Howard G. Smith, MD, AM
PENTA Medical Network
617-488-9699
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RoundUp - 4th Week of February 2024
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HEALTH REPORTS
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Listen on Smart Speakers
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4L4hYMLWu-/
Dr. Howard Smith here with the reminder that you can listen to my Health News and Recall Reports on your favorite smart speakers including the Amazon Echos, the Apple HomePods, the Google Nests, and others. It’s simple just ask your speaker to play Dr. Howard Smith Reports. Like this……
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Most speakers will continuously play the available reports, but, to move things along, just say…….
Besides Apple Podcasts, you can ask your speaker to play Dr. Howard Smith Reports on Amazon Music or on Spotify.
Just so you know, besides the media site you are currently using, my reports are available on TikTok, Instagram, Spotify, X-Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Wordpress, Threads, Tribal, BlueSky, Mastodon, Telegram, and Sirius XM podcasts..
Thanks so much for your interest and support.
#echo #Alexa #applehome #nest #smartspeaker #podcasts
echo, Alexa, applehome, nest, smartspeaker, podcasts
E-Bike Injuries Surging
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4L5UUmrBLK/
Injuries to electric bike riders have spiked 30 fold over the past 5 years. This from a UC-San Francisco reviews of data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System that covers data from all US emergency departments.
Over the same period, e-bike related hospitalizations increased 43-fold, ebike injuries in children under 18 increased from none to 13% of all injuries while those in riders 18 to 34 years dropped from 63% to 30% of total injuries, and ebike associated head trauma surged 49 fold.
Digging a bit further into the head injuries, the data showed a drop in helmet use of 5.6% for each of the 5 years totaling 28% over the 5 year study period. The odds of sustaining a significant head injury DOUBLED if you weren’t wearing a helmet.
E-bikes are ever more popular with the new imports increasing 2.5 fold over the 5 years to 1.1 million in 2022. Compared with previous studies, this latest one shows an alarming increase in head injuries. It’s sad that many if not all of these tragedies are preventable by putting on that bike helmet. Do it! Please!
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/2815376
#ebicycles #helmets #headinjuries #hospitalizations
ebicycles, helmets, headinjuries, hospitalizations
Timing Is Everything When Vaccinating Girls Against Cervical Cancer
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4L6Ch7rgcC/
We know that vaccinating girls against carcinogenic strains of Human Papilloma Virus saves them from the heartbreak of cervical cancer later. Now, a study from the University of Edinburgh shows that the optimal age to vaccine is at age 12 years.
Reproductive health investigators there reviewed data from the Scottish cervical cancer system covering some 450,000 women.. None of the women vaccinated at 12 to 13 years of age developed invasive cervical cancer. Those vaccinated between 14 and 22 years of age were 2.6 fold less likely than the unvaccinated to develop cervical cancer
The researchers, publishing in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, JNCI, indicate that planning to vaccinate your daughters with a 3 shot course of Gardasil can be lifesaving. Don’t put it off. Don’t be an anti-vaxxer since these vaccines are safe and effective.
https://academic.oup.com/jnci/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/jnci/djad263/7577291
#cervicalcancer #HPV #humanpapillomavirus #girls
cervicalcancer, HPV, humanpapillomavirus, girls
Anorexia Endangers Teen Boys More Than Girls
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4L6tenL5_X/
Boys as well as girls do starve themselves to death. In fact, the mortality rate of anorexia nervosa is 1.5 to 6 times higher for males than females.
The guys most at risk for developing anorexia are those engaged in so-called strength focused sports including cycling, running, and wrestling. The male groups who most often suffer anorexia include those that are racially diverse, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. Those in these groups tend to fast, purge, excessively exercise, and use body building drugs such as anabolic steroids.
Anorexia is associated with significant disruptions in metabolism including electrolytes, lipids, and bone nutrition. It upsets both cardiovascular and. gastrointestinal functionality.
Of most importance, this disease is life-threatening. Karen Carpenter succumbed to it and her beautiful singing voice was silenced by a heart attack at age 32. Anorexia’s standardized mortality rate has been reported to be as high as 16%. The reported rate for females with anorexia is 5-fold higher than than for the general population. For males, it could be as much as 30-fold higher.
