CDC recommends additional COVID vaccine for adults 65 and over

Older adults in the U.S. should get another COVID-19 booster even if they received one in the fall, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The guidance was released on Wednesday from Mandy Cohen, CDC director, and the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

The agency recommended that adults ages 65 years and older receive "an additional updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose" due to an "increased risk of severe disease from COVID-19 in older adults," as stated in the announcement.

LONG COVID IMPACTS 10% OF PREGNANT WOMEN, STUDY FINDS: ‘TAKE PRECAUTIONS’

Those who are immunocompromised are also eligible for an additional booster, as announced in October 2023.

"Today’s recommendation allows older adults to receive an additional dose of this season’s COVID-19 vaccine to provide added protection," said Cohen in a press release.

"Most COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations last year were among people 65 years and older," she added. 

"An additional vaccine dose can provide added protection that may have decreased over time for those at highest risk."

LARGEST-EVER COVID VACCINE STUDY LINKS SHOT TO SMALL INCREASE IN HEART AND BRAIN CONDITIONS

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, said the decision about whether to get an additional dose depends on the patient and the prevalence of the virus.

"I am certainly keeping an eye on my older patients in high-risk groups, especially those with chronic illnesses like diabetes, cancer, COPD and obesity — but this is not ‘one size fits all,’" he told Fox News Digital. 

"The vaccine is a useful tool and it appears to be effective against the prevailing strains," he added. 

"I would not be giving it routinely to all unless new evidence emerges that it is wearing off."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Dr. Jacob Glanville, a virology expert and founder of Centivax, a San Francisco pharmaceutical company, said the CDC’s advice is based on the much higher risk of death by COVID-19 in this age category, combined with the relatively low 51% efficacy of the vaccines against current mismatched circulating strains. 

"A boost can serve to increase the proportion of antibodies and T-cells that can still respond to a mismatch strain, and thus provide additional protection," Glanville told Fox News Digital.

As of Feb. 23, the share of adults 65 and over that have received the updated COVID vaccine was 41.8%, according to CDC data.

The compliance rate was 22.3% for adults 18 and over and 13.1% for children.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/pn5qUZL

Read More

Hair loss and prostate medication could also reduce heart disease risk, study finds

A drug that has long been used to treat two common men’s health conditions could have some unexpected benefits.

Finasteride — more commonly known as Propecia or Proscar — has treated male pattern baldness and enlarged prostate in millions of men.

In a recent study, researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have also linked the "miracle drug" to cholesterol-lowering effects and reduced heart disease risk.

ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION MEDS LIKE VIAGRA LINKED TO REDUCED ALZHEIMER'S RISK, STUDY SUGGESTS

The findings, published in the Journal of Lipid Research, showed lower cholesterol levels among men who took the drug — on average, 30 points less than men who were not on the medication.

The data was initially collected as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2009 and 2016. 

Then, in a study of mice, use of the drug for 12 weeks — along with a high-fat, high-cholesterol "Western" diet — was linked to reduced cholesterol, slower buildup of plaque in the arteries, and reduced liver inflammation, among other benefits. 

PROSTATE CANCER MYTHS AND COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS AMID HIGH-PROFILE PROSTATE CONDITIONS

"The most surprising finding was the human data," lead study author Jaume Amengual, assistant professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition and the Division of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Illinois, told Fox News Digital. 

"When we observed the association with finasteride and plasma lipids, we decided to do our mouse study."

As a hair loss treatment, finasteride works by blocking a protein found in hair follicles — and as an enlarged prostate treatment, the drug blocks the prostate gland that activates testosterone.

Atherosclerosis, which occurs when cholesterol plaques build up in the arteries and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, is most prevalent among men.

Some experts have linked the male hormone testosterone to the heart condition.

The potential hormonal effect prompted the researchers to explore whether the medication could also reduce heart disease risk, Amengual said.

NEW HAIR LOSS TREATMENTS MAY BE ON THE WAY AFTER MAJOR DISCOVERY, RESEARCHERS SAY

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, was not involved in the study but commented on the implications of finasteride.

"It stops testosterone from turning into dihydrotestosterone and thereby stops hair loss and also shrinks the prostate by 25%," he said.

Side effects can include depression, anxiety and impotence, the doctor added.

Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurologist and longevity expert who was also not involved in the study, offered his insights on the uses and risks associated with the drug.

"Finasteride in normal dosages – 1 to 5 mg daily, depending upon the indication – has intolerable side effects in many," he said.

The drug works by lowering levels of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in order to have the desired effect on the prostate gland and hair follicles, he said, "but it can also strip a man of his energy, virility, libido and motivation."

The study did have some limitations, the researchers noted.

Out of nearly 4,800 total participants, only 155 were finasteride users, all of whom were men over 50. The survey also did not determine the duration or amount of the doses.

"We also did not examine the effects of finasteride in women or female mice," Amengual said. 

"However, this drug is not prescribed for women, as it could be dangerous during pregnancy."

The next step is to track cholesterol levels of patients taking finasteride or to launch a clinical trial to confirm the link.

"There is still so much to discover on how finasteride works in our body," Amengual noted. "But based on our findings, this drug could be another tool in the fight against cardiovascular diseases."

In response to the drug being found to lower cholesterol and decrease heart disease risk, Siegel also called for more research.

"Much larger studies are needed in humans to confirm these findings before you would ever consider using this drug for cardioprevention," he said.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"It may end up being useful for this purpose in the elderly, who are at higher risk of heart attacks and strokes, as an add-on statin therapy."

In addition to the study’s small size, Osborn noted that it was performed retrospectively — "meaning there was no control group(s), and that random effects, unbeknownst to the researchers, may have swayed the results in one direction," he told Fox News Digital. 

"That said, the authors’ observations are interesting and demand further investigation," Osborn went on. 

"After all, lipid-lowering agents are one of the mainstays of cardiovascular risk reduction — and most Americans die vascular deaths."

This study doesn’t mean that every male should start taking finasteride, Osborn cautioned.

Instead, he recommends getting regular exercise, increasing daily fiber intake to 25 grams and taking high doses of omega-3 fatty acids to reduce cardiovascular risk.

"For now, skip the finasteride as a lipid-lowering agent," he advised. "As it stands now, the juice isn’t worth the squeeze."

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/gQ84Ond

Read More

Fasting-like diet could slow the aging process, study suggests: ‘Living longer and healthier’

Could adopting a fasting-like diet help slow down aging?

That’s the claim of researchers from the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology in Los Angeles, who led a study on the benefits of a "fasting-mimicking diet" (FMD).

In addition to reducing biological age and immune system aging, the diet was linked to reductions in insulin resistance and liver fat, according to a press release from the university.

TIME-RESTRICTED EATING NO MORE BENEFICIAL THAN CALORIC RESTRICTION IN OBESE PATIENTS, STUDY SAYS

The findings, published in Nature Communications on Feb. 20, were based on clinical trials that included 100 men and women between 18 and 70 years old.

Half of the group was randomly assigned to the FMD, adhering to the diet for five days followed by 25 days of normal eating for three or four cycles.

The control group ate either a normal diet or a Mediterranean-style diet.

The people in the FMD group showed decreased abdominal and liver fat, as well as reduced risk of metabolic syndrome, which can lead to heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

HIDDEN BELLY FAT COULD SIGNAL ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE RISK 15 YEARS BEFORE SYMPTOMS SHOW UP, STUDY FINDS

Those on the experimental diet also showed signs of a more youthful immune system.

Overall, the FMD adopters’ biological age was reduced by an average of 2.5 years based on the functioning of their cells and tissues, the researchers found.

"I think it is surprising that three cycles of the FMD done for only five days a month (15 days total) — which allow people to have modified/low calorie but regular meals and without changing the normal diet of the participants for the rest of the month — can have such an effect on biological age, body fat and a range of disease risk factors," senior author Valter Longo, USC Leonard Davis School Professor, told Fox News Digital.

