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Healthwatch
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Healthwatch
Flowers, Chocolates, Organ Donation Are You In?
~6.1 mins read
Gifts of life are fitting on Valentine's Day and any other day of the year.
bone, cartilage, and tendons
corneas
face and hands (though uncommon, they are among the newest additions to this list)
kidneys
liver
lungs
heart and heart valves
stomach and intestine
nerves
pancreas
skin
arteries and veins.
birth tissue, such as the placenta, umbilical cord, and amniotic fluid, which can be used to help heal skin wounds or ulcers and prevent infection
blood cells, serum, or bone marrow
a kidney
part of a lung
part of the intestine, liver, or pancreas.
doctors won't work as hard to save your life if you're known to be an organ donor — or worse, doctors will harvest organs before death
their religion forbids organ donation
you cannot have an open-casket funeral if you donate your organs.
Blood, platelets, or plasma: If you're donating blood or blood products, there is little or no risk involved.
Bone marrow: Donating bone marrow requires a minor surgical procedure. If general anesthesia is used, there is a chance of a reaction to the anesthesia. Bone marrow is removed through needles inserted into the back of the pelvis bones on each side. Back or hip pain is common, but can be controlled with pain relievers. The body quickly replaces the bone marrow removed, so no long-term problems are expected.
Stem cells: Stem cells are found in bone marrow or umbilical cord blood. They also appear in small numbers in our blood and can be donated through a process similar to blood donation. This takes about seven or eight hours. Filgrastim, a medication that increases stem cell production, is given for a number of days beforehand. It can cause side effects such as flulike symptoms, bone pain, and fatigue, but these tend to resolve soon after the procedure.
Kidney, lung, or liver: Surgery to donate a kidney or a portion of a lung or liver comes with a risk of complications, reactions to anesthesia, and significant recovery time. It's no small matter to give a kidney, or part of a lung or liver.
Chocolates and flowers are great gifts for Valentine's Day. But what if the gifts we give then or throughout the year could be truly life-changing? A gift that could save a life or free someone from dialysis?
You can do this. For people in need of an organ, tissue, or blood donation, a donor can give them a gift that exceeds the value of anything that you can buy. Fittingly, Valentine's Day is also known as National Donor Day, a time for blood drives and sign-ups for organ and tissue donation. Have you ever wondered what can be donated? Had reservations about donating after death or concerns about risks for live donors? Read on.
The enormous impact of organ, tissue, or cell donation
Imagine you have kidney failure requiring dialysis 12 or more hours each week just to stay alive. Even with this, you know you're still likely to die a premature death. Or, if your liver is failing, you may experience severe nausea, itching, and confusion; death may only be a matter of weeks or months away. For those with cancer in need of a bone marrow transplant, or someone who's lost their vision due to corneal disease, finding a donor may be their only good option.
Organ or tissue donation can turn these problems around, giving recipients a chance at a long life, a better quality of life, or both. And yet, the number of people who need organ donation far exceeds compatible donors. While national surveys have found about 90% of Americans support organ donation, only 40% have signed up. More than 103,000 women, men, and children are awaiting an organ transplant in the US. About 6,200 die each year, still waiting.
What can you donate?
The list of ways to help has grown dramatically. Some organs, tissues, or cells can be donated while you're alive; other donations are only possible after death. A single donor can help more than 80 people!
After death, people can donate:
Live donations may include:
To learn more about different types of organ donations, visit Donate Life America.
Becoming a donor after death: Questions and misconceptions
Common misconceptions about becoming an organ donor limit the number of people who are willing to sign up. For example, many people mistakenly believe that
None of these is true, and none should discourage you from becoming an organ donor. Legitimate medical professionals always keep the patient's interests front and center. Care would never be jeopardized due to a person's choices around organ donation. Most major religions allow and support organ donation. If organ donation occurs after death, the clothed body will show no outward signs of organ donation, so an open-casket funeral is an option for organ donors.
Live donors: Blood, bone marrow, and organs
Have you ever donated blood? Congratulations, you're a live donor! The risk for live donors varies depending on the intended donation, such as:
The vast number of live organ donations occur without complications, and donors typically feel quite positive about the experience.
Who can donate?
Almost anyone can donate blood cells –– including stem cells –– or be a bone marrow, tissue, or organ donor. Exceptions include anyone with active cancer, widespread infection, or organs that aren't healthy.
What about age? By itself, your age does not disqualify you from organ donation. In 2023, two out of five people donating organs were over 50. People in their 90s have donated organs upon their deaths and saved the lives of others.
However, bone marrow transplants may fail more often when the donor is older, so bone marrow donations by people over age 55 or 60 are usually avoided.
