Health care

Archive for April, 2010

There are two mistakes that doctors appear to make most often when it comes to diagnosing breast cancer. As a consequence of these errors, a female patient’s cancer might not be discovered until it has reached an advanced stage. If either mistake is made by a doctor and there is enough of a delay diagnosing the woman’s breast cancer, she might have a malpractice lawsuit against that doctor.

Attorneys who handle colon cancer lawsuits see an all too common mistake made by physicians that can result in truly tragic outcomes: doctors who, without any testing to rule out the possibility of cancer, tell patients who report seeing blood in their stool that they just have hemorrhoids. If this delays diagnosing a patient’s cancer, that doctor may face a malpractice claim.

Doctors generally use two tests to screen males for prostate cancer the physical examination of the prostate and the PSA blood test. Most doctors concur: abnormal results trigger the need for follow up. This article reviews why a patient may be able to pursue a medical malpractice claim if a physician tests him for cancer but does not tell him or follow up after the tests come back abnormal.

Blood tests are used by doctors to check for potentially harmful conditions that might not easily be discovered by a physical examination. The doctor accordingly ought to follow up if the results are abnormal In one documented matter a man’s doctor did not follow up and as a result delayed the man’s diagnosis of colon cancer until it was advanced.

By Michele Bender, Special to Lifescript

Is your skin itchy, dry, blistering or red? You might have eczema, herpes, or 6 other conditions. Read on to learn what they look like and get doctor-recommended tips to heal them…

Skin conditions are easy to mistake for something else. Is it dermatitis or hives? A breakout or infection?

Without knowing what you have, you could inadvertently be making it worse. Whether it’s a minor nuisance or an epidermis nightmare, there are ways to soothe your skin… once you know what you’re dealing with.

“With most skin conditions, you either have a genetic predisposition to them or not,” says Ranella Hirsch, M.D., a Boston-based dermatologist. “They can be exacerbated by stress, either emotional, such as meeting your future in-laws, or environmental, such as an allergen.”

Some skin conditions, such as athlete’s foot, can be cured, but most are chronic or recurring. They can be triggered by anything from weather (eczema) to perfumes (contact dermatitis).

Read on for 8 common skin conditions, symptoms and triggers, and simple soothing tips from dermatologists:

Skin problem #1: Eczema
Though eczema and psoriasis are often confused, they aren’t the same. With psoriasis, skin builds up and flakes off, leaving red, scaly patches. Eczema, an inflammatory skin disorder, causes red, dry, cracked skin that often itches.

With eczema, “the barrier of your skin is damaged and you’re losing moisture,” says Katie Rodan, M.D., associate clinical professor of dermatology at Stanford University and author of Write Your Skin a Prescription for Change (Pairadocs Publishing).

She compares the condition to a leaky roof: When you have eczema, “anything irritating and allergenic can enter [the skin] more easily, making you more prone to rashes and infections.”

About 20% of children get it by their first birthday, Rodan says. Most outgrow it around age 10-12, although it can return in adulthood.

Commonly affected areas include the eyelids, elbows, back of the arms, knees and hands (especially if you wash or use your hands frequently).

Severity and frequency of outbreaks can depend on environmental factors, such as dry weather or rapidly fluctuating temperatures, or contact with certain products, such as perfumes or rubber gloves. But doctors don’t know its exact cause or triggers.

Rash Rx: First, stop scratching!

“Eczema creates a vicious itch-scratch cycle,” Hirsch says. “The skin’s dryness [causes] itchiness, which makes you scratch. Scratching makes your skin thicker, which itches more.”

Plus, it can break the skin, letting infection-causing bacteria in.

By The Lifescript Editorial Staff
Since 2008, federal guidelines have recommended that women get 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day for five days a week to garner health benefits (and prevent diseases such as diabetes). But new research has found that the number of minutes per day should be higher. (Collective groan.)

The new study shows that women need to participate in 60 minutes of moderate exercise daily (or 420 minutes a week) to prevent weight gain with age.

Researchers looked at 34,000 healthy U.S. women, with an average age of 54, who consumed a usual diet (not cutting calories) from 1992-2007. Researchers tracked the women’s activity and weight every three years. Those with normal weight (body mass index, or BMI, of less than 25) maintained their weight at 60 minutes of exercise a day. However, for women who were overweight or obese, 60 minutes of exercise a day wasn’t enough to maintain weight – they would have needed to cut calories too in order to maintain. Also, those with normal body weight who exercised less than 60 minutes a day tended to gain weight. Those who gained weight gained an average 5.7 pounds during the study overall.

The study was published in the March edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

“Even if you’re discouraged by these recent findings, there are plenty of reasons to continue your current exercise regimen,” says Edward Geehr, M.D., Lifescript chief medical officer. “We know, for example, that exercise can combat stress; improve sleep; lower blood pressure; and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome (a precursor to diabetes) and certain cancers. And if you’re willing to reduce your calorie intake, you’ll see even greater health improvements over time.”

Check out Health Bistro for more healthy food for thought. See what Lifescript editors are talking about and get the skinny on the latest news. Share it with your friends (it’s free to sign up!), and bookmark it so you don’t miss a single juicy post!

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By The Lifescript Editorial Staff
Are you getting enough iron in your diet? Iron is an essential mineral that carries oxygen in the blood. Iron deficiency is common, especially among menstruating women, and in extreme cases, iron-deficiency anemia can occur and cause severe fatigue and other health complications.

