Evaluating Consumer Health Web Sites

From time to time I like to repeat posts that I think are important in case you missed them the first time around.  A while back I posted information on evaluating health web sites.  I think it is important to repeat that from time to time to remind everyone of the importance of making sure the information is authoritative and up-to-date.  Here is some helpful information on how to evaluate 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.

Here are some quality health web sites:

MedlinePlus from the National Library of Medicine

NOAH (New York Online Access to Health)

HealthFinder from the National Health Information Center

Spring Cleaning: Tips for Doing it Safely

Spring is here.  (Actually, it has been feeling like summer in many parts of the country.)  With spring, comes more outdoor activities and it is important to keep safety in mind as you do those spring cleaning chores.  I thought I'd repeat my post from last year with some great spring cleaning tips:

Keep safety in mind during the springtime cleaning spree. So says the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) in a recent press release. Many people take advantage of the weather to clean both the inside and outside of their home, but there are many hazards associated with this springtime ritual. 

Statistics show that thousands of people injure themselves during their annual clean, whether it be using a step ladder, a lawn mower or moving furniture. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) urges people to take the proper safety precautions to reduce the number of spring cleaning-related accidents

STATISTICS:
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:
- In 2010, more than 35,500 people injured themselves using a stepladder;
- Over 41,000 Americans injured themselves while gardening or using gardening equipment;
- More than 127,000 were injured while operating a lawn mower.

AAOS SAFETY TIPS:-
- Proper techniques for lifting, carrying and bending should be part of any spring cleaning project to avoid back injuries:
- Separate your feet, shoulder-width apart and keep your back upright and bend at the knees while tightening the stomach muscles.
- Lift with your leg muscles as you stand up; don’t try to lift any object by yourself if it is too heavy or an awkward shape.

- When gardening, avoid prolonged repetitive motions during activities such as digging, planting, trimming and pruning and take frequent breaks.

- Use a sturdy step stool instead of a counter or furniture – such as a chair or the couch – when dusting high hard to reach areas.

- Ladders used for chores – such as washing windows, painting, cleaning gutters and trimming trees – should be placed on a firm, level surface. Never place a ladder on ground or flooring that is uneven, soft or wet.

- Use care with extension cords: be sure they are properly grounded. To avoid tripping or falling, do not drape extension cords across spans of crossing walkways.

- When working on a ladder, over-reaching or leaning too far to one side can make you lose your balance and fall. Your bellybutton should not go beyond the sides of the ladder. Never climb a ladder without a spotter.

- When mowing the lawn, be sure to wear proper footwear and eyewear for protection:

- Use a mower with a control that stops it from moving forward if the handle is released. Never pull backward or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary – carefully look for others behind you when you do.

- Children should be at least 12-years-old before they operate any lawn mower, and at least 16- years-old for a ride-on mower.

- Read product labels for proper use and wear protective clothing and gloves when using chemicals for gardening or cleaning. Store all chemicals at the appropriate temperature, which is usually indicated on the package – in a place that is out of reach of both children and pets and never place chemicals into unmarked containers or containers labeled for a different substance.

- Take frequent breaks and replenish fluids to prevent dehydration and keep a cell phone within reach in case of accident or injury.

Here are some links to other useful information:

Gardening Health and Safety Tips (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Lawnmower, Snowblower Safety (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)

Ladder Safety Guide (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)

Adaptive devices for gardening

This is a little different from the kinds of things I write about, but I wanted to share some useful links with you since spring is quickly approaching.  Actually, the way the weather has been in much of the country, it's felt like spring for most of the winter!  With spring comes gardening and there are many people who have trouble gardening because of health issues.  Whether it's a lifelong disability or arthritis later in life, gardening can literally be a pain.  If you enjoy gardening but have trouble because of health issues, here are some links to web sites that sell items that will make gardening easier:

WWW.WRIGHTSTUFF.BIZ

WWW.ARTHRITISSUPPLIES.COM

WWW.WAYFAIR.COM

Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), so called because it causes swelling and inflammation in the digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It may affect any part of the GI tract, but it usually affects the ileum or lower part, inflammation leads to abdominal pain and diarrhea. It is similar to other inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis, which causes inflammation and ulcers in the top layer of the large intestines. However, in Crohn's disease, the inflammation can extend deeper, involving all layers of the intestines.

The exact cause of Crohn's disease is unknown. Current theories suggest that in people with Crohn's disease, the body has an abnormal immune response which causes white blood cells to accumulate in the lining of the intestines, leading to chronic inflammation, ulcers, and bowel injury. There may be a hereditary component as well.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Crohn's disease range from the moderate to the severe. There may even be periods of remission when the symptoms subside completely. When the disease is active, symptoms may include the following:

- Diarrhea

- Abdominal pain and cramping

- Blood in the stool

- Ulcers in the intestine

- Reduced appetite and weight loss

Crohn's disease may lead to complications. The most common one is blockage of the intestine. Crohn's disease may also cause ulcers that tunnel through affected areas and surrounding tissue, creating fistulas (abnormal connections between organs) or anal fissures (cracks). Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies may also occur due to inadequate dietary intake or poor absorption. Anemia may also be present in some due to intestinal bleeding. Other complications may include the following:

- Arthritis

- Eye inflammation

- Skin disorders

- Diseases of the liver or bile ducts

- Delayed growth or development in children

There is also evidence that Crohn's disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases may increase the risk of colon cancer.

