Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/ea4aQpMgii8   We think of those with the anorexia eating disorder as skinny, undernourished teens and 20 somethings.  The latest research from UC-San Francisco shows that anorexics may have normal body weights, be overweight or obese.  They can also suffer profound metabolic disturbances that may be fatal.   Such patients suffer from so-called Atypical Anorexia.  The investigators compared 50 atypical anorexics with 66 underweight anorexics.  More than 90% were female with an average age of 16.     Atypicals and standard anorexics both have cardiac problems and menstrual irregularities.. Atypicals have more negative feelings about their bodies and are more likely to have experienced large, rapid, and continuing weight losses.   Anorexia is dangerous.  If you suspect it, get professional help.   Andrea K. Garber, Jing Cheng, Erin C. Accurso, Sally H. Adams, Sara M. Buckelew, Cynthia J. Kapphahn, Anna Kreiter, Daniel Le Grange, Vanessa I. Machen, Anna-Barbara Moscicki, Kristina Saffra

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/og0ojToxMBs   Children with good self-discipline as preteens and adolescents are significantly more likely to be successful young adults either as students or in a satisfying job.  Psychologists at UC-Davis draw this conclusion from their longitudinal study of 674 youths.   The teens were assessed every 2 years from ages 10 through 16 with a final analysis at 19.  Those who evidence better self-control at younger ages continue that trend and are more successful at age 19.  Girls show better self-discipline than boys, as do children scoring higher on IQ tests.   Home chores have no positive effect.  Instead, delegating responsibilities to young children may be the key to fostering self-control.   Rodica Ioana Damian, Olivia E. Atherton, Katherine M. Lawson, Richard W. Robins. The co-development of chores and effortful control among Mexican-origin youth and prospective work outcomes. Journal of Research in Personality, 2020; 84: 103883 DOI: 10.1016/j.jrp.2019.103883   #Seffcontrol #te

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/un_WL6Tg3xI   Just four hours of weekly exercise, any exercise, will reduce your chances of a depression episode by 17% even if you are genetically predisposed.  Harvard researchers now publish this result after studying 8,000 participants in a Boston database for whom they calculated a depression risk score based on family history and mood assessment by questionnaire.   The study shows similar benefits from high intensity exercise such as cycling, running, and dance and more relaxed efforts including yoga and stretching.  Although focusing on those at risk for depression, the investigators suggest universal beneficial effects for 35 minutes of daily exercise.   Depression is the most frequent cause of disability on the planet.  Keeping moving and avoid it.   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191105113510.htm   #Exercise #depression #aerobics #yoga

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/h0W41ZdUB7c   Nutrition research at the University of Minnesota and Oxford University shows that a predominance of healthy foods in your diet has a very positive effect on your carbon footprint as well as on your weight, blood pressure, and lipid profile.   The researchers conclude that fruits, vegetable, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and olive oil drive both health and positive environmental impacts.  Fish, too, are healthy foods.   While they do have more negative environmental impact than plant-based foods, they are way healthier for both you and our world than red meat.   So shop the supermarket periphery and the fish counter for foods that help you live longer while leaving a healthier planet for our kids.   Michael A Clark, Marco Springmann, Jason Hill, David Tilman. Multiple health and environmental impacts of foods. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2019; 201906908 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1906908116   #Fruits #vegetables #nuts #fish #redmeat #carbonfootprint

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/jwQbczEC6CU   A Danish study just published in the British Medical Journal shows that cardiac patients who describe themselves as lonely are 3 times more likely to die from any cause.  Lonely men were 40% more likely to experience a repeat cardiac illness within one year after an initial event.   The researchers studied more than 13,400 subjects with coronary disease, rhythm problems, valve disease, and heart failure.  Loneliness and living alone are associated with significantly poorer recovery from all forms of heart disease.   If you have heart disease or know someone that does, surround yourself or them with caring and supportive family and friends. The best medicines and surgery may fail due to lack of love.   Anne Vinggaard Christensen, Knud Juel, Ola Ekholm, Lars Thrysøe, Charlotte Brun Thorup, Britt Borregaard, Rikke Elmose Mols, Trine Bernholdt Rasmussen, Selina Kikkenborg Berg. Significantly increased risk of all-cause mortality among cardiac patients feeling lonely. Heart

