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Thursday, August 31, 2023

Daily aspirin after a heart attack can reduce the risk of future events, study finds

 August 31, 2023     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

For people who have previously had a heart attack, taking a daily aspirin could reduce their risk of a repeat cardiac event or stroke, according to a recent Danish study.

The findings were presented at the ESC Congress 2023 in Amsterdam this week.

"Our findings support current clinical guidelines on aspirin therapy following myocardial infarction (heart attack)," said study author Dr. Anna Meta Kristensen of Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital in Denmark, in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.

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"The key takeaway of our study is that patients who are non-adherent to aspirin therapy following myocardial infarction have an increased risk of a composite outcome consisting of recurrent myocardial infarction, stroke or death compared with adherent patients," she went on.

"However, the protective effect of aspirin appeared to decrease slightly over time from four years after myocardial infarction and onwards."

The researchers also found that among women or individuals older than 65, failure to take aspirin was not associated with adverse outcomes.

HEART ATTACK DEATH RISK CAN DOUBLE DURING HEAT WAVES AND HIGH POLLUTION, STUDY FINDS: ‘A PERFECT STORM’

"We recommend that all patients who have had a heart attack stay adherent to their aspirin in accordance with guidelines until randomized controlled trials have proven otherwise and clinical guidelines have been changed," said Kristensen.

Aspirin is generally recommended for use after a heart attack because it prevents the formation of blood clots. 

It does pose a risk of bleeding, however.

Researchers analyzed data from 40,114 patients who were 40 years of age and older, who had their first heart attack between 2004 and 2017, who had a stent placed — and who then took aspirin for the following year.

ASK A DOC: 'HOW CAN I PREVENT HIGH CHOLESTEROL?'

Patients who were taking anticoagulants or P2Y12 inhibitors, both of which prevent blood clotting — as well as those who had another heart attack or stroke during that first year — were excluded from the study.

Every two years after the initial heart attack, the researchers determined which patients were still taking daily aspirin and then compared the rate of recurrent heart attacks.

Those who did not continue taking the aspirin had a 29% higher risk of a recurrent heart attack, stroke or death at two years.

The risk increased to 40% at four years, to 31% at six years and 20% after eight years, the study found.

"Our results should be interpreted with caution because they show an association but do not establish causality," Kristensen told Fox News Digital.

Also, those who didn’t adhere to daily aspirin-taking might have already been predisposed to have poor health outcomes — which she called the "healthy adherer effect."

"Yet we have made efforts to counteract this possible bias," she noted. "Our participant selection was limited to individuals who sustained adherence throughout the initial year following their heart attack."

Because the researchers drew the data from a national registry, they were not able to determine the specific reasons that some patients did not take their aspirin, Kristensen added.

"Furthermore, our findings cannot be generalized to all patients who experience a heart attack," she went on, "as our study specifically focused on those who received treatment with a coronary stent and were not taking other medications to prevent blood clot formation."

DAILY USE OF LOW-DOSE ASPIRIN MAY INCREASE ANEMIA RISK IN HEALTHY OLDER ADULTS: STUDY

"With that in mind, the results support current guidelines recommending long-term aspirin after a heart attack."

Cardiologist Dr. Ernst von Schwarz, who practices in Culver City, California, was not involved in the study but offered his input on the findings.

"For decades, cardiologists have recommended daily low-dose aspirin — which is usually 81 mg in the U.S.," he told Fox News Digital. "This has resulted in a reduction of subsequent heart attacks or any cardiovascular events."

The American Heart Association recommends low-dose daily aspirin for people who have underlying vascular diseases, such as coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease, or who have had a stroke or heart attack.

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"This guidance is called ‘secondary prevention,’ and it has never changed," von Schwarz said. 

"If someone had a heart attack or a stent placed in the past, this patient should stay on daily low-dose aspirin lifelong."

What did change in the revised guidelines a few years ago was that aspirin is no longer recommended as "primary prevention," he said.

"This means we no longer give aspirin to individuals just because they have risk factors for cardiovascular diseases — such as a combination of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol," the doctor noted. 

The guidelines changed due to the risk of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract as a result of aspirin use, von Schwarz pointed out.

"This risk can be reduced by taking aspirin with food but not on an empty stomach, preferably at dinner time, which is supposed to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes that oftentimes occur in the early morning hours," he said.



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Be well: 5 tips for managing postpartum issues from a New York-based family physician

 August 31, 2023     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Giving birth is one of the most transformative experiences a woman can have — but the postpartum period isn’t always so easy to navigate. 

As many as 20% of new moms may experience postpartum depression, which can range from mild "baby blues" to serious mood swings, thoughts of harm and even suicidal tendencies.

MISTREATMENT IN MATERNITY CARE, AVOIDING HIGH CHOLESTEROL AND THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF LAUGHTER

Dr. Cluny Lefevre, a board-certified family practice physician at Fem Strong Health in New York City, shared with Fox News Digital these five tips to help new mothers heal and enjoy a healthy relationship with their child.

"At this time in your life, it is likely that your mind is racing and [you're] thinking about all of the things you must do to support your newborn," said Lefevre, who has extensive experience in women's health and hormonal health.

She recommends carving out at least 30 minutes daily for other outlets to give the mind the opportunity to relax. 

Activities such as painting, writing or playing a musical instrument can serve as a great relaxation tool, she said.

"New moms tend to make sure they feed their infant and take great time and consideration in when, how and where this will be done — but they may forget that they also need proper nutrition to heal their body and support their strength to care for the baby," said Lefevre. 

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Busy moms often follow a "grab-and-go" routine for their own meals, but this can leave them short of important nutrients, warned Lefevre. 

The doctor suggested practicing "mindful eating" sessions, in which a mom will take 10 to 15 minutes to eat a meal.

"Know what you are eating, take the time to savor and enjoy each bite, and connect with your body and mind," she said. 

"This will both relax you and keep you strong."

To stay in touch with nature, Lefevre suggests that new moms go outside — especially first thing in the morning. 

"Don’t stare at the sun," she said — but bask in it. 

"If possible, do this barefoot in the grass."

WOMEN'S HORMONE EXPERT SHARES HER METHOD FOR ELIMINATING MENSTRUAL PAIN: 'DESPERATE TO FEEL BETTER'

The grounding effect with nature is relaxing, while the sun resets the circadian rhythm. 

This will also reduce stress hormones and improve your mood, the doctor noted.

After childbirth, a woman’s body is in a "state of repair," Lefevre said.

"You are doing a lot of running around, bending in awkward positions and holding your baby until your arms cramp," she said.

The doctor recommends doing a 15-minute stretching and light strengthening program, ideally twice per day while the baby is resting. 

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"Do some dancing for cardio, simple stretching exercises to get those ligaments and tendons lubricated, and lightweight training to reawaken those muscles," she suggested.

"Use your mind and remember happy, successful or uplifting moments, then write them in a journal," said Lefevre. "This can be digital or paper, based on your preference."

For the maximum benefit, she said to add a journal entry at least once a day. 

"If you can’t find the energy to write one day, then re-read your passages from earlier," Lefevre suggested. 

"This will lighten your mood, relax your mind, release positive hormones and generally make you feel better."

​​To read more pieces in Fox News Digital's "Be Well" series, click here.



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Mistreatment in maternity care, avoiding high cholesterol and the health benefits of laughter

 August 31, 2023     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

PREGNANCY PERILS – A CDC report says one in five women are mistreated, yet some docs warn of bias and oversimplification. Continue reading…

TRANSPLANT BREAKTHROUGH – After more than six weeks, a transplanted pig kidney is still functioning in a human body. Continue reading…

‘SILENT WALKING’ – A "stress-free" challenge on TikTok has people strolling without music or podcasts. Continue reading…

BACK TO MASKING – These U.S. hospitals have reinstated mask mandates. Continue reading…

MALARIA SYMPTOM – The CDC warns of a specific sign of the mosquito-borne disease. Continue reading…

ASK A DOC – Dr. Robert Pilchik of Manhattan Cardiology offers 6 tips to control cholesterol for heart health. Continue reading…

‘DR. AI’ FALLS SHORT – ChatGPT gets a failing grade for its cancer treatment recommendations. Continue reading…

ATTENTION BOOSTER – FDA approves a generic version of ADHD medication amid shortage. Continue reading…

THE BEST MEDICINE? – "Laughter therapy" is shown to reduce heart disease risk in a study. Continue reading…

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Unexplained fever? Malaria might be a possible diagnosis regardless of travel history, says CDC

 August 31, 2023     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

Don’t rule out malaria just because you haven’t traveled anywhere.

