Health category, Page 115
‘Unprecedented’ demand for shingles vaccine leads to shortage
High demand for the shingles vaccine means Pennsylvanians wanting to protect themselves against the painful, blister-causing virus might have to wait. “The demand has been unprecedented,” said Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and a Pittsburgh-based infectious disease physician. “We want to...
Health Happenings week of Oct. 1
Blood drives • American Red Cross will host a blood drive 12:30-6 p.m. Oct. 9, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 407 Constitution Drive, Hunker. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or redcrossblood.org; walk-ins welcome Classes/programs • WCCC is partnering with APPRISE, the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Assistance Program, to sponsor a free Medicare presentation about the basics...
Mayo Clinic Q&A: Mild hypothyroidism may not need treatment
Dear Mayo Clinic: I recently was diagnosed with mild hypothyroidism that isn’t causing symptoms. My doctor says I don’t need treatment now, but she wants me to come back for regular checkups. Does hypothyroidism usually get worse over time? If it does, how is it treated? Answer: For mild cases...
Quinn on Nutrition: What is A2 milk?
At a recent nutrition seminar, my friend, Kristin (another registered dietitian) and I were intrigued to hear an update about a new product on the market called A2 milk. “My cousin has been intolerant to milk most of her life” she told our group. “But she found she can tolerate...
‘Cooking for One’ teaches grief survivors solo culinary skillsVideo
There are smiles and laughter all around as two dozen people gather to decorate Halloween pumpkins, enjoy fun-size candy bars and prepare and share a meal. The setting may be a bit unusual — the Frank Kapr Funeral Home Family Center in Scottdale. This second session of a new, locally...
How risky is eating red meat? New papers provoke controversy
NEW YORK — Eating red meat is linked to cancer and heart disease, but are the risks big enough to give up burgers and steak? A team of international researchers says probably not, contradicting established advice. In a series of papers published Monday, the researchers say the increased risks are...
Western Pa. health experts alarmed by ‘unacceptable’ rise in maternal deaths
Local doctors say the rising number of maternal deaths in the state is “unacceptable” and “scary,” and they are working to create more comprehensive ways to care for pregnant and postpartum women. According to data from the state Department of Health, an increasing trend in pregnancy-related deaths occurred from 2012-16...
Cape Cod brings back limited-edition chips in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
A popular potato chip company is showing its dedication to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month by returning to a familiar, limited-edition flavor. In a Thursday tweet, Cape Cod Chips reminded us that “October is right around the corner” and the company has brought back the Pink Himalayan Salt & Red...
Health officials: It’s time to give flu vaccine another shot
WASHINGTON— The flu forecast is cloudy and it’s too soon to know if the U.S. is in for a third miserable season in a row, but health officials said Thursday not to delay vaccination. While the vaccine didn’t offer much protection the past two years, specialists have fine-tuned the recipe...
L.A. doctor who performed Ben Roethlisberger’s surgery has Western Pa. roots
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger underwent surgery for an elbow injury in Los Angeles on Monday, but his care was still in the hands of a Steelers Country native. The procedure was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache of the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan Jobe Institute — surgeon to celebrities, professional athletes and a...
Massachusetts temporarily banning sale of vaping products
BOSTON — The governor of Massachusetts is declaring a public health emergency and ordering a four-month ban on the sale of vaping products in the state. Republican Gov. Charlie Baker’s order Tuesday appears to be the first of its kind in the nation. The ban must be approved by a...
Monroeville expo focuses on healing for mind, body, spirit
At least 110 vendors and service providers will participate in the third annual Mind Body Spirit Healing Expo on Sept. 28-29 in the Monroeville Convention Center. Set for 10 a.m.-6 p.m. both days in the center’s south hall, the expo will feature exhibits, mini-lectures, seminars and attractions. Practitioners and vendors...
4 Yough students treated for possible contagious skin infection
Four students in the Yough School District have been treated for possible impetigo since the beginning of the school year, Superintendent Janet Sardon said Tuesday. “The Yough School District takes the health and safety of our students as a top priority,” Sardon said in a statement. Impetigo is a common...
