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

Image portrays an autistic woman masking in public Autistic women hide behind a mask (Masking) Women who are autistic tend to hide or mask or camouflage their autistic symptoms more than men. They employ strategies to compensate for their natural autistic behaviours in social situations. These strategies are often used to prevent the amount of prejudice they face while also reducing social awkwardness and help with meeting their work or educational goals. Doing this can resul

Why utilize meal planning for weight loss? Weight loss can be challenging and, to be honest, boring at times. A recommended method for weight loss is to keep daily calorie intake (calories consumed) less than calorie output (calories burned). The saying “You can’t outrun your plate” applies here. Maintaining a calorie deficit contributes to weight loss. There are many options available on the internet to assist with weight loss efforts. Websites abound with recommendations re

Introduction Anyone scrolling through social media platforms lately has probably been served a buffet of new health afflictions to self-diagnose. One such dysfunction is being described as “cortisol face.” To laymen, the cortisol face trending online is a puffy, swollen look caused by elevated cortisol from stress. Most often, proclamations about cortisol face are followed by a sales pitch. Perhaps a supplement (“Link in bio”) could fix the problem, or personalized lifestyl

1.Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in social communication, behaviour, and sensory processing. It reflects the diversity of human development rather than a single uniform condition. ASD arises from a complex interaction of genetic and environmental influences. Increasing prevalence incidence. Importantly Autism is not disease which can be fixed but has to be under

By Abby Newberry If your doctor has ordered certain medications, tests, or procedures, you may have been notified that they require Prior Authorization. Prior Authorization is a process used by insurance companies to verify that high-risk or high-dollar treatments ordered by doctors are medically appropriate and cost-effective. This can look very different for each patient, depending on what is being ordered and their individual insurance coverage. Prior Authorization may

Angelina Jolie, Actor and Advocate Celebrities are a diverse group of people whose actions are tracked and discussed in traditional and social media. Fans or followers often emulate celebrities in a variety of ways such as fashion, purchases, and even health choices. Many celebrities have gone public about their health status and may share their own opinions about their illnesses and treatment choices. That raises questions about whether the public can benefit from publicity

You feel better after a few days of treatment and decide to stop the medicine. You cannot remember whether you already took today’s dose. You take an over-the-counter tablet along with your prescription medication without asking your doctor. These situations are more common than many people even realize. Medications play an essential role in treating illnesses, controlling chronic conditions, and improving quality of life. However, small mistakes in how medicines are taken ca

In the United States, sarcoidosis affects four Black Americans for every one White American diagnosed. Black patients, particularly Black women, experience more severe disease, more multi-organ involvement, higher hospitalization rates, and mortality. Factors such as genetics, environmental toxins, socioeconomic conditions, and unconscious bias contribute to worsening outcomes in sarcoidosis (Hena, 2020). What is sarcoidosis? Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory condition in which

Understanding HEDIS: What Those Health Plan Letters Really Mean If you’ve received a letter from your health plan urging you to schedule a checkup or screening, it may be tied to something called HEDIS . For many seniors, these messages feel confusing or impersonal. So, what is HEDIS—and why does it matter? What Is HEDIS? HEDIS stands for Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set . It’s a system used by health plans to measure how well they’re delivering care. These r

by Abby Newberry If you’ve been hospitalized in the United States, you have likely received multiple documents outlining how much money you are likely to or actually owe for the stay. Have you ever wondered where that amount comes from and who decides what the hospitalization will cost? In this article, we will take a broad overview of how your hospital diagnosis and treatment get translated into dollars. A Bit of Background Prior to the 1980s, hospitals calculated bills usi

Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic technique that guides patients through a state of hypnosis, in order to treat certain symptoms or conditions. (1) Research has shown that hypnotherapy can aid in treating various ailments such as anxiety, depression, pain, stress, and even irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). What is hypnosis? Hypnosis is an induced trance that enables a patient to connect with the unconscious mind. In a state of hypnosis, the patient “readily” accepts suggestions. (2