The following article will be featured on an upcoming episode of Dr. Asa on Call with Dr. Asa Andrew:
Nutritional labels will be mandatory on 40 popular cuts of meat and poultry products beginning in 2012, a measure the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Wednesday will make it easier for consumers to understand the content of the foods they buy.
USDA said the nutritional information will be required for major cuts of raw, single-ingredient meat and poultry products. These include whole or boneless chicken breasts, beef whole cuts such as brisket or tenderloin steak, and hamburger and ground turkey.
"More and more, busy American families want nutrition information that they can quickly and easily understand," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. "We need to do all we can to provide nutrition labels that will help consumers make informed decisions."
The nutritional panels will include the number of calories and the grams of total fat and saturated fat a product contains. A product that has a lean percentage statement, such as "76 percent lean," on its label also will list its fat percentage.
The new measure goes into effect on January 1, 2012.
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association said in a statement it supported showing the nutritional content of beef products on a label. But Kristina Butts, NCBA's executive director of legislative affairs, said the industry needed more time to implement the new requirements.
"While NCBA believes consumers have the right to know what nutrients are found in meat, we also realize retailers and others in the food-production chain will face significant new costs associated with this final rule," said Butts.
"We wish USDA would have granted our request for an 18- to 24-month implementation period," she said.
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In Study, Babies Fed Protein Hydrolysate Formula Gained Weight at a Normal Pace
The following article will be featured this week on Dr. Asa on Call with Dr. Asa Andrew:
Researchers report that infants fed cow milk formula gained more weight more quickly than infants fed protein hydrolysate formulas, which are also known as hypoallergenic formulas meant for babies that have problems digesting certain proteins. The proteins in the formula have already been broken down to make digestion easier.
Investigators led by Julie Mennella, PhD, from the Philadelphia-based Monell Chemical Senses Center, a research institute dedicated to studying the chemistry behind taste and smell, compared the benefits of drinking cow milk formula vs. protein hydrolysate formula.
Sixty-four healthy infants aged 0.5 months to 7.5 months were randomly assigned to one of the formulas for seven months. Infants were weighed and measured once a month to assess their growth. The two groups of infants were similar in birth weight and length at birth. Feeding time lengths were also similar between the two groups; the infants were also introduced to solid foods at about the same time.
Differences in the rate of weight gain appeared as early as two months after starting the study. Although infants fed the protein hydrolysate formula gained weight at a normal pace, infants fed the cow's milk formula gained more weight more quickly. Overall, the protein-hydrolysate-formula-fed infants had lower weight-for length scores than those children given cow’s milk formula.
The researchers proposed a few theories to explain the differences in weight gain between the two groups.
“Infants may dislike the taste of protein hydrolysate formula and consequently consume less, thereby gaining weight more slowly,” the authors wrote. It’s also possible the higher-protein content of this particular formula made infants feel fuller quicker, so they didn’t need to eat as much. Researchers also question whether the amino acids in protein hydrolysate formula may play a role in absorption and metabolism. All of these theories would require further evaluation.
“Longer-term effects of hydrolyzed protein diets, which are relatively new in the human food supply and are growing in use, also need to be investigated,” the researchers write. “Because dietary and nutritional programming can have long-term consequences in terms of later development of obesity, diabetes, and other diseases, it is imperative that we learn more about the long-term consequences of the early growth differences caused by environmental triggers, such as those associated with infant formulas, and how and why they differ from breastfeeding, which is the optimal mode of feeding
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for Dr. Asa on Call or log onto www.drasa.com
Researchers report that infants fed cow milk formula gained more weight more quickly than infants fed protein hydrolysate formulas, which are also known as hypoallergenic formulas meant for babies that have problems digesting certain proteins. The proteins in the formula have already been broken down to make digestion easier.
Investigators led by Julie Mennella, PhD, from the Philadelphia-based Monell Chemical Senses Center, a research institute dedicated to studying the chemistry behind taste and smell, compared the benefits of drinking cow milk formula vs. protein hydrolysate formula.
Sixty-four healthy infants aged 0.5 months to 7.5 months were randomly assigned to one of the formulas for seven months. Infants were weighed and measured once a month to assess their growth. The two groups of infants were similar in birth weight and length at birth. Feeding time lengths were also similar between the two groups; the infants were also introduced to solid foods at about the same time.
Differences in the rate of weight gain appeared as early as two months after starting the study. Although infants fed the protein hydrolysate formula gained weight at a normal pace, infants fed the cow's milk formula gained more weight more quickly. Overall, the protein-hydrolysate-formula-fed infants had lower weight-for length scores than those children given cow’s milk formula.
The researchers proposed a few theories to explain the differences in weight gain between the two groups.
“Infants may dislike the taste of protein hydrolysate formula and consequently consume less, thereby gaining weight more slowly,” the authors wrote. It’s also possible the higher-protein content of this particular formula made infants feel fuller quicker, so they didn’t need to eat as much. Researchers also question whether the amino acids in protein hydrolysate formula may play a role in absorption and metabolism. All of these theories would require further evaluation.
“Longer-term effects of hydrolyzed protein diets, which are relatively new in the human food supply and are growing in use, also need to be investigated,” the researchers write. “Because dietary and nutritional programming can have long-term consequences in terms of later development of obesity, diabetes, and other diseases, it is imperative that we learn more about the long-term consequences of the early growth differences caused by environmental triggers, such as those associated with infant formulas, and how and why they differ from breastfeeding, which is the optimal mode of feeding
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for Dr. Asa on Call or log onto www.drasa.com
Moms-to-Be Who Take Iron, Folic Acid Have Smarter Babies
The following article will be featured on an upcoming episode of Dr. Asa on Call with Dr. Asa Andrew:
While most American women of childbearing age already know that taking folic acid supplements before and during pregnancy is essential in helping prevent neural tube defects, they probably don't know that folic acid, when combined with iron supplements, may make children smarter. At least that's what a new study on mothers and children in rural Nepal suggests.
The research, published in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that when mothers in Nepal took iron and folic acid supplements before and during pregnancy, their children showed greater cognitive and motor skills when compared to children whose mothers did not receive prenatal supplements.
The study followed 676 children in a double-blind, randomized controlled trial of micronutrient supplementation given between 1999 and 2001. Researchers followed up with the children at ages 7 to 9. The children whose mothers had received prenatal supplements of folic acid and iron showed stronger cognitive ability, higher reasoning skills, better motor skills and enhanced inhibitory control when compared to their study group peers whose mothers had not taken supplements.
One of the study researchers, Laura Murray-Kolb, assistant professor at Penn State University and adjunct associate professor at Johns Hopkins University, told AOL Health that studies in rodents had already shown that iron deficiency during gestation can alter neurotransmitters in the brain, often impacting the speed of information processing. The study in Nepal suggests the same may be true in humans.
Even more than that, however, it points to the need for better prenatal care in developing nations. "We need effective, low-cost prental programs that can be implemented at the community level," Murray-Kolb says. "A lot of these women are not seeing physicians."
But the problem doesn't exist solely in developing nations. "We see this issue even in the U.S.," says Murray-Kolb. "Most women here are not entering pregnancy with the level of deficiency of women in Nepal, but previous studies have shown that as many as 30 percent of women in the U.S. are anemic by the end of pregnancy."
"Women are getting the message about prenatals," Murray-Kolb says, "but they tend to become more lax about it as pregnancy progresses." And that's not a good thing. While folic acid supplements are most important before and during the early months of pregnancy, iron supplementation is most critical at the end.
The World Health Organization estimates that in developing countries, some 50 percent of pregnant women are anemic. This latest study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for Dr. Asa on Call or log onto www.drasa.com
While most American women of childbearing age already know that taking folic acid supplements before and during pregnancy is essential in helping prevent neural tube defects, they probably don't know that folic acid, when combined with iron supplements, may make children smarter. At least that's what a new study on mothers and children in rural Nepal suggests.
The research, published in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that when mothers in Nepal took iron and folic acid supplements before and during pregnancy, their children showed greater cognitive and motor skills when compared to children whose mothers did not receive prenatal supplements.
The study followed 676 children in a double-blind, randomized controlled trial of micronutrient supplementation given between 1999 and 2001. Researchers followed up with the children at ages 7 to 9. The children whose mothers had received prenatal supplements of folic acid and iron showed stronger cognitive ability, higher reasoning skills, better motor skills and enhanced inhibitory control when compared to their study group peers whose mothers had not taken supplements.
One of the study researchers, Laura Murray-Kolb, assistant professor at Penn State University and adjunct associate professor at Johns Hopkins University, told AOL Health that studies in rodents had already shown that iron deficiency during gestation can alter neurotransmitters in the brain, often impacting the speed of information processing. The study in Nepal suggests the same may be true in humans.
Even more than that, however, it points to the need for better prenatal care in developing nations. "We need effective, low-cost prental programs that can be implemented at the community level," Murray-Kolb says. "A lot of these women are not seeing physicians."
But the problem doesn't exist solely in developing nations. "We see this issue even in the U.S.," says Murray-Kolb. "Most women here are not entering pregnancy with the level of deficiency of women in Nepal, but previous studies have shown that as many as 30 percent of women in the U.S. are anemic by the end of pregnancy."
"Women are getting the message about prenatals," Murray-Kolb says, "but they tend to become more lax about it as pregnancy progresses." And that's not a good thing. While folic acid supplements are most important before and during the early months of pregnancy, iron supplementation is most critical at the end.
The World Health Organization estimates that in developing countries, some 50 percent of pregnant women are anemic. This latest study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for Dr. Asa on Call or log onto www.drasa.com
Teen birthrate at lowest point in seven decades
The following article will be featured on an upcoming episode of Dr. Asa on Call with Dr. Asa Andrew:
Teenagers are giving birth at the lowest rates noted in seven decades of record-keeping, according to statistics from the federal government released Tuesday.
The report doesn't speculate on why the birthrate has fallen, but two decades of public-health initiatives to curb teenage pregnancy may be paying dividends. The National Center for Health Statistics report shows that the teen birthrate fell to 39.1 births per 1,000 teenagers ages 15 to 19 in 2009. That's a 6% drop from 2008 and the lowest rate since 1940. In 1991, in contrast, the rate was 61.8 per 1,000.
Birthrates fell for groups that have had the highest rates, including Hispanics, whose rate fell 10% but still stands at 70.1 births per 1,000.
Other birth data:
The overall birthrate for all U.S. women fell for the second straight year. The decline appears to be continuing, based on data for the first half of 2010.
About 41% of births were to unmarried mothers in 2009, up from 40.6% in 2008.
The birthrate for women in their early 20s fell 7% and now stands at the lowest rate since 1973.
The preterm birthrate continued its much-need improvement -- falling for the third straight year.
The cesearean section rate reached a new high of 32.9%. It has increased every year since 1996, when the rate was 20.7%.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew join him for Dr. Asa on Call or log onto www.drasa.com
Teenagers are giving birth at the lowest rates noted in seven decades of record-keeping, according to statistics from the federal government released Tuesday.
The report doesn't speculate on why the birthrate has fallen, but two decades of public-health initiatives to curb teenage pregnancy may be paying dividends. The National Center for Health Statistics report shows that the teen birthrate fell to 39.1 births per 1,000 teenagers ages 15 to 19 in 2009. That's a 6% drop from 2008 and the lowest rate since 1940. In 1991, in contrast, the rate was 61.8 per 1,000.
Birthrates fell for groups that have had the highest rates, including Hispanics, whose rate fell 10% but still stands at 70.1 births per 1,000.
Other birth data:
The overall birthrate for all U.S. women fell for the second straight year. The decline appears to be continuing, based on data for the first half of 2010.
About 41% of births were to unmarried mothers in 2009, up from 40.6% in 2008.
The birthrate for women in their early 20s fell 7% and now stands at the lowest rate since 1973.
The preterm birthrate continued its much-need improvement -- falling for the third straight year.
The cesearean section rate reached a new high of 32.9%. It has increased every year since 1996, when the rate was 20.7%.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew join him for Dr. Asa on Call or log onto www.drasa.com
Study Gives 'Striking' Snapshot of Stroke Prognosis
The following article will be featured on an upcoming episode of "Dr. Asa on Call" with Dr. Asa Andrew:
Nearly two-thirds of Medicare patients who are discharged after having a stroke will die or be readmitted to the hospital within a year, according to a new study in the journal Stroke.
The findings are “striking,” says study author Gregg C. Fonarow, MD, the Eliot Corday Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and Science and the director of the Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Center in Los Angeles.
Fonarow and colleagues analyzed the death and hospital readmission rates for more than 91,000 Medicare beneficiaries treated for ischemic stroke at 625 hospitals from April 2003 and December 2006. The most common type of stroke, ischemic strokes occur when blood flow to the brain is blocked.
In-hospital death rates are about 14% within a month and 30% within one year of hospital admission for stroke. Within one year of hospital discharge, the stroke death or readmission rate is close to 62%, the new study showed. There were no improvements in death or rehospitalization rates from 2003 to 2006.
There was variation in rates by hospital. For example, the 30-day death rate after admission for stroke was as low as 9.8% in the top-performing hospitals to 17.8% in the bottom-performing hospitals, the study showed.
There were also no significant differences in readmission or death rates in hospitals that were certified as primary stroke centers. A primary stroke center is a hospital that provides emergency care to people having a stroke or admits stroke patients and offers additional care or transfers patients to a comprehensive stroke center when needed.
Findings Likely Apply to All Senior Citizens With Stroke
The new study only looked at Medicare beneficiaries, but the findings are likely generalizable, Fonarow says.
About 65% of patients hospitalized for stroke are aged 65 or older, which is the age that most people become eligible for Medicare. “The [new] findings thus are likely generalizable to these patients, however, whether similar findings would be seen in younger patients needs further study,” he says.
The death and rehospitalization rates seen in the study are likely due to the severity of the stroke, presence of other related health problems, and the in-hospital and follow-up care, he says.
“Between of the acute presentation with an ischemic stroke and a readmission to the hospital or postdischarge death, a window of opportunity exists for interventions to reduce the burden of postischemic stroke morbidity and mortality,” he says.
Patrick Lyden, MD, chairman of the department of neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, says the findings likely apply to all senior citizens with stroke -- not just Medicare beneficiaries.
“It is very generalizable because most strokes occur in the Medicare-eligible population,” he says.
“Stroke patients are much more concerned about stroke-related disability,” he says. “What matters is are we making patients better. We need to be focusing on stroke-related disability and getting people treated in primary stroke centers.”
A clot-busting agent should be given as soon as possible after an ischemic stroke to reduce long-term damage, and this is more likely to be administered at a stroke center, he says.
Stroke warning signs include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg; sudden confusion, trouble speaking, sudden trouble walking, and/or a severe headache that comes on suddenly.
“Call 911 if you suspect a stroke,” Lyden says. “It is becoming more and more common for medics to direct people to stroke centers,” he says.
Aggressive Follow-up Care Can Lower Death, Readmission Rates After Stroke
Stroke is a slippery slope, says Irene Katzan, MD a stroke neurologist in the Neurological Institute at Cleveland Clinic and the director of Enterprise Stroke Systems in the Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation in Ohio.
“Stroke is a bad disease and occurs in patients who are often sick and have other comorbid diseases,” she says. People who have strokes are often left severely disabled, and when you are disabled, you are prone to readmission and death, she says.
“This paper provides an overall national picture of how bad the problem is, and this is the tip of the iceberg because most people don’t die from a stroke, but are left functionally disabled,” she says. “These findings are not surprising, but it is sobering to see it in print on a national scale,” Katzan tells WebMD.
But aggressive follow-up care can help make a dent in these sobering statistics, she says.
“Once you leave the hospital, you should follow up with a neurologist or primary care physician so they reduce the chance of death or readmitted,” she says.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for Dr. Asa on Call or log onto www.drasa.com
Nearly two-thirds of Medicare patients who are discharged after having a stroke will die or be readmitted to the hospital within a year, according to a new study in the journal Stroke.
The findings are “striking,” says study author Gregg C. Fonarow, MD, the Eliot Corday Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and Science and the director of the Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Center in Los Angeles.
Fonarow and colleagues analyzed the death and hospital readmission rates for more than 91,000 Medicare beneficiaries treated for ischemic stroke at 625 hospitals from April 2003 and December 2006. The most common type of stroke, ischemic strokes occur when blood flow to the brain is blocked.
In-hospital death rates are about 14% within a month and 30% within one year of hospital admission for stroke. Within one year of hospital discharge, the stroke death or readmission rate is close to 62%, the new study showed. There were no improvements in death or rehospitalization rates from 2003 to 2006.
There was variation in rates by hospital. For example, the 30-day death rate after admission for stroke was as low as 9.8% in the top-performing hospitals to 17.8% in the bottom-performing hospitals, the study showed.
There were also no significant differences in readmission or death rates in hospitals that were certified as primary stroke centers. A primary stroke center is a hospital that provides emergency care to people having a stroke or admits stroke patients and offers additional care or transfers patients to a comprehensive stroke center when needed.
Findings Likely Apply to All Senior Citizens With Stroke
The new study only looked at Medicare beneficiaries, but the findings are likely generalizable, Fonarow says.
About 65% of patients hospitalized for stroke are aged 65 or older, which is the age that most people become eligible for Medicare. “The [new] findings thus are likely generalizable to these patients, however, whether similar findings would be seen in younger patients needs further study,” he says.
The death and rehospitalization rates seen in the study are likely due to the severity of the stroke, presence of other related health problems, and the in-hospital and follow-up care, he says.
“Between of the acute presentation with an ischemic stroke and a readmission to the hospital or postdischarge death, a window of opportunity exists for interventions to reduce the burden of postischemic stroke morbidity and mortality,” he says.
Patrick Lyden, MD, chairman of the department of neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, says the findings likely apply to all senior citizens with stroke -- not just Medicare beneficiaries.
“It is very generalizable because most strokes occur in the Medicare-eligible population,” he says.
“Stroke patients are much more concerned about stroke-related disability,” he says. “What matters is are we making patients better. We need to be focusing on stroke-related disability and getting people treated in primary stroke centers.”
A clot-busting agent should be given as soon as possible after an ischemic stroke to reduce long-term damage, and this is more likely to be administered at a stroke center, he says.