FASTING COULD REDUCE SIGNS OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, STUDIES SUGGEST: 'PROFOUND EFFECTS'

If the cycles were continued for three cycles a year for 20 years, Longo projected that the FMD could reduce biological age by 11 years and reduce the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes by 10% to 30%. 

"However, these are only simulations — and additional studies are necessary to confirm this potential of the FMD cycles," he added.

Prior studies in mice have identified additional benefits of the FMD, including reduced risk of age-related diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes, Vongo pointed out.

The diet has been previously to reduced chemo side effects, greater stem cell regeneration and reduced signs of dementia, the release stated.

Originally developed by Longo, the FMD is a five-day diet that is low in overall calories, protein and carbohydrates and high in unsaturated fat.

The eating plan is designed to mimic a pure fast while still allowing consumption of essential nutrients.

MEDITERRANEAN DIET COULD HELP REDUCE BELLY FAT AND MUSCLE LOSS CAUSED BY AGING, STUDY FINDS

"The fasting-mimicking diet (FMD), also known as the ProLon Diet, has been around for approximately seven years and has been studied in multiple clinical trials," Erin Palinski-Wade, a New Jersey-based registered dietitian, told Fox News Digital.

"By following a structured, very low-calorie nutrition plan for five days, the goal is to provide the benefits of a prolonged fast while still allowing individuals to eat," said Palinski-Wade, who was not involved in the USC study.

"The diet is designed to transition the body into a fasting state while nourishing it with specific nutrients to avoid activating food-sensing pathways."

In the USC study, the fasting-mimicking diet included energy bars, plant-based soups, chip snacks, energy drinks and tea, according to the release. 

The FMD group also received a supplement with "high levels of minerals, vitamins and essential fatty acids."

The specific diet that was tested in the two trials is commercially available, but Longo said that university rules prevent him from sharing the name of the product.

"I think it is important to begin to consider the plant-based FMD intervention described here for two to three times a year as a way to prevent and treat some diseases, together with the right type of drugs," Longo said. 

This could aid in "returning to full health and living longer and healthier, rather than continuing to take progressively more drugs as we age," he added.

For people aiming to prevent or treat diseases through the use of an FMD, Longo said people should first talk to a doctor.

Melanie Avalon, an Atlanta-based health influencer who hosts "The Intermittent Fasting Podcast," was not involved in the study, but noted that the research provides "solid data" on how dietary and lifestyle changes affect the aging process.

"Our society's fascination with youth and longevity is well-known; however, measuring progress and biological improvements is often subjective," she told Fox News Digital. 

"The concept of ‘chronological age’ can mislead when assessing the body's aging rate and predicting lifespan," Avalon went on. 

"For the first time, this study reveals that a fasting-mimicking diet can reduce one's biological age."

While traditional fasting can be daunting for some, FMD can be a more feasible alternative.

"It allows for physical, biological and epigenetic benefits without the need for prolonged water-only fasts," she said. 

AVOID THESE FAD DIETS IN 2024; TRY THESE HEALTHY METHODS OF EATING INSTEAD

While fasting is often pursued for its visible weight loss benefits, Avalon noted that this study highlights FMD’s extended benefits for metabolic health.

"In an era obsessed with superficial youth and quick fixes, the fasting-mimicking diet offers a tangible method to systematically reverse aging and enhance metabolic health," she said.

"Unlike the costly and extreme measures of ‘biohacking,’ the FMD provides an accessible and practical solution to reduce biological age."

Tanya Freirich, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Charlotte, North Carolina, who practices as The Lupus Dietitian, cautioned that she would not recommend the fasting-mimicking diet to any person who has struggled with an eating disorder in the past or who has trouble controlling their blood sugar.

"Restricting and changing eating patterns may have negative effects," she said. 

Palinski-Wade agreed that those with underlying health conditions should speak to their physician before considering a restrictive diet plan. 

"A very low-calorie diet may not be appropriate for those with uncontrolled diabetes, a history of hypoglycemia, a history of disordered eating, or those who are pregnant or nursing," she said.

Before making any dietary changes, Freirich stressed the need for "extensive education" to be provided.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"While changing the timing and amount of our food intake is an approach worth examining, it is also important to remember to choose health-promoting foods daily," the dietitian continued. 

"The food choices we make daily have a large impact on our weight, blood sugars, heart health, immune system and more. If fasting doesn't feel like the right choice for you, speaking with a registered dietitian about the dietary changes for your health is always recommended."

The study had some limitations, both dietitians noted.

"It was a small sample size of healthy young-ish individuals," Freirich said. "The results may be helpful and useful for other people after more research is completed in a larger age range and including people with other medical concerns."  

Palinski-Wade reiterated that the studies on FMD have included smaller sample sizes of generally healthy adults, which means the results cannot be generalized to all populations.

"FMD may offer promising benefits and may be an excellent tool to consider for those looking to improve long-term health and reduce future disease risk, but more research is needed on larger and more diverse populations to fully understand the benefits it may offer," she added.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/YdOzC3V

Read More

Kidney swap saves two lives, plus surprising COVID effects and IVF uncertainty

‘SUPERBLY TIMED’ – Four Texas residents are forever connected by two kidney donations in different cities. The recipients, donors and doctors share their story. Continue reading…

DEMENTIA DRIVER? – On the heels of Wendy Williams' diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia, experts weigh in on alcoholism's cognitive impact. Continue reading…

STEP IT UP – Women over 60 may need fewer steps than the universally recommended 10,000. Here's what to know. Continue reading…

PARENTAL CHOICE – After the Florida surgeon general sent guidance to parents about school attendance amid measles outbreaks, doctors share their reactions. Continue reading…

THIRST TRAP – "Why am I always thirsty, and what should I do about it?" A doctor responds. Continue reading…

A RUNNER'S RECOVERY – A Tennessee athlete experienced diaphragm paralysis after COVID. Here's how he got his breath back. Continue reading…

PREGNANCY PRECAUTIONS – A new study reveals the share of pregnant women who develop long COVID, as experts stress the importance of vaccinations. Continue reading…

H2O HATERS – A sports dietitian shares alternatives to water for healthy hydration. Continue reading…

FROZEN PLANS – The Alabama Supreme Court's ruling has prompted some local providers to halt IVF services. Fertility doctors react to the crackdown. Continue reading…

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn

Fox News First

Fox News Opinion

Fox News Lifestyle

Fox News Health

Fox News Autos

Fox News Entertainment (FOX411)

Fox Business

Fox Weather

Fox Sports

Tubi

Fox News Go

Fox Nation

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/Gb7nEdD

Read More

Amid measles outbreaks, Florida Department of Health speaks out against ‘false information’

Amid ongoing measles outbreaks at Florida schools, the state’s Department of Health released an updated statement on Wednesday, which was provided to Fox News Digital.

There have been a total of nine confirmed measles cases as of Tuesday in Broward County, with seven of them reported at Manatee Bay Elementary in Weston, according to local reports.

Last week, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo issued a letter to parents urging them to make their own decisions about whether to send their children to school.

AMID FLORIDA MEASLES OUTBREAK, SURGEON GENERAL LETS PARENTS DECIDE WHETHER TO SEND UNVACCINATED KIDS TO SCHOOL

Typical guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is for unvaccinated children who have not had the measles to stay home for up to 21 days in the event of a potential exposure at school.

"However, due to the high immunity rate in the community, as well as the burden on families and the educational cost of healthy children missing school, DOH is deferring to parents or guardians to make decisions about school attendance," Ladapo’s letter stated. 

MEASLES PROTECTION IS PARAMOUNT BEFORE TRAVELING OUTSIDE THE US, SAYS CDC

The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) noted that details of the agency’s investigations into the outbreak are "confidential," and claimed that "many media outlets are reporting false information and politicizing this outbreak."

