Princess Health and Princess Health andEar, nose and throat doctor at UK aims to reduce state's high rate of hearing loss among children.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Princess Health andEar, nose and throat doctor at UK aims to reduce state's high rate of hearing loss among children.Princessiccia

Appalachia hearing otolaryngology rural health rural-urban disparities telemedicine

Gusty 13:18 Add Comment

Dr. Matthew Bush, an otolaryngologist at the University of Kentucky, is working to reduce the state's high rate of hearing loss, especially in Appalachia and among children. He was born in Charleston, W.Va., and attended medical school at Marshall University in Huntington. "In the course of his extensive training, Bush 'fell in love' with hearing health care, ear surgery and technologies like cochlear implants that offer revolutionary opportunities for people who are deaf or hard of hearing to rejoin or enter the hearing world," Mallory Powell writes for UK. 

"It was the clinic setting that informed and fueled my efforts and interests because the patients that we see have some tear-jerking stories," Bush said. "They didn't have access to services, or they were totally unaware that there were options to help their hearing impaired child. So they show up at the clinic very delayed, well past the optimal age for intervention, and the child has already lost a lot of language development potential."

About 1 in 1,000 children experience pediatric hearing loss, and Bush said the rate is much higher in Kentucky, 1.7 out of 1,000 in Kentucky. Though hearing loss isn't life-threatening, it can greatly impact the quality of life, influencing speech, language and cognitive development in children. Early detection is important for successful treatment. "The consequences of delaying care in the first few years of life are amplified dramatically," Bush said.

Rural residents deal with many health disparities, and "delays in pediatric hearing health care are unfortunately common," Powell writes. "Children with hearing loss in rural areas are diagnosed later than children in urban areas and subsequently receive interventions like hearing aids and cochlear implants at a later age."

This rural hearing-health disparity results from factors such as distance from health-care facilities and inadequate knowledge of the importance of timely care for pediatric hearing loss. Bush says he hopes to employ telemedicine to reduce the effects of distance from facilities, with "diagnostic testing, patient counseling and hearing loss rehabilitation with hearing aids and implants. These services have not been offered before in Appalachia."

Bush is also working to increase parental knowledge about pediatric hearing loss and educate rural primary-care physicians in diagnosing and treating pediatric hearing loss. "This is not something that they're seeing on a daily basis, so provider knowledge about next steps and resources is limited," Bush said. He and his colleagues have created online educational modules that will be circulated to providers.

"In an ideal world . . . there would be a seamless transition from the birthing hospital to resources for hearing testing and treatment, whether face-to-face or via telemedicine. We'd like the quality of care and access to care to be the same for all children. That's really what our passion is," Bush said. (Read more)

Princess Health and Princess Health andFactCheck.org takes apart attacks on Obamacare.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Princess Health andFactCheck.org takes apart attacks on Obamacare.Princessiccia

health insurance health reform obamacare Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Gusty 19:13 Add Comment

FactCheck.org is a non-profit, non-partisan center in the Annenberg Center at the University of Pennsylvania. It blows the whistle on misleading advertising and other statements of political figures. The center tries to balance its analyses between the parties, but the Republican attacks on federal health-care reform have been so strong and subjective, and Democrats have mounted so little defense or so few counterpunches, that the center's latest "Party Lines" report is all about Republican advertising against Obamacare. Here are capsules provided by FactCheck, with the label linking to each report:

Government-Run Health Care: Republican congressional candidates claim the health care law puts the government between you and your doctor. But the law boosts private insurance, and it doesn�t create a government-run system.

ACA �Hurting� Families: Ads criticizing the Affordable Care Act make the general claim that it�s �hurting� families. Some families could pay more for insurance, but millions of the uninsured will gain coverage. And millions will get subsidies to help pay for coverage.

�Skyrocketing� Premiums: Several ads make the misleading claim that premiums and health care costs are �skyrocketing� under the Affordable Care Act. Overall, both are growing at historically low rates. Some who buy their own insurance will pay more, but others will pay less.

