Ten children in our area have eaten swirly, brightly-colored laundry detergent packs. This has led to calls to the Poison Control Center.

“‘My child just got into this soap pod that I just purchased. Is it a problem?’” Poison Control Center director Ed Krenzelok says about what parents ask when they call.

Biting down on the concentrated liquid-filled packets squirts detergent into the child’s mouth. Children swallow, rather than spit it out. Some of it goes into the stomach. Some can get into the lungs.

“We try to find out if the child’s having any breathing difficulty. Then we explain to the parent that their child is very likely to have one or more episodes of vomiting,” Krenzelok continues.

Nationwide, 250 cases have been called in to poison control centers. None in our area has been hospitalized, but elsewhere, six children have had severe breathing problems and three are in a coma.

The Poison Control Center follows up with callers an hour later. If a child repeatedly vomits or has trouble breathing, the call center will tell the parents to take the child to the hospital emergency department.

“If adults are attentive, keep them up and out of the reach of children, I don’t anticipate there’d be a problem,” Krenzelok says.

Proctor and Gamble, the maker of Tide, says to make it harder for kids to get at the detergent packets, it’s redesigning its containers to have a double latch lid.

This new packaging will be created in the next couple weeks.

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Ten kids from our area have eaten the packets, according to Ed Krenzelok from the Pittsburgh Poison Center. Two of them occurred on Thursday alone.

Nearly 250 cases have been reported nationwide.

“These are highly concentrated, and children ingest them and have almost immediate episodes of vomiting,” said Krenzelok.

He says none of the kids in our area have had to go to the hospital, but a 17-month-old in Philadelphia was hospitalized for a week after ingesting one of them.

“When they bite into them, we think that sometimes they get droplets that sort of aspirate into their lungs, and as a result, children have difficulty breathing,” said Krenzelok.

Some say the brightly colored packets resemble candy.

We found packets made by All, Purex and Tide. All three have warning labels on the back.

Paul Fox, a spokesperson for Procter & Gamble which makes Tide, told the Associated Press, “The packs themselves are safe, regardless of who manufactures them, provided that they are used for their intended purpose.”

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Allegheny County Health Department Director Dr. Bruce Dixon says, “There’s a presumptive case in Allegheny County. We don’t have all the facts yet. We don’t have all the microbiology yet, but clinically it looks like that’s what this individual may have.”

Dr. Dixon says about a dozen cases of flesh eating bacteria infections surface in the county every year. The actual bacterium is a common strain “that you and I come in contact with every day and don’t get ill from.”

But some people are extremely susceptible to the bacteria. This appears to be the case with the patient in the intensive care unit of Jefferson Regional Medical Center.

“He was engaged in some kind of outdoor activity and either lacerated or got a leg abrasion and got infected that way,” says Dr. Dixon.

The incident occurred last weekend and the man who is about 30-years old is undergoing intensive antibiotic treatments.

If the antibiotics are unsuccessful or the bacteria spreads, Dr. Dixon says the only alternative will be amputation of any areas the bacteria infects.

The man works as a food handler at the William Moorehead Federal Building on Grant Street and Dr. Dixon sent a letter of reassurance to his boss and co-workers today.

“He’s no threat to anyone he’s worked with. He is no threat to his family, no threat to anyone in the hospital, or to anyone in society.”

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Medical student Kimberly Casten, 26, switched from birth control pills to an IUD because of health concerns.

“I care about the levels of hormones that are circulating in my body because I know it affects my brain,” says Casten.

A study in the New England Journal of Medicine finds IUDs, or intrauterine devices, as well as hormonal implants are 20 times more effective at preventing pregnancies than short term contraceptives like birth control pills, the patch or the ring.

“There’s a onetime placement and it doesn’t require a daily, weekly or monthly administration,” says Dr. Adam Jacobs of the Mt. Sinai Medical Center.

There are two kinds of IUDs, both are inserted in the uterus.

The hormonal IUD is approved for five years, and the copper IUD up to 10 years. Hormonal implants, which go in the upper arm, can last for three years.

IUDs and implants have the lowest failure rate, but they’re not very popular.

A big reason: many women cannot afford the upfront costs, which can be more than $500.

The study showed that when IUDs were offered for free, 75 percent of women chose them.

Older IUDs were linked to pelvic inflammatory disease, but doctors say current ones are very safe.

“Women clearly are not at increased risk of infection, and are also not at risk of having problems getting pregnant in the future after getting the IUD removed,” said Dr. Jacobs.

Casten likes the convenience.

“I don’t have to worry about getting my pills every three month,” she says. “I really don’t have to think about it at all.”

She won’t have to think about it for another four years.

About three million pregnancies in the United States are unplanned every year. Past studies have shown that about half of these pregnancies are the result of contraception failure.

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“A dog ran out in front of him, he swerved to miss the dog, the bike slid out under some gravel; all of these things he would have had no control over, and he suffered a serious head injury,” says Chris Vitale, injury prevention manager at Children’s Hospital Pittsburgh.

Helmets save lives and brains.

“Head injuries are the kind of thing you sometimes don’t recover from. You aren’t the same person you were before the injury,” Vitale says.

Because Children’s Hospital wants to keep the brains of children safe, they’re sponsoring free helmets for kids.

“Having a helmet on your child’s head is going to reduce the chance of a head injury by 85 to 90 percent,” she adds.

This summer, at various places throughout the area, you can have your child fitted and get a free helmet.

A good fitting helmet should come down to just above the eyes. The straps should make a “v” around the ears. And the chin strap should be snug.

They bring 250 helmets to each fitting, and your child has to be present to get one.

“We have a lot of kids who leave the helmet fitting and they want to leave their helmets on,” she says.

The first fitting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 13, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Kohl’s in Robinson.

Click here for the full Hard Head Helmet Fitting Schedule!

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If that’s not bad enough, 80 percent of the people who have it don’t know it.

In some cases, that’s because they don’t want to go through one of those awkward, uncomfortable sleep studies in a lab somewhere.

However, there is actually a test you can take at home.

Bob Whittington fixes things for a living, but what really needed to be fixed is his sleeping.

“She would notice I was not breathing at all. And then I was very tired every day, And I’ve been waking up, Something has been making me jump, and I’ve been waking up and night. And that’s been going on for a while,” Whittington said.

He did two sleep studies in a lab. He had to go to the hospital, get hooked up to wires, and sleep overnight under the watchful eye of some technicians and a video camera.

“I knew they’d be watching, I was nervous going in and it’s just not an environment for me. And I never slept. They asked me to leave at 5 a.m. because they had no information they could use,” Whittington said. “I need darkness, I need quiet, I need my own environment.”

A new sleep doctor offered Whittington another option in the form of a sleep study he could do at home.

“They’re going to get a night of sleep pretty much like they would at home. They’re lightweight and they have a little less anxiety about undergoing the study,” Allegheny General Hospital Sleep Specialist Dr. Daniel Shade said.

“There [were] just three self-adhesive tabs, we just pulled the backing off, and it stuck to your forehead,” Whittington said.

The home sleep tests measure the level of oxygen in your bloodstream, air flow through your nose, snoring levels and head movement. Some versions also measure brain waves and muscle movement.

Even though the setting was more comfortable, Whittington still had concerns.

“I was worried I would knock it off. I’m a very restless sleeper,” Whittington said. “I was nervous, but I was willing to try it because I know I can’t sleep in the hospitals. I can’t do it.”

As it turns out, it was quite simple.

“I fell asleep. I slept with it with no problem,” Whittington said.

When the nose piece got knocked out of place, an alarm sounded.

“I got up, I fixed it and I went right back to sleep,” Whittington said.

He was able to complete a night’s recording and he drove back to the hospital to drop off the gear.

“They said they got good information from it,” Whittington said.

However, is it really as good as a study in the lab?

“It’s close. It’s not as good,” Dr. Shade said. “There is some data loss to these units, because you don’t have a technician there at night, so if it does fall off, or doesn’t record, you’ve lost a night of data.”

Whittington’s home test showed he does have sleep apnea and now he has to go in to be fitted for CPAP, which is a type of mask with pressurized air to be worn at night

Whatever the result, Whittington said doing the study at home was far better than going to the lab.

“It was one of the most comfortable things I’ve done,” Whittington said.

The test is designed for someone who has all the signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, which is a problem where too much tissue blocks the airway.

That causes the person to snores, or even stops breathing.

