Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can damage the eye's optic nerve and result in vision loss and blindness. While glaucoma can strike anyone, the risk is much greater for people over 60. It usually happens when the fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises, damaging the optic nerve. Often there are no symptoms at first, but a comprehensive eye exam can detect it.

People at risk should get eye exams at least every two years. They include
• African Americans over age 40
• People over age 60, especially Mexican Americans
• People with a family history of glaucoma

Early treatment can help protect your eyes against vision loss. Treatments usually include prescription eyedrops and/or surgery.

For more information on glaucoma, visit these great web sites:

NIH Senior Health Glaucoma
National Eye Institute Glaucoma Facts
Glaucoma Foundation booklet (great PDF on glaucoma from the Glaucoma Foundation)
Medline Plus Interactive Tutorial
More information from MedlinePlus

Cancer Web Sites

A diagnosis of cancer is a devastating reality for millions of people. With so much information on the internet, sometimes it's hard to find accurate, authoritative information MedlinePlus from the National Library of Medicine provides links to excellent resources on a variety of cancer types. Follow the links below for more information:

Breast Cancer

Bladder Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

Lung Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

Prostate Cancer

Skin Cancer (Melanoma)

Cancer Incidence Rates in the United States

On January 1, 2007, in the United States there were approximately 11,713,736 men and women alive who had a history of cancer of all sites -- 5,353,054 men and 6,360,682 women. This includes any person alive on January 1, 2007 who had been diagnosed with cancer of all sites at any point prior to January 1, 2007 and includes persons with active disease and those who are cured of their disease. The number of people who have received a diagnosis of cancer during a defined time period, and who are alive on the last day of that period. Most prevalence data in SEER is for limited duration because information on cases diagnosed before 1973 is not generally available. can also be expressed as a percentage and it can also be calculated for a specific amount of time prior to January 1, 2007 such as diagnosed within 5 years of January 1, 2007. (From the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program of the National Cancer Institute)

SEER Incidence for Breast Cancer
From 2003-2007, the median age at diagnosis for cancer of the breast was 61 years of age. Approximately 0.0% were diagnosed under age 20; 1.9% between 20 and 34; 10.5% between 35 and 44; 22.6% between 45 and 54; 24.1% between 55 and 64; 19.5% between 65 and 74; 15.8% between 75 and 84; and 5.6% 85+ years of age.

The age-adjusted incidence rate was 122.9 per 100,000 women per year. These rates are based on cases diagnosed in 2003-2007 from 17 SEER geographic areas.

SEER Incidence for Colon/Rectal Cancer
From 2003-2007, the median age at diagnosis for cancer of the colon and rectum was 70 years of age. Approximately 0.1% were diagnosed under age 20; 1.1% between 20 and 34; 3.8% between 35 and 44; 12.4% between 45 and 54; 19.2% between 55 and 64; 24.4% between 65 and 74; 26.8% between 75 and 84; and 12.2% 85+ years of age.

The age-adjusted incidence rate was 47.9 per 100,000 men and women per year. These rates are based on cases diagnosed in 2003-2007 from 17 SEER geographic areas.

SEER Incidence for Lung Cancer
From 2003-2007, the median age at diagnosis for cancer of the lung and bronchus was 71 years of age. Approximately 0.0% were diagnosed under age 20; 0.2% between 20 and 34; 1.7% between 35 and 44; 8.8% between 45 and 54; 20.9% between 55 and 64; 31.3% between 65 and 74; 29.1% between 75 and 84; and 8.0% 85+ years of age.

The age-adjusted incidence rate was 62.5 per 100,000 men and women per year. These rates are based on cases diagnosed in 2003-2007 from 17 SEER geographic areas.

SEER Incidence for Ovarian Cancer
From 2003-2007, the median age at diagnosis for cancer of the ovary was 63 years of age. Approximately 1.3% were diagnosed under age 20; 3.5% between 20 and 34; 7.4% between 35 and 44; 19.2% between 45 and 54; 22.9% between 55 and 64; 19.5% between 65 and 74; 18.4% between 75 and 84; and 7.8% 85+ years of age.

The age-adjusted incidence rate was 12.9 per 100,000 women per year. These rates are based on cases diagnosed in 2003-2007 from 17 SEER geographic areas.

