Health officials advise everyone to get their flu shots this season

Published
by
Jana
on August 23, 2010
in Health and Wellness
. 0 Comments

It will soon be that time again to roll up the old sleeves for our annual flu shot. Everyone is encouraged, by state health officials, to go get their flu shots to fight influenza this coming season.

The good news is that in contrast to last year, there is enough supply of the vaccine and it is not restricted to certain age groups. Anyone over 6 months old is urged to get the vaccine.

The main challenge during the 2009 epidemic of H1N1 flu (often called the swine flu), was getting enough vaccine made in time to get ahead of  the first surge of the illness, according to N.C. Health Director, Dr. Jeffrey Engel. He said, “This year, manufacturers are ahead of the curve, giving us plenty of time to get folks adequately protected for flu season.”

This year’s seasonal flu vaccine has already arrived at some doctors’ offices, health departments and pharmacies. It is now available in injectable and nasal spray formulas. The vaccine not only offers protection against the two flu strains predicted to be around this fall and winter, it will also protect against the H1N1 virus.

So that means that only one vaccination will be necessary for most of us. Like before, children who are under age 9 and have not been ever been vaccinated against the flu, will need to get two doses of the flu vaccine.

Remember that the seasonal flu is the most dangerous for very young children and the elderly. The weird thing about the H1N1 flu is that it seemed to affect middle-aged adults and young people. Estimations from the CDC indicate that more than 12,000 people died from H1N1 last year, which included more than 10,000 who were under 65 years old.

Engel said that “H1N1 has reminded us that influenza, no matter what strain, is a serious disease at any age,” and “even if you aren’t hospitalized, it can severely disrupt your life. A vaccination is safe and effective and the best way to prevent the flu.”

Researchers claim that test can predict Alzheimer’s

Published
by
Jana
on August 23, 2010
in Health and Wellness
. 0 Comments

Researchers recently reported that a spinal fluid test can be 100 percent accurate in determining patients with substantial memory loss who will develop the dreaded disease known as Alzheimer’s.

The study appeared in the Archives of Neurology and is one of the many recent amazing findings concerning Alzheimer’s. Researchers are optimistic that being able to detect this disease early will usher in drugs that could slow or even stop the disease.

The study consisted of more than 300 patients who were in their 70s, 114 who had normal memories, 200 with some memory problems and 102 with Alzheimer’s disease.

Almost every person with Alzheimer’s had characteristic spinal fluid protein levels. About three fourths of the people with slight cognitive impairment, which is a memory restriction that can lead to Alzheimer’s, had Alzheimer’s-like spinal fluid proteins. Unfortunately, all of the patients who had the proteins, developed Alzheimer’s within five years.

FDA encouraged to withdraw breast cancer drug Avastin

Published
by
Jana
on August 23, 2010
in Health and Wellness
. 0 Comments

After follow-up studies in July did not show benefits for patients, a panel of cancer experts announced that the government should take out its backing of Roche’s drug Avastin for breast cancer. The panel of experts from the Food and Drug Administration voted 12-1 in favor of removing the drug’s acceptance for use against breast cancer combined with chemotherapy treatment.

Even though it is not mandatory that the FDA take the advice of its panel, it often cooperates.

This negative vote is the very first upset for the popular drug that has accumulated approvals for around six forms of the disease. Avastin is also accepted for combating colon, kidney, lung and brain cancer. The ruling from the panel refers only to Avastin’s use to fight breast cancer.

If the FDA retracts the drug’s approval for breast cancer, doctors can still use the option to prescribe it “off-label”. This said, medical societies and hospitals usually follow FDA guidance, which influences prescribing patterns for thousands of U.S. physicians.

Last year, Avastin was Roche’s top-selling cancer drug with sales climbing to 5.9 billion.

Member Health Partnerships has changed to better accommodate members with chronic conditions

Published
by
Jana
on July 27, 2010
in BCBSNC and Health and Wellness
. 0 Comments

Since July 1, BCBSNC has made some changes so that it is easier for members to enroll and participate in the Member Health Partnerships (MHP) program. Earlier, sign up was done by completing a mail-in survey only. Now, there are new options such as enrolling by phone and beginning in September, members will have the ease of being able to join online. They are no longer using the paper surveys. Members can easily join by calling 1-800-218-5295 and press 1.

Also the educational materials have been updated. Numerous books are no longer accessible, but have been replaced with exceptional substitutes. Members can sign up using email or phone to get great tips concerning weight management or smoking cessation. The pregnancy program even has an optional text-messaging feature. All members signed up for the program will acquire a Chronic Care Guide.

The outreach efforts are now concentrated on members at the highest risk level. Members who are considered “most impacted” will be called by specially trained nurses who will invite them to engage in health coaching and to join the MHP program. The hope is to reach more of the members who will benefit the most from the program.

