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Saturday, December 31, 2022

Type 2 diabetes: Study predicts 'startling' rise of the condition among America's young people

 December 31, 2022     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

A new modeling study is raising alarm bells after it determined that the number of young people in the United States with diabetes will increase by nearly 700% over the next 40 years. 

The study, titled "Projections of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Burden in the U.S. Population Aged <20 Years Through 2060: The SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study," was published in the journal Diabetes Care on Dec. 29, 2022. 

The authors of the study predicted there might be 220,000 people under the age of 20 with Type 2 diabetes in the year 2060 — an increase of about 675% from the number of young people with type 2 diabetes in 2017. 

DIABETES DRUG LED TO SIGNIFICANT WEIGHT LOSS IN PEOPLE WITH OBESITY: STUDY

"This new research should serve as a wake-up call for all of us. It’s vital that we focus our efforts to ensure all Americans, especially our young people, are the healthiest they can be," said CDC Acting Principal Deputy Director Debra Houry, MD, MPH, in a statement released on Dec. 29.

Houry added, "This study further highlights the importance of continuing efforts to prevent and manage chronic diseases, not only for our current population but also for generations to come."

Diabetes mellitus type 1, or Type 1 diabetes, was formerly known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes.

It does not have a known cause, and is suspected to be linked to genetic or environmental factors, the Mayo Clinic's website notes. 

People with Type 1 diabetes do not produce insulin and must take insulin to survive. 

Typically, people are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as children; however, it can occur at any age, according to the Mayo Clinic. 

MORE THAN 75% OF AMERICANS AREN'T GETTING ENOUGH EXERCISE, ACCORDING TO CDC STANDARDS

Conversely, diabetes mellitus type 2, or Type 2 diabetes, was formerly referred to as adult onset diabetes, notes the website for the Mayo Clinic. 

It is linked with obesity and inactivity. 

Type 2 diabetes refers to a condition in which a person's pancreas does not produce enough insulin and cells become resistant to insulin. 

This results in an increase of a person's blood sugar, which can be dangerous over time, says the Mayo Clinic. 

This condition cannot be cured.

However, it can be managed with medications, proper diet and exercise.

In the study, the researchers found that if the incidence rate of all types of diabetes in 2017 among young people remains the same until 2060, the total number of young diabetics would rise from 213,000 to 239,000 — for an increase of 12%. 

Over the last two decades, however, the number of young people with the Type 2 diabetes has "substantially increased," said the CDC. 

OZEMPIC DIABETES DRUG IS TRENDING AS A WEIGHT-LOSS METHOD — HERE'S WHY AND WHAT DOCTORS SAY

The CDC believes that "the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity," as well as "the presence of diabetes in people of childbearing age," could be two reasons for why the number of young Type 2 diabetics has increased so rapidly. 

When the percentage increase in the number of young people with Type 2 diabetes between 2002 and 2017 is applied to future generations, the researchers found that the number of young diabetics could be as high as 526,000. 

"Increases in diabetes — especially among young people — are always worrisome, but these numbers are alarming," said Christopher Holliday, director of CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation, in the study's press release from the CDC.

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Race and ethnicity are believed to play a role, said the study. 

It found there will likely be "a higher burden of type 2 diabetes for Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native youth." 

"This study’s startling projections of Type 2 diabetes increases show why it is crucial to advance health equity and reduce the widespread disparities that already take a toll on people’s health," said Holliday. 



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Friday, December 30, 2022

Ohio county reports more than 80 measles cases, majority of the country's 117

 December 30, 2022     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

A measles outbreak in Central Ohio has infected 82 patients under the age of 18 with nearly 40% of the children, 32, needing to be hospitalized, according to reports. 

The outbreak in Franklin County marks the first time a case has been reported in the area in 20 years, Axios reported. 

Franklin County's 82 cases make up the bulk of the nation's 117 reported cases. 

The majority of the cases were in babies younger than 1 to 5-year-olds who had not yet been vaccinated. 

WORLD VACCINATION RATES HAVE REACHED THEIR LOWEST POINT IN YEARS. COULD COVID BE TO BLAME 

None of the children had been fully vaccinated against the highly contagious disease, which includes a fever, runny nose and rash but can also lead to complications. 

"Measles can be serious," according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website. "Children younger than 5 years of age and adults older than 20 years of age are more likely to suffer from complications. Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis."

A child must be at least 1 to get the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination and 28% of those infected reportedly weren’t old enough to receive it. 

WHO, UNICEF WARN ABOUT ‘PERFECT STORM’ FOR MEASLES IN CHILDREN 

The outbreak was thought to have spread as a result of four unvaccinated people returning to the area from counties where measles is prevalent, Mysheika Roberts, Columbus’s public health commissioner told Axios.

"In the year 2000, measles was declared gone from the United States," Charles Patterson, Clark County Combined Health District Health Commissioner told The Hill. "Unfortunately, we are starting to see it back now and that’s a huge problem because of the reduction in vaccines that are out there."

Local health officials are encouraging Ohioans to get the MMR vaccine, which experts say is 97% effective. 

"Measles is a very contagious and serious illness," the Columbus City Health Department says on its website. "The MMR vaccine is safe and highly effective at preventing measles. MMR vaccines are available at Columbus Public Health during regular vaccine clinic hours and at Franklin County Public Health by appointment only. Children also can get MMR vaccines from their pediatrician or medical home." 

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No deaths have been reported. 



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Biden administration partially rescinds Trump 'conscience' health care proposal

 December 30, 2022     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

The Biden administration is proposing to partially roll back a Trump-era "conscience" rule that was struck down multiple times in court.

The Trump rule would have allowed health care workers to refuse to provide care that conflicted with religious beliefs.

In a release Thursday, the Department of Health and Human Services said the proposed changes would increase access to care.

"No one should be discriminated against because of their religious or moral beliefs, especially when they are seeking or providing care," Health Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement. "The proposed rule strengthens protections for people with religious or moral objections while also ensuring access to care for all in keeping with the law."

PARKINSON'S DISEASE AFFLICTS THOUSANDS MORE AMERICANS THAN PREVIOUS ESTIMATES: NEW STUDY

The 39-page proposal notes that some doctors, nurses and hospitals may object for religious or moral reasons to providing or referring for abortions or assisted suicide and that respecting such objections "honors liberty and human dignity."

At the same time, it noted "patients also have autonomy, rights and moral and religious convictions. And they have health needs, sometime[s] urgent ones. Our health care systems must effectively deliver services to all who need them in order to protect patients’ health and dignity."

In 2019, under the Trump administration, the department's Office for Civil Rights issued a regulation that HHS said provided broad definitions, created new compliance regulations and created a new enforcement mechanism for a number of statutes related to the conscience rights of certain federally funded health care entities and providers. 

The 2019 "final rule" was held to be unlawful by three federal district courts. 

TEXAS FEDERAL JUDGE RULES AGAINST HHS PROGRAM ALLOWING TEENS CONFIDENTIAL BIRTH CONTROL

"In light of these court decisions, and consistent with the administration’s commitment to safeguard the rights of federal conscience and religious nondiscrimination while protecting access to care, this [notice of proposed rulemaking] proposes to partially rescind the department’s 2019 rule while reinforcing other processes previously in place for the handling of conscience and religious freedom complaints," HHS explained. 

"Protecting conscience rights and enforcing the law to combat religious discrimination is critical," Office for Civil Rights Director Melanie Fontes Rainer said. "Today’s proposed rule would strengthen these protections and reinforce our long-standing process for handling such conscience and faith-based objections. It also would take steps to help ensure that individuals are aware of their rights."

Public comments are due 60 days after the publication of the notice in the Federal Register.



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Thursday, December 29, 2022

This starchy vegetable isn't always bad for you, new study says

 December 29, 2022     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

ALL IN THE PREPARATION - A new study found that the way this vegetable is prepared – including what people add to it – is what's associated with Type 2 diabetes, rather than the veggie itself. Continue reading…

DITCHING THE DRINK? - As 2023 approaches, "Dry January" participants may be wondering what will happen if they avoid alcohol for 31 days. Here are some facts. Continue reading…

COULD SAVE LIVES - As winter weather continues, be sure to have an emergency kit containing these critical items as storms roll in. Continue reading…

'SEEN THE WORST' - The spread of influenza, or the flu, is starting to decrease in several areas across the U.S. Continue reading...

