Safety Standards

Although the term, “noninvasive,” often is applied to diagnostic imaging because the techniques do not penetrate the skin physically, some procedures are very invasive on the electromagnetic and radiation level. Learn more about safety standards for these processes.

1. Radiation Exposure: In 2009, the National Council on Radiation Protections and Measurements (NCRP) reported that Americans were exposed to more than seven times as much ionizing radiation from medical procedures than in the early 1980s. But, the reason behind this increase was primarily a result of the growth in the use of medical imaging procedures, especially computed tomography (CT) and nuclear medicine.
2. Exposure Reduction Measures: In 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced an initiative to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure from three types of medical imaging procedures: computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine, and fluoroscopy. These quality assurance practices will improve the quality of oversight and promote the safe use of advanced imaging technologies.
3. Learning More from Less: Doctors and health facilities are learning that information gained from one magnetic resonance (MR) or CT scan can be used for other information about a patient, lessening the amount of time and money spent on repetitious procedures and increasing safety all around.
4. Image Wisely: As a result of safety concerns, the American College of Radiology and the Radiological Society of North America formed the Joint Task Force on Adult Radiation Protection to address concerns about the surge of public exposure to ionizing radiation from medical imaging. This site addresses issues for radiologists, medical physicists, other imaging practitioners, and patients.
5. Patient Control Factors: Although this link leads to only one resource, this company — among others — have responded to the FDA idea about patient medical imaging history cards that allow patients to track their amounts of imaging doses over a lifetime. Another free resource [PDF] is shown at Radiology Info’s site.

Mammograms and Controversies

6. Ultrasound Backup for Detection: Up to ten percent of breast cancers do not show up on a mammogram, either because they are located in a part of the breast that is difficult to include in the image or they are hidden by normal breast tissue. While ultrasound is not a first choice for detecting breast cancer, if a patient feels a lump that tests negative on a normal mammogram, an ultrasound may be used to diagnose that lump.
7. Early Detection: An experienced examiner can feel a lump the size of a small pea. Mammography can find a lump the size of a grain of rice, especially with computer assisted detection tools (CAD).
8. Government Intervention: In 2009, The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advised that women over age 74 should stop all breast cancer screening because the practice lacks evidence of clinical benefit. The group based its recommendations on findings that radiology screening for breast cancer lacks evidence of clinical benefit.
9. Controversy Continues: While tests about the effectiveness of breast cancer screening continue through 2010, one conclusion is that a better test is needed. Current screenings offer a 30-percent reduction of breast cancer deaths, while Pap smears result in a 90-percent reduction in cervical cancer deaths. Colorectal screening yields a 60-percent reduction.
10. Further Controversy: When Mammography Screening—truth, lies and controversy was published, the book caused controversy among researchers, policymakers, and physicians. Dr. Gøtzsche, the author and director of The Nordic Cochrane Centre, Copenhagen, describes himself as someone who knew little about mammography when, in 1999, he was asked by the Danish Research Council to do an in-depth assessment of all mammography-related research. This book shows that many more women given regular mammograms are treated for breast cancer than the unscreened women, and these treatments themselves may cause fatalities.
11. Overdiagnosis: A 2012 report reveals that Norwegian researchers analyzed data from 39,888 women with invasive breast cancer through 2006; over ten years, 7,793 women were diagnosed during the screening program. The results showed that an estimated 15 percent to 25 percent of breast cancers (1,169 to 1,948 women) were over diagnosed. This study adds to an increasing body of evidence that this practice has caused a problem for women — diagnosis of breast cancer that wouldn’t cause symptoms or death.

Other Myths and Realities

12. More Over Diagnosis: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over diagnosis is a major concern when screening for any cancer. This is because the screening process may be more likely to detect slow growing cancers or cancers that would not have become symptomatic and therefore never diagnosed. The implication for over diagnosis is that the patients diagnosed with an indolent cancer may end up undergoing an invasive intervention that they would not otherwise need.
13. Diagnostic Imaging Doesn’t Increase Health Care Costs: A new analysis of 2010 Medicare claims data shows that spending on medical imaging continues to decline and that Medicare patients are actually receiving fewer imaging procedures, debunking the myth that life-saving diagnostic imaging exams and radiation therapy are increasing health care costs.
14. Diagnostic Trends and Affects on Medicare: Imaging growth in Medicare is less than two percent per year. Unlike most other Medicare services, spending on medical imaging is at roughly the same level as in 2004.
15. Increased Life Expectancy: A National Bureau of Economic Research study showed that increased use of medical imaging is directly tied to an increase in life expectancy for Americans. And that those who had lesser access to imaging had a smaller increase in life expectancy.
16. Discrepancies in Utilization [PDF]: A Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA) survey of freestanding and outpatient imaging centers shows that the national average equipment utilization rate is only 54 percent. The results, which vary by a variety of characteristics, indicate that the present equipment utilization rate assumption of 75 percent is artificially high.
17. CT Use Increasing in Emergencies: A recent analysis of national trends in use of CT in the emergency department (ED) concludes the increased use of CT in the ED has been associated with a decline in admissions or transfers after CT use.
18. Diagnostic Imaging Cannot Detect Alzheimer’s Disease: There is no blood or imaging test that can be used to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. Although imaging tests may be used in a battery of other tests to rule out other symptoms, after someone dies, an autopsy can be performed to look for physical markers of Alzheimer’s disease in the brain that cannot be seen with imaging tests.
19. Piercings are Permissible During MR: Despite the fear that many healthcare providers harbor that jewelry will fly across the room during a magnetic resonance (MR), most published articles that address MR and piercings show that higher-quality body jewelry containing LVM 316 or 316L stainless steel, titanium, or niobium has been found to be safe even if worn during an MR examination.
20. An MRI Can Be Used in Court: Although one company has been trying to use the magnetic resonance imaging process as a lie-detector test, this process is not as reliable as many hoped. But, in November 2009, MRI brain scans were used in court for the first time. During a sentencing hearing in Illinois for the convicted multiple murderer Brian Dugan, defense attorneys used MRI scans that showed Dugan had abnormal brain functioning.

