Eating Fish Weekly May Slow MS Disability Progression
Fatty fish have previously been linked with lower levels of multiple sclerosis (MS) disability, and a recent study adds further support to the benefits of fish consumption when it comes to living with MS, a disease that attacks the central nervous system.“We were encouraged to see that patients who increased their fish intake after diagnosis still benefited, indicating that...
16 Essential Tips for Safe Blood Thinner Use
Blood thinners are medications that stop or slow the formation of blood clots, keep clots from getting bigger, or prevent clots that have already formed from traveling to other parts of the body. Blood thinners are lifesaving medications, notes the National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA), helping to prevent strokes, heart attacks, and pulmonary embolisms.You may be taking a blood...
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Symptoms
For many people, HCM is a benign condition and it will not lead to dangerous cardiovascular disease, says Ningxin Wan, MD, a cardiologist at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens and an assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medicine. But that does not mean people who do not have symptoms should ignore follow-up appointments meant to monitor the condition, she says. Regular evaluation and...
What Is the Dawn Phenomenon?
High morning blood sugar happens when your body secretes a surge of hormones, including growth hormone, epinephrine, and cortisol, typically between 3 a.m. and 8 a.m. These hormones directly cause an increase in blood sugar. This is a normal part of waking up, but in people with diabetes, this temporary rise in blood sugar is more powerful and longer...
HPV Vaccine Has Prevented Thousands of Cancer Cases, New Data Shows
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a dramatic decline in cervical cancer cases since the introduction of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.The study found that from 2008 to 2022, rates of precancerous cervical lesions decreased by about 80 percent in women ages 20 to 24 who were screened for cervical cancer. This...
Flu Complication Affecting Some U.S. Children: What to Know
Many people who get flu infections experience relatively mild symptoms that can be managed at home. But serious and potentially life-threatening complications are possible, and some doctors are seeing a spike this year in severe neurological symptoms among infected children.Public health officials in Massachusetts reported that physicians in the state have observed a possible increase in the number of...
MMR Booster for Adults: Is It Necessary?
With the current measles outbreak showing no sign of letting up, you may be wondering: If I’m fully vaccinated, am I at risk?The short answer is no. If you’ve received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, you’re likely protected for life. “Most people who have received two doses of the MMR vaccine do not need a measles booster shot, but some...
Solutions for 6 Key Challenges
The thyroid gland may be small, but when it’s working in overdrive, such as what happens with Graves’ disease, it can cause a cascade of physical and emotional effects, including conditions such as heart problems and anxiety.“People are surprised just how powerful the thyroid is,” says Caroline Messer, MD, an endocrinologist and assistant professor at the Donald and Barbara...
Protect Your Mental Health if You Have Graves’ Disease: 5 Essential Tips
Graves’ disease is known for causing physical symptoms such as muscle weakness and fatigue, but it can also worsen your mental and emotional symptoms. In fact, research shows that people with Graves’ are more likely to experience conditions such as depression and anxiety when their thyroid is overactive compared with when their thyroid hormone levels are well controlled.That’s because excessive...
Healthy Living With Graves’ Disease
As with just about any medical condition, there is abundant speculation and misinformation about dietary practices and Graves’ disease.“In terms of an overall diet approach, there’s not a lot of good research out there to show that one approach is better than another,” says Kimberly Dorris, executive director and CEO of the Graves’ Disease and Thyroid Foundation. A review...
