Thursday, October 31, 2019
Medical News Today: What to know about CT head scans
A computed tomography (CT) scan of the head creates images of the skull, brain, and other parts of the head. Read about the uses, procedure, and risks of CT head scans here.
Medical News Today: Does apple cider vinegar help with bloating?
Some people take apple cider vinegar for bloating, but there is little scientific evidence for this remedy. Find out about the potential benefits and risks of apple cider vinegar for bloating here.
Medical News Today: Tendons and ligaments: What is the difference?
Tendons and ligaments are bands of connective tissue that help stabilize the body and allow movement. Learn about their differences and the common injuries that affect them here.
Medical News Today: Can apple cider vinegar treat ear infections?
Ear infections are usually due to an overgrowth of infectious bacteria or virus. Apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial properties that could be effective against certain infections. Read on to find out what the research says.
Medical News Today: How can you help a loved one with depression?
When someone is depressed, it can be hard to know how to help. Find out here the ways people can help a loved one or friend, how to look after their own mental health, plus things not to say.
Medical News Today: Letter from the Editor: Getting into the spirit
In this month's letter, Managing Editor Honor Whiteman reveals how MNT are celebrating Halloween and what articles have piqued your interest this month.
Medical News Today: What are the real zombies?
Are there any zombies in nature? And what about humans, are we ever at risk of zombification? Read our special feature to find out what science has to say.
Medical News Today: What does a healthy open relationship look like?
A study of mutual consent, comfort, and communication in primary relationships finds that consensual nonmonogamy can be as healthy as monogamy.
Medical News Today: Impulsive behavior: What happens in the brain?
A recent study, carried out in rats, investigates which neural pathways and neurotransmitters might play a role in impulsive behavior.
Medical News Today: New method detects early stage liver disease
New research in mouse models and human tissues introduces a noninvasive and effective method to diagnose liver disease in its early stages.
Medical News Today: Acute cerebellar ataxia: Everything you need to know
Acute cerebellar ataxia is a disorder in children that causes a loss of coordination and movement control. Learn about the causes and treatments in this article.
Medical News Today: What causes dizziness after a workout?
Feeling dizzy after a workout is sometimes a sign that a person has overexerted themselves, is dehydrated, or has low blood pressure. Learn more about these and other causes in this article.
Medical News Today: What to know about codeine withdrawal
Codeine is a prescription medication that can sometimes cause addiction. A person who is dependent on codeine may experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the drug. Learn about the symptoms of codeine withdrawal and their expected duration here, as well as the various treatment options available.
Health poll breakdown shows regional differences on drugs, syringe exchanges, statewide smoking ban, dental care
The poll focused on substance and tobacco use, access to health care, and issues around health insurance. The responses were comparable across the state as a whole, but there were a few key differences in each of the regional breakdowns.
Eastern Kentucky: About 22 percent of Kentuckians live in this 46-county region where fewer adults reported having dental insurance (53%) than the rest of the state (60%) and more of them (34%) reported that they or a member of their household delayed needed dental care in the past year due to cost compared to the rest of the state (26%).
More adults in Eastern Kentucky also reported that they had family members or friends with a prescription-drug problem (38%) than adults statewide (30%) or a methamphetamine problem (29%, vs. 22% statewide).
They were also less likely to support a statewide smoking ban, with only 59% of them favoring such a ban compared to 66% statewide. And more of them opposed syringe exchanges for intravenous drug users, to control the spread of disease, than in the rest of the state: 48% and 40% respectively.
Greater Lexington: This 17-county region, which has about 18% of the state's population, had one big difference from the state as a whole: support of syringe exchanges. Fifty-seven percent of adults in the region supported them, compared to 49% statewide.
Greater Louisville: This seven-county region, with 23% of the state's population, had the most adults reporting that they had dental insurance, at 71%. Concurrently, it had fewer adults delaying needed dental care due to cost (19%) compared to the statewide number of 26%.
The poll found more adults in Louisville supported a statewide smoking ban than the state as a whole, 76% and 66% respectively; and more support syringe exchanges, at 59% compared to 49% statewide.
Among those who said they knew a friend or family member with a drug problem, more in Louisville reported that they did not enter treatment compared to the rest of the state: 55% and 44%, respectively.
Northern Kentucky: The poll found that the 10% of Kentuckians living in this eight-county region were more likely to knew someone who used heroin compared to the rest of the state (36% and 20%, respectively) and to know of someone with a drug problem who had entered treatment because others had intervened (55%, compared to 36% statewide).
Northern Kentuckians were about evenly divided on syringe exchanges, with 46% of them favoring and 43% opposing such programs. Because of the poll's error margin, that is no statistical difference.
Western Kentucky: About 27% of Kentuckians live in this 42-county region. Their knowledge of someone who had experienced problems with heroin was less than the rest of the state: 12% and 20%, respectively. They were also about evenly divided on syringe exchanges: 45% for, 42% against.
In Western Kentucky, adults in low-income households were also less likely than elsewhere in the state to report that they were in excellent or very good personal health, with only 17% of them reporting such health, compared to 30% statewide.
The Kentucky Health Issues Poll is sponsored by the health foundation and Interact for Health, a Cincinnati-area foundation. The poll surveyed a random sample of 1,569 Kentucky adults via landline and cell phone. The statewide results have an error margin of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points for each result. The regional error margins are higher and can be found in the regional reports.
Plant-based diets are best… or are they?
People choose a vegetarian or vegan diet for a number of reasons. Sometimes it’s out of concern for the way animals are treated or for the environment. But it’s also common to choose a plant-based diet because it’s considered healthier.
And that’s for good reason. Research over many years has linked plant-based diets to lower rates of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers (as compared with diets high in meat and other animal products). Dietary guidelines and recommendations from nutrition experts reflect this, encouraging the adoption of diets (such as the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet) that are heavy on fruits and vegetables and restrict consumption of red meat.
Popular plant-based diets include
- a vegetarian diet, which includes no meat
- a vegan diet, a type of vegetarian diet that excludes not just meat but also animal products, such as milk or eggs
- a pescatarian diet, which is largely vegetarian but also includes seafood.
Plant-based diets carry some risk of inadequate protein, vitamin, and mineral intake. But these risks are readily overcome by choosing the right vegetarian foods and, when necessary, supplements. For example, soy, quinoa, and nuts are good sources of protein, and tofu, lentils, and spinach are good sources of iron.
But a new study, published in the medical journal BMJ, raises the possibility that despite the health benefits demonstrated by past research, plant-based diets could come with a previously unrecognized health risk.
Vegetarians and vegans may have an increased risk of stroke
Researchers in the United Kingdom analyzed the risk of stroke and other health problems over two decades among nearly 50,000 people based on the diets they followed. The types of stroke were also analyzed, including bleeding into the brain (hemorrhagic stroke) and nonbleeding stroke (ischemic stroke). Compared with meat eaters:
- rates of heart disease (such as angina or heart attack) were 13% lower in pescatarians
- rates of heart disease were 22% lower in vegetarians
- rates of stroke were 20% higher among vegetarians. However, the overall risk was small, equal to three extra cases per 1,000 people over 10 years.
- the higher stroke risk among vegetarians was mostly due to hemorrhagic stroke
- the higher stroke risk was not observed among pescatarians.
If confirmed, these findings will complicate the way we look at plant-based diets. Are there serious and underappreciated downsides to these diets that should make us think twice about choosing them? Or is the increased risk of stroke heavily outweighed by cardiac and other health benefits?
This study is also a reminder that the health impact of a particular intervention (such as diet) may not be easy to predict or explain. In most cases, the risk of stroke and heart disease tend to rise or fall together, but that wasn’t the case in this research.
Beware the study’s limitations
This study linking a vegetarian diet with a higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke has a number of important limitations that should temper the concerns of vegetarians.
- The study was observational. That means it simply observed what happened among different people who followed different diets over time, without being able to account for every other relevant factor. For example, if vegetarians chose plant-based diets because of a family history of stroke, it could be their genes driving the higher rates of stroke, not the diet.
- The findings might have been different if the study had included a different study population, such as one with different genetic backgrounds or higher rates of obesity.
- The data regarding diet was self-reported. While the use of dietary surveys is common and necessary in research that requires a large number of study subjects, it isn’t always reliable.
- The study was not large enough to reliably sort out differences in the rates of disease between vegans and vegetarians. As a result, it’s not clear whether the increased stroke risk applies to all vegetarians, or whether vegans might have a different risk.
- We don’t know whether the health outcomes reported in this study might be due to what is included in the diet or what is eliminated. For example, is the lower risk of heart disease among vegetarians due to the plant-based diet, or is it just due to the restriction of animal-based products?
Even so, the results are worthy of our attention — and future study.
The bottom line
If the findings of this new research stand the test of time (and future study), a key question will be: how does a vegetarian diet increase the risk of stroke? Understanding how one’s diet impacts the risk of stroke and other disease will be crucial in future dietary recommendations and other preventive measures and treatments.
The post Plant-based diets are best… or are they? appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Medical News Today: Why are my forearms itching?
Itchy forearms are not usually the result of a serious medical condition but can be very irritating. Read this article for more information on the possible causes and how to treat them.
Medical News Today: What to know about GABA
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Learn how increased levels of GABA impact the brain and body. We also look at the possible benefits of taking GABA supplements.
Medical News Today: Everything you need to know about autism in adults
Most autistic people receive a diagnosis in childhood, but many adults also live with the condition. Learn about the symptoms, diagnosis, and more in this article.
Medical News Today: Symmetric vs. asymmetric arthritis: What to know
Symmetric and asymmetric arthritis are terms that describe whether arthritis affects both sides of the body in the same way. Learn more about these types of arthritis here.
