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By Janet Evans
Thursday, Sep 4 2008, 07:43 PM
 Prairie Vole
While Edwards is a rat, and a vole is a rodent, we have to delve deeper. What do they have in common? Well, John Edwards is prone to infidelity….he is prone to being promiscuous. And guess what…so are voles. Actually, voles are highly promiscuous. Maybe Edwards is too.
Yes, this is another study.
“A man's tendency to be unfaithful may be influenced by his genes, research suggests. Men who inherit a genetic variant that affects an important attachment hormone are more likely than usual to have weaker relationships and marital problems, and less likely to be married, according to the research. Their wives and girlfriends are also more likely to be less satisfied with them as partners. While the study did not look directly at infidelity, the findings suggest that male monogamy might also be influenced by variations in a single gene. The study's authors cautioned that any effect would apply only on average, and that it was impossible to predict whether any individual would be unfaithful or a bad partner on the basis of his genes.
The gene in question affects the receptor for a hormone called vasopressin, which plays an important role in social behaviour, pair-bonding and sexual attachment. Its effects were first characterised by studies of different species of voles. Although the meadow and prairie voles are close cousins, their sexual behaviour is dramatically different. Like most mammals, male meadow voles are highly promiscuous, but male prairie voles are monogamous. When boy prairie vole meets girl, the two indulge in 24 to 36 hours of nearly continuous mating, which cements a bond that invariably lasts for life. When one partner dies, the survivor usually opts to remain celibate rather than find another mate. Male prairie vole brains contain much higher levels of vasopressin than those of meadow voles. There also genetic differences in the receptor for vasopressin in the two species. “
You've got to read the whole article...it's really interesting. Seriously.
Who knew?
You can find the complete article from Times Online HERE
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By Janet Evans
Monday, Sep 1 2008, 09:46 AM
Do you take a lot of medication?
If it could change you life, would you consider taking three, four, five pills?
Many of you love to exercise...it’s a way of life.
It’s for your body, mind and soul.
But many of you detest it.
What if you could just take a pill so you don’t have to exercise?
One so you could get some of the same benefits from exercising.
Did you know there is one being created?
Along with other pills that could change your life….
Exercise Pill
 photo by the U.S. Federal government
"Why spend the time and money on a gym membership when you can just pop a pill? An obvious future bestseller (and possibly the final fulfillment of the American dream), the pill that mimics exercise has been under development for some time. Developed at the Salk Institute in California, the pill caused sedentary mice to burn fat no matter how lazy they were. This pill would be for more than vanity, though, as obesity has grown into one of America’s biggest public health problems. A pill like this could both help the healthcare system and get you the six pack abs you want without having to step foot in a gym."
In the not-so-distant future, these six drugs--already in the works--will change how we live, and even how we die "
See the other five pills in Pop-Sci's photo article
HERE
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By Janet Evans
Saturday, Aug 30 2008, 05:15 PM
Albacore Tuna
Allow me to put down my fried cheese curd…because it’s time for another study.
Oh, it’s a serious study, mind you. I have no problem with the study itself.
There’s just one part of it that bothers me.
You see that picture of that Albacore tuna up there
Yes, that one.
That nice, white, high quality Albacore tuna, along with swordfish…that’s the problem.
Well, sort of.
Actually, mercury is the problem.
See…the study I’m speaking of is about mercury and women, and the dangers to them.
We all know about the dangers of mercury poisoning. And there are some groups who are at especially high risk…children and pregnant women. You don’t want to be eating too much high risk food when you are pregnant. That includes fish, such as tuna and swordfish.
Well the “study” says that women in the Northeast (where I am originally from) have higher levels of mercury poisoning) than those in the Midwest. We should be very happy about that.
I know…I should just let it go there.
You know, when I was growing up in the Northeast, I, as a child, happened to eat quite a bit of swordfish. I actually liked it. We ate whole Maine lobsters too. Unfortunately, dumb kid that I was, I turned my nose up at lobster, without even wanting to try it when I was very young. It was cheap enough then…I don’t know why my parents didn’t push it on me. They did other foods. But I eventually learned.
Back to my “study.”
