The WEGO Health Blog

Spotlight: Phyllis Zachery-Thomas

2009-12-21T15:25:00.001-05:00

Spotlight: Phyllis Zachery-Thomas (you may know her as przthomas)
Website: AGASCA & SCD Soldiers
Twitter: @przthomas
Occupation: Retired accountant
Hobbies? Blogging

How did you get started in the Sickle Cell Disease Community online?

After starting my own personal facebook page, I decided to start a page for the Advocacy Group for Adults with Sickle Cell Anemia (AGASCA). I created AGASCA as an offline support group in my home town of Dallas after meeting several people who were in the hospital at the same time that I was. It wasn't officially established as a non-profite, but that's where I saw it going. After moving to Atlanta, I felt the Facebook page was a great way to stay in touch with the people in the original group, as well as a way to reach out to others all over the nation via the internet.

When you think of the future of the kind of work you’re doing with SCD Soldiers, what gives you a sense of hope?

There has been so many adults who suffer with SCD that feel as though they haven't been properly represented or served in a way that is beneficial. My mission of offering that kind of support makes me hopeful, because I know that if the services are established they will be utilzed.

Read the entire interview on Marie's Blog

Be sure to check out Phyllis's WEGO Health Profile and welcome her to the community!

Interested in learning more about Sickle Cell Disease?

Join the WEGO Health Group

Already active in the online Sickle Cell Disease Community?

Learn more about our upcoming Insight Groups!

Upcoming Insight Groups: Sickle Cell Disease Health Activists

2009-12-16T12:20:00.000-05:00

We are holding online focus groups on Thursday, January 21st for people who are active contributors to online Sickle Cell Disease communities. These groups are being held on behalf of one of WEGO Health's Sponsors.

Focus groups will be held at 12 Noon Eastern Time, 4pm ET, 6pm ET and 9pm ET on Thursday, January 21st

Please note: These groups will take one hour and are held remotely. Participants can join from anywhere in the country, but will required to be online and on the phone at the same time.

All participants will receive a $25 Amazon.com gift certificate.

We are looking for people who:

1) Have experience with Sickle Cell Disease
2) Stay current on news and treatment options for Sickle Cell Disease.
3) Are active contributors to online health communities.

Not sure if you’re an active contributor? We’re looking for people who participate in online discussion forums, question & answer sites, blogs, Twitter, etc.

If you are interested in joining us on Thursday, January 21st, the link below will take you to a short survey to see if the group might be appropriate for you:

Sickle Cell Disease Insight Group Survey

Announcing: WEGO Health Widgets!

2009-11-24T09:47:00.004-05:00

We’re very excited to be introducing a new feature to our community today: the Featured Community Content Widget.

We’ve been working hard here at WEGO Health to create a series of widgets that feature high quality content created by Health Activists. Each widget focuses on a single topic and highlights user-generated content: summaries and direct links to the best discussions, blog posts, interviews, podcasts, and videos that are taking place across the web.

Take a look at our new Featured Fertility Community Content Widget:

To see more of the content featured in the widget, simply click that “more” button.

As you can see, some of the links and summaries featured by our editorial team are from the WEGO Health community. Most of this content, however, was created on – and still lives on - other sites.

Because our mission here at WEGO Health is all about empowering Health Activists (that’s you!) to help others, we link directly to your content in our Featured Community Content Widgets. Our goal is to make sure the great content you create gets exposed to as many people as possible.

We’ve tested this widget with members of the WEGO Health community and we’d like to take a minute to share some of their frequently asked questions (and the answers) with you:

How do I put this widget on my own site?

If you’d like to get regular updates about great content within your community, or share this widget with your blog readers or fellow community members, simply click on the “get widget” link at the bottom of the widget. From there, you’ll be able to copy the embed code, or begin the process of embedding the widget onto your dashboard, iGoogle, Blogger, or other widget-friendly sites.

How is content selected?

WEGO Health’s editorial team searches for the most helpful, interesting, Health Activist created content on the social web. This is an ongoing process, so if you’d like your content featured, or if you want to recommend content created by someone else, click on the “submit” link at the bottom of the widget to let us know!

Who owns the content in this widget?

The Health Activists who created it. WEGO Health believes very strongly that you own what you’ve created and we don’t want to infringe upon that.

How can I report an issue (eg. broken links, questionable content, etc.)?

Just send us an email describing the issue and we’ll look into it right away.

Why are there ads?

