CROSSFEED 2-99
AEROMEDICAL NEWS
HEALTH NEWS
by Larry Kline
SUNBURN FIRST AID - popping two aspirin right away, then two more every 4 hours from the first 12 hours can actually lessen the severity of the burn by blocking prostaglandin, the hormone-like chemical your body produces that does most of the damage to skin cells. Then applying cool tap-water compresses or taking a cool bath for about 20 minutes three or four times a day will minimize pain and decrease swelling. Adding petroleum jelly that is hydrated helps restore moisture to your skin.
Finally, drop that can of “Solarcaine.” Dermatologists don’t like Solarcaine, which can produce an allergic reaction in some people if used repeatedly on large patches of skin. Instead, use a 1 percent hydrocortisone ointment twice a day to reduce redness and inflammation, or use a pure aloe-vera jelly to moisturize and soothe skin. Men’s Health 1/98.
VITAMIN E IS FOR PROSTATE - a recently published Finnish study of middle-aged men showed a 32 percent lower risk of prostate cancer by taking 50 I.U. of vitamin E every day for five to eight years. Another recent study shows that the body absorbs natural vitamin E supplements twice as well as from synthetic sources. Natural supplements are labeled d-alpha-tocopherol; synthetics are “dl”. Men’s Health 7/98.
EXERCISE OVEREXERTION MAY CAUSE HEARING LOSS - studies show that excessive weight lifting or exercise overexertion may damage inner-ear membranes, causing hearing and balance problems. Prevent this potential trouble by exhaling during muscle contractions. Men’s Health 3/99.
THE DANGERS OF “OVER-THE-COUNTER” (OTC) PAIN RELIEF - the National Kidney Foundation reviewed 750 studies on how OTC pain relievers affect the kidneys. After their review, the committee issued several recommendations. First, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, Nuprin), naproxen sodium (Aleve), and ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Actron) should be taken for the shortest possible time and in the smallest effective dosage. Second, combination analgesics, such as Excedrin, which contains acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine, should be limited to prescription use. Finally, explicit warnings about the possible kidney dangers of these products should appear on their package inserts.
In the process of reducing inflammation and pain, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and ketoprofen (also called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs) inhibit the formation of prostaglandins, which aid blood flow to the kidneys, thereby enhancing their filtering function. Without prostaglandins, the kidneys can’t do their job effectively. Chronic use of NSAIDs can make the kidneys work harder over time, leading to damage and even failure. In addition, the muscle damage and dehydration that comes from exercising and sweating with a number of tablets rattling around inside you can exacerbate this situation. If you take these products occasionally for headaches or muscle pain, there’s no need to worry. But taking 6 to 8 tablets a day for a number of years appears to put the kidneys at great risk.
As far as exercise, the study’s leader says not to take any of these drugs prior to a workout that will last for more than 30 to 45 minutes - “You shouldn’t be on a drug that could adversely affect kidney function while you’re exercising vigorously.” Aspirin and acetaminophen (which is not an NSAID), when taken alone and as directed, don’t pose a risk to the kidneys.
Acetaminophen taken with any alcohol can cause liver damage. As few as 6 to 8 tablets may result in liver damage, and just 4 to 6 taken by someone who also consumes 2 to 3 alcoholic drinks daily can harm the liver. The liver can break down just so much acetaminophen daily, but when that amount is exceeded, then the liver moves to another pathway of breakdown - and the by-product of that pathway is toxic.
Glutathione is the product that clears acetaminophen and alcohol out of the blood. A regular drinker always has some alcohol in his system, so most of the glutathione is occupied getting rid of the alcohol. The problem comes when acetaminophen is consumed with the alcohol - there is not enough glutathione to handle the drug, so there is potential liver damage.
Finally there are special concerns for athletes who use OTC pain-relievers. The actual anti-inflammatory effect may be minimal - the improved function they experience may be primarily due to the painkilling effect of the drug. Some physicians feel that taking such drugs may actually prolong athletic injury by masking pain that would otherwise prompt one to curtail a workout and rest.
