ORLANDO — Breastfeeding comes with plenty of benefits for children, but it does not always come without challenges.

Emily Hunziker had no problems breastfeeding her first child, but five years later, her second child has been a different experience.

"I find myself having to like refresh myself on some things. And so, of course, you want to look for advice on the internet," Hunziker said.

More women are turning to search engines, social media or artificial intelligence for breastfeeding advice, often in the middle of the night when others are not available, according to Dr. Erynne Bowers, a pediatrician with Orlando Health Physician Associates.

"They're using these devices because they're asking, how much is my baby feeding, how often should they be feeding, why are they crying and they're giving that direct feedback at 3 a.m.," Bowers said.

But Bowers says asking medical questions online is not always a good idea. She says mothers could be misled by information that is not evidence-based and since every child is different, any advice given will not be specifically tailored toward that infant.

She says it is important to seek advice from a lactation specialist or doctor instead.

"I loved talking to my pediatrician because she knew where my heart was at. She knew I'd breastfed before. She knew that my goal was to exclusively breastfeed my second baby," Hunziker said.

Hunziker says it was overwhelming trying to sort through which information online was accurate, so she went to her doctor instead.

"That next week things seem to turn around. I didn't have as much discomfort with feeding. He was gaining weight appropriately. Sometimes it just takes some time," Hunziker said.

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AstraZeneca says its new drug is the first to help reduce symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD.

Two clinical trials showed that the monoclonal antibody known as tozorakimab reduced COPD symptoms by more than 30 percent in current and former smokers.

The clinical trial results were just presented at a medical conference and published in a research journal. The company says it is hoping for FDA approval sometime early next year.

Numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show an estimated 16 million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD.

While smoking is the main cause of the condition, roughly 1 in 4 people diagnosed have never smoked. Recent studies have shown an increased risk in firefighters or those exposed to workplace dust or chemical fumes.

Those living with the disease often experience frequent coughing or wheezing and may get short of breath doing everyday activities.

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CLEVELAND - Red light therapy ads and products are prevalent on social media, on TV, at the gym, and in the spa.

A Cleveland Clinic dermatologist says it can have some benefits. Research suggests that when done consistently, it may help with wrinkles and redness. It may also help some people with mild hair loss by prolonging the hair growth phase.

Red light therapy uses red or near-infrared light to promote cellular growth, decrease inflammation and improve healing, according to a Cleveland Clinic dermatologist. Dr. Jennifer Lucas says not to expect overnight results or dramatic changes to skin or hair.

Some people may want to avoid red light therapy altogether.

"Anyone who has what's called a photosensitive disorder, meaning if you go out in the sun and you get blisters or burn, you want to avoid red light therapy," Dr. Lucas says. "Also, those who are on medicines that make them sensitive to the sun, like certain antibiotics and blood pressure medications," she said.

Lucas said it's best to talk to a dermatologist before starting red light therapy. A dermatologist can help assess skin or hair concerns and decide whether it's a good fit.

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BATON ROUGE — The FDA has approved a new drug for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, with doctors calling it a turning point in treating the disease.

The once-daily oral pill, called Rasonque, is approved for metastatic pancreatic cancer patients who haven't found success with prior treatment and those who aren't able to receive traditional therapies.

"This is a new hope and it's a meaningful hope," Dr. Shafia Rahman of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center said.

Rahman has already been able to give the drug to eligible patients who are out of options and dying from the disease through the expanded access program.

In a large trial, patients who used the treatment lived for twice as long as those who got standard chemotherapy.

"We have not seen this amount of benefit from any drug in pancreatic cancer so far," Rahman said.

The drug manufacturer, Revolution Medicines, says this is the first targeted cancer medication approved from a new class of drugs that targets what's called RAS mutations, which drive most pancreatic cancer cases.

With FDA approval, the medicine is now available for prescriptions in the U.S. A 30-day supply will cost wholesalers nearly $40,000, though what patients pay will depend on factors like insurance coverage, Medicare or Medicaid status and assistance programs.

