How to Stimulate Your Vagus Nerve and Why It Matters
How to Stimulate Your Vagus Nerve1. Let Yourself Have a Full-Body LaughLaughter makes you feel good, connects you with others, and is one of the best medicines for stress. “Laughter has been shown to stimulate the vagus nerve,” says Leaf. But for this to work, you’ll need to encounter humorous situations that make you let out a big, out-loud...
5 Lifestyle Changes for Nasal Polyp Relief
If you have nasal polyps, you likely deal with a range of symptoms, including nasal congestion, loss of smell and taste, and facial pain and pressure. To treat those symptoms, your doctor may have prescribed steroid nasal sprays or biologics. They may have even recommended surgery to remove the polyps.While these are all good strategies, there are also lifestyle...
How Storytelling Gives Caregivers a Voice and Promotes Self-Care
When you're a caregiver, it's easy to lose yourself in the role and neglect your own care. Abiola Keller, PhD, MPH , wanted to change that. While working in Black communities to promote and protect women’s health — with an emphasis on caregivers — Dr. Keller, an associate professor and the interim associate dean for research at the Marquette...
High Triglycerides Versus LDL Cholesterol
Healthy lifestyle changes that counter bad habits can help control high triglycerides. These include the following.Maintain a Healthy Body WeightWhile genetics plays a part in each person’s ability to stay at the recommended body mass index (BMI) of 25 or lower, Dr. Laffin says that people should be concerned if they reach obesity levels of 30 or higher.“Really high...
What Is Diabetic Hand Syndrome?
Dupuytren’s contracture, also known as Dupuytren’s disease, seems similar to trigger finger but has a different cause. In this condition, the fingers naturally curl toward the palm and can get stuck in that position. It most commonly affects the pinky and ring finger. Diabetes may double the risk of Dupuytren’s.This condition is caused by the thickening of the fascia, a...
Deep Vein Thrombosis Sidelines NBA All-Star Victor Wembanyama
San Antonio Spurs basketball star Victor Wembanyama has been sidelined for the rest of the season by a rare type of blood clot that is more likely to develop in elite athletes, experts say.Wembanyama, 21, was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right shoulder and is expected to miss the rest of the 2024–25 season, the NBA...
What Is the Infection That Sent Pope Francis to the Hospital?
Pope Francis has been hospitalized for a week with double pneumonia and a complex respiratory infection, conditions that experts say are treatable but can be life-threatening in elderly patients.Pope Francis, 88, was hospitalized on February 14 at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after developing bronchitis, a condition marked by inflammation of the bronchial tubes in the lungs. He was diagnosed with...
Beef Tallow Recall Hits Lady May Brand
Nearly 34,000 pounds of beef tallow sold nationwide under the Lady May brand have been recalled by Common Sense Soap, the New Hampshire company that processes, packages, and labels the rendered beef fat.Common Sense Soap does not have the required federal grant of inspection necessary to produce food products, according to an announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture...
What Is Ketamine Therapy? Risks, Benefits, Effectiveness, and More
If you’re considering ketamine therapy, know that the protocol will depend on the individual clinic or company. We're using Neomedicine Institute as an illustrative example of intravenous ketamine, and patient experiences at other providers may vary.BeforeYou’ll have a consultation, which includes a screening, which may include a blood pressure check and a look at your psychiatric history, to make...
Graft-Versus-Host Disease: Diet Tips
Some GVHD GI symptoms can be treated with medications, but there are also many ways to help manage these issues through diet.DiarrheaGVHD attacks the lining of the digestive tract and can disrupt the nerves that move food and drinks through the body. “Diarrhea can be caused by the ineffective absorption of nutrients and fluids, and instead of it taking...
