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What is the Mediterranean Diet?

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Posted by Jeana Brookes on March 5, 2013 at 9:21 am

The Mediterranean diet, recently called the healthiest diet in the world, is a way of both enjoying the lifestyle of and eating based on the traditional foods (and drinks) of the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. This includes Italy, Greece, Spain, and Morocco.

The health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been studied extensively in the last 10 years, resulting in better science and more clinical evidence.

What Foods are Included in the Mediterranean Diet?

The Mediterranean diet includes extra virgin olive oil, chickpeas, nuts (i.e. hazlenuts and walnuts), vegetables, fruits, fish, and whole grains are all included. There is a moderate consumption of dairy products (mostly as cheese and yogurt). Additionally, there is an emphasis on a variety of minimally processed and, wherever possible, seasonally fresh and locally grown foods (which often maximizes the health-promoting micronutrient and antioxidant content of these foods).

Opposed to many diets which exclude alcohol, the Mediterranean diet allows for moderate consumption of wine, normally with meals; about one to two glasses per day for men and one glass per day for women. From a contemporary public health perspective, wine should be considered optional and avoided when consumption would put the individual or others at risk.

Does the Diet Include Exercise?

Regular physical activity at a level which promotes a healthy weight, fitness and well-being is generally included in the diet as well. The Mediterranean diet, according to many nutritionists and health specialists, is more of a lifestyle than a traditional diet.

What Diseases Does the Diet Prevent and/or Reduce?

The February 25 New England Journal of Medicine published the results of a large Spanish study that found persuasive evidence that the Mediterranean lowers the risk of strokes and heart disease. In the featured study, participants who enjoyed plentiful amounts of these foods had less cardiovascular disease than subjects who followed a more conventional low-fat diet that included red meat. The results were so overwhelmingly clear that researchers study ended the study early. The researches concluded that among persons at high cardiovascular risk, a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts reduced the incidence of major cardiovascular events.

A separate but also recent analysis of more than 1.5 million healthy adults demonstrated that following a Mediterranean diet was associated with a reduced risk of overall and cardiovascular mortality, a reduced incidence of cancer and cancer mortality, diabetes, and a reduced incidence of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.

Is This Diet New?

Although filed in with the myriad of fad diets, the Mediterranean diet is far from new. In 2010, UNESCO recognized this diet pattern as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Italy, Greece, Spain and Morocco.

For thousands of years, residents along the Mediterranean coast have enjoyed the delicious diet and engaging in regular physical activity. They don’t think of their eating habits as a diet plan; it’s simply a way of life that can lead to long, healthy lives with less chance of chronic disease.

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At What Age Should I Start Getting Checked for Cancer?

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Posted by Amanda Guerrero on February 8, 2013 at 9:09 am

Cancer screening testAccording to statistics from the American Cancer Society (ACS), approximately 1.6 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in 2013 – and more than 500,000 lives are expected to be lost to the deadly disease this year alone. Many of these deaths can be prevented by avoiding risk factors and by undergoing regular screening tests for certain types of cancers.

Following are some recommendations from the ACS for when to start getting screened for cancer:

Breast

  • Breast self-examination: This type of exam involves checking the breasts regularly to help detect problems or changes. It is recommended for women over the age of 20, but not required.
  • Clinical breast examination: It is recommended that this type of exam be performed by a healthcare provider at least once every three years for women in their 20s and 30s.
  • Mammography: Women over the age of 40 should have one done each year.

Cervix

Cervical cancer screenings for women should begin at the age of 21 and can be done every three years with a regular Pap test. Between 30 and 65, tests can be done every five years with both the HPV and Pap tests, or every three years with just the Pap. Depending on different factors, women may be able to stop screening for cervical cancer after 65.

Colorectal

There are different tests that can be performed to screen for colorectal cancer (from a fecal occult blood test to colonoscopy); however, it isn’t necessary for men or women to start getting tested until the age of 50. How often screenings occur, depends on the type of test and recommendations from your doctor.

