8/05: Clinton widening lead over Trump in polls; Indiana girl turns "runt" into championship winning horse

National polls show Hillary Clinton has opened a seven-point lead over Donald Trump, who is coming off a rough week of missteps; On a farm in Connersville, Indiana, a horse once considered the "runt" of the breeding stock was raised -- with the help of a little girl -- to become a champion.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fvideos%2F805-clinton-widening-lead-over-trump-in-polls-indiana-girl-turns-runt-into-championship-winning-horse%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Zika concerns spread among pregnant woman

Another Zika case has been reported in Florida. Leslie Isaza is 36 weeks pregnant with her first child. She lives in the "Zika Zone" in downtown Miami and is awaiting test results after having some symptoms caused by the ZIka virus. David Begnaud has more.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fvideos%2Fzika-concerns-spread-among-pregnant-woman%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

FDA approves GMO mosquito test in Florida

Authorities approve limited use of genetically modified mosquitoes to help fight Zika

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Ffda-approves-gmo-mosquito-test-to-combat-zika%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

What is microcephaly? Zika in U.S. sparks questions, fears

Here's what you need to know about the birth defect linked to the Zika virus

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fwhat-is-microcephaly-zika-virus-questions%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Meals that make a Big Mac look like finger food

A consumer group spills the beans on the fattiest, most calorie-heavy, salt-laden, bad-for-you meals at America's favorite restaurants

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fmedia%2Fxtreme-eating-awards-2016-most-fattening-restaurant-meals%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Concussion Symptoms' Return Normal During Recovery

It's not a setback, pediatric specialist says

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fbrain%2Fnews%2F20160805%2Fbrief-return-of-concussion-symptoms-normal-part-of-recovery-study%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Mayo Clinic Minute: Are Your Kids Getting Enough Sleep?

From: Mayo Clinic http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dr_6qkuvFINk&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Why Diabetes Won’t Hold Back Olympic Athletes

We all have goals we want to accomplish, both short- and long-term: improving diabetes management, losing weight, traveling more, earning a higher degree, reconnecting with family and friends.

For some lucky and talented people, it’s being awarded an Olympic medal.

Most people won’t ever get the chance to compete in the Olympics—and to do so while living with diabetes may seem downright impossible. However, diabetes hasn’t stopped many athletes from competing in sports and extreme competitions. And with the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil on our minds, it turns out there’s no shortage of professional athletes and Olympians living with the disease.

“I truly believe that people with diabetes can do anything,” says cross-country skiing star Kris Freeman. “I’m not sure that would have been possible decades ago. With the medical advances we’ve had, anything is possible. As much as diabetes stinks to have, we are by far in the best time in history to have the disease.”

Freeman, who lives with type 1 diabetes, has competed in every Olympic Winter Games since 2002.

“Being an Olympic athlete with diabetes is similar to being a diabetic in normal life,” he says. “Everything is a little more complicated. [For example,] you have to time your meals.”

Freeman recently traveled across the country as part of the Lilly Camp Care Program, inspiring adults and kids alike with his positive outlook. “Diabetes only gets in the way when you let it. It can be very difficult at times, but you’ve got to push through the hard times. It’s not always going to go right, but if it doesn’t go right, you can learn better for next time.”

Support from the diabetes community, family and friends is important to success. Matheus Santana, who’s been living with type 1 diabetes since he was 8 years old, was released from the Brazil men’s swimming team in 2013 due to fear that his diabetes would interfere with his swims. But he didn’t let this moment be the downfall of his swimming career.

After he was let go by his local team, Santana’s swimming club, family and friends helped raise his spirits. His family also helped find the best doctors to treat his diabetes. Santana was able to rejoin the team, and now he has his heart set on a gold medal in the 4x100m relay during the Olympics in Brazil.

While every year brings new advances in diabetes care, high performers aren’t a new phenomenon. Billy Mills was running with type 2 diabetes when he won the 10,000-meter race at the 1964 Summer Olympics. And he hasn’t stopped running!

