19-year-old needed double lung transplant, but his family says because he tested positive for chief intoxicant in marijuana he was denied spot on list
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/teen-denied-lung-transplant-after-smoking-marijuana-family-says/
Thursday, April 13, 2017
Free needle vending machine for drug users debuts in Vegas
The vending machines are part of an effort to reduce the transmission of diseases like HIV and hepatitis C
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-first-public-needle-vending-machine-for-drug-users-debuts-in-vegas/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-first-public-needle-vending-machine-for-drug-users-debuts-in-vegas/
Mom shares boy's shocking X-ray as warning to parents
The young boy had to be operated on, under general anesthesia, to remove the grape
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mom-shares-shocking-x-ray-of-grape-stuck-in-5-year-olds-throat/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mom-shares-shocking-x-ray-of-grape-stuck-in-5-year-olds-throat/
Open Payments review and dispute period ends May 15
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recommends dentists and other health care professionals view any data reported about them on Open Payments to ensure its accuracy.
From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/april/open-payments-review-and-dispute-period-ends-may-15
From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/april/open-payments-review-and-dispute-period-ends-may-15
ADA seeks participants for review of standard related to clinical terminology
The ADA is seeking dental professionals interested in the ADA Systemized Nomenclature of Dentistry, or SNODENT, to help consider approval of the next revision of SNODENT as an American National Standard.
From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/april/ada-seeks-participants-for-review-of-standard-related-to-clinical-terminology
From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/april/ada-seeks-participants-for-review-of-standard-related-to-clinical-terminology
Do marathons risk the health of people living nearby?
When streets are closed for a race, older people who land in the hospital are more likely to die within a month, study shows
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/marathons-health-risk-community-older-people-nearby/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/marathons-health-risk-community-older-people-nearby/
Kids Can Pick Up Nicotine on Their Hands
'Thirdhand' exposure from residue in their homes could prove health threat, study says
From: http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/news/20170413/kids-can-pick-up-nicotine-on-their-hands?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Early Onset Hot Flashes May Signal Heart Risks
Study found link between menopausal symptoms in younger women and reduced blood vessel function
From: http://www.webmd.com/menopause/news/20170413/early-onset-hot-flashes-may-signal-higher-heart-risks?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Early registration for FDI 2017 Madrid ends May 31
Early Bird registration for the 2017 FDI Annual World Dental Congress ends on May 31, with registration fees increasing after that date.
From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/april/early-registration-for-fdi-2017-madrid-ends-may-31
From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/april/early-registration-for-fdi-2017-madrid-ends-may-31
Trump signs measure to withhold federal family planning funds from Planned Parenthood, abortion providers
The measure overturns an Obama-era rule that would only let states deny family planning funding to organizations that weren't able to provide those services
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-signs-measure-to-withhold-federal-family-planning-funds-from-planned-parenthood-abortion-providers/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-signs-measure-to-withhold-federal-family-planning-funds-from-planned-parenthood-abortion-providers/
Two types of diabetes on the rise in children
A second diabetes study in adults showed heart disease and stroke incidence dropping
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/diabetes-type-1-and-type-2-on-the-rise-in-children/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/diabetes-type-1-and-type-2-on-the-rise-in-children/
Trans fats ban linked to fewer heart troubles in this state
New research hints at the potential for widespread health benefits from an upcoming nationwide ban
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ny-trans-fats-ban-linked-to-fewer-heart-troubles-in-state/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ny-trans-fats-ban-linked-to-fewer-heart-troubles-in-state/
Is Being Crazy Busy the New Status Symbol?
New research suggests Americans equate harried lifestyles with higher social standing
From: http://www.webmd.com/balance/news/20170413/im-just-too-busy----is-being-overworked-the-new-status-symbol?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Comments sought on clinical guideline for potentially malignant disorders in oral cavity
ADA members are invited to share their expertise and insight on the evaluation of potentially malignant disorders in the oral cavity.
From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/april/comments-sought-on-clinical-guideline-for-potentially-malignant-disorders-in-oral-cavity
From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/april/comments-sought-on-clinical-guideline-for-potentially-malignant-disorders-in-oral-cavity
Both Types of Diabetes Rise in U.S. Children
But doctors making headway with heart complications among these patients
From: http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/news/20170412/diabetes-continues-its-relentless-rise?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Misunderstood Gene Tests May Lead to Unnecessary Surgery
Half of breast cancer patients who had both breasts removed unsure of genetic risk of more cancers: study
From: http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20170412/misunderstood-gene-tests-may-lead-to-unnecessary-mastectomies?src=RSS_PUBLIC
FDA Warns Against Bogus Autism 'Cures'
Unproven therapies won't help and could be harmful, agency says
From: http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/news/20170412/fda-warns-against-bogus-autism-cures?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Women surgeons worldwide recreate New Yorker cover
Twitter, Instagram and Facebook are flooded with images of female surgeons who love the message of a recent New Yorker cover
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-yorker-cover-women-surgeons-selfies-social-media/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-yorker-cover-women-surgeons-selfies-social-media/
Making Mayo's Recipes: Honey Sage Carrots
From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM_NQWC7lJA
Dr Matthew Tollefsen Recommendations, benefits and risks of prostate cancer screening
From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjg86gdU-GA
A Healthier Weight May Mean Fewer Migraines
Study found risk increased in both obese and underweight people
From: http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/news/20170412/a-healthier-weight-may-mean-fewer-migraines?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Many Opioid Addictions Surface After Surgery
Some patients face much higher risk of becoming dependent on powerful painkillers
From: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/news/20170412/many-opioid-addictions-surface-after-surgery-study-finds?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Apple said to be secretly working on diabetes "holy grail"
The tech company has reportedly hired a team of engineers to develop sensors to help treat the disease
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/apple-said-to-be-secretly-working-on-diabetes-holy-grail/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/apple-said-to-be-secretly-working-on-diabetes-holy-grail/
Physicians and opioids: Part of the solution, but challenges ahead
With more than 200 million prescriptions for opioid medications being written every year, it’s hard to escape the notion that physicians must share some of the blame for creating the opioid epidemic facing the nation.
