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What You Need to Know About the Egg Recall by Commissioner Margaret Hamburg White House 8/26/2010 - In recent weeks, an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis has sickened hundreds of people across the country and has led to a recall of shell eggs. FDA, CDC and state colleagues have worked hard to review reports of illness, to link these illnesses to eggs, and to trace these eggs to the farms involved. We have had a team of investigators on two farms in Iowa investigating the problem, and ensuring that contaminated eggs are not shipped. The FDA is monitoring the recall, including conducting audit checks at retail stores, wholesalers, and distributors to make sure the recalled shell eggs are being removed from the market. To avoid the possibility of foodborne illness, it’s always the case that consumers need to handle eggs safely. That means they need to keep them refrigerated, wash their hands before and after handling, and cook the yolk and egg white thoroughly. It’s also important to wash cooking utensils and food preparation surfaces after handling eggs. Consumers should go to FoodSafety.gov to check for the list of recalled eggs and to get related egg safety information, including details on how to handle and prepare eggs safely.Eggs tainted with salmonella look, smell, and taste normal. If you have any question as to whether the eggs in your refrigerator are among those that have been recalled, please either discard them or take them back to the store. Check Margaret Hamburg is Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration Study suggests drinking water may aid in weight loss 2010-08-25 04:07:41 (GMT) TiffNews10 WiredPRNews.com U.S. – A new study suggests water may be a useful element for weight loss. As reported by HealthDay News, researchers found that consuming water prior to eating may aid adults in losing weight. Participants in the study who drank water before meals lost approximately 30 percent more weight on average than those who did not. Senior study author Brenda Davy is quoted in the report as stating of the findings, “Drinking more water is a pretty simple strategy that may be helpful to people trying to lose weight… We’re not saying, ‘Drink more water and the body fat will melt away’. But for people who are trying to lose weight and trying to follow a low-cal diet, it’s something they can do as part of that.” The research was reportedly presented recently at the American Chemical Society’s annual meeting in Boston. Kudzu extract may aid in cocaine addiction treatment 2010-08-25 04:09:28 (GMT) TiffNews10 WiredPRNews.com Washington – A new study suggests kudzu extract, which has traditionally been used in some cultures to treat alcoholism, may be useful in treating cocaine addiction. As reported by Reuters, Gilead Sciences Inc researchers recently revealed their findings of testing on rats, which showed the vine’s qualities could lead to them no longer giving themselves the drug. Lina Yao, Ivan Diamond and colleagues, are quoted by Reuters as writing of their findings, “There is no effective treatment for cocaine addiction despite extensive knowledge of the neurobiology of drug addiction…. We propose that a safe, selective, reversible ALDH-2 inhibitor such as ALDH2i may have the potential to attenuate human cocaine addiction and prevent relapse.” Military Commissary Eggs Unaffected by Recall FORT LEE, Va., Aug. 20, 2010 – As of yesterday, military commissaries are not affected by the massive Wright County Egg voluntary recall, Defense Commissary Agency food safety officials reported. Although the commissaries may carry some of the brands such as Hillandale and Sunshine that were mentioned in the Aug. 13 recall action, the cartons of eggs sold in military stores are not part of those linked to salmonella contamination, officials said. Commissary customers can check the status of their eggs at home by looking for the Julian date and plant code stamped on the end of each egg carton. The plant number begins with the letter P, followed by a number. The Julian date follows the plant number. Example: P-1946 223. The initial Wright County Egg recall announcement involved more than 228 million shell eggs. On Aug. 18, the recall expanded to more than 380 million eggs sold in cartons of six, 12 or 18 eggs. The Aug. 13 recall applied to the following brand names, plant codes and Julian dates: -- Lucerne, Albertson, Mountain Dairy, Ralph’s, Boomsma’s, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch Farms and Kemps; plant numbers 1026, 1413 and 1946; Julian dates of 136 to 225. The Aug. 18 recall of cartons of six, 12 and 18 eggs applied to the following brand names, plant codes and Julian dates: -- Albertson’s, Mountain Dairy, Glenview, Ralph’s, Boomsma’s, Sunshine, Pacific Coast, Farm Fresh, Lund and Kemps; plant numbers 1720 and 1942; Julian dates of 136 to 229. To date, the recalled eggs are known to have been distributed to stores nationwide, according to the Food and Drug Administration’s recall alert sent Aug. 13. Illnesses relating to the shell eggs have been confirmed, and traceback investigations are ongoing, the FDA statement said. The salmonella organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis or arthritis. More severe mental illness cases seen on college campuses 2010-08-20 