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The team found structural changes were primarily a consequence of a difference between systolic pressure  and diastolic pressure – the pressure in between beats.

Some Dementia Firmly Linked To Brain Abnormalities From High Blood Pressure

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved selling naloxone without a prescription, setting the overdose-reversing drug on course to become the first opioid treatment drug to be sold over the counter.It’s a move that some advocates have long sought as a way to improve access to a life-saving drug, though the exact impact will not be clear immediately.Here’s a look at the issues involved.<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">WHAT IS NARCAN?</h3>The approved branded nasal spray from Gaithersburg, Maryland-based Emergent BioSolutions is the best-known form of naloxone.It can reverse overdoses of opioids, including street drugs such as heroin and fentanyl and prescription versions including oxycodone.Making naloxone available more widely is seen as a key strategy to control the nationwide overdose crisis, which has been linked to more than 100,000 U.S. deaths a year. The majority of those deaths are tied to opioids, primarily potent synthetic versions such as fentanyl that can take multiple doses of naloxone to reverse.Advocates believe it's important to get naloxone to the people who are most likely to be around overdoses, including people who use drugs and their relatives.Police and other first responders also often carry it.___<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">WHAT DOES THE FDA APPROVAL MEAN?</h3>Narcan will become available over-the-counter by late summer, the company said.Other brands of naloxone and injectable forms will not yet be available over the counter, but they could be soon.The nonprofit Harm Reduction Therapeutics Inc., which has funding from OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, has an application before the FDA to distribute its version of spray naloxone without a prescription.___<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">HOW IS NALOXONE DISTRIBUTED NOW?</h3>Even before the FDA's action, pharmacies could sell naloxone without a prescription because officials in every state have allowed it.But not every pharmacy carries it. And buyers have to pay for the medication — either with an insurance co-pay or for the full retail price. The cost varies, but two doses of Narcan often go for around $50.The drug is also distributed by community organizations that serve people who use drugs, though it's not easily accessible to everyone who needs it.Emergent has not announced its price and it's not clear yet whether insurers will continue to cover it as a prescription drug if it's available over the counter.___<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">DOES MAKING NALOXONE OVER-THE-COUNTER IMPROVE ACCESS?</h3>It clears the way for Narcan to be made available in places without pharmacies — convenience stores, supermarkets and online retailers, for instance.Jose Benitez, the lead executive officer at Prevention Point Philadelphia, an organization that tries to reduce risk for people who use drugs with services including handing out free naloxone, said it could help a lot for people who don't seek services — or who live in places where they're not available.Now, he said, some people are concerned about getting naloxone at pharmacies because their insurers will know they're getting it.“Putting it out of the shelves is going to allows people just to pick it up, not have stigma attached to it and readily access this life-saving drug,” he said.But it remains to be seen how many stores will carry it and what the prices will be. The U.S. Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, which now cover prescription naloxone for people on the government insurance programs, says that coverage of over-the-counter naloxone would depend on the insurance program. The centers have not given any official guidance.Maya Doe-Simkins, a co-director of Remedy Alliance/For The People, which launched last year to provide low-cost — and sometimes free — naloxone to community organizations, said her group will continue to distribute injectable naloxone.___<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">ARE THERE DRAWBACKS TO OVER-THE-COUNTER SALES?</h3>One concern is whether people who buy Narcan over-the-counter will know how to use it properly, said Keith Humphreys, a Stanford University addiction expert, though the manufacturer is responsible for clear directions and online videos on that.One benefit of having pharmacists involved, he said, is that they can show buyers how to use it. One key thing people need to be reminded of: Call an ambulance for the person receiving naloxone after it's been administered.He also said there are fears that if the drug isn't profitable as an over-the-counter option, the drugmaker could stop producing it.