It’s not for someone with other medical problems, such as heart failure, or issues with the nerves and muscles.

Also, it’s not meant to diagnose other kinds of sleep problems like narcolepsy or certain types of movement disorders that interfere with sleep.

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It’s what almost claimed the life of KDKA-TV News Anchor Susan Koeppen. But, she is alive in part to the quick action of some passers-by who performed CPR.

In the hopes of inspiring more people to learn what to do to save a life, Koeppen has shared her incredible story.

We have compiled a list of links and resources to information about CPR to get you started.

Follow the links below to find a CPR class near you!

• Find a Local CPR, First Aid or ECC (Emergency Cardiovascular Care) Class
• Children’s Hospital Community Education Classes
• American Red Cross Classes
• YMCA Of Greater Pittsburgh
• UPMC Classes
• West Penn Allegheny Health System Classes
• CPR Pittsburgh
• UPMC
• Citywide CPR
• CPR Search
• Pittsburgh Classes

RELATED STORIES:

• Susan’s Story: Road To Recovery (5/19/12)
• Susan’s Story: CPR Training Can Save Lives (2/3/12)
• Susan’s Story: Meeting The People Who Saved Her Life (1/24/12)
• Susan Koeppen’s Story: The Gift Of Life (1/23/12)
• KDKA-TV News Anchor Susan Koeppen Recovering (11/22/11)
• About Susan Koeppen
• More from KDKA Consumer Editor Susan Koeppen

It may sound counterproductive, but two local women gave it a shot.

Standing in for metal spikes are thousands of very sharp plastic points.

The Halsa Mat is based on 5,000 years of early Hindu Vedic tradition. It’s advertised to help with stress, fatigue, low energy, muscle tension, back pain and insomnia.

Its companion pillow is touted to relieve serious headaches.

“I guess the lure was – I have arthritis in my neck and every morning I awaken with a headache,” Charlotte Boreland said.

Two weeks ago, Jackson went to the Himalayan Institute looking for volunteers. Boreland was up for the test because she’d rather avoid headache medication.

“And so I thought, ‘Why not give this a try and see if there’s any benefit to it?’” Boreland said.

Initially, it was too painful to rest her head directly on the pillow. However, covering it with t-shirt material did the trick.

She used the mat for 20 minutes a day and two weeks later, she’s waking up free of neck pain and headaches.

“I will probably continue using it and my husband is using it. I use it first, he uses it after me and he is sleeping better at night,” Boreland said.

“The concept behind that is touch can stimulate your body to create hormones, and factors that make you feel better – which then can make you relax your muscles,” Dr. Don Whiting, a neurosurgeon at Allegheny General Hospital said.

Dr. Whiting believes that if you can get relief without medicine or surgery, why not try it?

Joyce Morse had tried everything from chiropractors, to deep tissue massage, and acupuncture. A total of 41 years in dentistry has taken its toll.

“Well, I have stenosis in my left neck and stenosis in my lumbar,” Morse said.

However, after two weeks of using the Halsa Mat three times a day, the results have not paid off like Boreland’s.

“I am not convinced either way and I would like to continue using it a little longer,” Morse said.

Morse thinks that her experience with the mat may have been affected by too much gardening and rainy weather during the trial period.

There are a number of different companies making these acupressure products and Halsa is the Swedish version.

They’re not cheap either. Ordinarily, a set of mat and pillow runs nearly $80, but you can find them on sale for about $60.

You can also buy the items separately to cut down on the cost.

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Two days later, something went horribly wrong.

“This shouldn’t happen – not in intensive care,” Kathleen Fandray said.

“I want them to change something – they have to,” she continued. “People cannot go through this.”

Intensive care patients are watched around the clock by nurses. Monitors record all of their vital signs.

The monitors show any drop in blood pressure, any breathing problems, anything unusual and they sound an alarm if by chance a patient pulls a monitor off.

Somehow, according to documents, Robert Fandray wasn’t on those monitors.

“I believe that he went into cardiac arrest and either the monitor and the alarms were off or they were just completely ignored – that’s what I truly believe happened,” Gregory Fandray, the victim’s son, said. “For almost 17 minutes so he could have gone 17 minutes without oxygen.”

Those suspicions were confirmed in two separate Shadyside Hospital documents obtained by the KDKA Investigators.

Reports filed by medical staff after Fandray’s death indicate family members asked, “How long he was down (without a pulse or heartbeat) to get a better idea of what his brain damage might be.

“Dr. Crispino said that they don’t know how long he was down because he wasn’t connected to the monitor machine.”

The document goes on to say “that cardiac monitor has been sent out to a third party for examination.”

The tests showed the monitor to be in working order.

A second document confirms the worst fears of family members. Referring to Fandray it states, “He was not on the monitor at the time of (cardiac) arrest.”

“I would like for them to admit their fault and make changes in procedures just to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again.”

Sources close to the investigation tell KDKA’s Marty Griffin, “The monitors were off for approximately 16 minutes.”

Sources also indicate “mistakes were made.”

“I think there’s no question he would be alive today,” Jon Perry, the plaintiff’s attorney, said. “Otherwise why would you subject a man to six bypass surgery if you didn’t have a very good opinion that he would survive for many years after you did that?”

No comment from UPMC regarding the lawsuit.

KDKA’s Marty Griffin reports sources say negotiations are under way with the family in hopes of avoiding litigation.

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For some people, that means a drive northwest of Pittsburgh for an experimental treatment.

It’s still in the clinical stages and while some doctors aren’t certain about it yet, one local doctor is. Two of his patients swear it’s changed their lives.

Kevin Wurster, from Knox, and Lee Johnston, of New Castle, suffered from chronic, constant headaches.

Lee’s started after a car accident.

“My life had gone from a nurse doing everything to down to nothing,” she said. “I couldn’t enjoy my life with my kids … I wasn’t cooking. I was laying on my sofa.”

And Kevin’s migraines were so bad they caused him to go on disability.

“It was just like I wanted to crawl into a hole, shut off all noise and just curl up into a ball,” he said. “They would get that bad. And I’d have them every day, all day long.”

Both of them tried the standard treatments, but some of them affected their ability to function.

“They’ve tried physical therapy, anticonvulsants, antidepressants and opiates,” Dr. Thomas Ranieri, of Allied Pain Treatment Center, said.

After a thorough evaluation to make sure there were no other medical problems that could be causing their headaches, they decided to try something different – electrical stimulation of the nerves along the back and front of the head.

The idea is to deliver electric currents to those nerves to block pain signals from entering the brain and spinal cord.

“The patient will come here, and under a local anesthesia and sedation, have placement of the electrodes under the skin on top of the eyebrows,” Dr. Ranieri said. “We place them on their stomach and we place electrodes in the back of the head.”

“They go home for about a week,” he continued.

If it works, the patients can then opt for a more permanent implant.

“And if they like the device, if they like the stimulation and it helps improves their headache, then they’ll go on to an implantation under general anesthesia,” Dr. Ranieri explained.

Dr. Ranieri has done about 200 of these implants since 1999. It’s not part of any clinical trial.

In fact, the device was initially made for treating spinal cord pain and it’s this unorthodox use for migraine that has some in the local medical community hesitant.

“Outside the context of a clinical trial, it is not something that we’re recommending here,” Dr. Robert Kaniecki, of UPMC’s Headache Center, said.

Dr. Kaniecki, a neurologist and headache specialist, says the American Headache Society has issued a report stating patients and doctors should be cautious in seeking or recommending surgical therapies for chronic headaches.

“The big concern is that none of these treatments have shown any long term results for benefit,” he said.

In fact, he has patients with surgical devices just like this who say their headaches have gotten worse.

And there are other concerns such as the electrodes shifting inside the body and the high risk of infection – both of which may suggest a need for well-designed clinical trials like one being done at Allegheny General Hospital.

Doctors are testing the device for head and neck pain, but not specifically migraine.

“We have patients that go out five, seven years with successful stimulation,” Dr. Michael Oh, AGH Neurosurgery, said. “We know that it’s working because when the battery dies, they come back.”

While he’s not opposed to it being used for migraine, he does believe these studies are necessary. But either way, this kind of treatment should be a last resort.

“Instead of sectioning and cutting nerves, what we’re doing is trying to intervene with electrical signals, with pumps, and I think that is the future of a lot of pain treatments,” Dr. Oh said.