�Millions� Lost Insurance: Anti-Obamacare ads have claimed that �millions� lost their health insurance and their doctors because of the law. But policyholders weren�t denied coverage, and there�s evidence that far more gained insurance than had their plans canceled.

Princess Health andToronto Yonge Street 10K: H+P Men's Team.Princessiccia

Princess Health andToronto Yonge Street 10K: H+P Men's Team.Princessiccia

Gusty 21:47 Add Comment

On Sunday April 13th the TYS10K, one of Canada's fastest 10Ks, will be flying through Toronto!  H+P is very excited to be entering a men's team for the event which includes some of our fastest runners.  We will be hammering, chasing some PB's, and having a lot of fun along the way!   CLICK here to follow along and see our results on race day.  We will also set up live tweets.  Race starts at 9AM sharp.

Here is the full men's team roster:

Name: Ahmed Ahmed
Age: 19
Height: 5'6
Weight: 120lbs
Current PBs: 17:18 5K (but has crushed many other xc races)
Interesting Facts: Known as the Kenyan Stallion.  Crushes all the guys during hill repeats.

Name: Rob Brouilette
Age: 21
Height: 6'0
Weight: 135lbs
Current 10K PB: 34:02
Interesting Facts: Loves running...like a lot.  Is the king of social media.











Name: Brendan Hancock
Age: 23
Height: 6'0
Weight: 165lbs
Current PBs: 16:47 5K, 1:15:15 half
Interesting Facts:  Current H+P TT record holder.  Throws up more often then any other men's team  member.












Name: Pat Mulherin
Age: 24
Height: 6'1
Weight: 160lbs
Current PBs: 17:37 5K (2008)
Interesting Facts: Most recent H+P signing.  Never does half  workouts.

Name: Jordan Schmidt

Age: 26
Height: 5'10
Weight: 160lbs
Current 10K PB: 37:30 and dropping!
Interesting Facts: Will have a new 10K PB after this race.

Name: Sean Delanghe

Age: 28
Height: 5'8
Weight: 155lbs
Current 10K PB: 34:05
Interesting Facts: Lacks the ability to keep up to Ahmed going up hills.

WOMEN'S TEAM UPDATE

Unfortunately we do not have a complete women's team this year.  We DO, however, have two great women running: Gillian Willard and Jessica Kuepfer.  Don't forget to watch for their results and cheer them on.  Good luck girls!!

 

Princess Health and Princess Health andSeason has arrived for poison ivy, oak and sumac; here's plenty of advice on how to deal with them and their rashes.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Princess Health andSeason has arrived for poison ivy, oak and sumac; here's plenty of advice on how to deal with them and their rashes.Princessiccia

dermatology skin care

Gusty 19:43 Add Comment

Leaves of three, let them be.

This old childhood rhyme still holds true today,well at least for poison oak and poison ivy. Poison sumac has seven to 13 leaflets on each leaf. But the result is the same: If you come into contact with the oil from their leaves, you are likely to end up with a an itchy rash that can last from one to three weeks.

About 85 percent of people will develop an itchy, blistering rash when they come in contact with the oil from these plants, says the American Academy of Dermatology in a news release.

The rash itself isn't contagious, but the oil is, and it can linger on just about any surface: skin, clothes, under fingernails, tools, pets -- you get the picture. It can even come through the air if someone is burning brush. So, you can get poison ivy, poison sumac or poison oak without stepping one foot into nature.
Avoiding the plants and wearing protective clothing are the two proven ways to avoid getting a rash from these plants.

�If you are absolutely certain that your rash is due to poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac, and if the rash appears on a small section of your skin, you may be able to treat the rash at home,� Seemal R. Desai, dermatologist from Texas, said in the news release. �However, if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, you experience swelling, or you have many rashes or blisters, go to the emergency room right away.�

The association also recommends going to the emergency room if the rash covers most of your body, if your eyelid swells shut, if the rash develops anywhere on your face or genitals, if much of your skin itches, or nothing seems to ease the itch.

