Rumors throughout the medical community and online community have suggested the claim that the use of deodorants or anti-perspirants may increase your risk for breast cancer.

 Is this fact or fiction?

By: Clean Wal-Mart

The YouTube video Antiperspirants, Deodorants, and Breast Cancer (2021) was created by Dr Eric Berg DC who is a Chiropractor. Dr. Berg (2021) reports the following medical claims in order to connect use of deodorants or anti-perspirants with an increase risk in breast cancer:

• most breast cancer develops in the upper quadrant of the breast which is close to the armpit, where deodorant is applied
• shaving increases the absorption of deodorant or anti-perspirant, which has toxins
• these toxins can include aluminum or parabens and can produce estrogen-like effects

Location of breast cancer

According to the American Cancer Society (2014), lymph nodes can be found in the upper outer quadrant of the breast, which is where about half of all breast cancers develop. As deodorants or anti-perspirants are used near the sweat glands, the American Cancer Society (2014) also reports that sweat glands are not connected to lymph nodes. This information concludes that there is no evidence to support the claim that the location of breast cancer is related to the location of where deodorants or anti-perspirants are applied.

Shaving

There is a claim that shaving can increase the absorption of deodorants or anti-perspirants which already may have cancer-causing substances. Dana K. Mirick (2002), a researcher affiliated with a cancer research center, reports of a population-based case-control study that was administered to patients who had a breast cancer diagnosis and patients who did not have a breast cancer diagnosis. The participants were women from 20-74 years old. The measures used were: the use of deodorants or anti-perspirants, product use for those who shaved with a blade razor, and application of either product after 1 hour of shaving. Statistical data reported that the risk for breast cancer did not increase with use of deodorants, anti-perspirants, or shaving. This information also concludes that there is no evidence to support the claim that the use of deodorants, anti-perspirants, or application of either after shaving can increase your risk of breast cancer.

Aluminum and Parabens

A study conducted by postdoctoral breast cancer researcher Raquel M. Rodrigues Peres in 2013 compared the aluminum levels in the central and peripheral areas of breast cancer with normal breast tissue to determine if there is a connection. Rodrigues-Peres (2013) used samples of breast tissue and a detection protocol called graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) in order to determine aluminum levels. When comparing the two types of tissues, there was no significant difference in aluminum levels, which does not support that claim that there is a connection between exposure to aluminum and the risk of breast cancer.

Philippa D. Darbre (2004), a researcher affiliated with breast cancer research in the UK, reports a study that measured the mean concentration of parabens in samples of 20 breast tumors with use of scientific tools. Results showed that methylparaben represented 62% of the total paraben found in the extractions. Methylparaben is not found in deodorants or anti-perspirants.

The YouTube video Does Deodorant Cause Breast Cancer? (2018) is presented by the verified television show that features specialists and is hosted by medical doctors. Dr. Kristi Funk is a board-certified breast cancer surgeon. Funk reports that “no scientific evidence links these products” and references a literature review compiled in 2014 that researched the effect of aluminum-based compounds in deodorants or antiperspirants and health issues. Funk references other studies that support the research.

Conclusion

The YouTube video No, there’s no evidence that aluminum-based antiperspirants or deodorants cause cancer (2021) was created by VERIFY, a company that uses credible sources reported in this video. Credible sources here include the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health, medical doctors, and dermatologists. This media clip supports the research.

Although media coverage surrounding this topic varies slightly, most media coverage and scientific research does not support the claim that deodorants or anti-perspirants can increase your risk of breast cancer, therefore debunking this myth.

References

American Cancer Society (2014). Antiperspirants and Breast Cancer Risk.

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/antiperspirants-and-breast-cancer-risk.html

Darbre, P. D., Aljarrah, A., Miller, W. R., Coldham, N. G., Sauer, M. J., & Pope, G. S. (2004).

Concentrations of parabens in human breast tumours. Journal of Applied Toxicology :

 JAT, 24(1), 5–13. https://doi.org/10.1002/jat.958

Dr Eric Berg DC (2021, April 12). Antiperspirants, Deodorants, and Breast Cancer [Video]

YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVR8mJEvwak

Mirick, D. K., Davis, S., & Thomas, D. B. (2002). Antiperspirant use and the risk of breast

cancer. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 94(20), 1578–1580.

https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/94.20.1578

National Cancer Institute. (2016). Antiperspirants/Deodorants and Breast Cancer.

 https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/myths/antiperspirants-fact-sheet

The Doctors (2018, April 4). Does Deodorant Cause Breast Cancer? [Video] YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eRXz-ZtIw8

Rodrigues-Peres, R. M., Cadore, S., Febraio, S., Heinrich, J. K., Serra, K. P., Derchain, S. F. M.,

Vassallo, J., & Sarian, L. O. (2013). Aluminum concentrations in central and peripheral

areas of malignant breast lesions do not differ from those in normal breast tissues. BMC

 Cancer, 13(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2407-13-104

VERIFY (2021, October 5). No, there’s no evidence that aluminum-based antiperspirants or

deodorants cause cancer [Video] YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPxAi36XYP8

By: T. Cowart

Most people see the leaves changing into fall colors and get excited about all the things to come. Such as apple picking, pumpkin spice coffee, Thanksgiving and sooner than later CHRISTMAS!!! Unfortunately, the people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) are affected differently.

