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Common antimicrobial chemical associated with skin problems in kids

Common antimicrobial chemical associated with skin problems in kids

Children with twice the level of the antimicrobial chemical triclosan in their urine were 23 percent more likely to report eczema symptoms than those with lower concentrations, according to research published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.
Triclosan was commonly found in antibacterial soaps and body washes before 2016, when the Food and Drug Administration restricted its use in consumer wash products after finding that it was no more effective than standard soap and water. However, according to the Cleveland Clinic, triclosan can still be found in some toothpastes, deodorants, cosmetics and detergents.
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Is Trump's Chronic Venous Insufficiency Diagnosis Actually 'Benign'? A Vein Specialist Weighs In
Is Trump's Chronic Venous Insufficiency Diagnosis Actually 'Benign'? A Vein Specialist Weighs In

CNET

time6 minutes ago

  • CNET

Is Trump's Chronic Venous Insufficiency Diagnosis Actually 'Benign'? A Vein Specialist Weighs In

Last Thursday, July 17, the White House announced that President Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). According to a memo from Dr. Sean P. Barbabella, the president's physician, this diagnosis came after the president noticed mild swelling in his legs. However, Barbabella reports that CVI is "benign" and common in older adults over the age of 70. Trump is 79. Though the doctor's memo summarized that "President Trump remains in excellent health," we were curious to learn more about CVI and whether or not it's as benign as it's being made out to be. For that information, we contacted Khanh Nguyen, DO, chief medical officer of the Center for Vein Restoration. What is chronic venous insufficiency? Plus, CVI causes Chronic venous insufficiency is when your legs' veins don't work as well as they should. "Normally, veins have small valves that help keep blood flowing back up toward the heart," explains Nguyen. "But if those valves become weak or damaged, blood can start to pool in the legs instead of moving upward like it should." The most common causes of CVI, according to Nguyen, are: Aging : "As we get older, our veins and valves naturally weaken." : "As we get older, our veins and valves naturally weaken." Family history : "If close family members have vein problems, you're more likely to develop them, too. Genetics play a significant role in developing venous disease." : "If close family members have vein problems, you're more likely to develop them, too. Genetics play a significant role in developing venous disease." Being overweight : "Extra weight puts more pressure on the veins in your legs." : "Extra weight puts more pressure on the veins in your legs." Sitting or standing for long periods : "This makes it harder for blood to move out of the legs, especially without movement. Blood is constantly fighting against gravity to return to the heart, so walking and activating the calf muscle helps the blood to be pumped back." : "This makes it harder for blood to move out of the legs, especially without movement. Blood is constantly fighting against gravity to return to the heart, so walking and activating the calf muscle helps the blood to be pumped back." Pregnancy : "Increased blood volume and hormone changes can put a strain on the venous system. In addition, the enlarged fetus and uterus also put pressure on the abdomen and pelvis, compressing the veins and impeding blood return, further increasing venous hypertension." : "Increased blood volume and hormone changes can put a strain on the venous system. In addition, the enlarged fetus and uterus also put pressure on the abdomen and pelvis, compressing the veins and impeding blood return, further increasing venous hypertension." Previous blood clots: "A history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can damage vein valves and puts a patient at higher risk for developing venous disease." DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in one or more of the body's deep veins, typically in the legs. These various factors can cause an increase in pressure in the leg veins over time, contributing to venous insufficiency. However, Nguyen states that early treatment and lifestyle changes can help manage symptoms and prevent worsening conditions. Chronic venous insufficiency symptoms While CVI symptoms can vary, Nguyen lists common ones as: leg swelling, heaviness, aching, throbbing, restless legs and cramping. Many patients also notice varicose veins and skin changes like darkening or itching around the ankles. In advanced cases, you may even see venous ulcers or open wounds near the lower legs. "Symptoms often worsen after prolonged periods of standing or sitting and improve with leg elevation and the use of compression stockings," states Nguyen. PonyWang/Getty Images Is it true that chronic venous insufficiency is 'benign'? Though Dr. Sean P. Barbabella, Trump's doctor, claims CVI is "benign," Nguyen says that's not the full picture. "While CVI is often labeled 'benign' because it's not life-threatening like arterial disease, it's not a harmless condition," he says. "Left untreated, it can significantly impact quality of life and lead to complications like chronic pain, skin changes, venous ulcers and potentially blood clots." In other words, chronic venous insufficiency isn't something you should ignore. "It's a medical issue that warrants expert attention and treatment, particularly because early intervention can help prevent its progression," Nguyen explains. How is chronic venous insufficiency diagnosed? "CVI is typically diagnosed by taking a thorough history and performing a physical examination followed by a duplex ultrasound, a noninvasive imaging test that visualizes blood flow and evaluates the function of the veins and their valves," says Nguyen. This test allows doctors to confirm venous reflux (when veins struggle to circulate blood back to the heart) and rule out other conditions like deep vein thrombosis. How is chronic venous insufficiency treated? Nguyen reports that CVI is treated with a combination of the following: compression therapy, lifestyle changes and minimally invasive procedures that close off or redirect blood flow from malfunctioning veins. "Today's advanced outpatient treatments typically take under an hour to complete, require little to no downtime, and are covered by insurance when medically necessary," he explains. "Patients can return to their normal routine immediately, with few restrictions." Early CVI diagnosis and treatment are key According to Nguyen, one of the biggest challenges with CVI is that people ignore early symptoms, writing them off as fatigue or aging. This is especially concerning because CVI is treatable, thanks to modern therapies that are effective, safe and fast. "If you're experiencing leg discomfort, swelling or visible veins, don't wait -- early diagnosis and treatment can make a tremendous difference in your longterm leg health and comfort," concludes Nguyen.

