Just like people, dogs sometimes need a blood transfusion and rely on donors to help
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/dog-blood-donors-in-great-demand/
Friday, November 13, 2015
Kitchen Utensils Can Spread Bacteria, Study Finds
Expert advises washing knives, peelers between each use on different types of produce
From: http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/food-poisoning/20151112/kitchen-utensils-can-spread-bacteria-study-finds?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Mayo Clinic Minute: Belly Fat Danger Revealed
From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAR7FgTroiQ
First Uterus Transplant Planned in U.S.
Innovative procedure would potentially allow infertile recipients to become pregnant
From: http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/news/20151113/first-uterus-transplant-planned-in-us?src=RSS_PUBLIC
As Rx Prices Rise, More Say Meds Are Affordable
Medications are becoming more expensive for the sickest people, but at the same time, they’ve never been more affordable for the majority of Americans. How is that possible? WebMD explains.
From: http://www.webmd.com/news/20151113/prescription-drugs-cost-insurance?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Cleveland Clinic plans first U.S. uterus transplants
The procedure would give infertile women the potential to become pregnant
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cleveland-clinic-plans-first-u-s-uterus-transplants/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cleveland-clinic-plans-first-u-s-uterus-transplants/
Victoria's Secret perfume works as mosquito repellent
How did the flowery scent compare to DEET-based and "natural" sprays?
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/eau-de-repellent-victorias-secret-perfume-turns-off-mosquitoes/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/eau-de-repellent-victorias-secret-perfume-turns-off-mosquitoes/
Life with Diabetes in Syria
I am the oldest among five siblings. I was a third-year medical student when my 9-year-old brother M. was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) back home in our native Syria. It was very traumatizing event, and it triggered my interest in becoming a pediatric endocrinologist.
Today M. is 20 years old. He still lives in Syria. Even before the war started, getting good diabetes care was a struggle due to the lack of resources. For example, the only insulin available was NPH, regular and occasionally Lantus. There were very few insulin pumps available. Children with T1D were cared for by adult endocrinologists because there were no pediatric endocrinologists in the whole country. There were no diabetes educators, dietitians, psychologists or social workers. On the bright side, the Syrian government provided insulin for free, and people with diabetes had to pay only for supplies such as insulin pen needles and BG testing supplies.
This is my family’s apartment after it was hit by the air forces. Thankfully, my family members were not in it when that happened, so no one was injured.
When the war started, safety became a huge issue on top of the lack of supplies. After a chemical weapon attack, my family moved out of the city to hide in the capital, Damascus. M. was stopped by the military checkpoints several times on the road to get his insulin. Now he has to walk for about four hours every month, risking his life to get his life-saving insulin. On top of this, insulin became extremely expensive after the war.
Unfortunately, M. can’t afford to see the adult endocrinologist. Even if he could, it would be extremely unsafe due to the doctor’s location. So I help M. with his diabetes care from afar. I try to address his questions the best I can. But due to the time difference, he ends up with no help most of the time.
M. holds the expired insulin he is using now.
About a year ago, M. developed a bad rash; after investigating extensively, we found out it was from the expired insulin he has been using. He has been using expired insulin—the only insulin available—for at least 12 months now. He gets Lantus occasionally from Lebanon through one of his friends who crosses the borders every three or four months.
About eight months ago, M. stopped reporting his blood glucose levels to me! He said he forgot to check his BG because he was busy in school. Later, I found out that M. was not able to buy glucose test strips because they were so expensive. Now with the financial support I send to M., he can afford to check—but only once or twice a day. There are no ketones strips either, so I worry even more when he has a fever or gets a cold!
M. is going through lots of challenges. Our dad, who was a great high school teacher, passed away in June of this year. That brought great hardship on our family. Now M. is taking care of our mother and two younger sisters. And there are no support services in Syria to help him out.
Despite all the obstacles, M.’s last A1C was 7.9. He finished his first year of college, studying engineering with excellent scores. He is optimistic his situation will get better someday, and he hopes that one day he will be able to use an insulin pump to have a better, more flexible lifestyle.
This World Diabetes Day, think about the plight of people with diabetes all over the globe. When you live in a country with a strong health care system such as the United States, it’s easy to forget how many people still struggle to find the most basic medical care. People with T1D need insulin and testing supplies to manage their disease every single day. They deserve to have easy, affordable access to these things that literally keep them alive, plus treatment from health care professionals. These aren’t luxuries, they are necessities.
As a physician, my goal is to provide the best care to people with diabetes—not only in the community where I live now, but all over the world. I traveled abroad to get the best training, and one day I hope to return to Syria to practice endocrinology. I want the best medical care for everyone, and I wish to be part of the solution in the places that need the most help.
I hope that by telling my story and my brother’s story, I can make a small difference in the world.
Mouhammad is a Pediatric Endocrinology Fellow who practices outside of Syria. His full name and his brother’s name have been withheld to avoid any negative repercussions for the family in Syria.
Insulin for Life USA (IFL-USA) is a 501(c)3 organization whose purpose is to provide free-of-charge insulin and disease management supplies to people with diabetes around the world who otherwise would go without these life-saving provisions. The American Diabetes Association supports IFL-USA’s efforts to collect in-date, unopened supplies from individuals or organizations in the United States and, following careful inspection, deliver them to developing countries to be used by those in need. Learn more at http://ifl-usa.org.
