Health Wrap - Reports on Obesity Surgery, Asthma and Energy Drinks

Health Wrap - Obesity Surgery, Asthma and Energy Drinks

A new study shows stomach stapling surgery may reduce one’s risk of heart disease. Mayo clinic researchers were surprised by the findings. The estimated 10-year risk for death or cardiovascular events, such as a heart attack, in the surgical group decreased from 37 percent to 18 percent as a result of the study but remained the same for the control group which didn’t get surgery. Those who underwent bariatric surgery had a more significant improvement in body weight, cholesterol levels, blood pressure and fasting sugar levels, despite a reduction in medications for diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

The researchers estimated that for every 100 patients, the surgery likely would prevent 16 cardiovascular events and 4 overall deaths, as compared with the control group. This is also the first study estimating the risk reduction for death or heart complications. New research shows that many adults with asthma view their condition as temporary, believing they have asthma only when they have symptoms.

More than half of the patients surveyed indicated that they only had asthma when they were experiencing symptoms, a belief researchers labeled as, “no symptoms, no asthma.” That belief was associated with one-third lower odds of adherence to asthma medications during asymptomatic times. Also, 15 percent expected the doctor to cure them of asthma. Of course, asthma isn’t curable, it doesn’t go away, but it is controllable with proper treatment and follow up.

University of Florida researchers say there is a surprisingly high concentration of caffeine in some energy drinks which exceeds the government's recommendations for cold beverages. The food and drug administration recommends a maximum caffeine concentration of 65 milligrams per 12-ounce serving of cola beverages. The caffeine content of most energy drinks exceeded the maximum recommended limit. One energy drink with the highest caffeine content had a whopping 141 milligrams per serving, more than a double-shot cold espresso drink.

In certain people, consumption of caffeine causes serious health effects, such as anxiety, palpitations, irritability, difficulty sleeping and stomach complaints. Because the amount of caffeine is not labeled on the drinks' packaging, pregnant women, children, infants or people with certain psychiatric diseases or anxiety conditions may unknowingly take in too much.

The American Dietetic Association suggests women avoid caffeine while pregnant or breastfeeding, citing findings from studies linking caffeine consumption to miscarriage and low-birth weight babies. Some argue that caffeine is the most widely used mood-altering drug in the world. While caffeine is not considered highly toxic, physicians often recommend cutting back or eliminating caffeine consumption for patients who are pregnant or who have anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia or some kinds of stomach and heart conditions.