Health category, Page 114
Health Happenings: Week of Oct. 8
Blood drives • American Red Cross will host a blood drive noon- 4:30 p.m. Oct. 11, Export Italian American Club, 5930 Kennedy Ave. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or redcrossblood.org; walk-ins welcome Classes/programs • WCCC is partnering with APPRISE, the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Assistance Program, to sponsor a free Medicare presentation about the basics...
3 get Nobel Medicine prize for learning how cells use oxygen
LONDON — Two Americans and a British scientist won the 2019 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for discovering how the body’s cells sense and react to oxygen levels, work that has paved the way for new strategies to fight anemia, cancer and other diseases, the Nobel Committee said. Drs....
Clampdown on vaping could send users back toward cigarettes
WASHINGTON — Only two years ago, electronic cigarettes were viewed as a small industry with big potential to improve public health by offering a path to steer millions of smokers away from deadly cigarettes. That promise led U.S. regulators to take a hands-off approach to e-cigarette makers, including a Silicon...
Pennsylvania reports vaping death, investigating injuries
HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Health Department says one person in the state has died from lung injuries associated with vaping and it’s investigating dozens of other suspected or confirmed cases. The state’s health secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine, announced the death Friday and said Pennsylvania has also reported nine confirmed cases...
Maker of shingles vaccine working to overcome shortfall
Kathie Geary waited 10 months for a shingles vaccine. It was five months longer than her husband, who got the in-demand shot series through the VA. “The last time, you could go right in and they had it,” said Geary, 69, of East Deer. “Right now, it doesn’t seem like...
U.S. vaping illnesses top 1,000, death count is up to 18
NEW YORK — The number of vaping-related illnesses has surpassed 1,000, and there’s no sign the outbreak is fading, U.S. health officials said Thursday. Doctors say the illnesses, which first appeared in March, resemble an inhalation injury. Symptoms include severe, shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pain. Most who got...
Twin births in U.S. now going down, at lowest level in decade
Fewer U.S. families are seeing double, according to a government report that finds a drop in new twins. Twin births steadily increased for more than three decades, driven largely by older white moms undergoing fertility treatments. But the rate of twin births apparently peaked in 2014 and has fallen 4%...
Study highlights prevalence of ticks in Pittsburgh parks
Ticks infected with Lyme disease are just as prevalent in Pittsburgh’s city parks as they are in residential or recreational areas outside of the city, according to a study conducted by researchers at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. “The big take-home message is just because you are going out and using...
‘Unprecedented’ demand for shingles vaccine leads to shortage
High demand for the shingles vaccine means Pennsylvanians wanting to protect themselves against the painful, blister-causing virus might have to wait. “The demand has been unprecedented,” said Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and a Pittsburgh-based infectious disease physician. “We want to...
Health Happenings week of Oct. 1
Blood drives • American Red Cross will host a blood drive 12:30-6 p.m. Oct. 9, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 407 Constitution Drive, Hunker. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or redcrossblood.org; walk-ins welcome Classes/programs • WCCC is partnering with APPRISE, the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Assistance Program, to sponsor a free Medicare presentation about the basics...
Mayo Clinic Q&A: Mild hypothyroidism may not need treatment
Dear Mayo Clinic: I recently was diagnosed with mild hypothyroidism that isn’t causing symptoms. My doctor says I don’t need treatment now, but she wants me to come back for regular checkups. Does hypothyroidism usually get worse over time? If it does, how is it treated? Answer: For mild cases...
Quinn on Nutrition: What is A2 milk?
At a recent nutrition seminar, my friend, Kristin (another registered dietitian) and I were intrigued to hear an update about a new product on the market called A2 milk. “My cousin has been intolerant to milk most of her life” she told our group. “But she found she can tolerate...
‘Cooking for One’ teaches grief survivors solo culinary skillsVideo
There are smiles and laughter all around as two dozen people gather to decorate Halloween pumpkins, enjoy fun-size candy bars and prepare and share a meal. The setting may be a bit unusual — the Frank Kapr Funeral Home Family Center in Scottdale. This second session of a new, locally...
