LocalHealthGuide - Part 180

June 24, 2019 Vaccines

Teens of ‘Anti-Vaxxers’ Can Get Their Own Vaccines, Some States Say

To some degree, all states recognize that older children should have some autonomy in making health care decisions.

June 24, 2019 Minorities

Non-English Speakers Face Health Setback If Trump Loosens Language Rules

The Administration wants to ease a regulation requires health care organizations provide patients with limited English a notice of free translation services.

June 22, 2019 Fitness / Weight Loss

What’s to blame for weight game? (It’s not your genes.)

Your genes and gut bugs can influence weight gain, but the effects are modest. Calories in, calories out are what determine your body weight.

June 21, 2019 Health News

Supplements for brain health show no benefit, study

A quarter of adults over 50 take a supplement for brain health. But a new study suggests seniors should spend their money elsewhere. The supplements don’t work.

June 21, 2019 Fitness / Weight Loss

Obesity has become the new normal but it’s still a health risk

Obese people — fit or unfit, active or not — are on average at greater risk of heart disease, diabetes and early death than lean people with similar behaviors.

MRI of the knee. Course: Selbst Erzeugt via Wikipedia [CC]

June 21, 2019 Biotechnology

Stem Cell Company Persuades Employers To Steer Workers Toward Controversial Therapy

The benefits of stem cells are hotly debated in the medical community, and federal regulators have warned the public to beware of clinics that peddle unapproved injections as a cure-all.

June 21, 2019 Addiction / Opioids

Surgeons’ Opioid-Prescribing Habits Are Hard To Kick

As opioid addiction and overdoses escalated into an epidemic, many surgeons continued to hand out far more pills than needed for postoperative pain relief

Wildfire smoke The Rim Fire in the Stanislaus National Forest near in California began on Aug. 17, 2013

June 19, 2019 Heart and Circulatory System / Lungs / Public Health

Get Ready for Wildfire Smoke Season

Children, older adults, pregnant women and people with heart and lung disease are especially sensitive to wildfire smoke.

June 19, 2019 Biotechnology

“Alexa, monitor my heart.”

UW researchers have developed software that would allow smart speakers and smartphones to detect heart attacks in the home and call for help.

614px Patty Murray, official portrait, 113th Congress

June 19, 2019 Health Insurance

Sens. Murray and Alexander detail their surprise medical bill fix

The unexpected and often high bills patients face when they get care from a provider not in their insurance network are a perpetual complaint from consumers.

June 19, 2019 Medicare

How to find a doctor using Medicare’s “Physician Compare” Tool – Video

Physician Compare helps you find and compare physicians and other clinicians enrolled in Medicare.

June 19, 2019 Marijuana

What you need to know about CBD products – FDA

Some CBD Products are Being Marketed with Unproven Medical Claims

June 19, 2019 Health Policy

Why You Should Read Your Doctor’s Notes

A majority of patients who looked at their doctor’s notes reported they felt more in control of their care and said they were more compliant taking medication.

June 19, 2019 Health Insurance

Senators Agree Surprise Medical Bills Must Go. But How?

How to protect patients from the unexpected and often high charges they face when they get care from a doctor or hospital that isn’t in their insurance network.

June 18, 2019 Biotechnology / Ethics

Miracle machine can leave patients in limbo

ECMO is designed to be a bridge to somewhere — recovery, transplantation or an implanted heart device. But for some patients it can be “bridge to nowhere.”