Health And Beauty Special Times: July 2012

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Determining Heart Attack Risk

Have you ever had an EKG? It's an electrocardiogram... designed to assess your heart function.

Back in 2004, The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advised against this screening test for adults at low risk of coronary heart disease. Now, eight years later, they're reiterating their position.

Using current evidence, the group still believes there's little benefit for using resting or exercise ECG's to predict heart attack risk. While an EKG can detect abnormalities that are associated with an increased risk of a serious heart attack, the task force believes screening asymptomatic, low-risk adults is unlikely to result in changes in risk or offer enough advance warning to make lifestyle changes. In these cases, the belief is that it may, in fact, lead to unnecessary invasive procedures.

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. Ask your doctor if your situation warrants advanced testing.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news that doctors are reading, health news that matter to you.

Credit

Determining Heart Attack Risk

Have you ever had an EKG? It's an electrocardiogram... designed to assess your heart function.

Back in 2004, The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advised against this screening test for adults at low risk of coronary heart disease. Now, eight years later, they're reiterating their position.

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. Ask your doctor if your situation warrants advanced testing.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news that doctors are reading, health news that matter to you.

Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

Cystic Acne - How to Deal With It?

Cystic Acne - How to Deal With It?
Even a small pimple on your face can create a sense of frustration and embarrassment. Can you imagine the level of annoyance that cystic acne can cause? Doesn't the name itself sound scary? Put in a simple term, cystic acne is actually inflamed acne. But, it is considered the most serious acne type as it is usually cleared only by prescription medications. Acne cysts are nodules of inflammation and are much rarer than other types of acne. How do they occur? What are the remedies? Let's discuss them in the following paragraphs.
Source: EzineArticles.com

Monday, July 30, 2012

Child Abuse Alert

When most people think of child abuse, they think "physical." But the American Academy of Pediatrics is shining a light on psychological abuse in the new edition of the journal Pediatrics.

This kind of emotional abuse can come in the form of yelling, belittling, terrorizing, or isolating behavior from parents or caregivers. According to the Academy, research continues to show that even if the abuse is unintentional, it can result in issues from developmental to academic and social problems in children, potentially scarring them for life.

Psychological maltreatment is one of the most common forms of child abuse, but also one of the most difficult to identify and prevent. This new report urges pediatricians to be alert to possible cases for the child's safety and to identify treatment options for parents and support families at risk.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news that doctors are reading, health news that matters to you.

Source

Friday, July 27, 2012

For Parents Facing a Difficult Diagnosis, Social Networks Can Give A Different Picture Than Doctors

Trisomy 13 and 18 (T13-18) are conditions caused by chromosomal defects.

According to a study in the August 2012 issue of Pediatrics, “The Experience of Families With Children With Trisomy 13 and 18 in Social Networks,” published online July 23, parents’ experience of having a child with Trisomy 13 or 18 can differ profoundly from the conventional view within the medical community.

Most (90 percent) of the children with these conditions will die before their first birthday (in many cases, shortly after birth) and survivors have significant disabilities. Infants born with these conditions traditionally are treated with palliative (comfort) care. The authors surveyed parents of children with T13-18 who belong to online support groups to describe their experiences and perspectives. A total of 332 parents answered questions about their 272 children. Parents reported being told by providers at the time of diagnosis that their child was incompatible with life (87 percent), would live a life of suffering (57 percent), would be a vegetable (50 percent) or would ruin their family or marriage (23 percent). However, they were also told by some providers that their child might have a short meaningful life (60 percent).

In contrast to what many were advised, almost all parents in this study reported a positive view of family life and the quality of life of their child. These parents described surviving children as happy and stated that they were able to communicate with them to understand their needs. Yet at the same time, parents acknowledged that there were significant financial sacrifices and that their children experienced more pain than other children. It appeared that interventions prolonged the life of some, but not all, of the children. Parents who join social networks are likely to gain knowledge of a wide range of choices and outcomes. The authors note that parents whose children survive for at least a year may be more likely to join T13-18 social networks.

They concluded that parents of children newly diagnosed with T13-18 who become involved with social networks may adopt views, hopes and expectations that are inconsistent with those of some of the health care providers they will encounter. Understanding this may facilitate communication and decision-making between parents and providers.

Source: www.healthychildren.org

Online Diagnosis Dangers

How many of you are guilty of having a headache, firing up the computer in search of a diagnosis, and deciding you have a brain tumor? It's more common than you think.

A new study, just published in the Journal of Consumer Research, suggests you're more apt to convince yourself you're sicker than you are... all because of what you find on the internet.

Researchers in Hong Kong compiled evidence from six different web-based experiments. Participants were asked to estimate the likelihood that they or someone else had one of several diseases based on common symptoms.

Ultimately, most people who searched for health information about themselves overestimated the likelihood of having a serious or deadly disease. The reason? They focused on their symptoms while ignoring the small chance that the symptoms actually indicated something serious.

The study however showed we're much more accurate at assessing other people's symptoms... and are less apt to over blow medical concerns in our friends. Since this web diagnosis trend continues to grow, public health officials urge you to visit a doctor when you are sick. A physician is trained to diagnose diseases of all kinds... without help from the web.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of Healthday TV, with the information you need to protect your health.

Original Source

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Choosing An Effective Adult Acne Treatment

Acne is one of the common skin complaints of adults. The dreaded acne is generally characterized by scaly red skin, whiteheads, pinheads, blackheads, pimples and large papules. It affects the face, the upper chest or the back. While acne is most common with adolescents, some adults still experience this skin problem in severe forms. Thus, they seek for an effective adult acne treatment. Read here

Surprising New Syndrome Discovered?

If you're a meat lover, listen up. A tick bite may turn your beloved steak dinner into a life-threatening emergency.

Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University analyzed three cases of delayed anaphylaxis to meat: this is a severe, life threatening allergic reaction that presents itself a few hours after a meal is eaten.

As it turns out, when you're bitten by a tick, your body produces antibodies in your blood to a specific carbohydrate that is present in red meat. The theory is when an affected person then eats meat, the immune system responds by releasing histamine which can trigger hives and anaphylaxis.

This delayed response was first spotted in the Southeast and is now being reported in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. While rare, researchers want physicians to be aware of this new syndrome and counsel these patients to avoid red meat.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthdayTV, with the news that doctors are reading, health news that matters to you.

Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

'Jugo' Chavez: Drink Juice, Not Imperialist Soft Drink

His motives may not be of pure interest in public health, but Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has insisted that citizens of his country trade sugary Coca-Cola and Pepsi for Venezuelan-made fruit juice.

According to the Associated Press, Chavez advised Venezuelans to drink Uvita as a way to increase domestic goods consumption.

"This juice is delicious," Chavez assured everyone, according to Noticias24.

The controversial but charismatic president frequently uses TV and radio as pulpits for his marathon talks, at times urging listeners to eat healthily, exercise and avoid drugs and alcohol, according to the AP.

This particular session, however, seemed to have more to do with taking on the world soft drink giants in the name of Venezuela's economy, according to Russia Today, as state-run Corpozulia produces Chavez's drink of choice.

Given Chavez's recent "miracle" recovery from cancer, perhaps there's something to his health advice.

Or maybe he's just thinking of changing his name to "Jugo" Chavez (Spanish for juice), as one Reddit user suggested.

Earlier on HuffPost:

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Men, Women and Marriage

In most marriages, communication is key to success. If different communication styles aren't respected, things can get ugly. So here's some research worth talking about!

A brand new study, published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, proves husbands and wives express love differently on a day-to-day basis. And contrary to popular belief, men may use more creative approaches than women when it comes to ensuring marital bliss! Researchers looked at data collected from 168 married couples at four different time periods over a 13-year period.

