Health Highlights: Oct. 19, 2010
Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:
FDA OKs Sales by Iowa Egg Farm Involved in Salmonella Outbreak
One of two farms linked to last summer's nationwide egg salmonella outbreak and recall will be allowed to start selling eggs again, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
In a letter dated Oct. 15, the agency told Hillandale Farms of Hampton, Iowa that it could ship eggs to the table market from three of its egg-producing houses.
The decision is based on the company's response to inspections in August, the FDA said. In addition, extensive testing of the three egg houses has revealed no evidence of Salmonella contamination. The company said it would begin shipping eggs from the three egg houses on Oct. 18.
Four other egg houses overseen by HIllandale are undergoing further testing before the FDA considers allowing egg shipments from those facilities.
The other egg producer involved in the salmonella outbreak is still prohibited from shipping eggs. The FDA sent Wright County Eggs of Iowa a warning letter about the company's failure to correct sanitation violations, the Los Angeles Times reported.
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Tylenol Maker Announces Another Recall
Complaints of a moldy or musty odor have prompted the recall of Tylenol 8-hour caplets 50 count in the United States and Puerto Rico, says McNeil Consumer Healthcare.
The company said it believes the odor is caused by trace amounts of a chemical called 2,4,6-tribromoanisole and that the "risk of adverse medical events is remote," CNN reported.
Consumers can call 1-888-222-6036 or go to McNeil's Web site to find out how to receive a refund or replacement product, said the company, which is a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson.
Unusual odors have forced McNeil to issue several recalls so far this year of non-prescription pain and cold drugs including Tylenol, Benadryl and Motrin. The recalls have led to a Congressional inquiry, CNN reported.
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NFL Considering Suspensions for Dangerous Hits
NFL players may soon start receiving suspensions for dangerous helmet-to-helmet hits, according to a league official.
After several alarming hits in Sunday's games, the NFL's president of football operations said the league may have to do more than fine players in order to prevent such behavior.
"There's strong testimonial for looking readily at evaluating discipline, especially in the areas of egregious and elevated dangerous hits," Ray Anderson told the Associated Press.
"Going forward there are certain hits that occurred that will be more susceptible to suspension. There are some that could bring suspensions for what are flagrant and egregious situations," he said.
The league would have to consult with the NFL Players Association but Anderson said he didn't expect any opposition, the AP reported.
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Nature's Scenes, Sounds Reduce Pain of Bone Marrow Procedure: Study
The pain of bone marrow extraction can be eased by showing patients nature scenes and playing nature sounds such as chirping birds, trickling water or ribbiting frogs, according to a new study.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore tested these methods on cancer patients undergoing bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, BBC News reported.
They compared the effects of nature scenes and sounds to city scenes and sounds. The scenes were painted on hospital bed curtains. The patients exposed to nature scenes and sounds showed a significant reduction in pain levels during the bone marrow procedure, while those exposed to city scenes and sounds had no pain relief.
The study was published in the September issue of the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
The researchers said the nature scenes and sounds offer a cheap and easy way of reducing patients' pain, BBC News reported.
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