With so much attention being focused on the current state of health care, many people are now beginning to look deeper into how and why the system isn’t working so well. An important element of affecting positive change and ensuring that those in charge are being fair and equitable is to keep an eye on the ethics of the profession. From bioethics to law and medicine to pharmaceutical ethics, the following blogs will help you stay on top of the medical ethics in this tumultuous health care era.

Bioethics

With discussions ranging from euthanasia to conflicts of interest to stem cell research, the following blogs all present important news and opinions on the topic of bioethics.

1. blog.bioethics.net. Written by the editors of American Bioethics Journal, this blog includes information the editors receive and share with readers.
2. Women’s Bioethics Project. Written by both scholars and public policy makers, the issues in this blog cover medical ethics, current research, and more.
3. Sufficient Scruples. This blog focuses on "healthcare-related issues from a moral perspective," with a focus on both theoretical and practical issues.
4. Lost in Translation. Learn about bioethics as it pertains to cutting edge medical interventions in early phase clinical trials.
5. Medical Futility. Examine medical futility in his blog, which offers topics on physician/patient conflict, euthanasia, end-of-life care, and more.
6. Adventures in Ethics and Science. This ethics blog looks at science and the humanities and often includes medical topics such as medical research and mammograms.
7. Bioethics Discussion Blog. Find posts about the ethics associated with medicine, medical care, and science in this blog written by Dr. Maurice Bernstein.
8. Philosophy and Bioethics. Read about conflicts of interest, genetics, and more at this blog that focuses on the relationship between philosophy and bioethics.
9. Medical Humanities Blog. Written by a Ph.D. candidate in Medical Humanities, this blog focuses on both the definition of medical humanities as well as important issues such as embryos, vaccinations, and disability.
10. Research Ethics Blog. This thought-provoking blog examines the ethics of human-based research with articles touching on subjects such as autism, genetic research, and clinical trials.
11. Brainethics. With both news reports and the latest research posted on this blog, the intent is to keep abreast of research as it pertains to the brain and the ethics behind it.
12. LifeEthics. This group aims to uphold human dignity, protect human rights in medicine, and prevent discrimination–and their blog is an extension of the group’s work.
13. Ethics Illustrated. A project of Bioethics International, this blog posts articles and information with the goal of educating and empowering those in the medical industry to make decisions that will help people around the world.
14. Biopolitical Times. This blog takes a look at biopolitical ethics with a strong emphasis on genetics, reproductive health, and biotechnologies.

Medicine and the Law

An important factor shaping the medical profession and the ethics therein lies within the laws that surround the field. Stay on top of current legal issues in the medical field with these blogs.

15. Neuroethics and Law Blog. Death with dignity, placebos, and pain are some of the topics covered in this blog that focuses on the ethics of the law and the brain.
16. HealthLawBlog. Read about health law and policy at this blog, written by a professor of ethics, law, and medicine at three different schools.
17. HealthLawProf Blog. From drug labeling to plastics used in baby bottles, read posts on this blog that focuses on the issues where medicine and the law intersect.
18. Complimentary & Alternative Medicine Law Blog. Conflict of interest, unlicensed health care, and telephone consultations across state lines are just a few of the topics in this blog.
19. Drug and Device Law. Pharmaceutical and medical device liability are the subject of this blog written by two practicing attorneys.
20. FDA Law Blog. From a law firm specializing in drug development, advertising, and health care law as it pertains to the FDA, this blog includes information on their topics of expertise.
21. Juvan’s Health Law Update. This lawyer writes about health care as a business venture and how it impacts the law.
22. Journal of Health Law & Policy. Read about current health laws and policies at this blog from Saint Louis University School of Law that invites reader participation.

International Medical Ethics Blogs

As the world grows more connected, medicine cannot be isolated to ethics in just one country. The following bioethics blogs offer an international perspective.

23. Medical Ethics blog. This blog at the Toronto Star, written by a long-time ethics journalist, gives a Canadian perspective on North American medical ethics.
24. Journal of Medical Ethics blog. From the esteemed Journal of Medical Ethics, this international blog discusses medical ethics topics ranging from genetics to bioethics and more.
25. Maguire Center Ethics Blog: Medical ethics Archives. From organ donation to physicians and placebos, the medical ethics section of this blog touches on many current issues in the field of medicine.
26. PharmaExec Blog. Global pharmaceutical matters are the subject of the posts at this blog.
27. Medical Humanities. With a strong British influence, this blog discusses bioethics, technology, and also offers literature and performance reviews that pertain to the subject.
28. Scientific Misconduct Blog. This blogger from the UK does an excellent job of staying on top of worldwide blunders, especially as they relate to the pharmaceutical industry.
29. Global Bioethics Blog. Read about issues concerning bioethics and research ethics in sub-Saharan Africa with topics ranging from AIDS to health and human rights.

