Bedbugs flourishing in low-income communities, study finds

Study of New Jersey residents revealed that half of those with insect infestations didn't even realize it

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-jersey-bedbug-study-reveals-half-dont-know-theyre-infested/

Broken jail healthcare system poses danger behind bars

Advanced Correctional Healthcare, a company serving 255 correctional facilities in 17 states, has settled at least six lawsuits with families whose relatives died from preventable causes

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/broken-jail-healthcare-system-poses-danger-behind-bars/

Racial bias may lead to mismanaged pain in black patients

A new study sheds light on why some white doctors may not understand black patients' pain

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/racial-bias-may-lead-to-mismanaged-pain-in-black-patients/

Scientists in Hawaii map out where Zika might go next

Working closely with officials, researchers in Hawaii are crunching data to track the Zika virus and curb its spread

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/scientists-in-hawaii-map-out-where-zika-might-go-next/

Sugary Drinks, 'Bad' Carbs Tied to These Cancers

Preliminary study finds more reason to improve your diet

From: http://www.webmd.com/diet/20160405/sugary-drinks-bad-carbs-tied-to-breast-prostate-cancers?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Fentanyl: What you need to know about the deadly opioid

The drug has been linked to 10 deaths in 12 days in California and numerous other outbreaks across the country

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/fentanyl-what-you-need-to-know-about-deadly-opioid/

Many of Oldest Old Say They're at Peace With Dying

Study finds most people over 95 are simply grateful for every day

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/news/20160405/many-of-oldest-old-say-theyre-at-peace-with-dying?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Sleepless nights linked to brain abnormalities

Insomnia may be linked to impairments in the brain's white matter

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sleepless-nights-linked-to-brain-abnormalities/

Mayo Clinic Minute: Erectile Dysfunction Can Signal Other Problems

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

Health needs from humanitarian emergencies at an all-time high

WHO needs US$ 2.2 billion to provide life-saving health services to more than 79 million people in more than 30 countries facing protracted emergencies this year.

From: http://www.who.int/entity/mediacentre/news/releases/2016/humanitarian-emergencies/en/index.html

Chemotherapy and hair loss: What to expect during treatment

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/chemotherapy/in-depth/hair-loss/art-20046920

Chemotherapy nausea and vomiting: Prevention is best defense

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/chemotherapy/in-depth/cancer/art-20047517

Back pain during pregnancy: 7 tips for relief

Back pain and pregnancy often go hand in hand, but you don't have to grin and bear it. Give back pain the boot!

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy/art-20046080

Analysis uncovers huge spike in prescription drug prices

Soaring drug prices leave some consumers with difficult choices to make

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/prescription-drug-prices-spike/

Stem cell therapy holds promise for heart failure patients

Clinical trial of 126 patients is first to suggest stem cell therapy can have a "meaningful" impact on lives of heart failure sufferers

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/stem-cell-therapy-shows-promise-in-heart-failure-patients-study-suggests/

Federal report says global warming making U.S. sick

Climate change making the air dirtier, water more contaminated and food more tainted, Obama administration warns in new report

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/federal-report-says-global-warming-making-us-sick/

16 patients of ex-nurse in Utah test positive for Hep C

Thousands of people potentially affected have still not been tested, officials say

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/16-patients-of-ex-nurse-elet-nielson-in-utah-hospital-test-positive-for-hepatitis-c/

Sleepless Nights Linked to Brain Changes in Study

People with insomnia said to have more white matter abnormalities

From: http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20160405/sleepless-nights-linked-to-brain-changes-in-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Research institute agrees to $3.9 million HIPAA settlement

A biomedical research institute has agreed to pay a $3.9 million settlement to the federal government after an investigation determined that a stolen laptop contained the electronic protected health information of approximately 13,000 patients and research participants.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/april/research-institute-agrees-to-3-9-million-hipaa-settlement

More People Surviving Sudden Liver Failure

Better diagnosis and care may be behind the trend, experts say

From: http://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/news/20160404/more-people-surviving-sudden-liver-failure?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Vitamin D Boosts Heart Function in Study

When given to heart failure patients, it improved organ's pumping ability, researchers say

From: http://www.webmd.com/heart/news/20160404/vitamin-d-boosts-heart-function-in-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Shorter, Intensive Radiation and Prostate Cancer

The trial focused on early-stage disease that hadn't spread beyond the gland

From: http://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/news/20160404/shorter-intensive-radiation-works-for-prostate-cancer-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC

This May Help Long-Term Control of Type 2 Diabetes

After 5 years, more patients in surgery group had lower blood sugar than in medication-only group

From: http://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/20160404/weight-loss-surgery-may-help-control-type-2-diabetes-in-long-run?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Doctors, Patients May Miss Chances To Lower Costs

A study published in Health Affairs examines how physician-patient interactions often present missed opportunities to control patients’ health care spending.

From: http://www.webmd.com/health-insurance/20160404/by-not-discussing-cost-issues-doctors-patients-may-miss-chances-to-lower-outofpocket-expenses?src=RSS_PUBLIC

New Technique May Help Men's Nighttime Urination

Procedure partially blocks blood flow to the gland and appears to ease the night need, but skeptics exist

From: http://www.webmd.com/men/prostate-enlargement-bph/news/20160404/new-prostate-technique-may-help-mens-nighttime-urination?src=RSS_PUBLIC

This Fibroid Treatment Boosts Women's Sex Lives

Doctors say women need to know about this less-invasive option, although it's not suitable for all

From: http://www.webmd.com/women/news/20160404/womens-sex-lives-get-a-boost-after-non-surgical-fibroid-treatment?src=RSS_PUBLIC

New York governor approves landmark family leave law

Workers will get a portion of their salary, with guarantee of a similar job when they return

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/new-york-governor-approves-landmark-family-leave-law/

Uproar over California school handling of toxic chemicals

Toxic PCBs were discovered in Malibu classrooms about thee years ago

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/uproar-over-california-school-handling-of-toxic-pcb-chemicals/

New report finds prescription drug costs soaring

Several brand name medications more than doubled in price

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/new-report-finds-prescription-drug-costs-soaring/

FDA warns parents about arsenic in rice cereal

Follow me at @drClaire

For years, rice cereal has been a go-to for parents when they start their babies on solid foods.

