Vaping has exploded in popularity in recent years. Are e-cigarettes the culprit behind hundreds of cases of respiratory disease?
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string(11460) "Although electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, have been available in the U.S. market since 2007, use of them has exploded in recent years, even as traditional cigarette use decreased.
That’s especially true in the youth population. A 2018 report revealed e-cigarette use grew 78 percent among high schoolers and 48 percent among middle schoolers between 2017 and 2018. According to the report, 1 in 5 high school kids and 1 in 20 middle school kids use some form of e-cigarette. More youths use e-cigarettes than traditional cigarettes.
Vaping – so called because users inhale a vapor created when the e-cigarette’s liquid is heated – originally was marketed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. However, recent evidence is showing that’s not the case.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of Oct. 22, 2019, 1,604 cases (based on complete reports received) of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated associated lung injury (EVALI) have been reported to the CDC from 49 states (all except Alaska), the District of Columbia, and one U.S. territory. Thirty-four deaths have been confirmed in 24 states. Visit this CDC webpage for the latest information.
Despite having fewer toxic chemicals than traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes still contain harmful ingredients that can cause damage.
“Some variables seem to increase the risk of having acute lung injury due to e-cigarette use,” says Jared Chiarchiaro, MD, a pulmonologist at UPMC and assistant professor of medicine and associate fellowship director for Clinical Education, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine.
With the rise in cases, it’s important to know the risks of vaping.
What Are E-cigarettes?
Electronic cigarettes, or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), include a variety of items, including vape pens, e-pipes, e-hookah, and e-cigars. They are battery-powered and can take a variety of shapes and sizes.
ENDS contain an e-liquid that is heated to create a vapor that the user inhales. The liquid can include nicotine, along with other substances such as propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin.
Many e-cigarettes also contain flavoring, which youths identified as a main factor in their use according to the 2018 report.
“Some of the packaging, and the different flavors like candy or bubble gum – it just seems that they’re marketed to younger people,” Dr. Chiarchiaro says.
What Are the Short-Term Risks of Vaping?
Hospitals are linking cases of acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome to vaping. The condition is an inflammatory reaction that occurs in both lungs and can be caused by infection or inhalational exposures, according to Dr. Chiarchiaro.
E-cigarette emissions include chemicals such as diacetyl that are linked to severe lung damage.
“It can be relatively mild, where someone’s in the hospital and they’re on oxygen and just need to be monitored and can recover with some supportive care,” Dr. Chiarchiaro says. “But it can be very severe, where people end up on mechanical ventilation in intensive care units.”
What causes this damage?
Although there is not one specific identified cause for the lung injuries linked to vaping, Dr. Chiarchiaro identifies some risk factors:
The voltage or wattage used: The voltage or wattage of ENDS varies. Some ENDS allow for users to adjust how hot the e-liquid burns. The higher the voltage, the hotter the liquid burns. The hotter the liquid burns, the more likely it can burn into formaldehyde, a carcinogen that also may be related to inhalational conditions.
The liquid cartridge: Some users are refilling the ENDS’ nicotine-based cartridge with other substances, such as cannabis oil. Dr. Chiarchiaro warns that those substances may not be meant to be used in that way.
The method of use: More experienced users may be more likely to use a higher voltage and may use the product for a longer period of time, Dr. Chiarchiaro says. That might put people more at risk.
What are the symptoms of acute lung damage?
Patients typically experience symptoms that include:
Rapidly developing shortness of breath
Dry cough
Wheezing
Gastrointestinal illnesses
Those symptoms can be related to other respiratory conditions. Physicians typically make the diagnosis by using patient history, chest imaging, and exclusion of other causes.
If you are experiencing these severe symptoms and are worried you might have lung damage related to vaping, you should contact your physician or visit the emergency department.
How is acute lung damage treated?
Treatment for patients exhibiting lung damage associated with vaping includes:
Monitoring and oxygen support
Medications
Steroids
Who is most at risk of vaping?
Although e-cigarettes can potentially harm any user, groups most at risk include:
Youths: Nicotine can harm brain development in young people and cause addiction. A January 2018 report by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine concluded that youths who use e-cigarettes are more likely to use traditional cigarettes later.
Young adults: Nicotine can harm brain development, which continues into your 20s.
Pregnant women: Nicotine is toxic to unborn babies and can damage the health of pregnant women and their developing babies.
Adult nonsmokers: Nicotine can cause addiction if you’re a nonsmoker who begins vaping.
People with existing lung diseases: If you have a structural lung condition like emphysema, use of e-cigarettes could worsen it.
People with cardiovascular diseases: If you have a condition like coronary artery disease, cerebral vascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, or high blood pressure, vaping can cause damage.
Can e-cigarettes help traditional smokers quit?
