Tag Archives: nation

Number of new primary care physicians in US ‘abysmally low’

Fewer doctors in the United States are choosing to become primary care physicians – especially in rural areas of the country, Medical Daily reported. In fact, the rate at which U.S. medical schools are producing primary care physicians is “abysmally low,” said Dr. Candice Chen, from the George Washington University School of Public Health and Human Services. Chen and her fellow researchers studied a group of nearly 9,000 doctors who graduated from more than 750 different residency sites between 2006 and 2008. Less than a quarter of these doctors chose to become primary care physicians after their residencies, and less than one in 20 chose to work in rural areas of the country, according to Medical Daily. Additionally, 198 of the 759 medical institutions studied failed to graduate a single doctor who went on to practice in a rural area. “If residency programs do not ramp up the training of these physicians, the shortage in primary care – especially in remote areas – will get worse,” Chen told reporters. “The study's findings raise questions about whether federally funded graduate medical education institutions are meeting the nation's need for primary care physicians.” Some experts believe the country's medical education system will need to change to fix the shortage. An editorial published in the New York Times suggested that the U.S. educate future doctors for free to eliminate the large debt most medical students incur. The program would be funded by issuing penalties to any doctor who chose to pursue a specialty outside of primary care. Click for more from Medical Daily.source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/06/17/number-new-primary-care-physicians-in-us-abysmally-low/

American Cancer Society turns 100 as cancer rates fall

The American Cancer Society - one of the nation's best known and influential health advocacy groups - is 100 years old this week. Back in 1913 when it was formed, cancer was a lesser threat for most Americans. The biggest killers then were flu, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and stomach bugs. At a time when average life expectancy was 47, few lived long enough to get cancer. But 15 doctors and businessmen in New York City thought cancer deserved serious attention, so they founded the American Society for the Control of Cancer. The modern name would come 31 years later. The cancer society's rise coincided with the taming of infectious diseases and lengthening life spans. “Cancer is a disease of aging, so as people live longer there will be more cancer,” explained Dr. Michael Kastan, executive director of Duke University's Cancer Institute. Cancer became the nation's No. 2 killer in 1938, a ranking it has held ever since. It also became perhaps the most feared disease - the patient's own cells growing out of control, responding only to brutal treatments: surgery, radiation and poisonous chemicals. The cancer society is credited with being the largest and most visible proponent of research funding, prevention and programs to help house and educate cancer patients. Last year, the organization had revenues of about $925 million. It employs 6,000 and has 3 million volunteers, calling itself the largest voluntary health organization in the nation. “The American Cancer Society really is in a league of its own,” Kastan said. The rate of new cancer cases has been trending downward ever so slightly. Some historical highlights: 1913 - The American Society for the Control of Cancer is founded in New York City. 1944 - The organization is renamed the American Cancer Society. The change is spurred by Mary Lasker, the wife of advertising mogul Albert Lasker. 1946 - A research program is launched, built on $1 million raised by Mary Lasker. A year later, Dr. Sidney Farber of Boston announces the first successful chemotherapy treatment. 1948 - The cancer society pushes the Pap test, which has been credited with driving a 70 percent decline in uterine and cervical cancer. 1964 - Prodded by the cancer society and other groups, U.S. Surgeon General Luther Terry issues a report irrefutably linking smoking to cancer. 1971 - The cancer society helps lead passage of the National Cancer Act to ramp up research money. President Nixon declares a national “war on cancer,” which becomes an extended effort derided by some as a “medical Vietnam.” 1976 - The cancer society suggests women 40 and older consider a mammogram if their mother or sisters had breast cancer. 1976 - The cancer society hosts a California event to encourage smokers to quit for the day. A year later, the annual Great American Smokeout is launched nationally. 1988 - Atlanta becomes headquarters for the society. 1997 - The cancer society recommends yearly mammograms for women over 40. 2000 - Dr. Brian Druker of Oregon reports the first success with “targeted” cancer therapy. 2003 - The cancer society stops recommending monthly breast self-exams. But it continues to urge annual mammograms for most women over 40, even after a government task force says most don't need screening until 50. 2012 - The cancer society reports the rate of new cancer cases has been inching down by about half a percent each year since 1999.source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/05/22/american-cancer-society-turns-100-as-us-cancer-rates-fall/

Flesh-eating bacteria victim Aimee Copeland gets new bionic hands

Last summer, the nation was captivated by the story of Aimee Copeland, a University of West Georgia graduate student who lost both her hands and a leg to a terrible bout with flesh-eating bacteria, which she contracted during a zip-lining accident.   Now, a little over a year later, 25-year-old Copeland has been fitted with a new pair of prosthetic hands, which allow her to wipe down tables, fold towels and even straighten her hair, WLTX.com reported.   Thanks to a gift from Touch Bionics in Hilliard, Ohio, Copeland is the first woman in the world with bilateral upper limb amputations to be fitted with iLimb Ultra Prosthetic Hands.  According to the company, the prosthetic hands cost $100,000 each, but Touch Bionics gave them to Copeland free of charge, as she had run out of insurance to pay for them herself. To date, the iLimb hands are the most advanced and most versatile high-tech prosthetic hands available, and Copeland has spent the past week in Hilliard getting them fitted and learning how to use them.  In a video from WXIA of Columbus, Ohio, she was able to delicately pick up a single M&M. “It feels amazing, because you know, with the other arms I had, they really didn’t feel like an extension of my body,” Copeland told WXIA.  “This just feels very freeing; it’s more light-weight. And the hand actually… it seems like this could be my actual hand.” Copeland’s ordeal began in May 2012, when she was enjoying a trip kayaking down a creek with some of her friends in Carrollton, Ga.  But when Copeland stopped to ride on a homemade zip line along the water, the line snapped and cut a large gash in her left calf.   Doctors ultimately had to staple her leg up with 22 staples, and they told her to take pain medication.  But the pain did not subside, so a friend drove Copeland to the emergency room the next day, where doctors diagnosed her with necrotizing fasciitis – the infection and destruction of a layer of tissue right underneath the skin.  The bacteria had entered Copeland’s body through the gash she had received during the zip-lining accident.   Despite her initial odds of survival being “slim to none,” then 24-year-old Copeland eventually pulled through, but both her hands and her entire left leg had to be amputated in order to ensure her survival.  After two months in the hospital and two months of rehabilitation, Copeland returned to her renovated home in Snellville, Ga., where she began physical therapy. Click for more from WLTX.com.source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/05/17/flesh-eating-bacteria-victim-aimee-copeland-gets-new-bionic-hands/