An injured muscle tendon or ligament goes through three phases of healing. The first is the inflammatory phase, in which you have immediate damage to tissue. The second is the repair and regeneration state, and the third is the maturation phase. In a chronic injury, the drug might not allow the body to go through these phases on a timely basis. Men’s Health 7/98.
ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY PROSTATE BIOPSIES - if your PSA level is between 4 and 10 nanograms per milliliter, your doctor may likely perform a prostate biopsy. But there is a 75 percent chance you don’t have cancer. To reduce unnecessary biopsies, the FDA approved the Hybritech Free PSA test. The rest determines how much PSA in your blood is free, or unbound to protein. If the count is at least 25 percent, it is unlikely you have cancer. In a study of 773 men ages 50 to 75, the Free PSA test diagnosed 95 percent of the men with cancer. No other free-PSA test can make that claim. For more information, call 888-880-0518. Men’s Health 7/98.
GERMS KILLING SPERMS? - bacterial infections may be a more common cause of infertility than previously thought. In a study presented at a meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, researchers isolated two types of bacteria from infertile men’s semen and introduced them into healthy sperm samples. Within 3 hours, 40 percent of the sperm were unable to swim. Infertile men could benefit from specific testing to rule out this type of infection. Infected men could receive antibiotics to help restore sperm function. Men’s Health 3/99.
REDUCING KIDNEY STONE RISK - kidney stones are crystallized mineral salts that are not removed in your urine. To help pass these salts and potential stones:
1. Eat more potassium - dietary potassium has been more protective than any other nutrient. Potatoes, cantaloupe, bananas, and lima beans are good sources of potassium.
2. Drink until your urine runs clear - drinking 8 or more glasses of liquid daily can flush out waste products that produce kidney stones - caffeinated and alcoholic beverages count, too.
3. Lemonade helps - lemons contain citrate, a chemical that may stoop kidney stones from forming. Powdered mixes that contain potassium citrate should protect just as well as the fresh-squeezed drink.
4. Skim milk also - certain foods, such as wheat bran, chocolate, spinach, beans, rhubarb, beets, and nuts, are high in oxalate, an acid that help form stones. But calcium consumed along with these foods stops the oxalate from reaching the kidneys. Men’s Health 11/98.
THE JOY OF SOY, PART II ‑ researchers are learning more about how soy products protect against cancer. According to a laboratory study at the University of Southern California, a soy compound called genistein suppresses proteins that help cancer cells survive attacks by the immune system. Men's Health 7/98.
FLAXSEED A DAY TO KEEP THE DR. AWAY - recent news has several popular alternative medicine gurus, including Dr. Andrew Weil (author of best-seller Eight Weeks to Optimum Health) and Dr. Dean Ornish (who’s low-fat/high fiber diet has received good results at stopping and reversing heart damage) touting the benefits of flaxseed oil.
Flax is extraordinarily rich in plant estrogens called lignans, containing 75 to 800 times as much as other grain and vegetable sources. Like the better-known plant estrogens in soy, lignans are believed to lower cancer risk by blocking some effects of the estrogen your body naturally produces. These plant hormones are so similar to the human version that they attach to breast cells in females and prevent the body’s own estrogen from attaching. Unlike body-produced estrogen, though, they don’t stimulate cancerous breast cells to grow.
Lignans also boost production of a substance that attaches to human estrogen and helps remove it from the body. Lignans also act as antioxidants, so researchers think they could protect healthy cells from free radical damage.
Flaxseeds also contain alpha-linolenic acid, the plant world’s version of the omega-3 fatty acids that make fish oil a potent heart protector. Like fish oil, the omega-3s in flaxseed help prevent blood clots that might lead to heart attacks, and flaxseed is a good source of soluble fiber, which lowers cholesterol.
Most health food stores and some supermarkets sell the oil, which you can use in salad dressings. But you can’t cook with it (heat makes it rancid), and in any case, the process of turning seeds into oil removes both lignans and fiber. Flaxseeds are the best choice, and may be purchased in bulk-item bins at health food stores. Two tablespoons a day is plenty. It can be sprinkled on cereal or casseroles, or ground into a powder and added to juice or smoothies or added to bread or muffin recipes. Health 9/98.
SUGAR SUBSTITUTE - there is a new sugar substitute coming on the market soon. This sweetener is made from sugar and is called sucralose. Sucralose is chemically altered sugar that slips through the body undigested. That cuts out the calories but seems to leave the taste intact. In one study, volunteers were nearly as likely to say that products made with sucralose had a sweet taste “like sugar” as they were to say the same about genuine sugar-based versions. Most said that sucralose tasted “clean”, without an unpleasant aftertaste.
Sucralose will be marketed as “Splenda” and will be introduced initially as the sweetener in Diet RC Cola and Diet Veryfine juice drinks. Tabletop packets should follow in a year or so. Sucralose could show up in everything from baked goods to chewing gum. This product had been tested for over 15 years in animal and human trials, with no adverse results noted to date. Unlike sugar, sucralose doesn’t cause cavities and doesn’t affect blood-glucose levels, making it another acceptable sugar substitute for diabetics. Consumer Reports on Health 9/98.
COLA DRINKS MAY HARM BONES - drinking large amounts of fructose changes how the body metabolizes the minerals responsible for healthy bones. In a study, test subjects consumed five cans of cola every day for three months. At the end of the study, the subjects had lost about 10 percent more phosphorus through their urine than normal, and had absorbed less calcium. Men’s Health 11/98.
MILK CONSUMPTION MAY LOWER COLON CANCER RISK - recent studies indicate that certain compounds in milk may prevent colon cancer, the second most fatal type of cancer among Americans. A study published in the journal Cancer Research found that purified milk compounds, known as sphingolipids, suppressed the development of malignant tumors in mice and reduced the number of lesions that mark the early stages of colon cancer. Calcium and other components, including vitamin D, may also be involved. Men's Health 7/98.
GETTING FULL PROTECTION - another full-protection sun screen ingredient has entered the market. The chemical avobenzone (aka Parsol 1789) absorbs both UVB and UVA rays as effectively as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Men’s Fitness 8/98.
WALK THIS WAY, PLEASE - if you have knee problems, part of the problem may stem from your walking stride. According to the American Journal of Sports Medicine, many athletes with knee-ligament problems tend to hyper extend their knees when they walk, which puts stress on the knee joint and can contribute to knee instability. A physiologically correct gait has the knee slightly bent before each step. Men’s Fitness 2/99.
YOUR FO WILL THANK YOU, TOO - a study from the University of Minnesota suggests that bacteria found in dental plaque may cause cardiac damage. When researchers injected rabbits with certain streptococcus bacteria present in plaque, the rabbits soon demonstrated faster heart and breathing rates, and abnormal electrocardiograms. The bacteria seem to cause blood platelets to form dangerous clots in arteries. All the more reason to keep your teeth clean and see a dentist regularly. Men’s Health 7/98.
BRAVE NEW WORLD - new cancer treatments on the near horizon include two new drugs, angiostatin and endostatin, which squelch cancer in mice by throttling the blood supply that feeds tumors. If the drugs continue to show promise in animal studies, human trials will be next.
Also, a new cavity fighter may be here soon. Dentists have long known that saliva helps to ward off cavities. Now scientists have decoded saliva’s secrets to create Cavistat, a compound that may be an even better guard than fluoride. Like saliva, Cavistat neutralizes acids that eat holes in enamel and washes teeth with minerals that repair the damage. Cavistat will soon be available in gum, mouthwash, and toothpaste. Health 1/99.
From the Flight Surgeon:
"NO, IT AIN’T! (NECESSARILY SO)"
by Joe Battersby, D.O.
FAA Medical Examiner
(edited for this publication-LK)
This month I’d like us to continue taking a look at those medical conditions that the Feds consider “disqualifying”. Remember, I said that this term means that issuance of a medical certificate may or may not be issued depending upon circumstances:
“Vertigo” is in this class. Acute bacterial or viral vertigo is ok. A serious neurologically-based chronic vertigo is not ok. “Glaucoma” is ok if well controlled and there has been no extensive damage to the optic nerve.