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/GRUEGIZLBAQ   A preliminary Johns Hopkins study shows that a person using a legal hemp product for its CBD content can test positive for the tiny amounts of the illegal THC and flunk a drug test.  Two of 6 study participants who only puffed cannabis from hemp ONCE did fail.   This cannabis that triggered positive tests contained 10.5% CBD and 0.39% THC.  Participants puffing purified CBD or hemp with both CBD and THC removed passed their tests.   If you use hemp CBD products, know that even tiny amounts of THC can accumulate in your body. Given Murphy’s Law, your pop drug test will occur before your body can metabolize even tiny amounts of THC.    https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191104141650.htm    #Hemp #CBD #THC #drugtest

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/0vBz4BMqjhc   If you’re older than 50 and younger than 75, you need colon cancer screening using an immunochemical stool test for blood traces every 2 years OR a colonoscopy every 10 years.  The American College of Physicians now makes straight-forward recommendations that smooth out confusing guidelines from other groups including the American Cancer Society.   This simple plan is only for those without extra risks.  These include a family history of colorectal cancer, a history of inflammatory bowel disease, an inherited bowel disease such as polyp formation, a personal history of polyps, or a previous colon or rectal cancer.   If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, avoid the nasty colonoscopy prep and purchase the FIT (fecal immmunochemical test) online for about $35.   https://annals.org/aim/fullarticle/2754194/screening-colorectal-cancer-asymptomatic-average-risk-adults-guidance-statement-from   #Coloncancer #FIT #colonoscopy #polyps

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/QI7ziMDZsi0   Any amount of running reduces your chances of death due to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and a variety of other causes.  Australian investigators draw these conclusions from their meta-analysis of 14 studies and over 232,000 participants.   Compared with those who did no running at all, those who did enjoyed a 30% reduced risk of cardiovascular death, a 23% lower risk of cancer death,, and a 27% reduced risk of death from any cause.  The frequency of running, the duration of the runs, and the pace did not change the affect the result.   The bottom line:jump off that couch and take some time to run around the block.  It exercises your heart and turbocharges your immunity.     Pedisic Z, Shrestha N, Kovalchik S, et al Is running associated with a lower risk of all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality, and is the more the better? A systematic review and meta-analysis British Journal of Sports Medicine Published Online First: 04 November 2019. doi: 10.1136/bjsports

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/SN1ALsZ2Uzs   Competitive electronic gamers risk eye, neck and back, wrist, and hand overuse disorders.  E-Sports medicine investigators at the New York Institute of Technology review current knowledge about the risks.   Esport athletes practice upwards of 10 hours a day.  Their eyes and hands make more than 10 moves a second.     Some 56% of gamers develop blurry vision, low back pain, and muscle tension headaches.  Pain in the hand and wrist due to carpal tunnel inflammation and tendinitis develop in 30% of pro players.   Professional gaming and the devices used for practice and play must limit the frequency and duration of sitting, gazing, and hand motions.  Otherwise, players will face disability retirements at very young ages.   Hallie Zwibel, Joanne DiFrancisco-Donoghue, Amanda DeFeo, Sheldon Yao. An Osteopathic Physician's Approach to the Esports Athlete. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 2019; 119 (11): 756 DOI: 10.7556/jaoa.2019.125   #Egaming #blurryvisi

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/E0aK-eRGVF4   A large British study now proves the “old wives tale” that certain weather, specifically damp, windy days with low barometric pressure, can trigger more joint pain.  The increased risk is only 20%, but if it’s your body.........   The University of Manchester epidemiologists studied nearly 2700 subjects who reported their pain levels via smartphone app.  There was no effect on pain by levels of rainfall or temperature alone.  However cold weather, high humidity, and wind gusts did yield the most pain.   If you tend to suffer weather-related arthritis, be strategic.  Use the weather forecast to prompt your timely use of pain killers like Tylenol, Advil, or good old coated aspirin.    Dixon, W.G., Beukenhorst, A.L., Yimer, B.B. et al. How the weather affects the pain of citizen scientists using a smartphone app. npj Digit. Med. 2, 105 (2019) doi:10.1038/s41746-019-0180-3   #Weather #pain #arthritis