Is Frozen Produce Healthier Than Fresh? - Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta - Podcast on CNN Podcasts
Is Frozen Produce Healthier Than Fresh? - Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta - Podcast on CNN Podcasts

CNN

time7 minutes ago

  • CNN

Is Frozen Produce Healthier Than Fresh? - Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta - Podcast on CNN Podcasts

Dr. Sanjay Gupta 00:00:03 Welcome to Paging Dr. Gupta. As you know, this podcast is one of my favorite podcasts because the best health conversations that I've heard often start with simple, honest questions. And that's what we try and address here each week. Kyra's back with us. What do we have first? Kyra Dahring 00:00:23 So first up today, this listener has a question sparked by a recent Chasing Life episode. And honestly, it kind of has me thinking back to that conversation too. Take a listen. Listener Question 00:00:35 I am following up on your episode with Dr. Tim Spector and he talks about 30 vegetables. What would be those 30 vegetables? And are frozen vegetables just as good as fresh vegetables? I've heard that they're better, hold their nutrients, vitamins, etc. Thank you. I look forward to hearing a podcast answering these questions. Dr. Sanjay Gupta 00:01:01 This is a really good question, are frozen vegetables actually healthy, or are they just plan B when fresh isn't available? I'm going to tell you the answer to that, plus really dig into what Dr. Spector meant about 30 vegetables right after this quick break. Dr. Sanjay Gupta 00:01:20 Okay, let's start with the 30 vegetable part of this. Here is a quick refresher of that Chasing Life episode with Dr. Tim Spector... Dr. Tim Spector 00:01:29 What I'm trying to do is give myself the room so I can have 30 different plants during my week. And that's that diversity of plants, which I think is probably the most crucial rule for nutrition. Dr. Sanjay Gupta 00:01:42 'Okay, so what does that mean? First of all, it does not mean you need to eat 30 vegetables a week. What he's really saying is try to eat thirty different plant-based foods each week. That could include vegetables, yes, but also fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, herbs, even some spices. So spinach and kale, for example, that's two. Apples and bananas, that is two more. Lentils, chia, garlic, turmeric, all of it counts. What we're getting at is this idea that really comes from the American Gut Project, which found that people who ate 30 or more different plants a week have more diverse gut bacteria. And that's linked to better digestion, less inflammation, and stronger immunity. So yeah, you want to eat a variety of foods. Again, it doesn't mean 30 different vegetables, but just think about plant-based foods and incorporating at least 30 different plant-based foods into your diet every week. It's not that hard to do. It's important to do, but not enough people do it. Now, onto frozen vegetables. So the short answer to your question, yes frozen veggies are a healthy choice. In many cases, they're just as nutritious as fresh vegetables, and sometimes, importantly, even more so. Here's why: vegetables meant for freezing are picked at their peak ripeness. That's when they're most nutrient rich. They are then typically blanched, which means they are briefly dipped in hot water to stop spoilage, and then they are flash frozen. And that's what locks in most of their nutrients. Now it is true that some heat-sensitive nutrients like vitamin C, that may dip slightly during the blanching process. But overall, studies have shown frozen vegetables, frozen veggies, have nutrient levels that are very similar to fresh and sometimes even higher. Especially if that fresh produce has been sitting around for days. Now, another key point here, frozen veggies are actually really good at holding onto their nutrients. Fresh produce starts losing vitamins the moment they are picked and continues to lose them in transport and storage in your refrigerator. Frozen vegetables don't keep losing nutrients the way fresh ones do. So, frozen vegetables, they're a win. In so many ways, including cost and convenience and variety. They last longer. They're often more affordable, and they can help you get to that 30 plant-based foods a week, even when something's out of season. Do check the labels. Some frozen veggies come with sauces, and that can add a lot of stuff you don't want, unneeded