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  • Living With Residual Limb Pain – Amputee Coalition

    Living With Residual Limb Pain – Amputee Coalition

    Introduction

    What is residual limb pain (RLP)? This is the pain that originates in the remaining part of your limb. It can be caused by a variety of conditions related to your surgery or it can be caused by conditions you had prior to your amputation. You and your healthcare team will want to work carefully together to understand the origin and cause of your pain in order to treat it successfully.

     

    Normal Postoperative Pain

    After surgery, your postoperative pain will diminish over the first few weeks. After you are discharged from the hospital, you may still be taking pain pills, but should be able to decrease the number of pills fairly quickly. Methods to decrease swelling will also help reduce your pain, including elastic wraps and residual limb socks, light massage and finger tapping, and cold packs.

    Residual limb pain is different from this normal postoperative pain. For example, it commonly occurs after your postoperative pain has ended. It is frequently described as sharp, aching, throbbing or burning in nature. Your entire healthcare team, including your doctors, therapists and prosthetist, will work with you to determine the cause of this pain and decide what treatments might be most effective.

     

    Possible Causes of Residual Limb Pain include:

    • Underlying disease process such as skin problems and infection and nerve pain (neuropathy), especially if you have diabetes or circulatory problems
    • Surgical trauma, including decreased blood supply to your limb or poor tissue coverage at the end of the bone
    • Neuroma formation
    • Entrapment of nerves in scar tissue.

     

    Underlying Disease Processes

    Key to managing symptoms of pain that have to do with a pre-existing condition like diabetes is to make sure that the condition is managed as well as possible.

    For example, if you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar under good control. If you have poor circulation, follow your physician’s instructions for diet, exercise and medications.

    Managing pre-existing conditions after surgery is as important as ever.

     

    Surgical Trauma

    Poor tissue coverage can be caused by the bone at the end of your residual limb not being properly trimmed at the time of surgery, and this can cause pain when you wear your prosthesis. If padding and other methods are not successful, surgery may be required to revise your residual limb so as to decrease your pain and allow you to wear your prosthesis.

     

    Neuromas

    A neuroma is a collection, or bundle, of nerve endings that forms under the skin of your residual limb. Think of it like a tangle of hair. It can become very sensitive, especially if the tangle is pressing against your prosthesis.

    Because neuromas are made up of nerve endings, possible treatments include medications that help with nerve pain, such as:

    • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
    • Specific antidepressants and anticonvulsants that have been found to be effective for
    • nerve pain
    • Steroid injections.

    Non-medication options include:

    • Ultrasound, which is essentially a machine that uses sound waves to generate heat within a body part. It can help increase blood flow so that inflammation and swelling can be decreased
    • Massage, which also helps decrease inflammation and also helps desensitize your residual limb to touch
    • Vibration, which creates a mild shaking to contract muscles, and to decrease inflammation and pain
    • Percussion/finger tapping at the point of pain, which also helps with desensitization of your residual limb
    • Acupuncture, manipulating thin, solid needles that have been inserted into specific pressure points in the skin, which has been helpful for some
    • TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), which produces a sensation of mild pins and needles, overriding some of the pain that your body is producing.

    Modifying the prosthesis socket to prevent rubbing at the sensitive part of your limb may also be helpful.

    Unfortunately, surgery to remove neuromas is not usually successful, because they often just reform.

     

    Heterotopic Bone

    Occasionally, excess bone forms abnormally around the end of the amputated limb; this is sometimes called a “bone spur.” The “extra” bone may cause pressure points that interfere with the fit of your prosthesis; this occurs more frequently in children than adults. If the problem cannot be solved with changes to the prosthesis, surgery can remove the excess bone. For children, this is best done after the bone stops growing.

     

    Entrapment of Nerves in Scar Tissue

    As your incision begins to heal, your doctor will let you know when you can start massaging your residual limb. This will help to prevent nerves from being “caught” in scar tissue. You will also be taught how to wrap your limb using elastic wraps. This not only helps to prevent scarring but also helps with prosthesis fit.

     

    Managing Pain

    No matter the cause of residual limb pain, there are some principles that can be followed to help you manage your pain.

    • Begin exercises as soon as your surgeon allows it. Standing, walking and muscle stretching not only improve your general health, but also interrupt pain signals.
    • Desensitize your residual limb, following the instructions of your physical or occupational therapist; this includes both massaging and wrapping your residual limb.
    • Keep a pain journal. Keeping track of your symptoms and sharing them with your healthcare team will help you find the right treatments for you.
    • Practice relaxation. We know that tension and stress increase pain. It is estimated that 50 percent of pain can be reduced by relaxation.

