BLOG.CELEBRITYDIAGNOSIS.COM

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hospitalized

2009-09-25T09:24:00Z

Justice Ginsburg felt faint and lightheaded about an hour after receiving intravenous treatment for iron-deficiency anemia, a condition that was discovered back in July. She was taken to Washington Hospital Center as a precaution.

Justice Ginsburg, 76, was operated on for early-stage pancreatic cancer in February 2009.

Resounding
Health(tm)
Iron-deficiency anemia

"Big Russ" Russert Dead from Natural Causes at 85

2009-09-25T09:01:00Z

Timothy Joseph Russert was the father of the late Tim Russert, long-standing host of NBC's Meet the Press who wrote about his father's life and times in two books. The younger Russert died suddenly from a heart attack in June 2008 at the age of 58.

"Natural causes" is a frequently given cause of death - but what specifically does it mean? Specifying a cause of death is required by law in all states. Death certification provides public health statistics and prevents cover-ups of murder. A death certificate requires two things:

A cause of death: a disease or injury directly related to the death (such as heart attack, AIDS, kidney failure) or the circumstances of death (gun shot wound, hanging)
The manner of death: natural,accidental, suicide, homicide, unknown, pending

Natural causes is a loosely-defined term used by coroners describing death when the cause of death was a naturally occurring disease process, or is not apparent given medical history or circumstances. As long as a physician familiar with the patient agrees to sign the death certificate, no autopsy in required.

Communicating When Naked

2009-09-25T00:15:00Z

By Helen Osborne, M.Ed., OTR/L
President of Health Literacy Consulting

Talking about health and other medical matters had always been easy for me. As an occupational therapist and health-literacy consultant, I felt confident and in charge of conversations no matter which professional hat I was wearing. But after a routine mammogram turned out not to be so routine, I felt more than hatless. I felt naked. Now I had to communicate not as a provider or consultant, but as a patient.

The diagnosis was....

Helen is a friend of ours and let us know that October is Health Literacy Month. You can read the rest of her story on her website.

Resounding
Health(tm)
DCIS

John Travolta Testifies About Son Jett's Seizure Disorder at Extortion Trial

2009-09-24T23:35:00Z

Actor John Travolta continued his testimony today in a trial of a paramedic and a former Bahamian senator who tried to extort money from the star. The two men threatened to release private details of the rescue effort to save the life of his 16 year old son, Jett. Jett, who had suffered a seizure, died after CPR attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. Travolta said Jett was autistic and suffered seizures every five to 10 days. He said the seizures would last 45 seconds to a minute and Jett typically slept for12 hours after each one.

A seizure is the physical findings or changes in behavior that occur after an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. There is a broad spectrum of how this abnormal activity is manifested- anything from a short period of inattentiveness or staring (absence seizures) to a seizure which causes whole body shaking (generalized tonic-clonic seizures). Most seizures last 5 minutes or less. Afterwards, the individual will seem very tired and will go to sleep. We will discuss other aspects of seizures/epilepsy in future blogs on this website, however it is important to know what to do if you witness someone having a seizure.

What To Do If You See Someone Having a Seizure

If you see someone having a seizure with convulsions and/or loss of consciousness, here's how you can help:

Roll the person on his or her side to prevent choking on any fluids or vomit.

Cushion the person's head.

Loosen any tight clothing around the neck.

Keep the person's airway open. If necessary, grip the person's jaw gently and tilt his or her head back.

Do NOT restrict the person from moving unless he or she is in danger.

Do NOT put anything into the person's mouth, not even medicine or liquid.These can cause choking or damage to the person's jaw, tongue, or teeth. Contrary to widespread belief, people cannot swallow their tongues during a seizure or any other time.

Remove any sharp or solid objects that the person might hit during the seizure.

Note how long the seizure lasts and what symptoms occurred so you can tell a doctor or emergency personnel if necessary.

Stay with the person until the seizure ends.

