Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Dangers Don't Deter Vaping's Appeal to Teens

vape king

Surveys show that many teens don't know about the dangers of these products, and a few popular vaping trends could increase the risks even more.



From: https://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/news/20180411/dangers-dont-deter-vapings-appeal-to-teens?src=RSS_PUBLIC

2018’s "Dirty Dozen" list of fruits and veggies

Environmental Working Group ranks popular fruits and vegetables based on pesticide residue, but some say the list may do more harm than good

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/strawberries-top-2018-dirty-dozen-list-fruits-vegetables-pesticides-environmental-working-group/

Texas's Maternal Death Rate Not as High as Thought

pregnant woman getting bloodpressure taken

But in the new study published in the same journal, the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force says the 2012 findings were based on sloppy and erroneous data collection.



From: https://www.webmd.com/women/news/20180411/texas-maternal-death-rate-not-as-high-as-thought?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Mariah Carey Reveals Battle with Bipolar Disorder

Carey is now in therapy and taking medication for the mental health condition.



From: https://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/news/20180411/mariah-carey-reveals-battle-with-bipolar-disorder?src=RSS_PUBLIC

As Menopause Symptoms Get Worse, Heart At Risk

In all stages of menopause, artery stiffening and dysfunction of blood vessels were each associated with more frequent and severe menopause symptoms among women, as well as a lower quality of life.



From: https://www.webmd.com/menopause/news/20180411/as-menopause-symptoms-get-worse-heart-at-risk?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Nurse faces murder charge after patient dies at Texas hospital

The Texas Board of Nursing suspended William George Davis' license in March

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/william-george-davis-nurse-fired-arrested-patient-dies-texas-hospital/

WHO and UNICEF issue new guidance to promote breastfeeding in health facilities globally

WHO and UNICEF today issued new ten-step guidance to increase support for breastfeeding in health facilities that provide maternity and newborn services. Breastfeeding all babies for the first 2 years would save the lives of more than 820 000 children under age 5 annually.

The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding underpin the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative, which both organizations launched in 1991. The practical guidance encourages new mothers to breastfeed and informs health workers how best to support breastfeeding.

From: http://www.who.int/entity/mediacentre/news/releases/2018/promote-breastfeeding-globally/en/index.html

CBD oil, derived from cannabis, gains popularity

There is a fast-growing part of the cannabis industry that doesn't involve pot. A compound known as cannabidiol, or CBD, is used for a variety of conditions like anxiety, insomnia, depression and seizures. But unlike THC in marijuana, CBD won't make you high. Dr. Tara Narula reports.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/cbd-oil-derived-from-cannabis-gains-popularity/

Celebrities get shingles, too

Follow me on Twitter @RobShmerling

Perhaps you heard the news recently that Lin-Manuel Miranda has shingles. Headlines announced this in a variety of ways:

  • Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda is suffering from shingles (NY DailyNews)
  • Lin-Manuel Miranda has shingles; must be quarantined from his baby (today.com)
  • Lin-Manuel Miranda has shingles, regrets joke about blurred vision (CBS News).

Without more information, these headlines might leave you wondering: is this a serious condition? Is it dangerous for children? Can it lead to blindness?

What is shingles?

The term “shingles” refers to a painful rash caused by infection with the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a member of the herpes family of viruses. The typical rash usually leads to a quick diagnosis — there are groups of tiny fluid-filled “bubbles” or blisters limited to a single patch of skin. However, the rash may be preceded by burning pain over the skin, fever, fatigue, or headache. Miranda reportedly thought he was experiencing a migraine when it started.

VZV is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Anyone who has had chickenpox (usually as a child) can have the virus hidden in nerves beneath the skin. Years later it can erupt onto the skin as shingles. The name comes from the Latin cingulum, which means belt. The rash of shingles often spreads over a patch of skin in a pattern that resembles a belt.

Shingles is quite common. According to the CDC, almost one in three people will develop shingles in their lifetime. But the risk is not random. It’s more common in people over age 50 and those who have a weakened immune system. Other celebrities reported to have suffered with shingles include Roseanne Barr, Richard Nixon, and Robin Williams.

