Much has been written about genetics, especially online. There are a variety of blogs that deal with genetics, writing about biotechnology, evolution, pharmaceuticals, health, and more. Here we’ll take a look at 50 of the best blogs that deal with these topics and more.

General

These blogs cover anything and everything genetics.

1. MayoClinic Genetics Blog: Genetic counselor Carrie Zabel shares her knowledge on genetics through this blog.
2. Science blog + Genetics: This blogs offers insight and regular news updates in the field of genetics.
3. Gene Expression: Discussions on the Gene Expression blog include culture, religion, anthropology, and biology.
4. Mary Meets Dolly: Mary Meets Dolly offers a Catholic’s guide to genetics, genetic engineering, and biotechnology.
5. The Genetic Genealogist: This blog explores the intersection of genealogical techniques and modern genetic research.
6. Eye on DNA: Eye on DNA writes about anything and everything DNA, and how it relates to you.
7. Genetic Future: Read this blog to learn how genes affect your future and the future of society.
8. Information on Genes: This blog features answers to questions on genes, genetics, and genomics from experts.

Health

If you’re interested in how genetics can affect and be used in health, check out these blogs.

9. Genetics and Health: Grace Ibay’s blog is all about your genes and your life.
10. The Decision Tree: This blogger writes about predictive medicine and the future of healthcare.
11. MassGenomics: MassGenomics is all about medical genomics in the post-genome era.
12. DNA And You: Matt Mealiffe, M.D. discusses the intersection of genetics and your health.
13. PredictER: PredictER shares news and research about predictive health.

Biotechnology & Bioinformatics

These blogs deal with bioinformatics and biotechnology.

14. Think Gene: ThinkGene is a bio blog about genetics, genomics, and biotechnology.
15. Snowdeal: On this blog, you’ll find discussions of bioinformatics in the 21st century.
16. Omics! Omics!: Get an understanding of new technologies and publications on genomics and proteomics and their impact on drug discovery from this blog.
17. My Biotech Life: This blogger offers his take on biotechnology.
18. Aminopop: Aminopop writes about what’s fun in biotech.

Disorders

Understand some genetic disorders by checking out the writings of these bloggers.

19. Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Genetics Blog: This blog writes about genetics as they relate to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
20. Cancer Genetics: Check out this blog to learn about a personalized approach to human cancer genetics.

Evolution

These blogs discuss genetics as it relates to evolution.

21. John Hawks Weblog: John Hawks writes this blog about paleoanthropology, genetics, and evolution.
22. Genomics, Evolution, and Pseudoscience: Steven Salzberg’s blog discusses topics in pseudoscience and beyond.
23. Yann Klimentidis’ Weblog: Yann writes about evolution, genetics, human diversity, and more.

Academic

These genetics blogs are written by professors and students of genetics.

24. ScienceRoll: ScienceRoll features a medical student studying genetics and medicine through web 2.0.
25. Genome Boy: This blogger is an assistant professor at the Duke University Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy.
26. Genomics Policy: Genomics Policy from the University of Glamorgan offers insight on genomic-based medicine.
27. Genomicron: Check out this blog to learn about genomic diversity and evolution from an evolutionary biologist at the University of Guelph in Canada.
28. Sex, Genes, and Evolution: This blogger is a molecular evolutionary biologist and biology professor at the University of Iowa.
29. On Genetics: Steve Mount, a geneticist at the University of Maryland, writes about genetics, genomics, and gene expression.

Personal Genetics

Learn more about the field of personal genetics from these blogs.

30. The Genetizen: The Genetizen is written by experts to inform you about important issues in genetics.
31. deCODEyou: On this blog you’ll learn about the latest in health, genetics, and genetic testing.
32. The Gene Sherpa: The Gene Sherpa discusses how personalized medicine relates to you.
33. Let’s Get Personal: This blog discusses science, policy, and ethics in personalized medicine.
34. The Personal Genome: This blog explores genetics as a medical tool and lifestyle choice.

Food

These blogs explore genetically modified food.

