Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8AXSILuqtj/ Preeclampsia is marked by escalating and dangerous levels of high blood pressure with kidney, liver, and brain toxicity.  Women experiencing it at the completion of their pregnancies are 2.6 times more likely to develop dementia over the following decade.  French researchers report this startling association following their study of nearly 2 million pregnant women over the age of 30. The risk of early-onset dementia was the highest for those women with previous hypertension, 4.8 fold higher, and for those developing preeclampsia before 34 weeks of gestation. We already know that elevated blood pressures lead to brain damage in the form of strokes, but this study suggests that, even short of catastrophic paralysis and loss of higher brain function, high pressures drive more subtle cerebral dysfunction that relatively quickly manifests itself as dementia. All prregnant women should monitor their own blood pressures at home to insure that the blood feeding their brai

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8AWS54v41-/ The high fat dietary therapy that has successfully controlled difficult-to-manage childhood epilepsy improves the symptoms of those with schizophrenia and bipolar disease.   Psychiatric researchers at Stanford University conducted a pilot study of the diet in 23 subjects, 5 of whom suffered from schizophrenia and 16 of whom suffered from a bipolar disorder.  All were already receiving appropriate medicinal management. Overall, 79% of the entire group on the ketogenic diet showed marked symptomatic improvement.  Those most adherent to the diet enjoyed a 92% improvement while those semi-adherent enjoyed a 50% improvement demonstrating a type of dose-response phenomenon.  For those with bipolar disease, 88% achieved marked improvement if diet-adherent while 60% improved if semi-adherent.  For those with schizophrenia, the diet triggered only a 32% improvement. This pilot study suggests that adding a ketogenic diet to standard psychiatric pharmacotherapy impr

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8AVgPHMvQV/  While many parents of children entering a university teaching hospital for a tonsillectomy will say, “ I don’t want a student involved in my child’s surgery,” they would be making the wrong choice since the answer is YES.  A University of Buffalo study now shows that children having their tonsils removed are 40% more less likely to require an urgent post-op ER visit if a resident takes part in the surgery. The researchers reviewed the cases of 2,051 children having tonsillectomies.  Those kids who had a resident take part in their operations were 42% less likely to require an emergency visit later on.  Even more interesting: the rate of post-op bleeding, the most dreaded tonsillectomy complication, was the same whether or not a resident took part.  Only age was a factor in such bleeding with older patients experiencing more. If your child’s surgeon plans to include a trainee, the best bet is to welcome that young doctor to the team.  Remember that residen

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8AUq2Xt7z-/ That junk food you wolf down during the day increases your chances of a wakeful night by up to 9%.  Doesn’t sound like much, but it can be the difference between a good night of uninterrupted sleep and lots of tossing and turning. French investigators at the Sorbonne surveyed 38,570 subjects with an average age of 50 years about their sleep and eating habits.  Almost one in every five suffered from insomnia and 16% of the group’s dietary intake consisted of ultra-processed food (UPF). The data showed that even a 10% increase in dietary junk food led to a 9% greater risk of insomnia for the males snd a 5% greater risk for females.  Both increases were statistically significant. What are the junk foods we’re talking about?  Sugary breakfast cereals, flavored potato chips, fried chicken, frozen blended coffee drinks, energy drinks, artificially flavored cheese crackers, sugary granola bars, and sodas.  A diet of these will not only interrupt your nightly sl

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8ANzjGPrRr/ Nearly two-thirds of binge eaters continued to suffer from this dangerous disorder 2.5 years after the initial diagnosis and about half of them still have it 5 years later.  Harvard psychologists at the McLean Hospital followed 137 adults in the community suffering from this disorder over a 5 year period. Previous retrospective studies, most of young women, had shown that those with this most prevalent American eating disorder either recovered from it much faster or had it linger much longer.  In this prospective study, subjects of both gender with ages from 19 to 74 were seen at 2.5 and 5 years.  It demonstrates that 61 percent of them had uncontrollable eating habits at the first visit and that an additional 23 percent had abnormal eating patterns that failed to meet the strict criteria for binging.  At 5 years those numbers were 45 percent an additional 33 percent.  Most discouraging was the observation that 35 percent of those in remission at 2.5 years

