Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Emergency Preparedness


Natural Disasters and Severe Weather
  -  Winter Weather
  -  Floods
  -  Landslides and Mudslides
  -  Lightning
  -  Earthquakes
  -  Hurricanes
  -  Tornadoes
[Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]

Be Informed: Learn what protective measures to take before, during, and after an emergency
Make A Plan: Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes so it is important to plan in advance: how you will get to a safe place; how you will contact one another; and how you will get back together.
Build A Kit: You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours.
Preparing Your Pets for Emergencies
Individuals with Disabilities or Access Needs or Functional Needs: If you have a disability or an access need or functional needs, you may need to take additional steps to prepare for emergencies.[Source: Ready.gov]

Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water
[Source: U.S. EPA]

Home-Use Medical Devices: How to Prepare for and Handle Power Outages for Medical Devices that Require Electricity
[Source: U.S. FDA]

Friday, November 21, 2014

Health Newsletters at the Patient Health Library, November 2014

The UCSF Patient Health Library subscribes to over a dozen health and wellness newsletters that are not available for free online. We also have access to all of the online journals the UCSF subscribes to.

Here are highlights from newsletters. To read the articles, look at the online journals or ask a health or medical question, visit the Patient Health Library.

Consumer Reports on Health

October 2014
-Resources for choosing a doctor, pp.1,4-5

November 2014
-How to choose the best health insurance for you, pp.1,4-5
-Keep food poisoning of the menu, p.10

Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50

November 2014
-Are prostate cancer treatments going too far?: Overtreatment, active surveillance and knowing your options, pp.1-2
-Is canned salmon as good for you as fresh salmon? p.7

Duke Medicine Health News

October 2014
-Preserve your mind and prevent cognitive decline, pp.1-2
-Four key nutrients decrease the risk of bone and muscle degeneration, p.4
-Exercise as medicine for older women, p.7

Harvard Health Letter

October 2014
-Stay flexible to protect your mobility, pp.1,7
-Signs of early dementia, p.3
-Best ways to keep your bones healthy and strong, p.4
-Understanding allergy medications, p.7

 Harvard Heart Letter

October 2014
-Rethinking alcohol use and heart disease, p.3
-Testosterone therapy may not be as safe as once thought, p.7

Harvard Women's Health Watch

October 2014
-How to lower your cholesterol without drugs, pp.1,7

Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter

October 2014
-Health seniors who took fish oil pills score better on cognitive tests, pp.1,3
-Walking and other physical activities reduce disability risk, p.6

Mayo Clinic Health Letter

October 2014
-Tips for those who have difficulty swallowing pills, p.3


Monday, November 10, 2014

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]

Inspiration for Your Holiday Parties
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, October 27, 2014

Portion Size and Portion Control

Serving Size Versus Portion Size
 [Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)]

Portion Control and Diet: 10 Easy Tips for Smaller Servings
[Source: EverydayHealth.com]

How to Avoid Portion Size Pitfalls to Help Manage Your Weight
[Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)]

Portion Distortion Quiz
[Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)]

Harvard's New Guide to Healthy Eating
[Source: The Nutrition Source, Harvard School of Public Health]

Portion Distortion for Teens
[Source: KidsHealth.org]

Monday, October 13, 2014

Health Newsletters at the Patient Health Library, October 2014

The  UCSF Patient Health Library subscribes to over a dozen health and wellness newsletters that are not available for free online. We also have access to all of the online journals the UCSF subscribes to.

Here are highlights from newsletters. To read the articles, look at the online journals or ask a health or medical question, visit the Patient Health Library.

Duke Medicine Health News

September 2014
-With diet and exercise, it's quality, not quantity, that counts, pp.4-5

Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50

October 2014
-Are you taking your reflux meds correctly? p.3
-Do you still need a screening mammogram? pp.4-5

Mayo Clinic Health Letter

September 2014
-Controlling diabetes, pp.1-3

Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter

September 2014
-Sugar substitutes, pp.4-5
-Reality check on health benefits of resveratrol found in red wine, p.7

Special supplement, September 2014: Best food choices to reduce your cancer risk

UC Berkeley Wellness Letter

October 2014
-DHEA: anti-aging in a bottle? p.4
-Yoga: is hotter better? p.6

Harvard Men's Health Watch

September 2014
-"Joint support" supplements for arthritis, p.3

Harvard Women's Health Watch

September 2014
-Get on your feet: 8 ways to avoid too much sitting, p.3

Nutrition Action Newsletter

September 2014
-What you may not know about breast cancer, pp.1,3-7
-What you need to know about soy, pp.9-11

Thursday, September 11, 2014

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.

