Valentine’s Day is often wrapped in images of romance, candles, and intimacy, but great sex isn’t just about chemistry. It’s also about communication, comfort, and care. Whether you’re spending the holiday with a long-term partner, a new flame, or celebrating solo pleasure, keeping your sex life safe doesn’t mean sacrificing excitement. In fact, informed choices can increase confidence, connection, and pleasure. Foreplay Is the Foundation (and It’s More Than Physical) Forepla

By Vanessa Muller, PharmD Introduction When public-health rules shift, pharmacies often become the steady, familiar places people turn for timely guidance. Over the past several years, from COVID-19 surges to mpox outbreaks to shifting preventive-service coverage, communities have navigated rapid uncertainty. Through all of it, one quietly powerful tool has helped keep care accessible: State Standing Orders. Standing Orders are statewide clinical protocols that allow pharmaci

By Vanessa Muller, PharmD Introduction Specialty medications, especially infused oncology and autoimmune therapies now account for approximately 49% of U.S. drug spending, despite representing only 2% of total prescriptions (AHA, 2023). As costs rise, insurers have expanded specialty-pharmacy distribution models. These approaches are intended to control spending, but they can also alter when, where, and how patients receive essential clinician-administered treatments.This art

by Benjamin Levinson, MD Drug discovery is a long and complicated process that entails the search for, and development of, an agent (chemical or biological) that will offer treatment of a human malady. A drug company invests extensive time and resources into this search. As one professional has said, ‘We find a chemical or biological substance and then wrap in scientific data to treat a disease of interest.’ This process of discovery begins in the laboratory and only after a

Digital healthcare operations have redefined the role of virtual assistants globally. Introduction From 2020 to 2025, healthcare systems worldwide have transformed through digital innovation. Among the evolving roles, the Global Executive & Healthcare Virtual Assistant (VA)  has become essential in bridging administrative, financial, and patient-centered processes. This article presents a descriptive overview of these diverse responsibilities, integrating professional experie

By: Jessica Chhoy Oral cancer in inner linings of cheeks What is oral cancer? Oral cancer is also known as mouth cancer, which it can develop in many areas of the mouth. Some areas include the lips, gums, tongue, and inner linings of the cheeks. Causes The cause of oral cancer is complex. The cells in our mouth care called squamous cells which they line our mouth and throat. When squamous cells undergo DNA mutations the cells begin to grow and multiply rapidly within the mout

Effects of Meditation Meditation has been used as a tool for centuries as a way to connect the mind and body, to connect to the sacred, to improve health, reduce stress and anxiety as well as to center oneself.  Regular meditation has been found to (1): Reduce stress Improve sleep quality Reduce anxiety and depression Improve mood and improve positive outlook Increase self-awareness Increase compassion towards self and others Improve focus and attention span Boost the body’s

Introduction For over half a century, the pharmacotherapy of schizophrenia has relied almost exclusively on a single mechanism of action: the modulation of dopamine receptors, specifically the blockade of D2 receptors. While effective for positive symptoms like hallucinations, these "dopaminergic" agents often fail to adequately address negative symptoms (such as apathy) and cognitive impairment. Furthermore, they are burdened by significant side effects, including weight gai

Introduction For decades, the pharmacological management of acute pain has been caught in a difficult dichotomy: the high efficacy but dangerous addiction potential of opioids versus the safer but often less potent profile of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen. With the opioid crisis claiming over 100,000 lives annually in the United States alone, the search for a powerful, non-addictive alternative has been a public health priority. Enter suzetr

Despite nicotine's benefits of increasing alertness and offering momentary feelings of pleasure, using tobacco products have health risks. Nicotine has a strong withdrawal syndrome that occurs when a person who has developed physical dependence on nicotine abruptly reduces or stops use. Many who stop nicotine whether delivered by cigarette, vape, or even nicotine replacement products may feel the uncomfortable sensation of withdrawal. This article will explain withdrawal, whi

Why do I feel so miserable???                                              Mary Johnson, MBA, BSN, CMSRN   Is It a Cold, Allergies, the Flu, COVID… or RSV? Welcome to the New Normal Remember when you used to sneeze and you were certain whether it was a cold or allergy or the flu?Well, life has gotten a bit more complicated. These days, that simple sneeze could point to something more—especially with COVID-19 and RSV now in the mix. RSV Isn’t Just for Kids Anymore Respirator

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

By: Jessica Chhoy Introduction: Why do people drink energy drinks?: Many people tend to consume energy drinks so they can get a boost in energy. We know that energy drinks are bad for us, but we reach for them due to the circumstances in our lives. Whether it be trying to stay up to study for an exam or fighting fatigue, we consume energy drinks for the energy. The real question, is it worth drinking energy drinks despite the effects it has on human health? What is inside an

Introduction:  In a world where not all disabilities are visible, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Project stands as a beacon of inclusivity, acceptance, and understanding. This initiative aims to support individuals with non-visible disabilities, conditions, or chronic illnesses by providing a simple yet powerful tool to communicate their need for extra help, understanding, or just more time.   What is the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Project? The Hidden Disabilities Sunfl

What is functional medicine? Functional medicine uses a patient-centered approach to identify the root cause of an illness. Whereas conventional medicine uses symptom based treatments based on a specific disease, functional medicine focuses on disease prevention with an emphasis on the whole body. In simpler terms functional medicine looks at how the body is functioning, and treats the altered function causing the illness. Functional medicine specialists believe each person i

https://judd-medical.co.uk/hazards-of-surgical-smoke/ What is surgical smoke? Surgical smoke is common in the operating room (OR). Cauterizing and coagulation devices, laser devices, and energy-based devices used during procedures create smoke by using thermal energy to cut tissue, while decreasing bleeding and expediting procedure time. They are used by the surgical team to assist in performing procedures. Surgical smoke has been noticed as a health hazard to OR staff and pa

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are a class of medications that reduce pain, fever, and inflammation. Common examples include over-the-counter options like ibuprofen and aspirin. These over-the-counter pain relievers can irritate and damage the lining of the stomach, esophagus, or small intestine, causing ulcers due to their mechanisms of action. An ulcer is an open sore on the surface of a bodily membrane, most commonly a peptic ulcer on the lining of the stoma

Fats often get a bad reputation, but not all fats are created equal. In reality, certain types of fats are essential for keeping your heart, brain, and body functioning at their best. Among the most important are the omega fatty acids—a group of unsaturated fats that play a critical role in overall health. Understanding what they are, how they work, and where to find them can help you make smarter dietary choices and better support your overall wellness.   Fatty acids, the bu

Introduction In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, many of us are constantly seeking a quick way to recharge – something that can both relax the mind and boost energy for the day ahead. This is where teas like chamomile and green tea come in. But why do people reach for tea when they want calm? While both chamomile and green tea can promote relaxation, the type of calm they provide is quite different. That’s where the key compounds – apigenin in chamomile and L-theanine

Camzyos (generic name Mavacamten ) is a medication that treats symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM). What is Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy? Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is an inherited disease that causes heart muscle cells to contract with too much force, like a tug-of-war with fifty people pulling on the rope instead of five.  Over time, this contraction overworks the heart muscle, leading to abnormal thickness and stiffening of th