What a difference a few years makes

With my coffee in hand this morning I sat down to start checking out the latest health news. I found a report on ARDS - adult respiratory distress syndrome. Simply put, when a body suffers insults, ie: injury, trauma, disease, a series of problems sometimes cascades and the lungs begin to shut down with deadly consequences.

Back in 1981 my mom was battling back from surgery and ARDS developed. At that time 3 out of 4 people who developed ARDS, died. Now the figures are a bit better, 30-60%. What caught my eye this morning is a new study showing, that by testing urine for certain markers, researchers are better able to diagnose ARDS early and may, one day, be better able to treat this.

Some 200,000 people will develope ARDS this year. Why should we care? Well, perhaps with this new research, lifesaving treatment will be developed. But, actually, I write this because so many of us think, just because something IS today, it will be tomorrow. This past week I reported on a new hip replacement surgery - the full story is on our website - It allows athletic, middle aged people, to resume their full life ie: running, biking, hiking, tennis. The take home from all this is, when you or a loved one is diagnosed with a condition, don't take the 'same old' for an answer.

Press your physician for the latest in treatment, search it out, be a partner in your care. It's okay to ask. You make come back to 'the same old' but at least you'll know you've turned over every stone.

HPV Vaccine Debate

Schoolgirls in New York State could soon be required to get the cervical cancer vaccine.

 

Westchester County Assemblywoman Amy Paulin plans to introduce legislation next week.  Under it girls would have to receive the three-shot series against HPV.

 

HPV is a sexually transmitted disease that causes 70 percent of cervical cancers.

 

Some groups have opposed similar legislation in other states, saying it would encourage pre-marital sex and interfere with how parents raise their children.

Kicking the Cigarette Habit

Willie Nelson sings " mother's don't let your children grow up to be cowboys" --- well, cowboys ( or cowgirls) is better than letting your kids grow up to be smokers. The latest research shows 85 to 90 % of all lung cancers are linked to cigarette smoke. Because there is no reliable, simple and widespread early screening, too often lung cancer is detected when it's progressed beyond treatment. If you are a smoker and trying to kick the habit consider calling the NYS Quitline at 1-866-NY QUITS (1-866-697-8487) from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekends.
http://www.health.state.ny.us/healthaz/