The Pregnancy program has been changed to self-refer only, because it is sometimes very hard to identify members early in their pregnancy. Claims will be monitored for high-risk pregnancies and these members will be referred to a case manager.

All members’ claims will be constantly monitored for status changes, and the outreach will be adjusted accordingly. The “most impacted” members will receive a phone call from  a health coach, who will work with them whether or not they choose to enroll in the MHP program.

The members who are identified for the program but not considered “most impacted” will get a mailed invitation. The members who do enroll in the Member Health Partnerships program will receive  an annual mailing.

Some things will remain the same. Members who join our programs will still continue to receive targeted information and services, which will help them take care of their particular health care needs. Customized benefits, like nutritional counseling and discounts are also available to members. Members currently in the MHP program will not have to do anything to remain in the updated program; they will automatically be enrolled.

Discovery of antibodies may prevent HIV infection

Published
by
Jana
on July 21, 2010
in Health and Wellness
. 0 Comments

On July 8, the National Institutes of Health reported that two antibodies have been pinpointed by government scientists that could possibly prevent 90 percent of the currently known HIV strains from infecting cells.

The agency claims that NIH scientists are confident that the two antibodies can be utilized to make more powerful HIV vaccines or more improved treatments for the ominous condition.

Anthony Fauci, director of the NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which performed the research, said that “The discovery of these exceptionally broadly neutralizing antibodies to HIV and the structural analysis that explains how they work are exciting advances that will accelerate our efforts to find a preventive HIV vaccine for global use.” Details were published in the online edition of the Journal Science.

Numerous Americans mistakenly think they are lactose intolerant

Published
by
Jana
on July 21, 2010
in Health and Wellness
. 0 Comments

Recently a committee from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that many people in the U.S. think they are lactose intolerant – not able to digest milk or dairy products – when they actually are not. Due to this, these people are avoiding all dairy products, which causes them to be deficient in calcium, vitamin D and other crucial nutrients necessary for well-being and bone health especially.

Some symptoms of lactose intolerance are stomach cramps, bloating, excessive gas and diarrhea. What’s confusing to many is that these symptoms are common to other types of conditions. Also, some people who are lactose intolerant may only need to eat smaller portions of dairy products to avoid these irritating symptoms. About one or two cups of milk each day is usually safe for most people in this category, particularly when eaten with other foods, as specified by the committee.

If you or a loved one think that you might be lactose intolerant, you may want to get your doctor to validate it with a blood, stool or breath test. If it turns out to be true, decrease your intake of dairy foods. Try to get the suggested amounts of vitamin D and calcium from other sources, like sardines, tofu, kale, salmon, fortified cereals and supplements.

Three new weight loss drugs to be reviewed by FDA

Published
by
Jana
on July 12, 2010
in Health and Wellness
. 0 Comments

We are all holding our breath that maybe one or all three of these new weight loss drugs will help many be successful in losing weight without those unwelcome, and sometimes dangerous side effects. Doctors, investors and dieters will be allowed to take in their first observation of the new drugs this week.

These are the first new prescription drugs to come out in more than ten years. Since U.S. obesity rates are close to 35 percent of the adult population, the anticipation is very high. Even a drug that is somewhat effective is very exciting.

However, not one of the three drugs seems to be on the brink of a major success in research. Not much success has come from the makers of drugs when it comes to comprehending and treating the triggers of overeating. With two of the drugs presented for approval, drugs that are already out there were joined together – an anticonvulsant and an amphetamine – but not without troubling side effects. The third drug is a safer medication but seems to be less effective.

Safety issues have always been a problem for decades in the never-ending search for a successful breakthrough weight loss drug. Perhaps the most memorable one was the Wyeth’s diet pill drug combination fen-phen. It was taken off the market in 1997 due to its connection with heart valve damage and lung problems.

The review of Vivus Inc.’s pill Qnexa will be posted by the FDA July 12 and they will hold a public meeting July 14 to review the data. Orexigen Therapeutics Inc.’s Contrave is to be reviewed in October and Aren Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s lorcaserin is to be reviewed in December.

In clinical trials, Qnexa was the winner with the best weight loss results in clinical trials. In this trial, patients lost between 13 and 15 percent of their body weight. On the down side, this drug had the most amount of patients quitting due to undesirable side effects, which included memory and concentration problems.

N.C. is ranked as the 10th-fattest state

Published
by
Jana
on July 9, 2010
in Health and Wellness
. 0 Comments

According to an annual report released on June 29 by the advocacy group Trust for America’s Health, North Carolina is weighs in at 10th place for it’s amount of people who are obese or overweight. South Carolina was just under N.C. in the 9th place.

This year’s report revealed that twenty-nine percent of people in North Carolina are obese, which means that one has a body-mass index of 30 or more; 29.9 percent of South Carolinians are considered obese.

