Virtually no one in the US has been unaffected by the coronavirus pandemic, and stress is at high levels. A public health and brain expert discusses why “sheltering in place” is so important in spite of the stress it generates, and a few simple steps to ease the stress.
Perinatal depression (previously known as postpartum depression) is seldom brought up by a new mother, so healthcare providers must screen for it carefully. However, sometimes they err on the side of caution in efforts to prevent the mother from harming herself or her baby. Experts discuss the balancing act.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of April 5, 2020 including: Experts say most people infected with COVID-19 under age 60 will have symptoms much like a cold or the flu, and it’s no reason to panic. Then, we’ve heard the advice a thousand times to wash your hands, use hand sanitizer and stop touching your face... That last point may be the hardest. Then, a study shows that being “a real man” builds “toxic masculinity” as men age… affecting their health and overall happiness. And finally, if you’ve ever worried about whether you should spend on an exotic vacation or buy more expensive “things,” a new study says… go on that trip.
Most people who have kidney disease are not aware of it. In fact, nearly half of people with severe kidney disease don’t know it. Kidney disease is often silent, and one of its main risk factors, high blood pressure, is silent as well. The head of the NIH’s kidney research organization discusses this major public health issue and what people should look for to receive early intervention.
Millions of Americans are suddenly having to work from home for the first time as a result of coronavirus. Many do not have a good home office setup, tech skills, family makeup or the temperament to do it. A remote working expert discusses the do’s and don’t’s of working from home without going crazy.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of March 29, 2020, including: A treatment combining radiation and chemotherapy could be much more effective for colorectal cancer. Then, scientists have discovered that a World War One helmet is actually better when it comes to protecting its wearers from shock waves. And finally, doctors can tell whether you’re rich or poor through urinalysis.
In the past 10 days, the US has finally begun to institute aggressive tactics against coronavirus that may limit its spread and the death toll. But many Americans remain confused about what they should do and why. One of the nation’s most authoritative infectious disease experts discusses.
The effectiveness of efforts to contain coronavirus often depend on governmental policies determined years or even decades ago that, at the time, had nothing to do with public health. A health policy expert discusses some of these policies and what they mean for coronavirus testing and treatment.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of March 22, 2020, including: It’s getting much more dangerous to walk where you’re going with pedestrian fatalities up by more than 50 percent in the last decade. Then, a report that an experimental urine test has the potential of accurately finding prostate cancer while eliminating false positives. And finally, is your smartphone giving you a headache?
Studies show that by this time of year, most of us have failed new year’s resolutions to lose weight. A noted expert discusses how most people get in trouble with obesity and a more reasonable way to try to lose weight than most people follow.
The Institute of Medicine report “To Err Is Human” in 1999 shook health care with the finding that as many as 120,000 Americans die each year due to medical mistakes. A noted researcher re-examines how far we’ve come since then and the difficult cooperation it will take to make patient safety more certain.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of March 15, 2020, including: There is a higher risk of heart disease for women who've experienced domestic abuse. Then, a study that shows that the pulse can vary wildly between people. Then, can being tall protect men from dementia? And finally, if you make a lot of typos when you text… your thumbs may be too long.
Poor children often can’t access healthcare or other needs in spite of decades of efforts. A pediatrician who has established clinics for the poor discusses the problem.
Polycystic ovary syndrome affects about 10% of American women, but has such a wide variety of troubling symptoms that it’s often misdiagnosed. Experts discuss the disorder and what women should know.
A look at the top medical headlines for the week of March 8, 2020, including: The chemical known as BPS can pass through the placenta of pregnant rats and hindered brain development in their offspring. Then, for those under age 50 who develop Parkinson's, the seeds may have been planted in the womb. Then, Men who use marijuana may have a higher risk of fathering children with brain abnormalities. And finally, if you fill out paperwork when you arrive at the doctor's office, you’re using something with 46,000 times more germs than the average toilet seat---a shared pen.
