Health experts are sounding the alarm. They fear that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , the Health and Human Services Secretary, might remove key members of the U. S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). This panel of primary care experts has been a cornerstone of preventive healthcare for decades. The concern stems from a recent move where Kennedy replaced members of ano...
Doctors and scientists face a big challenge. They must treat infections effectively. But they also need to consider what is fair and safe for patients. This is where ethics play a crucial role. Ethics act as a compass. They help people make decisions that are right and just. In the medical field, ethics are vital. They ensure that doctors provide care that is both e...
Endometriosis is a tricky condition to diagnose. For a long time, doctors relied on a procedure called laparoscopy to spot endometriotic lesions directly. This involved surgery, which is invasive and not always necessary. Recently, guidelines have started to favor non-invasive imaging techniques, like ultrasounds and MRIs, for diagnosing deep endometriosis. But what ...
Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) has been around for a while, but the 60-day treatment is a newer approach. It's caused some confusion among doctors and patients. Some wonder if it's a trial, a permanent fix, or something else. The American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN) wants to clear things up. A group of experts got together to figure out the best way ...
Kidney stones are a painful issue that can affect anyone, including children. When it comes to treating large kidney stones in young patients, medical experts have some clear preferences. They often suggest two main procedures: percutaneous nephrolithotomy and shockwave lithotripsy. These methods are recommended for stones that are 20 millimeters or larger. However, ...
Red blood cells are usually kept between 2 and 6 degrees Celsius. This is the standard in Europe. But what if they get colder? Much colder. What if they get exposed to temperatures below zero? This is a real concern. Sometimes, blood cells get too cold, especially when they are being transported to hospitals. This can happen before they are even used in a transfu...
Brain tumours can make it tough for doctors to decide if a patient is safe to drive. There are no clear rules for this situation. So, a group of experts got together to figure out some guidelines. They used a method called the Delphi technique. This method helps experts reach an agreement on complex issues. It is a way to gather opinions and refine them until a conse...
The world of heart health is always changing. One big question is about people who get a new heart valve through a special procedure. This procedure is called transcatheter aortic valve replacement. After this, doctors usually suggest taking a single antiplatelet pill for life. This is if the patient does not need blood thinners or two types of antiplatelet pills. Bu...
Ovarian cancer is a serious health issue that affects many women. One way doctors try to catch it early is by looking at something called cancer antigen 125, or CA-125. This is a protein that can be found in higher amounts in the blood of people with ovarian cancer. The problem is that the guidelines for what counts as a high level of CA-125 were made using data from...
DNA tests are becoming popular for understanding heart health. These tests can reveal if you have a higher chance of developing heart disease due to your genes. They can also show how your body might respond to certain medications. This is exciting because it allows people to access this information without first visiting a doctor. However, doctors are divided on ho...