SOUNDS LIKE SCIENCE FICTION? - In an effort to ease the nation's organ shortage, scientists are transforming the livers of this animal to look and act like human ones. Continue reading…

'SOARING NUMBERS' - A new study says this disease afflicts thousands more Americans than previous estimates and may lead to more falls, more hip fractures and more people in assisted living. Continue reading...

QUEST FOR A CURE - Two brothers who are battling a rare eye disease launched a clothing brand to find a cure for blindness. Here's how much money they've raised. Continue reading...

'LOW AND NO' - Beyond "Dry January," the beverage industry is seeing a rise of non-alcoholic drinks in the market. Continue reading…

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How Bad Is China’s Covid Outbreak? It’s a Scientific Guessing Game.

 December 29, 2022     Healthy tips, NYT     No comments   


By BY ALEXANDRA STEVENSON AND BENJAMIN MUELLER from NYT Health https://ift.tt/JMeuEoG
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Congressional Inquiry into Alzheimer’s Drug Faults Its Maker and F.D.A.

 December 29, 2022     Healthy tips, NYT     No comments   


By BY PAM BELLUCK from NYT Health https://ift.tt/OjqRAIo
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Parkinson's disease afflicts thousands more Americans than previous estimates: new study

 December 29, 2022     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

Some 90,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in the United States each year — which is roughly a 50% increase from previous estimated incidence rates, according to a recent 2022 Parkinson’s Foundation-backed study. 

"The soaring numbers of Parkinson’s disease cases will lead to more falls, more hip fractures and more people requiring assisted living," Dr. Michael S. Okun, director of the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at UF Health in Gainesville, Florida, told Fox News Digital.

He’s also a medical adviser to the Parkinson’s Foundation, a nonprofit group based in Miami, but was not part of the study. 

SHARON OSBOURNE SAYS ‘MY HEART BREAKS’ FOR HUSBAND OZZY AFTER PARKINSON'S DIAGNOSIS

The study estimated the prevalence of Parkinson’s in North America by analyzing a large group of diverse populations. 

The research aimed to provide a more accurate estimate than previous studies, which estimated an incidence rate of 40,000-60,000 diagnoses annually.

"Prior estimates were based on a small number of cases from areas that are not representative of the nation as a whole," according to the Parkinson’s Foundation’s website.

"The previous prevalence study, conducted 40 years ago, extrapolated the 26 people with PD in a rural Mississippi county as a benchmark estimate for PD prevalence in the U.S."

The site also says, "The new incidence rate is 1.5 times higher, at nearly 90,000 cases annually."

Approximately one million people in the U.S. have Parkinson's disease. 

More than 10 million people globally are living with the disease, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

PD is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States — with Alzheimer’s disease being no. 1. 

The primary risk for PD is age — with its incidence increasing among Americans 65 and older, according to the study.

"The study confirms that men are more likely to have PD than women and that the number of those diagnosed with PD increases with age, regardless of sex," according to the Parkinson’s Foundation website.

There are normally neurons, or nerve cells, in the brain that produce a chemical called dopamine, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation’s website.

WARNING FROM LASIK EYE-SURGERY PATIENTS TO FDA: MORE NOTICE OF ‘SIDE EFFECTS’ IS NEEDED

"The most prominent signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease occur when nerve cells in the basal ganglia, an area of the brain that controls movement, become impaired and/or die," per the National Institute of Aging’s website. 

Parkinson’s has four main symptoms, including a tremor, muscle stiffness, slow movements and balance difficulties — often leading to falls.

One of the earliest signs of PD is a "pill rolling tremor" that "looks like you are trying to roll a pill or another small object between your thumb and index finger," per the Healthline website.

As Parkinson’s progresses, a classic sign is a "shuffling gait."

That's when a person starts to take smaller steps in a shuffling manner, Healthline added. 

The prevalence of people diagnosed with PD differs in certain parts of the country, the study noted — but that more research is needed to better understand this trend.

"A clustering of counties with a higher incidence of PD was observed at the juxtaposition of the Midwestern and Southern regions of the United States," the authors said.

The study found "higher incidence areas" also in southern California, southeastern Texas, central Pennsylvania, and Florida.

Meanwhile, it found "lower incidence areas" in the "Mountain West region, the western Midwest, and the far Northwest."

"Parkinson’s rates will continue to increase as the population grows and ages. However, these factors alone cannot explain the rapid rise in cases," Okun noted.

POTATOES AREN'T ALWAYS BAD FOR YOU — IT'S ALL IN THE PREPARATION, NEW STUDY INDICATES

This may explain the higher incidence it found in parts of the country, however, where there is an older population, such as Florida, where many older Americans retire.

The study also noted exposure to environmental toxins may explain an increased incidence of PD in areas such as the Rust Belt states, including Ohio and Pennsylvania, which are known for their heavy industrial materials.

"Scientists have been examining whether pesticides, environmental factors, diet and lifestyle all are contributing to the growing cases, as recently Parkinson’s took over the no. 1 spot for the most rapidly growing neurological disease," Okun added.

The study also found a surprising protective factor: Heavy smokers appear to have less risk of Parkinson’s.

The study noted that it is limited by its retrospective design, so it was prone to selection bias, miscoding and misclassification — and that more research is needed to better understand if smoking itself leads to a reduced risk.

It also noted the true PD incidence may be higher from 2012 to 2022 due to a decreased prevalence of "alleged" protective factors such as smoking and the increased prevalence of risk factors. 

Parkinson’s disease costs patients, families and the U. S. government approximately $51.9 billion every year, according to a 2019 study published by The Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Roughly slightly less than half of this economic burden is attributable to direct medical costs, while slightly more than half is related to non-medical costs, such as missed work, lost wages, early and caregiver time. 

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"Economically, these conditions will drive a devastating outcome for the health care system, as Medicare and other payers will not be able to keep up with the billions of dollars in expenses," Okun told Fox News Digital. 

"Our rate of spending on Parkinson’s disease research is 10-fold less than what will be required to speed up the trajectory for more effective disease modifying therapies," he added.

"It’s time for an Operation Warp Speed for Parkinson’s."



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Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Making pig livers humanlike in quest to ease organ shortage

 December 27, 2022     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

In an effort to ease the nation's organ shortage, scientists are transforming pig livers to look and act like human ones.

Workers in a suburban Minneapolis lab dissolve pig cells that made the organ function, leaving ghostly semitranslucent scaffolds floating in large jars. To complete the metamorphosis, they infuse those shells with human cells from donated livers that went untransplanted.

The process is highly experimental, but manufacturer Miromatrix is making plans for first-step human testing — an experiment outside a patient's body to see how well a bioengineered liver can filter blood.

"We essentially regrow the organ," said Jeff Ross, CEO of Miromatrix. "Our bodies won’t see it as a pig organ anymore."

WOMAN WHO LOST HER SOULMATE TO FENTANYL DISCUSSES GRIEF AROUND HOLIDAYS, HONORING LOST LOVED ONES

Miromatrix plans first-of-its-kind human testing of a bioengineered organ to start trying to prove it sometime in 2023. 

The initial experiment will be outside a patient's body If the Food and Drug Administration agrees. Researchers would place a pig-turned-humanlike liver next to a hospital bed to temporarily filter the blood of someone whose own liver suddenly failed. And if that novel "liver assist" works, it would be a critical step toward eventually attempting a bioengineered organ transplant — probably a kidney.

TEEN DENIED KIDNEY TRANSPLANT BECAUSE SHE'S NOT VACCINATED FOR COVID, SAY PARENTS

"It all sounds science fiction-ey but it’s got to start somewhere," said Dr. Sander Florman, a transplant chief at New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital, one of several hospitals already planning to participate in the liver-assist study. "This is probably more of the near future than xenotransplantation," or directly implanting animal organs into people.

