Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/-4wzkOFZ-Z4   Moms-to-be better tamp down their coffee consumption during pregnancy.  A study using a rat model bully just published in the Journal of Endocrinology showed that pregnant animals consuming the equivalent of 2-3 cups of coffee a day gave birth to babies with impaired liver development as well as low birth weights and abnormal stress hormone levels.   The fetal liver growth is slowed due to caffeine’s ability to suppress the body’s liver growth factor.  This growth factor bounces back following birth and the baby rats’ livers go through a catch up growth phase.  The bad news is that this surge of liver growth factor makes the liver vulnerable to later fatty degenerative disease.   This study supports the recommendation that pregnant women avoid coffee and caffeinated beverages.  This restriction should start at the time a woman begins trying to conceive.   https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-07/sfe-tmc072219.php   #Coffee #caffeine #liverdisease #fattyliver   

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/eqmQvZlTNFc   Dartmouth and UC-Irvine mathematicians report that you learn faster if you picture it before you hear about it.  This universal principle of so-called object before label learning applies to everything from teaching kids their colors to learning foreign languages.   The researchers used formal testing to demonstrate that object before label learning is superior to label before object learning.  They then developed a mathematical model to both describe the phenomenon and predict the superiority of seeing rather than hearing or reading first.   The bottom line: When teaching the the alphabet, animals, or anything, show your child the object before providing its name.  A foreign language? Show the object, then present the word.  A picture is always better than a thousand words!   Timmy Ma, Natalia L. Komarova. Object‐Label‐Order Effect When Learning From an Inconsistent Source. Cognitive Science, 2019; 43 (8) DOI: 10.1111/cogs.12737   #Education #objectlabel #learningorde

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/xEQ36KcDWw4   If you put the blue sweetener in your coffee or regularly chug cans of Diet Coke, listen up!  A British study just published in the Archives of Public Health raises new questions about the safety of aspartame.   A meta-analysis of the 154 studies that the European Food Safety Authority used to certify aspartame as safe in 2013 questions the validity of the “it’s perfectly safe!” conclusion.  The researchers conclude that many of the studies were flawed and they question whether or not conflicts of interest and corruption may have played a role in the “thumbs up” for aspartame.   Once again, this finding should make all of us moderate our use of all artificial sweeteners.  If you use the, try to rotate your selections whether they be the Blues (Equal), the Pinks (Sweet ‘N Low), the Yellows (Splenda), or, yes, even the Greens (Truvia).   https://bit.ly/2MndqWE   https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325848.php   #Aspartame #sweetener #Equal #DietCoke

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/0o7pEsu1LAg   When the summer heat drives air temperatures north of 100˚F, sidewalks turn into hot plates that can burn your skin in a matter of seconds.  Surgeons from the University of Las Vegas studied some 173 pavement burn cases they treated over the past 4 years.   Eighty-eight percent of the mostly second degree burns occurred when air temps were 95˚F or hotter.  On such days, the pavements are hotter than the air, reaching close to 150 ˚F then the air is 111˚F.  FYI—you can fry an egg at those temperatures.   When the temperatures rise above 90˚F, be sure that you, your kids, and your pets wear protective footwear.  Watch where you put your hands as well as your feet. Those metal handrails and your own car’s steering wheel can give you a nasty burn, so you might want to have a towel or gloves handy.   Jorge Vega, Paul Chestovich, Syed Saquib, Douglas Fraser. A 5-Year Review of Pavement Burns From a Desert Burn Center. Journal of Burn Care & Research, 2019; 40 (4): 422 DO

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/hqzQO77p9yE   Common feeding guidelines from children’s hospitals and infant formula manufacturers lead to overweight babies before their first birthdays.  This striking conclusion comes from a study by the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health..   The Hopkins investigators developed a computer model to see the result of feeding virtual babies from 6 to 12 months according to guidelines from their own  hospital, from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, from Enfamil, and from Similac.  Every guideline resulted in excessive weight gains by 9 to 11 months even though portion sizes were adjusted according to weight changes.   The virtual babies who remained at healthy weights the longest were those fed the absolute smallest portion sizes of calorie-rich solid foods.  This study shows that the feeding guidelines for infants require revision.  Until that occurs, parents should aggressively follow their infant’ s weight dialing back the solid foods to keep that number in the normal ra

