Sinopsis
Howard G. Smith, M.D. is a former radio medical editor and talk show host in the Boston Metro area. He was heard on WBZ-AM, WRKO-AM, and WMRE-AM presenting his "Medical Minute" of health and wellness news and commentary. His popular two-way talk show, Dr. Howard Smith OnCall, was regularly heard Sunday morning and middays on WBZ. He also was a fill-in host during evenings on the same station.More recently, he has adopted the 21st century technology of audio and video podcasting as conduits for the short health and wellness reports, HEALTH NEWS YOU SHOULD USE, and the timely how-to recommendations, HEALTH TIPS YOU CAN'T SKIP. Many of these have video versions, and they may be found on his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKPOSWu-b4GjEK_iOCsp4MATrained at Harvard Medical School and a long-time faculty member at Boston Childrens Hospital, he practiced Pediatric Otolaryngology for 40 years in Boston, Southern California, and in central Connecticut. Now that his clinical responsibilities have diminished, he will be filing news reports and creating commentaries regularly. Then several times a month, the aggregated the reports will appear as DR. SMITH'S HEALTH NEWS ROUNDUPS on his YouTube and podcast feeds. If you have questions or suggestions about this content, please email the doctor at drhowardsmith.reports@gmail.com or leave him a message at 516-778-8864. His website is: www.drhowardsmith.com.Please note that the news, views, commentary, and opinions that Dr. Smith provides are for informational purposes only. Any changes that you or members of your family contemplate making to lifestyle, diet, medications, or medical therapy should always be discussed beforehand with personal physicians who have been supervising your care.
Episodios
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Walker’s Wine Juice Pumpkin Juice Has Clostridium Botulinum Contamination
04/04/2025 Duración: 01minVidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DICIRBcOx5I/Ingesting this juice can lead to botulism, a serious and potentially fatal foodborne illness. Symptoms include weakness, dizziness, double vision, difficulty speaking or swallowing, and breathing issues.This recalled juice was sold at Walker’s Wine Juice retail store in New York and distributed to commercial wineries in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.Immediately stop drinking this product and contact Walker’s Wine Juice at 1-716-679-1292 ext. 1016 to determine proper disposal and reimbursement options.https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/walkers-wine-juice-llc-recalls-product-due-possible-health-risk#walkerswine #pumpkinjuice #botulism ##neuropathy #recall
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Panaderia Salvadorena Inc. Quesadilla de Queso Bread has an Undeclared Allergen
04/04/2025 Duración: 01minVidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DICHtEGs-Rm/This bread has undeclared milk than can cause a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction for individuals with a milk allergy. The affected products have an expiration date of June 27, 2025 or earlier and were mislabeled, listing only sour cream and butter instead of milk.This recalled product was sold in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.Return this recalled bread to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, contact Panaderia Salvadorena Inc. at 1-401-421-8410.https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/panaderia-salvadorena-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-quesadilla-de-queso#Panaderia #Salvadorena #bread #milk #allergy #recall
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Tony’s Chocolonely Bars Contain Small Rocks
04/04/2025 Duración: 01minVidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DICHJiCvMUQ/The affected products are the Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt Bar and the Everything Bar. The recall includes lot numbers 4327, 4330, 4331, M4331, 163094, 162634, and M162634.These recall candy bars were sold nationwide in the United States at retail stores and online at tonyschocolonely.com between February 7, 2025, and March 24, 2025.Return these recalled chocolate bars to the place of purchase for a full refund or replacement. For more information, contact Tony’s Chocolonely USA at 1-503-388-5990.https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/tonys-chocolonely-recalls-two-chocolate-products-because-they-may-contain-small-stones#tonys #chocolonely #foreignbodies #stones #choking #recall
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Specialized Vado and Como IGH E-Bikes Have Defective Chain Guards