As for Lee and Kevin, they say the device changed their lives. When their week-long trials ended, both began to experience pain again and both opted for the permanent implant.

The device is not FDA approved to treat migraines and as for the cost, it’s not cheap. It runs about $18,000 and the week-long trial costs about $5,000.

But Dr. Ranieri insists he has not had any difficult getting insurance to cover it.

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Dr. Thomas Ranieri: Allied Pain Treatment Center
Dr. Robert Kaniecki: UPMC, Chief, Headache Division
Dr. Michael Oh: AGH Neurosurgery Research

It allows him time to dedicate to his passions, like beating melanoma, which is the cancer that took his wife, Kaye, in 2010.

“When she was young, she was in North Carolina in the tobacco fields picking tobacco and probably was not using suntan lotions,” said Cowher of his wife.

“So, as a child growing up; again, that’s why I say the older you are, be more aware of your body, and there [are] little signs that are there that can help you then make sure that you nip this early enough so that it does not become lethal.”

Cowher has thrown his support behind a group aimed at wiping out melanoma.

“Skin cancer is incredibly common,” says Dr. Elizabeth K. Kale, of Melanoma Exposed. “In fact, one in five Americans will develop some type of skin cancer in their lifetime. That includes non-melanoma types, which are much more common, which are basal and sqamous carcinoma. Melanoma though is without question the most deadly accounting for more than 75 percent of skin cancer related deaths.”

Known as a no-nonsense coach when he roamed the Steelers’ sidelines, Cowher knows the facts about melanoma, and that macho, tough men are not immune.

“Wear large brimmed hats, suntan lotion, staying out of the tanning booths. Don’t worry about your tan. Worry about your skin,” says Cowher. “Like you said men are twice as likely to die from this as women and if you know that – and also know that if you get detected early – you can cure that. But once it gets inside you, it’s lethal and deadly and we are trying to tell as many people as we can about this.”

• Watch Bill Cowher and Dr. Elizabeth Kale’s interview on Pittsburgh Today Live!

Now, Cowher is doing PSAs for the group, Melanoma Exposed.com, urging base-line screening tests before it’s too late.

“The good news is it is not too late,” Cowher adds. “People used to take the approach, the damage is already done. Why bother now? There are some very good studies that if you start today to protect yourself, you can decrease your chance for getting melanoma later in life.”

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A raccoon was seen walking in circles at 43 1/2 and Railroad Streets. Police showed up and shot the animal which later tested positive for rabies, according to Gerald Akrie from Animal Control.

The Allegheny County Health Department reports two previous cases in the county this year. Rabid raccoons were found in both Penn Hills and Shaler.

Akrie went door to door in Lawrenceville warning people to be on the lookout for the possibility of other rabid animals.

Rabies is most commonly seen in skunks, raccoons, stray cats, foxes, bats and groundhogs.

Akrie says pet owners should make sure their animals’ rabies vaccinations are up to date.

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Now, Garrett Webster works for the Brain Injury Research Institute, a group that studies the impact of long-term neurological brain damage.

“The more you learn from every brain, the more it helps science,” Webster said. “(It helps) areas of treatment and areas of diagnoses that we haven’t even thought of yet.”

Webster’s group asked the family of linebacker Junior Seau to donate his brain to their research.

Seau was found dead on May 2 from a gunshot to the chest in an apparent suicide. He was 43 years old.

Seau was a 12-time Pro Bowl linebacker in the NFL, playing for the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots. He played for 20 seasons, calling it a career in 2009.

The Seau family chose another organization in Boston instead.

“We believe our doctors are the best, they believe their doctors are the best,” Webster said. “That the brain’s going to be looked at, that’s No. 1.”

Webster’s father, Mike, played center for the Steelers and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. ‘Iron Mike’ was also the first player to be diagnosed with the CTE – chronic traumatic encephalopathy – a brain disease linked to multiple hits to the head.

“We want it cured yesterday,” Webster said. “We don’t want to see any families like my family. At the end of the day, that is the goal.”

If anyone understands the pain the Seau family is enduring, it’s Webster.

“They should not be going through this,” he said. “Obviously, it’s a terrible situation. You add in the suicide, you add in a guy who is taken 40 years before his time. “(It’s) a terrible positions for them to be in and my heart goes out to them.”

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Passers-by offered these comments:

“You can tell if they’re sensual or if they’re serious or mean.”

“Maybe how sincere they are.”

“If they’re energetic, that shows.”

“If they’re honest, and how genuine they are.”

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, but for doctors, they can actually be windows for something else: your health.

Your doctor can tell a lot about you just by taking a peep.

“We’re able to save some lives by looking in people’s eyes. It doesn’t happen every day, but it’s a rewarding experience when it happens,” says Dr. Kevin Clark, an ophthalmologist in Sewickley.

High Blood Pressure

For example, you might have high blood pressure and not even know it. But one look at the vessels inside the back of your eye and your doctor can know.

“What we call a copper wire reflex of light,” Dr. Clark said. “The arteries take on a copper appearance rather than the normal red. And then where the arteries cross the veins, the arteries will pinch the veins off because of the high pressure in those arteries.”

If it’s bad enough, your doctor may even see strokes or bleeding in the back of the eye.

“And we check their blood pressure and it’s 250/125,” Dr. Clark said.

Much higher than the normal 120/70.

Diabetes

Another health problem your eyes can signal is diabetes. If you have it, tiny blood vessels in your eye can bulge. And you can have a type of cataract — or a clouding of the lens — seen specifically with diabetes.

For instance, a patient in her 30s came in with very mild cataracts, only to return two weeks later barely able to see anything.

“And I said, ‘Your cataracts have gotten worse in the last two weeks. What’s going on with this? Let me send you for blood sugar.’ And sure enough, she turned out to be a diabetic, newly diagnosed,” Dr. Clark describes.

Thyroid Disease

If your thyroid isn’t working properly, this time it’s your eye-lids that can take on a certain appearance.

“If a person has too much thyroid in their bloodstream, that will make their eyes sort of bulge, and make their eyelids look like they have a stare,” Dr. Clark said. “If a person has too little thyroid hormone in their system, their eyes may become a little swollen and droopy.”

Allergies

And we all know allergies can cause red, itchy, watery eyes. This is generally treated with over-the-counter allergy remedies, but in some cases chronic allergies can lead to serious problems.

“Some patients with a chronic problem can develop corneal ulcers, scarring on their cornea, and some can even develop a cataract,” explains Dr. Clark.

Cancer

Sometimes eye problems can reveal even bigger surprises. For example, a man had a temporary black out in one eye. His doctor performed an ultrasound of the large blood vessel in his neck to make sure it wasn’t blocked by build-up inside, and just listen to what he found out.

“There was a lot of compression from his surrounding lymph nodes, and what we found what was causing the compression was metastatic lung cancer to his neck,” Dr. Clark said. “So we were able to diagnose lung cancer on the basis that he had a blackout in his eye.”

Caveats

The eye exam can tell a lot about your health, but not everything and not in all cases.

We never want to rely on just an ophthalmologist’s examination,” says Dr. Clark. “Just because we don’t see a condition in your eyes doesn’t mean you don’t have the condition.”

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“They’re adding it to dark chocolate. I’ve seen it in teas, chais, so they do add the black pepper,” says St. Clair Hospital dietitian Jean Lewis.

A study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry looked at black pepper’s effect on fat.

Cells destined to become fat cells were grown in a petri dish and exposed to an extract of this pungent component of black pepper, called piperine. Turns out, the genes that prod the cell into becoming fat are shut down.

“As far as all peppers in general, they’ve known for years it helps to raise the metabolism,” says Lewis.

In a different study, mice on a high-fat diet had less cell damage in a number of vital organs if they also took in piperine.

What does all this mean for humans?

“They haven’t exactly told you how much, what percentage would work, and what percentage a person can tolerate,” Lewis cautions.

And pepper isn’t completely harmless.

“It can be an irritant to the GI [gastrointestinal] tract,” she adds.

In an unrelated way, it might help your blood pressure.

“As far as black pepper, anything that will help a person use that instead of salt on their food to season, I’m all for that,” says Lewis.

This laboratory-based study suggests black pepper could keep the formation of fat cells in check. A lot more research will have to be done to show the effect in people.

So for now, enjoy. The spice might be nice in ways we don’t yet understand.