Medical News Today: Cannabinoid use for mental health conditions lacks evidence
A meta-analysis of 83 studies finds insufficient evidence to support the use of medicinal cannabinoids to treat six mental health conditions.
Medical News Today: Some narcissistic traits may be useful for mental health
Some researchers maintain that certain narcissistic traits could actually help safeguard mental health, offering a buffer against stress and depression.
Medical News Today: Coffee drinkers have healthier gut microbiotas
New research finds that high caffeine consumers have more diverse compositions in their gut microbiotas with higher levels of anti-inflammatory bacteria.
Medical News Today: Alcohol intake and reduced brain volume: What explains the link?
Data from three different studies suggest that lower brain volume and a propensity for alcohol use may have the same underlying cause: genetic factors.
Medical News Today: What is the difference between CT scans and MRI scans?
CT scans and MRI scans are two medical imaging methods that create detailed images of internal body parts, including bones, joints, and organs. Learn about their similarities and differences here.
Medical News Today: What are the complications of psoriatic arthritis?
There are many possible complications of psoriatic arthritis, including uveitis, kidney disease, and depression. Learn about the risks and preventive steps here.
Medical News Today: How does alcohol affect Crohn's disease?
Alcohol and many other foods and drinks can cause flare-ups for people with Crohn’s disease. Here, learn more about the relationship between alcohol and Crohn’s, what the research says, and how to manage the symptoms.
Medical News Today: What is trichotillomania?
Trichotillomania is a common but underdiagnosed psychological disorder. People who have the disorder feel an uncontrollable urge to pull out their hair. Read on to learn about the causes and symptoms of trichotillomania, as well as the treatments available.
Which is better for reading to your toddler: Print or ebooks?
As we move more and more into a digital age, we use our devices for communication, news, information, games, and so much more. So, it’s natural to reach for a tablet when it comes time to read our child a story. After all, a book is a book, whether it’s print or electronic, right?
Yes — and no. According to a study published in JAMA, there was an observable difference in interactions when parents read their toddlers books on a tablet instead of a print book. The toddlers were less interested and more likely to turn away. In general, they were less engaged.
This is important, because engagement is key for child development. It’s the back-and-forth between the child and caregiver, or “serve and return” as described by the Harvard Center on the Developing Child, that builds neural connections and supports the development of communication and social skills. That “serve and return” doesn’t have to take place while reading a book. It can happen easily through daily conversations and interactive play. But reading books together is a perfect opportunity to help children learn while strengthening the relationship you have with them.
Why are electronic books less engaging to young children?
It’s hard to know exactly what it is about electronic books that make them less engaging than print books. It may be simply that young children like to touch and hold things, and that physically turning pages draws them in more than tapping a screen.
The study was small, only 37 parent-child pairs. The children were young, with a mean age of about 2.5 years. It’s hard to know what a bigger study with a wider range of ages might show.
Reading makes a difference, in print or ebooks
The most important thing isn’t really what kind of book you read to your child, it’s that you read to your child. Whether it’s print or electronic, here are some ways to engage your child and get the most out of the experience:
- Don’t just read the words. Comment on the story, and ask your child questions about it (“Would you like to do that? Does he look happy or sad? What do you think will happen next?”)
- Have your child point things out on the page (“Where is the dog?”)
- Relate it to your child’s experience (“We have a swing like that at the park! Do you remember when I pushed you on it?”)
- Look for books that have predictable repetition to them (books by Eric Carle are a good example), and encourage your child to “read” along with you.
- Share the holding of the book and turning pages. If the book is a shared object, rather than just something the grownup holds and controls, it can be more interesting to the child.
Follow me on Twitter @drClaire
The post Which is better for reading to your toddler: Print or ebooks? appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Medical News Today: What's the link between anxiety and shortness of breath?
Shortness of breath is one possible symptom of anxiety. In this article, we look at why anxiety causes this symptom, how to tell whether it is the cause, and treatments.
Medical News Today: Common symptoms of depression: What to know
Depression is a common and serious mental health condition. In this article, learn about 13 of the common symptoms, which include irritability and persistent feelings of sadness.
Medical News Today: What to know about Ben Wa balls
Ben Wa balls are small, weighted balls that a person can insert into their vagina. Makers claim that they can help with Kegel exercises and boost sexual stimulation, but no research supports this. Learn more here.
Medical News Today: Could hair analysis diagnose schizophrenia?
A new study links higher brain levels of hydrogen sulfide to a subtype of schizophrenia and proposes hair levels of a related enzyme as a biomarker.
Medical News Today: Study challenges link between depression and inflammation
New research applies complex statistical analyses to existing data and casts doubt on the existence of a direct link between depression and inflammation.
Medical News Today: Pigs have the intelligence to use tools
Researchers have observed that female Visayan warty pigs are capable of using twigs and bark as tools to help them construct their nests.
Medical News Today: Preventing herpes infections: Study offers new insights
A new study reveals a key protein that can encourage or slow the progression of the herpes simplex virus 1 and tests a compound that blocks the virus.
Medical News Today: Does drinking urine have any real health benefits?
There are no proven health benefits of drinking urine, though people have done so for centuries. In this article, learn about risks, reasons, and more.
Medical News Today: How we learn things shapes our memory
A new study found that different learning modes are tied with distinct ways of storing information in the brain, and with differences in memory resilience.
Medical News Today: What to know about angiograms
An angiogram is an X-ray of the blood vessels. Doctors use angiograms to help diagnose medical conditions related to the arteries or heart. Learn more about angiograms here.
Medical News Today: What to know about distal interphalangeal joint pain
Distal interphalangeal joint pain is often due to osteoarthritis or psoriatic arthritis. Learn more about the causes and their symptoms in this article.
Medical News Today: What is a Doppler ultrasound?
A Doppler ultrasound can help check whether an issue such as a blockage is impeding blood flow. Doctors use the scans to diagnose a range of issues. Here, learn about the procedure, results, and more.
Medical News Today: What to know about caffeine pills
Many people take caffeine pills as a way to boost short term energy and focus when they are working or studying. But do they work and are they safe? Learn more here.
Bisexuality and health: The cost of invisibility
On September 23, 2019, the 20th anniversary of Bi Visibility Day, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) held its first-ever bisexual health research workshop. As an invited panelist at this event, sponsored by the NIH’s Sexual and Gender Minority Research Office, I joined 19 other researchers to discuss key findings, gaps in knowledge, and future directions.
You may be asking yourself: Is there really a need for this workshop? How is bisexual health different from the health of other groups? How many people even identify as bisexual?
What is bisexuality?
Robyn Ochs, a prominent bisexual activist and writer, defines bisexuality as “the potential to be attracted — romantically and/or sexually — to people of more than one gender, not necessarily at the same time, not necessarily in the same way, and not necessarily to the same degree.” People don’t have to identify with the label “bisexual” to have a bisexual orientation.
Bisexuality can mean having attractions to or sexual behavior with people of more than one sex or gender — for example, feeling attracted to both women and men. Some people have a range of “nonmonosexual” identities — that is, identities that go beyond heterosexual or lesbian/gay — including pansexual and queer. Some people have more than one identity (I identify as both queer and bisexual). The preferred umbrella term for anyone with a nonmonosexual orientation is “bi+.”
Who is bi+?
People identify as bi+ across genders, races/ethnicities, socioeconomic groups, and ages, but some groups (people of color, adolescents, and transgender people) are more likely to identify as bi+. It may come as a surprise to learn that bi+ people are the largest sexual minority group. Among adolescents, more people identify as bisexual than identify as either lesbian or gay. Among adults, bi+ people represent a substantial part of the population. But despite these numbers, there is less research on bi+ health and less available funding for research, compared with research on lesbian and gay people.
How might being bi+ affect health?
If you’re bi+, a 2019 study of people of different sexual orientations and racial/ethnic backgrounds found that you may be more likely than people with other sexual orientations to experience certain health problems. For example, gastrointestinal problems, arthritis, and obesity occur more often among bi+ women and men. Additionally, women who are bi+ may have a poor health-related quality of life, while bi+ men may have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.
If you’re bi+ and you’re also a woman or a transgender person, your risk for poor health — including substance use, depression, and suicide — climbs even higher compared with other bi+ people (see here and here).
Why are bi+ people more likely to experience poor health?
Experts in the field of bisexual health research believe minority stress negatively affects health outcomes. Minority stress refers to experiences of prejudice or discrimination based on stigma that lead to poor health. Bi+ people experience unique minority stress related to being bisexual, such as negative stereotypes about what it means to be bisexual (bisexuality is a phase, bisexual women are promiscuous, bisexual men are vectors of HIV). Feeling invisible may also create problems. These unique forms of minority stress can be harmful for bi+ people’s health.
- Bisexual invisibility can affect the quality of medical care. A bisexual woman who is in a relationship with a woman, but also has sex with men, may not be offered birth control or counseling about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at a doctor’s appointment, because she is (incorrectly) assumed to be a lesbian and not at risk for pregnancy or STIs.
- Double discrimination can harm mental health. Bi+ people experience discrimination from both heterosexual and sexual minority communities, related to repeatedly needing to “come out” as bi+. This double discrimination can lead to isolation and loneliness, which can be harmful for mental health.
What steps can you take to counter these issues?
If you are bi+, you can improve your health by
- connecting with others who are supportive of your bisexuality, including people who are also bi+ and can understand the unique stresses that bi+ people sometimes face
- being honest with your doctor or mental health provider about your bisexuality, so that you can get the care you need.
