Sudden Health Problems After 50

One Minute You’re Fine …

When you’re past 50, some ailments can announce themselves suddenly and painfully. And aches and ouches you might not worry much about when you’re younger could be a sign of bigger problems in middle age.

Heart Attack

This is the big one: 735,000 people have one every year. A 50-year-old man has a 1 in 2 chance of getting heart disease at some point. The most common signs are chest pain, shortness of breath, and pain in your back, shoulders, or neck. You might also feel sweaty, dizzy, or like you’re going to throw up. Your risk is lower if you’re at a healthy weight, don’t smoke, and get regular exercise.

Stroke

This is when blood doesn’t get to parts of your brain like it should, and those brain cells start to die. Get help right away if you have sudden weakness or numbness in your face, arms, or legs, you lose your bearings or get confused, and have trouble speaking. You can lower your odds if you keep your blood pressure in check, eat a low-cholesterol diet, manage your stress, exercise, and quit smoking.

Aneurysm

Many of the lifestyle changes you make to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke can make you less likely to have this as well. An aneurysm happens when the wall of an artery gets weak and bulges outward. If that wall gives way, it can lead to serious internal bleeding or a stroke. Symptoms can include pain, nausea, dizziness, clammy skin, and a rapid heartbeat.

Gallstones

These are hardened chunks of bile, a fluid that helps your body get rid of waste. They get stuck on the way out of your gallbladder, a small organ below your liver. They can range in size from  a grain of sand to a golf ball and  can cause severe pain in your upper belly or behind your belly button. You're more likely to get them if you’re obese, have diabetes or Crohn’s disease, or don’t exercise.

Acute Pancreatitis

Sometimes, gallstones can set this off. It’s inflammation of the pancreas, which makes enzymes and hormones like insulin that help with digestion. It causes severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and a fever, and  can be life-threatening. Seek medical help immediately if you have these symptoms. It also can be caused by heavy drinking, high levels of calcium, or a kind of fat called triglycerides.

Broken Bones

These can happen at any age, but your bones may become brittle as you get older and be more likely to break. A loss of bone is known as osteoporosis, and it's especially common in older women. Calcium and vitamin D can help slow it or stop it from getting worse, and certain drugs can help you keep bone, or even help you  rebuild it.

Vertigo

If you suddenly find yourself dizzy, you might have vertigo. It can happen if tiny crystals in your inner ear, which help you control your balance, get moved around. You’re more likely to get it as you get older, probably because the crystals aren’t held in place as well. Your doctor can treat it with a series of head movements that move those particles back into place.

Detached Retina

Your retina is a light-sensitive layer in your eye that tells your brain what you see. If it pulls away from the outer wall of your eye, it won't get oxygen and other things it needs. You might see floating specks or flashes of light. You can permanently lose your eyesight, so see a doctor right away. It’s more common in people who are very nearsighted or have had cataract surgery or other eye diseases.

Kidney Stones

These are hard clumps, usually made of calcium, that form in your kidneys. They often pass harmlessly out of your body, but larger ones can be extremely painful and cause bleeding or infections or block the flow of urine. They’re more common in men than women. You can help prevent them by drinking plenty of fluids every day. Water is best.

Pneumonia

People over 50 are at higher risk of the kind of pneumonia caused by bacteria, not the one caused by a virus. Called pneumococcal pneumonia, it can be life-threatening. Older people are more likely to get it because your body’s immune system gets weaker as you age. But there are vaccine for it, and the CDC recommends them for everyone over 65.

Spinal Stenosis

This develops slowly, but it can make itself known suddenly. It happens when the channel in your backbone that holds your spinal cord and other nerves narrows, usually because of arthritis. The nerves can be pinched or squeezed, causing pain, numbness, or cramps in your lower back or neck. It can be treated with drugs or physical therapy, or, in some cases, surgery.

Gout

This condition shows up as a sudden pain and swelling in one of your joints, often a big toe. It’s a form of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in your body. If you take certain medications for high blood pressure, eat red meat and shellfish, or drink alcohol, you’re at higher risk. The soda sweetener known as fructose also raises your risk, and so does obesity.

Pulmonary Embolism

This is when a blood clot gets stuck in a blood vessel in one of your lungs. Your chances of having one go up after age 50, and it can be serious, so get medical help fast if you have chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, and dizziness. You also can have a cough that may even bring up some blood, leg pains, and clammy or bluish skin. The blood clot often starts in your leg, so an early sign might be swelling or pain in one of your calves.

