11/03/16

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Norovirus outbreak at USC sickens at least 100 students

Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, fever, muscle aches and fatigue and normally last about 48 hours

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/norovirus-outbreak-at-usc-sickens-at-least-100-students/

Buying deadly drugs online from China takes just minutes

A few thousand dollars, a few minutes and a decent internet connection are all it takes to source carfentanil online from multiple Chinese vendors

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/buying-deadly-drugs-online-from-china-takes-just-minutes/

Kids are bingeing on salt in packaged food, study finds

Teenagers ages 14 to 18 are consuming 55 percent more sodium than recommended, a new study found. Elevated sodium levels can lead to problems like high blood pressure and heart disease. Dr. Jon LaPook reports.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/kids-are-bingeing-on-salt-in-packaged-food-study-finds/

New study on salt may cause parents to shake up kids' diets

Nearly all American kids eat far too much salt, according to a federal study -- which says they’re at risk for high blood pressure and heart disease

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-study-on-salt-may-cause-parents-to-shake-up-kids-diets/

Police: 2 Utah 13-year-olds died from dangerous new synthetic drug

Two teen boys in Utah ski-resort town of Park City overdosed on a new synthetic drug that is available online, and was also found at estate of entertainer Prince after he died, police said

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/police-2-utah-13-year-old-boys-died-from-dangerous-new-synthetic-drug-pink/

Why certain songs get stuck in your head

Researchers believe they've figured out what makes particular songs "earworms"

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/psychologists-identify-why-certain-songs-get-stuck-in-your-head/

Skip Dinner and Maybe Boost Your Metabolism

But, study didn't show overall changes in fat burning or calories used

From: http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20161103/skip-dinner-and-maybe-boost-your-metabolism?src=RSS_PUBLIC

DNA reveals truth about tiny critters in our homes

A shockingly diverse array of bugs live in the typical American home; here's what researchers found

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/bugs-dna-surprising-truth-about-insects-in-our-homes/

Apple iPhone tech helps reinvent the hearing aid

Special hearing aids that meet Apple's specifications can tap directly into iPhones and iPads to stream audio

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/apple-iphone-tech-helps-reinvent-the-hearing-aid/

Can't Get That Song Out of Your Head? Here's Why

Common melodies, quirky 'jumps' and repeated notes can all make for an 'earworm' tune, study finds

From: http://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20161103/cant-get-that-song-out-of-your-head-heres-why?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Paintball Causes Many Vision-Robbing Eye Injuries

Basketball, baseball and cycling accidents threaten eyes in other ways, study finds

From: http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/news/20161103/paintball-causes-many-vision-robbing-eye-injuries?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Food allergies: Understanding food labels

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/food-allergy/in-depth/food-allergies/art-20045949

Progress boosting insurance rate threatens to stall

A new report suggests Obamacare may be reaching a limit in a nation politically divided over the government’s role in guaranteeing coverage

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/progress-reducing-uninsured-rate-threatens-to-stall-cdc/

Issues That Matter: Dr. David Agus, Steven Brill on health care

As premium prices skyrocket, Agus and Brill explain what worked and what went wrong with Obamacare

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/issues-that-matter-2016-election-obamacare-premium-health-care-costs-david-agus-steven-brill/

Disturbing downside to some immune-boosting cancer drugs

Doctors say that in rare cases the powerful new drugs may cause potentially fatal heart damage

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/some-immune-boosting-cancer-drugs-may-pose-heart-risk/

Dad posts heartbreaking photo to show "reality" of cancer

"This is the true face of cancer," dad says of his 4-year-old daughter

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/dad-posts-heartbreaking-photo-of-4-year-old-daughter-to-show-reality-of-cancer/

Water, water everywhere

Follow me on Twitter @RobShmerling

Water bottles are everywhere.

It’s a relatively recent development. Whether at work, working out, watching a movie, or just about anything else, it’s as if there’s been an epidemic of dehydration that can only be warded off by constant access to water. It seems strange to me; almost no one did this a decade or two ago. Were people in the past less healthy or did they feel less well because they drank when they were thirsty or with meals, rather than throughout the day?

