A recent study presented at a joint meeting of the American Society for Microbiology and the Infectious Diseases Society of America confirmed what parents have long suspected—toys in the pediatrician’s waiting room could be exposing children to cold viruses. One in five of the toys sampled tested positive for rhinoviruses or influenza B, according to the researchers. And even more concerning is that cleaning the toys provided only modest germ-killing effect.
For the study, Dr. Diana Pappas, of the University of Virginia Children’s Hospital and her colleagues took 20 swab samples from toys in a four-pediatrician office on three different occasions during the fall and winter of 2006 and 2007. They tested for viruses common at the given time of year; rhinovirus in October, January and March, respiratory syncytial virus in January, and influenza A and B in March. They also collected 15 swabs from the toys in the sick waiting area before and after they were cleaned.
Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the researchers found viral RNA on 12 of the 60 toys sampled, three of which were from a “new toy grab bag,” that had been searched through by many children while selecting a toy. Six of the toys from the sick-child waiting area were contaminated with virus and two contaminated toys came from the well-child waiting room. Toys from exam rooms were not found to have viral RNA on them.
Although nurses wiped down the toys twice a week using germicidal wipes, six of the 14 toys tested before cleaning had rhinovirus RNA and four of the toys still did after cleaning. Two toys that were not contaminated before cleaning became contaminated afterwards. “Cleaning the toys per office protocol with a commercially available disinfectant cloth only minimally decreased the presence of viral remnants, from 40 to 26 percent,” said Dr. Pappas. “What was really discouraging was that two toys that tested negative before they were cleaned were positive afterward. We don’t know how, but the virus is somehow being transferred.” She also cautioned that the presence of viral RNA does not necessarily mean the toys are infectious.
Parents who are concerned about germs in the pediatrician’s office also need to be worried about them at home or on play dates, according to a separate study by Owen Hendley, M.D., also of University of Virginia Children’s Hospital and a researcher on both studies. Dr. Hendley was involved in a study two years ago that showed cold viruses could linger on surfaces in hotel rooms for 24 hours after an infected guest leaves, waiting to be picked up by the next unsuspecting guest. His new study involved 30 adults who were beginning to show signs of the common cold. Nasal secretions from 16 of the participants tested positive for rhinovirus by PCR, but rhinovirus was detected via culture in just seven of them.
The sixteen who had tested positive were then asked to identify 10 places in their homes they had touched in the preceding 18 hours, which the researchers subsequently tested for the presence of rhinovirus. Of the 160 surfaces sampled, 66 (41 percent) tested positive. The most commonly infected surfaces included door knob (6 of 18), refrigerator door handles (8 of 14), television remotes (5 of 10), and bathroom faucets (8 of 10). However, the biggest germ hotspots turned out to be salt and pepper shakers; all three tested were positive.
Dr. Hendley also wanted to know whether an infectious virus could be transferred to fingertips, where it could then make its way to the mouth or nose and cause infection. To find out, the researchers asked six of the infected participants to flip a light switch, touch a number on the phone keypad, and hold a telephone handset—all of which had been contaminated with the participants’ own mucus. An hour after they touched the surfaces, 22 percent of the samples taken from the fingertips contained rhinovirus. However, after a day, the number fell dramatically to just 3 percent, and after two days, there were no traces of rhinovirus detected. “I was pretty happy that the infectivity of the virus decays over time,” said Dr. Hendley. “But if you come home and turn on a light switch that (a cold sufferer) just shut off, you’ll have a pretty good chance of catching it.”
The researchers say there is no evidence to support that wiping down household surfaces gets rid of rhinovirus. Their recommendation for protecting yourself from infection is the same advice that has been passed down for generations: wash your hands frequently during cold and flu season, especially before touching your eyes or mouth
Showing posts with label health habits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health habits. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Pregnancy on the Rise, Abortion Rates Lowest in 30 Years
Forget that “it” handbag, those coveted shoes, or designer belt you’ve been eyeing, it seems the new accessory among the celebrity set these days is the glow of pregnancy. Everyone from Angelina Jolie to Jamie Lynn Spears, and most recently Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s teenage daughter are popping up pregnant and reveling in motherhood. With 2007s independent hit “Juno,” an endearing dramedy about a reluctant teenage pregnancy and the hardships involved facing adoption, there have been more Juno’s in recent years than hush-hush clinic appointments, a new study reports. The Guttmacher Institute, founded in 1968 as The Center for Family Planning Program Development, uses public education, social science research and policy analysis to teach and encourage sexual and reproductive health. Combined studies by the institute and collected data records from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that the abortion rate from 1974-2004 has dropped 33 percent from an average 29 per 1,000 women ages 15-44 to 20 per 1,000 women in recent years. Their new study finds that the abortion rate among teens has dropped 50 percent while the abortion rate among 20 and 30 year olds has increased. This change has taken place over the past 30 years since Roe vs. Wade legalized abortion in 1973, and the demographics have shifted substantially.
A senior researcher from the Guttmacher Institute, Rachel Jones comments about the US demographic having abortions nowadays, "They are older, they are more likely to be unmarried, more likely to be mothers, and they are more likely to be women of color." Jones continues that they are more likely to come from a low income household as well, "We know from other research that having lower income makes a woman more likely to get an abortion. Women of color tend to be lower-income, and so in turn when confronted with an unintended pregnancy are more likely to have an abortion," she said.
The good news is that teen abortions have steadily declined over the last three decades but when one number lowers another is sure to rise and the rate of abortions among older women in their 20s and 30s has increased. Even though rates of abortion have declined over all demographics, there is still a large discrepancy among certain ethnic groups. Researchers found that Hispanic and black women were three to five times more likely to have an abortion than white women.
