REGISTRATION NO.
`
`1614853
`
`SERIAL No. 74/016481
`
`PAPER NO.
`
`V
`MAILING DATE: 07/08/96
`
`UNITED STA-"SE9 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Patent and T
`mark Office
`ASSISTANT S!-ECRE?.
`.RY AND COMMISSIONER
`OF PATENTS AND FRADEMARKS
`Washington, D.C. 20231
`
`MARK: MAYO CLINIC
`
`REGISTRANT: Mayo Foundation
`
`CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS:
`Elizabeth C. Buckingham
`Dorsey 8: Whitney P.L.L.P.
`Pillsbury Center South
`220 South Sixth Street
`
`Minneapolis, MN 55402
`
`Please furnish the following
`in all correspondence:
`. Your phone number and zip code.
`. Mailing date of this action.
`. Affidavit-Renewal Examiner's name.
`. The address of all correspondence
`not containing fees should include
`the words ”Box 5".
`. Registration No.
`
`RECEIPT IS ACKNOWLEDGED OF THE SUBMITTED REQUEST UNDER:
`
`SECTION 8 OF THE TRADEMARK STATUTE AND 37 CFR SECS. 2.161-2.166.
`
`SECTION 15 OF THE TRADEMARK STATUTE AND 37 CFR SECS. V2.l67-2.168.
`
`YOUR REQUEST FULFILLS THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS AND HAS BEEN ACCEPTED.
`
`DAMIEN ALEXANDER
`AFFIDAVIT-RENEWAL EXAMINER
`TRADEMARK EXAMINING OPERATION
`(703) 308-9500
`
`

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`

`
`MQ CLINIC HEALTH LETTER
`
`.fl_a_.I
`
`ya
`
`FOR A
`
`HEALTHIER LIFE
`
`Dizziness
`
`Procedure improves care
`of a common complaint
`
`Rolling over in bed, sitting up or
`bending over to tie your shoelaces
`are simple movements you make
`every day. But ifyou have a common
`form ofdizziness, theseordinary tasks
`can be frightening.
`The movements can leave you
`feeling as if you're spinning, some-
`times even nauseated and about to
`
`vomit. When episodes occur several
`times a day,
`it becomes almost im-
`possible to function.
`Dizziness is the third most fre-
`
`quent reason people seek medical
`attention — most frequent for adults
`age 75 and older. More than 90
`
`million Americans haveexperienced
`dizziness at some time. The condi-
`
`tion challenges doctors and frustrates
`those affected because it has many
`causes and few good treatments.
`But now doctors have something
`moreto offer. A new, relativelysimple
`office procedure is stopping or sig-
`nificantlyimprovingacommon form
`of dizziness.
`
`What makes your head spin?
`Vertigo is one of several types of
`dizziness (see Mayo Clinic Health
`Letter, October 1 99i ). It's often linked
`to problems within your inner ear
`and characterized by the sensation
`of "spinning."
`Benign paroxysmal i_par—ok-SlZ-
`mul) positional vertigo <BPPV)
`is a
`specific type of vertigo that occurs
`most often in adults age 50 and older.
`
`Your inner ear consists of three semicircular canals that contribute
`to your sense of balance. Over time, particles in your inner ear
`can brealr off and accumulate behind a membrane in the
`posterior canal. Moving your head in certain directions
`may cause particles to tug on hairlilre sensors,
`triggering a specific type of dizziness called
`benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.
`
`Posterior
`semicircular
`canal
`
`Superior
`semicircular
`canal
`
`Lateral
`semicircular
`
`Membrane
`barrier
`
`UPDATE '94 .
`
`.
`
`. .
`
`. .
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`. . .
`
`.
`
`. 3
`
`Controversy over benefits of
`screening test for prostate cancer
`continues. Good news: Polio is
`extinct in the United States.
`
`HEALTH TIPS .
`
`.
`
`.
`
`. .
`
`.
`
`. . . .
`
`.
`
`.
`
`. .4
`
`Battling bad breath.
`
`VITAMIN D .
