University of Michigan researchers have reported that a simple test that measures reaction time can help detect and diagnose concussion in athletes. In the study, athletes were tested once at the beginning of their sport season—they had to catch a weighted cylinder dropped by their coach. Their reaction time was measured. Then, if one of […]
Is It Concussion? Simple Test Can Tell. Read More »
Emergency room doctors dread each new snow because they know that sledding accidents are soon to follow. This story in the Raleigh News & Observer highlights the danger of high-speed sledding–when cars tow snow-riders for that extra thrill. Too often, accidents cause severe injuries, including head injuries and even death. The white stuff is fun,
Cars and Sleds Don't Mix! Read More »
Croasdaile Village retirement community has been hit with an outbreak of the highly contagious Norovirus. According to a report in today’s News & Observer, the campus has been closed to visitors for at least a week while workers scrub down the place. The Norovirus lives on hard surfaces, so it can be picked up by
Norovirus sickens Durham retirees Read More »
Relying on a star rating system usually works well for choosing a movie for an evening’s entertainment. But even then, we’ve all learned that some 5-star movies leave us cold, and that no one review can perfectly address our personal preferences and needs. When choosing a nursing home, the ratings are even less helpful. A
Nursing Home Ratings Not Fully Accurate Read More »
Man wakes from coma to meet his new granddaughter…could there be a more heartwarming message about the power of love?
U.K. Man Wakes from Coma with News of Granddaughter Read More »
Bad news all around: Favorite store chain Trader Joe’s has issued a nationwide recall of its “Trader Joe’s Chocolate Chip Chewy Coated Granola Bars.” It has the potential to contain salmonella, which can cause moderate to severe gastrointestinal problems, including vomiting and abdominal pain. In some people, more severe and long-term illnesses can result. The
Recall at Trader Joe's for Salmonella Read More »
The U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the recall of 12-ounce packages of “Applegate Farms Certified Organic Fire Roasted Red Pepper Fully Cooked Chicken & Turkey Sausage.” The recalled packages have a use/freeze date of February 28, 2010. The contaminated products were distributed in several states, including North Carolina. The sausage has been recalled
Recall of Applegate Farms Sausage Read More »
Ride for Brain Injury…Ride for our Troops…Ride for Safety…Ride for the Rock!
This Weekend: 50K & 100K "Ride for the Rock" Benefit Cycling Event Read More »
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that people who have damage to a part of the brain called the amygdala seem to lose the natural fear of losing money. They understand the value of money, and they have a normal, excited response to money as a reward…they just
Brain Injury Linked to Fearlessness with Money Read More »
A heartbreaking article in the New York Times (“Long-Term Care Hospitals Face Little Scrutiny”) reveals a disturbing level of patient neglect…sometimes to the point of leaving the helpless elderly to die in pain and alone. It highlights once again what we have seen ourselves: that for-profit long-term care hospitals provide significantly inferior care to traditional,
The Sorry (and Frightening) State of Long-Term Care Facilities Read More »