Health Journal Online

Category: Diseases & Conditions

  • Stuck On Your Weight Loss Journey? Here’s Nutritionist’s Cheat Code To Shed Pounds In 3 Months

    Stuck On Your Weight Loss Journey? Here’s Nutritionist’s Cheat Code To Shed Pounds In 3 Months

    Feeling stuck in your weight loss journey, despite your best efforts? You’re not alone, many people may face a frustrating stage where progress slows. But according to a nutritionist, the key is not in a fad diet or extreme workout—it’s consistency. Here’s the cheat code to break through the stagnation and shed substantial weight in just three months.

    “Weight loss is a journey and the secret to seeing true and lasting results is by staying consistent and not perfect,” said Amaka, a certified nutritionist in an Instagram post, where she shared a cheat code to lose 20 kg (about 44 pounds) in three months.

    For those looking to kickstart their weight loss journey or those struggling along the way, here are some practical tips from her.

    Focus on low calorie diet:

    According to Amaka, the key to weight loss is maintaining a calorie-deficit diet while staying full. She suggests consuming low-calorie, high-protein meals to achieve this and recommends adding spices like cayenne pepper, turmeric, and cinnamon to boost metabolism for faster results.

    Amaka also recommends eliminating sugar and refined carbs, as an easy trick to reduce the waistline. “Practice 80/20 rule in your nutrition, where you eat healthy 80% and allow yourself to indulge in a cheat meal 20% to help you stay consistent and not restricted, fuels your energy and boost your mood to stay consistent on your journey,” she said.

    How to eat:

    Most people know what should go on their plate while dieting, but according to Amaka, how you eat your food is just as important.

    “Eat your protein and vegetables first before your carbs, it will make you full quickly, and you will struggle to eat your carb left on your plate,” she wrote. Taking smaller plates or bowls while serving food will help to trick your brain into feeling full.

    Drink water:

    Staying hydrated helps to nourish the body and control the hunger pangs. “Always drink water 5-10 minutes before eating your meal, it will help control your appetite,” she said.

    Exercise:

    Regular physical activity is essential for both weight loss and overall well-being. Amaka recommends strength training 2–3 days a week, as it helps build muscle and keeps the body burning calories even at rest.

    “Leave the scale completely, use pictures, your fittings in your old clothes, and body measurements to track your progress, they’re always accurate. Scale fluctuates, and has made me lose hope and stop my journey because I felt I was not making progress,” she added.



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  • Dad Dies Year After Brain Tumor Diagnosis, Doctor Initially Dismissed Symptoms As Stress, Accused Him Of Faking

    Dad Dies Year After Brain Tumor Diagnosis, Doctor Initially Dismissed Symptoms As Stress, Accused Him Of Faking

    A 53-year-old U.K. man with troubling signs, including headaches and jumbled speech, was initially dismissed as stressed. His doctor even accused him of faking symptoms before being diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor. A year later, he died. Now, his daughter is running a marathon to raise awareness and money for cancer research.

    Stephen Blakeston, from Hull, England, started experiencing massive headaches and was jumbling up sentences when his wife noticed the symptoms and took him to a doctor in October 2010.

    “I couldn’t believe it when we visited the GP, who dismissed his symptoms as stress-related and even said he was faking, something I know my dad wouldn’t do,” Blakeston’s daughter Hollie Rhodes recollected.

    Blakeston later got a CT scan done and realized that a tumor was growing on the left side of his brain, which was affecting his speech. He underwent surgery soon, and a biopsy confirmed that the tumor was a glioblastoma, a fast-growing, incurable cancer, leaving him with just 12-18 months to live.

    After the surgery, Blakeston underwent intensive radiotherapy and two rounds of chemotherapy to halt the growth of the tumor and scans showed no signs of further regrowth.

    However, around 9 months later, Blakeston suddenly collapsed and died after a blood clot, believed to be related to his treatment, or the tumor traveled to his heart.

    “It was horrible for us to lose him so suddenly, but there is some comfort in knowing it was quick and likely the way he would have wanted to go. I’ll always miss hearing his laugh,” Rhodes said.

    Glioblastoma is a fairly common form of brain tumor, with more than 13,000 Americans are diagnosed with it every year. The symptoms vary but often include persistent headaches, nausea, confusion, memory loss, and personality changes. Other signs to watch out for include vision problems, speech difficulties, muscle weakness, and seizures, especially in those without a history of them.

