The Oklahoma City Tornado Medical Aftermath: What to Expect

The tornadoes that struck the Oklahoma City area on 5/20/13 will be recorded as one of the worst disasters in U.S. history. The damage is almost indescribable. Thousands of homes and cars were destroyed.  Buildings were also destroyed, including at least one elementary school.

Many other schools were damaged along with at least one hospital. The situation remains fluid as of this writing, with 24 people killed, 9 of whom were children. In addition to those who died, there will be many survivors who are left to deal with serious medical injuries.

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Here is what we can expect based on similar tornado disasters in the past.

Implementation of hospital disaster plans: All hospitals have disaster management plans, with leaders identified in various departments who will coordinate emergency care and response activities. These drills are practiced throughout the year so that the proper medical management guidelines are followed, proper rapid decisions are made, secondary teams of medical staff are well-rested, and other patients who are not tornado victims still receive medical care when disaster.  In addition, stockpiled supplies and equipment will be used to serve the needs of disaster victims.  Patients at damaged hospitals will need to be transferred to more secure locations.

Neurological injuries in adults and children: Many of the injuries will involve damage to the brain, spinal cord, or nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, with the latter generally presenting in a delayed manner. These injuries typically occur due to falling or flying debris (e.g., concrete slabs, wood products, glass) but can also occur from being trapped in vehicles that are picked up and thrown and/or pelted with debris.  The most common injuries will involve the head and bones. Traumatic brain injuries will likely be the leading cause of death.

Examples of specific injuries will likely include skull fractures, scalp lacerations, crushing bone injuries, brain bleeds (some of which can compress the brain tissue), leakage of fluid that cushions the brain and spine, loss of oxygen to the brain, fractures of the bone surrounding the spinal cord, narrowing of the spinal canal, degloving injuries (removal of extensive areas of skin from the underlying tissue, severing the blood supply), nerve damage, wounds contaminated with soil and debris (e.g., wood, gravel), blunt trauma to the chest or abdomen, sprains, strains, and ligament damage. A ligament is a tough band of tissue that attaches to joint bones. Injuries will also occur during the search and recovery and cleanup phase.  Injuries outside the brain and spinal cord may initially be overlooked due to medical staff tending to more life threatening matters.

Emergency surgeries and treatment: Neurosurgeons will be critical to treating patients in the first 12 to 24 hours after the tornado strikes.  Some patients may need to be resuscitated, stabilized, and transferred to other hospitals. Blood transfusions may also be needed. Surgeries will likely include placing drainage tubes in the brain to decrease swelling (edema) and blood accumulation, placing pressure monitors  in the brain, removal of excessive brain  bleeding, placement of a tube in the windpipe to assist breathing, placement of chest tubes to assist breathing due to lung damage, repairing fractures and lacerations, stopping fluid leakage, surgery to decompress the spinal cord, fusion of bones surrounding the spinal cord, placement of pins and rods to stabilize the spinal cord, and placement of skin grafts. Many patients will be placed in intensive care units.

Serious to deadly fungal infections: As noted earlier, wound contamination is a serious problem in tornado related injuries. Within a few days, some patients may suffer fungal infections that can invade the soft tissue and can be deadly even after surgical and medication treatment.  The fungus can come from soil, as was the case in Joplin, Missouri, in which five people died from Apophysomyces trapeziformis, a toxic fungal infection found in soil, decaying vegetation, and water containing living or formerly living materials (e.g., leaves).

Ongoing care: In addition to many patients needing ongoing physical rehabilitation, the emotional impact of living through a tornado and its aftermath (e.g., personal property destruction) cannot be overstated. Many of the patients will be significantly traumatized emotionally and will need access to psychological counseling to address depression, anxiety, and/or anger.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2013) Tornado-related fatalities--five states, southeastern United States, April 25-28, 2011. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 61(28):529-33.

Chern JJ, Miller JH, Tubbs RS, Whisenhunt TR, Johnston JM, Wellons JC 3rd, Rozzelle CJ, Blount JP, Oakes WJ. (2011). Massive pediatric neurosurgical injuries and lessons learned following a tornado disaster in Alabama. J Neurosurg Pediatr. 8(6):588-92.

Comstock RD, Mallonee S. (2005). Get off the bus: sound strategy for injury prevention during a tornado? Prehosp Disaster Med. 20(3):189-92.

Kanter RK. (2012). The 2011 Tuscaloosa tornado: integration of pediatric disaster services into regional systems of care. J Pediatr. 161(3):526-530.

May BM, Hogan DE, Feighner KR.(2002). Impact of a tornado on a community hospital. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 102(4):225-8.

Weinhold B. (2013). Rare fungal illness follows tornado. Environ Health Perspect.121(4):A116.

Hepatitis C: A Summary of Recent Research

Hepatitis is an infection of the liver that causes liver inflammation. There are several forms of hepatitis. Hepatitis C is one type that is caused by the hepatitis C virus, which infects 170 million people across the world.  Most patients with this condition suffer from a chronic form of the infection, but 40-80% of these patients can clear with standard treatment.

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While some patients with hepatitis C will not have symptoms, some will develop scarring of the liver (known as fibrosis) and/or fatty deposits in the liver (known as steatosis). As fibrosis worsens, so does liver stiffness.  As a painless alternative to liver biopsy (invasive tissue sample) for monitoring of liver stiffness, this can now be done with an FDA-approved, painless, and non-invasive imaging procedure known as Fibroscan. Research shows that liver stiffness measured by Fibroscan is linked to the degree of liver fibrosis, liver activity, and fatty liver (Boursier et al., 2013). Hepatitis C can also cause hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is the most common type of liver cancer (Takagi et al., 2013). In worst cases, it can cause death.

In addition to causing liver damage, hepatitis C can also result in brain damage. Advanced neuroimaging technology has shown poor integrity and impairment of the white matter (nerve fibers that conduct information very fast),  underactivity of the cerebral cortex (the outermost layer of brain tissue),  and abnormalities in the basal ganglia (an area of gray tissue deep inside the brain that controls movement), the latter of which may be an indicator of brain inflammation (Bladowska et al., 2013).

Current standard treatment for hepatitis C includes antiviral medications and interferons (proteins that “interfere” with viral reproduction). Research shows that combining interferons with the antiviral drug, ribavirin, results in an absence of detectable hepatitis C virus in RNA (a type of genetic material) for 6 months after stopping treatment (Dogan, Akin, & Yalaki, 2013). When this happens, a patient is said to have achieved a sustained virological response (SVR).

Unfortunately, interferon treatment can have toxic effects and newer oral treatments regimens are being developed to avoid the use of interferons. These newer medications are known as direct acting antivirals (DAA).  The DAAs for hepatitis C are types of protease inhibitors known as telaprevir, simeprevir, and boceprevir,  which all prevent viral reproduction. Recent evidence indicates that cure rates are exceeding more than 90% with 12 weeks of oral DAA treatment that does not use interferons, including hard to treat patients (Luetkemeyer, Havlier, & Currier, 2013).

