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Subject: health Thu, Oct 15 1992
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 92 04:48:41 EDT
Message-ID: <ns.health.1992Oct15.044841@AmeriCast.com>
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10-15 0000
DECISIONLINE: Health
USA TODAY Update
Oct. 15, 1992
Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network
    
IMPLANTS HINDER MAMMOGRAMS:
   Silicone breast implants make it harder to get accurate 
mammograms, says a report in Wednesday's Journal of the American 
Medical Association. Studies on the mammograms of 68 women show a 
50% reduction in visibility on the X-rays of women who have tissue 
hardening around the breast, a common complication. For those with 
no hardened tissue, there's a 30% loss of visibility.
    
ASTHMA DEATHS ARE UP:
   More people are dying from asthma. The Centers for Disease 
Control reports the death rate from asthma attacks has increased 
by 46% in the last decade. The latest figures show nearly two 
deaths for every 100,000 people.
    
CAFFEINE WITHDRAWAL A PROBLEM:
   People who drink as little as two cups of caffeinated coffee a 
day can suffer from clinically significant withdrawal symptoms 
such as depression, listlessness and anxiety if they abruptly 
stop, a new study has found. The Johns Hopkins University School 
of Medicine found that more than half the people who regularly 
consume caffeine suffer withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly 
eliminate it.
(For more, see special Caffeine package below.)
    
MANY WANT TO PICK TREATMENT:
   According to a survey by The Wirthlin Group, the percentage of 
people who say they should have the right to choose experimental 
treatment without FDA approval is 72%. More than 1,000 adults were 
surveyed. About 50% in the medical community think people should 
have the right to choose.
    
CLOT, CANCER LINK SEEN:
   A patient who develops a blood clot in a leg vein for no 
apparent reason may be destined to develop cancer, says a report 
in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine. The findings don't 
explain the link between the clots and cancer.
    
RESEARCHERS TEST VACCINE:
   The University of New Mexico Medical School in Albuquerque is 
testing people for a potential Lyme disease vaccine. The 
University of New Mexico study is the first test done on humans. 
Previous studies have shown the vaccine works in mice.
    
BREAKFAST-TO-GO MORE POPULAR:
   More of people are eating breakfast on the run. Weight Watchers 
reports one out of four people eats breakfast in the car on the 
way to work. So the company has come up with a new line of 
products called "Breakfast On-the-Go!" It features muffins, 
sandwiches and other hand-held items. Other companies offering 
convenience foods include Sara Lee, Pepperidge Farm and Healthy 
Choice.
    
HEALTHY CEREALS CHOSEN:
   It's tough to pick which cereal to eat when there are so many 
healthy picks. The Center for Science in the Public Interest in 
Washington has spoken. The group says old-fashioned or quick oats, 
Kelloggs' Nutri-Grain Wheat, Post Grape-Nuts, Weetabix and 
Wheatena are the most healthy. Cereals rated second-best include 
General Mills' Cheerios, Kix and Total and Kellogg's Bran Flakes.
    
WHAT EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW:
   "What every woman needs to know about violence against women" 
is in a free brochure. Lady Foot Locker and Ryka athletic shoes 
are making it available. To get a copy, call 1-800-255-7952 from 9 
a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT.
    
SPECIAL PACKAGE ON CAFFEINE:
    
WE DRINK A LOT OF CAFFEINE:
   The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found that more 
than half the people who regularly consume caffeine suffer 
withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly eliminate it. The amounts of 
caffeine approximated the average intake of U.S. adults, about 82% 
of whom consume caffeine in some form each day. Researchers noted 
that average consumption in the U.S. is twice what in some places.
    
SMALL USERS AFFECTED TOO:
   Doctors have known for years that people can suffer headache, 
listlessness and other symptoms if they suddenly stop consuming 
caffeine. But studies typically involved larger amounts of 
caffeine consumption. The study, published in Thursday's New 
England Journal of Medicine, was an attempt to see what happens to 
people who consumed low-to-moderate amounts of caffeine, two cups 
of coffee.
    
SYMPTOMS INCLUDE HEADACHES:
   When the study's 62 volunteers were cut off from all caffeine 
for two days, 52% developed moderate or severe headaches, 11% 
experienced depression and listlessness, and others reported 
suffering from anxiety, fatigue, fuzzy thinking or flu-like 
symptoms. One volunteer reported feeling "sad, uncertain about the 
future, a general feeling of glum."
(End of package.)
    
Health Editor: Michele Coleman. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of 
USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution 
violates federal law.
    

This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service.  Redistribution to
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