    “It’s the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40, so it should absolutely be a priority to stop these deaths. It almost feels like people view brain tumors as a final prognosis. That whole narrative needs to change because more funding in research would bring hope to those impacted,” said Rhodes, who is running the London Marathon to raise money for Brain Tumor Research.

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  • Plus, Combinations That Boost Absorption

    Plus, Combinations That Boost Absorption

    Taking daily vitamins has become a staple in many wellness routines, but are supplements truly essential? While they can’t replace a healthy diet, supplements help millions with deficiencies or conditions that hinder nutrient absorption.

    The benefits of supplements do not just depend on what you take, but also how you take them. Some vitamins and minerals can compete for absorption, potentially reducing their effectiveness. So, can certain supplements cancel each other out? Wellness expert Natalie Jurado, founder of Rooted In, breaks down this often-overlooked factor.

    “You can’t supplement your way out of a bad diet, so make sure you’re eating healthfully on a daily basis. But if you’ve been advised by a healthcare practitioner that you need to supplement, keep these combinations in mind!,” cautions Jurado, who explains in an Instagram video the vitamin supplements that should not be taken together.

    According to Jurado, certain vitamins and minerals should be spaced out to help ensure optimal absorption. She suggests it is best to wait at least two hours between these combinations:

    • Magnesium and Iron
    • Turmeric and Iron
    • Vitamin C and Vitamin D
    • Calcium and calcium-rich foods along with Magnesium or Iron

    Jurado also recommends certain combinations of supplements that work best for absorption. For example, vitamin D, K2, and magnesium work together, with magnesium activating vitamin D absorption. Another powerful pair is collagen and vitamin C, as vitamin C helps the body synthesize collagen more effectively.

    • Turmeric and Black Pepper: Black pepper enhances turmeric’s absorption by about 2000 percent.
    • Vitamin D and Fat: As a fat-soluble vitamin, vitamin D is best absorbed when taken with a meal containing fat.
    • Vitamin B6 and Magnesium: Vitamin B6 helps improve the body’s absorption of magnesium.
    • Zinc and Protein: Protein helps zinc work more effectively within the body.

    “Iron is a bit of a diva, she doesn’t play well with coffee, tea, calcium, or magnesium. She likes an acidic environment so make sure to take her with vitamin C,” Jurado said in a separate video. Similarly, she warns Zinc does not work well with calcium and Magnesium.

    Many people take vitamin B to prevent a hangover, but Jurado cautions that this combination does not help vitamin absorption. “B vitamins won’t absorb if you’re having alcohol. It’s just not going to work,” she said.

    Taking supplements along with certain medications may interfere with the absorption of the drugs. For example: turmeric interferes with blood thinners and diabetic medications.

    For people taking multivitamins, Jurado recommends checking the ingredient combinations to ensure optimal nutrient absorption and effectiveness.



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  • Man Who Burned His Thumb While Cooking Forced To Amputate Both Legs Due To Sepsis

    Man Who Burned His Thumb While Cooking Forced To Amputate Both Legs Due To Sepsis

    What started as a small burn on his thumb while cooking dinner during a camping trip turned into a life-threatening ordeal for a 40-year-old Colorado man. After developing a severe sepsis infection, he was put in a coma and forced to amputate both of his legs.

    The unexpected tragedy unfolded for Max Armstrong from Franktown during a hunting trip with friends in Kiowa in December 2024. While cooking dinner during the camping, he burned his thumb on a skillet. Armstrong, who was used to small cuts and bruises while living outdoors for most of his life, ignored the little burn, continued with his dinner, and later bandaged it.

    However, things escalated quickly. Within just a few days, a strep infection that had entered the body through the burn wound spread rapidly. His left leg began swelling, and his toenails turned purple. Only six days after the burn, he was rushed to an emergency room, where his condition rapidly worsened, and his eyes rolled back in his head.

    “At this point, the burn on my thumb had become pretty ugly, it had turned black and looked like it was eating away at my thumb. The doctors were asking me lots of questions, but my eyes started rolling back in my head and I started talking nonsense. They concluded that I had sepsis and put me into a medically induced coma,” Armstrong said.

