Diabetes Now Affects 23 Million U.S. Adults

The new CDC numbers were based on 2016 data on more than 33,000 adults from the federal government's National Interview Survey.

From: https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/news/20180329/diabetes-now-affects-23-million-us-adults?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Fentanyl Fuels Latest Spike in Opioid Deaths

Overdose deaths increased by 21.5 percent in 2016, a much sharper spike than the 11.4 percent increase seen the previous year, researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

From: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/news/20180329/fentanyl-fuels-latest-spike-in-opioid-deaths?src=RSS_PUBLIC

From: https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/april

Poisoned by bitter squash, two women lose their hair

In two separate incidents, women who ate squash developed cucurbit poisoning, or "toxic squash syndrome"

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/poisoned-by-bitter-squash-two-women-lose-their-hair/

Childhood Obesity Driving Cancers in Young Adults

A new review found that certain cancers associated with people over 50 now affect people at younger ages more frequently. And obesity may be to blame.

From: https://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/news/20180329/childhood-obesity--driving-cancers-in-young-adults?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Too Few Baby Boomers Get Hepatitis C Screening

Women were less likely to have been screened than men. The researchers also found that among baby boomers and Americans born between 1966 and 1985, HCV screening rates were lower among Hispanics and blacks.

From: https://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/news/20180329/too-few-baby-boomers-get-hepatitis-c-screening?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Unhealthy Phthalates Found in Restaurant Food

The findings suggest that old-fashioned home-cooked meals could be one way for people to reduce their intake of phthalates -- which have been linked to certain health risks.

From: https://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20180329/unhealthy-phthalates-found-in-restaurant-food?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Man’s "beer belly" turned out to be 30-pound tumor

The 63-year-old knew something was amiss after he lost 30 pounds but his protruding belly didn't budge

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mans-beer-belly-turned-out-to-be-a-massive-tumor/

Mayo Clinic Minute: Stop the bleed, save a life

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TrVcQTxHqY

Ethics Illustrated: How to Avoid Conflicts of Interest

From: USDA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH5r3EoM9cc

Could cancer "vaccine" that cured tumors in mice work for people?

Treatment that worked in 97 percent of lab mice reportedly will be tested in people later this year

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cancer-vaccine-cured-tumors-in-mice-whats-that-mean-for-people/

Researchers Making Progress Against Ovarian Cancer

One study found that a new targeted "immunotherapy" to treat ovarian cancer that has come back looked promising in a small, early trial.

From: https://www.webmd.com/ovarian-cancer/news/20180329/researchers-making-progress-against-ovarian-cancer?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Americans Fear Medical Bills More Than Illness

More respondents (40 percent) feared the cost of treating a serious illness than feared becoming ill (33 percent).

From: https://www.webmd.com/health-insurance/news/20180329/americans-fear-medical-bills-more-than-illness?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Phone-Using Drivers Knowingly Ignore the Danger

Nearly 58 percent said talking on a cellphone while driving is a very serious threat to their safety, while 78 percent said texting is a significant danger.

From: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20180329/phone-using-drivers-knowingly-ignore-the-danger?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Big Weight Loss May Bring Big Relationship Changes

One of the new studies tracked the relationship histories of nearly 2,000 obese Swedes who underwent weight-loss surgery over 10 years. The investigators compared the patients with about 1,900 obese adults who did not have surgery.

From: https://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/news/20180328/big-weight-loss-may-bring-big-relationship-changes?src=RSS_PUBLIC

U.K. Man Has World's Worst Case of Super-Gonorrhea

It's the first case of the sexually-transmitted disease that could not be cured with the main antibiotic treatment, a combination of azithromycin and ceftriaxone, according to Public Health England, BBC News reported.

From: https://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/news/20180329/uk-man-has-worlds-worst-case-of-super-gonorrhea?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Where do you stand on bystander CPR?

