Tag Archives: Robert Preidt

Ocean scourge: Flesh-eating bacteria

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Flesh-eating bacteria can be contracted when open wounds are exposed to brackish ocean water. Contaminated seafood can also result in infection. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


It’s a horrible fate: You take a cool dip in the ocean and become infected with flesh-eating bacteria.


Climate change is making this terrifying scenario more common in the northern part of the United States, one infectious disease expert says.


These infections are caused by Vibrio vulnificus bacteria. There are about 80,000 such infections each year in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


Most infections resolve within a few days, but there are about 500 hospitalizations and 100 deaths each year due to such infections.


There are a number of ways to protect yourself, according to David Cennimo, an infectious disease expert at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.


Vibrio bacteria can get into the body through open wounds. If you have any, it’s best to stay out of the water, especially brackish water. Cover the wound with a waterproof bandage if it’s likely to come into contact with water or raw seafood or raw seafood juices, Cennimo advised.


Cook all seafood thoroughly and wash your hands after handling raw shellfish, he added.


Most infections caused by Vibrio bacteria are gastrointestinal and cause food poisoning-like symptoms, such as diarrhea, vomiting, cramping, abdominal pain and sometimes fever. Symptoms usually start one day after ingestion and last for three days.


Skin infections caused by the bacteria may be inflamed and red, with blisters. The site may also turn deep blue like a severe bruise. A fever may develop and confusion can occur in severe cases. Immediate emergency medical care is required because the infection can progress rapidly to death, Cennimo said.


For most people, the skin infection can be treated with antibiotics. However, necrotizing (flesh-eating) infections can be very serious and move very fast.


People especially at risk of severe and aggressive infection include those with a weakened immune system due to conditions such as liver disease, cancer, diabetes or HIV, and those who are on immune-suppressing therapy or are recovering from stomach surgery.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



Study: Dementia crisis looms

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Women will account for 65 percent of the projected 13 million people suffering from dementia by 2040. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Nearly 13 million Americans will have dementia by 2040—nearly twice as many as today, a new report says.


The number of women with dementia is expected to rise from 4.7 million next year to 8.5 million in 2040.


The number of men with dementia is projected to increase from 2.6 million to 4.5 million.


Over the next 20 years, the economic impact of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia will be more than $2 trillion.


Women will shoulder more than 80% of those costs, according to a report released recently at the 2019 Milken Institute Future of Health Summit in Washington, D.C.


“Longer life spans are perhaps one of the greatest success stories of our modern public health system,” said lead author Nora Super, senior director of the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging.


“But along with this success comes one of our greatest challenges,” she added in an institute news release. “Our risk of developing dementia doubles every five years after we turn 65; by age 85, nearly one in three of us will have the disease.”


With no cure on the horizon, reducing the risk of dementia and its cost must be the focus, Super noted.


“Emerging evidence shows that despite family history and personal genetics, lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise and better sleep can improve health at all ages,” she said.


The report recommends expanded research, programs to maintain and improve brain health, increased access to testing and early diagnosis and services and policies that promote supportive communities and workplaces for people with dementia and their caregivers.


“As this important new report shows, dementia is one of the greatest public health challenges of our time,” said Sarah Lenz Lock, the AARP’s senior vice president for policy and brain health.


“It also demonstrates that we have the power to create change, whether by helping consumers maintain and improve their brain health, advancing research on the causes and treatment of dementia, or supporting caregivers who bear so much of the burden of this disease,” Lock said in the news release.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



Ditch the golf cart. Your aging knees won’t mind

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Golfers with knee osteoarthritis do not need to be concerned about worsening their disease by walking the course. In fact, walking provides the best health benefit. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Golfers with knee arthritis should park the golf cart and walk the links instead, researchers say.


While using a golf cart may seem the obvious choice for golfers with knee problems, a new small study finds that walking provides much greater health benefits. Moreover, it’s not associated with increased pain, inflammation or cartilage breakdown, the researchers said.


“Individuals with knee osteoarthritis are often concerned about pain and may be more likely to use a golf cart,” said lead study author Dr. Prakash Jayabalan. He’s an assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.


However, “this study has shown that golfers with knee osteoarthritis do not need to be concerned about worsening their disease through walking the course. In fact, walking provides the best health benefit,” Jayabalan said in a university news release.


More than 17 million Americans older than 50 golf regularly. Knee osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability in this age group. The condition causes swelling, pain and difficulty moving the joint.


The study included 10 older golfers with knee osteoarthritis and five without the disease, which is usually caused by wear and tear of the joint.

Think golf is an easy sport on the body? Guess again!

On one day, the study participants played one round of golf (18 holes) walking the course. On another day, they used a golf cart to play 18 holes. On each occasion, the researchers monitored the participants’ heart rates to determine their level of exercise intensity, and took blood samples to measure markers of knee inflammation and cartilage stress.


On both occasions, the golfers had an increase in these markers, but there was no difference between use of the golf cart and walking, the findings showed.


When walking the course, the heart rates of the golfers with knee problems were in the moderate-intensity zone for more than 60 percent of the time, compared with 30 percent when using a cart.


But even using the cart, golfers met daily exercise recommendations, according to the study authors.


“Bottom line: walking the course is significantly better than using a golf cart, but using a golf cart is still better than not exercising at all,” Jayabalan concluded.


The study was presented recently at the Osteoarthritis Research Society International annual meeting in Liverpool, England. Research presented at meetings is usually considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


Pack the right footwear for summer vacations

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Excessive foot pronation increases the stress at the knee and hip joints, which can create problems in the foot, ankle, knee, hip and lower back. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


When packing for your summer vacation, be sure to include the right footwear, a podiatrist advises.


“The type of vacation you go on will determine the type of shoe you need,” Dr. Ronald Lepow, an assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine’s department of orthopedic surgery, in Houston, said in a school news release.


If you’ll be doing a lot of walking, wear shoes with good support and consider where you’ll be going. For example, if you’ll be strolling on uneven cobblestones, the flexibility of your shoes will be more important than if you’re visiting a location with smooth, level walkways.


If you’re going to the beach, bring flip-flops or clogs, Lepow said. Don’t walk barefoot on hot sand because doing so can cause blisters. Be sure to put sunscreen on your feet, he added.


Athletic shoes can be a good choice for evening walks along the beach, and water shoes can help prevent injuries from stepping on objects or uneven surfaces under the water.


If available, use foot showers to wash off any potential contaminants from your feet, Lepow advised.


At pools, wear shoes or flip-flops when not swimming to protect yourself from athlete’s foot, nail fungus and warts, he said.


And if you’re going hiking, you should wear hiking boots. They are well-insulated and provide good heel, arch and ankle support.


Finally, if you buy new shoes, be sure to break them in a couple of weeks before your trip. Walk around the house in them, bend them and use shoe inserts to stretch them, Lepow suggested.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


How resilient are your brain connections?

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Findings provide a target for drugs designed to support and maintain dendritic spine health. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


The conclusion of a recent study suggests possible new ways to prevent or slow the memory-destroying disease, Alzheimer’s, researchers said.


For the study, the researchers analyzed brain samples from patients at memory clinics and found that the presence of healthy dendritic spines (connections between neurons) provide protection against Alzheimer’s in people whose brains have proteins associated with the disease.


The findings, published in the Annals of Neurology, are the first of their kind, the study authors said.


“One of the precursors of Alzheimer’s is the development in the brain of proteins called amyloid and tau, which we refer to as the pathology of Alzheimer’s,” said the study’s lead author, Jeremy Herskowitz.


He’s an assistant professor with the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine’s department of neurology.


“However, about 30 percent of the aging population have amyloid and tau buildup but never develop dementia. Our study showed that these individuals had larger, more numerous dendritic spines than those with dementia, indicating that spine health plays a major role in the onset of disease,” Herskowitz said in a university news release.


Neurons, which are brain cells, are constantly sending out dendritic spines in search of other neurons. When they connect, a synapse—an exchange of information—occurs between neurons. This is the basis for memory and learning, the researchers explained.


