Drug maker Baxter International is expanding its recall of heparin, a blood-thinning drug, as the medication is suspected in more patient deaths.
Heparin, one of the most widely used medications, has been suspected as the cause of 21 deaths and close to 450 "adverse events," and almost 400 of those events involved heparin made by Baxter (ticker symbol BAX).
Baxter makes half of the heparin used in the U.S., but authorities don't expect a shortage of the drug. The company APP Pharmaceuticals, which makes the other half of the U.S. supply of heparin, has increased its output to help make up the shortfall from Baxter.
An article in today's Wall Street Journal says that the FDA has found quality control lapses at a plant in China that makes the active ingredient used in heparin, but haven't yet identified the precise cause of the adverse reactions.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Facts About Ricin, Made from Castor Beans
The highly toxic poison ricin is back in the news after the news reported that it was possibly found in a Las Vegas hotel room. Police were summoned to the Extended Stay America Motel on Thursday after a package was found there. Authorities say, however, that they don't believe the substance was intended to be used in terrorism.
Ricin can be made from the castor bean plant (Ricinus communis), and while it does have some medical benefits, it is mainly known as one of the world's most toxic naturally occurring poisons. The CDC has a good, plain-English fact sheet explaining what ricin is, what forms it can take as a poison, signs and symptoms of ricin exposure, and how to tell if you might have been exposed.
In general, symptoms begin within hours after being exposed to ricin and include abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea (sometimes bloody). Within several days victims may experience severe dehydration, a decrease in urine, and a drop in blood pressure.
For a more scientific explanation of how ricin acts as a poison, this article from Cornell University explains its mechanisms of action and more. It notes that just one milligram of ricin can kill an adult, and one seed of the castor bean plant can kill a child.
Ricin can be made from the castor bean plant (Ricinus communis), and while it does have some medical benefits, it is mainly known as one of the world's most toxic naturally occurring poisons. The CDC has a good, plain-English fact sheet explaining what ricin is, what forms it can take as a poison, signs and symptoms of ricin exposure, and how to tell if you might have been exposed.
In general, symptoms begin within hours after being exposed to ricin and include abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea (sometimes bloody). Within several days victims may experience severe dehydration, a decrease in urine, and a drop in blood pressure.
For a more scientific explanation of how ricin acts as a poison, this article from Cornell University explains its mechanisms of action and more. It notes that just one milligram of ricin can kill an adult, and one seed of the castor bean plant can kill a child.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Fatal Familial Insomnia
Yes, this is another syndrome that was featured on "20/20," but it's a fascinating illness (and thankfully rare), so I thought readers might want to know more about it. You can find an article from ABC that pretty much sums up the "20/20" feature here.
For a more scientific explanation, you can read an article from the University of Michigan. As it explains, the disease is caused by degeneration of a certain region of the mind, the thalamus. As the article notes, "Sleep, blood pressure, heart rate, body core temperature and hormone flow are all affected by the interruption of the body's circadian rhythms which is a direct result of the degeneration of the thalamus in this disease."
Symptoms of Fatal Familial Insomnia can include an inability to feel pain and poor reflexes, and the lack of sleep can cause the sufferer to experience hallucinations and eventually fall into a coma.
For a more scientific explanation, you can read an article from the University of Michigan. As it explains, the disease is caused by degeneration of a certain region of the mind, the thalamus. As the article notes, "Sleep, blood pressure, heart rate, body core temperature and hormone flow are all affected by the interruption of the body's circadian rhythms which is a direct result of the degeneration of the thalamus in this disease."
Symptoms of Fatal Familial Insomnia can include an inability to feel pain and poor reflexes, and the lack of sleep can cause the sufferer to experience hallucinations and eventually fall into a coma.
Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome (PSAS)
It sounds like something made up in one of those medical disease-of-the-week TV shows, but Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome in women is a real disorder. (As far as TV goes, it was actually part of the plot of a recent episode of the show "Grey's Anatomy." And by no small coincidence ABC, which broadcasts "Grey's Anatomy," featured a special on Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome on an episode of its newsmagazine "20/20.")
If you haven't heard of Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome, it's probably because it was only recently recognized as a syndrome, and because a relatively small percentage of women suffer from it. Of course, that doesn't make the women who have it feel any better.
