Health

Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) can have many causes, including antidepressants such as Zoloft.Sponsored by:Chemotherapy.com - http://www.chemotherapy.com

Alcoholism — Comprehensive overview covers causes, symptoms, treatment of this serious addiction.Sponsored by:Chemotherapy.com - http://www.chemotherapy.com

Tourette syndrome — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, causes, treatment, and coping with this neurological condition.Sponsored by:Chemotherapy.com - http://www.chemotherapy.com

Transposition of the great arteries — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, treatment of this heart defect.Sponsored by:Chemotherapy.com - http://www.chemotherapy.com

Electroconvulsive therapy is safe, but treatment is not for everyone.Sponsored by:Chemotherapy.com - http://www.chemotherapy.com

A telephone survey of more than 71,000 adults in 13 states and Washington, D.C., has revealed that few people know the warning signs of a stroke.

Plastic surgeons say they've refined techniques of body contouring surgery -- procedures that can remove excess fat after major weight loss.

More than half of people with diabetes also suffer from arthritis, CDC researchers find

A form of Asian ginseng shows promise for relieving schizophrenia symptoms that are difficult to treat.

A high-tech procedure that delivers radiation deep within the brain relieved symptoms in half of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder who got no help from medication or talk therapy, a small study shows.

Everyone wants girls to have as many opportunities in sports as boys. But can we live with the greater rate of injuries they suffer?

Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group, petitioned the government to pull the birth control patch off the market, calling it far riskier than the pill.

The Bush administration proposed on Thursday to crack down on the aggressive marketing of private Medicare insurance plans.

A growing band of researchers is trying to redefine how diseases are classified — by looking at their genetic underpinnings.

To run faster, triathletes need to stop swimming and cycling.

Wrist Blood Pressure Monitors are extremely sensitive to body position. The reading might be inaccurate if you do not use them exactly as directed. It is important to hold your arm and wrist at heart level while using the device.

Did you know that subcutaneous fat — which often collects on the legs and buttocks — can prevent Diabetes? It reduces insulin resistance and improves insulin sensitivity. It really depends on the type of fat though. Obesity in the abdominal or visceral area increases Diabetes.

Eco-this and green-that, the movement for all things environmentally friendly has gained enormous popularity and now, a new option in body burial could make for a surge in eco-funerals. The funeral service industry has started seriously considering the option of dissolving bodies in lye as a viable alternative to cremation and traditional burial. The process, called alkaline hydrolysis, employs a large stainless-steel cynlinder similar to pressure cookers which destroy bodies by using lye, 300 degree hear and 60 pounds of pressure per square inch. The technique leaves only brown syrup-like…

If a nagging pinch, cramp or headache has you dragging through the day, you’re not a alone. Sure, it doesn’t offer much comfort, but new research reveals that over a quarter of Americans deal with chronic pain. Researchers also found that income affected on the amount of pain experienced with those earning less than $30,000 a year suffering from moderate to severe pain for 20 percent of their lives. People from households earning more than $100,000 spent a relatively low 8 percent of the time in pain. The study’s author noted that in lower incomes, pain occurs as a result of…

Until now, anesthesiologists had to be present in the operation theatre to monitor a patients vital signs during surgery. Now researchers in Montreal have developed a new robot called McSleepy which completely automates the process of anesthesia. Its essentially a closed loop software system, where drugs are administered, their effects continuously monitored and their doses are adjusted accordingly. (Photo Credit: Andrei Malov /iStockphoto)

Barbara Aldrich can hardly remember a time when she wasn't a little overweight. But as her weight skyrocketed, it began to take its toll. She reached a tipping point when her doctor told her she was borderline diabetic. "That's when I decided, I don't want to give myself injections for the rest of my life," she said.

While the quintessential pairing of ripe tomatoes and lettuce is certainly enjoyable, a good salad can be so much more. Adding fruits, nuts, and other well-chosen ingredients offers a welcome change. More importantly, incorporating a few more nutritious ingredients is an easy way to serve a more healthful dish. Cooking Light tells you how.

Read full story for latest details.

The death toll from China's outbreak of hand-foot-mouth disease has climbed to 28 -- all of them children -- the state-run Xinhua news agency reported Wednesday.

One day last year, Diana Simpson started coughing uncontrollably. The pain in her throat and chest was unbearable. She suspected asthma, but what she had was pertussis, or whooping cough. The CDC now recommends that all adults get a pertussis booster shot to strengthen their immunity. Experts say that's just one of several vaccines you may need now. Here's the scoop

Physicians should not count on getting any additional time to become compliant, a CMS official said.

Some state medical boards are being accused of acting too slowly. But other boards note that the rankings don't take into account rehabilitation initiatives.

But consumer advocates and some physicians say the courts should continue to complement, not compromise, the FDA's role.

Critics say Medicare is moving too quickly, and many of the complications it is targeting are not always preventable.

The first decade of Oregon's unique law has surprised supporters and opponents alike. One benefit nearly everyone can welcome: The issue focused attention on end-of-life care.