Lung

Past and current smokers ages 55 to 74 with at least a 30 pack-year history can undergo a low dose helical CT test to screen for cancer after being informed by their physician of potential harms and limitations. The ACS recommends smoking cessation as the  foremost form of lung cancer prevention.

Prostate

Men over the age of 50 should talk to their healthcare provider about prostate cancer screenings such as rectal exams and PSA blood tests, including benefits and potential risks. African-American men and those with a strong family history of prostate cancer should have a discussion with their doctor at 45.

For specific questions or concerns about the different cancers and their related screening methods, talk to your doctor.

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What Is the Difference between a Patient Portal and a PHR?

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Posted by Amanda Guerrero on January 31, 2013 at 11:21 am

What is PHR? What is patient portal?There are a lot of buzzwords being thrown around in hospitals, physician practices and medical facilities across the United States, and it can be easy for patients to get confused about which terms matter and what they mean. With federal programs incentivizing healthcare providers for engaging patients in their health, two terms that caregivers are using a lot lately are “personal health record” and “patient portal” – both extremely relevant to patients and crucial for getting them involved in decisions about their health. But what does each one mean?

Personal Health Record (PHR)

A PHR is an electronic record of an individual’s health information that can draw information from various sources. This can include data obtained by the patient (weight, height, current medications, emergency contact information and family medical history), as well as data obtained from providers (diagnoses, immunizations and lab results).

In stark contrast to an electronic health record (EHR), which contains data entered and controlled by a healthcare provider, many PHRs are managed primarily by the patient. The patient can share the data with a physician if they choose to, but they are not required to. This type of PHR is referred to as “standalone.”

The other type of personal health record, which is slowly becoming more common, connects to a healthcare organization’s EHR system so that both the patient and their provider can access and update data contained within the record, resulting in a more accurate and comprehensive medical record.

Patient Portal

An online patient portal is a tool that connects to a healthcare organization’s electronic health record software. It allows patients to view certain portions of their medical record, similar to a PHR. However, unlike a PHR, patients cannot always make changes to their record. Instead, they can view data such as clinical summaries and test results and benefit from features such as:

  • Secure electronic messaging
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Prescription refill request
  • Online bill pay

Though patient portals appear to be more comprehensive resources than patient-maintained PHRs, a major downside is that they do not contain data from all of a patient’s physicians. In fact, each healthcare group will have their own portal with data pulled from that organization’s own EHR.

Do your providers use a patient portal or EHR-connected PHR? Do you maintain your own personal health record? Which method do you prefer?

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Does Cell Phone Use Increase the Chances of Developing Cancer?

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Posted by Health News Watch on January 21, 2013 at 8:04 am

Since the introduction of the cell phone in the 1970’s there has been controversy and debate over the link between cell phone use and cancer development. Although numerous studies have been completed, there is no hard evidence to prove the link between cancer and cell phones is true.

There are three main reasons why concern has been raised over cell phone use and caner:

  • Cell phone technology is constantly changing at a very fast rate. The way people use their cell phones is not stationary. The number of calls made each day, the length of each call and the amount of other time people spend on phones is constantly increasing, especially as cell phones become more interactive. The type of technology used in cell phones is also constantly transforming.

 

  • Cell phones emit a form of radiation called radio-frequency energy (non-ionizing radiation). The tissues near to where the phone is held can absorb this energy. Ionizing radiation, such as that used for x-rays has been proven to increase a person’s cancer risk. Non-ionizing rays- also the type of rays used in microwaves-has only been proven to have a heating effect.

 

  • The number of cell phone users is constantly on the rise. The amount of users, according to the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association, has increased 3 fold since 2000.

The National Cancer Institute has summarized the most recent and relevant studies to ascertain what exactly is the current scientific consensus on cell phone use and cancer. Out of six studies, only one found a statistical association between brain cancer development and cell phone use.

