Friday, December 27, 2013

Health Newsletters at the Patient Health Library, December 2013

Here are highlights from recent health and wellness newsletters at the UCSF Patient Health Library.  To see the entire articles, visit the Patient Health Library.

Not all information is free and not all of it is online!

Consumer Reports on Health

December 2013
-Latest on the flu vaccine and what to do if you get sick anyway, pp.1,4-5
-The best protection for your eyes, pp.6-7
-What you need to know about "off-label" drug prescription, p.8
-Cooking do's and don'ts for your feast, p.9
-Ate too much? Here's why it matters, p.11
"A study of almost 2,000 heart-attack patients suggested that a single act of overeating could quadruple one's chance of having a heart attack on the same day."

Harvard Health Letter

December 2013
-Choosing a medical alerting device, pp.1,7
"Unfortunately, the devices are underused. Many older adults agree to use a device only after a medical emergency when they've been traumatized."
-A guide to headache symptoms and treatments, p.3
"Knowing which type of headache you're dealing with will indicate which medications to use first."
-Easy exercises for couch potatoes, p.4
-Wean yourself off sleep aids, p.5
-Medication errors and how to avoid them, p.6

Harvard Heart Letter

December 2013
-Depression and heart disease, pp.1,7
-Living with AFib, p.3
-Prescription for exercise, pp.4-5
"As little as 15 minutes of physical activity a day can increase your life span as much as three years."
-Managing medications for coronary artery disease, p.5

Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50

November 2013
-Should you be screened for lung cancer? pp.1-2 
-Regaining bladder control, pp.4-5

Mayo Clinic Health Letter

December 2013
-Lowering blood pressure: devices that help, p.6

Nutrition Action Newsletter

December 2013
-What do we know about weight gain and loss? pp.1,3-6
"[Researchers] are looking at not just a how many calories people eat and burn, but the their genes, the microbes in their gut, how much they sleep, and more."
-Is chocolate really good for us? pp.8-11
-Delicious, healthy holiday side dish recipes, p.12
-Counting year-end calories, pp.13-15
"New flash: calories count even if you're standing up."

Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter

December 2013
-Control your blood sugar to help protect your brain, pp.1,3
-Walking as good as running, if you have time, p.3
-Eat right for strong bones, pp.4-5

Monday, December 16, 2013

Holiday Safety

Holiday Safety Tips
[Source: American Academy of Pediatrics]

Holiday Fire Safety (video)
Winter Fire Safety (video)
[Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency]

Holiday Food: Nutrition and Safety
[Source: UCSF Patient Health Library blog]

Holiday Road-Trip Survival Tips
Winter Driving Tips
[Source: AAA]

Monday, November 25, 2013

Holiday Food: Nutrition and Safety

  • How can I limit calories and still enjoy the holidays?
  • How long do I need to cook a 20-pound turkey?
  • What should I know to safely cook for a large group?
  • How long will my leftovers still be good?
  • My mom is undergoing chemotherapy. Do I need to pay special attention to my food preparation habits?
  • What can I make for people on special diets? 
If you are asking questions like these, take a look at the following sites to help keep everyone safe, healthy and happy this holiday season:

-Enjoy Guilt-Free Holiday Celebrations
-Food Safety Tips for Holiday Road Trips
[Source: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics]

-Holiday Recipes
-Cooking for the Family… Gluten-free, Vegan and All
[Source: American Institute for Cancer Research]

-Food Safety Tips for Healthy Holidays
[Source: US Department of Agriculture]

-Are You Storing Food Safely?
[Source: US Food and Drug Administration]

-Food Safety During Cancer Therapy
[Source: UCSF Ida & Joseph Friend Cancer Resource Center]

Monday, November 18, 2013

Diabetes Resources


Get the basic facts on diabetes and learn about the different types of diabetes and their treatment:


[Source: Diabetes Teaching Center at the University of California, San Francisco]

Eating right is essential for living with diabetes. Get tips on making smart food choices  
[Source: CDC] 

Explore food options with MyFoodAdvisor
[Source: American Diabetes Association] 

Learn what you can do to prevent Type 2 diabetes. 
[Source: Harvard School of Public Health]

[Source: Medline Plus]

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Health Newsletters at the Patient Health Library, November 2013

Here are highlights from recent health and wellness newsletters at the UCSF Patient Health Library.  To see the entire articles, visit the Patient Health Library.

Not all information is free and not all of it is online!


Consumer Reports on Health

November 2013
-Tap the power of protein, pp.1,4-5
-Skip new weight-loss pill Belvq, p.2   see: ConsumerReports.org/Belviq
-How to get the right diagnosis, pp.6-7
-Best ways to beast cold symptoms, p.10   "If you have more than one symptom,...our medical experts recommend taking one single-ingredient drug for each symptom rather than buying a multisymptom remedy."

Duke Medicine Health News

November 2013
-Safer heart-attack prevention with revised drug regimen, pp.1-2
-Revolution in cataract surgery, pp.3-4
-Increasing evidence that diet impacts cognitive function, pp.5-6

Harvard Health Letter

November 2013
-Mild cognitive impairment, pp.1,7
-Anti-falling checklist, p.4
-Aching feet, p.5

Harvard Heart Letter

November 2013
-8-step plan for heart-healthy holiday dinners, pp.6-7


Harvard Men's Health Watch

November 2013
-Relieve common urinary symptoms without medication, pp.1,7
-Heart failure prevention essentials, p.3
-How to build a better sandwich, p.6

Mayo Clinic Health Letter

November 2013
-Gettings antioxidants from food, pp.1-3
-Biofeedback: you brain vs. chronic pain, pp.4-5

October 2013 Supplement on mindfulness


Nutrition Action Newsletter

November 2013
-Multivitamins: sorting out the news reports and studies, pp.3-7
-Store-bought popcorn, pp.13-15

Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter

November 2013
-Staying independent, p.3

-Should you worry about GMOs? pp.4-5
-Does fish oil really raise prostate cancer risk? p.7

November 2013 Supplement: Secrets to healthy holiday eating

UC Berkeley Wellness Letter

October 2013
-Dense breasts: a hidden risk factor, pp.1-2
-Age-Related Eye Disease Study-2: what it tells us about using supplements, p.4
-A new crop of "super" fruits? p.5
-Low testosterone, p.6   "Low testosterone is not a problem unless it is accompanied by undesirable symptoms....Most men with low testosterone levels suffer few, if any, related problems."

November 2013
-Lung cancer screening: a new standard for smokers and ex-smokers? p.3
-Vitamin A, p.5


Thursday, October 24, 2013

Health Newsletters at the Patient Health Library, October 2013

Here are highlights from recent health and wellness newsletters at the UCSF Patient Health Library.  To see the entire articles, visit the Patient Health Library!

Not all information is free and not all of it is online!

UC Berkeley Wellness Letter

Special Fall Issue: The ABCs of sleep

September 2013
-Toenail fungus, p.4
-The carnivore's dilemma, p.5
-Cutting calories - as easy as 1,2,3  p.6

Mayo Clinic Health Letter

September 2013
-Macular degeneration, pp.1-3
-Laxatives, pp.4-5
-Flu vaccine, p.6

October 2013
-Sinus problems, pp.1-3
-Pain after shingles, pp.4-5
-Inguinal hernia, p.7

Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50

October 2013
-Osteoarthritis of the knee, pp.1-2
-Grapefruit & drugs often don't mix, p.3

Special Fall Issue: Stroke in women

Harvard Men's Health Watch

October 2013
-Before dementia begins, pp.1,7
-Arthritic knees, p.3
-Leg pain from walking, p.4
-How to prevent kidney stones, p.5

Harvard Heart Letter

October 2013
-Simple food substitutions yield big health dividends, pp.1,7
-Prevent kidney disease to prevent heart disease, p.3
-Tell you dentist about your heart problems, p.5

Duke Medicine Health News

October 2013
-Vitamin D, pp.1-2
-Aspirin protects some hearts better than others, p.3
-Control blood sugar to reduce risk of Alzheimer's, pp.5-6
-Breakthrough in ER+ breast cancer, p.7

Consumer Reports on Health

October 2013
-Good bacteria vs. C. diff: what to look for when choosing a probiotic, pp.1,4-5
-Women: be wary of new bladder drug, p.9


Friday, October 4, 2013

Mental Illness Resources

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Mental health problems are actually very common. In 2011, about:
  • One in five American adults experienced a mental health issue
  • One in 10 young people experienced a period of major depression
  • One in 20 Americans lived with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression
Mental health problems are common but help is available. People with mental health problems can get better and many recover completely.

