By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 43.8 million people (18 years or older), in the United States smoke cigarettes. What’s even more astounding is that cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Every year in the United States more than 440,000 deaths occur. Smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, and lung diseases (including emphysema, bronchitis, and chronic airway obstruction)….
Read More...What are your biggest questions about headaches? Sharecare Experts Answer Them on Twitter
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA June is Headache Awareness Month, and Sharecare experts will answer your questions during a Twitter Chat. The Headaches Twitter Chat What: The Headaches Twitter Chat When: June 6, 2013 Where: Twitter Chat Time: 12 Noon to 6 p.m. EST Who: Questions asked by you will be answered by Sharecare’s experts Hashtag: #headacheSC Moderator|Host: @Sharecarenow Sharecare Experts: Dr. Robin Miller, Integrative Medicine, Sharecare EAB Member Barbara Ficarra, RN, Nursing, Sharecare…
Read More...Delirium? Now what?
By Derek S. Mongold, MD My father is in the hospital and they say that he has delirium. What exactly is delirium? Delirium is a state of severe confusion that is usually brought on by a medical condition. It’s thought to be due to the brain producing too much dopamine and to little acetylcholine. Dopamine and acetylcholine are neurotransmitters (chemicals) that neurons (the main cells of the brain) use to communicate with each other. Nobody…
Read More...Health Videos: Tricks for Tracking Your Medications and Grab a Hula Hoop to Slim Down
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA Simple and Smart Health Tips- Health Smarts Video Series I was delighted to participate in Sharecare‘s and RealAge‘s Health Smart Video Series. Healthin30 will periodically bring you some of the Health Smart Videos from myself (Barbara Ficarra), Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dr. Robin Miller and other health professionals. Tricks for Tracking Your Medications – Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA “Do you remember brushing your teeth this morning? You know you…
Read More...TEDMED Challenge of Health and Medicine – Improving Medical Communications
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA Health care is about you being in charge of your health. It’s about you partnering and communicating with your doctor and other health care providers. Patient engagement is essential and it begins with you being an empowered and proactive patient. How can we improve communication between doctor and patient? A critical first step is to gather knowledge and ideas from all of us with a passion for improving our…
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