Call 911 if: The person is pregnant or has diabetes.

The seizure happened in water.
The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes.
The person does not begin breathing again or does not return to consciousness after the seizure stops.
Another seizure starts before the person regains consciousness.
The person injures himself or herself during the seizure.
This is a first seizure or you think it might be. If in doubt, check to see if the person has a medical identification card or jewelry stating that they have epilepsy or a seizure disorder.

After the seizure ends, the person will probably be groggy and tired. He or she also may have a headache and be confused or embarrassed. Be patient with the person and try to help him or her find a place to rest if he or she is tired or doesn't feel well. If necessary, offer to call a taxi, a friend, or a relative to help the person get home safely.

(Source: NINDS)

For more information:

Resounding
Health(tm)
Seizures

The Amazing Race Will Have Contestant with Asperger's Syndrome

2009-09-23T15:36:00Z

This season, CBS's Emmy Award winning reality show, The Amazing Race, will introduce a contestant with Asperger's Syndrome. The 26 year old contestant, Zev Glassenberg, will be partnered with his longtime friend, Justin Kanew, 30. Glassenberg told DisabilityScoop.com: “It’s one of my favorite shows and I thought it would be a really, really cool experience. It’s basically a scavenger hunt around the world and I like to do scavenger hunts, so why not do one around the world?”

Asperger's Syndrome (AS) is a developmental disorder which is part of the Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD)- a group of neurological conditions characterized by a greater or lesser degree of impairment in communication and social skills, as well as repetitive or restrictive patterns of thought and behavior. Individuals with AS are differentiated from others with autism in that they retain their early language and cognitive skills, and tend to be less severely impaired than those with autism.

Like those with autism, those with AS tend to be socially awkward, have difficulty with changes in routine, have clumsy and uncoordinated motor movements, and engage in repetitive routines or rituals. The most distinguishing symptom of AS is an individual's obsessive interest in a single object or topic to the exclusion of any other. They frequently have such expertise in this topic, and speak with such formal speech patterns, that they seem like little professors.Children with AS are isolated because of their poor social skills and narrow interests.

The cause of autism and Asperger's Syndrome are unknown. There is no known "cure," however much can be done to help these individuals. The ideal treatment for AS coordinates therapies that address the three core symptoms of the disorder: poor communication skills, obsessive or repetitive routines,and physical clumsiness. There is no single best treatment package for all children with AS, but most professionals agree that the earlier the intervention, the better.

For more information:

Resounding
Health(tm)
Asperger's Syndrome

Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen Out with Turf Toe

2009-09-22T20:11:00Z

Notre Dame's prize quarterback, Jimmy Clausen was injured Saturday in a game against Michigan State. Clausen, who is ranked second in the nation for pass efficiency, is reported to be suffering from "turf toe" and has been seen walking around campus in a protective boot.

Turf toe is actually an injury to the base of the big toe, right at the joint where the first toe meets the foot bone, called the metatarsal phalangeal joint. It occurs when the big toe gets hyperextended and the capsule around the joint is injured (see diagrams below). It is called turf toe because it tends to happen more frequently when players (usually football or soccer) are playing on artificial turf. Symptoms include pain and swelling at the joint. X-rays will be negative for fractures. Treatment consists primarily of rest, ice, protection of the area, and over the counter pain medications.

For more information:

Resounding
Health(tm)
Turf Toe

UPDATE: David Hasselhoff Claims Drug Interaction, Not Alcohol, Cause of his Symptoms

2009-09-21T18:11:00Z

According to TMZ.com, David Hasselhoff claims that he was not drunk, but that he was having a problem with his ears:

"Hasselhoff's people tell us he was being treated by his family doctor for an ear infection and was taking Antivert. Hasselhoff was also taking Antabuse,which prevents alcoholics from drinking. The Hoff's camp says the combination of drugs messed up his equilibrium, he was feeling sick and wasn't able to reach his family doctor."

