If I’m confused, I can only imagine what women are thinking throughout America this morning. As recently as Monday morning, I saw some 40-year-old patients in my office and talked to them about the benefits of mammograms. I based my recommendations on the analysis that the American Cancer Society and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology have said for the last 5-7 years. And I have seen the benefits of early detection and screening in my own experience with a significant amount of cancers being prevented in women in the 40-49 age group.

I have also seen young patients die of breast cancer, so it was very surprising to me that this federally appointed panel came out with the recommendation that women start getting mammograms at age 50 and then every two years after that without even considering the impact that it could have on preventive medicine. So far, the only thing I can conclude from their statements is that they’re playing a numbers game and based on their theoretical statistical analyses and data from some European countries such as Sweden, the cost-benefits ratio in their mathematical calculations made it more beneficial at the age of 50 than it would be at the age of 40.

Saving someone from cancer should not be a numbers game, but unfortunately, this seems to be the trend coming to America. Save dollars, and make it cost effective. I don’t mind that medical policies change, but what I do mind, is when these decisions are made by bureaucratic panels without considering the impact that it can have on the patients and the physicians treating them. As of today, it appears that the American Cancer Society disagrees with these new recommendations, so I can only imagine what insurance companies are going to be saying in the very near future.

Finally, I really want to express my discontent with the advice being given to younger women not to bother doing self exams. We teach women about the importance of becoming familiar with their bodies. Self examination can yield lesions in a woman’s breast that if recognized and worked-up could prevent death and disease. It does not cost anything, and it can only provide vital information that is important to health care professionals. But as I said earlier, it’s always a numbers game. I just hope my daughter doesn’t become one of those statistics, that at least to some people, do not seem to matter.

I’ve been getting a lot of questions in response to a recent blog I wrote about monitoring H1N1 vaccine side effects, so I wanted to take the time to address some of your concerns. I know the overload of information on this pandemic can be confusing, but I’m here to help, so keep the questions coming and I’ll do my best to answer them for you.

I thought I heard that the H1N1 vaccine is bad for pregnant women as it has long term effects on the baby. Now, I find nothing on Fox about that. Can you PLEASE clear this up? My daughter is 6 months pregnant and does not know what to do!!
 
You must have heard wrong. We have been saying right from the beginning, as we say every year for the regular flu shot: Pregnant women are considered a high-risk group. Pregnant women have an underactive immune system as well as compromised respiratory capacity, so if a pregnant woman gets the flu, she could have serious side effects, which may not only jeopardize her health – but that of her unborn child. So get both flu shots!

Once you have had H1N1, can you get it again in the same season? What about next season? Can we get it again after it mutates?

We do not know the complete answer to this question however, if you have had the current H1N1 flu strain, you probably have immunity to this specific strain of the virus. So this season, you may have nothing to worry about. However, if the virus mutates or a new strain of H1N1 virus emerges, past exposures to the current flu strain may not be protective.

My son is 15 months old and he is borderline asthmatic. Should I get the vaccine? So many people say yes, and so many people say no. I’m so confused and don’t know what to do!! Please help!

The answer to your question is, yes. The CDC is specifically looking at children with asthma. Many of the complicated H1N1 cases we’ve seen have been in asthmatic children. The combination of viral pneumonia and asthma in a small child could be quite devastating and deadly. So talk to your pediatrician and strongly consider vaccinating your child. And don’t forget to get yourself immunized.

If the H1N1 vaccine is not available, will the pneumonia vaccine help protect your lungs from getting pneumonia if you get the flu?

The pneumonia vaccine is targeted to protect against bacterial pneumonia – specifically pneumococcal pneumonia. This will not offer protection against a viral pneumonia – which can be a complication of the flu. So talk to your doctor before you make any decisions.

There has been a lot of push back when it comes to the H1N1 flu vaccine. Of course, as with any medication, there could be side effects because not all immune systems are created equal.

But what people have to remember is their reasons for not supporting the vaccine – mainly because of the fear that it was rushed and long-term side effects are not yet known – are some of the same reasons preliminary reports of possible side effects could also be coincidental. For example, if someone has a heart attack after receiving their H1N1 flu shot, are they going to assume it’s directly related to the vaccine or attribute it to unhealthy lifestyle decisions?

The Associated Press recently published an article on this topic that looked at how the government will be intensely tracking the side effects of this vaccine and separating legitimate medical concerns from inevitable coincidences.

This is a proactive plan. The government is going to be putting information together for the public in an effort to stop the spread of false rumors and try to put the public at ease.

One major focus will be miscarriage since they are encouraging pregnant women to get the vaccine and miscarriages are quite common anyway.

