Firm Newsletter

Special Report - Hormone Replacement Therapy
In the United States an estimated 38% of menopausal women use Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to relieve their symptoms of menopause. However, HRT’s estrogen-progestin drug therapy has been show to significantly increase the risk for many alarming medical conditions including stroke, breast cancer, heart attack, pulmonary embolism and more.

What are the benefits?
Since the mid-1960s, drug companies have supported the idea that menopausal women can fight such discomforts as hot flashes, vaginal dryness and night sweats. Prevention of osteoporosis and heart disease, and more recently Alzheimer’s, has also been routinely cited in the promotion of these drugs. However, the preventative benefits of HRTs have always been controversial and, because of the publicized results of several studies, the claims are now highly suspect.

What are the risks?
On July 9, 2002, a report from a Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study of the effects of estrogen-progestin HRT on postmenopausal women was released. The study reported that while the combination of estrogen and progestin did have some benefits (lowered risk of osteoporosis and colon cancer), its major effect was to increase potentially fatal health risks:

• 29% increase in heart disease

• 41% increase in strokes

• 26% increase in breast cancer

• Doubling of blood clot rates (in lungs and legs)

What is being done to protect women?
The FDA encourages manufacturers of the combination hormones to update labels to include the new warnings about risks, including:

• The FDA no longer recommends using HRT to prevent heart disease

• When used to prevent osteoporosis, the risks for osteoporosis must outweigh the risks associated with HRT

• For the treatment of menopause symptoms, the FDA strongly recommends the lowest effective dose used for the shortest time needed.

What should I do?
You should never stop taking any medications without first consulting with your doctor. However, if you are currently using HRT, you should discuss possible health risks with your healthcare provider. Your doctor can explain your options. There are alternatives to HRT that might ease the symptoms and conditions associated with menopause and aging. If you are one of the millions of women who has taken HRT for its health benefits, you may be at risk for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, gall bladder cancer, heart attack, stroke or blood clots. Call us today if you have experienced adverse health effects due to HRT.

Constantly Updating Web Page

Do you have access to the internet? Yes? Great! Visit our web page at www.fleschnerlaw.com. You will find detailed information on HRT issues, Agent Orange, nursing home abuse, drug recall information and welding fume injury.

We also have the latest legal news regarding long trials and settlements nationwide. Read up on auto accidents or the Social Security Disability process.

As always, you can get a free evaluation online or contact one of our attorneys via email. Check us out TODAY!

Welding Fume Injury

According to their internal documents from 1932 to 1980, the manufacturers of welding rods systematically concealed evidence that linked their welding rods to serious adverse health effects. Welding rod manufacturers discovered that welding fumes posed serious health risks to welders, but because of economic concerns, the industry covered up the problems associated with their products for almost 50 years.

What health problems to welding fumes cause?
Welding fumes can cause many health problems, both from short-term and long-term exposure including:

• Metal fume fever (flu-like symptoms)

• Respiratory problems

• Gastrointestinal effects including chronic gastritis, gastroduodentitis, ulcers, etc.

• Reproductive risks

• Cancers

• Kidney and heart damage

• Central nervous system effects including tremors, manganism, etc.

What is the role of manganese in welding injuries?
Routine inhalation of manganese-containing metal fumes can result in:

• Central nervous system conditions including manganism

• Lung damage

• Reproductive effects

• Neurological effects including severe depression, poor hand-eye coordination, unsteady hands, decreased reaction time, decreased postural stability and lower levels of cognative flexibility

What is manganism?
Symptoms may include:

• Slow and clumsy gait

• Slow or slurred speech

• Loss of equilibrium

• Shakiness and tremors

• Decreased hand agility

Health Tip - Bicycle Safety Checklist

It’s that time of year…SPRING. Time to get out the bicycle and take to the road or trails. Here are some tips to get your bike ready to roll and keep you safe.

• Make sure your bike’s seat, handlebar and wheels are tight.

• Make sure your bike is the right size for you.

• Check and oil the chain regularly.

• Make sure the brakes are working properly and are not sticking before you ride.

• Check your tires to make sure they are aired up and have the correct tire pressure.

• Always wear a bicycle helmet.

• Always ride on the right-hand side of traffic in the same direction as cars do. NEVER ride against traffic.

• Use bike lanes or designated bike routes whenever you can – never use the sidewalk.

• Obey all traffic rules.

• When riding in the dark be sure to have reflectors on your bike.

• Only one person should ride the bike at a time.

• Know your hand signals. Use your left arm for hand signals:

• Left turn: look behind you, hold your left are straight out to the left, and ride forward slowly.

• Right turn: look behind you, hold your right arm out to the right, and ride forward slowly.

• Stop: Look behind you, bend your elbow, pointing your arm downwards in an upside-down “L” shape and come to a stop.

Free Consultation!

Have you been injured?  Contact an Indiana or Illinois injury lawyer at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin.  Our office is located in Terre Haute, but we have successfully advocated for clients throughout the area, including Urbana-Champaign, Decatur and Springfield.  Complete a Free Online Consultation Form or call us toll free at 1-800-618-4878 to contact us today.