• Children’s drug recall: More than 40 over-the-counter children’s liquid medications were recalled on Friday by drug maker McNeil Consumer Healthcare, because many “did not meet required quality standards“. Brands include children’s versions of Tylenol, Tylenol Plus, Motrin, Zyrtec, and Benadryl. According to MSNBC, “Some of the products recalled may have a higher concentration of active ingredient than is specified on the bottle. Others may contain particles, while still others may contain inactive ingredients that do not meet internal testing requirements.” For further details, visit http://mcneilproductrecall.com
• Smoking genes: UNC-Chapel Hill researchers recently concluded the largest genetic study of smoking ever. Their findings: “Three genetic regions were associated with the number of cigarettes smoked per day, one region was associated with smoking initiation and one variant was associated with smoking cessation.”
• WNC Wellness Dialogue: For the most recent installment in our series on health and wellness, we interviewed Gary Lloyd, owner of West Asheville Massage and Healing Arts, to get his take on wellness and some insight into his local practice.
• Budget cuts: Gov. Perdue’s proposed N.C. budget cuts $386 million from the Department of Health and Human Services. Directly impacted is a state-funded program called In-Home Personal Care Services, without which patient advocates fear thousands of people could be forced from their homes and into state facilities — which may end up costing more in the long run.
• Mission milestone: Thanks to a $500,000 gift made by the Charles Silver family toward the new Mission Cancer Center for outpatient care, the Mission Healthcare Foundation has now raised more than $100 million for local health-care needs in its 25-year history. Also, Transylvania Regional Hospital is exploring an alliance with Mission Health System and should know within four to six months whether it plans to enter a formal partnership.
• Weekly web round-up:
- Coffee: Is it healthier than you think?
- Modified virus trained to introduce “suicide” genes into cancer cells
- Phosphate in soft drinks can accelerate ageing [in mice]
- New non-addictive painkillers from substance similar to hot chili peppers
- Delivering babies, treating heart attacks, scanning brains – There’s an app for that
- Belly bacteria are talking. Your body listening?
- Edgy Mama on kids faking illness
- CNN video: Psychedelic drugs for your health?
Please follow us on Twitter and submit WNC health & wellness info with the hashtag: #avlhealth
See you next week. Stay healthy.
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