FSM Friends News & Articles
A Canadian journalist calls out pediatric chiropractic again, and the Canadian Chiropractic Association responds…again: “It (infant chiropractic) is at best a misguided treatment based on a true belief in chiropractic philosophy and a profound ignorance of infant medicine, and at worst a manipulative and fear-based marketing strategy designed to drum up business”.
The latest Ebola outbreak: We are facing the largest Ebola outbreak since the 2014-16 outbreak. Luckily, we have learned from the past and Ebola research is a higher priority, and vaccine programs are in development. The outbreak does, however, highlight the dangers of vaccine hesitancy in the setting of such a deadly disease.
General
Melbourne girl, 13, dies from the flu as national death toll nears 300: This is getting scary. It’s flu season in Australia and people are dying in record numbers. People need to get immunised. The flu vaccine isn’t perfect but increased uptake will mitigate the spread of the virus and reduce the number of cases requiring hospitalisation.It is also worth pointing out that influenza and the common cold are two very different diseases. Aussies say they have a bit of the flu. I suspect these people have never had the flu. When you get it, you know it because you become much sicker than you would with an ordinary cold. So get a flu vaccine. Do it for yourself, but also for those around you: family, friends, and colleagues. And do it for vulnerable people who are more susceptible to infections and much more badly affected.
Do vitamin drips really work? The evidence says ‘no’, so save your money and eat real food: For most of us, the quantities of vitamins and minerals needed for good health can be obtained by eating a healthy diet with a wide range of foods and food groups. Obtaining vitamins and minerals from your diet is much easier, cheaper, and safer. Unless you have a medically diagnosed reason for getting a vitamin infusion and it was prescribed by your doctor, you are always better off obtaining vitamins and minerals through food.
In a health-care setting, interpreters are essential: Interpreters are a vital bridge between health services and consumers. Interpreters enable consumers to be fully informed about their health condition and options for treatment. They also give consumers a voice to express themselves freely in their dominant language. This means people can share exactly what they need to say to health-care professionals and can ask the questions they want answered. Research has found the use of professional interpreters improves the experience of medical care for patients with limited English proficiency. The use of professional interpreters significantly reduces the risk of communication errors that can lead to negative clinical consequences. Errors could include gaps in information about patient allergies, and instructions around the use of prescription medicines being misconstrued.
Great Moments in Health and Science
A short history of long term oxygen therapy: From acute uses in emergency departments to long-term treatment of some lung disorders, portable oxygen is an important medical treatment and a great feat of engineering.
Today’s Abused Health Concept
Freedom: France to end reimbursement for Homeopathy: Freedom is not a bad thing, but the concept is often abused in argument. Tell Alt Med providers that they can’t deceive patients with false claims? They will claim that their patients are losing their freedom. Or Tell them that the government is simply not go continue providing financial support for ridiculous pre-science nonsense? Also they also complain about freedom. In these cases freedom is used like an undeserved red herring. Society has the ‘freedom’ to set and support effective public health policy. It has no requirement to give money away to those whose ideas are ineffective.