SEER Incidence for Pancreatic Cancer
From 2003-2007, the median age at diagnosis for cancer of the pancreas was 72 years of age. Approximately 0.0% were diagnosed under age 20; 0.4% between 20 and 34; 2.3% between 35 and 44; 9.7% between 45 and 54; 19.6% between 55 and 64; 25.6% between 65 and 74; 29.4% between 75 and 84; and 13.0% 85+ years of age.

The age-adjusted incidence rate was 11.7 per 100,000 men and women per year. These rates are based on cases diagnosed in 2003-2007 from 17 SEER geographic areas.

SEER Incidence for Prostate Cancer
From 2003-2007, the median age at diagnosis for cancer of the prostate was 67 years of age. Approximately 0.0% were diagnosed under age 20; 0.0% between 20 and 34; 0.6% between 35 and 44; 8.9% between 45 and 54; 29.9% between 55 and 64; 35.3% between 65 and 74; 20.7% between 75 and 84; and 4.6% 85+ years of age.

The age-adjusted incidence rate was 156.9 per 100,000 men per year. These rates are based on cases diagnosed in 2003-2007 from 17 SEER geographic areas.

SEER Incidence for Skin Cancer (Melanoma)
From 2003-2007, the median age at diagnosis for melanoma of the skin was 60 years of age. Approximately 0.8% were diagnosed under age 20; 7.5% between 20 and 34; 11.8% between 35 and 44; 18.7% between 45 and 54; 20.4% between 55 and 64; 17.8% between 65 and 74; 17.0% between 75 and 84; and 6.0% 85+ years of age.

The age-adjusted incidence rate was 20.1 per 100,000 men and women per year. These rates are based on cases diagnosed in 2003-2007 from 17 SEER geographic areas.

SEER Incidence for Urinary Bladder Cancer
From 2003-2007, the median age at diagnosis for cancer of the urinary bladder was 73 years of age. Approximately 0.1% were diagnosed under age 20; 0.5% between 20 and 34; 1.8% between 35 and 44; 7.5% between 45 and 54; 17.9% between 55 and 64; 27.4% between 65 and 74; 32.1% between 75 and 84; and 12.8% 85+ years of age.

The age-adjusted incidence rate was 21.1 per 100,000 men and women per year. These rates are based on cases diagnosed in 2003-2007 from 17 SEER geographic areas.

Anatomy Videos on MedlinePlus

MedlinePlus, from the National Library of Medicine, provides all kinds of useful health information. Among their resources are anatomy videos. These animated videos show the anatomy of body parts and organ systems and how diseases and conditions affect them. You will need a QuickTime player to view the videos. Check them out at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/anatomyvideos.html.

Healthfinder.gov

Healthfinder.gov
Another starting point for consumers seeking reliable health information can be found at http://www.healthfinder.gov/. This site from the United States Department of Health and Human Services has resources on a wide range of health topics selected from over 1,600 government and non-profit organizations. Coordinated by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) and its health information referral service, the National Health Information Center, this site is paid for by U.S. Government funds and does not accept paid advertisements, content or links. The information is also available in a Spanish version. The homepage of this easy-to-navigate site features several main sections, outlined below:

Quick Guide to Healthy Living
The Quick Guide to Healthy Living section focuses on important things you can do to stay healthy, such as eating a healthy diet, being active, getting recommended screenings, not smoking, and watching your weight. It offers basic, easy-to-understand information on each topic, including the benefits you’ll get from taking recommended actions and tips on how you can take action.
There’s even a customizable feature myhealthfinder, which allows you to get personalized health recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force based on age, sex, and pregnancy status.

Personal Health Tools
Personal Health Tools offers free interactive tools to help you and those you care about stay healthy. Here you’ll find:

• Online Checkups—Take a quiz to learn about your health and lifestyle. Find out if you are at risk for a disease or condition.
• Activity and Menu Planners—Use these tools to track your physical activity and diet goals.
• Health Calculators—Estimate body mass index, calorie intake, target heart rate, pregnancy due date, and more.
• Watch and Listen—Hear and see videos, podcasts, and slideshows to learn about common health and wellness topics.

Health A-Z
Browse Health A-Z topics to find hand-picked resources from government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and universities. You’ll find information on over 1,600 health-related topics from abdominal pain to facts about the dietary supplement, zinc.