[Source: mentalhealth.gov]



Warning Signs of Mental Illness
[Source: American Psychiatric Association]

Recovery is possible
[Source: mentalhealth.gov]

Finding a mental health provider
[Source: Mayo Clinic]

Brain Basics
[Source: National Institute of Mental Health]
Brain Basics provides information on how the brain works, how mental illnesses are disorders of the brain, and ongoing research that helps us better understand and treat disorders.

Additional mental illness resources
[Source: MedlinePlus]

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Health Newsletters at the Patient Health Library, August 2013

Here are highlights from recent health and wellness newsletters at the UCSF Patient Health Library.  To see the entire articles, visit the Patient Health Library!

Not all information is free and not all of it is online!

Duke Medicine Health News

July 2013
-Earlier detection of ovarian/endometrial cancers, pp.1-2

Harvard Men's Health Watch

July 2013
-Heart attack prevention checklist, pp.1,7
-Home care for hemorrhoids, p.3
-Add color to your diet, p.4
-Avoid unnecessary prostate biopsies, p.6
-Heartburn surgery versus medication, p.8

Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50

Summer 2013
-Drug side effects, pp.1-4
-Herbal supplements: Are they worth the risk? pp.5-8

Mayo Clinic Health Letter

July 2013
-Enlarged prostate, pp.1-3
-Dealing with grief, p.6
-Persistent itching, p.7

Nutrition Action Newsletter

July/August 2013
-Seafood: health and sustainability, pp.1-7
-Salt: clearing the air after a confusing report, p.8
-Epigenetics: what it means when genes turn on and off, pp.9-11

UC Berkeley Wellness Letter

July 2013
-What's on the menu? Learning restaurant industry tricks. p.5
-Grapefruit + drugs = a bad mix, p.6

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Health Newsletters at the Patient Health Library, July 2013

Here are highlights from recent health and wellness newsletters at the UCSF Patient Health Library.  To see the entire articles, visit the Patient Health Library!

Not all information is free and not all of it is online!

Consumer Reports on Health

July 2013
-Protect yourself from hot-weather perils, pp.1,4-5
-Diabetic? Exercise is good medicine, p.3
-Urinary-tract infections, pp.6-7

DukeMedicine HealthNews

June 2013
-5 questionable tests/procedures cited by the American Geriatric Society, p.3

Harvard Men's Health Watch

June 2013
-Should you take an erectile dysfunction drug to ease urinary woes? pp.1,7
-Boost energy with these everyday steps, p.3
-Better balance: mental and physical fitness are essential, p.5
-7 ways to make a visit to the doctor more successful, pp.6-7


Johns Hopkins Bulletin: Prostate Disorders

Summer 2013
-What a man needs to know before making a decision about PSA testing, p.3

Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50

July 2013
-Niacin's effects on heart health, pp.1-2
-The risks of sleep deprivation, pp.4-5

Nutrition Action Newsletter

June 2013
-Six reasons to eat less red meat, pp.1,3-7
-Ginkgo: possible carcinogen, p.8
-Beyond the buzz: Is what you heard true? pp.9-11

UC Berkeley Wellness Letter

May 2013
-What not to do before exercise, p.3
-Sugar substitutes, p.4

June 2013
-Should you be tested for diabetes? p.4
-False fish labeling: what to look out for, p.5

Monday, June 24, 2013

MedlinePlus: Trustworthy Online Health Information

MedlinePlus is a  free, easy-to-use  health  information website from the National  Library of Medicine.

