Category Archives: Cancer

Dealing with migraine headaches in children

As a doctor, I get a lot of health questions both in my practice and in my e-mail inbox. Today, I found one from a mom whose 8-year-old child suffers from migraines. How do you deal with an “adult” illness that affects a young child? Read on for my advice. I have an 8 year old son who is suffering from migraines. One time, his migraine was so intense, he cried all the way to the ER, after we tried unsuccessfully to treat it at home. I have been told that there are adult medications for migraines that can be used on children in a smaller dosage. However, according to my pediatrician, they have not been tested on children and because such a small percentage of children get migraines, they will probably never be tested on children. My son has a migraine at least once a week, sometimes more. Is it worth putting him on one of these medications, and if not, what can I do to ease the discomfort without ending up at the local emergency room? – Carla Carla, I understand your frustration. It is very hard to watch and deal with a young child grappling with migraine headaches. Because there are so many factors that could trigger a migraine, it can be difficult to pin down the exact root of the problem. The first thing that I would say is that I hope your child has been seen by board certified pediatric neurologist who has properly diagnosed him with migraines. Sometimes, it can be very difficult to get a proper medical history from children. It can be especially confusing for them to try to describe the location and timing of migraine headaches. However, remember there are many other conditions that could mimic a migraine in a child, such as sinusitis or dental problems, which can both result in head pain. If migraine is in fact the actual diagnosis, then the treatment becomes multi-faceted. Key components of treatment include making sure the child gets enough rest and sleep, as well as utilizing the over-the-counter medications that your physician recommends. Most likely, a physician will prescribe a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Prevention, of course, is even more effective than treatment. There usually tend to be two culprits in pediatric migraines. One is nitrates, which is found in many foods that kids eat such as packaged foods, processed lunch meats and hot dogs. The other culprit is monosodium glutamate, or MSG. MSG is a flavor enhancer that is found in baking mixtures, chips and gelatins, among other products. It is highly toxic for many people that suffer from migraines. So while working with your physician, it is key that you also focus on nutritional aspect of children’s health. In doing so, your child may suffer from fewer migraines and require less drugs, which, as you state in question, have not been clinically tested in children. Send me your health questions on Facebook and Twitter.  And remember to join me for my weekly health live chat every Wednesday from 2-3 pm ET.  source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/02/08/dealing-with-migraine-headaches-in-children/

Airport therapy dogs take the stress out of travel

There’s a new breed of airport dog. They aren’t looking for drugs or bombs — they are looking for people who need a buddy, a belly to rub or a paw to shake. “His job is to be touched,” volunteer Kyra Hubis said about Henry James, her 5-year-old golden retriever that works a few hours a week at the San Jose airport. “I am just standing there with him. They are talking to him. If I need to answer for him, I do. But I am at the end of his leash, he’s not at the end of mine.” Mineta San Jose International Airport is widely credited with introducing the first airport therapy dog in the days after Sept. 11, 2001, when flights were grounded, passengers were stranded and reaching friends and relatives in the East was nearly impossible. Passengers were anxious and afraid. Enter Orion, owned by a volunteer airport chaplain who got permission to bring the dog to work. He made such a difference that San Jose formalized the program and now has nine dogs. Miami International Airport got onboard the program with one and Los Angeles International Airport has 30 and is hoping to expand its program. The dogs are intended to take the stress out of travel — the crowds, long lines and terrorism concerns. You never know why people are flying, said Heidi Huebner, director of volunteers at LAX, which launched Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUPs) in April. Travelers might be in town for a vacation, a funeral, to visit a sick family member or to attend a business meeting. “You can literally feel the stress levels drop, people start smiling, strangers start talking to each other and everybody walks away feeling really, really good,” Huebner said. Dogs have to be healthy, skilled, stable, well-mannered and able to work on a slack 4-foot leash, said Billie Smith, executive director of Wyoming-based Therapy Dogs, Inc., which certifies the LAX animals. They have to be comfortable with crowds, sounds, smells — and they need to pass through security like all airport workers. Handlers are taught to watch for people who fear or dislike dogs or those who might have allergies. In most cases, people approach the dogs, identifiable by the vests or bandannas they wear. Los Angeles’ dogs, which are featured on trading cards, are as varied as its airport passengers. There’s a long-haired Dalmatian, a Lab-pointer mix, a field spaniel, a poodle, three Australian Labradoodles, a Doberman and a 150-pound Irish wolfhound named Finn who has two tricks. “He looks you in the eye and lays down on the job,” said owner Brian Valente. “When I’m around Finn, it makes me feel like things are OK. When Finn’s around other people, they are OK. It’s almost instant, even if just for a moment,” Valente said. Miami’s sole dog, Casey, a 4-year-old golden retriever, is a star. She has her own website, fan mail, business cards and a role on “Airport 24/7: Miami,” a weekly reality show on the Travel Channel. “Casey is so pure and genuine,” explained Dickie Davis, director of terminal operations and customer service. “She’s not asking for anything or selling anything. She is just a love magnet.” When Claudia McCaskill’s family recently flew home from vacation in Brazil she requested Casey meet the plane to greet her 5-year-old daughter, Carina, who is autistic. She knew Carina would be low on energy and patience and they still had a 2.5-hour drive home to St. Lucie. Casey and handler Liz Miller were there with a gift basket and Carina fell in love with the dog. “Thank you for visiting us at the airport so I would be happy,” Carina said in a video the family made for Casey. Now Carina wants to go back and see Casey again. “I can’t say how much we appreciate what they did for us. It not only helped our daughter, but us too,” McCaskill said. Despite all the smiles, there are also hard moments. Before departing from San Jose, a soldier kneeled down and told Henry James: “OK, buddy, you take care of the house while I am gone,” Hubis said. A woman who said her husband of 40 years told her he wanted a divorce that morning wept on Henry’s shoulder. “He just sat there,” Hubis said. “He knew. He can feel.”source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/06/10/airport-therapy-dogs-take-stress-out-travel/