Here’s a graph
So, the study has this to say:
"The nation's first region-by-region analysis of mercury in women's blood shows vast differences based on where they live, with the highest levels found in the Northeast.
There, nearly one in five women of child-bearing age have eaten so much contaminated fish that the toxic metal in their blood would pose a risk to their fetuses, compared with one in 10 nationally, the federally financed study found.
Women in the Midwest generally had much less mercury in their bodies; less than 3 percent exceeded a safety level intended to protect the developing brain before birth."
Okay…The next part is what I find interesting…they now include money in their findings:
"The study also found that women who make more money tend to have higher mercury levels. That may be because they are better able to afford expensive seafood, such as swordfish or high-grade tuna, that often is more contaminated."
Now ladies…I don’t know about you…but I don’t think we women in the Midwest aren't necessarily going out and buying the dark meat tuna, are we?
Or maybe we’re bypassing that and heading straight for the cat food isle and picking up the can made with this:
Atlantic Bonito
Yes…the Bonito…typically used in cat food. Related to the tuna but smaller in size. Much more oily. I know a little about bonito. I’ve actually eaten Bonito…my brother used to catch them in Martha’s Vineyard. Do I like it? Not so much.
You know, maybe women who make more money aren't eating balanced meals. Maybe they are eating out more. Maybe women who make less money aren't eating fish...I don't know. Maybe Midwest women eat more cheese and ice cream.
I don't care how much money I make...when I buy tuna I buy the best type and yes, I'll eat lots of seafood.
You can read the study HERE
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By Janet Evans
Friday, Aug 22 2008, 11:52 AM
Those wisdom teeth….nothing but trouble for most people.
You wonder why they are there in the first place?
For most they end up being extracted.
Actually not everyone has them removed…I still have mine.
Maybe more people will decide to hang on to them if they have room for them in their mouths, but if not, that's okay too, since they can be frozen …
Frozen?
Why would we want to do that?
"Japanese scientists said Friday they had derived stem cells from wisdom teeth opening another way to study deadly diseases without the ethical controversy of using embryos.
Researchers at the government-backed National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology said they created stem cells of the type found in human embryos using the removed wisdom teeth of a 10-year-old girl.
"This is significant in two ways," team leader Hajime Ogushi told AFP. "One is that we can avoid the ethical issues of stem cells because wisdom teeth are destined to be thrown away anyway.
"Also, we used teeth that had been extracted three years ago and had been preserved in a freezer. That means that it's easy for us to stock this source of stem cells."
The announcement follows the groundbreaking discovery by US and Japanese scientists last year that they could produce stem cells from skin, a finding that was hailed by the Vatican and US President George W. Bush"
We hear about many different studies going on in the world, and some seem so useless. Every once in a while we get fantastic breakthroughs.
Read the article
HERE
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According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, approximately 50 million Americans will need to have their wisdom teeth removed before the age of 25.
The average mouth has thirty-two teeth, sixteen on top and sixteen on the bottom.
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The four 1st molars come in around age six and are called "six year molars". |
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The four 2nd molars come in around the age 12 and are called the "12 year molars". |
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The four 3rd molars come in around the age of 17 (age range of 15-25) when most individuals become adults thus they are called "wiser or wisdom teeth".
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By Janet Evans
Saturday, Aug 9 2008, 08:20 AM
Another health study.
This one regarding genes and smoking.
So, how did you feel when you took that first puff of a cigarette (if you’ve ever taken one)?
Did you feel sick, nauseated, turned off?
You may be in Group A.
That’s a good thing.
"For most people, the first experimental drags on a cigarette bring on nausea, coughing and other signals from the brain that say, "Turn back. This is a bad idea." But for some, they bring a wave of pleasure.
Those in the second group likely bear a gene type that not only increases their addiction risk, but has been implicated in the development of lung cancer, researchers said on Friday.
"If you have this variant, you are going to like your earliest experiences with smoking," said Ovide Pomerleau of the University of Michigan Medical School, whose research appears in the journal Addiction.
Pomerleau said the finding suggests that for some, smoking even one cigarette is a bad idea. "It's a trap," he said in a telephone interview.
