Health | 100 Tips : juillet 2016

14 Celebrity Moms Get Real About Breastfeeding

Photo: Getty Images

In their breastfeeding selfies, celebrities always look so joyful and serene. But the reality, as always, is more complicated. Many famous moms deal with the same issues as non-famous nursing moms, from the logistics of round-the-clock pumping to the judgmental stares of strangers. Here’s what 14 stars have said about breastfeeding their little ones—the good, the bad, and the painful.

On nursing in public

“It took us a little back because people actually looked at us in a shameful [way], and we were like, ‘Oh my God,’ because it’s so not a sexual act. It didn’t matter to me what other people thought. That’s what I chose to do, but I think it’s unfortunate that people are so hard on women who choose to do it and do it in public. In the States and in our culture, we sexualize the breast so much that there’s an aspect of it that people just don’t know how to wrap their head around the idea of showing your breast in public. But I respect the opinions on both sides. If it’s not for you, don’t look.”
—Mila Kunis, Vanity Fair, July 2016

On not caring what anyone thinks

“The only time he cries is if he’s hungry. We all have nipples. I don’t care who I offend; my baby wants to eat. If I can’t get a cover over me quick enough, so be it.”
—Selma Blair, People, March 2012

On the joy of feeding your baby, however you do it

Instagram Photo

“#JamesKnight is now 8 months old! These are the moments a mother lives for. Breastfeeding should not be a taboo- and bottle feeding should not be judged-it’s ALL fun for the whole family:)”
—Jaime King, Instagram, June 2014

On the fact that nursing is not always easy

“I’m breast-feeding now so thats a really wonderful experience—challenging, but wonderful.”
—Hilary Duff, Us Weekly, April 2012

On the anxiety it can trigger

“Breastfeed if you can but don’t worry, [formula milk] Aptamil’s just as good. I mean, I loved it, all I wanted to do was breastfeed and then I couldn’t and then I felt like, ‘If I was in the jungle now back in the day, my kid would be dead because my milk’s gone.’ It’s not funny that’s how some of us think.”
—Adele, at a concert in London, 2016

On getting bitten

“As a new mom, I was determined to … nurse as long as possible, but when her teeth came in she started biting me. I talked to other moms, my doctor, and a lactation consultant in search of a solution, but nothing helped. I even tried hand-expressing my milk directly into her mouth, in a desperate hope that I could nurse without letting her little piranha teeth anywhere near me, but in the end, I decided it was time to wean.”
—Ali Landry, People, 2012

On the unfair stigma

Wait! I don't get it. No disrespect to Kim but… people are offended by my breastfeeding selfies & are fine with her (amazing) booty cover?

— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) November 12, 2014

“Wait! I don’t get it. No disrespect to Kim but… people are offended by my breastfeeding selfies & are fine with her (amazing) booty cover?
—Alyssa Milano, Twitter, November 2014

On the emotional aspect

“All I ever heard was everyone bitch about it—nobody ever said, ‘You are not going to believe how emotional this is.’”
—Jennifer Garner, Allure, 2007

On the realities of pumping

My new backstage beauty routine: #pumpit #pumppumpitup #CMTAwards @CMT http://pic.twitter.com/Z1nLFyrGeO

— Kristen Bell (@IMKristenBell) June 5, 2013

“My new backstage beauty routine: #pumpit #pumpumpitup”
—Kristen Bell, Twitter, June 2013

On the full-time commitment

“I’m, like, driving down the road, pumping.”
—Blake Lively, Allure, April 2015

On how tough it is to stop

“I was breast-feeding my son 13 months, and I plan to do the same with my daughter. [Nursing] is addictive. It’s hard when the day comes when you have to stop.”
—Penélope Cruz, Allure, December 2013

On feeling pressure to stop

“I think I stopped early because my sisters were like ‘OK, it’s time, it’s time. I did 14 months…. I miss it, I loved it.”
—Kourtney Kardashian, Today, 2011

On not setting a deadline

“I breastfeed and I’ll be breast-feeding until my son is finished and he weans.”
—Alanis Morissette, The Billy Bush Show, May 2012

On how normal nursing can feel

“Breast-feeding is the most natural thing. I don’t know, now it feels like Otis should always be on my breast.”
—Olivia Wilde, Glamour, September 2014

from Health News / Tips & Trends / Celebrity Health http://ift.tt/2ald50J

Why This Fitness Blogger Is Saying #ScrewTheScale

“Screw the scale,” reads the caption of fitness blogger Kelsey Wells’s viral Instagram post. Earlier this week the founder of My Sweat Life and avid practitioner of Kayla Itsines’s Bikini Body Guide (BBG) posted three side-by-side photos of her body at different weights to remind her 312,000 followers that the number on the scale doesn’t mean much.

