The Great Recess Debate

Ask any child what his favorite part of the school day is and you'll probably hear the word recess!

The American Academy of Pediatrics is jumping into the debate over whether recess is a necessary break or wasted time away from the books. The group's opinion: recess plays a crucial role in a child's development and should remain a regularly scheduled period.

In a new policy statement, this powerful group of pediatricians wants to make sure the trend towards dropping recess to make room for more academics doesn't continue. In fact, they'd like to see both recess and physical ed classes stay, and not allow gym class to replace recess.

The Academy says recess offers many important benefits for kids, especially when the play is unrestricted.

Beyond a mental health "break" during the day, growing evidence also links recess to better physical health, improved social skills and even higher cognitive development.

One final note: The AAP believes recess should never be withheld as a punishment, and suggests eliminating it can negatively affect academic achievement.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news that doctors are reading; health news for healthier living.

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Baking Soda Acne Treatment - Exfoliate For Clear Skin!

Baking Soda Acne Treatment - Exfoliate For Clear Skin!
We're going to talk about an ingredient - something that you use to cook with, clean your clothes with, and you probably haven't used in your skin before. It will exfoliate your skin - making your skin smooth and soft like a baby's bottom.
Source: EzineArticles.com

Surgery vs. Rehab

Surgery vs. Rehab

You've probably seen it, professional athletes hobbling around in pain after tearing their Achilles tendon. It happens in amateurs and non-athletes, too.

In fact, the Achilles is the most commonly ruptured tendon in the body. In most cases, the first order of business is surgical repair. It's been believed that surgery reduces the rate of re-ruptures.

But a new Canadian study suggests a more conservative approach can be just as effective.

Data were analyzed from 10 different studies, including more than 800 people who had torn their achilles. 4-hundred-18 had surgery, while 4-hundred-8 were treated non-surgically using casts, splints and sometimes physiotherapy.

Those treated using "functional" rehabilitation that worked on their early range of motion fared just as well as those who were operated on. According to the data, the re-rupture rate for both treatment options was equivalent but the non-surgical approach produced fewer complications.

The catch, according to the researchers, patients who do not have access to advanced rehabilitation like this might still benefit best from surgery.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the latest breakthroughs from the world of medicine.

Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

Greg Gage: We Aren't All Cyborgs... Yet

Greg Gage: We Aren't All Cyborgs... Yet

TED and The Huffington Post are excited to bring you TEDWeekends, a curated weekend program that introduces a powerful "idea worth spreading" every Friday, anchored in an exceptional TEDTalk. This week's TEDTalk is accompanied by an original blog post introducing the video, along with new op-eds, thoughts and responses from the HuffPost community. Watch the talk above, read the blog post and tell us your thoughts below. Become part of the conversation!

The term "cybernetic organism," or "cyborg" for short, conjures up a futuristic world of science fiction. Perhaps because this was how the term was introduced when sci-fi writers Manfred Clynes and Nathan Kline coined it in 1960 to mean a being composed of both biological and artificial parts. But to Amber Case, the transition of humans to cyborgs is here and now. Just look around. Amber sees our culture holistically and asks to what extent the technology that we carry in our pockets has evolved, and more importantly, how we, as humans, are evolving because of it. Watch her TEDTalk above to dive into cyborg anthropology and what it means to care for our "second selves" online.

Can these devices that alienate those around us, actually make us more human? Amber argues that our phones are wormholes in our pocket, connecting us in a practical and efficient way with loved ones. - Amber Case

For several decades, the field of biomedical engineering has developed and deployed cyborg technologies fervently to help us restore lost human functions. Deep Brain Stimulation electrodes are used to restore natural movements, cochlear implants can help restore hearing, and brain machine interfaces can be used to bring back vision or motor functions. Earlier this month, Andy Schwartz and his team at the University of Pittsburgh published a paper in the Lancet about Jan Scheuermann, a quadriplegic woman, who used a brain-machine interface to reach, grasp, and feed herself with the assistance of robotic arm driven from neurons recorded from 96 electrodes in her motor cortex.

Photo by permission of UPMC.

It is clear that these advances in medical technologies fit the definition of a cyborg. Even beyond the medical field, our organization now sells living cyborgs (half cockroach/half machine) to teach school kids and the public about neuroprosthetic devices. But can the cyborg definition of "a symbiotic fusion of human and machine", be broadly applied to all of us?

The march of personal electronics has continued unabated for the past 50 years, with 2012 ushering in new phones and tablets from Microsoft to compete with ubiquitous smart devices from Apple and Android. One needn't look much further than the person across from you on the metro or cafe to see the impact these devices have on the way we communicate with each other. We consult our devices at all times. Not just for directions, but also socially, during family gatherings, meet-ups with friends, even on dates.

Amber's talk makes us think more carefully about our "second selves" on Facebook and other social sites. The point is our "second self" stays online even when we are not there. And this raises the unusual question of how living this dual life impacts our ability to self-reflect and engage in real life situations.

Can these devices that alienate those around us, actually make us more human? Amber argues that our phones are wormholes in our pocket, connecting us in a practical and efficient way with loved ones. But the idea of digital or "ambient intimacy" -- that we use Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter as a way to feel closer to people whom we care for, but are unable to participate as closely as we'd like to in real life -- is the last thing some of us want. In fact, the debate of virtual communities and relationships remains hotly contested, even polarizing in families. Perhaps we aren't all cyborgs yet.

Pause and think of where technology will go in the near future, and how this will shape our interactions with each other. Three states have now passed laws permitting driverless cars (being developed and tested by Google). How will this change the way we work, and how we spend time with others on the road? Will we drive more now that we are more productive? Will we consult new location services for information about who is around us to determine where to go or where to avoid? Will Siri and other voice-based services create a more human-like interaction with devices that change our perceptions of technology? As our life and our devices becomes more integrated, I can see Amber's prediction coming true. So the next time you have that feeling that a part of you is missing when you forget your phone at home... at least you will know why.

Ideas are not set in stone. When exposed to thoughtful people, they morph and adapt into their most potent form. TEDWeekends will highlight some of today's most intriguing ideas and allow them to develop in real time through your voice! Tweet #TEDWeekends to share your perspective or email tedweekends@huffingtonpost.com to learn about future weekend's ideas to contribute as a writer.

More in Machines Make Us More Human

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Cancer Prevention

Here's something to consider for your list of New Year's resolutions Promise yourself you'll get your recommended cancer screenings in 2013.

A large study including nearly 175-thousand Americans suggests we're not doing all that we can to protect ourselves. Researchers at the University of Miami compared recommended screening rates set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to data from the National Health Interview Survey collected between 1997 and 2010. They specifically looked at adherence rates for breast, cervical, prostate and colorectal cancer.

Despite prostate specific antigen testing not being endorsed as a general screening test by the United States Preventive Services Task Force, the researchers included it in the analysis. The results: the general public did not meet government recommendations for any cancer types except colorectal cancer where screening jumped by more than 16%.

Mammography rates were flat while Pap smear and prostate cancer screening levels both fell by nearly 4 percent. Cancer survivors were the only group that remained diligent with their preventive tests. Cancer remains one of the leading killers in the U.S... last year claiming the lives of more than 570-thousand people.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV with the news doctors are reading; health news that matters to you.

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Does Exercise Aggravate or Combat Acne Scars?

Does Exercise Aggravate or Combat Acne Scars?
A healthy lifestyle is the key to overall well-being. It helps prevent and conquer several adverse health conditions, including acne. As we all know, exercise is an inevitable part of a healthy lifestyle. But, when it comes to acne, some claim that workouts worsen the symptoms, while others tout that exercise can work wonders to ward off those scary signs. Let's dissect the facts and fallacies because our objective is to find a solution for acne, which has been depreciating the appearance of your skin and making you self-conscious.
Source: EzineArticles.com

Is Laser Treatment For Acne The Best Form Of Treatment?