There are also many young athletes who have dreams of competing in future Olympic Games, marathons and other high-intensity events. Seventeen-year-old Leeann Hewitt, who also lives with type 2, won first place in the 2016 Florida state girls’ weight-lifting tournament. She has also competed with the USA Powerlifting world team and holds six world records for her age group. She’s got her eye on the prize: A spot in the 2020 Olympic Games.

So again, we ask, what are your goals in life? If you want to become a high-performance or even professional athlete, don’t let diabetes get in the way. Pro athletes with diabetes like Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, NASCAR driver Ryan Reed, LPGA golfer Michelle McGann, former Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr., marathoner Missy Foy and Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Sam Fuld will agree: Diabetes shouldn’t stop you.

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to become more active throughout the day, you can reach your fitness goals — and even receive a gold medal of your own.

From: American Diabetes Association http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fdiabetesstopshere.org%2F2016%2F08%2F05%2Fdiabetes-wont-hold-back-olympic-athletes%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Body Acceptance Rises for Women

But study finds men a bit concerned about their muscle size

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fwomen%2Fnews%2F20160805%2Fbody-acceptance-rises-for-women%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Aerial Spraying Working Against Miami Mosquitoes

The insects are to blame for first cases of Zika infection in U.S.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fnews%2F20160805%2Fofficials-aerial-spraying-working-against-miami-mosquitoes%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

First Generic Version of Tamiflu Approved by FDA

First Generic Version of Tamiflu Approved by FDA

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fcold-and-flu%2Fnews%2F20160805%2Fgeneric-tamiflu-approved-fda%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Lack of Pharmacy Access and Hospital Readmissions

Problem is acute in small, rural areas of Oregon, researchers find

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fhealthy-aging%2Fnews%2F20160804%2Flack-of-pharmacy-access-may-send-some-seniors-back-to-hospital%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

3 Zika Vaccines Effective in Monkeys

Human trial set to begin this fall, researcher says

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fnews%2F20160804%2F3-zika-vaccines-effective-in-monkeys%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Better Detection Key to Rising ALS Cases in U.S.

Health officials doubt rate of Lou Gehrig's disease is actually increasing

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fbrain%2Fnews%2F20160804%2Fbetter-detection-key-to-rising-als-cases-in-us%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Vitamin D May Fall When Women Stop Birth Control

Expectant mothers or those trying to get pregnant should make sure they get enough of the nutrient, researchers say

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fsex%2Fbirth-control%2Fnews%2F20160804%2Fvitamin-d-levels-may-fall-when-women-stop-taking-birth-control%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Smoking rates still high in some racial groups

Despite progress in getting Americans to quit smoking, some groups aren't keeping up

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fsmoking-rates-still-high-in-some-racial-groups%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Pregnant women are fearful in Miami's Zika hot zone

"What do you do when you live there? You can't stay out of that area," a single mother-to-be says

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fpregnant-women-are-fearful-living-in-miamis-zika-hot-zone%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

25 Legends: Marcie Miller

This year marks the 25th anniversary of two American Diabetes Association® signature fundraising events—Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes® and Tour de Cure®.

Every dollar raised at these events supports people living with diabetes and funds our life-changing research and programs.

The “25 Legends” blog series highlights personal stories from some of the Association’s most dedicated walkers and riders who are affected by the disease.

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My name is Marcie Miller, and here are two facts about me: 1) I do not like riding bikes and 2) I really do not like asking people for money.

You may find it surprising, then, that I have been the No. 1 fundraiser for the Northern Virginia Tour de Cure for the past three years, riding the 36-mile route each time. I have participated in this event 11 times—raising a total of over $100,000 with the hope that we will soon find a cure for diabetes.

