04/08/16

Friday, April 8, 2016

Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine – Recover, Excel, Outperform

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZwDF9ZLkO4

Conventional versus leadless pacemakers

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M3vAqRLuy0

New Jersey law would allow pot use for menstrual cramps

Whoopi Goldberg connected with edibles manufacturer Maya Elisabeth to launch Whoopi & Maya, which includes THC-infused creams, bath salts and chocolate

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-jersey-law-would-allow-pot-use-for-menstrual-cramps/

Infection Caused U.S. Uterus Transplant to Fail

Blood supply to implanted organ was compromised, forcing its removal

From: http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/news/20160408/common-infection-caused-first-us-uterus-transplant-to-fail-hospital-says?src=RSS_PUBLIC

'Because I saw my dentist'

The Georgia Dental Association launched this month a campaign to help educate residents about the importance of good oral health and to motivate them to see their dentist regularly for better overall health.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/april/because-i-saw-my-dentist

FDI World Dental Congress early registration ends May 31

Early registration discounts for the 104th FDI World Dental Congress in Poznań, Poland, are available through May 31.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/april/fdi-world-dental-congress-early-registration-ends-may-31

Schweitzer Fellow project highlights veterans' dental care needs

Inspired by the interaction with a patient who had served in the Vietnam War, Nisha Garg, a dental student at the University of Illinois at Chicago, began working to help address the oral health care barriers facing veterans today.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/april/schweitzer-fellow-project-highlights-veterans-dental-care-needs

Florida Academy of Pediatric Dentistry reaches Medicaid settlement

The Florida Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics announced April 5 that they've reached a settlement with Florida's Medicaid program to improve children's access to dental and medical.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/april/florida-academy-of-pediatric-dentistry-reaches-medicaid-settlement

Schools shortchange kids on phys ed

A new report card on the nation's school gym programs find many children are not getting the physical activity they need

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/schools-shortchange-kids-on-phys-ed/

Child's eye movements may hold clues to autism

It's not clear why children with autism look at the mouth more during emotional moments

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-childs-eye-movements-may-tell-more-about-autism/

After ravaging Florida, street drug flakka disappears

The synthetic drug known for causing psychotic outbursts first burst onto the scene a year ago

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/after-ravaging-florida-street-drug-flakka-disappears/

Schools in most states skimp on phys ed classes

Many state guidelines are minimal, and some let schools cancel gym class to punish kids

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/schools-in-most-states-skimp-on-phys-ed-classes/

New technique may ease "phantom limb" pain in amputees

A minimally invasive technique may offer hope to wounded veterans and thousands of others who have had an amputation

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-technique-may-ease-phantom-limb-pain-in-amputees/

Schools in Most States Skimp on Phys Ed: Study

Only Oregon and D.C. require recommended amount of physical activity; many states withhold it or use it as punishment

From: http://www.webmd.com/children/news/20160408/schools-in-most-states-skimp-on-phys-ed-study-finds?src=RSS_PUBLIC

This May Ease 'Phantom Limb' Pain for Amputees

Targeted treatment of nerve and scar tissue found to improve symptoms in small study

From: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20160408/freezing-technique-may-ease-phantom-limb-pain-for-amputees?src=RSS_PUBLIC

USDA Seeks Applications for Grants to Help Agricultural Producers Increase the Value of Their Products

WASHINGTON, April 8, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is making up to $44 million available to farmers, ranchers and businesses to develop new bio-based products and expand markets through the Value-Added Producer Grant program.

From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2016/04/0088.xml&contentidonly=true

Fetus May Grow Too Fast in Obese or Diabetic Moms

Finding suggests doctors might want to screen at-risk women sooner

From: http://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20160407/moms-obesity-diabetes-may-spur-fetus-to-grow-too-fast?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Penis health: Identify and prevent problems

Curious about the health of your penis? Don't be embarrassed. Consider what it takes to keep your penis healthy.

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/mens-health/in-depth/penis-health/art-20046175

DASH diet: Healthy eating to lower your blood pressure

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/dash-diet/art-20048456

Health savings accounts: Is an HSA right for you?

You're considering a health savings account and a high-deductible health plan, but how do you know if this is the right option for you?

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/health-savings-accounts/art-20044058

'Containment' Bag OK'd for Some Uterine Surgeries

But most women aren't candidates for morcellation procedure because of cancer risk, agency says

From: http://www.webmd.com/women/news/20160407/fda-oks-containment-bag-for-certain-uterine-surgeries?src=RSS_PUBLIC

What Americans don't know about Zika could hurt them

Poll shows many don't know Zika virus can spread through sex, or that it's linked to birth defects

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-americans-dont-know-about-zika/

Predicting longevity is no mystery

The naked eye can pick up clues to how long we'll live

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/predicting-longevity-is-no-mystery/

Mayo Clinic Minute: Protect Yourself From Zika Virus

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBFz3K1imX4

World Health Day: Diabetes is a Global Issue

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROx5NXwa0wI

Running injury? Maybe you’re doing it all wrong

If exercise were a medication, it’d be a blockbuster. That’s because exercise has been linked to a long list of remarkable health benefits and just about everyone can take advantage of them. That’s why your doctor will probably recommend that you get more exercise—or commend you for doing so already.

