Health Journal Online

Category: Diseases & Conditions

  • Dr Oz Mocked for Insisting It’s Americans’ ‘Patriotic Duty’ to Stay Healthy: ‘Cutting Medicare is Unpatriotic’

    Dr Oz Mocked for Insisting It’s Americans’ ‘Patriotic Duty’ to Stay Healthy: ‘Cutting Medicare is Unpatriotic’

    Dr. Mehmet Oz believes it is the “patriotic duty” of Americans to stay healthy, but hearing the assertion from the head of Medicare and Medicaid, which are currently facing potential cuts, did not inspire patriotism in all Americans.

    “Seventy percent of the money we spend is on chronic illness, and we’re not getting our money’s worth,” Oz said Fox News Thursday. “So for folks listening right now, it’s your patriotic duty to be as healthy as you can.”



    Critics bristled to the comment, accusing Oz of blaming patients for illness while ignoring health determinants like affordability, access and socioeconomic barriers.

    “Then make health care affordable and reinstate not having medical debt affect credit scores,” one user replied.

    Others pointed to recent GOP-led policies—such as proposed cuts to Medicare and Medicaid and tariffs on prescription drugs—as counterproductive and hypocritical. “Cutting Medicare, Medicaid, and putting tariffs on prescription drugs hardly makes us healthier,” wrote one. “In fact, I would say that is unpatriotic.”


    Some pushed back against the idea that individuals should carry patriotic responsibility for chronic or congenital illness. “Cancer doesn’t care if you’re healthy or not,” one post read, while another sarcastically added, “I guess I just chose Type 1 diabetes when I was young—what an unAmerican a**hole I am.”

    Healthcare advocates and progressives also took issue with the lack of systemic solutions. “Then why don’t we have universal healthcare, you know, so we can all fulfill our patriotic duty?” a user asked.

    Many resented the statement’s framing, even if they agreed with his message. “Being healthy is important, but calling it a ‘patriotic duty’ is just a convenient way to shame people while ignoring the systemic healthcare issues that make wellness inaccessible for many,” read another comment.


    Oz made similar comments when he was sworn in last month, going on to suggest that Americans should save money on drugs by staying healthy.

    Originally published on Latin Times



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  • MAGA Calls to ‘Revoke’ Trump’s Surgeon General Nomination Accusing Her of Getting ‘the Covid Jab’: ‘Another MAHA Grifter’

    MAGA Calls to ‘Revoke’ Trump’s Surgeon General Nomination Accusing Her of Getting ‘the Covid Jab’: ‘Another MAHA Grifter’

    President Donald Trump’s newly announced nominee for US Surgeon General, Dr. Casey Means, is facing backlash from within the MAGA movement after right-wing activist Laura Loomer accused her of being a “MAHA grifter” for previously receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

    Loomer shared a screen recording allegedly documenting Means — then using the handle “@DrCaseysKitchen” — receiving her COVID vaccine live on the social audio app Clubhouse in February 2021. The revelation sparked outrage among anti-vaccine factions of the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement, a public health push led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

    “The new Trump nominee for US Surgeon General took the COVID JAB,” Loomer wrote. “So how can she be a representative for MAHA?”

    Loomer, a close ally of President Trump and outspoken critic of COVID-19 mandates, further claimed Means was “pretending to be someone she isn’t,” citing her inactive medical license and former social media identity. “Her nomination should be REVOKED,” she declared.


    Dr. Means, who graduated with a medical degree from Stanford and co-authored Good Energy, has become popular in wellness and biohacking circles for promoting metabolic health and criticizing pharmaceutical companies. She has closely aligned herself with RFK Jr.’s anti-establishment health agenda.

    Hardline MAHA loyalists — many of whom reject vaccines and see the movement as opposition to COVID-era health policies — refuse to trust recipients of the COVID vaccine.


    While some commenters attempted to give Means the benefit of the doubt, citing the frequency with which employers required vaccines at the time, others were suspect of Means and even Kennedy for associating with her.


    For others, her nomination only fueled suspicion of the government.


