Within an hour of receiving a covid vaccination in November 2020, Utah preschool teacher Brianne Dressen felt pins and needles through her arms and legs. In the medical odyssey that followed, she suffered double vision, chronic nausea, brain fog, and profound weakness. Once a rock climber, she became a couch potato.
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| A lab technician in a white coat displays a vaccine vial, representing advancements in safer vaccine research. |
Across the vast stretches of rural America, a silent emergency is unfolding. Communities, already facing unique challenges like geographic isolation, aging populations, and economic shifts, are grappling with the potential fallout of significant reductions in Medicaid funding. Medicaid, a joint federal and state program, serves as a crucial healthcare safety net for millions of low-income individuals, children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. In rural areas, its importance is amplified, often serving as the financial bedrock for local hospitals and the primary source of health coverage for a substantial portion of the population.
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| Rural hospitals are essential for delivering healthcare services and bolstering local economies in the United States. Their sustainability relies heavily on programs like Medicaid, which are vital for their operation and community support. |
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| Staying connected is key to healthy aging. Discover how preventing shingles might also help protect the cognitive health needed to maintain these vital social bonds. |
Let's face it: the allure of fast food is undeniable. The convenience, the speed, and often, the incredible taste. Among the reigning champions of delicious, quick bites, the "smash burger" has surged in popularity. Its thin, crispy patty, caramelized edges, and juicy interior offer a textural and flavor experience that's hard to beat. But can something so seemingly indulgent truly fit into a healthy lifestyle?
.webp "Perfectly Smashed Healthy Burger on a Wooden Board") |
| Savor the flavor, not the guilt! This healthy smash burger, made with lean ground beef, fresh vegetables, and a whole wheat bun, proves that delicious fast food can absolutely be part of a balanced diet. |
A sudden health crisis has a way of bringing complex medical realities into sharp focus. For those living with liver cirrhosis, one such reality can be the development and potential rupture of esophageal varices - a serious complication that can turn life upside down in an instant. Experiencing a ruptured varix, undergoing treatment like banding, and navigating the recovery is a challenging journey. This post aims to shed light on this critical aspect of liver disease, offering a comprehensive look at varices, their risks, treatments, and the path forward after a procedure like variceal banding, incorporating insights into factors that can influence recovery. [1][2]
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| An AI-generated image of liver cirrhosis shows a nodular liver, esophageal varices, and an enlarged spleen, highlighting the significant changes and complications associated with advanced liver disease. |
Anxiety is a psychological condition characterized by excessive worry and fear about future events. It can manifest in various forms, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety, each with unique symptoms. Affected individuals often find daily activities challenging due to overwhelming feelings that impair concentration and decision-making. Understanding anxiety is crucial for developing effective coping strategies and seeking appropriate treatment, which may include therapy, medication, or lifestyle changes. [1][2]
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| Cultivating inner peace and managing anxiety can significantly contribute to healthier aging. |
Vanessa G. Sánchez and Daniel Chang April 4, 2025
Alanys Ortiz reads Josephine Senek's cues before she speaks. Josephine, who lives with a rare and debilitating genetic condition, fidgets her fingers when she's tired and bites the air when something hurts.
Josephine, 16, has been diagnosed with tetrasomy 8p mosaicism, severe autism, severe obsessive-compulsive disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, among other conditions, which will require constant assistance and supervision for the rest of her life.
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| A nurse gently touches a patient's face in a hospital bed, highlighting the impact of immigration crackdowns on healthcare access. |
So, what is the circadian rhythm? Our bodies operate on an intricate 24-hour cycle known as the circadian rhythm. This internal clock governs a wide range of physiological processes, including sleep-wake cycles, hormone production, and immune function. While we often think of these systems as independent, emerging research reveals a profound interconnectedness. [1]
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| The graphical depiction illustrates the impact that vaccines, infections, and diseases can have on the body's intrinsic circadian rhythms. |