Health Notes Health Notes (February 09, 2005)

OH, THE PAIN . . . Stanford researcher Randall Stafford, associate professor of medicine, recently found that most users of the pain killer Vioxx actually didn't need to take the drug, which was pulled from the market last September when it was determined the drug posed significant risks of heart attacks. Vioxx had been lauded for relieving pain without triggering gastritis or ulcers, side effects of some other painkillers. The study, though, shows that many people with little risk of gastrointestinal bleeding switched to Vioxx and similar medicine, instead of staying with their regular painkiller. The study blames the switch on the drug's heavy marketing and a belief among medical professionals and patients that newer drugs are better than existing medications. Stafford's study was published in the Jan. 25 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

EXPLORING MEDICINE . . . Medical Explorer Post 63 of the Boy Scouts of America is hosting its 16th annual conference on careers in the medical field Saturday, March 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation's Palo Alto Clinic. Any high school student interested in the medical profession can attend the conference, which includes lectures and hands-on activities. Lecture topics include "Important Events in the History of Medicine," "The Future of Medical Technology," and "Health Challenges in the Third World." Activities include viewing cardiac ultrasound images, pathology specimens or videos of surgical operations, learning to tie surgical knows and a session on first aid techniques. For registration information, e-mail hshartzell@earthlink.net.

ELDERHOSTEL COMES TO PALO ALTO . . . Elderhostel, a travel organization for older adults, is hosting a program, "Lifetime Vitality: Healthy Aging," in Palo Alto March 9-14. Participants will hear lectures about health, fitness and nutrition by leading Stanford doctors and health professionals; go on walking tours in Palo Alto and San Francisco; and explore some fine -- and healthy -- dining. For a full list of events or to register, log onto www.elderhostel.org or call 1-877-426-8056.
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