The FDA does not approve vaping as a way for people to stop smoking. Other methods, like nicotine replacement therapy, are recommended.
Dr. Chiarchiaro advises talking to your doctor about other methods to quit smoking before trying e-cigarettes. You also can call the national hotline, 1-800-784-8669 (1-800-QUIT-NOW), for help.
“There are some really well-tested methods to help people stop smoking,” Dr. Chiarchiaro says.
What Are the Long-Term Risks of Vaping?
Because of how recently e-cigarettes became popular, little research exists about the long-term effects of vaping.
Dr. Chiarchiaro says some smaller studies are measuring how quickly lung conditions such as emphysema can develop from using e-cigarettes, compared to traditional cigarettes.
Similar questions exist about vaping’s potential to cause lung cancer and cardiovascular disease. E-cigarettes do contain potential cancer-causing substances.
“If we extrapolate this to other inhalational lung diseases, the inhalational damage in the lung could either acutely or over time cause scarring in the lung,” Dr. Chiarchiaro says. “And that scarring sometimes does result in more chronic debilitating lung disease. I think time will tell on that in association with vaping.”
Resources and Further Reading
American Cancer Society, What Do We Know About E-cigarettes? (https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/tobacco-and-cancer/e-cigarettes.html)
American Lung Association, E-cigarettes (https://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/smoking-facts/e-cigarettes-and-lung-health.html)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Transcript of August 23, 2019, Telebriefing on Severe Pulmonary Disease Associated with Use of E-cigarettes (https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2019/t0823-telebriefing-severe-pulmonary-disease-e-cigarettes.html)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, About Electronic Cigarettes (E-Cigarettes) (https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/about-e-cigarettes.html)
Karen A. Cullen, PhD; Bridget K. Ambrose, PhD; Andrea S. Gentzke, PhD; Benjamin J. Apelberg, PhD; Ahmed Jamal, MBBS; Brian A. King, PhD, Notes from the Field: Use of Electronic Cigarettes and Any Tobacco Product Among Middle and High School Students – United States, 2011-18, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6745a5.htm)
Rana M. Jaber, Mohammadhassan Mirbolouk, Andrew P. DeFilippis, Wasim Maziak, Rachel Keith, Thomas Payne, Andrew Stokes, Emelia Benjamin, Aruni Bhatnagar, Ron Blankstein, Anshul Saxena, Michael J. Blaha, Khurram Nasir, Journal of the American Heart Association, Electronic Cigarette Use Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Pattern by Cigarette Smoking Status in the United States From NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) 2013–2014 (https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/JAHA.117.008178)
National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, Public Health Consequences of E-Cigarettes (https://www.nap.edu/resource/24952/012318ecigaretteConclusionsbyEvidence.pdf)
National Institutes of Health, What We Know About Electronic Cigarettes (https://smokefree.gov/quit-smoking/ecigs-menthol-dip/ecigs)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Vaporizers, E-Cigarettes, and other Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) (https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/products-ingredients-components/vaporizers-e-cigarettes-and-other-electronic-nicotine-delivery-systems-ends#references)"
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string(307) "Although electronic cigarettes have been available in the U.S. market since 2007, use of them has exploded in recent years, even as traditional cigarette use decreased. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded over 200 cases of severe respiratory disease in the U.S. linked to vaping,
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Although electronic cigarettes have been available in the U.S. market since 2007, use of them has exploded in recent years, even as traditional cigarette use decreased. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded over 200 cases of severe respiratory disease in the U.S. linked to vaping,Read More
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string(380) "Lately, it seems like blue light is one of the hottest health concerns. Warnings abound about its potential dangers, whether the light comes from your smartphone or laptop. But is there such thing as too much blue light? What should you know about blue light eye damage?
Take the quiz to learn about blue light, excessive screen time, and eye health.
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string(286) "Lately, it seems like blue light is one of the hottest health concerns. Warnings abound about its potential dangers, whether the light comes from your smartphone or laptop. But is there such thing as too much blue light? What should you know about blue light eye damage?
Lately, it seems like blue light is one of the hottest health concerns. Warnings abound about its potential dangers, whether the light comes from your smartphone or laptop. But is there such thing as too much blue light? What should you know about blue light eye damage?Start Quiz
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string(3976) "Guacamole is a "go-to" dip at get-togethers, game-day parties, or casual family gatherings. But is guacamole healthy? Good news: When eaten in moderation, guacamole does have some health benefits.
Guacamole Nutrition: Is Guac Good for You?
What makes guacamole so special? It's the avocado, of course.
Guacamole is generally made from mashed avocados, onions, lime juice, tomatoes, jalapeños, herbs, and spices. The health benefits of guacamole primarily come from the avocado.