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`. . .
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`. 4
`
`to do with healthy
`It has a lot
`bones, but several factors can in
`terfere with your getting enough.
`
`. . . 6
`. . . . .
`GRAN DPARENTING .
`Infants and toddlers need safe-
`
`keeping when they come to visit.
`
`HEALTH HEADLINES .
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`. 7
`
`Cuiclelines for sifting through
`health news.
`
`SECOND OPINION . . .
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`. 8
`
`Drug for hot flashes isn't for ev-
`eryone. Sending mail-order food
`safely. Benefits of chair exercises.
`
`
`Coming in lanuary
`
`MEDICAL PROGRESS
`
`Mayo Clinic doctors offer their
`expert opinions about major ad
`vances in I994 and predict what
`lies ahead.
`
`HEARTBURN
`
`When antacids don't provide re-
`lief, what will?
`
`VEGETARIAN DIETS
`
`Find out what eating little or no
`meat means to your health.
`
`%
`
`

`
`MAY!‘ CLINIC HEALTH LET'ER
`DECEMBER 1994
`
`It accounts for 160,000 new cases
`ofdizziness each year in the United
`States.
`BPPV’s exact cause is unknown.
`
`An upper respiratory infection or a
`blow to your head that jostles inter-
`nal ear structures can lead to the
`
`dizziness. But most cases are prob-
`ably a natural result of aging.
`Over time, particles in your in-
`ner ear can break off. The debris
`
`then may float in the semicircular
`canals (three loop—shaped structures
`in your inner ear filled with fluid)
`and accumulate in the posterior
`semicircularcanal (see illustration).
`Certain movements, such as roll-
`ing over in bed, may cause particles
`to tug on hairlike sensors in the
`posterior canal, triggering an abrupt
`
`yet brief dizzy spell that feels as if
`your head is spinning.
`
`Method may restore balance
`During the past few years, doc-
`tors have found a new treatmentfor
`
`BPPV increasingly successful.
`Called the Canalith Repositioning
`Procedure,
`it involves five simple
`maneuvers for positioning your
`head (see illustration).
`Each position progressively
`moves debris from the posterior
`semicircularcanalintoatinybaglike
`structure called the utricle (U-trih-
`
`kul). Here debris likely attaches to
`sticky membrane walls where it no
`longer can cause dizziness.
`One treatment often eliminates
`
`dizziness immediately. If not, a re-
`
`Canalith Repositioning
`Procedure: How it's done
`To help relieve benign paroxysmal
`positional vertigo, your doctor uses a
`series of maneuvers that moves particles
`from the posterior semicircular canal
`into the utricle. The steps include:
`
`Posterior
`
`semicircular \
`canal
`
`1) Moving from a sitting to
`a reclining position. Head is V
`extended over the end of the
`table at a 45-degree angle.
`
`2). your head to
`the other side.
`
`3) ltoling over onto your
`side. Head is slightly angled
`while looking down at the floor.
`
`4) Returning carefully to a
`sitting position.
`5) Tilting your chin down.
`
`peated attempt may loosen debris
`that remains trapped in the semicir-
`cular canals. The procedure can
`also be redone if dizziness recurs.
`
`After the procedure, you have
`to keep your head upright for 48
`hours, even while you sleep. This
`allows time for the particles to settle
`inside the utricle. You also may
`need to wear a neck collar to pre-
`vent tilting your head.
`
`Reasons for its growing use
`Standard treatment of BPPV in-
`
`volves a variety of approaches, in-
`cluding avoiding problem positions,
`doing difficult head exercises and
`
`MAYO CLINIC HEALTH LETTER
`
`Managing Editor
`N. Nicole Spc-lliaug
`Associate Editors
`Donna H. Ct)Vll"§t‘
`Karen R \iVrllll‘\.iIIIl'l
`Beth A. \i\/itllxins
`
`Medical Editor
`(l1arle5(T Kennedy, Ml),
`Associate Medical Editor
`Philip T. Hagen, M.D.
`Customer Service
`Manager
`Christie 1.
