I wasn’t doing much, just a 5k 3x a week. I feel like all my progress will be gone once I get better.
Any tips for when I get back? I keep wanting to do something besides eat and rest- but even getting up to go to the bathroom makes me lightheaded. (I was thinking about a light Pilates session)

DAY: MAY 30 2024
5-30-2024

WHAT ARE NOOTROPICS AND DO THEY REALLY BOOST YOUR BRAIN?

Humans have long been searching for a “magic elixir” to make us smarter, and improve our focus and memory. This includes traditional Chinese medicine used thousands of years ago to improve cognitive function. Now we have nootropics, also known as smart drugs, brain boosters or cognitive enhancers. You can buy these gummies, chewing gum, pills and skin patches online, or from supermarkets, pharmacies or petrol stations. You don’t need a prescription or to consult a health professional. But do nootropics actually boost your brain? Here’s what the science says. What
5-30-2024

STUDY REVEALS IMPORTANT HEALTH MARKERS

BIPS has made significant progress in identifying health markers that are crucial for a long and healthy life. Led by Prof. Dr. Krasimira Aleksandrova and in close collaboration with the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE), the research provides valuable insights for healthy aging. In the study published in the journal Age and Ageing, Aleksandrova and her team analyzed specific combinations of molecular markers reflecting various biological processes as possible indicators of healthy aging. The focus was particularly
5-30-2024

STUDY SHOWS AI HEALTH COACH LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE AND BOOSTS ENGAGEMENT IN PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION

Architecture of data transmission. Participant data were collected from Bluetooth-enabled blood pressure (BP) monitors, wearable devices, and a mobile app–based questionnaire. Data were uploaded through the respective application programming interfaces (APIs) to our app server, where the individualized analysis was carried out before delivering recommendations to participants. A new study in JMIR Cardio shows that a fully digital, artificial intelligence (AI)–driven lifestyle coaching program can effectively reduce blood pressure (BP) in adults with hypertension. This AI-based program leverages data from wearable activity trackers and
5-30-2024

SNAPPING PHOTOS OF OUR FOOD COULD BE GOOD FOR US, STUDY SUGGESTS

New Curtin University research reveals taking pictures of food isn’t just content for our social media feeds, but could be the key to improving people’s diets. The feeding study saw researchers measure the weight of meals, which were then provided to participants over a day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. “Accuracy of energy and nutrient intake estimation versus observed intake using four technology-assisted dietary assessment methods: a randomized crossover feeding study” was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Participants compared different technology-assisted methods to recall what they had
5-30-2024

PARENTS ARE INCREASINGLY SAYING THEIR CHILD IS ‘DYSREGULATED.’ WHAT DOES THAT ACTUALLY MEAN?

Welcome aboard the roller coaster of parenthood, where emotions run wild, tantrums reign supreme and love flows deep. As children reach toddlerhood and beyond, parents adapt to manage their child’s big emotions and meltdowns. Parenting terminology has adapted too, with more parents describing their child as “dysregulated.” But what does this actually mean? More than an emotion Emotional dysregulation refers to challenges a child faces in recognizing and expressing emotions, and managing emotional reactions in social settings. This may involve either suppressing emotions or displaying exaggerated and intense emotional responses
5-30-2024

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SHYNESS AND SOCIAL ANXIETY?

The terms “shyness” and “social anxiety” are often used interchangeably because they both involve feeling uncomfortable in social situations. However, feeling shy, or having a shy personality, is not the same as experiencing social anxiety (short for “social anxiety disorder”). Here are some of the similarities and differences, and what the distinction means. How are they similar? It can be normal to feel nervous or even stressed in new social situations or when interacting with new people. And everyone differs in how comfortable they feel when interacting
5-30-2024

EYE EXERCISES TO IMPROVE SIGHT—IS THERE ANY SCIENCE BEHIND THEM? AN OPHTHALMOLOGIST IS SKEPTICAL

You may have seen advertisements claiming to eliminate the need for eyeglasses through vision therapy or vision training—basically, eye exercises. These exercises include putting pressure on or palming the eye; eye movement exercises; or straining to read by using the wrong prescription glasses to “train” the eyes. As a professor of ophthalmology—and as an eye doctor who has seen thousands of patients—I can tell you that no study to date shows strong evidence that these exercises eliminate the need for glasses or offer any long-term significant benefits. The science simply
5-30-2024

HOW COMMUNITY STRESS AFFECTS BLACK AMERICANS’ MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

Residential segregation is an example of the long history of structural racism in the United States. Black Americans are more likely to live in low-quality neighborhoods, which contributes to disparities in health outcomes. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign looks at how community stress affects the mental and emotional health of Black men and women in the U.S. “Community stress refers to the effects of living in disadvantaged areas. This includes objective aspects, such as buildings in disrepair and lower median income. There is also a subjective
5-30-2024

GENE VARIANTS FORETELL THE BIOLOGY OF FUTURE BREAST CANCERS, STUDY FINDS

A Stanford Medicine study of thousands of breast cancers has found that the gene sequences we inherit at conception are powerful predictors of the breast cancer type we might develop decades later and how deadly it might be. The study challenges the dogma that most cancers arise as the result of random mutations that accumulate during our lifetimes. Instead, it points to the active involvement of gene sequences we inherit from our parents—what’s known as your germline genome—in determining whether cells bearing potential cancer-causing mutations are recognized and eliminated by
5-30-2024

PTSD, ANXIETY IS RISING AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS

America’s college students seem to be more stressed than ever, with a new report finding a sharp rise in cases of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acute stress disorder (ASD) on campuses across the country. In a “national sample of U.S. college students, we found a notable increase in the prevalence of PTSD and ASD,”
5-30-2024