Because transmission of hepatitis C can occur via intravenous drug use and intercourse, many patients with hepatitis also have HIV.  In Brazil, most of these patients are male and in their mid-20s, with the average con-infection rate among HIV patients  being 20.3% (Kuehlkamp & Schuelter-Trevisol F, 2013).

For patients co-infected with hepatitis C and HIV, cure rates are presently at 75% with combined treatment of simeprivir, interferon, and ribavirin (Luetkemeyer, Havlier, & Currier, 2013). Incidentally, cardiovascular problems in HIV are worsened with hepatitis C co-infection (Syed & Sani, 2013). HIV patients with hepatitis C are also known to be at increased risk of bone fractures due to osteoporosis (an abnormal loss of bone thickness and a wearing away of bone tissue), which is partly explained by liver disease severity (Maalouf et al, 2013). One of the markers of liver disease in hepatitis C is the level of bilirubin, a yellow-orange substance excreted by the liver. If the bilirubin levels are high for long periods, this usually indicates severe liver damage. In patients with hepatitis C and HIV, the antiviral (protease inhibitor) medication, atazanavir, only resulted in small changes in bilirubin level, which is good (Cotter et al., 2013).

Many patients with hepatitis C do not receive treatment due to lack of insurance, poor financial resources, and serious psychiatric illness, and/or substance abuse.  However, in one study, when treatment for hepatitis C was initiated in nine individuals with serious mental illness and substance abuse, adherence to antiviral treatment was high and the SVR was comparable with published studies (Sockalingham et al, 2013). 

References:

Bladowska J, Zimny A, Knysz B, Małyszczak K, Kołtowska A, Szewczyk P, Gąsiorowski J, Furdal M, Sąsiadek MJ. (2013). Evaluation of early cerebral metabolic, perfusion and microstructural changes in HCV-positive patients: a pilot study. J Hepatol. (Epub). 

Boursier J, de Ledinghen V, Sturm N, Amrani L, Bacq Y, Sandrini J, Le Bail B, Chaigneau J, Zarski JP, Gallois Y, Leroy V, Al Hamany Z, Oberti F, Fouchard-Hubert I, Dib N, Bertrais S, Rousselet MC, Calès P; Multicentre group. (2013). Precise evaluation of liver histology by computerized morphometry shows that steatosis influences liver stiffness measured by transient elastography in chronic hepatitis C. J Gastroenterol. (Epub).

Cotter AG, Brown A, Sheehan G, Lambert J, Sabin CA, Mallon PW. Predictors of the change in bilirubin levels over twelve weeks of treatment with atazanavir. (2013). AIDS Res Ther. 10(1):13.

Dogan UB, Akin MS, Yalaki S. (2013). Sustained virological response based on the week 4 response in hepatitis C virus genotype 1 patients treated with peginterferons α-2a and α-2b, plus ribavirin. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. (Epub).

Kuehlkamp VM, Schuelter-Trevisol F. (2013). Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus co-infection in Brazil and associated factors: a review. Braz J Infect Dis. (Epub).

Luetkemeyer AF, Havlir DV, Currier JS. (2013): CROI 2013: Complications of HIV disease, viral hepatitis, and antiretroviral therapy. Top Antivir Med. 21(2):62-74.

Maalouf N, Zhang S, Drechsler H, Brown G, Tebas P, Bedimo R.(2013). Hepatitis C co-infection and severity of liver disease as risk factors for osteoporotic fractures among HIV-infected patients. J Bone Miner Res. (Epub).

Sockalingam S, Blank D, Banga CA, Mason K, Dodd Z, Powis J. (2013). A novel program for treating patients with trimorbidity: hepatitis C, serious mental illness, and active substance use. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. (Epub).

Syed FF, Sani MU. (2013). Recent advances in HIV-associated cardiovascular diseases in Africa. Heart. (Epub).

Takagi K, Fujiwara K, Takayama T, Mamiya T, Soma M, Nagase H. (2013). DNA hypermethylation of zygote arrest 1 (ZAR1) in hepatitis C virus positive related hepatocellular carcinoma. Springerplus.10;2(1):150.

Marijuana (Cannabis) Use: A Summary of Recent Research

Marijuana is the most commonly smoked illegal substance in many countries (Underner at al, 2013). Recent research in France has shown that the public views marijuana as having the highest perceived benefit for users (Reynaud et al., 2013) despite its effect on brain structure and thinking abilities remaining controversial (Cunha et al., 2013).

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Smoking marijuana  has a known negative impact on breathing functions (e.g., more breathing symptoms and development of acute bronchitis) due to the increased time that the smoke stays in the lungs as a result of the inhalation technique differing from that of tobacco inhalation (Underne et al., 2013). Bronchitis is a type of common lung disease characterized by increased mucus in the windpipe and bronchi (small airways). While marijuana use rapidly dilates the bronchi, chronic marijuana irritates the bronchi, inflames the airway, increases airway resistance, and alters the activity of macrophages in the alveoli that normally get rid of bacteria and fungi (Underner at al, 2013). Macrophages are types of white blood cells that engulf and digest (eat) harmful substances in the body. The alveoli are balloon-like sacs in the lungs that air travels to.

People are known to use marijuana as a way to cope with negative emotions, are more likely to use it in social situations (especially if they see others using it) than when alone, and use more behavioral than cognitive strategies to quit using it (Buckner et al, 2013).

Marijuana is known to induce psychosis, in which a person loses touch with reality. However, in an interesting new study from Brazil, researchers found that patients who used marijuana with a first episode of psychosis had fewer structural brain abnormalities (better brain tissue preservation) and fewer problems with aspects of attention, concentration , and executive functioning (carrying out a speeded verbal searching strategy) compared to other psychotic patients who did not report a history of marijuana use (Ciunha et al., 2013, 2013).

In a process known as mulling, some people add tobacco to marijuana (technically cannabis resin) for its consumption, which results in significant nicotine exposure (Belanger et al., 2013). One cigarette containing tobacco and cannabis resin is more harmful than a cigarette only containing tobacco (Underner et al., 2013). Recent case study evidence shows that the anti-psychotic medication, Abilify, can completely stop such psychotic reactions after marijuana consumption but that it has no effect on smoking level (Rolland et al., 2013).

Evidence continues to emerge that marijuana is a gateway drug. For example, recreational Ecstasy use is partially predicted by early marijuana use although other factors were found to play a more important role such as knowing people who use Ecstasy or attendance at dance music events (Smirnov et al., 2013). Ecstasy is an illegal drug known for causing distinct social-emotional effects.  Research has also emerged showing that patients who ingest large quantities of seeds from the Convolvulaceae family (also known as bindweed or early morning glory) are frequently known to use marijuana (Juszczak and Swiergiel, 2013.  These seeds are known to have significant psychoactive effects when consumed in large quantities.

