Mental Attitude: Empathy Improves Care.
Doctors showing clinical empathy to patients can improve their satisfaction of care, motivate them to stick to their treatment plans and lower malpractice complaints. Empathy is the ability to understand another's experience, to communicate and confirm that understanding with the other person and to then act in a helpful manner. In a recent study, oncologists were video-recorded speaking with their patients and only responded to 22% of moments thought to be an empathic opportunity. Another study involving oncologists and lung cancer patients showed the physicians responding to only 11% of empathic opportunities.
Canadian Medical Association Journal, Jan 2011
Health Alert: Elderly Do Not Receive Same Care As Younger Patients!
A recent study reveals trauma centers that excel in the care of severely injured young patients do not necessarily provide the same quality of care to elderly ones. Elderly patients are more likely to have coexisting diseases than younger patients (they often have heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, and might be on blood thinners). All of these things need to be addressed at the same time their injuries are cared for. Elderly persons are also more likely to have reduced organ function, what physicians describe as "physiologic reserve".
Annals of Surgery, January 2011
Diet: Bigger Leads To Bigger.
When you're ordering a Starbucks "Trenta" iced coffee, you're not only getting a massive drink (31 ounces) but massive calories (190 calories using non-fat milk). An extra 200 calories per day will lead to a potential weight gain of about 2 pounds per month, or potentially 21 pounds per year.
Loyola University Health System, January 2011
Exercise: Walk It Off.
60% of adults over age 65 walk less than one mile per week. Walking more and losing weight can improve mobility as much as 20% in older, obese adults with poor cardiovascular health.
Archives of Internal Medicine, January 2011
Chiropractic: All In A Name.
"Samuel H. Weed, at my request selected two Greek words, cheir and praktikos, meaning, "done by hand," from which I coined the word, CHIROPRACTIC."
~ DD Palmer
Wellness/Prevention: Obesity And Smoking.
The average lifespan of US citizens is shorter, when compared to rival countries, in great part because 1) Americans used to smoke a lot, and 2) Americans have considerably higher than global average rates of obesity. The lingering effects of regular smoking persevere to varying extents for twenty to thirty years after an individual has quit. More people are obese in America than in any other developed country. 20-33% of reduced longevity is linked to obesity. Obesity rates continue to rise and may wipe out any expected improvements in life span.
National Research Council, January 2011
