Series explains importance of controlling hypertension.
In a series of articles, the Los Angeles Times (2/8, Ravn) explains blood pressure, points out medicines made to control it, and focuses on efforts people can make on their own to lower it, such as controlling the amount of salt they eat, following a particular diet (such as theDASH diet ), and making sure they consume enough potassium.
An introductory piece points out that "hypertension raises the risk for stroke, heart disease, heart failure, kidney disease, and eye damage, including blindness." People "can greatly reduce their risk for such problems by bringing their blood pressure down to a 'goal level' they establish with their doctor" by utilizing "a wide range of lifestyle choices...and effective drug treatments."
Another article explains how common high blood pressure is, noting that "about one-third of all adults in America have high blood pressure. More than half of all those who are 60 or older have it."
In an article on hypertension medication the times adds that current Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure guidelines "call for making a diuretic the first drug option when beginning treatment, including a diuretic in any treatment involving more than one drug and considering changing a treatment that doesn't include a diuretic, even if it has been successful at helping a patient reach goal level." Other articles discuss how sleep, stress, weight, exercise, and smoking and alcohol affect hypertension.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Artificial Pancreas and Diabetes
Artificial pancreas may help control type 1 diabetes.
On the front of its Business Day section, the New York Times (2/5, B1, Singer) reports that "a novel computer algorithm that analyzed children's glucose levels and recommended frequent adjustments in their insulin doses was better at preventing very low glucose overnight than a standard diabetes management system," according to a study published online Feb. 5 in The Lancet.
HealthDay (2/4, Dotinga) reported that the new "device, which combines blood sugar sensors and insulin pumps, give doses of insulin as needed to patients as they sleep." Cambridge University researchers discovered that "study participants spent twice as much time during the night at targeted glucose levels when they used the artificial pancreas system, compared to when they tried a 'manual' approach."
On the front of its Business Day section, the New York Times (2/5, B1, Singer) reports that "a novel computer algorithm that analyzed children's glucose levels and recommended frequent adjustments in their insulin doses was better at preventing very low glucose overnight than a standard diabetes management system," according to a study published online Feb. 5 in The Lancet.
HealthDay (2/4, Dotinga) reported that the new "device, which combines blood sugar sensors and insulin pumps, give doses of insulin as needed to patients as they sleep." Cambridge University researchers discovered that "study participants spent twice as much time during the night at targeted glucose levels when they used the artificial pancreas system, compared to when they tried a 'manual' approach."
Hallucinogenic Plant and Food Poisoning
Powerful hallucinogenic plant linked to food poisoning case.
The Los Angeles Times (2/5, Dennis) "Booster Shots" blog reports that the CDC has determined that Jimsonweed, a plant with "fairly well-known hallucinogenic properties," was the cause of an incident that took place in a Maryland emergency room in 2008 in which six family members presented with "hallucinations, confusion and rapid heart rates." The Times recommends that "if your meal preparer is going to pluck yard plants for food, make sure he or she knows what those yard plants are."
The Los Angeles Times (2/5, Dennis) "Booster Shots" blog reports that the CDC has determined that Jimsonweed, a plant with "fairly well-known hallucinogenic properties," was the cause of an incident that took place in a Maryland emergency room in 2008 in which six family members presented with "hallucinations, confusion and rapid heart rates." The Times recommends that "if your meal preparer is going to pluck yard plants for food, make sure he or she knows what those yard plants are."
Massachusetts to Help Small Business
Massachusetts urged to help state small businesses with high insurance costs.
In a column in the Boston Globe (2/5), Scot Lehigh writes on "the burden small businesses toil under in Massachusetts" due to high health insurance costs. Small businesses do not have the buying or negotiating power that municipalities and larger companies have, Lehigh notes, which leads to higher costs and "much steeper" yearly increases. While in the Massachusetts House, "there's a widespread recognition of the problem small businesses face," there is also "considerably less agreement about what to do." Lehigh notes the concerns of different strategies, and concludes, "If Massachusetts wants a vibrant small business sector, this is an issue Beacon Hill can't ignore any longer."
In a column in the Boston Globe (2/5), Scot Lehigh writes on "the burden small businesses toil under in Massachusetts" due to high health insurance costs. Small businesses do not have the buying or negotiating power that municipalities and larger companies have, Lehigh notes, which leads to higher costs and "much steeper" yearly increases. While in the Massachusetts House, "there's a widespread recognition of the problem small businesses face," there is also "considerably less agreement about what to do." Lehigh notes the concerns of different strategies, and concludes, "If Massachusetts wants a vibrant small business sector, this is an issue Beacon Hill can't ignore any longer."
