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Slowing down has always been hard for me. As a kid, I’d squirm out of my mom’s hugs telling her, “I gotta go play.” While racing along, details often escape me. Which is why I overlooked the initial signs of my sarcoidosis. The pandemic has changed my behavior. My new unhurried approach to life is a bright spot I plan to carry out of this horribleness. Juggling jobs and managing multiple chronic conditions, I always felt pressed for time. My focus was on racing to get things done before symptoms overwhelmed me. Walking a new path The neighborhoods surrounding my home were just streets

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the central nervous system, in which nerve cells are attacked by the patient's own immune system. In many cases, the disease develops into a progressive form, which is characterized by a shift of pathology from the white matter to the gray matter, for instance, to the cerebral cortex. This phase of the disease has so far been difficult to treat and its underlying causes are poorly understood. Now, a research team led by Martin Kerschensteiner, Director of the Institute for Clinical Neuroimmunology at LMU, in cooperation wit

Astrocytes are the most abundant type of cells within the central nervous system (CNS), but they remain poorly characterized. Researchers have long assumed that astrocytes' primary function is to provide nutrients and support for the brain's more closely scrutinized nerve cells; over the years, however, increasing evidence has shown that astrocytes can also actively promote neurodegeneration, inflammation, and neurological diseases. Now, a team led by researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital, has shown that a specific astrocyte sub-population can do the opposite, instead serving a protect

Biomedical engineers at Duke University have demonstrated that human muscle has an innate ability to ward off the damaging effects of chronic inflammation when exercised. The discovery was made possible through the use of lab-grown, engineered human muscle, demonstrating the potential power of the first-of-its-kind platform in such research endeavors. Link naar het originele artikel

Biomedical engineers at Duke University have demonstrated that human muscle has an innate ability to ward off the damaging effects of chronic inflammation when exercised. The discovery was made possible through the use of lab-grown, engineered human muscle, demonstrating the potential power of the first-of-its-kind platform in such research endeavors. Link naar het originele artikel

Caring for a loved one with a rare disease, especially during these uncertain times, demands significant time, attention, patience, and dedication. To help meet that need, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)’s Rare Caregiver Respite Program may be a helpful resource. The program seeks to give a well-deserved break to U.S. caregivers — parents, spouses, family members, or significant others — of those living with a rare disorder. Those who qualify may eligible for up to $500 annually to secure respite caregiving. Financial assistance may cover, for example, care from a registe

Caring for a loved one with a rare disease, especially during these uncertain times, demands significant time, attention, patience, and dedication. To help meet that need, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)’s Rare Caregiver Respite Program may be a helpful resource. The program seeks to give a well-deserved break to U.S. caregivers — parents, spouses, family members, or significant others — of those living with a rare disorder. Those who qualify may eligible for up to $500 annually to secure respite caregiving. Financial assistance may cover, for example, care from a registe

Dear family, friends, and caregivers, First, I want to thank you for being people I can count on to help me through my health issues, and I apologize for putting you in this situation. Dealing with a chronic condition has taken a lot out of me, and I’m sure it’s been quite a challenge for you, too. I felt it necessary to express some things that are important to me, and I hope you can understand how I feel. As you probably know, I haven’t always had this medical challenge. Pulmonary sarcoidosis just happens — it’s no one’s fault. This disease slowly steals my breath and challenges my breath

Dear family, friends, and caregivers, First, I want to thank you for being people I can count on to help me through my health issues, and I apologize for putting you in this situation. Dealing with a chronic condition has taken a lot out of me, and I’m sure it’s been quite a challenge for you, too. I felt it necessary to express some things that are important to me, and I hope you can understand how I feel. As you probably know, I haven’t always had this medical challenge. Pulmonary sarcoidosis just happens — it’s no one’s fault. This disease slowly steals my breath and challenges my breath

Tityus serrulatus, the Yellow scorpion, causes more deaths than any other venomous animal in Brazil. Its sting can induce heart attack and pulmonary edema, especially in children and the elderly. According to the Brazilian Health Ministry, more than 156,000 cases of scorpion envenomation, 169 fatal, were reported in the country in 2019. Link naar het originele artikel

Tityus serrulatus, the Yellow scorpion, causes more deaths than any other venomous animal in Brazil. Its sting can induce heart attack and pulmonary edema, especially in children and the elderly. According to the Brazilian Health Ministry, more than 156,000 cases of scorpion envenomation, 169 fatal, were reported in the country in 2019. Link naar het originele artikel

The more visits I have with a physician, the harder it is to cut ties. Which is why, between breaths behind a face mask, I was relaying my complaint again. It was a loop I had been stuck in since summer. Driving to the appointment that December morning, I hoped for change. I left instead with the same prescribed treatment for a condition that was getting worse. Leaving a physician is easy when you haven’t spent a lot of time in their care. However, the decision gets complicated when you must sort out whether or not their methods are at fault. I haven’t shied away from healthcare during the

The more visits I have with a physician, the harder it is to cut ties. Which is why, between breaths behind a face mask, I was relaying my complaint again. It was a loop I had been stuck in since summer. Driving to the appointment that December morning, I hoped for change. I left instead with the same prescribed treatment for a condition that was getting worse. Leaving a physician is easy when you haven’t spent a lot of time in their care. However, the decision gets complicated when you must sort out whether or not their methods are at fault. I haven’t shied away from healthcare during the

“Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” – 1 Corinthians 13:7 I have lived by this Bible verse for a long time. I really embraced it when I was in high school. For the most part, I was a good student, average by some measures, but I hung in there despite all the obstacles I faced. In my senior year, I was on the verge of failing math, which prompted the possibility that I wouldn’t walk with the rest of my class. I buckled down and really focused on doing my best to catch up. Even my mother noticed how hard I was working. Eventually, I came clea

“Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” – 1 Corinthians 13:7 I have lived by this Bible verse for a long time. I really embraced it when I was in high school. For the most part, I was a good student, average by some measures, but I hung in there despite all the obstacles I faced. In my senior year, I was on the verge of failing math, which prompted the possibility that I wouldn’t walk with the rest of my class. I buckled down and really focused on doing my best to catch up. Even my mother noticed how hard I was working. Eventually, I came clea

A case study diagnosing pulmonary sarcoidosis in a patient complaining of chest pain and shortness of breath highlights the importance of including sarcoidosis in the differential diagnosis of chest pain. The study, “Sarcoidosis Presenting as Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome,” was published in the journal Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine. Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease of unknown cause that can affect several organs in the body, especially the lungs, a condition known as pulmonary sarcoidosis. Patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis can experience persistent dry cough

A case study diagnosing pulmonary sarcoidosis in a patient complaining of chest pain and shortness of breath highlights the importance of including sarcoidosis in the differential diagnosis of chest pain. The study, “Sarcoidosis Presenting as Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome,” was published in the journal Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine. Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease of unknown cause that can affect several organs in the body, especially the lungs, a condition known as pulmonary sarcoidosis. Patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis can experience persistent dry cough

Scientists at The Wistar Institute discovered that Early Growth Response 1 (EGR1), a protein that turns on and off specific genes during blood cell development, inhibits expression of pro-inflammatory genes in macrophages. As part of their function to protect the body against pathogens, macrophages play a major role in initiation, maintenance, and resolution of inflammation. The discovery expands the understanding of how macrophages are set off and deactivated in the inflammatory process, which is critical in many normal and pathological conditions. These findings were published online in the

Scientists at The Wistar Institute discovered that Early Growth Response 1 (EGR1), a protein that turns on and off specific genes during blood cell development, inhibits expression of pro-inflammatory genes in macrophages. As part of their function to protect the body against pathogens, macrophages play a major role in initiation, maintenance, and resolution of inflammation. The discovery expands the understanding of how macrophages are set off and deactivated in the inflammatory process, which is critical in many normal and pathological conditions. These findings were published online in the

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is seeking individuals willing to share real-life experiences with rare diseases to speak at its upcoming virtual Living Rare, Living Stronger NORD Patient and Family Forum. The interactive, patient-focused forum will be held online June 26-27. The deadline to apply for a speaking role is Jan. 15. Go here to apply. The organization is specifically calling for those who have a story that would likely appeal to a broad audience of rare disease patients and caregivers. It is not recruiting industry speakers, and presenters will not be paid. T

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is seeking individuals willing to share real-life experiences with rare diseases to speak at its upcoming virtual Living Rare, Living Stronger NORD Patient and Family Forum. The interactive, patient-focused forum will be held online June 26-27. The deadline to apply for a speaking role is Jan. 15. Go here to apply. The organization is specifically calling for those who have a story that would likely appeal to a broad audience of rare disease patients and caregivers. It is not recruiting industry speakers, and presenters will not be paid. T

In a major register-based study, scientists at University of Gothenburg, Sweden, have now demonstrated a connection between inferior physical fitness in young adults and elevated risk of the autoimmune disease psoriasis. For the male recruits to compulsory military training who were rated as the least fit, the risk of developing psoriasis later was 35 percent higher than for the fittest. Link naar het originele artikel

In a major register-based study, scientists at University of Gothenburg, Sweden, have now demonstrated a connection between inferior physical fitness in young adults and elevated risk of the autoimmune disease psoriasis. For the male recruits to compulsory military training who were rated as the least fit, the risk of developing psoriasis later was 35 percent higher than for the fittest. Link naar het originele artikel

I never liked group projects in school. Whenever one was announced, I’d groan and silently hope for the best. But the scenario always played out the same: slackers dumping the work on everyone else. I wanted to believe the pandemic would change behaviors. With the stakes so high, maybe everyone would do their part. But 10 months in, this is our ugly reality: 49 states across America have unchecked community spread of COVID-19. So, I’m no longer taking a wait-and-see approach with vaccines like I originally had planned. I’ll be getting vaccinated as soon as I’m given the opportunity. Because,

I never liked group projects in school. Whenever one was announced, I’d groan and silently hope for the best. But the scenario always played out the same: slackers dumping the work on everyone else. I wanted to believe the pandemic would change behaviors. With the stakes so high, maybe everyone would do their part. But 10 months in, this is our ugly reality: 49 states across America have unchecked community spread of COVID-19. So, I’m no longer taking a wait-and-see approach with vaccines like I originally had planned. I’ll be getting vaccinated as soon as I’m given the opportunity. Because,