When most of us hear the term “palliative care,” if anything comes to mind, we probably think of hospice care — measures taken at the end of life to ease suffering and maximize comfort. But palliative care is an approach that may be beneficial to anyone who experiences suffering due to a health condition, whether they’re just diagnosed or have lived with it for years. And it’s on the rise among MS care providers....

Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond analyzed national weekly death data from January to mid-April of this year and compared it with data from the past six years. In a study published July 1, 2020, in the Journal of the American Medical Association the team tallied the sharp rise in deaths due to heart disease and stroke during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. They found that in March through mid-April, when New York City was experiencing the height of its COVID-19 cases thus far, death rates from heart disease in the city rose by almost 400 percent....

Biologics target specific aspects of the body’s immune response to interrupt the inflammatory process that leads to psoriatic arthritis. One class of biologics, called TNF inhibitors, works by blocking the action of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a protein that triggers inflammation in psoriatic arthritis. Common TNF-alpha inhibitors include Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab), Remicade (infliximab), Cimzia (certolizumab), and Simponi (golimumab). There are other classes of biologic drugs that treat a whole host of autoimmune diseases, and some of these have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration specifically for psoriatic arthritis....

His wife, Marlene Young, is also a nutritionist, as is one of their adult children — so the healthy food habits that Young talks to patients about are often the same ones the family practices at home. “There’s no doubt that pain can be exacerbated by eating the wrong foods,” says Young. “By the same token, it can be made much better by eating the right foods. The ‘You are what you eat’ adage is correct in all aspects of disease prevention and management....

For younger adults, the diagnosis often comes as a surprise. “I’ve had patients in their twenties tell me, ‘I thought arthritis only happens to old people,’” she says. For many young adults, a psoriatic arthritis diagnosis can also be hard to accept. On top of having to deal with the skin rashes this condition can bring, painful and swollen joints can make everyday tasks and activities difficult. Most of us take our ability to wake up and do things without having joint pain or stiffness for granted, notes Dr....

A large study published July 19 in JAMA Internal Medicine found that each additional cup of coffee consumed per day was associated with a 3 percent reduced risk of tachyarrhythmia. The results were based on data collected from more than 386,000 participants in the United Kingdom, ranging in age from 40 to 69, who completed questionnaires, underwent physical examinations, and provided biological samples. Gregory M. Marcus, MD, the associate chief of cardiology for research at the University of California in San Francisco (UCSF) Health, conducted the research with colleagues....

Sometimes the irregular heartbeat of atrial fibrillation isn’t detected until the person has a life-threatening stroke or heart failure, because they notice no symptoms beforehand. In paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, symptoms come and go and may be easily overlooked. Monitor your heart rhythm on your own through traditional or innovative new methods, and then discuss your findings with your doctor for a diagnosis. Your doctor may then order additional tests, either in the office or at home, to confirm a case of irregular heart rhythm....

Sepsis can start off mild but may quickly progress to higher levels of severity, explains Keith Roach, MD, an internist at NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City. “Septic shock is a late stage of sepsis where the ability of the body to provide adequate blood flow to organs is compromised, to the point that blood pressure is low,” he says. Septic shock is a serious medical condition with a poor prognosis....

From resolving to exercise more, eat better, and tackle a (now even longer) list of household tasks — I fell way short of what I felt at the time were reasonable (albeit recycled) goals. Despite wallowing in these failures, I’ve also realized, however, that I’ve made some major wins this past year, too. No, they weren’t the lofty goals I made last January. But they are achievements I’m proud of....

The major question is: How do you know when to be concerned about your headache? What signs can help you distinguish between an ordinary headache caused by stress, one occurring as part of a migraine attack, and one caused by something much more serious, such as stroke or a brain tumor? Recognizing Headaches With Dangerous Causes One clue that a headache is a sign of something serious is when it’s significantly worse than the headaches you usually get....