Is Laser Treatment For Acne The Best Form Of Treatment?
Acne is one of the most embarrassing conditions which people suffer with. This skin condition can cause great anxiousness and embarrassment to anyone who suffers with it, what makes it worse is that it is also considered a social taboo. There are literally millions of acne sufferers all over the world; in fact just in America alone there are around 60 million people with acne. This shocking statistic has resulted in hundreds of remedies for acne being reported, tested and reviewed. These stem from the simple old wives tale such as the use of toothpaste on your skin to the extreme laser treatment.
Source: EzineArticles.com

What Parents Often Don't Know About Their Food Allergic Kids

What Parents Often Don't Know About Their Food Allergic Kids

When children have food allergies, their parents have to constantly watch out for allergens and be prepared for a possible reaction.

Another concern, and one that is often overlooked, is bullying. A new study, published online in the journal Pediatrics on Monday, found that more than 30 percent of children have been harassed by their classmates because of their allergies, and that parents are only aware of it about half of the time.

"It's very easy to intimidate a food-allergic child," said study author Dr. Eyal Shemesh, chief of the division of behavioral and developmental health in the Department of Pediatrics at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. "It doesn't take more than waving a peanut in front of them."

Shemesh and his colleagues surveyed 251 families recruited at a food allergy clinic. Overall, 45 percent of the children and teens -- who were between the ages of 8 and 17 -- said they'd been bullied, and 31.5 percent said it was because of their food allergy. The bullying was most likely to happen while they were in school and included others teasing them, waving food in their face, throwing food at them, or forcing them to touch the food that triggers their allergies.

The more frequent the bullying, the worse the child's quality of life, the study found. But just one instance of bullying took a toll on kids' happiness, according to self-reports.

The study also showed there is a significant gap in how much parents know about bullying -- they only knew about 50 percent of the cases of harassment. When moms and dads did know about the bullying, their children reported a higher quality of life, which suggests that parents can help, Shemesh said.

"Parents should ask, not in an alarming way, something like, 'Do people bother you at school or anywhere? Do people bother you about the allergy?'" he said. Doctors, whether they are pediatricians or allergy specialists, should also be aware of possible food-related bullying and speak up.

"Clinicians should not be intimidated or think that children will not talk to them about it," Shemesh said. "This study shows they will."

Nearly six million children, or 8 percent of kids in the U.S., have food allergies. A 2008 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study reported an 18 percent increase in food allergies in the U.S. in the last decade for reasons that continue baffle scientists. Allergic reactions can be very serious: A 2011 study found that every three minutes, a food allergy reaction lands someone in the emergency room.

"Living with a food allergy is emotionally stressful, since the only way to prevent a potentially life-threatening reaction is to be vigilant about avoiding problem foods," said John Lehr, CEO of the Food Allergy Research and Education organization. "When children with food allergies are bullied by being exposed or taunted with a food they are allergic to, it heightens anxiety and creates a sense of isolation."

Also on HuffPost:

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Dr. Amy D'Aprix: How Do You Honor Tradition When A Parent Has Alzheimer's?

Dr. Amy D'Aprix: How Do You Honor Tradition When A Parent Has Alzheimer's?

The holiday season centers on family and tradition. We take pictures with grandma and grandpa. We use the carving knife passed down from previous ancestors. We make cookies exactly the way our mother learned to make them from her grandmother.

As our parents and other adults in our lives continue to age, it seems that more and more are being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. In fact, 5.2 million Americans aged 65 and older currently live with Alzheimer's disease, according to the Alzheimer's Association. As these family members face the painful struggle of memory loss, we feel compelled to find a way to integrate them into our traditional holiday activities.

However, when faced with this challenge, it is imperative that we take a step back and ask ourselves an important question: Are we doing all this for them? Or for us?

A colleague recently told me of her experience this past Thanksgiving with her aunt, a former physician with early onset Alzheimer's. In keeping with tradition -- and doing what they thought was simply the right thing to do -- my colleague picked her up on Thanksgiving morning to join the family celebration. So, there she was: spending Thanksgiving with people who love her, and who were diligently working to make the day comfortable and enjoyable for her. But, in the end, it was neither.

Her aunt struggled throughout the day. She usually eats at noon. The feast was at 2 p.m. She didn't know whose house she was in. She was unable to recognize what used to be familiar family faces. She was away from her home, out of her comfort zone, off her schedule, with people she no longer knew -- and it was an unpleasant experience for both her and the entire family.

Unfortunately, this story is all too common. In our struggle to keep our parents and other family members with Alzheimer's in our lives, we often make things more difficult than they need to be -- for ourselves and for them.

We all want to create good memories. But we can't blindly follow tradition.

Tradition is about continuity and connection -- and sometimes those traditions need to be adapted and refreshed to keep that connection alive. Instead of throwing a loved one with Alzheimer's off their usual routine and in a strange place with people that are no longer recognizable, I challenge you to contemplate alternatives that accomplish the goal of spending the holidays together. What about bringing brunch to Grandma's house, which achieves both maintaining her regular meal schedule and keeping her in familiar surroundings? If she still retains memories from her youth, would she enjoy helping make cookies or decorating the tree before the big day?

Think about the positive memories you can create with your family, while making the holidays easier on yourself and your parents. Although it is difficult, acknowledge that you may need to change your traditions in order to do so.

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

After Stroke, Senator Takes Steps Toward Returning To Work

After Stroke, Senator Takes Steps Toward Returning To Work

Alabama State Capitol (Montgomery, Ala.)

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Marijuana Does Not Damage Brain Tissue, Study Finds

Marijuana Does Not Damage Brain Tissue, Study Finds

A teen who consumes alcohol is likely to have reduced brain tissue health, but a teen who uses marijuana is not, according to a new study.

Researchers scanned the brains of 92 adolescents, ages 16 to 20, before and after an 18-month period. During that year and a half, half of the teens -- who already had extensive alcohol and marijuana-use histories -- continued to use marijuana and alcohol in varying amounts. The other half abstained or kept consumption minimal, as they had throughout adolescence.

The before-and-after brain scans of the teens consuming five or more drinks at least twice a week showed reduced white matter brain tissue, study co-author Susan Tapert, neuroscientist at University of California, San Diego, told HuffPost. This may mean declines in memory, attention, and decision-making into later adolescence and adulthood, she said.

However, the brain scans of the teens using marijuana an average of nine times a week during the 18 months showed no change in brain tissue health. The researchers did not test performance; they only looked at brain scans.

The study was conducted by researchers at UC San Diego and is scheduled to be published in the April issue of the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.

The damage occurs because white matter brain tissue develops throughout adolescence and into a person's 20s, Joanna Jacobus, postdoctoral fellow at the UC San Diego, and co-author of the study, told HuffPost.

Part of that still-developing brain tissue is where decision-making ability comes from, which can exacerbate substance use. "It becomes a cycle. If teens decrease their tissue health and cognitive ability to inhibit themselves, they might become more likely to engage in risky behavior like excessive substance use," Jacobus said.

While studies showing the deleterious effect of alcohol on adolescents and adults have been more consistent, studies of the effect of marijuana have not, Tapert said. "One reason is that marijuana can really vary. Different strains contain different levels of THC and other marijuana components. For example, some studies have suggested one component, cannabidiol, may actually have neuroprotective effects," she said.

The researchers are not sure why alcohol had an effect and marijuana did not. They said the study results cannot be considered definitive without more research. They also said they do not know if the reduced brain tissue health is permanent.

Still, Duncan Clark, a medical doctor who was not involved in the study and who studies teen substance abuse, said the study is valuable because similar research has only conducted a one-time test instead of tests before and after a period of substance use.

Clark, associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, said that because white matter brain tissue development may be the basis for greater self-control, researchers hope to be able to eventually use brain scans like those in this study to predict young individuals' likelihood of substance abuse.

Because the researchers followed the subjects for 18 months, they were able to at least partially monitor preexisting differences in the two groups. But Jacobus conceded that eliminating other factors -- such as genetics, home environment, and even minimal use of other drugs -- is very difficult.

