A pain response that scorpion toxin triggers may help researchers further their understanding of chronic pain and allow them to develop new therapies.
Saturday, August 31, 2019
Medical News Today: Kidney disease: Does gout increase risk?
A recent study finds that people with gout have a higher risk of advanced chronic kidney disease. The results could help design preventive strategies.
Medical News Today: The 7 best supplements for keto diets
People following the keto diet may find that certain supplements can help boost its effectiveness, prevent nutrient deficiencies, and reduce side effects. In this article, we highlight the best supplements and explain why they might be useful.
Medical News Today: What side effects can fish oil cause?
Fish oil supplements contain healthful omega-3 fatty acids. These dietary fats are available in fresh fish, as well, but too many may lead to unwanted or even dangerous side effects.
Medical News Today: Cystic fibrosis carriers: What to know
Cystic fibrosis is a prevalent condition that people can be carriers of without knowing. Testing is available to help a person find out whether cystic fibrosis (CF) might affect them or their child.
Medical News Today: What are the types of vagina?
There are many different types of vagina, and the shape, size, and color naturally vary. In this article, learn more about the types of vagina and when the appearance can indicate a health issue.
Medical News Today: What causes hard stool and how to treat it
Hard stool, which is often difficult or painful to pass, is a common symptom of constipation. Causes include diet, medications, and certain medical conditions. Learn more about the causes and treatment of hard stool here.
Medical News Today: What to know about hand pimples
What seems like a pimple on the hand is likely to result from eczema, warts, or another health issue. Learn more about bumps and lesions that develop on the hand here.
Medical News Today: Are gluten free diets good for diabetes?
Gluten is not harmful for most people with diabetes, though in some cases, a gluten free diet can be beneficial. Learn more about it here.
Medical News Today: What can cause bumps on the elbows?
Bumps on the elbows can be due to a skin condition, irritation, or an underlying injury. Learn more about these different causes and their treatment options.
State health officials ask health-care providers to report cases of any lung problems related to e-cigarettes, with plans to investigate
State health officials will be working closely with health-care providers, local health departments and federal health officials to gather information and investigate any cases of severe pulmonary disease related to use of electronic cigarettes and related products, primarily among teens and young adults.
As of Aug. 27, 215 cases of severe respiratory disease, possibly associated with electronic cigarette use, had been reported in 25 states. One patient in Illinois (no more specific location given) with a history of recent e-cigarette use was hospitalized with severe pulmonary disease and died Aug. 20.
“While there have [been] no reported cases of severe respiratory illness related to e-cigarette or vaping in Kentucky so far, we remain vigilant in alerting health care providers to be on the lookout for patients with severe respiratory symptoms who report using electronic cigarettes or other vaping devices before they got sick,” Dr. Doug Thoroughman, acting state epidemiologist for the state Department for Public Health, said in a news release.
The announcement was made the same day the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an official health advisory asking providers to report cases of severe pulmonary disease of unclear cause and a history of e-cigarette product use within the past 90 days to the state and local health department.
The advisory says, "All patients have reported using e-cigarette products, and the symptom onset has ranged from a few days to several weeks after e-cigarette use. Within two states, recent inhalation of cannabinoid products, THC or cannabidiol, have been reported in many of the patients. To date, no single substance or e-cigarette product has been consistently associated with illness."
Thoroughman said Kentucky health officials will send out public-health alerts to clinicians early next week with a plan to collect information and investigate any cases reported for common factors on products that may be the source of the illness.
Patients have had symptoms including cough, shortness of breath and fatigue, with symptoms growing worse over a period of days or weeks before admission to the hospital. Other symptoms may include fever, chest pain, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Most of the cases reported are among adolescents and young adults, according to the state news release.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, state health officials ask that you refrain from further use of electronic cigarettes but keep the device for possible further investigation. The FDA encourages the public to submit detailed reports of any unexpected health issues related to tobacco or e-cigarettes to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration via its online Safety Reporting Portal.
As of Aug. 27, 215 cases of severe respiratory disease, possibly associated with electronic cigarette use, had been reported in 25 states. One patient in Illinois (no more specific location given) with a history of recent e-cigarette use was hospitalized with severe pulmonary disease and died Aug. 20.
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| Leafly photo |
The announcement was made the same day the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an official health advisory asking providers to report cases of severe pulmonary disease of unclear cause and a history of e-cigarette product use within the past 90 days to the state and local health department.
The advisory says, "All patients have reported using e-cigarette products, and the symptom onset has ranged from a few days to several weeks after e-cigarette use. Within two states, recent inhalation of cannabinoid products, THC or cannabidiol, have been reported in many of the patients. To date, no single substance or e-cigarette product has been consistently associated with illness."
Thoroughman said Kentucky health officials will send out public-health alerts to clinicians early next week with a plan to collect information and investigate any cases reported for common factors on products that may be the source of the illness.
Patients have had symptoms including cough, shortness of breath and fatigue, with symptoms growing worse over a period of days or weeks before admission to the hospital. Other symptoms may include fever, chest pain, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Most of the cases reported are among adolescents and young adults, according to the state news release.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, state health officials ask that you refrain from further use of electronic cigarettes but keep the device for possible further investigation. The FDA encourages the public to submit detailed reports of any unexpected health issues related to tobacco or e-cigarettes to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration via its online Safety Reporting Portal.
Friday, August 30, 2019
Medical News Today: New moles and what to look out for
Moles, or pigmented growths on the skin, are usually harmless. Most appear in childhood, but adults can develop moles, too, and some may turn into melanomas. Find out what to look for here.
Medical News Today: Is allulose a healthful alternative to sugar?
Alluose is a natural sweetener that can be used as an alternative to sugar. Learn about the possible health benefits, risks, and how to use allulose here.
Medical News Today: 4 natural ways to increase glutathione
Glutathione is an important antioxidant with a range of health benefits. There are several natural ways in which a person can boost their glutathione levels. Learn more here.
Medical News Today: What to know about diabetes and constipation
Diabetes can directly and indirectly cause constipation. We discuss the link between diabetes and constipation and look at the symptoms and treatment of diabetes-related constipation.
Medical News Today: How are diabetes and stress linked?
Diabetes and stress seem to be linked in several important ways. This article explores how stress can lead to diabetes, how diabetes can cause stress, and research backed ways to manage stress.
Medical News Today: What to know about glycosuria
Glycosuria is where the urine contains more blood sugar (glucose) than usual. Diabetes and kidney disease can cause glycosuria. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatments here.
Medical News Today: 4 top tips for coping with social anxiety
Social anxiety can have a crucial impact on a person's well-being and quality of life. Read this Spotlight feature for tips on how to manage it.
Medical News Today: Letter from the Editor: Collaborate and celebrate
The Medical News Today team has a lot to celebrate this month, but, as Managing Editor Honor Whiteman discusses, it's all down to collaboration.
Medical News Today: AI-enhanced ECGs may soon assess overall health
The ability of artificial intelligence to predict sex and estimate age from electrocardiogram readouts shows potential as a measure of overall health.
Medical News Today: Do plant based diets deprive the brain of an essential nutrient?
Choline is an essential nutrient that our bodies must get from food or supplements. A new article suggests meat free diets may create a choline deficiency.
Medical News Today: Diabetes, obesity: Is gene editing the answer?
In a new study in obese, diabetic mice, researchers used a modified CRISPR gene editing tool to reduce body weight and improve signs of type 2 diabetes.
Medical News Today: Heart health: Focus on healthful foods rather than diet type
New research looks at proportions of macronutrients, such as carbs, protein, or fats, in three different diets and their effects on cardiovascular health.
Medical News Today: Can you have too much vitamin B-12?
Many vitamin B-12 supplements contain much more of the vitamin than the body needs. No research has yet found any side effects from taking too much vitamin B-12. Learn more here.
Medical News Today: How can diabetes cause joint pain?
Diabetes can lead to joint pain by affecting the muscles, skeleton, and nervous system. It also has links with two types of arthritis. Learn more here.
September is National Recovery Month; recovering addict Rex Chapman slated to attend event in Paintsville Sept. 21
Every September, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration sponsors National Recovery Month to increase awareness and understanding of substance-use and mental disorders and to celebrate the people who recover.
"This observance celebrates the millions of Americans who are in recovery from mental and substance-use disorders, reminding us that treatment is effective and that people can and do recover," says a National Recovery Month report that discusses common disorders and misused substances.
The 2019 theme is "Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Are Stronger," which SAMHSA says emphasizes the need to share resources and build networks across the country that support recovery in all its forms. This is the 30th anniversary of the event.
This year's focus is on the various groups that support recovery in our society, including community members, first responders, the health-care community, youth and emerging leaders.
Mental and substance-use disorders are quite prevalent in the United States, with 46.6 million adults 18 or older having any mental illness in the past year and in 2017, an estimated 30.5 million Americans aged 12 and older currently using illicit drugs or used an illicit drug in the past month, says the National Recovery Month report.
"The observance reinforces the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall heath, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover," says The Association for Addiction Professionals on its website.
Only one event is listed for Kentucky on the National Recovery Month webpage. The Kentucky Addiction Center is partnering with the Rex Chapman Foundation to sponsor the "Recovery Out Loud" event. It will be held at Paintsville Lake State Park in Staffordsville from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 21. The event will include a full day of food, music and activities, including a 5K run, stories of success and a chance to meet former University of Kentucky basketball star Rex Chapman, who played 12 years in the NBA, and to hear his story of addiction and recovery.
SAMHSA offers a Recovery Month Toolkit for individuals and organizations to use to increase awareness about recovery. It includes tips and resources for planning Recovery Month events and for distributing information in communities.
"This observance celebrates the millions of Americans who are in recovery from mental and substance-use disorders, reminding us that treatment is effective and that people can and do recover," says a National Recovery Month report that discusses common disorders and misused substances.