35. Tomorrow’s Table: Tomorrow’s Table shares topics related to genetics, food, and farming.
36. Biofortified: Biofortified is a group blog about plant genetics and genetic engineering.
37. GMObelus: GMObelus delivers peer-reviewed news in the field of agricultural biotechnology.
38. GMO Pundit: David Tribe writes this blog to encourage Australian primary producers to understand GMO.
39. The Fruit Blog: Check out this blog for a discussion of fruit and fruit breeding.
40. Genetic Maize: Genetic Maize navigates the maze of GMOs.
41. GMO Africa: Here you’ll find news and more on the benefits of genetically modified food in Africa.

News

Stay on top of the latest news in genetics through these blogs.

42. Genetics in the News: The Oregon Genetics Program features updates on new developments in genetics.
43. GenomeAlberta: This blog shares research and news in genomics.
44. Epigenetics News: Epigenetics News is an independent news source for scientific discoveries in epigenetics.
45. The Daily Scan: This blog from GenomeWeb points out what’s worth reading on the web.
46. The OpenHelix Blog: OpenHelix is all about genomics resources, news, and research designed to keep researchers abreast of new genomics data.
47. Flags and Lollipops: This blog is about news in bioinformatics, genomics, and science on the web.
48. The Biotech Weblog: Here you’ll find news about gene therapy, stem cells, and more.
49. The Navigator: This blog from Navigenics shares new insights about genetics and your health.
50. DNA Policy: Check out this blog to find out the latest news on genetics public policy.

Pharmacy schools are mainly smaller sections of larger public schools around the country, which makes their entrance into schools reserved for those students who are serious about their studies.  California in general offers programs in only a handful of universities:

    University of Southern California School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles
    Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy, Loma Linda
    Western University of Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Pomona
    University of California – San Diego School of Pharmacy, San Diego
    University of California – San Francisco School of Pharmacy, San Francisco
    University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy, Stockton

These schools represent the best pharmacy schools within the state of California, and the schools which students should focus on applying to. 

The USC pharmacy program was the first pharmacy school in the state, founded in 1905, and still remains one of the top choices for many pharmacists within the state (50 percent of pharmacists attended the school).  USC offers the Doctor of Pharmacy program as well as Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy, all of which are necessary within fields of pharmaceuticals.  This school was the first to establish the six-year Doctor of Pharmacy program and remains a model for pharmacy schools around the nation. 

Loma Linda is a relatively new school, which saw its first class of graduates in the fall of 2002.  This school caters specifically to pharmacists in a Seventh-day Adventist Christian setting, allowing students to achieve a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in this environment.  While the school grants entrance to a wide array of students, priority is given to those who have a bachelor’s degree in biological, chemical, or related sciences. 

Western University has undergone name and location changes since its inception in 1977, when it was known as College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific.  It was founded in response to a shortage of physicians in the western United States, and represents the fourth pharmacy school to be established in California.  The name of the school changed in 1996 to western University of Health Sciences to better reflect its true purpose. 

Another new school, the University of California Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences was established in 2000, graduating its first class in 2002.  This program specifically focuses on the intertwining of science degrees such as chemistry, biology, physics, and engineering, with pharmacy.  This school has recognized the need for students who are well-versed in all sciences and pharmacy in order to tackle modern diseases, which is why it now ranks third in the nation for the development of biotechnology products as a result of this emphasis on sciences.  Plans are still underway to create a new program that offers a B.S. in Chemistry and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in a joint seven-year program. 

The University of California, San Francisco Pharmacy School boasts the title of the nation’s top-ranked pharmacy school, as well as one of the oldest pharmacy schools in the West.  The school has focused over the years of the growing link between drugs and technology and has evolved its teaching methods as technology has allowed.  Therefore, as the top-ranked school, it has catered to evolutions within the technological field while still retaining the core pharmaceutical values. 

The Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is another school that has been around for more than fifty years in California.  Making a name for itself on the Pacific Coast, the school offers an extensive history of unique humanistic approaches to education.  The school recently celebrated its fiftieth anniversary and continues to be a beacon of strength on the West Coast. 

Strokes account for the third highest cause of death in the United States, cutting off oxygen to the brain and causing serious damage even if the patient survives. While your chances of having a stroke increase dramatically as you get older — doubling for each decade after you turn 55 — everyone should know the risk factors of the disease, either to help themselves or encourage friends and family to adapt healthier lifestyle habits.

