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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There’s so much beautiful spinach in the farmers’ markets now, and though it will soon give way to summer heat, it’s nice to know you can buy it every week and make something different with it each time. If you’re already into hot weather, you’ll appreciate this week’s cold yogurt soup with spinach and grains, which I’ve been polishing off for lunch every day this week. But even the hot soups will work on a warm day.
This is a filling and comforting soup that is still suitable for a late spring/early summer meal.
Noodle Bowl With Mushrooms, Spinach and Salmon
A meal in a bowl that highlights fresh spinach.
Yogurt or Buttermilk Soup With Spinach and Grains
A refreshing soup that is great to keep on hand as summer arrives.
Spinach and Tofu Wontons in Broth
The wontons can be made ahead and frozen.
Puréed Spinach Soup With Middle Eastern Spices
This soup was inspired by a Syrian recipe, a spice-laced pan-cooked spinach that is served with yogurt and walnuts on top.
Heart Device ‘Shock’ Anxiety May Hamper Sex Life
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
Study found more sexual dysfunction among men, women with implanted defibrillators
June 7 (HealthDay News) — Anxiety-related sexual problems occur among young adults with congenital heart disease who have implanted heart defibrillators, a new study finds.
Their anxiety about the possibility of receiving a shock from their implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) can lead to sexual dysfunction, according to the study in the June issue of the journal HeartRhythm.
Vision, Dyslexia Not Linked: Study
by Dennis Thompson, HealthDay Reporter
Findings will advance understanding, treatment of the reading disorder, says expert
June 6 (HealthDay News) — A new brain imaging study appears to rule out one potential cause of dyslexia, finding that vision problems don’t lead to the common reading disorder.
The new research could have a wide-ranging impact on the detection and treatment of dyslexia, said senior study author Guinevere Eden, director of the Center for the Study of Learning at Georgetown University Medical Center. The study appears June 6 in the journal Neuron.
Your Stroke Risk Can Drop With 7 Lifestyle Changes
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
Controlling blood pressure is most important, large U.S. study found
June 6 (HealthDay News) — Certain lifestyle changes could greatly reduce your stroke risk, according to a new study.
Researchers calculated stroke risk among nearly 23,000 black and white Americans aged 45 and older. Their risk was assessed using the American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7 health factors: be active, control cholesterol, eat a healthy diet, manage blood pressure, maintain a healthy weight, control blood sugar and don’t smoke.
New Kind of Therapy Shows Promise in MS Patients
by Brenda Goodman, HealthDay Reporter
Approach may shield patients’ immune systems to allow safer treatment, study suggests
June 5 (HealthDay News) — A new therapy for multiple sclerosis that teaches the body to recognize and then ignore its own nerve tissue appears to be safe and well-tolerated in humans, a small new study shows.
If larger studies prove the technique can slow or stop the disease, the therapy would be a completely new way to treat autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and type 1 diabetes.
Stem Cell Therapy Cures Type 1 Diabetes in Mice
by Serena Gordon, HealthDay Reporter
Whether the new approach would work in humans is unknown, experts say
une 5 (HealthDay News) — Using an immune-suppressing medication and adult stem cells from healthy donors, researchers say they were able to cure type 1 diabetes in mice.
“This is a whole new concept,” said the study’s senior author, Habib Zaghouani, a professor of microbiology and immunology, child health and neurology at the University of Missouri School of Medicine in Columbia, Mo.
Weather Doesn’t Trigger Fibromyalgia Symptoms: Study
by Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay Reporter
But some patients still may be more sensitive than others
June 4 (HealthDay News) — Although some people with fibromyalgia are sensitive to changes in temperature, sunshine and precipitation, new research shows that weather conditions do not affect the pain or fatigue associated with this chronic condition.
“Our analyses provide more evidence against, than in support of, the daily influence of weather on fibromyalgia pain and fatigue,” said study first author Ercolie Bossema from Utrecht University in the Netherlands.
Weight Loss Surgery May Help Moderately Obese, Too
by Serena Gordon, HealthDay Reporter
It reduces symptoms of type 2 diabetes, studies found, but surgical risks exist
June 4 (HealthDay News) — For the extremely obese, the benefits of weight-loss surgery generally outweigh the risks of the procedure. Now, new research suggests that the same might be true for less-obese people as well.
For those who are mildly or moderately obese, weight-loss surgery can improve type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol more effectively than conventional diabetes management and lifestyle changes, new research suggests.
Smokers Cost Employers More Than Nonsmokers
by Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay Reporter
About $6000 in extra annual costs stem from more time off, smoking breaks, health care, study shows
June 4 (HealthDay News) — Compared to nonsmoking employees, every staff member who lights up costs their employer nearly $6,000 more each year, according to a new report.
