Health ShortsApril 2003Diet, Environment May Influence Risk of Aggressive Prostate Cancer
Microscopic evidence of prostate cancer is found in about 40 percent of men in their 60s and nearly all of those over 80 in all parts of the world. Prostate cancer mortality varies, however, from country to country and even from state to state. The incidence of prostate cancer death is lower in sunny areas such as the Southwest and in countries such as Japan where the diet tends to be low fat with a high intake of vegetables. One study found the risk of prostate cancer 35 percent lower among subjects who ate 28 or more servings of vegetables a week compared to those eating 14 or fewer servings.
[SOURCE: The Johns Hopkins White Papers, "Prostate Disorders,", 2003] PSA Test: How Often?
PSA screening is usually performed on a yearly basis, but some men with low readings may be able to get by with less frequent testing, according to one study. After studying the test results 27,863 men enrolled in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial, researchers determined that 98 percent of men with PSA readings under 2 ng/mL could expect to have a satisfactory reading the following year. Nearly a quarter of men with readings between 2 and 4 ng/mL, however, had a higher reading the following year.
[SOURCE: Sharon Wrocester, "Longer PSA Test Intervals Appropriate for Some Men: Little Risk at Values of 2ng/mL or Less," Family Practice News, July 1, 2002] Pamphlet Explains PSA Facts
An eight-page pamphlet produced by the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center explores the pros and cons of PSA screening for prostate cancer and reminds men that the decision is an individual one. A study at the hospital found that 41 percent of patients reading the pamphlet (compared to 31 percent of control subjects) raised questions and participated in decision making about whether to take the test. The pamphlet will be available in mid-April, 2003 at the medical center's web site: www.va.gov/sta/guide/facility.asp?ID=90.
[SOURCE: Michele G. Sullivan, "Booklet Provides Patients with Pros, Cons of PSA Screening," Family Practice News, February 1, 2003; Melissa Partin, Ph.D., et al, "Effect of Prostate Cancer Screening Decision Aids on Decision Making Outcomes: Results from a Randomized Trial," unpublished paper, March, 2003] Low Awareness of Prostate Cancer Risk
A pair of telephone surveys found that nearly 20 percent of men felt they had virtually no risk of getting prostate cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths among American men. About 189,000 cases were diagnosed last year, resulting in 30,200 deaths. About 60 percent of subjects, however, indicated having had a PSA test, usually based on the recommendation of a physician.
[SOURCE: Conola B. Steele, et al, "Knowledge, Attitudes, and Screening Practices among Older Men Regarding Prostate Cancer," The American Journal of Public Health, October, 2000] Oxygen Therapy Improves Survival
Long-term oxygen therapy can extend life as well as improve quality of life for patients with severe emphysema. The goal of home oxygen therapy is not simply to relieve shortness of breath but to improve survival and make it possible to carry out every day activities. When deemed medically necessary, the cost of home oxygen therapy is covered by Medicare and most insurance carriers. Patients using home oxygen therapy usually need to use it for about 18 hours a day, even when sleeping, and for activities requiring physical exertion such as walking or grocery shopping.
[SOURCE: Laurie Lewis, "Optimal Treatment for COPD," Patient Care, May 30, 2000] Smokers Should Test Their Lungs
The slogan of the National Lung Health Education Program (NLHEP) is "test your lungs-know your numbers." The test that has special relevance for smokers is spirometry, a measure of the volume of air you can expel from your lungs in one second. Why take this test? Spirometry is a relatively simple test that can indicate early loss of lung function, a marker for emphysema. Although lung damage that causes emphysema can't be undone, quitting smoking can halt the damage. A timely warning may give a smoker the impetus needed to quit before more serious damage occurs.
[SOURCE: National Lung Health Education Program, www.nlhelp.org] Migraine or Tension Headache?
