Think the Urinary Tract Is Sterile? Think Again
Researchers from Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland have identified a kidney microbiome that plays a role in both kidney health and the formation of kidney stones. Led by Aaron Miller, PhD, and José Agudelo, MD, the study provides strong evidence that the urinary tract is not sterile, with naturally occurring bacterial communities present even in individuals […]
Butyrate — The Metabolic Powerhouse Fueling the Gut and Beyond
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) play an important role in human health, particularly within the gastrointestinal tract. They are produced in the colon through the bacterial fermentation of dietary fiber, the indigestible component of plant-based foods. This fermentation process transforms complex carbohydrates into various SCFAs, including acetate, propionate and butyrate, each with distinct physiological effects. Among […]
Woman Returns From Vacation With Headache, Strange Leg Symptoms, Doctors Find Brain Worms
A three-week vacation to Thailand, Japan, and Hawaii turned nightmarish for a 30-year-old New England woman after she developed severe headaches and a strange sensation in her legs on returning home. As her symptoms worsened, leading to confusion and hospitalization, doctors discovered she had a parasitic meningitis infection from brain worms. According to the case […]
UK Life Expectancy Up but Below Previous Projections
New data from the Office for National Statistics shows that people born in the UK today are expected to live longer than previous generations. However, projected life expectancy for children born in 2023 is more than 5 years less than previously estimated, according to health experts. According to the latest figures, girls born in 2023 […]
Low-Level Chronic Glyphosate Linked to Fetal Harms and Reproductive Toxicity
You’re living in a world where a common product used in gardens and the food supply could impact your ability to have children. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in many popular weed killers, is raising concerns about its effects on fertility and fetal health, even with low-level exposure. Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide, a chemical […]
Craving Sugary Treat After Meals? Here’s Why You Always Have Room For Dessert
Do you ever find yourself craving something sweet even after a big meal? Or wonder how you still have room for dessert despite feeling full? Researchers now suggest that the phenomenon known as “dessert stomach” is linked to the brain. In a recent study, researchers investigated the phenomenon in mice and found that they ate […]
As Hospitalists’ Role Grows, So Do the Ethical Dilemmas
Margot Eves, JD, clinical ethicist for Cleveland Clinic, was called in for an emergency consult: A man in his early 50s was asking doctors to take him off the ventilator. Just 24 hours before, the man with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) okayed the life-saving treatment. The hospitalist over his care expected him to come […]
Weekly Health Quiz: Big Pharma, Statin Risks and Vitamin K
1 If you or a loved one have been taking statins for over three years, what long-term health effects might you both face? A reduced need for regular health screenings Improved eye health and lower risk of vision issues An increased risk of developing glaucoma and other side effects Long-term statin use has been linked […]
Can Taste Predict Early Death? If You Can’t Sense These Two Flavors, Your Risk May Be High
Losing the sense of taste is typically considered a sign of aging. But can it predict more than that? Researchers now reveal that losing taste, particularly the ability to sense salt and sour flavors, may indicate a higher risk of early death. In a recent study published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, researchers evaluated […]
The Hidden Curriculum in Medical School
When he was young, Jason Krastein remembers his father, a nephrologist, coming home from the hospital to compile patient notes and pre-chart for the next day before spending time with the family. As a fourth-year medical student, Krastein is repeating that pattern. “Charting at home is one of those things no one really tells you […]