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It was four years ago when John Kanzius showed KDKA’s David Highfield his idea to use radio waves to kill cancer.

He had been diagnosed with leukemia.

“And I said to my wife, ‘There has to be a better way to treat cancer,’” Kanzius said.

That better way came from what he knew best – the world of radio. Radio waves are traveling between two boxes.

“Now if I crank it up higher – you can see how bright the bulb gets,” Kanzius said. “The interesting thing is – you put your hand in here and you don’t feel anything.”

But the waves will heat up microscopic pieces of metal injected into the body – they’re called nanoparticles – and Kanzius at the time gave KDKA’s David Highfield an idea to describe them.

“To give you some perspective, imagine this dime is a nanoparticle. That means the cancer cell is the size of Heinz Field, so you can see how small these nanoparticles really are.”

He wondered if those nanoparticles could be directed just to cancer cells and then heated up to kill the cancer without the side effects of chemotherapy.

“I don’t know whether I’ll be around for it to make a difference – but it was never about me anyways – it was really about others,” Kanzius said.

Kanzius died three months later.

“I promised him in one of the very dark days of his illness that I would do everything in my power to see it through,” Marianne Kanzius, Kanzius’ widow, said.

And that’s become her mission. She tells KDKA’s David Highfield they’re now preparing to go to the FDA for permission to test the machine on people.

“He would be very pleased,” she said. “The only thing he wouldn’t like is he’d like to see it done faster.”

At MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, there are 15 people devoted to making John Kanzius’ dream a reality.

The research team is led by Dr. Steven Curley who also made Kanzius a promise.

“He said, ‘I just want to know that this is going to go on.’

“And I said, ‘John, you have my assurance that I’m going to get this human trials,’” Dr. Curley said.

Researchers attach antibodies to the nanoparticles so they actually hunt down cancer cells and then the radio waves heat up the particles and zap the cancer.

“We’ve shown in animal models of both pancreas and liver cancer that we can effectively treat those tumors,” Dr. Curley said.

The next step involves machines they just got.

“This is a huge step,” Dr. Curley said. “This is something John and I talked about for well over a year before his unfortunate untimely death.”

The new equipment is much improved and allows them to test larger animals, such as a pig, which will help them understand how this could work on people.

“This table can hold 800 pounds, so we can obviously treat a human on there,” Dr. Curley said.

While both Dr. Curley and Marianne Kanzius are careful to stress that more testing needs to be done, both remain just as optimistic as John Kanzius was.

“We know this has an immense amount of promise,” Dr. Curley said.

“I’d like to believe that this could be the answer to a lot of people’s prayers,” Marianne Kanzius said.

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But for many women who have lost their mothers, the day may be a hurtful reminder of the unique and loving bond that no longer exists, triggering painful grief. Simply getting through the day may be a struggle.

Cynthia Oliver, director of the Good Grief Center for Bereavement Support in Squirrel Hill, said the death of a mother can be a particularly difficult loss for a woman.

“A mother is the one you often turn to for advice and guidance as you navigate life,” she said. “When a woman becomes a mother herself, she can find it particularly difficult to not have this special bond to rely on. Sadness, depression, anger, guilt and other emotions of grief can last for months or years; there’s no set timetable.”

Grief is a process, not an event. And one of the keys to managing this painful process is to have steady emotional support, such as the “Daughters Without Mothers” bereavement support group that the Good Grief Center offers, Oliver said.

The Daughters Without Mothers group meets at the Center, 2717 Murray Ave., from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month. The next meeting is May 17. Advance registration is required by calling 412-224-4700.

According to Oliver, the group offers participants compassionate support, nurturing, a healing atmosphere, and a safe place to explore how the loss of their mother has impacted their lives. Participants are at various stages of loss. For some, the loss is new; for others, months or years have passed, enabling them to offer others the benefit of their experience.

Women who may not be comfortable with a group environment can opt for individual support at the Good Grief Center by phone or in person, Oliver said.

The Center is the only bereavement resource agency in the region offering comprehensive grief services that include one-to-one emotional support, on-site support groups, grief resource and referral information, and a lending library. Services are confidential and available free of charge for individuals and families.

“The loss of a parent forever changes you,” Oliver said. “It’s perfectly normal to reach out to other people who have suffered a similar loss and can offer support and guidance when you’re experiencing one of the most important struggles of your life. It doesn’t mean that there’s something wrong with you. Grief it’s a natural part of life and even the strongest people can benefit from extra help and knowing what to expect.”

To register for the support group, call agency Director Cynthia Oliver at 412-224-4700 or send e-mail to cynthia@goodgriefcenter.com. For information about the Center, visit www.goodgriefcenter.com.

The Good Grief Center for Bereavement Support offers these tips for adult women who are grieving their mothers:

• Grief is work, requiring time and energy. Write Mom a letter. Say what you would tell her if she was still physically here.
• Ask a trusted friend or coworker what helped them when their mother died.
• Do something positive in memory of your mother. Choose an activity that will connect you to her, such as organizing a special family photo album. Repeat this activity as often and as long as you feel the need.
• Buy some flowers, set them in a vase on a table, and tell your mother aloud that they are for her. It may give you comfort to know that you can still buy something to honor her.
• Seek out others who are helpful and supportive. Do not feel that you need to do this alone. Someone who has been through grief can often empathize with you. This may be a friend, family member, counselor or bereavement support group.
• Take care of yourself. Give yourself time and space to heal. Get enough rest. Eat nourishing food. Give yourself a break.

The Good Grief Center for Bereavement Support (GGC) creates a safe place where people who have experienced the pain of death can work through their loss and learn to manage their grief. For no-cost emotional support by phone or in person, grief education and referrals to community resources, contact GGC at 2717 Murray Avenue, Pittsburgh (Squirrel Hill); support@goodgriefcenter.com; 412-224-4700. Or visit www.goodgriefcenter.com.

You’re thinking, I’m too young and these things only last 10 or 15 years, and I don’t want to go through that kind of major surgery twice.

Well, what about a knee replacement that lasts 30 years?

After years of pain and arthritis, a local 50-year-old daycare owner needed a new knee.

“I do like to interact with the kids sometimes, but it just wasn’t possible some days. It hurt that bad,” said Lisa McCloskey, of Wheeling, W. Va. “It was hard to walk on, it was hard to do anything.”

But because the standard knee replacement only lasts 10 to 15 years, she was concerned.

“It was scary at first because all everyone would talk about is my age,” said McCloskey. “‘You’re so young to have this done; you’re so young to have this done. If you got the regular knee, in 10 years, you’d have to get it redone.’ And I thought, ‘I’m going to be 60, and I can’t go through this again.’”

With her active lifestyle, and her relatively young age, her doctor decided to use a newer kind of knee replacement.

Instead of the usual cobalt and chrome, this one has ceramic over the metal, and upgraded wear-tolerant plastic.

Because of the design, the joint polishes itself, which decreases scratches and breakdown. It’s supposed to last 30 years, based on simulating 30 years of wear in a lab.

This makes it ideal for the patient under 60, which is a group that orthopedists are seeing more and more.

“Because of that patient population, they’re forced to try and find ways to make the implants last longer and longer,” said Dr. Gregory Lavigne, of Allegheny General Hospital Orthopedics.

The 30-year knee isn’t new. It’s actually been around since 1997, but a lot of patients still don’t know it’s an option.

Insurance does cover it, and it’s only a few hundred dollars more than a standard knee.

Nevertheless, it’s still major surgery, and the rehab after can be tough.

So, the knee has to be worn out, and all other treatments have to be tried first before replacement is even considered, which was certainly the case with McCloskey.

“We did the scope; we did the shots you do for five weeks,” she said. “We did all that, and nothing was working.”

They decided to go ahead with the surgery. But McCloskey didn’t know she’d be getting the 30-year knee at the time.

Her doctor told her he would have to see how bad it looked at the time of the operation, and then decide which knee to put in.

The surgery was last October. McCloskey was back to work in December.

“Finding out I had the 30-year knee, I was very excited about that because I know it’ll last,” she said.

Even this newer kind of joint replacement can still fail if there is loosening or wear.

To minimize that possibility, doctors use a computer program that creates 3D models from MRI scans and x-rays to help create the best alignment of the hip, knee and ankle.

The doctors at Allegheny General Hospital have been offering the new kind of knee replacement for the past two years.

They’ve used this in about 50 patients, who Dr. Lavigne says are doing well.

