By Val Willingham
CNN Medical Producer

As the year 2010 begins to sneak up on us, I am already making a list of my New Year's resolutions. There are the usual promises: eat less, exercise more. But I am also determined to adopt a more positive attitude next year and look at the glass as half full. That’s not always easy, especially during a time when friends are without work and the guy down the street can't make his mortgage payments. For some of us this year, the only thing in the glass has been sludge.

But it's time to change the way we look at things and start to appreciate the good in our everyday lives. And we need to spread that joy by taking care of one another, by being there when times get tough, even when the misfortunes are not ours. We need to think that the housing market will do better, employment rates will go up and peace will make its way into the hearts of our world leaders. We must think positively. Research has shown that if we approach the day with an optimistic view, positive things will happen, not only for the good of the world, but for our own heath.

In a recent study published in the journal "Circulation," researchers found that women who were more positive and had a better attitude had a 16 percent lower risk of having a heart attack. Other studies have proved that people who are happier and look at things with a good attitude have lower blood pressure, sleep better and are more active. Doctors also say being more upbeat helps our immune systems, keeps depression at bay and even gives us the ability to cope when things do get rough.

I am a blessed person. I try never to take my fortune for granted. And I try to live by the Golden Rule. But from time to time, when a driver cuts me off, or a clerk messes up an order, I can get irritated – and at times, rather nasty. So next year, instead of slinging terse words at the motorist next to me, or being snippy when checking out at a store, I will try to take a step back, take a deep breath and let it go. I will try to be better to my fellow men and women and lift them up instead of dressing them down. Yes, it's been tough recently, but as we enter into a time of giving thanks, consider all the wonderful things we have in our lives. They may add up to more than we realized. And that’s the most positive thing of all.

Do you are agree?

As a feature of CNNhealth.com, our team of expert doctors will answer readers' questions. Here's a question for Dr. Gupta.

From Elaine in New Jersey:

I attended a clinic this weekend for the H1N1 shots, and they administered the nasal spray to my 14-month-old! According to the CDC website it should NOT be administered to children under 2 years of age! I contacted the pharmacy where the clinic was held, and they took my contact info and said we will get back to me. Can you tell me is my child at risk?? I also have a call into my pediatrician. I also contact the CDC and was told they are not medical professionals.

Answer:

Elaine, it is easy to sense dismay and concern from your e-mail, and as a father I can certainly relate.

The reality is – yes – the nasal spray version of the H1N1 vaccine, which contains a weakened live flu virus, should be given only to people ages 2 to 49. We also know that children with conditions such as asthma may not be eligible for the live flu vaccine.

In order to ease your mind a bit, unless he or she has asthma, chances are very good that your 14-month-old will be fine.

The primary reason children younger than 2 do not get the nasal spray H1N1 vaccine is that it has not been tested in, and therefore is not licensed for, that age group. It is that simple. You need solid data to submit to the Food and Drug Administration before a medication can be approved for use in a particular population – that data do not exist for children younger than 24 months.

To ease your mind a bit more, rare complaints among adults and children taking the nasal spray form of the H1N1 vaccine are runny nose, sore throat, and sometimes fever. These symptoms usually go away within a couple of days. If they do crop up for your 14-month-old, you should not be too concerned, but if the symptoms get worse or your instinct tells you to, do see your pediatrician.

On the bright side of your predicament, your son or daughter is now vaccinated against H1N1. There are many parents who are still waiting to have their children vaccinated, so count yourself among the fortunate. Your child should soon have a second H1N1 vaccine dose – this time with the injectable form of the vaccine. And if you have not yet been vaccinated, you should do so – as the caregiver for your baby, you are eligible for these early doses of vaccine.

By Saundra Young
CNN Medical Senior Producer

Every year I get a seasonal flu shot. CNN sponsors flu clinics for employees, so luckily I never have to go "in search of.” My 12-year-old daughter always gets one too.

