McKesson Health Solutions recently launched new behavioral analysis criteria that it says can help providers and health plans deal with the increased demand for treatment for autism spectrum disorders as more people gain access to health insurance. Like most behavioral healthcare services, autism treatment has steadily risen in both demand and cost over the last 40 years, with the average lifetime cost of supporting a person with an autism disorder reaching about $2.4 million, according to McKesson, citing figures from JAMA. And in 2014, the CDC reported that one in 68 U.S. Children were identified with autism spectrum disorder an increase of 30 percent compared to just 2012. Part of the demand increase can be attributed to federal and state healthcare reforms that mandate greater access to treatment, coupled with more Americans now having health insurance as a result of the ACA, said Dr. Robert Small, associate medical director for behavioral health for McKesson Health Solutions, based in Boston. While there are no curative treatments for autism disorders, early detection often leads to greatly improved behavioral development and reduced complications down the road, according to the CDC. That would seemingly provide incentive for payers and providers, especially now that such … Continue reading →

Dr. Eliahu Feen, SLUCare Neurology Dr. Eliahu Feen's areas of clinical expertise include acute stroke treatment, brain injury, long-term outcome of stroke patients, and medical ethics. He treats adult neurology and stroke... By: SLUCare … Continue reading →

Valentine's Day is associated with the heart, but for Eric Dabney, the day also will be inextricably linked to the brain. A limousine driver, the 54-year-old Galloway Township man was bringing 19 people from an Atlantic City casino to Philadelphia International Airport last Valentine's Day when something went horribly wrong. He doesn't quite remember what was happening, but does recall the passengers urging him to pull over after he struck a highway divider twice. Dabney was having a stroke. Not too long ago, the large clot that lodged in an artery in Dabney's brain perhaps could have meant a permanent disability, loss of work, even death. Instead, Dabney was rushed to Capital Health System's hospital in Trenton, where doctors plucked the clot from his brain. He was up and out of the hospital within three days. "I consider myself very fortunate," he said. Dabney is a case study of a relatively new intra-arterial device and technique that, for the first time since the mid-1990s, has neurosurgeons excited about making real inroads in restoring patients' full functions after a stroke. And now they have evidence to support their hope. The New England Journal of Medicine recently published the results of a … Continue reading →

WATCH ABOVE:Hockey fans have been concerned about the health of NHL great Gordie Howe after he suffered a debilitating stroke late last year. But a revolutionary treatment seems to have him on the mend. In a Canadian exclusive, we get a look at how the legend is doing now. Cindy Pom has the story. TORONTO Just before Christmas last year, Canadian hockey legend Gordie Howe suffered a major stroke. He couldnt stand, let alone put on skates. But his family says that stem cell treatment has the 86-year-old legend on the mend. My professional medical opinion is he had one big stroke on Oct. 26 and after that he had what I would call just a general decline, Dr. Murray Howe, Gordies son, told Global News. But Stemedica, a U.S. biopharmaceutical company led by another Howe Dr. Roger Howe (no relation) extended an invitation to its clinic for treatment. The family travelled to Mexico for a shot to save the former Detroit Red Wings playerslife. READ MORE: Howes stem cell treatment raises concerns Adult stem cells were injected into Howes spine and blood stream. His family saysthe treatment was a game-changer. Motor-wise, hes doing incredibly well. Hes essentially back to … Continue reading →

It might be the second-leading cause of death worldwide, but many people do not recognize the threat stroke poses and the warning signs associated with it, according to a survey published last fall. The survey, sponsored by the health care products company Covidien and the World Stroke Organization, found that one in 10 people knew that stroke affects women more than men. Only about 20 percent knew stroke affects one out of six people, it said. Knowledge of warning signs and symptoms of a stroke poor as well. About 20 percent recognized slurred speech, facial or arm numbness, and headaches as warning signs and symptoms, but less than 10 percent knew that unprompted loss of balance or coordination, vision issues or confusion may also be signs of a stroke. The American Heart/American Stroke Association urges individuals to call 9-1-1 if they see signs of a stroke. The signs are: Drooping face Arm weakness Speech difficulty Sudden confusion or understanding Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes Sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance or coordination View post: Signs you're having a stroke … Continue reading →