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Published on Leave a comment on Testing For Syphilis Is Important During Pregnancy

Congenital syphilis rates are rising in the United States. This is when a pregnant woman has syphilis and transmits it to the developing baby (fetus). It results in serious long-term problems for the baby (e.g., stillbirth, deformities, neurological problems, hearing loss) .

Syphilis is an infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum that is treated with antibiotics. Thus congenital syphilis is totally preventable. This is why it is important to do screening and treating for syphilis early in pregnancy.

A study looking at congenital syphilis cases in Mississippi found that cases occur when a pregnant woman doesn't get screened during pregnancy for syphilis, or doesn't receive proper prenatal care. Another risk factor is drug use by the mother. The mother should be screened for syphilis in early pregnancy, and then treated with antibiotics if syphilis is found.

Some states have had a bigger increase than others, especially southwestern and southern states such as Mississippi. It is one of the states that did not require  screening for syphilis in pregnancy, which only became a requirement in Mississippi starting March 2023.

From Medical Xpress: Congenital syphilis rates are soaring, but resources to stem infections are lacking

States are seeing an alarming surge in cases of congenital syphilis, a preventable infection that can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, newborn death—or lifelong complications such as blindness or deafness. ...continue reading "Testing For Syphilis Is Important During Pregnancy"

Published on Leave a comment on Postpartum Depression In New Fathers

A recent small study discussed the issue of postpartum depression in new fathers, and whether all fathers of newborns should be screened for it. Most people know that women can develop postpartum depression, but the possibility that fathers can also have it is rarely discussed.

In this small study conducted in Chicago, they found that 30% of the 24 fathers appeared to have postpartum depression - based on the same screening tool that is commonly used to screen new mothers. Other studies found/estimated that 8 to 13% of new fathers have postpartum depression, but with much higher rates if the new mother has postpartum depression.

Yes - new fathers can be stressed, anxious, worried, depressed, especially if there are financial or other stressors. Lack of sleep and fatigue was a big contributor to symptoms in the study. Pre-existing mental conditions. Problems with the relationship. Lack of paid parental leave. And on and on.

Both new mothers and new fathers need support after the birth of a baby.

From Science Daily: Should fathers be screened for postpartum depression? Pilot study

Dads can suffer from postpartum depression, and a new pilot study at the University of Illinois Chicago suggests they can and should be screened for the condition. Given the intertwined effects of mothers' and fathers' physical and mental health, addressing the health of fathers may be a powerful untapped tool in improving the nation's ongoing maternal health crisis. ...continue reading "Postpartum Depression In New Fathers"

Published on Leave a comment on Buyer Beware When It Comes to “Organic-Based” Lawn Care Services

Buyer beware when it comes to lawn care services. Lately I've been seeing a number of lawn care companies saying they offer "organic-based" or "organic  weed-free lawn care" or "natural lawn care". Nope, nope, nope.

These companies do NOT provide organic lawn care. Instead it's the same old routine of using toxic pesticides disguised with organic, environmentally friendly buzzwords. And yes, these pesticides are harmful to adults, children, pets, wildlife, birds, bees, butterflies, and the environment.

How do you you know that they are not providing organic lawn care?

1) One big tip off is "weed free" lawns. Nope. A real organic lawn has diversity of plants - for example, clover.  Only toxic pesticides can give you the sterile carpet look. Yes, an organic lawn can be lush, beautiful, and green, but it's different than a sterile carpet with only 1 species of grass (a monoculture).

2) Another warning sign is that they routinely apply "preemergent herbicides" (weed-killers). Nope, nope, nope. For example, one popular herbicide used by such companies is 2,4,-D. This was one of the 2 pesticides used in Agent Orange, and yes - it sticks around. Yikes!

3) They use the word "organic-based". They generally use this only when discussing fertilizers. Hah! Talk is cheap. I haven't yet seen evidence of real organic fertilizers being used.

4) They will routinely schedule "insect control" - of course, by using toxic pesticides. If they were real organic, they wouldn't do that - it wouldn't be needed and/or desired.

