance and to have their feeding tubes unclogged or replaced, the FDA letter said.

Teva has stopped distributing the product but patients and pharmacies and other health facilities may still have supplies of the drug, Dow Jones reported. The drug may carry the following labels: Sharp Corporation, Cardinal Health and Quality Packaging Specialist Inc.

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Woman Who Withheld Cancer Drugs From Son Sentenced to 8-10 Years

A prison sentence of 8 to 10 years was given to a Massachusetts woman who withheld chemotherapy drugs from her young autistic son who had lymphoma.

Kristen LaBrie, 38, was found guilty Tuesday and sentenced Friday by Judge Richard Welch, who said her actions "really do chill one's soul," msnbc.com reported.

Her son, Jeremy Fraser, was 9 years old when he died in 2009. He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma shortly after he turned 7. La Brie testified that she withheld the cancer drugs because she thought the side effects would kill her son.

Before she was sentenced, LaBrie wept and apologized, msnbc.com reported.

"I am remorseful for my actions and I wish I could have done things differently," she said.

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FDA Should Ban Weight Loss Drugs Alli, Xenical: Public Citizen

The growing number of reported health problems associated with the prescription weight loss drugs Alli and Xenical should prompt their removal from the U.S. market, says Public Citizen.

On Thursday, the consumer watchdog group issued its second petition in five years calling for the Food and Drug Administration to ban the drugs due to side effects such as liver damage, kidney stones and pancreatitis, ABC News reported.

"These drugs have the potential to cause significant damage to multiple critical organs, yet they provide meager benefits in reducing weight loss in obese and overweight patients," said Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group.

The FDA rejected the group's first petition and it's unclear whether it will accept the new petition regarding Alli and Xenical, ABC News reported.

Also on Thursday, GlaxosmithKline announced that it is trying to sell its ownership of the two brands of weight loss drugs to other drug companies.

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Workers at Japanese Nuclear Plant Advised to Store Blood Stem Cells

Workers at the damaged Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant in Japan are being advised to store blood stem cells now in case they require them later to treat radiation overdose.

Experts say the years of clean-up work needed at the plant will put workers at risk of accidental radiation exposure. High doses of radiation can destroy the blood-making cells of the bone marrow, a potentially deadly problem. But the condition can be treated with blood stem cell transplants, the Associated Press reported.

Banking blood stem cells involves receiving injections for several days to get stem cells from the bone marrow to enter the bloodstream. Blood is then drawn and processed to extract the stem cells, which are then stored. Later, workers who are accidentally exposed to a large radiation dose could receive infusions of their own stem cells, the experts explained.

They outline their idea in a letter published online Thursday in The Lancet.

Stem cell transplants would only help workers exposed to radiation does within a narrow range, Dr. Nelson Chao of Duke University told the AP. They could recover from a lower dose and would suffer untreatable damage at a higher dose, he explained.

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Breast Radiation Shield Recall Most Serious Type: FDA

U.S. health officials say the recall of a radiation shield used in breast cancer patients is now the most serious type of recall.

The Food and Drug Administration recall of the Axxent FlexiShield Mini is classified Class I, which means "there is a reasonable probability that use of these products will cause serious adverse health consequences or death," The New York Times reported.

The silicone rubber and tungsten devices were used to help shield healthy tissue while women received radiation treatment for breast cancer. But the products were flawed and left hundreds of particles of tungsten in the breasts and chest muscles of 29 women in the U.S.

There's little research about the long-term health effects of tungsten, but it does show up on mammograms and may make them difficult to read. This could be a serious issue for women who have had breast cancer and worry about recurrences. On mammograms, the tungsten particles resemble calcium deposits, which can indicate cancer, The Timesreported.

That's why the recall has been classified as the most serious type, an FDA spokeswoman said.

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Leukemia Drug Shortage Threatens Patients' Lives

A shortage of the leukemia drug cytarabine in the United States is putting patients' lives at risk, doctors warn.

Shortages have been reported in 30 states and began last fall due to manufacturing delays, according to the Food and Drug Administration, ABC News reported.

For patients with acute lymphblastic leukemia (AML), the drug offers cure rates of 40 to 50 percent. Without the drug, patients have no chance of survival. There is no viable alternative treatment.

"If we can't get this drug, then the patients are going to die," Dr. Hagop Kantarjian, chairman of the department of leukemia, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, told ABC News.

Health Tips for April 17

Health Tip: Call Your Doctor Before You Take Antacids If You Have Certain Symptoms

Antacids are medications that counteract acids in the stomach, to help ease heartburn discomfort.

