Chronic Bits 

OK, this is a cool tool. The Kaiser Family Foundation offers an incredibly detailed state-by-state breakdown of medical facts. You can choose your state, and then look at how much money is spent on tobacco settlements, mental health, prescription medications, and more. And there's a whole subsection on women's health that is mind-boggling. If you're curious to see where your state stands, check it out! And thanks, Kaiser Family Foundation, for continuing to rock!

We just spotted a really cool project online: http://fightaidsathome.scripps.edu. Run by the Olson Laboratory at The Scripps Research Institute, the program harnesses the computing power of thousands of individual users, not unlike the http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/ project that searches for aliens. Here's basic info on how to join, and background on the project's involvement with the World Community Grid, a collection of similar efforts. What a great way to share your bandwidth!

WebMD reports a preliminary study shows that women predisposed to developing lupus, who also dye their hair and use lipstick regularly, may have an increased chance of getting the disease. But there are those who dispute the study, saying the research has only been performed on animals, and that there is no human evidence of a link. Click here for more info. Either way, it's enough to make the Editrix wonder if she should keep being a readhead... and want to watch The Incredible Shrinking Woman again, in which Lily Tomlin plays a housewife who shrinks from overexposure to all the household chemicals and cosmetics she uses. Scary!

You may know that meditation can be a great relaxation device, physically calming the body and providing some emotional clarity and peace. The New Scientist reports that meditation can also boost your brain power--physically changing your brain. Cool!

Babe Sarah spotted this intriguing book recently. A Little Love Story by Roland Merullo is about coincidences, donuts, cystic fibrosis, humor and a lot more. Critics are digging it, so maybe you will too. Buy A Little Love Story at Amazon.com and the Babe gets paid! (When you shop Amazon.com through links on ChronicBabe.com, we get a portion of the proceeds.)

The Editrix knows that exercise is good for her, but she struggles to get to the gym often enough. But even during big pain flare-ups, a workout plan (developed and/or supervised by a health care professional) can help ease extra stress and ease symptoms of depression and anxiety - and help reduce pain. This overview from the Mayo Clinic explains how, and offers tips for developing a realistic fitness goal no matter what your chronic situation is.

Check out this new tool, Making Sense of Pain Relief, created by the American Chronic Pain Association, the American Pain Foundation, and The National Pain Foundation. Among other things, it offers a handy conversation guide that you can use during doctor appointments so you don't forget to ask important questions.

Kerrie rocks. As the hostess of The Daily Headache, she is providing daily advice and inspiration for folks with headaches. Her articles are well-researched, thoughtful, personal at times--and she's just a cool babe. So it's no surprise that she did a great job hosting the Carnival of Compassion #9!

WebMD reports on new research that shows women feel the negative effects of stress more than men. Building on previous research that only examined the effects of short-term stress, this research finds the same results for long-term, chronic stress situations. Just one more reason to get mellow, people! Are you doing something to relax every day? Even while sitting in the doctor's office waiting to be seen, the Editrix is enjoying daily doses of an excellent book to help relax.

Norman E. Rosenthal, M.D., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Georgetown Medical School, was one of the first physicians to focus the spotlight on seasonal affective disorder (SAD), according to Medical News Today. Now, he has helped author a paper that says some SAD patients can lessen the chance of wintertime depression by taking antidepressants in the fall. Here's the full scoop.

Every couple months, the National Women's Health Resource Center publishes a comprehensive briefing on a topic of interest. We loved the pain resource published in August; now the NWHRC offers a look at Indoor Allergens & Women's Health. The piece includes a chart of asthma medications, a look at stress management and dietary approaches to managing asthma, and more. The Babe recommends these reports, which are always free and chock full of good info.

Seeing the same primary care physician for almost eight years isn't cutting it, even though the Editrix is "high risk." Her doc is exasperated and can only suggest she call the medical offices every day on the off chance a supply comes in. She was out of town on her drugstore's lone public vaccination day, and can't find any more stores offering the shots. What gives? WebMD takes a closer look.

