Lawnmower Safety

Lawnmower Safety

If you're just revving up your lawn mower for the season, and hope your kids can take over the job, here are a few safety reminders from our friends at American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

• Children should be at least 12 before operating a push lawn mower, and 16 to operate a driving lawn mower.
• Sturdy shoes are a necessity. No sandals or flimsy sneakers.
• Always wear protective eye wear. Polycarbonate is preferred.

Once you're dressed and ready to roll,

• Start with a site survey to make sure there are no rocks, sticks or toys that can be hit and fly up at you.
• Don't let young children ride along if you're using a riding mower.
• Don't mow backward or in reverse, especially if you can't see what's behind you. If you're on a hill, travel up and down, not sideways.
• And always turn off the mower off before emptying the grass bag.

More than 234,000 people were treated for lawn mower-related injuries in a clinic or emergency department, or were admitted to the hospital in 2012. More than 17,900 of them were children under age 18.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV with health information for healthier living.

Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

Great Makeup On-the-Go: Revlon PhotoReady Primer, Shadow + Sparkle Review

Great Makeup On-the-Go: Revlon PhotoReady Primer, Shadow + Sparkle Review
Recently, I had to run straight from work to an important dinner. That meant packing a bag to get ready for the event including a different outfit, shoes, and makeup. I’d picked up a Revlon PhotoReady Primer, Shadow + Sparkle ($9.99, amazon.com) a few days before, and it was an absolute lifesaver. Instead of a separate primer and several shadows — all in a bunch of different containers — this was one small case with everything I needed. I paired it with Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner and Rimmel Volume Accelerator Mascara. Color: 4.5/5, Pigmentation: 4/5 I tried Revlon […]

Recently, I had to run straight from work to an important dinner. That meant packing a bag to get ready for the event including a different outfit, shoes, and makeup. I’d picked up a Revlon PhotoReady Primer, Shadow + Sparkle ($9.99, amazon.com) a few days before, and it was an absolute lifesaver. Instead of a separate primer and several shadows — all in a bunch of different containers — this was one small case with everything I needed. I paired it with Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner and Rimmel Volume Accelerator Mascara.

Color: 4.5/5, Pigmentation: 4/5

I tried Revlon PhotoReady Primer, Shadow + Sparkle in Watercolors and Pop Art. Watercolors is a gorgeous combinations of pale pinks and delicate purples that has a pretty, ethereal look to it. Pop Art — despite its name being an homage to another art era — really had more of an art deco feel to it, with its mixture of earthy colors and muted tones. I like that Revlon included both “safe” and more neutral palettes as well as more vibrant and exciting combinations.

I got great pigmentation with Revlon’s palettes. The primer isn’t the best I’ve ever used, but for one that comes in a makeup palette, I found it to be pretty effective. I had no trouble getting the saturation I wanted.

Durability: 4/5

I wore the Revlon PhotoReady Primer, Shadow + Sparkle Pop Art palette for a whole night and it stayed in place very well. By the end of the evening my makeup looked just about as good as it did when I first put it on.

Finish: 4/5

I loved the finish of these. They looked smooth and had the perfect amount of subtle spark. I felt a little so-so initially about some of the color combinations (particularly Pop Art). But overall, I liked the combinations of colors and I think they work together when they’re all together on your eyes.

Revlon PhotoReady in Watercolors

Revlon PhotoReady Primer, Shadow + Sparkle ($13.08, amazon.com)

Revlon PhotoReady in Pop Art

Revlon PhotoReady Primer, Shadow + Sparkle ($9.99, amazon.com)

 Bottom Line

Revlon PhotoReady Primer, Shadow + Sparkle is a fun drugstore find. I love that it’s a complete look in one palette — including primer — but that you can also play with the eye shadow in other looks. It went on easily, lasted all night, and though I’m iffy about some of the combinations, I think many of them have the potential to look awesome if you apply them the right way. Overall, it’s a great palette that’s practical and fun.

EU agency calls for curbs on GSK, Valeant epilepsy drug

EU agency calls for curbs on GSK, Valeant epilepsy drug
LONDON (Reuters) - Use of an epilepsy drug developed by GlaxoSmithKline and Valeant Pharmaceuticals should be restricted to patients for whom other anti-epileptic medicines have proved inadequate or not tolerated, EU regulators said on Friday. The European Medicines Agency said the move followed cases of abnormal coloring of the skin, nails, lips and eye tissues, including the retina, in some patients who took Trobalt. It recommended a comprehensive eye examination should be performed at the start of treatment and at least every six months during treatment. ...

Tranquillisers may cause impotence

Tranquillisers known as benzodiazepines and certain older antidepressants are linked with a greater chance of having erectile dysfunction (ED), according to a new survey. For complete story, click here.

Avatars help schizophrenics silence voices

Avatars help schizophrenics silence voices
Psychiatrists are developing a system that can help people with schizophrenia control and sometimes silence the tormenting voices in their heads by confronting a computer avatar of them.

MRSA Study Slashes Deadly Infections in Sickest Hospital Patients

MRSA Study Slashes Deadly Infections in Sickest Hospital Patients

EMBARGOED until: May 29, 2013, 5:00 p.m. ET

Contact: CDC Media Relations, Office of Communication
(404) 639-3286

AHRQ Public Affairs
(301) 427-1244

Bloodstream infections cut by more than 40 percent in study of over 74,000 patients

NEW: Broadcast quality clips featuring CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. on this topic are available here: http://www.cdc.gov/media/subtopic/audioVideo.htm

Using germ-killing soap and ointment on all intensive-care unit (ICU) patients can reduce bloodstream infections by up to 44 percent and significantly reduce the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in ICUs. A new Department of Health and Human Services-funded study released today tested three MRSA prevention strategies and found that using germ-killing soap and ointment on all ICU patients was more effective than other strategies.

“Patients in the ICU are already very sick, and the last thing they need to deal with is a preventable infection,” said Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Director Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D.  “This research has the potential to influence clinical practice significantly and create a safer environment where patients can heal without harm.”

The study, REDUCE MRSA trial, was published in today’s New England Journal of Medicine and took place in two stages from 2009-2011. A multidisciplinary team from the University of California, Irvine, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) carried out the study.  A total of 74 adult ICUs and 74,256 patients were part of the study, making it the largest study on this topic. Researchers evaluated the effectiveness of three MRSA prevention practices: routine care, providing germ-killing soap and ointment only to patients with MRSA, and providing germ-killing soap and ointment to all ICU patients. In addition to being effective at stopping the spread of MRSA in ICUs, the study found the use of germ-killing soap and ointment on all ICU patients was also effective for preventing infections caused by germs other than MRSA.

“CDC invested in these advances in order to protect patients from deadly drug-resistant infections,” said CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “We need to turn science into practical action for clinicians and hospitals.  CDC is working to determine how the findings should inform CDC infection prevention recommendations.”

MRSA is resistant to first-line antibiotic treatments and is an important cause of illness and sometimes death, especially among patients who have had medical care.  Three-quarters of Staphylococcus aureus infections in hospital ICUs are considered methicillin-resistant. In 2012, encouraging results from a CDC report showed that invasive (life-threatening) MRSA infections in hospitals declined by 48 percent from 2005 through 2010.

“This study helps answer a long-standing debate in the medical field about whether we should tailor our efforts to prevent infection to specific pathogens, such as MRSA, or whether we should identify a high-risk patient group and give them all special treatment to prevent infection,” said lead author Susan Huang, M.D., M.P.H., associate professor at the UCI School of Medicine and medical director of epidemiology and infection prevention at UC Irvine Health. “The universal decolonization strategy was the most effective and the easiest to implement. It eliminates the need for screening ICU patients for MRSA.”

REDUCE MRSA trial was conducted through AHRQ and CDC research programs.  The research was conducted in partnership with the HCA and nearly four dozen of its affiliated facilities.

Reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), such as MRSA, is a priority for the National Quality Strategy, a plan that aligns national efforts to improve the quality and safety of care.  HHS-wide efforts to reduce HAIs are outlined in its National Action Plan to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections: Roadmap to Elimination. 

HAIs are also an area of focus for the Partnership for Patients, a national, public-private partnership of hospitals, employers, physicians, nurses, consumers, state and federal governments and other key stakeholders that aims to reduce preventable hospital-acquired conditions that harm patients.  Together, with incentives created by the Affordable Care Act, these efforts represent a coordinated approach to making care safer for patients.

###
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Source: www.cdc.gov

Treating Depression

Depression can be hard to treat. It's estimated that one in every 10 American adults battle with it.

Now there's new evidence that different forms of therapy may work as well as antidepressants. Researchers reviewed 198 studies involving over 15,000 patients.

A total of seven different types of therapy were compared, including:

1. interpersonal psychotherapy
2. behavioral activation
3. cognitive behavioral therapy
4. problem solving therapy
5. psychodynamic therapy
6. social skills training
7. and supportive counseling.

The data showed that all seven therapies were better at reducing symptoms of depression than usual care. Plus there were no significant differences between the various types of therapy.

Interestingly, there was no profound benefits in face-to-face therapy versus internet-based treatment.

The researchers believe their results should encourage depression patients to discuss non-drug therapy options with their doctor.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with news from today that can lead to healthy tomorrows.

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2014 deadline for nations' greenhouse gas plans

2014 deadline for nations' greenhouse gas plans
All countries should outline their long-term plans for curbing greenhouse gases next year to revive the stalled fight against climate change.

Plastic surgery fad goes extreme

Plastic surgery fad goes extreme
South Korea's obsession with plastic surgery is moving on from standard eye and nose jobs to embrace a radical surgical procedure that requires months of painful recovery.

Pesticide Warning

As Americans focus on beautiful lawns for summer, Italian researchers are sounding the alarm about some common pesticides.

Analysis of more than 100 different international studies suggests pesticides, like the common bug and weed killers used by millions, are associated with a higher risk of developing the nervous system disorder, Parkinson's disease.

Researchers drilled down, looking at the proximity of exposure, such as whether participants lived in the country or suburbs, their occupations and even whether they drank well water. According to the data, exposure to bug or weed killers, and solvents, increased the risk of developing Parkinson's disease by 33 to 80%!

While this research didn't focus on whether the substances were inhaled or absorbed through the skin, it did suggest that the risk increases as the length of exposure to these chemicals increases.

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

News Source

Heart device approval delays leave U.S. doctors frustrated

By Bill Berkrot NEW YORK (Reuters) - Americans accustomed to immediate access to the newest technology may be shocked to find that is not the case when it comes to devices that treat ailing hearts. U.S. approval requirements for cardiac devices are much more stringent than in Europe, where there is no centralized decision-making body. But a growing number of U.S. heart doctors feel the regulations are so demanding that patients are being denied access to beneficial therapies. ...

Read more...

WHO to help investigate coronavirus

The World Health Organisation (WHO) will help Saudi Arabia dig deeper into deadly outbreaks of a new SARS-like virus to draw up advice ahead of the annual haj pilgrimage, which attracts millions of Muslims. You can get the whole story here.

Deciding to Live With ALS, Not Die From It

Deciding to Live With ALS, Not Die From It
By Catherine G. Wolf: It was September 1997. I had hoped the weakness in my leg would be treatable,  but my doctor shook his head. The intravenous immunoglobulin treatments he’d been giving me for a possible motor neuropathy weren’t working, leading him to conclude I...        

Diabetes Warning

Children who develop type 2 diabetes are heading for a future of serious complications, and current treatments aren't enough.

That warning comes from a team of diabetes specialists, sounding the alarm, after analyzing the most recent findings from the ongoing TODAY study, which stands for Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth.

The findings, published in a special edition of Diabetes Care, includes data from over 500 children, who began the study when they were between 10 and 17.

Overall, kids with type 2 diabetes are developing early and rapidly progressing signs of both heart and kidney disease, plus have poor glycemic control and even diabetes-related eye disease early on.

The greatest risk for hypertension was for boys with high BMI's. In fact, high blood pressure for the entire study group tripled, starting at 11.6%, and rose sharply to 33.8%! The deterioration of beta cell function, the cells that create and release insulin, is almost four times higher in kids than adults.

Bottom line, according to the researchers, diabetes behaves differently in kids, and will require creative treatment options that go beyond those for adults.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with news you can use for healthier living.

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Don't keep coronavirus cases quiet: WHO

Don't keep coronavirus cases quiet: WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned countries with possible cases of the SARS-like novel coronavirus that they must share information and not allow commercial labs to profit from the virus, which has killed 22 people worldwide.

Diet drinks 'as bad as meth addiction'

Diet drinks 'as bad as meth addiction'
A study claims that heavy consumption of diet soda can damage teeth as badly as methamphetamine or crack cocaine.

The Best Acne Treatment Alternatives

Acne is probably one of the most common skin and beauty concerns that almost every individual will experience. But its appearance or proliferation will differ from one person to another. Some people are lucky to experience mild or unnoticeable acne concerns but there are also those who are suffering from severe acne problems. Continue reading...

Catching Cancer Early

Catching Cancer Early

An estimated 228,000 Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year alone. And about 160,000 will die of the disease.

As with other cancers, early detection is important for successful treatment. So researchers enrolled more than 50,000 people in a study to compare low-dose CT scans versus chest x-ray for finding abnormalities.

Participants were all heavy smokers. either current or within the previous 15 years. Half of the group was randomly assigned to undergo annual low-dose CT for 3 years and the other half received traditional radiography.

Lung cancer was diagnosed in 292 people in the CT group and 190 in the x-ray group.

Analysis showed that nearly all of that numerical difference was the result of CT scans catching many more early stage cancers.

The researchers say these findings confirm that using low-dose CT to screen for lung cancer can save lives.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the latest breakthroughs from the world of medicine.

Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

The name game of deadly viruses

For a pathogen with such a short history, the mysterious new virus killing people in the Middle East and Europe has already had an amazing array of names. For complete story, click here.

Surgery for Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea interrupts breathing because of a narrowed throat or upper airway. Causes include enlarged tonsils and adenoids, obesity or other medical problems.

Kids with sleep apnea are often monitored by doctors before there's a surgical option offered.

So researchers wanted to know if there's a difference in the health of kids who wait, versus those who have their adenoids and tonsils removed right away. 464 children between the ages of 5 and 9 took part in the study, all randomly assigned for watchful waiting or surgery. Nearly half the children were overweight or obese.

Those who had the surgery showed improvements in behavior, sleepiness, quality of life and other symptoms, compared to those treated with watchful waiting.

However, there was no difference between both groups in attention and other cognitive functions they were tested on.

African-American children, obese children and those with severe sleep apnea had smaller improvements after surgery than kids with milder cases.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news to help keep your family healthy.

News Source

New asthma drug a 'potential game changer'

A new asthma drug could hold promise for patients with moderate to severe persistent asthma that is not well controlled by standard drugs Read the full article.

Can You Drink During Pregnancy? Sorry, the Jury Is Still Out

Can You Drink During Pregnancy? Sorry, the Jury Is Still Out
In movies and TV shows a secret pregnancy is always revealed after the woman declines a cocktail. The assumption being, of course, that responsible, educated moms-to-be would never partake in alcohol while they’re expecting for fear of hurting their unborn child. Trouble is, the research on drinking during pregnancy has never been clear-cut.

Life-saving face transplant performed in Poland

Life-saving face transplant performed in Poland
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Doctors in Poland say they have performed an urgent total face transplant on a 33-year-old man whose face was torn off in an accident which also crushed his jaws.