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| This year's new logo features an typewriter "r" for recovery. |
This year's focus is on the various groups that support recovery in our society, including community members, first responders, the health-care community, youth and emerging leaders.
Mental and substance-use disorders are quite prevalent in the United States, with 46.6 million adults 18 or older having any mental illness in the past year and in 2017, an estimated 30.5 million Americans aged 12 and older currently using illicit drugs or used an illicit drug in the past month, says the National Recovery Month report.
"The observance reinforces the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall heath, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover," says The Association for Addiction Professionals on its website.
Only one event is listed for Kentucky on the National Recovery Month webpage. The Kentucky Addiction Center is partnering with the Rex Chapman Foundation to sponsor the "Recovery Out Loud" event. It will be held at Paintsville Lake State Park in Staffordsville from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 21. The event will include a full day of food, music and activities, including a 5K run, stories of success and a chance to meet former University of Kentucky basketball star Rex Chapman, who played 12 years in the NBA, and to hear his story of addiction and recovery.
SAMHSA offers a Recovery Month Toolkit for individuals and organizations to use to increase awareness about recovery. It includes tips and resources for planning Recovery Month events and for distributing information in communities.
Driving for teens with ADHD: What parents need to know
For all parents, it’s a scary time when their teen starts to drive. For parents of teens with ADHD, it can be — and should be — even scarier.
ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a condition that can cause problems with attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. These are not problems you want to have when you are driving.
What does research tell us about ADHD in teens and driving?
In a 2019 study published in Pediatrics, researchers looked at information about accidents, violations, and suspensions over the first four years of licensure for about 15,000 adolescent drivers. About 2,000 of these teens had ADHD. Here is what they found:
- The four-year crash rate for drivers with ADHD was 37% higher than for those without ADHD.
- The drivers with ADHD had a 62% higher rate of injury crashes, and a 109% higher rate of alcohol-related crashes.
- Teens with ADHD had a 36% rate of traffic violations, compared with 25% for those without.
- Teens with ADHD had a 27% rate of moving violations, compared with 19% for those without.
- 17 percent of teens with ADHD had their license suspended, compared with 10% of those who did not have ADHD.
- Teens with ADHD had a higher risk of speeding, not wearing seat belts, alcohol and/or drug use while driving, and using electronic equipment while driving.
- Teens with ADHD had a higher risk of accidents and other problems in the first month of driving.
Delaying driving to 18 rather than 17 didn’t make a difference. Additionally, delaying driving until 18 has a downside. At 18, graduated driving laws may not apply. These are laws designed to put some limitations on early drivers, such as not allowing them to drive with passengers, limiting the hours they can drive, and having stiff penalties for electronic device use.
The researchers also found in a previous study that there wasn’t a big difference in crash risk whether or not teens were being medicated for their ADHD. The best strategies for preventing accidents have to do with skills training — and with parents being involved in shared decision-making about when and how their teens drive.
Safe driving advice for parents of teens with ADHD
Here are some suggestions for parents of teens with ADHD when it comes to driving:
- Make sure they take a formal driver’s education class.
- Although medications didn’t seem to make a difference in the study, talk to your doctor about doing everything you can to maximize your teen’s treatment of ADHD before he or she starts driving. This may include medication, behavioral therapy, or something else.
- Before your teen gets a license, spend lots of time together in the car. Do many hours of driving together, working on skills and behaviors to keep them safe. Don’t let them take the driving test until you feel comfortable that they have learned those skills and behaviors.
Additionally, set rules about safe driving, and enforce them. This is crucial. These rules should cover things like:
- Number and type of passengers. Passengers increase crash risk. Some passengers are more distracting than others.
- Speed. Teen drivers must know and obey speed limits.
- Distraction. Any distraction that causes teens to glance away from the road for more than two seconds increases crash risk nearly four times — and distraction involving an electronic device increases it 5.5 times. Looking at phones is obviously a big distraction. So is looking out a side window, looking at a passenger, reaching for something that falls on the floor, or fiddling with a stereo system.
- Driving drowsy. Agree on rules to prevent this from happening.
- Any alcohol or substance use. There needs to be zero tolerance for this.
Parents might also want to consider using technology to help them. Many cars now come equipped with software that alerts drivers about risks or even starts braking before a collision. There are also apps that can help stop people from texting while they drive. Technology has limitations, but can sometimes help.
For more information about helping any teen drive safely, check out these tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Follow me on Twitter @drClaire
The post Driving for teens with ADHD: What parents need to know appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Medical News Today: What to know about a foot infection
Foot infections can be painful and may develop for several different reasons. We discuss what symptoms to expect and how to treat them.
Medical News Today: Home remedies to get rid of pimples fast
In this article, we look at different ways to get rid of pimples fast, including a range of home remedies, as well as how to prevent further pimples.
Medical News Today: What to know about PCOS and diabetes
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and diabetes often co-occur. This article looks at the links between PCOS and diabetes and how to treat both conditions.
Medical News Today: What is an MTHFR mutation?
An MTHFR mutation is the mutation of a gene that regulates the production of a specific enzyme. This type of mutation can potentially lead to a number of health conditions. Learn more here.
Medical News Today: Everything you need to know about plant based diets
A plant based diet is one that focuses on healthful wholefoods and excludes or limits meat and dairy products. Learn more about the benefits and how to follow a plant based diet here.
Medical News Today: What to know about chickenpox in adults
Chickenpox usually affects children, but it can also occur in adults. In this article, we look at the specific symptoms and treatments of chickenpox in adults.
Medical News Today: Could bone-like particles in blood contribute to artery clogging?
Scientists have discovered that circulating blood contains bone-like particles and suggest that they may contribute to atherosclerosis.
Medical News Today: Can graphene help fight mosquito bites?
Mosquitos transmit a significant number of serious diseases. Preventing them from biting is difficult, but some researchers think graphene may hold clues.
Medical News Today: We follow the same old patterns in new romantic relationships
Recent evidence suggests that relationship dynamics tend to remain unchanged across different intimate partnerships, despite our expectations of change.
Medical News Today: Red wine in moderation may protect gut health
An observational study finds that people who drink red wine regularly but in moderation have healthier, more diverse gut microbiotas than those who don't.
Medical News Today: Why am I dizzy after eating?
Dizziness after eating can have many causes, including low blood sugar, low blood pressure, and specific foods. Learn more about some of the causes of dizziness after eating here.
Medical News Today: Causes and treatment of a persistent low grade fever
A persistent low grade fever is when a person’s temperature remains between 100.4°F and 102.2°F for more than two weeks. Learn about the possible causes and treatments here.
Medical News Today: The duration of dry socket
Dry socket can last up to 7 days. It can occur after tooth extraction and causes symptoms, including intense pain. Learn more here.
Medical News Today: Causes and treatment of puffy nipples in men
Men can develop puffy nipples due to hormone changes, body fat, and several other factors. Making dietary and exercise-related changes may help. Learn more here.
Medical News Today: How to identify and treat a herpes skin rash
Herpes skin rash outbreaks usually affect the mouth or genitals but can appear anywhere on the body. Learn about identifying and treating herpes skin rashes here.
Medical News Today: How to get more vitamin D from the sun
Even a short time in the sun can provide all the vitamin D a person needs for the day. Learn how to get the most vitamin D from the sun, and other sources, here.
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
86 percent of Kentucky's school districts have already adopted tobacco-free polices, ahead of state law with opt-out provision
Only 24 of Kentucky's 172 school districts, or 14 percent, have not passed a tobacco-free policy that mirrors a new state law that will take effect next July 1, according to the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, which says more districts are expected to enact the policy soon.
The law gives districts the ability to opt out of the law during its first three years, but it seems to have prompted them to opt in. Half of the districts with the policy have enacted it since Gov. Matt Bevin signed the law April 9, the foundation's Bonnie Hackbarth said. When it was signed, only 74 of the state's 172 school districts, or 42 percent, were fully tobacco-free.
Many of the adopters since Aug. 9 were in a swath of counties in the Pennyroyal regions of Southern Kentucky, from Taylor and Cumberland in the east to Lyon in the west; tobacco production remains common in the region, and there is a smokeless tobacco plant in Hopkinsville, the seat of Christian County, which has not adopted the policy. Here are maps showing the increase since April:
Medical News Today: What is Lynch syndrome?
Lynch syndrome is a genetic condition that increases a person’s risk of developing colorectal cancer. Learn more about its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment here.
Medical News Today: What to know about tonsillectomy scabs
Tonsillectomy scabs develop after surgery and typically fall off after about 10 days. Light bleeding is a normal part of healing, but people experiencing mores significant bleeding should see a doctor.
Medical News Today: Deaths to heart related conditions rising in the US
Progress against cardiovascular disease appears to be slipping in the United States as a new study reveals total related deaths rising since 2011.
Medical News Today: WHO publish report on microplastics in drinking water
A recent report from the WHO examines the potential impact of microplastics on human health. The main conclusion is that more research is sorely needed.
Medical News Today: Memory boost: One-off exercise as effective as 12 weeks' training
A new small trial suggests that a 'day by day' approach to aerobic exercise can offer a memory boost and other cognitive benefits to older individuals.
Medical News Today: Do antibiotics raise the risk of rheumatoid arthritis?
A large-scale study finds a link between the antibiotics doctors use to treat some types of infection and a higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
Medical News Today: Simply being with someone you love can lessen physical pain
According to a recent study, all it takes for us to feel less pain is to be in the presence of our significant other, even if we do not speak or touch.
Medical News Today: What to know about nosebleeds with clots
Several factors can cause nosebleeds with clots, including physical trauma, allergies, and a deviated septum. It is fairly easy to stop a nosebleed at home. Learn more here.
Medical News Today: How to treat and prevent bumps after waxing
Many people develop bumps on the skin after waxing. In this article, we look at how to prevent and treat bumps after waxing, as well as why they develop.