The first photo was taken when Wells began the BBG program. “I was 8 weeks post partum and 145 lbs,” she says in the caption. In the second photo, she is down to 122 pounds, her original goal and the number at which she could fit into her “skinniest jeans.” In the third and most recent selfie (about 21 months after she took up the BBG program), Wells appears as sculpted as ever, with a defined core and toned arms. The kicker? She’s gained 18 pounds since she reached her goal weight.

“I have gone up two pant sizes and as a matter of fact I ripped those skinny jeans wide open just the other week trying to pull them up over my knees,” Wells explains in her caption. The blogger also notes that although there’s only a 5-pound difference between her starting weight and current weight, her body composition has changed completely. At 140 pounds, she has more muscle mass and less body fat than ever before.

Instagram Photo

The BBGer’s bottom line: Health is measured by strength, ability, and endurance—not a number. Wells writes, “Last week when I stepped on the scale, I say SCREW. YOU. And I think you should probably say the same to your scale too.” Mic drop.

from Health News / Tips & Trends / Celebrity Health http://ift.tt/2azOCK4

Full body resistance band workout

Give your whole body a strength and cardio workout in one with Ashley Azevedo's resistance band workout.

The workout

Circuit training simply means performing exercises back to back with little to no rest in between. Its elevator pitch is maximum perks in minimum time. Due to the fast-paced nature of circuit training, it elevates heart rate and couples cardio and strength training.

Even if you’re solely a weights girl, resistance bands are a great way to keep your body guessing and prevent plateaus. The resistance, reps and number of circuits can all be varied to meet your goals and fitness level.

What you need to do

Consider the list a sequence, not an a la carte menu. Perform a set (10 to 15 reps) of the first exercise and move immediately to the second exercise. Perform one set and move immediately to the third exercise and so on. Keep rests as short as possible. After you complete one full circuit, rest for about 60 seconds and start again. Available time and current fitness level will determine how many cycles you do, but aim for one to five.

(Fit tip: Don’t try to do too much too soon. It’s false economy.) Make sure you warm up the muscles you’ll use before any workout and cool down and stretch out afterwards to avoid injury and consult your doctor before starting any new training regimen.

Targets: Biceps, Delts

Perks: This compound movement allows multiple muscle groups to be worked with one exercise, making it time efficient and adding to the difficulty of your workout. Sculpt the arms with this two-in-one exercise.

Move: Stand with both feet on top of the band, about hip-width apart.

(Fit Tip: You can control how easy or hard the exercise is by where you stand on the band to create more or less tension.) Start with both arms straight and begin to curl the arms up and towards the chest. Keep your elbows locked at your side. Once you get to the top of your curl, rotate your arms outward and turn your hands so palms are facing away. Press straight up, pause at the top, lower back down and repeat.

Words and workout by Ashley Azevedo.

Photography by James Patrick.

Upright row

Targets: Delts, Biceps, Traps

Perks: sculpts shapely shoulders

Move: Stand with both feet on top of the band, about hip-width apart and criss-cross the bands in each hand to create an ‘X’. Start with your arms down, palms/handles on top of thighs and a slight bend in your elbows. Keep the handles close to your body and pull them straight up towards your chest. Come up until your arms are parallel with the floor, pause for a second at the top, lower back down, and repeat.

(Fit Tip: Be sure that your elbows do not come up higher than 90 degrees, as this puts added strain on the rotator cuff.)

Words and workout by Ashley Azevedo.

Photography by James Patrick.

Bent over row

Targets: Lats, Rear Delts, Erector Spinae

Perks: Builds a strong, toned back and reinforces proper hip flexion. The bent-over row requires flexion at the hips and not the waist. This is often a strange and difficult position to get into for a beginner, but with practice and constant form checks the position will become second nature. (Fit Tip: Try to work out next to a mirror so you can see your form with every rep and ensure that proper form is being used throughout the entire workout.)

Move: Keep the bands in the same position as the upright row, but hinge your upper body forward at the hips to about a 45-degree angle. Start with your arms hanging down. Keep your elbows tucked close to your body as you pull the band back towards your waist. Pause at the top, lower the arms back down and repeat.

Words and workout by Ashley Azevedo.

Photography by James Patrick.

Glute kick-back

Targets: Glutes, Hamstrings, Core

Perks: Tightens, strengthens and sculpts the backside.

Move: Starting on all fours, place the resistance band under one foot and hold one handle in each hand. Slowly kick back the foot that has the resistance band. Pause at the top and lower the leg back almost to starting position (but don’t drop the knee all the way back to the floor) and repeat.