Jones accredits these findings to furthering sexual education and promoting contraceptive use in schools. "We've made the most important progress in reducing teen pregnancy and abortion rate, [rather] than reducing unintended pregnancy in older women.”
While education in schools has been successful in raising awareness and lowering teen pregnancy and the teenage abortion rate, once girls hit their early-20s there isn’t much left to educate them with, but the numbers are still rising. The institute points the finger of blame at a financial burden for the rise of abortions among older women. If women don’t have access to proper insurance coverage, unplanned pregnancies are more than likely to result because of improper precautions. The study, although praising lower numbers and better educational support, ended with a new goal: to unearth a new investigation into the socioeconomic gap in health care.Planned Parenthood’s Laurie Rubiner, vice president of public policy says, "When you don't have access to affordable birth control, rates of unintended pregnancy are going to be higher. That's a sad and real-life consequence of the health insurance gap." I was under the impression that providing confidential health care and sexual and reproductive information to people regardless of insurance was the main goal and cause of Planned Parenthood’s success for the last 90 years. Planned Parenthood’s website recites its services as, “Planned Parenthood is America’s most trusted provider of reproductive health care. Our skilled health care professionals are dedicated to offering men, women, and teens the highest quality medical care and the most affordable products.” Whatever the reasons, we may never be able to close the gap completely between affordable health care and lower income families but we can encourage better information and educational references for older women and hope for lower numbers in the future. With celebrity’s babies making up most of today’s headlines, the negative stigma of pregnancy is gone and has been replaced with organic baby products, natural baby food recipes, and an influx of celebrities taking time off to be parents. It seems that pregnant teens nowadays have realized that the positive attention is put on those who have the privilege of being a parent, even in a world where marriages aren’t guaranteed and money isn’t always flowing—that pair of Louboutin’s can wait.
A senior researcher from the Guttmacher Institute, Rachel Jones comments about the US demographic having abortions nowadays, "They are older, they are more likely to be unmarried, more likely to be mothers, and they are more likely to be women of color." Jones continues that they are more likely to come from a low income household as well, "We know from other research that having lower income makes a woman more likely to get an abortion. Women of color tend to be lower-income, and so in turn when confronted with an unintended pregnancy are more likely to have an abortion," she said.
The good news is that teen abortions have steadily declined over the last three decades but when one number lowers another is sure to rise and the rate of abortions among older women in their 20s and 30s has increased. Even though rates of abortion have declined over all demographics, there is still a large discrepancy among certain ethnic groups. Researchers found that Hispanic and black women were three to five times more likely to have an abortion than white women.
Jones accredits these findings to furthering sexual education and promoting contraceptive use in schools. "We've made the most important progress in reducing teen pregnancy and abortion rate, [rather] than reducing unintended pregnancy in older women.”
While education in schools has been successful in raising awareness and lowering teen pregnancy and the teenage abortion rate, once girls hit their early-20s there isn’t much left to educate them with, but the numbers are still rising. The institute points the finger of blame at a financial burden for the rise of abortions among older women. If women don’t have access to proper insurance coverage, unplanned pregnancies are more than likely to result because of improper precautions. The study, although praising lower numbers and better educational support, ended with a new goal: to unearth a new investigation into the socioeconomic gap in health care.Planned Parenthood’s Laurie Rubiner, vice president of public policy says, "When you don't have access to affordable birth control, rates of unintended pregnancy are going to be higher. That's a sad and real-life consequence of the health insurance gap." I was under the impression that providing confidential health care and sexual and reproductive information to people regardless of insurance was the main goal and cause of Planned Parenthood’s success for the last 90 years. Planned Parenthood’s website recites its services as, “Planned Parenthood is America’s most trusted provider of reproductive health care. Our skilled health care professionals are dedicated to offering men, women, and teens the highest quality medical care and the most affordable products.” Whatever the reasons, we may never be able to close the gap completely between affordable health care and lower income families but we can encourage better information and educational references for older women and hope for lower numbers in the future. With celebrity’s babies making up most of today’s headlines, the negative stigma of pregnancy is gone and has been replaced with organic baby products, natural baby food recipes, and an influx of celebrities taking time off to be parents. It seems that pregnant teens nowadays have realized that the positive attention is put on those who have the privilege of being a parent, even in a world where marriages aren’t guaranteed and money isn’t always flowing—that pair of Louboutin’s can wait.
