March 18th, 2010 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
Smoking wreaks havoc on every blood vessel in the human body, it damages nearly every organ, and is linked to at least 15 different cancers. But researchers from the University of Wisconsin offer hope for long-term smokers. In their recent study of 1,500 smokers, blood vessel function started recovering one year after the smokers kicked the habit.
More Information: Smoking Cessation includes a photo of a chronic smoker’s lungs, the facts about smoking, and tips and resources for quitting
Source: University of Wisconsin, news release, March 15, 2010
Source: “Blood Vessels Bounce Back Once Smokers Quit”, HealthDay, March 16, 2010
March 17th, 2010 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
A recent study from the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute in Murray, Utah has found that people who increase their vitamin D blood levels to 43 or higher may lower their risk of diabetes, heart attack, heart failure, high blood pressure and heart disease.
Heralded as “One of the Top 10 Medical Breakthroughs of 2007″, Vitamin D continues to surface in new research as a critical nutrient in maintaining good health and preventing disease, yet almost half of the world’s population has lower than optimal levels of vitamin D.
It is well known that hip fractures and muscle weakness, in people over 50, are linked with a deficiency in Vitamin D. Many recent studies have also found that low Vitamin D levels are associated with a number of serious, chronic diseases, such as diabetes, gum disease, multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases, peripheral neuropathy, osteoporosis, cancer, stroke, mental decline, depression, high blood pressure and heart disease.
A Vitamin D deficiency can be treated with a simple daily supplement and a blood test can measure the circulating Vitamin D levels in your blood. A level of 30 nanograms per milliliter of vitamin D is considered normal, although this may vary from lab to lab.
Many doctors are routinely drawing blood levels of Vitamin D to to make sure patients are getting enough vitamin D to optimize good bone health and prevent chronic disease. Ask your doctor about this.
Important Note: Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin, thus toxicity can occur from high intakes of vitamin D. Overdosage can occur from large amounts of supplements or cod liver oil, but it is unlikely to result from sun exposure or diet. Parents should consult with their pediatrician before giving any child vitamin D supplements. Excess vitamin D can reach toxic levels and be harmful.
Source: “Boosting Vitamin D Can Do a Heart Good”, HealthDay News, March 15, 2010
March 16th, 2010 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
Driving skills may still be intact in early Alzheimer’s, but the risk of getting lost on familiar streets, may be greater than one would think, according to researchers from the School of Occupational Therapy at Pacific University, Oregon. Memory and navigation skills become impaired in early Alzheimer’s while poor judgment and reasoning frequently compound the problem.
In this recent study of 207 drivers with Alzheimer’s who went missing while driving, 32 died and 35 were found injured, while 70 were still not found by the time the data was analyzed. Most had set off on routine and familiar trips to the post office, the local store or a relative’s house. Once lost, some had driven for almost two days and covered more than 1,700 miles. One New Jersey couple in the study, both with dementia, got lost on a trip to the store and drove around until they ran out of gas. The husband went for help but was unable to direct authorities to his car. His wife was found dead several days later.
Giving up the car keys is often a monumental loss for elderly folks who are considered unsafe to drive. Especially for men, it’s a milestone that represents a loss of independence, freedom and control. Families are frequently put in the difficult position of identifying the problem and enforcing the restrictions. So what is a family to do? Here are some helpful tips and resources:
- This is an important time to seek the help of the elderly person’s doctor. Have a confidential meeting or phone conversation ahead of their visit so the doctor has a clear understanding of the circumstances. People often will listen more to their doctor and less to their spouses and children about driving ability.
- There are many excellent resources for family members available through the Area Agency on Aging. Call their Senior Information Line at 800-645-2810 for a copy of booklets, brochures, or DVD’s about safe driving with aging.
- The Alzheimer’s Association offers a web-based program called “Comfort Zone” that families of Alzheimer’s patients can use if the person can still drive safely in familiar places. The driver agrees to limit driving to a “comfort zone,” and a global positioning system (GPS) monitors driving. If the driver leaves the area, the family is notified in real time.
