If you've got an elderly loved one in a nursing home .. heck, if an elderly loved one is living with you, consider discussing this with their physician.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society finds nursing home residents who were given 800 IU of Vitamin D were less likely to fall compared with those given placebo or lower doses of the vitamin.
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with muscle weakness and that may be why it helped these seniors.
The study was done by at Harvard's Institute for Aging Research.
Friday, February 23
Depression and Heart Disease
Yet another study linking depression with worse medical outcomes for people suffering heart failure. This study from DUKE University ranks depression right up there with elevated cholestoral and high blood pressure.
The researchers found depression was high in this group and depressed patients were 50% more likely to die or be hospitalized for their heart condition compared with those who weren't depressed.
What makes this latest study different from others is that the researchers coupled the psych assessment with a relatively new blood test that measures something called B-type natriuretic peptides. These chemicals are released into the bloodstream by heart tissue when the heart is unable to pump effectively.
Researchers still aren't sure why depressed heart patients have worse outcomes but this points to the need to emotionally support these patients and help them seek treatment.
http://dukemednews.org/home
The researchers found depression was high in this group and depressed patients were 50% more likely to die or be hospitalized for their heart condition compared with those who weren't depressed.
What makes this latest study different from others is that the researchers coupled the psych assessment with a relatively new blood test that measures something called B-type natriuretic peptides. These chemicals are released into the bloodstream by heart tissue when the heart is unable to pump effectively.
Researchers still aren't sure why depressed heart patients have worse outcomes but this points to the need to emotionally support these patients and help them seek treatment.
http://dukemednews.org/home
Thursday, February 22
Tamoxifen Update
The latest on Tamoxifen finds long term data showing the drug's effect of reducing the risk for breast cancer persists even after the drug is stopped have now been published in the February 21 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
This is based on analysis of two major breast cancer studies .. one following women for 8 years, the other for 13 years.
Now, an editorial accompanying the publication of the studies says, "The long-term results of these 2 important trials reinforce the notion that tamoxifen is effective with an acceptable safety profile in reducing the risks of — and perhaps truly preventing — estrogen receptor [ER]–positive breast cancer in high-risk individuals."
http://www.cancer.gov
This is based on analysis of two major breast cancer studies .. one following women for 8 years, the other for 13 years.
Now, an editorial accompanying the publication of the studies says, "The long-term results of these 2 important trials reinforce the notion that tamoxifen is effective with an acceptable safety profile in reducing the risks of — and perhaps truly preventing — estrogen receptor [ER]–positive breast cancer in high-risk individuals."
http://www.cancer.gov
Trans Fat
I'm just back from Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson where they're going TRANS FAT FREE. The oil has been linked to helping heart disease progress by reducing your good cholestoral - HDL- and increasing the bad stuff - LDL.
While we'll never get all the trans fat out of our diet - some of it occurs naturally in meat and dairy products, we can get rid of the added fat by reading product labels.
But be alert as trans fats hide in produts you wouldn't expect - muffin mixes, canned puddings even saltines.
And when you find products that are trans fat free check the ingredients carefully as some manufacturers are increasing the sugar content to keep the taste.
While we'll never get all the trans fat out of our diet - some of it occurs naturally in meat and dairy products, we can get rid of the added fat by reading product labels.
But be alert as trans fats hide in produts you wouldn't expect - muffin mixes, canned puddings even saltines.
And when you find products that are trans fat free check the ingredients carefully as some manufacturers are increasing the sugar content to keep the taste.
Asthma and ADHD
A few drug warnings to pass along .. and no, asthma and adhd are not related - they just hit the warning list together ..
First up .. a new alert for XOLAIR- an injected asthma drug.
The FDA told the manufacturer to add the strongest warning possible to the meds label. The reason: the potential for anaphylaxis - a sudden, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can include trouble breathing, tightness in the chest, dizziness, fainting, itching and hives and swelling of the mouth and throat.
The bottom line, after giving an injection, doctors are being urged to keep patients in the office for up to 2 hours to make sure they're not reacting adversely.
