Health ShortsApril 2005 Health Shorts Which Pill for a Headache?
Which pill to take for a headache? For an adult, any over-the-counter painkiller should give relief. For children age 19 and younger, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is recommended since aspirin increases the risk of Reye's syndrome, a life-threatening disease that sometimes occurs after a viral infection. Aspirin (Bayer, Bufferin), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) all have an anti-inflammatory action and are useful for sore muscles as well as pain and fever. Acetaminophen will reduce pain and fever but is not anti-inflammatory. Whatever the medication, take no more than the label indicates. Using any over-the-counter pain medication more than twice a week can inhibit production of the body's natural painkillers and lead to rebound headaches.
[SOURCE: "Choose Your Painkiller with Caution," Current Health 2, February, 2005] Put the Lime on the Head...
A simple folk remedy that is worth trying to relieve a tension headache: cut open a lime and rub the raw side against your forehead.
[SOURCE: "Health Hints for the Kitchen," Saturday Evening Post, March-April, 2005] Headache Is Not Normal Aging
A headache after age 65, of a kind or intensity you've never had before, is reason to see a doctor. More than 15 percent of patients over 65 who go to a neurologist with a new-onset headache are found to have a serious illness such as meningitis, encephalitis, stroke, thyroid disease or hypertension. From 37 to 62 percent of brain tumor patients have a headache. One study found that in 77 percent of cases symptoms resembled those of a tension headache. Nine percent were like migraines.
[SOURCE: Nancy A. Melville, "Change in Headache Could Signal Brain Tumor: Neurologic Red Flags," Internal Medicine News, February 1, 2004] Sleep Is Good Medicine for Headache
Taking a nap or going to bed early is one of the most effective ways of dealing with a headache. The risk is that those who use sleep too frequently as a headache treatment may develop insomnia or other sleep disorders. A study of 27 young women with tension-type headaches found that 82 percent used sleep to manage headaches. Subjects reported having an average of 7.02 headache days a month, leading researchers to theorize that they may be engaging in "sleeping behavior that is maladaptive for sleep hygiene but reinforcing for pain relief."
[SOURCE: "Young Women Use Sleep To Self-Manage Headache," Clinical Psychiatry News, October, 2004] Whole Grains Will Keep You Healthy
Look for the words "whole grain" on the label, and have at least three servings a day. That's one of the government's new dietary guidelines, and it's an effective way of reducing your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. A serving is equal to a half cup of cooked cereal, a slice of bread or a cup of cold cereal. "Whole grain" refers to the entire seed or kernel of grains such as wheat, oats, corn, rye or barley. Whether from these grains, brown or wild rice or popcorn, whole grains are rich not only in fiber but nutrients that protect against heart disease, diabetes and cancer. A dark color or grainy texture does not necessarily mean a whole grain bread. The words "whole" or "whole grain" should be listed before the grain ingredient, and it should be the first item on the list of ingredients. Many cereals now come with a whole grain logo on the box; other products use a black-and-gold label shaped like a postage stamp to designate whole grain.
[SOURCE: Libby Quaid, "Government Recommends Eating Whole Grains," Associated Press, Yahoo News, March 29, 2005] How To Get More Fiber in Your Diet
Dietary fiber, in addition to helping maintain bowel regularity, reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and obesity. The Institute of Medicine recommends 38 grams of fiber daily for men and 25 for women age 50 and younger (30 grams for men and 21 for women age 51 and over). To increase your fiber intake: - Start your day with a bowl of whole grain cereal.
- Switch to a whole grain bread, preferably one with at least three grams of dietary fiber per serving.
- Use more whole grain products such as brown or wild rice and whole wheat pasta.
- Eat more beans, peas and lentils. Add beans to soups or salads; snack on refried beans.
- Eat fruit throughout the day. Choose whole fruit over fruit juices, which have much less fiber.
- Eat vegetables at meals and snack on raw vegetables.
