Dr. Steve: Friday

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7:00 Segment Info:
Doctors know that at least when it comes to gum disease obese people find it harder to fight infections.

Now a new study from Boston University says a weakened immune system may be to blame. In the report researchers exposed obese and normal weight mice to bacteria in their mouths, and found that the obese mice weren't able to fight off the infection as well as normal weight mice. And the obese mice had a compromised immune system response.

Do researchers know why this is happening?

WATCH THE VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP

When they looked closely at the immune system of these obese mice they found that their white blood cells, which are the cells that fight infection in the body had lower levels of an important signaling molecule and some of the genes that fight inflammation were changed. They don't know exactly why this is happening, but it may involve the signaling pathway that controls a special protein involved in this process. This is a real phenomenon in people. Studies in obese people have shown they are more likely to have gum disease than non-obese people.

In other news, there's important information for breast cancer patients. That's right, two interesting studies on breast cancer.

One found that some women with breast cancer may be able to skip chemotherapy without changing their odds of beating the disease, and another found that a gene test may help predict whether a woman needs chemo at all even if they cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. The gene test is called Oncotype DX. It measures the activity of 21 genes and gives a score to predict a woman's risk of recurrence. Doctors have used it for years to guide treatment for certain women with early breast cancer, so it's available today.

Can this affect breast cancer treatment now?

Experts are saying it could change the way they treat breast cancer immediately because the results are so compelling. Overall there's a growing trend away from chemo for many breast cancer patients because of the potential side effects. So doctors are trying to target it to a smaller group of women who truly need it. Generally chemotherapy is added if the disease has spread to lymph nodes. This test could spare about 18 thousand women each year the pain and misery of chemotherapy.

8:00am Ask The Doctor Segment Info:
1. What is the best way to stop a child's nosebleed? Is it okay to put their head back or should you tilt it forward?
Mari from New York.

Mari, you want to tilt the head slightly forward with a nosebleed. If you tilt it back, you're likely to swallow the blood, which can make you vomit and make the bleeding worse. If a child has a nosebleed you first want to make sure there's nothing in the nose.. Then have them blow out all the clots and pinch the nose for a full 10 minutes without releasing. That's a really long time. Also, place an ice pack on the nose and cheeks. Once the bleeding stops you can apply a little Vaseline to the inside of the tip of the nose and gently pinch it. Don't blow the nose or pick it after the bleeding stops.

2. I recently heard that farm raised shrimp are bad for you. Would that mean that other farm-raised fish, like tilapia, are bad for you too?
Pat from New Jersey

A lot has been written about the dangers of farm-raised fish in particular farm-raised salmon. The concern comes from the feed and practices of fish farmers. Studies show that the food is high in cancer causing PCB’s which can be carried over to people when they eat the fish. Also, many fish farms give antibiotics to the fish to fight infection. While there was a mountain of information about salmon, I couldn't find much on tilapia. The best way to answer this question is to tell you what I do. I personally buy wild fish whenever possible.

3. Good morning, Dr. Steve, My name is Margaret Thompson. I'm actually from NY but I've traveled from Britain yesterday, and I've got 22 hours of jet lag. How can I best get over that?

Margaret, studies show it will probably take you about a week to get back to feeling normal again. But in the meantime you can try a couple of things. Keep the lights on bright. Being in bright light can make you feel more awake during the day. Sun light is best, but this weather isn't helping. Stay away from alcohol or caffeine. They will only disrupt sleep. A low dose of melatonin, about a third of a milligram, may help you get to sleep at night, and when you go to bed try wearing a sleep mask and ear plugs or get the room really dark. That may help you get back on track.