Daily Rounds: Stress Vs. Anxiety; Gay Marriage Boosts Health; Universal Care In MA; The Doctor In The Lawsuit

Anxiety vs. Stress: What's The Difference? "Acute stress is adaptive. It helps us make beneficial decisions. The biochemical hallmark of acute stress is the release of epinephrine (adrenaline) from the adrenal glands, which sit atop the kidneys. But if everyday experiences of stress start to aggregate and snowball, they can lead to chronic stress. High levels of circulating epinephrine over the long term, coupled with the release of the stress hormone cortisol, can cause or exacerbate severe health problems, like heart disease, obesity, and suppression of the immune system. Chronic stress can also contribute to the risk of developing depression." (huffingtonpost.com)

Legalized Same-Sex Marriage May Boost Gay Men's Health - US News and World Report (health.usnews.com) "Gay men who live in states where same-sex marriage is legal are healthier, have less stress, make fewer doctor visits and have lower health-care costs, a new study finds. It included more than 1,200 patients at a large Massachusetts health clinic that provides services for gay men and other sexual minorities.During the 12 months after the 2003 legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts, there was a significant decrease in medical care visits, mental health visits and mental health-care costs among gay and bisexual men, compared to the 12 months before the law changed."

Mass. lawmakers weigh universal health care bill - Boston.com "Beacon Hill lawmakers are planning to hear testimony on two bills designed to create universal health coverage in Massachusetts. The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing has scheduled a public hearing Thursday on the bill that would create a public health insurance plan to compete with private insurance plans. The bill's sponsor, state Sen. James Eldridge, said the so-called "public option" would give consumers more choice while increasing competition and reducing insurance costs.A second bill also filed by the Acton Democrat would create a so-called single-payer health care system for Massachusetts, guaranteeing health care coverage for every resident." (boston.com)

Doctor and Patient: When the Doctor Gets Sued - NYTimes.com "Within months of completing my training, I received the call that every doctor dreads. “You’ve been named in a malpractice lawsuit,” said the hospital administrator on the other end of the line." (well.blogs.nytimes.com)

Gingrich Push On Health Care Appears At Odds With G.O.P. (The New York Times) "During the Bush administration, he was a leading Republican advocate for the costly expansion of Medicare, which many in his party now regret. And he and his center pushed some policies that are reflected in Mr. Obama’s health care record — a record Mr. Gingrich regularly criticizes on the campaign trail. All the while, his center functioned as a sort of high-priced club where companies joined him in working the corridors of power in Washington and in state capitals."