Pfizer Inc. has issued a voluntary recall for the antidepressant Effexor.  Also known as venlafaxine HCL, this medication is used to treat Depression. As far as we know, the medication in recent pharmaceutical production has been contaminated with a heart drug.

The interaction between the two medications could lead to serious side effects and could even be fatal.

If you take Effexor – you should watch symptoms of an abnormal heartbeat.

Pfizer has indicted that on bottle of Effexor XR contained a single capsule of Tikosyn (dofetilide).  This medication is used to treat Atrial Fibrillation.

The recall does not effect all Effexor medications.

The FDA has insisted that there is a very low probability of contamination – the recall is therefore precautionary.

The Recall

-   One lot of 30 count Effexor XR (Extended Release) – 150 mg capsules

-   One lot of 90 count Effexor XR  (Extended Release) – 150 mg capsules

-   One lot of 90 count Greenstone LLC-brand venlafaxine HCL (Exteneded Release) – 150 mg capsules.

As far as Pfizer knows – only the one bottle may have been contaminated but that the other recalls are being done as a precaution.

Tell your doctor if you experience any of the following:

Lot numbers involved

-   V130142   -  Expires October 2015

-   V130140   -  Expires October 2015

-   V130014   -  Expires August 2015  -  Greenstone lot number.

More Important Information

Any individuals with questions regarding the return of a product should call Stericycle at 1-888-345-0481 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET).

Any individuals with questions regarding this recall can call Pfizer Medical Information at 1-800-438-1985 (Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, or Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET).

Reactions or problems should be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program online.

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

In every city and in every country – right now there is someone that is struggling with the stomach flu.

Often the cause is something that you ate. The cause can be several things, but recently we have seen and increased number of cases whose cause is the Norovirus.

This causes, in medical terms, Gastroenteritis or the stomach bug.  It can also be called the stomach flu – but this actually has nothing to do with the actual Flu or the Influenza Virus.

Every year more that 20 million individuals get the stomach flu.

Recently we have seen cases on Cruise ships, in schools, and in prisons. Often crowded environments have a higher prevalence of these cases. This could include the military and college dorms among others.

How can you catch this virus?

The Norovirus comes from family of viruses that belong to the Caliciviradae family. People often ingest the virus – through the mouth or nose.

Maybe you eat something, or touch your mouth or rub your nose.

The virus can grow in the Small Intestines before being released as feces.

This is a very contagious virus. It can actually live in a person’s stool for 1-2 week and up to 4 weeks in the environment, outside of the body.

If you come into contact with a surface area that an infected person has touched – you could be at risk. This includes bathrooms, foods, counters, doorknobs, and many other areas.

This one virus is largely the cause for the mantra – wash your hands after using the bathroom.  Because if you don’t, you might not be sick now, but you could still infect many.  And equally, they could infect you.

Symptoms of Gastroenteritis

Stomach symptoms are often the most noticeable and worse.

Remember the virus is causing large amount of Inflammation in the Stomach and Small intestines.

Stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, cramping, heartburn, fever, chills, headaches are just a few of the possible symptoms.

If you are having both diarrhea and vomiting – then dehydration can be seen.

How is this condition treated?

There is no vaccine that can help prevent this virus.

When you are affected – there are no medications that help.

Antibiotics are no help at all.  (They just treat bacterial infections)

The only thing to do is too let this condition take it’s course. Keep hydrated, rest, and eat foods that won’t put strain on your stomach or intestines.

Remember that Alcohol based hand washes don’t actually kill this virus. The old standard of soap and water is the best prevention.

How dangerous is Norovirus?

In the majority of cases – you will be sick for a day or two. If you prevent dehydration and get rest.

But, in some cases this condition can be very serious and potentially even fatal. This can occur in the sick, very young, and very old.

It is believed that there are around 500 deaths every years in the United States because of this virus.

Though in places after a natural disaster – deaths are more often seen.

Overall

Sooner or later you will catch this virus. Either from your children, your coworkers, or a stranger. But you can prevent most of the cases by simply washing your hands.

Remember that you are contagious up to 3-4 days after your symptoms have resolved. But do watch what you eat and where you touch – there are always something hidden.

Club Foot is a deformity of the foot and ankle that can completely affect the movement and function of the foot and/or ankle. There are three main types of deformities that can be seen. The actual cause of club foot is debatable.

Some argue that no single cause exists for club foot. As you will read, there is quite a bit of controversy in the cause of this condition.