The researchers found that more time off, smoking breaks and added health care costs were to blame for this discrepancy. The findings could have implications for smoking policies in the workplace, they suggested.
Can You Skip Antibiotics for UTI?
by Kathleen Doheny, HealthDay Reporter
In small study, UTI symptoms cleared on their own for most women, but an expert urges caution
June 4 (HealthDay News) — Some women with symptoms of a urinary tract infection may be able to skip the antibiotics typically prescribed and have their symptoms improve or clear, according to a new Dutch study.
“In healthy people, many mild infections can be cured spontaneously,” said study leader Dr. Bart Knottnerus, a researcher at the Academic Medical Center of the University of Amsterdam.
A U.S. expert, however, had a number of cautions about the findings, including the small number of women studied.
Aspirin May Equal Pricier Drug for Preventing Clots
by Serena Gordon, HealthDay Reporter
After hip replacement, no disadvantage found for the low-cost treatment
June 4 (HealthDay News) — Aspirin appears to be just as good as more expensive, more potent blood-thinning medication for preventing blood clots after hip replacement surgery, according to new research.
People who get artificial hips are at risk of serious blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, after the surgery. To prevent them, doctors usually prescribe blood-thinning (anticoagulant) medications, such as low-molecular-weight heparin, which is given by injection, or the newer drug, rivaroxaban (brand name Xarelto), a pill.
Cholesterol Drugs Linked to Muscle, Joint Problems
by Steven Reinberg, HealthDay Reporter
But heart benefits of statins outweigh risks, expert says
June 3 (HealthDay News) — People taking statin drugs to lower their cholesterol may slightly increase their risk for muscle and joint diseases as well as strains and sprains, a new study suggests.
Statins, such as Zocor and Lipitor, are widely used to reduce cholesterol levels and help prevent heart disease. But they’re also thought to contribute to muscle weakness, muscle cramps and tendon problems.
Drug Shows Promise Against Advanced Melanoma
by Alan Mozes, HealthDay Reporter
In preliminary trial, nivolumab shrank tumors in 30 percent of tough-to-treat patients
June 1 (HealthDay News) — Nearly one-third of patients with advanced melanomas who received nivolumab, a new immune-based drug, experienced reductions in the size of their tumors, a preliminary study reveals.
Since these types of drugs have typically shrunk tumors in only 5 percent to 10 percent of patients in prior studies, the new results are a boost for immunotherapy generally, the researchers noted.
Frozen Berry Mix Linked to Hepatitis A Outbreak
by WebMD News from HealthDay
A frozen berry and pomegranate seed mix sold by Costco has been linked to an outbreak of acute hepatitis A that has sickened at least 30 people in Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona and California, federal health officials say.
The first victims became ill on April 29 and the most recent case was May 17, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention news release issued Friday. The CDC believes there will be more cases, USA Today reported.
Experts Dispel Common Melanoma Myths
by Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay Reporter
Think you’re safe because your skin rarely burns?
June 7 (HealthDay News) — As you head to the beach or pool, here are some sun-sense tips to keep in mind: Skin that tans is not invulnerable to cancer, and one application of sunscreen daily is not enough protection against the sun’s harmful ultra-violet rays, according to skin cancer experts.
Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, claims more than 9,000 lives in the United States every year. The rate has been rising over the past 30 years and it’s now one of the most common cancers in people younger than 30 years old, particularly young women.
What to Do When Lightning Strikes
by Serena Gordon, HealthDay Reporter
Planning for the worst may be the best protection, experts say
June 6 (HealthDay News) — Imagine you’re a coach with a dugout full of Little Leaguers, and a storm strikes. You hear thunder. Many parents dropped off their kids and aren’t there, and the school next to the field is locked. How do you get the kids to safety?
That’s just the type of situation that Katie Walsh, director of athletic training education at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C., hopes people will start to prepare for. “Lightning is about 100 percent avoidable, but you have to have a plan,” she said.
FDA Panel Votes to Change Restrictions on Avandia
by Dennis Thompson, HealthDay Reporter
Controversial decision comes after a second look at major data review focused on heart risks
June 6 (HealthDay News) — An expert advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration voted narrowly Thursday to recommend changing tough safety restrictions on the diabetes drug Avandia, which was all but banned nearly two years ago because of reported links to heart problems.
The panel’s decision came after a review of data that suggested the medication might not be as harmful as once thought.
Listeria Food Poisoning Hits Elderly, Moms-to-Be Hardest: CDC
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
Most recent cases linked to soft cheeses, produce
June 4 (HealthDay News) — Soft cheese and raw produce have caused many recent listeria outbreaks in the United States, and at least 90 percent of cases typically occur among seniors, pregnant women, newborns and people with weakened immune systems, a new U.S. health report says.