Flu Shots During Pregnancy Can Protect Your Infant
Mothers are given many pointers when trying to have healthy babies, such as eat right, reduce stress, take your vitamins, exercise etc. Now, you may want to add getting a flu shot to the list. Currently, only 12 percent of American expectant mothers get a flu shot that could possibly help to not only ward off the dangerous virus for the mother, but also for the baby. Flu shots are not recommended for babies under six months old and antiviral drug treatments for the virus are not approved for children under a year old, which lends for the potential of babies contracting a possibly deadly virus. Recently a clinical trial conducted in Bangladesh, led by Mark C. Steinhoff, M.D., for Baltimore's Johns Hopkins University, has revealed that a mother who receives a flu shot while pregnant can potentially protect their babies from the flu virus up to 6 months after their birth. The study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, involved 340 expectant mothers who had not received a flu vaccine in at least three years. Through their study, researchers determined with the flu shot, infant’s risk of contracting the virus was reduced by at least 63 percent and 29 percent reduced risk for respiratory infections. For every 16 mothers vaccinated, one case of the confirmed flu was prevented. Mothers and babies risks of respiratory disease with a fever, was reduced by a third, and the vaccination prevented respiratory disease along with fever, for every 100 expecting mothers who were vaccinated, to only 14 infants and seven mothers.Even though the United States,Center for Disease Control recommends pregnant women receive flu shots, it seems either communication from doctors isn’t strong enough or maybe the information isn’t being communicated at all. Especially since so few pregnant women actually get a flu shot. The study recently released was conducted from 2004 to 2005 and during that time it was recommended that mothers receive the vaccine in their third trimester, but at least four weeks before delivery. It is now being recommended that expectant mothers get their flu shot a few weeks before flu season starts. To not only protect their baby, but also help to ward off the virus for the mom.Pregnant women get your flu shots! Dr. Steinhoff said in a news release, "Infants under six months have the highest rates of hospitalization from influenza among children in the U.S.” However, based on the new study, the odds of infants contracting the flu could be cut in more than half, with their mothers being vaccinated. Dr. Steinhoff stated, "Our study shows that a newborn's risk of infection can be greatly reduced by vaccinating Mom during pregnancy. It's a two-for-one benefit."
Offspring of Older Men at Greater Risk for Bipolar Disorder
Men over the age of 30 who father children increase the risk for their offspring to develop bipolar disorder, commonly called manic depression. In addition, the risk for the condition increases with the age of a father, up to 37 percent when a new father reaches the age of 55.
Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes a fluctuation between intense depression and mania, including extreme shifts in mood, energy and ability to function with periods of relative calm in between. It is characterized by high periods of elation or irritability and low periods of sadness and hopelessness that can last as long as months. About 1 in every 100 people will develop bipolar disorder in their lifetime. The exact causes the condition are not known, but it seems to run in families.
The findings of the study support evidence that children of older fathers share an increased risk of psychological conditions including bipolar disorder, autism and schizophrenia. The theory behind this evidence is based on the genetics of aging sperm. As a man ages, spontaneous mutations can accumulate in the genes of his sperm cells. By some estimates, the cells can divide as many as 660 times by the time a man reaches age 40. With each division comes an increased risk of acquiring a harmful mutation from erroneous gene copying.
This risk does not include women. Unlike men, who make new sperm throughout their adult life, women are born with all their eggs. DNA copy errors don't increase in number with maternal age. However, women do have a higher risk of giving birth to a child with Down syndrome as they become older.
Emma Frans, an epidemiologist at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, led the Swedish research team. During the study, the group identified 13,428 men and women who had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder by using a national medical registry. For each one of these people, five control subjects of the same sex and age who did not have the condition were randomly selected. Once they factored in maternal age, the group found that children born to fathers older than 30 years of age had an 11 percent greater risk of developing bipolar disorder when compared to children of younger fathers and children with fathers older than 55 had a 37 percent greater risk. The researchers also accounted for education level, age of the mother, family history of psychotic disorders and the number of children the mother had.
In a telephone interview, Frans noted that the findings do not mean that older men should not become fathers, as the overall risk is still low. She said, "The study sheds light on the negative effect of older fathers but most older men will still have healthy children."
The findings of the study are published in the Archives of General Psychiatry.
Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes a fluctuation between intense depression and mania, including extreme shifts in mood, energy and ability to function with periods of relative calm in between. It is characterized by high periods of elation or irritability and low periods of sadness and hopelessness that can last as long as months. About 1 in every 100 people will develop bipolar disorder in their lifetime. The exact causes the condition are not known, but it seems to run in families.
The findings of the study support evidence that children of older fathers share an increased risk of psychological conditions including bipolar disorder, autism and schizophrenia. The theory behind this evidence is based on the genetics of aging sperm. As a man ages, spontaneous mutations can accumulate in the genes of his sperm cells. By some estimates, the cells can divide as many as 660 times by the time a man reaches age 40. With each division comes an increased risk of acquiring a harmful mutation from erroneous gene copying.
This risk does not include women. Unlike men, who make new sperm throughout their adult life, women are born with all their eggs. DNA copy errors don't increase in number with maternal age. However, women do have a higher risk of giving birth to a child with Down syndrome as they become older.
Emma Frans, an epidemiologist at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, led the Swedish research team. During the study, the group identified 13,428 men and women who had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder by using a national medical registry. For each one of these people, five control subjects of the same sex and age who did not have the condition were randomly selected. Once they factored in maternal age, the group found that children born to fathers older than 30 years of age had an 11 percent greater risk of developing bipolar disorder when compared to children of younger fathers and children with fathers older than 55 had a 37 percent greater risk. The researchers also accounted for education level, age of the mother, family history of psychotic disorders and the number of children the mother had.
In a telephone interview, Frans noted that the findings do not mean that older men should not become fathers, as the overall risk is still low. She said, "The study sheds light on the negative effect of older fathers but most older men will still have healthy children."
The findings of the study are published in the Archives of General Psychiatry.
Childbirth and Postpartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM)
Pregnancy and the anticipation of new life is a time of excitement for most women. The gestation period is also tinged with some anxiety about the health of the child, and a safe delivery. Most pregnancies are relatively trouble-free, but there are those pregnancies which do not evolve as planned. Take a woman in her late thirties and pregnant for the third time. Previous pregnancies and deliveries were fairly routine and uncomplicated. Until today, this pregnancy was as normal as pregnancies ever are. Labor starts and after 30 some hours the doctor decides that a cesarean delivery is advisable. The operation proceeds normally and within the hour a new baby has arrived. The balance of the hospital stay meets the criteria established for release from the hospital and the new mother and baby go home. Within three days the mother is having problems breathing and relatives start to take her to the emergency room, but en route she cannot breathe at all and it is necessary to call for emergency transportation to complete the trip. The local hospital transfers the patient to a regional hospital that specializes in heart disorders.
