LocalHealthGuide

Exercise is even more effective than counselling or medication for depression. But how much do you need?

March 3, 2023

We found the higher the intensity of exercise, the more beneficial it is. For example, walking at a brisk pace, instead of walking at usual pace. And exercising for six to 12 weeks has the greatest benefits, rather than shorter periods. Longer-term exercise is important for maintaining mental health improvements. When comparing the size of the benefits of exercise to other common treatments for mental health conditions from previous systematic reviews, our findings suggest exercise is around 1.5 times more effective than either medication or cognitive behaviour therapy.

Coronavirus, COVID, Drugs

Beware of Fraudulent Coronavirus Tests, Vaccines and Treatments—FDA warns

March 1, 2023

The FDA is particularly concerned that these deceptive and misleading products might cause people to delay, skip or stop appropriate medical treatment for COVID-19, leading to serious and life-threatening harm. It’s likely that the products do not do what they claim, and the ingredients in them could cause adverse effects (bad reactions) and could interact and potentially interfere with medications to treat many underlying medical conditions.

Health Costs, Health Insurance, Pregnancy, Swedish Hospital, Women's Health

Surprise-Billing Law Loophole: When ‘Out of Network’ Doesn’t Quite Mean Out of Network

February 28, 2023

Referred to Swedish Maternal & Fetal Specialty Center – First Hill for pregnancy complications, Danielle Laskey, a registered nurse, was surprised with a $120,000 hospital bill.

Mental Health, Pregnancy, Prevention, Public Health, Women's Health

80% of pregnancy-related deaths in Washington state were preventable, study

February 28, 2023

Behavioral health conditions, including suicide and overdose, remain the leading causes of pregnancy-related deaths. Other common causes were hemorrhage and infection.

Drugs, Hospitals, Infectious Disease, Prevention

One easy way to fight antibiotic resistance? Good hand hygiene

February 28, 2023

Hygiene and antibiotic use interact. Antibiotic use had less of an effect on the evolution of antibacterial resistance as hygiene levels increased. This is because evolution toward resistance depends on variation in bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics. By affecting the distribution of resistant and sensitive bacterial strains across patients, hygiene limits the bacterial diversity needed to evolve resistance.

Depression, Drugs, Mental Health

Considering going off antidepressants? Here’s what to think about first

February 27, 2023

Stopping antidepressants abruptly, especially after a long period of use, will make most people – although not everyone – unwell. It’s impossible to tell in advance who will be affected, so slow dose reduction is advisable. Stopping antidepressants (or tapering down the dose) too rapidly can cause antidepressant discontinuation syndrome in around 20% of people.

Aging, Brain and Nervous System, Drugs

What is delirium?

February 27, 2023

Up to one-third of older people admitted to hospital are diagnosed with delirium. This increases the risk of unnecessary functional decline, a longer hospital stay, falls, needing to be admitted to a residential aged care facility, and death. However, identifying the condition early reduces these risks. Delirium can also be prevented by identifying who is vulnerable to the condition and finding ways of reducing the person’s risk.

Fitness, Musculoskeletal, Orthopedics, Surgery, Women's Health

Female football players are at much higher risk of career-ending ACL injuries – the science on why

February 25, 2023

Females have a wider pelvis relative to leg length, which results in increased angulation at the knee. The shape of the bones is also different in women in that the ACL passes through a narrower space to attach to the thigh bone, which may make it more susceptible to injury. The actual size of the ACL is also often smaller in females, so may be less able to withstand high forces.

Alternative Medicine, Vaccines

Rejecting science has a long history – the pandemic showed what happens when you ignore this

February 24, 2023

Anti-vaccination groups, as well as other anti-science movements, are not new phenomena, nor are the nature of their objections. Most anti-science arguments have been around for centuries.

Addiction, Drugs, Opioids, Pharmacists

Addiction Treatment May Be Coming to a Pharmacy Near You

February 24, 2023

new study showed patients who receive the medicine at pharmacies rather than at doctor’s offices stayed in treatment longer.

Drugs, Fungal Infections, Infectious Disease, Research

The fungus zombies in ‘The Last of Us’ are fictional, but real fungi can infect people, and they’re becoming more resistant

February 24, 2023

Many of the people watching The Last of Us are likely there for the zombies. I love the zombies too, but I’m really there for the fungus.

Brain and Nervous System, Disabilities

What is Tourette syndrome, the condition Lewis Capaldi lives with?

February 24, 2023

You might have seen the news fans of singer Lewis Capaldi helped him finish a song at a concert this week, after symptoms of his Tourette syndrome suddenly flared up and temporarily prevented him from performing. — So, what is Tourette syndrome and how is it managed?

Global Health, Sexually Transmitted Disease

Science Falls Behind as Syphilis Stages Another Comeback

February 24, 2023

Despite being one of the oldest known sexually transmitted infections, with possible origins in the 14th century — as well as intense public health initiatives over the past many decades — syphilis receives little attention from researchers.

Health Policy, Rural Health, Rural Hospitals

Texas Town Tries a New Model for Saving Rural Health Care

February 23, 2023

The revamped facilities will transfer people who need inpatient care to full-service hospitals nearby. But for many rural communities, such conversions to fewer services will be a bitter pill to swallow.