Hunters encouraged to follow some health safety tips

Deer hunting season has arrived and with that thousands of hunters are headed to the woods to get the biggest buck they can find. But before the big day, the American Heart Association encourages hunters to be heart smart. If last year’s hunting season was the last time you’ve exercised, you may be putting yourself at risk of a heart attack.

An American Heart Association study compared the heart’s workload of an individual deer hunting to that of the same individual exercising on a treadmill and discovered that deer hunting places the heart under more strain. Therefore, hunters need to be heart smart.

Preparing early not only helps with physical fitness come deer season, but also with overall general health. Studies show that being physically fit lowers heart disease risk even in people who have other risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol. The American Heart Association has several online tools that can help with your conditioning. First visit www.mylifecheck.org to find out your heart score before you head to the woods.

“Hunting puts strain on your body, so you need to be prepared and know what your body can handle,” stated Dr. Scott Martin, cardiologist at Covenant HealthCare in Saginaw. “Hunters can easily carry 50 pounds worth of gear, put that on top of a big buck and you can end up carrying a few hundred pounds out of the woods. If your body isn’t ready for that, you’re putting it under serious strain.”

Lane Walker, an elementary principal and author of Hometown-Hunters books, is an American Heart Association volunteer and an avid outdoorsman. “Every year I take the time to make sure my bow and gun is ready, but I never thought about my heart being ready for the hunt.”

Most hunters don’t think about their heart health before heading to the woods. After all, according to the American Heart Association majority of adults believe they are in better health than they actually are. In fact, less than 1 percent of American adults have an ideal health profile.

This was true for Walker also. After taking the My Life Check quiz he found his score was lower than he wanted so he started making changes. More walks in the woods with his three little girls and a little less sugar. “Although hunting is my passion, making sure I come back home is the most important thing obviously. A few more walks and a few less calories are some easy changes that can make a big difference.”

Other differences you can make to be sure your heart is ready for the hunt include:

• Visit your doctor before opening day to get a clean bill of health
• Cut out that heavy breakfast before heading out into the woods
• Avoid hunting alone
• Bring a cell phone to reach emergency services if needed
• Tell friends or family your location and scheduled return
• Also, make sensible plans for moving any game taken. Get help from friends and family members to haul in your trophy buck.

Warning signs of a heart attack are:

• an uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing,
• pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back again.
• pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck and arms and is often accompanied by lightheadedness, sweating, nausea  and shortness of breath.

Stroke signs include:

• a sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg
• sudden dizziness and loss of coordination
• slurred speech
• severe headache

Both heart attack and stroke are medical emergencies and 911 needs to be accessed immediately. Remember part of your hunter safety includes being heart smart. For more information on cardiovascular disease visit www.heart.org.

How to make it work for you

(ARA) – They never counted calories, but they ate flavorful, satisfying food and drank wine with lunches and dinners. The people in countries bordering the Mediterranean have historically been known as some of the healthiest, fittest people in the world. Their diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, wholesome whole grains, and fish and lean meats has long been hailed by nutritionists and health experts as a reliable recipe for weight control and better health.

If you need further evidence of the health value of the Mediterranean Diet, consider a recent NPR report on the growth of the obesity epidemic worldwide. In that report, a professor of pediatrics and nutrition at the University of Verona linked the growth of obesity in Italy with the trend away from a traditional Mediterranean diet and toward a more American one.

“The good news is the traditional Mediterranean Diet is one of the healthiest lifestyles in the world and eating this way is not only enjoyable but it is affordable, delicious and easy to do,” says Sara Baer-Sinnott of Oldways, a nonprofit organization that promotes healthy eating and drinking, and hosts National Mediterranean Diet Month each year in May. “It’s appropriate for all ages, incorporates familiar foods and tastes great.”

You can easily find the essential ingredients for following a Mediterranean Diet in your neighborhood supermarket. With some simple planning and a few lifestyle adjustments, it’s possible to feed your entire family delicious food that is healthy and affordable.

First, look to the Mediterranean Diet pyramid as a guide. It places exercise, activity and communal dining at its base, as a reminder that this is not just a diet. The pyramid also recommends incorporating vegetables, whole grains and fruit in every meal, fish at least twice a week, moderate portions of lean meat and dairy, wine in moderation, and red meat and sweets less often.