Many of these drugs are sold over-the-counter. But not everyone should take antacids, despite their wide availability, the American Academy of Family Physicians says.

The academy mentions these people who shouldn't take antacids without first consulting a physician:

• People who are passing bloody stools.
• People who are vomiting blood.
• People who have heartburn that doesn't get better after two weeks of treatment.
• People who have painful or difficulty swallowing.
• People who are losing weight for no apparent reason.

Health Tip: Easing Viral Gastroenteritis

Viral gastroenteritis, often referred to as "stomach flu," is a common infection that may trigger vomiting and diarrhea.

The ADAM Encyclopedia suggests ways to help you feel comfortable and recover from viral gastroenteritis:

• To replace lost fluids and electrolytes, adults and older children should consume sports drinks such as Gatorade.
• Young children may drink fluid-replacement products made for children.
• Avoid fruit juices, sodas, Jell-O or other products laden with sugar, which can worsen diarrhea.
• Don't gulp down too much fluid at once. Instead sip 2 oz. to 4 oz. every 30 minutes to 60 minutes.
• Babies should continue to have breast milk or formula, and adults should try to eat small amounts of bland foods.
• Don't take an anti-diarrhea medication unless your doctor recommends one.

Health Headlines - April 16

FDA Should Ban Weight Loss Drugs Alli, Xenical: Public Citizen

The growing number of reported health problems associated with the prescription weight loss drugs Alli and Xenical should prompt their removal from the U.S. market, says Public Citizen.

On Thursday, the consumer watchdog group issued its second petition in five years calling for the Food and Drug Administration to ban the drugs due to side effects such as liver damage, kidney stones and pancreatitis, ABC News reported.

"These drugs have the potential to cause significant damage to multiple critical organs, yet they provide meager benefits in reducing weight loss in obese and overweight patients," said Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group.

The FDA rejected the group's first petition and it's unclear whether it will accept the new petition regarding Alli and Xenical, ABC News reported.

Also on Thursday, GlaxosmithKline announced that it is trying to sell its ownership of the two brands of weight loss drugs to other drug companies.

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Workers at Japanese Nuclear Plant Advised to Store Blood Stem Cells

Workers at the damaged Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant in Japan are being advised to store blood stem cells now in case they require them later to treat radiation overdose.

Experts say the years of clean-up work needed at the plant will put workers at risk of accidental radiation exposure. High doses of radiation can destroy the blood-making cells of the bone marrow, a potentially deadly problem. But the condition can be treated with blood stem cell transplants, the Associated Press reported.

Banking blood stem cells involves receiving injections for several days to get stem cells from the bone marrow to enter the bloodstream. Blood is then drawn and processed to extract the stem cells, which are then stored. Later, workers who are accidentally exposed to a large radiation dose could receive infusions of their own stem cells, the experts explained.

They outline their idea in a letter published online Thursday in The Lancet.

Stem cell transplants would only help workers exposed to radiation does within a narrow range, Dr. Nelson Chao of Duke University told the AP. They could recover from a lower dose and would suffer untreatable damage at a higher dose, he explained.

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Breast Radiation Shield Recall Most Serious Type: FDA

U.S. health officials say the recall of a radiation shield used in breast cancer patients is now the most serious type of recall.

The Food and Drug Administration recall of the Axxent FlexiShield Mini is classified Class I, which means "there is a reasonable probability that use of these products will cause serious adverse health consequences or death," The New York Times reported.

The silicone rubber and tungsten devices were used to help shield healthy tissue while women received radiation treatment for breast cancer. But the products were flawed and left hundreds of particles of tungsten in the breasts and chest muscles of 29 women in the U.S.

There's little research about the long-term health effects of tungsten, but it does show up on mammograms and may make them difficult to read. This could be a serious issue for women who have had breast cancer and worry about recurrences. On mammograms, the tungsten particles resemble calcium deposits, which can indicate cancer, The Timesreported.

That's why the recall has been classified as the most serious type, an FDA spokeswoman said.

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Leukemia Drug Shortage Threatens Patients' Lives

A shortage of the leukemia drug cytarabine in the United States is putting patients' lives at risk, doctors warn.

Shortages have been reported in 30 states and began last fall due to manufacturing delays, according to the Food and Drug Administration, ABC News reported.

For patients with acute lymphblastic leukemia (AML), the drug offers cure rates of 40 to 50 percent. Without the drug, patients have no chance of survival. There is no viable alternative treatment.

"If we can't get this drug, then the patients are going to die," Dr. Hagop Kantarjian, chairman of the department of leukemia, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, told ABC News.

