August 6, 1999
MEDICAL TIPS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM OFFICE OF MEDIA RELATIONS
1. New Drug a Deadly High
UAB substance abuse specialists are closely following the use of a dangerous new drug, GHB (gamma hydroxy butyrate). First abused by body builders as a 'steroid alternative,' GHB is gaining popularity with young people seeking its intoxicating effects. "A little GHB produces intoxication similar to alcohol use," says Sandra Frazier, M.D., of UAB's Addiction Recovery Program. "Too much GHB produces respiratory depression, coma and sometimes death. Unfortunately, it's impossible for users to determine when a little becomes too much." In the last week, UAB hospital alone has treated six people who overdosed on GHB at local nightclubs. Frazier says alcohol on top of GHB greatly exacerbates the effects. Call Bob Shepard, Media Relations, 934-8934.
2. Physician Teach Thy Self
Doctors, especially those in academia, need new management tools to cope with today's changing health-care marketplace. Increasingly, universities are offering ways to meet this need. "Our ability to balance declining clinical revenues with our teaching and research responsibilities will determine if academic medicine will survive the transformation of health care in America," says UAB orthopedic surgeon John Cuckler, M.D., a graduate of the Wharton School of Business. Since 1997, physicians and health-care executives from 11 states have enrolled in a UAB master's degree course while remaining in their full-time jobs. They get eight consecutive class days in Birmingham, followed by distance learning through an interactive client-server computer program based on campus. Call Hank Black, Media Relations, 934-8938.
3. Painless Sores Can Signal Cancer
It's when mouth sores don't hurt that you should worry about cancer, says surgical oncologist Samuel Beenken, M.D. "If an ulcer in your mouth is painful, it's in all likelihood temporary, caused by an inflammatory process. But if it is painless and fails to heal within a couple of weeks, it should be biopsied." Leukoplakia, as such a sore is called, is a white patch that cannot be rubbed off and is usually caused by tobacco usage. Current treatment for the pre-cancerous lesion is a surgical procedure to burn off the sore. Beenken is directing the clinical trial of a topical ointment in a search for an alternative, non-invasive treatment. Call Hank Black, Media Relations, 934-8938.
4. Displaying Symptoms of CVS
Fifty to 90 percent of visual display terminal (VDT) users experience eye strain, blurred vision, headaches and dry eyes. These symptoms usually are temporary and will often decrease or cease after VDT use ends, however some people report that symptoms persist. "The longer you spend working on a computer, the more likely you are to experience problems with eyestrain," says Kent Daum, O.D., UAB School of Optometry. The American Optometric Association recently defined Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). "CVS is characterized by all of the signs and symptoms that occur in other musculoskeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome." Daum suggests sitting 24 inches from the front of the display to minimize symptoms. Call Melanie Parker, UAB Media Relations, 934-8935.
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