More than 67,000 cases of Power Stick deodorant have been recalled due to an undisclosed manufacturing issue. The recalled deodorants, made by A.P. Deauville of Easton, Pa., did not fully comply with federal product safety standards, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In issuing the recall earlier this month, the FDA said the regulations are intended to “make sure that a product is safe for use, and that it has the ingredients and strength it claims to have.” It did not specify how the products failed to comply, and no risk level has been assigned to the recall, according to Health magazine. The recall applies to: • Power Stick for Her Roll-On Antiperspirant Deodorant Powder Fresh, 1.8 oz/53 mL. UPC Code 815195019313. NDC: 42913-038-00. Affected lots are 032026B011, 032226B031, 051626C241, 061526C882, 071226D371, 071226D381, 082526E341, 082826E402. • Power Stick Invisible Protection Roll-On Antiperspirant Deodorant Spring Fresh, 1.8 oz/53 mL. UPC Code 815195018194. NDC: 42913-039-00. Affected lots are 031726A991, 041226B561, 062026C901, 062026C911, 071026D351, 071026D361, 071326D391, 111626G231. • Power Stick Original Nourishing Invisible Protection Roll-On Antiperspirant Deodorant, 1.8 oz/53 mL. UPC Code: 815195018224. NDC: 42913-040-00. Affected lots are 101225D781, 032926B281, 032826B221, 041126B531, 062226D011, 070626D301, 070626D333, 111026G051, 111326G091, 111626G221. Power Stick deodorant is sold at Dollar Tree, Walmart and on Amazon. Consumers with recalled Power Stick deodorants should throw the product away or return it to the… read on > read on >
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Insomniacs With Inflammation Prone To Depression
Insomniacs have a much higher risk for depression if they have chronic inflammation, a new sleep lab experiment says. Seniors with insomnia were three times as likely to report symptoms of depression if they’d been dosed with a substance that promotes inflammation, according to results published July 16 in JAMA Psychiatry. “Insomnia not only robs older adults of rest but also primes their immune system to make them uniquely vulnerable to depression when faced with inflammation,” said lead researcher Dr. Michael Irwin, director of UCLA Health’s Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology. “Treatments targeted at this inflammation-related depression may prevent depression and benefit these patients to improve their overall quality of life,” he said in a news release. For the study, researchers recruited 160 adults 60 and older in Los Angeles, of whom 53 had insomnia. Roughly half of the participants were exposed to an endotoxin intended to create short-term inflammation, including 26 people with insomnia and 53 healthy sleepers. Results showed that insomniacs with inflammation were three times more likely to have depressive mood and symptoms than healthy sleepers with inflammation. People with insomnia also were depressed far longer after their inflammation was induced, showing a bummed mood for six hours or longer. By comparison, any increases in depression among healthy sleepers were short-lived, researchers said. Chronic inflammation has already been tied to illnesses like heart… read on > read on >
Insomniacs With Inflammation Prone To Depression
Insomniacs have a much higher risk for depression if they have chronic inflammation, a new sleep lab experiment says. Seniors with insomnia were three times as likely to report symptoms of depression if they’d been dosed with a substance that promotes inflammation, according to results published July 16 in JAMA Psychiatry. “Insomnia not only robs older adults of rest but also primes their immune system to make them uniquely vulnerable to depression when faced with inflammation,” said lead researcher Dr. Michael Irwin, director of UCLA Health’s Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology. “Treatments targeted at this inflammation-related depression may prevent depression and benefit these patients to improve their overall quality of life,” he said in a news release. For the study, researchers recruited 160 adults 60 and older in Los Angeles, of whom 53 had insomnia. Roughly half of the participants were exposed to an endotoxin intended to create short-term inflammation, including 26 people with insomnia and 53 healthy sleepers. Results showed that insomniacs with inflammation were three times more likely to have depressive mood and symptoms than healthy sleepers with inflammation. People with insomnia also were depressed far longer after their inflammation was induced, showing a bummed mood for six hours or longer. By comparison, any increases in depression among healthy sleepers were short-lived, researchers said. Chronic inflammation has already been tied to illnesses like heart… read on > read on >
ER Opioid Prescriptions For Low Back Pain Cut In Half