Simple ways to wake up your workout
Going to the gym regularly seems to be an exceptional act. Three 45-minute workouts are just a tick under the federal government’s recommendation of 150 weekly minutes of moderate activity. Yet according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than three-quarters of United States adults don’t reach that threshold.
But let’s say you’ve established a fitness habit. The next challenge is what do with your time. Regardless of how solid your initial program is, eventually a sameness creeps in: the same exercises, same order, same weight — same routine overall. The body and mind respond by becoming bored. Is there a way to wake up your workout?
The easy antidote is to make a change. “In order to make something different happen, you need to challenge your body in a different way,” says Josie Gardiner, a personal trainer in the Boston area. You could hire a trainer to revamp your program. That isn’t a bad move, but it’s even simpler to slightly alter what you’re currently doing. Your time in the gym will be reinvigorated. And you’ll shift your mindset from just getting through your workout to believing, “I could do more than I thought,” Gardiner says.
Tweak your treadmill workout
By changing just one element, you can make your workout shorter — between 30 to 35 minutes — and more efficient. Choose among these options depending on how you feel.
Vary the speed. A fairly typical treadmill workout runs at a pace of 3.5 to 4 miles per hour for 45 minutes. Instead, interval train, Gardiner says. Research on healthy, young to middle-age adults shows that high-intensity interval training is better than endurance training at increasing VO2 max, the amount of oxygen the body takes in and uses during exercise. A higher VO2max indicates better conditioning and aerobic performance. Warm up at your normal starting speed for five minutes. Then start your interval cycle by increasing your speed by 1.0 miles per hour for one minute, then returning to your base rate for two minutes. Repeat this cycle six to eight times, ending with a five-minute cool down at a slower pace. This workout takes less than 35 minutes to complete.
Vary rest time. As you build your endurance, try cutting the rest time in each interval cycle to one minute. This shortens your workout even more and makes it harder.
Vary the incline. Warm up at your starting pace for five minutes, then increase the slope of the incline by one degree every minute with a goal of getting to 10. Once there, come back down by one degree every minute. End with a five-minute cool down. This is another way of changing the intensity, and it only takes 30 minutes.
Tweak your weight workout
Choose just one element to change at a time:
Play with pace. When using weights, vary the pace at which you lift the weights up and bring them back down to starting position. Count 2 seconds up, 2 seconds down; 3 up, 1 down; 1 up, 3 down, 4 up, 4 down. Your muscles will work and react differently.
Add weight. If the last few reps of your set feels easy, you aren’t working hard enough — you have to strain a little. If that’s not happening, choose a heavier weight so that you find it difficult to do the last few reps. Aim for the fewest additional pounds that your gym options allow. Most importantly, maintain good technique. “The minute you lose form, you’ve lost the exercise,” Gardiner says.
Change your hand position. The modifications will hit different parts of the muscle. With bicep curls, rotate your hands towards each other, with thumbs on top instead of pointing towards the walls, to make the exercise into a hammer curl. With a lat pulldown, you can either narrow or widen your grip on the bar. With a seated row, you can use different bars; a triangular one for a close grip, the lat pulldown bar for a wide one. With lateral dumbbell raises, rather than lifting to the sides, lift the weights straight out in front of you to shoulder height.
Focus on the feel. Regardless of what you do when lifting weights, the fundamental aspect to remember is that you’re targeting a specific muscle. It sounds overly obvious and basic, but concentrate on the muscle and feel it squeeze. “It puts your brain in the middle of muscle,” Gardiner says. It strengthens the mind-body connection. What’s more, a small study of college-age men suggests that focusing on the contraction can increase muscle size.
The post Simple ways to wake up your workout appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Medical News Today: How to diagnose a fever at home
Using a thermometer is the simplest way to tell whether a person has a fever, but other at-home methods can help. Learn these techniques here.
Medical News Today: What to know about kidney pain after drinking alcohol
The kidneys are responsible for filtering out waste products, including alcohol, from the body. Kidney pain can be a sign of serious health issues. Learn more in this article.
Medical News Today: What is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo?
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a condition that commonly causes dizziness. Specific head movements may trigger symptoms, but people can usually treat BPPV with exercises and medication. Learn more here.
Medical News Today: Is red meat bad for your health?
Red meat is a good source of protein and iron, though research has linked it to heart disease, certain cancers, and other health conditions. Learn whether red meat is good or bad for health, as well as what the official dietary guidelines recommend, here.
Medical News Today: Feeling angry: Mental health and what to do
Anger is a natural human emotion. Although occasional anger affects most people, regularly feeling angry can affect quality of life. Learn about some causes of anger, as well as what to do, here.
Medical News Today: What is breast implant illness?
Doctors do not currently recognize breast implant illness as a medical condition. However, many people report experiencing it. Learn more here.
Medical News Today: People with higher optimism more likely to live 'exceptionally long lives'
A new study that followed tens of thousands of adults found that those with higher optimism lived longer and were more likely to reach 85 years of age.
Medical News Today: Eye tracking tests may predict Alzheimer's risk
Eye tracking tests help to distinguish between two subtypes of mild cognitive impairment and their respective risks of becoming Alzheimer's.
Medical News Today: How do brain fluctuations drive risk taking behavior?
New research shows how subtle natural fluctuations in resting brain activity most likely impact our inclination toward risk taking behaviors.
Medical News Today: Does erectile dysfunction impact productivity at work?
Scientists know that erectile dysfunction is common and reduces the perceived quality of life, but its impact on productivity at work is less studied.
Medical News Today: Altering an unhealthy gut microbiome could stave off chronic disease
New research in mice shows that turning an unhealthy microbiome into a healthy one may provide an alternative way to stave off cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Angela Tackett Dearinger, UK physician, appointed commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health
By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News
The state Cabinet for Health and Family Services has named Dr. Angela Tackett Dearinger commissioner of its Department for Public Health.
Dearinger is board-certified in internal medicine, pediatrics, public health and general preventive medicine. She is an associate professor at the University of Kentucky and is its College of Medicine's assistant dean for accreditation of graduate medical education. She has also been associate chief of staff for education for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals in Lexington.
One of Dearinger's mentors, Dr. F. Douglas Scutchfield, the Peter P. Bosomworth Professor Emeritus in the UK College of Public Health, called her a "superlative" choice.
"What she'll bring to this role is a broad knowledge of what current public health is about," Scutchfield said. "She understands from an academic perspective and from her relationships with the practice community at local and state levels how you can intervene on a population basis to improve health status." He later added, "I think she will do a marvelous job. I'm just delighted."
Dearinger helped create the Kentucky Public Health Research Network, the first practice-based research network for public health in Kentucky. Last year Gov. Matt Bevin appointed her to the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure.
She graduated from Transylvania University and the UK College of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham then earned Master of Public Health degree at UK.
In a news release, state Health Secretary Adam Meier called Dearinger a "proven leader with outstanding qualifications and a thorough understanding of Kentucky's public health system."
"The Kentucky Department of Public Health is at a pivotal point in its history, working to address many population-health issues in fiscally challenging times," Meier said in the release. "Successfully navigating through these complex issues will require great leadership, and to that end I am excited to have Dr. Angela Dearinger join DPH as the public health commissioner."
Dearinger is the third health commissioner under Bevin, who is running for a second four-year term this fall. She replaces Dr. Jeffrey Howard, who left in August to become a White House fellow, a year-long job as a full-time assistant to senior White House staff, cabinet secretaries or other major federal officials.
Howard became acting commissioner in November 2017, replacing Dr. Hiram Polk, who had brought him into the department and was forced out. Howard was named commissioner in June 2018, despite criticism that he made an inadequate response to a hepatitis A outbreak that began about the time Polk left. The outbreak became the nation's largest, and has killed 61 people.
Like Howard, Dearinger is from Eastern Kentucky. A Paintsville native, she lives in Versailles with her husband and three children. She said in the news release, "I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as the public health commissioner, and excited to collaborate with public health partners from across the commonwealth to address our shared health-care needs and challenges."
Kentucky Health News
The state Cabinet for Health and Family Services has named Dr. Angela Tackett Dearinger commissioner of its Department for Public Health.
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| Dr. Angela Tackett Dearinger |
One of Dearinger's mentors, Dr. F. Douglas Scutchfield, the Peter P. Bosomworth Professor Emeritus in the UK College of Public Health, called her a "superlative" choice.
"What she'll bring to this role is a broad knowledge of what current public health is about," Scutchfield said. "She understands from an academic perspective and from her relationships with the practice community at local and state levels how you can intervene on a population basis to improve health status." He later added, "I think she will do a marvelous job. I'm just delighted."
Dearinger helped create the Kentucky Public Health Research Network, the first practice-based research network for public health in Kentucky. Last year Gov. Matt Bevin appointed her to the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure.
She graduated from Transylvania University and the UK College of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham then earned Master of Public Health degree at UK.
In a news release, state Health Secretary Adam Meier called Dearinger a "proven leader with outstanding qualifications and a thorough understanding of Kentucky's public health system."
"The Kentucky Department of Public Health is at a pivotal point in its history, working to address many population-health issues in fiscally challenging times," Meier said in the release. "Successfully navigating through these complex issues will require great leadership, and to that end I am excited to have Dr. Angela Dearinger join DPH as the public health commissioner."
Dearinger is the third health commissioner under Bevin, who is running for a second four-year term this fall. She replaces Dr. Jeffrey Howard, who left in August to become a White House fellow, a year-long job as a full-time assistant to senior White House staff, cabinet secretaries or other major federal officials.
Howard became acting commissioner in November 2017, replacing Dr. Hiram Polk, who had brought him into the department and was forced out. Howard was named commissioner in June 2018, despite criticism that he made an inadequate response to a hepatitis A outbreak that began about the time Polk left. The outbreak became the nation's largest, and has killed 61 people.
