According to health officials, approximately 14,000 women will die this year in the United States from ovarian cancer
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/new-blood-test-for-ovarian-cancer-could-save-lives/
Thursday, December 17, 2015
British teeth may be getting a bad rap
It's often the butt of jokes, but is British dental care really any worse than America's?
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/british-teeth-may-be-getting-a-bad-rap/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/british-teeth-may-be-getting-a-bad-rap/
Do you know the treatment options for colon cancer?
For colon cancer, there are more treatment options available than ever. WebMD explains some of the options you should ask your doctor about.
From: http://www.webmd.com/colorectal-cancer/features/colon-cancer-treatment-what-you-need-to-know?src=RSS_PUBLIC
8 Other Reasons Women Take Birth Control Pills (Besides Preventing Pregnancy)
Birth control pills can do more than prevent pregnancy. There are other reasons women take oral contraceptives.
From: http://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/features/other-reasons-to-take-the-pill?src=RSS_PUBLIC
UV Robots Zap Hospital Germs - Mayo Clinic
From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hiqPUXeAgk
Most Cancers Stem From Avoidable Things
Most cases of cancer are due to things some people can avoid, rather than to chance or inheritance, a new study in the journal Nature suggests.
From: http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20151217/cancers-avoidable?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Psoriatic arthritis -- What's it like to live with it?
Psoriatic arthritis can be a confounding illness for those who have it -- and those who don't. Six people who live with it tell WebMD what they wish others knew.
From: http://www.webmd.com/arthritis/psoriatic-arthritis/features/psoriatic_arthritis-what-you-need-to-know-from-those-who-do?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Scientists Link Brain Chemical to Autism
GABA inhibits excitability between cells in central nervous system
From: http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/news/20151217/scientists-link-brain-chemical-to-autism?src=RSS_PUBLIC
New Mammogram Screening Guidelines FAQ
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is recommending that women who aren't at high risk of breast cancer start getting mammograms at age 50, a decade later than previously recommended. Experts answer questions about the new mammogram guidelines.
From: http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/features/new-mammogram-screening-guidelines-faq?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Blood test for ovarian cancer may save lives
Large study is the first to find an effective method of screening for an often deadly form of cancer
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ovarian-cancer-blood-test-saves-lives-study-finds/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ovarian-cancer-blood-test-saves-lives-study-finds/
Why I Give: George’s Story
During the holiday season, the American Diabetes Association® encourages people to share their story on why they give to our mission. Whether it’s through local events, planned giving, one-time donations or in memory of a loved one, these gifts go a long way in helping us save lives and continue the search for a cure.
The following are stories from our generous supporters and organizations that have donated or fundraised on our behalf throughout the years.
Audra on the cover of “Children with Diabetes”
My name is George “Stoney” Pavlik and I have had a long-lasting relationship with diabetes and the American Diabetes Association.
At the age of 7, my daughter Audra was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. As her condition deteriorated throughout her college years, she had kidney failure. Although I donated a kidney to her on her 26th birthday to extend her life, she passed away from long-term complications in 2012 at the age of 34.
After Audra developed diabetes, she and I were invited to participate in an Association publication. She was the cover girl of the 1986 edition of “Children with Diabetes” and photographed many times for other Association publications. This was our first of many experiences with the Association.
Later, I became an active member of—and am now serving as a current international officer (Supreme Royal Patron) in—the Order of the Amaranth, a Masonic-affiliated organization whose philanthropic project is the American Diabetes Association Research Foundation (ADARF). Having served earlier as President of the Amaranth Diabetes Foundation (ADF), I have worked closely with the Association with our fundraising efforts and the administration of the funds raised by the ADF for the ADARF. Our support has amounted to nearly $15 million since 1979. This is truly an amazing accomplishment.
As President of the ADF Board, I attended the Association’s 73rd Scientific Sessions conference in 2013, in Chicago, and saw first-hand the remarkable assembly of researchers from across the world working to find the cures for diabetes. It was an honor meeting with the researchers that our contributions have supported and exciting to see several of them at their research facilities.
I hope my story can inspire others to help support the Association’s research programs. The rise of diabetes diagnoses is destined to become a medical tsunami. I call diabetes a “gateway disease” because it opens the door to such a wide variety of life-threatening complications. This is why we need to solve the riddle very soon. What individuals with diabetes used to brush aside as “a little bit of sugar” has to be recognized as “a whole lot of trouble.” If diabetes overcomes our medical community, we are all in trouble.
Children are the focus of this holiday season. With the current rise in the number of children being diagnosed with diabetes so early in life, would not a cure for diabetes be the gift of life for a child who is at risk? My daughter spent her seventh Christmas in the hospital, being diagnosed with diabetes! I know the heartbreak of a parent of a child who suffers with diabetes, and I want to spare this experience for others. I still cry over her loss.
