Welcome to the Stars Hollow Gazette‘s 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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Once summer tomatoes are flourishing in my garden and at farmers’ markets, capturing their bounty for the rest of the year becomes a weekly ritual. This mostly involves the making of marinara sauce; I try to have enough of it in the freezer to last me through a winter’s worth of impromptu pasta dinners. [..]
I reserve my paste tomatoes (the oblong varieties like romas and San Marzanos) for marinara sauce, and use the sweet, juicy ones for salsas and uncooked tomato sauces that I serve with everything from pasta to grains to fish to cooked vegetables to eggs (this week, I topped wilted chard with a tomato concassé, and poached eggs with a blended tomato mint sauce).
~Martha Rose Shulman~
Sweet, juicy heirloom tomatoes can be made into a concassé that works as well with vegetables as it does with pasta or grains.
Uncooked Tomato and Mint Sauce with Poached Eggs
This dish turns summer tomatoes into a salsa cruda that can also work well with most any kind of fish.
Whole Wheat Focaccia With Tomatoes and Fontina
Focaccia, a little crisp on the bottom but soft on the top and inside, can take on many toppings besides tomatoes.
This sauce is a tomato jam that tastes more like a richly spiced ketchup. A long simmer is important.
Risotto with Tomatoes and Corn: This colorful risotto serves as a luxurious showcase for summer’s bounty of tomatoes and corn.
Blood-Thinner Pradaxa: What You Should Know
By Kathleen Doheny, WebMD Health News
July 25, 2014 — When the blood-thinner drug Pradaxa (dabigatran) was FDA-approved in 2010 to prevent stroke in people at high risk, a major selling point was that it doesn’t require frequent blood tests like the old standby drug, warfarin.
Now, an investigation in the BMJ has raised concerns again about this newer-generation blood thinner, or anticoagulant. Doctors might prevent serious bleeding, a potential side effect of all anticoagulants, by checking the blood levels of people on Pradaxa, these experts say.
Study: Car Interiors Reach Dangerous Temps All Year
By Brenda Goodman, MA, WebMD Health News
July 24, 2014 — After a string of high-profile cases of kids being left in hot cars this year, a new study shows just how quickly heat can become a danger, even in cooler months of the year.
Researchers in Texas measured in the temperatures inside a car on a single day each month in 2012, checking temps every 5 minutes from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. They hung the thermometer in the back seat, out of the sun, about where a child’s head would be if they were sitting in a car seat.
“We wanted to simulate what might happen on an average work day,” says Sarah
New HIV Guidelines Released by WHO
By Pam Harrison, Medscape Medical News
uly 23, 2014 (MELBOURNE, Australia) — Five groups of people are driving the global HIV epidemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) says in its new guidelines.
Men who have sex with men, sex workers, injection-drug users, transgender people, and people in prisons are among the groups targeted for prevention and treatment efforts.
Diet Changes Can Alter Gut Bacteria, Study Says
By Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay
Researchers monitored stool samples of two people for a year
July 25, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Dietary changes can dramatically alter the balance of bacteria in the gut on a daily basis, according to a new study.
These fluctuations could lead to monitoring systems that might help detect and ease flare-ups for people with certain chronic illnesses, such as inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease), the researchers said.
Study Links Shift Work to Risk for Type 2 Diabetes
By Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay
Researchers cite many possible reasons for the effect, including hormonal changes
uly 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Shift workers, especially men, may be at higher risk for type 2 diabetes compared to people not on such schedules, a new study suggests.
Also at special risk are shift workers who don’t work on a set schedule, with shifts moving around at various times of the day.
The findings are “not at all surprising,” said one expert, Dr. Alan Manevitz, a clinical psychiatrist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
FDA Approves Hard-to-Abuse Narcotic Painkiller
By Alan Mozes HealthDay
Targiniq ER contains naloxone, which blunts euphoria of oxycodone when tablet is crushed or broken
July 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) — A new formulation of a powerful narcotic painkiller that discourages potential abusers from snorting or injecting the drug has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Called Targiniq ER and made by Purdue Pharma, the pill is a combination of the narcotic oxycodone and naloxone, a drug that blocks the euphoric effects of oxycodone. The naloxone is only activated when the pill is crushed, snorted, dissolved or injected, according to the FDA.
Cystic Fibrosis Drug Combo: How Effective Is It?
By Randy Dotinga, HealthDay
One medication seems to partly counteract the other, suggests study on human cells
July 23, 2014 (HealthDay News) — A powerful drug combo may not be as effective against cystic fibrosis as previously thought. New lab-based research on human cells suggests that one of the medications might stop the other from working properly.
However, this study’s findings aren’t definitive, and there’s still hope for the medications known as ivacaftor (brand name Kalydeco) and lumacaftor, according to the study’s senior author.