Health News
healthfinder.gov offers you several ways to get health news and stay informed:
• Today’s Headlines—the latest health stories in the news.
• e-News and RSS—daily health news plus updates on new site features sent directly to your computer.
• News Archives—articles that have appeared on healthfinder.gov over the past 12 months.
• Weekly Newsletters—top news stories from 12 popular weekly health newsletters

Find Services and Information
Find Services and Information can help you find a doctor, dentist or other health provider, a health center or clinic, a public library, or health care organization in your community

Other Fun Features
Popular Requests explores the most requested searches for health information, health care services, and more.
National Health Observances information and media toolkits
Send a health E-card to a friend or loved one.
Add a health widget to your blog or website.

Healthfinder also offers tutorials on how to navigate the site and find the health information you need.

Contributed by C.A.R.

Smoking and Your Heart and Blood Vessels

Excerpt from Smoking and Your Heart from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health:

The chemicals in tobacco smoke harm blood cells and can damage the function of the heart and the structure and function of blood vessels. This damage increases your risk of atherosclerosis (ath-er-o-skler-O-sis).

Atherosclerosis is a disease in which a fatty substance called plaque (plak) builds up in the arteries. Over time, plaque hardens and narrows your arteries. This limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your organs and other parts of your body.

Coronary heart disease (CHD), also called coronary artery disease, occurs if plaque builds up in the coronary (heart) arteries. Over time, CHD can lead to chest pain, heart attack, heart failure, arrhythmias (ah-RITH-me-ahs), or even death.

Smoking by itself is a major risk factor for heart disease. When combined with other risk factors—such as unhealthy blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and overweight or obesity—smoking further raises the risk of heart disease.

Smoking also is a major risk factor for peripheral arterial disease (P.A.D.). P.A.D. is a condition in which plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to the head, organs, and limbs. People who have P.A.D. are at increased risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

For the complete article visit http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/smo/smo_how.html

Autoimmune Disease Topic: Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, so called because the person’s immune system, whose purpose is to protect the body from disease and infection begins, for unknown reasons, to attack the body. In rheumatoid arthritis it attacks the joints. When this happens, the white blood cells, which are the warriors of the immune system, travel to the synovium or joint lining, causing an inflammatory response. This inflammation causes the warm, red, tender joints, which are typical of rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms

Many of us know someone who has or have experienced for ourselves painful arthritic joints. Rheumatoid arthritis, however, differs from other types of arthritis in several key ways. For example, rheumatoid arthritis generally occurs in a symmetrical pattern, meaning that if one knee or hand is involved, the other one will likely be, too. Additionally, people with rheumatoid arthritis may also suffer from fatigue, occasional fevers, and a general sense of not feeling well.
Here are the features typically associated with rheumatoid arthritis:

Tender, warm swollen joints
Symmetrical pattern of affected joints
Joint inflammation often affecting finger joints closest to the hand
Joint inflammation sometimes affecting other joints including the neck, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, ankles, and feet
Fatigue, occasional fevers, and a general sense of not feeling well
Pain and stiffness lasting for more than 30 minutes in the morning or after an extended rest
Symptoms that last for many years
Variability of symptoms among those affected with the disease

Treatment

The goals for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis are to relieve the pain and inflammation; stop joint damage; and improve the person’s ability to function. Towards that end, treatment recommendations include medication; surgery; lifestyle changes; as well as routine monitoring and ongoing care.

Most people with rheumatoid arthritis take medications. Some of them are for pain, while others reduce inflammation. Still others, called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), are used to try to actually slow the course of the disease. Biologic response modifiers are new drugs used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, for their ability to help reduce inflammation and structural damage to the joints by blocking the action of cytokines, proteins of the body's immune system that trigger inflammation during normal immune responses. The person’s general condition, the severity of the disease, the length of time the person will take the drug, as well as the drug’s effectiveness and potential side effects are all important factors that must be considered when prescribing appropriate medications for rheumatoid arthritis.

Surgery is another treatment option for some with severe joint damage. Common surgeries include joint replacement, tendon reconstruction and synovectomy.