Your risk goes up if you’ve had heart disease or recent surgery, or you were in a cramped position (like in an airplane or car) for a long stretch of time.

 

Sex-Drive Killers

Sex-Drive Killer: Stress

Some people do many things well when they're stressed. Feeling sexy usually isn't one of them. Stress at work, home, or in relationships can happen to anyone. Learning how to handle it in a healthy way really helps. You can do a lot of it yourself, and a counselor or doctor can also help.

Sex-Drive Killer: Partner Problems

Problems with your partner are among the top sex-drive killers. For women, feeling close is a major part of desire. For both sexes, watch for fallout from fights, poor communication, feeling betrayed, or other trust issues. If it's tricky to get back on track, reach out to a couples counselor.

Sex-Drive Killer: Alcohol

A drink may make you feel more open to sex. But too much alcohol can numb your sex drive. Being drunk can also be a turn-off for your partner. If you have trouble drinking less, seek help.

Sex-Drive Killer: Too Little Sleep

If your sexual get-up-and-go is gone, maybe you're not getting enough sleep. Do you go to bed too late or rise too early? Do you have a sleep problem like trouble falling or staying asleep, or a condition such as sleep apnea? Anything that messes with a good night's rest can mess with sex. Fatigue saps sexy feelings. Work on your sleep habits, and if that doesn't help, talk to your doctor.

Sex-Drive Killer: Having Kids

You don't lose your sex drive once you're a parent. However, you do lose some time to be close with kids under foot. Hire a babysitter to nurture some time to be partners as well as parents. New baby? Try sex during baby's nap time.

Sex-Drive Killer: Medication

Some drugs can turn down desire. They include some of these types of medications:

• Anti-depressants

• Blood pressure medications

• Birth control pills (some studies show a link; others don't)

• Chemotherapy

• Anti-HIV drugs

• Finasteride

Switching drugs or dosages may help -- ask your doctor about that and never stop taking any medicine on your own. Tell your doctor, too, if your sex drive stalls soon after you start taking a new drug.

Sex Drive Killer: Poor Body Image

Feeling sexy is easier if you like how you look. Work on accepting your body as it is today, even if you're working to get in shape. Feeling good about yourself can put you in the mood. If your partner has low esteem, assure them that they're sexy.

Sex-Drive Killer: Obesity

When you're overweight or obese, desire often dims. It could be that you don't enjoy sex, can't perform like you want to, or are held back by low self-esteem. Working on how you feel about yourself, with a counselor if needed, may make a big difference.

Sex-Drive Killer: Erection Problems

Men with ED (erectile dysfunction) often worry about how they will be able to perform sexually, and that worry can drain their desire. ED can be treated, and couples can also work to keep it from affecting their relationship.

Sex-Drive Killer: Low T

The "T" hormone, testosterone, fuels sex drive. As men age, their T levels may drop a bit. Not all lose the desire for sex as this happens, but some do. Many other things -- from relationships to weight -- also affect a man's sex drive and testosterone levels, so there's not a one-size-fits-all answer for every man.

Sex-Drive Killer: Depression

Being depressed can shut off pleasure in many things, including sex. That's one of many reasons to get help. If your treatment involves medication, tell your doctor if your sex drive is low, since some (but not all) depression drugs lower sex drive. Talk about it with your therapist, too.

Sex-Drive Killer: Menopause

For many women, sex drive dims around menopause. That's partly about symptoms such as vaginal dryness and pain during sex. But every woman is different, and it's possible to have a great sex life after menopause by tending to your relationship, self esteem, and overall health.

Sex-Drive Killer: Lack of Closeness

Sex without feeling close can slay desire. Intimacy is more than just sex. If your sex life is idling, try spending more non-sexual time together, just the two of you. Talk, snuggle, trade massages. Find ways to express love without having sex. Getting closer can rebuild your sex drive.

 

Respiratory Infections Are Rising Among Children

By Jay Croft

Oct. 11, 2022 -- America’s kids are experiencing an increase in respiratory illness, and it’s not just because of coronavirus, experts say.

Respiratory infections typically go up during the winter months. But this year’s increase has started earlier and stronger than normal.

“Sick kids are crowding emergency rooms in various parts of the country, and some pediatric hospitals say they are running out of beds,” National Public Radio reported.

