Study finds potential biomarkers for bipolar disorders

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/study-finds-potential-biomarkers-for-bipolar-disorders/art-20185397

What bacteria may reveal about your home

Researchers find certain types of residences may have more human bacteria on the walls and floors, including mouth microbes

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/bacteria-found-at-home/

Air pollution takes a deadly toll

"Everybody breathes the air and everybody benefits" from efforts to reduce pollution, scientists say

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/air-pollution-kills-more-than-5-million-people-worldwide-each-year/

How does Zika virus spread?

There's a lot of concern and confusion about how the virus is transmitted; here's what we know so far

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-does-zika-virus-spread-what-we-know-so-far/

Michigan governor, EPA chief to testify before Congress on Flint

Snyder called the chairman of the Oversight Committee on Thursday offering to testify. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy will also testify

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/michigan-governor-epa-administrator-to-testify-before-congress-on-flint/

Is it safe to exercise when it's freezing outside?

Exercising in super-cold weather is usually doable, but there are a number of issues to consider first

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/is-it-safe-to-exercise-when-its-freezing-cold-outside/

Surgery and Stenting Safe, Effective Lowering Long-Term Risk of Stroke

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sOEpIFhB_s

Baldness Linked to Risk for Prostate Cancer Death

A new study has added urgency to the question of whether or not baldness is a risk factor for prostate cancer. WebMD has the details.

From: http://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/news/20160212/baldness-prostate-cancer-death?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Mayo Clinic Minute: Stocking a Healthy Kitchen

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4E9lMypxMw

Parents' Criticism Tied to Persistent ADHD in Kids

If harsh comments focus on the child, rather than the behaviors, symptoms may linger, researcher says

From: http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/news/20160212/study-ties-parents-criticism-to-persistent-adhd-in-kids?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Could a Lung Cancer Drug Work Better With Coke?

Study finds cola boosts effectiveness of Tarceva for patients who are also taking a heartburn medicine

From: http://www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/news/20160212/could-a-lung-cancer-drug-work-better-with-coke?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Kidney stones are on the rise

In the past, medical textbooks described the typical person unlucky enough to develop a kidney stone as a white, middle-aged, obese man who eats an unhealthy diet and doesn’t drink enough fluids. Those books may need an update.  A new study has found not only that the incidence of kidney stones is going up, but that they are also developing in people not considered high-risk in the past, including children, women, and African Americans.

Why stones?

Kidney stones develop when certain chemicals in the urine, such as calcium or uric acid, form crystals. Risk factors for stone formation include

• diet, including high intake of animal protein, sodium, and sugar, as well as low intake of fluids
• certain conditions, such as gout, diabetes, and obesity
• some medications, including calcium supplements
• family history and genetics — kidney stones can run in families, although the specific contributions of shared genes versus shared environments and diets are uncertain.

While a specific cause may be impossible to identify, kidney stones are common, affecting about 19% of men and 9% of women by age 70.

Do stones matter?

Occasionally, kidney stones are discovered incidentally and pass on their own, never causing symptoms or needing treatment. But, when they become stuck somewhere, they can cause pain or blocked urine flow. They can become lodged anywhere in the urinary system, including the kidney, the ureters (the narrow tubes connecting each kidney to the bladder), the bladder, or the urethra (the passageway between the bladder and the outside world). As you might have heard, “passing a kidney stone” can be agonizingly painful — that’s usually when it’s become stuck in a ureter.

In addition to pain and urinary problems, kidney stones can also cause bleeding and kidney damage. They can increase the risk of a urinary tract infection and have even been linked to cardiovascular disease. So, the answer is — yes, they do matter.

This just in

A study just published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology describes an analysis of more than 150,000 people in South Carolina who experienced kidney stones at some point between 1997 and 2012. The study’s major findings were:

• The frequency of kidney stones increased 16% over the study period.
• The biggest increases were among children, women, and African Americans.
• While more men than women had kidney stones (as has been noted in the past), women outnumbered men among those under age 25.

Why the rise?

This study and past research have not been able to determine the reason kidney stones seem to be on the rise. The rising rate of obesity may be playing a role. Another possibility is climate change, as warmer temperatures encourage dehydration. The fact is, no one knows for sure.

