Dr. Howard Smith Reports

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/QJlBNLJgyi0   The US Preventive Services Task Force has updated its 2013 recommendation and now calls for testing of those 18 to 79 years of age for Hepatitis C virus.   This virus is the most common virus circulating in the blood of Americans and is responsible for more deaths than the top 60 other reportable infectious diseases combined.   Cases of HepC had skyrocke...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/P8V4d3XQpQ4   The FDA has ordered an upgrade of the warnings for montelukast, branded as Singulair and sold as a generic product as well.   This drug can trigger dangerous mind-altering side effects including suicidal thoughts and actions.   This drug is used by children and adults for management of allergies and asthma.   It is used for seasonal allergic rhinitis for...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/bz00qLdGx3M   Dole Fresh Vegetables Inc. has recalled its Tuscan Herb Chopped Salad Kit due to undeclared allergens including peanut, wheat, and tree nuts.   Eating this product could produce life-threatening allergic reactions.   Do not use this product and call Dole at 1-800-356-3111 for a refund.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/UOovkM8gKHY   Whole Foods is recalling it Green Chile Chicken Tamales due to undeclared milk. This is a danger to those with milk allergies.   Return the product to the store with your proof of purchase for a refund.   For more info, call 1-844-936-8255.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/allergy-alert-issued-undeclared-milk-green-ch...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/7NJGQaWopTE   Vita Food Products of Chicago is voluntarily recalling its Vita Wild Herring in Wine Sauce.   The product may contain undeclared sour cream, a risk for those with milk allergies.   Lot # 03609 is contaminated.   Contact the company at 800-989-8482 to ask questions or request a refund.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/...

Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/rjHHFKVY7d8   UV light is often unable to penetrate all areas of the CPAP hoses, masks, and connectors, and disinfection will fail.   The use of UV light products can also lead to accidental exposure to the light if improper shielding is used.   Such exposure can produce eye injuries and skin burns.   Cleaners that employ ozone for disinfection often leak releasing the...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/8Z05fifoFNY   The first lower cost generic albuterol inhaler is now available for use by children and adults ages 4 years and over.   This type of metered inhaler has been difficult for generic manufacturers to duplicate.   Now that a safe and effective alternative to the branded Pro-Air inhaler is available, the price competition may take place.   https://www.fda.gov...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/luevwJ5UWtQ   Excess weight triggers the same degenerative changes in our cells, organs, and entire body as aging.   A new review article from Canada’s Concordia University analyzed more than 200 studies that examined this linkage.   Both obesity and aging trigger cell death in the heart, liver, kidneys, and brain.   Both conditions limit our body’s ability to flush a...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/ZcBAZGaj-5U   Caffeinated drinks help you think faster and focus better, but they can’t help you think outside the box.   University of Arkansas psychologists draw this conclusion following their study of 80 volunteers half of whom received 200 mg of caffeine, the amount in a strong cup of coffee.   Those receiving the caffeine showed improved problem-solving, better...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/NYEsUk9CufM   You’re worried you have CoVid19.   You’re feeling warm.   You have throat soreness.   You have a cough.   What to do?     Take your temperature follow it daily as you track your symptoms.   If your oral temp is consistently above the normal 98.6˚F and your symptoms are persistent or escalating, call your doctor or the hospital and ask next steps.   When...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/zhAmBseKJ4w   Here are the latest CDC travels warnings.   None but essential travel to China, Iran, South Korea, and Italy.   None but essential travel for older persons or those with chronic disease to Japan.     Considering the Chinese epidemic experience, you can predict that these destinations will likely not be suitable recreational travel destinations for anothe...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/wc_ai6Ni73Q   Preventing CoVid19 from harming you and your family will involve personal and community efforts.   Personally, you must guard against contracting the virus and passing it on to others.   That involves keeping your fingers and hands from your face, repeated soap and water handwashing or use of alcohol hand sanitizers, avoid touching surfaces likely to har...

