Common cat parasite could actually be causing schizophrenia and suicide

Tons of cat owners (and non-cat-owning gardeners and kids who play in sandboxes turned into litterboxes by neighborhood cats) have Toxoplasma gondii, the common feline parasite. We've known for quite some time that T. gondii makes rats lose their fear of cats, making them more likely to be eaten. We've also known that the parasite causes humans to become more reckless, and in some cases hornier .

But now, evidence is piling up that T. gondii may have something to do with the rise in schizophrenia, may be a major factor in hundreds of thousands of traffic fatalities, and could be driving people to suicide. There's new evidence that the parasite jacks up the dopamine receptors in your brain, which govern pleasure and fear responses, which could cause greater changes in behavior than we ever realized. All of which leads to the question: Just how much is this parasite controlling people's minds?

Read on.

Maryland Has Lowest Costs for Weight-Loss Surgery

Weight-loss surgery in the land of ham and peanuts turns out to be a reasonable deal compared with other states.

The average charge in Virginia for stomach-stapling and gastric bypass was $32,603 - below the mean for 19 states recently studied by HealthGrades, a national health care ratings organization.

Not surprisingly, the surgery was most expensive in California, where health care providers charged an average of $65,251. In Maryland, the state with the lowest prices, $16,390 could buy a bariatric procedure.

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New Maryland Plan Targets Cancer Deaths

State health officials released an ambitious plan Tuesday to reduce cancer deaths, using the latest strategies to prevent, detect and treat the disease — and save the lives of an additional 1,200 Marylanders a year.

"Our goal in Maryland is to have to lowest incidence of cancer of any state," said Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein, secretary of the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in announcing the Maryland Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan. "This is our road map."

The plan, which includes the reduction of racial disparities and an increase in screening, is designed to maintain Maryland's progress in battling cancer. In the last couple of decades, Maryland has gone from having the nation's third highest cancer death rate to the 21^st, and health officials are aiming for further improvement.

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Wicomico County Cooling Station Today

At 2 PM this afternoon there were only four (4) people seeking relief at the Wicomico County Cooling Station. Up to that time, only nine (9) persons total had sought shelter from today’s oppressive heat. Regardless of how many had come in, it was good to know that Wicomico citizens had a place to go if they were unable to be in an air conditioned space.

Danny Drew, Emergency Preparedness Program Supervisor for the Wicomico County Health Department, asked that we continue to inform our readers about the availability of the Cooling Station AND to add some more information to our previous post.
For all of those seeking relief from the heat, please be advised that there is no entertainment available at the Cooling Station except for one television. Especially if you have kids, you will probably want to bring books, playing cards, or board games to keep you and yours occupied while at the cooling station. Also remember to bring any snacks that you may want. Bottle water is available at the Cooling Station, but no food.
The cooling center is in the Flanders Room of Wicomico Youth and Civic Center, 500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury. The Flanders Room faces Glen Avenue. You can park in the WY&CC lot or across Glen Avenue in the old mall lot.
Hours are 10 AM to 8 PM today and tomorrow.

Worcester County Opens Dental Center in Berlin

Tuesday, July19, 2011, The County Commissioners along with local and state health officials gathered to dedicate the new Worcester County Dental Center in Berlin.

The dental center, which is operated by the Worcester County Health Department, opened its doors in late March and serves children residing in Worcester County who are under 21, uninsured, from low income families, or participate in the Maryland Healthy Smiles Medicaid program.

“In 2007, another wise healthy 12-year-old boy residing with his family in Prince George’s County, lost his life…because he had a toothache, a problem that could have been resolved by early intervention,” Commission President Bud Church said during the dedication ceremony. “But, his family lacked dental insurance. They lacked Medicaid. They lacked access to a health facility offering quality dental care to the most vulnerable in our community. Take away any one of these three factors and that young man might still be alive today to enjoy the summer with his friends and family.”

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Worcester Restaurant License Renewals to Be Sent By Certified Mail

The Worcester County Commissioners struggled Tuesday trying to decide if restaurant owners should be fined up to $500 if they are late renewing their licenses. What they decided, however, could affect all restaurant owners who do not apply for the renewal in a not yet specified number of days in advance.

