Cord Blood Storage

Often times in the health field we hear about all the horrible things that people go through. But what about the miracles? Recently a 2-year old girl who had suffered a stroke in utero and had cerebral palsy received a stem cell re-infusion from her cord blood that was stored at birth. Her symptoms improved within days.

The mother saved the umbilical cord blood after birth and doctors were able to use the stem cells to reverse the child’s symptoms. Cord blood is easy and painless to collect. After birth a syringe is used to collect the cord blood which is then packaged and sent to a designated blood bank.

Currently research is being done to see the effects of cord cells on brain injuries, type 1 diabetes, neurology and cardiology. By re-infusing a child with their stem cells or cord blood some of the symptoms may disappear or the disease itself. With research still continuing the results are unknown.

Research can often times be controversial. When it produces amazing results like this, it makes you think twice about storing cord blood for future use. Especially with increasing technology we never know what it may be used for in the future.

Source: Fox News

 

Preventing Chronic Diseases – Staying Out of the Hospital

 

We all know that the way to stay healthy and happy is through proper diet and exercise. But continuing these health habits can prevent chronic diseases and keep you out of the hospital. Chronic diseases are incredibly debilitating and account for 70% of all deaths in the United States. These diseases can include heart disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, obesity, stroke, and many more. Where as these diseases used to been seen among the elderly they are now being seen in younger and younger populations. So what can you do to keep yourself healthy and out of the hospital?

The basic answers to preventing chronic diseases are ones we have all heard before. Exercise, proper diet, no tobacco, limit alcohol, and keep a healthy weight. But implementing these things into our lives can be difficult. On March 19^th the Department of Health and Human Services announced that $372.8 million will be given, in the form of grants, to 44 different communities across the country. Among these communities 23 are receiving money for obesity prevention, 14 for tobacco prevention, and 7 for both obesity and tobacco prevention.

I believe that through simple and small programs in our communities or homes we can combat chronic disease. We can also decrease our hospital visits and stays as we become a healthier nation.

Sources: Center for Disease Control and Prevention

 

Pre-Pregnancy Health

For women who are even considering having children in the next couple years it is important to be at a healthy state leading up to this event. In order to have a healthy pregnancy a woman needs to be leading a healthy life style. By the time you become pregnant it is too late to make a difference in your health and the habits you have formed. So what healthy habits do you need to have for a healthy pregnancy? There are five guidelines the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has given to boost your health before you become pregnant.

1. Take 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid every day if you are planning or capable of pregnancy to lower your risk of some birth defects of the brain and spine, including spina bifida.
2. Stop smoking and drinking alcohol
3. If you have a medical condition, be sure it is under control. Some conditions that can affect pregnancy or be affected by it including asthma, diabetes, oral health, obesity, or epilepsy.
4. Talk to your doctor about any over-the-counter and prescription medicines you are using. These include dietary or herbal supplements. Be sure you vaccines are up to date
5. Avoid contact with toxic substances or materials that could cause infection at work and at home. Stay away from chemicals and cat or rodent feces.

These are guidelines women should follow leading up to pregnancy. Consulting with your doctor, getting tested for sexually transmitted infections, and genetic counseling are all important factors as well. Preparation for having a child starts months or even years before you actually become pregnant.

Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services – Healthy Pregnancy

 

Vaccines…Why the Worry?

In a day and age where vaccinations for many harmful diseases are available why are so many people unwilling to take the time to go get them? It’s not just about mothers who worry about their child getting autism through vaccines, but older adults who simply do not take the time to follow CDC recommendations. Although many of these diseases may not be deadly, they can cause negative health effects for the rest of your life.

In 2007 the vaccination was produced to protect women against human papilloma virus (HPV) which is a known cause of cervical cancer. Yet only 11% of women in the U.S. received the first dose, while only 6% received all three doses.  There was a public outcry of mothers not wanting their daughters to receive the vaccine because they thought it would promote sexual promiscuity. Why would you not protect your daughter against such a horrible disease?

In the 2007-2008 year only 35% of young adults took advantage of the seasonal flu vaccine.

