Thousands of kids hurt yearly on amusement rides

From carousels to roller coasters, part of summer fun for many kids is a trip to the local carnival or a nearby amusement park. But experts are warning parents their children need to be supervised on rides because of the risk of injuries.

Researchers from Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, looked at Consumer Product Safety Commission information on youngsters who were taken to emergency rooms for amusement ride injuries during a 20-year period.  Their study, published in the May issue of the journal Clinical Pediatrics, looked at fixed-site rides, such as those at major amusement parks, as well as mobile rides, which included rides at local carnivals, state fairs and mall rides like those found in shopping mall arcades.

The rides "included anything from coin-operated rides to Ferris wheels, carousels, bumper cars, roller coasters, and any type of ride like that," said Tracy Mehan, lead researcher of the study.

The researchers looked at data on 92,885 children under the age of 18 who were treated for amusement park type of injures in emergency rooms from 1990 to 2010.  More than 70% of the problems occurred during the summer months, when amusement parks are open and state fairs are being held.  That averages out to 4,423 injuries each year and 20 injuries daily from May through September.

The injuries ranged from head and neck problems to injuries to the face, arms and legs. Soft tissue injuries - damage to ligaments, muscles and tendons - were the most common. Serious injuries comprised only a very small percentage.

"Many of the injuries of these rides are over hard floors, and children are falling on a hard floor and are ending up with head injuries," noted Mehan.

Authors of the study say more regulations need to be in place to make these rides safer.   Scott Wolfson, spokesperson for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, said that’s easier said than done.

“Back in the early eighties, our authority to oversee fixed-site rides was taken away from us," he said. "We do deal with mobile rides, like those at local carnivals, but we are a small agency and it’s tough to oversee every fair that sets up for a short period of time."

“Although the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has jurisdiction over mobile rides, regulation of fixed-site rides is currently left to state or local governments, leading to a fragmented system,” said Dr. Gary Smith, the study's senior author and director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy of Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “A coordinated national system would help us prevent amusement ride-related injuries through better injury surveillance and more consistent enforcement of standards."

Authors noted  parents can also do their part to help keep children safe by following a few simple guidelines.

– Always follow all posted height, age, weight and health restrictions.

– Make sure to follow any special seating order and/or loading instructions.

– Always use safety equipment such as seat belts and safety bars.

– Make sure children keep hands and feet inside the ride at all times.

– Know your child. If you don’t think he/she will be able to follow the rules, keep him/her off the ride.

– Trust your instincts. If you are worried about the safety of the ride, choose a different activity.

– Avoid “mall rides” if they are over a hard, unpadded surface or if they don’t have a child restraint such as a seat belt.

Study authors say this is the first study to look at the national rate of child ER injuries involving amusement rides in the United States.

Sugar, not just salt, linked to high blood pressure

Eating too much sodium can push your blood pressure into the danger zone. Now, researchers are reporting that eating too many sweets--or drinking too much soda--may have a similar effect.
People who consume a diet high in fructose, a type of sugar and a key ingredient in high-fructose corn syrup, are more likely to have high blood pressure (hypertension), according to a new study.
Drinking 2.5 cans or more of non-diet soda per day--or consuming an equivalent amount of fructose from other foods--increases your risk of hypertension by at least 30 percent, the study found. What's more, the increased risk appears to be independent of other dietary habits, including sodium, carbohydrate and overall calorie intake.
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The study, which appears in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, focused on foods containing high-fructose corn syrup and other added sugars, such as soda, fruit punch, cookies, candy and chocolate. (Although fructose occurs naturally in fruits, the researchers excluded them because they contain other nutrients that are difficult to measure.)
"High-fructose corn syrup is very prevalent," says Dr. Michel Chonchol, M.D., the senior author of the study and a blood pressure specialist at the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, in Aurora. "If you go to grocery stores, it's everywhere."
Chonchol and his colleagues analyzed the diet and blood pressure readings of more than 4,500 U.S. adults with no history of hypertension. The data used in the study was collected in nationwide surveys over a four-year period by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and also included information on health measures such as physical activity and body mass index.
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The researchers estimated each person's fructose intake using detailed diet questionnaires and nutrition information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The average fructose intake was 74 grams a day, an amount roughly equivalent to that found in 2.5 cans of soda.
People who consumed more than the average amount were more likely to have high blood pressure than people who consumed less, the researchers found. Above-average fructose intake increased the likelihood of having blood pressure above 140/90 and 160/100 mmHg by 30 percent and 77 percent, respectively. (Normal blood pressure is 120/80 or below, while anything above 140/90 is considered high.)
Hypertension can affect the health of blood vessels and is a leading risk factor for heart disease, kidney disease, and other ailments.
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The findings don't prove that fructose actually causes hypertension, however. Although the researchers took various health factors and dietary habits besides fructose intake into account, it's always possible that other, unknown factors explain the apparent link between fructose and hypertension, says Dr. Cheryl Laffer, M.D., an associate professor of internal medicine at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, in Temple.
The study "doesn't tell us anything about causation," she says. "People who have high blood pressure may eat more fructose. It can go either way."
One important drawback of the study is that the participants reported their own diets based on memory, which makes the estimates of fructose intake less accurate.
But the study's limitations don't mean that people should feel free to go on sugar binges, Laffer says. "I wouldn't discourage people from eating less fructose, because we have evidence that high fructose [consumption] is not particularly good for you," she says.
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Animal studies have linked fructose consumption to higher blood pressure, for instance, and a study published earlier this year in the journal "Circulation" suggested that cutting back on sugar-sweetened beverages may lower blood pressure.
In a statement, the Corn Refiners Association, a trade group representing manufacturers of high-fructose corn syrup, said that Chonchol and his colleagues were drawing "inaccurate conclusions about fructose." The association challenged the authors' estimate that 2.5 cans of soda contain about 74 grams of fructose, and also highlighted the inaccuracies of diet surveys that rely on memory.
"The risk of hypertension from fructose is not a matter of concern for the overwhelming majority of Americans," the association stated.
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Chonchol and his colleagues acknowledge that more research is needed to confirm a link between fructose and hypertension.

It's still unclear how fructose might affect blood pressure, for instance. One theory is that fructose might make the body absorb sodium more readily, Chonchol says. Fructose intake may also increase levels of uric acid, which has been shown to contribute to high blood pressure.

Is your diet good for your skin?

