Oral health: A window to your overall health

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mayoclinic.org%2Fhealthy-lifestyle%2Fadult-health%2Fin-depth%2Fdental%2Fart-20047475&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Authorities brace for Zika virus in U.S.

Dr. Jon LaPook and Dr. Holly Phillips discuss the growing threat of the Zika virus in the U.S., a new study on childhood obesity and why you should draw to remember a list of objects

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fvideos%2Fauthorities-brace-for-zika-virus-in-u-s%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Public health officials waiting on Zika funds

Millions more will need to be spent on Zika to prevent its spread

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fpublic-health-officials-waiting-on-zika-funds%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Communities plead for more money to fight Zika

Houston and surrounding communities are already spending $4 million a year on mosquito control

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fvideos%2Fcommunities-plead-for-more-money-to-fight-zika%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Hazard communications updates due June 1

Employers have until June 1 to update their written hazard communication programs and any alternative workplace labeling as well as provide additional employee training for newly identified physical or health hazards.


From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ada.org%2Fen%2Fpublications%2Fada-news%2F2016-archive%2Fmay%2Fhazard-communications-updates-due-june-1&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Amalgam separator rule delayed until December

The Environmental Protection Agency has told the ADA that it will delay releasing a final amalgam separator rule until December.


From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ada.org%2Fen%2Fpublications%2Fada-news%2F2016-archive%2Fmay%2Famalgam-separator-rule-delayed-until-december&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Today's Hair Style Could Cause Hair Loss Tomorrow

Black women who prefer scalp-pulling hairdos seem especially at risk, study indicates

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fskin-problems-and-treatments%2Fhair-loss%2Fnews%2F20160429%2Ftodays-hair-style-could-cause-tomorrows-hair-loss%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

16 Breakfasts Kids Will Love

With hectic mornings, it’s easy to skimp on breakfast. Check out WebMD's tasty, healthy options your kids (and you!) won’t be able to resist.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fparenting%2Ffeatures%2Fhealthy-breakfast-ideas%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Statement on attacks on medical facilities and personnel in Syria

UNICEF and WHO urge all parties to the conflict to end all attacks on health facilities, personnel and ambulances and to allow the provision of health services to the many innocent civilians in desperate need. Thousands of lives are at stake.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.who.int%2Fentity%2Fmediacentre%2Fnews%2Fstatements%2F2016%2Fsyria-attacks%2Fen%2Findex.html&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Pressed coffee is going mainstream — but should you drink it?

The coffee aficionados in my life seem a little smug these days. They feel vindicated now that the brew they’ve long touted as superior — European pressed coffee — has finally gained mainstream acceptance. No longer the domain of trendy coffee houses and upscale restaurants, pressed coffee is now fashionable in the United States and can be found in many places where coffee is sold. And the device to make this kind of coffee — known as a French press — has begun popping up on all kinds of store shelves, from tony boutiques to big-box chains. But this hot trend has a cold hard fact you should know about.

What’s the brouhaha?

You make pressed coffee by mixing boiling water and coarsely ground coffee beans in a special glass pitcher, then letting the mixture steep for a few minutes. There’s no filter to keep coffee grounds from getting into your cup; instead, you press an attached mesh plunger from the top of the pitcher to the bottom to strain the liquid and trap the coffee grounds. And it’s this lack of a filter that makes pressed coffee different and potentially risky if you drink too much of it.

Without a filter, some of the oily substances found in coffee beans, called diterpenes, wind up in your cup. Coffee aficionados say these oils make the brew taste better. But you should know that diterpenes have been shown to have a negative impact on health. “Five to eight cups a day of unfiltered coffee may actually raise your ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol,” says Dr. Eric Rimm, a professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

The dark(er) side of that cup of joe

Even coffee that’s poured through a filter in an automatic drip coffee maker comes with some degree of risk. Coffee contains caffeine, and in some people, too much caffeine — more than 300 milligrams per day — may lead to insomnia, nervousness, heart palpitations, and the jitters. Caffeine consumed after noontime is especially likely to interfere with sleep. “If you’re drinking coffee and getting less sleep every night, you may be putting yourself at risk for developing other chronic conditions over the long term,” says Dr. Rimm. Too much caffeine may also raise blood pressure. The negative effects of caffeine go away when you stop consuming it.

The good news about coffee

Coffee is also full of compounds that are good for health, such as:

• magnesium, potassium, and niacin
• caffeine, which in small amounts can reduce fatigue and improve alertness and concentration
• potent compounds such as chlorogenic acid and polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties that help prevent cell damage.

Dr. Rimm and his colleagues believe the combination of those ingredients may delay the absorption of blood sugar, help cells draw sugar from the blood, increase metabolic rate, and help blood vessels contract and relax. Those actions, they suspect, account for coffee’s association with lower blood pressure, a slower rate of weight gain with age, and reduced risks for developing type 2 diabetes or dying from cardiovascular disease or neurological diseases.

“Where we clearly see the greatest benefit is in the realm of diabetes and obesity,” says Dr. Rimm. He says the health benefits of filtered coffee are associated with an intake of one to five cups per day, and for many health conditions, it doesn’t matter much if the coffee has caffeine or not.

To press or not to press

If you choose to drink unfiltered, pressed coffee, Dr. Rimm recommends that you keep an eye on your cholesterol levels, to make sure your LDL levels don’t rise over time. And keep your pressed coffee habit in check: stick to no more than four cups per day. You should also limit your intake of filtered coffee to no more than five cups per day.

Remember, too, that some of the biggest risks of coffee come from what you may add to it: cream, sugar, or sugary syrup. These add saturated fat and empty calories to your diet, boost your blood sugar, and promote weight gain. So be careful about what you put into your cup.

And if coffee isn’t already part of your daily routine, don’t worry about starting a love affair with it. There are plenty of other ways to stay healthy and trendy without becoming a java aficionado — or even a plain old coffee drinker.

