Welcome to the Stars Hollow Health and Fitness weekly diary. It will publish on Saturday afternoon and be open for discussion about health related issues including diet, exercise, health and health care issues, as well as, tips on what you can do when there is a medical emergency. Also an opportunity to share and exchange your favorite healthy recipes.
Questions are encouraged and I will answer to the best of my ability. If I can’t, I will try to steer you in the right direction. Naturally, I cannot give individual medical advice for personal health issues. I can give you information about medical conditions and the current treatments available.
You can now find past Health and Fitness News diaries here and on the right hand side of the Front Page.
New Technique May Help Diagnose Asthma, COPD
Study Shows 4 Biomarkers May Be Helpful in Diagnosis of Respiratory Conditions
March 11, 2011 — Researchers in Australia have identified four molecular characteristics, or biomarkers, of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which they say could lead to better ways to diagnose the respiratory conditions.
The biomarkers were discovered using a relatively new field of science known as proteomics, which is the study of the proteins that are involved in the make-up of an organism.
Faster Stroke Recovery When Family Helps Out
Study Shows Stroke Patients Recover More Quickly When Relatives Help With Exercise Therapy
Faster Stroke Recovery When Family Helps Out
Study Shows Stroke Patients Recover More Quickly When Relatives Help With Exercise Therapy
Long-Acting Insulin May Help Control Blood Sugar
Study Shows the Drug Degludec Helps Diabetes Patients When Injected 3 Times a Week
March 9, 2011 — An experimental, ultra-long-acting insulin given just three times a week proved as effective as daily insulin for controlling blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, researchers say.
Results from phase II trials of the drug degludec, funded by its manufacturer Novo Nordisk, are published in The Lancet.
Scientists Make Discoveries in the Biology of Lupus
Two New Studies May Lead to New Tests, Treatments for the Autoimmune Disease, Researchers Say
March 9, 2011 — Researchers think they may have discovered the mechanism that drives the body’s attack on its own cells and tissues in the autoimmune disease lupus.
Two new studies published in the journal Science Translational Medicine point to a cycle of cell death and chronic inflammation involving blood cells called neutrophils, versatile soldiers of the immune system that race to the site of infection to destroy invaders, as a key engine in the disease.
Trauma Patients Fare Poorly After Hospital Discharge
Study Suggests Many Trauma Patients Die Within 3 Years of Leaving Hospital
March 8, 2011 — Trauma patients who survive their initial injuries are at high risk for dying in the years that follow, and the risk is especially high for patients who enter nursing homes, a new study shows.
The analysis of more than 120,000 adults treated for trauma in Washington state suggests that hospitals are doing a better job of keep patients alive. But close to one in six patients who survived their injuries died within three years of hospital discharge — almost three times the expected death rate for the population.
Higher HDL Cholesterol May Cut Colon Cancer Risk
Study Suggests HDL Levels May Be a Useful Indicator of the Risk of Colon Cancer
March 8, 2011 — Higher levels of HDL “good” cholesterol just may protect against colon cancer, findings from a large European study suggest.
More than half a million people living in nine countries in Europe took part in the research, designed to explore the impact of diet on cancer risk.
New Genetic Links to Heart Disease Risk
Researchers Identify New Gene Regions Associated With Coronary Artery Disease
March 8, 2011 — Three studies have identified a large number of genes linked to the development of heart disease among Europeans, South Asians, and Chinese people.
The discoveries more than double the number of genes previously associated with heart disease, the No. 1 one killer in Western countries and a major health threat in China and other parts of Asia.
The studies are published in the online edition of Nature Genetics.
Sleep and Technology Don’t Mix: Sleep Poll
Too Much Technology and Caffeine, Too Little Sleep Plague Teens and Adults, Survey Finds
March 7, 2011 — Devices meant to make life easier and more entertaining often make us sleepier, according to the latest poll by the National Sleep Foundation.
Sleep and technology don’t mix, suggest the results of the 2011 Sleep in America poll. Using cell phones, computers, and video games just before bedtime — and in the middle of the night, as teens and young adults say they often do — is robbing many of much-needed shut-eye. That’s according to Russell Rosenberg, PhD, chair of the Sleep in America 2011 task force and director of The Atlanta School of Sleep Medicine and Technology.
Atrial Fibrillation May Have Link to Dementia
Study Shows Irregular Heart Rhythm in Stroke Survivors May Raise Dementia Risk
March 7, 2011 — An irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation may raise the risk of dementia among stroke survivors, according to a new study.
The study shows that among people who had survived a stroke, those with atrial fibrillation were 2.4 times more likely to develop dementia than those with normal heart rhythms.
Ground Beef Recalled in 10 States
Dangerous E. coli Contamination in 14,158 Pounds of Ground Beef
March 11, 2011 — Potentially deadly contamination with E. coli bacteria has led to the recall of 14,158 pounds of ground beef in 10 states.