Even if you are not bi+ yourself, you can support bi+ people by
- examining your biases and assumptions (for example, not everyone with a different-gender partner identifies as heterosexual) and educating yourself about bi+ people
- educating others about bi+ people to challenge stereotypes and reduce stigma, to increase acceptance of the bi+ community.
The post Bisexuality and health: The cost of invisibility appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
Monday, October 28, 2019
Medical News Today: What to know about gallbladder polyps
Gallbladder polyps are growths of tissue within the organ. The vast majority are harmless, but some may become cancerous. Here, find out more about symptoms, complications, and treatments.
Medical News Today: What can cause toe swelling?
There are many possible causes of a swollen toe. In this article, find out about the different causes and their associated symptoms and treatments.
Medical News Today: What to know about pressure in the temples
There are many causes of pressure in the temples. They include certain types of headache, head injuries, and some more serious conditions. Learn more here.
Medical News Today: The best stretches for runners
Running works many leg muscles and also puts a strain on the knees and back. Learn about 10 stretches that can help keep runners performing well in this article.
Medical News Today: How long do blood tests results take?
Blood test results can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few weeks to come back. This article looks at the waiting times for different types of tests and which factors affect timings.
Medical News Today: Dementia risk higher in those who eat more trans fats
A new study of 1,628 older people living in Japan found a 52–74% higher chance of developing dementia in those with higher blood levels of trans fats.
Medical News Today: Women and men at risk of different obesity-related conditions
A new study has found that women and men with obesity face different health risks, while the condition can lead to a range of complications for all.
Medical News Today: Yogurt, fiber, and lung cancer: What's the link?
A new analysis using data from more than 1.4 million people concludes that eating an ample amount of fiber and yogurt may protect against lung cancer.
Medical News Today: Exercising before breakfast may be most healthful choice
In a new study, people with overweight or obesity who worked out before eating breakfast burned more fat and saw overall health benefits.
Medical News Today: Could turmeric help solve the antibiotic resistance crisis?
New research uses nanocapsules that contain curcumin, the main ingredient in turmeric, to tackle antibiotic resistant strains of Helicobacter pylori.
Hope and caution during infertility treatment
Many years ago, I worked for a reproductive endocrinologist who hosted a yearly gathering of former patients. It was there that I encountered a woman holding infant twin daughters. When I congratulated her on her twins, she had these thoughts to share: “I’m a psychiatrist and I hope you’ll pass this on. Please tell people not to worry about being positive and hopeful. I abandoned hope and went through my last IVF cycle as the queen of negativity.” Then she held up her twins and said, “And this is what I got. Please reassure people that they don’t have to stay positive.”
Over the years, I have come to believe that managing hope is a major challenge during infertility treatment. This story illustrates one facet of the challenge: does it matter if one is hopeful during a treatment cycle? Some patients work very hard to remain positive and to nurture hope, while others, like the mom in the story, ride a wave of negativity. People in both groups have healthy pregnancies. And sadly, there are members of both groups who meet repeated disappointment.
Managing hope is even more challenging when it comes to the big picture, looking beyond a specific cycle and to the question of when enough is enough. During infertility treatments, there are people who remain hopeful when odds are against them and others who lose hope when test results and medication responses seem promising.
Managing hope during infertility
A few factors that contribute to or reduce your sense of hopefulness are:
Personal history. Some people come to infertility with a history of good luck and good fortune, an abiding belief that things work out for them. Their history fuels their hope.
Determination. Threaded throughout the infertility population are some pretty determined people. These hard workers have been rewarded for their efforts on the job and in other areas of their lives. They assume that if they read extensively on infertility, research the best doctors, eat a “fertility diet,” and incorporate appropriate alternative treatments, they will succeed in having a baby.
Doctor-patient relationship. Communication between doctors who treat infertility and their patients plays a significant role in fueling or deflating hope. Good doctors do their best to promote an appropriate level of hope. They believe that doing right by their patients means helping them pursue treatment that has a reasonable chance of working, and helping them leave treatment that is unlikely to work. Sadly, there are times when people remain in unsuccessful treatment because their doctors are reluctant to be the bearers of bad news.
Fellow travelers and faith
Fellow travelers. Infertility patients cope with the stresses of infertility by finding each other. Waiting rooms, support groups, and online chats all connect infertility patients. While it can be painful to learn that a fellow infertility traveler has become pregnant against all odds, this sort of news fuels hope. Alternatively, seeing a fellow infertility traveler move happily on to adoption or egg donation can redirect hope. An option that once seemed like “what you do when you give up” now brings new possibilities.
Faith. Faith and spirituality nurture hope for some infertility patients. The nature of this hope may shift from the hope that comes from believing that prayers will be answered, to the hope that comes from believing that some things are meant to be. Guided by faith, these infertility patients have an abiding sense that there are forces beyond them ensuring a safe and positive outcome of this journey.
In working with individuals and couples trying to manage hope and caution as they enter a first or second or fifth IVF cycle, I am always careful to leave it to them to gauge hope. Over the years, it has been humbling to see some people achieve the most unlikely pregnancies while others are mired in disappointment.
These experiences have left me with a profound respect for people’s ability to titrate optimism and caution as they make their way through infertility. There are times when a bounty of hope feels right. At other times, infertility travelers need to shelter themselves with caution. This was my takeaway message from the psychiatrist mom I met at that gathering so long ago.
The post Hope and caution during infertility treatment appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
Sunday, October 27, 2019
Medical News Today: Researchers activate problem-solving during sleep
Researchers at Northwestern University show, for the first time, how to trigger the brain’s unique ability to solve problems during sleep.
Medical News Today: New technology better controls type 1 diabetes
New research shows the benefits of artificial pancreas systems, which automatically release and adjust insulin doses, thus improving blood sugar control.
Open enrollment for federally subsidized heath insurance (Obamacare) begins Friday, Nov. 1 and runs through Dec. 15
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| Insurance Department maps, adapted by Kentucky Health News; click on either for a larger version. |
Open enrollment for federally subsidized health insurance in Kentucky next year will begin Friday, Nov. 1 and run through Dec. 15.
Plans 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 be an average of 9.7 percent higher than last year. Plans from CareSource Kentucky will average 4.5 percent less than this year. CareSource is serving 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.
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, commonly called Obamacare.
Anthem will offer 13 individual plans, 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.
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.”
Plans will cost more or less than this year, depending on the insurer and the type of plan. And many consumers will have more choices.
"The actual rates charged will vary based on individual plan selection and factors," the state Department of Insurance noted in a August news release. Detailed rate filings are at http://insurance.ky.gov/ratefil.
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, commonly called Obamacare.
Anthem will offer 13 individual plans, 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.
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.”
If you fail to enroll by Dec. 15, the only way to enroll in a federally subsidized health plan is during a special enrollment period. To qualify for special enrollment, you must have a qualifying life event such as a change in family status (for example, marriage, divorce, birth, or adoption of a child), change in residence, or loss of other health coverage (such as loss of employer-based coverage, or loss of eligibility for Medicare or Medicaid).
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Trump may back off planned e-cigarette flavoring ban and allow mint and menthol, to the pleasure of tobacco companies
President Trump’s campaign manager has warned him that his plan to ban most flavored electronic cigarettes "could backfire in the 2020 election," placing Trump’s re-election campaign in the middle of a governmental debate over a major public-health issue," report Michael Scherer, Josh Dawsey, Laurie McGinley and Neena Satija of The Washington Post.
"The political lobbying effort comes as the Trump administration is considering whether to continue allowing menthol- and mint-flavored e-cigarette products, according to three people familiar with the deliberations," the Post reports. "Allowing these sales would mark a major retreat from a proposed ban announced in September on 'all non-tobacco' flavors. Government data shows that nearly two-thirds of high schoolers who use e-cigarettes use mint or menthol flavors."
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| Trump tweeted this after his campaign manger raised concerns. |
The White House is deliberating whether to allow menthol and mint flavors, which "would benefit the largest e-cigarette producer, Juul Labs," the Post notes. Another option is allowing only menthol "on the theory that it is less sweet and the sole flavor permitted in cigarettes, said two people familiar with the deliberations."
That prospect angered anti-tobacco activists and health groups.
“Excluding menthol would be huge; it means that kids will buy menthol,” Desmond Jenson, an attorney with the Public Health Law Center at the Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, Minn., told the Post. “If you give them one flavor, that’s what they will buy. It doesn’t solve the problem.”
Trump’s first Food and Drug Administration commissioner, Scott Gottlieb, "said Friday that the harm to youths of allowing mint and menthol flavors outweighs the benefit to adults of having flavored options," the Post reports.
“If mint and menthol e-cigs remain on the market, the biggest beneficiaries are tobacco companies like Altria and Reynolds which mass-produce these products, harming kids who are largely using these brands,” Gottlieb said. “Data suggests that adults who use e-cigs to successfully quit smoking aren’t using these same products.”
Juul Labs, "the largest e-cigarette company, has removed all flavors from the market except tobacco, menthol and mint, and it said recently that it was reviewing whether to suspend sales of the latter two," the Post notes. "Mint and menthol accounted for almost 60 percent of Juul’s $3.3 billion in retail sales in the United States last year, according to a Wells Fargo analyst report from last month." Altria Group, the leading maker of traditional cigarettes, owns 35 percent of Juul.
Greg Conley, president of the American Vaping Association, told the Post that mint and menthol aren't big sellers at vape shops, and keeping them on the market wouldn't save retailers.
The Post notes that the president's wife and daughter, Melania and Ivanka Trump, "have been helping to lead the push for a crackdown on youth use of e-cigarettes." The first lady attended the Sept. 11 Oval Office announcement by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and acting FDA Commissioner Norman “Ned” Sharpless about the proposed ban.