Fortunately, there are simple steps people can take to safely treat a mild rash at home. Here are the association's recommendations for treating mild cases of poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac:

1. Immediately rinse your skin with lukewarm, soapy water. Initially take a shower, not a bath, to get the oil off of your body.
2. Wash your clothing.
3. Wash everything that may have come in contact with the oil from the leaves.
4. Do not scratch. Scratching can cause infection.
5. Leave blisters alone. If blisters open, do not remove the overlying skin, as the skin can protect the raw wound underneath and prevent infection.
6. Take short, lukewarm baths to relieve the itch. Add colloidal oatmeal from the drugstore or one cup of baking soda to the running water for additional relief.
7. Consider using calamine lotion or hydro-cortisone cream.
8. Apply cool compresses to the itchy skin.
9. Consider taking antihistamine pills. These pills can help reduce itching, however use with caution. Call your doctor if you are uncertain if you should take an antihistamine.
10. Do not apply a topical antihistamine to your skin; doing so can worsen the rash and the itch.
11. See a dermatologist if the rash has not improved within 10 days.

Princess Health and Princess Health andHere are spring-cleaning tips to help allergy sufferers.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Princess Health andHere are spring-cleaning tips to help allergy sufferers.Princessiccia

allergies household health respiratory illness

Gusty 19:36 Add Comment

Spring cleaning often stirs up dust and pet dander, and can leave a strong scent of cleaning supplies in the air. All can cause those with allergies to reach for a tissue and dread the task. But stirring up a little dust and dander is worth a few extra sneezes, the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology says in a news release, because a thorough spring cleaning will ultimately help you avoid allergy symptoms.

�Thoroughly cleaning your home can help eliminate allergens and keep new ones from easily entering,� James Sublett, president-elect of the ACAAI, said in Newswise, a research-reporting service.  �Allergy season can last all year for those sensitive to indoor allergens, but it can worsen in the spring months when pollen becomes an issue. It�s important to remove allergens from the home so you can lead a healthy and active lifestyle.�

The ACAAI  offers tips to remove allergens from your home as well as ways to prevent more from entering.

The best way to prevent allergens from building up in your home is to stay on top of certain chores, such as vacuuming regularly to get rid of dust mites using a cyclonic vacuum or HEPA filter, changing air filters every three months using filters with a MERV rating of 11 or 12, and washing bedding and stuffed animals weekly.

It is also important to resist the urge to open the windows as the weather gets warmer, because this lets unwanted pollen into the house.Those with allergies also have to be careful to avoid air fresheners and candles because chemicals in these items can spur asthma attacks.

A top allergen target in spring cleaning is mold, paying special attention to mold-prone areas like bathrooms, basements and tiled areas, says the release. Make sure bathroom fans are functioning and usable, and always make sure not to leave any standing water in these areas. Use detergent and water to remove any visible mold, and to prevent further mold from growing, keep the humidity in your house below 60 percent.

Because pets spend so much more time indoors over the winter, chances are there is an increased amount of fur, saliva and dander in your house. Remove these allergens by vacuuming frequently and washing upholstery, including your pet's bed, the release says. Also, don't allow your pet in your bedroom.

Those with allergies should avoid being outdoors in noonday and afternoon, because pollen counts are highest then. Wear gloves and a N95 pollen mask when mowing or gardening, and make sure to wash your hands, hair and clothing when finished. Also, make sure to take your medication before going outside.

Princess Health and More Graphs of Calorie Intake vs. BMI. Princessiccia

Princess Health and More Graphs of Calorie Intake vs. BMI. Princessiccia

overweight

Gusty 15:14 Add Comment

In the last post, a reader commented that the correlation would be more convincing if I graphed calories vs. average BMI rather than the prevalence of obesity.  It was a valid point, so I went searching for average BMI values from NHANES surveys.  I dug up a CDC document that contains data from surveys between 1960 and 2002 (1).  Because these data only cover five survey periods, we only get five data points to analyze, as opposed to the eight used in the last post.  The document contains BMI values for men and women separately, so I averaged the two to approximate average BMI in the general adult population.  It's also worth noting that I use the approximate midpoint of the survey period as the year.