The reasons for the inconsistent findings in this research are numerous:

Bias: There is an element of recall bias when individuals diagnosed with brain tumors recall how they used their cell phones. Completing questionnaires about habits once a person is diagnosed with a disease does not lead to a very subjective opinion.

Inaccurate recall: People may genuinely forget to what extent they used their cell phones when reporting their habits to researchers.

Morbidity and Mortality: Brain cancers can be difficult to study as they have a high death rate. People diagnosed with brain cancers often have a short survival period. Those who survive can often have impaired cognitive function caused by brain cancer. Family members of brain cancer victims often find it difficult to accurately report the cell phone use of their relatives. This all leads to inaccurate reporting of statistics.

Fast Changing Cell Phone Technology: The earliest phones operated on an analog system. However these days phones operate on digital technology. There is a big different between the analog and the digital systems, as the digital system uses a lower radio-frequency and power level than the early cell phone. Therefore studies completed on the early cell phones do not really apply to the cell phone of today. Also the ways cell phones are used is constantly changing. Texting, hands-free technology and internet use in cell phones mean that the cell phones proximity to the head is decreased.

Currently, studies are being completed to obtain a better understanding of cell phone use and cancer development. A large study was launched in Europe in 2010 and will follow a group of 250,000 cell phone users over the course of 20-30 years. Although this kind of study will face some of the challenges listed above, it has the advantage of being a prospective study, one that looks into the future and studies the participants as they currently use their cell phones. Perhaps this kind of study and others like it will be able to clarify, more conclusively, the link between cell phone use and cancer.

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Is massage therapy dangerous in the treatment of cancer associated pain?

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Posted by RobynNazarRN on January 10, 2013 at 10:02 am

There is a common misunderstanding that the use of massage therapy to treat cancer pain is dangerous, as, it could cause cancer to spread.

Massage therapy is one of the most common alternative therapies offered to patients in a clinical setting to help relieve the pain associated with cancer. Massage is often used in conjunction with other pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain treatments, such as these listed by this pain clinic in Minnesota.

Massage use in the clinical setting has been associated with relieving pain, encouraging relaxation and reducing anxiety. Massage carries out a manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, which produces effects on the vascular, muscular and nervous system. However, massage therapy contraindications for cancer have been raised as it was suggested that the massaging of the soft tissues of the body could help spread the cancer through the circulatory and lymphatic systems.

Many studies have proven that the stimulation of these systems, via massage, is no more than what would be caused by gentle daily exercise. However message directly over the tissue of a tumor is not recommended due to associated localized pain.

Although not contraindicated for cancer treatment, research suggests that in some cases of cancer, massage technique should be adjusted, for example, in patients with coagulation disorders. Deep tissue muscle massage should be replaced by a lighter tissue massage, as not to influence the development of DVT’s, hematomas and superficial bruising.

Massage for relief of cancer pain, is rarely used alone to treat cancer pain; however with other pain relieving therapies it is considered an effective and safe practice.  Although like any treatment, it is not risk free, there are very few reports of patients suffering adverse effects secondary to massage therapy for cancer pain. Also, unlike pharmacological treatment for cancer pain, massage therapy does not carry the side effects of nausea and constipation.

Some precautions need to be taken when providing massage therapy to a cancer patient, however treatment is not considered high risk or dangerous.

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Premature ovarian aging: what is it and is it treatable?

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Posted by Health News Watch on December 6, 2012 at 10:55 am

One of the reasons an IVF center may tell a women she is suffering from infertility and subsequent failed IVF is due to diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). This may be caused by premature ovarian aging, or, simply by the female aging process. But what exactly is premature ovarian aging?