NIGHT OWL BEHAVIOR COULD HURT MENTAL HEALTH, SLEEP STUDY FINDS

Night owls, brace yourselves. A new study by Stanford Medicine researchers has found that following your natural inclination to stay awake until the early morning hours is a bad choice for your mental health. In a survey of nearly 75,000 adults, researchers compared the participants’ preferred sleep timing, known as chronotype, with their actual sleep behavior. They determined that regardless of one’s preferred bedtime, everyone benefits from turning in early. Morning larks and night owls alike tended to have higher rates of mental and behavioral disorders if they stayed up
5-30-2024

STUDY CONFIRMS EFFECTIVENESS OF ‘WATCH-AND-WAIT’ APPROACH TO PROSTATE CANCER

For a large percentage of men with prostate cancer, the tumor may be so slow-growing that doctors advise a “watch-and-wait” approach instead of active treatment. Now, a study of almost 2,200 patients followed for up to a decade finds that for most, that decision may be a wise one. “In this study, 10 years after diagnosis, 49% of men remained free of progression or treatment, less than 2% developed metastatic disease and less than 1% died of their disease,” reported a team led by Lisa Newcomb, a cancer prevention researcher
5-30-2024

RESEARCHERS HARNESS THE POWER OF AI TO MATCH PATIENTS WITH THE MOST EFFECTIVE ANTIDEPRESSANT FOR THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS

Researchers at George Mason University’s College of Public Health have leveraged the power of artificial intelligence (AI) analytical models to match a patient’s medical history to the most effective antidepressant, allowing patients to find symptom relief sooner. The free website, MeAgainMeds.com, provides evidence-based recommendations, allowing clinicians and patients to find the optimal antidepressant the first time. “Many people with depression must try multiple antidepressants before finding the right one that alleviates their symptoms. Our website reduces the number of medications that patients are asked to try. The system recommends to
5-30-2024

NEW CANCER-RELATED FATIGUE TREATMENT GUIDELINES URGE EXERCISE, TALK THERAPY, MINDFULNESS, TAI CHI

The clinical practice guidelines, which came about after an extensive review of 113 published clinical trials by a panel of experts, conclude that doctors should recommend exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based programs, Tai chi, qigong, and American ginseng to reduce fatigue severity during cancer treatment. After completion of cancer treatment, the guidelines also suggest that exercise, CBT, and mindfulness-based
5-30-2024

STUDY FINDS THAT BETTER SLEEP IS ASSOCIATED WITH LOWER LONELINESS

A new study to be presented at the SLEEP 2024 annual meeting found that better sleep health was associated with lower levels of loneliness, and this association was stronger among younger adults. Results indicate that better sleep health was associated with significantly lower total loneliness, emotional loneliness and social loneliness. While better sleep health was associated with lower total and emotional loneliness across ages, this association was stronger for younger adults. However, age did not moderate the association between sleep health and social loneliness. “Loneliness is an urgent public health
5-30-2024

SOCIAL MEDIA USE AND SLEEP DURATION CONNECTED TO BRAIN ACTIVITY IN TEENS

A new study to be presented at the SLEEP 2024 annual meeting found a distinct relationship between sleep duration, social media usage, and brain activation across brain regions that are key for executive control and reward processing. Results show a correlation between shorter sleep duration and greater social media usage in teens. The analysis points to involvement of areas within the frontolimbic brain regions, such as the inferior and middle frontal gyri, in these relationships. The inferior frontal gyrus, key in inhibitory control, may play
5-30-2024

HOW DOES THE WORD ‘NOT’ AFFECT WHAT WE UNDERSTAND? SCIENTISTS FIND NEGATION MITIGATES OUR INTERPRETATION OF PHRASES

When we’re told “This coffee is hot” upon being served a familiar caffeinated beverage at our local diner or cafe, the message is clear. But what about when we’re told “This coffee is not hot”? Does that mean we think it’s cold? Or room temperature? Or just warm? A team of scientists has now identified how our brains work to process phrases that include negation (i.e., “not”), revealing that it mitigates rather than inverts meaning—in other words, in our minds, negation merely reduces the temperature of our coffee and does
5-30-2024

IS GUT HEALTH LINKED TO MENTAL HEALTH? WE KNOW THEY’RE CONNECTED BUT HOW REMAINS A MYSTERY, RESEARCHER SAYS

Rebecca Carrier, associate chair of research in the Department of Chemical Engineering, researches retinal and gut epithelial repair in the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex on Jan. 24, 2023. It was an act of desperation: A woman with irritable bowel syndrome was looking for relief from her symptoms. She decided to try an at-home fecal microbiota, aka a “poop transplant.” Used to treat C. diff bacterial infections, this treatment can help introduce “good microbiomes” to the gut to ease gastrointestinal symptoms. But the woman told Netflix
5-30-2024

STUDY LINKS SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT AND HAPPIER, HEALTHIER RELATIONSHIPS

when individuals with obstructive sleep apnea use their positive airway pressure machine more regularly, it benefits their relationship with their partner. Results show that greater adherence to PAP therapy was associated with higher levels of relationship satisfaction and lower levels of relationship conflict. Higher sleep efficiency among patients also was associated with higher levels of relationship satisfaction as reported by both the patient and their partner. “Recognizing that sleep and sleep disorders have an impact on
5-30-2024

CDC REPORTS THIRD DAIRY WORKER INFECTED WITH BIRD FLU, RISK TO PUBLIC REMAINS LOW

Amid an ongoing outbreak of bird flu in dairy cows, there’s been a third case of H5N1 avian flu confirmed in a dairy worker, U.S. health officials reported Thursday. The previous two human cases—the first in Texas, the second in Michigan, where this latest case also occurred—involved only a brief discomfort of the eyes, linked to conjunctivitis (“pink eye”). However, this third case is the first to present with more typical respiratory symptoms, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted in a health update. “The patient reported upper
5-30-2024