    By the time Armstrong recovered from the coma six days later, his feet were completely black from the severe strep infection that led to sepsis. Sepsis is a life threatening situation that damages the vital organs. Doctors then advised amputating both his legs to prevent the infection from spreading. Armstrong underwent the life-saving surgery on December 23, 2024, which ultimately left him in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

    “Initially when I woke up, I thought my legs were still there and then I came to realize that they weren’t. I felt down my leg and realized that my legs weren’t there, I asked the nurse and she confirmed that I had my legs amputated,” Armstrong said. He is now focusing on rehabilitation exercises to improve his mobility.

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  • Republican Anti-Abortion Bill May Block Access to Chemotherapy, Life-Saving Surgeries in Wyoming: Report

    Republican Anti-Abortion Bill May Block Access to Chemotherapy, Life-Saving Surgeries in Wyoming: Report

    A Republican-led bill seeking to challenge abortion access may also block access to chemotherapy and life-saving surgeries in Wyoming, according to a report.

    According to the bill, Senate File 125, “No act, treatment or procedure that causes harm to the heart, respiratory system, central nervous system, brain, skeletal system, jointed or muscled appendages or organ function shall be construed as healthcare.”

    Although the bill is intended to target the concept of fetal personhood, healthcare and law professionals are worried that various other procedures and treatments, such as chemotherapy, could be affected by the bill.

    “There’s a slew of medical procedures, surgeries, treatments that can have potentially positive outcomes but may also cause harm in the short period or as an unintended consequence,” Wyoming attorney Abigail Fournier told the The Guardian.

    An amendment to Wyoming’s state constitution in 2012 stated that making healthcare decisions was a right of individuals in the state. Senate File 125 is the first of its kind trying to change the definition of healthcare.

    While Cheri Steinmetz, the Republican state senator who authored the bill, told The Guardian that she was not trying to change the constitution, just the definition used, Wyoming attorney Clark Stith said that they believe changing the meaning could still constitute changing the constitution.

    Wyoming’s abortion ban was struck down by a judge in November 2024. At the time, women and organizations had argued that the ban violated the 2012 amendment, and that it also infringed upon their rights, NPR reported at the time.

    As the state appeals this ruling, state representatives have also created bills seeking to restrict abortion access, such as requiring a trans-vaginal ultrasound before patients can receive abortion medication, as reported by WyoFile.

    At least two abortion-related House bills have passed the House since the abortion ban was struck down. A third one is set to be debated on in the coming weeks.

    Originally published by Latin Times.

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  • You Shouldn’t Scratch An Itch—So Why Does It Feel So Good? Are There Benefits?

    You Shouldn’t Scratch An Itch—So Why Does It Feel So Good? Are There Benefits?

    You’ve been told not to scratch that itch—but why does it feel so good? Researchers studying the science behind scratching found that while it worsens inflammation and swelling, it also has certain benefits which may explain why the natural urge feels so irresistible.

    In a recent study published in the journal Science, researchers examined how itching affected the skin of mice with allergic contact dermatitis, a type of eczema.

    “Scratching is often pleasurable, which suggests that, in order to have evolved, this behavior must provide some kind of benefit. Our study helps resolve this paradox by providing evidence that scratching also provides defense against bacterial skin infections,” said senior author Daniel Kaplan in a news release.

    For the trial, the researchers used itch-inducing allergens to induce symptoms of eczema in the ears of normal mice. While some mice were allowed to scratch, others were restricted from scratching using tiny collars, similar to those used by dogs.

    The results were striking: mice that scratched developed swollen, inflamed skin packed with immune cells called neutrophils, while those unable to scratch had much milder inflammation. This confirmed that scratching worsens skin irritation rather than relieving it.

    The researchers explain that this is because scratching an itch sets off a chain reaction in the skin. Pain-sensing nerves release a chemical called substance P, which activates mast cells or the immune cells that regulate inflammation and itching. Normally, mast cells respond to allergens, causing mild itchiness and swelling. But scratching triggers a second wave of activation through substance P, intensifying inflammation and making the itch even worse.

    However, mast cells not only cause irritation, they also help defend against bacteria and other germs. This made researchers curious to find out if scratching actually influences the skin’s microbiome.