The study found that both genders were equally likely to show love through affection and warm, intimate behaviors! Women though tended to express love through compliments and kisses and by being less antagonistic and negative-- in other words, holding their tongues. Men, on the other hand, showed their love in physical ways-- by initiating sex, sharing more leisure activities with their spouses and sometimes offering to do housework together!

The researchers concluded that more than likely, the behaviors men and women use to show love, though different, are mutually reinforcing.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines with health information for your entire family.

Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

Motivational Speaker's Misfortune Spotlights Physics Of Fiery Ritual

By: Natalie Wolchover
Published: 07/24/2012 12:15 PM EDT on Lifes Little Mysteries

Twenty-one people were treated for foot burns last week after walking across hot coals at a motivational seminar in San Jose, Calif. Rather than a blow to the practice of firewalking, the injuries suggest the setup was somehow bungled, says one physicist.

At inspirational speaker Tony Robbins' event, called "Unleash the Power Within," some 6,000 attendees attempted a mass crossing of coals that ended in "wails of pain, screams of agony," said a San Jose resident who was nearby at the time, according to the San Jose Mercury News. Three firewalkers were burned so badly they had to be rushed to the hospital.

What happened, exactly? "Basically, somebody made a big mistake there," said David Willey, a physicist at the University of Pittsburgh who has conducted research on the physics of firewalking. The event organizers might have used a kind of wood charcoal that burns too hot. Alternatively, people might have started firewalking too soon after the coals were tamped down and before they had sufficient time to cool off. Or, in a crowd of 6,000 firewalkers, some stragglers might have hobbled along too slowly.

The ancient ritual of firewalking usually works without pain or burning, Willey explained, because of how briefly people's feet make contact with the coals. Coal doesn't conduct heat well, so as long as it burns no hotter than 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit (538 degrees Celsius) and you walk across it quickly enough, you should arrive safely at the finish line without so much as a blister.

Willey should know. He's done "dozens" of firewalks, and "when I looked up the written literature on firewalking, it all turned out to be of a qualitative nature. I wanted to try and put some numbers on this, and ended up working with a Norwegian scientist with a computer model of a foot to predict what combination of factors is likely to produce a safe walk," he told Life's Little Mysteries. [Smart Answers for Crazy Hypothetical Questions]

Based on his research, he advises against using olive or locust charcoal because it burns too hot, meaning it can reach very high temperatures during combustion, while charcoal from pine, spruce and other evergreens burns away to gray ash instead of smoldering as impressive-looking glowing embers. "Cherry or maple — they give you nice-looking coals and still they don't burn that hot," he said, noting that the choice temperature for firewalking coals is a cozy 900 to 1,000 degrees F (482 to 538 degrees C).

Also important: You have to pat down the coals to create a flat surface on which to walk, to prevent people's feet from digging into the pile and scooping up embers. With that in mind, perhaps after 6,000 pairs of feet had churned up the coal lanes in San Jose, the coals were no longer flat enough, and embers were scooped. "It sounded like people were being tortured," the bystander said.

Follow Natalie Wolchover on Twitter @nattyover or Life's Little Mysteries @llmysteries. We're also on Facebook & Google+.

Also on HuffPost:

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Men, Women and Marriage

In most marriages, communication is key to success. If different communication styles aren't respected, things can get ugly. So here's some research worth talking about!

The researchers concluded that more than likely, the behaviors men and women use to show love, though different, are mutually reinforcing.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines with health information for your entire family.

News Source

NIH to Test Dapivirine Vaginal Ring for HIV Prevention in Women

Embargoed for Release
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
12 p.m. EDT

Researchers will launch a large, multinational clinical trial this month to test the effectiveness and extended safety of a vaginal ring containing an experimental antiretroviral drug to prevent HIV infection in women. With a projected 3,476 participants in five countries, the MTN 020 study, otherwise known as, “A Study to Prevent Infection with a Ring for Extended Use (ASPIRE),” aims to determine whether the drug dapivirine can safely prevent HIV infection when continuously released in the vagina from a silicone ring replaced once a month. Results are expected in early 2015.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute on Child Health and Human Development, and the National Institute of Mental Health, all part of the National Institutes of Health, are funding the trial, which is sponsored by the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM).

“Developing scientifically proven forms of HIV prevention that women can control is essential,” said NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. “Because the vaginal ring is a long-acting intervention, it has a potential added benefit in that women may find it relatively easy to use.”

The ASPIRE trial will be led by protocol chair Jared Baeten, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of global health at the University of Washington in Seattle; and protocol co-chair Thesla Palanee, Ph.D., director of network trials at the Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Half of the world's HIV-infected population is female; in Africa, 60 percent of HIV- infected adults are women. Most women who acquire HIV do so through unprotected sex. Because many women cannot negotiate male condom use with their sexual partners, women need forms of HIV prevention that they can implement independently and will use regularly. The dapivirine vaginal ring was developed by IPM as a discreet, convenient, long-acting option to help meet this need.

The ASPIRE study team will enroll HIV-uninfected women ages 18 to 45 in Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The participants will be assigned at random to receive either a silicone ring containing 25 milligrams of dapivirine or a placebo silicone ring. Neither the participants nor the study team will know who receives which type of ring. Staff will instruct participants to insert a new ring every four weeks for at least 12 months.

During monthly study visits, the women will be tested for HIV and pregnancy and will receive condoms, counseling on how to reduce their risk of becoming infected with HIV and other sexually transmitted pathogens, and a new silicone ring. The investigators and an independent data and safety monitoring board will carefully review the safety and HIV status of the participants. Women who become infected with HIV during the study will be told to discontinue using the silicone ring and will be referred to local medical care and support services. The number of new HIV infections in the dapivirine and the placebo groups will be compared. The NIH-funded Microbicide Trials Network (MTN) will conduct the ASPIRE study through grant number UM1AI068633-06. IPM is providing the dapivirine silicone vaginal ring for this trial.

For additional information about the ASPIRE study, see the ASPIRE Q&A. Information about this clinical trial also is available at http://clinicaltrials.gov under the identifier NCT01617096, and on the MTN website.

NIAID conducts and supports research — at NIH, throughout the United States, and worldwide — to study the causes of infectious and immune-mediated diseases, and to develop better means of preventing, diagnosing and treating these illnesses. News releases, fact sheets and other NIAID-related materials are available on the NIAID Web site at http://www.niaid.nih.gov.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

NIH...Turning Discovery Into Health

Source: www.nih.gov

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Identify The Hair Loss Cause

Hair usually grows about half an inch per month, although this slows as you age. Each hair remains on your head for two to six years, and during most of this time is continually growing.

Alopecia or male pattern baldness is not a scalp related problem. Alopecia occurs as a result of chemical reaction between oil glands found in the hair follicle and testosterone. When testosterone (male hormone) transforms into DHT, reaction causes follicle to shrink. But there are hair loss products available on the market, which works against the production of DHT. You must buy a hair loss product, which contains ingredients like pro-vitamin B5, saw and palmetto zinc. These kinds of hair loss product are designed to keep your hair on your head.

But before you choose a hair loss remedy for you, beware of the fake hair loss solutions and hair loss cures,. It is always better to consult a doctor if you are suffering from hair loss. Hair loss can take place due to various medical conditions. It is quite possible that that your hair loss problem is not of permanent in nature and could be cured by some simple treatments.

The best way that people can go about hair loss is to know what causes it. Experts say that hair loss can either be permanent or temporary depending on the overall status of the person. Permanent hair loss or pattern hair loss is common to those people whose parents had the same thing. This is because the condition can be hereditary.

Cardiac Connection?

Joint replacement surgery is becoming quite common. More than a million Americans and nearly 2 million people worldwide have their hips or knees replaced each year.

A new report, just published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, finds some of these patients may be more prone to cardiac problems following the procedures.