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Avocados are loaded with healthy monounsaturated fat, which boosts brain function and health. It is one of the good plant-based fats that can help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.
A study published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition revealed that avocados contain dietary fiber, large amounts of potassium, magnesium, high levels of folate (which also supports brain health), vitamin E, vitamin B for cell health, and vitamin K.
Also, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the fat in avocados can help regulate cholesterol levels.
To learn more about lowering your risk for heart disease and choosing heart-healthy foods, visit the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute or call 1-855-876-2484.
Is Guacamole Healthy?
With all the vitamins, fiber, and healthy fat in avocados, it's hard to imagine guacamole being bad for you.
However, it's important to consider what you're eating with the guacamole. Since guacamole is usually served as a dip, it can keep you reaching for more and more chips. Also, guacamole is a common topping for tacos, which may contain fatty meat and tons of sodium all wrapped up in corn tortillas. These foods can rack up calories quickly, along with excessive amounts of carbohydrates, unhealthy fats, and preservatives.
As with everything, moderation is key. Guacamole can be healthy, but eating too much unhealthy food paired with large quantities of guacamole can harm your health and cause weight gain.
That said, the average person eats roughly seven pounds of avocados per year, according to Time. By comparison, most people eat an average of 131 pounds of added sugar each year. If you're gaining weight, guacamole isn't the likely culprit. Instead, you may be eating too many unhealthy foods in general.
Making Healthier Guacamole
As guacamole is typically a healthier option than sour cream-based dips and dressings that contain high levels of saturated fat, sodium, and preservatives, it is a better choice.
To avoid extra unhealthy fat and calories, don't add ingredients like sour cream or mayonnaise to your guacamole. Instead of chips, try dipping vegetables like carrots or bell peppers into your guac.
Homemade guacamole is a quick, easy, and healthier choice. Store-bought guacamole frequently contains sour cream, added sugar, artificial flavors, preservatives, and a lot of sodium.
To learn more about lowering your risk for heart disease and choosing heart-healthy foods, visit the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute or call 1-855-876-2484.
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string(216) "Guacamole is a “go-to” dip at get-togethers, game-day parties, or casual family gatherings. But is guacamole healthy? Good news: When eaten in moderation, guacamole does have some health benefits.
Guacamole is a “go-to” dip at get-togethers, game-day parties, or casual family gatherings. But is guacamole healthy? Good news: When eaten in moderation, guacamole does have some health benefits.Read More
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string(474) "If you’re a bystander as a traumatic event unfolds, it’s easy to panic. Take the quiz to learn more about how to respond.
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I understand that by providing my email address, I agree to receive emails from UPMC. I understand that I may opt out of receiving such communications at any time.
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string(141) "If you’re a bystander as a traumatic event unfolds, it’s easy to panic. Take the quiz to learn more about how to respond.
If you’re a bystander as a traumatic event unfolds, it’s easy to panic. Take the quiz to learn more about how to respond.Start Quiz
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string(3206) "Most people are familiar with hormones like estrogen and testosterone, but the body produces a lot of hormones that aren't as well-known. One of them is cortisol. What is cortisol? The definition of cortisol is a stress hormone produced by the adrenal gland. It helps regulate a person's motivation, mood, fear, and fight-or-flight response.
What Is Cortisol?
The cortisol stress hormone does more than just control stress response. Cortisol is produced in the adrenal glands, which are small glands at the top of the kidneys. Cortisol levels fluctuate depending on a person's circumstances. Stress causes the body to produce an abundance of cortisol, which can slow some bodily functions. Stress may adversely affect a person's immune system, digestive system, or reproductive system. For some people, a cortisol increase can even cause a temporary halt in growth.
While the adrenal glands produce the cortisol stress hormone, the pituitary gland and hypothalamus in the brain sense the blood's cortisol levels and can adjust them.
Cortisol has other functions besides stress management, including:
Inhibiting inflammation
Controlling sleep-wake cycles
Regulating blood pressure
Increasing blood sugar as needed
Boosting energy during a stressful period
Managing the body's use of protein, fat, and carbohydrates
Cortisol is a multitasking hormone that's integral to overall health. To flourish, your body needs to have the right cortisol level for specific circumstances.
Too Much or Too Little Cortisol
Both overproduction and underproduction of cortisol can be harmful. Chronic stress keeps cortisol levels continuously high, which can cause depression, anxiety, headaches, digestive issues, insomnia, heart disease, weight gain, and even memory loss.
A lack or excess of cortisol is associated with specific diseases. Cushing's disease develops when a tumor or mass in the adrenal or pituitary glands generates cortisol overproduction. A person with Cushing's disease may gain weight rapidly, bruise easily, develop diabetes, or experience muscle weakness.
