Catching the Optimal Amount of Z’s May Be Protective Against Long COVID
Healthy sleep behaviors before and during the pandemic may be protective against long COVID, a prospective cohort study suggested. Of nearly 2,000 women from the Nurses’ Health Study II who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection, those with the most healthy prepandemic sleep score had a 30% lower risk of developing long COVID compared with those […]
Sleep Apnea Patients Prone to Higher Long COVID Risk
Preexisting obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was associated with up to a 75% increased risk of long COVID in adults, an analysis from the NIH RECOVER collaboration found. Unadjusted odds of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) were significantly higher for adult and pediatric patients with a prepandemic OSA diagnosis, according to electronic health record (EHR) data […]
Transplant Chief Was an Organ Recipient Herself
Though it wasn’t so long ago that Sara Kathryn Smith, MD, was a liver transplant patient herself, last year she became the medical director for pediatric liver transplantation at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore. Smith’s unique perspective on patient care has primed her for the role, and for advocating for the importance of organ […]
Opinion | The Best Medicine for Healthcare Workers: A Living Wage
California has long been at the vanguard in addressing society’s most pressing issues. In the 1960’s, growing concern about the health impact of automobile emissions spurred passage of the Clean Air Act, which established national standards barring states from regulating vehicle emissions. But the bill had one notable exemption: California, which had already developed stricter […]
Opinion | Winners & Losers of the Mass Exodus From U.S. News’ Med School Rankings
It wasn’t long ago that the U.S. News & World Report rankings were the agreed-upon arbiter of prestige and quality in medical schools. Sure, you might quibble with their results or their methodology, but at the end of the day we all begrudgingly conceded that only U.S. News could decide which schools were better than […]
How Long Are You Contagious With The Latest COVID Variant? Here’s What To Know.
Nobody wants to give COVID-19 to a loved one (or anyone). But determining just how long you’re contagious isn’t an exact science, as it can vary from person to person. So you may have a hard time figuring out whether you’re putting others at risk. However, there are rules you can follow and things you […]
A Mediterranean diet not only boosts health, but also improves fertility
With an emphasis on fruits, vegetables and legumes, the Mediterranean diet has long been applauded for its multiple health benefits. Now, new research shows that it may also help overcome infertility, making it a non-intrusive and affordable strategy for couples trying to conceive. Conducted by Monash University, the University of the Sunshine Coast, and the […]
After Undergoing Brain Surgery, I Was Diagnosed With Cancer. Then I Got News I Never Expected.
“How long have you had this?” Dr. Landeros asks. I’m sitting on the examination table in his office. He has guided my hand to the left side of my throat where, my heart quivering, I finger a rock-like lump. “I have no idea,” I say. He holds up a hand mirror and tells me to […]
Positively charged nanomaterials treat obesity anywhere you want
Researchers have long been working on how to treat obesity, a serious condition that can lead to hypertension, diabetes, chronic inflammation, and cardiovascular diseases. Studies have also revealed a strong correlation of obesity and cancer — recent data show that smoking, drinking alcohol, and obesity are the biggest contributors to cancer worldwide. The development of […]
You Can Boost Your Endorphins Without Working Out. Here’s How.
Cold winter days and long winter nights mean many folks are probably hoping to boost their happiness levels naturally, and one way to do so is through the release of endorphins, which have a host of mood-boosting benefits. Endorphins are natural hormones in your body that give you the classic “runner’s high” feeling, said Dr. […]