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Topamax Recalled After Odor Complaints

About 57,000 bottles of the prescription anti-seizure drug Topamax are being recalled due to customer complaints of an "uncharacteristic odor," Johnson & Johnson announced Thursday.

The recall affects two lots of Topamax 100 milligrams tablets shipped and distributed between Oct. 19, 2010 and Dec. 28, 2010 in the United States and Puerto Rico. The tablets were made by Johnson & Johnson's Ortho-McNeil Neurologics division, CNN.comreported.

There were four consumer complaints about an odor believed to be caused by trace amounts of the chemical TBA (2,4,6 tribromoanisole), which is applied to wooden pallets used to transport and store packaging materials.

Similar complaints of a moldy, musty odor have led to the recalls of millions of bottles of Tylenol, Motrin and Benadryl products. Last month, the U.S. government said it was taking over three Tylenol plants operated by McNeil and the Food and Drug Administration launched a criminal investigation into safety issues at the factories,CNN.com reported.

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Clogged Neck Veins Don't Cause MS: Study

Blockages in neck veins don't cause multiple sclerosis and may instead be a result of the disease, according to researchers at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

They examined 289 MS patients, 21 patients who had experienced only one MS attack, 26 patients with other neurological disease, and 164 healthy people in a control group, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Blocked neck veins were found in 44 percent of the MS patients, 38.1 percent of those who had experienced one MS attack, 42.3 percent of those with other neurological conditions, and slightly more than a quarter of those in the control group.

While there appears to be a relationship between MS and blocked neck veins, these results suggest that blocked neck veins "may be a consequence rather than a cause of MS," the researchers said.

The findings will be presented at a American Academy of Neurology meeting.

Earlier research suggesting that blocked neck veins may cause MS have led many people with MS to undergo surgery to have their neck veins unclogged, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Health Tips for April 16

Health Tip: Do You Have Risk Factors for Colon Cancer?

Although the exact cause of colon cancer isn't understood, scientists have figured out certain factors that increase a person's risk of developing the disease.

The National Cancer Institute mentions these risk factors for colon cancer:

• Being 50 or older.
• Having colorectal polyps -- typically non-cancerous growths that develop on the colon's inner wall.
• Having other people in your family who have had colorectal cancer, or having had cancer yourself.
• Having certain genetic abnormalities.
• Being a smoker.
• Eating a high-fat diet.
• Having Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

Health Tip: Take Steps Against Colon Polyps

Polyps in the colon may be benign, cancerous or pre-cancerous. In any case, there are steps you can take to help prevent them.

The U.S. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse offers these suggestions:

• Cut back on fatty foods.
• Up your intake of fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
• Get exercise on most days of the week.
• Maintain a healthy body weight.
• Eat foods that are rich in calcium.

Health Headlines - April 15

Topamax Recalled After Odor Complaints

About 57,000 bottles of the prescription anti-seizure drug Topamax are being recalled due to customer complaints of an "uncharacteristic odor," Johnson & Johnson announced Thursday.

The recall affects two lots of Topamax 100 milligrams tablets shipped and distributed between Oct. 19, 2010 and Dec. 28, 2010 in the United States and Puerto Rico. The tablets were made by Johnson & Johnson's Ortho-McNeil Neurologics division, CNN.comreported.

There were four consumer complaints about an odor believed to be caused by trace amounts of the chemical TBA (2,4,6 tribromoanisole), which is applied to wooden pallets used to transport and store packaging materials.

Similar complaints of a moldy, musty odor have led to the recalls of millions of bottles of Tylenol, Motrin and Benadryl products. Last month, the U.S. government said it was taking over three Tylenol plants operated by McNeil and the Food and Drug Administration launched a criminal investigation into safety issues at the factories,CNN.com reported.

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Clogged Neck Veins Don't Cause MS: Study

Blockages in neck veins don't cause multiple sclerosis and may instead be a result of the disease, according to researchers at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

They examined 289 MS patients, 21 patients who had experienced only one MS attack, 26 patients with other neurological disease, and 164 healthy people in a control group, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Blocked neck veins were found in 44 percent of the MS patients, 38.1 percent of those who had experienced one MS attack, 42.3 percent of those with other neurological conditions, and slightly more than a quarter of those in the control group.

While there appears to be a relationship between MS and blocked neck veins, these results suggest that blocked neck veins "may be a consequence rather than a cause of MS," the researchers said.

The findings will be presented at a American Academy of Neurology meeting.