    Means’ nomination has already faced scrutiny for her lack of clinical experience. Trump admitted on Thursday that he didn’t really know her, and chose her based on RFK Jr.’s recommendation.

    The White House and Health Secretary Kennedy have not yet responded to Loomer’s post or the growing demands from MAGA figures to withdraw Means’ nomination.

    Originally published on Latin Times



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  • You Probably Do This Every Day- But Experts Warn It’s Harming Your Child’s Development

    You Probably Do This Every Day- But Experts Warn It’s Harming Your Child’s Development

    You ask your child to put the phone down, concerned about the effects of too much screen time on their developing brain. But what if the problem is not just their habits, but yours?

    New research suggests that it is not enough to simply limit a child’s screen time, but the way parents use technology around their children can influence a child’s cognitive development, emotional well-being, and even how much time kids themselves spend on screens.

    Many parents scroll through their phones during mealtime or playtime, often without thinking twice. But this seemingly harmless habit is creating a growing disruption known as “phubbing”, when technology gets in the way of face-to-face connection.

    Since young children rely on their parents’ attention and responsiveness to feel secure, explore their world, and develop emotionally, when this connection is interrupted, it can quietly affect their healthy development, suggests the researchers of the latest study published in the journal JAMA Network Open.

    The researchers evaluated over 6,000 studies on how parents use technology around their young children and further narrowed it down to include only studies that focused on healthy children from birth to about 5 years old. These studies explored how a parent’s use of phones or other devices in front of their child, called parental technology use (PTU), might be linked to factors such as the child’s brain development, emotional health, movement skills, screen time, sleep, and physical activity.

    The findings revealed that when parents use technology around their young children, it is linked to lower cognitive development, higher internalizing and externalizing behaviors, and weaker attachment. Children also spent more time on screens. The effects were consistent regardless of the type of technology used.

    “Parents’ use of technology in their child’s presence was negatively associated with cognitive and psychosocial outcomes and screen time among young children, although the effect sizes were small. Further research focusing on potential impacts on physical activity, sleep, and motor skills is needed,” the researchers concluded.

    The researchers stress that these findings do not mean technological devices are “inherently harmful,” as they can be useful tools for parents. However, managing how and when devices are used around children could help reduce possible negative effects. One helpful approach may be co-viewing or co-using devices with children, which has been “positively associated with cognitive outcomes” in early childhood.

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  • RFK Jr Fails to Convince Users That a Database of People With Autism Would Be 'Protected': 'How Can He Be Trusted?'

    RFK Jr Fails to Convince Users That a Database of People With Autism Would Be 'Protected': 'How Can He Be Trusted?'

    Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s plan to create a national autism database was met with doubt online as users questioned if those added would have their privacy protected.

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  • Worried About Supplements Harming Your Liver? Doc Shares Tips

    Worried About Supplements Harming Your Liver? Doc Shares Tips

    Thinking of adding supplements to your wellness routine but worried about liver damage? It is good to be cautious as mindless supplement intake can harm your organs, but the good news is that you can still enjoy the benefits safely.

    Dr. Karan Rajan, a top U.K. surgeon, warns that this is because all kinds of supplements, even natural ones can affect the way the liver functions, Dr. Rajan explained in an Instagram video to more than 1.7 million viewers.

    Dr. Rajan admits that he is a fan of supplements and even takes a few himself, including omega-3, vitamin D, and fiber. But in response to a video of a woman who developed organ failure after using supplements for hair and nail growth, he offered a clear warning: “Just don’t turn your liver into a science fair project gone wrong.” “If you take supplements and want to avoid liver injury, there are a few things you should know,” he added.

    Know how it affects the liver:

    Before taking any supplement, Dr. Rajan advises checking a trusted source like LiverTox—a database that compiles case reports on how various drugs and supplements impact the liver.

    “If it’s listed under grade A,B or C, be extra cautious about the dose and what you’re taking. Even the natural ones involve liver metabolism, meaning they go through the liver’s biochemical sorting hat and get processed by liver enzymes. This can affect how hard your liver is working,” he said in the video.