What can exercise do for you?

If you aren’t particularly active and begin a regular and sustained exercise program, here are just some of the health benefits you might experience:

Loss of excess weight
Improved energy and stamina
Lower cholesterol and blood pressure
Lower average blood sugar
Increased muscle mass, strength, and balance
Increased bone strength
A lower risk of certain cancers
Improved mood and sleep

The magnitude of the benefit and its long-term impact on your health and longevity vary from person to person because each of us starts from a different place and has different risk factors for disease. But for most folks, more exercise is generally better.

The downside of exercise

As with many other health-promoting treatments, there are potential “side effects.” Exercise takes time. It can be expensive (but doesn’t have to be). And then there are the exercise-related injuries to consider. Depending on the type of exercise you prefer, injuries may be quite common. For example, up to 75% of runners get injured each year. It’s enough to make you wonder if what you’re doing is really good for you!

A new study of how runners run

A new study compared runners who reported significant running injuries to those who didn’t, in order to understand what the injury-free group was doing differently. If you’re a runner, the findings could make you change your technique.

Researchers enrolled 249 women who ran at least 20 miles/week and asked them to keep a diary recording their injuries each month. This went on for two years. About 60% of the runners described injuries, most of which were severe enough to require medical evaluation.

Then the women were asked to run over a “force plate,” a device that recorded the force during that ¼ of a second when the foot strikes the ground. Those who reported having suffered significant injuries landed harder than those who had been injury free.

These different running patterns might explain why some runners seem to glide effortlessly. Chances are they land more softly and put less stress on their bodies with each step. Although most runners land first with their heels, past research has suggested that landing farther forward may lessen impact and allow the foot and ankle to absorb more force with each step.

This study raises some interesting questions, including:

Are running injuries actually caused by the amount of force generated with each step? Or, is there something else (such as stride length or body posture while running) that explains this connection?

Is the higher force of impact a cause of injuries or the result? In other words, maybe runners land harder when there is something amiss, perhaps a knee or hip problem, of which they are not yet aware.
Would the same results be found if men were included in the study? What about people who run less than 20 miles/week? Or far more?
How easy is it to land more softly while running? And, would this actually decrease injuries?
Would landing farther forward on the foot (rather than on the heel) be better?

Should you change how you run?

With more research, we might soon have answers to these questions. But right now, we may not have enough information to make a strong recommendation that all runners try to change how hard they land. But, if future studies confirm the findings of this latest research, we’ll need to learn and teach better running technique. And perhaps we’ll need to rethink the wisdom of those highly cushioned heels in our running shoes that all but invite heel-first running.

In the meantime, don’t use this new report as an excuse not to run or pursue other exercise. Find activities that you enjoy and that you can perform regularly without injury. Whatever your choice of exercise, remember this: it’s usually better to keep moving than not.

Tips to reduce your risk of exercise-related injuries

Stretch well before, after and, if possible, during exercise.
Use appropriate protective gear.
Cross-train. Reduce the chances of overusing or injuring any one group of muscles by doing different activities that use different muscle groups.
Resist the temptation to do too much too soon. If you are starting from a state of poor conditioning, start slow and work up very gradually.
Listen to your body’s signals. If you are “under the weather,” take a day off. Don’t exercise if you have a fever. If your periods have stopped, you may be exercising too much and an evaluation with your doctor is warranted. Persistent pain is not normal and should prompt a re-evaluation of your exercise program.
Consider backing off on the intensity of your exercise. If you are exercising for your health (and not to win competitions), there is evidence that low to moderate exercise several times a week may be better for you than high intensity exercise every day.
Change your program to lower-impact activities, such as an exercise bike instead of running, especially if you are over 30; as we age, our muscles, bones, and joints become less forgiving of repetitive or forceful impact.
Be careful. Pay attention to general safety and the “rules of the road” if you are walking, jogging, biking, or otherwise sharing the road with automobiles, especially at night.

The post Running injury? Maybe you’re doing it all wrong appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Robert Shmerling, MD http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/running-injury-maybe-youre-doing-it-all-wrong-201604089420

Cost And Health Care Quality: Many Don’t See Link

A study in the journal Health Affairs found a majority of people don't associate price and quality in health care services.

From: http://www.webmd.com/health-insurance/20160408/prices-and-health-care-quality-many-consumers-dont-see-a-link?src=RSS_PUBLIC

USDA Announces Awardees of Summer EBT Grants, Extends Benefits to Flint, Michigan and Other High-Need Areas

FLINT, Mich., April 8, 2016 – Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced $26.9 million in grant funds to be distributed among eight grantees to continue administering pilots of the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) programs, providing summertime nutrition assistance to children who receive free and reduced price meals during the school year.

From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2016/04/0087.xml&contentidonly=true

Statement from Agriculture Secretary Vilsack on Child Nutrition

WASHINGTON, April 8, 2016 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today released the following statement in response to a new report done jointly by the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) regarding positive outcomes of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), part of the 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which allows eligible high-poverty schools to offer school meals to all students at no charge, so they can focus on serving children the nutritious meals they need to learn, instead of doing paperwork.

From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2016/04/0086.xml&contentidonly=true