There’s a lot of media information about this subject, but are they reliable? Check out these three videos: one from the news, one from a youtuber and one from a Medical Doctor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95H8jE-deLA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gfWWibsuVI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWtrS8Qvo1Q

Now that you have watched the videos lets discuss some of the main points.

What is it and Who does it affect?

As indicated from these previous videos; Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is defined as “a recurrent major depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern usually beginning in fall and continuing into winter months” (Melrose, 2015. p.1). Research shows that it can affect anyone including children and adolescents (Roecklein, et al. 2005). However, women are affected four times more often than men (Melrose, 2015).

When does it occur?

As mentioned in the previous section and in the videos; it mostly occurs in the fall and winter seasons but less often in the spring and early summer time (Melrose,2015). In the last video Dr. Stygar indicated that more people were affected in the northern states when compared to southern states. Does the research validate that statement? The answer is yes, one study completed in the US indicated 1% who live in Florida and 9% who live in Alaska experienced SAD (Melrose, 2015). Another study which included people from New Hampshire, New York, Maryland and Florida, concluded that majority of people that were affected were from the northern states (Miller, 2005).

To be honest I am not surprised with these results. Although I do not suffer with depression; while living in New England I have noticed that I am much more fatigued in the fall and winter. In the spring and summer, I am full of energy and much more cheerful. My husband jokes that it’s because I am from the Islands.

What are the symptoms?

By: Joe Penna

Common symptoms are low energy, sad mood, irritability, tiredness, difficulty concentrating, social isolation, cravings for carbs and sugar which can result in weight gain (Melrose, 2015).

What can you do about it?

The common recommendations for treatment are: antidepressants, light therapy, vitamins and counseling, which are often used in conjunction with each other (Melrose, 2015).

Antidepressants – because SAD is a form of depression, second generation antidepressants (SGAs) such as Prozac are used for treatment (Melrose, 2015).

Light Therapy (LT) – Although LT is used for treatment in other conditions such as jet-lag syndrome or alcohol withdrawal; one study indicated that 64.8% application of LT is used in SAD patients (Reinhard, et al. 2011).  Another study indicated positive response by 70% with hardly any side effects (Miller, 2005). Natural light from the sun proves to be more beneficial (such as taking a daily one-hour walk), but using a light box for 30 mins to 2 hours with 10,000 lux has also proven to be effective (Miller,2005). It is also recommended that LT is to be monitored under a health professional (Melrose, 2015).

Vitamins – research indicates that low levels of Vitamin D is associated with depression (Melrose, 2015). The suggested dose of 100,000 IU daily is believed to improve symptoms (Melrose, 2015).

Counselling– specifically Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or other forms of counseling in which CBT is integrated has been proven to be effective ( Melrose, 2015).

           Life Style Changes– doing different types of meditation, exercise, eating high proteins,                 vegetables and unprocessed foods are also beneficial (Melrose, 2015).

Overall, the  information that is being provided by the media appears to align with the research. Although more studies are warranted; the current evidence shows that medication, LT, vitamins, counselling and general positive life style changes are beneficial treatment for people suffering with SAD (Melrose, 2015). It is also very important to speak to your health care provider before starting any new regimen.

References

Fischer, R., Kasper, S., Pjrek, E., & Winkler, D. (2012). On the application of light therapy in              German-speaking countries. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical                    Neuroscience, 262(6), 501–505. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-011-0286-3https://ezproxy.neit.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cmedm&AN=22228483&site=ehost-live

Melrose S. (2015). Seasonal Affective Disorder: An Overview of Assessment and Treatment Approaches. Depression research and treatment, 2015, 178564. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/178564

Miller, A. L. (2005). Epidemiology, Etiology, and Natural Treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Alternative Medicine Review, 10(1), 5–13. https://ezproxy.neit.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=asn&AN=16514813&site=ehost-live

Roecklein, K. A., & Rohan, K. J. (2005). Seasonal affective disorder: an overview and update. Psychiatry (Edgmont (Pa. : Township)), 2(1), 20–26. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3004726/

What is Skin cancer?

Skin cancer is a common type of cancer that appears in the skin. “It is extended due to the development of abnormal growth of cells. These cells can invade other parts of the body” Narayanamurthy et al., 2018). Skin cancer is mainly caused by UV exposure either from the sun or sunless tanning. The most common types of skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. The video below further discusses the symptoms, types, and warning signs of skin cancer.