Extreme weather threatens mental health

Extreme weather threatens mental health
The monstrous tornado in Oklahoma, killing dozens of adults and children, shows how violent weather that can affect a child's mental well-being.

How To Heal Skin With Sun Damage

Whether you spent too many days running around in the sun as a kid, or just managed to get one too many major sunburns in your life, you know that the damage that your skin sustains below the surface never actually goes away. But if you accidentally forgot to reapply the sunblock and are dealing with a little bitty burn, there are definitely ways to heal a sunburn fast. Of course, you must remember that you can't fully undo sun damage. Continue reading...

Shooting the Wheeze: Whooping Cough Vaccine Falls Short of Previous Shot s Protection

Shooting the Wheeze: Whooping Cough Vaccine Falls Short of Previous Shot s Protection Continue reading...

Relief from Reflux

Studies suggest that as many as one third of all Americans have gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD for short.

Obesity is a major factor in GERD, so researchers wanted to see if losing a few pounds and becoming more physically fit could help ease symptoms.

A total of 213 patients were recruited. All were overweight or obese, and asked to participate in a structured weight loss program. Their weight, caloric intake, exercise minutes and reflux symptoms were recorded at the start, mid-way through and at the end of the study.

All of the participants lost weight by the 6-month mark, which greatly improved their GERD symptoms, even with as little as less than a 5% change.

By the 12-month check-in, 172 people had started regaining the weight, and their GERD symptoms got worse again.

These findings suggest that small lifestyle steps can make a big difference in your health.

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

Original Source

Eating disorders on the rise

Eating disorders on the rise
There has been a notable increase in the number of eating disorders, and it’s not the more common types of bulimia or anorexia.

ADHD and Weight

Does having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as a child increase the risk of obesity later in life?

That was the question posed by an international team of researchers. They collected data from 207 boys, 8 to 12 years old, who were diagnosed with ADHD. 178 boys without the condition were recruited for comparison. The majority of the participants were then tracked for more than 30 years with follow-up exams conducted at the mean ages of 18, 25 and 41.

The results? Men with childhood ADHD had significantly higher body mass index compared to those without the condition, an average 30.1 versus 27.6.

Obesity rates were also higher in men with childhood ADHD 41.4% versus 21.6% for the control group.

Why the connection? The researchers say men with ADHD may lack impulse control and good planning skills, which could lead them to make poor food choices.

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

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UK tries out new model for gene testing in cancer patients

UK tries out new model for gene testing in cancer patients

By Kate Kelland LONDON (Reuters) - Britain launched a research program on Monday that should eventually allow all cancer patients to have access to the kind of genetic analysis that led Hollywood star Angelina Jolie to decide to undergo a double mastectomy. The project, involving the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London, the U.S. gene sequencing firm Illumina, geneticists and cancer doctors, aims to find a way to allow more cancer genes be tested in more people. Researchers announcing the 2. ...

Breathing problems misdiagnosed in athletes

Breathing problems misdiagnosed in athletes
A vocal cord problem that restricts athletes' breathing is often misdiagnosed, says new study.

Scientists explore future tropical rainfall

Scientists explore future tropical rainfall
A new study, looks to the past to learn about the future of tropical climate change.

Lundbeck says drug shows improvement in depression symptoms

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Danish pharmaceutical group Lundbeck and Japanese partner Takeda said on Saturday that data from clinical phase III studies with the antidepressant vortioxetine had shown significant improvement in patients' symptoms. Lundbeck said in a statement that the trial showed safety levels consistent with previously completed studies at lower doses. Lundbeck and Takeda submitted vortioxetine, also known as Brintellix, for regulatory approval in the United States and Europe at the end of last year. ... Continue reading...

Doping in professional sport

Worldwide, governments and professional sporting bodies have expressed their outrage that the use of banned performance-enhancing drugs in professional sport has yet again come to the fore. Continue reading...

Getting fit in middle age may protect your heart

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130515165013.htm
Getting fit in middle age may protect your heart
Improving fitness is a good heart failure prevention strategy -- along with controlling blood pressure and improving diet and lifestyle -- that could be employed in mid-life to decrease the risk of heart failure in later years.

Depression and Stroke

Depression and Stroke

Important health information for middle-aged women. If you're living with depression, you may face an almost doubled risk of stroke.

That startling news comes from a new Australian study of more than 10,000 women ages 47 to 52. The women answered questions about their mental and physical health, medication use and lifestyle habits every three years from 1998 to 2010. About 24% of the participants reported being depressed. 177 first-time strokes occurred during the study.

The researchers eliminated risk factors such as smoking, heart disease, diabetes and obesity and then analyzed the remaining data.

The results show depressed women were 1.9 times more likely to have a stroke than those who weren't depressed.

The researchers say it's still unclear why there may be a strong link here, but they are calling for greater awareness of depression as a preventable risk factor for stroke in younger middle-aged women.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the latest breakthroughs from the world of medicine.

Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

FDA Approves New Drug for Advanced Prostate Cancer

FDA Approves New Drug for Advanced Prostate Cancer

FDA NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 15, 2013
Media Inquiries: Stephanie Yao, 301-796-0394, stephanie.yao@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

FDA approves new drug for advanced prostate cancer

Xofigo approved three months ahead of schedule under priority review program

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Xofigo (radium Ra 223 dichloride) to treat men with symptomatic late-stage (metastatic) castration-resistant prostate cancer that has spread to bones but not to other organs. It is intended for men whose cancer has spread after receiving medical or surgical therapy to lower testosterone.

Prostate cancer forms in a gland in the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The male sex hormone testosterone stimulates the prostate tumors to grow. According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 238,590 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 29,720 will die from the disease in 2013.

Xofigo is being approved more than three months ahead of the product’s prescription drug user fee goal date of Aug. 14, 2013, the date the agency was scheduled to complete review of the drug application. The FDA reviewed Xofigo under the agency’s priority review program, which provides for an expedited review of drugs that appear to provide safe and effective therapy when no satisfactory alternative therapy exists, or offer significant improvement compared to marketed products.

“Xofigo binds with minerals in the bone to deliver radiation directly to bone tumors, limiting the damage to the surrounding normal tissues,” said Richard Pazdur, M.D., director of the Office of Hematology and Oncology Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Xofigo is the second prostate cancer drug approved by the FDA in the past year that demonstrates an ability to extend the survival of men with metastatic prostate cancer.”

In August 2012, the FDA approved Xtandi to treat men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer that has spread or recurred, even with medical or surgical therapy to minimize testosterone. Xtandi is approved for patients who have previously been treated the chemotherapy drug docetaxel.

Xofigo’s safety and effectiveness were evaluated in a single clinical trial of 809 men with symptomatic castration-resistant prostate cancer that spread to bones but not to other organs. Patients were randomly assigned to receive Xofigo or a placebo plus best standard of care.

The study was designed to measure overall survival. Results from a pre-planned interim analysis showed men receiving Xofigo lived a median of 14 months compared to a median of 11.2 months for men receiving placebo. An exploratory updated analysis conducted later in the trial confirmed Xofigo’s ability to extend overall survival.

The most common side effects reported during clinical trials in men receiving Xofigo were nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and swelling of the leg, ankle or foot. The most common abnormalities detected during blood testing included low levels of red blood cells (anemia), lymphocytes (lymphocytopenia), white blood cells (leukopenia), platelets (thrombocytopenia) and infection-fighting white blood cells (neutropenia).

Xofigo is marketed by Wayne, N.J.-based Bayer Pharmaceuticals. Xtandi is co-marketed by Astellas Pharma U.S., Inc. of Northbrook, Ill., and Medivation, Inc. of San Francisco, Calif.

For more information:

The 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.

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Read our Blog: FDA Voice 

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Source: www.fda.gov

Hysterectomy and The Heart

Hysterectomy and The Heart

1 in 9 women will undergo a hysterectomy in her lifetime. Patients are often warned that this surgery has been linked to potential heart problems but now new research offers some reassuring news.

