All of us are familiar with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, popularly known as HIV, as it has been one of the most dreaded viruses in the world for a long time. HIV infection has long been one of the world’s most challenging and stigmatised conditions, and despite decades of awareness efforts and scientific progress, misconceptions still surround it. Once you contract HIV, unfortunately, there is no cure. However, advances in treatment and prevention have transformed HIV in

Understanding the Spread of Infections Infectious diseases are caused by harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites that invade the body and disrupt normal function. These diseases can spread through air, water, direct contact, or insect bites. Understanding their transmission helps us recognize the importance of preventive measures, especially hygiene, in limiting their impact on individual and public health. How does hygiene prevent inf

A quick take for clinicians and  curious readers A new class of health devices delivers gentle electrical pulses to the auricular branch of the vagus nerve at the outer ear: so-called transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS). Early trials in psychiatry-adjacent outcomes (insomnia, depressive symptoms, autonomic dysregulation) are promising, while safety appears favorable. But effects vary by device settings and population, and larger, multisite trials are stil

It is vital to recognize the serious impact the opioid overdoses have had in America. Establishing preventative and corrective response measures on the part of government and nonprofits are critical.                                                                                Opioids are involved in the highest percentage of overdose deaths. [1] They originate from natural substances found in the opium poppy plant to produce pain relief. [2]  Opioid Use Disorder represents

We've all watched a TV scene where a character has a seizure. They fall to the ground, shaking violently. A crowd gathers, and the hero shouts for someone to call 911, STAT!  Understanding Seizures Far from looking like a moment on your favorite medical drama, seizures take many forms, and they don’t always mean you need to call an ambulance. A seizure happens when a person's brain experiences a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity. This can affect their movement, sen

Image from VUMC NEWS Influenza viral infection causes the flu- We have all had the flu and experienced the symptoms that come along with it, including fever, chills, coughing, runny nose, fatigue. Generally, within a few days we are able to recover, however, there are some individuals that are at high risk to whom the flu can be quite dangerous. Generally, we are accustomed to the fact that every year there are seasonal flu outbreaks and epidemics, however, there can also be

High blood pressure or Hypertension is becoming an increasingly problematic health issue. It’s often called the ‘silent killer’ because of the disastrous effects it has on the body. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you’ve probably been told by your healthcare provider to make lifestyle modifications. You might have also heard about the DASH Diet and its importance in controlling blood pressure. But does it actually work? Or is it just an

First responders are those who work in emergency medical services (EMS) and are trained to address emergencies outside of the health clinic or hospital. A common belief is that EMS are ambulance drivers. While transport to hospitals can be part of EMS, the work requires much more. Assessing scene safety, rapid identification of life threatening emergencies, and applying life saving measures are also core parts of the job. Careers in EMS attract those who are interested in lea

Many of us kept a secret journal as kids, documenting our feelings and moments with colorful pens, stickers, and doodles. But whether journaling was just a childhood phase, an activity that never crossed your mind, or something you have been pondering about, this is a sign to start!  What is Journaling? There is no strict rule for journaling. The activity is meant to be limitless and personal to you! Journaling can be a space for expressing emotions, documenting events, or re

Imagine a medicine that works like a missile . It finds diseased cells and delivers a tiny dose of radiation right where it’s needed. That’s what radiopharmaceuticals do. They are drugs that carry a radioactive atom attached to a molecule that knows how to find a specific target in the body. They could direct the radioactivity to specific cells, tissues, or biological pathways, and are used both to image disease (diagnostic tracers) and to treat disease (therapeutic radiophar

Beware of Toxins in skin-care products The use of cosmetics such as makeup, nail polish, eye shadow, and skin-care products such as moisturizers, sunscreens, anti-perspirants, etc. are a part of our daily life. But manufacturing of these products may require Intentional or in some cases unintentional inclusion of some Heavy metals. What are heavy metals and in which form are they present in cosmetics? Heavy metals are metallic elements with high atomic weight and density, com

Prevalence of Obesity in the US According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, between August 2021 and August 2023, the prevalence of obesity in adults was 40.3%. Obesity is considered a chronic condition that increases the risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers. Furthermore, prevalence of obesity has continued to increase among both men and women between 1999 and 2018. GLP-1 Receptor Agonist as

Olivia Orr, RN, BSN Migraine without a headache. How is that possible? Isn’t a migraine just a bad headache? Not at all. Migraine aura without headache (MAWH) is the medical term for this condition. This form of migraine comes without head pain, earning it the nickname of silent migraine. What is Silent Migraine? The American Migraine Foundation (AMF) defines migraine aura without headache as a migraine aura that lacks the accompanying headache. Migraine is often misunder

Paracetamol and ibuprofen are two of the most common painkillers which you can get over the counter at a pharmacy and are widely available for purchase in many shops. But many people don't know the difference between the two, which means many people struggle to know what may be best for them. Drug mechanisms: Paracetamol Paracetamol, sometimes sold under the names Tylenol, Panadol and many others, is used for various types of pain, from headaches, to tooth ache, to period pai

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