Words and workout by Ashley Azevedo.

Photography by James Patrick.

Band squat

Targets: Quads, Hamstrings, Glutes, Core

Perks: Squats are a compound exercise (using multiple muscle groups) that sculpt the legs and help shape the butt.

Move: Stand on your band with your feet about hip-width apart. (Fit Tip: The width of your stance can vary; find what is most comfortable for you. A wide stance works best for some while others find hip-width most comfortable.) Keep your head and chest up as you lower into a squat position. Return to a standing position and repeat.

Words and workout by Ashley Azevedo.

Photography by James Patrick.

One arm overhead tricep extension

Targets: Triceps

Perks: Isolates, strengthens and tones the triceps (goodbye, wings!)

Move: You’ll only need to grab one handle for this exercise, so step on the band at your desired tension level and let the other handle just stay on the floor. Start with your handle arm straight up overhead. Slowly bend your elbow, bringing the handle down towards your head and your arm into a 90-degree angle. Push up to the start position, pause at the top and repeat the lowering movement.

Words and workout by Ashley Azevedo.

Photography by James Patrick.

Tricep pushdowns

Targets: Triceps

Perks: Allows you to isolate, strengthen and tone the triceps.

Move: Find something sturdy and stable to loop your band around and grab one handle in each hand. Keep a slight bend in your knees and start with your arms in a 90-degree angle. Keep your elbows at your side as you push the handle down until your arms are straight (but don’t lock your elbows). Your forearm should be the only part of your body moving with this exercise – make sure you keep the upper arm steady against your side. Pause for a second at the bottom and repeat.

Words and workout by Ashley Azevedo.

Photography by James Patrick.

Chest flys

Targets: Pecs

Perks: Strengthens and tones the chest muscles (and improves hugging technique)!

Move: Loop your band around a sturdy and stable object. Step one foot out in front of you and grab a handle in each hand, with your arms at chest level. Bring the bands forward so that your arms are straight (but don’t lock your elbows). Slowly return to the start position and repeat. The fly movement is similar to the movement you use when hugging someone.

Words and workout by Ashley Azevedo.

Photography by James Patrick.

Check out these top 14 exercises for toned arms.

from Fitness http://ift.tt/2aMLd6P

Resistance band bent over row

Focus on your back muscles with this bent over row workout.

Targets: Lats, Rear Delts, Erector Spinae

Perks: Builds a strong, toned back and reinforces proper hip flexion. The bent-over row requires flexion at the hips and not the waist. This is often a strange and difficult position to get into for a beginner, but with practice and constant form checks the position will become second nature. (Fit Tip: Try to work out next to a mirror so you can see your form with every rep and ensure that proper form is being used throughout the entire workout.)

Words and workout by Ashley Azevedo.

Photography by James Patrick.

Check out these top 14 exercises for toned arms.

{nomultithumb}

from Fitness http://ift.tt/2adK8q0

Resistance band upright row

Target your delts, biceps and traps with this upright row. All you need is a resistance band.

Perks: Sculpts shapely shoulders.

Move: Stand with both feet on top of the band, about hip-width apart and criss-cross the bands in each hand to create an ‘X’. Start with your arms down, palms/handles on top of thighs and a slight bend in your elbows. Keep the handles close to your body and pull them straight up towards your chest. Come up until your arms are parallel with the floor, pause for a second at the top, lower back down, and repeat.

(Fit Tip: Be sure that your elbows do not come up higher than 90 degrees, as this puts added strain on the rotator cuff.)

Words and workout by Ashley Azevedo.

Photography by James Patrick.

Check out these top 14 exercises for toned arms.

{nomultithumb}

from Fitness http://ift.tt/2adFHeR

Resistance band curl to press

Sculpt your biceps with this resistance band workout.

Targets: Biceps, Delts

Move: Stand with both feet on top of the band, about hip-width apart.

Words and workout by Ashley Azevedo.

Photography by James Patrick.

Check out these top 14 exercises for toned arms.

{nomultithumb}

from Fitness http://ift.tt/2adFNmx

Some Brain Cancer Patients Have Radiation Options: Study

By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, July 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For some brain cancer patients, pinpoint radiation of tumors, known as stereotactic radiosurgery, appears to do less damage to mental abilities than whole brain radiation, a new study finds.

Neither technique cures cancer that has spread to the brain, but both temporarily stop tumors from growing and equally extend survival, researchers said.

Stereotactic radiosurgery is nonsurgical radiation that precisely targets tumor areas. When just a few lesions exist, this directed type of radiation appears to provide a better quality of life by not altering short-term memory and thinking skills, the study found.

