Do e-cigarettes help or harm? Jury's still out, panel says

Potential benefits and harms of electronic cigarettes​ may depend on your age, according to a new report mandated by the U.S. Congress

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/do-e-cigarettes-help-or-harm-jurys-still-out-panel-says/

"Heat-not-burn" cigarette alternative faces scrutiny in the U.S.

A device that heats tobacco​ without burning it reduces some of the harmful chemicals in traditional cigarettes, but health officials say they still have concerns

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/heat-not-burn-cigarette-alternative-faces-scrutiny-in-the-u-s/

Parkinson's disease: What to know about Neil Diamond's diagnosis

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer canceled the third leg of his 50th anniversary tour due following the onset of the disease

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/parkinsons-disease-what-to-know-about-neil-diamonds-diagnosis/

Dirty Water Takes Toll on American Health, Wallets

Water-related recreational activities lead to more than 90 million cases a year of gastrointestinal, respiratory, ear, eye and skin-related illnesses in the United States, according to the study

From: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20180123/dirty-water-takes-toll-on-american-health-wallets?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Is Obesity 'Contagious'?

The researchers say their findings may help explain why high obesity rates in the United States tend to cluster in certain geographic areas.

From: https://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/news/20180123/is-obesity-contagious?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Americans Finally Getting a Little More Sleep

New research suggests that people are sleeping a few more minutes each night than they used to.

From: https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20180123/americans-finally-getting-a-little-more-sleep?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Congress reauthorizes CHIP, ADA thanks dentists for their grassroots efforts

Washington — Congress has reauthorized the Children’s Health Insurance Program for six years as part of a stopgap spending bill that will keep the government running until Feb. 8.

From:

By Jennifer Garvin

https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/january/congress-reauthorizes-chip-ada-thanks-dentists-for-their-grassroots-efforts

Women's Health Grand Rounds: Sex Trafficking - Arne Graff, M.D.

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

Dangerous "Tide pod challenge" trend prompts response from CEO

The social media phenomenon shows teens putting detergent pods in their mouths, even though the pods can have deadly consequences

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/procter-gamble-looking-to-stop-dangerous-tide-pod-challenge-trend/

Spending More on Health Care? Here's Why

The study also found that the number of emergency room visits rose only slightly, but the average price for an ER visit increased 31.5 percent during the study period.

From: https://www.webmd.com/health-insurance/news/20180123/spending-more-on-health-care-heres-why?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Dinner Companions May Influence How Much You Eat

An experiment done at the Cornell University Food and Brand Lab confirmed the theory that people are less likely to stick to their own diet rules when eating with or near someone overweight.

From: https://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20180123/dinner-companions-may-influence-how-much-you-eat?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Timing of Cardiac Arrest May Affect Survival

But if cardiac arrest happens at night or on a weekend, you're more likely to die than if it happens on a weekday.

From: https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20180123/timing-of-cardiac-arrest-may-affect-survival?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Woman diagnosed with flu has flesh-eating bacteria, family says

The Arizona woman has been hospitalized after an initial diagnosis of the flu turned into a life-threatening a bacterial infection

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/woman-diagnosed-with-flu-has-flesh-eating-bacteria-family-says/

Neil Diamond, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, has Parkinson's disease

Days shy of his 77th birthday, the rock legend is retiring and offered his "sincerest apologies" to those who planned to see him perform

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/neil-diamond-parkinsons-disease-tour-cancelled-health/

Implant device offers rest for some sleep apnea patients

An FDA-approved device called "Inspire" is gaining popularity and offering hope for millions of patients with sleep apnea. David Begnaud speaks to one patient who says the implant "saved" her life.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/implant-device-offers-rest-for-some-sleep-apnea-patients/

How to protect your kids from the flu

A 6-year-old in West Virginia is among the latest victims of the deadly flu epidemic. More than 30 children have died from the flu this season, according to the CDC, compared to 17 deaths the same time last year. Dr. Tara Narula joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss symptoms and offer advice on hygiene practices to prevent the flu from spreading.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/how-to-protect-your-kids-from-the-flu/

"It saved my life": Sleep apnea patient finds rest with implant device

An estimated 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, putting them at greater risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke and memory loss

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sleep-apnea-inspire-implant-revolutionary/

Dental professionals invited to ADA standards committee meetings

Interested dental professionals are invited to the upcoming ADA meetings where they will help develop dental standards.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/january/dental-professionals-invited-to-ada-standards-committee-meetings

Two families united in fight for childhood cancer research funding

Only about four percent of federal funding for cancer research is set aside specifically for childhood cancers

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-more-perfect-union-families-unite-against-common-enemy-childhood-cancer/

Boy dies after doctors remove 10-pound tumor from his face

Despite glimmers of hope, the boy did not survive long after surgery to remove the basketball-sized tumor

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/emanuel-zayas-dies-after-doctors-remove-10-pound-tumor-from-face/

Deportation fears have legal immigrants forgoing health care

Since Donald Trump became president, the number of legal immigrants from Latin America who access public health services has dipped substantially, advocates say

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/deportation-fears-have-legal-immigrants-fearing-health-care/

Patriots star Gronkowski suffers concussion; status for Super Bowl unclear

Tight end Rob Gronkowski suffered a concussion in the final minutes of the first half after being the recipient of a helmet-to-helmet hit

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/rob-gronkowski-patriots-concussion-super-bowl-status/

Deadly flu season particularly rough on kids -- and won't peak anytime soon

The Centers for Disease Control reports 30 children have died from influenza since October, and the number of states hit with high flu-like illness is now up to 32

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/deadly-flu-season-particularly-rough-on-kids-and-wont-peak-anytime-soon/

The crucial brain foods all children need

Follow me on Twitter @drClaire

The first 1,000 days of life are crucial for brain development — and food plays an important role.