"What they don't realize is if they have this kind of genetic make-up, they are on their way to dependency," he said, and that raises their risk for lung cancer.
The research is part of a growing understanding of genetic factors involved in nicotine addiction and lung cancer."
Read the entire article from Reuters HERE
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By Janet Evans
Sunday, Aug 3 2008, 09:49 AM
Photo by Mark Cunningham/Getty Images
Hip-Joint Degeneration
Modern Comeback: Jason Isringhausen
Hip resurfacing before the 2007 season allowed the St. Louis Cardinals’ relief pitcher go from “couldn’t stand” to “elite closer” in six months. Future Fix: In nearly every sport, a hip injury has been the kiss of death for an athlete. Stem cells offer the best (if distant) hope for fixing hobbled hips, but advances in minimally invasive surgery have made the once-complex hip replacement almost routine. Stronger materials and improvements to MRI scanners and 3-D computer modeling have also led to better-fitting, stronger prosthetics. The biggest advance for quicker recoveries is a patch-job procedure called resurfacing, in which doctors use tiny tools to smooth rough spots in the joint and coat it with a low-friction ceramic substance. In the lab, researchers are developing and testing motor-oil-like lubricants that doctors will inject into the hip post-surgery to reduce pain from friction and further speed recovery. Visit POP SCI for Beyond Repair
How new medical tech gets injured stars off the disabled list and onto the field
and eleven more athletes stories....
HERE
Also check out POP SCI Field for info on cutting edge stadiums of tommorow
POP SCI Field - HERE
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By Janet Evans
Friday, Aug 1 2008, 11:45 AM
Okay, so we’re really supposed to believe the U.S. government on this one? Lead…even small amounts of it are “safe” for small children? It’s dust that’s being emitted from the artificial turf. That means it is being breathed in by the kids - who are closer to the ground.
"Back in April, the New Jersey Department of Health put in a request that the agency [The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission] take a closer look at artificial turf fields.
This came after they found that many of the older fields began to emit levels of lead which they believed could have posed a health risk. The commission followed up by studying the artificial fields and the amount of lead."
No…no, thank you. If I am the parent of small children, I will not let them play on artificial turf. Let the guinea pigs they use for testing purposes be the real thing. After all, we all know how the results of these so-called studies end up flip-flopping down the road. And I’m sure you would rather have a healthy child who doesn’t have any disabilities due to lead poisoning rather than a law suit, right?
I thought so.
Lead In Artifical Turf Posed No Health Risk
moneytimes
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By Janet Evans
Thursday, Jul 31 2008, 06:19 PM
Seriously, I’m wondering what’s up with the reports of ticks. Now there are two. One on an airplane in the U.S. and one on a ferry in Italy. I find it strange. I also find it strange to hear operators of airlines or other forms of travel say they check for these types of things. That's ridiculous and I don’t buy it.
Flight from Denver Delayed By Ticks
Italian Ferry Cabin Infested With Ticks
Ticks are very small and if you have ever seen the time they take between flights to clean a plane (if you want to even call that cleaning) there is no way they are checking a plane for insects. Maybe they do that at some other time. But if someone or someone’s carry on luggage or belongings has an infestation, checking a plane at some other time isn’t going to do any good.
I’m just wondering why there are more ticks this year in the first place. I don’t believe either story has reported whether the ticks were wood ticks or deer ticks. Deer ticks are the ones that carry Lyme disease. If you are going hiking, check yourself for ticks.
And here is how to safely remove a tick…as recommended by a nurse:
Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball. Cover the tick with the soap-soaked cotton ball and let it stay on the repulsive insect for a few seconds (15-20), after which the tick will come out on its own and be stuck to the cotton ball when you lift it away. “This technique has worked every time I've used it (and that was frequently), and it's much less traumatic for the patient and easier for me. Unless someone is allergic to soap, I can't see that this would be damaging in any way. I even had my doctor's wife call me for advice because she had one stuck to her back and she couldn't reach it with tweezers. She used this method and immediately called me back to say, "It worked!"
Deer Tick
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By Janet Evans
Wednesday, Jul 30 2008, 09:29 PM
When was the last time you had a surgery?
If you’ve ever even had one.
