MommyBlips - Latest Health News Articles

Thanksgiving-eating psychology -- with a twist. Oh, and some turkey nutrition

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:06:26 +0000

Thanksgiving's just around the corner -- so here are two Health section stories published in festive seasons of yore that should be just about as helpful now as they were then. In one, freelance writer Ben Harder and I decided to dispense with all that sensible "moderation" advice about taking small portions and eschewing the gravy and pie. Instead, we set out to learn what the science of human eating behavior tells us about conditions that make us prone to gorge or exercise restraint. Things like... the size of your plate. The color of your tablecloth. The tightness of your clothes. And more. Read and enjoy . (We shouldn't have to say this, but we will: These are not necessarily serious suggestions, friends! But they do present an interesting window into eating psychology.) The other is filled with info about turkeys -- nutritional profile of different parts of the bird, how to read a label, what's allowed to be added to turkeys and what isn't. As if you cared much ...

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And from the California swine-flu front lines...

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:34:05 +0000

So what's the H1N1 flu situation here in California, you might well ask, having safely gotten, or given up on getting, a vaccination? Or perhaps the immunization issue was rendered moot by those days of fever and chills and pathetic moaning, and now you're just looking for empathy. Here's what our colleagues at L.A. Now report: H1N1 deaths and hospitalizations slowed last week in state . Health officials, of course, advise against relaxing your guard. — Tami Dennis

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HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius wades into the mammogram fray

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:05:55 +0000

The reaction to this week's U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation against regular mammograms for women under 50 was swift, emotional and highly public. Today, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius weighed in, pointing out that, well, the task force is actually just an independent panel offering advice, not setting policy, so ... just do what you've been doing. Seriously. "My message to women is simple. Mammograms have always been an important lifesaving tool in the fight against breast cancer, and they still are today. Keep doing what you have been doing for years — talk to your doctor about your individual history, ask questions and make the decision that is right for you." Here's her full statement . (Enjoy the fallout, task force folks! You're on your own!) If you want to know more about that panel, check it out here . By the way, it's sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, an ...

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Don't blame Starbucks: Cops may have poorer health due to night shifts

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:47:41 +0000

Midnight shift workers often find it hard to get enough quality sleep on a consistent basis. Police officers are not exempt, often working late shifts and overtime as part of their job. A new study finds that their schedule may cause cops to develop metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms including high blood pressure, insulin resistance and high trigylcerides that advance development of such conditions such as stroke, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. The research, published in the current issue of Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health , focused on 98 police offers who were part of the Buffalo Cardio-Metabolic Occupational Police Stress study, which began in 2003. The participants had their blood pressure checked, took a blood test and had their waist circumference measured. They also filled out a questionnaire focusing on lifestyle choices such as sleep habits, physical activity, and smoking and alcohol use. Researchers discovered that in general, those on ...

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Swine flu cases drop on college campuses for first time

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:48:59 +0000

For the first time this academic year, college campuses have reported a significant drop in cases of influenza-like illness, generally assumed to be pandemic H1N1 influenza, according to the American College Health Assn. Unfortunately, the association also recorded the first two deaths from the pandemic among college students at participating campuses. There were 6,373 cases of illness reported on the campuses enrolling more than 3 million students in the week ending Nov. 13, a 27% drop from the week before, and 12 hospitalizations. Only 95% of the campuses reported cases, down from 98% the prior week. All but five states reported significant declines in disease activity during the week. The five states and regions with increases were New Jersey, Louisiana, Missouri, Idaho and the District of Columbia. South Dakota and Utah reported a 100% drop, with no new cases during the week. Only limited data have been collected yet about the availability of the swine flu vaccine on campuses, but the ...

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Come Medicare Part D time (which is now), don't feel daunted -- help is at hand

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:41:17 +0000

Already the clock is ticking down toward the end of the enrollment -- and re-enrollment -- period for Medicare Part D. It opened Sunday and will end Dec. 31. Need help figuring out what your drug needs are? We'll be offering advice in the Health section soon. In the meantime, here's an earlier guide to help you sort through your options... GETTING STARTED New to Medicare Part D? Start at www.medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (633-4227) for a compendium of all things Part D. Part D veteran? Head right to plan comparisons at Formulary (Drug) Finder. This option lets you compare the premiums, deductibles and drug co-pays for plans in your area. Be forewarned: The task is tedious. WHO CAN HELP My Medicare Matters , offered by the National Council on Aging, presents the very complex Part D information in simple terms and divides it into digestible chunks before sending you off to the next section. The Medicare Rights Center , an advocacy group based in New York and ...