"Every week, someone arrives at UC San Diego Medical Center facing significant life changes because of a split-second accident," said Abrams. "My role as a surgeon is to offer treatment options that deliver satisfying lifelong solutions. You decide what's viable and remove what's not. A finger that is painful, stiff, or with no feeling, may not be worth keeping."

Mayo Clinic's Board of Trustees today publicly announced Mayo Clinic's first comprehensive development campaign, including a $25 million leadership gift from the campaign's volunteer chair, emeritus trustee Bill Marriott.

They're definitely in style--but according to doctors--heavy earrings can be a dangerous fashion accessory from which more and more women are seeking surgery.

In the week before the House of Commons is expected to debate the time limit on abortion in the UK, a study on BMJ.com reports that over the past 12 years there has been no improvement in survival of babies born before 24 weeks' gestation, the current legal limit for abortion. The authors conclude that the limits of viability for the survival of premature babies have been reached.

Elderly in a long-term care setting are more likely to be prescribed antidepressants and to self-report depression compared to those in a home-health care setting, according to a study by social work students at Indiana State University.

AP - Seventy-seven more people that were treated at a Las Vegas outpatient clinic have been diagnosed with hepatitis C, health officials said.

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- It's important for a person diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease to continue to perform the daily tasks of life -- as best as the person can.

HealthDay - FRIDAY, May 9 (HealthDay News) -- Consuming large amounts of acrylamide, a chemical commonly found in French fries, cakes, snacks and even coffee, appears to raise the risk of kidney cancer, especially in smokers, Dutch researchers report.

AP - Depression, teens and marijuana are a dangerous mix that can lead to dependency, mental illness or suicidal thoughts, according to a White House report being released Friday.

AP - The United States is offering to help China in its fight against a viral infection that has killed 34 children, including two reported Friday, and sickened thousands of others.

Officials for Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Merck and Schering-Plough on Thursday will testify at a House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing that Democrats hope will "lay the groundwork for future legislation to tighten controls on drug marketing," the Wall Street Journal reports.

The Denver Post on Wednesday examined possible changes to federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research with the next president. According to the Post, stem cell research in the U.S. is "likely to get a fresh look" from the next president, "no matter who it is." Campaign officials for both Democratic presidential candidates Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) and Barack Obama (Ill.

The Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Services will launch a pilot project to provide no-cost HIV testing and counseling in certain regions of the country to mark its National HIV Testing Day on May 9, Namibia's New Era reports. The project will run in the Caprivi, Erongo, Oshana, Karas and Khomas regions for three days beginning on May 8.

The American Society of Hematology (ASH) is proud to announce the selection of 15 participants for its 2008 Minority Medical Student Award Program (MMSAP), which encourages minority medical students to purse an interest in hematology research.

The number of new HIV cases reported in Germany increased by 4% in 2007, according to data recently released by the Robert Koch Institute, Xinhua/People's Daily reports. The country recorded 2,752 new HIV cases last year, compared with 2,643 in 2006, the institute said (Xinhua/People's Daily, 5/6).

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - For treating constipation problems in children, behavioral therapy given along with laxatives isn't any more effective than laxatives alone, Dutch researchers report.

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A survey in 13 states and the District of Columbia reveals that most people are not aware of the five most common symptoms a stroke, according to findings reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women with a sparse social network are apparently at greater risk for having a stroke than women with plentiful social connections, researchers have found.

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Elderly individuals at high risk of falling were able to cut this risk in half by following advice from 'falls clinics', Australian, researchers report in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Incontinence and other disorders of the pelvic organs can take a toll on a woman's sex life, a new study suggests.

To millions of people worldwide, deep depression is a way of life; not that they have chosen it, but that it has chosen them. Although short-term depression can be cured through a regime of antidepressants or psychotherapy, deep depression cannot. It lasts for years, often the person's lifetime, and is resistant to all forms of conventional theory. People who suffer from deep depression have typically given up hope of ever being cured; they live their lives in various stages of agony; constantly depressed, often feeling alone and frightened, and always at high risk for suicide. read more

The most difficult decision a doctor will have to make should a pandemic hit is who to let die. Recognizing that not all patients can be saved during a disaster of epic proportions, the medical profession will be faced with making the hard choice of who to treat and who will face certain death. read more

Ladies and Gentlemen: In this corner, wearing red, white and blue, we have the United States, represented by the FDA, who are defending their claim that tainted heparin, originating in a Chinese factory, has caused numerous deaths and countless adverse reactions. And in the opposite corner, wearing red and yellow, is China, whose officials dispute the allegations and claim the contaminant can’t be the reason behind the allergic reactions. However, the U.S. may have the scientific evidence in hand to land the winning punch and prove their case. read more

Parents of children with autism are twice as likely to have been hospitalized for a psychiatric condition than parents of children without autism. Moreover, mothers of autistic children are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression or personality or neurotic disorders. read more

Over the last several years in the U.S., food contamination has become a common occurrence; from the lettuce and spinach contaminated with E. coli and Salmonella in 2006 to the most recent Listeria monocytogenes contamination which forced a recall of more than 286,000 pounds of fresh and frozen beef, pork and poultry, and all the instances in between. Why is this happening? Why isn’t our food supply safe? A new report blames an antiquated and disjointed U.S. food safety system and stresses the need for a major overhaul to bring the system into the twenty-first century. read more

Hurricane Katrina provoked increased complaints to doctors of pneumonia, bronchitis and other lower respiratory illnesses among 144 children studied in Mississippi, according to a report released yesterday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Teenagers who smoke marijuana put themselves at risk for future mental illness and higher rates of depression, according to a report to be released today by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Two Bush administration Cabinet members yesterday acknowledged gaps in the capability of U.S. hospitals to deal with a mass-casualty terrorist attack or other disaster, but they said a congressional effort to block pending Medicaid cuts will not fix the problem.