Related Post:

• Can your coffee habit help you live longer?
• Caffeine and a healthy diet may boost memory, thinking…
• Do “energy boosters” work?
• Tea: Drink to your health?
• Too little sleep and too much weight: a dangerous duo

The post Pressed coffee is going mainstream — but should you drink it? appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Heidi Godman http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fblog%2Fpressed-coffee-going-mainstream-drink-201604299530&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

May JADA looks at why dental prescribing of antibiotics is increasing

Many practitioners can find opportunities to prescribe antibiotics less often and for shorter durations when they review their prescribing methods and ensure they are compliant with guidelines.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ada.org%2Fen%2Fpublications%2Fada-news%2F2016-archive%2Fapril%2Fmay-jada-looks-at-why-dental-prescribing-of-antibiotics-is-increasing&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Registration opens May 2 for Penn online course on introduction to dental medicine

The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine is hosting an open online course to help health professionals in fields outside dental medicine and those contemplating a career in dentistry better understand the oral cavity and its role on a person's overall health.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ada.org%2Fen%2Fpublications%2Fada-news%2F2016-archive%2Fapril%2Fregistration-opens-may-2-for-penn-online-course-on-introduction-to-dental-medicine&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

ADA takes lead in alerting members to CDT 2016 issue

A small percentage of flash drives included with the 2016 CDT manual were found to have malware, and the ADA took steps several weeks ago to notify all customers of the potential problem.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ada.org%2Fen%2Fpublications%2Fada-news%2F2016-archive%2Fapril%2Fada-takes-lead-in-alerting-members-to-cdt-2016-issue&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

First U.S. Zika-related death reported in Puerto Rico

The U.S. territory of Puerto Rico has more than 680 cases of Zika virus, government officials said today

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Ffirst-us-zika-related-death-reported-in-puerto-rico%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Good news for children of older moms

The children born to older women may have some advantages in life, a new study suggests

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fchildren-of-older-moms-health-advantages%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

12 Healthy Snacks Kids Will Love

Have you run out of ideas for kids’ snacks that are both healthy and delicious? Try these creative combos from WebMD.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fparenting%2Ffeatures%2Fhealthy-snacks-for-kids%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Generic Crestor Approved by FDA

Generic Crestor Approved by FDA

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fcholesterol-management%2Fnews%2F20160429%2Fgeneric-crestor-approved%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Zika Was in Haiti Long Before Brazil Outbreak

Scientists aren't sure exactly what triggered widespread infections in the Americas

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fnews%2F20160429%2Fzika-virus-was-in-haiti-long-before-brazil-outbreak-study%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Smog May Boost Risk for Several Cancers

Study finds even small increases in pollution raised overall odds of dying from disease by 22 percent

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fnews%2F20160429%2Fsmog-may-boost-risk-for-several-cancers%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Avoid Food Poisoning? There's an App for That

USDA product helps consumers track expiration dates

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Ffood-recipes%2Ffood-poisoning%2F20160429%2Fto-avoid-food-poisoning-theres-an-app-for-that%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Diabetes Distress: Causes, Research and Tips to Manage

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and an important time to increase public awareness about causes of mental stress.

We feel stress from many different places. Sometimes it is an event, such as a family member passing away, but more often it is just from daily stressors such as money, work and so on. And the symptoms of stress can affect not only your mind, but also your physical health.

If you live with diabetes, it can be added source of stress—and in turn, stress can make diabetes more difficult to manage. The ongoing and endless list of things you need to think about can feel overwhelming: constantly checking your blood glucose, knowing exactly what you are eating, remembering to inject insulin or take your medications—not to mention the unexpected swings in your blood glucose levels at the most inopportune times.

Stress can affect your blood glucose levels in two ways:

1. While under stress, you may not take good care of yourself. You may drink more alcohol or exercise less. You may also forget, or not have time, to check their glucose levels or plan healthy meals.
2. Stress hormones may also alter your blood glucose levels to run high.

This understandable sense of burden or defeat that may affects your life with diabetes even has a name: diabetes distress.

Diabetes distress is real and different from depression. It can even cause conflict with your loved ones and impact your relationships with your diabetes health care team. If a family member, a friend or your doctor constantly asks how you are feeling, it can cause frustration and lead to tension between you.

Researchers have developed a Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS) to measure the distress that arises from the emotional and social effects of living with diabetes, day-to-day diabetes management and more. Click here to read the full study.

There are many ways to avoid and fight stress. Here are our top tips:

• Get Active – Start moving and set your mind concentrated on something else. Physical activity includes anything that gets you moving, such as walking, dancing or working in the yard. Regular physical activity is important for everyone, but it is especially important for people with diabetes. Being active can also improve mood and stress levels.
• Build a Support Network – Whether you find a support group online or find one locally in your area, speaking with others living with diabetes or going through similar situations can be helpful.  To contact your local Association office for questions about support groups, please click here.
• Set SMART Goals – Develop a vision for healthy living, wellness and personal growth, and set specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely (SMART) goals. Examples could be making your own healthy lunch three days a week or taking a 30-minute walk every day.
• Cope with Your Thoughts – When you notice a bad thought, think of something that makes you happy or proud instead. Try to memorize a poem, prayer or quote, or leave a sticky note on your mirror with the quote. It may also help to call a trusted friend who is a good listener. Three members of our Diabetes Forecast Reader Panel share their experiences with diabetes distress and how they coped.

If you need help with any stress-related issues, including diabetes distress, ask a member of your diabetes care team for assistance. Sometimes stress can be so severe that you feel too overwhelmed and it interrupts your daily functioning. This is when counseling or therapy may be of help. You may learn new ways of coping, develop a new perspective or find new ways of changing your behavior.

Please remember that you are not alone. If you’d like to speak with someone about additional resources, please call 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383).

From: American Diabetes Association http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fdiabetesstopshere.org%2F2016%2F04%2F29%2Fdiabetes-distress%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Mayo Clinic Minute: Bedbugs Color Preferences

From: Mayo Clinic http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DUgnn6Ljd2aw&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Could gray hair and skin troubles be "tweaked" away?

Cellular signals that control skin and hair color may be the keys to new treatments

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fcould-gray-hair-and-troubling-skin-conditions-be-tweaked-away%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

This gene may help determine how old you look

Variations in a particular gene may help explain why some people appear more youthful than others, a new study suggests

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fhow-old-you-look-may-be-determined-by-your-genes%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Passengers quarantined for norovirus on cruise ship

Seventeen percent of passengers have reported being ill, mostly with vomiting and diarrhea, since the voyage began

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fpassengers-quarantined-for-norovirus-in-norfolk-cruise-ship-nightmare%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

FDA reconsiders painkiller training for doctors

Widespread abuse and addiction problems raise concerns that doctors need more safety training about powerful pain drugs

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Ffda-reconsiders-painkiller-training-for-doctors%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

First Commercial Zika Test Approved by FDA

First Commercial Zika Test Approved by FDA

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fnews%2F20160429%2Fzika-test-fda%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Kids of Older Moms May Have a Leg Up on Peers

They tend to be taller, better educated, and societal changes over time may be behind trend, study suggests

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fchildren%2Fnews%2F20160429%2Fkids-of-older-moms-may-have-a-leg-up-on-their-peers%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

USDA Offers New Loans for Portable Farm Storage and Handling Equipment

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 29, 2016 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide a new financing option to help farmers purchase portable storage and handling equipment.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usda.gov%2Fwps%2Fportal%2Fusda%2Fusdahome%3Fcontentid%3D2016%2F04%2F0098.xml%26amp%3Bcontentidonly%3Dtrue&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

