Health Extra!
Wellness news from the world over

What goes up must come down

Think your blood pressure is at a healthy level? New national guidelines say think again. A blood pressure reading below 140/90 mm Hg used to be normal--but now if your blood pressure falls between 120/80 and 139/89 you are considered prehypertensive, says the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. That means in the future your blood pressure may rise to a dangerous level--unless you take charge of your health. Just 30 minutes of exercise each day and a low-fat, low-sodium diet can lower your numbers. If lifestyle changes aren't enough, your doctor may prescribe medications to help lower your blood pressure.

Tired of menopausal sleepiness?

Menopausal women have a higher risk of sleep-disordered breathing, says new research from the University of Wisconsin. Sleep-disordered breathing includes sleep apnea, or pauses in breathing, and hypopneaeduced airflow during sleep. Abnormal breathing can wake you from even the deepest sleep, leaving you without the rest you need. With time, sleep apnea and hypopnea may contribute to depression, high blood pressure and even heart disease. If you snore, feel tired during the day and are just starting or completing menopause, see your doctor. Finding the right treatment can help you get on track to a better night's sleep.

Is the CRP test right for you?

You may have heard the C-reactive protein (CRP) test can determine your risk of heart disease. Although many news reports promote the procedure with glowing headlines, the American Heart Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention caution its value. While the test can locate inflammation, it can confirm that heart disease is to blame since other conditions, such as arthritis and infection, can also cause inflammation. Doctors should continue to advise preventive measures to avoid heart disease and should order a CRP test only if the results will help them decide if a patient needs treatment.

Rethinking hormone replacement therapy

Hormone replacement therapy doubles the risk of Alzheimer disease, suggest new findings published by the American Medical Association. Until recently, doctors thought of HRT as a convenient cure-all for menopausal pain. But a string of recent research shows otherwise: HRT that combines estrogen and progestin increases the likelihood of breast cancer, stroke, blood clots and heart disease. Now, as doctors add Alzheimer to the list, the risks of HRT seem to outweigh the benefits. If you take HRT, talk with your doctor to decide if you should continue taking the medication.

Better bandages

Years ago, playground cuts and scrapes were healed with a kiss--and sealed with one type of adhesive bandage. Today, an assortment of bandages is available to treat individual wounds. Here a rundown of these modern options and their healing powers:

  • Liquid bandage. The liquid in this bandage quickly forms a protective seal over a minor cut. Unless you remove it, the seal will keep out germs for up to 10 days.
  • Moisture-sealing bandage. Like the liquid bandage, this bandage completely seals the wound from dirt and germs. Some types also absorb excess fluid from under the bandage.
  • Liquid stitches. Only your doctor has these. Liquid stitches can seal deeper wounds where stitches would otherwise be needed.
  • Blood-clotting bandage. Think of this as an instant scab; it stops the bleeding even for a severe wound. Although blood-clotting bandages are available only in the military now, look for them on shelves within three to five years.
  • Scar-healing bandage. Unlike the others, this bandage doesn't heal wounds. It should be used after the wound heals to help fade and flatten a red and raised scar.

New gene may battle breast cancer

A newly discovered gene, C35, may be our next step toward curing breast cancer. A study at the University of Rochester found the C35 gene was active in two thirds of breast cancer tissues but was inactive in most normal body tissues. Researchers are hopeful that further work with the C35 gene may lead to effective, lifesaving immunotherapy treatment for breast cancer.

Weight wake-up call

How well do you know your child? On the weight scale, that is. A new survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says one third of mothers with overweight children don't realize their kids have this health problem. And moms are less likely to notice obesity in sons than in daughters. If you think your child is overweight, be careful. Counting calories in childhood can lead to dangerous eating disorders. Instead, make exercise a part of your child activities and serve low-fat, well-balanced meals. Also consult your child's physician, who can help determine an appropriate weight range for him or her.