Before any surgical intervention, both patient and doctor must carefully consider factors such as the patient’s overall health, condition of the affected joint or tendon, costs of the procedure, as well as the potential risks and benefits of the surgery.

Treatment recommendations may also include lifestyle changes. An exercise program that respects the patient’s limits and abilities can help preserve muscle strength and mobility, promote more restful sleep, decrease stress, and promote a positive attitude. Along with exercise, a balanced and sensible diet can help one maintain or reach a healthy weight, resulting in less stress on the joints. Rest is also an important component of these lifestyle changes. It helps fight fatigue and reduces inflammation. It may be necessary to rest more when the disease is most active, and exercise when it is not. Splints may be useful by giving afflicted joints of the wrist or hands, for example, support and allowing the joint to rest, thereby reducing swelling and pain. Other self-help devices like zipper pullers reduce stress on the joints and assist with daily functioning.

It is important that patients with rheumatoid arthritis see their doctors regularly for routine monitoring. During these visits, the doctor will monitor the course of the disease, determine the effectiveness of the treatments, look for negative side effects of medications, and change therapies when necessary. People with rheumatoid arthritis should discuss ways to prevent osteoporosis, since the risks of developing it are increased, especially if corticosteroids are used.

Is Schizophrenia Caused by a Virus?

A recent article in the June 2010 issue of Discover, proposes a new theory on the origins of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a devastating mental illness that affects 1% of the population. It is characterized by hallucinations, delusions, thought and movement disorders. There is no cure; current treatments include antipsychotic medications, along with psychosocial therapies. The cause of schizophrenia is unknown. Earlier theories that blamed bad parenting have given way to ones that focus on genetics. Recently, however, some scientists at the Johns Hopkins Stanley Medical Research Institute have proposed that an endogenous retrovirus that lies dormant as a stretch of DNA in the genome of all humans may play a role in the development of schizophrenia. While studying the cerebrospinal fluid of individuals with recent-onset schizophrenia, they found that 29% exhibited signs of a particular family of retroviruses known as Human Endogenous Retrovirus W (HERV-W), compared with none of the control patients. Researchers Robert Yolken and Fuller Torrey suggest that the retrovirus is somehow activated in schizophrenics. The hope for future investigation would be to develop a way to interfere with the retrovirus to prevent it from becoming active. If they can do that, it may give doctors another method of treating schizophrenia.

Reference:
Douglas Fox. The insanity virus. Discover, 2010 June:58-64

Contributed by C.A.R.

Janice Dean Interview, Part 1

Hi everyone. I want to thank everyone who’s been visiting my blog. I hope you find it interesting and I invite you to come back often to check it out since I’m always adding new things. If you have any questions or comments, you can leave them in the comments section under each post or send me an e-mail at mghealthtalk@gmail.com.

Last week I posted at interview with Janice Dean of the Fox News Channel. That was actually the second interview I did with her. The first interview was very interesting, so I’m posting that one here for you.

What was the road to diagnosis like?

When I look back before diagnosis, there were signs throughout my life that told me things were a little “off” in terms of moods, fatigue, fainting spells, weakness etc., but it wasn’t until the 2005 hurricane season when I was working long hours that I really had the big flare-up. I literally woke up one morning and had no feeling at the bottom of my feet and parts of my thighs. I wanted to sleep for a week. I was in Canada visiting family, and went to a doctor there who told me straight up “you could have something as simple as a slipped disk, or you could have something as serious as MS – you need to get an MRI done. So, I had MRIs done when we got back to the U.S. which showed I had lesions on both my brain and spine. The doctor also performed a Spinal Tap to which I also showed the proteins that indicate the breakdown products of myelin. I was in denial for awhile, and went to 3 different doctors to confirm the diagnosis. I had a second flare up 2 years later which confirmed the diagnosis.

How did you take the news that you had MS? How did your husband take it?

I took the news horribly. I thought my life was over. I cried for days and could not believe it – until I educated myself a little more and found the right doctor to help sort through the clutter of information I was bombarding myself with over the internet. The internet is a great resource, but it can also freak you out. I told my workplace right away, and thankfully they were very supportive, and told me to take as much time as I needed off work, and that my job would still be there when I was ready to come back. Thankfully I got all the feeling in my feet back after steroid treatments, and went back to work a few weeks later.