04:02:52 TiffNews10 (GMT) WiredPRNews.com Study author John C. Guthman, director of student counseling at Hofstra University’s division of student affairs, is quoted in the report as stating, “If we look at the average college student and their level of psychological and emotional functioning and distress, on the whole they are not necessarily worse off than they were 10 years ago.” “However, there are some students who are outliers and they have some difficulty in some areas. And these relatively few students that present in significant distress seem to have increased to a greater percentage than they were a decade ago.” The research findings were recently presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association in San Diego. Foreign-born Doctors Care on Par With U.S. Trained Physicians A recent study in the journal Health Affairs found that foreign-born doctors educated in other countries offered care on par with physicians trained in the United States. August 19, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Medical schools in the United States are considered to be some of the best in the world. As a result, there is a tendency to believe that doctors trained outside of the United States will somehow offer care that is inferior to physicians educated in the U.S. However, a recent study in the journal Health Affairs seems to contradict this assumption. According to the American Medical Association, graduates of international medical schools have been an integral part of the medical community since the 1940s. Today, of the roughly 950,000 doctors practicing in the U.S., there are over 240,000 foreign-trained doctors among them. The Health Affairs study found that patients treated by foreign-born doctors who were educated in other countries receive treatment equal to patients who were treated by doctors educated in the United States. Doctors born in the U.S. who trained at an international medical school and returned home to practice, however, did not fare as well. The study found that those doctors ranked last in terms of quality of care. Over 244,000 cases in Pennsylvania, with patients suffering from heart attacks or congestive heart failure, were reviewed as part of this study. The report measured level of care by length of hospital stay and mortality rates. According to the AMA and The New York Times, graduates of international medical schools make up 25 percent of practicing physicians in the United States. Nearly 20 percent of those international graduates are American citizens who have chosen to go abroad to medical school for one reason or another. Facing the Stigma Though doctors born and trained in other countries must pass the same tests and undergo the same residency requirements to be licensed in the United States, they have long faced a stigma of being less competent than other doctors. According to Dr. John J. Norcini, first author of the Health Affairs study and president of the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research, this assumption was initially based on lower training exam scores. But by the mid-1990s, he notes, foreign-born doctors were outperforming their peers on these tests. Filling the Doctor Shortage Many studies have shown that the United States will face a shortage of doctors in coming decades. A recent report by The Wall Street Journal notes that in the U.S. there is expected to be a shortfall of over 150,000 doctors in the next 15 years. Experts say this is one reason that international medical school graduates are so important to our health care system; they fill in the gaps where American educated doctors do not go. According to The New York Times, nearly 30 percent of the primary care workforce is filled by international graduates, an area that has substantial difficulty attracting graduates of American medical schools. Article provided by Ronald J. Bua & Associates GAINESVILLE, FL, August 19, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- E Cigarettes National has an e cigarette, also referred to as smokeless cigarettes, that has a different design on their atomizers that has pushed their electronic cigarette starter kit to the top of the chain in the rapidly growing e cigarette market. The new design is a simple adjustment in the traditional design that keeps the atomizer in contact with the fibers that hold the nicotine liquid, known as e-liquid. Since e cigarette atomizers heat the liquid solution, creating the desired vapor, more surface contact equals more vapor per draw. While most atomizers have more of a half round surface area, the E Cigarettes National Firelight brand e cigarette atomizer has more of an arrow head design that penetrates the fibers that hold the liquid. This e cigarette design is what both users and the company state is responsible for the vastly improved amount of quality vapor the user experiences. "It is simple to bring and keep happy customers when you pay attention to detail by improving designs that help the smokers who want to use this great alternative get more bang and satisfaction for their dollar," states Tiffany Ellis of E Cigarettes National. "And then you top it off with 5 star customer service and you have the makings for thousands of beautiful relationships between us and the clients that we serve." E Cigarettes National is the number one supplier of electronic cigarettes in the United States. New Superbug From Asia
