Health category, Page 126
Dept. of Health issues cease and desist order to medical marijuana grower
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has ordered a Greene County medical marijuana grower/processor to discontinue most of its operations after a surprise inspection found numerous violations. The state told AGRiMED Industries of Carmichaels to cease and desist harvesting, cutting or destroying marijuana plants without a department inspector present. During the...
Study: E-cigarettes may damage brain stem cells
Puffing on electronic cigarettes can damage neural stem cells important to brain function, a new study says. E-cigarettes produce a stress response in neural stem cells, researchers at the University of California at Riverside reported in a study published in the interdisciplinary open-access journal iScience. E-cigarette users may think they’re...
Future is in doubt for cheaper versions of biologic drugs
They were the drugs that were supposed to save the U.S. tens of billions of dollars. Called “biosimilars,” they are near-copies of complex and expensive biologic drugs to treat cancer, rare diseases and autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and colitis. But U.S. sales have been so limited that their future...
Can fish oil supplements treat depression?
Fish oil supplements may ease depression in some people. Some studies in adults suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may help treat mild to moderate depression, but more research is needed. Fish oil is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which play an important role in brain function. People with...
Tanning beds raise risk for skin cancer
Dear Mayo Clinic: My daughter and her friends are all talking about going to a tanning bed. I suggested to my daughter that she get a spray tan instead, but I don’t think I’ve convinced her, since she’s under the impression that tanning beds are somewhat safe. Is there any...
Health Happenings – Jul. 2, 2019
Blood drives — Noon-6:30 p.m. Monday , Charter Oak Church, 449 Frye Farm Road, Unity — 12:30-6 p.m. Monday , First United Methodist Church of Irwin, 310 Oak St. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or redcrossblood.org; walk-ins welcome Classes/programs • YWCA Westmoreland County, 424 N. Main St., Greensburg are hosting these classes: —...
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh reports 12 cases of MRSA bacteria
Six newborn babies and six employees at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh have tested positive for the contagious bacterial infection MRSA, hospital officials said Monday. “The health and safety of our patients, staff and visitors is our highest priority,” UPMC spokeswoman Andrea Kunicky said in a statement. “We’re doing everything...
Why many older adults feel good about their health
A common myth about aging is that older adults are burdened by illness and feel lousy much of the time. In fact, the opposite is usually true. Most seniors report feeling distinctly positive about their health. Consider data from the 2017 National Health Interview Survey (the most recent available), administered...
Murrysville cycling group helps Monroeville man cope with Lyme disease
A decade ago, Greg Shogan of Monroeville went through a series of perplexing ailments. First, he got cat scratch disease, which lingered for a couple months before going away. “Shortly after that, my whole face went numb, and I saw everyone I could see and probably had about 20 brain...
Pennsylvania’s top health official stresses need for vaccinations
Pennsylvania’s health secretary emphasized the importance of vaccination in the wake of a national measles outbreak. “Vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect yourself from a number of serious, life-threatening diseases,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said in a statement. “Getting your vaccinations can help protect those...
Fisher Price recalls 71,000 inclined baby sleeper accessories
Fisher Price recalled about 71,000 inclined sleeper accessories included with all models of the Fisher-Price Ultra-Lite Day & Night Play Yards. The company said in a statement it decided to recall the accessories after similar products had been linked to infant deaths. Fisher Price said there have been no reported...
What the UPMC-Highmark truce does and doesn’t mean for patients
A day after UPMC and Highmark reached a 10-year pact, patients across Western Pennsylvania are awaiting answers on precisely what the unexpected deal between the nonprofit health giants means for them. Patients who severed ties with longtime doctors are hopeful they can return to the physician teams who know them...
Nutrition and camping: The same rules apply
It’s always nice when things fall together. Especially on vacation. Our recent trip to a state park with dogs and horses in tow was a good example. After a few minor delays I won’t go into, we set out to ride and relax. Food? The same rules for nutrition (let’s...
Mayo mindfulness: Improve your well-being
Mindfulness is the act of being intensely aware of what you’re sensing and feeling at every moment — without interpretation or judgment. Spending too much time planning, problem-solving, daydreaming or thinking negative or random thoughts can be draining. It can also make you more likely to experience stress, anxiety and...
Hand sanitizers not contributing to superbugs, experts say
Mysteriously slick subway poles, a sneezing colleague, the arrival of flu season: These are all reasons to be grateful for any bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer that’s within reach. Yet in an era of superbugs — bacteria that become resistant to antibiotics — and fears about being too clean, you...
Health Happenings
Blood drives — 1-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 501 Fairfield Drive, Hempfield — 1:30-7 p.m. Friday, Greater Latrobe Area High School, 131 High School Road — 1:30-7 p.m., Monday, St. Bruno Church, 1707 S. Poplar St., Greensburg Appointments: 800-733-2767 or redcrossblood.org; walk-ins welcome Classes/programs • Excela Health fitness...
Walgreens to provide drug disposal packets free to customers
Walgreens is making it easier for customers to dispose of unused drugs safely. The drugstore chain said Monday that it will offer at several thousand stores packets that customers can use to turn medications into a useless gel before throwing them away at home. The DisposeRx packets will be available...
UPMC, Highmark reach 10-year deal for patient coverage
UPMC and Highmark struck a truce Monday that will allow Western Pennsylvanians to maintain access to hospitals and doctors across both rival health systems for at least the next 10 years. Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro hailed the unexpected contract — inked six days before UPMC and Highmark were scheduled...
Baby formula sold at Walmart is recalled over metal contamination concerns
About 23,400 containers of baby formula sold exclusively at Walmart have been recalled because they could contain pieces of metal. Perrigo Company is issuing the recall of 35-ounce containers of Parent’s Choice Advantage Infant Formula Milk-Based Powder with Iron because of the “potential presence of metal foreign matter.” Consumers should...
FDA may soon give women more options for boosting their libidos
More than two decades after Viagra revolutionized the treatment of men’s sexual health, women looking for a pharmaceutical boost in the bedroom are having another kind of Me Too moment. In the coming days, the Food and Drug Administration is expected to decide whether to approve a new medication for...
Allegheny County Health Department to begin public health survey
The Allegheny County Health Department plans to begin surveying residents next week about public health priorities. Last conducted in 2014, the Community Health Assessment is used to help the health department identify what public health areas need more support. Access to healthcare services, chronic diseases like obesity and smoking, environmental...
Pennsylvania moves to expand limits on opioid prescriptions
Legislation to further clamp down on powerful painkiller prescriptions in Pennsylvania has the state Senate’s approval, although Democrats tried unsuccessfully to put limits on an exception for major surgery. The Senate voted unanimously Wednesday, nearly three years after lawmakers passed a package of legislation to limit opioid prescriptions to fight...
Autism Speaks walk planned at Storybook Forest
Laurel Highlands Autism Speaks Walk will be held at Idlewild & Soak Zone’s Storybook Forest this year. Children and adults with autism, their families, friends, colleagues and neighbors are welcome to participate in the Sept. 8 event at the Ligonier Township amusement park. Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions...
U.S. air quality is slipping after years of improvement
After decades of improvement, America’s air may not be getting any cleaner. Over the last two years the nation had more polluted air days than just a few years earlier, federal data shows. While it remains unclear whether this is the beginning of a trend, health experts say it’s troubling...
Frozen spinach recalled for possible Listeria contamination
Sprouts Farmers Market is recalling two varieties of frozen spinach products because they may be contaminated with listeria, a bacteria that can cause illness and sometimes death. The products were manufactured by National Frozen Foods of Oregon and shipped to Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma,...
