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The word addiction can possibly scare everyone away from reading this great article. I felt this is good for everyone, unless you don't use social media at all, but if you are thinking about, then it is for you too. Amid the controversy surrounding social media, I wondered if there existed any practical advice out there to help people who have problems controlling their use of it. Many of us are aware of its problems and have seen documentaries about it, but I have rarely come across information on the internet offering sensible solutions that people can try. This may even be useful to people like myself, those who don't consider themselves addicted! In any case, this article offers practical advice such as: 1. Admit that you have a problem. (I would say if you don't think you have a problem, at least admit that you don't want to get one!) 2. Track the time use 3. Cut back on the number of media platforms you use if you have to 4. Assign your usage time 5. Avoid temptation. Based on many studies and polls (i.e. The Jed Foundation) they found that 90% of college students used a social networking site within the last week. We know that social media can impact us emotionally and impact our grades to rob us from the benefits of the material we study. This article gives us the simple tools to help whether you are addicted or not! The only bad about this article is that they use the word addition which could scare people away. What I appreciated most about this article is that it's suggestions are easy, doable, and do not only apply to addicts.

Article speaks of how a (CFTAH) unit could replace a (TAH) unit for patients waiting for a heart transplant!

In a study published Tuesday, researchers say "cancer drivers" -- altered genes that contribute to the disease's progression -- can be identified through health data exchange. The researchers used an algorithm to analyze integrated data from the Cancer Genome Atlas and the Protein Data Bank. Health IT Interoperability. This is one time using personal data can be used for a great purpose!

This article discusses the huge increase in apps used to track fertility for both conception and birth control purposes.  It goes over pros, cons, and which apps are actually useful and which to avoid.  Great resource for anyone interested in tracking their cycle and considering an app.

This article talks about recent rumors that Apple is on the verge of releasing its very own body-monitoring app, Healthbook.  The app is designed to track things such as heart rate, weight, physical movements, and etc.  For those of us who've purchased other body-monitoring apps by third party developers on our iPhones, this new Apple-developed app provides us with another option.

This news article is about the director of the MA Health Connector appearing before a congressional health panel to discuss the problems that the state's insurance website has encountered during its launch using the same vendor who worked on federal counterpart website (healthcare.gov).  For those of us who've been following the roll out of the new Healthcare Act, there has been so much focus on how much the federal government "fumbled" on the healthcare.gov website launched, seems like some of the same issues encountered on the state level were overshadowed.

Using modern technology to monitor and track mental health. Tablets, cellular phones and multi media apps are used.

After having knee surgery several years ago, which thanks to robotic technology and cameras, was a very successful experience. My physician, an Orthopaedical Surgeon and a sports doctor, had a conversation with me about exercise. He suggested that running wasn't the best exercise for knee health. Because many of his patients were injured, they often needed to change what exercise orientation. He shared with me about some benefits of wearable devices. I had a meniscus tear in my knee that required surgery, so decided to become a bike rider instead of a runner. Impressed with the technology involved in my operation, I began to checkout wearable devices and purchased one. Do to my positive experience, I found this article to be very informative about this technology and its health benefits. The article focuses on "accelerometers", which captures a lot of physical data about your movement from sitting, standing, walking, etc. This is so important because you are capturing pertinent data about your health that can be reviewed by you and your doctor or therapist. The article exposes that in the past, researchers relied on questionnaires that we know contained many inaccuracies. The article explains the great potential accelerometers can offer that can allow us to relegate and optimize our activities for our personal health. For example, we can maintain a certain heart rate as we exercise to monitor the calories we are burning and to select a mode of exercise. Should I run, ride a bike, take tai chi, or swim? Is tennis better? Each form of exercise involves a different impact on our bodies. With an accelerometer, this is no longer subjective and this article exposes its many uses. We can now capture and use empirical data to decide which exercise is best for us!

A description of an Echocardiogram, which essentially takes live pictures of the heart in its entirety. I recently underwent this procedure this year to monitor the thickness of my left ventricle as I have Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. I undergo this annually. My Left Ventricle is thicker than it should be and it could lead to a permanent closure stopping the flow of blood if not monitored / treated.

Manufactured Drugs - Beta Blockers help to treat several different types of Heart disease, including the disease I have called Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Image Credit: Audrey W., Oneonta, AL Almost all people use technology in their everyday lives, whether it be managing finances or simply communicating with friends via social networking or using their cell phones. In recent years there has been a technological revolution. People are in contact 24/7 and instantaneously informed through the use of a plethora of technology.

Explains the effects of technology on our physical health & what has changed over the years to make us less healthy than other generations.

The linked study, which took place at an Indian University, correlates increasing eye problems - specifically nearsightedness and eye strain - with increasing computer usage. This information is a useful reminder to not only students, but anyone who uses a computer, that looking at the screen for even 50 minutes is having an impact on their eyes. The body is affected by everything we do.

On any given day, teens in the United States spend about nine hours using media for their enjoyment, according to the report by Common Sense Media, a nonprofit focused on helping children, parents and educators navigate the world of media and technology. Let's just put nine hours in context for a second.

This article, published by the International Journal of Obesity, discusses a correlation between use of communication and information technology and overweight and obesity, particularly among girls. However, the researchers did not find a correlation between playing digital games and overweight/obesity. Interestingly, they suggest that digital games me be a good replacement for TV and computer use.

Interesting study, What about interactive video games, wouldn't that help?

This link provides a great resource for anyone involved in the HITECH project. Healthcare providers and vendors of Healthcare technologies use this site to register to attest to the meaningful uses stages. This CMS page also has treasure chest of data and white papers to explain the government sponsored EHR incentive program.

In 2009 the Healthcare Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health or HITECH was implemented by the US government to speed up the use of electronic health records by healthcare providers. The HITECH act launched a federally funded incentive program to reward members of the healthcare community who improve their business model to utilize an electronic health record or EHR compliant system. This article and the publication provide a great source of information when trying to understand the changing EHR landscape and its impact.

For anyone interested in the details of the HITECH act delivered with The American Reinvestment & Recovery Act or ARRA this is a great resource. This page does a nice job describing the details and drivers behind the bill and need for change. It currently contains links to PDF Meaningful Use final rules white papers for Stage 1 and Stage 2. When stage 3 is complete it will be posted here as well.

Firefly flourescent technology assists a surgeon using the daVinci robotic surgical system (robotic assisted surgery) to be able to see endometriosis lesions clearly and improves precision and accuracy. Dr. Jennifer Browning is the first surgeon to use daVinci robotic surgery with Firefly fluorescent technology.

I have heard many opinions about refined sugars. I try to stay away from such sugars and I am personally terrified of artificial sweeteners. I prefer organic sugars which are brown in color. This article provides some good evidence that refined sugars are not major toxins ready to kill us. Refined sugars are in soooo much or what we eat, and the amount of sugars in certain things such as soda will shock you (just google ("demonstration measuring cup of sugar in soda"). The basic rule for all things is to use everything in moderation. Of course too much of one thing is bad. But I can't help but think of the times when I would literally craze for something sweet.... to the point when I would feel anxious and slightly crazed.