Health and Wellness News

Rotating Night Shift Work May Raise Risks of Heart Disease, Lung Cancer: Study

Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Rotating Night Shift Work May Raise Risks of Heart Disease, Lung Cancer: Study

MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) - Working rotating night shifts may pose a threat to your health, a new study suggests. The study defined rotating shift work as at least three nights spent working each month, in addition to days and evenings worked in the month. In the new study, researchers led by Dr. Eva Schernhammer of Harvard Medical School tracked 22 years of data from about 75,000 nurses across the United States. While the study couldn't prove cause-and-effect, it found that people who worked rotating night shifts for more than five years had an 11 percent increased risk of death from all causes. The risk of death from heart disease was 19 percent higher among those who worked such shifts for six to 14 years, and 23 percent higher for those who worked such shifts for 15 or more years, Schernhammer's group found. Nurses who worked rotating night shifts for 15 or more years also had a 25 percent higher risk of death from lung cancer, according to the study. The findings are to be published in the March issue of the -American Journal of Preventive Medicine. According to the study authors, prior research has shown that night shift work is linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. "These results add to prior evidence of a potentially detrimental relation of rotating night shift work and health and longevity," Schernhammer, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard and associate epidemiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, said in a journal news release. Further research is needed to learn how individual traits might interact with rotating night shift work to harm health, she added. More information - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about -shift work.-
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Researchers Probe Why Colds Are More Likely in Winter

Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Researchers Probe Why Colds Are More Likely in Winter

TUESDAY, Jan. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) - Though it's never been scientifically confirmed, conventional wisdom has it that winter is the season of sniffles. Now, new animal research seems to back up that idea. It suggests that as internal body temperatures fall after exposure to cold air, so too does the immune system's ability to beat back the rhinovirus that causes the common cold. "It has been long known that the rhinovirus replicates better at the cooler temperature, around 33 Celsius (91 Fahrenheit), compared to the core body temperature of 37 Celsius (99 Fahrenheit)," said study co-author Akiko Iwasaki, a professor of immunobiology at Yale University School of Medicine. "[But] the reason for this cold temperature preference for virus replication was unknown. Much of the focus on this question has been on the virus itself. However, virus replication machinery itself works well at both temperatures, leaving the question unanswered," Iwasaki said. "We used mouse airway cells as a model to study this question [and found that] at the cooler temperature found in the nose, the host immune system was unable to induce defense signals to block virus replication," Iwasaki explained. The researchers discuss their findings in the current issue of the -Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. To explore the potential relationship between internal body temperatures and the ability to fend off a virus, the research team incubated mouse cells in two different temperature settings. One group of cells was incubated at 37 C (99 F) to mimic the core temperature found in the lungs, and the other at 33 C (91 F) to mimic the temperature of the nose. Then they watched how cells raised in each environment reacted following exposure to the rhinovirus. The result? Fluctuations in internal body temperatures had no direct impact on the virus itself. Rather, it was the body's indirect immune response to the virus that differed, with a stronger response observed among the warmer lung cells and a weaker response observed among the colder nasal cells. And how might outdoor temperatures affect this dynamic? - "By inhaling the cold air from the outside, the temperature inside the nose will likely decrease accordingly, at least transiently," Iwasaki said. "Therefore, an implication of our findings is that the cooler ambient temperature would likely increase the ability of the virus to replicate well and to develop a cold." - "However," he added, "our study did not directly test this; everything was done in tissue culture dishes, and not in live animals exposed to cold air." - Dr. John Watson, a medical epidemiologist with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's division of viral diseases, said determining the exact reason for a higher cold risk can be tricky. "Why exactly people get colds is hard to assess," he noted. "What is well-established is that the common cold is extremely common. We can say that adults get it in the area of three times every year. And for kids under 6 it may happen twice as often at that." - Watson added that there are more than 100 different types of rhinoviruses. Most affect the upper respiratory system and are typically mild. But some can affect the lower respiratory tract, too, he said. "Who gets what and why is incompletely understood," Watson said. "There are certainly some clear risk factors. People with immune-compromising conditions or preexisting illness face a higher risk, as do the elderly and premature babies. "But pointing to cold weather itself is not a simple matter," he added. "It may be cold itself. Or it may be that people's behavior in cold weather changes, and those changes - such as being more likely to congregate indoors with other people in smaller spaces - could put people at an increased risk, rather than the cold itself." - Watson added: "It's an interesting finding and probably worthy of additional study. But it is certainly not a settled question." - More information - For more information on rhinoviruses and the common cold -U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.-
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Knee Arthritis Drugs Beat Placebos, but Study Finds No Clear Winner

Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Knee Arthritis Drugs Beat Placebos, but Study Finds No Clear Winner

TUESDAY, Jan. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) - Pain-relieving treatments for knee arthritis all work better than doing nothing - but it's hard to point to a clear winner, a new research review concluded. Using data from almost 140 studies, researchers found all of the widely used arthritis treatments - from over-the-counter painkillers to pain-relieving injections - brought more relief to aching knees over three months than did placebo pills. But there were some surprises in the study, according to lead researcher Dr. Raveendhara Bannuru, of Tufts Medical Center in Boston. Overall, the biggest benefit came from injections of hyaluronic acid (HA) - a treatment some professional medical groups consider only marginally effective. Hyaluronic acid is a lubricating substance found naturally in the joints. Over the years, studies have been mixed as to whether injections of synthetic HA help arthritic joints, and the treatment remains under debate. Bannuru cautioned that despite his team's positive findings, it's not clear whether hyaluronic acid itself deserves the credit. That's because his team found a large "placebo effect" across the HA studies. Patients who received injections of an inactive substance often reported pain relief, too. As a whole, they did better than people in other trials who were given placebo pills. According to Bannuru's team, that suggests there is something about the "delivery method" - injections into the knee joint, whatever the substance - that helps ease some people's pain. But there's no clear explanation for why that would be, Bannuru said. He and his colleagues report their findings in the Jan. 6 issue of -Annals of Internal Medicine. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 27 million Americans have osteoarthritis - the "wear and tear" form of arthritis where the cartilage cushioning a joint breaks down. The knees are among the most commonly affected joints. In the earlier stages of knee arthritis, doctors often recommend oral painkillers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve). Injections are another option - either with hyaluronic acid or the anti-inflammatory drug cortisone. The problem is, few studies have actually tested any of those treatments head-to-head, Bannuru said. So it's hard to know whether one is any better than the others. To get an idea, his team used a statistical method that allowed it to compare results from previous clinical trials that tested either oral medications or injections. In general, the review found, all therapies were better than placebo pills at easing pain at the three-month mark. But they were not all equal. Injections of hyaluronic acid were most effective, followed closely by cortisone. NSAIDs came in next, with acetaminophen rounding out the bottom of the list - which is not surprising, though it is important, Bannuru said. He noted that acetaminophen is often the first painkiller of choice for arthritis, because NSAIDs are linked to increased risks of heart attack and stroke in older adults who take them long-term. And because acetaminophen is less risky, it is still a "very reasonable" place to start, said Dr. Lisa Mandl, a rheumatologist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. "However, I would suggest using a high dose for a short trial period. And if it's not effective quickly, move on to another option," said Mandl, who cowrote an editorial published with the study. And based on these findings, she said, injections - whether hyaluronic acid or cortisone - could well be worth a try. That's partly because they often work, but also because they can avoid the systemic side effects of oral painkillers, Mandl said. With injections, side effects are usually limited to temporary pain and swelling. In rare cases, people can have an allergic reaction or infection, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Bannuru said people with knee arthritis ultimately have to decide for themselves, after discussing the pros and cons of different therapies with their doctor. And there are options beyond oral drugs and injections. "Even though we didn't test [them] in our study," Bannuru said, "it's important for people with knee arthritis to know there are several non-drug treatments, such as exercise and physical therapy." - More information - The U.S. National Institutes of Health has more on -osteoarthritis.-
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Keeping Safe in a Big Freeze

Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Keeping Safe in a Big Freeze

TUESDAY, Jan. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) - As a new cold snap sends temperatures plunging across much of the United States, one expert offers tips on how to stay warm and safe. "With the proper knowledge and precautions, most [cold-related] pain and suffering can be prevented," Dr. Barry Rosenthal, chair of emergency medicine at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y., said in a hospital news release. Most obvious: Lots of clothing, preferably in layers. Layered clothing provides the best insulation to retain body heat, Rosenthal said, and a non-permeable outer layer helps shield against strong winds. For the hands, mittens beat out gloves because they keep your hands warmer, and it's also a good idea to wear an extra pair of socks. Hats and scarves help warm the head, ears and neck, of course, and everyone should invest in properly fitted and insulated winter boots. But if boots are too tight, they can limit or cut-off blood circulation to the feet and toes, Rosenthal warned. Boots should also have a tread that provides safe traction on ice and snow. It's also important to drink plenty of fluids when outdoors in cold weather, to avoid dehydration, Rosenthal added. Some people are also more vulnerable to frigid temperatures than others. According to Rosenthal those most at risk include seniors, people with diabetes, heart or circulation problems, and those who use alcohol, caffeine and other drugs that hamper the body's response to cold. "Children are also a high-risk group. They are smaller and therefore lose body heat more rapidly than adults do," the expert said. "Children can be so busy playing outdoors that they may not realize just how cold they really are," he added. "So, be sure they are properly dressed, tell them to come indoors when their clothes get wet, and if they aren't active and moving around to keep warm, then they should come back inside. Keep an eye on children - it can take only minutes for them to suffer frostbite to exposed skin on a very cold or windy day." - Cold weather can also bring indoor hazards, due to hazardous home heating. "Don't use a kerosene heater. It could easily cause a fire. And don't use the oven as a source of heat. The gas can produce carbon monoxide, and carbon monoxide is deadly," Rosenthal said. Also, "be sure there is one carbon monoxide detector in your home and a smoke detector on every level of your home," he said. "Be sure to change the batteries every year - your birthday is a good time to do that." - More information - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about -cold weather safety.-
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Health Tip: Can't Eat Wheat Flour?

Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Health Tip: Can't Eat Wheat Flour?

(HealthDay News) - If you can't eat wheat flour, there's a wide variety of alternatives available. The American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests: - Almond flour, potato flour, rice flour or rye flour. Amaranth flour, ground from the ancient seed. Soy flour or flaxseed flour. Oat flour, barley flour or buckwheat flour. Spelt flour, made from an ancient grain that's related to wheat. Sorghum flour, made from the antioxidant-rich grain.
Copyright © 2015 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Health Tip: When Baby Needs a Medical Test

Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Health Tip: When Baby Needs a Medical Test

(HealthDay News) - It can be frightening for parents and baby when a little one needs a medical test. The University of Michigan Health System offers these suggestions to help keep the infant calm: - Offer plenty of gentle touches, and keep your voice quiet and soothing. Don't make any loud noises or sudden movements. Make sure baby can see you at all times, even when being held by the medical staff. Cuddle baby in an upright position. Distract baby with a favorite song or toy.
Copyright © 2015 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Cancer Doctors Don't Discuss Herbs, Supplements With Patients

Mon, 05 Jan 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Cancer Doctors Don't Discuss Herbs, Supplements With Patients

MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) - Despite concerns about potentially dangerous interactions between cancer treatments and herbs and other supplements, most cancer doctors don't talk to their patients about these products, new research found. Fewer than half of cancer doctors - oncologists - bring up the subject of herbs or supplements with their patients, the researchers found. Many doctors cited their own lack of information as a major reason why they skip that conversation. "Lack of knowledge about herbs and supplements, and awareness of that lack of knowledge is probably one of the reasons why oncologists don't initiate the discussion," said the study's author, Dr. Richard Lee, medical director of the Integrative Medicine Program at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. "It's really about getting more research out there and more education so oncologists can feel comfortable having these conversations," Lee said. The study was published recently in the -Journal of Clinical Oncology. People with cancer often turn to herbs and other dietary supplements in an attempt to improve their health and cope with their symptoms, according to background information in the study. Although herbs and supplements are often viewed as "natural," they contain active ingredients that might cause harmful interactions with standard cancer treatments. Some supplements can cause skin reactions when taken by patients receiving radiation treatment, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Herbs and supplements can also affect how chemotherapy drugs are absorbed and metabolized by the body, according to the ACS. St. John's wort, Panax ginseng and green tea supplements are among those that can produce potentially dangerous interactions with chemotherapy, according to the study. For the current survey, the researchers asked almost 400 oncologists about their views and knowledge of supplements. The average age of those who responded was 48 years. About three-quarters of them were men, and about three-quarters were white, the study noted. The specialists polled talked about supplements with 41 percent of their patients. However, doctors initiated only 26 percent of these discussions, the researchers found. The survey also revealed that two out of three oncologists believed they didn't have enough information about herbs and supplements to answer their patients' questions. Of all the doctors surveyed, 59 percent said they had no education on these products. When asked about a hypothetical patient with a curable form of cancer, 80 percent of the oncologists surveyed said they would actively discourage the use of an unknown herb with chemotherapy. Still, 86 percent of the doctors said that within the past year they provided chemotherapy to at least one patient who was taking a dietary supplement. And 90 percent said they would likely provide chemotherapy to a patient who insisted on taking an unknown herb - even if their cancer was curable with conventional treatment, according to the study. Lee said he was surprised by how many oncologists prescribed chemotherapy for patients who admitted taking herbs and supplements. "They realize it's being done but are not talking about it enough," he said. Dr. Patricia Ganz, a medical oncologist at the University of California, Los Angeles, noted how readily available these supplements are. "This has been going on for 25 years now. Just about any grocery store has a supplement section," said Ganz, who is also director of Cancer Prevention and Control Research at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. "My concern when discussing this with patients is that these products are not regulated. Patients have no idea what they are putting in their mouth," Ganz said. There isn't enough research to support many of the claims listed on herbs and other supplements, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Although the companies that make these products are responsible for making sure they are safe, the FDA doesn't approve them for safety or effectiveness before they are sold. Looking ahead, the doctors involved in the study were asked if they felt talking about supplements with their patients would improve their relationship. Of those polled, 40 percent said it would have a positive effect. About half felt it would have no effect on their relationship with their patients, according to the study. "Most oncologists focus on the diagnosis and treating cancer. We should be asking about anxiety, depression, pain, sleep, sex, drugs, alcohol, tobacco and supplements. Really, this is what comprehensive care is," Ganz said. Communication is a two-way street, she added. Patients should let their doctor know about everything they are taking, including any herbs and dietary supplements, she said. More information - The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine provides more information on - how to use herbs and supplements wisely.-
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Health Tip: What's Causing my Child's Eczema?

Mon, 05 Jan 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Health Tip: What's Causing my Child's Eczema?