Hasselhoff was discharged from the hospital after about one hour.

Antabuse , trade name for the drug tetraethylthiuram disulfide, is used in the treatment of alcoholism. Also called sulfiram, Antabuse is nontoxic, but it alters the metabolism of alcohol in the body, making it impossible for one who is taking the drug to drink without experiencing severe discomfort. When alcohol is present the drug increases the concentration of acetaldehyde in the body, causing symptoms resembling those of a bad hangover: the individual feels hot, the face becomes flushed, the neck and head throb, and nausea, vomiting, and headache may follow. Small quantities of alcohol, such as from food sauces and cough medicines, and even inhaled traces from shaving lotions and varnishes, may induce the same symptoms.

Antivert is an antihistamine. It blocks the effects of the naturally occurring chemical histamine in your body. It is used to treat or prevent nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness. It is also used to treat symptoms of vertigo (dizziness, spinning), which can be caused by inner ear problems.

A check for drug interactions at www.drugs.com and www.medscape.com did not specifically find any adverse interactions between these two drugs, however, there are many other drugs/food that can have interactions with either of the two. It should also be noted that an individual can still have an adverse drug interaction despite a "no reaction" result.

David Hasselhoff Taken to Hospital, Allegedly Drunk

2009-09-21T16:09:00Z

Actor, singer, and judge on America's Got Talent, David Hasselhoff, was reportedly taken by ambulance to a hospital Sunday. According to TMZ and the Huffington Post, Hasselhoff's daughter was concerned that he was drinking in excess. This is not "the Hoff's" daughter's first call for help with her father's drinking, as many will recall the video she took of a drunk Hasselhoff eating a hamburger on the floor. No further information is available about what happened at the hospital, or whether he was released at this time.

Alcoholism is an important public health issue in the United States because:

Approximately 14 million people in the U.S. are addicted to alcohol or abuse alcohol
Alcohol is the third leading cause of the preventable deaths in the United States
20% of suicide victims in the United States are alcoholics
Most alcoholics seeking treatment in the U.S. are in the 26-34 age group
In the U.S., 66% of the population consumes alcohol
An alcoholic will negatively impact the lives of 4 or 5 other Americans(such as associates, family, and friends) while under the influence of alcohol
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that there were 17,000 alcohol-related traffic fatalities in each of the last three years

Alcoholism statistics and drunk driving statistics report that alcohol-involved crashes accounted for 46 percent of fatal injury crash costs, 21percent of nonfatal injury crashes, and 10 percent of property-damage-only crash costs.

In the United States, more than 2 million people per year drive "under the influence"
In the U.S., approximately every two minutes, a person is injured in an alcohol-related accident
U.S. alcoholism statistics reported that 2.6 million binge drinkers in 2002 were between the ages of 12 and 17

For more information:

Resounding
Health(tm)
Alcoholism

Roc Raida: Sudden, Unexpected Death of One of the Greatest DJs in Hip-Hop History

2009-09-19T22:26:00Z

Anthony Williams AKA Roc Raida
A family representative said that the legendary turntablist grand master was hospitalized recently but reportedly refused to give any details of any illness or injury, only saying that the death was totally unexpected. Roc Raida was 37 years old.

Quote attributed to Busta Rhymes: “Although he had under gone 2 surgeries with great success, was released to an inpatient physical therapy facility and was in great spirits the past few days. This morning he started to have complications and passed. The family asks for privacy at this time.”

Stream of Twitter R.I.P.s

DJ 101 - Learn to Beatjuggle with DJ Roc Raida 2007 on YouTube.

Advertisement

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2009-09-18T01:12:00Z

Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins in two weeks and, to commemorate its 25th anniversary, we will feature a series of special posts over the next few weeks. This is the first in the series.