Embarrassing to us southerners, all but one of the 10 fattest states are in the South, with Michigan as the only exception. It tied with North Carolina for 10th place. Also of great concern is the fact that almost 19 percent of N.C. children and 15 percent of S.C. children are obese. Obesity rates have risen in 27 states, including North Carolina. It seems to be more common in poor people, blacks Hispanics and women.

At least 20 diseases are caused or aided by obesity. The two main diseases induced by obesity are diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Scientists are concerned about possible risks for infants from soy

Published
by
Jana
on July 9, 2010
in Health and Wellness
. 0 Comments

Not too long ago there was research that caused many to worry about some plastic containers, because chemicals were found in them that acted like hormones and could cause harm to infants. Now there is a new cause for concern from a food that is often sought after by the health conscious – soy.

Some animal studies have shown that natural contents in soy contain the same hormone-imitating traits as some plastic additives. Currently scientists are deliberating about how to deal with this threat.

Last month a scientific report was issued by researchers at the National Toxicology Program, based in Research Triangle Park, which concluded that the risk of soy formula is of “minimal concern” for infant health.

On a five-level scale, this increased the level of concern from a 1 to a 2. The group established its decision on recent animal studies and said more human studies that indicate health risks are necessary before raising any additional alarm.

For decades, soy formula has been used as a substitute to milk formula for children who happen to be lactose intolerant or for families wanting to stay within a vegan diet.

In the last few years though, studies done on animals in laboratories have discovered a connection between estrogen-like substances in soy, which are natural compounds called isoflavones, and developmental damage in offspring.

These animal studies demonstrate that fetal or newborn exposure to genistein, a dominate isoflavone in soy formula, could cause early puberty and other possible problems later in life. Biologist Heather Patisaul, of N.C. State University, said “brief exposure to genistein can produce long-lasting effects in rats.

The RTP-based National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and The National Toxicology Program, assembled a panel of 14 scientists to check out the safety of soy infant formula.

These animal studies showed potential harm at blood levels similar to what is seen is seen in babies, according to pediatrician and panel chair Gail McCarver of the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. This said, the group maintained that an increased amount of concern is not justified at this time because of inadequate data from human studies.

Panel member Emilie Rissman, a biologist at the University of Virginia, said that the majority of the animal studies have been performed on single isoflavones evaluated one at a time, even though soy formula is made of more than one type of isoflavone and other elements that could interact with each other.

There are some scientists who disagree with the group’s conclusions. Patisaul exclaims, “Why worry about bisphenol A and not soy?” She claims that there are many more effects from soy than from bisphenol A, a hormone-imitating compound found in plastic that spiked recent controversy worldwide.

The conclusions from the panel was summarized and posted March 16 at http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/.

Study indicates healthier fats are replacing trans fats in many foods

Published
by
Jana
on June 28, 2010
in Health and Wellness
. 0 Comments

Finally there is some good news when it comes to having fat in our food. Even though it was often feared, a new study found that most food manufacturers and restaurants did not just switch one bad ingredient for another when they cut down on artery-clogging trans fats from products and menus.

All the more, the french fry also go a healthier makeover. This said, there is still more to be improved, especially for some of the products sold in grocery stores that have taken the place of heart-damaging trans fat along with its harmful friend, saturated fat.

Eighty-three foods who had undergone a healthy makeover since 2006 were examined by a Harvard researcher and a consumer advocacy group. During this same year, the federal government started to demand that food labels list the amount of trans fat in packaged products. New York also became the first of various cities to phase them out in restaurants.

Trans fats are made when hydrogen is put in liquid oils to harden them for baking or to increase their shelf life. Once trans fats were undesirable and a major enemy, food makers and restaurants experimented with different cooking oil and fat substitutes, all the while trying to prevent the loss of taste and texture. The question is just how health are these imitations?

During the study, grocery products and restaurant food were checked for fat content by Harvard researcher Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian and the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Some of the items that were studied include margarine, baked goods and fast food from five different chains.

The researchers chose not to do their own chemical testing. Instead they used the Food and Drug Administration databases, industry brochures and nutrition labels to determine trans fat and saturated fat levels. The results were released in a letter in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Almost all of the foods examined were free or mostly free of trans fats. One example came from a large order of McDonald’s french fries, in which the trans fats dropped from 7 1/4 grams to an absolute zero! Also, numerous companies and restaurants did not increase their saturated fat content when they slashed trans fat. Sixty-five percent of supermarket products and ninety percent of restaurant food contained saturated levels that were actually lower, unchanged or just a little higher.

But Dr. David Heber, who heads the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition, warns that even though trans fat is taken away from gluttonous foods, it doesn’t make them healthy. Heber said, “Trans fat or not, a doughnut is still a doughnut. Even Homer Simpson will back me up on that.”

} catch(err) {}