Relaxation Techniques Decrease Anxiety In Dementia

Acupressure and Montessori-based activities decrease agitation in institutionalized residents with dementia, according to reports.

Nonpharmacological interventions such as acupuncture, Montessori methods, and massage have all been used to manage agitation and promote relaxation in patients with dementia, the authors explain.

Doctor Shortage Could Hurt Healthcare Reform

A growing shortage of primary care doctors could place a major burden on the U.S. healthcare system if President Barack Obama succeeds in extending medical insurance to millions of Americans who currently lack it.

As healthcare legislation works its way through the U.S. Congress, most of the focus has turned to how to finance a reform that could cost $1 trillion in the next 10 years and aims to cover most of the 46 million uninsured Americans.

Ovary Removal Linked To Increased Lung Cancer Risk

Women who undergo hysterectomies often have both ovaries removed along with the uterus in order to prevent ovarian cancer. But a new study suggests ovary removal may increase the risk of another seemingly unrelated ailment, lung cancer.

University of Montreal scientists stumbled onto the connection while investigating the relationship between lung cancer and hormones in women.

Licorice Before Surgery May Stop Sore Thoat

One annoying consequence of surgery is the painful sore throat that follows recovery from anesthesia, but a small study suggests a simple and cheap way to reduce the risk: gargle with licorice just before going under.

Hospital Dramatically Increases Transplant Donations By Integrating Funeral Services

A UK hospital that combined its bereavement and donation services saw a forty-fold increase in tissue donations, such as corneas, in just five years.

"We decided to address the problem of low organ and tissue donation rates by amalgamating the two services and introducing a trigger to automatically refer all potential organ donors to the regional transplant donor coordinators" explains Bereavement and Donor Coordinator Fiona Murphy from the Royal Bolton Hospital, UK.