Sound Medicine for November 29, 2003

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Health Quiz -- Health Benefits of Thanksgiving Dinner

A traditional Thanksgiving dinner is a mine of vitamins and minerals. There many benefits from potatoes, yams, cranberries, pumpkin and roast turkey. If prepared correctly, these foods can be low in calories and saturated fat. They are also rich in:

a) Beta carotene
b) Vitamins A and C
c) Protein
d) Thiamin

Find out!

Medical Mystery -- Tryptophan

When you start to feel sleepy after the Thanksgiving meal, someone will undoubtedly blame it on the turkey. After all, turkey is commonly known to contain tryptophan, a chemical associated with drowsiness. But is the turkey really to blame?

Find out!

Sound Medicine -- November 29, 2003

Hosts Barbara Lewis and Dr. Steve Bogdewic talk to physicians and researchers about:: Neuropathy and Lower Extremity Amputation in Diabetics; SARS and the CDC; Telomeres

Real Media | Windows Media

Neuropathy and Lower Extremity Amputation in Diabetics

Most people assume that a blister on the foot will heal in a few days. For people with diabetes, however, it is a different story. A simple blister can become infected and possibly lead to amputation. Amputation of lower extremities - toes, feet and legs - is one of the common side effects of diabetes. According to one survey, about 86,000 lower limbs are amputated annually due to complications from diabetes. More than 60% of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations in the United States occur among people with the disease.

Besides infection and amputation, people with diabetes also are more prone to calluses and extremely dry, cracked skin on their feet. November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and Dr. Rena Stewart tells us about lower-extremity issues faced by people with diabetes. Dr. Stewart is director of orthopedic surgery at Wishard Hospital.

Resources:: If you have diabetes, your feet need special care. The American Diabetes Association offers tips for protecting feet.; The American Academy of Family Physicians answers some common questions about foot care for diabetics.; Learn some things you can do to reduce the risk of complications from diabetes.

SARS and the CDC

With flu season underway, there is concern that the highly contagious and fatal Severe Acute Respitory Syndrome (SARS) will return. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is one of the major health agencies worldwide making preparations and issuing guidelines for the recurrence of SARS.

Dr. Larry Anderson tells us what the CDC is doing to prepare for flu season and the possible re-emergence of SARS. An infectious disease expert, Dr. Anderson is one of the leaders of the SARS Task Force for the CDC.

Resources:: Learn some basic information about SARS and answer some frequently asked questions on the Web site for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.; Read a SARS Update from the American Lung Association.; The National Institutes of Health provide an abundance of resources related to SARS.

Telomeres

Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn is an internationally renowned scientist because of her research of a tiny -- and specialized -- structure at the ends of chromosomes. These tiny structures are called telomeres, and they shorten and lengthen in response to cell growth. Telomere research has implications for the aging process and for cancer. She also discovered the protein telomerase that regulates telomeres, making her synonymous with this focused field of science.

Dr. Blackburn was in Indianapolis in early November to accept the Indiana University School of Medicine's 2003 Beering Award. Dr. Blackburn is professor of biochemistry and biophysics at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, and has received numerous international awards.

Resources:: More information about Dr. Blackburn and her research.; What are telomeres exactly? Learn about them in greater detail.; And here's further information about telomeres and telomerase.