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

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

By: Nesredin Hassen Yesuf LinkedIn  | Email Introduction Acute appendicitis is a leading global surgical emergency, with an estimated lifetime risk of 7–8% [1]. For over a century, appendectomy has been the undisputed standard of care. However, the contemporary era is marked by a significant paradigm shift, with robust evidence emerging for non-operative management using antibiotics. This evolution, fueled by advancements in diagnostic imaging, improved risk stratification, a

The use of AI in early cancer diagnosis and treatment Let's admit it, you might have used AI a couple of times in the past month, either for mundane tasks, doing groceries , planning for the day, getting inspiration, or using it for school in any shape or form. But would you trust AI being used in the medical field? AI has proven to be both beneficial and dangerous, depending on one's intention. To help people in the medical field, some states, hospitals, and certain fields h

By Vanessa Muller, PharmD Most people don’t think about the technology behind medication safety. You pick up a prescription, read the instructions, and trust that if something important changes, your doctor will hear about it. But the amount of safety information that experts handle today is far greater than it used to be. Every year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviews millions of safety reports, research findings, electronic health-record patterns, and globa

Introduction Imagine a world where blood shortages no longer threaten patients in need. Every year, hospitals face critical gaps in supply—whether from seasonal drops in donations, unexpected disasters, or the growing demand from cancer treatments and surgeries. In these moments, lives hang in the balance. Now picture a future where blood is not just donated, but manufactured on demand.  Scientists are developing “blood factories”—engineered systems that recreate the environm

A lot has been said about artificial intelligence (AI) and pharmacovigilance (PV), but for seasoned professionals we should have seen this coming a long time ago. The traditional way PV activities have been conducted relied heavily on manual, resource‑intensive processes. Case processing involved receiving and validating adverse event reports, entering them into databases, and ensuring regulatory submissions were complete. Narrative writing required medical reviewers to craft

by David Cox RN BSN. nursedavidwrites.com I’m in the process of completing an excellent review on AI, AI for Work and Life, an eight-part webinar series put on by my alma mater, the University of North Florida. Each session is at least an hour long, and is led by one or more subject matter experts in different aspects of the use and, yes, misuse of this world-changing technology. We’re getting the latest and best understanding of who can or should use AI, what some of the man

Medications are delivered using various devices. Medications must sometimes be administered through an intravenous (IV) route. There are both peripheral and central IV routes. Differentiating between these IV routes and devices might seem confusing. However, there are mainly three common categories: peripheral IVs, peripherally inserted central catheters, and ports. PIVs Peripheral IVs (PIVs) are the most common and recognizable type of IV device. When a person is admitted to

Rachelle DiMedia   Have you ever experienced “butterflies” in your stomach before a big event? That’s your gut and brain communicating—and scientists are discovering this connection is more profound than they previously thought. Depression and anxiety present a significant burden on society and those who suffer from them. They are a leading cause of disability in the U.S., affecting not only the individual but also their loved ones.   There is a growing need to discover thera

Steve Jobs was open about how using LSD shaped his worldview and enhanced his creativity. Spiritual leader Ram Das, who has millions of followers postmortem, attributed his spiritual awakening to psychedelics. Now pharmaceutical companies around the world are racing to bring these types of drugs to your medicine cabinet. In 2023, the FDA legitimized the potential therapeutic use of psychedelics by issuing “ first draft guidance ” for clinical trials. (1) And in 2024, the FDA

The psychological issues among children and adolescents are getting progressively worse.  Up to 20% of children and adolescents worldwide are struggling with mental illnesses, but most of them never get the help they need.  The disparity is exacerbated by stigma, a lack of child psychiatrists, and restricted access to care, particularly in low- and middle-income nations.    With its ability to provide early detection, digital interventions, and individualized care, artificial

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

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

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,

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

The field of psychology often turns to myth, story, and metaphor to capture the intricacies of human behaviour. One of the most enduring narratives is that of Icarus, a tale from Ancient Greek mythology that continues to illuminate the boundaries of ambition, risk, and human limitation. The Case Study: Icarus The myth begins with Daedalus, a gifted inventor, and his son, Icarus. Imprisoned within the Labyrinth of Crete, Daedalus devised wings crafted from feathers and wax, a

What is Sjögren's Disease? People living with Sjögren's disease know it's not just dryness. The disease causes joint pain and swelling, life-altering fatigue, small fiber neuropathy, lymphoma, tooth loss, and an inability to cry, to name a few symptoms and sequelae. Some sufferers have little to no dryness but experience disability from other other symptoms and secondary conditions. Sjögren's can cause dysfunction of major organs and increased risk of lymphoma. Current tre

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a heart attack or stroke. Yet the most remarkable fact about heart disease is this: more than 80% of premature heart disease and strokes are preventable. Despite this, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, claiming more lives each year than all cancers combined. Why is there such a gap between what we know and what we do? The answer lies in how our healthcare system, and often individuals themse

The psychological issues among children and adolescents are getting progressively worse.  Up to 20% of children and adolescents worldwide are struggling with mental illnesses, but most of them never get the help they need.  The disparity is exacerbated by stigma, a lack of child psychiatrists, and restricted access to care, particularly in low- and middle-income nations.    With its ability to provide early detection, digital interventions, and individualized care, artificial