Welcome to the Stars Hollow Health and Fitness News 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.
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The pickled vegetables make great snacks and hors d’oeuvres. They look beautiful on a platter. They’re also good with a sandwich or with cottage cheese, a quick and easy way to make vegetables part of your lunch.
Note that this week we are not including nutritional information with the recipes. It isn’t possible to do the analyses accurately, because we don’t know how much of each vegetable you will eat, and each vegetable absorbs a slightly different amount of brine and ingredients in the brine. I weighed the brine before and 10 days after pickling each vegetable and found that not much of the brine had actually been absorbed. As for the yield and serving sizes, the recipes make 1 to 2 cups of pickled vegetables. The number of servings really depends on how you are serving them. They will serve more as a nibble than as a salad or side.
~Martha Rose Shulman~
The natural pungency of turnips contrasts beautifully with the vinegary brine.
Pickled Cauliflower With Hot Pepper and Cumin
This piquant refrigerator pickle tastes even better after a long brine.
These are great for nibbling, but they also make a delicious tangy slaw.
Spring Carrot Pickles With Caraway
Multicolored carrots make for particularly beautiful pickles.
Pickling is a great thing to do with leftover chard stalks. Red chard or a mix of rainbow chard stalks are especially pretty if you serve them within a few days of pickling.
Pets a Boon for the Human Heart, Cardiologists Say
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
American Heart Association cites stress-busting, dog-walking benefits of companion animals
May 9 (HealthDay News) — That four-legged friend of yours may be more than a companion — he also may be boosting your heart health, experts say.
An official statement released Thursday by the American Heart Association says there is evidence that having a pet, particularly a dog, may lower your risk of heart disease.
Cardiology specialists weren’t all that surprised.
Estrogen Levels and Risk for Sudden Cardiac Death
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
Tests reveal higher concentration of the sex hormone in women and men
May 10 (HealthDay News) — Higher levels of the hormone estrogen are associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death in men and women, a new study suggests.
Sudden cardiac death can occur when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating (sudden cardiac arrest). Each year in the United States, more than 350,000 people die of sudden cardiac death.
Breo Ellipta Approved for COPD
by Scott Roberts, HealthDay Reporter
Respiratory disease is the third-leading cause of death in U.S.
May 10 (HealthDay News) — Americans with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may have new help in their quest to breathe better, with the approval of Breo Ellipta on Friday.
This combination drug has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis or emphysema.
Antibiotics May Relieve Back Pain Symptoms
by Peter Russell, WebMD Health News
May 10, 2013 — Taking antibiotics could relieve symptoms of chronic lower back pain for up to 40% of people, according to a new study.
Danish researchers say they’ve found a link between many cases of back pain and infection from bacteria.
Obesity May Be Fueling Jump in Sleep Apnea Cases
by Randy Dotinga, HealthDay Reporter
Researcher calls troubled sleep an ‘uncalculated cost’ of America’s weight epidemic
May 10 (HealthDay News) — The widening American waistline may be feeding an epidemic of sleep apnea, potentially robbing millions of people of a good night’s rest, a new study suggests.
The research didn’t definitively link the rise in obesity to sleep apnea, and it only looked at 1,520 people, almost all white, in Wisconsin. But study author Paul Peppard believes the findings show a big spike in sleep apnea cases over the past two decades — as much as 55 percent — and may translate to the entire United States.
Allergies May Boost Severity of Lung Disease
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
Study finds hay fever increases frequency of respiratory problems in COPD patients
May 10 (HealthDay News) — Hay fever and similar allergies increase the frequency and severity of respiratory problems in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a new study shows.
Everyday Noise Levels May Affect the Heart
byAmy Norton, HealthDay Reporter
Even not-so-loud sounds seemed to raise people’s heart rate in small study
May 9 (HealthDay News) — Even the minor noise that fills everyday life, from the ring of a cell phone to the conversation that follows, may have short-term effects on heart function, a small new study suggests.
In the study of 110 adults equipped with portable heart monitors, researchers found that people’s heart rate tended to climb as their noise exposure increased — even when the noise remained below 65 decibels. That’s about as loud as a normal conversation or laughter.