Is it contagious?

Shingles is contagious. A person who has not had chickenpox in the past and has not been fully vaccinated against chickenpox can develop chickenpox if they have close contact with someone who has shingles. The two doses of the chickenpox vaccine are recommended for children between the ages of 12 and 15 months and between the ages of 4 and 6 years old. That’s why Miranda was “quarantined” from his 8-week-old son, who has (presumably) not had chickenpox and is too young to have received the vaccination. Once the rash scabs over, usually within seven to 10 days, shingles is considered much less contagious.

Complications of shingles

Complications occur in about one in 10 people who have shingles. These include:

  • continued pain (called postherpetic neuralgia) in the area of the rash, even after the rash has disappeared
  • eye infection and inflammation which, although rare, can lead to vision loss
  • ear inflammation and pain
  • meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain)
  • bacterial skin infection

Concern about vision loss for Miranda was real after he’d tweeted that he had blurry vision. He later clarified that it was because he’d had his pupils dilated for an eye examination, not due to the infection.

Preventing and treating shingles

Shingles can be prevented. The shingles vaccine is currently recommended for people ages 50 and older; those with weakened immune systems should not receive it. It is not 100% effective, but those who develop shingles despite the vaccine tend to have a slightly shorter duration of rash and a lower incidence of complications (especially postherpetic neuralgia).

In addition, if enough people receive the vaccination for chickenpox, the frequency of shingles may decline. Proof that this is the case may not be available for many years, since the interval between chickenpox and shingles can be several decades and the chickenpox vaccine only became widely available in the mid-1990s.

Treatment of shingles includes an antiviral medication (such as acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir) and pain medications (such as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, tramadol, or oxycodone).

The bottom line

Shingles is a common disease that may become less frequent due to recently developed vaccinations. For most people, it’s a painful but temporary problem; when complications develop, it can be much more troublesome. Check with your doctor about vaccinations for chickenpox and shingles, any unexplained rash, or if you’re exposed to someone with shingles. Hopefully we’ll soon learn that Miranda has recovered quickly and completely.

The post Celebrities get shingles, too appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.



From: Robert H. Shmerling, MD https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/celebrities-get-shingles-too-2018041113632

Did 2016 Election Unleash OCD in the USA?

About 18 percent of the participants were found to have "high politically focused intrusive thoughts and associated ritualistic behaviors," according to a Baylor news release.



From: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20180411/did-2016-election-unleash-ocd-in-the-usa?src=RSS_PUBLIC

CBD oil, derived from cannabis, gains popularity

Used for a variety of conditions including anxiety and insomnia, cannabidiol does not have FDA approval

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cbd-oil-cannabidiol-rise-in-popularity/

FDA Approves Contact Lenses That Shade the Sun

A special additive automatically darkens the lenses when exposed to bright light, while they become clear again in normal or dark lighting conditions.



From: https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/news/20180410/fda-approves-contact-lenses-that-shade-the-sun?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Gynecologic Condition Tied to Mental Health Issues

That's the suggestion of a new British study that hints at a connection between the gynecologic condition and mental health issues, but does not prove cause and effect.



From: https://www.webmd.com/women/news/20180410/gynecologic-condition-tied-to-mental-health-issues?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Mariah Carey reveals bipolar disorder diagnosis

The singer told People that she was first diagnosed in 2001

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mariah-carey-reveals-bipolar-disorder-diagnosis/

WHO concerned about suspected chemical attacks in Syria

WHO is deeply alarmed by reports of the suspected use of toxic chemicals in Douma city, East Ghouta.

According to reports from Health Cluster partners, during the shelling of Douma on Saturday, an estimated 500 patients presented to health facilities exhibiting signs and symptoms consistent with exposure to toxic chemicals. In particular, there were signs of severe irritation of mucous membranes, respiratory failure and disruption to central nervous systems of those exposed.

From: http://www.who.int/entity/mediacentre/news/statements/2018/chemical-attacks-syria/en/index.html