Patients taking proton Pump inhibitors (PPIs) as long term treatment for ulcers or gastro esophageal reflux disorder (GERD), may be at greater risk for hip fracture according to a new study published in the December 27 issue of JAMA.

Some studies have indicated that PPI therapy may decrease insoluble calcium absorption or bone density in certain patients. This could increase the risk for hip fracture. Hip fracture has a death rate during the first year after the fracture of 20 percent and in survivors often leads to hospitalization, surgery, or admission to long-term care facilities.

Researchers caution doctors prescribing PPI therapy to consider the possible risk and use the lowest effective dose of these medications to prevent increased risk of hip fracture.

PPI medications include:

*Omeprazole (Losec)

*Esomeprazole (Nexium)

*Lansoprazole (Zoton)

*Pantoprazole (Protium)

*Rabeprazole sodium (Pariet)

Medical News Today

The weather has turned decidedly wintery in several parts of the country. Heavy snowstorms can lead to being snowbound, unable to leave the house or downed power lines and lack of heat. In such conditions, the temperature inside your house can drop quickly. During times like these, older adults are at a high risk of hypothermia.

Hypothermia occurs when the body’s temperature goes too low and can occur when you stay in a cool place for too long. Even a drop in body temperature of a couple of degrees can lead to heart problems and even death.

What are the signs of hypothermia? According to the National Institute on Aging, you should look for the ‘umbles - stumbles, mumbles, fumbles, and grumbles. Keep an eye out for these symptoms:

* Confusion or sleepiness
* Slowed, slurred speech, or shallow breathing
* Weak pulse or low blood pressure
* A change in behavior during cold weather or a change in appearance
* A lot of shivering or no shivering; stiffness in the arms or legs
* Chilly rooms or other signs that they have been in a cold place
* Poor control over body movements or slow reactions

If you think you or someone else could be suffering from hypothermia, call for emergency assistance or get medical attention right away.

Some medical conditions can make you more susceptible to hypothermia. For more information on your risk factors and how to avoid hypothermia, visit the NIA website.

We think of the holidays as time of goodwill and cheer. Busy times to be sure, but even if it is in our idealized childhood memories, we think of Christmas as a time of mirth and miracles.

But studies show that during the holidays - Christmas and New Year’s - there is a spike in daily mortality, occuring from both cardiac and non-cardiac disease. But separate studies have shown that December and January are the two most likely months for death from cardiac events.

What about Christmas and New Year’s make them so risky for cardiac death? One might think it correlates to cooler temperatures or perhaps snow shoveling. But a study done by the Heart Institute of Good Samaritan Hospital in North Carolina found that the risk of cardiac death was greatest in December and January even in temperate climates, such as that of Los Angeles County, CA.

The most likely reason is that people overindulge during the holidays, are under more stress, busy with multiple tasks and less likely to pay attention to important warning symptoms or fail to seek medical help in time.

Warning symptoms include:

* Pressure or crushing pain in your chest, sometimes with sweating, nausea or vomiting
* Pain that extends from your chest into the jaw, left arm or left shoulder.
* Tightness in your chest
* Shortness of breath for more than a couple of seconds

If you experience any of the symptoms of heart attack, do not delay - call emergency personnel immediately. When they arrive or when you arrive at the hospital, do not offer explanations of heartburn or any other possible reason for your symptoms even if you suspect something else may be the cause. Say: “I think I am having a heart attack”. Do nothing to delay important diagnostic and possibly life-saving treatment.

Information regarding the studies referenced above can be found at:

The “Merry Christmas Coronary” and “Happy New Year Heart Attack” phenomenon - National Institutes of Health

The FDA has announced a voluntary recall of acetaminophen caplets by Perrigo Company. Pills being screened through a metal detector showed that some had metal fragments embedded in them. The discovery was made by the company during quality control procedures and was caused, apparently, by the premature wearing out of a machine used in the manufacture of the caplets.

The FDA states that it is not expected that serious injury or complications will arise from the consumption of the pills, but someone swallowing an affected caplet might experience stomach discomfort and minor cuts and scrapes to the mouth or throat.

Perrigo Company makes the 500mg acetaminophen caplets that are packaged and sold as store brands by many major chains, among them Wal-Mart and CVS. A full list of the stores to which the product is distributed is available at this FDA web page. Batch numbers of the approximately 11 million bottles affected by the recall can be found here.

The recall only affects the 500mg dose. If you think you may have some of the contaminated pills, discontinue use immediately. Lower dosage acetaminophen pills are not affected and are safe to consume.