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Though it has been more than sixty years since the United States dropped two atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, there is still a lasting effect on the health of the population in those areas. The people who were exposed to the fallout as young children seem to be facing a greater risk of developing Cancer as an adult. New research suggests that the people who were still in their mother’s womb while exposed to the fallout have less of a risk of developing cancer as an adult.

This new research has come about because before this, there was little to no research done on those who had been exposed to fallout before they were born. This is an important topic for researchers because many pregnant women all over the world are exposed to radiation from medical procedures or the places they work.

It is known that those exposed to the fallout as children are at higher risk for developing cancer, but it was an interesting find that those who were exposed to fallout in the womb have a significantly lower risk of developing adult cancers.

The study began with research of cancer incidences between the years of 1958 to 1999. The study concentrated on bomb survivors from the ages of 12 to 55. Out of those studied, more than 700 people from the 18,000 people studied developed some types of cancer, typically after the age of forty. What the researchers found was that their cancer was directly related to being exposed to atomic bomb fallout as a child.
 
What the researchers are interested in now is what affected the the result of less cancer in fallout exposure in the womb. There are some theories, but further research is needed in order to see what exactly decreases the risk of those exposed to fallout in the womb.

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Sleep is important for everyone, but the quality of sleep for women might be even more important, researchers suggest. There is more evidence now that women who have sleep problems are at a higher risk for heart problems than those who do not have sleep difficulties.

There is more to worry about with bad sleep than just heart problems though. In women who have reported a poor quality in sleep, they had higher instances of heart disease, type 2 Diabetes, and other health concerns. Difficulty falling asleep causes higher level of Insulin which leads to the higher risk of developing diabetes. This was evident in women who have had difficulty falling asleep or maintaining a full night’s sleep for two or more nights a week. Other side effects from not getting quality sleep were anger, hostility, and Depression.

Previous studies on this topic included women with major sleep issues, such as sleep apnea and other sleep disorders. This current study was conducted using healthy men  and women that did not have any previous history of sleep disorders. This study concluded that it’s not all about the quality of sleep—the major factor in linking risks to disease with sleep is in the difficulty a woman has falling asleep. Those who take a half hour or more to fall asleep each night were at greater risk for developing heart disease.

The study concluded that men do not show this link between a higher risk of heart disease and difficulty sleeping. Because of the difference in the function of brain chemicals between genders, men do not suffer as much from having difficulty falling asleep.

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With the rapid advances occurring in technology, a computer that once required an entire room to function, now fits in the palm of the hand. Mobile technology has grasped the world by storm and our eyes, minds and bodies are paying the price for our screen filled antics.

According to a new study by the American Optometric Association (AOA), symptoms of “computer vision syndrome” include, dry eyes, blurred vision, eye strain, headaches, and sensitivity to light. The more hours spent staring at a computer screen, the more prominent and long lasting these effects may be.

This information is not new information, but with the recent upsurge of hand held pocket PC's, people now have the ability to look at a computer screen for more hours than ever. This study is truly a relevant topic and proves the strain on the eyes can lead to Pain and suffering as the price.

The report went on to state that the health problems related to “computer vision syndrome” appear to extend beyond the eyes for those who require corrective bifocal lenses. The act of tilting the head back to see through the bifocal section of the lens is led to neck and shoulder pain and discomfort in the participants polled for the report.

It is believed that more than 10 million people visit the eye doctor each year complaining of problems associated with “computer vision syndrome.” Some helpful hints to prevent this Stress and overuse related condition include, blinking often, use computer glasses and computer screen protectors to cut down on the effects of the screen on the eyes, use a bright overhead light in place of a desk or floor lamp right next to the workstation.

As our nation grows and becomes more dependent upon computer technology, “computer vision syndrome” will surely make its mark in the health community. With this inevitable future, prevention is the only method of sure fire pain relief.

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On Feb. 28, 2008, FDA announced its approval of the short-term use of Nexium in children 1 to 11 years old for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The agency approved Nexium in two forms: delayed-release capsule and liquid.

"This approval provides important information for appropriate dosing for children ages 1-11 years with GERD," says Julie Beitz, M.D., Director of the Office of Drug Evaluation III in FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "Children prescribed this drug should be monitored by their physicians for any adverse drug reactions."

What is Nexium?
Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium) is part of a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). These drugs decrease the amount of acid produced in the Stomach and help heal erosions in the lining of the esophagus (erosive esophagitis). Nexium is manufactured by AstraZeneca of Wilmington, Del.

What dosages are included in this approval?
Nexium is approved for short-term use in 10 milligrams (mg) or 20 mg daily for children ages 1 to 11 years old (compared to 20 mg or 40 mg recommended for Pediatric patients 12 to 17 years old).

What did FDA base this approval on?
FDA based this approval on the extrapolation of data from previous study results in adults to the pediatric population, as well as safety and pharmacokinetic studies performed in pediatric patients. Pharmacokinetic studies show how our bodies absorb, distribute, metabolize, and excrete drugs.

In one study, 109 patients, ages 1 to 11 years old who had been diagnosed with GERD, were treated with Nexium once a day for up to eight weeks to evaluate its safety and tolerability. Most of these patients demonstrated healing of their esophageal erosions after eight weeks of treatment.

What are the most common adverse reactions in children treated with Nexium?
The most common adverse reactions were headache, Diarrhea, abdominal Pain, nausea, gas, Constipation, dry mouth, and sleepiness.

What about using Nexium in children younger than 1 year?
The safety and effectiveness of Nexium has not been established in children less than one year old.