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]

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Health Newsletters at the Patient Health Library, December 2011

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!

DukeMedicine HealthNews, Dec 2011
-Advances in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, pp.1-2
-More possible benefits of fruits and vegetables: better verbal memory, p.6

Harvard Health Letter, Nov 2011
-Taking care of your feet can reduce risk of falls, pp.1-3
-Now being served, better nutrition advice, pp.4-5

Harvard Women's Health Watch, Dec 2011
-Depression and cardiovascular risk in women, pp.1-2
-The overlooked hazards of holiday eating, pp.2-3
-Staying active despite osteoporosis, pp.4-6
-New treatment for overactive bladder, pp.6-7

Mayo Clinic Health Letter, Nov 2011
-Noncardiac chest pain, pp.1-3
-Helpful cold remedies, p.3
-Treating high blood pressure, pp.4-5

Nutrition Action Newsletter, Nov 2011
-How to keep your kitchen from making you sick, pp.1-7
-Fighting inflammation, pp.9-11

Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter, Dec 2011
-Cholesterol-lowering foods boost benefits of cutting saturated fat, pp.1-2
-The new fat rules: “low fat” is out and “healthy fats” are in, pp.4-5

UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, Nov 2011
-Stealthy vegetables, p.2
-Questions about microwave ovens, p.4
-Trouble swallowing pills?

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Recognizing the Signs of Stroke

Every minute counts when someone is having a stroke.  Immediate treatment can save people's lives and enhance their chances for successful recovery.  However, you need to recognize the symptoms of a stroke and get to a hospital quickly.  Getting treatment within 60 minutes can prevent disability.
(excerpted from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/knowstroke.htm)

The following information resources discuss the signs of stroke, ways to help prevent stroke, as well as treatment and recovery:

Knowing the Signs of Stroke
[from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke]
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/knowstroke.htm

Stroke Signs and Symptoms
[from the UCSF Medical Center]
http://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/stroke/signs_and_symptoms.html

Stroke Information: Overviews, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention, Recovery and more
[from MedlinePlus]
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/stroke.html

NINDS Stroke Information Page
[from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke]
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/stroke.htm

For further information, contact the UCSF Patient Health Librarian.

Monday, December 5, 2011

MedlinePlus: Online Health Information

MedlinePlus is a free, easy-to-use health information service of 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 a search done for you? 
Contact the Patient Health Librarian
by email, telephone, or in person.