Water is important

Clearly, water is a necessity. Without it, a person can only survive a few days. Water serves a number of vital functions, including:

keeping organs and tissues healthy (since every cell requires water)
helping deliver oxygen and nutrients throughout the body
“flushing” the kidneys and bladder which help keep them healthy
maintaining a healthy digestion
keeping the blood pressure and heart rate in an ideal range
helping keep body temperature normal.

Given that the human body relies so heavily on water, it should not be surprising that our bodies have evolved to conserve and regulate it. We have intricate systems that connect the brain, the kidneys, and other parts of the body to keep our fluid status as close to ideal as possible.

For example, when fluid levels are low, the hypothalamus (in the center of the brain) sends out a signal to the nearby pituitary gland telling it to release a hormone (called ADH) that will make the kidneys hold on to water and produce more concentrated (and darker) urine. Meanwhile, the brain’s thirst center is activated and that leads people to head for the faucet. The opposite occurs when fluid levels swing toward “too much” — less ADH is released and the kidney sends more water to the bladder to be urinated away. In most people, these systems perform well to keep things running smoothly.

When things go awry

When you go for a jog on a hot, humid day or when you’re sick with a fever or diarrhea, you can lose a lot of fluid in a short time without realizing it. Young children (who cannot ask for water) or the elderly (whose kidneys and thirst centers may not function normally) may be particularly susceptible to dehydration. These are situations in which paying particular attention to water intake makes a lot of sense.

So why all the water bottles?

Outside of situations in which water levels could get dangerously out of whack, it’s usually enough to rely on thirst and a normal diet to keep your water levels where they should be.

For many, sipping water all day becomes more about habit than physiology or health. Some people try to drink a lot because they’ve been told it “dilutes out toxins” or will help them lose weight. Others monitor the color of their urine and drink enough water to keep it lighter in color. Whether this much attention to water intake is really necessary or helpful is uncertain.

Water in the news

Research regarding how we ingest water has shed new light on the health impact of how we hydrate. For example:

Studies have linked cola consumption with low bone density (a precursor of osteoporosis).
Colas are highly acidic and may contribute to erosion of tooth enamel.
Tap water (with or without home carbonation) contains fluoride that bottled water does not. That’s important because fluoride has a big impact on the prevention of cavities and is considered vital in maintaining oral health; most bottled water doesn’t contain fluoride.
A recent study found support for the idea that drinking more water may help you maintain a healthy weight: among more than 18,000 people surveyed those who drank more plain water tended to consume significantly fewer calories.

It’s worth mentioning that there is such a thing as too much water. “Water poisoning” is not common but can be a serious problem for people with psychiatric disease, those taking certain medications or who have abnormally high levels of ADH, or others who intentionally drink excessive amounts of water. The danger comes from a low sodium level in the blood and brain swelling which may develop when the body has too much water.

What about club soda and tonic water?

Club soda and tonic water deserve special mention. Club soda has added minerals (such as sodium or potassium) for flavor; for some, the added sodium might contribute to higher blood pressure and fluid retention. Tonic water contains quinine, which gives it a slightly bitter taste (that seems to go well with gin); it contains about 120 calories per serving. The quinine can be a problem for people with heart rhythm disorders (although quinine has also been touted as a treatment for muscle cramps).

And is it true we should all drink at least eight glasses of water each day?

No one is sure where the recommendation to drink eight glasses of water per day comes from. The most plausible explanation I’ve heard is that it comes from the military. Because a day’s worth of water is heavy and difficult for a soldier to carry around, it was important to know just how much is needed; the estimate was approximately eight glasses of water/day. But keep in mind this estimate applied to active soldiers carrying heavy packs; and it included water contained in food (which can be a big contributor; carrots and broccoli are nearly 90% water). So, the average person can drink far less than eight glasses of water per day without a problem.