04/04/2025 Duración: 01minVidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DICGjntO66H/These bikes’ protective chains or belt guards fail to fully cover the belt drive permitting loose clothing to become trapped and cause a fall. The affected models include the Como 3.0 IGH, Como 5.0 IGH UL, Vado 3.0 IGH Step Through UL, Como SL 4.0, Vado 3.0 IGH UL, and several others.About 32,400 of these e-bikes were sold in the United States, with additional units sold in Canada and Mexico. They were sold at authorized Specialized Bicycle retailers nationwide and online from March 2021 through November 2024.Stop riding these e-bikes and contact your nearest authorized Specialized retailer for free installation of an updated protective chain/belt guard. For more information, contact Specialized Bicycle Components at 1-877-808-8154 or email the company at ridercare@specialized.com. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Specialized-Bicycle-Components-Recalls-Vado-and-Como-IGH-E-Bikes-with-Chain-Guards-Due-to-Fall-Hazard#vado #como #bicycles
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LaRose Cra-Z-Art Gemex and Gel2Gem Jewelry Kits Contain Poisonous Bonding Material
04/04/2025 Duración: 01minVidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DICFyalvdAC/The liquid resin in these kits contains hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA), which can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation or sensitization when inhaled, touched, or ingested. About 224,100 kits were sold nationwide at Target, Marshall’s, T.J. Maxx, Joann stores, and other retailers, as well as online at Amazon.com, Target.com, Walmart.com, and Joann.com. Sales occurred between January 2023 and September 2024.Stop using these recalled jewelry kits and inspect any completed jewelry. If any liquid or liquid residue is present, the jewelry should not be worn and must be kept away from children.For more information and a refund, contact LaRose Industries toll-free at 1-888-770-7029 or via the email gemgel@realtimeresults.net. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/LaRose-Industries-Recalls-Cra-Z-Art-Gemex-Gel2Gem-Jewelry-Kits-Due-to-Risk-of-Skin-Eye-and-Respiratory-Irritation-and-Sensitization-Violation-of-the-Federal-Hazardous-Substances-Act#LaRose #jewelrykit
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LINKCOO Blackout Roller Window Shades Can Strangle Your Child
04/04/2025 Duración: 01minVidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DICFHUXOIND/These shades have long operating cords that entrap and pose a risk of injury or death to children. They violate federal safety regulations for window coverings, including improper labeling requirements.About 16,300 shades were sold exclusively online through Amazon.com from December 2022 through September 2024.Stop using these recalled window shades, cut the operating cords, and contact LINKCOO via email at recalllinkcoo@163.com for a free repair kit. To receive this replacement short operating cord, you must email a photo of the recalled product with the cord cut to the company.https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/LINKCOO-Blackout-Roller-Window-Shades-Recalled-Due-to-Strangulation-and-Entanglement-Hazards-and-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-or-Death-Violation-of-Federal-Regulations-for-Window-Coverings-Sold-Exclusively-on-Amazon-com-by-LINKCOO#linkcoo #rollershades #blackout #strangulation #entrapment #recall
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NFH Iron SAP, Heme Iron SAP, and Prenatal SAP bottles Are Dangers To Your Kids
04/04/2025 Duración: 01minVidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DICEXbogDP1/These recalled dietary supplements contain iron are not in child-resistant packaging creating a risk of poisoning if swallowed by young children.About 17,660 bottles were sold at naturopathic and homeopathic clinics nationwide including A Woman’s Time, Doctor Supplement stores, and online at WholescriptsInc.com and Fullscript.com. Sales occurred between March 2022 and December 2024.Immediately store the recalled supplement bottles out of reach of children. Contact NFH at 1-866-510-3123 or via the email info@nfh.ca to receive free replacement bottles with child-resistant packaging. .https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/NFH-Iron-Dietary-Supplement-Bottles-Recalled-Due-to-Risk-of-Poisoning-Violation-of-Federal-Regulation-for-Child-Resistant-Packaging-Imported-by-Nutritional-Fundamentals-for-Health-NFH#nfh #iron #prenatal #containers #children #poisoning #recall
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Interior Resources Children’s Steel Utility Bunk Beds Entrap and Strangle