In light of recent locally acquired cases in the U.S., the lack of international travel should not exclude a diagnosis of malaria when Americans have unexplained fever — especially if they develop new anemia.

That’s according to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Health Alert Network update.

"While malaria contraction is most commonly associated with travel abroad, there have been recent cases of locally acquired mosquito-transmitted malaria," Dr. Obinna Nnedu, infectious diseases specialist and medical director of the travel medicine clinic at Ochsner Health in New Orleans, Louisiana, told Fox News Digital. 

MARYLAND HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORT POSITIVE CASE OF ‘LOCALLY ACQUIRED’ MALARIA

"These cases are rare," he added. 

"However, it's important to understand that Anopheles mosquitoes breed in still containers and puddles of water outdoors and they prefer to bite humans in the evenings and at nighttime."

Four different species of the genus Plasmodium mainly cause malaria in humans: P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae and P. ovale.

Here's a breakdown.

The CDC health alert highlights the species that causes the most severe form of malaria — P. falciparum, which was reported to cause a single case of malaria in Maryland in the National Capital Region on Aug. 18, 2023.

"P. falciparum malaria can rapidly cause severe illness and even death if not quickly diagnosed, therefore rapid diagnosis and treatment is imperative," the report said.

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A previous health alert on June 26, 2023, described seven cases of malaria in Florida and one case in Texas that were acquired locally without international travel. 

These cases were unrelated to the Maryland case and were secondary to a different species known as P. vivax, which generally causes a milder form of the disease. 

"CDC’s national malaria system works quickly and effectively to identify cases of malaria and connect patients to treatment," a CDC spokesperson told Fox News Digital. 

The last report of local transmission of malaria was in mid-July in Florida; before that, it was in June in Texas. All patients are improving after receiving treatment. 

Before this year, the last cases of local transmission of malaria in the U.S. occurred in 2003, when eight cases were reported in Palm Beach County, Florida, due to P. vivax malaria, according to the report.

"The current risk of malaria in the U.S. is very low," a CDC spokesperson emphasized to Fox News Digital. 

Malaria is caused by a parasite — most often by the bite of a female mosquito of the genus Anopheles that is infected with the disease.

The Anopheles mosquitoes are found throughout many parts of the country, according to the CDC.

After these mosquitoes feed on someone infected with malaria, they transmit the parasite by biting another person who’s not infected. 

Although rare, the illness can also be transmitted during pregnancy from the mother to the fetus, as well as through a blood transfusion, organ transplantation or unsafe needle sharing, according to the CDC.

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It is a global disease, causing over 240 million cases a year, but the vast majority — 95% — come from Africa, per the CDC.

Almost all malaria cases in the U.S. occur in international travelers — often from sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia — mostly during the summer and early fall.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 2,000 cases were diagnosed annually in the U.S., with 300 people having severe disease mostly due to P. falciparum; only five to 10 people typically die every year in the U.S. from malaria. 

"Once a mosquito is infected with a malaria parasite, it takes between two and three weeks for the parasite to develop into a form that is infectious to humans," Nnedu told Fox News Digital.

Certain species, like P. vivax and P. ovale, remain "dormant" in the liver in a form called hypnozoites. They are considered "hypnotized" until they leave the liver, so it can take a year or more to develop symptoms after an infection, according to experts.

"Malaria in humans usually presents with fevers," Nnedu said. "Other symptoms may include body aches, headaches and shortness of breath."

Although rarely observed, one classic clue of infection with P. falciparum and P. vivax is a fever that arrives like clockwork every other day, the CDC says.

"The gold standard for malaria diagnosis is microscopy," Nnedu noted.

After a drop of blood is placed on a glass slide, it’s then smudged to spread the blood, creating a "blood smear," per the CDC.

The slide is then given a special stain that will help identify any malaria species that may exist under the microscope.

"To effectively rule out malaria, one must have three negative blood smears on microscopy spaced out by 12 hours," Nnedu added.

There are also rapid diagnostic tests, which are "equally effective at diagnosing malaria," he added.

"To help lower your risk of contact with potentially infected mosquitoes, emptying standing containers of water outside of homes is important," Nnedu recommended.

"You can also consider getting mosquito nets for windows and doors of homes and using mosquito repellant that contains 20% DEET when outdoors," he said.

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He reminded people to apply mosquito repellant after using sunscreen. 

Mosquito repellant is effective for six hours — but sweating or perspiration will decrease the amount of time the mosquito repellant is effective, Nnedu said.

"The best way to protect yourself from malaria, and other diseases spread by mosquitos like West Nile Virus, is to prevent mosquito bites by using insect repellant, wearing loose-fitting shirts and pants, and taking steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors," a CDC spokesperson told Fox News Digital.



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'Silent walking' trend: Psychiatrist shares stress-relieving benefits of strolling in silence

 August 31, 2023     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

The idea of taking a silent walk might seem completely intuitive — but on TikTok, people are taking part in a challenge to stroll without the accompaniment of music or podcasts. Their goal? Boosting their mental health.

Content creator Mady Maio sparked the trend after posting a video that claimed walking without headphone noise granted her brain the space to think freely.

She described the experience as "mayhem" for the first two minutes, when the "mind is racing" and anxiety ensues.

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"But something happens after two minutes, where your brain just gets into this flow state and everything is quiet," she said in her June 12 video. "And suddenly, you can … hear yourself." 

"After 30 minutes of silent walking, I suddenly had the clarity that I had always been looking for — brain fog lifted."

Maio’s video currently has nearly 50,000 likes, sparking many other TikTok users to adopt the silent stroll as the new "hot girl walk."

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The creator suggested that listening to music and podcasts doesn’t allow the brain to have "space" to welcome new ideas. 

"Every time I finish a silent walk, I have a new idea for my business, I’ve untangled a weird situation in my head that I’ve been ruminating over and I feel like a lot of my current question marks get answered," she said.

Triple board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Raafat W. Girgis said he considers silent walking a "unique meditation" that can promise "numerous benefits in as little as 10 minutes," he told Fox News Digital. 

"Participants will learn how to reduce stress in areas of concern — from work and family to finance pressures and possibly even world affairs," said Girgis, who practices at Moment of Clarity, a mental health center in Orange County, California.

WANT TO BE A MORNING PERSON? THESE 6 EXPERT TIPS MAY GET YOU THERE

"Learning how to block out the noise of the world and life in general is the primary goal of silent walking," he added.

External noise causes brain stimulation in the nervous system, he said, which "responds by raising levels of stress hormones (endorphins) in the brain." 

Silent walking can also improve mood by combining body movement and exposure to nature, which allows the brain to "naturally release endorphins," he continued.

"The body, mind and soul are connected," Girgis said. "While in nature, removing the stressors and replacing them with quiet thought with no interference … your mood improves naturally."

"Your mind clears, and your thoughts are more organized and positive."

The psychiatrist also pointed out that strolling in silence can help promote mindfulness.

"Staying away from the noise can cultivate a sense of awareness and connection with your environment, promoting mental clarity and reducing rumination or intrusive thoughts," he said.

Silently walking in nature allows the brain and body to focus on the present moment, Girgis said, while staying mindful and reducing excessive, repetitive thinking that can cause stress and worry.

Even though silent walking is now presenting itself as new and trendy, Girgis pointed out that some religious groups and modalities have practiced it as mental health treatment "for some time."