Researchers looked at data from nearly 100,000 patients in the Danish National Registries and found a 25 to 31 fold increased risk for heart attack during the first two weeks of recuperation. The risk sharply declined after that time period but remained, in some measure, for six weeks after joint replacement. Patients younger than 60 didn't appear at risk, while those over 80 were especially prone to heart-related issues post-surgery.

This study confirms that the time after surgery can be terribly stressful to patients. Physicians and their patients need to keep a close watch on any heart concerns, and patients need to keep taking all prescribed medicines designed to reduce this risk.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of Healthday TV, with the news that helps to keep your family healthy.

Credit

Monday, July 23, 2012

FDA Approves Kyprolis for Some Patients with Multiple Myeloma

FDA NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 20, 2012
Media Inquiries: Erica Jefferson, 301-796-4988, erica.jefferson@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

FDA approves Kyprolis for some patients with multiple myeloma

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Kyprolis (carfilzomib) to treat patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least two prior therapies, including treatment with Velcade (bortezomib) and an immunomodulatory therapy.

A form of blood cancer that arises from plasma cells, multiple myeloma usually grows in bone marrow, the soft, spongy tissue found inside most bones. The bone marrow is where normal blood cells are produced. In 2012, an estimated 21,700 people will be diagnosed with multiple myeloma and 10,710 will die from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society.

“The approval of Kyprolis provides a treatment option to patients with multiple myeloma whose disease has progressed despite use of available therapies,” said Richard Pazdur, M.D., director of the Office of Hematology and Oncology Products in FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “We are encouraged by the continued progress in the development of drugs for multiple myeloma over the past decade, offering improved treatment of this disease.”

The safety and effectiveness of Kyprolis, which is administered directly into a patient’s vein (intravenously), was evaluated in a study of 266 patients with relapsed multiple myeloma who had received at least two prior therapies, including Velcade and Thalomid (thalidomide).

The study was designed to measure the percentage of patients who experienced complete or partial disappearance of tumor after treatment (overall response rate). The overall response rate was 23 percent. The median duration of response was 7.8 months.

The most common side effects observed in more than 30 percent of the study participants were fatigue, low blood cell count and blood platelet levels, shortness of breath, diarrhea, and fever. Serious side effects seen with Kyprolis included heart failure and shortness of breath. Patients should be monitored closely and treatment withheld if these serious side effects occur.

The drug is being approved under the FDA’s accelerated approval program, which allows the agency to approve a drug to treat a serious disease based on clinical data showing that the drug has an effect on a surrogate endpoint that is reasonably likely to predict a clinical benefit to patients. The program is designed to provide patients with earlier access to promising new drugs. The company is required to submit additional clinical information after approval to confirm the drug’s clinical benefit.

Krypolis is marketed by Onyx Pharmaceuticals of South San Francisco, Calif.

For more information:

FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.

# # #

Source: www.fda.gov

Natural Remedies for Acne - Answers Are Right Here

Natural Remedies for Acne - Answers Are Right Here
The solutions for getting rid of your acne are right here. These are the most natural way of getting rid of your acne.
Source: EzineArticles.com

Early Warning Sign?

Walking on the toes, or the ball of the foot, is fairly common when children are first starting to walk. Most kids outgrow it. But when it persists, can it be a sign of autism, motor delays or other physical problems?

Researchers in Sweden studied more than 1,400 children who were five and a half years of age. 35 of them were diagnosed with special needs. All of the parents were asked whether their child had a history of toe-walking and if he or she was still a toe-walker.

More than half of the kids who ever toe-walked spontaneously stopped the practice prior to the study. A total of 70 kids, or 4.9%, were classified as current toe-walkers at age 5 and a half. For children with a neuropsychiatric diagnosis or developmental delays, the total prevalence for toe-walking was 41-percent at their 5-and-a half year school checkup.

The study, published in Pediatrics, confirms earlier findings that toe walking is far more prevalent in children with cognitive delays. If you have concerns about your child's development, ask for a developmental assessment.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines with Healthday TV, with the news that doctors are reading, health news that matters to you.

Source

Friday, July 20, 2012

Recommended Natural Acne Treatments by Beauty Care Review Sites

Acne can be a problem to people of different age groups. Acne normally appears during teenage years, but some people continue experiencing it until their adult years. People invest in skin care products to resolve the situation. Organic acne treatment, however, can be the right alternative to skin care products. Read here

Drinking and Your Health

Is that beer, glass of wine or cocktail you enjoy good or bad for your health?

The answer, according to experts, may be both!

Recent studies have concluded that moderate alcohol consumption benefits the heart. Drinking alcohol, particularly red wine, has been linked to a reduced risk of health concerns including heart disease, stroke and dementia.

Red wine contains antioxidants and other substances that according to research help dilate the arteries and reduce inflammation in the body. A spokesperson for the American Heart Association tells Health Day TV that, Alcohol can definitely be part of a heart-healthy diet if you're drinking responsibly.

That means up to one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men. One drink is 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer or a 1.5 ounce shot of liquor.

The important thing to know more is not better. Alcohol can raise your triglyceride levels, lead to higher blood pressure and cause weight gain.

Studies have also linked excessive drinking with an increased risk for certain cancers, asthma and allergies.

Bottom line, according to the American Heart Association, alcohol is only beneficial if you drink at a low level, don't take certain medications, don't have liver disease and are not pregnant.

You can find out more by visiting the Heart Association's website.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news that doctors are reading; health news that matters to you.

News Source

Drinking and Your Health

Is that beer, glass of wine or cocktail you enjoy good or bad for your health?

The answer, according to experts, may be both!

That means up to one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men. One drink is 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer or a 1.5 ounce shot of liquor.

The important thing to know more is not better. Alcohol can raise your triglyceride levels, lead to higher blood pressure and cause weight gain.

Studies have also linked excessive drinking with an increased risk for certain cancers, asthma and allergies.

Bottom line, according to the American Heart Association, alcohol is only beneficial if you drink at a low level, don't take certain medications, don't have liver disease and are not pregnant.

You can find out more by visiting the Heart Association's website.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news that doctors are reading; health news that matters to you.

Source

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Why Cheap Natural Acne Remedies Can Work for Adult Acne

Why Cheap Natural Acne Remedies Can Work for Adult Acne
Adult acne is something difficult to deal with a lot of adults actually face this problem. There are a lot of over the counter remedies for acne along with natural remedies as well which you can explore to see what might work best. Here I will discuss some of the natural remedies and the pros and cons to the.
Source: EzineArticles.com

Treating Egg Allergy

Food allergies affect an estimated 5% of children under the age of 5 and 4% of older kids in the U.S.

Egg is a common trigger and can, like other allergens, cause severe or life-threatening reactions.

Avoiding eggs and egg products is currently the only approved treatment.

Researchers wanted to find out whether exposing children with egg allergy to small, but escalating doses of the food would desensitize them.

In a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, 55 children, ages 5 to 11, were given either egg-white powder or a placebo. Those who passed the initial phases of the food challenge were then given cooked egg. If they still had no response, they were placed on a diet that allowed egg consumption and were evaluated after 6 and 12 months.

The results:
About 28% of the kids made it to the final phase of the study and were able to eat egg successfully.
The researchers say this shows that oral immunotherapy can desensitize a high percentage of children with this allergy.

I am Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the information you need to protect your health.

Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

Treating Egg Allergy

Food allergies affect an estimated 5% of children under the age of 5 and 4% of older kids in the U.S.

Egg is a common trigger and can, like other allergens, cause severe or life-threatening reactions.

Avoiding eggs and egg products is currently the only approved treatment.

Researchers wanted to find out whether exposing children with egg allergy to small, but escalating doses of the food would desensitize them.

I am Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the information you need to protect your health.

Credit

Treating Egg Allergy

Food allergies affect an estimated 5% of children under the age of 5 and 4% of older kids in the U.S.

