Tag Archives: Allan Adler

A cure for kitty—and caretaker?

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Researchers likely have a ways to go before they’ve perfected a cat vaccine that alleviates allergic reactions in humans. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Allan Adler, Spectrum Health Beat


Swiss researchers are working to develop a vaccine that could help alleviate cat allergies in humans.


The twist? The vaccine is given to the cat.


It’s unknown if the treatment will work as proposed, but it’s a fascinating approach to an old problem.


Researchers are essentially using the cat’s immune system to target and reduce a feline protein that affects humans.


HypoPet AG, a Swiss-based company, is the firm trying to develop the vaccine.


“This is an interesting concept,” said Theodore Kelbel, MD, section chief of allergy and immunology at Spectrum Health. “However, there is much to be studied before this will translate to regular practice.”


The vaccine would be administered to cats in three doses over nine weeks, with some cats getting a booster shot six months later, Dr. Kelbel said. The injections would be administered in the cat’s hind legs. It can be given to any cat at any age, but a booster shot may be necessary. Consequently, the effect on the feline protein may not be immediate.

Purr-fect solution?

In theory, humans would benefit because the cats would only need the three shots and a booster.


People who require allergy shots, on the other hand, typically get them on a more continuing basis.


Dr. Kelbel said individuals usually receive weekly shots for a few months, returning to a physician each month for a shot over a three- to five-year period. They also require booster shots if a cat lives in the house.


Allergy shots for humans have been around for decades and they work reasonably well, Dr. Kelbel said.


Researchers have plenty of testing to do on the cat vaccine, Dr. Kelbel said. They need exposure studies in which immunized cats would come into contact with humans who have known allergies to the felines.


They also need to conduct long-term studies, he said.


If a cat is still producing the protein in smaller amounts, it could build up over time and eventually affect humans again.


Other companies continue to research new medications or shots for people, which could improve the currently available treatments. But “the research is still very, very early,” Dr. Kelbel said.


From a common sense standpoint, there remains a leading solution for a person allergic to cats: Avoid contact with the animal.


That is, until researchers fine-tune their vaccine.


“I think it will be a few years, at minimum, before they can tell us (the vaccine) will be clinically beneficial for cat allergy patients,” Dr. Kelbel said.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




Beware the double-dippers

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A great way to avoid double-dipping: Place utensils in the dip bowl so guests can scoop a dollop directly onto a plate. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Allan Adler, Spectrum Health Beat


Double-dipping with a dance partner? A skillful move marked by grace and beauty.


Double-dipping with a snack at a party? Not quite so beautiful or graceful.


But definitely risky.


Using partially eaten food items such as vegetables or chips to scoop dip from a container can deposit bacteria from the double dipper’s mouth into the dip, which can make people ill if they dip into that same container, said Jessica Corwin, MPH, RDN, community nutrition educator for Spectrum Health Healthier Communities. Especially if the individual is sick.


Even a small amount of bacteria introduced by saliva can grow rapidly, perhaps to more than 100 times the initial level, potentially leading to serious illnesses such as a norovirus or herpes if the person has those viruses.


Even if the party guest is not sick, the bacteria they introduce can lead to foodborne illnesses.


While hosts and guests can take steps to protect partygoers from those who act carelessly with food, most of the precautions rest with the host.

Danger zone

For starters, dips that need to be kept cool should be placed on ice. Dips that need to be kept warm should be placed over the proper heating source, Corwin said.


“Forty-one to 140 degrees Fahrenheit is the danger zone,” she said. “That’s when bacteria can thrive.”


An extra-thorough host can use a thermometer to check temperatures.


The general rule: Leave food out no longer than two hours. If food is sitting outdoors, limit the time to one hour or less, depending on the temperature.


Also, set out smaller amounts of dip and replace them regularly with chilled dip stored in a refrigerator or cooler.


Some dips will grow bacteria more quickly than others, Corwin said. Runny dips, such as salsa and varieties made from sour cream, pose more of a threat than solid dips such as hummus.