I don’t mind getting personal. I’ve had quite a few. Many different types, actually.
Hospital personnel always ask you why you are there before they operate on you…before they do the procedure. For some operations, internal things, there isn’t much control that you have over what is being operated on. You have to have faith that the surgeon will know what organ or body area he is tending to. After all, s/he is the specialist, correct? When I have had limbs or other areas operated on, the actual surgeon will come in with a Sharpie and ask me what is being operated on and literally mark it the area.
Well, doctors have operated on the wrong areas, that’s a fact. And in Massachusetts the area most incorrectly operated on? Well, it surprised me. I never would have thought it. And to me, it’s really scary. It’s the spine. If it’s happened in Massachusetts, I’m sure that has to be a concern all over the country. So, I’d read the article and if you are ever having back surgery, I’d ask questions.
Actually, when I have surgery, I ask many questions, because I’ve had a problem surgery in the past and I know doctors aren’t the gods we make them out to be. So don’t ever be embarrassed to ask questions. Don’t think you will offend the doctor. If he’s offended…then you should be seeing a different doctor in the first place. Make sure they take the time to answer all of your questions. And take notes if you want before a surgery, and keep them in a safe place. If something goes wrong, then you have those notes, and you will be glad you did. Before a surgery you are nervous and can’t always remember things.
Lastly, remember you are the patient, but you have rights. You can refuse just about anything. Again, a doctor doesn’t have to treat you, but you are not required to have any treatment you don’t want just because you are in a hospital bed and a doctor sends a nurse in with a bunch of tubes that he wants her to put in every orifice in your body. Maybe you might want someone to discuss why they are going to do these things first.
from the Boston Globe
Most Surgery In Wrong Spot Done On Spine
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By Janet Evans
Wednesday, Jul 23 2008, 12:01 PM
More research….this time about tattoos.
A simple study and obvious finding. More women remove tattoos than men. But the next question is why? Why do they, after wanting them in the first place, feel the need to remove them?
Before I read the article I thought about it for a minute. I don’t have a tattoo, but it wasn’t hard to imagine that if I did, at my age why would I want one removed. Let’s see…
I thought I’d make it a nice one…I like flowers…If I had a tattoo of a rose (that’s common) on my shoulder, at age 40, would I still want it?
I’m trying to be open minded …when I was younger I used to dress differently… always had my shoulders showing….I guess that’s when someone would want to flaunt a tattoo (that wouldn’t have been me). Now, at my age, I can’t imagine having been at my child’s wedding all dressed up with a rose tattoo on my shoulder. I can’t imagine a 50 year old sitting in a church dressed formally that way. I would be embarrassed.
So I read the article.
“Most of them decided to have tattoos at their ages from 16 to 23 and decided to remove them at their ages of 30.About 44% of tattoo wearers said they wanted to feel unique, this is why they decided to have tattoos, 33% wanted to feel independent, 28% said it is a way for life experiences to 'stand out'. To the question on why they decided to remove tattoos 57% answered that it causes embarrassment, 38% said they feel that body image is lowered because of body art, 37% had problems while choosing clothing, 25% said that feel shame, 21% did it because of a special occasion, such as marriage.”
I guess I pinpointed that pretty well. I don’t think you needed a study for this one.
But you can read about it here. 
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By Janet Evans
Sunday, Jul 20 2008, 01:34 AM
Summary: On his nationally syndicated radio show, Michael Savage claimed that autism is "[a] fraud, a racket. ... I'll tell you what autism is. In 99 percent of the cases, it's a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out. That's what autism is. What do you mean they scream and they're silent? They don't have a father around to tell them, 'Don't act like a moron. You'll get nowhere in life. Stop acting like a putz. Straighten up. Act like a man. Don't sit there crying and screaming, idiot.' "
Click here to read more ×
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“Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime. It is part of a group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Today, 1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls. Autism impairs a person's ability to communicate and relate to others. It is also associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively arranging objects or following very specific routines. Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe.