If you’re taking iron supplements or consuming iron-rich foods, watch out for coffee, tea and milk. Calcium, as well as certain components in coffee and tea known as tannins, compete with iron for absorption and can block up to 80% of the iron from the food or supplement you‘ve taken. This means that although you may think you’re doing all that you can to boost your iron levels, you may be unknowingly sabotaging your efforts. 

So if you have a watchful eye on your iron levels, keep an eye on when you’re getting iron and what you’re eating it with.

If you take an iron supplement, take it separately from the rest of your supplements, which most likely contain calcium. And don’t wash down your iron supplement with tea, coffee or milk.

Also, be sure to pump your iron up with some vitamin C, which will aid absorption and help boost the amount of iron you can utilize. Drinking orange juice is one of the best ways to get the most out of your iron supplements, or if you’re getting this mineral from iron-rich foods, jazz them up with some citrus fruits, which are high in vitamin C.

Check out Health Bistro for more healthy food for thought. See what Lifescript editors are talking about and get the skinny on the latest news. Share it with your friends (it’s free to sign up!), and bookmark it so you don’t miss a single juicy post!

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By Jorge Cruise, Chief Diet and Fitness Expert
Sometimes we brand ourselves with humorous yet self-destructive catch-phrases. For you to achieve your ideal body, you should create what I like to call a “power label” for yourself that gets you excited about exercising and eating well. Think about it: Too many people unconsciously label themselves in ways that make them feel bad: overeater, couch potato, sugarholic, meat-and-potatoes guy, over the hill, or big as a house. The human brain is such a powerful instrument that you will eventually become whatever you label yourself.

To combat these negative associations, I want you to think of a new, positive power label for yourself. Pick a favorite fitness activity or healthful food you love, and make it part of your new identity. New monikers could include “running renegade,” “broccoliholic,” or “pilates powerhouse.” Your power label will serve as a daily self-affirmation that’ll keep you mega-motivated!

Your coach,
Jorge Cruise

For information on Jorge’s fitness program and to get a free copy of his Belly Fat Cure Report, visit jorgecruise.com.

Got a question? Ask Jorge Cruise

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By John H. Sklare, Ed.D, Lifescript Personal Coach
As humans, we tend to get wrapped up in various things. Some of the things we focus on are noble and well worth our time and attention. However, many other things simply aren’t worth either. Yet far too many people allow these inconsequential irritants to eat away at them as if they have no choice in the matter. Well, you do have a choice, and I’m here to encourage you to shift your attention and spend your energy more productively.

I know this is much easier said than done, and depending on what’s eating you and how invested you have become in it, the way out will be easier for some than for others. But it all begins with making a mindful decision to stop obsessing on the insignificant and cease this self-abusing behavior. So if you find this message striking a little too close to home today, I suggest you take charge of these thoughts eating away at you and bring an end to this assault on your precious time. If you don’t, what’s eating you now may totally consume you later!

Wishing You Great Health,
Dr. John H. Sklare
www.innerdiet.com

Are you dating the wrong person? Got an unhealthy addiction? Need motivational advice? Email your question! Ask Dr. Sklare

Relationship troubles? Ask Dr. V

Need fitness advice? Ask Jorge Cruise

Got a diet dilemma? Ask Joel Marion

What’s in your stars? Ask the Saturn Sisters

Check out Health Bistro for more healthy food for thought. See what Lifescript editors are talking about and get the skinny on latest news. Share it with your friends (it’s free to sign up!), and bookmark it so you don’t miss a single juicy post!

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By Bonnie Siegler, Special to Lifescript

Which celebrity takes 5-minute showers? Who rinses and reuses plastic bags? On the 40^th anniversary of Earth Day, find out how Hollywood’s hottest stars go green. Plus, take our quiz to find out if you’re eco-friendly… 

These famous folks walk the talk. From reusing plastic bags to composting, they’re kind to the earth – year-round. You can be too – just do as the stars do.

Gabrielle Union (FlashForward)
When my younger sister moved in, she overhauled everything. We recycle everything. We switched out all the light bulbs for energy-saving ones and are forever turning lights off and unplugging things. We bring cloth bags to the grocery store. And we don’t run water when brushing our teeth or washing our faces. We have our showers down to under five minutes.

Emily Procter (CSI: Miami)
Think about sustainable living. Don’t buy disposable furniture – buy pieces that you really love. If you love it, you aren’t going to get rid of it in three years. Find ways to repurpose older furniture. That’s what I do all the time.

Another important thing for me is choosing green cleaning products. Things that go down the drain should be better for the ocean.

Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars, Couple’s Retreat)
I reuse every plastic bag as much as possible. If I go to the store and don’t remember my cloth bags, then I’ll [later] use the plastic ones for doggie clean-up. With zip-lock bags, I usually rinse and reuse them. I also walk or carpool whenever possible.

Alicia Silverstone
I don’t believe in waste. I shop for food and clothes if I need them. And I shop at vintage stores where clothing is recycled.

I compost in a container we have in the backyard. I believe that environmentally and socially, our health is all connected so I don’t want to put chemicals into the earth.

I don’t clean with anything that isn’t natural. I don’t want it on my skin and I don’t want it in my air. Anything biodegradable that you like the smell of and works is great.