Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/bLgAUHPUvnk Using popular mouthwashes may cause your blood pressure to jump up significantly.  Dentists and cardiologists at the University of Texas report that the antibacterial agent in mouthwash, chlorhexidine, prevents the normal oral bacteria from metabolizing ingested nitrates into the nitric oxide that plays a key role in normalizing blood pressure. The investigators recruited subjects from the faculty, staff, and student populations in order to study their oral bacteria, oral nitrites, and blood pressures before, during, and after their use of mouthwash.  The subjects used Peridex mouthwash twice daily for 7 days. Use of the mouthwash and tongue cleaning significantly elevated both the systolic and the diastolic blood pressures as it depressed counts of oral bacteria and the concentration of nitric oxide.  Parameters returned to baseline 3 days following mouthwash discontinuation. This study is an additional reason why so-called therapeutic mouthwashes containing anti-bacteri

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/aIKf40gEBrc There’s a national campaign to stop children from smoking or vaping, and the FDA now announces that many, MANY retail outlets are simply not doing their part.  The federal watchdog agency regularly inspects these establishments, issues warnings to violators, and eventually triggers the prosecution of scofflaws. Let’s look at the perp list.  In terms of percentage of stores in violation, the petroleum company stores including Exxon-Mobil, Citgo, Sunoco, BP, and Marathon top the list at about 40% unlawfully selling these dangerous and addictive products to our kids.  The largest drug store chain illegally selling is Walgreen’s-Duane Reade, and 22% of their outlets were caught.  About 20% of Walmart, Family Dollar, Kroger, and Circle K stores were selling to kids and violating the law. We the public can stop these national companies from preying on our children.  Go on social media and barrage these companies’ accounts with your anger.  Also, complain about company policies

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/EWIAn6hx8D8 Ok anti-vaxxers, listen up!  The MMR vaccine that protects your children against the ravages of measles, mumps, and rubella does not, let me repeat, DOES NOT not increase your child’s risk of autism. A huge study of more than 600,000 Danish children and more than 5 million person-years of surveillance revealed that vaccinated children were actually 7% less likely to develop autism compared with unvaccinated kids. What more can I say.  There is no compelling evidence than this or any other vaccine currently available and recommended by public health officials can do anything but protect your child and protect your community by preventing the transmission of disease to others whose immunity may be impaired due to illness or age. #autism #vaccine #MMR, measles #mumps #rubella #vaccinesafety #healthnews Anders Hviid, Jørgen Vinsløv Hansen, Morten Frisch, Mads Melbye. Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccination and Autism. Annals of Internal Medicine, 2019; DOI: 10.7326/M18-2101 Saad

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/PTaQhgCWsPw If you burn your candle at both ends during the week and think that you can catch up on sleep over the weekend, think again!  A study from the University of Colorado shows that you won’t catch up on sleep and that your irregular sleep pattern will torpedo your glucose metabolism and internal time clock. The study assigned health young adults to one of three groups: a group with only 5 hours of sleep at night with no weekend catch-up; a group with only 5 hours of sleep for 5 nights followed by the chance to snooze forever on the weekend; and a control group who slept 9 hours each night.  The researchers studied the subjects’ sleep patterns via sleep studies, their weight gain, insulin sensitivity, and body circadian rhythms. The results revealed that the sleep-deprived group only recaptured a little more than one hour of the more than 12 hours of lost sleep when they were able to sleep in over the weekend.  Of even more importance, they could never recapture all the lost c

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/pRc6Gy_ICQE Don’t have the time or money for commercial weight loss schemes with their complicated diet plans, pre-packaged food, and embarrassing group weight-ins?   Downloading any one of a number of free apps for your smartphone will help you lose weight and keep it off simply and cheaply. Psychologists at Duke studied one hundred plus eager young and middle-aged adults.  They showed them how to use their phones and a free app called MyFitnessPal to track their food intake and weight on a daily basis for a three month period.  The app kept the participants engaged by prompting them to record their data and to read transmitted emails detailing tips for healthy eating. Those who were diligent lost about a half pound a week over the 12 weeks.  The best part is that they were able to keep the weight off.   Although the half pound a week is only half the maximum recommended maximal rate of weight loss, the method is easy, free, and effective. If you let your phone be your Jiminy Cricke