Some people abuse synthetic marijuana (known as synthetic cannabinoid) which is a designer drug created from natural herbs that imitates the effects of marijuana when consumed. A recent case study reported on a young man with schizophrenia (a type of psychotic disorder) who developed the first known case of severe and life-threatening catatonia rapidly after synthetic marijuana use that was successfully treated with ECT (electrconvulsive therapy) after a failed trial of benzodiazapines (a type of anti-anxiety medication) (Leibu et al., 2013). Catatonia is a condition characterized by a lack of movement, rigid muscles, and agitation. Electroconvulsive therapy is the process of causing convulsions (abnormal, severe, involuntary muscle movements) by passing controlled levels of electricity through the brain. In the aforementioned case study, non-adherence to anti-psychotic medication in addition to synthetic marijauana use was believed to cause the rapid onset of catatonia.

Recent research has shown that marijuana is one of the most commonly abuse substances among HIV-infected persons entering jail. In such individuals,  use of marijuana (and other drugs) is associated with not having an HIV provider, not being prescribed antiretroviral therapy (medications that treat HIV), and low levels of antiretroviral medication adherence if they were prescribed the medication (Chitsaz et al., 2013).

For these reasons and others, attempts to detect cannabis dependence is important in medical settings. This generally involves the use of self-report scales as a non-invasive screening tool. However, one such measure, the Severity of Dependence Scale, was not recommended for use as a screening instrument due to difficulties differentiating between those with a marijuana dependence versus non-dependence (van der Pol et al,  2013). When detected, clinicians are encouraged to offer patients support in quitting marijuana smoking to bring about important benefits in lung functioning (Underner at al., 2013) and other health benefits.

References:

Bélanger RE, Marclay F, Berchtold A, Saugy M, Cornuz J, Suris JC. (2013). To What Extent Does Adding Tobacco to Cannabis Expose Young Users to Nicotine? Nicotine Tob Res. (Epub).

Buckner JD, Zvolensky MJ, Ecker AH. (2013). Cannabis use during a voluntary quit attempt: An analysis from ecological momentary assessment. Drug Alcohol Depend. Epub.

Chitsaz E, Meyer JP, Krishnan A, Springer SA, Marcus R, Zaller N, Jordan AO, Lincoln T, Flanigan TP, Porterfield J, Altice FL.(2013). Contribution of Substance Use Disorders on HIV Treatment Outcomes and Antiretroviral Medication Adherence Among HIV-Infected Persons Entering Jail. AIDS Behav. (Epub).

Cunha PJ, Rosa PG, Ayres AD, Duran FL, Santos LC, Scazufca M, Menezes PR, Dos Santos B, Murray RM, Crippa JA, Busatto GF, Schaufelberger MS. (2013). Cannabis use, cognition and brain structure in first-episode psychosis. Schizophr Res. (Epub).

Juszczak GR, Swiergiel AH. Recreational use of D-lysergamide from the seeds of Argyreia nervosa, Ipomoea tricolor, Ipomoea violacea, and Ipomoea purpurea in Poland.(2013). J Psychoactive Drugs. 45(1):79-93.

Leibu E, Garakani A, McGonigle DP, Liebman LS, Loh D, Bryson EO, Kellner CH. (2013). Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) for Catatonia in a Patient With Schizophrenia and Synthetic Cannabinoid Abuse: A Case Report. J ECT. (Epub).

Reynaud M, Luquiens A, Aubin HJ, Talon C, Bourgain C. (2013). Quantitative damage-benefit evaluation of drug effects: major discrepancies between the general population, users and experts. J Psychopharmacol. (Epub).

Rolland B, Geoffroy PA, Jardri R, Cottencin O. (2013). Aripiprazole for treating cannabis-induced psychotic symptoms in ultrahigh-risk individuals. Clin Neuropharmacol. 36(3):98-9.

Smirnov A, Najman JM, Hayatbakhsh R, Wells H, Legosz M, Kemp R. (2013). Young adults' recreational social environment as a predictor of Ecstasy use initiation: findings of a population-based prospective study. Addiction. 2013. (Epub).

Underner M, Urban T, Perriot J, Peiffer G, Meurice JC. (2013). Cannabis use and impairment of respiratory function. Rev Mal Respir. 30(4):272-85.

van der Pol P, Liebregts N, de Graaf R, Korf DJ, van den Brink W, van Laar M. (2013). Reliability and validity of the Severity of Dependence Scale for detecting cannabis dependence in frequent cannabis users. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res. (Epub).

Featured Recipe: Kathy's Kahlua Cake

In honor of Mother’s Day, I decided to break the mold of this blog a bit and put up my favorite recipe from mom. I call it Kathy’s Kahlua Cake. It is by far, the BEST cake I have eaten in my life which I why I want to make sure I make a permanent record of the recipe.

When it comes out, it looks like the picture to the left.  It is delicious, moist, and great to eat morning, noon, and night. Without further ado, here is the recipe.

Ingredients:

1.    Duncan Hines Butter Recipe Golden Cake Mix
2.    One small package of vanilla instant pudding
3.    Four eggs
4.    Half cup of vegetable oil
5.    One cup of luke warm water
6.    Three teaspoons of maple extract
7.    Three teaspoons of Kahlua coffee liqueur
8.    Half cup of chopped walnuts (do NOT use this ingredient for people with tree nut allergies)

Mix all ingredients together in a large mixing bowl, except for the walnuts.

Blend in the walnuts at the end.

Grease a bundt pan thoroughly. 
Pour mixture into bundt pan

Heat at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Test with a toothpick and increase baking time slightly if the toothpick does not come out clean.

Remove cake from oven, place plastic wrap over the open side, and let cool for 10 minutes.

When you see too much condensation on the plastic wrap, remove it and place a new plastic wrap on it. Do this about two more times in the first hour. This is the secret aspect to making the cake so moist. ENJOY!

7 Healthy Lunch Snacks Your Child Will Actually Eat

Finding a healthy snack to put in your child’s lunch bag can be a challenge. After all, it is very easy to just throw in a bag of potato chips, a candy bar, or a lollipop and most children will be perfectly happy with that. But these days, parents are more health conscious and want to try other alternatives.

While nuts are healthy and tasty, these are problematic in school settings because someone usually has a significant peanut or tree nut allergy.

This topic was mentioned last night on the MedFriendly Facebook page where one person suggested raisins and banana chips. Raisins are a good choice but they need to be packed properly so they do not dry out. Some also come in very small boxes that will still leave the child hungry. Also, in my opinion, yellow raisins are much tastier than black raisins, yet I never see them in the small boxes. One could always put them in a baggy though with a twist. Banana chips are definitely tasty and they are made from fruit but they contain a high level of saturated fat.  This is typically due to coconut oil. This can be bad if the oil is partially hydrogenated but good if it is extra virgin coconut oil (non-hydrogenated). The problem is that most labels don’t tell you which type of oil was used.           

Some websites which have discussed this topic give choices that are clearly very healthy such as bean dip and broccoli bites, but… seriously, how many 3rd graders really wants to eat bean dip or broccoli bites? Not many. Some suggest making homemade snacks as opposed to relaying on manufactured brands. But most parents don’t have time to make home made products such as fresh granola and are looking for something quick and easy. Some sites suggest making kabobs out of fresh fruit but that runs the risk of children hurting someone with the left over skewer sticks.