My daughter Claire has had type 1 diabetes since the age of 3, and she is the reason I ride. A couple of weeks ago, Claire posted the following personal experience with insulin shock, or severe hypoglycemia, on Facebook—and it made me even more determined to find a cure:

“You wouldn’t know by looking.… You wouldn’t know I almost lost my life last night to insulin shock. You wouldn’t know that both cheeks are swollen from being bit. You wouldn’t know that I fell out of bed while convulsing. You wouldn’t know my entire body is bruised from the seizures. You wouldn’t know that I’m too weak to do everyday tasks. You wouldn’t know that I’m terrified to go to sleep every night because I’m afraid my blood sugar will go too low and I won’t wake up. You wouldn’t know by looking, but I have type 1 diabetes, and I fight this battle every hour of every day. My family and close friends are fighting this battle with me. And just like other people fighting their own battles—just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean we aren’t fighting tooth and nail.”

From the day Claire was diagnosed 30 years ago until the day she went to college, I slept with a baby monitor in her room in fear of overnight hypoglycemia. If Claire went into shock overnight—which happened frequently—I woke up from the sound of her odd breathing pattern. Now she is 33 and lives on her own, and a baby monitor does not reach the 20 miles between her house and mine. But I still don’t sleep.

When she called me to tell me about going into insulin shock again, I cried because I was unable to prevent it. Thankfully, by some miracle, she came out of the seizures long enough to call her friend who has a key to her house in case of emergencies like this. He could not fully understand her words, but he recognized she was having a hypoglycemic episode and gave her juice and a granola bar*. I am very grateful to Claire’s friend for his quick thinking—and I let him know that if it ever happens again, he should feel free to call 911, then me!

Diabetes is relentless. I often wonder how different my life would be if I had not gotten involved with the American Diabetes Association 11 years ago. One of my coworkers sent a company-wide email to announce that she started a Tour de Cure team. Since I’m not an avid cyclist, I almost deleted the message. For some reason, however, I decided to read the rest of the email and learned that the goal of Tour de Cure was to raise money to support people with diabetes.

When Claire was 3 years old, I told her that I would do whatever it takes to help find a cure for type 1 diabetes. I realized that even though I had not cycled in 20 years, I had to sign up and begin a training program.

I started by cycling just one mile and eventually worked my way up to 36—the length of my Tour de Cure route. Training was not easy, but finding the motivation to continue was: Whenever I started to struggle and felt like I could not pedal anymore, I thought about Claire, and the millions of others who wish they could quit their struggle against diabetes. I know that they can’t stop; they have to keep fighting even when they do not want to anymore. That always gives me the strength and courage to keep on pedaling.

After I’d been cycling in Tour de Cure for a few years, Claire said, “Mom, next year, I’m going to ride with you!” I am proud to say that this year, Claire is the top Red Rider fundraiser—that is, a participant who lives with diabetes—and our team, Team Moxie, is the top Family and Friends team in our area.

I will keep cycling, keep working hard and keep fighting for Claire until there is a cure!

---

Together, we CAN Stop Diabetes.

The Association is so grateful of our 25 Legends! Their tireless efforts as walkers and riders are a tremendous support and inspiration to people with diabetes.

Sign up today! Learn more about these events and find out how to get involved at diabetes.org/stepout and diabetes.org/tourdecure.

*Note: It is not medically recommended to feed people who are unresponsive, seizing or not fully conscious. The American Diabetes Association recommends dialing 911 or their health care provider, administering glucagon and rolling the patients onto their side.

From: American Diabetes Association http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fdiabetesstopshere.org%2F2016%2F08%2F05%2F25-legends-marcie-miller%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Half of Women Overweight Before Getting Pregnant

Excess weight puts mom and baby at risk, ob-gyn expert says

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fbaby%2Fnews%2F20160805%2Fhalf-of-us-women-weigh-too-much-before-getting-pregnant%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Smog May Shorten Lives of Lung Cancer Patients

Large review in California finds lower survival rates among those with most exposure to dirty air

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Flung-cancer%2Fnews%2F20160805%2Fsmog-may-shorten-lives-of-lung-cancer-patients%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Fentanyl: The dangers of this potent “man-made” opioid

As we watch the devastation of the opioid crisis escalate in a rising tide of deaths, a lesser known substance is frequently mentioned: fentanyl. Fentanyl’s relative obscurity was shattered with the well-publicized overdose death of pop star Prince. Previously used only as a pharmaceutical painkiller for crippling pain at the end of life or for surgical procedures, fentanyl is now making headlines as the drug responsible for a growing proportion of overdose deaths.