Often the cause of this diagnosis is called idiopathic – or unknown. This doesn’t sit well with everyone, in fact, I recently received an angry email (she gave permission to make reference) regarding a doctor’s visit she had where the cause was classified as unknown.

At the same time, there are certain syndromes or birth defects that see a higher propensity of having a club foot. Therefore, club foot can happen on its own or because of other genetic or other conditions.

Essentially, club foot is a congenital deformity that happens in 1 out of every 1,000 births. It is seen twice as often in men than in women. It can be seen in screening during the 20th week ultrasound. At that time, the development is advanced enough to get a good look.

Screening is somewhat controversial. Many doctors, because this condition can be associated with other birth defects, screening becomes that much more important.

If only the birth defect of club foot is seen, it is called isolated. But if club foot plus another congenital deformity is seen – it becomes complex.

Other birth defects that can be associated with club foot include spina bifida, Edwards syndrome, Growth arrests, and others.

A large cause is not by congenital disorders changes but rather the position of the baby when inside the womb of the mother. Though this topic is another point of controversy. Others believe that this has no bearing on the presence of club foot.  In these cases, the cause is often unknown.

Other risk factors that are considered environmental factors or causes include sex, mother smoking (20 times more likely), family history, decrease in amniotic fluid, illicit drug use, and infections during pregnancy.

Some studies have shown that there’s a 2.5% chance that the next sibling born in a family after one with a club foot will also have this condition. If its a girl who has a club foot, there’s a 6.5 percent chance that her next-born sibling will also have a club foot. This is quite interesting.

Learn more about additional risk factors, treatment, different types, and joints affected at the following link – here

It it interesting to see that what is considered a normal Pregnancy is about to changed. More specifically, the length of the pregnancy is being modified. It isn’t a huge deal…well, maybe it is.

Research has recently shown that as the unborn infant grows, week by week, the health of the child improves greatly as each week passes by. Early on, there is an increased risk of problems, infections, malformations, and growth limitations can be seen.

As each week passes, the unborn fetus, has a better chance for survival. A group of doctors are redefining what is meant by a “Full term Pregnancy.”

Previously, a pregnancy was considered “term” any time between 37 and 42 weeks. Gestation charts have covered the average organ and system development at each week.

On average, a single-fetus pregnancy lasts 40 weeks from the date of the woman’s last menstrual period until Childbirth. This average is considering the millions of children born for the last several decades.

Of course, determining the exact date of last menstrual period can be more difficult in some patients than others. But, safe to say – this has been the norm.

The New Definitions are as Follows:

Full Term:  39 – 40 weeks + the first six days after 40 weeks.

Pre Term:  Anytime before 37 weeks

Early Term:  37 – 38 weeks + the first six days after 38 weeks.

Late Term:  41 weeks + Day 0 through Day 6

Post Term:  42 weeks and beyond

A statement was given by the American College of Obstetricians along with Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine described the change in the following terms, “to improve newborn outcomes and expand efforts to prevent nonmedically indicated deliveries before 39 weeks of gestation.”

Other things that affect the child is mother’s medical conditions such as weight, Hypertension, obesity, genetics, trauma during pregnancy, smoking, drug use, exercise, nutrition, and much more.

In the last several years, studies have shown that a babies’ Brain and Lungs are fully mature during the last few weeks of pregnancy.

If a baby is born between 39 weeks and 40 weeks and six days, they have the best projected health outcomes.

The main point in this is to help patients and doctors understand that even after 37 weeks, full fetus system development may not be finished.

Early C-Section , elective births and such may be pushed to the 39th week.

When a significant health risk occurs – delivery is often done before the 39th week. However, this should be considered carefully and is often a person and individual choice. But elective births are strongly advised to wait as long as possible.

We are pleased to announce that we are steadily growing both in our readership, our content, and those who are helping us. InterActive Health is designed to improve your health. But we are also trying to improve your fitness and nutrition. These are the next two areas that we are focusing on.

To do this, we’ve added some extra content bloggers and even a health coach. Our goal is to bring to you…more nutritional options as well as a fitness approach. Feel free to email one of our staff if you have any suggestions or concerns.

Our Additions

1.)  NUTRITION

For a link go Here

Our first two posts are:

Cucumber Sandwiches with Cream Cheese & Pesto

and

Texas Caviar

2.) FITNESS

For a link go Here

This is going to be a fun page with exciting exercise competitions and fitness challenges.