(HealthDay News) - Eczema is a common condition that can cause dry, red and itchy skin. The National Eczema Association says common eczema triggers in children include: - Having very dry skin. Having contact with an irritant or allergen, from smoke or pets to detergents. Having a skin infection. Drooling among babies, causing facial eczema. Exposing skin to cold, dry air.
Copyright © 2015 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Health Tip: Keeping Warm When There's an Ice Storm

Mon, 05 Jan 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Health Tip: Keeping Warm When There's an Ice Storm

(HealthDay News) - An ice storm can weigh heavily on power lines, knocking out power for an extended period. The SafeElectricity.org website suggests these tips to stay warm and safe: - Stay indoors. If you go outside, stay away from downed power lines. Dress warmly in layers. Close doors to any rooms that you aren't using. If you're using an alternate heat source, follow safety guidelines and make sure the room is well-ventilated. Pack towels around doorways to keep in heat, and cover windows at night.
Copyright © 2015 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Extra Bed Rest May Not Be Best for Kids With Concussions

Mon, 05 Jan 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Extra Bed Rest May Not Be Best for Kids With Concussions

MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) - For teens who suffer a mild concussion, more rest may not be better - and may be worse - in aiding recovery from the brain injury, new research suggests. The researchers compared five days of strict rest to the traditionally recommended day or two of rest, followed by a gradual return to normal activities as symptoms disappear. The Medical College of Wisconsin researchers found no significant difference in balance or mental functioning between teens who rested five days and those who rested one to two days. What's more, those children assigned to five days of strict rest reported more symptoms that lasted longer. "Being told to rest for five days increased your rating of physical symptoms in the first few days and increased emotional symptoms every day for the next 10 days," said lead researcher Dr. Danny Thomas, an assistant professor of pediatrics and emergency medicine at the medical college. Physical symptoms included headache, nausea, vomiting, balance problems, dizziness, visual problems, fatigue, sensitivity to light or sound, and numbness and tingling. Emotional symptoms included irritability, sadness, feeling more emotional and nervousness, he said. "We should be cautious about automatically imposing excessive restrictions of activity following concussion," Thomas said. "We should follow the current guidelines, which recommend an individualized approach to concussion management," he added. The findings of the small study were published online Jan. 5 in the journal -Pediatrics. A concussion is a type of brain injury that can cause a short loss of normal brain function. Concussions are a common type of sports injury resulting from a blow to the head or impact from a fall. For the study, Thomas and colleagues randomly assigned 88 patients aged 11 to 22 years to one to two days of rest followed by a gradual return to normal activities or five days of strict rest. That meant no school, work, or physical activity. Patients in both groups said they had about a 20 percent decrease in energy exertion and physical activity. Predictably, patients assigned to five days of rest missed more days of school than those assigned to one to two days of rest. "Strict rest for five days immediately after concussion did not help teenagers get better, compared to our current advice of one to two days of rest followed by a gradual return to activity," Thomas said. "We found that teenagers instructed to rest for five days actually reported more symptoms over the course of the study." - Dr. Sayed Naqvi, a pediatric neurologist at Miami Children's Hospital, said many people think that strict rest after a mild concussion is the best treatment and improves recovery. "People who rest and concentrate on their symptoms may suffer more than those who take some rest but engage in mental activities that take attention away from their symptoms," he said. Naqvi advises that children who suffer a concussion should rest for at least 48 hours, meaning no physical activity. But they should engage in some mental activities, such as reading or playing video games, he said. More information - To learn more about concussions, visit the -American Association of Neurological Surgeons.-
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Binge Drinking May Weaken Immune System, Study Suggests

Mon, 05 Jan 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Binge Drinking May Weaken Immune System, Study Suggests

MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) - Young adults who engage in just one bout of binge drinking may experience a relatively quick and significant drop in their immune system function, a new small study indicates. It's well-known that drinking ups injury risk, and this new study suggests that immune system impairment might also hamper recovery from those injuries. "There's been plenty of research, mainly in animals, that has looked at what happens after alcohol has actually left the system, like the day after drinking," said study lead author Dr. Majid Afshar, an assistant professor in the departments of medicine and public health at Loyola University Health Systems in Maywood, Ill. "And it's been shown that if there is infection or injury, the body will be less well able to defend against it." - The new research, which was conducted while Afshar was at the University of Maryland, found immune system disruption occurs while alcohol is still in the system. This could mean that if you already have an infection, binge drinking might make it worse, he said. Or it might make you more susceptible to a new infection. "It's hard to say for sure, but our findings suggest both are certainly possible," Afshar added. The findings appear in the current online issue of -Alcohol. The U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking as drinking that brings blood alcohol concentration levels to 0.08 g/dL, which is the legal limit for getting behind the wheel. In general, men reach this level after downing five or more drinks within two hours; for women the number is four. About one in six American adults binge-drinks about four times a month, with higher rates seen among young adults between 18 and 34, figures from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate. To assess the impact of just one bout of binge drinking, investigators focused on eight women and seven men who were between 25 and 30 years old. Although all the volunteers said they had engaged in binge drinking prior to the study, none had a personal or family history of alcoholism, and all were in good health. Depending on their weight, participants were asked to consume four or five 1.5-ounce shots of vodka. A shot was the equivalent of a 5-ounce glass of wine or a 12-ounce bottle of beer, the team noted. Each drinker was tracked for five hours, with blood samples drawn 20 minutes following peak intoxication and at the two-hour and five-hour marks. After 20 minutes, the researchers found immune systems had actually kicked into a higher gear. This meant higher levels of three types of white blood cells that are integral to good immune function: leukocytes, monocytes and so-called "natural killer" cells. Cytokine protein levels also went up. However, at the two- and five-hour marks, immune system activity had dissipated to levels below those typically seen with sobriety, with a notable drop in both monocytes and natural killer cells. Also, a bump was seen in another type of cytokine protein that signals a drop in immune activity. The authors stressed that their study wasn't designed to show whether colds or flu are more likely after a drinking binge, only that the immune system seems to be dampened. "We can't answer directly whether the fast immune system disruption we see actually puts a binge drinker at risk for a new infection or a poorer recovery from an existing infection," Afshar said. "The point is that not everyone realizes that just one binge-drinking episode can be harmful. . . . This was a single episode among healthy people, and this is what we found, so it's certainly worth more exploration," he said. Another expert seconded that point. "We shouldn't overstate the results," said Dr. Sean Patrick Nordt, an associate professor of clinical emergency medicine with the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. "It's really difficult to tease out what immune system risk is related to one episode of excessive drinking and what could be related to chronic drinking, which can lead to overall poor nutrition and chronic medical problems," Nordt said. It's not possible to categorically say a binge-drinking episode will always make recovery from an accident worse, Nordt said. "But this study is great food for thought, and certainly this should be looked at further," he added. More information - For more on binge drinking, see the -U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.-
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Can Pets Help Boost Social Skills for Kids With Autism?

Mon, 05 Jan 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Can Pets Help Boost Social Skills for Kids With Autism?

MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) - Owning a pet may play a role in social skills development for some children with autism, a new study suggests. The findings are among the first to investigate possible links between pets and social skills in kids with an autism spectrum disorder - a group of developmental disorders that affect a child's ability to communicate and socialize. "Research in the area of pets for children with autism is very new and limited. But it may be that the animals helped to act as a type of communication bridge, giving children with autism something to talk about with others," said study author Gretchen Carlisle, a researcher at the University of Missouri's College of Veterinary Medicine and Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders. "We know this happens with adults and typically developing children." - She said the study showed a difference in social skills that was significantly greater for children with autism living with any pet. But, the associations are weak, according to autism expert Dr. Glen Elliott, chief psychiatrist and medical director of Children's Health Council in Palo Alto, Calif. "One absolutely cannot assume that dog ownership is going to improve an autistic child's social skills, certainly not from this study," he said. It's also important to note that while this study found a difference in social skills in children with autism who had pets at home, the study wasn't designed to prove whether or not pet ownership was the actual cause of those differences. A large body of research, described in the study's background, has found dog owners share close bonds with their pets. Past research also shows that pets can provide typically developing children with emotional support. Pets have also been shown to help facilitate social interaction. And, pets have been linked to greater empathy and social confidence in typically developing children. Past research in children with autism has focused only on service dogs, therapy dogs, equine-assisted therapy and dolphins, Carlisle said. Carlisle wanted to see if having a family pet might make a difference in children with autism. To do so, she conducted a telephone survey with 70 parents of children diagnosed with any autism spectrum disorder. The parents answered questions about their child's attachment to their dog and their child's social skills, such as communication, responsibility, assertiveness, empathy, engagement and self-control. Carlisle also interviewed the children about their attachment to their pets. The children were between the ages of 8 and 18. Each child had an IQ of at least 70, according to the study. The study found that 57 households owned any pets at all. Among those families, 47 owned dogs and 36 had cats. Other pets included fish, farm animals, rodents, rabbits, reptiles, a bird and a spider. The study results showed no significant differences in overall or individual social skills between children who owned dogs and those who didn't. But, owning a dog for longer periods of time was weakly linked to stronger social skills and fewer problem behaviors after accounting for a child's age, the researcher found. The study could not show whether having a dog influenced children's social skills or whether more socially capable children were more likely to own a dog. Compared to the 13 children without pets, those who owned any pet - whether a dog or not - showed slightly more assertiveness, such as willingness to approach others or respond to others. However, the study only included children whose parents said their children would answer questions on the telephone. No other differences in social skills or problem behaviors existed between the pet-owning and non-pet-owning children, according to the study. The findings were published in the -Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. "Although the author makes a case for possible advantages of having a pet, specifically a dog, for higher functioning children with autism spectrum disorders, parents should look carefully at these results and their own circumstances," Elliott said. He noted there were no statistically significant findings shown in the study data. The study also didn't consider whether pet ownership could have negative effects, according to Elliott. "The effects are not especially robust and could just as easily be a result of more socially competent children with autism spectrum disorders being attracted to dogs as a relatively safe, low-demand but high-yield form of social contact," Elliot noted. Pets are less complex and demanding than people, Elliott added. Some children with autism may be able to better exercise social skills with the right kind of pet, but the evidence does not yet show that this behavior extends to interactions with people. Both Elliott and Carlisle said it's essential for parents to consider their ability to care for any pet before getting one. "Thinking about the time demands of the pet, the child's sensory issues and family lifestyle when choosing a pet are important to increasing the likelihood for the successful integration of that new pet into the family," Carlisle said. "For example, a child sensitive to loud noises may respond better to a quiet pet." - But Elliott said parents should not mistakenly believe that the potentially positive addition of a pet to a household will be the answer to a child's social difficulties. "The idea that animals - dogs, horses, dolphins, to name a few - can uniquely 'get through' to children with autism is not new," Elliott said. "It certainly seems to be a source of pleasure for some children with autism - and for many without autism also - but it is not a cure for an underlying disorder." - More information - Learn more about how autism is treated from -The Autism Society.-
Copyright © 2015 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Kids With Bedroom Smartphones Sleep Less: Study

Mon, 05 Jan 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Kids With Bedroom Smartphones Sleep Less: Study

MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) - A smartphone in a child's bedroom may undermine good sleep habits even more than a TV, new research suggests. A study of more than 2,000 elementary and middle-school students found that having a smartphone or tablet in the bedroom was associated with less weekday sleep and feeling sleepy in the daytime. "Studies have shown that traditional screens and screen time, like TV viewing, can interfere with sleep, but much less is known about the impacts of smartphones and other small screens," said study lead author Jennifer Falbe, of the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley. Small screens are of particular concern because they provide access to a wide range of content, including games, videos, websites and texts, that can be used in bed and delay sleep, she said. They also emit audible notifications of incoming communications that may interrupt sleep. "We found that both sleeping near a small screen and sleeping in a room with a TV set were related to shorter weekday sleep duration," Falbe noted. "Children who slept near a small screen, compared to those who did not, were also more likely to feel like they did not get enough sleep." - The findings were published online Jan. 5 and in the February print issue of the journal -Pediatrics. "Despite the importance of sleep to child health, development and performance in school, many children are not sleeping enough," Falbe said. Preteen school-aged children need at least 10 hours of sleep each day, while teenagers need between nine and 10, the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute advises. For this study, the researchers focused on the sleep habits of nearly 2,050 boys and girls who had participated in the Massachusetts Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration Study in 2012-2013. The children were in the fourth or seventh grade in one of 29 schools. More than two-thirds of the children were white, and roughly one-fifth were Hispanic. All were asked about electronic devices in the bedroom, what time they went to bed, what time they woke up, and how many days over the prior week they felt they needed more sleep. While kids with a bedroom TV said they got 18 minutes less sleep on weeknights than those without a personal television, that figure rose to nearly 21 minutes for those who slept near a smartphone whether or not a TV was also present, the study found. Going to bed with a smartphone at hand was also linked to later bedtimes than having a bedroom TV: 37 minutes later compared to 31 minutes, the investigators said. And kids who slept with a smartphone were more likely to feel they needed more sleep than they were getting, compared with those with no smartphone present at bedtime. That perception of insufficient rest/sleep was not observed among children who only had a TV in the room. So what's a 21st century parent to do? - Establishing technology ground-rules may help foster healthier sleep patterns, Falbe suggested. For example, parents can set nighttime "curfews" for electronic devices, limit overall access to all screen time, and/or ban TVs and Internet-enabled devices from a child's bedroom, she said. "While more studies are needed to confirm these findings, our results provide additional support for current recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics that parents should be advised to set reasonable but firm limits on their child's media use," Falbe said. Dr. David Dunkin, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, agreed. "There is a lot of compelling data, in both adults and adolescents, that small screens disrupt sleep cycles," he noted. "And this may have an impact on long-term health. More studies need to be done to look at all of the variables together." - Meanwhile, he said, pediatricians should share and support the academy's advice when talking with parents about the presence of TVs and small screens. More information - For more on sleep, see the -U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.-
Copyright © 2015 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Bad Flu Season Getting Worse, CDC Says

Mon, 05 Jan 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Bad Flu Season Getting Worse, CDC Says

MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) - The current flu season, already off to a rough start, continues to get worse, with 43 states now reporting widespread flu activity and 21 child deaths so far, U.S. health officials said Monday. And, the predominate flu continues to be the H3N2 strain - one that is poorly matched to this year's vaccine, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The proportion of outpatient visits for flu-like symptoms reached nearly 6 percent by the end of December, way above the baseline of 2 percent, CDC spokeswoman Erin Burns said Monday. Flu reaches epidemic levels in the United States every year, Dr. Michael Jhung, a medical officer in CDC's influenza division, told -HealthDay- last week. Whether this flu season will be more severe or milder than previous ones won't be known until April or May, he added. The number of children's deaths from flu varies by year, Jhung said. "In some years we see as few as 30, in other years we have seen over 170," he said. Although it's the middle of the flu season, the CDC continues to recommend that everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot. The reason: there's more than one type of flu circulating, and the vaccine protects against at least three strains of circulating virus, Jhung said. "If you encounter one of those viruses where there is a very good match, then you will be well-protected," he said. "Even if there isn't a great match, the vaccine still provides protection against the virus that's circulating." - People at risk of flu-related complications include young children, especially those younger than 2 years; people over 65; pregnant women; and people with chronic health problems, such as asthma, heart disease and weakened immune systems, according to the CDC. Common flu symptoms can include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, muscle aches and fatigue. Vomiting and diarrhea are seen more often in children with flu than adults. Most people recover from flu anywhere from a few days to a bit less than two weeks. But others suffer life-threatening complications, such as pneumonia, according to the CDC. Parents should take flu seriously, and get medical help if they feel their child is very sick, Jhung said. Warning signs might include a cough that disrupts sleep, a fever that doesn't come down with treatment, or increased shortness of breath, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Adults and children with bad flu can be treated with antiviral medications such as Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (inhaled zanamivir), Jhung said. "Those work best when they are given very quickly. So if you do have signs and symptoms of flu, reach out to a health care provider and get evaluated," he said. Flu seasons are unpredictable, according to the CDC. Each year, on average, 5 percent to 20 percent of the U.S. population gets the flu and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from complications. During a 30-year period, from 1976 to 2006, estimates of flu-related deaths in the United States ranged from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people, the agency said. More information - For more on flu, visit the -U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.-
Copyright © 2014 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