A study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology concludes that having a hysterectomy with or without ovary removal in mid-life does not increase a woman's risk of cardiovascular disease compared to women who reach natural menopause.

Researchers followed more than 3300 women between the ages of 42 and 52 for 11 years. They compared cardiovascular risk factors in the participants both prior to and after surgery or final menstrual period.

While cardiovascular risk factors differed between the groups, the results did not suggest an increased risk of cardiovascular disease following hysterectomy with or without ovary removal.

The researchers say it is unclear why their findings differ from previous studies, but age of the participants and the fact that they excluded women who had hysterectomy because of cancer may be key factors.

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

Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

Acne, Causes and Cures

Acne is a horrible condition that can seriously undermine a person's self-confidence. It can affect anyone at any age but seems to be more aggressive in the teenage years, which is probably the most important time for self-confidence development. Rest of the article

Drinking Dangers

Drinking Dangers

Approximately 30% of the U.S. population is affected by alcohol misuse.

Alcohol misuse is now the third leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. after smoking and obesity. Two shocking statistics that the United States Preventive Services Task Force wants to help turn around.

The Task Force is out with brand new recommendations on how health care professionals should screen for dangerous drinking.

The new recommendations suggest that all adults, 18 and over, including pregnant women, be screened for alcohol misuse and that clinicians provide behavioral counseling to patients who engage in risky behavior with alcohol. Brief 10 to 15 minute interventions with follow-up support from a health educator have been shown to be effective.

The Task Force did not go as far as to suggest screenings for adolescents 12 to 17 years old. While acknowledging teen alcohol use is a serious problem, they concluded that there wasn't enough evidence that screening and behavioral counseling in this age group is effective in the long-term.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news doctors are reading; health news for healthier living.

Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

India Leigh: A New Online Vegan Store Opens in Germany: Is Germany set to overtake the UK in numbers of vegans?

India Leigh: A New Online Vegan Store Opens in Germany: Is Germany set to overtake the UK in numbers of vegans?

A new online vegan store is now just days away from opening it's doors. The company headquarters are based in Sasbach, Germany. A country with a fast expanding vegan population. Boutique Vegan is coming and is promised to be epic. The founder Miriam Brilla formulated the concept whilst she was living in France (a country not known for its vegan diet). Not only is EVERYTHING in the store vegan, but it is thoroughly researched and tested (what a cushy job!) to ensure it's products are ethical and sustainable. I decided to have a chat with Miriam to find out more.

Pretty and slight, Miriam is the epitome of health. She is sunny, open and compassionate. I almost imagined blue birds flying around her pretty, mousy hair, and woodland creatures sitting lovingly at her feet. She's forgiving too. When my foggy, jet lagged brain calculated the time difference between the UK and Germany..wrongly, in reverse and I was late for our chat.
Her passion and motivation is clear, she wants everyone to live well, by providing the best vegan products - she wants the care to be extended from the growers, to the manufactures, to the store, and finally, to the consumer.

The store is to provide detailed product descriptions, recipe ideas, transparent information on the ingredients, manufacturing companies and our company policies. All products, hand picked to be in the store are;

Natural and organic
Quality ingredients
Innovative
Ethical standards
Supporting social causes

Customers and community are important to Boutique Vegan, and they attend events throughout the year so customers can say hello, try the products and discover how a vegan lifestyle doesn't mean compromising on the factors of our buying choices that are important to us all - great flavour, variety, modern looks without a whiff of missing out, which ten years ago was the accepted part of being vegan. But no more!

Boutique Vegan is translated in German, French & English.

'Boutique vegan was created to provide a one-stop vegan lifestyle shop that simply celebrates a modern compassionate lifestyle with a full range of high quality products for everyone to enjoy'.

I'm not sure how a background in real estate leads itself to an online store owner but during her financial studies, Miriam was involved in SRI (socially responsible investment) topics and focused on the issue of GMOs and our food supply. This is where she made the link between the environmental situation, animal, human and social welfare. It all came together, the influence of biotech and pharma corporations, meat and dairy industry, public media influence, that prompted the adoption of a vegetarian and then eventually a vegan diet. Also, perhaps travelling a lot with her family as a child, living amongst totally different cultures, meeting inspiring people helped her to be emphatic and strong and develop a strong bond with her family. In the course of my conversation with Miriam, she mentioned many times the tremendous support of her family, in her new venture.

The concept hatched at the beginning of 2012, after Miriam was living in France for a while and not finding them particularly vegan friendly. Germany, in contrast has a wide vegan interest. It is where Miriams family hails so there she returned to build her dream. She told me German public television regulary hosts vegan chefs and it is part of mainstream media. Plant-baed cookbooks are translated from English. Germany is surging forward. Is it set to overtake the UK? According to a report by Institut Produkt und Markt 9% vegetarian. 3-4% Vegan. In France it isn't so sweet, from 2011, a bonkers law (which the French Gvt. is try to expand to other institutions) was passed to forbid the serving of vegan meals at any public or private school in France! Nuts!

She also found it exhausting to be constantly having to make time reading labels, researching on companies, manufacturing methods, etc. Miriam said,

'Modern life does not necessarily mean we've got a bunch of extra time to invest on constantly staying up to date on labelling issues, chemical food ingredients, analysing the many different certifications for foodstuff and so on. In addition to not finding the range of products in France, I did not find a shop in Europe that truly met my expectations of being able to purchase a large range of great vegan products, receiving the information I need to make an informed decision and all that in a modern package with the quality service one expects of online shops nowadays. So, I started researching on products and companies and discovered many many great products and projects. As the planning advanced, I realised it is essentially important to address veganism as what it truly is - a modern, compassionate and fun lifestyle! This is what boutique vegan is all about. It is a friendly lifestyle, which can be so easy and at the same time means actively investing in a sustainable, healthy and peaceful future'.

The store, offering fresh foods, products, supplements and toiletries, is not only designed for vegans and vegetarians, who are already aware of making informed product choices, but also for non-vegans, people with allergies (they have a simple quick filter for that), people interested in vegan lifestyle, natural and organic food and cosmetics, who care for their health, who are into sports - all age groups. Sustainable focus. Local where possible but not possible to offer a full range of products so they import from United States, South America & Europe.

'Every choice, every day makes a difference. The choice of buying chocolate, which is vegan, ethically sourced and handmade by a small manufacturer may seem like a small thing to do, but in fact the outcome is huge - for the animals, humans and nature who are not exploited, and not to forget your own health and wellbeing'.

Miriam is bursting with enthusiasm and a wisdom that reaches beyond her years. Boutique Vegan is set to make being vegan, plant-based even easier than before. Prices are set to be competitive, and reflect their quality. I am yet to conduct a price comparison with other vegan stores but what they are offering seems to be saving you time and offering products you can trust right off the bat. A priceless commodity.

Our time was up, Miriam was busy putting together the finishing touches to the website with her team and getting ready for the exciting launch events. On the 26th Boutique Vegan is hosting a big open day event at their warehouse. Planned is a warehouse sale, vegan bake sale with our local animal shelter team, as well as a vegan cooking show with info on lactose intolerance and chance to fill up on a tasty vegan BBQ. But firstly they will be hitting the streets of Stuttgart for the annual Veggie Street Day on 19th May, 2013.

For more information about Vegans is Germany, visit Vegetarian Deutschland

I am planning a research trip to Germany & France in the coming months. If you have suggestions of places to check out, people I should meet and places to stay, please contact me at info@aveganobsession.com, or click on the 'comments' tab below and leave a comment.

Follow India Leigh on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@aveganobsessio

Source: www.huffingtonpost.co.uk

Lead and Little Ones

Millions of children in the U.S. are at risk of being exposed to lead in and around their own homes. This toxic metal has been proven to cause learning problems at high levels in the blood.