"The goal is to find a way to [achieve] self-awareness and develop internal peace to … support whole personal wellness," he said.

"Remembering to practice balance in all areas of life is the key to finding serenity in the midst of world affairs and personal stressors," he went on.

Those who want to give silent walking a try should start by choosing an outdoor setting that is noise-free, according to Girgis.

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The psychiatrist encouraged walkers to engage their senses while on the move, by taking in their surroundings, listening to nature, noticing thoughts and emotions, and being aware of their senses.

"Although there may be some discomfort in the silence, it is part of the learning process," he said. 

This walk does not have to be "long and drawn out," Girgis said, as a mere 10 to 15 minutes will produce positive effects.

"I like to walk a little longer and enjoy the outdoors and the quiet," he said.

Walkers should consider reflecting and journaling after a silent walk to track mood changes and improvements in outlook on situations that may have been previously troubling, Girgis suggested.



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Wednesday, August 30, 2023

AI chatbots fall short when giving cancer treatment recommendations: ‘Remain cautious’

 August 30, 2023     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

OpenAI’s ChatGPT has become a popular go-to for quick responses to questions of all types — but a new study in JAMA Oncology suggests that the artificial intelligence chatbot might have some serious shortcomings when it comes to doling out medical advice for cancer treatment.

Researchers from Mass General Brigham, Sloan Kettering and Boston Children’s Hospital put ChatGPT to the test by compiling 104 different prompts and asking the chatbot for recommendations on cancer treatments.

Next, they had a team of four board-certified oncologists review and score the responses using five criteria. 

Overall, ChatGPT scored an underwhelming 61.9%.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE?

Although language learning models (LLMs) have successfully passed the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination, the chatbot underperformed when it came to providing accurate cancer treatment recommendations that align with National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines.

In many cases, the responses were unclear or mixed inaccurate and accurate information. 

Nearly 13% of the responses were "hallucinated," which means they might have sounded factual, but were completely inaccurate or unrelated to the prompt, according to the researchers' findings.

"This is a significant concern, as it could lead to misinformation and potentially harmful patient decisions," said Dr. Harvey Castro, an emergency medicine physician and AI expert in Coppell, Texas.

NEW AI TECH AIMS TO DETECT THE ORIGIN OF CANCERS FOR OPTIMAL TREATMENTS: ‘AN IMPORTANT STEP’

Castro was not involved in the study but commented on the findings.

"For example, a patient with advanced lung cancer may receive a recommendation for a treatment not recognized by the NCCN guidelines, which could lead to delays in receiving appropriate care."

Danielle Bitterman, study co-author and assistant professor of radiation oncology at Harvard Medical School, said that overall, the results met expectations.

"ChatGPT and many of the similar large language models are trained primarily to function as chatbots, but they are not specifically trained to reliably provide factually correct information," she told Fox News Digital. 

"Our results showed that the model is good at speaking fluently and mimicking human language," she noted. "But a challenging aspect for health advice is that it makes it hard to detect correct versus incorrect information."

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She went on, "When reading the responses, I was struck by how correct treatment options were seamlessly mixed in with wrong ones. Also, I was encouraged that almost all responses did contain some correct information — this shows the future potential of models to communicate information in collaboration with physician input, even if we aren’t there yet," she added. 

The study’s key limitation was that the researchers evaluated only one LLM in one "snapshot in time"; but they believe the findings highlight legitimate concerns and the need for future research.

ChatGPT 3.5 was used for this study, but OpenAI released a newer model, GPT 4, after the research concluded.

"Nevertheless, the model we tested is the one that is publicly available and the most accessible by a wide population of patients," Bitterman said.

The researchers also did not do intensive investigations into prompt engineering, which may have improved results, she added. 

ASK A DOC: 25 BURNING QUESTIONS ABOUT AI AND HEALTH CARE ANSWERED BY AN EXPERT

"Instead, we designed our prompts (questions) from the perspective of a general member of the population asking general questions about cancer treatment."

Also, the study does not discuss the ethical considerations of using AI chatbots for providing cancer treatment recommendations, noted Dr. Castro.

"It is important to consider the potential risks and benefits of using AI chatbots in this context and have safeguards to ensure that patients receive accurate and appropriate recommendations," he told Fox News Digital.

Castro said he sees promise in the use of AI chatbots for providing cancer treatment information — but significant challenges still need to be addressed. 

"While AI chatbots can be a valuable tool, they should be used as a supplement, not a replacement, for professional medical advice," he said. 

"As a physician, it is important to remain cautious and continue relying on established guidelines and clinical expertise when making treatment recommendations," Castro went on.

"Future research must assess AI chatbots' long-term impact and generalizability in cancer treatment and patient self-education."

NEW AI ‘CANCER CHATBOT’ PROVIDES PATIENTS AND FAMILIES WITH 24/7 SUPPORT: 'EMPATHETIC APPROACH'

Also, Castro would like to see future studies assess more types of cancer.

"The study assessed the chatbot's performance in providing breast, prostate and lung cancer treatment recommendations," he noted. "It is unknown how the chatbot would perform in giving suggestions for other types of cancer or other medical conditions."

While generalist models like ChatGPT are not trained to provide medical advice — and the quality of the information "doesn’t meet the bar for medicine" — Bitterman said they do show potential for synthesizing information in accessible language.

"There is much excitement and potential of AI in health care, but we need to carefully evaluate our models at each step and optimize them for the high-stakes clinical domain," she told Fox News Digital. 

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With medicine and standards of care constantly evolving, Bitterman noted that if a model were developed for clinical use, it would have to provide up-to-date guidelines.

"This will require that developers provide transparency about what data the models were trained on and re-evaluate their performance over time," she said.

"There is too much at stake if we get this wrong — and patient safety is paramount," Bitterman added.

"If there are early errors due to hasty uptake without sufficient testing, it could ultimately set the field back and slow the potential gains."



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Amid ADHD drug shortage, FDA approves generic version of medication: 'Opportune time'

 August 30, 2023     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

In response to the ongoing shortage of ADHD medications, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several generic versions of Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in people 6 years and older.

Vyvanse is available in capsules and chewable tablets, according to the FDA’s announcement.

Dr. Barry K. Herman, a board-certified psychiatrist and the chief medical officer for Mentavi Health, a mental health assessment provider in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is hopeful that these new generic drugs will help address the persistent ADHD medication shortage.

ADHD DRUG SHORTAGE COULD MAKE BACK-TO-SCHOOL SEASON CHALLENGING, EXPERT SAYS: ‘WIDESPREAD IMPACT'

"The FDA made the review and approval of these generics a priority, and hopefully manufacturing will now scale up rapidly to meet this pressing need," he told Fox News Digital. 

These generic medicines are designed to work in the same way and provide the same benefit as the brand-name versions. 

"Generic drugs are approved based on their bioequivalence to the brand drug," Herman said. "In theory, that would make them work the same, but in some cases, patients may feel that they do better on the branded drug."

ADHD NUMBERS CLIMBING DRAMATICALLY IN THE U.S., ESPECIALLY AMONG WOMEN, SAYS NEW STUDY

Potential side effects are likely the same as with the brand-name drug, he noted, though some may experience different side effects on the generic version.

Fourteen companies have now been approved to manufacture and sell generic Vyvanse. 

"That should help address the medication shortage, especially of Adderall," Herman said. "It may take some time, however, for the manufacturing and distribution of the generic drug to catch up to the shortage."

The cost of the generic Vyvanse should be considerably less than the brand-name ADHD drugs, Herman said. 

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"Having many companies manufacture and sell the drug will generally drive the cost down," he said. "Costs may differ depending on whether you have insurance, the pharmacy you use and the dose of the drug."

The FDA first announced the shortage of ADHD medication — primarily Adderall — in October 2022.

Adderall (amphetamine mixed salts) is the medication that's most affected by the shortage, along with variations of methylphenidate, sold under the brand names Ritalin or Concerta. 