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C6cfyNrr3bS/ The Food and Drug Administration and Sammy’s Milk are warning parents that  Sammy’s Goat Milk Toddler Formula fails to meet FDA nutritional requirements for infant formulas.  It fails to provide sufficient nutrition for infants.  Affected is lot SD348 with a Best by date of August, 2025.  The company emphasizes that its product is only intended for consumption by children between the ages of 12 and 36 months.  The label does say toddler, but it is in small print. The product is sold exclusively online. For more information, contact Sammy’s at 949-646-GOAT for via the email info@sammysmilk.com. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/sammys-milk-providing-warning-against-use-goat-milk-toddler-formula-infant-formula #sammysmilk #goatsmilk #infants #toddlers #nutrition #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C6cfFU7rr0b/ The Food and Drug Administration and Infinite Herbs LLC have recalled Infinite Herbs and Melissa’s fresh organic basil due to contamination with salmonella.  This bacterium causes a severe gastroenteritis that may progress into a life-threatening systemic infection in the very young, older frail individuals, and those with weakened immune systems.  Affected is Infinite basil sold from February 1 to April 6, 2024 and Melissa’s basil sold between February 10-20, 2024,. The Infinite product was sold at Trader Joe’s in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Virginia and to two Fruit Center Marketplace stores in Massachusetts and the Melissa’s product was sold at Dierberg's stores in Illinois and Missouri. Check your refrigerators, freezers, and shelves for this product and return any you have to the place of purchase for a refund.  For more information, call Infinite Herbs at 1-305-599-9255 x 148 or reeach them via email at customer_service@inf

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C6ceX15LYeA/ The Food and Drug Administration and Primal Kitchen have recalled Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil due to easy cracking of the 750 milliliter jars.  This leads to spillage, possible glass in the food, and lacerations.  Affected is product with a Best When Used By dates from August 19-22, 2025.  No other sizes or batches are affected by the recall. If you have this product, return it to the place of purchase for a refund or dispose of the product. For more information, contact Primal Kitchen at 1 (888) 774-6259.  The company apologizes for this packaging issues. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/primal-kitchen-issues-voluntary-recall-primal-kitchen-avocado-oil-750ml-glass-due-packaging-issue #primalkitchen #avocadooil #packaging #cracking #laceration #spillage

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C6cdzXRLjh1/ The Food and Drug Administration and Tama Corporation are recalling 24 ounce containers of Queso de Mano PAISA due to listeria monocytogenes contamination.  Listeria causes a severe and sometimes fatal systemic infection in the very young, older frail individuals, and those with weakened immune systems.  Listeria can also trigger miscarriages and stillbirths.  Affected is lot # 2420104 Best By date of May 16, 2024. This product was sold in and around Salt Lake City, Utah. If you bought this product, return it to the place of purpose for a full refund.  For more information, call Tama at 1-305-592-1717. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/tama-corporation-recalls-product-because-possible-health-risk #PAISA #queso #listeria #infection #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C6cdMUhLSdn/ The Food and Drug Administration and H-E-B are recalling H-E-B Creamy Creations ice cream.   Twelve count packs of 3 oz. Cups of those ice cream in chocolate and lime/orange flavors contain metallic fragments. This ice cream was sold at H-E-B stores in Texas and Mexico at Central Market, Joe V’s Smart Shop, and Mi Tienda stores. If you have this ice cream in your freezer, don’t consume it.  Return it to the place of purchase for a refund.  For more information, contact H-E-B Customer Service at 1-855-432-4438. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/h-e-b-issues-voluntary-recall-3-ounce-cups-creamy-creations-ice-cream-select-flavors #HEB #icecream #foreignbodies #metal #laceration #infection #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C6ccMhgLZx3/ The CDC, the Food and Drug Administration and Gibson Farms now recall Gibson Farms Organic Light Halves and Pieces shelled walnuts.  These walnuts are contaminated with several pathogenic E.Coli variants including 0157:H7 and O157:H7.  These bacteria cause severe bloody gastroenteritis that may progress into life-threatening kidney failure.  Affected are lots 3325-043 and 3341-501 with Expiration dates between May 21, 2025, and June 7, 2025. These walnuts were sold in Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. If you have any walnuts recently purchased, do not consume them.   Carefully dispose of them, and sanitize any containers in which they have been stored.  For more information, reach Gibson Farms at 1-831-637-3512 or the email foodsafety@gibsonfarmsinc.com. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-sa

