08/29/17

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Large study suggests high-carb diet is a killer

New research may turn conventional thinking on its head, but some experts warn its not time to change nutritional guidelines just yet

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/large-study-suggests-carbs-not-fats-bad-for-you/

Viagra May Harm Patients With Heart Valve Issue

Earlier data suggested the drug might ease high blood pressure in lungs, but new study refutes that

From: http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20170829/viagra-may-harm-patients-with-a-heart-valve-issue?src=RSS_PUBLIC

It's Carbs, Not Fats, That Are Bad for You

But don't give up on fruits, vegetables and legumes -- they're still good for you

From: http://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/news/20170829/its-carbs-not-fats-that-are-bad-for-you?src=RSS_PUBLIC

FTC offers resources for victims, those willing to help in wake of Hurricane Harvey

The Federal Trade Commission has advice for victims of severe storms and flooding in Texas and Louisiana as result of Hurricane Harvey as well as for those looking to help the victims.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/august/ftc-offers-resources-for-victims-those-willing-to-help-in-wake-of-hurricane-harvey

Register now for 3 things not to miss at ADA 2017

Among numerous worthwhile activities to partake in at the ADA annual meeting, there are three notable opportunities that attendees can take advantage of once the calendar turns to Oct. 19.

From: By David Burger http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/august/register-now-for-three-things-not-to-miss-at-ada-2017

More Than Half of Americans To Need Nursing Homes

More short-term stays the biggest factor fueling the increase

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/news/20170828/more-than-half-of-americans-to-need-nursing-homes?src=RSS_PUBLIC

FDA cracks down on “unscrupulous” stem-cell clinics

The clinics have been marketing unapproved and potentially harmful therapies for cancer and other diseases, the agency says

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-crackdown-unapproved-stem-cell-therapies/

Moles not the only way to spot deadly melanoma

More than two-thirds of deadly skin cancers occur as new lesions, an analysis finds

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/moles-not-the-only-way-to-spot-deadly-melanoma/

Many U.S. Women Unaware of Fibroid Treatments

Hysterectomy isn't the only choice, radiology experts say

From: http://www.webmd.com/women/news/20170829/many-us-women-unaware-of-fibroid-treatments?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Mayo Clinic Minute: 3 tips for healthy eyes

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwDZ5mf6R_s

Advance registration deadline Sept. 22

The deadline for advance registration for all courses at ADA 2017 – America's Dental Meeting is Sept. 22 at 5 p.m. CDT.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/august/advance-registration-deadline-sept-22

Dentist at forefront in reversing antifluoridation vote in Tennessee

Fluoridation fared well in this town of about 5,300 in August, where leaders voted to reverse a decision it had made in February to end water fluoridation.

From: By Michelle Manchir http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/august/dentist-at-forefront-in-reversing-antifluoridation-vote-in-tennessee

Learn more about CDT Code at annual meeting

The newest CDT Code version is effective Jan. 1, 2018, but that doesn't preclude dental team members from getting a head start on learning all about the code set's evolution at ADA 2017 – America's Dental Meeting in October — and how they can become involved.

From: By David Burger http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/august/learn-more-about-cdt-code-at-annual-meeting

3 things parents should know about complementary and alternative medicine

Follow me on Twitter @drClaire

More and more, I have families in my practice who are trying out treatments and therapies I didn’t prescribe. Most of the time, it’s absolutely fine. Other times, it’s not.

“Complementary and alternative medicine” is a broad term that refers to treatments that are not generally part of traditional Western medicine. It includes things like herbal remedies, dietary supplements or alternative diets, acupuncture, acupressure, homeopathy, Chinese remedies, Reiki, or hypnosis. It also includes things like yoga or meditation — and chiropractic medicine.

Many of these therapies have become increasingly mainstream. In fact, more than 1 in 10 US children, and more than half of US children with chronic medical conditions, have used them. As use of these therapies grow, often fueled by what people read on the Internet and social media, it’s important that people get informed and educated, especially if they are going to use them on their children. That’s why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published a report entitled “Pediatric Integrative Medicine” in the journal Pediatrics.