ATLANTA -- People who sleep fewer than six hours a night _ or more than nine _ are more likely to be obese, according to a new government study that is one of the largest to show a link between irregular sleep and big bellies.

BOSTON -- A Massachusetts study suggests that restaurant smoking bans may play a big role in persuading teens not to become smokers. Youths who lived in towns with strict bans were 40 percent less likely to become regular smokers than those in communities with no bans or weak ones, the researcher...

Medical know-how may put doctors at a higher-than-normal suicide risk.

Author says many people consume "edible food-like substances."

Diane Sawyer talks to Jill Price, who re-lives her past and astounds doctors.

Transit officials say they are unaware of a problem despite an expert's claim.

Lawmakers question whether pharmaceutical drug ads tell the truth.

Good morning. I hope everyone has a wonderful, healthy Mother's Day weekend. Meanwhile, consider this: •Half of U.S. diabetics have arthritis, according to a new CDC report. And if you have both diseases, you're nearly three times more likely to...

Here's a shocking statement for you: An estimated 750,000--or one out of every 50--U.S. teens and young adults, ages 14 to 21, have a gambling problem. And one out of every nine gamble frequently, or at least twice a week....

Public Citizen, the consumer advocacy group, petitioned the FDA today to ask that it ban Ortho Evra, the once-a-week contraceptive patch, because it's riskier than birth control pills but no more effective. To give patch users time to consult with...

Good morning. From pregnant pauses to weight-loss pressure, A Better Life has it: •If you're pregnant, the higher your blood sugar, the greater your risk of having a C-section or preeclampsia, even if you don't have gestational diabetes, according to...

One doctor I see occasionally as a patient gets high marks for politeness and warmth (the opposite of TV doc Gregory House, seen at left). He always knocks before entering the examining room, shakes my hand, smiles and asks how...

Depression, teens and marijuana are a dangerous mix that can lead to dependency, mental illness or suicidal thoughts, according to a White House report being released Friday.

When I was a baby, my mother and her friend Isabel, who'd been told her own child would die, decided to share me. Years later, Isabel and I were bound by something else — we each learned what it means for a mother to lose a child.

Readers’ photos of moms and their little look-alikes.

Fewer than half of Americans can recognize the top five warning signs of stroke, information that could help save thousands of people from death and disability, the U.S. Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention said on Thursday.

More than half of U.S. adults with diabetes also have arthritis, raising a serious obstacle for diabetic patients urged to exercise, according to a government study.

Is the price we pay from not being open to relationships...solitude?32 Vote(s)

This is too much! KY has made a hysterical site for education and fun!53 Vote(s)

Dang it! I love this stuff. Guess it goes to show how powerful the mind can be.43 Vote(s)

oh dear. how to get him to stop drinking. get married. have children. go to the doc. there's actually some excellent advice in this one...i just can't get past the title! and, really? if there's all this to change? do we really want 'em?56 Vote(s)

i had a crap weekend. my week {which begins on sunday here in jordan} is not looking much better. so i'm glad i found these shortcuts. i needed to be reminded of a few. and prodded into a few others. i hope you enjoy it {even one or two will help!}110 Vote(s)

7 May 2008 -- Influenza and planning experts from WHO Member States, research institutions and UN agencies are meeting in Geneva this week to review the current WHO pandemic preparedness guidance. The new guidance will be released later this year.

25 April 2008 -- When treatment of AIDS is monitored on the basis of simple physical signs of deteriorating health, the therapies are almost as effective as that relying on the most advanced laboratory analysis, a new study shows.

7 April 2008 -- In selecting climate change as the theme for this year’s World Health Day, WHO aims to turn the attention of policy-makers to some compelling evidence from the health sector, Director-General Dr Margarent Chan said in a statement.

7 April 2008 -- Impacts of climate change on human health are occurring today and attacking the pillars of public health. They provide a glimpse of the challenges public health will have to confront on a large scale, WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan warned today on the occasion of World Health Day.

28 March 2008 -- WHO welcomes the announcement of the first Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize being awarded to two people for their service to global public health.

A Kansas City-area teenager who tried to pierce his lip with a needle from a first-aid kit ended up with a staph infection that almost killed him.

It's a happy Mother's Day for an Arkansas woman — she's pregnant with her 18th child. Michelle Duggar, 41, is due on New Year's Day

Is living with mate before or instead of marriage right for you? Here are the pros and cons.

