It's a "silent epidemic," an "unrecognized health crisis," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And it's affecting 2.1 million baby boomers in the United States. The CDC announced Friday that it is considering recommending Hepatitis C testing for everyone born between 1945 and 1965. Currently the CDC recommends this testing only for those who are at-risk – people who participated in intravenous drug use or had a blood transfusion before 1992, when screening was implemented. But such events probably happened decades ago for this population, who may not recall the exposures that place them at risk, says Dr. John Ward, director of the division of viral hepatitis at the CDC.  And those that do remember may not be offering up such information to their primary care physicians. “I’m not sure everybody is going to acknowledge to their doctors that they used drugs in their 20s," says Dr. Michael Ryan, co-chair of the American Gastroenterological Association's I.D. Hep C awareness campaign . The timing of the CDC's announcement coincides with Hepatitis Awareness Month . Saturday, May 19, will mark the first national Hepatitis Testing Day . It's all part of the organization's national education campaign, " Know More Hepatitis ." Hepatitis literally means "inflammation of the liver," according to the CDC's website .  It's caused by viral infections, the most common being Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.  Vaccines are available for Hepatitis A and B, but a Hepatitis C vaccine remains elusive, although research is underway. Hepatitis is usually spread through blood. Transmission through sexual content can happen but the risk is low, Ward says. In 2007, approximately 17,000 new Hepatitis C virus infections were diagnosed in the United States. The CDC estimates that 3.2 million Americans have chronic Hepatitis C and more than 75% don't know it because they aren't experiencing any symptoms.  Baby boomers represent the majority of cases – more than 75%, and are five times more likely to be infected than other adults. The American Gastroenterological Association conducted a survey of 1,000 baby boomers this year. Seventy-four percent had never been tested or were unsure if they had been tested. Eighty percent did not consider themselves at any risk for having the disease. "The survey was actually a little bit frightening," Ryan said. Many thought hepatitis C affected the kidneys, or that the younger generation was more at-risk. Approximately 20% of people with Hepatitis C will never develop symptoms and will conquer the disease without treatment. The rest can be treated with antiviral medications intended to clear the virus from the body, according to the Mayo Clinic . Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver cancer and the most common reason patients need liver transplants in the U.S., according to the CDC. Approximately 15,000 people die every year from related diseases. CDC research suggests implementing this one-time test could help identify an additional 800,000 people living with the disease, and prevent 120,000 deaths. "It's causing more deaths than AIDS, the costs are expected to quadruple and cure rates are at 80 to 90%," Ryan says. "[This recommendation] just kind of makes sense." Before the CDC makes their final recommendation later, they are soliciting input from others experts and the public, which will be factored in to their decision. Filed under: Conditions , Public Health Tagged: Jacque Wilson — CNN.com writer/producer

"Diet and exercise" is a phrase that goes hand-in-hand with losing weight. But what you eat or drink before, during and after your workout is key to the weight loss process. Whether you run marathons, bike to work or walk around your neighborhood a few times a week – if you really want to optimize your workout, it’s time to check in on your diet. It’s all about moderation and balancing your food groups: protein and carbs, fruits and veggies, experts say. So how do they all work together? Before a workout, it’s all about the carbs, said Carol Kelly, a dietitian at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. “Carbohydrate is the fuel for our bodies, fuel for our brains.  If you think of your metabolism as a fire, carbohydrate is the fuel that helps the fire burn hot.” You want a meal that includes quality carbohydrates, lean protein, heart-healthy fats and fluids.  