 | | Jun-30-06 | Welcome to the World Health Newsletter:
Your weekly source of interesting and informative health news from around the world.
Beta Blockers hazards
More than two million Britons have been taken off beta blocker drugs after new evidence has shown that the blood-pressure drugs increase risk of strokes, heart attacks and diabetes. A 2005 study found that beta blockers cut a patient's risk of stroke by 20 percent, but newer treatments are shown to prevent 40 percent of strokes and 15 percent more heart attacks. Beta blockers will be phased out as blood pressure treatment but they are still recommended as the main treatment for angina. [NEWS TARGET]
Second hand smoke
Children are at greater risk for numerous health problems, such as Sudden-Infant-Death syndrome, acute respiratory infections, ear infections and ever-increasing asthma if their parents smoke. The new Surgeon General's report has detailed the health harms of second-hand smoke. It concluded that having a separate smoking area in your home or using an air-cleansing machine does not eliminate the risk that kids will be harmed by second-hand smoke. Parents who smoke can expose their children to many respiratory problems and can also impede their lung growth. [RADIO IOWA]
Non-smoking perks
Pregnant women in Scotland are being offered vouchers and other perks to help them kick their cigarette habit. The vouchers can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, get free access to health and leisure centers, relaxation centers and the cinema. Almost one out of every two pregnant women in the city of Dundee continues to smoke. To qualify, the expectant mothers will have to prove they quit by passing weekly breath tests for carbon monoxide levels in their lungs. [THE SCOTSMAN]
Blue is Best
Blueberries rank among the highest in antioxidant power after the U.S. Department of Agriculture tested more than 50 plants. Blueberries are one of the few fruits that are native to North America and they are one of only a few blue-colored foods on the planet. Eating blueberries and other high-antioxidant fruits and vegetables may retard the oxidative damage to tissues associated with aging. [CENTREDAILY]
Pass the meat
While the Big Three (McDonald's, Wendy's and Burger King) burger chains have tried to market themselves as health-conscious by selling salads and fruit juices, CKE restaurants are selling Thickburgers and promoting meat as a condiment. While Wendy's says it will fry foods in less trans fat, Hardee's (one of CKE's burger chains) launched its new Philly Cheesesteak Thickburger. CKE intends to market the concept of "Pleasure, plain and simple" to young adults. [FORBES]
Iodine, more or less
Some experts believe more iodine is needed in our diets while others say the opposite. Chinese researchers link mild thyroid symptoms to too much iodine but a Harvard expert says Americans need more iodine - our bodies don't manufacture it - and that iodine should be added to our table salt. Pregnant women in particular need iodine and a deficiency can potentially cause birth defects and mental retardation in children. As well, a Chinese study states that too much iodine is dangerous while the American expert says more is better. [WEBMD]
Hepatitis A prevention
A vaccine can protect everyone over one year of age against hepatitis A and is recommended as the best way to prevent the virus. As well, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises people to wash their hands after using the restroom, after changing a diaper and before handling food. Although hepatitis A is not a chronic, i.e. long-term, infection, symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever and fatigue can linger. The virus is passed from person to person, often through oral or manual contact. [FORBES]
Prostate drug hopeful
A drug which was originally developed to treat breast cancer is now offered in Great Britain to men with advanced prostate cancer to extend their lives. Taxotere has been proven to increase the survival rate of men no longer responding to hormone treatment by 25 percent. Britain has recommended that The National Health Service make the drug available: at present, a single course of Taxotere is cost- prohibitive for many. In Britain, prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men and annually kills more than 10,000. Men can become resistant to the hormone treatments generally prescribed for prostate cancer. [THE TIMES]
Bone Up on Vitamin
Vitamin K can help in reducing hip fractions and positively impact bone health. Green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli and spinach and/or synthesized supplements are recommended to increase this little-known vitamin in our diet. Vitamin K1 is found in leafy vegetables and makes up about 90 percent of vitamin K intake in typical western diets and menaquinones (vitamins K2) make up the other 10 percent of Western vitamin K consumption and can be synthesized in the gut by microflora. [HEALTH 24]
Pain can gain
Older women can get more health benefits when they exercise at high intensities versus lower intensities. A recent study concluded that high-intensity work-outs showed significant improvements in glucose uptake, a critical measure of health. (Reduced glucose uptake is the factor responsible for diabetes.) Three different groups exercised four days a week and each person burned 300 calories per session -- but at different paces. (The high group worked at 80 percent of aerobic capacity, the moderates at 65 percent and the lows stayed under 50 percent.) Interestingly, the high-intensity group spent less time exercising, 55 minutes per session, than the moderate group (65 minutes). [POST-GAZETTE]
Health delivers
Care-A-Van, a mobile health clinic in Southern Illinois, delivers $10 sports physicals for student athletes at local high schools. A nurse, physician's assistant, and social worker all provide primary care and mental health counseling for students and school staff. As well, the brightly decorated vehicle helps raise awareness of health care. The goal of Care-A-Van is to help students with health problems that might otherwise interfere with their education. [FARM WEEK]
Nursing Home Replacement
The Program for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly is an alternative to long-term nursing homes. For many elderly, nursing homes are a last resort and a spiral downward both physically and mentally. It is also a burden on taxpayers. Instead, this program provides care coordinated by a medical team that includes physicians and delivers care in the home and through special adult day centers. A team cares for the patient from their home to hospital. The program is supported by a combination of Medicaid and Medicare, and has more flexibility in how services are delivered. [ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE] | |
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