March 11th, 2008 by Dr. Val Jones in Uncategorized
Tags: Cancer, Hospitals, News, Pain Management, Research, Technology, Weight Loss
4 Comments »
As many of my faithful readers know, Dr. Val is a big fan of Web 2.0 principles (blogging, online communities, wikis, forums, chats, podcasts, etc.) I’m even leading a weight loss group online, and there are almost 1400 members already. Although I’ve been trying hard to lead by example, I’ve had occasional hiccups in my own weight loss due to the sweet lure of fine dining. Could YOU resist silky, black sesame panna cotta with butter crunch tuile and spicy cranberry compote? Well maybe you could. For me, resistance is futile.
But I digress.
What I really wanted to point out (before my thoughts were derailed by deliciousness), is that research is now confirming what many of us bloggers have known instinctively: social networking can improve the health care experience. In the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, post operative pain and length of stay were reduced for those who had more social support. This means that the more frequent and broad your social contacts, the less likely you are to be bothered by pain, and the more likely you are to get out of the hospital faster. Let’s hear it for using CarePages, FaceBook, and other online support groups while in the hospital, and perhaps as outpatients as well.
And if feeling supported isn’t enough to get you on the right track, more research in the Archives of Internal Medicine suggests that mail reminders can improve post-heart attack medication compliance. Perhaps email reminders would work just as well (and kill fewer trees?) One thing is for sure – Health 2.0 tools can make an impact on peoples lives and I’m excited to be a part of that.This post originally appeared on Dr. Val’s blog at RevolutionHealth.com.
March 3rd, 2008 by Dr. Val Jones in Uncategorized
Tags: Weight Loss
2 Comments »
Ok, it’s no surprise why Dr. Val is leading a weight loss group
here at Revolution Health. She is a serious food lover. And for those of you who are equally smitten with all things gastronomical, check out the list of folks that I’ll be schmoozing with next month:
Daniel Boulud
Gary Danko
Dean Fearing
Gael Greene
Jess Jackson
Thomas Keller
Sirio Maccioni
Danny Meyer
Robert Mondavi
Robert Parker
Jacques Pepin
Paul Prudhomme
Wolfgang Puck
Ruth Reichl
Phyllis Richman
Mimi Sheraton
Martha Stewart
Jeremiah Tower
Charlie Trotter
Jean-Georges Vongerichten
Alice Waters
Tim and Nina Zagat
It’s the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Inn at Little Washington! Let me know if you’re planning to be there… or if you’re just jealous.
This post originally appeared on Dr. Val’s blog at RevolutionHealth.com.
February 29th, 2008 by Dr. Val Jones in Uncategorized
Tags: Cancer, Hospitals, News, Parenting, Relationships, Research, Surgery, Vaccines
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Happy leap year everyone! The Revolution Health experts have been blogging away furiously, and I haven’t done a Revolution Rounds in a few weeks (naughty) so without further ado – here’s a nice round up of the best of the Revolution Health blogs…
Health tips
Most vitamins and supplements are not necessary if you’re eating a healthy diet. Dr. Joe Scherger summarizes Harvard’s Men’s Health Watch and concludes that only Vitamin D supplements may be warranted for the general population.
Relationships require pruning. Mira Kirshenbaum suggests that if you’re in an unhealthy relationship, it’s best to get up the courage to cut it off.
Ever wonder which arthritis treatments work best? Dr. Jim Herndon has distilled the latest research.
Children need to be vaccinated against the measles. Dr. Stacy Stryer explains that measles can be deadly in 20-30% of the people who get it.
Calcium can strengthen your bones, but may clog your heart? Dr. Vivian Dickerson cautions women about taking too much of this vitamin.
Did you know?
Only one in four people recognize the symptoms of a heart attack. Dr. Joe Scherger describes how you can tell if you’re having one.
Restless legs syndrome might increase your risk of a heart attack. Dr. Steve Poceta explains why.
Stem cell research could be the key to unlocking the mysteries of how cancer develops. Dr. Heinz-Josef Lenz describes some promising new research.
Pit viper venom might be useful in reversing strokes. Dr. Olajide Williams explains that the venom can dissolve blood clots in the brain.
There is a real mind-body connection in health and disease. Dr. Joe Scherger explains how it impacts men with erectile dysfunction.