If your son or grandson is engaged in activities or is a member of a vulnerable group, do all you can to help him seek an evaluation and care. Don’t look back later and regret that you didn’t do more.
https://www.cmaj.ca/content/cmaj/196/6/E191.full.pdf
#anorexia #males #females #teens #death
anorexia, males, females, teens, death
Healthy Plant-Based Foods Improve Sleep Apnea
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4L8irNrMGq/
Eating a diet rich in healthy plant-based foods or a pure vegetarian diet is associated with a 16-20% improvement in breath-holding during sleep. On the other hand, wolfing down unhealthy plant-associated offerings led to a 22% sleep apnea exacerbation.
These are the overall conclusions by Australian investigators reviewing dietary and sleep quality data from 14,210 participants in that nation’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. That data revealed that women saw a greater benefit from healthy eating enjoying a 33% apnea improvement versus only a 10% improvement in men. However, the ladies eating unhealthy plant based food fared worse than the men with 42% worse apnea versus only 13%.
Healthy plant-based foods included whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, tea and coffee. Non-healthy plant-based foods were refined grains, potatoes, sugar-sweetened beverages, sweets and desserts, salty foods.
How healthy you eat during the day is how healthy you breathe at night.
https://openres.ersjournals.com/content/erjor/early/2024/01/04/23120541.00739-2023.full.pdf
#plantbased #diet #apnea
plantbased, diet, apnea
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FUTURE MED
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Red Light Lowers Blood Sugar
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4L93kbrvEV/
A 15 minute exposure to red light can lower blood glucose levels by nearly 28%. This the finding by investigators at University College London following their study of 15 healthy adults in light treatment and control groups. Both groups of participants were given sugar doses prior to serial measurements of their blood sugar. The light appears to stimulate cell mitochondrial activity which leads to enhanced sugar utilization.
This finding in adults without diabetes raises that possibility that light may be yet another tool for the management of diabetes. Many more studies are needed, but the 670 nm red light used to treat acne, scars, and aging skin may help provide better treatment if not elimination of diabetes…….someday soon.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jbio.202300521
#red #light #sugar #mitochondria #diabetes
red, light, sugar, mitochondria, diabetes
Last Resort Therapy For Advanced Melanoma
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4L-mmcrixL/
Injecting a herd of a patient’s own white cells known to kill that patient’s malignant skin cancer is effective court-of-last-resort therapy for advanced melanoma resistant to other treatments. A multi-site study of 153 with such tumors showed that this treatment known as TIL or Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes induced significant tumor regression in 31% of patients, complete elimination of detectable tumor in 5%, and continuing tumor control at 18 months in 42%.
In response to these exciting results, the FDA has approved the use of this therapy, marketed as Amtagvi with lifileucel as the generic by Iovance Biotherapeutics, Amtagvi is not a drug but rather a process. A patient’s persistent or recurrent melanoma is surgically excised and so-called tumor infiltrating lymphocytes or TILs are harvested from the tumor. These immune T lymphocytes are then grown outside the body into a battalion uniquely capable of killing that patient’s tumor. The patient receives these cells back as a one-time injection. The entire process requires about 22 days.
The processes used to capture and amplify TILs were developed at the National Cancer Institute by the ionic chief of the Institute’s Surgery Branch and head of its tumor immunology section, Dr. Steven Rosenberg.
A Phase 3 randomized trial is now underway to confirm these encouraging findings to date. Meanwhile, Amtagvi is available for those who might benefit from it. The treatment isn’t cheap at about half a million dollars.
TIL therapy holds great promise as yet another weapon in our growing armametarium that will capably control and vanquish all cancer…..someday soon.
https://jitc.bmj.com/content/10/12/e005755
https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/fda-approves-amtagvi-new-type-immunotherapy-melanoma
#melanoma #til #tumorinfiltratinglymphocyctes #Amtagvi #lifileucel #rosenberg #nci #fda
melanoma, til, tumorinfiltratinglymphocyctes, Amtagvi, lifileucel, rosenberg, nci, fda
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WARNINGS
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Smartwatches and Smart Rings Fail To Measure Blood Sugar Accurately
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4L_nzTLCia/
The FDA warns the public that there is no approved wearable device, no smartwatch and no smart ring, that can capably measure or control blood sugar levels on its own. The agency contrasts this situation with watch and phone applications that work with skin-piercing sensors such as Libre, and Dexcom.
Manufacturers of these freestanding watch and ring wearables have not submitted verified data for FDA review in order to prove that these devices can accurately measure blood sugar.