RECOMMENDATIONS ISSUED FOR PALLIATIVE RADIATION THERAPY FOR SYMPTOMATIC BONE METASTASES

In a clinical practice guideline issued by the American Society for Radiation Oncology and published in Practical Radiation Oncology, evidence-based recommendations are presented for the use of palliative external beam radiation therapy (RT) for symptomatic bone metastases. Sarah Alcorn, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, and colleagues developed evidence-based recommendations for palliative external beam RT in symptomatic bone metastases. Five key questions regarding palliative RT were addressed. The authors noted that RT is recommended for managing pain from bone metastases and spine metastases with or without
5-30-2024

CAUSE OF COMMON TYPE OF HEART FAILURE MAY BE DIFFERENT FOR WOMEN AND MEN

Graphical abstract. Credit: Cardiovascular Research (2024). DOI: 10.1093/cvcvae070 A new study from the UC Davis School of Medicine found striking differences at the cellular level between male and female mice with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The findings could determine how HFpEF is treated in women compared to men. With HFpEF, the heart muscle contracts normally but the heart is unable to fully relax and refill properly between beats. This condition is known as diastolic dysfunction. It can occur if the heart is too stiff or if the

5-30-2024

CANCER CAN BE CAUSED BY REVERSIBLE MOLECULAR CHANGES, STUDY SHOWS

Though 1 in 2 people will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime, there’s still much we don’t know about this disease. But thanks to continued research efforts, we keep learning more about the biology of cancer. One of these recent discoveries could even transform our understanding of how cancers develop. But before we talk about the new discovery, let’s first discuss the classical theory that attempts to explain why normal cells become cancer cells. This theory posits that DNA mutations are the primary cause of cancers. It’s well
5-30-2024

HOW THE IMMUNE SYSTEM DESTROYS THE CEREBELLUM

Neurologist Professor Dr Kurt-Wolfram Sühs has discovered a new form of severe cerebellitis caused by autoantibodies. Cerebellar ataxia is a neurological disorder of the cerebellum. This important area at the back of the brain acts as a conductor, so to speak, coordinating our movements and keeping us in balance. This ability is impaired in cerebellar ataxia. Affected people can have difficulties walking, speaking and grasping or even with controlled eye movements. In some cases, the damage begins gradually and develops over a period of years.
5-30-2024

PEOPLE WHO ARE EASILY ABSORBED IN AN ACTIVITY MAY HAVE BETTER MENTAL AND CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

Have you ever lost all sense of space and time when redecorating a room? How about being so focused while playing an instrument that the worries that weighed you down a minute ago just evaporated? Then you’ve probably experienced “flow.” Flow is a term used in psychology to describe a state of heightened concentration, in which you are completely absorbed in an activity. It exists somewhere between boredom and stress—usually experienced during activities which are somewhat challenging but still meet our skill levels. When we experience flow, we tend to
5-30-2024

SCIENTISTS FIND ‘GOLDILOCKS’ BINDING STRENGTH DETERMINES ANTI-CANCER T-CELL EFFICACY AND FATE

Immunotherapy, treatments that reinvigorate immune cells’ anti-cancer activity or reprogram T cells to target cancer, has shown promise in treating leukemias but has not yet been realized in solid tumors. One reason for the stymied success is the conversion of potential cancer-killing T cells into an inactive “exhausted” state near the tumor. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital scientists found that how tight a parental T cell grabs a cancer
5-30-2024

IN THE BRAIN AT REST, STUDY INDICATES NEURONS REHEARSE FUTURE EXPERIENCE

Some dreams may, in fact, predict the future: New research has found that during sleep, some neurons not only replay the recent past but also anticipate future experience. The discovery is one in a series of insights afforded by a study on sleep and learning published in Nature by a team of researchers from Rice University and the University of Michigan. The research offers an unprecedented view of how individual neurons in the hippocampus of rats
5-30-2024

• 5-30-2024STUDY FINDS EVEN LOW LEAD LEVELS IN US WATER ARE LINKED TO LEAD POISONING AMONG SUSCEPTIBLE PEOPLE
• 5-30-2024STUDY PROMOTES DIGITAL HELP FOR ADULTS WITH ADHD
• 5-30-2024IN THE BRAIN AT REST, STUDY INDICATES NEURONS REHEARSE FUTURE EXPERIENCE
• 5-30-2024AI AND MATH CAN HELP PREPARE FOR NEW INFECTIONS IN CHANGING CLIMATE, NEW THESIS SHOWS
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• 5-30-2024REWRITABLE, RECYCLABLE ‘SMART SKIN’ MONITORS BIOLOGICAL SIGNALS ON DEMAND
• 5-30-2024UNDERSTANDING PROTEIN MUTATIONS THAT AFFECT GENE EXPRESSION TO PROMOTE CANCER PROGRESSION
• 5-30-2024STUDY REVEALS THAT GASTRIC CANCER SURGERY MAY REDUCE HEART DISEASE RISK
• 5-30-2024STUDY SHOWS EFFECTIVENESS OF UPDATED COVID-19 VACCINES WANES MODERATELY OVER TIME, IS LOWER AGAINST CURRENT VARIANTS
• 5-30-2024SCIENTISTS FIND ‘GOLDILOCKS’ BINDING STRENGTH DETERMINES ANTI-CANCER T-CELL EFFICACY AND FATE
• 5-30-2024STUDY FINDS SUICIDE RATES AMONG CANCER PATIENTS ARE FALLING
• 5-30-2024EXISTING DRUG SHOWS PROMISE AS TREATMENT FOR RARE GENETIC DISORDER
• 5-30-2024STUDY SUGGESTS ASTROCYTES INDUCE SEX-SPECIFIC EFFECTS ON MEMORY
• 5-30-2024STUDY OF 16 COUNTRIES SHOWS HIGHER TAXES WOULD HELP YOUNG SMOKERS QUIT OR CUT DOWN
• 5-30-2024RURAL FAMILIES AND CLINICS FEEL MEDICAID CUTS
• 5-30-2024CANCER CAN BE CAUSED BY REVERSIBLE MOLECULAR CHANGES, STUDY SHOWS
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• 5-30-2024RESEARCHERS DEVELOP EASY-TO-USE SCREENING TOOL TO HELP IMPROVE FAMILY ACCESS TO FEDERAL NUTRITION PROGRAMS
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This is from a comment in the bipolar subbreddits:
"I'll admit that I think my hypomanic hypersexuality made me bisexual. I was disturbed by my fantasies when I became hypersexual. It made me downright sick and feel even worse about myself, especially knowing it didn't sit with my morals. Each concurrent symptomatic episode brought me closer and closer to trying things with the same sex. And when I did try I had crushing shame. I was very embarrassed - again, because it didn't align with my morals. I never had the urge to try these fantasies outside of the symptom of hypersexuality. The more episodes I had and the more I spoke with a liberal therapist, the more my morals changed. I have very confused thoughts about sexuality."
Sleep hygiene is one of most important steps to prevent manic episodes. Other triggers are: emotional stress, stimulant drugs, antidepressants, pollen allergies, virus infections, bacterial infections etc.
According to the Clinical Ecology approach food intolerances and chemical sensitivities as well trigger such manic episodes in many. With the progression of symptoms, manic episodes are cycled with depressive episodes (during which the homosexual urges decrease), developing into bipolar depression.
Researchers Rosenblat et al. state that "BD is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation with further increases in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels during mood episodes...Key mechanisms include cytokine-induced monoamine changes, increased oxidative stress, pathological microglial over-activation, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis over-activation, alterations of the microbiome-gut-brain axis and sleep-related immune changes...Immune dysfunction is likely to only play a role in a subset of BD patients"
So, in a subset of bipolars, inflammatory cytokines are thought to cause the serotonin-dopamine imbalances. An interesting proposal is that histamine is linking inflammation to monoamine disruption. This new research supports the findings of Clinical Ecology of 50 years ago that allergic like reactions to foods, chemicals cause a constellation of symptoms (including hypersexuality), in a majority of psychosomatic disorders.
Sources:

• Risk of bipolar disorder among adolescents with allergic rhinitis: A nationwide longitudinal study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002239991500522X;

-Bipolar Disorder and Immune Dysfunction: Epidemiological Findings, Proposed Pathophysiology and Clinical Implications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5704151/

• https//www.psypost.org/acute-manic-episodes-linked-high-rates-bacterial-infection/

Five respiratory viral and bacterial infections are soaring in Queensland at the same time, leading to more hospitalisations and a shortage of the preferred antibiotic to treat pneumonia in children.
A highly infectious mixture of three viruses – influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – is circulating.
In addition, cases of bacterial infections whooping cough and mycoplasma pneumoniae (commonly referred to as “walking pneumonia”) are soaring, often striking down entire families
Snip
There have been more than 1500 recorded cases of mycoplasma pneumoniae in Queensland since the beginning of the year.
“Mycoplasma is a huge challenge for us,” said Griffin, who has been fielding calls from intensive-care clinicians from around the state treating patients with severe cases on intubators.
“The number of different things going around at once is unusual.”
Dr Paul Griffin, infectious disease expert The latest data from Queensland Health shows a 17 per cent rise in COVID-19 hospitalisations in the past fortnight: about 214 people with the virus were being treated in the state’s public hospitals.
At the same time, 43 people were in hospital with influenza, most of whom were aged 65 years or more. Of the 1400 people who have been hospitalised with the flu this year, 98 per cent were not vaccinated.
There has also been a significant rise in cases of RSV, which mostly affects young children and can lead to breathing problems in babies.
Across the state, 17,628 cases of RSV have been recorded so far this year – a 58 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.
Meanwhile, the number of recorded whooping cough infections in Queensland is 12 times as high as average.
For most of April, Queensland Health received more than 200 reports of the highly contagious respiratory infection, formally known as pertussis, every week.
That is roughly as many cases as it would normally record in the year to date.

(Male domestic shorthair, 3.5 years old, neutered, preciously diagnosed with glossitis) Hello! I got my cat neutered last Thursday, and within two days he developed a cough. I thought it was from an intubation or anesthesia, but the cough and chest congestion lasted beyond two days. Monday night I noticed his breaths per minute are roughly 50-60, when I know that it should be under 30. He was prescribed azithromycin without being seen (we live about an hour away so they assessed through a video and assumed slight cold/uri). Day 2 of Azithro, breathing was still shallow and between 50-60 bpm. I took him in today because I had a gut feeling something was wrong- Vet took X-rays, cbc, and urinalysis and X-rays showed alveolar pattern and was diagnosed with pneumonia. Vet was unsure of whether or not it is bacterial or aspiration. Urinalysis came back relatively normal, slightly high protein. Also scrotum is perfectly fine from surgery last week. Treatment given: sq fluids for dehydration Dexamethasone injection Give 1ml clavamox every 12 hours DISCONTINUE azithro Fortiflora packets for food
I am a little concerned about discontinuing the azithromycin, as many other things I’ve read they have two at the same time.
How can I help at home? Should I run a humidifier? Should I keep windows open or run my AC? Is there anything that will help speed up his healing process and bring his breathing rate down any easier? I am feeding him wet food mixed with water, as he’s not a stand-alone water drinker.
Any advice to keep this helicopter cat mom from losing it would be great.

27F- January 13 my digestive system flipped a switch and have no idea what’s wrong. Unable to determine food intolerances. Sometimes burning abdomen. Lately I’ve been able to pass stool daily but they feel strained is the best way to put it. Lost 50lbs from fear of eating. Burping more frequently. Just a general discomfort in my abdomen all day. Since all of this LPR symptoms have increased and all my joints have turned hypermobile and ache. I’m overwhelmed and scared of all these symptoms. Looking for info where I can as I can barely function..