So what is fentanyl and why is it so dangerous?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, meaning it is made in a laboratory but acts on the same receptors in the brain that painkillers, like oxycodone or morphine, and heroin, do. Fentanyl, however, is far more powerful. It’s 50-100 times stronger than heroin or morphine, meaning even a small dosage can be deadly.

Its potency also means that it is profitable for dealers as well as dangerous for those who use it, intentionally or unintentionally. Increasingly heroin is being mixed with fentanyl so someone who uses what they think is heroin may in fact be getting a mixture with — or even pure — fentanyl. More recently, pills made to look like the painkiller oxycodone or the anxiety medication Xanax are actually fentanyl. This deception is proving fatal. It would be like ordering a glass of wine and instead getting a lethal dose of pure ethanol. While many people don’t know they are getting fentanyl, others might unfortunately seek it out as part of the way the brain disease of addiction manifests itself into compulsively seeking the next powerful high.

Helping people who use fentanyl

The way to help patients who are using fentanyl is the same as for other forms of opioid use disorder: to provide effective addiction treatment. However, the first and most important step is helping patients stay safe and stay alive until we can get them that treatment.

It’s worth remembering that dead people don’t recover.

To stop the deaths, we must provide immediate access to lifesaving treatment on demand. While any opioid use is risky, fentanyl has raised the stakes. Every single episode of fentanyl use carries the risk of immediate death. This highlights the need to change how we think about treatment. Many of the traditional models of addiction treatment were designed for alcohol use disorder. Misuse of alcohol can be fatal, but it usually takes many years or even decades to kill someone. In contrast, opioid addiction is imminently fatal, so waiting for treatment is and should be considered unacceptable. We must try to initiate treatment at every opportunity — in the emergency department, at the hospital bed, or even on the street. The best evidence we have shows that a combination of medication and psychosocial treatments is most effective for opioid use disorder. A study of MassHealth patients found that patients on medication treatments like methadone or buprenorphine are 50% less likely to relapse. Other studies have shown that patients treated with these medications are 50% (or more) less likely to die. And yet significant stigma and misunderstanding still exists around these medications. We have treatment programs (and doctors) that don’t offer these medications and patients who are doing wonderfully in recovery thanks to them, but who are also scared to speak out and say they are on medication because the stigma is so pervasive.

Even with our best efforts, it can take time for some people to be open to treatment. In those cases, our priority is to keep them alive and to keep working with them on their readiness to consider treatment. This requires access to naloxone, the antidote to overdoses. But it also includes other education and harm reduction services. People who have loved ones who are actively using and those who are using themselves need to know how to stay safe. There is very concrete education that can reduce the risk of overdose and we need to ensure it is getting to those at the greatest risk.

Moving forward

In Massachusetts alone, deaths due to fentanyl overdose have risen to 57% between 2015 and the first half of 2016. These deaths are yet another symptom of the broader epidemic of opioid addiction. Just as deaths from AIDS are due to untreated HIV, deaths from overdose are frequently due to untreated addiction. Prince’s death is a reminder that opioid addiction is a disease that can and does affect people from all economic classes and all walks of life.

