Author: healthtost
From “ghosting” and “bun” to “love bombing” and “damping,” smart netizens are hard at work categorizing new behaviors that people may encounter when they go online. While all of these new terms may have emerged in recent years, they describe actions that have long been common among couples in love. Labeling these behaviors can help us better understand confusing situations and give us tools to respond to them. So, what is “snowmanning” and how does it relate to STDs? Continue reading to learn more. Don’t “imagine” your sexual health – get a clear picture of it with Better2Know’s complete STI…
Opioid abuse, specifically opioid use disorder (OUD), continues to be a major threat to US public health, with more than 6 million Americans age 12 and older meeting criteria for OUD in 2022. Efforts to crisis mitigation include the development of genetic tests to identify individuals at greater risk for OUD. New research, published today in JAMA Network Open, challenges the utility of 15 genetic variants from an algorithm intended to predict OUD risk that was recently granted premarket approval by the Food and Drug Administration. He found that the test could lead to both false positives and false negatives.…
As a senior at Florida A&M University, Sharon Harris was juggling a full course load, three jobs and other demands of college life when she started feeling sick. She visited the doctor and went to the hospital emergency room for gastrointestinal problems, and her health care providers (HCPs) thought she might have Crohn’s disease. The medication he received didn’t help, but he made it through to graduation. When Harris’ mother came to her graduation ceremony, she asked her daughter about the butterfly-like rash on her cheeks and nose. Harris hadn’t noticed, but assumed it was stress related. She would ask…
Between endless Zoom meetings, family responsibilities, and trying to squeeze in some time, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to maintain a skincare routine that actually works for your melanin-rich skin. Have you ever wondered why your mother’s skin seems to defy gravity while your colleagues are constantly battling wrinkles? As someone who’s spent years navigating the beauty industry, I’ve found that it’s all about our magical melanin, but here’s the thing: our melanin-rich skin requires a unique approach that most mainstream beauty advice simply doesn’t address. Understanding Melanin Rich Skin: Your Skin’s Superpower Think of melanin as…
With a young child to care for during her second pregnancy, along with additional responsibilities at work, Iveta van Zylwe found herself with less time to prepare for the birth of her son. She experienced first hand how this lack of preparation made the already overwhelming process of pregnancy and birth even more stressful. She regretted not packing for the hospital and realizing that many mothers face these same challenges, she came up with the vision of Alle Ana Gift Packs: a convenient and practical solution that helps mums feel supported, nurtured and prepared as they await their baby’s…
For many of us, the holidays are filled with sweet treats, heavy meals and maybe a drink or a dozen. Now that the holidays have come and gone, we may be feeling crappy or just that some of our health habits have fallen by the wayside. Maybe it’s time then for a refresher after the holidays to get back on track and hold ourselves accountable. As you know, I am not a fan of the nutritional mindset and the work I do focuses on: However, I recognize that at the beginning of the year people are extra motivated to create…
The average life expectancy of people diagnosed with dementia ranges from 9 years at age 60 to 4.5 years at age 85 for women and from 6.5 to just over 2 years, respectively, for men, finds a systematic review the latest on The BMJ today. The results also suggest that a third of people with dementia are admitted to a nursing home within three years of diagnosis. Nearly 10 million people worldwide are diagnosed with dementia each year, but survival estimates vary widely and few studies have assessed prognosis (the likely course of the condition) in terms of time to…
Feeling drained and lethargic is common: A 2022 national survey found that 13.5% of US adults said they felt “very tired” or “exhausted” most days or every day for three months. Women aged 18 to 44 had the highest rate of fatigue – just over 20%. Being tired is connected to something deeper than overwork or a sign of the times. I am a registered dietitian and nutritional neuroscientist. My research, along with the work of others in the field, shows that your diet and lifestyle choices may be contributing to your struggles. These two factors are closely related and…
Male depression: A closer look As a men’s therapist in Chicago, I see firsthand how men experience depression in ways that are often unrecognized or misunderstood. Depression doesn’t always look the way we expect it to. When we hear the word ‘depression’, most people imagine someone sad, withdrawn or crying. While this can certainly be the case, depression in men can take different forms, making it harder for them and those around them to spot it. It is not uncommon for men to dismiss their own feelings or for their depression to manifest in ways that at first seem unrelated.…
Sharing is caring! Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea, also known as Honey Citrus Mint Tea, is meant to boost the immune system as well as soothe a sore throat during flu season. It contains two different types of tea, honey and lemonade and is served hot. I’m making my own version of the medicine ball and mine will be a little healthier but just as soothing for cold symptoms. My Starbucks Medicine Ball recipe is made with simple ingredients, much less sugar than the original, and a must-have hot drink on those days when you just don’t feel so good. What…