After doing some thinking and reading, I’ve listed my top 7 quick and easy choices for healthy lunch snacks that most children will actually eat. If you have others feel free to post them in the comment section.     

1. OCEAN SPRAY CRAISINS: Dovetailing off the raisin suggestion above, Craisins are a delicious healthy snack most kids will eat. They common in many different fruity flavors and have a candy like sweet taste while remaining healthy. Simply place in a small plastic bag and close with a twist tie.

2. ALL NATURAL FRUIT SNACKS: Most kids love gummies and related fruit snacks. The hard part is finding ones with all natural ingredients. All natural fruit snacks are usually found in warehouse club stores or online here.     

3. VEGGIE CHIPS: Many children will actually enjoy veggie chips by having them focus more on the color than the taste. They are very tasty and this is coming from someone who does not usually like many vegetables.    

4. APPLE SAUCE: An oldie but a goodie. With so many options and flavors (e.g., pear apple sauce), most children will find an applesauce they like. The tricky part can be finding all natural applesauce but it  is out there. A recent twist is making it in a squeezable pouch form.

5. MEAT JERKY: All natural and organic beef jerky is a tasty treat for kids who want something besides fruit and veggies. If you don’t want to give them red meat, try the turkey jerky version.

6. CLIF BARS:  These are organic energy/protein bars, available in numerous flavors.

7. KASHI PRODUCTS: Available in most stores, Kashi sells a variety of healthy but tasty food products, including cookies and brownies that most children will enjoy. The company even makes various snack chips.

Product Review: My Favorite Water Filter of All Time

Many years ago, I was searching for a water filter. I wanted something that worked, was convenient, affordable, and not a hassle to install. I did not want a water filter that I had to fill and place in the refrigerator because a) it takes up a lot of space, b) it is annoying to have to keep refilling it, and c) it takes a lot of time for the water to filter through the tank to get filtered water.

There were small devices for sale that fit on the end of a faucet for filtering but they seemed too small to me to get adequate filtering done.
Recently, I underwent a kitchen remodel and had to decide if I wanted to change to an under the sink filtration system but I decided against this because one or more of the following issues eventually arose during product reviews a) various reports of installation difficulties, b) high cost, c) taking up storage space under the sink, d) the risk of a leak, e) no gold standard product, and/or f) I would probably need to hire someone to install it because I am not particularly handy. I also opted against a water filter that is part of the refrigerator because going without it saves money on the refrigerator, adds space to the refrigerator, and cuts down the risk and cost associated with filtration failure or leaks.

Ultimately, I decided to stick with the water filter that I have been using for about 10 years and could not be happier with. That product is the New Wave Enviro Premium 10 Stage Water Filter System. There are several reasons why I strongly endorse this product, described below.

1. IT WORKS: I love the unique 10-stage filtration system of this product which makes you feel very comfortable that impurities are being removed. The water always tastes great to everyone in the family, including the children. No bad odors at all with this filter. The replaceable filter cartridge is transparent and so when you remove it or replace it you can actually see the 10 layers of filtration. This is accompanied by a nice diagram on the box which tells you exactly what each of these 10 layers do. Impurities removed include pesticides, herbicides, PCB's, lead, cadmium, organic arsenic, asbestos, micro-organisms, and dozens of other lesser known organic contaminants. You also can have confidence that a product works if the manufacturer provides an unconditional money back guarantee (for 30 days) and a one year warranty, as is the case for this product.  You don’t have to take my word for it though. This filter has a 4.5/5 star rating on Amazon.com based on 123 reviews at the time this review was written.

2. IT’S CONVENIENT AND EASY TO INSTALL: One of my favorite things about this product is that it is simple to install, replace the cartridge, and use. All you do is loosen a screw on the bottom of the unit, slide the cartridge in, close it up, attach the connection directly to the facet, and pull out a little pin on the side of the faucet when you want the water to run through the filter. Simple as that and you never have to worry about refilling anything.  The product sits on the sink without taking up a lot of space but if you want to actually mount this product under your sink, conversion kits are available to allow you to do this. The water comes out very easily from the dispenser and I do not have to worry about water spilling to the floor every time I want a drink, which invariable happens with filters you keep in the refrigerator.

3. IT’S AFFORDABLE: Prices vary on this product but it can regularly be found on Amazon.com for less than $100 ($80.38 at the time of this writing). That is simply a steal when you consider that the filter works for a year, filtering 1500 gallons a year.  A gallon of bottled water at the grocery stores is about $3.00. That is a cost of about $4500 a year for 1500 gallons. Thus, you are saving over $4400 just by purchase this filter. A replacement filter (only needed once a year) only costs $49.99. Overall, this filter more than pays for itself and I highly recommend it.

Tamerlan Tsarnaev Should Be Cremated

After someone dies, there are generally three options of what to do with a body: bury it under ground, entomb it in a mausoleum, or cremate it. Much less frequent options also exist such as cryogenic freezing, freeze drying, mummification, resomation (chemically dissolving the tissues but leaving the bones behind to be pulverized), and plastination (preserving the body in semi-recognizable form for education and display).

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Boston Marathon bomber, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, is reportedly being refused a traditional burial, particularly in Cambridge Massachusetts, because it would be considered disrespectful to the victims of the bombing who are buried there. One funeral director has gone on record saying that there is probably no cemetery in the U.S. who would be willing to bury him due to fear of reprisals and lost business. After all, would you want to be buried in the same cemetery as a person who committed an act of terrorism against the U.S.?  Nope.

I believe there is a very simple solution to this problem: he should be cremated with his ashes given to his family or disposed of somewhere if they do not want them. The opposition to cremation in this case presented in the media according to Muslim scholars does not make any sense to me. Specifically, the argument is that he should not be cremated because he was Muslim and that cremation is against the Muslim religion because it desecrates the body. 

Hold on a second. This is a guy who literally had a bomb strapped to his chest when he was killed, meaning he was ready to BLOW HIMSELF UP if need be. Similarly, the 9-11 bombers also followed radical Islam and incinerated themselves in airplane attacks. These are each examples of a much worse form of bodily desecration than a controlled cremation. Thus, the logic in dealing with these cases is very simple: if you are willing to desecrate your body in a terrorist attack against the U.S., then expect to be cremated if you die trying but your body still remains behind and no cemetery wants you.  There should be a federal law that allows for this (whether you are a U.S. citizen or not) especially if you incinerated and blew up others. 

The Medical Dangers of Being a Referee, Umpire, or Athletics Official

In Utah, it was recently announced that Ricardo Portillo was killed due to a brain injury suffered after being punched in the face a week prior by a 17-year-old soccer player who was upset at being issued a penalty in the game. Unfortunately, refereeing can sometimes be a very dangerous activity. Here are 9 other examples highlighting the medical dangers of being a referee, umpire, or athletics official. As you will see, these types of deaths are unfortunately not new.

