Top Texas health official co-authored a study that drew strong backlash from Republican leaders
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-health-official-steps-down-after-planned-parenthood-study/
Thursday, February 18, 2016
California board rejects condom requirement for porn films
Heeding the pleas of scores of actors, directors and producers, officials have rejected a proposal to require that porn actors cover up with condoms
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-board-rejects-condom-requirement-for-porn-films/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-board-rejects-condom-requirement-for-porn-films/
U.S. woman bearing twins scared of Zika after Puerto Rico trip
The virus has been linked to birth defects in Latin America and pregnant women in the United States are taking heed
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pregnant-women-guarding-against-the-zika-virus/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pregnant-women-guarding-against-the-zika-virus/
Fatal Overdoses Rising From Some Sedatives
When combined with narcotics, these drugs can be lethal, researcher says
From: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/news/20160218/fatal-overdoses-rising-from-sedatives-like-valium-xanax?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Gov. Scott Walker signs legislation slashing Planned Parenthood funding
Ohio Gov. John Kasich is also set to sign a bill that shifts money away from Planned Parenthood
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/gov-scott-walker-signs-legislation-slashing-planned-parenthood-funding/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/gov-scott-walker-signs-legislation-slashing-planned-parenthood-funding/
Pope suggests tolerance for contraception in Zika crisis
Pope Francis responds to a question about whether abortion or birth control might be a "lesser evil" during Zika outbreak
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-suggests-tolerance-for-contraception-in-zika-crisis/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-suggests-tolerance-for-contraception-in-zika-crisis/
Calif. officials to vote on requiring condoms in porn
Proposed regulation aims to protect adult film actors, but industry says it goes too far
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-officials-to-vote-on-requiring-condoms-in-porn/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-officials-to-vote-on-requiring-condoms-in-porn/
Hospital explains decision to pay ransom to hackers
One security expert says many ransomware victims pay up, but few go public
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/hospital-explains-decision-to-pay-ransom-to-hackers/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/hospital-explains-decision-to-pay-ransom-to-hackers/
A Third of Adults Lack Regular, Refreshing Sleep
Study finds people who work, have a college degree or are married tend to get better sleep
From: http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20160218/a-third-of-us-adults-dont-get-regular-refreshing-sleep-cdc?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Online Reputation: The Difference Between Success and Bankruptcy
From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0EwwXr881w
Stroke Survivors May Develop Seizures
15 percent experience at least one seizure within 3 years, researchers say
From: http://www.webmd.com/stroke/news/20160218/stroke-survivors-develop-seizures-study-confirms?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Home Post-Stroke Caregiving Tops $11K a Year
Helping older survivors with daily activities costs more than previously estimated, researchers say
From: http://www.webmd.com/stroke/news/20160218/post-stroke-caregiving-at-home-tops-11000-a-year-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC
USDA Expands Insurance Options for Farmers Transitioning to Certified Organic Agriculture
WASHINGTON, Feb. 18, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a new step to support farmers transitioning to certified organic production, by expanding a crop insurance option to allow producers to purchase insurance coverage that better reflects their product’s actual value. The expanded coverage is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) continued commitment to provide farmers with resources and tools to meet the growing demand for certified organic products. The Secretary made the announcement at the White House during remarks to participants at the USDA Market Summit.
From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2016/02/0049.xml&contentidonly=true
From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2016/02/0049.xml&contentidonly=true
Americans are sleep deprived. Could getting married help?
Some unexpected findings in the latest study on sleep
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sleep-deprivation-plagues-the-u-s-could-getting-married-help/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sleep-deprivation-plagues-the-u-s-could-getting-married-help/
Testosterone gel is no fountain of youth, study finds
New study shows certain benefits of the therapy, while questions about risks still remain
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/testosterone-gel-is-no-fountain-of-youth-study/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/testosterone-gel-is-no-fountain-of-youth-study/
Mayo Clinic Minute: Balancing Proton Pump Inhibitor Risks and Benefits
From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7DlpmVQMw0
Behavioral Therapy First for ADHD Treatment?
Behavioral Therapy First for ADHD Treatment?
From: http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/news/20160218/behavioral-therapy-adhd?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Testosterone May Boost Sex Drive in Older Men
... But no benefits seen in areas of vitality or physical function, trials show
From: http://www.webmd.com/men/news/20160217/testosterone-therapy-may-boost-sex-drive-in-older-men-?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Could common antibiotics be linked to delirium?
A new study examines possible connection between the commonly-prescribed drugs and temporary mental confusion
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/could-common-antibiotics-be-linked-to-delirium/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/could-common-antibiotics-be-linked-to-delirium/
Surgery leaves woman with strange side effect: kleptomania
Could a routine operation really lead to compulsive stealing?
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/surgery-leaves-woman-with-strange-side-effect-kleptomania/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/surgery-leaves-woman-with-strange-side-effect-kleptomania/
Teething Makes Babies Cranky, But Not Sick: Review
But if infant has a fever while first teeth break through gums, it most likely points to illness, doctors say
From: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20160218/teething-makes-babies-cranky-but-not-sick-review?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on New Biobased Laundry Detergent
WASHINGTON, Feb. 18, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today issued the following statement on news that Procter & Gamble’s Tide detergent will soon release Tide PurClean, a recently “certified biobased” product through USDA’s BioPreferred Program:
From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2016/02/0048.xml&contentidonly=true
From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2016/02/0048.xml&contentidonly=true
Optimal oral health for all focus of April conference
Anyone interested in improving the oral health of the public is invited April 18-20 to the National Oral Health Conference here.
