Doctor groups say to do 45 common tests, procedures less often

Doctors should perform 45 common tests and procedures less often, a group of nine medical specialty boards recommended today. The move will "likely alter treatment standards in hospitals and doctors' offices nationwide," reports Roni Caryn Rabin for The New York Times.

"Overuse is one of the most serious crises in American medicine," said Dr. Lawrence Smith, physician-in-chief at North Shore-LIJ Health System and dean of the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, who was not involved in the effort. "Many people have thought that the organizations most resistant to this idea would be the specialty organizations, so this is a very powerful message."

Some estimates show unnecessary treatment accounts for one-third of medical spending in the United States.

The American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation is advising against physicians testing with EKGs during a physical when there is no sign of heart trouble; MRIs ordered whenever a patient has back pain; and antibiotics for mild sinusitis. "The American College of Cardiology is urging heart specialists not to perform routine stress cardiac imaging in asymptomatic patients, and the American College of Radiology is telling radiologists not to run imaging scans on patients suffering from simple headaches. The American Gastroenterological Association is urging its physicians to prescribe the lowest doses of medication needed to control acid reflux disease," Rabin reports.

Oncologists will also be urged to reduce the number of scans for patients with early stage breast cancer and prostate cancers that aren't likely to spread.

Some specialists are cautious, however. "These all sound reasonable, but don't forget that every person you're looking after is unique," said Dr. Eric Topol, chief academic officer of Scripps Health. "This kind of one-size-fits-all approach can be a real detriment to good care."

Others applauded the effort. "It's courageous that these societies are stepping up," said Dr. John Santa, director of the health ratings center of Consumer Reports. "I am a primary care internist myself, and I'm anticipating running into some of my colleagues who will say, 'Y'know, John, we all know we've done EKGs that weren't necessary and bone density tests that weren't necessary, but, you know, that was a little bit of extra money for us.'" (Read more)

This is Child Abuse Awareness Month; tips for prevention

April is child abuse awareness month, and the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services is reminding Kentuckians that it's the law to report suspected child abuse or neglect.

"Protecting our children should be everyone's number one priority, and during the month of April, we are raising awareness about the warning signs of child abuse and how to report it," Gov. Steve Beshear said. "The cabinet works year round to educate our families and investigate every aspect of abuse. Together, we can make Kentucky a safer place for all our children."

To report child abuse, Kentuckians should call 800-KYSAFE1. Calls are anonymous. If the report meets the criteria for abuse, an investigation is conducted within 24 hours in most cases or, if the child is suspected to be in immediate danger, they are conducted within the hour.

Callers should try to know the child's name, approximate age, address, parents' names and location of the child when the call is made. They should also have names and phone numbers of other people who have information about the suspected abuse.

The ultimate goal is to reunite families when circumstances improve. "We want children to return home to a stronger, safer family," said Jim Grace, assistant director of the Department for Community Based Services' Division of Protection and Permanency.

The cabinet's handling of child abuse investigations and its reluctance to release records pertaining to child abuse deaths and near deaths has been a hot-button issue in the past year. The Courier-Journal and Lexington Herald-Leader both sued the cabinet for refusing to turn over records and a judge twice ruled the cabinet was wrong not to do so. Since, it has released hundreds of pages of records, but has chosen to redact, or omit, some of the information therein. In January, Beshear acknowledged the cabinet had been accused of "operating under a veil of secrecy in a supposed attempt to protect inept workers and a poorly designed system."  Legislators have since heard hours of arguments about the issue, and a bill that would create an external panel to review child abuse cases involving fatalities and near-fatalities, while imposing more secrecy, is one of the few measures that could pass the General Assembly when it re-convenes for one day next Thursday to end its legislative session.

In its effort to increase awareness about child abuse, the cabinet offered strategies for parents to prevent abuse, including:

• never discipling a child when a parent's anger is out of control

• never leaving a child unattended, especially in a car

• learning the signs of physical abuse, nothing bruises, cuts, burns or other injuries a child can't explain

• teaching children the difference between "good touches," "bad touches" and "confusing touches"

• listening to a child when he or she doesn't want to go with something

• noting a change in a child's behavior or attitude

• teaching children what if he or she gets lost

• teaching children the correct name for private body parts

• being alert for talk that indicates premature sexual understanding

• paying attention when someone shows an unusual interest in a child

• making sure a child's school or daycare will only release him or her to a designated person
(Read more)

Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead

You can watch this film Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead free. It is very inspirational.
 

http://www.hulu.com/watch/289122/fat-sick-and-nearly-dead

Do You Suffer from Stress, Insomnia, Depression or Excess Weight?

Are You Looking for Ways to Change? We have a simple program that is as natural as laying back and closing your eyes.



Simply put, visualization is the process of forming mental images; it is the primary component of the imagination.

Visualization is at the core of the human ability to create, innovate and dream.

Many of history's inventors and artists attribute their success to an exceptional ability to visualize. Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, Henry Ford, and the great composer, Chopin all reported using creative visualization to spark their imaginations. Additionally, Albert Einstein once said he came up with the theory of relativity by imagining what would happen if he could travel through space on the tip of a light beam.

Creative visualization can transport you out of a state of stress or fear, and into a new space of inner calm, peace and tranquility. Additionally, a natural byproduct of creative visualization occurs when the body goes loose and limp, creating the relaxation response - the perfect state for learning and focusing on goals.

Mind/Body Support

Visualization has long been the primary tool for mind/body support. From a scientific perspective, we know, that because visualization directly impacts the body's neurological system, it can have a direct influence on us physically.

Try this for an example: Imagine I have just handed you a large, yellow, juice-filled lemon. You slice the lemon into quarters and bring one of the quarters to your mouth and bite into it . . . what happened? Did your mouth begin to pucker? Did it fill with saliva? This is a naturally occurring neurological response to an imagined thought.

Have you ever watched a horror film, and, in the midst of the excitement, found your palms sweating and your heart pounding? You knew it was "just a movie," right?

If your mind can cause this kind of impact on your body, is there any reason it can't relax your muscles, overpower nicotine, stimulate your metabolism, or even do away with chronic pain?

Why Use Creative Visualization and Guided Relaxation Together?

We all have an inner critic, a part of our mind which, based on past experience, rejects unfamiliar information without proper evaluation. This is known as the critical factor. Studies show that relaxation techniques subdue this critical factor, making you receptive to new ideas. Even though it may seem counterintuitive to "let go in order to gain control," this is exactly what happens during the relaxation response.

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CVR Provides the Missing Link to Wellness

Recent research shows excessive stress can suppress the immune system. Therefore, it's vital to incorporate a program of stress reduction and relaxation into your everyday routine. By reducing anxiety and stress, and increasing relaxation, you can boost your immune system and use your own unlimited resources to improve your life.

But don't think CVR is only a nice, relaxing daydream. People who regularly relax with CVR processes enjoy a number of side-benefits. These may include:

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