USDA Unveils New ‘Urban Agriculture Toolkit’ for Urban Farmers and Agri-business Entrepreneurs

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today unveiled the USDA Urban Agriculture Toolkit, a new resource created by USDA’s Know Your Farmer team to help entrepreneurs and community leaders successfully create jobs and increase access to healthy food through urban agriculture. From neighborhood gardens grown on repurposed lots, to innovative mobile markets and intensive hydroponic and aquaculture operations, urban food production is rapidly growing into a mature business sector in cities across the country.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usda.gov%2Fwps%2Fportal%2Fusda%2Fusdahome%3Fcontentid%3D2016%2F04%2F0099.xml%26amp%3Bcontentidonly%3Dtrue&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Many Manly Men Avoid Needed Health Care

Gender stereotypes can have dangerous consequences, research suggests

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fmen%2Fnews%2F20160428%2Fmany-manly-men-avoid-needed-health-care%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Building Muscle Could Boost the Most Important One

People with heart disease should prioritize weight training over weight loss, study says

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Ffitness-exercise%2F20160428%2Fbuilding-muscle-could-boost-the-bodys-most-important-muscle%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Teen Birth Rate at Record Low in U.S.

They're delaying sex, using more effective birth control, CDC researcher says

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fteens.webmd.com%2Fnews%2F20160428%2Fteen-birth-rate-at-record-low-in-us%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

What "manly men" need to know about their health

Study finds certain "tough guy" characteristics may not be good for you

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fmanly-men-missing-out-on-needed-health-care%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

At Vatican, Biden pushes for world collaboration in cancer fight

The conference brings together doctors, patients, philanthropists, as well as religious and government leaders

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fvideos%2Fat-vatican-joe-biden-pushes-for-world-collaboration-in-cancer-fight%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

7 emergency surgeries you don't want to have to get

Just a few procedures account for the vast majority of deaths, complications and financial costs

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fmedia%2F7-emergency-general-surgeries-deaths-complications-costs%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Diabetes treatment: Using insulin to manage blood sugar

Understanding how insulin affects your blood sugar can help you better manage your condition.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mayoclinic.org%2Fdiseases-conditions%2Fdiabetes%2Fin-depth%2Fdiabetes-treatment%2Fart-20044084&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

DASH diet: Tips for shopping and cooking

The DASH diet doesn't have to be difficult. These tips can help you shop and cook according to DASH diet principles.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mayoclinic.org%2Fhealthy-lifestyle%2Fnutrition-and-healthy-eating%2Fin-depth%2Fdash-diet%2Fart-20045913&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Dr Bobbi Pritt Bedbugs

From: Mayo Clinic http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DoYmdayjTru8&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Taking your medications as prescribed: Smartphones can help

If you’re like most people, you may have trouble remembering to take your medications as prescribed. If that’s true, your doctor may have called you “noncompliant” or, perhaps, “nonadherent.” Whatever you call it, the phenomenon is quite common: up to 75% of people do not take their medications the way their doctors have recommended. And that could contribute to undertreatment, preventable complications, and even premature death. Estimates put the total costs of medication nonadherence as high as $300 billion each year in the United States.

Why is medication nonadherence so common?

I’ve known patients who never filled their prescription or, after filling it, intentionally reduced the dose. Some may do it to make the bottle of pills last longer, so they’ll save money. Others may reduce the dose or frequency to reduce side effects (or the risk of side effects, even if none have occurred). But, it’s my sense that most nonadherence is unintentional — people simply forget. This is particularly true when the condition (such as high blood pressure) causes no symptoms; conversely, it’s easy to remember to take a medication (such as a pain pill) if forgetting means you’re in agony.

What can be done about medication nonadherence?

The problem of medication nonadherence is not new — doctors have recognized it for decades. Efforts to address it have included

• educational programs that give patients strategies to avoid missing medications
• providing medications before people leave the hospital, to avoid gaps in use
• pill boxes labeled with the days of the week that can be filled in advance
• simplified medication schedules — for example, some medications prescribed twice a day are just as effective in a higher dose taken once each day
• periodic “check-in” calls from a nurse, health coach, or other health professionals reminding the person to take his or her medications (and also encouraging other steps to maintain health, such as getting regular exercise or eating right)
• calls from pharmacies (especially mail-order or specialty pharmacies) to individuals or their doctors to remind them about a prescription that should be running out (provided it is being taken properly). While this may be self-serving (because a pharmacy loses money when prescriptions go unfilled), it does tend to encourage adherence.

Can your smartphone help you take medication as instructed?

As smartphones became ubiquitous, it didn’t take long for people to realize they could be used as a reminder system. And that has applied to medication use: setting an alarm or entering information in the calendar are now commonplace and can help reduce nonadherence.

A new study demonstrates a new way smartphones can be helpful for medication adherence: texting. For this study, researchers analyzed 16 previous studies that included more than 2,700 people with chronic diseases and found that text message reminders more than doubled their chances of medication adherence. That’s impressive, but this analysis does have some limitations:

• The studies tended to include younger patients (half were under age 40).
• Definitions of adherence varied: for example, some studies defined it as 80% of medications taken as prescribed, while others required up to 95%,
• The types of messages also varied — some used personalized two-way messaging, while others used automated messages.

Future research should help answer some important questions: Which type of messaging system is best? Do the reminders need to continue indefinitely? Do these reminders actually improve health? Will these reminders work as well in people with a brief illness (such as strep throat) as in the people in these studies, who had chronic illnesses?

But despite the caveats, I’m encouraged by this new report. If a person is committed to taking his or her medications as prescribed, technology can help make it happen.

Related Post:

• Millions of adults skip medications due to their high cost
• Better use of medicines could save billions
• Why are doctors writing opioid prescriptions — even after…
• Is there a “best” pain reliever for osteoarthritis?
• The placebo effect: Amazing and real

The post Taking your medications as prescribed: Smartphones can help appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Robert H. Shmerling, MD http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fblog%2Fsmart-phone-can-help-keep-track-medications-201604289521&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

ADA leaders discuss dental coverage as ancillary benefit

A new study from Anthem Insurance shows employers recognize the benefits of integrated health care.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ada.org%2Fen%2Fpublications%2Fada-news%2F2016-archive%2Fmay%2Fada-leaders-discuss-dental-coverage-as-ancillary-benefit&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Thousands flock to volunteer clinic in Los Angeles

A group called Your Best Pathway to Health set up shop in downtown Los Angeles this week to provide free medical care

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fvideos%2Fthousands-flock-to-volunteer-clinic-in-los-angeles%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Thousands flood free medical clinic in Los Angeles

Majority of the people who show up for free medical and dental care have insurance, but can't afford the high deductibles and co-pays

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Ffree-medical-clinic-in-los-angeles-draws-thousands%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Coffee, wine good for the gut, but what about soda?