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Most recently we’ve learned about the serious neurological damage associated with repeated concussions – dementia, depression, Alzheimer’s, memory loss and death – some by their own hand.

Former All-Pro Linebacker Junior Seau shot himself in the chest Wednesday. He was 43.

Last month, the Atlanta Falcons safety, Ray Easterling, shot himself at 62. He told his wife he “felt like his brain was falling off.”

And last year, the Chicago Bears’ Dave Duerson, was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. He left a note asking that his brain be used for research.

“A number of players are donating their brains even if they don’t have any obvious problem,” says Dr. Jack Wilberger, chairman of neurosurgery at Allegheny General Hospital.

The current players’ lawsuit against the NFL contends that the league knew as early as the 1920′s about the harmful effects of concussions.

Steeler offensive lineman Terry Long, 46, died after drinking antifreeze. Doctors confirmed that brain damage from his career contributed to his depression and suicide.

And, “Iron” Mike Webster came to his sad end suffering amnesia, dementia and depression.

These lives beg the question: how is high the price to be paid for the love of the game?

“The abnormal behaviors start in their late 30′s and it’s said it gets worse and worse,” Dr. Wilberger said. “The average time to death after they start is about 15 years.”

Even with big fines and suspensions, Dr. Wilberger doesn’t see it changing.

“We see somebody like Mike Webster, who probably never took the kind of hits that Hines Ward would take, still he succumbed to that exact same problem.”

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And it means millions of people insured by Highmark can still get the in-network rate at UPMC.

Healthcare provider UPMC said it would no longer accept Highmark insurance in-network. It meant Highmark customers would pay a huge premium for UPMC doctors and hospitals.

For the folks caught in the middle, it made little sense.

“It’s asinine. That should have never even existed,” said Alice Muhammed, of Homewood. “If they’re for the people here then it should be affordable for everybody.”

“It just seemed like they’re both very well off,” added Pat Monahan, of Greensburg. “They both make a lot of money. They can’t seem to figure how to work together.”

But a deal has finally been struck between the two healthcare giants in the Pittsburgh region, following pressure from the legislature and the Governor.

“The dispute between these two Western Pennsylvania institutions was a cause of great uncertainty and troubling anxiety to many in Western Pennsylvania, from individuals to businesses to associations,” said Gov. Tom Corbett. “I believe we can all breathe easier now.”

The deal means UPMC’s doctors and medical centers will remain in Highmark’s network through the end of 2014.

It also means many people with Highmark insurance can rest a little easier.

“It is good news that we don’t have to switch kid doctors or the doctors that we currently use,” said Kelly Morgano, of Squirrel Hill.

The deal only lasts until the end of 2014. Both say the extension provides more time for patients to make arrangements for care after that date.

But at least for the next couple of years, Highmark customers will have access to UPMC at more affordable, in-network rates.

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These would include drugs for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, certain infections, migraines, asthma and allergies.

“I think it would improve patient access to medicines,” says Allegheny General Hospital pharmacist Michael Korczynski.

But is it safe?

“Patients need to be evaluated by a doctor. We need to determine which medicine is appropriate. We also need to follow them to make sure they’re getting to goal,” says Dr. Marc Itskowitz, a primary care internist at Allegheny General Hospital.

“Most patients will have no idea what their blood pressure should be, how low their LDL cholesterol should be. So you’re really going to need the input of a doctor to get optimal care.”

Even this pharmacist admits, getting meds over-the-counter removes some of the built-in safeguards of prescriptions.

“What it could do it take these medications out of drug interaction screens,” says Korczynski. “I think there’s a perception with this process that physicians would actually be cut out of the loop and I would never be an advocate of that.”

The move could help the government save money on doctor visits and drug coverage funded by Medicare.

It follows that “over-the-counter” would also mean payment for medicine out-of-pocket by consumers.

“If patients find out that they’re going to be paying more for medicines, that may not be something that they find favorable,” says Korczynski.

“While it may be less expensive now, if they would suffer a heart attack or stroke down the road, the system may wind up paying more money to take care of these patients,” Dr. Itskowitz points out.

Within the last few years, there was a push to make cholesterol lowering medicines called statins over-the-counter and that failed.

Through May 7th, the FDA is reviewing public comments on this latest push, though the list of specific drugs under consideration has not been released.

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There are a ton of different diets and devices on the market to help. Now, a device developed right here in Pittsburgh is making headlines nationwide.

It is being used by the best trainers in Hollywood and the everyday person trying to get in shape.

Donnaie Williams, 27, has always struggled with her weight.

“My knees hurt a lot. It’s just uncomfortable. Sometimes people have looks when you are walking down the street,” Williams said.

In 2009, Williams weighed 315 pounds.

“Before this, I tried every diet you can think of. Slim Fast, South Beach Diet, nothing but veggies diet, grapefruit diet, anything you could think of,” Williams said.

She felt defeated until she discovered Body Media.

Body Media is a Pittsburgh-based company, which makes armbands designed to be worn 24/7.

The devices help you understand what is happening in your body each and every minute with on-skin censors.

“Automatically, we will track your calories burned, your activity levels so how active, how much moderate and vigorous activity are you getting and your sleep and sleep efficiency,” Body Media President and CEO Christine Robins said.

They also have food logs and can remind you to take vitamins and drink water.

Data from the monitoring systems is translated trough artificial intelligence and is displayed either on a computer or smartphone.

“You can track your calories or you can track your activity, but weight loss is an equation, a mathematical equation. One pound equals 3,500 calories, and so people need to understand the totality of what they are doing all day and our system will help them track that in a simple format,” Robins said.

Williams tries to eat healthy and hits the gym, but she credits her armband for really helping her drop 130 pounds.

She’s been wearing it for about two years now.

“It keeps you consistent. You cannot fail. I keep telling people you can’t fail,” Williams said.

Body Media has been garnering attention nationwide.

Celebrities have been pictured in magazines, like People and Shape, wearing the armbands and fitness guru, Jillian Michaels is also a big supporter.

The armbands range in price from $149 to $199 and you can buy them on Amazon or locally, in select Best Buy, Giant Eagle and Costco stores.

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Once again, social media sites like YouTube and Facebook have popularized a dangerous new game that’s drawing alarm from parents and medical experts.

In the Salt and Ice Challenge, a participant pours salt on the skin, presses ice cubes into it and holds them in place until the ice melts or until the burning pain becomes so unbearable, they need to stop.

KDKA’s Kym Gable talked to the Chairman of Emergency Medicine at Allegheny General Hospital.

Dr. Thomas Campbell said, “It’s a chemical reaction that pulls heat from the skin and causes a worse burn than they would individually. I’m fortunate that I’m in the emergency department and sometimes get to see these things early. “

The injuries range from redness and blistering to second and third degree burns that often require antibiotics.

“Or in the case of the severe third degree burn, could actually require skin grafting,” said Dr. Campbell. “It is serious stuff and you add to that any alcohol or drugs related to these dares and you have a scenario that’s set up to be a big problem for people.”

The problem is so bad in the Philadelphia area that the Phoenixville School District sent a letter home to parents. Dr. Campbell says he’s not aware of any severe injuries in the Pittsburgh region.

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Now, two doctors have created a device you can use at home, which they claim will do that and more.

The hand-held device is called the Amp MD Roller, which was developed by Rodan and Fields.

“They have this tool in Europe in medical spas, but it’s not a take-home. What Rodan and Fields did is developed the only take-home anti-age roller, so it’s for anyone to use,” Rodan and Fields Sales Consultant Carmela Steliotes said.

You probably know Rodan and Fields for their anti-acne line Proactiv.

The Amp MD Roller is part of their new anti-age line of products.

“The anti-aging line was formulated about four years ago and it’s science based,” Steliotes said. “This is for anyone who’s trying to correct fine lines, wrinkles, pores, scarring, on stretch marks from pregnancy.”

Steliotes said it’s made with tiny, surgical steel needles.

“You can roll your face, your neck, your decollete, scars, acne scars and it creates little tiny, micro channel wounds,” Steliotes said.

Then, within 60 seconds, you apply the serum from an accompanying ball, formulated with peptides and retinol.

The roller is supposed to condition the skin to allow the maximum benefits from the serum.

“You have 60 seconds from the time you roll to apply serum because if you wait longer, everything will close back up again,” Steliotes said.