I think there may a general lack of understanding when it comes to vaccines. People think that they will be fine even if they do contract an illness or disease and recover quickly. I just don’t understand why people would put themselves through unnecessary illness when we have the technology and means to prevent it.

 

Sources: CDC Vaccines & Immunizations

 

What Does the New Health Care Bill Mean for You?

With the passing of a new health care bill many people are thinking, how will this affect me? We have all heard some great things and not-so-great things about the new bill and some people are worried about how it will affect our nation. First of all, this $938 billion initiative will be paid for by an increased Medicare tax of the wealthier in the country (those with an income of $200,000 or more) who will also be taxed on their unearned income. Those in the low and high income brackets will be most affected; those in the middle class may not see much change.

Effective immediately insurance companies cannot deny children health coverage due to a pre-existing condition. This will be expanded to include all adults by 2014. Insurance companies will also no longer be able to kick someone off of their services if they get sick. By 2014 it will also become mandatory for all Americans to have health insurance or they will subject to a fine, only those in the low-income bracket will be exempt from this. It will also be required for any company with over 50 employees to provide a health care option to their workers.

What will affect us college students the most? Children cannot be kicked off of their parents insurance until age 26. Insurance must also cover preventative care (vaccines and other procedures).

This plan has some good along with the bad. The initiative to provide all Americans with health insurance is a huge step forward. But how will this affect private practices, doctors, and families with increased taxes. I guess all we can do is wait and be optimistic about the outcome.   

 

Electronic Health Records – Good or Bad?

One of the top debates in the health care world has been on electronic health records. The Obama administration plans to spend about $19 billion in switching the nation over to electronic health records (EHR). While the benefits of these records sound great some people are worried about privacy issues as well as IT support that will keep these records effective.

Electronic health records keep all patient information in one location, so a doctor would get a full and comprehensive patient history instead of just bits and pieces. It can lead to more effective diagnoses and better understanding on the doctor’s end. Electronic records will also get rid of the notorious hard-to-read doctor handwriting and allow for a simpler way to deal with health records. Over the yeas paper health records have been hard to deal with. Here are a few shocking statistics regarding paper health records:

-         3 of ever 10 tests are recorded because results cannot be found

-         Patient charts cannot be found during 30% of visits

-         86% of mistakes made in healthcare are administrative

      Statistics by Reaping the Benefits of an Electronic Health Records System

Electronic health records can reduce costs, improve patient care, and improved compliance. So with all these benefits what is holding the U.S. back from instituting electronic health records? Like I said before, privacy issues and the lack of a nationwide compliance is making is hard to get off the ground. About 8% of hospitals have started using electronic health records, not nearly enough to start getting the American public to participate. HIPPA is also working on privacy acts that will keep patient records safe.

So what is your opinion of electronic health records? Me? I am all for it. I think it is a great way to cut costs and give patients better comprehensive care. It also gives doctors all the information, whether the patient can remember or not.

Sources:

Some Caveats About Keeping Your Own Electronic Health Records

Most Doctor’s Aren’t Using Electronic Health Records

 

New Test to Determine Smokers’ Lung Cancer

An atricle published by CNN earlier this week highlights a study done where 500 smokers were monitered for carcinogens and nicotine in their urine. An association was found between a certain carcinogen in the urine and lung cancer. The article stated, “This carcinogen is known as NNK. It releases into your body when you inhale smoke, quickly passes through the liver, gets metabolized and releases NNAL, a byproduct of NNK, into the bloodstream”. How much a person smokes a day, the type of cigarette, and how deeply they inhale are all factors for levels of NNAL. “Researchers say a person with high levels of NNAL and high levels of nicotine (equivalent to smoking about a pack of cigarettes a day) is 8.5 times more likely to develop lung cancer compared with a smoker with lower levels”. So the more a person smokes the higher levels of NNAL will be present in the body.

The discovery of this carcinogen may result in the early detection or let people know if they are at high/low risk of developing smokers lung cancer. Health professionals still advise smokers to quit for the best health results. Although this may increase early detection, smokers are still at risk for many other health complications including cancers (other than lung cancer). This is not a fool proof test. People with lower levels of NNAL may still develop lung cancer.