For more information the Web site FemalePatient.com has an article on Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome (PSAS) that discusses the distinguishing features of the syndrome and gives several case histories.
If you haven't heard of Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome, it's probably because it was only recently recognized as a syndrome, and because a relatively small percentage of women suffer from it. Of course, that doesn't make the women who have it feel any better.
For more information the Web site FemalePatient.com has an article on Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome (PSAS) that discusses the distinguishing features of the syndrome and gives several case histories.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: What It Is and What You Can Do About It
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects about one in 10 women of childbearing age, but for those who have it, it can feel like a curse. It's an disorder of the endocrine system and can affect everything from the menstrual cycle to the cardiovascular system and one's ability to have children.
Women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome may have high levels of androgen hormones, may miss periods or have them irregularly, become overweight, develop acne, and may have numerous fluid-filled cysts in their ovaries (which is where PCOS gets its name). One common problem women with PCOS may have is unfortunately a very noticeable one: growth of hair on the face.
In fact, this topic came up on the Feb. 19th "Oprah" TV show when an audience member asked Dr. Mehmet Oz, Oprah's regular medical consultant, what she could do to eliminate the hair that kept growing on her chin. (Dr. Oz suggested to the woman that she might want to check into taking pills to regulate her hormone levels, but he noted that she didn't have all the typical PCOS symptoms.)
A good resource for learning about polycystic ovary syndrome is a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
You can find more reputable information about polycystic ovary syndrome here from:
WebMD.com
The Mayo Clinic
Medicine.net
Women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome may have high levels of androgen hormones, may miss periods or have them irregularly, become overweight, develop acne, and may have numerous fluid-filled cysts in their ovaries (which is where PCOS gets its name). One common problem women with PCOS may have is unfortunately a very noticeable one: growth of hair on the face.
In fact, this topic came up on the Feb. 19th "Oprah" TV show when an audience member asked Dr. Mehmet Oz, Oprah's regular medical consultant, what she could do to eliminate the hair that kept growing on her chin. (Dr. Oz suggested to the woman that she might want to check into taking pills to regulate her hormone levels, but he noted that she didn't have all the typical PCOS symptoms.)
A good resource for learning about polycystic ovary syndrome is a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
You can find more reputable information about polycystic ovary syndrome here from:
WebMD.com
The Mayo Clinic
Medicine.net
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Quicker Trasylol Recall Could Have Saved 22,000 Lives, Researcher Says
A medical researcher says that 22,000 patients could have been saved from preventable death if U.S. regulators had been quicker to remove from the market Trasylol, a clotting drug used to stop bleeding during open-heart surgery.
Trasylol was withdrawn in November 2007 after the Food and Drug Administration requested that it be pulled after a study linked it to kidney failure. The kidney failure was severe enough to require dialysis and it increased the likelihood of death by the patients who received it. Sales of the drug were suspended worldwide by its maker, German pharmaceutical manufacturer Bayer AG, following the FDA decision.
The researcher, Dr. Dennis Mangano, was interviewed on "60 Minutes" Sunday, Feb. 17th. Trasylol was used for many years and Mangano's study suggests that it was administered to as many as one-third of all U.S. heart bypass patients at the peak of its usage.
Mangano said that 22,000 lives could have been saved if Trasylol had been pulled from the market when he first published his study in January 2006.
Mangano said in the interview that Bayer didn't disclose to the FDA dangers with Trasylol that came up in its own studies.
Trasylol was withdrawn in November 2007 after the Food and Drug Administration requested that it be pulled after a study linked it to kidney failure. The kidney failure was severe enough to require dialysis and it increased the likelihood of death by the patients who received it. Sales of the drug were suspended worldwide by its maker, German pharmaceutical manufacturer Bayer AG, following the FDA decision.
The researcher, Dr. Dennis Mangano, was interviewed on "60 Minutes" Sunday, Feb. 17th. Trasylol was used for many years and Mangano's study suggests that it was administered to as many as one-third of all U.S. heart bypass patients at the peak of its usage.
Mangano said that 22,000 lives could have been saved if Trasylol had been pulled from the market when he first published his study in January 2006.
