The department of Health & Human Services provides information about your civil rights regarding your medical files. Available topics include: Introduction General Overview Incidental Uses and Disclosures Minimum Necessary Personal Representatives Business Associates Uses and Disclosures for Treatment, Payment, and Health Care Operations Marketing Public Health Research Workers’ Compensation Laws (PDF) Notice Government Access (PDF)… Read more

National Institute of Health provides a database of commercial household products. Ever wonder what is in that air freshener you just bought, but the print was too small to read without a magnifying glass. Or what is in your laundry, kitchen, or bath soap? How about the laser toner cartridge or the pen in your… Read more

At some point, medical research often involves laboratory animals. Researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia’s Comparative Orthopedic Laboratory have found a way to minimize the use of laboratory animals when it comes to arthritis research. The Mizzou researchers have developed an in vitro model using small sections of joint capsule and cartilage that are typically… Read more

To date, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research has funded (or directed) over $92 million in research for better Parkinson’s treatments. The web site contains valuable information on the latest developments in research for Parkinson’s… Read more

Long-Term Disability (LTD) seems like a good idea. After all, 1 out of 3 U.S. workers will require some form of supplemental disability income during their lifetime. Since most workers can only survive 3 months out of work, it makes LTD insurance sound better all the time. At least that is what the insurance companies want… Read more

Low-back pain is experienced by most adults at one time or another. Over time most people find the pain goes away. However, low-back pain accounts for considerable health care costs and work absenteeism. Dr. Arno Engers, Center for Quality of Care Research, Radboud University Jijmegen Medical Center, Netherlands reviewed 2-dozen studies and found additional individual… Read more

Why diabetic patients are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease has not been understood. Researchers believe they may have identified the diabetes – Alzheimer’s connection. David R. Schubert, PhD, professor Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, reports that blood vessels in the brain of young diabetic mice are damaged by the interaction of elevated… Read more

Researchers at Northwestern University have made an interesting connection between Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. They suggest that it is a 3rd form of diabetes. Type 3 diabetes affects the ‘amyloid Beta-derived diffusible ligand‘ (ADDL). ADDLs are small, soluble aggregated proteins that appear to accumulate during the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and are known to block memory and learning… Read more

Previous studies have found a relationship between asthma and other anxiety disorders and a higher risk of depression. The reason(s) for the association between asthma and mental disorders is unknown. Researchers theorize asthma could increase the risk of anxiety disorders, or anxiety disorders might cause asthma, or there could be a common risk factors for… Read more

Brain receptors TRPV1 (transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype) have been known to affect sensations of pain and respond not only to heat, but also to capsaicin–the ingredient that gives chili peppers their spicy kick. Until now no one had linked TRPV1 to memory. Julie Kauer, professor of medical science, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Brown University, and her… Read more

A study conducted by the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) sought to explore ways to improve cognitive skills of older adults. The researchers seeked to discover ways to help older individuals stay independent and take charge of their own lives. The study group consisted of 2,800 healthy, community dwelling older adults… Read more

There is an estimated 5.7 million Americans who care for an aging relative and also have children under 21 who still live at home; they are termed ‘sandwich caregivers’. As baby-boomers age there will be a marked increase of sandwich caregivers. A recent survey of sandwich givers concludes: 70% of sandwich caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients said… Read more