Vaccines
Flu shots may reduce the risk of blood clots in veins by 26%
According to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2008, flu vaccines may reduce the risk of venous thrombotic embolism (VTE). The formation of a blood clot in a vein, VTE is dangerous because the clot can break loose and travel through the circulatory system to the right side of the heart and then to the lungs, where it can be life threatening or fatal.
A study of 1,454 patients with an average age of 52 found that overall, the odds risk for developing VTE was 26% less in patients who'd had a flu shot during the previous 12 months. The vaccine's protective effect was more pronounced for those under age 52; in younger patients, the odds risk was 48%. While the link between influenza virus infection and the risk of VTE is still unknown, this study raises the possibility that flu vaccination could be recommended after a first VTE event.
Diabetes
New diagnosed cases are on the rise
A study by the CDC has found that the rate of new cases of diagnosed diabetes in the United States has risen by more than 90% among adults in the last 10 years. The data show that in the past decade, the incidence of new cases has increased from 4.8 per 1,000 people during 1995 to 1997 to 9.1 per 1,000 people during 2005 to 2007 in 33 states.
The number of new cases was highest in Puerto Rico, at 12.8 new cases/1,000 people. States with the highest incidence were Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia.
This distressing news demonstrates the increased need for healthcare providers to promote effective diabetes prevention efforts, particularly in the southern United States. Lifestyle interventions for people at risk for diabetes, such as weight loss combined with moderate physical activity, are important steps that people can take to reduce their risk for developing diabetes.
Pediatrics
More than 3 million children in the United States have food allergies
According to a report by the CDC, the number of young people who had a food or digestive allergy increased 18% between 1997 and 2007. In 2007, approximately 3 million children and teenagers in the United States under age 18 (nearly 4% of that age group) were found to have a food or digestive allergy, up from 2.3 million in 1997.
The report noted that boys and girls had similar rates of food allergy. It also found that 29% of children with food allergy also had asthma, compared with 12% of children without food allergy; and 27% of those with a food allergy also had eczema or skin allergy, compared with 8% of children without food allergy.
The study provided a list of the eight food types that account for 90% of all food allergies: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, soy, and wheat. Reactions to these foods range from a slight tingling sensation around the lips to hives and, in some cases, death, depending on the severity of the reaction.
Did you know?
MP3 player headphones may interfere with cardiac devices.
Harvard University researchers have found that magnets found in the headphones of most MP3 players (consumer devices that play digital audio files, such as the iPod) might cause interference with pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) if they're placed within an inch of the cardiac devices.
Studies done in the past have indicated that MP3 players have little, if any, effect on pacemakers and ICDs, but this was the first study to specifically look at the headphones that come with the players. This study tested eight different types of MP3 headphones on 60 patients with pacemakers or ICDs. They placed the headphones on the patients' chests right over their devices and found that 15% of those with pacemakers and 30% of those with ICDs had a response to the magnets.
While the interference isn't likely to cause life-threatening problems, researchers recommend that patients with these devices keep any headphones at least 1.2 inches from their devices to avoid any problems.