A CDC study of 115 patients who believed they had parasitic skin condition called Morgellons disease found no evidence that parasites were present. The researchers concluded the patients were suffering from “delusional” infestations. Christian Scientist William Scott suggests a spiritual response may help these patients.
Foster kids were more likely to be prescribed five or more psychotropic drugs at a time and at doses that exceed the maximum FDA-approved levels.
“Pain encompasses the entire person. It’s not just in your leg or back. It encompasses the entire being of who you are and what you can do and don’t do. So physically, mentally psychologically: you have to take care of all of those things.”
Now, doctors with special training diagnose and treat more than 80 sleep disorders — from obstructive sleep apnea to narcolepsy — at special centers with labs where a patient’s every sleeping moment may be recorded and measured.
The goal of the study, called WebQuit, is to improve the effectiveness of online smoking-cessation programs. The study is open to adult smokers nationwide. Participation is free to eligible individuals.
But physician groups and some patient advocacy groups are cool to the idea. “These are serious drugs with serious side effects,” says one patient advocate. “We feel strongly that [prescribing] should be handled by someone with medical training.”
A new study by researchers at Seattle’s Group Health indicates that following up on patients with depression through online messages can improve their treatment at relatively low cost.
As anyone who has ever sought help for addiction, depression or any other mental illness knows, insurance coverage has often been skimpier than for a physical malady.
Easier access to benefits and treatment to begin this week.
Senators press military leaders to improve efforts to address traumatic brain injuries, suicide and other wounds suffered by soldiers returning from wars.
New law means higher deductibles, steeper co-pays and other restrictions are no longer allowed for mental health and substance abuse treatment.
New rules to protect your prescription information Information collected with your prescriptions, including your name, the drug and its dosage but your address and social security number, can be sold without your knowledge or permission, New York Times reporter Milt Freudenheim writes in today’s paper. Freudenheim writes: That may change if some little-noted protections from [...]
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Seattle Times Health News
Experts divided over recommendation to screen children for cholesterol
Some clinicians say universal screening is an important tool to help identify children who are genetically predisposed to high cholesterol and to pinpoint others who could benefit from treatment. Others express concerns that screening may do more harm than good.
People in state high-risk insurance plans often feel left behind
The federal health law set up new plans that are cheaper and more comprehensive than the older ones run by states but consumers need to go without insurance for six months to qualify.
Peeking in on your doctor’s notes
Although federal law guarantees patients the right to examine and get copies of their medical records, providers haven’t always made it easy to do so. But the movement to give patients direct access to their health information has picked up steam, and policymakers have encouraged it as a way to empower patients to help manage their health and their medical care.
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