RELATED: Sunscreen Glossary: A Guide for Decoding Every SPF Term You Need to Know Melanoma Monday Is May 3 Each year, the first Monday of May is designated Melanoma Monday to raise public awareness about malignant melanoma. Sponsored by the American Academy of Dermatology, the day promotes early detection, as melanoma is nearly 100 percent curable when found early. Some of these methods include routine dermatologist appointments, as well as awareness surrounding the risk factors for developing melanoma....

These three cancers have several things in common: They are predominantly linked to excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, either from sunlight or tanning beds.They are all associated with many of the same additional risk factors, including fair skin that freckles or burns easily.When treated at the earliest stage, they are all almost always curable. But each type of cancer originates in a different kind of skin cell and develops in a unique way....

Sales of these so-called superfood powders have taken off, and according to a market research report published in October 2022, the category is expected to grow by over 10 percent a year, reaching almost $9 billion in sales by 2027. Likely fueling the trend is the involvement of celebrities including Kevin Hart, Kate Hudson, and Gwyneth Paltrow, who have either promoted or financially backed these products. Superfood powders are not without merit....

This may not be a dilemma that huge numbers of people grapple with regularly. But a new study suggests that if you’re watching your blood pressure, taking a midday nap may be a step in the right direction. It’s long been known that naps, when done right, can leave you feeling refreshed and energized. Whether they carry any immediate cardiovascular benefits has been less clear, even though this could affect the health of millions of people around the world....

In a man’s chart, the placement of Venus determines the type of woman he is attracted to. In a woman’s chart, Venus determines her view of femininity, as well as how she expresses her feminine qualities. Venus represents love, sensuality, romance, beauty, affection and social appeal. Its placement in your natal chart provides insight into what you are attracted to in a partner as well as what type of person is attracted to you....

There may be ways to manage your medications and the foods you eat to help ease your gastrointestinal symptoms and even shorten your migraine attacks. Here are some answers to common questions about diarrhea and migraine. 1. Is Diarrhea Common With Migraine Attacks? Diarrhea isn’t a common symptom of migraine, but it definitely occurs, says Roderick Spears, MD, a neurologist and headache specialist at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia. “A smaller percentage of people will say they have diarrhea as a symptom of migraine compared to vomiting,” he says....

They’re best for short-term use, and while they can relieve symptoms, they don’t slow disease progression, notes the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. They also increase your risk for infections, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure. And, according to a study published in August 2020 in the journal Gastroenterology, corticosteroid use is associated with severe COVID-19 symptoms in IBD patients. “Steroids provide patients with vast relief quickly, but they’re not a long-term solution and they have a lot of side effects,” says Laura Raffals, MD, a gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota....

The testicles are male sex glands that are part of the reproductive system. Males have two egg-shaped testicles, or testes, which may be slightly different in size. The testicles are responsible for the production of sperm as well as testosterone, an important male sex hormone. Anatomy of the Testicles The testicles are located in the scrotum, a sac of skin that hangs below the penis and between the legs. Each testicle is held in place by a spermatic cord, which is made of tough connective tissue and muscle surrounding the vas deferens (a large sperm-carrying duct), blood vessels, lymph vessels, and nerves....

Plus, they’re convenient and accessible. You don’t need a fancy gym or a lot of equipment to walk. Walking workouts are customizable to your personal ability. And they’re good for people of all fitness levels and ages. TikToker @exactlyliketheothergirls claims to have coined the term “hot girl walk,” which has taken the social media platform by storm. Her January 2021 video shows her weight-loss transformation that she attributes to the “hot girl walk” (which details her playlist and other recommendations)....

Last week, the Camden County Health Department was notified that a food handler working at a Starbucks at 1490 Blackwood Clementon Road in Gloucester Township had contracted the virus and had remained on the job through the infectious period. Based on the investigation and out of an abundance of caution, the Camden County Health Department has been urging any unvaccinated customers who visited the Starbucks store on November 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, and 13 to get the hepatitis A vaccine....