The food and nutrition experts at Oldways also recommend eight steps for adopting the Mediterranean Diet as your new healthy lifestyle:

1. Eat lots of vegetables. Think beyond just raw veggies and some dip. You can find many flavorful, creative ways to incorporate vegetables into your diet, from a plate of sliced tomatoes drizzled lightly with olive oil and crumbled feta cheese to a medley of grilled or oven-roasted vegetables. Strive to fill half your plate with vegetables at lunch and dinner.

2. Change your perspective on meat. If you eat meat, consume smaller amounts of 3 ounces or less. Instead of having a steak or a whole chicken breast, incorporate your lean meat selection into another dish, such as small strips of sirloin in a vegetable saute, or diced prosciutto as a garnish for a dish of pasta.

3. Never skip breakfast, and make your first meal of the day one that emphasizes fiber-rich foods like fruit or whole grains. High-fiber foods will help you feel fuller for longer. Try layering granola, yogurt and fruit in a parfait, or mash half an avocado with a fork and spread it atop a slice of whole grain toast.

4. Savor seafood twice a week. Not only is fish a naturally lean protein source, the fats that it does have are the good ones – omega-3 fatty acids. This type of fat, found in shellfish, tuna and salmon, has been linked to brain and heart health.

5. Go meatless one night a week. Instead of a meal with meat, build a meal around beans, whole grains and veggies flavored with fragrant herbs and spices. When one night a week feels comfortable, add a second night.

6. Don’t turn your back on fat entirely. Instead, emphasize “good” fats. Healthy fats can be found in extra-virgin olive oil, nuts, peanuts, sunflower seeds, olives, avocados and fish. Include these sources in daily meals.

7. Include lean dairy products like Greek or plain yogurt, which are high in protein and lower in fat, skim milk and small amounts of a variety of cheeses.

8. Don’t give up dessert; eat fruit like figs, oranges, grapes, apples or pomegranates. Instead of daily ice cream or cookies, save sweets for a special treat or celebration.

“The healthy Mediterranean Diet and its lifestyle practices reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes,” Baer-Sinnott says. “The foods that are the foundation of this lifestyle can boost the health and brainpower of everyone, from infants to the elderly.”

You can learn more about Oldways, the Mediterranean Diet and download a pdf brochure at http://oldwayspt.org/resources/mediterranean-diet-101-brochure. Try this delicious recipe for a taste of the Mediterranean lifestyle:

Penne with Pesto and Cherry Tomatoes

Ingredients:

1 pound cherry tomatoes

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

8 ounces whole wheat penne pasta

2 tablespoons pesto

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions:

Cut the tomatoes into halves and put them in a glass or stainless steel bowl. Add the olive oil and 1 teaspoon of salt. Toss, cover and leave at room temperature for several hours or overnight, tossing once or twice.

When you’re ready to eat, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to the package directions. Drain and return the hot pasta to the pan along with the tomatoes, their juice and the pesto.

Toss. Season with freshly ground pepper and serve hot or at room temperature.

If you have some fresh local tomatoes, by all means use about three or four to make the sauce. But the new cherry tomato varieties, including colorful heirlooms and yellow pear, provide plenty of flavor. Substitute a half cup each of chopped fresh basil and Parmesan cheese for the pesto. Serves four.

Patient educates peers on taking control of the disease

On September 17 and 18, Spectrum Health United and Kelsey Hospitals will offer complimentary diabetes education for community members who struggle with diabetes or have a loved one who does. Real-life diabetes patient Lynda Sardeson will share diabetes self-management and lifestyle strategies based on extensive training and her personal experience living with diabetes.

Lynda is a member of the A1C Champions® Program, supported by Sanofi, a patient led approach to diabetes education. A1C Champions® know first-hand the challenges and obstacles to maintaining control of their diabetes.

The community is welcome to attend one of two educational sessions:

Monday, September 17, 6-7 p.m., Spectrum Health Kelsey Hospital, Community Classroom at 418 Washington Ave, Lakeview, MI 48850.

Tuesday, September 18, 4-5 p.m., Spectrum Health United Lifestyles, 407 S. Nelson St., Greenville, MI 48838.

The presentation will cover topic such as:

•  Achieving good glucose control
• Learning about effective self-management
• Developing a balanced, healthy lifestyle
• Planning and prioritizing diabetes management
• Overcoming fears surrounding diabetes
• Finding resources for diabetes support

Diabetes is a chronic, widespread condition characterized by high blood sugar in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, the hormone needed to transport glucose (sugar) from the blood into the cells of the body for energy. It is estimated that that nearly 26 million people in the United States have diabetes, including an estimated 7 million who remain undiagnosed. At the same time, about 40 percent of those diagnosed with diabetes did not achieve the blood sugar control target of A1C <7 percent recommended by the American Diabetes Association The A1C test measures average blood glucose levels over the past two-to-three-month period.