Each teen in the study received brain imaging, a detailed substance-use assessment, and toxicology screening at the beginning of the study and at the end of the study -- as well as substance-use interviews every six months.

Tapert led another study published in 2010 that looked at people ages 12 to 14 before and after they started to drink. Tapert's team found damaged nerve tissue in the teens who had begun to drink. The researchers said they believe this damage compromises boys' attention span, and girls' comprehension and interpretation of visual information.

While this latest study examines marijuana's effect on physical brain tissue, a Duke University study earlier this year examined the drug's effect on intelligence and performance. That study found that teens who routinely smoke marijuana before turning 18 risk a long-term drop in their IQ.

Teen use of marijuana continues to be high, while teens' perception of the drug's harmfulness is down, according to a University of Michigan study published Wednesday. Nearly 23 percent of high school seniors polled in the study said they had smoked marijuana in the month prior.

"It is clear that more research is needed into the long-term effects of marijuana on the brain," Tapert said. "Especially because use is up."

Related on HuffPost:

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Pregnancy Weight Debate

It's one of the first questions a woman asks when she finds out she's expecting. How many pounds should I put on for a healthy baby?

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is revising its guidelines for weight gain during pregnancy. The group now recommends that physicians record a woman's body mass index at her first prenatal visit, and counsel her on diet, nutrition and exercise accordingly.

While the general advice has been to gain 25 to 35 pounds, research suggests heavier Moms can have a healthy baby while gaining less weight. Overweight women are now advised to gain a total of 15-25 lbs. during pregnancy. Obese women are encouraged to gain just 11 to 20 pounds.

Today, more than half of all pregnant women in the US are overweight or obese. This puts them at increased risk for pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes, hypertension, preeclampsia, and c-section deliveries.

The new guidelines also address growing concerns about weight retention after pregnancy. As always, it is important to talk to your doctor about your personal care.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news to help keep your family healthy.

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Drug Giant Under Fire Over Bribery Allegations

Drug Giant Under Fire Over Bribery Allegations

WASHINGTON, Dec 20 (Reuters) - Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Co agreed on Thursday to pay $29 million to settle civil charges that its subsidiaries made improper payments to foreign government officials to win business in Russia, Brazil, China and Poland.

Eli Lilly agreed to the settlement without admitting or denying the charges, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said.

Also on HuffPost:

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Cancer Concerns

The September 11th attack at New York's World Trade Center took the lives of more than 27-hundred people. More than a decade later, the lingering health effects of the rescue and cleanup are being monitored.

Workers on the site, and people living near it were exposed to dust, debris and fumes, some of it contained known and suspected cancer-causing agents. In a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers looked at data from nearly 56-thousand New Yorkers enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Registry.

A total of 1,187 cancer cases were diagnosed among the enrollees through 2008.

While an overall increase in cancer was not found when compared to all New York state residents, researchers discovered an excess risk for 3 specific types of disease among rescue and recovery workers in 2007-2008.

Only in the rescue recovery workers we found a significantly increased rate of three types of cancer, prostate cancer, thyroid cancer and a blood cancer called multiple myeloma.

Researchers say it is still not clear whether other factors contributed to these increases. They say longer follow-up is needed.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of Healthday TV. With the news that can keep you and your loved ones safe, healthy and happy.

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Daily Giveaway Question: What Is Your Favorite Skin Care Ingredient?

Daily Giveaway Question: What Is Your Favorite Skin Care Ingredient?
Tell us in the comment section or on FutureDerm’s Facebook page: What is your favorite skin care ingredient? Tell us and you could win Bioelements Power Peptide Toner! For FutureDerm’s giveaway rules, please see our Policy Page.

Tell us in the comment section or on FutureDerm’s Facebook page: What is your favorite skin care ingredient? Tell us and you could win Bioelements Power Peptide Toner!

For FutureDerm’s giveaway rules, please see our Policy Page.

Source: www.futurederm.com

Dr. Harold Koplewicz: Speculating About Adam Lanza's Mental State

Dr. Harold Koplewicz: Speculating About Adam Lanza's Mental State

As we struggle to come to terms with the tragic shootings in Newtown, Conn., the hardest thing to grasp is why anyone would be moved to kill small children and the teachers trying heroically to protect them. We search for clues that would make this horrific act understandable, and we do not find them.

We do know that whatever was going on in the mind of 20-year-old Adam Lanza when he went on this appalling shooting spree, it did not come from a place of good mental health. But to blame this violence on Asperger's or a personality disorder, as many media outlets currently are, is a serious mistake.

At this point, any comment on the psychiatric profile of Adam Lanza, the 20-year-old man responsible for these murders, is complete hearsay. We don't know whether he had a history of psychiatric illness or if had been exhibiting signs of a psychotic breakdown. Unfortunately, that hasn't stopped extensive speculation that Lanza had Asperger's disorder, or a personality disorder, and even obsessive-compulsive disorder. Much has been made of the reports that Lanza was a smart but quiet kid who carried a briefcase to class instead of a backpack and felt at home with computers, perhaps more so than with his peers. By themselves these traits do not indicate any diagnosis at all, although we have been quick to dissect them in the search for meaning.

These amateur diagnoses based on unconfirmed information are very harmful. To my mind perhaps the worst is the suggestion that the unimaginable nature of this violence -- the fact that children were targeted -- somehow indicates a lack of empathy that can be associated with autism spectrum disorders. This is completely untrue. Individuals on the spectrum are in no way predisposed to this kind of violent behavior. Ample research proves otherwise. And while individuals with autism may be less adept at picking up nonverbal social cues, they are just as capable of experiencing emotional empathy as anyone else. I have known many autistic children who would be crushed knowing that a sibling, a parent, or even a spider was suffering.

Trading in rumors and misinformation sensationalizes real disorders and leads to stereotypes and bigotry. It fuels the stigma that mental disorders are dangerous or scandalous and prevents people from seeking the life-changing help they need. And because untreated psychiatric disorders are more likely to result in violence, it makes tragedies like this one more likely to happen again. So let's stop speculating about the things we don't know and start focusing on what we do know.

We know that when we see someone suffering, we shouldn't look away. And when we see young people coughing, wheezing or bleeding, we insist that they get attention. But when we see young people with disturbing behavior, or young people in clear emotional distress, we ignore them and hope these problems will go away.

The first signs of 75 percent of all psychiatric disorders appear by the age of 24. We need to be on the lookout for signs of distress in young people to get them help as soon as possible. Research shows that early intervention improves the outlook for anyone with a psychiatric disorder -- and drastically reduces the likelihood of violence.

As a nation, we need to change our attitude about mental illness. We need a better plan for giving mental health care parity with other medical care. Improving access to the best evidence-based interventions should be a national priority. The economic cost as well as the human cost of untreated mental illness makes that clear.

Finally, we know our first graders should never fear for their lives when they sit down in a classroom. We know we need to do everything we can to make sure this never happens again.

Harold S. Koplewicz, M.D., is a leading child and adolescent psychiatrist and the president of the Child Mind Institute. For expert advice on how to help children cope with frightening news, go to childmind.org, which offers resources on trauma and resilience as well as a wealth of information on childhood psychiatric and learning disorders.

For more by Dr. Harold Koplewicz, click here.

For more on mental health, click here.

Follow Dr. Harold Koplewicz on Twitter: www.twitter.com/DrKoplewicz

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Resources to Help You Stay Healthy in the New Year

Resources to Help You Stay Healthy in the New Year

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By Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D.

December 14, 2012

As the New Year gets closer, it's a good time to think about how to stay healthy in 2013.  

One important way to do that is by getting regular medical checkups.  Depending on your age and health needs, these visits may include certain types of preventive and screening tests.    

If Medicare covers you or a family member, you may have already taken advantage of some of the new benefits provided under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  These benefits include a "Welcome to Medicare" annual wellness visit at no cost to people who are new to the program. 