So the first week in October, I called her pediatrician to schedule a seasonal flu shot. I thought I was ahead of the game. To my surprise, I was told they were out of both the shot and FluMist, but that they were expecting a new shipment mid-October. Since then I have called her office once a week. Nothing. Finally last week they told me they did not know when they would get another batch, and suggested I check with local clinics and other providers such as pharmacies and supermarkets.

I visited a clinic, called numerous supermarkets and pharmacies. Everyone was out, and none knew whether, or when, another shipment would arrive.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of last week, 94 million doses of seasonal flu have already been distributed. Total production for this season is 114 million doses.

So where did all that seasonal flu vaccine go? CDC Spokesman Llelwyn Grant says the number of people getting seasonal flu vaccine this year is higher than has been seen in previous flu seasons. He attributes the numbers to all the attention given to H1N1. "People are more vigilant in getting vaccinated based on H1N1 activities. They are proactively getting ahead of seasonal flu before it kicks in. Awareness has been higher. That's why seasonal flu vaccine is moving faster than in previous years."

Grant says health officials have not seen much seasonal flu yet. A few pockets maybe, but the majority of cases are still H1N1. He says seasonal flu season generally really starts to percolate around November or December.

Unlike with H1N1, the federal and state governments are not involved in the actual purchasing of seasonal flu vaccine. Whoever orders that vaccine is doing so directly from the manufacturer. So while it may seem like a shortage, the amount of vaccine produced this year is about the same as the last few years. Still, Grant says he understands the frustration. "We are encouraging folks to continue looking. There is more to be distributed. The good news is we have yet to see any seasonal activity really manifesting itself here in the United States. That is the one good piece of news."

So, I find myself waiting for the last 20 million doses to be distributed. Coming soon, I hope, to a clinic near me. Keeping my fingers crossed that I find one with vaccine before the seasonal flu finds my daughter.

I even popped on the American Lung Association's flu clinic locator Web page. Both the CDC and Maryland's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene pushed me to their "find a flu shot site." It didn't help. Most of the clinics that did surface were for H1N1 shots only. The eight that were listed as having seasonal flu vaccine were all in Virginia. Bold type instructed me to "please call ahead to confirm availability."

Is anyone else having this much trouble finding a seasonal flu shot?

Editor's Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

By Caleb Hellerman
CNN Medical News senior producer

The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off this afternoon, on a mission to deliver spare parts to the International Space Station. I feel an extra connection, because in the past few weeks I’ve been talking to and emailing with Dr. Robert Satcher, an astronaut and orthopedic surgeon who specializes in treating cancer cases. He’s going into space for the first time, and as a preview, he and two of the NASA trainers showed off versions of his spacesuit and the treadmill that astronauts can use to stay fit while spending long months on the space station. (Watch Video)

One twist you don’t see at the gym: Astronauts have to strap themselves to the treadmill with a heavy cable, to keep from floating away when they try to run.

The thrust of the Atlantis mission is maintenance, not medical, but crew members spent a chunk of their pre-mission training, practicing what to do in case of a medical emergency. Satcher also points out that he’s part of “this ongoing tradition of experimentation, human experimentation, what happens to the body when you go into outer space.”

One thing I thought was interesting: On a space mission, you get taller - anywhere from half an inch to an inch and a half. Satcher explains that in zero gravity, fluid is redistributed in the body and the spine gets longer. You also lose bone and muscle mass as the body adapts to the lesser demands of zero gravity. It’s sort of the opposite of what happens when you lift weights at the gym, where your body responds by growing muscle. Astronauts are also prone to sleep disturbances; many crew members take the hormone melatonin as a sleep aid, to try to keep their body clocks adjusted.

In between maintenance work, the Atlantis crew will take measurements to help track musculoskeletal changes, and samples of blood and saliva to try to identify possible changes to the immune system.