overdose-reversing-drug-narcan-approved-for-over-the-counter-sale

FDA approves over-the-counter Narcan. Here's what it means

Overdose-Reversing Drug, Narcan, Approved For Over-The-Counter Sale

CLEVELAND — Having a strong grip isn’t just important for getting the lid off a stubborn jar.Grip strength can also provide crucial insight into your health.“People with better grip strength age more slowly. Having a good grip strength can slow the process of immunosenescence, or the decline in your immune defense associated with aging,” explained Ardeshir Hashmi, MD, a geriatric medicine specialist with Cleveland Clinic. “It can also improve your ability to bounce back from diseases, or homeostenosis. Finally, it can prevent frailty.”According to Dr. Hashmi, a weak grip strength can indicate faster aging.It can also be a warning sign for having a higher risk of chronic diseases – even a shorter life expectancy.He explained grip strength can tell you so much because it’s a good marker of a person’s overall body strength and ability to fight off infection.Dr. Hashmi said grip strength can start declining around age 50, and people should start exercises before then to maintain it.He recommends squeezing a racquetball or squash ball for at least 10 minutes twice a day.Dr. Hashmi stresses people must remember to exercise their entire body as well but don’t overdo it.“With any weight-bearing exercise, you have to be careful not to tax your spine or knees. You don’t have to exercise for two hours every day,” Dr. Hashmi said. “The research tells us 10 minutes of exercise per day can make a difference. Doing something every day is the most important thing.”Dr. Hashmi adds following a healthy diet and getting enough sleep are also needed to maintain good health as you age.

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A doctor who specializes in geriatric medicine explains how grip strength can provide insight into your overall health.

How Weak Grip Strength Plays A Role In Aging

4-foods-that-help-prevent-cancer-according-to-health-experts

According to health experts, approximately 5% of  cancer cases can be attributed to poor diet.

4 Foods That Help Prevent Cancer, According To Health Experts

quail-salmon-venison-on-the-menu-at-iowa-school

A chef in Iowa is making sure his students get more than rectangle pizza and hot dogs at lunch.

Quail, Salmon, Venison On The Menu At Iowa School

study-coffee-drinkers-get-more-steps-but-also-less-sleep

Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages worldwide, but the pendulum has swung back and forth about its benefits and drawbacks.

Study - Coffee Drinkers Get More Steps But Also Less Sleep

do-good-friendships-lead-to-better-health

Good friends and good physical health may be even more closely linked than previously thought, new research has found.

Do Good Friendships Lead To Better Health?

Elkhorn Valley Packing is recalling 1.7 tons of ground beef after a sample from the company tested positive for E. coli. Meat was distributed to several state, mainly in the Northeast and Midwest.These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. Do not eat.Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Dallas Kenney, Director of Operations, Elkhorn Valley Packing, at 620-243-3308 or email at dallas@elkhornvalleypacking.com.The USDA has made a list of the affected package serial numbers available on <a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/elkhorn-valley-packing-recalls-boneless-beef-chuck-product-due-possible-e--coli-o103" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">its website</a>.&nbsp;

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The boneless beef chuck was shipped to retail and wholesale locations

1.7 Tons Of Ground Beef Recalled

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“We are at a level twice that of our worst year, looking back over the past 10, 20 years or so."

Strep Infections Surging In Kids: Symptoms Not Always Typical

CLEVELAND – Spring is officially here, and that means we can enjoy more sunlight and warmer weather.However, it can also cause those with seasonal allergies to reach for the tissue box.“You may start to see your seasonal allergies worsen in April or May because that’s when tree and grass pollens often overlap,” explained DeVon Preston, MD, allergist for Cleveland Clinic. “That’s also when we tend to have our drier, windier weather – which means pollen can travel in the air more easily.”Spring allergy season starts in February and can last until early summer in many parts of the United States.During this time, Dr. Preston said those with tree pollen allergies can experience symptoms like itchy or watery eyes, sneezing and a stuffy nose.He suggests trying a nasal steroid or nasal antihistamine for congestion relief, sneezing or a runny nose.An oral antihistamine can help relieve itching symptoms.Along with medicine, Dr. Preston urges people to try and stay inside on dry, windy days to decrease their exposure to allergens.People can also take some simple steps at home to keep their spring allergies in check.“We all love to open our windows and let the fresh air in, but keeping your windows closed can help prevent pollen from entering your home. I recommend people use their HVAC system, if they have one, to help filter the air in the home,” he said. “If you have pets that go outside, brush them off before they come back inside because pollens can collect on their fur. It’s also a good idea to keep pets out of your bedroom.”If your symptoms aren’t improving, Dr. Preston recommends seeing an allergist.They can help you find out what you’re allergic to and develop a treatment plan.

finding-the-right-relief-for-spring-allergies

An allergist weighs in on when people can expect their spring allergy symptoms to flare up and what treatment options are available.