04/04/2025 Duración: 01minVidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DICDkefpoy3/The beds violate federal safety regulations because the spacing between the guardrail and end support, as well as the spacing around the mattress supports, is too wide, posing a risk of injury or death to children.About 1,772 units were sold by Interior Resources to institutions in New York between January 2017 and May 2024.Immediately stop using the recalled bunk beds until they are repaired. Interior Resources is offering a free repair kit with shipping included, along with professional installation when available. Contact Interior Resources at 800-397-7776 or email the company at info@interiorresourcesusa.com. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Interior-Resources-Recalls-Childrens-Steel-Utility-Bunk-Beds-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-or-Death-from-Entrapment-Hazards-Violations-of-Federal-Regulations-for-Bunk-Bed-Recall-Alert#interiorresources #children #beds #entrapment #strangulation #recall
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Magnetic Robotic Micro-Neurosurgery
02/04/2025 Duración: 01minVidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH9WaEXu54z/University of Toronto bioengineers have developed miniaturized surgical robotic tools so tiny that they can only be motorized by strong external magnetic fields. Three types of tools, all no larger than 3 millimeters have been developed: a gripper, a scalpel, and a forceps. The team has also developed a prototype surgical table with the embedded electromagnetic coils that control the microinstruments.Each of these microtools has attached magnets that permit the tool to be opened, closed, and moved in various directions. The tools are placed at the end of positioning wires and can be passed into the brain through flexible endoscopes.These tools are now rev2 and streamlined. In addition to neurosurgical applications, they can be used in the gastrointestinal tract and likely elsewhere. Hopefully, this next generation of medical robotics will be available…;.Someday soon,https://news.engineering.utoronto.ca/these-tiny-robotic-tools-powered-by-magnetic-fiel
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LED Lights Can Help Resolve Acne
02/04/2025 Duración: 01minVidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DH9Vp3hM_8f/LED units emitting both red and blue light effectively help resolve acne. This the conclusion of a Harvard Brigham snd Women’s Hospital meta-analysis that reviewed 6 randomized trials with a total of 216 subjects aged 12 to 50 years. The results are now published in JAMA Dermatology.The LED lamps tested emitted red light with wavelengths of 630-670 nm and blue light with wavelengths of 630-670 nm. Such lamps my be purchased online.When used for 1-3 months, this phototherapy improved the overall acne appearance as well as the inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions by 46%. The most effective devices radiated both red and blue light. The treatment had only mild side effects with skin drying, redness, and mild discomfort.Future studies will compare this light therapy with topical medicinal therapy.https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/2830694#acne #phototherapy #led #red #blue
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Cells From One Eye Can Heal The Other
02/04/2025 Duración: 01minVidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH9UqL2spnA/Cells taken from the edge of a healthy cornea can become a magic bullet to repair a previously considered irreparable cornea in the opposite eye. Ophthalmologists at Harvard’s Mass. Eye and Ear Infirmary developed what they term the CALEC procedure, an acronym for Cultivated Autologous Limbal Epithelial Cells. The limbal region of the cornea contains stem cells that constantly renew the corneal surface. These cells are harvested and grown out into a tissue graft in a laboratory at Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The graft is then implanted in the diseased eye.The researchers report their preliminary trial of 14 patients in the journal Nature Communications. The procedure boasts a 93% success rate for significant corneal repair with 79% of the subjects enjoying complete restoration of their injured corneas by 1 year postoperatively.After additional trials are complete, this procedure will be ready to restore sight in eyes once considered hopeless
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Common Pain Pills Speed Concussion Recovery
