12Mar 2023 by Janice Holland
Women With RA, Other Diseases, May Have Trouble Accessing Methotrexate Because of Abortion Restrictions

Women With RA, Other Diseases, May Have Trouble Accessing Methotrexate Because of Abortion Restrictions

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Women with inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have taken to social media to post about their problems accessing the medication methotrexate since Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court. Although the drug has been used for decades to successfully manage RA, lupus, and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), filling or even getting a prescription for methotrexate in some parts of the country is getting more difficult for women of childbearing age.Are Methotrexate Pills the Same as Abortion Pills?No, but methotrexate is also prescribed to treat ectopic pregnancy, which is when a pregnancy starts outside the uterus (typically in the fallopian tubes) and is not considered viable. In these cases, which are considered life-threatening to the person affected, methotrexate can often be used to end the pregnancy without surgery.…
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12Mar 2023 by Janice Holland
Osteoarthritis Research: News You Can Use From EULAR 2022

Osteoarthritis Research: News You Can Use From EULAR 2022

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Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder in the United States, affecting more than 32.5 million American adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, OA is not an autoimmune disease; it is a mechanical problem that occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the end of bones wears down, causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and a loss of flexibility. Three new studies about OA that were presented at this year’s meeting of the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology have found interesting links between OA and other diseases, as well as with obesity and body mass index (BMI) levels.Top Takeaways About OsteoarthritisPeople With OA Have a Higher Risk of a Variety of ComorbiditiesWhat’s New A study published in April 2022 in the Annals of Family Medicine,…
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12Mar 2023 by Janice Holland
The AHA’s Updated Heart Health Checklist Now Includes Sleep

The AHA’s Updated Heart Health Checklist Now Includes Sleep

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Want to do everything in your power to keep your heart healthy? You’re going to need to make sure to get a good night’s sleep.The American Heart Association (AHA) has added sleep to its cardiovascular health checklist, which consists of eight factors a person can modify to stay healthy: diet, exercise, tobacco use, weight, cholesterol, blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and now, sleep. AHA published its new checklist, called “Life’s Essential 8,” in the journal Circulation on June 29. The old checklist, created in 2010, was known as “Life’s Simple 7.”“Not only is sleep health related to the other things that play a role in heart health, it seems to also be directly related to cardiovascular health itself,” says Michael Grandner, PhD, the director of the sleep and health research program…
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12Mar 2023 by Janice Holland
Food Insecurity Is a Threat to Public Health, According to the American College of Physicians

Food Insecurity Is a Threat to Public Health, According to the American College of Physicians

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Lack of access to nutritious food is negatively impacting the health of children and adults in the United States, and both healthcare providers and lawmakers need to step up to solve the problem, according to a position paper from the American College of Physicians (ACP), published on June 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.“Strengthening access to good nutrition is a public health imperative, as we know that food insecurity is associated with worse mental and physical health, worse health outcomes, and an increased risk of diet-related illnesses and health conditions,” said the ACP's president, Ryan Mire, MD, a practicing physician and an assistant professor of clinical medicine education at the University of Tennessee in Nashville, in a video statement accompanying the paper.According to the paper, making sure that everyone…
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11Mar 2023 by Janice Holland
FDA Warns Parents and Healthcare Providers Against the Use of Baby Neck Floats

FDA Warns Parents and Healthcare Providers Against the Use of Baby Neck Floats

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In a safety communication issued on June 28, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers not to put neck floats on babies for water therapy interventions, especially babies who have developmental delays or special needs, such as spina bifida, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1, Down syndrome, or cerebral palsy.One baby died and another was hospitalized with injuries related to the use of baby neck floats; in both incidents the caregivers were not directly monitoring the infants, according to the statement. The agency left open the possibility there are other cases that have not been reported.What Are Neck Floats?Neck floats are inflatable plastic rings that can be placed around a baby’s neck to cradle the head while the baby floats freely in water. Some…
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11Mar 2023 by Janice Holland
PTSD Tied to Cognitive Decline in Middle-Aged Women

PTSD Tied to Cognitive Decline in Middle-Aged Women

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Women who experience the severe, persistent symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be at increased risk for accelerated cognitive decline by the time they reach middle age, a new study suggests.For the study, researchers examined data on 12,270 women who were 61 years old on average and had some exposure to trauma in their past. Traumatic exposure could include life-threatening illnesses or injuries, natural disaster, war, or sexual or physical assault that participants experienced or witnessed.Overall, 8,218 women, or 67 percent, reported some PTSD symptoms related to traumatic experiences. Roughly 41 percent of the women in the study reported milder PTSD with one to three symptoms, while 17 percent experienced moderate PTSD with four or five symptoms, and almost 8 percent had high levels of PTSD with six or…
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11Mar 2023 by Janice Holland
Marijuana Users Need More ER, Hospital Care

Marijuana Users Need More ER, Hospital Care

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Just because marijuana is legal for recreational or medical use where you live doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe. In fact, a study suggests that people who use cannabis may be more likely to experience serious health problems than individuals who abstain.Some individuals may perceive that cannabis has some health benefits and is otherwise benign,” lead study author Nicholas Vozoris, MD, a respirologist and associate professor at the University of Toronto, said in a statement.“Our research highlights to those using — or considering — cannabis, that this behavior is associated with important negative health events,” Dr. Vozoris said.Cannabis smoke can irritate the lungs and throat, cause inflammation in the airways, and exacerbate chronic breathing disorders, according to the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Marijuana has also been linked to impaired…
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11Mar 2023 by Janice Holland
988: Are We Ready for Mental Health’s New Emergency Hotline Debut?

988: Are We Ready for Mental Health’s New Emergency Hotline Debut?

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America’s new mental health emergency hotline, 988, is just weeks away from launching across the United States.Starting July 16, people in the United States can call or text this universal three-digit number to connect with the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline — which is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).Once launched, 988 will become an easier-to-remember way to access the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline; but the old number — 800-273-TALK (8255) — will still be in service and will direct callers to the Lifeline’s call center, too.“Having an easy-to-remember number is going to be lifesaving. It’s about making sure a mental health crisis gets a mental health response,” says Hannah Wesolowski, the chief advocacy officer at the National…
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11Mar 2023 by Janice Holland
What Is the Yuzpe Method of Emergency Contraception?

What Is the Yuzpe Method of Emergency Contraception?

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If you’re worried about an unintended pregnancy immediately after unprotected sex, you can safely use existing birth control pills as emergency contraception (EC) right away, several reproductive health experts say.In what's known as the Yuzpe method, you take two doses (pills) of a combination estrogen and progestin oral contraceptive, 12 hours apart, says Michele Bosworth, MD. She coauthored an article about the practice published in 2014 in the journal American Family Physician while working for the department of family medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center. “This is a convenient method for patients to use pills they already have,” she says.Both doses of pills should be taken as soon as possible, ideally within 72 hours (three days) of unprotected sex, and no later than 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected…
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