Archive for the 'Uncategorized' Category
November 11th, 2008 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
A recent study has shed new light over the potential for MP3 players to interfere with pacemakers and defibrillators, and it’s not the MP3 music players that are causing the interference, it’s the earphones.
The magnet-containing earphones of MP3 players caused detectable interference in almost a quarter of tests conducted with patients, in a recent study of 60 patients from Boston’s Beth Israel Medical Center and Harvard.
Significant cardiac interference occurred when earphones with a field strength as little as 10 gauss were placed close to the chest wall and near the implanted device, as they might be when draped around the neck or shoulders. Some of the earphones studied generated field strengths in excess of 200 gauss. Field strength fell off dramatically when earphones were moved just a small distance from the implanted devices, and in most cases, moving the headphones away from the chest restored normal cardiac device function.
via MedPage Today, November 9, 2008
Lee S, et al “Electromagnetic interference of implanted cardiac devices by MP3 player headphones” Circulation 2008; 118(Suppl 2): S596. Abstract 662.
November 4th, 2008 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
The FDA has issued a Class I Recall of the Vibe Technologies Vibrational Integrated Bio-photonic Energizer Machine Multi-Frequency Field Generator. The claims of treating or curing such conditions as cancer, depression, infection and pain are unsubstantiated according to the FDA, and individuals with the device should stop using it immediately and contact the manufacturer to make arrangements to return the device. This device has not been approved by FDA, lacks safety and effectiveness data, and is not manufactured under current good manufacturing practices.
via FDA, October 31, 2008
October 23rd, 2008 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
The smoking-cessation drug varenicline (Chantix) has been associated with 1,001 serious adverse events, including 50 deaths, during the first quarter of 2008. A drug-safety watchdog group, The Institute for Safe Medication Practices, said recently that this now puts varenicline at the top of its list of drugs associated with serious injuries. Heparin was second.
Since varenicline was approved in 2006, there have been 3,325 reported serious injuries in the U.S., including 112 deaths. The FDA has warned of suicide ideation among patients taking varenicline, and the Federal Aviation Administration has banned the drug from use by pilots and air traffic controllers.
Pfizer, which markets varenicline, questioned the institute’s conclusions, but the Institute contends the FDA is more likely to have undercounted the number of adverse events.
In fact the FDA has issued an Alert regarding serious neuropsychiatric symptoms that have occurred in patients taking Chantix. These symptoms include changes in behavior, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal ideation, and attempted and completed suicide. For those taking Chantix, the FDA advises the following “If either you, your family or caregiver notice agitation, depressed mood, or changes in behavior that are not typical for you, or if you have suicidal thoughts or actions, stop taking Chantix and call your doctor right away.”
Ask your doctor or health care provider about other medications that have been helpful for people trying to quit smoking.
via MedPage Today, Oct. 22, 2008
via Curt D. Furberg, M.D., Ph.D., of Wake Forest, The Institute for Safe Medication Practices, Oct. 22, 2008
October 10th, 2008 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
These alarming statistics were recently discovered by a recent study from the CDC. The heaviest burden lies in the African-American teenagers where about one in two were affected compared to one in five white teens. The most common STDs include human papillomavirus (HPV), chlamydia, herpes simplex virus and trichomoniasis.
HPV and chlamydia are the most common with almost one in five overall infected with a strain of HPV associated with cervical cancer or genital warts. In this study, four percent of the teenaged girls had chlamydia which is usually without symptoms. If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, a common cause for ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. Also, the CDC study found that 2.9 percent of young women had trichomoniasis, and 2 percent were infected with genital herpes.
These statistics underline the CDCs important recommendation: If teens choose to be sexually active, they need to protect themself and be screened for these infections. Also, all girls between the ages of 11 and 26 should get vaccinated for HPV.
via CDC, March 2008
October 9th, 2008 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
There is a new a blood test to aid in the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome, but the test’s accuracy is far from perfect. The sensitivity of the test was only 50% with specificity of 88%. In other words, if you have irritable bowel syndrome, the test will detect it 50% of the time. The blood test is still in early-stage development, even though Prometheus Laboratories in San Diego is already offering it clinically.
via Bruce Neri, Ph.D., of Prometheus Laboratories in San Diego, American College of Gastroenterology meeting, October 2008
via MedPage Today, October 2008
September 26th, 2008 by Chris Thompson
The CDC now recommends flu vaccine coverage for children ages 6 months to 18 years.
This new recommendation was based on the decision that the vaccine is both safe and effective for kids as young as six months. But also support for the recommendation was based on increasing evidence that the flu has a serious impact on school-aged children and their contacts, including extra parental time off work, missed school for the child, increased antibiotic use, and more medical care visits.
The best time to get a flu vaccination is from early October to mid-November.
Read more about the flu from Bay Area Medical Information:
via MedPage Today, Sept. 25, 2008
September 9th, 2008 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
For those who have a genetic weight problem, don’t give up, you may be able to overcome it. You just have to work a little harder, according to Evadnie Rampersaud, Ph.D. and colleagues at the University of Maryland. In their recent study, it took an extra 900 kilocalories of exercise every day to overcome the effects of the so-called fat mass and obesity gene (FTO). The association was only significant for those with relatively low levels of physical activity at baseline, however.
Whether you have the fat gene or not, exercise is one of the best ways to improve your health. But very importantly, check with your health care provider before beginning an exercise program
There are more than a dozen reasons why exercise will not only extend the length of your life, but it will improve the quality of your life as well. It will help you lose weight and burn fat, improve your appearance, diminish facial wrinkles, increase endurance, increase energy, increase muscle strength, decrease pain from arthritis, prevent future arthritis, improve sleep, improve blood cholesterol & triglyceride levels, strengthen the heart, improve and prevent hypertension, lower blood sugar, improve immune function, improve balance and prevent falls in the elderly, lower the risk of breast cancer, ward off viruses & other common illnesses, help relieve or prevent erectile dysfunction, help relieve symptoms of depression, promote a sense of well-being, improve self image and self-esteem, and improve memory in older adults with mild mental decline.
Basically, exercise will greatly improve the quality of almost every aspect of your life. Here’s how to get started, from Bay Area Medical Information.
via “Exercise Overcomes Effect of Fat Gene” MedPage Today, Sept. 8, 2008
via Rampersaud E, et al “Physical Activity and the Association of Common FTO Gene Variants With Body Mass Index and Obesity” Arch Intern Med 2008; 168(16): 1791-1797.
July 18th, 2007 by Nina Thompson, ARNP
Delivering warm, humidified air through a nasal cannula can significantly reduce the symptoms of mild obstructive sleep apnea, Johns Hopkins researchers have discovered. The standard treatment for sleep apnea is to provide continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, through a mask worn during sleep. A recent pilot study suggests that warm, humidified air delivered through a nasal tube might also work and be easier to use.
The major issue with CPAP has been poor adherence because many patients do not wear the mask for more than several hours per night, or abandon therapy completely. This new treatment might eventually replace continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to control apnea, researchers speculated.
via American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine July 2007