“We now have a better understanding of the toxicity of whole brain radiation, and we know that the toxicity of whole brain radiation is worse for patients than the recurrence of their cancer,” said lead researcher Dr. Paul Brown, from the department of radiation oncology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

“With the results of this trial, we expect that practice will change and we will be reserving whole brain radiation for later in the patient’s disease course — for salvage treatment or end-stage palliative care,” he said.

Almost one-third of cancer patients develop metastatic lesions — cancer that has spread — in the brain, according to background notes with the study.

Whole brain radiation therapy is effective at shrinking visible metastases and keeping microscopic tumor deposits from being able to grow, said Dr. Jonathan Knisely, chief of the radiosurgery and stereotactic program at Northwell Health in New Hyde Park, N.Y.

Stereotactic radiosurgery, on the other, is “directed only at the visible metastases,” he explained.

“This study confirms that when choosing between the competing strategies the best choice is radiosurgery, the treatment that does not give any significant radiation dose to normal brain cells,” Knisely said.

However, the patients in this study had just one to three lesions, and the results might not apply to other cases, cancer specialists said.

For the study, Brown and colleagues randomly assigned 213 patients, average age 61, to stereotactic radiosurgery alone or stereotactic radiosurgery plus whole brain radiation.

The researchers tested patients’ mental abilities at the start of the study and again three months after treatment. They also looked at quality of life, functional independence, long-term mental status and overall survival.

At three months, Brown’s team found that patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery alone had less mental decline than patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery and whole brain radiation. Also, those treated with stereotactic radiosurgery alone had a better quality of life, Brown said.

Moreover, no significant difference in independence was seen at three months between the two patient groups.

In addition, average survival for those treated with pinpoint radiation was 10 months versus seven months for those in the combination treatment group.

Among patients who survived 12 months or longer, those treated with pinpoint radiation also had less mental decline than those who received both treatments, the researchers found.

The report was published July 26 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

In the past, whole brain radiation was the only option, said Dr. Carey Anders, an assistant professor of medicine in the division of hematology and oncology at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

And even now, if a patient has many tumors or large tumors, whole brain radiation is still preferable, she said.

However, for a few small tumors, stereotactic radiosurgery may be the preferred choice “as long as a patient understands that their rate of progression may be higher without whole brain radiation, but it would not come at a cost of worse survival,” Anders said.

The decision comes down to the risks patients are willing to take at a very precarious time, said Anders, co-author of an accompanying journal editorial.

“I found some of my patients are very concerned about developing a new brain metastasis and would prefer to move forward with whole brain radiation therapy. I have other patients who are extremely concerned about the effect of whole brain radiation on their cognition and would prefer to avoid whole brain radiation therapy at all costs,” Anders said.

She welcomed the new results. “I think this study presents more solid guidance for patients concerned about cognitive function and allows them to make a decision that best meets their individual fears and needs,” she added.

More information

For more on brain cancer, visit the American Cancer Society.

from Health News / Tips & Trends / Celebrity Health http://ift.tt/2auULH1

FDA Bolsters Warnings About Class of Antibiotics

TUESDAY, July 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday that it’s strengthening label warnings on a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones because the drugs can lead to disabling side effects, including long-term nerve damage and ruptured tendons.

The agency also cautioned that these bacteria-fighting drugs — including levofloxacin (Levaquin) and ciprofloxacin (Cipro) — shouldn’t be prescribed for sinusitis, chronic bronchitis or simple urinary tract infections unless no other treatments options exist.

“Fluoroquinolones have risks and benefits that should be considered very carefully,” Dr. Edward Cox said in an FDA news release. He’s director of the Office of Antimicrobial Products at the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

“It’s important that both health care providers and patients are aware of both the risks and benefits of fluoroquinolones and make an informed decision about their use,” Cox said.

A safety review revealed that potentially permanent side effects involving tendons, muscles, joints, nerves and the central nervous system can occur hours or weeks after exposure to fluoroquinolone pills or injections. Also, two or more serious side effects can occur together, the FDA said.

Because of this, the FDA recommends reserving these antibiotics for serious bacterial infections, such as anthrax, plague and bacterial pneumonia.

In these cases, “the benefits of fluoroquinolones outweigh the risks and it is appropriate for them to remain available as a therapeutic option,” the agency said.

Besides Cipro and Levaquin, other fluoroquinolones include moxifloxacin (Avelox), ofloxacin (Floxin) and gemifloxacin (Factive).

The new labeling action will include an updated boxed warning and revisions to the Warnings and Precautions section of the label. Also, a medication guide that patients receive describes the safety issues tied to these drugs, the agency said.