And while it may be more tedious to prepare pre-portioned dip in containers, it could also be a wise move—especially if children are expected to attend the gathering.


“Kids are notorious for double-dipping,” Corwin said. As a mom of three, she speaks from experience.

Hands-free

At day’s end, there isn’t much that guests can do to protect themselves from double-dippers. One option is to bring your own food, or even abstain from eating, but that’s neither fun nor practical.


Still, precautions can be taken.


“If you’re dipping from something more solid, like hummus, take your helping from a portion not touched yet,” Corwin said.


Also, aim for dips that have serving utensils. If the host has set out serving spoons and dishes, people won’t need to double-dip—they can use the utensils to place an adequate amount of chips and dip on their plates.


Corwin emphasized the tried-and-true food safety mantra: “When in doubt, throw it out.


“As a host, anything you can do to take those extra precautions would be advisable,” she said. “You wouldn’t want any of your guests to leave sick, because you want them to come back.”


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

America’s migraine problem

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The migraine is listed by the World Health Organization as a Top 20 illness that causes a disability. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Allan Adler, Spectrum Health Beat


If you want to know where someone’s priorities lie, take a look at how they spend their money.


Take, for instance, the federal government.


In 2018, the National Institutes of Health spent $303 million on asthma research and $989 million on autoimmune disease studies. That same year, the agency allocated $23 million to the study of migraines.


This, despite the fact that migraines are 50 percent more prevalent than both of the other illnesses. Migraines affect more than 39 million Americans, and about 4 million of them suffer from the chronic form of the disease (15 or more migraine days a month).


There is indeed a gross inequity in funding migraine research compared to other illnesses, said Jared Pomeroy, MD, a headache specialist with Spectrum Health Medical Group Neurology.


In pointing out the federal data, Dr. Pomeroy said one of the main reasons for the lack of funding is stigmatization—migraine patients are more stigmatized than patients who suffer from more diagnosable diseases such as asthma.


Medical tests can help determine the presence and severity of diseases such as asthma. There are no such tests for migraines.


“A lot involves patients reporting their symptoms,” Dr. Pomeroy said. “If someone is missing an arm or a leg, you can see the problem. It’s obvious there’s a disability.


“But headaches are harder to see and diagnose,” he said. “Doctors must rely mostly on what a patient reports, as opposed to relying on their own observations.”

The human condition

Migraines aren’t just an American issue—they’re a human issue.


The World Health Organization lists migraines among the Top 20 illnesses that cause a disability.


The disorder has a disproportionate economic impact as well, typically affecting people in the prime of their lives.


A bout with migraines can cause an otherwise healthy person to miss work or school, and in some cases it can lead to job loss. It can also cause a person to miss out on precious family time.


It’s truly an ailment that knows no social or economic boundaries, striking the rich and famous just as often as it strikes everyday people.


People with migraines can sporadically—and temporarily—escape the battle.


When they seek treatment, however, they sometimes find it difficult to gain understanding from people who have never suffered a migraine, Dr. Pomeroy said.


“A lot of people who don’t suffer from migraines see them as a character flaw, not as a physical ailment,” the doctor said.


Society’s conventional knowledge of migraines doesn’t always mean the public, or even employees in the medical field, will understand the nature of the beast.


Generally, migraines can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting or pulsating on one side of the head. Routine activity can aggravate them.


A migraine patient is often sensitive to light and sound.


Some patients will also experience numbness in their face or body, and the headaches may cause weakness in an arm or leg. Seeing a flashing light, experiencing tunnel vision or even temporarily losing sight are also symptoms.

Treatments

While science is still pursuing a full understanding of migraines, there are treatments available.


They usually entail over-the-counter or prescription drugs. For more severe pain, doctors have used injections or other specialized drugs to provide immediate relief.


“In the 1990s, Triptan medications were developed for acute treatment of migraines,” Dr. Pomeroy said. “Since then, we haven’t had any new classes of pharmaceutical agents developed specifically for migraines.”


Researchers have developed new drugs within existing pharmaceutical classes, the doctor said, and some medicines meant for unrelated disorders have been used effectively for migraines.