Here are three things all parents should know about complementary and alternative medicine:

1. Many of them are very useful. It’s not as if Western medicine has the corner on all medical knowledge. Some of these therapies, like acupuncture, have been around for literally thousands of years. The more we study these therapies, the more we learn about the ways they can be helpful. Acupuncture can be very helpful for chronic pain. Probiotics can help fight diarrhea, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) found in fish oil helps fetal brain development and may help children with attention problems. Yoga has been found to help youth with attention problems also, as well as those with asthma or irritable bowel syndrome. Our understanding of health and medicine is expanding, and many physicians routinely recommend many therapies that used to be dismissed. But there is a problem…

2. Most of them are poorly regulated. For a drug to be licensed for sale, it has to go through extensive testing. The same is not true of herbal, vitamin, or other “alternative” treatments. Because they are classified as “food” rather than medicine, they aren’t tested or regulated anywhere near as carefully, and they don’t have to prove their claims. If you buy an herbal remedy or a dietary supplement, you have absolutely no way of knowing everything that is in it (some have been found to include dangerous ingredients like lead or arsenic) and no way of knowing if it will do what the manufacturer says it will.

This is also true of practitioners. To be licensed as a doctor or nurse, you have to go to an accredited program, pass national examinations, and prove ongoing competency. That isn’t necessarily the case with many who practice alternative medicine. While there are some licensing boards and ways that practitioners can be accredited, there is currently no comprehensive way to ensure quality of care.

Western medicines also has a tradition of ongoing self-examination, of doing studies to be sure that treatments work and are safe, and an infrastructure to support that tradition. While there have been, and continue to be, many studies of complementary and alternative medicine, there is nowhere near the same tradition and infrastructure. This is something the AAP says needs to change. This is not to say that there aren’t excellent practitioners and excellent treatments. It’s just that it’s much harder to know if the person treating you or your child has the right training and skills and if the treatment is safe, let alone helpful for the condition. Which is why…

3. Parents need to do their homework—and talk to their child’s doctor—before using complementary or alternative medicine with their children. Before you try any treatment, learn about it. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, part of the National Institutes of Health, is a great resource to learn about complementary and alternative medicine and specific treatments. It’s also really important to talk to your doctor. It’s important to be sure that what you are doing won’t interfere with any other treatment. For example, St. John’s Wort, an herb that is commonly used to treat depression, can interact or interfere with many commonly prescribed medications. It’s important to check with your doctor to be sure that what you are doing is safe for your child’s particular condition or situation.

Most of all, it’s important that your doctor know about your concerns for your child and why you want to use the treatments in the first place. If you are worried about your child’s growth or appetite, for example, let your doctor be sure there isn’t something more serious going on before you use dietary supplements. While doctors may not know everything about non-traditional treatments (the AAP report says doctors need more education about them), we care very much about your child’s health and want very much to work with you to find all the ways to get and keep your child healthy and happy.

The post 3 things parents should know about complementary and alternative medicine appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Claire McCarthy, MD https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/3-things-parents-should-know-about-complementary-and-alternative-medicine-2017082912337

Moles Not Most Likely Spot for Melanomas

More than two-thirds of deadly skin cancers occur as new lesions, analysis finds

From: http://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/news/20170829/moles-not-most-likely-spot-for-melanomas?src=RSS_PUBLIC

What Every Runner Needs To Know: Coping With and Preventing Running Injuries

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

Mayo Clinic Minute: Tips for family heart health

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gJGTBqJ5s8

When it comes to weight loss, consistency may be key

A "slow but steady" approach might be the best bet for achieving weight loss success, new research suggests

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/weight-loss-consistency-is-key-to-success-study/

Drink Coffee, Live Longer?

Four cups a day could reduce risk by 64 percent, study suggests

From: http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20170828/drink-coffee-live-longer?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Cybersecurity starts with training dental teams

In 2015, Dr. Lloyd Wallin's dental office was victimized twice in one month by hackers using ransomware — a type of malicious software that threatens to publish the victim's data or block access to it unless a ransom is paid.

From: David Burger http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/august/cybersecurity-starts-with-training-dental-teams

Paper checks can continue but plan for an electronic future

The switch to electronic reimbursement by some third-party payers has prompted the ADA Practice Institute to study how easy dentists could make the change in their offices.

From: By David Burger http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/august/paper-checks-can-continue-but-plan-for-an-electronic-future

Flooding disrupts care at Houston hospital, cancer center

Officials to evacuate one of the nation's busiest trauma centers as flooding from Harvey has threatened the hospital's supplies

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/flooding-disrupts-care-at-houston-hospital-cancer-center/

New heart drug targets inflammation

Researchers say a new drug lowers the risk of having another heart attack by reducing inflammation. CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook reports.

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/videos/new-heart-drug-targets-inflammation/

Biggest health threats from Harvey flooding

As torrential rains and catastrophic flooding continue, a number of health hazards put Texas residents at risk

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/houston-flooding-biggest-health-threats-from-hurricane-harvey-flooding/

In a first, drug lowers heart attack risk with new approach

It works by curbing inflammation, a new and very different approach than lowering cholesterol, the focus for many years

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/in-a-first-anti-inflammatory-drug-lowers-heart-attack-risks/

What Every Runner Needs To Know: Coping With and Preventing Running Injuries

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

Mayo Clinic Minute: Tips for family heart health

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gJGTBqJ5s8

Fish consumption and rheumatoid arthritis: Natural remedy or just another fish tale?