fat and sodium and preservatives. When you're cooking your veggies from frozen, go for lightly steaming or microwaving. Why? To help preserve the nutrients and the texture. There's no need to thaw first. And finally, a simple trick, add a squeeze of lemon after cooking to brighten flavor and also add a little bit of that vitamin C back in that I was talking about earlier. Bottom line, whether your vegetables are fresh or frozen, the goal is imperfection, it's variety. Keep it colorful, mix it up, and yes, frozen definitely counts. Now, coming up. It's become quite popular and makes some pretty remarkable health promises, but what does pink Himalayan salt actually do for you? We have that in just a moment. Dr. Sanjay Gupta 00:05:17 All right, Kyra, what do we have next? Kyra Dahring 00:05:19 Yes, we got this next question from a listener who is wondering about a health trend that some of us might have seen on social media. Here's what she asked. Listener Fran 00:05:28 Hi, my name is Fran and I'm 70 years old. I am calling in to find out about all the studies on pink Himalayan salt. There are people that drink Himalayan salt with lemon water in the morning and what it's good for. Dr. Sanjay Gupta 00:05:44 'Okay Fran, thank you so much for your question about pink Himalayan salt. It's definitely popular right now. I think we have some sitting in our own kitchen. Interestingly the salt primarily comes from a mine in Pakistan near but not in the Himalayas. The pink color comes from trace minerals like iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium, which some people think makes it healthier than regular table salt. Just a side note by the way, sea salt also contains many of these same minerals. And sure, pink Himalayan salt tends to be less processed than table salt, which is refined, table salt is to remove impurities, they may contain anti-caking agents as well in table salt and oftentimes it's fortified with iodine, a micronutrient that is essential to human health and wellbeing. But here's the thing, those extra minerals that we're talking about in pink Himalayan salt, those minerals that are often at the root of a lot of these health claims. They're really only present in tiny trace amounts, too small to really have any health impact unless you're consuming unrealistic quantities and you shouldn't do that because it's salt and we eat too much salt already. Additionally, many of the minerals that are in pink Himalayan salt in those trace amounts are actually easily obtained from other healthy foods. Now, some of the health claims you may have heard about pink Himalyan salt, improves sleep, balances your body's pH, boosts energy. But the truth is, there's little scientific evidence to support those specific benefits. Now, to be fair, it'd be really hard to do a study like that, but there just isn't the scientific data to support these claims. Now, this idea about adding it to water. That is actually a trend people are doing. It's called sole, sole water. It's made by adding pink salt dissolved in water and often consumed with lemon. People say that it boosts energy, it detoxifies the body, but again, there's not solid science behind those claims. What is important to know again, is that most people already consume way more sodium than they need. So drinking sole water just adds even more sodium into your diet, which can actually have risks, high blood pressure, kidney issues. So bottom line, is pink Himalayan salt better than regular salt? Not really. It's a fine natural option if you prefer it, but it doesn't offer any proven meaningful health advantages, and it does tend to cost more. Plus, as I mentioned, it typically does not contain added iodine, which is really important to your health. So if you're using pink Himalayan salt exclusively, do make sure you're getting your iodine from foods like seafood or dairy or seaweed. In the end, whatever salt you choose, it is still salt. Moderation is key. Hope that helps, Fran! Dr. Sanjay Gupta 00:08:41 'And thanks to everyone who sent in questions, your curiosity, your stories, your voices, I love hearing it, and that's what brings this show to life. So keep it coming. If there's something health-related you've been wondering about, send it to us. We might answer it next week! Record a voice memo, email it to AskSanjay@ or give us a call, 470-396-0832 and leave a message. Thanks for listening. I'll be back next Tuesday.