The one-time annual wellness visit can give your health care provider a good picture of your overall health. During that time, he or she can also offer the education you may need to improve your health.  During 2012, an estimated 2.5 million people covered by Medicare received a wellness visit.

The ACA also makes a wide range of preventive and screening tests more available to patients by no longer requiring Medicare Part B co-insurance and deductibles payments. 

Results of screenings can, for example, tell if you need to start medicines or change your diet to manage diabetes or high blood pressure. This year, more than 23 million people with Medicare received one or more preventive and screening services, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

No-cost preventive and screenings tests available under the ACA include:

• Bone mass measurement (also known as bone density test): Covered every 2 years.
• Cholesterol and other cardiovascular screening: Tests for cholesterol, lipid, and triglyceride levels are covered every 5 years.
• Colorectal cancer screening: Medicare covers colonoscopy tests once every 2 years for people at high risk; otherwise, once every 10 years.
• Diabetes screening: Up to two fasting blood glucose tests are covered each year.
• Flu shot:  Medicare covers a shot once per flu season in the fall or winter.
• Mammogram: Screening mammograms are covered once every 12 months. Diagnostic mammograms are covered when medically necessary.
• Prostate cancer screening: Medicare covers a digital rectal exam once each year; prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests are covered once each year. 

Select for a full list of Medicare-covered preventive and screening services.

If a test identifies a health condition that needs medicines or another kind of treatment, you can learn more about your options with consumer summaries  developed as part of AHRQ's Effective Health Care Program.  Forty publications are available to consumers for free.  They describe in plain English the benefits and risks of different treatments for various health conditions. 

They do not replace your health care team's recommendations.  However, they give information on the pros and cons of specific treatment options that can help you decide the best approach for you.  Many of the consumer summaries are also available in Spanish.

For example, the publication on medicines for Type 2 diabetes describes how diabetes medicines (generic and brand names) work to control blood sugar. Charts show benefits and possible side effects of different types of medicines taken alone or if two are taken together.  The summary also includes price information for each generic and brand name drug for a one-month supply.

 Another consumer summary helps patients decide how to choose the best type of medicine for high blood pressure. Treating high blood pressure is important, because it can lead to heart disease, heart attack, kidney disease, and stroke. The publication covers the benefits and possible risks of 3 types of medicines for high blood pressure and how they compare with each other.  It also includes price information for each generic and brand name drug for a one-month supply.   

Another recent consumer summary helps patients learn how to check their blood pressure at home.

Make a New Year's resolution to stay on top of your health needs. You will find many resources to help you make smart decisions.  

I'm Dr. Carolyn Clancy, and that's my advice on how to navigate the health care system.

Resources

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
AHRQ's Effective Health Care Program: Research Summaries for Consumers, Clinicians, and Policymakers
http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/research-summaries-for-consumers-clinicians-and-policymakers/

Medicines for Type 2 Diabetes: A Review of the Research for Adults: Consumer Summary
 http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/search-for-guides-reviews-and-reports/?pageaction=displayproduct&productID=721

Choosing Medicines for High Blood Pressure: A Review of the Research on ACEIs, ARBs, and DRIs
http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/search-for-guides-reviews-and-reports/?pageaction=displayproduct&productID=758

Measuring Your Blood Pressure at Home: A Review of the Resources for Adults
http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/search-for-guides-reviews-and-reports/?pageaction=displayproduct&productID=894

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Welcome to Medicare visit: Medicare.gov
http://www.medicare.gov/people-like-me/new-to-medicare/welcome-to-medicare-visit.html

Preventive and Screening Services: Medicare.gov 
http://www.medicare.gov/coverage/preventive-and-screening-services.html

People with Medicare save $5 billion on prescription drugs because of health law.  December 3, 2012.
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2012pres/12/20121203a.html

Current as of December 2012

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Internet Citation:

Resources to Help You Stay Healthy in the New Year. Navigating the Health Care System: Advice Columns from Dr. Carolyn Clancy, December 14, 2012. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/cc/cc121412.htm

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Source: www.ahrq.gov

OPI Euro Centrale Collection for Spring 2013

OPI Euro Centrale Collection for Spring 2013
Bright, colourful and fun- the OPI Euro Centrale Collection for Spring 2013 is looking like a sure fire winner with these lovely shades and textures! This limited-edition collection contains 12 different OPI Nail Lacquers and is available…

Bright, colourful and fun- the OPI Euro Centrale Collection for Spring 2013 is looking like a sure fire winner with these lovely shades and textures! This limited-edition collection contains 12 different OPI Nail Lacquers and is available February 2013.

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Copyright © Beautezine, 2012. | Original Post | No comment | Twitter | Facebook
Categories: Daily Beauty
Tags: Nail Polish, Nails, OPI, OPI Collections, OPI Euro Centrale Collection for Spring 2013, OPI Spring 2013, Spring 2013

Source: feedproxy.google.com

The Role Of Natural Nutritional Supplements In Daily Diet

The Role Of Natural Nutritional Supplements In Daily Diet

The aim of incorporating natural nutritional supplements into your everyday living is to obtain the essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients that would otherwise not be received through the regular diet. Taking the time to assess which product ranges on the market are best for your needs can aid in achieving health and wellness. Understanding the role vitamins play in sustaining the body can assist in a balanced lifestyle.

A nutritional supplement is a product consisting of essential vitamins and minerals developed to support the everyday diet. It can include a variety of ingredients such as herbal remedies and amino acids and is available in a range of forms from capsules to powders and liquids. If you are on chronic medication, it is always necessary to consult with a physician to ensure compatibility.

Benefits of including these products in daily diet will ensure that all your nutrition requirements are met. It is necessary to maintain a healthy functioning immune system to ward off infection and disease. The herbal ingredients that are found in such items serves to target and enhance the function of specific organs.

For those who perform rigorous activities and exercises considerations could be made for endurance nutrition with the aim of sustaining the body. Take a closer look at the alternatives that are available for your needs and the many benefits it can provide. The body requires specific amounts of nutrients, vitamins and minerals to function adequately.

With a high potency multivitamin you can aid the diet where you are unable to incorporate these in meals. The herb content in some products plays a significant role in targeting specific organs and the promotion of wellness. Due to the properties of these remedies, it does not mean it will not have adverse effects if it is naturally based.

Children as well as adults can benefit tremendously from the enhanced nutrition provided with these products. Where the appropriate portions of fruit, vegetables, wholegrain and carbohydrates are not included in daily living, a vitamin enriched supplement can assist. Specific groups including pregnant women, children and older adults can benefit from additional mineral content.

With natural nutritional supplements these products do not contain the harsh additives, chemicals and preservatives that can impact on function. Where these products are included in daily diet you should still consume fresh foods. Make considerations for ingredients such as essential amino acids, minerals and all vitamins for sustenance and a healthier outlook on life.

If you would like to find great natural nutritional supplements check out Nutrition And Then Some. You will find quality endurance nutrition supplements when you visit the main site today.

Source: www.thehealthdirectoryonline.com

Life Lessons From San Francisco's Premiere Cuddle Therapist

Life Lessons From San Francisco's Premiere Cuddle Therapist

This post is part of our My SF series that profiles our best, brightest and most interesting local personalities.

Name: Travis Sigley

Neighborhood: Lower Haight

Years in SF: Four

Current Gig: A pioneer of the worldwide cuddling revolution, Sigley fancies himself a cuddle practitioner and intimacy educator.

A firm believer in the healing power of touch, Sigley founded his business, Cuddle Therapy, three years ago out of his home. His wide array of clients hire him for hour-long cuddling and meditation sessions, during which he will talk to them about anything they desire (or simply remain silent).

But Sigley doesn't want to stop at one-on-one cuddling appointments. He's aiming to bring his brand international, starting with partnerships with other cuddle practitioners and a "cuddle road trip" planned for early next year. In the mean time, you may have spotted him around town, showing up to house parties or live music events armed with fluffy gear to create one of his famous "cuddle puddles."