3.)  NEW BLOG PAGE

For a link go Here

Check out our first post by one of our new staff members and Health Coach – Peggy Langi

Just in time for Football Season

Healthy Game Day Grub

Learn More about Peggy below

Most everyone has had a moment with a child with Autism. Whether it is with a family member, a friend, or a stranger. Let’s be honest, not all of these encounters have been positive. Children with Autism have a hard life in front of them. So does the parent, sibling, teacher , and countless others that are involved in the child’s well being.

Anger, frustration, despair, restless nights, expanding expenses and many more descriptions can be said about those close to Autism.

Countless studies, pharmaceutical research, scientific research has been done over the years to better understand this medical condition.

Recently, it was evaluated to see if there was a genetic component to this condition. A new study in Denmark looked at this and found that children who have an older sibling, one who had autism, were seven times more likely than other kids to be diagnosed with the disorder themselves.

Previous theories had given almost a fifty percent chance. Seven times more likely is smaller, but it is also more focused. It also looked at half siblings. If they shared the same mother, there was also a higher than average risk.

This certainly doesn’t explain everything, autism is very complex and misleading. If it were just genetics alone, it should be higher than seven times.

According to the CCD – in the United States, about 1 in every 88 children will develop Autism.

Denmark Study

Therese Gronborg, one of the lead researchers into Autism, at Aarhus University and her colleagues reviewed the numbers for over 1.5 million children born in Denmark from 1980 to 2004. They used birth, civil and psychiatric registries to track them.

Through 2010, just over 13,000 of them had been diagnosed with an ASD. That included 276 children with an older sibling with autism who were also diagnosed with the disorder.

The researchers found the likelihood of a younger sibling being diagnosed with autism when an older sibling had an ASD varied between 4.5 and 10.5 percent, with an average of about 7 percent. There was no clear increasing or decreasing trend during the study period.

The researchers also looked at the possibility that children in families with Autism, are more likely to be diagnosed because they have already seen many symptoms in their other children. This is an increase in awareness.

Half Siblings

The extra risk of autism was smaller. Younger half-siblings who shared a father with an older sibling had a 1.5-times greater risk of ASDs. This could be more of chance than anything. Further studies will evaluate this.

Children who shared a mother with a half-sibling had a 2.4-times greater risk if their older brother or sister had autism.

Other Possible Causes

Therese Gronborg theorized that a woman’s lifestyle during pregnancy or something about the intrauterine environment could also be affecting her children’s risk of autism.

But it also could be in the upbringing, foods, and other unknown possibilities.

Denmark study different than other studies

Some studies have looked at twins while others have looked at Siblings.

Studies looking at Identical twins have found a wide variety of information. Recent research has shown a possible 38% – 97% chance of both children getting Autism. Some of the importance of this study showed a lower number for Dizygotic twins (Fraternal) and a higher number for Monozygotic Twins (Identical).

Research findings in 1977, 1979, 1985 and 1989 have all shown some variance of this finding.

Other studies have shown a 0-38% chance of have a second sibling getting Autism after the first one did (usually a younger sibling).

Other sibling studies show about a 12%-20% similarity.

A study in 2007 showed 86 families with 2 or more autistic children. 42 of the third born male children showed Autistic symptoms. This research gave about a 50% chance of passing on a gene mutation to their offspring.

Overall

The research time after time shows some genetic component. Whether those studies were done with twins or siblings. The recent research in Denmark seems to be a large study – look at over 1.5 million children over many years. This study is important to help correlate a relation between Autism and family members.

It is certain that we don’t yet have enough information. But we are gaining more and more as time progresses.

Learn more about Autism below:

1.)  Autism

2.)  Asperger Syndrome

3.)  Is There a Relationship Between Vaccinations and Certain Diseases Such as Autism

4.)  Link to Autism? Vaccine Court Says “No”!

5.)  Trouble Brewing For Doctor Who Linked Autism and Vaccines

The 8 Exercises to improve your Fitness

1.)   Medicine Ball Push-ups Variations

2.)  Medicine Ball Single leg Squats to Press

3.)  Doorway Row Variation

4.)  Valislide Hamstring Curls

5.)  Valislide Rollout Variation

6.)  Band Bicep Curl to Shoulder Press

7.)  Valislide Lunge

8.) Band Resisted Alternating Supermans

Jimmer Fredette Demonstrates Kings Workout (VIDEO)

Train with the pro who train the pros.

