Health News October

Drinking Alcohol is Good for Your Lungs

I've developed sort of a knack for finding healthy news that's really good. In fact, one of my physician employers regularly relied on my updates re; chocolate is good for you, German researchers found lots of beer benefits..you get the drift.

Here's another not so bad research result. The American College of Physcians, at their annual meeting, suggested that consuming moderate amounts of alcohol may have some benefits toward reducing your risk of lung disease.

The recommendation is two drinks per day, correlating with a 20% reduction in lung disease. Here we go again...moderation is indeed a key to good health.



Hooray Broccoli!

Broccoli Lotion May Prevent Skin Cancer

It may be possible to prevent skin cancer by applying a topical preparation derived from broccolli sprouts. The solution promotes the production of protective skin enzymes, making the skin cells resistant to UV harm.

The news comes from a Team of scientists at Johns Hopkins.

It sounds quite naturally promising.





Global Health - Everyone's Concern

Here is an interesting video and article about "Global Health" - a "Peacecorp for Health"
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/563313?src=mp


Rapid Treatment of Mini Strokes 10/20/07

Many of you have at least heard the term "mini stroke". The Medical term is TIA, or transient ischemic attack. It's a minor stroke that usually resolves without treatment. The symptoms vary, but commonly seen are short periods of memory loss, weakness, or difficulty speaking. It doesn't last long and then it simply goes away.

Patients having a TIA usually are not admitted to the hospital. Doctor follow up and testing is always recommended, but not with so much urgency.

Now there is a focus toward rapid assessment and treatment of even a small stroke, TIA, or "mini stroke". Preventive treatments for stroke already exist - lowering cholesterol, controlling blood pressure and blood thinners if indicated.

The risk reduction for another stroke dropped by 80% with rapid and agressive preventative treatment.

If you have a condition that has caused you to experience mini strokes don't be alarmed if you find your Doctor being a bit more aggressive about your treatment plan. If not, advocate for yourself - get tested and discuss preventive measures with your doctor.

The study is published online October 9 in the Lancet.



Caffeine with Tylenol May Cause Liver Damage 10/19/07

Researchers at the University of Seattle in Washington have done a study to see what effect caffeine and coffee have on the liver.

The published results warn that the combination of Tylenol and Caffeine actually triples the amount of a toxic Tylenol by-product - N-acetyl-p-benzoquinoneimine (NAPQI). This is especially true for heavy caffeine drinkers. Toxins in the body are filtered by the liver, so this by-product poses a large burden on the liver.

The liver works constantly to help the body maintain a state of balance - it is one of the body's filtering mechanisms. Many medications are broken down in the liver. You can imagine the increased burden if you have any pre-existing liver problems or are already taking other medications, so beware.

The combination of alcohol and Tylenol (Acetomenophen) is a known toxic combination, for the same reasons as above - the Tylenol interacts with the alcohol, releasing the toxic enzyme and causing liver damage and possibly liver failure.

Think twice before you choose your hangover or headache remedy. The combination of alcohol the night before, several cups of coffee in the morning and Tylenol should really be avoided.


New AIDS Drug Approved

AIDS is a difficult disease to treat, and it presents many challenges to our healthcare providers and to society.

Current approaches for treatment involve a "cocktail" of different medicines used in conjunction with each other in an effort to control the effects, or symptoms of HIV -and the outcomes vary greatly.

The FDA has approved a drug that is completely unlike drugs currently on the market to treat AIDS - it is the first drug, in an entirely new class, that blocks an enzyme that other medications have not been able to target.

The drug is called Raltegravir and it actually lowers the amount of HIV in the blood. In addition, Ralegravir raises the body's immunity, encouraging the body to fight this difficult disease.

I'd say this is very good news!


New Help for Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis ravages by destroying the myelin sheath. The Myeln sheath surrounds nerve cells and speeds up the conduction of nerve impulses. When the sheath is destroyed, and depending on what location, a variety of symptoms can occur - one of the reasons that patients with Multiple Sclerosis have different presentations, or symptoms of this illness.

Researchers at the Mayo clinic have successfully been able to restore the myelin sheath in studies done on mice. In as little as five weeks, the mice showed repair with the injection of an antibody.



Chewing Gum Gets Approval

Three chewing gums have won approval from the American Dental Association - Wrigley sugar-free gums Orbit, Extra, and Eclipse. All three are shown to prevent cavities, remove plaque and strengthen teeth.

