ALCOHOL USE/BREAST CANCER
Moderate alcohol consumption produces an increased risk of breast
cancer according to a study reported by the Cancer Prevention
Studies Branch of the National Cancer Institute of Bethesda,
Maryland. (New England Journal of Medicine 316(19)1163-73, May, 7,
1987) Copyright Phylis Austin
ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL/COLD BATHS
Baths of 18 degrees C. (64.5 degrees F.) were effective in treating
delirium tremens according to a report from France. The sufferer
was placed in water up to his shoulders and cold water poured over
his head. The baths may be given two or three times a day. The
cases in the report slept quietly for two hours after each bath.
(Journal of American Medical Association 26:616, March 28, 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin
FEBRILE SEIZURES IN CHILDREN/MATERNAL SMOKING/ALCOHOL USE
Mothers who use alcohol or smoke during their pregnancy or after
the birth of their child, may be increasing their child's risk of
suffering febrile seizures (seizures which develop during a fever).
Febrile seizures are most common between six months and five years
of age, with the greatest incidence from six months to three years
of age. It has been estimated that from two to five percent of
children suffer at least one seizure before they reach the age of
five years.
A study from the Department of Epidemiology at the School of
Public Health and Community Medicine, at the University of
Washington in Seattle, reveals that the use of alcohol by the
mother during pregnancy and cigarette smoking both increased the
risk of febrile seizures. (American Journal of Epidemiology
132:462-473, 1990) Copyright Phylis Austin
CAFFEINE/ALCOHOL/BONE FRACTURES
Caffeine and alcohol both seem to increase the risk of hip and
forearm fracture in middle-age women. A six-year study of almost
85,000 women showed a positive relationship between caffeine use
and hip fracture. Alcohol use was associated with elevated risk of
both forearm and hip fracture.
Caffeine is known to increase urinary loss of calcium. (American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition 54:157-163, 1991) Copyright Phylis Austin
FETAL ALCOHOL EXPOSURE
A single exposure to alcohol while in utero may lead to permanent
changes in the offspring. Some of the laboratory animals tested
showed substantial defects in memory during middle- and old-age.
Abnormalities present in young animals became more pronounced as
the animals aged. (Teratology 45(5)528-529, May 1992) Copyright Phylis Austin
ALCOHOL IN FOOD
It has been taught that the use of alcohol in foods was entirely
harmless as the alcohol was burned off during the cooking process.
A study sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Food and
Nutrition Service, indicates that as much of 85% of alcohol may
remain in food after cooking. (Journal of American Dietetic
Association 92(1)486-488, April, 1992) Copyright Phylis Austin
ALCOHOL WIPE/INSULIN INJECTIONS
The age-old practice of swabbing an injection area before injection
may be valueless, according to a report from Tampa, Florida.
Physicians at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital observed that
many diabetic patients did not swab their skin before giving their
injections, but never seemed to develop infections. They set up a
study to determine whether or not this step was actually necessary.
They studied 50 patients with 600 injections among them. None of
the patients suffered any indication of infection from the lack of
swabbing, but they notice that the injections did not burn or sting
if the skin was not swabbed with alcohol. (Diabetes Care 16(1)402,
January 1993) Copyright Phylis Austin