    In further experiments, the team showed that scratching reduced the amount of Staphylococcus aureus, the most common bacteria involved in skin infections, on the skin. “The finding that scratching improves defense against Staphylococcus aureus suggests that it could be beneficial in some contexts. But the damage that scratching does to the skin probably outweighs this benefit when itching is chronic,” Kaplan said.

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  • Journavx, New Type Of Non-Opioid Pain Relief Drug Gets FDA Approval

    Journavx, New Type Of Non-Opioid Pain Relief Drug Gets FDA Approval

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Suzetrigine, a new non-opioid pain relief drug sold under the brand name Journavx, to treat moderate to severe acute pain in adults.

    Journavx from Vertex Pharmaceuticals marks the first new class of pain reliever to receive FDA approval in over two decades. It will be sold as 50-milligram prescription pills that work by blocking pain signals at their source by targeting sodium channels in the nervous system and stopping pain before it reaches the brain.

    “Today’s approval is an important public health milestone in acute pain management. A new non-opioid analgesic therapeutic class for acute pain offers an opportunity to mitigate certain risks associated with using an opioid for pain and provides patients with another treatment option. This action and the agency’s designations to expedite the drug’s development and review underscore FDA’s commitment to approving safe and effective alternatives to opioids for pain management,” Dr. Jacqueline Corrigan-Curay, acting director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research said in a news release.

    Non-opioid pain relief is a crucial step forward in addressing the ongoing opioid crisis. With over 80 million Americans requiring pain relief, around half are prescribed opioids. However, nearly 10% of those initially prescribed opioids end up using them long-term, and about 85,000 develop opioid use disorder each year. Non-opioid alternatives offer a safer option for pain management, reducing the risk of dependency.

    According to the manufacturer, Journavx is a well-tolerated, effective pain reliever with no signs of addictive potential, designed for all types of moderate to severe acute pain.

    The efficacy of the drug was tested in two clinical trials involving surgical pain, one after tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) and the other after bunion surgery. Participants were randomly given either Journavx or a placebo. If pain control was not enough, they could also take ibuprofen for extra relief. Both trials showed that Journavx worked significantly better than a placebo in reducing pain.

    The safety of Journavx was evaluated based on data from two main trials with 874 participants who had moderate to severe acute pain after a tummy tuck or bunion surgery, along with additional data from a smaller study with 256 participants in various acute pain conditions.

    The most common side effects reported were itching, muscle spasms, elevated creatine phosphokinase levels, and rash. Journavx should not be taken with strong CYP3A inhibitors, and patients should avoid grapefruit or grapefruit-containing foods and drinks while using it. The drug will be priced at $15.50 per 50mg pill.

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  • This Simple Oral Hygiene Habit May Help Protect You From Stroke

    This Simple Oral Hygiene Habit May Help Protect You From Stroke

    Taking care of your oral hygiene protects your teeth and gums, but the benefits go beyond that—it may also help prevent stroke. However, brushing alone might not be enough. Researchers have found that flossing at least once a week can significantly reduce stroke risk.

    Previous studies have linked oral health to reduced stroke risk, but in the latest study, the researchers evaluated the specific impact of flossing.

    “A recent global health report revealed that oral diseases — such as untreated tooth decay and gum disease — affected 3.5 billion people in 2022, making them the most widespread health conditions. We aimed to determine which oral hygiene behavior — dental flossing, brushing or regular dentist visits — has the greatest impact on stroke prevention,” said study lead author Dr. Souvik Sen in a news release.

    The findings suggest that regular flossing may lower the risk of ischemic stroke by 22%(stroke from blood clots), cardioembolic stroke (caused by blood clots traveling from the heart) by 44%, and atrial fibrillation by 12%. These protective effects were independent of tooth brushing and other oral hygiene behaviors.

    The results will be presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2025, in Los Angeles. The findings were based on the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, the first large-scale investigation in the U.S. that examined the link between flossing and stroke risk. For the study, researchers surveyed more than 6,000 people about their dental flossing habits and tracked their health over 25 years.

    Among those who flossed, 4,092 had never experienced a stroke, and 4,050 had no history of atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common heart rhythm disorder. Over time, 434 individuals suffered strokes, with different causes ranging from artery blockages to heart-related clots. Additionally, 1,291 participants developed AFib.

    The analysis revealed that the more frequently people flossed, the greater their reduction in stroke risk. Flossing was also linked to a lower likelihood of cavities and periodontal disease.

