American Kids More Medicated Than European Kids

Children in the United States take psychotropic medications at a rate three or more times higher than their counterparts in Europe, according to a multi-national study recently conducted on children in the US, Germany, and the Netherlands. In Europe, the rate of children diagnosed with emotional and behavioral disorders is 1.5 to 2.2 times greater than it is in the US. Read more

Scientists Say Energy Drinks Need Warning Labels

Some scientists at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, considered experts on caffeine because of their decades-long study of the stimulant, say the high concentration of caffeine in a growing number of “energy” drinks is enough to cause caffeine intoxication and other health concerns.  In an article published in the September issue of the journal, Drug and Alcohol Dependence, the scientists call for warning labels to be placed prominently on all such beverages that contain caffeine in any amount. Read more

Mental Health Bill Finally Gets Congressional Approval

After more than a decade of lobbying for equal coverage for mental health treatments in health care plans, both the US Senate and the House of Representatives approved a bill yesterday that makes coverage for mental health on par with that now enjoyed for other medical issues.  Still uncertain, however, is if the bill will become law, as the terms approved in the Senate are not the same as those approved in the House.  Agreement is required before the bill can be ratified. Read more

Breast (Milk) Is Best, Says PETA to Ben & Jerry’s

Getting their inspiration from a Swiss restaurant that will begin using human breast milk for 75% of their milk needs, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) wrote a September 23 letter to Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, founders of Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, Inc., manufacturer of premium ice creams favored nationwide, urging them to follow suit.  PETA says a switch to human breast milk would benefit people and cows, too. Read more

Will Botox Land You More Dates?

Botulinum toxin A, marketed as Botox, is a very popular means of cosmetic enhancement, perhaps because we think we look better after getting a treatment. But recent research went a step further and evaluated the effects of one’s Botox treatment based on the opinions of others. Read more

FDA Wants New Labeling System to Prevent Re-entry of Refused Food Imports

At this time, a shipment of food from another country that is denied entry into the United States must be sent back or destroyed but this isn’t always the outcome.  There are no current means of identifying rejected shipments and many owners and consignees of such shipments merely forward these shipments to another US port in the hope that entry will be granted there instead, a practice called port shopping. Read more

Doctors Miss Many Opportunities to Show Empathy

Empathy is the acknowledgment and understanding of another person’s feelings or emotional situation. Empathetic doctors generally have patients who are more satisfied with their treatment and are more likely to comply with medical recommendations. Unfortunately, not all doctors readily express empathetic thoughts, according to a study recently published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Read more

FDA Explores Food Allergen Labeling Improvements

About 2% of all American adults and 5% of the nation’s infants and young children suffer from food allergies.  Some allergic reactions triggered by the foods eaten are merely irritating but 30,000 of them every year are severe enough to require emergency medical treatment.  About 150 people die every year after eating something they were allergic to. Read more

Odds For Suicide High in Older Problem Gamblers

Casinos and the games played within them can be loads of fun and the thrill of winning is unbeatable. Unfortunately, there are more people not winning in a casino near you than there are people winning. When the lure of the game becomes so strong the gambling causes financial, professional, and emotional devastation, the gambling has progressed to a point considered a problem. And older problem gamblers, those 55 and older, are more likely to consider, even attempt, suicide at rates about six times that of the population in general. Read more

Veggies Provide Tasty Way to Ease COPD Symptoms

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects at least 16 million Americans. Often associated with cigarette smoking, COPD is the nation’s #4 leading cause of death. Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Medical School have just published the findings of a recent study that suggests a diet rich in vegetables, particularly broccoli, may help the body produce enzymes that fight the negative effects of tobacco smoking. Read more

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