Welcome to the Health and Fitness NewsWelcome 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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Fruit compotes make great compromise desserts; they’re sweet, but not as sweet as sorbets, and like sorbets they don’t require flour, butter or pastry skills. [..]
Early spring is an in-between time for fruit. Stone fruits aren’t ready yet and it’s not really apple, pear or citrus season either, though all of those fall-winter fruits are still available.
~Martha Rose Shulman~
Reducing the soaking time in this French bistro classic saves flavor.
Bananas Poached in Vanilla-Scented Chardonnay
Don’t overcook the bananas in this easy dish, and you’ll be rewarded with a fragrant, delicious dessert.
Pears Poached in Red Wine and Cassis
A classic French dessert with liqueur that adds a deep berry essence.
Dried Fruit Compote With Fresh Apple and Pear
An alcohol-free compote with a variety of dried fruit and a bright flavor.
Blood-Orange, Ruby-Red Grapefruit and Pomegranate Compote
A refreshing dessert that keeps well for a few days.
Liquid Nicotine in E-Cigarettes Rising Cause of Poisonings: CDC
By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay
Calls to poison control centers have jumped, ingestion could be deadly for kids, experts report
April 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) — The number of calls to poison control centers for nicotine poisoning from e-cigarettes has risen dramatically in recent years, U.S. health officials reported Thursday.
Calls related to poisoning from the liquid nicotine used in these devices were running at a rate of roughly one a month in 2010, but jumped to 215 in February of this year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Even more troubling, more than half (51 percent) of the poison calls involved children aged 5 and younger, while 42 percent involved people aged 20 and older.
CDC Salt Guidelines Too Low for Good Health, Study Suggests
By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay
But agency stands by its recommendations for preventing stroke, heart disease
April 2, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Don’t toss out your salt shaker just yet: A new analysis from Denmark finds current recommended salt guidelines may be too low.
The new research indicates that Americans consume a healthy amount of salt, even though daily averages exceed recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Alli Weight Loss Drug Recalled Over Tampering
By Megan Brooks, Medscape Medical News
March 31, 2014 — GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare has voluntarily recalled all of its nonprescription weight loss drug alli from retailers in the United States and Puerto Rico, the company announced on March 27.
GSK says customers have reported that bottles of alli they purchased over the counter in retail stores contained tablets and capsules that were not alli. The company says it believes the bottles may have been tampered with.
BP Guidelines May Take Millions of People Off Meds
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Study estimates impact of controversial changes that raised treatment threshold
March 29, 2014 (HealthDay News) — About 5.8 million American adults may no longer be prescribed drugs to treat high blood pressure under recently revised guidelines, according to a new study.
In February, the Eighth Joint National Committee released controversial guidelines that relaxed blood pressure goals in adults 60 and older from 140/90 to 150/90. The guidelines also eased blood pressure targets for adults with diabetes and kidney disease.
Antidote for Prescription Painkiller Overdose OK’d
By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay
Evzio is part of efforts to stem health risks from abuse of drugs such as Oxycontin, Vicodin
April 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) — People suffering a potentially fatal narcotic overdose now can receive lifesaving treatment from folks around them, using a new device just approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Evzio is a hand-held auto injector that delivers a single dose of the drug naloxone into the muscle or beneath the skin. The injector can be carried in a pocket or stored in a medicine cabinet and is meant as an emergency treatment for people who have suffered a known or suspected overdose of powerful pain drugs called opioids.
Insomnia May Raise Stroke Risk
By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay
Researchers in Taiwan found strongest connection among people younger than 34
April 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) — People plagued with insomnia might have an increased risk of stroke, particularly if they are young adults, a new, large study from Taiwan suggests.
Over the course of four years, researchers found that insomnia seemed to raise the likelihood that a person will be hospitalized due to stroke by 54 percent.
That risk skyrocketed for people between the ages of 18 and 34, who were eight times more likely to suffer strokes if they had insomnia when compared to their peers who got good sleep, the study found.
Hernia Repair Recovery Often Longer Than Expected
By Mary Elizabeth Dallas HealthDay
Pain, fatigue may persist up to seven days after surgery, study shows
April 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) — People who undergo surgery to repair an abdominal hernia may underestimate how long their recovery will take, new research indicates.
Hernia surgery involves closing a gap that has formed in the muscle walls of the abdomen. This common procedure is needed to treat pain or obstructions that occur when organs or soft tissue push through this muscle opening.
Although patients who have a hernia repaired using minimally invasive technology often expect to return to their normal daily routine quickly, a study found many of these people still feel pain and fatigue for up to a week after their procedure.
Stroke Risk Spikes After Shingles Episode: Study
By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay
But getting antiviral meds to treat painful rash lowers chances of brain attack, researchers add
April 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) — People with shingles face a significantly increased risk of stroke in the weeks following the first signs of the painful skin rash, new research suggests.
Patients’ overall stroke risk is highest in the first month after the onset of shingles, when they are 63 percent more likely to have a stroke, said study author Dr. Sinead Langan, a senior lecturer at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The risk tapers off during the following five months, she added.
