It is instructive and interesting to read about Senator Edward Kennedy’s treatment for his brain tumor. The linked article describes the change in direction between May 20th of this year, when Kennedy’s brain cancer was first disclosed and surgery was not discussed as a possible treatment, and two weeks later, when neurosurgeons performed a “successful”….
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Doctor-Patient Relationships Turn Sour
Tara Parker-Pope recently had an article on how fewer and fewer patients trust their doctors. About one in four patients feel that their physicians sometimes expose them to unnecessary risk, according to data from a Johns Hopkins study published this year in the journal Medicine. And two recent studies show that whether patients trust a….
Continue ReadingMedicare Won’t Pay for Injuries Caused by Hospital Neglect
Starting October 1, 2008, Medicare will no longer pay for eight hospital-acquired conditions that could be prevented if hospitals followed the proper guidelines. Those eight conditions are bed sores, objects left inside the patient during surgery, falls that occur when the patient is in the hospital, blood incompatibility, air embolism, mediastinitis (infection of the area….
Continue ReadingBenefits and Limitations of Healthy Diets
Tara Parker-Pope discusses a New England Journal of Medicine study that compared a Mediterranean diet, an Atkins diet and a diet with about thirty percent fat based on American Heart Association Guidelines. The study had obese participants, who lost (on average) only 6 to 10 pounds over two years. From the article: The biggest weight….
Continue ReadingCancer Survival Depends on Country and Race
Unsurprisingly, there are wide global disparities in survival rates of cancer patients. This is partly because of the relative wealth of different countries. However, there are huge disparities within the United States as well: In the United States, the lowest survival rates are in New York City, except for rectal cancer in women, where Wyoming….
Continue ReadingWalking: One of the Best Forms of Physical Exercise
The American College of Sports Medicine suggested at a recent conference that walking is the most effective form of exercise because of its accessibility and simplicity. From the article: “There are certainly many forms of cardiovascular exercise that improve health and fitness, such as running, cycling, and swimming,” said Catrine Tudor-Locke, Ph.D., FACSM, one of….
Continue ReadingDoctors, Research and Industry Money
The New York Times has an interesting article about the recent decision of some scientists to refuse payments from the pharmaceutical and medical device industry. From the article: No longer will they be paid for speaking at meetings or for sitting on advisory boards. They may still work with companies. It is important, they say,….
Continue ReadingAnesthesia Awareness More Common Than Previously Believed
What is Anesthesia Awareness, also known as Unintended Awareness? It is when a patient wakes up during surgery. When this happens, the patient experiences extreme pain but cannot move or cry out. The patient often also remembers parts of the surgery. This can have long-term emotional and psychological effects. A new study shows that Anesthesia….
Continue ReadingU.S.A. Has the Most Preventable Deaths
Out of nineteen industrialized nations, the U.S. has the most deaths that could have been prevented by access to timely, effective medical care. Ellen Nolte and Martin McKee of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine performed the study, looking at deaths before the age of seventy-five caused by numerous diseases and complications. They….
Continue ReadingOveruse of Some Painkillers May Increase Headaches
If you’re accustomed to taking many pain-killers for your headaches, and if your headaches have been increasing in frequency and intensity, then over-medication might be the cause. At any given time, more than three million Americans are suffering from headaches they are inflicting on themselves, according to Dr. Stephen D. Silberstein, a professor of neurology….
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