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1. In an eerily similar situation, another soccer referee (Richard Nieuwenhuizen) was killed by three teenage soccer players (ages 15, 16, and 16)  who attacked him with punches and kick during a game.

2. In 2012, soccer referee, Isaac Mbofana, was bludgeoned to death with a log by a fan after making an off sides call during a match.

3. In 2012, a 75-year-old German track and field official (Dieter Schmidt) died when a javelin struck him in the throat as he measured the throw of a competitor.

4. In 2010, a Swedish referee, a 62-year-old ice hockey referee was killed when hit in the back of the head/neck by a hockey puck.

5. In 1998, a 33-year-old basketball referee, Greg Vaughn, was beaten to death over a bad call.

6. In 1982, boxing referee, Richard Green committed suicide months after refereeing a match in which a South Korean Boxer named Duk Koo Kim was killed by Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini after a barrage of punches were unleashed in the third round, followed by devastating punches as the 4th round began. Most people believe the referee committed suicide due to feelings of guilt about the death in the ring, but there is no definitive evidence to prove this.

7. In 1909, baseball umpire John Donaldson was killed when a foul tip hit him in the nose causing a blood clot on the brain.

8. In 1906, an umpire was killed by a lightning strike shortly after a baseball game ended.

9. In 1899, an 18-year-old baseball umpire (Frank McCoy) was killed by 19-year-old Same Powell after being struck in the head with a baseball bat after a disputed call.

Give Children 25-Piece Puzzles not .22 Caliber Guns

When I first heard of the tragic accidental shooting death earlier this week of a 2-year-old girl by her 5-year-old brother, at first I thought it was because some adult left their gun out and was not supervising the children properly.

Not too many things surprise me anymore but this time I was surprised when I found out that poor supervision was only part of the issue and that the 5-year-old was shooting a rifle that was given to him as a present (at age 4). Not only that, but it is reportedly not an uncommon practice in the area of Kentucky where this death occurred for guns to be given as presents to children.

Real guns are actually legally marketed for children in the U.S., such as those made by Keystone Sporting Arms of Pennsylvania. This company sells a rifle called Crickett, which is marketed as “My First Rifle” complete with an associated picture of a giant Crickett that looks like a smiling Jimminy Crickett with a gun.  This is the exact gun that the 5-year-old child used when shooting his sister.  There is another such youth gun called the Chipmunk, which again plays off of kid-friendly carton themes such as Alvin and the Chipmunks.  The company posts no suggested age ranges for the use of their guns by children but there are age ranges posted for Legos, puzzles, and an untold series of toys. But a gun is an exception?

Matters get even worse in my opinion because while it is illegal for a child to purchase a firearm in the U.S., it is not illegal for an adult to give a child a rifle as a present.  Apparently, this high level of permissiveness is culturally sanctioned based on the logic that children are expected to b e taught how to hunt and use a gun from an early age. In other words, it’s American tradition. But even if there was an argument to be made for gun use in youth, under what logic would  that process begin at age 4 or 5? Children at that age are not even recommended to use a volcano making kit. But giving them a gun is ok?

At the 4 to 5 age range, logical thought is not well-developed and many children this age have difficulty distinguishing between make believe and reality. Most do not yet understand the concept of death. As such, children should be playing with blocks, stuffed animals, dolls, and 25-piece puzzles at this age, not .22 caliber guns. 

The bottom line is that selling real guns specifically for use by children should be illegal. This is a significant child health issue and will require legislation to make it a reality.  The only way it will happen though is by contacting your legislators and state governor. While people can say that more children die playing sports than from a child using a gun, the only purpose of a gun is to cause damage and/or death, which is not the case for any sport.

Featured Book on Gun Safety: Gunfight: The Battle over the Right to Bear Arms in America

Top 10 Daily Medical News Stories (5/2/13)

Here you will find listed the top 10 daily news stories from reputable sources across the internet. No more searching multiple health websites for health news as they are accessible from here. Only at the MedFriendly Medical Blog. Bookmark for future reference.

1. Thousands of kids hurt yearly on amusement rides: From carousels to roller coasters, part of summer fun for many kids is a trip to the local carnival or a nearby amusement park. But experts are warning parents their children need to be supervised on rides because of the risk of injuries.

2. Justice Department to appeal judge's Plan B order: U.S. Department of Justice officials have filed notice that they will appeal a federal judge's order requiring the Food and Drug Administration to make the so-called "morning after" pill available without a prescription to all women without age or certain sales restrictions.

3 Women's Groups Decry Appeal on Morning After Pill: The Obama administration's decision to appeal a court order lifting age limits on purchasers of the morning-after pill set off a storm of criticism from reproductive rights groups, who denounced it as politically motivated and a step backward for women's health.

4. Vermont woman reveals new face after transplant: A Vermont woman revealed her new face Wednesday, six years after her ex-husband disfigured her by dousing her with industrial-strength lye, and said she went through "what some may call hell" but has found a way to be happy.



5. China reports latest bird flu death, toll rises to 27: A 55-year-old man in central China has died from a new strain of bird flu, bringing to 27 the number of deaths from the mysterious H7N9 virus, state news agency Xinhua said on Thursday.


6. Saudi Arabia says five dead from new SARS-like virus: Saudi Arabia said five more people have died of a deadly new virus from the same family as SARS, and two other people were in intensive care.

7. Scientists Decode "Molecular Chatter" That Makes Cancer Cells Spread: For the first time, scientists in the US have decoded the "molecular chatter" that makes cancer cells more aggressive and more likely to travel and set up tumors in other parts of the body (metastasize). The discovery came about as a result of bringing together specialists in cancer development with specialists in wound healing.


8. Who’s Scarfing Down the Added Sugar in U.S.? Mostly Young Men: Young U.S. adults are consuming more added sugars in their food and drinks than older — and apparently wiser — folks, according to a new government report.

9. UK police to give dementia patients GPS tracking devices: A British police force is hoping to save time and money by giving a few dementia patients GPS tracking devices, a technique already used by health and welfare agencies but condemned by some campaigners as "barbaric."

10. Study: Food, skin allergies increasing in children: Parents are reporting more skin and food allergies in their children, a big government survey found.

Top 10 Medical News Stories (5/1/13)

Here you will find listed the top 10 daily news stories from reputable sources across the internet. No more searching multiple health websites for health news as they are accessible from here. Only at the MedFriendly Medical Blog. Bookmark for future reference.

1. FDA approves morning-after pill without prescription for girls 15 and older: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday that it approved the availability of the Plan B One-Step emergency contraception pill without a prescription for women 15 and older.

2. More US babies die day they are born than any industrialized country, report shows: The US is a worse place for newborns than 68 other countries, including Egypt, Turkey and Peru, according to a report released Tuesday by Save the Children.

3. Two doses of HPV vaccine may be just as effective as three, study shows: Doctors suspect the high cost and inconvenience associated with the vaccine, which consist of three shots given over the course of six months, may be preventing women and young girls from receiving it.

