As Hurricane Irma looms, don’t forget senior citizens

Experts offer practical tips to help ensure the safety of this vulnerable population

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/hurricane-irma-florida-senior-citizens-safety-tips/

Guinea pigs can harbor a hidden health hazard

Doctors in Europe report three people were hospitalized due to infections from these pets

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/guinea-pigs-hidden-health-hazard-chlamydia-caviae-bacteria/

Hurricane Irma poses major challenges for medical care

As Hurricane Irma approaches southeast Florida, the state's health system is mobilizing for a surge in demand for medical care. At least 11 medical facilities in the Florida area are being evacuated and health officials are warning residents to take action now to avoid an emergency. Dr. David Agus joins "CBS This Morning" to offer advice for patients in Irma's path.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/hurricane-irma-poses-major-challenges-for-medical-care/

"Striking" findings in kids exposed to 9/11 dust

New research finds about half of those tested had higher levels of a certain chemical in their blood

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/striking-findings-blood-tests-on-kids-exposed-9-11-dust/

Breast-Feeding Linked to Lower Endometriosis Risk

Hormonal changes may play a role, researchers say

From: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20170908/breast-feeding-linked-to-lower-endometriosis-risk?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Can Cold Med Be Blamed in Woman's Murder?

North Carolina man tells authorities he took cold medicine, woke up to find his wife dead.

From: http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20170908/can-cold-med-be-blamed-in-womans-murder?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Mayo Clinic Minute: The 60-60 rule for safe listening

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5pKM9ATzZw

Mayo Clinic Minute: Facts about the opioid epidemic

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

The Best Way to Diagnose a Food Allergy

Oral food challenges are safe and rarely result in a serious reaction, researchers say

From: http://www.webmd.com/allergies/news/20170908/the-best-way-to-diagnose-a-food-allergy?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Statins May Help People With COPD Live Longer

Deaths from lung-related causes were reduced by as much as 45 percent, study suggests

From: http://www.webmd.com/lung/copd/news/20170908/statins-may-help-people-with-copd-live-longer?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Pfizer Did Not Investigate EpiPen Problems: FDA

Manufacturer allegedly knew of defects, failed to act.

From: http://www.webmd.com/allergies/news/20170908/pfizer-did-not-investigate-epipen-problems-fda?src=RSS_PUBLIC

HPV Shot May Even Protect Women Who Never Got It

'Herd immunity' effect shows U.S. females now less likely to contract the cancer-causing virus

From: http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/hpv-genital-warts/news/20170908/hpv-shot-may-even-protect-women-who-never-got-it?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Dennis Wigle , M.D., Ph.D: Thoracic Surgeon

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oby1R_M0SG4

Shanda Blackmon, M.D., M.P.H.

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skMVgog_JP0

Can getting quality sleep help prevent Alzheimer’s disease?

It’s amazing how a good night’s sleep can rejuvenate the mind, or “rest the little grey cells” as Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s famed sleuth, liked to say.

But sound slumber may boost the brain another way by protecting you against Alzheimer’s disease. Research has begun to show an association between poor sleep and a higher risk of accumulating beta-amyloid protein plaque in the brain, one of the hallmarks of the disease.

“Observational studies have found that adults over age 65 with amyloid plaques in their brain have reduced slow-wave sleep, which is thought to play an important role in memory function, even though these people do not yet show signs of Alzheimer’s, like memory loss and cognitive decline,” says Dr. Brad Dickerson, associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School. “It may be that quality sleep could play a role in who may get Alzheimer’s.”

Sweeping out amyloids

Any talk about Alzheimer’s often begins with amyloid proteins. They accumulate in the brain daily and are thought to be a waste product from the energy used when brain cells communicate.

Your brain sweeps out excess amyloid proteins during slow-wave sleep, which is the deep sleep phase during which your memories are consolidated. Some studies suggest that when your sleep gets interrupted during the slow-wave phase, amyloid proteins build up and form plaque on brain tissue. Scientists believe this is the first stage of the development of Alzheimer’s, and it can occur years before symptoms appear.

Which comes first

The relationship between poor sleep and amyloid plaque is also a classic chicken-and-egg scenario: does poor sleep cause amyloid plaque, or does plaque buildup cause poor sleep?

It’s not clear.

A 2015 study in Nature Neuroscience explored the question by using brain imaging on 26 older adults, ages 65 to 81, who had not been diagnosed with dementia and did not report any sleep problems. First, the group received PET scans to measure levels of amyloid in their brains. Then they were asked to memorize 120 pairs of words and tested on how well they remembered a portion of them.

The people then slept for eight hours, during which their brain waves were measured for sleep disruptions, especially to find out if they awoke during the slow-wave phase. The next morning, their brains were scanned as they tried to recall the memorized words. Over all, the people with the highest levels of amyloid in the brain had the poorest quality of sleep and performed worst on the memory test — some forgot more than half of the information.

Sleep on it

Does all this mean that improving poor sleep or practicing good sleeping habits can protect you against Alzheimer’s? Maybe. But it also may mean that quality sleep should be part of a multipronged effort to stave off Alzheimer’s, according to Dr. Dickerson.