The State of Health Care

From rants to suggestions on change, the following blogs enlighten and educate the reader on the current state of health care and what we can do to make positive changes.

30. The Health Advocate. A collaborative blog that includes professors, students, and alumni of The Health Advocacy Program at Sarah Lawrence, this blog examines the issues surrounding patient advocacy and the current state of health care in America.
31. The Health Care Blog. This blog will keep you updated on the current state of health care with news stories, stories from real people, and editorials.
32. Health Care Renewal. Read about the state of health care and threats to the current system stemming from abuse of power at this blog that also includes a heavy emphasis on conflicts of interest.
33. Hooked: Ethics, Medicine, and Pharma. The posts in this blog examine the issues surrounding conflict of interest and how it affects medical care, especially as it pertains to the pharmaceutical industry.
34. Health Care Organizational Ethics. Harvard professor, Jim Sabin, writes about the state of health care, with topics such as personal responsibility, pharmaceuticals, and hospital ethics.
35. Wachter’s World. Bob Wachter blogs about hospitalists, hospitals, and their quality and safety.
36. EMedConcepts. Dr. Steven J. Davidson blogs about hospital-based medicine and growing leadership in the field.
37. California Medicine Man. Dr. John S. Ford shares his experience and wisdom in his blog that touches on policy, medicine, patients, and more.
38. Dr. Thompson’s Blog. This practicing pediatrician and professor of pediatrics writes about the state of health care with a focus on children and family issues.
39. The Physician Executive. Read about the business of medicine as well as current medical policy issues in this blog.
40. Health Care for All. This blog takes a look at the current state of health care with a decidedly strong emphasis for finding solutions for a broken health care system.
41. Disruptive Women in Health Care. With a specific perspective of women in medicine, men are not excluded in this blog that focuses on making positive changes in the current health care system.

Pharmaceuticals

The pharmaceutical industry has been under close scrutiny of late and these blogs work to keep readers informed on the latest developments and ethical perspectives coming from this section of the medical field.

42. Hooked: Ethics, Medicine, and Pharma. Examine the ethics of the relationship between medicine and the pharmaceutical industry in this blog by Dr. Howard Brody.
43. Pharmalot. Written by journalist Ed Silverman, who has covered the pharmaceutical industry for over 12 years, this blog brings the latest news on the pharmaceutical front.
44. Prescription Access Litigation. PAL works to reduce the pricing of prescription drugs through both education and class-action litigation. This blog is where they share news that relates to prescription drug and ease (or difficulty) of access to the American people.
45. Pharm Aid. Presenting the latest news in pharmaceuticals, this blog also offers some editorial detail on the industry with an eye to keeping things fair.
46. Drugwonks. This blog is an extension of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest, which researches the latest drug policies with the goal of making medicine more attainable for all.
47. Eye on FDA. Written by Mark Senak, this blog offers news and information on pharma legislation, marketing, and more.
48. Drug Channels. Read this blog to find out the latest news on pharmaceuticals, how they get to where they are going, and how this journey affects the consumers.
49. PharmaComa. Find out what is happening in the world of counterfeit pharmaceuticals with this blog, written by an employee of an pharmaceutical company who works as an anti-counterfeiter.
50. Drug Injury Watch. Devoted to keeping an eye on the pharmaceutical industry through drug injury, this blog not only offers news and information, but also has a great listing of resources to help keep consumers safe.

Do you find yourself stressed out an exhausted after a long day of class or work? Do you hardly have time to take a breath let alone spend a few minutes to yourself throughout the day? If that applies to you, then perhaps you could benefit from adding some meditation into your daily routine. It can help to relax you, clear your mind and prepare you for however many things you have to get done in your day.

Many people will claim that they simply don’t have time to make room for mediation in their lives. Yet meditation need only take a few minutes out of your day and making your own physical and mental health a priority shouldn’t be something that takes a lot of pushing to accomplish.

Meditation can take place at any time in your day. For instance, you could meditate while lying in bed at night before you sleep, while you’re brushing your teeth or while you’re taking the train home from work. Anytime your mind has a few minutes or seconds that it can relax, spend that time meditating and focusing on calming your thoughts.

Most will find, however, that mediation is easiest when sitting or lying in a calm and quiet place where you can focus on your thoughts and slow and measure your breathing. This kind of meditation is generally easiest for beginners and can give you the skills you need to conquer negative thoughts and feelings not only during meditation but throughout the rest of your day as well. When you feel yourself getting stressed, simply think back on that calm moment of mediation and try to relax into a similar state.

Those who do find time to make meditation part of their daily routine will find a wide range of benefits, the foremost of those being stress relief. The focused breathing and concentration of meditation can help to lower your blood pressure and calm your mind in a way that’s extremely beneficial to your health. After all, there are a wide range of very serious health conditions that are brought on or complicated by stress. Meditators may also find an improvement in their mood and their general outlook on their lives as stress is lifted.

