Day: December 20, 2016

Crumpets from big brands contain ‘alarmingly high’ salt levels, survey finds

Popular brands of crumpets contain “alarmingly high” amounts of salt, with one “giant” version having the equivalent of more than three bags of ready salted crisps, a survey has found. Warburtons’ Giant Crumpets contain twice the concentration of salt per 100g than a Waitrose own-brand version, showing that the content can easily be reduced by manufacturers, Consensus Action on Salt and Health said.

‘Inspirational’ Hampshire teacher reaches fundraising target to fund potentially lifesaving treatment

AN “inspirational” Hampshire teacher who needed to raise thousands of pounds for a lifesaving cancer treatment has reached his target in less than 24 hours thanks to Daily Echo readers. More than 120 donations amounting to more than A 9,800 were made to David Watt’s Just Giving page yesterday helping him reach his A 19,000 target following an appeal printed on the paper’s front page yesterday.

Study compares medications for treatment of persons with recurrent genital herpes

In a study appearing in the December 20 issue of JAMA , Anna Wald, M.D., M.P.H., of the University of Washington & Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, and colleagues compared the medications pritelivir and valacyclovir for reducing genital herpes simplex virus shedding and lesions in persons with recurrent genital herpes. The treatment for genital herpes simplex virus infections relies on the nucleoside analogues acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir administered either for each recurrence or daily to prevent recurrences.

Texas officially kicking Planned Parenthood out of Medicaid

After more than a year of delays , Texas is officially kicking Planned Parenthood out of the state’s Medicaid program. In a move that could affect thousands of low-income women, state health officials on Tuesday delivered a final legal notice to defund the organization from the Medicaid program through which it provides family planning and women’s health services to the poor.

Health care scams to cost Korea big this year

False health insurance claims in South Korea are expected to flirt with 600 billion won this year despite a crackdown on scammers, data showed Wednesday. According to the data by the National Health Insurance Service, medical providers’ false and unfair insurance claims came to 545 billion won in the first 11 months of this year, compared with 594 billion won in 2015.

A fiscal hawk to OMB

President-elect Donald Trump has named Rep. Mick Mulvaney as his director of the Office of Management and Budget, signaling his intent to slash spending and address the deficit as president. Mulvaney, 49, was elected to Congress in 2010 in the wave that brought a cohort of younger, staunchly conservative members into the House.

Use of multiple social media platforms linked to depression, anxiety

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Research on Media, Technology and Health have found that excessive social media use often correlates with an increased risk of depression or anxiety. In a survey of nearly 1,800 adults between the ages of 19 and 32, researchers found that participants who used between seven and 11 social media platforms had substantially higher odds of having increased levels of both depression and anxiety symptoms compared to those that used anywhere from zero to two social media platforms.

Genetic mutation may increase susceptibility to cytomegalovirus infection

Experimenting with human cells and mice, Johns Hopkins researchers have found that a genetic mutation that alters a protein called NOD1 may increase susceptibility to human cytomegalovirus infection. CMV is a common pathogen that infects almost 60 percent of adults in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , and can lead to devastating developmental defects in fetuses and severe disease in people with weakened immune systems.

Good News for Disabled Individuals at the End of 2016

As of December 19, 2016, the two year anniversary of enactment of the federal law that authorized states to create the programs, Virginia’s ABLEnow program has gone live. The program permits eligible disabled individuals to invest up to $14,000 a year without endangering their Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income benefits.

The Most Expensive Drugs of 2016

Prescription drug prices have gotten out of control for many Americans and many insurers, with some medications costing as much as premium sports cars, according to health-care investments analyst Keith Speights, writing for The Motley Fool. Speights recently reviewed the five most expensive drugs of 2016.

Lsu LB Kendell Beckwith recovering from torn Acl suffered in November

LSU Tigers linebacker Kendell Beckwith walks off the field after being check on by trainers during first half action against the Florida Gators in Baton Rouge on Saturday, November 19, 2016. (Photo by Brett Duke, Nola.com LSU senior linebacker Kendell Beckwith limped off the field in his final game at Tiger Stadium when he suffered a knee injury against Florida on Nov. 19. Now, the severity of the injury is known as Beckwith tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Semicolon tattoos offer a way to raise awareness of suicide

For the fourth time over the last year, a local tattoo artist has volunteered his services to raise money for a local organization dedicated to reducing the risk of suicide. Throughout the month of December, Rich Nelson of A Thin Line Tattoo shop in Batavia will donate the money raised through the creation of semicolon tattoos.

Routine Testing for Genital Herpes of Little Benefit: U.S. Experts

Routine blood test screening for genital herpes is not recommended for teens and adults — including pregnant women — who don’t have any signs or symptoms of the sexually transmitted disease , a panel of U.S. health care experts says. After reviewing available evidence, the group concluded that the potential harms of screening outweigh the benefits.

New Study Finds Patients With Female Doctors Live Longer

Here’s yet another reason we need more female doctors in this country-according to a new study from the Journal of the American Medical Association- Internal Medicine , Medicare patients aged 65 and older treated by female doctors are less likely to die or be readmitted to the hospital than patients treated by male doctors. The researchers found that female and male doctors actually approach practicing medicine differently.

Blackhawks’ goalie Crawford hopes to play Friday

Before going to bed in a Philadelphia hotel room on Dec. 2, Corey Crawford felt like he was coming down with the flu. When he woke up the next morning, though, team trainer Mike Gapski and Dr. Michael Terry quickly deduced something more serious was happening to the Blackhawks’ starting goalie, and they rushed him to a nearby hospital.

Trump immigration plan could cost the U.S. billions

President-elect Donald Trump’s vow to overturn an executive order that provides temporary protection from deportation to undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children could cost the country tens of billions of dollars, a new study finds. Put in place by President Obama six years ago, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program has helped hundreds of thousands of young people – known as the DREAMers – come out from the shadows and get valid driver’s licenses, enroll in college and legally secure jobs.