Egg is a common trigger and can, like other allergens, cause severe or life-threatening reactions.

Avoiding eggs and egg products is currently the only approved treatment.

Researchers wanted to find out whether exposing children with egg allergy to small, but escalating doses of the food would desensitize them.

I am Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the information you need to protect your health.

Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Treating Hepatitis C

More than 3 million Americans are chronically infected with Hepatitis C: a virus that can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer.

A good percentage of patients do not respond to traditional treatments or have other conditions that prevent their use.

In many of these cases, they turn to alternative medicines.

Milk Thistle extract is a popular botanical product that is often taken.

A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association looks at the effectiveness of the supplement. Researchers included 154 people with chronic Hepatitis C who were unsuccessfully treated with interferon therapy.

The participants received milk thistle or a placebo 3 times a day for 24 weeks. Blood tests were done to measure liver damage and response to the treatment.

The conclusion, milk thistle extract, even at higher than normal doses, did not improve liver function more than the placebo.

Hepatitis C is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease. You can find out more about preventing infection by visiting the National Institutes of Health website.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news that doctors are reading; health news that matters to you.

Original Source

Treating Hepatitis C

More than 3 million Americans are chronically infected with Hepatitis C: a virus that can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer.

A good percentage of patients do not respond to traditional treatments or have other conditions that prevent their use.

In many of these cases, they turn to alternative medicines.

Milk Thistle extract is a popular botanical product that is often taken.

The participants received milk thistle or a placebo 3 times a day for 24 weeks. Blood tests were done to measure liver damage and response to the treatment.

The conclusion, milk thistle extract, even at higher than normal doses, did not improve liver function more than the placebo.

Hepatitis C is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease. You can find out more about preventing infection by visiting the National Institutes of Health website.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news that doctors are reading; health news that matters to you.

Original Source

Roseanne Barr Tells Obama To Leave Her Weed Alone!

"The Bachelor"

"The Bachelor," ABC Status: Renewed Why: You really think we've seen the last rose handed out? Not in a million years. ABC has already tapped their next "Bachelorette," and we know they'll have their eyes peeled for a hot rejected man from that spinoff to be the next "Bachelor."

"The Bachelorette"

"The Bachelorette," ABC Status: Likely to be renewed Why: "Bachelor" Brad's also-ran Emily Maynard is getting her turn as the rose giver for the seventh season of "The Bachelorette" this summer. As long as there are people willing to look for love on reality TV, this show will keep on trucking.

"Body of Proof"

"Body of Proof," ABC Status: Renewed Why: "Body of Proof" has been falling below its timeslot competitor, CBS's "Unforgettable," but it still draws a decent audience and its fans are very vocal. ABC has decided it deserves a third season.

"Castle"

"Castle," ABC Status: Renewed Why: This show's ratings have definitely suffered without "Dancing With the Stars" airing beforehand, but it is a consistent performer. And now that Castle and Beckett's relationship is evolving, a fifth season of "oh yes they will" is a no-brainer.

"Charlie's Angels"

"Charlie's Angels," ABC Status: Canceled Why: Not really a shock for anybody, but "Charlie's Angels" is cooked. Flimsy story, bad remake, questionable casting.

"Cougar Town"

"Cougar Town," ABC Status: Renewed -- for TBS! Why: The Season 3 ratings weren't boosted much by holding this show until midseason, but ABC's wonky air schedule also didn't help ... which is why the news that TBS has picked up the show for a fourth season is huge. Cheers with your Big Carl!

"Dancing With the Stars"

"Dancing With the Stars," ABC Status: Renewed Why: "DWTS" may have lost its luster in the ratings, but if the viewers are still coming.

"Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23"

"Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23," ABC Status: Renewed Why: ABC's new bleep-worthy comedy starring Krysten Ritter, Dreama Walker and James Van Der Beek is a funny one, and definitely embraces the quirk (Beek Jeans!), so we're excited to see what they do with a second season.

"Desperate Housewives"

"Desperate Housewives," ABC Status: Canceled Why: After countless deaths, murders, betrayals and natural disasters on Wisteria Lane over the show's eight seasons, the ladies of "Desperate Housewives" will say goodbye forever this May.

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," ABC Status: Canceled Why: After a whopping nine seasons, the do-gooding show came to an end in January. But worry not, it will continue to have a few specials to make viewers cry tears of joy.

"GCB"

"GCB," ABC Status: Canceled Why: This "Desperate Housewives"-esque dramedy premiered to less than 8 million viewers, and the phenomenal cast (Kristin Chenoweth, Annie Potts, Leslie Bibb) couldn't bring in a Texas-sized audience, so ABC canceled it.

"Grey's Anatomy"

"Grey's Anatomy," ABC Status: Renewed Why: Shonda Rhimes' medical drama is a ratings juggernaut, even in its eighth season, and with most of her <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/10/greys-anatomy-ellen-pompeo_n_1506113.html?ref=tv" target="_hplink">big stars signed on for more</a>, ABC gave the go-ahead for a ninth season.

"Happy Endings"

"Happy Endings," ABC Status: Renewed Why: This show is way too "ca-yute" to bubble it, and obviously someone high up at ABC agrees. After its first season was moved around and aired all out of order, the network still gave it another chance to find its audience in Season 2 ... and it has, and hopefully will continue to in Season 3.

"Last Man Standing"

"Last Man Standing," ABC Status: Renewed Why: Ratings for Tim Allen's return to sitcoms have been very strong, making it Tuesday's most-watched comedy. If you can beat "Glee" and "The Biggest Loser," a second season is a given.

"Man Up!"

"Man Up!," ABC Status: Canceled Why: ABC pulled the show after eight episodes.

"The Middle"

"The Middle," ABC Status: Renewed Why: Now in its third season, "The Middle" is still holding onto its middle position in the ratings on Wednesday nights, and that seems just about right. It doesn't do "American Idol" or "Survivor" numbers, of course, but with over 7 million viewers, it's a strong comedy for the network that easily beats anything NBC is offering.

"Missing"

"Missing," ABC Status: Canceled Why: Ashley Judd lead this drama about a former CIA agent whose son goes missing, kicking her back into action to find him. The series was only set to air 10 episodes, miniseries-style, with the potential for more, but a cancellation means that's all they're getting.

"Modern Family"

"Modern Family," ABC Status: Renewed Why: "Modern Family" remains ABC's biggest sitcom success story of the last decade, both in ratings and awards love. This critical darling is getting a fourth season of hijinks with the hilarious Pritchett-Dunphy clan.

"Once Upon A Time"

"Once Upon A Time," ABC Status: Renewed Why: "Once Upon a Time" has gotten praise for being one of the more family-friendly dramas on TV, and it's been pulling in close to 10 million viewers each week because of it. We're excited by the almost endless possibilities for new fairy tale-inspired stories to tackle in Season 2.

"Pan Am"

"Pan Am," ABC Status: Canceled Why: Poor "Pan Am" just never quite took off. The series' vintage look actually worked against it, much like NBC's swiftly canceled "Playboy Club" -- guess when you're being compared to award-winning shows like "Mad Men," it makes it more than a little tough to live up to the hype.

"Private Practice"

"Private Practice," ABC Status: Renewed Why: "Private Practice" has never gotten "Grey's Anatomy"-level ratings, and things got shakier when ABC bumped it to Tuesday nights to make room for creator Shonda Rhimes' other new show, "Scandal," but they've given the show a sixth season order.

"Revenge"

"Revenge," ABC Status: Renewed Why: With a clever mix of drama, mystery and serious revenge-ing, this is hands down one of the most addictive new shows on TV, and we can't wait to see where they take things in Season 2.

"The River"

"The River," ABC Status: Canceled Why: The promise of "Paranormal Activity"-like scares each week quickly fizzled after this show premiered, along with the ratings. The first season's eight episodes came and went, and ABC has nixed any plans for more.