Wireless Pacemaker Shows Promise in Early Study
by Randy Dotinga, HealthDay Reporter
Device implanted directly in the heart, but questions remain about long-term use, safety
May 9 (HealthDay News) — Scientists report positive results in early testing of a wireless pacemaker that’s placed in the heart instead of being connected to it via wires from the upper chest.
There are still many questions regarding the pacemaker, produced by Nanostim Inc. It’s only been implanted in a few dozen people who were studied for a matter of months, limiting information about its long-term use and safety. It’s also not clear when the pacemaker may be publicly available, and its cost is unknown. And the existing version of the device won’t work for most pacemaker patients because it lacks some key features.
Discovery May One Day Lead to Herpes Vaccine
by Brenda Goodman, HealthDay Reporter
Understanding specialized cells could be key to preventing genital herpes, researchers say
May 8 (HealthDay News) — A specialized kind of immune cell that patrols the skin of people infected with the herpes virus appears to prevent the outbreak of painful sores, a new study suggests.
Researchers think the cells may be key to developing a potential vaccine against genital herpes, which afflicts more than 24 million people in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Cholesterol Drugs May Boost Kidney Cancer Survival
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
Study finds statin medications tied to lower death risk after nearly 4 years of follow-up
May 7 (HealthDay News) — Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs that are taken by millions of Americans might also improve survival from a type of kidney cancer called renal cell carcinoma, a new study suggests.
Statins — drugs such as Crestor, Lipitor, Pravachol and Zocor — have anti-inflammatory and cell self-destruction properties, and previous research has shown that these drugs may lower the risk of developing some types of cancer. The new research, presented Tuesday at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association in San Diego, suggests that the drugs might fight kidney cancer.
Safer Implanted Defibrillators on the Horizon?
by Serena Gordon, HealthDay Reporter
Unnecessary shocks from the heart devices are often distressing, come with their own risks, experts say
May 7 (HealthDay News) — By slowing down the programmed response rate on implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), doctors can reduce the number of shocks these devices deliver without causing a significant increase in the risk of fainting or death, new research suggests.
“The aim of [our] study was to evaluate a different programming strategy to reduce unnecessary therapies delivered by the ICD,” explained study author Dr. Maurizio Gasparini, chief of the pacing and electrophysiology unit at the Humanitas Clinical and Research Center in Rozzano, Italy.
Black People May Face Higher MS Risk Than Whites
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
Study finding contradicts common belief that the opposite is true
May 6 (HealthDay News) — Black Americans may be at higher risk for multiple sclerosis than whites, according to study findings that contradict a widely held belief that blacks are less likely to develop the neurological disease.
The theory that blacks are less likely to develop multiple sclerosis (MS) than whites was based on faulty evidence, the study authors said.
FDA Warns Pregnant Women About Migraine Drugs
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
Medicines containing valproate linked to lower IQs in children, agency says
May 6 (HealthDay News) — Pregnant women who struggle with migraine headaches should never use medicines containing the ingredient valproate because they can lower the IQ scores of their children, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Monday.
The new warning will be included on the labels of medicines that contain valproate. These medicines already carry a boxed warning about fetal risk, including birth defects. Valproate products include valproate sodium (Depacon); divalproex sodium (Depakote, Depakote CP, and Depakote ER); valproic acid (Depakene and Stavzor); and their generic versions.
Flame-Retardant Chemicals Could Be Toxic to Kids
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
Study tied exposure in womb to hyperactivity, lower IQ
May 6 (HealthDay News) — Exposure to flame-retardant chemicals in the womb is associated with hyperactivity and lower intelligence in children, a new study indicates.
Researchers examined the effects of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which were used for decades as fire retardants in common products such as carpeting, baby strollers and electronics.
Some Antidepressants May Raise Gastro Risk
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
Researchers aren’t sure why these meds are linked to chances of contracting C. difficile
People who take certain types of antidepressants may be at higher risk for potentially deadly Clostridium difficile infection, a new study suggests.
