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Clinical trials: Is one
a good choice for you?
Even if subjects like chemistry and biology
gave you fits in high school, you can still
contribute to medical science. Just join a
clinical trial.
According to the National Institutes
of Health, clinical trials are health-related
research studies that help medical profes-
sionals learn new and better ways to care
for patients.
Among other things, trials may focus
on:
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Experimental drugs or new combina-
tions of drugs.
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New surgical techniques or devices.
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Improved ways to diagnose disease.
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More effective ways to prevent illness or
improve the quality of life for people with
chronic illnesses.
Each trial is conducted in phases and
has specific participation guidelines. A
study may only be open to people of a cer-
tain age, gender or ethnicity, for example.
Or it may be limited to people with specific
health conditions.
While there are potential benefits to
participating in a clinical trial, there also are
risks. Be sure you understand both before
you sign up.
For more information, talk to your
doctor.
L Y M E D I S E A S E
It’s time for ticks
Bug bites are, for the most part, an annoy-
ance. But at other times, they can lead to
big problems.
That’s true for thousands of people
bitten each year by deer ticks carrying
Lyme disease, the most common bugborne
disease in the U.S.
Untreated, the bacterium that causes
Lyme disease can be serious. It can lead to
joint pain and nervous system problems—
and sometimes to heart trouble and severe
fatigue.
See it and feel it
Usually, the first sign of Lyme disease
is a circular rash—much like a bull’s-eye—
that starts out as a small red spot at the site
of the bite and then expands. It can range
in size from fairly small (the size of a coin)
to quite large (the width of a person’s back).
Early symptoms include fever, fatigue,
headache, a stiff neck and body aches. If
the disease is diagnosed and treated with
antibiotics at this early stage, most people
recover quickly and completely—which is
why you should see your doctor right away
if you have symptoms. He or she will take a
detailed medical history and possibly order
a screening test.
Prevent it
Most tick bites occur in the summer,
when ticks and people share campsites,
backyards, gardens and other outdoor spots.
Before you go into these areas, put on
a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, a hat and
shoes that cover your whole foot. Light-
colored clothes make ticks easier to see.
When you come back inside, remove
your clothes and check yourself for ticks.
If you find a tick, remove it. Grab the
bug with tweezers, and pull it straight out.
Your risk of Lyme disease is greatly reduced
if a tick is attached to your skin for less than
24 hours.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Institutes
of Health; U.S. Food and Drug Administration
The maximum amount of time you should
keep cold, perishable food unrefrigerated
when outdoors. If the tempera-
ture is above 90 degrees, the
time is one hour. Warm weather
promotes bacteria growth and
can make food unsafe to eat.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
1
BILLION
The number of
pollen grains a
single ragweed
plant can pro-
duce. Ragweed is
a common cause
of hay fever in
most states.
American Academy of Al-
lergy, Asthma & Immunology
The number of Americans who will be diagnosed
with skin cancer in their lifetime. Regular use of a
broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection
factor (SPF) of 30 or higher may protect your skin.
American Academy of Dermatology
2
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