Finding Cancer Clinical Trials

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.

Friday, August 22, 2014

Health Newsletters at the Patient Health Library, August 2014

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

September 2014
-Food-label claims that can fool you, p.10

Duke Medicine Health News

August 2014
-DASH Diet for hypertension, p.3

Harvard Health Letter

July 2014
-5 simple tricks to sharpen thinking and memory skills, pp.1,7

August 2014
-Start a walking program in 3 easy steps, p.3
-Pill-free ways to improve your sex life, p.4
-Key minerals to help control blood pressure, p.5

Harvard Heart Letter

July 2014
-For a heart-healthy diet, don't fixate on fat, pp.1,7
-Learning hands-only CPR could help save a loved one's life, p.3

August 2014
-Dietary supplements: sorting out the science, pp.1,7
-The lesser-known fat in your blood, p.3
-New guidelines for the prevention of recurrent stroke, p.6

Harvard Men's Health Watch

July 2014
-Online Alzheimer's tests: unscientific and inaccurate, p.3

Harvard Women's Health Watch

July 2014
-Foods that fight inflammation, pp.1,7
-Breast cancer screening: options beyond the mammogram, p.3
-Osteoporosis drugs: which is right for you? pp.4-5

August 2014
-Summer skin safety, pp.4-5
-What meditation can do for your mind, mood, and health, p.6

Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50

July 2014
-The internet for the older set, pp.4-5

Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter

July 2014
-How much water do you really need? pp.1,4-5

August 2014
-Aerobic activity helps build bigger brains, pp.1,3

UC Berkeley Wellness Letter

July 2014
-Coconut palm sugar: a better sugar? p.3

August 2014
-Is the Pap test passe? pp.1-2

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Health Newsletters at the Patient Health Library, July 2014

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!

Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter

April 2014
-What can you really do to feel more energetic? pp.4-5
-Make sure you're getting enough B12, p.7

June 2014
-Smart shopping for salmon, pp.4-5
-Protein plus exercise equals less muscle loss with aging, p.7
-Q: Is oat bran as good as oatmeal for nutrition value? A: "Adding oat bran to your cereal may be a quick and easy way to add fiber and other nutrients to your diet....Keep your mind open to...the original whole food...as there are many components of food whose function or relationships we do not yet understand."

June 2014 Supplement: How safe are so-called "dietary supplements"?

Nutrition Action Newsletter

June 2014
-Don't believe everything you hear, pp.1,3-7
"It doesn't matter if the news came from the New York Times, '60 Minutes,' or Dr. Oz....The information could well be incomplete, preliminary, or downright flawed."
-Oh my GERD! A guide to heartburn and beyond, pp.9-11

Mayo Clinic Health Letter

June 2014
-Atrial fibrillation choices, pp.4-5
-Cancer-related symptoms, p.6
-Shared medical decisions, p.7

June 2014 Supplement: Highly functional foods: Eating your way to good health

Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50

June 2014
-The truth about testosterone replacement therapy, pp.1-2
-Preventing complications of chronic kidney disease, pp.4-5

Harvard Heart Letter

June 2014
-Should you seek advanced cholesterol testing? p.3
-How sugar harms the heart, p.6
-Measure blood pressure in both arms, p.7

Harvard Health Letter

June 2014
-Easy exercises for healthy knees, pp.1,7
-4 fast mood boosters, p.3
-Taming irritable bowel syndrome, p.6
-Are cholesterol-lowering statin drugs for everyone? p.7

Consumer Reports on Health

June 2014
-Are supplements really safe? p.1,4-5
-Spot and fix medical billing mistakes, p.8
-The best way to stop bug bites, p.10

July 2014
-Heart disease questions and answers, pp.1,4-5

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

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]

How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease: A Report of the Surgeon General (2010)

[Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services]

The Health Consequences of Smoking—50 Years of Progress: A Report of the Surgeon General (2014)
[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

Note: The online enrollment link is tricky to find. Go to http://www.ucsfhealth.org/clinics/tobacco_treatment_center/ and click on Show More (above the map)