The Huffington Post recently caught up with Sigley to learn about the importance of human contact, his favorite cuddling positions and who would most benefit from a nice, long cuddle.

So what is cuddle therapy, anyway? It's an intimacy, affection and touch service I started in order to fill a gap that I saw in a lot of people's lives. They weren't experiencing any closeness or connection with people; felt isolated or alone.

What goes down during a session? Every client starts with a face-to-face intake appointment to discuss what their needs are, set some boundaries and expectations. During the session itself, I'll either go to their location or welcome them into my space. I'll then sit ourselves down, guide us through a meditation to clear out the day. Then we'll both lay back and I tell them they're the leader and are welcome to ask for anything they need -- a position, a topic of conversation, maybe they just want to be held in silence. It's different every single time. Some people like to talk and get things off their chest; others just want to relax and get into a new space and not have to do anything.

How much does it cost? The intakes are free. An hour session is $60.

What's a typical customer like? I see a wide variety of people. I've seen as young as 19 and as old as mid-60s. I certainly see both men and women, but I rarely see straight men. When I do, it's usually a very powerful experience for them -- to be able to feel what male affection feels like when it's completely nonsexual.

Seems like you've tapped into an intrinsic human need. How did this all come about? When I first moved to San Francisco, I found myself dancing at a strip club. Within the first week of my dancing there, I a client specifically asked me to just cuddle and talk for a while. In the weeks that followed, I had old and new clients alike ask me for the same thing. So after doing that for a few months, I decided I needed to start making something happen with this. I needed to take out the stigma, everything associated with the sex industry, and offer it as a completely nonsexual intimacy and affection service.

Be honest, though -- it never ever turns sexual? In the past three years I have never had a client try to do something sexual with me during a session.

Do you think your business would work outside a place like San Francisco? I definitely think it would work in other cities. San Francisco was the perfect, supportive community to grow this; San Francisco inspired it and San Francisco supported it. But I know there's more opportunity for this. It's a basic need and craving all across the world; people just need to open their minds. I'm planning a cuddle tour in my cuddle shuttle to help expand awareness.

What's a cuddle shuttle? The cuddle shuttle has been a little dream of mine for a while. To buy a medium-sized bus, convert it, put memory foam pads throughout the entire thing. Then I can go on tour, giving talks, teaching workshops, having social gatherings around nonsexual touch and intimate connections. I want to create a mobile experience where someone can dip into affection.

Is that anything like your famous 'cuddle puddles' that you bring to parties? Funnily enough, I'm actually laying on one now. I bring memory foam pads, sheets and pillows to parties and events throughout the city, different clubs, wherever people decide to hire me. I create a place for people to relax, kick their shoes off, get comfy and cozy. They dont have to cuddle, but it always just sort of happens.

What do you think of other cuddle therapists popping up around the country, like famous report on The Snuggery in New York? I love that there are people out there offering genuine intimacy. I'm really grateful for it. My biggest dream is to create a whole intimacy industry that helps people be comfortable with themselves and connect to one another.

If you could cuddle with any person, living or dead, who would it be? That is a massive pool of people.

Kind of like a college essay question. For the Cuddle College.

You don't have to answer that if it's too hard. No, I can do this...I think it would be fascinating to cuddle with Nikola Tesla. He is not only a sheer genius based on his countless gifts and inspirations to science technology, he also lived a celibate life through its entirety. I'd be so interested what it would be like to truly feel Nikola Tesla, and what his internal world must have felt like.

Can you think of a famous person or political figure who most needs to be cuddled? Mitt Romney could really use some good cuddling for a very long time. He seems so disconnected from human beings; his empathy is just null. He needs a good, nice, long cuddle retreat to rediscover the truth of himself. Who knows what's really underneath that surface?

Any favorite places you like to cuddle around town? My own cuddle den in my home in the Lower Haight. Or sunny days in Golden Gate Park -- love the Conservatory of Flowers. That's a nice little cuddly space. Baker Beach, too. Any sunny day outside, you can't go wrong.

What's the biggest mistake people make while they're cuddling? If you're feeling uncomfortable, then you're doing something wrong. The whole point of cuddling is the ability to melt away, totally relax your entire body with someone else's, forget everything else going on in the world.

Do you get more business during the holiday season? The holiday season can be stressful, it gets a lot colder, things compound to inspire more desire for cuddling. I've certainly had a lot more people coming to me this season -- I just got three texts within the last few hours.

Visit Sigley's website to learn more or book your own cuddle therapy appointment.

Also on HuffPost:

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Five Tips for Choosing Safe Toys This Holiday

Five Tips for Choosing Safe Toys This Holiday

No one chooses gifts with the intent to harm, but some popular children’s toys can cause serious eye injuries. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 250,000 toy-related injuries are treated in emergency rooms each year, and and almost half of these injuries affect the head or face – including the eyes. Unfortunately, most of these injuries happen to children under age 15.

‘You’ll shoot your eye out’

Some propelling toys, like airsoft guns, BB guns, paintball guns and darts can be particularly hazardous, with the potential to cause serious eye injuries such as corneal abrasion, ocular hyphema, traumatic cataract, increased intraocular pressure, and even permanent vision loss. The good news that most eye injuries can be easily prevented by following EyeSmart's toy safety tips.

Top Five Toy Safety Tips:

1. Avoid purchasing toys with sharp, protruding or projectile parts.
2. Make sure children have appropriate supervision when playing with potentially hazardous toys or games that could cause an eye injury.
3. Along with sports equipment, give children the appropriate protective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses. Check with your Eye M.D. to learn about protective gear recommended for your child's sport.
4. Check labels for age recommendations and be sure to select gifts that are appropriate for a child's age and maturity.
5. Keep toys that are made for older children away from younger children.

If your child experiences an eye injury from a toy, seek immediate medical attention from an ophthalmologist – an eye medical doctor. 

Learn more about eye safety and eye injuries.

Source: www.geteyesmart.org

Five Tips for Managing End-of-Year Cultural Stress™

Five Tips for Managing End-of-Year Cultural Stress™

There are two undeniable facts when it comes to stress, skin care and Inclusive Health®. The first fact is that stress shows on your skin. The second fact is that the end of the year often increases the amount of Cultural Stress that people feel. So, what can you do as the year comes to a close to help reduce stress and preserve healthy skin? Here are five tips from Murad.

Tip Number One: Keep the Holidays in Perspective
While most of us love the holidays, they can also become a source of stress for people. The pressure of attending and hosting holiday events, choosing and purchasing presents, holiday travel and the general increase in social and schedule commitments can become just as stressful as it is enjoyable. Take a moment and step-back so that you can keep the holidays in perspective. The holiday season is designed to bring joy to you and others. Its purpose isn’t to drive you to stress and frustration. Think reasonably about what commitments you should and shouldn’t make this holiday season in order to ensure that you enjoy the holidays rather than stress over them!

Tip Number Two: Don’t Stress About Things That You Didn’t Accomplish This Year
Another source of stress that happens at the end of the year is the inevitable “Look at all of the things that I didn’t accomplish this year.” No matter how successful you are, the temptation each year is always to look at what it is that you didn’t accomplish. After all, we’re all our own worst critics. This year, however, choose to celebrate what you have accomplished rather than fixate on what you haven’t accomplished. Make a list! Then sit back and pat yourself on the back for all the great things you did this year.

Tip Number Three: Keep to a Budget
For better or for worse, money is a source of stress for many people. During the holidays, when expenses run higher due to holiday purchases, travel and food, that sense of money stress can increase. Take some time to set a holiday budget and then be sure to stick to it. If you set a reasonable budget and then don’t go over it, you’ll reduce and possibly even eliminate associated money stress (at least for the holiday season!)

Recommended Product: Murad Energizing Pomegranate Mask
Stay under-budget while also giving yourself an energizing, stress-relieving boost this holiday season. As a bonus, these individual-sized facial masks are also perfect to pack along for stressful holiday travel!

