Health

Using Adaptogens to Help Reduce Stress

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An interesting review by Robert Provino titled “The role of adaptogens in stress management” appears in the Australian Journal of Medical Herbalism (2010, 22, 2, pp 41-49). The author states: “Adaptogens can be viewed as tonics and are prescribed to enhance vitality and are indicated when stress levels are high, during convalescence after surgery or illness, or during periods of challenging or difficult life changes.” “Adaptogens appear to exert their antistress effects by regulating homeostasis via the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis and inhibiting or decreasing circulating levels of nitric oxide (NO) and cortisol.” The author searches peer reviewed journal articles on adaptogens and ends up finding papers on the following 8 (to which I have linked to the Wikipedia articles): Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) : Some research indicates a potential ability to decrease anxiety. In a study on memory deficient … Read more

Primary Care Doctors Moving to the Concierge Model

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So if you haven’t heard by now, many primary care physicians have been, as of recently moving to a “concierge model.” In fact, a primary care doctor I was seeing for a while decided to do this. When is the last time you have been to your primary care physician (pcp) as perhaps they have as well? Just go on pcp websites across the U.S. and you may see the trend. For example, a practicing physician Dr. Rob discusses how he is Dropping Out over on http://more-distractible.org/2012/09/08/dropping-out/. “I will be starting a solo practice that does not file insurance, instead taking a monthly “subscription” fee, which gives patients access to me.” In the post he discusses his top 3 frustrations with the current health care system too many patients, not getting paid properly for providing care, and non-patient issues such … Read more

Health Care Should Not Be Framed in the Personal Responsibility Narrative

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I read an interesting article by Micah L. Berman titled “From Health Care Reform to Public Health Reform” appearing in the Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics (Fall 2011, pages 328-338). In the article Micah L. Berman discusses how the Affordable Care Act contains an “individualist/biomedical paradigm” which includes a number of provisions and programs which focus on public health but are in fact misaligned and at odds with public health research. He does this by first (A) arguing that in America there is a large cultural emphasis on personal responsibility which is shaped by powerful political, social, and psychological forces and second (B) that influential industries profit at the expense of public health. A) Micah states: “This paradigm focuses on what can be done by or to individual patients, and it leads to policies that seek to either (a) … Read more

Is Your Computer Wrecking Your Health?

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As someone who spends a lot of time on the computer, I know that long term use of a computer can pose problems to your health. If you have to use the computer a lot, make sure you take steps, such as setting up a ergonomically correct space, to take steps to stop your computer use from harming your health. I came across the following infographic which goes into more detail on how your computer can wreck your health. I like their recommendation of taking time off on Sunday. Via: Whoishostingthis.com