More than 105,000 people are on the U.S. waiting list for an organ transplant. Thousands will die before it is their turn. Thousands more never even get put on the list, considered too much of a long shot.

"The number of organs we have available are never going to be able to meet the demand," said Dr. Amit Tevar, a transplant surgeon at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. "This is our frustration."

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 



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Parents Often Bring Children to Psychiatric E.R.s to Subdue Them, Study Finds

 December 27, 2022     Healthy tips, NYT     No comments   


By BY ELLEN BARRY from NYT Health https://ift.tt/EUS1efl
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Epidemics That Weren’t: How Countries Shut Down Recent Outbreaks

 December 27, 2022     Healthy tips, NYT     No comments   


By BY STEPHANIE NOLEN from NYT Health https://ift.tt/RguyFDw
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Monday, December 26, 2022

Woman who lost her soulmate to fentanyl discusses grief around holidays, honoring lost loved ones

 December 26, 2022     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

A woman who lost her soulmate to a fentanyl overdose reflected on her struggle with grief during the holidays and offered advice to others who may be suffering from the loss of a loved one. 

"Grief becomes heavier during the holidays," Gwen Dudley, a recovering addict, told Fox News. "Everything around you screams family, connection, tradition and love, so it amplifies the pain."

Dudley’s partner, Paul Francs Duffy II, 32, relapsed after staying sober for three years. He died soon after, in May 2021, leaving behind his and Dudley's son, Luca, who is now three years old.

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"My first holiday without Duffy was the most painful time of my entire life," said Dudley, who met Duffey while the two were in recovery. "All I could think about was the holidays we shared in the past and how much he was missing out on with our son."

"Every joyful moment with my son was a reminder that Duffy isn't here," she continued. "Decorating the tree felt like a dagger in the heart." 

Duffy got hooked on drugs through a legitimate prescription — he'd initially been given OxyContin in high school for a back injury, Dudley told Fox News. He battled with addiction for the next 15 years, going through multi-year periods of sobriety followed by relapse. 

Two months after his final relapse, Duffy unknowingly bought drugs laced with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50-100 times stronger than morphine, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse.

He never returned home. 

LA COUNTY FENTANYL DEATHS SPIKE OVER 1000% IN FIVE YEARS

This Christmas, Dudley plans to honor Duffy’s memory by making his favorite foods, adorning their tree with his childhood ornaments and decorating his grave with their son. 

"A lot of people are afraid to talk to me about him out of fear of upsetting me, but it's actually the best thing I could ask for," she said. 

"Always say his name," she added. "I want his memory to stay alive through us and also for the sake of my son."

Before his death, Duffy worked as a peer support specialist for the Anne Arundel County Health Department in Maryland, a position created as part of the county's effort to battle the fentanyl crisis.

"That's the insanity of addiction, right?" Dudley told Fox News. "Duffy knew from his job how dangerous this was, but he thought he had it under control."

Dudley said fear of judgment, even from within the recovery community, held Duffy back from seeking help once he began using again in 2021.

Though she still grieves her partner, Duffy strives to bring meaning to his death by raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and ending the stigma around addiction so more people will feel comfortable seeking treatment. 

"Losing a loved one to an overdose can be an isolating experience because of the stigma of addiction," she said. "People are afraid to tell others how their loved one died."

Dudley encouraged people to check on friends grieving the loss of a loved one due to drug abuse this holiday season.

 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY MADE SEVERAL RECORD-SETTING FENTANYL BUSTS IN 2022

"Maybe a year or two or five has passed since they lost someone and they seem okay on the outside," Dudley said. "But acknowledgment of their grief might be what they desperately need." 

"Feeling alone is what takes people deeper into the despair of grief," she added. "But walking through it together will carry us through."

Now, Dudley works remotely as a national outreach coordinator for Ascend Recovery Center in West Palm Beach. She uses TikTok as a platform to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl. 

"This is wiping out a generation," Dudley told Fox News. "Our children are dying." 

"I hate to think about how many people will be spending their 2023 holiday without their spouse, child, brother, sister, mother, father and friend," she said. 

Drug overdose deaths surpassed 100,000 for the first time in U.S. history in 2021, according to the CDC. Over 64,000 of those deaths were due to synthetic opioids like fentanyl. 

"These deaths do not discriminate and so many people think it won't happen to them until it does," Dudley said. 

"We are truly in the midst of a public health crisis that has no end in sight," she added. "If we want the deaths to slow down, the people at the top need to make it a priority in the same way that they did for COVID-19."



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The I.C.U. Nurse: A Symbol of Endurance

 December 26, 2022     Healthy tips, NYT     No comments   


By BY ISADORA KOSOFSKY AND ANDREW JACOBS from NYT Health https://ift.tt/lfzNUYa
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Saturday, December 24, 2022

CDC: Flu season starting to wane after brutal start, including at least 12,000 deaths

 December 24, 2022     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

The spread of influenza, or the Flu, is starting to decrease in several areas across the U.S. after many hospitals reported an irregularly high number of Flu-related admissions this season.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the number of flu-related hospital admissions fell for the second week in a row, following a similar drop across three consecutive weeks in the percentage of flu-related doctor's office visits.

Health officials said Friday that 6.3% of outpatient medical visits last week were due to flu-like illnesses, a drop from 7.5% just one month ago.

"It looks like for this first wave of (flu) activity, maybe we've seen the worst of that," said CDC's Lynnette Brammer, the leader of the CDC's Domestic Influenza Surveillance team.

CDC SAYS RESPIRATORY VIRUSES MAY CONTINUE TO SPREAD FOR WEEKS, ‘POSSIBLY EVEN MONTHS': REPORT

Despite the weekslong decline, Brammer urged people to remain cautious and to observe health safety behaviors as CDC data indicates "high or very high" flu activity in 45 states.

"It’s not over," Brammer warned.

Dr. William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University infectious diseases expert, downplayed the recent trend as observable but not predictive of the spread of the Flu this season.

"Viruses love to make you look foolish when you’re predicting what they’re going to do," he said.

US RELEASING PRESCRIPTION FLU MEDICATION FROM STRATEGIC NATIONAL STOCKPILE

Traditionally, the annual influenza season starts in December or January and runs for several weeks or months before Flu-like symptoms begin to disappear in the general population.

This current Flu season, however, started in early November and its spread is running alongside the COVID pandemic and a rise in Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.

‘GREAT CONCERN’: INVASIVE GROUP A STREP CASES SPIKING IN SOME PARTS OF US — CDC IS INVESTIGATING

The CDC estimates that from October 1, 2022, through December 17, 2022, there have been between 190,000 and 400,000 hospitalizations and at least 12,000 deaths from the Flu in the U.S. These deaths include at least 17 children.

"CDC does not know the exact number of people who have been sick and affected by flu because flu is not a reportable disease in most areas of the United States," the CDC said regarding its estimates on the cumulative burden of the flu. "However, these numbers are estimated using a mathematical model, based on observed rates of lab-confirmed. The cumulative burden of flu is an estimate of the number of people who have been sick, seen a healthcare provider, been hospitalized, or died as a result of flu within a certain timeframe."

In 2021, the CDC estimated there were 100,000 flu-related hospitalizations and 5,000 flu deaths in the U.S.

The CDC recommends anyone at least 6 months old or older receive a Flu shot.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.



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Friday, December 23, 2022

The F.D.A. Now Says It Plainly: Morning-After Pills Are Not Abortion Pills

 December 23, 2022     Healthy tips, NYT     No comments   


By BY PAM BELLUCK from NYT Health https://ift.tt/lRGXNhn
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This Party Season, You Don’t Have to R.S.V.P., Just Test

 December 23, 2022     Healthy tips, NYT     No comments   


By BY RONI CARYN RABIN AND HOLLY SECON from NYT Health https://ift.tt/zi5UOBV
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Thursday, December 22, 2022

‘Major Trustee, Please Prioritize’: How NYU’s E.R. Favors the Rich

 December 22, 2022     Healthy tips, NYT     No comments   


By BY SARAH KLIFF AND JESSICA SILVER-GREENBERG from NYT Health https://ift.tt/CVhFY1z
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‘Tripledemic’ Rages On: Fever-Filled Weeks Lie Ahead

 December 22, 2022     Healthy tips, NYT     No comments   


By BY EMILY ANTHES from NYT Health https://ift.tt/PlxOBDX
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Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Texas federal judge rules against HHS program allowing teens confidential birth control

 December 21, 2022     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

A federal court ruling Tuesday could make it nearly impossible for Texas teens to access birth control without parental permission.