Stroke warning signs include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg; sudden confusion, trouble speaking, sudden trouble walking, and/or a severe headache that comes on suddenly.
“Call 911 if you suspect a stroke,” Lyden says. “It is becoming more and more common for medics to direct people to stroke centers,” he says.
Aggressive Follow-up Care Can Lower Death, Readmission Rates After Stroke
Stroke is a slippery slope, says Irene Katzan, MD a stroke neurologist in the Neurological Institute at Cleveland Clinic and the director of Enterprise Stroke Systems in the Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation in Ohio.
“Stroke is a bad disease and occurs in patients who are often sick and have other comorbid diseases,” she says. People who have strokes are often left severely disabled, and when you are disabled, you are prone to readmission and death, she says.
“This paper provides an overall national picture of how bad the problem is, and this is the tip of the iceberg because most people don’t die from a stroke, but are left functionally disabled,” she says. “These findings are not surprising, but it is sobering to see it in print on a national scale,” Katzan tells WebMD.
But aggressive follow-up care can help make a dent in these sobering statistics, she says.
“Once you leave the hospital, you should follow up with a neurologist or primary care physician so they reduce the chance of death or readmitted,” she says.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for Dr. Asa on Call or log onto www.drasa.com
After Inching Up for Years, Life Expectancy Drops Slightly
The following article will be featured on an upcoming episode of "Dr. Asa on Call" with Dr. Asa Andrew
The life expectancy for Americans has fallen by about a month after steadily rising for years, the government said.
A baby born in 2008 will live to be about 77.8 years old, which has dipped since its all-time peak of 77.9 years in 2007, according to a preliminary report released Thursday.
"For the first time in history, it is possible that total life expectancy will be higher for the parents than the children," longevity expert Dr. Walter M. Bortz, the author of "Living Longer for Dummies" and "Road Map to 100," told AOL Health. "I think it's the American lifestyle. In those counties [where the life expectancy is going down] the smoking rates and obesity rates are the highest."
Life expectancy also dropped slightly in 2005 and 1993. It was down in 2008 for both women and men, but women still live longer -- to about 80 years old compared to 75 for men.
The lead author of the report, issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics, said the 2008 decline is so small as to be insignificant. Arialdi Minino said it wouldn't be known for years whether it represented an actual trend.
"2008 was not much different from 2007," Minino told the Associated Press. "Once you look under the hood, and look at the trends and the causes, you do find differences. But overall, it wasn't that different."
While Bortz agreed it's wise to be cautious about the latest findings, he said a drop in U.S. life expectancy has been anticipated for a while.
"Everyone is looking for it to happen. We expect it's going to happen," he said. "It's predictable."
The gap between the life expectancy for blacks and whites shrank slightly, to 4.6-years. For the first time, black men's average age of death was above 70. Life expectancy data for Hispanics hasn't been included in the annual reports because the data hasn't been relialble, according to the CDC.
Emory University health policy professor Ken Thorpe said the minor dip in overall life expectancy could be because of skyrocketing obesity rates in the United States. But the cause for the decrease wasn't clear.
"It's something to keep our eyes on," Thorpe told the AP.
U.S. Life Expectancy Continues to Lag Behind Other Nations Female life expectancy on the drop in some U.S. counties Calculate your life expectancy Bortz said the solution is "behavior change."
"Have people walk, watch what they put in their mouth and how much they put in their mouth," he told AOL Health.
The CDC's report is based on almost all the death certificates for the year 2008. A final version will be released later.
The preliminary findings show that stroke dropped from its spot as the third leading cause of death for the first time in 50 years, replaced by chronic lower respiratory diseases like emphysema, persistent bronchitis and asthma.
Cancer and heart disease stayed put as the two top killers of people in the United States, contributing to half of all deaths.
Death rates fell for six of the 15 top causes of death: cancer, heart disease, stroke, murder, diabetes and accidents. Mortality rates rose for Alzheimer's disease, flu and pneumonia, suicide, kidney disease and high blood pressure.
The infant death rate dropped by about 2 percent to a record low of 6.59 deaths per 1,000 births.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for "Dr. Asa on Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
The life expectancy for Americans has fallen by about a month after steadily rising for years, the government said.
A baby born in 2008 will live to be about 77.8 years old, which has dipped since its all-time peak of 77.9 years in 2007, according to a preliminary report released Thursday.
"For the first time in history, it is possible that total life expectancy will be higher for the parents than the children," longevity expert Dr. Walter M. Bortz, the author of "Living Longer for Dummies" and "Road Map to 100," told AOL Health. "I think it's the American lifestyle. In those counties [where the life expectancy is going down] the smoking rates and obesity rates are the highest."
Life expectancy also dropped slightly in 2005 and 1993. It was down in 2008 for both women and men, but women still live longer -- to about 80 years old compared to 75 for men.
The lead author of the report, issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics, said the 2008 decline is so small as to be insignificant. Arialdi Minino said it wouldn't be known for years whether it represented an actual trend.
"2008 was not much different from 2007," Minino told the Associated Press. "Once you look under the hood, and look at the trends and the causes, you do find differences. But overall, it wasn't that different."
While Bortz agreed it's wise to be cautious about the latest findings, he said a drop in U.S. life expectancy has been anticipated for a while.
"Everyone is looking for it to happen. We expect it's going to happen," he said. "It's predictable."
The gap between the life expectancy for blacks and whites shrank slightly, to 4.6-years. For the first time, black men's average age of death was above 70. Life expectancy data for Hispanics hasn't been included in the annual reports because the data hasn't been relialble, according to the CDC.
Emory University health policy professor Ken Thorpe said the minor dip in overall life expectancy could be because of skyrocketing obesity rates in the United States. But the cause for the decrease wasn't clear.
"It's something to keep our eyes on," Thorpe told the AP.
U.S. Life Expectancy Continues to Lag Behind Other Nations Female life expectancy on the drop in some U.S. counties Calculate your life expectancy Bortz said the solution is "behavior change."
"Have people walk, watch what they put in their mouth and how much they put in their mouth," he told AOL Health.
The CDC's report is based on almost all the death certificates for the year 2008. A final version will be released later.
The preliminary findings show that stroke dropped from its spot as the third leading cause of death for the first time in 50 years, replaced by chronic lower respiratory diseases like emphysema, persistent bronchitis and asthma.
Cancer and heart disease stayed put as the two top killers of people in the United States, contributing to half of all deaths.
Death rates fell for six of the 15 top causes of death: cancer, heart disease, stroke, murder, diabetes and accidents. Mortality rates rose for Alzheimer's disease, flu and pneumonia, suicide, kidney disease and high blood pressure.
The infant death rate dropped by about 2 percent to a record low of 6.59 deaths per 1,000 births.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for "Dr. Asa on Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
U.S. Gets 'Unsatisfactory' Grade on Women's Health
The following article will be featured on an upcoming episode of Dr. Asa on Call with Dr. Asa Andrew
More women are binge drinking and fewer women are getting Pap smears to test for cervical cancer, a new analysis reveals. On a positive note, a lower proportion of women are dying of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and breast cancer.
The nation and most states continued to receive a grade of “unsatisfactory” on key issues affecting women’s health in an updated report released today by the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC).
For the fifth time this decade and the first time since 2007, the group has issued a national and state-by-state report card on the status of important health goals for women set a decade ago by federal officials in their Healthy People 2010 initiative.
As the end of the decade approaches, the analysis revealed that very few of these goals have been met.
The number of women in the nation receiving mammograms, the number being screened for colorectal cancer, and the number that had annual dental exams met or exceeded national goals for 2010.
But 23 other health objectives graded by NWLC will not have been met by the end of this year.
And several disturbing health trends have emerged over the last three years, including:
The percentage of women that reported one or more episodes of binge drinking within a month of being questioned increased to 10.6% from 7.3% in 2007. Binge drinking was defined as having five or more drinks on a single occasion.
The percentage of women that reported getting annual Pap smears declined from 86% to 78% during the same period.
The percentage of women that tested positive for the sexually transmitted infection chlamydia increased from 6.3% to 7.4%.
Compared to three years ago, a higher percentage of women in the U.S. are also obese and have high blood pressure and/or diabetes.
In 2010, 26.4% of women were obese, compared to 24% in 2007. Both figures fall far short of the goal of a 15% obesity rate by 2010 set by government health officials at the beginning of the decade.
State-by-State Findings
Colorado had the lowest obesity rate in the nation, at just below 20%; Mississippi had the highest, at 34%.
When states were ranked in terms of successful implementation of policies designed to address access to health care, California, Nevada, and Massachusetts came closest to meeting policy goals and Mississippi, Idaho, and South Dakota were at the bottom of the list.
The report noted that about 12% of Americans live in areas that are considered medically underserved. The state with the highest percentage of medically underserved residents was Louisiana, at 34%. The state with the lowest was New Jersey, at 1%.
Nationally, more than a third of women live in counties without an abortion provider, according to the report. Nineteen states restrict private insurers’ ability to cover abortions, and 26 require that a woman receive counseling before obtaining an abortion.
In a news conference held Wednesday, National Women’s Law Center vice president for health and reproductive rights Judy Waxman said health care reform is poised to address many of the access issues of concern.
She says of 68 policies dealing with insurance coverage and other aspects of access to medical, fully two-thirds are addressed to some degree by the new law, known as the Affordable Care Act.
“From 2000 to 2010 we have seen some improvements, some declines, but overall, unfortunately, we still have a long way to go in terms of women’s health in this country,” she said. “The Affordable Care Act holds enormous potential for expanding coverage and, over time, improving women’s health.”
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for Dr. Asa on Call or log onto www.drasa.com
More women are binge drinking and fewer women are getting Pap smears to test for cervical cancer, a new analysis reveals. On a positive note, a lower proportion of women are dying of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and breast cancer.
The nation and most states continued to receive a grade of “unsatisfactory” on key issues affecting women’s health in an updated report released today by the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC).
For the fifth time this decade and the first time since 2007, the group has issued a national and state-by-state report card on the status of important health goals for women set a decade ago by federal officials in their Healthy People 2010 initiative.
As the end of the decade approaches, the analysis revealed that very few of these goals have been met.
The number of women in the nation receiving mammograms, the number being screened for colorectal cancer, and the number that had annual dental exams met or exceeded national goals for 2010.
But 23 other health objectives graded by NWLC will not have been met by the end of this year.
And several disturbing health trends have emerged over the last three years, including:
The percentage of women that reported one or more episodes of binge drinking within a month of being questioned increased to 10.6% from 7.3% in 2007. Binge drinking was defined as having five or more drinks on a single occasion.
The percentage of women that reported getting annual Pap smears declined from 86% to 78% during the same period.
The percentage of women that tested positive for the sexually transmitted infection chlamydia increased from 6.3% to 7.4%.
Compared to three years ago, a higher percentage of women in the U.S. are also obese and have high blood pressure and/or diabetes.
In 2010, 26.4% of women were obese, compared to 24% in 2007. Both figures fall far short of the goal of a 15% obesity rate by 2010 set by government health officials at the beginning of the decade.
State-by-State Findings
Colorado had the lowest obesity rate in the nation, at just below 20%; Mississippi had the highest, at 34%.
When states were ranked in terms of successful implementation of policies designed to address access to health care, California, Nevada, and Massachusetts came closest to meeting policy goals and Mississippi, Idaho, and South Dakota were at the bottom of the list.
The report noted that about 12% of Americans live in areas that are considered medically underserved. The state with the highest percentage of medically underserved residents was Louisiana, at 34%. The state with the lowest was New Jersey, at 1%.
Nationally, more than a third of women live in counties without an abortion provider, according to the report. Nineteen states restrict private insurers’ ability to cover abortions, and 26 require that a woman receive counseling before obtaining an abortion.
In a news conference held Wednesday, National Women’s Law Center vice president for health and reproductive rights Judy Waxman said health care reform is poised to address many of the access issues of concern.
She says of 68 policies dealing with insurance coverage and other aspects of access to medical, fully two-thirds are addressed to some degree by the new law, known as the Affordable Care Act.
“From 2000 to 2010 we have seen some improvements, some declines, but overall, unfortunately, we still have a long way to go in terms of women’s health in this country,” she said. “The Affordable Care Act holds enormous potential for expanding coverage and, over time, improving women’s health.”
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for Dr. Asa on Call or log onto www.drasa.com
Georgia Tops U.S. in Seasonal Flu Activity
The following article will be featured on an upcoming episode of Dr. Asa On Call with Dr. Asa Andrew
Flu season is here, and so far Georgia is the state hit the hardest by this year’s influenza virus, according to the CDC.
“Georgia is reporting high levels of influenza-like activity,” Anne Schuchat, MD, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said at a news conference. ” It gets a 10 of 10, and is leading the country in terms of what we will be seeing.”
The flu -- largely influenza type B -- has been reported throughout Georgia, and been seen mainly in school-aged children, she says.
In the U.S., flu season usually begins in the fall and runs through early spring. It peaks anywhere from late November through March.
“We know that the flu season has started here in Georgia, and there has been sporadic reporting of influenza-like viruses throughout the country,” including the Southeast region of the U.S. and some of the Western states, she says. “Places that don’t have as much flu as Georgia will.”
Flu Vaccine Matches This Year’s Strains
The good news is that this year’s flu vaccine, which is recommended for everyone older than 6 months, is likely a good match for this year’s flu, Schuchat says.
“Some H1N1, an A/H3N2 strain, and B-strains have been seen this year, [along with] a mixture of B strains and A strains that haven’t been characterized,” she says. This year’s vaccine protects against seasonal flu and the H1N1 swine flu. “Flu is unpredictable, but based on the viruses circulating so far, we do expect the vaccine to be a good match.”
As far as what type of flu season we can expect, Schuchat can’t predict, but there is ample vaccine to go around which can keep flu activity at a minimum.
Approximately 160 million doses of the vaccine have already been distributed nationwide, she says.
“Don’t be complacent because disease activity is low this year; flu is coming,” she says. “You don’t want to find out how bad the season is going to be before you get the flu vaccine.”
Schuchat says she is encouraged by the number of people who have already received a flu vaccine so far this season.
“We are a little ahead of last year’s seasonal flu vaccine, which we find encouraging because we haven’t had media talking back to back about flu,” she says. Last year, the H1N1 pandemic and a shortage of available vaccine generated many headlines.
“Flu activity is now increasing across the country and the flu season is now underway, so if you are thinking about influenza vaccine, now is a good time to do it,” says Howard Koh, MD, an assistant secretary for health in the Department of Health and Human Services.
This year’s National Influenza Vaccination Week is being observed on December 5-11.
To here more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for Dr. Asa on Call, or log onto www.drasa.com
Flu season is here, and so far Georgia is the state hit the hardest by this year’s influenza virus, according to the CDC.
“Georgia is reporting high levels of influenza-like activity,” Anne Schuchat, MD, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said at a news conference. ” It gets a 10 of 10, and is leading the country in terms of what we will be seeing.”
The flu -- largely influenza type B -- has been reported throughout Georgia, and been seen mainly in school-aged children, she says.
In the U.S., flu season usually begins in the fall and runs through early spring. It peaks anywhere from late November through March.
“We know that the flu season has started here in Georgia, and there has been sporadic reporting of influenza-like viruses throughout the country,” including the Southeast region of the U.S. and some of the Western states, she says. “Places that don’t have as much flu as Georgia will.”
Flu Vaccine Matches This Year’s Strains
The good news is that this year’s flu vaccine, which is recommended for everyone older than 6 months, is likely a good match for this year’s flu, Schuchat says.
“Some H1N1, an A/H3N2 strain, and B-strains have been seen this year, [along with] a mixture of B strains and A strains that haven’t been characterized,” she says. This year’s vaccine protects against seasonal flu and the H1N1 swine flu. “Flu is unpredictable, but based on the viruses circulating so far, we do expect the vaccine to be a good match.”
As far as what type of flu season we can expect, Schuchat can’t predict, but there is ample vaccine to go around which can keep flu activity at a minimum.
Approximately 160 million doses of the vaccine have already been distributed nationwide, she says.
“Don’t be complacent because disease activity is low this year; flu is coming,” she says. “You don’t want to find out how bad the season is going to be before you get the flu vaccine.”
Schuchat says she is encouraged by the number of people who have already received a flu vaccine so far this season.
“We are a little ahead of last year’s seasonal flu vaccine, which we find encouraging because we haven’t had media talking back to back about flu,” she says. Last year, the H1N1 pandemic and a shortage of available vaccine generated many headlines.
“Flu activity is now increasing across the country and the flu season is now underway, so if you are thinking about influenza vaccine, now is a good time to do it,” says Howard Koh, MD, an assistant secretary for health in the Department of Health and Human Services.
This year’s National Influenza Vaccination Week is being observed on December 5-11.
To here more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for Dr. Asa on Call, or log onto www.drasa.com
Diabetes Cuts Years off Life Span of Americans
The following article will be featured on an upcoming episode of "Dr. Asa on Call" with Dr. Asa Andrew:
Diabetes cuts about 8.5 years off the life span of the average 50-year-old compared to a 50-year-old without diabetes, new research indicates.
The study also shows that older adults with diabetes have a lower life expectancy at every age compared to people who do not have the disease. For example, researchers say, the difference at age 60 is 5.4 years; it’s one year by 90.
The findings come from a new report commissioned by the National Academy on an Aging Society and was supported by Sanofi-aventis U.S., a pharmaceutical company. It was based on data provided by the Health and Retirement Study, a survey of more than 20,000 Americans over age 50 done every two years by the University of Michigan.
Slideshow: Type 2 Diabetes Overview
Increase in Diabetes
“Given the rise in diabetes among boomers and seniors, these findings are alarming,” Greg O’Neill, PhD, director of the National Academy on an Aging Society, says in a news release. “They paint a stark picture of the impact of diabetes and its complications on healthy aging.”
The study shows a significant increase over the past decade in the percentage of adults over age 50 with diabetes, from 11% of non-Hispanic whites in 1998 to 18% in 2008, coinciding with an alarming obesity epidemic affecting most population groups.
The increase among adult non-Hispanic blacks has been even more alarming, from 22% to 32% in the past 10 years, study researchers say.