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/SHRYPwngED4   No one likes the prospect of surgery.  If you’ve been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst and your doctors have recommended removal, a new study suggests that an operation may not be necessary for every cyst.   Ovarian cysts are little balloon-like bumps that arise on the surface of the ovaries.  They are discovered with ultrasound scans when abdominal pain or bloating occurs.  The ultrasounds can determine if the cysts appear harmless or likely cancerous.   Many doctors recommend that any ovarian cyst be removed due to a risk of cancer developing or the cyst causing an ovary to twist.  A new multi-national study just published in The Lancet Oncology instead recommends watchful waiting and regular ultrasound imaging for those cysts that do appear benign.   Their study of almost 2,000 women with cysts suggests that surgery for every cyst may have more risks than benefits.  Twenty percent of ovarian cysts disappear on their own and cancer or ovarian twisting only occurred in

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/qhaBlo6cVAE   An unexpected observation during a patient’s awake neurosurgery confirms that laughter leads to a sense of calm and happiness.  Surgeons at Emory University in Atlanta relate this fascinating, whimsical tale.   A young patient with difficult to control epilepsy was undergoing awake neurosurgery to pinpoint the seizure focus.  During the surgery, the surgeons inadventantly stimulated  a pathway called the cingulum bundle, and the patient immediately began to smile, laugh, joke, and report an extremely calming and mood elevating experience that seemed to neutralize not only pain but also any scary thoughts.     The neuroscientists repeated this same cingulum bundle stimulation in two other seizure patients to confirm their initial observation.  They plan to use this stimulation technique in the future to calm nervous surgical patients and possibly to help treat depression.   The good news is that you can trigger laughter and its calming and pain-neutralizing aftermath wi

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/1NAm2wRL76E   Looking for a little warmth this winter.  Finnish and British scientists urge you to spend some time in the sauna and not only warm up but enjoy substantial health benefits.   Their report in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings demonstrates that regular sauna use reduces your blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular disease, improves lung function, energizes your immune system, helps control skin problems and arthritis, reduces headache, relaxes you, and improves your overall quality of life.   During these dark days of winter, seek out a nice cozy sauna, and visit it often.  A surprisingly large number of health clubs have them.   Jari A. Laukkanen, Tanjaniina Laukkanen, Setor K. Kunutsor. Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing: A Review of the Evidence. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2018; 93 (8): 1111 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2018.04.008   #sauna #warmth #heartdisease #highbloodpressure #immunity #lungfunction #arthritis #headache #relaxation

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/hMLMwnzMn9s   Restricting childrens’ sedentary screen time in favor of more physically active pursuits is the latest weapon in the war against childhood obesity.  New Canadian research just published in the journal BMC Obesity reminds us that parenting practices are key factors in their offsprings’ screen time.   Nearly 40 families with at least one child 18 monthS to 5 years of age were studied.  Parental device use and television viewing during meals as well as the offering of extra screen time as a reward resulted in excessive screen times for the children.    Kids are sponges, and they quickly see if you follow your own advice.  Get your head out of your phone and offer a good example.  To reward healthy behavior, offer physical activities such as the playground, sports play with you, and healthy treats rather than always suggesting extra screen time and sugary treats.   Lisa Tang, Gerarda Darlington, David W L Ma, Jess Haines. Mothers’ and fathers’ media parenting practices asso

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/2vy8C8HHGdI   Half of the millions using the most common type of sleeping pills might never wake to escape a fire.  Taken to induce sleep and relaxation, the popular benzodiazepine medications or benzos for short include Restoril, Halcion, Ativan, Xanax, and Valium.  This class of drugs induces drowsiness but also suppresses emergency arousal.  Even newer drugs such as Ambien and Lunesta trigger sustained drowsiness and some disorientation.   A new class of medication called DORAs, dual orexin receptor antagonists, induce sleep but permit retention of sensory input including sound, vibration, smell, and lack of oxygen.  This makes for a safer sleeping pill.  After a threat has passed, the medication also re-induces sleep.   To date, only one DORA sleeping pill has won FDA approval.  Belsomra (suvorexant) may only be prescribed those 18 years or older, but its expensive and often not covered by insurance.  As other DORA drugs become available, competition will drive down price and in