Finding The Right Relief For Spring Allergies

80-of-receipts-at-store-chains-coated-with-toxic-chemicals

You should wash your hands after handling store receipts or simply not ask for one, ecological group advises.

80% Of Receipts At Store Chains Coated With "Toxic" Chemicals

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — President Joe Biden’s order that federal employees get vaccinated against COVID-19 was blocked Thursday by a federal appeals court.The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans rejected arguments that Biden, as the nation’s chief executive, has the same authority as the CEO of a private corporation to require that employees be vaccinated.The ruling from the full appeals court, 16 full-time judges at the time the case was argued, reversed an earlier ruling by a three-judge 5th Circuit panel that had upheld the vaccination requirement. Judge Andrew Oldham, nominated to the court by then-President Donald Trump, wrote the opinion for a 10-member majority.The ruling maintains the status quo for federal employee vaccines. It upholds a preliminary injunction blocking the mandate issued by a federal judge in January 2022. At that point, the administration said nearly 98% of covered employees had been vaccinated.And, Oldham noted, with the preliminary injunction arguments done, the case will return to that court for further arguments, when “both sides will have to grapple with the White House’s announcement that the COVID emergency will finally end on May 11, 2023.”Opponents of the policy said it was an encroachment on federal workers’ lives that neither the Constitution nor federal statutes authorize.Biden issued an executive order in September 2021 requiring vaccinations for all executive branch agency employees, with exceptions for medical and religious reasons. The requirement kicked in the following November. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown, who was appointed to the District Court for the Southern District of Texas by Trump, issued a nationwide injunction against the requirement the following January.The case then went to the 5th Circuit.One panel of three 5th Circuit judges refused to immediately block the law.But a different panel, after hearing arguments, upheld Biden’s position. Judges Carl Stewart and James Dennis, both nominated to the court by President Bill Clinton, were in the majority. Judge Rhesa Barksdale, nominated by President George H.W. Bush, dissented, saying the relief the challengers sought does not fall under the Civil Service Reform Act cited by the administration.The broader court majority agreed, saying federal law does not preclude court jurisdiction over cases involving "private, irreversible medical decisions made in consultation with private medical professionals outside the federal workplace."A majority of the full court voted to vacate that ruling and reconsider the case. The 16 active judges heard the case on Sept. 13, joined by Barksdale, who is now a senior judge with lighter duties than the full-time members of the court.Judge Stephen Higginson, a nominee of former President Barack Obama, wrote the main dissenting opinion. "For the wrong reasons, our court correctly concludes that we do have jurisdiction," Higginson wrote. "But contrary to a dozen federal courts — and having left a government motion to stay the district court’s injunction pending for more than a year — our court still refuses to say why the President does not have the power to regulate workplace safety for his employees."

covid-vaccine-mandate-for-us-government-workers-stuck-down-by-court

Court blocks COVID-19 vaccine mandate for US gov't workers

COVID Vaccine Mandate For US Government Workers Stuck Down By Court

Jigsawdio, a woman-owned small business headquartered in Raleigh, N.C.,received a $500,000 Science and Technology Transfer (STTR) grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fund the prototype development and use study of its audiovisual jigsaw puzzle device created specifically for the Alzheimer's and dementia populations."I've seen nothing like this for any population," said Jigsawdio founder and CEO Amy Young. "It is a unique platform designed for those with memory loss to engage with the meaningful aspects of their life."The puzzle, composed of acrylic pieces played in a soundframe, incorporates images and audio stories specific to an individual with memory loss."Users play their collection of physical personalized jigsaw puzzles on a displayable frame," said Young. "Each puzzle has six 'sound' pieces that play recordings that narrate the image associated with that part of the puzzle. It is the only jigsaw puzzle with pieces that play recordable sound."Young, who worked in educational technology prior to founding Jigsawdio, explained that interest in developing such a product for children led to conversations with people whose grandparents could not remember their grandchildren."This product is being made specifically for individuals with Alzheimer's and dementia and other memory issues," said Young. "Statistics show that there are not enough caregivers to offer the personal attention to keep members of these populations engaged. Much of their time is spent in very passive activities."Jigsawdio (Patent Pending) hopes to provide a way to engage them more socially. It is personally relevant and easy to use. We have an IOS App that guides people step by step in loading their images and sounds to create their puzzles. While the puzzle is not yet available for purchase, the first version of the app is ready now in the App Store."Supported by engineer and design companies for its hardware, firmware, software, and hard acrylic pieces, theJigsawdio prototypes currently include 12-, 24-, and 36-piece puzzle options, which will be completed by April. The puzzle then enters a custom six-week study."This study, conducted by researchers from Indiana University, will include participants' family members and caregivers who can provide feedback and ideas to create a puzzle, including present and past events, hobbies, favorite pets, and stories," Young said."The study will measure the emotional aspects of the images and sounds to the participants, what they like and how they respond, as well as how they engage."Jigsawdio is 'The puzzle that speaks to you.' Our goal is to improve the mood and quality of life of and bring joy to those with memory loss."