Compared to older adults without diabetes, patients with the disease are less likely to be employed and more likely to have other health problems, such as heart disease, depression, and disabilities that get in the way of normal life activities, the researchers say.
Scott M. Lynch, PhD, of Princeton University’s Office of Population Research, analyzed data on more than 20,000 adults over the age of 50. The study, described as a “profile,” was written by Nancy Maddox, MPH, a co-founder of Maren Enterprises, a consulting firm specializing in technical and promotional writing in the field of public health.
Many Don’t Realize They Have Diabetes
The researchers say at least 7.8% of the U.S. population, or some 23.6 million people, have diabetes, including 5.7 million who don’t know they do.
The study also shows that:
23.1% of people 60 and older, or 12.2 million people, have diabetes.
By 2034, this number will increase to 44.1 million.
By the same year, 14.6 million people who are Medicare-eligible will have the disease.
Annual diabetes-related spending is expected to reach $336 billion in 2034, which is almost three times the amount spent in 2009.
In 2007, diagnosed diabetes cost the U.S. an estimated $116 billion in direct medical costs and $58 billion in reduced productivity.
People with diabetes are responsible for about 20% of U.S. health care expenditures.
By 2025, more than half of people with diabetes will be 65 and older, and if this trend continues, it will become primarily a geriatric disease. In 2000, people 65 and older accounted for 40% of U.S. diabetes cases.
The prevalence of diabetes is projected to more than double between 2005 and 2050 for U.S. residents 20 to 64 and increase 220% for people between 65 and 74. For people 75 and older the prevalence is expected to increase 449%.
Diabetes is more common among non-whites; African-Americans are more likely to develop the disease than either whites or Hispanics.
African-Americans are more likely to die from diabetes than either Hispanics or whites. The overall diabetes mortality rate is 41% higher for Hispanics than for whites and 113% higher for non-Hispanic blacks than for whites.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for "Dr. Asa on Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
Diabetes cuts about 8.5 years off the life span of the average 50-year-old compared to a 50-year-old without diabetes, new research indicates.
The study also shows that older adults with diabetes have a lower life expectancy at every age compared to people who do not have the disease. For example, researchers say, the difference at age 60 is 5.4 years; it’s one year by 90.
The findings come from a new report commissioned by the National Academy on an Aging Society and was supported by Sanofi-aventis U.S., a pharmaceutical company. It was based on data provided by the Health and Retirement Study, a survey of more than 20,000 Americans over age 50 done every two years by the University of Michigan.
Slideshow: Type 2 Diabetes Overview
Increase in Diabetes
“Given the rise in diabetes among boomers and seniors, these findings are alarming,” Greg O’Neill, PhD, director of the National Academy on an Aging Society, says in a news release. “They paint a stark picture of the impact of diabetes and its complications on healthy aging.”
The study shows a significant increase over the past decade in the percentage of adults over age 50 with diabetes, from 11% of non-Hispanic whites in 1998 to 18% in 2008, coinciding with an alarming obesity epidemic affecting most population groups.
The increase among adult non-Hispanic blacks has been even more alarming, from 22% to 32% in the past 10 years, study researchers say.
Compared to older adults without diabetes, patients with the disease are less likely to be employed and more likely to have other health problems, such as heart disease, depression, and disabilities that get in the way of normal life activities, the researchers say.
Scott M. Lynch, PhD, of Princeton University’s Office of Population Research, analyzed data on more than 20,000 adults over the age of 50. The study, described as a “profile,” was written by Nancy Maddox, MPH, a co-founder of Maren Enterprises, a consulting firm specializing in technical and promotional writing in the field of public health.
Many Don’t Realize They Have Diabetes
The researchers say at least 7.8% of the U.S. population, or some 23.6 million people, have diabetes, including 5.7 million who don’t know they do.
The study also shows that:
23.1% of people 60 and older, or 12.2 million people, have diabetes.
By 2034, this number will increase to 44.1 million.
By the same year, 14.6 million people who are Medicare-eligible will have the disease.
Annual diabetes-related spending is expected to reach $336 billion in 2034, which is almost three times the amount spent in 2009.
In 2007, diagnosed diabetes cost the U.S. an estimated $116 billion in direct medical costs and $58 billion in reduced productivity.
People with diabetes are responsible for about 20% of U.S. health care expenditures.
By 2025, more than half of people with diabetes will be 65 and older, and if this trend continues, it will become primarily a geriatric disease. In 2000, people 65 and older accounted for 40% of U.S. diabetes cases.
The prevalence of diabetes is projected to more than double between 2005 and 2050 for U.S. residents 20 to 64 and increase 220% for people between 65 and 74. For people 75 and older the prevalence is expected to increase 449%.
Diabetes is more common among non-whites; African-Americans are more likely to develop the disease than either whites or Hispanics.
African-Americans are more likely to die from diabetes than either Hispanics or whites. The overall diabetes mortality rate is 41% higher for Hispanics than for whites and 113% higher for non-Hispanic blacks than for whites.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for "Dr. Asa on Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
Every Excess Pound Gained Raises Risk of Death
The following article will be featured on an upcoming episode of Dr. Asa on Call with Dr. Asa Andrew:
Your risk of death rises steadily with every overweight pound you gain, a huge study funded by the National Institutes of Health confirms.
Even if you don't smoke and are in otherwise good health, your risk of death goes up 31% with every 5-point increase in BMI, a measure of body mass based on weight and height.
Just being a little bit overweight increases death risk. Compared to those with a normal-range BMI of 22.5 to 24.9:
A BMI of 25.0 to 29.9 increased death risk by 13%
A BMI of 30.0 to 34.9 increased death risk by 44%
A BMI of 35.0 to 39.9 increased death risk by 88%
A BMI of 40.0 to 49.9 increased death risk by 251%
Those figures are for women who do not smoke and who have no underlying disease. The risks are similar for men, note Amy Berrington de Gonzalez, DPhil, of the National Institutes of Health, and colleagues.
"We conclude that for non-Hispanic whites, both overweight and obesity are associated with increased all-cause mortality," they conclude. "All-cause mortality is generally lowest within the BMI range of 20.0 to 24.9."
BMI measured before age 50 had the strongest effect on death risk.
Being underweight may also increase death risk, but it's not clear whether underlying, undetected disease might account for this finding.
The study pooled data from 19 long-term studies that followed 1.46 million white adults for five to 28 years.
The strong statistical significance of the findings suggest that an earlier study of the impact of obesity on death risk -- which was scary enough -- may have underestimated the problem. That study found that adult obesity cut life expectancy by four years. The new data show that obesity has a much greater effect on life span.
"In our study, there were more than five times as many deaths among participants in the highest obesity categories (BMI of 35-0 to 39.9 and 40.0 to 49.9) than in previous studies, because severe obesity had become more common," Berrington de Gonzalez and colleagues note.
Smoking and chronic disease have an enormous effect on death risk. To isolate the effects of obesity, the researchers calculated death risk for nonsmokers who reported no underlying disease.
The findings appear in the Dec. 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for Dr. Asa on Call or log onto www.drasa.com
Your risk of death rises steadily with every overweight pound you gain, a huge study funded by the National Institutes of Health confirms.
Even if you don't smoke and are in otherwise good health, your risk of death goes up 31% with every 5-point increase in BMI, a measure of body mass based on weight and height.
Just being a little bit overweight increases death risk. Compared to those with a normal-range BMI of 22.5 to 24.9:
A BMI of 25.0 to 29.9 increased death risk by 13%
A BMI of 30.0 to 34.9 increased death risk by 44%
A BMI of 35.0 to 39.9 increased death risk by 88%
A BMI of 40.0 to 49.9 increased death risk by 251%
Those figures are for women who do not smoke and who have no underlying disease. The risks are similar for men, note Amy Berrington de Gonzalez, DPhil, of the National Institutes of Health, and colleagues.
"We conclude that for non-Hispanic whites, both overweight and obesity are associated with increased all-cause mortality," they conclude. "All-cause mortality is generally lowest within the BMI range of 20.0 to 24.9."
BMI measured before age 50 had the strongest effect on death risk.
Being underweight may also increase death risk, but it's not clear whether underlying, undetected disease might account for this finding.
The study pooled data from 19 long-term studies that followed 1.46 million white adults for five to 28 years.
The strong statistical significance of the findings suggest that an earlier study of the impact of obesity on death risk -- which was scary enough -- may have underestimated the problem. That study found that adult obesity cut life expectancy by four years. The new data show that obesity has a much greater effect on life span.
"In our study, there were more than five times as many deaths among participants in the highest obesity categories (BMI of 35-0 to 39.9 and 40.0 to 49.9) than in previous studies, because severe obesity had become more common," Berrington de Gonzalez and colleagues note.
Smoking and chronic disease have an enormous effect on death risk. To isolate the effects of obesity, the researchers calculated death risk for nonsmokers who reported no underlying disease.
The findings appear in the Dec. 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for Dr. Asa on Call or log onto www.drasa.com
Finger Length a Clue to Prostate Cancer Risk
The following article will be featured on an upcoming episode of "Dr. Asa on Call" with Dr. Asa Andrew
Men whose index finger is longer than their ring finger are at a lower risk of prostate cancer than those with a finger pattern the other way round, according to a new study in the British Journal of Cancer.
The relative length of the first and third fingers is set before birth, and it is thought to relate to the levels of sex hormones the baby is exposed to in the womb. Babies exposed to less of the male sex hormone testosterone are more likely to have longer index fingers.
Finger Length and Prostate Cancer
Over a 15-year period, researchers from The University of Warwick and The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) collected data on finger length in 1,524 patients with prostate cancer as well as 3,044 healthy people. Men were shown pictures of hands with different finger lengths and asked to identify the one most like their own right hand.
The most common finger length pattern, seen in more than half the men in the study, was a shorter index than ring finger. Men whose index and ring fingers were the same length (about 19%) had a similar prostate cancer risk to those with a shorter index than ring finger. However, men whose index fingers were longer than their ring finger were 33% less likely to have prostate cancer.
Risk reduction was even greater in men aged under 60, say the researchers, who found that this younger group were 87% less likely to be in the prostate cancer group.
Testosterone Exposure
The researchers believe that being exposed to less testosterone before birth helps protect against prostate cancer later in life. The phenomenon is thought to occur because the genes HOXA and HOXD control both finger length and development of sex organs.
“Our results show that relative finger length could be used as a simple test for prostate cancer risk, particularly in men aged under 60,” says joint senior author Professor Ros Eeles from the ICR and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. “This exciting finding means that finger pattern could potentially be used to select at-risk men for ongoing screening, perhaps in combination with other factors such as family history or genetic testing.”
The study was funded by Prostate Cancer Research Foundation and Cancer Research UK.
Diagnosing Prostate Cancer
Helen Rippon, head of research at The Prostate Cancer Charity in the U.K., says in an emailed statement: “Diagnosis of prostate cancer is not a simple affair and the best blood test we have, known as a PSA test, tells us only that something might be wrong with the prostate, not whether it is cancerous or not. Anything that adds to our knowledge about whether a man is likely to develop prostate cancer or not is to be welcomed, especially when it is something as easy as looking at the length of his fingers.
“This research also adds to the growing body of evidence that the balance of hormones we are exposed to before birth influences our health for the rest of our lives.”
Rippon says men who check their hands and find they have a shorter index finger should not be unduly concerned. “They share this trait with more than half of all men and it does not mean they will definitely develop prostate cancer in later life,” she says.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for "Dr. Asa on Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
Men whose index finger is longer than their ring finger are at a lower risk of prostate cancer than those with a finger pattern the other way round, according to a new study in the British Journal of Cancer.
The relative length of the first and third fingers is set before birth, and it is thought to relate to the levels of sex hormones the baby is exposed to in the womb. Babies exposed to less of the male sex hormone testosterone are more likely to have longer index fingers.
Finger Length and Prostate Cancer
Over a 15-year period, researchers from The University of Warwick and The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) collected data on finger length in 1,524 patients with prostate cancer as well as 3,044 healthy people. Men were shown pictures of hands with different finger lengths and asked to identify the one most like their own right hand.
The most common finger length pattern, seen in more than half the men in the study, was a shorter index than ring finger. Men whose index and ring fingers were the same length (about 19%) had a similar prostate cancer risk to those with a shorter index than ring finger. However, men whose index fingers were longer than their ring finger were 33% less likely to have prostate cancer.
Risk reduction was even greater in men aged under 60, say the researchers, who found that this younger group were 87% less likely to be in the prostate cancer group.
Testosterone Exposure
The researchers believe that being exposed to less testosterone before birth helps protect against prostate cancer later in life. The phenomenon is thought to occur because the genes HOXA and HOXD control both finger length and development of sex organs.
“Our results show that relative finger length could be used as a simple test for prostate cancer risk, particularly in men aged under 60,” says joint senior author Professor Ros Eeles from the ICR and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. “This exciting finding means that finger pattern could potentially be used to select at-risk men for ongoing screening, perhaps in combination with other factors such as family history or genetic testing.”
The study was funded by Prostate Cancer Research Foundation and Cancer Research UK.
Diagnosing Prostate Cancer
Helen Rippon, head of research at The Prostate Cancer Charity in the U.K., says in an emailed statement: “Diagnosis of prostate cancer is not a simple affair and the best blood test we have, known as a PSA test, tells us only that something might be wrong with the prostate, not whether it is cancerous or not. Anything that adds to our knowledge about whether a man is likely to develop prostate cancer or not is to be welcomed, especially when it is something as easy as looking at the length of his fingers.
“This research also adds to the growing body of evidence that the balance of hormones we are exposed to before birth influences our health for the rest of our lives.”
Rippon says men who check their hands and find they have a shorter index finger should not be unduly concerned. “They share this trait with more than half of all men and it does not mean they will definitely develop prostate cancer in later life,” she says.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for "Dr. Asa on Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
How to Manage Food Allergies in Children
The following article will be featured on an upcoming episode of Dr. Asa on Call with Dr. Asa Andrew
Pediatricians play a key role in preventing and treating food-related allergic reactions among school-aged children, and can help implement plans concerning the way food allergies are managed in the school setting, according to a clinical report published by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Food allergies are estimated to affect about one in 25 school-aged children. Research suggests that as many as 18% of children with food allergies experience a reaction while in school, indicating that the school environment is an important place to help prevent and treat allergic responses. Food allergy is also a common trigger of anaphylaxis, a possibly life-threatening reaction to a particular food.
Published in the December issue of Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the report includes:
Advice for pediatricians on diagnosing and documenting any potential life-threatening food allergies, including identifying any food that might truly be life-threatening.
Developing and writing down age-appropriate management and emergency response plans and including children, parents, and school officials in the planning process.
Determining whether a health care professional, such as a nurse, is available to help the child in the event of a reaction at school.
Prescribing self-injectable epinephrine and, if schools permit and if age-appropriate, allowing children to carry their own epinephrine in the event of an emergency, such as outside of the school cafeteria, because delays in treatments have been linked to fatalities.
Teaching children and their families how to use and store medication properly.
Informing children, families, and schools how to identify signs of anaphylaxis and how to best respond to expedite treatment.
Understanding the school’s anaphylaxis response protocols. The report notes that 25% of anaphylaxis cases that occur in schools are among children without a previous diagnosis of food allergy.
Building Partnerships
“Partnerships with students, families, school nurses, school physicians, and school staff are important for individualizing effective and practical care plans,” the authors write.
The report did not include infants, toddlers, and preschool age children, since these children are cared for in a variety of settings and would require their own set of prevention and treatment guidelines.
According to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, an advocacy group, an estimated 3 million children have food allergies. Eight foods account for 90% of all food allergies in the U.S.: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (such as almonds and walnuts), wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish. Food allergies account for more than 300,000 ambulatory care visits per year among children.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for Dr. Asa on Call or log onto www.drasa.com
Pediatricians play a key role in preventing and treating food-related allergic reactions among school-aged children, and can help implement plans concerning the way food allergies are managed in the school setting, according to a clinical report published by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Food allergies are estimated to affect about one in 25 school-aged children. Research suggests that as many as 18% of children with food allergies experience a reaction while in school, indicating that the school environment is an important place to help prevent and treat allergic responses. Food allergy is also a common trigger of anaphylaxis, a possibly life-threatening reaction to a particular food.
Published in the December issue of Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the report includes:
Advice for pediatricians on diagnosing and documenting any potential life-threatening food allergies, including identifying any food that might truly be life-threatening.
Developing and writing down age-appropriate management and emergency response plans and including children, parents, and school officials in the planning process.
Determining whether a health care professional, such as a nurse, is available to help the child in the event of a reaction at school.
Prescribing self-injectable epinephrine and, if schools permit and if age-appropriate, allowing children to carry their own epinephrine in the event of an emergency, such as outside of the school cafeteria, because delays in treatments have been linked to fatalities.
Teaching children and their families how to use and store medication properly.
Informing children, families, and schools how to identify signs of anaphylaxis and how to best respond to expedite treatment.
Understanding the school’s anaphylaxis response protocols. The report notes that 25% of anaphylaxis cases that occur in schools are among children without a previous diagnosis of food allergy.
Building Partnerships
“Partnerships with students, families, school nurses, school physicians, and school staff are important for individualizing effective and practical care plans,” the authors write.
The report did not include infants, toddlers, and preschool age children, since these children are cared for in a variety of settings and would require their own set of prevention and treatment guidelines.
According to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, an advocacy group, an estimated 3 million children have food allergies. Eight foods account for 90% of all food allergies in the U.S.: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (such as almonds and walnuts), wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish. Food allergies account for more than 300,000 ambulatory care visits per year among children.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for Dr. Asa on Call or log onto www.drasa.com
Eating Orange and Dark Green Veggies Linked to Longer Life
The following article will be featured on an upcoming episode of "Dr. Asa on Call" with Dr. Asa Andrew:
Your parents knew what they were talking about when they told you to eat your vegetables, though they probably should have specified which ones.
A new study has found that diets rich in orange and dark green veggies like carrots, green beans and sweet potatoes may result in less disease and a longer life.
Researchers believe that the potential for a longer, disease-free life is due to the alpha-carotene in those foods, which, like beta-carotene, is a carotenoid antioxidant and may stop oxidative damage to cells and DNA.