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C6cbl7DrgaL/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Johnson Health Tech North America are recalling Matrix T1 and T3 Series Commercial Treadmills.  The power cords on these treadmills detach from the power sockets creating fire hazards. About 9700 treadmills were sold in the US at Johnson Health Tech North America and Johnson Fitness & Wellness stores nationwide.  About 19,900 were previously recalled in January 2022. Exercise facilities and consumers should check their treadmills for a power cord bracket that holds the power cords into their sockets.  If none, be certain that the power cords are completely inserted. Call Johnson at 1-866-218-3674 or reach them via email at reworks@johnsonfit.com to obtain a power cord bracket or its installation. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Johnson-Health-Tech-North-America-Expands-Recall-of-Matrix-T1-and-T3-Commercial-Treadmills-Due-to-Fire-Hazard-Recall-Alert #johnson #matrix #treadmills #powercord #fire #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C6cVFOirVTV/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Randder are calling Randder 2-Pack Liquid Fuel Bottles.  These portable fuel containers lack child-resistant closures leading to flammable liquid spillage with a risk of burns or poisoning. About 1830 of these bottles were sold on amazon.com. Stop using these fuel bottles and contact Randder at catherine0216@outlook.com in order to receive a child-resistant cap. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Randder-Liquid-Fuel-Bottles-Recalled-Due-to-Risk-of-Burn-and-Poisoning-Violation-of-the-Childrens-Gasoline-Burn-Prevention-Act-Sold-Exclusively-on-Amazon-com-by-Render-Store #randder #fuel #bottle #childrisk #burns #poisoning #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C6cUcKerN_q/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Crate and Barrel now recall Crate & Barrel Hampshire Cribs as the mattress support pins fail allowing the mattress and your baby to drop out. About 3,200 of these cribs were sold in the US and about 120 were sold in Canada. Take your baby out of these dangerous cribs and contact Crate and Barrel at 1-800-967-6696 to arrange a free repair or a full refund. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Crate-Barrel-Recalls-Hampshire-Cribs-Due-to-Fall-Hazard #crateandbarrel #crib #mattress #falls #injuries #recall