Water Treatment Product Could Help Prevent Spread of Dangerous Antibiotic Resistant Superbug Miami, FL (WiredPRNews.com): A water treatment product available from EnviroGreen Global Solutions, Inc. could help prevent the spread of dangerous antibiotic-resistant “superbugs” such as those bearing the newly-discovered NDM-1 gene that has caused alarm around the world this week, according to EGS Chief Operations Officer Dr. David Rakofsky. An article in Australia’s Daily Telegraph states this gene– which is found in many different types of bacteria, including e. coli and certain pneumonia strains– is highly resistant to virtually all antibiotics, including those which were designed especially to combat the problem of resistance. Bacteria with these mutations have originated in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, with more than 100 cases having been reported in these three countries alone. The pathogens have now spread to such far-flung places as the U.K. and Western Canada, due to the practice of flying to South Asia for surgery because costs are lower there than in the West. Late last week, one Belgian man died from a strain of the superbug despite being administered a full array of antibiotics, including colostin, which is considered the last line of defense in antibiotic resistance. Dr. Rakofsky explains, “Evicol has been studied extensively in the agricultural arena. Providing livestock with drinking water purified with Evicol, as well as misting their environment and/or washing them with Evicol-treated water, significantly contributes to the prevention of infection by keeping bacterial counts well below the animals’ natural defense thresholds. We are hoping testing in a medical environment might commence shortly because we have every reason to believe it would work equally well in the surgical realm.” Evicol would be preferable to antibiotics because its active ingredient, a revolutionary, stable chelation of copper compounds, does not create resistance in bacteria. Rather than poisoning these pathogens, it kills them by blocking the metabolic processes the microbes need to survive. Evicol is safe (EPA approved and exempt from tolerance for human consumption), highly cost-effective and extremely simple to use, making it potentially an ideal weapon in the fight against superbugs. To order a sample test kit of Evicol, visit www.envirogreenglobal.com. Electrosmog: 10 Ways to Avoid Frying Your Brain SAN FRANCISCO, CA (WiredPRNews.com) 2010-08-07 20:48:10 (GMT)— Like smog created by air pollution, electrosmog is created by electromagnetic field radiation from cell phones, wireless computers and networks, and new utility technologies like Smart Grids and Smart Meters. Electrosmog envelopes us 24-7…in our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, even hotels, and no one really knows the long-term effects on our health, or on our DNA. Too much television can boost attention problem risks
Researcher Edward Swing, a graduate student at Iowa State University, is quoted U.S. 2010-07-13 03:51:18 (GMT) WiredPRNews.com - New research suggests that children and young adults can develop attention span related problems if too much time is spent in front of a television or computer screen. As reported by HealthDay News, the study found excessive time spent can double the chances of having attention problems for both of these groups. A panel of participants that spent time at a screen for two hours a day was compared to those who watched more, ranging from ages two and up. Researcher Edward Swing, a graduate student at Iowa State University, is quoted in the report as stating of the findings, “Those who exceeded the AAP recommendation were about 1.6 times to 2.2 times more likely to have greater than average attention problems.” More information about the study may be available in the July issue of Pediatrics. Social networking feels good? Dallas, Texas 2010-07-06 03:37:29 (GMT) WiredPRNews.com – A new study shows the use of social media may initiate a feel good response in the body. As reported by The 33 News, the research by Claremont’s Dr. Paul Zak, also referred to as “Dr. Love,” found that social networking can increase Oxytocin levels in the body, meaning online interaction registers in the brain in a manner similar to meetings face to face, which affects how people perceive and interact with strangers. Zak is quoted in the report as stating of the findings, “Social media can make us more virtuous, better human beings. It’s potentially very important because we’re all connected to the entire planet through social media.” Frequent texter Alex Gueroy, is further quoted as stating of the science, “Hey, it’s I think it’s great I’m not shortening myself on communication if I’m texting or using Facebook.” HEALTH OFFICIALS CAUTION ABOUT DEHYDRATION AND HEAT EXHAUSTION TALLAHASSEE- - It is summertime in Florida, and as volunteers assist with pre-oil impact beach debris cleanup activities and response workers help with cleanup efforts along the Gulf Coast, health officials ask everyone to be aware of the warning signs of heat exhaustion and dehydration. HEAT EXHAUSTION Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are the elderly, people with high blood pressure and people working or exercising in a hot environment. • Heavy