Pregnant women are 10 times more likely to get this serious form of food poisoning than others in the general population, and the risk is 24 times higher among pregnant Hispanic women, according to the Vital Signs report, released Tuesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
MERS Virus May Never Become Big Threat in U.S.
by Steven Reinberg, HealthDay Reporter
New strain will most likely weaken over time, infection specialists explain
June 6 (HealthDay News) — Anyone who has watched the movie “Contagion” has seen how fast a virus can spread and how deadly it can be, but is it reality?
Much like the film, a new emerging virus called the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which kills half the people it infects, has spread from the Middle East to Europe. Since September, there have been 54 reported cases and 30 deaths, making some consider it a worldwide threat.
New Drug May Slow Advanced Ovarian Cancer
by Dennis Thompson,, HealthDay Reporter
Study found it prolonged remission after chemotherapy almost six months longer than a placebo
June 1 (HealthDay News) — Women with advanced ovarian cancer stayed in remission almost six months longer when they were treated with the targeted drug pazopanib (Votrient), new German research says.
“Our findings show that we finally have a drug that can maintain control over ovarian cancer growth achieved through initial treatments,” study author Dr. Andreas du Bois, a professor of gynecologic oncology at Kliniken Essen-Mitte in Essen, said in a statement. “If pazopanib is approved for ovarian cancer, many patients will experience longer disease-free and chemotherapy-free periods. During this time, the patient keeps control over the disease, instead of the disease having control over patient’s life.”
Pent-Up Stress May Harm Health of Middle-Aged Women
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
Swedish study followed women since late 1960s
June 7 (HealthDay News) — Many middle-aged women develop aches and pains and other physical symptoms as a result of chronic stress, according to a decades-long study.
Researchers in Sweden examined long-term data collected from about 1,500 women and found that about 20 percent of middle-aged women experienced constant or frequent stress during the previous five years. The highest rates of stress occurred among women aged 40 to 60 and those who were single or smokers (or both).
Poor Sleep May Worsen Heart Woes in Women
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
But lack of shuteye doesn’t seem to have same effect on inflammation levels in men
June 7 (HealthDay News) — Poor sleep appears to contribute to the progression of heart disease in women by raising their inflammation levels, but this effect was not seen in men, researchers say.
“Inflammation is a well-known predictor of cardiovascular health,” lead author Aric Prather, a clinical health psychologist and assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, said in a university news release.
More Men Taking Testosterone, but Risks Unclear
by Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay Reporter
Study finds upsurge in use among men worried about ‘low T,’ but research suggests the drug has hazards
June 3 (HealthDay News) — Those late-night ads telling aging men that “low T” may be the reason they’ve lost the spring in their step appear to be reaching their audience. Use of testosterone therapy has increased dramatically over the past decade, according to a new study.
But experts worry that too many men may be taking the supplements without understanding the potential risks.
Men’s Higher Risk of Health-Care-Related Infections
by Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay Reporter
Extensive study found hospitalized men had 60 percent greater odds of bloodstream, surgical infections
une 5 (HealthDay News) — Women are less likely to develop infections related to receiving health care than men, according to a large new study.
After examining thousands of cases involving hospitalized patients, researchers found that women were at much lower risk for bloodstream infection and surgical-site infection than men. The study authors suggested that their findings could help health care providers reduce men’s risk of these infections.
More Kids Being Poisoned by Prescription Drugs: Study
by Steven Reinberg, HealthDay Reporter
Blood pressure meds, diabetes drugs and narcotic painkillers most common culprits, researchers say
June 3 (HealthDay News) — As the number of adults taking prescription drugs has grown, so has the number of children being accidentally poisoned by them, a new study finds.
“We found between 2000 and 2009 [that] rates of pediatric exposure to adult medications were increasing,” said lead researcher Dr. Lindsey Burghardt, from the division of emergency medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Mild Weight Loss Lowers Obese Teens’ Diabetes Risk?
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
Study worked with adolescents and their families to boost activity, healthy eating
June 7 (HealthDay News) — Obese teens don’t need to lose large amounts of weight to lower their risk of developing diabetes, according to a new study.
Researchers found that obese teens who reduced their body-mass index (BMI) by 8 percent or more had improvements in insulin sensitivity, a measure of how well the body processes insulin and an important risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. BMI is a measurement of body fat based on height and weight.
Autism, ADHD Often Occur Together, Research Shows
by Brenda Goodman, HealthDay Reporter
Study finds nearly one-third of kids with autism also have problems with attention and hyperactivity
June 6 (HealthDay News) — Almost 30 percent of young children with autism also show signs of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a rate that’s three times higher than it is in the general population, a new study shows.
“We don’t know the cause for ADHD in most cases. We don’t know the cause of autism in most cases. It’s not surprising that something that’s going to affect the brain and cause one developmental outcome may also cause a second developmental outcome,” said Dr. Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center in Lake Success, N.Y. He was not involved in the study.