     

    About the Amputee Coalition

    The Amputee Coalition is a donor-supported, nonprofit voluntary health organization serving the over 5.6 million people with limb loss and limb difference in the United States.

    For more information, please call 888-267-5669 or visit amputee-coalition.org.

     

    Acknowledgements

    This project was supported, in part, by grant number 90LLRC0001-01-00, from the Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.

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  • Pelvic Exams by Med Students on Anesthetized Women 

    Pelvic Exams by Med Students on Anesthetized Women 

    Please note: This blog contains descriptions of sexual assault.

    From Heart Failure, a book I wrote about my time at Tufts University School of Medicine: “I am all gloved up, fifth in line. At Tufts, medical students—particularly male students—practice pelvic exams on anesthetized women without their consent and without their knowledge. Women come in for surgery and, once they’re asleep, we all gather around; line forms to the left…We learn more than examination skills. Taking advantage of the woman’s vulnerability—as she lay naked on a table unconscious—we learn that patients are tools to exploit for our education.”

    Using female patients to teach pelvic exams without their consent or knowledge remains “a dirty little secret about medical schools.” It is an “age-old” practice that continues to this day in med schools around the world. It’s been referred to as “the ‘vending machine’ model of pelvic exams, in which medical students line up to take their turn…” “Only it’s not a vending machine; it’s a woman’s vagina.”

    It’s been called “an outrageous assault upon the dignity and autonomy of the patient…The practice shows a lack of respect for these patients as persons, revealing a moral insensitivity and a misuse of power.” Indeed, “it is yet another example of the way in which physicians abuse their power and have shown themselves unwilling to police themselves in matters of ethics, especially with regard to female patients.” Said a residency-program director at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, “I don’t think any of us even think about it. It’s just so standard as to how you train medical students.”

    What happened when this practice came to light in New Zealand? The chair of the New Zealand Medical Association got on television and said: “‘Until recently it wasn’t an issue…I’m very sorry that women feel they’ve been assaulted and violated in this way. That was never our intention.’ He had no idea then, asked the [TV] presenter, that women might object? ‘All I can say is that there have been no objections…’ ‘Could the reason be,’ asked the interviewer logically, “that it’s very hard for an anesthetized woman to know what’s going on?’”

    The practice has been defended publicly by many medical schools and hospitals, contending “this touching is entirely appropriate and clearly falls well within the patient’s ‘implied consent’ to carry out the operation.” After all, “patients are aware they are entering a teaching hospital and therefore know that trainees will be actively participating in their care.” However, “researchers have found that many patients do not know when they have interacted with medical students, or even whether they are in a teaching hospital.” How can this be? “Deliberate lies and deception.”

    “A survey of medical students found that 100% of them had been introduced to patients as ‘doctor’ by members of the clinical team,” and, as they go through training, there is, as a journal article is titled, an “Erosion in Medical Students’ Attitudes About Telling Patients They Are Students.” “Additionally, as medical students complete their clinical years of training, their sense of responsibility to inform patients that they are students is found to decrease,” especially if there is an opportunity to perform an invasive procedure. That may be why medical students seem to develop a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy when it comes to seeking consent for pelvic examinations on anesthetized patients. More than a third of 1,600 medical students surveyed across the country strongly disagreed with the statement “Hospitals should obtain explicit permission for student involvement in pelvic exams,” as seen below and at 4:03 of my video Medical Students Practice Pelvic Exams on Anesthetized Women Without Their Consent.

    After all, doctors “argue that performing a pelvic examination is no more intimate than placing one’s hands inside an abdomen during general surgery or attempting to intubate a patient” and assert that sticking your fingers in a woman’s vagina is “just as intimate” as an ophthalmologist looking into the back of your eye; any claim to the contrary is just “another attempt to justify the obsession with political correctness.” Said one medical school professor, “Personally, I would prefer to see a new generation of well-trained doctors…rather than a nation of women whose vaginas are protected from battery by medical students.”

    The national survey concluded: “Patients admitted to teaching hospitals do not, however, by the mere act of admission relinquish their rights as human beings to have ultimate control over their own body and to be involved in decisions concerning their health care.”