Career Reasons

1. Higher Pay: CareerBuilder noted in CNN.com that a diagnostic medical sonographer is one of the top ten best-paying jobs for associate degrees. Imagine what an even higher degree might do for a medical sonographer’s salary.
2. Room for Advancement: Advancement can come in the form of higher pay, but medical sonographers also can go on to become nurses or physician assistants. Also, there is room for variety in this job.
3. Wide Variety of Responsibilities: While sonographers perform all requested sonogrphic examinations as ordered by a physician, the responsibilities also include reports, communication with a physicians, addressing the problems of patient care, educational responsibilities to other members of the health care team, and further education on the job as well.
4. Wide Variety of Specialties: There are many specialties that sonographers can choose: ophthalmologic sonography deals with the eyes; abdominal sonography deals with the pancreas, spleen, gallbladder, liver, and kidneys; neurosonography deals with the brain; obstetric and gynecologic sonography deals with the female reproductive system; and echocardiography and vascular technology.
5. Broad Support Systems: By joining an organization for your specialty, you can receive support for your career through networking, peer advice, and opportunities that may not have existed otherwise. Some of these organizations offer job boards, further education, certifications, and news that you might use to further your career.
6. Job Safety [PDF]: Even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) looks after sonographers in the workplace. Constant monitoring and solutions for safety issues can help any sonographer rest assured that this career choice is a safe one.
7. Radiation Exposure Addressed: ASE (American Society of Echocardiography) believes there is a need for a greater awareness of the causes of radiation exposure and adherence to prevention techniques for the working sonographer. ASE is continuing to collect information on this issue and gathering best practices for addressing concerns. ASE will partner with other sonographer and ultrasound organizations to make any information as widely available as possible.
8. Few Risks: Ultrasonography is generally considered a safe imaging modality. Diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound equipment is regulated in the USA by the FDA, and worldwide by other national regulatory agencies. The FDA limits acoustic output using several metrics. Generally other regulatory agencies around the world accept the FDA-established guidelines.
9. Clean Work Environments: Sonographers work in clean environments, sometimes sterile conditions. The field leans toward hospitals with the proper equipment to conduct the sonography profession, but a number of workers are in doctor’s offices, too.
10. Salaries Good Nationwide: While a medical sonographer’s salary is about the same nationwide, your choice of where you live can affect how much you’ll earn. For instance, the top paying state for this occupation is Massachusetts at $80,000 per year annual average salary. The average annual salary nationwide in 2008 was $61,980.
11. Quality Job Offerings: UltrasoundJOBS.com is the only internet recruitment site focused solely on ultrasound professionals. It is a partner of the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), the certifying agency for sonographers and vascular technologists and is the only service of its kind endorsed by the organization.

Educational Reasons

12. Enter a Job Soon: There are several avenues for entry into the field of diagnostic medical sonography. Sonographers may train in hospitals, vocational-technical institutions, colleges or universities, or the Armed Forces. Some training programs prefer applicants with experience in other healthcare professions or high school graduates with courses in mathematics, health, and science.
13. Defined Career Pathways [PDF]: Depending upon how much education you want to pursue, the sonographer’s career is well defined at this moment in time. This makes your education and career choices easy to determine and maintain.
14. Credentials and Exams to Further Your Career: Many employers are seeking sonographers who have the initiative to complete continuing education to stay abreast of advances in this field. Often, these credentials can replace education, and — in some cases — may be applied to experience in the field if you do seek further education.
15. Advanced Placement Possible: If your career path includes radiology, you can move into an educational program intended to provide a pathway to ARRT certification eligibility for individuals who have previously completed an educational program not accredited by a mechanism recognized by the ARRT, or who have completed an accredited program but who are no longer eligible for certification due to unsuccessful examination attempts or expiration of their eligibility time period.
16. More Jobs Available: Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2016 as the population grows and ages, increasing the demand for diagnostic imaging.
17. Grant and Scholarship Opportunities: The International Foundation for Sonography Education and Research (IFSER) has been providing grants, scholarships and products for more than 20 years for the purpose of providing educational opportunities for deserving students entering the field of sonography and for sonographers seeking to further their education.
18. More Grants and Scholarships: The Society for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) Foundation is friendly to students. They offer grants and scholarships, and an international assistance program, too.
19. You Can Seek Training for More Than One Specialty: Sonographers can seek advancement by obtaining competency in more than one specialty. For example, obstetric sonographers might seek training in abdominal sonography to broaden their opportunities and increase their marketability.
20. Sonography Fellowships: If you want to obtain higher education, you can apply for fellowships that can boost you over the top in your career.

The following list is arranged alphabetically by surname.