The patient has been diagnosed with PPCM (peripartum cardiomyopathy). PPCM is a rare form of dilated cardiomyopathy in which a weakened heart is diagnosed in the final month of pregnancy or within a few months after delivery. Cardiomyopathy is considered peripartum when there is absence of heart disease prior to the pregnancy and no other cause can be found. As with all forms of heart problems the heart cannot effectively support the body and the condition affects the lungs, liver and other body systems. In this country, PPCM is a complication of 1 in every 2,000 - 4,000 deliveries. It can occur in any race, at any age during reproductive years, and during any pregnancy.
Symptoms can include difficulty breathing while lying flat, shortness of breath with exertion, edema, cough, frequent night-time urination, and heart palpitations. Patients as well as health care professionals frequently dismiss symptoms as part of normal pregnancy. Early detection and treatment are extremely important to the PPCM patient. Delays in treatment are associated with increased mortality.
PPCM has no known cause. Researchers are investigating viruses, auto immune system problems, nutrient or mineral deficiencies and genetics as possibilities that contribute to or cause PPCM.
The Internet Journal of Anesthesiology, 2007, Volume 12 Number 1 lists case histories of patients with PPCM and the treatments that were used for these patients. The underlying theme of this and other research is that both the patients and health care providers need to be more aware of the symptoms. Patients need to be persistent when seeking treatment if they exhibit any of the symptoms usually associated with PPCM.
In 2000 the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and Office of Rare Disease (National Institutes of Health) Workshop Recommendations and Review concluded: "Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare lethal disease about which little is known. Diagnosis is confined to a narrow period and requires echocardiograph evidence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Symptomatic patients should receive standard therapy for heart failure, managed by a multidisciplinary team. If subsequent pregnancies occur, they should be managed in collaboration with a high-risk perinatal center. Systematic data collection is required to answer important questions about incidence, treatment, and prognosis. "
A Mother's Heart is a non-profit online organization found at www.amothersheart.org dedicated to providing up-to-date medical information regarding the disease. It also provides the largest online support group for PPCM world-wide. Access to the support group is http://www.amothersheart.org/members/index.php
The patient has been diagnosed with PPCM (peripartum cardiomyopathy). PPCM is a rare form of dilated cardiomyopathy in which a weakened heart is diagnosed in the final month of pregnancy or within a few months after delivery. Cardiomyopathy is considered peripartum when there is absence of heart disease prior to the pregnancy and no other cause can be found. As with all forms of heart problems the heart cannot effectively support the body and the condition affects the lungs, liver and other body systems. In this country, PPCM is a complication of 1 in every 2,000 - 4,000 deliveries. It can occur in any race, at any age during reproductive years, and during any pregnancy.
Symptoms can include difficulty breathing while lying flat, shortness of breath with exertion, edema, cough, frequent night-time urination, and heart palpitations. Patients as well as health care professionals frequently dismiss symptoms as part of normal pregnancy. Early detection and treatment are extremely important to the PPCM patient. Delays in treatment are associated with increased mortality.
PPCM has no known cause. Researchers are investigating viruses, auto immune system problems, nutrient or mineral deficiencies and genetics as possibilities that contribute to or cause PPCM.
The Internet Journal of Anesthesiology, 2007, Volume 12 Number 1 lists case histories of patients with PPCM and the treatments that were used for these patients. The underlying theme of this and other research is that both the patients and health care providers need to be more aware of the symptoms. Patients need to be persistent when seeking treatment if they exhibit any of the symptoms usually associated with PPCM.
In 2000 the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and Office of Rare Disease (National Institutes of Health) Workshop Recommendations and Review concluded: "Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare lethal disease about which little is known. Diagnosis is confined to a narrow period and requires echocardiograph evidence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Symptomatic patients should receive standard therapy for heart failure, managed by a multidisciplinary team. If subsequent pregnancies occur, they should be managed in collaboration with a high-risk perinatal center. Systematic data collection is required to answer important questions about incidence, treatment, and prognosis. "
A Mother's Heart is a non-profit online organization found at www.amothersheart.org dedicated to providing up-to-date medical information regarding the disease. It also provides the largest online support group for PPCM world-wide. Access to the support group is http://www.amothersheart.org/members/index.php
Epsom Salt Reduces Risk of Cerebral Palsy in Premature Newborns
There is a simple treatment for women at risk of pre-term delivery that can reduce the risk of cerebral palsy in their babies by nearly half. It was recently found through a decades-long study that mothers given an infusion of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) decreased the risk for cerebral palsy in their newborns by 45 percent. Healthcare providers consider the treatment a way of stabilizing an expectant mother's blood vessels that in turn keeps sufficient oxygen supplied to the brain of the baby.
Study lead author Dr. Dwight J. Rouse, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said, "If deemed to be at high or immediate risk of delivery prior to 32 weeks, women and their doctors should consider using magnesium sulfate to prevent their child from having cerebral palsy."
Cerebral palsy is caused by injury to the part of the brain that controls muscle movements. Some children develop it after a head injury or brain infection, such as bacterial meningitis. Yet, the majority of cases occur just before birth, during delivery, or soon after. In fact, approximately one-third of all cerebral palsy cases are associated with pre-term birth.