sweating If heat exhaustion is untreated, it may progress to the more serious heat-related illness, called heat stroke, or even death. Seek medical attention immediately if any of the following occurs: • Symptoms are severe. WHAT TO DO IF HEAT EXHAUSTION IS SUSPECTED: Cooling measures that may be effective include the following: DEHYDRATION Dehydration can be avoided by drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, even if you don’t feel thirsty. This is particularly true on days when temperatures reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit (F) and higher. Depending upon your physical activity and heat exposure during hot weather, it’s a good idea to drink more water. Health experts have found that fluid requirements vary from person to person. Persons who have medical conditions such as kidney and heart disease, who require a fluid restricted diet, or who have problems with fluid retention should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of fluids. Babies from birth – 6 months: healthy infants normally do not need extra water (beyond what is already contained in formula or breast milk). On a hot day, a small amount of water may be needed, but check with your physician on how much to give. Babies from 6-12 months: breast or formula-fed babies that are receiving solid foods should also be receiving water. Children 12 months and older: should be reminded to drink fluids, preferably water throughout the day. Encourage them to drink more on hot days. Adults should drink: When exposed to temperatures reaching 90 F and higher, depending on physical activity level and heat exposure, adults should drink even more water. Knowing the signs of dehydration and knowing what to do is very important. SIGNS OF DEHYDRATION INCLUDE: • Thirst All, some or none of these signs may be present, so monitor water or fluid intake and modify activity or reduce the length of activity according to weather conditions. If you suspect you are becoming dehydrated, get to a cool or shady area and sip cool water or fluids. If your condition does not improve, seek medical attention immediately. Cyanide Poisoning Treatment Coalition Provides Training Opportunity for Firefighters to Wear their Air, Take a Shower and Wash their Gear!
Safety Stand Down training program focused on preventing hydrogen cyanide exposure in fire smoke. INDIANAPOLIS, IN, June 18, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Firefighter deaths due to heart attacks may not be due to bad diets, but from exposure to hydrogen cyanide in fire smoke. Nationally, six firefighters have literally dropped dead from heart attacks after coming off of a shift of smoky fires and more than 100 were treated or hospitalized for smoke inhalation since January 1. "Any leader in the fire service who knowingly allows his/her firefighters to be negligent in the use of their SCBA should immediately quit. It is a staggering dereliction of duty to look the other way while the men and women we are supposed to be leading are allowed to inhale smoke that we know will poison them, asphyxiate them, increase the risk of cancer and will kill them," said Capt. Mike Gagliano, Seattle Fire Department. This year the IAFC theme for Safety Stand Down is "Fit 4 Duty" which includes a variety of educational programs that reduce health and fitness-related deaths or injuries. The CPTC's Safety Stand Down program - Wear Your Air, Take a Shower & Wash Your Gear, sponsored by the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund, can reduce health-related deaths and injuries - if it is used. In a message to firefighters, Kevin Reilly, Ridgewood New Jersey Fire Department and president of the CPTC said, "Firefighting is inherently dangerous. With today's advancements in technology, training, and the proper use of PPE we can avoid unnecessary risks. Although acute smoke exposures are important to recognize, chronic exposures are often overlooked and preventable. I encourage all firefighters to use this training program. If you can't do it during Safety Stand Down, then schedule it soon." "Smoke is something that reaches out and touches a firefighter on a regular basis for an entire career. It's critical that all firefighters know and understand how to protect themselves from acute and chronic smoke exposures, the importance of maintaining their personal protective equipment, and the hazards of fire smoke," said Rob Schnepp, Chief of Special Operations, Alameda County (CA) Fire Department. "It is my hope that during Safety Stand Down all firefighters will take just a moment to think about why it is so important to wear their air." "Understanding [that] air is the only line of defense to hydrogen cyanide exposure should be the only incentive required to embrace air management protocols. This comprehensive program highlights the need for education and provides the instruction," said Shawn Longerich, executive director of the CPTC. Wear your Air, Take a Shower and Wash your Gear is a free, turn-key training program that can be downloaded or accessed at www.FireSmoke.org. The Cyanide Poisoning Treatment Coalition is a nonprofit organization with a focus on prevention, protection, detection, diagnosis and treatment training programs relative to cyanide in fire smoke for the nation's first responders. For further information, please visit www.firesmoke.org.
