Marion County Medical Center

Health Shorts

August 2002

American Men: Prostates at Risk
American males face a risk of developing invasive, life-threatening cancer of the prostate 7 to 15 times that of men living in China, Japan or Korea. Scientists believe that lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise account for about 75 percent of this disparity. Generally, prostate cancer deaths are lowest in countries where the diet is low in animal fats and high in vegetables, fruits and fiber.
[SOURCE: Jeff Novick, "Healthy Diet and Exercise Program Inhibits Growth of Prostate Cancer Cells," Health Science, Winter, 2002]

Diet Affects Tumor Cell Growth
In one study examining the role of diet on prostate cancer, scientists injected human prostate cancer cells into mice and then observed the effects of three different diets: 2.3 percent fat, 11.6 percent fat and 40.5 percent fat. All of the animals were given the same number of calories, and there were no significant weight differences. Nevertheless, the mice on the low-fat and moderate-fat diets showed a marked decrease in tumor growth compared to those on the high-fat diet.
[SOURCE: Lynn M. Fisher, "High-Fat Diet and Prostate Cancer: The Controversial Connection," Urologic Nursing, June, 2000; W. Fair, N. Fleshner and W. Heston, "Cancer of the Prostate: A Nutritional Disease?" Urology, 50(6), 840-848 (1997)]

Men Eating Fatty Fish Reduce Risk
A Swedish study that followed 6,300 men over 30 years found that men who ate fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, halibut and herring were two to three times less likely to develop prostate cancer than men eating little or no fish. Fatty fish contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Men eating large quantities of fish may also have been less likely to eat red meat and other foods high in saturated fats.
[SOURCE: "Fatty Fish Fight Against Prostate Cancer," Eurofood, June 21, 2000]

Can Finasteride Help Prevent Prostate Cancer?
Finasteride (Proscar), a medication often prescribed to men suffering from non-cancerous prostate enlargement, is now being studied to determine if it might also help prevent the growth of cancerous cells in the prostate. Finasteride alters the activity of testosterone in the prostate and inhibits the production of dihydrotestosterone. The seven-year study, now underway, involves more than 18,000 healthy men aged 55 and over. Half will take finasteride and half a placebo pill. Results will be available in 2004.
[SOURCE: "Is There Any Way to Reduce Your Risk of Prostate Cancer?" The Johns Hopkins White Papers, Prostate Disorders, 2002]

How Does Ecstasy Affect a Fetus?
A five-year study currently underway will assess the effects of the drug Ecstasy (MDMA) on a developing fetus. Researchers will study 150 infants (75 who have been exposed to the drug and 75 in a control group) and their mothers in an effort to measure the drug's effect on growth and development. Preliminary studies on rats exposed to MDMA in utero found spatial learning to be affected.
[SOURCE: "Team Will Study Effects of Ecstasy on Fetus," Health and Medicine Week, December 10, 2001]

Viagra, Ecstasy-Dangerous Combo
In a dangerous trend, many men are combining Viagra, the erectile dysfunction medication, with Ecstasy and other illicit drugs, according to a survey of 844 male patients at a clinic to treat sexually transmitted diseases. Respondents frequently report getting Viagra from friends and have insufficient information regarding possible effects and drug interactions.
[SOURCE: "Men Combining Viagra, Illicit Drugs," Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly, September 3, 2001]

ER Visits Related to Ecstasy Up 58%
Emergency room visits related to use of Ecstasy (MDMA) were up 58 percent in the period from 1999 to 2000, during a time when overall drug-related visits remained about the same. About 80 percent of Ecstasy-related ER cases involved persons aged 25 years and younger, according to the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) survey of more than 400 American hospitals.
[SOURCE: Winnie Anne Imperio, "Ecstasy-Related ER Visits Up," Clinical Psychiatry News, September, 2001]

Peppermint Calms Irritable Bowels
About four million American children suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, with symptoms such as nausea, gas and abdominal pain. There's no known cure, but a recent small study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that peppermint oil provided relief from pain. Of 42 subjects, half were given peppermint oil capsules and the others a placebo. Seventy-five percent of those taking the peppermint oil reported less severe symptoms; 50 percent said they felt "much better." Peppermint oil is considered safe but is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for such use.
[SOURCE: Becky Mollenkamp, "Peppermint Eases Upset Stomach," Better Homes and Gardens, August, 2001]

When You Must Squelch a Belch
Belching is caused by swallowing too much air. Some remedies:

Remind yourself to eat and drink more slowly.
Avoid chewing gum, carbonated drinks and other triggers.
Use controlled breathing to deal with anxiety and hyperventilation.