“Other research has found strong evidence that aerobic exercise also may help to lower a person’s risk,” he says. “Exercise also helps with better sleep quality, so they may work in conjunction. Weight loss also plays a factor, as people who are overweight tend to have more sleep problems.”

Until more is known, Dr. Dickerson suggests that the best approach is to not ignore sleep problems, such as insomnia, sleep apnea, or waking up often to use the bathroom. “See your doctor for an evaluation,” he says. It could go a long way toward protecting your little grey cells.

The post Can getting quality sleep help prevent Alzheimer’s disease? appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Matthew Solan https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/waking-up-to-alzheimers-can-getting-quality-sleep-help-prevent-the-disease-2017090812293

Six gene regions linked to preterm births

According to CBS News medical contributor Dr. David Agus, the findings are "enormous"

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/preterm-births-study-six-genes-linked/

Can't afford the dentist? You're not alone

For many middle-aged Americans even basic dental care is now financially out of reach, a new survey finds

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cant-afford-the-dentist-youre-not-alone/

Health Concerns Linger After Hurricane Harvey

As flood waters recede, dangers from air, water and other survivors remain.

From: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20170907/health-concerns-linger-after-hurricane-harvey?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Nurses suspended after opening body bag to view man's genitals

The incident was reported after a different nurse overheard a co-worker make a comment about it, the hospital said

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/denver-nurses-suspended-after-opening-body-bag-to-view-mans-genitals/

Here's the Recipe to Keep Colon Cancer at Bay

Increase whole grains and exercise, limit booze and processed meats: report

From: http://www.webmd.com/colorectal-cancer/news/20170907/heres-the-recipe-to-keep-colon-cancer-at-bay?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Sleep Apnea Wreaks Havoc on Your Metabolism

Finding supports use of CPAP therapy for condition, so blood pressure and blood sugar levels don't jump

From: http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/news/20170907/sleep-apnea-wreaks-havoc-on-your-metabolism?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Bite of a hot dog stopped boy's heart, revealing rare condition

It led to a medical crisis, and then discovery of a hidden heart defect

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/bite-of-a-hot-dog-stopped-boys-heart-revealing-rare-condition/

Epilepsy and EEG in Clinical Practice 2017

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIM9BSaxS1Q

Sleepless Nights Plague Many Women in Middle Age

Phases in and around menopause play a big role in insomnia, CDC study finds

From: http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20170907/sleepless-nights-plague-many-women-in-middle-age?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Help ADA Foundation provide emergency disaster relief

The disaster that is unfolding in Texas and Louisiana as a result of Hurricane Harvey has likely affected hundreds of dentists, and the ADA Foundation is asking ADA members to consider making a contribution to the ADA Foundation Emergency Disaster Grant Program.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/august/help-ada-foundation-provide-emergency-disaster-relief

Chairside Instructor, ADA’s most popular patient education guide, recently revised

To be ready for just about anything patients may bring their way, dentists can be equipped with a Chairside Instructor.

From: By David Burger http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/september/chairside-instructor-adas-most-popular-patient-education-guide

Organized dentistry supports Student Loan Refinancing and Recalculation Act

Washington — The ADA is one of 15 dental organizations supporting the Student Loan Refinancing and Recalculation Act, legislation that would enable borrowers to more efficiently pay back their loans.

From: By Jennifer Garvin http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/september/organized-dentistry-supports-student-loan-refinancing-and-recalculation-act

Student researchers invited to apply for ADA Foundation award

The ADA Foundation is accepting applications for a new award that aims to help a student’s research career that advances the oral health of the public.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/september/student-researchers-invited-to-apply-for-ada-foundation-award

Triad of dental organizations urge government to rescind Medicare Part C, Medicare Advantage requirement

The ADA, the National Association of Dental Plans and Delta Dental Plans Association urged the federal government to remove or delay an enrollment requirement for dentists who participate.

From: By David Burger http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/september/triad-of-dental-organizations-urge-government-to-rescind-medicare-part-c

Deadline approaching for CDC Public Health Residency Program

Dentists who have completed at least one academic year of advanced training in public health and obtained a graduate degree can apply.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/september/deadline-approaching-for-cdc-public-health-residency-program

Dr. Robert M. Unger remembered for his dedication to ADA

Dr. Robert M. Unger, ADA 8th District trustee from 1980-86 and ADA vice president from 1973-74, died Sunday, Sept. 3, at 93.

From: By David Burger http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/september/dr-robert-m-unger-remembered-for-his-dedication-to-ada

Revised ADA Bylaws ready for House of Delegates

The ADA Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs has completed a three-year project to revise the ADA Bylaws and the amendments will be submitted to the House of Delegates at ADA 2017 – America’s Dental Meeting for approval.

From: By David Burger http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/september/revised-ada-bylaws-ready-for-house-of-delegates

CDT 2018 available Sept. 5 with 18 new codes

This is the most up-to-date coding resource and the only Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-recognized code set for dentistry.

From: By David Burger http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/september/cdt-2018-available-with-18-new-codes

Just the Facts — September 4, 2017

Accredited advanced dental education programs

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/september/just-the-facts-september-4-2017

Snapshots of American Dentistry — September 4, 2017

Trends in emergency department visits for adults

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/september/snapshots-of-american-dentistry-september-4-2017