"Because of the multiple constituents within these vegetables, there is a plethora of benefits of getting them in the natural food forms and eating plenty of them," nutritionist Douglas Husbands told AOL Health. "That should be one of the foundations of people if they want to live a healthy and long life."
Dark green vegetables like beans, spinach, kale, bok choy, swiss chard and collard greens are rich in folates and many other essential nutrients, Husbands said -- and eating them doesn't only boost your own health but that of future generations.
"They work to turn on many good genes and turn off many bad genes," he said. "Studies are continuing to show that dark green vegetables most definitely can influence a healthier life and potentially a longer life also. The research on this is just overwhelming."
Dr. Chaoyang Li of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and his colleagues based their findings on the previously-established link between good health -- including less cancer and heart disease -- and eating certain fruits and vegetables.
Li told Reuters Health that his team wanted to find out specifically what components in vegetables have benefits and how they work. Recent studies have suggested that beta-carotene pills have no concrete positive effects, he said.
The researchers looked at data on more than 15,000 people participating in a wide-scale national nutrition survey. The subjects had given blood samples, as well as information on their medical histories and lifestyles at the start of the 14-year study.
By the end of the study period, almost 4,000 participants had died. Li and his colleagues determined that the more alpha-carotene the subjects had in their systems at the beginning of the survey, the lower their chances of disease and death, Reuters reported. Those with the highest amounts of the antioxidant in their blood had as much as a 39 percent lower risk of dying than participants with the lowest levels of alpha-carotene.
The findings, published this week in the Archives of Internal Medicine, stayed the same even after researchers took other risk factors into account, including age and smoking. They also remained steady when the rates of death due to cancer and heart disease were analyzed.
But the study results don't provide solid evidence that alpha-carotene is what leads to a longer life and less disease, according to the authors.
"Alpha-carotene may be at least partially responsible for the risk reduction," Li told Reuters. "However, we are unable to rule out the possible links of other antioxidants or other elements in vegetables and fruits to lower mortality risk."
Could Fruits and Vegetables Save Your Life? How to Steam Vegetables Girl, 7, Must Eat Only Fruits, Vegetables or Risk Brain Damage Husbands said it isn't just alpha-carotene that is responsible for the health benefits seen in the research.
"You can't simplify it or (see) one carotenoid as a magic bullet because you're going to get spurious results," he told AOL Health. "It's the mix."
Howard Sesso of the Harvard School of Public Health said it's difficult to differentiate between the benefits of alpha-carotene and beta-carotene since carrots and some of the other vegetables in question tend to contain both.
"Alpha-carotene has a lot of overlapping chemical properties with beta-carotene, as well as the same perceived mechanisms of effect," he told Reuters Health. "It's hard to disentangle the two from each other. They tend to travel together."
Li said there have been previous lab experiments showing that alpha-carotene is a more potent preventer of brain, skin and liver cancer than its beta relative, according to Reuters.
No matter what is behind the findings, Sesso said they're hopeful.
"We don't know how this is going to translate into practice yet, but it is encouraging," he said. "If nothing else, these results reinforce the point that there is likely little downside to increasing your fruit and veggie intake."
And there is little debate about the enormous health benefits of vegetables, particularly the dark green and orange variety, according to Husbands.
"That's some of the cheapest health care people can buy," he said.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for "Dr. Asa on Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
Your parents knew what they were talking about when they told you to eat your vegetables, though they probably should have specified which ones.
A new study has found that diets rich in orange and dark green veggies like carrots, green beans and sweet potatoes may result in less disease and a longer life.
Researchers believe that the potential for a longer, disease-free life is due to the alpha-carotene in those foods, which, like beta-carotene, is a carotenoid antioxidant and may stop oxidative damage to cells and DNA.
"Because of the multiple constituents within these vegetables, there is a plethora of benefits of getting them in the natural food forms and eating plenty of them," nutritionist Douglas Husbands told AOL Health. "That should be one of the foundations of people if they want to live a healthy and long life."
Dark green vegetables like beans, spinach, kale, bok choy, swiss chard and collard greens are rich in folates and many other essential nutrients, Husbands said -- and eating them doesn't only boost your own health but that of future generations.
"They work to turn on many good genes and turn off many bad genes," he said. "Studies are continuing to show that dark green vegetables most definitely can influence a healthier life and potentially a longer life also. The research on this is just overwhelming."
Dr. Chaoyang Li of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and his colleagues based their findings on the previously-established link between good health -- including less cancer and heart disease -- and eating certain fruits and vegetables.
Li told Reuters Health that his team wanted to find out specifically what components in vegetables have benefits and how they work. Recent studies have suggested that beta-carotene pills have no concrete positive effects, he said.
The researchers looked at data on more than 15,000 people participating in a wide-scale national nutrition survey. The subjects had given blood samples, as well as information on their medical histories and lifestyles at the start of the 14-year study.
By the end of the study period, almost 4,000 participants had died. Li and his colleagues determined that the more alpha-carotene the subjects had in their systems at the beginning of the survey, the lower their chances of disease and death, Reuters reported. Those with the highest amounts of the antioxidant in their blood had as much as a 39 percent lower risk of dying than participants with the lowest levels of alpha-carotene.
The findings, published this week in the Archives of Internal Medicine, stayed the same even after researchers took other risk factors into account, including age and smoking. They also remained steady when the rates of death due to cancer and heart disease were analyzed.
But the study results don't provide solid evidence that alpha-carotene is what leads to a longer life and less disease, according to the authors.
"Alpha-carotene may be at least partially responsible for the risk reduction," Li told Reuters. "However, we are unable to rule out the possible links of other antioxidants or other elements in vegetables and fruits to lower mortality risk."
Could Fruits and Vegetables Save Your Life? How to Steam Vegetables Girl, 7, Must Eat Only Fruits, Vegetables or Risk Brain Damage Husbands said it isn't just alpha-carotene that is responsible for the health benefits seen in the research.
"You can't simplify it or (see) one carotenoid as a magic bullet because you're going to get spurious results," he told AOL Health. "It's the mix."
Howard Sesso of the Harvard School of Public Health said it's difficult to differentiate between the benefits of alpha-carotene and beta-carotene since carrots and some of the other vegetables in question tend to contain both.
"Alpha-carotene has a lot of overlapping chemical properties with beta-carotene, as well as the same perceived mechanisms of effect," he told Reuters Health. "It's hard to disentangle the two from each other. They tend to travel together."
Li said there have been previous lab experiments showing that alpha-carotene is a more potent preventer of brain, skin and liver cancer than its beta relative, according to Reuters.
No matter what is behind the findings, Sesso said they're hopeful.
"We don't know how this is going to translate into practice yet, but it is encouraging," he said. "If nothing else, these results reinforce the point that there is likely little downside to increasing your fruit and veggie intake."
And there is little debate about the enormous health benefits of vegetables, particularly the dark green and orange variety, according to Husbands.
"That's some of the cheapest health care people can buy," he said.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for "Dr. Asa on Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
Acetaminophen Not Linked to Liver Damage in Kids
The following article will be featured on an upcoming episode of "Dr. Asa on Call" with Dr. Asa Andrew:
A review of the medical literature indicates that despite a reported association between liver toxicity and acetaminophen use, the risk of children developing any kind of liver damage after taking the everyday painkiller at recommended dosing is less than 0.01%.
Acetaminophen overdosing is associated with liver toxicity in children and adults, but in this study, researchers led by Eric J. Lavonas, MD, from the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center in Denver, wanted to evaluate the risk of standard acetaminophen doses. Looking at data on 32,414 children, from newborns to young adults, they found that not a single child who took acetaminophen therapeutically showed signs of liver disease, received antidotes or transplantation, or died.
Combing the Medical Literature
Using medical data sources dating back to 1950, Lavonas and his team included 62 clinical studies and case reports in their analysis. The trials occurred in both the industrialized and developing worlds, and children treated in private practices, hospitals, intensive care units, and clinics. The children were treated with a standard dose of acetaminophen that did not exceed 4 grams during a 24-hour period -- a dose that is in line with FDA recommendations for children. In most cases, acetaminophen was used to treat pain, such as postoperative pain or infection. Children received acetaminophen orally, by intravenous infusion, as a suppository, and by feeding tube.
Liver complications were reported in 10 children out of the entire study population. Among this group, two children who discontinued acetaminophen use were found to have had acute viral hepatitis. The findings were published in the December issue of Pediatrics.
Acetaminophen is, for many people, a medicine cabinet staple. The drug has been available over-the-counter in pediatric formulations since 1959. According to the authors, it is the most common pain reliever administered to American children. Every week, an estimated 11.1% of the 73.7 million children in the U.S. receive acetaminophen.
The authors note that the question of causality, particularly with greater doses of acetaminophen, remains unclear. However, the overall risk of liver toxicity to children who take doses that fall within FDA recommendations appears quite low. “Few reports contain sufficient data to support a probable causal relationship,” the researchers write.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for "Dr. Asa On Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
A review of the medical literature indicates that despite a reported association between liver toxicity and acetaminophen use, the risk of children developing any kind of liver damage after taking the everyday painkiller at recommended dosing is less than 0.01%.
Acetaminophen overdosing is associated with liver toxicity in children and adults, but in this study, researchers led by Eric J. Lavonas, MD, from the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center in Denver, wanted to evaluate the risk of standard acetaminophen doses. Looking at data on 32,414 children, from newborns to young adults, they found that not a single child who took acetaminophen therapeutically showed signs of liver disease, received antidotes or transplantation, or died.
Combing the Medical Literature
Using medical data sources dating back to 1950, Lavonas and his team included 62 clinical studies and case reports in their analysis. The trials occurred in both the industrialized and developing worlds, and children treated in private practices, hospitals, intensive care units, and clinics. The children were treated with a standard dose of acetaminophen that did not exceed 4 grams during a 24-hour period -- a dose that is in line with FDA recommendations for children. In most cases, acetaminophen was used to treat pain, such as postoperative pain or infection. Children received acetaminophen orally, by intravenous infusion, as a suppository, and by feeding tube.
Liver complications were reported in 10 children out of the entire study population. Among this group, two children who discontinued acetaminophen use were found to have had acute viral hepatitis. The findings were published in the December issue of Pediatrics.
Acetaminophen is, for many people, a medicine cabinet staple. The drug has been available over-the-counter in pediatric formulations since 1959. According to the authors, it is the most common pain reliever administered to American children. Every week, an estimated 11.1% of the 73.7 million children in the U.S. receive acetaminophen.
The authors note that the question of causality, particularly with greater doses of acetaminophen, remains unclear. However, the overall risk of liver toxicity to children who take doses that fall within FDA recommendations appears quite low. “Few reports contain sufficient data to support a probable causal relationship,” the researchers write.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for "Dr. Asa On Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
Most Shocking Health Stories of 2010
The following article will be featured on an upcoming episode of Dr. Asa on Call with Dr. Asa Andrew:
Chilean Miners Survive 69 Days Below GroundOn August 5, the historically unstable San Jose gold and copper mine in northern Chile caved in while 33 miners were working. The miners were widely assumed dead, but on August 22, a note was pulled up through a borehole: We are OK in the refuge, the 33 said. Against all odds, the men were alive 2,000 feet below the surface. But it could take several months to reach them. From then on, the miners, who had spent 17 days rationing out spoonfuls of tuna fish and milk, captivated the world with their remarkable survival skills and discipline. For more than two months, they lived in a 165-square-foot cavern below the earth as Chilean President Sebastian Pinera called in experts from across the world to assist in the delicate rescue process. Using a thin tube to send supplies like nutrient-packed gels, food, water, medication, oxygen, and even empanadas and cigarettes, doctors and health officials nursed the men back to health. Psychologists above monitored the miners and talked to them about their anxiety and fear on a telephone. On October 12, as the entire world tuned in, the miners ascended one by one in a special capsule over the course of 24 hours. Three miners had immediate surgery for dental problems, while others were treated for tooth infections and corneal problems. One miner recovered from pneumonia, while two others had a respiratory condition from breathing in silica dust. But all expect a full physical recovery.
Baby Smokes 40 Cigarettes a Day but Manages to QuitTwo-year-old Indonesian toddler Aldi Suganda soared to international fame when a video of him chain-smoking cigarettes went viral. The pudgy toddler was filmed expertly holding a cigarette between his index and middle finger and exhaling. Soon, people from around the world were in an uproar, and the story expanded: The kid really did have a habit to the tune of 40 cigarettes a day and threw violent temper tantrums when he couldn't get his fix. His fish merchant parents had allowed Aldi to wander the market as they worked. One day, they found their then 11-month-old smoking "like an adult," according to his mother. Anti-smoking organizations note that while Aldi's case is dramatic, many children in Indonesia smoke due to the government's lack of health education and lax oversight of tobacco company advertising. After news crews arrived at their door, Aldi's parents enrolled the child in a smoking cessation program. In September, officials announced that Aldi had quit smoking.
Bret Michaels' Brain HemorrhageOn April 12, Bret Michaels -- former Poison lead singer and bandanna-wearing reality TV star -- was rushed to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy. Just two weeks later on April 23, the rocker began complaining of an excruciating headache after a day of vomiting. In fact, the headache was a symptom of a massive brain hemorrhage, which landed Michaels in the ICU in critical condition. Michaels, a diabetic, emerged from the ordeal in good sprits, blogging that there were "hot nurses taking care of me." Then on May 2, Michaels felt numbness and pain on a side of his body and was diagnosed with a hole in his heart, which is treatable. Since his release from the hospital, Michaels has reconciled with his on-again, off-again girlfriend and the mother of his children. The man who has made a career of being a player says he's considering marriage because he feels he has been given a "second chance."
Rash of Cancer Hoaxes -- and an Acid HoaxAshley Anne Kirilow, pictured right, shaved her head, plucked her eyebrows, starved herself to look like a cancer patient and founded a bogus cancer research charity to take in $30,000. Jessica Vega tricked friends, family and even her new husband into believing she had terminal leukemia, apparently in order to score a free wedding dress, honeymoon and jewelry. Carol Lynn Schnuphase drugged her healthy 12-year-old son and shaved his head so that he appeared to have cancer. Bethany Storro said a stranger threw acid in her face but later admitted the disfiguring attack was self-inflicted. The year has been a big one for health hoaxes -- usually the result of mental illness or sociopathic tendencies, experts theorize. "This could be a combination of self-mutilation and Munchausen syndrome," AOL Health's Mental Health Specialist Dr. Daniel Carlat said of Storro. "Prisons are filled with people like this," Dr. Neil I. Bernstein said of Kirilow, noting that antisocial personality disorder is a likely diagnosis for such a person. The afflicted repeatedly break the law; disregard the safety of others; lie, steal or fight constantly; and generally violate social norms to take advantage of the system. Neither Carlat nor Bernstein treats any of those accused of health hoaxes.
Mom-to-Be Cut in Half to Remove CancerCanadian Janis Ollson, pictured right, was called a "miracle mom" after she survived an experimental operation during which she was literally cut in half and sewn back together while she was pregnant. Three years ago, while pregnant with her second child, Ollson was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma, a form of untreatable bone cancer. She had suffered extreme back pain that she and doctors assumed was sciatica. Since the cancer was diagnosed after it had spread through her bones, surgeons at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., determined that they would need to remove her leg, lower spine and half of her pelvis -- a procedure performed only on cadavers before. The doctors' main challenge was how to put Ollson back together again and they succeeded. Ollson went forward with the surgery, receiving a prosthetic leg and pelvis. She snowmobiles; grocery shops; drives an ATV; and uses a wheelchair, crutches or a walker to get around. "There's some purpose to all this whether I know it or not," she told the Winnipeg Free Press.
Gay Teen Suicide EpidemicIn September 2010, at least six gay youth -- some as young as 13 -- committed suicide after being relentlessly bullied. Perhaps the most well-known case concerns Tyler Clementi, a freshman at Rutgers University who jumped off a bridge after learning that his sexual encounter with another man had been streamed live on the Internet by his roommate. Though LGBT teens have long been far more likely to commit suicide than their heterosexual peers, the September suicides led to public outrage directed at bullies, gay-shaming churches, and unsupportive school administrators and parents. "Stigmatizing someone for being gay is like criticizing them for having brown hair," Carlat told AOL Health. "It is really a relic of another era." Journalist Dan Savage began an online campaign called "It Gets Better," aimed at decreasing the sense of isolation and hopelessness many young LGBT people experience. LGBT adults were encouraged to produce and upload home videos that repeated a single message: Life gets better; don't end yours now.
First Full Face Transplant a SuccessA Spanish farmer had accidentally blown off his entire face in a gun accident five years ago, but surgeons in Barcelona successfully gave him an entirely new set of features. Oscar, 31, who did not reveal his last name, had been unable to eat solid foods, speak or breathe independently since 2005. In March, he underwent a 24-hour surgery, during which doctors transplanted a donor face, including a jaw, nose, muscles, teeth, eyelids and nose onto Oscar's head. The surgery was the first of its kind (previous face transplants have been partial). In July, Oscar appeared at a press conference to reveal his masklike new face. Though in the preliminary stages of an estimated 18 months of physical therapy and recovery, Oscar could drink liquids, eat soft foods and speak -- and he even grew beard hair on his new chin. He was ready to do "little things, like walking down the street without anyone looking at him or sitting down for a meal with his family," his sister said.
More Than a Half Billion Eggs Recalled Due to Salmonella ConcernsConsumers were disgusted by the factory-farming truths that August's large-scale egg recall brought to light. The contaminated eggs had come out of Iowa -- mainly from the major distributor Wright County Egg -- and had sickened nearly 2,000 people across the country. News reports showed that Wright County Egg, which supplied wholesalers throughout the country, had a troubling past. The owner, Austin "Jack" DeCoster, has sold salmonella-tainted eggs before, causing a 1987 outbreak at a New York City hospital that sickened 500 chronically ill and elderly patients, killing nine. His company has been accused of providing unsafe working conditions, committing environmental violations, harassing workers, hiring illegal immigrants and violating health codes. During the recent recall, investigators found salmonella in bone meal used in feed for young birds. Some of DeCoster's farms had manure piles, dead rodents, dead maggots and flies. Workers failed to follow anti-contamination protocol. But jaded experts doubted that any significant changes would be implemented after the initial outrage. "Food tends to be the poor stepchild for the FDA," Caroline Smith DeWaal, food safety director for the advocacy group Center for Science in the Public Interest, told AOL Health. "There have been numerous outbreaks over [the] last five or six years that focused congressional attention, but we've been waiting over a year for the Senate to act."
