Health Journal Online

Category: Diseases & Conditions

  • Rare Water Allergy Causes Excruciating Pain For Woman—From Drinking To Showering, She Shares Her Daily Struggle

    Rare Water Allergy Causes Excruciating Pain For Woman—From Drinking To Showering, She Shares Her Daily Struggle

    You may never realize how often water touches our lives until you have a disorder like the 25-year-old young mother from the U.K. who describes simple daily activities such as washing hands, drinking water, or taking a bath as “excruciatingly painful”.

    An extremely rare condition called aquagenic urticaria makes the life of Kendall Bryce, from Durham, UK, a real struggle. As a young mother of one, pregnant with her second child, she finds it difficult to take care of herself and or her child while battling the condition.

    “I’ve never been able to give my one-year-old son a bath. My mom has to do it for me. And I even feel my throat burning when I drink water,” she said.

    “It really is a daily struggle. I can only have a bath or take a shower twice a week because of how excruciating the pain is, so I constantly worry I stink,” said Bryce.

    Bryce’s condition began when she was just 15 when she started noticing hives after she took a bath. But little did she realize that was the beginning of her battle with water allergy until she was diagnosed with the condition four years back.

    “The GP didn’t have a clue what to do. It’s just such a rare condition, so not many people have it and not many people know about it,” Bryce recalled, still living with the constant pain. The pain is so severe that her body sometimes goes into shock.

    “My life is dictated by the weather as I have to avoid rain — and even hot humid days. I check the forecast every day and stay home if it’s raining or going to rain, but if I get caught out by surprise, my body reacts and it’s really painful,” she added.

    There is currently no cure for water allergy, but treatment options are available to manage the symptoms. Treatments include the use of oral antihistamines, topical medications like creams or emulsions, phototherapy using artificial UV light, and sometimes other medications like asthma drugs, anabolic steroids, or SSRIs.

    While pregnant, Bryce’s treatment options are however limited. “They’ve tried lots of different medications but I kept reacting. I still haven’t found something that helps,” Bryce said. However, she hopes that by sharing her story, she might connect with someone who knows how to treat her condition.

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  • Craving Sugary Treat After Meals? Here’s Why You Always Have Room For Dessert

    Craving Sugary Treat After Meals? Here’s Why You Always Have Room For Dessert

    Do you ever find yourself craving something sweet even after a big meal? Or wonder how you still have room for dessert despite feeling full? Researchers now suggest that the phenomenon known as “dessert stomach” is linked to the brain.

    In a recent study, researchers investigated the phenomenon in mice and found that they ate sugar even when they were full. While analyzing the brains, they discovered that a group of nerve cells called POMC neurons triggered the craving for sugar.

    When the mice ate sugar, these neurons released ß-endorphin, a natural opiate that made them feel rewarded and caused them to eat more, even if they were full. This effect was specific to sugar, not other foods. When the researchers blocked this pathway, the mice stopped eating extra sugar, but only when they were full. The inhibition of the ß-endorphin did not affect the hungry mice.

    The researchers also found that the activation of endorphins began even before the mice started eating sugar, as soon as they sensed it. Interestingly, the opiate was also released in the brains of mice that had never eaten sugar before.

    “As soon as the first sugar solution entered the mice’s mouths, ß-endorphin was released in the “dessert stomach region”, which was further strengthened by additional sugar consumption,” the researchers explained.

    When a similar trial was conducted in humans, researchers used brain scans on volunteers after they received a sugar solution through a tube. They found that the same region of the brain responded to sugar in humans where there are many opiate receptors close to satiety neurons.

    “From an evolutionary perspective, this makes sense: sugar is rare in nature but provides quick energy. The brain is programmed to control the intake of sugar whenever it is available,” explained Henning Fenselau, research group leader at the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research and head of the study.

    The researchers hope their findings could be valuable for treating obesity. “There are already drugs that block opiate receptors in the brain, but the weight loss is less than with appetite-suppressant injections. We believe that a combination with them or with other therapies could be very useful. However, we need to investigate this further,” Fenselau added.

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  • Measles Outbreak in Texas County With Low Vaccination Rate Multiplies, More Cases ‘Likely’

    Measles Outbreak in Texas County With Low Vaccination Rate Multiplies, More Cases ‘Likely’

    Measles is ripping through Gaines County, Texas—cases have more than tripled, and health officials warn the worst is yet to come. The highly contagious virus is spreading fast, with more infections “likely” in the days ahead.