These events are free, but registration is encouraged. To register or receive more information, contact Bobbi Jo Kieff at 616-754-6185 x7044 or bobbi.kieff@spectrumhealth.org.

Blocking harmful UV rays with window film

While it’s understood that taking sun safety precautions is important outside, few people realize they can sustain sun damage indoors, too. While both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from the sun can harm the skin and lead to skin cancers, UVB is effectively blocked by glass. However, at least 50 percent of UVA rays can pass through windows. Window film is an increasingly effective solution, offering substantial indoor protection by blocking up to 99.9 percent of UVA radiation. Although they are less intense than UVB, UVA rays are 30 to 50 times more prevalent and are present with relatively equal intensity during all daylight hours throughout the year. Window film can help prevent harmful UVA rays from damaging both your skin and your belongings.

“To see the damage that untreated glass can do, take a close look at the furnishings in your home that are hit by direct sunlight,” says Perry Robins, MD, President of The Skin Cancer Foundation. “If the sun has faded the color of your sofa, it can just as easily damage your skin when you sit there.”

Available in varied tints, residential and commercial window films can also cut down glare by more than half while allowing 30-80 percent of visible light to get through, depending on the customer’s needs. The benefits of installing window film go beyond protecting one’s skin and household items, as it also can reduce energy costs. In hot weather, window film cuts down heat within the home and in cold weather it reflects interior heat back into the home. Additionally, some new types of “safety” film help hold residential and commercial glass in place if shattered. Several times thicker than the standard sun-protective film, it can greatly reduce the chances of break-ins, property damage, and even personal injury that can result from broken glass.

The Skin Cancer Foundation has awarded its Seal of Recommendation to window films manufactured by several different brands. A complete list of products can be found at www.skincancer.org/seal.

About 85 percent of melanomas and 90 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to UV radiation. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that everyone adopt a complete year-round sun protection regimen that includes seeking shade, covering up with clothing, wearing a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses, and using broad spectrum sunscreen every day. For a complete list of skin cancer prevention guidelines, please visit www.skincancer.org.

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) announced last week that the first case of variant H3N2 influenza infection in Michigan has been reported in a Washtenaw County child. State laboratory results indicate the child has tested positive for influenza A (H3N2) variant, or H3N2v. The child, who had recent exposure to swine at the Ingham County Fair, experienced mild illness and was not hospitalized. The state laboratory results will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for confirmatory testing. MDCH is working with local health departments to identify any other potential cases.

“While this strain of flu is new to Michigan, it’s important that people remember the common-sense, simple steps that can be taken to protect their health as we would with any flu season,” said Dr. Dean Sienko, Interim Chief Medical Executive of the MDCH. “Washing your hands, covering your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough, and staying home when you feel sick are some of the best ways to protect yourself and others from becoming ill.”

“This is not a food safety issue as influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You cannot get influenza from eating pork or pork products,” said Dr. Nancy Frank, Assistant State Veternarian, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).

Michigan joins the national investigation of recent H3N2v cases. On Aug. 10, the CDC announced 153 cases of H3N2v infection had been reported in the United States since July 12. Cases have been reported in Hawaii, Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois. Most cases have occurred in children, have been mild and not required treatment, and have resolved on their own. MDCH and MDARD recommend anyone experiencing flu symptoms who had recent exposure to swine visit their health care provider and tell them about this exposure.

Nationally, all identified H3N2v illnesses have been similar to that of seasonal influenza. Certain people are at greater risk of serious flu-related complications, including young children, elderly persons, pregnant women, and people with certain long-term medical conditions, which is true of both seasonal influenza and variant influenza infections.

Most human infections with H3N2v have occurred following direct contact with pigs. As a precaution, MDARD has been notifying swine exhibitors, fairs, and veterinarians of proper safety measures to prevent spreading illnesses.

“Throughout this fair season, MDARD has continued to stress the importance of implementing stringent bio-security practices to reduce exposure to animal diseases, especially those that might impact people,” said Dr. Frank. “Swine owners, fairs showing livestock or exhibits featuring animals need to be diligent about their livestock and contact their veterinarian if animals become ill or exhibit signs of illness.”