Follow me on Twitter @RobShmerling

When I see patients with rheumatoid arthritis, I’m often asked about diet. Are there foods that can help? Should I avoid certain foods?

The role of diet in arthritis

Whenever I’m asked about diet for arthritis, my short answer is that with a few exceptions, there is no proven role for making dietary changes. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, there is no clear evidence that eating more (or less) of any particular food will improve (or worsen) their symptoms or protect their joints. Of course, new research could change my answer.

And what about the exceptions? The most important is probably gout. Certain foods and beverages (such as organ meats and alcohol) can predispose to the condition or make it worse. Most people with gout are told to modify their diets, although for most the impact is small.

What about the microbiome?

There is enormous interest now in the role of the microbiome — the vast numbers of microorganisms living within us — in health and disease. And we know that diet affects the microbiome within the intestinal tract. It could turn out that what you eat may cause certain populations of bacteria in the intestinal tract to rise or fall. Since these bacteria may affect immune function, and since rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, it’s possible that changes in the microbiome will affect the activity and severity of rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers are working hard to understand how the microbiome might affect autoimmune diseases, and how this new perspective could lead to better control of conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Fish, fish oil, and rheumatoid arthritis

A number of studies have found that fish oil supplements or a diet rich in fish oils may be helpful in controlling the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, it’s possible higher intake of fish oil actually reduces the likelihood of developing the disease. Some studies have found that rheumatoid arthritis is less common in places where fish consumption is highest. However, fish oil is not routinely recommended, because its effect is modest and medications tend to be much more effective.

A new study resurrects the idea that fish oil (or at least fish consumption) might suppress the joint inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers publishing in the medical journal Arthritis Care & Research report that the more fish a person consumes, the better the control of their arthritis. In this study, researchers analyzed data from 176 people with rheumatoid arthritis, comparing their reported intake of non-fried fish with the results of their joint examinations and blood tests. Here’s what they found:

Those with the highest fish consumption (more than two servings per week) had the best control of their arthritis.
There was a “dose effect.” For minimal, low, or high fish consumption, the higher the intake, the better the arthritis.
The findings were noted even after accounting for other factors that might affect arthritis control, such as duration of disease and fish oil supplement use.

The fine print

This was a small study that found an association between fish consumption and control of rheumatoid arthritis. That’s not the same as finding that fish intake actually caused the improvement in arthritis. This is an important point because factors other than diet could explain the findings. For instance, it’s possible that people who eat fish regularly are generally more attuned to their health and take their medications more reliably than people who eat fish less often. That’s why the authors of this study do not conclude that everyone with rheumatoid arthritis should start eating more fish. What they do say is that additional research is needed.

One other point: the improvement in arthritis control noted among those who ate the most fish was modest, and so small that most patients probably wouldn’t notice. Still, small improvements can add up, so even a small effect from a natural remedy that poses minimal risk is worth consideration.

What now?

I’m hopeful that in the near future we’ll have more definitive, larger, and long-term studies that examine the role of diet on rheumatoid arthritis and other types of joint disease. Until then, I think people with rheumatoid arthritis should consider increasing their intake of non-fried fish. It might be good for the joints. And eating fish may have other health benefits as well, especially if it replaces less healthy choices.

The post Fish consumption and rheumatoid arthritis: Natural remedy or just another fish tale? appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Robert H. Shmerling, MD https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/fish-consumption-and-rheumatoid-arthritis-natural-remedy-or-just-another-fish-tale-2017082812299

Applications due Dec. 1 for University of Chicago dentistry-focused social science Ph.D. program

Dentists and dental students interested in becoming clinician-scholars and earning a Ph.D. from a social science program can apply through Dec. 1 to enroll at the University of Chicago.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/august/applications-due-dec-1-for-university-of-chicago-dentistry-focused-social-science-phd-program

Morning Rounds: Could certain vitamins put you at a higher risk for lung cancer?

Dr. Jon LaPook and Dr. Tara Narula join "CBS This Morning: Saturday" to discuss a new study about certain vitamins that could increase the risk of lung cancer in men who smoke, new research suggesting there could be a link between sleep and dementia, and how events like the solar eclipse could be impacting empathy.

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/videos/morning-rounds-could-certain-vitamins-put-you-at-a-higher-risk-for-lung-cancer/