Too little cortisol could indicate Addison's disease. The disease can cause fatigue and weakness, weight loss, skin changes, appetite loss, nausea and vomiting. The symptoms often appear slowly.
Cortisol can affect many parts and systems in the body. If you have any questions about the definition of cortisol or if you have a cortisol-related health issue, contact your UPMC doctor. You can find a UPMC doctor by calling 1-800-533-UPMC.
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Stress causes the body to produce an abundance of cortisol, which can slow some bodily functions. Stress may adversely affect a person’s immune system, digestive system, or reproductive system.Read More
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string(6674) "Keith McIntire isn’t supposed to be alive. He’s a miracle. He’s also adamant that this story isn’t about him.
To Keith, the real story is the summer camp for kids with congenital heart disease (CHD) that he helped to found in 1991. But to tell the story of Dr. Bill Neches Heart Camp for Kids, held annually at Camp Kon-O-Kwee in Merion Township, Pennsylvania, you have to tell Keith’s story, too. Neither story would be quite the same without the other.
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Born in 1959 with a rare heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary leaflets, Keith underwent his first surgery at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh when he was just 9 months old to have what was believed to be a bronchial cyst removed. That surgery turned exploratory in nature when it was discovered that the spherical dilation that was seen on the x-ray was on the pulmonary, not the bronchial artery. It was then that doctors discovered Keith was missing a pulmonary valve and diagnosed his heart condition. Because of the rare defect, Keith was never expected to survive to his first birthday – let alone until his 16th – when he had his second heart surgery.
“When I was diagnosed in the early 60s, my parents were sent home with me and the doctors said, ‘just take him home and love him, there’s nothing we can do at this time.’ And they did,” says Keith. “They let me do all the things I wanted to do. They didn’t try to coddle me, and I just kept going year after year.”
A Pediatric Transplant First at UPMC Children’s Hospital
Finally, at age 16, Keith received the first-ever porcine, or pig-heart, valve surgery at UPMC Children’s. That valve served him well until he was 23, when he received the mechanical valve that he has to this day.
“I was definitely a part of some ‘firsts’ at Children’s,” says Keith. “For many years I was their poster child for pediatric cardiac care. I’m actually Children’s oldest living heart patient that they have followed since birth. I’m pretty fortunate.”
Also fortunate are the kids who have attended the camp that Keith helped found with now-retired pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Bill Neches. All of the campers have been UPMC Children’s patients, too, and each is a CHD survivor. A number of them have stories as miraculous as Keith’s. And though the camp itself is held just one week a year, many campers return each year, eventually becoming counselors and adult volunteers. It has become quite a community.
Dr. Bill Neches Heart Camp for Kids: Fun and Educational
The campers, all from the tri-state area, have been afforded world-class care at UPMC Children’s, which established the nation’s first pediatric transplant center in 1981 under the guidance of transplant pioneer Thomas E. Starzl, MD, PhD. UPMC Children’s has performed more pediatric transplants than any other pediatric transplant center. It welcomes children and families from all over the world for its expertise, innovation, and achieves patient survival rates that are among the highest in the world.
“When Dr. Neches came to me with the idea of this camp, he wanted to bring kids with CHD together to show them that they aren’t alone, different, or too fragile to run and play and live their lives,” says Keith. “The camp encourages kids to be kids without allowing heart disease to limit them.”
While children with CHD do not face the grim prognosis that Keith faced all those years ago, they often feel isolated and begin to doubt their abilities. Consequently, Heart Camp seeks to build confidence and afford children the opportunity to try new things, while learning about their health and hearts. The camp has clinician volunteers who interact with the kids. Special sessions let campers ask questions about their hearts.
“Kids get to talk with doctors at camp and ask questions that they might not ask if their mom or dad was around,” says Keith. “We really want them to learn about their hearts so they can be their own health advocates one day. We have sly ways of making camp as educational as it is fun.”
Former Heart Campers Make Good
Clearly, it’s working. Former campers have gone onto work on CHD initiatives, either professionally, philanthropically, or both. Off the top of his head, Keith can point to former campers who work in research, medicine, and the pharmaceutical industry. One is going to Harvard to become a pediatric cardiac surgeon. Another is a PhD doing research in technologies that can heal heart defects. Several have gone into nursing as well. Keith himself works in Medical Genetics at UPMC Children's.
What’s obvious is that current campers are having fun, making friends, gaining confidence, learning about themselves, and realizing just how lucky they are to have had great care that lets them live full lives. It’s also clear that camp is having a lasting impact on former campers and encouraging them to pay their good fortune forward to help others who are just beginning their CHD journeys.
Heart Camp Remains Close to Keith’s Heart
And though Keith never wanted this story to be about him, as he heads into another summer as director of Dr. Bill Neches Heart Camp for Kids, a position that he held in a volunteer capacity until six years ago when he was formally hired to run the camp, he exemplifies paying it forward to others as well as anyone could hope to.