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/6PeLF8SxYHI Here’s a flash from the off-beat health news department.  Researchers in Sweden and Hungary report that the black and white striped design seen on Africa’s Zebras and copied into body painting by indigenous peoples protects against biting and blood-sucking insects including mosquitos and horseflies.    The scientists compared the frequency of horsefly attacks on 3 different mannikins: one beige, one brown, and one black with white stripes.  The striped skin design reduced insect attacks by 90% compared to brown skin and by 50% compared with beige skin.   It is likely that Africans years ago discovered the protective effect of Zebra designs against insect-borne infections such as malaria.  We don’t yet know if Zebra-striped garments are as good insect repellants as body painting, but this is something you should try for yourself.  Do let me know if it works. Gábor Horváth, Ádám Pereszlényi, Susanne Åkesson, György Kriska. Striped bodypainting protects against horseflies.

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/vDcsb8EVH6Y   Aspirin has now been shown to significantly improve survival for at least one type of cancer in those patients whose tumors have a specific genetic variant.  That cancer is squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck with an altered PIK3CA gene.   A study just published in The Journal of Experimental Medicine followed 266 patients after surgical resection of their tumors and post-operative chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.  Those patients regularly taking aspirin or another NSAID for 6 months and also having an activated PIK3CA gene were 3 times more likely to survive 5 years.  Specifically, the average survival rate rose from a baseline of 25 percent to a gratifying 78 percent.  Those without the PIK3CA gene mutation enjoyed no survival benefit.   A larger, confirmatory study is now underway.  Meanwhile, know that the PIK3CA oncogene is present and mutated in about one-third of other cancers including colon, stomach, esophageal, pancreatic, liver, breast, cervical, e

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/hnuh7zTs1Lk   We doctors constantly repeat it and you constantly hear it: avoid all but healthy food during pregnancy.  Despite this mantra, nearly one-third of pregnant women believe that cannabis is safe for their developing babies.   The analysis by Canadian doctors of 6 US studies shows that, as years go by, more pregnant women are using marijuana.  Currently, at least 4% of women use the drug sometime during their pregnancy.     Ironically, the rate of use is the highest at 7.4% during the critical first trimester when so many body systems are just beginning to blossom.  In one study, 35% of women were users when they discovered their pregnancy, and that only dropped down to 12% after the positive pregnancy test.  Half of those continuing to use did so almost daily.   The available research on cannabis shows that it is associated with low birth weight, stillbirths, and NICU admissions.  OB/GYN specialists and most doctors recommend against any cannibis use while trying to get p

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/fV5zjq6xVlA   Celiac disease may be initiated by an agent used to improve food texture and to literally glue together meat fragments into a more substantial, steak-like product.  The agent is microbial transglutaminase, and a review of data about the causation of celiac diease just published in Frontiers in Pediatrics suggests that the increasing amounts of this substance that are finding their way into our food supply may be at fault.   Over 3 million American have celiac disease.  It is an inherited autoimmune disorder, and you are 6 times more likely to have it if a close member member is affected.    It is characterized by an attack of a person’s own immune system on their gut lining, and it’s triggered by the presence of the gluten protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.  Other factors such as stress, infection, or antibiotic use seem to initiate or exacerbate the process.   Although our own systems make transglutaminase, they do so in very small quantities compared with what

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/Q_ysMuyhRLA   Electronic cigarette use is on the upswing, and their makers trumpet the latest studies showing that e-cigs help current tobacco smokers kick the habit.  In actuality, as older smokers quit more teens use e-cigs and move on to the nasty and dangerous habit that is tobacco cigarette smoking.   Besides the addicting nicotine, the e-cigs vaporize and spew a raft of of chemicals into the lungs including heavy metals, propylene glycol or anti-freeze, and formaldehyde.  The latest study from Harvard’s School of Public Health focuses on the toxicity of the chemicals used for flavoring the vapors.   Those ingredients are diacetyl and pentandione, and they create a buttery aroma.  You’ve definitely smelled it at the movie theater, and repeatedly inhaling the vapor leads to chronic irreversible lung damage and a disease appropriately named “popcorn lung.”   The Harvard team conclusively showed that these flavoring chemicals interfere with the genes that control development of no

