How will national health care reform affect my mental health coverage? Does this new law nullify the parity bill that was supposed to take effect in 2010?
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, but other types, including vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia, may also affect the elderly.
People with a mental health disorder often avoid seeking treatment for fear of being stigmatized. Researchers are considering this stigmatization in a sociological and moral context in order to advance the public’s understanding of mental illness.
A panel of experts has endorsed approval of a new “morning-after pill” that works longer than the ones now on the market. The panel voted June 17 to recommend approval of ellaOne, made by HRA Pharma. Canadian Press wrote about the vote. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is not required to follow its expert panels’ advice. However, it often does. Studies done by the drug maker showed that ellaOne prevents pregnancy when taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex. Plan B, an older brand, can be taken up to 3 days after sex. It is made by Teva Pharmaceuticals. Generic versions also are sold. In a study, 1,700 women received either ellaOne or Plan B between 3 and 5 days after sex. The risk of becoming pregnant was 1.8% of women who took ellaOne. It was 2.6% for those who took Plan B. Abortion opponents have criticized the makers of ellaOne.
There are several theories about why people with schizophrenia have a tendency to hear voices, but no consensus has emerged.
Both diabetes and high insulin levels may increase the risk of some cancers, experts say. This finding is part of a new report. It was sponsored by the American Cancer Society and the American Diabetes. The two groups recruited a panel of experts who looked at previous research. The panel found that people with diabetes have an increased risk of liver, pancreas, endometrial, colon/rectal, breast and bladder cancers. Prostate cancer risk may be below average. The reasons for all of these links are unclear. But there are potential reasons that would make biological sense, the lead author told HealthDay News. For example, insulin and similar proteins in the body can promote some cancers. Many people with type 2 diabetes have high levels of insulin in their bodies. Obesity and some other factors also increase the risk for both diabetes and cancer.
I read that President Obama had a virtual colonoscopy. Is this the colon cancer screening test that everybody should be getting instead of a regular colonoscopy? I thought it was kind of experimental.
Only about 2% of men over 40 develop symptoms related to low testosterone levels, a new study finds. This condition is called late-onset hypogonadism. Some people refer to it as “male menopause.” But there has been debate about whether male menopause even exists. This study is the first to link concrete symptoms with testosterone levels. The authors concluded that the syndrome is less common than people had thought. Researchers measured testosterone levels in 3,369 men, aged 40 to 79. They also asked them about symptoms. Three sexual symptoms were most likely to be linked to low testosterone. The symptoms were a reduction in morning erections, lower sex drive and impotence (erectile dysfunction). The authors said men should have all three of these symptoms and low testosterone to be diagnosed with late-onset hypogonadism. It is treated with hormone supplements.
A Mediterranean-type diet may improve heart function by one important measure, a study suggests. Researchers looked at data from a study of twins and heart disease. Men in the study answered questions about what they ate. They also wore portable electrocardiogram machines to measure heart rate variability. This is how much the time between beats varies in everyday life. A more varied heartbeat shows better heart function. Men who ate diets closer to the Mediterranean style had greater heart rate variability. Some of the 276 men in the study were identical twins, who have all the same genes. The other twins were fraternal, with fewer of the same genes. By comparing twins, researchers were able to tie heart rate differences to diet, not just genes. The journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes published the study online. HealthDay News wrote about it June 15.
Americans get more radiation from medical tests than people of any other country, the Associated Press (AP) reported June 14. The average person’s medical radiation dose has increased sixfold in the last two decades. And an increased amount of research shows that it’s too much, AP said. The biggest source is computed tomography (CT) scans — X-rays that give very detailed images. Just a few CT scans can deliver enough radiation to possibly increase cancer risk. No one keeps track of how much radiation each patient gets over time. But that may change. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is pushing industry and doctors to use standard radiation doses. It also may require record-keeping on dosage for each person. CT scans may be given too often for several reasons, AP said. They are a quick and accurate diagnosis tool.