Health Effects of Haiti's EarthquakeThe January 12 earthquake devastated Haiti, an already-fragile country, killing and severely injuring hundreds of thousands and rendering 1.5 million people homeless in the dense, impoverished capital of Port-au-Prince. But afterwards, things got even worse for the survivors, as a major public health crisis descended. Because much of Haiti's already unsteady infrastructure (including hospitals) was destroyed in the quake, patients with abrasions and broken bones, which would be easily fixed in a more developed country, were at risk for infection, blood clots and death. Those with more severe conditions often went without medical care for days or weeks, and people with limbs that may have been salvaged with quick, efficient care often were forced to undergo amputations. Doctors and medical supplies were unable to make their way through destroyed roads. Drinking water was contaminated, and sanitation systems were broken, allowing raw sewage to flow freely. Malnutrition, dehydration, fever and diarrhea swept the makeshift camps, where many shelters were constructed of salvaged plastic and sticks. People living in the shelters were particularly vulnerable to mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria and dengue fever during the rainy season; one doctor in a Brazilian field hospital reported a 1,000 percent rise in malaria cases after the earthquake. Currently, a cholera outbreak threatens to sweep through the tent cities, where, 10 months after the earthquake, nearly 1.3 million people still live.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for Dr. Asa on Call or log onto www.drasa.com
Chilean Miners Survive 69 Days Below GroundOn August 5, the historically unstable San Jose gold and copper mine in northern Chile caved in while 33 miners were working. The miners were widely assumed dead, but on August 22, a note was pulled up through a borehole: We are OK in the refuge, the 33 said. Against all odds, the men were alive 2,000 feet below the surface. But it could take several months to reach them. From then on, the miners, who had spent 17 days rationing out spoonfuls of tuna fish and milk, captivated the world with their remarkable survival skills and discipline. For more than two months, they lived in a 165-square-foot cavern below the earth as Chilean President Sebastian Pinera called in experts from across the world to assist in the delicate rescue process. Using a thin tube to send supplies like nutrient-packed gels, food, water, medication, oxygen, and even empanadas and cigarettes, doctors and health officials nursed the men back to health. Psychologists above monitored the miners and talked to them about their anxiety and fear on a telephone. On October 12, as the entire world tuned in, the miners ascended one by one in a special capsule over the course of 24 hours. Three miners had immediate surgery for dental problems, while others were treated for tooth infections and corneal problems. One miner recovered from pneumonia, while two others had a respiratory condition from breathing in silica dust. But all expect a full physical recovery.
Baby Smokes 40 Cigarettes a Day but Manages to QuitTwo-year-old Indonesian toddler Aldi Suganda soared to international fame when a video of him chain-smoking cigarettes went viral. The pudgy toddler was filmed expertly holding a cigarette between his index and middle finger and exhaling. Soon, people from around the world were in an uproar, and the story expanded: The kid really did have a habit to the tune of 40 cigarettes a day and threw violent temper tantrums when he couldn't get his fix. His fish merchant parents had allowed Aldi to wander the market as they worked. One day, they found their then 11-month-old smoking "like an adult," according to his mother. Anti-smoking organizations note that while Aldi's case is dramatic, many children in Indonesia smoke due to the government's lack of health education and lax oversight of tobacco company advertising. After news crews arrived at their door, Aldi's parents enrolled the child in a smoking cessation program. In September, officials announced that Aldi had quit smoking.
Bret Michaels' Brain HemorrhageOn April 12, Bret Michaels -- former Poison lead singer and bandanna-wearing reality TV star -- was rushed to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy. Just two weeks later on April 23, the rocker began complaining of an excruciating headache after a day of vomiting. In fact, the headache was a symptom of a massive brain hemorrhage, which landed Michaels in the ICU in critical condition. Michaels, a diabetic, emerged from the ordeal in good sprits, blogging that there were "hot nurses taking care of me." Then on May 2, Michaels felt numbness and pain on a side of his body and was diagnosed with a hole in his heart, which is treatable. Since his release from the hospital, Michaels has reconciled with his on-again, off-again girlfriend and the mother of his children. The man who has made a career of being a player says he's considering marriage because he feels he has been given a "second chance."
Rash of Cancer Hoaxes -- and an Acid HoaxAshley Anne Kirilow, pictured right, shaved her head, plucked her eyebrows, starved herself to look like a cancer patient and founded a bogus cancer research charity to take in $30,000. Jessica Vega tricked friends, family and even her new husband into believing she had terminal leukemia, apparently in order to score a free wedding dress, honeymoon and jewelry. Carol Lynn Schnuphase drugged her healthy 12-year-old son and shaved his head so that he appeared to have cancer. Bethany Storro said a stranger threw acid in her face but later admitted the disfiguring attack was self-inflicted. The year has been a big one for health hoaxes -- usually the result of mental illness or sociopathic tendencies, experts theorize. "This could be a combination of self-mutilation and Munchausen syndrome," AOL Health's Mental Health Specialist Dr. Daniel Carlat said of Storro. "Prisons are filled with people like this," Dr. Neil I. Bernstein said of Kirilow, noting that antisocial personality disorder is a likely diagnosis for such a person. The afflicted repeatedly break the law; disregard the safety of others; lie, steal or fight constantly; and generally violate social norms to take advantage of the system. Neither Carlat nor Bernstein treats any of those accused of health hoaxes.
Mom-to-Be Cut in Half to Remove CancerCanadian Janis Ollson, pictured right, was called a "miracle mom" after she survived an experimental operation during which she was literally cut in half and sewn back together while she was pregnant. Three years ago, while pregnant with her second child, Ollson was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma, a form of untreatable bone cancer. She had suffered extreme back pain that she and doctors assumed was sciatica. Since the cancer was diagnosed after it had spread through her bones, surgeons at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., determined that they would need to remove her leg, lower spine and half of her pelvis -- a procedure performed only on cadavers before. The doctors' main challenge was how to put Ollson back together again and they succeeded. Ollson went forward with the surgery, receiving a prosthetic leg and pelvis. She snowmobiles; grocery shops; drives an ATV; and uses a wheelchair, crutches or a walker to get around. "There's some purpose to all this whether I know it or not," she told the Winnipeg Free Press.
Gay Teen Suicide EpidemicIn September 2010, at least six gay youth -- some as young as 13 -- committed suicide after being relentlessly bullied. Perhaps the most well-known case concerns Tyler Clementi, a freshman at Rutgers University who jumped off a bridge after learning that his sexual encounter with another man had been streamed live on the Internet by his roommate. Though LGBT teens have long been far more likely to commit suicide than their heterosexual peers, the September suicides led to public outrage directed at bullies, gay-shaming churches, and unsupportive school administrators and parents. "Stigmatizing someone for being gay is like criticizing them for having brown hair," Carlat told AOL Health. "It is really a relic of another era." Journalist Dan Savage began an online campaign called "It Gets Better," aimed at decreasing the sense of isolation and hopelessness many young LGBT people experience. LGBT adults were encouraged to produce and upload home videos that repeated a single message: Life gets better; don't end yours now.
First Full Face Transplant a SuccessA Spanish farmer had accidentally blown off his entire face in a gun accident five years ago, but surgeons in Barcelona successfully gave him an entirely new set of features. Oscar, 31, who did not reveal his last name, had been unable to eat solid foods, speak or breathe independently since 2005. In March, he underwent a 24-hour surgery, during which doctors transplanted a donor face, including a jaw, nose, muscles, teeth, eyelids and nose onto Oscar's head. The surgery was the first of its kind (previous face transplants have been partial). In July, Oscar appeared at a press conference to reveal his masklike new face. Though in the preliminary stages of an estimated 18 months of physical therapy and recovery, Oscar could drink liquids, eat soft foods and speak -- and he even grew beard hair on his new chin. He was ready to do "little things, like walking down the street without anyone looking at him or sitting down for a meal with his family," his sister said.
More Than a Half Billion Eggs Recalled Due to Salmonella ConcernsConsumers were disgusted by the factory-farming truths that August's large-scale egg recall brought to light. The contaminated eggs had come out of Iowa -- mainly from the major distributor Wright County Egg -- and had sickened nearly 2,000 people across the country. News reports showed that Wright County Egg, which supplied wholesalers throughout the country, had a troubling past. The owner, Austin "Jack" DeCoster, has sold salmonella-tainted eggs before, causing a 1987 outbreak at a New York City hospital that sickened 500 chronically ill and elderly patients, killing nine. His company has been accused of providing unsafe working conditions, committing environmental violations, harassing workers, hiring illegal immigrants and violating health codes. During the recent recall, investigators found salmonella in bone meal used in feed for young birds. Some of DeCoster's farms had manure piles, dead rodents, dead maggots and flies. Workers failed to follow anti-contamination protocol. But jaded experts doubted that any significant changes would be implemented after the initial outrage. "Food tends to be the poor stepchild for the FDA," Caroline Smith DeWaal, food safety director for the advocacy group Center for Science in the Public Interest, told AOL Health. "There have been numerous outbreaks over [the] last five or six years that focused congressional attention, but we've been waiting over a year for the Senate to act."
Health Effects of Haiti's EarthquakeThe January 12 earthquake devastated Haiti, an already-fragile country, killing and severely injuring hundreds of thousands and rendering 1.5 million people homeless in the dense, impoverished capital of Port-au-Prince. But afterwards, things got even worse for the survivors, as a major public health crisis descended. Because much of Haiti's already unsteady infrastructure (including hospitals) was destroyed in the quake, patients with abrasions and broken bones, which would be easily fixed in a more developed country, were at risk for infection, blood clots and death. Those with more severe conditions often went without medical care for days or weeks, and people with limbs that may have been salvaged with quick, efficient care often were forced to undergo amputations. Doctors and medical supplies were unable to make their way through destroyed roads. Drinking water was contaminated, and sanitation systems were broken, allowing raw sewage to flow freely. Malnutrition, dehydration, fever and diarrhea swept the makeshift camps, where many shelters were constructed of salvaged plastic and sticks. People living in the shelters were particularly vulnerable to mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria and dengue fever during the rainy season; one doctor in a Brazilian field hospital reported a 1,000 percent rise in malaria cases after the earthquake. Currently, a cholera outbreak threatens to sweep through the tent cities, where, 10 months after the earthquake, nearly 1.3 million people still live.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for Dr. Asa on Call or log onto www.drasa.com
Heightened Sense of Smell Linked to Obesity
The following article will be featured on an upcoming episode of Dr. Asa on Call with Dr. Asa Andrew:
We all know our noses can often lead us into temptation when it comes to food.
Would you really eat all that popcorn at the movie theater if that buttery smell was not wafting out into the street? But for people who are obese, sense of smell may play a bigger role than we realize in causing them to eat too much.
A new study from researchers at the University of Portsmouth in Great Britain has demonstrated that people with a higher body mass index also have a much more heightened sense of smell compared to thin people, particularly following a full meal. The research, published in the journal Chemical Senses last month, may help explain why overweight people eat more.
Leady study author Dr. Lorenzo Stafford says that that keener sense of smell may lead an overweight person to keep eating even though he or she is already full. The study included 64 volunteers asked to take tests in smelling ability both before and after eating a complete meal.
Dr. Lisa M. Davis, vice president of research and development with Medifast Inc., a physician-developed weight-loss system, reviewed the British study and told AOL Health that while it might seem counterintuitive, that heightened sense of smell following food consumption may actually help most people know that they are full so they stop eating.
"But for those with a higher BMI, greater olfactory sensitivity to the smell of food may actually foster the continuation of eating, as opposed to causing them to stop eating like individuals with a healthy BMI," Davis adds. "Obese consumers with a higher BMI have more of a drive to eat high fat, high sugar and highly palatable foods, which is consistent with a heightened taste sensitivity for these foods."
Davis goes on to explain that the opioid receptors in the brain drive the palatability of food, while dopaminergic receptors drive motivation for obtaining good tasting food to eat. "Studies have shown that obese individuals tend to have a dysfunction among these regulatory systems," she says.
But all of this begs the question as to whether obesity is driving the heightened sense of smell or whether the heightened sense of smell is driving one to eat more, leading to obesity. Davis says it's not a question she can answer, "but it makes a fascinating area of future research."
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for Dr. Asa on Call or log onto www.drasa.com
We all know our noses can often lead us into temptation when it comes to food.
Would you really eat all that popcorn at the movie theater if that buttery smell was not wafting out into the street? But for people who are obese, sense of smell may play a bigger role than we realize in causing them to eat too much.
A new study from researchers at the University of Portsmouth in Great Britain has demonstrated that people with a higher body mass index also have a much more heightened sense of smell compared to thin people, particularly following a full meal. The research, published in the journal Chemical Senses last month, may help explain why overweight people eat more.
Leady study author Dr. Lorenzo Stafford says that that keener sense of smell may lead an overweight person to keep eating even though he or she is already full. The study included 64 volunteers asked to take tests in smelling ability both before and after eating a complete meal.
Dr. Lisa M. Davis, vice president of research and development with Medifast Inc., a physician-developed weight-loss system, reviewed the British study and told AOL Health that while it might seem counterintuitive, that heightened sense of smell following food consumption may actually help most people know that they are full so they stop eating.
"But for those with a higher BMI, greater olfactory sensitivity to the smell of food may actually foster the continuation of eating, as opposed to causing them to stop eating like individuals with a healthy BMI," Davis adds. "Obese consumers with a higher BMI have more of a drive to eat high fat, high sugar and highly palatable foods, which is consistent with a heightened taste sensitivity for these foods."
Davis goes on to explain that the opioid receptors in the brain drive the palatability of food, while dopaminergic receptors drive motivation for obtaining good tasting food to eat. "Studies have shown that obese individuals tend to have a dysfunction among these regulatory systems," she says.
But all of this begs the question as to whether obesity is driving the heightened sense of smell or whether the heightened sense of smell is driving one to eat more, leading to obesity. Davis says it's not a question she can answer, "but it makes a fascinating area of future research."
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Number of Uninsured Americans Nears 47 Million
The following artilce will be featured on an upcoming episode of Dr. Asa on Call, with Dr. Asa Andrew:
The government says the number of uninsured Americans is now nearly 47 million, up about 7 percent from 2006. And a large percentage of people say they have put off health care for conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.
However, the rate of uninsured has not increased significantly in recent years. That's in part because the population has also been growing and because the proportion of uninsured children has been shrinking.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a report this week on the uninsured based on tens of thousands of in-person interviews for the years 2006 through early 2010. The number of people who said they were uninsured at the time they were interviewed is up from almost 44 million in 2006.
People also were asked if they had been without health insurance at some point in the previous year. About 59 million said yes.
Last year, more than 40 percent of uninsured adults said they recently skipped some medical care because of cost.
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The government says the number of uninsured Americans is now nearly 47 million, up about 7 percent from 2006. And a large percentage of people say they have put off health care for conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.
However, the rate of uninsured has not increased significantly in recent years. That's in part because the population has also been growing and because the proportion of uninsured children has been shrinking.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a report this week on the uninsured based on tens of thousands of in-person interviews for the years 2006 through early 2010. The number of people who said they were uninsured at the time they were interviewed is up from almost 44 million in 2006.
People also were asked if they had been without health insurance at some point in the previous year. About 59 million said yes.
Last year, more than 40 percent of uninsured adults said they recently skipped some medical care because of cost.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for Dr. Asa on Call or log onto www.drasa.com
Exercise May Cut Endometrial Cancer Risk
The following article will be featured on an upcoming episode of Dr. Asa on Call with Dr. Asa Andrew:
Exercising 150 minutes or more every week may reduce the risk of endometrial cancer by a third, according to a study.
Researchers led by Herbert Yu, MD, MSc, PhD, associate professor at Yale School of Public Health in New Haven, Conn., compared 668 women with endometrial cancer with 665 women of the same age who did not have the disease. Women answered questionnaires about their lifestyles, environment, and physical and recreational activities.
Based on the survey results, the researchers found that:
Women who exercised 150 minutes a week or more had a 34% reduction in endometrial cancer even after adjusting for other factors such as body mass index (BMI), a measurement of height and weight.
When looking at BMI and activity levels, women who were active and had a BMI of 25 or less showed an even greater reduction at 73%.
Women who were of a normal weight but inactive had a 55% lowered risk, whereas women who were overweight and active had a 38% reduced risk.
The findings were presented at the Ninth Annual American Association for Cancer Research Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference held in Philadelphia.
Researchers said the results suggest that both exercise and BMI levels affect endometrial cancer risk and that they also reaffirm earlier findings showing an independent association between exercise and a lowered risk for endometrial cancer.
The CDC recommends adults ages 18 to 64 get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week and muscle-strengthening activities that work all major muscle groups on two or more days a week.
Endometrial cancer is a cancer that forms in the lining of the uterus. The National Cancer Institute estimates there will be 43,470 new cases and 7,950 deaths from endometrial cancer in the U.S. in 2010.
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Exercising 150 minutes or more every week may reduce the risk of endometrial cancer by a third, according to a study.
Researchers led by Herbert Yu, MD, MSc, PhD, associate professor at Yale School of Public Health in New Haven, Conn., compared 668 women with endometrial cancer with 665 women of the same age who did not have the disease. Women answered questionnaires about their lifestyles, environment, and physical and recreational activities.
Based on the survey results, the researchers found that:
Women who exercised 150 minutes a week or more had a 34% reduction in endometrial cancer even after adjusting for other factors such as body mass index (BMI), a measurement of height and weight.
When looking at BMI and activity levels, women who were active and had a BMI of 25 or less showed an even greater reduction at 73%.
Women who were of a normal weight but inactive had a 55% lowered risk, whereas women who were overweight and active had a 38% reduced risk.
The findings were presented at the Ninth Annual American Association for Cancer Research Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference held in Philadelphia.
Researchers said the results suggest that both exercise and BMI levels affect endometrial cancer risk and that they also reaffirm earlier findings showing an independent association between exercise and a lowered risk for endometrial cancer.
