Health Journal Online

Tag: risk

  • Is Your Drinking Water Safe? This Metal In Your Supply May Pose Cancer Risk

    Is Your Drinking Water Safe? This Metal In Your Supply May Pose Cancer Risk

    With the rise in cancer diagnoses, it’s high time we pay attention to what we consume daily, including food and water. Could your drinking water be a source of exposure to carcinogenic metals? A recent study conducted in Texas found that even low levels of arsenic in water, below the regulatory threshold of 10 parts per billion, could pose health risks, including an increased risk of kidney cancer.

    In the latest study, researchers from the Texas A&M University School of Public Health investigated the link between arsenic levels in drinking water and kidney cancer rates across 240 Texas counties. Arsenic is naturally present in groundwater in Texas and other regions.

    Kidney cancer is the seventh most common cancer in the U.S. It has an age-adjusted incidence rate of 17.2 per 100,000 people from 2017 to 2021. Several factors can increase the risk, including being male, African American, or having a family history of the disease. In addition, lifestyle choices such as smoking, alcohol use, and obesity, along with health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and advanced kidney disease, can elevate the risk. Studies also show that exposure to certain chemicals, such as trichloroethylene, may increase the risk of developing kidney cancer

    The latest study results suggest a dose-response relationship between arsenic in drinking water and kidney cancer, with cancer risk increasing by 4% with each doubling of arsenic levels. The researchers also noted that moderate levels (1–5 ppb) and high levels (>5 ppb) of arsenic exposure raised cancer risk by 6% and 22%, respectively.

    “Some public water systems are poorly managed and could expose customers to arsenic, but the 40 million people in the United States who rely on private wells are particularly vulnerable,” said Taehyun Roh, from the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics who was involved in the study.

    “This [study] suggests that even low-level arsenic exposure in drinking water may be associated with an increased risk of kidney cancer, which aligns with previous research indicating an association between this exposure and lung, bladder, and skin cancers,” Roh said.

    The researchers caution that the study establishes associations between factors but does not prove causality. They emphasize the need for future studies to assess the effects of factors such as lifestyle, family history of kidney cancer, and other potential sources of arsenic exposure. However, based on the findings, researchers call for stricter regulation and targeted public health interventions.

    “Our findings indicate that reducing arsenic exposure could reduce the incidence of kidney cancer, and this could be achieved through efforts such as enhanced regulatory oversight and targeted public health interventions,” Nishat Tasnim Hasan, a researcher involved said.

    Source link

  • Miscarrying Texas Mother Becomes Latest Woman to Die As Doctors Risk 99-Year Prison Sentence for Administering Life-Saving Drug

    Miscarrying Texas Mother Becomes Latest Woman to Die As Doctors Risk 99-Year Prison Sentence for Administering Life-Saving Drug

    A Texas mother became the third woman to die as a result of the state’s abortion ban when legislation prevented a doctor from administering life-saving care.

    In June of 2023, 35-year-old Porsha Ngumezi suffered a miscarriage at just 11 weeks pregnant, causing her to lose an immense amount of blood. Ngumezi, who already had young children, had been “passing large clots the size of grapefruit,” according to nurse’s notes obtained by ProPublica.

    “You need a D&C,” Hope Ngumezi, Porsha’s husband, was told by his mother who was a former physician. A dilation and curettage, also referred to as a D&C, is a common procedure by which a doctor removes the remaining tissue from a uterus in order to allow the uterus to close up and stop bleeding. The procedure addresses first-trimester miscarriages and abortions.

    However, the obstetrician on duty, Dr. Andrew Ryan Davis, gave Porsha misoprostol, a drug intended to help her body pass the tissue independently instead of administering life-saving care due to hospital policy.

    The drugs were not enough to stop the bleeding, and Porsha eventually passed away.

    Porsha’s death could have been easily prevented by a simple medical procedure that has become intertwined in state abortion laws because it is sometimes used to enact first-trimester abortions. Texas state law demands a prison sentence of up to 99 years for any doctor who violates legislation.

    Porsha’s death is the fifth preventable death caused by a lack of access to a D&C in the first trimester or a dilation and evacuation in the second. Three of these deaths occurred in Texas, according to ProPublica.

    Instead of administering D&Cs, doctors are giving patients misoprostol instead as the drug is often used to induce labor and treat postpartum hemorrhage, making it less directly related to abortion. However, the drug is not recommended to treat unstable patients.