Libby Mascaro used Proactiv for years and now uses the Amp MD Roller.

She worked her way up to using it every other night, though you can use it every night. She’s also careful to sterilize as instructed.

The Rodan and Fields products helped Libby reduce the so-called “pregnancy mask” on her cheekbones.

“Some of my friends have even said, ‘Have you gotten laser resurfacing? Have you gone to a medial spa or dermatological spa?’ Only investment I made is Rodan and Fields line and I love it,” Mascaro said.

Mascaro also said her skin looks and feels softer, which is something Rodan and Fields said 100 percent of their participants experienced.

The anti-age system costs $300. It includes the roller, serum and sanitizing products, plus a cleanser, mask, toner, day cream and night cream. That’s a 60-day supply.

For Mascaro who has two young children, she likes the price and not having to take the time to go to a doctor’s office for treatments.

“Having my own product to use in my own house whenever I want, morning, noon, night, anytime, it’s a big benefit,” Mascaro said.

KDKA-TV’s Kristine Sorensen asked Dermatologist Dr. Suzan Obagi with the UPMC Cosmetic Surgery and Skin Care Center whether it’s safe and if the science makes sense.

She said they have similar rollers with longer needles that penetrate the skin much deeper, which are painful and cause bleeding. They also get deep enough to stimulate collagen production.

Dr. Obagi said she’s not sure the shorter needles get deep enough to make a difference and you do need to be careful about infection and if you have certain medical conditions.

To learn more, visit www.steliotesfacerx.myrandf.com. You can also call Rodan and Fields Sales Consultant Carmela Steliotes at 412-916-3356.

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(Photo Credit: Simon & Schuster)

Mayim Bialik wrote ‘Beyond the Sling’ to offer her real-life advice as a real mom who has a Ph.D in neuroscience. She believes in Attachment Parenting, which emphasizes strong emotional bonds between children and parents, because it encourages her and her husband to follow their intuition. This intuitive style of parenting extends beyond the baby stage. It even includes how they treat babies and kids (and themselves!) for medical ailments. Added bonus: she played Blossom Russo on the hit show ‘Blossom.’

Between our two boys, ages six and and three-and-a-half, we have dealt with just about every ailment, sickness and flu out there. However, neither of our sons has ever been on antibiotics, nor do we give them Tylenol, Motrin, antihistamines or cough syrup.

I’ve learned from talking to other moms that almost everything you have right now in your home and your heart is enough to deal with most everything. I’m not arguing to be negligent. But too often, I see children being medicated when an ice pack, rest, temporary dietary modifications and good old-fashioned TLC would do the trick!

(Photo Credit: Thinkstock)

General Guidelines

Never second-guess the feeling that something isn’t right.

Don’t hover, but don’t ignore your intuition either.

If you have a feeling that something is not right, check on the baby.

Present parents often have an intuitive sense of their baby’s status that translates to knowing their well-being even from afar. It’s not hocus-pocus, it’s for real!

Watch how you speak.

Phrases like, “You’re OK,” “Stop crying,” “Big boys/girls don’t cry,” and “There’s nothing to cry about” send a message that getting hurt and expressing pain makes people uncomfortable.

(Photo Credit: Thinkstock)

Top Sicknesses

Here’s how we handle the top four sicknesses most households see:

Earache

About 70 percent of earaches are NOT bacterial and do not need antibiotics. What they need is rest and treatment for discomfort such as garlic drops or breast milk (!) in the ears, or hydrogen peroxide dosed appropriately.

Fever

Fever can be bacterial but is most often viral. Fever is there to kill the virus, so give tepid baths and dress the child in minimal clothing to keep them from overheating.

Plugged tear duct/eye inflammation (not diagnosed pink eye)

Gentle and frequent massage of a baby’s tear duct (towards the bridge of the nose) and breast milk dropped into the eye every time you nurse should clear this up!

Flu

For respiratory flu, a few drops of eucalyptus oil in the bottom of a shower with hot water running can steam up a bathroom for relief from congestion; a cut-up onion wrapped in a cloth handkerchief and placed near a pillow stimulates a runny nose to get the virus out. Rest and tons of fluids are crucial. For stomach flu, wait out the vomiting and diarrhea but don’t stop it up with medicines. It needs to get out! Encourage bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. Know the signs of true dehydration (dry lips, weakness, unresponsiveness) and stay close to your child to monitor them.

Children hurt for a lot of different reasons, and a parent’s desire for a child to be free of pain is universal. I implore you to take very seriously the charge given to you. Protect this tiny, dependent person not only with what Western medicine can offer you, but also with the intuition that is yours simply because you are a caring and loving parent.

Visit the Mother’s Day Section at CBS Local.

They discussed the state extending a deadline that children going to school need to be vaccinated.

Dr. Wong also talked to Mike about rumors and false information about children not need to be vaccinated to go to school.

You can listen to the interview here!

You can also listen to Mike Pintek weekdays noon to 3 p.m.

The study appears to back up what many people living there have been saying for years.

“I’m one of the lucky ones,” Patty Ameno said. “There’s been parents burying their children here.”

Ameno is a fighter. She’s had neurosurgery for one brain tumor and has another. She’s also survived uterine cancer.

She grew up within 100-feet of a plant operated by Babcock & Wilcox and Atlantic Richfield which produced uranium fuel in Apollo and Parks Township from 1958 to 1984.

Patty claims the onset of cancers here come at much younger ages like Stacia Bellefield who died of a malignant brain tumor before her third birthday.

“And the mother is now dead,” she said. “She had two different types of cancers.”

Patty was part of the first lawsuit against the companies and has made it her business to keep a litany of lost lives.

A new study from Harvard University’s Environmental Health and Safety Department looking at the alleged decades-long release of radioactive particles at the plants will booster a second lawsuit for 90 local cancer victims.

Among the findings was the Apollo plant’s “ventilation system was outdated and poorly designed” and “it should have never been located in a residential neighborhood.”

A fire at the plant in 1963 “exposed lungs to radiation doses 2 to 280 times permissible levels allowed back then.”

And “during incineration operations airborne radiation concentrations were 4 to 4,000 times the maximum allowable.

Apollo Borough Manager Lori Weig-Tamasy says this kind of expert study is hugely reinforcing.

“Something did go on in this community that was at the expense of the people that live here,” she says, “and fortunately this is now validating it.”

The Apollo Babcock & Wilcox plant has been erased from the landscape, but there are people in surrounding communities who contend there’s still plenty of contamination in the water, soil and from waste dumps.

On May 2nd, another report is due out tracking the health impacts from radiation exposure.

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“It’s that ‘Oh I don’t eat that much,’ that little bit here and there, that does them in,” says Jean Lewis, a dietician at St. Clair Hospital.

In a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers at Harvard have pinpointed specific foods that contribute to weight gain over the long term. These foods are potato chips, French fries, pop, red meat and processed meat.

Foods that do not contribute to weight gain are fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and yogurt.

This is based on following 120,000 people over 20 years. They were normal weight to start. The people in the study gained an average of just over three pounds every four years. This was most strongly linked to eating the bad foods and less likely with eating the good foods.

Over the years, the way to prevent this “weight creep” is to be mindful of what you eat and to stay active.

“As we age, our metabolism slows down anywhere from two to ten percent per decade,” Lewis continues. “It’s not like all of a sudden they start exercising that it’s going to do something. You have to have those good habits throughout your life.”

Lifestyle factors were tracked as well. Watching television and getting less than six or more than eight hours of sleep a day were also associated with weight gain.

The dietician adds it’s not only eating habits, but genetics too that contribute to weight gain. If people on both sides of your family tend to be overweight, you might be especially prone to weight creep and then some so diet and exercise become even more important to maintain.

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The American Lung Association just released its “State of the Air” report.

Pittsburgh and the surrounding counties have a long way to go, when it comes to improving air quality.

In a report released by the American Lung Association, the region was ranked sixth in the list of 25 most polluted metropolitan areas in the nation.

“It makes everybody a little apprehensive when you say we are in the lower tier as far as the quality of the air, that’s disturbing,” Keith Weston said.

The data was collected over three years and focuses on ozone and particle pollution caused mostly by cars, trucks, coal fired power plants and coke making facilities.

Allegheny County scored an “F” in both categories.

The surrounding counties didn’t rank much better as Washington and Westmoreland received a “D” in both.

Beaver and Mercer received an “F” in ozone, a “B” in particle pollution.

