Archive for June 2008

Patients with arthritis severe enough to require ankle replacement now have a new option that can offer greater mobility and pain relief without permanent metal implants. A material that has been used for over 10 years in plastic and abdominal surgery as well as heart valve replacement has been successfully used by University of California, San Diego physicians to replace the worn-down cartilage of the arthritic ankle. The material is similar to the natural collagen found in cartilage and can be molded to perfectly fit any ankle joint. After 4-6 weeks, patients can slowly return to normal activity. According to the Centers for Disease Control an estimated 1 in 5 U.S. adults report doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Full story.

A survey of 225 major US employers revealed that more are offering formal health and wellness programs than ever. And incentives for employees to join and complete these programs have increased as well. The values for incentives averaged between $100 to $300 and were paid out in cash bonuses, gift cards, or a reduction in health care premiums. More than three-quarters of big U.S. employers offer formal health and wellness programs, which aim to prevent disease, while more than half have disease management programs. All this has been attributed, in part, to rising health care costs. Full story.

With numerous food contamination events in recent memory, more consumers are turning to a commercially available fruit and vegetable cleansing agent called FIT. But does this product, made from natural ingredients like citric acid and grapefruit oil, really get rid of bacteria on your food? According to a new study to be published in the August issue of the Journal of Food Science, FIT killed 99.999 percent of bacteria during testing, including salmonella and E. coli. This means if you had one million bacteria, you’d have one left after treatment with FIT. The research was carried out on potatoes since their dirt-laden skins harbor a great deal of bacteria. However, research still needs to be carried out on fresh produce most commonly associated with food-borne illnesses, such as tomatoes, lettuce and spinach. Full story.

Results from a new study to be published in the August issue of the journal CANCER show that combining a four-question questionnaire with a simple blood test can increase detection rates of both early and late stage ovarian cancers. The blood test measures CA125, a molecular marker for certain types of cancer. The study looked at women with a family history of ovarian cancer and those with pelvic masses which were later diagnosed as ovarian cancer. A new pilot study is already underway to investigate whether this simple questionnaire should be included as part of routine medical exams for all women. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 21,000 women in the US are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year, and more than 15,000 die from the disease.Full story.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expecting summer 2008 to bring the same epidemic of West Nile Virus (WNV) as the previous four years. WNV is caused by an organism called a flavivirus. Humans contract the disease after getting bitten by mosquitoes that get the disease from feeding on infected birds. Signs of infection can range from mild flu-like symptoms to severe muscle aches, meningitis, confusion, and even death. Since there is no effective treatment or vaccine for WNV at the moment, the best way to stop the disease is through prevention. Repellent sprays containing DEET or oil of lemon eucalyptus, among others, are recommended. As well, eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed can help to control disease spread. Full CDC guidelines.

Since its introduction high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has been used as sweeteners in a multitude of processed foods. HFCS refers to corn syrups which have undergone enzymatic processing in order to increase their fructose content. In recent years HFCS has been blamed, in part, for America’s rising rate of obesity. However, beginning this week, the Corn Refiners Association, a HFCS advocacy group, is launching a new ad and public-relations campaign to convince consumers of the safety of HFCS. Full story.

The American Medical Association has adopted its position on retail health clinics this week at their annual policy meeting in Chicago. While the AMA is not against retail clinics per say, they believe that clinics should not be located inside retail establishments which sell tobacco. This makes philosophical sense from a health perspective, but some wonder whether this is an attempt at slowing the rapid growth in number of such clinics. In a statement today, the Convenient Care Association, the retail clinic industry advocate group, says, “We do not understand how forcing retailers to choose between having an in-store clinic and selling tobacco products serves the broader goal of providing consumers with easier access to high-quality, affordable healthcare.” Full story.

In dieting, fads are a dime a dozen. However, a new study is showing that the “big breakfast diet” – eating a hearty breakfast followed by meals lower in calories and carbohydrates – keeps the pounds off better than strict low-carb diets. Researchers say the big breakfast diet was more effective at helping women lose weight over the study period because it controlled appetite and cravings for carbohydrate foods, which are rich in sugar and starch. As well, dieters who adhered to the big-breakfast diet consumed more fruit and therefore got more fiber and vitamins.
“Only 5 per cent of low carbohydrate diets are successful after two years, and most of them do not address addictive eating impulses,” said lead researcher Dr. Daniela Jakubowicz, who has been using the diet successfully with patients for over 15 years. Full story.

Tuberculosis (TB) experts in Southern California have been keeping track of a rare strain of bacteria, Mycobacterium bovis, which causes TB when ingested. Mycobacterium bovis was largely eradicated in the US in the 1900s, but it’s making a resurgence due to improperly prepared dairy products. “I wouldn’t want to characterize it as increasing in epidemic proportions. But it’s clearly being seen, and being seen in places where people drink unpasteurized milk and eat unpasteurized dairy products,” said Dr. Kathleen Moser, director of tuberculosis control programs for San Diego County. The problem stems from infected cattle in Mexico where M. bovis infects an estimated 17% of the herds. Cheeses made from infected milk can also spread the disease. Because this type of strain is spread largely by ingestion of the bacteria, human-to-human contact should be less of a concern than making sure that the dairy products you consume come from a reputable source. Full story.

There are many factors that dictate where we choose to live. But, have you considered the cost of health care when picking a future home? Medical insurance and health care costs differ tremendously from region to region. For example, the average annual premium for one type of Medicare supplement policy in 2007 ranged from $3,700 in New York to as little as $1,200 in Phoenix. Differences in costs are see among all aspects of health care – from home care workers to drug prices. Where to find more information? See insurance company websites or consumer sites such as ConsumerReports.org/health. Full story.