    “Stigma and fear are there for D&Cs in a way that they are not for misoprostol,” said Dr. Alison Goulding, an OB-GYN in Houston. “Doctors assume that a D&C is not standard in Texas anymore, even in cases where it should be recommended. People are afraid: They see D&C as abortion and abortion as illegal.”

    “All Houston Methodist hospitals follow all state laws,” said a spokesperson for Houston Methodist, “including the abortion law in place in Texas.”

    Originally published by Latin Times.

    Source link

  • Cardiovascular Fitness May Lower Dementia Risk, Even For Those With Genetic Predisposition, Study Finds

    Cardiovascular Fitness May Lower Dementia Risk, Even For Those With Genetic Predisposition, Study Finds

    Regular exercise is known to prevent chronic conditions and slow cognitive decline. New research suggests that cardiovascular fitness, the body’s ability to deliver oxygen to muscles during exercise, could also play a crucial role in reducing dementia risk.

    A recent study found that improved cardiorespiratory fitness is linked to better cognitive performance and a lower risk of dementia, even among those genetically predisposed.

    As people age, cardiovascular fitness typically declines by 3% to 6% every decade in their 20s and 30s. However, this decline accelerates to over 20% per decade once individuals reach their 70s. With reduced fitness, there is an increased risk of cardiovascular events such as strokes and heart attacks and mortality from all causes, according to the researchers of the latest study.

    The study evaluated 61,214 participants between the ages of 39 and 70 enrolled in the UK Biobank study between 2009 and 2010. The participants did not have dementia and were followed for up to 12 years.

    The researchers assessed the cardiorespiratory fitness of participants at the beginning of the study by conducting a 6-minute submaximal exercise test on a stationary bike. While neuropsychological tests were used to evaluate cognitive function, the participant’s genetic predisposition for dementia was estimated using the polygenic risk score.

    During the follow-up, 553 people were diagnosed with dementia. Based on the cardiorespiratory fitness scores, the participants were divided into three equal-sized groups standardized by age and sex.

    The analysis revealed that people with higher fitness scores were 40% less likely to develop dementia than those with lower scores. Also, dementia onset was delayed by nearly 1.5 years for those with high scores.

    The researchers noted that in those with a moderate to high genetic risk of dementia, high cardiovascular fitness reduced their risk of developing dementia by 35%.

    Since the study is observational, the researchers could not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship. They noted some limitations, including the potential underestimation of dementia cases, as UK Biobank participants are healthier than the general population. Individuals with certain health conditions were excluded from the exercise test, making the study group healthier which may have impacted the findings.

    However, based on the current findings, the researchers suggest that “enhancing CRF could be a strategy for the prevention of dementia, even among people with a high genetic predisposition for Alzheimer’s disease.”

    Source link

  • Study Finds Two Common Gynecological Disorders Linked To Increased Risk Of Early Death

    Study Finds Two Common Gynecological Disorders Linked To Increased Risk Of Early Death

    History of two common gynecological disorders, endometriosis and uterine fibroids, is linked to an increased risk of early death, a recent study revealed.

    Endometriosis is a chronic reproductive disorder that affects about 10% of women of reproductive age. It occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing symptoms such as severe period pain, chronic pelvic pain, bloating, nausea, fatigue, and infertility. There is no permanent cure for the condition, so treatment involves managing symptoms.

    Fibroids are noncancerous growths on uterine walls that can cause symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, back pain, and frequent urination. Around 40% to 80% of women have uterine fibroids.

    In a large-scale study, researchers analyzed 110,091 women from the Nurses’ Health Study II, aged 25-42 in 1989. The participants had no prior hysterectomy, cardiovascular diseases, or cancer. Diagnoses of endometriosis (via laparoscopy) and fibroids (via ultrasound or hysterectomy) were self-reported every two years from 1993.

    Over 30 years, there were 4,356 premature deaths, including 1,459 from cancer and 304 from cardiovascular diseases.

    The all-cause premature death rate for women with confirmed endometriosis was 2 per 1,000 person-years, compared to 1.4 per 1,000 for those without. After accounting for factors such as age, weight, diet quality, physical activity, and smoking status, individuals with endometriosis were 31% more likely to die prematurely (before age 70) compared to those without these disorders. The majority of these deaths were attributed to gynecological cancers.

    Although uterine fibroids were not linked to all-cause premature death, the condition elevated the risk of death due to gynecological cancers.

    “Women with a history of endometriosis and uterine fibroids might have an increased long-term risk of premature mortality extending beyond their reproductive lifespan,” the researchers concluded.