Autism was first identified in 1943 by Dr. Leo Kanner of Johns Hopkins Hospital. At the same time, a German scientist, Dr. Hans Asperger, described a milder form of the disorder that is now known as Asperger Syndrome. These two disorders are listed in the DSM IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) as two of the five developmental disorders that fall under the autism spectrum disorders. The others are Rett Syndrome, PDD NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder), and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. All of these disorders are characterized by varying degrees of impairment in communication skills and social abilities, and also by repetitive behaviors.”
Read more at Autism Speaks ×
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I suppose I have pity for someone as ignorant as Michael Savage. He can't possibly have any real knowledge of the disability of autism. I wonder if he has knowledge of any learning disabilities. He doesn't realize how fortunate he is to be able to communicate with other people.
Maybe Savage spends too much time behind a microphone. Perhaps he needs to get out into the "general public" more often to see what people are all about. He's lost touch with reality. 1 out of 150 children has autism and it is real. I think Savage may have lost a few listeners. Let's hope so.
Please...Contact WTMJ to voice your concerns about Michael Savage
620 WTMJ AM Milwaukee ×
H/T: Sprawled Out ~ John Michlig
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By Janet Evans
Friday, Jul 18 2008, 11:42 AM
Holy tomatoes…the all clear has been given.
What was thought to be bad is now good!
"As of today, FDA officials believe that consumers may now enjoy all types of fresh tomatoes available without concern of becoming infected with salmonella Saintpaul," the outbreak strain.”
Read the story from My Way
So it is now safe to indulge in all types of tomato activity….
Dip your hot dog in homemade catsup.
Coat those ribs in homemade BBQ sauce.
Put a giant slice of beefsteak tomato on your burger.
Make your favorite pasta sauce out of Roma tomatoes.
Or…try this….
Two gangs fight by help of 10 tons of rotten tomatoes. 1st price is a keg of lager ... Note: Certain hot peppers are still on the Beware list
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By Janet Evans
Tuesday, Jul 15 2008, 09:37 PM
I don’t know if I’m just carrying over my blog earlier today about kidney stones, or just feeling tired or what, but this AARP L site is kind of handy for the person who has medical symptoms and wants to find out what they might be…before making a trip to the doctor….
Like the symptom of sneezing for instance….
Sneezing
Definition
A sneeze is a sudden, forceful, involuntary burst of air through the nose and mouth.
See also:
- Allergen
- Allergic rhinitis
- Allergy to mold, dander, dust
- Allergy and asthma resources
- Common cold
- Vasomotor rhinitis
Alternative Names Sternutation
Considerations
Sneezing is caused by irritation to the mucous membranes of the nose or throat. It can be very bothersome, but is generally not a sign of a serious problem.
Causes
- Allergy to pollen, mold, dander, dust (hay fever)
- Corticosteroid inhalation (from certain nose sprays)
- Drug withdrawal
- Nasal irritants such as dust and powders
- Virus infections (common cold, upper respiratory tract infections, the flu)
Home Care
Avoiding exposure to the offending allergen is the best way to control sneezing caused by allergic diseases.
Tips to reduce your exposure:
- Remove pets from the home to eliminate animal dander
- Change furnace filters
- Use air filtration devices to reduce pollen in the air
- Travel to areas with low pollen counts
In some cases, moving out of a residence with a mold spore problem may be necessary.
For sneezing not caused by an allergy, the problem will disappear when the underlying disorder is cured or treated.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your provider if sneezing adversely affects your life and home remedies do not work.
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Your medical provider will obtain a medical history. You may be asked:
- During what time of year is sneezing the worst?
- When did the sneezing begin?
- How long do sneezing episodes last?
- Do you have a history of allergies?
- Have you been outdoors more than usual?
- What have you done to try to relieve the sneezing?
- How well has it worked?
- What other symptoms are also present?
A physical examination will also be performed. The doctor will examine your the upper respiratory tract. In some cases, allergy testing may be needed to provide an accurate diagnosis.
Antihistamines are the first line of therapy for sneezing caused by allergies. Nasal steroid sprays may be helpful in more chronic conditions.
Allergy shots, also called immunotherapy or hyposensitization, may be considered for seasonal or year round symptoms that cannot be managed with other drugs because of their side effects.
References
Adkinson NF Jr. Middleton’s Allergy: Principles and Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby; 2003.
Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2007.
Check out the site and bookmark it for the future:
Symptom Checker from AARP
Ã
H/T Boomer Chronicles
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By Janet Evans
Tuesday, Jul 15 2008, 12:16 PM
People like to blame George Bush for everything nowadays…well, for the past seven years anyway. Being a Conservative and a Republican, and a fan of President Bush (for the most part) I’m not going to be playing that game.
I have also noticed that besides President Bush being blamed for everything under the sun….yes, the sun, the warm, warm sun…global warming climate change is next in line for being blamed for everything wrong in the world.
So, I’m happy to say that last May and June as I was withering in pain equal to if I would have birthed my two children at the same exact moment in time, when I could have been cursing George Bush….it really was global warming that was to blame.
You see, global warming is now thought to be to blame for increasing kidney stones! Who knew?
So maybe I better think about moving someplace much cooler, because even though I'm currently not in an at-risk state, I’ve got a s*#%load more of them lingering there just waiting.
And while I thought perhaps President Bush might do something before November to really get me going….you know, get me so upset, so riled that those stones would implode....I'm worried global warming is going to really heat things up.
Go figure.
Read about it on ABC News É here
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By Janet Evans
Saturday, Jul 12 2008, 08:15 AM
Having any trouble carrying on a general conversation with your teen?
What about a conversation about sex?
Can you find the right words?
Can you talk comfortably?
Or haven't you gotten around to it yet because you just don’t know how?
What if your place of employment offered you a series of classes on how to talk to your teen about sex?
Would you jump at it?
“Parents in the training arm of the study attended eight weekly lunch-hour sessions, in groups of about 15. Parents were taught to listen to their children without interrupting or starting to lecture. They also learned how to teach their children decision-making skills, assertiveness skills, and to have confidence in interacting with peers.Between meetings, parents would go home and practice these skills on their teens.
"We'd teach them some skills one week, and they'd come back the next week bubbling over with excitement that they'd talked with their teen about relationships, love, or sex, and -- this was the best part -- their teen had actually engaged in a real conversation with them," Schuster said.Surveys done one week, three months and nine months after the program ended measured its effects. Parents in the program said they had more talks with their teens about sex and they discussed more new topics on sexual matters than ever before."
from Reuters
Parents Learn as Work to Talk to Kids About Sex ç
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By Janet Evans
Friday, Jul 11 2008, 11:45 AM
"Our favorite characters on "Grey's Anatomy" may be able to get away with outrageous behavior on the job, but in real life medical authorities are saying enough. The Joint Commission, an agency that evaluates and accredits more than 15,000 healthcare organizations nationwide, issued a bulletin Wednesday saying that rude, hostile and disruptive behavior among doctors, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, support staff and administrators will no longer be tolerated."
Have you ever experienced "rude, hostile, or disruptive behavior from any in the medical profession? I have experienced "rude" behavior. Nothing more. It is a customer service job. Some people just aren't cut out for it. But obviously, people have had worse experiences or this bulletin wouldn't have been issued. I'd be curious to know what's really going on. Here's the full article from the LA Times ç here
In the meantime...medical shows like Grey's Anatomy have always been popular...Calling Dr. Kildare.
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By Janet Evans
Thursday, Jul 10 2008, 06:25 AM
That and The Boy Who Cried Wolf...
How many other "stories" can we link to the salmonella crisis running amok?
Over 1000 people sickened now and still no confirmation as to where the origination of the bacteria is coming from?
Could there be a carrier harboring the strain?
This is now the worst foodborne outbreak in a decade.
A decade!
And the CDC doesn't have a clue?
Last week we were told raw tomatoes were okay again.
They are back in restaurants and stores.
And today, again, we hear certain ones are suspicious.
Also, raw jalapeños are dangerous.
Maybe this isn't the food at all and it is deliberate and that's why they can't find the cause.
"The CDC acknowledges that for every case of salmonella confirmed to the government, there may be 30 to 40 others that go undiagnosed or unreported. "The outbreak could actually be tens of thousands of people rather than 1,000 people," agreed Caroline Smith DeWaal of the consumer advocacy Center for Science in the Public Interest. "It's certainly a disturbing event to have this many illnesses spanning this many months."
