health
Make a list and check it twice
Want your hospital stay to be mistake-free? A new book suggests that a variety of checklists can go a long way toward avoiding errors during hospitalization.
Need a quick caffeine buzz? Just take a deep breath.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Move over, coffee and Red Bull. A Harvard professor sees the next big thing: Inhaling caffeine from a lipstick-size tube. The product, called AeroShot, went on the market late last month in Massachusetts and New York. It’s also available in France. A …
Lies your doctor may be telling you
WASHINGTON — Trust your doctor? A survey finds that some doctors aren’t always completely honest with their patients. More than half admitted describing someone’s prognosis in a way they knew was too rosy. Nearly 20 percent said they hadn’t fully disclosed a medical mistake for …
What breast cancer has taught me
Here’s a secret only a few of those closest to me know: In December, after receiving a firm reminder from my primary care doctor, I went for my annual mammogram. Two weeks and many tests later I got my diagnosis: breast cancer. I was the proud owner of a left breast containing DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma in Situ).
Cervical cancer: There’s an app for that
A novel Facebook application is being used to raise awareness about cervical cancer and ways to possibly avoid it.
Treating dogs’ spinal cord injuries could help humans, too
Some pet dachshunds, beagles and corgis with spinal cord injuries will undergo an experimental treatment that could, if proven effective, be used on people with similar injuries.
Make sure doctor is a healthy one
Q. I went to a new doctor to get my thyroid checked because I have been gaining so much weight. He was really fat and I smelled cigarettes. I felt like I couldn’t trust him. Am I being too picky? A. Now, we YOU Docs …
Bottoms up: Sales of hard liquor jump
Hard liquor sales in the United States were up in 2011 from the previous year, according to the industry. The Distilled Spirits Council said that last year saw a 2.4 percent growth in production — or 195.8 million 9-liter cases — a near return to …
1 mil. birth control packs recalled after mix-up
Birth control pills are known to be nearly 100 percent effective when taken properly, but a recall of the drugs could send a shudder through women of childbearing age. A manufacturing mix-up by Pfizer Inc., the world’s largest drug maker, led to some packets being …
Bariatric surgery seen as option for teens now
A decade ago, most surgeons shied away from performing bariatric surgery on teenagers. Naysayers feared that the adolescent body would suffer if surgery was performed at such a young age. Others argued that teens should lose weight through exercise and diet rather than turning to what could be seen as a quick fix. But over time, that thinking has shifted.
Setbacks a reality when trying to lose weight
To shed unwanted pounds and keep them off, people have to be ready to face some setbacks and keep on trying, according to one medical expert.
Too young for a stroke? No, they happen at all ages
Too young for a stroke? Maybe not. The reality is that they can happen at any age — and they’re on the rise among the young and middle-aged.
Instructor matters in yoga practice
Two yoga instructors believe that most people have been in class and tried to do something their bodies weren’t ready for, usually because they’re trying to emulate a more experienced student or teacher.
Hip implant might be past expiration date
YOU DOCS: While it’s now possible to find healthier choices at fast-food joints, once you’re inside, will you? Smell the fries and suddenly you’ve eaten a bagful. While almost half of us say we want healthier choices, only about a fourth actually order them.
Techniques for treating premature ejaculation
DR. LAURA BERMAN: Early ejaculation can occur for many different reasons, but for most men, even if there is a physical causal factor, stress and performance anxiety are also somehow related.
Some employers find those with autism especially suited for jobs
Finding steady work in this economy isn’t easy. The challenge is magnified for individuals with disabilities such as autism, who often have difficulty with social interaction. Experts and parents are trying to change that by helping employers understand what this population has to offer.