FDOH released a statement to ensure that Floridians are "correctly informed."

At Manatee Bay Elementary, where the bulk of the cases have been reported, 97% of students have received at least one dose of the MMR immunization, according to the agency.

"Outbreaks are occurring in multiple states, and the national immunization rate for measles is less than 92%," the statement said.

MEASLES OUTBREAKS IN US, UK HAVE HEALTH AGENCIES ON HIGH ALERT: ‘BE VIGILANT’

When a case of measles is confirmed in a school, FDOH recommends that students who have not had a prior infection or vaccination remain at home for up to 21 days.

"This is the period of time that the virus can be transmitted. This recommendation has been made at Manatee Bay Elementary," the agency said.

The last confirmed case of measles was on Feb. 15, 2024, which means the end of the 21-day infectious period is March 7, 2024.

"This may change as epidemiological investigations continue," the statement noted.

FDOH said it has been working with Manatee Bay Elementary to educate parents on measles.

"Any parent who is concerned for their child, regardless of their immunization status, may choose to keep their children home and utilize continuous learning during this time," the agency said.  

"Due to the high immunity rate, as well as the burden on families and educational cost of healthy children missing school, the surgeon general’s current guidance ensures that parents or guardians are able to make the best decisions for their families regarding school attendance," the statement continued.

Other doctors have expressed their support of measles vaccinations and cautioned against sending unvaccinated kids to school during an outbreak.

"At a time when there's a resurgence of measles in the world and travel is not restricted, and people are coming into this country with measles, it's extremely important that our children be vaccinated against it," Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, told Fox News Digital last week.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Amid the current measles outbreak, he said, "individual choice has to give way to public health and community preservation or safety," Siegel said.

"The problem here is that if kids start going to school unvaccinated against measles, given how contagious it is and how effective the vaccine is, they are putting other children at risk," the doctor added.

In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, a member of the District 2 School Board in Broward County stated that the board is working with the state and local health departments. 

"I appreciate the leadership and support by the surgeon general and welcome all resources to help our parents and children," says Torey Alston, who was formerly a county commissioner. 

"The safety and academic success of our children remains the No. 1 priority."

As of Feb. 22, 2024, a total of 35 measles cases had been reported by 15 jurisdictions across the U.S., in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/NeoFJMc

Read More

Ask a doc: ‘Why am I always thirsty — and what should I do about it?'

If you're always thirsty even though you try your best to drink water and stay hydrated, there may be health-related reasons.

Beyond impacting your quality of life, excessive thirst can be a symptom of some medical conditions.

Fox News Digital checked in with two doctors to flesh out the common causes behind constant water cravings.

HATE WATER? HERE ARE 5 HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES, ACCORDING TO AN NFL SPORTS DIETITIAN

Here's a deep dive.

While there are many reasons a person may be feeling more thirsty than usual, there are some common culprits.

Those include dehydration, metabolic disorders such as diabetes or high blood calcium levels, medication side effects and a problem with the pituitary gland or kidneys called diabetes insipidus, which can lead to increased thirst. 

Atil Kargi, M.D., a clinical endocrinologist in the department of neurosurgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, broke down those causes in a conversation with Fox News Digital.

Dehydration can occur due to excessive sweating, diarrhea or vomiting, according to Kargi.

Alcohol and caffeine can also have diuretic effects that lead to dehydration.

SHOULD YOU DRINK WATER BEFORE BED? EXPERTS CHIME IN

Eating a high-salt diet or spicy foods may also increase thirst, the doctor noted.

Diabetes or high blood calcium levels can lead to increased urine production and dehydration.

This triggers thirst — which is the body’s first-line defense mechanism against dehydration, said Kargi.

Some medications can cause increased thirst.

"In some cases, this can simply be because of dry mouth, which can be observed in those persons taking medications to treat depression or other conditions," the doctor said. 

Other medications, such as lithium or diuretics, can cause increased urine production and therefore indirectly increase thirst sensation, Kargi added.

With this condition, the pituitary gland and kidneys fail to work together to keep water in the body. 

"Normally, our pituitary glands produce a hormone called anti-diuretic hormone (AVP) that sends a signal to our kidneys that regulates how much urine we produce," Kargi said. 

STAYING HYDRATED MAY LOWER RISK OF HEART FAILURE, STUDY SAYS

"AVP deficiency or certain kidney disorders can lead to increased water loss via urination, which triggers our thirst mechanism in an effort to prevent dehydration."

People with diabetes insipidus do not have increased blood sugar levels, said Kargi. 

"This condition should not be confused with the much more common form of diabetes, which refers to those persons having high blood sugar levels."

Certain autoimmune disorders can also lead to excessive thirst and dryness, said Marie-Elizabeth Ramas, M.D., a family physician at Southern New Hampshire Health in Nashua, New Hampshire. 

"Diseases like cystic fibrosis, Sjogren’s syndrome and other hormonal-related autoimmune disorders can lead to excessive thirst," she told Fox News Digital.

If high salt intake or spicy foods seem to be worsening the sense of thirst, dietary changes may help, experts said. 

"Drinking water rather than other liquids, such as energy drinks or caffeinated beverages, can help, too," Kargi suggested.

HEALTHY AGING AND DRINKING WATER: FASCINATING FINDINGS FROM A NEW STUDY

In the absence of severe disorders and pathologies, staying hydrated is one of the best ways to improve overall well-being, Ramas said. 

"I recommend that my patients drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water a day," she said. "Just taking 10 gulps of water every hour can help with improving energy, urination, bloating, skin and hair health."

If people notice they're producing large amounts of urine and urinating more frequently, this may be a reason to discuss symptoms with a doctor, Kargi told Fox News Digital. 

If increased thirst occurs along with other worrisome symptoms — such as excessive fatigue, weakness or weight loss — this may signal a doctor to check laboratory tests to rule out more serious medical conditions, he added.

In most cases of increased thirst, doctors can arrive at a diagnosis and treatment plan with a detailed exam and simple laboratory tests, Kargi said. 

Not all patients who report increased thirst have an underlying medical condition.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"We sometimes encounter cases in which psychological factors leading to a sensation of dry mouth may be causing excessive thirst sensation without any other clear reason," the doctor said.

This condition, called "psychogenic polydipsia," can be diagnosed with a water deprivation test, Kargi said.

When treating his own patients who complain of increased thirst, the doctor starts by gathering a complete history, focusing on diet and lifestyle, then asks about any other symptoms. 

"If you are a patient who's seeing a doctor for a complaint of increased thirst, please tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you may have and any medications you are taking," he advised. 

"If the cause is not apparent from the initial history and exam, we may need to investigate further with blood and urine tests."

High blood sugar or high blood calcium levels may require an endocrinologist for evaluation and treatment, Kargi noted.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/V6AzfnO

Read More

Florida schools see measles cases grow, urge vaccination for 'public health threat'

A measles outbreak in Florida has health officials urging vaccinations.

On Tuesday, Florida Department of Health Officials confirmed another measles case in Broward County, bringing the total number of cases in that county to nine. Of them, seven cases were from Manatee Bay Elementary in Weston, WSVN-TV reports. 

"As of now, all confirmed cases for Broward County Public Schools are specific to Manatee Bay Elementary with no other district schools impacted," Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Peter Licata said during a press conference.

One measles case has also been reported in Polk County. 

Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz held her own press conference Tuesday, when she called on Gov. Ron. DeSantis to fire the state's Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo after he issued a letter to parents Friday deferring them "to make decisions about school attendance" amid the outbreak. 

AMID FLORIDA MEASLES OUTBREAK, SURGEON GENERAL LETS PARENTS DECIDE WHETHER TO SEND UNVACCINATED KIDS TO SCHOOL

"I want to make clear today that our state leaders our failing us on this front," Wasserman Schultz said. "Measles is a public health threat to Florida and so is Joe Ladapo."

