Hear this article

According to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the most deadly melanomas may be the ones that appear on the scalp and the neck of the patients. The study revealing these results was comprised of more than 50,000 cases of melanomas in the United States.

Of the more than 50,000 cases, melanomas appearing on the neck and the scalp accounted for a death rate nearly 2 times higher than any other melanoma location. For patients with melanomas appearing on the scalp and neck, the survival rate 5 years post diagnosis was nearly 85%. Compared to the higher survival rate of 92% in patients with melanomas appearing on other sites of the body, researchers were convinced of the more deadly nature of the scalp and neck melanomas. These findings were published in the April Issue of the Archives of Dermatology.

According to researchers, doctors should carefully look at the scalp and neck region when checking a patient for possible signs of skin Cancer. Although a little more than 5% of patients show signs of melanomas in these areas, the same patients account for 10% or more deaths than patients with diagnosed melanomas on other body locations.

Melanomas of the scalp and neck tend to grow thicker (0.8 mm) than other melanomas (0.6 mm). The scalp and neck melanomas also tend to ulcerate more and have a higher instance of lymph node involvement.

Hear this article

The American Heart Association is concerned about the risk of cardiac problems in child patients using drugs for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The concerns are centered on the fact that underlying cardiac problems may worsen with the use of these drugs. The American Heart Association offered a recommendation that all children be screened for undiagnosed cardiac problems before taking drugs for their ADHD.

While not every child patient will need the cardiac screening, the American Heart Association believes the health of children taking ADHD drugs could be improved by the diagnosis of possible heart problems prior to taking drugs for their ADHD.

The recommendations made by the American Heart Association include:

1. Taking a detailed patient history, including family history of heart problems and heart disease.
2. A complete physical examination of the patient before prescription ADHD drugs are given.
3. Blood pressure and heart rate monitoring.
4. ECG (Electrocardiogram) test.
5. Consultations with a Pediatric cardiologist as needed.

If the patients are cleared of any heart related problems, the American Heart Association recommends continuing blood pressure screening every month to every three months along with full checkups every three to six months.

With more than 2 million children currently taking ADHD drugs and an estimate of up to 12 % of the child population suffering from ADHD, the American Heart Association hopes these guidelines will improve the care given to children suffering with this neurobehavioral disorder.

At the heart of the concern is the “stimulant” nature of the drugs prescribed for ADHD. Belonging to the class of drugs along with such Stimulants as amphetamines, the effects on the heart are a common concern. This class of drugs has been noted as increasing the heart rates and blood pressure levels of those taking the drugs.

The most common ADHD drugs are Adderall, Concerta, Dexedrine, Focalin, Ritalin, Ritalin SR, Ritalin SA, Metadate ER and Metadate CD. Strattera, a newer drug, does not fall into the “stimulant” class of drugs and thus is being recommended as a healthier alternative for both children and adults who suffer from ADHD.

It is noted that serious cardiac side effects and deaths associated with ADHD drugs and “stimulant” medications, in general, is very low. With the use of preventative and diagnostic testing, the chance of these side effects can be lessened to an even greater degree.

Hear this article

The price of food is consistently rising and for more than 100 million people, this rise in cost is forcing them deeper into the depths of poverty. Being touted as the “silent tsunami”, food shortages all over the world are causing riots and food related thefts leading analysts to worry about the future of the impoverished who will be left unable to pay for food to feed their families. Even the UN based food programs are being threatened by the riots and could effect more than 20 million children.

According to major world leaders who are holding meeting and conferences around the world regarding the state of our nations and the swelling food crisis, the cost of food is higher now than it has been since 1945. Where once the financial troubles of the world were taking center stage as the stability breaker, today the food shortage stands as one of the biggest world threats.

The effect of the food shortages may even be threatening the growth of the middle class. This class of people has been making steady progress out of poverty and into a strong new class of world residents.

The foods most affected by the food shortages are the staples of many families. Rice, wheat and corn prices are higher now than ever before and without these staple foods, other products can not be produced in a manner affordable to the middle class.

The United States, in an effort to help aid the most affected nations, has offered $200 million in support with additional monies waiting for Congress appropriation.

According to reports, the rise in the price of rice alone within the countries of Asia accounts for an increase of more than 100%. A metric ton of rice cost a mere $460.00 two months ago and today that same metric ton of rice is going for $1000.00.

The World Food Program, responsible for feeding more than 20 million people every day, budgeted nearly $3 billion for the active food programs this year. Two months ago, they were facing a $500 million shortage, today that shortage has grown to $755 million.

According to Josette Sheeran, the executive director of the World Food Program noted at a new conference that more than 25,000 people are dying every day from a condition related to hunger.

While the World Food Program most often focuses on the most poor of the population (those earning 50 cents or less per day), the current food prices are forcing those of higher class (making from $2 to $1 per day) to cut back on meat, vegetables, health care and education.

As if the current food price troubles were not enough, the cost of fuel and fertilizer are also on the rise making the food shortage a compounding struggle that those involved hope is finally reaching a plateau.

Hear this article

According to a new study released recently, there is even more information leading to a possible link between eating disorders and the fact that they may just be contagious. At the heart of these results are cluster groups of young girls that exhibit the same eating disorder behaviors including binging and the use of diet pills.

Earlier research, completed in the 1908's, was the first sign for researchers that eating disorders could possibly be contagious. Female college students were studied and showed signs of what doctors called “social contagion.” The behavior of these females was very similar to the recent study group.

In the more recent study, the girls were compared based upon residential location. Pairs of girls living within the same county were more apt to share the same eating disorder symptoms with a rate of between 4 and 10 percent over girls from separate counties.

As the counties were analyzed, clusters of eating disorder associated actions were clearly found. Fasting, dieting, exercising and the use of diet pills were all found to be more common when the young girls lived within the same county. The same was found for all eating disorder related actions and actions involved with weight loss and weight control. The only symptom not found in the cluster of symptoms was purging, or vomiting. It is thought that the secret nature of these symptoms may be to blame for the lack of cluster activity.

At the heart of the study was the determination of whether eating disorder symptoms clustered by geographical region and not the reasons why they clustered. Researchers, however, have ventured to hypothesize that these results could be due to peer pressure, modeling of student behaviors and the sharing of intimate details among friends.