    Ensure quality:

    With supplements so easily accessible, it is easy to get swept up by flashy marketing without knowing what you are really getting. That is why Dr. Rajan recommends looking for third-party certification labels on packaging, these indicate that the product has been independently tested for safety, quality, and performance. Although no testing can guarantee 100% protection from liver injury, it can at least help you know what is actually inside the capsule.

    Be mindful of dosage and interactions:

    When it comes to the dosage of supplements, Dr. Rajan emphasizes that more is not always better so it is crucial to stick to clinically recommended amounts.

    “If you’re on prescription medications like statins, blood thinners, anti-epileptics and anti-depressants, check for drug interactions with your pharmacist or doctor before starting any supplement,” he said.

    “If you are taking multiple herbal supplements, make sure there isn’t significant overlap between the active ingredients of each one. You’re creating a pharmacological cocktail with unknown synergy,” he added.



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  • This Common Supplement Could Impact How Your Medicines Work

    This Common Supplement Could Impact How Your Medicines Work

    If you are someone taking a cinnamon supplement for its health perks, you might want to think twice. New research suggests it might be time to go back to getting nutrients from your plate, not a pill. Researchers now found that a compound in cinnamon supplements could interfere with how your body processes medications, something plain old cinnamon in food does not seem to do.

    Cinnamon is an age-old spice that has long been used as a flavoring agent in foods like breakfast cereals, snacks, bagels, teas, and hot chocolate. In recent years, cinnamon supplements have gained popularity among health enthusiasts, praised for their potential anti-inflammatory benefits and blood sugar-lowering effects.

    The latest study, published in the journal Food Chemistry: Molecular Sciences, uncovers a surprising twist for supplement users. Researchers found that cinnamaldehyde, the compound responsible for cinnamon’s distinctive flavor and many of its medicinal properties, can interfere with how the body processes certain medications when taken in concentrated supplement form. This interference could either reduce the effectiveness of common drugs or amplify their side effects, posing unexpected risks for people who rely on regular medications.

    However, adding a dash of cinnamon to your coffee or oatmeal is harmless and might even offer small health perks. But when cinnamon is taken in concentrated supplement form, the story changes.

    The new findings are a reminder that more is not always better, especially for those who turn to supplements as a shortcut for nutrition. “Health concerns could arise if excessive amounts of supplements are consumed without the knowledge of health care provider or prescriber of the medications. Overconsumption of supplements could lead to a rapid clearance of the prescription medicine from the body, and that could result in making the medicine less effective,” Shabana Khan, a principal scientist at the National Center for Natural Products Research in a news release.

    “People who suffer from chronic diseases – like hypertension, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, asthma, obesity, HIV, AIDS or depression – should be cautious when using cinnamon or any other supplements. Our best advice is to talk to a healthcare provider before using any supplements along with the prescription medicine. By definition, supplements are not meant to treat, cure or mitigate any disease,” Khan added.

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  • Healthy-Looking Teens Also At Risk Of Heart Damage From This Hidden Condition

    Healthy-Looking Teens Also At Risk Of Heart Damage From This Hidden Condition

    It is time to pay attention to your teen’s health. Even adolescents who look healthy and fall within a normal weight range could be on the path to heart damage if they have one hidden health condition, warns a recent study.

    Teens with prediabetes, a condition marked by elevated blood sugar levels and insulin resistance, may face a much higher risk of heart trouble than previously thought. According to the latest study published in the journal Diabetes Care, adolescents with prediabetes are nearly three times more likely to have worsening of both structural and functional heart damage during growth to young adulthood.

    Even more striking was the discovery that heart damage progresses five times faster in females than in males, highlighting the urgent need for parents and health professionals to pay closer attention to adolescent girls when it comes to early detection and prevention of prediabetes.

    In the study, researchers followed 1,595 adolescents from age 17 to 24, using data from the University of Bristol’s Children of the 90s cohort. The prevalence of high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and heart enlargement of the participants was evaluated during the period.

