I am 80 years old. 40 years ago I had a heart attack. I stopped smoking but remained very active. My blood pressure, with the help of medications, is around 125/70. My physician thinks I am pushing too hard and has urged me to take it easier. Is he right?
Guidelines for CPR have eliminated the giving of mouth-to-mouth breaths, partly so people will be more likely to give CPR, and partly because blood flow slows during the time compressions are stopped to give breaths.
My niece has been diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder. I’ve heard of it, but I’m not sure what it is exactly.
The question of whether or not cancer survivors should take vitamin or mineral supplements to prevent recurrence cannot be answered conclusively, because there have not been any studies in this area.
Researchers say they have found 5 areas of DNA that are linked to ovarian cancer risk. The study included 10,200 women with ovarian cancer. Their DNA was compared with that of 13,185 women who did not have the disease. Scientists found differences in 5 areas of DNA linked to ovarian cancer risk. Four were more common among women with the fastest-growing form of ovarian cancer. A blood test can show which women have these differences. The increase in risk was small, one researcher told Postmedia News. But the study helps us to know more about this type of cancer, another researcher told HealthDay News. Doctors hope that someday they will be able to predict each woman’s risk based on her DNA. The journal Nature Genetics published the study September 19.
Brief reports on migraines and stroke risk, HDL’s potential role in lowering cancer risk, unhealthy food ads on TV, and the benefits of defibrillators in public places.
Diet drugs did not fare well in the U.S. regulatory process this week. A panel of experts voted September 16 not to recommend approval of the drug lorcaserin. They said they were concerned about tumors in rats tested with the drugs. The panel provides advice to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA is reviewing 3 new diet drugs now. Lorcaserin had been considered the safest one. But FDA scientists questioned that in a report released before the expert panel met. They said lorcaserin produced little weight loss. They also cited side effects. Concerns include possible heart valve damage, depression and other psychiatric problems. The expert panel also voted September 14 on whether to allow an approved drug, Meridia, to stay on the market. The vote was an 8-8 tie.
One NFL team’s handling of a concussion raises questions about how to protect players, the New York Times reported September 15. Stewart Bradley of the Philadelphia Eagles collapsed during a game September 12. A sideline exam found no serious injury, the Eagles said. Bradley went back into the game. But at halftime he was diagnosed with a concussion. The incident suggests that many concussions in high school and youth games may be missed, the Times said. Earlier in the week, the Times wrote about a college player who killed himself in the spring. An autopsy found that Owen Thomas had early chronic traumatic encephalopathy. This brain injury is linked to depression and impulse control. At least 10 former NFL players were diagnosed with it. Two committed suicide. The cause is believed to be repeated brain injury.
Most doctors in training have worked while sick, a study suggests. The study was based on a survey of 537 medical residents at 12 U.S. hospitals. Nearly 58% of those who responded said they had worked at least once while sick. About 31% said they had done it more than once. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education conducted the survey. This is the group that accredits hospital residency programs. Its top executive told the Associated Press (AP) that residents need to realize that if they are sick, then their patients would be better off in the care of another doctor. The council has proposed new rules for residents. They include changes related to work hours. They also say that residents should not ignore signs of illness in themselves and coworkers. The Journal of the American Medical Association published the study. AP wrote about it September 15.