Without a sufficient carb supply, you could be breaking down muscle when you exercise. If you’re working out in the afternoon or after work, you want to make sure to eat a balanced lunch with some carbs. Here are a few options: A turkey sandwich with a piece of fruit Whole grain pasta with low-fat tomato sauce A salad with grilled chicken Now, if you’re working out first thing in the morning for an hour or less, breakfast can wait until after your workout. That’s because the body usually stores enough glycogen (the body’s long-term energy storage molecules)  from the previous night’s dinner to fuel the workout. After exercise, refueling (a.k.a. breakfast) needs to happen within 30 to 40 minutes. That meal should look like a combination of carbohydrates and protein, but not too much protein: 10 to 20 grams, or a palm-sized piece of chicken, is enough. You can try some of these combinations: Greek yogurt and an apple Hummus and whole grain crackers Grilled chicken and a baked potato “With exercise, our bodies are constantly breaking down and need to be repaired and protein helps do that,” Kelly said. But there are still “ free radicals ” floating around in our bodies after we work out, one of the few negative effects of exercise.  These are molecules which are produced when the body breaks down cells and can cause cell damage.  The best solution to rid our bodies of free radicals is to eat lots of fruit and vegetables which help mop up damage that occurs during exercise. A salad, a piece of fruit, mushrooms, onions, even salsa — all are good plant options to fit in throughout the day, according to Kelly. If you do work out more than 60 minutes each day, you’re going to have to up your carb and protein intake. And definitely don’t delay breakfast if you’re working out  that long first thing in the morning. You’re going to need some fuel to keep you going, whether it’s some yogurt and toast or cereal with milk. You can also sip on a sports drink while you work out. Some sports beverages get a bad rap for the sugar some of them contain, but for intense workouts that last longer than an hour, they do the trick.  Stick to drinks that have a 6-to-8% solution of carbohydrates and electrolytes to help you hit your workout goal. For those of us who aren’t competing in a triathlon just yet, plain old H2O has everything you need to stay hydrated during your workout –and during the day. The important thing is to get moving first and then work your diet around your exercise routine. Filed under: Diet and Fitness , Exercise , Healthy Eating Tagged: Lindsey Bomnin – CNN Medical Intern

Ian Kerner , a sexuality counselor and New York Times best-selling author, blogs about sex weekly on The Chart. Read more from him on his website, GoodInBed. With the recent vote against gay marriage in North Carolina and President Obama’s support of marriage equality , same-sex relationships are making headlines. But my colleagues and I have less political concerns: We’re focused on helping our gay, lesbian, and bisexual clients navigate their way through many of same relationship hurdles that heterosexual clients face. Couples of all orientations find themselves struggling with the same issues, from mismatched libidos to sex ruts to infidelity. “The underlying dynamics are identical,” says Emily Nagoski, sex educator and author of " A Scientific Guide to Successful Relationships ." “They may play out differently because of the differences in gender or because of external social pressures, but the rules are the same – and there's some clear indications that gay couples are actually better at following those rules than straight couples!” Nagoski pointed me to a 12-year study of same-sex couples by eminent marriage therapist Dr. John Gottman, which concluded that all couple types – straight or gay – have many of the same issues and the same paths to staying happy together. But Gottman’s research also indicated that gay/lesbian couples are more upbeat in the face of conflict and, compared to straight couples, use more affection and humor when they bring up a disagreement. "When it comes to emotions, we think these couples may operate with very different principles than straight couples,” says Gottman. “Straight couples may have a lot to learn from gay and lesbian relationships." Studies suggest, for instance, that gay male couples tend to have sex more often than any other type of couples, while lesbian couples tend to have the least amount of sex. Since women often value emotional intimacy over sexual intimacy, low sex drive may not be a concern. Likewise, two men who have strong libidos may be able to accommodate their sexual desires within an open relationship. “A number of my gay clients prefer to be sexually open but emotionally monogamous,” says sex and relationship therapist Joe Kort . “They can have lovers on the side and not have it be a threat to the relationship.” It’s a type of male coupledom that sex columnist Dan Savage has famously termed “monogamish” – but it’s not necessarily unique to gay relationships. “Overall, men are good at compartmentalizing sexual and emotional feelings,” explains Kort. “It’s a guy thing, not a gay thing.” At the same time, gay and lesbian couples can have unique concerns that just don’t exist in straight relationships. For example, “each partner may be in a different stage of coming out,” says Kort. “If one partner is more ‘out’, he or she may push for things that the other partner might not feel comfortable with yet, like meeting one another's families or being physically affectionate in public.” Gender can also play a big role in the way couples relate