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/tB4CDjCeoqE   A just published Harvard study shows that a natural measles infection eliminates up to 50% of your bodies immunity to other nasty viruses but also to pathogenic bacteria.  In the aftermath, you must reform this protective shield if you survive long enough to do so.   The measles virus triggers immune amnesia by destroying up to 73% of your anti-microbial antibodies.  A separate study reveals that this virus hobbles the B lymphocytes that produce these life-saving proteins.   This discovery is a giant impetus for universal measles vaccination using the MMR vaccine.  It is a powerful retort to those who claim a natural infection is the best way to induce immunity to the measles virus.   Michael J. Mina, Tomasz Kula, Yumei Leng, Mamie Li, Rory D. de Vries, Mikael Knip, Heli Siljander, Marian Rewers, David F. Choy, Mark S. Wilson, H. Benjamin Larman, Ashley N. Nelson, Diane E. Griffin, Rik L. de Swart, Stephen J. Elledge. Measles virus infection diminishes preexisting anti

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/nnjT1Pjw2KQ   Anti-immigrant government pronouncements prevent our Latino friends and neighbors from seeking timely healthcare and endanger all of us.  This from A UCLA study of nearly 1700 emergency room patients over an 18 month period.   Latino immigrant residents without documentation were 5 times more likely than those with papers to delay seeking emergency medical care for as much as 2 to 3 days.  A whopping 75% of undocumented immigrants but also 51% of Latino documented residents felt that divisive statements from Washington made them feel unsafe in the US today.   When neighbors remain sick without needed treatment, they could spread infection to our families.  Our 2020 elections are exactly one year away, and we must vote for humanists who will protect us all.   Citation: Rodriguez RM, Torres JR, Sun J, Alter H, Ornelas C, Cruz M, et al. (2019) Declared impact of the US President’s statements and campaign statements on Latino populations’ perceptions of safety and emergenc

Fancy Gift Wrapping Can Trigger Disappointment or Impress Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/3lZ6g4FQiJk   The holidays are ahead, and, if you want your friends and family to enjoy your gift, don’t overdo the wrapping.  Consumer psychologists at the University of Nevada compared the reactions of gift recipients to neatly or sloppily wrapped presents.   A beautiful, precise gift wrap for those you know overpromises frequently creates disappointment when what’s inside falls short of the promise.  Better to contain the gift in a bag or more informal wrapping.   Different situation if you’re gifting your boss or non-family.  Then, the gift itself is immaterial.   A beautiful wrap communicates organizational skills and how you value the relationship.  A sloppy wrap reflects the opposite.   The choice of the gift wrap can be as important as what’s inside.   Jessica M. Rixom, Erick M. Mas, Brett A. Rixom. Presentation Matters: The Effect of Wrapping Neatness on Gift Attitudes. Journal of Consumer Psychology, 2019; DOI: 10.1

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/XbRK74f4Hog   Short bursts of exertion to near maximum creates more cardiovascular fitness than the traditional continuous exercise in one-third less time.  A Japanese study in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings followed 679 subjects over a 5 month period.   The interval training routine was walking at a pace 70% of the individuals maximal capacity for 3 minutes, then at 40% of capacity for 3 more.  This cycle was repeated 8 to 9 times over the week for a max of 50 minutes.  Those using this plan showed a significant 14% increase in aerobic capacity and a 17% decrease in lifestyle-linked disease compared with those following the traditional 75 minutes of intense aerobic exercise.   The bottom line:less is more.   Shizue Masuki, Mayuko Morikawa, Hiroshi Nose. High-Intensity Walking Time Is a Key Determinant to Increase Physical Fitness and Improve Health Outcomes After Interval Walking Training in Middle-Aged and Older People. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2019; DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2019.04.039

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/KNGlHUOcAtU   Enjoying a daily avocado helps to keep your coronary arteries open by increasing antioxidants and lowering harmful LDL cholesterol .  Penn State nutritionists now publish this finding after  studying 45 overweight and obese subjects with elevated LDL cholesterol levels.    Adding avocado to a moderate fat diet right-sized the circulating LDL and LDL particle levels while increasing beneficial antioxidants more than either a moderate fat diet alone or even a low fat diet.  This is the first study to credit the avocado with reducing dangerous small LDL particles that readily penetrate and damage blood vessel linings.   Avocados tastefully replace mayonnaise on salads and sandwiches.  Add at least one a day to live longer.   Li Wang et al, A Moderate-Fat Diet with One Avocado per Day Increases Plasma Antioxidants and Decreases the Oxidation of Small, Dense LDL in Adults with Overweight and Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial, The Journal of Nutrition (2019). DOI: 10.10