"Seeing this kind of improvement in the survival is, is really a game-changer," Rahman said.

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GONZALES — A two-time Gonzales Middle School teacher of the year and coach is sharing his story about how early detection of heart issues and a small medical device helped him recover and get back to living an active life.

Reuben Ruiz, known as "Coach Boo" to his players, spent nearly 40 years coaching several sports and teaching P.E. at Gonzales Middle School. At 73 years old, he's in good shape now, but a few years ago he was 50 pounds heavier and noticed he was getting fatigued climbing stairs.

"Where I substitute at, they had this big, massive set of stairs when you walk in the door and you go up," Ruiz said. "And I was getting to where I had reached a point where I'm getting to the top of those stairs and I'm starting to breathe a little heavy... a little perspiration and stuff."

Ruiz never had a stroke or heart attack, just high blood pressure, but his family had a history of heart issues. His daughter, who works in cardiology, pushed him to establish care with a cardiologist.

"I would answer the phone and friends and family would say, boo, why you breathing heavy?" Ruiz said. "And I would make up something. Oh, well, I just came in from out of the yard working and stuff. But the signs were all there. But I was in total denial."

Dr. Niksad Abraham found heavy calcification in Ruiz's arteries. Ruiz then underwent surgery to have stents inserted, with the surgical team assisted by a device called the Impella temporary heart pump at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital St. Elizabeth in Gonzales.

Dr. Roberta Bogaev-Chapman worked as a practicing cardiologist for 20 years before joining Johnson & Johnson as the Vice President of Global Heart Failure. Johnson & Johnson is the parent company of Abiomed, which makes the Impella pump.

"The Impella device is the world's smallest heart pump," Bogaev-Chapman said. "The diameter of the device is 4.67 millimeters, which is 0.184 inches. So it's a tiny, tiny device that can be inserted in a minimally invasive fashion in a cardiac catheterization lab at the hospital, through the artery and the leg, the femoral artery."

The device goes on a catheter up the aorta and sits inside the heart muscle across the aortic valve, Bogaev-Chapman added.

"So it assists the heart by pumping, by pulling blood from the left ventricle, the main pumping chamber, out into the aorta and allows the heart to rest and recover after an insult such as a heart attack," Bogaev-Chapman said.

Abraham pointed out that Ruiz's case became particularly complex because his arteries contained a lot of calcium. Ruiz described what the doctor told him about the procedure.

"He said it was like going through concrete," Ruiz said. "So the surgery itself involved an extended amount of time. So I really needed that implant to give my heart a chance to rest and make the insertion of those stents possible."

According to Johnson & Johnson, the Impella pump has helped more than 400,000 patients worldwide.

"The Impella device is intended to support a patient's heart so that they can keep their heart and not ultimately require a heart replacement therapy, such as a permanent device that's surgically implanted or a heart transplant," Bogaev-Chapman said.

The device is being used in Baton Rouge at Our Lady of the Lake, Ochsner and Baton Rouge General hospitals as well as Lane Regional in Zachary.

After surgery, Ruiz's shortness of breath disappeared. He changed his diet, lost 50 pounds and can now walk longer distances. He's still substitute teaching and volunteer coaching, and he has advice for others.

"It's just like my daughter told me, said, 'Go now,'" Ruiz said. "If you're not seeing a cardiologist and you're getting up in age, go ahead and get established with one. And, hey, my advice would be to ask your cardiologist if he uses this Impella or not during his procedures."

Ruiz said his biggest motivation to stay healthy is his six grandchildren. He described a moment with his 9-year-old grandson that put everything in perspective.

"The thing that brought it all together for me. I have a 9-year-old grandson and he's always like, 'Pawpaw, come out, come throw the ball with me, come play ball with me,'" Ruiz said. "His life dream is to be a quarterback. And we're throwing the ball and I remember I stopped dead in my tracks and I looked at him and I'm going through my mind. Talk about manipulation, here my 9-year-old grandson is playing quarterback, throwing me the ball. I'm 72 years old, running pass routes."

