Researchers have discovered how to tell if a patient is pre-diabetic – by measuring the fatty acids in their blood. The finding, by University of Hawai’i Cancer Center scientists, may allow physicians to warn patients years before the onset of diabetes, therefore allowing them to change their lifestyle patterns and potentially avoid the diagnosis of… Continue reading Finding Earlier Signs of Pre-Diabetes
Tag: diagnosis
Is Genetic Testing for You?
Editor’s note: Genetic testing can be a frightening, expensive prospect – and it can also help you. How should you decide? Here, experts from the SeniorHealth division of the National Institutes of Health tell you what you need to know about this crucial choice. In a genetic test, a small sample of blood, saliva, or… Continue reading Is Genetic Testing for You?
Needed: An Accurate Determination of Life Expectancy
Because older adults often don’t accurately predict their own prognosis, health-care providers should have detailed discussions with them to determine their real life expectancy and what they want to do about health interventions, according to new research. The findings, from investigators at UC San Francisco and San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, were published inJAMA… Continue reading Needed: An Accurate Determination of Life Expectancy
Study: Diagnostic Errors Are Too Common
At some point in their lives, most people will get an inaccurate or delayed diagnosis that could have serious consequences, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. And the findings also revealed that there have been only limited efforts to improve diagnosis and reduce… Continue reading Study: Diagnostic Errors Are Too Common
COPD Patients Don’t Know Enough About The Illness
A new national survey of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) shows a surprising lack of awareness of risk factors and knowledge of diagnosis stage. That lack of knowledge, researchers says, has a significant impact on patients’ quality of life, employment and ability to afford treatment. COPD, the third most common cause of death… Continue reading COPD Patients Don’t Know Enough About The Illness
Better Assessment Needed Before Diagnoses
An examination of process measures endorsed by the National Quality Forum finds that these measures focus predominantly on management of patients with established diagnoses, and that quality measures for patients presenting symptoms often do not reflect the most common reasons patients seek care, according to a study published in the February 3rd 2015 issue of… Continue reading Better Assessment Needed Before Diagnoses
Five Steps to Avoid Being Misdiagnosed
1. Don’t be shy. Be curious, and insistent. Ask your doctor questions about your diagnosis and treatment. Ask things like, “What else could this be?” Keep asking questions every step of the way until you’re satisfied with the answers. 2. Get a second opinion. But don’t show up and tell the next doctor, “I’ve been… Continue reading Five Steps to Avoid Being Misdiagnosed
CDC: The Facts About Ebola
Editor’s note: Americans have become increasingly concerned about the possibility of an outbreak of Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever in this country following the death of Thomas Eric Duncan on October 8th 2014 in Dallas and the CDC confirmation on October 12th that a nurse who had cared for Duncan has tested positive for the deadly disease.… Continue reading CDC: The Facts About Ebola
A Major Effort Needed to Fight Sepsis
Sepsis – a blood infection that can lead to organ failure and death – is just as important a research subject as heart disease or pneumonia, according to health experts from the University of Michigan Medical School. Although sepsis isn’t as well-known as heart disease, the experts say, it now affects more hospital patients, and… Continue reading A Major Effort Needed to Fight Sepsis
Solve the Medical Riddle: The Patient Is No Longer “Regular”, Fourth Week
By Marie Savard MD Editor’s note: Welcome to our ThirdAge feature that gives you a chance to play medical sleuth as we share the details of what happened when a patient presented with a problem that stumped the physician at first. The first week of this riddle, the patient reported her symptoms and the doctor… Continue reading Solve the Medical Riddle: The Patient Is No Longer “Regular”, Fourth Week