Earlier research suggesting that blocked neck veins may cause MS have led many people with MS to undergo surgery to have their neck veins unclogged, the Wall Street Journalreported.

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Shortage of ADHD Drugs in U.S.

A U.S.-wide shortage of drugs used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has many parents going from pharmacy to pharmacy in order to find the medicines for their children, according to msnbc.com.

In the past two weeks, the Food and Drug Administration added Adderall and Ritalin to its growing list of drugs in short supply in the nation. Manufacturing delays and increased demand have been cited by some distributors as the reasons for the drug shortages, while others have offered no explanation.

A nationwide shortage of the ADHD drugs has been noted for nearly a month by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, with reports of regional shortages before that, msnbc.com said.

About 5.4 million children ages 4 to 17 in the U.S. have ever been diagnosed with ADHD, and 66 percent of those with current ADHD take medication for the condition, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Losing Weight Improves Memory: Study

Losing weight helps overweight and obese people improve their memories and concentration, according to a new study.

Researchers tested the cognitive abilities of 150 people who weighed an average of 300 pounds and repeated the tests 12 weeks after 109 of the participants underwent weight loss surgery and lost an average of 50 pounds, USA Today reported.

The follow-up tests revealed that those who had the weight loss surgery showed improvement in memory and other cognitive abilities, such as organizational skills. The participants who didn't lose weight showed a small decrease in memory.

It makes sense that as the body becomes healthier, so does the brain, said study author John Gunstad, an associate professor of psychology at Kent State University, USA Todayreported.

The study was published online this week in the journal Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases.

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Catherine Zeta-Jones Treated for Bipolar Disorder

Catherine Zeta-Jones, the actress and wife of actor Michael Douglas, was recently treated for bipolar disorder, her publicist said Wednesday.

"After dealing with the stress of the past year, Catherine made the decision to check in to a mental health facility for a brief stay to treat her Bipolar II disorder," her publicist said in a statement. "She's feeling great and looking forward to starting work this week on her two upcoming films."

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness marked by dramatic mood swings. People with the disorder can alternate from energetic "highs" to episodes of feeling hopeless and sad, and then back again. They often have normal moods in between. Bipolar disorder can run in families, and it usually starts in late adolescence or early adulthood, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Bipolar II disorder is not as severe as bipolar I.

Zeta-Jones, 41, was outspoken about her anger after Douglas, 66, was diagnosed with throat cancer in August 2010, ABC News reported. "It makes me furious they didn't detect it earlier," Zeta-Jones told People magazine. "He sought every option and nothing was found."

Zeta-Jones and Douglas were married in 2000, and they have two children together, Dylan Michael Douglas and Carys Zeta Douglas, ABC News reported.

Health Tips for April 15

Health Tip: Keep Protein Lean

Protein acts as fuel for your body and gives you energy. But beware -- some protein sources are also high in fat.

The Cleveland Clinic mentions these healthier protein options:

• Poultry without the skin.
• Lean cuts of meat and fish.
• Vegetable protein or tofu.
• Low-fat cheese, yogurt, milk and other dairy products.
• Lentils and beans.

Health Tip: Choose Healthy Carbohydrates

The foods you eat contribute to your overall mood and appetite, the Cleveland Clinic advises.

If you feel good and feel satisfied that you've eaten enough, you may not feel the desire to go back for more, clinic experts say.

Carbohydrates -- an essential part of your diet -- should be whole grain and contain lots of fiber. Here are some of the clinic's choices:

• Whole-grain cereals and breads.
• Potatoes with their skins.
• Brown rice, bulgur and quinoa.
• Fresh vegetables and fruits.
• Whole-grain pasta.

Health Headlines - April 14

Catherine Zeta-Jones Treated for Bipolar Disorder

Catherine Zeta-Jones, the actress and wife of actor Michael Douglas, was recently treated for bipolar disorder, her publicist said Wednesday.

"After dealing with the stress of the past year, Catherine made the decision to check in to a mental health facility for a brief stay to treat her Bipolar II disorder," her publicist said in a statement. "She's feeling great and looking forward to starting work this week on her two upcoming films."

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness marked by dramatic mood swings. People with the disorder can alternate from energetic "highs" to episodes of feeling hopeless and sad, and then back again. They often have normal moods in between. Bipolar disorder can run in families, and it usually starts in late adolescence or early adulthood, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Bipolar II disorder is not as severe as bipolar I.

Zeta-Jones, 41, was outspoken about her anger after Douglas, 66, was diagnosed with throat cancer in August 2010, ABC News reported. "It makes me furious they didn't detect it earlier," Zeta-Jones told People magazine. "He sought every option and nothing was found."