The second warning is for all ADHD drugs including Ritalin, Adderall and Strattera. U.S. health officials are telling manufacturers to develop patient medication guides warning of possible cardiovascular and psychiatric risks. You'll recall Strattera was linked to suicidal thoughts in some children.
First up .. a new alert for XOLAIR- an injected asthma drug.
The FDA told the manufacturer to add the strongest warning possible to the meds label. The reason: the potential for anaphylaxis - a sudden, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can include trouble breathing, tightness in the chest, dizziness, fainting, itching and hives and swelling of the mouth and throat.
The bottom line, after giving an injection, doctors are being urged to keep patients in the office for up to 2 hours to make sure they're not reacting adversely.
The second warning is for all ADHD drugs including Ritalin, Adderall and Strattera. U.S. health officials are telling manufacturers to develop patient medication guides warning of possible cardiovascular and psychiatric risks. You'll recall Strattera was linked to suicidal thoughts in some children.
Tuesday, February 20
Autism
One of the most confounding and, at times, difficult diagnosis a parent can get about their child is AUTISM. A recent study indicates the number of cases is on the rise. The CDC says one in every 150 people, worldwide, is autistic.
There's been much speculation about the cause. Well now scientists have, what they say, is probable cause implicating dozens genes. The findings come from The Autism Genome Project (AGP), the largest autism study ever.
The massive new study says there's trouble on every one of the 23 chromosomes. That would explain the varying degrees of the disease.
These findings, say researchers at the AGP, give them hope that within 5 to 10 years, drugs will be developed to prevent, fight and possibly even reverse autism.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/autism.html
Monday, February 19
Chicken Recall
Another week - another food recall.
This time it's the six-ounce package of "OSCAR MAYER/LOUIS RICH CHICKEN BREAST STRIPS WITH RIB MEAT, GRILLED, FULLY COOKED -- READY TO EAT." Each package has the number "P-19676" inside the USDA inspection mark on front and a use-by-date of "19 Apr 2007" on back.
The worry, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a sample of the meat tested in Georgia was contaminated by Listeria monocytogenes That can cause listeriosis, a rare but serious infection. There have been no reported cases of illness.
If you've got questions about the recall contact Kraft Consumer Response at (800) 871-7117.
This time it's the six-ounce package of "OSCAR MAYER/LOUIS RICH CHICKEN BREAST STRIPS WITH RIB MEAT, GRILLED, FULLY COOKED -- READY TO EAT." Each package has the number "P-19676" inside the USDA inspection mark on front and a use-by-date of "19 Apr 2007" on back.
The worry, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a sample of the meat tested in Georgia was contaminated by Listeria monocytogenes That can cause listeriosis, a rare but serious infection. There have been no reported cases of illness.
If you've got questions about the recall contact Kraft Consumer Response at (800) 871-7117.
Donating blood could be good for you
If giving the gift of life doesn't motivate you to donate blood, consider this: it might also improve your own health.
Donating blood might keep your circulatory system healthy by getting rid of excess iron.
In a six-year study researchers looked at patients with a common circulatory problem called peripheral arterial disease. Those who had blood drawn every six months had fewer heart attacks and strokes and lived longer than those who did not have blood drawn.
Donating blood might keep your circulatory system healthy by getting rid of excess iron.
In a six-year study researchers looked at patients with a common circulatory problem called peripheral arterial disease. Those who had blood drawn every six months had fewer heart attacks and strokes and lived longer than those who did not have blood drawn.
Carpal tunnel may be handed down
Don't be so quick to blame your aching wrist on the long hours spent on the computer.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a weakness or pain felt in the wrist when the nerve that runs from the arm into the hand is squeezed.
Harvard Medical School researchers believe the syndrome may have more to do with genetics than being at a computer for long periods of time.
After reviewing more than 115 studies on the condition they found hereditary factors were more prevalent than cases of frequently using the hands.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a weakness or pain felt in the wrist when the nerve that runs from the arm into the hand is squeezed.
Harvard Medical School researchers believe the syndrome may have more to do with genetics than being at a computer for long periods of time.
After reviewing more than 115 studies on the condition they found hereditary factors were more prevalent than cases of frequently using the hands.
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