How to treat painful sex

Dyspareunia is the technical term for pain during sexual intercourse, which can be related to mental or physical causes. It is not uncommon for women to experience painful intercourse at some point in their lives.   If you are experiencing pain during intercourse, work with your physician to determine the root cause and devise an effective treatment plan. For some of the most common reasons for painful sex, there are simple solutions that can get your sex life back on track. 1. Vaginal dryness Poor vaginal lubrication is classically linked to insufficient levels of estrogen, which tend to decline following pregnancy, during menopause and with treatments for breast cancer. This condition, however, is something women should be discussing with their doctors. Vaginal dryness can be a result of more serious conditions, such as the autoimmune disease, Sjogren’s syndrome.  It may also be caused by medications, such as oral birth control, beta-blockers and antidepressants. Regardless of the cause, intercourse is often very painful and many women may lose the desire to have sex or may be inclined to endure unhealthy pain in the attempt to appease their partner. There are several treatment options for vaginal dryness: • Hormone therapy, such as restoring estrogen and progesterone levels to normal levels can bring back the natural mechanism that supports vaginal lubrication. • Adequate amounts of mono- and polyunsaturated fats in your diet (10 to 20 percent of daily calories). • Stay hydrated to keep the body’s mucous membranes moist and functioning. • Avoid products that can steal vaginal moisture, like feminine sprays, douches and antibacterial and deodorant soaps • Use an all-natural, water-based lubricants. 2. Lichen sclerosis Lichen sclerosis is a fairly common issue among women that affects the vulva and can cause intercourse to be painful.  The issue can cause progressive changes to the vulvar skin. Generally, small white spots appear on the skin with a shiny or smooth texture. These can grow into larger patches and the skin will become thin and crinkled and may bruise or tear easily. Other symptoms include itching, pain, bleeding and blisters. Women experiencing these symptoms should seek the advice of the physician, as lichen sclerosis has been associated with an increased risk for vulvar cancer. The condition is treatable, usually with topical steroids, but once diagnosed the condition generally affects the individual for a lifetime. 3. Birth control pills Painful intercourse may also be associated with use of birth control pills. It is not uncommon for oral birth control to cause hormonal issues that can lead to discomforts during sex.  Birth control pills cause elevated levels of sex hormone binding globulin, which can bind free testosterone and cause vaginal atrophy in young women. This problem may persist even after discontinuation of the Pill. Hormone replacement therapy is an effective treatment option to return hormone levels to a balanced, natural state and improve pain with intercourse. 4. Vulvodynia Vulvodynia is a pain syndrome of the vulva that is characterized by point hypersensitivity to touch usually in the introitus (entrance to the vagina.)  This can be the result of having frequent vaginal infections, particularly yeast infections. Women that are susceptible to frequent yeast infections should avoid potential irritants, like douches, dyes and perfumes. It is important to the vulva clean and dry and use lubrication with intercourse. If yeast infections continue or pain occurs with intercourse, you should seek treatment you’re your doctor. A healthy diet, as well as oral and vaginal probiotics, are effective treatments options to minimize the occurrence of yeast infections and prevent the development of disease.  Some physicians may prescribe chronic use of steroids to treat vulvodynia; however, this is not the best solution. Chronic steroids, especially potent doses, thin the vaginal skin over time, which can increase pain.  Topical numbing medications, or even injections of interferon, are better alternatives for managing the condition. 5. Vaginismus In some cases, the issue of painful sex is involuntary tightening of the pelvic floor muscles, which is known as vaginismus. This can be diagnosed with an examination by your physician. Pelvic floor physical therapy is the best course of treatment, followed by graduated use of vaginal dilators.   6. Deep pain Deep pain during intercourse can be caused by a number of factors, including certain types of cancer, endometriosis, fibroids and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Getting treatment early can prevent the dangerous progression of these conditions, which may threaten not only your sex life, but your fertility and health. Do not hesitate to discuss the occurrence with your physician. 7. Seek a physician’s care If you experience internal pain with sex, you should discuss this with your doctor. If the pain is only occasional, it may be related to your cycle, or perhaps the particular position may not be comfortable for you. However, if the pain reoccurs consistently or becomes worse, this could indicate inflammation — which means it's time to see a doctor.   Dr. Jennifer Landa is Chief Medical Officer of BodyLogicMD, the nation's largest franchise of physicians specializing in bioidentical hormone therapy. Dr. Jen spent 10 years as a traditional OB-GYN, and then became board-certified in regenerative medicine, with an emphasis on bio-identical hormones, preventative medicine and nutrition. She is the author of “The Sex Drive Solution for Women.” & Learn more about her programs at www.jenlandamd.com.& source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/05/12/how-to-treat-painful-sex/