Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.health,americast.usa-today.health From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: health Thu, Aug 27 1992 Date: Thu, 27 Aug 92 05:59:07 EDT Message-ID: 08-27 0000 DECISIONLINE: Health USA TODAY Update Aug. 27, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network TEST SPOTS SYNDROME BETTER: A new blood test should make it easier to detect Down syndrome. A report in the New England Journal of Medicine shows the "triple screen" tests can also target the use of riskier amniocentesis better. Down syndrome affects about one in 650 infants. The test would help detect 60% to 70% of fetal Down cases. Only 25% of cases have been found in the past. STUDY HAILS DDI: The AIDS drug DDI may help more patients than previously thought. A new study in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine shows patients with advanced AIDS virus infections stayed healthier if they switched from AZT to DDI rather than continuing AZT. The switch didn't seem to help those with full-blown AIDS. Researchers say the results mean using two drugs is better than using one. ARITHMETIC IS INBORN: They can't walk or talk, but five-month-olds can add and subtract. A study in Thursday's Nature journal shows infants can calculate small numbers of objects mentally. Scientists already knew babies could tell the difference between two rubber duckies and three, but the study suggests the ability to grasp the rudiments of arithmetic is inborn. CHOLERA SPREADING: The Latin American cholera epidemic, which began in Peru last year, is spreading. Health officials report 200 new cases a week in Mexico. Symptoms are watery diarrhea and vomiting, leading to dehydration. There's no vaccine so travelers should avoid areas with poor sanitation. BABY WALKER BAN PROPOSED: Pediatricians and consumer groups are asking the Consumer Product Safety Commission to impose a ban on baby walkers. The groups say the seats are nothing more than tiny injury vehicles. Nearly 29,000 infants required emergency room treatment in 1991 because of the walkers. FDA ISSUES DRUG WARNING: People should be careful about the medications they buy. The Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday 415 ingredients in over-the-counter medications don't work. The FDA said producers making those claims will either have to change their formulas or labels. SLOUCHING CREATES PROBLEMS: Standing up straight may make people look thinner, but good posture can also aid in burning calories. According to Robert Cooper, author of "The Performance Edge," slouching contributes to a number of problems: Loss of at least 30% lung capacity, drowsiness and fatigue, reduced blood flow to the brain, limited range of motion and joint stiffness. DON'T IGNORE THE PAIN OF CRAMPS: Women who experience painful menstrual cramps and pass them off as "PMS" should think again - it could be a warning signal. Severe menstrual cramps are sometimes a symptom of endometriosis, which can cause infertility in women if left untreated, shows a study at Chicago's Rush-Presbyterian-Saint Luke's Medical Center. RISKS FOR ASIAN-AMERICANS: Asian Americans often are described as model citizens because of their achievement and high levels are no model when it comes to health, says an expert at Ohio State University. To assimilate, many Asian Americans are taking on unhealthy habits, including smoking and eating fatty foods, says Moon Chen, professor of preventive medicine. "They are cultivating a crisis," Chen says. MAKE TRAVEL LESS OF A HEADACHE: Travel can be safer - and more fun - if people pack a small medicine chest of essential items. Consumer Reports' On Health newsletter suggests traveling with these medications and health aids to save you discomfort and money: Pain relievers such as aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen; imodium AD for mild diarrhea; hydrocortisone (1.0%) for rashes and stings; and sun block. ABORTION AMONG TOP CONCERNS: Abortion has replaced health care as one of the top three issues on voters' minds as this year's election approaches, according to a new Louis Harris poll. Among 1,200 voters surveyed, Harris found 36% cited the economy as their chief concern; 21% named abortion; and only 16% said health care was a top priority. REFORM GRANTS AWARDED TO STATES: Twelve states have been granted a total of more than $8 million from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to develop statewide reforms aimed at expanding health insurance coverage and containing costs. They are: Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Vermont and Washington. 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 other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM