By Angela Anand, BSN, RN, PEL-CSN A Shortage of Doctors There is a trending shortage of Medical Doctors. The World Health Organization estimated a shortfall of up to 12.9 million healthcare workers by 2035 (1). Due to this shortage, advanced nursing programs have been created to help fill the gap in some countries. As some nurses with advanced degrees begin to call themselves “Doctor,” confusion is created for people who are unaware of the significant differences betwee

Introduction Infantile hemangioma (IH) is a non-cancerous growth made of abnormal blood vessels. They usually appear in infants shortly after birth. These are also known as “strawberry birthmarks” due to their characteristic bright red colour. Even though they look concerning, most infantile hemangiomas are harmless, and they resolve on their own without any treatment.(1) What Is Infantile Hemangioma? Infantile hemangioma is a type of non-cancerous tumour seen in newborns. It

By Shaik Tanveer ulhaq Introduction Seizures are often misrepresented in movies and television, where they appear dramatic and always require emergency intervention. In reality, seizures can present in different ways, and not all cases demand immediate hospitalization. Understanding the correct response can significantly improve patient safety and outcomes. Understanding Seizures A seizure is defined as a sudden surge of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, which can a

Have you ever wondered how a drug is discovered and developed? While the process takes more than 10 years to complete, the entire development is stringently regulated for safety and effectiveness by drug regulatory authorities such as FDA. Right from the preliminary step to the final step of releasing the medicine into markets, the drug undergoes rigorous research processes to ensure that it is safe for treatment. Based on international guidelines, a molecule identified for r

By Dionne Roberts, MSN, RN-BC Methanol Toxicity: The Silent Threat Methanol (CH3OH) is a toxic wood alcohol mostly found in household, automotive, and industrial products. Exposure to methanol occurs through ingestion, inhalation or skin exposure. Accidental methanol exposure has occurred due to errors in distillation and fermentation in the production of herbal beverages and bootleg alcohol. Significant morbidity and mortality can result if methanol toxicity is left untreate

Feeling sad during any difficult moments is a normal part of life. Losing a loved one, facing any disappointment, problems in a relationship, or stressful situations can affect emotions and temporarily lower the mood. For most people, these feelings improve gradually with time, support, and healthy coping strategies. However, when sadness becomes persistent, overwhelming, and begins to interfere with daily life, it may be a sign of depression. While sadness and depression can

For many families, infant formula is part of everyday life. It is measured in scoops at midnight, packed into diaper bags, mixed by tired hands, and trusted to nourish a baby during one of the most vulnerable stages of life. That is why any news involving infant formula and botulism can feel frightening. Recently, federal and state health officials began investigating infant botulism cases linked to powdered infant formula. The situation has understandably raised concern amon

Image credit: Freepik News of severe respiratory illness, including two deaths and a critically ill passenger, aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius was reported to the World Heath Organization (WHO) on May 2nd 2026. Subsequently, total of eleven cases including three deaths were reported on May 11th 2026. Among the eleven cases reported, eight cases were confirmed in the laboratory for hantavirus infection, two cases were considered probable, and one case was repor

​ As looksmaxxing continues to trend on social media, influencers in the niche have recently begun promoting the use of peptides to improve appearance. To define what peptides are, they are short protein chains of around 2-100 amino acids that serve important functions such as sending messages throughout the body, immune responses, and metabolism. Everyone's body naturally produces peptides, and different types of peptides serve different purposes. Peptides as medication are

Oral contraceptives are often introduced in a very straightforward way: take one pill daily, prevent pregnancy, regulate your cycle, and possibly improve acne or menstrual pain. For many people, that explanation is enough to start. But the experience of using them is rarely that simple. A typical first prescription usually comes after a brief consultation where risks are mentioned quickly, benefits are emphasized, and side effects are described as “mild” or “temporary.” What

The most common misconception among people is that the medications become unsafe immediately after their expiry date. From the consumer’s end, it is reasonably acceptable as the same rule applies for most of the food items or consumer goods they purchase from the market. However, that is not always the case with drugs and medicines. The expiry date is usually assigned by the manufacturer based on specific tests to check the stability of their products. Based on the results, t

As professional healthcare providers I can only imagine how many times our patients quoted information from "Google" or another website and attempted to self-diagnose their symptoms and lab values. Most of us have done it: we get a lab result, Google it, and suddenly we’re convinced something is seriously wrong. With so much health information online, it’s easy to panic — and even easier to misunderstand what a single number really means. The stories below show how “too much

​ Hantavirus is a family of viruses that is caused by contact with rodents such as mice and rats. Humans can contract hantavirus by getting exposed through saliva, droppings, and urine from these rodents. Hantavirus can distinctly cause two different symptoms: hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome HPS. HFRS predominantly affects the kidneys; symptoms of this specific strand include nausea,blurred vision, intestinal headaches, and fev

Over the past week, reports of a Hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic have sparked a familiar wave of “next pandemic” headlines. It is understandable. Terms like “outbreak” and “fatalities” tend to raise alarm. However, a closer look at the situation, particularly the nature of the Andes virus (ANDV), shows that while this is a serious medical concern for those affected, it is not a cause for global panic. What’s Actually Happening? The current focus is on

You take your medication every day and follow the label instructions. You expect results, but nothing seems to change. This is something many patients experience at some point, and it can be confusing and discouraging. Therefore it is easy to think the treatment is not working. For people living with long-term conditions such as chronic pain, high blood pressure, anxiety, or depression, finding the right treatment can feel like a big step forward. However a medication that on

Oh boy, do I need a drink. I would guess that many people reading this may have said that before. Maybe it was after a long day, or in the middle of an even longer one, that you may have looked forward to unwinding with a strong cocktail or a cold beer. It is, without a doubt, one of the most socially acceptable ways to decompress, but we're instructed to not do it too often. But why? We've been told that alcohol can be bad for you, but moderation is key. According to some st

by Alazar Menbere Haile, MD Creatine is a widely used sports performance supplement best known for its role in strength training and remains one of the most extensively studied supplements on the market. It is synthesized from the amino acids arginine and glycine by the kidneys, liver, and pancreas, with a smaller contribution from the brain (1). This natural production by the body accounts for roughly half of daily requirements, while the remainder is obtained from dietary s

Many people smoke to ease anxiety, believing it helps them feel calmer. While it may offer brief relief, nicotine actually reinforces a cycle of dependence and rebound anxiety. What feels like relief is often the body responding to cravings, not true stress reduction. Understanding this cycle is key to breaking it.

Lyn Lumia Why do people with cancer use Alternative Medicine? People with cancer might think about using Alternative Medicine for a number of reasons: They want to do everything they can to fight the cancer. They are seeking a treatment approach that might have fewer side effects. They want to be able to control how their cancer is treated. They prefer alternative theories of health and disease, as well as alternative treatments. They may have seen information online or in ot

Many people light up a cigarette when they feel anxious or stressed, thinking that it will calm them down and reduce anxiety. Initially, it may feel like it helps, but it’s actually making the anxiety worse. Smoking and anxiety are linked together in a cycle of temporary relief and rebound symptoms. In 2023, 40% of United States adults reported using nicotine tobacco products (NTP) in the past year, despite tobacco being the leading cause of death in the United States (1). M