Satcher, who likes to be called Bobby, says he’s thrilled to be flying into space for the first time. I hope he can find time to tell us about it, while he’s in orbit.

What would you like to hear about, from a doctor in outer space?

Editor's Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

By Ashley J. WennersHerron
CNN NY Medical News Intern

It was the last day of winter break. I was driving to a friend’s house to say goodbye before returning to New York for the spring semester. I was stopped at an intersection when the light turned green. I pushed down the gas and saw a flash of white. Next thing I knew, I was facing the wrong way, toward oncoming traffic and I could feel the January wind rushing in through the driver’s side window I had shattered with my head. My steering wheel was stuck and hitting the brakes did nothing. I hit another car head on and side-scrapped a third. I barreled up a hill, finally stopping just feet away from a row of gas pumps.
My airbags had deployed, filling the air with a foul smell and bits of grit. Disoriented and terrified, I thought the burning odor meant my car was on fire. I tore my seat belt open, which was no easy feat. In the impact, I slammed against the armrest, breaking it, which jammed the seat belt buckle. I got myself free, dove through the broken window (my door wouldn’t open), somersaulted to a standing position and ran away from the car I thought was going to blow up. When I reached what I perceived as safety, I collapsed. It felt as if I couldn’t move at all. During my escape, I couldn’t feel the pain, but as soon as I relaxed, I became aware of the extent of my injuries. My head felt as if it were leaking (a result of a concussion and a hairline skull fracture), my ribs were bruised, my leg was banged up and I had shards of glass and airbag dust in my eyes. I could barely answer the paramedic’s questions; how had I managed to perform acrobatic tricks just minutes earlier?

The answer lies in the functions of the autonomic nervous system, a branch of the central nervous system, which is what operates involuntary body functions, including breathing and blinking. The autonomic nervous system operates the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The first perks up in a fight-or-flight situation, where danger is perceived. It releases adrenaline, a hormone also known as epinephrine, in response to fear or anxiety. It dilated my eyes and heightened my other senses, allowing for a higher intake of information. It also increased my blood pressure, which let oxygen travel quickly to my muscles and brain, explaining my circus-stunt escape route. Adrenaline powered my body in preparation for an attack or to flee. I wasn’t about to fight my Chevrolet Blazer, so I did everything I could to put distance between it and myself.

As soon as I was safe, my parasympathetic nervous system took over. The norepinephrine (the opposite of adrenaline) slowed my breathing, lowered my blood pressure and relaxed my muscles. My body had entered a long-term state, beginning the process of assessment and healing.

I’m glad to say that despite the severity of the accident, everyone involved was able to walk away. Now, I’m still in physical therapy and I will forever have scars of the accident, but my body took care of me in the moment.

Have you ever experienced unusual focus or strength in the face of danger?

As a feature of CNNhealth.com, our team of expert doctors will answer readers' questions. Here's a question for Dr. Gupta.

From Kali in Florida:

My 4-year-old daughter has egg and peanut allergies. Can she still take the H1N1 vaccine? If not what are her choices. I've been getting conflicting answers.

Answer:

Kali thanks for writing in. We’ve received several questions like yours since the H1N1 vaccine became available. Let me start by saying that if your daughter has a true egg allergy, and not just a sensitivity, then she can not have the H1N1 or the seasonal flu vaccine. The two types of H1N1 vaccine, the shot and the nasal spray, are made with eggs so it is not recommended for people with severe egg allergies.

However, allergists we spoke with said people with mild reactions to eggs can get vaccinated. Keep in mind that the amount of egg protein in a vaccine is often less than you would find in most baked goods. So if your daughter has been able to eat bread or cake, she may have a more mild allergy.

Consider going to an allergist and ask about getting a skin-prick test. The allergist will have a diluted and non-diluted version of the vaccine. Their first step will be to do the skin-prick test with the undiluted version. If your daughter does not break out in hives or have a strong reaction, then she can have a stronger test with a small, diluted injection. If your child doesn’t have a strong reaction to that test, then her allergy may not be severe and your allergist may give her a flu shot.