    The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) confirmed 48 cases as of this week, up from just 14 last Friday.

    “Thirteen of the patients have been hospitalized,” the agency stated in a press release. All of the cases involve individuals who are either unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.

    “The best way to prevent getting sick is to be immunized with two doses of a vaccine against measles,” DSHS advised. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is 97% effective at preventing infection.

    Health officials attribute the outbreak to low vaccination rates. Only 82% of kindergartners in Gaines County public schools are up to date on their shots, well below the 95% threshold required for herd immunity. The county also has an 18% exemption rate for vaccines due to religious or personal beliefs.

    “We’re trying to get out the message about how important vaccination is,” Zach Holbrooks, executive director of the South Plains Public Health District told CNN. He stressed those exposed or symptomatic should get tested at the mobile screening unit in Seminole, Texas.

    “Measles is a serious yet preventable disease,” added Dr. Jamie Felberg of the South Plains Public Health District. “Staying up to date on vaccinations is the most effective way to safeguard yourself, your loved ones, and the community.”

    “Additional cases are likely to occur in Gaines County and the surrounding communities,” DSHS warned.

    Originally published on Latin Times

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  • Measles Outbreak in Texas County With Low Vaccination Rate Multiplies, More Cases ‘Likely’

    Measles Outbreak in Texas County With Low Vaccination Rate Multiplies, More Cases ‘Likely’

    Measles is ripping through Gaines County, Texas—cases have more than tripled, and health officials warn the worst is yet to come. The highly contagious virus is spreading fast, with more infections “likely” in the days ahead.

    The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) confirmed 48 cases as of this week, up from just 14 last Friday.

    “Thirteen of the patients have been hospitalized,” the agency stated in a press release. All of the cases involve individuals who are either unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.

    “The best way to prevent getting sick is to be immunized with two doses of a vaccine against measles,” DSHS advised. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is 97% effective at preventing infection.

    Health officials attribute the outbreak to low vaccination rates. Only 82% of kindergartners in Gaines County public schools are up to date on their shots, well below the 95% threshold required for herd immunity. The county also has an 18% exemption rate for vaccines due to religious or personal beliefs.

    “We’re trying to get out the message about how important vaccination is,” Zach Holbrooks, executive director of the South Plains Public Health District told CNN. He stressed those exposed or symptomatic should get tested at the mobile screening unit in Seminole, Texas.

    “Measles is a serious yet preventable disease,” added Dr. Jamie Felberg of the South Plains Public Health District. “Staying up to date on vaccinations is the most effective way to safeguard yourself, your loved ones, and the community.”

    “Additional cases are likely to occur in Gaines County and the surrounding communities,” DSHS warned.

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  • Louisiana Health Department Orders Employees to Stop Promoting Mass Vaccinations As it Accuses CDC of Being ‘Woefully Out of Touch’

    The Louisiana Department of Health has ordered its employees to stop promoting mass vaccinations, criticizing the CDC as “woefully out of touch” with public health concerns.

    Louisiana has historically promoted vaccinations for preventable diseases through public health initiatives, community events and partnerships. However, under the leadership of Gov. Jeff Landry and Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham, the state has shifted its stance on vaccines, CNN reported.

    Abraham, a former Republican congressman, has expressed skepticism about mass vaccination efforts and framed vaccine mandates as an infringement on personal autonomy.

    On Thursday, Abraham issued a memo directing Louisiana health workers to cease mass vaccination promotion, emphasizing that vaccines should be treated with “nuance” rather than broad public campaigns.

    The policy, which was not initially communicated to the public, aligns with a growing conservative push against vaccine mandates and mass immunization programs.

    “Government should admit the limitations of its role in people’s lives and pull back its tentacles from the practice of medicine. The path to regaining public trust lies in acknowledging past missteps, refocusing on unbiased data collection, and providing transparent, balanced information for people to make their own health decisions. By demonstrating genuine integrity and respect for personal autonomy, public health agencies can begin to mend the rifts they’ve created,” Abraham and Deputy Surgeon General Dr. Wyche Coleman wrote in a published letter.

    Abraham and Coleman added that vaccination recommendations, particularly for the COVID-19 vaccine, by the CDC have become “woefully out of touch with reality and with most parents.”