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Getting ahead of fall allergies before symptoms start is the key to managing the season, experts say.

"I usually tell my patients that fall allergy season starts right around Labor Day. So, when kids start going back to school, that is about the time that patients will start to feel more miserable from their allergies," Dr. Sandra Hong, an allergist, said.

Doctors recommend starting nasal steroid sprays before symptoms appear. Oral antihistamines can also be taken as needed throughout the season to relieve itching and sneezing.

Allergy symptoms tend to be worse on dry, windy days, so that is worth keeping in mind as the season gets underway.

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HENDERSON — The Louisiana Department of Health has asked residents and visitors to avoid areas of Henderson Lake where a blue-green algae bloom that produces harmful toxins has been observed. 

The cyanobacteria bloom has been confirmed by satellite imagery. While some algae is harmless, certain types of cyanobacteria can produce toxins that are harmful to people and animals. Testing is required to determine whether toxins are present, LDH said Thursday.

An algal bloom is a rapid growth of algae on the surface of the water and may appear blue, bright green, brown or red and can have a strong odor similar to rotting plants. Foam or scum may also form on the water's surface, officials added.

Anyone who sees a bloom is asked to stay out of the affected water, keep pets away, wash after any contact with it, and to avoid drinking or consuming it in any way. If you are exposed, watch for symptoms, which may include rashes, stomach cramps, coughing, nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting. High levels of exposure can affect the liver and nervous system

"Louisiana's lakes and waterways are an important part of how we live, work, and spend time outdoors, and a few simple precautions can help people enjoy them safely," LDH Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein said. "If you see or smell an algal bloom, stay out of the affected water and keep children and pets away. When you're unsure, please avoid all contact with the water."

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Nearly half of Americans are at risk of developing dementia after the age of 55, but a new study suggests three lifestyle changes could delay that diagnosis by more than a decade.

Researchers tracked more than 12,000 participants more than 25 years in a study published in Neurology. They found that people who entered old age with normal blood pressure, no diabetes and no history of smoking lived 13 years longer without dementia than those who had all three of those risk factors.

This is not the first time scientists have linked lifestyle choices to dementia. Previous studies have found that eating a balanced diet, staying physically active and challenging the brain with new skills can also help reduce the risk.

Genetics can also play a role, which is something outside of a person's control. Doctors say it is normal to have memory changes with age, but with dementia, those forgetful moments can really disrupt daily life.

While there is no cure, there are treatments that can slow the progression of the disease.

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BATON ROUGE — During World Breastfeeding Week, the vital role of infant nutrition is highlighted at mothers' milk banks all over the country. There's one in Louisiana, and mothers can donate at Ochsner Baton Rouge 

Mothers donate at the depot in Baton Rouge, and the milk is sent to New Orleans to the Mothers' Milk Bank of Louisiana at Ochsner Baptist. It is the only accredited milk bank in the entire state.

The milk bank at Ochsner in New Orleans officially opened as an accredited facility in 2018. It serves 75% of the neonatal intensive care unit beds in the state, outpatient families and neighboring areas including Mississippi.

Jessica Evins, Ochsner Women's Services Quality Coordinator, said the bank has grown to meet local demand. "When we first started, we were able to reach out to some neighboring states and get milk. But, you know, to be able to meet our own needs was incredible," Evins said.

One of the key benefits of human milk is its ability to be customized for individual babies. Evins explained that when mothers visit their babies in the neonatal intensive care unit, they get exposed to that environment and can make milk tailored specifically for their child.

"We encourage everybody to breastfeed. The science is there to support it, evidence-based, you know and what we're looking at really is that human milk is made of human protein and that is easier for human bellies to digest," Evins said. "So we don't want anyone to feel guilty if breastfeeding doesn't work. We have alternatives, but it is easier for the baby's belly to break down human milk."

Evins also pointed to immune system benefits, noting that when a mother is exposed to something in public, her body creates antibodies that can be passed through her milk, while a baby's immune system cannot do the same on its own.

