ALL ABOUT HEALTH -

30Jan 2023 by Janice Holland

FDA Approves Brukinsa (Zanubrutinib) for Leukemia and Lymphoma

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Brukinsa (zanubrutinib) for the treatment of the blood and bone cancers known as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). The National Comprehensive Cancer Network has endorsed zanubrutinib as a CLL-SLL treatment for both newly diagnosed and previously treated patients.Zanubrutinib belongs to a class of drugs known as BTK inhibitors (BTKi), which work by preventing the growth of malignant B-cells (white blood cells that make illness-fighting antibodies), according to the National Cancer Institute.The FDA previously approved the drug, which is made by the Beijing-based pharmaceutical company BeiGene, for three other forms of lymphatic cancer: Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, marginal zone lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma.CLL is a common form of leukemia, accounting for about one-quarter of all new cases each year; the American…

30Jan 2023 by Janice Holland

Increased Stroke Risk From Diabetes and High Blood Pressure Might Peak in Middle Age

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Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure have long been known risk factors for stroke. But a new study suggests that these two chronic health problems may make a bigger difference in stroke risk for middle-aged adults than for older people.“High blood pressure and diabetes are two important risk factors for stroke that can be managed by medication, decreasing a person’s risk,” says the lead study author, George Howard, DrPH, a professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health.“Our findings show that their association with stroke risk may be substantially less at older ages, yet other risk factors do not change with age,” Dr. Howard says. “These differences in risk factors imply that determining whether a person is at high risk for stroke may differ depending on…

29Jan 2023 by Janice Holland

Eating Fewer Meals May Beat Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss

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When it comes to slimming down, cutting down on calories and eating fewer larger meals may be a more effective weight control strategy than intermittent fasting, where a person cycles between brief periods of little or no eating and regular eating, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.For the study, researchers looked at electronic health records of about 550 adults and found that the total daily number of large meals (estimated at more than 1,000 calories) and medium meals (estimated at 500 to 1,000 calories) were each associated with increased weight gain over six years of follow-up, while eating fewer small meals (estimated at less than 500 calories) was linked to decreasing weight.They also found that the window of time between first to last…

29Jan 2023 by Janice Holland

FDA Approves Rykindo, a Long-Lasting Injectable, for Schizophrenia and Bipolar I

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Men and women who take risperidone to treat schizophrenia or bipolar I have a new option if they aren’t able to take oral medications every day or prefer a long-lasting alternative. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Rykindo as an extended-release injectable version of risperidone on January 15, 2023, according to a press release from Luye Pharma, the company that developed the drug.Rykindo is administered via intramuscular injection once every two weeks, delivering risperidone via long-acting and extended-release “microsphere” technology. These microspheres release medication at a gradual, steady rate. The injection needs to be administered by a healthcare professional.Risperidone Has Long Been Used to Treat Schizophrenia and Bipolar IRisperidone was first approved by the FDA in 1993 to treat symptoms of schizophrenia, according to StatPearls. A long-acting injectable form of…

29Jan 2023 by Janice Holland

New Culprit Discovered in Link Between Processed Foods and Type 2 Diabetes

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Need another reason to cut back on red and processed meats? A new study suggests that a common additive called nitrites in these foods is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.For the study, researchers examined the eating habits of more than 104,000 adults who were 43 years old on average and had no history of type 2 diabetes. On the basis of detailed dietary records, scientists calculated how much exposure people had to nitrates and nitrites, chemicals naturally found in whole foods like green leafy vegetables and in additives used to improve the flavor and shelf life of processed meats and other mass-produced foods.Participants were followed for about seven years, and nearly 1,000 of them developed type 2 diabetes.People with the most nitrites in their diets from…

29Jan 2023 by Janice Holland

Short Bouts of High-Intensity Exercise May Help Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

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Short sessions of high-intensity exercise may be just the thing to keep the brain healthy. The scientists behind a recent study in New Zealand found that about six minutes of intensive physical activity performed on a regular basis may provide protection from age-related cognitive decline.Vigorous activity may not only delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, it could also help prevent other neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease, according to the researchers.In the study, published this month in The Journal of Physiology, even just six minutes of strenuous cycling were shown to increase a protein that’s essential for brain formation, learning, and memory. The protein, called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), plays an important role in the growth of synapses between nerve cells, according to a past review (PDF). BDNF also…

29Jan 2023 by Janice Holland

Too Many People Are Using Neti Pots and Vaporizers Unsafely, Survey Suggests

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Many people may be using water straight from the tap for neti pots, CPAP (sleep apnea) machines, vaporizers, and humidifiers, a practice that could put them at risk for acquiring serious and even potentially life-threatening infections, according to survey findings published in the February 2023 issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Using unsterilized tap water in equipment like a neti pot, a device for rising nasal passages to reduce congestion, is potentially risky because low levels of microorganisms remain in drinking water distribution systems and wells, according to the survey authors. These include biofilm pathogens, a type of germ that can stick to water pipes and infiltrate the water system.The list of potential pathogens in tap water includes Pseudomonas aeruginosa, nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM),…

29Jan 2023 by Janice Holland

A 5-Minute Stroll Every 30 Minutes Could Decrease the Risks of a Long Day at Your Desk

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Even for people who get lots of exercise, sitting at a desk all day can still be bad for health. A new study offers some fresh insight into how many movement breaks deskbound workers need throughout the day to help offset some of the negative effects of all those sedentary hours.Five minutes every half-hour of strolling through the office — or just getting up and moving around when you work from home — can significantly reduce both blood pressure and blood sugar, according to a study published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. And moving as little as one minute every hour can still help lower your blood pressure.“Regular exercise should remain a top priority for anyone looking to improve and maintain their health,” says senior…

29Jan 2023 by Janice Holland

Study Linking Gas Stoves to Asthma Ignites Controversy

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In the past couple of weeks, social media and journalism outlets have been roiling with opinions about gas stoves. The controversy began when Richard Trumka, a commissioner with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), suggested that his group was considering a ban on the appliances amid rising concerns about harmful indoor air pollutants.“Gas stoves can emit dangerous levels of toxic chemicals — even when not in use — and CPSC will consider all approaches to regulation,” tweeted Trumka on January 9. In an interview with CNN three days later, he stressed that the government is not looking to take away anyone’s stove, and any ban would apply only to new gas stoves, not existing ones.The CPSC issued a statement saying that it is currently researching gas emissions in stoves…

29Jan 2023 by Janice Holland

Obesity at Middle Age May Signal Higher Odds of Frailty Later in Life

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Midlife belly bulge and excessive weight may increase your chances of becoming frail in old age, according to a new study, published January 23 in BMJ Open.Scientists in Norway looked at data from about 4,500 people age 45 or older at the study's start for an average of 21 years, and discovered that individuals who had a high waist circumference measurement at the beginning were twice as likely to be frail or pre-frail (meaning at high risk of becoming frail) than people who started out with a normal waist size.What Is Frailty and Pre-Frailty?For this study, researchers defined frailty according to a commonly used assessment scale that establishes a “frail” person as having at least three of the following five criteria:ExhaustionWeak grip strengthSlow walking speedLow physical activity levelsUnintentional weight lossA…