Take for example a press release from the American Academy of Dental Implants. In August, its members came out in favor of using dental (tooth) implants earlier in dental treatments, stating that root canals and other tooth-saving procedures may be a waste of time and money when people are going to end up losing the tooth in the end anyway.

In all fairness, this is quite possible true in many cases. But, what caught my eye was the wording of the press release:

Minichetti noted that a recent study published in the Journal of Oral Implantology showed that single-tooth dental implants are 98.5 percent successful after seven years and there was no discernable bone loss in almost all the implant sites. First-time root canals fail 5 percent of the time, according to the Academy of General Dentistry, and at much higher rates in repeat procedures. Further, endodontic surgical re-treatments, according to published studies, have success rates ranging from 37 to 87 percent.

Look at the wording. When talking about how good implants are, they use a positive, 98.5% success rate. When comparing it to traditional treatment, they use the more negative term “fail.” But the 5% failure rate the cite is really a 95% success rate. Not that much lower than their 98.5% success rate, is it?

Furthermore, in their comment that success rates range from 37 to 87% for re-treatments is also misleading. Re-treatments can be anything and by definition, if there’s a re-treatment, then there was something wrong, the patient fell into the 5% failure category.

Not unusual

Sadly, it’s not unusual to read pieces written in this way. The writer hopes that the reader reads through the piece so quickly that all that stands out is the failure rate versus the success rate. Those words and numbers are powerful and stick with you.

Stories that are really press releases

Another thing that readers need to keep in mind these days is that many press releases are being written as “stories” and are being used as such. Some on-line news sources reprint the press release in its entirety, presenting it as news.

It used to be that press releases were very obvious. They followed an upside down triangle type of format. They were identified as press releases right off the top, with the name of the contact person and the organization issuing the release.

The formula for the release was like this:

A press release is usually quite short, rarely longer than one page (250 to 500 words)

First paragraph: Big announcement, includes company name, product name, etc. (the who, what, where, when and why)

Second paragraph usually includes a quote from an expert or someone who has something to do with the product or issue.

Third paragraph backs up information and wraps things up.

Fourth paragraph gives the conclusion.

What’s happening now though, is that these so-called press releases are being written in article format, supposedly to make it easier for editors who are stretched thin. Who needs to hire a writer if the companies or associations are already writing the articles for them?

How can you tell?

Sometimes you can’t, but if the news “source” you’re reading is scrupulous, they’ll list a source at the bottom of their “article.” What I do then is go back to that source and check their media archives and press releases. Almost always, I’ll find what I just read, word for word.

Moral of the story?

Don’t believe everything you read. Watch how things are worded and if you’re really interested in the topic, research it a bit more.

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Image: PhotoXpress.com

Post from: Healthbolt

Good health habits start young and we all know that children watch adults very closely. Parents can hardly expect their children to live a healthy lifestyle if they themselves don’t. Yet, despite this, the message of healthy living starts early doesn’t seem to be getting out.
According to a study done by the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA),

The national survey revealed that more than three in five (61%) Americans incorrectly believe that the processes related to heart disease do not begin until adulthood.

Alarmingly, fewer than four in ten (38%) correctly surmise that people should be concerned about living a heart-healthy lifestyle to prevent a future heart attack beginning in childhood, and continuing throughout every life stage.

What more do healthcare professionals have to do to get the message across? Do we need Big Brother to start telling us what to do? There are already pushes to highly tax junk food and soda drinks. Some places are pushing the idea of tax breaks or financial health to promote physical activity. Will parents not do this unless there’s a financial incentive? Going for walks, playing in the park, using stairs instead of escalators or elevators are not cost-intensive.

Here is some of the information the research turned up:

•    Less than a third of Americans follow a heart-healthy diet
•    70% of parents say they wouldn’t want their children to copy their eating habits
•    26% of the time, parents feel they don’t make good food choices, setting a bad example
•    44% say that sometimes they don’t make healthy food choices, setting a bad example

To learn more about this study and its findings, check out this press release: Americans concerned about heart health, but not proactive enough to prevent it.

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Image: Newscom.com

Post from: Healthbolt

The bucket/bath/tub is a clear bucket-shaped container that the website calls “womb-shaped and sized.” Created in the Netherlands, the tub is supposed to be popular, providing the baby with a comfortable transition from the womb to outside.

According to the website:

• Baby feels warm, safe, and relaxed within soft boundaries
• Eases indigestion, gas, and colic while calming baby
• Stimulates cognitive and physical development

What do you think? A good idea or a waste of money?

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Post from: Healthbolt

Understandably, one of the biggest dangers is drowning, particularly in children under six years old but, it’s an astounding 73% of injuries that occur in people who are older than 16 years. Here are some other facts according to a study just published in the online issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine:

• 28% of injuries are lacerations (cuts)
• 27% of the time, the legs and feet are injured
• 26% of the time, the head is injured
• 2/3 of injuries among children under 6 years are near-drownings
• children between 6-12 years were more likely to be injured by jumping and diving in or around a hot tub
• most serious injuries among children include suction drains (such as entanglement, body entrapment and drowning)

Hot tubs can be a great source of relaxation and entertainment for the family. Relaxing outdoors, talking together, just spending time as a family can be a wonderful time and provide great memories. But it’s important to stay safe and not invite tragedy into your life.