The ways that the brain develops during pregnancy and during the first two years of life are like scaffolding: they literally define how the brain will work for the rest of a person’s life. Nerves grow and connect and get covered with myelin, creating the systems that decide how a child — and the adult she becomes — thinks and feels. Those connections and changes affect sensory systems, learning, memory, attention, processing speed, the ability to control impulses and mood, and even the ability to multitask or plan.

Those connections and changes cannot be undone, either. How the brain begins is how it stays.

The environment a child lives in, and how they are loved and nurtured, is crucial for these connections and changes. Breastfeeding can also make a big difference, not just because breast milk is the perfect first food but also because of the close contact with the mother that is part of breastfeeding.

There are also certain nutrients that are necessary for healthy brain development. These nutrients include:

• Protein. Protein can be found in meat, poultry, seafood, beans and peas, eggs, soy products, nuts and seeds, as well as dairy.
• Zinc. The food that has the most zinc, interestingly, is oysters — but it’s also found in many meats, fish, dairy products, and nuts.
• Iron. Meats, beans and lentils, fortified cereals and breads, dark leafy vegetables, and baked potatoes are among the best sources of iron.
• Choline. Meat, dairy, and eggs have lots of choline, but so do many vegetables and other foods.
• Folate. This nutrient, which is especially important for pregnant mothers, can be found in liver, spinach, fortified cereals and breads, as well as other foods.
• Iodine. Seaweed is a great source of iodine, but we also get it from iodized salt, seafood, dairy products, and enriched grains.
• Vitamin A. Along with liver, carrots, sweet potato, and spinach are good sources of this vitamin.
• Vitamin D. This is the “sunshine vitamin,” and the best way to get it is to get outside. The flesh of fatty fishes such as salmon have it, as does fish liver oil, and products fortified with it, such as fortified milk.
• Vitamin B₆. The best sources of Vitamin B₆ are liver and other organ meats, fish, potatoes and other starchy vegetables, and fruit (not citrus).
• Vitamin B₁₂. Vitamin B₁₂ is naturally found in animal products, such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy.
• Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. An example is omega-3 fatty acids. These are most easily found in fatty fish and fish oils, but can be found in some other oils, and many foods are also fortified with them.

For some pregnant women and children, getting all of these nutrients can be a challenge. Families who are vegetarian, especially those who are vegan, may find it particularly challenging. Meeting with a nutritionist may be helpful. Many families have limited, starch-heavy diets without much in the way of vegetables or fish. Pregnant women and small children in those families may also have trouble getting all the brain nutrients they need.

For many families, it’s not that they choose not to eat these foods — it’s that they can’t afford them. Meats, fish, and fresh vegetables can be expensive. That’s why the American Academy of Pediatrics released a policy statement entitled “Advocacy for Improving Nutrition in the First 1,000 Days to Support Childhood Development and Adult Health.”

There are many government-funded programs, such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (also known as WIC), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (or SNAP, formerly “food stamps”), or the Child and Adult Care Food Program, that help low-income families get the food they need to be healthy, and support breastfeeding. It’s important that these programs continue and be funded to meet the need. While community-based food pantries and soup kitchens are important, they can’t always provide all the nutritious food pregnant women and children need, let alone provide as much or as often as it is needed.

As a country and as a world, we need to work together to be sure that every child gets the best start possible.

The post The crucial brain foods all children need appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Claire McCarthy, MD https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/brain-food-children-nutrition-2018012313168

WebMD Honors a New Generation of Health Heroes

2017's Health Heroes ceremony was held In New York on Monday, Jan. 23, 2018, at WebMD's corporate headquarters. The awards honor achievement in health and wellness.

From: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/webmd-honors-a-new-generation-of-health-heroes?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Dr Carissa Etienne elected for a second term as WHO Regional Director for the Americas

The WHO Executive Board, currently holding its 142nd session in Geneva, has appointed Dr Carissa Etienne for a second term as Regional Director for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO).

From: http://www.who.int/entity/mediacentre/news/notes/2018/election-for-who-paho-regional-director/en/index.html

You've Lost the Weight. How Soon Before It Comes Back?

The participants lost an average of about 1 pound a week. But once the weight intervention ended, weight regain started almost immediately, the findings showed.

From: https://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20180122/youve-lost-weight-how-soon-will-it-come-back?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Will Smoking Pot Harm Your Heart?

There's not enough scientific evidence to say one way or the other how marijuana affects heart health, a new review has concluded.

From: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/news/20180122/will-smoking-pot-harm-your-heart-experts-weigh-in?src=RSS_PUBLIC

How to protect your kids from the flu

A 6-year-old in West Virginia is among the latest victims of the deadly flu epidemic. More than 30 children have died from the flu this season, according to the CDC, compared to 17 deaths the same time last year. Dr. Tara Narula joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss symptoms and offer advice on hygiene practices to prevent the flu from spreading.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/how-to-protect-your-kids-from-the-flu/

"It saved my life": Sleep apnea patient finds rest with implant device

An estimated 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, putting them at greater risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke and memory loss

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sleep-apnea-inspire-implant-revolutionary/