Typical guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is for unvaccinated children who have not had the measles to stay home for up to 21 days in the event of a potential exposure at school. 

"However, due to the high immunity rate in the community, as well as the burden on families and educational cost of healthy children missing school, DOH is deferring to parents or guardians to make decisions about school attendance," Ladapo’s letter stated.   

FLORIDA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CONFIRMS 6TH CASE OF MEASLES AMID OUTBREAK

Deferring to parents of unvaccinated children is sparking criticism from doctors in Florida and around the country, including the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Dr. Rana Alissa, the academy's Florida vice president, said on Friday that the state should follow the CDC guidelines "for the safety of our kids." Allowing unvaccinated children to attend during the outbreak not only endangers them, but others who might have compromised immune systems and could later catch it from them, she said, according to The Associated Press.

"When you have an outbreak, to contain it you have to follow the public health and safety recommendations, not give people a choice," she said. "Frankly, giving people a choice is what got us here."

People who have had the full series of the measles, mumps and rubella immunization or who have had a prior infection are 98% protected against the highly contagious virus, the doctor noted.

Those who do not have immunity have a 90% chance of contracting measles.

About 30% of students at Manatee Bay Elementary are unvaccinated, according to WSVN. The school district is urging all unvaccinated students to get the measles vaccine, the media outlet reports, adding that 82 students were absent from school on Tuesday. 

Fox News' Melissa Rudy and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/RFh8t2B

Read More

For women over 60, here is the number of daily steps needed to protect heart health

We’ve all heard the widespread recommendation of hitting 10,000 steps per day for optimal health, but some groups — such as women over age 60 — may not need that many.

That’s according to a new study published in JAMA Cardiology, which found that women between the ages of 63 and 99 only needed an average of 3,600 steps per day to reduce their heart failure risk by 26%.

"[This was] after accounting for differences in age, race and ethnicity, and clinical factors known to increase one's risk of heart failure," said lead author Michael J. LaMonte, PhD, research professor of epidemiology and environmental health in UB’s School of Public Health and Health Professions, in a statement to Fox News Digital. 

HEART HEALTH RISK FACTORS FOR WOMEN OVER AGE 50: 'DON'T IGNORE NEW SYMPTOMS,' EXPERTS WARN

"That is far fewer than the often targeted 10,000 steps per day," he noted.

Researchers from University at Buffalo in New York observed 6,000 U.S. women between ages 63 and 99, gathering data about their physical activity, sedentary time and heart health.

During a period of 7½ years, there were 407 cases of heart failure in the group.

The risk was found to be 12% to 17% lower for every 70 minutes of light activity (housework, self-care and other daily tasks) and 30 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity activity (climbing stairs, doing yard work, walking or jogging).

For every 90 minutes of sedentary time, the heart failure risk increased by 17%, the researchers found.

To measure their physical activity, the participants wore a tracking device on their hips for a week.

WOMEN GET MORE BENEFIT FROM EXERCISE THAN MEN, STUDY FINDS: ‘MORE TO GAIN’

"Even the lighter-intensity activities of daily living and walking seem to be associated with a lower risk of heart failure in older women," said LaMonte.

"So, our data suggest that physical activity amounts and intensity below what's currently recommended in public health guidelines could be beneficial for heart failure prevention in later life."

The study evaluated risk for two different types of heart failure, including heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

With this condition, also known as diastolic heart failure, the heart muscle contracts as it should, but the left ventricle remains stiff and prevents the heart from filling properly with blood, according to the American Heart Association’s website.

STANDING AND EVEN SLEEPING ARE BETTER FOR YOUR HEART THAN SITTING, NEW STUDY SUGGESTS

"HFpEF is the most common form of heart failure seen in older women and among racial and ethnic minority groups, and at present there are few established treatment options — which makes primary prevention all the more relevant," LaMonte told Fox News Digital.

"This type of heart failure is increasingly common in women, older adults and racial-ethnic minority groups," Lamonte told Fox News Digital. 

"Unfortunately, there presently are no established therapies to treat this heart failure subtype, making its prevention that much more important. The relevance only increases with population aging, as women are expected to outnumber men in the 80+ group over the coming decades."

LaMonte added, "The potential for light intensity activities of daily life to contribute to the prevention of HFpEF in older women is an exciting and promising result for future studies to evaluate in other groups, including older men."

HEART HEALTH RISK FACTORS FOR WOMEN OVER AGE 50: 'DON'T IGNORE NEW SYMPTOMS,' EXPERTS WARN

The risk of heart failure, including HFpEF, became "significantly lower" at around 2,500 steps per day, according to the release. 

The risk dropped by 25% to 30% at the 3,600-step mark.

There were some limitations of the study, the lead researcher noted.

"The observational study design requires caution against interpreting causation on the basis of associational results," LaMonte told Fox News Digital. 

"We only had a single accelerometer measure, and activity habits could change during follow-up, so repeat measures would be preferable."

The researchers also did not have newer biomarkers of cardiac injury and volume overload, he said, which would have resulted in richer analysis of activity that may lower heart failure risk.

"Our cohort is older, postmenopausal women, so other studies need to confirm these results in men and younger individuals," LaMonte said.

Dr. Bradley Serwer, a cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, a Cincinnati, Ohio-based company that offers cardiovascular and anesthesiology services to hospitals, was not involved in the study but noted the importance of physical activity for heart health.

SIMPLE EVERYDAY ACTIVITY COULD SLASH HEART DISEASE RISK BY 20%, STUDY FINDS

"Regular exercise can help improve cardiovascular fitness by improving peripheral circulation, improving vascular tone, and controlling comorbidities such as high blood pressure, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia," he told Fox News Digital.

"It is important to stay active both mentally and physically, especially over the age of 50."

Ideally, senior women should aim for a mixture of aerobic and weight-lifting exercises on a regular basis, Serwer said.

For those who are over 50, he warned that high-impact exercises, such as running, may lead to overuse injuries. 

"Low-impact activities such as cycling, walking, swimming or yoga can be highly beneficial," he recommended.

For those who haven’t exercised in a while, Serwer said it’s important to see a doctor to make sure they are healthy enough to start a fitness program. 

"Once it's determined you are healthy enough for exercise, I recommend starting slow and gradually building up," he said. "Sometimes it is helpful to hire a personal trainer or join a gym with an exercise physiologist."

LaMonte added, "A simple message for older adults is, ‘Sit less and move more.'"

Moving around the home, caregiving and walking are beneficial sources of movement for cardiovascular health in later life, he noted.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"For those capable and interested in doing moderate-intensity activities, greater benefit is likely gained — but movement doesn’t have to be fancy or planned," he said.

"Just try to be active in daily life and try to interrupt prolonged sitting with a little walking."

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/Yy3vKch

Read More

Hate water? Here are 5 healthy alternatives, according to an NFL sports dietitian

Water is widely recommended as the healthiest beverage — but what if it’s not your thing?

As it’s much easier to stay hydrated if you choose a drink you enjoy, Jordan Mazur, a San Francisco-based professional sports dietitian and nutrition adviser to the beverage company Hint Water, is offering more palatable alternatives for H2O haters.

"Water is undoubtedly the best choice for hydration, but there are other healthy alternatives," he told Fox News Digital. 

HEALTHY AGING AND DRINKING WATER: FASCINATING FINDINGS FROM A NEW STUDY

Here's what to know.

Herbal teas, especially those without caffeine, can contribute to daily fluid intake. 

Coconut water is another good option due to its electrolyte content, which can be beneficial for rehydration, according to Mazur, a sports dietitian for the San Francisco 49ers. 