This type of infection is one of the most common caught by hospital patients and causes more than 7,000 deaths each year in the United States. Several medications are thought to increase the risk for this infection, including antidepressants.
Red Hair Pigment Might Raise Melanoma Risk: Study
by Dennis Thompson, HealthDay Reporter
Dermatologists say redheads must take extra care to check skin, avoid sun
May 9 (HealthDay News) — The red in redheads’ hair is thought to put them at increased risk of the dangerous skin cancer melanoma, even if they don’t spend a lot of time in the sun, according to a new study.
Study co-author Dr. David Fisher and his research team first uncovered the apparent link between red hair pigment and melanoma last fall. That study used genetically altered mice that had been given a mutant gene that increased their risk of contracting the skin cancer.
Now the researchers are taking the next step: asking why the body’s creation of the red hair pigment — called pheomelanin — might prompt that risk.
iPads Could Affect Implanted Heart Devices: Study
by Barbara Bronson Gray, HealthDay Reporter
Young researcher suggests that users avoid placing tablets too close to the chest
May 9 (HealthDay News) — Sprawled out on the couch, reading the news on your iPad, you’d never think you could be putting yourself at risk. But you might be, if you happen to have an implanted heart device.
Magnetic interference could alter the settings and even deactivate the technology of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), according to a small new study — conducted by a 14-year-old investigator and her colleagues.
Pediatricians Endorse New Acne Treatment Guidelines
by Amy Norton, HealthDay Reporter
Experts note many medications now available for range of cases
May 6 (HealthDay News) — Pimples have long been the bane of teenage existence, but pediatricians say there is now enough evidence on effective treatments to put out the first guidelines on battling acne in children.
There is a range of medications that can clear up even severe cases of acne, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Writing in the May issue of its journal Pediatrics, the group throws its support behind new guidelines from the American Acne and Rosacea Society that detail how to treat acne in children and teens of all ages.
Hospitals Enact Policies to Curb Early Childbirth
by Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay Reporter
Goal is to reduce elective C-sections, inductions before 39 weeks, study says
May 6 (HealthDay News) — Hoping to curb elective Cesarean births and labor inductions, two-thirds of U.S. hospitals have implemented policies to eliminate medically unnecessary pre-term births, a new study reports.
Pre-term deliveries (before 39 weeks’ gestation) carry an increased risk of neonatal respiratory distress and admission to neonatal intensive care units (NICU), researchers from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine said.
For the study, the researchers questioned nearly 2,400 hospitals about their policies on early deliveries that weren’t necessary for medical reasons.
Pregnancy Adds Challenge for Teens Treated for Drug Abuse, Report Says
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
Substance-abuse programs may improve young women’s education, income prospects
May 9 (HealthDay News) — Half of pregnant teens in substance-abuse treatment programs used alcohol or drugs in the month before they entered treatment. And nearly 20 percent used drugs or alcohol on a daily basis during that month, according to a U.S. government report. May 9 (HealthDay News) — Half of pregnant teens in substance-abuse treatment programs used alcohol or drugs in the month before they entered treatment. And nearly 20 percent used drugs or alcohol on a daily basis during that month, according to a U.S. government report.
Could Adaptable Bacteria Cause Repeat UTIs?
by Dennis Thompson, HealthDay Reporter
Study of 4 women found E. coli that ‘migrated’ and thrived
May 8 (HealthDay News) — Women suffering from recurring urinary tract infections may carry a particularly hearty strain of E. coli bacteria that flourishes in both the gut and the bladder, and can migrate back and forth despite repeated treatments, a small new study finds.
Doctors believe that urinary tract infections are often caused by E. coli migrating from the gut to the urinary tract, according to study background information. But they have assumed that when the bacteria moves to the bladder, it loses its ability to flourish in the gastrointestinal tract.
Now the research published May 8 in the journal Science Translational Medicine suggests some strains of E. coli may be more adaptable than previously thought.