Depression, teens and marijuana are a dangerous mix that can lead to dependency, mental illness or suicidal thoughts, according to a White House report being released Friday.

A consumer advocacy group says the Ortho-Evra patch carries too many risks and should be taken off the market.

While eating breakfast, it’s generally my habit to vacantly stare into space. The other day, the cereal box happened to be in my field of vision. I saw that the side panel of my whole wheat “Fitness” cereal showed the different flavors that Fitness comes in: honey and almonds, fruit, chocolate. Wait, chocolate? The cereal is called Fitness. On the front of the box is a drawing of the silhouette of a slender woman, arms outstretched, standing on tiptoe, presumably to illustrate her blissful healthiness. The back panel tells of the health benefits of whole grains and gives…

Tests of body fat can vary widely Many people think that they need to know their body fat percentage to have a good idea of how healthy they are. The only trouble is, different body fat measuring tools come up with very different results. Washington Post reporter Howard Schneider tried out a bunch and got counts ranging from 18 to 29 percent. The key when using a fat calculator is to use it consistently at the same time each day and look for general trends rather than obsessing over a particular number… Ohio county to assess health of workers Speaking of health tests, Washington County,…

High blood sugar risky even if mom’s not diabetic Pregnant women who have high blood sugar but haven’t been diagnosed with gestational diabetes are still at higher risk for complications such as needing a Caesarian section or having a very large baby. The higher the mother’s blood sugar, according to research from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, the more likely she is to develop preeclampsia, have a premature birth or experience shoulder dystocia, which happens when the baby’s shoulder gets caught in mom’s body, effectively ending…

My brilliant idea, which I call the One Cent Solution, was inspired by an article from Fortune Small Business about Marc German, the CEO of a restaurant chain called Spicy Pickle. Out of a sense of duty to his clientele, and his own admitted curiosity, he had thirty of his best-selling menu items subjected to a nutritional analysis by a testing lab, with the results posted on the Spicy Pickle website. This was a fairly admirable move on his part, and it set him back some $2,500, which would be a rounding error for, say, Wendy’s, but is a significant expense given that there are only…

Five cited for no calorie labels New York City health inspectors issued citations to five restaurants — a Dunkin’ Donuts, a McDonald’s, a Popeye’s, a Sbarro and a TGI Friday’s - on Monday for failing to have calorie counts posted on menus. The citations are actually just warnings, as the city will not be allowed to issue fines to restaurants that violate the calorie-posting rule until July. Not posting counts will not affect whether a restaurant passes its health inspection, even when fines are introduced. One inspector gave three of the citations, but…

We like it sweet. Too sweet - and I can't help wondering how our obsession with sweetness is tied to our expanding waists. Food mega-giant Kraft recently scored a hit in China with Oreos cookies - but not the kind that Americans eat. According to the Wall Street Journal: "Kraft learned that traditional Oreos were too sweet for Chinese tastes". So they reformulated the flavor - and Oreos are now the No 1 cookie in China. Continue reading...

Eggs are in the news again. Is it good news this time or bad news? Well--it's both. Yet again, eggs are confusing us all by being nutritious, but associated with certain health risks. According to recent studies, the news looks good if you're a woman trying to avoid breast cancer; not quite so good if you're a middle aged man who eats more than one a day.Continue reading...

Yahoo news is touting the benefits of big hips and butt: "A type of fat that accumulates around the hips and bottom may actually offer some protection against diabetes". Unfortunately the result has only been examined in mice.Continue reading...

This is a guest post from Kerry McLeod of eBrandAid. It seems that juice manufacturers are capitalizing on our culture's obsession with weight by putting their juices on a "diet!" Just walk down any juice aisle and find many of your favorite juices in low-calorie, sugar-free varieties. We're all looking to cut calories - but are these emaciated juices sacrificing nutrition for fewer calories? Continue reading...

This photo was taken in Kentucky, USA. (cc) flickr / merfam Continue reading...

When I saw this advertisement, I laughed at the description: Pure Delicious Vegetable Fat. Sure, adding fat to your food can enhance the flavor, but do any of us consider Wesson Oil to be delicious? I love to look at old advertisements because they seem so wrong. It makes me feel smart and I think that I am impervious to advertising. Then I look at the current ads for Wesson: ConAgra Foods: Wesson They are STILL using the same “delicious” advertising that they used back then: Pure Wesson Cooking Oils have been at The Heart and Soul of Good Food for 100 years. Pure Wesson Cooking…

This postcard from PostSecret showed up in last Sunday’s list: It reads: I suspect that my chronic health problems are related to the fact that I make myself throw up multiple times a day. To me, the first thing I think is, “Don’t do that! Just stop it.” When I am tempted to binge, however, the advice, “Don’t binge! Quit eating so much you hurt yourself,” doesn’t really help me. In fact, it makes me want to do it even more. Talking to a doctor never really helped me either. Their advice wasn’t much better than, “Don’t do…