"Milk, both dairy and plant-based alternatives, provides hydration along with essential nutrients like calcium," he said. 

Another option is to add some pizzazz to water to make it more appetizing.

"If you think water can be boring at times, try infusing water by adding slices of fruit like cucumber, lemon or berries to enhance its flavor and add a subtle boost of vitamins," Mazur suggested.

There are also ready-to-drink alternatives that add natural flavor to water without any added calories or artificial sweeteners, he said.

Alcohol and sugary drinks, including sodas and fruit juices with added sugars, are not ideal alternatives to water, Mazur cautioned. 

SHOULD YOU DRINK WATER BEFORE BED? EXPERTS CHIME IN

"While they do contribute to fluid intake, the high sugar content can have adverse health effects, including weight gain and increased risk of metabolic disorders," he said.

Caffeinated beverages like coffee and certain teas can have a diuretic effect, potentially leading to increased fluid loss, Mazur added.

As a professional sports dietitian, Mazur works with high-performing athletes at the peak of their sport.

"Proper hydration is a core part of our daily nutrition plan to replenish fluids lost during exercise and enable proper recovery throughout the season," he told Fox News Digital. 

"Even if you’re not paid to play a sport professionally, the principles of hydration can still be applied to everyone."

Proper hydration is crucial for maintaining bodily functions, Mazur said. 

"Water plays a pivotal role in digestion, nutrient absorption, temperature regulation and waste elimination," he said. 

"Adequate hydration ensures optimal organ function and overall well-being."

Common signs of dehydration include dark yellow urine, dry mouth, headache, dizziness and fatigue, Mazur said.

"Additionally, a lack of sweat during physical activity, reduced urine output and increased heart rate can indicate dehydration," he said. 

STAYING HYDRATED MAY LOWER RISK OF HEART FAILURE, STUDY SAYS

"It's essential to pay attention to these signals and increase fluid intake accordingly."

Dehydration can impair cognitive function and physical performance, and can even lead to serious health issues, the expert said. 

The general guideline is to follow your body's signals, according to Mazur. 

"Monitoring the color of your urine is also helpful — light yellow usually indicates proper hydration," he said. 

Hydration needs can also vary according to different factors, he said — such as physical activity levels, environmental conditions and health status. 

"For example, during exercise, especially in hot or humid environments, individuals lose fluids through sweating, increasing their need for hydration to maintain optimal performance and prevent dehydration," Mazur said.

"Similarly, during illnesses characterized by fever, vomiting or diarrhea, the body loses fluids more rapidly, requiring increased hydration to compensate for these losses and support recovery."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

When making recommendations to his clients, Mazur uses the "8x8 rule," or about 8 cups (64 ounces) of water per day, adjusting based on unique requirements and environmental conditions. 

"While thirst is a natural mechanism for regulating fluid intake, it's not always a reliable indicator of hydration status, especially in certain populations, such as older adults who may have diminished thirst sensations," he said.

Studies have shown that waiting until you feel thirsty to drink may not be sufficient to prevent dehydration, he noted — "particularly in situations where fluid loss is high or when conditions predispose individuals to dehydration." 

"Therefore, it's advisable to drink fluids regularly throughout the day, even if thirst isn't felt."

It is possible to drink too much water, however, Mazur warned. 

Excessive water intake can lead to a condition called hyponatremia, where low sodium levels in the blood can be harmful. 

"Listen to your body and find a balance that works for you," he advised.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/VySD4FL

Read More

Long COVID impacts 10% of pregnant women, study finds: ‘Take precautions’

Experts aren’t sure why some people get long COVID and some don’t — but a new study explores its prevalence among pregnant women.

At the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s annual meeting in Maryland earlier this month, researchers revealed that roughly one in 10 women who get COVID during pregnancy will develop long COVID.

This was lower than estimates from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which predicted that 23% of pregnant women would experience it.

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

The research, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, was part of the RECOVER Initiative, a larger NIH-funded study that focuses on the long-term effects of COVID.

Researchers analyzed 1,503 women from 46 states plus Washington, D.C., who got COVID while they were pregnant, according to a press release.

More than half were vaccinated before getting the virus. 

The average age of the women at the time of infection was 32.

Approximately 9.3% of the pregnant women reported having long COVID symptoms six months after contracting the virus.

MOTHERS VACCINATED AGAINST COVID DURING PREGNANCY MAY REDUCE RISK OF INFANTS BEING HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID-19

The most common symptoms were fatigue, dizziness and "feeling worn out" after physical or mental exertion. 

Pregnant women who suffered from depression, anxiety, obesity or financial struggles were also found to be at a higher risk of long COVID, the study found, as were those who experienced severe symptoms and required oxygen after infection.

Long COVID is a condition in which symptoms of the virus persist for an extended period of time, generally three months or more.

Those symptoms can include fatigue, respiratory issues and neurologic deficits (sometimes referred to as "brain fog").

"The key takeaway for clinicians who are taking care of pregnant patients is that nearly one in 10 people who have COVID during pregnancy still have persistent symptoms six months later," said the study’s lead author Torri D. Metz, M.D., MS, a maternal-fetal medicine subspecialist at the University of Utah Health in Salt Lake City, in the release.

LONG COVID IS HIGHEST IN THESE STATES, SAYS NEW CDC REPORT

"The trimester of infection was not associated with the development of long COVID, so it did not seem to matter when in their pregnancy people were infected."

Next, the researchers plan to review the health outcomes of the babies who were born to mothers with long COVID.

Dr. Michael Mina, chief science officer at eMed, a digital health care platform based in Miami, was not involved in the study but said it is another reminder that "COVID is an important infection and one to take seriously, particularly when pregnant." 

He told Fox News Digital, "Long COVID symptoms can happen to anyone … While the new findings do not suggest that long COVID is more common or more likely in pregnancy, the fact is that when pregnant, it’s important to take precautions both for yourself and the health of your baby."

During pregnancy, the body is already in a naturally immunocompromised state, largely to help the fetus survive and thrive within the mother, Mina noted.

"Immunity has to be turned down in pregnancy in order to not inadvertently harm the fetus," he said. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Additionally, the fetus absorbs much of the mother’s antibodies through the placenta, leading to a slight depletion of antibody protection in the pregnant woman, Mina said.

"The amount of immune compromise varies widely from person to person, but sickness during pregnancy is often a bit more risky than [in] a comparable non-pregnant individual," he went on.

To protect one's health during pregnancy, Mina advised taking some extra precautions, including vaccination. 

"We’ve seen from years of studying flu vaccines that vaccination can be beneficial in protecting both mom and baby," he said.

As with influenza, Mina said, COVID can do a lot of harm to the body.

"It’s important to take it seriously," he said. 

Women who are pregnant and sick with COVID or flu should talk to their physician, the doctor recommended. 

"Treatment for both has been shown to be safe during pregnancy," he said. 

Fox News Digital reached out to the study researchers for additional comment.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/gGr5sXh

Read More

Cancer prevention in the esophagus could be just a pill away, doctor says: ‘Tremendous benefit’

A vitamin-sized pill could be the future of esophageal cancer prevention.

Cancer of the esophagus — the muscular tube that moves food from the mouth into the stomach — has just a 20% five-year survival rate. Yet there are no standard or routine screening tests for the disease, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Lucid Diagnostics, a New York-based biotech company, is looking to change that with its newly developed test, which only requires taking a single, vitamin-sized pill.

CANCER SCREENINGS: HERE ARE 5 TYPES AND CRITICAL INFORMATION TO KNOW ABOUT EACH

Fox News Digital spoke with Lishan Aklog, M.D., chairman and CEO of Lucid, about how the test, called the EsoGuard, could offer a new line of defense against a cancer that has flown "under the radar" in terms of screening.

