Photographer celebrates life – and second chances

Since 2010, Dese'Rae Stage has taken a snapshot of America to talk about an issue that's often treated like a dirty word: Suicide

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/photographer-celebrates-life-and-second-chances/

Pollution levels considered safe can shorten lifespans, study shows

Researchers studied 60 million senior citizens and found that their long-term exposure to certain air pollutants increased risk of premature death

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/air-pollution-levels-long-term-exposure-risk-premature-death-study/

Live Through This: Telling the stories of suicide survivors

Since 2010, photographer Dese'Rae Stage has focused her lens on an issue that's often treated like a dirty word: suicide

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/live-through-this-telling-the-stories-of-suicide-survivors/

Eye Injury a July Fourth Safety Reminder

The case of a man who lost sight in one eye is a good reminder to wear eye protection before you light any fireworks this weekend.

From: http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/news/20170628/july-fourth-safety-reminder-eye-injury?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Brain Stimulation Doesn’t Beat Meds For Depression

Novel treatment may need to be tailored to each patient, mental health expert says

From: http://www.webmd.com/depression/news/20170628/electric-brain-stimulation-no-better-than-meds-for-depression-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Dirty Air Raises Death Risk for U.S. Seniors

Research suggests blacks, men and the poor are especially vulnerable

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/news/20170628/even-at-low-levels-dirty-air-raises-death-risk-for-us-seniors?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Poor Sleep May Worsen Suicidal Thoughts

Treating insomnia might help improve emotional well-being, researchers suggest

From: http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20170628/poor-sleep-may-worsen-suicidal-thoughts?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Flu vaccine skin patch could someday replace shots

Researchers have developed a painless skin patch for administering the flu vaccine, and testing shows it works as well as a traditional flu shot. CBS News' Don Champion reports.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/flu-vaccine-skin-patch-could-someday-replace-shots/

Senate GOP leaders aim for revised health bill by Friday

The lack of consensus on how to change the bill is making achieving that goal challenging

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/senate-gop-leaders-aim-for-revised-health-bill-by-friday/

Two new cases of human plague reported

Two women were hospitalized with the life-threatening infection; here's how it spreads

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/two-new-cases-of-human-plague-in-new-mexico/

ADA publications honored with eight EXCEL awards

The ADA News, Dental Practice Success and Product Development and Sales each earned EXCEL Awards from Association Media & Publishing, a trade group for association publishing.

From: By Kelly Soderlund http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/june/ada-publications-honored-with-eight-excel-awards

New mom's health scare shines light on blood clot condition

"Please let my experience serve as a reminder to always listen to what your body is telling you​"​

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-moms-health-scare-shines-light-on-blood-clot-condition/

Legionnaire's disease bacteria found at Florida health club

Water samples from an LA Fitness club in Orlando tested positive for the bacteria, and another nearby gym is also being tested

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/legionnaires-disease-bacteria-found-at-florida-la-fitness-health-club/

FDA aims to increase generic drug options

"No patient should be priced out of the medicines they need"

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-to-help-increase-generic-prescription-drugs-on-market/

Aspirin a Day to Keep Pregnancy Problems Away?

Odds of preeclampsia dropped 62 percent for high-risk women who took a daily pill, study finds

From: http://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20170628/aspirin-a-day-to-keep-pregnancy-problems-away?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Heartburn Meds Don't Raise Alzheimer's Risk: Study

New research debunks other studies suggesting that medications used to treat ulcers, reflux cause mental decline

From: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20170628/heartburn-meds-dont-raise-alzheimers-risk-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Master opening for 20th anniversary ERS WMV

From: USDA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRUZIFuCUG8

ERS Panel meeting part 2

From: USDA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2xUAGq9UEM

TNT Red, White & Blue Smoke Fireworks Recalled

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and American Promotional Events are recalling fireworks because they could explode unexpectedly after being lit.

From: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20170628/tnt-red-white-blue-smoke-fireworks-recalled?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Two More Plague Cases in New Mexico

Two More Plague Cases in New Mexico

From: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20170628/health-highlights-june-28-2017?src=RSS_PUBLIC

​3 ways to help stop the opioid epidemic​

Taking these steps might cut opioid-related deaths by a third, new research suggests

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/3-ways-to-stop-the-opioid-epidemic-painkiller-addiction/

Calif. officials reveal how many took life-ending drugs under new law

The state data comes six months after a 2016 law made the option legal​ in the nation's most populous state

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/111-terminally-ill-chose-to-end-lives-under-new-california-law/

Poll: Majority disapprove of Senate health care bill

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell decided Tuesday to delay a vote on the bill until after the July 4 recess

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/poll-majority-disapprove-of-senate-health-care-bill/

Wellness Wednesday: Single leg heel toe raises

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pO3wDu6U6AE

Realtor's recovery from paralyzing spinal injury: Bonne's story

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEyN5fW2S3k

Fainting: Frightening, but seldom serious

One minute you’re feeling a bit woozy; the next thing you know, you’re flat on your back wondering what happened. No matter what you call it — swooning, passing out, or fainting —the experience is surprisingly common. About a third of people say they’ve fainted at least once.