“One obvious culprit in Alzheimer’s disease is the loss of dendritic spines and thus the loss of synapses,” Herskowitz said.


“This would impair the ability to think, so the assumption has been that those without dementia had healthy (dendritic) spines and those with dementia did not. But no one had gone in to see if that was true,” he noted.


Healthy dendritic spines could be genetic, or the result of beneficial lifestyle habits—such as good diet and exercise—which are known to reduce the risk of dementia, Herskowitz said.


The findings provide “a target for drugs that would be designed to support and maintain dendritic spine health in an effort to rebuild neurons or prevent their loss,” he added.


“This data suggests that rebuilding neurons is possible. And as we are better able to identify the increase of amyloid and tau early in the progression of the disease, even before symptoms arise, we might be able to one day offer a medication that can contribute to maintaining healthy dendritic spines in those with the Alzheimer’s pathology,” he concluded.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Know the warning signs of suicidal thoughts

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The sharpest rise in suicide rates has occurred among men aged 45 to 64 and girls aged 10 to 14. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Family, friends and acquaintances can play a key role in suicide prevention by being alert for signs and taking action to help someone who may be struggling, a mental health expert says.


Nearly 43,000 Americans commit suicide each year, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. For the past two decades, suicide rates have been rising in the United States, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.


The sharpest rises in suicide rates have occurred among men aged 45 to 64 and girls aged 10 to 14, according to the CDC.


“There remains a lot of stigma associated with people who seek help for mental health, which prevents them from getting the assistance they need. We need to pay more attention to suicide prevention,” said William Zimmermann. He’s a clinician supervisor of New Jersey Hopeline, a suicide prevention hotline operated by Rutgers University’s Behavioral Health Care.


Many people mistakenly believe that suicides happen without warning. But most people who attempt suicide try to communicate their distress or suicide plans to someone, Zimmermann said in a Rutgers news release.


The problem is the suicide plans or thoughts may not be clearly stated, so asking direct questions about suicide can start the conversation and help-seeking process, he said.


Asking someone about suicide won’t put the idea in their head, Zimmermann said.


Warning signs of suicide attempts include increased substance abuse, anxiety, agitation, difficulty sleeping, dramatic mood changes, a feeling of hopelessness and being trapped, having no sense of purpose, social withdrawal, uncontrolled anger and reckless behavior.


If a person talks about wanting to hurt or kill themselves, threatens to hurt or kill themselves, or talks about looking for a method to kill themselves, get them immediate help or guidance by contacting a mental health professional or a suicide prevention hotline, Zimmermann said.


If you’re concerned about someone, ask them directly if they are thinking about suicide, Zimmermann said. He suggested saying things like: “I care about you. Some of the things you’ve said or done have made me wonder. Are you thinking about killing yourself?”


If they say they are considering suicide, don’t judge, don’t deny and don’t promise to keep it a secret, Zimmermann said. Get support for the person talking about suicide and for yourself, he said.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




Study: Active body shapes agile mind

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Physical activity is one of the leading factors in determining brain health in middle age and later years. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Want to reduce your risk of dementia? Take care of your heart.


That’s the takeaway from a new study that suggests good heart health in middle age could lower your odds for problems with thinking and memory later in life.


The study included nearly 7,900 British adults who did not have heart disease or dementia at age 50. Over an average 25-year followup, 347 cases of dementia were diagnosed among participants. Average age at diagnosis: 75.


After taking other factors into account, researchers linked a higher score at age 50 on seven healthy habits outlined in the American Heart Association’s “Life Simple 7” with a lower risk of dementia later in life.


The Life Simple 7 assesses smoking, diet, physical activity, fasting blood sugar, blood cholesterol, blood pressure and body mass index (a measure of body fat based on height and weight).


Dementia rates were 1.3 per 1,000 person years among participants who had high scores on heart healthy habits, compared to 3.2 per 1,000 for low-scorers, according to the study published recently in the BMJ.


A better score at age 50 was also associated with higher overall brain and gray matter volumes in MRI scans 20 years later.


Though the study could not prove that heart-healthy living actually caused dementia risk to drop, the researchers said their findings support public policies to improve heart health in middle age. They pointed out that dementia is a progressive disease that can start 15 to 20 years before symptoms appear.


“Our findings suggest that the Life’s Simple 7, which comprises the cardiovascular health score, at age 50 may shape the risk of dementia in a synergistic manner,” the study team wrote. “Cardiovascular risk factors are modifiable, making them strategically important prevention targets.”


The lead author is Severine Sabia of the French National Institute of Health in Paris and University College London.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



The prudent pyre

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A bonfire adds a warm, welcoming glow to any graduation party. Just make sure the atmosphere is calm, not raucous and reckless. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Bonfires are a popular way to celebrate big events among teens, but they’re at risk for serious burn injuries, an expert warns.


“The only guaranteed way to prevent bonfire burn injuries is to not have a fire in the first place,” said burn surgeon Dr. Arthur Sanford, of Loyola Medicine in Maywood, Ill. “But if you do decide to have a fire for a prom, graduation or other occasion, there are simple ways to minimize the risk of burns.”


Check the weather and cancel the bonfire if high winds are forecast, he recommended in a Loyola news release. Clear all brush from the area and make a fire pit. Keep a bucket of water and garden hose close by.


Newspaper and small kindling provide the safest way to start a fire. If you decide to use charcoal lighter fluid, seal the container after use and keep it well away from the fire. Do not put lighter fluid on a fire after it’s started, Sanford said.


And, he added, never use accelerants such as gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene, and never spray aerosols or throw canisters or fireworks into the fire.


Keep the bonfire at a manageable size, no more than about four feet square, Sanford advised.


Everyone should stay a safe distance away and never horse around near a fire, he said. No one should drink alcohol.


Always put the fire out completely before you leave. Stir the ashes and douse them thoroughly with water. Sanford said Loyola’s burn center has treated numerous patients who suffered burns after accidentally walking on hot ashes.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


New life for an old drug

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Compared to more expensive therapies, aspirin is cheaper and quite effective in treating migraines. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


A cheap, century-old drug in most Americans’ medicine cabinets—aspirin—may come to the rescue for people suffering from migraines, a new study finds.


While there are effective prescription medications, many migraine patients in the United States don’t have access to them due to limited access to doctors or good insurance, or high insurance co-pays, said researchers at Florida Atlantic University, in Boca Raton.


Aspirin might often be a viable option for these patients, said the research team, who reviewed 13 studies of migraine treatment involving more than 4,200 patients.


The investigators also looked at data on the prevention of recurrent migraine in tens of thousands of patients.


The results suggest that giving a high dose of aspirin—900 to 1,300 milligrams—when migraine symptoms set in is an effective and safe treatment for acute migraine.


There’s also evidence that daily aspirin doses of 81 to 325 milligrams may be an effective and safe treatment for prevention of recurrent migraine, the team said. The standard “low-dose” aspirin pill, taken by millions of Americans to help lower heart risks, contains 81 milligrams.


The bottom line: “Our review supports the use of high-dose aspirin to treat acute migraine as well as low-dose daily aspirin to prevent recurrent attacks,” senior author Dr. Charles Hennekens, professor and senior academic advisor at the university’s College of Medicine, said in a school news release.


According to review first author Bianca Biglione, a second-year medical student, “Migraine headaches are among the most common and potentially debilitating disorders encountered by primary health care providers.”


Biglione added that, “in fact, about one in 10 primary care patients present with headache and three out of four are migraines. Aspirin is readily available without a prescription, is inexpensive and, based on our review, was shown to be effective in many migraine patients when compared with alternative more expensive therapies.”


About 36 million Americans suffer from migraines, the researchers noted.


Dr. Noah Rosen directs Northwell Health’s Headache Center in Great Neck, N.Y. Reading over the new findings he noted that “aspirin has been in continual use for headaches since its introduction during the industrial revolution of the late 19th century. Clearly, the part that it contributes to pain relief is quite significant and should be considered for primary treatment in an appropriate population.”