Read more about “Comfort Zone”
Source: Linda Hunt, Ph.D., associate professor, Pacific University, Oregon; Elizabeth Gould, M.S.W., director, quality care programs, Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago; March 2010, American Journal of Occupational Health
Source: “Driving With Early Alzheimer’s May Be Ill-Advised”, HealthDay, March 12, 2010
March 15th, 2010 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
While moderate exercise has a protective effect on the heart, exercising too much can do harm, say Greek researchers from Athens Medical School.
In their recent study, male marathon runners had significantly increased stiffness of the aorta when compared with people who took part in moderate, recreational exercise.
The aorta is the major artery leading from the heart and is the largest and most important artery in the body. Stiffness of the aorta can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and even death.
Read more:
Source: “Marathoners Face Greater Risk of Artery Problems”, HealthDay, March 14, 2010
March 10th, 2010 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
Light to moderate drinking may keep women from gaining too much weight, according to the researchers from the Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston.
In their recent 13-year study of normal-weight women younger than 50, those who drank light to moderate amounts of alcohol daily, gained less weight and had a lower risk of becoming overweight or obese than either teetotalers or those who drank too much.
These findings and conclusions are highly controversial for a number of reasons. Experts do agree that further research is needed to confirm these conclusions, but certainly the findings should not be used as a license to drink.
The fact remains that alcohol is well known to increase the risk of cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver, and breast. Regular consumption of even a few drinks per week is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in women. In fact, the American Cancer Society warns that those at high risk of breast cancer may want to consider not drinking any alcohol at all.
Source reference:
Wang L, et al “Alcohol consumption, weight gain, and risk of becoming overweight in middle-aged and older women” Arch Intern Med 2010; 170(5): 453-61.
Source: “Cheers! A Drink a Day May Keep the Pounds Away”, MedPage Today, March 8, 2010
Source: “Common Questions about Diet and Cancer” from the American Cancer Society
March 9th, 2010 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
Avodart (dutasteride) may both prevent prostate cancer and improve the predictive power of the blood test, PSA, according to researchers from the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. In their recent study of men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the medication was associated with a 40% lower incidence of prostate cancer diagnosis than the BPH drug tamsulosin (Flomax) in at-risk men.
Several other trials have also found similar results. The American Society of Clinical Oncology and American Urological Association recommends that healthy older men discuss this with their doctors.
About Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
Source: “Prostate CA Prevention Affirmed for BPH Drug”, MedPage Today, March 07, 2010
Gomella LG, et al “Effect of dutasteride on the detection of prostate cancer in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia in the combination of dutasteride and tamsulosin (CombAT) trial” ASCO GU 2010; Abstract 28.
March 6th, 2010 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
Recent attention has been focused on three commonly used, over-the counter supplements and weight loss pills which contain chromium. According to test results by Consumer Labs, a private provider of independent testing of health products, a carcinogenic form of chromium, known as hexavalent chromium, was found in three of these products that are currently on the market. (The three products in question are not listed in this article, because of copyright laws, but a list of these weight-loss supplements, along with others that did pass testing by Consumer Labs, can be obtained at Consumer Labs online).
Hexavalent chromium, or chromium (VI) is a more toxic form of chromium than the nutrient, chromium (III). It should not be found in chromium supplements, but it has occurred as a contaminant in some cases. It is known to be a human carcinogen and can cause other harmful health effects such as kidney and liver damage.
Source: “Carcinogen Found in Several Chromium Supplements (Including Some for Weight Loss)”, Consumer Labs, March 3, 2010
Source: FDA
March 5th, 2010 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability, yet most Americans don’t know the warning signs of a heart attack, according to the CDC.
“Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the “movie heart attack,” where no one doubts what’s happening, but most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help,” says the American Heart Association.
Heart attack warning signs can include one or more of the following symptoms:
- Chest discomfort. This is the most common symptom. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. Women are more likely than men to experience these symptoms, particularly back or jaw pain, as well as shortness of breath.
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
- Other signs: These may include
- breaking out in a cold sweat,
- nausea/vomiting or
- lightheadedness
Chest pain is the most common symptom, but one study in the journal Chest revealed one in 12 patients do not have typical symptoms when having a heart attack. Heart-attack victims who don’t show symptoms of severe chest pain — often women, seniors or those with chronic conditions — are 10 times more likely to be misdiagnosed and also more likely to die of a heart attack.