4. Boston Marathon bomb amputees offered prosthetics free of cost: A trade group representing makers of artificial limbs on Tuesday promised to provide prosthetics free of cost to the estimated 20 to 25 victims of the Boston Marathon bombings who underwent amputations.

5. Toddler is Youngest to Ever Get Lab-Made Windpipe: A 2-year-old girl born without a windpipe now has a new one grown from her own stem cells, the youngest patient in the world to benefit from the experimental treatment.

6. Monster sues San Francisco city attorney over energy drinks probe: Monster Beverage Corp has sued San Francisco's city attorney over an investigation the city launched last year into the safety and marketing of Monster energy drinks.

7. Schizophrenia May Be Diagnosed By Testing Nerve Cells From The Nose: Collecting neurons from the nose could be a fast way to test for schizophrenia, a debilitating mental illness that is often difficult to diagnose. This was the finding of a new study led by researchers from Tel Aviv University (TAU) in Israel.

8. Women Who Smoke More Likely to Get Colon Cancer Than Men: Smoking’s connection to cancer is well-established. Now, researchers say cigarettes increase the odds for developing colon cancer, especially for women.

9. Mediterranean diet may be best for memory, cognitive skills: Chowing down on foods heavy in omega-3 fatty acids and laying off saturated fats, meat and dairy may be best for your memory retention and cognitive abilities.

10. How Weight-Loss Surgery Improves Diabetes Control: Key hormones, amino acids altered during digestion, study finds

Top 10 Daily Medical News Stories (4/30/13)

Here you will find listed the top 10 daily news stories from reputable sources across the internet. No more searching multiple health websites for health news as they are accessible from here. Only at the MedFriendly Medical Blog. Bookmark for future reference.

1. Cancer Cells Are Nimbler Than Non-Malignant Cells: Clues about how cells become cancerous are revealed in a new catalogue of their physical and chemical features. The catalogue shows, among other things, how malignant cells that break out of tumors and invade other organs are nimbler and more aggressive than non-malignant ones: they are able to pass more easily through small spaces, and they exert a greater force on their environment.

2. As home births rise, pediatricians group sets new guidelines: In a 2011 position statement, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said that while it still views the hospital as the safest place to deliver, it “respects the right of a woman to make a medically informed decision about delivery.”

3. Drug-resistant strains of malaria parasite identified: Scientists have discovered a new way to identify drug-resistant strains of the parasite that causes malaria, Medical News Today reported.

4. American Medical Association questions Guantanamo force-feedings: The Navy sent extra medical personnel to the Guantanamo detention camp because of a growing hunger strike, and the American Medical Association questioned whether doctors were being asked to violate their ethics by force-feeding prisoners.

5. Germ-Zapping 'Robots' : Hospitals Combat Superbugs: The rise of these superbugs, along with increased pressure from the government and insurers, is driving hospitals to try all sorts of new approaches to stop their spread.

6. Your child's brain on math: Don't bother?: Parents whose children are struggling with math often view intense tutoring as the best way to help them master crucial skills, but a new study released on Monday suggests that for some kids even that is a lost cause.

7. Some Antidepressants Linked to Bleeding Risk With Surgery: Taking popular antidepressant drugs around the time of surgery may increase risks associated with the procedure, including bleeding, the need for a blood transfusion, hospital readmission and even death, a large new study suggests.

8. FDA probing caffeinated products, from gum to chips: With a growing number of foods boasting added caffeine for an energy boost, the Food and Drug Administration says it's time to investigate their safety.

9. New Guidelines Suggest HIV Screening for All Adults: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says effectiveness of newer treatments, especially if given early, prompted change.

10. Arm lift procedures soar in popularity: When it comes to plastic surgery, arms are getting a lot more attention lately, with demand for "arm lift" procedures soaring over 4,000 percent in the past 12 years.

Top 10 Daily Medical News Stories (4/29/13)

Here you will find listed the top 10 daily news stories from reputable sources across the internet. No more searching multiple health websites for health news as they are accessible from here. Only at the MedFriendly Medical Blog. Bookmark for future reference.

1. New Rewards And Penalties For Hospitals Proposed By Medicare: Hospitals that take part in CMS' Inpatient Quality Reporting Program will receive 0.8% in extra payments, while those not successfully participating would have payments reduced by 2%, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed on Friday to the USA's 3,400 acute care hospitals.

2. War amputees to Boston's injured: 'Life's not over': Veterans who lost limbs in Iraq and Afghanistan traveled to Boston to provide information and moral support to those seriously injured in the bombings.

3. NY state lawmakers propose raising cigarette age: Following New York City's lead, state lawmakers have taken up the cause to raise the minimum age for tobacco purchases from 18 to 21 statewide.

4. Kids' Smoking Influences May Change Over Time: Peer pressure to smoke may be more influential for kids in middle school than for older students, a new study reports.

5. Austerity is hurting our health, say researchers: Austerity is having a devastating effect on health in Europe and North America, driving suicide, depression and infectious diseases and reducing access to medicines and care, researchers said on Monday.

6. Algeria president shows no permanent damage from minor stroke: Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika was transferred to France for medical tests on Saturday night after suffering a minor stroke that Algeria's official news agency said had caused no permanent damage.

7. Two % of injured children treated in Denver hospitals were shot: The annual death rate of children treated in Colorado hospitals for gunshots has held steady at about 2 percent a year for more than a decade, researchers say.

8. Mangos Help Regulate Blood Sugar Levels Among Obese People: The positive health effects of Mangos have been recently explored and presented by researchers at the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). They found that mangos have properties that can help regulate blood sugar levels among people suffering from obesity.

9. One Quarter Of Teens Drive Under The Influence: Nearly one in every four American teenagers drives under the influence, according to a study (survey) published by Liberty Mutual and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). The authors added that many teens who were surveyed believe driving under the influence does not affect their safety.

10. CVS Caremark offers proper medication disposal: CVS Caremark says its U.S. locations provide customers with a return program to help families properly dispose of old and expired medication.

Top 10 Daily Medical News Stories (4/28/13)

Here you will find listed the top 10 daily news stories from reputable sources across the internet. No more searching multiple health websites for health news as they are accessible from here. Only at the MedFriendly Medical Blog. Bookmark for future reference.

1. Second Man Arrested in Tainted Letter Case, Officials Report: First man appears to have been framed by the latest suspect for sending ricin-laced letters to Obama and others.

2. China reports new bird flu case in Hunan province: China on Saturday reported its first case of H7N9 bird flu in the southern province of Hunan, the latest sign the virus that has killed 23 people in the country is continuing to spread.

3. Medical examiner searches for human remains amid landing gear debris near World Trade Center: Police say the alley near the World Trade Center where landing gear believed to be from a Sept. 11 hijacked plane was found remains a crime scene until medical examiners finish looking for human remains.

4. Merger of drugmakers Valeant, Actavis on hold: source: A proposed merger of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc and Actavis Inc was put on hold after the two drugmakers failed to agree on terms of a deal that would have created a healthcare giant with a combined market value of $35 billion, a person familiar with the situation told Reuters on Saturday.

