_ Heart Health A New Tool to Detect Atrial Fibrillation By Jane Farrell article Thanks to a new technology, a web camera can distinguish whether someone is suffering atrial fibrillation, a potentially serious heart condition. A project by researchers from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, showed that subtle changes in skin color can be used to detect the kind of uneven blood flow caused by atrial fibrillation. The technology was developed in a partnership between the university and Xerox. The findings were published in the journal Heart Rhythm.
_ Living With and Treating Peripheral Artery Disease By Sondra Forsyth article If you have P.A.D., you may feel pain in your calf or thigh muscles after walking. Try to take a break and allow the pain to ease before walking again. Over time, this may increase the distance that you can walk without pain. Talk with your doctor about taking part in a supervised exercise program. This type of program has been shown to reduce P.A.D. symptoms.
_ Safe Traveling with Diabetes By Jane Farrell article Getting out of your routine is part of the fun of vacation and traveling. But donΓÇÖt forget your medications and your care routine, especially if you have diabetes, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says. Experts at the federal agency, part of the National Institutes of health, say that travel factors such as meals away from home, a change in physical activity, and different time zones can affect your management of your conditions.
_ Heart Health Cheaper & Better Drug for Heart Attack Procedure By Sondra Forsyth article A study done in the UK and published in The Lancet on July 4th 2014 compares outcomes for two drugs used to prevent blood clot formation during emergency heart attack treatment. The study suggests that use of one of the drugs, heparin, could result in improved outcomes such as a reduced rate of repeat heart attacks, compared to the other drug tested, bivalirudin, which is in widespread use in high-income countries and is around 400 times more expensive than heparin.
_ AFib = Dementia Risk If Meds Are Out of Range By article A study done by researchers at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute in Salt Lake City has found that atrial fibrillation patients who are on blood thinning medications are at higher risk of developing dementia if their doses are not in the optimal recommended range. The findings presented at the 2014 Annual Heart Rhythm Society Scientific Session on Friday, May 9th, 2014 in San Francisco.
_ Special Ambulances for Stroke Victims By article Using an ambulance that included a computed tomography (CT) scanner, point-of-care laboratory, telemedicine connection and a specialized prehospital stroke team resulted in decreased time to treatment for ischemic stroke, according to a study in the published in the April 23/30 issue of Journal of the American Medical Association, a neurology theme issue.
_ Avoiding Complications After Hip Replacement Surgery By article If you’re scheduled for hip replacement surgery, you’re in good company. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 120,000 people have total hip arthroplasties annually in the United States. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons reports that most patients who undergo the operation are 50 to 80 years old. Here, from the National Institutes for Health’s Senior Health portal, is advice about how to remain complication-free following a hip replacement:
_ Mental & Emotional Health Fighting Mild Forgetfulness By Jane Farrell article Editor’s note: Dementia, including Alzheimer’s, is one of the most frightening health problems, especially as we age. It cannot be prevented or cured, and it is marked by a humiliating mental decline. Because it affects primarily older people, many of us are frightened by signs of forgetfulness or memory loss. Here, the experts from the National Institute on Aging explain the issue of mild forgetfulness and how you can handle it: What is mild forgetfulness?
_ Video Game Teaches Kids to Call 911 If YouΓÇÖre Having a Stroke By Jane Farrell article The grandchildren could save your life if you let them play a video game called “The Stroke Hero” that teaches them to recognize stroke symptoms and quickly call 911, according to an article published in in the American Heart Association journal Stroke.
Back Pain A SurgeonΓÇÖs Tips for Back Pain Treatment By Jane Farrell article By Judy Kirkwood Debilitating back pain is the second most common reason Americans visit the doctor. But who should you see when you have back pain and what do you ask? Having treated thousands of patients, Dr. Burak Ozgur, a combined ortho-neuro spine fellowship-trained double board certified neurosurgeon based in Newport Beach, California, shares his thoughts.
_ Health Headlines Millions Taking Aspirin Without Any Clear Benefit By Jane Farrell article Many people take aspirin every day to prevent a heart attack or stroke. But daily aspirin isnΓÇÖt advised for everyone. … Read More→
_ Food Poisoning The Six Hidden Hazards of Tailgating By Jane Farrell article Tailgating is one of the best parts of football season ΓÇö but nothing quashes team spirit quite like food poisoning. … Read More→
_ Medical Research Using Laser Technology to Detect Cancer Cells By Jane Farrell article WeΓÇÖve come a long way since hearing Dr. Evil of Austin Powers movie fame describe ΓÇ£a sophisticated heat beam, which … Read More→
_ Women Also Bleed: Women + Hemophilia By Jane Farrell article About 99% of those with the bleeding disorder hemophilia are men. Which can sometimes mask diagnosis of bleeding disorders in … Read More→
_ Medical Care Widely Used Catheter Device May Harm Some Patients By Jane Farrell article A widely used intravenous device may in fact be harming some patients, a study shows. The study, by researchers from … Read More→
_ Health Headlines Brain-Scan-Guided Emergency Stroke Treatment Can Save More Lives By Jane Farrell article Researchers say that advances in brain imaging can now identify a greater number of stroke patients who can receive therapy … Read More→
_ Medical Care Cancer Patients with Stroke Less Likely to Get Standard Medication By Jane Farrell article When a stroke occurs in patients with cancer, they are one-third less likely to receive standard clot-busting medication as patients … Read More→
_ Heart Health Comparing Old and New Drugs for AFib in People Age 65+ By Jane Farrell article When it comes to preventing stroke, millions of Americans with irregular heartbeats (atrial fibrilation or AFib) face a choice: Take … Read More→