Resources and tools include:
  • Health  Topics: Over 900 topics on conditions, diseases and wellness

  • Drugs  & Supplements: About your prescription and over-the-counter  medicines, herbs and supplements

  • Videos, Tutorials and Cool Tools

  • Medical  Encyclopedia and Dictionary

  • News: Current health news and press  announcements

  • Directories: Find doctors, dentists and hospitals 

  • Information in many languages

You can find the MedlinePlus website on the UCSF Patient Health Library's Health Information Websites page along with many other health information resources.



Need more help?  Want an expert to search for you?  

Contact the Patient Health Librarian
by email, telephone, or in person.




Friday, June 14, 2013

Health Newsletters at the Patient Health Library, June 2013

Here are highlights from recent health and wellness newsletters at the UCSF Patient Health Library.  To see the entire articles, visit the Patient Health Library!

Not all information is free and not all of it is online!

Consumer Reports on Health

June 2013
-Aspirin, pp.6-7
-Insect-borne diseases, p.9

DukeMedicine HealthNews

May 2013
-Preserve muscle mass--and prevent falls--with proper nutrition, pp.3-4
-Which heart tests should be questioned and why, pp.4-5

Harvard Men's Health Watch

May 2013
-Reducing stress works better than supplements for heart disease, pp. 1,7
-How exercise helps the brain, p.3
-Free preventive services for men, p.5
-Osteoporosis and men, p.6

Harvard Women's Health Watch

June 2013
-8 things you can do to prevent stroke, pp.1,7
-Natural ways to relieve constipation, p.3
-Better sleep without pills, pp.4-5
-Getting your doctor to listen, p.6

Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50

June 2013
-Book vs. e-Reader: which is best for older eyes?, p.6
-Does my wart need treatment? p.7

Mayo Clinic Health Letter

June 2013
-Hearing aid technology, pp.1-3
-Nuts: small packages, big nutrition, pp.4-5

Nutrition Action Newsletter

May 2013
-Mediterranean diet: what a new study did--and didn't--find, pp.1-4
-Antibiotic resistance, pp.9-11



Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter

June 2013

-Making healthy lifestyle changes stick, pp.4-5

June 2013 Supplement: Eating right for healthy joints

Monday, June 3, 2013

Understanding and Finding Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies that test how well new medical approaches work in people. Each study answers scientific questions and tries to find better ways to prevent, screen for, diagnose or treat a disease. Clinical trials may also compare a new treatment to a treatment that is already available.

Participants in clinical trials can play a more active role in their own health care, gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available, and help others by contributing to medical research.

Every clinical trial has a protocol, or action plan, for conducting the trial. The plan describes what will be done in the study, how it will be conducted, and why each part of the study is necessary. Each study has its own rules about who can participate. Some studies need volunteers with a certain disease. Some need healthy people. Others want just men or just women.

In the United States, an independent committee of physicians, statisticians and members of the community must approve and monitor the protocol. They make sure that the risks are small and are worth the potential benefits.

[Excerpted from the links below]



About Clinical Trials

Understanding Clinical Trials
[From ClinicalTrials.gov]

Clinical Research Trials and You
[From the National Institutes of Health]

Clinical Trials
[From MedlinePlus]



Finding Clinical Trials

Clinical Trials at UCSF Medical Center

ClinicalTrials.gov
ClinicalTrials.gov offers up-to-date information for locating federally and privately supported clinical trials for a wide range of diseases and conditions.

Searching the hundreds of research studies on cancer treatments can be overwhelming.  Using the tools from the following resources can make it easier to find clinical trials that may be right for you.

BreastCancerTrials.org


National Cancer Institute - Clinical Trials Search



If you need more help, contact the librarian at the Patient Health Library for an individual consultation.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Health Newsletters at the Patient Health Library, May 2013

Here are highlights from recent health and wellness newsletters at the UCSF Patient Health Library.  To see the entire articles, visit the Patient Health Library!

Not all information is free and not all of it is online!