1. Dr. Janet L. Abrahm is an associate professor at Harvard Medical School and the Division Chief of Adult Palliative Care in the Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Abrahm has over 100 publications, 75 percent of which are in the area of palliative care. She also helped develop and operationalize the Intensive Palliative Care Unit at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
2. Dr. Lucile Adams-Campbell joined Georgetown University, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center in 2008 as Professor of Oncology and Associate Director for Minority Health and Health Disparities Research. Dr. Adams-Campbell, former director of the Howard University Cancer Center, is an internationally recognized expert on health disparities. In 2008, she was elected to the prestigious Institute of Medicine.
3. Dr. Robert Buckman is a medical oncologist at the Princess Margaret Hospital and professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto. He designed and teaches an undergraduate course in “breaking bad news,” which was given the UT Aikins Teaching Award in 1989. In 2003 he received the Fleming medal of the Royal Canadian Institute for the Advancement of Science. He is an adjunct professor at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas.
4. Dr. John Davis is an assistant professor of urology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston Texas, where he holds director titles of the Urology Prostate Program, Prostate Ultrasound Services, and Prostate Cancer Screening. He has received an American Foundation of Urologic Disease Scholar award for proteomic applications in prostate cancer biomarkers. He has participated as an investigator in several clinical trials.
5. Dr. Madhav V. Dhodapkar is the Arthur H. and Isabel Bunker Professor of Medicine and professor of immunobiology, and Chief, Section of Hematology at the Yale School of Medicine. He also is director of hematologic malignancies, Yale Cancer Center. Dr. Dhodapkar’s clinical and research interests focus on the treatment of myeloma with a concentration on tumor-immune responses and development of novel biological therapies.
6. Dr. Andrew Ewald studies how cells build organs and how these same cellular processes can contribute to breast cancer metastasis at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He will receive the American Association of Anatomists’ 2011 Morphological Sciences Award for his “outstanding contributions to the field of epithelial morphogenesis.” Ewald joined the Johns Hopkins faculty in 2008.
7. Dr. David Gandara, professor at the UC Davis Health System, is a leading expert in lung cancer and developmental therapeutics. Dr. Gandara is a recipient of the 1998 Oettinger Memorial Award for lung cancer research, and he has been named one of America’s best medical oncologists for lung cancer by Good Housekeeping magazine and one of America’s top doctors by the Connolly Guide. He also has broad expertise in developing new anti-cancer therapies.
8. Dr. Mary Gospodarowicz is the Medical Director of the Cancer Program at Princess Margaret Hospital and University Health Network and the Regional Vice President of Cancer Care Ontario. She is also the professor and chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Toronto and chief of the Radiation Medicine Program at Princess Margaret Hospital. This year she was appointed as President-Elect of UICC (Union for International Cancer Control).
9. Dr. Stephen M. Hahn is chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania. He was named the new Chair and Henry K. Pancoast Professor of Radiation Oncology at the School of Medicine in 2005. He also directs the Photodynamic Therapy Program and is co-program leader of Radiation Biology. Dr. Hahn has been a driving force in the clinical development of the hypoxia marker drug, EF5, for human use.
10. Dr. Thomas Kieber-Emmons holds the Jossetta Wilkins Chair in Breast Cancer Research and is Deputy Director of the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. He is an acknowledged pioneer for his work on developing peptide mimetics of carbohydrate antigens as vaccines in both the cancer and pathogen areas. His group is focused on bringing the first structurally designed carbohydrate mimetic peptide into the clinic to prevent breast cancer recurrence in high-risk women.
11. Dr. Paul Lambert, professor of oncology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and was one of ten UW-Madison faculty members honored for their research with Kellett Mid-Career Awards. Lambert studies papillomaviruses that cause human cancer and recently identified a novel approach for treating and preventing these cancers. He is an editor of the journal Virology and director of the Cancer Biology graduate program.
12. Professor Sir David Lane is Director of the Cancer Research UK Transformation Research Group at the University of Dundee, where he leads a research team studying human tumor suppressor gene function. He has published more than 290 research articles and is internationally recognized for his original discovery of the p53 protein SV40 T antigen complex and for his many subsequent contributions to the field. David Lane was knighted for his contribution to cancer research in January 2000.
13. Professor Riccardo Lencioni is the Director of the Division of Diagnostic Imaging and Intervention in the Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation at Pisa University Hospital in Italy. He also is an Associate Professor of Radiology in the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Pisa. Professor Lencioni has received more than 40 international awards for his scientific contributions. He is a founder of the International Liver Cancer Association.
14. Scott M. Lippman, M.D. is chair of the Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX and professor, Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, Division of OVP, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX. Worldwide recognition for his work includes receiving the 2005 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation Award for Excellence in Cancer Prevention Research.
15. Dr. Shahla Masood currently holds the positions of professor and chair of the Department of Pathology at University of Florida College of Medicine–Jacksonville and chief of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Shands Jacksonville. She also directs pathology residency training, as well as cytopathology and breast pathology fellowship programs. She defined the cytomorphology of high-risk proliferative breast disease in early 1990s and pioneered the concept of cytomorphology as a breast cancer predictor.
16. Professor Gillies McKenna, director of Gray Institute for Radiation Oncology & Biology, University of Oxford, United Kingdom, is a world expert in radiotherapy research. In 2006, he was recruited to lead the Cancer Research UK-MRC Gray Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology in Oxford. His research focuses on understanding the effect that radiation has on cells and how cancers can become resistant to radiotherapy. He was the 2005 recipient of the Association for Radiation Research Weiss Medal.
17. Dr. Judith Paice currently serves as the director of the Cancer Pain Program in the Division of Hematology-Oncology and a Research Professor of Medicine at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. She also is an RN, and she is using her experiences to chair the 6th Annual Pain and Palliative Care Conference in April 2011. Another passion is teaching pain and palliative care to healthcare professionals in developing countries.
18. Dr. Carolyn I. Sartor is a radiation oncologist who, in her 10-plus years practicing radiation oncology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, led a number of clinical trials, both local and national, including avant-garde trials of intraoperative radiotherapy for early breast cancer and radiosensitization using novel biological therapies for advanced breast cancers. She became internationally known as one of the pre-eminent breast cancer physicians.
19. Dr. Jamie H. Von Roenn is a Professor of Medicine at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology. She is a full member of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University and Co-Director of its Cancer Control Program. She is a frequent and sought after presenter on topics related to breast cancer and palliative medicine.
20. Dr. Heather Wakelee is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Oncology at Stanford University in California where she is the co-leader of the lung cancer disease management group. She is the principal investigator of the ongoing international lung cancer intergroup trial E1505 that is investigating the potential role of bevacizumab in addition to adjuvant chemotherapy for resected early stage non-small cell lung cancer.

The following list is comprised of tests formulated by doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists. While they are not intended to replace a trained medical expert, these tests can provide warning signs for those who walk on the edge of poor physical, mental and emotional health issues. The tests are categorized and listed alphabetically by name within each category.

Heart Health

1. Blood Pressure Check: You might be surprised at how little you know about high blood pressure. Take this WebMD test first, then take the one immediately below:
2. Blood Pressure Risk: Sponsored by the American Heart Association, this test can provide a learning experience for those who are unfamiliar with habits that may cause high blood pressure.
3. Heart Attack Risk Assessment: The American Heart Association steps up again to offer another tool, this time for heart disease, stroke and metabolic syndrome.
4. Heart Study Risks: The Framingham Heart Study is a project of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and Boston University. Learn more about your risk for stroke, coronary heart disease and more.

Addiction Screening

5. Alcohol Screening: Alcohol abuse or dependence affects one in thirteen American adults. Take this test to learn more about your drinking based upon your age, gender and habits. This test is a service of Join Together, a project of the Boston University School of Public Health, that is supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
6. Alcoholism Screening: If you don’t like the test above, take this one as well. If both tests state you might have a problem, then you might want to listen.
7. Phelps-Nourse Test: This test might scare anyone, but never fear…just because you tried nind-altering drugs once in the past does not mean you have an addictive personality. However, if you continue to use them or if you have relatives who are addicted to sugar, alcohol or drugs, then you might be wary.
8. Substance Abuse Evaluation: Learn more about substance abuse, including coffee, tobacco and more. This site also provides links to learn more about drug abuse in adolescents, athletes and during pregnancy.

Weight and Nutrition

9. BMI Calculators: The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) offers an adult BMI (Body Mass Index) calculator as well as one for kids. They also provide widgets that you can add to your Web site.
10. BMI Chart: This chart might help you visualize how much weight you need to lose (or gain) to reach a ‘normal’ body mass index.
11. Eating Disorder: This screen can help you determine if you or loved ones might have Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa.
12. Nutrition Analysis Tool 2.0: Developed by Chris Hewes and Dr. Jim Painter at the University of Illinois, this tool takes your age and allows you to calculate a nutritional diet based upon that age. The site includes learning tools so you can adopt this tool for your new lifestyle.
13. Nutrient Data Laboratory: Use this government-based tool to test the nutrients contained in the foods you eat.

Other Health Tools

14. Grow Charts: The CDC also provides a set of growth chart tools that illustrate the distribution of selected body measurements in U.S. children. These tools contribute to forming an overall clinical impression for the child being measured.
15. Health Priorities: You know you should exercise and eat right, but are these necessities a priority in your life? This is a fun test that you can share with your family.
16. Life Expectancy Calculator: The Living to 100 Life Expectancy Calculator uses the more current and carefully research medical and scientific data to estimate your hopes for a long life.
17. Memory Test: The results may astound you, even if you concentrate. No fair writing down the answers!
18. WebMD Chronic Pain Test: Learn more about the problems caused by chronic pain and learn what you can do about it for yourself or for a loved one.