Sure, your diet keeps your body slim and healthy, but its impact doesn't stop there.
The food you eat -- from wrinkle-fighting antioxidants in fruits and vegetables to hydrating healthy fats in fish -- may matter to your skin almost as much as it does to your waistline.
Is your way of noshing helping or hurting your complexion? We asked top docs for their take on the face-friendliness of six popular diets.
Read on to see if yours passes the beauty test, and find out how you can alter what you eat for A-plus skin.
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Mediterranean
(such as The Mediterranean Diet and The Mediterranean Prescription)
The lowdown: Fish, leafy greens, olive oil, and fruit are the stars of this heart-healthy, waist-whittling diet. But the benefits don't end there -- eating Mediterranean may also protect against melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, a recent Italian study suggests.
On the cosmetic front, omega-3 fatty acids in fish help keep skin-cell membranes strong and elastic. And antioxidants in leafy greens and olive oil may protect against ultraviolet light and other environmental assaults that can break down collagen and elastin, the structural supports that keep skin plump and smooth. Result: less sagging and fewer wrinkles later.
Olive oil, tomatoes, and red wine also have antioxidants that help block the chemical reactions that lead to sun damage, explains Leslie Baumann, M.D., chief executive officer of the Baumann Cosmetic and Research Institute in Miami Beach, Florida.
Skin Rx: Red wine contains resveratrol, an antioxidant that's great for skin -- but sip in moderation. Overdoing it can dehydrate you, leaving skin dry. Too much alcohol can also generate free radicals, which can break down collagen, leading to wrinkles, Baumann says.
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Vegetarian/vegan
(such as "The New Becoming Vegetarian" and "Skinny Bitch")
The lowdown: Whether you skip meat and other animal products for your health, ethical reasons, or both, you probably eat more fresh produce and whole grains as a result -- good news for your skin. The antioxidants in these eats neutralize the free radicals that contribute to wrinkles, brown spots, and other signs of aging.
Plant-based protein sources may also have super skin benefits. For example, beans contain zit-battling zinc and decrease inflammation, a culprit behind redness, pimples, and premature wrinkles, says Nicholas Perricone, M.D., author of "Forever Young: The Science of Nutrigenomics for Glowing, Wrinkle-Free Skin and Radiant Health at Every Age." On the other hand, some studies suggest that dairy contributes to acne, Dr. Baumann says; consider other protein sources if breakouts are a problem.
Skin Rx: Veggie diets tend to be low in fat, so incorporate ground flaxseeds and olive and safflower oils to help your skin retain water, making it more supple, Baumann says.
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High-protein, low-carb
(such as South Beach Diet and Atkins)
The lowdown: First, the good news: Cutting back on white bread, pasta, and refined sugar in order to fight flab can also lower the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol and minimize breakouts, says Manhattan dermatologist Francesca Fusco, M.D. Moderate plans that swap in whole grains, fresh produce, and lean meats also up antioxidants, blemish-busting zinc, and collagen-building protein.
But beware of more meat-heavy plans: Getting some cholesterol from red meat will shore up skin cells' protective lipid layer, but "eating too much animal fat can result in an increased production of free radicals, which are thought to interfere with normal cellular processing," says New York City--based aesthetic dermatologist Lisa Airan, M.D. "This may cause premature cell death," which can lead to sagging skin.
Skin Rx: Drink lots of water to keep skin hydrated. Choose fish and other lean proteins -- not just saturated fat-laden red meat. Eat antioxidant-rich leafy greens daily.
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Low-fat
(such as "Eat More, Weigh Less")
The lowdown: Cutting down on saturated fat -- found in red meat and whole milk -- is great for your heart and waistline. A diet low in animal fat also stems the production of free radicals that can prematurely age skin, Airan says.
Still, your skin needs some fat, especially the good kind found in nuts and olive oil. Fat helps your body absorb complexion-friendly antioxidants and fat-soluble vitamins, and strengthens cell membranes -- and ultimately your epidermis -- for a dewier, more supple face.
Skin Rx: Eat a little fat. "Get at least 20 percent of your calories from fat, mainly the unsaturated kind," says New York City dermatologist Cheryl Karcher, M.D. Sauté veggies in olive oil, toss nuts into salads, and keep omega-3-rich salmon, flaxseeds, and the occasional fortified egg in your diet. Linoleic acid, found in vegetable oils, is "crucial for bolstering the skin barrier, which keeps moisture in and irritants out of your skin," Dr. Baumann says.
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Raw
(such as "Raw Food Life Force Energy")
The lowdown: Raw-foodists -- who nosh mainly on produce, nuts, and sprouted beans and grains -- believe that not cooking food preserves its natural enzymes, aiding digestion, energy, and weight loss. Though these claims aren't universally accepted by doctors, there's no denying that these foods make for a happy complexion.
What's more, the healthy oils in nuts, avocados, and olive oil keep skin cell membranes strong and pliant. The downside: "When you eat very little meat, it's challenging to get enough of the building blocks for collagen," Airan says.
Skin Rx: Sneak in sprouted beans, sushi, soy, and other raw proteins for collagen, and incorporate healthy fat sources like almonds, flaxseeds, and olive oil to help build firm skin cells.

