Recent pharmacy data revealed a substantial surge in the prescription of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists among adolescents and young adults. Between 2020 and 2023, the number of individuals aged 12 to 25 years receiving these prescriptions experienced a remarkable 594.4% increase. This surge contrasts with the overall prescription rate of other pharmacy drugs, which
Health
The news of a fatal incident on board a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore is undoubtedly heartbreaking. One person lost their life, and several others sustained injuries due to severe turbulence. This serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of air travel and the importance of safety measures in place to protect passengers.
Recently, health officials issued a warning that an employee at a Whole Foods store in Beverly Hills may have put customers at risk of hepatitis A. This news serves as a stark reminder of the importance of food safety and proper hygiene practices in retail environments. While shortages of ADHD medications are starting to improve,
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a complex condition that can lead to a variety of serious complications, including gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. A recent retrospective study presented by Mingyue He, MD, at the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Spring Clinical meeting revealed that individuals with advanced CKD, particularly those in stage 5, faced a significantly higher risk
Lead wires implanted for conduction system pacing have demonstrated a high success rate in removal, according to a multicenter study presented at the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) annual meeting. Manual traction alone was sufficient to remove the leads in 91% of the 341 patients included in the study. Specifically, the removal success rate was 90%
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a prion disease that primarily affects cervids, but there have been concerns about its potential to infect humans. Recent data from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and Rocky Mountain Laboratories provide new insights into the species barrier that prevents the transmission of CWD to humans. The
The recently conducted INTERACT 4 trial in China has sparked debates and discussions within the medical community regarding the efficacy of bringing blood pressure under control in the ambulance for stroke patients. The trial, led by Gang Li, MD, PhD, of Shanghai East Hospital at Tongji University, aimed to determine whether reducing systolic blood pressure
The most recent provisional CDC data shows a 3% decrease in U.S. overdose deaths in 2023 compared to the previous year. This marks the first decrease in overdose deaths since 2018, signaling a potential turning point in the opioid crisis that has plagued the country for years. The decrease in overdose deaths is a positive
Recently, Washington state physician Wei-Hsung Lin, MD, faced disciplinary action by the state’s medical board for prescribing ivermectin during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lin, who practices at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, Washington, was fined $5,000 and required to take continuing medical education classes on COVID and the patient-physician relationship. The Washington Medical Commission cited
As a Black physician, I have witnessed firsthand the cultural tendencies within my community to avoid discussing health issues, even with family members. This lack of open communication can lead to delayed diagnosis and management strategies for diseases such as autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), particularly among patients of color. Patients of color may