In a study of 61 people treated for the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, researchers concluded that fatigue, pain, insomnia and depression persist over long periods of time for some people, despite largely normal physical exams and clinical laboratory testing. There has been an ongoing medical controversy over whether symptoms really do last after a… Continue reading A Real Problem: Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome
Tag: infection
Tracking a Common Hospital-Related Infection
Electronic health records (EHRs) in hospitals are helping researchers track down the source of a common infection often acquired in the facilities. In its investigation, the UC San Francisco Health Informatics team traced the movements of more than 85,000 patients over a three-year period. A bacterium known as Clostridium difficile (colloquially called “C. diff”) is… Continue reading Tracking a Common Hospital-Related Infection
Study: Nursing-Home Workers Don’t Change Gloves Often Enough
Certified nursing assistants often fail to change gloves, and that careless practice may be a significant cause of the spread of pathogens in long-term care settings such as nursing homes. That’s according to a new study published in the September issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the journal of the Association for Professionals… Continue reading Study: Nursing-Home Workers Don’t Change Gloves Often Enough
A New Weapon Against Antibiotic Resistance
Researchers at the University of Rochester’s Medical Center are developing a genetic tool to help doctors prescribe antibiotics to patients who actually need them – and that could help the rising problem of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance, caused by the overuse of antibiotics, is one of the world’s most crucial health threats. According to the… Continue reading A New Weapon Against Antibiotic Resistance
Avoiding Vacation Infections
Dr. Brent W. Laartz thought he was in for the ride of his lifetime when he set out on a horseback riding excursion in Costa Rica. Admittedly younger and more naïve than he is today, Laartz – an infectious disease specialist and author of the book How to Avoid Contagious Diseases (http://www.drlaartz.com/) – failed to… Continue reading Avoiding Vacation Infections
Protecting Yourself Against Pesky Plants and Insects
How can you guard against an array of skin irritations related to plants and insects? Experts from the American Academy of Dermatology explain: While poison ivy is probably the most well-known hazardous plant, there are a multitude of other plants, as well as many insects, that can irritate your skin. “The skin can be affected… Continue reading Protecting Yourself Against Pesky Plants and Insects
Natural Ways to Treat Sinusitis
Sinusitis, or the inflammation of the nasal cavities, affects 37 million people each year. And according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), sinus problems are among the leading reasons children and adults need to stay home from school or work. Sinusitis can cause difficulty breathing, headaches, sore throat, teeth pain, and fatigue. Most cases… Continue reading Natural Ways to Treat Sinusitis
How to Solve a Splinter Problem
Although splinters can seem like a very small problem, they can be pretty painful and can even become infected. Here, the American Academy of Dermatology tells you how to handle them: Everyone has been there. No sooner did you or your child touch that old wooden bench when a small sliver of wood slides into… Continue reading How to Solve a Splinter Problem
Avoid Infections by Taking Care of Artificial Nails
Cosmetic treatments for nails – acrylic nails, gel nails, and nail tips – can look beautiful. They need a little care to keep them looking good, and to take care of the real nails below. Here, from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), are some suggestions: Apply artificial nails only to healthy natural nails, the… Continue reading Avoid Infections by Taking Care of Artificial Nails
A New Weapon to Fight MRSA?
Researchers have discovered that a new class of antimicrobials may help in the fight against the drug-resistant MRSA superbug. The Georgia State University study showed that small molecule analogs that target the functions of SecA, a central part of the general bacterial secretion system required for viability and virulence, have potent antimicrobial activities. Their findings… Continue reading A New Weapon to Fight MRSA?
Animal and Human Bites Can Both Lead to Infections
We love our pets and they can bring us much joy and laughter. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, over 43 million American households have at least one dog, and over 36 million have at least one cat. Unfortunately, as much as we love these, they can hurt us with nips and bites that… Continue reading Animal and Human Bites Can Both Lead to Infections
Dermatologists Share Tips to Stop Nail Biting
Breaking a nail-biting habit is important, say member dermatologists from the American Academy of Dermatology. Nail biting typically begins in childhood and can continue through adulthood. “Chronic nail biting can cause serious problems,” said board-certified dermatologist Margaret E. Parsons, MD, FAAD, associate clinical professor of dermatology, University of California, Davis. “In addition to making the… Continue reading Dermatologists Share Tips to Stop Nail Biting
The Skin Treatments You Might Not Need
Editor’s note: Most of us are accustomed to the idea of treating any health problem as quickly and completely as possible. But that may not always be the best way to go. Here, from the American Academy of Dermatology, is a list of procedures from the AAD’s Choosing Wisely list. Procedures you might want to… Continue reading The Skin Treatments You Might Not Need
Antibiotics and Hearing Loss
Researchers from Oregon Health & Science University have found that patients stricken with dangerous bacterial infections and treated with lifesaving antibiotics are at greater risk of hearing loss than previously recognized. The inflammation from the bacterial infections substantially increased susceptibility to hearing impairment by increasing the uptake of aminoglycoside antibiotics into the inner ear,… Continue reading Antibiotics and Hearing Loss
Your Nails and Your Health
Although we often think of nails primarily in terms of cosmetics, they often reflect a number of health conditions. According to the American Association of Dermatologists, changes in the nail, such as discoloration or thickening, can signal health problems including liver and kidney diseases, heart and lung conditions, anemia and diabetes. And nail growth is… Continue reading Your Nails and Your Health
Fighting Mosquito-Borne Viruses
For most of us, mosquito bites are as much a part of summer as backyard barbecues. But bites from these bugs can be more than a mere annoyance. They could make you very sick. The federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) emphasizes that whether you’re staying at home or traveling within the U.S. or abroad,… Continue reading Fighting Mosquito-Borne Viruses
Your Health History in A Drop of Blood
Thanks to new technology, scientists can use a single drop of human blood to test for current and past viral infections. The method, called VirScan, was developed by researchers at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), in Chevy Chase, Maryland. It is an efficient alternative to existing tests for specific viruses one at a time.… Continue reading Your Health History in A Drop of Blood
Expert Advice on Treating Scars
Warmer weather means more outdoor activities – and probably more scrapes and cuts. Even a minor injury can lead to a scar, the American Academy of Dermatologists says, and that’s a natural part of the healing process. But no one likes the look of a scar, and the AAD is offering some hints on how… Continue reading Expert Advice on Treating Scars