Folks seeking relief from low back pain in an ER aren’t likely to leave with a prescription for opioids. The rate of ER opioid prescriptions for back pain fell by more than half between 2016 and 2022, researchers reported July 12 in the Annals of Emergency Medicine. Back in 2016, nearly a third of these visits (32%) resulted in a prescription for opioid painkillers, researchers found. That had decreased to more than 13% of visits by 2022, researchers said. “The decline in opioid prescribing shows physicians are responding to evidence and changing their practice at a time of growing awareness of the opioid epidemic,” lead researcher Dr. Howard Kim, an emergency physician at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, said in a news release. For the study, researchers analyzed records collected by the National Center for Health Statistics for nearly 53 million ER visits for low back pain that occurred between 2016 and 2022. Patients were in considerable pain when they sought help, with an average pain score of more than 7 out of 10, researchers found. On average, they waited about 37 minutes before a doctor saw them, and spent about four hours in the ER. Results show that NSAIDs like ibuprofen are now the prescription painkiller of choice, provided to nearly 29% of low back pain patients in the ER. Patients… read on > read on >
ER Opioid Prescriptions For Low Back Pain Cut In Half
Folks seeking relief from low back pain in an ER aren’t likely to leave with a prescription for opioids. The rate of ER opioid prescriptions for back pain fell by more than half between 2016 and 2022, researchers reported July 12 in the Annals of Emergency Medicine. Back in 2016, nearly a third of these visits (32%) resulted in a prescription for opioid painkillers, researchers found. That had decreased to more than 13% of visits by 2022, researchers said. “The decline in opioid prescribing shows physicians are responding to evidence and changing their practice at a time of growing awareness of the opioid epidemic,” lead researcher Dr. Howard Kim, an emergency physician at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, said in a news release. For the study, researchers analyzed records collected by the National Center for Health Statistics for nearly 53 million ER visits for low back pain that occurred between 2016 and 2022. Patients were in considerable pain when they sought help, with an average pain score of more than 7 out of 10, researchers found. On average, they waited about 37 minutes before a doctor saw them, and spent about four hours in the ER. Results show that NSAIDs like ibuprofen are now the prescription painkiller of choice, provided to nearly 29% of low back pain patients in the ER. Patients… read on > read on >
Experts Recommend Healthy Lifestyle Changes Alongside GLP-1 Drug Use
GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Zepbound are so effective it might seem that a person can lose weight without doing anything at all. But that’s a false notion, experts say. Losing weight properly and keeping it off will require lifestyle changes that extend beyond a weekly GLP-1 injection. “Many patients lose muscle mass in addition to fat mass and have GI symptoms that lead to stopping medication,” senior researcher Dr. JoAnn Manson said in a news release. She’s chief of preventive medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. These potential problems prompted experts to craft a set of diet and exercise tips specifically for people on GLP-1 meds. The suggestions were published July 14 in JAMA Internal Medicine. “We propose an approach to improving outcomes on GLP-1s by preserving lean body mass, ensuring good nutrition, and managing symptoms that can otherwise lead to stopping medications,” Manson said. For example, lean muscle mass accounts for 25% to 40% of the weight a person loses when using GLP-1 drugs, experts noted. “Begin each meal with 20 to 30 grams of protein from foods like fish, beans, chickpeas, or tofu,” the recommendations state. “Aim for 1.0 to 1.5 g of protein per kilogram of body weight daily, if moderately active. If your appetite is very low, use protein shakes with at least 20 g protein per… read on > read on >
Experts Recommend Healthy Lifestyle Changes Alongside GLP-1 Drug Use
GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Zepbound are so effective it might seem that a person can lose weight without doing anything at all. But that’s a false notion, experts say. Losing weight properly and keeping it off will require lifestyle changes that extend beyond a weekly GLP-1 injection. “Many patients lose muscle mass in addition to fat mass and have GI symptoms that lead to stopping medication,” senior researcher Dr. JoAnn Manson said in a news release. She’s chief of preventive medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. These potential problems prompted experts to craft a set of diet and exercise tips specifically for people on GLP-1 meds. The suggestions were published July 14 in JAMA Internal Medicine. “We propose an approach to improving outcomes on GLP-1s by preserving lean body mass, ensuring good nutrition, and managing symptoms that can otherwise lead to stopping medications,” Manson said. For example, lean muscle mass accounts for 25% to 40% of the weight a person loses when using GLP-1 drugs, experts noted. “Begin each meal with 20 to 30 grams of protein from foods like fish, beans, chickpeas, or tofu,” the recommendations state. “Aim for 1.0 to 1.5 g of protein per kilogram of body weight daily, if moderately active. If your appetite is very low, use protein shakes with at least 20 g protein per… read on > read on >