"Scandal"

"Scandal," ABC Status: Renewed Why: Shonda Rhimes' latest show isn't about doctors at all -- and that's why we're glad it's sticking around. Kerry Washington is amazing as Olivia Pope, a Washington, D.C. fixer with a crack team of specialists helping make bad headlines vanish before they're ever written. Here's hoping for more than seven episodes in its second season.

"Shark Tank"

"Shark Tank," ABC Status: Renewed Why: Now in its third season, this reality competition show is unlike any other on network TV and ABC is keeping it around for more for that very reason.

"Suburgatory"

"Suburgatory," ABC Status: Renewed Why: It's smart, quick and not too cute -- "Suburgatory" is consistently named the sitcom you should be watching, but probably aren't. The great cast makes this one a no-brainer, and the ratings have stayed pretty consistent, too. We're thrilled it's getting a second season to shine!

"Work It"

"Work It," ABC Status: Canceled Why: Let us count the ways ...

"2 Broke Girls"

"2 Broke Girls," CBS Status: Renewed Why: At first, people balked at the racist supporting characters, but now it seems that audiences are all over "2 Broke Girls" -- it's ratings have seen a steady increase, and it won the People's Choice Award for Favorite New Comedy.

"A Gifted Man"

"A Gifted Man," CBS Status: Canceled Why: "A Gifted Man's" total viewer numbers were OK for a Friday night, but a 1.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic is especially bad for CBS. Another bad sign: star Patrick Wilson tweeted about the end: "I had a great time. Thanks to my fans. So happy it's done." And done it is.

"The Amazing Race"

"The Amazing Race," CBS Status: Renewed Why: Voted the best reality show on TV several times (albeit years ago), "The Amazing Race" isn't going anywhere. Ratings have dropped a bit, but are still solid.

"The Big Bang Theory"

"The Big Bang Theory," CBS Status: Renewed Why: Nothing seems to be able to make a dent in this show. With fantastic ratings (it beat "Idol"!) and a rabid following, we'll be seeing plenty more "Big Bang" before its run is over.

"Blue Bloods"

"Blue Bloods," CBS Status: Renewed Why: The anchor of Friday nights on CBS, "Blue Bloods" has performed well, pulling in around 11 million viewers an episode. The show might not have the youngest audience, but it's still enough for CBS to keep it on the schedule.

"Criminal Minds"

"Criminal Minds," CBS Status: Renewed Why: Paget Brewster might be checking out, but "Criminal Minds" is here to stay. In Season 7, the procedural is still a consistently strong ratings performer for CBS.

"CSI"

"CSI," CBS Status: Renewed Why: Whenever the time comes, the "CSI" mothership will end with a lot of fanfare, but not this year. With new faces Ted Danson and Elisabeth Shue around, there is going to be at least one more season.

"CSI: Miami"

"CSI: Miami," CBS Status: Canceled Why: Out of the three (!) "CSI" programs on the air, "CSI: Miami" is the one to say goodbye first. The one-time ratings giant has been affected by football overruns (just as "The Good Wife" has) and "CSI: NY" has the edge in terms of total viewers, meaning a "Miami" sunset was inevitable.

"CSI: NY"

"CSI: NY," CBS Status: Renewed Why: Of the two "CSI" spinoffs, "CSI: NY" is the stronger -- pulling in more than 10 million viewers on a Friday night is no easy task -- and with "CSI: Miami" canceled, "CSI: NY's" renewal was a no-brainer.

"The Good Wife"

"The Good Wife," CBS Status: Renewed Why: This critical darling suffered after its move from Tuesdays to Sundays thanks to sports overruns. The viewers are frustrated, but given its strong cast and Emmy love, the show is still coming back for more.

"Hawaii Five-0"

"Hawaii Five-0," CBS Status: Renewed Why: Despite the scheduling setback as Alex O'Loughlin seeks treatment, Season 2 is still doing well for CBS in a very competitive timeslot.

"How To Be a Gentleman"

"How To Be A Gentleman," CBS Status: Canceled Why: Not even having "The Big Bang Theory" as a lead-in could save this David Hornsby project, which only lasted three episodes.

"How I Met Your Mother"

"How I Met Your Mother," CBS Status: Renewed Why: CBS renewed "How I Met Your Mother" for two more seasons in March 2011, so fans can look forward to being strung along about the titular mother's identity for a bit longer.

"The Mentalist"

"The Mentalist," CBS Status: Renewed Why: Although the show hit a season ratings low in the middle of February, its fanbase and overall ratings were enough to have it return for another season.

"Mike & Molly"

"Mike & Molly," CBS Status: Renewed Why: Thanks to an Emmy win and Oscar nomination, Melissa McCarthy is a Hollywood power player and CBS is keen to keep her around. Just look at the multiple pilots she has in the works as a behind the scenes player! "Mike & Molly" will be back for a third season.

"NCIS"

"NCIS," CBS Status: Renewed Why: The long-running procedural has become a ratings juggernaut at a time when most shows start shedding viewers. Season 10 is now happening.

"NCIS: Los Angeles"

"NCIS: Los Angeles," CBS Status:Renewed Why: This show has gone up in the ratings over the last couple of years, and people can't get enough of L.L. Cool J and Chris O'Donnell.

"NYC 22"

"NYC 22," CBS Status: Canceled Why: This "Rookie Blue" clone from executive producer Robert DeNiro didn't really move the needle when it premiered midseason; CBS officially axed it with three episodes left to air.

"Person of Interest"

"Person of Interest," CBS Status: Renewed Why: With ratings matching juggernauts like "Grey's Anatomy" and fans popping up everywhere, we'll be seeing another season of "Person of Interest."

"Rob"

"Rob," CBS Status: Canceled Why: "Rob's" spot after ratings juggernaut "The Big Bang Theory" probably went a long way in helping it survive to see the end of its first season, but that's as far as it'll get.

"Rules of Engagement"

"Rules of Engagement," CBS Status: Renewed Why: This show has moved around so much it's hard to remember when it's on, and with six seasons under its belt it's had quite a nice run. Despite slipping ratings and the aforementioned constant switcheroos, there's still a future for "Rules of Engagement."

"Survivor"

"Survivor," CBS Status: Renewed Why: Of course we have "Survivor" coming back for another season. Where else are we going to see petty squabbles and insane behavior on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world?

"Two and a Half Men"

"Two and a Half Men," CBS Status: Renewed Why: Despite a less-than-favorable critical response, the revamped "Two and a Half Men" keeps pulling in respectable numbers every week. Ashton Kutcher, Jon Cryer and Angus T. Jones will all return for a Season 10.

"Undercover Boss"

"Undercover Boss," CBS Status: Renewed Why: The inherent addictiveness of this show has gone a long way in securing loyal viewers -- it has been on top of the ratings several times this season alone.

"Unforgettable"

"Unforgettable," CBS Status: Likely to be renewed Why: In its timeslot, "Unforgettable" keeps emerging on top, beating out "Parenthood" and "Body of Proof." Leading lady Poppy Montgomery has been called "the female version of 'The Mentalist,'" another top-rated show, so things are looking positive.

"90210"

"90210," The CW Status: Renewed Why: While its ratings have plummeted since last season, the Beverly Hills crew is still doing better than "Supernatural," "Hart of Dixie," "Nikita," and "Gossip Girl" on average.

"America's Next Top Model"

"America's Next Top Model," The CW Status: Renewed Why: Tyra Banks' reality show is in the early stages of its 18th cycle with a Brit vs. U.S. installment. Cycle 19 will be the show's inaugural "college edition."

"Gossip Girl"

"Gossip Girl," The CW Status: Renewed Why: Fans will get to say goodbye to the Upper East-Siders in a sixth and reportedly shortened final season.