Source: Chest 2004
March 5th, 2010 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
More and more products with unidentified and harmful ingredients are finding their way into the booming U.S. “Dietary Supplement” marketplace. They are freely advertised on the radio and TV, and are readily available online as well as on the shelves of local grocery stores, pharmacies, and health food stores across the U.S.
This booming multibillion dollar market falls under the category of “Dietary Supplements” which are vitamins, minerals, herbs and other substances meant to improve your diet or overall health. They are most often advertised as “Natural”, which can often be far from the truth.
“Natural” is an abused word which has become an effective tool of this rapidly growing industry. In fact, many of the so-called “Natural” dietary supplements on the market may not even be what they say they are on the label. Even if they are pure, they still may well have significant adverse effects or interact with commonly prescribed drugs. A good example of their potential danger is that many are well known to interact with anesthesia during surgery.
The “Dietary Supplement” market is essentially unregulated by the FDA. Unlike prescription or over-the-counter drugs, which must be tested and reviewed before they’re sold, federal laws allow the sale of untested, unreviewed, and unregistered Dietary Supplements. So a very dangerous product may be on the store shelves and in your body for quite a while before it’s even reviewed or investigated.
Herbal drugs, claiming to provide miraculous cures for common ailments such as obesity, depression, anxiety, sexual problems, menopausal symptoms, arthritis pain and many others boast safe and natural relief without any side effects. This is absolute nonsense. These supposed remedies may well have dangerous side effects that you will probably discover sooner or later.
These products line many shelves of grocery stores and pharmacies and only the manufacturer itself is responsible for determining that the claims on their labels are accurate and truthful. The products are not even registered with the FDA, and only if the FDA becomes aware of false or misleading claims will the agency take action.
On the other hand, a large number of useful and therapeutic herbal products certainly are on the market, but finding them is a challenge. Do your research before making a purchase. Consumer Labs Online is one reputable source, and your health care provider is another good reference. In fact, it’s important to inform your doctor about any supplements you’re taking. Too many patients make the mistake of assuming that anything purchased over-the-counter is okay, and there’s no point in mentioning it to their doctor.
The law which eliminated the FDA review and testing of dietary supplements was the Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act (DSHEA), which was passed in 1994. Over the years since then, serious health problems have occurred with several different dietary supplements, prompting experts to call for a change in the current law.
Many, including the FDA, are saying this law needs to be changed, but while we’re fixing that law, others are saying that the FDA itself, needs to be reformed. Many people who love their “Natural” products, express their distrust of prescription drugs, and point out that many serious errors have occurred with drugs that have been approved by the FDA. Many experts agree that this is an unfortunate trend, and chronic underfunding of the FDA is said to be a major cause of this problem.
In any event, sticking only to “Natural” products is not the solution. Try to find a health care provider you trust, and make every attempt to be educated, beware and be skeptical of claims that are too good to be true.
Source: “Overview of Dietary Supplements”, FDA
Source: Consumer Labs, “Chromium Supplements (including weight-loss formulas”, March 2010
Source: “What’s in Hydroxycut?”, Kristina Fiore, MedPage Today, May 08, 2009
Source: “Reflections on Hexavalent Chromium: Health Hazards of an Industrial Heavyweight”, Environmental Health Perspectives, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institute of Health, September 2000
Source: “New England journal endorses institute’s proposals for FDA”, BMJ. 2006 October 14; 333(7572): 772FDA
March 3rd, 2010 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
A woman’s future risk of heart disease and stroke may be associated with the number of births she has in her lifetime, say researchers from the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm.
In their large recent study, women who gave birth two times had the lowest risk of future cardiovascular disease, whereas women with no, one, or three births had about 10 percent greater risk. The risk rose to 30 percent in women with four births and almost 60 percent in women with five or more births.
Another large and well-designed study designed a completely different tool to predict a woman’s risk of suffering a future heart attack, stroke, or other major heart disease in the next 10 years. Read more
Source: American Heart Journal, February 2010
Source: “Heart disease risk tied to mom’s number of births”, Reuters, February 25, 2010
