Archive for March, 2008
Chest Compressions Alone Can Save The Life Of An Adult Who Suddenly Collapses
Written by kim on March 31, 2008 – 11:03 pm -If you are a lay bystander and come across an adult who suddenly collapses, remember that chest compressions (Hands-Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) alone may save a life, says the American Heart Association. You do not have to give mouth-to-mouth if you do not know how - but chest compressions only could save a person’s life. You can read about this in Circulation, the journal of the American Heart Association.
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My grandmother had a cerebral aneurysm …
Written by kim on March 31, 2008 – 11:03 pm -Question: can it be genetic? I`m 44, had a mild stroke when I was @ 33 supposedly by blood pressure/alcohol consumption(I was having a heated argument at the time)There was paralysis in my left wrist for 6 months, Which I recovered from 6 months later w/o therapy. I`m stubborn & left the hospital after th . . .
Answer:
Your grandmother had an aneurysm. However, you had a stroke. These two entities are relatively different. Having said that, a family history of stroke is a risk factor. Your stroke at this young age is very concerning and deserves a thorough work up to look for the cause. It is very important tha . . .
Ask an Expert: Yousef Mohammad MD, MSc, Bleeding and Clotting Disorders
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Research Promotes Pro-Active Vitamin D Regimen In Patients With Osteoporosis
Written by kim on March 31, 2008 – 1:03 pm -New data indicates an aggressive Vitamin D treatment plan should be considered when caring for all Osteoporosis patients. Doing so may help decrease their likelihood of developing Vitamin D deficiency. These findings will be presented at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) 17th Annual Meeting & Clinical by Harinder Singh, MD on Friday, May 16th at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort in Orlando.
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NICE 16th Work programme: technology appraisals referred in March 2008
Written by kim on March 31, 2008 – 1:03 pm -Department of Health Ministers have carefully considered all the representations received during consultation and have decided the following technology appraisals should be added to NICE’s work programme:a) Single Technology Appraisals • Cetuximab for colorectal cancer: To appraise the clinical and cost effectiveness of cetuximab for second and third line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer following the failure of oxaliplatin-inducing chemotherapy.• Cetuximab for head and neck cancer: To appraise the clinical and cost effectiveness of cetuximab within its licensed indication in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy for metastatic and/or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neckb) Multiple Technology Appraisals (MTA)• IMRT for head and neck cancer: To appraise the clinical and cost effectiveness of intensity modulated radiotherapy for the treatment of head and neck cancer• IMRT for breast cancer: To appraise the clinical and cost effectiveness of intensity modulated radiotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer• IMRT for prostate cancer: To appraise the clinical and cost effectiveness of intensity modulated radiotherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer
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Minnesota Ranks No. 1 In Overall Health Care Quality, According To AHRQ Report
Written by kim on March 31, 2008 – 1:03 pm -Minnesota ranked first in the nation in overall state health care quality, according to an annual report released this week by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. The fourth annual “State Snapshots” report — which examined quality of care in the 50 states and Washington, D.C.
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SGM’s Meeting At Edinburgh International Conference: Survey Finds Most People Believe Smallpox Not An Extinct Disease
Written by kim on March 31, 2008 – 1:03 pm -The vast majority of Scottish people interviewed in the streets of Edinburgh are unaware of one of the greatest achievements of medical science - the eradication of smallpox from the world over 40 years ago. A poll sponsored by the Society for General Microbiology (SGM), in conjunction with the Edinburgh International Science Festival, has revealed that 87% of 200 individuals questioned did not know that the horrendous, killer disease is now extinct.But there’s good news too.
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Proposed changes to the quality and outcomes framework for 2008/09
Written by kim on March 31, 2008 – 1:03 pm -The Department of Health has written to all general practices to inform them of proposed changes to the Quality and Outcomes Framework, which will apply from 1st April 2008 (please see link above). The letter notes that the detail of the changes has not yet been agreed between the negotiating parties, and therefore it has not been possible to make and publish changes prior to the start of the financial year to which the changes will apply (01 April 2008 to 31 March 2009). The Department will make and publish the changes once they have been agreed.
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Drugs Of Destruction And Human Rights
Written by kim on March 31, 2008 – 12:03 pm -Drugs of Destruction are defined here as, any addictive substance, whose properties are known to bring about disturbing and irreversible changes to the users brain, resulting in loss of control; the erosion of inhibitions which control civilised human behaviour, the loss of the latter more frequently than not, can cause users to display anti social behaviour, characterised by unpredictable and unprovoked, violence being inflicted on others.
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Government Goes Against Spirit Of Parliamentary Promise To Disabled People, UK
Written by kim on March 31, 2008 – 12:03 pm -Commenting on the announcement by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, James Purnell, of the entitlement rates for the new Employment Support Allowance, Child Poverty Action Group’s Head of Policy, Paul Dornan, said: “Ministers gave their word in Parliament that the new benefit would be higher. Pinning back the headline rate to the current level may leave them technically in the right, but morally in the wrong.
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Hormone therapy increases risk of breast cancer recurrence?
Written by kim on March 31, 2008 – 12:03 pm -According to research published early online in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) not only increases the risk of first-time breast cancer, but may increase the risk of its recurrence. The present findings come from a follow-up of patients who originally took part in the Scandinavian HABITS study, a randomised, non-inferiority trial which compared hormone therapy (HRT; mostly continuous combined or sequential oestradiol hemihydrate and norethisterone) versus best management without hormones in the treatment of menopausal symptoms in women with previously treated breast cancer. This trial was stopped early in December 2003 after HRT was linked to an increased risk of new breast cancer events in two large studies. The preliminary results from a median of two years were reported initially in 2004, and this paper reports the findings after extended follow-up of the participants.A total of 442 patients of the original 447 were followed for a median of four years. In this time, 39 of the 221 who were treated with HRT in the trial had a recurrence of breast cancer; this compares to 17 of those in the control group (hazard ratio [HR] 2.4, 95% CI 1.3 to 4.2). The cumulative incidence of a new breast cancer event at 5 years was estimated at 22.2% for the HRT arm and at 8.0% for the control arm. At the end of follow-up, there had been six deaths due to breast cancer and six cases of metastatic disease in the HRT group, compared with five cases and four cases, respectively, in the control group. The authors note that "further data from randomised studies are needed to define both the impact of specific types of HRT regimens and accompanying circumstances on the risk of recurrence in breast cancer survivors following HRT exposure".
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