Vyvanse is also intended to treat moderate to severe binge-eating disorder (BED) in adults. 

"This should help many people who are currently struggling with the drug shortage," said Herman. 

"Having a generic drug available that is approved for both ADHD ages 6 and up, and for adults with moderate to severe binge-eating disorder, could not come at a more opportune time."



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Pig kidney still functioning in brain-dead man 6 weeks after transplant surgery: ‘Extremely encouraging’

 August 30, 2023     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

A pig kidney is still functioning correctly more than six weeks after surgeons at NYU Langone Health in New York City transplanted the genetically engineered organ into the body of a 57-year-old man, who had been declared brain-dead.

This marks the longest period a pig kidney has functioned in a human being, according to a press release from the hospital.

After he was "declared dead by neurologic criteria," the man was placed on supportive measures to keep his heart beating, the release stated. His family agreed to donate his body because his organs were not suitable for transplant.

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"All signs are pointing in a positive direction with the kidney’s ability to function just as a normal human kidney would," Dr. Philip Sommer, a critical care anesthesiologist and system director for organ donation at NYU Langone's Transplant Institute, told Fox News Digital.

The hope is that animal kidneys will one day be viable alternatives for transplant into live humans.

"Too many people are dying because of the lack of available organs, and I strongly believe xenotransplantation is a viable way to change that," Dr. Robert Montgomery, M.D., who is the director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute and led the NYU Langone Health surgical team, said in the news release.

Montgomery’s team removed the man’s kidneys on July 14 and replaced them with the genetically engineered pig kidney to ensure that the animal organs were performing the expected functions without assistance. 

While keeping the man alive on a ventilator, the intensive care clinical staff has been monitoring the pig kidney’s performance and taking weekly biopsies.

The kidney’s creatinine levels, which are indicators of function, have been in the optimal range during the length of the study. The biopsies have shown no evidence of rejection, according to the release.

"From what we are seeing, this kidney is doing all the jobs that a normal human kidney would do," Sommers told Fox News Digital. "We have not had to intervene to correct its function."

He added, "We are studying its ability to clear and metabolize certain medications during the study, and it appears that it is doing that job very well, too."

To prevent a "hyper-acute rejection" of the pig kidney, the surgeons said they "knocked out" the gene that is responsible for the human body’s immune response to reject an animal organ. 

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This rejection usually occurs within minutes when an animal organ is connected to a human circulatory system, the researchers explained in the release. 

In the past, researchers performing genetically engineered pig organ transplants have incorporated up to 10 genetic modifications, but this approach involved only one gene.

"We’ve now gathered more evidence to show that, at least in kidneys, just eliminating the gene that triggers a hyper-acute rejection, along with clinically approved immunosuppressive drugs, may be enough to successfully manage the transplant in a human for optimal performance — potentially in the long-term," Montgomery said in the news release.

Besides knocking out the gene, Montgomery’s team also embedded the pig’s thymus gland in the outer layer of the kidney. This gland teaches the immune system how to guard against delayed immune responses.

The team also used standard transplant immunosuppression medications and screened for certain viruses that have been shown to trigger organ failure.

"This information we are gathering is going to help move so many aspects of xenotransplant forward," Sommers told Fox News Digital. "We are getting data on the function of the kidney, immunosuppression, clearance of medications and safety from disease spreading," 

The NYU team will continue to monitor the organ in the recipient's body until mid-September.

"We think using a pig already deemed safe by the FDA, in combination with what we have found in our xenotransplantation research so far, gets us closer to the clinical trial phase," Montgomery said in the release.

"We know this has the potential to save thousands of lives, but we want to ensure the utmost safety and care as we move forward."

The success of this study suggests that this may be a viable long-term transplant option, Sommers told Fox News Digital.

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"Before this, we only knew that there would be no immediate rejection. We have now moved toward being able to define this as a safe and viable mechanism for transplant," he said.

Testing the pig kidney in a brain-dead patient is seen as "the best and safest way to perfect this technology prior to it entering clinical trials," Sommers noted.

"Our goal is to mimic exactly what would be happening in a living human, so when things do occur, we’ll know how to treat them safely and won’t be experimenting on living beings," he said.

While the number of organ donors has remained steady through the years, the need for organ donations has increased, leading researchers to explore non-conventional solutions to save patients’ lives.

"We are not meeting the needs with the current system and supply we have, so we have to look to other ways to meet the need and help society," Sommers told Fox News Digital. 

"Xenotransplant has been studied for a very long time, and the use of pig tissue has been used for heart valves for a long time as well."

More than 100,000 people in the United States are currently awaiting an organ transplant, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing in Richmond, Virginia.

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Dr. David Klassen, the network’s chief medical officer, told Fox News Digital that this study is a critical step toward clinical trials in living people, as it allows the investigators to study the physiological function of the animal organ over an extended period.

Another non-conventional method being explored is the potential of 3D printing, Klassen noted. 

"Xenotransplantation is likely to start formal clinical trials relatively soon, while 3-D printed organs is further off," he said. "There are lots of resources being applied to the printing of transplantable organs."

Some private industries are focused on printing lungs for transplantation, he added.

Dr. Ron Shapiro, surgical director of the Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program at Mount Sinai's Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute in New York City, was not part of the NYU Langone study but commented on it to Fox News Digital. 

"This study is substantial further progress on the road to the implementation of xenotransplantation into clinical practice," he said. 

"These results are extremely encouraging and suggest that clinical xenotransplantation will be feasible and successful." 



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‘Laughter therapy’ is shown to reduce heart disease risk in Brazilian study: 'Exciting to see'

 August 30, 2023     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

Laughter has been called "the best medicine" for many decades — and now there’s scientific proof.

A study from the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre in Brazil has shown that regular chuckling expands heart tissue and promotes the flow of oxygen in the body, thus reducing the risk of cardiac disease.

"Laughter therapy" was also shown to improve the health of those who already had heart disease.

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"Our study found that laughter therapy increased the functional capacity of the cardiovascular system," said the lead author, Professor Marco Saffi, when presenting the study’s findings at the annual meeting of the European Society of Cardiology in Amsterdam this week.

The randomized study, which was published in ESC 365, included a total of 26 patients averaging 63 years of age, 69% of whom were male.

All of them were previously diagnosed with coronary artery disease, which occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries and can restrict the flow of blood to the heart.

Half of the patients watched two hour-long comedy shows on TV each week for a three-month period, and the other half watched two "neutral documentaries."

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At the end of the study period, the group that watched the comedy programs showed a 10% greater flow of oxygen compared to the other group, indicating a stronger and healthier heart.

The comedy watchers also demonstrated improved expansion of the arteries and reduced inflammation of the heart.

"When patients with coronary artery disease arrive at the hospital, they have a lot of inflammatory biomarkers," said Saffi in the presentation. 

"Inflammation is a huge part of the process of atherosclerosis, when plaque builds up in the arteries … This study found that laughter therapy is a good intervention that could help reduce inflammation and decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke."

ASK A DOC: 'HOW CAN I PREVENT HIGH CHOLESTEROL?'

Regular chuckles have also been shown to release endorphins and lower stress levels, which could also benefit heart health, he noted.

The researcher suggested that various types of laughter therapy could be used in hospitals and treatment plans to help reduce patients’ risk of cardiac events and perhaps lessen the reliance on medication. 

"People should try to do things that make them laugh at least twice a week," he said.

This was the first randomized controlled trial to measure the impact of laughter therapy cardiac rehabilitation on patients with coronary artery disease, the study authors noted.

Alexandra L. Kharazi, M.D., a cardiothoracic surgeon with CVTS Medical Group in San Diego, California, was not involved in the research but noted that the results are encouraging, even though the study is small.

"However, it shouldn’t deflect from the fact that the best therapy for heart disease is lifestyle modification and risk factor modification," she told Fox News Digital. 