What you eat and the medicines you take can alter your gut bacteria for better or worse, a new study suggests

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fcoffee-wine-good-for-the-gut-but-what-about-soda%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Coffee, Wine May Mean Healthy Gut; Sodas May Not

Study examines how food and medications affect makeup of bacteria in people's tummies

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Ffood-recipes%2F20160428%2Fcoffee-wine-good-for-healthy-gut-sodas-may-be-bad%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Fewer U.S. teens are having babies; here's why

A combination of factors has led to lower teen birth rates in recent years and a narrowing racial divide

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fteen-birth-rates-continue-decline-reasons-why%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Mild Air Pollution of Concern in Pregnancy

Study found risk for a leading cause of premature birth began below EPA standards

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fbaby%2Fnews%2F20160428%2Fmild-air-pollution-of-concern-in-pregnancy%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Could a Cellular Tweak 'Switch Off' Gray Hair?

Scientists spot a molecular signal controlling skin and hair color

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fhealthy-aging%2Fnews%2F20160428%2Fcould-a-cellular-tweak-someday-switch-off-gray-hair%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Mayo Clinic Minute: Opioid Overdose Drug

From: Mayo Clinic http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DHn5WQvO5q3Q&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Why fewer triplets are being born in the U.S.

Over the past two decades, births of three or more babies have declined sharply

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fwhy-fewer-triplets-are-being-born-in-the-u-s%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Get rid of your old pills on Drug Take-Back Day

It's time to clear your medicine cabinets of unused, outdated drugs that could be a health hazard; here's how to do it safely

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fget-rid-of-your-old-pills-on-drug-take-back-day%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Yellow Fever Outbreak: Is the U.S. at Risk?

An ongoing yellow fever outbreak in Africa has global health and infectious diseases experts concerned. The virus is mosquito-borne and can be deadly. WebMD has the details.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fnews%2F20160428%2Fyellow-fever-outbreak-mosquitoes%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Critics Call on FDA to Ban Concentrated Caffeine

Critics Call on FDA to Ban Concentrated Caffeine

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fvitamins-and-supplements%2Fnews%2F20160428%2Fcritics-fda-caffeine-powder%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Does Rosacea Boost Risk for Alzheimer's?

Danish study finds a correlation, but patients shouldn't worry unduly, experts say

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fskin-problems-and-treatments%2Fnews%2F20160428%2Fare-people-with-rosacea-at-higher-risk-for-alzheimers%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Counterfeit Opioid Poisonings Spread To Bay Area

Vomiting, breathing problems, lethargy, unconsciousness result from pirate pills laced with fentanyl.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fmental-health%2Faddiction%2Fnews%2F20160428%2Fcounterfeit-opioid-poisonings-spread-to-bay-area%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Hearing Aids May Help Keep Seniors' Minds Sharp

Ability to stay engaged in conversation could help ward off dementia, study suggests

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fhealthy-aging%2Fnews%2F20160427%2Fhearing-aids-may-help-keep-seniors-minds-sharp%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

How to stop allergies from knocking you out

More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies each year, the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fvideos%2Fhow-to-stop-allergies-from-knocking-you-out%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

OMS : Le sang, un lien universel - Un héros dans la rue

From: World Health Organization http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DT9ghdzWmJqs&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

OMS : Le sang, un lien universel - Une héroïne dans un parc

From: World Health Organization http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DtDmForQMpi4&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

OMS : Le sang, un lien universel - Un héros au musée

From: World Health Organization http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DwvmbuKZCVD8&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

WHO: Blood connects us all - the hero on the street

From: World Health Organization http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DyXLcZfM3TNc&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

WHO: Blood connects us all - the hero in the park

From: World Health Organization http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DOmS46OAFt3Q&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

WHO: Blood connects us all - the hero in the gallery

From: World Health Organization http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DWBKJ8K3JpQ8&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

USDA Offers New Resource to Help Food Hubs Improve Financial Performance

WASHINGTON, April 28, 2016 – Rural Business-Cooperative Service Administrator Sam Rikkers today announced a new resource to help food hubs improve their financial performance. Food hubs, which are a businesses or organizations that manage the aggregation, distribution, and marketing of locally-produced food, play a key role in creating opportunities for small and mid-sized producers while also satisfying growing consumer demand for local products.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usda.gov%2Fwps%2Fportal%2Fusda%2Fusdahome%3Fcontentid%3D2016%2F04%2F0097.xml%26amp%3Bcontentidonly%3Dtrue&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Gotta Minute? Get a Good Workout

Study found 60 seconds of intense exercise as effective as 45 minutes of moderate exertion

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Ffitness-exercise%2F20160427%2Fgotta-minute-get-a-good-workout%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Stress symptoms: Effects on your body and behavior

Aches and pains, irritability, and crying spells may have an unexpected source — stress. Recognize these and other signs and symptoms so that you can take action.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mayoclinic.org%2Fhealthy-lifestyle%2Fstress-management%2Fin-depth%2Fstress-symptoms%2Fart-20050987&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Belly fat in men: Why weight loss matters

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mayoclinic.org%2Fhealthy-lifestyle%2Fmens-health%2Fin-depth%2Fbelly-fat%2Fart-20045685&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Alzheimer's: Tips for effective communication

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mayoclinic.org%2Fhealthy-lifestyle%2Fcaregivers%2Fin-depth%2Falzheimers%2Fart-20047540&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Problem-solving techniques for stress management

Problem-solving is a potent tool for beating stress. Here's how to put it to work for you.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mayoclinic.org%2Fhealthy-lifestyle%2Fstress-management%2Fin-depth%2Fstress-management%2Fart-20044502&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Stress management: Know your triggers

Stress is your body's response to the demands of the world. Identifying your personal triggers is the key to effectively managing your stress.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mayoclinic.org%2Fhealthy-lifestyle%2Fstress-management%2Fin-depth%2Fstress-management%2Fart-20044151&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Need stress relief? Try the 4 A's

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mayoclinic.org%2Fhealthy-lifestyle%2Fstress-management%2Fin-depth%2Fstress-relief%2Fart-20044476&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Parents refuse to bury truth about son's heroin overdose death

At a funeral for their 20-year-old son, grieving parents weren't holding back

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fparents-bury-son-but-not-truth-about-his-heroin-addiction%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Emotionally stable teens got lots of love early on

"Support during the preschool period seems critical to healthy brain development," researcher says

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Femotionally-stable-kids-teens-had-lots-of-love-in-the-preschool-years%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Psoriasis Tied to Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes

A genetic link is one theory for the possible association, researchers say

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fskin-problems-and-treatments%2Fpsoriasis%2Fnews%2F20160427%2Fpsoriasis-tied-to-obesity-type-2-diabetes%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Sleep Doesn't Come Easy After a Brain Injury