New Hair-Loss Treatments in the Pipeline
By Denise Mann, WebMD Health News
March 31, 2014 — New hair loss treatments on the not-too-distant horizon may be game-changers.
“The development of new treatments, including drugs and cell-based approaches for hair loss, is at an all-time high,” says Kenneth J. Washenik, MD, PhD. He’s a clinical assistant professor at NYU Langone Medical Center and the medical director at Bosley Medical. “We have never had this many provocative treatments in the pipeline.”
Some Colon Cancer Patients May Benefit From Aspirin
By Randy Dotinga, HealthDay
Experts divided over whether drug should be added to treatment
March 31, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Recent research has raised the possibility that low-dose aspirin could add extra years to the lives of colon cancer patients. Now, a new study suggests that only certain patients may gain a survival benefit by taking aspirin after diagnosis.
The study of about 1,000 patients found that people whose tumor cells give off a specific antigen, or defense mechanism, gained most from adding aspirin to their regular treatment.
Evidence Weight-Loss Surgery Helps Against Diabetes
By Serena Gordon, HealthDay
One-third of gastric-bypass patients kept type 2 diabetes under control without meds during three-year study
March 31, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Weight-loss surgery might do more than help people shed pounds. For some who have the surgery, it may also put type 2 diabetes into remission for several years, a new study suggests.
The success rate in controlling diabetes depended on the type of weight-loss surgery, the researchers said.
Patients who had the more involved gastric-bypass surgery were more likely to achieve control of their type 2 diabetes without the use of medications, compared to those who had a procedure known as sleeve gastrectomy, according to the new research.
Stem Cells May Rejuvenate Failing Hearts
By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay
Researchers found injecting them into damaged tissue improved organ’s ability to pump blood
March 31, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Stem cells injected directly into heart muscle can help patients suffering from severe heart failure by improving an ailing heart’s ability to pump blood, a new Danish trial indicates.
Doctors drew stem cells from patients’ own bone marrow, and then injected those cells into portions of the heart where scar tissue seemed to interfere with heart function, explained lead researcher Dr. Anders Bruun Mathiasen. He is a research fellow in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at Rigshospitalet University Hospital Copenhagen.
Blood Test Shows Promise for Gauging Heart Attack Risk After Chest Pain
By Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay
More study is needed, but the screening method measures levels of a chemical signal tied to heart damage
March 30, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Though more study needs to be done, new research suggests that a simple blood test could help predict the heart attack risk of patients experiencing chest pain.
The Swedish study found that patients with chest pain who have undetectable levels of a certain chemical signal in their blood called “high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T,” plus no sign of reduced blood flow, are at very low risk for heart attack over the next month.
Raised Heart-Trouble Risk Seen in Celiac Patients
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Researchers suggest inflammation caused by the digestive disorder may explain the link
March 29, 2014 (HealthDay News) — People with celiac disease have a nearly twofold increased risk of heart disease compared to those without the chronic digestive disorder, according to a new study.
Researchers analyzed data gathered from nearly 22.4 million people, aged 18 and older, between 1999 and 2013, including more than 24,000 diagnosed with celiac disease. Those with celiac disease were slightly more likely to have high cholesterol but less likely to have high blood pressure, the investigators found.
FAQ: The Deadly Ebola Virus
By Rita Rubin, WebMD Health News
April 4, 2014 — Perhaps no virus strikes as much fear in people as Ebola, the cause of a deadly outbreak in the West African nation of Guinea.
The Guinea Ministry of Health has reported 127 cases of Ebola virus disease as of April 1, and 83 people had died, according to the World Health Organization. The cases of infected people include 14 health care workers, 8 of whom have died.
Ebola was first identified in 1976, when it appeared in outbreaks in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is named for the Ebola River, which runs near the Congolese village where one of the first outbreaks happened.
Fertility Drugs May Not Raise Breast Cancer Risk
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
But subset of women who took Clomid for more than 12 cycles appeared more likely to get invasive breast cancer
April 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Widely used fertility drugs don’t seem to increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer, according to a new study.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 9,800 American women who were evaluated for infertility between 1965 and 1988 and followed until 2010. During the follow-up period, 749 of the women developed breast cancer.
Overall, women who took Clomid (clomiphene citrate) or gonadotropins as part of fertility treatments were not more likely to develop breast cancer than those who didn’t take the drugs, according to the study in the current issue of the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention.
Are Benefits of Annual Mammograms Overstated?
By Amy Norton, HealthDay
Analysis of 50 years of clinical data adds to controversy over who should be screened, how often
April 1, 2014 (HealthDay News) — The benefits of mammography screening are probably oversold, while the risks — especially “overdiagnosis” — are underappreciated, a new review concludes.
The report, published in the April 2 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, adds to the controversy that’s been building in recent years over the value of mammography screening. In this latest finding, data from 50 years of research was analyzed.
Cialis May Not Prevent Impotence in Men Treated for Prostate Cancer
By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay
Study sees little value in taking the drug during radiation treatment
April 1, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Taking the erectile dysfunction drug Cialis while receiving radiation therapy for prostate cancer doesn’t seem to help men’s sexual function after treatment, a new study finds.