    “These conditions were also associated with an increased risk of death due to gynecological cancers. Endometriosis was associated with a greater risk of non-cancer mortality. These findings highlight the importance for primary care providers to consider these gynecological disorders in their assessment of women’s health,” they wrote in the study published in the journal BMJ.

    The researchers caution that since it is an observational study relying on self-reported data, it can be prone to errors. Also, as the participants were predominantly white healthcare workers, the findings may not be generalizable to other populations.

    Source link

  • Less Sugar In First 1000 Days Of Life Slashes Diabetes, Hypertension Risk: Study

    Less Sugar In First 1000 Days Of Life Slashes Diabetes, Hypertension Risk: Study

    Healthy eating with minimal sugar is essential for long-term health and lowering the risk of chronic conditions. A recent study suggests these efforts should begin as early as conception. Researchers found that limiting sugar intake during the first 1000 days of life, from pregnancy through a child’s second birthday, could dramatically reduce their risk of diabetes and hypertension.

    The study revealed that less sugar intake during the critical period of early life could cut the diabetes risk by 35% and the risk of hypertension by 20%.

    The researchers came up with these interesting findings by evaluating the long-term health impact of sugar rationing that occurred during World War II. They used recent data from the U.K. Biobank, which includes medical histories and genetic and lifestyle factors, to examine how early-life sugar restrictions impacted adult health in those conceived just before and after wartime sugar rationing ended.

    “Using an event study design with UK Biobank data comparing adults conceived just before or after rationing ended, we found that early-life rationing reduced diabetes and hypertension risk by about 35% and 20%, respectively, and delayed disease onset by 4 and 2 years,” the researchers wrote in the study published in the journal Science.

    The researchers noted that the chronic health risks were significantly reduced when expectant mothers limited their sugar intake during pregnancy. However, the benefits increased even more when children continued to be on a sugar restriction after birth, averaging no more than 8 teaspoons (40 grams) per day.

    The end of wartime rationing offered a unique window for a natural experiment when sugar intake surged sharply, while other foods remained unchanged. Individuals’ early-life sugar exposure varied depending on whether they were conceived or born before or after September 1953. While those conceived just before experienced sugar-scarce conditions, those born just after entered a more sugar-rich environment.

    “Studying the long-term effects of added sugar on health is challenging. It is hard to find situations where people are randomly exposed to different nutritional environments early in life and follow them for 50 to 60 years. The end of rationing provided us with a novel natural experiment to overcome these problems,” study corresponding author Tadeja Gracner said in a news release.

    Source link

  • Behavioral Therapy For Insomnia May Lower Risk Of Postpartum Depression: Study

    Behavioral Therapy For Insomnia May Lower Risk Of Postpartum Depression: Study

    Good sleep is essential for mental well-being of every human being. While it is difficult to ensure good sleep during pregnancy, getting behavioral therapy for insomnia could not only solve sleep issues, but could even reduce the risk of postpartum depression, a recent study has revealed.

    Postpartum depression is a mental health condition that affects around 10% of women after giving birth. The symptoms include severe mood disorder, constant fatigue, difficulty sleeping at night with daytime drowsiness, difficulty caring for oneself or the baby, withdrawal from social contact, trouble concentrating and making decisions, and distressing thoughts, such as fears of harming the baby.

    The patients are recommended to get sleep, rest, and exercise, and seek therapy or medications for relief, depending on the severity of the symptoms.

    According to the latest study published in the Journal Of Affective Disorders, getting cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) may serve as a protective factor against postpartum depression.

    “Early intervention is crucial for infant and parental mental health. Our research explores how addressing sleep problems like insomnia can lead to better mental health outcomes for families, helping parents and their children thrive,” said Dr. Elizabeth Keys, the study’s co-author, in a news release.

    The therapy starts by identifying a patient’s thoughts, behaviors, and sleep patterns that contribute to insomnia. Misconceptions or habits disrupting sleep are then challenged and reframed to enhance sleep quality.

    “CBTi is the gold standard for the treatment of insomnia and has consistently been shown to improve symptoms of depression. Its treatment effects are similar to antidepressant medications among adults, but with fewer side effects, and is therefore often preferred by pregnant individuals,” said Dr. Keys.

    During the trial, researchers evaluated 62 women with insomnia, who underwent a five-week CBT-I intervention specifically adapted for pregnancy. The participants’ insomnia and depression symptoms were tested before the intervention, immediately after, and again six months postpartum.