Prostate Cancer May Be Deadlier for the Uninsured
by Kathleen Doheny, HealthDay Reporter
Study found they were more likely to have a higher PSA test score, advanced disease and shorter survival
May 7 (HealthDay News) — Men who are uninsured or underinsured get advanced prostate cancer at nearly four times the national average and don’t survive as long as other men with advanced disease, a new study says.
“We’ve identified a group of advanced prostate cancer patients who do not do well,” said Dr. Jeffrey Reese, a clinical professor (affiliated) at Stanford University School of Medicine. He’s also chief of urology at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, a county hospital serving a large underinsured population in San Jose, Calif.
Most Men With ED Don’t Seem to Get Treatment
by Kathleen Doheny, HealthDay Reporter
In study of 6 million ED patients, 75 percent either didn’t receive or fill prescriptions
May 6 (HealthDay News) — Never mind the commercials with men talking freely to their doctor about their erectile dysfunction, taking a prescription for treatment to the pharmacy and settling in for a romantic evening.
Despite a wide range of treatment options, most men with erectile dysfunction (ED) don’t get treated, according to a new study.
Sleep Woes Tied to Prostate Cancer Risk in Study
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
Men least likely to nod off were most likely to have severe disease, researchers found
May 7 (HealthDay News) — Sleep problems may increase men’s risk for prostate cancer, a new study suggests.
“Prostate cancer is one of the leading public health concerns for men, and sleep problems are quite common,” said study author Dr. Lara Sigurdardottir, of the University of Iceland in Reykjavik. “If our results are confirmed with further studies, sleep may become a potential target for intervention to reduce the risk for prostate cancer.”
Buying Testosterone Supplements Online: The Risks
by Randy Dotinga, HealthDay Reporter
Most sellers extol benefits with little mention of potential health hazards, study finds
May 7 (HealthDay News) — If you’re a man suffering from low energy or libido, the drug industry is eager to help. So-called “Low T” — low testosterone — has become a common catch phrase in TV commercials, and sales of testosterone supplements are on the rise in the United States.
But a new study suggests that many clinics aren’t disclosing the risks of testosterone treatment on their websites.
Testosterone Supplements May Hurt Male Fertility
by Randy Dotinga, HealthDay Reporter
Infertility clinics find that many men seeking help were taking ‘T’
May 10 (HealthDay News) — Testosterone supplements are touted as a cure for low libido, but men who take them may reduce their odds of fathering a child, new research suggests.
Many men who sought infertility treatment at two U.S. clinics reported taking prescription testosterone supplements, according to a new study. And in most cases their sperm counts skyrocketed after they stopped taking the male hormone.
Treatment for Painful Curved Penis Shows Promise
by Barbara Bronson Gray, HealthDay Reporter
Xiaflex up for FDA approval later this year, but some experts think injections required would be a tough sell
May 8 (HealthDay News) — Some diseases are especially tough to discuss.
When Tony Lee realized that his penis was curving whenever he had an erection — making it painful and difficult for him to have sex — he had no idea what was wrong. He became depressed and very worried, and his relationship with his wife started to change. [..]
His wife finally convinced him to see his primary care physician, who referred him to a urologist. The specialist told him he had Peyronie’s disease, a connective tissue disorder involving the growth of fibrous collagen plaques in the soft tissue of the penis. The condition can cause pain, erectile dysfunction and shortening of the penis.
Want Babies Without Allergies? Try This
by Barbara Bronson Gray. HealthDay Reporter
Study suggests transferring adult bacteria to infants’ mouths through saliva may train immune system to ignore allergens
May 6 (HealthDay News) — A new Swedish study suggests that parents who want to protect their infants from developing allergies should try a simple approach to introducing their children to the wide world of microbes: Just pop their pacifiers into their own mouths before giving them back to their babies.
Although that may sound disgusting or even risky to some, researchers found that the transfer of oral bacteria from adults to infants seems to help train the immune system to ignore germs that don’t pose a threat.
Treatment May Prevent Wheezing in Pre-Term Babies
by Serena Gordon, HealthDay Reporter
But preventing respiratory synctial virus comes with a hefty price tag
May 8 (HealthDay News) — Many pre-term babies suffer recurrent episodes of wheezing. Now, researchers say a common infection is a likely culprit and they may be able to prevent the breathing problems.