Some people suffer strokes because of family history or their ethnicity: African Americans and Hispanics are at an especially high risk for having a stroke, and women are also more likely than men to have a stroke before the age of 65. Those who have already had strokes or heart attacks — including transient ischemic attacks or TIAs — are also at a higher risk. If you have a history of heart problems or TIAs, visit with your doctor regularly to monitor your health and your risk.

Other diseases or health conditions that increase your risk of stroke include diabetes, artery diseases, especially peripheral artery disease and conditions which narrow or block blood vessels, atrial fibrillation, sickle cell disease, and high blood cholesterol. High cholesterol and certain types of diabetes may be the effects of unhealthy lifestyle choices, like obesity, a high-fat diet, incredible stress, and a sedentary lifestyle, which also contribute to stroke risk. Those who smoke and eat a diet high in sodium will also place themselves at a higher risk.

Whether you belong to a certain risk group because of your sex, age and/or ethnicity, or your just want to do whatever you can to lower your risk of stroke, eat a diet with lots of fruits and vegetables — doctors recommend at least five servings per day. Get enough exercise, don’t smoke, control your blood pressure and cholesterol, and try to take care of your heart. While there is no guaranteed way to prevent having a stroke, you can educate yourself on risk factors and smart lifestyle choices to lower your chances and help loved ones stay healthy, too.

Depending on where you live, summertime could mean an escape to the outdoors or an entire season of hibernating in air-conditioned malls and movie theaters. But just as winter brings dangerous snow drifts, wind chills, and icy roads, summer also poses many health risks, especially for the elderly and for people who like to stay active during the summer months. From sunburns to heat stroke and heat exhaustion to dehydration, make a plan to protect yourself from the intense temperatures this summer.

If you head to the pool or beach to cool off, be strategic about when you take a dip. It should be easy for you to get a tan at almost any point during the day, so give your body a break and avoid lying out in the hottest part of the day, from around noon to 3pm. Always wear sunscreen, even if it’s early in the day or late in the afternoon, but don’t fool yourself into thinking your skin is the only part of you that’s vulnerable to the sun. Pack plenty of water in a small cooler or insulated lunch bag, especially if you plan on drinking alcohol while you’re in the sun. Foods like watermelon, fresh berries and baby carrots or celery sticks will also help to keep you hydrated and are refreshing snacks in the heat.

Similarly, if you want to engage in any sports or other activity like jogging, riding your bike or playing tennis, choose shady parks and neighborhoods to play in, and stay indoors during the middle of the afternoon. Bring lots of water and take breaks to drink beverages fueled with electrolytes, even if you don’t feel tired. Be aware of the signs of heat stroke, which can creep up on you especially during very humid days. Symptoms include headache, muscle cramps, difficulty breathing, disorientation, dizziness and nausea, weakness, fatigue and possibly even vomiting. You need to take a rest and go indoors if you experience any of these symptoms, and you should seek medical attention if you stop sweating but still have very flushed or hot skin.

Assemble a summer first-aid kit that includes bandages, ice or cooling packs, aloe vera, sunscreen, a portable, battery-operated fan, Tylenol, and anything else you need to keep you cool and comfortable during the hot summer. Remember to take lots of breaks and continue to drink water even if you don’t feel thirsty or tired, as dehydration can occur quickly and possibly lead to a serious issue requiring medical attention.

There are so many distractions that get in the way of studying for college students that it can be very difficult for students to keep their focus. Some are environmentally driven, such as video games and computers in the same room, loud music in the dorm, or the perpetual party down the hall. Other distractions are internal, such as learning disabilities, lack of self-control, and attention deficit disorders. Some of these distractions are easier to eliminate or reduce than others. However, there are some basic steps you can take to put yourself in a better position when you are finally sitting down to study.

The first step you should take when trying to hone your studying skills is to set realistic goals. It doesn’t make any sense to all of a sudden believe you are going to sit in the library for hours everyday diligently studying. Very few students are capable of pulling off such a routine. Study in smaller bursts to start. You are more likely to make use of a half hour period than to sit for two hours where you will be prone to day dreaming and will actually start looking for anything to distract you. Start off with these smaller blocks of time and build them into longer chunks as you become more comfortable.

