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Morbidity and mortality are two similar terms that mean different things. Morbidity refers to an illness or disease. Mortality refers to death. Both terms are often used in statistics about health, such as the incidence or rate with which diseases and death occur. This article explains the difference between morbidity and mortality. It also takes a look at ways to prevent morbidities and protect your health. What Is Morbidity? Morbidity is any condition that isn’t healthy....

The benefits of multivitamins may be all in the user’s minds, new research has found. Key Takeaways Multivitamins and multiminerals don’t have an effect on overall mental or physical health, a new study found.People who take multivitamins report better health, but researchers say these benefits are likely in their own minds.Lifestyle factors like a healthy balanced diet and exercise are more beneficial to well-being than supplements, experts say. People who use multivitamins and multiminerals (MVM) self-report 30% overall better health, even though they have no apparent differences in measurable health outcomes than non-users, according to a study published in medical journal BMJ on November 4....

New guidelines have been published to help providers treat patients who have heart failure as well as patients who are at risk for the disease. Key Takeaways Cardiology experts have updated the treatment guidelines that help providers who are working with patients who have heart failure or are at risk for the disease.The new guidelines emphasize the importance of preventing heart failure as well as adding a new class of medication to the list of treatments for patients who haven’t had many options....

Researchers from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia found there might be important genetic differences in the causes of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) between patients who are Black and those who are White. Key Takeaways ADHD seems to impact different genes in Black and White people.The findings may help shape more targeted medications in the future. The study, which was published in the journal Scientific Reports, generated whole-genome sequences on 875 people, including 205 who were diagnosed with ADHD....

Catecholamines are hormones produced by the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are small, triangular shaped organs that sit on top of the kidneys. The adrenal glands are part of the endocrine system. They regulate different processes throughout the body. They produce and release several necessary hormones and chemicals, including: AldosteroneCortisolCortisoneAndrogenic steroidsCatecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine) Catecholamines are produced by the adrenal glands as a reaction to stress. Stress to the body results in an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, muscle strength, mental alertness, blood glucose levels, and breathing....

If getting a whiter smile was one of your New Year’s resolutions, you’re in luck: Snow Teeth Whitening is having a sitewide sale right now, plus 40% off any of the brand’s bundles starting today—including a Verywell Lab-tested pick. Whether you’re looking for an on-the-go treatment or a full whitening experience, Snow has something for everyone. Snow puts a spin on dental health and teeth whitening, with mouthwash and toothpaste flavors like strawberry mojito, birthday cake, and mint milkshake, alongside products like whitening powder and LED whitening toothbrushes....

Though there is no cure for eczema, a variety of over-the-counter, prescription, and natural remedies can help soothe irritated skin. One of the most popular natural remedies is shea butter. This article examines whether shea butter is effective for eczema, its possible risks, and how to use it. How Eczema Is Treated Treatment for eczema varies. What you may need will depend on the severity of your condition. In addition, some people choose to use natural remedies for eczema....

A new study shows an interaction between the mental health condition post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the klotho gene—a gene associated with longevity and the aging process—may cause premature aging in the brain. Key Takeaways A new study shows post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may affect the klotho gene, leading to premature aging in the brain.Healthcare professionals believe understanding the link between PTSD and the klotho gene variant is critical in identifying new treatments....

Will temperature checks and painful nasal swabs soon be a thing of the past? By analyzing the sonic features of a forced cough, a piece of cutting-edge artificial intelligence software shows promise at identifying people who have COVID-19, according to the results of a study conducted by a team of three researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The September study was published in the IEEE Open Journal of Engineering in Medicine and Biology....

A gamekeeper’s thumb, also called a skier’s thumb, is an injury to one of the important ligaments at the base of the thumb joint. The injury involves the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the thumb. The UCL is a band of tough, fibrous tissue that connects the bones at the base of the thumb. This ligament prevents the thumb from pointing too far away from the hand. An injury to the ulnar collateral ligament occurs when this structure is stretched too far....

