Chronic Bits 

Another free download in a continuing series offered by the National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC), Women & Healthy Vision looks at issues like healthy computing, diabetes, UV protection and more. We love this series -- each issue covers a topic in-depth, offering many tips, resources and perspectives. Download Women & Healthy Vision, and sign up for the NWHRC newsletter.

This week's Grand Rounds is live at NHS Blog Doctor. With tons of photos and illustrations accompanying dozens of resources, it's gorgeous! Dr. Crippen rocks! Learn more about the Grand Rounds project.

At Help for Headaches & Migraine, this overview gives you the low-down on the differences between SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) and SSI (Supplemental Security Income). Not just for headache sufferers, the article examines both in-depth and offers info on when and how apply, tips for planning -- even phone numbers and office hours for application offices. This is a great resource!

But for the rest of us, it's news: Reuters reports that a new study out of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore links schizophrenia with numerous autoimmune diseases, including celiac disease, Sjogren's syndrome and interstitial cystitis, among others. The study is in the March 2006 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.

This according to the BBC, which reports that an examination of 89 British Medical Journal-published studies didn't provide compelling evidence that risk of death is reduced by intake of omega-3s. Still, experts urge folks not to dismiss the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids.

You like us, you really like us! ChronicBabe is featured again in Grand Rounds this week, hosted by HealthyConcerns. Not only does our hostess offer up some great resources, but her commentary also informs. Check it out! And view the Grand Rounds archives here.

Babe Lauren reports: The discovery of a gene that causes dry skin may lead to new treatments for eczema, according to a BBC report. While it could be a while before treatments are developed, the lengthy reader comments on the article just go to show that patients are eager for more ways to treat the condition. Thanks for the tip, Babe! (And way to go ladies -- keep the tips coming!)

Babe Pam pointed us to this article in the New York Times, which talks about possible complications from laparoscopy procedures used to treat endometriosis. Turns out Pam experienced the same kind of horrid complication years ago, yet only now are folks starting to report it, she says. Something to consider when planning endometriosis treatment, ladies. Thanks for the tip, Babe!

Not a huge surprise, is it? The Philadelphia Inquirer and Medical News Today are but a few to report the bad news based on a study funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. "Virtually every person in the United States is at risk of failing to receive needed care regardless of race, gender, income or insurance status," according to the study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Forbes recently ran an article on "healthy candy" and the trend toward sugar reduction in sweets and other foods. The piece even includes a list of the healthiest candies by manufacturers like Hershey, Mars, Bissingers and more. Read on and indulge your sweet tooth with minimal guilt.

...and girls across the country are looking for that perfect dress. In Illinois, the Glass Slipper Project helps young girls find dresses and accessories, donated by nice people like you. Want to help? Here's a list of programs in different states. Spread the love...and the sequins!

New research shows that more than 20% of people in chronic pain just suffer in silence, according to Reuters. Among the findings: younger people are less likely to seek treatment than older people. Yikes!

The new edition of Grand Rounds is up at GeekNurse, and we're thrilled to be included again. It's a great collection of interesting and excellent medical blogs -- check it out!

Kerri over at The Daily Headache ponders the recent media coverage of migraines: "What's worse, a lack of understanding of the seriousness of headache or a feature story on the bad patients who take narcotics, thus worsening their pain?" It's a mess, she says.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Rituxan for treatment of moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to WebMD. Originally developed for cancer treatment, Rituxan is a whole new approach to RA treatment. Read on...

Health savings accounts (HSAs) are the health care buzz of the day. But do they really help people? The Washington Post takes a close look at how HSAs work, and early reactions to this new approach to covering health care costs. The news is not all good. Read on...

Some research says yes, some says no, according to WebMD. Read up on the latest studies and get a variety of opinions here.

Rosalind over at CiCoach.com has a new article up about the difference between excuses, rationalizations and reasons -- in context of being chronic and having to sometimes bow out of things because of health concerns. Great reading for all! Check it out.

