Bacteria were first linked with disease in the 1870s. Soon after, hand washing was considered necessary as a means to stay healthy. In the 1950s and 1960s, triclosan was first introduced in hospitals. Triclosan is the ingredient that kills bacteria in most antimicrobial soaps we as consumers use on a daily basis.
Venous or vein health is an area often-overlooked by most people. As a result, venous disease is common among Americans including varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and chronic venous insufficiency. All of these unfortunately common issues with veins can develop into serious problems if left untreated.
Did you know that heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 3 causes of death in Arkansas, respectively? In fact, the stroke death rate in Arkansas is the highest in the United States. In an effort to increase awareness of stroke warning signs, the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association has deemed May as American Stroke Month. The following information is an overview of the threat of stroke and how to prevent and treat it.
Have you ever looked at cancer cells under a microscope? To the untrained eye, these cells look normal, but on closer inspection, they are ugly and irregular. These insubordinate cells do not listen to the body. Instead of dying when they become old or damaged, they continue growing and forming new cells even though they are not needed. These extra cells form a mass of tissue called a tumor.
Exposure to abnormal or prolonged amounts of heat and humidity without relief or adequate fluid intake can cause various types of heat-related illness. Children and adolescents adjust more slowly than adults do to changes in environmental heat. They also produce more heat with activity than adults, and sweat less. Sweating is one of the body’s normal cooling mechanisms. Children and adolescents often do not think to rest when having fun and may not drink enough fluids when playing, exercising, or participating in sports.
The USPSTF is an independent panel of primary care physicians funded and staffed by the HHS Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) gave HHS the authority to consider USPSTF recommendations in Medicare coverage determinations for additional preventive services. Recently, Congress has expressed their desire to broaden this authority and enhance the role of the USPSTF in terms of its impact on coverage for existing services. Additionally, private insurers may incorporate the AHRQ-funded USPSTF recommendations as a cost-savings measure.