Author: healthtost
There it is. THE positive pregnancy test you waited what seems like an eternity (ie 5 minutes). You are pregnant! What should you do first? Go tell your husband. Wait, no. Maybe your doctor? Find a midwife? Order a pregnancy book? Your head spins and spins with thoughts and obligations. If the first thing you did was Google “I’m pregnant…now what?”, we’ve got some answers for you right here. Without further ado, here is a helpful list for you: 1. Enjoy it Go ahead. Jump up and down and run around the house screaming at the top of your lungs.I…
Behavioral health is a term that comes up in conversations about health care, employment contracts and insurance documents, but many people are still unclear about what it really means. And most importantly, because it matters for everyday life. At its core, behavioral health is about the connection between our behaviors, our emotions, and our overall well-being. It affects the way we manage stress, form relationships, make decisions and take care of our physical health. Let’s explore what behavioral health really involves, how it differs from mental health, and why supporting it is key to building healthier lives and communities. What…
Pennington Biomedical researchers recently investigated the body’s systems that regulate weight, investigating whether our bodies defend a set weight goal or whether our bodies operate within a wider range of tolerance before biological mechanisms are activated. The paper, titled “Models of body weight regulation in humans: insights into testing their validity,” which was recently published in Nature Reviews Endocrinology, examined competing models of body weight regulation and analyzed how energy intake and expenditure interact to maintain or disrupt weight stability. The biological mechanisms of body weight regulation are not fully understood, so the researchers evaluated the theories behind the interaction…
From a breakthrough for diabetes to a potential key to heart, kidney, liver and reproductive health, GLP-1 drugs are redefining the treatment of chronic diseases. The story of GLP-1 receptor agonists began as a chapter in diabetes care, but is rapidly expanding into a multi-volume story in the management of interconnected chronic conditions. Originally developed to help the body better regulate blood sugar, this class of drugs — which includes well-known drugs such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) — has shown effects that reach far beyond the pancreas. By mimicking a natural gut hormone that slows digestion…
Written by Jane Freedman, Tamaryn Crankshaw and Marcia Mutambara Our latest article at SRHM highlighted the vulnerability of women asylum seekers and refugee women in South Africa to gender-based violence and lack of access to sexual and reproductive health services. The current COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to significantly worsen the situation of these women and leave them in an even more vulnerable position. Our research noted that despite the largely progressive nature of South Africa’s refugee laws (particularly the Refugee Act 1988), the ways in which the policies are implemented mean that asylum seekers face great difficulty…
This time of year, I love returning to food that feels fresh, flavorful, and truly enjoyable. These three salads are simple to make, full of flavor, and perfect when you want food without a second thought. They’re filling, easy to put together and packed with healthy ingredients, quality protein and delicious dressings. Let me know what you try first! Enjoy, Jess H Smoked salmon cucumber salad Bright, refreshing and ready in just 10 minutes! Crunchy cucumbers, smoked salmon and nutritious herbs come together quickly in this colorful salad. Tossed in a creamy Greek yogurt ranch dressing, every bite is an…
A snack a day keeps a bad day away! This is true because when are you ever bored of snacking? Whether you’re working, watching a movie, relaxing, or going out, a perfect, healthy, low-calorie snack is just the right amount of warmth for the New Year. Smart snacking doesn’t have to be boring and that’s what comes to mind when you think of healthy snacks. We get it, eating greens and fruit while watching a Hallmark movie can be sad. That’s why the art of dazzling your everyday healthy snacks is just what you need this New Year. The New…
As populations age and health care budgets tighten, a new valuation framework shows why the “price” of a healthy life year depends on who earns it and where policy choices may quietly allocate billions. Study: Deriving the monetary value of quality-adjusted life years through life extension from the value of a statistical life. Image credit: THIHA SATAPITANON / Shutterstock.com Effective evidence-based resource allocation using quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) is essential, especially as global life expectancy increases. A recent study published in Scientific Reports examines how accounting for age and demographic factors by country in QALY estimates can improve health care…
With the holiday season coming to an end and the new year offering an opportunity for a fresh start, many of us are looking for ways to improve our health. Often the instinct is to start big – with big decisions, dramatic changes and extreme changes in habits and routines. But large scale changes are difficult to sustain, and more often than not, these big plans are abandoned within weeks. “When it comes to creating healthier habits, the smallest, most achievable steps are often the most powerful.” Alexa MarksRD, SheKnows says. This is especially true when it comes to changing…
Everyone knows the relief that comes with a negative test result, and those same people can imagine the fear and dread that comes with a positive one. But some people will have an effect that doesn’t cause fear or relief – it just leaves them scratching their heads. Inconclusive results are unusual, but they do happen. Keep reading to find out what it is, why it happens, and what to do if you get it. It is important to know the state of your sexual health. How do STD tests work? To understand what unclear test results can mean, we…