Opioid maker Purdue Pharma backs off aggressive marketing

Purdue Pharma, the company behind the painkiller OxyContin, announced it is backing off aggressive marketing techniques that target doctors' offices. The decision comes as the company faces several lawsuits by states alleging the drug maker misrepresented the drug's risks. CBS News senior national correspondent Jim Axelrod has the details.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/opioid-maker-purdue-pharma-backs-off-aggressive-marketing/

Fast-acting drugs, UV rays could be used to fight the flu

A doctor and his team are testing a device that uses UV light to kill the influenza virus in the air without damaging human tissue

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-ultraviolet-light-could-be-used-to-fight-the-flu/

Fighting the flu with ultraviolet light

As the deadly flu season continues, a doctor is working on technology that uses ultraviolet light to kill the flu virus in the air. CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook explains why this technique is safer than using regular UV rays.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/fighting-the-flu-with-ultraviolet-light/

Opioid maker backs off aggressive marketing amid lawsuits

The nation's largest opioid manufacturer says it will no longer send sales representatives to doctors' offices to push opioids

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/purdue-pharma-oxycontin-maker-backs-off-aggressive-marketing-amid-lawsuits/

3 simple habits linked to weight loss

Trying to lose weight? New research suggests these three things may make a difference

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/3-simple-habits-linked-to-weight-loss/

Texas students mourn teacher who died of flu

Heather Holland, a second grade teacher in Weatherford, Texas, is being remembered as an educator who made a difference in students' lives. She died of the flu earlier this month. KTVT's Yona Gavino reports.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/texas-students-mourn-teacher-who-died-of-flu/

Oregon woman infected with rare "eye worm"

This is the first report in 20 years of this occurring in the United States, researchers say

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/oregon-woman-infected-with-rare-eye-worm/

Delaware celebrates GKAS

This was the 15th year that the Delaware State Dental Society has participated in GKAS. Dr. Kelly's office was one of three locations to host events.

From: By Jennifer Garvin
https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/february/delaware-celebrates-gkas

Teacher dies from flu after deeming antiviral drug too costly

A second grade teacher fell ill with the flu but when she saw the $116 price tag, she decided it was too much, her husband says

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-teacher-dies-from-flu-after-deeming-antiviral-drug-too-costly/

New Shingles Vaccine: What You Need To Know

The new vaccine is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and a painful complication called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in all age groups.

From: https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/news/20180212/new-shingles-vaccine_what-you-need-to-know?src=RSS_PUBLIC

4/20 pot holiday a dangerous time on the road, study finds

Researchers see an uptick in fatal traffic crashes​ the evening of April 20, a counterculture holiday revolving around pot use

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/420-marijuana-holiday-a-dangerous-time-on-the-road-study-finds/

Driving May Be Risky Business on 4/20 Pot Holiday

Your risk of dying in a fatal wreck increases about 12 percent on that date, comparable to the increase in traffic risk that's been observed on Super Bowl Sunday, according to the analysis of crash data.

From: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/news/20180212/driving-may-be-risky-business-on-420-pot-holiday?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Closing health disparities in Oklahoma

This is the fifth in a series featuring graduates of the ADA Institute for Diversity in Leadership and how these dental leaders continue to affect their communities.

From: By Kimber Solana
https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/february/closing-health-disparities-in-oklahoma

Who Gets Unneeded Antibiotics Most Often?

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants were 15 percent more likely than a doctor to prescribe an antibiotic to adults with these four conditions, the study found.

From: https://www.webmd.com/drug-medication/news/20180212/who-gets-unneeded-antibiotics-most-often?src=RSS_PUBLIC

The Purrfect Diet for Your Fat Cat

The goal was to help the cats shed 1.5 percent of their body weight per week. That's in line with recommendations from the American Animal Hospital Association.

From: https://pets.webmd.com/news/20180211/the-purrfect-diet-for-your-fat-cat?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Could experimental drug stop the flu in 24 hours?

A new drug developed in Japan reportedly eliminates the virus much faster than anything on the market

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/could-this-experimental-drug-stop-the-flu-in-24-hours/

Infectious Diseases A-Z: What to do if you have the flu

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQzPmsb5TtE

Mayo Clinic Minute: Stay safe on ski slopes

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93pKkc2g7Ak

Baby Suffocation Deaths From Co-Sleeping Rise

While the number of babies that die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been falling, the number of babies dying from accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed skyrocketed 184% from 1999 to 2015, according to new statistics released Monday by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

From: https://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20180212/baby-suffocation-deaths-from-cosleeping-rise?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Calcium, vitamin D, and fractures (oh my!)

When I saw the headlines about this recently published study on bone health saying “Vitamin D and calcium supplements may not lower fracture risk” I thought: Wait, that’s news? I think I remember seeing that headline a few years ago.

