Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Doctors get ready for massive medical coding expansion

Thousands of new, more precise billing codes will be implemented on October 1; here's what it all means

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/doctors-offices-get-ready-for-massive-medical-coding-expansion/

Survival rates for very early babies improve, slightly

Two factors are helping improve the odds for the tiniest infants born up to four months early

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/survival-rates-for-extremely-premature-babies-improving-slightly/

Boy suffers brain damage after termite fumigation

Family says Florida boy is struggling to recover from brain damage after family's home was treated for termites

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/family-says-boy-suffered-brain-damage-after-home-fumigation/

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Joins Key Leaders from American Academy of Pediatrics and Pew Charitable Trusts to Call on Congress to Reauthorize Strong Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act during Remarks at National Press Club

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2015 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today delivered remarks at the National Press Club encouraging Congress to act quickly to reauthorize a strong Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act and support the ongoing success of the healthier meals now being served in schools across the country. Vilsack was joined by American Academy of Pediatrics President Dr. Sandra Hassink, MD, FAAP, and Jessica Donze Black, director of child nutrition at the Pew Charitable Trusts.

From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2015/09/0246.xml&contentidonly=true

Could Psychedelic Drugs Be Good Medicine for Some?

Experts say choice depends on individual patient,

Preliminary research suggests potential benefits for psychiatric disorders, substance abuse



From: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/news/20150908/could-psychedelic-drugs-be-good-medicine-for-some?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Diabetes a Concern for Half of Americans

Allentown, PA

Half of Americans have diabetes or are well on their way to getting it, a new study estimates. WebMD has the details.



From: http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/news/20150908/diabetes-prediabetes-americans?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Heroin addiction strikes in unexpected places

Use among 18- to 25-year-olds has more than doubled, leaving families and communities struggling to cope

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/families-open-up-about-the-changing-face-of-heroin-addiction/

Mayo Clinic Campuses Distinguished for Care of Pancreas Disorders



From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO72kLauH8I

USDA Awards over $8 Million to Support Healthier Foods in Schools and Child Care Centers

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be awarding over $8 million in grants to help school nutrition professionals better prepare healthy meals for their students. Approximately $2.6 million dollars in grants will support implementation of new national professional standards for all school nutrition employees who manage and operate the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, and $5.6 million will go to help states expand and enhance food service training programs and provide nutrition education in school, child care, and summer meal settings.

From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2015/09/0245.xml&contentidonly=true

The new face of heroin addiction

Families are opening up about the impact of heroin abuse, which has more than doubled among young people, including women, in recent years

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/the-new-face-of-heroin-addiction/

Trying E-Cigarettes May Lead to Smoking, Study Suggests

But e-cigarettes continue to rise in popularity,

Surveys of teens, young adults detect correlation



From: http://teens.webmd.com/news/20150908/trying-e-cigarettes-may-lead-to-smoking-study-suggests?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Mom shares first photos of surviving conjoined twin

Amber McCullough thanked all those who have supported her family; last month she gave birth to conjoined twin girls, only one of whom survived

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mom-shares-photo-of-surviving-conjoined-twin/

"Being black can be bad for your health"

Dr. Damon Tweedy explores his experience as one of the nation's few black doctors in a new book, and calls Ben Carson a "role model"

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/dr-damon-tweedy-race-medicine-new-book-black-man-in-a-white-coat/

Is your child ready for a smartphone?

A pediatrician weighs in on this familiar back-to-school dilemma; how to know when a kid is ready and what limits to set

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/is-your-child-ready-for-a-smartphone/

Getting The Word Out: Obamacare Is For Native Americans Too

Many Native Americans rely entirely on free care from the financially strapped Indian Health Service. Advocates say signing up for coverage under the Affordable Care Act can broaden their choices.



From: http://www.webmd.com/health-insurance/20150908/getting-the-word-out-obamacare-is-for-native-americans-too?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Siblings Now Main Source of Infants' Whooping Cough: CDC

Early study looked at newborns who were losing

A change from past years, when Mom posed the biggest risk of infection



From: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20150907/siblings-now-main-source-of-infants-whooping-cough-cdc?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Sleep Apnea May Hurt Kids' Grades

But other lifestyle factors also influence weight

Children with snoring or other irregular nighttime breathing need evaluation, experts say



From: http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/news/20150908/sleep-apnea-may-hurt-kids-grades?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Teens Using E-Cigarettes to 'Vape' Pot, Survey Finds

Devices may serve as gateway to tobacco use,

But researchers don't know how the kids are modifying the devices to get high



From: http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/news/20150907/teens-using-e-cigarettes-to-vape-pot-survey-finds?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Psychopaths May Not Yawn Along With You

Flexible start times, less late-night TV would

Not responding to this normally 'contagious' cue might signal a lack of empathy, researchers suggest



From: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20150904/psychopaths-may-not-yawn-along-with-you?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Sleep apnea may hurt kids' grades

Study suggests common sleep disorder may make it harder to children to pay attention in school and do their best on exams

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sleep-apnea-may-hurt-kids-grades/