What’s a person to do?

If you have symptoms of kidney stones, see your doctor or report directly to an emergency room. The most common symptoms are waves of pain in the back or lower abdomen, pain with urination, or blood in the urine.

If you’ve already been diagnosed with a kidney stone, it’s important to figure out why it happened (if possible) and take steps to avoid recurrence. See your doctor to discuss dietary measures and medications to take (or avoid). The details vary depending on the type of stone you had and the results of your blood and urine tests.

What now?

We need more research to understand the reason — or reasons — kidney stones are becoming more common. If we can figure it out, there’s a good chance we can find better ways to prevent them. Considering how painful and potentially dangerous kidney stones can be, prevention is key. Ask anyone who has had one: kidney stones are definitely worth avoiding if possible.

Related Post:

• 5 steps for preventing kidney stones
• How well does calcium intake really protect your bones?
• Full bladder wakes 2 in 3 women at night
• “Not Again!” — When UTIs won’t quit at midlife
• Some home blood pressure monitors aren’t accurate

The post Kidney stones are on the rise appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Robert Shmerling, M.D. http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/kidney-stones-are-on-the-rise-201602129133

USDA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Join Forces to Promote Agriculture Jobs and Farming and Ranching to Military Veterans

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced a joint agreement with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to increase employment opportunities in the agricultural sector for military veterans and their spouses.

From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2016/02/0044.xml&contentidonly=true

Another STD Spurs Concern

British study concludes Mycoplasma genitalium infection is transmitted through sexual contact

From: http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/news/20160212/another-std-spurs-concern?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Colombia Claims No Zika Birth Defects: Why?

Major public health institutions say it's too soon to tell whether the report is accurate

From: http://www.webmd.com/news/20160212/researchers-probe-colombias-claim-of-no-birth-defects-linked-to-zika?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Women With Asthma May Have Fertility Problems

It might take longer to get pregnant and that difficulty increases with age, research suggests

From: http://www.webmd.com/women/news/20160212/women-with-asthma-may-be-prone-to-fertility-problems-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC

How couples cope with cancer on Valentine's Day

Forget chocolates and roses: "When you're cancer-free, it just puts a whole new light on everything"

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-couples-cope-with-cancer-on-valentines-day-and-every-day/

Asthma May Raise Risk for Abdominal Aneurysm

Airway disease also linked to greater rupture risk in body's main artery, study suggests

From: http://www.webmd.com/asthma/news/20160211/asthma-may-raise-risk-for-abdominal-aneurysm?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Weak Knees Large Cause of Falls in Older People

But treatments to improve strength, balance may guard against injuries, disability, researchers say

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/news/20160211/weakened-knees-a-big-cause-of-falls-for-older-people-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC

USDA, Partners to Invest $720 Million in Large-Scale, Targeted Conservation Projects Across the Nation

SAVANNAH, Ga., Feb. 12, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and partners across the nation together will direct up to $720 million towards 84 conservation projects that will help communities improve water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability. These projects make up the second round of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) created by the 2014 Farm Bill.

From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2016/02/0042.xml&contentidonly=true

CDC Offering Zika Virus Tests for Pregnant Women

Two U.S. women who contracted the virus while abroad suffered miscarriages, according to reports

From: http://www.webmd.com/news/20160211/cdc-offering-zika-virus-tests-for-pregnant-women?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Secretaries Jewell, Vilsack Applaud President Obama's Designation of Three New National Monuments in California Desert

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2016 - Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack today joined members of Congress, state and local officials, and local business and community leaders in applauding the President's designation of the Sand to Snow National Monument, Mojave Trails National Monument, and Castle Mountains National Monument in southern California.

From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2016/02/0043.xml&contentidonly=true

​Venezuela says 3 dead from Zika virus complications

More than 5,000 suspected cases of Zika in Venezuela since November, but local health officials say the real number is likely much higher

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/venezuela-says-3-dead-from-zika-virus-complications/

Childhood vaccines: Tough questions, straight answers

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/vaccines/art-20048334