Cancer survivor's own fat gives her new breasts

Elizabeth Anderson had to act fast when she learned she had advanced breast cancer in April 2009.
Just one month after her diagnosis, she had a bilateral mastectomy, a surgery removing both of her breasts.
"With a Stage 3 diagnosis it was either breasts or life. There was no decision to be made. I had to take them off," recalls Anderson, a 47-year-old fitness instructor from Naples, Florida.
Following the surgery, Anderson says, she had to mentally prepare before taking a first glimpse at her new body; she knew it would be difficult.
"I just stared at myself in the mirror for a few minutes saying, 'It's OK, it's OK. This is what you had to do,'" she says. Anderson, who also had chemotherapy and radiation during the course of her treatment, was elated to finally be cancer-free, but says it was difficult to adjust to her new body.
She figured her days of having breasts were gone forever. She was not a good candidate for breast implants, not commonly recommended for women who have had radiation. Instead she wore breast prostheses, but found them to be cumbersome. Then, there was the emotional frustration.
"This is zero. This is scars on your chest. This is absolutely nothing," Anderson explains. "As a woman, to look in that mirror and not see anything, it doesn't feel right."
During a chance visit to a different radiologist near the end of her treatment, Anderson was told about bilateral delayed breast reconstruction, a procedure pioneered within the last decade, where doctors re-create breasts using fatty tissue taken from other parts of the patient's body, often from the buttocks, the abdomen or the back.
Anderson says neither her oncologist nor her regular radiologist mentioned this type of surgery while she was being treated, and none of the women in her survivor group had even heard of the procedure.
"They all looked at me like I had two heads," Anderson says. "People were very surprised. They assume implants are the way to go."
Seven in 10 breast cancer survivors may be unaware of reconstruction options
That's actually pretty common, according to a survey from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, which found that out of every 10 women who qualify for reconstructive breast surgery, only three are fully informed of their options.
Each year more than 254,000 American women learn they have breast cancer, according to recent estimates from the American Cancer Society, and many need a mastectomy to remove the cancer.
"Those who diagnose breast cancer and those who do mastectomy are separate from the plastic surgeons who do the reconstruction," explains Dr. Frank DellaCroce, a surgeon at the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery in New Orleans, Louisiana, the place where Anderson's breast reconstruction was performed.
"Integration of those two sides affords a global conversation with the patient before mastectomy," he says.
"That is absolutely the case," agrees Dr. Ann Partridge, clinical director of the Breast Oncology Center at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, who also does research on improving health care communication. "Medicine is not a solo-practitioner profession anymore; we need to work as teams for a better outcome."
Partridge says there have been several new reconstructive breast therapies developed over the past several years, and though she agrees patients should be informed of them, she says in some cases if the patient doesn't bring it up, the oncologist may wait to have this discussion, especially when radiation treatment is needed.
"Reconstruction, while important, is not a medical necessity," she explains. "We as oncologists tend to focus on the treatment of the disease, and while in the throes of things, all [patients] care about is life or death."
Partridge also notes that new therapies spring up in small pockets of the U.S., and if a therapy is not available in the city where the patient is being treated, it may not be considered a viable option by the oncologist. Anderson, for example, traveled from Naples to New Orleans for her procedure.
Partridge and DellaCroce agree that regardless of the circumstances, reconstruction should be discussed as soon as possible, because having the option is an important facet in the patient's full recovery.
"When you lose some component of your physical self, you also lose some of your emotional self," DellaCroce says. "To have the breast rebuilt erases some of the injury of a very difficult event, a diagnosis of breast cancer and the devastating deformities that can occur with mastectomy."
'I've got them back!'
Anderson says when she first learned about bilateral breast reconstruction, she turned to the web for more information and located a surgery center that could remove fat from her buttocks. She went for a consultation, and had to gain 23 pounds in order to have enough fat to form small C cups, one cup smaller than she had before cancer.
After living without breasts for 18 months, she finally got them back on October 21. Anderson will need one more surgery, a butt lift to close the gap where fat was removed, but for now she says her battle against cancer has come full circle.
"Gotcha cancer! You took them from me, but I've got them back!" Anderson says. "It's amazing what doctors can do today. I'm absolutely thrilled I can just be normal. That's all I want, is to be normal again."
Where to find information on breast reconstruction
If you're interested in learning more about breast reconstruction options and the risks associated with the various procedures, both the American Cancer Society and the Susan G. Komen Foundation answer questions about breast reconstruction after mastectomy on their websites.
Breastcancer.org provides photo images to help explain how procedures like implants and flap reconstructions work.
The Department of Health and Human Services has a chart detailing the surgery choices for women with early-stage breast cancer.
You can also find a board-certified plastic surgeon in your state by visiting the American Society of Plastic Surgeons website.
Keep in mind that the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act includes protections requiring insurance companies who offer mastectomy coverage to also provide coverage for reconstructive surgery.

