Blogs


 * __Clinical Trial For Lymphoma Success__**
 * 10/4/10**

Cancer is one of the most deadly and complicated diseases that affect people all over the world. The clinical trial (conducted by Seattle Genetics) was aimed at finding a cure for Hodgkin’s lymphoma and has made quite a milestone in the attempts to find a cure for cancer. The new drug, brentuximab vedotin, was found to successfully shrink tumors in 75% of the people that participated in the trial which, is a huge accomplishment since Hodgkin’s Lymphoma affects 8,500 Americans a year. Of these people, 7000-8000 don’t react to chemotherapy or relapse which results in at least 1,300 deaths a year. I think by scientists finding a drug that can successfully destroy tumors with such minute side effects, will lead to a better understanding of how to cure all types of cancer. Each development that is made in the health care field leads to more knowledge about diseases and reduces death rates. Scientists and drug companies such as Seattle Genetics, have come so far in revolutionizing medical care, that many diseases and illnesses that killed so many people years ago are now simply cured with medicine. Trials, studies and tests that are performed on donated bodies and willing patients greatly contribute to a better comprehension of the human body, its functions and abnormalities. Researchers and developers have saved a substantial amount of people due to their hard work and generous cooperation of the public. The development of new drugs and treatments are all advancements towards curing deadly and painful diseases that can save millions of people. Health care has come a long way in the past few centuries and continues to advance with each trial and study performed.


 * __ Marijuana, Once Divisive, Brings Some Families Closer __**
 * 10/11/10**

It is very surprising that the use of medical marijuana has become popular throughout the United States. Although years ago marijuana was seen as the culprit of tearing many families apart, today is can be used as a sort of bonding experience between a parent and child. A family in Illinois makes several foods containing this drug, which is shocking because parents often try to steer their children away from marijuana and other drugs. Not only does it give families a chance to bond on a similar interest, but medical marijuana also has several medicinal values, which I find rather unusual. The FDA has disproved of marijuana and made it illegal in most of the United States but it took them this long to find out that it can actually reduce the symptoms of many illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. I think the use of marijuana rather than narcotics such as OxyContin will lessen the high rates of narcotic addiction and naturally ease the discomforts of illnesses. Marijuana is also less addictive than many medicines used today but yet the FDA insists on keeping it an illegal substance despite the huge benefits it may have. I find it ridiculous that some people grow marijuana illegally just to seek the proven relief the drug has for many diseases. I think if this drug is legal in a few states such as California then it should be available for all Americans and doctors to prescribe to their patients. Sick people in other states shouldn’t be denied their right to taking certain medication because it is not legal where they happen to live. Making marijuana legal in all states can dramatically effect treatments and make patients more comfortable.


 * __U.S. to let Insurers Raise Fees for Sick Children__**
 * 10/16/10**

Health care policies in the United States have become a huge issue over the past few years. Increasing the amount of child-only insurance policies will make insurance coverage more possible for many people who cant afford insurance for their whole family. I think expanding health coverage especially for ill children that cant pay their own bills, would be very beneficial to families nationwide. Like in My Sister’s Keeper, paying for Kate’s hospital bills was a huge burden on the Fitzgerald family on top of caring for their terminally ill daughter. The insurance company denied Kate coverage for expensive procedures because they felt “it wasn’t in their best interest” to cover the expenses at that time. Thankfully, Obama’s new health care policy states that children cannot be denied health coverage under any circumstances, which will help families a lot in affording health care for their sick children. Although premiums may increase for child only policies, more children have the opportunity to be insured which I believe is extremely important since hospital bills are so outrageous. During open-enrollment periods, parents have a chance to insure kids last minute if the child suddenly becomes ill which could save people thousands of dollars in bills and peace of mind over paying for treatments. An outstanding number of people die each year because they cannot afford medical procedures, I believe it is very important to try and solve this problem especially for children that aren’t even capable of affording their own care. Hopefully Obama’s new health care policy will increase the amount of child-only insurance policies and make health care more affordable.


