especially in young women.
There are several clotting disorders known collectively as thrombophilias. These are much more common than is usually realized. Here is a newsletter from an organization that is trying to help the public be more aware of this problem.
While both men and women can have the genetic predisposition, the problems can be much more severe for women because of the influence of the hormone estrogen. I have been astounded to hear, quite casually, from a number of young women who had abnormal blood clots related to the use of the birth control pill. This can also be a problem in pregnancy, but the pill seems to be a much bigger contributor. Recent news reports about the patch (Ortho Evra) have brought this to the public eye again, but the reality is that the estrogen containing hormonal contraceptives have ALWAYS had a known connection with strokes, heart attacks, and other thrombotic events.
If you can't read the whole newsletter, at least go to page 4. And then pray for all those involved in this story.
health and illness: December 2005 Archives
Massachusetts hospitals will no longer give free formula bags
Actually, in poor families, one of the major incentives for bottle feeding is the 'free' (taxpayer provided) formula provided by WIC. And I was struck by a story from Hurricane Katrina, where a mom gave birth at home with only her boyfriend in attendance, and the boyfriend went to the hospital looking for formula.....
Another thought that came to my mind reading this was that the SCOTUS declared that advertising (at least political ads) were a protected form of free speech. I wonder what would happen if the formula companies were to appeal this legislation as a first amendment issue. The USA is one of the few countries that did not sign on to the WHO code restricting formula marketing.
I have been boycotting Nestle foods for nearly 30 years now over formula marketing issues.
MERD | Panexa (Acidachrome Promanganate)
You might have to be in health care to REALLY appreciate this one - or be the kind of person who compulsively reads package inserts down to the copyright date.
