Do We Still Need Office Visits?
Like many primary care practices, after a hasty transition to a year of phone calls and video visits, my practice is slowly transitioning back to “normal,” meaning that we are now seeing more patients in person than by video. However, as I reflect on the past year, I wonder how central this notion of the […]
‘They’ll Have to Bend the Knee and Kiss the Ring’: What We Heard This Week
“Like the law firms, they’ll have to bend the knee and kiss the ring.” — Bryan Carmody, MD, of Norfolk, Virginia, discussing a new executive order by President Trump that targeted medical school and residency accreditors for their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) standards. “It’s likely that letters were sent to many more journals. CHEST‘s […]
Pilot study shows ketogenic diet improves severe mental illness
For people living with serious mental illness like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, standard treatment with antipsychotic medications can be a double-edged sword. While these drugs help regulate brain chemistry, they often cause metabolic side effects such as insulin resistance and obesity, which are distressing enough that many patients stop taking the medications. Now, a pilot […]
Eggs may not be bad for your heart after all
Whether you like your eggs sunny-side up, hard boiled or scrambled, many hesitate to eat them amid concerns that eggs may raise cholesterol levels and be bad for heart health. However, results from a prospective, controlled trial presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session show that over a four-month period cholesterol levels […]
‘Study drugs’ set the stage for other drug use and mental health decline
Taking “study drugs” like Adderall without a diagnosis is not only dangerous in itself, but can lead to other drug use and a decline in mental health, according to new research from Binghamton University, State University of New York. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medications are frequently used illicitly by college students as a study […]
Benzene Can Form in Acne Treatments, Lab Finds
Benzene, a known human carcinogen that has been detected in consumer products like hand sanitizers, sunscreens, spray deodorants, and dry shampoos, has now been found in commonly used acne treatments. The presence of benzene in those consumer products was the result of contamination. But in the case of benzoyl peroxide (BPO) acne treatments — both […]
6 Seemingly ‘Harmless’ Habits That Are Prematurely Aging Your Brain
LOADINGERROR LOADING Just like our bodies, our brains change as we age. The older we get, the harder we recall information, like the name of a restaurant we went to or where we put our keys. Or it may take longer to learn something new. But the good news is we actually have a lot […]
Opinion | ‘Reads Like Attack Journalism’: What We Heard This Week
“[It] reads like attack journalism as opposed to balanced and thoughtful policy research.” — Brian Miller, MD, MPH, of Johns Hopkins University, expressing concerns about a report on Medicare Advantage plans. “We just ignored them and ignored their plight.” — Ziyad Al-Aly, MD, of the VA St. Louis Health Care System in Missouri, discussing how […]
These COVID Symptoms Are Red Flags That You Need Medical Attention
valentinrussanov via Getty Images We know the hallmark symptoms of COVID ― like coughing, fatigue, for example ― but there are some COVID-19 symptoms that aren’t normal and shouldn’t be treated as such. When you have a COVID-19 infection, you’re told to isolate and stay away from others until you’re better. But while many folks […]
The 7 Absolute Worst Wellness Trends We Saw This Year
FluxFactory via Getty Images Experts share the wellness trends they’d like to see get left behind. Every year brings new viral wellness trends that are often touted as be-all end-all magic. And while some of these trends are science-backed and beneficial, others are just not. This year we saw a fair share of fads, from […]