Diet and exercise can help prevent diabetes

A new study supports the health community's view that diet and exercise can help ward off diabetes for those who are on the brink of developing the disease. Losing weight and controlling diet can help many people avoid diabetes for years, according to a Reuters report summarizing the study. (See also blog entry of October 1.) Researchers at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease said the 10-year study of overweight people with elevated blood sugar found that those who lost a modest amount of weight lowered their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by at least a third. People over 60 showed even betterresults, cutting their risk of diabetes during the study period by almost 50 percent. The key now is to better educate the public about the risks of obesity and diabetes and to encourage prevention measures early, particularly in those people who have a genetic predisposition to the disease.

Swine flu becomes "national emergency"

President Barack Obama has declared the outbreak of H1N1 flu a national emergency. The move will allow hospitals and local governments to establish alternate sites for triage and treatment if a big wave of patients materializes at one time. The New York Times reports that people are still waiting in long lines for the H1N1 vaccine but in some locations, people are being turned away. It has also led to the cancellation of a soccer game in France after a third player on one team was diagnosed with the swine flu. Health officials said the latest move by the President had nothing to do with a vaccine shortage, but more to do with planning ahead and logistics. This is a prudent move on the part of the Administration and will help hospitals and local officials prepare a "disaster plan" before the worst wave hits the American public.

Sen. Baucus calls for health care reform, introduces legislation that could foster reform

We all have heard the horror stories of people who suffered or died because they had no health insurance. Currently, more than 46 million Americans do not have coverage. The latest unfortunate media reports on the uninsured have involved overweight or underweight infants who have been refused coverage because of their weight, even though they are perfectly healthy in every other way. This is a national disgrace that needs to change. In an online article published Oct. 21 on the web site of The New England Journal of Medicine, Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee,said doing nothing about health care policy is not an option. His committee introduced legislation on October 13, known as the America’s Healthy Future Act. An analysis from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), said the bill would fulfill the promise to slow the growth of health care costs and to provide quality and affordable coverage. "Preserving the status quo would mean that Medicare would go broke in 2017," he said. In addition, he notes, more Americans would lose their insurance coverage and our country would have to sacrifice other priorities to spend more and more of our federal budget on health care. With his committee's legislation, there would be an increase in the percentage of Americans who have insurance to 94%, he said, adding that the legislation would reduce the federal deficit by $81 billion over the next 10 years. It might not be a perfect solution and the legislation might not attain its highest objectives, but it would be a starting point that could save more lives and begin to fix the problems that plague the health care system of the richest nation in the world. If we have money for guns and war and space missions, we should have money for healthcare and medicines for all who need it.

Autism and mercury in vaccines: new study says mercury levels in children with or without autism are similar

Autism and autism spectrum disorder is a challenging affliction affecting between 1 to 1.5 million Americans. For years, parents and health researchers have searched for a possible environmental cause of the problem that leaves many unable to communicate appropriately or make emotional connections in the same way as others. Some have suggested that the mercury used as a preservative in vaccines might be the cause of autism. So researchers wanted to examine whether kids with autism or other developmental disorders might bioaccumulate higher levels of mercury in their systems than normal kids. A University of California-Davis research team reports that, contrary to what some might have guessed, mercury blood levels were similar in children with autism and in those with normal development. The researchers looked at sources of mercury in the children's environments, such as fish consumption, use nasal sprays or earwax removal products, (which may contain mercury, and the types of vaccinations they received. They also examined dental fillings to determine whether any children had mercury-based amalgam fillings and whether they grind their teeth or chew gum. One interesting finding: children who chew gum and who have amalgam fillings had higher blood mercury levels. The researchers note that autism is a complex disease and will undoubtedly have complex causes. As of now, it doesn't appear that mercury is going to be the single reason for developmental problems. One thing is for sure. They mystery continues and more research is needed.

Regular flu vaccines now available, high risk groups start to receive swine flu shots

It's flu season again and this Autumn we face the threat of the regular seasonal flu in addition to the new 2009 H1N1 or swine flu that has reached pandemic. In most states, the regular vaccine is now available, although spot shortages have been reported in some places, such as South Florida. I'm planning to receive my regular flu shot on Friday if supplies are available. Vaccine manufacturers have focused heavily on readying the swine flu vaccine, and, as a result, the shipments of regular flu vaccines were slowed. H1N1 flu vaccines are being shipped in limited doses, so in many places it available only for the highest risk groups, such as pregnant women, young children and those with compromised immune systems or underlying diseases, and for healthcare workers. These vaccines will be available either in a nasal spray or via injection.

