Health

Consumer Reports tests wrinkle creams
[Dec. 14, 2006] Consumer Reports’ first test of wrinkle creams finds that on average these products made little difference in the skin’s appearance and there’s no correlation between price and effectiveness. The luxury-priced skin-care offerings didn’t work any better than the drugstore brands in CR’s independent, unbiased tests.

100 most popular baby names in North Carolina in 2005
[Jul. 10, 2006] The following table shows the 100 most frequent given names for male and female births in 2005 in North Carolina. The most popular boy's name was William. The most popular girl's name was Emily.

100 most popular baby names for 2005
[Jul. 10, 2006] Based on all Social Security card applications for children born last year, Emily and Jacob are the most popular baby names for the seventh year in a row.

Consumer Reports finds whitening claims for toothpaste can be misleading
[Jul. 6, 2006] Consumer Reports tested 41 brands of toothpaste to see if they really could whiten teeth—as many of the makers claim—and found no correlation between those claims and stain-removing ability. Even the seven toothpastes that contain peroxide, the main bleaching ingredient in whitening strips and professional treatments, lightened or bleached out stains no better overall than other toothpastes.

Lyme disease: Then and now
[Jun. 25, 2006] While leafing through a patient's medical record recently, preparing it for electronic scanning, I came across a barely legible note by a former colleague dated July 13, 1975. The patient, then a 45-year-old high school gym teacher and scoutmaster, came to see the doctor after three days of fever, chills, and night sweats. He had a 101-degree temperature and a 6-inch-wide rash on his back described in the chart as a "target" with alternating red circles emanating outward from a dark red spot--a then-uncommon type of rash called erythema migrans.

Smart moves for arthritis
[May 20, 2006] In Consumer Reports National Research Center’s exclusive survey, 1,001 knee- and hip-replacement patients tell about the experiences they’ve had with joint replacement surgery. This unbiased survey, based on a nationally representative sample, found that although the surgery can have serious complications—and does not always return patients to a state of perfect mobility—it succeeds at the most basic level: pain relief. Even patients who were the most disabled going into surgery reported that on average, they had minimal pain in their new joints six months afterward.

Tick-borne infections pose increasing threat to North Carolinians
[May 9, 2006] In Chatham County, in an informal survey of people in Pittsboro, almost everyone spoken with had either had an illness themselves or knew of a person or pet that had suffered from a tick-borne illness. Last summer the state conducted a project in Chatham County to learn more about the TBIs in the area and it is hoped they will continue this summer. By Marcia E. Herman-Giddens, PA, DrPH

Tick, tick, tick.
[May 8, 2006] Tick, tick, tick. Remember the crocodile that swallowed the clock? Tick, tick, tick. This is not that tick. This is about an 8-legged arachnid that lies in wait (like a crocodile?). But instead of open jaws to devour you, this one has tiny piercing mouthparts that it injects into you. By Al Cooke, Extension Agent

Robert’s Chapel LIGHT Way trail
[Feb. 3, 2006] There is a gravel trail in Goldston that is almost a half mile per loop, has pretty tree-filled surroundings, and is quiet. Not sure where this trail is? Like you, most of the Goldston area doesn’t know that Robert’s Chapel Church has such a facility. By Monique Peloquin

10 quick tips for boosting your health in 2006
[Jan. 31, 2006] From the February issue of Consumer Reports, here are 10 tips for staying well in 2006 and beyond.

Breast and cervical cancer control program
[Jan. 30, 2006] The Chatham County Public Health Department participates in the North Carolina Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) which provides low or no cost breast and cervical screenings. This program is targeted toward women age 50 to 64 years old. By Monique Peloquin

Winter safety & your pet
[Jan. 16, 2006] Winter has arrived in Chatham County. While we are fortunate that we do not suffer the temperatures and wind chills that our northern neighbors do, we need to be prepared, as do our pets. There are several things we as pet owners can do to prevent our animals suffering from the misfortunes winter brings us. By David Webster and Rachael Fowler

Is your family prepared for cold and flu season?
[Jan. 16, 2006] It’s the time of year for sneezing, coughing and the oh-so-dreaded flu. Are you doing everything you can to prepare your family for the onslaught of cold and flu season? In addition to increasing your intake of Vitamin C, and perhaps getting a flu shot, there are a number of quick tips to help your family survive this winter – healthier and happier.

The Valentine’s Day gift that every woman wants
[Jan. 10, 2006] Attention guys! If you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day gift every woman is guaranteed to love here it is: Your adoring attention. That’s right – this year, instead of falling back on the old stand-bys of chocolates, flowers or jewelry, why not give the woman in your life the gift of your time?