  Vidcast: https://youtu.be/-rdbcwd4MlM   Efforts to stem the spread of CoVid19 have been successful in China.   The measures include: entertainment venues closed; public gatherings canceled; intra-city transit, mass and personal, halted; travel to and from the city prohibited;   and entire city shutdown and lockdown.     Chinese cities that proactively employed similar measures before a first cas...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/Q9a4NQc35xI   According to pre-published data online, as of late February there are 75 registered studies of CoVid19 disease underway.   97% are headed by Chinese organizations.   Only 11 trials have begun patient recruitment.   Trials include those testing Western medicine, Eastern medicine, and combinations.     Two already initiated studies focus on the anti-viral...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/81G-oRa44pU   The CoVid19 virus is moderately contagious. The CoVid19 reproductive number, number of vulnerable   persons expected to be infected from a single infected person, is 2 -3.   This number may be as high as nearly 7.   In comparison, the number for measles is 12-18, diphtheria   6-7, HIV 2-5, the flu 2-3 and Ebola 1.5-2.5.     The incubation period is 2-14...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/Nz60NienuxM   Chinese mathematicians studying the CoVid19 disease dynamics predict that the hardest hit area, Wuhan, will see new cases trail off in April.   That’s a full 4 months after the beginning of disease transmission.   Their online, as yet unpublished data predicts, that for less hard hit Beijing and Shanghai, cases will cease about now in early March.   That...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/AlG6nsoVV5Y   If you completed your childhood tetanus shot series, the old DPT and the more recent DTap, you are protected for life against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis or whooping cough.   Infectious disease researchers at the Oregon Health and Science University just published their analysis of World Health Organization data comparing illness in countries that...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/MpvcfzFj7j8   Metformin, an oral drug for type 2 diabetes, enhances the therapeutic benefits of steroids while reducing their side effects.   A randomized, double blind British study just published in The Lancet looked at 53 participants taking 10-20 mg of prednisone over a 4 month period.   Those also receiving an escalating dose of metformin up to 850 mg 3 times a d...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/jMcs8Yu3fs8   Regular aspirin use lowers your risk of fractures and osteoporosis.   A just published Australian meta-analysis of 12 studies reviewed data from more than half million persons.   The analysis revealed a 17% lower risk of fracture at any site, long bones and spine, for those taking aspirin.   Aspirin users enjoyed higher bone mineral densities in their hi...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/lasjqmeLz0s   Drivers of luxury vehicles are significantly less likely to yield for pedestrians.   This is the conclusion of a new study from the University of Nevada..   The researchers studied the behavior of 461 autos as they negotiated several Las Vegas crosswalks.   Overall, only an abysmal 28% of cars yielded to crossing pedestrians.   The odds of a car yielding...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/JK_O-SRM5sg   Downing more food earlier in the day can help your weight control efforts.   Researchers at Vanderbilt University draw this conclusion from their small but detailed metabolic study of middle aged subjects eating 3 meals a day.   When the participants eat their third meal of the day later in the evening, they burned less fat and stored rather than expende...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/--0-xO5Nnho   Those who work from home are just as likely to win promotions as those who toil daily at the office.   A new study from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute focused on survey responses from 405 full-time employees analyzing percentage of work time telecommuting, promotions, salary growth, and company telecommuting attitude.   The most important variable...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/iBYEZb0dOug Dr. James Robb, former molecular virologist at UC-San Diego and the first molecular virologist to characterize the coronavirus genum, is sharing the precautions he is personally taking to avoid the CoVid19 virus.   No handshaking: fist bump, elbow bump, bow ok. Use your knuckles to push buttons. Operate public devices like gasoline pumps with a disposable...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/gjn9KMa3cHc   Third and fourth graders playing sports wolf down 25% more calories after their game than they burn during the game.   Utah’s Brigham Young University studied kids playing 189 games of soccer, flag football, baseball, and softball.   The children burned 170 calories during the game but gorged on 213 calories afterwards.   The calorie count surged due to...

  Vidcast:   https://youtu.be/POdAfXsCW28   Remdesivir, Gilead Pharmaceutical’s experimental drug coded GS-5734, is an antiviral nucleotide analog that currently shows the most promise for treating our current novel coronavirus disease.   A just published study from from Canada’s University of Alberta explains how this pharmaceutical, originally developed to treat Ebola, actually works.   Remdesiv...