Health Journal Online

Category: Diseases & Conditions

  • Study Links Increased Use To Harmful PFAS

    Study Links Increased Use To Harmful PFAS

    Pregnant women and nursing mothers may need to limit their use of makeup products and be mindful of their ingredients. A recent study warns that increased use of personal care products during pregnancy and nursing is linked to higher levels of harmful chemicals.

    Researchers at Brown University detected higher levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the blood plasma and breast milk of individuals who used common personal care products, such as nail polish, fragrances, makeup, hair dyes and hair sprays during pregnancy or lactation.

    “While PFAS are ubiquitous in the environment, our study indicates that personal care products are a modifiable source of PFAS. People who are concerned about their level of exposure to these chemicals during pregnancy or while breastfeeding may benefit from cutting back on personal care products during those times,” said study author Amber Hall, a postdoctoral research associate in epidemiology at the Brown University School of Public Health.

    Studies have shown that PFAs are linked to harmful health effects, including liver disease, cardiometabolic and cardiovascular issues, and various cancers. The latest study findings hold significance as exposure to PFAS during pregnancy can lead to adverse birth outcomes including low birth weight, preterm birth, neurodevelopmental disorders, and reduced vaccine response in children.

    The researchers looked at the frequency of the use of personal care products in around 2,000 pregnant women from 10 cities across Canada between 2008 and 2011. They focused on makeup use across eight product categories during the first and third trimesters, one to two days postpartum, and two to 10 weeks postpartum.

    To understand how the use of personal care products affects plasma and breast milk, the team assessed PFAS concentrations in blood plasma between six to 13 weeks of pregnancy and in breast milk between two to 10 weeks postpartum.

    Compared to not wearing makeup, daily makeup use during the first and third trimesters was associated with a 14% increase in PFAS levels in plasma and a 17% increase in breast milk. Also, the use of colored permanent dye on days one and two postpartum was linked to a 16% to 18% increase in PFAS concentrations in breast milk compared to those who never used the dye.

    “Not only do studies like these help people assess how their product choices may affect their personal risk, but they can also help us show how these products could have population-level effects. And that makes the case for product regulation and government action, so that we can remove some of the burden from individuals,” said Joseph Braun, a researcher who has been studying the health effects of PFAS for over a decade.

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  • Study Identifies Best Time To Get RSV Vaccine During Pregnancy

    Study Identifies Best Time To Get RSV Vaccine During Pregnancy

    Pregnant women are advised to get vaccinated against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to protect both themselves and their newborns, who are too young to be vaccinated. Current guidelines recommend getting the shot between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, but is there an optimal timing within this slot that could further boost newborn protection?

    RSV is a common respiratory virus that can cause serious infections in older adults and young children. The U.S Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends protecting infants from severe RSV with either a maternal vaccine during pregnancy or an antibody dose for the baby.

    Researchers of a recent study found that getting vaccinated earlier in the recommended timeframe, closer to 32 weeks, may offer the best protection for newborns against RSV.

    In an earlier research by the same team, the investigators found that the timing of COVID vaccination during pregnancy could affect the immune responses in the mother and transplacental antibody transfer to the fetus. The latest study tested how the timing of getting the RSV vaccine affected 124 pregnant women who received the shots between 32–36 weeks of pregnancy. To understand the level of protection in infants, the researchers also tested the antibodies in the umbilical codes of 29 infants born to these mothers.

    “The investigators found that maternal RSV vaccination at least 5 weeks prior to delivery led to the most efficient transfer of maternal antibodies across the placenta to the newborn, compared with maternal vaccination at 2-3 or 3-4 weeks prior to delivery,” the news release stated.

    When comparing antibodies in maternal and cord blood after RSV vaccination to those of unvaccinated mothers, researchers found that vaccination led to significantly higher and longer-lasting RSV antibody levels in both mothers and their newborns.

    “This work provides much-needed data to guide physicians in counseling patients about RSV vaccine timing during pregnancy. Our findings suggest that being vaccinated earlier within the approved timeframe allows for the most efficient placental transfer of antibodies to the newborn. They also may have implications for when the RSV monoclonal antibody, Nirsevimab, should be administered to newborns. Similar research should be conducted for other vaccines administered during pregnancy,” said senior author Dr. Andrea Edlow in a news release.