  • Premature ovarian aging

Ovarian aging is the final step in menopause. It is a process that starts with a decrease in follicle numbers leading to cycle irregularity, which eventually leads to natural sterilization. It is signified by the ending of the women’s menstrual cycle. The process is gradual, and, while the follicle numbers decrease there is also a decrease in the quality of the female eggs.  As a woman enters further into the ovarian aging process it becomes more difficult, although not impossible, to conceive.

Women do no undergo this change in fertility at the same age. Some women can conceive into their fifties while others productive life span is prematurely ended in their 30’s. This is called premature ovarian aging. Reasons for these variation in age are not clear. Research has been completed that would signifies that genetic, metabolic and endocrine factors are involved, however we are far from understanding the full picture.

Women do not just find it difficult to conceive due to early onset of ovarian aging. In the western world, woman find it difficult to conceive due to the fact that average age for child birth has increased dramatically in the last 50 years. Fertility medicine in the west has been challenged not only by premature ovarian aging, but also by the fact that women want to conceive later in life when their ovarian activity is decreased.

This leads to the question:

  • What is modern medicines solution to this problem?

A recent supplement has been receiving attention in both medical research and the media. This supplement is called dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). A type of steroidal hormone, DHEA naturally occurs in both men and women. Secreted by the adrenal gland, this hormone peaks for women in their 20’s and gradually decreases as they get older.

For women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) due to premature ovarian aging or solely due to increased female age, DHEA has been proved to benefit the ovarian environment.

Taken as a supplement before IVF, DHEA, appears to decrease IVF failure in women with DOR. A systematic review carried out by The Center for Human Reproduction in 2011 associated DHEA with higher embryo counts, higher quality embryos, improved fertility treatment results and decreases in miscarriages.

  • Precautions

Although this agent is used by of third of IVF centers globally some precautions must be taken before commencing this hormonal treatment.

DHEA is a hormone. Not all women with DOR have low DHEA levels. Taking a hormone without testing the natural occurring body levels first can be detrimental for both a women’s general health and her fertility health. If a women’s already has high levels of DHEA and takes more synthetic supplements of DHEA it can actually stop ovulation and give undesirable side effects such as acne and facial hair.

DHEA can be bought over the counter in the United States, however, it is much safer for a women to  make an appointment with an IVF center so her pre-IVF treatment with DHEA can be monitored by a health care professional.

DHEA is a great development in the fertility field. And the future looks bright as researchers quote that there are many more agents waiting to be discovered that can benefit the ovarian environment.

DHEA, is just the tip of the iceberg.

This video by the Center for Human Reproduction, experts in DHEA use, further explains the uses and benefits of DHEA. Enjoy some interactive learning!

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Stroke the largest cause of severe disability in the U.S.A.? Neuroscience research disagrees.

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Posted by Health News Watch on December 3, 2012 at 11:29 am

Stroke is not actually defined as the largest cause of severe disability in the U.S.A. a paper published in 2004 has reported.

According to the American Stroke Association (ASA) stroke* is the number 4 cause of death in the USA. About 795,000 citizens suffer from stroke annually. That means 1 in 18. Every 4 seconds. And we pay for it. In the United States, about 73.7 billion is spent annually on costs of stroke related medical care. Stroke, as it is such a common occurrence in the population receives priority funding from the government, however, it greatly depends on public donations too. For example the Edward and Anita Hogan Neurosurgery NJ Pavilion. Opened in November of this year, this addition to neurosurgery new jersey care was built entirely through 3.5 million dollars raised by community and philanthropic donations.

 

Public funding is vitally important to stroke healthcare.  A the University of York study states that in order to receive public attention, increasing awareness on the statistics, consequences and cost of stroke needs to be communicated to the population. This is carried out through such organizations as the American Stroke Association. However the study also highlighted how the public can be confused statements that they hear in relation to other public health issues. “Stroke is the leading cause of serious long term disability in the U.S.” the American Stroke Association quotes. However other organizations also claim these statistics. Arthritis for example also claims to be the “most chronic debilitating disease in the U.S.” Which is actually correct?