Abnormal movement control and postures that cause limited activity are characteristic of cerebral palsy. This developmental brain disorder strikes 2 out of every 1,000 infants born in the United States. Experts are concerned that with a climbing premature infant survival rate there will also be a marked increase in the number of cases of cerebral palsy.
According to study co-author, Dr. Deborah Hirtz, a pediatric neurologist at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, "If we keep accelerating the rate at which we are able to save these very little babies, we are likely to see more cases of cerebral palsy, in which case we haven't saved them neurologically."
More than a decade of research involved over 2,200 women at hospitals across the United States who displayed signs of early labor and were at impending risk for pre-term delivery with fetus development being between 24 and 31 weeks. (According to the March of Dimes, babies born after 37 to 42 weeks of pregnancy are considered full term). These women were randomly given either intravenous magnesium sulfate or placebo in the hours before giving birth. Those receiving the magnesium sulfate cut the odds of their infants later developing cerebral palsy by almost half.
Researchers believe that these findings could potentially be one of largest breakthroughs for premature delivery in three decades. Yet, some experts advise caution and more study before routinely recommending the treatment to prevent cerebral palsy.
Rouse explained that in past studies, magnesium sulfate hasn't been proven as an effective treatment for delaying early labor, yet it has proven effective for treatment of maternal high blood pressure associated with pregnancy. He added, "Our findings are applicable only to early pre-term birth," defining high risk as threatening delivery prior to 32 weeks.
The findings are published in the Aug. 28 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Study lead author Dr. Dwight J. Rouse, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said, "If deemed to be at high or immediate risk of delivery prior to 32 weeks, women and their doctors should consider using magnesium sulfate to prevent their child from having cerebral palsy."
Cerebral palsy is caused by injury to the part of the brain that controls muscle movements. Some children develop it after a head injury or brain infection, such as bacterial meningitis. Yet, the majority of cases occur just before birth, during delivery, or soon after. In fact, approximately one-third of all cerebral palsy cases are associated with pre-term birth.
Abnormal movement control and postures that cause limited activity are characteristic of cerebral palsy. This developmental brain disorder strikes 2 out of every 1,000 infants born in the United States. Experts are concerned that with a climbing premature infant survival rate there will also be a marked increase in the number of cases of cerebral palsy.
According to study co-author, Dr. Deborah Hirtz, a pediatric neurologist at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, "If we keep accelerating the rate at which we are able to save these very little babies, we are likely to see more cases of cerebral palsy, in which case we haven't saved them neurologically."
More than a decade of research involved over 2,200 women at hospitals across the United States who displayed signs of early labor and were at impending risk for pre-term delivery with fetus development being between 24 and 31 weeks. (According to the March of Dimes, babies born after 37 to 42 weeks of pregnancy are considered full term). These women were randomly given either intravenous magnesium sulfate or placebo in the hours before giving birth. Those receiving the magnesium sulfate cut the odds of their infants later developing cerebral palsy by almost half.
Researchers believe that these findings could potentially be one of largest breakthroughs for premature delivery in three decades. Yet, some experts advise caution and more study before routinely recommending the treatment to prevent cerebral palsy.
Rouse explained that in past studies, magnesium sulfate hasn't been proven as an effective treatment for delaying early labor, yet it has proven effective for treatment of maternal high blood pressure associated with pregnancy. He added, "Our findings are applicable only to early pre-term birth," defining high risk as threatening delivery prior to 32 weeks.
The findings are published in the Aug. 28 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Should Women Say NO to Caffeine During Pregnancy?
Caffeine is a morning ritual most people don't think twice about. In this age of Starbucks and $4 lattes, coffee seems to have become a regular part of the daily diet. Getting pregnant means having to change that habit, and the amount of caffeine intake, whether it is from coffee, tea, soda or other forms. Women who are pregnant and consume caffeine, even as little as one cup of coffee a day, are at a higher risk of delivering an underweight baby. In January 2008, researchers from the U.S. found that pregnant women that consumed two or more cups of coffee daily are at twice the risk of having a miscarriage as those women who avoid caffeine during their pregnancy. These findings are the most recent in mounting evidence indicating that the amount of caffeine a person consumes could directly impact their health, especially women who are pregnant.Babies that are born underweight are more likely to develop a wide range of health conditions when they grow older, including problems such as heart problems, diabetes, and high blood pressure. There are also more serious complications that can arise with caffeine such as the caffeine can cause the blood vessels to constrict, and it may reduce the blood flow to the placenta, and since it is so easily crosses the placenta and reaches your baby (who then very slowly metabolizes it), caffeine may directly affect his developing cells. It has also been show that pregnant women who drink eight or more cups of coffee a day double the risk of having a stillbirth or miscarriage.In the U.S. study, women who were pregnant that consumed one to two cups of coffee per day, or between 100-199 milligrams, had a 20 percent increased risk of having a baby with a low birth weight. This data was compared to the women how consumed less than 100 milligrams per day.Justin Konje and his colleagues from the University of Leicester in Britain wrote, “Caffeine consumption during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of fetal growth restriction and this association continued throughout pregnancy. Sensible advice would be to reduce caffeine intake before conception and throughout pregnancy.”Konje and his