Zeta-Jones and Douglas were married in 2000, and they have two children together, Dylan Michael Douglas and Carys Zeta Douglas, ABC News reported.

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Support for Health Care Law Falls: Poll

Support for the new U.S. health care law is at its lowest level since the law was passed last year, a new poll finds.

Support for expansion of health insurance coverage stands at 35 percent, opposition at 45 percent, and 17 percent are neutral, according to the Associated Press-GfK survey. Among seniors, support dropped below 30 percent for the first time.

Concerns about federal budget deficits caused by high health care costs appear to be a major reason for the drop in support for the health care law, the Associated Pressreported.

On Tuesday, Medicare chief Donald Berwick said the health care law requires more time and also said a Republican plan to deal with health care costs is "unfair and harmful."

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Long-Term Studies of Japanese Public Health Needed: WHO

Public health in Japan may need to be studied for up to 20 years after the catastrophe at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, says the World Health Organization.

But there is no current risk to public health outside the 30-kilometer exclusion zone around the damaged facility, according to Maria Neira, WHO director of public health and environment, Agence France-Presse reported.

"It's clear that this 30-kilometer area provides the best shield for the protection of the population," she said, but added that the WHO is also beginning to think about potential future health consequences of the nuclear crisis.

"We need to start to put the basis for the studies that need to be conducted for the next 10 to 20 years," Neira said. "It may be too early because we are still in the very acute phase of detection for human health but we are discussing with Japan."

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OHSA Warns of Formaldehyde in Hair Straightening Products

A hair straightening and smoothing product called Brazilian Blowout can release harmful levels of formaldehyde, which was also found in other products labeled "formaldehyde-free," warns the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

In its hazard alert for hair salon workers and owners, the OSHA said air monitoring tests of salons found high levels of formaldehyde that in some cases exceeded federal standards, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Formaldehyde -- a strong smelling gas that is considered a health hazard -- can cause allergic reactions in the skin, eyes lungs and has been linked to nose and lung cancer.

A number of countries have pulled Brazilian Blowout off the market. In the U.S., some state agencies have already issued warnings about the product, the Tribune reported.

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FDA Fails to Ensure Safety of Medical Devices: GAO

Dozens of high-risk medical devices that have not undergone rigorous testing are being approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, even though the agency has promised to tighten its regulatory process, the U.S. Government Accountability Office says.

The GAO warned this lack of oversight is putting patients at risk, The New York Timesreported. The office is the investigative arm of Congress.

While the FDA has taken some recent measures to establish whether some high-risk medical devices such as artificial hips should have to undergo more testing before being approved for sale in the U.S., the agency continues to approve dozens of such devices every year with limited review, according to the GAO.

The concerns are to be outlined by an GAO official who is scheduled to testify Wednesday at a hearing before the Senate Special Committee on Aging. The committee will also hear preliminary GAO findings about deficiencies in how the FDA oversees recalls of defective medical devices, The Times reported.

Patient advocates and industry representatives will also testify at the hearing.

FDA officials had not seen the GAO testimony and therefore could not respond directly to it, agency spokeswoman Karen Riley told The Times. FDA officials plan to testify at the hearing, she added.

The Senate committee will look at a number of issues. It's believed one of them will be the approval and marketing of a now-recalled artificial hip known as the Articular Surface Replacement, sold by Johnson & Johnson.

The FDA approved the artificial hip without requiring Johnson & Johnson to conduct clinical trials of the device. In some cases, the device began disintegrating a few years after implantation, releasing metallic debris that left some patients crippled, The Timesreported.

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More Americans Suffering Medicine-Related Illness, Injury: Report

The number of people treated in U.S. hospitals after taking or being given the wrong medicine or dosage rose 52 percent between 2004 and 2008, from 1.2 million to 1.9 million, a federal government report says.

Among the more than 838,000 people who were treated and released from emergency departments after suffering medicine-related illness or injury in 2008, the top five causes were: unspecified medicines (261,600); painkillers (118,100); antibiotics (95,100); tranquilizers and antidepressants (79,300); corticosteroids and other hormones (71,400).

Among patients admitted to hospital for medicine-related illness or injury in 2008, the top five causes were: corticosteroids (283,700); painkillers (269,400); blood-thinners (218,800); drugs for cancer and immune system disorders (234,300) and heart and blood pressure medicines (191,300).

Among hospitalized patients, 53 percent were 65 or older, 30 percent were 45 to 64, 14 percent were 18 to 44, and 3 percent were 18 or younger.

The data appears in the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.