Meditation is a relaxing mind-body practice. Some people find it helpful for sleep and stress. Some evidence suggests it can also help to lower blood pressure. While researchers have yet to determine how it does so, one theory is that the practice may affect activity in the autonomic nervous system, which regulates blood pressure. Meditation appears to calm activity in the sympathetic nervous system (known to narrow the blood vessels in response to stress) and increases activity in the parasympathetic nervous system (known to promote widening of the blood vessels)....

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body, and women with PCOS may not be getting enough of it. According to a study in the Journal of Gynecology and Endocrinology, women with a magnesium deficiency are 19 times more likely to have PCOS. Magnesium plays a role as a co-factor in some major processes in the body. It’s involved in insulin and glucose signaling and magnesium is needed to regulate heart contractions, just to name a few important functions....

The pandemic has had a grueling effect on healthcare and frontline workers. To meet the demands of rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, doctors, nurses, and other essential health workers have been working around the clock, with 55% reporting burnout and 62% reporting mental health repercussions last year. Key Takeaways The Biden-Harris Administration awarded $103 million in American Rescue Plan funds to address burnout and advance mental health among healthcare workers.The funding will support numerous programs....

Over the last few weeks, U.S. officials have begun rolling out additional measures to help curb COVID-19 cases and encourage vaccinations nationwide. From corporate vaccination mandates to booster shots for those at risk, the U.S. is trying everything to keep COVID-19 at bay. Key Takeaways Over the last few weeks, U.S. officials have begun rolling out additional measures to help curb COVID-19 cases and encourage vaccinations nationwide.Experts say mandates work to get more people vaccinated and help prevent outbreaks....

It’s not easy to come to conclusions about the causes and treatments for autism. “In autism, there are lots of opinions and very little data,” says Lisa Croen, Ph.D. Research Scientist in the Division of Research at Kaiser Permanente in Northern California. In the past few years, however, some consensus has emerged on at least a few pieces of the puzzle. As the research progresses, it will be easier to see the relationships among findings and to tease out the appropriate treatments for each individual on the autism spectrum....

Frequent testing is crucial in reducing the spread of COVID-19. And now that free at-home COVID-19 tests are available from the government, more people have access to tests when they need them. Key Takeaways Many COVID-19 test kits come with two tests inside because testing twice within a matter of days increases the chance of getting an accurate result.You should use the second test to confirm a negative result after a COVID-19 exposure or to check if you’re still infectious after testing positive....

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease that blocks the airway, making it difficult to breathe. About 16 million people have been diagnosed with COPD in the United States, though many more people with COPD have not yet been diagnosed. COPD has no cure, but there are some things you can do to prevent it, and treatments are available to help you manage the condition if you are diagnosed with it....

The Cori cycle is a natural, metabolic pathway that was named after its discoverers, Carl Ferdinand Cori and Gerty Cori in 1929. It is sometimes referred to as the lactic acid cycle because it involves the production of lactate. The Cori cycle occurs when the muscles need energy. Lactate is a substance produced by the cells. The Cori cycle involves turning lactate into glucose because the body cannot use lactate for energy....

When the COVID-19 pandemic began last March, people dashed to get ahold of Lysol wipes and hand sanitizer to clean their homes. But a December study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice found that as more household disinfectants were introduced, people with asthma were negatively affected. Key Takeaways A new study has linked an increase in home cleaning and disinfecting amid the COVID-19 pandemic to worsening asthma symptoms....

Throughout the course of the pandemic, nursing homes have become hot spots and breeding grounds for COVID-19. And communities of color have borne the brunt of the impact, experiencing higher rates of COVID-19 infection and death. Key Takeaways A research study found that nursing homes with the highest proportion of non-White residents experienced 3.3 times more COVID-19 deaths than predominantly White nursing homes.Some factors driving these racial disparities include the size of nursing home facilities and the prevalence of COVID-19 in the neighboring community....