research team, which included some researchers from the University of Leeds, looked at approximately 2,645 women at an average age of 30 who were between 8 and 12 months into their pregnancy. The women studied reported an average caffeine intake during their pregnancy of 159 milligrams daily, which is lower than the new recommended limits of 200 milligrams in Britain.The likelihood of having a baby with a low birth weight rose to 50 percent for women that consumed between 200 milligrams and 299 milligrams daily, which is about two to three cups of coffee. Even small amount of caffeine may prove to be harmful, but Konje said that the best advice would be to limit caffeine consumption to below 100 milligrams daily. “We couldn’t say that there was a lower limit for which there is no effect,” he stated. “My advice is if possible to reduce caffeine intake to a minimum. You have to be realistic because you can’t ask people to stop taking caffeine.”It is never easy to just completely cut off caffeine when you are used to having it every day. If you are a devoted cola drinker or java junkie, you may experience caffeine withdrawal and it won’t be easy. To minimize the symptoms of caffeine withdrawal, which may include lethargy, irritability, and headaches, you may want to ease of gradually. You can start mixing decaf with you regular cup of caffeinated coffee. Or you can reduce the caffeine in homemade hot beverages by simply brewing them weaker or for a shorter time. If you happen to love a cup of soothing English Breakfast, steeping you tea bag for just one minute instead of five minutes reduces the caffeine by as much as half.Although herb teas often have no caffeine in them, be sure to read the ingredients list and speak with you healthcare provider before trying anything new, as certain herbs and additives are not safe during a pregnancy.Here is a chart of amounts of caffeine in common food and beverages to help you decide what to cut back on.For the Coffee Lovers generic brewed coffee 8 oz 102-200 mgStarbucks brewed coffee 16 oz (grande) 330 mgDunkin' Donuts brewed coffee 16 oz 206 mgStarbucks caffÉ latte or cappuccino 16 oz (grande) 150 mgStarbucks caffÉ latte or cappuccino 12 oz (tall) 75 mgStarbucks espresso 1 oz (1 shot ) 75 mgGeneric espresso 1 oz (1 shot) 30-90 mggeneric instant coffee 8 oz 27-173 mggeneric decaffeinated coffee 8 oz 3-26 mgFor the Tea Drinkers brewed black tea, 8 oz 40-120 mgBrewed green tea 8 oz 30-50 mgdecaffeinated black tea 8 oz 2 mgTazo Chai Tea latte Starbucks 16 oz (grande) 100 mgNestea 12 oz 26 mgSnapple 16 oz 42 mgLipton Brisk iced tea 12 oz 10 mgSoft drinks Coke 12 oz 35 mgPepsi 12 oz 38 mgJolt Cola 12 oz 72 mgMountain Dew 12 oz 54 mg7-Up 12 oz 0 mgSierra Mist 12 oz 0 mgSprite 12 oz 0 mgEnergy drinks Red Bull 8.3 oz 80 mgSoBe Essential Energy, orange or berry 8 oz 48 mgSoBe No Fear 8 oz 83 mgDesserts dark chocolate 1.45-oz bar 31 mgmilk chocolate 1.45-oz bar 11 mgfrozen yogurt or coffee ice cream 8 oz 50-60 mghot cocoa 8 oz 3-13 mg
Larger Than Average Baby Girls Have Increased Risk of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in the United States. While all women are at risk for developing breast cancer some time in their life, certain factors have been linked to an increased chance of having the disease. Lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking, lack of exercise and poor diet can be changed. However, other factors like a person’s age, race, genetics, or family history can’t be changed—no more than we can control our size at birth, which has now also been linked to an increase in breast cancer risk.Researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine compared the risk of getting breast cancer with birth size by reanalyzing the results of 32 studies, published and unpublished, which included more than 22,000 cases of breast cancer among more than 600,000 women. For accuracy, the scientists used only birth measurement data from official birth records and parent recall. They found that women who weighed 8.8 pounds or more at birth had a 12 percent increase in breast cancer risk compared to women weighing 6.6 to 7.69 pounds. Head circumferences of 13.7 inches or more boosted the risk 11 percent, compared to those whose head circumference was 12.9 inches. But birth length appeared to be the strongest independent predictor. Women who were 20 inches in length at birth had a 17 percent increased risk compared to those who were 19.29 inches.One explanation for the connection could be high maternal levels of an estrogen hormone called estradiol may somehow change the programming of the breast, making it more vulnerable to cancer, says the study’s lead author Isabel dos Santos Silva, MD, PhD, professor of epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Other growth hormones or even overactive stem cells could play a role. “Little is known on how the prenatal environment may affect breast cancer risk later in life,” she said. “Further research is needed to unravel the biological mechanisms underlying the birth size-breast cancer association.”“We are facing now a new reality: that breast cancer has its origins several decades before its clinical appearance,” said Dr. Dimitrios Trichopoulos, the Vincent L. Gregory Professor of Cancer Prevention at Harvard University School of Public Health Department of Epidemiology and author of an accompanying journal editorial. “Recognition of early life influences are critical in the etiology of breast cancer and helps to explain why several adult life primary prevention practices—as distinct to secondary prevention ones focusing on early detection—have been of limited effectiveness.”Debbie Saslow, director of breast and gynecologic cancer at the American Cancer Society said women should not be concerned, no matter their birth size. “There is nothing that women should do differently to try to have smaller babies, or women who were born with a longer length or larger head circumference should do anything differently when they grow up or get screened differently, or consider themselves at high risk—it’s really just a research issue,” she said. “There’s good evidence for these findings, but there is really no clinical relevance for them,” she said. “It’s just one more piece of the puzzle that someday will help the research community better understand the multiple, interplaying causes of breast cancer.”According to the American Cancer Society, the chance of a women having invasive breast cancer at some point in her life is about 1 in 8. It is estimated that about 182,460 women in the United States will be found to have invasive breast cancer in 2008 and 40,480 will die from the disease. The study was published in the September 30 online edition of PLos Medicine.