5. U.S. agency moves against Nevada hospital cited for "patient dumping": Federal authorities have taken disciplinary action against a Las Vegas hospital cited for improperly sending newly released psychiatric patients by bus to neighboring California and other states in a practice called "patient dumping."

6. Clenching Your Fist Can Improve Your Memory: Clenching your right hand may help create a stronger memory of an event or action, and clenching your left hand may help you recall the memory later, according to a new study.

7. Lying to doctors could be harmful for patients: Telling a white lie to a friend is not always the best idea. Telling one to your doctor could lead to serious health problems, but many still seem to do it.

8. Eating recommended protein linked to weight loss: A relatively high proportion of U.S. women who reported "eating more protein" to prevent weight gain were linked to reported weight loss, researchers say.

9. Reviving A Foe Of Cancer: New research reveals how the tumor suppressor p53 is shut down in metastatic melanoma--and how it can be revived.

10. Justice Breyer Has Shoulder Surgery After Bicycle Accident: According to Supreme Court spokesperson Kathleen Arberg, Associate Justice Stephen Breyer underwent reverse shoulder replacement surgery for a proximal humerus fracture at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital on the morning of April 27th.

Top 10 Daily Medical News Stories (4/27/13)

Here you will find listed the top 10 daily news stories from reputable sources across the internet. No more searching multiple health websites for health news as they are accessible from here. Only at the MedFriendly Medical Blog. Bookmark for future reference.

1. Doctors blast ethics of $100,000 cancer drugs: A group of more than 120 cancer researchers and physicians took the unusual step this week of publishing a research paper taking aim at pharmaceutical prices they see as exorbitant and unjustifiable.

2. Mom convinces son he has cancer to scam money from friends, cops allege: Police have charged a New Jersey mother who allegedly lied and said her son was suffering from cancer in order to deceive friends and loved ones out of thousands of dollars.

3. Could a blood test tetect autism? Study aims to answer: A simple blood test might be able to reveal whether a child has autism, according to researchers who recently launched a study to evaluate such a test.


4. U.S. sues Novartis over kickbacks, second case this week: The U.S. government on Friday announced its second civil fraud lawsuit against Novartis AG in four days, accusing a unit of the Swiss drugmaker of paying multimillion-dollar kickbacks to doctors in exchange for prescribing its drugs.


5. How Trees Add To Air Pollution: A new study shows that when isoprene, a substance given off by trees that protects their leaves, combines with man-made nitrogen oxides present in air pollution, it produces more of the very small air-borne particles that can penetrate our lungs and damage health.

6. Helicopter Parenting May Increase Child’s Risk of Being Bullied: Parents may think they can keep their kids safe by hovering over them, but a new study finds that children of overprotective parents are more likely to be bullied.

7. A Brazilian man reportedly survived a harpoon through the brain, following a freak accident in which he accidentally shot himself through the left eye while cleaning his harpoon gun: A Brazilian man reportedly survived a harpoon through the brain, following a freak accident in which he accidentally shot himself through the left eye while cleaning his harpoon gun.

8. Latin America threatened with cancer epidemic: Latin America faces a cancer epidemic, scientists warned Friday as they pressed for urgent action to reduce tobacco use and obesity and allocate more resources to control the disease.

9. Could Facebook Assist Public Health Efforts to Track Obesity?: Analyzing Facebook users' interests could help public health researchers predict, track and map obesity rates in specific cities, towns and neighborhoods across the United States, a new study says.

10. Drills That Readied Boston Hospitals, EMS for Bombings Face Funding Cuts: But with the final 2013 budget still not settled, the programs that enabled doctors and EMTs to save lives on April 15 may face federal cuts.

Top 10 Daily Medical News Stories (4/26/13)

Here you will find listed the top 10 daily news stories from reputable sources across the internet. No more searching multiple health websites for health news as they are accessible from here. Only at the MedFriendly Medical Blog. Bookmark for future reference.

1. Poultry markets likely source of new bird flu in China: Poultry markets where birds are sold live and slaughtered on the spot are the likely source of the new H7N9 bird flu that’s killed more than 20 people in China, researchers said Thursday.

2. Latest HIV Vaccine Doesn't Work: Government Halts Study: The latest bad news in the hunt for an AIDS vaccine: The government halted a large U.S. study on Thursday, saying the experimental shots aren't preventing HIV infection.

3. Seattle police look for fake nurse who tried to steal meds from IVs: Seattle police call it one of the boldest attempted drug thefts they have seen: A woman impersonating a nurse, apparently addicted to painkillers, crept through the hospital rooms of patients and tried to steal medication from their IV machines.

4. Depressive thinking can be contagious: We don't think of emotional states as passing from one person to another, but a new study suggests some depressive thoughts can go viral.

5. Abnormal placenta may reveal newborn’s autism risk: As of today, there are no definitive tests to measure a child’s risk for developing autism. Since early intervention and therapy is key for at-risk children, such a test could be critical for managing the early development of a child.

6. Video may help terminal patients make CPR choice: Terminally ill cancer patients who watched either of two videos about the option to forego resuscitation overwhelmingly elected that route for the patient in the video, if not for themselves, according to a new study.

7. Alcohol And Weight Affect Women's Risk Of Getting And Dying From Liver Disease: Congress delegates heard this week about a study that showed the deadly effect that high alcohol intake and excess body weight can have on women's chances of developing and dying from chronic liver disease.

8. Cancer specialists slam high cost of drugs: Treating cancer is expensive. On Thursday, some of the world's top cancer specialists took an extraordinary step on behalf of their patients. They demanded that drug companies roll back their prices.

9. Almost Half of Americans Would Consider Donating Kidney to Stranger: Poll: Percentage of people in favor of donation keeps rising, experts say.

10. Majority of malaria deaths among small children in Africa: There were 219 million cases of malaria and 660,000 malaria-related deaths globally in 2010, World Health Organizations officials in Switzerland said Thursday.The majority of the malaria deaths were among children in Africa age 5 and younger.

Top 10 Daily Medical News Stories (4/25/13)

Here you will find listed the top 10 daily news stories from reputable sources across the internet. No more searching multiple health websites for health news as they are accessible from here. Only at the MedFriendly Medical Blog. Bookmark for future reference.

1. WHO: H7N9 virus 'one of the most lethal so far': As the death toll from China's bird flu outbreak rose to 22 with news of another victim in eastern Zhejiang Province, the World Health Organization warned the H7N9 virus was one of the most lethal that doctors and medical investigators had faced in recent years.

2. The children of killers: 'There are wounds you can never heal': The young daughter that Boston bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev left behind may face a future of stigma, secrecy and haunting questions about the father she may never stop loving, say both a forensic psychiatrist and the daughter of a serial murderer.

3. Melanoma drug gets breakthrough status: Merck & Co. said Wednesday that the Food and Drug Administration awarded breakthrough therapy status to its cancer therapy lambrolizumab, which could speed up development of the drug.

