Introduction In this article, I will discuss the differences between normal cognitive decline associated with aging and abnormal decline. Some people think that dementia is a normal part of the aging process, but this is not true. Aging brings predictable changes in cognitive function, but not all decline is normal. Some patterns reflect healthy aging, while others signal underlying disease. There are three broad groups of cognitive decline: age-associated memory impairment,

By Anne Denk, RN, BSN Migraines affect 37 million Americans, including men, women, and children. Migraines occur due to a variety of factors. While there are multiple pharmacological treatment options, studies have shown that several alternative treatments are beneficial. Massage therapy is one of these alternative treatment options that can reduce the symptoms of migraines. Origins and Impacts of Migraines Migraine headaches occur for many reasons. Contributing factors inclu

Image obtained from https://advancedfunctionalmedicine.com.au/biofilms/ Why do some wounds heal quickly while others linger for months or even years? Why do they persist despite careful cleaning, changing of dressings and maybe even several courses of antibiotics? Slower healing wounds are linked to conditions like diabetes, poor circulation and ageing, where the body can’t repair itself as well. When these underlying problems persist, wounds can become stuck in a non-hea

The idea of correcting a genetic disorder before a child is born once seemed purely fictional. Today, advances in genetic engineering have made this possibility increasingly realistic. At the center of this scientific shift is CRISPR, a powerful gene-editing technology that has dramatically changed how researchers study and manipulate DNA. Gene-editing tools have progressed through three major stages of development. The earliest methods relied on zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs),

Introduction Despite the widespread success of statins and PCSK9 inhibitors in lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains the leading cause of death globally. A significant portion of this "residual risk" is driven by Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], a genetically determined lipoprotein that affects approximately 20% of the global population (>1.4 billion people). Unlike LDL-C, Lp(a) levels are resistant to diet, exerci

Since we were children, we were taught at school that taste is one of our most important sense. Indeed, since we are born, this represents a way to be exposed to the world and learn to discriminate several tastes, which helps us to recognize also specific types of food or feelings when eating them. Of course, human nature evolved progressively to develop sensitive taste skills, at the beginning as a matter of survival. Although now our needs are different, these important gen

Cortisol is one of the primary stress hormones and plays a significant role in numerous physiological functions, including the body’s fight-or-flight response. When the brain perceives stress, the hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which subsequently stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). This hormone then signals the adrenal glands to release cortisol into the bloodstream. Skin, being the largest organ in the b

Introduction Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) stands as the most common inherited cardiac disease, fundamentally characterized by unexplained thickening of the heart muscle and hypercontractility. In patients with the obstructive subtype (oHCM), the hypertrophied muscle acts like a roadblock, impeding the ejection of blood from the left ventricle into the aorta (Left Ventricular Outflow Tract [LVOT] obstruction). This results in debilitating symptoms such as dyspnea, chest p

If your skin has ever suddenly become red, sensitive, tight, or just “not like itself,” you’re not alone. Many people spend months switching products, changing routines, or blaming hormones, the weather, or stress for their skin acting up. But here’s the truth dermatologists wish everyone knew: Most everyday skin frustrations come down to one quiet, often unnoticed issue — a damaged skin barrier. This isn’t a dramatic disease, it’s not dangerous, and it doesn’t mean your skin

For most of us, antibiotics are a quick fix: a small pill that can chase away an infection in a matter of days. But not all antibiotics are created equal. Certain commonly prescribed drugs -- especially a group known as fluoroquinolones -- carry a lesser-known risk: they can damage tendons. From the Achilles to the shoulder, these injuries can appear during treatment or even weeks later, sometimes with sudden, intense pain or long-lasting weakness. Doctors have documented cas

Pain in the ball of the foot can significantly impair walking and quality of life. One potential cause of this symptom is plantar plate injury, a condition that affects a key stabilizing structure of the forefoot. The plantar plate plays an essential role in maintaining toe alignment during gait, and damage to this structure can result in pain, instability, and progressive toe deformity. Management ranges from conservative care to surgical intervention, depending on injury se

Pimple patches, or hydrocolloid patches, have rapidly become a staple in many individual’s skin care routines. The reality behind their function may seem almost too good to be true. How can a small “sticker” that you slap onto a pimple, go to bed, and wake up with result in a flatter, calmer spot? Originally developed for wound care, hydrocolloid patches are now widely used for acne and there is growing evidence highlighting their benefits, along with some important caveats .

What is earwax impaction? Our ears naturally produce a substance called earwax, or cerumen, which is typically wax-like and brownish in color. This is a normal bodily process that helps clean the ear canal by trapping everyday debris and preventing dirt from reaching the sensitive inner parts of the ear. The amount of earwax produced varies among individuals—most people have a normal level, while some experience excessive production, which can lead to cerumen impaction. Earwa

Written by Olivia Orr, RN BSN Dizziness? Nausea? A ringing sound in your ear? Light sensitivity? Vestibular migraine is often the culprit. You don't have to have a headache to experience a migraine attack, and many people with vestibular migraine do not have headache. Dizziness is their biggest enemy. What is Vestibular Migraine? Vestibular migraine (VM) is a migraine subtype characterized by dizziness, vertigo, light and sound sensitivity, tinnitus (ear ringing), ear press

Harmon, R. M., Ayers, J. L., McCarthy, E. F., Kowalczyk, A. P., Green, K. J., & Simpson, C. L. (2025). Pumping the Breaks on Acantholytic Skin Disorders: Targeting Calcium Pumps, Desmosomes, and Downstream Signaling in Darier, Hailey-Hailey, and Grover Disease. The Journal of investigative dermatology , 145 (3), 494–508. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jid.2024.06.1289 Pathology: Darier disease (DD), also known as dyskeratosis follicularis, is an inherited disease that is aut

CAR-T Therapy as a Foundational Treatment for Cancer Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy has become a cornerstone in the treatment of malignancies, as it offers a specialized and targeted approach to killing cancerous cells. Despite its evidenced success, the use of CAR-T cell therapy as a standalone treatments comes with many challenges and drawbacks. For example, patients can experience resistance to treatments or disease relapse. Furthermore, minimal residual disease

Note: There are a number of methods used to monitor heart rhythms outside of the hospital for diagnostic purposes, also known as remote cardiac monitoring. While those are valuable tools, this article focuses solely on the methods used in an inpatient or hospital setting. Cardiovascular disease has been the leading cause of death in the world for the last 100 years, creating a significant burden on patients and the healthcare system. In 2021, there were over 4.6 million cardi

What is a kidney stone? The formation and periodic passage of crystal particles is known as kidney stones. This is a common urological disease also known as nephrolithiasis or urolithiasis. Calcium oxalate is the major component of most kidney stones. Other elements that can form a kidney stone include calcium phosphate, uric acid, struvite (formed from magnesium ammonium phosphate), and cystine. Kidney stones are considered risk factors for systemic diseases such as chronic

For years, families have asked the same question: Is there any way to detect Alzheimer’s disease early—before memory loss begins? Until recently, the answer was complicated. Doctors relied on brain scans, spinal taps, or waiting for symptoms to appear. None of these options were simple, affordable, or widely available. But a growing body of research is pointing to a major shift in how we may identify Alzheimer’s in its earliest, silent stage. A new analysis led by Dr. Michael

Introduciton Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents the subtype of breast cancer with the least favorable outcomes, largely due to its aggressive molecular features and a historic lack of effective targeted treatment options. However, the landscape of oncology is shifting with the rise of Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs). Based on the concept of the "magic bullet" first proposed by Paul Ehrlich, ADCs are designed to selectively deliver cytotoxic chemotherapy directly