But the benefits of taking the drug regularly to prevent headaches need to be balanced against potential risks, especially the risk of bleeding, Rosen said.


“The cost benefit (of aspirin) is a huge component and out-of-pocket expense is quite low,” Rosen said. “But the risk of bleeding with daily use needs to be considered.”


The findings were published online in the American Journal of Medicine.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




The cost of aging: Slower fat burn

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Paired with a proper diet, regular exercise can help counteract an aging body’s tendency to retain fat. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


It happens to most aging Americans: Excess pounds pile on, despite efforts to eat right and exercise.


Now, research in fat cells reveals why it’s so tough to stay slim as you get older. The new findings could point to new ways to treat obesity, Swedish investigators say.


A team led by Peter Arner of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm analyzed fat cells taken from 54 men and women over an average of 13 years.


People in the study who consumed the same or more calories as they got older had an average 20% weight gain.


Why? According to Arner’s group, fat cells showed age-linked declines in the rate at which fats—lipids—were removed and stored from the cells over time.


It’s a process called “lipid turnover.”


The researchers also assessed lipid turnover in 41 women who had weight-loss surgeries and how their lipid turnover rate affected their ability to maintain their weight loss four to seven years after surgery.


Only the women who had a low cellular lipid turnover rate before the surgery had increases in their rate after the surgery and were able to keep pounds from coming back in the years after the surgery.


The Swedish team suggested that these women may have had more “room” to increase their lipid turnover compared to women who already had a high turnover rate before weight-loss surgery. That gave them an advantage in terms of being able to stay relatively slim.


“The results indicate for the first time that processes in our fat tissue regulate changes in body weight during aging in a way that is independent of other factors,” Arner, a professor of medicine, said in an institute news release.


One U.S. expert in weight loss said the findings make sense, but many other factors are probably involved.


“A normal process of aging is slower metabolic rate. Our body uses less energy to function and as a result there is less ‘lipolysis,’ or breakdown of fat,” said registered dietitian Sharon Zarabi. She directs the bariatric program at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.


But, “ultimately, what influences weight loss is our metabolism, microbiome, hormones, nutrient intake, genetics, muscle composition, exercise and environmental toxins—yes, that’s a mouthful,” Zarabi said.


Arner said his team’s findings might “open up new ways to treat obesity.”


Prior research has shown that one way to speed up the lipid turnover in the fat tissue is to boost the amount of exercise you get, Arner noted.


The new study supported that theory and also suggests that increased physical activity might improve weight-loss surgery patients’ long-term chances of success.


And Zarabi stressed that “the good news is that although you can’t control your age, if you are more physically fit and have higher muscle mass, fat breakdown is still possible.”


The new findings were published in Nature Medicine.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



The changing hazards of middle age

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The rise in use of prescription medication—and illegal drug usage—has rendered middle-age adults a substantial fall risk. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Serious falls aren’t the sole domain of seniors.


New research shows they are a significant risk among middle-aged adults.


Why? Blame multiple prescription medications, as well as alcohol and illegal drug use, a new study suggests.


Health care providers “typically think about falls in people over age 65. But these people were primarily in their 50s and falls were an important concern,” said study author Julie Womack. She’s an associate professor at Yale University’s School of Nursing.


For the new study, the researchers analyzed data from the Veterans Aging Cohort Study, which includes patients who receive care through the U.S. Veterans Health Administration.


The team identified 13,000 fall cases and compared them to patients of similar age, race, sex and HIV status, who did not suffer falls.


The use of multiple medications was a significant factor in falls among patients with and without HIV.


The researchers examined HIV status because people being treated for HIV infection take several medications, often at a younger age.


Medications associated with serious falls included those commonly used to treat anxiety and insomnia (benzodiazepines, like Xanax), as well as muscle relaxants and prescription opioids (such as OxyContin).


The findings suggest that programs designed to prevent serious falls in older adults may need to be modified to address risks for middle-aged adults, according to Womack.


“Fall risk factors are highly prevalent in the baby boomer generation more generally. The next step is to look at interventions for the middle-aged,” she said in a Yale news release.


Those interventions could target drinking and illicit drug use in addition to taking multiple medications, Womack said.


“When we’re thinking about fall prevention programs, we have to think about alcohol and substance use. We need to help individuals cut back,” she suggested.


Womack noted that it’s important to reduce falls in middle-aged and older adults because falls are associated with injuries, hospitalizations and death.


The study was published recently in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



Are you a caregiver? Take care of yourself, too

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Joining social groups and establishing their own support network is an essential component to a caregiver’s quality of life. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


If you’re a caregiver for a family member, you need to look after your own mental health to provide the best care for others, an expert says.


Caregivers are at increased risk for depression and anxiety.


Clinically significant symptoms of depression occur in 40%-70% of caregivers, and major depression occurs in 25%-50% of these caregivers, according to the Family Caregiver Alliance.


“Taking time to care for yourself is not selfish. In order to have the strength to care for a loved one, it is extremely important that caregivers take care of their own physical and mental health,” said Dr. Vassilios Latoussakis, a psychiatrist at Gracie Square Hospital, a psychiatric facility in New York City.


Latoussakis offered the following advice.


Pay attention to your stress levels, he said in a hospital news release. If you find yourself crying, losing your temper or having fantasies of rescue or flight, seek help.


Stress can affect your physical health, causing problems such as headaches, sleep issues, heart troubles, high blood pressure, and elevated fat and sugar levels.


If you’re feeling the effects of stress, make an appointment with your primary care provider, Latoussakis advised.


There are a number of ways to reduce stress, including regular physical activity, relaxation techniques such as breathing, yoga or mindfulness, making time to see friends and doing activities you enjoy.


It’s important to have a support network of people with whom you can talk, confide and gripe.


Another good idea is to join a support group of caregivers where you can share concerns, practical issues and problems, Latoussakis said.


More than 34 million Americans have provided unpaid care to an adult aged 50 or older in the past year, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



Science probes dementia-anemia link

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Researchers say mild anemia, regardless of patient age, can be associated with dementia over time. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Even mild anemia—low levels of hemoglobin in the blood—may raise a person’s odds for Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, a new study finds.


The same Dutch research also found a correlation between heightened dementia risk and high blood levels of hemoglobin.


“With around 10% of people over age 65 having anemia in the Americas and Europe and up to 45% in African and southeast Asian countries, these results could have important implications for the burden of dementia,” noted study lead author M. Arfan Ikram, of Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.


Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen.


The new study included more than 12,000 people averaging 65 years of age. None of the participants had dementia at the beginning of the research.


Hemoglobin levels were measured at the start of the study and 6% of the participants were found to have anemia.


The participants’ health was then tracked for an average of 12 years. During that time, 1,520 developed dementia, including 1,194 who were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the report published online recently in Neurology.


The study was not designed to prove cause and effect.


However, the research showed that people with anemia were 41% more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and 34% more likely to develop any type of dementia than those without anemia, the team reported.


In another finding, people with high levels of hemoglobin were also more likely to develop dementia.


Those with the highest levels were 20% more likely to develop dementia than those with levels in the middle.


Those with the lowest hemoglobin levels were 29% more likely to develop dementia than those with levels in the middle, the research found.


In a journal news release, Ikram added that the findings could be significant, given that “the prevalence of dementia is expected to increase threefold over the next decades, with the largest increases predicted in the countries where the anemia rate is the highest.”


The question of how hemoglobin levels affect dementia risk is still unclear, however.


“More research is needed to determine whether hemoglobin levels play a direct role in this increased risk or whether these associations can be explained by underlying issues or other vascular or metabolic changes,” Ikram explained.


Dr. Satjit Bhusri is a cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. Looking over the findings, he stressed that hemoglobin’s role as an oxygen transporter to the brain might be key.