Set a goal for each time you study. This could be a certain number of problems to complete or pages to read. Again, make these goals reachable within the time frame you have set up for yourself. It is human nature to have a number of thoughts cross your mind as you are studying. Write down the thoughts that are pertinent to the subject material. This way you can return to them after you have completed your goal for that particular study block. Once you reach your goal for a given study period, reward yourself. This could be in the form of 20 minutes on the computer doing non-related school things or chatting with your friend down the hall for ten minutes.

Many times students feel like they’re losing focus they say that they’re in a rut from studying. This often happens when students are attending to only one subject for a long period of time. Try mixing in another subject or two into a longer study period. This will help you keep your different subjects fresh. It is a good idea to take a break from one subject after awhile to let the material you’ve absorbed really soak in.

For many people, the iPhone and iPod Touch mean holding the world in your pocket. But did you ever consider that you can use your device to become healthier? It’s true, there are many apps out there that can make you leaner, fitter, all all around better. Check out this collection to find 100 of the best apps that do just that.

Tests & Tracking

Figure out where you are in your health by using these apps.

1. MyNetDiary: This web-based diet and exercise program is available on your iPhone, so you can remember your workouts and diet.
2. iPhodometer: If you don’t have Nike + iPod, you can use this alternative to track your calories burned on your walk or run.
3. Trixie Tracker: Track your baby’s sleeping and feeding habits with this iPhone app.
4. TheCarrot: Track your life, including your health, fitness, and nutrition using TheCarrot.
5. Lose It!: Using this app, you can set goals and establish a daily calorie budget to lose weight.
6. Weightbot: With this weight tracking robot, you can set goals, track your progress, and more.
7. Pet Phone: Don’t forget about your pet’s health-track their needs using this app.
8. Health Cubby: Set simple, realistic goals, and track your progress to achieve them in this social fitness app.
9. LIVESTRONG.com Calorie Tracker: This tracker will help you keep a digital diary of your daily calories on your iPhone.
10. FertilityFriend: Get a free menstrual calendar to track your cycle using this calendar.
11. SugarTracker: Stay on top of your sugar consumption by using this tracker for diabetics.
12. BP Buddy: This blood pressure helper makes it easy for you to track your blood pressure levels.
13. BodyBook: BodyBook is an exercise and fitness log app.
14. SparkPeople: Using SparkPeople, you can create a diet and fitness plan on your iPhone.
15. Mindful: This fitness tool will allow you to track your food intake.
16. RunKeeper Free: Use this GPS app to track your running progress.
17. Vision: Vision will not only test your eyes, it will protect them as well.
18. iPregnant: Use this iPhone app to calculate your baby’s astrological sign, days remaining, and more.
19. iPhit Fitness Tracking: Use this app to combine your Nike + iPod sensor with your iPhone and keep track of your walking and running.
20. Glucose Buddy: Glucose Buddy will help you stay on top of your diabetes.
21. FitReach: This program makes it easy for your to track your diet, training, and weight goals in your iPhone.
22. Wellness4one: Use this app to evaluate yourself, build fitness programs, and more.
23. The Bike Computer: This GPS tracking application will make it easy to track your progress on your bike.
24. Weightbot: Use this iPhone app to track your weight loss.
25. Limeade: With Limeade, you’ll be able to develop personalized fitness goals on your iPhone.
26. Ovulation Calendar: Keep track of your fertility using this iPhone app.
27. Gyminee: Stay on top of your workouts, nutrition, and more using Gyminee.
28. WeightDate: Keep an eye on fluctuations in your weight over time with the help of this application.

Calculators

These calculators will help you crunch the numbers on your health.

29. Blood Alcohol Concentration Calculator: This calculator will help you figure out your level of inebriation.
30. Calories Burned Calculator: Using this calculator for the iPhone, you can find out how many calories you’re burning in your workout.
31. PointsCalc: Calculate the calories, fat, and more of your food using this calculator.
32. BMR Calculator: Figure out your base metabolic rate using this iPhone calculator app.
33. Heart Rate Calculator: This calculator will help you figure out your target heart rate.
34. The Wheel: This gestational age calculator will help you determine your baby’s due date.
35. iPhone Calculator: This app will help you calculate your calories and find out how much exercise you need to burn them.
36. 2Fat: Using this simple application, you can calculate your body mass index.
37. Daily Calorie Calculator: With this app, you can estimate how many calories you should intake each day.
38. iPoint Calculator: Weight Watchers users can track points using this calculator app.
39. BMI Calculator: Use this calculator to figure out your approximate Body Mass Index.

