Not So Confidential
We talk a lot about threats to your medical privacy. But one of the most recent incidents was something straight out of the “Believe It or Not” file.
Back in April, a box of hospital statements fell off the back of a delivery truck in Cleveland, scattering 3,000 confidential patient records over the downtown streets and sidewalks of the city. The documents contained patient names, home addresses, insurers and policy numbers, the names of treating physicians, admission and discharge dates, and detailed billing information.
Obviously, there’s nothing those poor folks could have done to prevent their private records from becoming tumbleweed in downtown Cleveland: Sometimes circumstances are just plain out of your control. But it is important to take every measure you CAN to safeguard your medical privacy. One way to do that is to fill out a “Declaration of Medical Privacy Intent” form.
This form was created by the Citizens’ Council on Health Care (CCHC) — a non-profit organization that promotes the right of each individual to control his health care decisions. You can print one out from their web site (www.cchconline.org), fill in the appropriate information, and then instruct your doctor, psychologist, pharmacist, and insurance companies to include the form with your permanent records.
Unfortunately, a “Declaration of Medical Privacy Intent” can’t guarantee your privacy, but it is a good way to make your position known to every person who opens your file.
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It’s all fenugreek to me
Q: I have been taking fenugreek to help my hormones and to increase energy. Now I read that it also lowers blood pressure and cholesterol. How much do I need to take to gain these benefits? And is there anything else fenugreek is good for?
JVW: Fenugreek is a plant that is native to southeast Europe and west Asia. Its small seeds, which have a bitter taste, are often used in Middle Eastern or North African cooking. But generations of Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans have also used fenugreek for its many medicinal properties.
As you have learned, the spice can improve cholesterol levels. In a 24-week study where subjects were given 25 g a day, “good” HDL cholesterol rose by 10 percent, while “bad” LDL cholesterol steadily decreased.
Studies have also shown that fenugreek can help stabilize blood sugar in diabetics. It works so well that sometimes it can cause the blood sugar to dip too low, so be sure to talk to your doctor before trying it for this condition.
Fenugreek can also aid digestion. Occasionally it can cause diarrhea, though. Decreasing your dose should alleviate this side effect.
In addition to seeds and capsules, fenugreek also comes in powder and gum forms.
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What is…cholesterol?
Most cholesterol is produced by the liver from saturated fats. Cholesterol is an important component to many cells of the body. It is involved in the formation of hormones and bile salts and it helps transport fats to tissues.
Yours in good health,
Amanda Ross
Managing Editor
Sources:
“Patient Privacy Goes Blowing in the Wind,” MSNBC (www.msnbc.com), 4/6/05