 * __Botox for Migraines__**
 * __10/27/10__**

Botox has been proven to have many uses but I found it very surprising that it is now used to treat migraines. It has been effective in treating uncontrolled blinking, neck muscle problems, excessive underarm sweating and reduction in wrinkles, which has helped thousands of people throughout the world. I know from personal experience that migraines (headaches that occur more than 15 times a month) are very painful and can be quite a nuisance. My doctor has prescribed me several different medicines that help most of the time but I would be more than willing to try Botox to solve my migraine problem. The drug company Allergan recently settled a law suite for illegally advertising Botox for things such as migraines, which was not approved by the FDA, but is now permitted. It seems that researchers are always finding new uses for drugs like Botox, which could potentially treat many health ailments. Industry analysts predict that Botox for migraines will make more than $1 billion by 2015, one downside to this is that analysts also think Botox use for cosmetic purposes will greatly decrease. I believe that this could take a huge toll on the already suffering economy since $1.3 billion comes from Botox for cosmetic use, and cosmetic procedures are a major source of money. I think the new found use for Botox will be very beneficial in easing migraines and may even lead to more discoveries of its purposes. Although it is predicted that new uses for Botox will take attention away from its other purposes, I feel Botox will remain an extremely important drug in the health care world.

The shortage of health care workers is taking a high toll on the American health care system. Alot of responsibility and work is being given to nurses to compensate for this loss and I think that is destroying the balance in health care. The new health care plans are aimed at improving the system, one main way of doing so will be to optimize the contributions of everyone. The physician deficit is expected to increaseby nearly 93,000 over the next ten years so researchers want to expand health care worker education dramatically in order to optimize all health professionals. More nurses are expected to recieve a doctorate degree and provide more home health casre. This proposal has a huge impact on my future career because it is now very important to have a higher degree in whatever health care profession I pursue. In order to have a fighting chance at finding a job in the struggling job market I will most likely need to recieve my masters or doctorate degree. College are becoming increasingly difficult to be accepted to because of a teacher shortage which puts alot of strain on the students striving to get their degree in order to work in a field such as health care. Many people, including myself, would prefer not to go throuhg that many years of schooling especially because of the high cost of college. The current state of the economy and health care system are taking a huge toll on the current generation to go through more years of school than ever before and then enter a job market that is very unpromising.
 * __Nurses’ Role in the Future of Health Care__**
 * 11/20/10**

__**Not Just Small Talk: Quality-of-Life Questions at Medical Exams**__ At yearly checkups doctors fail to ask patients about their quality of life such as depression and sleep deprivation. Ignoring these problems have a huge impact on patients, especially those with chronic illnesses. Life-assesment questions can be used to decide treatment options for patients which may save money in health care and cure illnesses quicker and more efficiently. Illnesses can take a large toll on peoples lives physically and socially, I feel it is the responsibility of physicians to address both of these problems to the best of their abilities. All people should have a chance at living happy, long and enjoyable lives and physicians play a major role in ensuring this to their patients. Many changes in behavior and mental health are associated with physical ailments which physicians typically dont ask patients. By asking patients about their quality of life, they could undergo less drastic therapies to cope with illness which would save money and time for both the patient and health care worker. Many medical professionals dont realize how important life assesment is when diagnosing and treating a patient, therefore many of them arent doing their job. All aspects of a patients health are held responsible by their physician whether it is mental or physical. When they dont ask probing questions they are likely to miss serious problems that could be simply remedied. I think physicians should be educated about the seriousness of asking patients life quality questions in order to optimize health care and diagnosis.
 * 11/15/10**

New York City proposed a law to force all bodegas and convenience stores to display gruesome images of diseased lungs, brains and teeth to discourage people from buying cigarettes. Judge Jed S. Rakoff rejected the new law because it is in the power of the federal government to regulate cigarette warnings and displaying the posters would not be protecting "commerce and the national economy". To me it seems like the judge is more concerned about the profit made by tobacco companies rather than the well being of the public. I feel if someone is mature enough to purchase tobacco products then they should be able to view the potential effects of their actions. More people in New York city die from cigarettes than suicide, homicide and AIDS combined, yet, the judge feels nothing more should be done to prevent these deaths. I think by advertising appalling images of diseases caused by cigarettes, it would be more of a reality check for people. By seeing what could be in their future if they buy those cigarettes could truly scare many people away from smoking. I watched my grandfather die a painful, young death at age 56 due to smoking his whole life, and that experience alone discouraged me from ever smoking. Perhaps if smokers throughout the city were exposed to some of the awful outcomes of cigarettes they would be just as appalled to smoking. The judge's ruling is being appealed by the city and hopefully this new law will be passed after the next court case.
 * __Judge Rejects City Law on Antismoking Posters__**
 * 12/29/10**