Prevention strategies for skin cancer include self-skin exams at home. “Detection of skin cancer in the early stage is useful in treating the condition very quickly” (Narayanamurthy et al., 2018). An easy way to remember the warning signs for melanoma is the acronym A,B,C,D,E. The video also discusses the A,B,C,D,Es of melanoma. Any of these warning signs should be looked at by a Dermatologist. 

Who can get Skin cancer?

Risk factors for skin cancer include extensive sun exposure, tanning bed exposure, family history, and immunosuppression. Although skin cancer is most common in people with lighter skin types those with darker skin types are also at risk. Many may believe that if their skin is a darker shade they cannot get skin cancer. The video blow discusses the need for baseline skin checks for everyone to determine their personal risk of skin cancer regardless of their skin color/type.

Fact vs Fiction 

There are many misconceptions regarding Skin cancer. One major issue is sun exposure for Vitamin D. Many people have been told that you need to expose yourself to sunlight to obtain Vitamin D. This video below goes into detail regarding this misconception. What many people do not realize is that by regularly exposing their skin to sunlight they are also putting themself at increased risk for skin cancer. A safer option for Vitamin D would be to take supplements. It is important to speak with your physicians to find the best treatment route for you if you become Vitamin D deficient.

Conclusion

Skin cancer is a common type of skin cancer that includes a number of misconceptions. It is important to find factual information and find appropriate care. By becoming educated on Skin cancer prevention and early detection can be achieved. Overall becoming literate in healthcare topics especially those that affect you personally can help your overall quality of life. “Health literacy is associated with cancer prevention and detection attitudes and behaviors” (Heckman et al., 2019).

References

American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.). Welcome to the American Academy of Dermatology.  https://www.aad.org 

Fahradyan, A., Howell, A., Wolfswinkel, E., Tsuha, M., Sheth, P., & Wong, A. (2017). Updates on the management of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer (NMSC). Healthcare, 5(4), 82. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare5040082

Heckman, C. J., Auerbach, M. V., Darlow, S., Handorf, E. A., Raivitch, S., & Manne, S. L. (2019). Association of Skin Cancer Risk and Protective Behaviors with Health Literacy Among Young Adults in the USA. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 26(4), 372–379. https://doi-org.ezproxy.neit.edu/10.1007/s12529-019-09788-1

Holman, D. M., Kapelos, G. T., Shoemaker, M., & Watson, M. (2018). Shade as an Environmental Design Tool for Skin Cancer Prevention. American Journal of Public Health, 108(12), 1607–1612. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2018.304700

Narayanamurthy, V., Padmapriya, P., Noorasafrin, A., Pooja, B., Hema, K., Firus Khan, A. Y., Nithyakalyani, K., & Samsuri, F. (2018). Skin cancer detection using non-invasive techniques. RSC Advances, 8(49), 28095–28130. https://doi.org/10.1039/c8ra04164d

Fact or Fiction:

Information on Self-Management for Type II Diabetes

                According to the Centers for Disease control, over “34 million” Americans will be diagnosed with Diabetes every year (CDC, 2021). Commonly associated with adults over 45, it is one of the leading chronic diseases, with Type II diabetes being the most common type at “90-95%” of all diabetes cases (CDC, 2021). In light of these staggering statistics, it has been the aim of many healthcare experts and medical professionals to provide information to patients on prevention of diabetes along with management strategies for those living with Type II Diabetes. Many of these self-management programs have been promoted through the media, but here we will take a look and determine if everything we are being “sold” through the media on diabetes management is “medical fact or fiction”. 

What is Diabetes?

                Insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas to control blood glucose levels in the blood stream (American Diabetes Association, 2021). For someone with diabetes, there is not enough insulin being produced or insulin isn’t working properly in the body impacting the normal processing of sugar from food and drinks in the body. This creates too much blood glucose in the body and, if not regulated, can cause prediabetes which can lead to diabetes. Although there is no cure for type II diabetes, with proper support from a medical team and through self-management of diabetes symptoms with healthy eating habits, exercise, and monitoring blood sugar levels daily, it is possible to live a full and healthy life (American Diabetes Association, 2021).

Nutrition and Diabetes Management

          Before we get into the basic tenants of a diabetes diet, let’s first take a look at a video presented on a news station regarding the use of red wine for blood sugar management for diabetes. Does this ring true or is there more to the story?

          As you saw in this video, there is mention of a study that showed the positive impact of red wine for management of blood glucose for people with diabetes. While many would take this breakthrough information at face value, we must understand the implications of what we are hearing. At the end of the video, there is a very brief mention of study participants following the “Mediterranean Diet.” This begs to question: what exactly is lowering blood sugar? Is it the red wine or other components of the Med Diet itself?  

