Wrigley Alert Energy Caffeine Gum Pulled From Shelves

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Rich

Everyone is getting on the energy band wagon and Wrigley is no different. Wrigley introduced it’s latest product recently, caffeinated chewing gum. Alert Energy Caffeine Gum has about as much caffeine as a half cup of coffee per piece.

Wrigley’s has decided to cease production, sales and marketing of their energy gum after multiple meetings with the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA raised concerns about the safety of the gum for children and adolescents. Wrigley aimed marketing towards adults 25 and older but we all know kids will get their hands the caffeinated gum.

Wrigley released this statement ”When Wrigley launched Alert Energy Caffeine Gum, we took great strides to ensure that the product was formulated, distributed and marketed in a safe and responsible way to consumers 25 years old and over. After discussions with the FDA, we have a greater appreciation for its concern about the proliferation of caffeine in the nation’s food supply. There is a need for changes in the regulatory framework to better guide the consumers and the industry about the appropriate level and use of caffeinated products.”

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Gov. Chris Christie Gets Gastric Band Surgery

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Rich

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has been the butt of many fat jokes over the last couple of years and a few months ago decided to do something about it. Mr. Christie secretly underwent Gastric Lap Band surgery in February due to pressure from his family and what many believe is the beginning to a run for the White House.

Christie told the New York Post this ”I’ve struggled with this issue for 20 years. For me, this is about turning 50 and looking at my children and wanting to be there for them.”

About 200,00 Americans have lap band surgery per year, the adjustable band is inserted through small incisions in the belly. The Laparoscopic band is used the make the stomach smaller and limit the amount a patient can consume. After the initial surgery the patient must heal for 4 to 6 weeks prior to tightening the band. The band is adjusted through an access port which is inserted under the skin. To tighten the band a saline solution is injected into the port, to loosen the band the saline can be extracted.

Although Gastric banding is relatively safe there are risks like any other surgery, here are just a few:
Bands can slip out of place and may require second surgery.
Infection can occur.
Blood clots may occur.
Obstruction in the band can cause pain, nausea and vomiting.
Patients can develop gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

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Arterial Stents May Be Used For Erectile Dysfunction In Some Patients

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Rich

When we hear the word stent we usually think of a treatment for coronary disease called atherosclerosis, atherosclerosis is the build up of cholesterol and fat deposits called plaque. Fortunately stents are now being used for treatment of erectile dysfunction as well as coronary disease in some men.

Erectile Dysfunction affects as many as 18 million men in the United States alone. Drugs like Cialis, Levitra and Viagra are most often the answer for E.D. treatment, but for some patients medication is not the answer. Cardiologists estimates that 70 percent of E.D. patients have some form of atherosclerosis.

A patient with erectile dysfunction can have an angiogram of the pelvic area to determine whether there is a blockage or not, if there is blockage a stent can then be inserted to increase blood flow. Just to keep it clear (no pun intended) stents are used in the pelvic area not the penis.

In a small study there were no negative results of this treatment, the only drawback was that a very small percentage of the men screened were candidates for the stent procedure.

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Christine Quinn Proposes Raising Smoking Age From 18 To 21 In New York

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Rich

New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn is proposing raising the legal age to purchase cigarettes from 18 to 21. Quinn and Health Commissioner Thomas Farley teamed up to introduce the bill that is following the same proposal Texas Senator Carlos Uresti proposed about a month ago.

Christine Quinn is the leading Democratic contender in the New York Mayoral race, Quinn hopes to replace current Mayor Mike Bloomberg. Quinn said this about being the first major city to raise the smoking age “That will literally save lives, the more difficult it is for [young people] to gain access to tobacco products, the less likely they are to start smoking.”

Needham Massachusetts is currently the only U.S. city that requires tobacco purchasers to be 21. Smoking rate dropped in Needham from 13 percent in 2006 to 5.5 percent in 2012, it is unclear if the age increase was the only reason for the significant drop.

If this proposal becomes law will it have any real impact? Time will tell.

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Happy Easter To All

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Rich

Healthfixdaily would like to wish all a very happy and healthy Easter.

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