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There is not a lot of methamphetamine use in Connecticut.  I rarely encounter patients high on meth as a paramedic.  I understand there is a fair amount of meth use in certain subcultures in the state, but in general those subcultures rarely generate 911 calls.  We are a huge opioid fentanyl state. That may change.  I attended a seminar on meth use today (METHAMPHETAMINES 101 FOR PUBLIC HEALTH taught by Justin Alves of the Boston Medical Center, sponsored by the New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) that was very informative. The word is that meth is coming.  While fentanyl has been moving westward, meth evidently is moving eastward.  Here are some of my notes from the presentation: Stimulant deaths are on the rise, but they are often linked with opioid use. Polysubstance use with methamphetamine is the norm.    It is often used with alcohol and amyl nitrate. Stimulants are used by about 2% of the population, but by up to 6% in the sexual minority community (Note: thi

We’re rounding into pumpkin season, heading home for the holidays and all that fine festive food. Chances are you’ve already got the pumpkin pie recipes down. Try treating the family to pumpkin pancakes too. With non-fat milk, whole wheat flour and egg substitute among the ingredients, these are a sweet and healthy low-cal alternative. Have the kids lend a hand in preparing — and put them on flapjack-flipping duty, too! Ingredients 1 cup flour 1 cup whole wheat flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 2 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice ½ cup egg substitute 1-¾ cup skim milk 3 tablespoons applesauce ½ cup canned pumpkin Directions Sift flours, baking powder, sugar and pumpkin pie spice into a large bowl. Whisk egg substitute and milk in separate bowl. Stir in applesauce and canned pumpkin. Pour wet mixture over dry ingredients. Stir, but do not beat. Batter may be lumpy. Heat a frying pan or griddle coated with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Pour batter out

Did you know: people with heart disease are at least six times more likely to have a heart attack after coming down with the flu?  The flu causes inflammation that can affect different parts of the body, including the heart. In certain people, the inflammation can be so bad that it causes a heart attack . The good news is that flu complications rarely cause death. But, if you have other risk factors, it’s important to take the right steps to prevent serious problems. Here, clinical cardiologist Chete Eze-Nliam, MD, MPH , explains who are at risk for flu-related complications and how to protect yourself and your loved ones. Q: What are the most serious complications of the flu season? A: Although rare, possible complications include the following: Pneumonia and bacterial pneumonia, which can lead to respiratory failure. Cardiac complications, including heart attack and myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle). Encephalopathy (severe central nervous system damage). Q:

It’s a familiar scene. You turn up the thermostat; your partner turns it down. Some people struggle with feeling cold all the time — especially when it comes to their hands and feet. If you feel like your extremities are often cold, you may wonder if you should see a doctor. Here’s what you need to know. When blood vessels constrict “Cold hands and feet are a common complaint,” says vascular medicine specialist G. Jay Bishop , MD . “But generally, when this happens in young healthy people, it isn’t anything to worry about.” It’s true that cold extremities can signal other, more serious problems, including  peripheral artery disease (PAD) ;  rheumatologic conditions, such as scleroderma,  lupus  and rheumatoid arthritis; or an underactive  thyroid . More often, though, they are signs of  Raynaud’s phenomenon , a common, generally benign condition that causes the blood vessels in the fingers and toes to be overly constricted. “Blood vessels constrict as a normal, healthy response

If you have a medical need — sudden flu symptoms, nagging back pain, an unexpected rash or even think you might have COVID-19 — who is your first point of contact? A family physician can be the right answer for most healthcare situations. Medical emergencies are an exception. An emergency is a valid reason to visit the emergency room — but far too many Americans use the ER or urgent care as their primary source of care. It’s one reason among many we spend more as a country on healthcare than anyone else, yet still rank far from the top in health outcomes. Using more primary care physicians — including family doctors — can help. Here family medicine specialist Michael Rabovsky, MD , explains just a few of the benefits for you and your family. 1. Family doctors follow your life cycle “I treat toddlers. I care for teens and people in their 20s. I treat middle-aged adults, retirees and people well into their 90s,” Dr. Rabovsky says. “I often see these same patients for years or even d

Tuesday night, President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden appeared for the first presidential debate, offering voters their first side-by-side comparison of the candidates. Little was said about what either candidate would do if elected; at one point, Biden’s attempts to explain his health care plan were drowned out by Trump’s persistent interruptions about Biden’s Democratic primary opponents. Instead, the presidential nominees traded a dizzying array of accusations and falsehoods. Our partners at PolitiFact unpacked a number of them for you in their wide-ranging debate night fact check . Here are some health care highlights: Trump: “I’m getting [insulin] so cheap it’s like water.” Rating: Mostly False Trump signed an executive order on insulin at the end of July, but the scope was limited. It targeted a select group of health care providers that represent fewer than 2% of the relevant outlets for insulin. Between 2017 and 2018, insulin prices for seniors rose. “