Mental Health and Wellness

19. Geriatric Depression Scale: Is grandma depressed? Find out by answering the questions on this test, written by Scott Moses, MD. When you’re at that test, look in the left column to find more tests on moods, sleep disorders and more.
20. Great Ideas in Personality: Maintained by Dr. Scott Acton from the Rochester Institute of Technology Department of Psychology, this site deals with scientific research programs in personality psychology. Follow links to take tests and to learn more about various personality topics.
21. Psychological Research on the Net: This link leads to a list of online psychological experiments. The list is updated, so the tests are current, allowing viewers to see the hottest items today’s psychological research. While these tests don’t provide answers to your questions, you are helping researchers with your answers. Additionally, it might prove difficult not to learn something about yourself along the way.
22. Sanity Score: Sign up for a free account and savor the sanity (or insanity) in your life. This test was designed to help you determine what’s going on in your life, recognize issues and learn how to deal with problems one at a time. The sanity quiz was designed by Dr. John Grohol, the psychologist who created PsychCentral.
23. Surveys and Psychological Tests: The BBC offers a list of some amazing tests, both serious and fun, that offer insights into how you feel about yourself and others.
24. You Just Get Me: Rate your personality and view yourself through multicolored bubble results. The answers may amaze you, but only if you’re honest with the quiz.
25. WebMD ADHD Score: Learn more about the symptoms and habits acquired with adult ADHD for yourself or for ADHD for your child. You can print the final report for your doctor.

The list below is categorized, and each link is listed alphabetically to show our readers that we do not favor one resource over another:

Blogs

The following blogs were chosen for popularity and for the most recent updates.

1. Americans For Responsible Imaging: Brought to you by ARI, Americans for Responsible Imaging, a coalition of doctors and patients trying to preserve the American Healthcare system.
2. American Journal of Neuroradiology: This blog focuses on book reviews,cases, editorials and more — all related to neuroradiology.
3. Cochinblogs: Follow this blog to gain insight into images and case files.
4. Dalai’s PACS Blog: This popular blog is provided by “an average Radiologist in an average practice in an average town in the South.”
5. Free Ultrasound Machine Reviews and Tips: Brian Gill is the President of GPS Medical, Inc., a company specializing in sales and service of diagnostic ultrasound equipment with specialties in 3D/4D ultrasound techniques as well as evaluating image quality and ease-of-use of various ultrasound models.
6. Imaging Informatics News: News updates in the field of medical imaging informatics, to include PACS, image acquisition, CAD, processing enhancement, RIS, and related medical imaging information systems.
7. MRI Blog: A technologist in medical imaging shares MRI experiences and links to assorted topics throughout this handsome blog.
8. PACS-aholic: Medical imaging news and an “intoxicating look at the PACS industry.”
9. RadGirl Radiology Blog: Join an anonymous female radiologist who lives and breathes radiology.
10. Radiology Bulletin: This online venue replaces the Word document previously circulated every month.
11. Scan Man’s Notes: Vijay Sadasivam, a radiologist practicing in Salem, a city in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, provides personal insights into radiology and so much more in this popular blog.
12. Sonography News: Diagnostic medical ultrasound imaging news at your fingertips.
13. Stan’s NMR Blog: Magnetic resonance techniques are the main focus here, along with a plethora of information that Stan constantly updates.
14. Sumer’s Radiology Site: Sumer Sethi is the author of very popular handbook, Review of Radiology, for medical students. He also is CEO of the company, Teleradiology Providers.
15. The Daily Scan: Aperio provides daily news and views about digital pathology in this blog.
16. X-Rayted: Follow the thoughts and experiences of a radiographer with a sense of the greatness sometimes found in medicine and the ludicrous often found in life.

Web Sites

17. Aunt Minnie: AuntMinnie provides a forum for radiologists, business managers, technologists, members of organized medicine, and industry to meet, transact, research, and collaborate on topics within the field of radiology with the ease and speed that only the Internet can provide.
18. Diagnostic Imaging: This site provides information for developments in ultrasound across numerous fields.
19. HealthImaging: You can find images, information and knowledge “across the enterprise” through this site.
20. Image: Enjoy blogs, a magazine, data sheets, a jobs database and a directory all focused on reaching CEOs, CFOs, CIO/IS managers and supervisors, hospital and other medical administrators, PACS administrators, purchasing and QA managers, radiologists, radiation oncologists, radiologic technologists, radiation therapists, sonographers, educators and students enrolled in radiology programs nationwide.
21. Learning Radiology: Follow the case of the week and delve into quizzes, an image DDX, and mroe with this Web site.
22. Obstetric Ultrasound: Dr. Joseph Woo has compiled over 500 noteworthy medical resources pertaining to obstetrics and sonography. This is a must-go-to site for anyone interested in this field.
23. RadRounds: No imaging expert worth his/her salt would be caught dead without this site in bookmarks. This site is useful for many purposes including networking.
24. RadsWiki: Join in on the fun with this radiology wiki that focuses on numerous categories and methodologies. This site has grown to feature over 1,572 articles and 3,769 images since February 2007.
25. RadWorking: This search engine was designed specifically to search for radiology jobs, rad tech jobs, radiation therapist jobs, ultrasound jobs, nuclear medicine jobs, teleradiology jobs, MRI jobs, mammography jobs and many other radiology job specialties.
26. Sonography.it: This is a distance-learning website for musculoskeletal sonography education. To enter the website, it is necessary to register yourself as user.
27. SonoWorld: SonoWorld is dedicated to the mission of bringing free or low-cost educational materials and information to the global ultrasound community.
28. Yottalook: Try out this medical imaging search engine for Web, journals, teaching files, images, books and anything else you can dream up.

