MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'info'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:01:51 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4883562&cid=t_113294_87_f&fid=36941&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mazecordblood.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D1348 Is saving your child’s cord blood a wise investment for future stem cell therapy?  That is the question many parents are asking when they learn they are pregnant. CNN reports via parenting.com that it is important to do your research carefully and find the appropriate cord blood bank that fits your needs.  According to the article it can cost $3600 or more over the course of your 18 year investment.However, MAZE Cord Blood Laboratories is 55% less costly than other banks which charge a yearly fee to store the blood. The reason? MAZE does NOT charge an annual fee, rather, they have one price which can be paid in full or over time, and that is it.  You can read here for further information. {Click here for a free information packet and special coupon for MAZE Cord Blood Labora... Cord Blood News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4883562 Tue, 31 May 2011 16:08:52 +0100 4883562 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4610770&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2Fa7-xh3dXrAY%2F My Primary Care Physician is a good guy.  His practice implemented an EMR a few years ago- each time I see him, I ask him how that’s going and he lets me see how it looks on the tablet PC he carries into the exam room. My last visit was for an annual checkup a few weeks ago and we were talking about point-of-care tools and integration with his EMR.  It turns out that their EMR has no useful functionality to help find or produce patient education handouts he can quickly sent to a printer I told him it would not be difficult to make a tool that would enable him to find authoritative handouts quickly and easily from the paid resources his practice has available, and he expressed interest in that idea. He hasn’t followed up, but I found the idea interesting, so I started thinking... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4610770 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 09:20:05 +0100 4610770 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4331264&cid=t_113294_160_f&fid=38218&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwaronwarts.com%2Fgenital-warts%2Fhpv%2Fnew-york%2Flong-island%2Fgeneral-info%2Fadherence-to-schedule-for-hpv-vaccination-series-low%2F Adherence to recommended schedules for human papillomavirus (HPV) quadrivalent vaccine is relatively low, and even lower among blacks, raising concerns about disease disparity, according to research published online Dec. 13 in Pediatrics. To determine the level of adherence to the recommended schedule for vaccination and to identify factors associated with completing the three-dose series, Lea E. Widdice, M.D., of the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and colleagues reviewed data on 3,297 females aged 9 to 26 who initiated HPV vaccination. Sixty-seven percent of the females self-identified as black and 29 percent as white. The researchers found that more than 50 percent of the doses were received late and fewer than 3 percent were received earlier than recommended. Compl... War On Warts blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4331264 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 20:46:09 +0100 4331264 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4309666&cid=t_113294_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F01%2F04%2Fwhy-doctors-oversell-benefits-undersell-risks-and-side-effects%2F Virtually across the board of medicine and psychiatry, doctors will constantly and consistently oversell the benefits of a given treatment, and undersell the risks and side effects of it. This may not be as surprising when you look at some of the key factors into how medical and psychiatric treatment is learned and then conducted on patients. Why do doctors often oversell the benefits of a given treatment, and minimize the risks and side effects of it? 1. Treatment is rarely experienced first-hand. While you don’t need to undergo surgery to understand the benefits of surgery or how to do surgery, you will surely have a great appreciation to the patient’s perspective if every surgeon was required to get an appendectomy before being allowed to practice. Surgeons know, in most ca... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4309666 Tue, 04 Jan 2011 20:24:09 +0100 4309666 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4295015&cid=t_113294_160_f&fid=38218&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwaronwarts.com%2Fgenital-warts%2Fhpv%2Fnew-york%2Flong-island%2Fgeneral-info%2Ffda-approves-hpv-vaccine-for-men%2F Gardasil (human papillomavirus vaccine), the vaccine that can prevent most cases of cervical cancer in girls, has won the FDA’s blessing as a vaccine to prevent anal cancer, a huge victory for men! The FDA’s  approval for Gardasil as an anal cancer vaccine opens the way for the medication’s maker, Merck and Co. Inc., to market the vaccine to boys and young men between the ages of nine and 26 – an option that will be most meaningful for men who have sex with men, but valuable to all.  Nobody likes getting HPV on their penis.  It really can devastate many boys and men.  When the HPV ends up on their anal area – the risk of anal cancer is high.  Although this is most commonly seen in homosexual men, it is not infrequent for heterosexual men to be at risk.  ... War On Warts blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4295015 Mon, 27 Dec 2010 18:02:50 +0100 4295015 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4159236&cid=t_113294_87_f&fid=38113&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.consumerreports.org%2Fhealth%2F2010%2F11%2Fhealth-insurance-news-round-up-one-in-five-americans-went-without-health-coverage-this-year.html The number of uninsured children decreased by5 percent in the first quarter of 2010. That’s 59.1 million Americans, the most ever to spend at least part of the year without health insurance, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Particularly hard hit were families with incomes between $43,000 and $65,000, a third of whom had no insurance for at least part of the year, and adults 18 to 64. Twenty-five percent of those people lacked coverage. And about 30 million adults had no insurance for a year or longer. Children were the one bright spot: the number of uninsured children decreased by 5 percent in the first quarter of 2010, thanks to expansion of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. No surprise, people with gaps in coverage ... Consumer Reports Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4159236 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:07:56 +0100 4159236 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4061089&cid=t_113294_160_f&fid=38218&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwaronwarts.com%2Fgenital-warts%2Fhpv%2Fnew-york%2Flong-island%2Fgeneral-info%2Fanal-warts-in-men%2F What are anal warts? Anal warts (also called “condyloma acuminata”) are a condition that affects the area around and inside the anus. They may also affect the skin of the genital area. They first appear as tiny spots or growths, perhaps as small as the head of a pin, and may grow larger than the size of a pea. Usually, they do not cause pain or discomfort to afflicted individuals. As a result, patients may be unaware that the warts are present. Some patients will experience symptoms such as itching, bleeding, mucus discharge and/or a feeling of a lump or mass in the anal area. Anal warts, thought to be caused by the human papilloma virus, can grow larger and spread if not removed. It is important to know that Anal warts can be found both heterosexuals and in men who have sex wi... War On Warts blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4061089 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 18:19:14 +0100 4061089 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3969005&cid=t_113294_87_f&fid=38113&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.consumerreports.org%2Fhealth%2F2010%2F09%2Fnational-institutes-of-health-association-of-health-care-journalists-fellowship-live-from-bethesda.html This week I’m in health journalist heaven, on the sprawling campus of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md, just outside the nation’s capital, instead of at my desk at Consumer Reports headquarters in Yonkers, N.Y. I was lucky enough to receive a fellowship for health reporters sponsored by the Association of Health Care Journalists and the U.S. National Library of Medicine—one of NIH’s 27 institutes and the largest medical library in the world. Here’s a sample of what myself and five other reporters are learning about NIH’s vast health-information resources and how best to mine them for the news, research findings, statistics, and practical advice that can most benefit consumers: *  Did you know that NLM’s massive archives of medical literature... Consumer Reports Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3969005 Tue, 14 Sep 2010 16:07:55 +0100 3969005 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3907595&cid=t_113294_87_f&fid=38113&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.consumerreports.org%2Fhealth%2F2010%2F08%2Fask-president-obama-what-does-health-reform-mean-for-me.html Exciting news! We’ve just received an invitation from the White House to sit down next week for an in-person conversation with the President about the new law. But the invitation, we’re quite sure, is really meant for you, the American consumer. So here’s your chance to give us the questions you’d like President Obama to answer about the new law. Is there something you still don’t understand? Wondering when or whether your own health coverage might be affected? We’re interested in any and all suggestions. Obviously the President is a busy guy and our time with him is limited, so we probably won’t be able to make it through the whole list.  But we’ll do our best to get follow-up answers from the White House about questions that we don’t get to ask in the interview.... Consumer Reports Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3907595 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:49:18 +0100 3907595 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3903090&cid=t_113294_134_f&fid=34847&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsixuntilme.com%2Fblog2%2F2010%2F08%2Fwego_chronicbabe_rebelrousing.html (The subject line makes sense ... sort of.)  This morning I have a few bits and pieces from the ol' inbox to share, so it's sort of like a Friday Six. Only it's on a Wednesday.  And I only have three. If it's for Barton, I'm all over it.  Over the summer, I visited Clara Barton Camp and met Melissa "Rebel" Kauffman.  She's awesome.  She's also running the NYC Marathon to raise money for Barton, and she's looking for support from anyone who has a little to give.  Here's the deal, in her words:"Five people with diabetes representing The Barton Center for Diabetes Education are running in the NYC Marathon this November as a fund raiser for Barton day camps.  I am a 3rd generation type 1 diabetic myself and run XC and Track for Oregon State Uni... Six Until Me. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3903090 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:01:30 +0100 3903090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3666247&cid=t_113294_160_f&fid=38218&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwaronwarts.com%2Fgenital-warts%2Fhpv%2Fnew-york%2Flong-island%2Fgeneral-info%2Fnational-men%25e2%2580%2599s-health-week-june-14th-to-20th%2F June 14-20th is National Men’s Health Week and June 20th is Father’s Day. Lets celebrate both by sharing the gift of knowledge.  Here are some key facts about STD/STI’s that every man should know. STD/STIs are certainly a critical piece of the sexual health puzzle but being sexually healthy is about much more. Our most basic advice is: Abstinence is good and can happen at different times in life Talk to your parents, they were your age once Talk to your partner (before you have sex) Make sure you and your partner know how to use a condom correctly Find a good healthcare provider and talk to them Get help if you don’t think you’re in a healthy relationship Get yourself tested and make sure your partner gets tested (before you have sex) Take advantage of the vaccines that wi... War On Warts blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3666247 Wed, 16 Jun 2010 01:07:56 +0100 3666247 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3665973&cid=t_113294_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Felectronic-medical-records-what-is-meaningful-use%2F2010.06.15 Quiz:  What does the term “meaningful use” mean? A.  Using something in a way that gives life purpose and leads to carefree days of glee. B.  It depends on your definition of the word “term.” C.  It’s not mean. It’s really nice. D.  A large number of rules created by the government to assess a practice’s use of electronic medical records (EMRs) so that they can spur adoption, give criteria for incentive rewards, and have physicians in a place where care can be measured. E.  Job security for those making money off of health IT. The answer, of course, is D and E. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Musings of a Distractible Mind* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3665973 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:00:07 +0100 3665973 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3436246&cid=t_113294_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8463 This is a follow-up to the post on Using the Internet to make self-diagnoses. Most respondents to my post in the social networking site Facebook agreed it is in general not a good idea for patients to make their own diagnoses using the resources they can find on the Internet. A simple Google search for the symptoms will lead to a myriad of confusing diseases. Even with a site like WrongDiagnosis.com, which has a multi-symptom checking tool, it is extremely difficult to make an accurate diagnosis based on symptoms alone. A medically trained person would be more attuned to using these tools which may be helpful in listing differential diagnoses, especially rare ones which we sometimes don’t think about, in difficult cases. One should appreciate that diagnoses are not only derived from ... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3436246 Sat, 03 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3436246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3346453&cid=t_113294_87_f&fid=38113&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.consumerreports.org%2Fhealth%2F2010%2F03%2Fonline-quiz-or-deceptive-advertising.html We all know there is suspect information floating around the Internet. But when you look for medical information from a major health website, you expect it to be above board, don’t you? Unfortunately, that may not always be true. Take the case of a recent WebMD depression quiz. The business site, BNET, noticed recently that no matter how you answered a 10 question quiz on depression, you’d be told you “may be at risk for major depression” – even if you answered “no” to each of the screening questions. The quiz is funded by Eli Lilly (and was clearly marked as such), and along side it ran an advertisement promoting Lilly’s drug Cymbalta, which, you guessed it, is approved to treat depression. