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Nigeria: Cross River, Private Sector to Collaborate On Healthcare
As part of efforts to ensure its comprehensive health care programme reaches all strata of society, the Cross River State Government has pledged to collaborate with voluntary organisations to effectively implement the programme.
2008-11-21 03:36:14
Obuasi MP Presents Medical Items to Gov't Hospital
AS PART of efforts in ensuring good healthcare delivery in the Obuasi municipality, Mr. Edward Ennin, Member of Parliament MP for Obuasi, has presented a number of medical items to the Obuasi Government...
2008-11-08 23:02:16
The American dream shudders to a halt in Motown
The men and women who built this Buick in 1954 really need you to go out and buy a new Vauxhall this weekend. Why Well, the Detroit...
2008-11-08 20:23:16
Generic drug cos await US healthcare policies
Mumbai, Nov. 8 Generic drug-makers are keeping their eyes on the President-elect, Mr Barack Obama, and the shape that healthcare policies...
2008-11-08 18:14:16
The Revenge of the Healthcare Economy
In 2006 I did a story on healthcare jobs called "What's Really Propping Up The Economy." Well, here we are again. Here's a piece that I just posted online. Call this revenge of the health-care economy. For years politicians...
2008-11-08 18:20:13
Plethora rises on premature ejaculation drug
Shares in healthcare group soar more than 60 per cent following successful trial data for its premature ejaculation drug
2008-11-08 17:09:19
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Myths Debunked
How many women suffer from obstructive sleep apneaWhat’s the difference between regular snoring and obstructive sleep apnea Can obstructive sleep apnea affect your driving abilities Keep reading for a discussion on all of the above.Following is a guest post written by Dr. Charles W. Atwood, Jr., MD, a board-certified pulmonologist and sleep medicine physician at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. Read more about him at the end of this post.Obstructive Sleep Apnea OSA Facts: OSA is a sleep disorder in which a persons airway collapses during sleep, preventing air from getting to the lungs. In severe cases, breathing can stop more than 100 times per hour. OSA affects more than 18 million Americans and can cause both short-term and long-term effects on a persons health. Despite the risks associated with OSA, up to 90% of sufferers are undiagnosed, due in part to several common misconceptions.OSA Myths Debunked:Myth: OSA only affects men.Truth: The National Sleep Foundation estimates that 6 million American women suffer from this disorder. New research suggests that OSA is linked to depression and female sexual dysfunction. In addition, gestational OSA can develop in those who are pregnant.Myth: Only older/overweight people have OSA.Truth: While weight can be a contributing factor for the development of OSA, people of all shapes, sizes and ages can be diagnosed with sleep apnea. In those with thin or average builds, excess tissue in the throat or the structure and position of the jaw can play a role in the development of OSA. Other contributing risk factors include the use of alcohol or sedatives - which can relax the tissue and muscles surrounding the upper airway - smoking, a family history and aging.Myth: Im healthy, Im just tired.Truth: The consequences of untreated OSA go far beyond simply leaving a person exhausted and groggy. Obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, stroke and sexual dysfunction are just some of the health problems that are connected to sleep apnea. In fact, a recent study showed that those with obstructive sleep apnea are three times more likely to die from any cause than those without the sleep disorder 1-see footnote.Myth: Everyone snores, whats the problemTruth: Millions of people snore on and off throughout the night, which is a normal part of sleeping. However, heavy snoring that is accompanied by gasping or choking for air is a leading indicator of OSA. Although this process would seem disturbing during sleep, most OSA sufferers are not aware that this cycle repeats itself hundreds of times every night.Myth: I am tired because Im depressed.Truth: Untreated OSA and depression share similar symptoms such as lethargy, excessive fatigue, trouble concentrating, weight gain and irritability. While many are quick to recognize these symptoms as a sign of a depressive disorder, they may also be the result of OSA. Recent studies have shown that patients who treat their OSA experience an improvement in symptoms that mimic depression 2-see footnote.Myth: It is