http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/-t1.htm Keeping up with what the Doctors are saying. Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:44:52 GMT 10 http://i18.servimg.com/u/f18/11/65/21/31/banner10.jpg http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/-t1.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/swine-flu-declared-a-pandemic-1st-in-41-years-t18720.htm Outspoken Swine flu declared a pandemic, 1st in 41 years The long-awaited decision is scientific confirmation that a new flu virus has emerged and is quickly circling the globe. The Associated Press GENEVA -- The World Health Organization told its member nations it was declaring a swine flu pandemic today -- the first global flu epidemic in 41 years -- as infections climbed in the United States, Europe, Australia, South America and elsewhere. In a statement sent to member countries, WHO ... Health News Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:44:52 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/swine-flu-declared-a-pandemic-1st-in-41-years-t18720.htm#22014 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/swine-flu-declared-a-pandemic-1st-in-41-years-t18720.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/virus-spreads-in-us-europe-t18432.htm Outspoken Virus spreads in U.S., Europe Mexico hints at reopening schools and businesses as the first South American flu case is confirmed. By JAMES ANDERSON The Associated Press MEXICO CITY — The swine flu epidemic spread deeper into the United States, Europe and Latin America – and in Canada, back to pigs – even as Mexico's health chief hinted Sunday it may soon be time to reopen businesses and schools in the nation where the outbreak probably began. The virus spread to Colombia in ... Health News Tue, 05 May 2009 01:50:03 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/virus-spreads-in-us-europe-t18432.htm#21682 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/virus-spreads-in-us-europe-t18432.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/yikes-bedbugs-epa-looks-to-stop-resurgence-t18219.htm Outspoken Yikes, bedbugs! EPA looks to stop resurgence By DINA CAPPIELLO Associated Press Writer ARLINGTON, Va. – "Don't let the bedbugs bite." Doesn't seem so bad in a cheerful bedtime rhyme, but it's becoming a really big problem now that the nasty critters are invading hospitals, college dorms and even swanky hotels. With the most effective pesticides banned, the government is trying to figure out how to respond to the biggest bedbug outbreak since World War II. Bedbugs ... Health News Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:22:52 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/yikes-bedbugs-epa-looks-to-stop-resurgence-t18219.htm#21434 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/yikes-bedbugs-epa-looks-to-stop-resurgence-t18219.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/keeping-home-life-support-up-when-power-goes-out-t16623.htm Outspoken Keeping home life-support up when power goes out FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS Bangor Daily News WASHINGTON — Emergency planners are struggling to identify growing millions who need fast rescue when the lights go out: A power outage also shuts down their life-supporting home medical equipment. It’s an issue that sneaked up on emergency officials as better medical treatments over the past decade have helped more critically ill people not only survive but also move out of nursing homes. The ... Health News Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:18:20 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/keeping-home-life-support-up-when-power-goes-out-t16623.htm#19609 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/keeping-home-life-support-up-when-power-goes-out-t16623.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/being-happy-affects-even-those-you-don-t-know-t15640.htm Outspoken Being Happy Affects Even Those You Don't Know By Randy Dotinga HealthDay Reporter (HealthDay News) -- Happy friends can make you happy -- and so can happy friends of your friends. That's the unusual conclusion of a new study that suggests you and people you've never met can have an impact on each other's feelings. "Our own personal happiness spreads beyond people we're directly connected to," said study co-author James Fowler, an associate professor of political ... Health News Sat, 06 Dec 2008 14:32:20 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/being-happy-affects-even-those-you-don-t-know-t15640.htm#18466 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/being-happy-affects-even-those-you-don-t-know-t15640.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/daschle-asks-americans-for-health-care-stories-t15639.htm Outspoken Daschle asks Americans for health care stories By KEVIN FREKING Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON – President-elect Barack Obama and his aides are determined not to repeat the mistakes the Clinton administration made 15 years ago in trying to revamp the nation's health care system. Some of the lessons learned: Move fast, seize the momentum and don't let it go. Tom Daschle, Obama's point man on health reform, discussed the early strategy for revamping the nation's $2 trillion ... Health News Sat, 06 Dec 2008 14:28:40 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/daschle-asks-americans-for-health-care-stories-t15639.htm#18465 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/daschle-asks-americans-for-health-care-stories-t15639.