US District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk ruled that Title X, the federal program that provides free, confidential contraception to anyone regardless of age, income or immigration status, violates parental rights and violates state and federal laws.

The ruling from Kacsmaryk likely means that teenagers who receive care through the Title X family planning program will no longer be allowed to do so confidentially. 

"This ruling threatens the health and lives of young people, who may be stripped of their ability to access the health care they need to build healthy lives," Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said in a statement.

Kacsmaryk did not grant an injunction, which would have immediately prohibited Title X clinics from providing contraception to minors without parental consent. 

DEFROCKED CATHOLIC PRIEST FRANK PAVONE SPEAKS OUT: ‘KNOWN’ FOR DECADES THAT SOME BISHOPS ‘HATE’ PRO-LIFE WORK

Kacsmaryk was appointed by former-President Donald Trump in 2019 and is a former religious liberty advocated. Previously, he has worked on litigation to overturn contraceptive protection. 

The case was argued by Jonathan Mitchell, the former solicitor general of Texas who was the author of the state’s controversial abortion law that banned the procedure after approximately six weeks.

Mitchell also brought a successful lawsuit to challenge an Obamacare's rule that requires insurers and employers to cover HIV prevention drugs.

Mitchell represented a father, Alex Deanda, who said he was "raising each of his daughters in accordance with Christian teaching on matters of sexuality, which requires unmarried children to practice abstinence and refrain from sexual intercourse until marriage."

In the complaint, Deanda argued the Title X program interferes with the ability of parents to raise their children in accordance with their own religious values.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD IN KANSAS ANNOUNCES TELEMEDICINE ABORTIONS

Deanda said he "wishes to be informed if any of his children are accessing or attempting to access prescription contraception and other family-planning services. And he does not want his children to obtain or use these drugs or services unless he consents."

Kacsmaryk agreed, ruling Tuesday that Title X violates Deanda’s rights under the Texas Family Code and the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment, denying him the "fundamental right to control and direct the upbringing of his minor children."

Title X is the only federal program that provides money to family planning service providers that serve low-income people.

While federal regulations say Title X clinics should "encourage family participation … to the extent practical," they are not allowed to require parental consent or notify parents that a minor has requested or received services.".

Clare Coleman, president and CEO of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, said in a statement that Kacsmaryk’s ruling ignores "decades of legal precedent."

"In a family planning setting, it is critical that adolescents have access to high-quality, confidential care from a provider who supports and respects their values," Coleman said. "Title X-funded providers are considered highly trusted sources of health care information for their patients, and not being able to access confidential care will block a critical pathway to essential health services for young people."

Texas has 176 Title X clinics statewide and served more than 180,000 clients in fiscal year 2020. The vast majority of Title X clients in Texas are below the poverty line and do not have health insurance. About 5% were under the age of 18.



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US releasing prescription flu medication from strategic national stockpile

 December 21, 2022     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

The Department of Health and Human Services said on Wednesday it will release prescription flu medication from the strategic national stockpile amid an unusually early and severe flu season.

Parts of the United States are being hit hard by a combination of respiratory viruses, including the flu, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and COVID-19.

Tamiflu, or oseltamivir phosphate, comes in liquid and capsule form and fights the flu by stopping the virus from multiplying in an infected person's body. 

The FDA does not currently list Tamiflu as being in a nationwide shortage, but is aware of "localized shortages where demand is especially high." 

‘GREAT CONCERN’: INVASIVE GROUP A STREP CASES SPIKING IN SOME PARTS OF US — CDC IS INVESTIGATING

Other medications are also in short supply. Some pharmacies, including Walgreens and CVS, have placed limits on purchases of children's pain relief medication. 

The FDA warned last month of an "acute shortage" of amoxicillin, an antibiotic used to treat bacterial respiratory infections. 

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The CDC estimates that there have been at least 15 million illnesses so far this flue season, resulting in 150,000 hospitalizations, and 9,300 deaths. 

For the week ending Dec. 10, 48 jurisdictions were experiencing high or very high flu activity, while just three were experiencing moderate activity, according to the CDC. 



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As Covid Deaths Climb, Even Seniors Skip the Latest Booster

 December 21, 2022     Healthy tips, NYT     No comments   


By BY EMILY BAUMGAERTNER from NYT Health https://ift.tt/dV8l1pz
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Tuesday, December 20, 2022

CDC says respiratory viruses may continue to spread for weeks, ‘possibly even months': report

 December 20, 2022     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

As respiratory viruses continue to spread, the "tripledemic" is causing infections to spike across the country and putting strain on the nation's health workers.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning Americans that the high level of multiple respiratory illnesses could linger for a while. 

"We anticipate that high levels of respiratory virus activity may continue for several more weeks, or possibly even months," a spokesperson with the CDC warned, according to Fox 5 D.C.

In a telebriefing at the beginning of the month, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said levels of flu-like illness were higher than generally seen during this time of the year, although noting that there were signs that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) had peaked in some areas. 

COVID-RELATED HOSPITALIZATIONS INCREASING AMONG US SENIORS

"While this is encouraging, respiratory viruses continue to spread at high levels nationwide," she said. "And, even in areas where RSV may be decreasing, our hospital systems continue to be stressed with high numbers of patients with other respiratory illnesses."

Walensky encouraged people to take preventative actions, wear a mask and get flu and COVID-19 vaccines. 

Many of the viruses circulating have similar symptoms and the CDC stressed the importance of testing to determine treatment.

RSV usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, with older adults and infants and young children at a higher risk, according to the CDC. However, fever is also on the list. 

'GREAT CONCERN': INVASIVE GROUP A STREP CASES SPIKING IN PARTS OF US — CDC IS INVESTIGATING

The agency said that the flu can cause mild-to-severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The symptoms of the flu include a fever and a stuffy nose. Flu season kicked off earlier this year.

COVID-19 has similar symptoms, including a fever and a sore throat or cough, with older adults and people with underlying medical conditions at higher risk for severe illness.

"You cannot tell the difference between flu and COVID-19 by symptoms alone because some of the symptoms are the same," the CDC says on its website.

This sickly viral cocktail has left health care workers scrambling. Hospitals in states across the country have reported patient surges and some officials have issued emergency orders.



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Monday, December 19, 2022

Homicides of Children Soared in the Pandemic’s First Year

 December 19, 2022     Healthy tips, NYT     No comments   


By BY RONI CARYN RABIN from NYT Health https://ift.tt/8pj4eNs
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Detransitioning becomes growing choice among young people after gender-affirming surgery

 December 19, 2022     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

Luka "Bunny" Hein was in her early teens when confusion about her true gender developed. 

Doctors provided what seemed like a solution.

"It was presented both to me and my parents as, ‘This is your option to fix things or not. There's not really any other choices. This is the track that you're going to be on if you want to fix these things,'" said the Minnesota native. 

She was only 16 years old when she had a double mastectomy and was prescribed hormone treatments as part of her transition from female to male. 

TRANSITION SURGERY STUDY RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT LONG-TERM RESULTS ON QUALITY OF LIFE AFTER 'TOP SURGERY'

Four years later, she regretted her transition and reverted to her original gender.

She says she feels that her mental health issues were ignored and that she was pressured by doctors to medically transition.

"I feel like dealing with some of the more underlying issues in depth would have definitely been a better place to start," Hein said in a recent interview with Fox News. 

"Seeing that I was clearly … a teenager that had mental health issues. I was on psychiatric drugs at the time for depression and anxiety."

"Dealing with that stuff instead of almost sweeping it aside and being like, 'You're clearly not in a good place mentally, we're not going to even consider that you could consent to any of this' would have been the much better way to go."