The CDC recommends adults ages 18 to 64 get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week and muscle-strengthening activities that work all major muscle groups on two or more days a week.
Endometrial cancer is a cancer that forms in the lining of the uterus. The National Cancer Institute estimates there will be 43,470 new cases and 7,950 deaths from endometrial cancer in the U.S. in 2010.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for Dr. Asa on Call or log onto www.drasa.com
Family History Underused as Predictor of Future Illness
The following article will be featured on an upcoming episode of "Dr. Asa on Call " with Dr. Asa Andrew:
Make Grandma spill the beans: Uncovering all the diseases that lurk in your family tree can trump costly genetic testing in predicting what illnesses you and your children are likely to face.
It may sound old-fashioned, but a Cleveland Clinic study comparing which method best uncovered an increased risk of cancer helps confirm the value of what's called a family health history.
All it costs is a little time questioning your relatives, yet good family health trees are rare. A government survey estimated less than a third of families have one -- and time-crunched doctors seldom push their patients to remedy that.
"I view family health histories as back to the future," says Dr. Charis Eng, a cancer geneticist at the Cleveland Clinic's Genomic Medicine Institute. "It's the best kept secret in health care."
Holiday gatherings can be a good chance to gather the information, as can reunions or even funerals. The U.S. Surgeon General operates a free website -- https://familyhistory.hhs.gov -- that helps people create a family health history and share it electronically with relatives and their doctor.
However you do it, get the scoop on both sides of the family, says another study of 2,500 women. Researchers found that women not only know less about the health of their paternal relatives, they tend to dismiss the threat of breast cancer if it's on Dad's side.
"It's a risk no matter what," says Dr. Wendy Rubinstein of Chicago's NorthShore University Health System, who presented the research last week at a meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics.
Far too often, a family health history consists of whatever you happen to jot down on that clipboard in the doctor's waiting room. Mom hasn't confided her soaring cholesterol? Can't recall what killed Aunt Mary? Don't realize that the hunched back of Grandma and her sisters could foreshadow your osteoporosis? Or maybe Dad never mentioned that in his 40s he survived the prostate cancer that killed his own father.
Looking for patterns of familial illness can predict someone's brewing health risks, so gaps can be a problem.
How does a good history compare with those online genomic testing services -- sold without a doctor's prescription for hundreds of dollars -- that analyze DNA glitches and predict people's predisposition to various diseases?
To find out, the Cleveland Clinic's Eng recruited 44 people -- 22 patients in her family cancer clinic and their spouses -- for a family health history and a saliva test from one of those genomic services, Navigenics, to calculate their risk for colon cancer and breast or prostate cancer.
Both approaches classified about 40 percent of participants as having above-average risk - but they picked the same people only about half the time. For example, the genomic screening missed all nine people with a strong family risk of colon cancer, five of whom Eng's clinic gave extra scrutiny to prove they carried a specific gene mutation.
"A patient might have done this testing and been very reassured and not come to medical care," she told last week's geneticists' meeting.
On the other hand, Navigenics listed eight men at risk for prostate cancer when their family history predicted a risk no higher than average.
Why the difference? No matter the brand, genomic screening takes a broad look at DNA variations, including some that scientists aren't sure play a big role. Yet it often doesn't include high-profile gene mutations that are linked for specific diseases and can require more specialized testing, Eng explains.
Navigenics didn't return a call for comment.
"Family history remains the best genetic tool we have, but health care providers are not taking advantage" of it, says Dr. Maren Scheuner of the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System in Los Angeles, who is leading a pilot project to add family cancer histories to the VA's electronic medical records at two area clinics.
Popularity may be growing. The surgeon general's office counts nearly 30,000 new visitors a month to its "My Family Health Portrait" Web site since summer, about a third of whom return, suggesting they're compiling an electronic family health tree.
Chicago's Rubinstein, who is testing a next-generation tool, found that women's newly created family health histories include much more information than was in their regular medical charts -- even if they did need a nudge about the paternal side.
"It's not uncommon to think, 'I look like one parent, that affects the illness I'm going to get,'" Rubinstein says. "Generally that's not the case."
Because genes seldom are destiny, a family health tree also should reflect shared environmental or lifestyle factors that can further affect an inherited risk, says James O'Leary of the nonprofit Genetic Alliance, which just won government funding to help spread family health histories to community health centers that serve the poor.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for "Dr. Asa on Call" or online at www.drasa.com
Make Grandma spill the beans: Uncovering all the diseases that lurk in your family tree can trump costly genetic testing in predicting what illnesses you and your children are likely to face.
It may sound old-fashioned, but a Cleveland Clinic study comparing which method best uncovered an increased risk of cancer helps confirm the value of what's called a family health history.
All it costs is a little time questioning your relatives, yet good family health trees are rare. A government survey estimated less than a third of families have one -- and time-crunched doctors seldom push their patients to remedy that.
"I view family health histories as back to the future," says Dr. Charis Eng, a cancer geneticist at the Cleveland Clinic's Genomic Medicine Institute. "It's the best kept secret in health care."
Holiday gatherings can be a good chance to gather the information, as can reunions or even funerals. The U.S. Surgeon General operates a free website -- https://familyhistory.hhs.gov -- that helps people create a family health history and share it electronically with relatives and their doctor.
However you do it, get the scoop on both sides of the family, says another study of 2,500 women. Researchers found that women not only know less about the health of their paternal relatives, they tend to dismiss the threat of breast cancer if it's on Dad's side.
"It's a risk no matter what," says Dr. Wendy Rubinstein of Chicago's NorthShore University Health System, who presented the research last week at a meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics.
Far too often, a family health history consists of whatever you happen to jot down on that clipboard in the doctor's waiting room. Mom hasn't confided her soaring cholesterol? Can't recall what killed Aunt Mary? Don't realize that the hunched back of Grandma and her sisters could foreshadow your osteoporosis? Or maybe Dad never mentioned that in his 40s he survived the prostate cancer that killed his own father.
Looking for patterns of familial illness can predict someone's brewing health risks, so gaps can be a problem.
How does a good history compare with those online genomic testing services -- sold without a doctor's prescription for hundreds of dollars -- that analyze DNA glitches and predict people's predisposition to various diseases?
To find out, the Cleveland Clinic's Eng recruited 44 people -- 22 patients in her family cancer clinic and their spouses -- for a family health history and a saliva test from one of those genomic services, Navigenics, to calculate their risk for colon cancer and breast or prostate cancer.
Both approaches classified about 40 percent of participants as having above-average risk - but they picked the same people only about half the time. For example, the genomic screening missed all nine people with a strong family risk of colon cancer, five of whom Eng's clinic gave extra scrutiny to prove they carried a specific gene mutation.
"A patient might have done this testing and been very reassured and not come to medical care," she told last week's geneticists' meeting.
On the other hand, Navigenics listed eight men at risk for prostate cancer when their family history predicted a risk no higher than average.
Why the difference? No matter the brand, genomic screening takes a broad look at DNA variations, including some that scientists aren't sure play a big role. Yet it often doesn't include high-profile gene mutations that are linked for specific diseases and can require more specialized testing, Eng explains.
Navigenics didn't return a call for comment.
"Family history remains the best genetic tool we have, but health care providers are not taking advantage" of it, says Dr. Maren Scheuner of the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System in Los Angeles, who is leading a pilot project to add family cancer histories to the VA's electronic medical records at two area clinics.
Popularity may be growing. The surgeon general's office counts nearly 30,000 new visitors a month to its "My Family Health Portrait" Web site since summer, about a third of whom return, suggesting they're compiling an electronic family health tree.
Chicago's Rubinstein, who is testing a next-generation tool, found that women's newly created family health histories include much more information than was in their regular medical charts -- even if they did need a nudge about the paternal side.
"It's not uncommon to think, 'I look like one parent, that affects the illness I'm going to get,'" Rubinstein says. "Generally that's not the case."
Because genes seldom are destiny, a family health tree also should reflect shared environmental or lifestyle factors that can further affect an inherited risk, says James O'Leary of the nonprofit Genetic Alliance, which just won government funding to help spread family health histories to community health centers that serve the poor.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for "Dr. Asa on Call" or online at www.drasa.com
U.S. Adult Obesity Rate Expected to Climb to 42 Percent
The following article will be featured on an upcoming episode of Dr. Asa on Call with Dr. Asa Andrew:
While recent estimates have claimed that as many as a third of Americans are obese, that isn't the worst of it. According to a new study out of Harvard University, the U.S. population is going to keep getting fatter until 42 percent of adults can claim the title of "obese." And the reason for the increase may be as simple as who we hang out with.
Obesity is defined as weighing 20 percent or more above ideal body weight or having a body mass index of 30 or higher. BMI is figured by taking a person's weight in pounds times 703 and dividing it by height in inches squared. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, not only are a third of Americans obese, but another third are overweight, which is defined as a BMI of 25 or more.
Researchers at Harvard concluded that people who socialize with people who are obese are more likely to become obese as well. The study used mathematical modeling with data from the Framingham Heart Study to determine that obesity appears to spread, almost the same way an infectious disease does. The research was published in the most recent issue of PLoS Computational Biology.
"We don't know what's at work here," lead study author Alison Hill, a graduate student in biophysics at Harvard, told AOL Health. "This study opens up an interesting new area." Hill says there's a lot of room for speculation, including the idea that people may adopt the habits of friends or that socializing with overweight people shifts a person's own sense of what represents a social norm.
The only problem with that kind of reasoning is that slimness doesn't have the same contagious effect, according to the study. Hill is quick to note, however, that her background is mathematical modeling, and she has no expertise in the biological factors that lead to obesity.
Dr. Michael Wolfe, chairman of the Department of Medicine at MetroHealth in Cleveland, doesn't buy the idea that this study will hold up scientifically. "I'm a basic scientist for a reason," he told AOL Health. "In these kinds of studies, you'll find the exact opposite next week." He feels it's true that one's social network will influence one's size, regardless of whether that network is thin or fat.
"If everyone around you is obese, it becomes more socially acceptable to be obese," he explains. "Aberrant behavior is more acceptable when others do it."
So does this study mean you should dump your fat friends? Well, not exactly. "A more positive way to look at it is that it's in your own best interest to help your friends lose weight," says Hill. That means if you and your girlfriends typically bond over pizza and ice cream, perhaps a few shared laps around the park might serve all of you better.
Hill said she would also like to emphasize that the social factors that lead to obesity don't appear to be nearly as significant as environmental factors. That means that regardless of how big your friends are, your own eating and exercise habits, genetic make-up and overall health still play the biggest role in what numbers you'll see when you step on that scale.
Wolfe says we all need to make an effort to fight our basic biology, which has designed us to be absorbers and storers of fat. "If you're full, stop eating," he says. "Put your utensils down between bites. Eat more slowly. And never waste calories on drinks."
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for Dr. Asa on Call or log onto www.drasa.com
While recent estimates have claimed that as many as a third of Americans are obese, that isn't the worst of it. According to a new study out of Harvard University, the U.S. population is going to keep getting fatter until 42 percent of adults can claim the title of "obese." And the reason for the increase may be as simple as who we hang out with.
Obesity is defined as weighing 20 percent or more above ideal body weight or having a body mass index of 30 or higher. BMI is figured by taking a person's weight in pounds times 703 and dividing it by height in inches squared. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, not only are a third of Americans obese, but another third are overweight, which is defined as a BMI of 25 or more.
Researchers at Harvard concluded that people who socialize with people who are obese are more likely to become obese as well. The study used mathematical modeling with data from the Framingham Heart Study to determine that obesity appears to spread, almost the same way an infectious disease does. The research was published in the most recent issue of PLoS Computational Biology.
"We don't know what's at work here," lead study author Alison Hill, a graduate student in biophysics at Harvard, told AOL Health. "This study opens up an interesting new area." Hill says there's a lot of room for speculation, including the idea that people may adopt the habits of friends or that socializing with overweight people shifts a person's own sense of what represents a social norm.
The only problem with that kind of reasoning is that slimness doesn't have the same contagious effect, according to the study. Hill is quick to note, however, that her background is mathematical modeling, and she has no expertise in the biological factors that lead to obesity.
Dr. Michael Wolfe, chairman of the Department of Medicine at MetroHealth in Cleveland, doesn't buy the idea that this study will hold up scientifically. "I'm a basic scientist for a reason," he told AOL Health. "In these kinds of studies, you'll find the exact opposite next week." He feels it's true that one's social network will influence one's size, regardless of whether that network is thin or fat.
"If everyone around you is obese, it becomes more socially acceptable to be obese," he explains. "Aberrant behavior is more acceptable when others do it."
So does this study mean you should dump your fat friends? Well, not exactly. "A more positive way to look at it is that it's in your own best interest to help your friends lose weight," says Hill. That means if you and your girlfriends typically bond over pizza and ice cream, perhaps a few shared laps around the park might serve all of you better.
Hill said she would also like to emphasize that the social factors that lead to obesity don't appear to be nearly as significant as environmental factors. That means that regardless of how big your friends are, your own eating and exercise habits, genetic make-up and overall health still play the biggest role in what numbers you'll see when you step on that scale.
Wolfe says we all need to make an effort to fight our basic biology, which has designed us to be absorbers and storers of fat. "If you're full, stop eating," he says. "Put your utensils down between bites. Eat more slowly. And never waste calories on drinks."
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for Dr. Asa on Call or log onto www.drasa.com
FDA Clears Cymbalta to Treat Chronic Lower Back Pain, Osteoarthritis
The following article will be featured on an upcoming episode of "Dr. Asa on Call" with Dr. Asa Andrew:
The antidepressant Cymbalta has gotten the go-ahead to be prescribed for persistent back pain and osteoarthritis, the Food and Drug Administration said.
The FDA approved the drug on Thursday for chronic musculoskeletal pain, including pain in the lower back and that caused by osteoarthritis.
"Up to three quarters of the population experience chronic pain at some time in their lives," Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a statement. "This approval means that many of those people now have another treatment option."
Cymbalta first emerged in 2004 as a medication for major depressive disorder. Since then, about 30 million people in the United States have used it.
After its release as an antidepressant, Cymbalta was also approved as a treatment for fibromyalgia, generalized anxiety disorder and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
More than 600 patients participated in randomized clinical trials on the effectiveness of Cymbalta, or duloxetine hydrochloride, in alleviating lower back pain and symptoms of osteoarthritis. By the end of the study, the subjects taking the drug reported a significant reduction in back pain compared with those who were given placebos, the FDA said.
The most common side effects of Cymbalta are nausea, dry mouth, insomnia, drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue and constipation. Other, more serious, side effects have been seen in less than 1 percent of patients, including liver damage, hives, rashes and other allergic reactions, depression, pneumonia, suicide and suicidal thoughts, according to the agency.
Currently there are few drugs on the market that treat chronic musculoskeletal pain, all of which carry the risk of severe side effects. For some patients, none of the existing treatments are effective in treating their pain.
The FDA said Cymbalta, made by drug giant Eli Lilly and Co., should be taken in a 60 milligram capsule once a day and needs to be swallowed whole rather than crushed or mixed with food or liquids.
Any unpleasant reactions to the drug can be reported to the FDA's MedWatch hotline at 1-800-FDA-1088, or online at www.fda.gov/medwatch/how.htm.
Consumers and health care professionals are encouraged to report adverse events to the FDA's MedWatch program at 800-FDA-1088 or online at www.fda.gov/medwatch/how.htm.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for "Dr. Asa on Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
The antidepressant Cymbalta has gotten the go-ahead to be prescribed for persistent back pain and osteoarthritis, the Food and Drug Administration said.
The FDA approved the drug on Thursday for chronic musculoskeletal pain, including pain in the lower back and that caused by osteoarthritis.
"Up to three quarters of the population experience chronic pain at some time in their lives," Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a statement. "This approval means that many of those people now have another treatment option."
Cymbalta first emerged in 2004 as a medication for major depressive disorder. Since then, about 30 million people in the United States have used it.
After its release as an antidepressant, Cymbalta was also approved as a treatment for fibromyalgia, generalized anxiety disorder and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
More than 600 patients participated in randomized clinical trials on the effectiveness of Cymbalta, or duloxetine hydrochloride, in alleviating lower back pain and symptoms of osteoarthritis. By the end of the study, the subjects taking the drug reported a significant reduction in back pain compared with those who were given placebos, the FDA said.
The most common side effects of Cymbalta are nausea, dry mouth, insomnia, drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue and constipation. Other, more serious, side effects have been seen in less than 1 percent of patients, including liver damage, hives, rashes and other allergic reactions, depression, pneumonia, suicide and suicidal thoughts, according to the agency.
Currently there are few drugs on the market that treat chronic musculoskeletal pain, all of which carry the risk of severe side effects. For some patients, none of the existing treatments are effective in treating their pain.
The FDA said Cymbalta, made by drug giant Eli Lilly and Co., should be taken in a 60 milligram capsule once a day and needs to be swallowed whole rather than crushed or mixed with food or liquids.
Any unpleasant reactions to the drug can be reported to the FDA's MedWatch hotline at 1-800-FDA-1088, or online at www.fda.gov/medwatch/how.htm.
Consumers and health care professionals are encouraged to report adverse events to the FDA's MedWatch program at 800-FDA-1088 or online at www.fda.gov/medwatch/how.htm.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for "Dr. Asa on Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
Gene Variant Linked to Depression in Alcohol-Dependent Individuals
The following article will be featured on an upcoming episode of "Dr. Asa on Call" with Dr. Asa Andrew:
A study highlighting the co-occurrence of alcohol dependence and depressive symptoms was presented here at the American Society of Human Genetics 60th Annual Meeting by first author Darlene A. Kertes, PhD, from the Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville.
Dr. Kertes described the high level of co-occurrence between depression and alcohol dependence; in people who have one disorder, the risk of developing the other is 2 to 4 times higher. This comorbidity is important clinically, as evidenced in the higher relapse frequency of alcohol-dependent individuals who also experience symptoms of depression.
The causes of this comorbidity are not well understood, although there is considerable overlap between the biologic systems involved in alcohol dependence and in severe depression. For example, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) participates in responses to both physical and psychological stressors.
