General
Mobility
Preventing Falls - [10/22/08]
Summary: Falls are a serious health concern for millions of Americans. Some risk factors for falls include mobility difficulties, depression, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and hearing loss. Tips for avoiding falls include getting annual physical exams, consuming diets with adequate amounts of calcium and Vitamin D, not smoking, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, exercise, keeping homes safe from hazards, and wearing shoes with no-skid soles.
Comment: Every year more than 11 million Americans fall and injure themselves, resulting in 368,000 hip fractures last year. Seniors and those at risk for falls should follow the tips and guidelines issued to prevent falls. Making small changes in lifestyle can protect those with mobility problems from falls and injuries.
Read article - HealthNewsDigest.com October 22, 2008
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Patients Misunderstand Written Screening Tests - [10/14/08]
Summary: The majority of physicians require patients to answer written questions while in the waiting room to visit the doctor. However, a new survey has revealed the gap between doctors and patients in the process of answering the written questions. Because of the difference in literacy between patients and physicians, most patients are confused, or don't understand most of the questions. According to Dr. Master, one of the authors of this survey, the predominant reason for this is illiteracy.
Comment: Illiteracy is becoming more common in American which is causing great problems to physicians. Not only is there a problem with illiteracy but also with patients who are innumerate. By answering the surveys to the best of your abilities, you will receive better diagnosis or treatment of mobility.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 14, 2008
Internet Consulted More Often Than Doctors - [10/12/08]
Summary: New market research shows that over the past year more adults went to the internet to get health information than consulted a doctor. This trend may likely be the product of an increasing consumer comfort in using the web to find reliable medical information. In addition, rising costs of healthcare coverage and visits to the doctor may be adding to the preference for first looking for information online.
Comment: The impacts of this trend, as well as others, will be discussed in an online seminar entitled "Is TV Dead? How the New New Media Changes Pharmaceutical DTC Advertising". The event is scheduled for October 14th at 11am EST and October 16th at 3pm EST.
Read article - Medical News Today. October 12, 2008.
Read article - Register for the Seminar
Vitamin D Linked to Overall Health - [10/10/08]
Summary: Vitamin D has been linked to improved overall health. This vitamin affects 36 organ tissues in the body including bone marrow, breast, colon, intestine, kidney, lung, prostate, retina, skin, stomach and uterus tissues. It has also been linked to improving immune systems, insulin secretion, heart health, blood pressure, muscle, brain activity, and decreased risk of cancer. For most adults 200-600 IU of daily vitamin D is recommended, but some experts recommend up to 2000 IU daily.
Comment: Vitamin D has previously been thought to improve bone health, but this study shows that it can affect all areas of health. By increased intake of vitamin D people with mobility problems can experience improved health.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 10, 2008
Cell Protein Fights Pain - [10/09/08]
Summary: A new cell protein has been discovered that is believed to treat pain eight times better than morphine. The protein FRAP has been previously used as a nerve marker in pain studies, but its gene code was unknown. Through their experiments researchers found that FRAP is identical to PAP, a protein often used to treat prostate cancer. They found that by injecting high levels of PAP they could reduce pain levels in patients.
Comment: PAP is as effective in reducing pain levels as morphine, but it is able to last for up to three days, much longer than morphine. PAP could be developed to be used as an injected pain killer, and researchers are doing more work to develop similar molecules to PAP that could be used in a pill. This research can help patients with mobility problems experience less chronic pain.
Read article - Science Daily October 9, 2008
Helping Disabled People Use Public Transportation - [10/07/08]
Summary: European researchers have developed a navigation aid that will help people with mobility disabilities make better use of public transportation. These aids provide advance information about which bus and train routes are wheelchair accessible, then the system can monitor their travel and send them updates about possible obstacles or areas of caution.
Comment: Ideally all trains and buses would be wheelchair accessible, and there would be guides at stations and stops to help people with disabilities. Since this is not possible the aids produced will be able to help many people with mobility problems to be independent in their travel. These systems can improve the quality of live for people with disabilities and allow them to make better use of public transportation.
Read article - Science Daily October 7, 2008
Medicare Eliminates Coverage for 10 "Reasonably Preventable" Errors - [10/02/08]
Summary: New regulations, which will take effect next Wednesday, have Medicare halting payment for 10 errors which they have deemed "conditions that could reasonably have been prevented." Expected to affect hundreds of thousands, the new rules will mostly likely not result in a major reduction in expenses.
Comment: This new decision comes on the heels of announcements by four state Medicaid organizations last year in which they eliminated 28 "never events", preventable errors, from coverage. The trend seems to be growing and could have negative ramifications for millions of Americans. Among others, healthcare professionals have begun expressing concern about the decision.
Read article - Medical News Today. October 2, 2008.
Efforts to Reduce Ethnic and Racial Disparities - [09/29/08]
Summary: This article outlines current efforts are being made to reduce racial and ethnic health care disparities. These include the Respira program, which focuses on providing asthma education and outreach to Hispanic communities. Another program is a lecture that seeks to improve knowledge of blood pressure management and diabetes. Other efforts involve grants to increase levels of minority students in medical programs, and campaigns to increase medical literacy in minority communities.
Comment: Racial and ethnic disparities exist in most areas of medical care including mobility problems. These disparities can often be dangerous to the health of minority people. These programs are aiming to close the gaps in health care, which can result in better care for people with mobility difficulties.
Read article - Medical News TODAY September 29, 2008
New Electrical Simulation Therepy Used to Treat Many Conditions - [09/23/08]
Summary: Researchers have discovered a way to improve electrical nerve stimulation by outfitting the electrodes with a basic black coating that is formed from carbon nanotubes. This coating improves the signals that are transmitted by the electrodes. The black coating also improves conductivity, reducing the tissue damage and using less electricity.
Comment: Mobility can greatly effect a patient's overall health, making it important to find the best treatment possible. This new treatment can help stimulate more nerves, making it easier to control and move your body. This new treatment may also be able remedy mobility better, and more efficiently.
Read article - Medical News TODAY September 23, 2008
Basics of Hip Health - [09/21/08]
Summary: Hip fractures, most often resulting from a fall, are a serious danger to women over 50. For women over 50 with a hip fracture 25% will recover fully, 50% will require the assistance of a walker or cane, and 24% will die from their fracture. In a study only 80% of women were not worried about hip fractures, 92% were aware that hip fractures can lead to a loss of mobility, and only 33% knew that hip fractures can cause death.
Comment: Many women suffer from hip fractures which greatly affect their mobility. There are many preventative measures available, the most common is a calcium supplement. There are also websites offering support and information to women trying to improve their hip and bone health. By preventing hip fractures many women can protect themselves from a painful health condition.
Read article - HealthNewsDigest.com September 21, 2008