Fall Back with a Smile: Tips to beat Daylight Light Saving Time bluesSenior Vice President of Medical Affairs & Chief Medical Officer at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Dr. Kevin Most joins the Steve Cochran Show to discuss the combo COVID & flu shot entering its final stage of testing, why Daylight Saving Time may trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder, and potential harmful effects of consuming red dye #3.
Dr. Kevin Most's Steve Cochran Show Notes:
New lung cancer screening guidelines released by the American Cancer Society
Only a small fraction of those individuals who qualify for lung cancer screening get it done.
New guidelines released this week will open that screening to millions more
The change highlighted a flawed premise- the longer it had been since a person quit smoking the lower the risk for cancer
A deeper look at the data showed that the risk of lung cancer rose as individuals aged, even for those who had stopped smoking 15 years or more
The new guidance says heavy smokers who quit 15 years ago or more should get yearly scans
The previous guidance was those aged 50-80, who had smoked at least 20 pack years and were still smoking or had quit within the last 15 years should be tested annually
The data showed that the risk of cancer continued to rise even if you had quit smoking more than 15 years ago
The previous guidelines impacted 14.3 people in the US, the new guideline would add an additional 5 million people
More than 80% of those who had their lung cancer caught early through this screening were still alive 20 years later, whereas those who were identified in late stage, the 5 year survival rate is much lower
Combo Covid and Flu shot showing good success – enters the final stage of testing.
Pfizer, Moderna, BioNtech all have combo flu and Covid vaccines in clinical trials
The trials are focused on patients aged 18-64 yrs. old
The vaccine carries the 4 flu strains as well as the 2 Covid strains BA 4 and BA 5
Results so far show robust immune response
Very safe and effective.
Results this far are silent on side effects, but this will be documented as they expand their final trial
Moderna is now stating they feel this will be ready for 2024 flu season, so I year from now.
Daylight savings time has ended, what can you expect this week
Your clocks were set back on Sunday morning, did it turn you upside down?
Your circadian rhythm has been shocked, even though an hour does not seem like much
We now have reduced daylight during our waking hours, it may trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder- seasonal depression
We see an increase in individuals with headaches both cluster headaches and migraine headaches this first week, it is thought the time change actually causes this
You may find yourself more sluggish in the afternoon and evening as the change in sunlight will trigger changes
This change gives us earlier sunrise and thus more sun in the morning when individuals are driving more and kids are walking to school, which is a safety concern
Time changes impact our sleep patterns, as our body looks for natural lighting to prompt sleep time
Try to stay with your normal sleep pattern
Consider taking a multivitamin and Vitamin D, as we will see less sunlight
Red dye #3 banned in California, Countrywide next?
Red dye #3 is found just about everywhere in food, beverages, yogurts, snacks, candy, frozen desserts, children’s medications ……the list goes on, with over 3,200 products
Red Dye #3 was banned last week in California, The Governor signed a bill that forbids the sale of food with 4 different food avidities with Red dye#3 being one of them
it will take a few years for the complete ban to be in place in California
The California ban could potentially disrupt the food supply to California
1990 – FDA banned Red Dye #3 in cosmetics as it was found to cause cancer in rats. Further studies have shown the cancer risk is specific to rats
Studies over the past few decades have linked Red Dye #3 to behavioral issues in children, including hyperactivity this is what made California place the ban
Studies to actually show a dose-related response to Red dye in children are thought to be unethical
Red Dye is severely restricted in the European Union, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan and other countries
Do you use OTC eye drops? You may want to check on them now.
The FDA is warning of unsanitary conditions in a facility that makes many types of eye drops
The eye drops may contain harmful bacteria that may cause infection
Symptoms may include, eye pain, discharge, blurred vision, , redness, swelling of the eyelid
27 OTC eye drops have been identified as potentially contaminated by the FDA due to bacteria being found in some that can lead to eye infections and in some cases blindness
There are no reports of injuries at this time but the FDA is telling individuals to discard them, stop using them and look for symptoms
If any symptoms are noted follow up with your physician immediately
Target, CVS, Walmart and Rite Aid are removing the products from their shelves
These are over the counter eye drops and not those prescribed and used to treat other eye disorders.
Individuals who use artificial tears for dry eyes, may want to talk to their doctors and switch to single use vials for a short time
Go on line and Google Eye Drops Contaminated and the list of the 27 specific drops will be found.