"Rates are as high as 25% of those [who have] tested positive for RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). That is quite unusual for October, we would typically start to see higher rates in November, December and January," Ibukun Kalu, MD, a specialist in pediatric infectious diseases at Duke Children's Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, told NPR.

She said more adults could become affected in the coming colder months.

"The reason for more severe illnesses with some of these viruses is the smaller airways in kids,” she said. “Because the viruses get in there and cause such a high amount of inflammation, they are unable to clear out a lot of these secretions or get air in."

In September, the CDC said it had been alerted by health care providers "about increases in pediatric hospitalizations in patients with severe respiratory illness who also tested positive for rhinovirus (RV) and/or enterovirus (EV)."

The CDC advised hospitals to keep awareness up about severe infections among pediatric patients; patients were urged to keep an eye out for symptoms such as difficulty breathing and sudden onset of limb weakness.

© 2022 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

Reasons You're Always Cold

Anemia

Wondering why you feel chilly? This condition might be a cause. Anemia happens when you don't have enough healthy red blood cells to bring your body all the oxygen it needs. It will leave you tired, weak, dizzy, and short of breath. It can also make you cold, especially your hands and feet. Your doctor will find the cause and tell you if you need changes in your diet, supplements, or another treatment.

You Don't Get Enough Iron

Without the right amount of this nutrient, you can get "iron-deficiency anemia," which can make you cold. It may be caused by blood loss, a poor diet, or because your body can't absorb it well. The best source is red meat, but it's also in poultry, pork, and fish. Some non-meat sources include iron-fortified breads and cereals, peas, soybeans, chickpeas, and dark green leafy vegetables.

You Don't Get Enough Vitamin B12

It can bring on anemia, which can make you cold. You can get vitamin B12 when you eat chicken, eggs, and fish. Some cereals and other foods are fortified with it, too.

Keep in mind that you may not get enough B12 even if you eat lots of food with it. Some people have trouble absorbing the vitamin because of an illness or medication they take.

Hypothyroidism

It's when the thyroid gland in your neck doesn't make enough of some  hormones. It can make you overly sensitive to cold. You also may have aching joints, constipation, dry skin, and weight gain. Symptoms can take years to show up.

Hypothyroidism may be caused by many things, including illness or treatments for other conditions. Your doctor can prescribe man-made hormones to replace the ones your body doesn't make.

Raynaud's Phenomenon

When you have it, blood vessels in your hands overreact to cold temperatures or stress. During an attack, which usually lasts from a few minutes to an hour, they narrow and limit blood supply. This can make your fingers and toes cold and numb, and they may turn white or blue. As blood returns, they may start to tingle or even hurt. Medicine can ease symptoms and prevent tissue damage. You may need surgery if it's a severe case.

Kidney Disease

Diabetes and high blood pressure often cause kidney disease. Waste may build up to dangerous levels because your kidneys do a poor job of filtering your blood. This can lower body temperature and cause other problems. Kidney disease is also linked to anemia, which can make you feel cold even when it's warm outside. You may get relief when your doctor treats your kidney disease.

Peripheral Artery Disease

It happens when plaque narrows your arteries and makes it harder for your legs, and sometimes arms, to get enough blood. If one leg is much colder than the other, especially if it's also painful, numb, or weak, it could be a sign of the disease. Get emergency medical help if you notice these symptoms. Changes in diet and exercise can sometimes help, but your doctor may suggest medicine and sometimes a procedure or surgery to treat it.

Anorexia Nervosa

It's an eating disorder that leads you to drastically cut your calorie count and can make you dangerously thin. The lack of body fat can leave you feeling cold all the time, especially in the hands and feet. This condition can be life-threatening. Talk to a doctor if you think you or a loved one has this disorder.

Flu

It's caused by a virus that affects your whole body, including your nose, throat, and lungs. You can get a high fever and chills along with headache, muscle ache, cough, and weakness. It can be serious, especially for children and older adults. Get an annual flu vaccine to help stay healthy.

Peripheral Neuropathy

If your feet feel cold but aren't cold to the touch, it could be a sign of this condition. It often starts at the toes and moves up the leg. It happens when an injury or a medical condition damages your nerves. Diabetes is a common cause. You may also get it because of infections, liver or kidney disease, you don't get enough vitamins, or contact with toxic chemicals. Your doctor can treat the cause of the problem.