    Is it possible that women just don’t care? Studies show that up to 100% of women asked said they would want to know that vaginal exams were being performed by medical students. Since patients care deeply about being asked, why can’t we at least ask their permission? “We can’t ask women,” the medical school faculty replied. “If we do, they might say no.”

    It’s jaw-dropping to me that I’m still trying to expose this practice more than 20 years after I first wrote about it. What’s to be done? Ending the Hidden Practice of Pelvic Exams on Unconscious Women Without Their Consent. 



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  • The Importance of Acadia Healthcare’s Partnerships With Healthcare Organizations

    The Importance of Acadia Healthcare’s Partnerships With Healthcare Organizations

    Although approximately 60 million Americans are experiencing behavioral health issues, the gap between need for behavioral health services and available treatment remains substantial.

    To address this treatment gap, Acadia Healthcare has developed a collaborative model built on partnerships with established healthcare systems across the country. These partnerships aim to expand access to specialized behavioral healthcare while maintaining clinical quality standards.

    Joint Venture Model

    Acadia Healthcare maintains equity partnerships with 21 healthcare systems that operate 22 behavioral health hospitals nationwide.

    Recent examples of Acadia’s affiliated network include partnerships with Intermountain Health in Westminster, Colorado, and Henry Ford Health in West Bloomfield, Michigan. The Intermountain Health partnership created West Pines Behavioral Health, a 144-bed facility, while the Henry Ford Health joint venture established a 192-bed hospital that became operational in early 2025. During the first quarter of 2025 alone, Acadia’s affiliated network added 378 new beds through both joint ventures and expansion of existing facilities.

    Acadia’s affiliated network now includes 260 facilities nationwide and added seven new comprehensive treatment centers during the first quarter of 2025, extending the company’s market reach to 170 locations across over 30 states. Additional recent openings include a de novo facility in Northport, Florida, which began operations in the first quarter of 2025.

    These joint ventures can help medical health systems meet population needs that their existing infrastructure often cannot address. For patients needing specialized mental health treatment, such as children and adolescents with complex conditions, the partnerships can create dedicated spaces that free capacity for medical patients in general hospitals.

    Breaking Barriers to Behavioral Care

    The National Council for Mental Wellbeing has highlighted significant barriers to behavioral health treatment. In a recent survey, they found that people who need mental health and substance use treatment face numerous obstacles, with cost-related issues, inability to find conveniently located providers, and difficulty getting immediate appointments cited as primary barriers.

    A study by the American Psychological Association found that 90% of the public believes there is a mental health crisis in the United States today. When Americans who felt they needed mental health services were asked about specific barriers to accessing care, 80% cited cost and more than 60% cited shame and stigma as the main obstacles. At the same time, 60% of psychologists surveyed reported no openings for patients.

    The partnership model that Acadia Healthcare has developed is aimed at addressing these structural barriers through collaborative approaches. Through combining the specialized behavioral health expertise of Acadia Healthcare with the established community presence and broader healthcare capabilities of its network affiliates, these partnerships can create more integrated care pathways.

    A 2024 American Health Law Association review of behavioral health mergers and acquisitions found that joint venture partnerships have become increasingly important in the mental health sector because they help traditional nonprofit health systems operate more efficiently while meeting the high demand for behavioral health services.

    The clinical advantages of these partnerships extend beyond increasing access. A study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that integrating behavioral health providers into broader healthcare teams “can enhance provider responsiveness to patients with complex clinical presentations and improve patient/family outcomes and satisfaction.” This integration can create opportunities for interdisciplinary cross-training, with behavioral health specialists sharing knowledge with primary care colleagues about early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health concerns.

    This knowledge sharing can improve treatment approaches for patients with complex needs who might otherwise cycle through emergency departments without receiving appropriate mental healthcare.

    Serving Areas in Need

    According to a 2022 report from ABC News analyzing Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data, “75% of rural counties across the country have no mental health providers or fewer than 50 per 100,000 people” and there are “570 counties in the United States [that] have no providers”.”

    The Research and Action Institute found that “among nonmetropolitan counties, 65% had no practicing psychiatrist as compared with 27% of metropolitan counties.”

    Acadia Healthcare’s joint venture with East Carolina University to build a 144-bed behavioral health hospital in Greenville, North Carolina exemplifies how these partnerships can address regional gaps in care. North Carolina, like many states with large rural populations, has struggled with behavioral health access issues. North Carolina ranked 34th out of all states for adults with a mental illness who did not receive treatment (56.5%), according to Mental Health America.

