Top Health Stories 2011

New Year's Eve is the perfect time to reflect on the past year's events. Take a look at the links below to see the top health stories of 2011:

WebMD
The Telegraph
CBC
The Atlantic
CNN
Fox News

The KPL HealthLink team wishes you a healthy 2012! We look forward to providing you with valuable news and health information in the New Year!

Weird Health Story of the Week

In Britian, a 76 year old woman had a felt-tip pen extracted from her stomach after swallowing it 25 years earlier.

In a case report recently published by the British Medical Journal, doctors explain that the woman was complaining of weight loss and diarrhea, and the results of a CT scan spotted the foreign object. Apparently years ago, she was investigating a spot in her throat when she slipped and swallowed it by mistake. Her husband and doctor dismissed her story as the x-ray done at the time was reported as normal.

Although the pen wasn't the cause of her symptoms, gastrointestinal specialists still decided that the pen should be surgically removed.

The most surprising part of the story? After swimming around in stomach acid for a quarter century, the pen still worked!

This Week's Health News in Brief

CBC - Jalapenos may have salmonella, food agency says
CBC - Top 10 health stories of 2011: food chemicals, vitamin D and brain waves
CBC - French breast implants may require removal
CBC - Lead in kids' jewelry prompts recall

Globe & Mail - Spread smackdown: butter versus margarine
Globe & Mail - Health-care efficiency seen as more critical than funds, survey finds
Globe & Mail - Canadian-developed HIV vaccine approved for human testing

Region of Waterloo - The 2011-2012 influenza season starts in Waterloo Region

KW Record - Breast cancer gene may also lead to heart problems, studies find
KW Record - Increase in measles fuels questions about vaccine schedule
KW Record - Common prostate condition is treatable, local urologist says

CTV News - Journals asked to censor controversial bird flu studies
CTV News - Teens who argue with mom might resist peer pressure: studyCTV News - Researchers find different cancers share same genetic flaw

Toronto Star - How to combat holiday stress
Toronto Star - Evaluate your parents’ health over the holidays
Toronto Star - Eating less may boost your brain power
Toronto Star - Scientists kick off barefoot running debate

For more news, visit the library to see the many newspapers and magazines we subscribe to, access our Press Display database featuring 1,700 newspapers from around the globe in 48 different languages, or search for a topic in the Canadian Newsstand database which gives you full text access to 41 different news sources from across Canada.

Health Tool of the Week:
How to Nap (in the spirit of the holidays!)

Mind your heart this holiday season

With Christmas just a week away, there's a lot on everyone's mind - from last minute shopping to hosting guests to decorating to holiday meal planning. One thing people probably aren't thinking about - a holiday heart attack. According to some U.S. based studies, cardiac problems spike during the holidays especially during Christmas and New Years. What's the cause? While the exact reason is not known, it could be a number of factors including overeating, reduced exercise, drinking too much alcohol, emotional stress and decisions to delay seeking medical advice or treatment if something is wrong.

Visit these links for more information and tips on how to have a healthy holiday:
Heart attack warning signs - Heart & Stroke Foundation
Tips for a heart healthy holiday - University of Ottawa Heart Institute
Risk assessment - Heart & Stroke Foundation
Truth behind more holiday heart attacks - WebMD
Holiday eating for a healthy waist - Eat Right Ontario
Holiday health and safety tips - Center for Disease Control & Prevention
High blood pressure information guide - KPL HealthLink

What's for breakfast?

Everyone has heard the saying 'breakfast is the most important meal of the day,' but with busy modern lives it can be challenging to make time for it. So what are the benefits? Taking time to eat in the morning can help control weight, lower cholesterol, improve concentration, and increase your likelihood of having a nutritionally complete diet. Eating a healthy breakfast is even more important for children and adolescents. What constitutes a healthy breakfast? According to the Mayo Clinic - low-fat protein (peanut butter, lean meat, hard-boiled eggs), low-fat dairy (yogurt, cheese, skim milk) whole grains and fruits/veggies.

So what do you consume before heading out the door or on route to work/school? Here is a small list of some common breakfast foods and their surprising calorie counts (all values approximate):

• Bagel with cream cheese - 410 calories
• Coffee and a muffin - 465 calories
• Bowl of cereal - 110 calories (Read related report about high sugar content in children's cereals)
• Breakfast sandwich with egg and bacon - 330 calories
• Yogurt with berries - 150 calories
• Oatmeal - 100 calories

Want more information? Check out these helpful links:
Canada's Food Guide
Calorie Counter Quiz
My Food-A-Pedia
My Menu Planner
Quick and Easy Breakfast Ideas (video)

Or check out these great KPL books:

This Week's Health News in Brief

CTV News - Fit vs. fat: which matters more for a long life?

CTV News - Many women still confused by contraceptive options
CTV News - ADHD drugs safe for adults' hearts, large study finds
CTV News - Serious reactions to MMR vaccine rare, study finds

CBC - Facebook suicide prevention chat service launched

CBC - Surgery wait times longest in 18 years

CBC - Money worries are driving an increase in sleep loss, stress

KW Record - Cure for the common cold could be a squirt away

Globe & Mail - Could a simple shot in the arm help treat Alzheimer's?
Globe & Mail - Cost a barrier for 'sicker' Canadians in need of health care: report

Toronto Star - Yoga may ease insomnia, menopause problems
Toronto Star - Do you suffer from Sunday night insomnia?
Toronto Star - Barefoot workouts gain ground

For more news, visit the library to see the many newspapers and magazines we subscribe to, access our Press Display database featuring 1,700 newspapers from around the globe in 48 different languages, or search for a topic in the Canadian Newsstand database which gives you full text access to 41 different news sources from across Canada.

Health Tool of the Week:
A Guided Tour of Your Body

Programs @ KPL: Thriving with Autism. TONIGHT, Grand River Stanley Park

with Jackie McMillan, BES

Jackie is an autistic adult, who found her way “out of the fog” through dietary and environmental changes. She’ll discuss why autism is on the increase and the three easiest changes that will help families the most

Note: Please refrain from wearing scented products when attending this program

Register for by calling the library at 519-896-1736

Tuesday December 6 at 6:30 pm
Grand River Stanley Park