Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.health From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: health Tue, Mar 24 1992 Date: Tue, 24 Mar 92 05:43:45 EST Message-ID: 03-24 0000 DECISIONLINE: Health USA TODAY Update March 24, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network INCONTINENCE UNTREATED: At least 80% of the 10 million people with leaky bladders can be cured or have their condition significantly improved, a government-sponsored panel said Monday. But only about half of the people with urinary incontinence ever ask for help from a doctor due to embarrassment and when they do they are often ignored because doctors believe it's just a natural consequence of aging. (For more, see special Incontinence package below.) DOW CORNING PROGRAM HALTED: Federal District Court Judge Carl Rubin Monday in Cincinnati ordered Dow Corning Corp. to temporarily halt a program to pay women up to $1,200 who needed to have their silicone gel breast implants removed. Barbara Carmichael, a Dow Corning vice president, said they would comply. A lawyer who filed class action suits against Dow Corning said the program undermined his suit. PROSTHESES HELP AVAILABLE: The most reliable source of information on breast prostheses is the American Cancer Society's Reach to Recovery program, USA TODAY says. Reach to Recovery volunteers often visit post-mastectomy patients in hospitals and provide temporary prostheses. They also can provide the names of shops where breast forms are fitted and sold. Many local chapters have breast form exhibits. SPECIAL BRA MAY BE NEEDED: Mabel Forde a Reach to Recovery coordinator in Philadelphia, says women who have bad experiences with breast forms - discomfort, problems with slippage, an unsatisfactory appearance - often could do better if they knew more before they shopped. Forde says getting the right bra is as important as getting the right prosthesis. Some women need special bras with pockets. HEAD-INJURY CENTERS PROBED: Operators of head-injury treatment centers are being accused of preying on some of the most vulnerable of patients. Patients, state and federal investigators accuse the centers of directing sophisticated marketing efforts and offers of near-impossible cures to emotionally devastated families. Critics contend that head-injury patients are often neglected after being admitted. FLU SEASON NEARLY OVER: The winter flu season is almost over. In the last week of February, only eight states still had a significant number of cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control. And deaths from pneumonia and influenza in 121 major cities dropped to a seasonal norm for the first time since the week after Christmas. Flu was still widespread in Alaska and Massachusetts. NUMBER OF STROKES DOWN 33%: Between 1979-89, rates for six of the top 10 causes of death fell, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Led by a continuing decline in strokes (33%), they included liver disease (26%), accidents (21%) and heart disease (21%). Next year, final figures for 1990 probably will show AIDS became one of the top 10 causes of death for the first time; it ranked 11th in 1989. DEPRIVATION MAY HELP DEPRESSION: University of Michigan psychiatrist Dr. Michael Naylor believes sleep deprivation may speed the recovery of severely depressed adolescents. "It may be used to augment response to medications and lead to rapid resolution in severely depressed, suicidal adolescents." Naylor said. Naylor monitored 16 depressed patients and eight control subjects for a little over a week. VIRUSES LINKED TO PENILE CANCER: Two common viruses already linked to some cases of cervical cancer may also be linked to a third of the penile cancers. Duke University researchers found suggests the viruses may be transmitted during sexual intercourse. Penile cancer is rare in the United States - 0.5% of all cases. The report was published in the International Journal of Cancer. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON INCONTINENCE: 7,000 CASES STUDIED: Incontinence is not just an older person's problem, a government panel said Monday. It found at least one in four women ages 30 to 59 have incontinent episodes. A group of doctors, nurses and patient advocates reviewed 7,000 studies conducted over the last 25 years. They found that urinary incontinence is one of the most "underreported and undertreated diseases of our time." BEHAVIORAL CHANGES CURE 75%: The panel found that 20% of incontinence cases can be cured and up to 75% can be improved with behavioral techniques, including bladder muscle toning, avoiding diuretics such as caffeine and creating regular schedules for voiding. Up to 44% of cases can be cured with drugs and up to 83% of cases can be improved. The drugs have side effects such as constipation in 20% of cases. SURGERY CURES 85%: For severe cases, up to 85% of cases can be cured with surgery. The most common reason for surgery in men is an enlarged prostate; in women it is a droopy bladder. The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, which sponsored the panel, says it will issue treatment guidelines for doctors. INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE: There are places people can turn to for more information of incontinence. The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research recommends the following resources: Simon Foundation (1-800-23-SIMON); Help for Incontinent People (1-800-BLADDER) and AHCPR brochures and physicians' treatment guidelines (1-800-358-9295). (End of package.) Health Editor: Ed Kelleher. (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 other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM