Health News

Hope everyone has a s safe and happy 4th of July….and for those of you who aren’t in the U.S……have a great Saturday!!! Anyone who’s working…enjoy the holiday with your patients.

Here’s a unique way to diagnose a car’s problems.

FDA advisers have recommended lowering the maximum dose of over-the-counter acetaminophen -- the key ingredient in Tylenol, Excedrin and many other pain-killing medications.

The advisers' vote followed the release of a report last month which found that severe liver damage and even death can result from a lack of consumer awareness that acetaminophen can cause such injury.

Many people may take more than the recommended dose of acetaminophen-based pain relievers in the mistaken belief that taking more will be more effective without posing health risks. And consumers may also not know that acetaminophen is present in many over-the-counter products, including remedies for colds, headaches and fevers, making it possible to exceed the recommended acetaminophen dose accidentally.

With the memory of the melamine pet food scare still fresh in the minds of many, the Environmental Working Group is publicizing a new threat: potentially toxic doses of fluoride in dog food.

An EWG analysis found troubling levels of fluoride in 8 of 10 dog foods tested. The concentration of fluoride was up to 2.5 times higher than the safe level the EPA sets for drinking water. Some puppies may be exposed to five times this limit.

The fluoride in dog foods originates in bone meal and animal by-products. EWG recommends choosing dog food brands free of bone meal and meat by-product ingredients like chicken by-product meal, poultry by-product meal, chicken meal and beef meal.

According to experts, about 70 percent of women experience hot flashes, weight gain, loss of libido and other symptoms as they enter menopause and their hormone levels fluctuate sharply.

Gynecologists estimate that a third of women seeking treatment for menopausal symptoms are on conventional prescription hormones. Another third are on prescription bio-identical therapy. The remaining third either tough it out or are searching for other remedies, including natural supplements. They may try, for example, a supplement of phytoestrogens derived from soy and red clover, or black cohosh capsules.

In 2002, a study suggested that women on conventional hormone therapy were at greater risk for heart disease, cancer, stroke and blood clotting. As a result, the market for alternative treatments has soared, and there are now more than 500 products that aim to relieve symptoms associated with menopause, including capsules, tablets, teas, gels and creams.