Thank God for my husband. He was obviously worried about me, but stuck by me, and supported me through the diagnosis and still through the ongoing treatments. The best thing he ever said to me was “I am not afraid of this disease – we fight it together.” It was almost as good as “will you marry me?”

What did you know about MS before you were diagnosed?

Not much. I thought I was going to end up in a wheelchair and never be able to work again. Thankfully I had a role model already right here in the workplace – Neil Cavuto who I talked to for many hours after I was diagnosed. I cried in his office while he kept handing me tissues and telling me I would be ok, and would end up being a stronger better person because of the illness.

How has MS changed you?

It sounds corny, but I appreciate my life so much more – my family and friends have been incredibly supportive. I used to be a crazy career person. My career literally defined me. I was always searching for the next best thing – the next best challenge. Now I just appreciate my job and am thankful I can work and have fun at what I do…but it’s in a better perspective now – and I think I’m a little more easy-going – not as uptight or stressed out. Life is precious. It can be taken away in an instant. I appreciate that more. I also try to surround myself with positive people. A wise man once told me “negative people make positive people sick.” Those are words to live by.

Has MS caused you to make changes in your life to this point?

I have to get my sleep. I can’t function on 4 or 5 hours of sleep at night. It takes a tremendous toll on me. That is the most important. I’m trying to eat better – no diet sodas, more whole wheat, less sugar etc. And more exercise. I don’t smoke, and when I leave work, I try not to bring it home with me (this used to be a very hard task for me). I try as hard as I can to be a happy, upbeat and positive person.

What are you doing to treat your MS?

I take an injection. I don’t want to give away the brand name, because I don’t think one treatment is necessarily better than the other – I’m also frustrated that these drugs cost so much money. If I did not have insurance, I would not be able to afford the drugs I am on. That is unfair. Especially for people who don’t have insurance. How can they keep the illness at bay if they can’t afford the drugs? That’s my one big beef with the drug companies. I can’t wait til they can come up with a pill. My doctor says that’s not too far off.

Has your MS kept you from doing something you really wanted to do?

Nope. It has actually made me want to do more! Since I was diagnosed, I studied to become a meteorologist, I got married and hopefully someday have a family. Having an illness also makes me re-evaluate my priorities and to never take things for granted. Each day is a gift.

Since you have gone public with your MS, how have things changed for you?

Not much actually. At first it was a little weird after I went on television. I almost felt a little “naked” – showing such a private part of your life, but I did it for the next person who gets diagnosed and thinks their life is over. If I can be a positive person that continues to live life to the fullest, and someone who has MS sees this, then I can bring a bit of hope back into that person life. I know I needed to see people who had the illness and were doing ok despite the possible setbacks. Attitude is everything. The support has been overwhelming! Especially from complete strangers I’ve never met. I am humbled by it every day.

Are you part of any kind of support network/group where you can get encouragement and provide encouragement to others?

I haven’t yet joined a support group, but am certainly not ruling out being part of one. It’s been a little bit of a whirlwind just deciding to go public with my illness, but I did it with the right reasons in mind. I hope this is a first step to try and help others as well as bring awareness to the disease.

Do people treat you any differently knowing you have MS?

Interesting question. I think some have been a little shy to ask me how I am or are unsure how to approach their curiosity about the disease, but mostly it’s been incredible support, kindness and understanding.

Do you exercise more or less since you were diagnosed?

This is my one weak point. I need to exercise more. Sometimes I get so tired after work it’s hard not to lie on the couch for the rest of the evening…weekends are a little easier for me to get out and move. When my husband and I go on vacations, we always pick places where we can do outdoor activities like skiing, walking or hiking, so there is always a constant desire to exercise – I just have to find more ways to stay active.

Do you have a personal trainer, physical therapist or some other person guiding your exercise routine or did you come up with one on your own?

I would love a personal trainer, and aspire to have one maybe someday to help keep me motivated and on track. I try to walk as much as I can, and get to the gym when I have time (although you’re supposed to “MAKE TIME” for gym activities, so this is something I need to make a conscious effort to do. Living in Manhattan has been a great place to get out and exercise as most of us don’t have cars and do a lot of serious walking to get from point a to b.

How much exercise do you get and what kinds of exercises do you do?