    The results revealed that there was a significant improvement in sleep among the participants and reduced depressive symptoms six months after postpartum.

    “These are enormously encouraging results for anyone who has struggled in those early weeks and months with their newborns. Our study adds to the growing evidence that treating insomnia during pregnancy is beneficial for various outcomes. It’s time to explore how we can make this treatment more accessible to pregnant individuals across the country to improve sleep health equity,” Dr. Keys added.

    Source link

  • Diabetes Onset Before 40 Raises Risk Of Death To Four Times: Study

    Diabetes Onset Before 40 Raises Risk Of Death To Four Times: Study

    Diabetes is not just about having high blood sugar levels; it is a chronic condition that could potentially lead to several health issues, such as heart attack and stroke. But does the timing of diabetes onset affect the risk of complications and mortality? A recent study revealed that developing diabetes before age 40 is linked to a significantly higher risk of early death.

    While diagnosing diabetes before 40 quadrupled the risk of early death, later onset was linked to a one-and-a-half times higher risk of death compared with the general population without the condition, according to the study published in the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. The findings underscore the importance of delaying the onset of diabetes to reduce complications and risk of premature death.

    To understand the impact of diabetes on overall health, researchers followed up 4,550 individuals newly diagnosed with diabetes for over 30 years. The participants were between the ages of 25 and 65.

    The analysis revealed that diabetic diagnosis at an earlier stage was linked to a higher rate of related complications, particularly microvascular diseases such as eye damage and kidney failure, and a higher risk of death. Diabetes onset at a younger age also was linked to poorer blood sugar control.

    “Over the past 30 years, the number of young adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes has increased markedly worldwide. Evidence to date suggests that younger-onset type 2 diabetes, characterized by earlier and longer exposure to high levels of blood glucose, maybe more aggressive than later onset disease. This might include a faster deterioration in β-cell function—the cells in the pancreas that produce and release insulin- and a greater risk of complications such as cardiovascular and kidney disease,” said Amanda Adler, co-author of the study in a news release.

    According to the lead author of the study, Dr. Beryl Lin, more clinical trials should focus on tailored treatments for delaying diabetic complications in young people.

    “We particularly need to understand why young adults with type 2 diabetes suffer greater risks of complications, and how we can identify and help this vulnerable group of people who have to live with diabetes for the rest of their lives,” Dr. Lin said.

    Source link

  • History Of Eating Disorders, Pre-Pregnancy Obesity Raises Offspring’s Risk Of Mental Health Diagnosis

    History Of Eating Disorders, Pre-Pregnancy Obesity Raises Offspring’s Risk Of Mental Health Diagnosis

    Children whose mothers have a history of eating disorders and obesity before pregnancy are at a greater risk of mental health diagnosis, a recent study revealed.

    The results of the latest study involving a Finnish population of nearly 400,000 mothers and around 650,000 offspring revealed significant links between maternal health and the mental well-being of their children.

    The research suggests associations between a mother’s history of eating disorders and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) higher than the normal weight range to most of the nine psychiatric diagnoses examined in the offspring.

    The psychiatric diagnoses involved in the study include mood and anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, intellectual disabilities, specific developmental disorders, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, conduct disorders, social functioning and tic disorders (like selective mutism and Tourette syndrome), as well as feeding disorders in infancy and childhood.

    The results showed that around 53% had pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity, nearly 6% had underweight, and 1.6% had a history of an eating disorder.

    When comparing differences in the impact of maternal eating disorders and higher BMI on children’s mental health diagnoses, the study found generally stronger associations with maternal eating disorders than those linked to maternal BMI.

    “The largest effect sizes were observed for maternal eating disorders not otherwise specified in association with offspring sleep disorders and social functioning and tic disorders, while for maternal severe pre-pregnancy obesity, offspring intellectual disabilities had the largest effect size,” the researchers wrote in the study published in Jama Network.

    Eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS) refer to a category of eating disorders that do not fit the specific criteria for more commonly recognized disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Some examples of EDNOS include behaviors such as pica, which involves cravings for and consumption of non-food items, or night eating syndrome, characterized by binge eating during the evening hours.

    “The study confirms previously published associations between maternal eating disorders and BMI and offspring psychiatric disorder, but also reports new associations,” Ida Nilsson, a study author told MedPage Today.

    “The findings underline the importance of considering maternal eating disorders and BMI in maternity care, aiming to reduce the number of offspring with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. The findings also strengthen the importance of the nutrition of pregnant women,” Nilsson said.