It might take a little practice but making meditation part of your daily routine can help you be a more even-keeled person, reduce your stress levels and help you to be generally happier and healthier. A few minutes out of your day is a small price to pay for such abundant returns.

Nurses have long been regarded as one of the most hard working and essential workers in the healthcare system. Nearly every patient comes in contact with nurses, and they provide much of the important tasks in treatment, safety, and recovery of sick patients. All nurses are inspirational, but there are a few in history that really stand out. Read on to learn about some of the most important nurses in history.

Florence Nightingale is perhaps the most well known nurse in history. She is responsible for laying the foundation of nursing as a profession, as a women who rebelled against her expected role of wife and mother. Nightingale has left behind many contributions, including sanitary reform, statistics, and feminism. The Nightingale School for Nurses was the first official nurses’ training program, and taught nurses to teach, work in hospitals, and care for people in their homes.

Ethel Bedford-Fenwick is another important figure in the history of nursing. She worked to create a nationally recognized certificate in nursing so that the title of "Nurse" could be protected. She also lobbied Parliament to ensure that there would be a law to limit nursing to only "registered" nurses. Bedford-Fenwick was a major part of the founding of the Florence Nightingale International Foundation, which allowed her to make many contributions to the training and education of nurses.

Cicely Saunders is the nurse responsible for the birth of the hospice movement. Saunders’ work as a nurse greatly improved the conditions of hospices. Before her influence, hospices were only for the dying poor with minimal medical care, food, clothing, and shelter. Dame Cicely Saunders worked to create a better environment for patients in their death. She researched pain control, and started the St. Christopher’s Hospice, which was the world’s first purpose-built hospice. She revolutionized hospices into institutions that offered more than just a place to die-they now meet nearly every physical, social, and spiritual need of those in their final time on Earth.

No matter what your health care profession is, you can take a lesson from each of these historically important nurses. Consider their incredible contributions to the healthcare system and the lives of patients. How can you make a difference like these nurses did?

You may have heard about the exciting profession of travel nursing. As a travel nurse, you can travel, sometimes around the world, to work temporary nursing assignments wherever you’re needed. Travel nursing assignments may last a few weeks, or even a year or more. This profession involves excellent pay, bonuses, and a low cost of living, as your housing is often paid for. While on assignments, you’ll learn new skills, explore different settings, and explore new cities. Read on to find out how you can get started working as a travel nurse.

Travel nursing is available to nurses in many specialties. Some of the most popular ones are registered nurses, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, and LPNs/LVNs. Most who become travel nurses have worked in a hospital or clinic for at least two to three years before going on the move. Doing so will help you better establish yourself as a nurse and build upon the skills you learned in nursing school in a more concrete environment.

When you feel you’re ready to move on to travel nursing, you will need to get in contact with a travel nurse staffing company. These companies are your gateway to finding excellent opportunities as a travel nurse. They will work to find you assignments and ensure that you’re working just as much as you’d like to be. They will also help you coordinate details like relocation.

Your travel nursing staffing company will want to know certain details like the area in which you’d like to work, the length of assignments, and how often you’d like to work and travel. Consider where you’d like to work, including the area and setting that you would prefer to work in. Talk to the staffing company about your preferred length of assignment, if any, and whether or not you’d like to take on assignments back to back.

If you know or learn a foreign language, you may be able to nurse abroad. Your language skills can take you to other countries where English is not the main language. If you’d like to take advantage of these travel nursing opportunities, you should discuss your language knowledge with the staffing company. For those who have not learned the language yet, you can take online courses or study independently to learn a language and be able to take on foreign assignments.

Keep these tips in mind as you consider your future as a travel nurse. Enjoy your new, exciting career helping people stay well wherever you may go.

Jacob Diner was a revolutionary pharmacist of his time and founded the Fordham Pharmacy School, as well as many pharmaceutical programs in New York.  Hailing from Russian and Jewish roots, Diner was raised in Germany but moved to New York to pursue his education, earning a medical degree from Fordham University.  He returned to the university later on to found the pharmacy school and become the dean of the college for twenty years after.

He had a harder struggle than many other pharmacists of the time because he had a problem of his nationality (he had no birth certificate from Russia or Germany) and due to his Jewish roots.  However, Diner proved his worth within the pharmaceutical industry and was well known in many pharmaceutical circles as a pioneer in the industry.  The Fordham School of Pharmacy was founded in 1912 and Diner continued to be the dean of the college until 1932.  While there have been many pioneers of pharmacy and pharmacy school since this time, Diner represents one of the first who struggled to make a pharmacy school that accepted students of all backgrounds in a city that was known as the melting pot of the nation.