A few times a week I walk home from work. It’s about a 40 block walk through Central Park. On the weekend my husband and I will try to get out and do something outdoors. I’m excited that warmer weather is here so I can get my legs moving more. I am a member of a gym here in NYC which I need to get to a little more often! Isn’t that always the way? I think I’m much more willing to do exercise when it’s outdoors and the weather is nice – And contrary to what you may have read, I don’t have much control over mother nature!

I see you dancing on Fox News every once in a while and I wonder if you go out dancing as part of your exercise routine?

HA! Yes, I do love to dance – much to my husband and friends embarrassment on occasion! If the mood and good music is happening, I will bust out the moves. I’ve been wondering why I haven’t been invited to more parties to show off my dance floor grooves!

Do you have any parting words of encouragement for someone who may be dealing with MS?

Just to keep on keeping on! It’s pretty big blow to be given news like “you have an incurable illness” like MS – but I think attitude is everything. If you have a positive attitude, and have positive people around you, you can overcome many obstacles in life. I think MS has actually made me a better person too – appreciating my friends and family more than ever, and trying not to “sweat the small stuff!” Life is short. Dark clouds may come, but the sunshine always comes out again after the storm pushes through.

Cocoa and Cardiovascular Health

Here's some great news for chocolate lovers (that includes me)! Many of you may have heard that eating chocolate is good for your heart. I wanted to share a couple articles with you that you may be interested in reading, even though they may be a little advanced.

The first one is from the journal Circulation published last year. Here's the abstract:

Epidemiological data demonstrate that regular dietary intake of plant-derived foods and beverages reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Among many ingredients, cocoa might be an important mediator. Indeed, recent research demonstrates a beneficial effect of cocoa on blood pressure, insulin resistance, and vascular and platelet function. Although still debated, a range of potential mechanisms through which cocoa might exert its benefits on cardiovascular health have been proposed, including activation of nitric oxide and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This review summarizes the available data on the cardiovascular effects of cocoa, outlines potential mechanisms involved in the response to cocoa, and highlights the potential clinical implications associated with its consumption.

You can find the full-text here:
Corti R, Flammer AJ, Hollenberg NK, Lüscher TF. Cocoa and cardiovascular health. Circulation. 2009 Mar 17;119(10):1433-41.

Here's an article from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition from 2005:

Abstract: An increasing body of epidemiologic evidence supports the concept that diets rich in fruits and vegetables can promote health and attenuate, or delay, the onset of various diseases. Epidemiologic data support the idea that these health benefits are causally linked to the consumption of certain flavonoids present in fruit and vegetables. In the context of cardiovascular health, a particular group of flavonoids, namely, the flavan-3-ols (flavanols), has received attention. Flavanol-rich, plant-derived foods and beverages include wine, tea, and various fruits and berries, as well as cocoa and cocoa products. Numerous dietary intervention studies in humans and animals indicate that flavanol-rich foods and beverages might exert cardioprotective effects with respect to vascular function and platelet reactivity. This review discusses the bioactivity of flavanols in the context of cardiovascular health, with respect to their bioavailability, their antioxidant properties, and their vascular effects.

You can find the full-text here:
Keen CL, Holt RR, Oteiza PI, Fraga CG, Schmitz HH. Cocoa antioxidants and cardiovascular health. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Jan;81(1 Suppl):298S-303S.

National Marrow Donor Program

Are you familiar with the Be the Match Registry? Read the following information and think about joining. You might just save a life.

Be The Match Registry® is the new name for the registry operated by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). They've been helping patients receive the transplants they need for more than 20 years.

Now, medical advances are making transplants available to more patients of all ages than ever before.

Be The Match was introduced in 2009 to meet this need by engaging a growing community of people inspired and committed to help patients in any way they can — by joining the registry, donating umbilical cord blood, contributing financially or getting involved.

Be The Match offers people the unique opportunity to help a patient by donating bone marrow or umbilical cord blood. Thousands of patients with leukemia and other life-threatening diseases depend on the Be The Match Registry to find a match.

A patient's doctor can contact the NMDP to search the Be The Match Registry and other registries worldwide to access more than 13 million donors and 400,000 umbilical cord blood units.

