In the days after 9/11, we all did what we could do. Families opened their homes to stranded travelers. We queued for hours to give blood. Chef friends from around New England went to Manhattan to help feed the army of responders. I, on the other hand, was recovering from a dose of mitoxantrone as part of my fight to find a multiple sclerosis (MS) equilibrium. The chemical in my system meant I couldn’t give blood, and I had to all but sequester myself, as the drug kills off the immune cells for a couple of weeks....

The move comes after an ongoing investigation revealed that the level of the contaminant and probable carcinogen found in some ranitidine products, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), was found to increase to unsafe levels over time. Zantac will no longer be available for new or existing prescriptions or for sale as an over-the-counter medication at pharmacies or other retailers, according to the statement. Zantac is an H2 (histamine-2) blocker, which decreases the amount of acid created by the stomach....

“As people consume more junk foods or highly processed and refined foods, they dilute their dietary protein and increase their risk of being overweight and obese, which we know increases the risk of chronic disease,” said the lead author, Amanda Grech, PhD, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Charles Perkins Centre in Sydney, in a press release. More Than Half Our Daily Calories Come From Highly Processed Foods Unprocessed or minimally processed foods are found along the perimeter of the grocery store — fresh fruits and vegetables, raw meats, and dairy products....

Fortunately, there are a number of TBI-related Instagram accounts that take on various perspectives. Here are 10 inspiring Instagram accounts for brain injury survivors to follow now: 1. @hopeafterheadinjury Follow @hopeafterheadinjury 2. @elladorner Follow @elladorner 3. @shawneeharkins Follow @shawneeharkins 4. @trayclynn Follow @trayclynn 5. @laurabpilates Follow @laurabpilates 6. @headwayeastlondon Follow @headwayeastlondon 7. @loveyourbrain Follow @loveyourbrain 8. @tessief11 Follow @tessief11 9. @servicedogcolt Follow @servicedogcolt 10. @shareyourstrong Follow @shareyourstrong

Well, water makes up about 60 percent of the body, says New York City–based Jaclyn London, RD, head of nutrition and wellness at WW, and data from the U.S. Geological Survey, a government agency, backs that up. Because it’s such a big part of your makeup, water is involved in a multitude of functions, says Ryan Andrews, RD, principle nutritionist and adviser at Precision Nutrition in Norwalk, Connecticut. For example, water dissolves and transports other substances around the body, assists in metabolic reactions, lubricates tissues like eyes and joints, regulates body temperature, provides minerals, and acts as a building material for cells....

Before diving into our picks for the best online psychiatrists of 2023, it’s important to note that psychiatrists are sometimes confused with online therapists and psychologists. Although all three can treat mental health conditions, the American Psychological Association (APA) defines a psychiatrist as someone who earns a medical degree followed by a postgraduate residency with a focus on the biological aspects of mental illness. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication, while psychologists and therapists cannot, although there are a few states that allow psychologists to prescribe medication if they receive additional training, according to the APA....

It’s important to keep your skin hydrated, take whatever medication has been prescribed to you, and avoid triggers as best you can. But that’s not easy, and flare-ups can seem to come out of nowhere. RELATED: How Stress Can Trigger Eczema and How to Avoid a Flare-Up Yet you don’t have to wage this battle against eczema unarmed. There are devices and apps that can help you get better control over your skin....

The most common method used to repel mosquitoes is DEET spray, according to a survey published in July 2018 in Peer J — The Journal of Life and Environmental Sciences. DEET spray has the longest lasting effect against mosquitos, but there have been some concerns over potential side effects of the spray, including skin irritation, redness, rash, swelling. Joseph Conlon, a retired U.S. Navy entomologist and technical adviser for the American Mosquito Control Association, says there is no need to worry, though....

Pumpkin flesh, or pulp, is a vehicle for many nutrients. “Pumpkin is a powerhouse of potassium and fiber, two nutrients that most adults are falling short of in their diets,” says Joan Salge Blake, RD, a clinical professor of nutrition at Boston University. While pumpkin pies, breads, and muffins are common ways to enjoy the fruit — yep, pumpkin is technically a squash — baked goods aren’t the only option....

The good news is that seeing improvements in your management of type 2 diabetes doesn’t require dramatic weight loss. In a study published in September 2019 in Diabetic Medicine, researchers found that people with type 2 diabetes who lost at least 10 percent of their body weight during the first years after diagnosis had double the likelihood of seeing their disease go into remission compared with those who lost less weight or none at all....