    Researchers say more studies are needed to find the minimum antibody levels needed to protect infants from RSV and to understand the added protection from breast milk of vaccinated mothers.

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  • Nearly 23% Of Adults Face Long COVID Symptoms: AI-Based Study Reveals

    Nearly 23% Of Adults Face Long COVID Symptoms: AI-Based Study Reveals

    Long COVID, a complex condition with lingering symptoms like fatigue, chronic cough, and brain fog may be affecting far more people than once believed.

    A recent AI-based study conducted by researchers at Mass General Brigham in Boston finds that nearly 23% or one in five U.S. adults report symptoms of long COVID. The new finding reveals a rate strikingly higher than the 7% prevalence suggested by previous studies.

    “Questions about the true burden of long COVID — questions that have thus far remained elusive — now seem more within reach,” said senior researcher Hossein Estiri, head of AI research at Mass General Brigham in a news release.

    The latest study utilized a specialized AI tool to navigate through medical records for symptoms of long COVID using a database of nearly 300,000 patients across 14 hospitals and 20 community health centers in the Mass General Brigham system. The novel technique called “precision phenotyping” sifts through individual records to identify symptoms and conditions linked to COVID-19, tracking them over time and distinguishing them from symptoms of other illnesses.

    According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), long COVID is a serious condition that occurs after SARS-CoV-2 infection leading to chronic conditions or disability. Although the exact number of people experiencing the condition is unknown, the CDC considers it a significant public health concern impacting millions of lives.

    Typical symptoms of long COVID or (PASC), including fatigue, chronic cough, heart problems, and brain fog may develop weeks or months after a person gets over the COVID-19 infection. It may resolve, reemerge, or persist for several weeks or months.

    Using the new precision phenotyping technique, the algorithm could determine whether symptoms like shortness of breath are linked to a patient’s pre-existing conditions or long COVID. Patients were classified as having long COVID only after all other possibilities were ruled out.

    “Our AI tool could turn a foggy diagnostic process into something sharp and focused, giving clinicians the power to make sense of a challenging condition. With this work, we may finally be able to see long COVID for what it truly is — and more importantly, how to treat it,” said senior author Hossein Estiri, an associate professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

    “Physicians are often faced with having to wade through a tangled web of symptoms and medical histories, unsure of which threads to pull while balancing busy caseloads. Having a tool powered by AI that can methodically do it for them could be a game-changer,” said Dr. Alaleh Azhir, the co-lead author.

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  • Just 80 Minutes Of Weekly Exercise Reduces Baby Blues, Postpartum Depression Symptoms: Says Study

    Just 80 Minutes Of Weekly Exercise Reduces Baby Blues, Postpartum Depression Symptoms: Says Study

    For new moms who are looking for an all-natural way to ease their baby blues or depression, here’s some good news: a brisk walk or yoga might be just what you need to relieve symptoms. Researchers have found that mothers who engage in exercise programs with at least 80 minutes of moderate activity each week experience significant reductions in the severity of baby blues and postpartum depression.

    Postpartum depression is a serious mental health condition impacting over 10% of women in the first year after childbirth. Hormonal shifts, genetic predisposition, and environmental factors can trigger it. In contrast, the ‘baby blues’ is a milder, temporary form of depression that usually fades within a few weeks as hormone levels stabilize.

    Researchers behind the latest study investigated the benefits of exercise on maternal mental health by evaluating 35 studies involving 4072 participants from 14 countries. Participants exercised at different frequencies, from 1 to 5 days a week, with sessions lasting between 15 and 90 minutes. Activities included aerobic exercise, strength training, stretching, yoga, and combinations of these forms.

    “Pooled data analysis of the study results showed that compared with no exercise, exercise-only interventions were associated with less severe symptoms of depression and anxiety after giving birth and an almost halving in the odds (45%) of developing major postpartum depression,” the news release stated.

    Although with an increase in exercise volume, there were greater reductions in depression symptoms, researchers noted significant positive effects, even with a minimum threshold of 80 minutes per week of moderate activities spread across at least four days. Moderate activities included brisk walking, water aerobics, stationary cycling, and resistance training with bands, weights, or body weight.