And that may affect daytime performance at work or school, research suggests

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fbrain%2Fnews%2F20160427%2Fsleep-doesnt-come-easy-to-those-with-brain-injuries%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Recall issued for Sensorcaine

Fresenius Kabi has voluntarily recalled one lot of bupivacaine HCl (Sensorcaine-MPF) injection, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced April 26 through its MedWatch safety alert system.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ada.org%2Fen%2Fpublications%2Fada-news%2F2016-archive%2Fapril%2Frecall-issued-for-sensorcaine&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

EPA pushes final ruling on amalgam separators to December

The Environmental Protection Agency has told the ADA that it will delay releasing a final amalgam separator rule until December. The agency previously announced it would release the rule in June.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ada.org%2Fen%2Fpublications%2Fada-news%2F2016-archive%2Fapril%2Fepa-pushes-final-ruling-on-amalgam-separators-to-december&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Traumatic brain injuries linked with lasting sleep problems

People with head injuries may be unaware of how much their sleep is disrupted, researchers say

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Ftraumatic-brain-injuries-linked-with-lasting-sleep-problems%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Young, gay and male: Suicide survey spotlights risks

Gay and bisexual men younger than 26 were much more likely to attempt suicide or harm themselves, report finds

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fyoung-gay-bisexual-men-may-face-higher-suicide-risk%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Mom's warning after son nearly dies 2 days after falling off bike

Boy scrapes knee and elbow after falling off bicycle; two days later, doctors gave him a 50% chance of survival

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fmom-spreads-warning-after-son-nearly-dies-2-days-after-bike-tumble%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Spanking: More Harm Than Good?

It can lead to psychological, learning problems in kids, analysis of 75 studies suggests

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fchildren%2Fnews%2F20160427%2Fspanking-more-harm-than-good%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

The 7 Deadliest Emergency General Surgeries

Gastrointestinal and bowel operations top the list because they're often done without planning or preparation, experts say

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fdigestive-disorders%2Fnews%2F20160427%2Fthe-7-deadliest-emergency-general-surgeries%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

4.5M Pounds of Pilgrim's Pride Chicken Recalled

4.5M Pounds of Pilgrim's Pride Chicken Recalled

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Ffood-recipes%2F20160427%2Fpilgrims-pride-chicken-recall%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Type 2 Diabetes May Damage Hearing, Study Finds

Researchers recommend auditory testing of diabetic patients

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fdiabetes%2Fnews%2F20160427%2Ftype-2-diabetes-may-damage-hearing-study-finds%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Mindfulness May Help Ease Recurrent Depression

Review of 9 studies suggests it helps patients better cope with troubling thoughts and emotions

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fbalance%2Fnews%2F20160427%2Fmindfulness-therapy-may-help-ease-recurrent-depression%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Mayo Clinic Minute: The Long Wait for a Transplant

From: Mayo Clinic http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dmo6R0BY--F4&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Back to school: Learning a new skill can slow cognitive aging

Active aging involves more than moving your body. You also need to move your brain. “When you exercise, you engage your muscles to help improve overall health,” says Dr. Ipsit Vahia, director of geriatric outpatient services for Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital. “The same concept applies to the brain. You need to exercise it with new challenges to keep it healthy.”

A fun way to do this is to sharpen your No. 2 pencils and go back to school. “New brain cell growth can happen even late into adulthood,” says Dr. Vahia. “The process of learning and acquiring new information and experiences, like through structured classes, can stimulate that process.”

About 17% of adults older than age 35 are enrolled at a four-year college or university, or a community college, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. And because more campuses now offer free or discounted tuition for seniors (with no earned credits), there are more opportunities for older adults to explore a variety of subjects and interests.

“The focus is not to earn a degree, or even take multiple classes, but to focus on a class to keep mental activity thriving,” says Dr. Vahia.

It does not have to be a traditional academic course either, he adds. “It can be about learning new skills, like speaking a foreign language, learning how to paint, or to play a musical instrument. You can even study how to improve current ones like fixing a car or becoming more computer-savvy.”

Boosting brain power

Brain games (like puzzles and crosswords) and brain-training videos can improve working memory — the ability to remember and retrieve information, especially when distracted. But research has found that although they can help your brain get better at performing those activities, they do not expand other brain functions like reasoning and problem solving. “In comparison, classes offer a complexity factor that have long-term benefits,” says Dr. Vahia. For instance, they engage cognitive skills, such as visual comprehension, short- and long-term memory, attention to detail, and even math and calculations.

Research has long shown that new knowledge pays off. For example, a study in the June 2014 issue of Annals of Neurology found speaking two or more languages, even if you learned the second language in adulthood, may slow age-related cognitive decline.

But class attendance is not enough. You need to get out of your comfort zone and challenge your mind for optimal results. A study published in Psychological Science examined adults ages 60 to 90 were assigned to either learn a complex skill like digital photography or quilting, both of which demand more use of working and long-term memory, or do simpler mental activities like crossword puzzles. After a three-month period, the “complex skill” group showed wide-range improvement in overall memory compared with the crossword puzzle group.

On a personal level, classes also keep your social skills sharp as well as boost self-confidence. “It is easy to become more socially isolated as people grow older,” says Dr. Vahia. “A class makes you interact and communicate with other people on a regular basis through group participation, conversations, and discussions.”

Time to enroll

Before you sign up for your first class, here are some guidelines to consider:

• Choose a subject you enjoy or are curious about. Civil War history? English literature? Astronomy? “Your choices are no longer dictated by the requirements to get a good grade and complete a degree, so you are free to pursue topics that spark your interest,” says Dr. Vahia. “What are you interested in now, or wish you had explored at an earlier time?”
• Not interested in traditional subject classes? Focus on one with a self-improvement angle, like public speaking or creative writing.
• Begin with a weekly class, so you can ease into the environment and not feel overwhelmed.
• If you do not feel ready for a classroom setting, take an online class. “But make sure it offers some level of interaction with classmates through discussion boards,” says Dr. Vahia.
• If your class does not meet your expectations, do not give up. Try a different type of class, format, or even instructor.

Find a class Many states offer tuition waivers for seniors at state-funded institutions. Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes are located on 119 college and university campuses and offer non-credit courses for those ages 50 and older. Local senior, community, and recreation centers offer many self-improvement classes in topics such as sculpting, pottery, and dance.