The ground beef came from Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, located in Arkansas City, Kansas. It was distributed in large 40- and 60-lb. cases to wholesalers in Arizona, California, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington.
384,000 J&J Animas Insulin Pump Cartridges Recalled
Injuries Reported; Firm Says It’s Contacting Users
March 9, 2011 — Johnson & Johnson has recalled about 384,000 of its Animas Insulin Pump cartridges in the U.S. and France.
According to Reuters, J&J has received 22 injury reports so far.
The cartridges may leak at the plunger side of the cartridge. If this happens, users may receive too little insulin.
The results could be fatal. Diabetes patients who get too little insulin can develop diabetic ketoacidosis. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, and excessive thirst and urination. If people with diabetes develop these symptoms, they should seek immediate medical care.
Skippy Peanut Butter Recall: Salmonella Risk
2 Skippy Reduced-Fat Brands Recalled; No Illnesses Reported
March 7, 2011 — Unilever on Saturday recalled two brands of its reduced-fat Skippy peanut butter.
Routine tests by the company suggest that the products may be contaminated with salmonella bacteria. Salmonella is a frequent cause of food poisoning and can cause severe infections.
Blood Test May Spot Inherited Ovarian Cancer
Study Shows Gene Test May Be Able to Identify Women at Risk for Ovarian Cancer
March 9, 2011 (Orlando, Fla.) — Nearly one in four ovarian cancers are inherited, say researchers who are developing a gene-based blood test to identify women with these hereditary cancers.
The test, which looks for variations in 22 genes known or suspected to predispose women to ovarian cancer, isn’t ready for prime time yet.
Study: Older Women Need Pap Smears, Too
Researchers Say Women Aged 70 and Over Account for More Than 1 in 10 Cases of Cervical Cancer
March 8, 2011 (Orlando, Fla. ) — Women aged 70 and over should continue to get regular Pap smears to screen for cervical cancer, a study suggests.
The study was presented at the Society of Gynecologic Oncology’s Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer.
Acupuncture May Ease Hot Flashes
Study Shows Acupuncture May Be Helpful for Symptoms of Menopause
March 7, 2011 — Traditional Chinese acupuncture may be useful in reducing the severity of hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause, a new study suggests.
Researchers in Turkey conducted experiments with 53 postmenopausal women. Half of them received traditional acupuncture treatment. The rest were treated with “sham” acupuncture needles that were blunted and did not penetrate the skin.
Secondhand Smoke Raises Stillbirth Risk
Study Also Shows Risk of Birth Defects for Pregnant Women Exposed to Secondhand Smoke
March 7, 2011 — Pregnant women who don’t smoke but breathe the secondhand smoke of others have an increased risk for delivering stillborn babies or babies with birth defects, according to a new research review.
Children born to women who smoke during pregnancy have an increased risk for fetal death, premature birth, low birth weight, and birth defects.
Short Anus-to-Scrotum Length Predicts Poor Sperm Count
7-Fold Higher Risk of Low Sperm Count With Below-Average Anogenital Distance
March 9, 2011 — Men whose anus-to-scrotum distance is shorter than average are 7.3 times more likely to have low sperm counts than men with a longer anogenital distance.
The finding comes from Shanna Swan, PhD, of the University of Rochester, N.Y., and colleagues. In earlier studies, Swan found that pregnant animals exposed to phthalates — commonly used chemicals suspected of hormone-disrupting effects — had infertile male offspring with short anogenital distance.
Study: Sexual Side Effects of Hair Loss Drugs Persist
Analysis Suggests Lingering Side Effects of Drugs That Shrink Prostate and Treat Baldness
March 9, 2011 — Medications that shrink enlarged prostates and treat male pattern baldness can have sexual side effects that may persist after the drugs are discontinued, a new research review suggests.
But a manufacturer of one of the drugs says side effects go away when patients stop taking the drug. And an independent expert is skeptical of the study’s results.
The drugs, called 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, block the action of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), an androgen that’s more potent than its precursor, testosterone.
This class of medications includes Avodart, Propecia, and Proscar.
Toenail Nicotine Test May Predict Lung Cancer
Study Shows Nicotine Levels in Toenails May Indicate Lung Cancer Risk
March 7, 2011 — Toenail tests tell whether you’re at high risk of getting lung cancer from cigarette smoke, even if you’re not a smoker.
The finding comes from the toenails of 210 men with lung cancer and a comparison group of 630 men without lung cancer enrolled in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. Most of the 33,737 medical professionals in this long-term study donated toenail clippings in 1987.
Active Video Games Help Kids Burn Calories
Study Shows Kids With the Highest BMIs Enjoy ‘Exergames’ the Most
March 7, 2011 — Video games that mix entertainment with exercise can help kids burn calories and have fun at the same time, a new study shows.