Hypopituitarism

It happens when your pituitary gland doesn't make enough of certain hormones. One typical symptom is that you're sensitive to cold or find it hard to stay warm. You also may get anemia, lose your appetite, and drop some pounds. Your doctor will try to treat the cause of your hypopituitarism or suggest medication that replaces the missing hormones.

Medication

Some drugs may make you feel colder as a side effect. Beta-blockers, for example, help the heart relax and stop your body from making harmful chemicals in response to heart disease. But you also may feel dizzy, tired, nauseous, and colder in your hands and feet. Talk to your doctor. They may suggest you switch meds or lower your dose.

Drinking Alcohol

It may seem to warm you up at first because it makes your blood flood the widened blood vessels just under the skin. But your temperature will drop as your body draws blood away from your core to warm the surface of your skin. Alcohol also depresses the part of your brain that regulates your temperature. In freezing weather, this can cause you to get dangerously cold, a condition called hypothermia.

 

Non-Contagious Skin Condition to Know

Psoriasis

More than 7.5 million adults in the U.S. have psoriasis. It is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation, which shows up as plaques or scales on your skin. The most common flare-ups happen on your elbows, knees, and scalp. But plaque can pop up anywhere. There are five types of psoriasis: guttate, pustular, plaque, inverse, and erythrodermic. There is no known cause or cure, but it can be managed well with topical or oral medication and phototherapy.

Eczema

Itchy skin, dryness, swelling, and discoloration are common symptoms of eczema, an inflammatory skin condition that can range from mild to severe. There are seven types that can affect anyone at any age, including newborns. If you have light skin, eczema may look red. If you have dark skin, it may look gray, dark brown, or purple. There are many ways to manage it, including topical drugs, phototherapy, and oral or injectable medication. A daily routine of bathing and moisturizing is important, too.

Vitiligo

If you have a smooth, white patch where your skin has lost its color, or an area where your skin and hair are white, it may be vitiligo. It happens when your body’s immune system kills the skin cells that produce pigment. Vitiligo might cover a small area and stay that way, or grow larger and spread. You can treat it with oral or topical medications, phototherapy, or skin grafts, depending on the type you have and where it is.

Rosacea

There’s more to rosacea than the signature blush or sunburn that doesn’t fade away. Bumps, pimples, visible blood vessels, thickened skin, and watery eyes are common across all skin types. Because it mainly affects your face, rosacea can change how you feel about your appearance and how comfortable you feel in public. There are targeted treatments for each symptom and level of severity, including oral and topical drugs and lasers.

Hives

Hives are red or flesh-colored bumps that itch. They may look like bug bites, but hives turn white in the center when you press them, and they come and go quickly. They can be triggered by an allergy – to things like food, medication, pollen, a pet, or latex – or an infection, hormones, or strong emotions. Use an over-the-counter antihistamine for a mild case. Treat a severe case that makes it hard to breathe with epinephrine.

Shingles

If you had chickenpox as a child, that virus, which lies dormant in your nerves for decades, can reactivate later in life as shingles. Also called herpes zoster, shingles can start out as itchy skin that turns into a rash. Small red spots turn into blisters that scab over and heal in 2-4 weeks. You can’t cure it, but you can manage symptoms with pain relief meds, antivirals, itch creams, and steroids.

Acne

Whiteheads, blackhead, pustules, papules – it’s all acne. Your pores become blocked with bacteria, oil, hair, and dead skin cells and produce pimples on your face, neck, chest, shoulders, or back. Driven largely by hormones, acne pops up during puberty and can continue, on and off, throughout adulthood. Your dermatologist may suggest a topical over-the-counter medication or prescribe a stronger oral or topical drug.

Alopecia

Known for causing hair loss, alopecia happens when your body attacks the follicles where your hair grows. There are three types: Alopecia areata involves patchy baldness anywhere on your body; alopecia totalis causes a bald scalp; and alopecia universalis, which is rare, leaves your body completely hairless. Treatment depends on what kind of alopecia you have and where it affects you, but may include topicals, shots, or oral medications.

Skin Cancer

Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma are types of skin cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S. Like other types of cancer, it happens when cells don’t grow old and die as they should. Look for a skin change, like a new growth or change in a mole. In most cases, skin cancer can be cured if it’s caught and removed early.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is caused by an irritant, like latex or soap, or an allergy to something, like nickel or poison ivy. On light skin, it’s an itchy, red rash. On dark skin, it may look more like a dark, leathery patch. Use a cool, wet cloth to soothe the itch, along with calamine lotion or a 1% hydrocortisone cream. In more serious cases, your dermatologist may prescribe a steroid cream or an oral medication. Most rashes fade in 2 to 4 weeks.