Mangano said in the interview that Bayer didn't disclose to the FDA dangers with Trasylol that came up in its own studies.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Ethical, Legal Questions Dog Those "Bodies" Exhibitons
Bodies: the Exhibition is one of several popular exhibits that clearly reveal the workings of the human body by using plasticized bodies: real human bodies in which the fluids are replaced with a plastic liquid, which preserves the body and allows visitors to view its inner workings.
Bodies: the Exhibition and Body Worlds are two of the exhibitions have come under criticism because of accusations that at least some of the bodies may be of people who did not give permission for their remains to be used in this manner: namely, executed or tortured prisoners, including political prisoners.
The head of Body Worlds has said he would no longer use cadavers (corpses) from China because he said he had to destroy some of the bodies he got from that country because the bodies' injuries indicated they might have been victims of execution. Dr. Gunter von Hagens, who founded Body Worlds and created the process that creates the plasticized bodies, told ABC News that he wouldn't use bodies from China anymore.
A company called Corcoran Laboratories based in Traverse City, Michigan is a supplier of cadavers and body organs to one of the "bodies" exhibitors. Corcoran Laboratories has also licensed a company called Eternal Preservation Incorporated to apply the process of plasticization to the embalming of funeral home customers.
Bodies: the Exhibition and Body Worlds are two of the exhibitions have come under criticism because of accusations that at least some of the bodies may be of people who did not give permission for their remains to be used in this manner: namely, executed or tortured prisoners, including political prisoners.
The head of Body Worlds has said he would no longer use cadavers (corpses) from China because he said he had to destroy some of the bodies he got from that country because the bodies' injuries indicated they might have been victims of execution. Dr. Gunter von Hagens, who founded Body Worlds and created the process that creates the plasticized bodies, told ABC News that he wouldn't use bodies from China anymore.
A company called Corcoran Laboratories based in Traverse City, Michigan is a supplier of cadavers and body organs to one of the "bodies" exhibitors. Corcoran Laboratories has also licensed a company called Eternal Preservation Incorporated to apply the process of plasticization to the embalming of funeral home customers.
Anatomy Pop Quiz: What's the Longest Bone in the Human Body?
The truly remarkable human body has 216 bones, with an incredible range between large structural bones and tiny, delicate bones with specialized functions. So what are the largest (and longest) and smallest bones in the human body?
The largest bone is the thigh bone, the femur. It starts at your pelvis (hip bone), where it connects with a ball-and-socket joint to give your legs the remarkable range of motion, and runs down to your knees, where it connect to the larger of your two lower-leg bones, the tibia.
The smallest bone in the human body is the stirrup bone in your inner ear, which is part of the delicate mechanism that translates sound waves into signals that your brain recognizes as sound.
It really is amazing how all these different anatomical parts function. Unfortunately we usually don't realize how wondrous these parts are until something goes wrong with them.
The largest bone is the thigh bone, the femur. It starts at your pelvis (hip bone), where it connects with a ball-and-socket joint to give your legs the remarkable range of motion, and runs down to your knees, where it connect to the larger of your two lower-leg bones, the tibia.
The smallest bone in the human body is the stirrup bone in your inner ear, which is part of the delicate mechanism that translates sound waves into signals that your brain recognizes as sound.
It really is amazing how all these different anatomical parts function. Unfortunately we usually don't realize how wondrous these parts are until something goes wrong with them.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
CDC: "Choking Game" Is Killing More U.S. Youth
More and more young people in the U.S. are dying of what's called the "choking game," the CDC has reported. Basically the game involves choking another person, or oneself, around the neck to achieve a state of euphoria or giddiness as a result of hypoxia (reduced blood flow to the brain).
The CDC said that between 1995 and 2007, at least 82 American children and adolescents died as a result of playing the choking game. The deaths were of young people between the ages of six and 19; the average of of the victims was a little over 13 years old. More than 95% of the deaths occurred while the victim was alone. The CDC announced the findings in its Feb 15th edition of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
The choking game (which goes by other names including the "pass-out game" and "space monkey") is usually done by choking with the hands, but electric cords or other items can be used.