A new study in the Journal of Clinical Nursing shows that lots of adults are lonely, according to WebMD. Loneliness is isolation - and that's a big no-no for ChronicBabes. So if you're feeling lonely, get out there! Call a friend or relative or co-worker or neighbor and share some time. It's good for you!

We luv Michael Moore, so when we heard his next movie would cover our crap-tastic health care system, we got excited! We can't wait to see what he comes up with. And the best part: you could be in his movie. Michael is searching for health care horror stories, and he wants your ideas in his In Box. Check out his appeal, and then send him an email. If you get picked, be sure to let us know!

A panel of advisors to the Food and Drug Administration announced today that Tysabri, a controversial treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS), should be allowed back on the market. But it's still unclear who would be allowed to use it. For more, check out full coverage from the FDA Advisory Committee .com. Here's more info on Tysabri.

Over here at ChronicBabe HQ, we dig the Daily Om. Today's entry is particularly challenging: "Being able to remain centered and awake even when we feel uncomfortable is much more impressive than doing so in an environment where everything is to our liking," it tells us. The trick to handling annoyances, it tells us, is to learn to embrace them -- to work around them with grace, patience, tolerance, acceptance. Well, there's something to strive for. Check out the Daily Om, and consider subscribing to its daily enewsletter - it will definitely make you think.

Via Kevin, M.D.: The Mayo Clinic recently conducted a patient study to determine the top traits of good doctors. The results: "confident, empathetic, humane, personal, forthright, respectful and thorough" were the winners. Check out the talkback at Kevin, M.D. -- clearly this is a hot button issue. Speaking of hot, can we add an eighth top trait? ;)

Grand Rounds, that is. Kim over at Emergiblog did a fantastic job, and ChronicBabe is mentioned. Congrats to our writer Laurie Edwards for having her post chosen! And thanks, Kim, for keeping us informed and entertained. For medi-link overload, check out the Grand Rounds archives.

No. No no no. The Editrix refuses to believe it. GotMercury.org tested sushi at a bunch of L.A. eateries and found mercury levels off the charts, according to Reuters. When will the Editrix's favorite comfort food, spicy tuna rolls, be safe to eat in abundance again? When will the horror end? Bwah!

From the BBC: Scientists at the University of New South Wales in the U.K. postulate that chronic fatigue syndrome may be caused by brain "injuries" incurred during glandular fever, a condition sometimes brought on by the Epstein-Barr virus. Read on for more.

Our pal Shannon sends us lots of tips. Today, she sent four handy forms for patients: the Daily Health Diary, the Medication Information Form, the Pain Assessment Form, and their version of the Pain Scale. All these forms and more are available from DoctorsForPain.com. Helpful things!

According to a new study in The Lancet Neurology, accupuncure can relieve migraines as well as medications. Read the study abstract (requires free registration at The Lancet) or read more coverage via Medical News Today.

See that little orange bar up there? Right up there, at the top? Click it, and you can sign up for our newsletter, which will start this month. We'll be bringing you lots of goodies: articles, news, and recommendations for our favorite products and resources. So sign up - don't miss out on this new offering from ChronicBabe!

Damn! Seriously! First they took away the Editrix's friend Vioxx, and now it looks like Celebrex may be on the way out, too. The BBC reports that a study in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine shows patients taking it have double the risk of heart attack. MarketWatch is reporting the same, including some more details about the drug's manufacturer, Pfizer. The Editrix hopes that the FDA considers a resolution that allows doctors to discuss the risks with patients and make informed decisions, instead of just blindly pulling the last COX-2 inhibitor from the shelves. Puh-leeeese?!

The National Pain Foundation (NPF) has published the second in a series of articles on disparities in pain treatment. This article address race/ethnicity in pain, examining how different ethnic groups experience pain, express their needs, hold varying beliefs about pain treatment...it's a great resource. Check out the article, and read the first article in the series, on gender issues and pain. Click here to sign up for the NPF e-newsletter to get regular updates.

At the 22nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Pain Management (AAPM) in February, researchers presented new findings that show the antidepressant duloxetine (brand name Cymbalta) may be effective in reducing pain for women with fibromyalgia. Read on for more details from ImmuneSupport.com,