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You are here: Home / Archives for General CAM/MBM News & Research

Stress Management for Hospitality Employees at GVSU Hospitality Summit

March 28, 2014 by Werner Absenger

stress-management-for-hospitality-employees

Making the case for effective stress management in the hospitality industry!

Today I lead a breakout session at Grand Valley State University‘s 2014 Hospitality Summit. The title of the presentation was “Stress Management for Hospitality Employees.”

As of now, research on stress in the hospitality industry remains an utterly unstudied topic. We really don’t have a very good grip on the type and size of hospitality employees’ stressors. The subject presents much potential for research to potentially affect many lives positively.

I introduced a couple of studies highlighting the need to teach stress management to hospitality employees. This was then followed by a brief introduction to two stress management techniques, a concentrative meditation and an expressive meditation. Attendees had a chance to practice both meditations during this highly interactive event. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Articles, General CAM/MBM News & Research

U.S. Gets a D- on the National Scorecard on U.S. Health and A Manifesto for A New Medicine

October 19, 2011 by Werner Absenger

NationalHealthcareQualityReport

Image Source: AHRQ http://www.ahrq.gov/qual/qrdr11.htm

The National Scorecard on U.S. Health System Performance, 2011, updates a series of comprehensive assessments of U.S. population health and health care quality, access, efficiency, and equity. It finds substantial improvement on quality-of-care indicators that have been the focus of public reporting and collaborative initiatives. However, U.S. health system performance continues to fall far short of what is attainable, especially given the enormity of public and private resources devoted nationally to health. Across 42 performance indicators, the U.S. achieves a total score of 64 out of a possible 100, when comparing national rates with domestic and international benchmarks. Overall, the U.S. failed to improve relative to these benchmarks, which in many cases rose. Costs were up sharply, access to care deteriorated, health system efficiency remained low, disparities persisted, and health outcomes failed to keep pace with benchmarks.

How can you protect yourself and your family, given the dim outlook on access to care, rising (unattainable) insurance premiums, and rising health disparities?

[Read more…]

Filed Under: General CAM/MBM News & Research Tagged With: 7 Pillars, Commonwealth Fund, Health care, healthcare, MBM, mind-body medicine, New Medicine, Preventive medicine, Primary care, Saybrook University, Self-Care

Man’s Best Friend Just Became Better: Cancer Sniffing Dogs

August 20, 2011 by Werner Absenger

Servicedawg

Image Credit: http://anewscafe.com

The following abstract from an Ehman et al. (2011) describes promising research that sniffing out volatile organic compounds (VOC) in human breath can be a tool for early cancer detection. Scientists are training dogs to do just that, breath analyses to detect metabolic disorders, amongst them cancer (Seyfried & Shelton, 2010).

I found a paper by an Austro-Polish research team as an excellent starting point in the realm of breath analyses to serve as a biomarker for disease. The paper is titled “Human exhaled air analytics: biomarkers of disease.” In it Buszewski, Kęsy, Ligor, & Amann (2007) elaborate on the chemistry of VOCs, first discovered by Linus Pauling in the ‘70s.

Looking to human breath to detect disease is nothing new and dates back to the very early history of medicine. A perfect example is the smell of acetone in uncontrolled diabetes (Buszewski et al., 2007).

Back to cancer and breath analyses. Here is the abstract from Ehman et al. (2011).

[Read more…]

Filed Under: General CAM/MBM News & Research Tagged With: breath analysis, Cancer, canine, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Integrative Cancer Therapies, Linus Pauling, Volatile organic compound

Human Cancer Gene Gets Green Light for Patent

July 30, 2011 by Werner Absenger

BRCA 1

Image Credit: Protein Data Bank http://www.rcsb.org/pdb/

In a 2:1 decision handed down by Judge Lourie, the United States Court of appeals of the Federal Circuit ruled that “On the merits, we reverse the district court’s decision that Myriad’s composition claims to ‘isolated’ DNA molecules cover patent-ineligible products of nature under § 101 since molecules as claimed do not exist in nature” (Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, 2011, p. 8).

The ruling further states that, “We also reverse the district court’s decision that Myriad’s method claim to screening potential cancer therapeutics via changes in cell growth rates is directed to a patent-ineligible scientific principle” (Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, 2011, p. 8).

The court acknowledged that one plaintiff had a standing challenge to the validity of Myriad’s patents due to the fact that he would like to start research on the BRCA 1/ BRCA 2 genes immediately, but couldn’t because of the patent protection of the genes.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: General CAM/MBM News & Research Tagged With: BRCA, BRCA 1, BRCA 2, BRCA mutation, Breast cancer, gene, mind-body medicine, Molecular Pathology, National Cancer Institute

5 Everyday Things That Are Bad for You

October 1, 2009 by Werner Absenger

by Guest Author Mary Ward

Most of us are looking for ways to live healthier lives. And, many times we feel that, for the most part, we’re avoiding the things that are really bad for us. However, there may be some everyday items you’re still using that are bad for your body. Here are some common things in your home you might want to avoid.

