Nov. 7, 2013 Snap, crackle, pop: the sounds of pain relief I followed the doctor down a sterile hallway, my eyes nervously scanning rooms full of medieval looking machines that made my own damaged back and nerves pulse with fear.In one room a patient hung upside down by his feet while in other rooms, people were hooked to wires and still others were bent
Nov. 5, 2013 Benefits of Mindfulness: Push-ups for the Brain Throughout childhood, you likely were told to "Mind your manners" or "Mind your own business." In other words, pay attention to yourself or what you're doing for your own good whether that's avoiding a reprimand or a fist fight. Now we're starting to realize that having the mental discipline to pay
Nov. 4, 2013 Keesler team researches stroke prevention Keesler Medical Center's cardiovascular team is embarking on a research trial aimed at stroke prevention.Led by Lt. Col. (Dr.) Steve Kindsvater, commander of the 81st Medical Operations Squadron cardiovascular/pulmonary flight, the trial began in July. The team is seeking 320-350 patients over age
Oct. 31, 2013 A warrior's best friend When military members are deployed, they don't always have the opportunity to have man's best friend with them during hard times.For wounded warriors at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, the dogs that visit them through the Pets and Warriors Program means a ray of light during a dark time.The PAW
Oct. 31, 2013 Affordable Care Act has little effect on TRICARE beneficiaries The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is now in effect. The new law has some military members, retirees and TRICARE beneficiaries wondering how it will affect them. For most TRICARE beneficiaries, it won't have any effect. Beneficiaries who receive benefits under any TRICARE program meet
Oct. 29, 2013 Early detection is essential to fight breast cancer October turns pink here in order to raise awareness for the more than 39,000 women who could potentially die from breast cancer, the second most common type of cancer in women.According to the American Cancer Society, more than 295,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in women throughout
Oct. 29, 2013 Maintaining healthy gums can lead to better overall health More and more today physicians are focusing on overall bodily health as opposed to treating only specific ailments as they occur, to improve quality and longevity of life. This concept has also become more important to dentists as well since research during the past two decades has shed light on the
Oct. 22, 2013 Joint Task Force-Bravo Provides Medical Care to more than 900 in Honduras Honduras - Joint Task Force-Bravo's Medical Element partnered with the Honduran Ministry of Health, the Honduran military and the San Pedro Sula Medical School to provide medical care to more than 900 people in two remote villages during a Medical Readiness Exercise, Oct. 16-18."This exercise gave
Oct. 21, 2013 Survival story highlights importance of breast cancer awareness events The finish line in sight, she pushed beyond all mental hurdles, forcing her legs to extend the last few yards of the excruciating 26-mile race.Diane Holtam celebrated the triumphal finish of her first full marathon, a milestone of personal fitness spurred on by her father's death to a rare blood
Oct. 21, 2013 Tony Horton motivates Tyndall airmen "Exercise is hard enough, and if it isn't any fun, then chances are you aren't going to stick with it," said fitness expert, Tony Horton. Mr. Horton visited Tyndall AFB and spent the day working out with Airmen while mentoring them on how they can reach their fitness goals."It's an honor to be here
Oct. 16, 2013 The Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Protects Against Future Disease The human papillomavirus vaccine, originally targeted to preteen girls, is now recommended for boys as well. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health. "You're not going to prevent a sexually transmitted disease ... if
Oct. 11, 2013 Airmen urged to heed FDA warning about dietary supplement The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers to stop using OxyElite Pro, a dietary supplement, because of suspected links to acute hepatitis. The FDA, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Hawaii Department of Health are investigating reports of acute
Oct. 11, 2013 Fitness matters: physical fitness changes a Hickam Airman's life Tech. Sgt. Andrea Conn, a 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing budget analyst, was an average Airman when it came to physical fitness. Her PT scores weren't terrible, but she was 50 pounds overweight and unhappy with what she saw in the mirror, so she decided to turn her life around. That was just one
Oct. 11, 2013 Military Researchers Working to Find New Suicide Treatments The Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences established the Laboratory for the Treatment of Suicide-Related Ideation and Behavior in 2006 to work on developing new treatment methods for suicidal service members.The lab is led by Dr. Marjan Holloway, an associate professor of medical and
Oct. 8, 2013 Reality check for Dyess Airmen In a crowded theater hall they witnessed cars obliterated, windows shattered, bodies lying limp and cold, streets stained a dark red all while lives are changed forever. Dyess Airmen were afforded the opportunity to learn from these real life-changing moments Sept. 18, during a unique briefing that
Oct. 8, 2013 Worry about the enemy not a toothache You're in a deployed environment in the middle of nowhere, and the toothache you thought was the least of your worries stateside has come back with a painful vengeance. Yet, there is no dental facility on your forward operating base and the nearest one is 100 miles away. This toothache that could
Oct. 8, 2013 Being prepared for the flu season According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, the timing of flu season is very unpredictable and can vary from season to season. Flu activity most commonly peaks in the U.S. in January or February. However, seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and continue to
Oct. 1, 2013 TRICARE issues statement about government shutdown On October 1, 2013, the Defense Health Agency issued the following statement:"We know that those who rely on the Military Health System (MHS) are concerned about how the government shutdown might impact their health care.While we can't predict the exact consequences of a shutdown on every part of
Sept. 30, 2013 Affordable Care Act will impact federal civilian employees Starting in January, all individuals must maintain minimum health care coverage for themselves and all dependents claimed on their federal tax return, or must qualify for an exemption. Those who do not will be charged a penalty beginning with their 2014 federal tax return.Under, the Patient
Sept. 27, 2013 New flu vaccine offers triple protection Each year, flu season affects millions of men, women and children. Flu season usually begins in October, so now is a great time to protect yourself and your family from the flu by getting vaccinated. The flu shot is easy to get and inexpensive - often free - for TRICARE beneficiaries and this year