Azar said at that event, citing recent research, “The youth are drawn to flavored e-cigarettes, including mint and menthol.”
"Parscale reached out to President Trump after that event to say that the decision was being made too quickly and that Trump needed more data, according to a person familiar with the conversation," the Post reports. "Trump released a cryptic tweet on Sept. 13, which suggested the possibility of a different approach than the one Azar had announced."
“While I like the Vaping alternative to Cigarettes, we need to make sure this alternative is SAFE for ALL!” Trump wrote. “Let’s get counterfeits off the market, and keep young children from Vaping!”
The Oval Office announcement surprised the electronic-cigarette industry. It fought back, and found allies close to Trump. "Senior White House adviser Kellyanne Conway suggested to reporters Friday that menthol could be viewed as a type of tobacco flavoring," the Post notes, quoting her: “I recognize that menthol tastes like tobacco. Many adults like menthol.”
“Flavors are vaping. Vaping is flavors,” said Grover Norquist, the president of Americans for Tax Reform, an anti-regulation group. He wouldn't tell the Post whether he or his group have gotten money from the e-cigarette industry. The Post adds, "Conservative activists and trade groups organized a protest by e-cigarette users at a recent Trump rally in Dallas."
U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers gets first Humanitarian Award from Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse
 |
| Rep. Hal Rogers |
Rogers, who represents Eastern Kentucky's Fifth District, was the first recipient of MAPDA’s Humanitarian Award.
“Hal was the first in Congress to recognize the threat to our country, our communities and our families,” Bono said in a press release. “His leadership is second to none when it comes to addressing the opioid epidemic.” The release said Rogers:
- Helped establish a program in 2001 to fund prescription-drug monitoring programs, which help doctors and pharmacists spot and prevent prescription drug abuse and are now used in 49 states.
- Launched Operation UNITE, a 2003 initiative in Southern and Eastern Kentucky that battles drug abuse through law enforcement, treatment and education and is "a national model to combat the epidemic." In 2012, UNITE and Rogers started the Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit.
- Started the Congressional Caucus on Prescription Drug Abuse with Bono in 2010.
- Championed laws that have provided billions of dollars "to battle the epidemic through prevention, treatment, enforcement and research."
Medical News Today: Does sunlight change our gut microbiome?
Scientists have found changes in the gut microbiomes of vitamin D deficient volunteers after only three sessions of ultraviolet light exposure.
Medical News Today: Cancer care: Are personalized exercise prescriptions the future?
In a series of recent papers, a group of scientists outlines the importance of exercise for individuals with cancer and those who have survived cancer.
Medical News Today: Does the flu shot give you the flu?
The flu shot cannot give a person the flu because it does not contain active viruses. In this article, learn about how the vaccine works and why a person may feel sick after a flu shot.
Medical News Today: What causes excessive sleepiness?
Excessive sleepiness often occurs following a poor night's sleep. In some cases, it may be a symptom of a sleep disorder or another underlying health condition. Read on to discover the causes of excessive sleepiness, as well as their symptoms and treatments.
Medical News Today: Natural treatments and diet for fibroids
Natural treatments may help relieve the symptoms of uterine fibroids, though there is little research that they are effective. In this article, we discuss the evidence behind diets, herbal remedies, and lifestyle changes for fibroids.
Medical News Today: What causes breast itchiness without a rash?
There are many common causes of itchy breasts without a rash, including allergens and growth. This article looks at the causes and how to treat them.
Health Literacy Month reflects why Kentucky Health News exists; attention must be paid to health issues, including drug abuse
By Al Cross
Editor and Publisher
Kentucky Heath News is in the business of health literacy: helping Kentuckians understand how to maintain and improve their health, and understanding the health-care system. But somehow we failed to notice that October is Health Literacy Month. Maybe we've been too busy with our work. But that prompts me to write a bit about KHN, why it exists, and what we hope you get from it.
The idea was conceived at a Kentucky Chamber of Commerce meeting about nine years ago. I sat down at a table with Robert Slaton, a health-care consultant and former state health commissioner, and Susan Zepeda, then the president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. Robert said, "Al, you ought to ask Susan for some money."
The obvious follow-up question was "What for?" and I had the answer. For five years, I had been publishing The Rural Blog, a daily digest of events, trends, issues and journalism from and about rural America, in my role as director of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues at the University of Kentucky. The institute's mission is to help rural journalists define the public agenda in their communities, through strong reporting and commentary, especially on broad issues that have local impact but few if any good, local sources.
From the time it was conceived by Al Smith and others, one of the institute's main issues has been health, because it is a chronic problem in rural areas, and especially in Kentucky, where the people's overall health status is one of the worst in the nation. So, when Robert made that suggestion, I already had the answer to the "For what?" question: a service that would help Kentucky news media help their audiences live healthier lives and understand the health-care system.
The foundation got us started, and has been increasingly supportive of our work, allowing us to have a reporter, former nurse Melissa Patrick, who works 25 hours a week doing original stories and excerpting others. Many in news outlets have also supported our work by publishing it, but We wish more did so. Our stories appear with some regularity in many newspapers, but not in most, despite our weekly emails to every paper in the state and to the Kentucky Association of Broadcasters.
This is understandable to those of us who have worked at small-town radio stations or have been editors of rural newspapers, which exist to provide local news and information. Most Kentucky Health News stories aren't local, but they do touch on issues that matter to local audiences. Some newspapers pick up on such stories and use them as the basis for their own stories or editorials.
Many times, though, certain information about local health doesn't reflect well on the community that the newspaper serves, so it's not reported. In community journalism, there is often a reluctance to make an effort to report such news; there may be plenty of bad news already, and the role of community cheerleader is a long-established one in rural journalism.
That used to show up in Kentucky papers' treatment of the annual County Health Rankings, which rank every county in every state on its health outcomes and the factors that affect those outcomes. For the first few years that the rankings were issued, the better your county's ranking, the more likely you were to read about in your local Kentucky newspaper. And the worse your county's ranking, the less likely you were to read about it. The papers were declining to print bad news.
But that has changed. A couple of years ago, we found that there was no longer any correlation between a county's ranking and its publication in the local newspaper. A poor ranking was just as likely to be published as a good one. This is just one example, and the trend varies from year to year, but we'd like to think that our work has made many rural journalists in Kentucky realize that health is an important local issue that needs attention.
Now we hope they realize something else needs attention: the epidemic of substance abuse that is plaguing Kentucky, and the means of fighting it, as individuals and communities. This is primarily a health issue, but in rural news media is usually presented as a criminal-justice issue. The lack of coverage of it as a health issue is an obstacle to solving the problem, according to research by Oak Ridge Associated Universities.
To reduce that obstacle, ORAU and the institute will hold Covering Substance Abuse and Recovery: A Workshop for Journalists, in Ashland, Ky., on Nov. 15. Journalists from weekly and daily papers will join health experts and public officials to explore the subject, and we hope for a good turnout that will make some headway in rural communities. Space is limited; the registration fee until Nov. 1 is $50; it will be $60 through Nov 8, when registration will close. Get details and register here.
This probably isn't your cup of tea; it's a difficult subject, but attention must be paid. That's one of the best-known lines from the play Death of a Salesman: "He's not the finest character that ever lived. But he's a human being, and a terrible thing is happening to him. So attention must be paid. He's not to be allowed to fall into his grave like an old dog. Attention, attention must finally be paid to such a person." Let's pay attention to these people and their problem, and help solve it.
Editor and Publisher
Kentucky Heath News is in the business of health literacy: helping Kentuckians understand how to maintain and improve their health, and understanding the health-care system. But somehow we failed to notice that October is Health Literacy Month. Maybe we've been too busy with our work. But that prompts me to write a bit about KHN, why it exists, and what we hope you get from it.
The idea was conceived at a Kentucky Chamber of Commerce meeting about nine years ago. I sat down at a table with Robert Slaton, a health-care consultant and former state health commissioner, and Susan Zepeda, then the president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. Robert said, "Al, you ought to ask Susan for some money."
The obvious follow-up question was "What for?" and I had the answer. For five years, I had been publishing The Rural Blog, a daily digest of events, trends, issues and journalism from and about rural America, in my role as director of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues at the University of Kentucky. The institute's mission is to help rural journalists define the public agenda in their communities, through strong reporting and commentary, especially on broad issues that have local impact but few if any good, local sources.
From the time it was conceived by Al Smith and others, one of the institute's main issues has been health, because it is a chronic problem in rural areas, and especially in Kentucky, where the people's overall health status is one of the worst in the nation. So, when Robert made that suggestion, I already had the answer to the "For what?" question: a service that would help Kentucky news media help their audiences live healthier lives and understand the health-care system.
The foundation got us started, and has been increasingly supportive of our work, allowing us to have a reporter, former nurse Melissa Patrick, who works 25 hours a week doing original stories and excerpting others. Many in news outlets have also supported our work by publishing it, but We wish more did so. Our stories appear with some regularity in many newspapers, but not in most, despite our weekly emails to every paper in the state and to the Kentucky Association of Broadcasters.
This is understandable to those of us who have worked at small-town radio stations or have been editors of rural newspapers, which exist to provide local news and information. Most Kentucky Health News stories aren't local, but they do touch on issues that matter to local audiences. Some newspapers pick up on such stories and use them as the basis for their own stories or editorials.
Many times, though, certain information about local health doesn't reflect well on the community that the newspaper serves, so it's not reported. In community journalism, there is often a reluctance to make an effort to report such news; there may be plenty of bad news already, and the role of community cheerleader is a long-established one in rural journalism.