Friday, May 23, 2014

Health Newsletters at the Patient Health Library, May 2014

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

May 2014
-How to sharpen your memory now, pp.1,4-5
"The same steps you take to promote your overall health and well-being should help protect your brain as well."
-You can survive allergy season, pp.6-7
-Do drug ads tell the truth? p.9

Harvard Health Letter
May 2014
-5 steps to adapt your home as you age, pp.1,7
-Boost your thinking skills with exercise, p.3
-Relief dos and don'ts for that nagging neck pain, p.4
-Caffeine: how much is too much? p.5

Harvard Heart Letter

May 2014
-Eat more fiber-rich foods to foster heart health, p.3
-When very high cholesterol runs in the family, p.4
"The standard advice...still applies: cut back on foods rich in cholesterol and saturated fat, such as red meat and full-fat dairy products, and eat more vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and fish."

Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50

May 2014
-The toll of untreated depression, pp.1-2
-A guide to new prostate cancer tests, pp.4-5

Special spring/summer 2014 issue
-Options for different types of neck pain, pp.1-2
-Improving range of motion in arthritic joins, pp.4-5
-Back spasms, p.6
-Getting the right support when you sleep, p.8

Mayo Clinic Health Letter

May 2014
-Cataract surgery, pp.1-3

UC Berkeley Wellness Letter

May 2014
-Should you still take that multi? pp.1-2
-Clearing the air: Pollutants in the home, p.5

Spring/summer 2014: All about allergies

Monday, May 12, 2014

Resources on Nutrition and Cancer

Overview of Nutrition in Cancer Care
[Source: National Cancer Institute]

Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
[Source: National Cancer Institute]

Diet for Cancer Treatment Side Effects
[Source: UCSF Medical Center]


Additional Nutrition Resources
[Source: UCSF Patient 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.

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/support/crc/nutrition-counseling-and-workshops.

Upcoming Workshops:

Nutrition and Breast Cancer
May 21, 2014, 5:15 pm – 7:00 pm
http://cancer.ucsf.edu/events/2014/05/21/nutrition-and-breast-cancer.1480

Nutrition and Prostate Cancer
May 27, 2014, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
http://cancer.ucsf.edu/events/2014/05/27/nutrition-and-prostate-cancer.4578

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

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Health Newsletters at the Patient Health Library, April 2014

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

April 2014
-Phosphorus: friend or foe? p.4
-Vitamin E for Alzheimer's? p.5

Mayo Clinic Health Letter

April 2014
-Dizziness, pp.1-3

Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50

April 2014
-Skin cream do's and dont's for eczema, p.6

Harvard Women's Health Watch

April 2014
-Should you be tested for dementia? pp.1,7
"Certain tests for dementia don't offer much diagnostic value in general, including general tests for Alzheimer's."
-Is it a food intolerance, allergy or something else? pp.4-5

Harvard Heart Letter

April 2014
-The best heart-healthy workouts for your 60's, 70's and 80's, pp.1,7
-Peripheral artery disease - It's a pain in the leg, p.6
"People with PAD worry that they are hurting themselves when the walk, but research shows that activity is actually very good for you...even if you feel some pain."

Harvard Health Letter

April 2014
-Easy ways to protect your mobility, pp.1,7
-Drug-free options to fight depression, p.3
-Tips for healthy food on the go, p.6

Duke Medicine Health News

April 2014
-It's never too late to get fit, p.3
"Whether going for a short walk several times a gay or starting off each day with an activity class at the senior center, something is always better than nothing."
-New blood pressure treatment guidelines challenged, pp.4-5
-Experimental drug may change the treatment of osteoporosis, p.7

Friday, April 4, 2014

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.

[Source: MedlinePlus]

Exercise and physical fitness
[Source: MedlinePlus]

How much physical activity do you need?
Measuring Physical Activity Intensity
[Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]

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

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

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

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Health Newsletters at the Patient Health Library, March 2014

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!

Harvard Women's Health Watch

March 2014
-Mini-stroke: what you should do, p.1
-Why you need a bone density scan, p.3
"This important test can warn you before you break a bone."
-Staying active when it's hard to move, pp.4-5
"Arthritis and other mobility issues shouldn't stop you from getting the exercise you need."
-new treatments for incontinence, p.7

Harvard Heart Letter

March 2014
-Sizing up ‘superfoods’ for heart health, pp.1,7
Why the following foods "rank high on the heart-health scale:" oatmeal, oranges, beans, spinach, kale, avocado, extra-virgin olive oil, nuts, berries, salmon, quinoa, dark chocolate.

