"Encouraging signs" seen in fight against HIV

A new government report finds HIV is being diagnosed on average seven months sooner than it was just a few years ago

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/hiv-being-caught-sooner-in-more-people-cdc-says/

HIV Diagnoses Occurring More Quickly, CDC Says

The average time between HIV infection and diagnosis was three years in 2015, seven months earlier than it had been in 2011, according to researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

From: https://www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/news/20171128/hiv-diagnoses-occurring-more-quickly-cdc-says?src=RSS_PUBLIC

ADA: Ask your senators to reauthorize CHIP

The ADA is urging dentists reach out to their senators, asking them to reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program.

From: By Jennifer Garvin
http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/november/ada-ask-your-senators-to-reauthorize-chip

Is It Time to Scrap the Pap Test?

The combination of tests for cervical cancer includes a test to detect the human papillomavirus (HPV) and the test commonly known as the Pap test.

From: https://www.webmd.com/women/news/20171127/is-it-time-to-scrap-the-pap-test?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Doctor who doesn't use computer can't regain license

The 84-year-old doctor's request to regain her license to practice was denied, partly due to her inability to use a computer​

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/doctor-who-doesnt-use-computer-cant-regain-license-judge-says/

Don't Delay Hip Fracture Surgery. Here's Why

Having surgery within 24 hours decreases the risk of hip fracture-related death

From: https://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/news/20171128/dont-delay-hip-fracture-surgery-heres-why?src=RSS_PUBLIC

FDA: Beware of Bone Treats for Dogs

Ninety dogs have been sickened, including 15 who died, from bone treats, federal agency says.

From: https://pets.webmd.com/news/20171128/fda-beware-of-one-treats-for-dogs?src=RSS_PUBLIC

1 in 10 medical products in developing countries is substandard or falsified

An estimated 1 in 10 medical products circulating in low- and middle-income countries is either substandard or falsified, according to new research from WHO.

This means that people are taking medicines that fail to treat or prevent disease. Not only is this a waste of money for individuals and health systems that purchase these products, but substandard or falsified medical products can cause serious illness or even death.

From: http://www.who.int/entity/mediacentre/news/releases/2017/substandard-falsified-products/en/index.html

ADA, AAPD comment on CMS proposed rule

The American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry on Nov. 27 filed comments on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid's proposed changes to the benefits and payment parameters — including the definition of a "typical" employer plan and allowing states to limit their essential health benefits packages — that could adversely affect dental patients.

From: By Jennifer Garvin
http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/november/ada-aapd-comment-on-cms-proposed-rule

Doc Won't Use Computer, Judge Won't Renew License

84-year-old doctor had asked to have license renewed.

From: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20171127/doc-wont-use-computer-judge-wont-renew-license?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Facebook turns to AI to help prevent suicides

Facebook says it will use AI to help identify when someone is expressing thoughts about suicide on the social media platform

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/facebook-artificial-intelligence-suicide-prevention/

Contaminated raw milk may have been sold in 4 states

Health officials say anyone who consumed raw milk products from Udder Milk in the past six months should see their doctor for antibiotics to prevent illness

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/contaminated-raw-milk-may-have-been-sold-in-4-states/

This Weight-Loss Strategy May Not Help Your Knees

Weight loss from dieting can slow the progression of knee arthritis in overweight people, according to a new study.

From: https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/knee-pain/news/20171128/this-weight-loss-strategy-may-not-help-your-knees?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Sniffing Out the Best Allergy Treatment

Seasonal allergies make life miserable for millions of Americans.

From: https://www.webmd.com/allergies/news/20171128/sniffing-out-the-best-allergy-treatment?src=RSS_PUBLIC

From Horses to Humans: Uncovering a Clue to Sore Throats

The fight against germs that cause millions of sore throats each year may have gotten a boost from horses.

From: https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20171127/from-horses-to-humans-uncovering-a-clue-to-sore-throats?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Mayo Clinic Minute: 5 tips for cooking with healthier oils

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KW3GHKlTL8

Bullied teens more likely to bring weapons to school

New research identifies three factors linked to greater odds of high school students carrying a weapon during school hours

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/bullied-teens-more-likely-to-bring-weapons-to-school/

7 ways to prevent holiday stress — for your children

Follow me on Twitter @drClaire

The holidays can be hectic — and tense. Between buying presents (expensive and nerve-racking), holiday events (how many holiday concerts can there be?), entertaining (so much cooking), traveling, and family gatherings (which are not always as pleasant as we might like), what should theoretically be fun has a way of becoming stressful. It can be stressful for kids, too.