UC Berkeley Wellness Letter

March 2013
-Probiotics: pros and cons, pp.1-2
-Energy drinks, p.3
-Overeating and the "food environment," p.4
-Age spots, p.5
-Decongestants, p.6

April 2013
-Whole grains: the 10-to-1 rule, p.3
-Vitamin B12, p.4

Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter

May 2013
-Healthy diet fights infection by boosting immune system, pp.1-3
-Understanding food and medication interactions, pp.4-5

Nutrition Action Newsletter

April 2013
-Fooled by food: how to trick yourself to eat less, pp.1,3-7
-Calcium confusion, p.8

Mayo Clinic Health Letter

April 2013
-Smoothing facial wrinkles: procedures and creams, pp.1-3
-Gut microflora: the secret life of bacteria, pp.4-5
-Pain drugs and heart attack, p.6

Harvard Men's Health Watch

April 2013
-Insomnia: Learning how to sleep again, pp.1,7
-AMD: a preventable form of vision loss, p.4

DukeMedicine HealthNews

April 2013
-Advances in prostate cancer, pp.3-4
-Obesity facts and fiction, pp.4-5

Consumer Reports on Health

May 2013
-Which drugstore services are worth it and which ones you should skip, pp.6-7
-Don't let fear sabotage your health, p.11

Monday, May 6, 2013

Resources on Nutrition and Cancer

Overview of Nutrition in Cancer Care
(from the National Cancer Institute)

Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
(from the National Cancer Institute)

Diet for Cancer Treatment Side Effects
(from UCSF Medical Center's online Health Library)

Nutrition & Cancer: The Whole Diet
(Podcast from the UCSF Ida & Joseph Friend Cancer Resource Center)




Nutrition Counseling & Workshops at UCSF
with registered dietician, Greta Macaire

Nutrition counseling services are open to UCSF cancer patients at no charge, although donations are appreciated. A dietitian is available Monday through Friday between 9 am and 5 pm. Appointments can be scheduled through any of the oncology practices.

See the Ida & Joseph Friend Cancer Resource Center quarterly calendar for upcoming classes and events.

More information is available by calling the Ida & Joseph Friend Cancer Resource Center at 415.885.3693 or going online to http://cancer.ucsf.edu/crc/nutrition-counseling-and-workshops.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Facts about Smoking and Help for Quitting

  • Cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals and compounds. Hundreds are toxic and at least 69 are known to cause cancer.
  • Damage from tobacco smoke is immediate; the chemicals in tobacco smoke reach your lungs quickly every time you inhale.
  • Low levels of smoke exposure, including exposures to secondhand tobacco smoke, lead to a rapid and sharp increase in dysfunction and inflammation of the lining of the blood vessels, which are implicated in heart attacks and stroke.
  • About 60 percent of American children ages 4-11 are exposed to secondhand smoke at home.
  • The list of diseases caused by smoking includes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema), coronary heart disease, stroke, abdominal aortic aneurysm, acute myeloid leukemia, cataract, pneumonia, periodontitis, and bladder, esophageal, laryngeal, lung, oral, throat, cervical, kidney, stomach, and pancreatic cancers. Smoking is also a major factor in a variety of other conditions and disorders, including slowed healing of wounds, infertility, and peptic ulcer disease.
  • Smoking has been linked to at least one-third of all cancer-related deaths in the U.S.
  • Smoking causes more than one in five deaths in America.
  • Smokers die significantly earlier than nonsmokers: 13.2 years for men and 14.5 years for women.
  • Since 1965, more than 45 percent of adults who have ever smoked have quit.
  • Quitting at any age and at any time is beneficial. It's never too late to quit.
[Compiled from the resources below]

Smoking Facts
[Source: American Lung Association]

Smoking - The Facts
[Source: MedlinePlus]

Smoking & Tobacco Use: Fast Facts
[Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]

U.S. Surgeon General's Report on How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease
Executive Summary (PDF)
[Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Smoking: Do you really know the risks?
[Source: American Heart Association]



Guide to Quitting Smoking
[Source: American Cancer Society]

Smoking Cessation Products
[Source: U.S. FDA]