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/KHm3dFfwBBc You and I have talked many times about the fact that exercise, almost any exercise other than reaching for a donut, will help you live longer.  Now a study from Denmark published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings pinpoints just which forms of exercise will add extra years to your life. The investigators reviewed data from more than 8500 participants in the Copenhagen City Heart Study.  Although 12% of that group were total couch potatoes, 75% of those remaining participated in at least one form of physical activity. When the data was tallied, it turns out that playing tennis seems to add the most extra years to your life at nearly 10 years.  Following that we have badminton at 6 years, soccer at nearly 5 years, cycling at nearly 4 years, swimming, jogging, and calisthenics at 3 years.   Bringing up the rear was health club exercise at 1.5 years.  Remember that this study merely reports an association between longer life and different types of recreational activity. It appear

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/DZstc_1Yoaw It’s generally thought that background music stirs creativity.  Not so says a study from several universities in the UK and Sweden just published in the journal Applied Cognitive Psychology. A total of 84 university students and staff were presented with tests of creative ability, so-called Compound Remote Associate Tasks or CRAT for short.  Subjects were exposed to instrumental music only, songs with completely unfamiliar foreign language lyrics, or hit songs with familiar lyrics.  The control sounds were library background buzz and absolute quiet. The study results showed that the familiar songs with lyrics negatively impacted creativity the most followed by instrumentals and then foreign language songs.  Test performances were the same in absolute silence and in the low din of the library. The researchers hypothesize that the changing state of sound is most responsible for reducing creativity as the music reduces the performance of verbal working memory.  I personally

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/2bMiR9-TgNM If a parent constantly corrects an infant, that child’s brain becomes more sensitive to angry vocalizations.  Investigators at Britain’s University of Manchester studied 40 six month old infants and their mothers utilizing the novel neuroimaging technique of Near Infrared Spectroscopy.  This permits the study of a baby’s brain activation by maternal vocalizations without the noise of MRI. Infants as young as 6 months can differentiate happy and unhappy vocal rhythms.  The researchers found that those babies whose mothers repeatedly corrected them developed nerve networks that preferentially respond to angry vocalizations. This study underscores the exquisite sensitivity of infant humans.  Parents need to monitor their own and each other’s interactions with their children and realize how much their behavior imprints their offspring in both negative as well as positive ways.   Good parenting is creating a safe, happy environment for your child by constructing boundaries in

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/fypNmBVBoTc Deep sleep, the slow wave, non-REM variety, is the best sleep for literally cleansing your brain according to a new study from the University of Rochester.  The scientists studied the effects of deep sleep in a mouse model inducing that state with the unique combination of general anesthetics ketamine and xylazine. The combination of deep slow wave sleep and the low level cardiovascular activity that accompanies it triggers the so-called glymphatic system, the brain’s unique plumbing apparatus that flushes waste from our brain cells.  This essential purging fails to occur during sleep deprivation and is also less likely to occur as we age when it becomes more difficult to achieve deep sleep.    Other studies suggest that the onset of Alzheimer’s is associated with less deep sleep and this may be due to poor glymphatic system activity. You can help yourself get deep sleep at any age with the following tips.  Before bedtime: no eating, caffeinated beverages, exercise, blue

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/aRoE1Ecok84 Soccer playing seems to increase the risk of developing ALS or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This is the conclusion of an Italian study that reviewed the medical records of all professional soccer players in the Italian leagues between 1959 and 2000.   Players were followed for at least 16 years after their playing days ended. The data showed that nearly twice as many soccer players as expected  developed ALS, and nearly 5 times as many younger players 45 years or less fell ill.  The average age at ALS diagnosis in the general population is just over 62 years but the average age at which soccer players developed the disease is age 40. Since ALS development is associated with a history of head injury, soccer heading is the likely culprit.  Parents, please listen up!  If your child is playing soccer at any age, insist that they not do any heading.  Ask their coaches to enforce a strict no-heading rule.   Soccer is called football in Europe and for good reason.  Ball handli