The FDA has reported concerns about fluoroquinolones since 2008. At that time, it added a boxed warning because of increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture.

Almost three years later, the FDA warned that the drugs could worsen symptoms of the neuromuscular disease myasthenia gravis. The potential for serious nerve damage (irreversible peripheral neuropathy) was detailed in 2013.

Finally, last year an FDA advisory committee said uncomplicated sinus, urinary and bronchial infections should be treated with other options.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains how to treat a urinary tract infection.

from Health News / Tips & Trends / Celebrity Health http://ift.tt/2auUIef

2 in 10 Alzheimer’s Cases May Be Misdiagnosed

By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, July 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Alzheimer’s disease is often misdiagnosed, possibly causing undue stress for those who don’t have the disease but are told they do, and delays in treatment for others, two new studies reveal.

Although no cure or effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease exists, a correct diagnosis is essential because some drugs can delay its progress and help preserve quality of life for as long as possible. An early diagnosis also gives patients time to plan for their end-of-life care, experts say.

“There are drugs that are beneficial for at least a short amount of time that can be given at a very early stage and possibly boost memory,” said Dean Hartley, director of science initiatives, medical and scientific relations at the Alzheimer’s Association.

“Planning your care and finances is extremely important,” he said. “With a correct diagnosis people can also be put into a clinical trial to see if new drugs will work.”

The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is made based on symptoms. No blood test or imaging test is currently available to diagnose the disease with 100 percent accuracy, which is why misdiagnoses occur. In addition, Alzheimer’s is a much more complex disease than once thought, making a correct diagnosis even harder. However, progress is being made in finding better ways to diagnose the disease, Hartley said.

In the first study, a team of researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., led by Melissa Murray, found that men may be misdiagnosed more often.

One reason may be that men in the study seemed to develop Alzheimer’s at a younger age than women and had a more aggressive form of the disease. Men tended to develop Alzheimer’s in their 60s, while women developed it in their 70s, 80s and 90s, said Murray, an assistant professor of neuroscience.

Men also seemed to have Alzheimer’s in different areas of the brain than women. This may account for the misdiagnosis among men, because their symptoms can be different than those of women, Murray said. She said men’s symptoms may be behavioral, or there may be language difficulty or motor problems instead of the memory problems usually associated with Alzheimer’s.

“Age and sex interact,” Murray said.

This study included information from the State of Florida brain bank. The researchers examined more than 1,600 brains of people who had Alzheimer’s. The people had ranged in age from 37 to 102.

Diagnosis is important so people can take care of financial planning and end-of-life wishes, Murray suggested.

In the second study, researchers from the Keenan Research Center for Biomedical Science at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Canada, looked at inconsistencies between clinical and autopsy diagnoses in more than 1,000 people listed in the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center database.

“Even with all the latest diagnostic methods, the discrepancy between the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and the pathological diagnosis is about 20 percent,” said senior researcher adjunct scientist Dr. David Munoz.

Munoz and his colleagues found that 78 percent of the patients had a correct diagnosis in the clinic, which was later confirmed in an autopsy of the brain. However, nearly 11 percent of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in the clinic didn’t have the disease. And, another nearly 11 percent who weren’t diagnosed with Alzheimer’s actually had the disease.

Those falsely diagnosed with Alzheimer’s had other conditions that accounted for their symptoms, including Lewy body dementia, brain atrophy and other types of dementia, the researchers found.

People whose Alzheimer’s diagnosis was missed also may have had other types of dementia, such as Parkinson’s disease dementia, vascular dementia or Lewy body dementia, the study authors reported.

The results of both studies were scheduled for presentation July 26 at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, in Toronto. Findings from meetings are generally considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

More information

For more about Alzheimer’s disease, visit the Alzheimer’s Association.

from Health News / Tips & Trends / Celebrity Health http://ift.tt/2auUcgB

Roll Up Your Sleeves: Red Cross Says Blood Need ‘Urgent’

TUESDAY, July 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The American Red Cross says it has an urgent need for blood donations, with less than a five-day supply of blood on hand to help those who need it.

“The Red Cross continues to have an emergency need for blood and platelet donors to give now and help save patient lives,” Nick Gehrig, communications director for Red Cross Blood Services, said in a news release.

The organization noted it first alerted Americans to the need for blood and platelet donations back in early July. And while donation levels did rise, “a critical blood shortage remains,” the group said.

“At times, blood and platelets are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, which impacts the ability to rebuild the blood supply,” the Red Cross explained.

Right now, the national supply has dipped below the five-day level the Red Cross says it needs to make sure it’s ready for unforeseen emergencies.

