The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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Heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion: Emergency response guide Understanding the difference between heat stroke and heat exhaustion can mean the difference between life and death during extreme heat emergencies. When temperatures soar and humidity climbs, your body's cooling system faces intense pressure. While both conditions stem from heat exposure, they represent vastly different medical situations requiring distinct responses, Doctronic reports. Key Takeaways - Heat stroke involves body...
Are GLP-1s good or bad for your blood pressure? Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are a class of medications that were initially approved to treat Type 2 diabetes. But since their discovery, the use of GLP-1s has expanded. GLP-1s are now FDA-approved to treat many conditions, including obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, and metabolic-associated steatohepatitis. Some of these medications can also help with cardiovascular and renal health. There’s a growing number of FDA-approved GL...
As we enter the summer months, the excitement of outdoor activities calls us to embrace the sun's warmth, whether at the beach, lake, mountains, or even our own backyard. While soaking up the sun can feel invigorating and is essential for Vitamin D production, it is crucial to remember the potential dangers of excessive sun exposure. Sun rays, particularly ultraviolet (UV) radiation, can lead to short-term effects like sunburns and sun poisoning, as well as long-term damage, including sunspots,...
The best skin care routine for acne-prone skin As anyone who has experienced acne will know, nailing skin care for acne-prone skin can be hard, since ingredients, and how they are used, can make a huge difference to how skin looks and feels. But it's not just the delicate skin on faces that require special care - more than half of people with acne are conscious of it on their back, with around 15% experiencing acne around the chest area too. Glowing, clear skin from top to toe needn't be out of...
Many babies sickened in ByHeart formula botulism outbreak needed more treatment after hospitalization Most of the babies hospitalized in a recent nationwide outbreak of infant botulism linked to ByHeart baby formula have needed additional physical therapy and other medical support after going home, according to new data shared April 24. “Although many infants are now progressing in their recovery, evaluating their outcomes is essential to understanding the progression and severity of illness o...
Why social anxiety is rising among remote-first workers Recent figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that nearly a quarter (22.9%) of the workforce has traded the traditional office for a remote setup. While those already embedded in this lifestyle overwhelmingly favor it—with 98% in the 2023 Buffer report suggesting it to others—the data is beginning to tell a more complex story. Specifically, the remote-first shift is revealing a quiet but growing struggle with social anx...
Stress sweating vs. heat sweating Picture this: Eighty thousand fans in a stadium are on their feet and holding their breath, anticipating a penalty kick that could decide everything. In that suspended moment, players and supporters alike feel that familiar prickle of sweat that has nothing to do with the afternoon sun. That's anxiety sweating, and it's completely different from the sweat people break during a workout or a hot summer commute. Aside from being interesting science, understanding...
How ADHD affects health by middle age Living with ADHD as an adult can mean years of working overtime to keep up with everyone else. Because of challenges with executive function and focus, you might struggle with ADHD burnout, staying connected with friends, and parenting or caregiving responsibilities. By the time you land in middle age — between ages 40 and 65 — the stress can take a real toll on your mental well-being and physical health. That’s the takeaway from new research out of the U...
Barriers to mental health care look different across your workforce Employers may offer benefits. Leaders may say the right things. But when someone actually needs care, the real barriers to mental health tend to be practical: - It takes too long to find care - It costs too much - It’s not safe or private - It’s hard to know where to start And those barriers are not the same for everyone. As part of research for its 2026 Workplace Mental Health Annual Report, Spring Health surveyed 1,500+ ful...
A deadly bacteria is creeping up the Atlantic Coast. How worried should you be? Bailey Magers and Sunil Kumar cut strange figures on Pensacola Beach. Bags of disinfectant solution surrounded them on the white sand; their gloved hands juggled test tubes while layers of rubber and plastic shielded their skin from the elements. As the two organized their seawater samples on the popular Florida shoreline last August, an older woman wearing a swimsuit walked over to ask what they were doing. "We're...
How does a medical expense reimbursement plan work with fully insured health plans? Rising healthcare costs are a challenge for both employers and employees. In 2023 alone, total healthcare spending reached $4.9 trillion in the United States. While a fully insured health plan can offer comprehensive coverage, it doesn’t provide a means to navigate the increasing costs. Employers are also often at the mercy of insurers’ premium prices. Partnering a fully insured health plan with a medical exp...
A revolutionary cancer treatment could transform autoimmune disease At age 49, Jan Janisch-Hanzlik’s multiple sclerosis was destroying her freedom to live the life she wanted. She gave up her active nursing job for a desk role. Frequent falls made her afraid to carry her grandchildren. She had to move to a bigger house to make room for the wheelchair she feared she might end up needing full-time. Even the best available medication wasn’t improving Janisch-Hanzlik’s symptoms, and she worri...
