Lead exposure may be more deadly than previously thought

New research suggests long-term, low-level lead exposure may be linked hundreds of thousands premature deaths from heart disease each year

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/lead-exposure-may-be-more-deadly-than-previously-thought-study/

Too many kids die from accidental medicine poisoning

Every 12 days, a child dies from medicine-related poisoning, according to a new report from a non-profit organization

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/too-many-children-die-accidental-medicine-poisoning-safe-kids-worldwide-report/

People Aren't as Safe From Lead as Thought: Study

The findings revealed a link between low-level exposure and increased risk of premature death. Lead exposure has been associated with hardened arteries, high blood pressure and coronary heart disease, according to the researchers.

From: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20180313/people-arent-as-safe-from-lead-as-thought-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC

3-in-1 Pill Shows Promise for High Blood Pressure

The finding stems from a study of 700 people, who averaged 56 years old. All had high blood pressure.

From: https://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/news/20180313/3-in-1-pill-shows-promise-for-high-blood-pressure?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Georgia Will Begin Checking Water Utilities’ Lead Testing Sites

For the first time, Georgia Division of Environmental Protection will check the addresses where water systems take their samples to be sure those sites are at the highest risk for lead contamination.

From: https://www.webmd.com/children/news/20180313/georgia-officials-monitor-lead-testing-sites?src=RSS_PUBLIC

'Big Idea' conference on group practices draws crowd

The ADA Big Idea 2018: Discovering Group Practice conference in Las Vegas on Jan. 31, held immediately before the American Academy of Dental Group Practice's annual meeting, was attended by more than 100 people learning how to create, expand and/or refine their own group practices.

From: https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/march/big-idea-conference-on-group-practices-draws-crowd

How does activism impact young adults?

Psychologist Lisa Damour breaks down why civic engagement could be good for teens

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/young-adults-civic-engagement-activism-impact/

Mayo Clinic Minute: Colorectal cancer by the numbers

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-xkaEKj4w8

Endometrial Cancer – Mayo Clinic

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

Daytime sleepiness may be warning sign of Alzheimer's

New research suggests older adults who are sleepy during the day might have harmful plaque building in their brain

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/daytime-sleepiness-may-increase-risk-of-alzheimers/

ADA helps develop dental chapter in national fire protection code

A chapter that can help dentists protect patients has for the first time been published in an edition of the National Fire Protection Association's Health Care Facilities Code.

From: By Michelle Manchir
https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/march/ada-helps-develop-dental-chapter-in-national-fire-protection-code

CDC reports ‘cluster’ of dental professionals diagnosed with lung disease

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported March 9 on a cluster of a patients composed of dentists and dental workers treated at a specialty clinic in Virginia with chronic, progressive lung disease.

From: https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2018-archive/march/cdc-reports-cluster-of-dental-professionals-diagnosed-with-lung-disease

In children and teens, depression doesn’t always look like sadness

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When we think of a depressed person, we tend to think of someone who, well, acts sad. The picture we have in our head is of someone who doesn’t want to get off the couch or out of bed, who is eating much less or much more than usual, has trouble sleeping or wants to sleep all the time, who has trouble with usual daily activities, and doesn’t talk much.

Children and teens with depression can certainly look like that. But depression can play out in different ways, too. Numbers are hard to come by in younger children, but among 12-to-17-year-olds, almost 13% have had a major depressive episode. It’s important to be aware of the signs; depression is a treatable illness — and untreated depression can lead to long-term mental health and physical problems, and possibly even suicide.

Here are some possible signs of depression in youth:

• Dropping grades. Now, there are lots of reasons why grades can drop — including learning disabilities, ADHD, bullying, or substance use. But whenever a child’s grades are dropping, it’s important to think about depression as a possible cause.
• Irritability and anger. There are many reasons for this, including temperament, and teens are often irritable and angry. But if it’s new and persistent, or if a child or teen is getting in trouble much more than usual, think about depression.
• When a child who used to be interested in things is suddenly bored all the time, it can be a warning sign.
• Dropping out of activities. It’s certainly fine for interests to change. But if new ones don’t take their place, that too can be a warning sign.
• Difficulty with relationships. When children and teens are fighting with friends, or simply spending much less time than they used to with them, that’s a red flag.
• Dangerous behavior. A certain amount of risk-taking is normal, especially in teens, but if it’s new and persistent, it may not be normal. Any self-injurious behavior, like cutting, merits attention right away.
• Persistent physical complaints, such as stomachaches, headaches, or other pain. Obviously you need to get a thorough checkup for any persistent pain. But the mind-body connection can be very strong; sometimes people who are depressed have physical pain that feels very real.
• Fatigue. This is another symptom that needs to get checked out thoroughly, as there are many medical reasons why a person can have chronic fatigue. But depression is one of them.

If you are seeing any of these in your child — or any other changes in behavior that you can’t explain and don’t seem right to you, talk to your doctor or seek out a mental health professional in your area. Don’t ignore the behaviors or try to explain them away. Better safe than sorry, and as with so many conditions, the sooner you catch depression, the easier it is to treat.

The post In children and teens, depression doesn’t always look like sadness appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Claire McCarthy, MD https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/in-children-and-teens-depression-doesnt-always-look-like-sadness-2018031313472

Presidential Panel: Costly Cancer Drugs Harm Care

The panel recommends a series of actions to minimize the impact of drug costs on patients while also promoting value-based pricing of newer drugs.

From: https://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20180313/presidential-panel-costly-cancer-drugs-harm-care?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Genetic Testing Underused in Breast Cancer Cases

The study included just over 1,700 women with early stage breast cancer who could benefit from genetic testing.

From: https://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20180313/genetic-testing-underused-in-breast-cancer-cases?src=RSS_PUBLIC