Activity

Be more active by using these iPhone apps.

40. Health and Fitness Mobile: Health and Fitness Magazine’s iPhone app has workout videos, apps, and more.
41. iWorkout Lite: iWorkout Lite is full of useful advice for gym-goers.
42. CityRUNNR: Use this iPhone tool to track your runs and watch your progress.
43. GymFu: Do fitness training with your iPhone using GymFu.
44. iPump: Get a free workout from this app that targets all of the major muscle groups in the body.
45. Progio Mobile: Progio Mobile will make it easy for you to take your training program on the go.
46. Steps: Use your iPhone as a pedometer using this app.
47. SpeedoMeter: Use this tool to find out your speed when walking or running.
48. Pump10: With Pump10, you’ll be able to use lots of different workout videos to get fit.
49. iFitness: iFitness offers a comprehensive exercise database with pictures and instructions.
50. Nike Training Club: Use this app to get a personalized training program on your iPhone.
51. iMapMy: iMapMy will track your data for running, cycling, and more.
52. iTrailMap: Find ski and snowboard trail maps using this iPhone app.
53. Trailguru: Trailguru will help you find trails in the great outdoors.
54. FitSync: FitSync makes it easy to get training, logs, and a community of users.
55. MoboVivo: This app will allow you to download fitness videos to your iPhone.

Nutrition

These apps will help you make smart eating decisions.

55. iPhone Diet: This nutrition monitoring app will help you keep track of your diet and health.
56. Food Network: The Food Network app will give you access to healthy recipes and videos.
57. Fast Food Calorie Counter: With this handy guide, you can look up nutritional information for 49 top fast food restaurants.
58. Sensei for Weight Loss: This app will create a weight loss plan for you.
59. Food Information Database: This app will make it easy for you to keep nutritional information on restaurants handy when you’re going out to eat.
60. Dietician: Dietician will plan meals for you with recipes and more.
61. One Trip Shopping List: You’ll be able to keep your shopping list on you at all times with this app.
62. LVN to RN 8h2o: With the help of this app, you’ll be able to keep track of how many glasses of water you drink.
63. iPhone Nutrition: iPhone Nutrition allows you to find nutritional information on any food from your iPhone.
64. 101 Cookbooks: Find lots of great healthy recipes to cook on this app.

Diagnosis

Use these apps to figure out what’s going on with your body (or if you’re a nurse or doctor, use them at the office).

65. Symptom Navigator: Use the Symptom Navigator to figure out what you’re suffering from.
66. iEyeExam: With this app, you can give yourself a quick eye exam.
67. Medicomatic: Learn about illnesses and analyze your symptoms using this iPhone app.
68. Lab Tests: This app will help you determine whether or not your lab tests are normal.

Wellness

These apps will help promote your general wellness and health.

69. Yogi Says: In this app, the Amrit Yoga Institution offers a new inspirational quote each time you refresh.
70. Massage Me: Massage Me uses the iPhone’s vibration to give you a relaxing message.
71. White Noise: Use this app to generate white noise that can block out distractions.
72. iPosture Companion Free: This application is an instructional aid that will help you improve your posture.
73. aSleep: Use aSleep to set your iPhone to music you can sleep to.
74. Pain Free: This app offers exercises that can help alleviate aches and pains.
75. Quitter: Quitter is an app that will help you work to quit smoking.
76. Mind Wave: Use Mind Wave to set your brain into a certain state of mind.
77. Binaural Beats: This app for the iPhone will help you concentrate with binaural beats, background noise, and ambient noise.
78. Custom Hypnosis: This application will allow you to hypnotize yourself using your iPhone.
79. iLove Birds Lite: Get the sounds of birds and more from this iPhone app.
80. Prêt-à-Yoga: Prêt-à-Yoga offers a personal yoga guru on your iPhone.
81. Brain Hack: Use this app to hack your brain into specific states of mind.
82. Meditation Timer: Use this timer on your iPhone to time your meditations.
83. Custom Sounds of Nature: Use ambient sounds to relax using this app.
84. Brush Timer: This free timer will help you remember to brush your teeth for long enough.
85. Bob’s Sheep Counter: Relax or count yourself to sleep with these sheep.
86. Zen Timer: This timer will help you time your meditations.