My baby is 9 weeks, 4 weeks adjusted. She was a NICU baby and had IUGR. She is still very tiny but making progress.
My issue is 1 week ago I began feeling a tightness/ congestion in my chest. It felt like a cold coming on. We have stayed so isolated so it was disappointing. I worried about getting baby sick but I am also trying to breast feed in addition to pumping and formula feeding. Shes also spits up so I hold her upright after feeding her for 30 minutes or longer. Shes also a comtact sleeper. Shes high maintenance but I typically dont mind. I had symptons for 6 days.
So, when I coughed I turned away from her. I washed my hands often. But I still held her a ton.
Yesterday I developed a fever. Normal if it's a cold but I have a dehiscence from my c-section. Its healing but still there. I was told to call if I develop a fever for any reason. Called the OB and was sent to the ER for a full workup.
Turns out what I thought was a mild cold is pneumonia. Bacterial pneumonia. I'm on antibiotics now and it was advised I shouldnt be contagious 24 hours after starting the antibiotics. Sadly, the antibiotic I'm on is doxycycline and I cant give my baby breastmilk while taking it or 5 days after.
I feel so awful. My baby is so small. What if I gave it to her? Right now shes happy, eating and looks wonderful. She has no symptoms as far as I can tell.
And I have my other beautiful kids. What if they caught it? What if my husband did? Hes been taking on the bulk of parenting these last several weeks with the older ones so I could focus on the baby.
I'm so upset with myself. I keep feeling guilty because sometimes I wasnt as careful as I should have been. I keep crying because if she gets sick it could be so dangerous for her. Shes only been out of NICU for 5 weeks.
I guess this is just me letting how I'm feeling out. I feel so guilty about something that hasnt even happened.

this is more so of a rant, i’m sorry if it’s long.
i have many chronic illnesses. POTS, MCAS, EOE, FND, PPPD, and more. i was told for years by family and doctors that it was anxiety (the usual) and suffered in silence. now that i found a doctor who believed me, i got my diagnoses and my parents got to be a bit more understanding but never apologized for gaslighting me for years. i dont want people to think that i am being self-pitiful here, but i was never the favorite child and was always the one that “was so dramatic” or “was never happy”. my older sister, however, was the angel child. she could do no wrong in my parents eyes. if she was sick with even a cough, she was tended to while i was told to take prozac and shut up. i should include that i do get sick very easily. i have a very weak immune system from past infections and such so i go through measures to avoid getting sick.
recently my sister came home from college and she has strep and pneumonia. i got all of these chronic issues from post viral infections (covid, mono, flu, and strep back to back) and have been weary of getting sick so i take extra precautions. nothing serious, i just bleach the bathrooms and sanitize things she touches until she is out of the contagious period. my parents say im being ridiculous and laugh at me for this. they say im being so over dramatic and such and that “if i get sick ill be fine”.
cut to a week later, i start feeling quite sick. white patches on tonsils, swollen neck, chills, nausea/loss of appetite, bones aching. same exact thing she felt. my parents say i conjured it up in my own head and i convinced myself that i am sick. the second my sister was sick my mom took her to urgent care to get meds and basically hand fed her for a week. now i’m asking to be taken to get a strep test and antibiotics (i can’t drive anymore due to my conditions) and she won’t take me. she says to take my sisters left over antibiotics. mind you, im also med sensitive especially to antibiotics i get very sick and get rashes and it is not good at all, hence not wanting to get sick and having to take them.
i’ll add that this week my grandmother who we were very close with died in a very unexpected and scary manner. it has left us all in shambles and we’re all doing the best we can to get things in order. i spent 5 hours cleaning the house prepping for the post funeral service feeling ill as shit and with my POTS flaring up. i planned the food and helped my little sister get her dress and stuff as well. i was happy to help but my sisters did nothing and didn’t get reprimanded. it just irks me. anyways, my mom says that i need to be more considerate and that everyone is mourning and emotional (i am too, my grandma and i were very close) and that this is not in her list of priorities. i told her that i don’t want to get any of the guests sick cause they’re all coming over this week for the service. i have other immunocompromised family and don’t want to be responsible for getting them sick. now they’re saying im being rude for “wanting to skip the service” which isn’t true. they don’t want me to tell anyone that im sick either!
i feel like because i am chronically ill they don’t take me seriously when it is something viral or bacterial. they say that im always feeling sick so how is this any different. i try my best to not get sick but shit happens. they joke that my cleaning did nothing so why even bother. they don’t understand that when i’m sick with something like strep or the stomach bug it’s not like when they are sick, i take 2x as long to recover, AND i still have all of my chronic illness happening at the same time.
so yeah, i got yelled at this morning for asking to go to urgent care for meds because it was insensitive and everyone else is going through stuff. my sister is better now and my mom (right after yelling at me) said “oh sweetie are you alright” when my sister coughed. i seriously give up trying with them. i don’t know what to do.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nmo.14817 [Full read]

Key points

• The SIBO-IBS hypothesis has stimulated significant research into the role of the microbiota in symptoms of DBGI but remains unproven.
• This hypothesis has resulted in serious unintended consequences, namely the use of poorly validated breath tests to diagnose SIBO and the resulting injudicious use of antibiotics.
• The lactulose breath test (LBT) is primarily a measure of intestinal transit and has very low sensitivity and specificity to diagnose SIBO.
• The glucose breath test (GBT) has better performance characteristics if the pre-test probability is high, as found in conditions underlying classical SIBO, but also has a high false-positive rate in DGBI.
• Future studies in DGBI are needed to better understand the impact of bacterial communities, their metabolites, and diet-host interactions in the small and large intestine on DGBI symptoms and move away from the sole focus on absolute numbers of bacteria

Background

There is compelling evidence that microbe-host interactions in the intestinal tract underlie many human disorders, including disorders of gut-brain interactions (previously termed functional bowel disorders), such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) has been recognized for over a century in patients with predisposing conditions causing intestinal stasis, such as surgical alteration of the small bowel or chronic diseases, including scleroderma and is associated with diarrhea and signs of malabsorption. Over 20 years ago, it was hypothesized that increased numbers of small intestine bacteria might also account for symptoms in the absence of malabsorption in IBS and related disorders. This SIBO-IBS hypothesis stimulated significant research and helped focus the profession's attention on the importance of microbe-host interactions as a potential pathophysiological mechanism in IBS.