Woman claims berries bought at Costco gave her Hepatitis A, sues manufacturer

A woman is suing after she says she got Hepatitis A from eating Townsend Farms frozen berries she bought at Costco, according to My Fox Phoenix.  The lawsuit was filed against berry maker Townsend Farms on Thursday. The woman, who lives in Anthem, Ariz., can't remember which Costco she bought the berries at. She's worked at the same place for 10 years and says she's never called in sick. Now she's at risk of losing her job and her degree as her medical bills are mounting. “I mean if I don't have a job, I don't have a degree, what do I have? Hepatitis A,” said Karen Echard. Echard says she got Hepatitis A from eating Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend Frozen Berry and Pomegranate Mix she bought at Costco in April. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 79 people in eight states have Hepatitis A infections potentially associated with the frozen berry mix; 30 were hospitalized. Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that can last a few weeks to several months. “They said it's anywhere from six weeks to six months for recovery with as bad a case as I have,” said Echard. The CDC says Costco removed the item from its shelves.Townsend Farms voluntarily recalled the item. Click for more from My Fox Phoenix. source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/06/10/woman-claims-frozen-costco-berries-gave-her-hepatitis-sues-manufacturer/

Swap out soda to take control of your teeth

Soda, we’ve long been told, is bad for us. Various studies have linked significant soda consumption with alarming health concerns, such as an increased risk of having a stroke, getting certain cancers, and being one of the main causes for this country’s obesity epidemic. Yet countless people around the world consume soda on a near-daily basis, often multiple times a day. It seems as much an addiction as anything else, only perfectly legal, freely available, and comparatively cheap. Its most recent bout of bad press indicated that regular diet soda consumption does as much damage to the teeth as years of smoking crystal meth or crack cocaine. Though it is free of sugar, diet soda is highly acidic, and acid wears away at teeth’s protective enamel layer, leaving your pearly whites more prone to cavities, cracks or discoloration.   The case study comparing soda drinking to hard drug use only used three test subjects, and the results were not terribly conclusive.  However, it raises the question of how what we eat or drink affects our teeth; how the health of our teeth affects the rest of the body; and the most natural options for oral hygiene care. As your dentist (and mom) probably always told you, sugary, starchy foods and beverages cause tooth decay. This covers a large part of the food spectrum that is unhealthy in other ways, too. Sugary, starchy foods and beverages can lead to weight gain, diabetes and heart disease. Fill your mouth and your tummy with calcium-rich foods like organic dark leafy greens, yogurt, or soybeans.  Studies have shown that calcium re-mineralizes damaged teeth, as does phosphorous. You can find the latter in broccoli, garlic, nuts and beans. Coincidentally, all of these foods are great for the rest of your body, providing hefty amounts of vitamins, probiotics and antioxidants that fight and prevent disease. Poor oral hygiene affects the rest of your body as well, as bacterial infections generated in the mouth can spread to other parts of your body, like your heart. According to the Mayo Clinic, research also suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke might be linked to inflammation caused by oral bacteria. Additionally, people who have gum disease appear to have a harder time controlling their blood sugar levels, which can lead to diabetes. Those looking to take control of their teeth can try implementing a holistic approach to oral care. Natural health expert Dr. Joseph Mercola recommends a wholesome diet of unprocessed, low-sugar, organic foods to start. As for toothpaste, there has long been a debate over the safety and efficacy of fluoride, a chemical added to toothpaste, mouthwash, and floss to strengthen teeth and prevent cavities.  