Urinary Incontinence a Significant Burden in Long-Term Care Facilities
The burden of urinary incontinence (UI) related to overactive bladder on long-term care residents and staff is considerable, according to results of a survey of nursing directors. Among 71 nursing directors at long-term care facilities, 59% said that managing UI contributes to certified nursing assistant (CNA) turnover, reported Richard G. Stefanacci, DO, of Thomas Jefferson […]
Introducing a protocol for using robotic pets in memory care
You might think it was a typical therapy session at a long-term care facility. In a quiet room, a therapist sets down a pet carrier, brings out a cat, and sets it on a resident’s lap. As the resident gently strokes the cat’s fur, it purrs, and the therapist asks the resident questions about their […]
Breast Cancer Survivors Who Work Out See Heart Benefits
Physical activity among long-term breast cancer survivors was associated with better global longitudinal strain (GLS), though not left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), data from a cohort study found. Compared with inactive survivors, moderately active breast cancer survivors had a 35% lower risk of abnormal GLS (relative risk [RR] 0.65, 95% CI 0.45-0.94) while active survivors […]
Can You Become Schizophrenic From Drugs?
What is schizophrenia? Schizophrenia is a severe long-term mental condition that interferes with a person’s ability to distinguish their thoughts from reality. Drug use may lead to the development of schizophrenia. Drug use may lead to the development of schizophrenia. 60% of people with schizophrenia have reported having abused drugs or alcohol in their lifetime. […]
What Are 5 Dangers of Alcohol? 5 Negative Effects on Health
Even trace amounts of alcohol can have long-term negative effects on your physical and mental health. Alcohol consumption is a personal choice, and many find it to be a wonderful relaxant or enjoy the pleasure it produces. You must, however, remember that alcohol is a psychoactive drug that produces addiction. Like all substances, alcohol harms […]
Maternal Health, Equity Key Factors in Proposed CMS Rule for Hospitals
In a new proposed payment rule for inpatient and long-term hospitals, CMS suggested the establishment of a “birthing-friendly” hospital designation in an effort to promote better health outcomes among mothers. In addition to addressing the nation’s maternal health crisis, the proposed rule includes three equity-focused measures as a way to improve care among underserved and […]
Trial testing cocoa flavanol supplement shows promise for reducing cardiovascular risk
The first large-scale trial to test the long-term effects of a cocoa flavanol supplement to prevent cardiovascular disease offers promising signals that cocoa flavanols could have protective cardiovascular effects. In papers published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a team led by Howard Sesso, ScD, MPH, and JoAnn Manson, MD, DrPH, both of the […]
Research advances knowledge of the battle between viruses and human cells: Discovery of protective RNA mechanism informs pursuit to develop anti-viral drugs
In the long-term battle between a herpesvirus and its human host, a University of Massachusetts virologist and her team of students have identified some human RNA able to resist the viral takeover — and the mechanism by which that occurs. This discovery, described in a paper published Feb. 15 in Proceedings of the National Academy […]
Amygdala changes in individuals with autism linked to anxiety: Study supports existence of autism-specific types of anxiety
A long-term study involving hundreds of brain scans finds changes in the amygdala linked to the development of anxiety in autistic children. The study by UC Davis MIND Institute researchers also provides evidence of distinct types of anxiety specific to autism. The work was published in Biological Psychiatry. “I believe this is the first study […]
Immunological memory provides long-term protection against coronavirus
Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 by infection or vaccination generates immune cells that provide long-term immunity. These long-lived memory T cells play a key role in preventing severe cases of Covid-19. Researchers at the University of Zurich have now discovered how these memory T cells form. Many questions about how exposure to SARS-CoV-2 by infection or immunization […]