It is not surprising to hear that sales of alcohol are rising during this COVID-19 pandemic. Retail sales data for the United Kingdom reported an additional £104 million was spent in the last week of March, which is when lockdown measures were introduced, compared to the week before. Lager is where the greatest spend was […]
Two novel viruses identified in Brazilian patients with suspected dengue
Two new species of viruses have been identified in blood samples taken from patients in Brazil’s northern region who had similar symptoms to those of dengue or Zika, such as high fever, severe headache, rash and red skin spots. One belongs to the genus Ambidensovirus and was found in a sample collected in the state […]
Predicting possible outcomes to coronavirus and other pandemics with models and simulations
Lately, our daily lives include reading complex news items with analysis of curves, simulations and models of COVID-19. Municipal governments present predictions of possible outcomes from modelling, while provincial and national governments have press conferences discussing policies to respond to the pot … pread of the disease. But what does all this data mean? How […]
AGA releases official guidance for patients with IBD during the COVID-19 pandemic
Today, the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) published new COVID-19 guidance for gastroenterologists treating patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): AGA Clinical Practice Update on Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Expert Commentary. While the COVID-19 pandemic is a global health emergency, patients with IBD have particular concerns for their risk for infection […]
How to connect with nursing home patients in quarantine
(HealthDay)—U.S. nursing homes, assisted living centers and other long-term care facilities have closed their doors to outsiders due to the coronavirus pandemic, making it difficult for residents and their families to stay connected. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) has some advice for making this difficult situation better. “Right now, families across the country cannot […]
Should you wear mask in public if not sick with coronavirus?
If you’re not sick with the new coronavirus, should you wear a mask in public? Global health authorities say no. Amid a shortage of masks, the U.S. is sticking with that advice but Tuesday, President Donald Trump suggested people who are worried wear a scarf. That shortage is so severe that the Joint Commission, which […]
Belgium virus death toll passes 500, with 12,000 cases
Belgium’s death toll from the novel coronavirus passed the 500 mark Monday, with almost 12,000 cases detected since the start of the epidemic. Health authorities in the country of 11.4 million said 513 COVID-19 deaths had been recorded and 11,899 cases confirmed by laboratory tests. But officials said the rise in admissions to hospital and […]
Improving mental health awareness and support for patients with persistent pain
People who live with persistent pain, caused by conditions like osteoarthritis, are twice as likely to experience a mental health condition compared to the general population. Now, a research team from Keele University’s School of Primary, Community and Social Care have been awarded £100,000 to develop interventions that support the mental health needs of people […]
Women with colorectal cancer fare better if they have social support
New research from Kaiser Permanente finds that post-menopausal women with colorectal cancer were more likely to die from their disease or from any cause if they had low social support before diagnosis. The analysis of 1,429 women in the national long-term health study Women’s Health Initiative, which included patients from Kaiser Permanente and other health […]
Two Experimental Drugs Disappoint With Inherited Alzheimer’s
MONDAY, Feb. 10, 2020 — Two experimental drugs do not appear to slow memory loss or mental decline in patients in the early stages of a rare, inherited form of Alzheimer’s disease, according to initial results from a clinical trial. The international phase 2 and 3 clinical trial separately evaluated the two drugs — solanezumab […]