There are steps that can be taken to prevent the spread of influenza between people and pigs:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and running water before and after exposure to animals.

• Never eat, drink, or put things in your mouth while in animal areas, and don’t take food or drink into animal areas.

• Children younger than 5, people 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic medical conditions (such as, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems, and neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions) are at high risk for serious complications if they get influenza. People with these risk factors should consider avoiding exposure to pigs and swine barns this summer, especially if sick pigs have been identified.

• If you have animals – including swine – watch them for signs of illness, and call a veterinarian if you suspect they might be sick.

For more information about the investigation and H3N2v, please visit the CDC’s website at http://www..cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/influenza-variant-viruses-h3n2v.htm

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has been investigating the employment history of a hepatitis C-positive healthcare worker who was arrested recently in New Hampshire for allegedly obtaining injectable narcotics and infecting patients with the hepatitis C virus.

Hepatitis C is a bloodborne viral infection, estimated to infect 1.6 percent of the U.S. population. It can cause inflammation of the liver that may lead to chronic health issues. Most infected individuals do not know they have the virus because hepatitis C can damage the liver for many years with few noticeable symptoms.

MDCH has confirmed that this individual previously worked in at least six Michigan facilities from 2003-2007 and is known to have been infected with hepatitis C since at least June 2010. The investigation has not uncovered evidence that the individual was infected with hepatitis C while employed at any Michigan facility. A negative hepatitis C test result at one hospital during his employment allows MDCH to exclude two hospitals from further examination, as there was no risk posed by this individual to patients at these facilities.

MDCH recommends that all individuals with known risk factors for hepatitis C virus be tested. If you were a patient at one or more of the facilities listed below during the identified time periods and you received an injectable narcotic, you may have a risk factor of which you were previously unaware. You should consult the facility contact identified below and/or your primary care provider regarding hepatitis C testing. While the receipt of an injectable narcotic at these facilities during these time frames may represent a possible increased risk for hepatitis C for patients, it is clearly not the only risk. If you do not know if an injectable narcotic was administered to you, contact the facility to find out more information. While this testing is important, it need not be considered an emergency procedure.

“Hepatitis C is a chronic condition that can damage the liver for many years without noticeable symptoms,” said Dean Sienko, Interim Chief Medical Executive of the MDCH. “Our goal of recommending testing is to ensure the appropriate use of the modern medicine now available to prevent deaths from hepatitis. In order to help potentially affected individuals, we are asking patients to get tested to protect their health.”
Due to the length of time since potential exposure as well as the prevalence of the disease in the general population, a positive test result for patients of the facilities named below may not conclusively prove that hepatitis C was acquired from the individual currently under investigation at these facilities.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 2 million U.S. citizens born from 1945 through 1965 have been infected with the virus and is currently recommending testing for everyone born in that time frame. Hepatitis C can be detected with blood tests and treated with antiviral medications.

Identified Michigan hospitals, dates of interest, and facility contact information:
Hospital Name Dates of Interest Facility Contact Information

Sinai Grace Hospital* June-October 2005 1-888-300-3627 or www.dmc.org/mdch
Harper Hospital** October 2005-September 2006 1-888-300-3627 or www.dmc.org/mdch

University of Michigan Hospital (Main Campus) September 11-December 8, 2006 1-877-233-4040

Oakwood Annapolis Hospital January 15-September 15, 2007 1-734-467-4111

*Patients who underwent procedures in interventional radiology that required intravenous narcotics

**Patients who underwent procedures in the cardiac catheterization laboratory
Because this is an ongoing investigation, MDCH will continue to identify past employment history and work with all identified facilities in Michigan as well as the CDC. The MDCH will provide any updates to this information as it becomes available. For questions and information about hepatitis C, please visit the MDCH website at www.michigan.gov/hivstd or the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/hepatitis.

Confirmed case in Oakland County

The West Michigan area received some significant rainfall in certain areas last week (including Grand Rapids and Sparta). The rain provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and that, coupled with the fact that there was a confirmed case of the virus in Michigan two weeks ago, prompted the Kent County Health Department to issue a reminder warning to protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes are known to spread the West Nile Virus. Photo courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.

