Monday, February 22, 2016
Arizona Governor remarks on opening of Mayo Clinic Proton Beam Therapy Program
From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1_TAbQzuOg
How to cut hospital infections and save lives
Infections picked up at the hospital kill tens of thousands of Americans each year, but some basic steps can help reduce the risk
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/how-to-cut-hospital-infections-and-save-lives/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/how-to-cut-hospital-infections-and-save-lives/
How to protect yourself from hospital-acquired infections
Tens of thousands of people die each year as a result of infections they caught in the hospital
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-to-protect-yourself-from-hospital-acquired-infections/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-to-protect-yourself-from-hospital-acquired-infections/
Can Eating Chocolate Improve Your Brain?
There's welcome news for chocolate lovers: Eating chocolate regularly appears to improve mental skills.
From: http://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20160222/can-chocolate-improve-brain?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Charlie Sheen's HIV Announcement Sparked Interest in Disease: Study
Internet searches surged after celebrity's disclosure that he has virus that causes AIDS
From: http://www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/news/20160222/charlie-sheens-hiv-announcement-sparked-interest-in-disease-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Zika, pregnancy, and winter travel: Many unknowns, and a cautious message
Follow me at @hricciot
I’ve been receiving many questions from my patients who are pregnant (or trying to get pregnant) who want to escape the Boston winter weather for warmer vacation climates, but are worried about Zika virus. Currently causing a widespread outbreak in Brazil, Zika virus is thought to be the causative agent of microcephaly in babies whose mothers were infected during pregnancy there.
I’ve been stressing that my patients should check out the CDC Zika travel notices, which warn against travel to popular winter vacation destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Although there is no evidence that pre-pregnancy exposure to Zika is problematic, I have also been reinforcing to my patients that they should avoid travel to these endemic regions if they are currently pregnant or trying to get pregnant, and I’ve also been advising delaying getting pregnant for a couple of months after returning from one of these endemic areas. There have been reports that, rarely, Zika can be transmitted sexually from men to women. Therefore, men should use condoms if they have been exposed to the virus and their partner is pregnant. It is not known how long the virus may remain in semen.
When it is absolutely necessary to travel to these places while pregnant, such as for urgent family or business issues, mosquito bite prevention is key. You can avoid bites by using insect repellent, wearing appropriate attire to shield your extremities, and staying in places with windows, screen doors, or air conditioning. EPA-registered insect repellents that contain ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, and IR3535 are safe for use during pregnancy. The CDC website contains detailed information on how to avoid mosquito bites.
I’ve also received questions about vacation travel to areas such as Florida and Hawaii that are close by places with Zika transmission but not currently listed as experiencing an outbreak. So far, there has been no mosquito-borne Zika transmission in the United States, so these destinations are a good warm-climate option.
According to the CDC, only 1 in 5 people infected with Zika virus will become symptomatic. The characteristic clinical findings are a sudden fever with rash, joint aches, or conjunctivitis (reddening of the whites of the eyes), usually within 1 to 2 weeks of infection. Other reported symptoms include headache and muscle aches. The illness is usually mild, with symptoms lasting for several days to a week. The actual rates of infection with Zika virus, maternal-to-fetal transmission, immune response, exactly what the relationship is between Zika virus and fetal microcephaly, abnormal brain development, or other adverse pregnancy outcomes are not currently known.
Related Post:
The post Zika, pregnancy, and winter travel: Many unknowns, and a cautious message appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
From: Hope Ricciotti, MD http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/zika-pregnancy-and-winter-travel-many-unknowns-and-a-cautious-message-201602229241
Coalition urges support for H.R. 4062
To increase support for legislation that calls for removing the mandate that Part D prescribing health care providers be enrolled in Medicare, Organized Dentistry Coalition member organizations are urging lawmakers to sign on as cosigners to H.R. 4062.
From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/february/coalition-urges-support-for-hr-4062
From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/february/coalition-urges-support-for-hr-4062
Malala Yousafzai to speak at ADA 2016 – America’s Dental Meeting
The ADA Distinguished Speaker Series will feature 19-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai at ADA 2016 – America’s Dental Meeting in Denver this October.
From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/february/malala-yousafzai-to-speak-at-ada-2016-americas-dental-meeting
From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/february/malala-yousafzai-to-speak-at-ada-2016-americas-dental-meeting
A little weight loss equals big health benefits
Obese people who lose five percent of body weight may not look better on the outside, but it makes a difference on the inside
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-little-weight-loss-equals-big-health-benefits/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-little-weight-loss-equals-big-health-benefits/
The "Charlie Sheen effect" on HIV prevention
The actor's disclosure could have a significant impact on public health, researchers say
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/researchers-note-a-charlie-sheen-effect-on-hiv-prevention/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/researchers-note-a-charlie-sheen-effect-on-hiv-prevention/
Hungry or Bored? How to Tell
When it comes to hunger, feelings can fake you out. Here’s what you need to know about your mood and food.