It is often added to city and community water supplies for the same purpose. But even the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that excessive exposure to fluoride may increase the likelihood of bone fracture in adults or cause “pits” to develop in the tooth enamel of children.  If you’re concerned about fluoride’s possible health implications, opt for fluoride-free toothpaste or those with the cavity-fighter xylitol, which are easier than ever to locate.  Many types of toothpaste also contain chemical sweeteners like sorbitol and saccharin; look for those made instead with natural sugar substitutes like stevia or xylitol. We spend so much time and energy thinking about the health of our hearts, lungs, brains, bones and other more obvious body parts. Spend a little more time thinking about your teeth, and chances are you’ll feel better everywhere else, too. Note: Information provided herein is not intended to treat or diagnose any health condition. As always, consult your health care provider with any questions or health concerns.Deirdre Imus, Founder of the site devoted to environmental health, dienviro.org, is President and Founder of The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center™ at Hackensack & University Medical Center and Co-Founder/Co-Director of the Imus Cattle Ranch for Kids with Cancer. She is a New York Times best-selling author and a frequent contributor to FoxNewsHealth.com, and Fox Business Channel. Check out her website at dienviro.org. 'Like' her Facebook page& here.source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/06/10/swap-out-soda-to-take-control-your-teeth/

Nearly 40 percent of designated drivers drink before driving, study suggests

Partygoers, beware.  Your designated sober driver may not always be alcohol-free. A new study, conducted in a Florida college town, found that two out of five designated drivers drink alcohol before getting behind the wheel, Medical Daily reported.  Of these inebriated drivers, half had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .05 percent – enough to affect driving ability while still being under the legal limit. Researchers from the University of Florida spent three months observing more than 1,000 bar patrons as they left drinking establishments throughout the college town of Gainesville, Fla.  The team asked people if they had been deemed the designated driver and whether they would volunteer to take a breathalyzer test before leaving. Throughout the course of the study, 165 individuals identified themselves as designated drivers.  Of this group, 35 percent had at least one drink before leaving the bar, and around half of the drinkers had a BAC between .02 and .05 percent.  The other half had a BAC above .05 percent. According to the study’s researchers, social pressure to drink in combination with a legal BAC limit of .08 percent often leads to designated drivers having one or two drinks before hitting the road.  However, the scientists maintained that numerous studies have documented significant alcohol-related impairment at a BAC level of .05 percent. “Considering the low BAC levels at which driving-related abilities are negatively affected, these ï¬�ndings identify the need for consensus across researcher, layperson, and communication campaigns that a (designated driver) must be someone who abstains from drinking entirely,” the researchers wrote. Nearly one-third of all traffic-related deaths in the United Sates involve alcohol-impaired drivers, resulting in nearly 11,000 deaths each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  In an attempt to curb these deaths, the National Highway Transportation Safety Board has recommended that the legal BAC limit for driving be reduced from .08 percent to .05 percent. The University of Florida study will be published in the July issue of The Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.  However, the average age of study participants was 28 and the individuals tested were not ethnically or racially diverse, meaning the results cannot be applied to the general American population. Click for more from Medical Daily.source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/06/10/nearly-40-percent-designated-drivers-drink-before-driving-study-suggests/