There have been some studies that show that cinnamon can reduce insulin resistance. USDA - Cinnamon Extracts Boost Insulin Sensitivity ARS chemist Richard A. Anderson and co-workers at the Beltsville (Maryland) Human Nutrition Research Center assayed plants and spices used in folk medicine. They found that a few spices—especially cinnamon—made fat cells much more responsive to insulin, the hormone that regulates sugar metabolism and thus controls the level of glucose in the blood. If it seems like you are hungry every two hours or if you constantly crave sugar or bread, you might have…

If you watch television late at night or if you scan the advertisements in any fashion magazine, there are plenty of pills and gadgets that promise you better health. This is not a new phenomenon. Here is an advertisement from 1883 for an electric corset: You can click on the photo to see the full ad, which reads: Dr. Scott’s Electric Corset Owing to the unprecedented success attending the sale and use of our $3 Electric Corset, and the constant demand for Electric Corsets of less price, but of the same therapeutic value, we have decided to place upon the market A HANDSOME LINE OF…

ABC News has a video on their site about LipoDissolve: ABC News: Lipodissolve: Too Good to Be True? Here are some of the quotes from the video: Annette Clark didn’t blink at the steep 2400 dollar bill for a series of multiple injections. “They gave me about six injections across my abdomen and by the time I got home, I looked like I was eight months pregnant.” The swelling was one of the MILDER side effects. “My whole body, just covered in hives, itching bad. I became very hot… I wake up in an ambulance.” Gigi Hinton had a nearly perfect body simply hoped…

Photo Courtesy of #BennehBoy Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Sarah Scrafford, an industry critic, as well as a regular contributor on the subject of RN. I hate vacations, not because I’m a workaholic, but because I’m one of the unlucky millions who gains two pounds for every one that I sweat and toil to shed, simply by looking at a cheese burger. Working hard to keep my weight in check all through the year and then gaining back a considerable number during two weeks of vacation, well, that’s not something I would wish on even my worst enemy. But my vacations being what they…

Photo Courtesy of Odalaigh Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Lisa Newton who can be found at Iowa Avenue and the Healthy Lifestyle Bloggers. If you’re trying to lose weight, exercise is the best way to create a negative calorie balance. Too many people have the misconception that exercising affords them the permission to eat more. This idea is flat out false. Where it came from I could only speculate. By eating additional food because you exercised, the hard work you just did is lost, and instead of losing the calories just exercised away, you’re left with an equal number of…

That’s an easy question to answer, but the answer is often difficult to accept. The answer lies in your Body Mass Index (B.M.I.). BMI is a ratio of your weight to your height. It is calculated by multiplying your weight (in pounds) by 703, then dividing by your height (in inches) squared. If your BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9, your weight is considered healthy. If it falls between 25.0 and 29.9 you are overweight but not obese. Not yet. Greater than 30 places you in the obese range. You may want to sit down first. Accepting the Truth Most of you reading this post are either overweight or…

Last week I posted a fitness interview with Rob Cooper. He is the guy that lost 300 lbs the natural way. This week we will focus on his diet and nutrition. We can stand to learn something from his weight loss journey. Health wise, I think continual learning is crucial and Rob’s insights provide that. The following is the second of a three part interview. Picking up on last week’s fitness goal, describe the diet you’re following to achieve your goal. I’m following a 90% vegetarian diet, 10% meat. So, not vegetarian per say, but more or less plant based. It’s the opposite…

I consider myself a savvy internet user, but there are some internet tools that I refuse to use. Twitter was one of those such tools. I’m all about being as healthy as possible so when I see an addicting new internet tool I try to avoid it. Why? Simply because I know that I will want to be on it as much as possible. Twitter was no different. I stayed away as long as possible, but eventually gave in. You can follow me here: Israel Lagares’ Twitter I gave in because I wanted to see what the big deal was that everyone was making. Now I know! Twitter is like a mini version of…

My first diary had a red cloth cover and a tiny lock and key. I’d write in it everyday about what was important to me at the time, like “Today I wore my new blue shorts with that shirt I got at the mall. I have a crush on Jeremy. He is so cute!” These days, I still...

There's a damning documentary that you're not likely to see in the multiplex or your local video store.* Monsanto, the company that gave the world Agent Orange, Bovine Growth Hormone (RbGH), Roundup, and PCBs, also owns 90% of the planet's...

When you get hungry, and I mean hungry, it's your body calling out for protein. While you don't have to go full-time veg to green your lifestyle, many people are surprised to learn that ...

I’m a hopeless DIYer. If there’s a way I can make something myself, I’m bound to try it. My latest favorite has been making my own shampoo. I was at the health food store expressing my frustration about how I have such a hard time finding the right shampoo for my hair when a clerk...

If I didn't live in California, I think the avocado would be my one non-local produce exception. Luckily, they only disappear from our farmers' markets for a couple of months in the dead of winter so we can enjoy them nearly year round here, but they are exceptionally good right now. True, they...