From: American Diabetes Association http://diabetesstopshere.org/2015/11/13/life-with-diabetes-in-syria/
Kidney Woes Tied to Raised Cancer Risk
Dialysis, organ transplant may boost odds for certain types of cancer
From: http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20151112/kidney-woes-tied-to-raised-cancer-risk-study-finds?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Survey Method Change May Explain Autism Rate Jump
The number differs based on new questions parents were asked about their children
From: http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/news/20151113/cdc-child-autism-rate-now-1-in-45-after-survey-method-changes?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Harden to Lead USDA Sub-Saharan Africa Trade Mission
WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2015 – Leaders from five state departments of agriculture and 26 U.S. agribusinesses and organizations will accompany Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden on a mission to sub-Saharan Africa Nov. 16 to Nov. 20, to expand export opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products in that market.
From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2015/11/0312.xml&contentidonly=true
From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2015/11/0312.xml&contentidonly=true
Kitchen Utensils Can Spread Bacteria, Study Finds
Expert advises washing knives, peelers between each use on different types of produce
From: http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/20151112/kitchen-utensils-can-spread-bacteria-study-finds?src=RSS_PUBLIC
What Level of Vitamin D Promotes Heart Health?
Though it is lower than traditionally thought, many people still deficient, researchers say
From: http://www.webmd.com/heart/news/20151112/scientists-pinpoint-what-level-of-vitamin-d-promotes-heart-health?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Rings and pacifiers: Health gadgets get creative
"Wellness computers" that monitor your pulse, temperature and other health indicators are becoming increasingly varied
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/rings-and-pacifiers-health-gadgets-get-creative/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/rings-and-pacifiers-health-gadgets-get-creative/
SpaghettiOs recalled over possible choking hazard
Thousands of cans are being recalled after bits of plastic got into the food
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/campbell-soup-co-recalls-spaghettios-over-possible-choking-hazard/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/campbell-soup-co-recalls-spaghettios-over-possible-choking-hazard/
Couple: Birth control mix-up led to two unwanted pregnancies
After having a miscarriage, Kristie and Armando Granado decided another pregnancy was too risky
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/couple-birth-control-mix-up-led-to-two-unwanted-pregnancies/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/couple-birth-control-mix-up-led-to-two-unwanted-pregnancies/
1 in 45 kids may have autism spectrum disorders, study shows
A new report suggests autism may be more common than we thought
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/1-in-45-kids-may-have-autism-spectrum-disorders-study-shows/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/1-in-45-kids-may-have-autism-spectrum-disorders-study-shows/
The very high cost of very low cholesterol
You have probably heard about the new cholesterol-lowering drugs Praluent and Repatha, approved by the FDA within the last few weeks. Maybe you’ve even begun taking one of them yourself.
These drugs are miraculous in their ability to lower LDL (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), the type that leads to heart disease. But this power comes at a great price — literally. Both drugs come at a yearly cost of around $14,600 per year.
The ripple effect of sky-high drug prices
Of course, people taking these drugs may not pay the full cost themselves — that will fall to their insurance company. Exactly how much a person would have to pay out of pocket depends on his or her particular health insurance plan, but many people could end up footing a considerable part of the bill. So, if your doctor prescribes one of these drugs for you, it is important to check with your insurance company about coverage before you start taking it.
But the prices of these drugs could still affect you, even if you don’t personally take one of them. If enough people enrolled in your particular health plan are prescribed one of these drugs, the total cost to your insurer could be high enough to trigger an increase in everyone’s premium.
The high price of the new cholesterol drugs is not unique. New drugs for hepatitis C, arthritis, and cancer (so-called “specialty drugs”) are also quite expensive, and together they are straining health care budgets — and offsetting the savings gained by the use of low-cost generic drugs.
Why are the new cholesterol drugs — and other specialty drugs — so expensive? In the U.S., drug companies can set prices based on whatever the market will bear. Unlike Canada and Europe, the U.S. government cannot set drug price controls, so our drug prices are usually higher than prices for the same drugs in those regions.
In fact, a new report from the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER), which analyzes the cost-effectiveness of new drugs, concluded that the cost of the new cholesterol drugs is way too high. ICER recommends a yearly price tag of $2,177.
What to do about the new cholesterol drug prices
While we don’t yet have proof that the new cholesterol lowering drugs will actually reduce rates of heart disease, for people who have an uncommon genetic form of high cholesterol (called familial hypercholesterolemia, or FH), they are a godsend. But for people who have the more common form of high cholesterol, there are other, much less costly options that should be tried first. Dietary change and regular exercise can help to bring cholesterol levels down, and inexpensive (generic) statin therapy remains the drug treatment of choice. A drug called ezetimibe (Zetia) may be added to a statin if the statin by itself is not completely effective.
Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have both proposed legislation to control drug costs, but it is unlikely that such laws will be passed anytime soon. Until then, consumers need to be mindful of the prices of the drugs that doctors prescribe for them. Often, there are less expensive alternatives that should be considered first.
To learn more about the latest advances in lowering cholesterol watch our webcast Rethinking Cholesterol.
Related Posts:
The post The very high cost of very low cholesterol appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
From: Gregory Curfman, MD http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-very-high-cost-of-very-low-cholesterol-201511138591
Latest autism numbers may not add up
CDC issues another estimate of number of kids with the disorder, but it differs significantly with that of a leading advocacy group
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/latest-autism-numbers-may-not-add-up/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/latest-autism-numbers-may-not-add-up/
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