uncomfortable to sleep with the mask on.Truth: CPAP, short for continuous positive airway pressure, is the most common and effective treatment for OSA. CPAP users wear a mask connected to a small machine - that supplies continuous airflow through the nose, which prevents the collapse of the airways. Although the majority of people take to the mask right away, some find it uncomfortable and decide to discontinue treatment. However, masks come in many shapes and sizes so unhappy CPAP users should not hesitate to look into other models.Myth: Undergoing a study in a sleep lab is too inconvenient.Truth: Historically, being tested for OSA required patients to spend the night in a certified sleep lab where heart rate, respiration, blood oxygen levels, airflow and the electrical activity of the brain were monitored. However, earlier this year, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved the reimbursement of CPAP treatment for OSA patients that were diagnosed wearing portable monitoring equipment in the comfort of their own home. This decision could lead to a monumental shift in how millions of OSA sufferers are diagnosed and may result in significantly increased diagnosis and treatment rates.Myth: OSA doesnt affect my driving.Truth: Untreated OSA not only leaves people exhausted, it also makes them a danger on the roads. In fact, a drowsy driver poses just as much risk to his or her self and the motoring public as a drunk driver. Researchers at Trinitas Hospital in Elizabeth, N.J. determined that a sleep deficit of four hours can result in the same cognitive decline as a blood-alcohol level of 0.10 percent, by which a driver is considered legally drunk. According to The National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research, drowsy drivers cause more fatalities per accident than drunk drivers.About Dr. AtwoodDr. Charles W. Atwood, Jr., MD directs the Sleep Medicine outpatient clinic at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sleep Medicine Center and is the Director for the VAs sleep disorders program. He is an investigator on research examining the role of home-based sleep apnea diagnosis and therapy and the role of bariatric surgery in treating obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Atwood is currently the Chair of the American College of Chest Physicians Sleep Institute. 1. Researchers, led by Dr. Terry Young at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, examined 1,522 patients ages 30 through 60 and tested them with an overnight sleep study every four years. During 18 years of follow-up in the study, patients with severe sleep-disordered breathing had a 3.2-fold increase in risk of death compared with people whose sleep breathing was normal. Study was presented at SLEEP 2008.2. Researchers, led by Dr. Patricia J. Deldin at the University of Michigan, examined the overnight sleep breathing of 19 patients with MDD and 15 patients with non-depressed controls. The results found that that sleep apnea may exacerbate or contribute to the condition of MDD, and that treating sleep apnea may limit or prevent depressive symptoms. Study was published in SLEEP MEDICINE November 2, 2005.Image via stock.xchng.Tags: Dr. Charles W. Atwood, home-based sleep apnea diagnosis, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Obstructive Sleep Apnea Myths, sleep apnea diagnosis, sleep disorders programShare This
2008-11-08 01:02:13
Obama healthcare plan boon for hospitals: Moody's
WASHINGTON Reuters - President-elect Barack Obama's plan to extend health care to uninsured Americans will provide a boon to hospitals...
2008-11-07 19:19:19
Latha Jishnu: Hankering for an Obama here
Indians, more than Americans, need a leader who has 21st century ideas - on education, healthcare and, most of all, inclusiveness.
2008-11-07 19:08:15
Public Urged to Protect Against Preventable Diseases
Gauteng MEC for Health Brian Hlongwa has urged the public to work with health workers to reduce long queues at healthcare facilities by protecting themselves against preventable diseases...
2008-11-07 17:20:19

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Nigeria: Cross River, Private Sector to Collaborate On Healthcare

Obuasi MP Presents Medical Items to Gov't Hospital

The American dream shudders to a halt in Motown

Generic drug cos await US healthcare policies

The Revenge of the Healthcare Economy

Plethora rises on premature ejaculation drug

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Myths Debunked

Obama healthcare plan boon for hospitals: Moody's

Latha Jishnu: Hankering for an Obama here

Public Urged to Protect Against Preventable Diseases