Webinar Jan. 27 to cover write-offs when coordinating benefits

Dentists can learn about coordinating benefits, write-offs and how to handle patients with multiple dental plans in an upcoming webinar.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/january/webinar-covers-write-offs-when-coordinating-benefits

Registration open for dental informatics meeting

Dental professionals interested in getting involved in the development of dental standards are invited to the ADA Standards Committee on Dental Informatics meeting Feb. 26-28 in Chicago.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/january/registration-open-for-dental-informatics-meeting

FDA: No shortage of nitrous oxide for medical use

The Food and Drug Administration said Jan. 5 that there is no shortage of nitrous oxide for medical use at this time.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/january/fda-no-shortage-of-nitrous-oxide-for-medical-use

Daily exercising vs. once or twice a week

A new study found that people who get the recommended weekly amount of exercise in just one or two sessions in a week see the same benefits as those who spread it day to day. Dr. Jon LaPook reports.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/daily-exercising-vs-once-or-twice-a-week/

Can teeth repair themselves without fillings?

Animal experiments suggest damaged teeth can be stimulated to fix cavities

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/can-teeth-repair-themselves-without-fillings/

Woman battling cancer gives birth to quadruplets

"I want my kids to understand when they get older that I fought as hard as I could for them"

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/kayla-gaytan-kentucky-woman-battling-cancer-gives-birth-to-quadruplets/

Counting croutons: Restaurants tally items for calorie rules

Restaurant and grocery chains scramble to post mandatory calorie counts​ on their menus​ by spring

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/counting-croutons-restaurants-tally-items-for-calorie-rules/

Can You Play ‘Catch-Up’ and Be Healthy?

As your resolutions to be healthier run headlong into real life, don’t give up. Science shows that you can still reap benefits if you catch up.

From: http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/news/20170109/can-you-play-catch-up-and-be-healthy?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Can Teeth Repair Themselves Without Fillings?

Animal experiments suggest damaged choppers can be stimulated to fix cavities

From: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/news/20170109/can-teeth-repair-themselves-without-fillings?src=RSS_PUBLIC

A healthy lifestyle may help you sidestep Alzheimer’s

January is an inspiring time to make resolutions about eating a healthy diet and exercising more, maybe because you want to look or feel better. Personally, those reasons aren’t always enough to keep me from skipping a workout if I have too much on my schedule. I guess I’m a typical mom, putting my family and my job first.

But this year, I have plenty of renewed inspiration to put my health first, and it’s the kind that will keep me up at night if I don’t stick to it: evidence suggests that adopting healthier lifestyle habits may help you thwart or even prevent the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia runs in my family.

About Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, is characterized by the accumulation of two types of protein in the brain: tangles (tau) and plaques (amyloid-beta). Eventually, Alzheimer’s kills brain cells and takes people’s lives.

What causes Alzheimer’s? We still aren’t sure. “For 1% of all cases, there are three genes that determine definitively whether you will have Alzheimer’s, and all three relate to amyloid-beta production, which in these cases is likely the cause of Alzheimer’s,” says Dr. Gad Marshall, associate medical director of clinical trials at the Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “For the other 99%, amyloid and tau are closely associated with Alzheimer’s, but many things may contribute to the development of symptoms, such as inflammation in the brain, vascular risk factors, and lifestyle.”

Promising evidence

So far, evidence suggests that several healthy habits may help ward off Alzheimer’s. Consider the following steps.

Exercise. “The most convincing evidence is that physical exercise helps prevent the development of Alzheimer’s or slow the progression in people who have symptoms,” says Dr. Marshall. “The recommendation is 30 minutes of moderately vigorous aerobic exercise, three to four days per week.”

Eat a Mediterranean diet. “This has been shown to help thwart Alzheimer’s or slow its progression. A recent study showed that even partial adherence to such a diet is better than nothing, which is relevant to people who may find it difficult to fully adhere to a new diet,” says Dr. Marshall. The diet includes fresh vegetables and fruits; whole grains; olive oil; nuts; legumes; fish; moderate amounts of poultry, eggs, and dairy; moderate amounts of red wine; and red meat only sparingly.

Get enough sleep. “Growing evidence suggests that improved sleep can help prevent Alzheimer’s and is linked to greater amyloid clearance from the brain,” says Dr. Marshall. Aim for seven to eight hours per night.