"H8R"

"H8R," The CW Status: Canceled Why: Apparently, the opposite of MTV's former series "Fanatic" proved people don't love to hate Kim Kardashian and Snooki as much as we thought. It lasted four episodes.

"Hart of Dixie"

"Hart of Dixie," The CW Status: Renewed Why: Josh Schwartz and Rachel Bilson return for a sophomore season of "Hart of Dixie," hopefully so they can make more viral videos.

"Nikita"

"Nikita," The CW Status: Renewed Why: We're shocked the show is coming back for another season, but its hard-core fans will certainly be happy.

"One Tree Hill"

"One Tree Hill," The CW Status: Canceled Why: After nine seasons, it's time to say goodbye to "One Tree Hill." After subpar ratings, the network decided to pull the plug on its long-standing teen soap. Thankfully, the CW gave "One Tree Hill" a final 13 episodes to wrap up all of the drama.

"Remodeled"

"Remodeled," The CW Status: As good as dead Why: Not only has "Remodeled" already been replaced on the CW schedule, but it debuted with one of the CW's lowest-rated premiere ever, scoring a terrible 0.3 in the coveted 18-49 demo.

"Ringer"

"Ringer," The CW Status: Canceled Why: Sarah Michelle Gellar's double-life proved too complicated and poorly-produced for viewers to care much about.

"The Secret Circle"

"The Secret Circle," The CW Status: Canceled Why: Somewhat of a surprising development given its decent ratings, but it never quite lived up to its lead-in, "The Vampire Diaries."

"Supernatural"

"Supernatural," The CW Status: Renewed Why: This fan favorite will return, but time will tell if the cast wants a Season 8.

"The Vampire Diaries"

"The Vampire Diaries," The CW Status: Renewed Why: "Vampire Diaries" is The CW's golden child ... the vampires and witches and werewolves of Mystic Falls aren't going anywhere.

"Alcatraz"

"Alcatraz," Fox Status: Canceled Why: "Alcatraz" -- and almost every other recent J.J. Abrams TV project -- proves that slapping "from J.J. Abrams" on a show does not equal ratings success. The series debuted strong, but fizzled in the ratings, leading Fox to pull the plug.

"Allen Gregory"

"Allen Gregory," Fox Status: Canceled Why: Jonah Hill's animated series only lasted seven episodes. The Oscar nominee should probably just stick to movies for a while ...

"American Dad"

"American Dad," Fox Status: Renewed Why: Fox gave out early renewals to "American Dad" and "The Cleveland Show," keeping its Sunday night animation block intact.

"American Idol"

"American Idol," Fox Status: Likely to be renewed Why: The show's declining ratings have been widely reported this season, but it's hard to imagine TV life without "Idol."

"Bob's Burgers"

"Bob's Burgers," Fox Status: Too soon to tell Why: The sophomore season of this quirky animated comedy kicks off this month (Sun., Mar. 11), so don't expect to hear about a Season 3 just yet.

"Bones"

"Bones," Fox Status: Renewed Why: The show got a ratings boost thanks to its lead-in "The X Factor." With the floundering state of Fox's dramas (see ya, "House"), Fox is holding on to this one.

"Breaking In"

"Breaking In," Fox Status: Canceled Why: After a last minute revival, "Breaking In" returned for a second season with Megan Mullally in tow, but it wasn't enough to revive this D.O.A. comedy.

"The Cleveland Show"

"The Cleveland Show," Fox Status: Renewed Why: Fox gave "The Cleveland Show" and "American Dad" early renewals and this spinoff will be back for a Season 4, but no word on a fifth season.

"Family Guy"

"Family Guy," Fox Status: Renewed Why: Fox handed out early renewals to the Seth MacFarlane animated comedies.

"The Finder"

"The Finder," Fox Status: Canceled Why: "The Finder" hit the benches for a bit before moving to Fridays, and the numbers never improved. Averaging less than 6 million viewers an episode (not so hot for a Fox drama), it was only a matter of time ...

"Fringe"

"Fringe," Fox Status: Renewed Why: This fan favorite has struggled in the ratings, but Fox has agreed to give it a 13-episode order for a fifth and final season to wrap up all the mysteries of both universes.

"Glee"

"Glee," Fox Status: Renewed Why: The hit teen series is breaking records in music sales, but its overall viewership has slipped. After a bit of a PR debacle about graduating characters that ended with spinoff plans being squashed, "Glee" will get another season.

"Hell's Kitchen"

"Hell's Kitchen," Fox Status: Renewed Why: Last year at this time, Fox renewed the Gordon Ramsay series for two more seasons, so it's all set.

"House"

"House," Fox Status: Canceled Why: After eight seasons and countless unsolvable medical cases solved, this Fox medical drama is coming to an end.

"I Hate My Teenage Daughter"

"I Hate My Teenage Daughter," Fox Status: Canceled Why: As if getting panned by critics wasn't enough, "I Hate My Teenage Daughter's" shrinking ratings had the show marked for death, then Fox benched the sitcom for three months after only four episodes and then ... yep, buh-bye forever. No shock there.

"Kitchen Nightmares"

"Kitchen Nightmares," Fox Status: Renewed Why: In early February, Fox signed on for a 16-episode fifth season of this other Gordon Ramsay series. They're in the Gordon Ramsay business, and they're not going anywhere.

"MasterChef"

"MasterChef," Fox Status: Likely to be renewed Why: No official announcement has been made regarding a third season, but there was a casting call issued during episodes throughout Season 2. And if Gordon Ramsay's track record with Fox is any indication, it's as good as renewed.

"Mobbed"

"Mobbed," Fox Status: On the bubble Why: It started with a ratings bang, but things have only gone down from there for Fox's flash mob reality show with Howie Mandel at the helm. It's not on the schedule in any regular timeslot though, so it's possible they'll continue producing a few episodes a year.

"Napoleon Dynamite"

"Napoleon Dynamite," Fox Status: On the bubble Why: After a decent debut, "Napoleon Dynamite" dropped about half of its audience to about 4 million viewers per episode. It could go either way.

"New Girl"

"New Girl," Fox Status: Renewed Why: "New Girl" was the first new Fox show to get a full Season 1 order and the show has continued to perform well in the ratings and in the 18-49 demographic. America loves that adorkable charm.

"Q'Viva: The Chosen"

"Q'Viva: The Chosen," Fox Status: Too soon to tell/Not their call Why: Shortly after the Latin American-based show -- starring J. Lo and her ex-husband Marc Anthony -- debuted on Univision, Fox picked up an English-language version that debuted in early March. Though the reality series underperformed in its Saturday night timeslot, it's not Fox's decision whether or not we'll see more "Q'Viva."

"Raising Hope"

"Raising Hope," Fox Status: Renewed Why: Thanks (or no thanks) in part to the success of "New Girl," the sophomore season of "Raising Hope" has moved around timeslots, but it has retained about a 2.1 score in the adults 18-49 demo.

"The Simpsons"

"The Simpsons," Fox Status: Renewed Why: After a very tense contract standoff, the voice actors of "The Simpsons" and the studio agreed to new terms and the show was renewed through Season 25.

"So You Think You Can Dance"

"So You Think You Can Dance," Fox Status: Too soon to tell Why: Season 9 of "So You Think You Can Dance" won't debut until this summer and when it does, there will be changes: Fox has nixed the results show entirely. If the fanbase is still there, the cheaper production could save the show for another few seasons.

"Terra Nova"

"Terra Nova," Fox Status: Canceled Why: Fox pulled the plug on this very expensive dinosaur drama, but reports indicate producers are looking to keep the show alive on a different network.

"Touch"

"Touch," Fox Status: Renewed Why: The Kiefer Sutherland drama had a sizable audience (about 12 million viewers) for its preview and has remained somewhat steady since its premiere. Fox showed faith in the series, giving it the post-"American Idol" slot, and it paid off.