"For the more common breast, cancer and lung cancers, early detection programs like mammography, colonoscopy and PAP testing have decreased the mortality rates by about 50% over the last couple of decades — so we know early detection works," he said. "But there are other cancers that we don't talk about as frequently, but are extremely deadly."

The three deadliest are all cancers of the gastrointestinal system, Aklog noted — pancreatic, esophageal and liver.

SHOULD YOU BE SCREENED FOR LUNG CANCER BASED ON NEW GUIDELINES FOR HIGH-RISK PATIENTS?

"All three of them are effectively a death sentence, and we don't think about these as much."

With the new technology behind EsoGuard, Aklog hopes to offer a new routine screening for esophageal cancer and prevent deaths. 

With other types of cancers, such as colon and breast, detecting the disease early in the first stage is a "victory," Aklog said, because it comes with about a 90% cure rate.

"But it's not really a victory to pick up stage one esophageal cancer," he said. 

"The mortality rate for even stage one esophageal cancer is awful. It's one of the cancers that you have to pick up in the precancerous stage in order to do the appropriate interventions and surveillance, so you actually can prevent cancer."

THESE 8 HEALTH SCREENINGS SHOULD BE ON YOUR CALENDAR FOR 2024, ACCORDING TO DOCTORS

EsoGuard is designed to detect GERD — gastroesophageal reflux disease — which is known to be a risk factor for the development of esophageal cancer.

"There is a direct link that's not very widely known between chronic reflux, chronic heartburn and cancer," Aklog said.

"When you have fluid in the stomach, acid makes its way into the lower esophagus, where it doesn't belong," he went on. "That causes cellular changes that can eventually evolve into full-blown cancer."

Although anyone can benefit from the test, Aklog said, it is most important for people who have at least three of the six main risk factors.

Those at the highest risk include people with chronic heartburn, obesity, family history and a history of smoking. 

Those who are male, White and 50 years or older are also more likely to develop this type of cancer.

Last year, Lucid partnered with the San Antonio Fire Department to screen firefighters, who have a 62% higher risk of developing esophageal cancer.

"In two weekends, we tested more than 400 firefighters, and we identified precancerous conditions in a number of them," Aklog said.

Deputy Fire Chief Darin Wallentine of the Sarasota County Fire Department said he looks forward to starting regular screenings.

"Any additional cancer screening is a tremendous benefit to the fire service," he told Fox News Digital. "Catching a pre-cancer or early-stage cancer is an opportunity for a firefighter to maintain their career and … live a long and healthy life following a career of public service."

He added, "It's all about catching cancer early and not finding it when it's too late."

Simply treating heartburn symptoms won’t help reduce the risk, Aklog noted.

OVARIAN CANCER COULD BE DETECTED EARLY WITH A NEW BLOOD TEST, STUDY FINDS

"We have pretty good medications that treat the symptoms of heartburn — but they don’t treat the mechanical problem of the sloshing of fluid into the lower esophagus, even though the pain is not there."

"Even if symptoms are well-controlled or even eliminated with these over-the-counter medications, behind the scenes the abnormalities in the esophagus are continuing and can progress to cancer," he warned.

Only about 5% of the highest-risk population are currently getting tested, Aklog noted.

"It’s a huge opportunity to have a big impact on cancer deaths."

The precancerous condition occurs in a small two-inch patch in the lowest part of the esophagus, or the food tube just above the juncture with the stomach, Aklog said.

The goal is to collect cells from that area and then perform molecular diagnostic testing that can identify genetic changes very early.

NEW BREAST CANCER SCREENING GUIDELINES CALL FOR WOMEN TO START MAMMOGRAMS AT AGE 40

"It’s really groundbreaking science that allows scientists to pick up these very subtle changes in the earliest precancerous stage, before the abnormalities and mutations that typically come with cancer," Aklog said.

The test has an 85% sensitivity and a 99% predictive value, he told Fox News Digital.

Historically, the only way to gather the cells was to do an endoscopy, an invasive test that requires anesthesia and sedation.

"With EsoGuard, we can collect these cells in an office setting in less than two minutes, typically without anesthesia or any kind of sedation," Aklog said.

"You just swallow this little capsule that's attached to a little, floppy catheter — a balloon-like device — and within two minutes, the cells are collected in a very targeted way."

The sample is sent to the central laboratory for analysis, after which the patient gets a positive or negative result. 

"If it’s negative, they can feel comfortable that they don’t have the precancer, but if the underlying reflux continues, recent data would suggest that they undergo repeat testing every four to five years," said Aklog.

If it's a positive result, that means the patient has some degree of a precancerous condition.

"If it’s early precancer, they must undergo close monitoring with a follow-up endoscopy every three years to pick up the progression to late precancer, which is treated to prevent progression to cancer," Aklog said. 

If it's a later-stage precancer, the patient would get treatment via endoscopy to eliminate the abnormal cells and prevent them from developing into cancer, he said.

Dr. Bruce Greenwald, a leading gastroenterologist at the Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of Maryland Medical Center, was not involved in the EsoGuard development but commented on its effectiveness.

"Esoguard detects a precancerous condition called Barrett’s esophagus, which is a known risk factor for esophageal cancer," he told Fox News Digital. 

BE WELL: IMPROVE YOUR GUT HEALTH WITH 5 TOP TIPS FROM A NUTRITIONAL THERAPIST

"If Barrett’s esophagus is found, then that individual can be followed with endoscopy, and interventions can be taken before Barrett’s esophagus becomes cancerous."

Greenwald noted that while many people have GERD, esophageal cancer is relatively uncommon.

"Currently, those with GERD and the highest risk of esophageal cancer are White obese men," he said. "Other groups also carry risk, but to a lesser degree."

"A minimally invasive test like Esoguard could identify those at risk for esophageal cancer before it appears."

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, was not involved in Lucid’s test development but commented on its potential.

"It is an office procedure that takes five minutes and has over 90% accuracy," he told Fox News Digital.

"You simply lower a pill into the stomach and pull it back out."

"It is very useful as an intermediate step for those with chronic reflux, who could have a change in the esophagus that is a precursor of esophageal cancer," he went on.

"This is especially important as we get older and the risks increase."

Siegel noted that some people are afraid of getting an "invasive" endoscopy.

"This test is an intermediate, highly accurate step to help in assessing the risk and deciding whether you need an endoscopy or not," the doctor said. 

DOCTORS TOLD WOMAN SHE WAS TOO YOUNG FOR A COLONOSCOPY. THEN SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH STAGE 3 COLON CANCER

EsoGuard is now available in many major states, Aklog said.

"We’ve already done tens of thousands of tests, and physicians are embracing and adopting it for their patients," he noted. "We have numerous examples of patients in whom we've picked up the latest stage of precancer, so we’re making an impact."

The final steps in the process will involve getting insurance coverage, which is currently in the works.

The EsoGuard has proven to be a "safe and simple" test, Aklog said.

"There have been tens of thousands of tests performed with no complications," he said. "It's just basically a swab of the lower part of the food tube."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

The only caveat is that there have been a small number of false negatives and false positives, he pointed out. 

Greenwald agreed that the risk of a complication from EsoGuard seems to be low. 

"The test does require swallowing a catheter, which can be uncomfortable," he said. 

"Identifying Barrett’s esophagus could cause anxiety about getting cancer, but most people with the condition never develop cancer," he said. 

While there have been some previous efforts to develop esophageal cancer screening methods, Aklog said they have not been as "gentle" or accurate as EsoGuard.

"This is the first one that's been successful and accurate enough to play a role in a widespread early detection program."

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/HFt8BKs

Read More

COVID pandemic triggered spike in antidepressant use among young females, study finds

Young people turned to antidepressants in greater numbers during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, new research has shown.

Use of these medications was already on the rise prior to March 2020, but the pandemic accelerated that trend, according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics on Feb. 26.