    Louisiana, which already struggles with low vaccination rates, is experiencing a significant flu outbreak, and health experts warn that the new directive could further reduce immunization rates and increase the spread of preventable diseases.

    In response, New Orleans’ independent health department has rejected the state’s stance, vowing to continue mass vaccination efforts.

    Public health experts, including Dr. Jennifer Avegno of the New Orleans Health Department and Dr. Paul Offit of the Vaccine Education Center, warn that reduced vaccine promotion will likely lead to declining immunization rates and worsening disease outbreaks.

    Originally published by Latin Times.

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  • Want To Lose Weight? Nutritionist Shares Foods That Naturally Mimic Ozempic

    Want To Lose Weight? Nutritionist Shares Foods That Naturally Mimic Ozempic

    Are you planning to shed pounds but prefer going the natural, healthy route? You don’t always need Ozempic or GLP-1 medications for weight loss; the right food choices may be all you need. A nutritionist shares tips on foods that naturally mimic Ozempic by helping you feel full longer and slowing digestion.

    Luisana Carrero, a nutritionist from Houston, regularly shares simple and sustainable nutrition and workout tips on her Instagram handle, Luisana_nutritioncoach, helping people transform their bodies. In a recent post, she discusses 8 high-quality foods that naturally mimic the effects of Ozempic by boosting satiety, balancing blood sugar, reducing cravings, and helping make fat loss easier.

    “Incorporate these foods into your diet to control hunger, stay satisfied longer, and lose fat,” she wrote. Here are the foods to include:

    1. Greek Yogurt:

    Carrero suggests that the combination of protein and probiotics makes Greek yogurt a top choice. It helps reduce calorie intake while supporting gut health, and adding berries and nuts creates a tasty, balanced snack.

    Scientific evidence also supports the weight loss benefits of Greek yogurt. Research shows that yogurt consumption is inversely associated with the incidence of overweight or obesity. A 2014 study evaluating 8,516 participants found that those who consumed more than 7 servings of yogurt per week were less likely to be obese than those who ate 2 or fewer servings.

    2. Sweet Potatoes:

    As a slow-digesting and nutrient-rich carbohydrate, sweet potatoes help improve satiety. “Bake them at 400°F for 30-45 minutes and pair with your favorite protein,” Carrero wrote.

    3. Berries:

    With their low glycemic impact and calorie content, berries are a favorable food choice. They transform boring meals into tasty snacks and can be eaten fresh or added to items like yogurt and oatmeal.

    4. Avocados:

    Another tasty complement to salads and toasts, avocados offer a great combination of healthy fats and fiber that help regulate appetite hormones. In addition to supporting weight loss, this nutrient-rich fruit, packed with vitamins and antioxidants, promotes overall health.

    5. Oats:

    Oats help release gut hormones like peptide YY (PYY) and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), which help reduce food intake. This easy breakfast food also can reduce cholesterol, regulate blood sugar and reduce constipation.

    6. Veggies:

    Carrero recommends including high-fiber veggies such as broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts in the daily diet as they are packed with vitamins & minerals.

    7. Lean Beef:

    Rich in protein and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), lean beef supports fat loss in multiple ways. Protein not only helps build and repair muscle but also increases calorie burn during digestion.

    8. Eggs:

    Using eggs and egg whites can help improve satiety by regulating hunger-controlling hormones like GLP-1 and CCK (cholecystokinin). These hormones signal the brain to reduce appetite, helping you feel full longer and preventing overeating.



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  • Indiana Doctors Go To Court To Keep Terminated Pregnancy Reports From Being Released To The Public

    Indiana Doctors Go To Court To Keep Terminated Pregnancy Reports From Being Released To The Public

    Two abortion providers in Indiana advocating against the release of individual terminated pregnancy reports have taken the matter to court, filing a lawsuit in Marion County to keep the records private.

    Licensed OB-GYN physicians Caitlin Bernard and Caroline Rouse filed the suit to prevent the Indiana Department of Health from releasing documents relating to terminated pregnancies under Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act, stating that such records are exempt and do not have to be divulged, Inside Indiana Business reported.

    If released, the reports would not reveal the names of the patients who terminated pregnancies, but would include other personal information such as age, race and county of residence. The reports would also list the name of the physician who performed the abortion.