          In a systematic review published in the European Journal of Nutrition, many studies relating the use of the Med Diet for diabetes management showed that although many positive results were found, results varied widely due to the lack of a clear definition of what a Med Diet contains (Villani, Sultana, & Doecke, 2019). For some, the use of red wine and other food items like olive oil and lean proteins led to a positive outcome for patients managing their blood sugar levels over time while other studies incorporated or omitted items from the Med Diet. A clear need for a standard definition of a Med Diet was indicated by the review which ultimately shows that we still need more research to know the best diet for a person with diabetes and what components are contributing to positive results (Villani, Sultana, & Doecke, 2019). For this reason, the media’s representation of the study could be considered misleading and highlights the importance of getting medical advice from your doctor or other trusted source of medical information.

Technology Access for Diabetes Management           

           With many developments made to the way we are able to manage our lives through use of technology, it has also allowed the opportunity for advancements in healthcare management. In the following media clip from the show, The Doctors, a patient shares her testimonial to share the impact of an app by Virta for managing her type II diabetes.

           Though this patient’s experience in using Virta, a web-based Diabetes management program, resulted in excellent outcomes, there is also the question of accessibility.  In a journal article exploring the barriers to effective self-care management for type II diabetes, a person’s socioeconomic status was cited as a major contributing factor to success in managing diabetes symptoms (De Man, Aweko, & Daivadanam, 2019). Although the Virta program is formatted for easy tech access through a phone or computer application, consideration must be given to how equitable this program is for people at varying levels of income as there is a monthly cost involved in joining the program (Virta Health, 2021). The Virta website does mention that financial aid is available for the program so this could potentially make the program more accessible for many more people living with the daily impact of diabetes management. This evidence- based program for diabetes management along with many other app-based programs may be the answer to finding a virtual support system for people who are managing their diabetes symptoms though it will be important to do your research in finding the program that best fits into your lifestyle and budget.

Exercise for Diabetes Management

          The American Diabetes Association promotes the use of healthy living through regular physical activity as part of a self-management plan for physical activity. In the following media clip, Monet Bland of the Joslin Diabetes Center shares the benefits of strength training for diabetes management.

          In a New Zealand review of multiple studies looking at the impact of strength training on managing blood sugar levels, results showed that moderate aerobic exercise and strength training were the most helpful strategies for managing blood sugar levels, especially when completed following meal consumption (Borror & Zieff, 2018). The promotional video for Joslin Diabetes Center provided evidence-based information with validating support from current research for diabetes management which proved to be a reliable source of information.

Final Thoughts

              Although advancements continue to be made toward finding new and innovative self-management strategies for people living with type II diabetes, there is also the pressing need to assess the credibility of the information we get from the news and other media we consume every day. We can see that through the media examples shown, information can be presented in a misleading way as with the news clip talking about red wine and diabetes management. By including technology as part of self-management of diabetes, the second clip shows the benefit of web-based support for daily management of blood sugar levels by a team of medical professionals though it does require the person to have the financial means to support use of this strategy. The final topic of exercise for diabetes management was well supported by current available research which enhanced the Joslin Diabetes Center’s claims of strength training being an effective strategy for managing blood sugar levels. In the end, the most effective way to manage diabetes is to speak with your doctor or medical professional to come up with a plan that works best for your lifestyle and always fact check what you see in the media, especially if it seems “too good to be true!”

References

American Diabetes Association. (2021, October 20). Life doesn’t end with type 2 diabetes. Retrieved from American Diabetes Association: https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/type-2

Borror, A., & Zieff, G. e. (2018). The effects of postprandial exercise on glucose control in individuals with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review. Sports Medicine, 48(6),1479-1491.

CBS Denver. (2015, October 13). Red wine might help those with type 2 diabetes.[Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr_Si2vFmB4

CDC. (2021, October 20). Type 2 diabetes. Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/type2.html

De Man, J., Aweko, J., & Daivadanam, M. e. (2019). Diabetes self-management in three different income settings: Cross-learning of barriers and opportunities. PLOS ONE, 1-22.

Joslin Diabetes Center. (2018, May 31). Why strength training helps diabetes management. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dix6n1ZfSKY

The Doctors. (2017, April 24). New way to reverse diabetes? [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr_Si2vFmB4

Villani, A., Sultana, J., & Doecke, J. e. (2019). Differences in the interpretation of a modernized mediterranean diet prescribed in intervention studies for the management of type 2diabetes: How closely does this align with a traditional mediterranean diet? . European Journal of Nutrition, 58, 1369–1380.

Virta Health. (2021, November 14). Type 2 diabetes reversal is here. Retrieved from Virta : https://www.virtahealth.com/

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

This video, made by the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, talks about what the disease is, how common it is, what symptoms there are, how it is possibly caused, and how it is diagnosed. This information was validated to be correct and true by being compared to the articles referenced at the end of this blog.

Parkinson’s disease or PD, is known as a progressive muscle related disorder. A person with this condition will experience resting tremors, muscle rigidity, and problems with walking and posture. This information was confirmed in the article “Parkinson’s Disease: clinical features and diagnosis” (2008) written by Joseph Jankovic, where he explains in depth what the disease is and every common symptom of Parkinson’s Disease.

This video, found on youtube, was made by Khan Academy, a free informational site with trusted content made by doctors, professors and other educated experts. This information was compared to the peer-reviewed scholarly articles which have been cited at the end of this blog. The video goes into detail about the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, including in depth explanation of what each symptom means and how it affects the person diagnosed with real life examples. 

Symptoms

Parkinson’s disease doesn’t affect everyone exactly the same, however there are several classic motor symptoms that all people with this diagnosis will experience in some form with varying intensities.

• Resting tremor
• Muscle rigidity
• Postural issues
• Problems walking
• Problems with balance
• Slower than normal movements
• ”freezing”

In an article called “Parkinson’s Disease: Clinical Features and Diagnosis” written by Joseph Jankovic in 2008, he describes the motor and non-motor symptoms in depth. Regarding freezing, the author states “Freezing, also referred to as motor blocks, is a form of akinesia (loss of movement) and is one of the most disabling symptoms of PD.” (Jankovic 2008) Jankovic states that freezing does not happen to every person with Parkinson’s Disease, however it occurs in about 50% of people diagnosed with the disease. It affects the legs and the ability to walk most of the time, however it can affect other parts of the body as well on rarer occasions.

In addition to the motor involvement, there are non-motor symptoms with this disease that most people don’t think about which were explained in the article “The Clinical Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease” written by Sigurlaug Sveinbjornsdottir in 2016. These include:

• Cognitive Issues
• Sleep problems
• Psychiatric Issues
• Sensory Problems
• Autonomic Disturbances

(Sveinbjornsdottir 2016)

This video, found on youtube, was made by Parkinson’s Foundation, and was narrated by Joseph Jankovic, a professor at Baylor College of Medicine where he specializes in Neurology and Parkinson’s Disease. This video was found using simple search terms on youtube and can be easily found by anyone looking for more information regarding Parkinson’s. Joseph Jankovic also has an article regarding Parkinson’s Disease, which is cited at the end of this blog. This video goes into depth regarding the stages of Parkinson’s Disease including juvenile, early onset, and late onset PD. 

Treatment

Parkinon’s Disease is a progressive condition, and there is no cure for it at this time. Treatment for this disease typically consists of medications to treat the symptoms. In an article called “Parkinson’s Disease: Biomarkers, Treatment and Risk Factors” written by Fatemeh Emamzadeh and Andrei Surguchov in 2018, they talk about the various medications that can be used and what they treat. Some of the medications discussed are:

• Levodopa
• MAO B Inhibitors
• Dopamine Agonsists
• Rapamycin
• Amantadine
• Anticholinergics

(Emamzadeh and Surguchov 2018)

(Mayo Clinc 2020)

Someone who has Parkinson’s Disease has less Dopamine being made in the brain. Emamzadeh and Surguchov stated that reduced levels of dopamine can increase the severity of motor related symptoms. This is why one of the most commonly suggested medications are ones that increase the levels of dopamine in the brain.

There is also an option for surgery, which is called Deep Brain Stimulation, or DBS. In the article on Mayo Clinic regarding diagnosis and treatment of the disease, the authors talk about DBS and explain exactly what the procedure is. DBS involves placement of a leads inside the brain and a corresponding neurotransmitter to deliver the electrical impulses. The doctor works in collaboration with the patient to determine if the electrical impulses are working to decrease the symptoms or not, and adjusts the levels of electricity from there. Surgery is typically one of the last options for treatment considered, with medications being at the forefront of treatment for PD.

Fact vs. Fiction

If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, you may feel the urge to start searching about the disease on the internet. Always consult with your doctor before searching for answers on your own to reduce any anxiety, because there is misinformation out there. Be sure to talk with your doctor about accredited sources and websites where you can get more information about this disease. There is a lot of information on the internet such as youtube and google that is fairly accurate, however those sources won’t always answer every question you may have. For example, the three youtube media clips posted in this blog have accurate information regarding Parkinson’s Disease. They were searched with simple terms such as “Parkinson’s Disease”, “Parkinson’s Disease symptoms and treatment”, and “what is Parkinson’s Disease?”. The information in these media clips were compared with peer-reviewed, scholarly articles, and the information in the clips is correct and can be trusted. This is not to say that everything on the internet is correct, however there is a lot of true, foundational information regarding Parkinson’s Disease on your commonly searched internet sites. Remember, consulting your doctor first is always the best way to go about getting information, and they can point you in the right direction to find credible sources regarding your diagnosis.

References

Emamzadeh, F. N., & Surguchov, A. (2018). Parkinson’s disease: Biomarkers, treatment, and risk factors. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2018.00612

Jankovic, J. (2008). Parkinson’s disease: clinical features and diagnosis . Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry , 368–376. https://doi.org/jnnp.bmj.com/content/79/4/368.full

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2020, December 8). Parkinson’s disease. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved October 16, 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases- conditions/parkinsons-disease/ diagnosis-treatment/drc-20376062.

