Archive for February, 2006

Choosing a healthful cooking oil

Tuesday, February 28th, 2006

Learn the best cooking oils to use, find out when to use them, and get tips for substituting healthier oils for less healthy ones in recipes.

Butter or margarine? Canola or olive oil? When it comes to healthful cooking, these choices can seem difficult. But they’re important.
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Vitamin D status more important than high calcium intake

Tuesday, February 28th, 2006

Calcium intake levels of more than 800 mg/day may be unnecessary for maintaining calcium metabolism if vitamin D status is adequate, according to a study in the November 9 issue of JAMA.

The importance of adequate vitamin D status for optimum bone health has received increased recognition in recent years, with higher recommended intake levels being proposed by some investigators, according to background information in the article. The ideal intake is not known, and different criteria have been proposed for estimating population requirements.
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Common Reflux Treatment Linked to Life Threatening Bowel Infection in Premature Infants

Monday, February 27th, 2006

By: NIH News
Researchers in an NIH network have found that premature infants given a common class of non-prescription drugs used to treat acid reflux are slightly more likely to develop a potentially fatal bowel disorder than are infants who are not treated with the drugs.

The drugs, known as H2 blockers, inhibit the production of stomach acid and may put premature infants at risk of necrotizing enterocolitis, a serious inflammation of the intestines. The study appears in the February 2006 Pediatrics and was conducted by researchers in the NIH’s National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network.
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Health Tip: Paxil and Pregnancy Don’t Mix

Monday, February 27th, 2006

HealthDay News) —
Researchers have found that taking Paxil, a popular antidepressant, in the first three months of pregnancy can increase the risk of birth defects, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a December 2005 news release.

“FDA is advising patients that this drug should usually not be taken during pregnancy, but for some women who have already been taking Paxil, the benefits of continuing may be greater than the potential risk to the fetus,” the agency said.
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Ginseng Improves Mood in Postmenopausal Women

Friday, February 24th, 2006

© Ray Sahelian M.D.
The root of the ginseng plant has been used in China, Japan, and Korea for many centuries in the therapy of psychiatric and neurological disorders. There are several varieties of ginseng sold over the counter including Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius).

As a rule, Chinese ginseng is more stimulating and raises body temperature while American ginseng is less heating and stimulating. Hundreds of ginseng products are available over the counter with different dosages and combinations.
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USA Today Examines Criticism of Women’s Health Initiative Study on Benefits, Risks of Estrogen in HRT for Postmenopausal Women

Friday, February 24th, 2006

USA Today on Thursday examined criticism of the Women’s Health Initiative study that found that estrogen in hormone replacement therapy increases a woman’s risk for heart disease and stroke. Critics said one of the problems with the WHI study is that the average age of participants was about 63, by which time, estrogen in HRT might not be as effective in preventing the plaque buildup that can cause heart attacks and strokes.
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You and Your Doctor

Friday, February 24th, 2006

Part 1 - Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Patient

The most important things to remember about being a patient are:

• Your body belongs to you. You have the right to decide what happens to it.
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Estrogen Therapy of No Value to Heart Health

Thursday, February 23rd, 2006

(HealthDay News) —
Estrogen therapy appears to do no harm — or good — when it comes to heart health in postmenopausal women.

According to the latest results from the mammoth Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), the hormone did not diminish or increase the risk for coronary heart disease.
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Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty for osteoporosis related fracture

Thursday, February 23rd, 2006

By: Thedoctorslounge.net
A primary care practitioner can help improve quality of life and mobility for those who suffer from pain resulting from osteoporosis-related fractures by referring a patient for two relatively new non-invasive procedures.

An article published recently in the Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners reviews the pathophysiology of osteoporosis and describes how these new treatments - vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty - are being used to treat the pain associated with vertebral compression fractures.
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Important News from NWHIC & OWH

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2006

National Women’s Health Week and Check Up Day

You can now join the many organizations participating in the 2006 National Women’s Health Week Celebration, May 14-20. Anyone, from individuals to corporations to entire states, can participate in National Women’s Health Week.
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