Tension headaches are more common and less disabling than migraines. A general rule of thumb is that if a headache allows you to carry on with your normal routine, it's probably not migraine. Symptoms of tension headaches include pain and pressure, like a band squeezing the head. Migraine has many specific symptoms including intense pain that may last for up to three days, sensitivity to light, sound and touch as well as nausea and vomiting. An estimated two to three percent of American adults suffer from chronic tension headaches-occurring more than 15 times per month. Possible causes include stress, musculoskeletal abnormalities and medication overuse.
[SOURCE: T.J. Steiner, "Headache," British Medical Journal, October 19, 2002] What Triggers a Migraine?
Headache diaries reveal a number of common migraine triggers, although many migraines have no apparent triggers. - Stress
- Use of oral contraceptives
- Foods including chocolate, aged cheese, citrus fruits, dairy products, nuts, high-fat foods, pickled and cured foods, an increase or decrease in caffeine consumption
- Low blood sugar caused by delayed or missed meals or dieting
- Excessive exercise
- Alcohol, but for some only red wine
- Too much or too little sleep
- Weather changes and stress, including pressure changes, glare
- Loud noise, strong smells and exposure to smoke
[SOURCE: Holly Traynor, "Migraine," Practice Nurse, September 13, 2002) Self-Help Strategies for Headache
The National Headache Foundation suggests a number of steps individuals can take to decrease the frequency and intensity of headaches. These include: maintaining a regular sleep schedule, eating regular meals and learning a relaxation technique that you're comfortable with. Relaxation options include diaphragmatic breathing (breathing from the abdomen to increase oxygen in the blood stream), progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, biofeedback, yoga, visualization, massage and exercise.
[SOURCE: "Solve the Headache Mystery, "Patient Education Management," November, 2002] Not All Migraines Feel Alike
Migraine attacks are not alike, even for the same individual. They vary in frequency, length and intensity and can be accompanied by varying symptoms. One recent study of migraine sufferers found that 85 percent experienced pulsing pain; 80% sensitivity to light; 76 percent sensitivity to sound; 73 percent nausea; 44 percent blurred vision; 29 percent vomiting. About one-third of patients reported their migraine was preceded by an aura, a cluster of neural symptoms including visual changes and numbness or tingling in the extremities.
[SOURCE: Kjel Johnson, "Migraine Therapy," Formulary, December, 2002] West Nile Vaccine Still 4 Years Away
Although researchers are working on promising candidates, a vaccine to protect humans against West Nile virus is still at least four to five years away. One possible vaccine, similar to the yellow fever vaccine, has shown encouraging results in hamsters, mice, monkeys and horses and may soon be ready for human testing. At least two other possible vaccines are also being investigated through the support of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
[SOURCE: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, "Research on West Nile Virus," December, 2002; Alicia Campbell and H. Michael Dreher, "A New Transcontinental Disease: The West Nile Virus," MedSurg Nursing," June, 2002] West Nile: Major Threat to Seniors
In Africa, where West Nile virus has been present for several decades, the disease today is most prevalent in children-probably because infected persons develop lifelong immunity. The most serious illness, wherever the disease occurs, is usually in older persons and those with weakened immune systems. Even though West Nile virus illness increased rapidly in the United States during, 2002, public health experts believe that the disease will gradually become less prevalent as more persons develop immunity.
[SOURCE: Timothy F. Kirn, "West Nile Virus: From Sea to Shining Sea by, 2003?" Pediatric News, September, 2002] Outdoor Workers: Protect Yourselves
Outdoor workers such as painters, roofers, construction workers, farmers, landscapers and groundskeepers are at risk of exposure to West Nile virus by being bitten by infected mosquitoes. The National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOSH) suggests that employers eliminate sources of standing water where mosquitoes breed and avoid scheduling outdoor work when mosquitoes are active and biting. Workers at risk should wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants; apply mosquito repellent and try to avoid weedy, brushy and wooded areas.
[SOURCE: "Avoiding West Nile Virus Risks in Outdoor Work," Safety Compliance Letter, October 1, 2002] | 