Medications

Learn more about medications from these applications.

87. iRx: Put this app on your iPhone to have a handy reference from the FDA on pharmaceuticals.
88. Medicinal Herbs: Get access to a database of medicinal herbs from this iPhone app.
89. iPharmacy: Use iPharmacy to look into side effects, interactions, and more for drugs.

Reference

Keep medical information handy on your iPhone by using these apps.

90. Netter’s Anatomy: Use Netter’s Anatomy to keep a variety of different medical images on your iPhone.
91. Chondriac: Chondriac will make it easy for you to learn about health and medical information on your iPhone.
92. Natural Cures: This app shares information about natural and prescription therapies.
93. Bio Dictionary: Use this dictionary to look up health issues and medical terms.
94. Pocket First Aid Guide: Treat a variety of first aid injuries using this iPhone app guide.
95. Eponyms: Get a better understanding of medical terminology from this iPhone app.
96. iFirstAid Lite: Get an emergency first aid assistant using this iPhone app.
97. WebMD Mobile: WebMD’s app is like a portable nurse practitioner, and will make it easy for you to look up medical information when you need it.
98. My Life Record: Use My Life Record to keep all of your important medical information on hand in your iPhone.

Emergency

In case of emergency, be sure to have these apps on your iPhone.

99. 911 Help: Turn on this application to draw attention for help using your iPhone.
100. iPhone Emergency Card: This card for your iPhone will help you store health and contact information in case of emergency.

The role of the pharmacist is ever-evolving as new methods come out to better serve patients and the health care industry in general.  Pharmacists serve dual roles in providing both medical care and furthering the technological aspects of current medical care.  Pharmacists additionally now have a more active role in making scientific breakthroughs and catering more to this side of the health industry.

Most people assume that pharmacists simply sit behind the counter at their local Walgreens and mix together prescriptions day-in and day-out.  While this is an accurate assumption for many pharmacists around the country, there are others who are deeply involved with the advances in technology and others who are more heavily involved with physician opinions.  This shift in description has evolved only in the past few years, as the role of the pharmacist now includes much more knowledge about the health-care industry than it ever did in the past. 

Currently, many of us are looking to pharmacists for comfort amidst the H1N1 flu scare.  Flu shots are more popular this year than they have ever been in the past, and there is a heightened focus on health care due both to H1N1 and the congressional bill.  As a result, pharmacists have become more important in the eyes of the public and the eyes of the health care industry as they make discoveries regarding viral infections almost yearly.  Additionally, physicians now work more closely with pharmacists than they have in the past in order to form revolutionary breakthroughs in the field and cater to their patients more efficiently. 

Pharmacists now additionally perform more of a physician role in several states, as they are allowed to administer lab tests and check diagnostics such as blood glucose levels or liver function tests.  This is helpful for physicians because patients who have chronic long-term conditions no longer have to come into the office for these tests, but can simply drop by their local pharmacist.  Pharmacists have thus become much more involved in patient care and now even perform private patient “counseling” over specific forms of drugs. 

As the years pass, the link between pharmacists and doctors will only grow, as breakthroughs in patient care push the two realms of the health industry closer together.  Both physicians and pharmacists are informed of the same information when new drugs come out, and both deal directly with the same patients, leading to heightened role of the pharmacist in modern society.

If you’re a college student, getting an annual exam during summer vacation from the same doctor who gave you vaccinations in your airplane pajamas is slightly embarrassing but pretty common. What’s the point of finding a new doctor when you’re away at school when your family doctor already has all your records, knows your medical history (and your family’s), and still spoils you with pats on the head and lollipops? But when you graduate and move away from home on your own, you’ll have to take control of your health care strategy, which includes getting your own insurance and finding the right primary care physician.

Going to the doctor by yourself is kind of scary, even in your early 20s, and especially if you’re letting yourself be so vulnerable in front of a complete stranger. That’s why it’s important to find a doctor who makes you feel comfortable and meshes well with your expectations and personality. If you can, start by asking friends or even trusted coworkers for recommendations. If you live in a town that’s new to you but was the hometown of a college friend, as his or her parents to put you in contact with their doctor. If you don’t have any recommendations to rely on, do a quick Internet search on a site like the WebMD physician directory, which directs you to certified doctors — including specialists — in your area. Make sure you check with your health insurance to find a doctor that’s approved for your network, too.