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) also noticed the quiz and sent a letter (via Pharma... Consumer Reports Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3346453 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:00:00 +0100 3346453 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3266869&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F6fJzM6h-miw%2F Ever have a hard time explaining the placebo effect? Let Dr. Ben Goldacre do it for you in this video from the NHS: _______________ Feed-only Footer: I still think it is a huge waste of resources for a library to invest any time or money in a Second Life presence. (Source: davidrothman.net) davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3266869 Fri, 12 Feb 2010 05:01:21 +0100 3266869 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3118867&cid=t_113294_87_f&fid=38113&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.consumerreports.org%2Fhealth%2F2009%2F12%2Fhealthcare-reform-senate-passes-healthcare-overhaul.html In a historic vote of 60 yeas to 39 nays the Senate passed a far-reaching health-care reform bill that would extend health insurance to more than 30 million Americans. The vote came shortly after 7 a.m. on Christmas Eve. The House passed its bill in early November. After the Senate vote, President Obama said health-care reform would be the most important social reform since Social Security in the 1930s, and the most important medical reform since the creation of Medicare in the 1960s.In a moment of levity, and perhaps exhaustion, Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid (D-Nev) accidentally voted against the bill that has been his top priority for months. The Senator brought his hands to his head and then quickly changed his vote to yes.Senators could be seen sharing congratulatory hugs in the a... Consumer Reports Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3118867 Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:11:58 +0100 3118867 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3118869&cid=t_113294_87_f&fid=38113&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.consumerreports.org%2Fhealth%2F2009%2F12%2Fhealthcare-reform-what-happens-when-reform-timeline.html The provisions in the health-care bills don’t happen all at once, they’re phased in over several years. The timing of those provisions, should the reforms be enacted, could have a major impact on your future health care decisions. Most of the big changes, like outlawing preexisting condition clauses and opening the insurance exchanges, don’t take place until 2013 in the House plan, or 2014 in the Senate plan. Some lawmakers are saying that they’d like to see more of those provisions happen sooner. That’s one of the issues that will be addressed when the House and Senate work out the differences in their bills in the conference committee. In fact, Senate amendments have already moved up some of provisions in that bill, such as the tax credits for small businesses.Here’s a look a... Consumer Reports Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3118869 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:00:28 +0100 3118869 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3100793&cid=t_113294_87_f&fid=38113&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.consumerreports.org%2Fhealth%2F2009%2F12%2Fhealthcare-reform-what-happens-when-cobra-subsidies-run-out.html In February of this year Congress passed a measure to provide subsidies to newly laid-off workers to help to pay for COBRA coverage, which allows you to continue employer-based health insurance after leaving your job. Employers often pay 70 percent or more of the bill for insurance, so paying the full price (plus about two percent for administration costs) is quite expensive—more than $1,000 a month for families on average. The subsidies cover up to 65 percent of premiums, but they last only nine months and eligibility expires on Dec. 31st of this year. (For more on how to apply for the program, see Protect Your Medical Coverage.)Those who started using the COBRA subsidy shortly after it was made available have already begun to see bills for the entire premium. And those who lose their j... Consumer Reports Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3100793 Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:17:51 +0100 3100793 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2992690&cid=t_113294_105_f&fid=39005&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.allkidney.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fwhat-is-intradialytic-hypertension.html%23utm_source%3Dfeed%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3Dfeed This study suggests that use of a body composition monitor to determine percentage fat muscle and water may be able to assist in titrating a patient to the correct dry weight. Such a tool may be very useful in the treatment of patients with intradialytic hypertension. (Source: All Kidney News) All Kidney News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2992690 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:37:11 +0100 2992690 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2970241&cid=t_113294_105_f&fid=39005&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.allkidney.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fnew-dialysis-modality-daily-ol-hdf.html%23utm_source%3Dfeed%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3Dfeed CONCLUSIONS: Daily OL-HDF promotes catch-up growth in children despite being on chronic dialysis. This catch-up growth if continued, should allow the children to reach their mid-parental target height in the future. It could be speculated that the improved response to rhGH is the result of several combined factors conducting to less malnutrition and to less cachexia. (Source: All Kidney News) All Kidney News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2970241 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:17:29 +0100 2970241 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2920217&cid=t_113294_105_f&fid=39005&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.allkidney.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fperitoneal-dialysis-and-encapsulating-peritonitis.html%23utm_source%3Dfeed%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3Dfeed Sclerosing Encapsulating Peritonitis affects alters the normal Peritoneum Image Source (http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/edu/ref/ga/l/1035.gif) Peritoneal dialysis relies on the peritoneal lining as a surface for the exchange of substances during dialysis. However the peritoneal membrane was never intended to be used for this purpose. The goal of peritoneal dialysis research is to find the least traumatic and disruptive method of ensuring efficient dialysis occurs for as long as possible before the peritoneal lining is “worn out”. The greatest advance in this area would entail some method that allows the membrane to continue to function indefinitely. One of the unsolved problems remains the absence of any clear way to predict the peritoneal membrane will react under the same... All Kidney News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2920217 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:04:23 +0100 2920217 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916142&cid=t_113294_105_f&fid=39005&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.allkidney.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fcannulation-technique-may-improve-fistula-survival.html%23utm_source%3Dfeed%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3Dfeed AV fistula complications Image by RoundboyzPhotography An AV fistula is the access of choice in patients starting dialysis. The use of AV fistula first is associated with less risk of infection which is a significant cause of morbidity and reduced survival in dialysis patients. The technique used to cannulate a fistula is essentially the method used by the HD nurse to insert the venous and arterial needle into the fistula so that an adequate blood flow for the process of dialysis can occur. However as noted by Van Loon et. al. “Little is known about cannulation of the vascular access (VA), such as the number of successful cannulation procedures, frequency of complications caused by cannulation, and VA failure.” The above investigators then went on to publish the results of a st... All Kidney News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916142 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:31:44 +0100 2916142 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2901656&cid=t_113294_105_f&fid=39005&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.allkidney.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fmuscle-cramps-in-dialysis-treated-by-vitamin-e.html%23utm_source%3Dfeed%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3Dfeed cramp photo Credit:happeningfish Cramping of the muscles while undergoing dialysis is one of the most frequent complaints of dialysis patients. It occurs in up to 20% of dialysis sessions. Risk factors for cramping includes high weight gain in between dialysis sessions. Having low serum calcium or derangement of sodium and potassium. Intradialytic hypotension may also present with cramping of the muscles. While many corrective actions may taken during the treatment to treat the cramps, it may be found that this interrupts treatment time and can reduce clearances and achieved ultrafiltration especially if sodium chloride is used repeatedly to treat the episodes of cramping. Recently an article published in the American Journal of Therapeutics has shown that vitamin E maybe effective at pr... All Kidney News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2901656 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 03:18:57 +0100 2901656 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2852048&cid=t_113294_150_f&fid=38374&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FePharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2FTBaltQIRkWA%2Fmicrosoft-releases-my-heatlh-info.html (Source: ePharma Summit) ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2852048 Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:53:00 +0100 2852048 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2851865&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FLbMBxYDKE4A%2F I recently read and reviewed the book Smart But Feeling Dumb by Harold Levinson and really found it an amazing resource for parents and people with dyslexia. I learned a lot from it, and was happy to give it away as a gift for one lucky Blisstree reader. Our winner was: Denologis! For anyone who is interested in this book and didn’t win, be sure to check out his website, which offers tons of info on dyslexia, Dr. Levinson’s books, and more. Image: Harold Levinson Post from: Blisstree Winner of Smart But Feeling Dumb (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2851865 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:42:10 +0100 2851865 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2846422&cid=t_113294_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F09%2F30%2Frobert-wood-johnson-rethinking-mental-health%2F This is an interesting contest I thought I’d pass along… For far too long, mental illness has been stigmatized and those stigmas have served as a barrier to innovation. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has joined forces with Ashoka’s Changemakers to launch “Rethinking Mental Health: Improving Community Wellbeing”, a competition for new ideas and practices that challenge the status quo in terms of how we think about and address mental health care needs. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s “Rethinking Mental Health” competition offers an opportunity for new ideas outside the traditional structures to emerge. To participate, please go to http://www.changemakers.com/en-us/mentalhealth to: Comment on entries from others like you who are deeply con... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2846422 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:30:18 +0100 2846422 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2785868&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2Ff42StFDrXSg%2F Guocai Chen, Jim Warren, Joanne Evans. ‘Qualities’ not ‘Quality’ – Text Analysis Methods to Classify Consumer Health Websites. electronic Journal of Health Informatics, 2009; 4(1): e5. Abstract There is an increasing need to help health consumers to achieve timely, differentiated access to quality online healthcare resources. This paper describes and evaluates methods for automated classification of consumer health Web content with respect to qualitative attributes relevant to the preferences of individual health consumers. This is illustrated in the context of identifying breast cancer consumer web pages that are ‘supportive’ versus ‘medical’ perspective, as compared to an existing manual classification employed by a breast cancer portal with personalised search preferen... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2785868 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:00:09 +0100 2785868 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2761806&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F1wJ8AV0RG9g%2F Bleah. Yet another article about Web sites for rating doctors. Is anyone else really tired of seeing these articles and pretending these sites matter? They might one day, but they don’t now. Anyway, the Pew Internet and American Life Project (Please tell me I’m not the only one who quietly thinks “pew-pew-pew!” to himself every time Pew is mentioned?) says: Nearly half (47%) of internet users, or 35% of adults, have turned to the internet for information about doctors or other health professionals.” Nothing surprising there. “These health information seekers, however, are not likely to post their own reviews of doctors: just 7% of those who looked for information about doctors online (and 4% of all internet users) report posting a review of a doctor onl... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2761806 Thu, 03 Sep 2009 07:52:38 +0100 2761806 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2751860&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2Fa1X7Q6EzZ5I%2F MakeUseOf features five sites for tracking Flu online: Google Flu Trends FluTrackers The DoD Worldwide Influenza Surveillance Program World Health Organization Centers for Disease Control _______ Other posts on this site about ‘Flu (Source: davidrothman.net) davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2751860 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:30:48 +0100 2751860 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2719661&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2FVSqVvvLYV3I%2F Some interesting numbers. Not sure about the rest. Have you checked out our book yet? Here are a few other books I think are essential. (Source: davidrothman.net) davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2719661 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:00:12 +0100 2719661 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2653643&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2Flr542R4xEuE%2F University of Wisconsin Department of Family Medicine physician Derek Hubbard, MD instructs family doctors on how to find clinical information [on the Web] at the point of care. There are definitely some good tips for clinicians here, but a couple that make me a little uneasy (like using info from About.com as a patient handout). Dr. Hubbard might also be interested in using the Consumer Health and Patient Education Search Engine. [Hattip: Ratcatcher] (Source: davidrothman.net) davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2653643 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:59:35 +0100 2653643 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2891012&cid=t_113294_160_f&fid=38218&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwaronwarts.com%2Fgenital-warts%2Fhpv%2Fnew-york%2Flong-island%2Funcategorized%2Fcdcs-treatment-guidelines%2F Genital infection with low-risk types of HPV is associated with genital warts in men. Infection with high-risk types of HPV is associated with a proportion of preinvasive squamous lesions of the penis (penile intraepithelial neoplasia or PIN) and with penile cancer, as well as with preinvasive squamous lesions of the anus (anal intraepithelial neoplasia or AIN) and with anal cancer. Invasive penile cancer is quite uncommon, especially in circumcised men. In 2002, the age-adjusted incidence rate for penile cancer in the U.S. was 0.8 per 100,000 men (985 new cases). The age-adjusted incidence rate for anal cancer was 1.2 per 100,000 men (1,453 new cases). However, the risk of anal cancer for MSM is significantly higher. Because of the increased incidence of anal cancer in MSM, especially HIV... War On Warts blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2891012 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:53:27 +0100 2891012 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2594486&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FGQqp915uphY%2F I’ll admit I’ve been very late to this iPhone bandwagon. Despite working in a technology, I still have an old (old!) cell phone that I barely use. That’s why this news about a new, life-saving app on the iPhone really caught my eye. The application, called Pocket First Aid & CPR was “created by the American Heart Association in collaboration with Jive Media.” It features instructions on how to do CPR, save someone from choking, deal with burns or diabetic emergencies, and all kinds of handy dandy medical info. While it’s no substitute for a medical professional, if you were in a bind and needed to jump in and help someone, it would be a very good resource. Image: Morguefile. Share and Enjoy: Post from: Blisstree iPhone Cou... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2594486 Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:33:11 +0100 2594486 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2469634&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FkChqu_R0_7Y%2F If you’re looking for a doctor, where do you go? Many people today are finding information on the Internet. “More than 40 Internet sites allow patients to rate their doctors based on their personal experiences, both good and bad, including RateMDs.com, DrScore.com and now, Angie’s List, at www.angieslist.com.” I was able to find out about a doctor that I felt was treating me rather poorly. She ignored the symptoms I had after switching medications, she was short with me, and she refused to get back to me in a timely manner. It turned out my instincts were not wrong. When I looked her up on the Internet, I’d found that she had a history of poor behavior with patients, and had even been sued several times. Oh, if I’d only looked her up before I went to he... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2469634 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:11:58 +0100 2469634 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2891015&cid=t_113294_160_f&fid=38218&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwaronwarts.com%2Fgenital-warts%2Fhpv%2Fnew-york%2Flong-island%2Fgeneral-info%2Fdoes-the-doctor-need-to-get-a-biopsy-before-freezing-my-penile-warts%2F Penile warts are diagnosis that a trained doctor can make without a biopsy.  If patients have many warts or ones that look suspicious for other lesions like cancer I often biopsy a representative sample and freeze (with liquid nitrogen) or burn (electrocautery) or laser (C02 or YAG) the rest.  If a patient has warts on the foreskin and wants a circumcision I sent the tissue for biopsy.  If your doctor didn’t send a biopsy and it didn’t come back that’s fine.  If it keeps coming back and there was never a biopsy ask your doctor to sent a piece to the lab or make sure they are convinced its not cancer.   I hope this post is helpful.  Go to our find a physician tab if you need an evaluation Thanks, Dr. A. (Source: War On Warts) War On Warts blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2891015 Fri, 29 May 2009 13:14:02 +0100 2891015 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2891016&cid=t_113294_160_f&fid=38218&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwaronwarts.com%2Fgenital-warts%2Fhpv%2Fnew-york%2Flong-island%2Fgeneral-info%2Fjessica-shares-her-story-with-hpv%2F Jessica writes: “I got married 8 months ago, and 2 months ago, for the first time ever i was diagnosed with HPV. According to the Dr, it didnt necessairly come from my hubsand, but i cant help feel like it did. Thankfully, i have no genital warts or currently any cancer causing lesions, but i Do have a brand new, first time ever skin wart on my knee. Ive just started liquid nitrogen treatment for the removal of that. Im increadably disspaointed, and borderline terrified. This is a first for me, and while some people say “its no big deal”- to me it is a big deal. this is something ive never had to deal with before and to make it worse, i know next to nothing about the Virus. Ther are so many different websites on it that have s many different opinions, i hardly know which ... War On Warts blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2891016 Fri, 22 May 2009 23:55:11 +0100 2891016 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2375790&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2FM4kNhSGfR8A%2F Holy cow! Holy pig! Watching misinformation spread is sort of entertaining. Check out all the people who talk about not eating pork on Twitter. (The flu is not spread by eating pork.) Hah! As I was writing this post, the latest xkcd appeared! The CDC’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Twitter feed seems to be a frequently-updated source of sanity: (Source: davidrothman.net) davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2375790 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:34:21 +0100 2375790 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2375791&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F3ulYlh4Delk%2F The idea behind rateadrug.com is for users to rate drugs. Our goal is to provide unique user-generated data on side effects and subtle side effects of medications. We want to know how these prescription drugs make you feel. I’ve seen stupid applications of social media in healthcare, but this may take the cake as the dumbest I’ve seen in a good while. (Source: davidrothman.net) davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2375791 Sun, 26 Apr 2009 01:32:31 +0100 2375791 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2261882&cid=t_113294_160_f&fid=38218&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwaronwarts.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fusing-liquid-nitrogen-to-treat-hpv%2F by: Michelle Lipke Liquid nitrogen is a popular destructive treatment for warts.  It is readily available in both dermatology and primary care offices.   Verucca-Freeze and many similar brands available over the counter are a liquid applied from a spray can, but only freeze to -70C.  Warts may not resolve with the over the counter freezing due to the fact that they do not freeze as fast as the liquid nitrogen available in the clinic setting; as well as the proper application technique may not always be used. The wart virus, known as human papilloma virus (HPV), is not destroyed by the freezing procedure.   Liquid nitrogen freezes at -196C and works by destroying the skin cells which in turn release the wart virus.  They body responds to this process by causing an immune response to ... War On Warts blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2261882 Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:27:30 +0100 2261882 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2891019&cid=t_113294_160_f&fid=38218&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwaronwarts.com%2Fgenital-warts%2Fhpv%2Fnew-york%2Flong-island%2Fgeneral-info%2Fgreen-tea-helping-warts%2F A new product called Veregen (sinecatechins) 15% ointment is now available for the treatment of warts. Sinecatechins are an extract from Green Tea, that cleared almost 90% of anogenital warts in clinical studies. The medication is only approved for treatment of external genital and perianal warts, and is not without side effects.  One out of five patients experience erythema, pruritus, burning, pain/discomfort, erosion/ulceration, edema, induration or a vesicular rash.  The medication is also going to be expensive, and likely not covered by many insurance plans. (Source: War On Warts) War On Warts blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2891019 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:51:16 +0100 2891019 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2182894&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FVlw2etSkWnU%2F Not all headaches are warnings of a stroke, not all chest pains are the onset of a heart attack, you need to learn the signs to look for. If you have shortness of breath and sweating, this is your body telling you that something more serious going on. There are normal headaches caused by stress, eyestrain or allergies this type of headache will fade. If the headaches persist you should see your health care provider. If you experience a headache that feels as if your head will explode and it persists you need to see your health care provider immediately, this could be the sign of bleeding in the brain. Patients going to an emergency room that are aware of what is going on within their body, can actually help the doctor to diagnose their problem more efficiently. I found an article that has ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2182894 Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:00:00 +0100 2182894 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2239788&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2Fe26GvHf4vS0%2F Dated 2007 but new to me: Havidol is clearly an amazing new drug. Thank goodness there’s such a wonderfully detailed site to tell us all about Havidol and how it can treat Dysphoric Social Attention Consumption Deficit Anxiety Disorder (DSACDAD). Click to visit the site Great parody of direct-to-consumer advertising. (Source: davidrothman.net) davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2239788 Sun, 08 Feb 2009 16:02:03 +0100 2239788 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2167840&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FKip18SN8fBM%2F NuvaRing was approved for use as in birth control October of 2001. NuvaRing is considered a third generation combination hormonal contraceptive. There are ongoing lawsuits due to the side effects of the contraceptive which include risks of blood clots, stroke. You should always research any medications before having them prescribed for you. Here are a few more side effects of the NuvaRing birth control. Deep Vein Thrombosis Pulmonary Embolysm Heart Attack Death To find more information on this type of birth control click here NuvaRing Tags: Birth Control, blood clot, contraceptive, heart-attack, strokeShare This (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2167840 Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:45:19 +0100 2167840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2163426&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2Fo8MjkjH_pwo%2F New to me- and a good idea to put all of this on one page. http://www.cdc.gov/socialmedia/ I didn’t know the CDC was on MySpace or that the FDA had a recall Twitter feed. I decided I should definitely follow the CDC’s Twitter feed for Health Professionals, which is for “…Health Professionals interested in staying up-to-date with CDC’s interactive media activities…” They’ve also got a widget to help consumers search for products impacted by the Peanut-Containing Product Recall (embedded below). Includes: Blogs eMail Subscriptions Health-e-Cards Mobile Information Online Video Phone/Email Podcasts RSS Feeds Social Networks Badges for Social Networks Twitter Virtual Worlds Web Sites Widgets Go check it out. Hat tip: Maura So... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2163426 Fri, 06 Feb 2009 06:35:18 +0100 2163426 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2163703&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fzx3cJHFJ0TE%2F It is a well known fact that a glass of red wine is beneficial to heart health. Doctors Christoph Westphl and David Sinclair a biochemist at Harvard, studying the genetic components on aging for the past five years have discovered some exciting news about resveratrol. The doctors focus their study on a gene (Sirtuin) found in almost all life forms.  This gene is normally inactive but when activated the doctors believe that it will trigger several mechanisms that will extend life. Doctors Westphl and Sinclair have randomly tested thousands of compounds that might do more than protect the heart. These compounds could also be effective in preventing a number of age related illnesses as well. Dr. Sinclair stated that he was shocked when he Goggled resveratrol and found that red wine hit... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2163703 Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:00:00 +0100 2163703 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2156029&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F_-Ouo7mW4tc%2F Francesca Frati (who rules) pointed out last week a site produced by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow: http://behindthemedicalheadlines.com/. Craig Stoltz (previously mentioned) dropped me an email to point out a post I’d missed from The Health Care Blog by Alicia White of Bazian (the company which evaluates stories for the NHS’s Behind the Headlines service). Says Ms. White: …we’ve developed the following questions to help you figure out which articles you’re going to believe, and which you’re not. Questions include: Does the article support its claims with scientific research? Is the article based on a conference abstract? Was the research in humans? How many people did the research study inclu... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2156029 Tue, 03 Feb 2009 22:05:22 +0100 2156029 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2150262&cid=t_113294_160_f&fid=38218&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwaronwarts.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fwhat-causes-anal-warts%2F Anal warts are caused by the human papilloma virus, which is usually transmitted through sexual contact but not necessarily through anal intercourse. The same type of warts may occur on the penis, scrotum, vagina or labia. It is important to recognize and treat anal warts if you have them, as the risk of developing cancer is high.  The time from exposure to the virus and growth of the warts is commonly from one to six months, but it can be longer. During that time the virus remains in the tissues but is inactive. There are many types of human papilloma virus; some cause warts on the hands and feet and others cause genital and anal warts. (Source: War On Warts) War On Warts blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2150262 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 02:43:49 +0100 2150262 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2132792&cid=t_113294_160_f&fid=38218&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwaronwarts.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fperianal-warts-need-treatment%2F Peri-anal warts are a serious condition - with multiple treatment options.  There is a significant risk of developing anal cancer if these are not treated.  In fact, this risk may be greater than the risk of developing cervical cancer (which is what PAP smears check for.)  Though we typically do not test for the presence of HPV on the penis, it is very important to check for HPV in and around the anus in patients at risk (ie: those who have had anal sex). Since it is difficult to examine yourself in this area, it is most important for you to get examined by a physician if you feel any growth, bump, roughness, or experience any bleeding from the area. (Source: War On Warts) War On Warts blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2132792 Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:01:40 +0100 2132792 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2132212&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2FqORUppYoAOE%2F (Example of how backed-up I am: WordPress says I started drafting this post on 9/18/08) I was skeptical when I first heard about Health News Review, but learning that Craig Stoltz was involved with the project.1 HealthNewsReview.org is published by Gary Schwitzer of the University of Minnesota’s health journalism program and funded by the Foundation for Informed Medical Decision Making. Read a few reviews and you’ll likely find them reliable and wonderfully critical. Be sure to check how how they rate stories. Health News Review focuses on U.S. news, so anglophones in other nations will want to note these: For Canadian news, there’s Media Doctor Canada. Australians have Media Doctor Australia. The NHS Choices site has a section called Behind the Headlines which seems... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2132212 Mon, 26 Jan 2009 05:01:06 +0100 2132212 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2125026&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2FiPGv5iZVA9k%2F This study suggests that Wikipedia may be a useful point of engagement for consumers looking for drug information, but that it should be supplementary to, rather than the sole source of, drug information. This is due, in part, to our findings that Wikipedia has a more narrow scope, is less complete, and has more errors of omission versus the comparator database.” And I loved this: “…health professionals should not use user-edited sites as authoritative sources in their clinical practice, nor should they recommend them to patients without knowing the limitations and providing sufficient additional information and counsel. If these sites are recommended, it should be in the form of a permanent link pointing to the specific recommended version of an entry. Finally, the issue... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2125026 Thu, 22 Jan 2009 07:01:31 +0100 2125026 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2115327&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2Fkd5MCeqfOCQ%2F A recent article in the Journal of Rheumatology: “Trying to Measure the Quality of Health Information on the Internet: Is It Time to Move On?” [html] | [PDF] Short answer: Hell, no. Longer answer: Says the article: “The natural assumption is to believe that there exists a link between the quality of information on the Internet and harm. However, a systematic review attempting to evaluate the number and characteristics of reported cases of harm in the peer-review literature determined that for a variety of reasons, there was little evidence to support this notion.” It is impossible to quantify why people make bad decisions. For instance, say someone makes foolish financial decisions and loses everything they own: can it be determined if these bad decisions were made ... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2115327 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 06:14:53 +0100 2115327 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2112154&cid=t_113294_134_f&fid=34847&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsixuntilme.com%2Fblog2%2F2009%2F01%2Fa_pancreas_transplant_story.html Denise Martinez used to have type 1 diabetes.  She had it for 24 years.  She also used to have cancer.  But now, Denise is diabetes and cancer free.  