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis did a study connecting overeating to alcoholism. People with a history of alcoholism are 30 to 40% more likely to be obese.I found this very interesting that food can be just as addicting as any other drug. Drugs and food both trigger the same neurological response from the brain that stimulates the release of dopamine. This makes me think that it may help obese people more to treat them as if they have any other addiction. If an alcoholic or drug addict needs rehabilitation to get their life back in order, why shouldn't people that overeat need the same thing? Although it is not only a single gene that causes addictions, having a history of them makes people far more likely to have an addiction to something in their lifetime. I think if we started rehabilitating overweight people it may dramatically reduce the overweight epidemic throughout the United States and decrease the health problems associated with it. Researchers say that the fast food society we live in also greatly contributes to obesity but if someone is addicted to something it doesn't help to have that addiction broadcasted all around you. If there were as many liquor stores as there are Mcdonalds and Burger Kings, I think there would be a huge alcoholism epidemic as well. By treating a person's tendency to overeat as an addiction of any other sort, we may be able to get Americas obesity problem under control.
 * __Is Overeating an Addiction?__**
 * 1/5/11**

__**Lilly Enters Diabetes Alliance With German Drug Maker**__ The drug company Eli Lilly will pay $387 million dollars to German drug company Boehringer Ingelheim in a step to develop a global alliance in marketing diabetes drugs. The companies will share revenues from any of the drugs that approved this year. I think this is a great step towards finding a better treatment or a potential cure for diabetes. Rather than drug companies competing against each other, it makes more sense to band together and focus on fighting specific diseases such as diabetes. Although Lilly didnt just ally with the German drug company to cure diabetes, they were in debt themselves. Even though it seems this alliance was essentially forced, in the end I think it will pay off. If more drug companies joined forces the new drugs and treatments that could be developed are endless. Each company will pay the other for milestones they make in experimental new drugs. This drives the companies to work even harder and more efficiently not only to earn money but to create new treatments. This alliance is a breakthrough in the development of new treatments as well as an example for other drug companies throughout the world.
 * 1/11/11**

A study conducted in Singapore followed 3,000 students in sixth, seventh and eighth grade who played video games. It showed that kids that more of social outcasts, tended to play more video games. Children who played 31 hours a week compared to those that played 19 hours a week, became more depressed and anxious within two years. I think this is a very important study to share with the public. Almost everyone i know plays video games and most of them, such as my brother, play them excessively. The increased rate of teen depression and suicide may be able to be avoided if this study is right about video games causing depression. Not only do video games raise the risk of teenagers becoming depressed, but they also cause grades to drop and relationships with parents to deteriorate. Video games seem to cause huge problems and may become an epidemic. Teenagers around the world are "addicted" to playing this games and with technology constantly developing, this problem will only get worse. It seems that parents need to control how much video games their children are allowed to play and children need to be aware of what can come of excessive video gaming.
 * __Do Video Games Cause Depression in Teenagers?__**
 * 1/18/11**

It is often tough to get employees to put their health above their job but it seems to be even harder during these tough economic times. In an analysis of 3,000 employees, their past health records show a dramatic decrease in their concentration on their health, which is concerning but not unexpected to me. Only fifty nine percent of workers put their health as a top priority as compared to 69% in 2008. I feel that the worse the economy is, the less people will concentrate on themselves because there are so many problems they have to worry about such as finances, bill payments, family costs, maintaining their job and/ or money for their children. Many people are living paycheck to paycheck so they are more concerned about the cost of the healthcare rather than their health. My father is a perfect example of an employee putting his job before his health. His doctor is very concerned about a certain of his heart and feels he could have clogged arteries. So he insists that my dad has a cardiac catheterization but my father has put the test off three times already because of things that have come up at work. It is dangerous for people to be more concerned about keeping their job than taking care of themselves because this economy has made it so hard to stay employed and have a sufficient amount of money. Researchers believe that people will start putting their health first once the economy begins to recover, but until then may will continue to make it their last priority.
 * __Job Worries Override Health Concerns__**
 * 2/16/11**

http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/16/job-worries-override-health-concerns/

