Most people are aware that dental treatments require a local anesthetic injection to eliminate pain, but they may not fully understand the possible side effects that occur during or after the treatment process. Complications may occur in and around areas of the injection site and last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. This article explains both common and rare side effects, their symptoms, and what can be done to prevent or manage them. Issues related to Injection Pati

Most people hit the gym to build muscle or lose some weight, but research shows the brain may be one of the biggest winners when we move our bodies. Far beyond burning calories, exercise sparks neurochemical and structural changes that shape how we think, feel, and remember. Reviews of recent studies demonstrate that both single exercise sessions and long-term physical activity directly impact brain function and plasticity. What’s happening in your brain? When you exercise, t

Introduction Cancer is a major global public health challenge, claiming approximately 10 million lives in 2020 alone. Over the past decades, cytotoxic chemotherapy has been the cornerstone of cancer treatment, featuring common drugs such as cisplatin, paclitaxel, and methotrexate. While these agents effectively kill tumor cells, their lack of specificity inevitably damages normal tissues, leading to severe side effects that limit clinical application. Balancing therapeutic ef

Once thought to be largely under control, measles is again making headlines around the world. Despite the availability of a safe and highly effective vaccine, cases are rising in countries that had previously eliminated the disease including Canada, the United States, and across Europe. This resurgence raises critical questions: Why is a vaccine-preventable disease returning? And what can be done to stop its spread? Understanding Measles Measles, also known as rubeola or red

The Focus on Access In 2013, about 270 million Americans—roughly 85.5% of the population—had health insurance through public or private plans. That left approximately 46 million people without coverage. By 2016, following the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the number of insured Americans rose to nearly 289 million (91.4%), reducing the uninsured population to about 27 million. Fast forward to 2023, and over 40 million people had enrolled in ACA-related insur

When most people think of meditation, they imagine long retreats or years of practice. But research shows that even short, daily sessions can lead to measurable changes in how our brains function. A 2016 study found that just 10 minutes of guided meditation per day, over the course of two weeks, improved attention, working memory, mood, and emotional regulation in people who had never meditated before. Training the brain through stillness Meditation works by focusing attentio

Sana, a 28-year-old marketing executive, felt a mild headache after a long day at work. Without thinking much, she grabbed an OTC painkiller from the corner store. ‘It’s just a headache,’ she thought. But over the next few days, she started experiencing stomach cramps, dizziness, and fatigue that interfered with her meetings and workouts. “I didn’t think an OTC pill could do this,” she admitted. She isn’t alone. Millions of people treat OTC medications as harmless quick fixe

Stem Cells vs. Progenitor Cells: What's Better? The field of regenerative medicine is rapidly progressing and emerging as a promising solution for regaining the normal functioning of organs and tissues. Regenerative medicine works by repairing and regrowing damaged cells, thereby enhancing the regular operation in its targeted area. Regenerative therapy involves the incorporation of specialized cells that can generate new tissues, and to understand this mechanism, it is cruci

Let’s talk about that sweet stuff we all know and love: sugar. It’s a quick energy boost, it brings a smile to your face, and our bodies rely on it as an easy-to-use source of fuel. Modern food science has found ever-increasing ways to sneak sugar into a dizzying variety of highly processed foods. It’s often hidden in plain sight, disguised behind monikers that would win a round of Scrabble. Knowing how to spot added sugar in an ingredient list and choosing to skip them for l

By: Brittany M. Teeth whitening is one of the most common cosmetic concerns patients bring up during a dental exam. But what exactly is  teeth whitening? Teeth whitening also known as dental bleaching is a cosmetic procedure used to improve the appearance of discolored teeth. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), tooth discoloration refers to changes in the color or translucency of individual teeth, multiple teeth, or even the entire dentition. Understanding t

Good mental health is as crucial as good physical health; neither is achieved or maintained without due effort and planning. In the modern day, when each new day brings its share of stresses and pressures, so does the coping mechanisms and techniques of self-care, helping one lead a life with lessened stress, a good mood, and overall well-being. The self-care practices that could be discussed here are the coping mechanisms necessary for maintaining mental health and resilienc

Polio is a viral disease that spreads from person to person and can cause life long paralysis and even death . In some cases the virus affects the spinal cord and brain . The Polio vaccines are the only such vaccines which can prevent this from happening making it vital for public safety and health . How does Polio spread ? Polio spreads from person to person through contact with the poop (often tiny) of an infected person . It also spreads through the sneeze or cough droplet

Drug overdose deaths have dropped nearly 27% in the past year, but drug supply continues to evolve with fentanyl, xylazine, and other threats. This article explains how to recognize an overdose, use naloxone, and support harm reduction strategies during National Recovery Month 2025. Author: Susanna Marrs RN, BSN, CARN

Introduction Mental health crises, including suicidal behavior, severe depressive episodes, and psychotic relapses, pose significant risks of self-harm, hospitalization, and mortality (Byrne, 2022; Xu et al., 2023). Early recognition is essential but often difficult, as warning signs are subtle and subjective. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers a new approach by detecting crisis predictors from diverse data sources such as electronic health records (EHRs), wearable sensors,

In America today, we know more people are living to an older age. We just heard that Robert Redford died, we will miss him, but we can celebrate that he lived to almost 90. Bobby Hart just died at the age of 86, Giorgio Armani was 91 when he died this month. These men died after living healthy lives. Our population is getting older. In the United States, the life expectancy in 2000 was 76.9 years and in 2024 it had risen to 79.2 years. So, how do we work to make sure those ye

A torch in the dark for people with treatment-resistant depression? Introduction You have probably heard of the drug ketamine.  For many people, there is a stigma around this word.  Things that may come to mind include partying and substance abuse.  However, did you know that a form of ketamine is frequently used as an alternative method of addressing treatment-resistant depression?   What is treatment-resistant depression? Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) occurs when at

Introduction What if treating cancer could be as simple as taking a pill — but not just any pill, a smart pill  that travels through your body, locates the tumor, and delivers medication exactly where it’s needed? This vision is becoming more realistic as researchers develop capsule-targeted drug delivery systems , designed to improve treatment outcomes while reducing side effects. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which circulates through the entire body and often causes unwa

Introduction End-of-life ("EOL") care is shaped not only by medical guidelines but also by cultural beliefs, values, and traditions that influence how patients and families interpret illness, death, and decision-making (Crawley, 2005; Glyn-Blanco et al., 2023). While principles such as autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence remain central to clinical practice, their application often varies across cultural contexts. Preferences regarding prognosis disclosure, life-sustain

You've just found out that you're pregnant. Congratulations! There are a lot of decisions that you'll have to make in the coming months, but right now one of the most important things to do is to start taking a prenatal supplement if you haven't been taking one already. So you go to the store and look at the over-the-counter items. There are so many different options for prenatal supplements! How are you supposed to choose which one to take? Does it even matter which one you

Introduction Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) represent a novel class of anticancer drugs that “bundle” targeted antibodies with potent chemotherapeutic agents, delivering them directly to cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy cells. The first HER2-targeted ADC, trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DM1), received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2013 for treating HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients. It gained approval for adjuvant therapy in 2019,