The American Heart Association estimates that 50 Million Americans and 1 Billion individuals worldwide have hypertension. With 35 Million office visits p/y, hypertension is the most common primary diagnosis in the U.S.. The prevalence of HT increases with age, and because of their average longer life span, women with hypertension outnumber men in the older age groups. To continue reading, click here.
Telling and listening to stories has long been held to have a positive effect on health. Studies in pathology and narrative medicine suggest that sharing with others about one's illness can help ease suffering. By imposing a narrative order on frightening and perplexing events patients can come to a better understanding of their condition, feel less isolated, and benefit from the experience, knowledge and support of peers.. Click here to read more.
We often think of scientific research, particularly research pertaining to medicine, as dependable, unchanging, and trustworthy collections of carefully analyzed facts. A body of knowledge ever growing and deepening, but not continuously changing and revised.. The truth of the matter is that it is not so. Frequently the results of clinical research are later on contradicted or drastically modified by subsequent research. When this happens, especially in high profile, high impact studies, that receive great attention by the medical literature and press, and affect large scale changes in treatments provided to massive numbers of patients, controversy and uncertainty ensue. Click here to read more.