What You Don’t Know About SIDS Could Hurt Everyone
I have heard that the joy of being a parent far surpasses any other life experience and that the feeling is hard to describe in words but is more than made up for with smiles and tears. Even though I can’t begin to contemplate the feeling of motherhood, the loss of motherhood is even more devastating to think about. Every day an average of seven babies die of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome—known as SIDS—and every day seven sets of parents go from the best feeling in the world to the worst feeling in the world. October is SIDS Awareness Month and because so much research is needed to figure out this confusing and traumatic event, we need all the awareness we can get. In October 2007, the Scripps Howard News Service started a reporting project called Saving Babies: Exposing Sudden Infant Death in America trying to understand the over 2,500 infant deaths per year in the United States alone and how SIDS may be the cause of most of them. SIDS can be the cause of an unexplained death of an infant from the age of one month to one year old. Called SIDS in America, North America also uses the term “crib death,” while the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand call it “cot death”. In most cases, the babies are usually found dead after having been put to bed and show no signs of struggling or suffering coinciding with a clean autopsy ruling out any possible medical reason for the cause of death. This program is aimed at instituting better regulations for investigating infant deaths, working under the assumption that some of the deaths could have been avoided but due to poorly funded and overseen research into these autopsies, parents are left more empty-handed than ever. First Candle, an organization specializing in infant health and safety, responded to the Saving Babies project, “We applaud the efforts of the Scripps Howard team in pulling together this in-depth study and opening the door for increased efforts in advocating for the mandatory use of standardized protocols for autopsies and death scene investigations, and consistency in the reporting of this data, for all sudden infant deaths,” said First Candle’s Executive Director Deb Boyd.
While there is not one main cause for SIDS, past research has narrowed the risk factors down to a prenatal and post-natal checklist formed by the pattern babies who have died of SIDS have shown. Prenatal risk factors for babies more susceptible to SIDS are: maternal nicotine use, inadequate prenatal care or nutrition, heroin or alcohol use, many births less than twelve months apart, carrying excess weight, pregnancy among teenagers, and the sex of the child with 61 percent of cases of SIDS being male. Post-natal risks include second-hand smoke exposure, not breastfeeding, high temperatures in the child’s room, lots of blankets or bedding in the crib, a low birth weight especially under 3 pounds, and putting babies to sleep on their stomachs.
Recently there has been a short relief in SIDS research because staph infections have been implicated in about 10 percent of SIDS deaths, a new study by The Women and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide, Australia was published in the September 2008 issue of the Archives of Disease in Childhood. Although this is a great advancement for the causes of SIDS and a break in the case that will most likely be followed up with better prevention for staph infections in the future, there are 90 percent of SIDS-related deaths that still need to be investigated. In order to save yourself or a loved one from the worst feeling in the world, get involved this October and become knowledgeable about SIDS so you can be prepared for the best part of pregnancy, parenthood.
While there is not one main cause for SIDS, past research has narrowed the risk factors down to a prenatal and post-natal checklist formed by the pattern babies who have died of SIDS have shown. Prenatal risk factors for babies more susceptible to SIDS are: maternal nicotine use, inadequate prenatal care or nutrition, heroin or alcohol use, many births less than twelve months apart, carrying excess weight, pregnancy among teenagers, and the sex of the child with 61 percent of cases of SIDS being male. Post-natal risks include second-hand smoke exposure, not breastfeeding, high temperatures in the child’s room, lots of blankets or bedding in the crib, a low birth weight especially under 3 pounds, and putting babies to sleep on their stomachs.
Recently there has been a short relief in SIDS research because staph infections have been implicated in about 10 percent of SIDS deaths, a new study by The Women and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide, Australia was published in the September 2008 issue of the Archives of Disease in Childhood. Although this is a great advancement for the causes of SIDS and a break in the case that will most likely be followed up with better prevention for staph infections in the future, there are 90 percent of SIDS-related deaths that still need to be investigated. In order to save yourself or a loved one from the worst feeling in the world, get involved this October and become knowledgeable about SIDS so you can be prepared for the best part of pregnancy, parenthood.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
STRESS RELIF AND MANAGMENT
health advice - healthy habits
article from
http://sheguide.110mb.com
stress relief managing
All stress isn’t bad. Stress can initiate change, help us focus on the task at hand, and in some cases even save our lives. Yet, when stress builds up, it can result in the opposites— and cause us to spin our wheels, keep us from concentrating, and cause bodily injury and even loss of life.
The first tip in managing stress is to recognize your stressors. The next step is to put each of them in their place. The following stress management tips, based on some old and some new adages, can help you do just that!
Take a Deep Breath and Count to Ten—Taking a deep breath or two adds oxygen to your system, which almost instantly helps you relax. In addition, taking a moment to step back can help you maintain your composure, which in the long run, is what you need to work rationally through a stressful situation.
Start with “take a deep breath” and…
1. Count to ten (or more or less as the situation warrants!)2. Stand up and stretch. Remember relaxation is the opposite of stress.3. Stand up and smile. Try it! You’ll feel better!4. Take a short walk. If you’re at work, take a bathroom break or get a glass of water. Do something that changes your focus. When you come back to the problem, chances are it won’t seem nearly as insurmountable.5. In the book Gone With the Wind, Scarlett O’hara says, “I can’t think about that right now. If I do, I’ll go crazy. I’ll think about that tomorrow.” Good advice!