"Using 2016-2022 data from a comprehensive national database, we found that the antidepressant dispensing rate to adolescents and young adults was increasing rapidly before March 2020 but increased nearly 64% faster afterward," Kao Ping Chua, M.D., PhD, a pediatrician and researcher at University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, told Fox News Digital in a statement.

COVID AND KIDS’ MENTAL HEALTH: FINANCIAL HARDSHIP TOOK A BIG TOLL

The data was pulled from the IQVIA Longitudinal Prescription Database, which compiles prescription information from most U.S. retail pharmacies.

Teen girls and young women were entirely responsible for the increase, the study found. "Among female adolescents aged 12 to 17 years, the antidepressant dispensing rate increased 130% faster after March 2020 than beforehand, compared with 57% faster among female young adults aged 18 to 25 years," said Chua.

Among young males, however, antidepressant prescriptions decreased or changed very little, despite studies suggesting that the mental health of male adolescents worsened during the pandemic. 

COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED ‘COLLECTIVE TRAUMA’ AMONG US ADULTS, NEW POLL SAYS

"Given this, it is surprising that the rate of antidepressant dispensing to male adolescents declined," Chua noted. 

"I worry that this decline may reflect underdiagnosis and undertreatment of mental health concerns."

Marlene McDermott, LMFT, PhD, a Philadelphia-based licensed marriage and family therapist with Array Behavioral Care, said the increase is likely due to greater access to mental health care — which allows more teenagers to seek treatment that they may have always needed. 

She was not involved in the study.

"I think it will be important to monitor these numbers over the next two years to determine if this is a new baseline, or if there is a significantly worsening mental health crisis for teens," she told Fox News Digital. 

"The destigmatization of mental health treatment is a good thing for the adolescent population," McDermott added. "If the use of antidepressants lowers the death by suicide rates, we are on the right track."

Marissa Stridiron, M.D., New Jersey-based medical director of acute care at Array Behavioral Care, who was also not involved in the study, pointed out that there was a large increase of children and adolescents in crisis coming into emergency rooms during the pandemic.

"[This was] due to fewer earlier interventions from school-based therapeutic options, social isolation, a rise in social media use and resultant cyberbullying," she told Fox News Digital.   

Although crisis visits have decreased as the pandemic has ebbed, Stridiron noted that it still appears to be higher than pre-pandemic levels. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"National media attention surrounding psychiatric crises in children and adults has led to increased access and earlier interventions in the outpatient realm, including from primary care physicians," she said. 

"This is great because it means we are capturing more patients in outpatient settings and initiating treatments earlier, thus reducing or preventing crises." 

One limitation of the study, author Chua noted, is that it was not able to directly evaluate why antidepressant use by adolescents and young adults changed so much during the pandemic. 

"In particular, it’s unclear why antidepressant dispensing to male adolescents declined," he said.

Based on these findings, the researchers believe there may be an increased need for antidepressant medications as well as additional research into these trends.

"Adolescents and young adults with mental health symptoms should know that they are not alone," said Chua. 

"It is important for them to seek medical attention if they are having these symptoms and for their parents to encourage them to do so."

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/OkKUNnH

Read More

Cases of norovirus or stomach flu climb steadily across US: 'This is the season for it'

Cases of norovirus, also known as the stomach flu, are rising across the country.

Specifically, in the northeastern U.S., positivity rates have hit 13.4% as of Feb. 17, as reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Norovirus is very contagious, according to the CDC. It can cause diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain. 

CRUISES SEE SURGE OF NOROVIRUS, HIGHEST IN DECADE: CDC

The stomach bug can be spread through contaminated food or water, as well as through contact with sick people and contaminated surfaces.

Fox News medical contributor Dr. Marc Siegel addressed the uptick in cases during a Monday appearance on "Fox & Friends."

The NYU Langone physician said that while washing your hands is an effective prevention strategy, norovirus can still spread through food.

"It gets in food, it gets in waste," he said. 

NOROVIRUS SPREAD ON THE WASHINGTON PACIFIC CREST TRAIL – WHAT TO KNOW AND HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

"People are touching each other’s hands, food handlers spread it. It’s spread indoors because everybody’s indoors [during] the winter."

Siegel said he asked Mandy Cohen, the CDC's director, on Sunday if the agency plans to test wastewater to examine virus spread, and her answer was "no."

"That surprised me because we’re starting to use wastewater analysis everywhere," he said. 

"I think that that’s probably a good idea."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

The "biggest problem" with norovirus, according to Siegel, is that it causes dehydration due to symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.

"The elderly end up in the hospital – 100,000 of them a year," he said. 

"It’s the most common kind of stomach flu we have [and] this is the season for it."

He added, "If you have these symptoms, it’s norovirus."

To ensure proper hydration, Siegel recommended taking "something with electrolytes," such as Gatorade or Pedialyte.

"Drink plenty of it," he said. "That’s the key to the treatment. [There's] no vaccine, no pill for it."

There is no medication available to treat people with norovirus illness, the CDC stated on its website.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/LtY8JKg

Read More

Four Texas residents forever connected by two kidney donations in different cities: 'Superbly timed'

Two hard-to-match transplant patients 250 miles apart started the year of 2024 with shining new hope for long, healthy lives — thanks to the collaboration of two Texas hospitals.

UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Solid Organ Transplant Program in Dallas, Texas, and University Health Transplant Institute in San Antonio worked together to find compatible living kidney donors for their failing patients.

In Dallas, Jorge Mendez, 50, an automotive shop foreman, was in need of a life-saving transplant.

BLOOD TEST MAY PREDICT THE ORGANS IN THE BODY THAT ARE AGING FASTER THAN NORMAL, SAYS STANFORD STUDY

Mendez was on dialysis — which has a significant impact on not only a person's quality of life on a daily basis, but also long-term health. 

It was important for him to find a transplant before he became too sick for the procedure, according to his doctor.

Mendez’s coworker, Svetlana Balmeo Stockdale, 28, offered to donate a kidney to her friend — but unfortunately she was not a match.

Meanwhile, 250 miles away in San Antonio, 71-year-old Ann Winer was also in dire need of a kidney transplant. 

She was on dialysis after waiting almost two years for a kidney donor.

Winer’s biggest obstacle was that she had unusual antibodies that made it very difficult for her to match with a donor, her doctors said.

Winer’s daughter, Rebecca Warden, wanted to donate a kidney — but it was not a compatible match.

"Winer would likely have become weaker over time and her condition would have grown worse," Parsia Vagefi, M.D., the transplant surgeon at UT Southwestern who led the surgical team in Dallas, told Fox News Digital.

"She said she had almost given up hope of receiving a transplant."

The leaders at both institutions began working together to find matches outside their local transplant networks.

After learning that she wasn’t a match for her friend, Stockdale — the intended donor for Mendez — got a surprising phone call.

ONE FAMILY DONATES FOUR KIDNEYS TO SAVE A NEW YORK MAN’S LIFE: ‘DEFIED ALL ODDS’

"A little while after I was told my kidney wasn’t a match, UT Southwestern called me and they said, ‘You couldn't donate to Jorge, but we could do a swap with somebody else,'" she said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

As it turned out, Stockdale was a match for Winer, the grandmother in San Diego — and Warden, who had intended to donate to her mother, was a match for Mendez.

The medical teams in Dallas and San Antonio began plans for a donor swap for their respective patients. 

"[After finding the matches], we began discussing, ‘When would we start the surgeries? How would we transport the organs? How would the organs be tracked?’" said Dr. Elizabeth Thomas, transplant surgeon with University Health who led the transplant team in San Antonio, in a comment sent to Fox News Digital.

Through "carefully choreographed surgical schedules and chartered flights," the transplant teams ensured that the donated organs would be safely transported and transplanted as quickly as possible, according to a statement from the hospitals.