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/experts-stress-can-do-in-quitting-smoking-t15535.htm Outspoken Experts stress ‘can-do’ in quitting smoking By Meg Haskell Staff Writer Bangor Daily News ORONO, Maine — Despite growing scientific evidence about the dangers of smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, many doctors steer clear of discussing the issue with their patients, a tobacco cessation expert said Tuesday. “It’s getting better, but many physicians don’t see this as part of their job,” said Fred Wolff, manager of education and training for the Center for Tobacco Independence ... Health News Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:59:45 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/experts-stress-can-do-in-quitting-smoking-t15535.htm#18347 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/experts-stress-can-do-in-quitting-smoking-t15535.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/world-leaders-urged-to-keep-promises-to-fight-aids-t15506.htm Outspoken World leaders urged to keep promises to fight AIDS By Pascal Fletcher Reuters News Service DAKAR (Reuters) – Several hundred African anti-AIDS campaigners paraded giant puppets of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy Tuesday to demand that they deliver promised funds for plans to fight the disease. Waving some banners reading "African children are watching you" and others supporting AIDS victims, the demonstrators, most of them dressed ... Health News Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:03:18 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/world-leaders-urged-to-keep-promises-to-fight-aids-t15506.htm#18316 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/world-leaders-urged-to-keep-promises-to-fight-aids-t15506.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/teen-lives-4-months-with-no-heart-leaves-hospital-t15160.htm Outspoken Teen lives 4 months with no heart, leaves hospital By RASHA MADKOUR Associated Press Writer MIAMI – D'Zhana Simmons says she felt like a "fake person" for 118 days when she had no heart beating in her chest. "But I know that I really was here," the 14-year-old said, "and I did live without a heart." As she was being released Wednesday from a Miami hospital, the shy teen seemed in awe of what she's endured. Since July, she's had two heart transplants ... Health News Sat, 22 Nov 2008 03:28:27 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/teen-lives-4-months-with-no-heart-leaves-hospital-t15160.htm#17924 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/teen-lives-4-months-with-no-heart-leaves-hospital-t15160.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/iressa-as-good-as-chemotherapy-for-lung-cancer-t15159.htm Outspoken Iressa as Good as Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer By Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter (HealthDay News) -- The cancer-fighting pill Iressa works as well as chemotherapy as a second-line treatment for lung cancer, researchers report. Although neither therapy prolongs survival beyond eight months, Iressa (gefitinib) causes fewer serious side effects and may be a better choice for patients who did not do well on their first round of chemotherapy. "A pill, with less side effects, ... Health News Sat, 22 Nov 2008 03:24:27 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/iressa-as-good-as-chemotherapy-for-lung-cancer-t15159.htm#17923 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/iressa-as-good-as-chemotherapy-for-lung-cancer-t15159.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/too-little-sleep-tied-to-increased-cancer-risk-t15011.htm Outspoken Too little sleep tied to increased cancer risk By Will Dunham Reuters News Service WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Regular exercise can reduce a woman's risk of cancer, but the benefits may slip away if she gets too little sleep, U.S. researchers said on Monday. The study involving 5,968 women in Maryland confirmed previous findings that people who do regular physical activity are less likely to develop cancer. But when the researchers looked at the women ages 18 to 65 who were in ... Health News Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:01:22 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/too-little-sleep-tied-to-increased-cancer-risk-t15011.htm#17761 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/too-little-sleep-tied-to-increased-cancer-risk-t15011.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/gulf-war-illness-is-real-report-finds-t15006.htm Outspoken Gulf War illness is real, report finds By Andy Sullivan Reuters News Service WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A report released on Monday concluded that Gulf War syndrome is a legitimate illness suffered by more than 175,000 U.S. war veterans who were exposed to chemical toxins in the 1991 Gulf War. The congressionally mandated report could help veterans who have battled the government for treatment of a wide range of unexplained neurological illnesses, from brain cancer to multiple sclerosis. The ... Health News Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:11:26 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/gulf-war-illness-is-real-report-finds-t15006.htm#17756 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/gulf-war-illness-is-real-report-finds-t15006.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/doctors-say-marrow-transplant-may-have-cured-aids-t14852.htm Outspoken Doctors say marrow transplant may have cured AIDS By PATRICK McGROARTY Associated Press Writer AP BERLIN – An American man who suffered from AIDS appears to have been cured of the disease 20 months after receiving a targeted bone marrow transplant normally used to fight leukemia, his doctors said Wednesday. While researchers — and the doctors themselves — caution that the case might be no more than a fluke, others say it may inspire a greater interest in gene therapy to fight the ... Health News Thu, 13 Nov 2008 01:05:47 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/doctors-say-marrow-transplant-may-have-cured-aids-t14852.htm#17568 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/doctors-say-marrow-transplant-may-have-cured-aids-t14852.