    Based on these findings, researchers recommend starting postpartum exercise within the first three months after childbirth for improved mental health.

    “The findings of this review show the efficacy of exercise in improving mental health outcomes for postpartum individuals. Given the comparable effectiveness we observed of postpartum exercise in reducing depressive symptom severity to conventional treatments, exercise could provide mothers with relatively safe, accessible and inexpensive alternatives to address mental health conditions,” the researchers wrote in the study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

    “Additionally, using exercise to improve postpartum mental health could reduce current concerns with conventional treatment options, such as the largely unknown long-term effects of antidepressant use during lactation on the child or prohibitive costs of regular psychosocial therapy visits,” they added.

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  • FDA Proposes To Ban Popular Decongestant In Cold Medicines Citing ‘Not Effective’

    FDA Proposes To Ban Popular Decongestant In Cold Medicines Citing ‘Not Effective’

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) has proposed to ban oral phenylephrine, an active ingredient in popular decongestants and cold medications, citing its lack of effectiveness.

    Several cold medications, including Advil, Vicks NyQuil, Sudafed PE, Robitussin, Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion, Tylenol, and Theraflu, contain oral phenylephrine. In some, it is the only active ingredient, while others combine it with acetaminophen or dextromethorphan.

    Officials clarified that the proposed ban is unrelated to the safety of phenylephrine and does not affect the nasal spray form of phenylephrine.

    Companies may continue selling products containing oral phenylephrine until the order is finalized. The public can submit feedback on the FDA’s proposal until May 7, 2025. However, after this comment period, if the FDA finalizes its decision to revoke oral phenylephrine’s status as “generally recognized as safe and effective” (GRASE), manufacturers would need to either remove or reformulate products containing the ingredient. The FDA stated it would allow manufacturers an appropriate transition period in such cases.

    “It is the FDA’s role to ensure that drugs are safe and effective, Based on our review of available data, and consistent with the advice of the advisory committee, we are taking this next step in the process to propose removing oral phenylephrine because it is not effective as a nasal decongestant,” said Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) in a news release.

    Meanwhile, officials urge consumers to be mindful of the ingredients in over-the-counter (OTC) medications, advising them to read the drug facts label and follow important warnings and directions for use.

    “Consumers should know that a range of safe and effective drugs and other treatments is available to temporarily relieve congestion symptoms due to allergies or a common cold. Consumers can also talk to their doctor or pharmacist about ways to treat these symptoms,” said Dr. Theresa Michele, director of the Office of Nonprescription Drug Products in CDER.

    However, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association’s (CHPA) officials said they are “disappointed” with the proposed ban and maintained its position that “no changes to the GRASE status of oral PE (Phenylephrine) for nasal decongestion are warranted.”

    “PE should remain an available option for consumers because Americans deserve the option to choose the safe and effective OTC medicines they prefer and rely on,” CHPA said in a news release.

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  • Excessive Daytime Sleepiness In Elderly Might Be Linked To Pre-Dementia Syndrome

    Excessive Daytime Sleepiness In Elderly Might Be Linked To Pre-Dementia Syndrome

    Struggling to sleep or feeling overly sleepy during the day may be more than just a sign of fatigue; they could indicate serious health risks. A recent study revealed that elderly adults who have excessive daytime sleepiness are at risk of developing motoric cognitive risk syndrome that can lead to dementia.

    Motoric cognitive risk syndrome can be considered a precursor of dementia marked by slow gait or memory issues, two characteristic features of dementia but not fully developed mobility disability or dementia. Individuals diagnosed with motoric cognitive risk syndrome might need to undergo a treatment plan that includes dietary changes, lifestyle interventions, and medications to slow cognitive decline.

    The researchers of the latest study found that older people with excessive daytime sleepiness and a lack of enthusiasm to get things done were more likely to develop the syndrome compared to those who do have sleep issues.

    “Our findings emphasize the need for screening for sleep issues. There’s potential that people could get help with their sleep issues and prevent cognitive decline later in life,” said study author Dr. Victoire Leroy in a news release.