`l lerman
`
`EDITORIAL BOARD
`
`Mayo Clinic Rochester
`Susan L. Ahlquixt. R.t\., Patient and Health Education;
`Richard M. [)i-vino. M.D., Criluri and Rectal Surgery’.
`loseiih Duffy M.D.. Rl‘lL‘UIT1a(()l()gy; Richard C.
`Edwards, Geriairii Health Administration; Mary M.
`C:Ill('lTlN’lg, MD l\‘l£’{lI(dl Cyiieculogy,‘ Gerald T.
`Catt, M D, (flirtliiilogii Philip T. Hagen, M.D.,
`Pl'!’vFlTll\P Mt-(lit me; Mary L. Jurisson, M D., Phvsical
`Meitlitine and Keliahilitation, Charles C. Kennedy,
`MT} , (iI~'!'l(’I.)l lnlcrnal Medicine; Robert L. M.7icCar‘lv.
`M.D., l)l:1gl"l()\lll Radirilngv. J Thomas Mangan.
`M,D., Famili Mt-i/rune: larrelt W. Rithardson, MI),
`Psychiatri - Thomas C. Shives, M.D., Orthopedii
`Surgery: N. Niuile Spelhaiig, NulriIion/
`Cnniriiuiiiiaririris. Fx-iifficio: Donna H. Cortc-sc.
`Vicki L. \/tnon-, Kitten R. Wallc-wand, Beth A. Watkins.
`Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
`C. Richard Fleming, M.D., Gastrnenlr-rrilngv. Bruce
`W. Pearson M D Olflfllln(?ltifl"HgOl(7g}
`Mayo Clinic Scottsdale
`Quinton C. Callit-s, M.D.. Allergic Diseases; Bruce K.
`Kirnbel. lr., MD.
`(frinimunilv lnte/nalMei:li'cinz-
`
`MayoClinicHeallh Letter IISSN 07-1 1 -(>245) lspublished
`monthly by Max-ii Foundation tor Medical Education
`and Research .1 ~ul)§idiary of Mayo Foundation, 200
`First Street WV Rochester, MN 55903
`Subscription
`price is 334 a \(‘Jt, which includes three eight-page
`Medical Essays and a Five-Yuar Cumulative Index
`published in Dr-i ember. Secondclass postage paid at
`Rochester, Mi\
`and at additional mailing offices
`POSTMASTER: Send address changes In M.-iyii Flinir‘
`Health Letter Subscription Services, P O. Box 5188‘),
`Boulder. CO B0112-355‘)
`
`

`
`M'VgO CLINIC HEALTH "TTER
`DECEMBER 1994
`
`taking medications that may make
`you drowsy and less aware of your
`dizziness.
`
`The new repositioning proce-
`dure improves on standard ap-
`proaches because it’s:
`I More effective — Traditional
`
`head exercises help displace par-
`ticles. But they're uncomfortable
`and you have to repeat them daily.
`Most people stop doing the exer-
`cises before they have any effect.
`Another approach — trying to
`wait out the problem — can take
`weeks or months. For some people,
`the months can seem like years and
`the dizziness may still not go away.
`I Better toIerated— Reposition-
`ing is usually a one-time treatment
`compared to the days required for
`traditional exercises. The maneu-
`vers are more comfortablethan stan-
`dard exercises. There’s also none of
`the drowsiness associated with
`medications.
`
`I Easy to perform —The proce-
`dure lasts between 5 and 10 min-
`
`utes and can be done during a regu-
`lar office visit.
`
`I Inexpensive — It requires no
`special equipment or costly testing
`or medications.
`
`The Canalith Repositioning Pro-
`cedure is not designed to treat any
`other form of dizziness except
`BPPV. To be considered for the
`
`treatment, hearing or balance tests
`must confirm you have BPPV.
`One common test
`involves
`
`quickly changing from a sitting to a
`reclining position, then back to sit-
`ting.
`If you have BPPV, your eyes
`rapidly move in one direction while
`lying down and then in another
`when you sit up.