One of our main goals at Celebrity Diagnosis is to increase health awareness and medical knowledge using examples of common diseases affecting uncommon people. During our short time in the blogosphere, we have featured a number of stories of uncommon women coping with breast cancer including:

Hester Hill Schnipper
Christina Applegate Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
Dr. Jerri Fitzgerald
Mrs. Phil Mikelson
Maura Tierney

These uncommon women represent the 200,000 women in the U.S. who are diagnosed with breast cancer every year and the 40,000 women who will die from it.

The Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation has recently teamed up with the Avon Foundation for Women to create the Army of Women, a revolutionary project to recruit 1 million women as volunteers to participate in clinical research in partnership with medical researchers. Please check out their site and participate, if you can, in this important project.

Former VP Dick Cheney to Undergo Back Surgery

2009-09-17T17:03:00Z

Former Vice President Dick Cheney, 68, was admitted to George Washington University Hospital today for elective back surgery. The procedure, to be performed by Dr. Anthony Caputy- chairman of the hospital's neurosurgery department, is being done for pain relief from lumbar spinal stenosis.

The spine is made up of 24 bones called vertebrae, stacked on top of each other as well as the sacrum and coccyx (which are fused vertebrae at the base of the spine). Between the vertebrae are cushions made of cartilage, called the intervertebral discs, which keep the spine flexible and act as shock absorbers. Strong fibrous tissue, called ligaments and bony protrusions of the vertebrae called facets help stabilize the spine. There is an oval shaped space that continues throughout the spine, called the spinal canal, through which the nerves pass from the brain out to the rest of the body.

Spinal stenosis is a frequent cause of back pain as people age. The most common cause is degeneration (osteoarthritis) of the spine. Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear on the cartilage which lines the joint surfaces of the vertebrae. Over time, the cartilage can wear away enough that bone rubs against bone, causing back pain and stiffness.The body, in an attempt to repair the damage, will grow new bone in the area, leading to bone spurs, which narrow the spinal canal space.

Another factor that can cause spinal stenosis is related to the intervertebral discs. The discs get worn over time, causing them to become less springy, brittle, flatter, and to develop small cracks. Sometimes, the jelly-like central portion of the disc seeps out (called disc herniation or rupture) and encroaches on the spinal canal.

Symptoms of spinal stenosis include pain, numbness and tingling, and muscle cramps. The location of these symptoms is dependent on the area of the spine where the stenosis occurs. In lumbar spinal stenosis, in addition to leg pain, cramps and numbness, loss of bowel and bladder control can also occur. Patients may be treated with symptomatic therapy (pain medications, physical therapy) for a prolonged period of time. However, if symptoms are severe or unresponsive to those treatments, surgical intervention may be appropriate.

For more information:

Resounding
Health(tm)
Spinal Stenosis

Mary Travers Dead from Leukemia at 72

2009-09-17T03:36:00Z

Folk singing legend Mary Travers, of Peter, Paul and Mary has died this week of leukemia at the age of 72. Travers, always pictured with her long blond hair with bangs, sang with the group beginning in 1961, singing such popular songs as "Leaving on a Jet Plane," "Puff the Magic Dragon," and "If I had a Hammer." Travers was first diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in 2005, and was successfully treated with a stem cell transplant. Apparently the disease recurred, and she was undergoing chemotherapy at the time of her death. Bandmate Peter Yarrow said that in her final months, Travers handledher declining health with bravery and generosity, showing her love to friends and family "with great dignity and without restraint."

Acute myelogenous leukemia (also called acute myeloid leukemia or AML) is a disease of the white blood cells and the bone marrow. Cells in the bone marrow, called stem cells, can become any one of the different kinds of blood cells (see diagram below). In AML, these stem cells become myeloid blast cells (now called leukemic cells), but do not go on to become red blood cells, platelets or certain white blood cells of this myeloid line (cells within the blue box below). This can lead to anemia (low red blood count), blood clotting problems, and increased risk of infection (low white cell count).