More Evidence That Healthy Living Works Wonders for Women's Hearts

Mon, 05 Jan 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - More Evidence That Healthy Living Works Wonders for Women's Hearts

MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) - Women can dramatically lower their likelihood of heart disease prior to old age by following healthy living guidelines, according to a large, long-term study. The study found that women who followed six healthy living recommendations - such as eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise - dropped their odds of heart disease about 90 percent over 20 years, compared to women living the unhealthiest lifestyles. The researchers also estimated that unhealthy lifestyles were responsible for almost 75 percent of heart disease cases in younger and middle-aged women. "Adopting or maintaining a healthy lifestyle can substantially reduce the incidence of diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol, as well as reduce the incidence of coronary artery disease in young women," said the study's lead author, Andrea Chomistek, an assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Indiana University Bloomington. Although cardiac deaths in women between 35 and 44 are uncommon, the rate of these deaths has stayed much the same over the past four decades. Yet at the same time, fewer people have been dying of heart disease overall in the United States, Chomistek said. "This disparity may be explained by unhealthy lifestyle choices," she said. "A healthy lifestyle was also associated with a significantly reduced risk of developing heart disease among women who had already developed a cardiovascular risk factor like diabetes, hypertension or high cholesterol," she said. The findings are in the new issue of the -Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The study followed almost 90,000 nurses from 1991 to 2011. The women were between 27 and 44 years old when the study started. The researchers focused on six behaviors described as healthy: not smoking, exercising at least 2.5 hours a week, having a normal weight, watching seven or fewer hours of television a week, eating a healthy diet, and drinking some alcohol but no more than about one drink per day. Around 5 percent of the women fit into this category at any one time, according to Chomistek. The study also looked at risk factors for cardiac disease like diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. "Even though heart disease is pretty rare for a young women, developing a risk factor for heart disease is not," she said. About 45 percent of the women developed one of these risk factors, during the 20-year study period, Chomistek said. A healthy lifestyle helps these women, too, the study found. "Women who had diabetes, hypertension or high cholesterol and adhered to a healthy lifestyle had a much lower risk of subsequently developing heart disease - i.e. having a heart attack - compared to women who did not adhere to a healthy lifestyle," she said. "Many of these women were on treatment for their risk factors, but lifestyle was still very important for preventing subsequent heart disease," Chomistek noted. Would these findings be similar in men? Death rates from heart disease in younger men have stubbornly resisted declining like those of women, "and this merits further study," Chomistek said. In both genders, "there is unequivocal evidence that a healthy eating pattern, being physically active, maintaining an ideal body weight and not smoking are strongly related to reduced risk of heart disease," said Donna Arnett, chair of epidemiology at University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health and past president of the American Heart Association. She wrote a commentary accompanying the study. Many women "lack knowledge that heart disease can affect them at any age, and they might not recognize the symptoms of heart disease," Arnett said. "While many women have classic symptoms of heart attack - like crushing pain in the center of the chest that radiates to the neck/arm, shortness of breath and profuse sweating - others have back pain or indigestion." - This study confirms the importance of healthy behaviors, such as not smoking and exercising more, Arnett said. And these findings also play a role in moving the public discussion toward "creating a world where doing those things is the default option." - More information - For more about managing weight, try the -U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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Study Debunks Notion of 'Healthy Obesity'

Mon, 05 Jan 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Study Debunks Notion of 'Healthy Obesity'

MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) - The notion of potentially healthy obesity is a myth, with most obese people slipping into poor health and chronic illness over time, a new British study claims. The "obesity paradox" is a theory that argues obesity might improve some people's chances of survival over illnesses such as heart failure, said lead researcher Joshua Bell, a doctoral student in University College London's department of epidemiology and public health. But research tracking the health of more than 2,500 British men and women for two decades found that half the people initially considered "healthy obese" wound up sliding into poor health as years passed. "Healthy obesity is something that's a phase rather than something that's enduring over time," Bell said. "It's important to have a long-term view of healthy obesity, and to bear in mind the long-term tendencies. As long as obesity persists, health tends to decline. It does seem to be a high-risk state." - The obesity paradox springs from research involving people who are overweight but do not suffer from obesity-related problems such as high blood pressure, bad cholesterol and elevated blood sugar, said Dr. Andrew Freeman, director of clinical cardiology for National Jewish Health in Denver. Some studies have found that people in this category seem to be less likely to die from heart disease and chronic kidney disease compared with folks with a lower body mass index, Freeman said - even though science also has proven that obesity increases overall risk for heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer. No one can say how the obesity paradox works, but some have speculated that people with extra weight might have extra energy stores they can draw upon if they become acutely ill, Freeman said. To test this theory, University College London researchers tracked the health of 2,521 men and women between the ages of 39 and 62. They measured each participant's body mass index (a calculation based on height and weight), cholesterol, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar and insulin resistance, and ranked them as either healthy or unhealthy and obese or non-obese. About one-third of the obese people had no risk factors for chronic disease at the beginning of the study, and were ranked as healthy obese. But over time, this group began to develop risk factors for chronic disease. After 10 years about 40 percent had become unhealthy obese, and by the 20-year mark 51 percent had fallen into the unhealthy category, the study found. Healthy non-obese people also slipped into poor health over time, but at a slower rate. After two decades, 22 percent had become unhealthy but were still trim, and about 10 percent more had become either healthy or unhealthy obese. Only 11 percent of the people who started out as healthy obese lost weight and become healthy and non-obese, the researchers found. This study suggests that obese people will eventually develop risk factors such as high blood sugar and bad cholesterol that lead to chronic illness and death, Bell and Freeman said. "The longer one is obese, the more likely they are to induce damage," Freeman said. "I have very seldom seen people who are obese for the long-term not have a condition that requires treatment." - Bell said these findings make the case that people who are obese should try to lose weight, even if they currently don't have any risk factors. "All types of obesity warrant treatment, even those which appear to be healthy, because they carry a high risk of future decline," he said. The findings are published Jan. 5 in a letter in the -Journal of the American College of Cardiology. More information - For more about obesity, visit the - U.S. National Library of Medicine.-
Copyright © 2015 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Diet Rich in Whole Grains Might Extend Your Life, Study Says

Mon, 05 Jan 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Diet Rich in Whole Grains Might Extend Your Life, Study Says

MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) - Over time, regularly eating whole wheat bread, oatmeal or other whole grains may add years to your lifespan, a new Harvard-led study concludes. Whole grains are so healthy that a person's risk of an early death drops with every serving added to a daily diet, according to findings published online Jan. 5 in -JAMA Internal Medicine. "We saw clear evidence that the more whole grain intake, the lower the mortality rate is," said Dr. Qi Sun, an assistant professor of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health. "When we looked at risk of death from heart disease, there was an even stronger association." - The researchers estimate that every one-ounce serving of whole grains reduced a person's overall risk of an early death by 5 percent, and their risk of death from heart disease by 9 percent. However, eating whole grains did not appear to affect a person's risk of death from cancer, the study noted. Sun's team based the findings on data from two long-term health studies dating back to the mid-1980s involving more than 118,000 nurses and health professionals. In the studies, participants were required to fill out food and diet questionnaires every two to four years, which included questions about their whole grain intake. Freshly harvested grains such as wheat, barley and oatmeal consist of three parts. An outer shell called the bran protects the seed. The germ is the small embryo inside the seed that could sprout into a new plant. And the endosperm - by far the largest part of the seed - is the potential food supply for a new plant started from the germ. In refining grains to make processed flour, manufacturers typically strip away the bran and the germ - leaving only the calorie-rich endosperm. But whole grain foods such as oatmeal, popcorn, brown rice and whole wheat bread and cereal contain all three parts of the seed. Over 26 years, there were about 27,000 deaths among the people participating in the two studies, the researchers said. However, the investigators found that one-third fewer people died among the group that ate the most whole grains per day, compared with those who ate lowest amount of whole grains. The study wasn't designed to determine cause-and-effect. However, the health benefits held even after the researchers adjusted for other factors that might affect a person's risk of death, including the person's age and weight, and whether or not they smoked. Whole grain eaters did "have much healthier habits than non-whole grain eaters, but our model controls for that," Sun noted. Why might whole grains be so healthy? According to Sun, they are rich in fiber - mainly from the bran - and that fiber helps slow digestion and prevents harmful spikes in blood sugar levels. In addition, both the bran and the germ contain a number of important vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin E and magnesium, as well as nutrients such as antioxidants, added Joan Salge Blake, a registered dietitian and a clinical associate professor of nutrition at Boston University. Without the bran and germ, about 25 percent of a grain's protein is lost, along with at least 17 key nutrients, according to the Whole Grains Council, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group. Studies also have shown that people feel more full after eating whole grains, "so that could help with our waistlines," said Blake, who also is a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. "The consensus thus far is it's probably not one thing, but a number of wonderful things that work together in whole grains synergistically for health benefits," Blake said. Current U.S. guidelines call for people to get half their daily grains from whole grain sources, which amounts to about three servings, Blake said. She recommends that people include whole grains in all of their meals, and possibly even in some snacks. "To get that feeling of satisfaction, it's advantageous if you spread out the whole grains throughout your day," Blake said. "By stretching it out throughout the day you're able to maintain that fiber and satiety, which helps you better manage your weight." - More information - There's more on whole grain foods at the - U.S. Department of Agriculture.-
Copyright © 2015 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Brain Damage Rare When Newborn Jaundice Is Treated, Study Finds

Mon, 05 Jan 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Brain Damage Rare When Newborn Jaundice Is Treated, Study Finds

MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) - Newborns with significant jaundice are not likely to develop a rare and life-threatening type of cerebral palsy if American Academy of Pediatrics' treatment guidelines are followed, according to a new study. Jaundice is yellowing of the eyes and skin due to high levels of the liver-produced pigment bilirubin. In most cases, jaundice develops among newborns because their liver is too immature to break down the pigment quickly enough. Usually, this condition resolves without treatment. Some babies, however, must receive phototherapy. Exposure to special lights changes bilirubin into a compound that can be excreted from the body, according to the researchers. If phototherapy fails, a procedure called exchange transfusion may be required. During this invasive procedure, the infant's blood is replaced with donor blood. Recommendations for exchange transfusions are based on bilirubin level, the age of the infant and other risk factors for brain damage. Exchange transfusion isn't without risk. Potential complications from the treatment include blood clots, blood pressure instability, bleeding and changes in blood chemistry, according to the researchers. High bilirubin levels are also risky. They've been associated with a serious form of cerebral palsy called kernicterus. In order to investigate this association, researchers from the University of California, San Francisco and the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research examined data from two groups of more than 100,000 infants. The babies were delivered at one of 15 hospitals between 1995 and 2011. One group of nearly 1,900 newborns had bilirubin levels above the American Academy of Pediatrics' threshold for exchange transfusion. Babies in this group were followed for an average of seven years. A second group included more than 104,000 newborns who were born at least 35 weeks' gestation and had lower bilirubin levels. This group of infants was followed for six years. The study, published on Jan. 5 in -JAMA Pediatrics-, revealed three cases of kernicterus occurred among the babies with the highest bilirubin levels. However, the researchers noted all three of these children had additional risk factors for brain damage. "We found that cerebral palsy consistent with kernicterus did not occur in a single infant with high bilirubin without the presence of additional risk factors," said the study's second author, Dr. Michael W. Kuzniewicz, an assistant professor of neonatology in the department of pediatrics at UC San Francisco, in a university news release. "This was the case even in infants with very high bilirubin," said Kuzniewicz, who is also head of the perinatal research unit of the division of research at Kaiser Permanente Northern California. "Our study was the first to evaluate how well the exchange transfusion guidelines predicted risk of cerebral palsy and kernicterus in babies with jaundice," said the study's principal investigator, Dr. Thomas B. Newman, with the departments of epidemiology and pediatrics at UC San Francisco. "It was reassuring that brain injury due to high bilirubin was rare and that only those infants whose levels were well above exchange transfusion guidelines developed kernicterus," Newman said in the news release. "Based on our study, the current guidelines for when to perform exchange transfusions have been quite successful in preventing kernicterus," said the study's lead author, Dr. Yvonne W. Wu, a professor of clinical neurology and pediatrics at UC San Francisco, in the release. "However, our study also raises the question whether the threshold for exchange transfusion could be higher for infants with high bilirubin levels who are otherwise healthy and who have no other risk factors for brain injury," she said. More information - The U.S. National Institutes of Health provides more information on - newborn jaundice.-
Copyright © 2015 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Health Highlights: Jan. 5, 2015

Mon, 05 Jan 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Health Highlights: Jan. 5, 2015

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay: - Travelers From Mali No Longer Require Ebola Screening: U.S. Officials - Airline passengers from Mali will no longer have to undergo screening for Ebola symptoms when they arrive in the United States, and will no longer be required to enter the U.S. through one of five designated airports, federal officials say. Homeland Security and the Centers for Disease Control said the rules will be lifted as of Tuesday because two 21-day incubation cycles have passed since the last Ebola patient in Mali had contact with someone not wearing protective gear, the -Associated Press- reported. Also, there are no active Ebola cases in the West African country at the moment. Travel restrictions and monitoring remain in effect for passengers arriving from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, the -AP- reported. Health Worker Exposed to Ebola Being Monitored in Nebraska Hospital - A U.S. health care worker who was exposed to Ebola in Sierra Leone is under observation after arriving at the Nebraska Medical Center on Sunday afternoon. The patient was flown to Omaha and then driven to the medical center by paramedics in full-body protective gear, the -Associated Press- reported. The patient - who has not tested positive for Ebola and is not ill or contagious - will be monitored for signs of Ebola throughout the virus' 21-day incubation period, according to Dr. Phil Smith, head of the biocontainment unit at the medical center. Doctors and nurses are wearing full protective equipment and taking the same precautions used when three patients with Ebola were treated at the medical center last fall, hospital spokesman Taylor Wilson told the -AP. About 8,000 people have died from the Ebola outbreak in West Africa that began about a year ago, according to the World Health Organization.-
Copyright © 2015 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Overweight Teens Who Lose Weight for Health More Likely to Succeed: Study

Mon, 05 Jan 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Overweight Teens Who Lose Weight for Health More Likely to Succeed: Study

MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) - Overweight teens trying to lose weight for their own well-being are more likely to succeed than those who do it to impress or please others, according to a new study. Researchers at Brigham Young University (BYU) said parents should help their children focus on their health, rather than social pressures to shed unwanted pounds. "Most parents have the view that their teen is largely influenced by other people's perceptions of them," the study's lead author, Chad Jensen, a psychologist at BYU, said in a university news release. "Our findings suggest that teens have motivations that are more intrinsic. One implication is that parents should help to focus their teen on healthy behaviors for the sake of being healthy more than for social acceptance," he added. The study, published in -Childhood Obesity-, included 40 formerly overweight or obese teens. On average, the teens lost 30 pounds to achieve a normal weight. The teens successfully maintained a healthy weight for an entire year. Of these teens, more than 60 percent said their main goal in losing weight was to improve their health. Meanwhile, 43 percent of the teens said they were trying to lose weight to gain acceptance from their peers. All of the teens involved in the study said losing weight was their decision. The teens also revealed the best way their parents helped was by setting a good example of healthy behaviors and providing healthier foods for meals and snacks. Major life changes or the timing of important events also helped motivate teens to lose weight, the researchers pointed out. "There were some periods, like a transition to high school or to college, where we saw groups of teens who lost weight in those important periods," Jensen said. "It's sort of an opportunity to re-make yourself. There's a lot of change going on, so some teens decide to make a change to be healthier." - Although the teens in the study successfully lost weight, the study's authors cautioned they did not get immediate results. They noted that although the popularity of reality TV shows featuring quick weight loss create awareness about healthy lifestyles, they could set unrealistic expectations. "None of these teens in our study lost weight in a hurry," Jensen said. "Their advice to other teens is to stay the course and sustain it over the long term. For most of them it was just a pound or two a week." - More information - The American Academy of Pediatrics has more information on -teenage obesity.-
Copyright © 2015 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Influx of Trainee Docs in July Doesn't Affect Stroke Care: Study

Mon, 05 Jan 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Influx of Trainee Docs in July Doesn't Affect Stroke Care: Study

MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) - People who suffer strokes in July - the month when medical trainees start their hospital work - don't fare any worse than stroke patients treated the rest of the year, a new study finds. Researchers investigating the so-called "July effect" found that when recent medical school graduates begin their residency programs every summer in teaching hospitals, this transition doesn't reduce the quality of care for patients with urgent medical conditions, such as stroke. "We found there was no higher rate of deaths after 30 or 90 days, no poorer or greater rates of disability or loss of independence and no evidence of a July effect for stroke patients," said the study's lead author, Dr. Gustavo Saposnik, director of the Stroke Research Center of St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, in a hospital news release. For the study, published recently in the -Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases-, the researchers examined records on more than 10,300 patients who had an ischemic stroke (stroke caused by a blood clot) between July 2003 and March 2008. They also analyzed length of hospitalization, referrals to long-term care facilities and need for readmission or emergency room treatment for a stroke or any other reason in the month after their discharge. Strokes, a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, require immediate and expert medical treatment. More than 50 percent of all strokes are treated in teaching hospitals, the study's authors noted. They suggested the lack of training among new residents in July may be offset by the fact that stroke patients are treated by a multidisciplinary team of specialists. "Stroke teams usually include an emergency physician's initial assessment, a neurologist, neuroradiologist, [physical] therapists, occupational therapist, nurse and dietitian, so the addition of new personnel may have less of an effect with strokes compared to other health issues," said Saposnik. The researchers also speculated that the July effect may not be noticeable after a month. "Thirty days after a stroke, any July effect may have already leveled off. More research is needed to understand the possible impact of less-experienced care during the initial moments of stroke management to be sure no July effect is at play at any point of stroke care," said Saposnik. "Interestingly, we found that ischemic stroke patients admitted in July were less likely to receive clot-busting drugs or be admitted to stroke units, but ultimately patients did just as well regardless of the month." - Previous studies have examined the July effect on other health issues, such as heart surgery, orthopedic surgery and care for premature babies. In these cases, researchers found 4 to 12 percent higher death rates in July, the new release says. More information - Harvard Medical School provides more on the -"July effect." -
Copyright © 2015 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Ebola, Obamacare Top U.S. Health News for 2014

Sun, 04 Jan 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Ebola, Obamacare Top U.S. Health News for 2014

FRIDAY, Jan.2, 2015((HealthDay News) - It started as a deadly but little-known outbreak in West Africa, but the lethal and unchecked spread of the Ebola virus dominated U.S. headlines for much of 2014, making it one of the year's top health news stories. According to the latest World Health Organization figures, nearly 20,000 reported cases of Ebola - including more than 7,700 deaths - have occurred since the outbreak began earlier this year in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. By September, the first of 11 cases treated in the United States began to worry Americans, and two cases acquired in the United States - nurses treating an Ebola-infected patient at a Dallas hospital - sparked fears the disease might spread in this country. Under criticism for what some considered an uneven response to the threat, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in December designated 35 specially equipped hospitals across the United States as Ebola treatment centers. While the survival rate for patients treated in the United States has been much higher than in West Africa - nine out of 11 patients beat their illness here - the U.S. still faces the potential for more cases to come, experts say. "As long as Ebola is spreading in West Africa, we must prepare for the possibility of additional cases in the United States," CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden said earlier this month. The other big health story of the year: the continued rollout of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. By the end of the year, the Obama Administration said, 10 million Americans had gained health care coverage, with nearly 2 million new enrollees signing up for coverage for 2015. But there were some serious bumps along the way. Following withering criticism for the bungled launch of the HealthCare.gov website in 2013, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius resigned her post in April. Key judicial battles over Obamacare were won and lost, as well. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court, citing religious objections, ruled that family-owned companies could opt out of a provision of the ACA that would have required them to offer insurance coverage for contraception. And in July, two federal appeals courts came to opposite rulings on the use of financial subsidies for people who bought health insurance through the federal HealthCare.gov exchange - signaling a possible future showdown on the issue before the Supreme Court. With Republicans winning control of Congress in November, more battles over Obamacare may be yet to come. Other top health news stories for 2014, as compiled by the editors at -HealthDay-, included: - Scandal Rocks VA Hospital System.- Earlier this year, allegations by whistle-blowers inside the Veterans Administration prompted an FBI investigation into long waiting times for patients at VA hospitals, and claims that hospital executives had falsified records to cover up the problem. The scandal triggered the resignation of VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, with one internal audit revealing that more than 64,000 newly enrolled veterans who had sought appointments for care never received one. Potentially Deadly Virus Hits Kids.- Enteroviruses include the common cold, but in 2014 a particular strain called Enterovirus D68 was linked to hundreds of U.S. cases of serious pediatric illness, some involving paralysis. At least one death - a 4-year-old boy in New Jersey - was confirmed to have been caused by the virus, although the germ is thought to have played an indirect role in other pediatric deaths, the CDC said. E-Cigarette Use Soars, Amid Debate.- Are e-cigarettes a welcome, less dangerous alternative to smoked tobacco, or merely a new "gateway" device to smoking? The argument got louder in 2014, with a U.S. National Institutes of Health survey finding that 10th graders are now more likely to have tried an e-cigarette (16 percent) than a traditional cigarette (7 percent). Leading medical groups - including the American Medical Association, the American Heart Association and the World Health Organization - all advocate more restrictions on "vaping" devices. However, one recent NIH-funded study concluded that the benefits of e-cigarettes may outweigh harms for people looking to quit smoking. Infectious Disease Outbreaks Tied to Anti-Vaccine Movement.- A small minority of parents who shun vaccination for their kids may be unwittingly playing a role in the resurgence of once-rare childhood diseases, some health experts contend. In 2014, California suffered its worst outbreak of pertussis (whooping cough) in 70 years. CDC statistics show that U.S. measles cases have reached a 20-year high. And even the National Hockey League was laid low by an outbreak of mumps. While all these illnesses can be prevented by vaccines, even leaving a small percentage of children unvaccinated puts everyone at added risk, experts said. Cancer Patient Brittany Maynard's Suicide Galvanizes Right-to-Die Movement.- Maynard, a 29-year-old cancer patient from California, moved to Oregon so she could take advantage of that state's "Death With Dignity Act." Her story went viral online and her planned death in early November reignited the debate over assisted suicide. In December, a -HealthDay/Harris Poll- found that 74 percent of Americans now support the right of terminally ill patients in great pain to end their lives. FDA Mandates Calorie Counts on Many Menus.- The war on widening waistlines moved to the menus of America's larger chain restaurants in November, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration mandating calorie counts next to most food and drink items. Even theater popcorn and ice cream parlor treats are subject to the new rules, the agency said. New Drugs Offer Cure for Hepatitis C.- Until recently, infection with the hepatitis C virus often meant a slow but nearly inevitable destruction of the liver, and death from liver failure or cancer was common. But the advent of powerful, targeted drug cocktails with over a 90 percent cure rate may put an end to that for many. However, cost remains a barrier: newly approved hepatitis C drugs Harvoni and Sovaldi each cost more than $1,000 per pill. Medicare OKs CT Scans for Long-Term Smokers.- Lung cancer remains the leading cancer killer of Americans, in part because it is often detected too late. However, recent landmark studies suggest that CT scans of the lungs of long-term smokers might catch tumors early. So, in November the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced it would cover those services. Groups such as the American Cancer Society and American Lung Association applauded the move.
Copyright © 2014 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Water Dispensers at School May Encourage Kids to Drink More