`Repositioning also may not be
`appropriate if you have neck prob-
`lems such as arthritis. The need to
`
`extend and turn your neck during
`maneuvers may aggravate pain or
`worsen your condition. 3
`
`Update '94
`
`News and our views
`
`New study fuels-debate over PSA test
`Should all men have prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, even ifthey
`have no signs or known risks of prostate cancer? The Sept. 14 issue
`of thejournal oftheAmerican Medical Association UAMA) says ”no."
`But the debate over benefits of the PSA test continues.
`The PSA test measures prostate-specific antigen, a protein pro-
`duced by both normal and cancerous prostate cells. When repeated
`over time, the test may detect an increase in PSA, which could
`indicate an early form of prostate cancer.
`The/AMA reportconcluded screening all men for prostate cancer
`is not cost-effective and doesn't significantly extend life. Based on the
`analysis, screening all men once using the PSA test and a digital rectal
`examination would add only .6 days to the life expectancies of 50-
`year-old men and 1.7 days for 70-year-old men.
`However, the report was based on statistics and assumptions, not
`clinical data. its findings don't end the dilemma men face with early
`detection of prostate cancer. Choosing to have a PSA test remains a
`decision between you and your doctor after consideration of several
`factors (see Mayo Clinic Health Letter, April 1994). El
`
`Polio no longer affects Americans
`The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report polio
`has been wiped off the American continent. In the Aug. 3 journal of
`the American Medical Association (IAMA), CDC confirmed cases of
`polio worldwide have dropped 70 percent since 1988 and three-
`quarters of all countries are now free of the disease.
`The progress in po|io’s control
`is largely due to stepped-up
`vaccination efforts begun in 1988 by the World Health Organization.
`WHO aims for worldwide eradication of polio by 2000.
`During the 1 9405 and 19505, the poliomyelitis (po-le-0-mi-ah-Ll-
`tis) virus killed thousands of people and left survivors in wheelchairs,
`braces or "iron lungs.” The highly contagious virus injures or destroys
`nerve cells that control your muscles, resulting in varying degrees of
`paralysis.
`It most often affects leg muscles, but it also can strike
`muscles that control swallowing and breathing.
`Development of the Salk vaccine in 1955 and Sabin vaccine in
`1960 plus aggressive vaccination programs ended polio in this
`country. New concern about immunization efforts, however,
`is
`raised by an Oct. 12 [AMA report. The article pointed out more than
`half of American children aren't adequately vaccinated against
`preventable childhood diseases.
`To keep polio extinct in the United States, parents must have their
`children immunized. Worldwide, the challenge to provide adequate
`immunization programs continues. El
`
`

`
`MAY(‘ CLINIC HEALTH LETTER
`DECEMBER 1994
`
`Health tips
`Battling bad breath
`’Tis the season for crowded
`
`parties. Don't let bad breath
`spoil the small talk.
`Occasional bad breath is
`
`usually due to bacteria, cer-
`tain foods or a dry mouth. To
`battle bad breath:
`
`I Brush and floss after you
`eat— Good dental hygiene is
`the best way to prevent odor.
`I Brush yourtongue— Dry
`mouth thatdevelopswhileyou
`sleep allows dead cells to col-
`lect in your mouth and coat
`your tongue. Brushing your
`tongue is one more way to
`tame ”morning breath.”
`I Chewsugar-free gum —
`The action stimulates flow of
`
`saliva to prevent dry mouth
`and to wash away food par-
`ticles and bacteria.
`
`I Rinse your mouth with
`water — Periodically swish
`your mouth with water to keep
`saliva flowing.
`I Avoid odor-causing
`foods and beverages — Most
`likely offenders are garlic, on-
`ions, fish, milk, eggs, legumes,
`cabbage, broccoli, Brussels
`sprouts, coffee and alcohol.
`I Carry mouthwash or
`breath mints— Not all mouth-
`
`washes fight bacteria, butthey
`disguise bad breath. The strong
`oils in peppermint, spearmint
`or wintergreen also cover up
`odor.