Acetaminophen May Not Help Against Back Pain, Study Contends
By Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay
The common pain reliever, best known as Tylenol, showed no effect in Australian trial
uly 23, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Even though its use is often advised by doctors, the painkiller acetaminophen — best known as Tylenol — does not help treat lower back pain, according to a new Australian study.
The researchers found the drug was no more effective than a dummy pill for more than 1,600 people suffering from acute lower back pain.
Besides showing no effect in easing discomfort, the study also found the drug was no help in improving sleep woes tied to back pain, nor did it improve patients’ overall quality of life.
The research team said the findings call into question the belief that acetaminophen should be the first choice when treating this common form of back pain.
Painful, Itchy Patches Could Be Sign of Skin Cancer
But it’s likely to be the non-melanoma type, dermatologist says
July 23, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Painful or itchy skin lesions could be a warning sign of skin cancer, researchers report.
“Patients sometimes have multiple lesions that are suspicious looking, and those that are itchy or painful should raise high concerns for non-melanoma skin cancers,” study author Dr. Gil Yosipovitch, chairman of dermatology at Temple University School of Medicine, said in a Temple University Health System news release.
Can Weight Loss Surgery Ease Urinary Incontinence?
By Kathleen Doheny, HealthDay
Nearly two-thirds of women had significant improvement of their symptoms, researchers report
July 23, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Weight-loss surgery appears to have an additional side benefit — it may improve urinary incontinence symptoms in women, according to a new study.
The study found that nearly half of women in a weight-loss surgery program reported having incontinence prior to the procedure. After surgery, most of those women said their urinary symptoms either improved or disappeared, said study researcher Dr. Leslee Subak, professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine.
Routine Pulse Check May Prevent Second Stroke
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Patients, relatives can get reliable results, researchers find
July 23, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Regularly checking the pulse of a stroke survivor may help prevent another stroke, researchers report.
“Screening pulse is the method of choice for checking for irregular heartbeat for people over age 65 who have never had a stroke. Our study shows it may be a safe, effective, noninvasive and easy way to identify people who might need more thorough monitoring to prevent a second stroke,” said study author Dr. Bernd Kallmunzer, of Erlangen University in Germany.
tudy Casts Doubt on Costly Treatment for Leg Clots
By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay
Catheter-directed thrombolysis may carry higher risk of bleeding than conventional treatment, researchers say
July 22, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Two treatments that break up blood clots deep in the veins of the legs appear no different in terms of death risk. However, one results in a greater risk of bleeding and average hospitalization bills that are three times the cost of the other treatment, a new study finds.
The standard treatment for these clots — known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) — is blood-thinning medications and compression stockings. The other, more expensive treatment delivers medication directly to the clot to dissolve it. This procedure, called catheter-directed thrombolysis, has increased in use in recent years despite inconclusive research as to its safety, the study authors said.
Test Might Help Predict Survival With Lou Gehrig’s
By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay
Study findings may also help researchers test new ALS drugs, researchers suggest
July 22, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Simple blood tests may one day help predict survival and the course of the disease in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig’s disease, Italian researchers report.
The components in the blood that might yield clues to how fast ALS is progressing are called albumin and creatinine. These components are normally tested to follow kidney and liver health, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
But now it appears that these substances may be helpful for gauging the health of people with ALS, the new study suggests.
MERS Virus Found in Air in Camel Barn
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Genetic analysis shows viral sample from barn matched strain found in barn owner and camel, study shows
July 22, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Genetic fragments of the deadly MERS virus were detected in the air of a barn where an infected camel was kept, a new study says.
The findings show the need for further studies to determine if Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) can be transmitted through the air, the researchers said.
Antibiotic Resistance a Growing Threat: CDC Head
July 24, 2014 — Tougher measures to control antibiotic resistance need to be taken in the coming years, to avoid the possibility of it becoming the “next pandemic,” the head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday.
During an event at the National Press Club, CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden said the agency plans to isolate, track and prevent bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics in hospitals, USA Today reported.
HIV Meds May Also Help Control Hepatitis C
By Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay
For people infected with both viruses, early treatment is critical, researchers report
July 23, 2014 (HealthDay News) — For patients infected with both HIV and hepatitis C, HIV antiretroviral therapy may help control both viruses, a small study suggests.
Researchers said doctors could use their findings to improve treatment strategies for people with the two diseases.
Blood Thinner Doesn’t Prevent Miscarriages: Study
by By Brenda Goodman, MA, WebMD Health News
July 25, 2014 — Injected blood thinners don’t prevent pregnancy complications in women who may be prone to blood clots, a new study shows.
Women who have had miscarriages are often given blood tests to check for genetic problems that may lead to blood clots.
These inherited clotting problems affect about 1 in 10 people in North America, according to study researcher Marc Rodger, MD. He is a senior scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute in Canada.
Is Coffee Aggravating Your Hot Flashes?
