Australia was declared free of measles in 2014. Yet this summer we’ve seen nine cases of measles in New South Wales, and others in Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland. People may unknowingly bring measles back from other countries, including Europe. Credit: Matej Kastelic/Shutterstock High vaccination rates in Australia means the measles virus doesn’t...
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Sleep deprivation accelerates Alzheimer’s brain damage
Poor sleep has long been linked with Alzheimer’s disease, but researchers have understood little about how sleep disruptions drive the disease. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Now, studying mice and people, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that sleep deprivation increases levels of the key Alzheimer’s protein tau. And, in...
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Differences between ketosis and ketoacidosis
Ketosis vs. ketoacidosis Symptoms of ketoacidosis Symptoms of ketosisSeeing a doctor Treating ketoacidosis Preventing ketoacidosis Summary Ketosis and ketoacidosis both involve the production of ketones in the body. However, while ketosis is generally safe, ketoacidosis can be life-threatening. Nutritional ketosis occurs when the body starts burning fat instead of glucose. Inducing ketosis is the aim...
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What to know about hypokalemia
Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Outlook Hypokalemia describes a person having too little potassium in their blood. If it is severe, it can lead to muscle weakness, which can have many health consequences. The cause is usually a person’s body excreting too much potassium. Hypokalemia is always a symptom of another illness or a side effect...
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Should you exercise when you’re sick?
You just worked out all of the kinks in your workout routine and now…you’re sick. What do you do? Do you sweat through it or forsake the gym for a much-needed nap? Follow these tips for working out when you’re sick. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Listen to your body If your symptoms are mild such...
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How does ecstasy kill?
MDMA (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine), commonly referred to as ecstasy, was manufactured as a potential pharmaceutical early last century. It had some limited use in the 1970s as a therapeutic aid in trauma treatment and in relationship counselling, and more recent studies using MDMA for trauma have shown some promise. MDMA itself isn’t a dangerous drug. But adulterants...
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Does This New Ice Cream Really Improve Your Sleep?
A lot of us wish we got more sleep. In fact, Pinterest declared sleep as one of 2019’s top health trends. But with work, family, school, and social obligations, those precious Zzz’s are often sacrificed in order to get more done. Another common habit that can get in the way of our body’s ability to...
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Role of the Spleen in Drug Metabolism
The spleen is a soft, spongy organ located in the upper left part of the abdomen, just beneath the diaphragm. It is the largest lymphoid organ and is equipped with an intriguing microanatomy. The spleen is surrounded by a connective tissue capsule made up of collagen, reticular fibers, and smooth muscle cells. From the capsule,...
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Leaving two-hour gap between dinner and bedtime may not affect blood glucose – diabetes – patient education
Leaving a two-hour gap between the last meal of the day and bedtime doesn’t seem to be associated with any discernible difference in blood glucose levels among healthy adults over the long term, suggests Japanese research published in the online journal BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Avoiding eating a meal or...
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Drinking soda after exercise could damage kidneys – patient education
Downing a cool soft drink after a hot workout can feel refreshing. However, according to the latest research, it may cause further dehydration and interfere with kidney function. A new study looks at soda’s impact on the kidneys Exercise soda A new study looks at soda’s impact on the kidneys. Caffeinated soft drinks that are...