`When bad breath doesn't
`
`respond to self-care, ask your
`dentist to check for gum dis-
`ease or poor-fitting dental
`work. See your doctor for a
`possible medical cause. Cl
`
`Vitamin D
`
`A little bit of sunshine is
`
`good for your bones
`You know calcium is essential for
`
`strong bones. But to enhance the
`amount of calcium that ultimately
`reaches your bones, you also need
`vitamin D.
`
`Earlier this century, vitamin D
`earned its reputation as an essential
`nutrient when doctors discovered a
`
`deficiency ofthe vitamin led to rick-
`ets. Inthischildhood disease, bones
`fail to develop properly, leading to
`bowlegs and knock-knees.
`The eventual development of
`vitamin D-fortified milk virtually
`eliminated vitamin D deficiencies
`
`in this country. However, accumu-
`lating information raises new con-
`cern about vitamin D, suggesting
`some of you may not be getting
`enough.
`
`The making of a vitamin
`Your body makes vitamin D
`from two sources — sunlight and
`food (see illustration).
`
`Mostofthe vitamin D your body
`makes starts with the sun. When
`
`you're exposed to ultraviolet (UV)
`rays, a chemical
`in your skin is
`changed into an inactive form of
`vitamin D.
`Some foods also contain inac-
`
`tive vitamin D. Butter, eggs and
`fatty fish such as herring, mackerel
`and salmon naturally contain the
`vitamin. Other sources are foods
`fortified with vitamin D such as
`
`milk, margarine and some breakfast
`cereals.
`
`Inactive vitamin D is carried by
`the blood to your liver where it goes
`through another chemical change.
`Finally, your kidneys change vita-
`min D into the active form your
`body can use.
`
`In its active form, vitamin D
`helps your body absorb calcium
`from your small intestine. Then it
`helps deposit calcium in your bones
`and teeth.
`
`A prolonged deficiency of vita-
`min D and calcium can lead to
`
`osteoporosis, in which your bones
`become thin, brittle and vulnerable
`
`to fracture. Less frequently, bones
`can develop osteomalacia (os—te—o—
`muh-LA-shuh), an adultform ofrick-
`ets characterized by soft and mis-
`shapen bones.
`
`Factors that interfere with
`
`vitamin D production
`Despite the availability of the
`sun and vitamin D-fortified foods,
`several factors can interfere with
`
`getting enough of this essential nu-
`trient:
`
`I Too little sun— Because your
`body makes vitamin D from sun
`light, delitziencies ofthe vitamin are
`uncommon in most people regu-
`larly exposed to the sun. Just 10 to
`15 minutes of direct sun exposure
`to your face, arms and hands three
`times a week stimulates adequate
`production of vitamin D.
`However, people who are con»
`fined indoors due to health prob-
`lems or who live in nursing homes
`can be deficient in vitamin D. Even
`
`livingwhereweatherlimitsthetime
`you spend outdoors and reduces
`year—round sun exposure may jeop-
`ardize your vitamin D status.
`Duringthewinter, you typically
`spend moretimeindoors.And when
`you are outside, warm clothing
`shields your skin against cold and
`sun. In addition, the sunlightyou do
`receive is less intense.
`
`A 1990 study found 80 percent
`of people ages 66 to 99 in the B05-
`ton area hatl reduced stores of vita-
`
`largely
`min D during the winter,
`due to less time in the sun and the
`
`reduced intensity of the rays.
`
`

`
`M "O CLINIC HEALTH’
`DECEMBER 1994
`
`‘TTER
`
`I Age— As you get older, your
`body turns UV rays into vitamin D
`less efficiently.
`I Illness — Kidney or liver dis-
`ease reduces your ability to change
`vitamin D into its usableform. Bowel
`
`diseases, such as sprue, that impair
`your ability to absorb fat can also
`limitabsorption ofvitamin D. Medi-
`cations such as phenytoin (FEN-ih—
`to-in), sold as Dilantin and pre-
`scribed for epilepsy and abnormal
`or irregular heart rhythms, can also
`lead to vitamin D deficiency.
