Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Spinach and mushroom frittata
From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/recipes/spinach-mushroom-frittata/rcp-20049936
Cancer blood tests: Lab tests used in cancer diagnosis
From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancer-diagnosis/art-20046459
Ambrosia with coconut and toasted almonds
Treat your sweetheart to this classic Southern dessert. The sweet fruit combined with cream sherry, toasted almonds and coconut offer rich flavor and little fat.
From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/recipes/ambrosia-with-coconut-and-toasted-almonds/rcp-20049601
From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/recipes/ambrosia-with-coconut-and-toasted-almonds/rcp-20049601
Movember: Stashing prostate and testicular cancer awareness into the limelight
Since 2003, the Movember movement has been raising public awareness of testicular and prostate cancer. The common theme that links cancers of all types is that early detection tends to lead to better outcomes. Because cancer often has no symptoms in its early stages, screening for cancer has been an integral part of primary care routine visits.
I go for an annual physical every year. Do I really need to do self-examinations?
Although routine screening by a health care provider is critical, it does not alleviate the need for self-examinations. In terms of gender-specific cancers, breast cancer is one that receives a great deal of attention due to its prevalence, as one in eight women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. It is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in women, and the second leading cause of cancer death in women. As with any form of cancer, early detection is critical, and the importance of routine breast self-examinations cannot be stressed highly enough. For these reasons, multiple foundations and even the National Football League promote awareness.
What is the deal with men’s health?
Far fewer people know the facts about prostate and testicular cancer. Regarding prostate cancer, about one in seven men will be diagnosed during their lifetime. It most often affects men over the age of 65, and it is the second leading cause of cancer death in men. Although there is no proven way to do self-exams, a digital rectal examination (DRE) performed by a health care provider is a useful screening tool in the detection of prostate cancer. During a DRE, a healthcare provider uses a gloved, lubricated finger inserted into the rectum to feel the prostate gland.
Testicular cancer is fortunately much less common than prostate cancer, as about one in 263 men will be diagnosed during their lifetime. Unlike prostate cancer, testicular cancer is a disease of young and middle-aged men, with about 7% of cases occurring in teens and young boys. Although the number of deaths from testicular cancer is far lower than breast or prostate cancer, it is estimated that about 380 men will die of testicular cancer in the U.S. in 2016. Early detection is critical, and we must stress the importance of routine testicular self-examinations.
Prostate and testicular cancers, especially when not detected early, can lead to difficult treatment, sterility, and potentially a lifetime of hormone replacement therapy. Men tend to be less likely in general to access the health care system, particularly for routine care, which further punctuates the need for awareness. Many men find the thought of a DRE or a testicular examination embarrassing, but such embarrassment can be lifesaving.
Why is a neurologist so interested in prostate and testicular cancer?
A few years ago, I met a colleague who was similar to me in many ways, a relatively young physician and father of two with no health problems. That is, until he discovered a small nodule on one of his testicles during a self-exam. Follow-up tests confirmed testicular cancer. Fortunately, with early intervention, he was cured after the surgical removal of one of his testicles.
So when I heard about the Movember movement, I felt compelled to do my part to raise awareness.
So here are some of my Movember experiences…
For the past few years, I have grown out a full beard in October, and then shaved it down to a mustache on November 1. For a man who never wears a mustache to suddenly have one is very much an attention grabber. I fondly recall my daughter who is now 4 saying, “Papa, you look like Super Mario with that mustache.” Fortunately, some of the comments I received have been a little more flattering. After sharing the story of Movember with some coworkers, one of the nurses said, “That mustache reminds me of Tom Selleck’s mustache. The only difference is, he is Magnum P.I., which I guess makes you Magnum P.M. (my initials).” During Movember, I begin every patient encounter explaining why I have a mustache, the importance of prostate and testicular cancer awareness, and how early detection can be lifesaving. It has always amazed me how many patients reply with a personal story of their own about a brother, uncle, coworker, etc. who was diagnosed with prostate or testicular cancer.