As a result of my daughter’s experiences and my involvement with the Association, I along with all of the members of the Order of the Amaranth continue our dedication to help fund research programs. Through our fundraising and information-sharing we are dedicated to finding the cure for diabetes so that others may be saved from the ravages of this disease.
We hope you’re inspired by George’s story as much as we are. Please take a moment now to make a generous year-end gift to change the future of diabetes. Your donation, no matter what size, will help us fund cutting-edge research and also allow us to advocate for billions of dollars of federal government research and provide community-based programs to help people across the U.S. live healthier lives today.
Visit diabetes.org/donate to help make a difference.
From: American Diabetes Association http://diabetesstopshere.org/2015/12/17/why-i-give-george/
Colgate Total Encourages the Diabetes Community to Keep Laughing
Understanding how challenging managing diabetes can sometimes be, the funny and talented performer Joey Fatone lead the “30 Days of Laughter” campaign to remind people that sometimes laughter can feel like the best medicine. “When my father was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, our family was shocked. But we’re a big, loving group and we all help him together every day. I know that humor in the face of challenges is vital and I’m excited to share that with other families touched by diabetes.”
Are you a sucker for selfies? So are we! mySugr aims to “make diabetes suck less.” They recently launched the Monster Selfie app to help create moments of laughter that are captured on camera and can be instantly shared with friends. Next time you snap a selfie, share the screen with a monster to show your support for friends with diabetes.
Managing diabetes can be extremely challenging, but as they say – laughter can be the best medicine. Using the hashtag #30DaysofLOL, we hope that you’ll LOL once or twice and maybe even create something of your own to share!
It’s not only important to manage your health, but to do so with a smile. Please learn more about this issue, share the info with the people you love, and help them keep smiling.
From: American Diabetes Association http://diabetesstopshere.org/2015/12/17/colgate-total-encourages-laughing/
Type 1 Diabetes Rising in Kids; Reasons Unknown
And study found that more are developing kidney problems as a result of their disease
From: http://www.webmd.com/children/news/20151217/more-us-kids-have-type-1-diabetes-but-researchers-dont-know-why?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Type 2 Diabetes May Raise Women's Dementia Risk
Expert recommends aggressive screening for females
From: http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/news/20151217/type-2-diabetes-may-raise-dementia-risk-especially-in-women-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC
How to Treat and Prevent an MS Flare-Up
Learn from WebMD how to avoid MS symptom flare-ups and treat them when they do happen.
From: http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/features/flare-ups?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Science magazine unveils "Breakthrough of the Year"
This groundbreaking technology nudged out NASA's Pluto mission for first place
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/science-magazine-announces-breakthrough-of-the-year/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/science-magazine-announces-breakthrough-of-the-year/
Industry-funded clinical trials on the rise
Industry-funded clinical trials are on the rise as government-funded clinical trials decrease
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/industry-funded-clinical-trials-on-the-rise/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/industry-funded-clinical-trials-on-the-rise/
What Are the Side Effects of Multiple Sclerosis Drugs?
There are several drugs for multiple sclerosis on the market, each with their own benefits -- and also their own side effects. WebMD explains to expect from different medicines, and what you can do about them.
From: http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/features/ms-side-effects?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Toothlessness a Clue to Deadly Heart Disease?
Researchers can't be certain gum disease is the culprit
From: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/news/20151217/toothlessness-a-clue-to-deadly-heart-disease?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Annual Ovarian Cancer Blood Test May Save Lives
Analyzing results over time can detect harmful changes, study suggests
From: http://www.webmd.com/ovarian-cancer/news/20151217/annual-blood-test-might-help-prevent-deaths-from-ovarian-cancer?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Secret Santa or a Grinch? Brain Scans May Tell
Research suggests a 'Christmas spirit' nerve network in certain areas of the brain
From: http://www.webmd.com/balance/news/20151216/are-you-a-secret-santa-or-a-grinch-brain-scans-may-tell?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Are British Teeth Really Worse Than U.S. Teeth?
Study finds the English may actually have slightly better dental health
From: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/news/20151216/are-british-teeth-really-worse-than-american-teeth?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Heart Disease Now Kills 1 of Every 3 Americans
Heart attack and stroke are leading causes of death worldwide, too, report finds
From: http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20151216/heart-disease-now-kills-1-of-every-3-americans?src=RSS_PUBLIC
High schools listen to scientists, let teens sleep in
More school districts across the country are adopting later start times to help teens' health
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/high-schools-adopting-later-start-times-letting-teens-sleep/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/high-schools-adopting-later-start-times-letting-teens-sleep/
Trader Joe's recalls exploding bottles of Ginger Brew
The California company gives customers information on how to dispose of recalled beverage
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/trader-joes-recalls-exploding-bottles-of-triple-ginger-brew/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/trader-joes-recalls-exploding-bottles-of-triple-ginger-brew/
Can computer-guided cognitive behavioral therapy improve depression treatment?
