Monday, January 23, 2012

Health Newsletters at the Patient Health Library, January 2012

Not all information is free and not all of it is online! The UCSF Patient Health Library subscribes to a number of health and wellness newsletters that are not otherwise free to the public. Here are some highlights from recent newsletters.

To see the entire articles, visit the Patient Health Library!

Consumer Reports on Health, Jan 2012
-Health ‘truths’ overturned, pp.1-5
-The buzz on caffeine, p.6
-Choosing the right fats, pp.8-9

Harvard Health Letter, Dec 2011
-Are artificial sweeteners a good alternative to sugar? p.1
-Is it okay to keep on taking Ambien for my sleeping problems? p.3
-Should I worry about health effects from BPA? p.4

Harvard Men's Health Watch, Dec 2011
-Medical radiation: Too much of a good thing? pp.1-6

Mayo Clinic Health Letter, Jan 2012
-Pneumonia: Reducing your risk, pp.4-5

Nutrition Action Newsletter, Dec 2011
-What foods are good for lowering cholesterol, staying regular, lowering blood pressure, protecting your eyes, and avoiding colon cancer pp.1-7
-How to avoid an “online fleecing” regarding “miracle products” and “revolutionary cures”, pp.8-9
-Top veggie burgers and nuggets, pp.12-13

Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter, Nov 2011
-More proof that staying physically active keeps brain sharp, pp.1-2
-Are probiotics right for you? pp.4-5
-No bone or menopause benefits from soy, per recent study, p.6

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Stress

We all have stress sometimes. For some people, it happens before having to speak in public. For other people, it might be before a first date. What causes stress for you may not be stressful for someone else. Sometimes stress is helpful - it can encourage you to meet a deadline or get things done. But long-term stress can increase the risk of diseases like depression, heart disease and a variety of other problems.  If you have chronic stress, the best way to deal with it is to take care of the underlying problem.

[Excerpted from MedlinePlus: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/stress.html]



UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Medicine
The Osher Center for Integrative Medicine offers a variety of groundbreaking lectures, classes, workshops, and therapeutic programs for the public, including in areas such as meditation and mindfulness, yoga, and tai chi. 

UCSF Ida & Joseph Friend Cancer Resource Center
The Cancer Resource Center supports wellness and the healing process by providing patients and their loved ones with information, emotional support, and community resources.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Drug Safety

Buying & Using Medicine Safely
[Food and Drug Administration (FDA)]

Over-the-Counter Medicines: What's Right for You? 
[FDA] 

Your Medicine: Be Smart. Be Safe 
[Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality]
Learn more about how to take medicines safely. Use the handy wallet card at the back of this printable booklet to keep track of your medicines.

Buying Prescription Drugs Online: The Do's and Don'ts 
[Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research]

Generic Drugs: Questions and Answers 
[FDA]

Find the Latest Drug Product and Safety Information
[FDA]

Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts
[FDA]

Further resources on Drug Safety and Over-the-Counter Medicines
[MedlinePlus]