    “We are once again in court defending our patients and their right to privacy,” Bernard and Rouse said in a joint statement, as reported by The Hill.

    “Everyone receiving medical care deserves to have their personal health decisions and pregnancy outcomes protected. There is no reason to release this sensitive information to the public. We will keep fighting to protect patients’ privacy and the trust between doctors and patients,” they continued.

    Bernard gained national attention after speaking out about a patient who she had helped to receive an abortion in 2022: a 10-year-old girl from Ohio who had reportedly been sexually assaulted.

    The Indiana Department of Health stopped releasing individual reports of terminated pregnancies following the state’s implementation of a near-total abortion ban, continuing only to release aggregate reports of terminated pregnancies within the state.

    From July to September of 2023, the IDOH reported 764 abortions. Only 17 of these were performed after August when abortion bans took effect. The agency then addressed concerns that identifying reports could be “reverse-engineered” to identify patients who terminated pregnancies due to the small number of abortions being carried out within the state.

    “Given that the report is populated with information that could be reverse engineered to identify patients — especially in smaller communities — (IDOH argues) that the required quarterly reports should suffice in terms of satisfying any disclosure and transparency considerations,” the December informal opinion from Public Access Counselor Luke Britt said.

    Pro-life advocacy group Voices for Life continued to sue the state of Indiana, demanding the release of individual reports. Voices for Life further stated it would file an appeal after the case was dismissed by a Marion County judge in 2024. However, in January 2025, Indiana’s newly elected Republican Governor, Mike Braun, demanded that the reports be publicized through executive order.

    IDOH, which settled and agreed to publicize the records, stated that they would make redactions to the reports that “adequately protect personal health identifiers and that do not inhibit examination of the terminated pregnancy reports to determine whether a physician performed an abortion in accordance with Indiana law,” per the Indiana Capitol Chronicle.

    The court has yet to set a hearing for the suit brought forward by Bernard and Rouse.

    Originally published by Latin Times.

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  • Teen Dies From Rare Brain Tumor After Unusual Symptoms; Heartbroken Mom Urges Others To Recognize Signs

    Teen Dies From Rare Brain Tumor After Unusual Symptoms; Heartbroken Mom Urges Others To Recognize Signs

    When 12-year-old Jody tripped and fell multiple times, had trouble walking straight, and struggled to fasten her shirt buttons, her mother never suspected it could be a sign of something serious—until doctors delivered the devastating news of a rare brain tumor.

    After years of battling the disease, Jody passed away in 2022, at the age of 16, and her heartbroken mother, Sarah Levett, from Surrey in South East England, now raises awareness about the condition, hoping that parents could spot the signs as soon as possible.

    Levett, who is organizing a fundraiser next month for the Brain Tumor Charity in her daughter’s memory, says she does it so no other parent or child has to endure the unimaginable heartbreak they experienced.

    When Jody first experienced symptoms like migraines, difficulty with balance, and frustration that led to screaming fits, Levett thought it might be related to her autism. But during a check-up, doctors discovered that Jody was in the advanced stages of a rare brain tumor.

    “It was absolutely terrifying. As the doctor spoke about how big the tumor was, I couldn’t take it all in,” Levett recollected the moments following the diagnosis.

    “I just wanted it gone. But I tried as hard as I could to hide how scared I was, as Jody was so young. I didn’t want her to worry – in fact, she was more bothered about the fact she was unable to go to school. She started bumping into things, like a wheelie bin on the pavement, only a few months before the diagnosis,” she said.

    Jody underwent treatment for around 10 months, including a surgery that removed 80% of the tumor, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy until she was stable. However, a year later, a follow-up scan revealed that the tumor had returned.

    As Jody’s condition rapidly declined, she underwent four more surgeries and doctors discovered a brain bleed before she tragically died.

    “The main aim [of the fundraiser] is to continue the awareness of brain tumors and changes needed, and the lack of mental health support for bereaved parents. I know there’s a lot of strain on healthcare at the moment, but I really don’t want any other parents or children to have to go through the unimaginable heartbreak like we have done,” Levett said.

    Brain tumors may present with symptoms such as seizures, balance issues, behavioral changes, slurred speech, fatigue, weakness, headaches, nausea, and vomiting.

