Latest news with #JonLaPook
CBS News
09-04-2025
- Health
- CBS News
RFK Jr. encourages people to get measles vaccine in first network TV interview since becoming health secretary
Robert Kennedy Jr. sat down exclusively with CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook for his first network TV interview since becoming Health and Human Services secretary. You can watch LaPook's interview with Kennedy on " CBS Mornings " and the " CBS Evening News " on Wednesday, April 9. Health and Human Services Secreaty Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told CBS News he encourages people to get vaccinated against measles as an outbreak primarily in West Texas has killed two children and infected more than 500 people in the area. "We encourage people to get the measles vaccine," Kennedy told CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook on Tuesday during his Make America Healthy Again tour in Arizona, marking the first time Kennedy has publicly urged people to get the measles vaccine since becoming HHS secretary. Asked by LaPook what the federal government's official position on the vaccine is, Kennedy reiterated, "The federal government's position, my position, is that people should get the measles vaccine," but added, "The government should not be mandating those." Kennedy had previously acknowledged the vaccine's efficacy in an opinion piece published by Fox News in March, in which he wrote that he was "deeply concerned about the recent measles outbreak" and said, "Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons." And on social media last weekend, Kennedy wrote, "The most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine." But he stopped short of recommending people actually get the vaccine in both instances. Prior to that piece, Kennedy had downplayed the growing number of cases and made several false and misleading claims about the safety of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Kennedy, referring to the ongoing outbreak, had at one point called it "not unusual." However, with more than 600 cases nationwide just four months into 2025, the U.S. has seen the most measles infections in a single year since a 2019 outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Measles is highly contagious and can cause severe infections in the lungs and brain that can lead to cognitive issues, deafness or death. But doctors and health officials say the MMR vaccine is extremely safe and effective . Most people who develop measles will see their symptoms improve, but about 1 in 5 unvaccinated people will be hospitalized. About 1 out of every 1,000 children with measles will develop brain swelling that can lead to brain damage, and up to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected will die, the CDC says. Both of the children who died in this year's outbreak were unvaccinated, and health officials have said the overwhelming majority of people infected in West Texas are either unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status. Kennedy has insisted he is not anti-vaccine and says his views have been mischaracterized. "I always said during my campaign and every part, every public statement I've made, 'I'm not gonna take people's vaccines away from them,'" Kennedy told LaPook. "What I'm gonna do is make sure that we have good science so that people can make an informed choice." Taylor Johnston and Sara Moniuszko contributed to this report.
CBS News
25-03-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Foods that trigger acid reflux, how to prevent it and when to consult a doctor
An estimated 20% of Americans suffer from GERD, a chronic form of acid reflux that goes beyond occasional heartburn. GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, can be more common among older people, those who are obese, and pregnant women, according to the American College of Gastroenterology. When should symptoms raise concern? CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook broke down what to know about serious acid reflux on "CBS Mornings Plus" Tuesday. "The stomach loves acid, it helps with digestion. The esophagus, the swallowing tube, hates acid," LaPook, who is a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Health, explained. "Fortunately, there's a valve in between the stomach and the esophagus that stops acid from bubbling up and giving you symptoms. When that loosens up, acid bubbles up, and it can cause all sorts of symptoms." Symptoms can include heartburn , cough and chest pain, he noted. Certain foods and other products can also trigger acid reflux, including: "Basically anything that gives you even an iota of pleasure," LaPook laughed. Besides avoiding these trigger foods, there are ways to prevent and treat acid reflux, including antacids and other medications. "Things that can make it better are things like antacids. So you have pills that actually go into the stomach, or liquid that coats the esophagus and goes into the stomach — the liquid tends to work a little faster — and they hit that stomach acid ... and decrease the amount of acid the stomach," LaPook said. If that doesn't work, there are medications that can help stop the production of acid. "They can get increasingly powerful, and they can be more important in the long run for controlling long-term symptoms," he said. Finishing meals at least 2 to 3 hours before going to sleep, and elevating your head in bed, can also help reduce discomfort, the Sleep Foundation suggests. While most commonly acid reflux is something that can be treated with medication, diet or weight loss, LaPook urges people to talk to their doctor in case it's the sign of something more serious. "My advice to people is, when you have something pop up, especially a new symptom, talk to your health care provider about it, because it can be tricky knowing when to do what," he said. For patients experiencing chest pain, LaPook said it could just be acid reflux but also cautioned that it " could be a lot of things ," including an ulcer, gallbladder disease or heart issue. "People with heart attacks or angina can feel burning in their chest," he said, highlighting the importance of bringing up your exact symptoms to your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
CBS News
18-03-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Immediate access to health test results can be a mixed bag for patients
