July 13th, 2010 by Davis Liu, M.D. in Better Health Network, Health Policy, Health Tips, News, Opinion, Research, True Stories
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San Francisco recently passed a law requiring disclosure to consumers of the amount of radiation emitted by cellphones at the point of sale. Research has been inconclusive on whether there is a link between cellphone usage and cancer. More definitive findings could be years away.
Understandably the law addresses a universal concern that we all have. We are more fearful of threats we can’t see, smell, hear, taste, or touch. Radon, carbon monoxide, and radiation fit these criteria.
Yet, cellphones kill in other ways which are far more immediate, equally as subtle, and just as concerning. This silent epidemic is increasing at an alarming rate. Everyone sees it, but does nothing about it. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Saving Money and Surviving the Healthcare Crisis*
July 12th, 2010 by GarySchwitzer in Better Health Network, Health Policy, News, Opinion
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Kaiser Health News proves its value once again with an under-the-radar story covering some items you won’t see in many other news sources. An excerpt:
“…several lesser-known provisions also take effect in coming months that could have a lasting impact on the nation’s health care system.
These provisions include eliminating patients’ co-payments for certain preventive services such as mammograms, giving the government more power to review health insurers’ premium increases and allowing states to expand Medicaid coverage to low-income adults without children.
While these changes might not have gotten at lot of attention, they could help build support for the law in the run-up to the contentious mid-term elections.”
Their list:
• Prevention For Less
• Knowing Which Treatments Work Best
• Helping Cover Early Retirees’ Health Costs
• Keeping Tabs on Health Insurance Premiums
• Expanded Medicaid Coverage
• Care Coordination for ‘Dual Eligibles’
• FDA Approval For ‘Follow-On Biologics’
Read the full story at the link above for details.
*This blog post was originally published at Gary Schwitzer's HealthNewsReview Blog*
July 8th, 2010 by RamonaBatesMD in Better Health Network, Health Tips, Research
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Your doctor has told you not to use tanning beds anymore. Your skin is beginning to show more aging than your age should have. You have a family history of skin cancer and want to avoid it. Whatever your reason, you have decided to look at self-tanners as an alternative.
I applaud that decision, but remember to use safe sun practices and/or sunscreens as self-tanners offer no protection to your skin from UVA or UVB rays.
According to About.com:Chemistry, self-tanners have been around in some form since 1960:
In 1960, Coppertone introduced its first sunless tanning product — QT® or Quick Tanning Lotion. This lotion produced an overall orange effect. Today’s sunless tanning products produce much more realistic results. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Suture for a Living*
July 4th, 2010 by RamonaBatesMD in Better Health Network, Health Tips, News, True Stories
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Time for a reminder about safe fireworks use. This Daily News article by Lauren Johnston — Doctors replace woman’s missing thumb with big toe transplant –- shows and tells you why. An excerpt:
A Long Island woman’s big toe will adapt to function as a thumb after doctors performed a rare transplant operation to replace the vital missing digit.
Shannon Elliott, 25, lost the thumb and two fingers from her left hand in November when a firework exploded in her palm…
Have a safe and happy July 4th — and stay out of the ER. Please follow these fireworks safety tips:
- Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
- Fireworks should be unpacked from any paper packing out-of-doors and away from any open flames.
- Be sure other people are out-of-range before lighting fireworks. Small children should be kept a safe distance from the fireworks; older children that use fireworks need to be carefully supervised.
- Do not smoke when handling any type of “live” firecracker, rocket, or aerial display.
- Keep all fireworks away from any flammable liquids, dry grassy areas, or open bonfires.
- Keep a bucket of water or working garden hose nearby in case of a malfunction or fire.
- Take note of any sudden wind change that could cause sparks or debris to fall on a car, house, or person.
- Never attempt to pick up and relight a “fizzled” firework device that has failed to light or “go off”
- Do not use any aluminum or metal soda/beer can or glass bottle to stage or hold fireworks before lighting.
- Do not use any tightly closed container for these lighted devices to add to the exploding effect or to increase noise.
- Never attempt to make your own exploding device from raw gunpowder or similar flammable substance. The results are too unpredictable.
- Never use mail-order fireworks kits. These do-it-yourself kits are simply unsafe.
For more information on injuries that can occur from unsafe use of fireworks, see:
Fireworks-Related Injuries (CDC)
Facts About Fireworks Injuries (Prevent Blindness America)
*This blog post was originally published at Suture for a Living*
June 26th, 2010 by KevinMD in Better Health Network, Health Policy, Health Tips, Opinion, Research
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It’s time to ask patients whether they text and drive. An important perspective piece from the New England Journal of Medicine urges doctors to include that question during preventive health exams. The data surrounding texting and driving is grim:
Although there are many possible distractions for drivers, more than 275 million Americans own cell phones, and 81% of them talk on those phones while driving. The adverse consequences have reached epidemic proportions. Current data suggest that each year, at least 1.6 million traffic accidents (28% of all crashes) in the United States are caused by drivers talking on cell phones or texting. Talking on the phone causes many more accidents than texting, simply because millions more drivers talk than text; moreover, using a hands-free device does not make talking on the phone any safer.
The author of the piece, Amy Ship from Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, says that doctors should update traditional preventive questions to keep up with the times. The simple question, “Do you text while you drive?” is a way to start this important conversation. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at KevinMD.com*