Pharmacy school  has now become a widely accepted college of many major universities and is usually found within large state schools, much different from the time of Diner in the early twentieth century.  Diner would be impressed with pharmacy school of our time, not only because of its prominence within the nation, but because of the progress the pharmaceutical industry has made since his time.  The drug industry has grown exponentially, namely due to early pioneers of the pharmacy school programs which helped expand the industry within the country.  We now all have easy access to pharmacies in most cities and can therefore combat many illnesses with revolutionary breakthroughs that have occurred within many drugs.  Diner helped contribute to this change, nearly a century ago, by proving that any university can have a pharmacy school and anyone can be a pharmacist.
 

Living a long, healthy life is a goal many would like to achieve. Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do to help stack the deck in your favor. From lifestyle changes to good nutrition to eating specific foods, the following list will help you find out how to help reduce your risk for disease and illness. There are also plenty of suggestions to help prevent specific illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s.

Environment

Creating a healthier environment for yourself and others will help reduce your risk for cancer and other illnesses. Follow these suggestions to help prevent serious health problems.

1. Avoid herbicides and pesticides. With plenty of natural ways to get rid of unwanted insects and solutions to eliminate weeds, you can easily avoid using these chemicals.
2. Keep plastics out of foods. Don’t microwave plastic or put hot foods in plastic. Also, avoid using canned foods with white linings inside–these contain bisphenol-A.
3. Drink filtered water. Whether you use a filtration pitcher or a more elaborate system for your house, switch to filtered water that has fewer impurities such as pesticides, lead, and dangerous bacteria.
4. Choose beauty products wisely. Select beauty products that do not have synthetic fragrances or phthalates (usually found in nail polish), and don’t overuse products, either.
5. Avoid bad air days. On days when the air quality drops below "moderate," stay indoors to avoid breathing in toxic air–especially if you have lung or heart issues.
6. Use natural cleaning products. Cleaning your house doesn’t mean you have to fill it with toxic chemicals. Instead, use natural products that clean just as well and are safer.
7. Use non-toxic paint. Before your next painting project around the house, do your research and find a non-toxic paint that is safer for your health.
8. Be aware of carbon monoxide dangers. From faulty space heaters to idling your car in the garage, learn about the hidden dangers of carbon monoxide, which can contribute to heart disease and even death.
9. Learn about environmental threats. Many people don’t realize the way our environment impacts health. Reading research-based articles such as Environmental Threats to Healthy Aging will help you stay informed about connections between your health and the environment.
10. Live green. Whether you purchase a green-built house or just make conscious choices about the products you buy (and even how you will bring them home), by living green, you are doing your part to reduce the negative environmental effects on your health.

Nutrition

Good nutrition helps prevent a number of diseases. These tips will get you started with a better way of eating.

11. Eat a balanced diet. Make sure your diet includes a variety of foods that include grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean meats.
12. Get plenty of antioxidants. Foods that are high in antioxidants are an excellent choice for preventing health risks. Antioxidants work to counteract free radicals, which damage cell structure.
13. Eat hormone-free meat. The best meat you can eat to reduce your risk of diseases such as cancer is organic meat that has not been given hormones.
14. Avoid fish with high mercury content. Fish is an excellent choice for brain health, but only if you aren’t putting tons of mercury into your body at the same time. Find out which types of fish have the least amount of mercury and stick with those.
15. Maintain a healthy weight. Being too heavy or too thin or fluctuating wildly between sizes puts your body at risk for plenty of health problems. Get to a healthy weight gradually and stick with it.
16. Reduce fast foods. Reducing, making wise fast food choices, or even eliminating fast food from your diet is one of the healthiest nutritional changes you can make.
17. Store food wisely. Follow guidelines for food storage to ensure you are not eating old food that can make you sick or contaminating your food with harmful bacteria.
18. An apple a day. The old adage is true–an apple a day may keep the doctor away. Apples are shown to help reduce the risk for heart disease, some cancers, asthma, and Type II diabetes.
19. Go vegetarian. Many advocate a vegetarian diet to reduce risk for many problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and some types of cancer because of the low fat and high fiber nature of a vegetarian diet.
20. Eat organic. Eliminate unnecessary chemicals by eating organic foods that don’t have all the pesticides and herbicides the regular food does. Also, organic food is thought to have more nutrients and is not made with artificial colorings or flavorings (even more unnecessary chemicals).

Exercise

The connection between exercise and reducing risk for a number of health issues from cancer to heart disease to Alzheimer’s are well known. These tips will help you get the exercise you need to keep illness at bay. If you have been sedentary, be sure to check with your doctor before starting any new exercise routine.