Her story is amazing, and she has offered to share it with us.  Here it is, in her own words:"On April 9th, 2008 my life changed forever.I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was 7 years old. I was diagnosed at a time when type 1 diabetes was commonly mistaken with type 2. So of course, everyone had all kinds of ignorant advice such as "Don't eat anything with sugar in it or they'll cut off your legs". It was a very scary time. Fortunately, I had a great support system. My friends were all interested in what was happening to me and they would all try to help me feel as normal as possible. They lea... Six Until Me. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2112154 Sat, 17 Jan 2009 22:18:01 +0100 2112154 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2111446&cid=t_113294_147_f&fid=38117&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.engageinhealth.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fhealth_infoentials_ambassadors.html Europe has been facing crucial changes in the economic and social environment over the last few months, being experienced through two main trends: the Facebook boom and the global and local crisis in the financial system. Facebook is the social phenomenon of the year in Italy. More than four million Italians are using Facebook so far. There were only 100.000 Italians using the site in January 2008 and 500.000 in the summer of 2008. Yet today, more than four million Italians are on Facebook and the leading financial newspaper in Italy, Il Sole 24 ore, just dedicated an instant-book to the phenomenon. Facebook is not only re-defining general social relations for Italians, but is truly and deeply re-inventing health relations and relationships. I have to say health stakeholders are pioneeri... The Health Engagement Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2111446 Fri, 16 Jan 2009 23:01:37 +0100 2111446 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2098883&cid=t_113294_160_f&fid=38218&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwaronwarts.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fdo-warts-go-away%2F Getting treatment for genital warts or HPV is important.  Doctors can burn, freeze, cut or scrape away unsightly bumps.  The virus associated with HPV stays in the body like other viruses do.  Just like cold sores a new eruption can happen without a repeat exposure.  Someone who doesn’t have visible warts can still give someone else the virus during unprotected sexual contact.  While antibiotics can treat some sexual transmitted infections getting treated for genital warts does not constitute a cure.  Some cases of warts don’t progress at all.  Others grow to be big, painful and even disfiguring.  Most patients are happy to have the growths treated and there partners or new prospective partners wont see the warts.  A responsible adult should use condoms to prevent sexu... War On Warts blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2098883 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 03:07:57 +0100 2098883 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2096271&cid=t_113294_160_f&fid=38218&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwaronwarts.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fthe-hpv-vaccine-video%2F (Source: War On Warts) War On Warts blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2096271 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:39:35 +0100 2096271 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2090929&cid=t_113294_160_f&fid=38218&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwaronwarts.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fsearched-twitter-for-genital-w%2F Searched Twitter for genital warts: http://tinyurl.com/a5w386 (Source: War On Warts) War On Warts blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2090929 Wed, 24 Dec 2008 19:16:58 +0100 2090929 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2090930&cid=t_113294_160_f&fid=38218&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwaronwarts.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fif-you-flirt%2F (Source: War On Warts) War On Warts blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2090930 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:11:18 +0100 2090930 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2090931&cid=t_113294_160_f&fid=38218&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwaronwarts.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fa-urologists-wart-schpeel-to-patients%2F My wart schpeel I see a fair number patient consults for “rule-out HPV” or “rule-out warts.”  The typical scenario is the following: A woman goes to her gynecologist for a routine Pap smear and is told that the results came back positive for HPV.  She is then told by her doctor to have her male partner “checked-out.” What does all that mean and what really happened at that patient’s doctor visit? In a nutshell, the American College of Ob-Gyn recommends that women get periodic Par smears since Pap smears can detect cervical cancer early, and this saves lives.  Pap smears can also detect other disorders such as yeast infections and HPV infections.  HPV is the virus that causes genital warts.  On a Pap smear, the HPV virus produces cells with a characteristic look that mos... War On Warts blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2090931 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:32:09 +0100 2090931 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2090932&cid=t_113294_160_f&fid=38218&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwaronwarts.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fgot-an-std-inform-your-partners-by-e-card%2F “It’s not what you brought to the party—it’s what you left with.” If an electronic postcard bearing this or a similar slogan lands in your E-mail inbox, don’t just click it to your trash bin. The message might be a warning that you’ve been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease. Want to send your friend this important message?  Not sure how to share the news?  Although telling someone in person is probably the best - sending an inSPOT may be better than nothing.  Though… i wonder if there is receipt confirmation??? (Source: War On Warts) War On Warts blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2090932 Mon, 08 Dec 2008 01:32:30 +0100 2090932 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2090933&cid=t_113294_160_f&fid=38218&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwaronwarts.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fmyths-and-misconceptions-of-genital-warts%2F This article tackles the most common misconceptions and busts these myths in order to make more people understand genital warts and HPV better.   Myth: Only women can carry HPV and have genital warts. Fact: The chances of men and women having HPV and genital warts are more or less equal. However, the symptoms of genital warts appear more on women because their anatomy provides a better breeding ground for the virus. The warm and moist environment of the vagina makes it an attractive location for the virus to reside in and multiply.   Myth: I can only get genital warts by having unprotected sex. Fact: It is no doubt that having unprotected sex increases your chances of getting HPV. HPV can also be transmitted by direct skin contact. Thus, some forms of protection like condoms won’t... War On Warts blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2090933 Sat, 06 Dec 2008 14:46:30 +0100 2090933 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2090934&cid=t_113294_160_f&fid=38218&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwaronwarts.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fis-oral-sex-safe%2F Genital warts can be transmitted during oral sex.  Warts can grow in the mouth and in the throat - causing discomfort, pain, trouble swallowing, bleeding, and sometimes cancer.  Similarly, if your partner has warts in their mouth/throat - they can give you HPV. In short - if you have warts on your penis, or in your mouth - get treatment!  It isn’t something you want to share. (Source: War On Warts) War On Warts blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2090934 Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:59:16 +0100 2090934 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2090936&cid=t_113294_160_f&fid=38218&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwaronwarts.com%2F2008%2F11%2Finfo-about-warts-video%2F (Source: War On Warts) War On Warts blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2090936 Thu, 27 Nov 2008 01:47:23 +0100 2090936 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2090937&cid=t_113294_160_f&fid=38218&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwaronwarts.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fhuman-papilloma-virus-of-the-cervix-what-about-my-partner%2F If you have been diagnosed with HPV of the Cervix, it is very important that your partner be examined by a health care provider who specializes in the treatment of HPV infection. Recent studies have shown that the male sexual partner of a woman with HPV or cervical dysplasia has a 60% chance of having HPV infection of the penis. This infection most frequently can only be detected with magnification as the lesions are very tiny. Male HPV infection must be treated in order to prevent re-infection of the female partner. In addition, untreated male HPV may eventually lead to cancer of the penis. (Source: War On Warts) War On Warts blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2090937 Wed, 26 Nov 2008 01:15:06 +0100 2090937 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1918133&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FmMgevePhftw%2F We have all read in the past that diesel fuel fumes and particles can attribute to heart disease and increases plaques in the cardiac tissue. But now UCLA researchers have concluded that the smallest, eensy weensy, teeny tiny little particle from vehicle emissions may be be the one that packs the biggest punch.I know, it is a little hard to wrap your brain around this one right? Now we can’t even walk down the street without the ghostly whispers of our arteries hardening form plaque. Depressing… The scientists identified a way in which pollutant particles may promote hardening of the arteries — by inactivating the protective qualities of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, known as “good” cholesterol. We are talking really tiny particles, nanoparticles that are the size ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1918133 Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:13:36 +0100 1918133 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1908879&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F4JmD30rtf5s%2F Sex is heart healthy! Here are the top 3 hearty reasons to incorporate sex into your weekly exercise regimen… 1. Orgasms boost your circulation, helping the body rid itself of harmful toxins. Regular sex can even keep your heart healthy and lower your risk of heart attack. 2. Sex uses every muscle group, gets the heart and lungs working hard, and burns about 300 calories an hour. 3. It’s fun! Okay, that last one isn’t clinical but it is true! Now go get that heart pumping, haha. Share This (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1908879 Sun, 26 Oct 2008 20:51:42 +0100 1908879 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1837390&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F6wOpDRAREoE%2F Is your state smoke free in public indoor areas including restaurants? Yes No I have no clue View Results Tags: smoke free, stop smokingShare This (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1837390 Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:36:41 +0100 1837390 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1812863&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F1QSRQNxL8ew%2F I have received many emails asking about the open heart simulation that I posted about previous so here you go again… It is really cool- give it a go! Oh my goodness. I found the coolest simulated open heart surgery “game”. It is very elementary on an anatomical level and has 3 different levels you can choose from. At the surgeon level, that would be mid-grade, I was successful. At the specialist level… not so much! In fact they advised me to “call my lawyer”. Haha. While it is only a depiction of what open heart surgery really consists of, it is fairly accurate. I have scrubbed open heart before and the simulation follows the same basic steps just without the complications, risks and unforeseen circumstances of real surgery. Give it a try and let me kno... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1812863 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 16:18:56 +0100 1812863 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1738739&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F376147630%2F Nikki (at Eagle Dawg Blog) nails down exactly why I didn’t bother posting about the latest from Pew. (Typical of my cynicism- the report wasn’t worth blogging about, but criticism of the report *is*.) If you’re not reading Nikki’s blog yet, subscribe now: [Eagle Dawg Blog - Feed]. (Source: davidrothman.net) davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1738739 Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:32:17 +0100 1738739 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1729587&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FZhv5Qjz-X2s%2F A 92 year old Australian women is the first to undergo a ground breaking procedure. In the radical procedure, a new aortic valve is attached to a long rod and fed through a small incision in the groin up to the the heart, where it defrosts and expands. Wow! This will take the place of open heart surgery for those that are too old and frail to undergo surgery. This will also help with cost and recovery time. Tags: aortic valve, australia, cath procedure, open-heart-surgery, valve replacementShare This (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1729587 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:15:25 +0100 1729587 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1708170&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F365861118%2F Amidst all the coverage of Medpedia that has generally seemed to be derived from a press release is this more informative article from Pam Dolan at American Medical News. I’m quoted in the article: Medical librarian and blogger David Rothman, who regularly writes at DavidRothman.net about medical wikis, expressed concerns about the regular monitoring of Medpedia’s content. “If the academic institutions … wish to avoid embarrassment, I’d recommend that they dedicate some time of their health care experts to regular review of articles,” Rothman wrote. He estimates about 65 medical wikis exist. He’s not sure what the involvement of prominent medical institutions will mean to the project, noting that comparisons won’t be possible until the site i... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1708170 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:02:43 +0100 1708170 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1676891&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F354967479%2F This study reveals that most adult Americans instinctually trust health providers. However, increasingly, they are using online information to critically evaluate medical advice. It also suggests that trust in government and non-profits has significantly eroded. Finally, health communicators and marketers should resist overestimating the impact of patient-generated online content on medical decision-making. (Source: davidrothman.net) davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1676891 Mon, 04 Aug 2008 04:02:27 +0100 1676891 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1677284&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F3jXQxExXXiA%2F This post was contributed by Heather Johnson, who writes on the subject of what is a radiographer. She invites your feedback at heatherjohnson2323 at gmail dot com…. A cardiac arrest can hit you when you least expect it, with no warning whatsoever, and at times, the first attack itself is fatal. If your family has a history of heart diseases, if you’re beset by diabetes, hypertension or high cholesterol, or if you’re overweight and a regular smoker, then your risk factor is much higher than the average human being. The only way you can protect your heart and thereby your health is to ensure that you follow a disciplined diet and a sensible exercise program. You don’t have to wait for the first signs of a problem before you start to effect a change in your diet and lifestyle; af... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1677284 Sun, 03 Aug 2008 19:23:38 +0100 1677284 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1676893&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F352715291%2F I first wrote about Medpedia in January. I noted in my post that Medpedia did not seem to specify what would qualify an applicant to become a contributor. Medpedia’s Angela Simmons addressed this in the comments: Anyone with medical and health knowledge is encouraged to apply to become a Contributor. It is not a requirement that you have medical credentials; however, it is important that you are passionate and knowledgeable about at least one topic related to medicine, health and the body. My concern here is that clinicians should not use an information resource built by people who are not qualified health professionals. Passion is not, in my view, a sufficient qualification. I also asked Angela if Medpedia was intended to be a resource for professionals (like UpToDate) or a resource... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1676893 Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:29:08 +0100 1676893 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1671117&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F352234332%2F When discussing sites which allow patients to rate doctors, I have frequently heard the argument that the ratings wouldn’t really be useful or meaningful. My response to this is that it doesn’t matter at all how accurate or meaningful the ratings on these sites are- users will like them (and use them) regardless. My wife, for instance, spent a good bit of time examining books about pregnancy, parturition, and the care of infants. Rather than making use of the abundance of experts at her disposal (including midwives, OBs, medical librarians, and pediatricians), she took very seriously how well reviewed and rated each book was on Amazon.com. Nevermind if the particular review of a particular book showed the reviewer to be ignorant and semi-literate. What mattered was that the r... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1671117 Fri, 01 Aug 2008 04:02:27 +0100 1671117 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1649223&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F343844701%2F I am off on vacation this evening. I am looking forward to the rest and relaxation. You know that they say it is good for your heart! Using information from the Framingham Heart Study, which started in 1948, researchers looked at questionnaires women in the study had filled out over 20 years about how often they took vacations. Those women who took a vacation once every six years or less were almost eight times more likely to develop coronary heart disease or have a heart attack than those who took at least two vacations a year, said Elaine Eaker, a co-author of the study and president of Eaker Epidemiology Enterprises, a private research company. It is true what they say… My neurologist last week said that he thinks this will help my physical symptoms better then the medications t... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1649223 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:24:18 +0100 1649223 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1640177&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F341196544%2F The following is a guest post written by PilgrimTinker (a pseudonym for a consumer health information librarian who regularly blogs at Learn to Live. ___________________________ So, you need to see a doctor. Or, you have been seeing a doctor for some time and love her, or can’t stand her, or secretly suspect him of not paying appropriate attention to your complaints or wonder if he knows anything about geriatrics. Whatever the initial question, you decide to google him. And you discover that there are dozens of physician rating websites available, ready to help you dig up dirt or make a choice or trash a reputation. Have you guessed yet that I am feeling ambivalent about these sites? I am. On one hand, it makes perfect sense to be able to research a physician or facility before you ... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1640177 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 04:02:12 +0100 1640177 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1596655&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F328299003%2F Here we go again.. or so it seems. Your mental health is so important in how you deal and heal from illness. Depressed patients are more at risk for developing complications following a heart attack. It is very important that we take check and let ourselves feel and be scared and all that comes with such a life altering episode. “There is good evidence that if a person has depression after a heart attack, they are more likely to die from cardiac causes in the following months and years,” said lead author Jeff Huffman, M.D., assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Aside from obvious life altering changes in diet and exercise-  mental health needs to be addressed as well. These findings would also suggest that physicians and clinicians also need to keep a close eye... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1596655 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 15:43:55 +0100 1596655 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1536728&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F317623866%2F Still on the heels of the death of Tim Russert there is yet another test raving of benefits… calculating cardiac calcium scores. “Calcium scoring is helpful to see if somebody has coronary disease,” she said. “It’s not as helpful to determine … where critical blockages are or which plaque is going to cause a problem. It’s a good screening test. We go from there to try to reduce the risk of having a heart attack.” With a positive test the patient then has the knowledge to go and have a stress test and ultimately a cath to fix any blockages. via Baltimore Sun Tags: calcium cardiac scoring, heart-attack, heart-disease, tim russertShare This (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1536728 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 05:03:51 +0100 1536728 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1526773&cid=t_113294_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F314831472%2F Looks like there’s less money spent for all those meetings this year. You know, the get-togethers for the marketing staff; dinners for investigators and advisory board members; gatherings for product launches and strategy sessions. The results were compiled by Cutting Edge Info, which queried 21 drug and device makers, and biotechs. Of course, if some companies really want to cut back, they would quit giving goodies to employs just for showing up to a meeting. We hear a few spendthrifts still persist. (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1526773 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:12:36 +0100 1526773 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1497607&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F305600539%2F This should really come of no surprise. Amphetamines may place young adults at a higher risk of suffering a heart attack. We all know that methamphetamines and amphetamines are bad for your health. These type of drugs are also legally used to treat ADD in some young persons.  “Most people aren’t surprised that methamphetamines and amphetamines are bad for your health,” Dr. Westover said. “But we are concerned because heart attacks in the young are rare and can be very debilitating or deadly.” The abuse of methamphetamin is increasing in most major U.S. cities. So scary indeed. Talk to your kids, scare your kids, reason with them- do whatever it takes to keep them from being a statistic. via Science Daily Tags: amphetamines, cardiac disease, drug abuse, heart-... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1497607 Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:36:49 +0100 1497607 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1488492&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F303216046%2F Kelsey Grammer suffered a heart attack this weekend… Sources say Kelsey was swimming on the beach in Kona when he had the attack and that his heart definitely stopped for a few seconds. The Cheers star had to be airlifted by helicopter from Kona to Honolulu for tests and treatment. Hopefully he will bounce right back. Get well… I loved Cheers!!!!!! via Perez Hilton Tags: cheers, frasier, heart-attack, kelsey grammer, mi, televisonShare This (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1488492 Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:35:34 +0100 1488492 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1467925&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F297994592%2F This has been all over the news as of late and I thought it was worth another peek.  … he has identified how two different kinds of Chlamydia can cause both coronary artery disease and miscarriages. Solving one mystery gave him clues that he needed to figure out the other. By focusing on the immune system mechanisms in Chlamydia infections, Azenabor has identified an important link in seemingly unrelated health problems. The result could be new treatments and prevention strategies for both heart disease and infertility. Chlamydia pneumoniae is a microbe that normally causes pneumonia and bronchitis, but it has long been associated with atherosclerosis, a cardiovascular disease also called “hardening of the arteries.” Huh? Chlamydia? Yes, when the macrophages’ cell walls are infect... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1467925 Sun, 25 May 2008 22:57:10 +0100 1467925 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1467928&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F297988694%2F Here is some scary news for you… diabetics and high blood pressure. Doctors are not sure when to treat their patients even when posing and increased risk for advanced heart disease by being a diabetic. But a new study finds that even when people with diabetes show up in their doctor’s office with a high blood pressure reading, there’s only a 50-50 chance that each of them will get some sort of attention for it. That might mean a change to their medications, or a plan to follow up a few weeks later to see if the reading is still high. What happens to the other 50%. Does their pressure just get worse? Do they monitor their high blood pressure or just throw caution to the wind, without even know they are doing so? The national goal for people with diabetes is less than 130/... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1467928 Sun, 25 May 2008 17:37:12 +0100 1467928 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1451919&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F293105377%2F The older we get the harder it is for us to make it through surgical procedures and invasive treatments. That is somewhat tongue in cheek due to the fact that as we get older we need more treatment and surgeries. This also proves true for heart patients and more specifically heart valve patients. There is a minimally invasive Phase II EVEREST clinical trial with the aim of treating malfunctioning heart valves in the elderly. The new technique, already proven safe by a Phase I clinical trial in 2005, involves only a small incision through the skin in the groin. A small catheter is then guided up through the maze of the blood vessels of the circulatory system and into the targeted heart chamber. Then, a tiny metal clip is clamped into the area to stabilize the malfunctioning valve. This less... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1451919 Sun, 18 May 2008 18:27:27 +0100 1451919 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1439861&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F289424091%2F Here at the health and wellness channel it is theme day- and it is all about mental health and Alicia has the roundup at Mental Health Notes. With that being said, I have a few things to offer you… Increased risk of heart disease due to depression is right on the mark and is a vicious cycle indeed. Depression medications lead to weight gain, food cravings and feelings of lethargy. Feelings of lethargy lead to a sedentary and less than “healthy” lifestyle. And a round and around we go! How do we break the cycle? The more depressed one is the higher the chance of being a smoker, less physical activity and more calories are consumed on a daily basis. And if depression is not enough, here comes the link between anxiety and heart disease- this is very tongue in cheek. Anxiety increase... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1439861 Tue, 13 May 2008 13:09:07 +0100 1439861 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1419135&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F282993209%2F More and more children with congenital heart disease are receiving implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) to maintain proper heart rhythm. ICDs were first introduced for adults in the 1980s, but little is known about how well they work in children, who account for less than 1 percent of recipients. A report in the April 29 Journal of the American College of Cardiology summarizes the largest pediatric experience to date. It finds the devices to be life-saving, but also suggests that they tend to deliver more inappropriate shocks to children than to adults, making it important to watch children with ICDs closely. Bottom line is we need to carefully monitor children with devices and have more frequent equipment checks. Though an inappropriate shock would be uncomfortable, like a kick ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1419135 Sat, 03 May 2008 21:25:22 +0100 1419135 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1411825&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F281140422%2F Thoratec Corp. has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration to use its HeartMate II heart pump to help advanced-stage heart failure patients survive while awaiting heart transplants. Until now some heart transplant recipients were not able to receive pumps due to size and gender. The hopes for the new pump is it’s ease of implantation via East Bay Business Times  Tags: fda, heart mate II, heart-transplantShare This (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1411825 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:09:10 +0100 1411825 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1407195&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F280117439%2F High levels of C-reactive protein, an inflammatory marker that may warn of impending heart disease, are tied to variations in genes that control metabolism, two new studies show. Dr. Alexander Reiner of the University of Washington, Seattle states that the studies identify “new genes that are of potential importance for either the treatment of cardiovascular disease or potentially screening individuals who may be at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease”. What they still need to discover is the exact relationship between C-reactive protein levels and heart disease. That will be the crucial piece of the puzzle. Just what was discovered here though? The teams found seven genomic regions that appeared to be strongly correlated with CRP levels. Six of those regions conta... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1407195 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:19:39 +0100 1407195 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1386714&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F274436716%2F Hakia says they’re tapping the expertise of librarians. As CEO Dr. Riza C Berkan writes on the Hakia blog: Every Web search starts with two queries. One is X. The other one is “who knows X the best?” Because finding X is not enough if the author of that page does not know X himself/herself. This will immediately resonate with you if you ever searched for medical, legal, or financial information for a serious case. This was called the “credibility” criteria in the old world-order which has progressively vanished in the new age of Internet search engines. You enter X, and get the same “popular” perspective without distinction of credibility. You may recognize some of the sources, but are you an expert yourself about these things? Ironically, there is a science for this. It ... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1386714 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 04:02:42 +0100 1386714 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1369142&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F269459318%2F Do you think your emotions directly affect your heart health? I do not allow my emotions to get the best of me No, no correlation Yes I have no idea View Results Tags: cardiac disease, emotions, heart-disease, heart-healthShare This (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1369142 Sun, 13 Apr 2008 14:17:19 +0100 1369142 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1368887&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F269220908%2F New research out of the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Chicago have discovered a new role for 2 enzymes and heart muscle contraction, histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). Being in its early stages, it is none the less exciting in that it could provide new treatments… As a possible treatment for such conditions as congestive heart failure, this technique could present an alternative to current therapies that counteract heart muscle weakness by boosting cellular calcium content, Shroff said. The heightened calcium improves muscle contraction but also results in more energy consumption in hearts that often are energy-starved to begin with. This could prove to be a much safer way to treat these patients. Next is looking at the contraction ov... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1368887 Sun, 13 Apr 2008 02:15:57 +0100 1368887 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1352198&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F264290952%2F In the first study that followed children through their developmental years into their teens, more proof that we need to educate our youth on good nutrition, exercise and risk factors associated with heart disease. Young children who lead inactive lifestyles are five-to-six times more likely to be at serious risk of heart disease, with that degree of danger emerging as early as their teenage years, according to a new study by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It is so important to get our kids out there and off the couch. Let them pick a sport, any sport and go for it. Walk after dinner as a family, explain the food pyramid, you might be surprised at what they will be interested in. We have to do all we can to help our children- they are our future! via Scien... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1352198 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 00:23:09 +0100 1352198 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1347141&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F263087062%2F CONCLUSION: The data suggest that patients are often armed with very incomplete information from Web sites on CTC. Web sites were often found to be outdated, to contain conflicting information, and were lacking descriptions of patient risk factors for colorectal cancer. Several suggestions are made to improve the dissemination of comprehensive, current, and accurate information. PMID: 18359448 _____________________________ Hum Reprod. 2008 Mar 27 [Epub ahead of print] Infertility information on the World Wide Web: a cross-sectional survey of quality of infertility information on the internet in the UK. Marriott JV, Stec P, El-Toukhy T, Khalaf Y, Braude P, Coomarasamy A. Assisted Conception Unit, Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Thomas Guy House, Guys Hospita... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1347141 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:15:40 +0100 1347141 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1336897&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F260474131%2F Beta blockers prove to treat heart failure at the brain level- not just directly in the heart. Very cool when you think about the implications. Heart failure patients are routinely given beta-blockers, although doctors do not know exactly how these drugs boost cardiac performance and reduce the risk of death. The UCL study, based on the rat model of postmyocardial infarction-induced heart failure and published in the journal Circulation Research, has discovered that the beta-adrenoceptor blocker metoprolol acts directly in the brain to slow the progression of heart failure. The action seems to be localised to a group of brain cells that UCL researchers have identified previously as being crucial in the control of blood pressure and heart rate. Will this provide more research to examine tr... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1336897 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:51:58 +0100 1336897 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1336898&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F260471215%2F The Mayo data showed that 82 percent of NFL players under age 50 had abnormal narrowing and blockages in arteries, compared to the general population of the same age. This finding suggests that the former athletes face increased risk of experiencing high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke. Very interesting indeed. I guess the bigger the guy the harder they fall kind of thing. When you think about it their bodies have been conditioned most of their lives and then poof… they retire and all that ends. Well, for the most part. via Mayo Clinic Tags: football, heart-attack, heart-disease, NFL playersShare This (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1336898 Sat, 29 Mar 2008 22:36:02 +0100 1336898 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1336335&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F260405165%2F “Engineering blood vessels for bypass surgery, promoting the formation of new blood vessels or regenerating new skin tissue using stem cells obtained from the most accessible source — hair follicles — is a real possibility,” said Stelios T. Andreadis, Ph.D., co-author of the paper in Cardiovascular Research and associate professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering in the UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Researchers in the past have shown that there are stem cells in hair follicles but the newest study shows that the hair contains the smooth muscle that can regrow vasculature. Better yet, the engineered blood vessels prepared with smooth muscle progenitor cells from the hair follicles were capable of dilating and constricting whic... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1336335 Sat, 29 Mar 2008 21:19:35 +0100 1336335 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1327371&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F258076265%2F Info.RxCases is a “companion to a new health information service that is being offered to patients and their families at the Herzl Family Practise Centre in Montreal, Quebec.” Blogger Francesca Frati (previously mentioned here) writes: The Patient health Information Service at Herzl (H-PHIS) opened its doors in early July of this year (2007) and is in the early developmental stages. The challenges faced by myself (the service’s coordinator), the staff, and the health care team at the HFPC are many and varied, as is to be expected when implementing a new and innovative service. Perhaps the most unique aspect of the InfoRx model is the presence and participation of the information professional/librarian at point of care. This new and multidisciplinary approach presents a d... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1327371 Wed, 26 Mar 2008 04:02:13 +0100 1327371 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1321813&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F256234913%2F So you have done everything on your checklist prior to your open heart surgery. Pre-op physical… check… labs… check… packed the bag… check… donated your blood… check- but this is where the question comes into play. A new US study found that cardiac surgery patients who received blood transfusions of blood that had been stored for 2 weeks or less had lower rates of complications and death than those who received blood that was older. Were you instructed on when to donate? Did the nurse or case manager that prepared you for surgery advise you that the fresher your blood the better? Why would this be the case you ask? Older blood loses nitric oxide, an important agent in the delivery of oxygen to tissue cells. Another reason is that red blood cells b... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1321813 Sat, 22 Mar 2008 22:32:43 +0100 1321813 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1320800&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F256127579%2F But PatientsLikeMe seeks to go a mile deeper than health-information sites like WebMD or online support groups like Daily Strength. The members of PatientsLikeMe don’t just share their experiences anecdotally; they quantify them, breaking down their symptoms and treatments into hard data. They note what hurts, where and for how long. They list their drugs and dosages and score how well they alleviate their symptoms. All this gets compiled over time, aggregated and crunched into tidy bar graphs and progress curves by the software behind the site. And it’s all open for comparison and analysis. By telling so much, the members of PatientsLikeMe are creating a rich database of disease treatment and patient experience. PatientsLikeMe’s privacy policy clearly states that this sharing carrie... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1320800 Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:31:29 +0100 1320800 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1316753&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F254914457%2F A new group of aspirin type substances have been developed in Italy. Physicians know that a low daily dose of aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid, reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes in some, but we also know that aspirin causes an upset belly as well. A safer form of aspirin is needed and that is exactly what these researchers have set out to accomplish. In the new study, Alberto Gasco and colleagues designed a new form of aspirin by attaching a special chemical structure — called a nitrooxy-acyl group — that allows the drug to resist breakdown by stomach acidity while promoting its absorption by the blood. The results were positive among the mice that were used.  Time will tell, but I am in hopes for this to pan out! via American Chemical Society  Tags: aspirin, bloo... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1316753 Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:34:08 +0100 1316753 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1312298&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F254042385%2F I got a number of interesting responses to my post on Susannah Fox’s brief speech. Susannah’s work at the Pew Internet & American Life Project is really good stuff and I enthusiastically recommend reading all of it- but I gave her a hard time for elements of her remarks at the Health 2.0 (non-)conference in San Diego a couple weeks ago because I felt these elements were poorly reasoned or misleading. Susannah’s remarks probably bothered me more than they should have because I had the unreasonable expectation that she could do as well in a few spoken minutes what she usually does in longer-form writing. In response to my kvetching, Susannah graciously posted the 2001 press release from the American Medical Association that she mentioned in her remarks and says of it:... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1312298 Wed, 19 Mar 2008 04:02:03 +0100 1312298 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1308875&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F253411296%2F I had a really interesting conversation last week with Mark Achler of Spine-health.com (and formerly of Emmi Solutions). Mark agreed to allow me to use GrandCentral to record the call- and I used SlideShare to make the SlideCast embedded below. Above: Embedded SlideCast. If you’re reading this in an aggregator, you may need to visit the site to view/hear the SlideCast. What do you think? Would you recommend this site as a patient education resource? Would more recorded interviews with the people behind health information sites be a welcome feature here? (Source: davidrothman.net) davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1308875 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 04:39:33 +0100 1308875 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1291964&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F249274727%2F This is a good example of the kind of “Health 2.0″ stuff that baffles me. The speaker in this video is Susannah Fox of the Pew Internet and American Life Project. She is speaking at the Health 2.0 Conference. You can watch the embedded video or read the text of her remarks (from here) beneath it. After the market crash, there were quite a few people on the internet sidelines who were eager to say “I told you so” and warn people against the dangers of the internet. My favorite example is the 2001 press release from the American Medical Association suggesting that Americans make a New Year’s resolution to “trust your physician, not a chat room” since the information found online puts “lives at risk.” So…is Fox actually disagreeing with those who think it w... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1291964 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 04:07:54 +0100 1291964 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1272594&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F244584833%2F According to the results, loud snorers had 40 percent greater odds of having hypertension, 34 percent greater odds of having a heart attack and 67 percent greater odds of having a stroke, compared with people who do not snore, after statistical adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, diabetes, level of education, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Quiet snoring was associated only with an increased risk for hypertension in women. Loud snoring was also associated with increased use of health care resources (emergency visits and hospitalization). This is common sense don’t you think? Apnea equals lower oxygen and lessened respirations. My husband snores and he will be having a sleep study- he doesn’t know it yet but it is coming his way. Obesity, increased fat on the back of the... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1272594 Sun, 02 Mar 2008 18:07:01 +0100 1272594 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1248835&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F239190332%2F Blame Rachel. She started it by offering a critique of CNN’s Tips for savvy medical Web surfing: In this section about searching for articles in the major medical literature database, PubMed, Guthrie advises reading just the beginning and end of the study, stating that “The conclusion will tell you whether the treatment they studied was effective, moderately effective, or not at all effective.” This is simply not true as an absolute, and it is the exact opposite of how many expert medical librarians are trained to read papers. The abstract, introduction, conclusion and discussion sections of a paper most reflect the way the authors want to present their data, and may exaggerate findings or make statements that are not supported by the methodology and data. These are the very sect... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1248835 Fri, 22 Feb 2008 04:28:42 +0100 1248835 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1237381&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F236347174%2F This report reviews this literature, summarizing the current state of internet health resources available to the cancer patient and identifying areas for future research. Studies indicate that there are considerable internet resources available to cancer patients and that patients are using these resources as secondary information sources. Specifically, studies indicate that 16-64% of patients are using the internet to obtain health information. For the most part, patients perceive the online information to be reliable but maintain a healthy degree of skepticism. Studies objectively evaluating cancer information on the internet indicate that there is reasonable quality, although the language level of many sites is higher than that of the average American, which may limit the utility of the... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1237381 Sun, 17 Feb 2008 05:02:40 +0100 1237381 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1237623&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F236288932%2F Heart failure is the major cause of death in the United States, according to the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. The chronic disease causes approximately 300,000 deaths every year, according to the American Journal of Palliative Medicine. AJPM also estimates costs of treatment related to heart failure account for 5 percent of all health-care expenditures in the U.S., with an annual $500,000,000 spent on cardiac prescriptions alone. The journal names it the most common cause of hospital re-admissions and death. And with that being said, there are now cardiac based home hospice type services being offerd more and more. Thank goodness. The anxiety, time and bills for so many of these patients and families is beyond high and too much to handle. Many congestive heart failure patients ar... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1237623 Sun, 17 Feb 2008 01:40:45 +0100 1237623 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1233026&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F235357613%2F CONCLUSIONS: Most breast cancer information that consumers are likely to encounter online is accurate. However, commonly cited quality criteria do not identify inaccurate information. Webpages that contain information about CAM are relatively likely to contain inaccurate statements. Consumers searching for health information online should still consult a clinician before taking action. Cancer 2008. (c) 2008 American Cancer Society. PMID: 18266210 (Source: davidrothman.net) davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1233026 Fri, 15 Feb 2008 05:02:40 +0100 1233026 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1215198&cid=t_113294_134_f&fid=34847&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsixuntilme.com%2Fblog2%2F2008%2F02%2Fmy_own_accord.html I'm reading through the pile of emails about the ACCORD (Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes) - there are several already this morning - then clicking through to the Dallas News, then to the NY Times front page headline.  