Categories
Cardiovascular
Diagnostics
Endocrinology
Health Insurance
Medical Devices
Mental Health
Nutrition
Oncology
Public Health
Sexual Health
Popular Articles
Teeth Whitening

OptumHealth Provides Free Counseling Help Line For People In Missouri And Oklahoma Affected By Tornadoes
OptumHealth Inc. announced that it is providing a free help line to people in Missouri and Oklahoma who are trying to cope with the emotional consequences of the recent tornadoes that hit the region. Staffed by experienced master"s-level behavioral health specialists, the free help line offers assistance to callers seeking help in dealing with stress, anxiety and the grieving process. Callers may also receive referrals to a database of community res to help them with specific concerns, such as financial and legal issues.
generic viagra online
Patient Radiation Exposure During Interventional Procedures Is A Concern For Some Developing Countries
Interventional radiology procedures are on the rise in developing countries and there is a significant need for optimization of these procedures to ensure patient safety. Many facilities in these countries lack the concept of patient dose estimation and dose management, putting patients at a higher risk of developing complications due to overexposure from radiation during interventional procedures, according to a study performed by the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria.
News of the day
USAID Programs Used Biblical Lessons To Teach Abstinence In Africa, Audit Finds
The U.S. Agency for International Development funded programs that used biblical lessons to promote sexual abstinence in Africa, despite a prohibition on the use of taxpayer funds to support "inherently religious activities," according to a recent audit by the agency"s inspector general, the Washington Post reports.The audit focused on projects initiated from 2006 to 2007 during the administration of President George W. Bush. According to the audit, the use of Christian stories in HIV/AIDS prevention programs in Africa could be seen as showing a "USAID-funded preference for Christianity." The audit also found that officials in one faith-based abstinence program in Africa urged youth to memorize and recite a passage from the Bible"s book of Psalms. Participants were then instructed to recite the passage"s "key concept": "God has a plan for sex and this plan will help you and protect you from harm."USAID challenged the findings in a written response that said its African programs" main goals are secular in nature. It acknowledged that some of its abstinence programs included "religiously infused materials" but said that the materials showed no preference for Christian groups.According to the Post, the issue has been complicated by legal ambiguities over whether the separation of church and state applies to programs for promoting U.S. foreign policy abroad. The inspector general"s report said the Department of Justice is considering a request from USAID to determine the legality of its practices (Lynch, Washington Post, 7/23).
Sexual Health

Surfers Take Their Knocks, Doctor Says

Surfing under the influence of drugs or alcohol are two of the prime dangers facing surfing enthusiasts, according to information presented today at the 56th Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine in Seattle. Other factors include wave height, board length and interactions among surfers. The most common surfing injuries involve lacerations, contusions and soft-tissue damage, said James MacDonald, M.D., a physician and lead author of the surfing study. Often, the culprit is a surfer"s own board, which, tethered by a leash to the wrist or ankle, recoils into the head or face after a fall. Eye injuries such as ruptured globe or orbital fractures are common. "The "cool factor" sort of mitigates against wearing helmets or ear plugs to protect against swimmer"s ear," MacDonald said. MacDonald cited the "cool factor" as also influencing choice of sun protection. While the most effective sunblocks contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, surfers may shun them and risk skin cancer from exposure to ultraviolet light. Surfers wearing wetsuits often exhibit a telltale sunburn pattern - what MacDonald calls "the surfer"s version of a farmer tan." The notion of a peaceful, harmonious surfer culture may be quaintly outdated, said MacDonald. "I was surprised at how much violence there can be in surfing culture. Some of the injuries I"ve seen have nothing to do with surfing-they"re fisticuffs. There"s no referee out in the water to break up fights." As popular surfing sites become crowded with novices and out-of-towners, veteran surfers may react to protect their "zones." MacDonald urged physicians new to treating surfers to keep in mind that it"s common to surf water ski or conduct other boating sports under the influence of alcohol, marijuana or other drugs. When the surfer is high, so is the risk of drowning. Injury rates tend to high among both the most experienced surfers and the least experienced, according to MacDonald. Large waves - five meters or more in height - tend to keep less experienced enthusiasts away. However, newer surfers often crowd together and, as in skiing, tend to fall off more often. Those with full-time jobs that cut into wave time may experience injuries relating to deconditioning, such as muscle strains, soft tissue damage and falls. "It"s the same way as in skiing you see people getting on the slopes at Thanksgiving and they"re deconditioned - they haven"t skied all year," MacDonald said. Board length also plays a role. "Short boards tend to attract a more aggressive surfing style," said MacDonald. Smaller and less buoyant, short boards affect paddling style as well as surfing style.Whereas the longer boards favored by older surfers can be paddled while kneeling, short boards are usually paddled while prone. This requires arching the back, which becomes more difficult with age. Whatever the risk or injury, said MacDonald, surfers feel compelled to get back to the sport. Surfers often ask him to close lacerations with a liquid adhesive rather than sutures, telling him, "I don"t care what kind of a scar I have, doctor - I just want to get back into the water." American College of Sports Medicine


Add your comment:
Name:
Site address: http://
Your message:
Enter today\\\\'s date, 2 digits
(spam protection):

© Copyright 2009