From: http://fit.webmd.com/kids/food/article/mindful-eating?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Small Weight Loss Can Yield Large Rewards
5 percent reduction benefited health of obese adults
From: http://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/20160222/small-weight-loss-yields-large-rewards-study-finds?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Formaldehyde in This Flooring Higher Than Thought
Formaldehyde in This Flooring Higher Than Thought
From: http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20160222/flooring-formaldehyde-cancer-risk?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Teamwork Makes a Life-Changing Difference for Luis
From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpnoHHL0S-g
Mayo Clinic Minute: Whooping Cough Vaccine
From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOi8UVfcSmY
HPV vaccine is having a big impact, study shows
Fewer infections now will mean less cancer in the future, health experts say, urging more girls and boys get vaccinated
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/hpv-infection-way-down-in-teen-girls-due-to-vaccine-study-shows/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/hpv-infection-way-down-in-teen-girls-due-to-vaccine-study-shows/
Vaccine Cuts Teen Girls' HPV Rates by Two-Thirds
Still, too few girls and boys getting vaccinated against the virus that causes cervical cancer, other malignancies, researchers say
From: http://teens.webmd.com/girls/news/20160222/vaccine-has-cut-hpv-infection-rate-in-teen-girls-by-two-thirds-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Breast Cancer Survivors: Estrogen OK'd For This
New recommendation is aimed at women who are fighting or have survived a hormone-linked tumor
From: http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20160222/estrogen-for-vaginal-symptoms-ok-for-breast-cancer-survivors-experts?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Your Rights, One Voice: Kevin’s Story
In October 2015, Sandy met with the counselor and a few of Kevin’s teachers at the school. They denied Kevin a 504 Plan because his grades were “too good” and said that a 504 Plan was only needed for students with learning problems. Instead, they set up an individualized health plan (IHP) for Kevin. But Sandy knew that an IHP would not fully protect him.
Why did it matter which plan was set up for Kevin?
An IHP is an agreement that outlines medical care for students with special health care needs. But a 504 Plan includes extra protections for people with disabilities. Diabetes is considered a disability under federal law. 504 Plans also ensure that students with disabilities receive the accommodations that they need at school, as well as equal access to school-related activities like field trips and extracurriculars.
Sandy contacted the American Diabetes Association® for help.
One of the Association’s Legal Advocates confirmed that Kevin was protected under federal law. He gave Sandy resources to help, including a sample letter that outlined the rights of students with diabetes. Sandy felt that the school’s administrators did not fully understand laws that protect students with diabetes. She used the sample letter, added information about Kevin and sent it to the school principal. If the letter didn’t work, Sandy was prepared to file a complaint with the school district’s superintendent. But the school agreed to meet with her again.
Sandy took some helpful suggestions from the Association’s legal advocate in preparing for this meeting.
Kevin would be attending this school for two years and then move on to high school within the same district, so she wanted to establish a good relationship with the administrators. To encourage friendly and constructive conversation, Sandy brought coffee and snacks. To help her feel confident, she also took along another parent who had more experience with the issue and understood the laws about school and diabetes.
The result?
A 504 Plan was set up for Kevin that will cover him through high school. Sandy is glad that she fought for Kevin’s rights and knows that her efforts will also help other students with diabetes down the road.
“A lot of people were helped. Thanks to the American Diabetes Association, the resources they provided and the other parents who encouraged me. The help from the Association’s legal advocacy program was vital, and having that help at no charge was amazing. As a side note, we just sent a small donation to the Association as a thank you.”
The American Diabetes Association leads the effort to prevent and eliminate discrimination against people with diabetes at school, at work and in other parts of daily life. If you need help, call 1-800-DIABETES or visit http://diabetes.org/gethelp.
Through our nationwide Safe at School program, the Association is dedicated to making sure that all children with diabetes are medically safe at school and have the same educational opportunities as their peers. Visit our Safe at School website for information and resources.
Give the gift of fairness — donate now to help people with diabetes facing discrimination, just like Kevin.
From: American Diabetes Association http://diabetesstopshere.org/2016/02/22/your-rights-one-voice-kevins-story/
WHO: Q&A - Zika virus prevention through mosquito control
From: World Health Organization http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LRdyEx6K30
Is Obesity Tied to Breast, Pancreatic Cancer?
People with excess weight may have more of a potentially tumor-promoting substance, scientists say
From: http://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/20160219/researchers-pursue-clue-between-obesity-breast-and-pancreatic-cancer?src=RSS_PUBLIC
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