During World Breastfeeding Week, Evins is calling on the public to reduce the stigma around breastfeeding in public. "If we see a mom who is in public, like, it could be that she can't get her baby to take a bottle. She can't get her baby to latch on any other way. And so it took a lot to get there. A lot of sleepless nights, a lot of tears," Evins said. "And so whatever we can do to reduce the stigma and have her feel comfortable doing that for her baby is great."

Evins said the benefits of breastfeeding extend beyond the individual family.

"We know that it helps with bonding and reduces infections and it can help reduce cancer risks for moms as a society. It just helps people be healthier. And so we have fewer people calling in sick and less turnover at work. So it's really one of those things. That's why it's a public health issue, not just a momma issue, not just a baby issue." 

Find details on how to donate to the milk bank here.

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More than 60 percent of kids consume caffeine on a given day, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC also found that the older kids got, the more caffeine they consumed.

For younger kids, sweet bakery products were the most common source of caffeine, followed by flavored milk, candy and soda. For older kids, soda was the most common source, followed by tea and coffee.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids less than 12 consume no caffeine at all. For those more than 12, the recommended limit is 100 milligrams per day, which is about one cup of coffee.

Doctors warn that energy drinks often contain much higher doses of caffeine along with a lot of added sugar. That combination can lead to sleep issues, dehydration, and, at higher doses, more serious outcomes like panic attacks and seizures.

Over the past few years, both emergency rooms and poison centers have seen an increase in kids overdosing on caffeine, which leads to thousands of ER visits among kids every year.

Doctors say parents should always read the label and keep energy drinks away from kids entirely.

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BATON ROUGE — Louisiana has 100 recorded cases of cyclosporiasis this year, data released by the state health department Wednesday shows. 

According to Louisiana Department of Health data, the number of hospitalizations for the parasite, six, has not changed since last week's statistics.  

No one has died from the infection since the start of this year's "season" for the parasite, which is known to cause diarrhea, cramps and discomfort, LDH noted.

Last week, a total of 79 people were infected with cyclosporiasis in Louisiana. 

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CLEVELAND — A Cleveland Clinic doctor reminds you to protect your health during extreme heat this summer.

Family medicine doctor Neha Vyas with the Cleveland Clinic says the sun causes dehydration and forces the body to work harder overall.

"The sun causes us to be more dehydrated and when we are dehydrated, our body uses more energy," Vyas said. "It's also true that when we're out in the sun, our body has to work harder. Our metabolism works more."

Extra effort the body puts in to stay cool is the main reason people feel sluggish in the heat. Sunburn can also drain energy since the body needs to work harder to repair damaged skin.

Doctors recommend wearing sunscreen, taking breaks especially during midday when the sun is strongest, drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol because it can make dehydration and fatigue worse.

Vyas said there are warning signs that go beyond normal tiredness.

"The warning signs that you're getting too much sun exposure are dizziness, fatigue, nausea and in rare cases, it can proceed to confusion and even seizures," Vyas said.

Anyone experiencing those symptoms should seek medical care immediately.

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BATON ROUGE — Brain disease is being called a massive hidden epidemic and researchers are working to better understand it before lasting damage sets in.

The Cleveland Clinic Brain Study was launched in 2022 with healthy volunteers who will be examined over the next 20 years. Researchers are analyzing blood samples, MRIs and retina scans.

Co-principal investigator Dr. Imad Najm said the goal is to get ahead of the problem. "So, we can start to understand why and identify targets for diagnosis and treatment of these diseases," Najm said.

In the U.S., more than 600 neurological diseases and disorders are currently being researched. That list includes Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke and epilepsy.

"We are able to treat the symptoms, the manifestations of the disease, but we are not able to stop the disease," Najm said.

The study comes as researchers acknowledge there is still a great deal to learn about the brain and the disorders that affect it.

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BATON ROUGE — Six people have now been hospitalized with cyclosporiasis infections across Louisiana, data released Tuesday by the Louisiana Department of Health says. 

