Statins, common cholesterol-lowering medications, may protect women’s hearts from damage caused during chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer, according to new research published in January 2021 in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access journal of the American Heart Association (AHA). “Two types of cancer medications, anthracyclines and trastuzumab, are effective treatments for… Continue reading Statins May Help Protect Breast-Cancer Patients from Chemotherapy-Related Heart Damage
Author: Jane Farrell
COVID-19 and the Brain
In a study of how COVID-19 affects a patient’s brain, National Institutes of Health (NIH) researchers consistently spotted hallmarks of damage caused by thinning and leaky brain blood vessels in tissue samples from patients who died shortly after contracting the disease. In addition, they saw no signs of SARS-CoV-2 in the tissue samples, suggesting the… Continue reading COVID-19 and the Brain
Important Health Discoveries of 2020
With support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), scientists across the United States and around the world conduct wide-ranging research to discover ways to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability. Although COVID-19 was unquestionably the most important public health story of the year, here’s just a small sample of the other… Continue reading Important Health Discoveries of 2020
Psychosocial Well-Being May Help Heart Health in Black Adults
Feeling optimistic, that you have a sense of purpose in life and that you are in control of your environment – characteristics of psychosocial resilience – are associated with having better cardiovascular health among Black adults, independent of neighborhood context, according to a study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, an American Heart Association… Continue reading Psychosocial Well-Being May Help Heart Health in Black Adults
Some Breast Cancer Patients May Not Benefit from Chemotherapy
Postmenopausal women with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer that has spread to a limited number of lymph nodes, and whose recurrence risk is relatively low, do not benefit from chemotherapy when it is added to hormone therapy, according to initial results from a clinical trial presented at the… Continue reading Some Breast Cancer Patients May Not Benefit from Chemotherapy
Experts Concerned about Rise in Hypertension Cases
Although access to medicine for controlling blood pressure has broadened, the number of Americans with uncontrolled hypertension is alarming, especially in communities of color, health officials said. “The latest research published in JAMA [the Journal of the American Medical Association] showing that a greater proportion of Americans, particularly communities of color, were living with uncontrolled… Continue reading Experts Concerned about Rise in Hypertension Cases
Talking with Kids about Alzheimer’s
When a family member has Alzheimer’s disease, it affects everyone in the family, including children and grandchildren. It’s important to talk to them about what is happening. How much and what kind of information you share depends on the child’s age and relationship to the person with Alzheimer’s. Here are some tips from the National… Continue reading Talking with Kids about Alzheimer’s
Stress-Free Holiday Traveling in The COVID-19 Age
The holiday season is typically the busiest time of the year for traveling. People enjoy going to see family members or exploring new locations as they have time off from their jobs and schoolwork. This year, traveling may come with a bit more stress and anxiety due to the pandemic that people are facing around… Continue reading Stress-Free Holiday Traveling in The COVID-19 Age
Stress Drinking
Whether it’s stress from quarantining, worrying about your family’s health, or becoming an at-home teacher, it can become all too common to reach for wine or liquor as a technique to relax during this tough period. But the National Institutes of Health (NIH) warns against alcohol habits that could suddenly spiral out of control. Drinking… Continue reading Stress Drinking
Why Is My Skin Red?
Many things can turn our faces red, including sunburn, acne, and hot flashes. Here, from the American Academy of Dermatology, are 10 less obvious reasons for seeing a red face when you look in the mirror. Seborrheic dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition that causes a red rash, which often appears on the… Continue reading Why Is My Skin Red?
Seven Secrets to Medication Savings
Anyone looking to save on medication costs, and that is probably you if you are reading this article, has seen the same methods listed in article after article. They include shopping around for the best price, switching to generics, splitting pills, applying to assistance programs, using a drug discount card or copay cards, etc. I’ll… Continue reading Seven Secrets to Medication Savings
Traveling During the Pandemic
Travel can increase your chance of spreading and getting COVID-19. Postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC). If you are considering traveling, whether during the Christmas season or at another time, here are some important questions to… Continue reading Traveling During the Pandemic
Racial Differences and Pregnancy Care
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced that it will fund new research examining racial and ethnic disparities in pregnancy-related complications and deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 700 women die each year in the United States from pregnancy-related complications. The grants to six institutions are expected to total… Continue reading Racial Differences and Pregnancy Care
Substance Abuse and COVID-19
A study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that people with substance use disorders (SUDs) are more susceptible to COVID-19 and its complications. The research, published in Molecular Psychiatry, was co-authored by Nora D. Volkow, M.D., director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The findings suggest that health care providers… Continue reading Substance Abuse and COVID-19
Psoriasis and Your Weight
When it comes to treating the skin ailment known as psoriasis, no one treatment plan works for everyone. Now research suggests that a treatment program may also be helped by what you eat. Weight loss can help because both psoriasis and being overweight increase inflammation in your body. When you reduce inflammation, it can lead… Continue reading Psoriasis and Your Weight
COVID-19 and Animals
Coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in people, is a large family of viruses. Some coronaviruses cause cold-like illnesses in people, while others cause illness in certain types of animals, such as cattle, camels, and bats. Some coronaviruses, such as canine and feline coronaviruses, infect only animals and do not infect humans. According… Continue reading COVID-19 and Animals
Experts Urge Diet Evaluation at Regular Checkups
The time has come for routine health care visits to include some form of dietary assessment and counseling, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association (AHA) published in October 2020 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, an American Heart Association journal. The statement, written by a group of nutrition and cardiovascular… Continue reading Experts Urge Diet Evaluation at Regular Checkups
Hosting Holiday Gatherings during The Pandemic
The pandemic has changed our lives in any number of ways, and holiday gatherings are no exception. Many families are deciding to skip the traditional dinners instead of gathering as usual. If you do decide to host a gathering for the holidays, the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have some suggestions: Thinking ahead can… Continue reading Hosting Holiday Gatherings during The Pandemic