If you’ve found a few doctors that you’d like to visit or learn more about, check their ethics and criminal history on the Administrators in Medicine page. Its search engine is free for the public to use.

Don’t be afraid to call up a doctor’s office and tell the receptionist that you’re looking around for a new doctor and want a few questions answered. Ask about office hours and availability or access during emergencies, payment plans, how referrals to specialists work, and even what the average wait time is. Set up an appointment for your annual check-up and get a feel for the office and the doctor’s professionalism and personality. If you feel very uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to shop around for another doctor, maybe one who still gives out candy.

Currently, nearly 5.3 million Americans have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, a condition which can be devastating for the patient and family. And while there’s no cure or even proven way to dramatically slow Alzheimer’s, catching the disease as early as possible is still an effective measure in ensuring proper care that could lead to a less dramatic progression overall. Doctors believe that there are seven stages of Alzheimer’s, beginning with no impairment in Stage 1 and ultimately resulting in very severe decline in Stage 7. Here we’ll take a look at the earliest stages and certain signs and symptoms that start to appear in people who develop Alzheimer’s. By recognizing signs early in a loved one, you’ll be able to set up long-term and short-term care plans that will ease the transition to later stages of Alzheimer’s or possibly slow the progression of the disease.

Memory loss or even just memory lapses are usually the first signs in Alzheimer’s patients, particularly regarding everyday, familiar things like names, oft-traveled routes to work, or placement of keys. Many people experiencing these lapses will credit them to old age and won’t recognize a pattern immediately, but if they are consistently unable to remember them, you should watch for other signs, too. Familiar tasks may also become difficult to complete, such as regularly finding it hard to remember a recipe, pay bills, or remember patterns and directions.

Watch how your friend or family member participates in conversation, too. Having difficulty communicating a thought or suddenly dropping out of a conversation mid-sentence due to confusion is a warning sign, as is frequently mixing up or forgetting common words. Another potentially dangerous symptom in the early stages is the loss of ability to make quick decisions, as in an emergency. Look for changes in mood and behavior and increased anxiety at home, work and in social situations, as well as general decline in organization, making plans, reading maps, and retaining information from a conversation, TV show or from reading.

Determining signs of normal aging versus early onset Alzheimer’s can be frightening and frustrating, but know that the earlier Alzheimer’s is diagnosed, the more time you have to try different prescription drugs, set up a care plan with your doctor, and prevent accidents from happening due to your misunderstanding of their condition.

Nursing is an excellent profession to get into, but nursing school can be terribly expensive, and cost prohibitive for some students. Getting a nursing education will pay off in the end, but getting there can be a challenge. Fortunately, there are several options for getting help paying for nursing school, and we’ll take a look at some of them here.

Look for scholarships and grants. Do a search for scholarships that you may qualify for as a nursing student. Websites, library books, and other resources can help you find a scholarship that will help you pay for school. There a many scholarships that cater specifically to nursing students, minorities, and other groups that you may belong to. Also look into scholarships that are offered to students who follow the specific area of study that you’d like to get into.

Talk to hospitals about programs they may have. Contact hospitals that you’d like to work with as a nurse and find out if they have any special loan programs. Many hospitals will give you loans that you don’t have to repay, as long as you work for them for a certain amount of time after you graduate. Programs like these offer an incredible way to pay for school, and at the same time guarantee yourself a nursing job after graduation.

Get in contact with your school’s financial aid department. Don’t underestimate the help that you can get from your own nursing school. They may offer payment programs, but also excellent resources for finding free nursing school money. Your nursing school almost certainly knows about financial aid options that you can take advantage of. Ask them about scholarships, grants, loans, and more to see what’s available.

Take advantage of federal loan payback programs. The government will forgive your student loans under certain circumstances. For nurses, you can work in specific hospitals that need help from nurses, and the government will write off your student loans so that you don’t have to pay them.

The military also offers an option for a free education. Joining the military is an excellent way to get job training as well as an education subsidy. While you’re in the military, you’ll learn skills that can serve you in the civilian world, as well as earn money to go to college for free.

Check out these options and more to find out how you can find the money you need to pay for nursing school.