    Teens with fasting blood sugar levels of ≥5.6 mmol/L during the follow-up period faced a 46% higher risk of developing left ventricular hypertrophy, a thickening of the heart muscle that can lead to serious heart issues. For those with even higher blood sugar (≥6.1 mmol/L), the risk tripled. Researchers also noted that insulin resistance also played a role, raising the risk of premature heart damage by 10%.

    “Earlier results from the same cohort indicate that late adolescence is a critical period in the evolution of cardiometabolic diseases. The current findings further confirm that even healthy-looking adolescents and young adults who are mostly normal weight may be on a path towards cardiovascular diseases, if they have high blood glucose and insulin resistance,” said researcher Andrew Agbaje, in a news release.

    “Worsening insulin resistance and increased fat mass have a bidirectional reinforcing vicious cycle. In the new study, we observed that two-thirds of the effect of insulin resistance on excessive heart enlargement was explained by increased total body fat. The five-fold increase in the prevalence of prediabetes within seven years of growth from adolescence to young adulthood underscores the critical importance of lifestyle behavior and dietary habits, especially after adolescents have become independent from their families,” Agbaje added.

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  • Depression, Fingertip Changes, And Other Symptoms You Might Miss

    Depression, Fingertip Changes, And Other Symptoms You Might Miss

    You do not smoke, and you do not have a persistent cough: so you might think lung cancer is not your concern. But think again. While smoking remains the leading cause of lung cancer deaths, about 20% of people diagnosed have never touched a cigarette. Spotting early signs is crucial, yet many symptoms are so subtle they are easy to miss.

    People with lung cancer may experience a persistent cough, repeated chest infections, coughing up blood, breathlessness, chest pain, constant fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. While these are the common signs people typically associate with lung cancer, we are going to explore the silent warnings the body may send that are often easy to overlook.

    Face and Neck Swelling: Lung cancer patients can develop tumors near the superior vena cava, a large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the head, neck, upper limbs, and torso back to the heart. This complication, known as superior vena cava syndrome, occurs when the tumor presses against the vein and nearby lymph nodes, causing blood to back up and resulting in swelling in the face and neck.

    Mental Health Symptoms: Studies have shown that people who were later diagnosed with lung cancer often developed mental health issues such as confusion, anxiety, and depression. These symptoms could be caused by tumors affecting the brain, the impact of cancer on the immune system or hormones, or high calcium levels related to cancer.

    Finger clubbing: Finger clubbing is a notable yet often overlooked symptom associated with lung cancer. It occurs when certain lung tumors produce hormone-like substances that increase blood flow and fluid accumulation in the fingertips, leading to their enlargement. This condition is characterized by rounded, bulging fingertips and nails that may appear shiny or curve more than usual.

    Stomach Problems: It is estimated that around 40% of lung cancer patients develop tumors that release substances that could disrupt normal calcium levels. Excessive calcium in the blood affects digestion and causes stomach cramps, nausea, and constipation.

    Shoulder and back pain: Not all lung cancers affect the respiratory system. For example, a Pancoast tumor is a type of lung cancer that grows in the upper part of the lung and can spread to the ribs, vertebrae, nerves, and blood vessels. This type of lung cancer can cause pain in the shoulder blade, upper back, and arm.

    Early detection of lung cancer:

    The survival rate for lung cancer largely depends on how far the cancer has spread at the time of diagnosis. If detected early, when the cancer is still localized, and treated promptly, some lung cancers can go into remission. Therefore, if you experience any symptoms, it’s important to consult with a doctor. However, keep in mind that these symptoms may not necessarily indicate lung cancer, as they could be linked to other conditions.

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  • Got Memory Issues? Here’s How To Tell If It’s Dementia Or Just Aging

    Got Memory Issues? Here’s How To Tell If It’s Dementia Or Just Aging

    Who has not forgotten a name, occasionally misplaced things, or stumbled over the right word during a conversation? However, with growing awareness about dementia, these occasional memory lapses often leave people wondering if it could be an early sign of dementia.