Rush Presbyterian in Chicago has been refining a Virtual Integrated Practice (VIP) for the past four years.  The project has had multiple goals with the major goals noted as:   Refining the VIP intervention and implementing it over an 18 month period in four practice sites focusing on patients with diabetes type II, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and urinary incontinence.   Evaluate the efficacy of the intervention with regard to consistency, costs, patient and provider perception, selected patient indicators of health status and changes in disease specific health…

As we catch up with our PT "Whore of the Month" Club award winners, we have named the April 2008 winner below. Before we do that, I will call attention to the ongoing debate about the name of the award itself, which continues to receive much scrutiny (which we welcome) as you can see from the comments posted to the March 2008 winner. We are still not convinced that the name should be changed but appreciate that the name is not endorsed by 100% of our readers. Btw, in response to some of the comments, we have issue whatsoever in naming a female for this award since…

At first, I thought it was the greatest May fool’s joke that I have ever seen, even though May 1st isn’t till tomorrow (In feat of symbolism this is how we celebrate it in KY-one month behind everybody else). Of course I am talking about the front cover of the PT Magazine of Phys (can’t tell what else it says as some kid who is playing the wii’s head is covering the rest of the magazine title).  This is the glossy mag that accompanies our official Journal-Physical Therapy. It has been posted many times here, here, here, and here about what I will now refer as…

At Least We are #5 on Somebody's list. From the Tehran Times, Iran’s leading International Daily in an article entitled: Need a less stressful career? Here are eight secrets to work 5. Physical therapy assistant Whether giving and receiving backrubs at a massage therapy school, or practicing flexibility techniques in a physical therapy assisting program, you can learn how to help people maximize relaxation. And if you incorporate some of these exercises into your own daily routine, you could have a recipe for a tension-free workday. My favorite- help “people maximize relaxation”. I wish…

Check out the new PSAs from the US Dept. of Health and Human Services' Agency for Healthcare and Research and Quality (AHRQ), and the Ad Council.  The tag line: "Real Men Wear Gowns" is catchy.  The website link from the ads states: "Whether it’s time for you to get a blood test or that test,you’re not just doing it for yourself. You’re doing it for your family and loved ones, because Real Men Know the Facts: One in 5 American men has heart disease. One in 3 American adults has high blood pressure. Three in 4 American men are overweight. Nine in 10 lung cancer…

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Source: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Source: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Happy FRIDAY! Without further rambling let’s get to the LINKS! This first one I shall spare you the longass story about. The short version? I inexplicably became OBSESSED with how not white my teeth were about a year ago. for no apparent reason. whatsoever. Until one day I ran into a friend who remarked: the Tornado’s teeth are SO WHITE. Conundrum explained (read: I dont refer to her as my sidekick for no reason. homegurl and I are barely apart and I was staring at those blinding whites 24/7). natural solution? mightcould be here. (want naturalhomemade toothpaste? please to go…

Katheryn! Email me your address and Ill arrange your subscription!

This week’s semi-anonymous guest chef is none other than the MizFit’s sister. The MizFit’s runnercookerbabymamaEXTRAORDINAIRE sister who hath been dragged here because the recipe below *always* garners praise and needed to be shared (again) with the masses. I give you Sisterfit: I love this dish — using instant brown rice and creamy Neufchatel cheese makes an easy and fancy “mock risotto.” Substitute any vegetables you wish for the asparagus, bell pepper and mushroom or just add more. I like it as a meal and add lots of vegetables. It’s originally…

Shelley Livaudais for sprucing up the look of the MizFit. (the site, anyway.  the woman? she’s still in need of an Oprah Are You Stuck In A Time Warp makeovervention.)

for some reason the words which are clickable links are not appearing highlighted even though you can click em. please to note. thank you, MizFit Management.

Providing free AIDS drugs to people in northern Malawi has slashed adult mortality rates, vindicating a recent ramp-up in treatment in poor parts of rural Africa, researchers said on Friday.14 Rank(s)

1100 get free vaccinations; measles-case tally rises to 20Arizona Daily Star - 21 hours agoApproximately 1100 people showed up to get free MMR vaccinations Wednesday - the same day that three new cases of measles were confirmed, an official said.Pima County urges vaccinations as measles count 14 Rank(s)

Evening exercise classes at the Nirvana fitness centre in Beijing are in high demand these days as young professionals whose mothers once counted ration cards seek to stay svelte despite lavish lunches.15 Rank(s)

Shanghai DailyChina battles deadly EV-71 virusLos Angeles Times - 5 hours agoBy Ching-Ching Ni, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer BEIJING -- Chinese authorities have ordered local health officials to swiftly report all new cases of a fast-moving virus blamed for killing 28 children across the nat14 Rank(s)

Maybe Brit is turning things around. Marc Corliss, Spear's personal trainer, states that she is "training like an athlete." Corliss is one of the top personal trainers in the nation and is credited with helping many stars develop a lean and well-toned figure.2 Rank(s)

On Sunday, I had the honor of joining 5,500 runners for the recently reincarnated Eugene Marathon/Half Marathon in my hometown of Eugene, OR. Many came to “race in the footsteps of legends” of Eugene track and running stars like Steve Prefontaine, Alberto Salazar, Marla Runyan, and Mary Decker Slaney. For me, it was a chance to do some speed work up and down memory lane and join my father in our first marathon together.My Dad, Dr. Larry Dunlap, had run a few marathons back in the 70’s. In fact, his last marathon was the former Eugene Marathon (then called the Nike Marathon) over 30…