`
`What you can do
`To increase the likelihood that
`
`your vitamin D status is adequate:
`I Get some sun—Aim for l O to
`15 minutes of summer sun three
`times a week. The vitamin D you
`make during the summer is stored
`in your liver for use in early winter.
`Brief, periodic exposure to the
`sun won'tsignificant|y increase your
`risk ofskin cancer. When you spend
`more frequent, prolonged periods
`in the sun, wear a sunscreen (see
`”Fast facts about sun stoppers”).
`
`sun: stoppers
`I Sunscreens block UV
`rays and inhibit vitamin [3
`production.
`Still, use a sunscreen
`whenever you'll be "in the
`sun longer than to to 1 5
`minutes.
`
`I Sunlight doesn't pen-
`etrate dense fabrics such as
`wool or denim. Loosely
`woven materials like silk and
`rayon allow UV penetration.
`I Ordinary window glass
`blocks UV rays. Sitting near
`a sunny window wontt boost
`vitamin D production.
`
`oontIiIIedbuoInefoods.Yuu-liverandkidneys
`then make two more chemical changes to
`vitamin D that "activate" the nutrient. In its
`active form, vitamin D helps absorb calcium
`for maintaining healthy bones and teeth.
`,-..
`
`In general, the darker your skin,
`the more time you need to spend in
`the sunto makethe same amount of
`vitamin D as fair—skinned people.
`More pigment in your skin extends
`the time UV light takes to reach
`deep skin layers where your body
`makes vitamin D.
`
`I Drink milk — Two cups of
`milk provide the Recommended
`Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vita-
`min D for adults. if you don't drink
`that much milk, diet may not be a
`reliable sourceforthevitamin.Also,
`
`this may not be
`studies suggest
`enough for some older adults.
`In women past menopause and
`in men older than about age 55,
`bone starts breaking down more
`rapidly,
`requiring additional cal-
`cium and vitamin D for rebuilding.
`Research suggests women who
`take more than the RDA for vitamin
`
`D, along with calcium, maintain or
`increase bone mass instead of lose
`
`it. Supplemental amounts of vita-
`min D also may reduce the risk of
`hip fractures. For these reasons.
`some doctors recommend older
`adults consume 400 International
`
`Units(|U)0fvitamin Devery day~
`twice the current RDA.
`
`I Consider a supplement—— To
`get more than the RDA for vitamin
`D, especially if you get
`little sun
`
`exposure, you'll probably need a
`supplement.Mostmultivitamin and
`mineral supplements contain 400
`IU of vitamin D.
`
`If you're taking a calcium
`supplementonly, checkthe label to
`ensure it also contains vitamin D.
`
`Because amounts vary, choose prod-
`ucts containing 200 to 400 IU of
`vitamin D. Vitamin D sold in com-
`
`bination with vitamin A isn't a good
`choice because the supplement
`doesn’t provide the additional ben-
`efits of calcium or other recom-
`mended nutrients.
`Don't take more than 400 IU of
`
`vitamin D a day unless prescribed
`by your doctor. Because you store
`vitamin D,
`regularly consuming
`excessive amounts can be toxic.
`Most overdoses of vitamin D
`
`stem from taking too much of the
`vitamin in supplements. Vitamin D
`toxicity can lead to nausea, weight
`loss,
`irritability, and formation of
`calcium deposits in your lungs, kid-
`neys and soft tissues.
`
`A little goes a long way
`Vitamin D is like no other nutri-
`
`ent inthatone ofthebestwaysto get
`it has nothing to do with food. Al-
`though excessive sun exposure isn't
`healthy for your skin, a little bit of
`sun is good for your bones. Cl
`
`

`
`MAYC CLINIC HEALTH LET"ER
`DECEMBER 1994
`
`Grandparenting
`
`Think safety first when
`little ones visit
`
`Soon, your grown children may be
`bringing their own children over
`the river and through the woods to
`your house. You'll be continuing
`favorite family traditions and build-
`ing new memories.