Related Post:

• Why are doctors writing opioid prescriptions — even after…
• The problem with prescription painkillers
• A monthly shot for opioid addiction: An option for some
• The “right” goal when managing pain
• Report highlights the dangers of opioid painkillers

The post Fentanyl: The dangers of this potent “man-made” opioid appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Sarah Wakeman, MD, FASAM, Medical Director, Massachusetts General Hospital Substance Use Disorder Initiative http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fblog%2Ffentanyl-dangers-potent-man-made-opioid-2016080510141&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

CDC calls Zika pesticide spraying very effective in Florida

The CDC says aerial spraying of a pesticide in Miami's Zika zone was very effective. Crews went door to door eradicating standing water and spraying yards using a new chemical. David Begnaud reports.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fvideos%2Fcdc-calls-zika-pesticide-spraying-very-effective-in-florida%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Zika vaccines work in monkeys, raising hopes for humans

One vaccine is expected to enter early human studies this year, and two others have reached that point already

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fzika-vaccines-work-in-monkeys-raising-hopes-for-humans%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Acupuncture May Slow Pre-Dementia Memory Loss

However, definitive evidence remains lacking, experts say

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Falzheimers%2Fnews%2F20160804%2Facupuncture-may-slow-pre-dementia-memory-loss-study%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Rare identical triplets born in Oregon

The new parents are 19-year-old high school sweethearts

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Frare-identical-triplets-born-in-oregon%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

AP: UN bungled response to yellow fever outbreak

A shortage of vaccines has health officials scrambling as the disease spreads

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fun-bungles-response-to-africas-yellow-fever-outbreak%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Blindness Biggest Fear for Many Americans

Losing vision would be as bad or worse than losing hearing, memory, speech or a limb, survey finds

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Feye-health%2Fnews%2F20160804%2Fblindness-biggest-fear-for-many-americans%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

The benefits of a positive attitude toward aging

Is getting older getting you down? Negative feelings about aging may take a toll

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fpositive-attitude-about-aging-cope-with-stress%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Zika hits South Florida, but Donald Trump isn't worried

The CDC on Monday issued a travel advisory to Florida

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fzika-south-florida-donald-trump-isnt-worried%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

What Is Triclosan and Is It Safe?

This chemical is in many consumer products, including lots of antibacterial soaps. Should you use or avoid it?

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fa-to-z-guides%2Ffeatures%2Fwhat-is-triclosan%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

NIH may lift ban on funds to create human-animal embryos

The proposal comes amid a flurry of new advances in stem cell research and gene editing technology

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fnih-funding-human-animal-embryos-chimera-research%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Toddlers at High Risk of Chemical Eye Burns: Study

Access to household cleaning products to blame, experts say

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fchildren%2Fnews%2F20160804%2Ftoddlers-at-high-risk-of-chemical-eye-burns-study%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Smoking Still High in Some Racial Groups: CDC

Nearly 4 in 10 American Indians and Alaska Natives smoke cigarettes

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fsmoking-cessation%2Fnews%2F20160804%2Fsmoking-rates-still-high-in-some-racial-groups-cdc-reports%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Common pregnancy procedure could be safer with one change

Millions of pregnant women get this done each year to reduce the risk of premature birth

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fpregnancy-cervical-stitch-cerclage-procedure-safety-thread%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

PFOA: Is It Bad for You?

PFOA: Learn the risks of this man-made chemical.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fa-to-z-guides%2Ffeatures%2Fwhat-is-pfoa%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Why Amish kids are less likely to get asthma

A new study finds certain aspects of the Amish lifestyle appear to offer a health advantage

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fwhy-amish-kids-are-protected-from-asthma%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

MyPlate, MyWins: Meet Lilac & PJ

From: USDA http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Db9_XtFiLVrk&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

7 infections you could catch from Rio's dirty water

Harmful bacteria and viruses reportedly abound in the coastal waters around this summer's Olympic city

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2F7-infections-you-could-catch-from-rio-de-janeiro-dirty-water-2016-olympics%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

$48,000 drug rushed to brain-eating amoeba patient

The drug was driven from the pharmaceutical company in Florida to South Carolina as soon as the hospital called

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fbrain-eating-amoeba-drug-rushed-to-hospital%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Florida launches air assault against Zika mosquitoes