These ads pay for the widget to appear on many other websites and health social networks around the web – we're putting advertiser dollars to work, guaranteeing greater visibility for your content.

Can I suggest a topic for a new widget?

Of course! We’ll be introducing more widgets in the months to come, but if there’s a widget you think would be very beneficial to your community—please don’t hesitate to let us know by leaving a comment, or sending us an email.

We hope you’re as excited about this new WEGO Health feature as we are!

Jack Barrette Talks About Health Activists at the FDA Social Media Hearings

2009-11-16T09:50:00.004-05:00

Last week, WEGO Health had the chance to present the findings of the Health Activists and Social Media survey to the FDA hearings on health care companies use of the Internet and social media tools.

After presenting on the first day, WEGO Health CEO Jack Barrette was interviewed by Russ Ward of Pixels and Pipes, a joint video blog by pharmaceutical marketing firms Palio and Zemoga. In the interview, Jack talks about Health Activists - "social media power users" - and what they want and expect from health care companies when it comes to social media.

Jack Barrette on Health Activism and the FDA Hearings from Zemoga on Vimeo.

Did you follow the FDA Social Media hearings? What are your thoughts on the role of the health care industry in online health discussions? How can the FDA help - or hurt - those conversations?

FDA Social Media Hearings: Watch Live

2009-11-12T09:59:00.002-05:00

Today and tomorrow, the FDA is holding hearings on Health Care Companies' use of the Internet and social media tools. They are hearing from industry, consumer and goverment representatives, each given ten minutes to present their findings.

WEGO Health's Jack Barrette, Bob Brooks, and Marie Connelly was chosen to present the results of our Health Activists and Social Media Survey. They will be speaking at 11:45AM today, and at 11:20 AM tomorrow.

You can watch the hearings live below.

Click here for standalone player

FDA Social Media: Health Activists Have Their Say

2009-11-03T10:19:00.008-05:00

Next week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to hold hearings on Health Care Companies’ use of the Internet and social media tools. We at WEGO Health decided to bring the voice of our Health Activist community to this historic event.  The result is a survey of over 160 Health Activists, their opinions, and some interesting insights. Our survey found that Health Activists believe:

Social media is an important tool for health communication, and Health Care Company participation provides value to the community;

That regulation of Health Care Companies in social media is challenging, and the FDA should work to tailor regulations to the practical realities of social media

But Health Care Companies have an obligation to the community to be transparent, to correct misinformation about their products, to report adverse events, and to follow regulations.

  Some interesting findings from a very enlightening survey:

93.5% of survey respondents said dedicated Health Social Networks, such as DailyStrength.org, are moderately to extremely useful

79.4% of Health Activists feel Health Care Companies’ use of social media tools provides important updates on products or services

67.7% believe regulation of Health Care Companies’ participation in Internet and social media needs to be tailored to the unique attributes of the Internet and social media

 Jack Barrette, Bob Brooks, and Marie Connelly will be presenting during two sessions at the FDA hearings.

Click below to check out their presentation for Thursday, November 12 is below:

WEGO Health FDA Social Media Presentation, Questions 1-3

View more presentations from WEGO Health.

 
And here's the presentation for Friday, November 13, which deals with reporting adverse events:

WEGO Health FDA Social Media Presentation, Question 5

View more presentations from WEGO Health.

Are you interested in a full review and analysis of the WEGO Health Activist Social Media survey? Let us know by filling out our Health Care and Social Media contact form!

Health Activists Use Social Media To Help Americans Understand President Obama’s Health Care Plan

2009-10-21T16:23:00.002-04:00

A few weeks back, we let you know about a poll that we conducted that measured how well the general public understood President Obama's proposed health care plan. As the bill continues to make its way through Congress, we looked back at the data -- particularly the comparison of Health Activists and the general public -- and found Health Activists are considerably more knowledgeable about the President’s proposed health care plan than most Americans.

A few key findings:

64.1% of Health Activists correctly stated the plan will limit/cap out-of-pocket medical expenses an individual can incur, versus only 42.3% of the general public

when asked if the plan would ensure competition among health insurance companies, 63.1% of Health Activists correctly said yes, versus only 41.8% of the general public

Among Health Activists, 92.2% said that the President’s plan would cover all US citizens, as opposed to only 69.2% of the general public

72.8% of Health Activists correctly said the plan would not include those who are in the country illegally, as opposed to just over half (50.7%) of the general public

This shows the importance of Health Activists in researching and translating the complex information withing the health care reform bill. “As all aspects of health care grow more complex, Health Activists are emerging as the new experts,” says Jack Barrette, WEGO Health CEO, “they have combined real-life experience with online research and a mastery of social media to become consumer opinion leaders. President Obama would do well to get to know Health Activists as he works to explain his plan.”