Vidcast:  ttps://youtu.be/uwQjrBlO6DQ Constant noise will raise your risk of sustaining a severe stroke by 30%, while quiet, green space reduces that risk by 25%.  These conclusions come from a Spanish study of nearly 2800 stroke victims over a 10 year period.   Strokes kill 6.7 million worldwide annually. Reduce your chances of having one by keeping your weight, blood pressure, lipid levels in control.  Then too, avoid noisy places,   Problem is, noise is becoming epidemic.  Nearly everyone is screaming in restaurants, on subways, at sports events, and on the street.     Besides worsening strokes, noise also kills your hearing, raises your blood pressure, and drives heart disease.  We should all take the advice we so often give to children as they scream: indoor voices dear!     Rosa Maria Vivanco-Hidalgo, Carla Avellaneda-Gómez, Payam Dadvand, Marta Cirach, Ángel Ois, Alejandra Gómez González, Ana Rodriguez-Campello, Pablo de Ceballos, Xavier Basagaña, Ana Zabalza, Elisa Cuadrado-Godia, Jordi Sunyer, Jaume

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/xjgFV9pe82M   Obesity and overweight problems are more common in kids of all ages living close to convenience stores.  New York University researchers report these results online this week after reviewing data from 1 million school-aged New York City children.   Of those living within a half-block of a convenience store or bodega, some 20% were obese and 40% were overweight.  For every half or full city block kids live away from these junk food havens, the incidence of obesity dropped from 1 to 4%.   If you live close to such stores, keep an eye on your children’s purchases.  The investigators also suggest that these neighborhood gathering places could be incentivized publicly or privately to stock healthier fruits and vegetables.   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191029080737.htm   #conveniencestores #bodegas #junkfood #obesity #overweight

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/o_fpt8jt3ZQ   If you plan to use weed for significant psychological issues, think again!  It simply doesn't not help manage these problems.   A mammoth Australian meta-analysis just published in the The Lancet Psychiatry looked at 83 studies in which marijuana was used to treat depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, psychosis,  and Tourette syndrome.   Weed did help with minor situational anxiety due to short-lived illness issues, but THC with or without CBD offered no relief for the other disorders studied.  In some cases, its use exacerbated the symptoms.   If you or a family member has serious psychiatric problems, seek help from qualified psychiatrists or psychologists.  Don’t self medicate with recreational drugs.   Nicola Black, Emily Stockings, Gabrielle Campbell, Lucy T Tran, Dino Zagic, Wayne D Hall, Michael Farrell, Louisa Degenhardt. Cannabinoids for the treatment of mental disorders and symptoms of mental disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry,

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/6GAM_yWOM6s   Jon and his college pals were celebrating the end of exams with endless parasol-topped drinks at the Szechuan Star Restaurant.  His buddy Bill screams, “Jon....bet you can’t down this quart of soy sauce.   Jon wins the bet but nearly loses his life.  He starts to seize and becomes unresponsive.  At the ER, the anti-seizure medicines work but he is in a coma.  Blood testing shows his blood sodium to be the highest ever recorded.   He only recovers after a massive infusion of 6 liters of sugar water into his gastrointestinal tract.  He never wants to see soy sauce again.  Soy sauce is salty and the quart he chugged contains one-third pound of salt.     https://www.jem-journal.com/article/S0736-4679%2813%2900202-3/fulltext   #soysauce #salt #seizures

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/rNQ3yz7Gdc4   Betty was rushing to dress for her New Year’s Eve date.  She picked up an earring, but her asthma suddenly flared.  After rushing to extract her inhaler from a handbag, she deeply inhaled her medicine.   She felt a throat scrape followed by a cough deeper than she usually experiences after medication inhalation.  Betty’s cough persisted and became bloody.  Her breathing became more difficult.   Her date rushed her to the hospital where a chest x-ray revealed an object blocking her right lung’s airway.   Then on to the operating room where surgeons extracted an earring from that right lung.    The earring had fallen into the inhaler as Betty fumbled through her purse.  Lesson learned: she never again left the cap off her inhaler.   https://casereports.bmj.com/content/2015/bcr-2014-207398   #Foreignbody #asthmainhaler