HEART DISEASE RISK COULD BE AFFECTED BY ONE SURPRISING FACTOR, NEW STUDY FINDS

"In other words, it’s great to make sure your day is filled with laughter, but you still need to take your blood pressure and cholesterol medication if you have coronary artery disease," she went on.

No amount of laughter therapy will reverse severe coronary blockages, as these often require stents or open-heart surgery, Kharazi noted.

The core benefit she recognizes in this research is laughter’s potential role in recovery after heart procedures. 

"From personal experience, people who have a positive attitude post-operatively tend to have more energy to participate in activities, including physical therapy, which helps speed up recovery after open-heart surgery," the doctor said.

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Dr. Heather Sandison, a renowned expert in Alzheimer's disease and related dementia care, also reviewed the study’s findings and found the results "exciting."

"Although this study was small, it is consistent with other research we have seen showing that laughter improves levels of stress hormones and immune function," she told Fox News Digital.

"It is exciting to see research on non-pharmaceutical interventions that are essentially risk- and cost-free and can reduce significant health concerns like cardiovascular disease," she went on. 

"This gives patients a fun therapy to consider trying at home in addition to the typical medications and interventions they get from their doctor."



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Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Massachusetts sees first two cases of deadly West Nile virus

 August 29, 2023     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

Two Massachusetts residents have contracted the mosquito-born West Nile virus in the state's first human cases of the year.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced Tuesday, August 29 that one woman in her 70s was exposed to the virus in another area of the country and a man in his 40s was exposed in Middlesex County in Massachusetts.

Authorities noted that the virus is at a moderate risk level in the Greater Boston area, which includes Middlesex County, Norfolk County and Suffolk County, as well as in parts of Bristol County, Plymouth County, Worcester County, Hampden County, Hampshire County and Berkshire County.

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"This is the first time that West Nile virus infection has been identified in Massachusetts residents this year," said Public Health Commissioner Robert Goldstein, MD, PhD. 

Goldstein said that August and September are the highest risk months for contracting the deadly virus.

"Populations of mosquitoes that can carry and spread this virus are fairly large this year, and we have seen recent increases in the number of WNV-positive mosquito samples from multiple parts of the Commonwealth," Goldstein said.

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In 2022, there were eight human cases of the West Nile virus infection identified in Massachusetts, with the first being announced on August 25. The first case of 2021 came on September 1.

Since the West Nile virus first entered the U.S. in 1999, it has become the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In most cases, the West Nile virus — a flavivirus in the same family as yellow fever, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis and the Zika virus — is spread when Culex mosquitoes bite infected birds and then bite people and other animals, according to the CDC’s website.

The virus is not transmitted through eating or handling infected animals or birds, nor is it spread through physical contact, coughing or sneezing.

A vast majority — around 80% — of the people who contract WNV will not experience any symptoms, the CDC states on its website.

"These people would only know there were previously infected if blood antibodies were checked," explained Dr. George Thompson, professor of medicine at UCDavis Medical Center in Sacramento, in an email to Fox News Digital.

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Around one in five people will develop febrile illness, which is marked by a fever along with body aches, headache, joint pain, diarrhea, rash and/or vomiting. These symptoms usually go away on their own, but some people may have lingering weakness and fatigue months after infection.

In rare cases — about one in every 150 infected people — the virus can lead to serious conditions affecting the nervous system, such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord), the CDC states on its website.

Those who develop serious illness may experience headache, stiff neck, high fever, disorientation, vision loss, muscle weakness, convulsions, tremors, coma or paralysis, which occur when there is viral infection of the central nervous system. 

Melissa Rudy contributed to this report.



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Ask a doc: 'How can I prevent high cholesterol?'

 August 29, 2023     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

Cholesterol has some important jobs in the body — such as creating hormones, aiding digestion, building cell membranes and generating vitamin D — but too much of the waxy substance can pose a health risk.

"Cholesterol only becomes problematic when cholesterol levels — and particularly LDL cholesterol — become too high," said Dr. Robert Pilchik, a cardiologist with Manhattan Cardiology and contributor to LabFinder.com, in a statement to Fox News Digital. 

"As total cholesterol and triglyceride levels increase, plaque begins to build up in the blood vessels and arteries," he went on. 

"This increases blood pressure, puts strain on the cardiovascular system and increases the risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke."

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The best way to avoid these effects is to prevent high blood cholesterol to begin with. 

Pilchik, who has expertise in cardiovascular disease and nuclear cardiology, offered six tips to keep it at a healthy level.

The first and perhaps most controllable way to prevent high cholesterol is to make healthy food choices, Pilchik said.

He recommended avoiding foods that are high in:

HEART-HEALTHY FOODS: 15 ITEMS TO ADD TO YOUR GROCERY LIST TO PREVENT HEART DISEASE, OTHER HEALTH CONCERNS

"Instead, try to consume a diet high in fiber and unsaturated fat," the doctor suggested. 

"The Mediterranean diet is often a good choice, as it shifts focus away from dairy and red meat and onto seafood, fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and whole grains." 

"In the United States today, there are an extraordinary amount of people who are not maintaining what would be considered a healthy amount of physical activity," said Pilchik.

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Adults need at least 2.5 hours of moderate physical activity per week, he noted, while children and adolescents need at least one hour per day.

This can include moderately paced walks, cycling or other types of exercise that maintain an elevated heart rate.

"Exercise can be habitual, and forming habits early can be helpful for preventing health issues later in life," said Pilchik. 

Maintaining a healthy weight has numerous health benefits, one of which is improving the body’s ability to use and remove excess blood cholesterol, according to Pilchik. 

"While not a perfect tool, a body mass index (BMI) calculator can help indicate whether a person’s weight is healthy or not," he said.

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For those who have a weight loss goal, the safest and most effective approach is a combination of dietary choices and physical activity. 

"A doctor can help determine if specific weight loss goals or plans are safe to pursue," Pilchik said.

"Smoking is generally very hard on a person’s cardiovascular system on its own, and the effects can be exacerbated by high cholesterol," said Pilchik.

For people who have never smoked or who have already quit the habit, maintaining that lifestyle can be beneficial for heart health.

For those who do smoke, quitting can ease strain on the heart and allow some amount of healing, Pilchik advised.

Along with smoking, alcohol consumption can have negative health impacts on the body, including increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels, according to Pilchik.

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"While avoiding alcohol entirely isn’t always necessary, alcohol consumption should be limited to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women at a maximum," he said. 

If all other methods have been explored and cholesterol is still elevated, Pilchik said it might be appropriate to take medication to help get the levels under control. 

There are several types of cholesterol medications, including statins, bile acid sequestrants, niacin, fibrates and PCSK9 inhibitors.

"Medications are a very important and helpful tool in fighting high cholesterol, but all medications also include some risk of side effects," Pilchik noted. 

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"Getting ahead of high cholesterol with healthy choices earlier in life is always the preferred option."

There are two types of cholesterol. 

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is sometimes called "bad cholesterol," is associated with negative health effects when present in high amounts. 

High-density lipoprotein (HDL), which is known as "good cholesterol," can help lower the risk of certain diseases.

The liver produces cholesterol, which moves through the bloodstream by attaching to a fatty substance called lipoprotein, Pilchik said. 

Additional cholesterol is consumed with food.

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"Blood cholesterol levels are measured in mg/dL. Having 150 mg/dL of total cholesterol is a good healthy target, and levels above 200 mg/dL are considered high," he noted.

"LDL cholesterol should ideally be around 100 mg/dL," he said. 

"HDL cholesterol should be 40 mg/dL or higher for men, and 50 mg/dL or higher for women."

Blood cholesterol levels can be measured with a simple blood test.

Added Pilchik, "It’s a good idea for healthy adults to have it checked during each annual physical." 



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Yet another COVID vaccine? As Biden calls for new funding, health experts sound off: ‘A slippery slope'

 August 29, 2023     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

Following President Joe Biden’s remarks on Friday that he plans to request funding for a new COVID vaccine amid rising cases in this country, doctors are sharing their input on whether another version is needed.