Not as certain

We have some — but not enough — evidence that the following lifestyle choices help prevent Alzheimer’s.

Learn new things. “We think that cognitively stimulating activities may be helpful in preventing Alzheimer’s, but the evidence for their benefit is often limited to improvement in a learned task, such as a thinking skills test, that does not generalize to overall improvement in thinking skills and activities of daily living,” says Dr. Marshall.

Connect socially. “We think that greater social contact helps prevent Alzheimer’s,” explains Dr. Marshall, but so far, “there is only information from observational studies.”

Drink — but just a little. There is conflicting evidence about the benefit of moderate alcohol intake (one drink per day for women, one or two for men) and reduced risk of Alzheimer’s. “It is thought that wine in particular, and not other forms of alcohol, may be helpful, but this has not been proved,” says Dr. Marshall.

What you should do

Even though we don’t have enough evidence that all healthy lifestyle choices prevent Alzheimer’s, we do know they can prevent other chronic problems. For example, limiting alcohol intake can help reduce the risk for certain cancers, such as breast cancer. So it’s wise to make as many healthy lifestyle choices as you can. “They’re all beneficial, and if they wind up helping you avoid Alzheimer’s, all the better,” says Dr. Marshall.

But don’t feel like you need to rush into a ramped-up routine of living a healthier lifestyle. All it takes if one small change at a time, such as:

• exercising an extra day per week
• getting rid of one unhealthy food from your diet
• going to bed half an hour earlier, or shutting off electronic gadgets half an hour earlier than normal, to help you wind down
• listening to a new kind of music, or listening to a podcast about a topic you’re unfamiliar with
• or having lunch with a friend you haven’t seen in a while.

Once you make one small change, try making another. Over time, they will add up. My change is that I’m going to add 15 more minutes to my exercise routine; that way, I’ll rack up more exercise minutes per week, and I won’t feel bad if I have to skip a workout now and then. By putting my health first, I’ll be in better shape for my family and my job, and hopefully, I’ll be better off in older age.

The post A healthy lifestyle may help you sidestep Alzheimer’s appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Heidi Godman http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/a-healthy-lifestyle-may-help-you-sidestep-alzheimers-2017010910955

Do "weekend warriors" reap the full benefits of exercise?

New research looks at the potential benefits of packing workouts into one or two sessions per week

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/weekend-warriors-exercise-health-benefits/

Healthy Habits You Should Give Yourself Credit For

And if you've got these down already, here's how to take them up a notch.

From: http://www.webmd.com/features/healthy-habits-you-already-have?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Obamacare Boosts Breast Cancer Screening Rates

Waiving costs appears to improve mammography rates, but not colonoscopy, even among the poor

From: http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20170109/obamacare-boosts-breast-cancer-screening-study-finds?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Exercise: An antidote for behavioral issues in children?

New research finds this method of exercise can reduce classroom problems for kids with autism, ADHD, other concerns

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/exercise-an-antidote-for-behavioral-issues-in-children/

#MyPlateMyWins at Breakfast

From: USDA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKeuCuBQjcU

Exercise: An Antidote for Kids' Behavioral Issues?

Study found use of 'cybercycles' reduced classroom problems for kids with autism, ADHD, other concerns

From: http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/news/20170109/exercise-an-antidote-for-behavioral-issues-in-students?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Hour Nap May Boost Older Adults' Brain Function

Linked to improved memory and ability to think clearly in study

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/news/20170106/hour-long-nap-may-boost-brain-function-in-older-adults?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Dr. Pritish Tosh discusses bacterial meningitis

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-FxJckn9Mw

Mayo Clinic Minute: How often should your kids bathe?

