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Healthline

By Times Staff
Published October 10, 2006

Preparing for flu's return

Notes about the approach of the flu season:

- Health care professionals remind caregivers for children with type 1 diabetes to closely monitor their blood ketone testing. Flu, a cold or other infections can bring on ketoacidosis, the leading cause of both death and hospitalizations for these children. Ketoacidosis is a chemical imbalance that results from the body's cells not getting the sugar they need for energy. Significant illness can interfere with appetite, and interruption in the food supply is a special problem for diabetics. For more information, go to www.diabetes.org; click on "Type 1" at left and proceed from there.

- A flu medication study is being conducted in Clearwater, and volunteers are needed. Patients in two age groups are being sought: 18-40 years, or 50 and older. Volunteers will receive a flu vaccination and make three office visits; there may be reimbursement for time and travel. For more information, contact Tampa Bay Medical Research at (727) 724-3316.

Dog is women's best friend

Margie, a Boston terrier-French bulldog mix, has her own ID badge for her trips to Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. She also wears a pink-ribbon breast cancer awareness pin, because she survived breast cancer and a double mastectomy. Margie's visits are part of the Center's POOCH (Pets Offer Ongoing Care and Healing) Program. She is taken to visit patients throughout the hospital, but the staff says she is especially welcomed by women recovering from mastectomies. "They've never heard of that," says volunteer coordinator Barbara Cowen, who schedules the dog's visits with patients. "When patients see Margie, they say, 'Look at the little dog's scars - and look how well she's doing!' It lifts their spirits." It was the dog's owner who felt tiny lumps "like BBs" on Margie's chest. A biopsy revealed cancer. Margie visits patients every other Wednesday, one of 45 dogs that volunteer, along with their owners, in visits to the HIV/AIDS, medical and surgical, cardiology and pediatrics units.

Post-dieting nips and tucks

It is estimated that 68,000 Americans underwent surgery last year to reshape their bodies after substantial weight loss, a 22 percent increase over the previous year's figures. The most popular procedures were breast reductions and lifts, stomach tucks and lower body lifts, which contour the midsection, abdomen and thighs, and then upper arm lifts. "It's common for someone who has lost a massive amount of weight to have considerable amounts of loose skin, which does not respond to diet or exercise," says plastic surgeon Jeffrey L. Sebastian, co-author of Body Contouring Surgery after Weight Loss (Addicus Books, $24.95). "Many patients are disappointed - they've won the battle over weight, but still feel ashamed of the way they look." For more information, go to www.PlasticSurgery.org.

Down Syndrome awareness

To publicize this 25th annual Down Syndrome Awareness Month and to promote acceptance of people with the genetic disorder, the National Down Syndrome Society again will be stepping off on Buddy Walks in hundreds of communities. The organization estimates there are 350,000 Americans with Down Syndrome. The first Buddy Walks were held in 17 locations across the United States; this month, there will be 17 just in Florida, including a one-mile walk around Largo's Central Park, at 10 a.m., followed by games and entertainment, on Saturday. To learn more about that walk, call (727) 462-2274 or go to downsyndrome networkofpinellas.com. For more information on the society, go to www.ndss.org or call toll-free 1-800-221-4602.

[Last modified October 10, 2006, 06:19:05]