to each other, in and out of the bedroom, and same-sex couples are no exception. In general, says Kort, women tend to focus on emotional intimacy, while men can be more emotionally distant. Lesbian and gay couples may benefit from counseling when both partners strongly have these characteristics. In other words, a female couple may be so closely bonded that they want to work on nurturing their individual selves, while counseling can help a male couple learn how to better open up to each other. If you’re considering counseling, it pays to do your research. “Your therapist doesn’t have to be gay or lesbian, but he or she should be absolutely be gay and lesbian-informed, not just gay and lesbian-friendly,” explains Kort. That includes having deep insight into the often-subtle differences between same-sex and heterosexual couples, from concerns about discrimination and being ‘out’, to childhood influences, to sexual issues. Filed under: Living Well , Relationships , Sex Tagged: Ian Kerner Ph.D. – sex counselor

The Federal Communications Commission says it plans to allocate spectrum bandwidth for use of body sensors that would monitor a patient's vital signs wirelessly. The spectrum will work specifically with MBAN (medical body area network) sensor devices. Similar in size and shape to a Band-Aid, the sensors would be disposable and include a low-power radio transmitter, according to an FCC official. The primary function is to monitor a patient's temperature, pulse, blood glucose level, blood pressure and respiratory health wirelessly. "The benefits are clear: increased mobility, better care and lower costs," FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski tells CNN. Here's how it works: Using the newly allocated spectrum bandwidth, the sensors on a patient's body would wirelessly form a network, aggregate the results and transmit that data to centralized computer systems. The idea is to provide real-time results for health care staff and more comfort for patients because they won't be attached to machines by wires. FCC officials say the amount of radiation involved with these devices is so low that they would pose no health risks. They say MBAN devices would use short-length radio waves at a frequency lower than a Bluetooth.  MBAN manufactures believe it will drive down health care costs. They estimate that disposable wireless sensors could save about $2,000 to $12,000 a patient. The FCC says this is just the beginning of innovation and more efficient medical care in theUnited States. They see use of MBAN devices eventually branching outside of hospitals and being used to monitor vital signs of patients in the comfort of their own home. However, FCC approval is just the first step needed before consumers see the wireless devices in hospitals. Next, manufactures such as GE Healthcare and Philips Healthcare will fine-tune their MBAN prototypes and begin the FDA approval process. The new FCC rules, expected to pass at an agency vote next Thursday, will make theUnited Statesthe first country in the world to allocate spectrum for MBAN devices. Filed under: 000 Sections , Conditions , Health and tech , Public Health Tagged: Danielle Dellorto – CNN Medical Senior Producer

The U.S. government is stepping up efforts to combat Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, affecting more than 5 million Americans and whose progression has been resistant to treatments. U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius detailed the plan Tuesday at the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Summit 2012: Path to Treatment and Prevention. Alzheimer's is projected to affect 16 million by 2050.  "The plan gives us a blueprint to build on our research efforts," Sebelius said at the announcement.  "These actions are the cornerstone of an ambitious and  aggressive agenda." The plan promises to find effective prevention and treatment approaches  for Alzheimer's disease by 2025.  Leading Alzheimer's researchers from around the world are at the National Institutes of Health today to talk about which research should be emphasized. To help, the government has launched with website www.alzheimers.gov as a resource for people to find out more about the disease, caregiving and getting help. President Obama signed the National Alzheimer’s Project Act into law in January 2011, which called for a coordinated national plan to fight Alzheimer's. In February of 2012 , the administration said it would push for a $156 million increase in funding for Alzheimer's research over the next two years. As of Tuesday, Obama's proposed 2013 budget allows for a $100 million increase for anti-Alzheimer's efforts. Funding for Alzheimer's research in the United States has not even approached the level of monetary support for other major diseases. Last year, the NIH spent $3 billion on research into AIDS, $4.3 billion on heart disease, and $5.8 billion for cancer, according to the Alzheimer's Association . Photo gallery: Alzheimer's disease The current thinking among Alzheimer's experts is that early detection and intervention – even before symptoms begin – is better. Individuals with only mild memory problems may hold the most promise for testing treatments. Some of the funding will go towards launching two major clinical trials, according to HHS.  "One is a $7.9 million effort to test an insulin nasal spray for treating Alzheimer’s disease.  A second study, toward which National Institutes of Health is contributing $16 million, is the first prevention trial in people at the highest risk for the disease," said Sebelius in a press statement. Funding is only one part of finding solutions for this debilitating disease.  In practice scientists find it challenging to get a lot of participation in clinical trials . Some people don't want to risk the possible side effects of an experimental drug; others do want to try new drugs, but fear being placed in the placebo group.  And elderly people may have practical difficulties getting to the study location. Filed under: Alzheimer’s , Conditions Tagged: Elizabeth Landau – CNN.com Health Writer/Producer

Sleepwalking isn't just a quirk of Homer Simpson and other cartoon characters who go on unconscious adventures. New research suggests it's even more common than you may think. Researchers published a study in the journal Neurology involving more than 19,000 American adults, and found that nearly 30% had sleepwalked at some point in their lives. Far fewer said they experienced sleepwalking within the last year – only about 4% did. One percent had two or more episodes per month. Dr. Maurice Ohayon of Stanford University and lead author of the study says sleepwalking can be risky business; some people can harm themselves or others while wandering about. Sleepwalking is far more likely to occur in childhood than adulthood; previous research suggests that as many as 30% of children have been affected. Prior to this study, there was no good estimate of how many Americans sleepwalk generally, the researchers wrote. A study 10 years ago in Europe found a prevalence of 2%. And 30 years ago, a study in Los Angeles found about 2.5% of about 1,000 people experienced sleepwalking. There wasn't a significant difference in sleepwalking in men vs. women, but the behavior did decrease with age, with the exception of those who reported it more than once per week. Family history and genetics may play a role: 11.4% of people who reported sleepwalking said at least one sibling had episodes, compared to 7.8% of the rest of the participants. Individuals who said they sleepwalked in the previous year were more likely than others to have had a family history of sleepwalking. The study authors also took into account participants' usage of medications for sleep, anxiety, depression and other purposes. They found that people who take a kind of antidepressant for anxiety called SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) had a higher likelihood of sleepwalking at least once per year. Those who took over-the-counter sleeping pills and tricyclic antidepressants were more likely to experience sleepwalking at least twice per month. Although previous studies have suggested that psychotropic medications are associated with sleepwalking, this one suggests that pills don't cause nighttime wandering per se; however, they may trigger these behaviors in people already predisposed, study authors wrote. But keep in mind that the results are based on people's own recollections and knowledge of their sleepwalking behaviors; the researchers did not independently confirm the participants' sleepwalking accounts. Furthermore, some people, particularly those who live alone, may engage in sleepwalking without being aware of it. So the researchers may have underestimated sleepwalking behaviors. Dr. Lisa Shives, founder of Northshore Sleep Medicine in Evanston, Illinois, said the study's estimate of 30% of people with at least one sleepwalking episode in their lives sounds about right. People do tend to outgrow sleepwalking after their teenage years, but there remains a minority who continue to have recurrent episodes. There have been some bizarre incidents recorded of people's behavior while sleeping. One woman was reported to have sex with strangers during sleepwalking episodes . Sleepwalking has also been used as a legal defense, sometimes successfully , for people who have allegedly committed crimes while sleeping. "You really need a strong documented history that somebody has been doing this for a while" for sleepwalking to be a believable defense in court, Shives said. The precise causes are still mysterious, partly because sleepwalking is so hard to study. Shives has had patients who are chronic sleepwalkers normally, but don't exhibit the behavior in the laboratory. It's important to focus on safety measures for people prone to sleepwalking, Shives said. Lock doors and windows at night. Kitchen knives and other sharp objects may even need to be put away at night. You may need an alarm system for