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/Lwn3bMuGWHM   Are you a good or a bad boss?  Do you have a good or a bad boss.  The latest study shows management style definitely affects the bottom line. ______ An-Chih Wang, Chou-Yu Tsai, Shelley D. Dionne, Francis J. Yammarino, Seth M. Spain, Hsiao-Chi Ling, Min-Ping Huang, Li-Fang Chou, Bor-Shiuan Cheng. Benevolence-dominant, authoritarianism-dominant, and classical paternalistic leadership: Testing their relationships with subordinate performance. The Leadership Quarterly, 2018; DOI: 10.1016/j.leaqua.2018.06.002   #bosses #profits #authoritarian #benevolentmanager

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/vFDQ2QUXUC8   Fraudulent products, procedures, and people abound on the web.  Here are some ready strategies that will help prevent you from being taken. ____________ Victoria Perez, Seth Freedman. Do Crowdsourced Hospital Ratings Coincide with Hospital Compare Measures of Clinical and Nonclinical Quality? Health Services Research, 2018; DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.13026   https://www.medicare.gov/hospitalcompare/search.html   https://www.qualitynet.org/dcs/ContentServer?c=Page&pagename=QnetPublic%2FPage%2FQnetBasic&cid=1228776614455   #healthscams #webscams

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/Bs963ywQHJE   The majority of American parents believe that young children should not be playing tackle football.  A study recently published in the journal Pediatrics tabulated the results of a nationwide survey.   Over 1000 parents completed the survey.  Sixty-one percent definitely favored restrictions and another 24% were leaning toward bans on tackling for younger children for a total of 85% considering restrictions.   Meanwhile, on the political front, a 6 states have proposed bills to regulate tackle football for children under the age of 12.  Bills have been filed in New York, Illinois, California, Maryland, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.  So far none of them have passed into law, and the bills in California and Illinois have been withdrawn.  The New York and Maryland bills were defeated.   Finally, consider these two facts.  ONE. The sad cases of adolescent athletes and multiple studies show that head injuries produce lasting and in some cases progressive damage to the brai

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/hO0nhRo7HYE   With the coming of ever warmer weather, the news here is bad news.  At least 1000 children perish due to preventable drownings every year, and accidental drowning is the single leading cause of injury-related death for kids 1 to 4 years of age.  These tragedies occur because naturally-curious kids gain unexpected access to water.  Those children also at a high risk of drowning are teens who tend to be overconfident about their swimming skills.   These drownings are all preventable, and the American Academy of Pediatrics reminds parents about a few simple rules: Teach your child to swim after the first birthday if your pediatrician agrees he or she is developmentally ready. Never leave children alone or with another child near any water: pools, bathtubs, spas, or any open water including toilets. When infants and toddlers are around water, an adult who is a good swimmer should be within arm’s reach. An adult with lifesaving skills should supervise teen swimming.   Dro

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/4R0XogusZx0   I’m Dr. Howard Smith, PENTA Medical Network, reporting from NYC with the Health News Roundup for the 3rd week of JULY, 2019.  This is Health News You Should Use, the latest medical discoveries and commonsense advice that you can use in a practical way to keep yourself and your family healthy.     Here are this weeks stories : To Prevent Dementia Bank Your Brainpower Cutting Calories Is Always Healthy Helping Those In Need Depends On Imagination Air Pollution Blocks Your Arteries Time In Green Spaces Erases Unhealthy Lusts Preterm Babies Suffer Adult Relationship Issues Punishing Football Practices Trigger More Injuries Than Actual Games Surgery For Young Women Linked To Addicted Babies Rejecting A Needed Hearing Aid Risks Dementia Pets Relieve Stress Eating Healthy Pampers Your Gut Bacteria New Treatment For Weed Dependency Rugby Tackling Safer Than Football Tackling Toss Tampons And Try The Menstrual Cup Heroin Addicts Hate The Term   For show notes and references to f