The Guardian

Exclusive: Australian-led discovery may help explain why otherwise healthy people die from infectious diseases while others fight off viruses unscathed

Patients seriously affected by flu or Covid may have high levels of crucial enzyme, research finds

Everyday Health

If you're a current or former smoker, learn which important medical tests - including lung tests - you should discuss with your doctor.

8 Essential Medical Tests You May Need if You Smoke

Cancer Health

A National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported study has found that routine lab tests may not be useful in making a long COVID diagnosis for people who have symptoms of the condition. The study, part of NIH’s Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (NIH RECOVER) Initiative and published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, highlights how challenging it can be to identify and diagnose a novel illness such as long COVID.

Routine Lab Tests Are Not a Reliable Way to Diagnose Long COVID

Doctors can diagnose fatty liver disease, now called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), using blood tests that measure serum liver enzyme levels. Elevated enzyme levels may indicate inflammation and disease in the liver. Instead of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), experts now call it metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease...

What Blood Tests Can Diagnose Fatty Liver Disease?

UPI News

Blood and urine tests are ineffective for diagnosing long COVID -- a constellation of long-term symptoms such as chronic pain, brain fog, shortness of breath and intense fatigue, a new study shows.

Long COVID continues to evade diagnosis through lab tests

You may be able to tell a lot about your health from how often you poop. “In the scientific literature, we see strong associations between bowel movement frequency abnormalities (constipation, in particular) and chronic diseases, like neurodegeneration and chronic kidney disease,” Dr. Sean Gibbons, associate professor at the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle, tells TODAY.com in an email.

How many times a day you poop can tell you a lot about your long-term health, study finds

You’ve been told you have high blood pressure. You may have tried to lower it by reducing the salt in your diet and exercising. This has helped, but your readings are still too high, and your doctor has prescribed a medication. Your blood pressure now looks good, but the medication is making you feel lightheaded.

High Blood Pressure Medication Side Effects: What You Should Know

The Social Security Administration utilizes four variables when calculating your monthly retired-worker benefit. There are well-defined advantages to initially collecting Social Security benefits at ages 62, 66, and 70. A thorough study of 20,000 retired-worker claims finds that one claiming age is superior to all others in terms of maximizing...

Here's the Average Social Security Benefit at Ages 62, 66, and 70

Community Voices represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program but not yet verified their accounts. Community Voices are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

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Evan Jarvis

Pain under the left rib cage can be caused by various conditions, ranging from benign to more serious issues. Here’s a breakdown of potential causes:. Indigestion: Overeating, eating spicy foods, or consuming carbonated drinks can lead to discomfort or pain in the upper abdominal area.

Pain Under the Ribs Above the Stomach

Among patients with fibromyalgia, there was a moderate negative correlation between vitamin D and physical functioning as well as between magnesium and stiffness. An exploratory study evaluating the link between specific micronutrients and the symptoms of fibromyalgia revealed vitamin D and magnesium played a role in physical function and stiffness among patients.1.

Vitamin D, Magnesium Deficiency Linked to Worse Fibromyalgia Symptoms

A range of conditions, including alcohol or medication overuse, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and chronic infections, can damage your liver. However, the early signs of liver damage are subtle, and the initial stages of liver disease are "silent," or asymptomatic. By the time you recognize symptoms, your liver is already significantly damaged.

Signs of Liver Damage and Ways to Tell

If you are experiencing constipation, you may have tried lifestyle changes, such as eating more fiber and increasing your fluids. However, if these fail to provide relief, you may be considering laxative options. There are various types of laxatives, and they work in different ways. For example, some soften the...

Types of Laxatives for Constipation and How to Use Them Safely

Contributors represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program and self-verified their accounts. They have also demonstrated their experience writing hard news for other outlets. Contributors are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

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The Current GA

Since 2020, the condition known as long COVID-19 has become a widespread disability affecting the health and quality of life of millions of people across the globe and costing economies billions of dollars in reduced productivity of employees and an overall drop in the work force .

Expert: Long COVID puzzle pieces are falling into place – picture is unsettling

Salon

It’s not only a so-called “brat summer,” 2024 is also turning out to be a FLiRT summer — as in the collection of COVID-19 variants driving the latest summer wave. Based on wastewater sample data, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention reports that COVID levels have increased in most states nationwide. In fact, nationally the CDC labels wastewater viral activity level for COVID is currently labeled as “high,” with the Western and Southern regions displaying the most alarming levels of activity. Wastewater testing — or collecting samples of pathogens in our feces — is the current standard to monitor the national and regional spread of COVID. According to the CDC, the summer started with a steady decline in cases caused by the JN.1 variant. But now, KP.3, KP.3.1.1., and KP.2, known as the “FLiRT variants” have increased. KP.3 ranks most prevalent as of July 20 and makes up an estimated 32.9% of cases across the country.

What’s different about this summer’s FLiRT COVID wave

Parade

Doctors who prescribe it share their best tips.

The Number #1 Tip for Avoiding ‘Ozempic Nausea,' According to Doctors Who Prescribe It

As a huge fan of ’90s shows like Charmed and Melrose Place (and all their cheesy counterparts), I’ve happily followed along with the careers of many of the stars. I can’t say that Alyssa Milano has starred in a particularly compelling TV series or movie lately, but maybe that’s because she spends so much time talking about politics.

‘You are and always have been a C grade actress’: Alyssa Milano receives epic backlash after her Elon Musk ‘View’ opinion resurfaces

Winchester, VA

Law & Crime

A man who vowed to light VP Kamala Harris on fire and "personally pluck out her eyes" reacted with surprise when investigators showed up at his door, a complaint alleges.
The post ‘I will personally pluck out her eyes’: Man who threatened to light Kamala Harris on fire is baffled feds were at his door ‘over a comment,’ complaint alleges first appeared on Law & Crime.

'I will personally pluck out her eyes': Man who threatened to light Kamala Harris on fire is baffled feds were at his door 'over a comment,' complaint alleges

Learn about eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and its symptoms, including chronic cough, treatment options, and diagnosis methods.

Can Eosinophilic Esophagitis Be the Reason Behind Your Chronic Cough?

It might be gas, but it could also be something more serious.

What's the Deal With That Pain Under My Right Ribcage? Experts Explain

North Carolina State

Town Talks

In North Carolina, the divorce process can be challenging, particularly due to the mandatory one-year separation requirement. This law mandates that couples must live separately for at least a year before filing for divorce, a rule that can be frustrating for many.

You might be granted a divorce in North Carolina if your spouse is ‘incurably insane.’ Here’s how

Axios

NewsBreak

Lab tests couldn't help diagnose long COVID: study

More than two dozen commonly available lab tests couldn't help diagnose long COVID in a study of more than 10,000 adults, leaving doctors still having to...

Lab tests couldn't help diagnose long COVID: study

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