exits. Some lifestyle modifications may help, such as having a regular sleep schedule, reducing noise or light in the place where you sleep, and avoiding stress and fever. Hypnosis may help get rid of their sleepwalking behaviors. Another treatment that may help is called "anticipatory awakenings," where the person is awakened about 15 minutes before they would normally sleepwalk and stay awake during that period. Benzodiazepine medications have also been prescribed. How can I stop my son's sleepwalking? And take note: It's a myth that waking a sleepwalker would result in brain shock or death; the person may be startled or disoriented, but waking him or her up could save the person from doing serious harm. Still, some experts recommend gently guiding the sleepwalker back to bed if possible. Filed under: Living Well , Sleep Tagged: Elizabeth Landau – CNN.com Health Writer/Producer

It sounds like something out of a horror film – a micro-organism that enters through an open wound and begins to consume your body from the inside out. Unfortunately flesh-eating bacteria, or necrotizing fasciitis, isn't fiction. Aimee Copeland, a 24-year-old graduate student from Georgia, is fighting for her life in an Augusta hospital after contracting one type known as aeromonas hydrophila during a zip line adventure. Aeromonas hydrophila is found in most, if not all, freshwater or brackish water environments (water that contains salt but is not saltwater), according to the Food and Drug Administration's " Bad Bug Book ." It is sometimes swallowed by swimmers, causing stomach or intestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea. It can also be found in fish and shellfish. The severity of the gastrointestinal infection depends on your immune system's ability to fight it off, according to the Mayo Clinic . Aeromonas hydrophila can also enter the body through an open wound, as happened in the Copeland case. When that occurs the flesh-eating bacteria quickly reproduces, giving off toxins that destroy skin and soft tissue. Such bacteria is adept at hiding from the body's immune system, according to the National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation . If necrotizing fasciitis is detected early, only skin or fat may need to be removed. But if the infection is detected later, amputation may be necessary to stop the spread of the bacteria. Dr. William Schaffner, president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases , says when Aeromonas hydrophila enters through an open wound, early diagnosis is difficult. The bacteria does its damage deep in the tissue and doesn't manifest itself on the skin's surface. Patients should pay attention to any pain coming from a closed wound, as well as redness or drainage, he told CNN. The frequency of Aeromonas hydrophilia infections is unknown, the FDA notes, because researchers only recently began trying to collect numbers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that each year there are about 10,000 U.S. cases of group A streptococcus, a collection of bacteria that includes necrotizing fasciitis. Approximately 20% of the cases of necrotizing fasciitis are fatal, according to the CDC. Filed under: Conditions , Infectious diseases Tagged: Jacque Wilson and John Bonifield — CNN

Anthony Youn, M.D., is a plastic surgeon in metro Detroit. He is the author of “In Stitches,” a humorous memoir about growing up Asian American and becoming a doctor. I’ve always taken my mom for granted. A lot of us do. I never realized just how strong and selfless she is. Then tragedy struck. In many ways, my mother is the stereotypical Asian mom. Forty-five years ago she immigrated to the United States with my father, a physician. A classic homemaker, she spent her days raising my brother, sister, and me. In the evenings, after my dad returned home for work, she would take care of him. Growing up, my mom was my protector. When kids would call me racist names and threaten to beat me up, it was my mother who came to my rescue. This 5'1” Korean immigrant, who spoke broken English, would stand up to the biggest bullies in my elementary school. Several years ago I received a call from my father. My mom had exercised in the early evening and then began to feel short of breath. My dad rushed her to the emergency room. By the time they got there, she could hardly breathe. The doctors diagnosed her with sudden onset heart failure – one of the valves of her heart had stopped functioning, causing a backup of fluid into her lungs. My mom was literally drowning from the inside out. I rushed to the hospital that evening and saw her. She was awake but struggling to breathe. Upon seeing me, she smiled. “Oh, Tony, you shouldn’t have come here. You’re so busy with residency. Go home and get some rest,” she said, waving me off. I spent the next several hours by her side. The next day, she was scheduled to undergo open heart surgery to repair her faulty valve. In the moments before her operation, my brother, sister, father, and I stood