Author: healthtost

Chronic pain is one of the most common health conditions worldwide. Back pain is the most commonly reported type, followed by head and face pain associated with the jaw joint, in the form of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).Although not life-threatening like cancer or infectious disease, chronic pain can dramatically reduce quality of life and functional lifespan. As mobility declines, people may face limited career options and increasing difficulty in performing basic daily activities. Epidemiological studies indicate that chronic pain can shorten life expectancy by up to 10 years due to reduced physical activity and general deterioration of health.”Pain in the…

This week, as hearings begin for a new Surgeon General, we reflect on what kind of public health leadership is required. And as Black History Month draws to a close, one name rises with clarity and conviction: Dr. Jocelyn Elders. Many know her as the first Black Surgeon General of the United States. Fewer know the full extent of its history. Dr. Jocelyn Elders was born in rural Arkansas in 1933, the daughter of sharecroppers and one of eight children. She often reflected on her upbringing, saying, “I grew up on a farm in a three-room shack. We had no…

Transactional sex in forced displacement contexts is widely discussed, but too often framed through narrow lenses. It is often confused with terms such as trafficking, exploitation or sex work and approached through moralizing or criminalizing narratives that obscure lived realities. In this episode of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRHM) Podcast.Eszter Kismődi talks to Dr Shirin Heidari, its principal investigator and coordinator Liminality Research Consortium hosted by the Gender Center at the Geneva Graduate Institute and Professor Monica A. Onyango, Co-Principal Investigator at Boston University School of Public Health, on the recent multi-country study, Survival strategies and health impacts…

For decades, pregnant women at risk of preterm labor have heard the same advice: slow down, stay off your feet, get as much rest as possible. It makes sense. If something threatens the pregnancy, surely doing less should protect it. But new research published in Obstetrics & Gynecology challenges this long held belief. The AWARE (Activity in Women at Risk for Preterm Birth) study found that activity restriction did not prolong pregnancy. In fact, women who were the most sedentary – averaging fewer than 3,500 steps per day – were more likely to give birth earlier and had more than…

You know the feeling. It’s 3 p.m. or maybe 9 p.m. You’ve been “good” all day. You had the protein smoothie. had the chicken breast salad. But now, your brain is hyper-focused on one thing: the cookies in the cupboard. You say to yourself, “I shouldn’t have them. Sugar is bad. If I start, I won’t stop.” But the urge grows stronger. You finally break. You don’t just eat a cookie. you eat five, maybe the whole row, quickly and with a heavy dose of guilt. Criticize yourself for your lack of willpower. You promise yourself that you will “start…

Today, more than half of older Americans get their Medicare coverage through private Medicare Advantage plans. In 2020, that program made a sweeping policy change, allowing these plans to offer supplemental benefits beyond traditional medical care, including groceries, meal delivery, utilities, transportation, pest control and air filters. Now, with a roughly $3 million R01 grant from the National Institute on Aging, George Mason University health economist Jeah Jung will lead a national study to evaluate whether these benefits reduce adverse health events and improve functional outcomes. “Social needs related to health, such as food security, housing quality, reliable transportation, and…

Sadness vs DepressionClinical depressionMental HealthSymptoms of depression We all have days when the weight of the world seems a little heavier. Maybe you’re feeling down after a disappointment, grieving a loss, or simply exhausted by the demands of life. But when does normal sadness cross the line into something more serious? And how do you know if what you’re dealing with is depression that requires professional help? While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they have clear differences. Sadness is a natural human emotion that usually passes with time and self-care. Depression, on the other hand, is a medical condition…

Like any other form of exercise, weight training is a great way to boost your mood and boost your mental health. It releases endorphins in the brain, which are very beneficial for people with depression. Other benefits include increased energy levels, better sleep, improved self-esteem and better social skills. Plus, you have the added bonus of stronger muscles! If you’re not sure if weight training is right for you, there are many resources online to help you understand the risks and benefits associated with this type of exercise. Weight training can be done in many ways and can be done…

To further our quantitative understanding of cellular decision-making, Dr. Gregory Reeves and his team in the chemical engineering department worked to interpret how a transcription factor dictates the change in gene expression in cells. The team’s work, recently published in Advances in Sciencefocuses on a protein called Dorsal, which is a version of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)—a critical transcription factor that controls cellular processes and decision-making while regulating cellular immunity and growth. NF-κB is involved in various medical cellular behaviors such as inflammation, innate immunity, and wound healing. This level of understanding could lead to the ability to control these cellular…

Stress affects one an estimated one in five teenagers. The condition can seriously affect their social life, school performance and general well-being. And, worryingly, anxiety disorders that often start during adolescence continue into adulthood. Biological, genetic and environmental factors are known to play a role in an individual possibility of developing anxiety. However, a growing body of research suggests that diet can also affect mental health. Certain foods, such as fruits and vegetables and omega-3 fatty acidshave been linked to lower anxiety symptoms. On the other hand, diets high in free sugar have been linked to worse mental health in…