Do you know what it’s like to sit in a meeting and learn that something you hold close as a fundamental principle is probably not as fundamentally true as you thought? That’s the way I felt earlier this week while attending a meeting on the quality of pharmaceuticals, sponsored by the Food and Drug Administration and Duke University’s […] Find jobs at Careers by KevinMD.com .  Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.  Learn more . from KevinMD.com https://ift.tt/3nclPfN via https://ift.tt/33YfKfD https://gani.vn/ #thucphamchucnanggani #gani.vn https://gani-blogvn.blogspot.com/ https://gani.vn/

Q: I recently had a baby and would like to start losing some of the baby weight. Is it safe to try intermittent fasting while I am still breastfeeding? A: Women who are breastfeeding have a need for more calories because those calories are being used to provide nutrients to the baby. If you’re low on calories, it could affect your milk supply and energy level – both of which are not good for nursing moms. So typically for women who are breastfeeding, I do not advise intermittent fasting .  However, in the later stages of breastfeeding, say if you’re feeding in the morning and evening and you’re not the primary source of your baby’s nutrition anymore, then you could probably incorporate some fasting towards the very tail end. But I certainly do not recommend intermittent fasting during the very active breastfeeding period where you’re providing your baby’s main source of nutrition. Until you’re done breastfeeding, your safest bet is to focus on a healthy diet and exercise plan

Getting a good night’s rest under stressful conditions is hard enough but during a pandemic? It can feel impossible some nights.  It’s not just you, though. Stress-related insomnia due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is definitely a thing and it’s more complicated than typical stress-related sleeplessness. Because it’s not just about the virus; it’s also about everything else that’s changed because of the virus.  From loneliness to economic hardships to juggling work and homeschooling, there are multiple factors in our lives as a result of the pandemic that have caused stress levels to skyrocket and sleep hours to plummet. And this loss of sleep, especially over time, has a negative effect on your overall health. We talked to sleep psychologist Michelle Drerup, PsyD, DBSM , about the issues surrounding coronavirus insomnia, the effects on your health and what you can do to combat the issue and increase those necessary hours of sleep.  Stress and sleep It’s probably not su

Meet turmeric — curry’s milder, yellower cousin. It’s what gives mustard and curry their vibrant coloring. While a great addition to foods needing that golden hue, turmeric also has anti-inflammatory properties that benefit your health. Registered dietitian Nicole Hopsecger, RD, shares advice on how to safely incorporate turmeric into your daily life. What is turmeric? Turmeric is a spice that comes from the turmeric plant. Its major active ingredient is curcumin. “Curcumin gives turmeric that yellowish color,” Hopsecger says. “But beware: It stains easily. Try not to get it on your clothing!” Turmeric’s treasure lies in curcumin’s benefits. Curcumin has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers are investigating whether it may help diseases in which inflammation plays a role — from arthritis to ulcerative colitis . For example, in one study of patients with ulcerative colitis, those who took 2 grams of curcumin a day along with prescription medication were more

Try this delicious version of avocado toast, loaded with phytonutrients and good-for-you fats. It’s simple to make and has lots of flavor too. Ingredients 4 slices whole grain bread 1 avocado, thinly sliced 4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 4 radishes, thinly sliced ¼ of a cucumber, thinly sliced 1 scallion, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes Instructions Toast the bread. Dividing evenly, top each piece of toast with the sliced avocado then drizzle with the lemon juice. Top with the radishes, cucumber, scallion, dill, olive oil, salt, black pepper and red pepper. Nutrition information Makes 4 servings Each serving contains: Calories 168 Total fat 10.5g Saturated fat 1.3g Protein 5.1g Carbohydrate 17g Dietary fiber 5.2g Sugar 2.6g Added sugar 0mg Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 129mg Recipe developed by cookbook author

Wow your friends and family with this festival of flavor and texture. The tart Granny Smith apples, sweet fennel bulb and fresh herbs, topped with crunchy almonds and a creamy sweet-and-sour dressing, provide plenty of plant nutrients and good fats. Ingredients 2 tablespoons 0% (fat-free) Greek yogurt 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil ½ teaspoon honey 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 Granny Smith apples, cut into 2-inch long sticks 1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced 2 scallions (white and light green parts), chopped 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat leaf parsley 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint 2 tablespoon unsalted, roasted almonds, chopped Directions In a bowl, whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, oil, honey, salt and pepper. In a medium bowl, combine the apples, fennel, scallions, parsley and mint. Add the dressing, and toss well to coat. Divide the salad among the plates, and top with the almonds.