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/nbRiz8yLIUQ If 100 patients visit the emergency room, more than one-third of them will suffer a dangerous interaction between a medication prescribed by the ER staff and those drugs they are already taking.  This study from New Jersey’s Rutgers University sounds a warning and pinpoints those drug combinations most likely to cause issues. Three medication combinations that resulted from an ER visit and could cause serious issues were: Oxycodone/acetaminophen, better known as the common pain med Percocet, PLUS fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro) or levofloxacin, (Levaquin) can together trigger seizures, delusions, and hallucinations. Percocet again PLUS the common diuretic and high blood pressure med hydrochlorthiazide can lead to blood pressure drops and a risk of falls. Lisinopril, frequently prescribed alone or with hydrochlorthiazine for high blood pressure, PLUS ibuprofen, Advil or Motrin, may cause kidney damage. When you see any doctor but particularly on

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/NXClddt3bzI Mothers who smoke, vape, or use oral and patch nicotine products may be exposing their unborn children to the risk of attention deficit and hyperactivity issues,ADHD, later in life.  A study from Finland just published in the journal Pediatrics studied over 1,000 children and matched controls born 10 years ago.   The researchers studied serum samples from mothers collected during the first and second trimesters and measured the levels of cotinine, a biomarker for nicotine.  Then the mothers were divided into 3 groups according to serum nicotine levels during pregnancy. Those mothers with the highest nicotine levels were more than 3 times more likely to have children suffering from ADHD.   Prior to this definitive study, there was no solid proof that the association was with nicotine. If you love your children-to-be, don’t consume nicotine in any form by smoking tobacco, vaping, chewing nicotine gum, or placing patches during pregnancy.  Don’t expose your developing child

Vidcast: ttps://youtu.be/ZflFG8eshQg Of the two chief components of marijuana, the THC, the psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol, appears to drive a greater overall therapeutic effect compared to CBD, the cannabidiol.  This new information comes from the University of New Mexico and studies employing the cannabis tracking smartphone app ReLeaf. The app gathered some 20,000 user sessions over 3 years. It digitally associates relief of various symptoms with the use of particular cannabis products that each have differing THC and CBD  concentrations.   The tabulated data reveals that those products with more THC did a superior job  relieving a variety of symptoms.  The pattern of symptom relief from THC suggested that its superiority did not stem from merely getting high. Keep in mind that everyone responds to THC ad CBD in different ways.  You should try each for any particular issue you may have.  Then you can use free app ReLeaf to determine which works best for you. As with any drug, use weed in moderation real

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/NYR-gRXk22Y I’m Dr. Howard Smith reporting from NYC with the Health News Roundup for the 1st week of MARCH, 2019.  This is Health News You Should Use, the latest medical discoveries that you can use in a practical way to keep yourself and your family healthy.   Here are the headlines for this weeks 15 top stories: THC and not CBD Drives Most Benefit From Weed Use Nicotine During Pregnancy Triggers Offspring ADHD ER Visits Create Drug Dangers Soccer May Lead To ALS How To Get Deep, Healthy Sleep Constant Infant Correction Sensitizes Their Brains To Anger Music Can Block Creativity Which Exercise Helps You Live The Longest Smartphone Apps Can Slim You You Night Owls Can’t Count On Weekend Catch-up Sleep There is NO Autism Risk From MMR Vaccine Convenience Stores Are Illegally Pedaling Cigarettes To Children Mouthwash May Bump Up Your Blood Pressure Cochlear Implants for Youngest Deaf Infants A Winning Strategy TRY A LITTLE KINDNESS:  The Arts Help The Sciences For more information, you

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/UtCOkUFVKyE You’ve likely savored a slice of delicious chocolate cake, a fine glass of wine, the smell of your brand new car, or a breathtaking sunset.  Savoring is focusing your mind so you linger for an extended period on a wonderful sensation. A study just published in the Journal of Language and Social Psychology explores the concept that we can and should savor various types of interpersonal communications.  The researchers studied 65 twenty year old subjects and defined 7 types of communications that lend themselves to savoring. The seven include: stories with a twist, deeply honest exchanges, non-verbal communications, words that honor, relationship-forming words, communications around life’s landmark moments, and unspoken communications.  Each type may be savored. The investigators emphasize that savoring at its heart is a type of time travel.  It allows you to look into the future and anticipate a wonderful experience.  More often, you travel back to an extraordinary moment