Disturbing? That's an understatement. from My Way the full article Salmonella Infects Over 1,000; Peppers Now Eyed
and revisit It's Always Something
and from a past Righty Blog About That Salsa
So how's your garden doing?
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By Janet Evans
Monday, Jul 7 2008, 11:54 AM
There are many doctors and scientists benefiting from grants doing studies that last for years for everything under the sun. Some of the things they study are laughable. Some of the things they find are by accident, byproducts of current studies they are already doing.
Many medical findings, especially regarding drugs, we take to heart, only to find out years later that the information was misleading. Live and learn, I suppose, but usually at the expense of someone’s health or life.
There is a new report out regarding the testing of cholesterol for children. I have never been much for cholesterol testing. I don’t like getting results of tests like that, and then being complained to by the doctor (like with the awful BMI). Fortunately, I have a very low cholesterol count. Heredity…but I still don’t like the annoyance of being tested for it. But my husband’s side of the family has high cholesterol counts due to heredity.
Years ago one of my kids came back with a high cholesterol count. Because of the heredity aspect, I got worried. I ended up having to take my child to an endocrinologist to be mapped out for risk of heart disease. This was at twelve years old. With the knowledge I gained, we were able to determine that my child was at the same risk that my husband, his father, and his grandmother all had, and that my child would most likely have to go on medication at an early age so as not to end up with the same problems…which have been major.
This was valuable knowledge. It could be lifesaving. But something happened to alter the events. Because of that early cholesterol test at age twelve…when my child (and their spouse) was supposed to start medication, instead they altered their lifestyle so drastically with diet and exercise, that now medication is not necessary.
So, while the link to the study that I am going to give you would to me normally sound frivolous, this time I’m going to agree with it. Children need to eat nutritious food. Mine did all their lives at home…totally balanced meals. But when you have a hereditary problem, you’ve got to go a little bit further.
Panel Wants Cholesterol Tests for More Kids í here
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By Janet Evans
Tuesday, Jul 1 2008, 10:20 PM
When I was a kid we would head out to a picnic with a huge watermelon and store it in the fresh, cool brook at my aunt’s country home in Connecticut. The brook fed her pond. While we swam in the pond until lunchtime, the watermelon would get nice and ice cold.
Well, guys…this July 4th, you may want to keep your watermelon at room temperature, at least according to the latest study .
This one’s for you...
From Science Blog
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By Janet Evans
Tuesday, Jun 24 2008, 11:52 AM
A symptoms checklist, combined with a blood test, can catch 80 percent of ovarian cancer in its earliest, most curable stages, a new study suggests.
Doctors used to call ovarian cancer "the silent killer." That's because it was thought to have no symptoms until the very late stages of disease. But women who had or who survived ovarian cancer insisted that they knew something was wrong, long before doctors finally diagnosed their malignancy.
Finally, a doctor listened. University of Washington researcher Barbara Goff, M.D., and colleagues analyzed patients complaints and, in a groundbreaking 2004 study, announced to the medical world that ovarian cancer is not silent.
The symptoms:
Bloating or increased abdominal size
Pelvic or abdominal pain
Eating difficulty or feeling full too quickly
Read the article from CBS News
Symptoms Warn of Ovarian Cancer ç here
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Bloating?
Abdominal pain?
Feeling full too quickly?
I'll be blunt....I have those symptoms almost every day!
Many women over 40 do.
I knew a woman who recently died of ovarian cancer...her gynecologist wouldn't even see her when she called complaining of symptoms.
Her symptoms?
Deep rectal pain and pressure in her lungs (because her lungs filled up with fluid).
She did all the right things, too...she had regular female check-ups. She was the perfect weight. She exercised every day. The GYN sent her to her family physician because she had "rectal pain." She had stage 4 ovarian cancer.
My point?
Everyone is different. I'm not saying ignore this study. But, if you have other symptoms and you don't feel right...go to your doctor and complain until you do feel right. Because it's easy to blow you off or send you somewhere else.
A good doctor will listen to you. And we all know about these studies...they change like the wind.
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