By Laura Landro for the Wall Street Journal

A new push is under way to make prescription drug information clearer and stem the rise in emergency room visits and hospitalizations resulting from patients incorrectly taking their medicine. (Read full article on WSJ.com)

By the Numbers

• Nearly 1.9 million people were treated in hospitals for illnesses and injuries from taking medicines, a 52% increase from 2004 to 2008.
• Another 838,000 people were treated and released from emergency rooms due to harm from medications in 2008.
• Almost 36% of treat-and-release emergency room visits were patients ages 18 to 44, and 18% were elderly.

Dr. Denninghoff’s Commentary:

This article highlights that medication labels and prescription instructions can be confusing, or worse, misleading. Even though consumers receive up to 3 drug pamphlets with their prescriptions it can be difficult to understand, especially if the individual has poor reading skills.

Nearly 2 million people were treated in 2008 in hospitals for illness and injury from taking medications. The solution is to simplify and standardize the instructions.

Doctors can help by watching med lists and reducing medications, when possible.

By Matt Riddley for the Wall Street Journal

Of all the amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals in the world, the most abundant species is probably the chicken. At any one time, approximately 20 billion cocks and hens are alive on the planet (though never for long).

Chickens owe this abundance, of course, to their place on our table. About 90 million tons of chicken meat is consumed every year, plus 67 million tons of eggs, compared with 110 million tons of pork and 67 million tons of beef. Between 1970 and 2005, world production of poultry meat more than quadrupled. (Read full article on WSJ.com)

Dr. Denninghoff’s Commentary:

Chickens are changing fast due to selective breeding and improved feeds. These are dramatic changes, compared to chickens in the 1950′s.

Why is this Important?

The “improved feeds” are grain based and these big, young chickens may be fat for the same reason. Humans get fat on a grain based diet. This makes it ever more important to read labels and know what your purchasing.

By Melinda Beck for the Wall Street Journal

Lisa Rayburn felt dizzy, bloated and exhausted. Wynn Avocette suffered migraines and body aches. Stephanie Meade’s 4-year-old daughter had constipation and threw temper tantrums.

All three tested negative for celiac disease, a severe intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat and other grains. But after their doctors ruled out other causes, all three adults did their own research and cut gluten—and saw the symptoms subside. (Read full story on WSJ.com)

Dr. Denninghoff’s Commentary:

Gluten sensitivity is an important health topic because our understanding of gluten-related illness is changing. Gluten is a protein found in wheat and other grains, very common in the standard American diet. Gluten intolerance is more common than previously thought and can cause many different symptoms, including gastrointestinal and neurological problems.

“Celiac Disease” is the most serious form, resulting in intestinal damage and poor nutrient absorption. Diagnosis is made by intestinal biopsy or lab tests (looking for an immune response to gluten.)

Positive (abnormal) tests mean you should avoid gluten. There are numerous resources for locating “gluten-free” recipes, including our very own website:

http://missourisinusallergy.com/resources

http://missourisinusallergy.com/allergy-books

The bad news is that people can be gluten sensitive (intolerant), but have no abnormal lab tests. This means they can be ill with gluten-related symptoms, but without an identifiable cause.

Strict gluten avoidance (gluten-free diet) can help those who suffer with continued symptoms yet have normal lab results.

Gluten sensitivity may affect as much as 6% of the U.S. population, while wheat allergy and true cases Celiac disease affect about 1% of the American citizenry.

What can you do?

Start with the understanding that a “negative” lab test is not a guarantee of no illness, especially in this case. Then, utilize a food journal. (Write down everything you eat & drink). Study food labels and choose “gluten free” foods.

Expect to hear more on this challenging, yet increasingly common problem.

By Alina Dizik for the Wall Street Journal

Had enough bacon ice cream and Korean barbecue? The next food trend-in-the-making may be for you—Ye Olde Recipe.

Chefs are raiding ancient Roman texts, Renaissance manuscripts and 19th-century American cookbooks in search of authentic old recipes with which to tempt jaded foodies. Many of the recipes call for unfamiliar—and somewhat unappetizing—ingredients like songbirds, veal brains, the ancient herb hyssop and “preboggin” (pray-bo-ZHAWN), a fancy name for wild greens, also known as “weeds.” (Read full article on WSJ.com)

Dr. Denninghoff’s Commentary:

Most of us eat much of the same foods day in and day out. “Repetitive exposure” is the mechanism underlying most allergies, including foods and airborne allergies.