In the United States, depression is the top cause of disability, but only 21% of patients diagnosed with major depression get treatment that meets the guidelines of the American Psychiatric Association. Of people seeking depression treatment, those who’d like to be treated with live psychotherapy outnumber those who’d like to be treated with medication three to one, but those who want live therapy often don’t receive it. Access to psychotherapy is limited by the number of professionals in one’s region, cost, and logistics — not to mention stigma. And when people do get therapy, therapists may not provide care that is evidence-based.
One way to get high-quality psychotherapy to people who need it is to automate and computerize the treatment process and deliver it through websites and apps. This could potentially offer guidelines-based treatment to anyone, anywhere, anytime, at a modest cost. Stand-alone computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (CCBT) has been found to be effective for the treatment of depression, and is already available from a few entities. But it’s still not known how much, if at all, CCBT would improve treatment of depression in primary care, so a group of researchers in the United Kingdom recently tested the advantages of adding CCBT to standard treatment. They randomly assigned 691 people with depression into three different groups. One group received standard care, and the others received standard care plus one of two online CCBT programs.
Comparing CCBT with standard care for depression
As it turns out, standard depression treatment in UK primary care centers is quite good. Citizens are routinely offered antidepressant medications, psychotherapy, and access to community mental health teams, psychologists, psychiatrists, and counselors — a range of resources seldom available in US primary care practices.
There was a lot of crossover between the study groups. In the “standard care” group, 19% ended up using CCBT even though they weren’t specifically assigned to that treatment. Between 77% and 84% of all three groups used medication to treat their depression, and “live” mental health specialists were seen by 17% of one and 24% of the other CCBT group.
Against this backdrop — with many participants in the CCBT groups also receiving mental health specialty treatment and 19% of the standard-practice group receiving CCBT — no significant difference in depression treatment results was found. However, in the US, the findings may have been very different, considering the limited array of mental health resources in most primary care clinics.
It would be most interesting, and more important, to know the benefit of using CCBT for patients who receive nothing else — no medication and no access to mental health specialists. It’s for these patients that CCBT might be the most beneficial.
Challenges in getting people to use CCBT for depression treatment
Both of the CCBT websites had been tested in previous clinical trials and both had been found to be effective treatments — but they’re only helpful if people use them. Even though the two stand-alone CCBT websites were designed to be used over either 6 or 8 “sessions,” most people only used them once or twice, even though the study provided reminder calls to the participants. People with depression can experience fatigue, impaired concentration, and feelings of hopelessness. Getting them to consistently use CCBT websites on their own schedule is a challenge — even if these programs might be helpful in the end. More structure may be needed to keep people using CCBT.
What’s the take-home? The biggest challenge isn’t building a CCBT program that works; it’s building one that people will use. Just as you need to entertain before you can educate, any CCBT program needs to be extremely engaging to users — and to provide immediate value from the first session. And, although the treatment-anywhere-anytime concept is alluring, relying on people to schedule CCBT themselves on their own time, in their own homes, may lead to high levels of drop-off; after all, you can always get around to it later.
Related Posts:
The post Can computer-guided cognitive behavioral therapy improve depression treatment? appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
From: James Cartreine, PhD http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/comptuer-guided-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-can-it-improve-depression-treatment-in-primary-care-201512178856
VA makes "historic move" for vets who want robotic legs
Department of Veterans Affairs reportedly makes change that could allow scores of paralyzed veterans to walk again
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/va-robotic-legs-paralyzed-veterans/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/va-robotic-legs-paralyzed-veterans/
Study shows method that cuts ovarian cancer death rate by 20 percent
Researchers found that a simple blood test combined with an ultrasound reduces the risk of dying from the disease by 20 percent
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/study-shows-method-that-cuts-ovarian-cancer-death-rate-by-20-percent/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/study-shows-method-that-cuts-ovarian-cancer-death-rate-by-20-percent/
Living with Diabetes in College: Hannah
For young adults living with diabetes, preparing for college can be a difficult time. Managing diabetes while trying to make sense of a new world, social network and expectations can be especially challenging. You’re not alone! There are many resources in place to help support this transition.
The following are stories shared by College Diabetes Network (CDN) Students, involved in CDN’s Student Advisory Committee (SAC), about their experiences heading off to college, and navigating life on campus, with diabetes.