"The X Factor"

"The X Factor," Fox Status: Renewed Why: Fox has already renewed the singing competition for a second season and boy will there be changes: two new hosts and two new judges will join Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid at the table.

"30 Rock"

"30 Rock," NBC Status: Renewed Why:"30 Rock" is showing its age, but the star power of Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin can't be denied -- NBC has renewed the show for a seventh and final season of 13 episodes.

"America's Got Talent"

"America's Got Talent," NBC Status: Likely to be renewed Why: NBC's top-rated summer show is moving to New York for this upcoming season, but it's most likely not going anywhere. Unless, of course, the new judge -- shock jock Howard Stern -- really messes things up somehow.

"Are You There, Chelsea?"

"Are You There, Chelsea?," NBC Status: Canceled Why: With just over 3 million viewers an episode, it wasn't not exactly a strong performer, even by NBC's standards. Even Chelsea Handler and NBC's fondness for funny ladies couldn't save this show.

"Awake"

"Awake," NBC Status: Canceled Why: "Awake" had gotten some great promotion, but its numbers were pretty middle of the road and only went down further -- genre shows with heavy serialized elements are always tricky.

"Bent"

"Bent," NBC Status: Canceled Why: The Amanda Peet comedy premiered in late March and had six episodes to prove itself, but NBC didn't give it much of a chance, airing them back-to-back.

"Best Friends Forever"

"Best Friends Forever," NBC Status:Canceled Why: The female buddy sitcom starring and co-created by Jessica St. Clair and Lennon Parham was yanked from the schedule and then axed for good.

"Betty White's Off Their Rockers"

"Betty White's Off Their Rockers," NBC Status: Too soon to tell Why: Even though Betty White isn't doing the pranking, "Off Their Rockers" could still make a comeback.

"The Biggest Loser"

"The Biggest Loser," NBC Status: Likely to be renewed Why: NBC's weight loss competition show has been around for years, and despite sagging overall ratings, its 18-49 rating (a recent episode got a 2.0) is still one of NBC's highest.

"Celebrity Apprentice"

"Celebrity Apprentice," NBC Status: Likely to be renewed Why: Series low ratings probably won't kill this franchise. But are there any D-listers left who haven't competed for Donald Trump's approval?

"Chuck"

"Chuck," NBC Status: Canceled Why: The Josh Schwartz spy dramedy ended its five-season run in January.

"Community"

"Community," NBC Status: Renewed Why: Beloved by (a very vocal) few, ignored by many -- that's "Community" in a nutshell. After getting benched in January, "Community" returned to NBC's schedule with a vengeance, getting it a fourth season pick-up for 13 episodes to air on Fridays. Cool, cool, cool -- you can pop, pop! that champagne now.

"Fashion Star"

"Fashion Star," NBC Status: Renewed Why: The high-style reality series with Nicole Richie, Jessica Simpson, Elle Macpherson and John Varvatos has certainly been confusing, but it's still a smart business model: The winning designs each week are for sale in stores the next day, and those stores just happen to be covering a large portion of production and advertising costs.

"Fear Factor"

"Fear Factor," NBC Status: Likely to be renewed Why: Despite the donkey semen scandal that cut this season of "Fear Factor" a bit short, <a href="http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/13/fear-factor-returns-and-makes-a-ratings-splash/" target="_hplink">"Fear Factor" boosts NBC's ratings</a> ... and can a scandal really compete with that?

"The Firm"

"The Firm," NBC Status: As good as dead Why: The show hasn't officially gotten the axe yet, but "The Firm" was moved to Saturdays after turning in an incredibly poor performance (less than a 1 rating in the 18-49 demo) on Thursday nights.

"Free Agents"

"Free Agents," NBC Status: Canceled Why: This show just didn't have much life in it. It was canceled after just four episodes, despite its awesome lead actors Hank Azaria and Kathryn Hahn.

"Grimm"

"Grimm," NBC Status: Renewed Why: The supernatural fairy tale drama has been doing well for NBC on Friday nights -- it hovers around the 5 million viewers mark, which is pretty solid by NBC standards and why the network gave the drama an early renewal.

"Harry's Law"

"Harry's Law," NBC Status:Cancelled Why: While earlier this year "Harry's Law" was one of NBC's top players, after a three-month break between January and March, the Kathy Bates drama saw mediocre ratings and failed to hold on to viewers.

"Law & Order: SVU"

"Law & Order: SVU," NBC Status: Renewed Why: The only "Law & Order" left, "SVU" has been an NBC power player for 13 years and will return for a 14th.

"The Office"

"The Office," NBC Status: Renewed Why: It's hard to imagine a long-running, fan-favorite show like "The Office" going away without a big promotional push. The numbers are still good (by NBC standards) and "The Office" will return for a Season 9.

"Parenthood"

"Parenthood," NBC Status: Renewed Why: The perpetual bubble show has done pretty consistent numbers for NBC this season, but three seasons in and no signs of growth is both a good and bad sign ... luckily for fans, NBC gave it a Season 4 all the same.

"Parks and Recreation"

"Parks and Recreation," NBC Status: Renewed Why: Just like the rest of NBC's Thursday comedy block, "Parks and Recreation" has serious ratings blues. Can critical acclaim keep "Parks" around for a Season 5? The answer is yes! "Parks" will return for Season 5.

"The Playboy Club"

"The Playboy Club," NBC Status: Canceled Why: Apparently fictional slutty bunnies and real-life homewrecker Eddie Cibrian do not a successful show make. It only lasted three episodes. "The Girls Next Door" did it better.

"Prime Suspect"

"Prime Suspect," NBC Status: Canceled Why: Maria Bello's gruff detective failed to capture the audience NBC hoped. At least we had all those hat jokes.

"Smash"

"Smash," NBC Status: Renewed Why: After a huge promo blitz, "Smash" debuted nicely, but started losing viewers quickly. A handful of episodes in, it stabilized, becoming NBC's #1 drama in the 18-49 demo, and NBC announced it was getting a second season.

"Up All Night"

"Up All Night," NBC Status: Renewed Why: The critical favorite of NBC's new comedy offerings, "Up All Night" debuted strongly to more than 10 million viewers, but has since dropped to less than 4 million viewers an episode. It will return for a Season 2.

"Whitney"

"Whitney," NBC Status: Renewed Why: The show is one of the better performing freshman offerings on the Peacock network -- and NBC chief Bob Greenblatt told members of the press at TCA that he is "hopeful Whitney will be a long-term player for us." Looks like Season 2 is a good start, with the show moving to Friday nights.

"The Voice"

"The Voice," NBC Status: Renewed Why: We may not even be at Season 2's live shows yet, but NBC is already up for more of "The Voice." Hopefully, Cee Lo's cat "Purrfect" will return for Season 3 as well.

"Who Do You Think You Are?"

"Who Do You Think You Are?," NBC Status: Likely to be renewed Why: The celebrity-centric family tree series has helped NBC on Friday nights and hit its ratings high in March.

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Ideas For An Acne Treatment That Works

Applying one or more of these tips will improve your skin and reduce your acne to help you look better, and feel better. Take action today! Original article

Healthier Fast Food?

A health threat in our food is getting a little harder to find and that may be a good thing for your heart and your waistline.

Americans have a complicated relationship with trans fat. This ingredient raises the risk of cardiac disease, but it's found in a lot of fast food and junk food.

In 2007, New York City started limiting the amount of trans fat that restaurants could put in their products.

In a new study from the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers analyzed the foods that thousands of customers bought from New York fast-food restaurants before and after the regulation.

Overall, the average food purchase under the new regulations had about 2 and a half fewer grams of trans fat, or about 22 calories worth. According to the researchers, that's enough to make a real difference in people's heart health.

If you want to remove even more trans fat from your diet, cutting back on baked goods and processed foods is a good strategy.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, bringing you another ounce of prevention.

