Children’s food allergies increasing in the U.S.

Making sure that our kids get the correct foods they need is very important, but it is also important to make sure that those foods do not cause an allergic reactions. Pediatric food allergies, which can sometimes lead to life-threatening situations, are increasing at a dramatic rate across the United States. The author of a new study on the topic are unsure if the rise in reports of food allergies reflects an increase in actual prevalence or if better awareness of allergies has led more people to seek treatment for their symptoms. Whatever the cause may be, it is very clear that the number of children with food allergies has gone up 18 percent in recent years, and the number of people seeking treatment for food allergies at emergency departments or hospitals has tripled since 1993. Amy Branum, who is the author of the study and a health statistician for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said, “People are more aware of food allergies today, and that could have something to do with it. But, when we looked at health-care surveys filled out by parents and those from the health-care sector, we saw the increase across the surveys so this may be more than just increased awareness.” The results of this new study were published on November 16 and will appear in the December print issue of Pediatrics. Share and Enjoy: Full Story »

Prematurity awareness day

There is a lot of stress and anxiety involved in carrying and birthing a baby but the end result is supposed to fill you with excitement and joy. When a baby is born prematurely, the stress is doubled or tripled due to the possibility that your child may not live long enough to see the outside of the hospital, or even that he or she may live but not be able to see at all. Babies are precious gifts and with November being Prematurity Awareness Month, the March of Dimes is working overtime to make sure that all babies get the best care they deserve in order to ensure a long, happy and healthy life…no matter how early they are born. In September 2009, a news article spread around the world about a London hospital refusing care to a baby born too early for hospital attention. A woman named Sarah Capewell was admitted into the hospital only to have a chaplain at her bedside before giving birth to discuss funeral arrangements. Aside from being in bad taste, she also claims that after her baby was out of the womb at 21 weeks and 5 days, he had a steady heartbeat and active limbs and doctors would still not intervene with medical support. The hospital told her they were unable to act on behalf of the child and told her to spend his last moments holding him. After her baby boy died hours later, the woman did some research and found out that in 2006 a little girl in Florida was born at 21 weeks and 6 days and has recently turned into a healthy two-year-old. Share and Enjoy: Full Story »

Superfoods fight swine flu

As fall approaches and the weather gets colder flu season is expected to be at an all-time high and swine flu is still a danger, although not quite the pandemic as it was originally introduced as at the beginning of the summer. Swine flu—like the regular form of the flu which kills thousands of people per year if left untreated—needs to latch on to a body with a lowered immune system, so stay on top of it with these foods: Yogurt – You have long heard that probioticsl help assemble the good bacteria in your stomach to keep diseases away and the flu is no different. Full of “live active cultures,” yogurt helps keep your internal systems running on track and make sure the stomach and intestines are free of germs that cause harmful bacteria to grow. A recent study from Europe showed that consuming just 7 ounces of yogurt a day contains just as much nutrition as swallowing the daily amount of probiotic supplements. The recommended dosage is two 6 ounce servings. Yogurt that contains the strain Lactobacillus reuteri, has proved to be most effective, and is currently only found in Stonyfield Farms yogurt sold in the United States. Share and Enjoy: Full Story »

Popular Heartburn Drugs Reduce Plavix Effectiveness

Federal health authorities on Tuesday issued a public health advisory warning patients and physicians of a potentially serious adverse drug interaction between Plavix, an anti-clotting medication, and Prilosec, which is used to reduce stomach acid. The agency says the warning is based on a yet-to-be-published study that provided evidence that omeprazole, the active ingredient in Prilosec and other popular heartburn drugs, “reduces the pharmacological activity of (clopidogrel-Plavix) if given concomitantly or if given 12 hours apart,” thus increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. In most cases, a heart attack or stroke is caused by a blood clot that reduces or blocks the flow of blood through an artery. Plavix helps keep platelets in the blood from sticking together and forming blood clots. It is generally prescribed for people who have suffered a recent heart attack or stroke, or who have been diagnosed with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), conditions that increase the risk for future heart attack or stroke. However, because Plavix can cause stomach upset and bleeding, doctors also prescribe acid-reducers such as Prilosec. Prilosec belongs to a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Several previous studies have suggested that PPIs might interfere with Plavix, and the new data confirms it. In fact, the latest study shows that Prilosec lowers the effective of Plavix by half. Mary Ross Southworth, deputy director for safety in the FDA’s division of cardiovascular and renal products, said it believes that the “mechanism of action is because of omeprazole’s activity on the 2C19 enzyme,” which is needed to convert Plavix into its active form in the body. If the action of the enzyme is blocked, less Plavix is available in the bloodstream. Share and Enjoy: Full Story »

Is body contouring surgery right for you?

With the increasing popularity of bariatric surgery, weight losses of over 100 pounds have become a reality for thousands of people worldwide. As gratifying as this accomplishment is, often following bariatric surgery and resulting weight loss, skin does not shrink to firmly fit the new, smaller frame. The result is something similar to having a size 12 body in a size 24 skin. This loose, sagging skin can create hygiene problems and is prone to chafing, rashes, and infection. Surgical procedures to cut away and tighten the excess skin have become one of the fastest-growing invasive cosmetic surgeries in the United States. Share and Enjoy: Full Story »

Diet for your blood type

After a recent doctor appointment and being advised to get blood drawn, a phlebotomist (blood technician) friend of mine asked if the blood type diet would be a good idea for me to try. With some investigation as to exactly what “eating for my blood type” meant, the results were interesting enough to share. Share and Enjoy: Full Story »

Digestive health therapy

There are countless people who, on occasion, eat too quickly, too heartily, too much acid, or too much heat and end up at the end of a meal with heartburn, indigestion, or an upset stomach. There are millions of people, however, who are living with more serious digestive problems not just occasionally but every single day. There are multiple treatments available in the western world, but eating safely and keeping your insides on the right track are the principles behind the natural option: Digestive Health Therapy. Share and Enjoy: Full Story »

Improve your mood as well as your health by following a low-fat diet

You can double your pleasure by shedding those extra pounds while improving your mood at the same time. By following a low-fat diet, you could not only lighten your load by carrying around less weight, but also gain a lighter attitude. Share and Enjoy: Full Story »

Sex problems in men linked to high BPA levels

In our workplaces, we may have more to worry about than just our deadlines, especially if you work around chemicals. It has been found that workers who are exposed to very high levels of the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) were four to seven times more likely to report sexual function difficulties than were the workers with no occupational exposure to BPA. Share and Enjoy: Full Story »

Intestinal bacteria: another cause of obesity?

In the past 30 years, the number of obese children and adults in the U.S. has literally exploded. As scientists search for an answer to the problem, they are discovering that obesity is not a simple issue, but a complex, multi-factorial disease with a variety of causes. Some causes are obvious, such as too much food and too little exercise, but there are several other less well-known theories. In recent years, the idea that microbes might cause obesity has gained a foothold. Dr. Nikhil Dhurandhar, head of the nation’s first department of viruses and obesity, invented the term “infectobesity” to describe the emerging field. His particular interest is in the relationship between obesity and adenoviruses, which cause respiratory tract congestion and some of the “common” colds. Other scientists have been studying the role of microbes in the gut as possible causes of obesity—a theory given more credence by a new report published in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Share and Enjoy: Full Story »