Currently, restaurants that are late filing their renewal fees may be fined $50 per day after the deadline up to a maximum of $500.

Tardy applications can be problematic, Health Officer Debbie Goeller said, because of time involved in inspecting the restaurants before issuing licenses. They can also cause problems for the Liquor Control Department because alcoholic beverage licenses cannot be issued to a food service facility that does not have a license from the Health Department.

Each year, the Health Department renews 700 to 800 licenses with usually 15 to 20 being late. Renewals are not on the same date for all restaurant owners. Licenses renew just about each day of the year because they are up for renewal on the anniversary of the date they were first issued.

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3 Medical Tests Men Need to Take

It's tough to psych yourself up for medical exams, but lugging your body into the doctor's office for preventative maintenance is more effective than shunning professional medicine in hopes that you're healthy.

CBS Houston rounds up several tests men should take despite their fear and stubbornness.

Included in the post:

*Cholesterol. Once you hit 35, it's important to take this test regularly to make sure you're not at risk for heart disease. Those who are obese or have a family history of high cholesterol may need to start checking their levels at age 20.

*Blood pressure. Get checked every two years. If your blood pressure is high, your odds of suffering strokes and kidney disease rise. Medication can control the problem.

*Colorectal cancer. You should start these at age 50 at the latest, but if you've got a family history of the disease you may need to do so earlier. The frequency you'll need the tests depends on the type you and your doctor choose.

How often do you go in for checkups, and what motivates you to go?

10 Medical Tests Men Need [CBS Houston]

from Phil Villarreal @ The Consumerist

There's Arsenic in the Apple Juice

With all the things on your mind, the last thing you need to worry about is whether the apple juice you finally convinced your kid to drink has arsenic in it. But an independent lab test of several different brands of apple juice, sponsored by Food & Water Watch and Empire State Consumer Project found a sample of Mott's Apple Juice contained 55 parts per billion of arsenic, exceeding the EPA tolerance level of 10 parts per billion. The FDA does not have a set tolerance level for juice.

The other samples had lower amounts of arsenic.

The results exceeded the findings of the St. Petersburg Times who ran a similar test last year. In that investigative report, the highest amounts were 35 parts per billion.

READ MORE:

Maryland Health Officials Call for “Bath Salts” Ban

At least one death and 22 cases of poisoning have prompted Maryland’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to call for an emergency law to ban the sale of synthetic drugs known as “bath salts.”

“Our investigation revealed that so-called ‘bath salts’ are dangerous drugs,” said Joshua M. Sharfstein, the department’s secretary.

“Bath salts” can be inhaled, ingested, smoked or injected. Users may develop cardiac and circulatory disturbances, agitation, delirium, paranoia and psychosis. There have been cases reported nationwide in which users have attempted to inflict injury on themselves or others. The agitation and delirium may persist for days to weeks.

The chemicals have raised alarm across the country in the past year. A raid in the Frederick County town of New Market in May uncovered two barrels of powder used the manufacture of the drugs. Although called “bath salts,” the drugs don’t contain the ingredients of traditional bath salts, health officials say. The drugs use names such as “Ivory Wave” and “Red Dove.”

from the Washington Post

Wicomico County to Open Cooling Center Due to Extreme Heat

With temperatures expected in the high 90’s and possibly exceeding 100, Wicomico County government officials announced the opening of a cooling center Friday, July 22 and Saturday, July 23. The cooling center will be at the Wicomico County Youth and Civic Center, 500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury. Center hours are 10 AM to 8 PM each day.

Anyone coming to the cooling center should bring all medications with them as well as snacks. Bottled water will be provided.