“Any quick or slow loss of oxygen will lead to a cognitive decline and manifest as dementia,” he noted. Conversely, Bhusri said, “elevated hemoglobin is a reaction to some underlying disease. That disease is forcing the body to produce more hemoglobin. This can result in an increase in thickness of blood and poor flow to the brain.”


Another expert believes the findings should serve as a reminder to doctors to pay attention to even mild anemia when it occurs.


“I think that physicians should not write off mild anemia in any age group, because it clearly is associated with brain dysfunction over time,” said Dr. Guy Mintz. He directs cardiovascular health at Northwell Health’s Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y.


Mintz also noted that many of the participants in the study were still in their 60s and 70s, so “we are not looking at an elderly, frail group of patients.”


As for people with elevated levels of hemoglobin, he believes that in many instances this happened in response to the smoking habit.


So, the link between hemoglobin levels and dementia “can be another motivational tool to get these patients to stop smoking,” Mintz said.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



Infected by a good mood?

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Happiness is contagious among teens. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By  Robert Preidt, HealthDay


A good mood is infectious among teens, but depression is not, a new study suggests.


Researchers looked at more than 2,000 American high school students to see how they influenced each others’ moods. They found that a positive mood seems to spread through groups of teens, but having depressed friends doesn’t increase a teen’s risk of depression.


In fact, having plenty of friends in a good mood can halve the chances that a teen will develop depression over six to 12 months. Having a lot of happy friends can also double the likelihood of recovering from depression over the same time period, the researchers found.


However, the study could only show an association between happy friends and a lower risk of depression or a faster recovery from depression. It cannot prove a cause-and-effect relationship between these factors.


“We know social factors, for example living alone or having experienced abuse in childhood, influences whether someone becomes depressed. We also know that social support is important for recovery from depression, for example having people to talk to,” study author Thomas House, a senior lecturer in applied mathematics at the University of Manchester in the U.K., said in a university news release.


“Our study is slightly different as it looks at the effect of being friends with people on whether you are likely to develop or recover from being depressed,” he added.


These findings suggest that promoting friendships, through such activities as social clubs, might help guard against depression, House noted.


“This was a big effect that we have seen here. It could be that having a stronger social network is an effective way to treat depression. More work needs to be done but it may that we could significantly reduce the burden of depression through cheap, low-risk social interventions,” House concluded.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


Up early? You’re a rare bird

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Extreme early birds seem to function well in the daytime but they have trouble staying awake for evening social commitments, according to researchers. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Early to bed and early to rise? In its extreme form, this tendency is more common than previously believed, according to a new study.


Going to sleep at 8pm and waking up as early as 4am is called advanced sleep phase. It was believed to be rare, but this study concluded that it may affect at least one in 300 adults.


In advanced sleep phase, your body clock (circadian rhythm) is on a schedule hours earlier than most other people’s. You have premature release of the sleep hormone melatonin and shift in body temperature.


Advanced sleepers also wake more easily than others and are satisfied with an average of five-to-10 minutes extra sleep on non-work days, compared with the 30-to-38 minutes more sleep that other people would take advantage of, according to study senior author Dr. Louis Ptacek. He’s a professor of neurology at the University of California, San Francisco.


Advanced sleep is not the same as early rising that develops with normal aging, or the waking in the early hours linked to depression.


“While most people struggle with getting out of bed at 4 or 5am, people with advanced sleep phase wake up naturally at this time, rested and ready to take on the day,” Ptacek said in a university news release.


“These extreme early birds tend to function well in the daytime but may have trouble staying awake for social commitments in the evening,” he added.


In order to determine the prevalence of advanced sleepers, the researchers analyzed data from more than 2,400 patients at a sleep disorder clinic. Of those, 0.03% were determined to be advanced sleepers. This is a conservative estimate, the study authors explained, because it did not include patients who didn’t want to participate in the study or advanced sleepers who had no need to attend a sleep clinic.


The researchers also said that all of the advanced sleepers in the study reported at least one close relative with the same early sleep-wake schedule.


“We hope the results of this study will not only raise awareness of advanced sleep phase and familial advanced sleep phase, but also help identify the circadian clock genes and any medical conditions that they may influence,” Ptacek said.


The report was published recently in the journal Sleep.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




Difficulties in daily living activities?

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Share your symptoms with your health care provider to get help early. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Difficulties with daily activities such as dressing, walking and eating can be seen in rheumatoid arthritis patients a year or two before they’re diagnosed, a new study shows.


“This is a new finding, and a finding that is quite intriguing,” said lead author Dr. Elena Myasoedova, a rheumatologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.


“It may reflect an accumulation of symptoms between the time of first onset and the time required for providers to actually diagnose patients,” she said in a Mayo news release.


The study also found that chronic increased levels of difficulty with daily activities (functional disability) continued even after patients were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and began treatment.


That may be due to a number of factors, including increasing physical and mental pain, use of treatments such as glucocorticoids and antidepressants and anticipation of relief from symptoms, she added.


For the study, the researchers looked at 586 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 531 people without the disease in the Rochester Epidemiology Project database of medical records.


The rate of functional disability was more than two times higher among rheumatoid arthritis patients than in those without rheumatoid arthritis. In most age groups, rheumatoid arthritis patients had a 15% or higher rate of functional disability than those without the disease.


The findings show the importance of early treatment for rheumatoid arthritis patients, according to Myasoedova.


“Alerting your health care provider to difficulties in daily living can assure that patients receive the help they need,” she said.


About 1.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that most often affects the joints but can also impact other parts of the body.


Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common chronic conditions associated with functional disability in the United States and has a significant impact on well-being and quality of life.


Symptoms can include joint pain or swelling, but 40% of patients have symptoms that don’t involve the joints, such as fatigue, fever and loss of appetite.


The study will be published in an upcoming issue of the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


7 mistakes that can boost your blood pressure reading

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Talking while the cuff is on can boost your blood pressure reading. So can a full bladder or crossing your legs. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Mum’s the word the next time you have your blood pressure checked.


Talking while the cuff is on can boost your blood pressure reading. So can a full bladder or crossing your legs, the American Heart Association says.


“These simple things can make a difference in whether or not a person is classified as having high blood pressure that requires treatment,” said Dr. Michael Hochman, a member of the heart association’s blood pressure task force. He’s also an associate professor of clinical medicine at the University of Southern California.


“Knowing how to measure blood pressure accurately at home, and recognizing mistakes in the physician’s office, can help you manage your pressure and avoid unnecessary medication changes,” Hochman said in a heart association news release.

Here, the heart association outlines seven common culprits that can alter your blood pressure reading.

  • Having a full bladder can add 10 to 15 points to a blood pressure reading. Always try to use the bathroom before getting a reading.
  • Poor support for your feet or back while seated can raise your blood pressure reading by 6 to 10 points. You should sit in a chair with your back supported and feet flat on the floor or a footstool.
  • Crossing your legs can add 2 to 8 points to your reading.
  • If your arm hangs by your side or you must hold it up while getting a reading, your blood pressure numbers may be 10 points higher than the actual figure. Your arm should be on a chair or counter so that the blood pressure cuff is level with your heart.
  • Having the cuff placed over clothing can add 5 to 50 points to your reading. The cuff should be on a bare arm.
  • A too-small cuff can add 2 to 10 points to a reading.
  • Talking can add 10 points to your reading. Remain still and silent while your blood pressure is taken.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



Manage your caffeine craze

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If your tensions already run high, you may want to skip that extra cup of brew. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


If you struggle with anxiety, you might want to skip that second cup of coffee, new research suggests.


For some people, caffeine may help with concentration and provide an energy boost, but it can cause problems for those with general anxiety disorder, said Dr. Julie Radico, a clinical psychologist with Penn State Health.


“Caffeine is not the enemy,” she said in a university news release. “But I encourage people to know healthy limits and consume it strategically because it is activating and can mimic or exacerbate the symptoms of anxiety.”


Low doses of caffeine are in the range of 50 to 200 milligrams. Consuming more than 400 milligrams at once may lead to feeling overstimulated and anxious and bring on symptoms such as racing heart, nausea or abdominal pain.


