04/18/17

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Women's sexual health: Talking about your sexual needs

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/sexual-health/in-depth/womens-sexual-health/art-20047771

Organic foods: Are they safer? More nutritious?

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/organic-food/art-20043880

Fibromyalgia: Self-care tips

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibromyalgia/in-depth/fibromyalgia-self-care-tips/art-20093313

Study finds antidepressants during pregnancy do not cause autism

Studies have shown that pregnant women who take antidepressants -- about six percent of expectant moms -- are more likely to have children with autism. As Dr. Jon LaPook reports, new research says the medication is not to blame.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/study-finds-antidepressants-during-pregnancy-do-not-cause-autism/

Study eases concerns about antidepressants, autism

Taking antidepressants during pregnancy may be safer than previously thought, new research finds

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/moms-antidepressant-use-pregnancy-autism/

George H.W. Bush hospitalized in Houston

The former president is said to be "on the path to recovery," according to his spokesman

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/george-h-w-bush-hospitalized-in-houston/

Pot Ingredient Might Ease Severe Epilepsy

Cannabidiol appears to lessen 'drop seizures' for some Lennox-Gastaut syndrome patients, study finds

From: http://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/news/20170418/pot-ingredient-might-ease-severe-epilepsy?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Women's sexual health: Talking about your sexual needs

From: http://www.mayoclinic.com/healthy-lifestyle/sexual-health/in-depth/womens-sexual-health/art-20047771

Organic foods: Are they safer? More nutritious?

From: http://www.mayoclinic.com/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/organic-food/art-20043880

Fibromyalgia: Self-care tips

From: http://www.mayoclinic.com/diseases-conditions/fibromyalgia/in-depth/fibromyalgia-self-care-tips/art-20093313

Marriage could bring health bonus to same-sex couples

New research suggests the health benefits of tying the knot may extend to couples of all sexual orientations

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/marriage-could-bring-health-bonus-to-same-sex-couples/

Is It Wise to Take a Steroid for a Sore Throat?

Study seeking antibiotic alternatives found that only one-third of patients improved within 48 hours

From: http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20170418/is-it-wise-to-take-a-steroid-for-a-sore-throat?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Organic foods: Are they safer? More nutritious?

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/organic-food/art-20043880

Fibromyalgia: Self-care tips

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibromyalgia/in-depth/fibromyalgia-self-care-tips/art-20093313

Women's sexual health: Talking about your sexual needs

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/sexual-health/in-depth/womens-sexual-health/art-20047771

Study: No Link Between Antidepressants, Autism

After accounting for other factors that raise chances of the disorder, the increased risk disappeared

From: http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/news/20170418/studies-question-link-between-moms-antidepressant-use-autism-in-kids?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Conflicting Statin Guidelines Create Confusion

Doctors, patients often confused by differing advisories on the cholesterol-lowering drugs

From: http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/news/20170418/conflicting-statin-guidelines-leave-millions-in-gray-zone?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Slimy Frog Might Be a Flu Fighter

Study found sticky coating shielded mice against H1 strain, could lead to new antiviral treatments

From: http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20170418/slimy-frog-might-be-a-flu-fighter?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Medical journal promotes ER referral programs

An article in the April Journal of Emergency Medicine looks at how to lower the number of hospital emergency room visits for dental pain and offers providers tips on how to start ER referral programs, which move patients from a hospital ER to a dental office.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/april/medical-journal-promotes-er-referral-programs

Pot smoking common among pregnant teens

New survey has doctors voicing concerns about marijuana's harms to developing fetus

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pot-smoking-common-among-pregnant-teens/

Marriage Could Boost Health for Same-Sex Couples

Survey found those who'd exchanged vows were better off physically and mentally than their single peers

From: http://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/news/20170418/marriage-could-bring-health-bonus-to-older-same-sex-couples?src=RSS_PUBLIC

NIDCR seeks input for future workshops and research initiatives

Bethesda, Md. — The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research is inviting public comment on how to best integrate the study of oral health with overall health.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/april/nidcr-seeks-input-for-future-workshops-and-research-initiatives

Women's sexual health: Talking about your sexual needs

From: http://www.mayoclinic.com/healthy-lifestyle/sexual-health/in-depth/womens-sexual-health/art-20047771

Organic foods: Are they safer? More nutritious?