“Ozone is linked to triggering asthma attacks and just respiratory problems in general. It can actually be like a sunburn on your lungs,” Rachel Filippini said.

Although it may seem like all doom and gloom, it’s not. These findings are actually an improvement over reports in previous years.

“Improvements are being made, but the problem is, the improvements aren’t happening as fast as many other metropolitan areas, so we are still lagging behind,” Filippini said.

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Rita Tikofsky has been living with pain. She has arthritis that gets especially bad in her shoulder.

“If I’m extending it and using it for anything such as reaching for a high shelf or opening one of the heavy doors,” says Tikofsky.

But the new use of an old technology is giving Tikofsky some relief.

Doctors at one New York hospital are using ultrasound to take a look at the joints and pinpoint inflammation with better accuracy.

“Traditionally, we use our fingers to feel the joint and see if there is inflammation or swelling,” says Dr. Dimitrios Pappas, a rheumatologist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

Doctors then let the ultrasound guide them as they inject medication or drain fluid.

The ultrasound is inexpensive and can be done immediately at a patient’s bedside, which eliminates the need for an x-ray or an MRI.

“We can do it having a patient moving, we can see the joint in motion,” said Dr. Pappas.

After getting Cortisone shots, Tikofsky says she already feels better.

“I can do things that may seem small, but are important to me,” she said, “Such as being able to wash my hair without pain.”

She’s also thankful there’s less guessing when it comes to her pain relief.

There are other benefits of the ultrasound. Patients no longer have to be exposed to radiation from x-rays and MRI’s are expensive, so the ultrasounds save money.

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There were over 50 people signed up to speak, including politicians such as Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, representatives of health care organizations and business owners.

During opening remarks, Insurance Commissioner Michael Consedine said that no decision would be made at the end of the day, but added that the public comments would aid in the final decision.

The objective of the review by the department is to look at the impact of the merger on the entire state and any consequences it will have on competition.

Roseanna Placey, spokesperson for the State Insurance Department, said, “We have to make sure that the insurance buying public is not harmed in any way if this transaction goes through.”

Before public comments, Acting CEO and Chairman of the Board, J. Robert Baum said, “This transaction is consistent with our long standing community tradition to maintain choice and access for all subscribers to affordable quality healthcare.”

Given the dire financial situation that WPAHS is in, Commissioner Consedine said the department understands the need to move expeditiously.

Wanting to take into consideration all of the testimony from the public hearing Tuesday, though, a date was not given as to when the review would be complete.

Highmark will not be able to change their corporate structure without approval from the State Insurance Department.

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They take listeners’ calls and address concerns about aging and coping with illness and death.

You can listen to the interview by clicking the link below:

Listen to Chris Moore Sundays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on NewsRadio 1020 KDKA.

Sheila Roy says she can finally enjoy life at her countryside home in England.

She’s lived with Parkinson’s disease for 17 years, but a team of Oxford scientists developed a treatment that changed her life.

“I can see a glimmer of the person I used to be now, which is really exciting,” said Roy.

She is one of only 15 people in the world to take part in a gene therapy experiment.

Scientists create and inject a virus into the brain. The shot jump starts the production of dopamine, which is the chemical patients need to fight Parkinson’s.

Without dopamine, Parkinson’s sufferers often shake and can’t control their movements.

“In principle, it should give patients a better quality of life through their day because of less ups and downs during the day,” said Dr. Philip Buttery, of the Cambridge Center for Brain Repair.

Researchers spent years in the lab testing the treatment on animals, including mice, injecting medicine into their brains.

Once they had success, scientists began trying the treatment on a small number of people.

Doctors say more studies – involving hundreds of patients – will be needed to prove the treatment is safe and works long term.

“If you can treat the symptoms and control in some way the deterioration in what you can do, it has to be better for you. And it is,” said Dr. Buttery.

Roy knows it’s not a “cure,” but says she feels 10 years younger. Other gene therapy experiments are happening in the United States.

But the British experiment is the first treatment in the world that generates dopamine in a patient’s brain.

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The anniversary of that incredible moment was commemorated with a video conference linking doctors and students around the world, on the very campus where Dr. Salk conducted his research.

“At the age of six months I contracted polio,” said KDKA News anchor Stacy Smith from the podium. “And when I first came down with it, I was totally paralyzed. All I could move were my eyes.”

While moderating the event, Smith shared his experiences, which included 13 major surgeries.

The conference was organized by Carl Kurlander, producer of an award winning documentary film called “The Shot Felt ‘Round the World.” He said the project grew out of conversations with his daughter.

“She said, ‘Tell it to me again, Daddy.’ So I realized the power of this polio story which is so rooted in Pittsburgh, and how it could be connected to this idea of changing the world,” said Kurlander.

By the end of next year, doctors hope to finally eradicate the virus which lingers in remote regions of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria.

“I was in an iron lung for several months,” said Ron Flynn, who spent 10 years of his childhood at D-T Watson Institute. He was among the first to test the experimental shots of the early ’50s. Too late for him, he paved the way for others.

“We’re like dinosaurs,” Flynn said of those infected with the disease. “We’re becoming extinct. And that’s a good thing.”

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University of Pittsburgh: Ending Polio’s Reign Of Terror

Highmark cleared a big hurdle in its bid to buy West Penn Allegheny Health System, but there’s still lots of legal wrangling and approvals that have to happen before they officially become one unit. On top of that, there are still lingering issues with UPMC and Highmark, as well as Highmark’s former CEO.

KDKA AM’s Larry Richert and John Shumway talk to Michael Consedine, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance, which will be the next big approval Highmark will need before the merger will continue, and he talks about the process, as well as what it means to you and your healthcare.

Click the link below to listen to the full interview:

She started taking insulin for Type II diabetes. That’s when she started packing on the pounds.

“I quickly gained about 20 pounds within three months,” she said. “Of course, no woman wants to gain that type of weight.”

“It’s common,” says Dr. Patricia Bononi, an endocrinologist at West Penn Hospital. “The average is about 10 pounds. People will gain weight when they start insulin, so it’s really important to watch the diet and exercise to kind of head that off because you know it’s probably coming.”

This is thought to happen because with insulin sugar can now get into muscle where it’s stored as fat.

You can see weight gain with a variety of drugs — anti-inflammatories, steroids, mood stabilizers and some high blood pressure medicines.

The reasons why some drugs may cause weight gain are not always clear. Some increase appetite or cause food cravings. Others slow the body’s metabolism. That doesn’t mean it’s a guarantee you’ll gain weight.

“Not everyone gains weight,” Dr. Bononi said. “It is a potential side effect.”

Weight loss experts say with medication-related weight gain, exercise doesn’t always work and that can be frustrating.

“It tends to be demoralizing where people try and then they just keep bouncing back and they can’t understand why they’re not making progress,” says Dr. Louis Aronne at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

If you suspect your medication is to blame, see if you can be switched to a different drug. If you can wait, new alternatives are in the pipeline.

“Some of them work more in the intestine and the liver to reduce insulin secretion because it’s thought the insulin secreted by the liver is what leads to weight gain,” Dr. Bononi said.

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However, paramedics and EMTs are facing a drug shortage that’s making their job more difficult.

If you needed certain medications urgently, would they be there for you?

For the past 18 months, there’s been a shortage of several emergency use drugs. These include the narcotic pain reliever morphine, a medication for seizures, Valium, a drug for severe nausea, Zofran, and the narcotic reverser, Narcan.

Because of the shortage, the paramedics are forced to use a hodgepodge of supplies.

That can slow them down when time can be of the essence.

“If you notice, whenever I opened up in the medic unit, there [were] three different types of packaging in there. We’re used to one single dose, pre-filled syringe. But, there was a single-dose vial, there was an ampule, and there was one pre-filled syringe,” Scottie Garing from West View EMS said. “Information’s found on different parts of labels, in different locations, written smaller, written larger.”

Also, patients have to be just right for the medicines on hand.

“In the case of Zofran, for example, if someone is mildly nauseated, they may withhold that Zofran for the person who is severely nauseated, or actually vomiting,” Garing said.

In some cases, substitutions are made.

“There’s been a handful of seizure patients that we would have liked to have given Valium to who got Versed or Midazolam in its place,” Greg Porter from West View EMS said.

Alternatives in the same drug family are approved by the state. But, sometimes they aren’t exactly the same.