Immunizations in Adults
Immunization rates among adults appear to be low.
McClatchy (2/4, Goldstein) reported that data compiled by the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the "Trust for America's Health, a nonpartisan health research group, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the largest healthcare philanthropy in the country," indicated that immunization rates among adults are low. In fact, "millions of Americans forgo routine vaccinations for preventable diseases," and "some 40,000 to 50,000 adults die every year as a result," according to the report titled "Adult Immunization: Shots to Save Lives."
This trend is especially pronounced in the elderly population, according to the Los Angeles Times (2/4, Maugh) "Booster Shots" blog. "Nationally, 33.1% of adults over the age of 65 have not received" Pneumovax, "a vaccine against the most common bacterial cause of pneumonia." Notably, "even in Oregon, the state with the highest vaccination rate, 26.8% were unprotected." In "California, 39% were not immunized," and the "the only places with a worst record were the District of Columbia, where 45.6% had not been vaccinated, and Illinois, where 40.4% had not."
McClatchy (2/4, Goldstein) reported that data compiled by the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the "Trust for America's Health, a nonpartisan health research group, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the largest healthcare philanthropy in the country," indicated that immunization rates among adults are low. In fact, "millions of Americans forgo routine vaccinations for preventable diseases," and "some 40,000 to 50,000 adults die every year as a result," according to the report titled "Adult Immunization: Shots to Save Lives."
This trend is especially pronounced in the elderly population, according to the Los Angeles Times (2/4, Maugh) "Booster Shots" blog. "Nationally, 33.1% of adults over the age of 65 have not received" Pneumovax, "a vaccine against the most common bacterial cause of pneumonia." Notably, "even in Oregon, the state with the highest vaccination rate, 26.8% were unprotected." In "California, 39% were not immunized," and the "the only places with a worst record were the District of Columbia, where 45.6% had not been vaccinated, and Illinois, where 40.4% had not."
Wrinkle Treatment Update
FDA approves adding lidocaine to wrinkle treatments.
The AP (2/3) reported that on Feb. 3, Medicis Pharmaceutical announced that the "Food and Drug Administration approved the addition of the pain drug lidocaine to wrinkle treatments Restylane-L [non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid injectable gel] and Perlane-L [dermal filler]." This "approval gives physicians the option to give patients a single injection containing the anesthetic lidocaine with a wrinkle filler, Medicis said."
The AP (2/3) reported that on Feb. 3, Medicis Pharmaceutical announced that the "Food and Drug Administration approved the addition of the pain drug lidocaine to wrinkle treatments Restylane-L [non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid injectable gel] and Perlane-L [dermal filler]." This "approval gives physicians the option to give patients a single injection containing the anesthetic lidocaine with a wrinkle filler, Medicis said."
Lose Fat Without Surgery
New technologies claim to eliminate fat without surgery.
In the New York Times (2/4, E1) Skin Deep column on the front of the Thursday Styles section, Catherine St. Louis observes that the Zerona laser is the latest technology claiming to eliminate fat without surgery. Another device, called the Zeltiq, "uses controlled cooling to target and eliminate fat cells, a process called selective cryolipolysis." Both devices are said to have been "aggressively marketed" as ways of targeting fat, despite the fact that they have "yet to receive FDA clearance to promote this use." FDA spokeswoman Karen Riley said the ads are "considered off-label promotion if you are marketing to the public a use that has not been cleared." The UK's Telegraph (2/3) also ran a similar examination of the Zerona treatment.
In the New York Times (2/4, E1) Skin Deep column on the front of the Thursday Styles section, Catherine St. Louis observes that the Zerona laser is the latest technology claiming to eliminate fat without surgery. Another device, called the Zeltiq, "uses controlled cooling to target and eliminate fat cells, a process called selective cryolipolysis." Both devices are said to have been "aggressively marketed" as ways of targeting fat, despite the fact that they have "yet to receive FDA clearance to promote this use." FDA spokeswoman Karen Riley said the ads are "considered off-label promotion if you are marketing to the public a use that has not been cleared." The UK's Telegraph (2/3) also ran a similar examination of the Zerona treatment.
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