Archive for July 2008

As the US celebrates the Fourth of July holiday, we are reminded once again about fireworks safety. Despite annual reminders of the hazards of fireworks, the number of injuries sustained from them remain largely unchanged over the years (9,000-10,000 annually). Last year, approximately 6,400 were injured by fireworks on July 4th alone. Sadly, children under the age of 15 account for 36% of those injured. For children under the age of 5, one-third of the injuries were from sparklers, which can burn up to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit! The best way to prevent injuries from fireworks is to not use them. However, if fireworks continue to be a rite during the passage of the July Fourth holiday, here are some safety tips from the National Council on Fireworks Safety :

• Use fireworks outdoors only.
• ALWAYS have water nearby (a hose or buckets of water).
• Only kids older than 12 years of age should be allowed to handle sparklers.
• Use common sense – pay careful attention when you are around fireworks, even if you are only a spectator.

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By studying cholesterol levels of 3,000 British individuals between the ages of 55 and 60 the results of a new study suggest that increased levels of HDL cholesterol is correlated with better memory. Those with lower HDL levels had greater than 27% increased risk of memory loss. It is uncertain what the exact link is between HDL and memory, but several theories exist. HDL reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes, which can lead to brain damage. HDL may also improve connections between nerves in the brain. Lastly, HDL may help to control the formation of beta amyloids, proteins which are found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.

The most effective way to increase your HDL level is to increase the amount of aerobic exercise in your life. Making dietary changes is important as well. Foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids (fish, flax seed) and foods high in fiber (fruits, vegetables, legumes) along with increasing monounsaturated fats (canola, olive, peanut, avocado oils) can help to increase your HDL level. Full story.

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The largest produce-related salmonella outbreak in US history continues with authorities no closer to finding the source of the contaminant. To date, infections have been reported in 36 states with the number of cases now at 869, with 107 hospitalizations. “Whatever this produce item is that’s causing illness is probably still out there making people sick,” said Dr. Patricia Griffin, chief of the Enteric Diseases Epidemiology Branch at the CDC. While tomatoes are still the leading suspected source of the infections in the two-month-old outbreak, officials will now expand their search to include other produce items. The CDC currently advises avoiding raw red plum, red Roma, round red tomatoes, and products containing these raw tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes with the vine still attached, and home-grown tomatoes are still considered safe for consumption. Full story.

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Although 1 million new cases of skin cancer sounds like a lot, the truth is that skin cancer has been on the rise and more than 1 million cases are usually diagnosed in any given year. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer some time during their lifetime. Also, one’s risk for skin cancer doubles if he or she has had five or more sunburns. As we begin the summer season here in Northern hemisphere, minimizing exposure to UV rays from the sun is the best way to prevent skin cancer. Here are some good rules of thumb:

* Protect your skin from the sun when you can – wear protective clothing such as hats, long-sleeved shirts, long skirts, or pants; use parasols.
* Try to avoid exposure during midday, when the sun is most intense.
* Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen at least one-half hour before sun exposure, and reapply frequently.
* Apply sunscreen during winter months as well.

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