Related Post:

• Challenge your mind and body to sharpen your thinking skills
• Caffeine and a healthy diet may boost memory, thinking…
• Let’s dance! Rhythmic motion can improve your health
• Tai chi can improve life for people with chronic health…
• A stronger heart may keep your brain young

The post Back to school: Learning a new skill can slow cognitive aging appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Matthew Solan http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fblog%2Flearning-new-skill-can-slow-cognitive-aging-201604279502&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Poor children with food allergies may suffer more

Lower family incomes may mean fewer medications, health appointments and allergy-safe meals for kids with food allergies

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fchildren-with-food-allergies-from-low-income-homes-may-suffer-more%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Hate exercising? Short bursts could be just as effective

An expert says you can cut down on the hours at the gym with just a few minutes of intense exercise, for similar health benefits

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fshort-intense-exercises-may-offer-same-health-benefits-as-long-gym-sessions%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Severe obesity among U.S. kids still rising: study

"Unless we make big changes on a national level, we're not going to see huge changes in obesity"

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Frates-of-severe-obesity-among-u-s-kids-still-rising-study%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Report: Racial, ethnic disparities persist in health care

Officials find some significant gaps in treatment and health outcomes

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fracial-ethnic-disparities-persist-in-health-care-report%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

6 measles cases confirmed in Memphis area

The county has seen more cases in a few days than the whole nation in all of 2016

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fmeasles-cases-confirmed-in-memphis%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Smoking banned from San Fran parks for animal health

The new smoking ban is aimed at cutting down on animal-threatening cigarette butt litter

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fsmoking-banned-from-san-francisco-parks-for-animal-health%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Racial, Ethnic Health Disparities Persist: Report

But infant death rates, numbers of uninsured are improving, government analysis reveals

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fwomen%2Fnews%2F20160427%2Fus-health-report-card-finds-racial-ethnic-disparities-persist%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Yeast Infection Drug May Raise Miscarriage Risk

Agency recommends alternatives to fluconazole for mothers-to-be until its review is complete

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fwomen%2Fnews%2F20160426%2Fdrug-for-yeast-infections-may-raise-miscarriage-risk-fda-warns%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Statins Might Not Lower Colon Cancer Risk: Study

But cholesterol levels may be associated with reduced chance of disease

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fcolorectal-cancer%2Fnews%2F20160426%2Fstatins-might-not-lower-colon-cancer-risk-study%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

These Supplements May Boost Antidepressant Effects

Data from 8 randomized clinical trials suggests a benefit, but consult with your doctor first, experts say

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fdepression%2Fnews%2F20160426%2Fomega-3-fish-oil-supplements-might-boost-antidepressants-effects%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Sense of Direction Trouble and Early Alzheimer's

It's hoped virtual testing could predict disease long before symptoms develop

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fhealthy-aging%2Fnews%2F20160426%2Ftrouble-with-sense-of-direction-may-be-linked-to-early-alzheimers-study%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Skateboard accidents land scores of kids in the ER every day

Skateboarding with helmets, protective gear could cut injuries, experts say

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fskateboard-accidents-land-scores-of-kids-in-er-every-day%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Squeeze in quick exercise bursts in your busy day

Little bursts of activity may offer the same health benefits as an intense gym session

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fvideos%2Fsqueeze-in-quick-exercise-bursts-in-your-busy-day%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Live. Work. Play: Kelly’s Diabetes Story

Working for the American Diabetes Association^® means making a difference for millions of people and working toward a future free of diabetes and all its burdens.

We all have a story to share. Some of us live with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes or prediabetes. Others have loved ones with the disease or have lost someone to the fight.

The following are personal stories from the Association’s staff about why we are so committed to the mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

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The Toughest Job I’ve Ever Loved

Kelly Rawlings
Vice President of Content & Creative Solutions
Home Office (Alexandria, Va.)

Describing life with diabetes as a “24/7 job” is a common theme in the diabetes community. What with juggling healthy eating, exercise, medication, doctor visits, health insurance costs, etc.—diabetes care sometimes seems to take as much time and concentration as what one does for a living.

Wait—I live with diabetes and it is what I do for a living!

A few years ago, when I had the career opportunity to move from editing magazines about home remodeling and do-it-yourself projects to working on a magazine about diabetes, I was excited. And anxious.

On one finger-pricked hand, providing information and having conversations with readers and experts about this complex, consuming disease is a fascinating and meaningful endeavor.

On the other hand, time spent on diabetes at work would be dotted with requisite boluses, health care appointments and the inevitable glucose tablets. Would it all be too much?

Fast forward: Living with diabetes and working in diabetes is awesome. The people involved in the diabetes community make all the difference. My disease is “our” disease—we’re in this together.

There are so many people devoted to diabetes who also live with it—and that adds a richness and an underlying passion to what we do. And there are so many people working and volunteering in diabetes who don’t have it—but care very much about helping those of us burdened by it and at risk for developing it.

In my work at the Association, I’m surrounded by the people in research labs, clinics and communities who make diabetes science and care their job. I get to see the volunteers who give so much of their time—joining in our active fundraising events, serving at Diabetes Camp, providing support, participating in clinical trials, advocating about diabetes. And I get to see the donors who provide the funding that fuels innovation and excellence.

We share the vision of the American Diabetes Association: a life free of diabetes and all its burdens.

Yes, living with diabetes is work. Working in diabetes is rewarding. And even more rewarding is diving into all the ways to volunteer. For example, I Step Out, write my elected representatives, serve as the public member on the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators and spend time on Twitter participating in the diabetes online community.

Too much diabetes? Not for me, personally. But in the world? Yes. Which is why I do what I do—and am so grateful that so many others are in this fight with me.

P.S. To my nephew, Zach: awesome job on your most recent A1C.

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To learn more about nationwide employment opportunities and life at the Association, please visit diabetes.org/careers.

From: American Diabetes Association http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fdiabetesstopshere.org%2F2016%2F04%2F27%2Fkellys-diabetes-story%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

A doctor reflects on her own cancer and stroke

Diana Cejas, a doctor, has first-hand experience with what some of her patients go through

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fvideos%2Fa-doctor-reflects-on-her-own-cancer-and-stroke%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

A doctor's unique perspective after cancer and a stroke

34-year-old Diana Cejas tells her story of learning how to walk and talk again, what it was like to be a patient, and how she's become a better doctor

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fdoctor-diana-cejas-cancer-stroke-survivor%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Pilgrim's Pride orders massive recall of cooked chicken products

Consumers and federal meat inspectors found chicken contamination by such foreign material as wood, plastic, rubber and metal

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fpilgrims-pride-orders-massive-recall-of-cooked-chicken-products%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

FDA panel rejects drug that could combat rare terminal illness

An advisory committee has recommended the FDA not approve a drug that could help kids suffering from a rare muscle-wasting disease that will often kill them before they're 25

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fvideos%2Ffda-panel-rejects-drug-that-could-combat-rare-terminal-illness%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

FDA panel rejects pleas of parents whose children suffer from fatal disease

An experimental drug for a rare, always fatal disease, has shown promise; but an FDA panel wasn't convinced

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Ffda-panel-rejects-pleas-of-parents-whose-children-suffer-from-fatal-disorder%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Norovirus costs billions of dollars globally each year

Health care and loss of productivity costs associated with the highly contagious stomach bug add up, new research shows

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fnorovirus-costs-billions-of-dollars-globally-each-year%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Nearly a dozen Harvard students isolated amid mumps outbreak

Mumps outbreak at Harvard University has affected 40 members of the school community in the last two months

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fnearly-a-dozen-harvard-students-isolated-amid-mumps-outbreak%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Are Americans drinking enough water every day?