Patients can access their own health records — including test results — as soon as they're available. While it might sound beneficial, in some cases, people are receiving life-changing diagnoses before their doctors have a chance to speak with them. The accessibility is due to legislation that went into effect in 2021 called the 21st Century Cures Act. It is designed to give patients easier access to electronic health records and quicker access to medical innovations, but experts say it comes with an unintended side effect. "It is a great idea, but it comes with some wrinkles," said CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook. For example, patients can see information like cancer screening results on their own before a doctor delivers the news. While it's best to discuss the results with your doctor, some believe the ability to access the information can be beneficial. "Especially with paper records we would say, 'Well, no news is good news,' … well, no news may not be good news because maybe the doctor never got the result, maybe they got the result and didn't read it, they got the result, read it and didn't realize it was abnormal, they try to call you … so it is a good idea," LaPook said. He explained a doctor can ensure the results are not immediately released, but to do that it would have to follow certain criteria. "It has to be because they think the results will cause the patient to have physical harm to themselves or to somebody else, not emotional," LaPook said. "The patient, depending on the app that they're in, can also say, 'I don't want to see the results.'" LaPook's oldest sister, Judy, had a similar experience a few years ago with blood test results. It was late at night when her phone dinged with a result of a blood test. It was a kidney test called BUN, Blood Urea Nitrogen. The result was "a little bit high" and abnormal, LaPook said. His sister turned to the internet for answers. "By the middle of the night it's pointing her to renal dialysis sites, kidney transplant sites, and by 7 in the morning when she finally called me … she was kind of laughing at herself but also serious. I said, 'no, you're fine, and here's why,'" LaPook said. That's why it's crucial to have conversations with your doctor. "At the end of the day you need to be available to those patients … and I love empowering patients," LaPook said. "We are in this transition period now where they're not doctors, they're not clinicians and we need to educate them."
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The risks of patients seeing test results before their doctors
A law designed to improve patient access to medical records has led to an unintended consequence—people receiving serious diagnoses before speaking with their doctors. CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook explains the impact of the 21st Century Cures Act and what patients should know.
CBS News
25-02-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Testosterone replacement therapy is rising in popularity. What is it and what are there risks?
Testosterone replacement therapy, which involves taking manufactured forms of testosterone, has surged in popularity. Prescriptions for the treatment rose from 7.3 million in 2019 to more than 11 million last year. "It's exploding," CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook said Tuesday on "CBS Mornings Plus." But the treatment, also known as TRT, carries health risks to be aware of. And while it is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for some conditions, and is widely marketed as a way to improve health and stay young, data on long-term effects is limited. "We did a big investigation five years ago, went across the country, and there are a lot of places that are pushing this as a fountain of youth. Who doesn't want to be younger?" LaPook said. "But there are problems." What is testosterone replacement therapy? TRT involves the use of anabolic steroids, a synthetic drug, to increase testosterone levels. It can be administered via injection, oral medication or topically with gels or patches. Testosterone is a hormone produced primarily in the testicles that helps develop or maintain bone, muscle and fat, as well as facial and body hair, red blood cells, sex drive and sperm production. Though testosterone levels are naturally higher in males, both testicles and ovaries produce testosterone, the Cleveland Clinic notes. "For adult females, testosterone enhances libido. However, the majority of testosterone produced in the ovaries is converted to the primary female sex hormone, estradiol," the clinic's website reads. What is testosterone replacement therapy approved for? The FDA only approves the use of testosterone for people who have symptoms and are hypogonadal, meaning they have a condition that causes lower-than-normal testosterone levels, LaPook said. "So it's not just a low testosterone. You have symptoms of erectile dysfunction, decreased libido. You're fatigued," he added, advising people to seek proper medical care to determine if this therapy is right for them. "This is something where you don't want to be going online and just getting it and taking it at home and not following the levels. You need somebody who's professional." How do I know if I have low testosterone? Multiple blood tests can measure testosterone levels. Before testosterone therapy is recommended, a doctor may test levels multiple times to determine the best treatment option. Treating normal aging with testosterone therapy is also not advisable, according to the Mayo Clinic. "If you don't have a medical condition that's contributing to your decline in testosterone levels, your doctor might suggest natural ways to boost testosterone, such as losing weight and increasing muscle mass through resistance exercise," the clinic notes. Testosterone replacement therapy risks While the treatment may have an impact on muscle strength and how people feel, LaPook said there is limited evidence on the extent of potential benefits and potential dangers. "Anything that is pharmacologically active and can help, is pharmacologically active and can hurt," LaPook warned. "One of the problems is that there are a lot of people, guys out there who are taking testosterone because they want to feel younger — they want the muscle, they want to get jacked up. But there are problems with it." For people with low testosterone using TRT, studies show slight increased risk of certain heart, lung and kidney conditions. But there aren't controlled studies for those using it with normal testosterone levels. "You're kind of rolling the dice there," he said. It could also affect fertility by reducing sperm count, cause acne and worsen sleep apnea, according to both the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic. The Cleveland Clinic adds that TRT is also unsafe if you have certain existing health conditions like prostate cancer, breast cancer or heart failure. "Although some men believe they feel younger and more vigorous if they take testosterone medications, there's little evidence to support the use of testosterone in otherwise healthy men," the Mayo Clinic says.