How To Handle Withdrawal Symptoms and Triggers When You Decide To Quit Smoking
[Source: National Cancer Institute]

The UCSF Medical Center's Fontana Tobacco Treatment Center offers classes as well as individual consultations with doctors trained in treating tobacco addiction. They help smokers maximize the likelihood of success in their efforts to quit. Services include:
  •     Smoking Cessation Classes
  •     Relapse Prevention Program
  •     Doctor Consultation
For more information, to schedule an appointment or to enroll in a class, please contact the Fontana Tobacco Treatment Center at:

UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion
2330 Post St., Suite 420
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 885-7895

Friday, April 19, 2013

Health Newsletters at the Patient Health Library, April 2013

Here are highlights from recent health and wellness newsletters at the UCSF Patient Health Library.  To see the entire articles, visit the Patient Health Library!

Not all information is free and not all of it is online!

DukeMedicine HealthNews

March 2013
-Rethinking cholesterol management, p.3
-Mammography: to screen or not?, pp.4-5
-Aerobic exercise beats resistence training for weight and fat loss, p.7

Harvard Health Letter

April 2013
-Considering a gluten-free diet, pp.1,7
-Venous leg ulcers, p.6
-What you should know about magnesium, p.7

Harvard Men's Health Watch

March 2013
-Fighting back against allergy season, p1,7
-Weight loss for better sleep, p.4
-Lift weights for diabetes protection, p.5
-Boost your hearing aid success, p.6
-The latest blood thinners, p.7

Harvard Women's Health Watch

April 2013
-7 simple ways for women to get active, pp.1,7
-Why breast density matters, p.3
-High blood pressure, a silent danger, pp.4-5

Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50

April 2013
-Protect aging skin, pp.4-5
-Recognizing the subtle signs of ovarian cancer, p.6


Friday, April 12, 2013

Stress

Stressed out by tax season? Health issues?  Family problems? Work? School? Whatever the causes, check out the tips and resources in the following links.  Starting to feel better may be just a few clicks away!

Stress reduction self care
[Source: 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. 

Taking Charge of Your Health
[Source: 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.

How to Handle Stress
[Source: UCSF Medical Center]

Stress: How to Cope Better With Life's Challenges
[Source: American Academy of Family Physicians]

Fight Stress with 10 Healthy Habits
[Source: American Health Association stress management page]

Taking Action to Control Stress
[Source: American Health Association stress management page]

Further online resources for stress
[Source: MedlinePlus]

Friday, March 15, 2013

Health Newsletters at the Patient Health Library, March 2013

Here are highlights from recent health and wellness newsletters at the UCSF Patient Health Library.  To see the entire articles, visit the Patient Health Library!

Not all information is free and not all of it is online!

Consumer Reports on Health

March 2013
-Blood clots, pp.1,4-5
-Excercise for the exhausted, pp.6-7

Harvard Health Letter

February 2013
-Reduce your stroke risk, p.3
-Is hormone therapy safe again? p.5

Harvard Men's Health Watch

February 2013
-Heartburn medication side effects, p.4
-When erectile dysfunction drugs don't work: what's next? p.6

Harvard Women's Health Watch

February 2013
-Sex and your heart, p.3
-Common vision problems in women, pp.4-5
-Do you need to see a gynecologist every year? pp.6-7

Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50

March 2013
-Steroid injections for back pain, pp.1-2
-Antibiotics do's and don'ts, p.3
-Talking about end-of-life care with your doctor, pp.4-5
-Diabetes pain, p.6
-Protecting against vascular dementia with exercise, p.8

Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter

March 2013
-Legumes improve heart risk and glycemic control, pp.1-3
-What you need to know about multivitamins, pp.4-5

Special supplement (March 2013): Seasonal Vegetables

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Exercise and physical fitness

Regular exercise is a critical part of staying healthy. People who are active live longer and feel better. Exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight. It can delay or prevent diabetes, some cancers and heart problems.