Dave Mackey set a new course record (7:53:19) with his win at the Miwok 100k this weekend, earning a slot for Western States along with frequent States-frontrunner Jon Olsen (8:24:13) and Geoff Roes from Douglas, AK (8:34:02). Mackey won Miwok back in 2005, so it isn't his first time to break the tape at that course. He has also logged a 16:30 finish at States in 2004, so he is certainly a contender. (Update - the rumor mill says that neither Mackey nor Roes can attend States this year, so just Olsen will be joining in)Kami Semick won for the third straight year in 9:15:50, with Bev Abbs…

This Monday, I had the pleasure of joining 25,000+ runners for the 112th Boston Marathon on a gorgeous sunny day. Much in thanks to running with friends and my first “costume race” (as Bleeker from the movie Juno), it was another memorable run from Hopkinton to Boston. This annual pilgrimage continues to be one of the best 26.2 mile parties around, and my fourth visit was as much fun as my first.I was greeted at my hotel with a surprise package, and it didn’t take long to figure out the gold headband, shorts and tube socks addressed to “my Bleeker” was a costume as the nerd track…

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of joining 200 ultrarunners for the hot and hilly Mount Diablo 50-miler/Marathon near Clayton, CA put on by Pacific Coast Trail Runs (PCTR). I gleefully signed up for this race thinking “steep and hot…a good early checkpoint for my Western States training”, only to grow more and more concerned as the guaranteed-to-be-deadly day imminently appeared on the calendar. My head was swimming all week long with reasons not to do this race - I’m no good with heat, a terrible climber, and my last race at the Diablo 50k pretty much scarred me for life. But we all…

This just in from RunnersWeb:DeBoom enters his first ultramarathon, choosing the nation’s toughest 100 mile trail race through the Rocky Mountains(Boulder, Colorado – April 15, 2008) – Tim DeBoom, a two-time Ironman World champion and America’s No. 1 ranked long distance triathlete, today announces his entry in the 2008 Leadville 100 trail race – a 100 mile ultramarathon through the Rocky Mountains of Leadville, Colorado. The Leadville 100 marks DeBoom’s first try at an ultramarathon and is regarded as one of the toughest annual races in the country, with runners climbing and…

Apparently I missed International Nurses' Day. Again.You know, not to take away from the Executive assistants or administrative assistants (who used to be secretaries) or teachers - but they used to get a day, now they get a week. And, there are ads on radio and in the paper for a couple of weeks before on how we shouldn't forget the important roles these people play. Now, I'm all for showing appreciation but.... when was the last time you heard anyone talking about International Nurses' Day?To tell you the truth, I'd rather not have it than to have a day that no-one knows about.I don't work…

Pop quiz:How important is dental health to your overall health?Answer:Very.The condition of your mouth is vital to your overall health. If we start with the basics, people with "bad" teeth or no teeth at all, can't eat a lot of different foods needed for good nutrition. This leads to health issues and can turn into severe health problems. Beyond the basics, bacteria that is in your mouth could enter your blood stream and cause problems with your heart.You can have oral cancer (tongue, palate, gum) and not know it until it's too late, while a dentist may be able to detect it in the earliest…

Today, May 7th, 2008, has been deemed National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. According to the web site, "Despite hitting the lowest level in 30 years, 31% of teenage girls get pregnant at least once before they reach age 20."The issue of teen pregnancy isn't always the social issue - there's also the physical component of teen pregnancy. Teens pregnancies have a higher rate of problems because they often don't get the prenatal care that would promote a healthy pregnancy.According to the March of Dimes, "A baby born to a teenage mother is at…

Do you like watching medical TV shows? I do. I know how unrealistic most of them are, especially my favourite show, House. Many nurses hate the show because of how unrealistic it is, but I figure it's pure entertainment.One argument that they bring forth is that the general public will believe what they see, but I prefer to give the public a bit more credit. I'm not a police officer, but I don't believe CSI is a true representation of what they do.What do you think?Today on Help My Hurt:Even Tiger Woods may need a tune-up now and thenNational Arthritis Month: Joint quizGuide for natural…

In an attempt to help our seniors live longer and more independently, medications may cause harm in other ways, decreasing their ability to be independent in the long run.I've written about how some medications that seniors take can increase their risk of falls because of low blood pressure or drowsiness, but this article, Commonly used medications associated with impaired physical function in older adults, describes how some other medications affect how seniors move and respond.It's a good example of how, sometimes, the cure may be worse than the actual problem. It's also a good example of…

My phone is MotoQ 9c, Windows Mobile 6, with a Sprint SERO plan with unlimited data transfer.Here are the 4 simple steps to listen to medical podcasts:1. Download the Opera Mobile browser ($24). Internet Explorer should work fine but Opera is easier to use and has a better zoom feature.2. Use Bloglines to subscribe to podcasts from you desktop/laptop.3. Open Bloglines Mobile from you phone browser. Click on the "enclosure" link in your podcast feed. The podcast mp3 file is downloaded.4. Open the file with Windows Media Player. Enjoy listening to your favorite medical podcasts on the…

Internal Medicine News reports some preliminary findings from Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC), an ongoing NHLBI-sponsored prospective epidemiologic study:"Former nondrinkers who initiated moderate alcohol consumption in middle age experienced a 38% reduction in cardiovascular events over 4 years, compared with continued nondrinkers, in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study.“The current American Heart Association guidelines state that moderate alcohol consumption at this level can be part of a healthy lifestyle, but caution that if you don't already drink, don't start.