By the way, pyrethroids are synthetic toxic pesticides - they are NOT from chrysanthemums and have different effects, such as being toxic to bees and butterflies, and with harmful effects on humans, especially children. They are not used in real organic lawn care. ...continue reading "Buyer Beware When It Comes to “Organic-Based” Lawn Care Services"

Published on Leave a comment on Being Physical Fit Is Linked To A Lower Risk of Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke

A recent large study found another great reason for being physically active. The researchers found that physical fitness is linked to  atrial fibrillation (AFib) and stroke.

Atrial fibrillation is a heart rhythm disorder, and having it is linked to a much higher risk of having a stroke. The researchers found that being physically fit (exercise! physical activity!) is linked to lower rates of atrial fibrillation, stroke, and MACE (major adverse cardiovascular events, such as stroke or heart attack leading to death).

There was an eleven year follow up of the approximately 15,450 participants, all of whom did not have atrial fibrillation at the start of the study. The study tested the  physical fitness of the participants (average age 55 years) on an exercise treadmill.

Bottom line: Physical activity and physical fitness are important for reducing the risk of developing heart problems, including atrial fibrillation. Yes, even taking walks (brisk is best) will improve physical fitness.

From Science Daily: Keep fit to avoid heart rhythm disorder and stroke

A study in more than 15,000 people has found that physical fitness is linked with a lower likelihood of developing atrial fibrillation and stroke. The research is presented at ESC Congress 2023.
...continue reading "Being Physical Fit Is Linked To A Lower Risk of Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke"

Published on Leave a comment on Some Cancers In Women Linked to Chemical Exposures

Do you know what chemicals you're exposed to on a daily basis? A recent study found that women with cancers of the breast, uterus, skin (melanoma), or ovaries had significantly higher levels of certain endocrine disrupting chemicals in their bodies than women without any of those cancers.

The researchers looked at levels of some hormone disrupting chemicals: PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), phenols (e.g. BPA), and parabens in both men and women. They found that women had higher levels of endocrine disruptors for 4 types of cancers (breast, uterine, ovarian, and melanoma). However, there was no relationship between the endocrine disruptors and thyroid cancer in men or women, and no relationship in men with prostate cancer.

The reason the researchers looked at breast, prostate, thyroid, ovarian, endometrial, and testicular cancers, and melanoma is because they are "hormone-mediated" cancers. That is, hormones play a role in growth and progression of these cancers.

Bottom line: You cannot totally avoid these chemicals because they are used in so many products, but you can really lower your exposure to them. Read Avoiding Harmful Chemicals for easy tips on reducing your exposure to these harmful chemicals. For example, don't use non-stick pots and pans, don't use plug-in air fresheners, and try to use fragrance-free or unscented products as much as possible. Use paraben and phthalate-free personal care products.

From Medical Xpress: Study finds significant chemical exposures in women with cancer

In a sign that exposure to certain endocrine-disrupting chemicals may be playing a role in cancers of the breast, ovary, skin and uterus, researchers have found that people who developed those cancers have significantly higher levels of these chemicals in their bodies. ...continue reading "Some Cancers In Women Linked to Chemical Exposures"

Published on Leave a comment on The Number of Hairs In Each Nostril

This site spends a lot of time discussing the nasal passages and sinuses. That's why a study focusing on the average number of hairs in the nose drew my attention.

The study won a 2023 Ig Nobel Award in medicine. The Ig Awards are basically a good-natured parody of Nobel prizes, where studies that at first seem silly, but then make you think, win awards.

The University of California researchers used 20 cadavers (10 male and 10 female dead persons) to study whether a person has the same number of hairs in both nostrils.

They carefully counted the number of hairs in each nostril and found that people generally have between 120 and 122 hairs per nostril. [The article is behind a paywall, so I searched and found that one mention of the study said on average there were 120 nose hairs on the left side and 112 on the right side.]

Another finding: the hair grows in the front of the nostril and only grows to a height of 0.81 to 1.035 centimeters.

From Ars Technica: Meet the winners of the 2023 Ig Nobel Prizes

Medicine Prize ...continue reading "The Number of Hairs In Each Nostril"

Published on Leave a comment on Wind From A Fan Can Keep Mosquitoes Away
Mosquito feeding on human. Credit: Wikipedia

Great news! A good chemical-free way to prevent mosquitoes from bothering you when sitting outside is to just set up a fan nearby and turn it on. Mosquitos are weak flyers and this will keep them away.