“I didn’t expect to be at the camp all these years,” says Keith. “It has become a full-time job in its own right. But I’ll always remember years ago when a little boy looked up at me and asked how old I was. At the time, I was 33. He was in awe and said that he never expected to live that long. I knew then that I couldn’t leave this camp. I had to share my hope with these kids.”"
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string(313) "Keith McIntire isn’t supposed to be alive. He’s a miracle. He’s also adamant that this story isn’t about him. “When I was diagnosed in the early 60s, my parents were sent home with me and the doctors said, ‘just take him home and love him, there’s nothing we can do at this time.’
Keith McIntire isn’t supposed to be alive. He’s a miracle. He’s also adamant that this story isn’t about him. “When I was diagnosed in the early 60s, my parents were sent home with me and the doctors said, ‘just take him home and love him, there’s nothing we can do at this time.’Watch Now
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string(4719) "If you want to work out to lose weight, you might be considering spin classes or jogging on the treadmill. And while those cardio workouts are essential for burning calories and building endurance, it's also important to include muscle-strengthening in your routine. Strength training and weight loss are closely linked.
What Is Strength Training?
Many people associate strength-building with bulky muscles and bodybuilders. But strengthening exercises aren't just for people who want to bulk up with dumbbells.
Strengthening exercise (sometimes called resistance training) includes a wide variety of exercises and activities. The goal is to work a set of muscles to fatigue through repetition — not to elevate your heart rate over an extended period of time as in cardio workouts.
Strengthening exercise can involve:
Free weights
Weight machines at the gym
Resistance bands
Medicine balls
Lifting small items like cans or water bottles at home
Body weight exercises (e.g., pushups, situps, squats, and planks)
Strength Training and Weight Loss
When you maintain a muscle-strengthening routine, you'll feel stronger and look more toned — and yes, lose weight. According to the American Heart Association, resistance workouts grow the strength of your bones, muscles, and connective tissues, like tendons and ligaments. That's especially important as you age and your risk for osteoporosis and bone fractures rises. The American Diabetes Association says that regular strength-building exercise can also increase insulin sensitivity and thereby lower blood glucose.
And if you work out to lose weight, here's more good news: Those muscles you're building boost your metabolism, because muscle at rest burns more calories than fat. So as you get toned, you actually burn more calories throughout the day — even when you're just sitting on the couch.
A Little Strength-Building Goes a Long Way
For optimal results, you should do strengthening exercises at least two times a week, focusing on the major muscle groups. Take a day or rest in between—for example, if you work on legs one day, do arms the next. If you perform a full-body workout (including your arms, legs, and chest, etc.) take a whole day or rest in between.
Of course, check with your doctor before starting any fitness program.
It's important — especially if you haven't done strengthening exercises before — to start small. Warm up and cool down with lighter weights if you're just starting out.
Use light weights with more repetitions at first, and then work up to heavier weights or stronger resistance bands. Muscle-strengthening activities should be gradually increased over time. Begin with one day a week performing a light to moderate effort. Then increase to two days per week, building the intensity over time.
For even better results, combine strengthening exercises with 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, such as walking, swimming, or biking, five days per week. If you also do yoga or Pilates a couple times per week to improve flexibility, you'll have an optimal fitness regimen for weight loss or general health.
Muscle-Building Myths, Busted
No, you will not look like a professional bodybuilder if you start lifting weights a couple of times each week. Especially for women, it's impossible to achieve a bulky look without a highly specialized diet and an intense weightlifting routine.
Another myth is that you can't slim down while strength-building. Remember that muscle weighs significantly more than fat, so it may appear that your weight loss has slowed when, in fact, you're toning up and dropping sizes. It can be better to track your health by how clothes fit rather than with the scale.
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string(151) "Strength training and weight loss are closely linked. Learn why you should incorporate strength training into your workout routine to maximize results."
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string(338) "If you want to work out to lose weight, you might be considering spin classes or jogging on the treadmill. And while those cardio workouts are essential for burning calories and building endurance, it’s also important to include muscle-strengthening in your routine. Strength training and weight loss are closely linked.
If you want to work out to lose weight, you might be considering spin classes or jogging on the treadmill. And while those cardio workouts are essential for burning calories and building endurance, it’s also important to include muscle-strengthening in your routine. Strength training and weight loss are closely linked.Read More
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string(4472) "As the arguments over child vaccines continue, it's important to understand the evidence. Here is an overview of vaccines and key reasons you should vaccinate your child.
What Are Vaccines?
