Introduction:  In a world where not all disabilities are visible, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Project stands as a beacon of inclusivity, acceptance, and understanding. This initiative aims to support individuals with non-visible disabilities, conditions, or chronic illnesses by providing a simple yet powerful tool to communicate their need for extra help, understanding, or just more time.   What is the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Project? The Hidden Disabilities Sunfl

https://judd-medical.co.uk/hazards-of-surgical-smoke/ What is surgical smoke? Surgical smoke is common in the operating room (OR). Cauterizing and coagulation devices, laser devices, and energy-based devices used during procedures create smoke by using thermal energy to cut tissue, while decreasing bleeding and expediting procedure time. They are used by the surgical team to assist in performing procedures. Surgical smoke has been noticed as a health hazard to OR staff and pa

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are a class of medications that reduce pain, fever, and inflammation. Common examples include over-the-counter options like ibuprofen and aspirin. These over-the-counter pain relievers can irritate and damage the lining of the stomach, esophagus, or small intestine, causing ulcers due to their mechanisms of action. An ulcer is an open sore on the surface of a bodily membrane, most commonly a peptic ulcer on the lining of the stoma

Long COVID, also referred to as Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS‑CoV‑2 (PASC), has emerged as a significant public health concern, affecting a substantial proportion of COVID-19 survivors. While most individuals recover within a few weeks of acute infection, an estimated 10 to 30 percent continue to experience symptoms that persist for months, regardless of whether the initial infection was mild or severe. These lingering effects can severely impact daily functioning, quality of l

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose is a severe risk (causing acute liver failure) because it’s hidden in over 600 cold/pain products. Never mix medications containing it, and stay below the 3g/24hr limit. If overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical care immediately, as early treatment (NAC) is critical.

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

Mushroom foraging has become increasingly popular thanks to outdoor trends, cooking videos, and social media accounts celebrating “wild foods.” It’s easy to understand the appeal—mushrooms are fascinating, abundant, and often beautiful. But the truth is far less whimsical: many wild mushrooms are toxic, and some can cause life-threatening illness with just a single bite. Before picking anything from the forest floor, here’s what everyone should know. Foraging Isn’t as Simple

Painkillers were never meant to destroy lives. They were created to help us breathe through broken bones, surgical recovery, migraines, or sudden injuries. But for millions of people, what begins as relief slowly becomes dependence; quietly, stealthily, and often unnoticed until it is too late. The most commonly abused pain medications (opioids like oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, and morphine) work by binding to the brain’s opioid receptors. They dampen pain signals and fl

Across the world, healthcare systems are under unprecedented strain. Aging populations, rising chronic disease, and post-pandemic workforce burnout have intensified one long-standing challenge, insufficient nurse-to-patient ratios. While the phrase may sound technical, the stakes are deeply human. Nursing ratios influence survival rates, medical error frequency, staff wellbeing, and the overall resilience of health systems. Why Nurse-to-Patient Ratios Matter A “nurse-to-patie

Introduction When a new therapy is preparing to enter the market, policymakers and payers face two critical questions: Is the drug good value for money? and Can we afford it? Cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) addresses the first question, but budget impact analysis (BIA) is designed to answer the second. In modern market access strategies, BIA has become an indispensable complement to CEA, offering a practical view of the financial consequences of adopting a new medicine with

Introduction Health doesn’t always have to mean changing everything about your life. Sometimes, it’s about winning back a few minutes—like those spent waiting for your coffee to brew. What if you used these moments for yourself? Recent research shows that micro-moments—short, intentional actions like stretching, mindful breathing, or simply being grateful—can transform mood, lower stress, and boost heart health, all in less than five minutes.​ Micro-Moments and Everyday Healt

Introduction As innovative therapies become increasingly complex and expensive, health systems face growing pressure to spend wisely. Cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) provides a structured way to answer a fundamental question: “Are we paying the right price for the health benefits this treatment delivers?” By comparing both costs and clinical outcomes, CEA helps governments, insurers, and hospital systems allocate limited healthcare resources more efficiently. The Logic Behi

a photo of colorful autumn leaves falling from a tree; photo courtesy of Unsplash The article The Choreography of Balance, part 1 explored the complex mechanisms which the body uses to maintain physical balance. This article, The Choreography of Balance, part 2 , will examine the incidence of falls in the U.S., risk factors for falls, ways to address risk factors and also explore fall prevention for everyone, regardless of age. Incidence of falls in the U.S. According to the

Photo courtesy of Unsplash Is it time to give yourself a break from technology? Our lives are inundated with social media and screen time. From doom scrolling to binge-watching, it seems we are constantly glued to a screen. Have you been wondering if it’s time to put your screens down? Could you imagine what your life would be like if you weren’t buried in your phone, tablet or laptop? Is it time for a digital detox? Studies have shown that endless screen time is detrimental

Have you ever had smallpox? It’s a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that killed an estimated 300 to 500 million people in the 20th century. If you were born in 1980 or later, you most likely haven’t had it. This is because, in 1980, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared smallpox eradicated. But how? Population immunization is a public health strategy that protects communities from infectious diseases by using vaccines. The more people who are vaccinated, the

Introduction Meat has been a dietary staple for millennia, valued for its high-quality protein, essential amino acids, iron, zinc and vitamin B12. However, in recent decades, a growing body of large-scale epidemiological research has raised concerns about meat consumption, specifically red and processed meats, and the risk of chronic diseases. What is “red meat” and “processed meat”? Red meat  typically refers to beef, pork, lamb and similar meats. Processed meat  refers to m

Smartphone, Cell Phone, Mobile Device Take a minute to think about how your cell phone spends it's day. It starts on a charger overnight, so it's ready to conquer the busy day ahead. Once it's owner picks it up, it must be constantly ready for use, by the owner, and anyone else that picks it up. Smartphones are used for internet searches, social media browsing, chatting with friends and family, taking and sharing photos/videos. listening to music, audio books, and podcasts, f

Image Credit: Shutterstock/File What Is the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)? The MoCA is a quick, usually 10-15-minute screening test used to check basic cognitive functions like memory, attention, and problem-solving. It can help identify early signs of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or other conditions that can affect how we think. What the MoCa Measures The MoCA helps detect subtle changes in thinking that may not show up in daily life. It measures several areas of c

Communication in the operating room (OR) is not only necessary to ensure that cases run smoothly, but also to ensure that patients are kept safe. The two primary goals of an OR nurse are to ensure that surgeons have all the necessary equipment to perform surgery and to ensure patient safety during these procedures. This can only occur when communication is present and effective. Where does communication start? When the surgeon schedules a surgery, they must communicate with t

In recent years, the world has watched skies turn orange from California to Canada, Australia to Greece. The smell of burning forests, once a distant problem, now drifts into cities thousands of miles from the flames. Wildfire smoke has become one of the most visible and dangerous signs of a warming planet and it’s reshaping the way we think about air, health, and preparedness. A Growing Global Threat Wildfires are not new, but their frequency, size, and intensity have increa