First, a graph of average BMI over time.  It went up:

Now, let's see how well average BMI correlates with calorie intake:

The correlation between calorie intake and obesity prevalence was remarkable, but this correlation is simply incredible.  An R-squared value of 0.98 indicates that daily calorie intake and average BMI are almost perfectly correlated.

We can further deduce that each 100-calorie increase in daily food intake is associated with an 0.62-point increase in average BMI among US adults.  

Princess Health and Princess Health andMcConnell continues attack on Obamacare as Washington Post gives him 'four Pinocchios' for misleading article in C-J.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Princess Health andMcConnell continues attack on Obamacare as Washington Post gives him 'four Pinocchios' for misleading article in C-J.Princessiccia

health insurance health reform insurance exchange Medicaid obamacare Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Gusty 14:17 Add Comment

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell took the resignation of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius as an opportunity to repeat his criticism of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

"Regardless of the administration�s public explanation for the secretary�s exit, Obamacare has been a rolling disaster and her resignation is cold comfort to the millions of Americans who were deceived about what it would mean for them and their families," McConnell said in a press release. "Countless Americans have unexpectedly been forced out of the plans they had and liked, are now shouldering dramatically higher premiums, and can no longer use the doctors and hospitals they choose. Beyond that, virtually everyone who has come into contact with this law has had new reason to worry about what it means for the government to control their health care."

McConnell has been perhaps the leading critic of the law, which led New Yorker magazine cartoonist Barry Blitt to make him the focal point of his artwork on this week's cover, which shows President Obama administering medicine to McConnell as House Speaker John Boehner moves on and Rep. Michelle Bachman and Sen. Ted Cruz await their spoonful. For Blitt's brief explanation of his work, click here.

The point of the cartoon is that despite criticism and a troubled national rollout, the administration exceeded its goal of 7 million people signing up for Obamacare by the original March 31 deadline. In Kentucky, enrollment on the Kynect exchange is now more than 402,000, with several thousand more having been determined eligible for a subsidy to buy private insurance. In an April 10 press release, the state said 79,580 people have bought private policies and 322,827 have qualified for coverage under the federal-state Medicaid program.

McConnell bases part of his criticism on the state's initial report that 285,000 people "might be affected if they had substandard plans," The Courier-Journal said in an editorial. "A month later�in December 2013�Kentucky revised the figure to 168,000 and the [Washington] Post said the number could be as low as 100,000." The Post's Glenn Kessler, in his Fact Checker column, recently gave McConnell the maximum "four Pinocchios" for a misleading op-ed piece in the Louisville newspaper attacking the reform law.

The senator wrote, �Only approximately 64,000 Kentuckians enrolling in Obamacare have enrolled in a private plan in Kentucky�s own Obamacare exchange, far fewer than the 280,000 who received cancellation notices of plans they had and liked.� Kessler says that number is nowhere near correct.

Kessler writes that the 64,000 number (now up to almost 80,000; see above) "can be related only to the 130,000 individual plan policies. Adding in small-group policies inflates the total. . . . When the state made the announcement, it did not know how many plans might actually comply with the law; it just described the size of the individual and small-group markets." Also, he notes, not all the cancellation notices are going out at once: "We have no idea what the flow would be, but just taking a simple average over 12 months yields 11,000 individual policies a month. That adds up to only 55,000 individual policies since November, yet McConnell assumed that all of the notices had been mailed and received."

Finally, Kessler writes, "The 280,000 figure is out of date. In December, the state said it had determined that more than 48,000 plans were grandfathered in under ACA and that nearly 64,000 qualified for transitional relief under an administrative fix announced by the Obama administration. (The state did not distinguish between individual and small-group plans in its announcement, but overall that�s a 40 percent reduction.) That brought the total down to 168,000, a figure that was reported." McConnell spokesman Don Stewart said the fundamental point of the letter, that Democrats were touting Obamacare's successes and ignoring its pitfalls, was still correct.