"I signed off this morning on a proposal we have to present to the Congress a request for additional funding for a new vaccine that is necessary, that works," Biden told reporters during his vacation in Lake Tahoe.

"It will likely be recommended that everybody get it no matter whether they’ve gotten it before or not," he also said.

BIDEN PLANS TO ASK CONGRESS FOR FUNDING TO DEVELOP NEW COVID VACCINE, MAY REQUIRE SHOT FOR ALL

The president’s comments came as the CDC is reporting that COVID-related hospitalizations have risen 21.6% in the most recent week and that deaths have risen 21.4%.

The numbers are still far below the levels seen during the pandemic, however.

Dr. Marc Siegel, a professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, said it is "impossible to know what [Biden] is referring to" in his comment.

"There is a new MRNA shot to cover the XBB variant that will also cover the rapidly spreading EG.5 subvariant that descended from it, which will be out in mid-September," Siegel told Fox News Digital. 

"As far as I know, there are no plans to mandate it."

CITING RISING COVID CASES, THESE US HOSPITAL SYSTEMS HAVE NOW REINSTATED MASK MANDATES

The CDC has told Siegel that it will target high-risk groups with the new vaccine, he said. Siegel added that the U.S. could benefit from a vaccine that is "more universal or covers all variants" — or one that creates a nasal barrier.

"Several of these are being studied, and would do a much better job at decreasing or stopping transmission, but as far as I know, none are ready for approval," Siegel said. 

"Perhaps [Biden] means that he will be asking Congress for more funding to pursue these vaccines — but how can you talk about mandating something that hasn't been developed?" he also said.

The vaccines that are currently authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) include Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines (mRNA vaccines) and the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (a protein subunit vaccine).

Dr. Brett Osborn, a board-certified neurosurgeon in West Palm Beach, Florida, who also runs a preventative health care and anti-aging facility called Senolytix, compared COVID to the flu, in that they both mutate frequently.

To help protect against flu mutations, the CDC historically has helped to formulate updated vaccines to boost immunity. 

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"The same logic applies to SARS-COV-2, so it is not unreasonable to include the latest strains in an updated vaccine, especially since COVID-related deaths currently exceed flu-related deaths," he told Fox News Digital. "That said, COVID-related deaths are decreasing yearly."

One of the factors in the decreasing deaths is vaccination, the doctor said. 

So do we need a new vaccine?

"Not really," Osborn answered. "The current vaccines confer protection against omicron and, to a degree, its subvariants, such as EG.5 or Eris."

Although an updated vaccine would more precisely target those subvariants, Osborn said he believes these should be administered only to the at-risk population, including seniors and those with multiple medical comorbidities, such as type II diabetes and obesity. 

"The remainder of the population — those who are categorically low-risk — have little to worry about, as is the case with influenza," he said. 

"As time goes by, RNA viruses typically become weaker, and the threat is lessened."

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And there is not currently any shortage of the COVID vaccine, Osborn noted. 

An updated version is slated for release in mid-September in response to the newly identified omicron subvariants, which are currently the dominant strains that are infecting patients.

"Such mutations will continue to emerge, as is the case with the flu virus," he said. "However, only the at-risk population should be concerned and potentially be boosted."

"The entire United States does not need to be boosted yearly," Osborn continued. "It should acquire its immunity the old-fashioned way: through infection."

The doctor is also leery of the implications of a government-funded vaccine, which he described as "potentially sinister."

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"Vaccines for influenza — which has a very similar overall mortality rate to COVID-19 and its subvariants — are not government-funded," Osborn said to Fox News Digital.

"They are guided by CDC recommendations based on epidemiologic data, but are manufactured by independent pharmaceutical companies."

"This is not the case with the COVID-19 vaccination," he went on. "Big pharma is being funded by the U.S. government to manufacture vaccines — yet we are no longer in a state of emergency or even a heightened threat. So why is this being done?"

Added Osborn, "This is a slippery slope, in my opinion, one that is fueled by manufactured hysteria without scientific basis."

Dr. Edward Liu, infectious diseases section chief at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in New Jersey, noted that "the current COVID vaccines work well to prevent serious illness, but do not stop transmission of COVID." 

"One of the goals of a ‘perfect’ COVID vaccine would be to stop transmission by producing active antibodies in the nose and respiratory tract to stop COVID before it causes serious disease," Liu told Fox News Digital. "The current COVID vaccines don't do that."

The doctor also noted that new generations of vaccine technology potentially can be improved to reduce side effects even further, "so people will not hesitate to get vaccinated."

"MRNA vaccines have been associated rarely with myocarditis, but Johnson & Johnson had rare but serious blood disorder side effects, which caused it to be withdrawn from the U.S. market," Liu said.

As a new vaccine is perfected, Liu said he expects it to replace the current ones. 

"Future vaccine technologies could be started now to prepare the next generation of COVID vaccines or protect the population from the next pandemic virus," he added.

COVID surges — which are normal and expected, just as with the seasonal flu, Dr. Obsorn said — should not be a cause for concern unless the mortality data were to spike significantly.

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To prevent spread, the doctor recommended following these "common sense" immunologic principles:



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Monday, August 28, 2023

Mistreatment in the maternity ward? Doctors weigh in on a new CDC report: 'Overstretched health system'

 August 28, 2023     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

After a recent CDC report found that up to 20% of women have been mistreated in some way during the labor and delivery process, doctors are sharing their perspectives on the state of U.S. maternity care.

Several expressed concern about various aspects of the study, what it uncovered and even how it was conducted. 

An April 2023 Porter Novelli View Moms survey gathered input from 2,402 women about the quality of care they received during childbirth. 

One in five reported some degree of mistreatment.

ONE IN FIVE WOMEN REPORT BEING MISTREATED WHILE IN MATERNITY CARE, CDC FINDS: ‘WE MUST DO BETTER’

Some of the most commonly reported examples included receiving no response to requests for help, being shouted at or scolded, not having their physical privacy protected, being threatened that treatment would be withheld — or being made to accept unwanted treatment, according to the report.

Racial and socioeconomic factors also came into play, according to the CDC.

Among the women who reported mistreatment, 30% were Black; 29% were Hispanic; 27% were multiracial; 19% were White; 18% were American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander; and 15% were Asian.

Also, 28% said they had no insurance, 26% said they had public insurance and 16% said they had private insurance.

Here is what doctors — plus the CDC — shared with Fox News Digital about the study.

Dr. Marc Siegel, a professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, said the CDC’s findings "need to be taken seriously." 

"This study is subjective, because it is a questionnaire, but the overall idea of [women] feeling neglected or overlooked or not having their privacy protected is very concerning — especially during such a stressful and potentially difficult time as pregnancy," Siegel told Fox News Digital.

"The correlation with minority groups, and those with low or no insurance, is equally concerning," he went on. 

PREGNANT WOMEN STRUGGLE TO FIND CARE IN ‘MATERNITY DESERTS,’ NEW STUDY FINDS: ‘WE NEED MORE SUPPORT’

"The report reflects not just an overstretched health system, but also continuing health disparities." 

Dr. Brett Osborn, a board-certified neurosurgeon in West Palm Beach, Florida, who also runs a preventative health care and anti-aging facility called Senolytix, said the CDC’s findings go against a physician's duty to "treat every patient equally, regardless of race, creed or religion."

"This similarly applies to those unable to pay and those with government funding, which typically reimburses physicians below Medicare-allowable rates," he told Fox News Digital.

While most of the surveyed patients expressed satisfaction with their experience, Osborn noted that a disproportionate number of those who did not were either members of a minority or unfunded. 

"While I cannot comment as an obstetrician, I would be surprised if this phenomenon was not pervasive across medical specialties," he said. "I cannot defend the actions of physicians should there have been a relegation of care commensurate to patients’ insurance or minority status."

He added, "That said, the observed ‘effect’ in the survey cohort may, to a degree, be artifactual — a misperception."