In a time where different health technologies are booming, it is still important to remember the basics in staying healthy. If we stay true to the basics, we can prevent a lot of illness and disease in our lives!

CNN: Simple Test May Determine Smokers’ Lung Cancer

 

Healthy-Imagination

Chances are that if you have been watching the 2010 Olympics games, you have seen a commercial for GE’s latest health technologies advancements. This also leads you to their website www.healthmagination.com where you can explore and discuss the latest in the health world.

These commercials have shown some of latest and greatest in health technology. One item in particular that caught my eye is called the Vscan; a hand held ultrasound device that can lead to more mobility for doctors. Instead of waiting to use a machine or haul all of the parts around on a cart, this device allows for more freedom and movement for doctors. More importantly, this device can come in handy in disasters or in developing countries where regular machines are not available. GE has worked towards these new technology innovations to allow more people to receive better care. With this new device I can’t help but believe that we are on the right track to providing better care to those all over the world.

 

For more information as well as ideas and tips on health I would urge readers to explore www.healthymagination.com . It offers great health material, projects, studies, and new technologies.

 

Keeping Yourself Safe Against Hospital Acquired Infections

We go into hospitals to receive treatment to an illness or disease, but those who receive invasive surgery are at risk for several different hospital acquired infections. Hospital acquired infections affect people in these proportions as given by the CDC:

32% – urinary tract infections

22% – surgical site infections

15% – pneumonia or lung infections

14% bloodstream infections

It is estimated that there are about 1.7 million hospital acquired infections and 99,000 associated deaths a year. These rates are astonishing considering that we view the hospital as a safe and clean place to receive treatment. Many of the infectious bacteria are commonly found in everyday life and can even be present on the body; such as staph aureus and E. coli. But how can we prevent these simple infections from hurting people and claiming lives?

There are specific regulation within hospitals for surgeons, doctors, nurses, and other personnel to keep patients safe. These regulations involve hand washing, sterilizing, and washing standards. There are however, new studies that show a decrease in hospital acquired infections by bathing the patient in an antiseptic bath and the use of antiseptic nasal spray. These measures will decrease the number of surgical site infections by protecting the patient from the bacteria on their own body. Researchers tested the new antiseptic and found that it cut surgical site infections by 40%, as opposed to regular iodine use. These measures are already being used in the Netherlands where the nasal spray and antiseptic baths have reduced surgical site infections by 60%. 

Even with these advancements in keeping hospital acquired infections to a minimum, patients can help by taking proper sanitary actions themselves. These include regular hand washing of anyone in the room, keeping dirty objects off of the bed (especially slippers), make sure the room looks clean, and keep clutter to a minimum.

USA Today Article: Antiseptic Bath For Surgery Patients Could Curb Infections

Hospital Stay? Tips for Keeping Your Room Clean and Healthy

 

Health Care Around the World

The U.S. has been buzzing with news about health care reform and insuring all Americans. But what do other countries have to offer? Can we benefit from looking at other insurance schemes around the world? A PBS Frontline special takes a look at 5 different countries around the world and what they have to offer their citizens. Here is a look at two of these countries:

Great Britain: Philosophy that no one should ever pay a medical bill. The system covers everybody and health coverage is paid for out of tax revenue. This means that the people have to pay higher taxes to cover health care expenses. However, hospitals and medical personnel are government employees. Hospitals also must compete against each other for more government funding. Elective care is hard to procure because of the set up, a knee or hip replacement waiting list can be months.

Japan: Covers everybody and spends half of what we do in the United States. There is social insurance, meaning everyone has health care through employment or the community. The government helps pay for those who cannot afford insurance themselves. The Japanese Health Ministry uses fixed prices for medical needs (all MRI’s will cost $98). Doctors can only charge what official book says which results in fair pricing, but doctors do not get paid much. Because of the low prices of medical costs 50% of hospitals are now in financial deficit.

So how are these two countries with higher life expectancies spending less money per capita? This data shows that the U.S. can possible learn from health care systems around the world. We do not have to implement a whole new system, but maybe by taking parts and pieces of these other systems we may be able to come up with our own that will benefit us to the fullest extent.

http://ucatlas.ucsc.edu/spend.php

To see the full Frontline video please click here.