Treatment

There is no cure for Crohn's disease. The goals for treatment are to control the inflammation, thereby reducing the symptoms of pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. Treatments may also be aimed at correcting nutritional deficiencies. To accomplish these goals, a combination of treatments may be necessary including medications and nutritional supplements; surgery; and lifestyle changes.

Anti-inflammatory drugs including corticosteroids are often the first step in the treatment of Crohn's disease. Medications called immune system suppressors may also be prescribed. Antibiotics are used to heal fistulas and abscesses. In addition to controlling inflammation, other drugs can be used to relieve the symptoms, including anti-diarrheals and pain relievers. Nutritional supplements may be needed including iron supplements to treat anemia; calcium and vitamin D to prevent osteoporosis: and vitamin B-12 shots. Additional nutritional therapies including high-calorie liquid formulas; enteral nutrition (diet given via feeding tube); or parenteral nutrition (nutrients injected into a vein) may sometimes be necessary.

When medications can no longer control the symptoms of Crohn's disease, surgery may be necessary. It has been estimated that nearly three-quarters of all people with Crohn's disease will need surgery at some point. The doctor may recommend surgery to close fistulas or drain abscesses. Another common surgery is a strictureplasty, a procedure that widens a segment of the intestine that has become narrowed by disease. Surgery is also performed to remove damaged parts of the intestine. Some people who have the disease in their large intestine must have the entire colon removed (colectomy). In these cases, a small opening or stoma is made in the abdominal wall and the tip of the ileum is brought to the skin's surface where waste is collected in a pouch. The majority of colectomy patients live normal, active lives.  Surgery is not a cure and it is not unusual for people with Crohn’s disease to have more than one operation.

Lifestyle changes can help the per­son with Crohn's disease feel more in control of their health, since they can help control the symp­toms and lengthen the time be­tween flare-ups. No special diet has been proven to treat or prevent Crohn's disease, but it is important that people with Crohn's disease eat a nutritious diet, avoiding foods that seem to worsen symp­toms. A food diary may help the patient track foods, which cause symptoms to flare. In addition, eat­ing 5 or 6 small meals throughout the day may be better than eating 2-3 larger ones. It is also very im­portant to drink plenty of fluids, particularly water, due to the fluid loss from diarrhea. Alcohol, caf­feine and carbonated drinks may worsen symptoms. Some people with Crohn's disease notice that signs and symptoms flare or worsen when they are under stress. Since stress is unavoidable, it is important for people with Crohn's disease to learn to manage it. With your doctor's approval, a moderate exercise program can reduce-stress, relieve depression, and help normalize bowel function. Other stress reduction techniques that may be helpful include biofeed­back and regular relaxation and breathing exercises like yoga or meditation. Classes, books, CDs or DVDs may assist in learning these techniques.

For more information and support, contact the following:

Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America

1-800-932-2423 or 212-685-3440

www.ccfa.org

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse

1-800-891-5389

www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov

Written by C. Robeson

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Colorectal cancer is the 4th most common cancer in men and women.  Fortunately, if it is caught early, it is often curable.

Men and women over the age of 50 are at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.  Other risk factors include:

- Polyps - growths inside the colon and rectum that may become cancerous

- A diet that is high in fat

- A family history or personal history of colorectal cancer

- Ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease

Symptoms can include blood in the stool, narrower stools, a change in bowel habits and general stomach discomfort.  However, you may not have any symptoms when the cancer first develops.  That is why it is important to get regular screenings if you are 50 years old or older.  

Colonoscopy is a common screening procedure.  Other screening methods are:  Fecal occult blood test. Sigmoidoscopy, Double-contrast barium enema, Digital rectal exam, and Virtual colonoscopy.

Treatment:

Local therapy: Surgery and radiation therapy are local therapies. They remove or destroy cancer in or near the colon or rectum.

Systemic therapy: Chemotherapy and biological therapy are systemic therapies. The drugs enter the bloodstream and destroy or control cancer throughout the body.

For more information, check out these links:

Colorectal Cancer (PDQ): Screening (National Cancer Institute)

What You Need to Know about Cancer of the Colon and Rectum (National Cancer Institute)

Colorectal Cancer: Overview (American Cancer Society)

Colorectal Cancer (National Cancer Institute)

Get Tested for Colorectal Cancer (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion)

What Is Colorectal Cancer? (American Cancer Society)