From: http://www.mayoclinic.com/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/organic-food/art-20043880

Fibromyalgia: Self-care tips

From: http://www.mayoclinic.com/diseases-conditions/fibromyalgia/in-depth/fibromyalgia-self-care-tips/art-20093313

More Than Half of Americans Have Tried Marijuana

U.S. Navy Bans E-Cigarettes World's Oldest Person Dies at Age 117

From: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/news/20170417/more-than-half-of-americans-have-tried-marijuana?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Five vegetarian recipes to help celebrate Earth Day

Need an easy (and delicious) way to reduce your carbon footprint this Earth Day? Look no further than these vegan and vegetarian recipes from Chowhound

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/five-vegetarian-recipes-to-help-you-celebrate-earth-day-from-chowhound/

Zika virus can trigger epilepsy

Researchers say more defects and illnesses linked to Zika are emerging

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/zika-virus-can-trigger-epilepsy/

Pot vs. opioids: Poll reveals which Americans think is safer

Poll takers also answered whether or not marijuana should be legal for medical treatment

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/marijuana-opioids-poll-reveals-which-americans-think-is-safer/

Binge drinking continues to rise — particularly among women and seniors

Women usually welcome news that the gender gap in pay or leadership positions is closing. But lately we’ve been learning that women are also gaining parity in another respect: alcohol consumption. A new study from researchers at the National Institutes of Health indicates that the rate of drinking in general, and binge drinking in particular, is rising faster among women ages 60 or older than among their male contemporaries.

When the researchers analyzed data from National Health Interview Surveys from 1997 through 2014, they found that the proportion of older women drinkers increased at a rate of 1.6% a year, compared with 0.7% for older men. Binge drinking (defined as imbibing four or more drinks within two hours) increased by 3.7% annually among older women, but held steady among older men. The results were reported online March 24, 2017, by Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.

The phenomenon isn’t unique to older women. “We worry about this in all age groups,” says Dr. Shelly Greenfield, professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the Kristine M. Trustey Endowed Chair in Psychiatry at McLean Hospital. “The gender gap has been narrowing over the last 20 years.” In several periodic surveys conducted by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) as well as investigations funded by the National Institute of Health, converging evidence shows that since World War II, the percentage of women who abstain from alcohol has steadily fallen. At the same time, women have reported larger increases in both level of drinking and binge drinking compared with men. Some examples:

In a single decade — from 2002 to 2012 — the proportion of women who drank rose from 44.9% to 48.3%, while the proportion of male drinkers fell from 57.4% to 56.1%.
A survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) between 2011 and 2013 indicated that 53.6% of women ages 18 to 44 were drinking, and 18.2% were binge drinking. The CDC followed up with an alert that three million US women were at risk of increasing the likelihood of sudden infant death syndrome and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the gender gap has closed among teens, with about 20% of 17-year-olds drinking regularly and 13% binge drinking.

Why the gap is closing

“There are many factors involved,” Dr. Greenfield says. Women born after World War II were more likely to go to college and join the workforce than before. As the stigma once attached to women’s drinking disappeared, more alcohol advertising and promotions were directed at women. In short, alcohol became more acceptable and accessible.

Whatever the reasons, the trend doesn’t bode well for women’s health. Because of biological differences, women have a higher blood alcohol concentration than men at any level of alcohol consumption, and are more likely to suffer the consequences of alcohol abuse. Binge drinking increases the risk of unintended pregnancies and susceptibility to sexual assaults, as well as traffic accidents and falls. In the long term, consuming more than a drink a day increases the risk of liver disease, breast cancer, stroke, and osteoporosis.

What you can do

Most health authorities recommend that women limit their alcohol consumption to seven drinks a week, with no more than three drinks at one sitting. A drink is 1.5 ounce of spirits, 5 ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of beer.

The following may help you stay at that level.

Gauge your glass. Measure the amount when you pour drinks at home. Some cocktails that seem like a single drink may contain several ounces of alcohol. “Generous” pours of wine may be the equivalent of two glasses.
Sip slowly. Don’t start drinking alcohol when you’re thirsty. If you accompany each alcoholic drink with a glass of water or seltzer, you won’t be as likely to exceed the three-drink limit over an evening.
Eat, too. When you accompany a drink with an appetizer or a meal, the alcohol is absorbed more slowly.
Say “no, thanks.” Have a polite refusal ready when someone offers to refresh your glass or urges you to have another drink.
Restrict when you drink. Try drinking only with friends or only a few days of the week. Limit the amount of alcohol you have in the house.
Rethink your drinking. Examine the role alcohol plays in your life. The NIAAA website has tools to help you determine whether you’re drinking too much, and strategies for cutting down.

The post Binge drinking continues to rise — particularly among women and seniors appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Beverly Merz http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/binge-drinking-continues-to-rise-particularly-among-women-and-seniors-2017041811603