    By collaborating with an established healthcare system that already serves the community, Acadia’s affiliated network can introduce specialized behavioral healthcare and increase the availability of care options.

    Technology integration is another significant benefit of these partnerships. While behavioral healthcare has historically lagged in technology adoption compared to other medical specialties, joint ventures can enable faster implementation of electronic medical records and other digital health tools.

    As Acadia’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Stephanie Eken and Chief Quality Officer Dr. Navdeep Kang noted in a recent article, “The explicit exclusion of behavioral health facilities from the HITECH Act prevented incentives to adopt electronic medical records… and other technology advancements at inpatient psychiatric facilities.”

    But through partnerships with hospital systems that already have advanced EMR capabilities, Acadia Healthcare and its network of affiliates can accelerate technology adoption in behavioral health settings. This can improve clinical documentation and care coordination and can enable better measurement of outcomes — a critical factor in demonstrating the value of behavioral health interventions to payers and policy makers.

    Broader Impacts

    The impact of these partnerships extends beyond the participating organizations to benefit entire healthcare systems. Untreated mental health and substance use disorders can have significant downstream impacts on the healthcare system through increased emergency department utilization, higher rates of medical complications, and reduced workplace productivity. According to a 2019 Rand Corporation study evaluating the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration program, integrated care approaches that combine physical and behavioral healthcare can reduce total healthcare costs by 5% to 10% through earlier intervention and more appropriate treatment matching.

    Acadia’s network partnership model can help address workforce challenges plaguing behavioral healthcare. With shortages of psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals nationwide, Acadia’s joint ventures with healthcare systems can create more attractive practice environments that can help with recruitment and retention of specialized staff. These collaborative arrangements can enable shared staffing models, training opportunities, and career advancement pathways that might not be feasible in standalone facilities.

    From a public health perspective, these partnerships can assist in normalizing mental healthcare as a fundamental component of overall health. By physically locating behavioral health facilities on or near general hospital campuses and integrating clinical protocols, these joint ventures can reduce stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment. This proximity can send a message that mental healthcare deserves the same attention and resources as other medical specialties.

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  • NEW: The Slim Splits Method — Home Fitness & Flexibility for Women

    NEW: The Slim Splits Method — Home Fitness & Flexibility for Women

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  • A New Mindful App is Coming!

    A New Mindful App is Coming!

    Get all of Mindful’s resources right at your fingertips—and enjoy a full year of Mindful Digital completely free when you sign up for early access.

    Mindful.org is hard at work getting the Mindful App out into the world (available for iPhone and Android users). Our goal is to create and deliver a mobile experience that effortlessly puts the best of Mindful in your hands.

    We believe that top-quality mindfulness tools should be available to everyone, and that having multiple ways to engage with mindfulness increases the likelihood that practices like meditation, breathwork, movement, and journaling can become lifelong, life-enriching habits.

    What’s Inside the App

    With the touch of a button, you’ll find on-the-go access to everything you need:

    • Guided Meditations for All of Life’s Moments
      Our extensive archive offers a wide array of meditations for beginners and seasoned meditators alike. Search for practices tailored for everything from dealing with difficult emotions and facing loss to increasing compassion, experiencing more joy, and getting better sleep.  
    • Expert-Led Courses, Workshops & In-Depth Digital Guides
      Access comprehensive digital guides and online courses on topics like mindfulness for grief, gratitude, anxiety management, and more – all led by experienced educators and researchers. 
    • Engaging Podcasts & 12-Minute Meditation Sessions
      Listen to a variety of audio resources – including our 12-Minute Meditation weekly podcast series – for quick, digestible mindfulness breaks. 
    • Curated Collections, Mindful Challenges & Thematic Practices
      We bundle content and bring it to you so you can focus on a specific theme in your daily practice. Start building intentional self-care habits, and watch the positive effects on your perspective, thought patterns, interactions, and relationships. 
    • Evidence-Based Articles & Practical Everyday Mindfulness Tips
      Whether you’re brand new to mindfulness or you’ve been practicing for years, we’ve got approachable, research-backed guidance from the world’s leading teachers and experts to help you integrate mindfulness into your daily life.

    The Perks of Joining Early

    Right now, when you sign up for early access, you’ll receive an entire year of Mindful Digital as our thank-you for joining our growing community.

    Be the first to know when the Mindful App launches!