The head guy in the fight against mosquitos and West Nile Virus in NYC (Dr. Bajwa, a medical entomologist) turns on a pedestal fan when sitting outside his home. No chemicals needed!

Bottom line: Using a fan can ward off mosquitoes. People differ in the types of fans they like to use (oscillating fan, stationary fan, ceiling fan). By the way, a breezy or windy day is also great in keeping mosquitos away.

He has his own method of dealing with mosquitoes. “When I find myself relaxing in my backyard, I always set up a pedestal fan,” he wrote. “Mosquitoes happen to be weak fliers, unable to contend with even a gentle breeze.” When he does get bitten, he added, “I make a conscious effort not to give in to the temptation of scratching.”

The NY Times wrote about this method already back in 2010: The Claim: To Repel Mosquitoes, Use a House Fan ...continue reading "Wind From A Fan Can Keep Mosquitoes Away"

Published on Leave a comment on Study Shows High Levels of Chronic Sinusitis After Sinus Surgery

Over the years I've talked to many people who have had sinus surgeries for chronic sinusitis, many of whom have had more than one surgery. And yet they keep suffering from chronic sinusitis for years . The big question: How many people are actually helped or cured by standard sinus surgery such as FESS (Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery)?

Well, I came across a study from 2016 looking at long-term sinus surgery (FESS) results on 560 adults. Three to 5 years after the FESS surgery, the results were pretty shocking - about 43.7% of persons were still suffering from chronic sinusitis (the researchers called it "uncontrolled"), 36.8% were somewhat better (partly controlled), and only 19.5% were feeling healthy (well controlled). Common sinus symptoms in the "uncontrolled" group were: headache, sleep disturbance, postnasal drip/secretions, and altered sense of smell.

The researchers mentioned another smaller study with similar results that looked at persons 12 years after FESS surgery: 47.4% still had chronic sinusitis (uncontrolled) and only 26.3% were doing well (controlled). They also concluded: "Therefore, better treatment strategies leading to higher disease control are warranted in CRS (chronic rhinosinusitis) care." 

Hello??   Instead of surgery, try focusing on the sinus microbiome by using beneficial bacteria such as L. sakei (in Lanto Sinus, kimchi). Researchers are looking at using beneficial bacteria in the future for sinusitis treatment.

The abstract or study summary from Allergy (the European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology): Real-life study showing uncontrolled rhinosinusitis after sinus surgery in a tertiary referral centre

ABSTRACT: Objectives: To study the degree of CRS control using novel EPOS control criteria at 3–5 years after a functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and correlate these data to symptoms scores. ...continue reading "Study Shows High Levels of Chronic Sinusitis After Sinus Surgery"

Published on Leave a comment on Routine Vaccines Associated With A Reduced Risk of Developing Alzheimer’s Disease

Great news! A recent study found that older adults who get routine vaccinations have a  lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Other studies looking at adults over the age of 60  and routine vaccinations (flu, pneumonia) have had similar findings.

The vaccinations that were looked at in this study were: the shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, and tetanus-diphtheria vaccine. Each of the vaccines lowered the risk of getting AD - the tetanus-diphtheria (Tdap/Td) by 30%, the shingles vaccine by 25%, and the pneumococcal vaccine by 27%. The adults were at least 65 years of age at the start of the study.

Why would vaccines be protective? There  are multiple theories, including that infection may play a role in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and vaccines reduce the risk for infections. Or that vaccines may activate the immune system in such a way that alters the risk for developing AD.

Bottom line: In persons over the age of 60, getting routine adult vaccinations (including the flu vaccine) may lower the risk of developing AD. So simple!

From Medical Xpress: Several vaccines associated with reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease in adults 65 and older

Prior vaccination against tetanus and diphtheria, with or without pertussis (Tdap/Td); herpes zoster (HZ), better known as shingles; and pneumococcus are all associated with a reduced risk for developing Alzheimer's disease, according to new research from UTHealth Houston. ...continue reading "Routine Vaccines Associated With A Reduced Risk of Developing Alzheimer’s Disease"