“So, with heart attack, the standard drug is morphine, for the reasons of making the heart work less hard, but if there was no morphine, we had to use fentanyl,” EMS Medical Director Dr. Paul Paris said.

Fentanyl doesn’t have the same effects on the heart. In some cases, there’s nothing similar to give in its place.

“Narcan, which reverses opiate overdose. there is no other drug on the state formulary that would do that when someone has had too much of an opiate,” Dr. Paris said.

These drugs are not under patent and they aren’t expensive. So, why is there a shortage?

“Because it’s not expensive. There’s not a great profit margin,” Dr. Paris said.

In cases where there is not a good substitute, Dr. Paris said there has been regional sharing. A rescue squad with no supplies may get some from another station in the area that might be better stocked.

How and when the shortage will end, no one knows. But, they all agree that more reliable sources for medications need to be in place.

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• Pre-op Chest X-Rays

For example, do you need a chest x-ray before outpatient surgery? If your physical exam is normal, you do not. Getting a chest x-ray does not make the surgery go any more smoothly and it exposes you to unneeded radiation.

“Some physicians are stuck in a long tradition of practice patterns, that for many years, this is how it’s been done. But it turns out as it has been studied, it’s been found not to be helpful and patients’ outcomes are not affected,” says Dr. Marc Itskowitz, an internist at Allegheny General Hospital.

• Annual Cardiac Stress Test

Will a yearly cardiac stress test help your doctor take better care of you? If you’re otherwise healthy, no.

“It may make the person feel better, that they had a stress test which was fine, but it doesn’t really add any other value,” says AGH cardiologist Dr. Srinivas Murali.

• CT Scans and Antibiotics for Chronic Sinusitis

How about a CT scan or antibiotics for a chronic sinus infection? Generally, it will go away in two weeks if you don’t do anything at all. If you got a CT — all you would see is inflammation anyway.

“But it will not distinguish between viral causes and bacterial causes, so it really does not help change our therapy,” Dr. Itskowitz points out.

• Brain Scans After Fainting

And after fainting, do you really need a head scan? There’s no evidence that people who get the high tech pictures do any better.

This is just a sampling. The complete list includes 45 tests, treatments and procedures that should not be automatic.

The idea behind these recommendations is to make patient care safer, improve quality and decrease the overuse of health care resources.

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What Pellen didn’t realize was that this girl wasn’t just seeking donations – she was recruiting runners to become a part of Team in Training, the first and largest endurance training program of its kind to train runners to compete in races nationwide, all the while raising tremendous amounts of money to benefit the LLS.

Pellen immediately jumped on board, signing up to run a half marathon in the spring, thinking it would be a good way to stay fit and raise money and awareness for this organization.

“I had always been a casual runner,” explained Pellen, “a couple of miles runner, but a half marathon – this was totally out of my element.”

Five months later, Pellen is just one of 2,300 runners that competed in the 12th annual Sean T. Smith Memorial Just A Short Run on Saturday, March 31 at North Park in McCandless Township.

Don’t let the name fool you – Just A Short Run is tougher than it sounds. It is comprised of four different events that runners can participate in: a 5K run/walk, an 8.1 mile run, a half marathon and a 30K run.

This benefit race supports the LLS, a voluntary health organization committed to finding a cure for and eradicating blood cancer. Pellen was one of 10 TNT participants that braved the chill and proudly sported purple at the race on Saturday. Over a course of five months, these 10 individuals collectively raised over $8,000 for the LLS.

All proceeds directly support cancer research as well as patients and their families. Funding targets the four chief blood cancer killers: leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma.

Carol Wilson of Downingtown, Pa., whose husband was diagnosed with leukemia in 2007, witnessed firsthand how money raised for the LLS benefits cancer patients and their families.

The society reimbursed her for the amount of money spent on gas when driving to and from the hospital in Philadelphia every day, as well as parking. The LLS also took care of extra prescriptions for her husband that were not covered by insurance, and made her aware of the latest cancer treatments taking place worldwide.

“The LLS let me tune in online and listen to different AML [Acute myeloid leukemia] conferences going on around the world,” said Wilson. “They tell you what’s going on with AML today and what’s on the horizon for the future. They make you the advocate and give you questions to ask your doctor; most importantly, are you receiving the latest, cutting edge treatment? The money really is going directly to the people and their education on these diseases.”

TNT participants are among the major benefactors that make this possible.

“Team in Training is the largest fundraising arm of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society,” explained Chelsea Trimble, the Campaign Coordinator for Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. “Our participants are a big part of how we can donate $76 million dollars a year to blood cancer research. The TEAM is saving lives and getting healthier by doing so.”

TNT’s training program, designed for both novices and veterans, is run by certified coaches who know the ins and outs of the endurance world, explained Trimble.

“These are the people that work so hard to create the training schedules as well as the one-on-one support that our participants get,” said Trimble. “Our program specializes in a conservative training program for beginners but our coaches can also create more advanced schedules for experienced athletes.”

The coaches also give runners nutrition advice as well as tips on form and how they can compete the event in a timely but safe manner.

Pellen found the weekend group runs to be especially valuable, as they not only motivated her physically, but were truly inspirational, as members would give short speeches before they conquered their required mileage for the day, sharing their personal stories about what led them to join the TEAM.

“Training was an amazing experience,” said Pellen. “When you run by yourself it’s great, but when you’re running with the TEAM you feel like you’re a part of something bigger. You’re running alongside all these other people that have a connection to cancer and you share this common interest, this common goal.”

Not only are TNT participants privy to support from coaches, but each runner, whether new to the group or an alumnus, gets assigned a mentor who provides moral support throughout their training.

After completing her first marathon with TNT in 2008, Allison Hricik of Pittsburgh, Pa., decided to become a mentor, wanting to stay connected to the group and give back to the organization that helped so many others.

At a young age, Hricik lost her mother to breast cancer, and while she does participate in breast cancer specific charities, she decided to stick with LLS due to the fact that it allows her to reach so many people who have been affected by cancer.

“Anytime I am out on a race course with my purple TNT shirt on, I know that so many are touched just by knowing that people care and are trying to make a difference,” said Hricik. “The cause is such an important one, and the quality of training that is provided to our participants is superb. While I started with TNT without a personal connection, my continued involvement has led to it become personal.”

For many who competed for the first time Saturday, this event won’t be their last. While each runner received a medal in honor of their accomplishment, it is the knowledge that they are giving hope to others and the promise of one day finding a cure for blood cancer that they truly prize.

“No matter what the reason is for them joining, I hope that they walk away knowing that what they did will far exceed their own personal goals,” said Hricik. “I hope they find pride in their accomplishment. For those who run in memory of lost loved ones, I hope they feel a sense of closeness to that person. While they may have crossed a personal finish line, they also influenced so many others along the way, whether they realized it or not.”

Become a part of the TEAM and help save lives! TNT is currently recruiting for their fall season which includes the Nation’s Triathlon in Washington, D.C., the RTC 2012 Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo in Las Vegas, Nev., the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco, Calif., and the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C.

Those interested can register online at Team In Training’s website, attend a local information session (information for which can be found on the website), call 412-395-2879 or email Trimble at Chelsea.trimble@lls.org.

A National Institutes of Health Study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology says women today take 2.6 hours longer in labor with their first child and two hours longer for subsequent children.

This is based on 140,000 deliveries. Births in the late 1950s and 60s were compared to births from 2002 to 2008.

But a local obstetrician says it’s comparing apples and oranges because today’s techniques of measuring the onset of labor with fetal monitoring are more precise.

“We can see exactly when you’re contracting, when you were in labor, when you started labor, when you finished labor, so the data is going to be a little skewed,” says Dr. Joseph Meyn, and obstetrician at Allegheny General Hospital.

Also, delivery with forceps was far more common half a century ago.

“If you’re constantly putting on forceps and grabbing kids and delivering them, your labor is going to be shorter,” he explains.

The study points out that moms now are heavier, older and are more likely to use epidural anesthesia. But it’s unlikely anything will change.

“If you go to your patients and say, ‘Look, if you want to push an extra hour and be completely comfortable in epidural, or do you want to push an hour less and be uncomfortable,’ the vast majority of patients are going to say, ‘Give me the epidural.’ And I think that’s reasonable,” says Dr. Meyn.

For a first child, the average length of labor is 12 to 18 hours. For additional children, the average length is seven hours.

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