Wheezing episodes in late pre-term babies often are caused by infection with the respiratory synctial virus (RSV), the researchers said. And they’ve found that injections of an expensive RSV medication can prevent the virus — and the wheezing.
A study of more than 400 babies born late pre-term (between 33 and 35 weeks’ gestation) found that days with wheezing dropped by more than 60 percent among those who received injections of palivizumab during RSV season. The effect lasted even after treatment ended.
Cause of Port-Wine-Stain Birthmarks Pinpointed
by Brenda Goodman, HealthDay Reporter
Single, random change to gene during fetal development causes birthmarks and the more serious Sturge-Weber syndrome
May 8 (HealthDay News) — Researchers say they finally know what causes babies to be born with port-wine stain birthmarks and a rarer but related condition that often leads to lifelong struggles with blindness, seizures and mental disabilities.
In a new study published in the May 8 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, scientists say a single random change to a single gene after conception causes both the birthmarks, which affect about one in 300 babies, and Sturge-Weber Syndrome, which occurs in about one in 20,000 births.
Study Sees Link Between Mom’s Flu, Bipolar Risk for Children
by Steven Reinberg, HealthDay Reporter
But the risk is small and the connection hasn’t been proven, researchers say
May 8 (HealthDay News) — Women who come down with the flu during pregnancy may be at increased risk of having a child who develops bipolar disorder, a new study suggests.
The chance of a child eventually developing the mental health disorder was nearly four times higher when comparing mothers-to-be who had the flu to those who didn’t, the researchers reported.
“We don’t fully understand this,” said study co-author Dr. Alan Brown. “The best guess is it’s an inflammatory response. It could also be a result of fever,” he noted.
Omega-3s No Help Against Age-Linked Eye Trouble: Study
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
Adding nutrient to standard antioxidant supplement didn’t help ward off macular degeneration
May 5 (HealthDay News) — Adding omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients to standard antioxidant vitamins doesn’t give older people any added protection against a leading cause of blindness, a new study finds.
The study looked at age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which afflicts millions of older people in the United States, according to background information outlined by the researchers.
Eating Peppers Tied to Lower Parkinson’s Risk
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
Vegetables that contain nicotine may offer some protection, research suggests
May 9 (HealthDay News) — Eating vegetables that naturally contain nicotine, such as peppers and tomatoes, may reduce your risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, according to a new study.
Previous research has found that smoking and other types of tobacco use are associated with a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, and it is believed that nicotine provides the protective effect. Tobacco belongs to a plant family called Solanaceae and some plants in this family are edible sources of nicotine.
Money Motivates Weight Loss — One Step at a Time
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
Obese adults embrace walking program to avoid hike in insurance premiums, study finds
May 8 (HealthDay News) — When a health insurer told obese people they could either pay 20 percent more for coverage or start exercising, most of them decided to get active, according to a new study.
More than 6,500 obese people insured by Blue Care Network enrolled in a pedometer-based program to obtain insurance discounts, and the majority met their fitness goals, researchers found.
Fish Oil Supplements May Not Prevent Heart Trouble
by Steven Reinberg, HealthDay Reporter
They don’t reduce the risk of heart attack, heart failure or death, researchers report
May 8 (HealthDay News) — Although previous research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids may help those who have already had a heart attack or suffer from heart failure, a new study finds that the supplements do little to prevent cardiac trouble in people who have risk factors for heart disease.
Italian researchers reported that omega-3 fatty acid supplements did not reduce death from heart disease or heart attacks or strokes in this vulnerable group.
Hungry Shoppers Buy High-Calorie Foods
by Steven Reinberg, HealthDay Reporter
Your body shifts to survival mode at the grocery store, expert say
May 6 (HealthDay News) — People who grocery shop when hungry tend to load up their carts with higher-calorie foods and more of them, a new study suggests.
Not only does that affect the meal they will be eating at home that night, but their meals throughout the week, according to researchers Brian Wansink and Aner Tal, with the Food and Brand Lab at Cornell University.
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