Like the seasonal influenza vaccine, medical professionals expect the side effects associated with the H1N1 flu vaccine should be minimal. The most common side effect with all flu vaccines is soreness at the injection site, and sometimes people feel achy.

Many Americans are concerned about the safety and efficacy of the newly developed H1N1 flu shot because of a similar vaccine that was linked to a swine flu-like outbreak at Fort Dix in 1976.

Guillain-Barre occurs naturally following upper respiratory illnesses, digestive illnesses and on rare occasions – is associated with drugs and vaccines. However, the frequency is still 1-2 per 100,000 people.

I’ll be keeping a close eye on this, and if anything is reported, I’ll be the first one to let you know.

With concern over the H1N1 flu reaching an all-time high – Americans are scrambling to find ways to either prevent the virus, cure it if they get it or try to get out of getting the flu shot. And as a result, many people are turning to the Internet for help.

I have said it a thousand times and I’ll say it again: It’s not safe to buy medication over the Internet from sources that are not reputable!  There are thousands of medications available on the Web, and more and more companies are popping up each day offering fast access and delivery of both over-the-counter and prescription medications. We know the dangers associated with buying drugs online, but for some reason, people continue to do it!

In fact, it poses such a problem, that in the midst of the H1N1 flu pandemic and the hysteria it’s created, the FDA felt the need to warn consumers about purchasing products over the Internet that claim to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure the H1N1 flu virus. Trust me — nothing could be more dangerous than thinking that you can fight the H1N1 virus with unregulated medications available on the Web.

The FDA issued the warning after the agency purchased and analyzed several products online that were marketed as Tamiflu, which is an antiviral drug that slows the severity of the flu. After checking out the products, many of them were found to be unsafe.

Here is an excerpt taken directly from the FDA press release:

“One of the orders, which arrived in an unmarked envelope with a postmark from India, consisted of unlabeled, white tablets taped between two pieces of paper. When analyzed by the FDA, the tablets were found to contain talc and acetaminophen, but none of the active ingredient oseltamivir. The Web site disappeared shortly after the FDA placed the order. At the same time, the FDA also purchased four other products purported to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure the H1N1 influenza virus from other Web sites.”

The products that the FDA analyzed contained varying levels of oseltamivir, and were not approved in the U.S. And furthermore if you’re ordering medications from other countries, most of them will not even arrive in time to treat someone suffering from the H1N1 flu! It’s just not worth it, people! When you order medications that are not regulated, you’re putting yourself and/or your loved ones at risk for getting counterfeit or contaminated products, and the effects can be deadly.

So instead of logging onto the Internet the next time you need a prescription drug – pick up the phone and call your doctor. After all — that’s what we’re here for.

 Click here for more information from the FDA on how to protect yourself.

There have been a number of published reports this year about staff several VA hospitals using unsterilized equipment and exposing their patients to infectious diseases.

To hear of such negligent acts coming from a VA hospital is totally unconscionable and should never be tolerated. In the past couple of years, we have heard about malicious health care personnel who ― for some reason or another ― have purposely infected patients or administered medication inappropriately, but a case where a health care facility and/or health care personnel fails to have good infection control, the potential to harm hundreds of innocent victims is overwhelming.

If nothing else, what medical history has taught us, is that hospitals infections are on the rise. For the last five years, massive education coming from federal health agencies have mandated that doctors, nurses, and technical personnel that work in a hospital understand and follow good infection control policies so that patients will not be exposed to dangerous diseases.

Many hospitals are doing a good job, but clearly, from what we can learn of these recent reports – a lot of work needs to be done.

It is particularly upsetting to me because VA hospitals should represent the best health care available – especially because their purpose is to provide services to our men and women in uniform who have sacrificed so much.

So let us hope that this is a wake-up call to the Obama administration to beef up the quality and the prestige of our federally-funded health services.

Now, let me give you some tips on how you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of poor infection control in the hospital:

1. Demand that all health care personnel wash their hands in front of you before they render any physical service;
2. Demand that all health care personnel wear NEW gloves before drawing any blood;
3. Make sure your health care provider opens new needles from new packaging in your presence;
4. If any injectable medication is to be administered, it must come from a new bottle; 
5. If you do not feel comfortable in your current setting, ask to speak to the infection control officer at your health facility. It is your right. 

Like I always say: It’s my hope that some day all health care facilities will provide the best care available, but it seems that in the meantime, we all need to be on the alert.

In the wake of Tuesday’s earthquake and subsequent tsunami that have wreaked havoc on the people of the Samoan islands, I ask Americans to remember those affected, and think about what you can do to help.