I fondly recall one such patient, a woman in her 70s, later changing the subject by saying, “Dr. Mathew, do you know that it tickles very much to kiss a man with a mustache?” I replied with a big smile while shrugging my shoulders, “I wouldn’t know (implying that as a heterosexual married man, I have never tried to kiss a man with a mustache),” One of my most rewarding Movember experiences occurred when I had a female patient in the medical field ask me how to perform a testicular exam. I was initially shocked by the question, but then later elated that my mustache served its purpose and then some. Not only did I raise awareness of testicular cancer, but this woman may actually help detect a case, and save someone’s life.
Then came the difficult part … showing this woman how to perform a testicular exam. My mind quickly scrambled, and after scanning the room, I noticed an Angry Bird toy from a Happy Meal that my daughter did not want. As I picked up the rotund bird, and used it as a teaching prop, she seemed to grasp the concept perfectly. I then put the Angry Bird down, and I could not help but feel that one just flew over the cuckoo’s nest…
The post Movember: Stashing prostate and testicular cancer awareness into the limelight appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
From: Paul G. Mathew, MD, FAAN, FAHS http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/movember-stashing-prostate-and-testicular-cancer-awareness-into-the-limelight-2016112210740
Zika birth defect may surface months after birth
A study of 13 Brazilian babies shows that the absence of microcephaly at birth doesn’t mean abnormalities won't develop later
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/zika-birth-defect-microcephaly-may-surface-months-after-birth/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/zika-birth-defect-microcephaly-may-surface-months-after-birth/
N.Y. kids learn important Thanksgiving lesson: Kindness equals tolerance
This election has pitted some families against each other, but there are some ways to accept people's differences
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/thanksgiving-stress-election-cure/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/thanksgiving-stress-election-cure/
“This Is My Truth. This Is Diabetes.”
When you ask Jessica where “home” is, she pictures the Indian reservation in upstate New York where her parents are from. Jessica’s family is part of the Haudenosaunee—the people of the longhouses—where entire family units live together in one house with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, parents and siblings. Close family ties define her community.
At nearly 16 percent, American Indians and Alaska Natives have the highest prevalence of diabetes among all racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Jessica knew she had a strong family history of type 2 diabetes, but didn’t think it would affect her until she was much older.
Jessica was only in her 30s when her family’s history of diabetes became her own reality. Now she is determined to take control of her disease so she can watch her seven nieces and nephews grow up.
This is her story.
During American Diabetes Month® we’re sharing the stories of people affected by diabetes, just like Jessica. What do YOU want the world to know about this disease?
If you or someone you know is living with diabetes, share your story during November using #ThisIsDiabetes. And learn more at http://diabetes.org/adm.
From: American Diabetes Association http://diabetesstopshere.org/2016/11/22/this-is-my-truth-this-is-diabetes/
Palliative Care Raises Quality of Life
Researchers find value for extremely ill patients and their caregivers, but add that it doesn't affect survival
From: http://www.webmd.com/palliative-care/news/20161122/palliative-care-raises-quality-of-life-but-doesnt-extend-it?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Movember: Stashing prostate and testicular cancer awareness into the limelight
Since 2003, the Movember movement has been raising public awareness of testicular and prostate cancer. The common theme that links cancers of all types is that early detection tends to lead to better outcomes. Because cancer often has no symptoms in its early stages, screening for cancer has been an integral part of primary care routine visits.
I go for an annual physical every year. Do I really need to do self-examinations?
Although routine screening by a health care provider is critical, it does not alleviate the need for self-examinations. In terms of gender-specific cancers, breast cancer is one that receives a great deal of attention due to its prevalence, as one in eight women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. It is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in women, and the second leading cause of cancer death in women. As with any form of cancer, early detection is critical, and the importance of routine breast self-examinations cannot be stressed highly enough. For these reasons, multiple foundations and even the National Football League promote awareness.
What is the deal with men’s health?
Far fewer people know the facts about prostate and testicular cancer. Regarding prostate cancer, about one in seven men will be diagnosed during their lifetime. It most often affects men over the age of 65, and it is the second leading cause of cancer death in men. Although there is no proven way to do self-exams, a digital rectal examination (DRE) performed by a health care provider is a useful screening tool in the detection of prostate cancer. During a DRE, a healthcare provider uses a gloved, lubricated finger inserted into the rectum to feel the prostate gland.