For the full release, be sure to our press page.

Exclusive Event for Health Activists: "When to See a Reproductive Endocrinologist: 7 Key Factors", with Glenn Schattman, MD, Cornell University

2009-10-21T14:44:00.005-04:00

Join us on Wednesday, November 4th for an exclusive, Health Activist-only event: "When to See a Reproductive Endocrinologist: 7 Key Factors".

Our speaker, Dr. Glenn Schatmman of Cornell University, is one of the country's leading reproductive endocrinologists.

Health Activist participants will gain:

Valuable insight to help women online to make informed decisions
In-depth medical updates - usually reserved for physicians - about the factors that all TTC women should consider
Exclusive direct access to Dr. Schattman during our live Q&A session

This event is free and made possible by one of WEGO Health's sponsors.

We'll be offering this one-hour webinar at four different times on Wednesday, November 4th: Noon, 4PM, 6PM and 9PM (please note: all times are Eastern Standard Time)

Earn $5 for RESOLVE:

WEGO Health is always looking to improve the quality of our Health Activist events. To help us incorporate your ideas and feedback into later programs, WEGO Health will invite all webinar attendees to participate in a brief follow-up survey.

For every attendee who completes this short survey, WEGO Health will make a $5 donation to RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. Your time helps us learn where we can improve and helps RESOLVE reach more families coping with infertility.

To receive your invite to this exclusive event, please complete this brief survey: Fertility Webinar Survey.

A member of the WEGO Health team will email you if you qualify for this event.

Please contact us at community@wegohealth.com if you have any questions about attending "When to See a Reproductive Endocrinologist: 7 Key Factors".

Upcoming Insight Groups: Sleep Health Activists

2009-10-08T15:13:00.001-04:00

We are holding online focus groups on Thursday, October 22nd for people who are active contributors to online sleep communities.

Focus groups will be held at 12 Noon Eastern Time, 4pm ET, 6pm ET and 9pm ET on Thursday, October 22nd

Please note: These groups will take one hour and are held remotely. Participants can join from anywhere in the country, but will required to be online and on the phone at the same time.

All participants will receive a $25 Amazon.com gift certificate.

We are looking for people who:

1) Have experience with Shift Work Disorder
2) Stay current on news and treatment options for sleep problems.
3) Are active contributors to online health communities.

Not sure if you’re an active contributor? We’re looking for people who participate in online discussion forums, question & answer sites, blogs, Twitter, etc.

If you are interested in joining us on Thursday, October 22nd, the link below will take you to a short survey to see if the group might be appropriate for you:

Sleep Insight Group Survey

Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

2009-10-02T17:17:00.003-04:00

In lieu of the 25th annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) I wanted to start a post that's full of links to breast cancer sites and other information and ask the community - what are you doing to celebrate this month? Whether you're a survivor or have a loved one that is - October is a month to honor all you've endured and the huge achievement you've made. And while the media sometimes tends to make Breast Cancer seem pink and cheery - it's not called "battling" cancer for nothing. Let's brainstorm ways to honor those who have survived, those who have passed on, and those who continue to fight breast cancer.

Go to the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Site

Read the American Cancer Society's Take on NBCAM

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Wikipedia's article on National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Debunk the 7 Breast Cancer Myths

Check out Sarah's blog post "It's Almost Time to Feel your Boobies."

Planning a Breast Cancer Awareness event? Get media attention with these tips.

See what's going on at the Susan G Komen for the Cure Site

Skeptical about the "fighter" terminology? Join Marie's discussion.

Join WEGO Health's Cancer Group

Add your comments to these past WEGO Health posts:

• Breast cancer decline matches HRT decline

• New Research: Habits That May Cut Breast Cancer Risk

• Avoiding Breast Cancer - New Research Suggests Prevention Habits

• Breast Enhancement

• Antiperspirants and Breast Cancer

What are you planning? What are others in your online communities planning? What tips do you have for commemorating this month? What are your favorite stories or links? Join the conversation!

Spotlight: Laurie Edwards

2009-09-22T18:14:00.004-04:00

Spotlight: Laurie Edwards
Websites: A Chronic Dose
Twitter: @achronicdose
Blogging since: 2006
Occupation: Writer, consultant and professor
Favorite vacation spot: Cape Cod, MA; Ireland; Napa/San Francisco, CA.