She added that doctors could have said to her, "'Just take a wait-and-see [approach] and make sure you're healthy before anything else.'"

SHOULD STUDENTS BE ALLOWED TO BEGIN GENDER TRANSITION WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT? TWO VIRGINIA MOTHERS WEIGH IN

As gender-affirming surgery becomes more prevalent, a growing number of people who go through the treatment are choosing to detransition — the halting or reversal of gender transition through social, legal or medical means. 

Many of those who choose to revert to the gender they were assigned at birth had similar experiences — they felt that they were rushed through the process to transition without any focus on their mental well-being.

A 2021 study from the Institute for Comprehensive Gender Dysphoria Research found that over half the individuals who detransitioned did not receive adequate mental health evaluations before starting their original transition.

"The moment you mention trans identity, everything else is forgotten," Dr. Joseph Burgo, clinical psychologist and head of the Beyond Transition program at nonprofit organization Genspect, said to Fox News.

MULTIPLE STATES CRACK DOWN ON TRANSGENDER TREATMENTS FOR MINORS AMID GROWING LEGAL DEBATE

"So, you could be suicidal. And if you announce you're trans, then all of a sudden transition becomes the focus of treatment and addressing all the other things that were going on before then just falls into the background. You see [this] all the time. Everything goes out the window once you identify as trans."

Burgo said he is in favor of slowing down the process of transition among young teenagers without any kind of psychological exploration.

"They often use this threat of suicidality or self-harm as an argument in favor of encouraging transition," he said. "The argument being that if you don't, this will, as you said, encourage their stress and will increase the likelihood that they'll commit suicide."

He added, "That is not true. There's no evidence to support that belief. And if you look at the actual data, this cohort has a high suicidality rate, and it starts beforehand, during and after transition. There's no evidence that gender-affirming transition actually reduces suicidality."

Laura Becker of Wisconsin was 19 years old when she started testosterone treatments before having her breasts removed seven months later. 

She recalled how she even had suicidal thoughts the day of her top surgery.

IF I WERE A TRANS KID TODAY: HERE'S WHAT POTENTIALLY SAVED MY LIFE

"On the day of the surgery, the surgeon called me, and he said, ‘How are you feeling about this,’ and I'm sure I said something to the effect of, 'You know, I'm not doing very well. I'm feeling suicidal. You know, a lot of anxiety, those sorts of thing,'" Becker told Fox News.

She went on, "And basically [he asked], ‘Is it related to the surgery?’ And I said, ‘No, it's not related to the surgery.’ So we went ahead. But in retrospect, I can see it was partly related."

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Now at 25, Becker said she regrets the decision to transition and has started the process to return to her original gender.

"The surgery is the biggest regret," she told Fox News. 

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"Parts of my body that I had never even really gotten a chance to appreciate or understand or respect or use … I'll never be able to experience, sort of, that intact female form."



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They Created a Drug for Susannah. What About Millions of Other Patients?

 December 19, 2022     Healthy tips, NYT     No comments   


By BY ERIKA CHECK HAYDEN AND BRITTAINY NEWMAN from NYT Health https://ift.tt/IAr15SK
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Sunday, December 18, 2022

CDC investigating multistate outbreak of norovirus stemming from raw Texas oysters

 December 18, 2022     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

Eight states are among those impacted by an outbreak of norovirus linked to raw oysters from Texas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Along with the Lone Star state, others include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Tennessee.

The CDC has clarified that it does not want restaurants and food retailers to serve raw oysters that came from harvest area TX 1, Galveston Bay, Texas, between November 17 and December 7.

The CDC said 211 illnesses have been reported as of December 15.

'GREAT CONCERN:' INVASIVE GROUP A STREP CASES SPIKING IN PARTS OF US - CDC IS INVESTIGATING

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed that the raw oysters harvested in Galveston are potentially contaminated with norovirus. 

The CDC advised that anyone that purchased the raw oysters should immediately throw them in the garbage or send them back to the distributor for destruction. The CDC also warned that any surfaces that came into contact with the oysters should be washed and sanitized.

Even though norovirus is sometimes referred to as a stomach bug or stomach flu, it is very contagious and can cause diarrhea and vomiting. 

MOM WARNS PARENTS AS BABY IS LEFT WITH BRAIN INJURY AFTER SWALLOWING WATER BEAD

Norovirus can be contracted through direct contact with the infected, consuming contaminated food or water or touching contaminated surfaces and then putting your hands in your mouth.

Symptoms of norovirus can develop within 12-48 hours of exposure, according to the CDC.

Risk of dehydration is also prevalent with norovirus.



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$158,000 price tag for new ALS drug reignites anger at Big Pharma

 December 18, 2022     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

A new ALS drug treatment is reawakening frustration with Big Pharma after its drugmaker priced it at $158,000 annually, leading to exorbitant insurance processes to access it.

Relyvrio, a drug produced by Amylyx Pharmaceutical, has been found to slow the progress of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a disease that typically proves fatal within five years. ALS patients suffer a gradual loss of control over their movement, losing the ability to walk and even talk as the disease progresses.

As a result, getting on a drug that slows progression quickly is vital to many patients, but the high price tag set by Amylyx causes insurance companies to lock the drug behind a lengthy application process, and the drug is sometimes cost-prohibitive for patients even with coverage, according to the Associated Press.

"When someone’s lifespan is measured in months, making people go through these multiple rounds of review is just cruel," said Neil Thakur, the chief mission officer at the ALS Association.

DEMOCRATS' PLANS FOR DRUG PRICE CONTROLS WILL HURT, NOT HELP AMERICANS BY SQUELCHING INNOVATION AND CURES

Amylyx developed Relyvrio--its first ever product--by combining a liver treatment drug with a supplement used in traditional Chinese medicine, two ingredients that are relatively inexpensive.

Nevertheless, pharmaceutical companies argue the sky-high price of drugs comes as a result of the lengthy approval process imposed by the FDA. Amylyx expects to make a profit of $450 million from Relyvrio, according to the AP.

BIDEN SLAMS 'MAGA POLICIES,' PROPOSALS TO SUNSET MEDICARE, TOUTS EFFORTS TO LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS

Big pharma remains one of the least popular industries in the U.S., with companies routinely releasing drugs at exorbitant prices.

President Biden's administration has sought to unilaterally lower drug costs through government regulation, but Republicans on Capitol Hill have argued such a move would stifle the industry.

"The American people know that government can’t magically make things cost less by passing laws saying things should cost less," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell when discussing legislation in July. "The invoice will be delivered to the American people who are living with actual health challenges."

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"The price of bigger government will be fewer lifesaving cures, less innovation in the future," he added.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.



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Why Many Older Women Are Getting Pap Tests They Don’t Need

 December 18, 2022     Healthy tips, NYT     No comments   


By BY PAULA SPAN from NYT Health https://ift.tt/LgyGfQK
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Saturday, December 17, 2022

U.S. Health Officials Seek New Curbs on Private Medicare Advantage Plans

 December 17, 2022     Healthy tips, NYT     No comments   


By BY REED ABELSON AND MARGOT SANGER-KATZ from NYT Health https://ift.tt/Z1c6nes
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Friday, December 16, 2022

New Covid Booster Shots Cut Risk of Hospitalization by Half, C.D.C. Reports

 December 16, 2022     Healthy tips, NYT     No comments   


By BY BENJAMIN MUELLER from NYT Health https://ift.tt/yLHiJth
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Warning from LASIK eye-surgery patients to FDA: More notice of 'side effects' is needed

 December 16, 2022     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

Patients who had LASIK eye vision corrective surgery — or Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis — have been weighing in on the recent draft guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) connected to the surgery. 

The FDA's draft has been causing controversy among eye experts — and is also creating mixed reactions from patients. 

The draft is a 25-page report that details how patients need to be better informed — ahead of the surgery — of the risks of potential side effects from the LASIK procedure. 

FDA WARNS THAT LASIK SURGERY PATIENTS NEED TO BE BETTER INFORMED OF RISKS BEFORE EYE PROCEDURE

The FDA's guidance states that patients considering LASIK surgery should be given a "decision checklist" that describes the procedure.