`As part of your preparations,
`take time to make your home safe
`for your infant and toddler guests.
`
`Start with safe furniture
`
`Your children may bring all the
`household items your grandchild
`needs. But if you need to provide
`some necessities, follow these tips:
`I Use a car seat — Although
`state laws vary, federal guidelines
`say children up to 4 years old or 40
`pounds should ride in a car seat.
`The safest place for the car seat is
`the center of the back seat.
`
`I Check the crib— Safety stan-
`dards require all new cribs to have
`spaces no wider than 2 3/8 inches
`between slats and no cutouts on the
`headboard or footboard. Mattresses
`
`should fit tightly. lfyou can fit more
`than two fingers between the mat-
`tress and the crib, it's not safe.
`I Put locked gates at stairs — If
`you can, put gates at the top and
`bottom of all stairways. Don't use
`older accordion-style gates, which
`have wide openings that can trap a
`baby's head. When purchasing a
`gate,
`look for one that glides and
`locks into position.
`I Provide a secure high chair or
`booster seat— A high chair should
`have a broad base, locking tray and
`safety straps.
`For a toddler who needs a
`booster seat, it’s OK to stack books
`
`on a regular chair. Choose sturdy
`ones with nonslick covers.
`If you
`
`use a counter stool, make sure it
`doesn't swivel. Secure the toddler's
`waist to the back of the chair or
`stool with a soft dish towel.
`
`lfyou planto use babyfurniture
`saved from yourown parenting days,
`inspect each piece for missing or
`
`12 steps to safety
`1. Add the Poison
`Control number to the list of
`
`emergency numbers posted
`near your phone.
`2. Get on the floor to
`check for small items —
`coins, nuts, buttons — that
`might cause choking.
`3. Secure drapery or
`blind pulls out of reach.
`4. Put plastic safety
`covers on all unused electri-
`cal outlets.
`
`5. Keep potentially
`poisonous houseplants out
`of reach.
`
`6. Set your water heater
`at 120 F to prevent acciden-
`tal scalding.
`7. Put a nonskid mat in
`
`the guest bathtub.
`8. Never leave a child in
`
`or near standing water.
`9. Use childproof caps
`on all medications and
`
`vitamin and mineral supple-
`ments. (Your pharmacist can
`give you replacements.)
`10. Put household chemi-
`cals out of reach, not under
`the sink.
`
`11. Keep tables and
`countertops free of knives,
`scissors and appliance cords.
`Children can reach higher
`than they can see.
`12. Cook on the back
`
`burners, turning pot handles
`toward the middle of the
`stove,
`
`loose parts. Don’t use old painted
`furniture, which may contain lead.
`(Usethese same precautions for old
`toys, checkingforsmall partsa child
`could choke on.)
`If your furniture doesn't meet
`safety standards,
`rent or borrow
`items that do.
`
`Anticipate pet problems
`lfyou have a dog or cat, that pet
`is probably a treasured member of
`your family. But your four-legged
`friend may be accustomed to a quiet,
`child-free environment. You may
`need to be an ”interpreter" to help
`your grandchild relate to your pet.
`Animals are fiercely protective
`of their belongings. Keep your pet's
`food,
`toys or bones out of your
`grandchi|d’s reach.
`A hissing or growling pet can
`bite, even if the pet has never bitten
`before. Allow your pet a place of
`retreat, such as a bed in the laundry
`room. When the pet runs for cover,
`help your grandchild understand
`the pet ”needs a nap" or "wants to
`rest" and shouldn’t be disturbed.
`
`Don't overdo ”no, no”
`Holiday trimmings are tantaliz-
`ingto children. lt’s easier to remove
`breakable ordangerous decorations
`than spend the holidays repeating,
`”no, no" and "don't touch.”
`Holly berries and mistletoe
`leaves and berries are extremely
`poisonous. Poinsettias, ifeaten, will
`cause nausea and vomiting.
`Place ”edible” ornaments, such
`as popcorn, candy and cranberries,
`high on the tree. Put away any old
`or antique ornaments, which may
`be decorated with lead-based paint.