Vaccines are shots administered during childhood and beyond, sometimes at intervals. They contain antigens from weakened or dead germs to help provide immunity against a life-threatening disease. Childhood vaccines are given before a child is exposed to a disease to help prevent infection if and when they are exposed to it.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccines work by imitating an infection without causing the illness. Vaccines trigger the body's immune system to develop the same response it would to a real infection, so it can fight off the disease in the future.
Many serious diseases that have been eradicated in the U.S. are prevented with vaccines. For example, polio once affected hundreds of thousands of people, paralyzing and killing thousands. Since the vaccine was introduced, polio is largely a disease of the past.
By giving your child vaccines, you help protect them from serious, life-threatening illnesses. Vaccinating your child also boosts the immunity of the surrounding community as a whole, helping ensure that others don't contract the disease.
The Truth About Vaccines: Deciphering Myth and Fact
Many people have begun opting out of vaccines for their children. As a result, the CDC reported nearly 400 people infected with measles in the first three months of 2019 alone, and the number of infections continues to rise because of misinformation about the safety of vaccines. Here are some common vaccine myths.
Myth: Vaccines contain toxic chemicals that can harm a child.
Fact: There are no toxic chemicals in vaccines. The only vaccine that contains a small amount of thiomersal, or mercury, is the flu vaccine. Vaccines routinely given to children do not contain these chemicals.
Myth: You don't need to be vaccinated against diseases that are no longer common, like measles.
Fact: These diseases are no longer common because of widespread vaccination among the general population. In other countries where vaccinations are not routine, these diseases are common. If the community doesn't get vaccinated, the diseases can resurge.
Myth: The MMR vaccine causes autism.
Fact: The study which first reported this has since been debunked. Since then, numerous studies have shown no link between vaccination and autism. Most recently, a Danish study concluded no increased risk of autism after vaccination, as noted by the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Myth: Diseases prevented by vaccines aren't that dangerous, so it's not worth the side effects of the vaccine.
Fact: Some children may experience minor side effects from vaccines, such as mild fever, redness, swelling, or soreness. However, by and large, no serious side effects occur from vaccines. The diseases that vaccines prevent include diseases that can cause paralysis, blindness, brain injury, encephalitis, and death. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) says people are far more likely to be injured by the vaccine-preventable disease than by the vaccine itself.
Child Vaccines Are Necessary
Many diseases prevented by vaccines are rare in the United States. Yet, travelers who go to other countries where vaccination participation is low can become infected and bring nearly eradicated diseases back to the U.S., endangering unvaccinated children and communities in the United States.
The bottom line is that childhood vaccines are safe, and can save thousands — if not tens of thousands — of lives every year.
For more information, contact the Department of Pediatrics at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh."
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string(274) "Vaccines are shots administered during childhood and beyond, sometimes at intervals. As the arguments over child vaccines continue, it’s important to understand the evidence. Here is an overview of vaccines and key reasons you should vaccinate your child.
Vaccines are shots administered during childhood and beyond, sometimes at intervals. As the arguments over child vaccines continue, it’s important to understand the evidence. Here is an overview of vaccines and key reasons you should vaccinate your child.Watch Now
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string(3820) "UPMC is a world-renowned leader in organ transplantation, welcoming patients from around the world. Dr. Thomas E. Starzl’s leadership brought two vital elements to UPMC: expertise in liver transplant and new anti-rejection drugs that made organ transplant an accepted treatment for many diseases that were considered incurable.
Today, UPMC is focusing on the future of this evolving field – immune transplant in conjunction with organ transplant.
“In a short period of time, transplantation has gone from being an experimental procedure to being the standard of care for patients with end-stage organ disease. For many patients, it is now the main treatment method and, in some cases, it is the only method,” says Abhinav Humar, MD, chief of transplantation at UPMC.
Anti-Rejection Medicines for Transplantation
Despite the benefits of transplantation, patients continue to face life-threatening challenges after transplant surgery due to the ongoing need for anti-rejection medicines. These medicines work by essentially suppressing the immune system to prevent the body from rejecting the new organ.
The immune system is designed to protect the body from disease. While the medicines have been successful in helping prevent organ rejection, the patient is at a higher risk of developing infections, kidney failure, and certain types of cancer.
“The immune system that helps us fight infections also helps us fight certain types of tumors. When patients must take medicine that suppresses the immune system for the rest of their lives, it’s going to have a downside to it,” says Dr. Humar. “Specifically, the downside for transplant patients is that having to take these medicines for a long period of time puts them at higher risk of developing infections and certain types of tumors.”
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Immune Transplant in Conjunction with Organ Transplant
To help solve this issue, experts at the UPMC Immune Transplant and Therapy Center are exploring the use the donor’s cells to control the recipient’s immune response.
Prior to a living-donor liver transplant, dendritic cells — cells that control the response of the immune system — are removed from the donor and transplanted into the recipient. When the recipient receives a portion of the donor’s liver, the body will recognize the organ as its own because it has already been exposed to the donor’s cells.