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/supreme-court-takes-up-drug-warning-labels-t14618.htm Outspoken Supreme Court takes up drug warning labels By Warren Richey The Christian Science Monitor WASHINGTON – The US Supreme Court is examining whether medical patients can sue a pharmaceutical manufacturer over the adequacy of a drug's warning label. The issue arises in the case of a Vermont musician whose right arm had to be amputated after she experienced a negative reaction to an injected antinausea drug. Diana Levine, a professional guitarist, sued drugmaker Wyeth, claiming ... Health News Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:53:26 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/supreme-court-takes-up-drug-warning-labels-t14618.htm#17297 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/supreme-court-takes-up-drug-warning-labels-t14618.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/study-first-to-link-tv-sex-to-real-teen-pregnancies-t14566.htm Outspoken Study First to Link TV Sex To Real Teen Pregnancies By Rob Stein Washington Post Staff Writer Teenagers who watch a lot of television featuring flirting, necking, discussion of sex and sex scenes are much more likely than their peers to get pregnant or get a partner pregnant, according to the first study to directly link steamy programming to teen pregnancy. The study, which tracked more than 700 12-to-17-year-olds for three years, found that those who viewed the most sexual content ... Health News Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:06:32 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/study-first-to-link-tv-sex-to-real-teen-pregnancies-t14566.htm#17235 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/study-first-to-link-tv-sex-to-real-teen-pregnancies-t14566.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/staph-germs-harder-than-ever-to-treat-studies-say-t14361.htm Outspoken Staph germs harder than ever to treat, studies say By MARILYNN MARCHIONE AP Medical Writer WASHINGTON – Drug-resistant staph bacteria picked up in ordinary community settings are increasingly acquiring "superbug" powers and causing far more serious illnesses than they have in the past, doctors reported Monday. These widespread germs used to be easier to treat than the dangerous forms of staph found in hospitals and nursing homes. "Until recently we rarely thought ... Health News Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:14:25 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/staph-germs-harder-than-ever-to-treat-studies-say-t14361.htm#16995 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/staph-germs-harder-than-ever-to-treat-studies-say-t14361.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/400-reports-of-baby-rashes-prompt-clothing-warning-t14299.htm Outspoken 400 reports of baby rashes prompt clothing warning By CHRISTINE SIMMONS Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON – The government is warning parents about Carter's Inc. baby garments with tag-less labels after about 400 babies who wore the clothing developed rashes on their backs. The warning applies to the fall 2007 line, which includes about 110 million garments, said Mary Drayna, a manager for the Atlanta company. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said Friday that children should ... Health News Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:19:06 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/400-reports-of-baby-rashes-prompt-clothing-warning-t14299.htm#16925 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/400-reports-of-baby-rashes-prompt-clothing-warning-t14299.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/anti-drug-tv-campaign-didn-t-curb-teen-pot-use-study-t14234.htm Outspoken Anti-Drug TV Campaign Didn't Curb Teen Pot Use: Study By Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter (HealthDay News) -- Television ads that ran between 1999 and 2004 as part of the U.S. government's "National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign" do not appear to have dissuaded teens from smoking marijuana, a new study suggests. In fact, researchers uncovered evidence indicating that the effort could possibly have had the reverse effect: sparking interest in marijuana among kids frequently ... Health News Fri, 24 Oct 2008 22:04:24 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/anti-drug-tv-campaign-didn-t-curb-teen-pot-use-study-t14234.htm#16849 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/anti-drug-tv-campaign-didn-t-curb-teen-pot-use-study-t14234.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/leukaemia-drug-can-halt-reverse-ms-t14217.htm Outspoken Leukaemia drug can halt, reverse MS by Alice Ritchie AFP News Service LONDON (AFP) – Researchers at the University of Cambridge said Thursday they have found that a drug originally developed to treat leukaemia can halt and even reverse the debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis (MS). In trials, alemtuzumab reduced the number of attacks in sufferers and also helped them recover lost functions, apparently allowing damaged brain tissue to repair so that individuals were less disabled ... Health News Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:27:59 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/leukaemia-drug-can-halt-reverse-ms-t14217.htm#16830 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/leukaemia-drug-can-halt-reverse-ms-t14217.