Anxiety is a common problem, but many patients and their doctors don’t think about caffeine as a potential contributing factor, said Dr. Matthew Silvis, vice chair of clinical operations in the division of family medicine at Penn State Health.


“We want people to consider whether there may be a connection between their caffeine consumption and anxiety,” he said.


As well as being a potential problem for people with anxiety, caffeine can interact negatively with medications for seizure disorders, liver disease, chronic kidney disease, certain heart conditions or thyroid disease, Silvis noted.


“Medical disorders that a patient may already have can become more difficult to control,” he said.


In terms of amounts of caffeine, an average cup of home-brewed coffee has about 100 milligrams, compared with 250 milligrams in a tall Starbucks coffee and as much as 400 milligrams in energy drinks.


A can of Mountain Dew has 55 milligrams while a can of Coca-Cola has 35 milligrams.


Many vitamin and sports or nutritional supplements also contain caffeine, but many people don’t think to check the labels of those products, Silvis added.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



Sweet tooth? It grows from the get-go

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In studies, about 98% of toddlers had added sugar in their daily diet. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Bad eating habits begin at a young age in American children, a new study finds.


Researchers analyzed data from more than 1,200 babies (aged 6 to 11 months) and toddlers (12 to 23 months) between 2011 and 2016.


They found that 61% of babies and 98% of toddlers consumed added sugars in their typical daily diet, mainly in flavored yogurt and fruit drinks.


Infants consumed about 1 teaspoon of added sugars daily (about 2% of their daily calorie intake) and toddlers consumed about 6 teaspoons (about 8% of their daily calories).


The main sources of added sugar for infants were yogurt, snacks and sweet bakery products. For toddlers, the top sources were fruit drinks, sweet baked products and candy.


Asian toddlers consumed the fewest added sugars (3.7 teaspoons) and blacks the most (8.2 teaspoons).


The study was published online recently in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.


“This has important public health implications since previous research has shown that eating patterns established early in life shape later eating patterns,” lead investigator Kirsten Herrick said in a journal news release. She’s a researcher with the Division of Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


The findings did bring some good news: The percentage of babies and toddlers whose daily diets include added sugars declined, as did the amounts they consumed.


But consumption of added sugars remains high among young children.


Herrick noted that a previous study found that 6-year-olds who had consumed any sugar-sweetened drink before their first birthday were more than twice as likely to drink such beverages every day than those who had not.


“Previous research into the diets of children over 2 years old associated sugar consumption with the development of cavities, asthma, obesity, elevated blood pressure and altered lipid profiles,” Herrick said.


Only one U.S. health organization—the American Heart Association—offers guidelines on sugar consumption for children under age 2, researchers noted.


“Our study’s findings about infant and toddler diets should raise awareness among health organizations and practitioners and inform future guidelines and recommendations,” Herrick said.


She advised parents to be cautious about added sugars in the foods they give babies when weaning them.


Parents should talk to a health care provider about which solid foods to introduce, and check the nutrition information on food labels.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




Study links bullying, mental health

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Mental health issues may play a role in driving bullying, researchers have found. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Bullied teens are more likely to develop mental health problems—and people with mental health problems are also more likely to become bullies, researchers report.


Even though many studies have shown that being bullied can leave mental scars, “no studies to date” have tested the notion that mental health issues might also help drive bullying, explained study author Marine Azevedo Da Silva. She’s a postdoctoral researcher in Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, in New York City.


For the study, the researchers analyzed data from 13,200 U.S. youth, aged 12 to 17, and found that:

  • 79% said they’d never bullied others
  • 11% said they’d bullied others over a year ago
  • 10% said they’d bullied others in the past year
  • 16% said they’d bullied others over a month ago
  • 5% said they’d bullied others in the past month

Youth who said they’d been bullies were more likely to have a moderate to high rate of mental health problems than those who said they hadn’t bullied others.


The study also found that teens with moderate to high rates of mental health problems were more likely to bully others, compared to those without such issues.


In other words, the link between mental health issues and bullying “is likely to be bidirectional,” Azevedo Da Silva said in a school news release.


According to study senior author Dr. Silvia Martins, the findings suggest that efforts to stem bullying “should consider how to take into account and handle negative feelings and mental health problems” of young perpetrators.


Martins directs the Substance Abuse Epidemiology Unit at Mailman.


It’s estimated that between 18% and 31% of U.S. youth are involved in bullying, the researchers noted.


The study was published recently in the Journal of Adolescent Health.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




Dear Santa: Spare me the stress

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Finances are often a source of misery at the holidays. To save money, try giving one meaningful gift to someone, rather than a barrage of soon-forgotten items. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Stress abounds during the holiday season, but you can ease it, an expert says.


The way to manage stress is to recognize it and take steps to minimize it so it doesn’t overwhelm you, according to Cinnamon Stetler, an associate professor of psychology at Furman University, in Greenville, S.C.


One way to ease holiday stress is to avoid unrealistic expectations, such as believing the holidays will change people and family relationships.


“If your stress stems from other people’s actions, that’s largely out of your control. What you can do is limit your exposure,” Stetler said in a university news release.


Don’t obsess about family holiday traditions.


“Reflect on why that tradition is so important to you and what about it carries the meaning. See if there’s a way to adapt the tradition while still maintaining the important pieces of it,” Stetler said. “While it is good to maintain traditions, they can cause extra stress if you feel you have to do it the same way no matter what.”


Change your approach to gift-giving, which can cause financial worries.


For example, instead of buying a person several gifts, choose just one or two that will be especially meaningful.


And remember that material things provide only short-term happiness, while doing things for others and appreciating what you have can bring lasting happiness.


Take care of yourself during the holidays.


Get plenty of sleep, watch your diet, exercise regularly and find some time for yourself each day.


“Try to maintain as much of your normal routine as you can. You can treat yourself and indulge in small ways. The holidays are not the time to make big changes,” Stetler said. “Try to get a little bit of physical activity in, even if it’s a 10-minute walk around the neighborhood.”


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




The first step in every recipe

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Wash hands for about 20 seconds before and after handling food. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Following the recipe for food safety is a must anytime you’re in the kitchen—and it starts with clean hands, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says.


“Always wash your hands with soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food,” spokeswoman Isabel Maples advised in an academy news release. “Don’t forget to wash your hands after handling raw meat and poultry to avoid spreading germs through the juices.”


Wash fruits and vegetables, but don’t wash meat and poultry before cooking. Doing so could spread harmful bacteria to your sink and surrounding kitchen areas, she explained.


“Clean your countertops with hot, soapy water. Use paper towels or disinfectant wipes, instead of washcloths or sponges, which can harbor bacteria,” Maples said.


Take apart small appliances—such as can openers and blenders—to clean them, then air dry completely before storing, she recommended.


“Clean your refrigerator every few weeks to rid it of potentially dangerous residue from raw foods. Rid your refrigerator of leftovers after four days. When in doubt, throw it out,” Maples said.


Use a food thermometer when cooking meat—it’s the only real way to know if it’s done, she suggested.


“Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, without it touching the bones or the bottom of the pan, to avoid getting a false reading. Then clean your thermometer with hot, soapy water after each use,” Maples said.


Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold and refrigerate perishable foods within two hours, or within one hour during warmer weather.


Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator, in cold water or in the microwave—not on the counter. Pathogens multiply fast when foods are in the “danger” zone between 40 degrees and 140 degrees.


“Store foods in the correct area of the refrigerator,” Maples said. “To minimize the risk of raw juices dripping into other foods, put cooked and ready-to-eat foods at the top and raw meats and poultry at the bottom. Plus, place raw meats in a container to catch any drips.”


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Stuck on cubicle mode? Walk it off

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Long bouts of sitting at a desk can lead to greater risk of health problems, including heart disease. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Take a stand for a longer life.


Researchers say even a few extra minutes off the sofa each day can add years to your life span.


