Autopsies Show COVID-19 in the Brain
Early this year, leading researchers discussed what we knew — and didn’t know — about COVID-19 and the brain. Since then, new findings have emerged about SARS-CoV-2 and the nervous system, including the results of an autopsy study that showed the presence of the virus throughout the body and brain. How can a respiratory pathogen […]
Blood-based metabolic signature outperforms standard method for predicting diet, disease risk: The study found that machine learning techniques improved diet prediction by 10-20%
When it comes to studying food and diet, it’s difficult to know what people are eating — let alone their risk of disease caused by what they eat. Doctors and researchers usually ask people to fill out a long-from food frequency questionnaire that estimates caloric intake, food groups and nutrients. That relies on a person’s […]
More And More People Are ‘Kidulting.’ Maybe You Should, Too.
At the height of the pandemic, I kidulted plenty. To kidult ― I know it sounds obnoxious, but bear with me ― is to recreate childhood memories by partaking in activities generally considered for children. In my case, I clocked in more hours of “Animal Crossing” than I care to admit (mostly because my island […]
Opinion | Challenges (and Rewards) of Being a Rural Doctor
I worked in rural Kentucky for 20 years — all of it in poverty clinics. I suspect I got to know my patients better than someone working in a specialty clinic in a big city. The challenges and rewards of doctoring are unique to each specialty, but these are the challenges and rewards I experienced […]
Can Antidepressants Really Cause A Heat Stroke In The Summer?
I don’t know about you, but I keep seeing social media posts about antidepressants increasing the risk of heat stroke. In medication commercials, you hear a long list of side effects, but so many seem rare. Is this something we need to be worried about? As a proud user of Prozac, I figured this was […]
Opinion | What Is Missed When We Rush Back to ‘Normal’?
“I don’t know where this summer went!” This is not an uncommon refrain to hear in mid-August, as Labor Day approaches and schools go back into session. But I have my own reason for this head-scratching reflection on the passage of time. I was diagnosed with COVID-19 a month ago. My initial round of symptoms […]
Amy Schumer Insists She’s ‘Not Shading’ Tom Holland With Social Media Mental Health Joke
Comic Amy Schumer wants fans to know a joke about social media and mental health wasn’t a dig at actor Tom Holland, who recently revealed that he’s taking a respite from some online platforms. On Sunday, the stand-up comedian posted a tongue-in-cheek video on Instagram about what she’s doing to maintain her mental health. Advertisement […]
Tetanus Vaccine, Prevention, Causes, Early Symptoms & Wound
Things to know about tetanus Picture of Clostridium tetani, with spore formation (oval forms at end of rods). Source: CDC/Dr. Holdeman Tetanus is frequently fatal infectious disease. Tetanus is caused by a type of bacteria (Clostridium tetani). The tetanus bacteria often enter the body through a puncture wound, which can be caused by nails, splinters, […]
Measles Vaccine, Symptoms, Treatment, Causes
Things to know about measles Measles on a child’s back by Watney Collection/Phototake A virus causes measles, a potentially serious disease that spreads easily. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. Measles symptoms and signs include Many patients will get sick 7 to 14 days after exposure and will start with a prodrome of fatigue, […]
4 ‘Micro-Transitions’ In Your Day That May Be Causing You Anxiety
We know that big life changes ― layoffs, health events, a new baby ― can cause a lot of stress. However, there are also tiny shifts in our lives (and even our days!) that are often overlooked when it comes to anxiety. Maybe you dread lying down in bed for the night, or maybe the […]