The American Society of Plastic Surgery has a list of state laws concerning breast reconstruction.

Does diet really matter in breast cancer?

Expert answer Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, this is the perfect time to answer this question. And the answer is a resounding yes. To get you the best possible information, I turned to registered dietitians Sally Scroggs, MS,RD,LD, and Clare McKinley, RD,LD, at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, one of the leading cancer hospitals in the world. They explained that breast cancer risk could be decreased by up to 38% through lifestyle factors including maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet. In fact, less than 10% of breast cancer appears to have a genetic basis. For prevention of breast cancer, limiting alcohol to one drink a day (5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1.5 ounces of spirits) is one of the most important things that you can do. In addition, a plant-based diet loaded with at least two cups a day of a variety of produce is beneficial. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, "no single food or food component can protect you against cancer by itself. But scientists believe that the combination of foods in a predominantly plant-based diet may. There is evidence that the minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals in plant foods could interact in ways that boost their individual anti-cancer effects. This concept of interaction, where 1 + 1 = 3, is called synergy." Some of their top picks for cancer prevention include beans, berries, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts), dark leafy green vegetables (spinach, kale, chard, romaine, mustard greens), flaxseed, garlic, grapes/grape juice, green tea, soy, tomatoes and whole grains. A recent study in mice suggests that walnuts may also play a role in breast cancer prevention, but these findings need to be confirmed in humans. There is also a growing body of research suggesting that curcumin, one of the active components of curry, may play a role in both the treatment and prevention of various types of cancer including breast cancer. Being overweight is strongly associated with the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer. Adult weight gain of 22-44 pounds is associated with a 50% greater risk and a weight gain above 45 pounds is associated with an 87% increased risk. Excess belly fat seems to be particularly harmful, most likely because of its effects on inflammation and its association with elevated insulin levels, so if you tend to be more "apple shaped" and carry extra weight in your belly, it is especially important to lose weight, exercise regularly, and limit refined grains, sugar sweetened beverages, and added sugar in your diet. When it comes to breast cancer survivors, a healthy lifestyle is just as important, if not more so. Many women are concerned about soy consumption, which I've written about before. Sally and Clare agree that up to three servings per day is safe, but they emphasize that soy should come from whole foods like soy milk, edamame and tofu, and that supplements like smoothies, bars and soy fortified cereals should be limited. Finally, during treatment, diet is very important to maintain health and optimize energy levels, but before taking any supplements, it is best to consult with a registered dietitian, preferably one that has experience with cancer treatment, because some supplements may actually interfere with chemotherapy or radiation. In general, the emphasis should be on whole foods rich in anti-oxidants. Vitamin C may need to be supplemented in some cases if not enough is consumed in the diet. To find a registered dietitian, go to the American Dietetic Association website. I hope you are encouraged by the fact that you can make a difference in your risk of breast cancer through lifestyle. Here a few breast cancer fighting recipes from M.D. Anderson to get you started in the right direction.