If your child does have a strong reaction and your doctor believes she shouldn’t get the flu shot, then talk with your health care provider about strategies for keeping her healthy. These steps are basic hygiene, such as washing hands for the count of singing the “Happy Birthday” song twice and staying away from sick friends plus, avoid wiping your eyes and touching your face if possible.

I hope this helps and your daughter has a flu-free season

By Stephanie Smith
CNN Medical Producer

The national conversation about medical marijuana - in particular smoked marijuana - is complex and often polarizing.

I liken it to having a conversation with my father-in-law about politics/race/religion/poverty/health care – you name it. We start off meaning to have dignified conversation, but we inevitably spiral into growling matches peppered with words like, “those liberals…” and “c’mon, you’re smarter than that…” or “that’s crazy! That’s insane.” In reality, we are not so far apart on the issues, but somehow we can muddy the conversation so that it seems like we are.

The medical marijuana debate has been historically cast in equally polarizing terms: Groups are either for or against legalizing it.

That is what makes a subtle, nuanced move by the American Medical Association at a board meeting on Tuesday such a remarkable twist in the dialogue. The AMA shifted a 72-year-old policy about smoked marijuana, acknowledging that there could be some medical benefits, and urging reconsideration of the drug’s Schedule I status (Schedule I is a drug of abuse with “no accepted medical use.” Heroin and ecstasy are also Schedule I).

The AMA’s new policy language suggests that “marijuana’s status as a federal Schedule I controlled substance be reviewed with the goal of facilitating the conduct of clinical research and development of cannabinoid-based medicines.”

What that means is that marijuana should be reconsidered as a Schedule I drug so that wider studies can be conducted that may establish that it is worthy of prescription drug status.

The organization is quick to add that it is by no means endorsing state-based cannabis programs or legalization. It also does not go as far as to say there is evidence that cannabis meets the rigorous standards met by prescription drugs on the market now – yet.

But that “yet” is key. What the new policy - and a forthcoming study - concede is that several short-term trials have shown that smoked cannabis is effective to treat neuropathy (nerve pain) in patients with HIV and hepatitic C. It is also effective, again, in a small number of trials, for stimulating appetite for people on chemotherapy; it may also be useful for patients with multiple sclerosis, to ameliorate pain and spasms.

The idea behind this policy shift is to widen the berth of studies about smoked marijuana, and to conduct them in a controlled manner, just as is done with prescription drugs, so that the debate can quiet down and give way to scientific evidence.

Now if only I could quiet down those debates with my father-in-law.

What do you think about the AMA’s new position on medical marijuana? Do you agree that it should be taken off of Schedule I status to make way for more studies in this area?

Editor's Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

By Miriam Falco
CNN Medical News Managing Editor

20 years ago today, the Berlin Wall began to come down. I vividly remember standing in the CNN newsroom with tears rolling down my cheeks, watching images of people crawling on top of the wall. It was something I never imagined I would see, having spent the first half of my life growing up in West Berlin. Now a lot has happened in the past two decades – on both sides of the pond. But one of the things that sticks in my mind as a person, as the journalist in me continues to cover health reform in the U.S., is that growing up as a child in West Germany, I always had health insurance. Now it wasn't the upper-echelon, "you'll get a private room in the hospital" kind of coverage. But if my siblings or I were sick, we went to the doctor – it was as simple as that. Not so in the United States, where over 45 million Americans lack any kind of health insurance and many million more may be covered, but are one major illness away from bankruptcy.

The reunification of Germany didn't come cheap and the German government is facing fiscal crises too, including a health care system that is going broke. But as the years have gone by my friends in Deutschland who needed treatment for cancer or multiple sclerosis or the common cold – got it, no matter if they had a job or not. Now the U.S. Senate has been tossed the health reform hot potato, after the House of Representatives narrowly passed its health care bill this weekend. We’ll see what happens next.