#wearables #glucose #smartwatches #rings #fda #warning
wearables, glucose, smartwatches, rings, fda, warning
FDA Warning About Nozin
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4MAXiKLe0p/
There is a nasal antiseptic preparation called Nozin Nasal Sanitizer being touted on TikTok,Twitter, and Facebook as an effective nasal antiseptic against not only bacteria such as Staph aureus but also CoVid and other viruses. On February 6, 2024, the FDA fired off a warning letter to the company manufacturing Nozin warning it to cease and desist advertising the product as it is an unapproved new drug with multiple misbranding violations.
This product is a compound with 62% alcohol as the active ingredient designed to be swabbed on the outer portion of the nostril with included swabs or directly with a applicator-dispenser. The product claims universal sustained nasal decolonization without antibiotics, iodine, or a prescription.
Because the claims made for this product categorize it as a drug, it cannot be marketed without an FDA review of data proving its safety and effectiveness. This has never occurred.
As a practical matter, the product is designed only to coat the outer skin-covered nostril with the alcohol and inactive ingredients which the company touts as powerful anti-oxidants. Studies have shown that staph aureus and other pathogenic bacteria grow deep within the nasal cavity and that CoVid is found in the upper reaches of the nose and spills down onto lower zones. Applying an antiseptic to the outer rim of the nostril could never reach these areas.
Bottom line: don’t waste your money or delude yourself into thinking that Nozin is cleansing your nose. Prescription antibiotic ointments such as mupirocin or over-the-counter antibiotic ointments such as triple antibiotic preparations including Neosporin can effectively eradicate bacteria residing in the front portion of the nasal interior.
https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2013/12/staph-can-lurk-deep-within-nose-study-finds.html
https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2023/01/covid-virus-infection-nasal.html
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/mupirocin-nasal-route/proper-use/DRG-20064917?p=1
https://www.healthline.com/health/neosporin-in-nose#best-practices
#nozin #fda #nasal #cleansing #misbranding #CoVid #staph #mupirocin #neosporin
nozin, fda, nasal, cleansing, misbranding, CoVid, staph, mupirocin, neosporin
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BUSINESS OF HEALTH
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Vibrating Away Your Cellulite
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4MBiAYLxft/
Soliton Inc., an Abbvie company, is touting its non-surgical therapy for cellulite called Resonic. The device delivers high frequency pulses to affected skin that effectively break up fibrous bands beneath the surface eliminating the mottled, orange rind-like skin that is cellulite.
The company reminds us that 90% of women develop cellulite over time. Problem is that the normally springy bands that traverse the fatty space between skin and underlying muscle harden with aging leading to the puckering characteristic of cellulite.
The company studied 56 women with moderate to severe cellulite treated with the device once. Pre-and post-treatment photos were evaluated 3 months later by observers who were unaware of which women received Resonic therapy.
The data revealed subjective improvement in 91% of treated skin locations. Skin laxity was improved in two-thirds of treated zones.
Resonic therapy requires no anesthesia and is non-invasive. The vibration-induced breakage of the subcutaneous fibrous bands is call subcision. The company’s website lists providers where this treatment is available.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/lsm.23448
#cellulitis #resonic #subcision
cellulitis, resonic, subcision
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CPSC Recalls
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Camplux portable tankless water heaters Leak Gas
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4LpHLJr1_x/
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and The Home Appliances company are recalling Camplux portable tankless water heaters as these heaters have a dangerously leaking gas regulator connection creating fire and burn hazards.
About 42,000 of these tankless water heaters were sold online at Amazon.com and Walmart.com.
Immediately turn off these recalled portable water heaters and contact The Home Appliances compay at 1-844-538-7475 or email them at support@camplux.com in to obtain a free repair kit.
#camplux #waterheater #tankless #gas #regulator #fire #burns #recall
camplux, waterheater, tankless, gas, regulator, fire, burns #recall
Heritage Store Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash Is Child-Risky
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4LqGztr-J8/
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Nutraceutical company are recalling Heritage Store Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash since it contains ethanol and is not sold in a child-resistant package as is required by law. This creates poisoning as well as eye and skin damage risks.
About 102,100 bottles of this mouthwash were sold at Whole Foods, Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, Mom’s Organic Market, New Season’s Market and Mother’s Market & Kitchen, and at other stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com, iHerb.com, HeritageStore.com and at other websites.
Immediately store this product out of reach of your children. Contact Nutraceutical at 1-800-227-6063 for via email at info@nutracorp.com to receive a full refund or replacement product in a child-safe container.
#heritagestore #mouthwash #children #packaging #poisoning #skin #eyes #recall
heritagestore, mouthwash, children, packaging, poisoning, skin, eyes, recall
Ski-Doo Snowmobiles Have A Breakable Ski
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4Lq5VSrfBN/
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the BRP company are recalling Ski-Doo MXZ and Renegade Snowmobiles equipped with Pilot X Skis. The left ski is defective and breaks easily leading to crashes and injuries to riders and bystanders.
