Author: healthtost
Children born to mothers who take anticonvulsant drugs to manage seizures and psychiatric conditions during pregnancy may face an increased risk of neurodevelopmental conditions, according to new data from researchers at Drexel’s Dornsife School of Public Health. The current work — using data from more than three million children from the UK and Sweden, including 17,495 who were exposed to anticonvulsant drugs during pregnancy — found that children exposed to the anticonvulsant drug lamotrigine in utero did not experience additional risk for autism or intellectual disability compared to those exposed to other anticonvulsant drugs. However, children exposed to valproate, topiramate,…
As government representatives gather at COP29 international climate summit in Azerbaijan, the impact of climate change on young people’s mental health must be an urgent priority. As psychiatrists who work with children and adolescents, we are so concerned that we are sharing our research at the summit on the link between higher temperatures and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Us recent study shows that young people are more likely to present to the emergency department for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in warmer weather. See what we found and why one of us (Cybele Dey) is presenting our findings at COP29. Mental…
Dermal fillers have become a good solution to address the sunken or sunken appearance in the under eye area known as the teardrop. One of the most popular options in this category is Juvederm, a hyaluronic acid-based filler. This non-surgical treatment can smooth the under-eye area, giving patients a more youthful, refreshed appearance. Read on for some fun dermal filler facts and learn how Juvederm is used in a cleft. What are Tear Troughs? Tears are the dimples that run from the inner corner of your eye down to your cheek. Over time, the skin in this area can lose…
I became a personal trainer and coach in 2002. Shows like Alias and 24 was all the rage, *NSYNC still had Justin Timberlake and The Two Towers it rocked my world. So much so that I went to the theater to see it like four times.1 Admittedly, it seems like ages ago. I mean social media didn’t exist back then. Or Warby Parker for that matter! Needless to say, in my 20+ years in “the biz”, I’ve seen my share of good coaches that make me proud to be in the industry and bad coaches that sometimes make me want…
In what could one day become a new treatment for epilepsy, researchers at UC San Francisco, UC Santa Cruz and UC Berkeley used pulses of light to prevent seizure-like activity in neurons. The researchers used brain tissue removed from epilepsy patients as part of their treatment. Ultimately, they hope the technique will replace surgery to remove the brain tissue where seizures originate, providing a less invasive option for patients whose symptoms cannot be controlled with medication. The team used a method known as optogenetics, which uses a harmless virus to transfer light-sensitive genes from microorganisms to a specific set of…
There are several factors to consider when it comes to finding a provider who is knowledgeable about transgender health care needs and who can support transgender patients by providing high-quality gender-affirming care, primary care, or other specialty care. Dr. Maurice Garcia, transgender surgeon and director of the Cedars-Sinai Transgender Surgery and Health Program, and Dr. Sheryl Kingsberg, psychologist and chief of behavioral medicine at MacDonald Women’s Hospital/University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, shared tips for transgender patients in this theme. Start with cultural competence. At a basic level, providers and staff members in the health care center should demonstrate cultural competence.…
As the temperatures cool, you’re probably ready to bust out your parkas and fluffy floor-length scarves to stay warm – or ready to just stay inside and avoid the winter weather altogether. But bundling up in layers and spending less time outdoors can limit your sun exposure, leading to lower levels of vitamin D, which is produced when your skin absorbs UV rays from the sun. About 40 percent of the US has a vitamin D deficiencyand is especially prevalent in the northern regions, where the winter months are the most brutal. So here’s how you can make sure you’re…
Summer is approaching, the mornings and evenings are getting lighter and you are looking for a new challenge to boost your physical condition and give you motivation. Entertaining season is upon us, so why not give it a try? Setting yourself a running goal can be a great way to give your fitness a much needed boost. Running is a great cardio activity, and you’ll likely lose a few pounds as your fitness improves. The following tips will help you achieve your running goals and set you up for a fun run. Choose a run of the appropriate distance If…
Dietary zinc deficiency promotes lung infection by the bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii — a leading cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia, according to a new study published Nov. 15 in the journal Nature Microbiology. A team of researchers led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center discovered an unexpected link between the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-13 (IL-13) and A. baumannii lung infection and demonstrated that blocking IL-13 prevented death associated with the infection animal model. The findings suggest that anti-IL-13 antibodies, which are FDA-approved for use in humans, may protect against bacterial pneumonia in zinc-deficient patients. To our knowledge, this is the first study to…
Map out the lifestyle of proper nutrition, plenty of exercise and sleep By Deb Dittner A cancer diagnosis can be devastating. No one wants to hear those three words: “You have cancer,” causing an overwhelming feeling. So many questions arise. If you or a loved one receives a cancer diagnosis, there are several steps you can take to make the process a little easier. Enlist the help of either a family member or a close friend to be by your side and for the extra pair of ears, for support, for companionship in difficult times. Sure there are times when…