INTRODUCTION

"Oh, the privileges and challenges of a weekly newsletter." Such are my thoughts as I put together this edition of "The WellnessWise Electronic Journal." Because of my schedule, I am putting out a single issue for the weeks of July 10 and July 17. As I have done in the past, I am including a bit more information in this transmission since it covers a two week period.

The newsletter is still free of charge and I have no plans to change that policy. Please direct all comments, inquiries, subscription requests, etc. to either of my e-mail address which are listed at the end of this newsletter. Thanks.

SECTION II:

Good news if you're planning a move to the country... I'm Doctor David DeRose. In a moment we'll look at "The Country Advantage" on today's WellnessWise.

Does population density affect health? That was the question raised by researchers at the Bureau of Cancer Epidemiology in New York.

Dr. Philip Nasca and his associates divided the state of New York into categories based on population density. New York city was excluded from the analysis.

The results were startling, the more rural the area, the less cancer among the residents. The increased risk experienced by the urbanites was in the range of 20 % to upwards of 70%. Cancers increased included: esophagus, mouth, colon, stomach, liver, pancreas, voice box, lung, bladder and brain.

The general nature of the study made it impossible to determine the cause of the difference in cancer rates. The authors suggested that smoking habits may provide one possible explanation. Many smoking-related cancers take decades to develop--and 20 to 25 years before the study, there were more smokers in urban areas. The urbanites may now be experiencing the consequences of those long term smoking habits.

Work-related exposures, pollution, more stress, less exercise, and poorer food choices may also help to explain why city dwellers have more cancer.

For WellnessWise, I'm Dr. David DeRose.

ref. Nasca PC, Mahoney M, and Wolfgang PE, Population density and cancer incidence differentials in New York state, 1978-1982. Cancer Causes and Control 3(1):7-15, 1992.

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION--PART I

A common heart condition carries more risk than once suspected. I'm Dr. David DeRose. "Atrial fibrillation" in a moment on WellnessWise.

Atrial fibrillation is a condition of abnormal function of the two upper chambers of the heart called the atria. It is true that the atria are smaller and less important than the two main pumping chambers called the ventricles. Nevertheless, problems with the atria can be very serious.

Approximately 75,000 strokes occur each year in patients with atrial fibrillation. And it is a common disorder. Up to 1 in 20 Americans over 65 have the condition. Younger individuals can also be affected.

Atrial fibrillation occurs when the two upper chambers of the heart do not beat effectively because of abnormal electrical activity. In a normal heart, an electrical impulse tells the heart to beat regularly 60 to 100 times per minute. In atrial fibrillation the electrical impulses are irregular and much faster. The upper chambers of the heart cannot respond properly to such rapid disordered signals. Instead of the atria pumping, they merely quiver.

Due to this lack of pumping, the blood in the atria can stagnate in some places and clot. These clots can then travel out of the heart and go to other parts of the body such as the brain where a stroke can occur.

In our next program, we'll look at some practical issues related to atrial fibrillation.

For WellnessWise, I'm Dr. David DeRose.

Ref.: Gomes, JA, Podrid, PJ, and Tresch, DD, Atrial Fibrillation: Common--and ominous. Patient Care: October 15, 1994, 28 (16): 96-116.

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION--PART II

How to prevent the ravages of a common heart condition... I'm Dr. David DeRose. A closer look at atrial fibrillation in a moment on WellnessWise.

Approximately 75,000 strokes occur each year due to atrial fibrillation. This heart condition occurs when abnormal electrical activity causes the two upper chambers of the heart to quiver and twitch rather than pump. Because these chambers are not pumping, blood clots can form in them and then travel to the brain to cause a stroke.

Symptoms of atrial fibrillation include: fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, and palpitations--a sensation that the heart is "flip-flopping". Chest pain or pressure called "angina" can also occur.

A person with any of these symptoms should be medically evaluated because atrial fibrillation is a common condition.

In a person with an otherwise normal heart, atrial fibrillation may go away by itself. Further episodes may be prevented by controlling stress and stopping the use of alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and cocaine .

More intensive medical therapy is often required if atrial fibrillation is caused by other heart conditions . If atrial fibrillation becomes chronic or permanent, most medical research indicates that blood thinning with aspirin or other agents can reduce the risk of strokes.

For WellnessWise, I'm Dr. David DeRose.

Ref: Gomes, JA, Podrid, PJ, and Tresch, DD, Atrial Fibrillation: Common--and ominous. Patient Care: October 15, 1994, 28 (16): 96-116.

SECTION III:

Selections from Phylis Austin's Science/Health Abstracts.

High iron intake apparently increases the risk of colon adenomas, which may later become colon cancers (Journal of the National Cancer Institute 86(6) 455-460, March 16, 1994.

SECTION IV:

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