Category: Brain & Nervous System
FDA warns pregnant women to not use certain migraine prevention medicines
Valproate medications include valproate sodium (Depacon), divalproex sodium (Depakote, Depakote CP, and Depakote ER), valproic acid (Depakene and Stavzor), and their generics should never be used by pregnant women for the prevention of migraines, FDA warns.
FDA approves migraine patch
The “transdermal” system delivers the migraine drug sumatriptan through the skin from a patch that can be wrapped around a patient’s upper arm or thigh.
Blacks missing out on critical early treatment for strokes
Getting to the emergency room within the first few hours of recognizing stroke symptoms can help prevent permanent brain damage, but a new study finds that Blacks are only half as likely as Whites to get timely treatment.
Tobacco sales to minors jump
About 16 percent of tobacco retailers in Washington state illegally sold tobacco to minors this year, up from 11 percent in 2011 and 10 percent in 2010 and the highest level in more than a decade, according to a new report.
Film features medical technology from UW, the Hutch and Children’s
A short film about a technology invented by the UW, Fred Hutch, and Children’s Hospital is a semi-finalist at the Sundance Film Festival. The technology, called Tumor Pain, uses a scorpion toxin to cause cancer cells in the brain light up so that they can be seen and removed during surgery, protecting nearby normal brain tissue
How much for an MRI? $500? $5,000? A reporter struggles to find out
A health reporter tries to solve the mystery of her migraines with a doctor-recommended imaging test, but trying to find out the real cost of that test induces headaches of its own.
Body language – F.A.S.T. Stroke Awareness
Although 4 out of 5 American families will be touched by stroke, more than a third of Americans cannot identify a single warning sign for stroke. A new ad series hopes to teach American’s the warning signs F.A.S.T.
The ups & downs of blood pressure
Almost 30% of Americans have high blood pressure. Valley Medical Center’s Dr. Anusha Iyer tells you how to take control of your blood pressure and work towards a healthier you by adopting healthy habits and setting the right goals.
Many people would like to know their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease can’t be prevented or cured, and it ranks second only to cancer among diseases that people fear. Still, about two-thirds of us say we would want to know if we are destined to get the disease.
Regular physical activity may help ward off dementia years later
Older adults who regularly engage in vigorous physical activity are less likely to have dementia later than those who don’t.
Health status, such as the presence of diabetes or heart disease, of people with dementia did not differ significantly from people without dementia.
Research news – July 19th
Study casts doubt on prostate surgery for men with early-stage disease. MS drug fails to slow progression to disability. FDA approves first drug to prevent HIV infection.
Local bats pose rabies risk, state health officials warn
Washington state health officials are reminding people that local bats often carry rabies, a deadly viral infection. Bats in Washington often test positive for rabies, Washington State Department of Health officials said, and this year already, three people had to be treated for exposure to rabid bats.
Weekend Reading: Dr. Drew cashes in. Hiding Parkinson’s. Doctors learning to talk.
TV relationship expert Dr. Drew Pinksy was paid $275,000 by drug maker GlaxoSmithKline for “services for Wellbutrin”, the drugmaker’s antidepressant medicine. Why patients with Parkinson’s hide their condition. Teaching doctors to talk … and listen.
Weekend Reading: Best of the web on health online this week
How do you live knowing you might have an Alzheimer’s gene? Applying lessons from Africa to tackle AIDS in D.C. Taking pills to boost your grades. Caring for farmworkers.
U.S. launches plan to prevent Alzheimer’s and improve care
The Obama administration is moving forward with an ambitious agenda to improve the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and unlock a method to prevent it by 2025. The plan also sets up a wide-ranging effort to improve the care that Alzheimer’s patients receive and support families.
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