Sveinbjornsdottir, S. (2016). The Clinical Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. In Journal of Neurochemistry (S1 ed., Vol. 139, pp. 318–324). essay, Wiley Blackwell

By: EpicTop10.com

When COVID-19 started to spread through the United States it spiked fear into some people and made others skeptical. There was not a lot immediately known about the virus and it left a lot of questions unanswered. Is it even real? Is it as serious as it is perceived to be? What are the long term effects? Will I become deathly ill? Over time more things were learned about how the virus effects the body and preventative measures to stop the spread. As new information was released there was also misinformation online that people believed to be true. What online information should be followed and what is considered false? 

What Is COVID-19?

Coronavirus disease also called COVID-19 is an infectious illness caused by the virus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The virus enters healthy cells in the body to reproduce itself and spreads throughout the body. 

This video states accurate information about COVID-19. It briefly states common symptoms, transmission methods, how to help prevent spread and who is most at risk. The information in this video can be confirmed by many credible online resources including the center for disease control and world health organization. 

Symptoms

The symptoms and onset of COVID-19 vary person to person. They can range from mild symptoms that can be treated at home to severe and require hospitalization. Over the course of the illness many people may experience some of these common symptoms.

By: Franco Dal Molin

• Cough or sore throat
• Shortness of breath
• Fever or chills
• Fatigue
• Muscle and body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

(CDC, 2021)

How Does It Spread?

By: Jernej Furman

There are a few ways for this virus to spread person to person. Contact, droplet, airborne and fomite transmission.

Contact– Direct contact with an infected person meaning closer than the recommended 6′ social distancing. 

Droplet– Saliva, respiratory secretions and respiratory droplets can be expelled when a person is talking, coughing or sneezing. These droplets can land on you before hitting the ground. 

Airborne- Tiny droplets  smaller than respiratory droplets can remain suspended in the air over long distances and time and are able to be inhaled. 

Fomite– Expelled respiratory secretions and droplets from an infected person can spread over items and surfaces. These items can remain contaminated for hours to days depending on the environment and surface type.  

(Pusey-Reid et al., 2021).

Would This Effect Me Long Term?

Since this virus is still fairly new and things are still being learned about it, it is not fully clear on the long term effects it will have on an infected person.

Dr. Jennifer Ross is a current professor of medicine, infectious diseases and global health at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She is a reliable source of information regarding COVID-19. She also conducted research of peer reviewed medical journals to understand what is known so far on the long term effects of COVID-19. This video was published by the University of Washington. She discusses how it has been common for patients to still experience cough and fatigue after being hospitalized for COVID-19. It was also discovered that there has been evidence of inflammation in the heart for many COVID-19 patients and it is unsure on what this would lead to in the long run for these patients. Long term effects are still being understood and lung function and exercise tolerance is being monitored after recovery.

Studies so far have shown that months after hospitalization COVID-19 patients are still experiencing symptoms. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) outlines that anyone with symptoms lasting more than four weeks after a mild case of COVID-19 and anyone with persistent symptoms continuing more than twelve weeks are considered to have Post COVID-19 Syndrome also known as Long COVID (Robinson, 2021).

How Do I Know What To Believe On The Internet?

The internet is a great thing and it puts the world at our fingertips. The downside of it is that anyone can post things on the internet even things that are untrue. When looking up information online think about the information that is found. Does it seem accurate or biased allegations? Where is the information located? is it a credible website or social media? Looking at the publisher or author of the information can help determine if you should trust the information provided. Are their credentials reliable to publish such information or are they an average person stating information they think they know? Doing some research will help get a general knowledge on the topic and help debunk some silly information that is posted online. The two videos posted above have accurate information that can be fact checked on credible health information websites. Dr. Jennifer Ross has credentials related to the information she is speaking about. 

There have been many conspiracy theories about COVID-19 and bizarre ways to self cure it. Some self cure theories I have been harmful to people like ingesting household cleaners and injecting a medication called Ivermectin which is intended for livestock animals. . A lot of these theories are being posted on social media. People often tend to rely on social media to get news and stay up to date on things. They see these theories and believe them and tell more people this information. This video above is a silly video that shows example of a few  conspiracy theories that have been said about the COVID-19 virus. These theories like the virus was man made to kill off all old people and it is caused by 5G have often been debunked. 

In conclusion, when getting medical and health information online be sure to do some research. Check the publishers credentials and qualifications. Determine if the site is a credible site. Fact check things seen on social media before believing it.

References

Morand, A., Fabre, A., Minodier, P., Boutin, A., Vanel, N., Bosdure, E., & Fournier, P. E. (2020). COVID-19 virus and children: What do we know?. Archives de pediatrie : organe officiel de la Societe francaise de pediatrie, 27(3), 117–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arcped.2020.03.001

National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. (2021, February 16). COVID-19 Clinical care guidance. Center of Disease Control. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-guidance-management-patients.html

Pusey-Reid, E., Quinn, L., & Foley, C. A. (2021). Review of COVID-19 for nurses. MEDSURG Nursing, 30(5), 297–333.

