LocalHealthGuide

The roots of the North American opioid crisis, and 3 key strategies for stopping it

The traditional “war on drugs” approach that focuses only on criminalization has been unsuccessful. In reality the data shows that illegal drug prices have fallen whilst purity and deaths have increased. Overdose deaths have also increased in prisons showing that places with even the highest level of security are vulnerable to drug smuggling.Focusing on the opioid crisis through a public-health approach includes massively increasing access to care and treatment for patients experiencing substance use disorder. It requires more evidence-based services such as addiction clinics, psychotherapy harm reduction strategies and education for both patients and families about treatments that are available to them.Beyond initial treatment there should be continued professional social support and a wider national effort to address the socioeconomic causes in disadvantaged communities.

October 31, 2023 Diet / Weight Loss

Can I actually target areas to lose fat, like my belly?

Our bodies decide where we store fat and where we lose it from first. And over-the-counter pills and supplements cannot effectively target fat loss either.

October 31, 2023 Food-borne Illness / Infectious Disease / Poisoning

What is ‘fried rice syndrome’? A microbiologist explains this type of food poisoning – and how to avoid it

A condition dubbed “fried rice syndrome” has caused some panic online in recent days, after the case of a 20-year-old who died in 2008 was resurfaced on TikTok.

“Fried rice syndrome” refers to food poisoning from a bacterium called Bacillus cereus, which becomes a risk when cooked food is left at room temperature for too long.

The 20-year-old college student died after reportedly eating spaghetti that he cooked, left out of the fridge, and then reheated and ate five days later. Although death is rare, B. cereus can cause gastrointestinal illness if food isn’t stored properly. Here’s what to know and how to protect yourself.

October 30, 2023 Health Insurance / Minorities / Public Health

Health insurance, now open to all; Enrollment starts Nov.1

Starting this year, Washington Healthplanfinder has expanded access to health coverage to include immigrants who are undocumented. More Washingtonians than ever will have the opportunity to buy an insurance plan that covers important health care services.

Letters ADHD repeated over and over again on a black background.

October 30, 2023 Attention Deficit Disorder / Brain and Nervous System / Drugs / Mental Health

How do stimulants actually work to reduce ADHD symptoms?

Stimulant drugs are thought to alter the activity of key neuotransmitters, dopamine and noradrenaline, in the brain. These neurotransmitters help with attention and focus, among other things.

October 23, 2023 Abortion / Mental Health / Pregnancy / Women's Health

Medical exceptions to abortion bans often exclude mental health conditions

Despite mental health conditions making up more than 20% of maternal deaths and 1 in 5 women suffering maternal mental health conditions, several states explicitly exclude mental health conditions as exceptions to abortion restrictions.

Box and dispenser of opioid overdose drug Narcan (naloxone)

October 20, 2023 Addiction / Drugs / Public Health

Naloxone now available over the counter in King County

The medication naloxone, brand name Narcan, that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose is now available over the counter in King County.

October 20, 2023 Abortion / Miscarriage / Pregnancy / Women's Health

Many women can’t access miscarriage drug because it’s also used for abortions

Doctors say patients have gotten caught up in larger debates around abortion

October 19, 2023 Coronavirus / COVID / Infectious Disease / Vaccines

Fall Covid-19 Update

Will there be a new surge?

Who should get the new mRNA vaccines?

Are they safe and effective?

October 19, 2023 Addiction / Substance Abuse

Adele called herself a ‘borderline alcoholic’. But is that a real thing?

British singer-songwriter Adele says she has quit drinking, describing herself as a “borderline alcoholic” when she was in her 20s. She joins a growing number of people who are trying to quit or reduce their drinking. But what does “borderline alcoholic” mean and is it a real thing?

October 19, 2023 Health Insurance / Health Policy / Medicaid / Politics

10 Medicaid holdout states scramble to improve health coverage

The Republican-led states that have refused to expand Medicaid are trying a variety of strategies to save struggling hospitals and cover more people without full expansion, which was one of the key provisions of the Affordable Care Act.

October 17, 2023 Breast Cancer / Cancer

‘I’m not going to be cured’. How breast cancer awareness and support sidelines people with metastatic disease

There have been incredible advances in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in recent years. And stories about celebrities who have “beaten” breast cancer continue to be a source of inspiration for many people. However, this emphasis on fighting, beating and surviving cancer shuts out the voices of those who will not survive. That is, the many people diagnosed with incurable, life-limiting metastatic breast cancer.

Stress Fibers and Microtubules in Human Breast Cancer Cells. Created by Christina Stuelten, Carole Parent, 2011

October 13, 2023 Breast Cancer / Cancer / Prevention

What to Know About Metastatic Breast Cancer

When cancer cells break away from a tumor, they can travel to other parts of the body. Metastatic breast cancer happens when cancer that began in the breast spreads (metastasizes) to other parts of the body, such as nearby lymph nodes, bones, liver, and lungs. It is also different than other stages of breast cancer, as it means you will likely have breast cancer for the rest of your life.

October 13, 2023 Aging / Fitness / Prevention

Steep physical decline with age is not inevitable – here’s how strength training can change the trajectory

As people age, it can become more and more difficult to perform some physical tasks, even those that are normal activities of daily living. However, prioritizing physical fitness and health as you get older can help you go through your normal day-to-day routine without feeling physically exhausted at the end of the day.

October 12, 2023 Cardiology / Emergency Medicine / Heart and Circulatory System

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in King County spiked during pandemic, UW study finds

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests rose by 19% and survival of those events fell by about 4% during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. But acute infections of the SARS-CoV-2 virus appeared not to be a primary cause of the changes.