Attention ADHD
An FDA advisory panel has recommended adding a black box warning to Ritalin, Concerta and Adderall. The attention deficit hyperactivity disorder stimulants can raise heart rate and blood pressure linked to heart attacks and strokes. There have been 25 official cases of people, 19 of which were children, who have died suddenly while taking these types of drugs. [TIME]

If you or a loved one have suffered from a heart attack or stroke or a loved one has died while taking ADHD medications, please fill out the appropriate form [ADDERALL] [ADHD MEDICATIONS] [RITALIN] to join a possible class action against these allegedly harmful drugs.


Patch Problems Persist
The Food and Drug Administration officially announced that women using the Ortho Evra birth control patch have double the risk of developing blood clots than those who take the pill. One study suggested a twofold increase in the risk of venous thromboembolic events - leg and lung clots. Dozens of young women have died due to blood clots that are believed to be related to the use of the Ortho Evra patch and dozens more suffered strokes and other blood clot related side effects. [ABC NEWS]

If you or a loved one have suffered from a blood clot, heart attack or stroke, please fill out this [FORM] to join a possible class action against this allegedly harmful birth control patch.


Fungal Contact
In the past month there has been a significant increase in the number of fungal eye infections related to contact lens use. Patients with Fusarium fungus may suffer significant loss of vision and must seek immediate treatment or they may have to undergo urgent corneal transplants to save their sight. All patients who suffered from the fungus used disposable soft lenses and proceeded to clean and store them in multi-purpose contact lens solution; all but one used ReNu with MoistureLoc solution. [TODAY ONLINE]


Tequin Tightens Warnings
Tequin is an antibiotic used to treat pneumonia, bronchitis and other infections. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the antibiotic made by Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. will soon carry stronger warnings about the danger of rare life threatening events from blood sugar changes. Several severe cases of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia have been linked to Tequin and some cases were fatal. [REUTERS]


McDonald's Misinformed
McDonald's Corp. recently disclosed that its French fries contain wheat and dairy products. For years the fast food chain claimed its fries were gluten-free, but it has now been revealed they actually contain substances that can cause allergic or other medical reactions in food-sensitive consumers. Three lawsuits have been filed so far and are seeking class action status. [HOUSTON CHRONICLE]


Supplement Fractures
An estimated 10 million Americans suffer from Osteoporosis. Half of all women with this disease will endure a bone fracture. The largest study ever conducted suggests calcium and vitamin D supplements only offer limited protection against broken bones. These supplements increased the risk of kidney stones by 17% and were not statistically significant in preventing overall fractures. [MEDI RESOURCE]


Sleep On It
When stuck with making a difficult decision, scientists conclude the best strategy is to gather all of the relevant information and put the decision out of mind until the next day. Unconscious thought processes are a powerful part of the human psyche and aid in complex decision judgments. [BOSTON GLOBE]


Foster Growth
Compared to foster care, children raised in orphanages are stunted physically, emotionally and intellectually. Good foster care families can help orphans grow taller, put on weight, gain intellectually and lose the most marked symptoms of depression and anxiety. Researchers suggest the children's more attentive environment was responsible for their well-being and overall growth. [THE AGE]


Patterns of Prescriptions
Data reveals medical treatment for headaches differs between men and women and the age of the patient. Headaches account for 20% of sick leave and are one of the top 10 reasons for visiting a doctor. Women with headaches aged 45 - 54 are twice as likely as their male counterparts to be prescribed drugs by their general practitioner, while men are more likely referred to a hospital for further consultations. Varying patterns of diagnosis, treatment and referrals have created an inequity among patients and needs to be systemized for optimal healthcare effectiveness. [BBC NEWS]


Empty Memories
The creation and retrieval of memories may be enhanced on an empty stomach. A hunger hormone known as ghrelin can increase the number of nerve connections where new memories are formed. Ghrelin is released by the empty stomach into the bloodstream and is known to activate receptors throughout the brain. [BBC NEWS]


Power of Death
Each year emissions from power plants in Maryland are responsible for more than 700 premature deaths nationwide and 30,000 additional asthma attacks. Wet scrubbers have been manufactured since the 1970s to remove 90% of sulfur dioxide from coal fired power plant emissions. Six major power plants in the state of Maryland are owned by two companies that have failed to implement such emission reducing strategies. [SEATTLE POST INTELLIGENCER]


Testing Death
Researchers have combined 12 risk factors to try to determine the likelihood of those over the age of 50 dying in the next four years. So far the test has been 81% accurate and can give older people a reasonable idea of their survival chances. Are you over 50? What are you chances of dying within the next four years? Take the test here... [CNN NEWS]