Robinson, P. (2021). Long COVID and breathlessness: an overview. British Journal of Community Nursing, 26(9), 438–443. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2021.26.9.438

Is there a link between Poverty and Poor Health?

By: Santosh Kumar GM.

Poverty is linked to poor health. Growing up in poverty can result in malnutrition, bad hygiene , and a rise in diseases.   

Poverty Outcomes

living in poverty may lead to many difficult outcomes. Being in Poverty could result in poor health and incurable diseases. Individuals who are poor have less access to healthcare and are exposed to environmental hazards which decreases the economic growth rate. Families living in poverty are more likely to use tobacco, alcohol, eat low nutritional value foods, and live-in urban areas close to the highway with high levels of pollution. The economic growth is highly affected by poverty and high crime rates. Your socioeconomic status or wage class plays a major factor in the decrease of your health. (GAO2007)

Health Equity

The life expectancy of a person is based on their income. Income has become the revelation on who lives and dies. Income inequality has resulted in the middle and poor class becoming much sicker than the upper class. The article “Income inequality: When wealth determines health” by Kim Krisberg (2016), he reported that their was a correlation between children in poverty and chronic diseases. This study was able to shed light on low-income families struggling to receive proper medical care for their children.

By: Elizabeth Ross

A whole person is not defined by one          characteristic or description, they are seen as unique individuals to be judged on who they are and not how they appear. Individuals with a disability however, are too commonly judged or described based on their disability before seeing them as a  human being. Person first language is a movement started to emphasize the person and not the disability, no longer defining individuals based on a disability rather seeing them as a whole person.

          So What exactly is Person First Language?

Person Fist Language was designed to demonstrate respect for individuals with disabilities by acknowledging them as people first, emphasizing their ability rather than disability. For example using phrases such as “Individual who used a wheelchair” instead of “wheelchair bound” or “Individual with Autism” instead of “the autistic boy/girl”. Placing the emphasis on the individual, may take away the negative associations made on disabilities, and individuals living with both physical and mental disabilities.

Am I using hurtful and offensive language without realizing it?

What many persons don’t realize is the words chosen to describe individuals may carry prejudices towards a specific group such as stereotyping individuals with disabilities using words such as “handicapped” or “cripple” carrying a negative connotation with it (Blaska, 1993). A person is not only their disability, they are individuals with lives, careers, families, strengths and weaknesses. An individual with a disability is an individual wanting acceptance in the world such as the rest of us, hurt by the negative and degrading phrases uneducated individuals use to describe them.

What should I say?  

By: alilanders

“The point of person first language, [she suggests], is not to divorce “disability” from “person” but rather to think of disabilities like another human trait, such as gender or ethnicity” – Kathie Snow disabilities rights advocate (Collier, 2021)

Is Person First Language 100% correct? 

An article written by Roger Collier emphasizes a paradox seen within the person-first language movement.  Some disability rights supporters suggest that person-first language may actually be narrowing attitudes about “humanness” instead of broadening them. Critic Cohen-Rottenburng states “I have two basic issues with person-first language. First, the insistence on putting the person before the disability betrays the assumption somehow renders one less of a person. If that assumption were not present, there would be no reason to foreground the fact that we really are people, and that one has to put the disability aside in order to see that we’re human. Second, by splitting off being the person from being disabled, the implication is that being a person means being able-bodied. After all, if I’m a ‘person with disabilities’, and you don’t look at the disability, then what am I without them” (Collier, 2021). So what is he saying? By using person-first language, or language that emphasizes the person before the disability, we as a society are implying a person must be able bodied. Separating the person from their disability, we are stating they are ‘less than’ or ‘not good enough’ and allowing the disability to define how we see individuals.   

By: RPHINNEY

So what should I believe? 

Person-First language was a movement created by individuals with disabilities to place the emphasis on themselves as a person and not their disability. The words chosen to describe individuals may carry unknowing prejudices towards a group of people such as individuals with disabilities using words such as “handicapped” or “crippled” carrying a negative connotation associated with it. The aim behind this movement is to acknowledge all individuals as people first, and emphasize their ability rather than their disability. Using phrases such as “people with disabilities” instead of “handicapped or disabled people” and “he/she has a developmental or intellectual disability” instead of “he/she is mentally retarted” will empower individuals along with their disability versus tear them down with hurtful connotations. 

There are several different media reports depicting person-first language and what ‘should’ and ‘should-not’ be said, however the bottom line comes down to being respectful. Sources claim person-first language should be the only language used when describing individuals with disabilities, or should not be used due to narrowing attitudes. So how do you know what to do? Remember the phrase you may have learned as a kid “treat others as you want to be treated” it all comes down to that. Individuals with disabilities are exactly that, individuals. A mother/ father, husband/ wife, brother/ sister, friend, co-worker etc. that deserves respect alongside all other able-bodied individuals. When talking too, or about a person with a disability consider how they desire to be described, and with respect putting the person in front of the disability. 

