2+ min ago (402+ words) Scientists from the University of South Australia have found a direct link between low vitamin D levels and an increased risk of dementia. Vitamin D is essential for many aspects of health. It helps the body absorb calcium, which is vital for strong bones, and works with calcium to prevent osteoporosis'a condition that weakens bones and increases fracture risk. Beyond bone health, vitamin D supports muscle function, nerve signaling between the brain and body, and immune system activity. Higher vitamin D levels have also been suggested to support healthy brain function. Only a few foods naturally contain vitamin D, and fortified foods provide most of the vitamin D in typical diets, especially in countries like the United States. Dementia is a condition marked by severe decline in cognitive abilities, including thinking, memory, and reasoning, to the extent that daily activities…...

5+ min ago (688+ words) In the past ten years, more people have been going to emergency rooms because of stomach pain and long episodes of vomiting. Many of these people are regular cannabis users. Doctors noticed the trend but didn't have a clear way to label or track it. That changed recently when a new official medical code was added for a condition called "cannabis hyperemesis syndrome" (CHS). This condition starts within 24 hours after someone uses cannabis and can last for days. People who have CHS often go through these vomiting episodes three or four times a year. Now, with the new code, R11.16, listed in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), doctors can officially document this condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also added this code to their system in the U.S. The new code helps in many ways. First, it allows healthcare providers…...

7+ min ago (826+ words) For many people, difficulties with swallowing a pill might not be cause for concern. Linda Rossi, however, knew something was wrong when she found herself choking while taking her vitamins; although she could still talk, she felt as though something was blocking her windpipe. Rossi, who was 66 at the time, went to the emergency department at a local hospital in California, where doctors took an X-ray as a precaution. They found a spot on her lung, which they confirmed as lung cancer. "I was so horrified, I don't remember anything else the doctor told me," Rossi said. "I was a smoker for over 20 years." Over 200,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer in the United States every year. Rossi had adenocarcinoma, which had also affected the lymph nodes adjacent to the primary lung tumor. While most people with lung cancer are…...

9+ min ago (517+ words) A new study from scientists in Finland has found that the heart health benefits of a fatty acid in fish oil can vary a lot from one person to another. The research focused on a nutrient called eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, which is a type of omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil. While EPA is already known to help people with high cholesterol or heart disease, its effects on healthy people are less clear. To learn more, the researchers studied how EPA affects metabolism and blood fats, or lipids, in healthy adults. They gave high doses of EPA supplements to 38 volunteers and collected blood samples before, during, and after the supplement period. Their goal was to see how the body absorbs and uses EPA. The study showed that EPA is absorbed well and causes its levels in the blood…...

9+ min ago (448+ words) Sildenafil is primarily known as a treatment for erectile dysfunction, a condition that affects millions of men worldwide. By enhancing blood flow to the penis, sildenafil facilitates an erection when sexual stimulation occurs. It is vital to understand that while sildenafil can address the physiological aspects of erectile dysfunction, lifestyle choices significantly influence its effectiveness. Post My Meds emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach to treatment, advising patients to consider not only the medication but also their overall health and lifestyle decisions. Lifestyle factors play a crucial role in sexual health and can either enhance or impair the effects of sildenafil. Engaging in healthy habits can not only improve the efficacy of this medication but also contribute to overall well-being. Understanding how these elements interact with medication will empower individuals to take charge of their health. Diet can have…...

10+ min ago (377+ words) Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, originally developed to manage type 2 diabetes, have shown impressive protective effects for the heart and kidneys. In healthy kidneys, SGLT2 reabsorbs about 97% of filtered glucose in the early sections of the proximal tubule, while SGLT1 picks up the rest in the later segment. In a recent rat study, scientists found that blocking both SGLT1 and SGLT2 worked better than blocking SGLT2 alone for treating high blood pressure caused by too much salt and for preventing kidney damage. The findings will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2025, held from November 59. Salt-sensitive hypertension is a form of high blood pressure triggered by excess salt intake. It affects nearly half of those with high blood pressure and plays a major role in worsening kidney disease, increasing heart complications, and pushing patients toward kidney failure. Specifically, dual inhibition with sotagliflozin led to greater reductions in mean…...

11+ min ago (596+ words) A new study shows that gum disease may be connected to damage in the brain. This damage appears as white spots on brain scans, known as white matter hyperintensities, which are thought to reflect tissue injury. These changes have been linked to problems with memory, balance, and thinking, as well as a higher risk of stroke. The research was published in Neurology" Open Access, a journal from the American Academy of Neurology. While the study does not prove that gum disease causes brain damage, it suggests that taking care of your teeth may also help protect your brain. White matter is the part of the brain that helps different areas communicate with each other. When this white matter is damaged, it can interfere with important functions like reasoning, coordination, and memory. These types of injuries tend to increase as people…...

13+ min ago (563+ words) A new study shows that people who do not treat their obstructive sleep apnea may face a much higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The good news is that using a common sleep treatment, known as CPAP, could help lower that risk. The research was led by experts from Oregon Health & Science University and the Portland VA Health Care System. It was published in the journal JAMA Neurology. The study used health records from more than 11 million U.S. military veterans who received care from the Department of Veterans Affairs between 1999 and 2022. This makes it one of the largest studies of its kind. Parkinson's disease is a serious brain disorder that slowly gets worse over time. It causes problems with movement, balance, and other body functions. It affects nearly 1 million people in the United States, and the risk of developing it increases…...

15+ min ago (757+ words) On a November morning a year ago, in between her 52nd birthday and Thanksgiving, Kim Spight decided to take a train to church. Normally, she drove into Dallas from Irving, Texas. But her daughter, Sharnay, a caterer, was deep-frying a turkey for a customer and needed to borrow Kim's bigger car to transport the fryer. On the train ride from Irving, Texas, Kim was listening to music when she started feeling ill. The world became blurry. Her mother had a stroke years earlier, so Kim wondered if she was having one, too. She knew that face drooping was a warning sign, so she pulled out a mirror to check. She looked fine. Difficulty speaking is another sign, and she could still talk. She could also text, which eased concerns about weakness on one side of her body. When the train arrived at…...

16+ min ago (580+ words) A new study from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has found that a low-fat vegan diet leads to more weight loss than the Mediterranean diet, even when it includes some foods often considered "unhealthy." This research, published in Frontiers in Nutrition, looked closely at how different plant-based eating patterns affect weight. In the study, people on the vegan diet lost more weight than those on the Mediterranean diet. Interestingly, the vegan group still saw results even when eating foods like potatoes and white bread, which some diet systems label as "unhealthy" plant foods. The key factor in the vegan group's weight loss was cutting out animal products, including meat, dairy, and fish. These participants also reduced or avoided added oils and nuts, which are usually seen as healthy. Still, this combination seemed to help them lose more weight. Dr....