The health of the patient also comes into play, Osborn noted.

"A healthy individual requires less care and fewer resources than an unhealthy, obese individual with a complicated pregnancy, many of which are unfunded, have limited funding or are a minority," he said. 

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He went on, "It is a fact that underserved Americans have more health problems than those with better access to care — in this case, prenatal care."

When a patient requires more care than a healthy individual, Osborn hypothesized that the physician may seem rushed or short with the patient — "when, in fact, they are simply trying to get the job done."

"By no means is this an excuse for shouting at or scolding a patient, as reported in the survey," he said.

"However, the conclusions must be viewed from both sides: the physician and the patient."

Osborn added, "Physicians can do better, but so can patients, by assuming control of their health regardless of their societal status, thereby decompressing an already stressed and overburdened system while secondarily bettering care, outcomes and, of course, patient satisfaction."

Dr. Leslie Farrington, a retired obstetrician-gynecologist in Manhasset, New York, has more than 38 years of experience in the field.

For the last several years, she's been promoting health care advocacy education in support of Black mothers and families; she runs an organization called Black Coalition for Safe Motherhood.

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Farrington said in an interview with Fox News Digital she was not surprised by the CDC’s report — the racial component, in particular.

"If you're Black or if you're [of] a low socioeconomic status, or even if you are a White person with a Black partner, you are twice as likely to be mistreated as a White person," she said.

"Looking at almost every study of discrimination in health care, around a third of African Americans report discrimination in doctors’ offices, including when giving birth."

One of the specific types of maternity mistreatment, Farrington said, is when doctors strip a woman’s membranes (break their water) to try to stimulate labor without asking for consent. 

"In this case, they've taken control of the person's care in a way that usurps their self-determination and their bodily autonomy," she said. "Women should know what's happening to their body."

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Beyond physical mistreatment, Farrington said that many doctors speak to women in a condescending manner "like they are children," telling them what they can and can’t do.

"All physicians are trained in a hierarchical culture of disrespect, where the higher-up you are, the more disparaging or dismissive you can be of those who are under you," she added.

Farrington called for a "major transformation of obstetrical care," which she said is focused on "profits over people." While there are plenty of good doctors, she noted, they're under "a lot of production pressure to move people in and out quickly, which is one of the reasons they're so dismissive."

When Farrington was still practicing, she said they used to have to see 23 people in a three-hour session. 

"It's stressful for the doctor and for the patients, who feel like they can't ask questions because they don't want to overburden the doctor," she said.

Farrington urged women to take control of their birthing experience — to "set the tone" and to speak up if a doctor is disrespectful.

FDA APPROVES FIRST MATERNAL VACCINE TO PREVENT RSV, PFIZER'S SINGLE-DOSE ABRYSVO

"Tell the doctor if something's bothering you, trust your body and don't stop asking questions until you're satisfied with the answers," she suggested.

Women also have the right to refuse recommended treatment, Farrington added. "The pregnant person is the decision-maker for their baby and their body."

Dr. Shana Johnson, a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician in Scottsdale, Arizona, told Fox News Digital that in her view, the study is "very low-quality and does not represent the U.S. birthing population."

The report had several sources of bias, she said. 

The survey was opt-in; it did not use probability sampling; the participant rate was 32%; and subgroups comprised a small number of respondents. 

"The survey response rate is important for validity," Johnson said. 

"If the response rate is low, it skews the results. In this study, almost 70% of people didn't respond. These results are based on the biased sample of 32% of respondents. This may be a group more likely to report mistreatment."

Additionally, the experiences were self-reported and often occurred over five years ago — which can lead to "recall bias," the doctor noted.

The crux of the issue, Johnson said, is that medical staff are often working in unsustainable conditions and rural areas are underserved.

"This study oversimplifies health care, points blame and ignores the real issue that the entire health care system is failing," she said.

"I wish government entities would use taxpayer money to focus on fixing the health care system, rather than pointing blame at struggling health care workers, while the wants of special interests remain top priority," she also said. 

Fox News Digital reached out to the CDC for comments on the validity of the study. 

"We acknowledge that these data are likely not representative of the U.S. birthing population due to a number of survey limitations," Dr. Wanda Barfield, director of CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health in Atlanta, Georgia, told Fox News Digital. 

"While there may be social desirability bias or recall bias in some of the responses, we still believe these data capture the experiences of the respondents in a way that clearly demonstrates more can be done to improve the quality of maternity care in the United States."

In a previous study from 2019, the Giving Voice to Mothers study, a similar share (17%) of women were found to have experienced mistreatment, Barfield pointed out.

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"At the end of the day, this report sheds light on the fact that many women experience mistreatment and discrimination during their maternity care," Barfield went on. 

"It is going to take a systems-level approach to encourage a culture of respectful care and promote quality improvement initiatives to make shifts on a population level."

She added, "On an individual level, all health care staff can play a role in ensuring high-quality, respectful care to every patient they encounter."



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E.coli bacteria detected in Grand Canyon National Park’s water supply

 August 28, 2023     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

E.coli bacteria has been detected in the water supply inside the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, according to an advisory released by the National Park Service (NPS).

The announcement on Friday warned visitors at Phantom Ranch, a lodge at the bottom of the southern end of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, to boil water before using it.

"These bacteria can make you sick and are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems," the NPS stated. 

E. COLI STRAIN LINKED TO LEAFY GREENS ASSOCIATED WITH OUTBREAKS, RESEARCH LED BY CDC DOCTOR SAYS

"Bacterial contamination can occur when increased run-off enters the drinking water source (for example, following heavy rains)," it also said. 

"It can also happen due to a break in the distribution system (pipes) or a failure in the water treatment process."

All water should be boiled for one minute per 1,000 feet of elevation to kill bacteria before using it for drinking, brushing teeth, washing dishes, making ice or cooking, the NPS advised. 

Bottled water can also be used as an alternative.

At the current time, no other areas outside Phantom Ranch have been found to have E.coli.

E.coli — officially known as Escherichia coli — is a type of bacteria found in the environment, foods and intestines of people and animals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

MEAT CONTAMINATED WITH E. COLI COULD CAUSE HALF A MILLION URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS EACH YEAR, STUDY FINDS

Some strains can cause people to become sick, with symptoms including but not limited to severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), vomiting, respiratory illness, urinary tract infections and pneumonia.

Symptoms usually begin three to four days after eating or drinking something containing E.coli — but can start as soon as one day or up to 10 days later.

While most people will recover on their own within five to seven days, some people experience severe illness that requires medical care.

The CDC recommends seeing a health care provider for "diarrhea that lasts for more than three days or diarrhea that is accompanied by a fever higher than 102˚F, bloody diarrhea, or so much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down and you pass very little urine."

BRAIN-EATING AMOEBAS: WHAT YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT THE RISK OF SWIMMING IN FRESH WATER

Although rare, some people with E. coli can develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can lead to kidney failure or other life-threatening complications, per the CDC.

Symptoms of HUS include extreme fatigue, decreased urination and loss of color in the face and lower eyelids.

The National Park Service stated in its announcement that it is taking steps to control the situation, including making "control system adjustments" and restarting the chlorination process. 

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"We are increasing sampling for coliform bacteria to determine the source of the contamination," the announcement said. 

"We will inform you when tests show no bacteria, and you no longer need to boil your water."

People are encouraged to share the advisory with anyone in the area who may be exposed to this water.

For guidelines on reducing the risk of infection by microbes, people can call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.



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Potentially life-threatening health scare on the rise in Virginia as Department of Health, CDC issue warning

 August 28, 2023     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

A public health concern with potentially deadly consequences is on the rise in Virginia, health officials said, as people are testing positive for Alpha-Gal syndrome.

Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is a little-known meat allergy that is contracted through tick bites and can be life-threatening. It primarily causes hives, angioedema, upset stomach, diarrhea, stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, headaches and a drop in blood pressure, but can even cause death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which issued a warning about the syndrome last month.

