Featured Articles
Read our latest stories on the people and scientific innovations making a difference in patients’ lives.
Finding the Key to Alzheimer’s Dementia
I recall very vividly one of my patients who couldn’t see that his Alzheimer dementia (AD) symptoms were changing. Despite concerns from family members and his primary care doctor, this patient continued to drive. A quick brainstorm with the family led to my suggesting that they hide the car keys. Unfortunately, this caused frustration for both my patient and the caregivers. Every day he would search for the keys, going through every inch of the house and leaving a trail of disarray behind him...
What You Need to Know About Sunscreen
More than 2 million people in the US are diagnosed with skin cancer every year. Unprotected skin exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can also lead to several other adverse health effects, such as sunburn, premature skin aging, eye damage, and weakened immune system. The American Cancer Society states that simply staying in the shade is one of the best ways to limit exposure to UV radiation. However, if you are in the sun, it is recommended that you cover up with clothing, hat and sunglasses...
5 Myths About Dementia
MYTH: Dementia is a disease FACT: Dementia is not a disease. Instead, it describes a group of symptoms that affects the ability to think, remember things, and reason to a degree such that a person’s activities of daily living are impaired. Other changes can include trouble with language or communication, and unexpected changes in mood and behavior. MYTH: All types of dementia are the same FACT: There are many different types of dementia—though some are more common than others. Some of...
Taking Medication During Pregnancy
The reality is that some women get sick and are diagnosed with serious diseases during pregnancy. Or they may have a chronic illness that needs to be managed while pregnant. Sometimes making the decision whether to take medication during pregnancy is not so easy. It is difficult to study new medications in pregnant women, and even more difficult to assess the effects of medication on the developing fetus. Pregnant women are considered a vulnerable group by regulatory agencies and ethics...
Taking Medication and Breastfeeding
A breastfeeding mother may find herself in a difficult and complex situation when faced with making medical treatment decisions, especially when she is managing or becomes diagnosed with a health concern or chronic illness. As with pregnancy, much remains to be known about the effects of many medications on the breastfeeding infant. Often the mother and her healthcare provider are left to discuss treatment options with limited information available to them. There are very few large...
Supporting the Hemophilia Community
Hemophilia is a rare and life-long bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot normally. While people with hemophilia can lead fairly normal lives with certain precautions to prevent and control bleeds, managing the condition can be challenging. Those living with hemophilia or caring for someone with hemophilia can face a wide range of difficulties—including medical, psychological, social and financial – which is why a strong network of support is a vital part of comprehensive care. Ea...
Understanding Fungal Skin Infections
When you hear the word fungus, you may think of mushrooms growing on a wet tree trunk, mold on old bread, or mildew at the back of the refrigerator. These are perhaps the most well-known forms of fungi (more than one fungus), but did you know that there are up to 1.5 million species of fungi, approximately 300 of which can cause illness in people? Is There a Fungus Among Us? Fungi in the form of yeast, mold, or mildew are found just about everywhere, including in the air, in soil, on...
Vaccine Schedules for Infants, Children and Adults
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination as a way to control and prevent disease outbreaks in the United States. Vaccine schedules include immunizations against contagious diseases such as measles, mumps, and pertussis, to name a few. You may have wondered how these recommendations are developed. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is a group of medical and public health experts that develop recommendations on the routine administration...
Overcoming the Stigma of Sickle Cell Disease
People living with sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited blood disorder that primarily affects African Americans in the U.S., have to deal with constant fatigue and severely painful episodes that can last for a few hours or as long as a week. Adding to these daily challenges, family, friends, and the general public can sometimes view people with SCD as weak, lazy or faking their symptoms. These stigmas even exist in healthcare settings, making it more difficult for people living with SCD to...
Acute vs. Chronic Cough: What Is It Really Trying To Tell You?
Want to be the least popular person in a crowd? Start coughing. You will surely draw the attention of everyone within earshot—and probably not in a good way. You may even notice people inching away from you and your perceived germs, (whether real or not). But, if strangers can interpret the signs and symptoms of a cough so quickly, why are we sometimes last to pay attention to it? Here’s what’s true: A cough is an important symptom that’s trying to tell you something. The Anatomy of a Cough...
How I Became A Sickle Cell Warrior
In Kenya, where I was born, many people are aware of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), more so than in the U.S. This may be because there is a greater proportion of the population in Africa that has the disease. My older brother and I were both born with SCD. We have also witnessed many people suffer from and lose family members and friends to the disease. For a long time, I lived in denial about having SCD. As a child, my view of it was very negative; I could not imagine anything positive ever...
Preventing Accidental Poisonings at Home
It’s always important to be aware of unintentional poisonings and to learn about poison prevention. Though many adults may not think a poisoning could happen to them or their children, many parents may not even be aware of what the dangers could be! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every 13 seconds, a poison control center in the United States answers a call about a possible poisoning with more than 90% of these exposures occurring in the home. Additionally...
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