The study set out to investigate is stroke really the leading cause of serious long term disability in the U.S. Their results reported that stroke:

  • Increases chances of disability more than any other condition.
  • Strokes impact on disability is greater than the impact of chronic disease on disability.
  • Stroke causes a larger variety of disabilities, when compared to other conditions.
  • Stroke is the greatest cause of complex disability in adults.

 

However the evidence in the literature did not prove that “stroke is the largest cause of severe disability in adults”.

It is suggested that in order to have a greater impact and to increase awareness, information communicated to the public surrounding health conditions should be accurate, simple and direct. The public attention is of vital importance to stroke charities and organizations, as such a great fraction of their funding will come from the community. Therefore perhaps closer attention should be paid to recent research when defining where exactly stroke falls amongst the causes of disability in the United States.

 

*A stroke occurs when blood vessels in the brain, carrying oxygen and nutrients get blocked by a clot (ischemic stroke) or burst (hemorrhagic stroke). The brain cells need this oxygen and nutrients to survive. Without a vessel to carry these components, the brain cells die.

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Is IVF a successful assisted reproductive technology treatment?

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Posted by Health News Watch on November 29, 2012 at 4:16 pm

 

 A paper by the Albany law journal (2010) has reported how the rapid development in IVF technology over the past 4 decades has made treatment more widely available, increasing women’s chances of conception.

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is a term used to describe the variety of medical technologies that have been developed to create conception. In the U. S. every year 1% of infants born were conceived using ART (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention 2010). One of these technologies is IVF, which stands for In Vitro Fertilization.

IVF treatment began, as a method of conception for married women under 35 who could not conceive naturally. However, today IVF treatment serves a much broader demographic. Helping people of a much wider age group, more people than ever have the chance to conceive when infertility problems due to age or pathology present.

IVF is a success. The most effective method of ART available, it has helped conceive over 3 million babies worldwide. And the numbers are ever increasing. In 1983 approximately 150 babies were conceived using IVF. Three years later there were 41 IVF clinics in the U.S.  Fast forward 20 years and the clinic numbers had increased more than tenfold to 430. In 2006 54,656 babies were born in the U.S. due to IVF technologies. These figures really present exactly how rapid the technological advancement in IVF treatment has been.

IVF success and rapid development can also be seen in the success rates for women today. Currently for women under 35 the success rate is 30-35%, 35-37 years is 25%, 38-40 years is 15-20% and over 40 years is 6-10%. (Further information on the success rates of individual clinics can be found at Centers for Disease and Preventions webpage).

So where is IVF heading and can it continues to grow and evolve at its current rate? It would appear so. More couples than ever before are seeking IVF treatment. Also what was initially seen four decades ago as a development “against God’s will”, has now been recognized globally by the medical community. This has been proven by the awarding of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to Robert E. Edwards (British Biologist who helped pioneer IVF). Luckily for infertile couples developments in IVF only seem to be growing stronger and stronger, along with its acceptance socially.

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What are the health benefits of pumpkins?

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Posted by Health News Watch on November 13, 2012 at 1:38 pm

conecticut dermatologistsFall is here and pumpkin season is among us. Sure, it’s fun to carve pumpkins and make pies for that Thanksgiving, but there these orange globes of pure vegetable power provide many more health benefits than one might think, according to dermatologists in CT.

Since we generally think of pumpkins as food, it may seem strange to put pumpkin on your face, but many facials, skin peels and skin products contain natural pumpkin enzymes and pumpkin oils that can be beneficial to your skin health.

Researchers have found the seeds and the flesh of pumpkins are full of health benefits due to high content of antioxidants. Pumpkin is particularly effective if your skin is weak or damaged from overexposure to the sun and other environmental conditions.