“We are grateful for those who have already stepped up this summer to give and want to remind those who are eligible that hospital patients are still counting on them to roll up a sleeve,” Gehrig said.

All blood types are needed, and the Red Cross is even offering donors an incentive in this blood drive. All those who donate by Aug. 31 will receive a $5 Amazon gift card claim code, emailed to them after their donation.

To schedule an appointment to donate, head to redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Donated blood can save lives. Just ask Ray Poulin, whose liver and kidneys failed after a severe blood infection. Given only a one in 10 chance of survival, he received 77 units of blood — and lived.

“There was a lot that went into saving my life, but if the blood wasn’t available when I needed it, I wouldn’t be here today,” Poulin said in the Red Cross news release.

More information

Find a donation center near you at the American Red Cross.

from Health News / Tips & Trends / Celebrity Health http://ift.tt/2aI0KF8

Does Dementia Diagnosis Have Silver Lining for Some?

TUESDAY, July 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Is it possible that a diagnosis as devastating as dementia could have some positive effects?

Yes, a small study suggests.

Researchers asked 48 people with early dementia or mild cognitive impairment to complete a questionnaire that measured their quality of life and personal outlook after getting their diagnosis.

The “Silver Lining Questionnaire” was designed to measure how much patients believe their illness has a positive impact in areas such as: relationships, appreciation for life, positive influence on others, inner strength and life philosophy.

The questionnaire has been used before with cancer patients. But, this was the first time it was used with dementia/mild cognitive impairment patients, the researchers said.

“The overall assumption is that this diagnosis would have a uniformly negative impact on a patient’s outlook on life, but we were surprised to find that almost half of respondents reported positive scores,” said study author Dr. Gregory Jicha, a professor at the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging at the University of Kentucky.

The patients in the study had high scores on areas such as: appreciation and acceptance of life; less concern about failure; self-reflection, tolerance of others, and courage to face problems in life; stronger relationships and new opportunities to meet people.

“The common stereotype for this type of diagnosis is depression, denial and despair,” Jicha said in a university news release.

“However, this study — while small — suggests that positive changes in attitude are as common as negative ones,” he said.

The study was to be presented Monday at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Toronto. Findings presented at meetings are generally viewed as preliminary until they’ve been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

The next phase in this research is to determine the factors that led some dementia patients to see the positive in their diagnosis. That information can likely be used to help other patients, the researchers said.

More information

The Alzheimer’s Association has more on dementia.

from Health News / Tips & Trends / Celebrity Health http://ift.tt/29XrnIS

Flu Shot Tied to Fewer Hospitalizations, Deaths in Type 2 Diabetes Patients

TUESDAY, July 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The seasonal flu vaccine may offer people with type 2 diabetes some protection against dying prematurely, a new study suggests.

The flu shot also appeared to protect those with type 2 diabetes from hospitalizations for stroke, as well as heart and breathing problems, the study said.

British researchers looked at a large group — more than 124,500 people — with type 2 diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes normally have a higher risk of cardiovascular problems, the researchers noted.

During the seven-year study, the researchers found that flu vaccination was associated with a 19 percent reduction in flu-season hospital admissions for heart attack in people with type 2 diabetes.

Hospital admissions for stroke were 30 percent lower for those who got a flu vaccination. Admissions were also down 22 percent for heart failure, and 15 percent for pneumonia or influenza in people with type 2 diabetes who got the flu shot.

The death rate among those who received a flu shot was 24 percent lower than in those who weren’t vaccinated, the research said.

The study wasn’t designed to prove a cause-and-effect link between the flu shot and the reduction in death and hospital admissions. However, the study did show a strong connection between those factors.

The results show “that people with type 2 diabetes may derive substantial benefits from current vaccines, including protection against hospital admission for some major cardiovascular outcomes,” wrote study researcher Dr. Eszter Vamos, from Imperial College London, and colleagues.

“These findings underline the importance of influenza vaccination as part of comprehensive secondary prevention in this high-risk population,” the researchers said.

The study was published July 25 in CMAJ.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on type 2 diabetes and the flu.

from Health News / Tips & Trends / Celebrity Health http://ift.tt/2acn9vE

‘Heat Dome’ Not Budging Until Week’s End

TUESDAY, July 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The massive “heat dome” that has blanketed the eastern United States with oppressive heat and humidity for days will not be budging before the end of the week, weather forecasters said Tuesday.

“With no strong pushes of cool air from Canada on the horizon, people from the mid-Atlantic to the Deep South can expect virtually no relief from the high heat and humidity,” said AccuWeather meteorologist Kyle Elliott.