Plant-based diets take root in U.S. among athletes, exercisers

For Brendan Brazier it all started with a smoothie. The former Ironman triathlete and ultra-marathon champion said he decided to change to a vegan diet as a high school athlete hoping to turn professional. “I knew I had to improve,” Brazier explained in an interview. “I tried high carb, low carb, high protein, low protein, all sorts of different diets. Then I tried plant-based. It started with me just taking a daily blender drink of fats, plants, proteins.” The 38-year-old Canadian, who has written three books on veganism, including “Thrive Fitness: The Vegan-Based Training Program for Maximum Strength, Health, and Fitness,” is not alone. From tennis players to bodybuilders, athletes trying to improve their performance have switched to veganism, which excludes meat, eggs, dairy products and all other animal-derived ingredients. Baseball's Prince Fielder, ultra-marathoner Scott Jurek and ice hockey player Mike Zigomanis have declared themselves vegans. Olympic skier Seba Johnson has been vegan from birth and tennis star Venus Williams became a vegan after being told she had Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease. Fitness experts say the rewards of a plant-based diet can include more energy, deeper sleep and better performance. “We see athletes recovering faster, maximizing training, and thereby improving performance,” said Julieanna Hever, a personal trainer, registered dietitian and author of “The Complete Idiot's Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition.” “Unfortunately, there are not yet any clinical trials on vegan athletes,” she added. Sharon Palmer, author of “The Plant-Powered Diet” said some studies show that a diet high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds can help prevent and treat issues related to recovery. “It makes sense that anti-inflammatory compounds would help athletes avoid inflammation related to training,” said Palmer, a registered dietitian. “And the majority of anti-inflammatory compounds are found in plant foods.” Only 2 percent of 1,014 American adults questioned in a 2012 Gallup poll identified themselves as vegans. Five percent called themselves vegetarians, usually defined as those who do not eat meat, fish or poultry but consume dairy products and eggs. Brazier said with a plant-based diet the stress hormone cortisol decreases, so people need less sleep, and less sugar and coffee for stimulation. But Palmer cautioned that vegans are at risk for deficiency in vitamins B12, D, and calcium, which are found in meat, dairy products and eggs. “I see that people just wing it. They decide that their bodies will just fill in for their gaps in their diets, which is not true,” she said, adding vitamin supplements may be needed. “Another thing I see is that people don't always get adequate sources of protein.” She said athletes and very active people might need to add protein from nuts, seeds, beans, lentils and soy to their meals and snack. Brazier said a good way to transition to a vegan diet is with a daily smoothie of plant proteins, essential fats, and fiber greens. “And add fruit. Make it taste good.”source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/06/10/plant-based-diets-take-root-in-us-among-athletes-exercisers/

Oregon passes bill on vaccination education

A bill that is intended to persuade more Oregon parents to take their kids to doctors for shots and get over their mistrust of conventional medicine has taken a big step in the Legislature with passage by the state Senate. Oregon has the nation's highest rate of parents refusing vaccinations for their kindergartners for nonmedical reasons. This school year, 6.4 percent of Oregon kindergartners were exempted from at least one required vaccination, up from 5.8 percent last year. The median nonmedical exemption rate for kindergartners in the U.S. was 1.2 percent for the 2011-2012 school year, the most recent period for which national data was available, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are some pockets in the state where parents don't believe vaccinations protect their kids and they choose alternative treatments instead. Those kinds of beliefs have raised concerns that Oregon children aren't being adequately protected. On Thursday, the Senate approved a bill that would make it more difficult for parents to get nonmedical exemptions from vaccines for their children. It now goes to the House. The 16-13 vote was along party lines. The bill riled Republicans who said it trampled on religious freedoms and limited parents' choice. “I'm getting very tired of this legislative assembly and this body taking away the choices of parents as to how they raise their kids,” said Sen. Jeff Kruse, a Roseburg Republican. Republicans pitched an alternative proposal that would have carved out an exemption for “sincerely held religious beliefs,” but the plan failed. As proposed, the bill would still allow parents to refuse vaccinations for religious or philosophical reasons, but only after they'd visited the doctor or watched the educational video. Current state law requires all children in public and private schools, preschools and certified child care facilities to be immunized. Parents, however, can seek exemptions for medical or religious reasons. “I worry that most people who use the religious exemption currently are doing so because of pseudo-scientific misinformation, and not because of their faith,” said Sen. Elizabeth Steiner Hayward, a Beaverton Democrat and family physician. Under the bill, parents enrolling unvaccinated children in school would have to prove they consulted a physician for information or show verification they watched an online educational video about the risks and benefits of immunization. The educational material would be consistent with the most up-to-date medical information provided by the CDC. Doctors and public health officials back the plan, saying the rate of unvaccinated children in Oregon is alarming and could cause a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases like whooping cough and measles. Similar legislation was passed in Washington in 2011. The following school year, the rate of religious immunization exemptions for kindergartners fell by almost 25 percent, according to CDC data.source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/06/10/oregon-passes-bill-on-vaccination-education/