It's all about what sells, right?  Getting the attention of people?  Telling them that "tight control can kill you"?  Anything to get people to click through, right?Tight control, whether you're type 1 or type 2 diabetic, keeps diabetes-related complications at bay.  This is a fact, proven by countless studies and evidenced by a whole host of patients.  To start telling people that tight control will kill them is irresponsible.  As stated in the dLife Today blog:  "It's important to note that the increas... Six Until Me. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1215198 Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:09:53 +0100 1215198 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1192703&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F227016356%2F A stack of flyers for this online community was seen in the examination room of a gastroenterologist and passed on to me by an acquaintance. Interesting. Seems that the site is a product of UBC Inc. UBC makes Dipentum (Olsalazine) for the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis and Cimzia (Certolizumab Pegol) for the treatment of Crohn’s disease. I don’t trust a pharmaceutical manufacturer to offer unbiased information to healthcare consumers and I can’t figure out why a physician would put these in his office. Are there other portals that are run by drug companies? If you’ve checked them out, what do you think of the information or services they offer? I’d feel a lot better about a social network for patients with Crohn’s or Colitis if it was run b the CCFA&#8... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1192703 Fri, 01 Feb 2008 05:01:24 +0100 1192703 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1185553&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F225193531%2F Made by DSHI Systems (who it appears have been making products like these for at least a few years), FreeMD is meant to be “…an electronic doctor that conducts an interview, analyzes symptoms, and provides expert advice — for free.” It sounds like a good idea that’d be really hard to execute usefully…but it’s really pretty impressive. (Source: davidrothman.net) davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1185553 Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:21:52 +0100 1185553 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1178595&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F223154451%2F Check out the press release from the Mayo Clinic: ROCHESTER, Minn., and REDMOND, Wash. — Mayo Clinic Health Solutions and Microsoft Corporation’s Health Solutions Group announced today that they have entered into a strategic agreement to collaboratively develop tools that will empower people to manage their health and become engaged partners with their providers in a new model of health care. As leaders in their respective industries, both organizations recognize the potential for technology solutions to help bridge the gaps in the health care system, to facilitate closer patient-to-physician connections, and to allow patients and consumers to better manage their health and wellness information. The collaboration will benefit from Microsoft’s significant technology expertise ... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1178595 Fri, 25 Jan 2008 21:46:08 +0100 1178595 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1173388&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F221830526%2F We have all read in the past that diesel fuel fumes and particles can attribute to heart disease and increases plaques in the cardiac tissue. But now UCLA researchers have concluded that the smallest, eensy weensy, teeny tiny little particle from vehicle emissions may be be the one that packs the biggest punch. I know, it is a little hard to wrap your brain around this one right? Now we can’t even walk down the street without the ghostly whispers of our arteries hardening form plaque. Depressing… The scientists identified a way in which pollutant particles may promote hardening of the arteries — by inactivating the protective qualities of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, known as “good” cholesterol. We are talking really tiny particles, nanoparticles t... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1173388 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:06:15 +0100 1173388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1165380&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F220080847%2F Now I have to be honest, I have not heard a heck of a lot about this but I did find it interesting. Heart failure and your immune system… In some cases of heart failure, it is thought to be linked to ones own immune system in that it causes damaging inflammation to its own tissue. This then weakens the heart even further and inhibits its contractility and efficiency. The Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas has completed a study on over 1000 participants. They have attempted to reduce inflammation by “damping down” ones immune system. The method involved taking blood from the patients, and exposing it to chemicals designed to change some of the body’s own immune signals, and boost anti-inflammatory signals. This kind of approach is called “immunomodulation&#82... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1165380 Sun, 20 Jan 2008 18:49:55 +0100 1165380 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1159559&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F218562680%2F How are your genes looking? No it is not a typo and I do not mean the ones on your backside, I mean the ones your Mama and Papa gave you! Cholesterol be warned… they are on a rampage and their coming for you. An international study of over 20,000, yes 20,000, people allowed researchers to identify 7 new genes that influence blood cholesterol levels and confirmed 11 other genes that were previously thought to influence high lipids. Of the seven new variants, two influenced HDL, one influenced LDL, and three influenced triglycerides, which are found in fat and in the bloodstream and like LDL, are associated with increased risk of heart disease. One variant influenced triglycerides and LDL. Will this bring us that much closer to new medications and treatments for high cholesterol? Will... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1159559 Fri, 18 Jan 2008 01:28:14 +0100 1159559 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1153734&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F217438134%2F When it comes to needs inside our hospital, we have an expensive professional tools available on our intranet that allows clinicians to check for drug interactions. In preparation for our library’s eventual internet presence, I wanted to see if there was a free, consumer-oriented tool that we might feel okay recommending. I decided to try out several of them to see what it had to say about Ketorolac and Ibuprofen, a combination that one of our hospital’s PharmDs1 tells me any interaction checker should absolutely, positively catch as a Very Bad Idea. DoubleCheckMD.com I had tried DoubleCheckMD previously, but went back to try it again. I find the look and layout of site aesthetically appealling and I really like how it’ll suggest complete drug names after the user enter... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1153734 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 05:01:23 +0100 1153734 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1148120&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F216187343%2F “Patient Education Matters!” is a bi-weekly e-newsletter for the staff and volunteers of Inova Health System. The “Patient Education Matters!” blog is an abridged version of this publication available to the general public. Why is David always on about this badgey stuff? Badges? We don’t need no stinkin’ badges! Previously, I’ve noted the following blogs that display the MedLib Blog badge in their sidebars: Staying Well. Connected. Info Long Term Care Google Scholar Blog OrgMonkey EBM & CSL @ UCHC Learn to Live Shelved in the W’s Only Connect! Women’s Health News The Krafty Librarian OMG Tuna is Kewl iLib blog Saskatoon Health Region Medical Library blog Health, Science, & Libraries Biomedbiblog Clinical Evidence, Searching Tid... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1148120 Mon, 14 Jan 2008 02:01:11 +0100 1148120 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1133967&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F212729443%2F CPR…very pertinent, important information for each and every person out there! Have you ever actually witnessed someone out and about fall into cardiac arrest? The majority of you are shaking your heads no, but for all that have been a part of this… it is plain out scary. I live, I mean live for a good code, cardiac arrest or respiratory distress call. I am after all a cardiac critical nurse through and through, but not outside of those hospital walls. It is just as scary for me as anyone else… CPR-especially on a stranger. Another study has concluded that chest compressions alone are more beneficial in this situation then mouth to mouth combined with compressions. That is great info. How many of you would want to put your lips around a strangers lips and start blowing aw... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1133967 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 18:43:11 +0100 1133967 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1128827&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F210645971%2F Tears in the aorta are more times than not fatal, but for the few that make it to the operating room table there is new hope. An new national study being conducted out by a vascular surgeon and out of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is examining a non invasive stent type of procedure/surgery to graft torn aortas. “This pathology specific endovascular device has the potential to eliminate the need for highly invasive, open chest surgery to repair one of the most deadly aortic diseases in the U.S.,” said Dr. Lombardi, assistant professor of Surgery, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. “In Philadelphia alone, up to 60 patients per year are treated for aortic dissection with emergency procedures, which have numerous risks, high mortalities and long ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1128827 Thu, 03 Jan 2008 18:05:57 +0100 1128827 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1123737&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F209234947%2F Restless leg syndrome increases ones risk for heart disease and stoke by two fold. The more severe your symptoms, the more frequent your symptoms, the greater the risk. This was the largest study of its kind and enrolled over 3500 participants. The study found people with RLS were more than twice as likely to have cardiovascular disease or cerebrovascular disease. The results remained the same after adjusting for age, sex, race, body mass index, diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood pressure medication, HDL/LDL cholesterol levels, and smoking. The more movement one has at night, hence your legs twitching and contracting, the higher your sleeping blood pressure. This could be one way of dissecting the results. via Consumer Affairs Share This (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1123737 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 03:44:08 +0100 1123737 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1111388&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F204301930%2F (This is the last post of 2007.  I’m not addicted to blogging.  I mean it.  I can stop any time I want!) MedlinePlus has a new page on Health Literacy with links to lots of good stuff. (Source: davidrothman.net) davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1111388 Fri, 21 Dec 2007 22:47:39 +0100 1111388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1085297&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F198423645%2F Michelle Nguyen over at HippocraTech posted about a couple of places online to search for info about clinical trials: ClinicalTrials.gov and CenterWatch. Below are a few additional online resources. I wrote a little about Healia’s PubMed/MEDLINE interface, but didn’t write up Healia’s interface for searching ClinicalTrials.gov. The filters Healia offers could be handy, but I don’t see what they do that the advanced search at ClinicalTrials.gov doesn’t do. I recently discovered that Google has a Clinical Trials Search created through Google Base. This allows a user to, for instance, search for clinical trials involving Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer, then subscribe to this search via RSS. Coooool. For consumer-oriented information about Clinical Trials, ch... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1085297 Tue, 11 Dec 2007 05:02:18 +0100 1085297 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1075875&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F196441421%2F I’m NOT obsessed with television just because I wrote about House MD, the writers strike, and now Scrubs. I’m not. Really. …Oh, shut up and give me the remote. The TV show Scrubs mentioned tonight both online rating of physicians and patients who rely on health information from Wikipedia. Dr. Cox: So you’re declining chemo because Wikipedia says that a Raw Food diet reverses the effects of Bone Cancer…? Well, hey- any info you have that I can pass on to my other patients would just be super… and by-the-by…while you’re on your computer perhaps you could jump over to a little site called rateyourdoc.org…? …a few minutes later… Patient: There. I gave you five stars. Dr. Cox: Thank you! And now, I have to take your laptop from y... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1075875 Fri, 07 Dec 2007 03:51:42 +0100 1075875 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1067859&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F194472275%2F Man oh man! I feel like there is always some sort of research pointing to some other type of research that has already been accepted and totally disagrees with what we have been doing for years. Do you follow? hahah. It seems that now researchers are suggesting that transfusions among bypass surgery patients are not as favorable as we thought… The research found patients who received a red blood cell transfusion experienced a three-fold increase in complications arising from lack of oxygen to key organs — such as in a heart attack or stroke. This is a finding at odds with the widely held belief that red cell transfusion improves delivery of oxygen to tissues. These findings were regardless of hemoglobin levels. Over half of all heart surgery patients receive a blood transfusio... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1067859 Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:29:38 +0100 1067859 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1057064&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F192069327%2F Patricia Anderson keeps posting slides for presentations she gives. If her slides are any indications, these presentations must be really, really good. Created as a podcast for the Dental Informatics Online Community, this is snapshot of what is going on with social technologies and Web 2.0 in various healthcare communities. davidrothman.net is looking for sponsorship. If you’d like to place a text link here in the feed or an advertisement in the sidebar, please get in touch! (Source: davidrothman.net) davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1057064 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 01:07:21 +0100 1057064 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1046586&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F189158447%2F (Just for the record: My original title for this post was “I’m in Ur Feteratid Serch, Getin’ You Sum Consumr Helth Info,” but I figured that this would only amuse a handful of people and annoy everyone else. If the joke doesn’t make sense to you, check out ICanHasCheezburger.) Back in August I was contacted by Sue Ostergren, Internet Systems Specialist at the Clarian Health Medical Library in Indianapolis. Sue had the clever idea of of incorporating my Consumer Health and Patient Education Search Engine into her library’s Federated Search Engine (powered by WebFeat). I didn’t think that she needed my permission, but I was delighted to give it anyway in exchange for a few screen captures of the CSE being used inside Clarian’s system. Because s... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1046586 Fri, 23 Nov 2007 05:15:54 +0100 1046586 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1024363&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F184234112%2F The brains of full-term infants with congenital heart disease appear more similar to those of premature newborns than to the brains of normal term infants, a study conducted by researchers at UCSF has found. The study suggests that the mental and physical impairments in children with congenital heart disease may also have their origins in utero in addition to injuries resulting from surgery. Up till now we have not fully understood the widespread deficits in cognition, including memory, attention, and higher-order language skills, as well as deficits in fine motor skills of these children. The suggestion is now that the deficits themselves can be attributed to abnormal fetal circulation and lower levels of oxygen-saturated blood reaching the brain in while in the womb… which makes a ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1024363 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 18:16:01 +0100 1024363 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1024138&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F184163371%2F Medical Librarian Carol Perryman has posted a great set of slides to SlideShare. (Source: davidrothman.net) davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1024138 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 15:36:14 +0100 1024138 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1015035&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F181939294%2F Endorphins and other morphine-like substances known as opioids, which are released during exercise, don’t just make you feel good — they may also protect you from heart attacks, according to University of Iowa researchers. That good ol’ “runner’s high” is caused by natural opioids that are released during exercise and they are super duper (that is a word from my kids) good! If we can harness exactly how these altered gene expression patterns work, we can reveal specific cardio-protective pathways and viola… we can mimic these same properties of exercise into treatments for heart disease. And that is that. Read more here Share This (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1015035 Fri, 09 Nov 2007 01:39:46 +0100 1015035 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1012447&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F181184946%2F Lights? Check. Camera? Check. Scalpel????? Um huh, I said scalpel. Check! Very cool indeed. A Cambridge surgeon, Francis Wells, provided entertainment to over 200 members of the public via the operating room. This really is neat! Dr. Wells talked the audience through the procedure and fielded questions about open heart surgery and valve repairs along the way. When you think about it, this is a much easier way to “teach” about surgical procedures and medical treatments. A normal OR can only handle two dozen or so professionals that cram as close as they can to the ledge of the observation deck. I know personally, it was always much easier to pick up technique and sequencing when I was up close and personal during surgical procedures. There were no issues finding volunteers for t... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1012447 Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:30:07 +0100 1012447 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1009499&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F180593284%2F When you really stop and think about it, aren’t you more active in the summer months than the winter months? I think I am with the pool, walks in the evenings and running with the kids all day long. So this little tidbit of information shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. A five-year study found people treated in the summer were on average 8% more likely to see their blood pressure come down to healthy levels. These same findings were reported from 15 VA hospitals across the US. Not only are blood pressure’s elevated in the winter months but the incidence of stroke and heart attacks are also higher. Is it the slowed activity, the colder weather and thus vasoconstriction or the salty “winter”type hot foods that we consume? Maybe it is all of the above. via BBC  ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1009499 Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:07:09 +0100 1009499 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=999409&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F178687628%2F Micki McIntyre presented at Internet Librarian 2007 on health information resources in Second Life. Her handouts are here and additional resources are available here. [Via] (via this LibWorm Search) Previous posts about Second Life. You received this this post because you’re subscribed to davidrothman.net. Thanks! (Source: davidrothman.net) davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=999409 Fri, 02 Nov 2007 11:17:25 +0100 999409 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=991667&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F177252243%2F I’ve previously mentioned VisualDxHealth and liked what they were doing, but I wasn’t expecting this: ROCHESTER, NY, October 30, 2007 - The National Library of Medicine (NLM) will partner with VisualDxHealth, a unique online consumer health resource developed by the doctors and health care professionals at Logical Images. The NLM Web site, www.MedlinePlus.gov , will expand to provide visitors access to the trusted health source www.VisualDxHealth.com , which features over 2,000 medical-quality images and information on over 150 diseases. MedlinePlus is promoting this on its front page, too: You received this this post because you’re subscribed to davidrothman.net. Thanks! (Source: davidrothman.net) davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=991667 Tue, 30 Oct 2007 19:37:32 +0100 991667 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=987210&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F176718571%2F Here are 5 fun facts, well not really fun but useful, to share with your kids, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighbors, students and… well, you get the point. It is so darn important to educate our youth. After all, they are our future… 1. The human heart looks like a piece of red meat, aka steak or a raw hamburger patty. In fat or obese people the heart actually looks like it is covered in yellow goo, aka the fat tissue. Yellow… no good. Red… good! 2. Even though we are taught to put our hand over our heart on the left side of our chest, it is actually tucked away between our lungs in the middle of our chests. Think of it as being protected. 3. When you are exercising, it takes about 10-12 seconds for your blood to go from your heart to your big toe and back agai... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=987210 Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:34:53 +0100 987210 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=978897&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F174844020%2F Fathom, a search engine marketing firm, pitches its expertise in healthcare marketing by producing a free report titled Check Yourself: The 6 Best Free Web 2.0 Healthcare Tools. [PDF] Short review of this report: Meh. You received this this post because you’re subscribed to davidrothman.net. Thanks! (Source: davidrothman.net) davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=978897 Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:37:03 +0100 978897 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=971491&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F173717555%2F Just a follow up to my last post about congenital heart disease… While searching through for images that portray congenital heart defects, I can across a few websites. I have to admit, after 2 minutes I was in tears. Not just boo hoo tears, but full out sobbing. Why was the only word that passed through my mind. I know the why and how at the genetic level, but it just isn’t fair for the children, parents or families and friends that are affected by congenital heart disease. I also know that we have come along way with research, procedures and treatments but there are still plenty of babies born every day that pass while waiting for a heart transplant or die while fighting for their lives. I would like to remind everyone about the importance of organ donation. you could be savin... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=971491 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 09:00:40 +0100 971491 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=966971&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F172962733%2F Oh my goodness. I found the coolest simulated open heart surgery “game”. It is very elementary on an anatomical level and has 3 different levels you can choose from. At the surgeon level, that would be mid-grade, I was successful. At the specialist level… not so much! In fact they advised me to “call my lawyer”. Haha. While it is only a depiction of what open heart surgery really consists of, it is fairly accurate. I have scrubbed open heart before and the simulation follows the same basic steps just without the complications, risks and unforeseen circumstances of real surgery. Give it a try and let me know how you do. You know you want to! Share This (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=966971 Sun, 21 Oct 2007 18:00:38 +0100 966971 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=954244&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F170413511%2F Medtronic disclosed the latest issue early Monday, saying that it decided to pull the “Sprint Fidelis” brand of leads for defibrillators, or ICDs, because they are prone to fracturing and potentially causing major problems. The issue may have contributed to five deaths, Medtronic said. Here we go again. This can’t be good given the already dark shadow that was cast upon ICD’s in the major recall that occurred in 2005. And because of limited supplies Medtronic won’t be able to re-supply patients until later in the fiscal year. I think it is safe to say that there will be an enormous monetary implication due to this. If you have concerns, put a call into your doctor and they will put a call into consultants for Medtronic. Remember that with this recall, the wire... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=954244 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 01:12:20 +0100 954244 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=945270&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F168901022%2F Searching at MedlinePlus and other NLM sites) is now powered by Vivisimo (remember this post?). Am I alone in feeling…underwhelmed? The faceted options on the left are nice, but I was sort of hoping for more. [via] You received this this post because you’re subscribed to davidrothman.net. Thanks! (Source: davidrothman.net) davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=945270 Fri, 12 Oct 2007 11:12:39 +0100 945270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=941576&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F167878553%2F Sure, you’ve heard of sites/services that invite consumers to rate physicians, but Medziva invites users to rate labs and comment on various tests. From the About Medziva page: …You can discuss amongst yourselves which lab test and which lab would be a good lab for you to get your tests done from or which labs you could recommend to your physicians to get your testing done from. Why do we do this? There are so many labs out there offering new tests which could help diagnose certain conditions at an early stage, which helps physicians treat you in a more effective way. There may be smaller labs which may do a better job at lab testing that diagnose conditions better and offer more detailed results than the tests offered by the bigger labs. Our effort is to discover the smaller a... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=941576 Wed, 10 Oct 2007 11:06:41 +0100 941576 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=935144&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F167064083%2F From the Arizona Daily Star comes this article: Deadly cancer eludes diagnosis: Scared woman finds answer missed by 6 Tucson doctors Norma Greer made a correct diagnosis of Inflammatory Breast Cancer that six physicians missed. How did she diagnose her condition? …it took Greer herself less than an hour to come up with a possible IBC diagnosis, after she plugged her symptoms into the Internet. Velly intellestink, no? The Washington Post has an article titled Real Hope in a Virtual World about patients who believe they’ve experienced real therapeutic benefits from Second Life. After suffering a devastating stroke four years ago, Susan Brown was left in a wheelchair with little hope of walking again. Today, the 57-year-old Richmond woman has regained use of her legs and has be... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=935144 Mon, 08 Oct 2007 19:00:42 +0100 935144 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=930538&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F165883930%2F A video from Google. Testimonials from real patients and physicians on how the Internet has helped them with their health care treatment and delivery. Above: Embedded video. If you are reading this via your feed aggregator, you may need to visit the site itself to view. What bothers me about this video is that “the internet” isn’t the best tool for ANY of the purposes mentioned in this video. There are better tools for finding quality health information than Google and “the internet.” Also: What is “Health Think”? (See opening and closing titles) You received this this post because you’re subscribed to davidrothman.net. Thanks! (Source: davidrothman.net) davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=930538 Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:21:07 +0100 930538 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=928722&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F165544868%2F From the About Us page at OutOfPocket.com: Did you know that health care is the only industry that sells services to consumers without openly disclosing prices? Consumers today are required to make more decisions about their own health care and as a result, transparency has become an important issue. Consumers are demanding more choices, better service and disclosure of prices [snip] …we have launched OutOfPocket.com to help consumers look-up and compare out-of-pocket health care costs for common medical services. OutofPocket.com is a directory of true prices for health care services, and allows you, the cost-conscious consumer, to compare costs so you can effectively manage your health care dollars. The contents of the directory are contributed by consumers to share with other consu... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=928722 Fri, 05 Oct 2007 05:05:06 +0100 928722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=927971&cid=t_113294_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F165447073%2F Heart disease of the left main coronary artery has been found to be an inherited condition. Families tend to “share” this form of heart disease. “In our study we focused on the coronary disease pattern underlying coronary artery disease and found that, for left main coronary artery disease, 49 percent of the phenotypic variation that is due to genetic effects was inherited. This substantial heritability is even higher than that for coronary artery disease or myocardial infarction in general.” Why is this important? It can provide for more intensive screening and treatment strategies for patients that have known heart disease clumped in their family. It really does offer some very important clinical implications. Let’s hope we can pinpoint even more aspects of ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=927971 Thu, 04 Oct 2007 23:39:35 +0100 927971 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=927635&cid=t_113294_86_f&fid=34464&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDavidrothmannet%2F%7E3%2F165255120%2F HealthVault appears to be Microsoft’s offering in the field of patient-created personal health records. When it’s your job to protect your family’s health, you need every advantage. Imagine if you had a way to collect, store, and share the health information critical to your family’s well-being. HealthVault is the new and FREE way to do just that. Imagine controlling the flow of your health information. Whether you need to search the Web for the most up-to-date treatments, catalog existing health records, receive test results, or monitor current physical readings — HealthVault gives you the control you need. I like that they put a short version of their privacy policy on the front page: Our Health Privacy Commitment 1. The Microsoft HealthVault record you create ... davidrothman.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=927635 Thu, 04 Oct 2007 15:39:28 +0100 927635