I feel sick. How do I know if I have the flu, COVID, RSV or something else?

Jul 31, 2024 12:16 pm UTC| Health

You wake with a sore throat and realise you are sick. Is this going to be a two-day or a two-week illness? Should you go to a doctor or just go to bed? Most respiratory illnesses have very similar symptoms at the start:...

Hospital-acquired infections are rising – here’s how to protect yourself in health care settings

Jul 29, 2024 11:53 am UTC| Health

A new study from the National Institutes of Health shows a jump in both hospital-acquired infections and resistance to the antibiotics used to treat them. The findings are based on data gathered at 120 U.S. hospitals from...

Supervised inhalation is a necessary intervention in the drug poisoning crisis

Jul 29, 2024 11:49 am UTC| Insights & Views Health

All safe consumption sites should receive government funding for supervised inhalation. This way, the growing number of people who inhale substances will be closer to the help they need in case of drug poisoning. Theyll...

What happens in my brain when I get a migraine? And what medications can I use to treat it?

Jul 27, 2024 12:52 pm UTC| Health

Migraine is many things, but one thing its not is just a headache. Migraine comes from the Greek word hemicrania, referring to the common experience of migraine being predominantly one-sided. Some people experience...

How stress might be the root of problems like pain, ulcers and a broken heart

Jul 25, 2024 15:08 pm UTC| Insights & Views Health

The English actor Kate Beckinsale recently lost her stepfather. She experienced such intense grief at the loss that it burned a hole in her oesophagus, causing her to vomit copious amounts of blood. Beckinsale spent six...

Retaining flavor while removing caffeine − a chemist explains the chemistry behind decaf coffee

Jul 24, 2024 11:32 am UTC| Health

For many people, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee is the start of a great day. But caffeine can cause headaches and jitters in others. Thats why many people reach for a decaffeinated cup instead. Im a chemistry...

Debunking 5 myths about antidepressants

Jul 24, 2024 11:29 am UTC| Insights & Views Health

During my work as a clinical psychologist and neurobiologist, I have spoken with many individuals who are considering taking antidepressant medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Many ask me...