The key is to find the right exercise for you. If it is fun, you are more likely to stay motivated. You may want to walk with a friend, join a class or plan a group bike ride. If you've been inactive for awhile, use a sensible approach and start out slowly. [From MedlinePlus]

Exercise and physical fitness
[Source: MedlinePlus]

How much physical activity do you need?
    Video: "What counts as aerobic activity"
[Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]

Eating and exercise: 5 tips to maximize your workouts
[Source: Mayo Clinic]

Exercise tips for children
[Source: UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital]

Strength Training for Older Adults
[Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]

Monday, February 4, 2013

Health Newsletters at the Patient Health Library, February 2013

Here are highlights from recent health and wellness newsletters at the UCSF Patient Health Library.  To see the entire articles, visit the Patient Health Library!

Not all information is free and not all of it is online!

Consumer Reports on Health

February 2013
-Fat facts and fat fiction, pp.1,4-5
-Advice on eggs and cholesterol, p.8
-Weight gain traps you can avoid, p.10
-Colon cleanse, p.12

Harvard Health Letter

January 2013
-New approaches to Alzheimer's, pp.1,7
-Therapy for low testosterone, p.5

Harvard Men's Health Watch

January 2013
-Topical relief for arthritis joint pain, pp.1,7
-Pain relievers: bad for your heart? p.3
-Prostate biopsy: what to expect, pp.4-5
-Mindful eating, p.5

Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50

Winter 2012 (special issue)
-Sight-saving treatments for age-related macular degeneration, pp.1-4
-Retraining an overactive bladder, pp.5-8

January 2013
-Prostate cancer: to treat or not to treat? pp.1-2
-Fibromyalgia treatment strategies, p.3

Mayo Clinic Health Letter

February 2013
-Finding balance in Alzheimer's caregiving, p.3
-Mindful meditation may cut risk of common cold, p.4
-Urinary tract infections in women, p.6
-Foot exercises to boost stability, p.7
-Overactive thyroid and fatigue, p.8

February 2013 supplement on cardiovascular exams

Monday, January 7, 2013

Health Newsletters at the Patient Health Library, January 2013

Here are highlights from recent health and wellness newsletters at the UCSF Patient Health Library.  To see the entire articles, visit the Patient Health Library!

Not all information is free and not all of it is online!

Consumer Reports on Health

December 2012
-40 tips to get you through the holiday season, pp.1-5
-A guide to shopping for meat, pp.6-7
-How to hire a home-care aide, p.8

Harvard Health Letter

November 2012
-Choosing good carbs, pp.1-7
-Reduce your pain with mental distractions, p.3
-Alternative treatments for knee pain, p.4

Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50

August 2012
-Arthritis, anxiety and depression: frequent companions, pp.1-2
-Do you really need that test? pp.4-5
-Shingles, p.7


Mayo Clinic Health Letter

December 2012
-Rheumatoid arthritis, pp.1-3

NIH News in Health

December 2012
-Understanding glycemic index and glycemic load, p.3
http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/issue/Dec2012/Feature2 (this one IS free online!)


Nutrition Action Newsletter

October 2012
-Going organic: what's the payoff? pp.1-6
-Meaning of "organic" and other food labels, p.7
-Scoring the nutrients in vegetables, pp.13-15
(for more nutrient data in foods, see: http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/)

December 2012
-Exercising: no more excuses, pp.1-6
-Caffeine, pp.7-9
-The best soups, pp.11-13

Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter

November 2012
-Compare cooking-oil choices, p.4-5

Supplement to November 2012
-Can supplement pills deliver on their promises?

December 2012
-Watch your weight and help protect your brain, pp.1-3
-Staying active prolongs life, p.3
-Does it pay to pick organic? pp.4-5
-Fish oil pills, p.7


Wednesday, January 2, 2013

NCI Cancer Bulletin's 2012 Favorite Feature Stories


"As we do every year, we have compiled a list of feature stories published over the past year that we think are worth another look. We chose these in-depth articles not only because of their popularity with readers, but also for their potential impact on clinical practice and/or their value as important but under-reported topics."  - From the NCI Cancer Bulletin subscription email (subscribe to the NCI Cancer Bulletin).