Duke Medicine Health News

March 2014
-To treat osteoporosis, denosumab appears more effective than zolendronate, pp.1-2

Consumer Reports on Health

March 2014
-Solve your energy crises: finding and fixing the cause of your fatigue, pp.1,4-5
"Water should be your first choice. Being dehydrated, even mildly, may lead to fatigue, lack of energy, loss of concentration, and irritability."

Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter

March 2014
-Exercise combats chronic conditions, p.7

March 2014 supplement: The truth about the war on wheat


Thursday, March 6, 2014

Vegetables and Fruits

Vegetables and Fruits: The Bottom Line
[Source: Harvard School of Public Health]


Do you eat enough vegetables? (click to enlarge)

[Source: choosemyplate.gov]















Health benefits of vegetables
[Source: choosemyplate.gov]

Tips to help you eat vegetables 
[Source: choosemyplate.gov]

Encouraging Your Child to Eat Fruits and Vegetables
[Source: UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital]



For more great ideas on adding vegetables and fruit to your diet, come in to the Patient Health Library to read numerous helpful articles in the health and wellness newsletters we carry, such as "Eating your vegetables and fruit?" from the March 2011 issue of Consumer Reports on Health.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Health Newsletters at the Patient Health Library, February 2014

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

February 2014
-Benefits of tea, pp.1-2
-The lowdown on steroid shots, p.4
-Vitamin D-bate continues, p.5

Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter

February 2014
-Active leisure improves heart health and longevity, pp.1,3
"Every time you move around rather than sit, you challenge your heart to beat a little faster, training it to be stronger and fitter."
-10 keys to cardiovascular health, pp.4-5
"Experts emphasized dietary patterns--combinations of foods that differ in macronutrient, vitamin and mineral composition--rather than individual dietary components."
-The digestive benefits of fermented foods, p.7
"'Friendly' bacteria can be good for you, but be sure you know what you're buying."

Nutrition Action Newsletter

January/February 2014
-Trouble ahead? How to keep your brain sharp, pp.1,3-7
1. Watch your blood pressure
2. Keep blood sugar & insulin in check
3. Get moving
4. Use your brain

Mayo Clinic Health Letter

February 2014 Supplement: Get better sleep without taking a pill

Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50

February 2014
-Recommendations for using prophylactic breast cancer drugs, pp.1-2
    ~How the drugs work
    ~Who is a candidate
    ~Making an informed choice
-Urinary tract infections: what both men and women should know, pp.4-5

Harvard Women's Health Watch

February 2014
-Are benefits from chocolate wishful thinking? pp.1,7
-Effective exercises for osteoporosis, p.3  

Harvard Men's Health Watch

February 2014
-Is testosterone therapy safe? pp.1,7
-Carbohydrates: it's the quality that counts, p.4
-Preventive maintenance for your shoulders, p.5

Harvard Health Letter

February 2014
-Improve your balance by strengthening your core, pp.1,7
-Protect your memory and thinking skills, p.3
-Don't let that heartburn go untreated, p.4
-Five easy ways to start exercising, p.6

Duke Medicine Health News

February 2014
-Breakthrough in hearing technology: an end to background noise, pp.1-2
"The algorithm improved hearing-impaired people's comprehension from 25 percent to almost 85 percent against background noise."
-Clarification on new guidelines to lower heart attack and stroke risk, pp.3-4
-Insomnia therapy may help improve depression treatment, p.5

Consumer Reports on Health

February 2014
-The safest ways to stop pain, pp.1,4-5
-Need a new hip? Get a warranty. p.2
-5 steps to prevent heart disease, pp.6-7
-Secrets to a better night's sleep, p.8


Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Health Newsletters at the Patient Health Library, January 2014

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

January 2014
-How to build stronger bones, pp.1,4-5
"Some people need supplements and medications to reduce their risk of breaks, others can protect their bones through tweaks to their diet and exercise routine, and by keeping close tabs on several other conditions that affect bone health."
-How to find a doctor you can trust, p.11
"You're going to have to cobble together information from a variety of sources."