That used to show up in Kentucky papers' treatment of the annual County Health Rankings, which rank every county in every state on its health outcomes and the factors that affect those outcomes. For the first few years that the rankings were issued, the better your county's ranking, the more likely you were to read about in your local Kentucky newspaper. And the worse your county's ranking, the less likely you were to read about it. The papers were declining to print bad news.
But that has changed. A couple of years ago, we found that there was no longer any correlation between a county's ranking and its publication in the local newspaper. A poor ranking was just as likely to be published as a good one. This is just one example, and the trend varies from year to year, but we'd like to think that our work has made many rural journalists in Kentucky realize that health is an important local issue that needs attention.
Now we hope they realize something else needs attention: the epidemic of substance abuse that is plaguing Kentucky, and the means of fighting it, as individuals and communities. This is primarily a health issue, but in rural news media is usually presented as a criminal-justice issue. The lack of coverage of it as a health issue is an obstacle to solving the problem, according to research by Oak Ridge Associated Universities.
To reduce that obstacle, ORAU and the institute will hold Covering Substance Abuse and Recovery: A Workshop for Journalists, in Ashland, Ky., on Nov. 15. Journalists from weekly and daily papers will join health experts and public officials to explore the subject, and we hope for a good turnout that will make some headway in rural communities. Space is limited; the registration fee until Nov. 1 is $50; it will be $60 through Nov 8, when registration will close. Get details and register here.
This probably isn't your cup of tea; it's a difficult subject, but attention must be paid. That's one of the best-known lines from the play Death of a Salesman: "He's not the finest character that ever lived. But he's a human being, and a terrible thing is happening to him. So attention must be paid. He's not to be allowed to fall into his grave like an old dog. Attention, attention must finally be paid to such a person." Let's pay attention to these people and their problem, and help solve it.
Friday, October 25, 2019
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As 'vaping' devices evolve, new potential hazards emerge
By Carmen Heredia Rodriguez
“Clearly, there’s something strange about these … cases popping up all at once,” said Eissenberg. “But I suspect we’ve been seeing numerous cases of these kinds of diseases ever since e-cigarettes were first sold.”
“Cigalikes” represent the earliest form of e-cigarettes. The disposable gadgets were typically prefilled and often resembled cigarettes. They also contained modest amounts of nicotine and were not very effective in delivering that to consumers.
Then, vape pens entered the market. They were refillable and packed more power than the cigalikes to heat up the e-liquid. The pens also tended to contain more nicotine.
The third generation of devices ― mods ― proved to be a technological and cultural leap for vaping, said Ana MarÃa Rule, an assistant professor who researches e-cigarettes at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Consumers could personalize their gadget by altering the battery, heating elements and e-liquid. The device inspired the creation of groups like “cloud-chasers,” vape users who compete at events around the country to make the largest cloud of aerosol.
“They completely changed the scope and the whole culture of vaping,” Rule said.
This type of vaping means consumers are inhaling larger volumes of the aerosolized chemicals, and that might mean more toxic chemicals, researchers say.
Then Juul hit the market in 2015. The rechargeable device resembles a flash drive, could not be customized and has generally lower voltage than its mod predecessor.
But what Juul lacked in technological innovation, it made up for it in its e-liquid. Each pod contains a concentration of nicotine equal to a pack of cigarettes, which concerns public health officials and researchers because nicotine is addictive. The company cut the nicotine with benzoic acid to reduce irritation, making it more palatable. It ultimately became a runaway success ― particularly among youth.
Yet, nicotine is far from the only harmful substance a consumer could be inhaling. Studies have found that overheating an e-liquid could cause “thermal degradation,” a process where the ingredients start breaking down. In some cases, this dismantling can create toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, a cancer-causing agent, said Eissenberg.
Overheated or burnt e-liquid can taste bitter, he said, but typically consumers have no way to detect a problem. “It’s important to realize it doesn’t always taste bad when that thermal degradation has occurred,” Eissenberg said.
Aerosol from e-cigarettes can also be laced with harmful metals that cause pulmonary and neurological health problems. A study Rule co-authored collected e-liquid samples from 56 e-cigarette devices owned by daily users, and found that the fluid sitting in the device and inhaled by the consumer had markedly higher levels of metal than the liquid in the refillable dispenser.
The authors suggest that the device’s heating element could be introducing toxic metal substances like chromium, nickel and lead into the e-liquid.
Despite the worrisome findings, tobacco researchers say the verdict is still out on the danger of e-cigarettes versus traditional cigarettes. There’s simply not enough data, they say.
However, the lack of evidence hasn’t stopped states from reacting to the cases of vaping-related illnesses by cracking down on the industry. Massachusetts has temporarily banned the sale of all vaping products in the state, but the ban is being challenged in court. Selling flavored e-cigarette and vaping products has been temporarily halted in a handful of other states and local jurisdictions, too.
Some vaping advocates view these state actions as fear-mongering. Gregory Conley, president of the nonprofit American Vaping Association, emphasized that the vast majority of sickened patients reported using bootleg cartridges that contained THC.
“The U.S. is in the middle of a moral panic right now, and good public health policy rarely flows out of moral panics,” said Conley, a New Jersey lawyer.
Conley acknowledged that stricter regulations could have helped keep Juul out of the hands of teens. The Food and Drug Administration, however, did not regulate e-cigarettes until 2016. A court order requires the companies that had products on the market as of August 2016 to turn in applications by May 2020 for FDA approval.
As the agency rolls out those regulations, researchers stress that e-cigarette companies still have wide latitude to sell their product without federal oversight.
E-cigarette and vaping products are “not regulated in terms of quality control, market control, anything right now,” said Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, a professor of pediatrics who researches tobacco-use prevention at Stanford University in California. “It is completely wide open.”
Kaiser Health News
The smokeless tobacco industry that began with low-voltage cigarette look-alikes has evolved to include customizable, high-wattage machines capable of generating enormous clouds of vapor or aerosol ― and potentially toxic substances.
As the technology continues to change, researchers are finding more evidence that the way vaping devices and e-liquids interact could harm consumers. High-powered devices may overheat vaping liquids to produce toxic chemicals, tobacco experts warn, and the aerosol that is inhaled may be contaminated with dangerous metals from the device.
Although researchers say they still don’t have enough data to know whether vaping devices are less dangerous than cigarettes, Stanton Glantz, a professor of medicine and the director of the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California-San Francisco, said the scientific evidence convinced him that vaping is far from a harmless substitute.
“Nobody knows what’s in any of these products,” said Glantz. “What you’re actually exposing yourself to is not in any way, shape or form standardized.”
Many consumers credit vaping and electronic cigarette products with helping them kick their cigarette habit. But as the technology has changed, so have e-liquids. Formulas today can deliver the same amount or more nicotine than a cigarette in the same number of puffs, researchers say.
("Vaping" is a term used by manufacturers, sellers and users of electronic cigarettes, but many devices do not produce a vapor, which has liquid particles suspended in the air. They produce an aerosol, which has liquid and/or solid particles suspended in a gaseous medium.)
Liquids and devices are being scrutinized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to identify what is causing the outbreak of vape-related illnesses. As of Oct. 15, the CDC had identified nearly 1,500 lung injuries related to vaping. Thirty-three people have died, according to the agency.
Investigators suspect many of the injuries are related to bootleg cartridges laced with THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. This point is frequently played up by the vaping industry and its advocates to defend products created and sold by reputable businesses.
However, the ingredients and materials that make up these products are often a mystery, even when they are made by legitimate manufacturers. Researchers like Thomas Eissenberg, a professor of health psychology and co-director of the Center for the Study of Tobacco Products at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, said published cases of e-cigarette-related illnesses preceded the latest outbreak.
The smokeless tobacco industry that began with low-voltage cigarette look-alikes has evolved to include customizable, high-wattage machines capable of generating enormous clouds of vapor or aerosol ― and potentially toxic substances.
As the technology continues to change, researchers are finding more evidence that the way vaping devices and e-liquids interact could harm consumers. High-powered devices may overheat vaping liquids to produce toxic chemicals, tobacco experts warn, and the aerosol that is inhaled may be contaminated with dangerous metals from the device.
Although researchers say they still don’t have enough data to know whether vaping devices are less dangerous than cigarettes, Stanton Glantz, a professor of medicine and the director of the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California-San Francisco, said the scientific evidence convinced him that vaping is far from a harmless substitute.
“Nobody knows what’s in any of these products,” said Glantz. “What you’re actually exposing yourself to is not in any way, shape or form standardized.”
 |
| Electronic cigarettes (Photo by Justin Sullivan, Getty Images) |
("Vaping" is a term used by manufacturers, sellers and users of electronic cigarettes, but many devices do not produce a vapor, which has liquid particles suspended in the air. They produce an aerosol, which has liquid and/or solid particles suspended in a gaseous medium.)
Liquids and devices are being scrutinized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to identify what is causing the outbreak of vape-related illnesses. As of Oct. 15, the CDC had identified nearly 1,500 lung injuries related to vaping. Thirty-three people have died, according to the agency.
Investigators suspect many of the injuries are related to bootleg cartridges laced with THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. This point is frequently played up by the vaping industry and its advocates to defend products created and sold by reputable businesses.
However, the ingredients and materials that make up these products are often a mystery, even when they are made by legitimate manufacturers. Researchers like Thomas Eissenberg, a professor of health psychology and co-director of the Center for the Study of Tobacco Products at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, said published cases of e-cigarette-related illnesses preceded the latest outbreak.
“Clearly, there’s something strange about these … cases popping up all at once,” said Eissenberg. “But I suspect we’ve been seeing numerous cases of these kinds of diseases ever since e-cigarettes were first sold.”
