January 2011

Shoes in the News-Does Fashion Trump Safety?

The safety and comfort level of a popular unstructured boot has recently been in the news.  These slipper-like boots, originally from Australia but copied by many manufacturers, have become the darling of celebrities and the fashion “must have” for women and girls all over the globe.   Podiatrists (foot doctors) have  been issuing warnings about these furry boots, especially if worn for extended periods of time.   One of the most common orthopedic complaints is plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain.

Original Article

Sweetened Beverages Associated with Gout in Women

Though the risk of gout is low in women, a new study reported in JAMA found that increasing intake of sugar-sweetened soda was associated with an increasing risk of gout.   Women who consumed 1 serving per day (compared to women who had less than 1 serving per month) had a a 74% increased risk of gout.   Women who consumed 2 or more servings had a 2.4 times higher risk.    The same result was not found in women drinking diet soft drinks. However, a single serving of orange juice per day also demonstrated an increased risk.

Original Article

Breast Implants May Increase Risk for Rare Cancer

After an intensive review of known cases of a rare form of cancer in breast implant recipients, the Food and Drug Administration says women with implants may have a very small, but increased risk of developing anaplastic large cell lymphoma, or ALCL.

FDA scientists reached that conclusion after examining scientific literature that focused on cases of ALCL in 34 women with breast implants, as well as information from agency reports, international regulatory agencies, scientific experts, and breast implant manufacturers.

Original Article

Nanotechnology Holds Promise for Drug Delivery

A new drug delivery technique may hold promise for more efficient cancer therapies. The technique involves storing a cancer drug inside tiny objects called nanoparticles which can carry drug molecules and target them to specific cells.  Using this method, researchers were able to shrink tumors in mice while using smaller doses of the drug to reduce harmful side effects.  For example, the chemotherapy drug cisplatin is an effective cell killer. It’s used against half of all human cancers. However, cisplatin carries serious side effects, like kidney and nerve damage.
Original Article

Osteoporosis Screening Recommended for All Women over Age 65

In an update to its 2002 recommendation, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) now recommends that all women ages 65 and older be routinely screened for osteoporosis. This is the first final recommendation statement to be published since the USPSTF implemented a new process in July 2010 in which all of its draft recommendation statements are posted for public comment on the USPSTF Web site prior to being issued in final form.

Original Article

Making Breastfeeding Easier

The U.S. Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin today issued a Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding outlining steps that can be taken to remove some of the obstacles faced by women who want to breast feed their babies.   While 75% of U.S. babies start out breast feeding, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says, only 13 % are are exclusively breastfed at the end of six month.   The rates are particularly low among African-American infants.

Original Article

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