But now a new study shows it might do just as much harm at lower levels.

Researchers collected data from the kindergarten records and health files of more than 3,400 children. They looked at the association between blood lead levels before kindergarten and reading readiness at the start of the school year. The median blood lead level in the children was 4.2 micrograms per deciliter which is below the CDC's current recommendation of 5 micrograms per deciliter in children ages 1 to 5.

Over all, nearly 35% of the students failed to meet Kindergarten benchmarks for reading readiness. And the researchers concluded that even low blood lead levels may contribute to cognitive problems in children.

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

Source

Pantene Ice Shine Shampoo: Look at the Label

Pantene Ice Shine Shampoo: Look at the Label
Pantene Pro-V Ice Shine 2 in 1 shampoo is the 19th best selling beauty product on Amazon.com this week. Let’s look at the label to see how this product compares to Pantene’s Classic 2 in 1 shampoo. Two products, same ingredients It’s interesting to note that these two products have exactly the same ingredients. While [...]

Pantene Pro-V Ice Shine 2 in 1 shampoo is the 19th best selling beauty product on Amazon.com this week. Let’s look at the label to see how this product compares to Pantene’s Classic 2 in 1 shampoo.

Two products, same ingredients

It’s interesting to note that these two products have exactly the same ingredients. While the concentration may differ slightly between the two, both formulas use sulfates to clean, an amide to boost foam, and a silicone – guar combination to condition. The products may smell different but they’re essentially the same thing in two different bottles. Which one should you buy? Probably one that smells the best to you. The prices are essentially the same.

Note: If the letters in the product name were spaced a little bit differently it would be called “Vice Shine” which actually sounds like a more interesting benefit.

Pantene Pro-V Ice Shine 2 in 1 shampoo ingredients

Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Glycol Distearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Citrate, Cocamide Mea, Sodium Xylenesulfonate, Dimethicone, Fragrance, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Tetrasodium EDTA, Panthenol, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone. 25 ounces for 6.99 ($0.27/ounce)

Pantene Pro-V Classic 2-in-1 shampoo ingredients

Water, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Glycol Distearate, Dimethicone, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Cocamide MEA, Sodium Xylene Sulfonate, Fragrance, Sodium Benzoate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Tetrasodium EDTA, Panthenol, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone. 34 ounces for 8.99 ($0.26/ounce)

If you’re interested in PANTENE Ice Shine 2-in-1 Shampoo please use our link to shop at Amazon.com and you’ll help support the Beauty Brains. Thanks!

Source: thebeautybrains.com

Guessing Game: Makeup and Shoes Go Together Perfectly…

Guessing Game: Makeup and Shoes Go Together Perfectly…
Are you the ultimate beauty addict? See if you can guess what this product is! Can you get the brand name, product type, product name and the season or collection it was released in? If you can, you’re officially a makeup maven! Check out the answer below, and let me know if you were right! [...]

Are you the ultimate beauty addict? See if you can guess what this product is! Can you get the brand name, product type, product name and the season or collection it was released in? If you can, you’re officially a makeup maven! Check out the answer below, and let me know if you were right!

---

Copyright © Beautezine, 2013. | Original Post | No comment | Twitter | Facebook
Categories: Guessing Game
Tags: Guessing Game

Source: feedproxy.google.com

Val Kilmer's Odd Tweets From Capitol Hill

Val Kilmer's Odd Tweets From Capitol Hill

Conan O'Brien

Headlining the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Sofia Vergara

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner The photo is Sofia Vergara, center, Kim Kardashian, left, and Kris Jenner at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on Saturday, April 28, 2012, in Washington D.C.

Barbra Streisand

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Michael Douglas

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Jessica Alba

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner The photo is Jessica Alba speaking as Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) listens during a news conference to discuss the 1Goal campaign at the Rayburn House Office Building on April 21, 2010 in Washington, D.C.

Jon Bon Jovi

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Scarlett Johansson

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner The photo is actress Scarlett Johansson speaking to the crowd at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 6, 2012 on the final day of the Democratic National Convention.

Nicole Kidman

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner The photo is of a wax figure of the Australian actress.

Gerard Butler

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Sharon Stone

Confirmed to attend the Celebrate the Arts in America Dinner

Chris Christie

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Tracy Morgan

Confirmed to attend the Celebrate the Arts in America Dinner

George Lucas

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner The photo is U.S. House of Representatives minority leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (R), filmmaker George Lucas (C) and Senior Visual Effects Supervisor at Industrial Light & Magic Dennis Muren (L) attend inga town hall meeting sponsored by House Democrats about the need for a new innovators reflecting the country's diversity February 14, 2006 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

Kerry Washington

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner The photo is actress Kerry Washington at a rally for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama in Orangeburg, South Carolina, January 22, 2008.

Shaquille O'Neal

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner The photo is basketball player Shaquille O'Neal (L) of the Miami Heat giving a basketball signed by the team to US President George W. Bush as he receives the 2006 NBA champions in the East Room of the White House on February 27, 2007 in Washington, D.C.

Connie Britton

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Matthew Perry

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner The photo is National Association of Drug Court Professionals ‘All Rise Ambassador and ‘actor Matthew Perry testifying before the House Commerce, Justice & Science Appropriations Subcommittee in support of funding for Drug Courts and Veterans Treatment Courts, as National Association of Drug Court Professionals CEO West Huddleston listens in on Thursday, March 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C.

Courtney Cox

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Patricia Arquette

Confirmed to attend the Celebrate the Arts in America Dinner The photo is Patricia Arquette at the 2011 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 30, 2011 in Washington, D.C.

Jeremy Renner

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Hayden Panettiere

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner The photo is Hayden Panettiere speaking at a press conference for ''Save The Whales Again'' on October 26, 2008 in Washington, D.C.

Ashley Judd

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Fred Armisen

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Kevin Spacey

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner The photo is actor Kevin Spacey at the White House Correspondents Association Dinner in Washington, DC, April 28, 2012.

Josh Radnor

Confirmed to attend the Celebrate the Arts in America Dinner

Olivia Munn

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Giancarlo Esposito

Confirmed to attend the Celebrate the Arts in America Dinner. Jesse Jackson (L) and Giancarlo Esposito share an embrace onstage at The Creative Coalition's 2013 Inaugural Ball at the Harman Center for the Arts on January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C.

Eric Stonestreet

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Kate Walsh

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner The photo is actress Kate Walsh at a rally to mark the one-year anniversary of the BP Macondo Deepwater Horizon oil spill on Capitol Hill April 20, 2011 in Washington, D.C.

Tim Daly

Confirmed to attend the Celebrate the Arts in America Dinner

Sam Trammell

Confirmed to attend the Celebrate the Arts in America Dinner

Chadwick Boseman

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Kevin Michael McHale

Confirmed to attend the Celebrate the Arts in America Dinner

Leslie David Baker

Confirmed to attend the Celebrate the Arts in America Dinner

Beth Behrs

Confirmed to attend the Celebrate the Arts in America Dinner

Sophia Bush

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Kristin Chenoweth

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner The photo is US President George W. Bush (R) shaking hands with singer Kristin Chenoweth as 'Frasier' actor Kelsey Grammer (2nd-R) and 'West Wing' actor John Spencer watch at the conclusion of the Ford's Theatre Presidential Gala on March, 3 2002 in Washington D.C.

Harvey Weinstein

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner The photo is Chris Dodd and Harvey Weinstein at a panel discussion after a screeing of the documentary 'Bully' at MPAA on March 15, 2012 in Washington, D.C.

Jon Favreau

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner The photo is U.S. President Barack Obama meeting with the Director of Speechwriting Jon Favreau (R) in the Oval Office of the White House on April 14, 2009 in Washington, D.C.

