Health Tips ... from UPI

EPILEPSY DRUGS MAY AFFECT FETUS

Some, though not all, epilepsy drugs may raise the risk of birth defects if taken during pregnancy, studies suggest. The research indicates a newer drug, lamotrigine, appears to carry no increased risk, but long-time epilepsy drug valproic acid, or sodium valproate, does, the researchers report in Neurology. Another study found children ages 6 to 16 exposed to valproic acid before birth had lower verbal IQ scores than did children exposed to other epilepsy drugs or no epilepsy drugs during pregnancy. There was only a 2.9 percent risk of birth defects in the lamotrigine group, but the study was too small to give absolute answers, says neurologist Dr. Patricia Penovich of the Minnesota Epilepsy Group PA. The research underscores the importance of carefully planning use of epilepsy drugs before and during pregnancy, she says.

EYE EXAM AS MIRROR TO HEART HEALTH

An eye examination may provide clues to the health of the heart and blood vessels, scientists say. The Harvard Heart Letter notes the exam can reveal any damage wrought by high blood pressure and diabetes and reflect the risk of a future stroke or heart attack. "Changes inside the retina can offer an early warning sign of damage to the heart, kidneys and elsewhere that may influence treatment decisions," says Dr. John Loewenstein, retina specialist at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Such changes include narrowing or ballooning of blood vessels and swelling of the base of the optic nerve, he says. Getting regular eye exams is a good idea, even when vision seems fine, he advises.

SUPPLEMENT MAY RELIEVE ALLERGIES

A study published in the International Journal of Pharmacology Research found 92 percent of patients treated with Aller-7 had some relief from allergy symptoms. The three-year, multicenter study of 545 patients found Aller-7, a blend of seven herbal extracts, may help clear airway passages, stabilize mast cells, which promote respiratory health, and neutralize free radicals, which can damage the respiratory and immune system, the authors say. Complete relief from sneezing, running nose and nasal congestion was seen in 28 percent, 37 percent and 45 percent of patients, respectively, says Dr. V.S. Saxena, study director at the Clinical Research Division of the American Soybean Association. Aller-7 is marketed by InterHealth Nutraceuticals Inc.

CARBS MAY FUEL EXCESSIVE EATING

Research suggests carbohydrates may fuel excessive eating, explaining the fast initial weight loss seen on low-carb diets, scientists say. The study, reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found when carbs were restricted in a group of obese diabetics, the volunteers spontaneously reduced their caloric intake to a level appropriate for their height, did not compensate by eating more protein or fat and lost weight, say the researchers from Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. Lead researcher Dr. Guenther Boden says almost 80 percent of diabetics are overweight or obese, compounding health risks, such as heart disease and stroke. Boden cautions the long-term effects of low-carb diets are not known.

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(Editors: For more information about EPILEPSY, contact Marilee Reu at 651-695-2789 or mreu@aan.com. For EYE, Christine Junge at 617-432-4717 or Christine_Junge@hms.harvard.edu. For ALLERGIES, Sarah Clark at 612-798-7260 or sclark@mediarelations.com. For CARBS, Eryn Jelesiewicz at 215-707-0730 or eryn.jelesiewicz@temple.edu.)