“If you have a job or lifestyle that involves a lot of sitting, you can lower your risk of early death by moving more often, for as long as you want and as your ability allows—whether that means taking an hour-long high-intensity spin class or choosing lower-intensity activities, like walking,” said study lead author Keith Diaz.


He’s assistant professor of behavioral medicine at Columbia University in New York City.


The new study involved nearly 8,000 American adults, aged 45 and older. Each wore physical activity monitors for at least four days as part of research conducted between 2009 and 2013. The investigators then tracked deaths among the participants until 2017.


The results: People who replaced just 30 minutes of sitting per day with low-intensity physical activity lowered their risk of an early death by 17 percent, according to the recent study published online in the American Journal of Epidemiology.


More intense exercise reaped even bigger rewards, the researchers said.


For example, swapping a half-hour per day of sitting for moderate-to-vigorous exercise cut the risk of early death by 35 percent.


And even just a minute or two of added physical activity was beneficial, the findings showed.


“Physical activity of any intensity provides health benefits,” Diaz said in a university news release.


His team pointed to a recent study that found that one in every four U.S. adults sit for eight-plus hours per day.


Two experts in heart health believe that level of inactivity can be a killer.


“Exercise, at any risk level for cardiovascular disease, is shown to improve not only how long one lives, but also lowers the risk of heart attacks and strokes,” said Dr. Satjit Bhusri, a cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.


And heart specialist Dr. Guy Mintz said there are many ways Americans can change their slothful ways. He directs cardiovascular health at Northwell Health’s Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y.


The American Heart Association currently recommends “moderate aerobic activity for 150 minutes per week or vigorous aerobic activity for 75 minutes per week,” Mintz said.


“Some American companies, like Google, are taking note of the importance of exercise and the deleterious consequences of a sedentary existence, including increases in obesity, diabetes and heart disease,” Mintz added. “Employees are encouraged to get up from their desks and exercise—whether that is in the form of stretching, ping pong, walking, jumping jacks, treadmill or stationary bicycle.”


He believes other companies could follow that example.


“Employers with tight work schedules should carve out mandatory time daily for their staff to exercise and make it fun,” Mintz said. “Both the employer and employee benefit. Companies also win with higher productivity, less sick days, lower health costs and improved morale.”


For his part, Diaz said future research will “look at the risk of specific cardiovascular outcomes, such as heart attack, heart failure and cardiovascular-related deaths, associated with physical activity versus sedentary behavior.”


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


Got a pooch with a sweet tooth?

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Xylitol, an artificial sweetener found in some ice cream and a host of other products, can cause your dog to have problems with blood sugar levels. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


The sugar substitute xylitol may help you lose weight, but it can be deadly for your dog, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.


Xylitol is present in many human foods and other products. The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine has received a number of reports over the past several years of dogs being poisoned by xylitol.


The most recently reported case involved sugar-free ice cream, said FDA veterinarian Dr. Martine Hartogensis.


Other products that may contain xylitol include sugar-free chewing gum, breath mints, baked goods, some peanut and nut butters, sugar-free desserts, cough syrup, children’s and adult chewable vitamins, mouthwash, toothpaste, over-the-counter medicines and dietary supplements.


When dogs eat something containing xylitol, the sweetener is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and can trigger a surge of insulin from the pancreas.


This could lead to a rapid, severe drop in blood sugar levels that can be life-threatening, according to the FDA.


Symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs include vomiting, decreased activity, weakness, staggering, lack of coordination, collapse and seizures.


If you think your dog has eaten xylitol, take it to a veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital immediately, Hartogensis advised.


There are a number of things you can do to reduce the risk that your dog will consume xylitol.


“Check the label for xylitol in the ingredients of products, especially ones that advertise as sugar-free or low sugar. If a product does contain xylitol, make sure your pet can’t get to it,” Hartogensis said in an FDA news release.


Keep products that contain xylitol—including non-food products such as toothpaste—where your dog can’t get them.


Only use pet toothpaste for pets, never human toothpaste.


If you give your dog nut butter as a treat or to give your dog pills, check the label first to make sure it doesn’t contain xylitol.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



Avoid suitcase strain this holiday season

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In 2017, more than 85,000 people were treated in U.S. emergency rooms, doctors’ offices and clinics for injuries related to luggage. Know your limits before you pack that suitcase. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


With holiday travel comes the risk of injury from toting heavy luggage.


In 2017, more than 85,000 people were treated in U.S. emergency rooms, doctors’ offices and clinics for injuries related to luggage, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.


“Hurting your neck, back, or shoulders can put you out of commission for a long time,” Dr. Charla Fischer, an American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons spokesperson and orthopedic spine surgeon, said in an academy news release.


“You can prevent that by packing lightly, using sturdy luggage with wheels and handles, and using good form when carrying or lifting bags,” she suggested.


Here are some luggage safety tips, courtesy of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.


Don’t buy luggage that’s too heavy or bulky when empty. Try to place items in a few smaller bags instead of one large one. When lifting luggage, stand alongside it and bend at the knees, lifting the luggage with your leg muscles. Once lifted, hold luggage close to your body.


Don’t twist when lifting and carrying luggage. Point your toes in the direction you’re going and turn your entire body in that direction. Don’t carry bulky luggage for long periods of time. When possible, use the airline’s baggage service when you have heavy luggage.


Carry luggage in both hands, rather than one hand off to the side. This can decrease stress to the spine and reduce the risk of developing elbow problems.


Carry, don’t drag, rolling luggage when climbing stairs.


If you’re using a backpack, it should have two padded and adjustable shoulder straps to equally balance the weight. Pack heavier items low and towards the center.


When using a duffel or shoulder bag, switch sides often.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


Get primed for your blood test

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Your blood test will go much smoother if you remember to drink plenty of water beforehand. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


A blood test may seem like a simple thing, but it can do so much.


It can diagnose disease, reveal how well your organs work and whether a course of treatment is effective or not, experts say.


Some blood tests require patients to fast before the blood is drawn. It’s crucial that you avoid eating before such tests, which require blood that is clear of nutrients, such as fats and sugars.


Glucose and lipid testing are the most common types of fasting blood tests, said Carole Andrews of Penn State Health in Hershey, Pa., where she’s a supervisor in the department of pathology and laboratory medicine.


“The amount of fats and glucose (sugars) will increase in the blood if a person has recently eaten,” Andrews explained in a Penn State news release. “This will affect the results of these specific tests.”


You may also wonder why technicians take so many blood samples.


Vials used to collect samples may contain additives that keep blood from clotting before the lab can test it. Tubes are color-coded according to the type of test. For example, a purple-colored vial is used for a blood count and a green-colored vial may be used for a chemistry profile, Andrews said.


How much blood is collected depends on the number and type of tests ordered by your doctor.


And there’s no need for concern if multiple vials of blood are taken. Most people have between 4,500 to 5,700 milliliters of blood.


“Even if you had 10 tubes of blood taken, that’s less than 60 milliliters,” Andrews said. “It’s not going to make an impact because your body is designed to replace what is lost.”


You can make the process easier by drinking plenty of fluids beforehand, she suggested. This will make it easier for the technician to poke into a vein.


“Also, it is easier if the patient is relaxed and comes in with a good attitude,” Andrews said. “If they tense up too much, it can make the venipuncture difficult.”


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



Mind your aging eyes

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Quitting smoking is just one step you can take to lower your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is an incurable eye disease that affects millions of older Americans, but there are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk, a vision expert says.


AMD causes blurred central vision due to damage to the macula—a small area at the back of the eye—and it is most common after age 60, according to the U.S. National Eye Institute.


AMD is also more common in women and whites. At-risk patients should get regular eye exams, advised Dr. Julie Rosenthal, a retina specialist.


She said there are a number of things people can do to help slow or possibly prevent AMD. If you smoke, try to quit. Smoking may double the risk of AMD.


Find out if you have a family history of the disease.


People with a first-degree relative with AMD have a much greater risk of developing it. If you have a family history of the disease, watch for potential symptoms such as difficulty recognizing faces, struggling to adapt to low light and seeing straight lines that appear wavy.


Eat lots of spinach, kale, Swiss chard and other leafy greens, which are high in antioxidant vitamins that help protect against cellular damage from free radicals, which can contribute to eye disease, according to Rosenthal.


If you have a poor diet, consider taking multivitamins. People at risk of advanced AMD should ask their doctor about a specialized blend of supplements called AREDS. This is “not a treatment or cure but can decrease your risk of getting the more severe forms of AMD,” Rosenthal said in a university news release.


When outside, wear sunglasses that provide protection from UV and blue light that can cause retinal damage. Sunglasses with a “UV 400” label are recommended by the American Macular Degeneration Foundation.


Maintain healthy blood pressure and weight. Poor blood circulation due to high blood pressure can restrict blood flow to the eyes, thus contributing to AMD. Losing weight is a proven way to lower blood pressure.


Use a tool called an Amsler grid to check for vision problems related to macular damage.


When staring at the grid, if you notice that the central part of your vision in one eye has become darker or the grid lines are wavy, call your doctor, Rosenthal said. Keep the grid in a place that reminds you to use it daily.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


Tobacco’s latest casualty: Vision

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As if there aren’t enough ailments associated with smoking, we can now add vision damage to the list. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


If life looks gray and cloudy when you smoke, you might not be imagining it.


Heavy smoking may actually damage color and contrast vision, researchers report.


They looked at 71 healthy people who smoked fewer than 15 cigarettes in their lives and 63 people who smoked more than 20 cigarettes a day. The participants were aged 25 to 45 and had normal or corrected-to-normal vision.


But the heavy smokers showed significant changes in their red-green and blue-yellow color vision and also had greater difficulty discriminating contrasts and colors than nonsmokers.


“Our results indicate that excessive use of cigarettes, or chronic exposure to their compounds, affects visual discrimination, supporting the existence of overall deficits in visual processing with tobacco addiction,” said co-author Steven Silverstein, director of research at Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.


“Cigarette smoke consists of numerous compounds that are harmful to health and it has been linked to a reduction in the thickness of layers in the brain, and to brain lesions, involving areas such as … the area of the brain that processes vision,” he added in a university news release.


He also noted, “Previous studies have pointed to long-term smoking as doubling the risk for age-related macular degeneration and as a factor causing lens yellowing and inflammation.”


Nicotine and smoking harm the body’s circulatory system. These findings indicate they also damage blood vessels and neurons in the retina, according to Silverstein.


He said the results also suggest that research into vision problems in other groups of people, such as those with schizophrenia who often smoke heavily, should take into account their smoking rate.


About 34 million adults in the United States smoke cigarettes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and more than 16 million have a smoking-related disease, many of which affect the cardiovascular system.


The study was published recently in the journal Psychiatry Research.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Ready for the male pill?

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Early studies of an experimental contraceptive have shown it can safely reduce hormones that are key to sperm production. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


A male contraceptive pill, long a goal of men—and women—everywhere, may be one step closer to reality, U.S. researchers report.


They say their experimental pill appears to be safe while reducing levels of hormones key to sperm production.


“Our results suggest that this pill, which combines two hormonal activities in one, will decrease sperm production while preserving libido,” said study co-senior investigator Dr. Christina Wang. She’s professor of medicine at Los Angeles Biomed Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, Calif.


But no one should hold their breath while waiting for the pill to reach the market: “Safe, reversible hormonal male contraception should be available in about 10 years,” Wang said in a news release from the Endocrine Society.


Her team presented the findings at the society’s annual meeting in New Orleans.


The study “shows promise for a future reversible male contraceptive,” agreed Dr. Tomer Singer, who directs reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. He wasn’t involved in the new research and stressed that “more studies, including prospective randomized trials, are needed in order to confirm these initial findings.”


The new research involved 40 healthy men who received either a placebo or the experimental birth control pill, which is for now called 11-beta-MNTDC.


As Wang’s group explained, the pill is a modified form of testosterone that delivers the combined actions of both a male hormone and a female hormone (progesterone).


The men took the placebo or drug once a day for 28 days.


Among the men who took the birth control pill, average circulating testosterone levels dropped as low as that which occurs in a state of androgen (male hormone) deficiency.


However, the men did not experience any severe side effects, such as major loss of libido, as can occur in a typical state of androgen deficiency.


Any side effects that did occur were few and mild and included fatigue, acne or headache, Wang’s group reported.


Five of the men who took the birth control pill reported slight declines in their sex drive, while two reported mild erectile dysfunction. However, none of this affected their sexual activity, which did not decrease. None of the men stopped taking the drug because of side effects, and they all passed safety tests.


In men who took the birth control pill, levels of two hormones required for sperm production dropped greatly compared to those who took the placebo. And the drug’s effects were reversible after the men stopped taking the pill.


Wang stressed that the drug would take at least three 60- to 90-day regimens to begin to affect sperm production, so the 28 days of treatment in the study was too short to achieve maximum sperm suppression.


However, her team plans longer studies and—if they show that the drug is effective—the next phases will be larger studies.


Finally, the pill would be tested in sexually active couples, Wang said.


Singer agreed that longer trials are key to knowing if this pill will be successful.


“We know that in order to produce a healthy sperm—which has a life cycle for approximately 3 months—there has to be secretion of both FSH and LH, which are two hormones secreted by the pituitary gland,” he explained. Those two hormones “act on the testicular cells to produce sperm in one (type of cell) and secrete testosterone in the other,” Singer added.


However, “the main challenge is that suppressing the hormones—testosterone, LH and FSH—by taking hormonal treatment may result in a decease in libido, erection and ejaculation,” Singer said. This early, phase 1 clinical trial shows promise, he said, but only larger, longer trials will prove if 11-beta-MNTDC is both safe and effective.


Because the findings were presented at a media meeting, they should also be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


The indiscriminate snore

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Researchers suspect there may be a social stigma with snoring among women, leading some to withhold information about their snoring habits. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


New research shows that snoring is not the sole domain of men.


“We found that although no difference in snoring intensity was found between genders, women tend to underreport the fact that they snore and to underestimate the loudness of their snoring,” said lead investigator Dr. Nimrod Maimon. He is head of internal medicine at Soroka University Medical Center in Be’er Sheva, Israel.


“Women reported snoring less often and described it as milder,” Maimon said in a news release from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.


The study included more than 1,900 people, average age 49, who were referred to a sleep disorders center.


Snoring was found in 88% of the women, but only 72% reported that they snore. Both rates were about 93% in men in the study group.


Among people who snored, the average maximum loudness was 50 decibels among women and 51.7 decibels among men. While 49% of the women had severe or very severe snoring, only 40% rated their snoring at this level, the researchers found.


The study authors noted that there is a social stigma associated with snoring among women, so women may not be truthful when asked about snoring. More troubling, this may contribute to the underdiagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in women.


Snoring is a common warning sign for obstructive sleep apnea, in which the upper airway repeatedly collapses during sleep. Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and other health issues.


“The fact that women reported snoring less often and described it as milder may be one of the barriers preventing women from reaching sleep clinics for a sleep study,” Maimon said.


When screening women for obstructive sleep apnea, health care providers should consider other factors in addition to self-reported snoring, he suggested.


For example, women with sleep apnea may be more likely than men to report other symptoms, such as daytime fatigue or tiredness.


The study was published online recently in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


Dim the lights to help your child fall asleep

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Reading bedtime stories in a brightly lit room can make it difficult for a child to fall asleep. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Exposure to bright light in the hour before bedtime can make it difficult for kids to fall asleep, family health experts warn.


As day changes to night, the body increases production of a sleep-inducing hormone called melatonin. But exposure to artificial light from light bulbs or electronic devices can disrupt melatonin production, according to a news release from the Family Institute at Northwestern University in Chicago.


Recent research into the effects of light on preschool-age children found that youngsters are particularly sensitive to light exposure in the hour prior to bedtime.