Like Howard, Dearinger is from Eastern Kentucky. A Paintsville native, she lives in Versailles with her husband and three children. She said in the news release, "I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as the public health commissioner, and excited to collaborate with public health partners from across the commonwealth to address our shared health-care needs and challenges."
Monday, August 26, 2019
Medical News Today: Blocking key protein could treat chronic pain
New research in mice sheds light on the development of chronic pain, and neuropathic pain, in particular, paving the way for more effective treatments.
Medical News Today: Mild cognitive impairment: Meditation can boost brain health
New research suggests that mindfulness meditation can help boost brain health and improve cognitive reserve in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
Stress-eating: Five strategies to slow down
Weight gain has many underlying causes but one of the most common is something we all experience: stress. Whether it’s the, mild temporary kind caused by a traffic jam or major and chronic, triggered by a traumatic life event — stress is no friend to your waistline. It can set off physical and emotional changes that drive you to eat more, crave less nutritious, fattening comfort foods — and even gain weight much more easily.
Stress-eating and cortisol
“Stress drives up levels of a hormone called cortisol in the blood,” says Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal gland that helps to regulate your metabolism. It also plays a role in blood sugar management and memory. When levels of cortisol rise, it can promote inflammation and may spur the body to start stockpiling fat around the midsection. “Stress might also disrupt sleep and drive people to seek out food when they wouldn’t normally — such as in the middle of the night,” says Dr. Stanford.
In earlier times this biological reaction to stress may have been beneficial, helping the body store up fuel for tough times ahead. But today, there’s typically no famine to outlast, no bear to outrun. Consequently, stress may just lead to unhealthy weight gain.
Feeling stressed?
Stress feels familiar to many of us. Yet some evidence suggests women are disproportionately affected by stress. A 2014 survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that women reported higher stress levels on average than men (5.2 out of 10 points for women, compared with 4.5 for men). Further, women were more likely than men to say that their stress levels were increasing (32% versus 25%).
Other factors matter, too. For example, the 2015 APA survey reports that average stress levels were highest among Hispanic adults versus all other races and ethnicities polled (5.9 vs 5.1 out of 10 points), and higher among people who identified as LGBT versus people who did not (6.0 vs 5.0 out of 10 points). Adults with disabilities reported extreme stress levels — 8, 9, or 10 on the 10-point scale — nearly twice as often as adults without disabilities.
Successfully managing stress may help control weight
While stress is an inevitable part of life for many people, the weight gain that can accompany it isn’t. Changing your response to stress and adopting strategies to reduce it can keep the numbers on your scale from moving in the wrong direction, says Dr. Stanford.
These five strategies may help:
Burn off tension. Exercise is a crucial component of stress management, because physical activity can actually reduce cortisol levels. But you will find excuses to avoid workouts if you dread them. Finding an activity you love — your “soulmate workout,” as Dr. Stanford calls it — can help you maintain the regular physical activity you need in order to dissolve daily stress. For some people it might be yoga, for others, high-intensity exercise — or a combination of the two.
Prioritize sleep. A lack of sleep can increase the amount of stress hormones circulating in your body. So ensuring you get enough restful slumber is crucial to managing stress effectively. “Avoid screen time at least an hour prior to bedtime,” says Dr. Stanford. This includes your smartphone. The blue light emitted by smartphones can interfere with sleep.
Change your outlook. The amount of stress you feel is based on circumstances and your perception of those circumstances. Two people may do the same job, yet only one perceives it as stressful. People also vary in their ability to manage stress, based on personality or early life experiences. Working to change the way you think about challenges can help reduce stress.
Plan ahead. If you are entering a high-stress period, prepare by setting up supports. “One woman I worked with gained weight at the same time each year around the anniversary of her child’s death,” says Dr. Stanford. If you’re getting ready for a stressful event or facing a work deadline, seek out additional support to help you through. This might include adjusting your schedule to add extra exercise, or making a healthy eating plan to help you resist the impulse to snack on unhealthy food.
Talk to your doctor. If you’re having problems coping with stress or controlling emotional eating, talk to your primary care physician. He or she may be able to refer you to a health coach, support services, or an obesity specialist. Medications might help some people, but these must be taken long-term or you may regain lost weight.
The post Stress-eating: Five strategies to slow down appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
Sunday, August 25, 2019
Medical News Today: Designing a blood test that can predict lifespan
A recent paper outlines researchers' efforts to design a blood test that can more accurately predict how long an individual has to live.
Medical News Today: Being easily fatigued may signal future heart problems
New research suggests that tiring after light physical tasks or exercise could be a signal for cardiovascular disease when people get older.
Study finds it takes longer than previously thought for a heavy smokers' risk of heart disease to be the same as a non-smoker
Quitting smoking has immediate benefits to the heart, but it takes longer than previously thought for a former smoker's risk of heart disease returns to the level of someone who has never smoked, Lisa Gillespie reports for Louisville's WFPL.
“The conventional wisdom is that within five years of smoking cessation, your cardiovascular risk goes back to that of someone who has never smoked, [but] we found that it could take longer,” lead study author Meredith Duncan, of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told Gillespie.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that among heavy smokers, within five years after quitting, a person's risk of heart disease is significantly lower than that of a person who continues to smoke, but it takes 10 to 15 years, and as much as 25 years, before their risk is the same as a person who has never smoked. A heavy smoker is someone who has smoked a pack a day for 20 years.
“Even among these really heavy smokers, we found that there’s a huge benefit of quitting, and that they experienced a 39 percent reduced risk of cardiovascular disease within five years of smoking cessation relative to people who continue to smoke,” Duncan told Gillespie.
"The upper estimate of this time course is a decade longer than that of the Nurses' Health Study results for coronary heart disease and cardiovascular death and more than 20 years longer than in some prior reports for coronary heart disease and stroke," says the study report.
Most concern about smoking is related to cancer, with little thought to how it affects the heart, Gillespie writes. She notes that cigarette smoking is linked to about 80% to 90% of lung cancer deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease and is responsible for 20% of all deaths from heart disease, the study says.
Duncan told Gillespie that doctors and other health-care providers should consider the study when treating patients who have quit smoking.
“Physicians really want to err on the side of caution,” she said. “They may want to say, ‘For up to 10 years, we’re going to consider you to be at higher risk’.”
Data for the study came from the nearly 8,800 men and women who took part in the Framingham Heart Study, a long-term, ongoing study of factors that contribute to heart disease. Duncan cautioned that the Framingham study is predominantly made up of white people who live in a community outside Boston, so it is not certain if these findings extends to other races or ethnicities.
Duncan told Gillespie that she and her team will now experiment with the existing heart risk calculator, a tool that is used for those who have not had a prior heart event, to predict their risk of a heart attack or stroke. She said they are adding questions about the time since a person quit and how heavily they smoked.
The researchers' hypothesis is that those additions might line up the risk calculations with her study results. “We want to see if … adding just those two variables to the calculator helps in aiding risk prediction among former smokers,” Duncan said.
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| Medical News Today photo |
The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that among heavy smokers, within five years after quitting, a person's risk of heart disease is significantly lower than that of a person who continues to smoke, but it takes 10 to 15 years, and as much as 25 years, before their risk is the same as a person who has never smoked. A heavy smoker is someone who has smoked a pack a day for 20 years.
“Even among these really heavy smokers, we found that there’s a huge benefit of quitting, and that they experienced a 39 percent reduced risk of cardiovascular disease within five years of smoking cessation relative to people who continue to smoke,” Duncan told Gillespie.
"The upper estimate of this time course is a decade longer than that of the Nurses' Health Study results for coronary heart disease and cardiovascular death and more than 20 years longer than in some prior reports for coronary heart disease and stroke," says the study report.
Most concern about smoking is related to cancer, with little thought to how it affects the heart, Gillespie writes. She notes that cigarette smoking is linked to about 80% to 90% of lung cancer deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease and is responsible for 20% of all deaths from heart disease, the study says.
Duncan told Gillespie that doctors and other health-care providers should consider the study when treating patients who have quit smoking.
“Physicians really want to err on the side of caution,” she said. “They may want to say, ‘For up to 10 years, we’re going to consider you to be at higher risk’.”
Data for the study came from the nearly 8,800 men and women who took part in the Framingham Heart Study, a long-term, ongoing study of factors that contribute to heart disease. Duncan cautioned that the Framingham study is predominantly made up of white people who live in a community outside Boston, so it is not certain if these findings extends to other races or ethnicities.
Duncan told Gillespie that she and her team will now experiment with the existing heart risk calculator, a tool that is used for those who have not had a prior heart event, to predict their risk of a heart attack or stroke. She said they are adding questions about the time since a person quit and how heavily they smoked.
The researchers' hypothesis is that those additions might line up the risk calculations with her study results. “We want to see if … adding just those two variables to the calculator helps in aiding risk prediction among former smokers,” Duncan said.
Skyrocketing cost of insulin examined by legislative committee and research showing cost makes patients ration the hormone
Advocates called on state lawmakers to find a way to make insulin more affordable, with several of them telling an all-too-common story of how they must ration their supplies because the hormone is too expensive, or of being forced to use a different product than their provider recommends because that's the only one their health insurance will cover.
Angela Summers, 48, of Louisville, told the Interim Joint Committee on Banking and Insurance Aug. 21 that she has struggled to pay for her insulin since moving back to Kentucky from New York in 2009, when the cost, with insurance, jumped from $35 a month to over $400 a month. She said that resulted in years of rationing that led to diabetes-related health issues that resulted in the amputation of her lower right leg in 2013.
"I could keep my lights on or I could pay for my insulin," she said in a prepared statement for the committee. She said she often bargained with herself, saying, "I'll make one month's worth of insulin last three months . . . or I'll just get it next month, which turns into six months."
Summers told the group that she is taking what she called an "outdated" and "inferior" type of insulin that she can buy at Walmart for about $25 a vial. She said this isn't the type of insulin that her provider recommends, but is what her insurance will cover. "I use inferior insulin; because my insurance covers it, because I can afford it and because I'm not ready to die," she said.