By using donor-derived cells in combination with an organ transplant, UPMC is effectively “transplanting” the seeds of a healthy immune system into a transplant recipient, with the goal of to reducing or even eliminating the typical immune response that leads to organ rejection.
“The field of transplantation will be changed. We are striving for better and better results. We want our patients to live longer and healthier,” says Dr. Humar.
Learn More About Immune Transplant
The UPMC Immune Transplant and Therapy Center represents an endeavor that is at the heart of UPMC’s mission to develop and deliver life-changing medicine. To learn more about the UPMC Immune Transplant and Therapy Center and UPMC’s commitment to saving lives through transplantation, visit UPMC.com/ITTC.
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“In a short period of time, transplantation has gone from being an experimental procedure to being the standard of care for patients with end-stage organ disease. For many patients, it is now the main treatment method and, in some cases, it is the only method,” says Abhinav Humar, MD, chief of transplantation at UPMC.Read More
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string(3909) "According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), deaths in the United States from prescription opioids, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and methadone, have quintupled since 1999. From 1999 to 2016 there were over 200,000 deaths from drug overdoses.
Opioids are frequently prescribed to relieve pain. Opioid drugs are chemically related and interact with opioid receptors on nerve cells in the body and the brain. In addition to relieving pain, opioids can cause euphoria, which may lead to misuse and overdose.
Over time, opioid use can lead to tolerance, which is the need for more of a substance to achieve the desired effect (or a reduced effect when taking the same amount of the substance).
It's important to recognize the signs and symptoms of opioid use disorder. If you notice any of these symptoms in family or friends, help is available.
Opioid Abuse and Dependence
Opioid pain relievers are generally safe when taken for a short period of time (generally up to a few weeks) and as prescribed. Regular or prolonged use, even as prescribed, can cause dependence.
The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) defines addiction as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.
Opioid Misuse or Risky Use Symptoms
Taking the substance/medication in larger amounts or longer than intended
Taking someone else's medication, even for a legitimate purpose such as to relieve pain
An inability to cut down or control the use of the substance/medication
Craving or a strong desire to use the substance/medication
Recurrent use of the substance/medication despite harmful consequences
Using in contradiction to prescribing guidelines (e.g., combining the substance/medication with alcohol or other drugs)
Using the substance in a manner other than intended (e.g., crushing pills)
Social Indications of Opioid Use Disorder
Often, people who are struggling with opioid use disorder will start behaving differently. Here are some indications to look for:
Withdrawal from social and recreational activities
Changes in behavior or mood
Financial problems
Making bad or reckless decisions
Avoiding friends and family
Missing school or work due to use
Suspension from school or job loss due to a drug-related incident
If you suspect an overdose, call 911, administer naloxone (Narcan if available, and do not leave the person alone until help arrives.
Treatment is available for opiate use disorders — and treatment works! If you aren't sure what to do, seek advice from the experts at UPMC Addiction Medicine Program — you could save a life.
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string(276) "According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, deaths in the United States from prescription opioids, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and methadone, have quintupled since 1999. From 1999 to 2016 there were over 200,000 deaths from drug overdoses.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, deaths in the United States from prescription opioids, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and methadone, have quintupled since 1999. From 1999 to 2016 there were over 200,000 deaths from drug overdoses.Read More
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string(6770) "Yoga is known for improving flexibility and balance. But did you know that yoga can also boost cardiovascular health?
Yoga is an ancient practice that involves holding and moving through a series of postures or poses. It focuses on flexibility and strength-building and can also include meditation and breathing exercises to help calm the mind.
The poses and stretches performed in yoga can also reduce chronic pain. Many of the postures are weight-bearing postures, which help strengthen bones and muscles. Yoga for cardiovascular health includes simple poses to promote flexibility, stress relief, and relaxation.
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I understand that by providing my email address, I agree to receive emails from UPMC. I understand that I may opt out of receiving such communications at any time.
Yoga also improves heart health by increasing circulation and blood flow. In addition, practicing yoga can help lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels, as well as the heart rate — which can all add up to a lower risk of hypertension, stroke, and heart disease.
Yoga for Heart Health
Exercise that gets your heart rate pumping isn't the only way to help improve your cardiovascular health. Managing stress also is critical to your overall heart health. Yoga's clearest benefit to heart health is its ability to relax the body and mind. The practice of yoga also can increase strength, flexibility, and overall stamina, making it a great fit for a healthy lifestyle.
Here are 10 yoga poses for a healthy heart:
Poses to Increase Flexibility
Standing forward bend
In this pose, you engage a deep stretch by bending forward from a standing position with your legs straight and feet together or hip-width apart. Bring your head toward your knees and place your palms or fingertips on the floor in line with your feet. If you can't reach the floor, you can rest your palms or fingertips on a yoga block in front of your feet. This pose stretches the spine, hamstrings, shoulders, and groin. It can relieve pain and increase flexibility.