“According to some researchers, evening light exposure, with its melatonin-suppressing effect, may increase the likelihood of sleep disturbances in preschool-age children,” the institute explained.


Reading bedtime stories in a brightly lit room can make it difficult for a child to fall asleep, the organization pointed out. And kids who walk into a brightly lit area to get a drink of water or tell their parents they heard a strange noise may also have trouble getting back to sleep.


Parents can help induce sleep by dimming lights in the child’s room and any areas they might walk into if they wake up, the institute suggested.


In addition, mobile electronic devices are a significant source of light exposure. As many as 90 percent of preschool-age youngsters use such devices, often during the hour before bedtime.


Research shows that melatonin remains suppressed for nearly an hour after the lights go off. The investigators suggested making the hour before their child’s bedtime a device-free period, or having the brightness on their handheld electronics set to the lowest level.


The study, by Lameese Akacem and colleagues at the University of Colorado, Boulder, was published online recently in Physiological Reports.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Why seniors struggle with eating

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Dysphagia has serious consequences for health and quality of life. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


If you have developed swallowing problems as you age, a new study may explain why.


A loss of muscle mass and function in the throat helps explain why 15 percent of seniors have difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), researchers have found.


“Dysphagia has serious consequences for health and quality of life,” said study author Sonja Molfenter. She is an assistant professor of communicative sciences and disorders at New York University in New York City.

“This research establishes the need for exercise programs for older adults that target throat muscles, just like those that target the muscles of the arms, legs and other parts of the human body,” Molfenter said in a university news release.


Swallowing problems can also lead to health issues such as malnutrition, dehydration and pneumonia from food and drink that end up in the lungs instead of going down the throat.


Research has also shown that when patients with dysphagia are admitted to the hospital, they’re in the hospital an average of 40 percent longer than those without dysphagia. That adds up to an estimated cost of $547 million a year, the study authors said.


Dysphagia in older adults is concerning as the proportion of seniors in the United States is expected to top 20 percent by 2030, the researchers noted.


The findings were published in the journal Dysphagia.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

For elderly, UTI poses serious risk

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Researchers in one recent study said doctors should consider quickly prescribing antibiotics to older adults who develop UTIs, given the increased risk of sepsis and death. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


For older adults with a urinary tract infection, antibiotic treatment should begin immediately to prevent serious complications, a new British study finds.


Delaying or withholding antibiotics in this age group can increase the risk of bloodstream infection (sepsis) and death, researchers reported recently in the BMJ.


The findings suggest that doctors should “consider early prescription of antibiotics for this vulnerable group of older adults, in view of their increased susceptibility to sepsis following UTI and despite a growing pressure to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use,” Paul Aylin and colleagues said in a journal news release. Aylin is a professor of epidemiology and public health at Imperial College London.


UTI is the most common bacterial infection in older patients. But concerns about antibiotic resistance have led to reductions in antibiotic use in England, the study authors noted.


For the study, the researchers analyzed data on more than 300,000 urinary tract infections among more than 150,000 patients aged 65 and older, between 2007 and 2015.


Of those patients, 87 percent were prescribed antibiotics on the day of diagnosis, 6 percent received a prescription within seven days and 7 percent did not take antibiotics, according to the report.


The patients were tracked for 60 days after their diagnosis. After accounting for other factors, the investigators found that sepsis and death rates were much higher among patients with no antibiotics or delayed prescriptions, compared with those who received immediate prescriptions.


On average, for every 37 patients not given antibiotics and for every 51 patients with delayed antibiotic treatment, one case of sepsis would occur that would not have occurred with immediate antibiotic treatment, the study authors said.


However, because this was an observational study, it cannot prove cause and effect.


The researchers also found that hospital admission rates were 27 percent among patients with no and delayed prescriptions, compared with 15 percent among those with immediate prescriptions.


Older men, especially those over 85, and those living in poorer areas had the highest risk of problems from no prescriptions or treatment delays, the findings showed.


Writing in an accompanying journal editorial, Alastair Hay, of the University of Bristol in England, suggested that further research is needed “to establish whether treatment should be initiated with a broad- or a narrow-spectrum antibiotic, and to identify those in whom delaying treatment (while awaiting test results) is safe.”


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


Safe travels for troubled tickers

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Know where to seek medical help quickly on vacation. Immediate care is especially critical in the event of a heart problem. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Headed out on vacation? Beware of heart attack: It’s the leading cause of natural death among travelers.


If you have heart attack symptoms on the road, getting immediate medical care can improve your odds of long-term survival, according to a study presented Saturday at a meeting of the European Society of Cardiology, in Malaga, Spain.


“If you are traveling and experience heart attack symptoms—such as pain in the chest, throat, neck, back, stomach or shoulders—that lasts for more than 15 minutes, call an ambulance without delay,” study author Dr. Ryota Nishio said in a society news release.


“Our study shows that long-term outcomes after a heart attack while traveling can be good if you get prompt treatment,” added Nishio, who works in the cardiology department at Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital in Izunokuni, Japan.


For the study, the researchers examined data on more than 2,500 patients who had a heart attack and rapid treatment with a stent (percutaneous coronary intervention) between 1999 and 2015 at the hospital. It’s located on the Izu Peninsula, a popular tourist destination near Mount Fuji, and a regional center for percutaneous coronary intervention.


Patients who were traveling tended to be younger than other patients and had a higher prevalence of heart attacks due to a blockage in a major artery to the heart, the investigators found.


The researchers followed the patients for up to 16 years, comparing death rates among different groups. The median follow-up period was 5.3 years—meaning half were tracked longer, half for less time.


During the follow-up period, local patients had a much higher rate of death from all causes (25 percent) than travelers (17 percent), mainly due to cancer. But the two groups had similar rates of death from heart-related causes.


“It is important that, when you are over the immediate emergency phase, and return home, you see your doctor to find out how you can reduce your risk of a second event by improving your lifestyle and potentially taking preventive medication,” Nishio said.


Research presented at meetings should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


Sleep deprivation may play role in loneliness

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Nearly half of Americans feel lonely or left out—increasing the risk of early death by more than 45 percent, and doubling the risk of obesity. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Sleep problems can play havoc with your social life, a new study suggests.


A series of experiments revealed sleep-deprived people feel lonelier and less eager to engage with others. That, in turn, makes others less likely to want to socialize with the sleep-deprived, researchers said.


The researchers also found that well-rested people feel lonely after spending just a short time with a sleep-deprived person, which suggests that social isolation caused by sleep problems may be contagious, according to the investigators at the University of California, Berkeley.


These findings are the first to show a two-way link between poor sleep and social isolation, offering new insight into what the researchers called a global loneliness epidemic.


“We humans are a social species. Yet sleep deprivation can turn us into social lepers,” study senior author Matthew Walker said in a university news release. He is a professor of neuroscience and psychology.


Brain scans of sleep-deprived people watching videos of strangers walking toward them showed heightened activity in networks typically activated when people feel their personal space is being invaded, the researchers found.


Sleep deprivation also reduced activity in brain regions that normally encourage social engagement, the findings showed.


“The less sleep you get, the less you want to socially interact. In turn, other people perceive you as more socially repulsive, further increasing the grave social-isolation impact of sleep loss,” Walker explained.


“That vicious cycle may be a significant contributing factor to the public health crisis that is loneliness,” he added.


Surveys suggest that nearly half of Americans feel lonely or left out. And loneliness increases the risk of early death by more than 45 percent, double the risk associated with obesity, research shows.


According to study lead author Eti Ben-Simon, “It’s perhaps no coincidence that the past few decades have seen a marked increase in loneliness and an equally dramatic decrease in sleep duration.” She is a postdoctoral fellow in Walker’s Center for Human Sleep Science.


“Without sufficient sleep, we become a social turn-off, and loneliness soon kicks in,” Ben-Simon said.


The study did offer a reason for optimism: A good night’s sleep makes a rapid difference.


Walker said that “just one night of good sleep makes you feel more outgoing and socially confident, and furthermore, will attract others to you.”


The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.