21. Do something every day. Whether you take a walk, go to the gym, or head to the courts for a little one-on-one, do something physically active every day.
22. Park at a distance. Don’t vie for the closest parking spot, but choose a location further from where you need to go. The extra walking will add up, and you will reduce the stress brought on by fighting with other shoppers trying to get the close spots.
23. Bike to work. If you live close enough, try to ride your bike to work at least one day each week.
24. Take the stairs. If you work or live in a building with an elevator and you only need to go one or two flights, take the stairs. If you need to go higher, walk a few flights, then take the elevator.
25. Get a pedometer. You may be surprised at how little you actually walk each day. Get a pedometer for a few dollars and not only determine how much you are already walking, but use it as a motivational tool to help you walk more each day.
26. Do yard work. Between mowing the lawn and keeping your yard in top health and looking beautiful, you can really put in some exercise.
27. Find a buddy. Find someone who will be an exercise partner a few times a week to help keep your motivation up. Choose something you both enjoy such as walking, tennis, or going to the gym.
28. Find motivation. Whether you need a routine, a variety of different exercises, or a well-stocked iPod, find what you need to make your exercise time enjoyable and motivating.
29. Make it easy. Learn ways to incorporate quick and easy exercises into your everyday activities and you will create an exercise habit with very little effort.
30. Be realistic. You probably won’t be running a marathon in two weeks and you may even fall off the exercise wagon completely a few times. Realize that it takes time to get in the habit and work your way to good fitness, so set realistic expectations for yourself.

Lifestyle

From self-exams to sleeping well, find out what type of changes you can make in you life to help prevent disease.

31. Do self-exams. Breast, prostate, and testicular self-exams are important tools that can alert you to any health issues early when treatment is more effective.
32. Practice safe sex. Reduce the risk of HIV and other STDs by practicing safe sex.
33. Reduce stress. Living in a constant state of stress leaves your body vulnerable to illness and disease. Eliminate chronic stress from your life to reduce health risks.
34. Fly safely. Avoid Deep Vein Thrombosis when flying by standing up and moving around occasionally during your flight, staying hydrated, and taking aspirin.
35. Drive safely. Always buckle up when in the car and learn to drive defensively. Safe driving habits will help prevent injury due to accidents.
36. Drink in moderation. While one or two drinks may actually promote health, excessive drinking causes many health risks you want to avoid.
37. Stop smoking. Not only is smoking a cancer risk, it also causes lung disease, heart attack, stroke, and a whole host of other health problems. Get help to stop smoking today.
38. Sleep well. Getting enough sleep each night will not only help reduce stress, but studies show it may also reduce the risk of cancer in women who are also exercising.
39. Think positively. Not only will you will feel empowered to make positive, healthy changes in your life, but many people credit positive thinking with helping them overcome serious illness.
40. Find balance. Too much work can send your life into an unhealthy way of living. Learn to find the balance between work and personal time.

Specific Foods

While good nutrition is important for a healthy life, some foods are touted as better for preventing illnesses such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Check out this list to see what you should be eating for preventing disease.

41. Dark chocolate. With plenty of antioxidants as well as benefits for cardiovascular health and stress relief, this delicious treat is one you in which you can indulge with relatively little guilt.
42. Green tea. Full of antioxidants and free of sugar, green tea is a healthy drink that is thought to help prevent cancer, lower cholesterol, boost immunity, and more.
43. Tomatoes. Tomatoes contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that has been linked with preventing many types of cancers. Not only is this food good for you, it tastes great too.
44. Red wine. The health benefits of red wine have gained plenty of attention recently. From heart health to cancer prevention, red wine (in moderation) is said to have plenty of positive health benefits.
45. Salmon. This super food is high in omega-3 EFAs and protein, low in cholesterol and contains B vitamins, calcium, zinc, iron and magnesium.
46. Blueberries. Known as a superfood, blueberries are high in antioxidants and full of vitamins C, K, fiber, and manganese.
47. Avocado. This delicious fruit is also nutritious. Avocados have lots of B-complex vitamins and are an anti-inflammatory.
48. Whole grains. Not only are whole grains full of vitamins and minerals, they are also touted as a preventative food to help protect you from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and digestive problems.
49. Hazelnuts. A great source of vitamin E, hazelnuts also offer protection against cancer and heart disease.
50. Broccoli. High in calcium, potassium, and B vitamins, broccoli is also thought to help prevent certain illnesses such as cancer.

Preventing Cancer

Take this advice to help prevent cancer. From skin care to selenium, these tips offer great ways to reduce your risks.