How risky is eating red meat? New papers provoke controversy
NEW YORK — Eating red meat is linked to cancer and heart disease, but are the risks big enough to give up burgers and steak? A team of international researchers says probably not, contradicting established advice. In a series of papers published Monday, the researchers say the increased risks are...
Western Pa. health experts alarmed by ‘unacceptable’ rise in maternal deaths
Local doctors say the rising number of maternal deaths in the state is “unacceptable” and “scary,” and they are working to create more comprehensive ways to care for pregnant and postpartum women. According to data from the state Department of Health, an increasing trend in pregnancy-related deaths occurred from 2012-16...
Cape Cod brings back limited-edition chips in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
A popular potato chip company is showing its dedication to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month by returning to a familiar, limited-edition flavor. In a Thursday tweet, Cape Cod Chips reminded us that “October is right around the corner” and the company has brought back the Pink Himalayan Salt & Red...
Health officials: It’s time to give flu vaccine another shot
WASHINGTON— The flu forecast is cloudy and it’s too soon to know if the U.S. is in for a third miserable season in a row, but health officials said Thursday not to delay vaccination. While the vaccine didn’t offer much protection the past two years, specialists have fine-tuned the recipe...
L.A. doctor who performed Ben Roethlisberger’s surgery has Western Pa. roots
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger underwent surgery for an elbow injury in Los Angeles on Monday, but his care was still in the hands of a Steelers Country native. The procedure was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache of the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan Jobe Institute — surgeon to celebrities, professional athletes and a...
Massachusetts temporarily banning sale of vaping products
BOSTON — The governor of Massachusetts is declaring a public health emergency and ordering a four-month ban on the sale of vaping products in the state. Republican Gov. Charlie Baker’s order Tuesday appears to be the first of its kind in the nation. The ban must be approved by a...
Monroeville expo focuses on healing for mind, body, spirit
At least 110 vendors and service providers will participate in the third annual Mind Body Spirit Healing Expo on Sept. 28-29 in the Monroeville Convention Center. Set for 10 a.m.-6 p.m. both days in the center’s south hall, the expo will feature exhibits, mini-lectures, seminars and attractions. Practitioners and vendors...
4 Yough students treated for possible contagious skin infection
Four students in the Yough School District have been treated for possible impetigo since the beginning of the school year, Superintendent Janet Sardon said Tuesday. “The Yough School District takes the health and safety of our students as a top priority,” Sardon said in a statement. Impetigo is a common...
Milk, no sugar: Health groups establish new guidelines for kids drinks
Parents confused about what exactly their young children should be drinking just got help from several large health organizations, which have issued a common set of recommendations. Breast milk or formula, plain cow’s milk and water are encouraged; sweetened drinks — including most plant-based milks — are not. Individual organizations...
Mayo Clinic Q&A: Bone marrow transplants save lives — more donors are needed
Dear Mayo Clinic: Who can be a bone marrow donor? What’s the process for becoming one? Answer: In general, anyone between the ages of 18 and 60 who’s in good health can be a bone marrow donor. To be considered, all you need to do is join the national registry...
Health happenings for the week of Sept. 23
Blood drives • American Red Cross will host these blood drives: — Noon-5:30 p.m., Wednesday , First United Methodist Church of Irwin, 310 Oak St. — 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 2, University of Pittsburgh Smith Hall Lounge, 150 Finoli Drive, Hempfield Appointments: 800-733-2767 or redcrossblood.org; walk-ins welcome Screenings • Excela...
Rare, deadly virus detected in 3 Pennsylvania counties
A rare, potentially deadly virus transmitted by mosquitoes has been confirmed in three Pennsylvania counties. The Pennsylvania departments of health and agriculture issued a warning Saturday after confirming eastern equine encephalitis in Erie, Carbon, and Monroe counties. The virus was found in pheasants, horses and a wild turkey. The virus...