Scientists ID Gene Behind Early Onset Puberty
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
Discovery could help children with ‘central precocious puberty,’ give insights to development
June 5 (HealthDay News) — Scientists say they’ve identified a gene mutation behind a condition that causes children to undergo puberty before the age of 9.
The condition, known as central precocious puberty, appears to be inherited via a gene passed along by fathers, say researchers reporting online June 5 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
‘Sensory-Focused’ Autism Therapy Shows Early Promise
by Mary Brophy Marcus, HealthDay Reporter
In small study, parents used variety of methods to stimulate boys’ senses
June 5 (HealthDay News) — Smelling essential oils, walking across textured surfaces, immersing hands in warm water — these are just some of the therapeutic experiences that boys with autism had while participating in a small new study.
The scientists wanted to learn how “sensory-motor” therapy compared to traditional behavioral therapy methods in boys with autism.
Young Parents Don’t Stress Over Kids’ Media Use: Survey
by Maureen Salamon, HealthDay Reporter
First generation to have lots of exposure to technology not as worried about its effects, researchers report
June 4 (HealthDay News) — Having grown up with gadgets galore, young parents aren’t as worried about the potentially corrosive effects of too much screen time on their offspring, a new study suggests.
Surveying more than 2,300 parents of children up to age 8, researchers from Northwestern University found that the vast majority — 78 percent — report that their children’s media use is not a source of family conflict, and 59 percent said they aren’t concerned their kids will become addicted to new media.
Daily Sunscreen Helps Middle-Aged Skin Stay Young: Study
by Alan Mozes, HealthDay Reporter
After 4 years, less ‘photoaging’ seen among regular users in sunny Australia
June 3 (HealthDay News) — In the never-ending search for the fountain of youth, scientists have looked everywhere under the sun. But a group of Australian researchers now report that the answer lies out of the sun.
Regular daily use of sunscreen appears to significantly slow the process of skin aging among middle-aged men and women, they say.
The finding stems from 4.5 years spent tracking sunscreen use and its ultimate impact on skin quality among more than 900 men and women under the age of 55.
For Alzheimer’s Caregivers, a Much-Needed Break
by Amy Norton, HealthDay Reporter
Study confirms adult day care provides beneficial time off
June 7 (HealthDay News) — Day care centers for people with Alzheimer’s disease can give their spouses and other family caregivers a much needed source of stress relief, a new study suggests.
Such centers offer people with dementia a chance to socialize and take part in activities that stimulate their minds. The programs can also give spouses, children and other caregivers a break.
Alzheimer’s Drugs May Benefit Heart, Study Finds
by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter
Fewer heart attacks, deaths for patients taking cholinesterase inhibitors
June 5 (HealthDay News) — Drugs used to treat early-stage Alzheimer’s disease may also reduce patients’ risk of heart attack and death, according to a new study.
Researchers followed more than 7,000 Alzheimer’s disease patients in Sweden for more than three years. Those taking cholinesterase inhibitors had a 38 percent lower risk of heart attack, a 26 percent lower risk of death from cardiovascular causes such as stroke and a 36 percent lower risk of death from any cause, compared to those who did not take the drugs.
Irregular Heartbeat May Speed Memory Loss in Seniors
by Steven Reinberg, HealthDay Reporter
Study found that people with atrial fibrillation showed mental declines at earlier age than those without heart condition
June 5 (HealthDay News) — Older people who suffer from a type of irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation may also be more likely to experience mental declines sooner, a new study suggests.
“Problems with memory and thinking are common for people as they get older,” said lead researcher Evan Thacker, a statistician in the department of epidemiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “Our study shows that, on average, these problems may start earlier or get worse more quickly in people who have atrial fibrillation. This means that heart health is an important factor related to brain health.”
Vegetarians May Live Longer
by Denise Mann, HealthDay Reporter
California research finds 12% lower risk of dying for those who don’t eat meat
June 3 (HealthDay News) — Vegetarians may live longer than meat-lovers, new research suggests.
Scientists in California analyzed the diets of 73,300 Seventh Day Adventists, and found that vegetarians were less likely to die from any cause or from cause-specific reasons, except for cancer, compared to those who ate meat.
Pedometers Can Keep You Moving
by Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay Reporter
Research shows they’re a low-cost motivator for sitting less, particularly for those with desk jobs
June 6 (HealthDay News) — Wearing a pedometer that tracks daily physical activity can motivate you to sit less, move more and perhaps shed unwanted pounds, a new study suggests.
Researchers from Indiana University found this type of intervention was particularly helpful for workers who had desk jobs. And, they noted, pedometers are also an inexpensive way to target a large number of people.
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