It is still shocking how vulnerable our health delivery systems are to human error or negligence. Now we hear of another story in Ottawa, Canada where potentially 6,800 patients have been exposed to Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV. Currently the Ottawa Public Health Department is being vague on the circumstances surrounding the exposure but they are concerned enough to ... Read More »
Women in the United States get breast cancer more than any other form of cancer except skin cancer. Breast cancer is the second highest cancer death for women according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Know Your Risk: The exact causes of breast cancer are still unknown. Doctors cannot explain why one woman develops the disease and another does not. ... Read More »
Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that 25.8 million people or 8.3% of the U.S. population has diabetes. Of U.S. residents aged 65 years and older, 10.9 million, or 26.9% had diabetes in 2010. In a study published last year, the CDC projected ... Read More »
For some the arrival of fall is a time of abundance, warmth and fond childhood memories. For others, the shortening days, chilly mornings and impending long winter might bring on symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). According to iTriage, symptoms for SAD include depression, anxiety, fatigue, social withdrawal, overeating, oversleeping and the loss in things one might normally enjoy. Symptoms ... Read More »
College life is a time for new friends, new living arrangements, new experiences and new threats. The first lesson to learn in college is how to be safe on and around your campus. The Basics: Reduce the risk of becoming a victim of theft or assault by remembering to lock your doors (even just to go down the hall to ... Read More »
Any time a food or drink changes the effects of a drug, this is called a food-drug interaction. This can occur with prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, herbal products and dietary supplements. The most common interaction is caused by a particular food interfering with the way the body metabolizes a drug. Enzymes metabolize drugs in your body and some foods make ... Read More »
Summer means kids home from school, longer days in the sun to garden, swim, and cook outside and generally a time for fun and relaxation. Don’t let an injury or illness spoil your summer plans. Pee in the Pool? Protect Yourself From Recreational Water Illnesses (RWI) RWI’s are illnesses caused by germs or chemicals in recreational water – pools, hot ... Read More »
More than 56,000 people in the US are newly infected with HIV each year — about one new person gets infected every 9½ minutes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, at least 1 in 3 Americans who test positive for HIV is tested too late to get the full advantage of treatment. Young people (18-24 ... Read More »
Vacation essentials: Sunscreen, sunglasses, sunhat, and a PHR on my smartphone? All these items are essential for a worry free vacation. On vacation you want to protect yourself from unnecessary exposure to the elements, but you also want to protect yourself and family from unnecessary exposure to a medical emergency. iTriage which enables a user to view their personal health ... Read More »
Research shows that most people still prefer to ask friends and relatives for a hospital recommendation rather than impersonal comparisons. However there is a growing thirst for objective data in the form of certifications, and disease specific centers of excellence. Below is a sample of certification programs that are highly regarded in the marketplace. If you have one of the ... Read More »