...Information that some say could lead to new understanding of conditions like depression. Research conducted by the Stanford University School of Medicine showed that essentially, women have lower expectations when it comes to humor sources, so when stuff's actually funny, they get even more enjoyment from it. The Editrix says both she and hubbie Steve agree that a good, inappropriately timed farting noise is just about the funniest thing ever.

Kerrie over at The Daily Headache reiterates what we (and tons of others) have been saying for a while: if you're sick, a blog might be great for what ails you. Check out what she has to say, and the article she cites. Rock on with your bad self, Kerrie! If you've got a headache, check out her site.

SexualHealth.com reports that Yaz, a new oral contraceptive expected to debut in the U.S. in 2006 can relieve premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) as well as some antidepressants. Check out the full story here. Here's a little more info on the medication from manufacturer Berlex.

The Center for the Advancement of Health, via the Health Behavior News Service, reports that folks with psoriasis lack strong social support networks, which in turns contributes to outbreaks of the condition.  “Perceived social support is a subjective measure, but when the level is higher, it is associated with better health,” said  Angelo Picardi, M.D., leader of the study. Read on for the full announcement of this research. And if you know someone with psoriasis, go give them a hug and invite them to lunch!

Editrix Jenni has something to add to her Amazon.com wish list! Quicken Medical Expense Manager was brought to our attention by Kevin, M.D., who uses it to track his own family's expenses. Click here for a demo (includes sound). If you've used this--or will start using it soon--write us with a review!

This is a great new program stated by Dr. Del. Each week, a blogger hosts the Carnival of Compassion, writing about other bloggers doing good work. This week, hostess Mary Blocksma of Beaver Island Arts does a great job of introducing a new round of bloggers. Great work, Dr. Del!

Kewl. Yet more evidence that there is great worth in blogging for Chronic Babes (and Hunks). MSNBC reports that doctors are urging patients to blog as a form of self-therapy and as a way to connect with--and possibly help--others. Here's the full article.

Reuters Health reports that new research published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology shows that not only do women with lupus tend to have more poor pregnancy outcomes, but also that women who have not yet been diagnosed (but are at a later date).

Three organizations--American Chronic Pain Association, American Pain Foundation, and The National Pain Foundation--have collaborated to create a new web site program called Making Sense of Pain Relief. The site offers tons of great tips to help you find the right pain management program for your specific needs, including a discussion guide that can help you start a productive dialogue with your health care professionals. If you have chronic pain, this is a great resource for you!

The National Women's Health Information Center has updated its mental health resources. While the design is super cheesy, the content is pretty good. Check it out!

From Editrix Jenni: I just started visiting ImmuneSupport.com, an extensive resource for folks with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Their weekly e-newsletter is great - my favorite tip this week is the "Coping Corner," featuring personal stories of survival, book reviews, advice and more. Click here to sign up for the e-newsletter.

Courtesy of the Kaiser Family Foundation's Daily Women's Health Policy newsletter, here's a closer look at the debate surrounding an anticipated vaccine to reduce cervical cancer, kicked off by an excellent report in the Washington Post. As usual, a bunch of conservatives think that educating and vaccinating teens will promote wild, rampant sex. Yea, cuz teenagers won't have sex otherwise. Sheesh!

WebMD reports that the FDA and Cymbalta manufacturer Eli Lilly and Co. have issued a warning to patients with liver disease, saying the drug can increase the risk of liver damage. (In case you don't know, according to the company's web site, "Cymbalta has been approved by the FDA for both the treatment of depression and the management of pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.") Read on for more from WebMD. Check out the scoop straight from Eli Lilly and Co.

The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals and the National Women's Health Resource Center have teamed up to bring you Nurture Your Nature, a web resource on women's sexuality issues. According to the site, the project "aims to help increase the meaningful and effective communication about sexuality between women and their health care professionals, as well as between women and their sexual partners." Let's hope it incorporates information for women with chronic illness and disability, and not just more discussions of the sexual problems of post-menopausal women.