Sun, 04 Jan 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Water Dispensers at School May Encourage Kids to Drink More

SUNDAY, Jan. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) - Students drank three times more water after water dispensers were installed in the cafeterias of New York City schools. Researchers looked at nine public elementary, middle and high schools that received the water dispensers and a control group of students at 10 schools that didn't get them. The students' water consumption was checked before the water dispensers were installed, and 3.5 months and 10 months after their installation. After the water dispensers were installed, students drank three times more water at lunchtime compared to students in the control group. Eighty percent of students noticed the water dispensers when they were installed. Two-thirds of those who noticed them used them, and half of those who noticed them drank more water at lunchtime, according to the researchers. Milk consumption declined slightly just after the water dispensers were installed. But, that effect appeared to subside after one year, according to the study published recently in the -American Journal of Public Health. Officials plan to install water dispensers in more than 1,000 New York City public schools. As of mid-2014, they had been installed in more than 800 schools, the researchers said. More information - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about -drinking water.-
Copyright © 2015 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

U.S. Bicyclist Deaths on the Rise, Study Finds

Fri, 02 Jan 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - U.S. Bicyclist Deaths on the Rise, Study Finds

FRIDAY, Jan. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) - The number of bicyclist fatalities in the United States is increasing, particularly among adults in major cities, a recent study shows. After decreasing from 1975 to 2010, the number of bicyclists killed annually increased by 16 percent from 2010 to 2012. More than 700 bicyclists died on U.S. roads in 2012, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. The study also reported that the percentage of these deaths that occur in densely populated urban areas has risen from 50 percent in 1975 to 69 percent in 2012. "We've seen a gradual trend over time where more adults are bicycling in cities, so we need cities to develop ways for cyclists and motorists to share the road," said report author Allan Williams, former chief scientist at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. But, the report also pointed out that many of the deaths were potentially preventable. Two-thirds of the deaths occurred in people who weren't wearing a helmet, the researchers found. And, in 2012, almost 30 percent of the deaths were in people who had a blood alcohol content level above the legal driving limit of 0.08 percent, according to the study. One of the biggest shifts in cycling deaths was the average age of the victims. Eighty-four percent of bicycle deaths were in adults in 2012. That compares to just 21 percent in 1975, according to the study. Overall, adult males accounted for 74 percent of the bicyclists killed in 2012, the researchers reported. The new research also found that states with high populations and multiple cities accounted for the majority of bicycle fatalities. Between 2010 and 2012, California, Florida, New York and Texas had nearly half of the country's total bicyclist fatalities. Part of the explanation for the increasing number of bicycle deaths is that more people are bicycling to and from work, the report suggested. Nearly 300,000 more people biked to work in 2008 to 2012 than in 2000, according to U.S. Census data. "There has been a national movement to get people out walking and biking because it has major benefits for their health, and for the environment," said Jacob Nelson, director of traffic safety advocacy and research with the Automobile Association of America. "While it is important to encourage more people to walk and bike, we need to think about how we manage a growing number of vulnerable road users," Nelson said. "Policy makers who are vocal advocates for walking and biking need to also be vocal advocates for creating safe environments for bicyclists - and I'm not sure that always happens." - Some cities have developed more bike lanes and changed traffic patterns to accommodate the increasing number of bicyclists on their roads, according to the report. These methods may create a barrier between motor vehicles and cyclists, making the roads a safer place for cyclists. Another important step in reducing bicycle fatalities is the consistent use of a helmet. Wearing a properly fitted helmet significantly reduces the chances of having a serious head injury, according to Williams. But, nearly half of American adults never wear a helmet while riding a bicycle, according to background information from the report. "It's unfortunate that there is no adult law requiring helmets," said Williams, who noted in the report that 21 states have helmet laws for minors. "The best we can do is to take an educational approach by telling people that helmets can protect people from traumatic head injuries, and that many fatal accidents involve injuries to the head," Williams said. About one-fourth of crashes happen in darkness, so wearing reflective clothing or attaching a light to the bicycle can help motorists notice cyclists, Williams advised. And, as with driving a motor vehicle, don't drink alcohol before cycling, the researchers cautioned. "Bicyclists must remember that they have to follow the same rules as motor vehicles," Williams said. The report was published recently by the Governors Highway Safety Association. More information - Find out more about safe biking at the -U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.-
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Indoor Wood-Burning Can Affect Air Quality

Fri, 02 Jan 2015 08:00:00 Z

Wellness.com - Indoor Wood-Burning Can Affect Air Quality

FRIDAY, Jan. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) - Although many people enjoy gathering around a fire during cold winter months, fires that aren't built properly can affect air quality and people's health, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Smoke coming out of the chimney is one sign that a fire isn't burning efficiently. Smoke from wood contains fine particles, known as fine particle pollution. These particles can injure the lungs, blood vessels and the heart. Children, older people and those with heart and lung disease are at greatest risk from fine particle pollution, according to the EPA. EPA tips for building a cleaner-burning fire include: - Only use dry, seasoned wood. These logs will make a hollow sound when you strike them together. Avoid burning wet or green logs that create extra smoke, and waste fuel. Check the moisture. The moisture content of wood should be less than 20 percent. Wood moisture meters are available at home-improvement stores so wood can be tested before it's burned. They may cost as little as $20 or less, according to the EPA. Use dry kindling to start a fire. Next, add a few pieces of wood. Be sure there is space between the logs so there is enough air to get the fire going. Dirty glass doors on wood stoves, or smoke from the chimney are both signs that wood is too moist or the fire needs more air. Never burn garbage, cardboard, painted wood or any wood that is treated or contains glue, such as plywood or particle board. These materials can release harmful chemicals when they are burned. They can also damage a wood stove. Be aware of air quality. Some areas limit the use of wood stoves and fireplaces under certain air quality conditions. You can find out what the air quality forecast is in your area on airnow.gov. If you use a wood stove to heat your house, you can save wood and create less smoke with an EPA-certified wood stove. In January 2014, the EPA proposed updates to its requirements for newly made wood heaters that will make these products cleaner in the future. Final regulations are expected to be announced in February 2015. More information - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides more information on -winter fire safety.-
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