Finding a good match: Immune compatibility
For many transplants, the best results occur when there is immune compatibility between the donor and recipient. Compatibility is based largely on HLA typing, which analyzes genetically-determined proteins on the surface of most cells. These proteins help the immune system identify which cells qualify as foreign or self. Foreign cells trigger an immune attack; cells identified as self should not.
HLA typing can be done by a blood test or cheek swab. Close relatives tend to have the best HLA matches, but complete strangers may be a good match as well.
Fewer donors among people with certain HLA types make finding a match more challenging. Already existing health disparities, such as higher rates of kidney disease among Black Americans and communities of color, are worsened by lower numbers of donors from these communities, an inequity partly driven by a lack of trust in the medical system.
The bottom line
You can make an enormous impact by becoming a donor during your life or after death. In the US, you must opt in to be a donor after death. (Research suggests the opt-out approach many other countries use could significantly increase rates of organ donation in this country.)
I'm hopeful that organ donation in the US and throughout the world will increase over time. While you can still go with chocolates for Valentine's Day, maybe this year you can also go bigger and become a donor.
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Healthwatch
Supporting A Loved One With Prostate Cancer: A Guide For Caregivers
~3.7 mins read
Advice for navigating this challenging situation while providing compassionate care and also taking care of yourself.
Looking after a loved one who has prostate cancer can be overwhelming. Caregivers — usually partners, family members, or close friends — play crucial roles in supporting a patient's physical and psychological well-being. But what does that entail? You as a caregiver might not know what to say or how to help.
"Patients diagnosed with advanced cancer are facing their own mortality," says Dr. Marc Garnick, the Gorman Brothers Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and editor in chief of the Harvard Medical School Guide to Prostate Diseases. "And they each process that in different ways."
Dr. Garnick emphasizes the need provide patients and families with the best information possible about the specifics of the diagnosis, symptoms, and available treatments. Some patients have near-miraculous responses to treatment, he says, even when they have very advanced cancer. "We let patients know that there are reasons to be optimistic, as treatments are improving on a regular basis," he says.
Communication
Dr. Garnick points out that clinicians should avoid words or phrases that can leave cancer patients feeling unempowered. A phrase like "Let's not worry about that now," for instance, is dismissive and doesn't respond to a patient's legitimate concerns. Saying "You're lucky your cancer is only stage 2" doesn't allow for the fear and anxiety a patient may have over his disease.
Along similar lines, "It's important for caregivers to be receptive to what their loved ones are saying," Dr. Garnick says. "Instead of minimizing or questioning what your loved one is telling you, try asking 'What do you need? Tell me what you think is going to help you feel better.'"
While it's natural to offer reassurance, you should also give your loved one space to express himself openly without offering quick solutions. Be aware that treatment can lead to emotional ups and downs, so expect mood fluctuations.
One of the most valuable tools you have as a caregiver is the relationship you've built with your loved one over the years. During this challenging time, remind yourself of the bonds you've created together. Shared memories, inside jokes, and mutual interests can provide strength and comfort.
Day-to-day practical support
Managing medications can be challenging. Cancer patients can take a dozen or more pills per day on varying schedules. You can help your loved one stay on track by setting up a pill organizer (available at most drugstores) that sorts medications according to when they're needed.
Patients with advanced prostate cancer are now being treated more often with drug combinations that include chemotherapy as well as hormonal therapies. Chemotherapy can leave patients feeling unusually cold, and patients may also get cold after experiencing hot flashes from hormonal therapy. So keep lots of blankets and warm hats on hand.
Collaborate on a journal where you and your loved one keep health information in one place. It should contain the names and contacts of clinicians on his team, as well as details of his treatment plan. The journal can also double as a diary where you both record treatment experiences.
You might be tasked with coordinating medical appointments. It's important to keep lists of questions you may have. Take notes so you have a record of what doctors and other people on his care team have told you. Also, you should take some time to familiarize yourself with your loved one's insurance policies or Medicare plans so you have a better understanding of what's covered.
Don't forget to take care of yourself!
As a caregiver, it's easy to get lost in your loved one's needs. But caring for someone with cancer while managing household responsibilities can also leave you feeling isolated, burned out, and even depressed. It's essential to also prioritize your own health and well-being.
Make sure that you get enough sleep and exercise. Keep up with your own checkups and screening. Try to eat well, and prepare meals ahead of time to reduce stress and save time on busy days. Take breaks! Caregiving can be intense, so take time to recharge by taking a walk, reading a book, or spending time with friends.
Here are some valuable resources that can help.
Help for Cancer Caregivers provides support on managing feelings and emotions, keeping healthy, day-to-day needs, working together, and long-distance caregiving.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation provides an array of educational materials, including a "caregiver's toolkit" that helps caregivers understand treatment options, side effects, and ways to be actively involved in the decision-making process.
