Health news, tips and features: Healia Health Blog

June 2008

June 19th, 2008

Number of People Infected with Salmonella Saintpaul Rises to 383

More than 350 people have now fallen ill in a Salmonella outbreak linked to certain types of tomatoes. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 383 people in 30 states have been infected with Salmonella Saintpaul, a rare strain of the bacteria.

Food safety experts have linked the outbreak to tainted raw round, plum, and Roma tomatoes and have not yet identified the source of contamination. The Chicago Department of Public Health told the Chicago Tribune on Wednesday that it reported a cluster of nine Salmonella cases at Adobo Grill restaurants in two parts of the city. Investigators are focusing on Mexico and central and southern Florida, which were the two largest suppliers of tomatoes at the time of the Salmonella outbreak.

An outbreak update and description of tainted tomatoes and areas are posted on the FDA's Web site. For more information about Salmonella, see Healia’s previous blog on the topic, Nine States Affected by Salmonella Food Poisoning, or ask a Healia Health Expert a question about Salmonella.

June 18th, 2008

“Meet the Press” Host, Tim Russert, Dies of Heart Attack

Tim Russert, a television journalist and political talk show host of "Meet the Press," died of a heart attack after collapsing at NBC's Washington bureau last Friday at the age of 58. Russert had been managing his coronary artery disease through diet, medication, and exercise. 

 

Russert suffered a cardiac arrest, which was apparently related to ruptured plaque that caused blockage of a coronary artery. Dr. Michael Newman told CNN's Larry King that Tim was a great patient, “Tim Russert as a patient was the Tim Russert that we all know. He complied with almost everything that was asked of him. He was well-informed, and asked good questions.”  

 

Taking steps to avoid heart disease is very important. A healthy lifestyle can help prevent a first or subsequent heart attack by controlling the risk factors that contribute to the narrowing of the coronary arteries that supply blood to your heart. Here are five heart disease prevention tips from the Mayo Clinic: 
  • Don't smoke or use tobacco products.
  • Get active.
  • Eat a heart-healthy diet.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Get regular health screenings.
 
June 11th, 2008

Men’s Health Week is June 9-15

Men's Health Week is celebrated each year during the week leading up to and including Father's Day. The purpose of Men's Health Week is to heighten awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.

This week gives health care providers, public policy makers, the media, and individuals an opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury. Men’s Health Week raises awareness for conditions that only affect males, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and low testosterone and also health conditions common among males, such as heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, mental health, and osteoporosis.

For information about men’s health, be sure to visit the Men’s Health Community on Healia Communities. Here, you can Ask an Expert a question about a men’s health topic or talk to other community members. Healia would like to wish all fathers a Happy Father’s Day!

June 6th, 2008

Nine States Affected by Salmonella Food Poisoning

An outbreak of salmonella food poisoning linked to uncooked tomatoes was reported this week in Texas, New Mexico, and possibly seven other states. At least 17 people in Texas and New Mexico have been hospitalized and 40 cases have been reported. An investigation by Texas and New Mexico health authorities and the Indian Health Service linked those cases to uncooked large tomatoes.

Thirty people have become sick with the same Salmonella Saintpaul infection in Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Idaho, Illinois, and Indiana. CDC investigators are looking into whether tomatoes were also involved in those states.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that, in Texas and New Mexico, the patients ranged in age from 3 to 82 years. Of the 40 patients, most said they ate raw tomatoes from either stores or restaurants before becoming ill between April 23 and May 27.

Salmonellosis is an infection with bacteria species called Salmonella. Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, in some people, the diarrhea may be so severe that they need to be hospitalized. In some patients, Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other organs and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness (CDC).

Have a question? Visit the Salmonella Infections online health community on Healia Communities and Ask an Expert a question regarding salmonella.

June 4th, 2008

Massage Has Many Health Benefits, but Massage Therapy May Be Dangerous for Some People

Although massage has many health benefits, massage therapy may be potentially hazardous for people with certain health conditions. For the average, healthy individual, massage can help increase blood flow to the muscles, increase healing, and speed healing time. Massage is good for relaxing the entire body, which lowers blood pressure, lowers heart rate, and decreases stress. There are more than 80 types of massage therapy dating back thousands of years.

However, for some people who have high blood pressure, cancer, or other health conditions, massage therapy may be dangerous.

People with high blood pressure who are not on medication should consult with their physician before getting a massage. A massage will increase blood flow. In a person with high blood pressure, that could cause serious problems.

People with cancer should also be cautious when it comes to getting a massage. The lymphatic system is a key vehicle for the spread of cancer. Massage that stimulates the lymphatic system could be detrimental. Cancer patients should also avoid direct pressure on the tumor area or areas that have become inflamed due to radiation.

In addition to the above conditions, if you have one or more of the following health issues, consult your health care provider before getting a massage:

 

For more information about massage, be sure to visit Healia Communities and connect with members of the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Community. Or Ask an Expert about massage therapy.

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