In recent years, alcohol-based hand sanitizers have become, well, incredibly handy. The original idea behind them was that they would serve as a quick substitute when water and soap were not available, but the gels have become ubiquitous and are often used when multiple times per day by people, even when water and soap are available or the risk of infection isn't particularly worrisome.

That's got the FDA wondering whether exposure to the chemicals in the sanitizers may pose its own health hazard. The agency has asked manufacturers to provide data on the long-term safety and effectiveness of their products (wait, we don't already know this?), including data on how much of the sanitizer is absorbed by the skin and whether ingredients pose a health threat.

Saying Gnocchi to an Extra Helping

An Italian study that recently reported that eating pasta is associated with a healthy body mass index and slimmer waist drew international attention.

But before you ask for that second helping of rigatoni with eggplant and sausage, be aware that the researchers based it upon observed associations between the diets and health outcomes of study participants. The study said nothing about how individual food choices affect a person's overall health.

Another way of putting it, if you eat too much pasta, you're probably eating too much, period.

Body of Knowledge

The average person's skin weighs more than twice that of his or her brain: 8 to 10 pounds compared to just over three, respectively.

Number Cruncher

A large, 10-inch flour tortilla (70 grams) contains 210 calories, 40 from fat. It has 4.5 grams of total fat or 7 percent of the recommended total fat intake for a 2,000-calorie daily diet.

It also contains 210 milligrams sodium (9 percent); 36 grams of total carbohydrates (12 percent); 1 gram of sugar; 2 g of dietary fiber (8 percent) and 6 g of protein.? All this before you even put anything into it.

Counts

64: Percentage of inmates in U.S. local jails who suffer from mental illness

68: Percentage who have a substance abuse disorder

44: Percentage who have chronic health problems

Source: U.S. Department of Justice

Doc Talk

Dyspnea: shortness of breath

Phobia of the Week

Apotemnophobia: fear of persons with amputations

Never Say Diet

The Major League Eating record for blueberry pie is 14.5 pounds in 8 minutes, held by Joey Chestnut. Warning: Most of these records are held by professional eaters; the rest by people who really should find something better to do.

Best Medicine

Two friends were chatting about their lives, hopes and fears. After one of them went on at length about the things he was afraid of, the other commented that he sounded phobic. The fearful friend agreed, saying he had sought help.

"I almost bought a book on phobias, but I was afraid it wouldn't help me."

Observation

"The most exquisite pleasure in the practice of medicine comes from nudging a layman in the direction of terror, then bringing him back to safety again."

—Author Kurt Vonnegut (1922-2007) in "God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater"

Medical History

This week in 1994, Rosanna Della Corte, a 62-year-old Italian woman, gave birth to a healthy son, Riccardo. Her egg was artificially inseminated by the sperm of her 63-year-old husband, Mauro, at a fertility clinic in Rome. The Della Cortes had earlier lost their only son at 17 in a car accident. She had tried to adopt, but in vain. These were the reasons she cited for turning to the procedure. In reaction, the Italian legislature considered new restrictions following a papal encyclical, Evangelium Vitae, that condemned in vitro fertilization and other high-tech fertility procedures.

Sum Body

Eight health benefits attributed to drinking wine (in moderation, which translates to one or two 4-ounce glasses per day, according to the American Heart Association). Note: The scientific evidence supporting these benefits ranges from solid to a really sketchy merlot.

1. Promotes longevity

2. Reduces heart attack risk

3. Lowers risk of heart disease

4. Reduces risk of type 2 diabetes

5. Cuts risk of cataracts

6. Cuts risk of colon cancer

7. Slows brain decline

8. Lowers risk of stroke

Med School

Q: If all the bacteria in your body were collected, it would weigh how much?

a) 14 ounces

b) 1 pound

c) 4 pounds

d) 22 pounds

A: c) 4 pounds

Curtain Calls

In 1999, professional wrestler Owen Hart was being lowered into the ring from the rafters of Kemper Arena in Kansas City when his safety harness was accidentally released early. He fell 78 feet, landing chest-first on the ring's top rope. The impact severed the aorta in his heart, killing him.

To find out more about Scott LaFee and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: Michael Pollak