About 40 percent of men undergoing radiation therapy for prostate cancer suffer from erectile dysfunction afterward, according to the study. The researchers wanted to find out whether impotence could be prevented by having patients take Cialis (tadalafil) during the course of treatment.
Childhood Eczema Often Persists Into Adulthood
By Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay
There are steps people can take to reduce or ease flare-ups, experts say
April 2, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Many children with eczema will continue to have symptoms of the skin condition as adults, new research suggests.
Although eczema, or “atopic dermatitis,” often begins during childhood, the new study found that kids with eczema will likely experience flare-ups into their 20s. In some cases, the researchers added, people could be dealing with the skin ailment throughout their lifetime.
Teens’ Screen Time May Affect Their Bone Health
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Researchers in Norway found contrasting bone density results in boys, girls
April 4, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Spending too much time sitting in front of screens may be linked to poorer bone health in teen boys, according to a new study from Norway.
Poor Heart Health Linked to Alzheimer’s Risk
By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay
Brain plaque builds up as arteries stiffen, study suggests
March 31, 2014 (HealthDay News) — A new study links heart disease with increased odds of developing dementia.
Researchers found that artery stiffness — a condition called atherosclerosis — is associated with the buildup of beta-amyloid plaque in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
Study: For Greater Happiness, Spend Money on These
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Researchers found people put more money on material goods, but emotional payoff is lower
April 2, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Buying so-called “life experiences” makes Americans happier than material goods such as cars, but they tend to favor the latter in the mistaken belief that they provide better value, according to a new study.
Researchers interviewed people before and after they made purchases and found that consumers felt life experiences — like a weekend trip — made them happier and were a better use of money than material items.
Depression May Be Linked to Heart Failure
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Stress hormones likely play contributing role, but more research needed, study says
April 4, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Depression may increase the risk of heart failure, a new study suggests.
Researchers looked at nearly 63,000 people in Norway who underwent physical and mental health assessments.
Over 11 years, close to 1,500 of the participants developed heart failure. Compared to people with no symptoms of depression, those with mild symptoms were 5 percent more likely to develop heart failure, and those with moderate to severe symptoms had a 40 percent increased risk.
Your Mentally Stimulating Job May Help Keep You Sharp in Retirement
By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay
‘Use it or lose it’ might apply to brainpower, study author says
April 4, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Jobs that make good use of your intellect might have another benefit down the line — a sharper mind long after retirement.
People with jobs that require problem solving, planning and information analysis appear more likely to retain a clear memory and keen reasoning as they grow older, said lead author Gwen Fisher, an assistant professor of psychology at Colorado State University.
Fruits and Veggies May Reduce Death Risk
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay
Large 12-year review found the more daily portions you eat, the better off you are
April 1, 2014 (HealthDay News) — A diet filled with fresh produce is good for your health, and now a large study suggests that eating plenty of fruits and vegetables may substantially cut your risk of death.
Researchers analyzed the eating habits of more than 65,000 people in England between 2001 and 2013. They found that those who ate seven or more portions of fresh fruits and vegetables a day had a 42 percent lower risk of death at any age than those who ate less than one portion a day.
The Morning Light May Help You Stay Slim
By Serena Gordon, HealthDay
Study found people tended to be leaner if they got sun exposure earlier, rather than later, in day
April 2, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Spending time in the bright morning light may help you slim down, new research suggests.
The small study found that people exposed to more light earlier, rather than later, in the day tended to be leaner than their peers.
Exercise, Diet Help People With High Blood Sugar
By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay
Study followed Chinese people with high blood sugar for more than two decades
April 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) — For people with high blood sugar at risk of type 2 diabetes, losing weight and exercising may lessen their chances of dying from heart disease or other conditions, a new long-term study suggests.
People enrolled in the study on diabetes prevention in China followed a diet and exercise program for six years, then were followed by researchers for another 23 years.
Over that time, there was a significant reduction in their risk of death from cardiovascular diseases — such as coronary heart disease and stroke — and death from other causes, the researchers found.
Too Much Running Tied to Shorter Life Span
By Kathleen Doheny, HealthDay
New research rules out heart risk, certain medications as a contributing factor
April 1 (HealthDay News) — Running regularly has long been linked to a host of health benefits, including weight control, stress reduction, better blood pressure and cholesterol.
However, recent research suggests there may a point of diminishing returns with running.
A number of studies have suggested that a “moderate” running regimen — a total of two to three hours per week, according to one expert — appears best for longevity, refuting the typical “more is better” mantra for physical activity.
Diet Soft Drinks and Women’s Hearts
By Brenda Goodman, HealthDay
Those who consumed the most had highest risk, but the study results are preliminary
March 29, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Women who are heavy consumers of diet drinks might be more likely to experience heart attacks, dangerous blood clots and other cardiovascular problems than those who rarely or never consume artificially sweetened beverages, according to a large, new study.
The findings come from a study of nearly 60,000 healthy postmenopausal women in the United States. Participants were asked to estimate how many artificially sweetened drinks they’d had each day for the past three months. Diet soft drinks and low-calorie fruit drinks were counted toward the daily total.
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