Skin health experts say pumpkins are rich in vitamin A, which soothes and softens the skin, and vitamin C, an antioxidant that can help to remedy damage produced by free radicals. The best way to take advantage of these natural resources is by using pumpkin enzymes to gently exfoliate dead skin cells without the traditional scrubbing that is harsh on sensitive skin.

Most products containing these enzymes (make sure they are real pumpkin products, not just fragrances) help remove dead skin cells and promote new cell production. Due to the high enzyme content, foot care products made with pumpkins are also very effective for hydrating, soothing and softening dry, cracked hands and feet.

People that suffer from acne and frequent breakouts will also benefit from pumpkin’s ability to reduce inflammation and pore size while preventing the build up of excess oil and future blemishes. Below is are few pumpkin home remedies compiled by Connecticut dermatologists.

Acne: Cut a fresh pumpkin open and rub the fleshy side on your cleansed skin twice a day. This serves as a natural blemish-fighting toner.

Exfoliating and Moisturizing Facial: Crush 6 almonds in a food processor or blender until fine in texture. Combine 4 ounces of canned pumpkin, 1/8 cup honey and a drizzle of olive oil in a medium sized bowl. Mix well and spread a thin layer of the mask over your face. Leave for 5 minutes. Rinse and towel dry. Mixture will keep approximately 1 week in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

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How do I avoid workout injuries?

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Posted by Health News Watch on October 22, 2012 at 11:39 am

physical therapist minnesotaWorking out and routine exercise are great ways to keep the body in shape, but when done incorrectly, they can also be very harmful to the body, according to experts in physical therapy Minnesota. Many people with good intentions start going to gym and push themselves on weight machines without really knowing what they are doing and this can be dangerous.

The best approach is to take it slow with proper warm ups, listen to your body, and progress step by step. The following are helpful tips for anyone looking to avoid workout related injuries.

Always Stretch and Warm-Up: Stretching and warming up are two distinct routines everyone should practice before a workout.  When properly performed, stretching helps relax and elongate a muscle after warm-up and before and after weight training. As a result of warming up and stretching, the muscle is warm, loose and ready for action.

After stretching, it is good practice to start with lighter weights so sleepy muscles aren’t harshly woken up when a 300 pound dumbbell is dangling over your heady It’s also good to note, stretching between sets actually helps build muscle by promoting muscular circulation and increasing the elasticity of the fascia casing surrounding the muscle.

Listen to Your Body: When you’re tired, you’re tired and there’s no use in pushing the body because this will only create injuries. The same is true for your weak areas. Respect them. Health experts recommend knowing your body’s limitations to avoid fitness injuries. Everyone should be aware of his or her weak areas and avoiding any type of physical activity that may push your weak areas too hard. If you cannot slowly build the strength in your weak areas, then you should avoid any activities that can stress or irritate them.

It’s All About Technique: When starting any fitness class or workout program, it is a wise decision to get expert training and advice to reduce your chances in using the wrong routine for your body type. An expert can also help you understand improper and proper techniques until you feel confident to carry the regime on your own.

This is important because the most common weight-training injuries are those related to the use of poor exercise technique. Incorrect technique can pull, rip or wrench a muscle or tear delicate connective tissue. Physical therapy Minnesota experts encourage weight trainers to strive for excellence as technical perfectionist in their workout routines.

Know your age: Couch potatoes beware! If you have been leading a sedentary lifestyle for the last decade, be sure to take to note of your age before enrolling in a fitness class. If you do too much, too long and too quickly, it can put a lot of strain on your muscles and lead to problematic injuries. We know you used to be a high school athlete, but if that was back in the 1980s and you’ve been sitting at the computer ever since, don’t assume your body will respond the same way it used to.

Never, Ever Over-Do It: Like all things in life, you must know when to stop. Although practicing a routine can help you perfect it, you are also more likely to increase your chances of injury. Exercise different muscle groups on different days and make sure to get proper rest. Injuries occur more often when you are tired and not paying attention to your running stride, and that’s when bam, you twist your ankle.

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