Mayo Clinic Health Letter - November 2003

Thursday, November 06, 2003

Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale - Anne Tewksbury - 480-301-4368
Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville - Erik Kaldor - 904-953-2299
Mayo Clinic in Rochester - Carol Lammers - 507-284-5037 (days) 507-284-2511(evenings) e-mail: newsbureau@mayo.edu

Here are highlights from the November issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter. You may cite this publication as often as you wish. Also, you may reprint up to four articles annually without cost. More frequent reprinting is allowed for a fee. Mayo Clinic Health Letter attribution is required. Include the following subscription information as your editorial policies permit: Call toll free for subscription information, 800-333-9037, extension 9PR1.

For Immediate Release

Easing The Pressure When You Fly With A Cold

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — If a nasty cold coincides with planned air travel, what do you do? It's best to avoid flying if possible. The tiny tube (called the eustachian tube), that connects your throat and your middle ear, is often blocked when you have a cold. Normally the eustachian tube equalizes the air pressure buildup in your middle ear with the changing air pressure in the airplane. Blockage can result in unequal pressure, which can cause pain or possible injury to your eardrum.

If you must fly with a cold, the November issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter offers these tips:

• Use a nasal decongestant spray or oral decongestant an hour before takeoff. For long flights, use it again an hour before landing. (Avoid taking two doses without adequate time in between as indicated on the product.)
• Avoid alcoholic beverages, but do drink plenty of nonalcoholic beverages to keep secretions thin and easy to clear.
• Chew gum or suck on candy. It encourages swallowing, which may help open your eustachian tube.
• Use over-the-counter earplugs designed for air travel. They have a filter to slow the rate of air -ressure change on the eardrum.

A Drink for Your Health? Not so Fast

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Is drinking alcohol good for your health? There's been mounting evidence that drinking small to moderate amounts of alcohol may offer some health benefits, particularly in improving cardiovascular health and preventing stroke, vascular disease and dementia.

But those results should be viewed with some caution, according to the November issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter. All studies involving alcohol and its impact on health have been observational — meaning they either look back at what's affected the health of a group of people or observe a group over time. Results can be skewed by diet, exercise or other factors. So far, there's no scientifically proven cause and effect between alcohol use and health benefits.

Without stronger evidence, most physicians won't be encouraging people to start drinking alcohol for health reasons. If you drink alcohol, a safe amount depends on your age and gender. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recommends that men who are 65 and younger should have no more than two drinks a day. Women or anyone over age 65 should not have more than one drink a day. The stricter limits for older people reflects the fact that, with age, people process alcohol more slowly.

Vitamin K — A Possible Help For Bone Health

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Vitamin K, known for its ability to help coagulate blood, has traditionally had a low profile in the world of vitamins. That's starting to change because of information that shows Vitamin K might be important in keeping bones strong and healthy.

The November issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter explains that while results aren't conclusive, some studies have found a positive relationship between Vitamin K and bone health. Low Vitamin K has been associated with increased incidence of hip fractures in the elderly. Likewise, women on Vitamins D and K for two years experienced increased levels of bone density.

Vitamin K is found in many food sources including spinach, broccoli and brussels sprouts. It's in multivitamins and some calcium supplements. For women, the recommended daily dose is 90 micrograms (mcg); for men, it's 120 mcg. People who take blood-thinning medications such as warfarin (Coumadin) should take Vitamin K with caution. It can thwart the effectiveness of the medication.

Mayo Clinic Health Letter is an eight-page monthly newsletter of reliable, accurate and practical information on today's health and medical news. To subscribe, please call toll-free 800-333-9037, extension 9PR1.

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