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  • Healing Through the Page: Journaling as a Therapeutic Tool

    Healing Through the Page: Journaling as a Therapeutic Tool

    Introduction to Journaling as Therapy

    Healing through the page is a concept that has been around for centuries, with journaling being a primary tool for therapeutic exploration and expression. Journaling as a therapeutic tool has gained significant recognition in recent years, with many mental health professionals recommending it to their patients as a complementary approach to traditional therapy. By putting pen to paper, individuals can tap into their thoughts, emotions, and experiences, allowing them to process, reflect, and ultimately heal from past traumas, anxieties, and stresses.

    Journaling provides a safe and private space for individuals to express themselves honestly, without fear of judgment or criticism. This freedom of expression allows individuals to confront and work through challenging emotions, gaining a deeper understanding of themselves and their experiences. Through journaling, individuals can develop a greater sense of self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-compassion, all of which are essential components of the healing process.

    The Benefits of Journaling

    The benefits of journaling as a therapeutic tool are numerous and well-documented. Some of the most significant advantages of journaling include:

    • Reduced stress and anxiety: Journaling provides an outlet for emotions, allowing individuals to process and release pent-up feelings, leading to a decrease in stress and anxiety levels.

    • Improved mood: By expressing and working through challenging emotions, individuals can experience an improvement in their overall mood, leading to increased feelings of happiness and well-being.

    • Increased self-awareness: Journaling helps individuals develop a greater understanding of themselves, their thoughts, and their behaviors, allowing them to make positive changes and improvements.

    • Enhanced creativity: Journaling can be a powerful tool for creative expression, allowing individuals to tap into their imagination and explore new ideas and perspectives.

    • Better sleep: Journaling can help individuals process their emotions and clear their mind, leading to improved sleep quality and duration.

    Types of Journaling

    There are various types of journaling, each with its unique approach and benefits. Some of the most common types of journaling include:

    • Morning pages: This involves writing down your thoughts, feelings, and intentions first thing in the morning, without editing or censoring yourself.

    • Gratitude journaling: This involves writing down things you are grateful for each day, helping to cultivate a positive and appreciative mindset.

    • Reflective journaling: This involves reflecting on your experiences, thoughts, and feelings, helping to gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your life.

    • Stream-of-consciousness journaling: This involves writing down your thoughts and feelings without stopping or editing, allowing for a raw and unfiltered expression of yourself.

    Getting Started with Journaling

    Getting started with journaling can be as simple as picking up a pen and paper. However, for those who are new to journaling, it can be helpful to establish a few guidelines and rituals to make the process more enjoyable and effective. Some tips for getting started with journaling include:

    • Set aside a dedicated time and space for journaling, free from distractions and interruptions.

    • Start small, with short entries or prompts, and gradually increase the frequency and duration of your journaling practice.

    • Be patient and compassionate with yourself, allowing yourself to make mistakes and explore your thoughts and feelings without judgment.

    • Experiment with different types of journaling, finding what works best for you and your unique needs and goals.

    Overcoming Common Obstacles

    Despite the many benefits of journaling, there are several common obstacles that can prevent individuals from establishing a consistent and effective journaling practice. Some of the most common obstacles include:

    • Lack of time: With busy schedules and numerous responsibilities, it can be challenging to find the time to journal.

    • Self-criticism: Individuals may feel self-conscious or critical of their writing, preventing them from fully expressing themselves.

    • Perfectionism: Individuals may feel pressure to write perfectly, with proper grammar and spelling, preventing them from letting go and allowing themselves to flow.

    • Fear of vulnerability: Individuals may feel hesitant to express themselves honestly, fearing judgment or criticism from others.

    Using Journaling in Therapy

    Journaling can be a powerful tool in therapy, providing a unique opportunity for individuals to express themselves and work through challenging emotions and experiences. Therapists can use journaling as a complementary approach to traditional therapy, helping individuals to:

    • Process and reflect on their experiences and emotions

    • Develop a greater understanding of themselves and their behaviors

    • Identify and challenge negative thought patterns and beliefs

    • Cultivate a greater sense of self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-compassion

    Therapists can also use journaling as a way to establish a sense of trust and rapport with their clients, providing a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals to express themselves.

