Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.health From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: health Tue, May 19 1992 Date: Tue, 19 May 92 05:21:11 EDT Message-ID: 05-19 0000 DECISIONLINE: Health USA TODAY Update May 19, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network TRANSPLANT OPTION DEVELOPED: Doctors may have developed an alternative to heart transplants, according to a report at a conference of the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology this weekend in Chicago. The procedure, called cardiomyoplasty, involves training a muscle from a patient's back to function as a heart muscle. HALCION RECOMMENDATIONS MADE: The sleeping pill Halcion should remain on the market but with stronger warnings about high doses and extended use, a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel said Monday. The FDA usually follows such recommendations. Evidence suggested that Halcion is more likely than similar drugs to produce anxiety or memory lapses, but data on more serious side effects was inconclusive. PREGNANCY ADVICE DIFFERS: A large number of black women are advised by doctors to gain less weight than they should during pregnancy, says a National Center for Health Statistics study. The study of 7,800 mothers found, in 1988, when the recommended weight gain was 22-27 pounds, black women were nearly three times as likely as white women to report being told to gain less than 22 pounds during pregnancy. BLACKS MAY GET POOR HEALTH TIPS: In 1988, 27% of married black mothers were told by their doctors to gain less than the recommended amount of weight during pregnancy, compared to 11% of married white women, says a National Center for Health Statistics study. The reasons are unclear, but women who put on adequate weight during pregnancy are less likely to have low-birth-weight babies, says the center's Selma M. Taffel. TAMOXIFEN LINKED TO CANCER RISK: Using tamoxifen to prevent recurrences of early breast cancer may increase the incidence of other cancers, suggests research reported Monday at the American Society of Clinical Oncology in San Diego. Earlier research links tamoxifen with a slight increase of uterine and other glandular cancers. A separate study found that chemotherapy may protect against new cancers. LYME TREATMENT MAY NOT WORK: Infection of the organism that causes Lyme disease may exist despite aggressive treatment, says Dr. Kenneth Liegner, of Armonk, N.Y. With the National Centers for Disease Control, Liegner cultured the organisms from a spinal fluid sample from a treated patient. Liegner will present his findings at an international Lyme disease conference May 31 to June 2 in Arlington, Va. PSYCHOTHERAPY STUDIES DISMISSED: Studies from the 1960s and 1970s showing Mexican-Americans more resistant to psychotherapy than other ethnic groups may no longer be relevant, says a report in the May issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry. The earlier studies may have made no allowance for social and economic factors that color the outlook of people of all ethnic backgrounds, the authors say. DRUG MAY TREAT MOUTH LESIONS: A synthetic vitamin A drug may be better than beta carotene for preventing precancerous mouth lesions, says a study presented Monday at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Meeting in San Diego. The lesions occur most often among cigarette smokers, smokeless tobacco users and those combining smoking and alcohol use. The news is promising but needs more study, say researchers. CLASS ACTION IMPLANT SUIT: A nationwide class action involving 15 manufacturers of silicone gel breast implants has been certified by the U.S. District Court in Cincinnati, it was announced Monday. The court defined the class to include all women, and the spouses of women, who have had silicone gel breast implants placed in their bodies. Trial is scheduled to begin in June 1993 in Cincinnati. MENOPAUSE ANSWERS UNAVAILABLE: There are still no clear answers on the effectiveness and safety of using hormones to lessen menopause symptoms, says an Office of Technology Assessment report out Tuesday. Women are taking their chances with hormone supplements that may lessen menopausal symptoms and reduce risks of heart disease and bone loss, says report. Options and long-term effects need more study, experts say. NOISY VALVE SUIT DISMISSED: A New York federal judge dismissed a $10 million lawsuit by Aaron Bravman of Kingston, Pa., who complained his artificial heart valve makes "inordinately loud" clicking that can be heard 30 feet away. He said it keeps him awake and destroys his concentration. MANY BEDSORES ARE PREVENTABLE: Incidences of bedsores can be reduced by new federal guidelines issued Monday, experts say. They include checking patients' skin daily, keeping incontinent patients dry, moving immobile patients regularly, using foam and pillows for support, and educating care-givers. The steps often "fall through the cracks," says nursing professor Nancy Bergstrom, University of Nebraska Medical Center. Health Editor: Christopher Goldthwaite. (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. 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