Now let’s continue with a few other problems in the “disqualifying” category. “Hypertension” - the acceptable levels for blood pressure are said to be in the range of 155/95. The 155 refers to the highest pressure achieved in the heart at the top of the heart’s ejection stroke - the pumping action that delivers blood throughout the body - the big “squeeze”. The bottom number (95) refers to the highest pressure attained in the heart as it fills getting ready to force the blood out into the system with the ejection stroke. So far; so good. If a guy’s pressure is consistently above these values, then his Doc should probably act. If the guy’s BP is quite high, his Doc may start him on some meds before giving him the good news about quitting the smokes, no more watching TV football with a 12-pack of Bud on board. In order to obtain an issuance, the airman is required to submit a family and personal history, lab work and EKG. This “check-up stuff” only represents taking good care of you on the part of your Doc. Additionally, your Doc will indicate that your pressure is under control and stable. Occasionally, I’m asked if there’s a list of “approved” meds used to control blood pressure. It’s easier for me to name six that are usually not approved. These are very rarely used and I have never run in a case that couldn’t be controlled with approved meds. When in doubt, call your AME. Finding and controlling elevated blood pressures is a good idea. Much better than continuing to hammer your kidneys, heart, blood vessels to the head, etc., etc.
“Kidney stones” - these little darlings come in all sizes from “gravel” to “rocks”. Some are symptom-free, while others will have a guy walking on the ceiling. From the F.A.A.’s point of view, if two years have passed since you have “cast the first stone” with no further episodes since, your AME may issue. If not that much time has passed, then a simple X-ray showing no stones present will suffice. I’ve not ever had a kidney stone, but since I like to spend time out away in relatively remote areas, I would feel more comfortable having periodic X-rays to rule out stones. Not often, but every once in a while when, for whatever reason, I felt like doing so just to be sure.
So we continue to go down the list of “disqualifying: medical conditions. So far we’ve talked about vertigo, glaucoma, hypertension, and kidney stones. You should be getting the idea that what is needed to ok these problems is control and proving that there is no super serious problem underlying them.
Personally, I think it’s a benefit to uncover these problems and control them, although guys in denial would (and do) disagree. I would still prefer the trouble of checking oil levels to “puking” an engine!
Best,
Joe
From the Flight Surgeon:
"YES and NO"
by Joe Battersby, D.O.
FAA Medical Examiner
(edited for this publication-LK)
I will continue our discussion of “disqualifying medical conditions”. “Disqualifying” means that the issuance of a medical may or may not be possible depending upon circumstances. Understand the “disqualifying” is definitely not an absolute NO, not by any manner or means.
We have previously discussed: 1. Vertigo 2. Glaucoma 3. Hypertension 4. Kidney Stones. Let’s take a look some others in question - strokes. More formally these are called Cerebro (brain) Vascular (blood supply) Accidents “CVA”. The most common of these are due to hemorrhage or interrupted blood supply to the brain. It would be too crude to think of a toilet being plugged up or just suddenly overflowing so I won’t use that analogy. Obviously either event - excessive bleeding or actual blockage will result in damage to brain tissue with resultant loss of function - “mental”, “physical”, i.e. - speech, movement, thought processes, etc. Like a lot of other problems these vascular accidents can occur with varying degrees of severity. Underlying problems may be high blood pressure, diabetes, arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) or any situation that may form a blood clot that could “cut loose”. In terms of flying all this becomes a matter of how much actual damage was done. Is the extent of the damage stable? How likely is a recurrence?
I mentioned before these problems come in varying degrees. There is a type of one of these “accidents” that merits our closer attention - the “TIA”. The acronym stands for “Transient Ischemic (decreased blood supply) Attack”. In these cases the extent of the damage and the length of time involved during the event is limited comparatively speaking. Maybe they could be called “baby strokes” but strokes they are just the same! If we are to get a medical issued, we’re going to have to wait for two years after the event and get a clearance after that time by a neurologist that will be done in depth. When you realize that the T.I.A.’s tend to recur and can progress to a bigger and worse event you probably won’t be too enthusiastic about having a guy with this kind of history flying your dear, sweet old mother to the Payson rodeo any time soon. On the plus side is the thought that while the TIA guy is being checked out, something may turn up that can be fixed for him. Next time I thought we’d continue some other subject on the “disqualifying” list.
Best,
Joe