A cooling center information line has been established at 410-548-9452. It will be staffed Friday and Saturday from 9 AM to 7 PM

Family, friends and neighbors who are at high risk will need extra help and residents should consider how they can help someone they know get to an air conditioned place, if needed. Protect yourself and family with these heat safety tips:

• Stay Indoors, preferably in air conditioning


• Drink plenty of cool fluids


• Replace salt and minerals


• Wear appropriated clothing and sunscreen. Schedule outdoor activities carefully


• Pace yourself if you must be outdoors


• Use a buddy system. Keep an eye on co-workers


• Monitor people at high-risk


• Bring pets indoors if possible and make sure they have plenty of fresh, clean water


• Use common sense

For heat related tips and updates, visit the health department website at: www.wicomicohealth.org

Letter to the Editor – Did Media Cover Up PRMC’s Role in Stent Scandal?

The trial against Dr. John McLean alleging that the cardiologist had performed a vast number of unnecessary cardiac catheterizations and stent placement surgeries is now underway. What many do not know is that there is an ongoing associated lawsuit for negligence and civil conspiracy against Peninsula Regional Medical Center (PRMC) resulting from the same allegations of unnecessary procedures, though it is moving on a different timeline. The article in the July 14 the Daily Times entitled “Stent Doc’s trial underway” does not even make mention of the lawsuit against PRMC at all and obscures the role of the hospital. I recognize it is not often that you can find a comment critical to PRMC in the “Daily Times”.

The plaintiffs in this lawsuit (Baublitz vs. Peninsula Regional Medical Center) are thirteen patients who have joined together against the medical center. The Complaint asserts as to each patient that PRMC directly and by and through its agents and employees, was negligent in the following ways: by allowing McLean to perform the medically unnecessary procedures; by failing to revoke or suspend his privileges or stopping him from using the Catheterization Lab prior to the patient's procedures; by assisting in the performance of the unnecessary procedures; and by failing to adequately monitor and supervise McLean as part of the hospital's ongoing privileges, credentialing and oversight processes. The plaintiffs also allege that the PRMC credentialing committee did not stop McLean but rather continued to extend privileges and reward him with large blocks of favorable scheduling time.

PRMC has filed a motion to dismiss this suit. One of their legal arguments was whether a nurse or technician who allegedly assisted Dr. McLean in the performance of an unnecessary procedure on another patient (not a Plaintiff) owed a duty to future, unidentified and as yet unknown patients of Dr. McLean.

In other words does a nurse or technician who participates in unnecessary stent procedures currently have the responsibility to speak up to protect future patients? This is quite ironic because I personally believe PRMC currently has a culture where staff members are reluctant to speak up about bad medical care, poor or insensitive treatment of patients or inappropriate behavior at the hospital because of a fear of intimidation or retribution. If this case moves forward to trial and the verdict is for the plaintiffs this will be quite a costly lesson for the hospital to learn. No one should ever be fearful to speak up and do the right thing.

In addition PRMC in their motion to dismiss argued that the medical center could not be held liable for credentialing decisions because of state statute granting partial immunity from civil liability to those who participate in medical review committees. PRMC reasons that, if the individuals that serve on the credentialing committee cannot be held liable, then neither can the hospital for which those individuals made the credentialing decision. In my simple mind the motion to dismiss does not appear to be based on any fact that PRMC was not involved directly in bad things but rather they appear to be simple legal maneuvering.

On August 12, 2010 William M. Nickerson (Senior United States District Judge Court for the District of Maryland) rejected the motion to dismiss. The court also rejected PRMC’s suggestion that the claims against it be severed from the claims against McLean as “premature”. This effectively clears the path for the lawsuit against PRMC to move forward. Obviously this is a very important case for the hospital. Legal experts are following this case because there are aspects of it that may set legal precedent in Maryland. The community should follow this case closely so we can be properly informed as to the true role of our local hospital in what is alleged to be some very bad activity.

Steven Rumney
Salisbury, MD

The author disclosed to '”Salisbury News “that a family member had an unsatisfactory experience with PRMC and that the author had written a letter regarding that experience to the “Daily Times”.  That letter was never published. – Ed.

Hopkins Tops Nation’s Hospitals

4 OTHER MARYLAND HOSPITALS RANKED

The U.S. News and World Report rankings are out, and Johns Hopkins tops the list again.