Duke Medicine Health News

January 2014
-Novel anticoagulants have many advantages over Coumadin, but they aren't perfect, pp.1-2
-Risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy, revisited, pp.5-6
"The findings are nuanced, showing that the risks and benefits of HRT differ according to a woman's age and health status."
-Treatments for migraines, p.7

Harvard Health Letter

January 2014
-Easy stretches for aching shoulders, p.4
-Simple steps to get happier and healthier, p.5

Harvard Heart Letter

January 2014
-Answers about aspirin, pp.1,7
-Lower your heart attack and stroke risk with a flu shot, p.3
-Understanding cardiovascular pain, p.5
-Coconut oil: supervillain or superfood? p.7

Harvard Men's Health Watch

January 2014
-Total hip replacement and the older man, pp.1,7

Harvard Women's Health Watch

January 2014
-Ways to preserve youthful skin without cosmetic surgery, pp.1,7
"The first step is to slow the pace of further damage by staying out of the sun and by wearing adequate sun protecting whenever you are outside."
-Why having a pet is good for your health, p.3
-What the Affordable Care Act means for you, p.6
"Under the ACA, you'll now be able to get a number of preventive services without a copay."

Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50

January 2014
-Sex after a heart attack, p.5

Mayo Clinic Health Letter

January 2014
-Belching and gas, p.6

Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter

January 2014
-Are you getting enough B12 to fight mental decline?, pp.1,3
-Eat right for a strong immune system, p.7

UC Berkeley Wellness Letter

January 2014
-When to be anti-antibiotics, p.3
-Around the world with grains, p.4
-The buzz on electric toothbrushes, p.5
"Replace your toothbrush (or toothbrush head on an electric brush) every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed."

Special Issue Winter 2014: Guide to lifelong fitness

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Seasonal Influenza (Flu)

Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people differently. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others.

The “seasonal flu season” in the United States can begin as early as October and last as late as May. During this time, flu viruses are circulating in the population.

An annual seasonal flu vaccine (either the flu shot or the nasal-spray flu vaccine) is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get seasonal flu and lessen the chance that you will spread it to others. When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread through that community.



Almost everyone who is at least 6 months of age should get a flu vaccine this season. It’s especially important for some people to get vaccinated. Those people include the following:

People who are at high risk of developing serious complications like pneumonia if they get sick with the flu. This includes:
  • People who have certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.
  • Pregnant women.
  • People 65 years and older.
  • People younger than 5 years (and especially those younger than 2).
People who live with or care for others who are high risk of developing serious complications. This includes:
  • Household contacts and caregivers of people with certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.
  • Household contacts and caregivers of infants less than 6 months old.
  • Health care personnel.



Who Should Not Be Vaccinated
  • Influenza vaccine is not approved for children younger than 6 months of age.
  • People who have had a severe allergic reaction to influenza vaccine should generally not be vaccinated.
 There are some people who should not get a flu vaccine without first consulting a physician. These include:
  • People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with or without a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated).
  • People who developed Guillain-BarrĂ© syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine.
[Source for all of the above: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine]



Where can you get a flu shot?

Contact your primary care doctor's office or your local pharmacist to see if they offer flu shots.

Adult Immunization & Travel Clinic: AITC is a non-profit, fee-for-service clinic that is part of the San Francisco Department of Public Health. AITC is committed to providing convenient, knowledgeable, personalized, and cost-effective immunization services for travelers, students, new employees, immigrants, and other members of the community. Information is available at http://www.sfcdcp.org/aitc.html

HealthMap Vaccine Finder



Cold or Flu?

Treatment for the Flu

When to Call Your Doctor About the Flu

[Source: UCSF Medical Center]

Monday, January 6, 2014

Making Your Resolutions Stick

New Year’s resolutions—they’re easy to make but easier to break. Why is it so hard to make the healthy changes that we know can help us feel better and live longer? And why is it so hard to make them last?

The Patient Health Librarian has compiled the following tools that can help you remove the barriers to making good habits a part of your life:

Making Your Resolutions Stick
[Source: American Psychological Association]

How to Create Healthy Habits
[Source: NIH News in Health from the National Institutes of Health ]

Healthy Lifestyles, Healthy Outlook
[Source: UCSF Medical Center]

Behavior Modification Ideas for Weight Management
[Source: UCSF Medical Center]

Passing on Healthy Habits to Your Children
[Source: American Academy of Family Physicians]

Healthy Sleep Tips
[Source: American Academy of Sleep Medicine]

Adopt Good Sleep Habits
[Source: Harvard Medical School]

Healthy living
[Source: MedlinePlus]