By Alan Mozes, HealthDay
Researchers suggest women skip caffeine if they’re bothered by menopausal symptoms
July 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Drinking caffeine may worsen the hot flashes and night sweats that affect roughly two-thirds of women as they go through menopause, new survey data suggests.
“While these findings are preliminary, our study suggests that limiting caffeine intake may be useful for those postmenopausal women who have bothersome hot flashes and night sweats,” said researcher Dr. Stephanie Faubion, director of the Women’s Health Clinic at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
Female Triathletes and Incontinence
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Doctors should be alert for pelvic floor disorders, researcher says
July 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Women who compete in triathlons are at increased risk for pelvic floor disorders, including incontinence, and other health problems, a new study says.
“There has been a surge in popularity of high-impact sports such as triathlons, but little has been known until now about the prevalence of pelvic health and certain other issues associated with endurance training and events,” study author Dr. Colleen Fitzgerald, a physiatrist at Loyola University Health System, said in a university news release.
Obesity During Pregnancy and Asthma Risk in Kids
By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay
Threat of respiratory disease may be up to 30 percent higher, study suggests
July 22, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Women who are obese during pregnancy may be more likely to have children with asthma than normal-weight mothers, a new review suggests.
“We found that, compared with children born from mothers of normal weight, those whose mothers were overweight or obese during pregnancy had up to 20 to 30 percent higher odds of asthma,” said lead researcher Dr. Erick Forno, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Young Readers, Tomorrow’s Leaders?
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Study suggests link between early reading skills and later intelligence
uly 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Young children with strong reading skills may be on a fast track to a brighter future, a new study suggests.
Kids with above average reading skills may have higher intelligence levels as they get older, according to British researchers.
The study included 1,890 identical twins from Great Britain who were given reading and intelligence tests when they were ages 7, 9, 10, 12 and 16. Because each pair of twins had the same genes and home environment, any differences between them had to be due to factors they didn’t share, such as the quality of their teachers or friends who encouraged reading, the researchers suggested.
Too Few Teens Receive HPV Shot, CDC Says
By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay
Agency urges doctors to recommend it along with other routine immunizations
July 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) — An “unacceptably low” number of girls and boys are getting the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which protects against cervical, anal and other cancers, U.S. health officials said Thursday.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends all boys and girls aged 11 and 12 get the three-dose vaccine so that protection is in place before they become sexually active.
Parents of Obese Kids Often View Them as Healthy
By Kathleen Doheny, HealthDay
They’re more likely to change their children’s diet than encourage exercise, study finds
July 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Parents of obese children often don’t view their kids as unhealthy or recognize the health consequences of excess weight or inactivity, according to a new study.
The children of the families surveyed for the new research were attending an obesity clinic at the Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, R.I.
“A third categorized their child’s health as excellent or very good,” said study researcher Dr. Kyung Rhee, now an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Diego.
Dangerous Use of Growth Hormone Surges Among U.S. Teens
By Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay
Many young people are ordering dubious, hazardous products off of the Internet, researchers warn
uly 23, 2014 (HealthDay News) — A growing number of U.S. teens are using synthetic human growth hormone (hGH) to boost their muscles and athletic ability, a new study finds.
The percentage of teens who admit to using hGH jumped to 11 percent in 2013 — more than double the 5 percent figure in 2012, the new survey from the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids revealed.
Many Obese Kids Think They’re Thinner Than They Are
By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay
They won’t take steps to reach a healthy weight if they don’t see the problem, experts note
July 23, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Many obese and overweight American children and teens look in the mirror and tell themselves their weight is fine, U.S. health officials reported Wednesday.
“Being overweight or obese is associated with adverse health outcomes, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes,” said lead researcher Neda Sarafrazi, a nutritional epidemiologist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics.
Parent’s Death May Raise Risk of Early Death for Grown Children, Study Suggests
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Odds of dying prematurely 50 percent higher in adults who’d lost a parent in childhood, researchers report
July 23, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Children and teens who lose a parent might face an increased risk of an early death in adulthood, a new study suggests.
People who were children or teens when a parent died had a 50 percent greater risk of death during the study period than those who had not experienced the death of a parent, according to the report.
Although the study found an association between a parent’s death and a child’s later risk of premature death, it wasn’t designed to prove cause-and-effect.
Sleep Loss May Boost False Memories
By Peter Russell, WebMD Health News
July 24, 2014 — People who don’t get enough sleep may find they’re more likely to form false memories, researchers say.
Psychologists say plenty of evidence shows that failing to get a full 8 hours of sleep harms thinking skills, but they wanted to see the effect on how we remember things.
“Recent studies are suggesting that people are getting fewer hours of sleep on average, and chronic sleep deprivation is on the rise,” says psychological scientist Steven Frenda, of the University of California. “Over the years I noticed that whenever I had a bad night’s sleep, my perception and memory seemed to get fuzzy until I had a good recovery sleep.”
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