What made you start blogging?
I started blogging as a way to gauge my audience and connect with other young adults living with chronic illness. It was great to hear from people who were so similar to me in so many ways--even if our diagnoses were different, especially the rare disease patients. I also felt like I’d accumulated a lifetime of experience as a patient. So I felt that sharing and exchanging that knowledge with other patients would be mutually beneficial. Now, a few years into it, I’ve gotten to know some amazing patients, physicians, and other healthcare people that I continue to learn from. It’s been a lot of fun!

Read the entire Spotlight Interview on Vanessa's Blog

Confused About the Obama Healthcare Plan? So Are Most Americans

2009-09-21T11:59:00.012-04:00

The weekend after President Obama's healthcare address to Congress, WEGO Health partnered with global strategic branding firm Siegel+Gale to survey 1,042 members of the general public, and 102 Health Activists to find out how many people truly understand the plan.

What we learned is that only 36.9% of Americans believe they understand the plan. Most respondents couldn’t identify key aspects of the proposal -- including funding, who would be covered by a public option, and when the plan would go into effect.

Key findings of the study (you can read the full release on our press page) include:

• Only 16.5% of the public believes the plan would not add “one dime” to the federal deficit, and 36.1% believe that the plan will add a “massive amount” to the deficit

• When asked about how the plan would be funded, less than one-third of the respondents cited one of the key funding sources that Obama mentioned – fines to be levied on large companies that don’t offer health insurance to their employees

• Almost 20% of respondents answered that funding would come from a fine levied against wealthy individuals – an answer included in the survey questions that has never even been discussed

This speaks to the confusion in the media, the complexity of the issue, and the emotions such a large plan creates. “Clearly the whole health care issue is fraught with complexity, political in-fighting, and emotion that is not helped by poor media coverage,” says Alan Siegel, Chairman and Founder of Siegel+Gale.

• While Health Activists were significantly more accurate than the average consumer on most points, the majority also reported a low understanding of the President’s plan

This last point fits what we know of the Health Activists here on WEGO Health. “Sophisticated Health Activists are power users of online tools, and each Activist influences thousands of others through social media,” noted Jack Barrette, WEGO Health’s CEO, “91% agreed that healthcare reform is a critical issue in the online world. But Health Activists also confirmed that typical consumers they encountered online had a poor comprehension of the Obama health care plan.”

What’s your take on the situation? Do you find yourself confused about the details of the healthcare plan?

How can online communities like WEGO Health help -- both to educate Health Activists, and to inspire them to share what they’ve learned -- about the specifics of the Obama healthcare plan?

Wear Purple for World Alzheimer's Day

2009-09-21T10:09:00.003-04:00

A few of us here at WEGO Health headquarters wore purple to commemorate World Alzheimer's Day and help increase awareness about this year's theme, "Diagnosing Dementia: See It Sooner":

See more pictures of WEGO Health at work, and share your World Alzheimer's Day pictures on our Facebook Fan Page.

Our Community Leader Amanda also has some great suggestions on how to participate in this year's World Alzheimer's Day, but if it's too late for you to wear purple today, The Alzheimer's Association has some great suggestions on other ways you can "Go Purple" throughout September.

Looking to connect with other Alzheimer's Disease Health Activists?

Check out our Spotlight Interviews with Patty McNally Doherty of The Unforgettable Fund, and Carol Bradley Bursack author of Minding Our Elders.
Join WEGO Health's Alzheimer's Disease Group.

How will you be participating in World Alzheimer's Day this year? Let us know in the comments!

Community Leader Ellen's Recent Interview with Lisa Copen

2009-09-17T16:50:00.002-04:00

Health Activist Lisa Copen joins WEGO Health as the founder of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week. This year it is September 14-20, 2009 and there are a handful of ways to get involved, including a free 5-day virtual conference. Lisa is on a blog tour to help people know about the event and how it can specifically encourage you.

Find out how more about National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, check out the entire interview on Ellen's blog.

Upcoming Insight Groups: High Risk Pregnancy Health Activists

2009-09-10T14:08:00.004-04:00

In our ongoing work to empower Health Activists, we are holding focus groups for people who are active contributors to the online high risk pregnancy community.

These focus groups are held remotely, participation involves calling in to a conference call and joining an online meeting.
Focus groups will be held at Noon ET, 4PM ET, 6PM ET and 9PM ET on Thursday, October 1st.