“Cigalikes” represent the earliest form of e-cigarettes. The disposable gadgets were typically prefilled and often resembled cigarettes. They also contained modest amounts of nicotine and were not very effective in delivering that to consumers.
Then, vape pens entered the market. They were refillable and packed more power than the cigalikes to heat up the e-liquid. The pens also tended to contain more nicotine.
The third generation of devices ― mods ― proved to be a technological and cultural leap for vaping, said Ana MarÃa Rule, an assistant professor who researches e-cigarettes at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Consumers could personalize their gadget by altering the battery, heating elements and e-liquid. The device inspired the creation of groups like “cloud-chasers,” vape users who compete at events around the country to make the largest cloud of aerosol.
“They completely changed the scope and the whole culture of vaping,” Rule said.
This type of vaping means consumers are inhaling larger volumes of the aerosolized chemicals, and that might mean more toxic chemicals, researchers say.
Then Juul hit the market in 2015. The rechargeable device resembles a flash drive, could not be customized and has generally lower voltage than its mod predecessor.
But what Juul lacked in technological innovation, it made up for it in its e-liquid. Each pod contains a concentration of nicotine equal to a pack of cigarettes, which concerns public health officials and researchers because nicotine is addictive. The company cut the nicotine with benzoic acid to reduce irritation, making it more palatable. It ultimately became a runaway success ― particularly among youth.
Yet, nicotine is far from the only harmful substance a consumer could be inhaling. Studies have found that overheating an e-liquid could cause “thermal degradation,” a process where the ingredients start breaking down. In some cases, this dismantling can create toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, a cancer-causing agent, said Eissenberg.
Overheated or burnt e-liquid can taste bitter, he said, but typically consumers have no way to detect a problem. “It’s important to realize it doesn’t always taste bad when that thermal degradation has occurred,” Eissenberg said.
Aerosol from e-cigarettes can also be laced with harmful metals that cause pulmonary and neurological health problems. A study Rule co-authored collected e-liquid samples from 56 e-cigarette devices owned by daily users, and found that the fluid sitting in the device and inhaled by the consumer had markedly higher levels of metal than the liquid in the refillable dispenser.
The authors suggest that the device’s heating element could be introducing toxic metal substances like chromium, nickel and lead into the e-liquid.
Despite the worrisome findings, tobacco researchers say the verdict is still out on the danger of e-cigarettes versus traditional cigarettes. There’s simply not enough data, they say.
However, the lack of evidence hasn’t stopped states from reacting to the cases of vaping-related illnesses by cracking down on the industry. Massachusetts has temporarily banned the sale of all vaping products in the state, but the ban is being challenged in court. Selling flavored e-cigarette and vaping products has been temporarily halted in a handful of other states and local jurisdictions, too.
Some vaping advocates view these state actions as fear-mongering. Gregory Conley, president of the nonprofit American Vaping Association, emphasized that the vast majority of sickened patients reported using bootleg cartridges that contained THC.
“The U.S. is in the middle of a moral panic right now, and good public health policy rarely flows out of moral panics,” said Conley, a New Jersey lawyer.
Conley acknowledged that stricter regulations could have helped keep Juul out of the hands of teens. The Food and Drug Administration, however, did not regulate e-cigarettes until 2016. A court order requires the companies that had products on the market as of August 2016 to turn in applications by May 2020 for FDA approval.
As the agency rolls out those regulations, researchers stress that e-cigarette companies still have wide latitude to sell their product without federal oversight.
E-cigarette and vaping products are “not regulated in terms of quality control, market control, anything right now,” said Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, a professor of pediatrics who researches tobacco-use prevention at Stanford University in California. “It is completely wide open.”
Think your child might have a disability or developmental delay? Take these steps
While we all want our children not to have any problems at all, the reality is that life doesn’t always work that way. Many children suffer from some sort of problem, whether it’s something minor and often temporary, like a speech delay, or something more difficult and permanent, like cerebral palsy or autism.
Children with problems or disabilities are no less wonderful and deserving than children without. The key to getting them on the right path for the best life possible is identifying those problems and getting help — as early as possible. That’s why it’s important to speak up early. Sometimes there isn’t a problem, and a child just needs a bit more time, or is a bit quirky. But it’s always better to find out. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Taking the first steps to evaluate possible disability or developmental delay
The first step if you are worried about your child is to share those concerns with your health care provider. There may be medical tests that are needed or could be helpful, and your doctor can and should be your partner in helping your child and your family.
The next step is getting your child an evaluation. This will connect you to any help and services that may be needed. Ask your doctor about suggestions for specialists who can evaluate your children. Two kinds of evaluations are available to all children:
- Early Intervention for children from birth to the third birthday
- Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) for children who have turned 3.
What is Early Intervention?
This is a service for children from birth through their third birthday who either have a problem with their development or are at risk for one (for example, babies born prematurely). To find out if a child is eligible, a skilled team does an evaluation. Usually this takes place in the child’s home, but can also take place at daycare or another place where the family feels more comfortable. Your doctor can refer you to Early Intervention, or a family can self-refer by reaching out to a local Early Intervention program to say that they are worried about their child’s development and would like to arrange an evaluation.
If a child is found to have a developmental problem, the team works out a service plan with the family. Children meet regularly with a developmental specialist, and there are other services, such as physical therapy, that can be brought in as well. Early Intervention works not only to provide services, but also to help the family help the child, giving them skills and strategies to support their child’s development.
The evaluation is always free, but it varies from state to state as to whether services are free. Early Intervention gets funding from both the government and insurance companies. In many states, all services are free. In some states, families are charged a sliding-scale fee based on their income.
What is an Individualized Educational Plan?
Once children turn 3, the responsibility for an evaluation and services shifts to the public schools. These evaluations are also free and available to all children. To get one of these evaluations, parents should go to their local school district and say that they are concerned about their child’s development and would like an evaluation. If they aren’t sure where to go, they can ask at any school in their district.
Next, the school district will discuss and plan with them what kind of evaluation should be done, because there are many possible aspects to an IEP evaluation. The doctor can help with this, for example, by suggesting an evaluation by a physical therapist, or testing for a learning disability.
After the evaluation, the team holds a meeting to discuss their findings with the family and anyone else the family wishes to include. If they identify any issues, the team will propose a plan for services and help. The family doesn’t have to agree at that moment to the plan. They can think about it and propose changes before signing it. It’s always a good idea to show the IEP evaluation and proposed services to your doctor and discuss it together.
Sometimes, while a child might not qualify for special education services, they need adjustments in their school program or extra support because of a diagnosis or disability. Examples might be a child with ADHD who needs extra time and help on assignments, or a child with a visual problem who needs to sit close to the front of the room and have access to larger print or other visual aids. For these children, the school, family, and doctor work together to create a 504 plan to meet the child’s needs.
The bottom line
If you have any worry that your child might have a disability or problem with their development, ask for help. There is help available, and the sooner you ask for it, the better for your child.
Follow me on Twitter @drClaire
The post Think your child might have a disability or developmental delay? Take these steps appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Medical News Today: Aplastic anemia: Everything you need to know
Aplastic anemia is a rare condition that damages vital stem cells in the bone marrow. Learn about the symptoms and treatment options for aplastic anemia here.
Medical News Today: How to treat peripheral neuropathy naturally
Peripheral neuropathy involves damage to the peripheral nerves. This can cause various sensations, including pain. Here, learn more about the symptoms and causes and which natural treatments may help.
Medical News Today: What do different TSH levels mean?
A thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test measures how much TSH is in the blood, which can help doctors diagnose thyroid conditions. Here, we describe normal, high, and low TSH ranges in males and females of different ages.
Medical News Today: How long does eye dilation take to wear off?
Some eye examinations require the dilation of the pupils. Pupil dilation and its effects can continue for hours after the examination has finished. Read on to find out how long pupil dilation lasts and how to manage the potential side effects.
Medical News Today: Brain immune cells may protect against OCD, anxiety
In a new study in mice, scientists have linked a subset of brain immune cells with a defined genetic lineage to obsessive compulsion and anxiety.
Medical News Today: Failed dementia drug gets a second chance
Biotech company Biogen have announced that they will file for official approval of a new Alzheimer's drug, while results in clinical trials were uncertain.
Medical News Today: Celiac disease: New treatment shows promise in trial
The results of a clinical trial are promising for people living with celiac disease, as a new treatment helps build gluten tolerance.
Medical News Today: Do stress-related disorders raise the risk of infections?
New research suggests that post-traumatic stress disorder and other stress-related conditions may raise the risk of certain infections by up to 63%.
Medical News Today: Sleep allows immune cells to do maintenance work on the brain
Research in mice suggests that the brain's dedicated immune cells are better able to do repair work during sleep, and explains the underlying mechanism.
Medical News Today: What to know about passing a kidney stone
Kidney stones are an accumulation of chemicals or minerals that form in the kidney or ureter. They can cause pain and discomfort. Read on to find out how long it takes to pass a kidney stone and how to speed up the process.
Medical News Today: Ewing sarcoma: What to know
Ewing sarcoma is a rare form of bone cancer that most commonly affects children and teenagers. In this article, learn about the symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
Medical News Today: What is amyloidosis?
Amyloidosis is a condition that causes abnormal proteins to grow on a person's organs. It can cause a variety of symptoms, depending on the organs involved. Learn more here.
Albany weight loss clinic sees big results with old-fashioned methods: eat better food, less of it, and exercise
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| Dr. Carol Peddicord holds a model representing 5 lbs. of body fat. (Clinton County News photo) |
Dr. Carol Peddicord and pharmacist Arica Collins of Dyer Drug Company came up with the idea for the clinic after seeing how many patients came in looking for a quick fix to lose weight. But the best way to do that is to live a healthier lifestyle, not through a pill or a crash diet, the News reports.