The criticism has come from many quarters. Editorial writers have pointed the finger of blame, as have high-ranking elected officials. More than a third of the American public think doctors are at fault, and even members of our own profession have acknowledged the unwitting complicity of physicians.
There’s no denying it. Despite our well-intentioned motivation to care for our patients and treat their pain, we physicians have played a role in this crisis.
What may be getting lost in the current conversation about opioids, however, is the change that has occurred within our profession. Physicians have recognized the damage done and are responding, and it’s important that patients and our colleagues know the extent of what we are doing — and what resources are available.
The list is long: collaborating with state officials to develop strategies; educating patients about safe storage and disposal of medications; convening policymakers and experts in forums and summits; and encouraging use of prescription monitoring programs.
Perhaps our most notable efforts have been educating our colleagues. In 2015, our state medical society was among the first in the nation to issue prescribing guidelines, subsequently adopted by the Board of Registration in Medicine and incorporated into its comprehensive advisory to physicians on prescribing issues and practices.
Those guidelines were followed by continuing medical education courses on opioids and pain management, made available (and still) free to all prescribers. From May of 2015 through the end of February 2017, more than 9,100 individuals have completed more than 25,800 course modules on the topics. The numbers are testimony to how physicians are responding.
Additionally, together with the deans of the state’s four medical schools and state health officials, we have brought opioid education to the next generation of physicians by developing core competencies for medical students, to teach them early in their careers about pain management.
The advocacy of partial-fill legislation, to reduce the amount of drugs subject to diversion, and the convening of political and healthcare leaders to push for more medication-assisted treatment have been other physician-led efforts.
Hospitals and medical schools have raised their level of response as well.
The University of Massachusetts Medical School has implemented Opioid and Safe Prescribing Training Immersion for medical and nurse practitioner students, including interactions with standardized patients, group sessions with patients in recovery, and hands-on overdose care and naloxone rescue.
Boston Medical Center, in collaboration with the Department of Public Health and Boston Public Health Commission, with its Faster Paths to Treatment Opioid Urgent Care Center, and the Boston University School of Medicine, with its Safe and Competent Opioid Prescribing Education program, are in the forefront of substance abuse disorder treatment. Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital, and Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Plymouth are among others engaged in significant efforts.
The medical community is responding, and there is progress. In separate studies, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, athenahealth, and the Cambridge-based Workers Compensation Research Institute have all recorded drops in prescribing.
Despite these efforts, and those of state government, public health officials, law enforcement, and many others, deaths from opioid overdoses have reached record numbers in the Commonwealth and the nation, caused in large part by illegal, synthetic fentanyl. Here’s another ominous sign, revealed in a recent national poll: more patients are taking opioids.
The rising numbers of overdoses show just how difficult it will be — and how long it might take — to claim some measure of success in reversing this epidemic.
Yet while struggling to prevent and reduce addiction, physicians face another test.
Whether fearing sanctions or deciding it to be too complicated, many physicians have cut down on prescribing opioids, and some have stopped prescribing altogether. The result: patients who truly need help aren’t getting the care and relief they need.
How many patients are in this situation is uncertain, but they are beginning to be heard. What is certain is that the challenges of pain management just became a lot tougher — for both the patient and the physician.
The Opioid Crisis in America
Register for this free self-paced course here
Every day in the United States more than 1,000 people are treated in emergency departments for not using prescription opioids as directed. In 2015 more than 30,000 people died from overdoses involving prescription opioids. This course challenges preconceptions about who can become addicted to opioids, attempts to reduce the stigma that exists around addiction in general, and to help people learn about the multiple pathways to treatment.
The post Physicians and opioids: Part of the solution, but challenges ahead appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
From: James S. Gessner, M.D. http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/physicians-and-opioids-part-of-the-solution-but-challenges-ahead-2017041311551
Radical increase in water and sanitation investment required to meet development targets
Countries are not increasing spending fast enough to meet the water and sanitation targets under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), says a new report published by WHO on behalf of UN-Water – the United Nations inter-agency coordination mechanism for all freshwater-related issues, including sanitation.
From: http://www.who.int/entity/mediacentre/news/releases/2017/water-sanitation-investment/en/index.html
From: http://www.who.int/entity/mediacentre/news/releases/2017/water-sanitation-investment/en/index.html
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