Each participant will receive a $25 Amazon.com gift certificate.

Please note: These groups will take one hour and will require participants to be online and on the phone at the same time.

We are looking for people who:
1) Stay current on High Risk Pregnancy news and information
2) Are active contributors to online health communities

If you are interested in joining us on Thursday, October 1st use the link below to take a short survey to see if the group might be appropriate for you:

High Risk Pregnancy Insight Group Survey

Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) - Compulsion or Addiction?

2009-09-04T12:18:00.001-04:00

No doubt you've heard something about "internet addiction." To some, it might seem like a joke or exaggeration. But, infact, more and more people are turning to the Internet or other similar types of media in an excessive, life-altering manner. But the real question is–is IAD an addiction or more of a coping method to deal with other mental health problems?

From wikipedia: "Internet addiction disorder (IAD), or, more broadly, Internet overuse, problematic computer use or pathological computer use, is excessive computer use that interferes with daily life. These terms avoid the distracting and divisive term addiction and are not limited to any single cause." IAD started as a mythical disorder that was based off of the newly diagnosable gambling addiction in 1995.

Supporters of disorder classification often divide IAD into subtypes by activity:
• excessive viewing of pornography
• overwhelming and excessive gaming
• inappropriate involvement in online social networking sites or blogging
• Internet shopping addiction

Some supporters of IAD would like to see this type of addiction added to the next version of the DSM-V, which will be released in 2012. Before this happens, though, IAD needs to be better defined to see if it's more of a obsession, compulsion, or self-medication for mental problems like depression. People who suffer from IAD hope to be considered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (in fact, one case is currently pending where a man claims his IAD is in response to PTSD).

Supporters in the medical community believe that IAD affects a person because it alters their mood a lot like other addictions, and that change in body chemistry can become addictive. They tend toward classifying IAD as a compulsion or as a psychological escape (because it is often triggered by anxiety or stressful situation).

Oppositions come from those who believe that the internet is a social environment, which can't really cause a person to be addicted. (You can't be addicted to your hometown, for example). "For many patients, overuse or inappropriate use of the Internet is merely a manifestation of their depression, anxiety, impulse control disorders, or pathological gambling. IAD is compared to food addiction, in which patients overeat as a form of self-medication for depression, anxiety, etc., without actually being truly addicted to eating."

I read about a brand new treatment center was started in the US to treat IAD. "reStart Internet Addiction Recover Program" offers a 45-day treatment that's "designed specifically to help internet and video game addicts overcome their dependence on gaming, gambling, chatting, texting and other aspects of internet addiction." The center says that about 6-10% of all internet-users are actually dependent upon it. The center believes that the US is slow in its recognition and treatment of internet-related addictions and dangers. The center also claims that China and South Korea have designated internet addiction as their "number one public health danger." The treatment costs $14,500 per person and no insurance company will cover it (yet).

What do you think? Do you feel your internet/technology use is out of hand? Is IAD an addition or a compulsion? Can we prevent more people from developing IAD or is this our next potential health crisis? Join the conversation.

Welcome, Susan!

2009-09-03T15:37:00.002-04:00

We've had a lot going on here at WEGO Health headquarters these past few weeks, but I'd like to take a minute to introduce the newest addition to our team: Susan Mees.

Susan joins us from The Natural Dentist (another Boston-based start-up), where she spent many years engaging customers, answering questions, and spreading the word about the importance of oral health and natural oral care options.

Susan brings this experience and her passion for healthy living to WEGO Health as our newest Community Manager. She's helping us build communities, connect with Health Activists and find (and share!) high quality health information.

Any extra time she has is devoted to books, crafts and promoting her boyfriend's band, Pray for Mojo.

Please join me in welcoming Susan to WEGO Health! Visit her WEGO Health profile to add her as a friend, or leave a comment on her profile page.

Join Us: Women's Health Chat

2009-08-25T11:52:00.005-04:00

Join us on Thursday, September 3rd at 7 PM Eastern for the first-ever Women's Health Chat on WEGO Health!

This chat is an opportunity to connect with other Women's Health Activists, ask questions, share resources, and learn about what others are seeing in the community.

We're thrilled to have Health Activist DinDin joining us for this chat as our Featured Health Activist and Guest Moderator. If you're not familiar with DinDin, be sure to check out her WEGO Health Profile, as well the LiveJournal community about birth control that she moderates.