Blood cells maturing from stem cells Blast cells

Symptoms of leukemia include:

unexplained fever
night sweats
weakness and fatigue
frequent headaches
easy skin bruising
decreased appetite and weight loss

Treatment options include chemotherapy, biological therapy, radiation therapy, bone marrow (or stem cell) transplant, as well as new and innovative treatments that are beginning to be used.

For more information:

Resounding
Health(tm)
Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Pink is Sporting a Black and Blue Shoulder

2009-09-17T01:51:00Z

Pop singer Pink, 30, reported that she injured her shoulder, possibly during her VMA performance on Sunday. She has a separated shoulder. Although she will not cancel any of the concerts of her Pink's Funhouse Tour, she is unable to do the aerial maneuvers that were part of the show.

The shoulder is a complex of four separate joints (see diagram), together called the shoulder girdle,which gives it its amazing ability to move in so many directions. However, this freedom of movement also makes it more prone to injury. Shoulder separation occurs when the fibrous tissue (ligaments) thathold the collarbone (clavicle) to the shoulder blade (scapula) aretorn, most commonly by a direct hit to the shoulder or by falling on an outstretched arm . Small tears are usually treated conservatively with immobilization and pain relief. More severe tears completely through the ligaments and/or of several ligaments usually require surgical repair.

A shoulder dislocation is different from a shoulder separation, in that in a dislocation the ball-shaped head of your arm, called the head of the humerus, actually comes out of the socket. About 95% of the time, when the shoulder dislocates, the top of the humerus is sitting in front of the shoulder blade--an anterior dislocation. In less than 5% of cases, the top of the humerus is behind the shoulder blade--a posterior dislocation.

For more information:

Resounding
Health(tm)
Orthopedic injuries

Tom Delay Down, But Not Out, on Dancing with the Stars

2009-09-16T12:30:00Z

Former House Majority Leader Tom "The Hammer" Delay has been rehearsing for his debut on Dancing with the Stars. Partnered with two-time winner, professional Cheryl Burke, Delay twittered on Tuesday: "Old age is catching up to me. May have a stress fracture in my foot. No worries, it'll take more than that to keep me off the dance floor." X-rays showed that Delay did not have a stress fracture, however he did have a "pre-stress fracture" which, he vowed, would not keep him off the dance floor. People magazine reports that "because of injuries suffered by contestants in past seasons, the show implemented a cap of five hours per day of rehearsals for this season's contestants."

Stress fractures are overuse injuries. They are most common in the lower legs and feet of athletes, although almost anyone can get a stress fracture. When muscles become fatigued, they are unable to absorb shock as well. Eventually the muscles transfer the stress to the underlying bones, causing small cracks to form in the bone. Symptoms include pain, swelling, tenderness to touch at the site of the fracture. Diagnosis can be difficult, since X-rays may be called "negative" until evidence of bone healing begins three to six weeks after symptoms begin. A "pre-stress fracture" exists when the covering around the bone, called the periostium, becomes inflamed. If treated at this stage, actual fracture may be avoided. Treatment using consists of rest, elevation, immobilization, and over-the-counter pain medications.

Stress fracture of 2nd metatarsal:

Pre-stress fracture:

Resounding
Health(tm)
Stress Fracture

UPDATE: Christina Applegate on October Cover of Women's Health Magazine

2009-09-15T18:14:00Z

Breast cancer survivor Christina Applegate will appear on the cover of the October issue of Women's Health Magazine. There, she candidly talks about her struggles with the diagnosis, the need for laughter when undergoing cancer treatment, and even how she preferred her old breasts to the reconstructed ones. She also says that the experience has taught her that women to know more about the importance of early detection of breast cancer. To this end, she started a foundation, Right Action for Women, to focus on testing and early detection. Applegate credits her good outcome to getting a breast MRI, which is recommended by the American Cancer Society for women at increased risk for breast cancer. However, Applegate learned that "this service is not always covered by insurance and many women across the country cannot afford the high costs of a breast MRI. I hope through the creation of Right Action for Women we can provide aid to those individuals who are at increased risk for breast cancer and do not have insurance or the financial flexibility to cover the high costs associated with breast screenings."