Chew Wrigley's three times a day for twenty minutes, after meals. The result is your teeth will be bathed in minerals such as calcium, phosphate, and fluoride.


House Calls

Your doctor just might make a house call. There is a nationwide trend in medical practice to see patients at home, a hotel, or even at your office - to the tune of out of pocket $250 to $450 on the spot.

You can call about minor illness such as a sore throat or sprained ankle, but be prepared to pay.


About Your Appendix

I've never understood exactly why surgeons used to be so quick to remove everyone's appendix. Years ago, if you had abdominal surgery, the appendix automatically went, simply because the surgeon was "in the area". That practice has disappeared.

It used to be thought that our appendix had no real function. It never made sense to me.

Now it's been determined that the appendix releases "good germs" that help the gut. The study, published in The Journal of Theoretical Biology, says the appendix helps to regulate the large colonies of germs residing in the intestinal tract.

Go figure!


Heart Attacks Linked to Panic Attacks
A study has determined that women who have at least one panic attack per six months are three time more likely to have a heart attack or stroke in the next five years - strong evidence again that stress leads to major health problems.


Dr. Jordan Smoller of Boston's Massachusetts General Hospital says panic attacks must be added to the list of other mental illnesses that cause major health problems, such as depression, fear and hostility which are already known to lead to heart problems.


Take Your Vitamin D

Vitamin D has been getting a lot of attention recently. Studies are continuing to document the benefit of Vitamin D in decreasing overall mortality rates.

It is thought that deaths from cancer, heart disease and diabetes may be related to
low levels of Vitamin D.

Use of vitamin D supplementation at ordinary doses of 400 to 830 IU daily is associated with reduction in mortality.
Vitamin D supplementation has not shown any significant adverse effects.

"The authors hypothesized that by increasing vitamin D intake, we may be correcting a deficiency caused by a lack of natural sources of vitamin D especially from sunlight, and this may explain its greater beneficial effects. Deficiencies in vitamin D are known to be associated with increased risk for falls and fractures among other risks."


FDA Issues Drug Warning

Fentora, also known as Fentanyl buccal has been responsible for at least four fatalities. Fentanyl is a pain medication prescribed to patients who have what is described at "break through" pain - meaning other powerful pain killers are not providing pain relief. Fentanyl also has been prescribed for other patients who are intolerant of opiates (Morphine, Hydrocodone and the like).

I read about public health advisories for health care consumers and professionals all the time. As a Nurse I've definitely come to realize that well being lies in the hands of each and every one of us. This advisory is yet another reason why we need to remain healthy, work on disease prevention and help ourselves whenever possible.

Pain is a serious issue. No one should have to live with chronic or debilitating acute pain. But the answer doesn't always lie within a pill or capsule - at least not for the long term, except in cases of terminal illness, such as Cancer.

Pain management should be individualized, but with the help of all that is at our disposal, do we really need to subject ourselves to so many dangers in order to have a quality existence?

The FDA warns that Fentanyl should not be given to opioid-intolerant patients and those with acute pain, postoperative pain, headache/migraine, or sports injuries.

Patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals are being advised to report any of these symptoms if observed during Fentanyl use: trouble breathing or shallow breathing; tiredness; extreme sleepiness or sedation; inability to think, talk, or walk normally; and feeling faint, dizzy, or confused.

Healthcare professionals should report adverse events potentially associated with use of fentanyl buccal tablets to the FDA by phone at 1-800-FDA-1088, by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, online at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch, or by mail to 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787.

Links and Resources
Tackling Arhtritis Pain
Relieve Stress and Pain Without Drugs
CFIDS and Fibromyalgia Self-Help
Arthritis Foundation Self Help Program
The Healing Mind
Guided Imagery for Self-Healing Book and CD Set
Natural, Restful Sleep
Anxiety Relief
Preparing for Surgery

Please Note. None of these self help options are intended to take the place of conventional medical care. Good health can be obtained more readily through a combination of self help and doing what your Doctor recommends.

Blood Test May Detect Lung Cancer

There's now a blood test that can be used to detect the possibility of lung cancer.
The test shows promise and can detect the level of the protein human aspartyl (asparaginyl) ß-hydroxylase. (HAAH)

To date, there have been no blood tests at all that could let your doctor know if further testing for lung cancer might be necessary. Not only is a blood test less costly, but it could lead to earlier detection which is the key to survival when dealing with cancer.

More good news! ◦

Health News October