To join the chat on Thursday, simply log in on the homepage: http://community.wegohealth.com by 7 PM Eastern. A small toolbar will show up at the bottom of your screen to join the chat.

I hope you'll be able to join us for this exciting new event!

Please bring your questions for Adina, and indicate if you're planning to attend by selecting an RSVP at: http://community.wegohealth.com/events/womens-health-chat

Upcoming Insight Groups: Patients & Caregivers in the COPD Community

2009-08-18T14:44:00.003-04:00

In our ongoing work to empower Health Activists, we are holding focus groups for people who are active contributors to the online COPD, emphysema or chronic bronchitis communities.

These focus groups are held remotely, participation involves calling in to a conference call and joining an online meeting.

Focus groups will be held at Noon ET, 4PM ET, 6PM ET and 9PM ET on Wednesday, September 2nd.

Each participant will receive a $25 Amazon.com gift certificate. WEGO Health will also make a matching $25 donation to the American Lung Association on behalf of each participant.

Please note: These groups will take one hour and will require participants to be online and on the phone at the same time.

We are looking for people who:

Have experience with COPD, emphysema OR chronic bronchitis as a patient or caregiver.
Stay current on COPD, emphysema OR chronic bronchitis news and treatment options
Are active contributors to online health communities

If you are interested in joining us on Wednesday, September 2nd the link below will take you to a short survey to see if the group might be appropriate for you:

COPD Insight Group Survey

Know anyone else who might be interested?

Paid WEGO Health Survey: Share your experience with allergies

2009-08-10T12:39:00.000-04:00

If you're living with seasonal or indoor allergies and actively participate in online health communities, you may qualify for a paid survey hosted by WEGO Health on behalf of one of our sponsors.

This 26-question survey is about your experiences with seasonal or indoor allergies, it should take about 15 or 20 minutes to complete.

All participants who complete the survey will receive a $10 Amazon.com gift certificate.

This survey will only be open for a short period of time, so take our Allergy Insight Survey today: http://bit.ly/allergysurvey

Does Summer Make You SAD?

2009-08-07T14:12:00.004-04:00

Blue skies, the deep blue sea, and blueberries might not be the only blues you experience this summer. Because, while the summer months are what we wait all year for, they can potentially bring you down. Though we look forward to vacations, warm weather and sunshine, a relief from the cold, and the ability to be outside - these aren't guarantees of summertime happiness.

You may know of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It affects about 4-6% of US residents. SAD usually leads to depression in winter due to lack of sunlight, cold, and short days. But about 10% of sufferers get SAD in reverse. Summer can actually causes depressive bouts. In fact, countries closer to the equator seem to have more cases of Summertime SAD than winter. Just because it's nice outside doesn't mean you feel bright and sunny.

How can summer make someone sad and rundown? There are a few possible causes and symptoms of Summer SAD:

• Disrupted sleep schedules

• Issues with body image

• Money troubles

• The heat

• Change in routines or different stressors

So what should you do if you're feeling depressed?

If sadness is disrupting your life - no matter what time of year it is - talk to someone. Schedule an appointment with a therapist, psychologist, or social worker. Even seeing your regular doctor might be a help. Don't ignore symptoms because even summertime SAD could lead to longer lasting depression. Even temporary depression can be awful - don't force yourself to "tough-it-out" until Fall. Keep in mind the effect that your mood and well-being has on others around you. If your depression gets out of hand even only for a short time, things like your relationships or your job could suffer.

Worried about summertime SAD? Try these:

• Plan ahead to reduce stress

• Make sure to sleep

• Keep exercising - change your routine to early morning or evening to avoid heat or join a gym - a short term membership might be worth the cost

• Don't overdo dieting and fitness because that will make you unhappy and anxious (practice moderation in everything you do)

• Stand up and protect yourself - if you're feeling stressed or burdened take a step back and share responsibilities with others

• Think about why you might be depressed - if you associate bad feelings/memories with the season you might be able to work through them.

• Don't let vacation get out of hand - don't do things you don't want to to appease someone else and remember that staying home might be a less stressful alternative than going out,

Sometimes if you're already depressed summertime can make it worse - you made need a new dose of meds that can be readjusted when it's Autumn.

Bottom line: don't beat yourself up - nothing is wrong with you, don't get into habits of negative thinking about yourself. Consider psychotherapy or medication - both are helpful in treating SAD.