The CDC reports that between 1995 and 2004 the number of reported deaths from the choking game were no more than three per year. It's thought that the choking game has become more widespread because the Internet makes it easier for young people to learn about it, and to even view YouTube videos of other young people apparently feeling a "high" from doing it.
The choking game is similar to autoerotic asphyxiation, defined by the Columbia University health advice service Go Ask Alice as "cutting off the blood supply to the brain through self-applied suffocation methods while masturbating to orgasm." The site notes that besides the giddiness and lightheadedness of this practice, it can also give the person performing it a sense of danger that can increase his or her sexual pleasure.
The CDC said that between 1995 and 2007, at least 82 American children and adolescents died as a result of playing the choking game. The deaths were of young people between the ages of six and 19; the average of of the victims was a little over 13 years old. More than 95% of the deaths occurred while the victim was alone. The CDC announced the findings in its Feb 15th edition of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
The choking game (which goes by other names including the "pass-out game" and "space monkey") is usually done by choking with the hands, but electric cords or other items can be used.
The CDC reports that between 1995 and 2004 the number of reported deaths from the choking game were no more than three per year. It's thought that the choking game has become more widespread because the Internet makes it easier for young people to learn about it, and to even view YouTube videos of other young people apparently feeling a "high" from doing it.
The choking game is similar to autoerotic asphyxiation, defined by the Columbia University health advice service Go Ask Alice as "cutting off the blood supply to the brain through self-applied suffocation methods while masturbating to orgasm." The site notes that besides the giddiness and lightheadedness of this practice, it can also give the person performing it a sense of danger that can increase his or her sexual pleasure.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Migraine Blog from the New York Times
Migraine headaches are a big concern for many people: they can strike like a bolt out of the blue and cause crippling pain. Worse yet, people who don't have migraines may dismiss them as just everyday headaches and wonder why they are such a "big deal" for sufferers.
The New York Times has now started a blog devoted to migraine headaches, called Migraine: Perspectives on a Headache. Contributors examine migraines from both professional and personal perspectives, seeking to give sufferers medical advice and insights as well as the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others who have migraines.
The New York Times has now started a blog devoted to migraine headaches, called Migraine: Perspectives on a Headache. Contributors examine migraines from both professional and personal perspectives, seeking to give sufferers medical advice and insights as well as the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others who have migraines.
Migraine Blog from the New York Times
Migraine headaches are a big concern for many people: they can strike like a bolt out of the blue and cause crippling pain. Worse yet, people who don't have migraines may dismiss them as just everyday headaches and wonder why they are such a "big deal" for sufferers.
The New York Times has now started a blog devoted to migraine headaches, called Migraine: Perspectives on a Headache. Contributors examine migraines from both professional and personal perspectives, seeking to give sufferers medical advice and insights as well as the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others who have migraines.
The New York Times has now started a blog devoted to migraine headaches, called Migraine: Perspectives on a Headache. Contributors examine migraines from both professional and personal perspectives, seeking to give sufferers medical advice and insights as well as the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others who have migraines.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Neti Pots: WebMD Takes a Look at Their Effectiveness
Nasal irrigation has gotten a lot of press lately as a way to shorten the length of colds, clear up sinus infections, and even eliminate some headaches. The main method of nasal irrigation has been a device called the Neti pot, which looks like a cross between a teapot and an Aladdin's lamp.
WebMD takes a look at the Neti pot to see how effective it really is and how safe it is to use. Overall, the WebMD folks find that the Neti pot is a pretty useful tool, is safe when used properly and kept clean, and is very affordable.
WebMD takes a look at the Neti pot to see how effective it really is and how safe it is to use. Overall, the WebMD folks find that the Neti pot is a pretty useful tool, is safe when used properly and kept clean, and is very affordable.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Transcendental Meditation (TM) - What It Is
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of Transcendental Meditation (TM), died the other day at the age of 91. TM became widely known in the 1960s when the Beatles became followers of the Maharishi, and many ordinary people began using TM over the years. So what exactly is Transcendental Meditation?
The focus of TM is what's called "restful alertness," sitting quietly with the eyes closed for 20 minutes twice a day. The person concentrates on a mantra, a word that they repeat over and over in their minds. The focus of TM is what's called "restful alertness," sitting quietly with the eyes closed for 20 minutes twice a day. The person concentrates on a mantra, a word that they repeat over and over in their minds. (You can learn more at the official Transcendental Meditation Web site.)