It’s time to change that.

In 2012, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a report warning about high levels of inorganic arsenic in rice and rice products. Rice plants are particularly good at absorbing arsenic from the soil, in particular because they grow in a lot of water. Inorganic arsenic is a common ingredient in pesticides and other products used in farming, and can linger in the soil for a long time after it is used. It can be poisonous. In high doses it is lethal, but even small amounts can damage the brain, nerves, blood vessels, or skin — and increase the risk of birth defects and cancer. The CPSC report said that babies who eat two servings of rice cereal a day could double their lifetime cancer risk.

The FDA has been studying this problem, and has decided to propose a new upper limit, or “action level,” for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal of 100 parts per billion (ppb), consistent with levels recently set by the European Commission.

It’s not just the cancer risk that worries the FDA. They are also concerned about studies that show babies exposed to inorganic arsenic, including exposures before they are born, have a higher risk of learning problems.

The infant and toddler rice cereals tested by the FDA had an average arsenic content of 103 ppb. Because that number is an average, it means that some of the cereals were lower — and some were higher. Brown rice has more arsenic than white because arsenic accumulates in the “germ” that is removed from brown rice to make white rice — so cereals and other products made from brown rice are particularly likely to be high in arsenic.

It’s not that we need to cut all rice and rice products out of our diet (although the CPSC report did suggest that children not drink rice milk). But we do need to think a bit differently about rice than we did before, especially with young children and pregnant women.

Here is what the FDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggest:

• While iron-fortified cereals are still a recommended first food for babies at around 6 months of age (babies only need breast milk or formula until 4 to 6 months), rice cereal isn’t the only choice and doesn’t need to be the first choice. Oat, barley, and mixed-grain cereals can provide iron too.
• It’s a good idea for toddlers to eat varied grains as well, not just rice — and for parents to be mindful of the rice (or rice syrup) toddlers may consume in “puffs” and other snacks marketed for them.
• Pregnant women should be sure to vary their diet and eat other grains besides just rice.
• To decrease the amount of arsenic in rice, cook it as you would cook pasta: cook rice in 6-10 parts of water to one part rice, and drain off the excess water. You may reduce some of the nutrient content, but cooking it this way can also decrease the arsenic content by 40% to 60%.

To learn more about why the FDA is taking this step, including links to studies and their testing data, check out their “Arsenic in Rice and Rice Products” page — and for tips from the AAP on how to reduce arsenic in your baby’s diet, check out healthychildren.org.

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The post FDA warns parents about arsenic in rice cereal appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Claire McCarthy, MD http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/fda-warns-parents-about-arsenic-in-rice-cereal-201604059473

Why I Am a Diabetes Advocate: Michelle Foster

This week, advocates from around the country will convene in Washington, D.C., for the biannual American Diabetes Association® Capitol Hill Advocacy Day. What does it mean to be a Diabetes Advocate? Let’s hear from Association volunteer Michelle, who will be joining us!

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My name is Michelle and I’m currently a (SNAP– ED) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Program Assistant and Family Nutrition Educator with the Virginia Cooperative Extension Family Nutrition Program.

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes around 15 years ago.  Along with that diagnosis I also received information about the Association from the doctor who began treating me at that time. I was encouraged to get involved with local Association activities and for that I am and will always be grateful.  I have learned so much over the years both from my involvement as well as from the doctor who not only treated my diabetes but who also helped me to learn about how it affected me personally and what I needed to do to manage it effectively.

Today I manage my diabetes with an insulin pump and carbohydrate counting. I am also currently a member of the Association’s National Advocacy Committee and its Volunteer Engagement Workgroup. I was the president of the Hampton Roads (Virginia) Community Leadership Board from 2010 until 2013. I have also started a Diabetes Support Group in my local area.

The cost of diabetic complications continues to skyrocket! And like a lot of people, living with diabetes is a burden for me, as there are always prescriptions that need filling, lab tests to be done and frequent medical appointments to keep. However, the absolute worst are the constant hospitalizations due to the complications.

I am worried that I may have to take an early retirement if I cannot keep the hospitalizations to a minimum. I will continue to fight, take my medication and do whatever else is necessary to try and prevent this from happening.

Diabetes knows most of my family members by name. Its complications have already robbed me of several relatives. I am truly TIRED of missing days and weeks at a time, away from both work and my family. If I can’t work, I will not be able to continue to pay for my medications.

Please help us find a cure for this disease and put a stop to the ongoing suffering that it creates. We need funds allocated for continued research and programs.

We cannot do this alone! Together is the only way for us to make this happen. Please join us in our fight!

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Just because you’re not joining Michelle on the Hill doesn’t mean you can’t help. Anyone who is affected by diabetes can be an advocate and take part Capitol Hill Advocacy Day from afar.

Please sign our petition to Congress at http://stopdiabetes.com/petition. Together, we can win this battle!

The Association also asks that you join our Thunderclap and dedicate your social media status to help spread the word about our advocacy efforts. By inviting your friends and family to participate we can ignite a dialogue about the importance of preventing, treating and curing diabetes.

From: American Diabetes Association http://diabetesstopshere.org/2016/04/05/diabetes-advocate-michelle/