Testicular cancer is fortunately much less common than prostate cancer, as about one in 263 men will be diagnosed during their lifetime. Unlike prostate cancer, testicular cancer is a disease of young and middle-aged men, with about 7% of cases occurring in teens and young boys. Although the number of deaths from testicular cancer is far lower than breast or prostate cancer, it is estimated that about 380 men will die of testicular cancer in the U.S. in 2016. Early detection is critical, and we must stress the importance of routine testicular self-examinations.
Prostate and testicular cancers, especially when not detected early, can lead to difficult treatment, sterility, and potentially a lifetime of hormone replacement therapy. Men tend to be less likely in general to access the health care system, particularly for routine care, which further punctuates the need for awareness. Many men find the thought of a DRE or a testicular examination embarrassing, but such embarrassment can be lifesaving.
Why is a neurologist so interested in prostate and testicular cancer?
A few years ago, I met a colleague who was similar to me in many ways, a relatively young physician and father of two with no health problems. That is, until he discovered a small nodule on one of his testicles during a self-exam. Follow-up tests confirmed testicular cancer. Fortunately, with early intervention, he was cured after the surgical removal of one of his testicles.
So when I heard about the Movember movement, I felt compelled to do my part to raise awareness.
So here are some of my Movember experiences…
For the past few years, I have grown out a full beard in October, and then shaved it down to a mustache on November 1. For a man who never wears a mustache to suddenly have one is very much an attention grabber. I fondly recall my daughter who is now 4 saying, “Papa, you look like Super Mario with that mustache.” Fortunately, some of the comments I received have been a little more flattering. After sharing the story of Movember with some coworkers, one of the nurses said, “That mustache reminds me of Tom Selleck’s mustache. The only difference is, he is Magnum P.I., which I guess makes you Magnum P.M. (my initials).” During Movember, I begin every patient encounter explaining why I have a mustache, the importance of prostate and testicular cancer awareness, and how early detection can be lifesaving. It has always amazed me how many patients reply with a personal story of their own about a brother, uncle, coworker, etc. who was diagnosed with prostate or testicular cancer.
I fondly recall one such patient, a woman in her 70s, later changing the subject by saying, “Dr. Mathew, do you know that it tickles very much to kiss a man with a mustache?” I replied with a big smile while shrugging my shoulders, “I wouldn’t know (implying that as a heterosexual married man, I have never tried to kiss a man with a mustache),” One of my most rewarding Movember experiences occurred when I had a female patient in the medical field ask me how to perform a testicular exam. I was initially shocked by the question, but then later elated that my mustache served its purpose and then some. Not only did I raise awareness of testicular cancer, but this woman may actually help detect a case, and save someone’s life.
Then came the difficult part … showing this woman how to perform a testicular exam. My mind quickly scrambled, and after scanning the room, I noticed an Angry Bird toy from a Happy Meal that my daughter did not want. As I picked up the rotund bird, and used it as a teaching prop, she seemed to grasp the concept perfectly. I then put the Angry Bird down, and I could not help but feel that one just flew over the cuckoo’s nest…
The post Movember: Stashing prostate and testicular cancer awareness into the limelight appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
From: Paul G. Mathew, MD, FAAN, FAHS http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/movember-stashing-prostate-and-testicular-cancer-awareness-into-the-limelight-2016112210740
Saving Lives With Gus: Incarcerated Hernia
From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wb3q3S_Vj0A
Handle Stress for Help Against Hep C
If you have hepatitis C, you have enough stress in your life already. WebMD shows you some ways to handle that type of stress, and others, to keep you as healthy as you can be.
From: http://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/features/hep-c-manage-stress?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Hepatitis C: You Are Not Your Condition
Hepatitis C can make you feel anxious or lonely. WebMD shows you how to cut through the stigma of this disease and start to feel better.
From: http://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/features/hep-c-live-with-confidence?src=RSS_PUBLIC
2 Doses of HPV Vaccine Effective for Younger Teens
Global study supports revised regimen for those under 15
From: http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/hpv-genital-warts/news/20161122/2-doses-of-hpv-vaccine-effective-for-younger-teens?src=RSS_PUBLIC
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