This year, Applegate is also an Ambassador for the Lee's National Demin Day, which is on October 2nd. On this day, people are urged to wear jeans to work and to sponsor teams to raise money. The donated money goes to support breast cancer research at centers across the country.

Watch Christina Applegate talk to Chris Cuomo on Good Morning America about this opportunity:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YYfNUjMD48

Resounding
Health(tm)
Breast Cancer

Desperate Housewives' Mrs. McCluskey, Kathryn Joosten has Lung Cancer Again

2009-09-15T16:05:00Z

Ms. Joosten, a former smoker who beat lung cancer eight years ago, was shocked to find out that she had it again after a routine check-up last week. She is 69 years old.

The founder of the Rite Aid drug store chain, Alex Grass, recently died from lung cancer at the age of 82. You can find the warning signs and symptoms in his story and also in the casebook below.

We don't know which type of lung cancer Ms. Joosten has and there are two main categories:

Small cell carcinoma - about 13% of lung cancers are of this type which tends to spread quickly
Non-small cell carcinoma - about 87% of lung cancers are of this type which spreads more slowly

You can find more information about these in the casebook below.

There are hundreds of clinical research trials testing new ways to treat recurrent lung cancer.

Resounding
Health(tm)
Lung Cancer

Patrick Swayze and the apparent "epidemic" of pancreatic cancer among public figures

2009-09-15T00:32:00Z

Patrick Swayze, loved for his roles in Dirty Dancing and Ghost, today lost his battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 57. “Patrick Swayze passed away peacefully today with family at his side after facing the challenges of his illness for the last 20 months,” said a statement released Monday evening by his publicist, Annett Wolf. Diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in March 2008, Swayze continued to work despite his diagnosis, performing in the A&E drama, The Beast, this past year.

Since we began blogging on the medical facts behind the headlines of celebrity health conditions, cancer of the pancreas has come up numerous times. Previous stories include:

Some statistics about pancreatic cancer in the United States in 2009:

New cases: 42,470
Deaths: 35,240

What you need to know about Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death for both men and women.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly of all types of cancer.
This year 32,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and about 32,000 will die from it.
Despite the high mortality rate, the federal government spends woefully little money on pancreatic cancer research.

Pancreatic cancer is treatable when caught early; the vast majority of cases are not diagnosed until too late.

Five-year survival rates approach 40% if the cancers are surgically removed while they are still small and have not spread to the lymph nodes.

Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose

There is no reliable screening test for the early detection of pancreatic cancer.
Symptoms are often vague and easily confused with other diseases.
We need to invest in the development of an effective screening test.

Who Has the Greatest Risk?

Inherited genetic disorders cause 5-10% of cases of pancreatic cancer and certain genes can inrease the lifetime risk up 80%.

People with two or more relatives who have had pancreatic cancer
Cigarette Smokers
People of Ashkenazi Jewish descent
Have the BRCA2, p16, STK11 gene mutation or chronic pancreatitis
Are over the age of 50

Resounding
Health(tm)
Pancreas Cancer Genetics

Raise the Awareness of Everyone You Know

Send the link to this page to everyone you know. By raising awareness, you are helping to save lives.

Resounding
Health(tm)
Pancreatic Cancer

Resounding
Health(tm)
Pancreas Cancer

UPDATE: Ethan Zohn's Cancer is Back

2009-09-14T20:00:00Z

Survivor: Africa winner Ethan Zohn was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in April 2009. Since that time, Ethan has been reporting his progress throughout his therapy in a video diary for People magazine. This summer, he had finished chemo and was feeling pretty good. However, at the end of August, Zohn heard the news no cancer patient wants to hear: the cancer was back. Although the original tumor had shrunk, "There was re-growth- two little nodules in a different location … It's quite rare that not only is there re-growth,but that there's re-growth so quickly. I was obviously resistant to the first form of chemotherapy," reports Zohn. Zohn is trying to remain upbeat. In a People magazine interview Zohn says: "Whatever things are thrown at you, you've got to battle through with a smile on your face," he says, "and the important people in your life around you."