The Pacific Northwest will not be spared soaring temperatures either, as dangerous heat barrels northward from the Southwest. The core of that heat had covered the southwestern part of the country for much of July, but it will shift toward the states of Washington and Oregon this week, according to AccuWeather.

Later this week, temperatures will be 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit above average in cities like Seattle and Portland, and 100 degrees Fahrenheit is a distinct possibility in some areas of the Northwest, the weather service added.

In light of the lingering heat over much of the country, experts offered these tips on how to stay cool, and healthy, in the sweltering weather.

“The heat can be dangerous for your heart. Be careful during this time,” said Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, director of women’s heart health at Lenox Hill Hospital, in New York City. “Make sure you stay hydrated and drink enough water. Stay in the shade or indoors with air conditioning if possible.”

She added, “Take [the heat wave] seriously. Dehydration can be a critical issue for not only your heart, but can affect your whole body.”

One expert noted that certain groups are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses.

“Some people at especially high risk for heat injury include those under 2 and over 65, as well as those with chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and emphysema [COPD],” said Dr. Michael Grosso, medical director at Northwell Health’s Huntington Hospital, in Huntington, N.Y.

In this kind of hot weather, drink water regularly, and before you actually feel thirsty, he stressed. Wearing light, loose-fitting clothing also helps, as well as pacing your activity during the day.

Grosso also suggested people avoid cooking in their homes and that they take cool baths or showers if they get overheated.

Another expert noted that heat-related illnesses are more common than many think.

“Although preventable, many heat-related illnesses, including deaths, occur annually. Older adults, infants and children, and people with chronic medical conditions are particularly susceptible,” said Dr. Barry Rosenthal. He is chair of the department of emergency medicine at Winthrop-University Hospital, in Mineola, N.Y.

“However, even young and healthy individuals can succumb to the heat if one does not take appropriate precautions,” he added.

Rosenthal outlined how to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses during hot weather. One of the best ways is to be in an air-conditioned building. If your home doesn’t have air conditioning, go to a cooling center or an air-conditioned public place such as a library or shopping mall.

Also, ask your doctor or pharmacist if any medications you’re taking increase your risk of heat-related illness. For example, diuretics (water pills) can pose a risk during hot weather. If you’re taking a medication that raises the risk of heat-related problems, ask your doctor if there are additional steps you need to take to reduce the risk.

If possible, limit strenuous outdoor activity and exercise to early morning or evening, when temperatures are lower. Monitor local news and weather channels or contact your local public health department during extreme heat for health and safety updates.

Check on people who are at increased risk for heat-related illnesses, such as elderly loved ones and neighbors.

“At first signs of heat illness — dizziness, nausea, headaches, muscle cramps — move to a cooler place, rest a few minutes, then slowly drink a cool beverage. Seek medical attention immediately if conditions do not improve,” Rosenthal said.

More information

Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more on the dangers of extreme heat.

from Health News / Tips & Trends / Celebrity Health http://ift.tt/2acmOc4

U.S. Panel Says Evidence ‘Insufficient’ to Recommend Skin Cancer Screenings

By Dennis Thompson
HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, July 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — There currently isn’t enough scientific proof to recommend regular full-body exams for skin cancer as a means of preventing deaths from these cancers, a leading panel of U.S. preventive health experts has concluded.

An updated evidence review found scant evidence on either the benefits or harms of a health care professional performing a skin exam as part of a patient’s regular check-up, said Dr. David Grossman. He is vice-chairperson of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).

“We don’t know if taking the extra time to examine every inch of someone’s skin actually does yield benefit or causes no harm,” Grossman said.

Despite this, people should regularly check their own bodies for signs of skin cancer, and report anything unusual to their doctor, he added.

“Someone who’s got a mole they’re worried about because it’s growing and changing colors, they’re not a part of this recommendation,” Grossman explained.

More than 5 million basal and squamous cell skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the United States. It’s estimated that around 2,000 people die due to these cancers annually, the American Cancer Society (ACS) says.

Melanoma skin cancer occurs far less often, but is much deadlier. More than 76,000 new melanomas are expected to be diagnosed in 2016. Approximately 10,000 people will die from melanoma in 2016, the ACS says.

The new report doesn’t change the task force’s prior statement on skin cancer screening issued in 2009. That report said the evidence was inconclusive as well.

This latest update is “an explicit call for more evidence,” Grossman said. “We’re pretty clear on what it would take to move this” to a recommendation in favor of regular skin exams.

But, not everyone agrees that the evidence is so meager.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) said its own skin cancer screening program — in place for 30 years — has resulted in detection of more than 255,000 suspected skin cancer lesions and 28,500 melanomas out of more than 2.5 million screenings.