    Journaling for Specific Mental Health Conditions

    Journaling can be a particularly effective tool for individuals struggling with specific mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). By providing a safe and private space for individuals to express themselves, journaling can help to:

    • Reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression

    • Process and work through traumatic experiences

    • Develop a greater sense of self-awareness and self-acceptance

    • Cultivate a more positive and hopeful outlook on life

    Conclusion

    Healing through the page is a powerful and effective approach to therapeutic exploration and expression. By providing a safe and private space for individuals to express themselves, journaling can help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and increase self-awareness. Whether used as a complementary approach to traditional therapy or as a standalone practice, journaling has the potential to transform lives and promote lasting healing and growth.

    FAQs

    Q: What is journaling, and how can it be used as a therapeutic tool?
    A: Journaling is the practice of writing down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences, providing a safe and private space for self-expression and reflection. As a therapeutic tool, journaling can help individuals process and work through challenging emotions and experiences, develop a greater sense of self-awareness, and cultivate a more positive and hopeful outlook on life.

    Q: What are the benefits of journaling, and how can it improve mental health?
    A: The benefits of journaling include reduced stress and anxiety, improved mood, increased self-awareness, and enhanced creativity. By providing a safe and private space for individuals to express themselves, journaling can help to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, process and work through traumatic experiences, and cultivate a greater sense of self-awareness and self-acceptance.

    Q: How do I get started with journaling, and what tips can help me establish a consistent practice?
    A: Getting started with journaling can be as simple as picking up a pen and paper. Tips for establishing a consistent practice include setting aside a dedicated time and space for journaling, starting small, and being patient and compassionate with yourself. Experimenting with different types of journaling and finding what works best for you can also help to make the process more enjoyable and effective.

    Q: Can journaling be used in conjunction with traditional therapy, and how can it be used to support mental health treatment?
    A: Yes, journaling can be used in conjunction with traditional therapy, providing a unique opportunity for individuals to express themselves and work through challenging emotions and experiences. Therapists can use journaling as a complementary approach to traditional therapy, helping individuals to process and reflect on their experiences and emotions, develop a greater understanding of themselves and their behaviors, and cultivate a greater sense of self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-compassion.

    Q: What are some common obstacles to journaling, and how can they be overcome?
    A: Common obstacles to journaling include lack of time, self-criticism, perfectionism, and fear of vulnerability. These obstacles can be overcome by setting aside a dedicated time and space for journaling, being patient and compassionate with yourself, and experimenting with different types of journaling. Remembering that journaling is a personal and private practice, and that there is no right or wrong way to do it, can also help to overcome common obstacles and establish a consistent and effective journaling practice.

  • Medicine Nobel To Trio Who Identified Immune System’s ‘Security Guards’

    Medicine Nobel To Trio Who Identified Immune System’s ‘Security Guards’

    A US-Japanese trio on Monday won the Nobel Prize in Medicine for research into how the immune system is kept in check by identifying its “security guards”, the Nobel jury said.

    The discoveries by Mary E. Brunkow and Fred Ramsdell of the United States and Japan’s Shimon Sakaguchi have been decisive for understanding how the immune system functions and why we do not all develop serious autoimmune diseases.

    Sakaguchi, a professor at the Immunology Frontier Research Centre in Osaka, told Swedish broadcaster Sveriges Radio: “It’s an honour for me. I’m looking forward to visiting Stockholm in December” to receive the award in person.

    The Nobel committee was however unable to reach the two US-based laureates to break the news to them in person.

    “If you hear this, call me,” the head of the Nobel Assembly, Thomas Perlmann, joked at the press conference announcing the winners.

    The three won the prize for research that identified the immune system’s “security guards”, called regulatory T-cells.

    Their work concerns “peripheral immune tolerance” that prevents the immune system from harming the body, and has led to a new field of research and the development of potential medical treatments now being evaluated in clinical trials.

    “The hope is to be able to treat or cure autoimmune diseases, provide more effective cancer treatments and prevent serious complications after stem cell transplants,” the jury said.

    Sakaguchi made the first key discovery in 1995.

    At the time, many researchers were convinced that immune tolerance only developed due to potentially harmful immune cells being eliminated in the thymus, through a process called “central tolerance”.

    Sakaguchi, 74, showed that the immune system is more complex and discovered a previously unknown class of immune cells, which protect the body from autoimmune diseases.

    Brunkow, born in 1961 and a senior project manager at the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle, and Ramsdell, a 64-year-old senior advisor at Sonoma Biotherapeutics in San Francisco, made the other key discovery in 2001, when they were able to explain why certain mice were particularly vulnerable to autoimmune diseases.