    Source link

  • Vitamin D Deficiency In Kids Raises Risk Of Auto-Immune Disorders: Study Explains How

    Vitamin D Deficiency In Kids Raises Risk Of Auto-Immune Disorders: Study Explains How

    Ensure your child is getting adequate sunshine vitamins. Beyond the role of calcium absorption and bone strengthening, researchers have discovered more about its connection to the immune system. A recent study revealed how a deficiency of vitamin D in young children can raise the risk of developing autoimmune disorders.

    According to the latest study published in the journal Science Advances, the deficiency of vitamin D in kids is linked to premature aging of the thymus gland. The thymus is a small lymph gland that makes and trains T-cells that are crucial for the immune system, defending the body against infections and diseases. While most of these vital cells are produced before birth, the remainder are generated during childhood, and by puberty, individuals would have developed the complete T cells for their lifetime.

    “An aging thymus leads to a ‘leaky’ immune system. This means the thymus becomes less effective at filtering out immune cells that could mistakenly attack healthy tissues, increasing the risk of autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes,” said the lead author of the study John White in a news release.

    Studies have shown that vitamin D is essential for immunity but according to White, the recent study findings “bring new clarity to this connection and could lead to new strategies for preventing autoimmune diseases.”

    During the trial, researchers examined mice that could not produce vitamin D to assess how this deficiency affected their thymus glands. They then conducted cell analyses and gene sequencing to understand the impact of vitamin D deficiency on the immune system. The researchers expect similar findings in humans as the thymus functions similarly in both species.

    Based on the study findings, researchers suggest that young children should get adequate vitamin D, either through natural sources such as fortified food and sunlight or through supplementation.

    “If you have a young child, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider to ensure they’re getting enough,” said White.

    Earlier research conducted by the same team in 2021, which followed up more than 10,000 children showed that early vitamin D supplementation can reduce the risk of developing type 1 diabetes by up to five-fold.

    Source link

  • COVID-19 Vaccine Linked To Elevated Risk Of Facial Palsy: Study

    COVID-19 Vaccine Linked To Elevated Risk Of Facial Palsy: Study

    Researchers have found that COVID-19 vaccination is linked to an elevated risk of facial palsy, with the risk particularly high within 28 days of taking the shot.

    Facial palsy, also known as Bell’s palsy, leads to temporary weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles, resulting in drooping on one side of the face and difficulty making facial expressions. Although the exact cause of the condition is not known, experts believe that certain viral infections, autoimmune mechanisms, or vaccination can be potential triggers.

    Although the pivotal clinical trials during the development of COVID-19 vaccines revealed no severe safety concerns, there has been an imbalance in the incidence of facial palsy among vaccinated individuals compared to the general population. This prompted the researchers to conduct a large-scale study involving over 44 million patients in South Korea to investigate the risk of facial palsy among individuals vaccinated against COVID-19.

    The researchers examined a national health information database of individuals who received more than one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and were then diagnosed with facial palsy within 240 days post-vaccination.

    When the incidence of facial palsy within 1–28 post-vaccination was compared to a control window (the remainder of the 240-day observation period), the researchers noted that there were 5,211 cases within the risk window and 10,531 cases within the control window.

    The study revealed a 12% increase in the risk of facial palsy within 1 to 28 days after any COVID-19 vaccine dose. The researchers also noted that the risk increased regardless of whether individuals received homologous or heterologous vaccines.

    While the second dose showed a 7% higher risk, the combination of the first and second doses indicated an 8% increase. However, no increased risk was associated with the third dose.

    “Facial Palsy (FP) risk increased within 28 days postvaccination, primarily after first and second doses, and was observed for both mRNA and viral vaccines. Clinicians should carefully assess the FP risk-benefit profile associated with the COVID-19 vaccines and monitor neurologic signs after vaccination,” the researchers wrote in a news release.

    While the exact reason for facial palsy after vaccination is unclear, researchers suggest possible explanations.

    One explanation is that mRNA vaccines use lipid nanoparticles to deliver SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen which triggers an immune response that can lead to the release of proinflammatory cytokines. This response may damage the myelin sheath and potentially result in facial palsy.

    In the case of viral vector vaccines, they are designed to make antibodies against the virus’s proteins. Since these antibodies are similar to proteins in the nerves, they may mistakenly attack the myelin resulting in nerve damage.

    Researchers also noted that COVID-19 infection is associated with a higher risk of facial palsy. Recent studies suggest that this increased risk may be due to nerve compression resulting from inflammation triggered by the virus.

    Source link