Milk, no sugar: Health groups establish new guidelines for kids drinks
Parents confused about what exactly their young children should be drinking just got help from several large health organizations, which have issued a common set of recommendations. Breast milk or formula, plain cow’s milk and water are encouraged; sweetened drinks — including most plant-based milks — are not. Individual organizations...
Mayo Clinic Q&A: Bone marrow transplants save lives — more donors are needed
Dear Mayo Clinic: Who can be a bone marrow donor? What’s the process for becoming one? Answer: In general, anyone between the ages of 18 and 60 who’s in good health can be a bone marrow donor. To be considered, all you need to do is join the national registry...
Health happenings for the week of Sept. 23
Blood drives • American Red Cross will host these blood drives: — Noon-5:30 p.m., Wednesday , First United Methodist Church of Irwin, 310 Oak St. — 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 2, University of Pittsburgh Smith Hall Lounge, 150 Finoli Drive, Hempfield Appointments: 800-733-2767 or redcrossblood.org; walk-ins welcome Screenings • Excela...
Rare, deadly virus detected in 3 Pennsylvania counties
A rare, potentially deadly virus transmitted by mosquitoes has been confirmed in three Pennsylvania counties. The Pennsylvania departments of health and agriculture issued a warning Saturday after confirming eastern equine encephalitis in Erie, Carbon, and Monroe counties. The virus was found in pheasants, horses and a wild turkey. The virus...
Walmart to stop selling electronic cigarettes at its stores
NEW YORK — Walmart says it will stop selling electronic cigarettes at its namesake stores and Sam’s Clubs following a string illnesses and deaths related to vaping. The nation’s largest retailer said Friday that it will complete its exit from e-cigarettes after selling through current inventory. It cited growing federal,...
Walgreens, Google affiliate to launch drone delivery test
Walgreens and a Google affiliate are testing drone deliveries that can put drugstore products on customer doorsteps minutes after being ordered. Snacks like Goldfish Crackers or gummy bears as well as aspirin for sick kids will be delivered starting next month in Christiansburg, Virginia, by a 10-pound drone flying as...
Philippines declares new polio outbreak after 19 years
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine health officials declared a polio outbreak in the country on Thursday, nearly two decades after the World Health Organization declared it to be free of the highly contagious and potentially deadly disease. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said at a news conference that authorities have confirmed...
South Fayette man, 4 children run to honor wife, mom who died from cancer
Manson and Kristin Seto talked about running together as a family. They never got to take that first step. Kristin Seto died in 2014 from colon cancer. She wasn’t well enough to jog with her husband and their four children. But the surviving South Fayette family won’t let that dream...
Pittsburgh hospitals are saying hello to professional greeters
When 28-year-old Ja’Ray Gamble began working at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital three years ago, he never expected to make such a positive impact on the lives of patients every day. He’s not a doctor or a nurse. You won’t find him checking your heartbeat or even taking your height and weight....
Uptick seen in rare mosquito-borne virus in some states
NEW YORK — The number of U.S. deaths and illnesses from a rare mosquito-borne virus are higher than usual this year, health officials report. Eastern equine encephalitis has been diagnosed in 21 people in six states, and five people have died. The infection is only being seen in certain counties...
Study: Affordable Care Act dropped uninsured rates in Pa. to 6.5%
A new report shows the number of uninsured people in Pennsylvania declined by more than 5 percentage points under the health care reform of the Affordable Care Act. Conducted by the Urban Institute, the research examined national uninsured rates from 2013 through 2017, using U.S. Census Bureau data. Among the...
Hospital admissions for opioid overdoses decline in Pennsylvania
A significant decrease in hospital admissions for opioid overdoses across Pennsylvania may have more to do with evolving treatment and the widespread availability of a lifesaving antidote than any major drop in drug abuse, experts said following the release of a report on overdose hospitalizations. Researchers at the Pennsylvania Health...