Nighttime anxiety might convey a survival advantage. Dr. Steve Poceta wonders if we worry more at night because the ancestors who did so, lived to procreate.
A hospital is being sued for denying a surgical procedure to a transgender female. Dr. Cole Brown is not sure that this is fair, since the procedure was not emergent.
Orthopedics Corner
Dr. Jim Herndon is a faithful friend and blogger. He has had a particularly fine week – so many of his posts are great that I thought I’d give you a little summary of them all in one place…
Americans spend as much on back and neck pain treatments as they do on cancer treatment. Jim discusses the incredible financial burden of back and neck pain and the disappointing efficacy rates of treatments.
Neck pain is fairly common and particularly resistant to treatment. Jim describes the prevalence of this condition.
Glucosamine does not seem to improve hip arthritis. Jim discusses the mounting evidence that the benefits of glucosamine are very limited if they exist at all.
Patients with spinal stenosis (narrowing of the canal that contains the spinal cord) may benefit from surgery.
About 10% of total hip and knee replacements require revisions. Before you have yours, be sure that your surgeon is experienced with revisions.
Kiddie corner
Dr. Stacy Stryer is also a faithful friend and excellent pediatrician and blogger. Her sound advice and empathic tone is a key to her success. Here’s what she has to say this week:
First of all, Dr. Stacy reports on the strange practice of a nursing mom on America’s Next Top Model TV show: she’s drinking her own breast milk. Yuck!
Studies show that parents spend more time with their first child. Stacy wonders if she’s been a neglectful parent of her younger child.
Measles is a fatal illness for up to 30% of children who get it. Sadly, measles is on the rise because parents have opted out of the MMR vaccine due to unsubstantiated fears of vaccine harm.
Depression in a parent might be a risk factor for poor health among their children. Dr. Stacy takes a fresh look at how to keep America’s children healthy.
Dr. Jim Hill explains why children who don’t exercise regularly may perform worse on academic tests.
And my final post of Revolution Rounds is from a couple of neurologists who relay a compelling story: they saved a woman’s arm from a mistake made by an orthopedist in Serbia!
This post originally appeared on Dr. Val’s blog at RevolutionHealth.com.
February 21st, 2008 by Dr. Val Jones in Uncategorized
Tags: Relationships
2 Comments »
Sorry folks, I haven’t been blogging as frequently this week because I’m in the process of finishing up two great books:
1. Fixing American Healthcare, by Richard Fogoros, MD
2. When Good People Have Affairs: Inside the Hearts and Minds of People in Two Relationships, by Mira Kirshenbaum
The first book was sent to me by the author, a fellow blogger and kindred spirit. I have to tell you that Dr. Rich’s description of our dysfunctional health care system (and his explanation of how we got where we are) is crystal clear, compelling, and painfully accurate. If you like feeling righteous indignation, than hurry on over to his site and get the book! I’m hoping to summarize some of his key points here in this blog – but it may be challenging to explain things any better than he does…
The second book was sent to me by Mira’s publisher, who’d like me to read it and comment on the book for a potential back cover testimonial. So far it’s terrific, though I might relate to it a little more if I were personally struggling with a marital affair – and thank goodness that’s not one of Dr. Val’s issues. I’ll ask Mira if I can summarize some key thoughts from her book as well…
Thanks for your patience, o faithful readers. Lots of good discussion topics ahead!
This post originally appeared on Dr. Val’s blog at RevolutionHealth.com.
February 14th, 2008 by Dr. Val Jones in Uncategorized
Tags: Relationships
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Happy Valentine’s Day folks – hope you have some great plans tonight with your significant other… but if not, [insert hopeful grin], why not join me, crzegrl and Jenni from Chronic Babe at the Dr. Anonymous show tonight (Feb 14th from 9-10pm EST)? We’re going to be talking about gender differences in medicine, romantic patient stories, and the importance of good relationships. There’s a live chat feature, a call in number, and a video feed of our host, Dr. Anonymous.
I hope to see a few of you there in the chat room or calling in! If you can’t make it, check out the podcast link tomorrow on Dr. Anonymous’ website.
This post originally appeared on Dr. Val’s blog at RevolutionHealth.com.