Patients should also receive a list of potential side effects that may result from the surgery. These side effects may include dry eyes, difficulty driving at night, double vision, seeing halos around objects, having persistent eye pain in some cases, and having a need for glasses, the FDA said in the same paper. 

Boris A. of Los Angeles, California, told Fox News Digital this week that after his LASIK procedure, his "eyes were burning for a whole month, and [he] had to use eyedrops daily and couldn’t stand the sunlight or anything [of] white color."

The California resident said if he could go back in time, he never would have had the procedure done. 

EYE SPY A BIG PROBLEM: CALIFORNIA DOCTOR REMOVES 23 CONTACT LENSES FROM ONE WOMAN'S EYE

At first, he said, the surgery seemed to work. 

"At that time [after the surgery], yes … I was able to see clearly during those 15 years." 

He said that eventually, however, he "lost my 20/20 [vision]. I’m back to using prescription glasses."

A typical day for him, he said, involves inserting several eyedrops twice a day to his eye, due to dry eye. (His last name is omitted for patient privacy.)

When asked by Fox News Digital if he felt he was fully informed of potential side effects before the surgery, he answered simply, "No."

The FDA in July presented the draft guidelines, which suggested the content that should be included on patient labeling information for LASIK devices.

"It is important for people considering LASIK to have clear and understandable information on the benefits and risks of the surgery to help inform their decision on whether to get LASIK," the FDA said in the draft guidance. 

"These recommendations, when finalized, are intended to help ensure physicians can share and patients can understand information about the benefits and risks of LASIK devices," the agency also said.

"Further," the agency noted, "this information is intended to enhance, but not replace, the physician-patient discussion of the benefits and risks of LASIK devices that may uniquely pertain to individual patients."

BLIND MICHIGAN JUDGE DRIVES RACE CAR — AND INSPIRES OTHERS TO FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS, TOO

The FDA also accepted comments from the public, individuals and groups associated with eye care, including professionals in the field. 

Over 600 comments were accepted through November 2022, some positive and some negative, about the draft guidelines. 

Patients shared their experiences in the FDA comments section — and many of the comments posted there appeared to strike the same notes that Alegria of Los Angeles shared. 

One individual posted this comment: "LASIK ruined my life. Please do something about this. Our society needs to know the truth."

The person added, "My eyes do not see well at night after LASIK. I have massive ghosting, halos and starbursts. I had perfectly crisp, distortion-free vision with contacts and glasses prior to having LASIK done. I was only 26 at the time of LASIK. How sad!" 

That same individual also felt there was a lack of information given at the time of procedure. 

"I was reassured that worst-case scenario … I would need glasses after LASIK. I was not told that LASIK [would] create vision problems that glasses and contacts could not correct."

SEE THE MOMENT THOUSANDS GO SILENT SO BLIND BASKETBALL PLAYER CAN HEAR HER SHOT

This same person added, "I have much-increased floaters in my eyes and sensitivity to light. I have spent thousands of dollars on my eyes post-LASIK to try to get my old vision back. I am wearing scleral contact lenses, which only help some."

Other patients, however, touted the benefits of the procedure.

The goal of the procedure is to reduce a person’s dependency on eyeglasses and contact lenses by the use of a type of laser to change the shape of the cornea (the covering of the front portion of the eye that refracts light), according to the FDA's website. 

"My eye surgeon was very comforting during my procedure, letting me know exactly what was going on and talking me through it," one patient said in the comments section of the report. 

This person also wrote, "I haven't regretted my choice to have LASIK. The only thing I regret is not having it sooner. I woke up the next morning and immediately turned my TV on to see if I could see what was on TV."

She wrote as well, "I went to lunch and kept asking my fiancé to quiz me on what someone's license plate or road sign said. I couldn't believe I could see without my glasses on or contacts in. Everything looked like it was in HD. I would have LASIK a million times over again if I could; it has seriously changed my life."

The procedure lasts about 30 minutes and is not typically covered by insurance, health experts told Fox News Digital.

Concerns about informing patients about LASIK risks ahead of time were raised over a decade ago, according to the FDA website. 

The federal agency said it issued a letter to eye care professionals back in May 2009, providing information regarding the promotion and advertising of FDA-approved lasers that are used during LASIK surgery. 

‘GREAT CONCERN': INVASIVE GROUP A STREP CASES SPIKING IN PARTS OF US — CDC IS INVESTIGATING

The FDA said that since then, it has received additional complaints that eye care professionals failed to inform patients of indications and the risks and limitations associated with LASIK procedures. 

"The topics covered in the guidance document are all important for the informed consent process, but they are not presented with sufficient depth and nuance," Dr. Stephen McLeod, CEO of the American Academy of Ophthalmology Academy, headquartered in San Francisco, said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"The academy believes that effective informed consent is a process of shared information and decision-making that happens between the physician and the patient," McLeod also said. 

"A discussion of risks and benefits can sometimes seem abstract, and for it to be meaningful to an individual, [the details] must be interpreted and discussed specifically for that person — taking into account their unique features and needs," McLeod went on. 

"We are also concerned that there are several statements that are not well-supported by the latest evidence, and some that have actually been disproved," McLeod added.

Patients such as the man in Los Angeles, though, told Fox News Digital that the guidelines are necessary. 

"Yes, to protect us — since they take the money without telling us the risk in the future," he said.

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The FDA issued its draft guidance in July 2022.

It accepted over 640 comments about the suggested draft guidelines from professionals, associations and individuals through Nov. 25, 2022. 

The FDA told Fox News Digital that it will "consider the submitted comments while preparing the final documents." 

No established timeline was given as to when the final guidance will be issued.



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Opposition to School Vaccine Mandates Has Grown Significantly, Study Finds

 December 16, 2022     Healthy tips, NYT     No comments   


By BY JAN HOFFMAN from NYT Health https://ift.tt/H6dOGVe
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Thursday, December 15, 2022

'Great concern': Invasive group A strep cases spiking in parts of US — CDC is investigating

 December 15, 2022     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating a possible spike in cases of invasive infections among children in the United States caused by the bacteria that is known to lead to strep throat, called group A Streptococcus — or group A strep. 

"Group A strep have always been a very important pathogen that can cause very serious illness," Dr. Aaron Glatt, chief of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in Long Island, New York, told Fox News Digital. 

"It is a great concern that we are seeing an increase in serious cases across many locations," added Glatt, who is also a spokesperson for the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

DR. JANETTE NESHEIWAT: BABIES BORN DURING THE PANDEMIC ARE SEEING VIRUSES FOR THE FIRST TIME

The cases have been spiking across Europe and parts of the U.S. 

Here's a deeper dive into the issue — and what Americans should know.

France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom have reported a spike in cases of invasive group A strep disease since September among children under 10 years of age, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

"In France and the United Kingdom, the number of [invasive group A strep] cases observed in children has been several-fold higher than pre-pandemic levels for the equivalent period of time," the WHO said recently in a press release on December 12.

In addition, multiple U.S. hospitals in several states — including Arizona, Colorado, Texas and Washington — told NBC News they have seen higher levels of cases from invasive disease caused by the bacteria, compared to past years. 

Dr. James H. Conway, pediatric infectious disease physician and medical director of the immunization program at UW Health Kids, told Fox News Digital that he’s seeing also an increase in his practice in Madison, Wisconsin.

"We are seeing an increase in invasive Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A strep) bacterial infections here in our area, mostly following respiratory viral illnesses like Influenza A and RSV," said Conway, who’s also a professor of pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

NEW YORK MOM WHOSE BABY STRUGGLED WITH RSV HAS URGENT MESSAGE FOR PARENTS

"We’ve also seen an uptick in Streptococcus pneumoniae infections."

The state of Colorado also reported two deaths among young children from the Denver area due to group A strep since Nov. 1, according to the state health department.

In the past five years, the CDC estimates that approximately 14,000 to 25,000 cases of invasive group A strep disease occurred each year in the United States; between 1,500 and 2,300 people died annually due to invasive group A strep disease. 