Laughter is nothing to laugh about scientists say Scientists seek to understand more about laughter and its potential health benefits. Washington (WiredPRNews.com)2010-04-05 02:03:15 (GMT) – Researchers are seeking to understand more about laughter and its potential impact on human health. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), researchers view laughter as a serious area of study, and some suggest that may be a social response as opposed to a reaction to humor. Baltimore neuroscientist Robert Provine is quoted in the report as stating of laughter, “Laughter above all else is a social thing… The requirement for laughter is another person…All language groups laugh `ha-ha-ha’ basically the same way. Whether you speak Mandarin, French or English, everyone will understand laughter. … There’s a pattern generator in our brain that produces this sound.” Provine is further stated to suggest that only up to 15 percent of laughter comes from hearing something funny. Dispelling the myths of Alzheimer’s Disease–It’s not just a grandparent’s disease .Port St. Lucie, Florida 2010-03-16 10:35:41 (GMT)-Being aware of 4 simple facts about Alzheimer’s Disease can extend the quality of life for patients and caregivers. The Alzheimer Spouse website, www.thealzheimerspouse.com wants to raise awareness of the disease by dispelling the myths of Alzheimer’s Disease. Physicians and the public need to know: • Alzheimer’s Disease is NOT normal aging. If the doctor dismisses concerns, a neurologist who specializes in Memory Disorders can be found in any area of the country by logging onto www.thealzheimerspouse.com and clicking the “Finding a Memory Disorders Clinic in Your Area” in the resource section on the left. • Alzheimer’s Disease is NOT simple memory loss. It is a BRAIN DISEASE that destroys every part of the brain – behavior, personality, cognition, comprehension, physical abilities AND memory. It is 100% FATAL. There is NO CURE. There are NO SURVIVORS. • Alzheimer’s Disease is NOT EXCLUSIVE TO THE ELDERLY. Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease affects men and women UNDER the age of 65, and many in their 40’s and 50’s. It is misdiagnosed as everything from depression, stress, early menopause in women to Attention Deficit Disorder. If you think your loved one has possible dementia, regardless of age, contact a Memory Disorders Specialist for comprehensive testing. • Aricept and Namenda can help with the symptoms and stabilize the person with Alzheimer’s Disease, for up to 2 years, but they CANNOT CURE IT. THEY CANNOT STOP IT. • For more information about Alzheimer’s Disease, log onto www.thealzheimerspouse.com, the #1 site on the Internet for education, information, and support for spouses of Alzheimer patients. There are links to information about Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease, informative videos about the nature of Alzheimer’s Disease, Message Boards of support, and much more.
MOORHEAD, Minn. -- If your home was affected in the recent flooding it could be harboring mold. Mold can be a major problem after flooding and proper cleanup is critical to ensure that it does not affect you or your family's health, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. How to deal with mold during a disaster A helpful brochure on the FEMA Web site is titled Dealing With Mold & Mildew In Your Flood-Damaged Home at www.fema.gov/pdf/rebuild/recover/fema_mold_brochure_english.pdf., and is available here also.Download Valuable information is also available from the Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Information Center Web site Home Energy Guide: Techniques, Tactics and Tips -- www.state.mn.us/mn/externalDocs/Commerce/Home_Moisture_110802041415_Moisture.pdf., and is available here also. Download
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