Federal regulators proposed that the health plans offered to college students need to comply with the health care law. The department of Health and Human Services have finally complied with the needs of young students. I think this is a huge breakthrough in health care to ensure that no one is denied the coverage they deserve. This new plan states that students under 19 years old cannot be denied coverage because they have a potentially expensive pre-existing condition. The health plan now covers over a million students, but state rules vary the coverage immensely. I feel that everyone should be offered the same health care and coverage no matter where they are or what type of condition they have. This big step in health coverage will now guarantee affordable health care benefits to students and their families. I am very pleased with this new policy because as of this fall i will be a college student myself and i am relieved to know that I will be guaranteed health coverage. Health care can be unbelievably expensive and most of the time unaffordable for most people without insurance. By health and Human Services finally complying with the health care needs of students, people will no longer have to be denied care they need due to cost. http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/09/regulating-student-health-plans/
 * __Regulating Student Health Plans__**
 * 2/9/11**

__**Should Menthol Cigarettes be Banned?**__ A federal advisory panel has claimed that menthol cigarettes are more harmful than non-menthol cigarettes. The menthol is more appealing because the smoke is not as harsh as non-menthol cigarettes, which leads to an increase in smokers. Menthol is also more appealing to kids to make them start smoking and it is harder for African Americans to quit. The menthol also makes it hard for people to quit, but i don't feel that taking them off the market will dramatically decrease the number of smokers. Cigarettes are bad for ones health either way so menthol or no menthol doesn't really matter. For those who want menthol in their cigarettes, they will just make an underground market for them. If the FDA really wants to reduce the number of smokers they should ban cigarettes all together, not just the ones with menthol. Although banning menthol cigarettes is a step towards eliminating tobacco use, I dont think it is aggressive enough to put an end to smoking. Smoking cigarettes has absolutely no benefit towards ones health and kills thousands of people each year, so why not ban them all together? The FDA is having a hard time building a case against menthol cigarettes to prove they are any more harmful than non menthol cigarettes, just more addictive. http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/18/should-menthol-cigarettes-be-banned/
 * March 18, 2011**

__**Toddler Twins: Secret Language or Babble?**__ A video of toddler twins having a conversation has made people wonder if twins have their own language. In a video posted online the twins babble, point and laugh at each other but experts don't believe it is a real language. I found the video so interesting because the boys really do look like they are talking to each other. They let each other finish their sentence and then react by laughing or pointing. Speech experts say the boys are simply mimicking a conversation they have heard and seen. It is amazing to see toddlers so young being able to communicate so efficiently and remember something they have seen to reenact it. Doctors say that all babies go through this stage in language development but what is special about twins is that they develop language together and babble to each other. To me it still seems like these twins actually know what the other is saying based on their reactions and tone. I have seen babies talk to each other similar to this before but I have never seen them so in depth with their conversation. Many believe that twins have their own way of communicating because they develop and grow together, I find research on twins very interesting.
 * 3/31/11**

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/31/toddler-twins-secret-language-or-babble/

A recent study from doctors in Utah found that periodic fasting may reduce the chance of cardiovascular disease. The morman faith requires people to fast at least one day a month, and in the study 90% of the participants were Morman and 58% of those people had a lower risk of coronary artery disease. I found this very interesting because after researching nutrition as part of a project, I found that many vitamin and mineral deficiencies are caused by fasting. I have never heard anything about fasting being good for the body at all. The study also states that the fasting could have nothing to do with the decreased possibilty of heart disease because people of the Morman religion are healthier all around. They abstain from alcohol use, smoking and caffeine. I think this research finding is more accurate in proving how living a healthier lifestyle will dramatically decrease chances of heart diseases. The study did find that no eating for 24 hours changes metabolism which is also found to be healthy for the heart. Perhaps researchers could use this information to encourage people to fast for better heart health.
 * __Regular Fasting May Boost Heart Health__**
 * 4/4/11**

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__**Big Tobacco Wins Missouri Case**__ A jury in Missouri decided Tobacco companies are not liable to pay hospital bills related to cigarette use. I think this is absurd because if the tobacco companies know that their product is killing people, then they should be responsible for the hospital care those people need. Hospitals in over 40 states had to pay hundreds of millions of dollars for patient hospital stays related to smoking because the patients did not have insurance or money to pay for it. I believe a big part of the reason why people dont have money to pay for their healthcare is because they spend so much of it on cigarettes. Insurance companies often deny to insure smokers and tobacco companies are a huge part of the cause. The tobacco industry defense was that they were making more money by the increase in sick people and that they should not be responsible for the choice of people to smoke. The trial started three months ago and took the jurors a week to decided 9-3 against the hospitals plea for reimbursment. Ive had numerous family members die from tobacco use and the bills we've had to pay for their health care is outragous. If tobacco companies insist on selling their product then i believe they should pay for the consequences. There is nothing good that comes out of smoking tobacco but the tobacco companies insist that there is.
 * 4/29/11**