The College Diabetes Network provides programs for young adults with diabetes to help make their college experience safer and more successful. The American Diabetes Association is working with CDN to help further this goal.
Name and age: Hannah, 20
School: Simmons College (Boston), Class of 2017
My parents and health care team were incredibly helpful with my transition to college. They allowed me to become more and more independent in the years preceding college. I’m now a junior, and my mom still texts me often about how my blood glucose levels are and brings me supplies to my cross-country meets. I know I have the option to go to both of my parents if I have any problems, because we have kept an open line of communication from the start.
My diabetes educator provided me with a lot of take-home information packets about handling sick days, how to approach my school’s health center and so on. She also gave me paperwork so I was able to go get my A1C test done during the first semester. Being honest with your health care team and parents is one of the most important aspects of having an easier transition to college. In no way is it easy to leave the comfort of your home and familiarity of your schedule and food choices. But having a support system, remaining honest about your health and being patient with the overall transition to college will be helpful in the long run.
Simmons College is in the heart of the Longwood Medical Area in Boston, so I always have the option to visit a number of hospitals. I have gone to my school’s disability services and gotten accommodations through them if I happen to have diabetes issues during my classes—like a pump malfunction, or needing to treat low blood glucose.
And while my education is priority, I still try to stay active with the diabetes community as a whole. I participated in (and tracked my blood glucose the whole time during) a 150-mile bike ride from Woburn, Massachusetts, to the University of New England in Maine two summers ago. I also have attended Camp Carefree in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, for the last 11 summers in varying roles from camper to counselor. I have tried to stay active because I always meet so many amazing people with diabetes who inspire me to continue to aim higher in all my goals. It’s also a great opportunity to learn from others, to learn about products for people with diabetes and to learn how to educate others about what it is like to live with diabetes in college today.
We also recently started our CDN chapter at Simmons. The whole process of meeting up with fellow students with diabetes to establish this group has been amazing. As our school is primarily health science-focused, we want to provide more sessions in which we can educate people on what it is like to live every day with diabetes, especially in college. Personally, I want to get more information out to students, faculty and beyond about the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. There is a lack of knowledge on this subject and it can be frustrating to feel stereotyped. Another goal our chapter has is to work with school staff to make nutritional values more readily available with dining hall food. That way, students with diabetes can give more accurate amounts of insulin for meals or snacks—and all people eating there can make better food choices.
Being involved in the student community is a great time for people to get to know me. The first fact people learn about me is that I have type 1 diabetes. The next fact they learn is the difference between the types of diabetes. I have had type 1 since I was 2, so I am very comfortable talking about it and I find it a great way to educate others. Most of my friends and my roommate, upon finding out about my diabetes, were very curious and wanted to know about when I was diagnosed, what I have to do every day to maintain my blood glucose and what my range is. Their questions have been ongoing since I met most of them my first year at school, and it warms my heart to know how curious they are and how much they care about my health. As for my professors, I don’t immediately tell them unless I find it necessary.
Recently, I have had more peers with type 1 diabetes approach me on how to handle the transition to college. This is very new to me because I used to be the one who felt overwhelmed! Now I am a resource to younger students with increasing opportunities to lead discussions on type 1 diabetes with people all around campus.
Before heading out to college, I do wish I had been more familiar with using a continuous glucose monitor. I have had one for a few years but avoided using it due to the intense application process and the inflexibility for the rotation of sites. In hindsight, I realize these cons don’t outweigh the benefits of wearing the CGM. Being able to watch trends on a CGM is highly beneficial during a busy day of classes.
As an incoming college student, you will probably have a lot of questions. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, have fun and make good choices! Whether it’s to your doctor or a support group online or a friend with diabetes, it’s better to ask than to be left wondering. College will bring a lot of new experiences, and diabetes doesn’t need to limit all you want to do. Go out to dinner with your friends, get pizza at 11 p.m. (not too often, though—everything in moderation!), join the dance team or student government.
College will be some of the best and most challenging years of your life. It goes by fast, so have fun, be yourself and get out of your comfort zone every once in a while!
The College Diabetes Network (CDN) is a 501c3 non-profit organization, whose mission is to use the power of peers, access to resources, and grassroots leadership to fill the gaps experienced by young adults with diabetes and make their college experience safer and more successful. CDN’s vision is to empower young adults with diabetes to thrive in all of their personal, healthcare, and scholastic endeavors. CDN has over 80 campuses with 60+ affiliated chapters.
Diabetes Forecast magazine and the College Diabetes Network recently published a “Thrive Guide for Young Adults” with tips for doing college with diabetes. Visit diabetesforecast.org and diabetes.org for more information.
From: American Diabetes Association http://diabetesstopshere.org/2015/12/17/diabetes-in-college-hannah/
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