Gary Dougherty, chief state lobbyist for the American Diabetes Association, told the committee that Summers isn't alone in her struggle, Jim Hannah reports for the Legislative Research Commission.
“Using less than the prescribed amount of insulin can result in uncontrolled glucose levels which can lead to damage to one’s eyes, kidneys and heart,” Dougherty said. “Ultimately, without enough insulin, diabetic ketoacidosis can occur. If untreated, it can lead to diabetic coma – or even death.”
Angela Laudner of Northern Kentucky, who uses three vials of insulin a month, told the committee that she bought a vial of her insulin in Canada for $22, while that same vial's over-the counter retail price was $300 at the Costco in Newport, Tom Latek reports for Kentucky Today.
Dougherty gave the committee a list of facts about diabetes and insulin in Kentucky: 567,000 residents, or just over 15 percent of the state’s adult population, have diabetes; of those, an estimated 108,000 don’t know it. Another 1.16 million, or 35 percent of the adult population, have pre-diabetes. Each year, an estimated 130,000 Kentuckians are newly diagnosed with diabetes.
People with diabetes spend about 2.3 times more on health care than those who don't, Dougherty said. In Kentucky, the total direct medical expense for diagnosed diabetes in 2017 was estimated at $3.6 billion. An estimated $1.6 billion was spent on indirect costs from lost productivity due to diabetes.
The Diabetes Association's key legislative recommendations were to require transparency throughout the insulin supply chain; to lower or remove patient cost-sharing for insulin, such as capping co-pays for insulin or exempting it from the deductible; and to ensure that the value of co-pay assistance programs would apply toward a patient's deductible.
Rep. Danny Bentley, R-Russell, introduced a bill during the last legislative session to address the rising cost of insulin that called for increased price transparency from drug manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers. It didn't make it out of committee.
Bentley pre-filed legislation in June, Bill Request 105, that would cap the insulin co-pay at $100 per month. It would not instruct the state attorney general to investigate insulin pricing, as a similar bill that recently passed in Colorado does. Several legislators said the legislature should give the attorney general power to investigate prices, Latek reports.
Attorney General Andy Beshear launched an investigation in March to find out whether pharmacy benefit managers have overcharged the state and discriminated against independent pharmacies. In July, he asked for more legal help to further this investigation. He has also filed lawsuits against three of the nation's largest insulin makers to address the skyrocketing drug prices.
Pharmacy benefit managers are the middlemen between insurance and drug companies. They determine which drugs are offered, their prices and the payments to pharmacists.
Research shows cost makes patients ration insulin
A study released this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that looked at strategies adults with diabetes use to reduce their prescription drug costs. It found that in 2017 and 2018, nearly 18% of working-age adults with diabetes rationed their insulin by taking smaller doses, waiting to fill prescriptions, or skipping their insulin altogether.
The study found that among working-age adults, 36% of those without insurance said they were not filling a prescription because they did not have the money. Even among those with private insurance and Medicaid, respectively, 14% and 17.8%, said likewise.
Among adults of all ages in the study, 13% reported they didn't take their medications as prescribed in order to cut cost.
A Yale University study shows that one in four patients with diabetes have reported using less insulin than prescribed due to its high cost, and that over a third of those patients said they had never discussed this reality with a health-care provider.
And the price of insulin keeps going up, with the average cost of an insulin prescription doubling between 2012 and 2016, according to the Health Care Cost Institute. Kentucky data from that report shows that the average point of sale price per prescription was $352 in 2012, rising to $721 in 2016. The report found the average national price increased from $344 in 2012 to $666 in 2016.
The CDC study concludes: "In 2018, medications to treat diabetes ranked sixth out of the top 20 therapeutic classes of dispensed prescriptions, accounting for 214 million prescriptions. In 2017, the annual per capita expense for outpatient medication for those with diagnosed diabetes was almost $5,000. . . . The burden associated with high prescription drug costs remains a public health concern for adults with diagnosed diabetes."
"I could keep my lights on or I could pay for my insulin," she said in a prepared statement for the committee. She said she often bargained with herself, saying, "I'll make one month's worth of insulin last three months . . . or I'll just get it next month, which turns into six months."
Summers told the group that she is taking what she called an "outdated" and "inferior" type of insulin that she can buy at Walmart for about $25 a vial. She said this isn't the type of insulin that her provider recommends, but is what her insurance will cover. "I use inferior insulin; because my insurance covers it, because I can afford it and because I'm not ready to die," she said.
Gary Dougherty, chief state lobbyist for the American Diabetes Association, told the committee that Summers isn't alone in her struggle, Jim Hannah reports for the Legislative Research Commission.
“Using less than the prescribed amount of insulin can result in uncontrolled glucose levels which can lead to damage to one’s eyes, kidneys and heart,” Dougherty said. “Ultimately, without enough insulin, diabetic ketoacidosis can occur. If untreated, it can lead to diabetic coma – or even death.”
Angela Laudner of Northern Kentucky, who uses three vials of insulin a month, told the committee that she bought a vial of her insulin in Canada for $22, while that same vial's over-the counter retail price was $300 at the Costco in Newport, Tom Latek reports for Kentucky Today.
Dougherty gave the committee a list of facts about diabetes and insulin in Kentucky: 567,000 residents, or just over 15 percent of the state’s adult population, have diabetes; of those, an estimated 108,000 don’t know it. Another 1.16 million, or 35 percent of the adult population, have pre-diabetes. Each year, an estimated 130,000 Kentuckians are newly diagnosed with diabetes.
People with diabetes spend about 2.3 times more on health care than those who don't, Dougherty said. In Kentucky, the total direct medical expense for diagnosed diabetes in 2017 was estimated at $3.6 billion. An estimated $1.6 billion was spent on indirect costs from lost productivity due to diabetes.
The Diabetes Association's key legislative recommendations were to require transparency throughout the insulin supply chain; to lower or remove patient cost-sharing for insulin, such as capping co-pays for insulin or exempting it from the deductible; and to ensure that the value of co-pay assistance programs would apply toward a patient's deductible.
Rep. Danny Bentley, R-Russell, introduced a bill during the last legislative session to address the rising cost of insulin that called for increased price transparency from drug manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers. It didn't make it out of committee.
Bentley pre-filed legislation in June, Bill Request 105, that would cap the insulin co-pay at $100 per month. It would not instruct the state attorney general to investigate insulin pricing, as a similar bill that recently passed in Colorado does. Several legislators said the legislature should give the attorney general power to investigate prices, Latek reports.
Attorney General Andy Beshear launched an investigation in March to find out whether pharmacy benefit managers have overcharged the state and discriminated against independent pharmacies. In July, he asked for more legal help to further this investigation. He has also filed lawsuits against three of the nation's largest insulin makers to address the skyrocketing drug prices.
Pharmacy benefit managers are the middlemen between insurance and drug companies. They determine which drugs are offered, their prices and the payments to pharmacists.
Research shows cost makes patients ration insulin
A study released this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that looked at strategies adults with diabetes use to reduce their prescription drug costs. It found that in 2017 and 2018, nearly 18% of working-age adults with diabetes rationed their insulin by taking smaller doses, waiting to fill prescriptions, or skipping their insulin altogether.
The study found that among working-age adults, 36% of those without insurance said they were not filling a prescription because they did not have the money. Even among those with private insurance and Medicaid, respectively, 14% and 17.8%, said likewise.
Among adults of all ages in the study, 13% reported they didn't take their medications as prescribed in order to cut cost.
A Yale University study shows that one in four patients with diabetes have reported using less insulin than prescribed due to its high cost, and that over a third of those patients said they had never discussed this reality with a health-care provider.
And the price of insulin keeps going up, with the average cost of an insulin prescription doubling between 2012 and 2016, according to the Health Care Cost Institute. Kentucky data from that report shows that the average point of sale price per prescription was $352 in 2012, rising to $721 in 2016. The report found the average national price increased from $344 in 2012 to $666 in 2016.
The CDC study concludes: "In 2018, medications to treat diabetes ranked sixth out of the top 20 therapeutic classes of dispensed prescriptions, accounting for 214 million prescriptions. In 2017, the annual per capita expense for outpatient medication for those with diagnosed diabetes was almost $5,000. . . . The burden associated with high prescription drug costs remains a public health concern for adults with diagnosed diabetes."
Saturday, August 24, 2019
Medical News Today: Omega-3 fatty acid medications can boost cardiovascular health
A new review-based advisory has compared the benefits of two prescription omega-3 fatty acid medications for cardiovascular health.
Medical News Today: Controversial study links pollution with bipolar, depression
New research has found a link between living in a polluted area and the incidence of some mental health conditions — but not everyone is convinced.
Friday, August 23, 2019
Medical News Today: What happens if you do pushups every day?
Pushups are a beneficial exercise that people can do every day. Pushups can increase muscle mass and cardiovascular health. Risks include back pain. Learn more here.
Medical News Today: Hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening: What to know
Hydrogen peroxide is a common ingredient in many at-home and commercial teeth whitening solutions. Learn more about how it works and the safety considerations here.
Medical News Today: What to know about glimepiride
Glimepiride is a drug people use to control blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes. Find out about the potential side effects of glimepiride, and the possible risks of taking this drug.
Medical News Today: What to know about the side effects of metformin
The main use of metformin is to control blood sugar levels. Here, learn about the potential side effects of metformin and its interactions with other medications.
Medical News Today: Tooth extraction aftercare: A how-to guide
Caring for the mouth and empty socket after a tooth extraction is vital to prevent painful complications. Learn about tooth extraction aftercare in this article.
Medical News Today: How to stimulate appetite
Appetite stimulants include various medications and supplements, as well as lifestyle strategies. Learn more about how to stimulate appetite here.
Medical News Today: More of any physical activity tied to longer life
New research using motion sensor data has linked being more physically active at any intensity to a markedly lower risk of early death.