4. Sugary drinks can raise diabetes risk by 22 percent -study: Drinking just one can of sugar-laced soda drink a day increases the risk of developing diabetes by more than a fifth, according to a large European study published on Wednesday: Drinking just one can of sugar-laced soda drink a day increases the risk of developing diabetes by more than a fifth, according to a large European study published on Wednesday.

5. Long-Term Care in Aging U.S.: Not for Me, Poll Says: We're in denial: Americans underestimate their chances of needing long-term care as they get older - and are taking few steps to get ready.

6. Gut bugs are implicated in heart attacks and stroke: Thousands of heart attack victims every year have none of the notorious risk factors before their crisis - not high cholesterol, not unhealthy triglycerides. Now the search for the mystery culprits has turned up some surprising suspects: the trillions of bacteria and other microbes living in the human gut.

7. Binge Drinking In College Years May Raise Risk For Heart Disease: New research from the US finds that otherwise healthy young adult college students who regularly binge drink, that is consume a lot of alcoholic drinks in a short space of time, show damage to blood vessels similar to that caused by high blood pressure and cholesterol, both factors known to increase risk for heart disease later in life.

8. Many Americans Breathing Cleaner Air: Although many Americans are now breathing cleaner air, others are living in cities that are more polluted than they were a decade ago, a new report shows.

9. NFL may test brain injury treatment on retired players: The National Football League Alumni Association is working with Neuralstem, Inc., of Rockville, Md., to possibly test a potential treatment for traumatic brain injuries.

10. H7N9 Vaccine At Least 6 Weeks Away: As the H7N9 bird flu outbreak continues to worsen in Asia, with the first case outside China confirmed in Taiwan Thursday and the World Health Organization confirming the strain is "unusually dangerous for humans," vaccine makers say it will take up to six weeks for the first vaccines to be developed for the strain.

Top 10 Daily Medical News Stories (4/24/13): The Child Without Bones

Here you will find listed the top 10 daily news stories from reputable sources across the internet. No more searching multiple health websites for health news as they are accessible from here. Only at the MedFriendly Medical Blog. Bookmark for future reference.

1. Child without bones begins to develop skeletal frame thanks to enzyme therapy: Janelly Martinez-Amador may be 6 years old, but she's just beginning to learning how to use her legs and arms. The girl, who was born with a rare disorder that caused her bones to disappear, is getting a new chance at life thanks to an experimental new therapy that has regrown her bones.

2. Shrinkage of Brain Region May Signal Onset of Multiple Sclerosis: Atrophy of a key brain area may become a new biomarker to predict the onset of multiple sclerosis, researchers say. If so, that would add to established criteria such as the presence of brain lesions to diagnose the progressive, incurable disorder.

3. Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers Tied to Risk for Other Cancers: White people with skin cancer that is not melanoma may be at greater risk for developing other forms of cancer, according to a new study.

4. Study: Chicken, Ground Beef are Riskiest Meats: An analysis of more than 33,000 cases of foodborne illness shows that ground beef and chicken have caused more hospitalizations than other meats.

5. Would you like 2 hours of exercise with that?: Seeing the calories listed next to each item isn't likely to affect your decision, according to a new study being presented at the Experimental Biology 2013 meeting this week. But seeing the amount of time it would take you to work those calories off at the gym just might.

6. What your sneeze says about your personality: We each have our own individual sneezing style. But what, exactly, determines whether those sneezes come out dainty and demure or whether they blow down the whole dang house?

7. Online donations pour in for Boston victims’ medical costs: While victims of the Boston Marathon bombings have a long recovery ahead of them, many will receive financial help thanks to viral online fundraising campaigns started by friends and family.

8. Arkansas governor signs private insurance option into law: Arkansas's Democratic governor signed into law on Tuesday a plan to extend health insurance to more of the state's low-income residents in a move that could offer a model for other states wrestling with opposition to the federal government's Medicaid expansion plan.

9. US hospitals send hundreds of immigrants back home: So Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines took matters into its own hands: After consulting with the patients' families, it quietly loaded the two comatose men onto a private jet that flew them back to Mexico, effectively deporting them without consulting any court or federal agency.

10. Ovarian Cancer May Be Detectable Early By Testing Cells From Uterus Or Cervix: Pioneering biophotonics technology developed in the US can detect nanoscale changes in cells from the cervix and uterus that may indicate early stage ovarian cancer, according to a study published this month in the International Journal of Cancer.

Top 10 Daily Medical News Stories (4/23/13)

Here you will find listed the top 10 daily news stories from reputable sources across the internet. No more searching multiple health websites for health news as they are accessible from here. Only at the MedFriendly Medical Blog. Bookmark for future reference.

1. MDs warn teens: Don't take the cinnamon challenge: Don't take the cinnamon challenge. That's the advice from doctors in a new report about a dangerous prank depicted in popular YouTube videos but which has led to hospitalizations and a surge in calls to U.S. poison centers.

2. Bloomberg wants to raise age limit for buying cigarettes: No one under 21 would be able to buy cigarettes in New York City, under a new proposal announced Monday that marks the latest in a decade of moves to crack down on smoking in the nation's largest city.
 
3. Pushing kids to eat may cause obesity later: Denying certain foods to children or pressuring them to eat every bit of a meal are common practices among many parents. But researchers at the University of Minnesota found parents who restricted foods were more likely to have overweight or obese children. And while those who pressured children to eat all of their meals mostly had children of normal weight, it adversely affected the way those children ate as they grew older, according to the study published Monday in the journal Pediatrics.

4. Warts in kids come from family members, classmates: Public locker rooms may seem like breeding grounds for germs, but when it comes to warts, kids may be more likely to contract a wart-causing virus at home or school, a new study suggests.

5. China says new bird flu case found in northeast: A man in the northeastern Chinese province of Shandong has been infected by a new strain of bird flu, the first case found in the province, state news agency Xinhua said on Monday, bringing the total number of cases in China to 105.

6. Fallout for States Rejecting Medicaid Expansion: Rejecting the Medicaid expansion in the federal health care law could have unexpected consequences for states where Republican lawmakers remain steadfastly opposed to what they scorn as "Obamacare."

7. Low-Dose Aspirin May Halt Breast Cancer: Research done in test tubes and in mice presented at a conference in Boston in the US at the weekend suggests taking low doses of aspirin on a regular basis may stop breast cancer from growing and spreading. However, cancer campaigners urge caution as the results are very early stage and have yet to be shown in patients.

8. Mammograms Can Measure How Breast Cancer Drug Is Working: Study: Those on tamoxifen who showed reduction in breast density had 50 percent lower risk of death within 15 years

9. Could screening prevent suicides? Not enough evidence, says panel: Is there a screening test that could, with some confidence, detect those at risk of committing suicide, and would wide use of it prevent some of the 37,000 suicides that occur annually in the United States? We just don't know, a federal panel said Monday in a draft report.

10. HIV Drugs May Help Protect Young Patients' Hearts: Study: Far from harming the cardiovascular health of infected children, drug cocktails may give benefit.