OHSU research discovers a gene in mice that’s activated by brief periods of exercise OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY Most people know that regular exercise is good for your health. New research shows it may make you smarter, too. Neuroscientists at OHSU in Portland, Oregon, working with mice, have discovered that a short burst of exercise directly boosts the function of a gene that...
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Need emergency air lift to hospital? It could cost you $40,000
by Dennis Thompson, Healthday Reporter The median charge of an air ambulance trip was $39,000 in 2016, about 60% more than the $24,000 charged just four years earlier, researchers found. That amount is “more than half of the household income for the average American family in 2016,” said lead researcher Ge Bai. She is an associate professor of...
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How Hollywood’s Unrealistic Depictions Hurt Women’s Sex Lives
From movies like “Fifty Shades of Grey” to “Pretty Woman,” depictions of sex on the big screen are causing bigger difficulties for women in the bedroom. As interesting as they might be, sex scenes on screen have a way of making women feel insecure about their sexual encounters, mainly because they’re often unrealistic. To get an idea of...
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Can the Rife machine treat cancer?
By Jon Johnson Reviewed by Yamini Ranchod, PhD, MS A Rife machine produces low energy electromagnetic waves that are similar to radio waves. Proponents claim that using the device on the body can cure cancer and treat other conditions, such as HIV. There is no evidence that Rife machines have any effect on cancer or can cure HIV. Some newer studies suggest that...
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Can Rick Simpson oil help treat cancer?
By Jon Johnson Reviewed by Christina Chun, MPH Rick Simpson oil is a cannabis extract that takes its name from the medical marijuana activist who created it. Simpson claims that applying the oil to cancer spots on his skin cleared the spots within days. Rick Simpson oil (RSO) is unique in that it contains higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)...
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11 ways to treat back pain without surgery
By Jennifer Berry Reviewed by Daniel Bubnis, MS, NASM-CPT, NASE Level II-CSS Chronic or long-term back pain can be challenging for doctors to treat. However, it is possible to treat back pain without surgery, such as having spinal manipulation, acupuncture, and making lifestyle changes. Back pain is a widespread problem, with low back pain affecting an estimated 80% of adults at some point...
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Why does my face go red after drinking alcohol?
By Nicole Galan Reviewed by J. Keith Fisher, M.D. Some people develop a distinctive facial flush after drinking alcohol, when their face turns either slightly or very red. Why does this happen, and what does it mean? This side effect of drinking alcohol is more common in people of East Asian descent. Although it does not cause immediate health problems, it...
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What causes a bad smell in the nose?
By Jennifer Huizen Reviewed by Debra Sullivan, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE, COI Occasionally encountering an unpleasant smell is normal. However, several conditions — including those involving the sinuses, nasal passages, and mouth — can cause a bad smell that seems to come from the inside of the nose. Conditions that may cause a bad smell in the nose include: acute and...
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What are the best exercises for MS?
By Jamie Eske Reviewed by Nancy Hammond, MD Exercise has a range of benefits for people with multiple sclerosis. It can, for example, help improve strength and mobility and boost mental well-being. In previous years, doctors recommended that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) avoid too much physical activity, believing that it could make fatigue and other symptoms worse. However, research...
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How antibiotics may render flu infections more dangerous
By Maria Cohut Fact checked by Isabel Godfrey Doctors already know that misusing antibiotics can cause antibiotic resistance, which can make it difficult to fight bacterial infections, such as pneumonia. Now, a study in mice suggests that antibiotic use could also make the lungs more vulnerable to viral infections, such as the flu. Antibiotic resistance has become a...