Pacifiers can be a blessing (something to soothe your wailing baby) and a curse (cue that middle-of-the-night search). And then there’s the question of how to clean the thing, considering your baby spends as much time chucking it as sucking it. Should you sterilize it every time it leaves baby’s mouth? Live by the 5-second rule and pretend it never hit the ground? Something in between? Pediatrician Jason Sherman, DO , shares his tips for keeping pacifiers clean — and babies healthy. Cleaning pacifiers It’s unlikely your baby will get seriously ill from a dirty pacifier, Dr. Sherman says. But you should still make an effort to keep it clean. A pacifier that hits the floor — or a tabletop, car seat or any other less-than-pristine surface — can pick up germs. Those germs might be viruses or bacteria that can cause illness. Dirty pacifiers can also spread thrush, a common fungal infection that causes white patches and uncomfortable sores in the baby’s mouth. “Whenever a pacifier lands

Sleep. For some, it’s a challenge. Even if you were sleeping like a baby pre-pandemic, you may now find yourself tossing and turning as anxious thoughts disrupt your ability to get good ZZZs. If lack of sleep rules your nights, it can really mess with your days. You may feel sluggish, find it difficult to concentrate, feel irritable, groggy and dull.  But getting a solid night of restful sleep is important for far more reasons than a sense of wellbeing.  Research  shows poor sleep can have major effects on  your health  including memory problems and greater likelihood of getting into a car accident.  It may help to know that everyone experiences trouble falling or staying asleep once in a while. In the meantime,  Nancy Foldvary-Shaefer, DO , offers these tips to get a good night’s rest. 1. L et the light in Dr. Foldvary-Shaefer says “Your body has an internal clock that lets you know when it’s time to go to bed.” This  circadian rhythm  is important for letting your brain know when

As a parent, of course you’re trying to keep your child happy and healthy. You’re focused on providing the right amount of nutrients to help them grow and be strong. But despite your best efforts, some children still may not achieve the recommended weight. This leaves you asking “is my child underweight for their age or size?” So what makes a child underweight? How can you get an underweight child to gain weight they need to grow? You may also wonder “when should I worry about my child’s weight?” if the things you do as a parent don’t seem to be helping. Pediatric registered dietitian, Jennifer Hyland, answers some common questions about weight, and how healthcare providers can help families get on track and help their underweight child gain in a  healthy way . Q: What qualifies as ‘underweight’ for a child? A: A child is underweight if they’re in the bottom 5th percentile for weight compared to their height. Underweight is not only classified compared to other children their age,

What could be better than cold soup on a hot summer day? Sweet corn. Topped with avocado, lime, cilantro and jalapeño salad. You get a lovely meal with nourishing fiber, fats and phytonutrients in one bowl. Ingredients 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 yellow onion, chopped 7 ears fresh corn (6 + 1, divided) 1 cup whole milk ½ teaspoon kosher salt ½ avocado, diced ½ jalapeño, chopped 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice Instructions In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until tender and golden, for 6 to 7 minutes. Over a large bowl, use a serrated knife to shave the corn kernels from 6 of the ears of corn (approx. 4 cups). Stir the corn into the pot. Add the milk, 2 cups of water and salt, and bring to a boil. Add the corncobs (for added flavor) and simmer until the corn is tender, about 15 minutes. Let cool, remove and discard the corncobs. Puree the soup in a blender until smooth.

Studies demonstrate that including chocolate rich in flavanols like dark chocolate made with 70 percent cocoa can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease risk. Remember – a little dark chocolate goes a long way! Ingredients 6 oz. silken tofu ½ tsp cocoa powder 3 oz. 70 percent cocoa dark chocolate ½ tsp. peppermint extract 1 tbsp. unsweetened almond milk 1/8 tsp. salt 1 tbsp. agave nectar Directions Melt chocolate in the microwave by placing chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl on low power. Place all ingredients in a food processor. Blend until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Nutrition information per serving Makes four servings Calories 160 Total fat 9 g Saturated fat 4-5 g* Trans fat 0 g Cholesterol 0 mg Sodium 70 mg Total Carbohydrate 14 g Fiber 2 g Protein 4 g *Varies based on the brand of vegan dark chocolate you choose Source: The Dietitian’s Dish, Cleveland Clinic from Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic https://ift.tt/33i8wCx vi

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is over half-a-year-old and while daily case numbers have come down from their mid-summer peak, they still remain at high levels across the country.  Meanwhile, the transition to flu season is underway meaning it’s more important than ever to stay on top of guidelines, best practices and your health to prevent the spread of both COVID-19 and influenza.  While there are still so many unknowns about the coronavirus and information is constantly evolving, a set of guidelines and coronavirus tips have long since solidified that will help protect you and your family as much as possible in the fight to stay COVID-free. General coronavirus tips for public places Throughout the pandemic, several practices have been established as a cornerstone of coronavirus protection. And while many of us have made these part of our routine, it’s still important to remind ourselves — and others — of their importance. Wearing a mask is vital to protecting yourself