02/04/2025 Duración: 01minVidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DH9T5j3NU5v/Regular use of the over-the-counter headache medications acetaminophen, Tylenol, or the NSAIDS including ibuprofen, Motrin and Advil, led to as much as 21% faster functional concussion recovery. Neurology researchers at Seattle’s University of Washington studied the records of 1661 NAAA athletes and military cadets with a mean age of 18 years and will present their data during this April’s American Academy of Neurology 2025 Annual Meeting.Using activity records pinpointing days until the athletes’s unrestricted return to play (URTP) and time until completely free of symptoms (daysASYMP), the data indicated that over-the-counter pain medication use leads to the 21% faster URTP as well as 15% shorter daysASYMP.These over-the-counter pain medications, analgesics in medical jargon, reduce brain tissue inflammation. Since much of this inflammation occurs within the first 24 hours after injury, that’s the best time to consistently use thes
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With Measles On The Rise, Vaccinate Children Early
02/04/2025 Duración: 01minVidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH9TAN0uCfa/If you live in an area with measles outbreaks, your baby should receive the measles vaccine vaccine, the MMR or measles, mumps, rubella vaccine, as early as 6 months of age. The CDC is recommending this earlier vaccination strategy in contrast to the usual pediatric schedule that recommends the first MMR at 12 to 15 months of age with a booster at age 4 to 6 years. If you plan an international trip, you should also vaccinate earlier.If your child receives this “early” dose of the MMR, two additional doses at the usual ages is still recommended. Since a baby’s immune system is immature at 6 months, the latter shots are necessary to guarantee proper protection.Measles is a highly contagious virus, and one infected person can readily spread the disease to as many as 18 others. Infectious virus can remain airborne for as long as 2 hours. Measles is more than a rash. The virus can damage your child’s eyes, ears, brain, and lungs. In addition to early vacc
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AI-Analyzed Mammograms Assess Your Heart
02/04/2025 Duración: 01minVidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DH9SFeIs78Z/Women under 60 years of age with the most significant calcium buildup in their breast arteries, compared with those who had the least, were 2.8 times more likely to die from cardiac disease within a 5 year period. This from an Emory University and Mayo Clinic collaborative study of 56,000 mammograms presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session.Visualizing calcium plaques in breast arteries seen on cancer-screening mammograms can incidentally predict cardiovascular disease. Other studies have shown that such calcium deposition in the breast arteries breast arteries is associated with a 51% higher risk of not only heart disease but also stroke.The AI model looked at the severity of breast artery calcification and divided women into 3 groups. Then it analyzed the incidence of heart attack, heart failure, and stroke for each group. Greater levels of calcification was associated with risk of these diseas
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Blood Pressure Fluctuations During Pregnancy Predict Later Hypertension
02/04/2025 Duración: 01minVidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH9RTkqxwwO/Pregnant women with very slightly elevated but consistently near normal blood pressures but no second trimester blood pressure drop are nearly 5 times more likely to develop serious blood pressure problems within 5 years after delivery. Epidemiologists at the USC School of Medicine report this phenomenon in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology following their study of 854 women during their pregnancies and for 5 years afterwards.The tabulated data separated these women into 3 groups. The majority, 80.2%, had consistently normal to low pressure readings, and these women risked no later pressure issues.. Then 7.4% of the group had abnormally high pressures but a mid-pregnancy drop, and they were likely to suffer serious consequences including pre-eclampsia during their pregnancies and were more than 5 times more likely to also have pressure issues later.The most interesting group were the 12.4% with pressures on the high normal side throughout
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Why Women Experience More Pain Than Men