About 8,100 were sold in the US and about 5,600 were sold in Canada.
Stop using these snowmobiles and contact BRP at 1-888-272-9222 to arrange for a free inspection and repair.
#skidoo #snowmobile #ski #fracture #crash #injury #recall
skidoo, snowmobile, ski, fracture, crash, injury, recall
Vanilla Underground Kids PJs Could Burn
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4LzZwfrLTG/
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Vanilla Underground are recalling Vanilla Underground “Minecraft TNT” One-Piece Pajamas as they fail to meet federal flammability standards for children’s sleepwear. This creates risks for fires and burns.
About 1570 pairs of pjs were sold online on amazon.com and vanillaunderground.com.
Do not allow your children to wear these pajamas and contact Vanilla Underground at 1-800-918-5294 or via email at customercare@vanillaunderground.com to obtain a full refund. To get the refund, you’ll have to cut the pjs in half and email a photo of the destroyed garment.
#vanillaunderground #pajamas #children #flammability #fires #burns #recall
vanillaunderground, pajamas, children, flammability, fires, burns, recall
Vernier Go Direct Charge Stations Overheat
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4L0Il9rDMq/
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Vernier Science Education now recall Vernier Go Direct Charge Stations as they tend to overheat risking burns to users. Affected is model number GDXCRG2617R1.
About 15,000 charge stations were sold online at Vernier.com, fishersci.com, flinnsci.com, and at us.vwr.com.
Stop using these charge stations and contact Vernier Science Education at 1-888-837-6437 or via email at support@vernier.com to receive instructions regarding product return for a free repair.
#vernier #charger #overheating #burns #recall
vernier, charger, overheating, burns, recall
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FDA Recalls
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Multiple Eye Lubricating Ointments Have Germs
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4L08I4LF00/
The Food and Drug Administration and Brassica Pharma Pat. Ltd. are recalling multiply-branded eye ointments as their manufacturing facility failed an FDA sterility inspection. The brands implicated are Equate, CVS Health, and AACE Pharmaceuticals. All affected eye ointments have expiration dates from February 2024 to September 2025.
These eye lubricating ointments have been sold at CVS, Walmart, and at other retail outlets.
If you have any of these eye ointments, do not use them. Return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. For additional information, contact Brassica by phone at 1-833-225-9564 or via email at info@brassicapharma.com.
#eye #lubricating #ointment #steriligy #infection #recall
eye, lubricating, ointment, steriligy, infection, recall
Banh Ba Xa and Banh Pia Have Hidden Egg
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4L10oJLJOz/
The Food and Drug Administration and LQNN Inc. are recalling Saigon Gourmet-branded Banh Ba Xa and varieties of Banh Pia due to the presence of undeclared egg. Those with an allergy to egg could develop a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction should they consume this product.
These products were sold in: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington state as well as in Canada.
Return these items to the place of purchase for a refund. For more info, contact the company at 1-714-949-7870.
#saigongourmet #banh #baxa #pia #egg #allergy #recall
saigongourmet, banh, baxa, pia, egg, allergy, recall
Electric City Red Velvet Milk Chocolate Bars Have Hidden Milk
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4L2jqRLkD0/
The Food and Drug Administration and Electric City Sweets are recalling Electric City Red Velvet Milk Chocolate Bars due to undeclared milk. Those with an allergy to milk could develop a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction should they consume this product. eed.
These chocolate bars were sold online by Electric City Sweets.com and by retail stores in: Scranton, Pal; Milford, PA, Delray Beach, FL, Marina Del Rey, CA,. Orlando, FL, and in North Carolina.
Return these bars to the place of purchase for a refund. For additional information, call Electric City Sweets at 1-570-430-8999 or email them at support@eIectriccitysweets.com.
#electriccity #chocolatebar #milk #allergy #recall
electriccity, chocolatebar, milk, allergy, recall
Roland Tahini Has Bacteria
Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4L3TXOLFTL/
The Food and Drug Administration and Roland Foods LLC are recalling Roland Tahini due to salmonella contamination. The only affected product is batch # P024581with a Best By Date of October 19, 2024.
If you bought this tahini, discard it. For more information, call Roland Foods at 1-800-622-1823.
#roland #tahini #salmonella #infection #recall
roland, tahini, salmonella, infection, recall