Heartburn is a misnomer as it is not exactly a disease itself. It should be more classified as a symptom of another condition. This condition has many names.

It could be called Acid Reflux, Gastric Reflux Disease, GERD, or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Essentially each of these names equates to the same medical conditions. They all have the same symptoms which includes Heartburn.

The other symptoms are: Hoarseness, Nausea, Vomiting, Cough, Chest or stomach Discomfort, Chronic Chest pain, Difficulty breathing, Asthma-like symptoms, Regurgitation of food and occasionally water, and a few others.

Acid Reflux is a condition that hundreds of thousands around the world suffer from.

There are a number of different causes including: food, a bacteria called H.pylori, Hiatal Hernias, medical conditions, stress, Stomach ulcers, Obesity, and others.

If you are having symptoms – you are certainly not alone.

Management and Treatment are important things to understand. They may seem basic – but if you skip out on one or two….you will pay the consequences. Improvement may not be seen immediately in all cases. But take a look and see if you can find something new.

Management and Treatment

1.) Avoid eating foods that affect you and worsen your symptoms.

2.) Avoid eating foods late at night.

3.) Weight loss can help prevent pressure onto stomach worsening symptoms.

4.) Moderate exercise may improve symptoms.

5.) Vigorous exercise can worsen symptoms.

6.) Smoking can worsen symptoms

7.) Alcohol consumption can worsen symptoms

8.) Foods that have been implicated include: coffee, alcohol, chocolate, fatty foods, acidic foods, and spicy foods, some fruits, fruit juices, and more.

9.) Symptoms can be worse at night

10.) Use pillow at night to elevate head or chest to avoid acid from going from stomach to esophagus

11.) Sleep in a reclining chair if symptoms are bad enough

12.) Antacid tabs provide immediate relief.

13.) Eat smaller and more frequent meals

14.) Avoid large meals

15.) Some people see temporary relief with foods such as milk, water, salt, nuts, and other items

Treatment for Acid Reflux

*** On a last note – there are many medications that can help. These are medications that can be prescribed or found OTC at any grocery store or pharmacy. Learn more about each.

They are:

1.) Protein Pump Inhibitor

Types include:  Prilosec, Nexium, Prevacid, Protonix, Aciphex

2.) H2-Receptor Antagonists

Types include: Zantac, Pepcid, Tagament

Many Egyptian Mummies have been research and documented over the last few hundred years. For me, these new mummy findings with their rich history, exciting finds, and of course the Treasure are fantastically exciting things to think about.

I have spent days, when I was younger….and last week, imagining myself finding a new underground passage leading to the biggest and richest tomb in history.

What kid hasn’t.

It is exciting to learn what items were buried with Pharaohs or Kings or even Slaves. It becomes very interesting to learn how they lived and what they found important.

However, how they lived is not the only exciting thing. How they died has become almost as interesting. New technology has enabled scientists to examine a mummy and identify what they died from.

As a medical practitioner – I love this possibility.

I was just reading last week about Dr. Granville’s Mummy.

The exciting part was that this mummy was found back in 1825.

What was most puzzling was how this person died. August Granville first described this mummy to London’s Royal Society in 1825.

The remains were that of a women believed to have died around 600BD at the age of 50. Her name was Irtyersenu and she died in Thebes. After extensive research it was theorized that she could have died from Ovarian Cancer.

Twenty Years ago – the remains were rediscovered and new tests were done.  This new research indicated that the ovarian cancer was likely benign. This opened the idea of a different cause of death. Other findings include malaria and signs of inflammation of the Lungs.

This Inflammation could be from a variety of medical conditions. Two were believed to be the front runners: Pneumonia and Tuberculosis.

What made things more difficult was the manner in-which the mummy was mummified. Typically – the organs are removed and preserved independently of the body. Other times, a chemical is placed into the anus to dissolve the organs.  But in this case, the entire body was coated in a waxy substance. This made working with the body much more difficult.

The next step was a DNA evaluation of the body. Through this process a short section of DNA was found from the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis.  This organism was found in the Bone, Gallbladder, and Lungs. This told the researches that Tuberculosis had spread from the lungs into the rest of her body.

This type of infection – especially so many years ago – would have been fatal and clearly was the cause of death.

Malaria was ruled out early because no DNA evidence was found of Malaria.

In the end and in this cases – Tuberculosis was the cause of death.