Millions of people who use inhaler drugs for bronchitis and emphysema may have a higher risk of heart attacks and death according to a new study.

While the results from this study are not conclusive, doctors are being urged to closely monitor their patients that are using the inhalers. Most patients at risks have both emphysema and chronic bronchitis, but all who are taking drugs for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at risk.

The drugs tiotropium (sold as Spiriva Handihaler) and ipratropium (sold as Atrovent) are used by more than 8 million people worldwide daily to relax muscles and open lung airways. The new study found that using either drug for more than one month appeared to increase chances for both fatal and non-fatal heart problems (including heart attacks) by more than 50 percent.

In about 7,400 patients on either drug, 135 people (1.8 percent) developed heart problems over a period of several weeks to several years.

While these numbers seem small, patients are urged to reduce heart risks like quitting smoking, keeping blood pressure and cholesterol under control, and using oxygen before starting the drugs.

With cellphones, the most ubiquitous electronic device on the planet, being marketed to children as young as 6, the notion that cell phones can cause cancer is scary.

Is it true that these small, convenient devices can give you tumors? Studies say yes, according to Dr. Ronald Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, and Dr. David Carpenter, director of Institute for Health and the Environment at University of Albany when they both recently testified in front of the House Subcommittee on Domestic Policy.

Citing a study performed by Dr. Lennart Hardell in Sweden, Herberman said, “I cannot tell this committee that cell phones are definitely dangerous. But, I certainly cannot tell you that they are safe.”

The study reports that people who use cell phones have double the chance of developing malignant brain tumors and tumors on the hearing nerve (called acoustic nueromas). The study also says that people under 20 were five times more likely to develop brain cancer.

However, some doctors believe that more evidence is needed for a more conclusive connection. Some studies have not found an increase in tumors associated with the first 10 years of cell phone use, and studies on the increased risk of tumors diagnosed on the side of the head the cell phone is used have not given consistent results.  Many studies have shown that radio frequency energy DOES cause “biological effects,” not all of these effects are considered harmful. These effects could be related to a cancer risk, but they have not yet been properly studied in a laboratory.

While the current studies do not have enough conclusive results to prove that cell phones cause cancer, heavy users should keep these thoughts in mind.

When you go into the hospital for surgery, you’re not supposed to come out with second and third degree burns.

But, according to some recent research, that’s what’s happening to 550-650 patients a year in this country. Dozens of patients suffer disfiguring burns and some are even killed as a result. This is according to a copyrighted story broadcast on MSNBC.

The problem is that anesthesiologists typically place a mask over the patient’s face during surgery. In addition to anesthesia, the mask often contains highly flammable, pure oxygen. When the surgeon begins to use some of the new, powered surgical tools like electro cardio pencils or lasers, especially near the mask, the result could be a flash fire.

Whatever the source, the head and neck region is grimly suited to hosting fires, especially in a high-oxygen atmosphere.

Like other shocking medical errors, such as objects left behind after surgery or operations on the wrong body part, surgical fires are regarded as a rare problem.

Not all states require hospitals to report these incidents and many are under reporting operating room fires. In fact, many hospitals and doctors have settled the resulting lawsuits out of court and requiring non-disclosure agreements as part of the settlement.