Associations

Most of the associations listed below also have online representations of their medical journals, which is why we did not list those publications:

29. American College of Radiology: For over three quarters of a century, ACR has devoted its resources to making imaging safe, effective and accessible to those who need it. This society has over 34,000 members including radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, interventional radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians.
30. American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine: AIUM is a multidisciplinary association dedicated to advancing the safe and effective use of ultrasound in medicine through professional and public education, research, development of guidelines, and accreditation.
31. American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography: ARDMS is an independent, nonprofit organization that administers examinations and awards credentials in the areas of diagnostic medical sonography, diagnostic cardiac sonography, vascular interpretation and vascular technology.
32. American Roentgen Ray Society: ARRS, founded in 1900, is the first and oldest radiology society in the United States.
33. American Society of Echocardiography: ASE is a professional organization of physicians, cardiac sonographers, nurses and scientists involved in echocardiography, the use of ultrasound to image the heart and cardiovascular system.
34. Canadian Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers: SEMC includes in its membership ultrasound professionals from all specialty areas of Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound, as well as technical representatives, physicians, educators and students.
35. Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation: This organization focuses on the new therapy of focused ultrasound. The site contains information for patients, researchers and clinicians.
36. Radiological Society of North America: Founded in 1915, the Radiological Society of North America is a professional membership society committed to excellence in patient care through education and research.
37. Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine: SIIM is devoted to advance computer applications and information technology in medical imaging through education and research.
38. Society for Vascular Ultrasound: SVU has represented vascular technologists, vascular physicians, vascular lab managers, nurses, and other allied medical ultrasound professionals since 1977.
39. Society of Breast Imaging: SBI is a professional medical organization dedicated to improving the practice of breast imaging, enhancing the quality of breast imaging education and providing a medium for the exchange of ideas among those involved in breast imaging.
40. Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography: The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) is a non-profit association for ultrasound professionals.

Books, Journals and Downloads

41. Atlas of Foot and Ankle Sonography: A free download from Free Medical eBooks and Lectures, this book was prepared by two leading experts in musculoskeletal ultrasound and a well-known podiatrist.
42. Interscience Sonography: Wiley InterScience provides access to over 3 million articles across nearly 1500 journals and 7000 Online Books and major reference works. This link leads to a vast list of sonography articles.
43. Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Read more about the latest diagnostic techniques and interpretation methods, thought-provoking case reports, most practical research applications, and the newest hardware/software technologies and equipment, in a variety of specialty areas.
44. MDConsult: This link leads to a search for sonography at MDConsult. Scroll down that page to learn about all the resources that this site offers to sonographers.
45. OpenPDF Sonography: This link leads to the downloads for sonography, including images of head and neck lipomas, an analysis of sonographic images of the breast and more.
46. Pelviperineology: This is the official Journal of Australian Association of Vaginal and Incontinence Surgeons,
    Integrated Pelvis Group, Società Interdisciplinare del Pavimento Pelvico and Perhimpunan Disfungsi Dasar Panggul Wanita Indonesia.
47. PubMed Sonography: PubMed is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s online representative. This link leads to over 28,000 results for “sonography.”
48. Radiation Oncology: This is an open access, peer-reviewed online journal that encompasses all aspects of research that impacts on the treatment of cancer using radiation. It publishes findings in molecular and cellular radiation biology, radiation physics, radiation technology, and clinical oncology.
49. Radiology Today: This magazine covers day-to-day and strategic issues that affect your department or facility. Be sure to visit their blog as well.
50. Sonography at Google Books: Wrap your head around a large variety of textbooks, books for the public and medical books intended for patients and professionals at this list.

General Information about Childbirth and Natural Childbirth

Learn general information about natural childbirth, and what it entails. Also, learn about the pros and cons of delivering a baby without the use of drugs to numb the pain.

1. “Labor and Birth” from WomensHealth.gov: This is a look at labor and birth in general, and includes information on natural childbirth and other birth options, including cesarean delivery. It is a good idea to get a comprehensive view of your options before choosing one.
2. “Childbirth” from Medline Plus: A service from the National Institutes of Health, Medline Plus offers a great deal of health information. The entry on childbirth is a good look at options, and specific conditions that you might run into. A great resource for helping you decide whether or not natural childbirth is right for you.
3. Childbirth.org: This site covers all aspects of pregnancy and delivery. This site includes information on natural childbirth and helps you compare it to other types of childbirth options.
4. American Pregnancy Association: Learn about different options for pregnancy and childbirth. Read about different types of natural childbirth, understand the risks, and decide what be healthiest for you.
5. “Natural childbirth” from Wikipedia: A comprehensive article about natural childbirth, its historical precedents, the physical and psychological aspects of natural childbirth and preparation for giving birth in a more natural setting.
6. NaturalChildbirth.org: This organization is dedicated to providing information about natural childbirth and preparing women who decide to make this decision. There are a number of articles on a number of subjects related to natural childbirth, and to baby care after the birth. There is also a blog that is updated regularly.
7. “Natural childbirth” from BabyCenter: This article goes through the advantages and disadvantages of natural childbirth. It also provides helpful information that can help you determine whether or not going this route is the right thing for you.
8. “Natural Childbirth from KidsHealth: Learn about the basics of natural childbirth, and what qualifies as “natural.” Also, get an idea of what types of pregnancies are especially suited for natural childbirth, and what sorts of pregnancies are too high risk for this type of birth plan. You can also learn how to prepare for natural childbirth, and safety precautions that can be taken.
9. “Natural Childbirth” from The Natural Family Site: Learn about natural childbirth and its advantages. You can also learn about how to prepare for natural childbirth in order to make sure you are ready for its unique challenges.
10. Have a Natural Childbirth: This site is run by doulas and midwives who work hard to dispel myths about childbirth and, more particularly, about natural childbirth. You can also see links to great birth stories.

Methods of Natural Childbirth

While a natural childbirth is one that is defined as one that does not use medication or surgery, there are a number of different methods that go about promoting natural childbirth. Here are some sites that can help you learn about different methods of natural childbirth.

11. “Natural Childbirth Options” from MedicineNet.com: This article is a helpful and basic overview of some of the available options for natural childbirth. Birthing centers, water births and home births are covered. Additionally, there is information on how natural childbirth can be safe.
12. Lamaze.org: This site focuses on the Lamaze method of natural childbirth. Emphasis is placed on breathing and relaxation techniques, as well as getting a partner involved with your birth experience. This site is full of information about childbirth options as well, helping you to make more educated decisions.
13. Birthing from Within: This Web site looks at natural childbirth as part of a holistic experience. You can learn about birthing using natural methods, learn about different ways of coping with pain, learn how to use meditation as part of your experience, and sign up for classes that might be in your area.
14. The Bradley Method: This is a particular method of childbirth that focuses on helping you get through childbirth with coaching from the baby’s father.
15. Hypnobirthing: Learn about how you can hypnotize yourself to deal with the challenges of natural childbirth. This type of natural childbirth method focuses on visualization and relaxation techniques.
16. Waterbirth.org: The idea of making a natural transition from womb to world is becoming increasingly popular. Waterbirthing allows babies to move from an environment that is liquid (the womb) into another water environment. Waterbirthing is an interesting natural childbirth technique that can be done at a center, or in the home.
17. “Is Homebirth for You?” from GentleBirth.org: Learn about home birth and different aspects of birthing at home. Addresses safety and health issues, and provides information on the benefits available with home birth.
18. “How to Have Natural Childbirth in the Hospital” from Keeper of the Home: This article describes how you can arrange to have a natural childbirth in the hospital. Yes, it is possible to have a natural experience in the hospital. And if complications arise, you are already on site.