The devastation these people will feel in the coming weeks while they search desperately for their loved ones, and attempt to pick up the pieces of their broken lives is unimaginable. This is something that hits very close to home with me as I can remember my own devastation — as well as that of my entire family — after the tsunami that hit Phuket on December 26, 2004. Nine members of my family — spanning three generations — had set out to spend the holidays together in paradise, and were among the 230,000 lives lost in that horrible disaster. The search and recovery process was long and painful — and in the end, all but one of them was found and laid to rest. It’s a loss that you don’t ever fully heal from, and my heart aches just thinking of all the people faced with that same devastation today.

The relief effort is gearing up to bring aid to those affected by Tuesday’s tsunami, but relief groups like FEMA and the American Red Cross need help. From a health standpoint, immediate medical concerns may be cuts, lacerations and broken bones suffered by those who tried to escape danger. And as the weeks pass, aid workers will start to turn their efforts to providing people in these areas with food, water and shelter.

So please, keep them in your thoughts and prayers. And for more information on how you can help, click here.

I read an interesting article today reporting the findings from a poll that seriously contradict what the White House and the AMA have been suggesting about the way medical professionals feel about the proposed bill to overhaul the health care system. And while I can’t say I’m surprised at the overwhelming negative response to the plan – the statistics speak volumes.

An IBD/TIPP poll found the following:

– 45% of doctors polled said they would consider leaving their practice or retiring early if the proposed health care bill was to pass

– 65% or 2 out of 3 practicing physicians polled say they oppose the plan

– 72% of doctors polled disagree with the administration’s claim that the government can cover 47 million more Americans with better quality care and at a lower cost

Click here to read the full article

I think there’s some truth to this study – and here’s why…

Right now, doctors are caught between a rock and a hard place and we have very few alternatives – many doctors have already started moving to other parts of the country where there is less government regulation on how they run their practice. What we are finding – and will continue to find with this health care bill looming – is that doctors have already started dropping their private practices and taking hospital jobs. Many are changing specialties or plan on not offering certain procedures because of strict government regulation once we move toward a universalized health care system – and for those doctors to perform procedure using local hospital facilities, well, that costs money, too. We’ve been facing a primary care doctor shortage for years now, and the numbers continue to drop. All of these things have a negative impact on the quality of care patients receive.

So I want to do a little research of my own. I want to hear what YOU think – especially if you’re a doctor or in the medical field. How do you feel about the proposed bill and do you think that it will cause doctors to leave the medical field?

Make your voice heard! I’ll be reading some of your comments on FOX & Friends tomorrow morning at 6:30 a.m. E.T., where we’ll be discussing this report in more depth.

I’ve been getting many e-mails over the past couple of days concerning swine flu.  So I’ve decided to answer a few of them here.

Dear Dr. Manny,
If I had the swine flu in 1976 after I received the swine flu vaccine as a college student, do I have any anti-bodies that may help ward off this version of the virus?
                  —Amy Gorman
                  Lutherville, MD

Probably not. This current swine flu’s genetic makeup is different from the swine flu from the ‘70s, and therefore the vaccination won’t be protective for you. But the silver lining is that this current swine flu is less lethal, and there may components in it that more Americans have been exposed to. So you may have a greater chance of being protected already which can minimize the symptoms.    

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Dear Dr. Manny,
We have friends who have returned from a trip to Mexico City two weeks ago. How long would it take for swine flu symptoms to show up if they were infected?
Thank you for your time,
—Alan

The typical incubation time for a virus is 48-72 hours.  So if your friends have been back for two weeks, and don’t have any symptoms, you can feel confident that they are safe. 

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Dr. Manny,
My wife and I are very concerned of the complications swine flu/treatment would pose to her pregnancy. Are the approved drugs for treatment approved for use during pregnancy?
Thanks,
Ben Demaline
Jacksonville, FL

Yes, all of the current flu treatments can be given to pregnant women. As a matter of fact, we tend to be more aggressive in treating the flu in expectant mothers because pregnancy can make flu symptoms worse and put the patient at higher risk. That’s why it’s recommended that all pregnant women get flu shots annually.

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Dr. Manny,
I will be flying to Las Vegas next week with a two-hour layover in Atlanta. I had a liver transplant five years ago and have done really well. Do you think that I should wear a mask at the airport and on the plane? I am very concerned about the large crowds and would like your opinion.
Thank you for any answer!
G. Savage

As a liver transplant recipient you are probably taking immunosuppressant therapy drugs and therefore you do have to take precautions to avoid exposure to the swine flu ― or any kind of flu. Even though I’m not a big advocate of wearing masks, I do feel that you should wear one. But remember: Not all facial masks are created equal, so get one that has been proven to protect against viruses. There are many supply stores that carry this specific mask for viruses. Also, try to wipe down all the surfaces on your airplane seat with antibacterial wipes. Be sure to wash your hands before, during and after the trip. And avoid any contact with anyone who you suspect might be sick. I know that this is a big stretch, but until we know exactly the extent of the spread, in your particular case, I would be extra cautious. I hope that this doesn’t ruin your vacation! 