The Patient Advocate Foundation offers case management services to help caregivers and patients understand insurance coverage, financial assistance programs, and other resources that can reduce the financial burden of cancer treatment.
profile/5170OIG3.jpeg.webp
Healthwatch
Supporting A Loved One With Prostate Cancer: A Guide For Caregivers
~3.7 mins read
Advice for navigating this challenging situation while providing compassionate care and also taking care of yourself.
Looking after a loved one who has prostate cancer can be overwhelming. Caregivers — usually partners, family members, or close friends — play crucial roles in supporting a patient's physical and psychological well-being. But what does that entail? You as a caregiver might not know what to say or how to help.
"Patients diagnosed with advanced cancer are facing their own mortality," says Dr. Marc Garnick, the Gorman Brothers Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and editor in chief of the Harvard Medical School Guide to Prostate Diseases. "And they each process that in different ways."
Dr. Garnick emphasizes the need provide patients and families with the best information possible about the specifics of the diagnosis, symptoms, and available treatments. Some patients have near-miraculous responses to treatment, he says, even when they have very advanced cancer. "We let patients know that there are reasons to be optimistic, as treatments are improving on a regular basis," he says.
Communication
Dr. Garnick points out that clinicians should avoid words or phrases that can leave cancer patients feeling unempowered. A phrase like "Let's not worry about that now," for instance, is dismissive and doesn't respond to a patient's legitimate concerns. Saying "You're lucky your cancer is only stage 2" doesn't allow for the fear and anxiety a patient may have over his disease.
Along similar lines, "It's important for caregivers to be receptive to what their loved ones are saying," Dr. Garnick says. "Instead of minimizing or questioning what your loved one is telling you, try asking 'What do you need? Tell me what you think is going to help you feel better.'"
While it's natural to offer reassurance, you should also give your loved one space to express himself openly without offering quick solutions. Be aware that treatment can lead to emotional ups and downs, so expect mood fluctuations.
One of the most valuable tools you have as a caregiver is the relationship you've built with your loved one over the years. During this challenging time, remind yourself of the bonds you've created together. Shared memories, inside jokes, and mutual interests can provide strength and comfort.
Day-to-day practical support
Managing medications can be challenging. Cancer patients can take a dozen or more pills per day on varying schedules. You can help your loved one stay on track by setting up a pill organizer (available at most drugstores) that sorts medications according to when they're needed.
Patients with advanced prostate cancer are now being treated more often with drug combinations that include chemotherapy as well as hormonal therapies. Chemotherapy can leave patients feeling unusually cold, and patients may also get cold after experiencing hot flashes from hormonal therapy. So keep lots of blankets and warm hats on hand.
Collaborate on a journal where you and your loved one keep health information in one place. It should contain the names and contacts of clinicians on his team, as well as details of his treatment plan. The journal can also double as a diary where you both record treatment experiences.
You might be tasked with coordinating medical appointments. It's important to keep lists of questions you may have. Take notes so you have a record of what doctors and other people on his care team have told you. Also, you should take some time to familiarize yourself with your loved one's insurance policies or Medicare plans so you have a better understanding of what's covered.
Don't forget to take care of yourself!
As a caregiver, it's easy to get lost in your loved one's needs. But caring for someone with cancer while managing household responsibilities can also leave you feeling isolated, burned out, and even depressed. It's essential to also prioritize your own health and well-being.
Make sure that you get enough sleep and exercise. Keep up with your own checkups and screening. Try to eat well, and prepare meals ahead of time to reduce stress and save time on busy days. Take breaks! Caregiving can be intense, so take time to recharge by taking a walk, reading a book, or spending time with friends.
Here are some valuable resources that can help.
Help for Cancer Caregivers provides support on managing feelings and emotions, keeping healthy, day-to-day needs, working together, and long-distance caregiving.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation provides an array of educational materials, including a "caregiver's toolkit" that helps caregivers understand treatment options, side effects, and ways to be actively involved in the decision-making process.
The Patient Advocate Foundation offers case management services to help caregivers and patients understand insurance coverage, financial assistance programs, and other resources that can reduce the financial burden of cancer treatment.
profile/5170OIG3.jpeg.webp
Healthwatch
Should You Be Sleepmaxxing To Boost Health And Happiness?
~6.1 mins read
This viral wellness trend may be more hype than substance.
taping your mouth shut while sleeping
not drinking anything during the two hours before bedtime
a cold room temperature
a dark bedroom
using a white noise machine
not setting a morning alarm
showering one hour before bedtime
eliminating caffeine
eating kiwis before going to bed
taking magnesium and melatonin
using weighted blankets
getting 30 minutes of sunlight every day
meditating daily for 30 minutes.
