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Online CPR Certification Blog

Bipolar Disorder and Drug Addiction

Nov
12

Date: November 12th, 2016

The study consisted of two groups: 98 young people who did not have bipolar disorder – the control group and another one o 105 young people with Bipolar disorder. The average age of the participants who enrolled for the study was 14 at the time of enrollment. Bipolar disorder is a condition that leads to a significant shift in the patient’s mood, energy, activity levels and in the process impedes one’s ability to conduct everyday duties.

At the start of the experiment, 34 percent of the young men suffering from bipolar disorder also showed a disorder in substance abuse. This suggested that they had a problem with the abuse of drugs or alcohol. On the other hand, only 4 percent of the control group kids abused drugs.

Preterm Infants may get High Blood Pressure as Adults

Nov
10

Date: November 10th, 2016

One research found out that the risk of high blood pressure was linked to kidneys that are smaller-than-normal at birth. A different study done within the same field arrived at the finding that high blood pressure and impaired cells had some form of association.

Dr. Anne Monique Nuyt, who co-authored both studies, studies said that these studies are a pointer of how vital it is to follow up the health of preterm babies. Anne is a University of Montreal professor working within the department of pediatrics.

Experimental shingles vaccine looks effective

Nov
08

Date: November 8th, 2016

People who were given the 2-dose Shingrix vaccine recorded an 88 percent reduction in the risks of developing shingles, four years after vaccination. When the stage was approaching its final trial, there was a reduction of 91 percent. That is according to results published in the New England Journal of Medicine. People aged more than 70 years recorded effectiveness of 90 percent after they received the injection.

Clinical trials of GSK indicated greater protection of elderly patients compared to the patients injected with Merck & Co’s rival Zostavax vaccine. This drug is one of those that GSK has placed most of its hope. It has plans to make an application for the U.S., European and Japanese approval later on this year. The first the market may start getting it will be in 2017.
The New England Journal of Medicine has got the latest four-year data on Shingrix. This data may be a big boost in offering an additional significant advantage as its effectiveness is kept constant overtime.

Type 2 diabetes risks linked to long naps

Nov
06

Date: November 6th, 2016

According to the study, contrary to short naps or failing to nap, the sugar level in the blood goes up by 45 percent if you take a nap of more than one hour. The researchers further suggest that for a nap lasting less than one hour, all these risks disappear.

The director of the Clinical Diabetes Center at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, Dr. Joel Zonszein, said that it is interesting to discover the possibility of long daytime naps and type 2 Diabetes being related. Zonszein went on to add that people should be notified of this study and the findings. They should understand that the results are just makers of lifestyles and not the cause of diabetes. He did not take part in the study.

The research findings were presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes meeting in Munich, Germany.

Maternal Death Rate is rising in the US

Oct
25

Date: October 25th, 2016

According to a the research, the period from 2000 to 2014 saw a significant increase in the maternal death rate by about 27%. In 2000, each 100,000 live births witnessed the death of 19 women during or within 42 days after delivery. This number increased to 24 women for each 100,000 live births in 2014. This new finding is much worse than it was thought previously. The federal health officials had already reported that the maternal death rate is increasing, but their figures were lower – 16 % per 100,000.

Liraglutide Makes Diabetic HF Patients Cautious

Oct
23

Date: October 23rd, 2016

MD Kenneth Margulies from the Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia and a lead author said that the group getting GLP-1 agonist liraglutide treatment showed insignificant differences (12% vs. 11%). The type 2 diabetes patients were included here. Margulies and colleagues reported that rehospitalizations for patients with heart failure similarly had no significant difference. In addition, the study could not locate any difference between placebo and treatment of any of the said prespecified endpoints. But the researchers noted that the type 2 diabetes group showed the possibility of worse outcomes.

Increased Opioid use Disorder Care may be Burdensome

Oct
21

Date: October 21st, 2016

AFFP feels that the steps to up the number of patients under care for opioid use disorders can be overburdening to the physicians. The new proposals are being championed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA and will need the physicians to track patients progressively after they have received medical associated treatment (MAT) due to opioid disorder. But M.D. Robert Wergin, AFFP’s Board Chair, wrote a letter to the Acting Administrator Kana Enomoto expressing reservations that administrative tasks may increase.

Can Tobacco Industry win the e-cigs fight?

Oct
19

Date: October 19th, 2016

The Food and Drug Administration effected a rule from 8th August 2016 that seeks to regulate the e-cigs as well as other tobacco products such as premium cigars and hookahs just like it regulates the smokeless tobacco and traditional cigarettes. The main intention is to limit the minors from accessing it and also ensure some products are reviewed scientifically. This announcement had been made by the FDA in May.

Using Visual Exams to Screen Adults for skin Cancer

Oct
17

Date: October 17th, 2016

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force concluded its recommendation statement on skin cancer screening and cited that it did not get enough evidence that supports or is against using visual exams to screen adults for skin cancer. This involves only the asymptomatic adults that do not have any risk related to skin cancer. M.D., M.P.H David Grossman, the USPSTF Vice Chair said that it is wise to remember that this report does not pertain the people with cancerous skin lesions, history of precancerous skin or skin cancer syndromes or signs of skin cancer.

Electronic Health Records used to combat Zika Virus

Oct
15

Date: October 15th, 2016

Most clinicians do get frustrated with the electronic health records but there are times when they become of some use. One of such cases was witnessed in the war against Zika virus – and to be specific in Miami. Fear is all over that the Zika virus is on a spread spree. That prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to do what it has not done ever before; advise travelers not to go to a location in the continental U.S. The CDC issued a travel advisory for the pregnant women, those with plans to get pregnant and their partners residing within or travelling to the Miami neighborhood – Wynwood. The advisory asked them to keep off the areas if possible and also get tested and take precautions.