Customer Review
“I love the Pomegranate Exfoliating Mask, I just love the way it feels on and also when I take it off, it’s so refreshing. Thanks Murad.” sanchez06, California

Tip Number Four: Make Sure to Block Out “You” Time
One of the most important ways to decrease stress is to block out time that’s just for you. It’s particularly easy during the holidays to think that your time should be committed to making everybody else happy – kids, parents, co-workers, spouses, community friends. The list of people you want to make happy each holiday season is often very long. But it’s important that you find time for you. Find time to tune out social media, background noise, commitments and holiday rushes and instead just enjoy some time to regroup, enjoy a cup of tea and a home facial and relax. YOU deserve to treat yourself well as much as others deserve to be treated well by you.

Are You in School? Keep Midyear Exams in Perspective.
Whether you’re a teen in high school, a young adult in college or an older adult who’s gone back to school, keep midyear exams in perspective. Yes, good grades are always important, but making healthy life choices is more important. Make sure that while you’re studying you’re also getting enough sleep, eating well and finding ways to manage stress. Remember, your grades aren’t important if you make yourself unwell from stress in the process of getting them. Study hard, but take time to relax and de-stress as well.

Now that you’ve thought about it, there’s a lot of stress involved in the end of the year, isn’t there? Don’t let those reasons for stress impact your health and the appearance of your skin. Combine a great skin care regimen with good stress management and enjoy your holiday season!

Tagged as: beautiful skin, beauty
Source: www.muradskincareblog.com

The 12 Most Inspiring Twitter Accounts Of 2012

The 12 Most Inspiring Twitter Accounts Of 2012

Can you be inspiring in 140 characters or less?

This year, Twitter surpassed 500 million users, and while tweets from such a large base are surely not all inspiring, we'd prefer to focus on the ones that are. So we decided to highlight the top 12 "tweetspiring" nuggets of wisdom received from our favorite Twitter users in 2012.

Of course we'd like to include ourselves on the list (Have you seen our #morningmantras?), but instead opted to highlight some other stars who really knock it out of the park. Scroll through the slideshow below and get ready to click "follow" -- you are sure to be inspired, uplifted and motivated.

While you're basking in the wisdom of our Tweeps, let us know: did we miss anyone? You can tell us in the comments below, or tweet at us @GPSforSoul.

• @mikedooley

  Cheeky and insightful, Mike Dooley <a href="https://twitter.com/mikedooley">(@mikedooley)</a> AKA "The Universe" tweets profound one-liners that really get us thinking. Plus, he's not afraid to throw a compliment our way every now and then -- something we're pretty fond of.

• @DanielleLaPorte

  <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fire-Starter-Sessions-Practical-Creating/dp/030795210X">"The Fire Starter Sessions"</a> author spearheaded a "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/danielle-laporte/creative-genius-challenge_b_1417906.html">30- Day Creative Genius Challenge"</a> with us earlier this year, and her fiery guidance continues to burn. On Twitter, LaPorte (<a href="https://twitter.com/DanielleLaPorte/">@DanielleLaPorte</a>) often reminds us to be grateful for all the little (and great) things our universe has to offer.

• @UncleRUSH

  Russell Simmons <a href="https://twitter.com/UncleRUSH">(@UncleRUSH)</a> has a lot to his name, but here we're highlighting his incredible Twitter account. His tweets always manage to come at the right time -- when we're in need of a reality check, or some guidance from a wise, surrogate uncle.

• @YourPocketGuru

  <a href="https://twitter.com/YourPocketGuru">@YourPocketGuru</a> is exactly that -- a portable cheerleader who's always on your team. Go you!

• @DeepakChopra

  Renowned Ayurvedic teacher Deepak Chopra <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepakChopra">(@DeepakChopra)</a> tweets short bursts of daily wisdom that always get our gears turning.

• @Debbie_Ford

  Author Debbie Ford <a href="https://twitter.com/Debbie_Ford">(@Debbie_Ford)</a> who <a href="http://store.debbieford.com/pages.php?CDpath=3&pID=4">says</a> the evolution of one's own soul is "a lifetime process" guides us on this very journey in nearly every tweet she tweets.

• @TheDailyLove

  According to his website, <a href="http://thedailylove.com/">The Daily Love</a>, Mastin Kipp (<a href="https://twitter.com/TheDailyLove">@TheDailyLove</a>) aims to blend "wisdom with style" to deliver inspirational messages for a fast-paced lifestyle. He certainly succeeds.

• @simonsinek

  Simon Sinek <a href="https://twitter.com/simonsinek">(@simonsinek)</a> is a self-proclaimed optimist, whose tweets make us think he's never not smiling. He's contagious!

• @BrendonBurchard

  Motivational speaker Brendon Burchard <a href="https://twitter.com/BrendonBurchard">(@BrendonBurchard)</a> supplies his fandom with astute guidance for success. When he's not tweeting from his own heart, he treats his followers with wise words from the experts (Benjamin Franklin and Albert Schweitzer are two of his recently quoted). He's a must-follow if you're after inspirational quotes.

• @PosPositive

  Positively Positive (<a href="https://twitter.com/PosPositive">@PosPositive</a>) is positively an account to follow: Just what you need to break through those pesky grey storm clouds that seem to appear at the most inopportune moments.

• @marcandangel

  This incredibly wise duo <a href="https://twitter.com/marcandangel">(@marcandangel)</a> tweets practical tips and refreshing observations that we wish we could drink.

• @GinaRudan

  <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Genius-Talents-Passions-Working/dp/1451626045">"Practical Genius"</a> author Gina Rudan <a href="https://twitter.com/GinaRudan">(@GinaRudan)</a> sends quips about being a practical genius and a powerful leader out into the Twitter universe.

For more inspiration, click here.

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Saving Your Sight

Saving Your Sight

Researchers at Johns Hopkins have set their sights on diabetes and how it impacts our eyes.

In their research, just published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the growth in diabetes cases here in the U.S. over the past decade was linked to significant growth in visual impairment.

The only major risk factor for vision loss that increased over time was diabetes lasting 10 or more years. The prevalence of diabetes is increasing and people are having it longer because they are having it at a younger age.

Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, this new study tracked nearly 20-thousand people. Participants had eye exams, lab tests and filled out questionnaires. Visual acuity of less than 20/40 was classified as non-refractive visual impairment. This type of impairment is not due to the need for glasses.

The most common causes are macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

The study found that the prevalence of non-refractive visual impairment was considerably higher in 2005-2008 than in 1999-2002. 21 percent higher! Researchers warn if this trend continues, it could result in increasing rates of disability in the U.S.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV with the news that doctors are reading health news that matters to you.

Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

Why Do I Use Meladerm

http://bit.ly/YVMKi9
Why Do I Use Meladerm
My buddy observed the improvement and asked me just what I was putting on my skin. Realistically, there's a limitation to the amount of Meladerm can whiten your skin. After a while, your skin will certainly not receive any lighter no matter the amount of Meladerm you apply.

They will definitely inform you not to carry on with Meladerm after 3-4 months if you ask Civant Skin Care. So, basically, you can with confidence say that Meladerm is not working for you if you do not see any difference after 4 months.

Weighty Issue

Does a Mom's weight before pregnancy impact her child's intelligence years later?

Animal studies have suggested maternal obesity can have a negative effect on central nervous system development, but a clear link has not been made in humans.

So, researchers in Britain analyzed data from more than 19-thousand kids who were part of a national health survey. The children were given a series of standardized tests and the mothers were asked to report their pre-pregnancy body mass index or BMI.

The data showed that the more overweight a woman was before pregnancy, the lower the child's cognitive abilities at age 5, and again at age 7 although the overall effect was modest.

While the study wasn't designed to look at the whys involved, researchers believe that obesity may have direct effects on the developing fetal brain. They say the study supports current recommendations that women considering motherhood aim for a healthy weight before, during and after pregnancy.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news that doctors are reading health news for healthier living.

