One competitive eater even found that after a while, his stomach would not register being “full” when he ate normally. This condition, called peristalsis, means that the stomach is not contracting. Despite the health risks, however, many speed eaters look back on their “reign” fondly.

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Post from: Blisstree

Health Risks of Speed Eating

They tested their technique on cardiac patients who, with any other hospital, would most likely die. The results were amazing, with an 80% survival rate. However, patients needed very quick treatment in order to be revived. Treatment consisted of:

• Prompt CPR — rhythmic chest compressions — to maintain blood pressure until the patient gets to a hospital.
• Use of a heart-lung machine to keep blood and oxygen moving through the body while doctors remedy what caused the heart to quiver or stop in the first place, such as a drug overdose or a clogged artery.
• Special procedures and medicines to gradually restore blood and oxygen flow, so a sudden gush does not cause fresh damage.
  This new method of revival is greatly extending the timeframe when someone thought to be dead could be brought back.

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Bringing Patients Back to Life

One problem with these medications is that they seem to have an adverse effect on some people who take them and these can be quite serious. According to a press release issued by the FDA:

These symptoms include changes in behavior, hostility, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal thoughts and behavior, and attempted suicide.

Now, the FDA has told the manufacturers that they must add new warnings, called Box Warning and develop patient medication guides that outline these risks.

Here is more from the release:

Healthcare professionals should advise patients to stop taking varenicline or bupropion and contact a healthcare provider immediately if they experience agitation, depressed mood, and any changes in behavior that are not typical of nicotine withdrawal, or if they experience suicidal thoughts or behavior.

If you take any of these medications and you have any concerns, please speak with your doctor.

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FDA Warning: Smoking Cessation Meds

The reason for this check is the doctors are looking for hip dysplasia , an abnormality of the hips where the joint doesn’t work properly and can easily slip out of place and become dislocated. Serious cases are usually noticed but some babies don’t have an obvious case and may get missed.

It may not seem to be a serious thing if the hip isn’t hurting and the baby begins to walk on time so the first reaction may be, why does it matter if it’s not found. The issue isn’t so much the here and now, but as the child grows and develops into adulthood. Studies have shown that children with hip dysplasia have a higher rate of developing arthritis in the hip when they’re young adults.

Arthritis in the hip can be extremely painful and debilitating, causing a drastic drop in quality of life and ability to earn money, if not treatable.

For this reason, studies are being done about the importance and effectiveness of screening, with the latest one the July 2009 issue of The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS). The researchers found that screening all infants for hip dysplasia can significantly decrease their chance of developing early arthritis.

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Screening Infants For Hip Problems

Under the new healthcare legislation that is being considered, “lawmakers have proposed mandating that all but small employers provide insurance for workers or help pay for” the 46 million uninsured people in the U.S.

I have to wonder if other firms will follow this lead, and vocally support employer mandated healthcare like Wal-Mart?

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Wal-Mart Backs Employer Health Ins.

There are many types of over-the-counter pain relievers available to the consumer, namely acetaminophen, ibuprofen (Advil) and ASA (Aspirin). And, for many people, they’re very effective. The problem is, who is monitoring how much of these medications they take and how often?

It must be safe!

“I can buy it off the shelf, it’s got to be safe.” Sound familiar? That’s the way many people think about medications they can just walk in and buy. That’s not always the case. Yes, the medication itself is usually safe for most people if taken in the right way, but that leaves a lot of “ifs” in there, doesn’t it?

A major problem with drugs like Tylenol is the damage they can do to your liver. This is why there are warnings on the labels not to take more than a certain amount over a certain time period. A warning that is easy to ignore.

What can happen?

Liver failure is what can happen. Overdosing on acetaminophen can result in your liver shutting down. Once the liver stops working, it generally doesnt’ begin again. This means, if you’re lucky, you’ll be a candidate for a liver transplant. If you’re not, you may die.

But the FDA said it’s safe.

It is safe - within those parameters. But, now, even an FDA panel is taking another look at the recommended maximum doses of acetaminophen. This is the result of thousands of cases of liver failure every year, and up to 200 deaths. They are recommending that the FDA lower the recommended daily doses.

What about other medications with acetaminophen?

There lies the rub. Other medications, namely cough and cold medicines, and flu medicines contain some amount of acetaminophen. What often happens is people take one of these medications and then a short while later, a Tylenol for a headache or for added relief. This is one of the most common ways of getting too much acetaminophen in your body.

What can we do?

Read labels. Read what is in them and how much you are allowed to take per day. Don’t go over that. Take into account the other medications you’re using. And, if the problem for which you’re aking the acetaminophen isn’t going away, you may consider trying another type or you should speak with your doctor.

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Tylenol: How Much Is Too Much?

Researchers were puzzled too, so they undertook a study to find out. According to a press release issued by the Mayo Clinic:

“Celiac disease has become much more common in the last 50 years, and we don’t know why,” says Joseph Murray, M.D., the Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist who led the study. “It now affects about one in a hundred people. We also have shown that undiagnosed or ’silent’ celiac disease may have a significant impact on survival. The increasing prevalence, combined with the mortality impact, suggests celiac disease could be a significant public health issue.”

People with celiac disease are unable to process gluten , a substance found in many foods, and this results in the body being unable to absorb necessary nutrients. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, and barley.

In an average kitchen, it’s not hard to find something with gluten in it, as you find it in breads, cereals, pastas, cookies, and even some types of medications and candies. Gluten is, quite literally, everywhere.

There’s no cure for celiac disease, nor is there a treatment. The only thing someone with the disease can do is to avoid all gluten. However, and this is something that many people don’t understand, this inability to tolerate gluten isn’t a mere inconvenience that allows you to cheat once in a while. Every time someone with celiac disease consumes gluten, more damage is done to the intestine. Many people with untreated celiac disease develop intestinal cancer.

Here are some links - in addition to the one above - to help you learn more:

American Celiac Disease Alliance

Celiac Disease Foundation

Celiac Sprue Association/USA Inc.

Gluten Intolerance Group of North America

National Foundation for Celiac Awareness

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Celiac Disease Becoming More Common

There is even a barter association to help with trade. Say, if you have something to barter that your doctor or dentist doesn’t need, you can still use barter as a form of payment. The association helps bridge the gap in finding another person to barter with in between. One such organization, Florida Barter, said they “saw $3 million in healthcare bartering in 2008″ and expects that to rise to $4.5 million this year.

Wonder if my doctor could use some blogging services?

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Bartering With Your Doctor

The reasons why someone would need to come back days or weeks later for the same condition can vary. We’ve all seen someone sent home from the hospital far too early. Add that to poor communication with health care staff and “trouble getting a prompt doctor’s appointment after discharge” and you’ve got a lot of patients in need of additional care.

How to correct this? One suggestion has been a pay system that rewards quality. When patients are treated as they should be and get the information they need before they leave the hospital, doctors are rewarded. One thing is sure, as the health care debate continues, readmissions will have to be addressed.

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Reducing Hospital Readmissions

The kits will help “integrate healthy eating and activity into daycare settings for preschool children.” If anyone can do it, the people at Sesame Street surely can. If healthy eating becomes a part of children’s everyday lives at a very young age, it will be easier for them to maintain a good diet as they get older.

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Sesame Street Teaches Good Health