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/many-uninsured-kids-have-parents-with-insurance-t14093.htm Outspoken Many uninsured kids have parents with insurance By Will Dunham Reuters News Service WASHINGTON (Reuters) – More than 2 million children in the United States who have no health insurance of any kind have at least one parent who gets employer-provided medical coverage, researchers said on Tuesday. These parents typically get insurance through work that covers them but cannot afford the extra thousands of dollars that may be needed for a plan that also covers their children, the researchers ... Health News Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:46:43 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/many-uninsured-kids-have-parents-with-insurance-t14093.htm#16696 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/many-uninsured-kids-have-parents-with-insurance-t14093.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/st-john-s-wort-effective-for-depression-study-t13663.htm Outspoken St. John's Wort effective for depression: study Reuters News Service LONDON (Reuters) – The herbal remedy St. John's Wort effectively treats symptoms of major depression, an analysis of previous studies found on Wednesday. St. John's Wort extracts tested in the different trials were better than placebos and as effective as standard antidepressants with fewer side effects, the researchers reported in the Cochrane review, a journal that analyses medical and scientific studies. "The ... Health News Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:22:03 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/st-john-s-wort-effective-for-depression-study-t13663.htm#16214 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/st-john-s-wort-effective-for-depression-study-t13663.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/scientists-explore-new-test-for-down-syndrome-t13662.htm Outspoken Scientists Explore New Test for Down Syndrome HealthDay.com (HealthDay News) -- For women worried about the risks of amniocentesis and other currently available tests for chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome, a new, safer test may be on the horizon, researchers say. Currently, prenatal genetic tests for Down syndrome, including amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling, involve insertion of a needle into the uterus. These tests carry a miscarriage risk of about half a percent. The ... Health News Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:19:42 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/scientists-explore-new-test-for-down-syndrome-t13662.htm#16213 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/scientists-explore-new-test-for-down-syndrome-t13662.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/drug-companies-no-cold-medicines-for-kids-under-4-t13646.htm Outspoken Drug companies: No cold medicines for kids under 4 By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON – Don't give over-the-counter cold remedies to kids under 4, drug companies said Tuesday. What sniffling little ones need, doctors said, are plenty of fluids and lots of tender, loving care. "The best thing a parent can do is comfort their children," said Dr. Laura Herrera, a Baltimore family practitioner and mother of two. "Keeping them as comfortable ... Health News Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:53:38 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/drug-companies-no-cold-medicines-for-kids-under-4-t13646.htm#16197 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/drug-companies-no-cold-medicines-for-kids-under-4-t13646.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/fda-sets-safety-threshold-for-contaminant-melamine-t13559.htm Outspoken FDA Sets Safety Threshold for Contaminant Melamine By Marc Kaufman Washington Post Staff Writer Responding to concerns about the presence of the contaminant melamine in numerous foods made in China and exported to the United States and elsewhere, the Food and Drug Administration said yesterday that consuming a very small amount of the chemical poses no serious risk. The exception, officials said, is melamine in baby formula, which has sickened more than 54,000 infants in China. ... Health News Sat, 04 Oct 2008 13:16:05 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/fda-sets-safety-threshold-for-contaminant-melamine-t13559.htm#16097 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/fda-sets-safety-threshold-for-contaminant-melamine-t13559.htm http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/calorie-overload-sends-the-brain-haywire-study-t13492.htm Outspoken Calorie overload sends the brain haywire: study By Maggie Fox Health and Science Editor Reuters News Service WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Overeating makes the brain go haywire, prompting a cascade of damage that may cause diabetes, heart disease and other ills, U.S. researchers reported on Thursday. Eating too much appears to activate a usually dormant immune system pathway in the brain, sending out immune cells to attack and destroy invaders that are not there, Dongsheng Cai of ... Health News Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:38:37 GMT http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/calorie-overload-sends-the-brain-haywire-study-t13492.htm#16024 http://kennebecvalleypodium.forumotion.com/health-news-f74/calorie-overload-sends-the-brain-haywire-study-t13492.htm