`After opening, promptly put
`away gifts of alcohol,
`including
`perfumes.
`If you entertain, empty
`all the glasses before going to bed so
`an early-rising toddler won't acci-
`dentally drink from them. Q
`
`

`
`M'VO CLINIC HEALTH
`DECEMBER 1994
`
`"TTER
`
`Health
`
`headfines
`
`How to sort notable news
`
`from nonsense
`
`When the morning news anchor
`reported that people who live in
`houses with red doors have a higher
`risk of being injured in bus acci-
`dents, Mac Cioodbody almost
`choked on his breakfast. Fearing for
`his safety, he called a painter to
`come right over and paint his red
`door blue.
`
`A few days later, Mac was
`shocked to hear that people who
`live in houses with blue doors have
`
`higherratesofcatchingwintercolds.
`Again, he called the painter, asking
`him to come back and paint Mac's
`blue door white.
`
`Mac's situation seems laugh-
`able, but he faces a common quan-
`dary: How do you know what health
`news to believe?
`
`Finding meaningful nuggets
`It seems every time you open a
`newspaper, turn on the TV or read a
`magazine, you find contradictory
`or confusing health information.
`Here are ways that can help you
`sift through health news and glean
`the nuggets that really may make a
`difference in your life:
`I Know the source— Does the
`
`article or news report attribute the
`
`information to a respected publica-
`tion, organization or medical pro-
`fessional?
`
`I Look beyond the statistics —
`When reports use statistics like ”a
`30 percentincrease” or phrases such
`as ”higher risk," take a closer look at
`the exact numbers.
`
`Mac might ask, ”What does ’a
`higher risk of being injured’ really
`mean?” Perhaps only 10 people
`were injured in bus accidents. Three
`people lived in houses with blue
`doors, three with white doors and
`four with red doors.
`
`if so, the risk isn't substantially
`higher. And ifmore information tells
`Mac half the doors in town are red,
`
`the report has even less impact.
`I Scrutinize the results— Does
`thisinformation showadirectcause
`and effect between two factors? Or
`
`is it merely an association?
`For example, someone could
`argue there‘s an association between
`matches and lung cancer because
`matches light
`the tobacco that
`causes lung cancer. But
`lighted
`matches d0n’t cause lung cancer.
`it typically takes years of con-
`secutive studies to prove cause and
`effect. The results ofone study usu-
`ally aren’t enough proof.
`I Be quick to question, slow to
`change — If new information con-
`flicts with "conventional wisdom”
`
`or how you’re living, regard itwarily.
`Results of one study usually
`don't warrant lifestyle changes. Al-
`ways consider a study one small
`
`what makes-..ne_ws~?_;
`Media often report the most
`interesting and intriguing
`news. This sometimes gives
`you a distorted view of
`health issues.
`In 1992, the Center for
`Media and Public Affairs
`published a review of more
`than 1,000 news reports
`spanning 20 years. The
`review showed‘ how scien-
`tists and the media (major
`television networks, news
`magazines, leading national
`newspapers) can have
`differing views of health
`issues.
`
`Scientists agreed with the
`media's reporting of tobacco
`as one of the top three
`environmental risks of
`cancer. The scientists also
`
`identified diet and sunlight
`among the top three.
`But the media most often
`reported about food addi-
`tives and man—made chemi-
`cals — putting diet and
`sunlight 12l:h and 13th on
`their list.
`
`piece of the big picture. Most of the
`time, simply rely on your common
`sense.
`If health news makes you
`question your treatment, medica-
`tion or diet, ask your doctor whether
`the report applies to you. 3
`
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`Issue: Monthlv. TA. \.u. of Issues Published Annually 12. 38. Annual Subscription Price" $24 in U.S.A., $31 rU.S.i
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`lete Mailing Address of Known Office oi Publication Mam Health Information, Centerplace 4, 200 First Street
`of the Headquarters or General Business Offices of the Publisher‘ Mayo Medical Ventures, 200 First
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