References 

Blaska, J. (1993). The power of language: Speak and write using “person first.”. Perspectives on              disability, 25-32.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, September 16). Communicating with and about people with disabilities. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 3, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/ materials/factsheets/fs-communicating-with-people.html.

Collier, R. (2012, December 11). Person-first language: What it means to be a “person”. CMAJ. Retrieved November 5, 2021, from https://www.cmaj.ca/content/184/18/E935.

Crocker, A. F., & Smith, S. N. (2019, February 8). Person-first language: Are we practicing what we preach? Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare. Retrieved November 3, 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6371927/.

Person first language – youtube. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2021, from                                                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obbwb1bJ5io.

What is people-first language? SMARTS. (2016, December 2). Retrieved November 16, 2021, from            https://smarts-ef.org/blog/people-first-language/.

Words count: People first language explained – youtube. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2021, from           https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWnMp07BqUQ.

By: Find Rehab Centers

As mental health becomes an increased topic, individuals may think they are more aware of the stigma around substance abuse disorders. Media reports and blogs can provide us with so much information, but is it accurate? How can we know if these videos have factual information? One way of knowing if you’re getting correct information from blogs or media clips is by researching the topic and finding evidence-based information from scholarly sources. Pick apart your media clip and look at the organization that has published the video. One other way to figure out if a blog is factual is by seeing who the author is, their credentials, and their background. 

This video provided us with how two individuals felt and were treated with a substance abuse disorder. Both of these individuals brought up the fear of losing their children and being labeled as an addict. They expressed how they weren’t treated as human and instead brushed off and labeled due to their mental illness. Even though this was published from March of dimes and had individuals and their stories discussed, can this be factual information?

First, we need to understand the definition of stigma and how this affects individuals. Stigma can be defined as a negative belief that society holds against a topic or group of people (Villa, 2021). In substance abuse disorder, individuals face this on a day-to-day basis. It can lead to treatments not being offered due to restrictions on their medical insurance. It can cause the family members of the individual stress as well. One part that so many do not realize about stigma is that to change how one views a group with this disorder is to take yourself out of your comfort zone. Everyone should be treated as human when needing care (Walter et al, 2017). One area to discuss to help aid individuals in becoming less stigmatized is understanding the effect stigma has on this population of individuals.

This second video touches upon individuals who may feel they can’t express themselves and need help with this mental health disorder. Some other points were how mental health was frowned upon for years and not spoken freely about because of the stigma behind mental health disorders. It brought to light how some individuals are still uncomfortable speaking about mental illness. The fear surrounding mental health and not speaking freely about the subject needs to happen so change can happen.

Villa (2021) brought up great examples of how stigma can negatively impact substance abuse disorder in individuals:

• They are not wanting to get treatment
• It increases the chance of harming themselves
• Lower self-esteem
• Increase in depression and anxiety

By: Find Rehab Centers

21.5 Americans ages 12 and older had a substance abuse disorder in the previous year, out of that number, only 2.5 million were able to get treatment (Villa, 2021)

Erika Ball from the TED talk provided information on her struggle with substance use and was able to overcome it. She expressed the importance of needing a change in our society and how substance abuse individuals need help and overcome their addiction. She also brought up that stigma can make it harder for an individual to get help with treatment. Volkow (2021) spoke about how medical professionals’ attitudes are negative towards an individual with substance abuse disorder and how medical insurance companies place restrictions on what can be covered like, medications and treatment.

Ways to Decrease Stigma:

• Educating yourself in recognizing discriminatory practices by not using terms like other, drug addicts, or junkies
• Skills to effectively challenge the negative stereotype across all aspects of healthcare
  • • Changing your behavior
    • Changing your attitude

(Srivastava, 2017)

The take-home message is that stigma relies on labels and stereotypes, to break stigma we must all challenge it with small acts of kindness (Walter et al, 2017). Being the difference to make the change can increase our power to help others.

By: National Library of Medicine

In conclusion, analyzing each video and then finding research on stigma, provided us with the knowledge of knowing these videos are factual. During our investigation, we found how evidence-based research was able to strengthen the information provided. It is important to always check your sources due to possibly finding inaccurate information.

References

Srivastava, R. (2017). Challenging Stigma in Mental Health and Addictions and                                                  Nursing. Nursing Leadership (1910-622X), 30(3), 17–18.

Volkow, N. D. (2021, August 2). Punishing drug use heightens the stigma of addiction. STAT.                                 Retrieved November 6, 2021, from https://www.statnews.com/2021/08/03/punishing-                       drug-use-heightens-the-stigma-of-addiction/.

Walter, T., Ford, A., Templeton, L., Valentine, C., & Velleman, R. (2017). Compassion or stigma? How adults bereaved by alcohol or drugs experience services. Health & Social Care in the Community, 25(6), 1714–1721. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.12273