It was followed by Massachusetts General in Boston and Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Of 5,000 hospitals examined, 17 were at the top or near the op in 16 specialties. And 140 ranked in at least one specialty.

In adult categories, Hopkins ranked #3 in Cancer, #3 in Cardiology & Heart Surgery, #3 in Diabetes & Endocrinology, #1 in Ear, Nose & Throat, #3 in Gastroenterology, #3 in Geriatrics, #2 in Gynecology, #3 in Nephrology, #1 in Neurology & Neurosurgery, #2 in Ophthalmology, #5 in Orthopedics, #1 in Psychiatry, #4 in Pulmonology, #15 in Rehabilitation, #1 in Rheumatology, and #1 in Urology.

In pediatric categories: #9 in Cancer, #26 in Cardiology & Heart Surgery, #8 in Diabetes & Endocrinology, #12 in Gastroenterology, #10 in Neonatology, #12 in Nephrology, #3 in Neurology & Neurosurgery, #11 in Orthopedics, #9 in Pulmonology, and #9 in Urology.

The University of Maryland Medical Center was nationally ranked in 9 categories: #22 in Cancer, #31 in Cardiology & Heart Surgery, #29 in Diabetes & Endocrinology, #38 in Ear, Nose & Throat, #47 in Geriatrics, #27 in Nephrology, #28 in Orthopedics, #20 in Pulmonology, and #44 in Urology. It was high performing in 3 others.

Union Memorial was nationally ranked in three categories: #33 in Cardiology & Heart Surgery, #50 in Diabetes & Endocrinology, and #34 in Orthopedics. It was high performing in 8 other categories.

Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center was nationally ranked #13 in Geriatrics and high performing in 8 other categories.

Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital was nationally ranked #6 in Psychiatry.

Several other area hospitals got high marks for many of their specialties. See the full list from the region here.

from Meredith Cohn @ the Baltimore Sun

Why Parents Need Vaccinations

Newborn babies are among the most vulnerable to serious illnesses, yet they are too young for vaccines. But there is a way parents can protect them—by getting vaccinated themselves, says Parents.com.

Most newborns catch illnesses from someone in the home, so anyone spending time with babies should have up-to-date vaccinations.

Also, pregnant women who get vaccinated before conception pass on some of their protective antibodies to their babies. Those who breastfeed continue to pass on that protection.

The most important vaccines for parents are: whooping cough (aka pertussis), influenza, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, and the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella).

READ MORE …

Tips for Spending Less at the Pharmacy

When you're in the market for crucial, life-improving medication, saving money may not be your top priority. But keep a level head, know what to look out for and you can avoid being gouged when you're at your weakest.

Alpha Consumer has some hints on how to save money when you're buying medicine.

One tip is to shop around. Pharmacies can offer wildly varying prices for drugs. Check out Frugal Pharmacies, which helps you do some quick comparison shopping. The post also recommends asking for generic versions of drugs, as well as buying in bulk, preferably via the mail, to cut down on costs of drugs you use regularly.

How do you save on medication spending?

How to Spend Less at the Pharmacy [Alpha Consumer]

from Phil Villarreal @ The Consumerist

How To Appeal A Health Insurance Denial

Getting your health insurance claim denied can feel like insult added to injury, but if you take these steps you can get your claim "rehabbed," and get your money.

The NY Times Bucks blog interviewed Martin Rosen, whose business, Health Advocate, helps employees negotiate the tricky waters of their employer insurance. He offered these tips:

1. Double-check all the rules of your insurer's appeals process, especially deadlines.
   
2. Get all your documents ready and organized.
   
3. Call HR if you get insurance through your employer. They might become your advocate.
   
4. Ask your doc to write a "letter of medical necessity" and send it to the insurance company.
   
5. Make a log of all your calls when you contact the insurance company, including dates, times, whom you spoke to, what you talked about, and the length of the conversation.
   
6. Write down and refine your logical argument for why your claim should go through and refer to it when necessary throughout the process.
   
7. Keep checking on the status of your claim with the insurance company.

Have you ever had to dispute a health insurance denial? What methods did you use?