company-jigsawdio-receives-grant-for-audiovisual-jigsaw-puzzle-device

Jigsawdio Audiovisual Jigsaw Puzzle Device

"It is a unique platform designed for those with memory loss to engage with the meaningful aspects of their life."

Company Jigsawdio Receives Grant For Audiovisual Jigsaw Puzzle Device

Coffee lovers — and their doctors — have long wondered whether a jolt of java can affect the heart. New research published Wednesday finds that drinking caffeinated coffee did not significantly affect one kind of heart hiccup that can feel like a skipped beat.But it did signal a slight increase in another type of irregular heartbeat in people who drank more than one cup per day. And it found that people tend to walk more and sleep less on the days they drank coffee.Coffee is one of the most common beverages in the world. In the U.S., two-thirds of Americans drink coffee every day, more than bottled water, tea or tap water, according to the National Coffee Association, a trade group. Coffee contains caffeine, a stimulant, which is widely regarded as safe for healthy adults at about 400 milligrams per day, or roughly the equivalent of four or five cups brewed at home.Coffee has been associated with multiple health benefits and even a lower risk of dying, based on large studies that observed participants’ behavior. Despite research that has shown moderate coffee consumption doesn’t raise the risk of heart rhythm problems, some professional medical societies still caution against consuming caffeine.The latest research:<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">THE EXPERIMENT</h3>Researchers outfitted 100 healthy volunteers with gadgets that continuously monitored their heart function, daily steps, sleep patterns and blood sugar. The volunteers, who were mostly younger than 40, were sent daily text messages over two weeks instructing them to drink or avoid caffeinated coffee on certain days. The results were reported Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.This type of study, which directly measures the biological effects of drinking or not drinking caffeinated coffee in the same people, is rare and provides a dense array of data points, said study co-author Dr. Gregory Marcus, a cardiologist at the University of California, San Francisco, who specializes in treating heart arrhythmias.<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">THE FINDINGS</h3>Researchers found that drinking caffeinated coffee did not result in more daily episodes of extra heartbeats, known as premature atrial contractions. These extra beats that begin in the heart's upper chambers are common and typically don't cause problems. But they have been shown to predict a potentially dangerous heart condition called atrial fibrillation.They also found slight evidence of another kind of irregular heartbeat that comes from the lower heart chambers, called premature ventricular contractions. Such beats are also common and not usually serious, but they have been associated with a higher risk of heart failure. The researchers found more of these early beats in people on the days they drank coffee, but only in those who drank two or more cups per day.The volunteers logged about 1,000 more steps per day on the days they drank coffee — and they slept about 36 minutes less, the study found. There was almost no difference in blood sugar levels.One interesting result: People with genetic variants that make them break down caffeine faster experienced less of a sleep deficit, while folks with variants that lead them to metabolize caffeine more slowly lost more sleep.<h3 style="margin-left:0px;">WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU</h3>Because the study was performed in a small number of people over a short period of time, the results don’t necessarily apply to the general population, said Dr. Dave Kao, a cardiologist and health data expert at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, who was not involved in the study. However, the study is consistent with others that have found coffee is safe and it offers a rare controlled evaluation of caffeine’s effect, Kao added.Co-author Marcus cautions that the effects of drinking coffee can vary from person to person. He said he advises his patients with heart arrhythmias to experiment on their own to see how caffeine affects them.“They’re often delighted to get the good news that it’s OK to try coffee and drink coffee,” he said.

new-study-on-coffee-and-your-heart-whats-the-latest

The effects of drinking coffee can vary from person to person.

New Study On Coffee And Your Heart - What's The Latest?