October 2020: Trending Health News

Trending health news for October 2020

Recall Widens for Diabetes Drug Metformin

The recall of extended-release metformin continues this month as 76 more lots have been flagged for a possible cancer-causing ingredient. The FDA announced the latest recall, involving Marksans Pharma Limited and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries products, on Oct. 5. It involves the 500mg and 700mg tablets. More than 175 different drug combinations have been recalled since late May. Read more...

Elections & Politics Can Raise Blood Pressure

The rising political heat of the election season may cause people’s blood to boil in a figurative sense — but could it literally be dangerous to people’s health? Physicians and scientists say the answer increasingly appears to be “yes,” especially for hypertension patients. A study published earlier this month in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found the 2106 U.S. presidential election was associated with an increase in heart attacks and stroke. Read more...

APTA: New COVID-19 Guidance for Rehab Specialists

A new guide developed by a group of clinicians with early experience in managing patients with COVID-19 not only stresses the importance of early rehabilitation for those hospitalized with the disease, but provides basic recommendations on how to approach that rehab, as well as options after discharge. Titled "What Now for Rehabilitation Specialists," the guide was published as a free-access document in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and is targeted at "rehabilitation clinicians working in the inpatient setting with patients with confirmed or suspected COIVID-19." Read more...

Peloton Recalls Pedals on 27,000 Pedals Stationary Bikes After Multiple Leg Injuries

If you've had a Peloton bike for a few years, you might want to replace the pedals. Peloton has voluntarily recalled pedals on bikes purchased between July 2013 and May 2016. The recall is for black clip-in petals with the Peloton logo and the word 'PELOTON' molded into them. There is an orange Peloton symbol and white lettering printed on the top of the cleat binding. According to the CPSC recall notice, “PR70P Clip-In Pedals can break unexpectedly during use, causing laceration injuries,” and Peloton “has received 120 consumer reports of pedal breakages, including 16 reports of leg injuries.” Read more...

Vitamin D Levels Impact COVID-19 Mortality Rates

Researchers from Northwestern University analyzed patient data from 10 countries: United States, United Kingdom, China, Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Switzerland, South Korea, and Iran. After studying the global data, the researchers discovered a strong correlation between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 mortality rates. The research shows that in countries with higher COVID-19 mortality rates (United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain), the patient population had lower levels of vitamin D. Read more...

Looking for more COVID-19 resources?

• COVID-19 in the Geriatric Patient
• Free COVID-19 Healthcare Resource Kit