Most experts recommend that you limit your fiber intake when you’re having an ulcerative colitis flare. A general rule is to replace high-fiber foods, such as nuts, seeds, and raw fruits and vegetables, with more easily digestible fare. Here are eight foods to eat during an ulcerative colitis flare and the reasons they can help. Applesauce: Since your gastrointestinalsystem is experiencing a lot of irritation during a flare, you may want to stick to soft, easily digestible foods like applesauce....

If other high-impact activities (like running or tennis) have resulted in overuse injuries to your knees, hips, or ankles, you may have been told to try swimming. “Swimming is a great option for people with joint problems and provides another form of exercise for anybody with access to suitable water,” says James Cotter, PhD, professor of exercise and environmental physiology at the University of Otago in New Zealand. The benefits start as soon as you jump into the pool, and extend well beyond the time you leave the pool....

Tabloids constantly run headlines shaming celebrities for apparent weight gain or speculating that stars are pregnant based on how their bellies look in a certain outfit. School-age kids at higher weights are far more likely to be bullied than their thinner peers, according to a study published in July 2020 in the Journal of School Health. And survey research (PDF) suggests that more than a majority of kids age 8 to 18 struggle with body image....

I am devoted to giving back and highlighting the beauty and deep potential of queer community — but I don’t pretend to be emotionally unaffected by everything we’re up against. Incessant Attacks on Queer Communities Bombard Us as Individuals It’s not surprising that joy feels hard to come by these days. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), state legislatures have introduced more than 100 bills targeting transgender people since 2020....

Lila Margulies, a Brooklyn, New York–based mother of two who was treated for metastatic lung cancer, has experienced this same anxiety firsthand. Throughout her journey, she found that using visualization techniques, positive thinking, and mantras can help manage negative thoughts and emotions. One particular type of distress that Margulies, among others, experienced is “scanxiety.” This is defined as scan-associated anxiety that can occur both before the scan and while waiting for the scan results, something that, according to the article in Cancer Medicine, has been linked to a significantly reduced quality of life....

Fortunately, there have never been more options on the market for adaptive clothing and footwear. Adaptive clothing is simply clothing designed for people with a disability or body difference to be able to use with more ease, independence, or comfort without sacrificing style. Adaptive clothing includes a wide variety of innovations including: Magnetic closures, for those who have difficulty with muscle strength, tremors, or graspingSpecially designed pants and tops to conform to a seated position in a wheelchairShirts that allow for easy access of medical devices such as portsTagless clothing, to be tolerable for those with severe hypersensitivities to tactile sensationCompression clothing, for those with hypermobile joints or swelling (edema)Footwear that can be put on and taken off hands-freeSpecial clothing for use with prostheses that has reinforced areas, extra room around the joint, and zipper access to the prosthesis...

The popular children’s rhyme gets it right: Bedbugs do most commonly feed on humans at night while they’re sleeping (though they can sometimes bite during the day), and they’re the type of pest you really don’t want to have to deal with. (1) Bedbugs (or Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus, their scientific names) are blood-feeding parasites that can be found all around the world. You mostly hear about them in urban areas or places with a great deal of occupant turnover, such as hotels, apartment buildings, and college dormitories, because that’s where they spread most easily....

The new recommendations suggest beginning screening at age 25, instead of age 21. Moreover, the guidelines stipulate that most women need screening only once every five years using only the human papillomavirus (HPV) test. The previous ACS cervical cancer screening guidelines were released in 2012 and called for screening to start at age 21 and testing every five years using both HPV and Pap tests (called cotesting). The ACS committee did not make any changes to the age at which time screening can stop — 65 for most women who have adequate prior negative screening results....

Exercise and Anxiety: What the Research Says “Exercise won’t cure anxiety or depression, but the physical and psychological benefits can improve the symptoms,” explains Sally R. Connolly, LCSW, a therapist at the Couples Clinic of Louisville in Kentucky. “Research shows that at least 30 minutes of exercise three to five days a week can significantly make a difference.” Some studies have suggested that regular exercise can help alleviate anxiety as much as anxiety medications, and the anxiety-relieving effects of exercise may last longer than those of drugs....

These are just some of the many reasons to seek to improve your eating habits. On the other hand, going on extreme diets or restricting your diet too much can lead to negative consequences for health and wellbeing, too. As one recent study pointed out, it’s not dietary restriction per se that causes problems. Indeed, following a legitimate, evidence-based program can be safe and effective for losing weight. It’s the extreme, fad, or unhealthy dieting practices (which tend to flourish via social media platforms) that can be problematic and contribute to shame and stigma surrounding one’s body....