It is known to spread through tick bites, specifically from the lone star tick, which is prevalent in Virginia, according to Julia Murphy, a state public health veterinarian with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).

"We do have a lot of lone star ticks here in Virginia, so we think that's driving a lot of what we are seeing in Virginia when it comes to Alpha-Gal and people testing positive for alpha-gal," she said, according to WSET.

MYSTERIOUS ILLNESS TRIGGERED BY TICK BITE COULD AFFECT THOUSANDS, YET MANY DOCTORS ARE UNAWARE OF IT

Unlike other diseases spread through tick bites – which require the tick to remain attached to a human for hours – AGS is transmitted through the tick’s saliva.

According to the Virginia Department of Health, a tick carries a sugar molecule called alpha-gal in its saliva and injects it into an individual’s body by biting it.

"The tick’s saliva prompts an immune response from the human body to develop antibodies in an attempt to combat the foreign substance. However, now the immune system has a difficult time determining whether or not the alpha-gal carbohydrate floating around in your blood is from the tick or from the burger you just ate, potentially resulting in an allergic reaction," the VDH said.

Those who contract the allergy – perhaps during a summer or fall vacation as ticks become more active in warmer weather – have to avoid eating anything with the alpha-gal sugar molecule in it as it triggers allergies to certain types of meats high in fat (primarily pork, beef, rabbit, lamb or venison) or products made from mammals (including protein powders, dairy products, and gelatin).

TICK BITES AND LYME DISEASE: WHAT TO DO IF A TICK BITES YOU OR YOUR PET

Certain medications, including the cancer drug Cetuximab, can also cause an allergic reaction.

Symptoms can show approximately four to eight hours after consuming red meat.

"Once you have alpha-gal, your future is somewhat uncertain in regard to the kind of restrictions you might have and what you can eat and what other things you can take in orally such as medications and such," Murphy said.

Due to its connection with tick bites and red meat, AGS is also known as the "red-meat allergy" or the "tick bite meat allergy."

The CDC said in July that AGS was an emerging public health concern as, like other food allergies, an alpha-gal allergy can be life-threatening.

According to Murphy, the best way to avoid getting the syndrome is to avoid getting bitten by a tick in the first place. She recommends wearing light colors when outdoors in order to easily spot ticks, use the correct sprays, and check yourself when you get back inside.

The CDC has only been aware of alpha-gal Syndrome since 2008. Currently, there is no treatment or cure.

Henrico County health officials urge people to remain extra vigilant in warmer months and to avoid wooded and bushy areas with tall grass. People should also use repellents that contain 20 to 30% DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) on exposed skin and clothing for protection or other products that contain permethrin on clothing, they said.

Fox News' Melissa Rudy contributed to this report.



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Sunday, August 27, 2023

Citing rising COVID cases, these US hospital systems have now reinstated mask mandates

 August 27, 2023     Health, Health News Today on Fox News     No comments   

Amid rising COVID cases and hospitalizations throughout the country, several hospital systems or hospitals have reinstated mask-wearing requirements for patients and staff, as reported by Becker’s Hospital Review.

These announcements come as COVID-related hospitalizations have risen 21.6% in the most recent week and deaths have risen 21.4%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The numbers, however, are still far below the levels that were seen during the pandemic.

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As of Aug. 25, the following hospitals and health systems are now requiring masks, as confirmed by Fox News Digital.

Here is the list.

This New York health system reinstated masking policies at its facilities on Aug. 23.

"Because of an uptick in COVID-19 cases, masks are once again required in all clinical areas at UHS Wilson Medical Center, UHS Binghamton General Hospital, UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital and UHS Delaware Valley Hospital, as well as primary and specialty care sites," UHS wrote in an announcement on its website.

NEW COVID SUBVARIANT, ERIS, IS NOW MOST COMMON AND FASTEST-SPREADING IN US: 'NEVER GOING AWAY'

"The new policy is in effect immediately for all patients, visitors, employees, medical staff, volunteers, students and vendors," the statement continued. 

"Masks are required at nurses’ stations and in conference rooms within clinical departments, including areas where patients register, wait, transport through, or receive testing and care."

Masks are also required in "common spaces." 

These include patient care units, lobbies, public hallways, stairwells, elevators and cafeterias (with the exception of when people are eating or drinking). 

This California medical center has reinstated the mask mandate amid a rise in positive COVID tests as of Aug. 22.

"To ensure that we are helping protect the health and safety of our patients, our workforce and our community, we have reintroduced a mask mandate for physicians, staff, patients, members and visitors in the hospital and medical offices in the Santa Rosa Service Area," Kaiser said in a statement.

On its website, the hospital states that "currently, masks are required upon entrance to the hospital and throughout your visit."

This New York hospital is again requiring masks — just one month after ending the mandate, as reported on Aug. 19.

All staff, patients and visitors must wear masks in clinical areas at Auburn Community Hospital in Auburn, New York. 

COVID VACCINES AND BOOSTERS SHOWN TO PROTECT PREGNANT WOMEN AND NEWBORNS: ‘TRANSFERRED PROTECTION’

"Face coverings are mandatory inside our facilities, regardless of your immunization status," the hospital states on its website. 

"If you do not arrive with one or yours is deemed inappropriate, a mask will be provided to you. It must be worn at all times and must cover your nose and mouth."

Hospitalized COVID patients may only see one visitor at a time — who must also wear full personal protective equipment (PPE).

As of Aug. 17, University Hospital in Syracuse has reinstated its masking requirement.

"Effective immediately, mandatory masking is required by all staff, visitors and patients in clinical areas of Upstate University Hospital, Upstate Community Hospital and ambulatory clinical spaces," as stated in a staff memo obtained by Syracuse.com. 

FACE MASKS MADE ‘LITTLE TO NO DIFFERENCE’ IN PREVENTING SPREAD OF COVID, SCIENTIFIC REVIEW FINDS

"Clinical areas are defined as any location patients gather, wait, transport thorough or receive care." 

In April 2023, a group of health care epidemiologists and infectious diseases experts from across the country published a paper in the Annals of Internal Medicine, in which they called for an end to universal masking in hospitals and other health care settings.

"After three years of universal masking in health care, the risk-benefit calculation has shifted," said Shira Doron, M.D., chief infection control officer for Tufts Medicine health system and hospital epidemiologist at Tufts Medical Center, in a press release on the Mass General Brigham website. 

COVID-19'S LASTING IMPACT: 'LESS ATTRACTIVE' PEOPLE WEAR MASKS MORE OFTEN THAN OTHERS, STUDY FINDS

"Masks do have downsides, such as impaired communication and disrupted human connection. We are at a stage of the pandemic where it now makes sense to end mandatory masking."

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, said he supports mask requirements in hospitals that have vulnerable, high-risk patients.

"I still wear a mask inside my medical center, though many don't," he told Fox News Digital.

In one observational study at Mass General Brigham in July 2020, health care workers appeared to show decreased case numbers as a result of masks, Siegel noted.

PARENTS NOW QUESTION WHETHER COVID MASK MANDATES DID MORE HARM THAN GOOD

In cases where masks are used or required, the doctor said they should be "KN95 or better" and that people should receive instructions for proper use.

Added Siegel, "They should only be considered for a high volume of circulating respiratory viruses."

The doctor said he does not support universal mask mandates, however.

During an appearance on "Fox & Friends Weekend" on Saturday, Siegel spoke about today’s available antiviral drug, vaccines and widespread immunity.

"Most of us have had COVID, or people have had a vaccine and booster, and they have what’s called immune memory," he said.

"Most importantly, the mandates did not work," Siegel continued. "They’ve been studied over and over, and they didn’t decrease spread."

Studies have shown that many people wear masks improperly, the doctor noted.

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"If you actually wore a mask in the proper way and it was the proper mask and you used it in the right setting, like a doctor’s office, it probably does something," Siegel said. "But does anybody do that? Certainly not 5-year-olds."

He added, "So mandating masks makes no sense whatsoever."



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