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Swine flu continues slow climb on college campuses

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:51:06 +0000

Influenza-like illnesses on college campuses, generally assumed to be primarily pandemic H1N1 influenza, grew slightly during the week ending Nov. 6, with 8,951 new cases reported -- an increase of 1% from the previous week. There were 15 hospitalizations on the 295 colleges and universities reporting to the American College Health Assn. and still no deaths. Ninety-eight percent of the campuses reported activity, compared to 97% the week before. In other swine flu news: -- The World Health Organization on Thursday changed its guidelines for administering antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu, urging that the drug be given to severely ill patients even before the presence of the swine flu virus is confirmed. "Seeking early medical attention can save lives," said Dr. Nikki Shindo of the WHO's global influenza program. "The window of opportunity is very narrow to reverse the progression of the disease. The medicine needs to be administered before the virus destroys the ...

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Food-borne infections endanger long-term health, especially for kids

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:12:11 +0000

Fair warning: Put down that salad or medium-rare cheeseburger you're eating, pitch the brie cheese you enjoy with a glass of wine, and clear the chicken and leafy greens from the plate in front of Junior. Because you're not going to want eat or serve any of them after you read what a pair of reports released Thursday by the Center for Foodborne Illness Research & Prevention , have to say: Long after the painful stomach cramps and bloody diarrhea of a brush with tainted food is over, many of us suffer long-term health effects, mostly unrecognized, that are the result of food-borne pathogens. These lingering effects can be very bad -- as bad as premature death, paralysis, kidney failure and a lifetime of seizures or mental disability. Many researchers believe these persistent health consequences cause more disability, lost productivity, doctor-office visits and hospitalizations than the acute illnesses that follow exposure to a food-borne toxin. ...

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R U texting 2 much? It could lead to shoulder pain

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:57:15 +0000

Hunched over their cellphones and hand-held computers, people text all day long, fingers busily pressing out messages like, "R U OK?" All that stooping and digit-moving may have some physiological consequences, according to a new study presented at the annual meeting and exposition this week of the American Public Health Assn. in Philadelphia. In the preliminary study, researchers sent out a questionnaire to 138 college students asking how many texts they sent per day. The survey also included a body map. They found a link between higher numbers of text messages and feeling discomfort in the shoulders. After separating the study group by gender, the association was seen more strongly in men than in women. Although researchers stressed that more investigation needs to be done, they added that it might be a good idea to keep an eye on musculoskeletal symptoms among people who use hand-held computers. "What we've seen so far is very similar to what we see with office workers ...

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'In sickness and in health' has different odds for women than for men

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:16:50 +0000

Many people have assumed that men are less likely than women to stick by a seriously ill spouse. That assumption might not say much for men. Yet it appears to be true. In a study of 515 people diagnosed with cancer or multiple sclerosis, researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle and elsewhere found an overall divorce or separation rate of 11.6%, about what one would expect in the general population. But women were six times more likely than men to face what the researchers called "partner abandonment." Among marriages in which women were the diagnosed partner, 20.8% ended in divorce or separation. Among marriages in which men were the diagnosed partner, 2.9% ended in divorce or separation. Each marriage, each patient and each spouse is different, so without further data, it's unsafe to make over-generalizations. But as the researchers point out: "Some studies have in fact suggested that men are less able to undertake a caregiving role and ...

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Until women are healthy, societies will suffer

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:54:19 +0000

Accidental injuries take a toll on girls and younger women. Chronic diseases account for almost half of the deaths among older women. And HIV / AIDS claims the most lives among women of reproductive age worldwide. In short, although women generally have longer lives than men, these lives are often not healthy ones. A new report from the World Health Organization, "Women and Health: Today's Evidence / Tomorrow's Agenda," lays out the hurdles women face in getting the healthcare they need at various stages of life. It also explains the impact on women -- and on society as a whole. As it points out, women are also the caregivers. Here's the full report . And a fact sheet about women's health. The power in the report comes from the context. As Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO director-general, says in her overview statement : "The obstacles that stand in the way of better health for women are not primarily technical or medical in nature. They are social and ...

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