Studies have shown meditation to have a variety of benefits, and Transcendental Meditation continues to be practiced by many people today. Transcendental Meditation was even featured on the cover of Time magazine back in 1975, and at the time TM was practiced daily by nearly one million people worldwide, more than half of them in the U.S.
Over the years Transcendental Meditation has attracted many celebrities as practitioners, including Clint Eastwood, Howard Stern, magician Doug Henning, Sheryl Crow, and Sting.
The focus of TM is what's called "restful alertness," sitting quietly with the eyes closed for 20 minutes twice a day. The person concentrates on a mantra, a word that they repeat over and over in their minds. The focus of TM is what's called "restful alertness," sitting quietly with the eyes closed for 20 minutes twice a day. The person concentrates on a mantra, a word that they repeat over and over in their minds. (You can learn more at the official Transcendental Meditation Web site.)
Studies have shown meditation to have a variety of benefits, and Transcendental Meditation continues to be practiced by many people today. Transcendental Meditation was even featured on the cover of Time magazine back in 1975, and at the time TM was practiced daily by nearly one million people worldwide, more than half of them in the U.S.
Over the years Transcendental Meditation has attracted many celebrities as practitioners, including Clint Eastwood, Howard Stern, magician Doug Henning, Sheryl Crow, and Sting.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Studies: Babies Absorb Phthalates from Common Products
There's new concern about the toxins that babies ingest after a new study has suggested that infants can absorb potentially harmful chemicals called phthalates from a variety of products.
The study, reported online today in the journal Pediatrics, indicates that these chemicals can be found in products such as baby lotion, baby powder, and baby shampoo.
The problem may be in the products themselves, and in the containers in which these products are sold. Phthalates are chemicals that are use to make plastic products more flexible, such as to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC) more pliable, and they are also used to stabilize fragrances used in products.
One of the study authors told Reuters Health that there is "a large body of animal studies to suggest developmental and reproductive toxicity (from phthalates) and a few human studies with changes in health outcomes as well."
An article on WebMD tells more about phthalates, and features some health experts weighing in on the issue and how harmful (or not) they may be to babies.
American manufacturers are not required to list phthalate on product labels. The use of some phthalates is restricted in the European Union for children's toys.
The study, reported online today in the journal Pediatrics, indicates that these chemicals can be found in products such as baby lotion, baby powder, and baby shampoo.
The problem may be in the products themselves, and in the containers in which these products are sold. Phthalates are chemicals that are use to make plastic products more flexible, such as to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC) more pliable, and they are also used to stabilize fragrances used in products.
One of the study authors told Reuters Health that there is "a large body of animal studies to suggest developmental and reproductive toxicity (from phthalates) and a few human studies with changes in health outcomes as well."
An article on WebMD tells more about phthalates, and features some health experts weighing in on the issue and how harmful (or not) they may be to babies.
American manufacturers are not required to list phthalate on product labels. The use of some phthalates is restricted in the European Union for children's toys.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
New MDR Staph Infection Spreading in Gay Communities
We've all heard about MRSA, the drug-resistant staph infection that's been found around the U.S., most often in young school athletes, but now there's an even more dangerous spinoff that's been appearing.
As a recent article details, health officials in the U.S. are tracking a new version of the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that is even more drug resistant than MRSA. The new strain, which is called multiple drug resistant staph (MDR staph), has been appearing mostly in gay and bisexual men. The cities where MDR staph has been found most often are San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, and New York.
But health officials are worried that because Staphylococcus aureus infections spread so easily, it will spread to the larger population rather than being limited to the gay community. As the story notes, MDR staph has already been found in an elderly woman in New York City.
As a recent article details, health officials in the U.S. are tracking a new version of the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that is even more drug resistant than MRSA. The new strain, which is called multiple drug resistant staph (MDR staph), has been appearing mostly in gay and bisexual men. The cities where MDR staph has been found most often are San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, and New York.
But health officials are worried that because Staphylococcus aureus infections spread so easily, it will spread to the larger population rather than being limited to the gay community. As the story notes, MDR staph has already been found in an elderly woman in New York City.
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