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Dr. Manny,
I have no choice but to commute using public transportation everyday.  How should I take precautions against the swine flu?
                  Thanks,
                  —Paul

If you can avoid public transportation, especially crowded subway cars, then do it.  But if you can’t here’s what you can do:

• If you are a healthy individual you can just use antibacterial products, including wipes and gels, chronically throughout your trip.
• Avoid contact with people who are coughing or appear sick.  If they are in your car, move to another one. 
• As soon as you get home or to the office wash your hands, wipe down your cell phone, iPod or any device that you used during your trip. 

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Dear Dr. Manny,
I’m a chronic nail biter and I’m really concerned about the swine flu.  What should I do?
Best,
                  —Mel

First and foremost — wash your hands. Your hands are the most common tool for picking up germs and viruses in general. So if you are a nail biter, this would be the perfect incentive for you to quit. Also, biting your nails can make you ingest things other than viruses that you don’t want to have in your body.

Ask, and you shall receive…

Here at FOX News Health, it’s been our mission to provide you with the best health news coverage available on the Web.

Now, we’re taking that coverage a step further, with a new 30-minute weekly show, exclusively for FOXNews.com. The “Ask Dr. Manny” show will extend the lead in health coverage that you, the viewers, have helped us to achieve.

Because of your positive feedback and constant hunger for more information, we’ve combined some of our best features — and added some new ones, to bring you a dynamic show that covers all areas of health and medicine — from skincare to sex and weight loss — we’re even sharing the secrets to living a longer life!

Each week, we’ll be tackling a new topic, providing viewers with vital health information by taking a look into the lives of real people, answering your e-mails, and getting to the bottom of health news making headlines — with a little help from our resident know-it-all Dr. Cynara Coomer.

And remember, this isn’t like any old trip to the doctor — so you can count on it being fun and entertaining — but you’ll still be healthier after tuning in.

“Ask Doctor Manny” will premiere next Wednesday, September 2nd at 4 p.m. EDT on “The Strategy Room.”  Then every following Wednesday at 4 p.m. we’ll bring you a new, web-exclusive episode. 

And if you can’t catch it at its regular time — we’ve got you covered! You can check out what you’ve missed after the show airs by logging onto foxnewshealth.com. After airing on the Strategy Room every episode will be there!  Think of it as your own DVR full of vital health and medical information.

For a sneak peak at some of the highlights, click here: Ask Dr. Manny Show  …and let us know what you think by e-mailing drmanny@foxnews.com!

And as always, thanks for counting on us to keep you informed!

Thanks,
Dr. Manny

Spinal cord injury is one of the most devastating injuries that can occur because if its potential to leave a person totally disabled.

Every year thousands of people injure themselves jumping into pools head first because they don’t realize the depth of the water is not sufficient to withstand a close impact. The projectile force that a head can be exposed to can literally crush the cervical spine, causing permanent damage to the spinal cord.

The cervical spine begins at the base of the skull and is made up of seven vertebrae and eight pairs of cervical nerves. It protects the spinal cord, supports the skull, and allows head movement. Serious injury to this area typically paralyzes a person, and often injures vital respiratory nerves.

Location often determines the severity of a spinal cord injury. For example, an injury at the neck or cervical spine level may result in paralysis in both the arms and legs, and the use of a respirator to breathe. An injury to the lower spine, may only affect the legs other parts of the body below the injury site.

Spinal cord injuries should always be taken seriously, and if you think someone has suffered one, it’s important you don’t try to move them – keep them still until medical professionals arrive.

Signs of a serious spinal cord injury might include:

• Fading in and out of consciousness
• Extreme back pain or pressure in the neck, head or back
• Weakness, loss of coordination or paralysis in any part of the body
• Numbness, tingling or loss of sensation in the hands, fingers, feet or toes
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Difficulty with balance and walking
• Impaired breathing after injury

From a medical perspective, repairing spinal injuries has had limited success. Many times, the damaged nerves cannot be repaired, and patients are left with diminished motor function and sensation. This is why significant research is being done in the field of regenerative medicine. The use of stem cells, right now, seems to be the most promising treatment for the future, but we’re still many years away from fully integrating spinal cord nerves.

This is why prevention is key. When you’re young, you think you’re invincible. But it doesn’t matter what physical activity you choose to do, you always have to acknowledge that your body has limitations. You have to be aware of your surroundings, and whenever possible, think of using protective gear.