next to her gurney. I smiled at her through teary eyes. My mom, seeing our concern, tried to reassure us. “I’ll be fine. I’m in God’s hands now. Go eat some breakfast. You’re probably all so hungry!” After several moments of silence and small talk, she was wheeled into the OR. The operation was a success. After surgery my mother was transferred to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, while still on the ventilator. We went to visit her. “She’s doing great,” her nurse told us. “She’s a real trooper. Most patients don’t tolerate having a breathing tube down their throat while awake. But your mom is handling it like a pro.” The nurse was right. Even with the breathing tube in, my mother looked calm and peaceful. We all walked up to her. “Mom,” I said softly. She opened her eyes. “Are you ok?” She nodded. “Make sure you stay still and don’t pull out your breathing tube. It’s important to keep it in place until you’re ready to breathe on your own.” She nodded again and smiled at me. As a surgeon, I’ve taken care of hundreds of patients on ventilators. The majority of them need large amounts of sedatives to prevent them from pulling out their breathing tube. It’s an incredibly uncomfortable feeling to have this tube extending down your throat. Yet my mom handled it better than any patient I’ve ever seen. Do you know who the toughest patients are? Ask any doctor or nurse. It’s not construction workers. Not tattooed bikers. Not even professional athletes. It’s moms. Moms go through more physical and emotional pain than most men can imagine. As a father, I now understand the connection between a mother and her child. It’s stronger than just about anything else in the world. I am thankful for the doctors who saved my mom’s life. I am thankful for the hospital staff who cared for her. But most of all, I’m thankful for my mom. Filed under: Living Well , Parenting , Women’s Health Tagged: Anthony Youn M.D. — plastic surgeon

MIAMI (CBS4) – Two words that don’t seem to go together are children and cancer,  but sadly each year cancer affects about 13 thousand children in the United States. A South Florida teen is now working with Miami Children’s Hospital on a new campaign called Bald, Brave, Beautiful – to help other children diagnosed with cancer. Caroline Pallidine was only 13-years old when she was diagnosed with leukemia.  She says since she always had hair down to her waist, one of the hardest things was losing her hair. Today, more than a year later, Caroline is happy to report she’s cancer free, and her hair is starting to grow back.  But she remembers what it was like not having hair due to the treatments. She always wore a wig until she met the singer Pitbull.  Since he is bald, he gave her the courage to take off her own wig. Then she went to a camp for cancer survivors. “They made me realize everyone went through it and I shouldn’t be ashamed of it,” said Caroline. That was the last time Caroline wore her wig. Now she’s helping Miami Children’s Hospital spread the word about the Bald, Brave, Beautiful campaign.  It’s an effort to eliminate the stigma and bullying that coincide with baldness. Doug Carillo, the father of two-year old Maya who is a cancer survivor, says it’s a great campaign. “This mission shows them it doesn’t matter what’s on the exterior,” said Carillo. “It’s on the interior that counts.  And that you are still a beautiful person.” Maya’s mother says even though her little girl was so young, she was aware that she was losing her hair.  She would look at her mother Erika, and her dolls, and want hair. Recently Caroline and Maya walked the runway for the Hugs and Kisses Fashion Show to benefit Miami Children’s Hospital. For more information, click on http://www.baldbravebeautiful.com/

If you've been on Twitter or Facebook today, you may have caught the buzz about Time Magazine's most recent cover.  It shows Jamie Lynne Grumet, a 26-year-old mother from Los Angeles, breastfeeding her son. This isn't your typical mom-and-baby shot: Grumet's son is 3.  The picture promotes an article about the growing popularity of " attachment parenting ", a theory first advocated by Dr. Bill Sears and his wife Martha, in their 1992 bestselling guide The Baby Book. The Sears argue that co-sleeping, 'baby wearing' (where the baby is attached to the parent with a sling) and extended breastfeeding will help parents respond better to the individual needs needs of their babies. Celebrities such as Mayim Bialik of "The Big Bang Theory" are also promoting ideas about attachment parenting. Many moms and dads have strong opinions about these practices, especially the breastfeeding advice.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends babies be breast-fed exclusively for the first six months of their lives.  We want to know what you think.  Is it OK to breastfeed well past toddler-hood, or is it too much of a good thing? Filed under: Breastfeeding , Children’s Health , Parenting Tagged: Jennifer Bixler – CNN Medical Executive Producer