For a list of SAD symptoms - Read Sarah's blogpost about SAD

Talk with others who can relate - Join the Depression & Anxiety Group

Have you joined a Group?

2009-07-30T11:44:00.004-04:00

Our goal here at WEGO Health is to be the home of Health Activists: a place for those passionate members of the online health community, who love to help others with information, resources and support.

Many of our members tell us they are looking to connect with other Health Activists who are passionate about a particular health condition, issue, disease or topic.

For these Health Activists, we've created 40 Groups, including:

very broad topics like the Parenting and Children's Health Group and Women's Health Group
more niche health areas, like our Thyroid Group and Dystonia Group.
our most recently created Autoimmune Diseases Group and Chronic Illness Group.
Groups to connect with others using the same tools to share information, make connections and learn best practices - check out our Health Bloggers Group and the new Health Facebooker Group.

If you haven't joined a Group on WEGO Health yet - check one out, sign in, and click the "Join Group" button today!

We Love: Frozen Pea Fund

2009-07-29T15:07:00.006-04:00

This week on WEGO Health Loves: Frozen Pea Fund

Ever wonder if Twitter can really be used to start a movement? Well it can.

Just ask Susan Reynolds. Self dubbed the "Nana" of Twitter, Susan is a breast cancer survivor and catalyst for the Frozen Pea Fund.

Frozen Pea Fund isn't just another fundraising campaign, it's a story of support and the creation of a community around a movement for awareness and a search for a cure.

What started as a way to support Susan during her own cancer journey soon transformed into something far greater. It has brought together individuals bounded by a common experience to raise awareness and thousands of dollars for cancer research.

Susan's personality is contagious. Her sense of humor in the face of adversity and her willingness to openly tackle such a devastating disease is inspiring. Frozen Pea Fund and Pea groupies alike reveal the power and potential of community, the web and the Twitter-sphere.

Susan on the web:

Case-Notes from the Artsy Asylum - Susan's blog
Boobs on Ice - Chronicles Susan's journey with breast cancer
Frozen Pea Fund website
Virtual offices hours in Second Life every Tuesday 5PM ET
Twitter @susanreynolds

Read more about Susan and the Frozen Pea Fund "How Frozen Peas Started A Movement" in the Washington Post

Wondering what other sites we love?

Alzheimer's News is Good News

2009-07-17T12:54:00.002-04:00

In the last few weeks a handful of really interesting Alzheimer's studies have emerged. These studies prove that, though there is still a long way to go in the treatment and prevention of this devastating disease, there are a lot of great things happening in the research community. Every advancement points in the right direction. Many new study results were shared recently at the Alzheimer’s Association conference in Vienna, Austria. And in addition to being informative—all of us at WEGO Health found these studies really fascinating. Here are the highlights:

First up— New tests might detect Alzheimer's early on. By studying brain changes and body chemistry over time, researchers are getting closer to detecting Alzheimer's in its earliest stages. This information will eventually lead to new treatments including new medications.

One study, in Ireland, found that combining results of MRIs that measure brain volume with a series of memory tests could accurately identify nearly 95% of people who had progressed from "mild cognitive impairment" to early Alzheimer's. Another study in the US found that combining results of certain brain scans that measure glucose with a person’s low scores on memory tests were also a strong indication of disease progression. People who did poorly in both glucose measurements and memory tests were considered 15 times more likely to progress from Alzheimer's within 2 years. Another similar study looks to changes in spinal fluid in combination with brain structure as a possible signal of disease progression.

Right now, unfortunately, an autopsy is the only way to be certain that someone has Alzheimer's. The plaques and brain tangles are only truly detectable via post-mortem analysis. The tests researchers are doing on living patients are very subjective since they are often based on memory tests. This means that the studies by drug companies must be a) conducted on lots patients b) spend a lot of money on these tests.

Some of the most intensive studies are being done to detect an "Alzheimer's gene.” People who have relatives with dementia might be at a significantly higher risk of contracting the disease. There are two major genes found in the brain—APOE4 and TOMM40 that, combined, account for about 85-90% of the genetic effect of the disease. Tests can be done to detect if you have these genes. Read more here.

But did you know that the medical community used to discourage people from being tested early for the Alzheimer’s Gene? It’s true. Researchers thought that people who tested positively for the APOE4 gene might be devastated by their increased dementia risk, that they would live in panic. However, a new study proves this to be false. Genetic tests on relatives of Alzheimer’s patients do not cause them mental duress and devastation. Those who were made aware of their heightened risk were no more likely to be distressed or live in fear. In fact, some study participants who were told that they do have the Alzheimer’s gene were actually relieved to know their risk and glad to be able to consider planning for the worst-case scenario. Read more about people who took the genetic test here.