Jane Harman

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Claire McCaskel

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Jon Huntsman

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner In this photo Mary Kaye Hunstman listens as her husband, Republican presidential candidate, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman announces his withdrawal from the race, Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Ray LaHood

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Josh Gad

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Michael J. Fox

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner The photo is US Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (R) with actor and actor Michael J. Fox (L), who suffers from Parkinson's disease, at a town hall meeting entitled 'Restoring America's Leadership in Science' at Winnacunnet High School in Hampton, New Hampshire, on October 4, 2004.

Claire Danes

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner The photo is Bob Schieffer and actress Claire Danes arriving at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on Saturday, April 28, 2012 in Washington D.C.

Daniel Dae Kim

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner The photo is actor Daniel Dae Kim at the PEOPLE/TIME Party on the eve of the White House Correspondents' Dinner on April 27, 2012 in Washington, D.C.

Steven Spielberg

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner The photo is director Steven Spielberg, left, at a media availability with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, right, before a screening of the movie "Lincoln," for members of Congress, on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012 in Washington D.C.

Gabby Douglas

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner In this handout image provided by The White House, U.S. President Barack Obama (R) talks with members of the 2012 U.S. Olympic gymnastics teams (L-R) Steven Gluckstein, Savannah Vinsant, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, Steve Penny, USA Gymnastics President, McKayla Maroney, Kyla Ross, and Jordyn Wieber in the Oval Office November 15, 2012 at the White House in Washington, D.C.

Chef Jose Andres

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner In this photo US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton looks on as Chef Jose Andres of Spain, center, shakes hands with former US President Bill Clinton during the 2011 Clinton Global Initiative meeting, September 22, 2011 in New York.

Newt Gingrich

Confirmed to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Supplements and Heart Health

Omega-3 Fatty Acids are the second most commonly taken supplement after vitamins and minerals.

Research has shown Omega-3s may be beneficial to patients who have a history of heart attack or heart failure.

Now, a new study in the New England Journal of Medicine looks at whether they may also help at-risk patients who have not had a heart attack. More than 12,000 adults with multiple cardiovascular risk factors were included. Half were randomly selected to take one capsule containing Omega 3 fatty acids daily and half received placebo. All were followed for an average of five years.

By the end of the study, nearly 1500 of the participants had suffered a cardiac event including fatal heart attack, nonfatal heart attack and stroke or had been hospitalized or passed away from coronary heart disease. Of those, 733 had taken Omega-3s and 745 the placebo.

Bottom line, according to the researchers, Omega-3 fatty acids did not reduce the risk of death from heart disease or lower the number of hospital admissions for cardiovascular causes.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with news from today that can lead to healthy tomorrows.

News Source

Tempted to Buy

Tempted to Buy

How many times have you raced into the grocery store, famished, and come home with a full cart of groceries you never intended to buy?

New research confirms what most of us suspected all along, shopping when you're hungry isn't a great idea. But this study takes it a step further, and shows we tend to make really bad choices on an empty stomach.

The Cornell study was done in two parts. The first group of 68 participants was instructed to avoid eating for five hours. Then they were asked to go shopping in a simulated online store that was filled with a mix of high-calorie foods and lower-calorie alternatives. The second group of 82 went to a real grocery store. Some shopped after lunch when they were most likely to be full, others shopped before dinner when they were most likely to be hungry.

The results:

• Hungry participants who shopped at the online store purchased a higher number of high-calorie products like candy, salty snacks and red meat, versus low cal fruits, veggies and chicken breasts.
• Hungry participants who shopped at the real store also bought fewer low-calorie foods compared to those who walked the aisles when they were full.

Bottom line, researchers believe short-term food deprivation can lead us to load up on high calorie choices.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, your source for ideas to protect your health.

Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

Silicones in skincare (and scar reduction) are good, right?

Silicones in skincare (and scar reduction) are good, right?
BCcodes asks….I was under the impression that silicones in skincare (lotions, creams etc) were good because they help create a barrier for moisture. My facial moisturizer has a silicone, as does my body lotion (baby lotion – cheap and great for sensitive skin). I also use silicone sheeting for a hypertrophic scar from a surgery [...]

BCcodes asks….I was under the impression that silicones in skincare (lotions, creams etc) were good because they help create a barrier for moisture. My facial moisturizer has a silicone, as does my body lotion (baby lotion – cheap and great for sensitive skin). I also use silicone sheeting for a hypertrophic scar from a surgery a year and a half ago. I was watching a review of a silicone free face primer, and I got to googling. Silicones are being blamed for everything! I don’t use silicones in my hair products because I have dry hair and a sensitive scalp – shampoos with sulfates are not my cup of tea. I understand that over time, silicone can build up on hair if not properly removed, and since I do not use a harsh shampoo, I go without them. But I use a regular face cleanser and body wash, so I don’t see why using a face cream or body lotion with dimethicone would be a problem. Especially considering the scar healing functionality of silicone sheeting, wouldn’t silicones in skincare be a good thing?

The Beauty Brains respond:

Silicones have gotten a bad rap in hair care for a long time. It probably has something to do with the fact that Pantene has made such good use of them and we all know how much stylists love to bash Pantene! The idea that silicones build up on hair does make some sense (they’re certainly hard to wash off of laboratory glassware!) but we’ve never seen conclusive data showing that a “harsh” shampoo is required to remove them. Still the myth persists to the degree that many companies make a pretty penny by selling silicone-free conditioners.

It’s a different story when it comes to skin care. Silicone (specifically dimethicone) is an excellent occlusive agent which will help lock moisture in skin. In fact, it’s so good that it’s specified as an active drug ingredient in the Skin Protectant Monograph. In addition, silicone sheets are useful in scar reduction, partly for occlusion and partly for providing a “scaffolding” for tissue growth. But, we’ve never seen any data showing that silicone delivered from a lotion can help reduce scarring.

The Beauty Brains bottom line

Don’t be scared of silicones for hair or skin!

Image credit: http://fc02.deviantart.net/

Source: thebeautybrains.com

Distracted Driving

Distracted Driving

The news may be filled with stories about distracted teen drivers, but a new study suggests adults may be just as bad.

Researchers surveyed more than 600 parents to find out what distractions they face while driving with their kids, whether they use age-appropriate child restraints and if they'd ever been in an accident.

Then, the researchers drilled deeper, asking how often the parents engaged in 10 specific behaviors when their kids were in the car. Options included talking on the phone, texting, getting directions, grooming, changing the music, eating and picking up a toy.

Nearly 90% of the parents admitted that they'd been distracted by technology while driving their kids at least once during the past month. Most said they were guilty of engaging in 4 of the distractions on the list.

Not surprisingly, those who engaged in distracting behaviors were more likely to report having been in a car accident, as well. Parents who reported always wearing a seat belt were significantly more likely to report their child always uses the age-appropriate restraint.

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

Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

Lipstick Lowdown

Here's some news you may want to consider before applying your favorite lipstick next time. That product that makes you feel more beautiful may contain some elements that aren't so pretty.

Researchers at the University of California Berkley tested 8 lipsticks and 24 lip glosses commonly sold in drug stores and department stores. Prices varied, and specific brands were not identified.

Their analysis detected lead, cadmium, chromium, aluminum and five other metals. The team then estimated health risks based on the concentration of the metals in each product, a consumer's potential daily intake of those metals, and existing health guidelines.

The results showed that average use of some of the lipsticks and glosses could cause excessive intake of chromium, a carcinogen that has been linked to stomach tumors.

High use of some of the makeup could lead to overexposure to aluminum, cadmium and manganese. Lead was also found in the majority of the lip products, but generally at concentrations that are considered acceptable.

The researchers say, despite these findings, they're not recommending you throw away your lipstick or lip gloss, but they are calling for more oversight by health regulators.

Metals in cosmetic products are currently not regulated by the FDA.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV with the news doctors are reading health news for healthier living.