Source

How To Cut Zits Out Of Your Life

How To Cut Zits Out Of Your Life
It can be exceptionally difficult to leave the house in the morning when your acne is at it's worst. By implementing the tips provided here, you will begin to limit your problems with pimples, and you will start to feel more comfortable with healthy, glowing skin. If at all possible, avoid using any oil-based makeup products.
Source: EzineArticles.com

Non-Surgical Treatment of Common Shoulder Injury in Baseball Players May Increase Chances of Return-to-Play

Non-Surgical Treatment of Common Shoulder Injury in Baseball Players May Increase Chances of Return-to-Play
Download PDF
Source: www.sportsmed.org

Study: Growing Disability Numbers Not A Plot To Increase Dependency

WASHINGTON -- Some members of Congress have begun leveling accusations that rising enrollment in Social Security's disability insurance program is evidence of growing American dependence on the government, and even a "slave" mentality.

But a new report out Monday says the rise in America's ranks of disabled to 8.3 million in 2011 stems from an aging population, a surge in women workers, changes in the law in the 1980s and a terrible economy in which disabled people can't find jobs.

The study, by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, found that the biggest jumps in the disabled population came from aging Baby Boomers. From 1996 through 2009 -- "the approximate period during which the baby-boom generation entered their 50s -- the share of disabled worker benefits awarded to older workers (age 45 and older) rose from 67 percent to 76 percent," the report said.

Meanwhile, the share of benefits going to younger workers -- between the ages of 25 to 44 -- fell from 31 percent to 22 percent.

"Baby boomers' aging would have boosted enrollment in the DI program even if no other factors had changed," the report said.

Add to that the fact that more women have entered the workforce since 1970, boosting the working population and creating a larger pool of people who can become disabled.

A change in the law during the Reagan administration that allowed more people with mental disabilities and musculoskeletal problems to qualify also increased the number of people on disability. In 1990, such people accounted for 38 percent of workers in the SSDI program. In 2010, the number had risen to 54 percent.

To be eligible for disability, a person must prove he or she is unable to work due to a medical condition that will last at least a year. The average monthly benefit is $1,111.

Conservative Fox News firebrand Bill O'Reilly is among the many commentators suggesting the rise in disability enrollees is another sign of President Barack Obama's scheme to increase dependency.

"So why has the disability rate increased more than 100 percent? I'll tell you why. It's a con. It's easy to put in a bogus disability claim," O'Reilly said earlier this month. "Right now President Obama and the Democratic Party lead the league in entitlement spending and promoting a nanny state philosophy."

O'Reilly's claim that it's easy to file a disability claim may come as a surprise to people who've tried. Ann Hatzakis of Denver said she last worked in 2007, when she left her waitressing job thanks to a "perfect storm" of migraine headaches and stress caused by mental illness. She tried to find office jobs, but she said nobody would call her back.

Hatzakis said she applied for disability benefits in 2009. Like 61 percent of all first-time claims, hers was denied. She said she has since developed Fibromyalgia -- which causes chronic pain throughout her body -- but the Social Security Administration suggested there were jobs she could do regardless. For instance, she was told she could handle the night shift at a bakery.

"But this was also at the middle of the economic downturn," Hatzakis, now 45, said in an interview. "Where are those jobs, and how do I get to them?"

In addition to demographic trends, the terrible economy has helped swell the rolls of America's disabled, from about 7.4 million in 2008 to 8.6 million in 2011, according to the Social Security Administration, which used a slightly different time frame than the CBO.

"When jobs are plentiful, some people who could qualify for the DI program may choose instead to work," the CBO study said. "Conversely, when jobs are scarce, such as in economic downturns, some people with disabilities may find that their employment opportunities are especially limited, and they will instead choose to apply for DI benefits."

Indeed, the CBO said, "in the aftermath of the recent severe recession, applications for DI benefits reached a historic high, exceeding 2.9 million in calendar year 2010."

But for some lawmakers, the growing numbers of disabled Americans don't represent larger economic and demographic trends.

"Once again we are creating the sense of economic dependence which, to me is a form of modern, 21st-century slavery,” Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) said recently. West and other conservatives noted that 85,000 people were awarded disability benefits in June while the economy added just 80,000 jobs.

"American workers are leaving their jobs to get paid by the taxpayers," O'Reilly said.

Even the Republican leader in the Senate says the rise in disability enrollees is another sign of Obama's scheme to increase dependency.

"Our nation has been mired in an economic coma for years," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) argued Monday. "More people signed up for disability last month than found a job, the number of Americans on food stamps continues to climb, it’s all about to get worse -- and we’ve got a President who's on a single-minded crusade to punish business owners even more."

The CBO report was requested by Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), who cited estimates that the disability program would run out of money in 2016 if changes are not made. "It was a request for hard data that policy makers can use to make decisions about whether something needs to be done about the program," said Sessions' spokesman, Andrew Logan.

The study lays out options to fix the shortfalls in disability funding, from raising taxes to cutting benefits.

The growing hostile rhetoric on the right has alarmed some. Bud Meyers, a laid off casino bartender in Las Vegas, Nev., happened to catch O'Reilly's rant. He said he thinks there is no way millions people are leaving their jobs to collect disability payments. Meyers spent more than two years unemployed before he tried to get on disability. (Meyers, who uses a pseudonym, spends some of his time blogging.)

"I was laid off in October 2008. My unemployment benefits ran out in June 2010. My savings ran out by January 2011," Meyers, 56, wrote in an email. He said he applied for disability as soon as his savings ran out.

Meyers said his bartending career has left him with arthritis in his neck and back, and that he couldn't possibly stand and work for eight hours straight like he used to. The Social Security Administration, Meyers said, was not convinced he couldn't find something to do. He applied for disability a second time, unsuccessfully.

"I've already received the 'mandatory' two written rejections on my disability claim from the Social Security office and I'm still waiting for a hearing," Meyers wrote. "[More than three million] people left their jobs to take a chance of going on the government dole for half their previous salary with no income in between? I don't think so! Multi-millionaires like Bill O'Reilly have no clue at all."

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Monday, July 16, 2012

Cavity Concerns?

Fillings are great for fixing cavities but certain types might lead to surprising problems in kids.

More than half of American children have had a cavity by age 7. These days, more kids are getting fillings made of a tooth-colored composite instead of silver mercury fillings.

A chemical called BPA which has been linked to health concerns is sometimes used to make these composite fillings.

In a new study, published in the Journal of Pediatrics, researchers collected treatment data from more than 500 children seen at several community dental clinics.

The children were all 6 to 10 years old at the start of the 5-year trial.

Psychological assessments were made at the beginning and at completion.

The findings:

Composite fillings that contained the material related to BPA were linked to anxiety, depression, social stress, and other problems. These issues weren't linked to mercury fillings, however.

The next time a cavity strikes your child, talk to your dentist about the benefits and possible concerns that may come with different types of fillings.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news that doctors are reading; health news that matters to you.

Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

Cavity Concerns?

Fillings are great for fixing cavities but certain types might lead to surprising problems in kids.

More than half of American children have had a cavity by age 7. These days, more kids are getting fillings made of a tooth-colored composite instead of silver mercury fillings.

A chemical called BPA which has been linked to health concerns is sometimes used to make these composite fillings.

In a new study, published in the Journal of Pediatrics, researchers collected treatment data from more than 500 children seen at several community dental clinics.

The children were all 6 to 10 years old at the start of the 5-year trial.

Psychological assessments were made at the beginning and at completion.

The findings:

Composite fillings that contained the material related to BPA were linked to anxiety, depression, social stress, and other problems. These issues weren't linked to mercury fillings, however.

The next time a cavity strikes your child, talk to your dentist about the benefits and possible concerns that may come with different types of fillings.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news that doctors are reading; health news that matters to you.

Source