Favicon is short for "Favourite Icon" - a tiny image seen in the URL in the address bar of the browser. It serves as a "symbol" for the site.How to Add a Favicon to the URL of a Site Hosted on Blogger.com?1. Choose or make an image.2. Increase the image contrast and color saturation. You can use a free image-editing program such as IrfanView.3. Go to www.html-kit.com/favicon to create the favicon.4. Upload the newly-created favicon to Google Pages.5. Copy the URL of the uploaded image.6. Log-in to Dashboard of your blog. Copy the code snippet shown here in the template just below the title…

Check out Grand Rounds, the weekly summary of the best posts in the medical blogosphere.Grand Rounds has become the contemporary weekly portrait of medicine through the eyes of the medical bloggers. Pre-Rounds is an article series about the hosts of Grand Rounds on Medscape.com. Nick Genes of Blogborygmi, who writes the Medscape column, is the founder of Grand Rounds and the archive host.This week's host is a plastic surgeon in Little Rock, AR who writes a blog called Suture for a Living. She mixed the posts with links and photos of Arkansas:"Arkansas actually has a diamond mine open to the…

From Allergy Notes:A research letter published in the BMJ claimed that text message reminders about asthma treatment may be "a medium to allow people to make their disease comply with their lifestyle and not the other way around."The 30 participants included in the study developed such a rapport with their virtual friend with asthma called Max that they frequently sent text messages back to him:"Yo dude, its Max reminding U2 takeur inhaler""Yep dis mornin" (Alex)"In the small study, text messaging was probably helpful in asthma management. How about emails, Twitter and Facebook reminders?This…

(3 stars)A formerly controversial high-fat diet has proved highly effective in reducing seizures in children whose epilepsy does not respond to medication, British researchers are reporting.

(4 stars)On a slick Web page, a hale, gray-haired man held a little girl's hand in a lush green field. "Adult Stem Cell Therapy. New Hope. New Life," the page beckoned, encouraging heart patients to plunk down $35,000 to travel to Bangkok, Thailand—for an unproven treatment.

(1 star)Leukemia patients might be better-equipped to make difficult decisions thanks to new research that shows differences between those who will do well with standard chemotherapy and those who need more-aggressive treatment.

(2 stars)If it weren't for Ethan Priddy's bionic ears, he might never have built a robot. At least that's what his mother, Glenda Beckham, said.

(3 stars)A rare form of blindness inched closer to a cure, after two groups published preliminary studies on replacing the bad gene that causes the condition. The results are likely to boost the prospects of gene therapy, a technique that shows promise but has yet to prove it can be used to cure many diseases.

Oops ... here's another PPD event this weekend that I didn't even know about.  So if you can't make it to Rhode Island or Long Island, but you're anywhere near Chicagoland, try this one on for size: Tomorrow, Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. the Alexian Brothers Hospital Network will be holding its Annual 1-Mile Walk for Postpartum Depression Prevention and Awareness. The walk, in cooperation with the Schaumburg Park District, will take place at Volkening Lake, 900 West Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg.

Warrior Chicks -- please head on over to the Hope Feels Good blog and tell this mom who is suffering that you are with her.  We all need to be there for each other because no one understands like we do.

A U.S. psychologist said a study of fathers who suffer postpartum depression suggests the condition can hurt child development.  James Paulson of Eastern Virginia Medical School said 10 percent of fathers with 9-month-old children suffered from clinical depression, compared with 5 percent of other men the same age, USA Today reported Wednesday.  The study involved 4,500 new fathers.  Paulson said depressed fathers read less to their children than did fathers who weren't depressed. By the time the children were 2 years old, those who had depressed fathers had somewhat smaller…

Postpartum Support International of Washington and the Council for Children & Families will host "Postpartum Mood Disorders: A Community Discussion of PPMDs" on June 12th from 10:30am to 5pm at the Downtown Spokane Public Library.  Presentations will include information on the cultural implications of PPMDs, the importance of early assessment and diagnosis, and the wellness model of treating PPMDs.  All are welcome.  The event is free and lunch will be provided.  To RSVP, email wcpcan@wcpcan.wa.gov.  

Just a reminder ... If you're anywhere near Rhode Island this Saturday, the Stepping Out of the Darkness 5k and 2 mile road race will be held at Slater Memorial Park in Pawtucket. The walk is at 9am and the 5k road race is at 9:30am.  The race will support the Women's & Infants Hospital Day Program for postpartum mood disorder sufferers.  And, if you're anywhee near Long Island, the Sounds of Silence Foundation for the Awareness of Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression's 1st Annual 5k Run/Walk/Stroller Walk will also be held this Saturday at 9am at Jones Beach State Park in…