Purpose

However, after two decades, this hypothesis remains unproven. Moreover, it has led to serious unintended consequences, namely the widespread use of unreliable and unvalidated breath tests as a diagnostic test for SIBO and a resultant injudicious use of antibiotics. In this review, we examine why the SIBO hypothesis remains unproven and, given the unintended consequences, discuss why it is time to reject this hypothesis and its reliance on breath testing. We also examine recent IBS studies of bacterial communities in the GI tract, their composition and functions, and their interactions with the host. While these studies provide important insights to guide future research, they highlight the need for further mechanistic studies of microbe-host interactions in IBS patients before we can understand their possible role in diagnosis and treatment of patient with IBS and related disorders.

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by various organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. The main types of pneumonia are generally classified based on where and how the infection was acquired. Here are the primary types:
Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP):
This type of pneumonia is acquired outside of healthcare settings, such as hospitals or nursing homes.
It is often caused by bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and atypical bacteria like Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
Viruses, including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and coronaviruses, can also cause CAP.
Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (HAP):
HAP occurs in patients during their stay in a hospital, typically 48 hours or more after admission.
It is often caused by more resistant bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Patients with weakened immune systems or those who are on ventilators are at higher risk.
Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP):
A subtype of HAP, VAP occurs in people who are on mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours.
The causative agents are often similar to those of HAP, with a higher likelihood of being multi-drug resistant organisms.
Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia (HCAP):
This type includes pneumonia in patients who are in regular contact with healthcare settings, such as nursing homes, dialysis centers, or outpatient clinics.
Like HAP, HCAP can be caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Aspiration Pneumonia:
Occurs when food, liquid, saliva, or vomit is inhaled into the lungs, leading to an infection.
It is more common in individuals with swallowing difficulties or those who are unconscious or have impaired gag reflexes.
Atypical Pneumonia:
Often referred to as "walking pneumonia," it is typically less severe and has a different clinical presentation.
Caused by atypical bacteria such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, and Legionella pneumophila.
Symptoms are usually milder compared to typical bacterial pneumonia.
Fungal Pneumonia:
Caused by fungi, more common in people with weakened immune systems.
Examples include Histoplasmosis, Coccidioidomycosis, and Cryptococcosis.
Viral Pneumonia:
Common in children and older adults, often caused by viruses such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and coronaviruses (including SARS-CoV-2).
Each type of pneumonia has different risk factors, causative organisms, and treatments, making accurate diagnosis and appropriate management crucial.

What is pink eye?

Pink eye, medically referred to as conjunctivitis, is caused by an inflamed conjunctiva. This transparent mucous membrane surrounds and protects the outer surface of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids. While most cases are caused by microbial infection, pink eye can also be triggered by an allergic reaction.

Viral vs. bacterial pink eye

Viral pink eye is attributed to the adenovirus, the same virus behind the common cold. While there are approximately 100 different strains of this virus, around 50 of them are associated with causing viral pink eye.
Common pink eye symptoms linked to viral infection include watery discharge, redness, and swelling, and typically affect both eyes. Viral pink eye is often accompanied by a respiratory illness such as a cold or sinus infection.
Bacterial pink eye is typically caused by exposure to bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumoniae, and may affect one or both eyes.
Symptoms include thick, yellow-green discharge that can crust over the eyelashes, itchiness, and swelling around the eyes.
According to recommendations published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more severe symptoms of pink eye include eye pain, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and intense redness.
If you or a family member experience any symptoms associated with pink eye, seek immediate medical care, as extreme cases can lead to potential blindness, particularly in infants.

What are the symptoms of pink eye?

• Red or bloodshot eyes
• Swelling of the eyelids
• Itchy eyes
• Persistent stinging or irritation
• Watery eyes
• Thick, clear discharge seeping from the eyes
• Green or yellow discharge
• Crusty eyes

The best home remedy for pink eye

Most healthcare providers prescribe antibiotic eye drops and steroids and recommend over-the-counter pain medications to manage symptoms. However, antibiotics and steroids can disrupt the body's microbiome, a key player in regulating immune system function. Repeated or prolonged use of these medications can increase the risk of pink eye due to impaired immune defenses, leaving the eye vulnerable to microbial infection.
Unsurprisingly, many people now prioritize natural remedies, turning to conventional treatments as a last resort. Taking zinc is one of the best home remedies for pink eye, especially as a preventative measure.
"Zinc can be crucial in managing viral conjunctivitis as it helps prevent the reproduction of the virus in its early stages," explains Dr. Berg.
It’s generally recommended that adults take around 50 milligrams of zinc per day to manage or prevent viral conjunctivitis. However, dosage requirements may vary depending on factors such as age, sex, and overall health status. It’s crucial to take zinc supplements with food as it can cause nausea and vomiting if taken on an empty stomach.
Other pink eye remedies
In addition to zinc supplementation, other effective pink eye home remedies can help alleviate discomfort and promote recovery. Here are four natural treatments for conjunctivitis.

1. Colloidal silver

"Despite a common belief that there's no research backing its use, significant research confirms that colloidal silver is a potent antimicrobial agent that can safely be applied directly to the eye and has no side effects," says Dr. Berg.
Evidence published in Frontiers in Microbiology supports these claims and shows colloidal silvers' effectiveness against various microbes, including those linked to conjunctivitis.
Additionally, research published in Antibiotics highlighted how silver ions help destroy bacteria by punctuating bacterial cell walls, which disrupt their ability to produce energy and multiply. When using colloidal silver as a remedy for conjunctivitis, it's commonly suggested to apply a few drops to each eye until symptoms improve.
However, ensure the colloidal silver product is specifically formulated for eye use and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Although colloidal silver is considered safe and well tolerated by most people, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare provider to ensure it’s the best choice for you.