7 Steps in Appealing a Health Insurance Denial [bucks.blogs.nytimes]

from Ben Popken @ The Consumerist

Places in Homes That Breed Germs

A house may look clean, but looks can be deceiving. Bacteria and other dangers could be building up in certain areas, poised to make your life difficult.

Popular Mechanics identifies several spots inside homes that can serve as breeding grounds for germs.

Included are dishwashers, which tend to lull people into a false sense of security, given all the hot water and soap that swirls around in them. It turns out species of fungi that can infect humans can fester in dishwashers' rubber seals.

Also ripe for germ orgies are shower heads, which can contain staphylococcus, legionella, among other gunk, that comes from public water.

What cleaning rituals do you use to keep bugs at bay?

5 Places in Your Home That are Breeding Superbugs [Popular Mechanics via Boing Boing]

from Phil Villarreal @ The Consumerist

Feds Pay for Study of Gay Men’s Penis Sizes

NOTE:  Some readers may find this article too graphic

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) subsidized a study attempting to find out if a gay man’s penis size has any correlation with his sexual health.

The research, titled “The Association between Penis Size and Sexual Health among Men Who Have Sex with Men,” began in 2006 and surveyed 1,065 gay men. Among its key findings: Those gay men who felt they had small or inadequate penis sizes were more likely to become “bottoms,” or anal receptive, while gay men with larger penises were more likely to identify themselves as “tops,” or anal insertive.

Another discovery from the research: men with smaller penises were more likely to be psychologically troubled than those with larger genitalia. The goal of the study was to understand the “real individual-level consequences of living in a penis-centered society.”

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One Mom’s Crusade For Cleaner Playgrounds At Fast Food Joints

Anyone who thinks playgrounds are clean either doesn't remember being a kid or is seriously deluding themselves. But one Arizona mom is so fed up with the crap-tastic conditions at the playgrounds found at fast food restaurants that she's turned her summer vacation into a research project.

The mom, who is also a developmental psychologist, first came face to face with the pathogen farm that was her local McDonald's a few months ago when, after stopping for an emergency potty break, her kid asked to play on the big plastic slide.

Horrified by the unsanitary conditions at the McDonald's, she says she made several fruitless attempts to contact management. It wasn't until she posted a video (see below) detailing the horrors — complete with lab results showing all sorts of bad stuff — that McDonald's HQ responded.

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Report: There May Be No Such Thing As Allergy-Free Dog

If you're hoping to bring home a hypoallergenic dog for some sneeze-free friendship, you may be out of luck. According to a new report, there may be no such thing as an allergy-free breed of dog.

The report, in the American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy, found that 60 breeds of dogs listed as hypoallergenic on various web sites produced levels of the major dog allergen Can f 1 that were on par with dogs not listed as allergy-free. "I have no idea where this whole concept came from," Christine Cole Johnson, the senior author of the study, told the New York Times.

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Harm Yourself With These 5 Dangerous, But Useful, Cleaning Products

Chlorine gas was used for chemical warfare during World War I. You can make it easily in your own home by accidentally combining chlorine and ammonia in a misguided effort to boost cleaning power. Aren't you clever?

Here are 5 ordinary household cleaners that Consumer Reports says should be handled with care:

• Undiluted ammonia can burn skin on contact. Do not mix with products that contain chlorine bleach—it makes a poisonous gas.
• Undiluted chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is very irritating to eyes and lungs.
• Drain, metal, and oven cleaners with sodium hydroxide (lye) can burn eyes, nose, and throat tissue on contact.
• Toilet bowl cleaners with hydrochloric acid can cause serious eye damage and skin burns.
• Furniture and floor polishes, and glass cleaners with naptha can cause headaches and nausea.

Our frugal cousins at CR have also provided an extensive list of non-toxic alternative cleaners that you can mix up yourself. Vinegar, is there anything you can't do?

How to make your own (less-toxic) household cleaners [Consumer Reports]
Five everyday cleaning products that can cause you harm [Consumer Reports]

from Meg Marco @ The Consumerist