Maybe you can help Devan. Devan is an adorable little 4-year old boy with a rare form of leukemia who in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant. His doctors have less than 12 weeks to find a match for Devan. You can read about Devan at
http://www.matchdevan.com.

If you are interested in registering, go to the Be the Match web site to see if you qualify. You will be asked to make a donation to help defray the cost of the test kit, but you are not obligated to do so.

Spiritual practices/strategies for stress reduction in tough times

Check out these web sites:

Religious/Spiritual Practice for Stress Reduction

Coping With Job Loss - Am I Meaningless

Environmental, Social & Spiritual Strategies for Stress Relief (Austin Travis Co MHMR Center)

Spotlight on MedlinePlus

Recent research from the Pew Internet and American Life Project estimates that nearly 80% of American internet users, or close to 113 million adults, have looked online for health information. Most internet users start at a general search engine when researching health and medical advice online. Only a quarter of those check the source and date of the information they find, while three-quarters of them say that they sometimes, hardly ever, or never check the date or source ot the infromation. This translates to about 85 million Americans gathering health advice online without consistently examining the quality indicators of the information they find. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that this study found that some of these internet users were confused and frustrated.

From The Pew Internet and American Life Project Online Health Search 2006 http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2006/Online-Health-Search-2006.aspx?r=1
Retrieved May 12, 2010.

If a general search engine is not the best place to begin a search for health information, what is? One of the most reliable web sites for consumer health information is MedlinePlus.

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative, up-to-date, unbiased information from the worlds’s largest medlcal library, the National Library of Medicine (NLM), as well as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and trusted health related organizations. With information on over 800 diseases, MedlinePlus offers directories, a medical encyclopedia, a medical dictionary, easy-to-understand tutorials on common conditions, tests and treatments, health information in Spanish, extensive information on prescription and nonprescription drugs, health information from the media, and links to thousands of clinical trials. It is a first-stop for health professionals and consumers seeking current, reliable health information on the Internet.

Check out MedlinePlus:
http://medlineplus.gov/

contributed by C.A.R., librarian

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

About 10 to 20 percent of breast cancers are triple-negative, but most people have never heard of it before. Triple-negative breast cancer needs a different kind of treatment than other breast cancers because they are estrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptornegative and HER2 negative. Chemotherapy has been shown to be the most effective treatment for triple-negative breast cancer. If you, or someone you know, has been diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, you may be interested in reading the booklet LIVING BEYOND BREAST CANCER‘S GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING TRIPLE-NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER. For information on other types of breast cancer, visit the MedlinePlus breast cancer page.

Fox News correspondent Jennifer Griffin was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer last September and has been chronicling her journey on her blog. Check it out at http://jengriffinblog.blogspot.com

Check out the video below to see a special segment on Fox News Sunday naming Jennifer the special Mother's Day Power Player of the Week.



If the video doesn't work, try this link: http://video.foxnews.com/v/4185624/special-mothers-day-story

Interview with Janice Dean the Weather Machine from the Fox News Channel

A couple years ago Janice Dean, meteorologist on the Fox News Channel, did an interview for me regarding her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. (I will post that original interview on a future post.) Last year she did a follow-up interview about her adventure of becoming pregnant and her experience as a first time mother. Here is that interview:

Well, Janice, it’s been a little over a year since you did your first interview with me. In your answer to one of my previous questions you made a comment about possibly starting a family. By my calculations, it must have been shortly after that interview that you received some joyous news, wasn’t it?

Yes! It was Memorial Day weekend last year when I found out I was pregnant. I wrote about that day on my blog so I would remember how special the feeling was when I got the news! I recently went back and re-read the “finding out” blog and remembered what it was like, and all the feelings that you go through after you “wake up” and realize the amazing journey you are about to embark on.

I’m sure finding out that you’re pregnant is exciting for everyone, but what was going through your mind as you thought about the possible issues with your MS?

I did my homework before we started trying to get pregnant, and happily, women who get pregnant and have MS have less symptoms or exacerbations while carrying a child. My MS doctor actually recommended we get pregnant (since we were talking about starting a family) I was able to go off the drugs I was on while we’re were trying, and have been off the drugs since Matthew was born which has been very liberating. The medication was the one constant reminder that there is something not quite right with my nervous system.

How did your husband react to the news?