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Image: PhotoXpress.com

Post from: Healthbolt

The same can be said for foods that we eat for our other meals. So, how do we know what we should and shouldn’t be eating? Well, I’ve never been one to say that you should never eat treats or “forbidden” foods, but this should always be done in moderation. There’s a huge difference between having an occasional evening of ice cream and chips while watching a movie and having them every second night. Or for breakfast.

I found this Analyze My Plate program over at the Centers of Disease Control (CDC). They have lots of great information and you could really get lost looking around that site.

Anyway, what’s great about this particular site is you choose the meal you want to analyze and then click and drag the types of food onto your plate. As you do this, the Nutrition and Serving Totals at the top (cups of fruit, cups of veggies, total calories and total fat) are added up. When you’re done with your plate, you can click on “Analyze my Plate” and you’ll get a quick run down on how you did, particularly if you click on “more detail.”

Maybe this could help you or your kids learn how to judge what you’re eating. What do you think?

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Images: MorgueFile.com

Post from: Healthbolt

The National Sleep Foundation notes that a study in Australia compared various levels of sleepiness with blood alcohol levels and what they found may be surprising. Being awake for:

• 18 hours equaled a blood alcohol level of 0.05
• 24 hours equaled 0.10
• 0.08 is considered to be the level of legally drunk

It’s because of numbers like this, the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) is reminding us that November 2 through 8, 2009 is Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. The hope is that a week of awareness may help reduce the estimated 100,000 crashes, which result in more than 1,500 deaths nationwide.

According to the CDC, those at higher risk for sleep-related crashes are:

• Commercial drivers (including bus and truck drivers)
• Shift workers or those with irregular hours
• People who have more than one job
• People with sleep disorders
• Teens and young adults

The National Sleep Foundation adds that adults with children at home are more likely to drive drowsy than adults without children at home.

If you are someone who tends to drive while sleepy, here are some tips that may either help you get some sleep or keep you awake while you’re driving:

• Establish a regular sleep schedule
• Don’t exercise heavily before bedtime
• Don’t eat large or heavy meals before bedtime
• Set up good sleep habits (use bedroom only for sleeping or sexual activity, read or do something quiet every evening at the same time, develop a routine that tells your body it’s time to slow down)
• If you’re driving and are drowsy, pull over for a quick nap
• Drink caffeine
• Nap during breaks if you do shift work
• Finally, if you feel your drowsiness may be due to a sleep disorder, speak with your doctor to see what you can do.

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Image: Newscom.com

Post from: Healthbolt

While sex ed has changed a lot over the years, it seems to me that Denmark is way ahead if this YouTube video is any indication. It’s a cartoon but quite graphic, so I’m giving you a warning. It’s not for someone who is uncomfortable with sexuality.

Just click on the TV screen below to watch:

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Image: iStock.com

Post from: Healthbolt

First, we need to decide on what is a drink – what drinks are equivalent to each other. Generally, in North America, a standard drink is one that has about 0.6 fluid ounces of pure alcohol. But how much that is in your drink depends on what it is you are drinking. Generally, standard drinks are:

•   12 oz beer
•    5 oz wine
•    3-4 oz of fortified wine (such as port)
•    2-3 oz liqueur or aperatif
•    1.5 oz brandy or hard liquor

Does any of that surprise you?

If you drink mixed drinks and would like to figure out how much alcohol is in them, the National Institutes of Health site has these alcohol calculators that allow you to check out:

•    Drink sizes
•    Cocktail content
•    Alcohol calories
•    Alcohol spending
•    Blood alcohol concentration (BAC)

After reading how much alcohol is in your drink, do you think your drinking pattern may be risky? If you’re wondering, the NIH site has a quiz for you: What’s Your Pattern?

How do you rank? Do you think you need to make some changes?

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Image: PhotoXpress.com

Post from: Healthbolt

Meet artist Luke Jerram. He lives in Bristol, United Kingdom, and he creates viruses out of glass. These detailed pieces are stunning to look at and are in great demand. The Smithfield Gallery, in London, UK, has an exhibit of both pieces and photographs of pieces created by Mr. Jerram.

Among the viruses he has created into glass are e. coli, HIV, and even the H1N1 virus, otherwise known as the swine flu.

Mr. Jerram has received quite a bit of coverage of his artwork, including photos published by the BBC. His own website is LukeJerram.com.

If you would like to watch Mr. Jerram at work, creating the HIV piece, click on the TV screen below.

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Image: iStock.com

Post from: Healthbolt

According to news reports out of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) annual meeting, injecting Botox into the pectoralis minor muscle in the chest, causes the back muscles to lift the breast, giving the appearance of a breast lift. It only works, however, on small-small breasts (A or B cups).

The technique also helps fight against slouching, say doctors and patients. The women say that it’s more difficult to slouch after they’ve had the injection. On the other hand, some doctors say that improving your posture would give you the same results as the Botox breast lift at a considerably lower cost. Botox into both breasts can run from one to two thousand dollars, while fixing your posture is free.

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Post from: Healthbolt