General
Quit Smoking
Society Smoking Behavior - [10/27/08]
Summary: New studies have found that smoke-free air laws have helped those who smoke quit, or reduce their smoking habits and the amount they smoke. "Everyone knows it's unhealthy to smoke. Our study suggests that the success of strong smoke-free air policies may be more about changing the social acceptability of smoking" said Jon Macy, the study's lead researcher.
Comment: Smoking can be very dangerous and detrimental to your health. This new study may encourage more smoking policies that may be beneficial to societies' health and help those who smoke quit or reduce their habits.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 27, 2008
Young People with ADHD More Dependent on Nicotine - [10/23/08]
Summary: Young people with ADHD are not only at a higher risk for starting smoking, they also have a higher nicotine dependence level which makes it harder for them to quit. These individuals are also more likely to be influenced by environmental factors such as friends or parents that smoke. The severity levels of ADHD symptoms and nicotine addiction are related.
Comment: People with ADHD symptoms, even if they are not diagnosed with the complete condition. This research suggests that there could be a strong connection between the dopamine system, which contributes to ADHD, and the cholinergic system, which is related to smoking. Further studies could identify other risks for these patients. By understanding the higher nicotine dependence people with ADHD can improve their efforts to quit smoking.
Read article - Science Daily October 23, 2008
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 quitting smoking.
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 that are quitting smoking can experience improved health.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 10, 2008
Occasional Smoking can Cause Artery Impairment - [10/08/08]
Summary: Researchers the University of Georgia used an ultrasound to confirm the prediction that even occasional smoking can impair arteries by changing the blood flow in the body. After smoking a cigarette, the function of the arteries continues to decrease, even weeks after. The decreased function of the arteries is known as impaired flow-mediated dilation, which can often be a sign of cardiovascular disease.
Comment: Those who smoke have a decreased artery function of 24 percent compared to healthy individuals. Those who occasionally smoke (less than one pack a week) should not assume that they are safe from the harmful and sometimes deadly effects of tobacco in cigarettes.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 8, 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.
Nicotine Gum is a Great Solution for Pregnant Women Looking to Quit - [10/02/08]
Summary: Smoking doubles the risk of having low weight or premature infants, and contributes to 10% of all infant deaths. Nicotine gum can offer a solution for pregnant women who smoke. Use of the gum will significantly decrease the number of cigarettes smoked each day, which in turn will significantly decrease the risk of negative effects on the unborn child.
Comment: While nicotine gum has not been specifically approved for pregnant women, and while it has its own risks, it is generally believed to be safer than smoking cigarettes. Because of the difficulty associated with quitting smoking, using nicotine gum, while not the best option, can definitely be viewed as a better option.
Read article - Medical News Today. October 2, 2008.
Depression Risk Increases in Smoking - [10/01/08]
Summary: There is a greater risk of developing a major depressive disorder in women that smoke. A test recently conducted with 87 women, concluded with 13 of them developing a depressive disorder. The researchers found a 93 percent increase of risk for developing a depressive condition when you smoke.
Comment: Those who smoke are at higher risk for a depressive disorder than non-smokers. However, heavy smokers (those who smoke more than twenty cigarettes a day) more than double their risk for a depressive disorder. Smoking can affect many aspects of a patient's life, making it important to receive medical help.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 1, 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 smoking. 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 trying to quit smoking.
Read article - Medical News TODAY September 29, 2008