Original Source

Familiarizing Yourself With addiction treatment center

Familiarizing Yourself With addiction treatment center

Inpatient drug rehabs varies depending on kind of circumstances that they handle. You ought to be sure that the world is done accordingly based on the requirements of the sufferers. You’ll discover safe techniques of enhancing the drug addicts change. You will discover would be the absolute stop. The rehab can suggest individual should stop making use of the drug completely. It can be dependent across the health status of the person. Actually, a team needs to extract the drugs in your system through the patient having a special procedure. The inpatient rehab requires one of the best equipment utilizing this type of procedure. Your specific stays amount of the ability undergoing treatment.

Some companies will possibly not realise why this needs to be their concern. The effort pressure could be the driving pressure of your organization. Prospecting new people every once in a while is very pricey. Managing the catch is much cheaper than expensive and it will profit the other staff visitors are aware of the link between abusing drugs and also how it may just be controlled. The first point is choosing the ultimate sort of rehab. It ought to be the inpatient rehab. The worker is only to disappear for a short moment and return a refurbished and clean individual that is way more focused.

An outpatient rehab might appear including the greater option although the body’s probably to lose focus on the treatment advice. It would not necessarily prevent this individual from going to locate the drugs. Managers prefer such a a rehab reported by users the staff member can realize their desire to the office without missing for virtually every given period. This may be a wise decision yet the organization will lose since the person doesn’t recover. Later, the work will find out inpatient facility is the best way to look.

Rehabs have particular programs for employed person whose bill is compensated by their employer. It is dependent within the problem at hands. Quite some time back, there was some conventional techniques aware of heal the person’s emotional characteristics and symptoms along with conserve the individual a little something well. this is a great idea around that this employer wants the person to hold professionalism function. Different ways are through yoga and massage among other modern methods to struggling with our bodies.

Just as one employer, you ought to find out the rehab that could execute a follow-up out of the person’s health. This might be drained work and include another employees too. They may be trained teaching how to supply you with the individual and so the relapse doesn’t happen. It will be possible monthly nevertheless it helps those being focused and sober whatsoever occasions. The inpatient rehab provides an occasion once the individual is clean devoid of drugs. More knowledge about inpatient rehabs reveal that effective therapy for this is highly relied to the atmosphere.

Contacting a Illinois drug rehabs Centers is the best move you may generate, whether you are the alcohol abuser, or a loved one. At times, The professionals at Indiana addiction treatment center may tell you more about that, and if it is possible.

Source: www.thehealthdirectoryonline.com

Talk Therapy Could Help People With Depression

Talk Therapy Could Help People With Depression

By Kate Kelland

LONDON, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Patients with depression who fail to benefit from antidepressant drugs may do better if they are also treated with a type of "talking" psychotherapy called CBT, according to new research published on Friday.

In the first large-scale trial to test the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT, alongside medication for depression, scientists said they found that the combination works where drug treatment alone fails.

Nicola Wiles of Bristol University's school of social and community medicine, who led the study, said the findings underline the need to increase the availability of therapy for depressed patients.

"While there have been initiatives to increase access to CBT in both the UK and Australia, worldwide initiatives are rare," she said in a statement.

Wiles and colleagues recruited 469 adults from across Britain who had not responded to at least 6 weeks of treatment with an antidepressant. For the study, 235 patients continued with their usual antidepressant medication, while 234 patients got their usual care plus CBT and were followed up for 12 months.

The results, published in The Lancet medical journal, showed that after 6 months, 46 percent of those who got CBT as well as their usual care had improved - reporting at least a 50 percent reduction in their depressive symptoms. This compared to 22 percent of those who did not get CBT.

Patients treated with CBT, which involves talking through behaviours and ways of thinking with a trained psychotherapist or psychologist, were also more likely to go into remission and have fewer symptoms of anxiety, the researchers said. Similar effects were reported at 12 months.

Major depression affects around 20 percent of people at some point in their lives. The World Health Organisation (WHO)predicts that by 2020, depression will rival heart disease as the health disorder with the highest global disease burden.

While there are many antidepressants on the market, including top sellers such as Prozac and Seroxat, it is widely accepted that many antidepressants work in only half of patients half of the time, and drugmakers are struggling to come up with a new generation of drugs in this field.

Willem Kuyken, a clinical psychology professor at Exeter University who also worked on the study, said its results showed that doctors and patients should be looking beyond drugs.

"This trial provides further evidence that psychological treatments like cognitive therapy can provide substantive and lasting help to people who suffer depression," he said.

Wiles added, however, that even in wealthy countries such as Britain, where there has been a recent push to invest more into psychological therapies, many people who have not responded to antidepressants still don't get the chance of trying intensive CBT that take between 12 and 18 sessions.

In the United States, only about a quarter of people with depression have received any form of psychological therapy in the last 12 months, she said. (Editing by Sonya Hepinstall)

Also on HuffPost:

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Treating Depression

Treating Depression

What happens when a patient tries antidepressants, and they don't help?

Estimates tells us that only about a third of people with depression respond fully to medication, so British researchers wanted to put therapy to the test for those who need more.

They followed 4-hundred-69 adults who had not responded to at least six weeks of antidepressant drug treatment. 235 of the participants continued to take the medications alone, while the other half took the medicine and added cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of psychotherapy.

After 6 months, 46-percent of the participants in the psychotherapy group improved, reporting a minimum of a 50-percent reduction in their depression. Just 22-percent of the medication only group reported this level of improvement.

Those in the therapy group were also more likely to go into remission, and continue to report improvement at the 12-month mark.

An estimated 1 in 10 American adults suffers from depression.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news to help keep you family healthy.

Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

U.S. Flu Season Off To Early Start, CDC Urges Vaccination

Early Vaccine Coverage Data Shows Millions Unprotected Still

December 3, 2012 -- Significant increases in flu activity in the United States have occurred in the last two weeks, indicating that an early flu season is upon us. These increases in activity overlap with National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) being observed December 2-8, 2012. According to Dr. Melinda Wharton, Acting Director of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, “Increasing flu activity should be a wake-up call. For anyone who has put off vaccination: It’s time to get your flu vaccine now.”

According to CDC’s weekly surveillance report published on November 30, 2012, 48 states and Puerto Rico have already reported cases of laboratory-confirmed influenza and, nationally, the percentage of specimens testing positive for influenza is rising fast. Influenza-like-illness (ILI) activity levels in parts of the country are already higher than all of last season. Nationally, the United States reached the baseline level for ILI the week ending November 24, 2012 and 5 states are already reporting the highest level of activity possible.

Wharton explains, “Baseline is the point at which we know the ILI activity we are seeing is most likely caused by influenza and not other viruses.” With the exception of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, this is the earliest that the nation has hit the ILI baseline since the 2003-2004 season, which was early and severe, especially for children. Last season, which was mild and late, the U.S. did not reach baseline for ILI until mid-March.

According to FluView, activity is most intense in the south-central and southeast of the country right now; however, it shows signs of increasing across the rest of the country as well. Most of the viruses characterized so far this season have been H3N2 viruses; which are typically associated with more severe seasons. The good news is that most of the viruses characterized at CDC so far this season are well-matched to the vaccine viruses.

“How well the vaccine works depends in part on the match between vaccine viruses and circulating viruses,” Wharton explains. “If the influenza viruses spreading are very different from the vaccine viruses, the vaccine won’t work as well. While it’s early in the season, it’s encouraging to see a well-matched vaccine so far. That bodes well for how well this season’s vaccine will protect against illness, hospitalizations and deaths.”

Dr. Wharton addressed media during a briefing to kick-off NIVW, a national observance established in 2005 to highlight the importance of continuing flu vaccination through the holiday season and beyond. In the past, CDC has observed that influenza vaccination has declined rapidly after Thanksgiving. NIVW provides a post-Thanksgiving opportunity for public health professionals, health care professionals, health advocates, communities and families from across the country to work together to promote the benefits of ongoing flu vaccination.