“We know that screenings, which are noninvasive, quick and painless, are the best tool possible to detect skin cancer early when it is most treatable,” AAD President Dr. Abel Torres said in a prepared statement.

Torres added that the AAD “is disappointed with this recommendation, as dermatologists know that skin cancer screenings can save lives.”

In an accompanying editorial, dermatologist Dr. Martin Weinstock argued that “insufficient evidence of benefit” doesn’t mean the same thing as “evidence of no benefit.”

The largest benefit of regular skin exams would be catching a melanoma before it became invasive, Weinstock said. He’s a professor of dermatology and epidemiology with Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School in Providence, R.I.

“The worst risk would be unnecessary biopsies that could lead to scarring of a person’s skin and greater health care costs,” he explained.

“Really, the potential harms aren’t great, and the potential benefit is that you could save some lives,” Weinstock said.

Grossman said very little new research has surfaced on either the benefits or the harms of screening for skin cancer during the past seven years.

The largest recent study involved more than 360,000 people in northern Germany who received regular skin screening as well as education on sun protection, Grossman said. That study showed a nearly 50 percent decline in death rates from melanoma in men, and improved melanoma death rates compared with other nearby regions.

But the study design makes it impossible to tell what actually caused the benefits. “It’s unclear whether the drop they saw in mortality is related to the screening or to improved behavioral response, with people using skin protection,” Grossman said.

In addition, the melanoma death rate subsequently jumped back up. “That rate wasn’t sustained over time,” he said.

“If we saw a number of studies like this and they all were consistent and sustained, we would consider such evidence,” Grossman concluded. “But this one had so many limitations and was only a single study, so it wasn’t sufficient.”

The USPSTF is an independent, volunteer panel of national experts who regularly review the scientific evidence and make recommendations regarding health screening procedures and preventive medicine.

The Affordable Care Act has placed tremendous value on the task force’s opinion, as insurance companies are required to provide — free of cost — any screening that the USPSTF recommends, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

A recommendation for skin cancer screening would place tremendous pressure on health care providers across the nation to make sure properly trained professionals are available to provide the service, Weinstock said.

“If something is recommended by the task force, it becomes incumbent upon organizations providing health care to keep tabs on whether they are making the services available to their patients,” he said.

“I’m disappointed that we have 10,000 Americans dying every year from melanoma, and that if they were getting screened by appropriately trained people, I think that number would be much less,” Weinstock added.

The task force’s updated evidence review and statement on skin cancer screening appears in the July 26 Journal of the American Medical Association.

More information

For more on melanoma, visit the American Cancer Society.

from Health News / Tips & Trends / Celebrity Health http://ift.tt/2acmJoY

Teasing Out Where the Tokers Live

TUESDAY, July 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Whether you smoke pot might depend on what part of the United States you live in, a new survey suggests.

Marijuana use by Americans is highest in the West and lowest in the South, according to a federal government report that also examined people’s beliefs about the risk of harms associated with the drug.

Among people 12 and older, rates of marijuana use in the past month were close to 10 percent in the West and slightly over 6 percent in the South, according to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

People in the West were least likely (over 25 percent) to believe that monthly marijuana use poses significant risk, while people in the South were the most likely (over 32 percent) to believe it.

Even among states, there were significant differences in marijuana use and whether people believed regular pot use was risky.

For example, current marijuana use ranged from a low of almost 4 percent in one region in the southernmost part of Texas to a high of 16 percent in San Francisco.

Rates of concern about the risks of regular marijuana use ranged from a high of just over 49 percent in Miami-Dade County and Monroe County in Florida to a low of about 14 percent in Ward 3 of the District of Columbia.

Recreational use of marijuana is legal in Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington state and the District of Columbia, while medical marijuana is legal in 20 other states.

“This report provides a very detailed understanding of marijuana use and perception patterns in communities across the nation,” said Fran Harding, director of SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.

“This information can help public health officials and others better gauge the marijuana-related prevention and treatment needs in their communities and fine-tune their programs and services to best address them,” Harding said in an agency news release.

More information

The U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse has more about marijuana.

from Health News / Tips & Trends / Celebrity Health http://ift.tt/2a8AasU

Pages

barre

On nursing in public

On not caring what anyone thinks

On the joy of feeding your baby, however you do it

On the fact that nursing is not always easy

On the anxiety it can trigger

On getting bitten

On the unfair stigma

On the emotional aspect

On the realities of pumping

On the full-time commitment

On how tough it is to stop

On feeling pressure to stop

On not setting a deadline

On how normal nursing can feel