Prescription Drug Abuse: Superwoman Syndrome Fuels Concern

Part I By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA There’s no doubt that prescription drug abuse is a major problem in America, and it’s escalating in epic proportions.  Prescription drug abuse affects men, women and teens.  Concerning trends include older adults, adolescents and women. On MSNBC’s website, Karen Asp writes, Superwoman syndrome fuels pill-pop culture, and it’s about how “Overwhelmed overachievers turn to prescription drugs for an edge.” This article is a little misleading since there…

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Do You Know the Signs of a Heart Attack?

By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA Are you thinking about the classic Hollywood example? The classic example of a Hollywood heart attack is a person clutching their chest, gasping for a breath and falling to the ground. After all, Hollywood is hot for drama, and when it comes to portraying a person having a heart attack, the exaggerated Hollywood version is far more riveting than a person sitting quietly wondering if their very slight arm…

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Mediterranean Diet Can Help Improve Sexual Health in Men

By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA Mediterranean Diet is a healthful diet for men with and without metabolic syndrome, and with or without sexual dysfunction. The Mediterranean diet has been in the headlines recently because a new study shows that the diet is beneficial to help avoid strokes. Recognized for its ability to help improve heart health, the Mediterranean Diet also can help kick-start a flagging libido in men with metabolic syndrome. I asked John…

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Healthin30 Reader Chosen for CNN’s Fit Nation Triathlon Challenge with Dr. Sanjay Gupta

By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA A quick update After reading a tweet by Dr. Sanjay Gupta: “Want to swim/bike/run the NYC tri with me? It’s a chance to lose forever. Need a serious 6 month commitment tho… http://bit.ly/90HBoK,” I posted a blog about it, and it got a great deal of attention. I was bombarded with emails from readers interested in submitting their video and hoping to get chosen for the challenge. After learning…

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Make the Most of the 15 Minute Office Visit with Your Doctor

Part 1 By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA Kevin Pho, MD, primary care physician in Nashua, N.H., blogs at KevinMD.com, member of USA TODAY’S board of contributors and a guest to the Health in 30® Radio Show, writes about the importance of doctors engaging in social media to communicate with patients. He writes in an op-ed in USA TODAY “Doctors ignore Internet at their own peril” on January 27, 2010: “Raise your hand if you’ve…

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