Gastric Bypass Center

I read an interesting story in the Wall Street Journal today, which raises the question as to whether or not helmets should be banned in the National Football League (NFL). In recent months the NFL has come under scrutiny after research revealed the long-term dangers associated with concussions and other head injuries sustained by players during a game.

Though everyone knows football has always been a dangerous sport, recent research proves that although a player may seem fine after an injury, and even though medical teams have cleared the player to return to the field, the dangerous and life-threatening effects of the injury will remain long after the game has finished.

Congress even called a hearing on the subject last month, questioning NFL officials as to the care of retired players. Roger Goodell, commissioner of the NFL, defended the league’s response to the issue of concussions and the care of retired players during questioning from the House Judiciary Committee.

But now the recent question has been asked, “Why do football players wear helmets in the first place? And more important, could the helmets be part of the problem?” Some believe that removing the helmets will encourage players to be less forceful when playing, and in turn will reduce the number of head injuries. Though other medical professionals claim that helmets are the reason serious injuries and death are prevented in most cases.

Although there are conflicting beliefs as to what is best for players, the issue at hand remains: there is a dire need to prevent devestating long-term injuries in the NFL. The League needs to step up and find a way to protect it's players now, so that they will be protected long after the game is over.

Gay Culverhouse, President of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the daughter of their owner, testified before the House Judiciary Committee at its hearing on football brain injuries last Wednesday to, as she put it, “tell the truth about what’s going on while I still have the chance.”

In recent weeks, the National Football League and the players union have added programs to aid former players after pension and disability plans came under public fire two years ago. One helps with joint-replacement surgeries, another with cardiovascular health screenings. The most prominent is the 88 Plan, which helps pay expenses for players with dementia. While these assistance plans are needed in order to treat the hundreds of retired players who are suffering, prevention is still key.

You can read more on Culverhouse's mission in association with the NFL online here.

Experts in the field of neuroscience will discuss the integration of Military, Professional Sports and Youth Sports programs to better prevent, identify and treat brain injuries at a special Host Committee dinner discussion during the Sarah Jane Brain Foundation's Annual Angel Awards banquet, the organization announced today.

The SJBF also announced that 100% of the donations received from the American PABI Heroes Concert, which will be held after the Angel Awards Reception, as well as all of the online donations made during its live webcast will be donated to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (which is building the National Intrepid Center of Excellence for Traumatic Brain Injury in Bethesda, MD).  All of these events will be held at Webster Hall in New York City on Tuesday, November 17 and will be open to the media.

The Discussion will be moderated by Dr. Daniel Perl, Director of the Neuropathology Division at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and the host Committee Dinner Dialogue Discussion will feature:

• Dr. David Hovda, Director the UCLA Brain Injury Research Center who is advising the Pentagon on brain injuries
• Dr. Thom Mayer, Chairman of Best Practices and Medical Director for the NFL Players Association
• Dr. Gerard Gioia, Chief, Division of Pediatric Neuropsychology; Director, Safe Concussion Outcome, Recovery & Education (SCORE) Program at Children's National Medical Center
• Mr. Chris Nowinski, President and CEO of the Sports Legacy Institute

Imediately following the Annual Angel Awards Reception, Webster Hall will be opened up for a concert performance by all the semi-finalists, with 100% of the ticket sales being donated to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.  The concert will be webcast live and all of the online donations made during the day will also be donated to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.

Ten bands who were selected this spring as semi-finalists from around the country compete during the day to become the "American PABI Hero." The bands competing include:

• Boston, MA: Slow Century
• New York, NY: April's End
• Raleigh, NC: The Wayves
• Raleigh, NC: Sights of Sound
• Miami, FL: The Nicole Patrick Band
• Columbus, OH: OfHuman
• Chicago, IL: ZC Flawless Drumline
• Dallas, TX: Lately
• Denver, CO: J. Co
• Los Angeles, CA: Me & Heath

The events will take place Tuesday, November 17, 2009, at Webster Hall, 125 East 11th Street, New York City beginning at 11:00 am - 3:00 pm with the American PABI Heroes Grand Finale. From 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Annual Angels Awards Reception will be held at a cost of $150 per person (VIP tickets: $1,000). Immediately following the dinner will be the Host Committee Dinner Dialogue Discussion about the Integration of Military, Professional and Youth Sports programs for the prevention, identification and treatment of brain injuries from 8:00 - 10:00 pm. Additionally, the American PABI Heroes Concert for The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund will be held from 8:00 pm - 12:00 am.

For questions or additional information, please contact Sarah Jane Brain Foundation's Communications Director, Jennipher Dickens at (212) 576-1180 or Jennipher@TheBrainProject.org.
 

Evan Paul Nadler, MD surgeon at Children's National Medical Center and colleagues from New York University have found laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (Lap band) to improve the health of morbidly obese adolescents.

The study, reported in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, involved nearly 50 girls and boys ages 14-17. The participants showed significant decreases in total and android fat mass 2 years after surgery. Android fat has been associated with the development of obesity-related illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease, and insulin resistance.

"This study is the first to demonstrate the improvements in overall health and distribution of weight loss after Lap band surgery in adolescents," said Evan Nadler, MD, the main author and pediatric surgeon at Children's National. "While weight-loss surgery should always be a last resort for adults and adolescents, these findings show us that surgery in adolescents reduces the risk of significant health complications".

The study observed that Lap band surgery improved glucose metabolism, reducing the adolescents' risk of developing insulin resistance. Additionally, bone mineral density was not impacted by the surgery, suggesting that bone growth is not affected.

Dr. Nadler is the co-director of the Obesity Institute at Children's National Medical Center, which is comprehensively addressing the epidemic of childhood obesity. Staff includes pediatricians, nutritionists, psychology experts, heart specialists, gastroenterologists, and surgeons who treat patients and families in a clinical setting. The Obesity Institute also includes scientists looking at genetic differences and racial disparities, especially among children and adolescents, as well as community-based research among different ethnic groups.

Dr. Nadler was an investigator for Allergan, which makes the device used in the study. Funding was provided by the Harris Obesity Prevention Effort at New York University and performed at NYU Medical Center.


Posted by: Evelyn    Source

There are a number of companies on the internet who provide excellent insurance deals for their customers. One of the best places on the internet to look for free insurance quotes is at insurancespecialists.com. They offer almost 50% savings on your insurance purchases. They provide guidance and information on all type of insurance policies.

We cannot just think about living in this world filled with uncertainties without the insurances. The climate change is seen all across the world and serious disasters are predicted. A number of businesses have closed down due to the global economic meltdown.

The cost of the healthcare keeps climbing sky high all the time and a lot of people around the world are unable to afford their healthcare costs.

It is imperative for us to protect ourselves from the wrath of the nature and the negative consequences of living in the modern world. Insurances are the best possible options for protecting ourselves and our families.

You might want to check out insurancespecialists.com if you are thinking about getting good insurance deals for great prices.

They offer a wide range of features along with the free insurance quotes for all type of insurances. You could also look up the insurance quotes by the zip codes. It would be wise for you to even compare your existing insurance expenses with the deals offered by them. By doing this, you will be saving hundreds of dollars in the long run.

Insurancespecialists.com has a number of excellent resources which can be very informative for your insurance needs. It is always a good idea to make informed choices and his website has excellent resources to provide you with the most appropriate information. You could also get in touch with them over the telephone or you could write to them.


Posted by: Evelyn    Source