A new CDC study may upend popular worries that people aren't properly hydrated

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fare-americans-drinking-enough-water-every-day%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

5-decade study reveals fallout from spanking kids

"Most kids are being spanked," says the author of a new study, and it has long-term effects

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2F5-decade-study-reveals-fallout-from-spanking-kids%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Transform 2015 Full Highlight Video

From: Mayo Clinic http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DUbLWzSSh3Vw&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Americans Getting Adequate Water Daily, CDC Finds

Men take in an average of 14 cups a day, women almost 12

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fdiet%2F20160426%2Famericans-getting-adequate-water-daily-cdc-finds%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Gold Emblem Tea Recalled by CVS

Gold Emblem Tea Recalled by CVS

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Ffood-recipes%2F20160426%2Fgold-emblem-tea-cvs-recall%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

WHO: Safe Hands in Surgery

From: World Health Organization http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DH1COk9QA3JY&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Night shift work may harm women's heart health

New study adds evidence to the link between rotating night shifts and heart disease

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fnight-shift-work-may-harm-womens-heart-health%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Day Care Kids: Stomach Bugs Earlier, Fewer Later

Protective effect seen from preschool to age 6, study says

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fchildren%2Fnews%2F20160426%2Fday-care-babies-catch-stomach-bugs-earlier-but-get-fewer-later%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Gold Emblem Tea Recalled by CVS

Gold Emblem Tea Recalled by CVS

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Ffood-recipes%2Ffood-poisoning%2F20160426%2Fgold-emblem-tea-cvs-recall%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Night Shift Work May Be Tough on a Woman's Heart

But study found the effect waned after nurses stopped working odd hours

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fwomen%2Fnews%2F20160426%2Fnight-shift-work-may-be-tough-on-a-womans-heart%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Mayo Clinic Minute: Prescription Opioid Misuse

From: Mayo Clinic http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DuhES3sFPnbs&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

New Mayo Clinic Book Guides Women through Menopause with Clinically Proven, Practical Advice

From: Mayo Clinic http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DhLTc757vhVw&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

ADA scientists' innovative research presented at AADR

Researchers with the ADA Science Institute and the ADA Foundation Dr. Anthony Volpe Research Center showcased abstracts and other work March 16-19 during the American Association for Dental Research/Canadian Association for Dental Research Annual Meeting and Exhibition.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ada.org%2Fen%2Fpublications%2Fada-news%2F2016-archive%2Fapril%2Fada-scientists-innovative-research-presented-at-aadr&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Drug overdose deaths have increased 70-fold in these places

A new study reveals the specific areas where drug overdose deaths are soaring -- and they're not necessarily the areas you might expect

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fstudy-shows-drug-overdose-deaths-soaring-in-these-places%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Could marijuana help treat painkiller and heroin addiction?

Advocates argue marijuana can help ease people off narcotics; others say the science isn't there

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fcould-marijuana-help-treat-painkiller-and-heroin-addiction%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

ADA: Exempt dentists from proposed Medicare Part A, B rule

The Association filed comments April 25 to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services urging regulators to exempt dentists from the proposed rule that would require health care providers who order, certify, refer or prescribe any Part A or Part B service to be enrolled in Medicare or opt out.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ada.org%2Fen%2Fpublications%2Fada-news%2F2016-archive%2Fapril%2Fada-exempt-dentists-from-proposed-medicare-part-a-b-rule&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Council holds hearing on proposed revisions on sedation, anesthesia guidelines

The ADA Council on Dental Education and Licensure and its Committee on Anesthesiology hosted an April 20 hearing for members at ADA Headquarters on proposed revisions to the sedation and anesthesia guidelines.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ada.org%2Fen%2Fpublications%2Fada-news%2F2016-archive%2Fapril%2Fcouncil-holds-hearing-on-proposed-revisions-on-sedation-anesthesia-guidelines&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

ADA praises Older Americans Reauthorization Act

President Obama signed into law the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2016, which for the first time specifically references oral health.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ada.org%2Fen%2Fpublications%2Fada-news%2F2016-archive%2Fapril%2Fada-praises-older-americans-reauthorization-act&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Organ donation: Don't let these myths confuse you

Urban legends and misinformation surround organ donation. Separate the fact from fiction.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mayoclinic.org%2Fhealthy-lifestyle%2Fconsumer-health%2Fin-depth%2Forgan-donation%2Fart-20047529&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Cancer treatment decisions: 5 steps to help you decide

Your doctor wants you to be involved in decisions about your cancer treatment. Follow these five steps to help you choose a treatment.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mayoclinic.org%2Fdiseases-conditions%2Fcancer%2Fin-depth%2Fcancer-treatment%2Fart-20047350&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Weight loss: Ready to change your habits?

Before you plunge into a weight-loss program, see if you're truly ready to change.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mayoclinic.org%2Fhealthy-lifestyle%2Fweight-loss%2Fin-depth%2Fweight-loss%2Fart-20044199&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Statin side effects: Weigh the benefits and risks

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mayoclinic.org%2Fstatin-side-effects%2Fart-20046013&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Severe Obesity Rates Still Rising in U.S. Kids

Treatment for these 4.5 million children is urgently needed, researcher says

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fdiet%2Fobesity%2F20160426%2Frates-of-severe-obesity-among-us-kids-still-rising-study%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

With Flu Shot, Timing May Be Everything

Vaccination seems to provide greater immune response in the morning than in the afternoon, study suggests

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fcold-and-flu%2Fnews%2F20160426%2Fwith-flu-shot-timing-may-be-everything%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

United’s Departure From Marketplaces Could Impact Consumers’ Costs, Access

Florida and Oklahoma counties are among the hardest hit by UnitedHealthcare's pullout from health law exchanges.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fhealth-insurance%2F20160426%2Funiteds-departure-from-marketplaces-could-impact-consumers-costs-access%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Stage 4 cancer was about to cut her life short, but then...