An aerial attack on mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus began early Thursday in south Florida. The state is using an insecticide that Puerto Rican officials have rejected over health concerns, but the EPA insists the pesticide is safe. The Department of Health and Human Services is also warning the money to fight Zika could run out this month. David Begnaud reports.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fvideos%2Fflorida-launches-air-assault-against-zika-mosquitoes%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

As Florida's Zika battle escalates, money to fight virus running out

Florida is currently using an insecticide that Puerto Rican officials have rejected over health concerns, but the EPA insists the pesticide is safe

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“Double dipping” your chip: Dangerous or just…icky?

Double dippers are everywhere – the 4^th of July barbeque, family reunions, Super Bowl parties, anywhere chips and dip are a staple. These are the people who take a bite and dip their chips a second time when they think no one is looking.

Just ask George

Leave it to George Costanza on Seinfeld to make double dipping a mainstream public health scare. The episode, which originally aired in 1993, brought shame to George as he was caught dipping a chip a second time at a wake. The partygoer objecting to this practice exclaims “That’s like putting your whole mouth right in the dip!”

But is double dipping really so bad?

Ever since that Seinfeld episode, the “health menace” of double dipping has been a mainstay of party conversation, high school science projects, and even high-level academic investigation. Perhaps the most influential was a 2009 study performed at Clemson University and published in the Journal of Food Safety, entitled “Effect of biting before dipping (double-dipping) chips on the bacterial population of the dipping solution.” The title alone may be enough to make you lose your appetite.

The researchers carefully analyzed bacterial contamination before and after a person double dips. Here’s what they found:

• Bacterial counts in the dip increased significantly after a person took a bite from a chip and then dipped again.
• The number of bacteria contaminating the dip varied depending on the dip – salsa had more bacteria after double-dipping compared with chocolate or cheese dips (perhaps due to differences in thickness and acidity of the dips).

Similar findings were noted when bacteria counts were measured after a bitten chip was dipped in water.

So just how risky is double dipping?

It’s important to note that this research was not designed to find people who became sick because someone else double dipped. And, considering that our mouths are normally packed with bacteria, it doesn’t necessarily follow that more bacteria in the dip means double dipping is dangerous.

However, this research does raise the possibility that a person who is sick (or about to be) might spread a disease by re-dipping a chip. Documented examples of this are hard to find – if you know of one, let me know! But even if the risk is hard to prove, the risk may be real. We know of many respiratory diseases that can be spread by contact with saliva, such as influenza (the flu) or whooping cough. Still, there are probably much bigger risks at your next office party than double dipping. You’re more likely to contract an illness from a sick person coughing or sneezing in your face or if they don’t wash their hands while sick than you are from a healthy double-dipper. So, while it’s reasonable to discourage double dipping, it’s unlikely to pose a major risk to your health.

And if you’re a double dipper…

And, for habitual double-dippers, I wonder about a more responsible option: turn the chip around to double dip from the unbitten end of the chip. Stand by – somewhere in America there is a high school kid setting up that experiment right now.

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The post “Double dipping” your chip: Dangerous or just…icky? appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Robert H. Shmerling, MD http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fblog%2Fdouble-dipping-chip-dangerous-justicky-2016080410059&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

USDA Announces Safety Net Assistance for Milk Producers Due to Tightening Dairy Margins

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 2016 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced approximately $11.2 million in financial assistance to American dairy producers enrolled in the 2016 Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy). The payment rate for May/June 2016 will be the largest since the program began in 2014. The narrowing margin between milk prices and the cost of feed triggered the payments, as provided for by the 2014 Farm Bill.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usda.gov%2Fwps%2Fportal%2Fusda%2Fusdahome%3Fcontentid%3D2016%2F08%2F0177.xml%26contentidonly%3Dtrue&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Possible Zika vaccine being tested

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Miami mayor proclaims "Zika Zone" safe despite travel advisory

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