Taking melatonin is recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine to treat circadian rhythm disorders such as jet lag. But it's not recommended for insufficient sleep, poor sleep quality, or difficulty with falling asleep or staying asleep.
Is it healthier to be asleep by 10 p.m.? One video that garnered more than a million views claims it is. While it is important to maximize morning sunlight exposure and minimize evening light exposure to regulate circadian rhythms, there is such variability in how much sleep someone requires and individual chronotypes (not to mention varying personal and professional responsibilities!) that it is difficult to state there is an ideal bedtime for everyone.
While intriguing research has been done on weighted blankets, there is no convincing evidence that they are truly effective for the general adult population.
Overall, it's important to be cautious about the impact of the placebo effect on how someone sleeps. An analysis of more than 30 studies showed that roughly 64% of the drug response for a sleep medication in insomnia patients could be due to the placebo effect. A key takeaway is that studies that are not randomized controlled trials — such as this small study on 24 people suggesting that kiwi fruit may improve sleep — should be interpreted with a grain of salt.
If you've been on TikTok lately, you know it's hard to avoid countless influencers touting a concept called sleepmaxxing. Their posts provide tips and tricks to get longer, better, and more restorative sleep. And why not? Sleep is considered a pillar of good health and is related to everything from brain health to cardiovascular health, and even diabetes.
But what exactly is sleepmaxxing? And how likely is it to deliver on claims of amped-up energy, a boost to the immune system, reducing stress levels, and improving your mood?
What is sleepmaxxing?
Depending on which social media platform you happen to be looking at, the recommended strategies for maximizing sleep differ. Tips include:
Does any research support sleepmaxxing?
A thorough search through PubMed, PsycNet, and Google Scholar reveals zero results for the terms "sleepmaxx" and "sleepmaxxing." But wait — this certainly doesn't mean that some influencer-recommended strategies are not evidence-based, just that the concept of sleepmaxxing, as a defined package, has not been scientifically studied. But yes, some of the strategies — including one uncomfortable, though popular, choice — lack evidence.
Can mouth-taping improve your sleep?
TikTok users have claimed that taping your mouth while you sleep has benefits, such as reducing snoring and improving bad breath. A team from the department of otolaryngology at George Washington University was prompted by all of the social media buzz on the topic to review research on the impact of nocturnal mouth taping. Spoiler alert: the authors note that most TikTok mouth-taping claims aren't supported by research.
If you do snore, it's important to discuss this with your medical team. Even if taping your mouth reduces your snoring, it can't effectively treat a potential underlying cause of the snoring, such as allergies, asthma, or sleep apnea.
Sleepmaxxing or basic sleep hygiene?
Many strategies recommended by sleepmaxxers are essentially what sleep experts prescribe as good sleep hygiene, which has plenty of research backing its value. Common components of sleep hygiene are decreasing caffeine and alcohol consumption, increasing physical activity, sleep timing, reducing evening light exposure, limiting daytime naps, and having a cool bedroom.
While tips like these help many people enjoy restful sleep, those who have an insomnia disorder will need more help, as described below.
Melatonin, early bedtime, weighted blankets, and — kiwi fruit?
Other strategies suggested by sleepmaxxers are based on limited scientific data. For example:
Could you have orthosomnia?
The expectation of flawless sleep, night in and night out, is an unrealistic goal. Orthosomnia is a term that describes an unhealthy pursuit of perfect sleep. The pressure to get perfect sleep is embedded in the sleepmaxxing culture.
With more and more people able to access daily data about their sleep and other health metrics through consumer wearables, even a person who is objectively sleeping well can become unnecessarily concerned with optimizing their sleep. While prioritizing restful sleep is commendable, setting perfection as your goal is problematic. Even good sleepers vary from night to night, experiencing less than desirable sleep a couple of times per week.
It is also noteworthy that some of the most widely viewed recommendations on TikTok are not supported by scientific evidence.
Do you really need to fix your sleep?
A good first step is to understand whether or not there is anything that you need to fix! Consider tracking your sleep for a few weeks using a sleep diary, and pair this data with a consumer wearable (such as a Fitbit or Apple Watch). Both imperfectly capture sleep data when compared to the gold-standard tool sleep experts use (polysomnography, or a sleep study). However, combining the information can give you a reasonable assessment of your sleep status.
Regularly getting restful sleep can indeed boost health and mood. And all of us can benefit from following basic sleep hygiene tips. But if it takes you 30 minutes or more to fall asleep, or if you are up for 30 minutes or more in the middle of the night, and this happens three or more times per week, then consider reaching out to your health care team to seek further evaluation.
There are effective, nonmedication treatments that are proven to help you sleep better. One example is cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, which can dramatically improve insomnia symptoms in a matter of weeks.
Want to learn more about cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia? Watch this video from the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School with Eric Zhou describing how it works.
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