Have you heard that people who are articulate in their 20s are less likely to develop Alzheimer's? Researchers being articulate early in life could prevent Alzheimer’s—even if the person shows brain indicators of dementia. Researchers knew that some people who have "severe plaques and tangles" in their brain and show no symptoms of memory loss while others with similar brain tangles may have a severe case of Alzheimer's. This fact caused researchers to consider how language/articulation might affect the onset of symptoms.

In the study - researchers examined old essays written by their participants (38 deceased nuns) as they entered the convent in their early 20s. They looked for how many ideas were expressed every 10 words and how complex the grammar was. Women without memory problems scored 20% higher on these language analyses of their old writing. The grammar tests showed no difference. So now researchers are looking into the idea that articulate young people lead to adults without dementia. Yet another reason to try hard in school and keep our brains sharp throughout life! Learn more here.

Another startling study claims that spouses of people with dementia are a substantially higher risk of developing dementia themselves. After following 1,200 couples for 10 years, researchers found that wives who care for husbands with dementia were 4 times more likely to develop dementia than wives of husbands without the disease. And for husband care-givers? Husbands who take care of wives with dementia were 12 times more likely to develop the disease than those whose wives were cognitively healthy.

Why is this? Dementia is not contagious. Researchers think that the stress involved with caretaking is a huge factor. Stress is high among caregivers—especially for those who care for someone with degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. In addition, stress is also a known risk factor for getting dementia. Plus, those who are stressed-out are less likely to eat healthy and exercise—both of which help the brain stay healthy.

You might think that environment is a possible reason as to why both husbands and wives come down with dementia. However, this study isolated these factors and concluded environment, education, and genetics were not factors.

But why? Doctors believe that it might be because older men often rely on their wives to keep up social ties with relatives and friends. Once she has dementia, she loses this ability – and he too suffers the consequences of a missing social life. Also – wives play a big role in getting men to see doctors. Men who don’t have the extra nudging from their wives about staying healthy can succumb to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and other conditions that may increase the risk of dementia. It's important that caregivers receive help so that they can manage stress and find relaxation in order to maintain their own health in the midst of an Alzheimer's spouse. Read more.

Have you heard that eating fish helps boost memory? This is likely. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements may boost memory in healthy aging adults. A test was done on people with “mild memory complaints” where some were administered placebos and others were given an Omega-3 supplement (of docosahexanoic acid – DHA). There was a slight improvement among those who took the supplement. Although these results were positive, the Alzheimer’s Association does not yet recommend that people take supplements to fend off age-related memory loss. This might be because another study said that there is no difference between those who have taken the Omega-3 DHA supplement and those who haven’t. Even with those who were tested positively for the APOE4 gene variant, DHA had no effect. Weirdly, those without the gene that used the supplement did see a bit of improvement. This proves that this type of treatment might only be effective if administered extremely early on. More about Omega-3 studies here.

All of these results prove that Alzheimer’s is a complicated disease. Sometimes the brain indicates illness and other times the same results do not necessarily mean someone will get dementia. Only time and more research will tell if how we live now can affect our chances at getting this awful disease. Until then, the usual healthy living ideas we hear so much (diet, exercise, social interaction) are all we can really do.

Join the Alzheimer’s Group

Love coffee? Check out Sarah’s blogpost: Could 5 Cups of Coffee Prevent Alzheimer’s?

Read about GPS Shoes – new technology for tracking Alzheimer’s Patients

Browse all the WEGO Health blogposts about Alzheimer’s

Seeking Migraine Webinar Topic Ideas

2009-07-14T12:04:00.003-04:00

As you may know, WEGO Health recently began a series of webinars on Twitter (Twitter Fundamentals for Health Activists and Twitter Power Tools for Health Activists). We've heard from all of you that you'd also be interested in webinars about specific health topics.

We're currently working to put together a webinar about migraines, with a physician presenting information and hopefully some time for Q&A with the physician as well.

I'm wondering what topics would be interesting to all of our Migraineurs out there. We'd like to create a presentation that would be engaging and relevant for Migraine Health Activists.

Are there specific topics around Migraine that you'd like to learn more about? What would be a "can't miss it" presentation for you? Let us know by leaving a comment, or joining the conversation on WEGO Health!