Emphasis on healthier. "We don’t want people to be skinner, we want them to be healthy and live longer," Peddicord told the News. Obesity is a significantly bigger problem in rural areas than in suburban and urban areas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Though the duo first conceived of the clinic because they were worried about children's health, most of their patients are women between the ages of 35 and 58. There are a few high schoolers though, and they're starting to see more men coming in. That's good, Peddicord told the News, because men typically have heart disease earlier in life.
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| Albany, in Clinton County, Ky. (Wikipedia map) |
Though Peddicord was glad to note that the clinic's patients had lost 680 lbs. last month, she told the News that pounds aren't the only thing that matter. Patients have seen other "non-scale victories" such as being able to stop taking insulin for diabetes. "People are losing weight, feeling better and are able to exercise," Peddicord told the News.
Can exercise help treat anxiety?
Chances are good that you, or someone you know, is dealing with anxiety. One in five Americans over 18, and one in three teenagers 13 to 18, reported having a chronic anxiety disorder during the past year. And when I talk to college students, they’re not at all surprised that a whopping 63% of students felt tremendous anxiety during their freshman year, according to a report by the National College Health Association.
The toll of anxiety can be high: it increases a person’s risk for other psychiatric disorders like depression, and can contribute to diabetes and cardiovascular problems. One sobering study shows that people with anxiety tend to be more sedentary and do less intense forms of physical activity, if any. That’s ironic, because lacing up your sneakers and getting out and moving may be the single best nonmedical solution we have for preventing and treating anxiety.
As a psychiatrist who studies the effects of exercise on the brain, I’ve not only seen the science, I’ve witnessed firsthand how physical activity affects my patients. Research shows aerobic exercise is especially helpful. A simple bike ride, dance class, or even a brisk walk can be a powerful tool for those suffering from chronic anxiety. Activities like these also help people who are feeling overly nervous and anxious about an upcoming test, a big presentation, or an important meeting.
How does exercise help ease anxiety?
- Engaging in exercise diverts you from the very thing you are anxious about.
- Moving your body decreases muscle tension, lowering the body’s contribution to feeling anxious.
- Getting your heart rate up changes brain chemistry, increasing the availability of important anti-anxiety neurochemicals, including serotonin, gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and endocannabinoids.
- Exercise activates frontal regions of the brain responsible for executive function, which helps control the amygdala, our reacting system to real or imagined threats to our survival.
- Exercising regularly builds up resources that bolster resilience against stormy emotions.
The details
So exactly how much exercise does one need to protect against episodes of anxiety and anxiety disorders? While pinpointing this is not easy, a recent meta-analysis in the journal Anxiety-Depression found that people with anxiety disorders who reported high-level physical activity were better protected against developing anxiety symptoms than those who reported low physical activity. Bottom line: when it comes to treating anxiety, more exercise is better.
If you’re just starting out, don’t despair. Some research also shows that just a single bout of exercise can help ease anxiety when it strikes.
Which type of exercise you choose may not matter greatly. Studies point to the effectiveness of everything from tai chi to high-intensity interval training. People experienced improvement no matter which types of activity they tried. Even general physical activity is helpful. The important thing is to try activities and keep doing them.
To maximize the benefits:
- Choose something enjoyable so you will do it repeatedly, building resilience.
- Work toward getting your heart rate up.
- Work out with a friend or in a group to reap the added benefit of social support.
- If possible, exercise in nature or green space, which further lowers stress and anxiety.
While scientific studies are important, you don’t need to consult a chart, statistics, or an expert to know how good you feel after working up a sweat. Remember those feelings and use them as motivation to do something physical every day. Time to get up and get moving!
Follow me on Twitter @jratey
The post Can exercise help treat anxiety? appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Lawmaker files 2 anti-vaping bills; some want a ban on flavors, but sponsor says that should be left up to the feds
By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News
A Louisville lawmaker has pre-filed two regulatory bills to combat the surge of youth use of electronic cigarettes in Kentucky, but some say they don't go far enough.
Louisville Republican Rep. Jerry Miller's most recently pre-filed bill would require all retailers or manufacturers of vapor/aerosol products that come with "enhanced cartridges" to register with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and pay a $500 annual licensing fee per location annually.
It would also prohibit retailers and manufacturers from selling such products online, by catalog or by phone; prohibit home delivery by outside vendors; require real-time age verification for purchase through an electronic third-party source no later than Jan. 1, 2021; and call for fines on any person under the age of 18 who tries to purchase vaping products.
WLKY reports that representatives from the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky and officials from Jefferson County Public School and Greater Louisville, Inc., the regional chamber of commerce, attended Monday's press conference outside Eastern High School in Louisville in support of Miller's bills.
But not all health advocates support the bill as written, largely because it doesn't include language to prohibit flavored e-cigarettes, a proposal that is supported by President Donald Trump.
"Anything short of bold and immediate action by the state to prohibit the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including mint and menthol, fails to protect the health of Kentucky’s kids," says a statement from the American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and Kentucky Voices for Health. "We urge Rep. Miller to amend his bill to adequately address flavored tobacco products and protect our youth.”
Juul, which has been the most popular brand of e-cigarettes by teens, announced on Oct. 17 that it would stop selling its fruit-flavored e-cigarettes in the U.S., though it will continue to sell its mint and menthol products.
The Campaign for Tobacco Free-Kids said in a separate statement that Juul not taking their mint and menthol products off the market shows the company "isn't serious about preventing youth use" of e-cigarettes since they are well aware that preliminary data from the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey shows that 64% of high school students who vape say that menthol and mint is their second most popular flavor behind fruit "and this number is growing all the time."
According to the Kentucky Incentives for Prevention survey, 26.7% of the state's high-school seniors reported they had vaped in the past 30 days in 2018, up from 12.2% in the 2016 survey. Use by sophomores, or 10th graders, increased to 23.2% from 11.3%; use by eighth graders jumped to 14.2% from 7.3%; and sixth-grader use increased to 4.2% from 2.3% over 2016.
Miller told Bailey Loosemore with the Louisville Courier Journal that he recognized the lure of the flavored products to teens and doesn't oppose a ban on them, but said that such a ban needs to take place on a federal level.
"If Washington wants to ban it, fine, that's their deal," he said. "In terms of Kentucky, how we're going to reduce teen vaping, I see it as more effective to regulate it."
Miller has also prefiled a bill that would impose a 27.5% excise tax on e-cigarettes and other vaping products.
On top of the youth vaping epidemic, the cause of vaping-related lung injuries is still unknown. And such injuries have disproportionately affected young people.
As of Oct. 15, 1,478 vaping-related lung injury cases have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 33 deaths have been confirmed in 24 states. The CDC reports that 15% of the cases were in patients younger than 18 years old, 21% of them were in patients between the ages of 18 and 21 and 18% were in patients between the ages of 21 and 24.
In Kentucky, 28 cases are under investigation, with six of them probable, two of them confirmed and four of them ruled out.
The CDC adds that while they haven't found the exact cause of the lung injuries, "national and state data suggest that products containing THC, particularly those obtained off the street or from other informal sources are linked to most of the cases." THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.
The CDC just released a report that analyzed 79 Utah patients who had suffered from what is now called EVALI, for "e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury." The report found that almost all of the patients reported using THC-containing vaping cartridges and most of the THC-containing products contained vitamin E acetate.
The study showed evidence of vitamin E acetate in 17 of 20 THC-containing cartridges, which were provided by six of 53 interviewed patients. The report notes that national data suggests that vitamin E acetate is now a common diluent in THC cartridges.
"The potential role of vitamin E acetate in lung injury remains unknown; however, the identification of vitamin E acetate among products collected from patients in Utah and elsewhere indicates that the outbreak might be associated with cutting agents or adulterants," says the report. "Ascertaining the potential contribution of diluents to the current outbreak will require data from multiple states and analysis at the national level."
Among the 849 lung-injury patients with information on the substances they used in their e-cigarettes, the CDC reports that about 78% of them used THC-containing product, with 31% of those only using THC. About 58% of them reported using nicotine-containing products, with 10% of those reporting that they only used nicotine.
The CDC recommends that at at this time, all persons should not use e-cigarettes or vaping products containing THC. And because the cause or causes of these lung injuries is still not known, "persons should consider refraining from use of all e-cigarette or vaping products."
Kentucky Health News
A Louisville lawmaker has pre-filed two regulatory bills to combat the surge of youth use of electronic cigarettes in Kentucky, but some say they don't go far enough.
 |
| Rep. Jerry Miller announces his pre-filed vaping bills, aimed at thwarting rampant teen use of e-cigarettes. WLKY photo. |
It would also prohibit retailers and manufacturers from selling such products online, by catalog or by phone; prohibit home delivery by outside vendors; require real-time age verification for purchase through an electronic third-party source no later than Jan. 1, 2021; and call for fines on any person under the age of 18 who tries to purchase vaping products.
WLKY reports that representatives from the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky and officials from Jefferson County Public School and Greater Louisville, Inc., the regional chamber of commerce, attended Monday's press conference outside Eastern High School in Louisville in support of Miller's bills.
But not all health advocates support the bill as written, largely because it doesn't include language to prohibit flavored e-cigarettes, a proposal that is supported by President Donald Trump.
"Anything short of bold and immediate action by the state to prohibit the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including mint and menthol, fails to protect the health of Kentucky’s kids," says a statement from the American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and Kentucky Voices for Health. "We urge Rep. Miller to amend his bill to adequately address flavored tobacco products and protect our youth.”