51. No tobacco. Whether you smoke, dip, or chew, stop using tobacco to help reduce the risk of lung, mouth, throat, and other cancers.
52. Sun protection. Don’t forget to protect your skin from the sun every time you are outside. Use sun block with an SPF factor of at least 15, even in the winter, and get in the habit of wearing a hat. Also, avoid being outside at peak sun times.
53. Get screened. Don’t skip on the recommended screenings for your age and gender. Early detection is an important defense against cancer.
54. Know family history. There is often a genetic connection to certain cancers. If possible, know your family history to determine what your risk factors for cancer may be.
55. Low fat, high fiber. A diet low in fat and high in fiber (preferably from fruits and vegetables) has been shown to reduce the risk of some types of cancer.
56. Exercise. There is a strong correlation between exercise and cancer prevention. Not only is exercise important for overall health, but some say it can prevent up to 50% of cancers.
57. Avoid the microwave. Some studies indicate that microwaving food destroys almost all of the cancer-preventing qualities of healthy food. Steam your broccoli instead of microwaving it.
58. Avoid unnecessary x-rays. The radiation from x-rays puts you at risk for cancer, so unless that x-ray is absolutely necessary, think twice about getting it.
59. Selenium. This supplement is thought to help prevent cancer and there are even indications that it may slow or stop tumor growth.
60. Opt for thermography. Women, consider getting thermography screening instead of a mammogram. There is no radiation involved and may be able to detect cancer sooner than a mammogram.

Preventing Heart Disease and Stroke

Cardiovascular illnesses are certainly preventable. These suggestions will tell you what you should do to help prevent heart disease and stroke.

61. Control blood pressure. High blood pressure is the biggest risk factor for stroke. Controlling blood pressure greatly reduces your risk for both heart disease and stroke.
62. Reduce stress. Stress is a major contributor to heart disease. Reducing your stress levels will reduce your risk.
63. Lower cholesterol. High cholesterol indicates that your arteries are being clogged with fat. Lower your cholesterol to improve your health and reduce your risk for heart disease.
64. Lose weight. Obesity and being over weight leads to heart disease. A Body Mass Index of 25 or greater indicates you may be at risk for heart disease and stroke. Measure your BMI and see where you fall.
65. Limit alcohol. Too much alcohol can create high blood pressure, which can lead to heart failure or stroke.
66. Eat heart-healthy. A heart-healthy diet includes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy and protein options.
67. Get screenings. Make sure your blood pressure and cholesterol are within healthy ranges by getting screened at the recommended intervals.
68. Reduce salt. Reducing the salt in your diet can significantly cut your risk for heart disease and stroke. Be aware that even if you aren’t adding much salt to your food, processed and fast food are heavily salted already.
69. Take B vitamins. A good quality B complex vitamin may lead to reduced levels of homocysteine, thereby reducing risk for heart disease.
70. Drink tea. Both black and green tea seem to reduce the risk for heart disease and stroke in studies done in Japan and Europe.

Preventing Diabetes

Type II diabetes is a growing concern in America with more and more people being diagnosed each day. Find out how to protect yourself from developing this disease with the tips below.

71. Learn about prediabetes. For many people who are at risk for developing Type II diabetes, prediabetes is a warning sign that require changes in order to prevent full-blown diabetes from developing.
72. Reduce weight. Many doctors recommend overweight people lose 5 to 7% of of their weight to prevent diabetes from occurring.
73. Know about body shape. People who gain weight around their mid-section are at higher risk for diabetes and should be more vigilant in prevention.
74. Increase exercise. Shoot for 30 minutes a day at least five days a week to insure you are getting enough exercise to reduce your diabetes risk.
75. Learn your history. If you have parents or siblings with diabetes, your chances increase significantly for getting diabetes. Also, certain ethnic groups are at higher risk.
76. Reduce blood pressure. High blood pressure is a risk factor for diabetes. Controlling your blood pressure will help reduce your risk.
77. Reduce cholesterol. High cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood are risks for diabetes. Monitor and control the amount of fats in your blood to help prevent diabetes.
78. Eat vitamin C. Eating fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C has shown to reduce the risk for diabetes. This study indicates that supplements won’t do the trick, so seek out the best produce for the job.
79. Drink less sugar. From sodas to fruit juices, many drinks contain high amounts of sugar. Switch to water, tea, or other healthy drinks without all the sugar.
80. Choose carbohydrates wisely. Carbohydrates like pasta, rice, potatoes, and bread get converted to sugar much more quickly than complex carbohydrates like whole grains and beans.

Preventing Alzheimer’s

As science finds ways for people to live longer, the risk for brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s grows, too. Find out what you can do to help protect yourself from developing Alzheimer’s with these suggestions.

81. Omega-3. Many studies have concluded that getting omega-3s through foods such as salmon or though fish oil supplements work to delay or prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s.
82. Keep your mind active. Do crossword puzzles, play chess, or participate in any other activities that keep your mind sharpened.
83. Avoid unnecessary chemicals. Exposure to certain chemicals such as pesticides has been linked with brain disorders, including Alzheimer’s.
84. Caffeine. One study has shown strong evidence that caffeine may prevent Alzheimer’s as well as help those who have already developed it.
85. Vitamins and minerals. A balanced intake of vitamins and minerals can help prevent Alzheimer’s. Determine if you have a deficit and add any necessary supplements to help you find your balance.
86. Fresh foods. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is better for your overall health as well as reduces the amount of chemicals that are found in processed foods that may put you at risk for Alzheimer’s.
87. Stay socially active. Being connected with others and avoiding isolation has shown to improve your chances for preventing Alzheimer’s.
88. Stay away from heavy metals. Avoid fish and seafood high in mercury, don’t cook in aluminum cookware, avoid using deodorant with aluminum in it, and avoid lead exposure.
89. Anti-inflammatory drugs. Taking medications like ibuprofen have been shown to reduce the nerve cell damage that occurs in those who develop Alzheimer’s. While this treatment probably won’t prevent Alzheimer’s, it does retain brain function that may have been lost.
90. Maintain good cardiovascular health. There is a connection between good cardiovascular health and brain health, so make sure you keep your blood pressure and cholesterol down.

