HEALTH TIPS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM OFFICE OF MEDIA RELATIONS
1.Age and Mobility in Blacks and Whites African-Americans and whites lose mobility -- and therefore independence -- in different ways as they age. "Data suggest that depression, falling and lack of exercise may play a role in loss of mobility for African-Americans," says Richard Allman, M.D., director of the Center for Aging at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. "For white people, vision and incontinence are major factors. Women who are not on hormone replacement therapy are also at risk." UAB is following the status of older adults over time to help identify the reasons for age-related loss of mobility and possible interventions to maintain independence in older adults. Call Melanie Parker, UAB Media Relations, 205-934-8935/[email protected]. UAB News on the Web: www.uab.edu/news.
2.Early Eye-Brain Connection Essential Monitoring a child's eyesight from an early age, can help determine his lifetime vision quality. A proper signal between the eye and brain is essential for the development of normal vision, says Katherine Niemann, O.D., University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry. "The critical period is from birth to about seven-to-nine years of age. If during this critical period the connection is not made properly, in either one or both eyes, vision may never be correctable to 20/20. Many causes are not detectable by parents. The resulting permanent loss of vision can affect school performance and limit career choices." The American Optometric Association recommends a first eye exam at six months, another at three, before first grade and every two years thereafter. Call Melanie Parker, UAB Media Relations, 205-934-8935/[email protected]. UAB News on the Web: www.uab.edu/news.
3.Traveling and Influenza Outbreaks of influenza across the globe have prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to suggest influenza vaccinations for all travelers, especially those at high risk for influenza complications. "The elderly, people with chronic conditions and cardiac or pulmonary disorders, among others, should consider being vaccinated before travel," says David Freedman, M.D., director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Traveler's Clinic. "Travelers in close contact with infectious people on long flights or cruise ships are especially susceptible to influenza viruses. Unlike the United States, in tropical climates flu is a year-round disease." Symptoms of influenza include acute respiratory infection, sore throat, fever and cough. Travelers should consult their physician, who may recommend inoculation before departure or prescribe antiviral medications. Call Melanie Parker, UAB Media Relations, 205-934-8935/[email protected]. News on the Web: www.uab.edu/news.
4.Advance in Crohn's Treatment Crohn's disease, one of the inflammatory bowel disorders, can cause incapacitating intestinal distress and have a devastating effect on a patient's quality of life. There's no cure, but advances are being made. Last year, University of Alabama at Birmingham gastroenterologist Charles Elson, M.D., tested one biologic modifying agent, a monoclonal antibody, against a tumor necrosis factor believed to be part of the inflammatory process. Now Elson is starting a clinical trial on interleukin-10, another protein with promising anti-inflammatory properties. "IL-10 is specifically intended to help wean steroid-dependent patients off drugs such as prednisone without experiencing a flare of their disease. It would be an important contribution if we could reduce these patients' reliance on corticosteroids." Call Hank Black, UAB Media Relations, 205-934-8938/[email protected]. News on the Web: www.uab.edu/news.
5.Insuring Your Health Abroad The effects of serious illness or injury can be even worse if you're 10,000 miles away from home. World travelers should consider an investment in one of the many air medical transport insurance policies available today, says Lee Lancaster, M.D., an expert in critical care transport at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. "Some hospitals outside the United States may not provide optimal medical care, and patients usually prefer to be in a hospital closer to their home." Costs to transport a critically ill patient by air can run higher than $30,000. Travelers should ensure that their policy covers transport and not just hospital costs. "Insurance may cover medical costs in a hospital, but very few policies include air medical transport." Call Hank Black, UAB Media Relations, 205-934-8938/[email protected]. UAB News on the Web: www.uab.edu/news.
6.Safe Solid Food for Bone Marrow Transplant Patients Because microorganisms in fruits and vegetables expose bone marrow transplant (BMT) patients to dangerous infections, they usually are fed intravenously for several days or weeks. But a recent University of Alabama at Birmingham study shows IV feeding is necessary only for BMT patients who have significant inflammation in their gastrointestinal tract. The new program decreased IV feedings 50 percent, reduced hospital stays by four days and saved more than $11,000 for patients receiving transplantation of their own tissue. "We eliminated the risks associated with IV feeding, and patient satisfaction scores rose by 50 percent," says Donna Salzman, M.D., medical director of UAB's BMT unit. Even patients who receive the more risky non-self transplants are able to eat food, if they meet certain criteria. Call Hank Black, UAB Media Relations, 205-934-8938/[email protected]. UAB News on the Web: www.uab.edu/news.
7.Training Clinical Researchers The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has unveiled a new program to address the dearth of trained researchers to perform clinical research. The University of Alabama at Birmingham is one of 35 institutions in the nation selected to establish a training program to teach scientists how to translate their laboratory findings into clinical research. "This program demonstrates an extraordinary commitment by the NIH and UAB to ensure that clinical research is conducted according to the highest standards of excellence," says Larry Moreland , M.D., director of UAB's program. "It also validates UAB as one of the top clinical institutions in the nation. Ultimately, the patient will derive the greatest benefit." Researchers will take courses in behavioral sciences, epidemiology, outcomes research, biostatistics and regulatory issues. Call Joy Carter, UAB Media Relations, 205-934-1676/[email protected]. UAB News on the Web: www.uab.edu/news.
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