A policy that was supposed to reduce hospital readmissions via financial penalties was linked to a significant increase in post-discharge death for patients who had heart failure and pneumonia, according to a large-scale study. The investigation was conducted by researchers in Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center’s (BIDMC) Smith Center for Outcomes Research in Cardiology. It… Continue reading A Public Policy and Increased Patient Deaths
Author: Jane Farrell
Study: Having More than One Outpatient Orthopedic Procedure in A Day Is Safe
Having more than one outpatient orthopedic procedure on the same day is safe for patients, according to a new study. The findings were reported in the December 19,2018 issue of the The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. “Our data suggest that briefly overlapping surgery is a safe practice in the ambulatory orthopedic surgery center,”… Continue reading Study: Having More than One Outpatient Orthopedic Procedure in A Day Is Safe
Hypothermia: How to Avoid This Cold-Weather Menace
Exposure to winter cold can pose risks for older adults and those with chronic medical conditions. Older adults can lose body temperature quickly, and sometimes older people have trouble recognizing a drop in body temperature. Severe circumstances like those can cause hypothermia, a dangerous drop in core body temperature. And it’s important to remember that… Continue reading Hypothermia: How to Avoid This Cold-Weather Menace
Sex Improves Overall Life Enjoyment Among Seniors
Sex encourages a feeling of improved well-being among older adults, according to a new study from British researchers. The findings were published in the journal Sexual Medicine. Led by Dr. Lee Smith from Anglia Ruskin University, UK, and Dr. Sarah Jackson from University College London, the study involved analyzing survey data from the English Longitudinal… Continue reading Sex Improves Overall Life Enjoyment Among Seniors
The Truth about Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal has been around for decades, and it’s a common practice, especially among people 20 t0 45. And when it’s done by a certified doctor, it’s safe and effective. But it can be a different story if an unqualified practitioner performs it. In the wrong hands, the treatment can result in burns, permanent… Continue reading The Truth about Laser Hair Removal
Chemical in Red Meat Is Linked to Heart Disease
Yet another reason to limit consumption of red meat: It contains high levels of a chemical called trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), that also is linked to heart disease. People who eat a diet high in red meat have triple the TMAO levels of those who eat a diet rich in white meat or mostly plant-based proteins,… Continue reading Chemical in Red Meat Is Linked to Heart Disease
Football-Related Concussions Much More Common Than Thought Among Kids 5 – 14
Concussions among football players age 5 to 14 are higher than previously reported. Five out of every 100 kids who were monitored suffered a football-related concussion, according to new research. The study, by investigators from Seattle Children’s Research Institute and University of Washington Medicine’s Sports Health and Safety Institute, was published in the Journal of… Continue reading Football-Related Concussions Much More Common Than Thought Among Kids 5 – 14
Fitness Instructors’ Remarks Can Influence Women’s Attitude about Themselves
Women in exercise classes feel good about themselves if the instructor makes positive remarks about strength instead of implicitly criticizing body types, according to new research. “Our goal was to determine whether the psychological outcomes of a fitness class might vary based on whether the instructor made motivational comments based on health versus appearance,” said… Continue reading Fitness Instructors’ Remarks Can Influence Women’s Attitude about Themselves
Remove This Word from Your Vocabulary in 2019
I want you to pause and think of that thing you needed or wanted to do this year—but it’s December and you still haven’t done it. The idea or project is just sitting there, and fact that you haven’t accomplished it is weighing on you. But when it actually comes down to doing it, you… Continue reading Remove This Word from Your Vocabulary in 2019
When Should You Treat Acne? Right Now
The most common skin condition in the United States? No surprise that it’s acne, which affects up to 50 million Americans every year. But even though it’s so prevalent, it can be hard to get accurate information about it. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), many teenagers and young adults think they should… Continue reading When Should You Treat Acne? Right Now
A New Weapon in The Fight against Sepsis
A type of molecule known as a “nanocarrier” may someday help to protect against sepsis, a life-threatening infection that kills one in three patients in the U.S. Sepsis is one of the leading causes of death in intensive care units and, with an estimated price tag of $20 billion in 2011, the most expensive condition… Continue reading A New Weapon in The Fight against Sepsis
Too Much of A Good Thing?
When it comes to sleep, more isn’t necessarily better, according to a global study. Researchers who studied more than 116,000 people in seven regions of the world found that who slept for longer than the recommended duration of six to eight hours a day had an increased risk of dying or developing diseases of the… Continue reading Too Much of A Good Thing?
How to Safely Treat Your Child for Coughs and Colds
Although most colds in children don’t have serious complications, they can cause anxiety in parents and caregivers. And colds are among the top reasons children visit a doctor. Both non-prescription (over-the-counter; OTC) and prescription medicines are available to treat cough and cold symptoms. But a word of caution: most children will get better on their… Continue reading How to Safely Treat Your Child for Coughs and Colds
The Power of “No”
Take a look at any child in or around their terrible twos and you’ll notice one habit worth borrowing: they say no with absolute clarity. Tell them they can’t do something alone? “No, I can do it myself!” Tell them to stay safe? “No!” Tell them to go somewhere, do something, or be anything other… Continue reading The Power of “No”
Your Brain And Your Metabolism
Here’s some comfort in case you skip your daily workout every once in a while. A new mouse-model study from UT Southwestern Medical Center shows that neurons that influence metabolism are active for up to two days after a single workout. The research offers new insight into the brain’s potential role in fitness and –… Continue reading Your Brain And Your Metabolism
A Safe Alternative to HRT?
The drug oxybutynin works to reduce hot flashes in women, including breast cancer survivors who cannot take hormone replacement therapy, according to new research. Oncologists Robert Leon-Ferre, M.D. and Charles Loprinzi, both of the Mayo Clinic, presented their findings at the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Leon-Ferre said several factors contribute to the increased… Continue reading A Safe Alternative to HRT?
Holiday Tips for Caregivers
Holidays can be meaningful, enriching times for both the person with Alzheimer’s disease and his or her caregiver and family. Maintaining or adapting family rituals and traditions helps all family members feel a sense of belonging and family identity. For a person with Alzheimer’s, this link with a familiar past is reassuring. However, there may… Continue reading Holiday Tips for Caregivers
Flu Shot Protects Against Heart Failure: Study
Among its other health benefits, an annual flu short can save heart failure patients’ lives. Flu season usually begins in fall and runs through spring, with cases often peaking during the winter months. An annual flu shot is regarded as a safe, low-cost way to reduce flu-related deaths and complications. It’s routinely recommended for patients… Continue reading Flu Shot Protects Against Heart Failure: Study