Do you think every American has a right to health coverage? Or does the ongoing political battle cause your eyes to glaze over? Tell us what you think.

Editor's Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

By Caleb Hellerman
CNN Medical Senior Producer

Yesterday I gave a short talk at a meeting for psychologists and others who work with people suffering from psychological trauma. Our panel was about how the media handles stories about mental illness. It’s a topic that felt especially poignant a few hours later, when a gunman shot and killed at least a dozen soldiers at Ft. Hood, a U.S. Army post in Texas. The alleged gunman: a military psychiatrist. At this point we don’t know what led to the shooting – was it a premeditated terrorist attack? A case of workplace rage? Was the gunman unhinged by fear of his upcoming deployment? Did he suffer some kind of a breakdown after hearing too many stories from traumatized soldiers?

Those are mysteries we’ll have to unravel in the coming days. What’s clear is that many people at Ft. Hood – a virtual city of more than 30,000 people – have just been through a terrifying experience. That doesn’t mean they'll develop a pathological condition – like post-traumatic stress disorder – but especially if they witnessed the shootings or lost loved ones, they are at risk for lasting problems.

Beyond that, news coverage of a violent event can itself be deeply painful for readers and viewers, especially if they’re trying to recover from an unrelated trauma of their own. At our panel yesterday, people raised some issues that I hadn’t much thought about. Reader comments, for instance. Two clinicians pointed out that people sometimes post hurtful comments online, which can re-traumatize the people being written about – for example, a rape victim in a crime story.  A handful of news organizations, including CNN, moderate message boards and eliminate comments that are overtly offensive or full of profanity. But one very animated audience member – he described himself as a former reporter – said that’s not nearly enough. He thinks it’s a disgrace that any news organization would publish anonymous reader comments – that it only encourages damaging words.

What do you think? How should news outlets like CNN strike a balance between telling the story, getting feedback from you and not making life worse for the people we cover?

As a feature of CNNhealth.com, our team of expert doctors will answer readers' questions. Here's a question for Dr. Gupta.

From Robert in Kansas:

“I heard this week that the H1N1 virus has now turned up in pigs. Does this mean it can get into our food supply and I’ll get sick if I eat it?”

Answer:

Great question. The U.S. Department of Agriculture did recently announce that a commercial herd of pigs tested positive for swine flu. The USDA continues to stress that you will not infected with the HIN1 virus from eating pork. In fact, the infected pigs in Indiana weren’t destroyed. Once they recover from the flu, they will go to slaughter according to the USDA. Officials experimentally infected pigs earlier this year to see whether their blood and meat also became contaminated. They concluded that the H1N1 virus stayed contained in the respiratory tract of infected pigs and the virus did not infect the meat. The World Health Organization and World Organization for Animal Health have also concluded that humans can not be infected with the H1N1 virus from consuming pork. For more information about H1N1 and food safety, click here.

From Cheryl:

“While at my doctor's office, I asked about the H1N1 vaccine. I was told it will be very expensive, like $300. Since I do not have health insurance, the expense of the H1N1 vaccine will factor into whether I get it.”

Answer:

$300 is an excessive amount to pay for a free vaccine! That’s right – it’s free. The federal government has purchased the H1N1 vaccine and is shipping it out to states free of charge. They’re even picking up the tab for the syringes, needles, sharps containers, and alcohol swabs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also stated private clinics may not charge patients a co-pay or other out-of-pocket charges for the vaccine. The only thing you should be paying is perhaps an administrative fee for your office visit but in many cases that fee is being waived as well. I would double check with your doctor again on the price. If the office still attempts to charge you $300, I would decline and instead contact your state’s health department to locate public clinic administering the vaccines near you. You can also track the vaccine’s shipments in your state through the CDC’s Web site. Check it out by clicking here.