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  • CDC Warns Travelers Of Deadly Virus That Has No Approved Vaccines Or Treatment

    CDC Warns Travelers Of Deadly Virus That Has No Approved Vaccines Or Treatment

    The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health advisory warning travelers about an Ebola outbreak in Uganda caused by the deadly Sudan virus, which has no approved vaccines or treatments.

    The CDC raised the alert to Level 2, urging travelers to “Practice Enhanced Precautions,” according to a Health Alert Network advisory issued Thursday.

    The current outbreak of Sudan Virus Disease (SVD) has been reported in the Kampala, Mbale, and Wakiso regions of Uganda. Since 2000, the country has already experienced seven outbreaks of the virus.

    The first case of the current outbreak was identified after a male nurse died from the infection on January 29. A second case, identified as the wife of the index patient, has also developed symptoms and tested positive, according to a WHO weekly bulletin issued last week.

    While three of the man’s close contacts have developed symptoms and are in isolation for treatment and testing, a total of 234 contacts have been traced, including 118 linked to medical settings.

    Although there are no direct flights from Uganda to the United States, travelers from or passing through affected areas can enter the U.S. on flights connecting from other countries. Hence the CDC cautions health officials to be on alert and evaluate any patients suspected of having SVD.

    However, the CDC confirmed that “currently, no suspected, probable, or confirmed Ebola cases related to this outbreak have been reported in the United States, or outside of Uganda.”

    An initial investigation suggests the latest outbreak is not linked to the earlier outbreaks and officials suspect a new jump from animals to people.

    “The source of exposure remains unknown, raising concerns about undetected transmission chains or a new zoonotic spillover,” the WHO bulletin stated. Previous outbreaks have shown a case fatality rate ranging from 41% to 70%.

    As part of the “enhanced precautions” to reduce the risk of infection, the CDC recommends people who travel to Uganda avoid contact with sick individuals, their bodily fluids, and items they have touched, including those who have died. They are also advised to refrain from handling wild animals, visiting high-risk areas like caves or healthcare facilities in affected regions, and engaging in burial practices that involve touching the deceased.

    Travelers are asked to watch out for symptoms during the stay and three weeks after returning. Anyone experiencing symptoms is advised to isolate immediately and alert the local healthcare facility. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, rash, chest pain, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. As the disease progresses, the patients may also develop unexplained bleeding or bruising.

    “Calling ahead before going to a healthcare facility helps the facility prepare for your arrival, including contacting health authorities and taking any precautions needed to protect staff and other patients,” the CDC said.

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  • Can’t Solve A Problem? Sleep On It—It’s Backed By Science, Here’s Best Nap For Better Thinking

    Can’t Solve A Problem? Sleep On It—It’s Backed By Science, Here’s Best Nap For Better Thinking

    Have you heard the saying “if you can’t fix an issue, just sleep on it”? It’s not just random advice to calm you down before bed, science now proves how sleep can help you think clearly and solve a problem.

    In a recent study published in the Journal of Sleep Research, investigators examined how a specific type of sleep, afternoon naps, helps in creative problem-solving.

    The researchers conducted problem-solving experiments in a group of 58 people below the age of 30 from Texas State University. Half of the participants were allowed to take a two-hour afternoon nap before solving a puzzle they had previously been unable to solve, while the other half attempted the puzzle without sleep.

    The results showed that people who took a nap before solving the problems performed better than those who stayed awake. On average, the sleep group solved 43% of the problems, while the wake group solved only 15%.

    The researchers concluded that this is because sleep, especially the type that includes the REM phase, helps people in an analogical transfer to solve issues that could not be done before the nap. Analogical transfer is the ability to use insights from a different problem to solve a new, related problem.

    Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is a phase where your eyes move rapidly in different directions, and brain activity becomes as high as when you’re awake. “This sleep stage [REM] may play a key role in putting past experiences to best use by establishing and strengthening associations that are not readily apparent in our waking lives,” the researchers wrote.

    “My previous research has focused on understanding how memories change during sleep. However, the reorganization of knowledge that occurs during memory consolidation undoubtedly impacts other aspects of cognition as well. I was specifically interested in how the initiation and/or strengthening of connections between new and old memories can assist in problem-solving,” said study author Carmen E. Westerberg, a professor at Texas State University.

    “The main takeaway is that if you have a difficult problem that you cannot solve, processes that occur while you are sleeping may give you insights after waking that could help to solve the problem,” Westerberg added.

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