Research

        Toothsome: Pictures of your teeth could help doctors identify goop in your arteries that could lead to heart attack or stroke.

        Dr. Stanley Cohen, director of the Stroke Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's Division of Neurology, said research indicates dentists should refer patients to neurologists or cardiologists when they spot signs of carotid artery calcification (CAC, or calcium deposits on the linings of arteries) on panoramic dental X-rays.

        “Our study shows that patients with calcification of the carotid arteries had a higher risk for both cardiac events and stroke,” said Dr. Cohen. “Now, we recommend that when dentists see CAC on an X-ray, they refer their patients to the appropriate specialists for further evaluation and treatment.”

        Researchers studied dental X-rays of 92 male veterans seen by a dentist in the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. They then cross-referenced those X-rays to find out which patients had suffered heart attack or stroke after the X-rays were taken and any pre-existing risk factors.

        Patients who had CAC were more likely to have more than one risk factor for heart attack or stroke and more likely to have suffered heart attack or stroke.

        Identifying CAC from dental X-rays could help doctors begin treating high-risk patients earlier, Dr. Cohen said.

Resource

        Skin check: Galderma Laboratories, makers of Cetaphil cleansers and moisturizers, are offering a free guide for skin cancer self-exams. To order the Cetaphil Body Check Card, write Galderma Laboratories, Dept. CBCC—Cetaphil 14501 N. Freeway, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

Calendar

        Mesmerizing: The American Lung Association will offer group smoking cessation and weight-loss hypnosis sessions June 8 in Cincinnati and Batavia. The Cincinnati session starts at 9 a.m. at the Drake Center, 151 W. Galbraith Road. The Batavia session begins at noon at the United Way building. Registration is required. 985-3990.

Shelf help

        Guidebook: Natural Health Magazine Complete Guide to Safe Herbs (DK Publishing; $29.95) by naturopath Chris D. Meletis looks at the side effects and interactions of hundreds of drugs, supplements and foods.

Tips

        Head help: Migraines mean missed school days for thousands of American children.

        Missed school means stress, which could lead to future migraines. Here are tips from the Children's Medical Center in Dayton for treating and preventing migraines.

        • Keep a headache diary that tracks when the headaches occur, what the child ate, the severity of the headache, known headache triggers and accompanying symptoms (nausea, etc.).

        • Look for, and avoid, headache triggers. Common triggers include caffeine, chocolate, cheese, dairy products, flashing or fluorescent lights, odors, weather changes, stress and irregular sleeping patterns.

        • Learn about treatment options. Several medications are available to prevent and treat migraine pain. Relaxation techniques may also help. Talk to the child's pediatrician for advice on treatments.

        Contact Peggy O'Farrell by phone: 768-8510; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: pofarrell@enquirer.com.

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