| Updated: 11/04/2009 7:14 pm |
Published: 11/04/2009 5:23 pm |
Curbing drug overdoses
The FDA is working to prevent millions of accidental drug overdoses that happen each year. Today the FDA announced a series of public meetings to identify the drugs that pose the greatest overdose risk and go over proposals to improve safety. Ideas range from simplifying drug labels and standardizing dosage cups to requiring risk management plans from drug manufacturers. The FDA says medication errors send four million Americans to the ER every year.
Cholesterol and Cancer
Doctors have found a link between cholesterol levels and cancer. A new study on 5500 men found those with low levels of cholesterol reduced their risk for the deadliest form of prostate cancer by nearly 60 percent. Another study found extremely low levels of cholesterol in men already fighting cancer but doctors say their cholesterol levels went down as a result of cancer treatment. Doctors say it's always a good idea to start working now to lower your cholesterol.
Doctor on call: blood in stool
I sometimes notice blood on the toilet tissue after a bowel moment. I'm 34 years old, what can it be?
William
Malvern
Dr. Oksana Melnyk from Baptist Health Family Clinic says it seems like you have rectal bleeding, which is a bleeding from your lower colon or your rectum. There are many causes... Most commonly related to constipation or hemorrhoids. But it can also be a sign of a form of cancer. So you must see a doctor immediately to find out what's going on.
