If you’re going through perimenopause or menopause, chances are you’ve heard of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). You might even be wondering: Is it safe? Will it help me sleep again? What about weight gain or cancer risk?  The truth is, there’s a lot of confusion about HRT. Let’s break down the basics so you can feel more confident talking with your doctor about whether it’s right for you. What is HRT?  Hormone replacement therapy does just what it sounds like—it replaces t

Did you know cystic fibrosis was first discovered in the pancreas?     In 1938 Dr. Dorothy Anderson, an American pathologist coined the term “cystic fibrosis of the pancreas” based on autopsies of children dying of malnutrition, due to failure of the pancreas. The children in those days did not survive long enough to develop lung disease. What is Cystic Fibrosis (CF)? Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder caused by mutation in the gene that codes for the cystic fibrosis trans

So, you find out you have diabetes! You get prescribed all the right medications, speak to a dietician, throw away all the sugary foods in your house, buy healthy groceries and maybe even get a gym membership. You are determined to do everything right and get your A1C below 7. But, did you know that lowering your blood sugar too quickly can lead to debilitating nerve pain and autonomic dysfunction? Treatment induced Neuropathy of diabetes - Autonomic Neuroscience Basic and Cl

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

By: Jovenia Salazar Lindsay, RN, MSN, MBA, PhD Candidate  Introduction I had often wondered why my late father, who was extremely insistent that we, his children, go to bed early and rise early each morning, while other children in our community played late into the night. However, this was a habit he firmly impressed upon us. My father had many reasons. One was that bad elements generally were known to occur at night, and retiring early was a way to keep oneself safe. Two,

Cancer is a broad group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. It can affect any part of the body and, if not detected or treated early, can lead to serious health problems or death. This article explains what cancer is, how it develops, common risk factors, potential consequences, and strategies for prevention, early detection, and treatment. What is Cancer? Cancer occurs when genetic changes cause cells to grow and divide uncontro

Introduction Ovarian cancer is a highly aggressive gynecological malignancy that is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Although surgery combined with chemotherapy remains the primary treatment approach, many patients experience recurrence after therapy and gradually lose response to chemotherapy. This explains why ovarian cancer mortality rates remain persistently high, with current five-year survival rates still below 35%. In recent years, scientists have continuously exp

Blood traveling through the blood-brain barrier. Image credit: Edward Neuwelt, M.D.., Oregon Health & Science University. Introduction Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as lupus, occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs. This chronic condition presents with a complex array of symptoms, such as fatigue, joint pain and stiffness, skin rashes, fever, and hair loss, as well as the characteristic butterfly rash (malar rash). The most

Introduction Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men worldwide and remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. While many men are diagnosed at an early stage and can benefit from surgery, radiation, or hormone therapies, some cases eventually progress to a more aggressive form called metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). This type of prostate cancer no longer responds to standard hormone treatments and can be very difficult to manage.

After your precious baby is born and you have had your golden hour with them, your healthcare team will start performing routine newborn procedures. If you are in a hospital setting, these procedures typically include three preventative interventions: erythromycin eye ointment, vitamin K, and the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine. This article will discuss what each of these interventions is intended to prevent. Erythromycin Eye Ointment Erythromycin is an antibiotic that

Cluster headaches are a rare but severely painful neurological condition, characterized by intense, burning attacks that occur in cyclical patterns. Often striking like "clockwork" at night, they cause one-sided eye pain, restlessness, and autonomic symptoms. While their cause is unknown, effective treatments like oxygen therapy and prescription injections can provide life-changing relief.

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

Image from GoMo Health ( https://gomohealth.com/oncology/nfcr/clinical-trial-graphic-research/ ) Why Clinical Trials? When new treatments are being developed, there comes a point when they must be evaluated on humans. This ensures that new treatments are both safe and effective. In the United States, human testing occurs in multiple phases called clinical trials. Later phases of these trials are aimed at ensuring that new drugs have a positive effect on patients with the t

Pain is usually unpleasant, but it serves a critical purpose: it warns us when something is wrong with our bodies. For people with congenital insensitivity (CIP), this warning system doesn't function at all. Individuals with CIP cannot feel physical pain, even from serious injuries such as broken bones, burns, or deep cuts. While this might sound advantageous at first, it often leads to repeated injuries, unnoticed infections, and long-term health problems. Scientists are stu

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)  is a rare condition characterized by high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries. The pulmonary arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs. The increased blood pressure can cause blood to back up in the right side of the heart. The right ventricle stretches like a water balloon, crowding out the left ventricle, making that smaller and less effective at pumping blood. A backup of blood

https://gastrofl.com/the-colonoscopy-process-and-procedure-a-detailed-overview/ Colonoscopy A colonoscopy is a procedure performed in a hospital or an ambulatory care facility. The doctor inserts a lighted scope (colonoscope) into the rectum. The colonoscope also inflates air into the colon so that the doctor can visualize the entire colon as he advances the scope. If anything such as a polyp is seen, the doctor will remove it and send it to pathology. Who Needs a Colonoscopy

Diagram showing the structural changes between healthy skin and skin burdened with eczema. Image courtesy of Eczema Relief - Spray-on Emollient for Eczema | Emollin® — Emollin Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a common inflammatory skin condition affecting people of all ages, characterised by red, inflamed, dry, itchy and broken skin, with many people experiencing persistent flare ups that make it difficult to manage. Unfortunately, this condition is complex and is influenced

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