[SOURCE: Harvard School of Public Health, "Fiber: Start Roughing It!" 2004; Mayo Clinic.Com, "Roughing It: Fitting More Fiber Into Your Diet," July 28, 2003] Different Fiber for Different Strokes
Dietary fiber has proven health benefits, regardless of the food source. A recent study indicated, however, that fruit fiber and cereal fiber are most beneficial for reducing the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). In a study analyzing data from 91,058 men and 245,186 women, researchers found a 30 percent reduced risk of heart disease for each 10-gram increase in fruit fiber and a 25 percent reduced risk for each 10-gram increase in cereal fiber. "In contrast, vegetable fiber was not associated with CHD incidence or mortality," the authors wrote. Vegetable fiber has other demonstrated health benefits. And aside from the fiber, vegetables have nutrients that protect against heart disease, hypertension and other illnesses.
[SOURCE: Archives of Internal Medicine, February 23, 2004; "Fiber from Fruits and Cereals Reduces CHD," Pharma Marketletter, March 8, 2004; "Fiber from Fruits, Cereals Prove Heart-Healthy," IDEA Personal Trainer, May, 2004] Enriched Bread? It's Really Pretty Poor
In refining flour, processors remove not only the fiber but about 30 of the most important nutrients, including essential fatty acids and most of the vitamins and minerals. "Enriched" flour, by law, must add back only five of these nutrients-iron, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin and folic acid. To get the fiber that is present in one slice of whole grain bread, you have to eat eight slices of white bread.
[SOURCE: Lisa Barley, "Stacking Up White vs. Wheat Bread," Vegetarian Times, March, 2005] Soccer Kids' Feet, Ankles at Risk
More than 650,000 American youngsters now play soccer, either on school teams or in the American Youth Soccer Association. While the sport is good for the cardiovascular system, it takes a heavy toll on feet and ankles. Parents and coaches should remember that a child's bones are still growing until age 13 to 16. In addition to fractures and severe sprains resulting from collisions, stress fractures can occur from overuse and inflammation, especially around the heel bone. Achilles tendinitis and plantar fasciitis are other common overuse injuries. Youngsters with lingering, nagging heel pain should not be advised to play through the pain. Signs of a stress fracture include pain not only during exercise but normal activities as well and when touching the area. There may also be swelling without bruising.
[SOURCE: "Back-To-School Soccrer Season Is Prime Time for Foot, Ankle Injuries," Medical Devices & Surgical Technology Week, October 17, 2004] Don't Suffer Sore Feet
Sore feet are no fun...and not normal at any age. On the other hand, the structure of the foot changes with aging and certain age-related diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease can make the foot more susceptible to injury. Chronic foot pain can change a person's gait and lead to knee, hip and lower back pain, making it difficult to exercise and thereby increasing the risk of additional health problems. Whereas hip and knee replacements have become relatively common, foot and ankle problems that limit mobility often lead to nursing home placement. Early treatment is important.
[SOURCE: Bryan C. Markinson, "Three-Step Approach to In-Office Assessment of the Geriatric Foot," Geriatrics, November, 2001] Fractures More Likely in Children
A child who suffers a severe ankle or foot injury is more likely to have a fracture than a sprain, whereas the reverse is true for an adult. The growth plates of young bones are weaker than the calcified bone, ligaments and tendons surrounding them.
[SOURCE: Gary D. Hals, et al, "Management of Acute Foot and Ankle Disorders in the Emergency Department: Part I-The Ankle," Emergency Medicine Reports, September 22, 2003] Testing Key to Control of HIV
As many as 950,000 Americans are believed to be infected with HIV; yet one of every four does not know. One study of AIDS patients found an average time from HIV diagnosis to full-blown AIDS of only one year even though other studies indicate that it take an average of 10 years from the time of infection to the development of AIDS. Without early diagnosis, these patients were unable to take advantage of potentially lifesaving drugs. In addition they may have exposed numerous partners during that time. Regular testing of sexually active individuals is a proven strategy for improving life expectancy and reducing the spread of AIDS.
[SOURCE: Robert Janssen, "The Challenge of HIV Testing," OBGYN News, August 15, 2004] Faster, More Efficient HIV Testing
Newer methods have taken some of the trauma out of HIV testing. One test uses a finger prick to get a drop of blood; another examines saliva obtained from an oral swab. Neither requires sophisticated lab analysis, and results can be read in 20 minutes-ensuring that the patient actually receives the results.
[SOURCE: Robert Janssen, "The Challenge of HIV Testing," | 