Indeed, in 2015, this very blog reported on similar studies of calcium supplements, noting that calcium supplements have risks and side effects, and are not likely indicated for most healthy community-dwelling adults over 50. These folks are not in a high-risk category for vitamin deficiencies, osteoporosis, and fractures, and we usually advise them to get their calcium from food. Dietary sources of calcium are everywhere, including milk and yogurt, but also include green leafy veggies like collard greens, legumes like black-eyed peas, tofu, almonds, orange juice… the list goes on (and you can check it out here).

What’s new with this most recent study?

This research found that taking vitamin D supplements did not protect against fractures in people over 50. The authors examined 33 research studies including over 50,000 people for their analysis. However, and it’s a big however, study investigators note several times that their research included only healthy people out in the community, and that their findings do not apply to elderly people living in nursing homes who may have a poorer diet, less sun exposure and mobility, and who are at particularly high risk for fractures. Indeed, the original recommendations for calcium supplementation were based on a study of elderly, nursing-home bound women with vitamin deficiencies and low bone density, for whom calcium and vitamin D supplements did significantly reduce fracture risk.

What is the takeaway?

Well, simply, not much has changed. My advice to my healthy patients is still to get calcium from foods, and the best diet for this is a Mediterranean-style diet rich in colorful plants, plenty of legumes, and fish. This plus high-protein, low-fat, and low-sugar dairy (yogurt is ideal) can supply plenty of calcium. As far as vitamin D, well, vitamin D supplementation continues to be a topic of lively and livid debate among everyone, including competing guideline-authoring endocrine experts (see my Harvard Health Blog post on this). I hesitate to wander into that minefield again. But here goes…

The scoop on vitamin D deficiency

There is a large group of people who are likely to be deficient in vitamin D. It includes people with eating disorders; people who have had gastric bypass surgeries; those with malabsorption syndromes like celiac sprue; pregnant and lactating women; people who have dark skin; and those who wear total skin covering (and thus absorb less sunlight). In addition, people with or at risk for low bone density (perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, people diagnosed with other skeletal disorders, or who take certain medications), should discuss whether they need supplements and to have blood levels of vitamin D monitored.

Many New England-dwelling (and Northern hemisphere) residents are at risk for a dip in vitamin D levels during the long, dark winter months. In my own practice I do consider that a risk factor, and I advise a vitamin D supplement of 1,000 IUs daily. For people who would rather avoid a supplement but may need a boost of vitamin D, it is also found in some common foods, including sardines, salmon, tuna, cheese, egg yolks, and vitamin-fortified milk. I will add that, for those who fall into the “healthy community-dwelling adult” category, a supplement of anywhere from 400 to 2,000 IUs of vitamin D daily is not likely to cause harm. Yes, vitamin D toxicity is a thing, usually seen at levels above 80 ng/ml, which causes excessive calcium to be released into the bloodstream. This is rare, but I have seen it in patients who took high-dose vitamin D supplementation of 50,000 IUs weekly over a long period of time.

Other important and effective ways to protect your bones

There are other methods that may be more effective at maintaining bone health and reducing fracture risk. One that we can likely all agree on is regular physical activity. Weight-bearing exercise like walking, jogging, tennis, and aerobics definitely strengthens bones. Core exercises like yoga and Pilates can improve balance. All of this can help reduce falls and fracture risk.

And so, in the end, I am recommending what I always end up recommending: a Mediterranean-style diet rich in colorful plants, plenty of legumes, fish, plus low-sugar, low-fat dairy and plenty of varied physical activity throughout your entire life… and maybe calcium and/or vitamin D supplementation for certain people, following a discussion with their doctors.

The post Calcium, vitamin D, and fractures (oh my!) appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Monique Tello, MD, MPH https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/calcium-vitamin-d-fractures-oh-2018021213247

Opioid Maker To Stop Marketing Painkillers to Docs

The company is slashing its sales force in half to 200, and the remaining representatives will no longer visit doctors to market Purdue's opioid products, the Los Angeles Times reported.

From: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/news/20180212/opioid-maker-to-stop-marketing-painkillers-to-docs?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Can UV Light Be Used to Kill Airborne Flu Virus?

Researchers say a certain spectrum of ultraviolet light -- called far-UVC -- easily kills airborne flu viruses while posing no risk to people.

From: https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20180212/can-uv-light-be-used-to-kill-airborne-flu-virus-?src=RSS_PUBLIC

#AsktheMayoMom: Pioneering Treatments for HLHS

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBdzhu1gCy0

Flu-related hospitalizations approaching record, CDC says

More people are being hospitalized with the flu this season than any time since the CDC began keeping track. Just last week, deaths from influenza and pneumonia were responsible for about one in every 10 deaths in the U.S. Dr. Tara Narula reports.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/flu-related-hospitalizations-approaching-record-cdc-says/

Drug shortages burden U.S. health care system

Shortages go further than IV bags from Puerto Rico, with drugs for cancer, diabetes and heart disease seen at risk

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/why-so-many-medicines-arel-in-short-supply-after-hurricane-maria/