    To understand the link, the researchers followed up 445 people with an average age of 76 who did not have dementia at the start of the study. Through questionnaires, they assessed sleep patterns, including difficulties falling asleep, waking during the night, and daytime sleepiness. The questions also addressed the participants’ enthusiasm levels and memory problems. The researchers assessed the participants’ walking speed using a treadmill at the beginning of the study and annually for an average of three years.

    Analysis showed that 35.5% of people who have excessive daytime sleepiness and lack of enthusiasm developed the syndrome, compared to 6.7% of the people who did not have these conditions.

    After adjusting for other factors that could influence the risk of the syndrome, researchers found that individuals with excessive daytime sleepiness and a lack of enthusiasm were more than three times as likely to develop motoric cognitive risk syndrome compared to those without these sleep-related issues.

    “More research needs to be done to look at the relationship between sleep issues and cognitive decline and the role played by motoric cognitive risk syndrome. We also need studies to explain the mechanisms that link these sleep disturbances to motoric cognitive risk syndrome and cognitive decline,” Leroy said.

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  • Vitamin D During Pregnancy Linked To Better Bone Health In Children At Age 7: Study

    Vitamin D During Pregnancy Linked To Better Bone Health In Children At Age 7: Study

    Vitamin D is essential for maintaining healthy bones, and a recent study reveals that supplementing with this vitamin during pregnancy can have a lasting impact on children’s bone health, keeping them strong into mid-childhood.

    Researchers found that children have greater bone mineral density at age 7 when expectant mothers had taken vitamin D supplements during pregnancy.

    “Our findings show that the benefits of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy persist into mid-childhood. This early intervention represents an important public health strategy. It strengthens children’s bones and reduces the risk of conditions like osteoporosis and fractures in later life,” said Dr. Rebecca Moon, lead investigator of the study in a news release.

    The researchers began the MAVIDOS study in 2009, enlisting over 1,000 pregnant women in England to explore the potential effects of vitamin D on child bone health. During the trial, the women were randomly divided into two groups: one received an additional 1,000 International Units of vitamin D daily, while the other took a placebo. The participants and healthcare providers who attended them did not know which group they belonged to.

    As part of the study’s first phase, researchers assessed the bone mass of the children at age four using detailed bone scans. The results showed that children born to mothers who received vitamin D supplements during pregnancy had greater bone mass compared to those whose mothers had taken a placebo.

    In the latest phase of the study, researchers examined whether the benefits of prenatal vitamin D would extend into mid-childhood. They conducted follow-up bone scans on 454 children between the ages of six and seven, finding that those whose mothers had received vitamin D supplements continued to show stronger bone density at age seven.

    “These findings suggest that pregnancy vitamin D supplementation may represent a population health strategy to improve bone health, although further work is needed to demonstrate the persistence of this effect into adulthood, together with, ideally replication in additional studies,” the researchers wrote in the study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

    Although vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy remains a significant concern, the U.S. dietary recommendations for vitamin D intake in pregnant women remain conservative. It is primarily due to concerns over potential toxicity. However, current evidence suggests that a daily intake of 4,000 IU of vitamin D3 is both safe and necessary to meet the needs of all pregnant women, with no adverse effects reported.

    Since the effects and harms of vitamin D supplementation on maternal and infant health are not yet fully understood, WHO does not recommend vitamin D supplementation as part of standard prenatal care.

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  • Study Links It to Improved Well-Being, Positive Behavioral Traits

    Study Links It to Improved Well-Being, Positive Behavioral Traits

    Hit the snooze button without guilt; those extra minutes of sleep may be good for your well-being, suggests a recent study. Researchers have found that sleeping an additional 46 minutes is linked to improved well-being and positive traits such as gratitude, flourishing, resilience, and prosocial behaviors.

    Even subtle changes in the amount of sleep can affect the components of your mental well-being, according to the latest study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology.

    Studies have shown that people with positive traits such as gratitude and resilience have better sleep. The researchers of the latest study investigated the reverse hypothesis, that is whether extra sleep helps improve positive behavioral traits.

    “This study is exciting because it expands what we know about the health effects of sleep restriction and extension to include variables related to forming flourishing moral communities,” Sarah Schnitker, a researcher of the study said in a news release.