State officials say the hot, dry spring and summer allowed mosquitoes carrying the West Nile to hatch early. West Nile can cause a variety of symptoms, from mild aches and a fever to potentially fatal conditions, such as meningitis and encephalitis.
Michigan health officials announced that a man from Oakland County was diagnosed as the state’s first human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) for the year. The Michigan Department of Community Health says the 44-year-old man required hospitalization, but is now at home recovering.

Two counties on the east side of Michigan reported WNV activity in earlier this month. The Saginaw County Mosquito Abatement Commission tested a mosquito pool, and found the population was positive for WNV. In Washtenaw County, a wild turkey displaying signs of WNV tested positive for the virus at Michigan State University.
The months of August and September are when most human cases of West Nile Virus occur in Michigan. The end of summer is when mosquitoes are older and more likely to carry the virus. The types of mosquitoes that transmit the virus bite during evening and nighttime hours.

Most people bitten by a WNV infected mosquito show no symptoms of illness. However, some become sick three to 15 days after exposure.

About one-in-five infected persons will have mild illness with fever. About one in 150 infected people will become severely ill. Symptoms of encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis (inflammation of the spinal cord and brain linings) include stiff neck, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, muscle weakness, convulsions and paralysis. Physicians are urged to test patients for WNV if they present with fever and signs of meningitis or encephalitis, or sudden painless paralysis in the absence of stroke in the summer months.

“Take a few minutes before you and your family go outdoors to make sure you are protected,” said Cathy Raevsky, the Administrative Health Officer for the Kent County Health Department. “While most people bit by mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus never show any symptoms, the disease can have severe complications in people over the age of 50 or who are already suffering from other medical conditions.”

The Kent County Health Department recommends using insect repellent when outdoors. Apply repellent to clothing and exposed skin, and follow directions on the product label. Don’t apply repellent under clothing, or on cuts, wounds or irritated skin. You should not apply repellent around the eyes or mouth, and if using spray, apply spray to your hands first, and then apply to face.

Repellent should not be used on infants under 2 months old at all. KCHD recommends putting netting over the infant’s stroller. DEET-containing products should be avoided for children 24 months of age or younger, and those containing oil of lemon eucalyptus should not to be used on children under three years of age. When using repellent on children, put it on your hands first, then on the child. Children tend to put their hands in or near their mouths, so don’t apply repellent to a child’s hands. After you get back indoors, wash off the repellent with soap and water, and wash treated clothing before wearing it again.

WNV caused 34 serious illnesses and two fatalities in Michigan last year, and was to blame for 34 deaths nationwide. For more information, the Michigan West Nile Virus website (www.michigan.gov/westnilevirus) includes more about transmission, symptoms and prevention.

Take the following steps to avoid WNV: 

• Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitoes out of buildings.
• Empty water from mosquito breeding sites such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires or similar sites where mosquitoes lay eggs.
• Avoid being outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear light colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.
• Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, or other EPA approved repellent to exposed skin or clothing, always following the

By Kevin Ronneberg, M.D.

The dog days of summer are here, and it’s critical for beachgoers and outdoor fun-seekers to be sun-safe.
This begins with choosing the right sunscreen to protect yourself from harmful UV rays. Equally important are these five simple tips from the Skin Cancer Foundation, which also will help you mitigate sun damage and reduce the risk of skin cancer.

First, seek the shade. Simply minimizing exposure to UVA and UVB rays can go a long way toward protecting your skin. Taking a break from direct sun is especially important between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when rays are strongest. And remember, clouds don’t block UV rays.
Infants under 6 months should always be kept out of the sun and protected with clothing, an umbrella or a stroller hood. Children and adults should wear protective clothing, including wide-brimmed hats and UV-blocking sunglasses.

Second, use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. Regardless of the season, this kind of sun protection should be used on a daily basis. Most people understand the importance of sun safety during the summer months, but many underestimate the need for year-round protection. The temperature may drop, but UV rays remains strong. And the cooler temperatures may actually prevent people from realizing the extent of the damage the sun is doing to their skin. Next year, new regulations from the Food and Drug Administration will help consumers know they’re getting the right protection by prohibiting manufactures from labeling their sunscreens as “broad spectrum” or making claims about protecting against skin cancer and aging unless they’re SPF 15 or higher. And sunscreens with lower SPF values will have to sport a warning that the product may not offer protection against the harmful effects of exposure to the sun.