And in conclusion…

Carrying water around 24 hours a day is almost certainly unnecessary. Most of us will get plenty of water if we drink when thirsty and consider the water in our foods toward the daily fluid intake. If you like to drink small amounts of water throughout the day, it’s unlikely to cause harm. But it may be a waste of money and effort; and a predictable side effect is frequent urination. After all, if you drink more than you need, your kidneys will do exactly what they’re supposed to do: get rid of the excess fluid.

Ask your doctor if there is any reason you should pay particular attention to your water intake; those taking certain medications (such as ibuprofen or related drugs) or those with certain conditions (such as kidney stones) may be advised to drink more. But for the rest of us, it may be just as well to leave your water bottle at home.

The post Water, water everywhere appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Robert H. Shmerling, MD http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/water-water-everywhere-2016110310577

USDA Seeks Applications for $25 Million in Conservation Innovation Grants

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is seeking new proposals for cutting-edge projects that will provide new conservation opportunities through its competitive Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. Through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the department will invest up to $25 million for projects that spark the development and adoption of innovative conservation technologies and approaches in areas like conservation finance, data analytics, and precision conservation to benefit producers on private agricultural and forest lands.

From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2016/11/0239.xml&contentidonly=true

Drink too much while young, pay the price later?

Men with alcohol issues in young adulthood may suffer more "persistent problems" with health as they age

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/drink-too-much-young-pay-the-price-later/

"Not tonight, dear": New findings on sex drive decline

Researchers identify a number of factors that can influence how a woman's sex drive changes with age

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/not-tonight-dear-new-findings-on-when-a-womans-sex-drive-declines/

Mayo Clinic Minute: Obesogenic world

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Rm7E2e1Su8

American Homes Double as Bug Retreats

More than 600 types cohabit with people in their living space

From: http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/news/20161103/american-homes-double-as-bug-retreats?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Many Kids Still Eating Too Much Salt

9 out of 10 exceed daily recommendations, CDC researchers find

From: http://www.webmd.com/children/news/20161103/many-kids-still-eating-too-much-salt?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Moody Teen? Lack of Sleep May Not Be the Culprit

Rather, adolescents' nocturnal tendencies a mismatch for early school start times, sleep specialist says

From: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20161103/got-a-moody-teen-lack-of-sleep-may-not-be-the-culprit?src=RSS_PUBLIC

USDA Awards $4.3 Million to Ensure Access to Needed Veterinary Services in Rural Communities

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today awarded more than $4.3 million to 48 American veterinarians to help repay a portion of their veterinary school loans in return for serving in areas lacking sufficient veterinary resources critical to America’s food safety, food security, and to the health and well-being of animals and humans. The awards, made through NIFA’s Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP), will fill shortage needs in 27 states.

From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2016/11/0238.xml&contentidonly=true

More Than Half in U.S. Have Chronic Health Problem

Medical conditions, mental illness and substance abuse problems often overlap, researchers say

From: http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/news/20161102/more-than-half-of-americans-have-chronic-health-problem-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Issues That Matter: Rising costs of health care

The Affordable Care Act is a major topic on the campaign trail. Premiums for some plans will increase next year by an average of 25 percent -- more than three times this year's hike. In this installment of Issues That Matter, CBS News contributor Dr. David Agus and Steven Brill, author of "America's Bitter Pill," join "CBS This Morning" to discuss what the next president will have to address and the future of Obamacare.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/issues-that-matter-rising-costs-of-health-care/

Water: Can It Be Too Much of a Good Thing?

Athletes and non-athletes alike may overdo it, sometimes with tragic consequences

From: http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20161103/water-can-it-be-too-much-of-a-good-thing?src=RSS_PUBLIC

WHO recommends 29 ways to stop surgical infections and avoid superbugs

People preparing for surgery should always have a bath or shower but not be shaved, and antibiotics should only be used to prevent infections before and during surgery, not afterwards, according to new guidelines from WHO that aim to save lives, cut costs and arrest the spread of superbugs.

From: http://www.who.int/entity/mediacentre/news/releases/2016/recommendations-surgical-infections/en/index.html