He was thrilled – once he woke up! I went in while he was sleeping to wake him up and tell him the good news…it took a while for it to “sink in”…but we were both grinning from ear to ear that weekend.

How did your pregnancy impact your MS treatment and did you have any complications during your pregnancy?

As I mentioned earlier, I went off the injection I was on when we were trying, and have not been on the drug since. I am currently breast feeding so that’s why I’m still not using the MS drugs. I so far haven’t had any indication that the disease is progressing or getting worse. There is actually new research that says breast feeding also helps suppress symptoms of the disease. This is very exciting news for women who struggle with the illness.

While you were pregnant, did you seek advice and support from other women with MS who went through a healthy pregnancy?

My doctor was very supportive, and I’m close with my MS nurse Jennifer who kept in close touch with me throughout the pregnancy. I also have a good friend who also suffers from the disease who had a successful pregnancy who I talked to often…but we didn’t talk very much about the disease – mainly about being pregnant, and all the fun stuff that comes during those 9 months! She’s actually trying for her second child now with her husband.

I know this will be hard to put into words, but what was it like when you first laid eyes on that precious little Matthew?


Amazement and awe. It truly is an unbelievable experience when you see that your body helped make “life” It’s a love that I never knew I could feel for another human being. My heart grew bigger that day.

Since Matthew was born back in January, have you had any MS flare ups and if so, how have you handled them? Are you taking any medications now?

Nope. There have been a few little ‘aches and pains” that I will have to address once I go back on the MS drugs after I stop breast feeding. I will have to get MRI’s done to see if there have been any new lesions on my brain or spine.

Now that you are adjusting to being a mother for the first time, would you like to have more children someday?

I would. We’ll probably start trying in the New Year, but if it doesn’t happen, we’re ok with that too. Matthew is a miracle and a blessing for us.

Now for a fun question—are you hoping Matthew will become a meteorologist like you or a firefighter like your husband? (Or maybe president, an astronaut, or…)

Matthew can be anything he wants to be – sky’s the limit! …we will support any career decision he makes! But I will say I can’t wait for him to see his dad for the first time in his firefighter uniform at the firehouse. I think he will be proud of his father.

Would you like to share any parting words of encouragement for women with MS who may be thinking about pregnancy or anyone who is dealing with MS?

Pregnancy has proven to be very beneficial in women living with MS in terms of lessening of symptoms and exacerbations of the disease. You can’t stop living your life when you have a diagnosis of MS. It actually changed the way I live, and go about my life when I learned I had MS. I think in a way it made me realize I have more love to give, and perhaps even helped me make the decision to have a family. My priorities changed when living with a disease – for the better. My family is the most important thing in my life.

Evaluating Health Web Sites

Since it is possible for virtually anyone to post information on a web page, it is important to evaluate the information you find. Here are some points to look at when evaluating health sites:

1. Who developed this site? Is an author clearly identified? Are the credentials of the author listed?
It is always best to seek information from a “known quantity”. Find out as much as you can about the author or organization posting the health information. This may be expressed in listed credentials about the person or a description of the organization providing the site.

2. Does the page show when it was last updated? Are the links to other resources still active?
Many people have placed information on the web as a one-time effort without ever providing updated information. A date on the page will help you to assess if the information is current. Check to see if the links are current. If they aren’t, this may mean that the page hasn’t been updated.

3. Is contact information provided so that you can e-mail, call, or write the author?
Direct connection to the organization or author provides a mechanism for you to ask questions about the origin of the information on the site, and the authority of the author.

4. What is the purpose of the information?
Assess the reason for the information provided. Is the language of the article persuasive, trying to lead you to purchase something or join a program or is the information provided for informational purposes only? If the page is designed for commercial purposes, there may be conflict of interest with the information provided. It is best to stick with non-commercial sites.

5. Can the information be verified in other sources?
If a web site is not well documented, it is especially important to verify the information you find in other sources. If any questions arise about information discovered in any source, those questions should be directed back to a health care provider.

Welcome to my new blog!

I have been a participant on other blogs but I decided to step out on my own and create a blog that will provide you with quality health care information. This blog will contain articles on various health topics as well as links to some great web sites I've found in my many years of medical librarianship. I will have a special interview to share sometime in the near future so keep checking back for updates. Thanks for stopping by!