 

Myths and Facts about Digestive Disorders

They're three separate disorders that share some symptoms. Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the large intestine (colon) and rectum. It causes diarrhea, belly pain, and irritation and sores on the intestine wall. Crohn’s disease is also an IBD, but can affect any part of the digestive tract. IBS can be very uncomfortable, but it doesn't harm your intestine's lining.

Some people get a type of celiac disease called dermatitis herpetiformis, which causes an itchy rash. But it’s caused by eating gluten, not by getting it on your skin. It’s safe to use gluten-containing products such as sunscreens, shampoos, and lotions. Avoid lipstick with gluten, though. You might accidentally swallow some.

Some people poop every day, but some need to less often. You’re constipated if you have less than three bowel movements a week for about 3 weeks. You might also be constipated if you poop more than that, but:

• Your BMs are very hard or very small.

• You spend a lot of time straining.

• You feel like your bowels aren’t empty after you go.

About 1 in 10 people in the U.S. have what's called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. It happens when fat tissues build up in your liver and cause inflammation. Your risk for it goes up if you’re overweight. The best treatment is weight loss. But don't go on a crash diet. Losing more than 3½ pounds a week can actually make it worse.

Diverticula are small pouches that form in the lower part of your colon. They can get inflamed, a condition called diverticulitis. Straining when you poop can make it worse. High-fiber foods like fruits, veggies, and whole grains help keep stools soft, so they pass easily. Seeds and nuts have not been shown to worsen diverticulitis. You need surgery only if you have major complications. Most people don’t.

Hemorrhoids are very common -- 3 out of 4 adults get them at some point. They're basically swollen veins around your anus. External ones are in the skin around your butt, and they may cause itching, pain, and swelling. But internal hemorrhoids happen inside your rectum, so you usually can’t see or feel them. Don't worry. You need medical treatment for hemorrhoids only if you have symptoms.

Heartburn is a symptom of GERD. This condition causes stomach acid to flow backward into your esophagus, the tube that connects your throat to your stomach. That creates a burning feeling in your chest -- heartburn. You can have heartburn without GERD. But if you have it more than twice a week, talk to your doctor.

Your gallbladder is a small organ below your liver that stores bile, a liquid that helps you digest food. Sometimes, the bile hardens into "stones," which can be tiny or up to golf ball-size. Often, they don't need any treatment. But if they block your bile ducts -- tubes that carry bile from the liver to the small intestine -- you may need to get your gallbladder removed.

 

Most National Grocery Stores Fail Antibiotics--In Meat Test

Written by Debbie Koenig

Oct. 12, 2022 -- Three-quarters of the largest grocery chains in the U.S. are failing to limit the use of antibiotics in their house-brand fresh meat, thus contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance.

That’s according to a new report, “Super-bugs in Stock,” produced by members of a coalition of public health, animal protection, and consumer groups known as Antibiotics Off the Menu. Of the nation’s top food retailers, Target fared the best -- but even it only received a C grade.

About half of the fresh meat sold in this country is purchased in stores.

“That means the grocery industry has a potentially major impact on how antibiotics are used in meat production,” says Matthew Wellington, public health campaigns director at U.S. PIRG, a member of the coalition. “This report shows a dire need for more progress in the grocery sector.”

A Report Card for Supermarkets

For the past 6 years, the coalition focused on restaurants, with an annual report about the practices of major fast-food and fast-casual chains. In the wake of these reports, several chains announced changes to their policies, though not all have followed through.

“We saw there was progress with the restaurant chains, so we wanted to look at the other place people get most of their food,” says Steven Roach of the Food Animal Concerns Trust, lead author of the report. “And coming through the pandemic, where there had been a shift from people eating out to eating at home, we thought it was good time to look at grocery chains.”

Roach and his co-authors gathered information about the supermarket chains’ policies on antibiotic use in private-label chicken, turkey, pork, and beef through a survey as well as company websites and published materials. They assigned points for various scoring criteria -- things like having a meaningful and transparent public policy that links to animal welfare, enforcement of that policy, and using third-party verification.