02/04/2025 Duración: 01minVidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DH9OeHitn2J/When a woman and a man both sustain injuries to their pain-generating nerves, only the woman produces a unique hormone that intensifies that pain. University of Calgary researchers report this discovery in the journal Neuron. Their study was in part triggered by a 2019 Canadian Pain Task Force report that verified the higher incidence of chronic pain in females versus males of every age including children.Utilizing rodent animal models, their data showed that neuropathic pain, pain out of proportion to a harmful stimulus, is mediated by pannexin1 microglial and T cells channels in both men and women. In females, nerve injury leads to activation of T cells and the hormone leptin which potentiates pain. In males, the injury leads to release of a vascular endothelial growth factor from microglial cells and this VEGF blocks pain transmission.Discovery of this gender-dependent generation of chronic pain could well lead to strategies for
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Obesity Cripples Anti-Bacterial Immunity
02/04/2025 Duración: 01minVidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH9NiUTtOcR/Obesity due to consistent ingestion of a high-fat diet limits that ability of your white blood cells to effectively fight bacterial infections. Pediatric researchers at the University of Michigan studied this phenomenon in a mouse model and now report their findings in The Journal of Immunology.Obesity was induced with a sustained, 16 week, high fat diet. The bacteria-fighting lymphocytes, so-called neutrophils, generated by these obese mice produce diminished bactericidal secretions, are less capable of ingesting or phagocytosing these pathogens, and lack normal regenerative capabilities in comparison to those neutrophils found in control mice with normal weights.This study adds yet another reason for obese persons to cut out fats in their diets and normalize their body weights. Besides reducing the risk of heart attacks and alleviating the burdens their joints and backs must bear, they will repower their immune systems to protect them against serious a
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A Longer-Lasting RSV Vaccine
02/04/2025 Duración: 01minVidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DH9MacqsZKC/A novel, bivalent RSV vaccine provides lasting protection against respiratory syncytial viral disease over two rather than only one season. This the result of a phase 3 so-called RENOIR trial that tested 36,862 participants 60 to over 80 years of age at 241 sites in 7 countries. Helmed by University of Rochester infectious disease researchers, it was just reported in the Clinical Infectious Diseases journal.The vaccine, developed by Pfizer, contains both RSV-A and RSV-B antigens. Tested against a placebo, the vaccine provided 88.9% protection from one month after immunization through the first season and 77.8% protection through the second season. The already available monovalent RSV vaccines from both Pfizer and GSK are verified protective for only one season.This bivalent vaccine, named RSVPreF, can be safely and effectively co-administered with both the influenza vaccines and the CoVid vaccines. That provides a comprehensive shi
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Target Favorite Day Branded Gourmet New York Style Cheesecake Has An Allergen
24/03/2025 Duración: 01minVidcast: https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DHmHh3XAJSc/This cheesecake contains undeclared pecans. Those with an allergy to pecans could develop a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction should they consume this product. Affected is lot code 25028A1 000039133.About 250,000 cheesecakes were sold exclusively by Target in California, Florida, Iowa, Ohio, and Texas between February 14, 2025, and March 7, 2025.Stop consuming these affected cheesecakes and Target Guest Relations at 1-800-444-0680 for a full refund. You can also contact the cheesecake manufacturer Dessert Holdings at 1-720-766-9060 or by email at marketing@dessertholdings.com.https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dessert-holdings-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-tree-nut-allergen-favorite-daytm-gourmet-new-york#target #cheesecake #pecans #allergy #recall
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FitRx SmartBell XL Quick-Select Adjustable Dumbbells Fly Off Their Handles
24/03/2025 Duración: 01minVidcast: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHmGrSqpSAz/These defective dumbbells allow weight plates to dislodge from the dumbbell handle during use leading to impact injuries for users and bystanders. Affected is Model 9034.About 12,400 units were sold exclusively online at Walmart.com from September 2023 through June 2024.Stop using these recalled dumbbells and contact Tzumi Electronics at 1-866-363-2237 or via the email XLRecall@tzumi.com for a free repair that includes a new dumbbell handle and storage tray.https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Tzumi-Electronics-Recalls-SmartBell-XL-Quick-Select-Adjustable-Dumbbells-Due-to-Impact-Injury-Hazard-Sold-Exclusively-at-Walmart-com#tzumi #dumbbells #handle #injury #recall