Northern Lights On Tuesday: 14 U.S. States On Aurora Alert
Northern Lights On Tuesday: 14 U.S. States On Aurora Alert

Forbes

time7 minutes ago

  • Forbes

Northern Lights On Tuesday: 14 U.S. States On Aurora Alert

Aurora borealis, also known as Northern Lights, illuminates the night sky above the Kellostapuli ... More Fell in Kolari, Finnish Lapland, early on January 15, 2022. (Photo by IRENE STACHON/Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images) The Northern Lights may be visible in northern U.S. state and central Canada on Tuesday night, according to a forecast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center. Sky-watchers in 14 U.S. states may have a chance to see the aurora borealis on the northern horizon as soon as it gets dark, though astronomical twilight often persists much of the night above about 50 degrees north latitude in July. Latest Northern Lights Forecast The agency's three-day forecast indicates a minor geomagnetic storm, measured at a value of G1 on a scale of G1 to G5. According to NOAA's forecast, the Kp index — which provides a rough guide to the intensity of auroral displays — may reach 5. In a discussion post, NOAA officials stated that a G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm is most likely on July 23 UTC, which translates to late on July 22 for North America. The 'unsettled to active' geomagnetic conditions — minor disturbances in Earth's magnetic field — could continue through Thursday, according to NOAA. NOAA's aurora viewline for July 22, 2025. Where The Northern Lights May Be Visible NOAA's latest aurora viewlines indicate that aurora displays are a possibility in northern U.S. states and Canada, with 14 U.S. states having a chance after dark on Tuesday, July 22. U.S. states that may see aurora include (northerly parts of) Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Areas far from light pollution are likely to offer the best views. However, high-latitude locations — such as Alaska, northern Canada Scandinavia and Iceland — will have a better chance. Check NOAA's 30-minute forecast or use the Glendale App for the latest forecasts. Why The Northern Lights Are Being Seen In The U.S. The imminent potential display of aurora is due to a high-speed stream of solar wind coming from a coronal hole — a gap in the sun's outer atmosphere, its corona, where solar wind escapes more freely into space. It's also of 'negative polarity,' which means its magnetic field is orientated in such a way that interactions with Earth's magnetic field are enhanced, if aligned just right. More generally, the possibility of displays of the aurora borealis at more southerly latitudes than is typically down to an increase in solar activity, which is currently at a 23-year high due to the ongoing solar maximum period. The sun is now thought to be on the wane, having peaked in late 2024, but solar maximum periods often have double peaks. Besides, the best aurora displays often occur in the few years after solar maximum. If the current solar cycle does have a long tail, good aurora sightings in the U.S. could result for a few years. What Causes The Northern Lights The Northern Lights are caused by the solar wind, a stream of charged particles from the sun interacting with Earth's magnetic field. Although the magnetic field deflects much of it, some charged particles accelerate along the magnetic field lines toward the polar regions, where they collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms, exciting them and causing them to release energy as light. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.

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