PlaneTalk masthead, cleaned, 12-10
April 2016
Stress Management Lecture
     On Sunday, April 24, techniques for managing stress will be presented in Mandarin by Grace Tang, M.F.T. Hosted by the PlaneTree Health Information Center and Santa Clara County Library District, the talk is sponsored by the S. Ku Foundation. It will begin at 2 p.m. in the Cupertino Community Hall.
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News You Can Use

Colorectal Cancer Screening Options
Logo reading Screen for Life      Perhaps you have avoided getting a colonoscopy because of its cost, preparation, or time away from work, but you know you should be screened for colorectal cancer. Two alternatives are far cheaper and less time-consuming than colonoscopies, yet are effective. This chart from the CDC shows the current guidelines for who should be screened and compares screening methods. More information is available here.

Succinctly...
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     Save money when shopping for prescription glasses or hearing aids.
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     Taking nutritional supplements which claim to support thyroid health can be risky for a variety of reasons.
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     Medical advice regarding exercise during pregnancy has changed dramatically over the last 50 years.
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     If you or a family member is highly allergic to pet dander, you will appreciate this locator for hotels that provide "hypoallergenic" rooms.
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      Doing any of these exercises on a regular basis will develop your sense of balance and keep you steadier on your feet.
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     If you are pregnant or nursing, should you avoid highly flavored, spicy, or gassy foods?

Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)
Close-up of an eye      A recent study compared the effectiveness of three prescription drugs for DME, a condition which often occurs in patients with diabetic retinopathy. The severity of DME, drug safety, and cost are all considerations when deciding which drug to use.

Hay Fever
     Numerous pollen-prediction websites and apps are available. When counts are expected to be high, limit your misery by staying indoors and taking an antihistamine before symptoms develop. This guide may help you select which antihistamine to use.Girl sneezing in a field
     Understanding how to use self-care measures, drugs, and other treatments, including during pregnancy, can help you control symptoms. You may also want to learn about the effectiveness of several complementary and alternative medicine therapies.
     Parents of children who suffer from hay fever will find helpful information here.

Apples & a jar of amber liquid Apple Cider Vinegar
      You may have seen remarkable health claims for apple cider vinegar and wondered if there was any truth to them. One journalist was surprised to learn that, although there is little-to-no quality research supporting most claims, vinegar may have one important health benefit if used properly. (Be sure to read past the blocks of advertising.)

Lighting the Road Ahead
      Here is a factor you have probably never considered when shopping for a new car: how well do the headlights enable you to see what lies ahead at night? Schematic of a car's headlights
      When the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tested 31 mid-sized automobiles, they found dramatic differences between different headlight configurations. Only one was rated "good" and just eleven were "acceptable." If you are in the market for a new car, you may want to avoid the poorly rated vehicles. An illuminating article precedes the ratings.
 
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In This Issue
News You Can Use
Do you have family & friends...
Events
California poppies
    All events are open to the public. Some require pre-registration.
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.  * Fee for participation
^ Scroll down the linked page
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Yoga & meditation for cancer patients & caregivers
Mountain View - Thursdays
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Parenting a child with emotional or behavioral difficulties (see p. 1)
San Jose - 6-week class begins Sat., Apr. 2
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Caring for an adult with mental illness (see p. 1)
San Jose - 12-week class begins Mon., Apr. 4
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Preventing ACL soccer injuries
Mountain View - Apr. 4
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Young kids with seizure disorders
San Jose - Tues., Apr. 5
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Long-term care planning
Sunnyvale - Wed., Apr. 6
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Health effects of sleep
Los Gatos - Thurs., Apr. 7
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Living well with diabetes
Milpitas - 6-week classes begin Thurs., Apr. 7 & Fri., Apr. 22
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Siblings of adults or kids with special needs
San Jose - Sat., Apr. 9
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Mindfulness for parent of child or adult with autism spectrum disorder*
Stanford - 8-week class begins Tues., Apr. 12
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Cosmetic plastic surgery
Sunnyvale - Tues., Apr. 12
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HPV vaccinations
Palo Alto - Tues., Apr. 12
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Managing stress
Palo Alto - Thurs., Apr. 14
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"Caregivers Count!" conference
Campbell - Sat., Apr. 16
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Allergies
San Jose - Sun., Apr. 17
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Health fair with free screenings
San Jose - Sun., Apr. 17
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Nutrition for cancer patients & survivors
Mountain View - Tues., Apr. 19
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Applying for SSI (Supplemental Security Income)*
San Jose - Tues., Apr. 19
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Emergency preparedness
Sunnyvale - Mon., Apr. 25
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Teen anxiety, depression, & suicide
Palo Alto - Mon., Apr. 25
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Organizing your medical papers^
Palo Alto - Tues., Apr. 26
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Insomnia & mental illness (see p. 2)
San Jose - Tues., Apr. 26
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Challenging behaviors in kids:
........Palo Alto - Wed., Apr. 27
........San Jose - Thurs., Apr. 28
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Understanding genetic test results
Santa Clara - Thurs., Apr. 28
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Safe & fun urban biking
Mountain View - Wed., May 4
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Celiac disease^
Palo Alto - Thurs., May 5

 


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