Fireworks Temporarily Increase Levels Of Airborne Microscopic Particles

Pulmonary Medicine Blog By Dr Deepu

Fireworks Temporarily Increase Levels Of Airborne Microscopic Particles

The AP (7/1, Ritter) reports that “a study of 315 locations around the” US found that fireworks “temporarily boosted the levels of airborne microscopic particles that can pose a health risk.” The findings were published in Atmospheric Environment.

        The New York Daily News (7/1, Sblendorio) reports that investigators found that “air quality after America’s annual patriotic display is roughly 40% worse than on normal days.”

        USA Today (6/30, Rice) reports that Dian Seidel, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientist and study lead author, said, “These results will help improve air quality predictions, which currently don’t account for fireworks as a source of air pollution.” TheWashington Post (7/1, Samenow) “Capital Weather Gang” blog also covers the story.

FDA Approves New Oral Device To Treat Sleep Apnea

Pulmonary Medicine Blog By Dr Deepu

FDA Approves New Oral Device To Treat Sleep Apnea
Fierce Medical Devices (6/30, Lawrence) reports that “a new oral device to treat mild and moderate sleep apnea” which “incorporates a wireless microrecorder to track and transmit patient usage” has been approved by the FDA. The device, called SomnoDent, “is expected to help level the playing field for usage tracking between CPAP machines and oral devices.”

Consumption Of Sugar-Sweetened Drinks Tied To 180,000 Deaths Each Year

Pulmonary Medicine Blog By Dr Deepu

Consumption Of Sugar-Sweetened Drinks Tied To 180,000 Deaths Each Year
In “Science Now,” the Los Angeles Times (6/30, Healy) reports that “the consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks appears to claim the lives of about 25,000 American adults yearly and is linked worldwide to the deaths of 180,000 each year,” according to a study published June 29 in the journal Circulation. In particular, “low- and middle-income countries are bearing the brunt of the death toll attributed to overconsumption of sugar-sweetened sodas, sports drinks and fruit drinks.”
        The Washington Post (6/30, Gebelhoff) “To Your Health” blog points out that “overall...one in every 100 deaths from obesity-related diseases is [caused] by sugary beverages.” Tufts University researchers “found that the beverages would be responsible for 133,000 deaths from diabetes, 45,000 from cardiovascular disease and 6,450 from cancer.” Researchers arrived at these conclusions after gathering “data on deaths and disabilities from 2010,” then calculating “the direct effect that sugar-sweetened beverages had on public health based on dietary surveys reaching more than 600,000 people.”
        The NBC News (6/30, Carroll) website reports that Mexico “had the highest rate of deaths related to sugary beverages, with an estimated 405 deaths per million adults (24,000 total deaths) and the United States had the second highest.” The study authors theorized that “the high consumption of sugar sweetened beverages in Mexico and in Latin American countries could be due to problems finding safe drinking water.”
        Also covering the story are the Boston Business Journal (6/30, Bartlett, Subscription Publication) “Health Care Inc.” blog and Medical Daily (6/30, Olson).

For Cancer Survivors, Fear Of Recurrence May Affect Quality Of Sleep

Pulmonary Medicine Blog By Dr Deepu

For Cancer Survivors, Fear Of Recurrence May Affect Quality Of Sleep
Medscape (6/27, Nelson) reported that a survey published in the Journal of Psychosocial Oncology indicates that “cancer survivors often fear disease recurrence, and this can affect the quality of their sleep.” In the “survey of 67 cancer survivors, 52% reported poor sleep quality during the previous month.” Individuals “with some college education and those more afraid of a recurrence appeared to be at greater risk for poor sleep.”

Statins May Help Reduce Major Complications After Lung Surgery

Pulmonary Medicine Blog By Dr Deepu

Statins May Help Reduce Major Complications After Lung Surgery
HealthDay (6/27, Dallas) reported that research published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery suggests that statins may “help reduce major complications after lung surgery.” Investigators “randomly assigned more than 160 study participants to receive...Lipitor (atorvastatin) or an inactive placebo before and after lung resection.” Fewer patients who were given statins experienced complications. Additionally, “statins were...linked to a nearly 50 percent reduction in post-surgery rates of atrial fibrillation.”