From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/february/optimal-oral-health-for-all-focus-of-april-conference
From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/february/optimal-oral-health-for-all-focus-of-april-conference
ADA Business Resources endorses HealthFirst for medical waste disposal service
ADA Business Resources announced in February that it has endorsed HealthFirst as provider of sharps and medical waste mailback disposal services for members.
From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/february/the-ada-business-resources-endorses-healthfirst-for-medical-waste-disposal-service
From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/february/the-ada-business-resources-endorses-healthfirst-for-medical-waste-disposal-service
FACT SHEET: Overview of USDA’s BioPreferred Program
Earlier today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a statement on the growth of USDA’s BioPreferred Program, which has certified more than 2,500 products in 100 different product categories. The most recent product to be certified biobased by USDA’s BioPreferred Program is Tide detergent from Proctor & Gamble. The new product, Tide PurClean, will be available to consumers in the coming months.
From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2016/02/0047.xml&contentidonly=true
From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2016/02/0047.xml&contentidonly=true
Study: Get Patients Out of Bed Soon After Stroke
Early and frequent movement reduces risk of serious complications in seniors, researchers find
From: http://www.webmd.com/stroke/news/20160217/study-getting-patients-out-of-bed-soon-after-stroke-is-good-medicine?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Research Suggests Zika Can Move from Mom to Fetus
Discovery adds to signs it might have caused thousands of Brazilian babies to be born with birth defect
From: http://www.webmd.com/news/20160217/finding-suggests-zika-virus-can-move-from-mother-to-child-during-pregnancy?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Parenthood May Alter Immune System
Raising a child seems to cause greater changes than response to flu vaccine or stomach flu
From: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20160217/parenthood-may-alter-immune-system-research-suggests?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Possible Link Between Antibiotics and Delirium?
Temporary confusion often caused by drugs, including common antimicrobials, research suggests
From: http://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20160217/study-sees-possible-link-between-antibiotics-and-delirium-in-patients?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Don’t shrug off shingles
If you had chickenpox as a kid, there is a good chance you may develop shingles later in life. “In fact, one in three is predicted to get shingles during their lifetime,” says Dr. Anne Louise Oaklander, director of the Nerve Unit at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.
The same varicella-zoster virus that causes chickenpox also causes shingles. After the telltale spots of chickenpox vanish, the virus lies dormant in your nerve cells near the spinal cord and brain. When your immunity weakens from normal aging or from illnesses or medications, the virus can re-emerge. It then travels along a nerve to trigger a rash in the skin connected to that nerve. The rash often appears on only one side of your body. The most common locations are the chest, back, or stomach, or above one eye.
Most cases of shingles cause severe pain and itching, and can leave scars. Fluid-filled blisters develop, break, and crust over during and a few weeks after an outbreak. You also may feel sick or fatigued, with a slight fever or headache. However, it is possible to have rashes that are so mild they’re not even noticed.
Seek treatment right away
Many people have the mistaken impression that, like poison ivy, shingles is a nuisance rash that fades on its own. “But in fact a shingles rash should alert people, especially in middle or old age, to seek immediate medical help,” says Dr. Oaklander.
Rapid treatment with one of three antiviral drugs, acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex), or famciclovir (Famvir), can shorten a shingles attack and reduce the risk of serious damage, such as:
- Long-term pain. Pain that lingers in the area of a healed shingles rash is called postherpetic neuralgia. This often-disabling pain can last several months to a year.
- Prolonged itching. Many people are left with an itchy area from their shingles, which can be as disabling as chronic pain. It is most common on the head or neck.
- Damage to vision and hearing. Pain and rash near an eye can cause permanent eye damage and requires an urgent ophthalmological exam. When the nerve to the ear is affected, it can permanently damage hearing or balance.
- Strokes and heart attacks. A PLOS Medicine study that tracked about 67,000 people ages 65 and older who were newly diagnosed with shingles found that stroke risk more than doubled in the first week after the shingles diagnosis. The same study reported an increased risk for heart attacks in the three months after shingles, but the additional risk dissipated after six months.
Prevent shingles with vaccination
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that almost all people ages 60 and older be vaccinated against shingles, whether or not they had chicken pox in their youth or have had shingles before, says Dr. Oaklander.
The vaccination that prevents chickenpox in children was used to develop a similar vaccine (Zostavax) that protects against shingles. “It reduces the risk of getting shingles by about half, and shingles rashes that still develop are slightly less likely to cause postherpetic pain, or other serious complications,” says Dr. Oaklander.
People with especially weak immune systems, such as those with cancer or anyone undergoing immunosuppressive treatments, should avoid Zostavax since the vaccine contains a weakened form of the live virus. Because Zostavax has only been available since 2006, it is still not yet clear if a single vaccination offers lifelong protection, but at this time, no booster is recommended.
A new shingles vaccine called HZ/su also may be helpful for older adults. A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that the vaccine was 97.2% effective among those ages 50 and older, and 97.9% effective for those ages 70 and older. And since HZ/su is not made from a live, weakened virus, it is safe to give to people with weak immune systems. This vaccine still needs to undergo further testing before it can be submitted for FDA approval, which may happen as early as this year.
Related Post:
The post Don’t shrug off shingles appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
From: Matthew Solan http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/dont-shrug-off-shingles-201602189186
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