Paxlovid May Lower Long COVID Risk, VA Study Suggests
Use of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) in older adults with risk factors for severe disease was associated with a roughly 25% lower risk of a post-COVID condition (PCC), a retrospective study of Veterans Affairs data showed. In the cohort of over 280,000 patients with a confirmed COVID case, 13% of those prescribed nirmatrelvir-ritonavir went on to develop […]
How fit is your gut microbiome? New research shows duration and not intensity of exercise is most important
Exercise has many benefits — strengthening muscles and bones, preventing disease and extending lifespan. It is also known to change the composition and activity of the trillions of microbes in our guts known as the microbiome. It is well known that the microbiomes of athletes are different from those who are sedentary. This is not […]
Obesity risk may pass from mothers to daughters
Women with obesity may share risk for the disease with their daughters, but not their sons, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Obesity is a common, serious and costly disease affecting nearly half of the adults and 20 percent of children in the United States. […]
The 4 Biggest Early Warning Signs Before A Heart Attack
The Good Brigade via Getty Images While knowing the risk factors for heart disease is important, it’s also crucial that you’re aware of the early warning signs of a heart attack. While it’s well-known that issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and not enough exercise are risk factors for a heart attack, many people […]
Sickle Cell Disease Patients Miss Out on Decades of Life
A cohort study of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries with sickle cell disease (SCD) showed a life expectancy of just 52.6 years, well below that of the general population. And among SCD patients, survival varied by sex and insurance status. Men, individuals covered by Medicare for disabilities or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and the dual-eligible were […]
Opinion | There’s No ‘Recipe’ to Reduce Dementia Risk — Yet
Numbers don’t lie — dementia is a global health crisis. According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, dementia impacts more than 55 million individuals worldwide, and there are over 10 million new cases each year. In the U.S. alone, more than 6 million people are living with Alzheimer’s. Because dementia impacts not only the person with the […]
Contrary to Guidelines, 5-ASA Often Prescribed in Pediatric Crohn’s Disease
DENVER — Even though guidelines discourage the use of 5-aminosalicylate (5-ASA) in pediatric Crohn’s disease, a substantial percentage of children are still being treated with the anti-inflammatory agent, which may cause problems down the road, a researcher reported here. Of nearly 700 children diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and treated at specialized centers, 28% were initially […]
IBD Risk Higher After Antibiotics
Antibiotics were linked with increased risk for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), especially among individuals 40 or older, in a population-based study conducted in Denmark. Of more than 6 million individuals followed for approximately 19 years, antibiotic use was associated with nearly 50% increased incidence of IBD in people ages 40 to 60 (IRR 1.48, 95% […]
Alzheimer’s Drug Lecanemab Wins FDA Approval
Lecanemab (Leqembi) was approved under the accelerated approval pathway to treat Alzheimer’s disease, the FDA announced on Friday. The anti-amyloid should be started only in patients with mild cognitive impairment or who are at the mild dementia stage of Alzheimer’s disease, the population studied in clinical trials, the agency noted, and the drug label indicates […]
Grb10 offers a potential new approach for treating obesity
For many people, keeping a healthy body weight can be a challenge. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among adults 20 years-old and over, the prevalence of obesity is 42% in the U.S. Obesity-related conditions, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, are among the leading causes […]