Botox has become a godsend for some, although it involves 31 tiny injections that must be repeated every 12 weeks. Others may find relief simply by placing an ice pack on the back of the neck, or on the primary location of the pain.


Patients may also see symptoms improve by changing lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise, Dr. Pomeroy said. Cutting out caffeine and nicotine can be a big help.


Interestingly, the migraine sufferer’s keen intuition is often one of the best defenses.


People who frequently experience migraines can sense when a new one is approaching.


When it strikes at work or at school, they’re better prepared—even if they know their best course of action means returning home to rest in a dark, quiet room.


Some experts think migraines may be hereditary. This much is certain: There’s typically no known cause, and there is no cure.


And until there’s enough funding to help researchers develop a cure, migraine suffers must muddle through the attacks. With guidance from a good doctor, their outlook can improve.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


Daytime fatigue? A nap could help

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If you find yourself struggling to stay alert, it could hint at an underlying medical problem—or the need for changes to your nighttime sleep routine. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Allan Adler, Spectrum Health Beat


Napping isn’t just for infants and children. Adults can get in on the action, too—they need only recognize the right time, place and circumstance.


Feeling fatigued or groggy during the day? That’s a good place to start. But you first need to determine why you’re feeling that way.


A nap can be refreshing and invigorating, helping you reenergize for a trip or for the workday, or whatever activity you’re undertaking, said Mary Barr, adult nurse practitioner in sleep medicine at Spectrum Health.


But the circumstances allowing for a nap will vary.


Generally speaking, you should only be napping during the day if you’re ill or if you’re trying to relieve pain. You could also nap amid abnormal circumstances—when you’re recovering from an acute injury, for example, or managing chronic illness.


Sometimes your schedule might deprive you of some much-needed sleep. If you find there’s no way to make it through the day without stealing a few quick moments of rest—or if you’re engaged in an activity that is simply wearing you down—a short nap is entirely acceptable.


Just be sure it’s a temporary solution. You should change your activities so you can keep to your regular schedule.


If you feel sleepy while driving, pull over in a safe place and catch a few Zzzs, Barr said. Likewise, when performing tasks that require high levels of attention, consider a nap to ward off fatigue.


If you’re at work, your nap needs to happen while on break or during your lunch hour.


“A 15-minute nap—often called a power nap—can refresh you when you are feeling sluggish or inattentive, groggy or not focused,” Barr said.


Generally, a 15- to 30-minute nap is enough. You can tell if you’ve slept too long because you’ll wake up feeling more groggy than before, she said.


There’s no ideal nap time, just whenever you feel sleepy during the day. Generally, this is after lunch for most people.


Falling asleep when napping is good, although you may not necessarily fall into any deep sleep stages.

Not all naps are equal

A word of caution: Don’t nap too late in the day or too close to your typical bedtime. Such naps can interfere with normal nighttime sleep routines, Barr said.


And make no mistake—you need a good night’s sleep every single night. Usually, if your sleep routine is good, you won’t need additional napping.


Barr offered a good rule of thumb: Make sure your nap is at least six to eight hours before your normal bedtime.


She also said that napping every day could be an indication you’re not getting enough rest at night. Bad sleep habits could cause this, but there could also be a medical problem. Sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome, for example, can make people feel sleepy during the day.


One American Academy of Sleep Medicine study that found frequent napping is associated with an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes in older adults.


Adults who don’t sleep well at night should analyze their sleep habits to see what might be interrupting their sleep. Stimulants such as caffeine or nicotine could be to blame, but bad sleep habits could also be the culprit.


Some other napping tips from Barr:

  • Keep the nap short—ideally about 30 minutes.
  • Make sure the nap is in a safe, comfortable place where you won’t be disturbed.
  • Avoid long weekend naps, especially if you don’t nap during the week.
  • Don’t resort to napping to make up for sleepless nights.

If sleepless nights are a recurring problem, you may need to seek help from a sleep professional to determine if there is an underlying medical cause.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.