Signs of depression in men: Why it often goes unrecognized Depression does not look the same for everyone. For millions of men, the signs go unrecognized because they show up in unexpected ways. Instead of crying or expressing sadness, men might become angry, withdrawn, or reckless. These behaviors get labeled as personality flaws or stress reactions rather than symptoms of a serious mental health condition. Around 10% of U.S. adults experience depression or are being treated for it. Yet men rem...
Will AI replace therapists? What experts say The rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, like ChatGPT and Gemini, has led some people to wonder if AI can support mental health. With easy access, low cost, and around-the-clock availability, AI tools are a convenient and appealing option. Recent social media trends have also added to the growing curiosity, leaving many wondering, "Can AI replace therapists? “AI can be a great tool, but not a replacement for many things,” says Talksp...
What Ozempic is doing to women's hormones and why your doctor may not mention it It’s a scenario that plays out constantly in Reddit’s r/Menopause community: A woman loses 25 pounds on Ozempic. She’s done everything right. She expected to feel better. Instead, she felt worse. Her hot flashes intensified. She was waking up at 2 a.m. and couldn’t fall back asleep. Her mood was unpredictable in ways it had never been before. She asked her doctor if the medication was causing it. He told her it...
How electrolytes fuel hormone balance for women Your hormones and electrolytes are in constant communication. Think of electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium as the wiring in a house, allowing electrical signals to travel from room to room. In your body, electrolytes allow your cells to send messages to one another, making sure your heart beats, your muscles contract, and your brain stays sharp. Not surprisingly, hormones throughout your body also need ample electrolytes to function...
Here's what social media is doing to your finances and mental health In the beginning, social media was a place to people-watch, interact, and reconnect. But that initial premise was soon inundated with product placements — and now more than one-third of U.S. adults say they’ve purchased an item directly through a social media app. That means that using social media is no longer just a way to burn time and relax. And if you’re an active user, that means you’re at risk of being influen...
What does it feel like to take GLP-1s? New survey documents patients’ experiences It has now been several years since GLP-1 medications were widely introduced for weight loss, transforming both clinical care and public awareness. But as adoption has surged, a new set of questions has emerged: What does it feel like to take these medications? What challenges do patients face beyond weight loss itself? And as demand continues to grow, what factors will determine whether patients can start — and...
Understanding life expectancy trends in the United States Life expectancy is a measure of how long, on average, a person is expected to live. In the United States, life expectancy has undergone significant changes over the past century. While it increased dramatically during the 20th century, recent years have seen some fluctuations, largely due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Doctronic reports. Key Takeaways - American longevity increased 58% over 119 years—from 50 years in 1900 to n...
7 things to know about Foundayo, a next-generation weight-loss pill There’s always a media buzz when a new weight-loss drug hits the market. Or when new data shows that a medication can effectively lower body weight. If you've been exploring medication options to help you manage your weight, you may have stumbled across injections, such as Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide). For some, the thought of regularly giving yourself injections may seem overwhelming or uncomfortable. New w...
May 6, 2026 - MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is urging residents to ensure their pets are vaccinated against rabies after two wild animals - a raccoon in Lee County and a fox in Elmore County - tested positive for the virus. According to ADPH, the raccoon was reported acting abnormally near Auburn on May 1. In Tallassee, a fox emerged from a wooded area and attacked a person, who has since sought medical treatment. Both incidents underscore the ongoing risk of...
How ADHD can affect your mental health The challenges that come with ADHD go way beyond trouble paying attention or staying organized. ADHD symptoms, like impulsivity, being late or forgetful, or having trouble managing emotions can cause serious life challenges. People with ADHD report consistently lower levels of self-esteem. And they’re more likely to have a negative self-concept than their neurotypical peers. It’s not hard to see why. The fallout from ADHD can make it feel like you’re alway...
Life after cancer treatment is different. So are the health needs. Nearly 10 years after Kara Kenan of North Carolina finished treatment for advanced breast cancer, her routine bloodwork revealed an increased level of an enzyme called alkaline phosphatase. Kenan’s primary care doctor didn’t think that was important, so he ordered no further tests. But Kenan, who directs marketing for the advocacy group Cancer Nation, knew better: That anomalous blood test could have been a sign that her can...
This biomarker is a better predictor of heart disease than cholesterol: What to know about C-reactive protein. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Since researchers first established the link between diet, cholesterol and heart disease in the 1950s, risk for heart disease has been partly assessed based on a patient’s cholesterol levels, which can be routinely measured via blood work at the doctor’s office. However, accumulating evidence over the past two dec...
The mental health strategy everyone needs but no one talks about While many conversations about mental health focus on crisis response, experts say some of the most effective strategies are the everyday habits that support emotional well-being before problems escalate. Most people don't think about their mental health until something forces them to. The therapy appointment gets made after things become overwhelming, and the conversation about stress comes only after anxiety has become too heavy...