Follow me on Twitter @RobShmerling

A recent survey confirmed what many have suspected: if you collapsed, there’s a good chance that the average bystander would not be prepared to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). And if they tried to revive you, there’s an even better chance they wouldn’t do it correctly.

Of course, there is a certain circularity to this — if you don’t know how to perform CPR, or if you know how but aren’t sure you’ll perform it correctly, you’ll be less likely to try.

So why are so few prepared?

The list of reasons is long, including:

• no prior instruction or certification
• fear of doing it wrong or being blamed for causing more harm than good
• waiting for someone else (who “knows what they’re doing”) to do it
• little faith in the effectiveness of CPR
• the victim might be sick with something the rescuer could catch
• the “ick factor,” that is, a potential rescuer is put off by the thought of having mouth-to-mouth contact with a stranger (even though current guidelines do not recommend mouth-to-mouth resuscitation).

A new study suggests there’s room for improvement

A new survey performed by the Cleveland Clinic asked 1,000 people about CPR. It also asked about symptoms of stroke and heart attack, since these are conditions for which bystander help can make a big difference.

The results were disappointing:

• Only 54% reported knowing how to perform CPR. While this is actually more than I would have predicted, it likely represents an overestimation, since many did not know some of the key details about it (as noted below).
• Only 17% knew that current recommendations for bystander CPR have eliminated the mouth-to-mouth part; bystander CPR now involves only chest compressions.
• Only 11% knew the proper rate of chest compressions (100 to 120 per minute). Certain songs can help you pace compressions without counting.
• Only about a quarter reported having an automated external defibrillator at work.
• About six in 10 people believed sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg were symptoms of heart attack (when, in fact, those are more commonly symptoms of stroke).
• Thirty-nine percent thought slurred speech (a symptom of stroke) was a symptom of a heart attack.
• Less than half knew that back or jaw pain, nausea, and vomiting could represent symptoms of a heart attack.
• Only about a third of respondents knew that victims of heart attack should chew an aspirin right away (more on that in a moment).

There’s much you can do — and it’s not difficult

Whatever the reasons for these findings, there seems little justification for it. After all, CPR is much easier now that mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is no longer recommended. And while it’s true that many people don’t survive cardiac arrest — the numbers vary by study, but some studies find rates of survival for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest at less than 5% — chances for survival are higher with bystander help. Instructions regarding the appropriate use of CPR and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are not complicated and are widely available.

But wait, there’s more!

CPR is only one way to help someone with a medical emergency. Some other things you can do to help include:

• Try to rouse the person.
• Check for a pulse and whether the person is breathing.
• Call 911 — in most cases, this is the very first thing you should do.
• If heart attack is suspected, instruct the person to chew one full strength or three baby aspirin (total of about 325 mg) over 30 seconds; people with heart disease should be carrying aspirin with them.
• Instruct others to find the nearest AED. Don’t be afraid to use it — they are designed to be used by anyone.
• Calling for help, providing reassurance, and staying with a person in need can make a big difference to someone who is critically ill and frightened.

What now?

If you never learned to perform CPR, maybe now is the time. Some of the biggest obstacles (such as having to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation) have been removed. So, admit it — you’re running out of excuses! Learn CPR. You could save a life. And even if you never have the opportunity to perform CPR, at least you’ll be ready to try.

The post Where do you stand on bystander CPR? appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Robert H. Shmerling, MD https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/where-do-you-stand-on-bystander-cpr-2018032913535

Write your own Note to Self

For a chance to be features on "CBS This Morning," submit a letter to your younger self reflecting on defining moments in your life and the lessons you've learned. It must be an original letter of 250 words or less. Submissions will be accepted until April 20.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/write-your-own-note-to-self/

Justin Verlander on baseball, Kate Upton, and spring allergies

Astros star pitcher opens up about the new season, balancing a hectic baseball schedule with his new marriage, and dealing with spring sniffles

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/justin-verlander-houston-astros-baseball-marriage-to-kate-upton-and-seasonal-allergies/