In the study by Dr. Kertes and colleagues, an initial set of 120 genes, with previous evidence of associations with addiction, anxiety, or depression, was screened in an alcohol-dependent population (from the Irish Affected Sib-Pair Study of Alcohol Dependence). The functions of these 120 genes included involvement in neurotransmission (e.g., dopamine, serotonin, GABA, and glutamate), the biology of stress, cell signaling, and pharmacokinetics.
The researchers then focused on 19 genes with at least a "nominally significant" association in the screening, testing their association with depressive symptoms in an independent population of alcohol-dependent participants from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA). The COGA participants (n = 847) were recruited from treatment facilities, and age distribution was similar to that of the Irish study. Markers in 12 of the 19 genes assessed demonstrated an association with symptoms of depression.
When the test groups were evaluated for depressive symptoms, scores were distributed similarly in both populations (a U-shaped, not a normal, distribution). Symptom distribution was also similar in the 2 groups, supporting the validity of directly comparing the 2 populations.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for "Dr. Asa on Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
A study highlighting the co-occurrence of alcohol dependence and depressive symptoms was presented here at the American Society of Human Genetics 60th Annual Meeting by first author Darlene A. Kertes, PhD, from the Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville.
Dr. Kertes described the high level of co-occurrence between depression and alcohol dependence; in people who have one disorder, the risk of developing the other is 2 to 4 times higher. This comorbidity is important clinically, as evidenced in the higher relapse frequency of alcohol-dependent individuals who also experience symptoms of depression.
The causes of this comorbidity are not well understood, although there is considerable overlap between the biologic systems involved in alcohol dependence and in severe depression. For example, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) participates in responses to both physical and psychological stressors.
In the study by Dr. Kertes and colleagues, an initial set of 120 genes, with previous evidence of associations with addiction, anxiety, or depression, was screened in an alcohol-dependent population (from the Irish Affected Sib-Pair Study of Alcohol Dependence). The functions of these 120 genes included involvement in neurotransmission (e.g., dopamine, serotonin, GABA, and glutamate), the biology of stress, cell signaling, and pharmacokinetics.
The researchers then focused on 19 genes with at least a "nominally significant" association in the screening, testing their association with depressive symptoms in an independent population of alcohol-dependent participants from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA). The COGA participants (n = 847) were recruited from treatment facilities, and age distribution was similar to that of the Irish study. Markers in 12 of the 19 genes assessed demonstrated an association with symptoms of depression.
When the test groups were evaluated for depressive symptoms, scores were distributed similarly in both populations (a U-shaped, not a normal, distribution). Symptom distribution was also similar in the 2 groups, supporting the validity of directly comparing the 2 populations.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for "Dr. Asa on Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
Jellyfish Cells Used to Diagnose Hard to Find Cancers
The following article will be featured on an upcoming episode of "Dr. Asa on Call" with Dr. Asa Andrew
Most of us never think of jellyfish except as an annoying marine creature with stingers that may catch us unaware at the beach. But scientists in Great Britain believe that the luminous proteins within the cells of jellyfish that make them glow could help in the fight against cancer by offering earlier diagnoses of the disease, the BBC reported.
But how? Basically, researchers based at the Yorkshire Cancer Research Laboratory at the University of York have discovered that when proteins from luminous jellyfish cells are injected into humans the cancer cells essentially "light up," making them visible to a special camera that can then identify the presence and location of tumors within the body.
"Cancers deep within the body are difficult to spot at an early stage," lead researcher Professor Norman Maitland says, "and early diagnosis is critical for the successful treatment of any form of cancer." Early diagnoses may be more possible if Maitland's initial research can be put into practice in the future.
Maitland claims his work is actually building on earlier research by American chemists Roger Tsien with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Osamu Shimomura with Boston University Medical School, and Martin Chalfie with Columbia University, who together won a Nobel Prize in 2008, in part for Shimomura's work in taking luminous cells from the crystal jellyfish and then isolating the luminescent GFP protein from those cells. Tsien told AOL Health this afternoon that he could not comment on Maitland's work without a published study to review. He did remark however, that "there are some major fundamental obstacles to the approach as it has been described [in press reports], and without a proper scientific paper, it is impossible to tell whether the Maitland lab has somehow overcome these problems."
The Yorkshire team reportedly used an altered form of the GFP protein to make it show up red or blue instead of green, inserted it into viruses designed to hone in on cancer cells, and then found that the protein lights up as the viruses grow and spread within the cancer cells. The research shows it might be possible to replicate the technique in humans one day, allowing for earlier detection of cancerous tumors that are not currently visible to modern imaging equipment.
Dr. Ravindra Pandey, a research professor at the State University of New York and professor of cellular stress biology at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, told AOL Health he thinks the research coming out of Great Britain holds great promise. "This may enable us to find tumors that are deeply seated," he says, pointing out that current technology, such as MRIs, allow for good resolution but aren't very sensitive.
Pandey thinks these fluorescent proteins might be especially useful in determining the location and size of brain tumors, where surgeons often have difficulty determining the margins of a tumor and can fail to remove all the cancer cells as a result.
"When a specially developed camera is switched on, the proteins just flare up, and you can see where the cancer cells are," Maitland said.
The only problem is the special camera required for the task is made by only one company based in the U.S., and a single camera costs around $800,000. Maitland is working to raise money to purchase one of the cameras and hopes his new method of cancer detection will be ready for clinical trials within five years.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for "Dr. Asa on Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
Most of us never think of jellyfish except as an annoying marine creature with stingers that may catch us unaware at the beach. But scientists in Great Britain believe that the luminous proteins within the cells of jellyfish that make them glow could help in the fight against cancer by offering earlier diagnoses of the disease, the BBC reported.
But how? Basically, researchers based at the Yorkshire Cancer Research Laboratory at the University of York have discovered that when proteins from luminous jellyfish cells are injected into humans the cancer cells essentially "light up," making them visible to a special camera that can then identify the presence and location of tumors within the body.
"Cancers deep within the body are difficult to spot at an early stage," lead researcher Professor Norman Maitland says, "and early diagnosis is critical for the successful treatment of any form of cancer." Early diagnoses may be more possible if Maitland's initial research can be put into practice in the future.
Maitland claims his work is actually building on earlier research by American chemists Roger Tsien with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Osamu Shimomura with Boston University Medical School, and Martin Chalfie with Columbia University, who together won a Nobel Prize in 2008, in part for Shimomura's work in taking luminous cells from the crystal jellyfish and then isolating the luminescent GFP protein from those cells. Tsien told AOL Health this afternoon that he could not comment on Maitland's work without a published study to review. He did remark however, that "there are some major fundamental obstacles to the approach as it has been described [in press reports], and without a proper scientific paper, it is impossible to tell whether the Maitland lab has somehow overcome these problems."
The Yorkshire team reportedly used an altered form of the GFP protein to make it show up red or blue instead of green, inserted it into viruses designed to hone in on cancer cells, and then found that the protein lights up as the viruses grow and spread within the cancer cells. The research shows it might be possible to replicate the technique in humans one day, allowing for earlier detection of cancerous tumors that are not currently visible to modern imaging equipment.
Dr. Ravindra Pandey, a research professor at the State University of New York and professor of cellular stress biology at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, told AOL Health he thinks the research coming out of Great Britain holds great promise. "This may enable us to find tumors that are deeply seated," he says, pointing out that current technology, such as MRIs, allow for good resolution but aren't very sensitive.
Pandey thinks these fluorescent proteins might be especially useful in determining the location and size of brain tumors, where surgeons often have difficulty determining the margins of a tumor and can fail to remove all the cancer cells as a result.
"When a specially developed camera is switched on, the proteins just flare up, and you can see where the cancer cells are," Maitland said.
The only problem is the special camera required for the task is made by only one company based in the U.S., and a single camera costs around $800,000. Maitland is working to raise money to purchase one of the cameras and hopes his new method of cancer detection will be ready for clinical trials within five years.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for "Dr. Asa on Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
Sleep Loss Is Harder on Social Butterflies
The following article will be featured on an upcoming episode of "Dr. Asa on Call" with Dr. Asa Andrew
If you've ever rolled your eyes when the social butterflies in your circle -- the ones who go out every night after work -- complain of chronic tiredness, you might be in for a surprise. It may not be sleep deprivation and late night habits alone that make them tired. It could be their personality type.
A new study suggests that extroverts suffer more following sleep deprivation than introverts do, at least in cases where they're socially engaged. The research, published in the most recent issue of the journal Sleep, indicates that extroverts deprived of sleep are less alert than their more introverted counterparts when both engage in social activities. The study also found that sleep deprived extroverts and introverts performed about the same on wakefulness tests when both types were socially isolated.
The research was conducted using 48 volunteer subjects who were forced to stay awake for 36 hours under the scrutiny of researchers at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. The subjects were divided into groups based on personality tests determining if they were extroverts or introverts and then subjected to either socially enriched or socially impoverished environments. "Extraverts exposed to social environments were more vulnerable to subsequent sleep deprivation than were introverts," the study authors concluded.
Researchers aren't sure why extroverts who are socially active have more trouble with wakefulness, but they did have a few theories, including the idea that social engagement may fatigue the same areas of the brain responsible for alertness. Since introverts tend not to be as socially engaged as extroverts, they may not experience the same level of brain activity when engaged in social activities. It's possible introverts might also naturally shy away from the stimulation of a social environment.
Dr. Vidya Krishnan, associate director of the MetroHealth Center for Sleep Medicine in Cleveland, though not involved in the study, commented on the research, noting that when extroverts are socially active, there may be a part of their brains that is more active metabolically than it is in introverts.
"When you're being socially active, your mind is more active," she told AOL Health. "You're using more memory and concentration, and you're probably walking around a lot more." Introverts may just not get that same kind of stimulation from group activities, she said.
Researchers at Walter Reed were particularly interested in how personality type might make one better suited for tasks that often involve sleep deprivation, including military duties requiring long periods of wakefulness as well as shift work.
"It's interesting to know that there are certain people less affected by sleep deprivation," Krishnan adds. "I see a lot of shift workers who have trouble coping with sleep deprivation. If we can find predictors of who's going to have trouble with sleep deprivation, it may be helpful for preventing sleep problems to begin with."
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for "Dr. Asa on Call" or long onto www.drasa.com
If you've ever rolled your eyes when the social butterflies in your circle -- the ones who go out every night after work -- complain of chronic tiredness, you might be in for a surprise. It may not be sleep deprivation and late night habits alone that make them tired. It could be their personality type.
A new study suggests that extroverts suffer more following sleep deprivation than introverts do, at least in cases where they're socially engaged. The research, published in the most recent issue of the journal Sleep, indicates that extroverts deprived of sleep are less alert than their more introverted counterparts when both engage in social activities. The study also found that sleep deprived extroverts and introverts performed about the same on wakefulness tests when both types were socially isolated.
The research was conducted using 48 volunteer subjects who were forced to stay awake for 36 hours under the scrutiny of researchers at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. The subjects were divided into groups based on personality tests determining if they were extroverts or introverts and then subjected to either socially enriched or socially impoverished environments. "Extraverts exposed to social environments were more vulnerable to subsequent sleep deprivation than were introverts," the study authors concluded.
Researchers aren't sure why extroverts who are socially active have more trouble with wakefulness, but they did have a few theories, including the idea that social engagement may fatigue the same areas of the brain responsible for alertness. Since introverts tend not to be as socially engaged as extroverts, they may not experience the same level of brain activity when engaged in social activities. It's possible introverts might also naturally shy away from the stimulation of a social environment.
Dr. Vidya Krishnan, associate director of the MetroHealth Center for Sleep Medicine in Cleveland, though not involved in the study, commented on the research, noting that when extroverts are socially active, there may be a part of their brains that is more active metabolically than it is in introverts.
"When you're being socially active, your mind is more active," she told AOL Health. "You're using more memory and concentration, and you're probably walking around a lot more." Introverts may just not get that same kind of stimulation from group activities, she said.
Researchers at Walter Reed were particularly interested in how personality type might make one better suited for tasks that often involve sleep deprivation, including military duties requiring long periods of wakefulness as well as shift work.
"It's interesting to know that there are certain people less affected by sleep deprivation," Krishnan adds. "I see a lot of shift workers who have trouble coping with sleep deprivation. If we can find predictors of who's going to have trouble with sleep deprivation, it may be helpful for preventing sleep problems to begin with."
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him for "Dr. Asa on Call" or long onto www.drasa.com
Parkinson's May Be Caused by Energy Crisis in the Brain
The following article will be featured on an upcoming episode of "Dr. Asa on Call" with Dr. Asa Andrew:
Parkinson's disease may stem from an energy crisis in the brain, years before symptoms appear.
If the research pans out, it points to a possible new approach for Parkinson's: Giving a boost to a key power switch inside brain cells in hopes of slowing the disease's inevitable march instead of just treating symptoms.
"This is an extremely important and interesting observation that opens up new therapeutic targets," says Dr. Flint Beal of New York's Weill Cornell Medical College, who wasn't involved with the new study.
Beal said scientists already are planning first-stage tests to see if a drug now used for diabetes might help Parkinson's, too, by targeting one of the implicated energy genes.
At issue are little power factories inside cells, called mitochondria. Increasingly, scientists suspect that malfunctioning mitochondria play some role in a list of degenerative brain diseases.
After all, brain cells are energy hogs, making up about 2 percent of body weight yet consuming about 20 percent of the body's energy. So a power drain could trigger some serious long-term consequences.
"It could be a root cause" of Parkinson's, says Dr. Clemens Scherzer of Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard University.
About 5 million people worldwide, and 1.5 million in the U.S., have Parkinson's, characterized by increasingly severe tremors and periodically stiff or frozen limbs. Patients gradually lose brain cells that produce dopamine, a chemical key to the circuitry that controls muscle movement. There is no cure, although dopamine-boosting medication and an implanted device called deep brain stimulation can help some symptoms.
No one knows what causes Parkinson's. To find genetic clues, Scherzer gathered an international team of researchers to comb studies of more than 300 samples of brain tissue - from diagnosed Parkinson's patients, from symptom-free people whose brains showed early Parkinson's damage was brewing, and from people whose brains appeared normal. They even used a laser beam to cut out individual dopamine-producing neurons in the most ravaged brain region, the substantia nigra, and examine gene activity.
The team found 10 sets of genes that work at abnormally low levels in Parkinson's patients, genes that turned out to play various roles in the mitochondria's energy production, Scherzer recently reported in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Especially compelling, the genes also were sluggish in people with presymptomatic, simmering Parkinson's.
And all the gene sets are controlled by what Scherzer calls a master regulator gene named PGC-1alpha - responsible for activating many other genes that maintain and repair those mitochondrial power factories.
So might revving up PGC-1alpha in turn boost underperforming mitochondrial genes and protect the brain? To see, the researchers tested dopamine-producing neurons from rats that were treated in ways known to cause Parkinson's-like damage. Sure enough, boosting the power switch prevented that damage.
This genetic evidence supports years of tantalizing hints that mitochondria are culprits in Parkinson's, says Dr. Timothy Greenamyre of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
He ticks off the clues: A rare, inherited form of Parkinson's is caused by a mutated gene involved with mitochondrial function. A pesticide named rotenone that can kill dopamine cells and trigger Parkinson's symptoms in animals also is toxic to mitochondria. So is another Parkinson's-triggering chemical named MPTP.
Now with Scherzer's study, "it's going to be harder and harder for people to think that mitochondria are just a late player or an incidental player in Parkinson's disease," Greenamyre says.
The crux of all that complicated neurogenetics: A diabetes drug named Actos is among the compounds known to activate part of that PGC-1alpha pathway, and Weill Cornell's Beal says it's poised for an initial small trial in Parkinson's.
Separately, a nutrient named Coenzyme Q10 is believed important in mitochondrial energy production, and Beal is leading a study to see if high doses might help Parkinson's. Results are due in 2012.
But Scherzer issues a caution: The average Parkinson's patient has lost about 70 percent of his or her dopamine-producing neurons by the time of diagnosis. So if blocking a brain energy drain is going to do any good, scientists may have to find ways to spot brewing Parkinson's much earlier.
"I don't think you can turn back the clock," he says.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him on "Dr. Asa on Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
Parkinson's disease may stem from an energy crisis in the brain, years before symptoms appear.
If the research pans out, it points to a possible new approach for Parkinson's: Giving a boost to a key power switch inside brain cells in hopes of slowing the disease's inevitable march instead of just treating symptoms.
"This is an extremely important and interesting observation that opens up new therapeutic targets," says Dr. Flint Beal of New York's Weill Cornell Medical College, who wasn't involved with the new study.
Beal said scientists already are planning first-stage tests to see if a drug now used for diabetes might help Parkinson's, too, by targeting one of the implicated energy genes.
At issue are little power factories inside cells, called mitochondria. Increasingly, scientists suspect that malfunctioning mitochondria play some role in a list of degenerative brain diseases.
After all, brain cells are energy hogs, making up about 2 percent of body weight yet consuming about 20 percent of the body's energy. So a power drain could trigger some serious long-term consequences.
"It could be a root cause" of Parkinson's, says Dr. Clemens Scherzer of Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard University.
About 5 million people worldwide, and 1.5 million in the U.S., have Parkinson's, characterized by increasingly severe tremors and periodically stiff or frozen limbs. Patients gradually lose brain cells that produce dopamine, a chemical key to the circuitry that controls muscle movement. There is no cure, although dopamine-boosting medication and an implanted device called deep brain stimulation can help some symptoms.
No one knows what causes Parkinson's. To find genetic clues, Scherzer gathered an international team of researchers to comb studies of more than 300 samples of brain tissue - from diagnosed Parkinson's patients, from symptom-free people whose brains showed early Parkinson's damage was brewing, and from people whose brains appeared normal. They even used a laser beam to cut out individual dopamine-producing neurons in the most ravaged brain region, the substantia nigra, and examine gene activity.
The team found 10 sets of genes that work at abnormally low levels in Parkinson's patients, genes that turned out to play various roles in the mitochondria's energy production, Scherzer recently reported in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Especially compelling, the genes also were sluggish in people with presymptomatic, simmering Parkinson's.