2. Green tea bags

Green tea boasts antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties that are beneficial for soothing common symptoms of pink eye.
To use green tea bags for pink eye relief, steep two organic green tea bags in hot water, let them cool to a comfortable temperature, and place them on closed eyelids for 10 to 30 minutes.
3. Consume nutritious whole-foods
Avoid inflammatory foods high in sugar, harmful preservatives, and artificial ingredients. These foods can weaken immune defenses and contribute to inflammation, potentially increasing the risk and severity of eye infections.
Following a nutritious diet such as Healthy Keto®, which prioritizes organic and non-GMO nutrient-rich produce, pasture-raised meat and dairy, oily fish, and healthy fats, can help support enhanced immune system function.
4. Take immune-boosting supplements
In addition to zinc, consider taking other immune system-boosting nutrients such as vitamins A, C, and D. These essential vitamins play a crucial role in supporting the body’s ability to detect and destroy potentially harmful microbes, including those linked to pink eye infections.

How long does it take to get rid of pink eye?

While allergic pink eye usually clears up within a day or two, bacterial and viral pink eye typically last much longer. Viral pink eye often resolves itself within one to two weeks. However, if you catch it early, you may be able to resolve symptoms sooner by taking zinc supplementation, using colloidal silver, and strengthening immune defenses.
Bacterial conjunctivitis can last as long as three weeks if not managed with appropriate home remedies or medical treatment. A sanitary environment and effective treatment regimen can clear up many cases of pink eye in as little as two to three days.

How to prevent pink eye from spreading

Unlike allergic conjunctivitis, both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are highly contagious. Here are a few tips to help prevent pink eye from spreading to your other eye or someone else:

• Avoid touching your eyes
• Keep surrounding areas clean
• Change your pillowcases and sheets daily
• Avoid eye makeup
• Avoid wearing contact lenses
• Take zinc supplementation at the first sign of infection

Diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia today, just started the antibiotics. I’m currently living in a tiny apartment with my elderly mother and she has cardiac disease. The first thing I asked the doctor is if it’s contagious and she said no and that she doesn’t recommend a mask or isolating myself. However, I googled and found in many places that it’s transmitted through inhaling saliva droplets from an infected person. I’m scared of transmitting it to my mother. Should I wear a mask at home and what other things should I do to avoid transmitting it to her? TIA.

How do you use A map consisting of several sequential steps on a card ? When I mask all steps it takes to long for this card to answer (like 1 minutes or more) and Later it becomes very difficult to review. I tried to mask step or 2 in a card, but i feel now I can't list all the steps sequentially even when I remember it.

You may remember me as the person who was miserable with “suspected” walking pneumonia who had an NP tell me that my lungs “sounded clear” and that she would not “expose me to unnecessary radiation and increase my cancer risk” by doing the chest xray I requested to rule out walking pneumonia.
Well guess what? I was miserable for an additional week. Coughing so hard I peed a bit, grumpy, green mucus, miserable. I walked around the flea market for 2 hours with my bf and was bedridden for most of that day afterwards and my chest felt so heavy.
I was able to book a video appointment with the practice NP WHO ACTUALLY LISTENS. The one I have rapport with.
My only complaint is that she was like 30min late to our appointment. But I know exactly why she was late. Because she LISTENS TO PEOPLE AND TAKES THE TIME TO CONSIDER THEIR SYMPTOMS.
She told me straight up that if the steroids hadn’t helped and I was still suffering like this it was bacterial. Said there’s no need for a chest cray because process of elimination and wrote me a script for antibiotics.
I just finished a 10 day course of doxycycline and I feel AMAZING. 100% better.
But I’m upset that the other NP gets away with NOT LISTENING to people.
Like, if she gets away with it this time it’s nbd. I lived, no long term damage, I’m young and healthy, whatever.
But what if the next time it’s someone who is very ill and unable to advocate for themselves or has an unusual presentation of a disease? Is she going to brush them off because of her ego?
I don’t want to hurt her career but I want her to realize that she is playing God- she gets to decide who is taken seriously and gets necessary tests and medicine and who gets “written off”. And can be a merciful god who listens to patients when they have complaints or she can be an ego maniac who gets people killed.
I know she will just get a slap on the wrist and I don’t want to create drama with the good NP should she find out I reported her colleague, but I also want this on the bad NP’s record that way there’s a paper trail if God forbid something else happens to someone down the line.
Thoughts?

https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202306217
https://pubpeer.com/search?q=10.1002/advs.202306217

Gut Microbiota-Derived 3-Hydroxybutyrate Blocks GPR43-Mediated IL6 Signaling to Ameliorate Radiation Proctopathy