    As people get older, you might notice that it takes a little longer to remember things than it once did, but most of the time, there is no cause for concern. This occasional forgetfulness is called age-associated memory impairment and is a normal part of aging. Although it may feel frustrating, it does not mean you have dementia.

    Although many people confuse normal aging with dementia, the two are very different. Dementia often begins with mild memory loss but progressively worsens over time. In normal age-related memory changes, forgetfulness tends to be occasional and typically involves memories from the more distant past. In contrast, people with dementia frequently struggle with recent events, such as forgetting a conversation they had earlier that day or not recognizing someone they just met.

    Dementia is not just about memory loss. It also brings confusion, difficulty managing everyday tasks, trouble with language and understanding, and noticeable changes in behavior. Over time, these challenges interfere with a person’s ability to perform daily activities and can significantly affect their independence.

    However, it is important to remember that noticing symptoms like memory loss or confusion is not enough to diagnose dementia. Only a healthcare professional can make that diagnosis after a thorough evaluation. This typically involves medical history, cognitive tests, physical exams, and sometimes brain imaging to rule out other possible causes.

    Memory issues can also stem from a variety of other causes, including head injuries like concussions, brain tumors or infections, thyroid or organ problems, medication side effects, mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, substance misuse, sleep disturbances, or even deficiencies in key nutrients such as vitamin B12 and poor nutrition.

    When to see a doctor?

    If memory problems start interfering with daily life, it is important to see a doctor. Warning signs include repeating the same questions over and over, getting lost in familiar places, or struggling to manage personal care.

    In some cases, older adults may be diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a condition where memory or thinking problems are more noticeable than in others their age. However, unlike dementia, people with MCI can usually manage their daily activities independently, but it can sometimes be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease.

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  • Doctors Pushed HIV Meds On Patients in Exchange For Lavish Meals, Trips, and Cash: Prosecutors

    Doctors Pushed HIV Meds On Patients in Exchange For Lavish Meals, Trips, and Cash: Prosecutors

    A pharmaceutical company that allegedly paid doctors kickbacks to push their HIV/AIDS drugs has agreed to pay a fine of more than $200 million to settle a civil lawsuit filed by federal prosecutors.

    The government alleged that Gilead had induced doctors to prescribe a slew of HIV/AIDS drugs in exchange for honoraria payments, meals, and travel expenses to healthcare practitioners. Prosecutors said the company created a scheme where healthcare practitioners who spoke at or attended Gilead speaker events, and used the events as a a way to deliver kickbacks.

    “For years, Gilead unlawfully sought to increase sales of its HIV drugs, by using its speaker programs to funnel kickbacks to doctors. As alleged, Gilead spent tens of millions of dollars on these programs, including over $20 million in speaking fees and millions more in exorbitant meals, alcohol and travel, all in an effort to induce doctors to prescribe Gilead’s HIV drugs and drive up sales,” U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said.

    “With this settlement, Gilead has taken responsibility for its conduct and agreed to pay a significant financial penalty. The message is clear, companies that illegally drain taxpayer dollars from federal healthcare programs will be held accountable,” he said.

    The government also alleged that the scheme led to false claims for the Gilead HIV Drugs being submitted to and paid for by federal healthcare programs. Because of this, more than $176 million of the fine will go as compensation to the government, with the remainder being distributed to several states.

    One HIV speaker, who received over $300,000 in total honorarium payments, wrote prescriptions for Gilead HIV Drugs that resulted in over $6 million in Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE payments.

    The Gilead HIV antiretroviral drugs are expensive, with Medicare paying more than $1,000 for a one-month supply of Complera®, for example. From 2011 to November 2017, the company conducted HIV speaker programs, ostensibly for educational purposes.

    However, prosecutors say many of the events had little educational value and that Gilead would invite the same physicians over and over to the same program. The events were often held at fancy restaurants in New York including at James Beard House, Del Posto, Asiate, Palma, Vaucluse, Ilili, and Limani.

    Other desirable locations for the events included Hawaii, Miami, and New Orleans. Prosecutors noted that sometimes the location was selected in response to an HIV speaker’s request to be booked for a program in that city.

    Originally published on Lawyer Herald

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