Although often harmless, fainting can cause injuries and sometimes signals a problem with the heart or circulatory system.

“Witnessing a faint can be scary, because it can look like the person has died,” says Harvard professor Dr. Lewis A. Lipsitz, director of the Division of Gerontology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the Institute for Aging Research at Hebrew SeniorLife in Boston. If it’s really a faint, the person will regain consciousness quickly; if not, call 911. Here’s the lowdown on the most common reasons people pass out.

The “common faint” (vasovagal syncope)

These faints are caused by excessive stimulation of the vagus nerve, the part of the nervous system that regulates blood pressure and heart rate. In response to some trigger, the blood vessels in your legs relax and the heart rate slows, making it difficult for blood to return to the heart. Blood pressure drops, and down you go.

Sometimes, the trigger for vasovagal syncope is a strong emotion, such as a response to bad news, the sight of blood, or a feeling of panic or claustrophobia. This type of faint can also occur when you have a bad coughing spell or strain to have a bowel movement, or even if you’ve been standing for a long time. Vasovagal syncope tends to be more common in people under 35. With age, the nervous system doesn’t react as quickly, so these types of faints occur less frequently.

Low blood pressure when standing upright (orthostatic hypotension)

The classic example is a 70-something person who’s been ill (and therefore not eating or drinking normally) and who faints right after getting out of bed in the morning. Older people are more prone to abnormalities in blood pressure regulation because of age, medications, or disease, explains Dr. Lipsitz.

With age, blood vessels tend to stiffen, and the body’s system for monitoring blood pressure becomes less sensitive. Older people are more likely to take drugs that can worsen orthostatic hypotension, such as beta blockers (which reduce the heart rate) and alpha blockers (which can reduce blood pressure; they’re used in men to treat an enlarged prostate). Older folks are more prone to dehydration, as the sense of thirst diminishes over the years. Also, diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and Parkinson’s (all of which are more common with age) may cause orthostatic hypotension.

Abnormal heart rate

If your heart rate is very fast, your blood pressure may fall, and fainting may follow. A number of different heart conditions — from problems with the heart’s electrical system to defective valves — can trigger palpitations, a feeling that your heart is fluttering, racing, or missing a beat. Conversely, a very slow heart rate can also cause you to faint. This condition is usually caused by electrical abnormalities in the heart or heart damage from a heart attack or other disease. Thyroid problems and certain medications can also lead to an abnormally slow or fast heart rate.

Finding the underlying cause

If a young, healthy person faints after an obvious vasovagal trigger, there’s not always a need to see a doctor. But if you faint for the first time after age 40, see a doctor to explore all the potential causes. He or she should check your blood pressure (both sitting and standing, if orthostatic hypotension is suspected) and do an electrocardiogram (ECG), a test that checks for electrical problems with the heart.

If you have any type of heart disease — including a previous heart attack, a rhythm disorder such as atrial fibrillation, a narrow or leaking heart valve, or heart failure — fainting may foretell a more serious problem and may require more extensive testing, says Dr. Lipsitz.

The post Fainting: Frightening, but seldom serious appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Julie Corliss http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/fainting-frightening-seldom-serious-2017062811894

DQA to address oral health needs of children, pregnant women

The Dental Quality Alliance's latest project is to improve the access to and quality of care for pregnant women, children and their families.

From: By David Burger http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/june/dqa-to-address-oral-health-needs-of-children-pregnant-women

American pets alarmingly overweight, study shows

A new study shows one out of three cats and dogs in America are overweight or obese. Busy lifestyles and unhealthy diets are wreaking havoc on our pets - and while porky animals may look cute, the extra fat can cause life-threatening conditions. Don Dahler reports.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/american-pets-alarmingly-overweight-study-shows/

Are our pets joining America's obesity epidemic?

While porky animals may look cute, the extra fat can cause life-threatening conditions

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/american-pets-getting-fatter-study-finds/

Vaccine patch seems as effective as flu shot

Dissolvable microneedle skin patch could be a painless new way to protect against flu, early study suggests

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/flu-patch-as-effective-as-flu-shot-vaccine-study-suggests/

Bye-Bye Flu Shot, Hello Patch?

Early results look promising for dissolvable microneedle vaccine

From: http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20170627/bye-bye-flu-shot-hello-patch?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Mom who shared son's hospital bill speaks out on GOP health bill

A tweet from a New Jersey mom put a very young face on the fight over the Senate health care bill. Alison Chandra shared a photo of a $231,000 medical bill for her 2-year-old son, Ethan, and was surprised to find out how much their story resonated with others. Mireya Villarreal reports.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/mom-who-shared-sons-hospital-bill-speaks-out-on-gop-health-bill/

Mom who shared son's hospital bill says gov't isn't looking out for Americans

Ali Chandra shared a photo of a $231,000 medical bill for her 2-year-old son, Ethan, and was surprised to see it strike such a chord with the American public

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mom-who-shared-sons-hospital-bill-gop-health-care-bill-obamacare/

Regenerative Medicine lab to address neuro-degenerative conditions

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgzCsISy900