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Hot dogs: Top food-related choking hazard in children under 3

Hot dogs, those ubiquitous and savory symbols of the American diet, have caught the attention of pediatricians at Johns Hopkins Children's Center and elsewhere for a decidedly unappetizing reason — they are a choking hazard for young children.

22 Mar 2010

Tips for reducing LDL cholesterol

Cardiovascular disease is the No.1 killer in North America. And high cholesterol is one of the primary risk factors of coronary heart disease and stroke. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, almost 40% of Canadian adults are classified as having high blood cholesterol levels.

16 Mar 2010

Prevention of choking hazards in food: Safe, children oriented packaging and design needed

While choking hazards in toys have been widely publicized and addressed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), ironically choking hazards in food have lacked federal attention despite the fact that food is far more likely to go into a child’s mouth.

12 Mar 2010

Identification of gaps in accessing stroke centers cuts down the deadly toll of stroke

When stroke strikes, choking off blood supply to the brain, every minute counts: Nearly 2 million neurons die each minute a stroke is left untreated, making it a race to recognize symptoms so that lifesaving "clot-busting" drugs can be administered.

25 Feb 2010

Choking among children: AAP releases new policy statement

Choking is a leading cause of injury and death among children, especially those younger than 4 years of age. The majority of choking-related incidents among children are associated with food, coins and toys. A new policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), led by a doctor at Nationwide Children's Hospital and published in the February 22 online issue of Pediatrics, takes a closer look at preventing choking among children.

22 Feb 2010

I.I.I. highlights fraud and abuse in New York's automobile insurance system

Fraud and abuse in New York's no-fault auto insurance system cost consumers and insurers nearly $230 million in 2009, constituting a "fraud tax" of $1,561, or 22 percent of every no-fault claim, according to Dr. Robert Hartwig, an economist and president of the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

3 Feb 2010

Bevacizumab drug shows promise to slow tumor growth in lung cancer patients

Phase II study results of the agent ASA404 showed promise in patients with either squamous or non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

13 Jan 2010

Physician's counsel can make a difference in reducing sudden death syndrome

The advice of a pediatrician to place infants on their backs to sleep appears to be the single most important motivator in getting parents to follow these recommendations and a key reason that the rate of sudden death syndrome (SIDS) has plummeted since the "Back to Sleep" campaign was launched in 1994, says a UT Southwestern researcher.

14 Dec 2009

Advice of pediatrician key motivator in baby's sleep position

13 Dec 2009

Appropriate toys for children: Suggestions from doctors and experts

With the excitement of the holidays, parents and relatives eagerly purchase the hottest toys and latest items for their children. But it's during the hustle and bustle of the season that many fail to buy age appropriate gifts and they tend to disregard warnings on these toys and gifts when it comes to ensuring safety.

5 Dec 2009

Study reveals that majority of all vaccine preventable deaths occur in those 65 and older

Ninety percent of all vaccine preventable deaths occur in those 65 and older, including residents in nursing homes, according to highlighted studies in the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority's 2009 December Patient Safety Advisory.

4 Dec 2009

Most children visit hospitals with mild flu-like symptoms and fever

The CHU Sainte-Justine and The Montreal Children's Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre are currently seeing a significant increase in patients in their Emergency Departments. Children are arriving with mild flu-like symptoms and fever.

30 Oct 2009

FDA warns: Personal emergency response buttons are a potential choking hazard

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today cautioned users of personal emergency response buttons worn around the neck of a potential choking hazard associated with this product.

23 Sep 2009

Pendant style help button alerts users of potential risks

Philips Lifeline is issuing an important safety notice to its more than 750,000 subscribers of its personal emergency response service to alert users of potential risks with wearing a "pendant" style help button. The service is used primarily by seniors living independently in their homes who feel they are at risk of falls. By pressing a "help button" worn on the body, users connect to a remote monitoring center, staffed 24 hours a day, that can send emergency assistance to the user's home.

14 Sep 2009

Toy manufacturers need to urgently review their safety tests say scientists

Findings from research at the University of Leeds could be used to improve toy safety and prevent injury and even deaths from choking among the under fives.

18 Aug 2009

Small businesses fear reform could worsen rising health costs

"Many small businesses are worried that rising health insurance costs are choking their growth and hindering the creation of new companies, and they fear health care reform plans being debated in Congress and by the Obama administration could end up costing them even more in taxes, according to business advocates," the Baltimore Sun reports.

22 Jul 2009

New method a dream come true for sleep apnea patients

Researchers from the University of Sydney have found the first hard evidence that the special masks doctors prescribe to patients with sleep apnea - a disorder that can cause interrupted breathing leading to choking and even death while asleep - actually work.

4 May 2009

Low-income patients with obstructive sleep apnea are less likely to start CPAP therapy

A study in the April 1 issue of the journal SLEEP demonstrates that low socioeconomic status independently predicts the poor acceptance of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for obstructive sleep apnea, and patients with higher incomes are more likely to begin treatment.

1 Apr 2009

Gasping a good sign in sudden cardiac arrest

People who witness an individual collapse suddenly and unexpectedly should perform uninterrupted chest compressions even if the patient gasps or breathes in a funny way, research from the Resuscitation Research Group at The University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center shows.

24 Nov 2008

Cost of treating colorectal cancer varies widely

The cost of treating colorectal cancer varies widely, with newer, life-extending therapies sometimes costing tens of thousands of dollars more than older agents, according to a study led by a team of researchers in the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center.

8 Nov 2008