Midwives and Doulas

Often, those who are interested in natural childbirth hire the services of a midwife or a doula. These practitioners are specifically trained in helping with birthing, and usually have expertise in natural childbirth techniques. It is worth noting that you can usually have your midwife or doula present if you decide to go to the hospital. Here are some sites that can provide you with information related to midwives and doulas.

19. Midwife & Doula Services: Learn about what is involved with natural childbirth aided by a midwife or doula. Find someone locally, and learn more about how these practitioners can enhance the birth experience.
20. “How to Choose a Midwife or Doula” from BabyFit.com: It is a good idea to interview different midwives and doulas to find one that works well with you and who fits with your idea of a successful natural childbirth.
21. “What’s the Difference Between Midwives and Doulas?” from Life123: This article focuses on the differences between midwives and doulas. These birthing professionals have different training, and different sets of skills. This article can help you decide which would be best for your natural childbirth.
22. BirthPartners.com: This directory can help you learn more about midwives and doulas, as well as provide you with a way to connect with birthing professionals in your local area.
23. “Midwives and Doulas” from Mothering.com: This resource page offers a number of informational articles and stories about midwives and doulas. Learn about the legacy of these birth partners, and how they relate to natural childbirth.
24. American College of Nurse-Midwives: Offers information on natural childbirth, as well as news from the pregnancy and childbirth realm. Learn about how a nurse midwife can enhance your natural childbirth with training in birthing from a medical tradition standpoint.
25. DONA International: This Web site focuses on the doula tradition. Information about doulas, natural childbirth and the latest birthing news is offered. There is also a helpful forum where you can interact with other mothers-to-be and have doulas answer your questions.

The following courses have been categorized by schools and by individual courses, and they represent the top classes offered by any given college source. Both the categories and the links to the courses are alphabetized to demonstrate that we do not favor one school or course over another.

Harvard Medical School

This Open Courseware initiative offers a large number of courses with a variety of options including free lecture materials, pay-by-the-hour textbooks and more. The courses listed below contain the most popular and populated courses within Harvard’s offerings:

1. Advanced Clerkship in Diagnostic Radiology: Over fifteen documents that discuss radiological basics, including “Name that Valve” and radiology of chest infections.
2. Cellular Metabolism and Human Disease: Over fifty documents for reading and writing guidelines, schedules and lectures on cellular metabolism and human disease.
3. Health Management For Older Adults: Developing An Interdisciplinary Approach: Learn how from topics as varied as working in a “flawed mental health care system” to complexities of health care reform to information about health panels within Harvard and more. Some documents are forward-looking 2010 lectures and information.
4. Human Pathophysiology: Resources here date from 2006 to 2008 and include movies and lectures that focus on Type II diabetes.
5. Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Disease: Learn from lecture notes, illustrations and photographs and case studies on subjects such as HIV and AIDS.
6. Introduction to Health Care Policy: The major focus on these materials is on introductions to health care policy from almost eighty perspectives.
7. Radiology Teaching Files: Case studies and resident discussions can provide source materials for various radiology topics.
8. Structural Acupuncture for Physicians: This category contains ninety PDF source materials, many as recent as 2008, that focus on various acupuncture techniques and learning processes for the medical profession.
9. SuperCourse: Emergency Medicine: Learn how to apply for emergency courses, about pediatric emergency care, about trauma department management and more through over two hundred documents.
10. The Human Body: Learn about the human body through approximately thirty tools such as Powerpoint presentations, flashcards, images, notes and more.

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s Open Courseware project focuses on this school’s most popular courses. The list below contains just a handful of categories available with lists of health and medical courses and information:

11. Aging: As the Baby Boomer population ages, the need for more information about geriatrics grows. Use these courses to learn more about aging and its implications for individuals, families and societies.
12. Chronic Diseases: Learn from an in-depth course on cancer diagnosis and treatment, public health faculty interviews, biological sciences and psychological research in these available courses on chronic diseases.
13. Environmental Health: Study urban and rural food, air and water environments and how they affect population health in these courses.
14. General Public Health: Learn about and challenge current public health issues, including the newest course, Fundamentals of Epidemiology II, which follows up Johns Hopkins’ Open Courseware course, Fundamentals of Epidemiology I.
15. Health Policy: Expect courses on policy development, economic theory and policy, case studies of personal experience in encountering health policies and more.
16. Infectious Disease: Terrorism, influenza, malaria and public health issues are tackled in the courses offered in this category.
17. Injury Prevention: A focus on preventative medicine, with guides to injury control, examination of health issues, occupational health program considerations and principles of industrial hygiene are included in these courses.
18. Maternal and Child Health: Family planning, individual health, infant mortality and perinatal health from an international perspective are included in these courses.
19. Population Science: Learn more about the development, organization and management of family and community health planning on a global basis.
20. Public Health Preparedness: Learn about the avian influenza, case studies that reinforce basic concepts and principles of terrorism preparedness and response and more from this category.

MIT

MIT carries both undergraduate and graduate courses in their Health Sciences and Technology Open Courseware project. The following courses are some of the most recent health and medical subjects and biology science courses added to their curriculum:

21. Biomedical Information Technology: Biological and medicinal examples are used to to illustrate complete life cycle information systems, beginning with data acquisition, following to data storage and finally to retrieval and analysis. [Fall 2008]
22. Biomedical Signal and Image Processing: Learn the principles and algorithms for processing both deterministic and random signals and the problems presented in biomedical research and clinical medicine. [Spring 2007]
23. Designing and Sustaining Technology Innovation for Global Health Practice: Learn how to think like a health practice entrepreneur in a global setting through lectures, skills-based tutorial sessions and research. [Spring 2008]
24. Developmental and Molecular Biology of Regeneration: This course is one of MIT’s many advanced undergraduate seminars, tailored for students with an interest in using primary research literature to discuss and learn about current biological research in a highly interactive setting. [Spring 2008]
25. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Data Acquisition and Analysis: Obtain information relevant to the conduct and interpretation of human brain mapping studies through this course. [Fall 2008]
26. Information Technology in the Health Care System of the Future: This course illustrate how information technologies (IT) continue to shape and redefine the health care marketplace. [Spring 2007]
27. Molecular Biology and Genetics in Modern Medicine: This course provides a foundation for understanding relationships among molecular biology, developmental biology, genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, and medicine. [Fall 2007]
28. Narrative Ethics: Literary Texts and Moral Issues in Medicine: This is an eight-session course designed for undergraduate medical students and that uses literary narratives and poetry to study medicine’s ethical issues. [January 2007]
29. Projects in Microscale Engineering for the Life Sciences: Enjoy a project-based introduction to manipulating and characterizing cells and biological molecules using microfabricated tools for first-year undergraduate students. [Spring 2007]
30. The DNA Damage Response as a Target for Anti-Cancer Therapy: Cellular responses to DNA damage has become one of the most important fields in cancer biology. Learn more here. [Fall 2008]