During the December 3 media briefing, Dr. Wharton also provided preliminary estimates of vaccination uptake through early-mid November. Vaccination rates among the general public are about even with last year at an estimated 37%. “We’re glad to see that – despite the mild 2011-2012 season – people are still getting vaccinated,” Wharton says. “But that number still leaves a lot of vulnerable people out there unprotected.” As long as flu season isn’t over, it’s not too late to get vaccinated. Unvaccinated people are urged to get vaccinated as soon as possible.More information about early vaccination coverage estimates is available on the websites’ Influenza Vaccination Coverage page.

Though each flu season varies, influenza can be severe, hospitalizing up to 200,000 people and killing between 3,000 and 49,000 during a season. While the protection afforded by vaccination varies based on vaccine match and the health and age of the person getting vaccinated, flu vaccination is the best way to protect against influenza. Everyone aged 6 months and older should get a flu vaccination each year to protect themselves and their loved ones against the flu. Vaccination is especially important for people who are at high risk of serious flu-related complications, like young children and people 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic medical conditions, like asthma, diabetes and heart disease. In past flu seasons, as many as 80 percent of adults hospitalized from flu complications had a long-term health condition; as did about 50 percent of hospitalized children.

In addition to the media briefing on December 3, other highlights of CDC’s plans for NIVW include:

• On December 5-6, national, regional, local and ethnic radio stations across the country will be engaged in a 2-day radio media tour featuring CDC influenza experts.
• CDC will host a live Twitter chat on Wednesday, December 5 from 1-2pm EST, featuring CDC Influenza subject matter expert, Dr. Mike Jhung. The chat will emphasize that importance of getting vaccinated.
• CDC flu vaccination promotion partners will be engaged in activities such as materials dissemination, flu forums and clinics, blogging and social media outreach, and grassroots activities in communities with disparate populations, in an effort to highlight the importance of continuing vaccination.

More information about influenza and influenza vaccination is available on the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/flu.

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Dr. Lisa Fitzpatrick: NIH and Superbugs: Placing the Blame Where It Belongs

Dr. Lisa Fitzpatrick: NIH and Superbugs: Placing the Blame Where It Belongs

A colleague just called me to advise him about treatment options for treating a patient he has diagnosed with a "superbug." Superbugs are ordinary bacteria that no longer respond to our usual antibiotic armamentarium. They are drug-resistant. The conversation led to a discussion about the NIH superbug debacle this past summer. In August, there was public ire directed at NIH over "lack of transparency" about the deadly drug-resistant bacteria. As I told him, it is an ire that is misplaced and misguided. In an editorial response to the situation, a citizen wrote, "NIH had an ethical obligation to inform the public about this dangerous threat to the public health." If this were the barometer by which people gauged their willingness for hospital admission, most would elect to convalesce at home. The NIH is no guiltier than hundreds of top-notch hospitals across the nation that don't alert the community to similar struggles with containment of increasing prevalence of drug-resistant bacteria. The accusing finger should not be specifically leveraged against NIH but against community members and health-care providers across the U.S.

The death toll from the NIH superbug was six but in 2011, the CDC published data attributing 98,987 deaths nationwide to these health-care-acquired infections. The truth is, for over a decade the CDC, health educators and a variety of other health mavens have been warning the public about the urgent need for behavior change in antibiotic prescription and usage, but this information has fallen on deaf ears. Antibiotic overuse by patients and overprescription by health-care providers are largely to blame for the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria. Therefore, lest the community continue to express outrage about the NIH's lack of transparency, may I suggest an examination of the primary behaviors that have led to this urgent public health crisis.

First, health information about appropriate antibiotic usage is largely ignored by the community. Patients often feel entitled to antibiotics, and demand them regardless of whether or not they are medically warranted. During my residency in the mid-90s, while moonlighting in an urgent care center, I remember an interaction with a patient who arrived knowing exactly what she wanted. She told me she had come to get a prescription for amoxicillin because she could feel a cold coming on. She wanted to take the antibiotics pre-emptively to thwart the cold or, in her words, "knock it out" before it was full-blown. I told her antibiotics were for bacterial infections and because colds and flu are caused by viruses, the antibiotics were not warranted. She continued her argument, relating that all of her illnesses start in the same manner; she would later develop colored phlegm, signifying a bacterial infection; and the only thing that would help was taking an antibiotic at first symptoms. When I refused to relent, she told me about the other doctors who had prescribed the antibiotic in the past, and said that if I didn't give her a prescription she would simply return and get the prescription from another doctor. I am sure she did.

Second, many health-care providers across the U.S. prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics aimlessly and carelessly. Antibiotics have become a safety net as evidence of tangible health-care delivery. Patients want doctors to "do something." In a society now accustomed to pharmaceutical remedies for every malady, when faced with an elusive or unknown diagnosis, an antibiotic prescription mollifies both the patient and the doctor. This cavalier approach is now pervasive in the health-care industry, and has helped create a culture of widespread availability and accessibility to antibiotics, which are the largest contributors to emergence of drug-resistant bacteria. When a patient first arrives with an unknown illness, understandably a provider may elect to cover as many bacteria as possible with an antibiotic, i.e., broad-spectrum. The problem arises when health-care providers are not diligent and thoughtful about the scientific and laboratory evidence supporting or refuting their decision to continue this broad coverage. It's a perfect storm for bacteria crafty enough to reconfigure themselves to ignore and evade the threat of broad spectrum antibiotics. This behavior has perpetuated the continued emergence of multi-drug-resistant bacteria like the superbug at NIH and many hospitals across the U.S. I was once consulted by another doctor to see a patient who appeared to have an infection. Upon review of the information, I discerned the patient did not have an infection and recommended antibiotic discontinuation. The doctor thanked me for my consult and discharged the patient on antibiotics "just in case" the patient had an undetectable infection.

The emergence of multi-drug-resistant bacteria is a challenge that will be with us for years to come. The solution demands a strategic, thoughtful and collaborative team approach. Scientists can contribute to the team by developing new antibiotic agents to treat drug-resistant organisms or "superbugs," and I am confident they will. However, once these agents are available, what will prevent us from witnessing emergence of resistant "superbugs" to new, more powerful antibiotics if we don't initiate behavior change in antibiotic overuse and prescribing patterns? Behavior change is never a popular remedy to a health crisis, but in this case it's vital. Health-care providers and the community members have a critical role to play in in addressing this public health crisis. Each can consider adopting one of more of the following actions:

1. Review the CDC health information on appropriate antibiotic use. The vast majority of upper respiratory infections result from viruses like influenza. Viruses do not respond to antibiotics and are therefore not necessary. Community members can refrain from demanding antibiotics. Keep an open mind when engaging your health-care provider about an unknown illness or infection. Antibiotics may not be the solution, and you may leave the office with only health advice rather than a prescription. Maintain close -- and truthful -- communication with your health-care provider about changes in your symptoms. Health-care providers can trust clinical judgment to discern appropriateness of antibiotics and devise practical ways to educate patients about responsible antibiotic use.
2. Limit personal antibiotic usage. Unfinished antibiotics often remain in the home. Never use an old antibiotic to treat a new infection or borrow leftover antibiotics from friends and relatives. Always consult your health-care provider to determine the need for a new prescription.
3. Learn about where to dispose of unused antibiotics by going to the DEA website. This prevents unwanted antibiotics from contaminating the general water and food supply.
4. Wash your hands. Handwashing remains the single best and most effective public health intervention for interrupting the spread of bacteria and viruses. Wash hands regularly with soap and warm water.

Finally, reduced community demands and provider prescription will be impactful, but the solution will likely also require quality control programs, restriction and evaluation of antibiotics prescription by infectious diseases experts, particularly in hospital settings. This strategy will undoubtedly be unpopular and controversial, and may invite resistance from health-care providers who shun the oversight. However, the status quo is unacceptable and demands action. Anything less will mean waiting for the next sensational story about the wrath of a new superbug. Only then the death toll will likely be much, much higher.

For more by Dr. Lisa Fitzpatrick, click here.

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Source: www.huffingtonpost.com