Extended triangle pose
From a standing position, step your right foot 3-4 feet from your left foot. Turn your left foot about 45 degrees to the right. Place your right foot at 90 degrees. Shift your left hip back toward your left heel and lean your torso to the right. Reach your left hand down, either to the floor (or a block) outside of your right foot or against your right shin. As you turn and look up, raise your right arm to the sky, with fingers pointing upwards. Inhale and exhale for three counts, while keeping your legs straight and thighs firm. Repeat on the opposite side. This pose stretches and strengthens the chest, torso, and legs to promote increased stamina.
Bridge pose
Lying on your back with your knees bent and feet on the floor, place your feet about hip-width apart and bring your knees over your ankles. As you press your feet into the floor, lift your bottom off the floor and hold it in the air while lifting your hips toward the ceiling. You can rest your arms on the floor at your side, or you can roll your shoulders under your body and clasp your hands below your pelvis on the floor. This pose will help stretch the spine and chest and relieve stress. It also can be therapeutic for someone with high blood pressure.
Chair pose
From a standing position with your feet together or slightly apart and toes facing forward, raise your arms overhead and bend your knees. With your thighs touching (or slightly apart), bring your thighs nearly parallel to the floor. Your knees will protrude forward, and your torso will slightly lean forward over the thighs. Hold this position for up to a minute before returning to the starting position and repeating. This pose engages the leg and arm muscles, while stimulating the diaphragm and heart.
Head to knee pose
Sit on the floor with your legs straight in front of you. Bend your right leg so the bottom of your right foot rests on the inner thigh of your left leg. Reach both arms toward your left foot, keeping your left leg straight on the ground, and come into a forward bend. Lower your forehead toward your straight leg as you breathe into the stretch. Repeat on the opposite side. This pose will help stretch the spine, shoulders, hamstrings, and groin. It may also help relieve anxiety and fatigue.
Poses for Relaxation and Sleep
Easy pose
Begin in a seated, upright position with your feet crossed underneath the opposite thigh. Place your hands in your lap, with your palms facing up or on your knees and breathe in this pose for several minutes. This pose can help relax the body and mind, while strengthening the back. You can use your time as a mini-meditation.
Supine spinal twist
Lie on your back and bring your right knee to your chest, then across your left side. Extend your right arm out to the side and take several deep breaths. Repeat on your left side. Another variation focuses on raising both knees across each side. This gentle twist helps to relieve tension in the spine and relax the body.
Child's pose
Begin by kneeling on the floor and sitting on your feet. Separate your knees as wide as your hips and bring your big toes together. Lay your torso forward between your thighs, extending your arms in front of you on the floor. Lay your forehead against the floor and rest in this position for a few minutes. This pose stretches the hips and thighs while relaxing the mind and reducing stress. It can also help relieve back pain.
Legs up the wall
This pose is exactly as it sounds. Lie on your back on the floor and position both legs against the wall. Lie this way for several minutes. The blood flows to the heart, providing a soothing, relaxing experience. It is especially helpful for better sleep.
Corpse pose
Lie on your back with your arms and legs relaxed. Reach your arms out to the sides with your palms facing up. Close your eyes and take a few minutes to focus your attention on your body and your breathing. This can help relieve stress.
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string(278) "Yoga improves heart health by increasing circulation and blood flow. In addition, practicing yoga can help lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels, as well as the heart rate — which can all add up to a lower risk of hypertension, stroke, and heart disease."
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Yoga improves heart health by increasing circulation and blood flow. In addition, practicing yoga can help lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels, as well as the heart rate — which can all add up to a lower risk of hypertension, stroke, and heart disease.Read More
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string(930) "Each year, an estimated 76,000 Americans are diagnosed with melanoma, a type of cancer that usually originates in skin cells. Melanoma rates continue to rise, and misconceptions about melanoma, including risks, causes, and prevention, are widespread.
Knowledge is power, and ending the misinformation is the first step to saving lives. Our melanoma quiz contains five common beliefs about skin cancer — but not all are true.
Do you think you can tell melanoma facts from fiction? Test your knowledge with our skin cancer quiz.
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Skin Cancer Quiz: Can You Tell Melanoma Facts From Myths?
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The UPMC Hillman Cancer Center offers free skin cancer screenings on the third Friday of each month. To learn more or make an appointment, call 412-692-4724."
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Each year, an estimated 76,000 Americans are diagnosed with melanoma, a type of cancer that usually originates in skin cells. Do you think you can tell melanoma facts from fiction? Test your knowledge with our skin cancer quiz.Start Quiz
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