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/miGgyaFQSdw If you are having a baby, try to do it during the day on a weekday.  A new study from the Colorado State University reviews data from more than 2 million Texas births over a 5 year period and pinpoints the riskiest times to give birth. Obstetric complications are nearly 30% higher on holidays, about 20% higher during night shifts,  and 9% higher on weekends.  If you deliver in a teaching hospital in July when the new residents first arrive, the complication risk is an average of 28% higher.  Hospitals are sites where medical miracles occur, but, given the nature of human frailty and exhaustion, so too can medical mishaps.  When you or a family member is hospitalized, keep your eyes open and advocate for your own best interests in a friendly way.  Then, if you can, try to avoid those holidays, nights, and weekends. #birthcomplications #obstetriccomplications #nights #weekends #holidays #healthnews Sammy Zahran, David Mushinski, Hsueh-Hsiang Li, Ian Breunig, Sophie Mckee. C

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/Wp6JvfrTXrk Keeping your head, hands, and body busy in middle age pays off big later in life.  The latest pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is that your risk of dementia drops by nearly 35 to more than 50 percent.   This finding comes from Sweden’s University of Gothenburg’s study of 800 women who were followed from their mid-forties well into their nineties. The physically active women were 34 % less likely to develop dementia than their inactive peers.  Their activities included intense exercise such as running and swimming but also lighter physical pursuits such as biking, walking, bowling, or gardening. The more intellectually active women enjoyed a 46 percent lower incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and a 34% lower incidence of any dementia.  Their activities were reading writing, needlework, attending shows and concerts, singing in a choir, and painting. I end each of my news reports with the suggestion that a smile on your face, an active mind, and your body in motion are t

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/HlSz7GuNKNQ Teen hypertension doubles the risk of end stage renal failure later in life.  A study just published in JAMA Internal Medicine looked at more than 1.5 million candidates for Israeli military service.  Of this group, nearly 8000 were found to have elevated blood pressures. Those with hypertension were predominately male and half were overweight or obese.  They were followed for nearly 20 years.  Teen hypertension doubled the risk of eventual kidney failure, a need for dialysis, and a possible kidney transplant even for those who were not overweight. Elevated blood pressures in children have become more common as the rate of childhood and adolescent obesity skyrockets.  Pediatricians now recommend that every child over the age of 3 years should have their blood pressures checked annually.   If their pressures are elevated, they should be measured at every visit and treated aggressively initially with lifestyle changes such as weight reduction, dietary modification, exercise

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/nzwEnrwCHOo We all must screen for colon cancer.   New data suggests that  you might be able to use a simple chemical test at home to replace that nasty bowel prep followed by either colonoscopy under anesthesia or a CT scan.   A meta-analysis by Indiana University of some 31 studies testing more than 120,000 persons shows that the so called FIT test, the fecal immunochemical test, is so sensitive and specific that it may be used on an annual basis by many of us in place of the screening colonoscopy. The FIT test may be purchased over the counter online for $10 to $30 and looks specifically for a chemical trace of blood in the stool. You need not follow any special diet or avoid any medications before using the test.   Each FIT test is different.  With some, you simply place a bit of stool on the test surface and cover the zone before dropping on developing liquid or mailing it off to the lab.  With others, you toss an indicator strip into the toilet bowl with the stool and watch for

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/Efh0GI3jE1o There is an acute shortage of hearts for transplant, but the University of Pennsylvania’s transplant team is increasing the supply with a treatment that allows use of organs from donors infected with the Hepatitis C virus.   The clinicians treated a group of 10 heart transplant patients who developed positive tests for hepatitis C with a 3 month course of Zepatier, a two drug combo medication.  One of the patients suffered an unrelated rejection crisis, but the other 9 were cured of their hepatitis C and demonstrated excellent cardiac function. As we live longer, more of use suffer from tired hearts, better known as congestive heart failure.  Last year, more than 3000 hearts were transplanted, but more than double that number were left behind on the waiting list.  Innovative programs like Penn’s and the future use of genetically transformed pig hearts may hopefully shorten and eventually eliminate that list. One more thing.  In this day of astronomically high drug prices