The six hospitalizations represent an increase from last week's five. A total of 68 people have been infected thus far, up from last week's 55.

Over the last five years, the state usually sees an average of 35 cases between May and August, the typical "season" for the parasite.

No one has died from the infection, which causes weeks of diarrhea, cramps and discomfort, LDH added.

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BATON ROUGE — This weekend, United Believers Baptist Church, Ochsner Baton Rouge and Southern University are hosting a public health expo where families can get free health checks and screenings. 

The Family Care and Health Expo, held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., is a no-cost event at the church’s fellowship hall at 8837 Greenwell Springs Road.

The event aims to improve healthcare access and healthy outcomes for Louisiana families. 

At the event, there will be several services available for free, including: 

- Blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol and body mass index screenings
- Lung cancer risk assessments
- Manual breast exams by an Ochsner clinician
- Mental health awareness education
- HIV testing
- Hearing screenings
- CPR education
- Complimentary haircuts
- Back-to-school supplies
- Children and family activities

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BATON ROUGE — In a few weeks, student-athletes across the Capital Region will be returning to both the classroom and the locker room. 

It's important for some of these athletes to get a physical leading up to the start of the school year, James Edelman, the Supervisor of the Ochsner Andrews Athletic Training Program, told 2une In's April Davis on Monday.

Edelman also advised student-athletes to try to stay hydrated and cool over the next several weeks, with feels-like temperatures getting up to around 110 degrees. 

"It really starts days before, when you're talking about athletic competitions," Edelman said, adding that electrolytes are another important part of preparing to fight the heat while staying active.

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Cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic intestinal illness, are climbing, and doctors are now being asked to watch for patients showing certain symptoms.

The main symptom to look out for is long-lasting diarrhea. Others include cramping, bloating and a loss of appetite.

Anyone experiencing those symptoms can call a doctor and get tested. A doctor may prescribe antibiotic medication that can shorten the duration and severity of the illness.

Without treatment, the illness can last anywhere from a few days to more than a month.

Federal officials have not yet confirmed a source of the outbreak but are urging consumers to practice caution in the meantime. Past outbreaks have been linked to bagged salad, cilantro, basil and berries.

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A new study suggests AI models can imitate human emotional patterns when given emotion-based prompts.

Researchers at TU Dresden University of Technology tested several large language models, which are computer programs like ChatGPT that are trained to generate human-like responses.

They found that prompts designed to induce fear, anxiety, anger, disgust, sadness, worry and stress caused most AIs to rate those emotional states higher on a scale of zero to 100.

When followed up with relaxation or debriefing prompts, those reported scores came back down.

Researchers say this could one day offer a low-risk way to test mental health theories well before trying them in people.

While this may seem to suggest AI has feelings, scientists say it must be understood as a research tool and not a human-like mind.

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A non-smoker who was told he had about two months to live is now nearly three years cancer-free after receiving a double lung transplant through a Northwestern Medicine study.

David Peterson was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer after a persistent cough led to testing. The tumor was surgically removed, but the cancer came back and spread to both lungs.

"Nothing was working. I was completely out of options," Peterson said.

Peterson then found Northwestern Medicine's DREAM program. Dr. Ankit Bharat, Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Northwestern Medicine, says there has long been a belief that terminal lung cancer patients should not receive lung transplants, but this study looked at what happens when they do.

"It really is designed to serve as the last option when everything else has failed," Bharat said.

The study included 98 stage 4 lung cancer patients who met certain criteria. Of those, 17 underwent a double lung transplant, while the remaining 81 received medical management alone because a transplant was not an option.

Researchers say 100 percent of transplanted patients were alive one year after surgery, compared to a 41-percent one-year survival rate among patients treated with medical therapies alone.

"It offers the possibility of hope to many, many hopeless patients," Bharat said.

Peterson had been told he had about two months to live before the transplant. Nearly three years later, he remains cancer-free with no signs of organ rejection.

"Don't give up," Peterson said.

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