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6cSorkLZLu/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Full Speed Aheads are recalling Gossamer Pro AGX+ cranksets.  The arms and attached pedals detach from these cranks leading to crashes, falls, and injuries.  Affected are units with serial numbers beginning with B1, B2 or B3. About 12,300 of these cranksets and about 250 were sold in Canada at bike stores with Cannondale, Canyon, Marin, Haro, Fuji, and Pinarello bikes and as replacement parts. Stop riding your bike if it is equipped with this crankset. Contact Full Speed Ahead at 1-877-743-3372  or via email at Recall-USA@fullspeedahead.com for information regarding free dealer installation of a free replacement crankset. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Full-Speed-Ahead-Recalls-Gossamer-Pro-AGX-Cranksets-Sold-on-Bicycles-Due-to-Fall-and-Injury-Hazards #gossamer #crankset #detachment #crashes #falls #injuries #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C6cSCU2rQNY/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the 3M Technical Service Team are recalling 3M Peltor X4 Series Earmuffs.  These noise-silencing earmuffs develop cracks and allow deafening sound to reach your ears leading to hearing losses. About 40,000 sound earmuffs were sold in the US and about 6,700 were sold in Canada and industrial distributors nationwide and online at amazon.com. Stop relying on these 3M earmuffs and contact the company at 1-800-243-4630 to receive a free replacement pair. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/3M-Recalls-Peltor-X4-Series-Earmuffs-Due-to-Risk-of-Overexposure-to-Loud-Noise-and-Sound #3M #earmuffs #cracks #noise #hearingloss #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C6cRUA9LDjk/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Oregon Tool are recalling Oregon, PowerPro, Country Tuff, and Speeco branded log splitters and cylinder kits.  The hydraulic cylinder rod on these units separates from the piston, the wedge won’t retract properly, and when the piston moves again the rod and wedge move unpredictably leading to injuries. About 29,560 of these units were sold in the US and about 4,690 were sold in Canada at Lowe’s, Tractor Supply Company, and other stores nationwide. If the wedge on your log splitter fails to retract properly, stop running it.  Contact Oregon Tool or an Oregon dealer at 1-833-948-2590 or email them at logsplitter@oregontool.com to arrange for free installation of a replacement cylinder.  Don’t try to fix the unit yourself.  Not a do-it-yourself job. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Oregon-Tool-Recalls-Log-Splitters-and-Cylinder-Kits-Due-to-Injury-Hazards #oregontool #logsplitter #cylinder #injuries #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C6cQhyEL3l5/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and JAKKS Pacific nows recall Mario Kart™ 24V Ride-On Racer Cars.  The accelerator pedal sticks when debris-clogged leading to unexpected, continued vehicle operation, crashes, and injuries.  Affected are cars with date codes: 1752VE01, 1782VE01, 1952VE01, 2242VE01, 2352VE01, 2852VE01, 0583VE01. About 17,500 of these ride-on cars were sold at Target, Walmart, Entertainment Earth, and Nebraska Furniture Mart and online at Amazon.com, Macys.com and GameStop.com. Don’t let your children ride these cars.  Contact JAKKS Pacific at 1-855-602-5464 to receive a free repair kit with a replacement pedal and installation instructions. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/JAKKS-Pacific-Recalls-Childrens-Mario-Kart-Ride-On-Racer-Car-Toys-Due-to-Crash-Hazard #mariokart #rideon #car #accelerator #crashes #injuries #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C6cPyTvLMrE/ The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Crosman are recalling Crosman Icon 177 and .22 Caliber Air Rifles.  A loaded rifle, even if uncocked can suddenly and unpredictably discharge if jolted or dropped leading to injuries, some severe.  Affected are model numbers CPI77S and CPI22S. About 2500 of these rifles were sold Do It Best Hardware, True Value, Service star and Sportsman’s Guide stores nationwide, or online at Crosman.com, pyramydair.com and Amazon.com. Stop using these rifles and contact Crosman at 1-800-724-7486 or via email at iconrecall@crosman.com to receive either a refund or a Crosman store credit.  Crosman will send you a prepaid shipping box to return the weapon in order to get the refund. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Crosman-Recalls-Icon-Air-Rifles-Due-to-Injury-Hazard #crosman #rifle #firing #injuries #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C6W4w-RLFFy/ Kudos to the Energizer Battery company for working with the nonprofit, parent-initiated Reese’s Purpose foundation to develop the first child-safer button and hearing aid coin battery that helps to prevent the potentially fatal ingestion problem.  These little batteries look good enough to eat.  When swallowed, they lodge in the throat or anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract and burn through the linings leading to devastating consequences. Called the Energizer 3-in-1 Shield, the company has employed 3 design changes to make these tiny batteries safer for babies and young children.  ONE.  The company has covered these candy look-alike batteries with a bitter coating to discourage swallowing.  TWO. These batteries carry a non-toxic blue dye that will discolor the a child’s lips and mouth in order to warn a parent that a battery has been swallowed.  THREE.  Enhanced child-resistant packaging.  Brilliant. This landmark development was driven in no small