Solution:

Keep a food journal and be creative in your food choices. There is a lot of variety in the world of foods, be creative. Look for whole foods as opposed to processed.

Why is this Important?:

A variety of foods, beyond dairy, wheat, corn and egg products may lessen the tendency to food allergy or intolerance. Be creative in your food choices.

New Rules for Federally Subsidized Meals Set Limits on Calories, Saturated Fat; Pizza, Fries Survive

By Bill Tomson for Wall Street Journal

First lady Michelle Obama unveiled new nutrition rules for school meals Wednesday in an effort to combat the nation’s high rate of childhood obesity.

Schools will have to offer students more fruits, vegetables and whole grains—a shift they worry will raise meal costs. And for the first time, the Department of Agriculture is setting calorie limits on school-cafeteria meals. (Read full story on WSJ)

Dr. Denninghoff’s Commentary:

This is an article about the effort to improve school nutrition (lunches) by offering more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. 17% of children between age 2 and 19 are obese.

The solution offered is to limit calories by offering more vegetables and fewer potatoes. This is only a small part of the overall solution. Keeping track of what we eat, or what our children eat, is the proven method for understanding what causes weight gain/loss.

It’s critical to begin a program early. Obesity starts in childhood, and prevention is possible when parents are engaged with the dietary regimen of their children. You cannot expect a child to decline a cupcake or refuse candy. It’s up to you to provide an environment with choices that promote healthy lifestyles for the kids.

Achy? Dizzy? Tired? Maybe a Prescription Is Making You Sick

By Melinda Beck for the Wall Street Journal

You’re taking a new medication and have dry mouth and feel dizzy.

Want to know how many other people have reported those side effects—and how your drug compares with similar drugs?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has millions of such “adverse event” reports, ranging from fatigue to fatal heart attacks, for thousands of prescription drugs dating back to 1969. But the information hasn’t been readily accessible—until now. (Read full story on WSJ)

Dr. Denninghoff’s Commentary:

Many common medications have side effects and many people are on several medications. It’s a common mistake to believe over-the-counter medications are completely safe and have no side effects. While drugs are sometimes important elements to treating medical issues, we at Missouri Sinus-Allergy prefer looking for natural solutions and believe the fewer drugs used, the better.

Now you can investigate possible adverse effects easily. Everyone of us needs to be knowledgeable about the mediciations we take, especially when there is more than one in the mix.

By JEREMY SINGER-VINE of the Wall Street Journal

Skin patches coated with allergens may be a more convenient and effective way to treat hay fever than current methods, according to a study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. (Read full story on WSJ)

Dr. Denninghoff’s Commentary:

This is an intriguing article describing a new method of treating allergies with immunotherapy. It’s particularly compelling because, “All patients reported an improvement. 8% of the patients had reactions to the treatment and dropped out.”

If this proves accurate in larger case studies, it will revolutionize the treatment of a most annoying affliction.

There are several ways to treat allergies including shots, drops and skin patches. This may develop into an effective, easy to administer treatment.

BY LESLIE KWOH

It’s January, which means Weight Watchers International Inc. is counting on thousands of consumers to make the same old resolution: Lose the flab. (Read full story on WSJ)

Dr. Denninghoff’s Commentary:

This article provides an interesting overview of the obesity business which, unfortunately, is growing world-wide.

The good news is there is a simple solution. Tracking your food intake is the most effective way to lose weight. Each of us can make changes. It won’t be easy, but the alternative is an early grave.

Why is this important to us? We want you to enjoy a long, healthy life! We at Missouri Sinus-Allergy believe that natural weight loss is preferable to programs and drugs which often stop working once you quit utilizing them. Just by paying attention to our food and what we consume on a daily basis is enough for most people to achieve their weight loss goals. Stop by in March to pick up a complimentary food journal; a tool to help you keep track of what you eat daily. You’ll be pleased with what happens next!

By LAURA JOHANNES in the Wall Street Journal

There’s a new twist in the winter ritual of stocking up on cold and flu medicine–—products designed to protect you from getting sick in the first place. (See full story) 

BY LAURA JOHANNES in the Wall Street Journal

Copper and silver are making a comeback as germ-fighting agents. The metals have been known for their anti-microbial powers for more than a century, but they were eclipsed by antibiotics in the modern era. Now, due in part to technology that allows them to be woven into fabrics, copper and silver are showing up in consumer products. (See full story)