Their findings don’t exactly inspire confidence. Of the dozen major grocery retailers in the U.S., eight received an F grade, with 10 points or fewer out of a possible 100. That group includes Kroger, Walmart, and Albertsons, three of the five top-earning grocers in the U.S. While many of the failing companies do carry some house-brand meat labeled “raised without antibiotics,” none have strong policies to cover the entire range of their private-label fresh meat.

Target scored highest, with 56 points and a C grade. The company has a policy for each species of animal products and connects that policy to animal welfare. But it’s unclear how much of their meat currently abides by the policy. Ahold Delhaize, parent company of supermarkets like Stop & Shop, Food Lion, and Giant, came in second with 34 points and a C-. They, too, have publicly available policies for each species of animal product and stumble when it comes to follow-through. Meijer and Costco each received a D grade because while they prohibit routine antibiotic use in their private-label chicken and link the policy to animal welfare, they do little else.

WebMD reached out to all 12 grocers for comments and heard back from just three. Walmart published position on antibiotics, and ALDI pointed out their no-antibiotics chicken products. Ahold Delhaize responded but wouldn’t comment without seeing the report first, which was embargoed for today.

Outside the top 12, some smaller chains are faring better. The report cites Whole Foods, Mom’s Organic Market, and Natural Grocers as three chains already restricting antibiotic use. Whole Foods has gone all-in, with a “no antibiotics ever” policy for store-brand products, while the other two prohibit widespread antibiotic use for disease prevention. Here, too, questions arise about monitoring and verification programs.

Why Antibiotic Use Matters

Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria and fungi change in response to antibiotic use, which leaves those drugs powerless against the germs. That increases the risk of dangerous, even deadly infections. According to CDC estimates, each year more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections happen in the U.S., and more than 35,000 people die from them. The World Health Organization ranks antibiotic resistance among “the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development today.”

The more antibiotics are used, the more likely resistance becomes. And large-scale livestock producers use a lot of antibiotics, including many also used by humans, known as medically important antibiotics. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, 44% more of those drugs go to animals than to humans. In many cases, they’re used for widespread disease prevention rather than treatment.

“Antibiotics should be used to treat sick animals,” Wellington says. “But they should not be used to prevent disease that's brought on by unsanitary, overcrowded, and stressful living conditions for the animals.”

The FDA has taken some steps to reduce the widespread use of medically important antibiotics in food-animal production, implementing new guidelines in 2017. While sales of those drugs for animals have decreased since their peak in 2015, they seem to have plateaued.

The news isn’t all bad on this front. From 2016 to 2020, sales of medically important antibiotics for use with chickens fell 72%. Thanks to consumer demand, more than half of all chickens raised in the U.S. now receive no antibiotics ever, and only 1% receive medically important antibiotics.

“Grocery stores are a primary way consumers get information about meat products,” Wellington says. “So if grocery stores step up and say, ‘We won’t source meat raised with the overuse of antibiotics for our private label products,’ it would not only help to shift the meat industry, it would also help to educate consumers on this issue.”

Calling Attention and Calling for Action

The coalition’s report aims to shine a light on how the widespread use of antibiotics in food-animal production affects human health.

“We’re not worrying about antibiotics in the meat you eat,” Roach says. “We’re worrying about hard-to-treat bacteria that come from the overuse of antibiotics.”

Among the six recommendations for grocery chains in the report:

• Commit to phasing out the routine use of antibiotics for disease prevention, especially medically important ones.

• Improve data collection and transparency about how and why antibiotics are being used.

• Use third-party monitors to verify supplying farms’ progress.

Consumers, too, have a role to play.

“Vote with your wallet -- purchase meat raised without antibiotics,” Wellington says. “That will spur more producers. And call on your grocery stores to implement a strong policy for private label products.”

When buying meat, look for verified standards for animal welfare, such as seals saying, “Animal Welfare Approved,” “Certified Humane,” or “Global Animal Partnership Certified.” The report warns against relying upon “One Health Certified” labels -- it’s a program developed by meat companies themselves, reflecting existing factory farming standards. Antibiotics can still be used routinely.

The report also includes recommendations for meat producers, federal and local regulators and policymakers, investors, and institutional meat buyers.

“It takes effort to make those changes, but we know it’s possible and it’s worth it. We’re talking about preserving life-saving medicine,” Wellington says. “We can’t afford to lose those medicines to produce a slightly cheaper burger or pork chop.”

© 2022 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.