  1. Teflon – this non-stick coating used for many years on pans can be very harmful. The gases released when the pans are heated to a high temperature can be noxious – it has even been known to kill birds. In addition, as the pans get worn, the Teflon coating flakes off into our food and eventually ends up in our water system. The EPA’s outside science board has listed the PFC chemical used to make Teflon as a “likely human carcinogen”.
  2. Carpet – Whether your carpet is new or old, it likely contains chemicals that are dangerous to your body. New carpets contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s), some of which are on the EPA’s list of extremely hazardous substances. Old carpet may be even worse, as some of the chemicals used in carpets in years passed have been banned. Other substances, such as adhesives and stain resistors may be dangerous when breathed in.
  3. Plastic food containers – Most of our plastic food containers are harmless, unless they are exposed to heat. Plastics used to make food containers contains bisphenol A. When exposed to heat, the plastic melts just a little and the bisphenol A leaks into your food. The substance is believed to be related to an elevated risk for breast cancer, prostate cancer and diabetes. So, for the sake of your health, don’t microwave in plastic or drink from a plastic drink bottle that’s been exposed to heat. This same substance is found in most food cans, because it helps keep the food from tasting like the can. It’s believed to be safe in food cans as long as you don’t heat up the can itself.
  4. Microwave popcorn – The fumes from microwave popcorn have been shown to be toxic, because of the substance diacetyl, which gives the popcorn its buttery taste. Several cases of lung disease have been directly related to inhaling large amounts of diacetyl. Check your microwave popcorn labels carefully. Many companies have already removed the substance from their brand because of health concerns, but it is still in a few brands.
  5. Your humidifier – A humidifier need not be dangerous if it’s cleaned properly, but many people fail to clean theirs as often as needed. Humidifiers that are not kept clean can harbor all sorts of harmful bacteria, such as legionella, which causes respiratory infections, and several types of mold. Your humidifier should be cleaned with bleach at least twice a week if you use it regularly.

We all want to live in a safe home, and it’s frightening that there are so many items we take for granted that might be harming us. Keep your eyes open for things in your home that might make it less safe for your family.

That is great advice. Thanks Mary.

Mary Ward is a freelance writer and likes writing about medical education topics, such as how to research and choose among online X-ray tech schools, how to apply for online college grants, and more.

Filed Under: General CAM/MBM News & Research

Syndrome X

April 7, 2009 by Werner Absenger

Alternative Medicine Blog-10


Syndrome X also known as metabolic syndrome is a condition that has at its center insulin resistance and at least 3 of the other 5 diagnostic criteria. These other criteria according to Steinbaum (2004) are:

[Read more…]

Filed Under: General CAM/MBM News & Research Tagged With: fasting glucose, HDL cholesterol, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, obesity, plasminogen, syndrome x

Can Pesticide Use Increase Birth Defects?

April 2, 2009 by Werner Absenger

Alternative Medicine Blog-8


According to recent research by Winchester (2009), conceiving a baby in spring and early summer might increase the risk of various birth defects such as spina bifida, cleft palate, and Down syndrome.


The reason for this, Winchester (2009) argues, might be high pesticide levels in ground water in spring and summer due to crop dusting. This of course is not only a local phenomena but the research suggest that pesticide use might play a role in birth defects nationwide.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: General CAM/MBM News & Research Tagged With: birth defects, complications with pregnancy, march of dimes, miscarriages, National Children's Study, pesticide

Pancreatic Cancer Surgical Options

March 6, 2009 by Werner Absenger

Alternative Medicine Blog-6

x-ray fluorescence had a comment on my Pancreatic Cancer post.

"Hi, Can anyone please let me know ..how much there will be expenses there for Pancreatic Tumor Operation?"

The answer to that is not quite as simple as it should be. Here is why. There are several surgical options that are available here in the US. I imagine each of these come with a different price tag attached to them. The first thing I would do is check with my insurance company if any of these procedures are covered and to what extend. Now to the technical information of the surgeries.

The procedures could be divided into two categories:

1. Surgery before the cancer has metastasized

2. Palliative surgery if cancer already has metastasized to other tissues.

All in all there are six surgeries performed, three in each category…

[Read more…]

Filed Under: General CAM/MBM News & Research Tagged With: economic impact of pancreatic cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, surgery for pancreatic cancer

In These Economic Times, Is An Investment In Cosmetic Dentistry Wise?

January 10, 2009 by Werner Absenger

by Dr. Peter J. Pagano,
author of the upcoming book: Ageless Smile: What You Need to Know About Midlife Dentistry

With retirement age coming later for many of us than our parent’s generation and more people on the dating scene at midlife and older, a great smile is no longer just for the Hollywood types. It’s a great asset.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: General CAM/MBM News & Research Tagged With: cosmetic dentistry, dental health, missing teeth

Heart Disease is now Accepted to be an Inflammatory Condition

September 9, 2008 by Werner Absenger

Alternative Medicine Blog-4 Heart disease is now accepted to be an inflammatory condition and not due to excess cholesterol.

There is a growing consensus that CRP (c-reactive protein) levels, which can be measured via blood tests, are an indicator of inflammation bearing a risk of increased risk for heart disease. C-reactive protein is elevated after injury, fever, and infection. Continued high CRP levels may cause a chain reaction as seen in atherosclerosis i.e. coronary plaque, narrowing of the vessel’s lumen, thrombus formation, decreasing blood flow to the heart causing a hear attack [1].

[Read more…]

Filed Under: General CAM/MBM News & Research Tagged With: c-reactive protein, CRP, diabetes, heart disease, thrombus

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Werner Absenger

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