http://www.livescience.com/health/081128-ap-oldest-person.html

The oldest person in the world has passed away, at 115, and she had few points of wisdom to share.  When asked she said her secret was "more education" although her own education finished with teaching school.  Instead, she taught us by her own example:

- she stayed active.  She was seen pushing others around in her wheelchair in her nursing home.

- she stayed with her family.  Until 100 years old, she lived with a son, and had family surrounding her, keeping her connected and loved

- she overcame tragedy.  Her husband, a farmer, died at a young age, and she kept loved ones around her to replace her loss

- she practiced moderation, echewing vices such as tobacco & wine.  If you do imbibe, as I do, practice moderation.

Here's to your health, and may you live to as ripe an old age!

For low risk individuals with a high CRP taking crestor (rosuvastatin calcium), "we reduced the risk of a heart attack by 54 percent, the risk of a stroke by 48 percent and the chance of needing bypass surgery or angioplasty by 46 percent" reported Paul Ridker of Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, who led a new study released yesterday at the annual American Academy of Cardiology meeting. It involved 17,802 people with high CRP and low LDL cholesterol (below 130) in the U.S. and 25 other countries.

One-fourth were black or Hispanic, and 40 percent were women. Men were 50 or older; women, 60 or older. There was no past medical history of heart problems or diabetes.

They were randomly assigned to take a placebo (dummy pills) or Crestor, made by British-based AstraZeneca PLC.

The results were significant enough that the trial was halted early, only after 2 years because the evidence was strong enough to consider placing all participants on crestor.

If insurance companies decide to cover the expense, and it is adopted by those who qualify, it could cost many billions of dollars to cover the expense but possibly avert 30,000 heart attacks.

Before you run out to ask your physician for the CRP test, consider if you're willing to foot the cost of crestor or other statins yourself because at this time you'll be paying $1-$4 a pill, every day.  A cost that's pretty difficult to swallow in these economic times.

Crestor: http://www.medhelp.org/drugs/Crestor/show/3468

Lipitor: http://www.medhelp.org/drugs/Lipitor/show/3078

Thousands of articles on the research:
http://news.google.com/news?client=safari&rls=en-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&resnum=1&ncl=1268542933

Spending time in the sun is the best thing about the summer, but unfortunately the worst thing for your unprotected skin.  Not only can it lead to skin cancer, it can result in premature wrinkling, discoloration, and changes in texture.  Here are some ways to avoid the harmful effects of the sun without having to hide from the bright warmth of summer:

1) Slather on sunscreen every day.  No matter how long you spend outdoors, sunlight streaming indoors can expose you to damaging UVA rays.  A liberal application of SPF 15 or greater can prevent it.

2) Use a sunscreen that you'll put on -- work it into your daily habits.  Sprays are often the easiest to apply, but difficult to apply to the face without stinging the eyes.  Many facial moisturizers include sun protection.  Look for the "seal of recognition" from the American Academy of Dermatology or Skin Cancer Foundation.

3) Duck & cover up.  The mid-day sun is strongest, avoid it.  Long sleeves and long pants or dresses are excellent sun protection.

4) Apply sunscreen in all sun exposed areas.  Although folks worry most about the face, all exposed areas are potential areas where cancer can start unless they're well covered with sunscreen.  Even in supposedly well covered areas such as under the shade of hats or under rashguards, sunscreen is needed.  Sun can reflect upwards exposing shaded areas, and wet rashguards lose much of their sun protectant abilities.

5) Apply sunscreen a half hour before going out, every 2 hours and after any water exposure.  Sunscreen wears off after 30 minutes in the water, and is rubbed off after toweling dry.

6) Leave tanning beds to the leather industry.  If you just HAVE to look darker, use sunless self-tanning products so your skin doesn't end up as tough as your shoes.

7) Don your birthday suit on your birthday.  At least once a year, check all over your body for anything changing, growing or bleeding -- skin cancer is very treatable when caught early.

Also, if you have any questions, feel free to visit MedHelp's new Skin Cancer community located at: http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/290.

This new box warning via FDA is something i've been aware of for some time in patients using ciprofloxaxin, levaquin (levofloxacin), Moxifloxacin (Avelox), ofloxacin (floxin), gatifloxacin (tequin), and i'm glad it'll be highlighted on labeling, showing it's increasing incidence:

risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture is further increased in those over age 60, in kidney, heart, and lung transplant recipients, and with use of concomitant steroid therapy. Physicians should advise patients, at the first sign of tendon pain, swelling, or inflammation, to stop taking the fluoroquinolone, to avoid exercise and use of the affected area, and to promptly contact their doctor about changing to a non-fluoroquinolone antimicrobial drug. Selection of a fluoroquinolone for the treatment or prevention of an infection should be limited to those conditions that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria.

Read the complete MedWatch 2008 Safety Summary, including a link to the 'Information for Healthcare Professionals' page, at:

http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#Fluoroquinolone