Preventing Respiratory Disorders

From asthma to allergies to lung cancer, learn how you can help prevent these respiratory illnesses from occurring or getting worse.

91. Avoid smoke. If you smoke, stop now. If you do not smoke, avoid second-hand smoke and smoke-filled places like bars. Cigarette smoke is especially dangerous for those with compromised lung health.
92. Exercise. Getting regular exercise stretches the lungs and bronchial tubes to help promote easier breathing. If you already have asthma, you may need to use an inhaler prior to exercise, but don’t let it stop you from this important element of prevention and healing.
93. Avoid pollen. For allergy and asthma sufferers, certain pollens can trigger reactions. Stay inside on high pollen days or talk to your doctor about medications or natural treatments for allergy control.
94. Control dust inside. Dust mites are a source of allergy agony for many people. Keeping dust cleaned up, using an air purifier, and wrapping mattresses and pillows in hypoallergenic covers can all help reduce lung problems.
95. Get a flu shot. Those susceptible to lung problems should consider getting a flu shot prior to the flu season. Getting the flu can quickly deteriorate to a dangerous case of pneumonia.
96. Wash hands. Keeping hands germ-free by proper washing goes far to preventing colds and the flu, which can quickly turn into a respiratory illness such as bronchitis.
97. Reduce indoor air pollution. With simple solutions such as switching to chemical-free cleaners, using high-end air filters, and even having house plants in your home, you can improve the quality of the air in your house.
98. Wear a mask. If you are working with harsh chemicals, sawing wood, or any other project that releases particles in the air, be sure to wear a mask over your mouth and nose to ensure you are not breathing in contaminants that may harm your lungs.
99. Vitamin E. Some researchers have determined that vitamin E, especially in oranges, may be effective in preventing lung disease.
100. Test for radon. Radon is an odorless gas that is emitted from the earth’s crust. Radon is not a problem when released in the open air, but when it is captured in a house, it does not dissipate as well. Breathing radon causes lung cancer, so testing for radon is an important step to prevent serious lung illness.

Most nurses will find that the profession they’re in is pretty exciting. New patients come in every day with problems to solve and issues to deal with. Of course, some nursing careers are more exciting than others. Read on the learn about the most fast paced, rewarding, and thrilling careers you can find in the nursing profession.

The ER is probably the first place you think of as an exciting place for nurses. Emergencies are both traumatic and exciting, and you can guarantee that as an ER nurse, you’ll always be kept on your toes. Boredom is rare for emergency room nurses, and many like it that way. Of course, you’ll be dealing with trauma on a regular basis, so it’s important to know that you can handle this sort of setting before you decide to work in the emergency room.

Labor and delivery can be incredibly exciting. Although some nurses think L&D is easy, many nurses who actually work in the profession will tell you that it is quite thrilling. Obstetrics nursing makes new life a daily occurrence-you can see new families being made every day. You’ll also be there to help families go through one of the biggest and most difficult moments in their lives.

Forensic nursing is also an intriguing career for nurses. This is one of the newest forms of forensic sciences, and has been made popular by TV dramas. Much like fictional cases, forensic nursing does involve action, suspense, and drama. You will often be working with victims of death or violence. This nursing career will enable you to work in both healthcare and the American judicial system. Additionally, forensic nursing offers the satisfaction of knowing that you’re helping to solve cases of the victims who need your expertise.

You may find that fitness nursing is what intrigues you. You can combine personal training with nursing as a fitness nurse. This career will allow you to help ensure that patients keep their bodies in top shape, recover from surgery, or do assessments and training.

All of these jobs offer a bright future in nursing, and excitement for the future. Find out how you can get into one of these exciting nursing careers today.

We all know that sugar is a bad idea: it has no nutritional value, can bulk up your waistline, and it can cause major health problems including diabetes. Yet, we still crave it and consume sugar. If you’re concerned with how sugar is impacting your body, you could go on a serious diet where you completely cut out sweets. Or, you could just get smart and find a few ways to cut down on sugar while still satisfying your desire for something sweet. Read on to learn about a few of the ways you can stay sweet without overloading on sugar.