Abstract

Radiation proctopathy (RP) is a common complication of radiotherapy for pelvic malignancies with high incidence. RP accompanies by microbial dysbiosis. However, how the gut microbiota affects the disease remains unclear. Here, metabolomics reveals that the fecal and serous concentrations of microbiota‐derived 3‐hydroxybutyrate (3HB) are significantly reduced in RP mice and radiotherapeutic patients. Moreover, the concentration of 3HB is negatively associated with the expression of proinflammatory IL6 that is increased along with the severity of radiation damage. 3HB treatment significantly downregulates IL6 expression and alleviates IL6‐mediated radiation damage. Irradiated cell‐fecal microbiota co‐culture experiments and in vivo assays show that such a radioprotection of 3HB is mediated by GPR43. Microbiome analysis reveals that radiation leads to a distinct bacterial community compared to untreated controls, in which Akkermansia muciniphila is significantly reduced in RP mice and radiotherapeutic patients and is associated with lower 3HB concentration. Gavage of A. muciniphila significantly increases 3HB concentration, downregulates GPR43 and IL6 expression, and ameliorates radiation damage. Collectively, these results demonstrate that the gut microbiota, including A. muciniphila, induce higher concentrations of 3HB to block GPR43‐mediated IL6 signaling, thereby conferring radioprotection. The findings reveal a novel implication of the gut‐immune axis in radiation pathophysiology, with potential therapeutic applications.
------------------------------------------ Info ------------------------------------------
Open Access: True (not always correct)
Authors: * Zhenhuang Ge * Chun Chen * Junyi Chen * Zhou Jiang * Lingming Chen * Yingqi Wei * Haiyang Chen * Lei He * Yi Zou * Xiaoxuan Long * Hongyu Zhan * Huaiming Wang * Hui Wang * Yongjun Lu
Additional links: * https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-2404105/latest.pdf
------------------------------------------ Open Access ------------------------------------------
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I actually just wrote this on another comment but want to expand it a bit and get broader advice. I have been using humor to deal with really what is a strange, confusing situation that leaves my brain in tangles and I thank you all for your patience.

• ⁠Test shows mainly recent antibodies, which explains the rough two months I had.
  
• ⁠But I have been having these same symptoms every few years since at least 2020 (had documented sus inspect bites 2010, 2020ish)
  
• It doesn’t make sense that a test indicating recent diagnosis would capture years of illness.
  
• ⁠It also doesn’t make sense to isolate this last flare as something separate from the past when I know in my heart and even in photos that the symptoms were the same.
  
• I have largely trusted the medical system until now even as I have been disgruntled by them but after reading about CDC vs. LLMDs I am confused.
  
• Antibiotic resistance or failing to succeed in a course of antibiotics is a given for any other condition like UTI or pneumonia, where more and stronger antibiotics are prescribed.
  
• But Lyme seems to be the exception and reputable doctors do not believe a bacteria can persist after one course of antibiotics which doesn’t make sense
  
• LLMDs also don’t make sense because they charge thousands for evaluations that could in theory be covered by insurance, and then just charge treatment out of pocket
  
• I don’t want to pay thousands for treatment but I also don’t want to not receive adequate treatment.
  
• I also don’t want to follow special diets because I just recovered from an eating disorder a few years back and I am in a stable place for my eating
  
• So literally everything is confusing and nothing makes sense. I don’t know what to believe or not believe.
  
• ⁠And the most clown factor of this all, I only got tested because someone I know and felt I have a lot in common with illness-wise has Lyme. I honestly, honestly thought “What are the odds”.
  
• It is too embarrassing to tell people I have the same illness as my literal supervisor so I have been telling people I have a bacterial infection and they probably all think I have an STD.
  

Both sides of this Lyme story are confusing and flawed in their own ways. And leaving me extraordinarily confused.

2 year old female admitted for pneumococcal bacteremia. Has had three episodes of acute otitis media, 2 episodes of bacterial pneumonia, and recurrent episodes of thrush over the past year. Mother has a history of persistent oral candidiasis and chronic diarrhea and has had 20 ibs weight loss over the past 3 months. 50th percentile for height and 5th percentile for weight. Oral mucosa covered with white plaques. 2cm nontender axillary lymph nodes present. spleen palpated 2cm below the left costal margin. Liver palpated 3 cm below right costal margin. Lab values are the following :
Leukocyte : 5000 (segmented neutrophils 65%, lymphocytes 35%)
Platelets : 95000
IgA : 420 (N=14-159)
IgG : 2200 (N=345-1236)
IgM : 400 (N=423-207)
A)chediak higashi
B) chronic granulomatous disease
C) CVID
D) cystic fibrosis
E) HIV infection
F) SCID
G) terminal complement deficiency
H) wiskott aldrich
How can we tell that the answer is HIV based on lab values? she has thrush but I am wondering how lab values tell us its hiv.

Hello, My cat is a 10y11m neutered male DSH who is currently undergoing lomustin treatment for mast cell tumor disease. He has multiple external tumors and there is some evidence of splenic involvement. He had his first treatment on 5/7 and seems to be responding well to his chemo and other meds (prednisolone, loratadine, amitriptyline (long term med), gabapentin, topical 1% hydrocortisone). His rumors are visually smaller and smoother and he is MUCH more comfortable.
He began showing sx of a URI (sneezing, “puffing”/sniffling, clear runny discharge from eyes and nose, open mouth breathing but NOT panting) about 6 days ago. He was seen on 5/18 at his regular vet for a CBC as part of his cancer tx, and they did an exam and chest x rays at that time. No sign of any lung nodules or pneumonia on x-ray, said it’s likely viral and prescribed 500mg lysine treats daily. The following day, his breathing seemed worse to me (I think he was just extra stuffy on waking up) and I took him to the emergency vet, who placed him in an O2 cage and did an exam. Findings were similar to the previous day, clear lung sounds. They prescribed 62.5mg/day clavamox to avoid secondary bacterial infection. On Monday his CBC came back with elevated white cell count suggesting possible bacterial origin. Since starting Clavimox on Monday, he seems a little more energetic and is breathing with his mouth closed, but he sounds much more congested and “snotty”. His nasal discharge also now contains opaque white mucus, as opposed to the clear fluid it had been up to this point. Eating, drinking, litter box habits have been unchanged this whole time, and he has a great appetite (as usual).
My husband and I are due to go out of town for the weekend and while we have an amazing pet sitter, I am nervous. How long do URIa typically last in cats, and given he is on immunosuppressant meds, what should we expect as a typical course? I called our regular vet and left a voicemail to see what they think and have also been in contact with his onc team (who do not seem overly concerned). Should I be concerned or is this pretty normal? I would have hoped to see more improvement by now from the abx. Thank you!