Gleeman's Daily News--07/02

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Robert Gleeman Posted: 07-02-2009 2:37 AM

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Fireworks pose a burn and blast hazard, should be left to the pros

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the leading authority on fire, electrical and building safety, says legal or not, fireworks are too risky for amateurs.

The Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks (ASCF) is a group of health and safety organizations, coordinated by NFPA, that urges the public to avoid the use of consumer fireworks and instead, to enjoy displays of fireworks conducted by trained professionals. They also warn that after a firework display, children should never pick up fireworks they may find on the ground. The pyrotechnic devices may still be active and are extremely dangerous.

Also see: http://www.crescent-news.com/news/simple_article/4620257

This is fireworks season, and I hope our doctors will be spared the usual burns and self-destructive blast effects of “consumer fireworks”. Happy 4th.

Obesity rates increase in  23 states, decrease in none

And the number of obese and overweight children has now climbed to 30 percent in 30 states, a troubling trend that could signal decades of weight-related health problems such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease as these children become adults.

Those are just some of the worrisome findings in an annual report on obesity in America, released Wednesday by the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

This  study shows that our country is struggling with weight gains, and as I found out, if you want to make your doctor happy, just lose weight, you’ll be a star.

Swine flu now showing resistance to Tamiflu

The drug has been offered to those with close contact to swine flu

Roche Holding AG confirmed a patient with H1N1 influenza in Denmark showed resistance to the antiviral drug.

David Reddy, company executive, said it was not unexpected given that common seasonal flu could do the same.

The news comes as a nine-year-old girl has become the third to die in the UK with swine flu.

This was bound to happen, but I still haven’t figured out how you’re supposed to get the Tamiflu when you’re not supposed to leave the house with the flu.

Panel makes case for banning Percocet and Vicodin due to their mix of acetaminophen

An FDA panel has recommended that Tylenol be used in lower doses than now recommended. The panel also recommends banning Percocet and Vicodin. (JB Reed/ Bloomberg News/ File 2008)

Outside advisers to the Food and Drug Administration voted 20 to 17 yesterday in Adelphi, Md., for the ban on Percocet and Vicodin, which also contain a narcotic. The panel agreed earlier that Johnson & Johnson’s Tylenol should be given in lower doses than now recommended and the extra-strength version should be sold by prescription only.

Acetaminophen, an aspirin alternative in use for five decades to reduce pain and fever, has been a leading cause of liver injury for more than a decade, the FDA said. The agency under President Obama is “taking a harder look at safety’’ than in previous administrations, said Les Funtleyder, a healthcare analyst at Miller Tabak & Co. in New York.

I always thought acetaminophen was added to powerful narcotics in order to limit the abuse—too much abuse, you die of liver failure. Am I right?