-
Opioid addiction taking its toll on newborns
Dr. Denise A. Valenti Mental HealthcareNeonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a diagnosis of postnatal opioid withdrawal in newborns, and it most often occurs when a mother takes opioids during her pregnancy. Opioids — whether prescription medications such as pain pills or street drugs such as heroin — can pass through the placenta during pregnancy and cause serious health consequences for the baby at birth.
-
2 studies provide clarity on concussion recovery
Dr. Denise A. Valenti Medical & Allied HealthcareFor a parent with a child suffering a brain injury, the decisions regarding care can be confusing. According to two recently published studies, rest immediately after a sports-related concussive event and physical activity within one week of the event are factors in improved outcome after a pediatric concussion.
-
How do infant brains compare to adult brains?
Dorothy L. Tengler Medical & Allied HealthcareThe brain is a remarkable organ, always undergoing changes. For example, studies show the brain shrinks as we age, particularly in the frontal cortex. In fact, our brains are changing every minute of the day, from our time in the womb until the moment we die. We also know there are certain times in our lives during which the brain is most malleable.
-
The health benefits of martial arts training for all ages
Noelle Talmon Sports & FitnessMany believe the martial arts are only for the very young and very fit — but, as research shows, that's simply not true. With the proliferation of mixed martial arts (MMA) featuring super-toned competitors as well as the abundance of "Little Dragon" karate programs for small children, many traditional schools have seen a drop in adult attendance. People think they're too old or too out of shape to perform many of the exercises in a typical karate program.
-
Tapping into the link between emotions and politics
Dorothy L. Tengler Medical & Allied HealthcareThere was a time when emotions were considered a weakness, getting in the way of good thinking. We now know emotions can result in powerful changes to our bodies and actual physical responses. Think about what happens when we are afraid of something. The amygdale — the small almond-shaped region housed deep in the brain — sends a variety of signals to the rest of the cortex that engages our attention to the situation at hand, setting our heart and breath racing, changing our facial expressions, tensing our muscles, and starting us sweating. Eventually, the limbic system — our brain’s emotional circuitry — sends important information to the frontal lobes, helping us to put our feelings in context.
-
3 ways understanding SAD makes you a better leader
Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementSeasonal affective disorder (SAD) and the "winter blues" could affect 10 to 15 percent of your staff. Colleagues experiencing symptoms of either can have a significant impact on those who do not. Here are three ways understanding SAD and the winter blues can help you be a more effective leader during these cold months.
-
Coverage expansion, utilization increases lead to health spending growth
Christina Thielst Healthcare AdministrationA new analysis from the Office of the Actuary at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) estimates that 2015 healthcare spending in the United States grew at a rate of 5.8 percent and reached $3.2 trillion. In comparison, 2014 spending increased 5.3 percent, following five consecutive years of historically low growth from 2009 to 2013.
-
Reduce hospitalizations by integrating behavioral health and primary care
Terry Lynam Mental HealthcareThere is a movement across the country to integrate behavioral healthcare into primary settings. This model not only facilitates access for patients with mild to moderate behavioral health conditions, but has also been shown to markedly reduce overall medical costs. Integrating behavioral health and primary care ensures patients with behavioral health needs receive help. It also means the medical needs of patients with mental illness are addressed in a timely way.
-
Healthcare price transparency: A tough pill to swallow
Jason Poquette Healthcare AdministrationIn a 2014 Wall Street Journal articleNo matter what side of the political fence you sit on, healthcare price transparency is a factor that most feel is important. President-elect Donald Trump included a reference to this in his healthcare reform platform, stating that he would "require price transparency from all healthcare providers, especially doctors and healthcare organizations like clinics and hospitals." Similarly, Hilary Clinton acknowledged the importance of this issue, stating on her website that "we must do more to shine a light on healthcare prices."
-
Dealing with large-scale tragedies at school
Pierre LaRocco EducationIt seems like we hear about large-scale tragedies on a daily basis — from someone tragically dying at the hands of the authorities to terrorism overseas. Everyone seems to be affected by this, including our students. We were once able to say that school is a safe place for our students with people who care about them. It was their safe haven from everything on the outside. Well, it has been proven over and over again, that is not the case anymore as we see school violence and shootings on the rise nationwide.
All Mental Healthcare Articles