Health Report: Sep. 20, 1993

THE GOOD NEWS

— The National Academy of Sciences says the fda should begin the approval process for RU-486, the so-called French abortion pill. The drug has already been tested in Europe. Besides preventing pregnancy, it may be useful in treating fibroid tumors, endometriosis and even cancer.

— The FDA has approved tacrine, the first drug shown to have an effect, though limited, on Alzheimer’s disease.

— Doctors have devised an in utero operation for treating myelomeningocele, a birth defect in which the spinal cord protrudes from the spine, leading to paralysis and incontinence. The operation, which uses a skin graft to patch the spine, has been tested successfully in sheep.

THE BAD NEWS

— Statistics indicate that people over 65 are hospitalized as often for alcohol-related disorders as for heart problems.

— Lorenzo’s oil, the cinematically celebrated “cure” for adrenoleukodystroph y, a nervous-system disease, is worthless for adults suffering from the disorder, says new research.

— A medical study of 180 U.S. newlyweds shows that arguing can be unhealthy. Reasoned disputes are O.K., but sarcasm and put-downs can result in elevated blood pressure and weakened immune systems.

— The largest survey ever done on flatulence has determined that in Australia, at least, men emit intestinal gases nearly twice as often as women.

Sources — GOOD: AP; Neurosurgery; AP. BAD: Journal of the American Medical Association; New England Journal of Medicine; Science News; New Scientist