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The GlaxoSmithKline lawyer, Lauren C. Stevens was acquitted May 10, 2011 from a charge of obstructing an investigation. The lawyer was accused of obtructing a federal investigation into illegal drug marketing. This is shocking to me to think that this drug company appeared to be attempting to conceal their illegal drug marketing. GlaxoSmithKline drug company was accused of illegally marketing the anti-depressant Welbutrin as a weight loss medication. It seems unfair that lawyers are typically targeted for the actions of the drug companies they work for, but the company executives are never held accountable. Drug companies should be well repected industries but they seem to often get involved in alot of scandal such as illegal marketing of drugs. Its sad to think that these companies have to be constantly investigated and monitored to avoid them selling potentially dangerous drugs to the public. They seem to only really care about the money obtained from the sale of these drugs and not the benefit they have to sick people. I find it unbelievable that such a notable drug company could even be accused of selling a drug like welbutrin for something other than what is was approved for. If it wasnt for the FDA keeping a close eye on companies like this, I would feel very uneasy.
 * __Former Glaxo Lawyer Acquitted__**
 * 5/11/2011**


 * []**

__**The Hidden Price of Drugs**__ When pharmaceutical companies release new drugs, they are often glorified as another step towards bettering public health. The release of these new drugs usually don't include how much they cost in the intial advertising. It is unbelievable to see how much drugs really cost. For example Vertex Pharmaceuticals released a new hepatitis C drug called Incivek. This drug costs $49,000. There is researching proving that these new drugs improve or cure diseases people are living with and its shocking to see how much money drug companies charge for them. For people that don't have health insurance, paying for such drugs are impossible and it shouldnt have to be that way. I think its sad that drug companies charge patients who are in need of medicine so much money for their medication. I am aware that drug manufacturing is a business but they are dealing with sick people and its absurd to charge them ridiculously high prices such as $1,500 for a course of antibiotics. Not only do drug companies charge so much money for their drugs but they will also do everything in their power to delay the release of a generic version of their drugs. To me, the business of pharmaceutical companies is immoral and corrupt.
 * 5/31/11**

http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/31/the-hidden-price-of-drugs/

__**Fixated By Screens, but Seemingly Nothing Else**__ Parents often say their kids could not have ADHD because they can sit and watch television for hours. Doctors say this isnt true but rather a sign of ADHD. Playing video games is more rewarding for people with ADHD because they are constantly being rewarded such as gaining points or moving to the next level. Some doctors say video games are a consquence of this disease while others think it can be caused by playing them. I can relate to this article because my brother has ADHD, and he is in a sense addicted to playing video games. He doesn't always do well in school, but he is amazing at playing video games. Things that provide constant rewards like video games do prove to be more enticing to sufferers of ADHD. The drug ritalin has proven to reduce the amount of time sufferers of this disease spend playing video games. Doctors suggest that parents should cut back on the amount of time their children are allowed to spend watching TV or playing games. Constantly being in front of the television can lead to the child becoming anti-social and having social problems.
 * 5/9/11**

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/10/health/views/10klass.html?ref=views

A study has shown that chronic fatigue syndrome is linked to a retrovirus known as XMRV. Researchers began testing people diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome for XMRV and found that many of them had the virus. This virus is believed to be accidentally created in a lab. Scientists think XMRV is a combination of two mouse leukemia viruses that were accidentally created in a lab. I found this very interesting because I had no idea that tiredness could be diagnosed as a disease. I found it shocking that chronic fatigue is linked to a retrovirus believe to be created in a lab. This makes me think I should be tested for XMRV because I'm always tired. One of the problems in the studies was that fourty three people who had previously tested positive for XMRV, showed no indication of XMRV or any related virus in the second test. Knowing that this virus is likely caused by an accidental lab experiment makes me a littler nervous as to what else scientists could accidentally create. Now that this new virus has been released, researchers need to find a cure or at least some way to relieve the symptoms. One of the symptoms is hyper-immune activation, which causes the immune system to overwork.
 * __2 Studies Examine Syndrome of Fatigue__**
 * 6/1/11**

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/01/health/research/01fatigue.html?ref=research