Vaping Better At Helping Smokers Quit, Clinical Trial Indicates
Vaping might be more effective than traditional nicotine replacement therapies in helping people quit smoking, a new Australian study says. Six-month smoking abstinence rates were three times higher among people using flavored nicotine-laced vape devices, compared to those given nicotine gum or lozenges, researchers reported July 14 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Flavored vapes are restricted in the U.S. “Vaporized nicotine products were more effective than nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation,” wrote the research team led by Ryan Courtney, an associate professor with the National Drug and Alcohol Research Center at the University of New South Wales in Australia. For the study, researchers recruited more than 1,000 Australians receiving government assistance and randomly assigned them to vaping or nicotine replacement. All were interested in trying to quit smoking. The vape group received an eight-week supply of vape juice in tobacco, menthol or fruit flavors, while the nicotine replacement group chose an eight-week supply of gum or lozenges. All participants also received automated text messages for five weeks that provided behavioral support for their quit attempt, researchers said. After six months, more than 28% of people in the vape group remained smoke-free, compared with a little under 10% of those in the nicotine gum or lozenge group, the study found. “In the current trial among people experiencing social disadvantage, vaporized nicotine products with flavor… read on > read on >
Vaping Better At Helping Smokers Quit, Clinical Trial Indicates
Vaping might be more effective than traditional nicotine replacement therapies in helping people quit smoking, a new Australian study says. Six-month smoking abstinence rates were three times higher among people using flavored nicotine-laced vape devices, compared to those given nicotine gum or lozenges, researchers reported July 14 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Flavored vapes are restricted in the U.S. “Vaporized nicotine products were more effective than nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation,” wrote the research team led by Ryan Courtney, an associate professor with the National Drug and Alcohol Research Center at the University of New South Wales in Australia. For the study, researchers recruited more than 1,000 Australians receiving government assistance and randomly assigned them to vaping or nicotine replacement. All were interested in trying to quit smoking. The vape group received an eight-week supply of vape juice in tobacco, menthol or fruit flavors, while the nicotine replacement group chose an eight-week supply of gum or lozenges. All participants also received automated text messages for five weeks that provided behavioral support for their quit attempt, researchers said. After six months, more than 28% of people in the vape group remained smoke-free, compared with a little under 10% of those in the nicotine gum or lozenge group, the study found. “In the current trial among people experiencing social disadvantage, vaporized nicotine products with flavor… read on > read on >
Menopause Hormone Therapy Boosts GLP-1 Drug Effectiveness, Researchers Say
Good news for women of a certain age: Hormone replacement therapy for menopause appears to boost the effectiveness of GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound, a new study says. Women using tirzepatide (Zepbound) lost more weight if they also were taking hormone therapy — 17% of body weight lost versus 14% after a median 18 months, researchers reported Saturday at the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in San Francisco. Further, more women taking Zepbound and hormone therapy achieved at least 20% total body weight loss, with 45% meeting this goal compared to 18% of those not on hormone therapy. “These data are the first to show the combined use of tirzepatide and menopause hormone therapy significantly increases treatment effectiveness in postmenopausal women,” presenting investigator Dr. Regina Castaneda, a research fellow in endocrinology at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla, said in a news release. Casteneda noted that previous studies of semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) yielded similar findings. “Achieving these outcomes with a second obesity medication may indicate a broader efficacy trend for pairing these two classes of medications,” Castenada said. More women are using hormone therapy to manage menopause symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, following research that found such therapy didn’t increase risk of diseases like breast cancer and heart disease as dramatically as previously thought. Menopause-related hormone changes often result in increased belly… read on > read on >