Mary Elizabeth Williams recounts battle against cancer in "A Series of Catastrophes & Miracles"

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fstage-4-cancer-was-about-to-cut-her-life-short-but-then%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

E-Cigarette Ads May Help Lure Teens to the Habit

Researchers, experts call for ban on such promotions, much like what happened with tobacco cigarette ads

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.webmd.com%2Fsmoking-cessation%2Fnews%2F20160425%2Fe-cigarette-ads-may-help-lure-teens-to-the-habit-study%3Fsrc%3DRSS_PUBLIC&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Do you know what you're eating? A "truth" detector has the answers

Researchers hope to help consumers determine the history, quality and authenticity of the food they're buying, all with a scanner

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Ftarget-teams-up-with-researchers-to-create-machine-that-scans-information-of-food%2F&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

Yellow fever vaccination essential for Angola, WHO reminds travellers

As efforts to bring an outbreak of yellow fever in Angola under control continue, WHO is reminding all travellers to the country that they are required to receive the yellow fever vaccination and to have a valid certificate of vaccination to prove that they are protected from the disease and to prevent its further spread.

Since the outbreak in Angola began in December 2015, 1975 suspected cases of yellow fever (618 laboratory confirmed) and 258 deaths have been reported, the majority of them in the capital, Luanda, and in two other provinces. Amid concerns that the virus will spread to other urban areas and to neighbouring countries, a large-scale vaccination campaign was launched in February 2016 and has so far reached almost 7 million people.

From: http://redirect.viglink.com?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.who.int%2Fentity%2Fmediacentre%2Fnews%2Freleases%2F2016%2Fyellow-fever-vaccination%2Fen%2Findex.html&key=ddaed8f51db7bb1330a6f6de768a69b8

A Day Above Mayo Clinic

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PjlBrr-jcQ

Mayo Clinic Minute: A New View of Distracted Driving

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

Can Pharmacists Manage Some Chronic Conditions?

But it's not clear if they could reduce symptoms more or help you live longer than your doctor can

From: http://www.webmd.com/news/20160425/pharmacists-can-manage-some-chronic-conditions-effectively-study-suggests?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Music Might Give Babies' Language Skills a Boost

Small study suggests an effect, but just how long it may last is unclear

From: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20160425/music-might-give-babies-language-skills-a-boost?src=RSS_PUBLIC

The psychology of low back pain

Follow me at @srinipillay

Low back pain is the second most common cause of disability in the U.S. Over 80% of people will experience an episode of this pain at some point in their lives. The most common reasons for low back pain are disc injuries, sciatica, lifting heavy objects, or some other non-specific back injury.

Yet even though back pain is incredibly common, not all people respond in the same way to this often-disabling condition. In fact, even if two people have the same level of pain, their responses to that pain can be very different. These differing responses are due in part to different people’s psychological attitudes and outlooks.

Even when you have low back pain that is being medically treated, it helps to understand the psychological factors that impact your pain — and your brain. It also helps to know what you can do about this.

Why chronic back pain is connected to “your head”

When your physical movement is limited, this can cause psychological distress, and the psychological distress can, in return, worsen the pain. Your personal health beliefs and coping strategies can influence both your level of distress and course of the pain. For instance, if you are anxiety-prone, expect the worst, and have catastrophic thinking, this can make the pain far worse. That’s because those psychological vulnerabilities can change your brain and intensify the pain.

Often, if you have these pre-existing psychological attitudes, you also have abnormalities in the regulation of your brain’s chemistry (particularly dopamine), and the usual brain functions in emotional control, anxiety, and attention are also disrupted. As a result, you can’t control your distress; your become anxious; you expect the worst; and you can’t focus on anything else. The pain becomes all-consuming.

But it’s not just pre-existing attitudes that worsen back pain. The pain itself can rewire your brain. When pain first occurs, it impacts your pain-sensitivity brain circuits. But when pain lasts, the related brain activity switches away from the “pain” circuits to circuits that process emotions. That’s why emotions like anxiety often take center stage in chronic back pain. And it’s why emotional control becomes that much more difficult.

What you can do to tame chronic back pain

Fortunately, some psychological therapies can be really helpful with back pain. They help lessen pre-existing psychological vulnerabilities, change how you perceive the pain, and also alleviate the psychological factors (such as anxiety and anticipation) that maintain your pain.

The treatment with the greatest supporting evidence (for all chronic pain syndromes, not just back pain) is mindfulness. A recent study demonstrated that a technique called mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) can help to reduce back pain and also improve emotional control by increasing brain blood flow to the frontal lobe. A full eight-week course in this technique may even improve anxiety and depressive symptoms as well. Practicing mindfulness involves activating a brain relaxation pathway by deliberately ignoring mental “chatter” and focusing on your breathing. When you do this, an “unfocus” circuit, called the default mode network, is activated. However, in some chronic pain patients, this circuit is disrupted. In these cases, MBSR may not work.

There are other forms of psychological treatment that can be helpful as well. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be especially helpful. You can attend group or individual sessions either in person or via computer. Even a single episode of back pain can benefit from psychological treatments. CBT can also prevent an acute injury from progressing to chronic back pain.

Hypnosis may help relieve the pain as well. CBT and hypnosis have weaker evidence to support their effectiveness for back pain than MBSR does, but they are worth trying if MBSR fails.

Depending on the cause, low back pain can be treated with progressive muscle relaxation too. This is a technique in which you learn how to decrease your anxiety by becoming more aware of how you can tense and then relax your body.

And there is also some evidence that combining psychiatric medication with psychotherapies may be more helpful than either treatment alone.

But it’s not simply “mind over matter”

So while it’s clear that low back pain can be “in your head,” that doesn’t mean that you have to trivialize it. In this day and age, “mind over matter” makes little sense. “Mind” includes “matter,” especially when you consider that the physical “matter” of the brain plays a major role in mindset changes. This is especially true when it comes to the brain-based changes related to low back pain. To that extent, changing your mindset and brain biology can help your brain — and lessen your pain.

Related Post:

• Bad weather isn’t to blame for your aching back
• Acetaminophen may do little for acute back pain
• Early scans for back pain add cost but offer little benefit…
• The “right” goal when managing pain
• Complementary therapies for neck pain

The post The psychology of low back pain appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Srini Pillay, MD http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/psychology-low-back-pain-201604259537

Babies who eat rice cereal have higher arsenic levels: study

Infants frequently fed rice cereal had three times more arsenic in their urine than babies who never ate rice

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/babies-who-eat-rice-cereal-have-higher-arsenic-levels/

Bed bugs drawn to certain colors, study says

Researchers have discovered that bed bugs seem to favor some colors -- and avoid others

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/bedbugs-drawn-to-certain-colors-study-says/

Does listening to music help babies learn faster?

New study suggests music can influence babies' abilities to process speech sounds

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/does-listening-to-music-help-babies-learn-faster/

Babies Fed Rice-Based Cereals Have Higher Arsenic

To avoid potential harm, experts recommend consuming a variety of grains early in life

From: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20160425/babies-fed-rice-based-cereals-have-higher-arsenic-levels-study-finds?src=RSS_PUBLIC