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N799X5_CZxY

Dr. Usa Bunnag is ADA's 2017 Humanitarian Award recipient

In recognition of her years of service, which includes her continuing commitment to Thailand and her community in Maryland, Dr. Bunnag has been named the 2017 ADA Humanitarian Award recipient. She will be honored in Atlanta at ADA 2017 – America's Dental Meeting in October.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/january/dr-usa-bunnag-is-adas-2017-humanitarian-award-recipient

'Superbug' Infections Down 30% at VA Hospitals

Campaign to thwart antibiotic-resistant MRSA has made strides since 2007, study shows

From: http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20170106/superbug-infections-down-30-percent-at-va-hospitals?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Republican governors worried about congressional push for Obamacare repeal

Dismantling the healthcare law could have financial and political repercussions that could give Democrats potential openings to reclaim power

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/republican-governors-worried-about-congressional-push-for-obamacare-repeal/

Lost in translation: Getting your doctor to be fluent in “patient”

With the advances of knowledge and technology, the practice of medicine has become more complex. In addition to increasing complexity, there has also been a growing shift in patient care from paternalistic medicine to shared decision making. Paternalistic medicine is when the physician would make a diagnosis based on a patient’s history and test results, and then tell the patient what the plan of action will be. With shared decision making, the physician explains testing and treatment options, and then the patient makes an informed decision based on his or her preferences and health goals as well as physician recommendations.

Time after time

In the practice of modern medicine, there are many challenges which can often hamper a physician’s ability deliver care in a way that would be both efficient and most appreciated by the patient. These challenges include shorter office visits (the choice of administrators rather than physicians in many situations), the need to address multiple health problems in a single visit, and lack of support staff (someone to check your blood pressure, confirm your medication list, etc.). Given this time crunch, physicians often find themselves rushing, particularly at the end of a visit, to keep their clinic running as on time as possible for the next patient. During this rush, physicians must discuss the implications of a diagnosis, testing options, treatment options, drug side effects, the need for referrals to specialists, and appropriate follow-up appointments. Due to this rush, I often preface some of my visits by saying, “We need to fit 80 minutes of material into a 60 minute visit, so I apologize for speaking and typing quickly during your visit.”  I recall when one of my patients from the Midwest asked, “Dr. Mathew, where did you learn to talk so fast?”  I replied, “In the republic.”  He asked, “You mean the Dominican Republic?” and I said, “No, the Republic of New Jersey. In New Jersey, speaking quickly is common, and it has provided me with an advantage over other doctors. In the Garden State, we would say that it is a ‘Uge’ (the ‘H’ is silent) advantage.”

Compliantly non-compliant

While rushing through material, physicians may use complex medical jargon without taking the time to explain what it means, and may not go into adequate depth for a patient to feel comfortable proceeding with a decision to start a treatment. Lingering questions and doubts after an office visit can at times lead to non-compliance (when a patient doesn’t follow through with recommended care), which can have detrimental effects. I recall one patient who after arriving 15 minutes late for a 30-minute appointment came to her follow-up visit saying, “I did not follow your recommendations, because my neighbor suggested an alternative treatment.” I replied, “This would be like me telling my mechanic how to fix my brakes. It is an option, but it may not be the best one.”  With adequate time during her follow-up appointment, we were able to discuss all the details of my treatment plan for her, and she felt confident enough to follow through with it

A foreign affair

For many patients, English is a second language, and adequate interpretation by speakerphone, or, preferably in person, is essential for providing quality care. I have had the pleasure of working with many fantastic interpreters, and one of my fondest experiences involved an elderly Spanish speaking woman and an interpreter. I asked if she had any further questions, and she said, “El Doctor es muy guapo.”  The female interpreter blushed, and said, “The patient thinks you are very handsome.”  I replied, “Please advise the patient that I will not be examining her visual acuity because her eyesight is perfect.”  The interpreter laughed, told the patient what I said, and the her ear-to-ear smile lit up the room.

How you can help your doctor speak your language

1. Show up on time, or preferably 15 minutes early for appointments.
2. If English is your second language, make sure to let the office know in advance so interpreter services are available at the start of your visit. (You do not want to waste the first 20 minutes of an appointment waiting for an interpreter.)
3. Rank your concerns, and discuss them from most to least important. (You may not get to everything in a single visit.)
4. Bring any records, including test results, with you to avoid repeat testing, and to avoid treatments that were previously not tolerated or ineffective.
5. Ask your doctor to explain things in simple terms, and do not be afraid to ask questions to clarify what you do not understand.
6. Ask for patient handouts regarding medications, tests, and procedures. Trustworthy information from the physician’s office is better than misinformation, which is often found online.
7. Schedule frequent follow-up appointments if you feel you are not getting enough face time with your doctor.