    “Oral health behaviors are linked to inflammation and artery hardening. Flossing may reduce stroke risk by lowering oral infections and inflammation and encouraging other healthy habits. Many people have expressed that dental care is costly. Flossing is a healthy habit that is easy to adopt, affordable, and accessible everywhere,” Sen explained.

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  • Struggling To Stick To Your Resolutions? It Takes At Least Two Months To Build A Habit

    Struggling To Stick To Your Resolutions? It Takes At Least Two Months To Build A Habit

    As January comes to an end, many of us may be struggling to stick to our New Year’s resolutions. But don’t give up just yet. Researchers say it takes not just 21 days but at least two months to turn a new habit into part of your routine.

    A new study from the University of South Australia (UniSA) challenges the common belief that habits form in just 21 days. The researchers examined how long it takes to establish health-related habits, such as exercise, drinking water, taking vitamins, and flossing. The results of the meta-analysis that evaluated 20 studies conducted between 2008 and 2023, involving over 2,600 participants revealed that it typically takes around two months — and in some cases, nearly a year.

    The study noted that while certain health habits took a median time of 59-66 days, some may take as long as 335 days. “Sometimes we found that the simple behaviors, (like) if someone wanted to start flossing each day, might take someone a week to get into their routine, but more complex behaviors such as changing someone’s diet and physical activity can take a lot longer,” Ben Singh, co-author of the study told CNN.

    Singh also noted that people looking to build healthy habits, such as eating better or exercising more, may have greater success if they practice them in the morning when motivation tends to be higher.

    The researchers believe that the current findings would help “people set realistic expectations” about habit formation, encouraging them to stay committed even if progress feels slow.

    The idea that habits form in 21 days traces back to plastic surgeon Maxwell Maltz, who observed that his patients, whether recovering from nose jobs or amputations, typically needed about 21 days to adjust to their new appearance. This led to the theory that people in general would take the same period to adopt a new behavior.

    “There is the possibility that it will put people off and maybe discourage them and demotivate them. (But) some people (who) may think that it’s going to take them 21 days, but then after 21 days they’re still struggling, then at least this research and this evidence provides people with some realistic benchmarks that they can follow,” Singh noted.

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  • Kansas Tuberculosis Outbreak That Killed Two, Sickened Dozens, Among Largest In U.S. History

    Kansas Tuberculosis Outbreak That Killed Two, Sickened Dozens, Among Largest In U.S. History

    A tuberculosis outbreak that has gripped Kansas for nearly a year, claiming two lives and infecting dozens, is among one of the largest in U.S. history.

    As of Jan. 24, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported 67 confirmed cases of active tuberculosis, along with 79 latent infections. However, health officials confirm there is no threat to the general public.

    “To date, most TB cases have been in Wyandotte County, with very low risk to the general public, including the surrounding counties,” the health officials from Kansas state said in a statement.

    Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs and spreads through the air when a symptomatic infected person talks, coughs, or sings. TB can take two forms: active and latent. In its active stage, it triggers a persistent cough, lasting for three weeks or longer, coughing up blood or phlegm, along with chest pain, fatigue, chills, night sweats, fever, and weight loss. In its latent stage, the bacteria remain dormant, causing no symptoms, and there is no risk of transmission. However, if not treated, the latent stage can progress into active TB.

    Both inactive tuberculosis (latent TB infection) and active TB disease are treatable, but they require different approaches. Treatment involves a combination of antibiotics taken over several months, with regimens lasting three, four, six, or even nine months, depending on the severity of the infection and the specific treatment plan.

    In 2023, TB claimed an estimated 1.25 million lives and has regained its title as the world’s deadliest infection caused by a single pathogen. As per the CDC data, there were a total of 8,700 cases of tuberculosis in the U.S. last year.

    Kansas health officials have described the recent tuberculosis outbreak reported since January 2024 as the largest documented in U.S. history since the CDC began tracking cases in the 1950s. However, the CDC has disputed that claim, pointing to at least two larger outbreaks in recent years. One of the most severe occurred between 2015 and 2017 in Georgia homeless shelters, where the disease spread rapidly, leading to more than 170 active TB cases and over 400 latent infections. Another major outbreak in 2021 was linked to contaminated tissue used in bone transplants, infecting 113 patients across the country.

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