After the shingles, dealing with the nerve pain is the real challenge

Most of us know someone who has had the painful afflication known as shingles-- or herpes zoster virus in the medical world. More than 1 million cases are reported each year in the U.S., mostly in people over the age of 50 or in those with weakened immune systems. A reactivation of the chicken pox virus (varicella)in people who have had that virus in their younger years, Herpes zoster or shingles comes on suddenly as a painful, blistering rash, often after an event that weakens the immune system. Doctors generally prescribe an antiviral medication, such as such as acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir while the rash is active and for several days after. One of the worst side effects of shingles is post-herpetic neuralgia and its associated lingering pain that can adversely affect quality of life. For this neuralgic pain that persists after the rash disappears, doctors have had great success with the anticonsultant Neurontin (gabapentin). Some even recommend a combination of two anticonsultant drugs Neurontin (gabapentin) and Lyrica (pregabalin) both of which are approved for treatment of the condition. The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases has more detailed information about the disease. Click here.

Hope and health: the Obama Promise

Last weekend on the NBC-TV late night comedy, Saturday Night Live, the writers presented a spoof of President Obama's accomplishments. As Obama, Fred Armisen checked off a "no" to solving the following problems: healthcare, job losses, Iraq, Afganistan, the economic crisis and several others. Obama received a successful yes for the "Cash for Clunkers" program. Fred did not seem to have his heart in the spoof, performing his worst imitation of Barack to date, nevertheless reflecting the quiet diappointment that seems to be creeping in among some Obama supporters. For a President who just took on the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, perhaps the public is hoping for too much too soon. If history has taught us anything, it's the realization that politics can cause progress to move at a snail's pace. This week the Nobel Prize committee decided to give politics a nudge and awarded Obama the Nobel Peace prize. Some wondered what he had done to deserve the prize. Yet the very idea of someone who is willing to listen to both sides of an issue and willing to negotiate in the true sense of the word is a major step toward some of the world's most pressing problems. Is it wrong to seek to negotiate instead of plunder? Will it become a sign of weakness, rather than strength, to want affordable healthcare for all Americans? The Nobel committee doesn't think so. But the award adds pressure to Obama's already long list of "things to do" to fulfill that hope and promise. If he does nothing else in the first year, he needs to pass some form of health care reform and it appears his Administration is committed to that objective before the year ends. The people who believed in the Obama promise and those who voted for him deserve a portion of the Peace prize. They voted for a change that would foster peace and understanding among all peoples of the planet. Perhaps the committee should have jointly awarded the prize to a host of world leaders,including the heads of North Korea, Iran, the Sudan, and China, forcing all of them to re-evaluate their political and diplomatic approaches to pressing situations and to act in the best interests of all. Just as the people of the U.S. voted for change, so too did the Nobel Prize Committee. Now we need a little patience. Let's hope Obama, given patience and support, can eventually fulfill the promise.

Older heart failure patients do better at home than in hospital, according to new study

Many of us have heard our parents tell us they want to be cared for in the comfort of their own homes, but sometimes when serious illness strikes we think they should be in a hospital setting. Well, a new study appearing in the September 28 Archives of Internal Medicine reports that older patients with decompensated congestive heart failure actually fared better at home than in a hospital setting. The study compared patients treated in a general ward in Italy with those treated at home with a doctor supervising the care. The Italian researchers suggest that the hospital setting is often a dangerous place for Seniors. While the study did not show an improved death rate for either group, it did indicate that for those treated at home it took, on average, longer for them to be readmitted. Among the group treated at home, they showed less depression and had improved nutrition and quality of life.

Babies born now could live to be 100 or more, Lancet study says

Many people dream of of living to be 100, envisioning their photo on a "Smuckers Jelly Jar" salute on NBC's Today Show of the future. But for babies born now, that dream could become a reality in the next century. Researchers at the Danish Aging Research Center at the University of Southern Denmark predict that current life expectancy rates in developed nations will continue to rise and that at least half of all babies born today will live to be 100 or more, according to HealthDayNews/U.S. News & World Report. Statistics from the study indicate that death rates among people older than 80 are still falling. Of course, the idea that many people will be living longer will present new challenges to economic and health systems. The Danish researchers suggest that if people's work weeks are shortened and they extend their working lives, some might further extend increases in life expectancy and health, while also helping the economy.

Blood glucose levels creeping upward? Exercise can help control diabetes

Low-impact excercise programs, such as tai chi,can help people better control their diabetes and lower glucose levels, according to a University of Florida study. The study showed that those who particpated in a tai chi exercise program two days a week with three days of home practice for six months significantly lowered their fasting blood glucose levels and also improved their management of the disease. Subjects also reported enhanced overall quality of life, including mental health, vitality and energy. Tai chi is an ancient form of martial arts that combines deep breathing and relaxation with slow, gentle circular movements. It uses shifts in body position and stepping in coordination with arm movements. The Tai chi program had less stress on bones and muscles than more strenuous exercise, but still had the same beneficial effects in lowering blood glucose levels. So, perhaps we should all use exercise as a preventive measure, along with careful diet choices and weight control to ward off the ravages of diabetes.