The post Lost in translation: Getting your doctor to be fluent in “patient” appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Paul G. Mathew, MD, FAAN, FAHS http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/lost-translation-getting-doctor-fluent-patient-2017010610884

Lost in translation: Getting your doctor to be fluent in “patient”

With the advances of knowledge and technology, the practice of medicine has become more complex. In addition to increasing complexity, there has also been a growing shift in patient care from paternalistic medicine to shared decision making. Paternalistic medicine is when the physician would make a diagnosis based on a patient’s history and test results, and then tell the patient what the plan of action will be. With shared decision making, the physician explains testing and treatment options, and then the patient makes an informed decision based on his or her preferences and health goals as well as physician recommendations.

Time after time

In the practice of modern medicine, there are many challenges which can often hamper a physician’s ability deliver care in a way that would be both efficient and most appreciated by the patient. These challenges include shorter office visits (the choice of administrators rather than physicians in many situations), the need to address multiple health problems in a single visit, and lack of support staff (someone to check your blood pressure, confirm your medication list, etc.). Given this time crunch, physicians often find themselves rushing, particularly at the end of a visit, to keep their clinic running as on time as possible for the next patient. During this rush, physicians must discuss the implications of a diagnosis, testing options, treatment options, drug side effects, the need for referrals to specialists, and appropriate follow-up appointments. Due to this rush, I often preface some of my visits by saying, “We need to fit 80 minutes of material into a 60 minute visit, so I apologize for speaking and typing quickly during your visit.”  I recall when one of my patients from the Midwest asked, “Dr. Mathew, where did you learn to talk so fast?”  I replied, “In the republic.”  He asked, “You mean the Dominican Republic?” and I said, “No, the Republic of New Jersey. In New Jersey, speaking quickly is common, and it has provided me with an advantage over other doctors. In the Garden State, we would say that it is a ‘Uge’ (the ‘H’ is silent) advantage.”

Compliantly non-compliant

While rushing through material, physicians may use complex medical jargon without taking the time to explain what it means, and may not go into adequate depth for a patient to feel comfortable proceeding with a decision to start a treatment. Lingering questions and doubts after an office visit can at times lead to non-compliance (when a patient doesn’t follow through with recommended care), which can have detrimental effects. I recall one patient who after arriving 15 minutes late for a 30-minute appointment came to her follow-up visit saying, “I did not follow your recommendations, because my neighbor suggested an alternative treatment.” I replied, “This would be like me telling my mechanic how to fix my brakes. It is an option, but it may not be the best one.”  With adequate time during her follow-up appointment, we were able to discuss all the details of my treatment plan for her, and she felt confident enough to follow through with it

A foreign affair

For many patients, English is a second language, and adequate interpretation by speakerphone, or, preferably in person, is essential for providing quality care. I have had the pleasure of working with many fantastic interpreters, and one of my fondest experiences involved an elderly Spanish speaking woman and an interpreter. I asked if she had any further questions, and she said, “El Doctor es muy guapo.”  The female interpreter blushed, and said, “The patient thinks you are very handsome.”  I replied, “Please advise the patient that I will not be examining her visual acuity because her eyesight is perfect.”  The interpreter laughed, told the patient what I said, and the her ear-to-ear smile lit up the room.

How you can help your doctor speak your language

1. Show up on time, or preferably 15 minutes early for appointments.
2. If English is your second language, make sure to let the office know in advance so interpreter services are available at the start of your visit. (You do not want to waste the first 20 minutes of an appointment waiting for an interpreter.)
3. Rank your concerns, and discuss them from most to least important. (You may not get to everything in a single visit.)
4. Bring any records, including test results, with you to avoid repeat testing, and to avoid treatments that were previously not tolerated or ineffective.
5. Ask your doctor to explain things in simple terms, and do not be afraid to ask questions to clarify what you do not understand.
6. Ask for patient handouts regarding medications, tests, and procedures. Trustworthy information from the physician’s office is better than misinformation, which is often found online.
7. Schedule frequent follow-up appointments if you feel you are not getting enough face time with your doctor.

The post Lost in translation: Getting your doctor to be fluent in “patient” appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Paul G. Mathew, MD, FAAN, FAHS http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/lost-translation-getting-doctor-fluent-patient-2017010610884