Now Zohn is undergoing a new treatment regimen called risk-adapted high dose chemoradiotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation for patients with relapsed and primary Hodgkin's lymphoma.

What are blood stem cells?
Blood stem cells are special cells in the bone marrow that can develop into any of the three kinds of blood cells- red blood cells (that carry oxygen), platelets (that aid in blood clotting), and white blood cells (the blood component of the immune system).

Source: National Cancer Institute

What is risk-adapted high dose chemoradiotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation?
A patient who is resistant or has recurrent Hodgkin's Lymphoma will receive a high doses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy to wipe out all cancer cells. During the process, the patient receives drugs to increase the production of stem cells and these cells are collected in a procedure called apheresis which are frozen for later use.

The chemoradiotherapy continues until the bone marrow is completely empty of blood and stem cells. The patient is then moved into the hospital for an extended period of time during which s/he receives an autologous stem cell transplant. It is called autologous because the stem cells are the patient's own previously frozen cells. (In an allogeneic transplant, the stem cells come from a closely matched donor.) The patient is closely observed for signs of infection and bleeding until the new stem cells start replenishing the bone marrow with blood cells.

We wish Ethan the best of luck with his new course of therapy.

Resounding
Health(tm)
stem cell transplantation

Resounding
Health(tm)
Hodgkin's Disease

Pierre Cossette, "Father of the Grammies" Dies at 85

2009-09-13T20:20:00Z

Pierre Cossette, an entertainment mogul, who was called the "Father" of the television Grammy Award ceremony has died at the age of 85 of congestive heart failure. Cossette was the producer of the Grammy Awards from its beginning on TV in 1971 until 2005 when he retired. He was also a Broadway producer of the Tony Award-winning Will Rogers Follies, and a producer of TV series that starred Andy Williams, Sammy Davis Jr., Glen Campbell and rock oldies group Sha Na Na.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) does not mean that your heart has stopped. It does mean that the heart is unable to pump enough blood to totally fulfill the oxygen needs of the body. Over 5 million Americans suffer from CHF, and over 300,000 die of this disease each year. There are many causes of CHF- all of which affect the ability of the heart to pump effectively. The leading causes are:

Coronary artery disease (CAD)- Narrowing of the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with blood. This can lead to chest pain (angina) and heart attacks, which affect the heart's ability to pump as strongly.
High blood pressure (hypertension)- Causes the heart to have to work harder to expel blood from the heart. Over time this damages the heart muscle.
Cardiomyopathies- Toxins or infections that damage and weaken the heart muscle.
Diabetes
Faulty heart valves
Heart birth defects
Abnormal heart rhythms.

The symptoms of congestive heart failure include:

CHF is a chronic disease, needing lifelong treatment, but treatment can greatly improve the quality of life for patients. Treatment is obviously dependent on the cause of the CHF and only your doctor can determine what the most appropriate treatment for you.

For more information:

Resounding
Health(tm)
Congestive Heart Failure

Financier Danny Pang, 42, Dies in Los Angeles: Under Investigation for Massive Ponzi Scheme

2009-09-13T08:19:00Z

Danny Pang was an Orange County fund manager who ran a firm called Private Equity Management Group. He was arrested last April by the FBI on charges of defrauding investors. He died at Hoag Hospital on Saturday morning after being taken there by paramedics on Friday afternoon. Police say that foul play is not suspected; an autopsy is needed to help determine whether death was due natural causes or self-inflicted. Investigators removed four or five small bags of evidence from his house. More details as they become available...

Advertisement