Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be effectively treated with surgical gastric fundoplication, a procedure that almost completely stops both acid and non-acid reflux. However, this surgery isn't always the best choice for everyone. Lasting side effects can sometimes outweigh the benefits. The challenge lies in identifying the ideal candidates for this proced...
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are game-changers in cancer therapy, but they don’t come without drawbacks. These drugs can cause issues in different parts of the body, and scientists are trying to understand why. It turns out that certain immune cells like T cells and myeloid cells are key players in these side effects. Additionally, various signals from protein...
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, or PCP, is a severe lung infection that often affects people living with HIV (HIV+) who have weakened immune systems. The go-to treatment for PCP is trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), even though it comes with some side effects. But is TMP-SMX really the best option? Let's dive into the research to compare different treatments ...
Clozapine is a powerful drug used to treat people with schizophrenia who don't respond to other treatments. However, it can cause some nasty side effects, one of them being excessive drooling. We're talking puddles of saliva, which can make people feel pretty self-conscious and want to avoid social situations. This review dives into how common this side effect is, wh...
Did you know that a popular diabetes medicine called Ozempic might be linked to a rare but serious eye condition? Health experts in Europe are digging into this possibility after some recent studies suggested a potential connection. This eye condition, called NAION, can lead to sudden and permanent vision loss. It's not yet clear if Ozempic and similar drugs actually...
Taking glaucoma medicine as prescribed is vital. But sometimes, these eye drops can cause side effects, like redness in the eyes. This is called ocular hyperemia, and it's quite common. The good news is that not all redness needs medical help. Some is just how the medicine works, but others could be signs of an allergy or something worse. So, it's crucial to tell the...
Cancer treatment is no walk in the park. It often leaves patients feeling tired and weak. But what if there was a way to help manage these side effects? Enter high-intensity interval training, or HIIT. This type of exercise involves quick, intense bursts of activity followed by short breaks. Some studies suggest that this kind of workout could help cancer patients co...
Imagine this: a man in Brazil received his third Pfizer COVID-19 shot and soon after, his intestinal lymph nodes started to inflame. This isn't the typical reaction to the vaccine. Usually, lymph nodes near the injection site swell up a bit. But in this case, it was the mesenteric lymph nodes, located deep in the belly. Doctors were puzzled. The patient had no healt...
Imagine popping a pill to shed pounds and ending up drinking less. That's what a recent study found out. Researchers discovered that weight loss medications like Ozempic (known for its generic name, semaglutide) and even the older drug metformin reduced alcohol intake in people participating in a WeightWatchers program. This unexpected side effect left scientists scr...
Have you heard about "Ozempic face"? It's a side effect that some people taking certain diabetes and obesity drugs experience. These drugs, like Ozempic, mimic a hormone that helps with weight loss. However, the rapid weight loss can lead to saggy skin and a deflated look. This is because the skin loses its elasticity. It can make people look older and tired. Sharon...