"Sadly, so far this season there have been 74 deaths across all age groups in England," according to a Dec. 15 press release from the United Kingdom Health Security Agency. 

The release discussed an unusual increase in scarlet fever and group A strep infections.

"This figure includes 16 children under [age] 18 in England."

MAINE MOM RAISES THE ALARM AFTER HER BABY DAUGHTER NEARLY DIES FROM SWALLOWING A WATER BEAD 

The advisory added, "In the 2017-2018 season, there were 355 deaths in total across the season, including 27 deaths in children under 18."

"The underlying cause for this increase is unknown, which is even scarier," Glatt noted.

"Serious viral infections like influenza A, RSV and COVID-19 all are a setup for secondary bacterial infections," Conway added.

"They have a negative impact on the immune system, as well as creating an environment conducive to bacterial replication, with all the airway swelling and increasing secretions."

People likely generate some immunity from transient contact with group A strep, he added — but the pandemic "probably diminished the general community's immunity, just as it seems to have done for influenza and RSV in the much of the population."

RSV SURGE RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT REPEAT CASES: CAN YOU OR YOUR CHILD GET IT AGAIN?

"Fortunately, when recognized early and with prompt appropriate therapy, outcomes can be quite good, but some patients unfortunately will still succumb despite proper care," Glatt added.

"Group A strep is literally a whole group of bacteria, which can cause lots of different types of diseases depending on the strain," Conway noted. 

The mild cases are considered "non-invasive," such as those infections that cause strep throat or skin infections, like scarlet fever or impetigo. 

Experts advise treating strep throat with antibiotics to prevent a kidney complication known as post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis and another that affects multiple organ systems, including the heart, joints and central nervous system — known as rheumatic fever. 

"Scarlet fever, also called scarlatina, is characterized by a scarlatiniform rash and usually occurs with strep throat," according to the CDC website. 

Impetigo is a superficial skin infection that looks like a "honey-colored" rash; it usually appears on exposed areas of the body, such as the face, the arms or legs, per the CDC. 

"Invasive disease means that germs invade parts of the body that are normally free from germs," the CDC noted on its website. 

When group A strep invades deeper parts of the body, this can lead to more severe disease, such as when bacteria enters the bloodstream or the lungs, or deep into the skin known as necrotizing fasciitis. 

Necrotizing fasciitis is known as "the dreaded flesh-eating bacteria," Conway noted. The skin of the patient will rapidly turn "dusky" within 24 to 48 hours, and "affected tissues progressively [will] darken from red to purple to blue to black," the CDC noted.

The condition requires antibiotics and often emergency surgical removal of the dead tissue, known as debridement. 

The bacteria can also release toxins in deep tissues and the bloodstream, leading to shock and organ failure (toxic shock). 

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The condition often presents with influenza-like symptoms, such fever, chills and muscles aches, but quickly progresses to where the bacteria enters the bloodstream and causes organ failure in a life-threatening condition known as sepsis.

"It’s important for parents to maximize immune protection by keeping their children up to date with both the viral vaccines against influenza and COVID-19, as well as the available routine childhood vaccines against bacteria with Prevnar13, etc.," Conway said.

"It’s also important for people who are ill to wear masks or stay home, to prevent exposing and infecting other individuals," he noted.

Conway advised, "It’s also important to seek medical attention for kids who are having high fevers, difficulty breathing, unusual rashes — among other things."



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Mom warns parents as baby is left with brain injury after swallowing water bead

 December 15, 2022     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

WATER BEAD WARNING - Folicia Mitchell, a mom from Maine, is warning others about a popular toy for kids after her infant nearly died from accidentally swallowing a piece of the product. A pediatrician and others weigh in as well. Continue reading…

EYES ON LASIK - The surgery known as LASIK – Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis – is under the lens of the FDA and causing controversy among eye experts. Here's why. Continue reading…

STIFF PERSON SYNDROME - Like Celine Dion, a Pennsylvania man is fighting this debilitating neurological disorder, as he shares in an interview with Fox News Digital. Continue reading…

MANDATE 'FATIGUE' - Dr. Anthony Fauci acknowledges there is a "fatigue" about COVID-19 mandates, though health authorities are warning people to take caution as respiratory viruses surge across America. Continue reading…

TOILET TIME - Is your mobile device affecting how long you're in the bathroom? Medical experts sound the alarm on potential health risks. Continue reading…

'BEYOND STRUGGLING' - Amber Bergeron, a Louisiana mother of four, says she's had to fight to feed her children for "their entire lives" as the baby formula shortage will continue to wreak havoc on families in new year. Continue reading…

DIABETES DRUG SHORTAGE - Ozempic, a popular diabetes drug that can help people lose weight, is now facing shortages following celeb endorsements and global supply constraints. Continue reading...

BARE SHELVES - As parents struggle to find Children's Tylenol amid the so-called "triple-demic," doctors say you may not need it. Continue reading...

'A SMOKE-FREE FUTURE' - This country has banned future generations from buying tobacco for a lifetime under strict new anti-smoking laws. Continue reading...

FORMULA RECALL - A baby formula brand has recalled some of its batches due to potential cross-contamination. Here's what parents need to know. Continue reading…

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The Coronavirus May Spread From Corpses, Scientists Report

 December 15, 2022     Healthy tips, NYT     No comments   


By BY APOORVA MANDAVILLI from NYT Health https://ift.tt/IdFmqWt
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E.R. Doctors Misdiagnose Patients With Unusual Symptoms

 December 15, 2022     Healthy tips, NYT     No comments   


By BY REED ABELSON from NYT Health https://ift.tt/w6nohGy
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Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Grant Wahl Died of a Burst Blood Vessel, His Family Says

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Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Long Covid Has Played Role in More Than 3,500 Deaths in U.S., C.D.C. Says

 December 13, 2022     Healthy tips, NYT     No comments   


By BY PAM BELLUCK from NYT Health https://ift.tt/QY72JXb
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When Black Psychiatrists Reach Out to Teens of Color

 December 13, 2022     Healthy tips, NYT     No comments   


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Brain Implants Have Begun to Restore Functions, but Advances Are Slow

 December 13, 2022     Healthy tips, NYT     No comments   


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Monday, December 12, 2022

FDA warns that LASIK surgery patients need to be better informed of risks before eye procedure

 December 12, 2022     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

The surgery known as LASIK — Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis — is under the lens of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is causing controversy among eye experts. 

The FDA released a 25-page draft guidance after receiving input from patients who felt they were not fully informed of the risks associated with the surgery, the agency stated on its website. 

The FDA's guidance states that patients considering LASIK surgery should be given a "decision checklist" that describes the procedure.

EYE SPY A BIG PROBLEM: CALIFORNIA DOCTOR REMOVES 23 CONTACT LENSES FROM ONE WOMAN'S EYE

Patients should also receive a list of potential side effects that may include dry eyes, difficulty driving at night, double vision, seeing halos around objects and in some cases persistent eye pain and a need for glasses, the FDA said in the same paper. 

The FDA in July presented the draft guidelines, which suggested the content that should be included on patient labeling information for LASIK devices.

"It is important for people considering LASIK to have clear and understandable information on the benefits and risks of the surgery to help inform their decision on whether to get LASIK," the FDA said in the draft guidance. 

"These recommendations, when finalized, are intended to help ensure physicians can share and patients can understand information about the benefits and risks of LASIK devices," the agency also said.

"Further," the agency noted, "this information is intended to enhance, but not replace, the physician-patient discussion of the benefits and risks of LASIK devices that may uniquely pertain to individual patients."

WARNINGS ABOUT SKIN-WHITENING CREAMS AFTER WOMAN SUFFERS VISION LOSS LIKELY LINKED TO EXCESS MERCURY: REPORT

LASIK is a surgery that takes less than 30 minutes to perform; its purpose is to correct vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. It's not typically covered by insurance and can cost several thousands of dollars. 

The goal is to reduce a person’s dependency on eyeglasses and contact lenses, the FDA said on its website. 