TUFTS

Tufts’ Open Courseware programs highlight this university’s proclivity for life sciences in addition to its multidisciplinary approach and international perspective. The following courses include popular courses from Tufts School of Medicine, based upon their most popular documents within these courses:

31. Cardiovascular Pathophysiology: This course requires basic cardiac physiology knowledge and it expands on the discussion of the hemodynamic perturbations of cardiac function. [Spring 2008]
32. Epidemiology and Biostatistics: Learn about the basic skills required to critique medical literature within epidemiology and biostatistical boundaries. [Fall 2004/2005]
33. Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology: Explore the pathophysiology of a variety of gastrointestinal disorders from gastroesophageal reflux disease to cirrhosis. [Spring 2007]
34. Human Growth and Development: One of the more popular courses at this site, because it is geared toward understand the human body through all stages of life development. [Spring 2006]
35. Introduction to Clinical Pain Problems: This program, founded in 1999, provides health care professionals with a plan for optimal pain management for patients. [Spring 2007]
36. Microbiology: Learn about infectious agents with an emphasis on pathobiology. [Fall 2004/2005]
37. Nutrition and Medicine: This is one of the few open courses (or paid courses) on theoretical to clinical aspects of nutrition for students who study medicine. [Fall 2006]
38. Pathophysiology of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism: The lectures in this course cover a wide range of subjects, from Pituitary Neoplasia to Goiter and Thyroid Nodular Disease. [Spring 2005]
39. Population Medicine: How does individual health affect public health? Learn the answers to this question and more with this course. [Fall 2006]
40. Renal Pathophysiology: Learn more about the kidneys, the most important endocrine organ, and how they adapt to extra-renal disturbances. [Spring 2006]

Other Courses

The following courses were collected from a variety of Open Courseware Projects that have proven popular for health and medical reasons. The source of the Open Courseware is listed after the description.

41. Changing the Face of American Healthcare: This seminar invites users to learn about the American health care system’s strengths and weaknesses and to explore the future of this country’s health care. [University of Notre Dame]
42. Frontiers of Biomedical Engineering: Professor W. Mark Saltzman covers the basic concepts of biomedical engineering and their connection with the spectrum of human activity. [Open Yale Courses]
43. Fundamentals of Clinical Trials: This overview explores how the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) conducts clinical trials and touches on regulations and guidelines. [UCIrvine]
44. Health Assessment and Promotion: Learn about the complete health assessment, the nursing process and its relationship to the prevention and early detection of disease in clients across the life span. [UMass Boston]
45. Images of Memorable Cases: Case 123: This is just one of over one hundred images that focus on various body conditions, diagnosis and treatments. This 42-year-old cocaine addict complained of
    longstanding nasal stuffiness and recurrent epistaxis happens to be the most popular within this series. [Rice Connexions]
46. Issues in Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Why are more people turning to complementary and/or alternative medicine? Learn more about these choices with this course. [Open University]
47. Medicine and Public Health in American History: History offers a way to view the past concepts of disease, health and healing in this country. Learn, too, about the changing role and image of medicine and the medical professions with this course. [University of Notre Dame]
48. Professional Issues in Nursing: This is the first nursing course in this RN-BS online program. Learn critical reading, thinking and writing skills needed to complete this course’s requirements. [UMass Boston]
49. Regulatory Requirements for Pharmaceutical Products: Individuals who are involved in manufacturing, quality control, research and development, and clinical studies will learn the latest information about regulatory requirements for pharmaceutical products. [UCIrvine]
50. The Biopsychosocial Model of Health and Illness: This is one of the most popular medicinal topics at this site, with “aims to define the biopsychosocial model, explicate its implications in health care, characterize the nature of past and present perceptions of health and what factors influenced change” and more. [Rice Connexions]

