ABUSED CHILDREN FACE HEART DISEASE RISK
Abused children face a significantly increased risk of developing ischemic heart disease as adults, U.S. public health researchers say. Their study, published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, is the first to suggest a link between childhood trauma and adult heart disease, the authors say. The investigators from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found children who experienced emotional, physical or sexual abuse or neglect or who came from dysfunctional families, touched by incarceration, drug abuse, mental illness or domestic violence, had a 30 percent to 70 percent greater risk of developing ischemic heart disease than people with more normal childhoods.
SUSHI CONDIMENT SOMETHING TO SNEEZE AT
U.S. researchers say wasabi, the Japanese horseradish used to spice up sushi, may burn the nose but won't clear it, as commonly believed. Investigators tested the spice, a member of the Cruciferae plant family, for any decongestant effect. Consuming the green paste of ground-up plant stem produces a temporary burning sensation in the nose. The researchers set out to determine any scientific validity to anecdotal reports of the spice improving nasal breathing. Such decongestant effects would come in handy for such uses as treating stuffed-up patients with hypertension or heart disease for whom traditional adrenergic decongestants would not be suitable. In reporting the findings of the new study, Dr. David Cameron of the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Oakland, told a scientific meeting oral ingestion of wasabi had no effect on nasal comfort, itch or congestion.
VITAMIN E MAY HELP RESTORE HEARING
Israeli scientists say early study results show vitamin E may restore sudden onset hearing loss of unknown origin or idiopathic sudden hearing loss. The findings, presented at the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation annual meeting, suggest further research may reveal the role of antioxidants in the prevention and restoration of hearing loss. Each year, some 4,000 Americans report the onset of sudden hearing loss. Causes can include infectious diseases, circulatory disorders, traumatic injuries and immunologic, toxic, metabolic and neurological sources. However, the cause of SHL can only be identified in 10 percent to 15 percent of patients, the remainder of cases, which have no obvious cause, are termed idiopathic sudden hearing loss. About two-thirds of these patients recover without treatment within days.
(Editors: For more information about ABUSED, Carole Bullock (214) 706-1279. For SUSHI, Kenneth Satterfield at (703) 519-1563 or [email protected]. For HEARING, Kenneth Satterfield at (703) 519-1563 or [email protected])