The surgical procedure, said health care experts, uses a type of laser to permanently change the shape of the cornea, which is the covering of the front portion of the eye that refracts light. 

One eye surgeon from New York told Fox News Digital that it is a "very rewarding procedure to perform, as it tremendously improves the quality of life and reduces the risk of contact lens-related complications." 

Dr. Kira Manusis, M.D., a corneal surgeon at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai Health System in New York City, told Fox News Digital that LASIK surgery has been around for over 25 years. 

Manusis, an ophthalmologist, said her practice provides patients with a multi-page consent form and a video to watch prior to the procedure, to further ensure that the patient is making an educated decision.

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The surgeon explained, "Over this time we have learned a lot about the risks but also enormous benefits of laser vision correction as compared to contact lens overwear and contact lens-related infections. We refractive surgeons have to do even better at screening patients who may not be candidates and have potential side effects, such as those who have underlying dry eye even prior to Lasik." 

Although the federal agency report sparked some controversy within the profession — with some professionals calling for a withdrawal of the draft recommendations — Manusis said the "FDA's review demonstrates a very low-risk profile and complication rate of LASIK, but the small percentage of patients experiencing post-operative side effects cannot be overlooked."

She added, "As with any other surgical intervention in every field, no procedure is risk-free, and this needs to be clear to our patients and the general public. Risks should be clearly stated in the consent form — and appropriate discussion needs to take place."

Concerns about informing the patient about LASIK risks were raised over a decade ago, according to the FDA website. 

The federal agency said it issued a letter to eye care professionals back in May 2009, providing information regarding promotion and advertising of FDA-approved lasers used during LASIK. 

The FDA said that since then, it has received additional complaints that eye care professionals failed to inform patients of indications and the risks and limitations associated with LASIK procedures. 

The agency said it sent another letter in 2011 reminding eye care professionals of their legal responsibility to provide balanced information to their patients. 

LIKE CELINE DION, PENNSYLVANIA MAN IS FIGHTING STIFF PERSON SYNDROME ‘WITH EVERYTHING I HAVE’

The FDA said a letter was also issued to the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and the American Academy of Ophthalmology that provided additional information about informing consumers about the risks of LASIK in eye care professionals' advertisements and promotions.

The FDA collaborated with the National Eye Institute and the Department of Defense to conduct research and in 2009 launched the LASIK Quality of Life Collaboration Project to help better understand the potential risk of problems that can occur after LASIK. 

Part of the project included creation of a patient reported outcome tool questionnaire. 

The agency collected data about side effects that patients experienced post-op — but also acknowledged that over 95% of participants in one study it did said they were satisfied with their vision following LASIK surgery.

The July draft guidelines suggested informing patients about potential side effects.

Those included the possibility that six months after surgery, up to 27% of patients may experience dry eye symptoms; approximately 41% of patients may experience visual symptoms such as glare, halos, starbursts, and double images (with or without glasses, contact lenses); around 4% of patients may have "very" or "extremely" bothersome symptoms; and around 2% may have "a lot of difficulty" or can no longer perform usual activities. 

The FDA draft was issued in July 2022 and the FDA accepted over 640 comments about the suggested draft guidelines from professionals, associations and individuals through Nov. 25, 2022. 

Reactions were mixed. Some said the guidelines were needed, while others expressed concern that the document appeared to be one-sided, focusing on the risks that will frighten patients from undergoing the procedure.

"The topics covered in the guidance document are all important for the informed consent process, but they are not presented with sufficient depth and nuance," Dr. Stephen McLeod, CEO of the American Academy of Ophthalmology Academy, headquartered in San Francisco, said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"The academy believes that effective informed consent is a process of shared information and decision-making that happens between the physician and the patient. A discussion of risks and benefits can sometimes seem abstract, and for it to be meaningful to an individual, they must be interpreted and discussed specifically for that person taking into account their unique features and needs. We are also concerned that there are several statements that are not well-supported by the latest evidence, and some that have actually been disproved." 

COVID-RELATED HOSPITALIZATIONS INCREASING AMONG US SENIORS 

One ophthalmologist who performs refractive surgery in Beverly Hills, California, posted on the FDA draft guideline comments section that "LASIK has been the single best decision I have ever made in my entire life." 

The physician continued and warned, "It is important not to stigmatize LASIK and thus deny its enormous benefits to a wider audience."

This professional added, "Modern LASIK is significantly better statistically than the procedure that was performed on me. The screening techniques and laser machines have been dramatically improved, which has dramatically improved the safety and enormously decreased the patient complaints, which are very rare and typically very mild. A balanced viewpoint, that emphasizes the benefits and risks, is necessary — not fear-mongering!"

Dr. Robert Layman, O.D., president of the American Optometric Association (AOA), headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, and representing more than 48,000 doctors of optometry, optometric professionals and optometry students, posted a comment in a letter to the FDA commissioner that said, "As steadfast supporters of ensuring that patients receive fully transparent information on the risks and benefits of LASIK devices, the AOA believes this guidance to be timely and beneficial." 

One patient from Long Island, New York, who wears contacts and glasses, told Fox News Digital that the more information provided to patients, the better. 

The patient, a male in his 50s, said he considered getting the procedure and told Fox News Digital he's glad the FDA issued the draft guidelines. 

"There seems to be so many of these LASIK clinics in my community that it is hard to discern which are reputable. One doctor made it seem like it is a simple procedure with not many risks," he said.

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He added, "The draft made me more aware of side effects and I think it is important because now I can now make a fully informed decision," the man told Fox News Digital. 

Manusis told Fox News Digital she does not believe it will be the case that patients shy away from the procedure. 

"It is a very successful procedure, hence the number of people getting it annually. I do not think it will deter those who are good candidates."

The FDA document is not final. 

The agency said the next step is to weigh all the comments before preparing a final document. 



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COVID-related hospitalizations increasing among US seniors

 December 12, 2022     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

The U.S. is seeing a rise in COVID-19-related hospitalizations, and the older population accounts for a growing percentage of U.S. deaths.

Hospitalizations for people infected with COVID-19 increased by more than 30% in two weeks, with much of that spike hitting older people and those with existing health problems, according to Center for Disease Control and Prevention director Rochelle Walensky. 

The CDC data includes all hospitalizations of people who test positive for the coronavirus, regardless of the reason they were admitted.

Nursing home leaders are boosting efforts to have staff and residents boosted with the new version of the vaccine, which is now recommended by the federal government for people 6 months and older. These nursing homes now face complacency and COVID-19 fatigue.

TEEN DENIED KIDNEY TRANSPLANT BECAUSE SHE'S NOT VACCINATED FOR COVID, SAY PARENTS

Easing coronavirus restrictions, broader immunity in the general population and mixed messages about whether the pandemic is over have lessened younger adults' concerns about the virus. Nursing homes, however, are still dealing with the impact of COVID-19.

The nursing home leaders said it has become increasingly difficult to receive family consent for vaccinating nursing home residents. Some residents who can give their own consent are refusing the shots, while only 23% of nursing home staff are fully boosted.

Staff and visitors are potential ways in which the virus can enter nursing homes. Many facilities try to protect their residents with masks, screening questions, temperature checks and enhanced infection control.

Hospitals across the country are seeing a rise in senior COVID patients. The rate of daily U.S. hospital admissions for people ages 70 and older with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 jumped from 8.8 per 100,000 people on November 15 to 12.1 per 100,000 people on December 6, according to statistics from the Department of Health and Human Services.

NEW YORK CITY ‘STRONGLY’ URGES MASKS AMID ‘HIGH LEVELS’ OF COVID, FLU, RSV

According to Scripps Research Translational Institute head Eric Topol, hospitalizations for seniors with COVID-19 in New York and California have already surpassed those during spring and summer omicron waves.

And in addition to an increase in hospitalizations, COVID deaths are also rising among seniors.

Last spring and summer, death rates dipped overall as more people gained protection from vaccination and previous infection. However, the share of COVID-19–related deaths for adults 85 and older, who make up 2% of the population, jumped to 40%.

Throughout the pandemic, one in five COVID-19 deaths were people in a long-term care facility.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.



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