Third, apply 1 ounce of sunscreen to the entire body 30 minutes before going outside. 
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, for full SPF protection, sunscreen must be applied half an hour before sun exposure. If you are average size, you’ll need a full ounce—about two tablespoons—to adequately cover your skin. Studies show that most people apply less than half that amount, losing the full benefit of the SPF protection. 
Reapplication is just as important as putting sunscreen on in the first place, as sunscreens tend to break down with exposure and can be rubbed off or washed off by sweat or water. So sunscreen should be applied every two hours, and immediately after swimming or a set of tennis. During a full day at the beach, one person should expect to use at least a quarter of an 8 oz. bottle of sunscreen.

Fourth, do not let yourself burn. Sunburn is the most immediate and obvious sign of UV damage. When immune cells race to the injured skin site to start healing the damage, they produce the reddening and swelling. Tanning is the skin’s response to this damage and may permanently affect skin cells. While many believe a “base tan” will prevent damaging burns, that’s not the case. There is no such thing as a healthy or base tan.
Finally, check your skin regularly and ask your doctor for a skin cancer exam annually. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer. Tans and burns can be the first step. Intermittent but intense UV exposure is more closely associated with melanoma, the most deadly variety of skin cancer, than chronic sun exposure. One blistering sunburn in childhood or five in a lifetime doubles the risk of melanoma. To check yourself for signs of skin damage, inspect your skin from head to toe, looking for spots or sores that heal too slowly, new growths, and any moles or beauty marks that change in color, texture, or size. And once each year, be sure to ask your physician for a skin checkup.
Sunscreens are an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. They keep skin looking young and reduce the risk of many skin cancers. They must be used properly, however. These five suggestions will help keep you and your skin safe.

Dr. Kevin Ronneberg is the associate medical director at Target.

(NAPS)—Researchers may soon have good news for many of the estimated 2 million Americans who have cerebral palsy, a condition that is caused by a brain injury before birth or during the first few years of life. The condition can impair movement, hearing, vision and cognitive skills. There’s currently no cure—and no standard therapy that works for all patients.

Cutting-edge research is exploring the potential of stem cell–based therapies to treat neurological impairments.

New, cutting-edge research is exploring the potential of stem cell–based therapies to treat these kinds of neurological impairments. Pediatric neurologist James Carroll is the lead investigator of a new clinical trial at the Georgia Health Sciences University to determine whether an infusion of stem cells from a child’s own umbilical cord blood can improve quality of life in children with cerebral palsy. The study will include 40 children, ages 2 through 12 years, whose parents have stored their children’s cord blood with Cord Blood Registry. “The hope for stem cells, really from the beginning, is that they might serve as some type of replacement for cells in the nervous system that have been destroyed or never developed properly,” said Dr. James Carroll.

Dr. Carroll states that the outcomes of both preclinical research and anecdotal evidence in patients have made umbilical cord blood an intriguing source of stem cells for researchers to pursue—as has the safety profile of using a child’s own cord blood. He adds, “We’ve found in our animal experiments that adult stem cells can greatly assist in recovery from brain injury, so we wanted to try to apply this in children and cord blood; that is, the cord blood of the child being treated provides a safe place and a safe way to do that.”

Tips for beating the heat

Dr. William Koltun, Medical Director for the Medical Center for Clinical Research in San Diego, CA.

(NAPS)—After a long, cold winter, most women look forward to the warm days of summer and enjoying some fun in the sun. But if you’re among the approximately 75 percent of postmenopausal women who suffer from the symptoms of hot flashes, the added heat of summertime may be too much of a good thing, leaving you desperate to find relief.

Hot flashes, which are sudden feelings of warmth over areas such as the face, neck and chest, can occur a few times a week or several times a day. And since hot weather tends to be a common hot flash trigger, these sudden feelings of warmth can be exacerbated. Fortunately, there are a variety of self-care methods that women can turn to for relief. William Koltun, MD, Medical Director for the Medical Center for Clinical Research in San Diego, CA, has some helpful tips for managing hot flashes in the intense summer heat:

• Keep cool. Slight increases in your body’s core temperature can trigger hot flashes. Dress in layers so that they can be removed when feeling warm; use a fan or open a window to keep air flowing; decrease the room temperature; or sip a cold drink.

• Watch what you eat and drink. Hot and spicy foods, caffeinated drinks and alcohol can trigger a hot flash.

• Relax. Yoga, meditation or other helpful relaxation techniques can provide relief.

• Don’t smoke. Smoking is linked to an increase in hot flashes.

• Improve your diet. Many women find relief when they improve their diet.

If self-care methods don’t do the trick, you and your physician can explore treatment options.