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Michael S. Broder, Ph.D.: Stop Anxiety In Its Tracks

Michael S. Broder, Ph.D.: Stop Anxiety In Its Tracks

Believe it or not, fear can be a good thing. If our ancestors didn't feel fear and react to it properly, they wouldn't have protected themselves when they saw a dangerous predator coming after them, and we would not have survived. Thus, the survival mechanism of fear has thankfully survived, or the human species would not have. In our modern society, we rarely -- but sometimes -- need our fear responses to save our lives, such as when a dangerous person meaning harm is stalking us. Nevertheless, when this happens, we can fortunately use the fear response to fight or flee.

Physiologically, anxiety is identical to fear, resulting in symptoms that may include shortness of breath, sweating, blushing, muscle weakness or tension, butterflies in your stomach, or constriction of the throat and chest. Fear, however, is about something specific that usually makes it rational, appropriate, and helpful in many ways. Anxiety on the other hand, is not connected to any real danger or life-threatening event. Anxiety -- as opposed to fear -- generally stifles you from taking any action and sometimes causes you to avoid things you wish you could do. Oftentimes, anxiety provokes feelings of shame, while fear is rarely shameful, as it is a protective mechanism. Whether yours is minor worrying or more severe (such as feelings of panic or losing control), if you experience your anxiety as interfering with your ability to function in your daily life, it might be time to take some steps to get it under control. While you may not be able to control what's happening with the people, places and things around you, you can absolutely learn to control your reaction to an external event.

What specific things in your life trigger anxiety? Make a list of the things that trigger you on a regular basis. It can be helpful to write down events that occurred the past week that might have set off your anxious feelings. (My book Stage Climbing: The Shortest Path to Your Highest Potential can be a good resource to help you recognize what makes you anxious in the big picture.) Using one item from your list, think about these questions to figure out what you're telling yourself that may have created your anxiety and then to challenge your thinking. When this situation occurred, what thoughts were you having? What feelings or emotions did you experience? What were you telling yourself at the time? Were you in any real danger? What is the worst thing that could possibly happen to you as a result of the event. Finally, how likely is it that this worst thing will happen?

For example, if you felt anxious when your boss called you into his office, maybe you had the thought that you were going to be fired. It's possible that you then felt nervous and helpless. Perhaps you told yourself "I won't ever find another job and therefore I won't be able to support myself or my family." In this case, while being laid off might be extremely stressful, it's not life threatening. If your mind tends to jump to the irrational worst-case scenario, like having to live on the street, this is your anxiety talking, since chances are it's probably quite unlikely that would happen. Begin to practice writing these questions and answers down as you experience anxiety-provoking situations throughout your week, and/or try this exercise with other items on your list.

What can you tell yourself instead of those things that create and worsen your anxiety? What are some new ways to think about them? A good question to ask yourself is what is a more realistic, rational attitude I could substitute in this situation? For example, if you think you're going to be fired, you can consider that your boss might have a question for you or even want to praise you for your work. And even if the worst scenario becomes reality, where's the evidence that you can't survive it? When you look at your list at a later point after the anxiety has subsided, ask yourself, what does my irrational side say and what does my rational side say? Can I choose to listen to my rational side instead?

Ask yourself what you'd advise someone else whom you cared about do with similar thoughts. If another person thought they'd be fired because they were called into a meeting or that if they were fired, it would be catastrophic, would you agree? If you're able to think about it rationally for someone else, you can certainly do so for yourself. Another option is to say STOP to yourself aloud or silently when you begin to have worrisome thoughts. While this may seem silly, this simple technique can help shift your attention in the moment away from worrying.

Once you are aware of those things that trigger anxiety, it's helpful to have a "to do" list on hand you for when you begin to worry. For example, when anxious feelings start, one simple strategy you can try is a deep breathing exercise. Imagine your legs are two giant air balloons. As you inhale, imagine your legs filling up with air. As you exhale, imagine all of the air leaving your body. Try this, breathing in to the count of five and out to the five as many times as necessary to feel the anxiety dissipate.

If you can't seem to reduce your anxiety, ask yourself if there is purpose your anxiety is serving. Maybe your anxiety keeps you in a relationship or at a job that you're afraid to leave. If so, face those issues head on, until you are operating according to your choices -- not your anxiety!

As you try these various techniques, notice which ones work best for you. The more you practice a particular strategy, the easier it becomes to gain mastery over your anxiety. Feeling more relaxed something you can achieve. If your anxiety continues to affect your life negatively, I encourage you to seek professional help.

For more action steps to reduce your anxiety, download my complimentary audio program Overcoming Your Anxiety.

For more by Michael S. Broder, Ph.D., click here.

For more on emotional wellness, click here.

Follow Michael S. Broder, Ph.D. on Twitter: www.twitter.com/DrMichaelBroder

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

HPV Infection Protection

Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in women worldwide.

The HPV vaccine protects against some types of the human papillomavirus, a major cause of the disease, but it's been slow to catch on, in part due to the cost and the number of doses recommended for girls and young women.

So, Canadian researchers wanted to find out whether fewer injections would be just as effective in adolescents. It's traditional with these protein vaccines to give two doses quite close together within a couple of months of each other and then wait a period of time and give a third dose.

Their study included 675 females who were willing to give follow up blood samples. Participants who were between 9 and 13 years of age were randomly selected to receive either two or three doses over six months. All of the older teenagers and 20-somethings received 3 doses.

My parents had explained that it will help prevent cancer for when I'm older.

Antibodies were then checked in their blood over a three-year period.

The two doses given to young girls was no worse than the three doses given to young women at least immediately after the last dose had been given the responses in the two dose girls was no worse than the three dose girls.

The researchers say it's still too early to change the recommendation on how many shots allowed for adequate protection and they're calling for more studies to be done.

I'm dr Cindy Haines from HealthDay TV, with the health news for you and your family.

Source

6 May Superfoods In Season Now

6 May Superfoods In Season Now

April showers bring May superfoods! Spring is in full gear (finally!) and with it come bountiful harvests of some of our favorite warm-weather fruits and veggies.

Some of May's ripest finds are in the slideshow below. Let us know in the comments what May produce you're most looking forward to!

• Strawberries

  <strong>Why We Love Them:</strong> The strawberry, a true symbol of warmer weather, is coming into its own this month. One serving of the low-calorie fruit packs <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/29/healthy-food-healthiest-list_n_1636409.html#slide=1162263" target="_blank">more vitamin C than an orange</a> and offers protection against <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/19/strawberries-blueberries-heart-attack-risk-women_n_2480050.html" target="_blank">heart attacks</a>, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/26/cognitive-impairment-study-berries_n_1453557.html" target="_blank">cognitive decline</a> and <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/06/strawberries-ultraviolet-radiation-uv-rays-skin_n_1739399.html" target="_blank">damage to the skin from UV rays</a>. The high antioxidant content has also been credited with increasing HDL, or "good" cholesterol, says Vandana Sheth, R.D.N., C.D.E., a spokesperson for the <a href="http://www.eatright.org/" target="_blank">Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics</a>. <strong>How To Enjoy:</strong> Straight from the vine! Pick your own this season and burn some calories in the process. Or try them as a sweet addition to salads with balsamic vinegar, says Sheth.

• Peas

  <strong>Why We Love Them:</strong> One of <a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/2011/05/in-season-peas-choosing-picking-storing-20110505.html" target="_blank">spring's tiniest veggies</a> is also one of its most nutritious. Peas are loaded with fiber and <a href="http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2521/2" target="_blank">vitamins A, C and K</a>, which is important for healthy blood and bones, says Sheth. <strong>How To Enjoy:</strong> Sprinkling some <em><a href="http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2520/2" target="_blank">raw peas</a></em> into a salad offers even more vitamin C per one cup than serving them as a cooked side dish. Sheth suggests mashing them into guacamole to cut back on some of the fat from the avocado. They're also tasty additions to pasta and rice dishes.

