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Reviewed By Laura J. Martin, MD

People often complain of dizziness and upset stomach right after a roller coaster ride, but new evidence suggests that the high speeds and sudden turns of the ride are responsible for ear damage. Doctors from Detroit’s Henry Ford Hospital pointed out the case of a 24-year-old man who suffered ear barotrauma after riding a roller coaster that can reach the stunning maximum speed of 120 miles per hour in four seconds. (more…)

By LAURAN NEERGAARD

WASHINGTON – It’s hard for pregnant women to escape the message: You’re at extra risk from swine flu — it could trigger premature labor, hospitalize you for weeks, even kill you — so be among the first in line for vaccine next month. But only about one in seven pregnant women gets a flu shot each winter.

While federal health officials are working hard to raise that number this year, repeated swine flu warnings won’t automatically overcome a key obstacle: Many obstetricians don’t vaccinate. And not only are many women reluctant to go hunting for flu shots elsewhere, historically some pharmacists and other providers have been wary of vaccinating them. (more…)

By Fritz Lenneman

In June 2009, World Health Organization officials declared the H1N1 influenza virus—commonly known as swine flu—a global pandemic. It is the first time they have taken this measure in 40 years. Some projections have warned there will be between 30,000 to 90,000 deaths in America caused by swine flu—compared with 36,000 deaths from flu complications in a typical year.

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