Medical News Today: Is 5G technology bad for our health?
In this Spotlight, we look at the effects of electromagnetic fields on our bodies and explore why some think 5G tech may not be safe.
Medical News Today: Blood pressure in our 30s and 40s has lasting impact on brain health
A new study finds that blood pressure changes in our 30s and 40s can have lasting effects on our health and links these to brain changes in our 70s.
Medical News Today: Inflammation in type 2 diabetes: Study overturns previous notions
New research challenges the prevalent belief that it is glucose that drives chronic inflammation in obesity and obesity-related type 2 diabetes.
Medical News Today: What to know about cystic fibrosis in children
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that doctors usually diagnose in early childhood. Find out about the diagnostic procedure and the treatments that may help reduce CF symptoms.
Medical News Today: How to get rid of a toothache at night
A toothache can cause severe pain and prevent a person from falling asleep. Learn about nine different methods to get rid of a toothache at night here.
First man on the moon may have died because he chose the wrong hospital for heart surgery; don't make the same mistake
By Trudy Lieberman
Rural Health News Service
Last month The New York Times ran a cautionary tale about the heart surgery and care astronaut Neil Armstrong received and his death two weeks later at a community hospital in a Cincinnati suburb in 2012.
The Times had received documents from an anonymous tipster who said he/she was “compelled to share this information” so “others can be saved as a result of the dissemination of this information to the public because this American hero did not have to die an untimely death.”
The hospital had made a secret $6 million settlement with the family, the Times reported, and consulted cardiac experts who pointed out numerous trouble spots in Armstrong’s care. One of those experts, Dr. Ashish Jha, a professor of medicine at Harvard University, told the paper, “It feels to me like his death was wholly preventable. It’s not completely clear to me he needed the cardiac surgery that he got.”
Rural Health News Service
Last month The New York Times ran a cautionary tale about the heart surgery and care astronaut Neil Armstrong received and his death two weeks later at a community hospital in a Cincinnati suburb in 2012.
The Times had received documents from an anonymous tipster who said he/she was “compelled to share this information” so “others can be saved as a result of the dissemination of this information to the public because this American hero did not have to die an untimely death.”
The Times noted that the records did not say why Armstrong or his family chose a community hospital rather than the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, a larger academic institution that perhaps had more experience dealing with patients like Armstrong.
That’s the takeaway for countless others considering surgeries and procedures, especially ones that are complex. You want your surgeries done at facilities by surgeons who have experience and expertise at doing them.
Shortly before the Times published its stories, a Washington-based organization, The Leapfrog Group, released a report on minimum volume requirements for eight high-risk procedures.
Leapfrog is one of many organizations that make public information about hospital safety. I believe it is one of the most credible. Its warnings about hospitals performing too few complicated procedures that carry a high risk of complications, even death, are to be taken seriously.
Now Leapfrog has a new standard that sets minimum targets that both hospitals and individual surgeons should meet for patient safety. Previously they had standards only for hospitals.
“Studies that have looked at correlation show you have a greater risk of dying when you’re at a lower volume hospital,” says Leah Binder, who heads the group.
Her group does not believe it is safe for patients if their surgeons have not done a minimum number of eight complicated procedures. Those are surgeries, she said, where compelling evidence shows that volume is crucial to positive outcomes.
The procedures are bariatric surgery for weight loss; carotid endarterectomy; esophageal resection for cancer; lung resection for cancer; mitral valve repair and replacement; open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair; pancreatic resection; and rectal cancer surgery.
For example, for a cancer lung resection, only about 22 percent of hospitals and 17 percent of surgeons met Leapfrog’s standard for adequate experience with these procedures. Bariatric surgeries for weight loss had the best numbers, with about 68 percent of hospitals meeting the standard and 51.5 percent of the surgeons doing the same.
Why? Binder said health insurers have imposed regulations for covering the procedure, and they may require preauthorization and other checks. “Because of that scrutiny, we think they are better.”
In other words, insurance-company oversight may be a good thing, especially since three-quarters of hospitals overall had not established criteria to determine whether the other seven procedures on Leapfrog’s list were appropriate for the patient.
Binder said rural hospitals were most likely to fall short of the volume requirements. They struggle because sparse populations in their areas mean they don’t perform the same procedure often enough to gain expertise.
“The priority has to be not the hospital, but the people served by their hospital.”
Patients must understand the level of risk they face if they choose to have complicated procedures done at a hospital with such low volume.
“Some people may not want to drive to a facility that’s further away, but at least they should understand that the procedure is not that safe,” Binder warns.
The hospital industry maintains that attributing surgical expertise only to the numbers of procedures performed ignores other safety improvement strategies.
Binder says she can’t say performing 100 surgeries is better than 90, but “I do know that 100 is better than one, two, or three. “People in health care know it, and it’s time the rest of the people know that, too.”
What’s been your experience with hospitals or surgeons harming a loved one? Write to Trudy at trudy.lieberman@gmail.com.
That’s the takeaway for countless others considering surgeries and procedures, especially ones that are complex. You want your surgeries done at facilities by surgeons who have experience and expertise at doing them.
Shortly before the Times published its stories, a Washington-based organization, The Leapfrog Group, released a report on minimum volume requirements for eight high-risk procedures.
Leapfrog is one of many organizations that make public information about hospital safety. I believe it is one of the most credible. Its warnings about hospitals performing too few complicated procedures that carry a high risk of complications, even death, are to be taken seriously.
Now Leapfrog has a new standard that sets minimum targets that both hospitals and individual surgeons should meet for patient safety. Previously they had standards only for hospitals.
“Studies that have looked at correlation show you have a greater risk of dying when you’re at a lower volume hospital,” says Leah Binder, who heads the group.
Her group does not believe it is safe for patients if their surgeons have not done a minimum number of eight complicated procedures. Those are surgeries, she said, where compelling evidence shows that volume is crucial to positive outcomes.
The procedures are bariatric surgery for weight loss; carotid endarterectomy; esophageal resection for cancer; lung resection for cancer; mitral valve repair and replacement; open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair; pancreatic resection; and rectal cancer surgery.
For example, for a cancer lung resection, only about 22 percent of hospitals and 17 percent of surgeons met Leapfrog’s standard for adequate experience with these procedures. Bariatric surgeries for weight loss had the best numbers, with about 68 percent of hospitals meeting the standard and 51.5 percent of the surgeons doing the same.
Why? Binder said health insurers have imposed regulations for covering the procedure, and they may require preauthorization and other checks. “Because of that scrutiny, we think they are better.”
In other words, insurance-company oversight may be a good thing, especially since three-quarters of hospitals overall had not established criteria to determine whether the other seven procedures on Leapfrog’s list were appropriate for the patient.
Binder said rural hospitals were most likely to fall short of the volume requirements. They struggle because sparse populations in their areas mean they don’t perform the same procedure often enough to gain expertise.
“The priority has to be not the hospital, but the people served by their hospital.”
Patients must understand the level of risk they face if they choose to have complicated procedures done at a hospital with such low volume.
“Some people may not want to drive to a facility that’s further away, but at least they should understand that the procedure is not that safe,” Binder warns.
The hospital industry maintains that attributing surgical expertise only to the numbers of procedures performed ignores other safety improvement strategies.
Binder says she can’t say performing 100 surgeries is better than 90, but “I do know that 100 is better than one, two, or three. “People in health care know it, and it’s time the rest of the people know that, too.”
What’s been your experience with hospitals or surgeons harming a loved one? Write to Trudy at trudy.lieberman@gmail.com.
U of L moves to maintain heart transplants at Jewish Hospital
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| Doctors perform a heart transplant. (Photo from WBUR, Boston) |
KentuckyOne Health, which is selling the hospital and other facilities to the university, is asking the national organ-donor network to disregard its July 18 request that the program be put on long-term inactivation, Kentucky One and the university announced Friday. Letting the program go inactive could have required recertification by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which would take more than a year and cost millions of dollars.
The university has collaborated for 35 years on the program, which is linked to its medical school. “The heart-transplant program is simply too important for our university, our community and the patients who are depending on this life-saving procedure,” U of L President Neeli Bendapudi said in a news release. “We thank KentuckyOne for working with us to maintain the program. We are taking steps to shore up our efforts, and very soon we will have a plan in place to ensure the viability of the program for the future.”
The release noted, "The first heart transplant in Kentucky took place on Aug. 24, 1984, at Jewish Hospital. Last year KentuckyOne and UofL celebrated a major milestone after the 500th heart was transplanted." However, the number of transplants at the hospital has declined greatly; KentuckyOne blamed a change in how hearts are allocated by the United Network for Organ Sharing.
Jewish Hospital also performs lung, liver, kidney and pancreas transplants, "making it one of a select group of hospitals transplanting all five solid organs," the release said. However, kidney and transplants at the hospital have also become less frequent.
State approves lower overall rates and expanded area for one Obamacare insurer, lowers rate-hike request of the other one
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| Insurance Department maps, adapted by Kentucky Health News; click on either for a larger version. |
Federally subsidized health insurance in Kentucky next year will cost more or less than this year, depending on the insurer and the type of plan. And many consumers will have more choices.
Policies offered on the federal insurance exchange by Anthem Health Plans of Kentucky will go up an average of 9.7 percent, which 2.3 percentage points less than the 12 percent Anthem asked of the state Department of Insurance.
The department approved proposals by CareSource Kentucky Co. that will be 4.5 percent less than this year, on average. CareSource will serve an expanded area, covering 83 counties. That means 56 of the state's 120 counties will have more than one insurer to choose from on the exchange.
"The actual rates charged will vary based on individual plan selection and factors," the Insurance Department noted in a news release. Detailed rate filings are at http://insurance.ky.gov/ratefil.
