A new analysis of the ERA-EDTA Registry reveals a striking gender difference in the incidence and prevalence of end-stage renal disease. Two-thirds of all dialysis patients in Europe are male. It seems beyond hormonal effects that hypertension; diabetes and glomerulonephritis/sclerosis are the main drivers of the gender gap. However, it is possible to prevent and…
A pilot study by the University of Birmingham has identified major barriers to healthcare access for migrants, including denial of entitlements, administrative issues, lack of understanding, language barriers and fears of being arrested. Funded by the Nuffield Foundation, the ‘Vulnerable migrants and well-being’ pilot study, is led by Dr. Laurence Lessard-Phillips from the Institute for…
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder by abnormal behavior, strange speech and a decreased ability to understand reality. Other symptoms include false beliefs, unclear or confused thinking, hearing voices that do not exist; reduced social engagement and emotional expression; lack of motivation. People with schizophrenia often have additional mental health problems such as anxiety, depressive or substance-use disorders. Symptoms typically come on…
Prostate cancer is the development of cancer in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, some grow relatively quickly. The cancer cells may spread from the prostate to other areas of the body, particularly the bones and lymph nodes. It may initially cause no symptoms. In later stages; it can lead to difficulty…
Recognizing the signs of deadly skin emergencies and knowing when to call for a dermatology consult can save lives, said Steven Chen, MD, a dermatologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Hospitalists and other physicians might see these conditions only rarely; but they “are the ones that, if you miss the diagnosis, you end up…
A recent WebMD article reports that a special panel of experts assembled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration strongly endorsed a new drug to help patients with treatment resistant depression (a form of depression resilient to many anti-depressants). This new drug, named esketamine, also provides an unprecedented ability to take effect within days whereas others require months. Treatment options With…
Investigators have now shown that the breast milk microbiome contains fungi. Multiple previous studies had found bacteria in breast milk. Certain fungi and bacteria have been shown to be important probiotics for infant health. The research is published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology.”Our research demonstrates the presence…
Researchers examined the prevalence and impact of six common symptoms (pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, breathing difficulty, sleep problems) and found that nearly half of adults ages 65 and older have two or more of these symptoms and one-fourth have three or more. But often clinicians miss these symptoms, and the more serious health issues they…
Insecticides in microscopic plastic capsules Encasing insecticides in microscopic plastic capsules a common formulation for many pest sprays on the market could lead to unintended consequences. Environmental toxicologist Stacey Harper and her team found that a common insecticide in its “capsule suspension” formulation – with molecules of the active ingredient encapsulated in tiny; inert plastic…
An estimated one in twenty Indians suffer from an illness classified as a “rare disease”. Fifty percent of these cases afflict children. Despite this, the illnesses remain neglected, both in terms of funding for research, as well as public awareness. Rare disease day, aiming to spread awareness Though International Rare Disease Day does not typically focus on…
Teen boys who are unfit and/or obese have higher odds for chronic disease and disability as adults; according to a large Swedish study. Researchers followed more than 1 million boys for an average of 28 years; starting when they were 16 to 19 years of age. Those who were inactive; obese or both as teens…
The Canadian Space Agency says it wants to hire ex-astronaut Dave Williams to help figure out how to get humans to Mars and back in one piece. But if you’re also a medical doctor who is been to space and you think you can do a better job; please let the agency know. Williams is…