A series of articles exploring the botanical origins of the medicines we use every day by B. Kristine Burneko, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, APHN-BC

Acc. to WHO, global burden of diabetes grown from 200 million in 1990 to 830 million in 2022, with a sharper rise seen in low- and middle- income countries compared to high- income countries. Most people with diabetes are aware that the disease can harm the eyes, nerves, heart, and other important body systems. What many don't realize is that diabetes can also cause problems in the mouth. Diabetes- Oral Health Connection : A two-way relationship What your mouth reveals about

Image Credit: Freepik In the recent decade the onset of puberty in girls is occurring at an earlier age. The timing of of puberty is dependent on genetic and epigenetic factors. The early onset of puberty in girls has raised concerns about what the causes might be and what are the potential risks associated with it. Hormones and Puberty The trigger for the onset of puberty lies in the part of the brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is a gland that releases hormone

By: Nesredin Hassen Yesuf LinkedIn | Email Introduction Acromegaly is a rare, chronic endocrine disorder caused by sustained overproduction of growth hormone (GH), typically due to a benign pituitary adenoma. The excess GH stimulates hepatic synthesis of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), resulting in widespread tissue overgrowth and systemic complications [1]. Although distinct facial and skeletal changes eventually develop, the onset is gradual, and diagnosis often lags

HbA1c measures the percentage of sugar coated on hemoglobin, acting as a "metabolic memory" of your blood sugar over the last 2–3 months. Unlike daily finger-pricks, it provides a long-term view of your health. Understanding this number is vital for diagnosing diabetes and preventing complications like heart or kidney disease. It is the gold standard for tracking treatment success and maintaining long-term wellness.

Understanding the Link Between Sleep and Hormones Sleep is a biological process that involves an active state of unconsciousness of the body where the brain is relatively in a state of rest and reacts primarily to internal stimuli 1 Sleep is important to a number of brain functions, which also includes how nerve cells communicate with each other. Your brain and body usually stay active while you sleep. Recent findings suggest that sleep plays a housekeeping role that removes

What is Prediabetes? Prediabetes is when you at a high risk of type 2 diabetes, where your blood sugars are high, but not high enough to have diabetes. It is a serious warning sign that the body is beginning to have difficulty regulating blood sugar effectively. Prediabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin, the hormone responsible for moving glucose from the bloodstream into cells for energy. When insulin is compromised, sugar builds up in the blood, increa

Diabetic Ketoacidosis is a potentially life-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus. DKA develops when your body doesn't have enough insulin to allow blood sugar to enter your cells for use as energy. It is most common among people with Type 1 diabetes. Diabetic Ketoacidosis - NurseCE4Less What is Diabetic Ketoacidosis? Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious, sometimes life-threatening complication of Type 1 or 2 diabetes. When your body doesn't produce enough insulin

By Kristine Burneko, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, APHN-BC Introduction Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines the tridirectional interaction of psychological processes, neurological activity, and immune function. Within clinical practice, PNI provides the mechanistic foundation for mind–body medicine, an evidence-based approach that complements conventional biomedical care by enhancing psychophysiological regulation and response to concurrent treatmen

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the islet cells (insulin producing cells) of the pancreas. This results in the body producing very little to no insulin, the horomone necessary for cells to absorb glucose from the bloodstream for energy. Without insulin, glucose builds up in the blood, which, if not properly regulated, can lead to serious health problems and life-threatening complications. However, r

Image Credit:Freepik What is Perimenopause? Perimenopause also referred to as menopausal transition is a phase in a woman's life marked by changes in the functioning of the ovaries. During this transition, your ovaries produce less hormones. As a result, your menstrual cycle becomes irregular and unpredictable. Perimenopause is a normal progression towards end of reproductive years for a woman. What hormonal changes occur during perimenopause? During your menstrual cycle, a

Fig 1: Diabetes Awareness Month promotional graphic highlighting the importance of education and early detection. From “November Is Diabetes Awareness Month,” by NEW Health Introduction Growth hormone (GH) is essential for growth and metabolic balance. When GH levels become excessive, either from internal overproduction or external administration, it can disrupt normal glucose regulation. This condition, often referred to as GH induced diabetes, occurs because GH significantl

Introdution In the past few years, few drugs have generated as much excitement in the world of medicine as tirzepatide, a once-weekly injectable therapy developed by Eli Lilly. Known by its brand names Mounjaro (for diabetes) and Zepbound (for obesity), tirzepatide is being recognized not only as a treatment for blood sugar control and weight loss, but also as a potential revolution in how we manage a wide range of metabolic diseases. This medicine represents a new generation

Introduction In recent years, drugs like tirzepatide and semaglutide, originally developed for diabetes, have captured global attention for their remarkable weight-loss effects. But scientists are now discovering that the benefits of these medicines extend far beyond the bathroom scale. New studies are revealing powerful effects on the heart, liver, and overall metabolism, suggesting that GLP-1 receptor agonists could reshape the way we treat some of the most common chronic d

Of the many organs and glands within the human body, certain systems are regarded as common knowledge: the beating heart that circulates blood throughout the body, the ballooning lungs that oxygenate the blood, or the twin kidneys that filter out toxins. The endocrine system and thyroid , on the other hand, often eludes that same common understanding, resulting in an underrepresentation, underdiagnosis, or unawareness of thyroid diseases and disorders. [1][2][3][4][5] This c

Executive summary Topical finasteride is widely prescribed as a safer alternative to oral finasteride for hair regrowth. However, there is no single guideline for its dosage for desired outcomes. This report provides an overview of how to find the perfect dose of topical finasteride in treating androgenetic alopecia. Introduction If you are struggling with androgenic alopecia (AGA) or patterned balding, you are certainly not alone. Around 20 to 30 million people report horm

Stoppage Rate of Semaglutide Use According to data reported by Reimar Thomsen, MD, PhD, of Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark, about 52% (40,262 of 77310) adults without diabetes who took semaglutide for weight loss ceased to take the medication after 12 months, while about 18% of the adults stopping to take Wegovy injection within 3 months, 31% within 6 months, and 42% within 9 months. Thomsen noted at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) annual meeti

Heather Armstrong DNP, AGACNP-BC Recently, perimenopause has taken center stage, and people are talking about it more than ever. You may have seen posts on social media feeds, heard podcast episodes focused on this topic, and browsed books explaining this phenomenon on the shelves of your local bookstore. With so much available information, where do you begin? What Exactly Is Perimenopause Anyway? On average, menopause occurs at age 52. It’s the end of the female menstrual

If you’re going through perimenopause or menopause, chances are you’ve heard of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). You might even be wondering: Is it safe? Will it help me sleep again? What about weight gain or cancer risk? The truth is, there’s a lot of confusion about HRT. Let’s break down the basics so you can feel more confident talking with your doctor about whether it’s right for you. What is HRT? Hormone replacement therapy does just what it sounds like—it replaces t

So, you find out you have diabetes! You get prescribed all the right medications, speak to a dietician, throw away all the sugary foods in your house, buy healthy groceries and maybe even get a gym membership. You are determined to do everything right and get your A1C below 7. But, did you know that lowering your blood sugar too quickly can lead to debilitating nerve pain and autonomic dysfunction? Treatment induced Neuropathy of diabetes - Autonomic Neuroscience Basic and Cl