And all the gene sets are controlled by what Scherzer calls a master regulator gene named PGC-1alpha - responsible for activating many other genes that maintain and repair those mitochondrial power factories.
So might revving up PGC-1alpha in turn boost underperforming mitochondrial genes and protect the brain? To see, the researchers tested dopamine-producing neurons from rats that were treated in ways known to cause Parkinson's-like damage. Sure enough, boosting the power switch prevented that damage.
This genetic evidence supports years of tantalizing hints that mitochondria are culprits in Parkinson's, says Dr. Timothy Greenamyre of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
He ticks off the clues: A rare, inherited form of Parkinson's is caused by a mutated gene involved with mitochondrial function. A pesticide named rotenone that can kill dopamine cells and trigger Parkinson's symptoms in animals also is toxic to mitochondria. So is another Parkinson's-triggering chemical named MPTP.
Now with Scherzer's study, "it's going to be harder and harder for people to think that mitochondria are just a late player or an incidental player in Parkinson's disease," Greenamyre says.
The crux of all that complicated neurogenetics: A diabetes drug named Actos is among the compounds known to activate part of that PGC-1alpha pathway, and Weill Cornell's Beal says it's poised for an initial small trial in Parkinson's.
Separately, a nutrient named Coenzyme Q10 is believed important in mitochondrial energy production, and Beal is leading a study to see if high doses might help Parkinson's. Results are due in 2012.
But Scherzer issues a caution: The average Parkinson's patient has lost about 70 percent of his or her dopamine-producing neurons by the time of diagnosis. So if blocking a brain energy drain is going to do any good, scientists may have to find ways to spot brewing Parkinson's much earlier.
"I don't think you can turn back the clock," he says.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, join him on "Dr. Asa on Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
Men With High Levels of Chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) More Likely to Have Low Sperm Count, Motility, Study Finds
The following article will be featured on an upcoming episode of "Dr. Asa on Call" with Dr. Asa Andrew.
Men with high urinary levels of the controversial chemical bisphenol A (BPA) may have lower sperm quality, which could affect their ability to conceive a child.
The new study, which appears in Fertility and Sterility, is the first to link BPA levels to sperm quality in humans. Other studies with similar results were conducted in animals. Exactly how BPA can affect sperm is not known, but animal studies have shown that BPA may have a negative impact on sperm production.
"The higher the BPA exposure, the worse the semen quality," says study author De-Kun Li, MD, PhD, a reproductive and perinatal epidemiologist at Kaiser Permanente's Division of Research in Oakland. "The findings add more weight to the evidence about the effects of BPA on sperm quality," he says.
Of 218 men who worked in a factory in China, those with higher levels of BPA exposure had two to four times the risk of poor semen quality, including low sperm count and motility (the ability of the sperm to move toward the egg), compared to their counterparts who had lower levels of urinary BPA or no detectable BPA in their urine. Some of the factory workers were exposed to BPA on the job while others were not.
BPA levels varied among the men, but occupational exposure to BPA was the most significant contribution to higher levels of BPA.
Evidence Against BPA Mounting
Many manufacturers have already taken steps to eliminate the BPA in baby bottles and cups, but the chemical is also found in the linings of canned foods, plastic containers, dental sealants, and cigarette filters. The FDA has called for more study on BPA because of its "potential health concerns," and the Canadian government recently placed BPA on its list of toxic chemicals.
The time is now to take steps to reduce BPA exposure, Li says.
"You don’t have to wait for regulatory agencies to ban BPA," he says. "In most cases, avoiding BPA doesn’t cost much." Simple ways to steer clear of BPA involve not eating canned foods.
"This study clearly shows that BPA exposures adversely affect men in a serious way: by influencing their semen quality, which could have obvious impacts on their ability to have children," Laura N. Vandenberg, PhD, of the department of biology at Tufts University in Boston, says in an email.
"This study also shows that adult men are sensitive to BPA, and even small amounts of the chemical can have pretty drastic effects," she says. "What remains to be seen is whether the effects of BPA on semen quality are permanent after the kinds of low, chronic exposures that most adults experience."
Findings May Not Apply to U.S.
Steven G. Hentges, PhD, of the Polycarbonate/BPA Global Group of the American Chemistry Council, a trade group in Washington, D.C., says the new findings are likely not generalizable to people in the U.S.
"This study wasn't designed to look at consumers, who in contrast to the Chinese workers in this study are exposed to low levels of BPA," he says.
"In the U.S., worker safety programs limit exposure to BPA with proper personal protective equipment," he says. As a result, exposures are likely not as high among U.S. workers.
And "even with extreme high exposures in this study, most of the workers with poor sperm quality still did not meet criteria for infertility as designated by the World Health Organization," he says.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, listen to "Dr. Asa on Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
Men with high urinary levels of the controversial chemical bisphenol A (BPA) may have lower sperm quality, which could affect their ability to conceive a child.
The new study, which appears in Fertility and Sterility, is the first to link BPA levels to sperm quality in humans. Other studies with similar results were conducted in animals. Exactly how BPA can affect sperm is not known, but animal studies have shown that BPA may have a negative impact on sperm production.
"The higher the BPA exposure, the worse the semen quality," says study author De-Kun Li, MD, PhD, a reproductive and perinatal epidemiologist at Kaiser Permanente's Division of Research in Oakland. "The findings add more weight to the evidence about the effects of BPA on sperm quality," he says.
Of 218 men who worked in a factory in China, those with higher levels of BPA exposure had two to four times the risk of poor semen quality, including low sperm count and motility (the ability of the sperm to move toward the egg), compared to their counterparts who had lower levels of urinary BPA or no detectable BPA in their urine. Some of the factory workers were exposed to BPA on the job while others were not.
BPA levels varied among the men, but occupational exposure to BPA was the most significant contribution to higher levels of BPA.
Evidence Against BPA Mounting
Many manufacturers have already taken steps to eliminate the BPA in baby bottles and cups, but the chemical is also found in the linings of canned foods, plastic containers, dental sealants, and cigarette filters. The FDA has called for more study on BPA because of its "potential health concerns," and the Canadian government recently placed BPA on its list of toxic chemicals.
The time is now to take steps to reduce BPA exposure, Li says.
"You don’t have to wait for regulatory agencies to ban BPA," he says. "In most cases, avoiding BPA doesn’t cost much." Simple ways to steer clear of BPA involve not eating canned foods.
"This study clearly shows that BPA exposures adversely affect men in a serious way: by influencing their semen quality, which could have obvious impacts on their ability to have children," Laura N. Vandenberg, PhD, of the department of biology at Tufts University in Boston, says in an email.
"This study also shows that adult men are sensitive to BPA, and even small amounts of the chemical can have pretty drastic effects," she says. "What remains to be seen is whether the effects of BPA on semen quality are permanent after the kinds of low, chronic exposures that most adults experience."
Findings May Not Apply to U.S.
Steven G. Hentges, PhD, of the Polycarbonate/BPA Global Group of the American Chemistry Council, a trade group in Washington, D.C., says the new findings are likely not generalizable to people in the U.S.
"This study wasn't designed to look at consumers, who in contrast to the Chinese workers in this study are exposed to low levels of BPA," he says.
"In the U.S., worker safety programs limit exposure to BPA with proper personal protective equipment," he says. As a result, exposures are likely not as high among U.S. workers.
And "even with extreme high exposures in this study, most of the workers with poor sperm quality still did not meet criteria for infertility as designated by the World Health Organization," he says.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, listen to "Dr. Asa on Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
Dad's High Fat Diet May Cause Diabetes in Daughters
The following article was recently featured on "Dr. Asa on Call" with Dr. Asa Andrew:
While everyone knows a pregnant mother's poor health habits can have negative effects on the development and long-term health of her offspring, very little attention has been given to the health of fathers. But a preliminary study suggests that fathers who eat high-fat diets prior to conception could lead their daughters to develop type 2 diabetes.
A new study published in the journal Nature last week suggests that dad's weight, metabolic health, blood glucose levels and physical fitness levels prior to conception could all pass on potential health problems to his children. Findings are preliminary, however, as the study was conducted on rats, not humans, in a laboratory at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.
Researchers discovered that the female offspring of male rats consuming a high-fat diet who were paired with non-diabetic females began developing signs of diabetes by 13 weeks. Those daughters all had fathers who were obese and diabetic at the time of conception.
As a result, study authors suggest that the sperm of diabetic and obese males may be compromised, leading to health problems down the road for their children, particularly development of diabetes.
"If it is true in humans, then it may be potentially contributing to what seems to be the amplification of the obesity and diabetes epidemic," Margaret Morris, senior author of the study, told Reuters.
Dr. Peter McGovern, director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, told AOL Health the results of such studies are intriguing, particularly given his own experience treating couples for infertility. "I've had many couples over the years who have failed to achieve pregnancy, and I've told them to control diabetes or the sperm won't function well," he says. Those who take his advice usually find conception easier.
McGovern says obese men often have a hard time conceiving, but that it may be because they're borderline diabetic or suffer insulin resistance. However, he says there is no significant data on how the sperm of diabetic men may impact offspring health beyond the moment of conception.
But he believes there could be a connection. "Diabetes or insulin resistance clearly causes reproductive problems in women," he adds, "so we think it plays a role in men as well."
His advice to diabetic or obese men who are thinking of having kids? Get the diabetes under control. At the very least, it will likely increase a couple's chances for conception, and it could perhaps have impacts on the fetus' health as well. "We know smoking, drug use and excessive alcohol consumption all affect the health of sperm," McGovern says, and he urges men and women who want to be parents to work on getting fit and healthy first.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, listen to "Dr. Asa on Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
While everyone knows a pregnant mother's poor health habits can have negative effects on the development and long-term health of her offspring, very little attention has been given to the health of fathers. But a preliminary study suggests that fathers who eat high-fat diets prior to conception could lead their daughters to develop type 2 diabetes.
A new study published in the journal Nature last week suggests that dad's weight, metabolic health, blood glucose levels and physical fitness levels prior to conception could all pass on potential health problems to his children. Findings are preliminary, however, as the study was conducted on rats, not humans, in a laboratory at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.
Researchers discovered that the female offspring of male rats consuming a high-fat diet who were paired with non-diabetic females began developing signs of diabetes by 13 weeks. Those daughters all had fathers who were obese and diabetic at the time of conception.
As a result, study authors suggest that the sperm of diabetic and obese males may be compromised, leading to health problems down the road for their children, particularly development of diabetes.
"If it is true in humans, then it may be potentially contributing to what seems to be the amplification of the obesity and diabetes epidemic," Margaret Morris, senior author of the study, told Reuters.
Dr. Peter McGovern, director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, told AOL Health the results of such studies are intriguing, particularly given his own experience treating couples for infertility. "I've had many couples over the years who have failed to achieve pregnancy, and I've told them to control diabetes or the sperm won't function well," he says. Those who take his advice usually find conception easier.
McGovern says obese men often have a hard time conceiving, but that it may be because they're borderline diabetic or suffer insulin resistance. However, he says there is no significant data on how the sperm of diabetic men may impact offspring health beyond the moment of conception.
But he believes there could be a connection. "Diabetes or insulin resistance clearly causes reproductive problems in women," he adds, "so we think it plays a role in men as well."
His advice to diabetic or obese men who are thinking of having kids? Get the diabetes under control. At the very least, it will likely increase a couple's chances for conception, and it could perhaps have impacts on the fetus' health as well. "We know smoking, drug use and excessive alcohol consumption all affect the health of sperm," McGovern says, and he urges men and women who want to be parents to work on getting fit and healthy first.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, listen to "Dr. Asa on Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
Accurate Diagnosis of Dementia Type Crucial for Treatment, Future Interventions
The following article will be featured on an upcoming episode of "Dr. Asa on Call" with Dr. Asa Andrew.
Clinical evaluations for specific type of dementing neurodegenerative disease are critically important, suggest 2 new literature reviews from German researchers.
In the first analysis, investigators write that correct diagnosis is crucial because treatment differs significantly between dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), Parkinson disease dementia (PDD), and Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia.
For patients with DLB, cognitive and/or psychiatric impairments are their first symptoms. For them, dopaminergic treatments should be given "if motor manifestations arise within 1 year," write Brit Mollenhauer, PD, Dr. med, from the Paracelsus-Elena Hospital in Kassel and the Georg-August University in Göttingen, Germany, and colleagues.
In PDD, memory impairment and cognitive deficits occur only after motor symptoms have fully developed and been present for at least 1 year. For these patients, the study authors write that early screening is needed so that "further diagnostic and therapeutic steps can be taken in timely fashion."
In addition, both DLB and PDD patients have been found to respond well to cholinesterase inhibitors for treating cognitive problems and behavioral disturbances. However, "because of the serious side effects associated with administration of traditional neuroleptic drugs, it’s important to distinguish" these dementia types from AD, add the study authors.
In the second review, the researchers note that new biomarkers can increase the probability of identifying AD at the predisease stage of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to higher than 80%.
"Early detection of [AD] before the onset of dementia provides an opportunity to study potential approaches for secondary prevention, which are now an object of intense clinical research," write Gerhard W. Eschweiler, PD, Dr. med, from the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the University of Tübingen and from the Geriatric Center at the University Hospital of Tubingen, Germany, and colleagues.
The 2 reviews were published in the October dementia theme issue of Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, the official journal of the German Medical Association.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, listen to "Dr. Asa on Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
Clinical evaluations for specific type of dementing neurodegenerative disease are critically important, suggest 2 new literature reviews from German researchers.
In the first analysis, investigators write that correct diagnosis is crucial because treatment differs significantly between dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), Parkinson disease dementia (PDD), and Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia.
For patients with DLB, cognitive and/or psychiatric impairments are their first symptoms. For them, dopaminergic treatments should be given "if motor manifestations arise within 1 year," write Brit Mollenhauer, PD, Dr. med, from the Paracelsus-Elena Hospital in Kassel and the Georg-August University in Göttingen, Germany, and colleagues.
In PDD, memory impairment and cognitive deficits occur only after motor symptoms have fully developed and been present for at least 1 year. For these patients, the study authors write that early screening is needed so that "further diagnostic and therapeutic steps can be taken in timely fashion."
In addition, both DLB and PDD patients have been found to respond well to cholinesterase inhibitors for treating cognitive problems and behavioral disturbances. However, "because of the serious side effects associated with administration of traditional neuroleptic drugs, it’s important to distinguish" these dementia types from AD, add the study authors.
In the second review, the researchers note that new biomarkers can increase the probability of identifying AD at the predisease stage of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to higher than 80%.
"Early detection of [AD] before the onset of dementia provides an opportunity to study potential approaches for secondary prevention, which are now an object of intense clinical research," write Gerhard W. Eschweiler, PD, Dr. med, from the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the University of Tübingen and from the Geriatric Center at the University Hospital of Tubingen, Germany, and colleagues.
The 2 reviews were published in the October dementia theme issue of Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, the official journal of the German Medical Association.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew, listen to "Dr. Asa on Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
Regular Exercise a Must for Frail Obese Dieters
The following is an article that Dr. Asa Andrew will be discussing on an upcoming episode of "Dr. Asa on Call"
Frail obese elderly patients who are dieting to lose weight and improve their health should incorporate regular exercise into their weight-loss regimen to prevent bone loss, according to research presented here at the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research 2010 Annual Meeting.
"Regular exercise is effective in preventing bone loss and increasing bone turnover during dietary-induced weight loss in obese older adults with adequate calcium and vitamin D intake," said Krupa Shah, MD, from the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York. "Therefore, exercise should be included as part of a comprehensive weight-loss program to offset the adverse effects of dietary-induced weight loss on bone."
Weight loss improves frailty and metabolic and coronary heart disease risk factors in obese older adults, but can also cause bone loss and increase the risk for fracture, Dr. Shah noted.
When the investigators began this study, it was not known whether exercise training would offset these effects.
They randomized 107 obese individuals with a body mass index above 30 kg/m2 who were older than 65 years to 1 of 4 groups: diet only, exercise training, diet plus exercise training, and a control group, which received advice on a healthy lifestyle.
All participants received daily supplemental calcium (1200 to 1500 mg) and vitamin D (1000 IU).
At the end of the 1-year study, patients in the diet only group had lost a mean of 10 lb, and those in the diet plus exercise training group had lost a mean of 9 lb; patients in the exercise training and control groups maintained their weight.
The study also found that participants in the diet only group had a mean reduction in total hip bone mineral density of 2.3%, compared with those in the control group (P < .05). However, in the exercise training group, there was a 1.3% increase in total hip bone mineral density.
In the diet plus exercise training group and the control group, there was no change in hip bone mineral density.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew listent to "Dr. Asa on Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
Frail obese elderly patients who are dieting to lose weight and improve their health should incorporate regular exercise into their weight-loss regimen to prevent bone loss, according to research presented here at the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research 2010 Annual Meeting.
"Regular exercise is effective in preventing bone loss and increasing bone turnover during dietary-induced weight loss in obese older adults with adequate calcium and vitamin D intake," said Krupa Shah, MD, from the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York. "Therefore, exercise should be included as part of a comprehensive weight-loss program to offset the adverse effects of dietary-induced weight loss on bone."
Weight loss improves frailty and metabolic and coronary heart disease risk factors in obese older adults, but can also cause bone loss and increase the risk for fracture, Dr. Shah noted.
When the investigators began this study, it was not known whether exercise training would offset these effects.
They randomized 107 obese individuals with a body mass index above 30 kg/m2 who were older than 65 years to 1 of 4 groups: diet only, exercise training, diet plus exercise training, and a control group, which received advice on a healthy lifestyle.
All participants received daily supplemental calcium (1200 to 1500 mg) and vitamin D (1000 IU).
At the end of the 1-year study, patients in the diet only group had lost a mean of 10 lb, and those in the diet plus exercise training group had lost a mean of 9 lb; patients in the exercise training and control groups maintained their weight.
The study also found that participants in the diet only group had a mean reduction in total hip bone mineral density of 2.3%, compared with those in the control group (P < .05). However, in the exercise training group, there was a 1.3% increase in total hip bone mineral density.
In the diet plus exercise training group and the control group, there was no change in hip bone mineral density.
To hear more of Dr. Asa Andrew listent to "Dr. Asa on Call" or log onto www.drasa.com
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