“The daily onslaught of virus replication causes the immune system to work overtime to suppress it,” says Michael Saag, MD, the director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Center for AIDS Research. This wears down your immune system and contributes to systemic inflammation, putting you at risk for other health issues. If that’s the case, Dr. Saag says, “Why wait to start treatment?” Physicians track the impact of HIV on the immune system by measuring levels of CD4 cells (also called T-helper or T-4 cells) — the infection-fighting white blood cells that HIV attacks....

In addition to family, friends, and your oncologist, you may also have access to an entire team of healthcare professionals who can help you navigate the many aspects of your disease and treatment every step of the way. These specialists may all work under the same roof, in a hospital or medical center, or be spread out at different locations. Here are some of the professionals you may want to include on your metastatic NSCLC care team....

Each person’s reaction to an antidepressant is unique — the side effects, strength, and efficacy of the same drug may be drastically different for you than for someone else. And given that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that between 2015 and 2018 approximately 13 percent of American adults ages 18 or older had taken an antidepressant within the previous 30 days, it’s no wonder that there are lots of varying responses to those meds....

Dying is often a process. There are numerous causes of death, many of which are instant. For people who know death is approaching — whether from sickness or old age — there are certain signs. These signs include slowed breathing, weakened heart rate, and a change in color, says Zachary Palace, MD, medical director of the Hebrew Home at Riverdale in New York. “In general, in the time leading up to death, usually the person will become pale because of a drop in blood pressure,” he says....

“Most often, the foods causing discomfort are those that are more difficult to digest, like those high in fat or fiber,” says Kelly Kennedy, a registered dietitian for Everyday Health, adding that spicy foods, seasoned with things such as cayenne, crushed pepper, or paprika, are also problematic for many people. Modifying your diet can help prevent painful flares. “It’s always a good idea to keep a food journal to help figure out which foods may be causing issues,” advises Kennedy....

This narrow view of domestic violence can sometimes allow the insidious and far-reaching effects of other kinds of abuse to go unacknowledged, says Michele Kambolis, PhD, a clinical therapist and mind-body health specialist based in Canada. In fact, emotional abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, harassment, and stalking all fall under the umbrella of domestic violence, says Jennifer C. Genovese, PhD, a licensed clinical social worker and assistant teaching professor in the school of social work at Syracuse University’s Falk College in New York....

As we age we naturally tend to gain weight, to the tune of 1 to 2 pounds (lb) per year, according to a review by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. That may not seem like much, but over time it can lead to significant weight gain and, in some cases, obesity, which is considered to be a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. “Obesity incidence starts increasing in one’s twenties and peaks at 40 to 59, and then decreases slightly after age 60,” says Craig Primack, MD, an obesity medicine physician at the Scottsdale Weight Loss Center in Arizona....

Afib is a type of heart rhythm disorder that starts in the upper chambers of your heart, known as the atria. “With afib, the top of the heart quivers instead of contracting. As a result, blood clots can collect, which puts people at increased risk for stroke,” says Corrine Jurgens, PhD, associate professor at the Connell School of Nursing at Boston College and spokesperson for the American Heart Association. The good news is that there are ways to prevent it....

“What you choose to put into your body will influence how you feel both physically and mentally,” says Leigh Merotto, a registered dietitian in private practice in Toronto. “If you prioritize consuming enough plant-based foods, fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats, and eating regularly throughout the day, it can make a great difference in terms of your overall health and well-being.” Not surprisingly, people who consistently eat healthy foods by, say, following the Mediterranean diet (which is centered on plant-based foods, olive oil, and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids from fish), enjoy better mental health than people whose diet is centered on red meat and processed foods high saturated fats, sodium, and added sugars....

Because when it comes to keeping your heart healthy, every little bit counts. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Plus, nearly one-half of all Americans have at least one risk factor for the condition, including obesity, a poor diet, and not being physically active. Luckily, says Sherry Pagoto, PhD, a psychologist and professor in the department of allied health sciences at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, summer goes hand in hand with healthy habits that can improve your health (and your diet, and your waistline)....

Psychologists study and attempt to understand what motivates people and how we think, feel, and act as groups and individuals. This knowledge can be put to use to change the behaviors that are ultimately problematic for our planet. Yet, according to a report published in February 2022 by the American Psychological Association (APA), only a small number of psychologists include addressing climate change in their work. The organization hopes to change that with its action plan for psychologists to address the climate crisis, the report notes....

Whether you’re taking steroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to control your symptoms or using disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to manage your RA condition, you and your doctor should discuss any potential side effects that can occur during your treatment. Here are eight RA medication side effects to be aware of. NSAIDs and Stomach Problems NSAIDs, which block the inflammation of RA, can be present in both prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen....

After traveling by airplane, boat, car, train, foot, ferry, seaplane, kayak, and even “tuk-tuk” (aka rickshaw), I’ve gathered a number of tools and tips for preventing, reducing, and coping with travel-induced joint pain. Prepare for Travel: Focus on Pain Prevention A wise person once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” With that in mind, I do everything I can to make sure my disease is under control possible before traveling....

We released the first of these video chats — about MS and sex — last month. Due to the need to fit into the organization’s annual meeting, this first episode was a prerecorded video and only 30 minutes in length. The hope and plan are for hourlong video webcasts with interactive capabilities, so that those attending live will be able to submit questions to our panel of experts. A Urologist and Psychologist Help Sort Out Sex Issues For this episode, I was able to reach back into my patient history and twist the arms of two of my former healthcare providers....

Most of the time, skin cancer affects adults, but it can — rarely — develop in children, too. While melanoma is the least common type of skin cancer in adults, it’s the only significant type of skin cancer that shows up in kids. If you have a family history of the disease or are worried about a spot on your child’s skin, it’s a good idea to get screening. RELATED: Can Genetics Determine Risk for Melanoma Progression?...

First, the drug Teriflunomide, marketed as Aubagio was approved by the FDA on Wednesday. In discussions with MS specializing neurologists this weekend, I was told that they expect the drug to be available to patients as soon as the end of next month. One doc called Aubagio a “mild chemotherapy” type drug and a “cousin” to the drug Leflunomide which is used for rheumatoid arthritis (another condition in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissue, like MS)....

Reactions to alcohol are not unusual, although they are not common either. The symptoms you describe can arise from several different sources, not all of which are allergic. I have listed some possible explanations below. After each possibility, I’ve included in italics some questions that you can ask yourself to see if that explanation might apply to you. One point about safety before we start: I cannot say with confidence that this reaction could not worsen suddenly and turn into anaphylaxis (a reaction involving several parts of the body that can be life-threatening)....

Since ancient times, the fragrant spice has delighted palates, influenced the fate of nations, and been hailed for its supposed medicinal properties. Considering the deep history of cinnamon, it may seem as if you’ve already learned everything there is to know about this common household ingredient. But think again! Read on to find out if you’re getting the most out of cinnamon and to learn when its use can put you at risk....

For older adults and those with chronic conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 only escalates, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (PDF). Figures provided by the Alzheimer’s Association show that more than 41,000 extra deaths from Alzheimer’s or another dementia occurred in 2020, when compared with the average yearly deaths over the period from 2015 to 2019. The total number was about 16 percent higher than expected....

“I think everybody has a big secret and that’s mine,” Schumer told the Hollywood Reporter in an interview earlier this week. “And I’m proud that my big secret only hurts me, but it’s been what I’ve carried so much shame about for so long.” Schumer has battled with this mental health condition since her teen years, when it got so bad that she needed to wear a wig to cover the bald spots, she said in the interview....