"[The transport] could be tracked minute by minute in the plane via a tag that was on the box that was used to transport [the kidneys]," Thomas said. 

ARKANSAS MILITARY VETERAN RECEIVES WORLD’S FIRST WHOLE-EYE AND PARTIAL-FACE TRANSPLANT

"It is important because we want to keep the time that the organ is out of the body without blood to a minimum."

On Aug. 31, 2023, after a day of "superbly timed surgeries and close coordination," according to the hospitals, Winer and Mendez received the new, functioning kidneys they needed to save their lives.

"There are various ways you can do the swaps and various reasons to do them … It never gets old," Dr. Vagefi told Fox News Digital.

Only a quarter of the transplants performed at UT Southwestern are from living donors, but Vagefi said he is hoping to expand that number, as living kidney donations last longer for the recipients. 

"It’s really great to participate in it and form a collaboration with others who are working toward the same mission but in a different city," he said. "We crossed geographic boundaries to help these families."

Because of the life-saving transplant, Mendez was able to hold his new granddaughter when the baby was born in January.

"It brought tears to my eyes to hold her," he said in a statement. "Now I can live a little bit longer to spend time with her."

He later wrote to his donor: "Thank you very much. I owe you the world."

"I felt like they’d never find a donor for me, but they did," Winer said. 

On a card she sent to her Dallas donor, she wrote: "I will never be able to repay you."

Stockdale, who had intended to donate to her friend Mendez, shared what being a donor means to her in a statement to Fox News Digital. 

PIG HEART RECIPIENT'S ‘LAST WISH’ WAS TO HELP DOCTORS LEARN FROM PROCEDURE, DYING MAN SAID: ‘WE WILL MISS HIM'

"I don't think of it as me saving somebody's life," she said. "I think of it as me giving Jorge's family members more time with him."

"[For Winer], whatever she hasn't accomplished in life yet that she ultimately wanted to do, I hope she gets to do it. Life's too short to not live out your wildest dreams."

Winer, the retired nurse anesthesiologist, later wrote a letter to Stockdale thanking her for the kidney.

"Thank you for giving me back my life," she wrote. 

"I thought I would never get a transplant with my weird antibodies, and then you came along. Bless you."

Warden — Winer’s daughter who had intended to donate to her mother but agreed to donate to Mendez in exchange for her mother receiving a transplant — also expressed her gratitude.

"At the end of the day, I'm happy that I've been able to help two people and not just one," she said in a statement.

Today, both transplant recipients are doing well.

Winer is back at work part-time as a nurse anesthesiologist and is planning to retire at the end of July. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Mendez has also returned to work. "I feel great," he said. 

Scott Bennett, associate vice president of the Solid Organ Transplant Program at UT Southwestern, said in a press release that "a patient’s access to a lifesaving transplant shouldn’t be limited by geographic or organizational boundaries."

"It was rewarding to see the collective can-do spirit of two highly regarded programs collaborate to make it happen," he added.

A kidney is the organ in the greatest demand for transplant.

A healthy person can live a full life after donating one of their two kidneys, according to experts.

The average life expectancy for someone on dialysis is five to 10 years, according to the National Kidney Foundation.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/yQoLG6A

Read More

COVID vaccine's impacts, plus IVF shutdowns, vaccine risks and more key health stories

All week long, Fox News Digital publishes a wide range of pieces on the latest health and wellness topics — from new medications to health care innovations to personal stories of individuals facing medical obstacles.

As you settle into your Sunday, check out some top stories of the week in Health that you may have missed or have been meaning to check out. 

These are just a few of what's new: There are many more to see at http://www.foxnews/health.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Dive into the selection here — and get completely caught up!

To close out American Heart Month, an expert shared the specific risk factors for heart disease that affect women over 50 years of age. Dr. Stacey Rosen, a Northwell Health cardiologist and American Heart Association volunteer medical expert, shared symptoms to watch for and strategies to reduce the risk. Click here to get the story.

A decision from the Alabama Supreme Court has led to a halt in IVF services at some locations — including the state's largest health provider, the University of Alabama at Birmingham — and a flurry of protests from providers in the fertility space. Doctors and activists lend their reactions to the controversial ruling. Click here to get the story.

A Tennessee marathon runner could barely walk after the COVID-19 infection took his breath away – literally. Gerald Branim, 55, and his doctor, Matthew Kaufman of the Institute of Advanced Reconstruction in New Jersey, shared how Branim overcame diaphragm paralysis. Click here to get the story.

In the largest-ever COVID vaccine study, the shot has been linked to small increases in neurological, blood and heart-related medical conditions. Two doctors reacted to the findings. Click here to get the story.

The former TV talk show host allegedly battled alcoholism for years before a diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia. Addiction and cognitive experts shared thoughts on the impact of alcohol on dementia risk. Click here to get the story.

Products containing tianeptine, a tricyclic antidepressant that has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, can cause severe opioid-like effects. Experts shared the dangers of these products being available for purchase at many convenience stores. Click here to get the story.

A Florida kindergarten student was intentionally placed in her teacher's class due to their shared experience with open-heart surgery. The mother of 6-year-old Kennedy Vogt and the girl's teacher, Charlene Honor, spoke with Fox News Digital about how they've bonded over their matching scars. Click here to get the story.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given Xolair (omalizumab) the green light for use in decreasing the risk of life-threatening reactions to certain foods. The injectable medication may help those allergic to multiple types of food when taken regularly, experts found. Click here to get the story.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/ZVtGULk

Read More

To combat nursing shortage, universities create accelerated 12-month training programs: 'A win-win'

America needs nurses — and some schools are implementing accelerated programs to train them. 

To shorten the process, these programs cut training time from up to four years down to one.

"I really do think this is a win-win for students and local hospitals and facilities," said Elizabeth Mann, assistant clinical professor at the University of New England, in an interview with Fox News. She's based in Maine. 

LESS THAN HALF OF NURSES ARE ‘FULLY ENGAGED’ AT WORK, WHILE MANY ARE ‘UNENGAGED,' NEW REPORT REVEALS

Prospective students must have a previous bachelor's degree and need to complete eight prerequisite courses. 

This is dramatically shorter than the typical two- to four-year nursing program. 

"I think the ability to get a second degree in something like a bachelor's in nursing is very appealing to many people," UNE Nursing School's interim director Donna Hyde told Fox News.

"They don't have to have a health care background. We will get them there."

NURSING SHORTAGE HITTING RURAL AMERICA HARDEST

The new fast-track nursing program at the University of New England is slated to begin in May. 

The goal is to help students get into the workforce sooner, but they’ll have to put in some serious training as well, experts say.

"There's nothing cut back. They do the same amount of clinical hours, so we allow time for that," said Hyde. 

"Their schedule may have to be a little more flexible to include consideration of weekends."

There's a projected shortage of over 78,000 registered nurses next year, according to the National Center of Health Workforce Analysis. 

NURSING PROGRAMS STRUGGLE TO KEEP UP AMID A NATIONWIDE SHORTAGE OF NURSES

The states most in need of nurses are Washington, Oregon, California, Michigan and Georgia.

"As different states are looking at their own options to increase their nursing workforce, this is one of those options," Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, the Oregon-based president of the American Nurses Association, told Fox News. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

The shortened 12-month program not only appeals to students, but will also benefit local health care facilities, Mann said.

Hyde noted that she speaks to many of the nurse administrators at local health care partners, and "they obviously see the need for more nurses sooner rather than later."

Some have expressed doubt that students can be ready in just a year, Mann pointed out.

​​"They may interpret it as [offering] a lesser quality [of training] or that we are pushing students through, and I do want to emphasize that is truly not the case," she said.

Up to 40 students are expected to start the program in May at the University of New England.

Once students complete the program, they will have to pass a national exam — just like a traditional four-year student — to officially become a nurse. 

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health. 

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/QOTtRdh

Read More