There is no strong evidence that simethicone, the active ingredient in most over-the-counter remedies is effective in relieving excessive gas associated with belching. Drinking baking soda diluted in water can relieve the pain associated with not being able to belch.
[SOURCE: "Cases of the Gut," Harvard Health Letter," August, 2002]

Drink Tea To Keep Stomach Healthy
Antioxidants in green tea may protect the stomach against chronic gastritis and stomach cancer, according to a recent population study in China. Subjects who drank green tea regularly had a risk of gastritis and stomach cancer about half that of those who did not drink tea. Chronic gastritis, or upset stomach, frequently leads to stomach cancer.
[SOURCE: "Drinking Green Tea May Protect against Chronic Gastritis and Stomach Cancer," Environmental Nutrition, July, 2001]

Another Benefit for Tea?
One recent study found that Taiwanese subjects who had been drinkers of green or oolong tea for 10 years or more had higher bone mineral density than non-tea drinkers or those who had been tea drinkers for fewer than 10 years. More studies are needed to confirm this possible benefit of tea.
[SOURCE: "Tea-A Bona Fide Health Drink?" Harvard Health Letter, August, 2002]

FDA Approves New IBS Drug
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new medication for the short-term treatment of a form of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affecting women and characterized by constipation. Zelnorm (tegaserod maleate) does not offer a cure for IBS, but studies have shown it to be effective in relieving constipation, bloating and abdominal comfort.
[SOURCE: U.S. Approves Drug for Irritable Bowel Syndrome," Reuters Health, July 25, 2002]

Dealing with a Sickle Cell Crisis
Individuals with sickle cell disease typically suffer several severely painful sickle cell crises every year. Symptoms include:

throbbing, sharp, dull or stabbing pain in the back, knees, legs, arms, chest or stomach; o shortness of breath and chest or back pain;
generalized abdominal pain;
sudden attacks of priapism (painful, prolonged erections) or
stroke.

A crisis occurs when sickled red blood cells block small blood vessels that carry blood to bones. These episodes, which may pass within five to seven days, can usually be managed at home with oral pain medications.
[SOURCE: "Practical Tips for Preventing a Sickle Cell Crisis," American Family Physician, March 1, 2000]

Growth Lag Is Temporary In Youth with Sickle Cell Disease
In an adolescent, sickle cell disease can contribute to a temporary lag in growth and development of up to two years. At a time when they are facing other physical and emotional problems, teens should be assured that they will catch up in terms of growth and that their adult size will be in the average range. Although young people with sickle cell disease can participate in sports, they should avoid overexertion and becoming dehydrated.
[SOURCE: Doris L. Wethers, "Laboratory Diagnosis, Pathophysiology and Health Maintenance," American Family Physician, September 1, 2000]

Partial Bone Marrow Transplants Offer Hope for Sickle Cell Patients
Complete bone marrow transplants can cure sickle cell disease but are rarely used for adult patients because of the risk involved. Partial transplants, replacing 25 to 40 percent of bone marrow, may offer hope, however, for future treatment. When all of the bone marrow is replaced and the body rejects it, as frequently happens, the patient is at risk of death. With a partial transplant, a patient can theoretically survive with what's left of his or her own bone marrow. Following successful trials with animals, partial transplants are being used on an investigative basis in human patients at a small number of medical centers.
[SOURCE: Kurt Kleiner, "Mixed Blood," New Scientist, June 23, 2001]

Health Shorts

August 2002

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