Substitute fruit for sugar. Eating fruit instead of sugar offers two major benefits. First, you’re cutting sugar, and second, you’re adding valuable nutrients and water into your diet. Fruits can help you satisfy your sweet craving without adding calories. Add dried fruit to your cereal instead of sugar, or reach for a super sweet orange instead of a candy bar. The more fruit you eat, the more you will crave it instead of refined sugar.

Mix sugar with substitutes. If you can’t stand the thought of sugar substitutes, try going half and half. Use some real sugar in recipes, but at the same time, use artificial sweetener. Mix your regular soda with a diet soda. Or even try some sweetened iced tea with a little unsweetened. Increase the ratio until you’ve cut out the sugar completely.

Make your own treats. Before you reach for a shake or Popsicle, consider that you could be eating a much more healthy version. Smoothies made of yogurt and fresh fruit can be just as satisfying as a milkshake, and they’re packed with nutritional goodness. Additionally, you can freeze pure fruit juices in pops instead of eating ice cream cones or syrupy popsicles. Additionally, tasty soft drinks can be made out of fruit juice and soda water, dramatically cutting your sugar intake.

These are just a few of the ways that you can cut down on sugar’s influence in your diet. Doing so will make you more healthy, and may even help you lose weight. Try these tips, and you’ll be well on your way to cutting sugar out of your life without missing it a bit.

There are many sites around the internet that pride themselves on their ranking abilities, constantly ranking the best online colleges, the best technical schools, and the best pharmacy schools.  However, if you really want a deeper look into traditional school rankings, US News & World Report typically publishes a decent ranking system for colleges, graduate schools, and even hospitals. 

Located under the “best graduate school” section, US News places pharmacy schools in a similar bracket, ranking the schools on a 1-5 scale, with 5 being the best.  The University of California in San Francisco is their top pick from 2008 (the 2009 rankings are not yet available), which is not surprising.  California has led the way in innovative technologies for teaching in many graduate schools.  Pharmacy school is no different, and many California schools have developed green methods of teaching, as well as have advanced many research centers within universities. 

The second school on their ranking list is the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, with a 4.4 score.  While North Carolina is not typically known for academic programs, their pharmacy school has revolutionized the university and has become a leader in the industry through its research, degree programs, faculty, and students.  The school also has the advantage of being placed next to one of the country’s best hospital systems, offering students excellent opportunities to understand the health care industry and the pharmaceutical industry at the same time, learning where the two overlap. 

The University of Minnesota comes in third, at 4.3, offering similar options as the top two schools: leading pharmacy program, close proximity to world class hospital services.  Additioanlly, the University of Texas at Austin, coming in fourth, offers students a chance to attend one of the largest schools in the country in the state capital.  Texas has prided itself on its school in Austin as being one of the largest that offers consistently reputable programs in every type of degree program.  The pharmacy school is no different, and offers students the opportunity to transfer to the school after spending 2-3 years in a previous university. 

Finally, Ohio State University ranks fifth in this system, with a 4.1, tying with University of Kentucky, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and University of Washington.  If this pharmacy ranking system demonstrates anything to us, it is that great pharmacy programs exist on both coasts of the United States, and everywhere in between.  You do not have to live in a certain area anymore, but can attend award-winning institutions on most parts of the country. 

Doctors, nurses and other health care providers are entrusted with the care and wellbeing of their patients, but due to long working hours and stressful situations, they also need to actively focus on their own health. As a medical student, you’re trying to balance study marathons and strenuous exams as well as rough schedules working at the hospital and shadowing other doctors. Besides wanting to set a good example for your patients, you should be concerned about your health in the long- and short-term. You need to keep up with your studies and work hours, and prevent any long-term bad habits or health problems that could develop from neglecting your well-being right now.

Commit yourself to going for annual check-ups as a way to evaluate your health habits and overall health. It might be annoying for you to spend some of your downtime in a doctor’s office, but your knowledge of basic medicine — no matter what your specialty is — will make the check-up go much more smoothly than the appointments you may remember before you went to medical school and allow you to ask more specific questions about your health.

At work, always remember to wash your hands frequently, and of course before and after seeing patients. You’re probably told to wash your hands from the first day of medical school, but uncovered that doctors only wash their hands 30-40% of the time. You’re unethically putting patients in grave danger and also increasing the probability that you’ll contract anything from a cold to something much more serious.

To promote personal health and wellness each day, find outlets for stress and try to eat right. Fit in a run or game of racquetball to relieve physical, mental and emotional tension and keep your body in good shape. Getting enough exercise should also help you sleep better, whenever you have a chance to really rest. Only buy healthy snacks and foods at the grocery store, and try to bring things like fresh fruit, granola bars, yogurt, nuts and baby carrots with you if you can. If you visit the hospital or school cafeteria, avoid heavy desserts and white starches which will just make you feel sluggish and drained. As a medical student, you already know what it takes to be healthy, but remember to apply those strategies and philosophies to yourself, instead of always just focusing on helping others.