Stop and Smell the Roses—“Things happen” and sometimes “bad things happen to good people”. If we let them, stressful events can build up, wall us in, and eventually stop us from enjoying the good things in life.
1. Take the time. Too often we put the pleasantries of life on the back burner, telling ourselves we don’t “have time” or can’t “make time” for them. However, actually, time is the only thing we do completely own. While we can’t “make” a day that’s longer than 24 hours, each of us starts the day with exactly that amount of time. Take a part of your time to recognize the good things in your life.2. Sleep on it. Every coin has two sides and every issue has both pros and cons. List them both then put the list away and take a second look tomorrow. Sometimes “sleeping on” a situation changes the minuses to pluses.3. Every cloud has a silver lining. After all, rain makes things grow! Ben Franklin found good in a bolt of lightning. Find the good in your stressful situation by listing the negative surges and determining what it will take to make them into positive charges!
“A Man’s Got to Know His Limitations—”Knowing yourself and your limits may be the most important way to manage stress effectively.
1. Dare to say no. One more little thing may be the “straw that breaks the camel’s back”. It’s okay to say “No”, “I can’t”, or “Later”.2. Acquit yourself. Sometimes events really are out of control and you really are “Not Guilty”. Quit blaming yourself.3. Be pro-active in finding peace. Those who unsuccessfully use the crutches of drugs and/or alcohol to alleviate stress often find themselves in a twelve-step program like A.A. where one of the mainstays is the Serenity Prayer:
“God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change; The Courage to change the things I can; and the Wisdom to know the difference.”
4. When you need help, get help. Even Atlas couldn’t bear the weight of the world on his shoulders forever. Whether you need help from kids or spouse in hauling groceries into the house, help from a colleague to solve a work-related problem, or professional help to find the causes of and effectively manage your stress, getting the help you need is in itself a major stress management tip!
Other Tips
* Get a good night’s rest.* Eat healthily.* Listen to your favorite music.* Exercise, participate in a sport or engage in fun activity.* Plan out your time and prioritize.* Talk to a friend about your problems, don’t hold it in.* Get a massage.* Take a nap.* Take a warm bath.* Read a book or watch TV.
article from
http://sheguide.110mb.com
stress relief managing
All stress isn’t bad. Stress can initiate change, help us focus on the task at hand, and in some cases even save our lives. Yet, when stress builds up, it can result in the opposites— and cause us to spin our wheels, keep us from concentrating, and cause bodily injury and even loss of life.
The first tip in managing stress is to recognize your stressors. The next step is to put each of them in their place. The following stress management tips, based on some old and some new adages, can help you do just that!
Take a Deep Breath and Count to Ten—Taking a deep breath or two adds oxygen to your system, which almost instantly helps you relax. In addition, taking a moment to step back can help you maintain your composure, which in the long run, is what you need to work rationally through a stressful situation.
Start with “take a deep breath” and…
1. Count to ten (or more or less as the situation warrants!)2. Stand up and stretch. Remember relaxation is the opposite of stress.3. Stand up and smile. Try it! You’ll feel better!4. Take a short walk. If you’re at work, take a bathroom break or get a glass of water. Do something that changes your focus. When you come back to the problem, chances are it won’t seem nearly as insurmountable.5. In the book Gone With the Wind, Scarlett O’hara says, “I can’t think about that right now. If I do, I’ll go crazy. I’ll think about that tomorrow.” Good advice!
Stop and Smell the Roses—“Things happen” and sometimes “bad things happen to good people”. If we let them, stressful events can build up, wall us in, and eventually stop us from enjoying the good things in life.
1. Take the time. Too often we put the pleasantries of life on the back burner, telling ourselves we don’t “have time” or can’t “make time” for them. However, actually, time is the only thing we do completely own. While we can’t “make” a day that’s longer than 24 hours, each of us starts the day with exactly that amount of time. Take a part of your time to recognize the good things in your life.2. Sleep on it. Every coin has two sides and every issue has both pros and cons. List them both then put the list away and take a second look tomorrow. Sometimes “sleeping on” a situation changes the minuses to pluses.3. Every cloud has a silver lining. After all, rain makes things grow! Ben Franklin found good in a bolt of lightning. Find the good in your stressful situation by listing the negative surges and determining what it will take to make them into positive charges!
“A Man’s Got to Know His Limitations—”Knowing yourself and your limits may be the most important way to manage stress effectively.
1. Dare to say no. One more little thing may be the “straw that breaks the camel’s back”. It’s okay to say “No”, “I can’t”, or “Later”.2. Acquit yourself. Sometimes events really are out of control and you really are “Not Guilty”. Quit blaming yourself.3. Be pro-active in finding peace. Those who unsuccessfully use the crutches of drugs and/or alcohol to alleviate stress often find themselves in a twelve-step program like A.A. where one of the mainstays is the Serenity Prayer:
“God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change; The Courage to change the things I can; and the Wisdom to know the difference.”
4. When you need help, get help. Even Atlas couldn’t bear the weight of the world on his shoulders forever. Whether you need help from kids or spouse in hauling groceries into the house, help from a colleague to solve a work-related problem, or professional help to find the causes of and effectively manage your stress, getting the help you need is in itself a major stress management tip!
Other Tips
* Get a good night’s rest.* Eat healthily.* Listen to your favorite music.* Exercise, participate in a sport or engage in fun activity.* Plan out your time and prioritize.* Talk to a friend about your problems, don’t hold it in.* Get a massage.* Take a nap.* Take a warm bath.* Read a book or watch TV.
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