Juul, which has been the most popular brand of e-cigarettes by teens, announced on Oct. 17 that it would stop selling its fruit-flavored e-cigarettes in the U.S., though it will continue to sell its mint and menthol products.
The Campaign for Tobacco Free-Kids said in a separate statement that Juul not taking their mint and menthol products off the market shows the company "isn't serious about preventing youth use" of e-cigarettes since they are well aware that preliminary data from the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey shows that 64% of high school students who vape say that menthol and mint is their second most popular flavor behind fruit "and this number is growing all the time."
According to the Kentucky Incentives for Prevention survey, 26.7% of the state's high-school seniors reported they had vaped in the past 30 days in 2018, up from 12.2% in the 2016 survey. Use by sophomores, or 10th graders, increased to 23.2% from 11.3%; use by eighth graders jumped to 14.2% from 7.3%; and sixth-grader use increased to 4.2% from 2.3% over 2016.
Miller told Bailey Loosemore with the Louisville Courier Journal that he recognized the lure of the flavored products to teens and doesn't oppose a ban on them, but said that such a ban needs to take place on a federal level.
"If Washington wants to ban it, fine, that's their deal," he said. "In terms of Kentucky, how we're going to reduce teen vaping, I see it as more effective to regulate it."
Miller has also prefiled a bill that would impose a 27.5% excise tax on e-cigarettes and other vaping products.
On top of the youth vaping epidemic, the cause of vaping-related lung injuries is still unknown. And such injuries have disproportionately affected young people.
As of Oct. 15, 1,478 vaping-related lung injury cases have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 33 deaths have been confirmed in 24 states. The CDC reports that 15% of the cases were in patients younger than 18 years old, 21% of them were in patients between the ages of 18 and 21 and 18% were in patients between the ages of 21 and 24.
In Kentucky, 28 cases are under investigation, with six of them probable, two of them confirmed and four of them ruled out.
The CDC adds that while they haven't found the exact cause of the lung injuries, "national and state data suggest that products containing THC, particularly those obtained off the street or from other informal sources are linked to most of the cases." THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.
The CDC just released a report that analyzed 79 Utah patients who had suffered from what is now called EVALI, for "e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury." The report found that almost all of the patients reported using THC-containing vaping cartridges and most of the THC-containing products contained vitamin E acetate.
The study showed evidence of vitamin E acetate in 17 of 20 THC-containing cartridges, which were provided by six of 53 interviewed patients. The report notes that national data suggests that vitamin E acetate is now a common diluent in THC cartridges.
"The potential role of vitamin E acetate in lung injury remains unknown; however, the identification of vitamin E acetate among products collected from patients in Utah and elsewhere indicates that the outbreak might be associated with cutting agents or adulterants," says the report. "Ascertaining the potential contribution of diluents to the current outbreak will require data from multiple states and analysis at the national level."
Among the 849 lung-injury patients with information on the substances they used in their e-cigarettes, the CDC reports that about 78% of them used THC-containing product, with 31% of those only using THC. About 58% of them reported using nicotine-containing products, with 10% of those reporting that they only used nicotine.
The CDC recommends that at at this time, all persons should not use e-cigarettes or vaping products containing THC. And because the cause or causes of these lung injuries is still not known, "persons should consider refraining from use of all e-cigarette or vaping products."
Three cases of whooping cough have been reported in Lexington high-schools this year; best defense is vaccination
Two cases of whooping cough have occurred in less than a month at a Lexington high school, and another Lexington high school reported a case earlier this month.
Two cases were reported at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School and one at Frederick Douglas High School, reports Valarie Honeycutt Spears of the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Health officials told Honeycutt that this is the ninth confirmed case in Lexington in 2019 and the third for Fayette County Public Schools for the 2019-20 school year.
Whooping cough, known medically as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection spread by coughing, sneezing or close contact. Infected people are most contagious up to about two weeks after the cough begins.
Early symptoms of whooping cough look like a common cold, including runny nose, sneezing, mild cough and low-grade fever. After one to two weeks, long coughing spells develop, which often occur in explosive bursts, sometimes ending with a high-pitched whoop and vomiting. This can go on for up to 10 weeks or more, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"Pertussis is most dangerous for babies," says the CDC. "About half of babies younger than 1 who get the disease need care in the hospital."
Vaccination is the best way to prevent the spread of whooping cough, says the CDC. The childhood vaccine is calld DTaP. The whooping cough booster vaccine for adolescents and adults is called Tdap. Both vaccines protect against whooping cough, tetanus and dipthieria.
Infants should receive a series of DTaP immunizations at 2, 4, and 6 months, with boosters at 15-18 months and 4-6 years. Children should then get a single dose of Tdap vaccine at 11 to 12.
Pregnant women should receive a single dose of Tdap during every pregnancy, preferably at 27 through 36 weeks.
Parents of infants and anyone who provides care to an infant should also be immunized against whooping cough. It is recommended that the infant's family members receive a one-time dose of Tdap if they have not already done so.
And although the vaccine is effective, immunity tends to decrease over time, which is why the boosters are so important, says the CDC.
Health officials told Honeycutt that they are working with Fayette County Public Schools to make sure parents are aware of the threat of pertussis. They also recommend preventive antibiotics for high-risk students who were exposed.
High-risk students are those with a chronic illness or weakened immune system and those who live with a family member with a chronic illness or weakened immune system, an infant or a pregnant woman.
Honeycutt reports that school-age children with symptoms of pertussis should stay home from school and go see their health care provider, even if they have previously been vaccinated. Students with probable or confirmed pertussis should remain out of school until they finish their antibiotics.
A county-by-county annual student immunization report shows that 93.5 percent of Kentucky's Kindergarten students have received four or more doses of the DTaP vaccine, with 60% of counties reporting 95% or greater compliance, which lines up with the Healthy People 2020 target measures.
The report found that 92.3% of the state's seventh graders had received one dose of the Tdap booster, with 92.5% of counties reporting 80% or greater compliance; 93.4% of 11th graders were up to date on their Tdap booster, with 92%% of counties reporting 80% or greater compliance; and 94.2% of 12th graders had received one dose of the booster, with 95.7% of counties reporting 80% or greater compliance. The Healthy People 2020 goal for the upper grades is 80% or greater for one dose of Tdap.
In Fayette County, 96.8% of its Kindergarten students are up to date on their whooping cough vaccine, as are 89.5% of its 7th graders, 92.5% of its 11th graders and 93.1% of its 12th graders
Last year in Kentucky, preliminary data shows that Kentucky had 193 cases of whopping cough, which is 4.33 cases per 100,000 people.
Health officials told Honeycutt that this is the ninth confirmed case in Lexington in 2019 and the third for Fayette County Public Schools for the 2019-20 school year.
Whooping cough, known medically as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection spread by coughing, sneezing or close contact. Infected people are most contagious up to about two weeks after the cough begins.
Early symptoms of whooping cough look like a common cold, including runny nose, sneezing, mild cough and low-grade fever. After one to two weeks, long coughing spells develop, which often occur in explosive bursts, sometimes ending with a high-pitched whoop and vomiting. This can go on for up to 10 weeks or more, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"Pertussis is most dangerous for babies," says the CDC. "About half of babies younger than 1 who get the disease need care in the hospital."
Vaccination is the best way to prevent the spread of whooping cough, says the CDC. The childhood vaccine is calld DTaP. The whooping cough booster vaccine for adolescents and adults is called Tdap. Both vaccines protect against whooping cough, tetanus and dipthieria.
Infants should receive a series of DTaP immunizations at 2, 4, and 6 months, with boosters at 15-18 months and 4-6 years. Children should then get a single dose of Tdap vaccine at 11 to 12.
Pregnant women should receive a single dose of Tdap during every pregnancy, preferably at 27 through 36 weeks.
Parents of infants and anyone who provides care to an infant should also be immunized against whooping cough. It is recommended that the infant's family members receive a one-time dose of Tdap if they have not already done so.
And although the vaccine is effective, immunity tends to decrease over time, which is why the boosters are so important, says the CDC.
Health officials told Honeycutt that they are working with Fayette County Public Schools to make sure parents are aware of the threat of pertussis. They also recommend preventive antibiotics for high-risk students who were exposed.
High-risk students are those with a chronic illness or weakened immune system and those who live with a family member with a chronic illness or weakened immune system, an infant or a pregnant woman.
Honeycutt reports that school-age children with symptoms of pertussis should stay home from school and go see their health care provider, even if they have previously been vaccinated. Students with probable or confirmed pertussis should remain out of school until they finish their antibiotics.
A county-by-county annual student immunization report shows that 93.5 percent of Kentucky's Kindergarten students have received four or more doses of the DTaP vaccine, with 60% of counties reporting 95% or greater compliance, which lines up with the Healthy People 2020 target measures.
The report found that 92.3% of the state's seventh graders had received one dose of the Tdap booster, with 92.5% of counties reporting 80% or greater compliance; 93.4% of 11th graders were up to date on their Tdap booster, with 92%% of counties reporting 80% or greater compliance; and 94.2% of 12th graders had received one dose of the booster, with 95.7% of counties reporting 80% or greater compliance. The Healthy People 2020 goal for the upper grades is 80% or greater for one dose of Tdap.
In Fayette County, 96.8% of its Kindergarten students are up to date on their whooping cough vaccine, as are 89.5% of its 7th graders, 92.5% of its 11th graders and 93.1% of its 12th graders
Last year in Kentucky, preliminary data shows that Kentucky had 193 cases of whopping cough, which is 4.33 cases per 100,000 people.