Diana Nyad, on 103-mile swim, struggles with shoulder pain, asthma

Endurance swimmer Diana Nyad struggled through ocean swells, shoulder pain and asthma Monday as she attempted to become the first person to swim between Cuba and Florida without a shark cage, according to her team and a CNN staffer on a chase boat.
Both the swells and the 61-year-old swimmer's shoulder pain subsided somewhat and she was "swimming strongly," her team said in a post to Facebook around noon ET.
Follow Nyad on CNN's tracker
The shoulder pain was "down to an 8" following some "therapeutic healing," the message said.
The shoulder pain remained an issue around 2 p.m., about 18 hours into the swim, said CNN staffer Matt Sloane -- who is following Nyad on a chase boat -- in a tweet. She is also having "a little touch of asthma," he said. But he added that Nyad is "still going very strong."
Nyad in good spirits in 18th hour
The attempt to swim from Cuba to Florida is the second for the swimmer, who said at a news conference Sunday that she is fitter today than she was in 1978, when she first attempted the crossing but was unable to finish.
"When I walk up on those shores of Florida, I want to prove to the AARP crowd that it's not too late to go back and write that book or adopt that child," she said.
She jumped into the water at 7:45 p.m. ET on Sunday and expects to swim for roughly 60 hours. She is stopping briefly each hour to eat.
"Nobody decides the swim is over except me," Nyad's team quoted her on Twitter as saying.
Wind, water, one woman's drive
It took several months to gain permission for the swim from Cuban and U.S. authorities. Bureaucratic snags repeatedly threatened to call off the effort -- already called off in 2010 because of weather.
Nyad has been training for the event for two years, swimming up to 12 hours a day.
"I'm almost 62 years old and I'm standing here at the prime of my life," she said Sunday as she prepared to dive into the water at Havana's Marina Hemingway. "I think this is the prime. When one reaches this age, you still have a body that's strong but now you have a better mind."

A team of more than 30 people is supporting Nyad as she attempts the crossing. She has 10 handlers to advise her as she swims, ocean kayakers towing devices to repel most sharks and divers and safety officers trained to distract those that aren't turned away. A doctor is also on hand.

5 ways to get cheaper medical care

It was the worst possible news at the worst possible time. In summer 2009, photographer Joel Maus learned he might go blind if he didn't get a procedure to treat a cornea condition. But there was no way he could afford the $15,000 doctor's fee -- Maus' business had suffered during the recession and since the procedure was considered experimental, his insurance wouldn't pay for it. Maus approached his eye surgeon, Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, with an idea: In exchange for free surgery, Maus would give the doctor free photos. Boxer Wachler had bartered before with patients -- one had fixed up his 1958 Nash Metropolitan in exchange for his services, and it had worked out well. He thought about how nice it would be to have professional photos of his twin daughters' upcoming fourth birthday party. "He said yes, of course, he would do it," Maus remembers. "And I said, 'Really? Cool!'" Many Americans share Maus' predicament. In a new survey by Deloitte, three out of four consumers said the recent economic slowdown has affected their health care spending. One in four said they had skipped seeing a doctor when they were sick or injured. The Empowered Patient has these ideas for what to do when you can't afford to see the doctor. 1. Barter with your doctor Before bringing it up, think about what your doctor might value. Boxer Wachler, for example, is a car enthusiast and has youn

g children, so car services and photos worked well for him, but when a patient who is an artist offered free paintings in exchange for care, he declined. "If you can't afford care, just go for it," Boxer Wachler says. "It can't hurt to ask. The worst thing that will happen is the doctor says thanks for offering, but no thanks." 2. Pay on credit About half of Boxer Wachler's patients pay on credit -- often over 24 months with no interest. Ask your doctor if he or she has arrangements with credit companies and if not, ask if they would be willing to make them. 3. Negotiate with your doctor When Christina McMenemy's husband lost his job and health insurance, she negotiated a $40 fee for an office visit with her children's pediatrician.