    “They had discovered that mice have a mutation in a gene that they named Foxp3,” the jury said.

    “They also showed that mutations in the human equivalent of this gene cause a serious autoimmune disease, IPEX.”

    Two years later, Sakaguchi was able to link these discoveries.

    The trio will receive their prize — a diploma, a gold medal and $1.2 million split three ways — at a formal ceremony in Stockholm on December 10.

    Researchers from major US institutions typically dominate the Nobel science prizes, due largely to the US’ longstanding investment in basic science and academic freedoms.

    But that could change down the line following massive US budget cuts to science programmes announced by President Donald Trump.

    Since January, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has terminated 2,100 research grants totalling around $9.5 billion and $2.6 billion in contracts, according to an independent database called Grant Watch.

    Thomas Perlmann, secretary general of the committee that awards the Nobel Prize for Medicine, told AFP it was “no coincidence that the US has by far the most Nobel laureates”.

    “But there is now a creeping sense of uncertainty about the US’ willingness to maintain their leading position in research,” he said.

    Trump has meanwhile made no secret of the fact that he wants to win a Nobel himself — the Peace Prize.

    Nobel experts have however said his “America First” policies and divisive style give him little chance.

    “It’s completely unthinkable,” Oeivind Stenersen, a historian who has conducted research and co-written a book on the prize, told AFP.

    “(Trump) is in many ways the opposite of the ideals that the Nobel Prize represents,” he said, citing “multilateral cooperation” as an example.

    Trump “follows his own path, unilaterally,” Stenersen added.

    Sudan’s networks of volunteers Emergency Response Rooms (ERR) helping people survive war and famine — are seen as a possible contender this year, as are media watchdogs the Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders, and Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

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  • Little League Elbow | Nemours KidsHealth

    Little League Elbow | Nemours KidsHealth

    What Is Little League Elbow?

    Little League elbow is an overuse injury to the elbow caused by repetitive throwing. Most cases happen in pitchers, but any young athlete who throws a lot can get the condition.

    What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Little League Elbow?

    Kids with Little League elbow have pain on the inner part of their elbow. At first, the elbow may hurt only during or right after throwing. But without treatment, the elbow can start hurting all the time. The pain usually starts gradually, but can happen after one throw if the athlete has been making the same motions often.

    What Causes Little League Elbow?

    Little League elbow is an overuse injury (also called a repetitive stress injury). Overuse injuries happen because the same motion is repeated over and over again.

    In Little League elbow, repeated throwing injures a growth plate in the elbow. A growth plate is a layer of cartilage near the end of a bone where most of the bone’s growth happens. It’s weaker and more at risk for injury than the rest of the bone.

    Who Gets Little League Elbow?

    Little League elbow happens most often in pitchers. But anyone who throws a lot, including catchers, infielders, and outfielders, can get it.

    Most cases are in kids and teens 8–15 years old. They’re still growing, so their bones still have growth plates. Bones that are done growing don’t have growth plates. Elbow pain after this age likely is not Little League elbow.

    How Is Little League Elbow Diagnosed?

    Health care providers diagnose Little League elbow by: 

    • asking about sports and activities
    • doing an exam of the elbow, observing range of motion and doing strength tests
    • getting X-rays (X-rays can be normal in Little League elbow but can show other problems in the elbow)
    • comparing the affected elbow with the unaffected elbow

    How Is Little League Elbow Treated?

    Kids with Little League elbow must take a break from all throwing for about 6 weeks. For pain and swelling, they can:

    • Put ice or a cold pack on the elbow every 1–2 hours for 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin towel between the ice and the skin to protect it from the cold. 
    • Take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, or store brand) or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, or store brand) if the health care provider says it’s OK. Follow the package directions for how much to give and how often to give it. Kids should always take the medicines with food.

    When pain and swelling ease, health care providers usually recommend physical therapy or another exercise program. Before returning to play, it might help some kids to work on how they throw with a pitching coach or physical therapist.

    When Can Kids With Little League Elbow Go Back to Throwing?

    After a rest period and physical therapy or another exercise program, athletes with Little League elbow can slowly return to pitching if they:

    • do not have any elbow pain
    • have full strength in their arm
    • can bend and straighten their elbow fully

    Athletes with Little League elbow need to work with their health care provider and coach to create a return to pitching program. The program should:

    • slowly increase the number, distance, and intensity of pitches over 6–8 weeks
    • say how many pitches can be thrown a day
    • say what distance it is OK to throw

    They shouldn’t go back to throwing until their health care provider says it’s OK. Going back too early can permanently damage the elbow.