1. Soft drinks: We’ve all heard the horror stories about how drinking soda will rot your teeth, and the sugar in them will contribute to obesity. If you drink a great deal of soda, this is probably true. But what if you only have about two cans a day (that’s about 24 ounces)? Carbonated drinks, when taken in moderation, can boost memory and even possible delay Alzheimer’s. The key is the fact that humans have a “glucose memory system”. When you have the amount of sugar in a can of soda, your memory retention improves. And, these benefits can be further felt when you drink soda fortified with vitamins and minerals. Just be careful not to overdo it.
2. Chewing gum: Not only are we told that gum chewing is a disgusting and noisy habit, but we are also cautioned that it can wreak havoc on our teeth, and cause other problems. However, if you can chew quietly and discreetly, and confine your gum-chewing to sugar-free, it is possible to reap a few health benefits from gum. Gum chewing can relieve stress, prevent tooth decay (as long as it is sugar free) and even aid in memory functions. If you chew right after a meal, you can reduce the effect of food acids on your teeth. The military is even considering using gum as a replacement for toothbrushes for some soldiers.
3. Alcohol: We’ve all heard the horror stories related to binge drinking. And, indeed, alcohol is a culprit when it comes to diabetes, liver damage, heart disease, cancer and other health problems. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its good points. Indeed, moderate alcohol consumption can stave off the very health problems large amounts of drinking can create. Moderation means 1 – 4 drinks a day, depending on your age, sex, weight and other factors. A drink is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of liquor. Recovering alcoholics should abstain.
4. Caffeine: Long maligned for its ability to raise the heart rate and possibly cause hypertension, caffeine is often looked on as something undesirable. It’s addictive qualities also need to be taken into consideration. However, in moderate amounts, caffeine can actually provide health benefits. Caffeine can help with mood, help reduce headaches, reduce the risk of colon cancer and even help you keep your diabetes under control. However, like other foods, you should take your caffeine in moderation. Keep it to between 1 and 3 cups of coffee for your best chance reaping some health benefits.
5. Swearing: We’re often told not to swear. It’s impolite. It’s a bad habit that showcases your lack of vocabulary. It can also ease your pain. What? That’s right. According to a recent study at Keele University in Britain, swearing can actually increase your ability to tolerate pain. Using curse words is a way to help your brain and body cope with pain — especially sudden pain.
6. Anger: Just as we’re told to avoid swearing, we’re also counseled to hold in our anger. Being angry, we are told, can increase hypertension and contribute to heart disease. However, holding it in all the time may not be the best thing for you, either. Instead, carefully channeling your anger, blowing off steam, can actually result in increased optimism and control. Anger can also aid in decision making when properly used. Watch out for fear and frustration, though. Those emotions are less helpful than fear.
7. Stress: Don’t get stressed out, right? Wrong. Even though prolonged stress can be bad for you, reducing you immune response, in some cases stress is helpful. Stress can push you to improve your performance, and it can help keep you alert and energized. Just watch out for periods of long and excessive stress. Those can be detrimental to your health.
8. Loud Music: No, you don’t have to turn it down. Loud music can provide benefits for your brain. There is a part of the inner ear, called the sacculus, that responds musical beats. According to the folks at Britain’s Manchester University, the sacculus doesn’t have anything to do with hearing — but it does connect to the brain’s pleasure centers. You can become happier and more responsive, thanks to a little help from your favorite rock group.
9. Video Games: A sedentary lifestyle and brain-rotting activities are often associated with video games. However, it appears that playing video games can boost your metabolism. And you don’t even need to be playing motion games on the Wii. When playing intense video games and mock martial arts games, such as Resident Evil and Tekken, heart rates elevate and breathing quickens. However, it is important that videos are no substitute for actual vigorous exercise. But it’s better than just sitting there, watching TV.
10. Fidgeting: Children are always been told not to fidget, and as adults we try to control the impulse to shift about. But maybe fidgeting isn’t such a bad thing. There is some evidence that fidgeting can actually fight fat. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic estimate that fidgeting behavior — yawning, stretching, finger drumming, twitching and tapping — can burn up to 350 calories a day. Over the course of a year, it is possible to make a difference of between 10 and 30 pounds in your weight.
11. Being Lazy: We’re often told that being lazy is bad for you. You fall behind, and being sedentary will contribute to weight gain, we’re told. But a certain amount of laziness is actually good for you. The rest helps give you time to rejuvenate, and it can even help you relieve the bad kind of stress. Extra points if you use some of your lazy time for meditation.
12. Daydreaming: Sure, you may get called out at work or in class for daydreaming, but this “bad habit” can actually be good for you. Daydreaming not only provides us with an escape and a brief respite from problems, but it can also contribute to information sorting. It is an interesting cognitive state that is necessary to increase the effectiveness of the way you process information.
13. A Dirty House: OK, so living in a sty will probably result in poor health. Not to mention making your home extremely unpleasant to live in. However, there is nothing wrong with avoiding making your home perfectly sterile. In fact, overuse of the chemicals commonly used in housecleaning can be more adverse than keeping your home spotless. Studies show that early exposure to cleaning chemicals can increase the chance that children will develop asthma and serious allergies by an early age.
14. Getting Dirty: As children, we’re told to avoid dirt and getting dirty. Interestingly, though, this is not always the best thing. Dirt and soil contain a certain type of bacteria that is actually good for you. This bacteria stimulates the immune system and also triggers serotonin, which contributes to feelings of well-being.
15. Untidiness: I almost never make my bed. And, apparently, that’s a good thing. House dust mites love the bedroom. A made bed retains the moisture and warmth from the night before. This provides an ideal environment for dust mites, which can then be inhaled and cause allergies and other problems. But an unmade bed allows the moisture to dissipate and the warmth to disappear, causing dust mites to die.
16. Bingo: B-I-N-G-O! Playing bingo actually has a good effect on you. While gambling can be addictive and dangerous, it can also provide you with a bit of excitement and keep you alert. Bingo also has the added benefit of getting you out of the house and socializing, which can be important to emotional health, especially for those who are aging.
17. Online Poker: The rise in popularity of online poker has led to a number of problems. However, when indulged in occasionally, online poker can be positive. It stimulates brain activity, and provides you with some sort of social interaction (albeit online). However, it is important to be careful not to compromise your finances with online poker. Maybe just hit the free fun poker sites.

1. iFitness This downloadable application clearly demonstrates how to do particular exercises. Compared to reading the exercise instructions from a book, it proves to be much more effective. The application has the ability to generate photos for the instruction of over 130 exercises loaded into the application. This application acts like your own personal trainer as it has exercises for specific training needs. The instructions are clear and simple to follow for the particular exercises.
2. Healthy Cubby Lite Social Fitness This application assists you in setting realistic fitness goals that you are likely to meet in your weight loss training program. The application comprises of weekly and long-term goals for your strength training, cardio exercises, and weight training. Having friends to boost your morale and determination to achieve your goals is helpful since this application also helps you to connect with at least seven friends to be your workout buddies. This helps you monitor each other’s progress and have fun in the process as well.
3. Personal Best This is an application for those serious about their fitness program. This application enables you to record your best records on separate sets of exercises including running, weight training, among other forms of exercises.
4. iMapMyRide The iMapMyRide is an iPhone application for bikers. The application lets you record and looks up on information concerning the paths that you took. You can get access to the maps of you bike rides which can generate useful information concerning areas in which you need to improve.  There is an online version of this application that is accessible through the iPhone and it can prove to be worthy in your biking training.
5. Nutrition Complete This nutrition application lets you make a diet and nutritional plan in regards to your age and gender. The application goes further to give you nutritional information concerning the foods you are taking in. This application is unique because unlike other nutritional applications it has information from the largest USDA database.
6. Restaurant Nutrition This application will help you keep healthy as you choose the different foods in your favorite restaurant. It provides you with nutritional information of the food menus. It will also provide you with an updated menu from local popular restaurants in your area. The minute a new savory delight is made available you become informed and you may head to the restaurant to devour.
7. GoodFoodNearYou This is also an eating application that assists you in maintaining healthier eating habits. It informs you of the available healthy foods from the diners, grocery markets, convenience stores, supermarkets and fast food restaurants. All information concerning healthy foods from these places will be provided by the iPhone application.

An effective way of acquiring adequate sonography training is by pursuing a bachelor’s degree which takes a four year duration. Currently many health workers like radiology technologists and obstetric nurses have realized the potential benefit that accompanies a diagnostic medical sonography degree. They have advanced their career prospects by pursuing this degree. Some course work units studied while pursuing the diagnostic medical sonography degree include patient care, medical ethics, and physiology.

A person who has a degree in diagnostic medical sonography degree has more career growth opportunities than those individuals pursuing associate programs or sonography certificates. Pursuing a degree in sonography also enables you to specialize in your area of interests for example in abdominal sonography, cardiac sonography, neuro-sonography, cardiac sonography and vascular sonography. Specialization in specific sonography fields increases your marketability and ensures that you earn a higher salary.

Basically specialists in sonography make use of ultrasound equipments to control any form of high frequency waves that may be in a patient’s body. It detects this by showing the position and shape of that body part. However, a doctor will have to analyze the information shown to deduce the correct diagnosis. Both the associate’s and bachelor’s diagnostic medical sonography degree holders enter the job market with adequate skills to work as diagnostic medical sonographer. The associate degree program takes two years and it’s more popular. However, the bachelor’s degrees graduates who earn more are more likely to be promoted.