The study had 39 middle-school aged kids play six different kinds of “exergames” — video games that require a player to move around.
The games included games such as trying to keep up with a cartoon Jackie Chan as he hurdled down the streets of Hong Kong, boxing a virtual opponent, and chasing colored lights on a mat, either to follow dance moves or stomp on bugs.
Researchers compared the energy required to play those games or walk on a treadmill at a speed of 3 miles per hour to energy expended at rest.
Boys Given Lab-Grown Urethras OK 6 Years Later
Latest Step Forward for Lab-Made Organs: 5 of 5 Boys Cured of Urethral Defects
March 8, 2011 — Five boys unable to urinate due to pelvic injury remain cured up to six years after getting new lab-grown urethras.
The successful report of “tissue engineered” urethras in patients comes from Wake Forest University researcher Anthony Atala, MD. In 2006, Atala’s team reported the first successful implantation of lab-grown urinary bladders into humans.
Prenatal Down Syndrome Blood Test in the Works
Study Shows Test That Checks for Genetic Markers May Offer Safer Alternative to Amniocentesis
March 7, 2011 — A new method of screening for Down syndrome during pregnancy may eventually offer a safer, less invasive alternative to amniocentesis, according to a new study.
The experimental Down syndrome test screens for genetic markers of the developmental disorder in blood samples taken from the mother between the 11th and 14th weeks of pregnancy.
Early testing of the new method showed it correctly distinguished between 14 fetuses with Down syndrome and 26 healthy fetuses with 100% accuracy.
Collaborative Care for Depression Has Heart Benefit
Study Shows Improvement in Heart Disease Symptoms for Patients With Depression
March 8, 2011 — Collaborative care for depression — started in the hospital — improves the symptoms of heart disease as well as depression, a study shows.
In collaborative care, a non-physician care manager coordinates a patient’s care with both a primary doctor and a psychiatrist. The care manager also educates the patient about depression, treatment options, and depression’s effects on heart disease. He or she also follows up with the patient to assess how well the patient is doing and whether the patient is sticking to the prescribed treatment.
Bipolar Disorder Often Untreated
Globally, 2.4% Have Bipolar Disorder, but Treatment Rates Low in Some Countries
March 7, 2011 — Bipolar disorder affects 2.4% of adults worldwide, but the condition is often untreated, particularly in middle-income and low-income countries, a new study finds.
The study, based on a survey of 61,392 adults from 11 countries, found that in high-income countries, 50.2% of study participants reported getting mental health treatment. That’s compared to 33.9% in middle-income countries and 25.2% in low-income countries.
Mediterranean Diet Cuts Metabolic Syndrome Risk
Fifty Studies of a Half Million People Show That a Mediterranean-Style Diet Reduces Risk of Metabolic Syndrome
March 8, 2011 — The Mediterranean diet is known to help prevent heart disease. Now new research extends these benefits to metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors that includes high blood pressure, abdominal obesity, high cholesterol levels, and insulin resistance that increase risk for diabetes and heart disease.
Researchers analyzed the results of 50 studies comprising more than 500,000 people to show that the Mediterranean diet can reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome. The new findings appear in Journal of The American College of Cardiology.
Cartoon Characters Influence Kids’ Food Choices
Study Shows Visual Clues May Help Children Remember What They See in Ads
March 7, 2011 — Shrek and other cartoon characters influence the opinions of children about their eating preferences, a study shows.
The study is published in the March issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
Broccoli May Help Fight Cancer Growth
Study Shows Compound in Broccoli May Block Defective Gene Linked to Tumor Growth
March 11, 2011 — Broccoli may help fight cancer by blocking a defective gene associated with tumor growth, according to new research.
Previous studies have heralded the potential cancer-fighting ability of broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower and watercress. But researchers say until now they didn’t know the secret behind the vegetables’ anticancer attributes.
Study: 1 or More Cups of Coffee a Day Reduces Stroke Risk in Women
March 10, 2011 — Women who drink a cup or more of coffee each day may be less likely to have a stroke, compared to women who drink less coffee, according to new research in the journal Stroke.
The new findings should not be taken to mean that everyone should start drinking coffee to lower their stroke risk, as the medical literature has been somewhat mixed regarding the effects of coffee on cardiovascular risk.
West Virginia Most Obese State, Colorado Least
In Gallup Poll, West Virginia Outweighs Mississippi in Obesity
March 10, 2011 — In a new Gallup-Healthways poll, West Virginia outweighs Mississippi as the most obese state.
The poll finds that 33.5% of West Virginians — one in three state residents — are obese.
Colorado was the least obese state, but Coloradans can’t take too much pride in the honor. One in five Colorado residents is obese.
Overall, the Gallup poll finds that 26.6% of American adults were obese in 2010. That’s about the same as the 26.5% found to be obese in 2009.
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