    Can Little League Elbow Be Prevented?

    To help prevent Little League elbow, young athletes should:

    • Take a break from throwing for 3–6 months a year. They can play another sport that doesn’t involve throwing, like soccer or swimming.
    • Make sure they throw correctly.

    They also should follow pitching guidelines that specify:

    • how many pitches are OK for each age
    • what kind of pitches are OK for each age
    • how much rest is needed between practices and games

    You can find information online about pitching guidelines at:

    How Can Parents Help?

    To help kids with Little League elbow:

    • Make sure they follow the health care provider’s recommendations for rest and exercises.
    • Make sure they don’t go back to throwing until the doctor says it’s OK. Throwing too soon can cause permanent elbow damage.
    • When they’re back to throwing, be sure the pitching guidelines are followed. Someone from the team should keep track of pitches. If no one does, you may need to do it yourself.
    • Teach your child that if something hurts during training or a game, they should stop playing right away. If the pain continues, your child needs to get checked by a coach, trainer, and health care provider before returning to play.

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  • What Is TikTok’s Benadryl Challenge? Teen Almost Dies After Attempting Viral Trend

    What Is TikTok’s Benadryl Challenge? Teen Almost Dies After Attempting Viral Trend

    A South Carolina teenager is lucky to be alive after trying TikTok’s dangerous ‘Benadryl Challenge’, a viral stunt that urges kids to swallow massive doses of the over-the-counter allergy drug.

    The incident occurred earlier this week in Horry County and left the teen hallucinating with a racing heart before being rushed to hospital in critical condition. The scare has reignited warnings from parents, doctors and regulators about the deadly risks of social media dares.

    What Is the Benadryl Challenge?

    The ‘Benadryl Challenge’ is a reckless trend spreading on TikTok and other platforms where users down alarming amounts of diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl, to trigger hallucinations.

    Although diphenhydramine is safe when taken in correct doses to treat allergies or as a sleep aid, large quantities can act as a toxic hallucinogen.

    According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, overdosing can lead to confusion, seizures, psychosis, coma or death.

    The challenge first came to public attention in 2020 after several hospitalisations and deaths were reported in the United States. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warnings at the time, urging young people to avoid the trend and calling on TikTok to remove content that promoted it.

    The South Carolina case

    In the latest case, the mother of the South Carolina teenager discovered her daughter in distress with a heart rate near 200 beats per minute. The girl was hallucinating and later required urgent medical care.

    According to reports, pill bottles and missing tablets were found hidden under her pillow. At first the teen claimed to have taken only two pills, but a larger number was missing.

    Doctors at the hospital questioned whether the ingestion had been a suicide attempt. The girl denied this, saying she had been told by a friend that taking enough Benadryl could cause a ‘high’.

    The mother also reported finding TikTok videos about the challenge on her daughter’s phone. She said she attempted to report the videos to the platform but was informed they did not breach community guidelines.

    Previous Fatalities Linked to the Trend

    The dangers of the Benadryl Challenge have been highlighted in several previous cases. In 2020, a 15-year-old girl in Oklahoma died after taking an overdose of diphenhydramine. That same year, multiple teenagers in Texas were hospitalised following overdoses reportedly linked to the trend.

    In 2023, 13-year-old Jacob Stevens from Ohio died after consuming up to 14 Benadryl tablets while friends filmed the attempt. He suffered seizures, was placed on a ventilator and never regained consciousness. His death prompted calls from his family for tighter controls on access to the drug.

    Health Warnings and Platform Response

    Medical professionals caution that diphenhydramine overdoses can cause serious anticholinergic toxicity, producing symptoms such as delirium, rapid heart rate, seizures, memory loss and in severe cases, organ failure.

    The FDA has previously warned that even modest overdoses can be life-threatening. TikTok has said that dangerous challenges are not permitted on its platform and that it blocks related search terms.

    However, families affected by these incidents continue to argue that harmful videos remain accessible and that reporting mechanisms are inadequate.

    IBTimes UK carried out a keyword search on TikTok and found no visible content under the term ‘Benadryl challenge’.

    Instead, users are directed to a safety notice that states: ‘Your Safety Matters. Some online challenges can be dangerous, disturbing, or even fabricated. Learn how to recognise harmful challenges so you can protect your health and well-being.’

    Originally published on IBTimes UK

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