Category: Wellness (Page 9 of 116)

A Wristband That Lets You Know When You’ve Had Enough Sun

August 10, 2012 / Staff

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New technology enables a disposable wristband to read the amount of ultraviolet ( UV ) radiation to which you are being exposed.

In addition to sunscreen, the “UV Dosimeter” let’s you know when you’ve spent too much time in the sun; even with SPF protection.

At .15 cents per bracelet it is an affordable way to protect from yourself skin damage and skin cancer.

The wristbands contain an acid-release agent and a dye that work in concert to pick up UV light and then change color depending on the levels of radiation detected. Different bands will be tailored for people of varying skin types, who have different levels of UV tolerance. The band made for fair-skinned and fair-haired types will change color faster than bands made for darker-complected people.
In the U.S., skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, with more than 3.5 million cases diagnosed each year. Sunburn or overexposure to the sun is a major risk factor for developing skin cancer, and Intellego is betting that the worldwide market for the new wristband will be substantial.

Quality Control, Research, Resources, Wellness

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Pain Reducing Dental Device Shows Promise

August 7, 2012 / Staff

Feeling less pain at the dentist makes everyone happy.

Including the dentist.

A new device allows dentists to give injections relatively painlessly, easing anxiety for patients.

Doctors, Quality Control, Resources, Wellness

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The Urban Rebounder Adds Fun To Your Workout Routine

August 7, 2012 / Staff

When you were a kid staying fit was effortless fun.

The Urban Rebounding workout brings back the playfulness of exercise with the added benefit of protection for your older joints!

Resources, Wellness

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Illness Rises Among American Adults

July 31, 2012 / Staff

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Almost half of middle aged Americans suffer from one or more chronic illnesses.

Living longer with chronic illness is possible with better medical care and pharmaceuticals, however, disease prevention is the real goal.

The increases were due mainly to rises in three conditions: hypertension, diabetes and cancer, according to the report. These increases may be due to more new cases, or due to people living longer with the conditions because of advances in medical treatments.
The report also said that middle-aged adults with at least two chronic conditions had increasing difficulty, between 2000 and 2010, in getting the care and prescription drugs they needed because of cost. In 2010, 23 percent reported not receiving or delaying the medical care they needed, and 22 percent said they didn’t get the prescriptions they needed. In 2000, these rates were 17 percent and 14 percent, respectively.

Quality Control, Research, Resources, Wellness

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Prostate Cancer Screening Controversy Continues

July 31, 2012 / Staff

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The debate continues over Prostate Cancer Screening tests and the new opinion is that screening with the PSA ( prostate specific antigen) may prevent 17,000 advanced cases yearly.

The problem with screening is how to proceed going forward if cancer is detected.

Watchful waiting or invasive treatments which may cause serious side effects are often the choice.

Many times the cancer is slow growing and would never had been detected as there are often no symptoms.

Last year, an influential organization called the U.S. Services Preventive Task Force (USPSTF) recommended against prostate cancer screening altogether, saying its harms outweigh its benefits.
Recent studies on the topic have also had conflicting results, with some suggesting prostate cancer screening saves lives, and others finding no benefit.
The researchers say their new findings should be taken into consideration when creating PSA screening recommendations.
“There are trade-offs associated with the PSA test, and many factors influence the disease outcome,” said study researcher Dr. Edward Messing, chairman of urology at the University of Rochester Medical Center. “And yet our data are very clear: not doing the PSA test will result in many men presenting with far more advanced prostate cancer.”

Doctors, Health Care Policy, Research, Wellness

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