“The department has reviewed some rate decreases for individual health insurance plans,” Insurance Commissioner Nancy G. Atkins said. “For the first time in years, Kentuckians purchasing health insurance on the exchange could see rate decreases.”
CareSource will offer 12 individual plans on the federal exchange, which must be used to get the tax credits for premiums. "These plans vary in levels from catastrophic to gold, and include nine different silver and bronze options," the release said. Silver and bronze plans are in the middle range for premiums and deductibles under the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Anthem will offer 13 individual plans on the Exchange, under different network and service area options. "The Anthem Pathway HMO service area includes seven approved plans. These plans, with a broad provider network, will be offered in 77 counties," the release said. "The second option is the narrower Anthem Pathway Transition HMO, and includes six different plans available in 17 counties." The areas overlap only in Hardin County.
Open enrollment for individual plans opens Nov. 1 and ends Dec. 15. The Insurance Department says that before enrollment opens, consumers should work with an agent, do their own research or contact the department to understand their options. “It is critical to review the details for each plan to minimize the potential for surprises later on,” Adkins said, “and ensure individuals purchase the plan that best suits their individual needs.”
CareSource will offer 12 individual plans on the federal exchange, which must be used to get the tax credits for premiums. "These plans vary in levels from catastrophic to gold, and include nine different silver and bronze options," the release said. Silver and bronze plans are in the middle range for premiums and deductibles under the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Anthem will offer 13 individual plans on the Exchange, under different network and service area options. "The Anthem Pathway HMO service area includes seven approved plans. These plans, with a broad provider network, will be offered in 77 counties," the release said. "The second option is the narrower Anthem Pathway Transition HMO, and includes six different plans available in 17 counties." The areas overlap only in Hardin County.
Open enrollment for individual plans opens Nov. 1 and ends Dec. 15. The Insurance Department says that before enrollment opens, consumers should work with an agent, do their own research or contact the department to understand their options. “It is critical to review the details for each plan to minimize the potential for surprises later on,” Adkins said, “and ensure individuals purchase the plan that best suits their individual needs.”
Tobacco-free-schools law has prompted 57 more districts to adopt such policies, making strong majority; newbies can get free signs
By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News
FRANKFORT, Ky. -- A statewide smoking ban in Kentucky schools is still almost a year away, but passage of it appears to have prompted most school districts to go ahead and adopt tobacco-free policies. And they're getting some help in telling students, teachers and campus visitors about it.
The law passed this year prohibits the use of all tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, on school-owned property and school-sponsored events in all Kentucky schools, effective July 1, 2020. School boards have three years to opt out of the ban, but the law appears to be making them opt in.
When the bill became law, only 72 of the state's 172 school districts, of 42 percent, were fully tobacco-free. As of Aug. 9, that number was up to 129, about 75% of the districts and 79% of students, with more to be added soon.
The law also requires schools to post signs, but provides no funding for signage. The Kentucky Medical Association, the Kentucky Foundation for Medical Care and the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky have created signs in consultation with the Kentucky School Boards Association. and are offering them to districts that adopted tobacco-free policies after the law passed.
"We know that placing readily recognizable tobacco-free signs on campuses across this state will remind students, staff and entire communities that tobacco use has no place anytime or anywhere at school," Ben Chandler, president and CEO of the health foundation, said at a Frankfort news conference.
Chandler said districts that adopted tobacco-free policies after April 9, when the bill became law, can get the indoor, outdoor and vehicle signs on a first-come, first-serve basis.
In January 2020, if supplies remain, the signage will be offered to all school districts, including those that had previously passed tobacco-free school policies.
The focus of concern about students and tobacco has shifted from traditional cigarettes to electronic cigarettes. More than one in four high-school seniors in Kentucky reported last year that they had used e-cigarettes, and experts say that is part of a national epidemic.
Testimony from students during the legislative session helped persuade many of the lawmakers about the need for a tobacco-free school law, and two students reiterated that at the news conference.
"This is a very real problem," said Abbi Stratton, a senior at Graves County High School in far Western Kentucky. "It has definitely increased over the course of my freshman to my senior year."
Stratton and another senior, Kendall Tubbs, said Graves County passed its tobacco-free school policy after Aug. 9, making it the 130th school district to do so.
"Usage has become a social norm," he said. "Even when class is going on, kids are always vaping."
"Vaping" is a term used by the electronic-cigarette industry. Actually, e-cigarettes produce an an aerosol, which is a suspension of particles in a gas; a vapor is "a substance in the gaseous state as distinguished from the liquid or solid state," the Merriam-Webster dictionary says.
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| Kendall Tubbs, Abbi Stratton and Ben Chandler spoke about a program to provide free signage to schools that adopted tobacco-free policies after passage of the law. |
KMA President Bruce Scott said the surge of e-cigarette use among Kentucky's teens is creating a new generation of nicotine addicts.
"When you consider the fact that 90 percent of adult smokers started smoking before age 18, we have an imperative to make sure that we stop smoking and convince every high school student never to pick up a cigarette or tobacco product in the first place," he said.
An order form and information about the signage can be found on the Tobacco-Free for Students website, www.tobaccofreestudents.org.
Youth who use electronic cigarettes are much more likely to use marijuana; connection has increased with refillable e-cig pods
By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News
Youth who use electronic cigarettes are more likely to use marijuana, and the odds are even greater for those who start using e-cigarettes early, according to newly published research.
The analysis of 21 separate studies, published in JAMA Pediatrics, found that the odds of marijuana use were 3½ times higher among youth who used electronic cigarettes, than among those who didn't; that risk was higher among those between the ages of 12 to 17, compared to young adults aged 18 to 25.
The researchers are concerned about the link between e-cigarette use and marijuana.
"Studies have shown that marijuana use during adolescence is associated with reduced cognitive abilities, motivation, satisfaction with life, and life achievement, as well as significantly greater rates of mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia," the summary of the studies says.
Teen use of e-cigarettes in Kentucky doubled from 2016 to 2018, according to a state survey. It found that 26.7% of high-school seniors reported using e-cigs in the month before they were surveyed, up from 12.2% in 2016.
Among 10th graders, use increased to 23.2% from 11.3%. Among eighth graders, it rose to 14.2% from 7.3%. Sixth-graders' use went to 4.2% from 2.3%.
A national study found that use of e-cigarettes increased nearly 80% among high schoolers and 50% among middle schoolers from 2017 to 2018.
The study, involving data from more than 128,000 participants aged 10-24, found that the association with marijuana was stronger in younger youth and those who used both e-cigarettes and other tobacco products, such as traditional cigarettes.
"The findings of increased marijuana use with [e-cigarette] use in younger vs. older youths is consistent with developmental assumptions that a younger, less-developed brain is more vulnerable to substance use and addiction," says the report.
E-cigarettes have high levels of nicotine, which has been proven to be harmful to the developing brains of teens and may "increase [the] risk for future addiction to other drugs," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The brain develops until about age 25.
The study also found that the association with marijuana was stronger in the studies published in 2017 or after. The reason is unclear, but the researchers point to the rise in refillable cartridges and pod-like devices, which have high levels of nicotine.
The report concludes, "These findings highlight the importance of addressing the rapid increases in e-cigarette use among youths as a means to help limit marijuana use in this population."
Kentucky Health News
Youth who use electronic cigarettes are more likely to use marijuana, and the odds are even greater for those who start using e-cigarettes early, according to newly published research.
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| HealthDay photo |
The researchers are concerned about the link between e-cigarette use and marijuana.
"Studies have shown that marijuana use during adolescence is associated with reduced cognitive abilities, motivation, satisfaction with life, and life achievement, as well as significantly greater rates of mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia," the summary of the studies says.
Teen use of e-cigarettes in Kentucky doubled from 2016 to 2018, according to a state survey. It found that 26.7% of high-school seniors reported using e-cigs in the month before they were surveyed, up from 12.2% in 2016.
Among 10th graders, use increased to 23.2% from 11.3%. Among eighth graders, it rose to 14.2% from 7.3%. Sixth-graders' use went to 4.2% from 2.3%.
A national study found that use of e-cigarettes increased nearly 80% among high schoolers and 50% among middle schoolers from 2017 to 2018.
The study, involving data from more than 128,000 participants aged 10-24, found that the association with marijuana was stronger in younger youth and those who used both e-cigarettes and other tobacco products, such as traditional cigarettes.
"The findings of increased marijuana use with [e-cigarette] use in younger vs. older youths is consistent with developmental assumptions that a younger, less-developed brain is more vulnerable to substance use and addiction," says the report.
E-cigarettes have high levels of nicotine, which has been proven to be harmful to the developing brains of teens and may "increase [the] risk for future addiction to other drugs," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The brain develops until about age 25.
The study also found that the association with marijuana was stronger in the studies published in 2017 or after. The reason is unclear, but the researchers point to the rise in refillable cartridges and pod-like devices, which have high levels of nicotine.
The report concludes, "These findings highlight the importance of addressing the rapid increases in e-cigarette use among youths as a means to help limit marijuana use in this population."
How early can you — and should you — diagnose autism?
Autism is common. According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 out of every 59 children has been diagnosed with autism. That’s a marked rise from 2000, when only 1 in 150 children had been diagnosed with autism.
There is a lot we don’t know about autism, such as exactly what causes it or why it is becoming more common. But one thing we do know is that the earlier we start treating it, the better. Communication and social skills are built very early. We have our best chance of improving things if we work within that natural window. That’s why there has been a steady push toward making the diagnosis as early as possible.
It is not easy for parents to hear that their child has, or might have, autism. Even when there are worries about the child’s development, it is natural to hope that a child is just a late bloomer, or a bit quirky. And indeed, some children are late bloomers, or quirky, or have an entirely different problem with their development. So how early can you reliably diagnose autism?
What does research on autism tell us?