Okay, they aren’t driving long distances, dealing with office parties, or managing a credit card bill. But it is stressful nonetheless. Routines are off, there are so many expectations, and the ambient stress has a way of affecting children too.

Here are seven ways to prevent and reduce holiday stress for children this season.

1.  Manage your own stress. Not only are you setting an example, there’s just no way to stop your children from sensing your stress and being affected by it. It’s kind of like the safety message we hear every time we get on an airplane: if you are flying with a child and the oxygen masks drop, you should put yours on first and then put on the child’s. You’re no good to anyone if you can’t function. Try to be self-aware. Set aside time for yourself. Create code words that your partner and friends can use to let you know when you are starting to act like a snippy, crazy person. Practice self-care. Get enough sleep. Speaking of sleep…

2.  As much as possible, keep routines the same. Kids do best when routines are predictable — and healthy. This is particularly true for sleep. As tempting as it may be to let kids stay up late and sleep late throughout the holidays, try to stay within an hour of usual times, except for special occasions (like New Year’s Eve). We all do better when we stick to our sleep routines. Same goes for mealtimes (be sure your kids get three healthy meals a day, preferably with you and not in front of the television). As you think about how your children will spend the holidays…

3.  Manage expectations. My youngest child has a way of getting incredibly excited for Christmas, expecting that he will get that incredibly expensive and hard-to-find Lego set, and that we will spend every day of vacation visiting museums and doing other activities, preferably with his friends — and then getting sad when he gets something slightly different and has to amuse himself some days. This is true for lots of kids, and is very preventable. Up front, let kids know what they can and can’t expect. You don’t have to give away the surprise, but you could, as a family, say that everyone gets one big but not break-the-bank gift (and otherwise set parameters on gifts). And you can sit together, look at the calendar, and let your kids know what you can and cannot pull off when it comes to vacation activities. As you think about activities…

4.  Keep kids active. Speaking of television, sitting in front of it (or a gaming console or an iPad or phone) all day isn’t good for anyone, and exercise is a known stress-buster. Kick them outside. Go to the park. Take advantage of free swim time at the local Y. Go for walks together. That together part is key…

5.  Spend some time together. Real time, where you are sharing an activity. Going to the movies or having a family movie night is fine (and a nice way to end a crazy day), but try to do things that involve actual interaction. Play games together. Visit a museum together. Bake cookies. Which is a good example of how you can…

6.  Build some family holiday rituals, if you don’t have them already. Whether it’s holiday baking, or making homemade gifts together, or a particular concert you always attend, or some friends you invite every year, create things you can do together every year that are meaningful and fun. There are plenty of things you have to do. Make your family rituals things you want to do. And as you build your rituals…

7.  Choose something to do as a family that helps others. Choose toys for a toy drive. Go through clothes in the closet and bring gently used ones to a shelter or clothing drive. Donating money to causes is always great, but look for things that your children can actively participate in, preferably that you can do as a family. Try not to think of it as another family chore. Instead, think of it as a way to not only teach kindness, but to keep perspective on the holidays — and on what’s way more important than presents or parties.

That’s a perspective we all need — and the perspective that could save all of us a lot of stress.

The post 7 ways to prevent holiday stress — for your children appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Claire McCarthy, MD https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/7-ways-prevent-holiday-stress-children-2017112812809

New patient resources available for National Family Caregivers Month

A video from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs shows caregivers how they can help their loved ones reduce their risk of developing pneumonia while hospitalized by maintaining their oral health around the clock.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/november/new-patient-resources-available-for-national-family-caregivers-month

Arthritis No Longer Just a Disease of the Old

Roughly 91 million adults had arthritis in 2015. But the most surprising fact was that nearly one-third of sufferers were aged 18 to 64, a new study found.

From: https://www.webmd.com/arthritis/news/20171127/arthritis-no-longer-just-a-disease-of-the-old?src=RSS_PUBLIC

WHO delivers medicines as diphtheria spreads in Yemen

WHO delivers medicines as diphtheria spreads in Yemen

From: http://www.who.int/entity/mediacentre/news/releases/2017/medicines-diphtheria-yemen/en/index.html