• Apricots

  <strong>Why We Love Them: </strong>Just one single apricot in all its sweet and juicy glory contains a good amount of your daily vitamins A and C, plus some fiber and potassium all for <a href="http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/1827/2" target="_blank">just 17 calories</a>. It also offers some iron, says Sheth, which, in the presence of that vitamin C, is absorbed more effectively by the body. <strong>How To Enjoy:</strong> A perfect on-the-go snack, apricots can also be chopped or blended into parfaits or smoothies, says Sheth. Try them sliced with peanut butter for a fresher take on the classic PB&J, she suggests.

• Cauliflower

  <strong>Why We Love It:</strong> "People think about staying away from white-colored foods," says Sheth, "but cauliflower is the exception." While it doesn't often get the praise its relative broccoli gets, it's worthy of it. Both come from the same <a href="http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/foods/cruciferous/" target="_blank">cruciferous family of vegetables</a>, well-known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Often thought of as a cooler-weather veggie, cauliflower is <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/seasonalcooking/farmtotable/seasonalingredientmap" target="_blank">ripe for the picking in a number of states</a> this month, offering possible <a href="http://greatist.com/health/superfood-cauliflower" target="_blank">protection against cancer and stroke</a>. <strong>How To Enjoy:</strong> Beside enjoying it raw with a little dip, Sheth suggests using it as a low-calorie substitute for potatoes, either baked or mashed. Or try roasting it with some Indian spices like turmeric, she says, with some garbanzo beans for protein and fiber.

• Morel Mushrooms

  <strong>Why We Love Them:</strong> Sure, these guys are pretty funny looking, but they boast a unique flavor and are a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/03/morel-recipes-mushrooms_n_2999579.html" target="_blank">true sign of spring</a>, prime morel hunting season. In the same family as truffles, they can be pricey, but they do pack some benefits, like <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/01/7-may-superfoods_n_1466035.html#slide=922177" target="_blank">potassium and B vitamins</a>. Research in animals suggests morel mushrooms may have benefits for liver function, says Sheth, and, like other mushrooms, they are a decent source of vitamin D, she says. <strong>How To Enjoy:</strong> Tasty raw in salads, they're also yummy in stir fries, or simply sautéed or grilled with a little olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper, says Sheth.

• Boysenberries

  <strong>Why We Love Them: </strong>Seeing as this gem is a cross between a raspberry and a blueberry, it's not surprising that it packs similar brainpower-boosting benefits, antioxidants and vitamins, says Sheth. Boysenberries are also <a href="http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/1856/2" target="_blank">rich in fiber</a>. <strong>How To Enjoy:</strong> Although they're less common, boysenberries can be enjoyed just like any other berry, says Sheth: just as they are, or in salads, smoothies, or even on top of pancakes, she says. Look for them at your farmer's market this month.

Related on HuffPost:

April showers bring May superfoods! Spring is in full gear (finally!) and with it come bountiful harvests of some of our favorite warm-weather fruits and veggies. Some of May's ripest finds are in ...

April showers bring May superfoods! Spring is in full gear (finally!) and with it come bountiful harvests of some of our favorite warm-weather fruits and veggies. Some of May's ripest finds are in ...

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A Common Problem: The Ingrown Toenail (Onychocryptosis)

A Common Problem: The Ingrown Toenail (Onychocryptosis)
Onychocryptosis, or ingrown toenail, is one of the more common conditions encountered by dermatologists. It might be hard to conceive how a single toenail can be the source of so much pain, yet pain is the main reason that patients suffering from ingrown toenails go to a dermatologist. The nail is a normal component of the anatomy of the toe, but once it breaks the skin, the body treats it as it would any foreign body; it revolts, it inflames, it swells, and it hurts. As an ingrown toenail can be a source of severe morbidity, it becomes important to […]

Onychocryptosis, or ingrown toenail, is one of the more common conditions encountered by dermatologists. It might be hard to conceive how a single toenail can be the source of so much pain, yet pain is the main reason that patients suffering from ingrown toenails go to a dermatologist. The nail is a normal component of the anatomy of the toe, but once it breaks the skin, the body treats it as it would any foreign body; it revolts, it inflames, it swells, and it hurts. As an ingrown toenail can be a source of severe morbidity, it becomes important to know its cause, symptoms, and available treatment options.

The major reason for nails to penetrate the skin is mechanical trauma. Wearing shoes that exert pressure on the toes can push the nails into the surrounding skin. The reason why ingrown toenails are more likely to occur to younger people or athletes is because they wear shoes for a prolonged time and they sweat excessively in them. The constant pressure from the shoes pushes the nail into the skin, and the sweat makes the skin around the nail soft enough for the nail to pierce it. Cutting the nail too short or not trimming its edges properly facilitates its penetration of the skin as it is growing. In rare instances, a person can be born with an abnormal shape to the nails that leads to an ingrown toenail.

An ingrown toenail

Symptoms of an Ingrown Toenail

The symptoms resulting from an ingrown nail depend on the degree of invasion of the nail and the presence or absence of an infection. Usually the big toe is the one affected (Heidelbaugh, 2009). Early symptoms consist of pain on walking and minor swelling and redness of the skin surrounding the nail. Touching the area is also painful, which makes attempts to trim or correct the shape of the nail unpleasant. The introduction of an infection leads to wound formation and pus discharge. When the wound has been present for some time, a bumpy, fleshy and moist growth is seen, which is termed “granulation tissue.” This is an attempt by the skin to heal itself in cases of chronic wounds.

Cut nails straight across without rounding the corners – source: orthoinfo.aaos.org

Treatment is Key

Treatment of an ingrown toenail is necessary to restore normal functionality and the ability to walk and be active without pain. Treatment is also crucial for diabetics, who are more prone to serious complications such as bone infection or even toe amputation (Khunger, 2012).

Choosing an experienced physician is key, as the choices of treatment modalities are wide, and some offer a lower recurrence rate than others. It is best to ask the doctor of his or her preferred mode of treatment and its recurrence rate, then to read up on the treatment before making a final decision.

In mild cases, the aim of treatment is to fix the ingrown nail without resorting to surgery. Instruction is given on how to properly trim the nail and on appropriate footwear that does not compress the nail nor cause excessive sweating. Topical treatment may be given to reduce the inflammation and treat any infection. Several conservative outpatient techniques are available that require no anesthesia.

In more severe cases, surgical or chemical removal of the offending part of the nail can be employed (O’Brien, 2012). These procedures require local anesthesia of the affected toe, and a recovery period of at least a week. Any of these procedures carry a chance of recurrence, especially if proper care and trimming of the toenail are not maintained post operatively. Recurrence rates can range from five to seventy percent, depending on the chosen surgical or chemical method (Khunger ,2012).

Shoes should be roomy and comfortable.

Bottom Line

An ingrown toenail is a difficult and common problem, but it is fortunately treatable. This is good news for athletes and young adults, who suffer the most from ingrown toenails. Even though there is a chance of recurrence, with the correct choice of a treatment modality and with proper and diligent care, many patients never experience a recurrence ever again.

Interesting Fact: The medical terminology for an ingrown toenail is onychocryptosis (o – nee – ko – krip – to – sis). Let’s break that down! Onycho- is anything to do with nails. Crypt is “hidden” or “buried”. And –osis is the usual suffix for “a condition or a disease.” So onychocryptosis is “the condition of the hidden – or buried – nail.”

References:

Heidelbaugh, J.J., Lee, H., & Arbor, A. (2009, February). Management of the ingrown toenail. American Family Physician, 79 (4), 303-308.

Khunger, N., & Kandhari, R. (2012). Ingrown toenails. Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 78 (3), 279-289.

O’Brien, T. (2012). Current techniques of toenail surgery. In Saxena, A. (Ed) International advances in foot and ankle surgery (pp. 125-132). London: Springer.

Source: www.futurederm.com