A recent study focused on this question. Researchers looked at more than 1,200 toddlers who had at least two developmental evaluations between 12 and 36 months. Less than 2% of the toddlers initially thought to have autism were subsequently thought to have normal development. And on the flip side, 24% initially thought to not have autism were then later diagnosed as having it. So while the picture is not always clear at first, once the diagnosis is made, it usually sticks.
At what age can the diagnosis be reliably made? At 12 to 13 months the “diagnostic stability” of the autism diagnosis — meaning the degree to which it was certain and stuck — was about 50%. This went up to 80% by 14 months, and 83% by 16 months. This makes sense if you think about the development of a toddler. At 12 months, they are just starting to say words, respond to commands, and interact with others. So a child who isn’t reliably doing those things would be cut some slack. But by 18 months, all those skills should be solidly in place, raising alarm bells about a child who doesn’t have them.
Which treatment strategies may help children with autism?
The main treatment for autism is called applied behavioral analysis (ABA). This is a behavioral program that breaks actions and behaviors down into small steps. It encourages positive behaviors and discourages negative behaviors. Other treatments include occupational therapy, sensory integration therapy, and strategies to improve communication, such as using pictures that children can point at to let caregivers know what they want.
Here’s the thing: ABA and the other treatments are helpful for children with developmental problems, no matter what their cause. There is no downside to doing them even if the child ultimately is found to have a different problem — or no problem at all. They are good for the child with autism, the child with a language disability, or a late bloomer. Yes, it’s hard for parents to hear a diagnosis of autism. But there is much reason for hope when it comes to autism, and we should never waste time when a child needs help.
The CDC’s Act Early campaign has a whole host of resources to help parents and caregivers know if a child is developing normally, or if there might be a problem. If you think there is a problem, ask for help. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
Follow me on Twitter @drClaire
The post How early can you — and should you — diagnose autism? appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
Thursday, August 22, 2019
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UK Extension Service teaches life skills such as nutrition in drug-treatment facilities; 10 counties have grants for gardens
By Katie Pratt
University of Kentucky
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. -- Program assistants and agents with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service are teaching life skills to help individuals recovering from drug and alcohol addiction live healthier lives once they leave treatment facilities.
In Taylor County, program assistant Angie Freeman offers nutrition education programs to clients at The Healing Place, an addiction recovery center in Campbellsville. She has led programs at the all-male treatment facility since 2013, presenting topics such as meal planning, MyPlate, food budgeting and food safety.
The education programs are funded by the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which includes what were once known as food stamps. This part of the program is known as "SNAP-Ed."
“Our eight-week class series is geared toward trying to have a healthy family and a healthy lifestyle on an economical level,” Freeman said. “Hopefully, they will take the things we have talked about and go home and actually meal plan using the weekly grocery ads, so they can make a really good shopping list and eat on a more economical basis.”
The Healing Place staff report that the eight-week class greatly helped participants, so they now require all of their clients to complete the class before leaving the treatment facility.
Steve Croghan of Columbia has been a client at the center for six months, recovering from an addiction to suboxone and methamphetamine. When interviewed, he was days away from graduating from the program's first phase. He said Freeman’s class gave him information that will help him as he moves forward with his life.
“Angie and Kara have been tremendously helpful for us,” he said. “Angie actually takes the time with us to make us understand what is going on and gives us a lot of good nutritional values. It helps us live out there healthier.”
In addition to nutrition education, Freeman’s class tends a small, raised-bed garden on the property. Taylor is one of 10 counties that have grants from SNAP-Ed to install and help manage gardens at addiction recovery centers.
“Our eight-week class series is geared toward trying to have a healthy family and a healthy lifestyle on an economical level,” Freeman said. “Hopefully, they will take the things we have talked about and go home and actually meal plan using the weekly grocery ads, so they can make a really good shopping list and eat on a more economical basis.”
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| Freeman discusses ways clients and families can eat healthier. (Photo by Steve Patton, UK Agricultural Communications) |
Steve Croghan of Columbia has been a client at the center for six months, recovering from an addiction to suboxone and methamphetamine. When interviewed, he was days away from graduating from the program's first phase. He said Freeman’s class gave him information that will help him as he moves forward with his life.
“Angie and Kara have been tremendously helpful for us,” he said. “Angie actually takes the time with us to make us understand what is going on and gives us a lot of good nutritional values. It helps us live out there healthier.”
In addition to nutrition education, Freeman’s class tends a small, raised-bed garden on the property. Taylor is one of 10 counties that have grants from SNAP-Ed to install and help manage gardens at addiction recovery centers.
Extension agents and program assistants in Jefferson, Pendleton, Daviess, Martin, Lawrence, Pulaski, Boyd and Madison counties have received funding to partner with local addiction recovery centers to install gardens at the facilities.
Christopher Browning is a Healing Place client from New Haven, recovering from a heroin addiction. Even though he was raised in rural Kentucky, he said the gardening classes have been eye-opening. He enjoys tending the garden.
“It’s something different to do in a place like this,” he said. “It makes us not so sheltered in. We get to get out and do some things that we might enjoy doing on the outside.”
The Healing Place started out with one raised-bed garden in 2018, with their clients raising cool- and warm-season salad ingredients. They added another bed this year and plan to add another in 2020.
“I really hope they gain basic knowledge about how to grow their own fruits and vegetables,” Back said. “Some of them have never really done this before, and it’s just a way for them to see it firsthand. Maybe later on down the road in their life, they may be interested in growing some on their own.”
“It’s something different to do in a place like this,” he said. “It makes us not so sheltered in. We get to get out and do some things that we might enjoy doing on the outside.”
The Healing Place started out with one raised-bed garden in 2018, with their clients raising cool- and warm-season salad ingredients. They added another bed this year and plan to add another in 2020.
“I really hope they gain basic knowledge about how to grow their own fruits and vegetables,” Back said. “Some of them have never really done this before, and it’s just a way for them to see it firsthand. Maybe later on down the road in their life, they may be interested in growing some on their own.”
Recently, 17 men graduated from Freeman’s series of classes. Two of them were Croghan and Browning, who were excited about their accomplishment.
“It’s nice to actually complete something,” Browning said. “I have not done so well with that the last few years of my life, but I have actually had the patience and the time to do something productive.”
When it comes to cholesterol levels, white meat may be no better than red meat — and plant-based protein beats both
A study published recently in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition sparked interest when it reported that red and white meat have a similar effect on low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol, which is associated with increased heart disease risk. You may conclude, “Well, if chicken is just as bad for my cholesterol as red meat, I may as well order that hamburger.”
But let’s examine the study more closely before drawing any conclusions.
Red meat, white meat, or non-meat?
The study examined whether cholesterol levels differed after consuming diets high in red meat compared with diets with similar amounts of protein from white meat or non-meat sources (legumes, nuts, grains, and soy products). It also studied whether the results were affected by the amount of saturated fat in each of the diets.
One hundred and thirteen healthy men and women, ages 21 to 65, participated in the study. Each study participant was randomly assigned to either a high- or low-saturated fat diet. Then, for four weeks each, and in varying orders, they consumed protein from either red meat, white meat, or non-meat sources.
All of the foods consumed during the study were provided by the researchers (except for vegetables and fruits, to ensure freshness at the time of consumption). To reduce the chances that other factors that would affect cholesterol levels, participants were asked to maintain their baseline activity level and abstain from alcohol. They were also advised to maintain their weight during the study period, and their calories were adjusted if their weight shifted.
White meat has same effect as red meat on cholesterol levels
The study found that LDL cholesterol was significantly higher after consuming the red meat and white meat diets, compared with the non-meat diet. This result was found regardless of whether the diet was high or low in saturated fat, though the high-saturated fat diets had a larger harmful effect on LDL cholesterol levels than the low-saturated fat diets. High-density lipoprotein (HDL, or “good”) cholesterol was unaffected by the protein source.
Though striking, the study has a number of limitations. The size of the study, 113 participants, was small; the duration was short (only 16 weeks); and there was a relatively high participant dropout rate. The study also did not include processed meats such as sausage, cold cuts, or bacon, which are known to be particularly harmful for heart health, or grass-fed beef, which is often touted as a healthier red meat option.
Focus on plant-based protein
An important point that might be getting lost in the red meat versus white meat conversation is the beneficial effects of non-meat protein sources on cholesterol levels. As the study authors state, “The present findings are consistent with … earlier studies of primarily plant-based, lacto-ovo-vegetarian, or vegan dietary patterns reporting significantly lower total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol concentrations than diets including animal protein.”
The 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines support healthy, plant-forward dietary patterns. Examples of plant-based diets include the Mediterranean diet and vegetarian diets.
This study looked at plant-based protein sources, and plant-based diets can provide all the necessary protein for optimal health. Here’s a look at the amount of protein contained in a variety of plant-based foods.
| Protein content in plant-based foods | |||
| Food | Serving size | Protein (grams) | Calories |
| Lentils | 1/2 cup | 9 | 115 |
| Black beans | 1/2 cup | 8 | 114 |
| Chickpeas | 1/2 cup | 7 | 135 |
| Kidney beans | 1/2 cup | 8 | 113 |
| Black eyed peas | 1/2 cup | 7 | 112 |
| Pinto beans | 1/2 cup | 7 | 117 |
| Soybeans | 1/2 cup | 14 | 150 |
| Tofu | 1/2 cup | 10 | 183 |
| Nuts | 1/2 cup | 5–7 | 160–200 |
| Peanut butter | 2 tablespoons | 8 | 190 |
| Flaxseeds | 3 tablespoons | 5 | 150 |
| Sesame seeds | 3 tablespoons | 5 | 156 |
| Barley (uncooked) | 1/4 cup | 6 | 160 |
| Bulgur (uncooked) | 1/4 cup | 4 | 120 |
| Millet (uncooked) | 1/4 cup | 6 | 190 |
| Quinoa (uncooked) | 1/4 cup | 6 | 160 |
The post When it comes to cholesterol levels, white meat may be no better than red meat — and plant-based protein beats both appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