    The researchers examined 90 young adults randomly assigned to three groups: sleep restriction, sleep extension, or normal sleep. The participants wore wristband actigraphy devices, which tracked sleep patterns, during the study sessions from Monday to Friday. The researchers measured participants’ levels of flourishing, resilience, and gratitude and noted improvements across the week with sleep extension and worsening levels with sleep restriction.

    “We saw that people who increased their sleep by 46 minutes a night ended up feeling more resilience, gratitude, life satisfaction, and purpose in life. When people were cut back on sleep by a mild average of 37 minutes a night, they experienced drops in mood, resilience, flourishing and gratitude,” Michael K. Scullin, principal investigator of the study said.

    The findings suggest that extra sleep not only boosts current moods and outlooks but has a far-reaching impact on overall well-being. The researchers also noted broader societal benefits, finding that sleep influences prosocial behaviors. Well-rested individuals had increased expressions of gratitude and a more positive outlook in social interactions.

    “It turns out that getting more sleep has a broader influence than just feeling more alert during the day. Better sleep helps you to have a clear vision for your life and to be more resilient to the challenges that could happen tomorrow,” Scullin explained.

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  • Study Reveals Breakfast Item That May Boost Focus And Keep You Full

    Study Reveals Breakfast Item That May Boost Focus And Keep You Full

    Breakfast is a meal that often gets overlooked in a busy schedule. It’s not just enough that you don’t skip breakfast; the choice of your morning meal is equally important. New research has identified a specific breakfast item that not only boosts focus but also keeps you satisfied throughout the day.

    A recent study published in the Journal of Dairy Science explored how different breakfast choices affect satiety, concentration, and daily calorie intake in women. The findings revealed that a dairy-based high-protein diet is most effective for promoting fullness and boosting concentration compared to a carb-rich meal or skipping breakfast entirely.

    “Epidemiological studies clearly show that skipping breakfast is associated with a higher risk of being overweight, and other intervention studies note that several components in the diet—low contents of protein, fiber, and calcium—may have a detrimental effect on weight regulation. This suggested that the content of the breakfast may influence the health impact of the breakfast meal,” said lead investigator Mette Hansen in a news release.

    In the study, researchers tested if a high-protein, low-carbohydrate breakfast can help lower calorie intake later in the day and keep people feeling fuller for longer compared to skipping breakfast or eating a high-carbohydrate meal.

    The researchers conducted a randomized trial with 30 young women between the age of 18 to 30, who were overweight or obese. The participants followed a standardized diet and activity level the day before each test. During the study, they consumed either a protein-rich breakfast of skyr yogurt and oats or a low-protein, high-carbohydrate meal of whole grain bread with raspberry jam and apple juice. Both meals had similar energy content, fiber, and fat. Meanwhile, the control group skipped breakfast entirely, except for a glass of water.

    The researchers then calculated participants’ energy intake at lunch and throughout the day and measured their appetite between meals. They also took blood samples between breakfast and lunch to test for appetite-regulating hormones, insulin, and glucose levels.

    “The study results revealed that the young women participating felt more satiated and less hungry after a dairy-based, high-protein, low-carbohydrate breakfast compared with a low-protein, high-carbohydrate breakfast or no breakfast,” the researchers wrote.

    “However, this was not translated significantly to their gut hormones or overall calorie intake for the day, suggesting that a high-protein breakfast might not be a weight-loss solution on its own,” said Dr. Hansen.

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  • Scheduling Surgery After A Heart Attack? Here’s How Long You Might Have To Wait

    Scheduling Surgery After A Heart Attack? Here’s How Long You Might Have To Wait

    Individuals are at a greater risk of complications from routine surgeries soon after a heart attack. Researchers have now identified a “sweet spot” for safely scheduling surgeries in those who had a heart attack.

    Identifying the optimal timing for scheduling elective surgeries after a heart attack is also crucial because delaying these procedures can often result in individuals enduring prolonged pain and other difficulties.

    “Perioperative teams analyze a variety of health and lifestyle factors when we assess a patient’s risk and work to optimize their outcomes. It can be frustrating for individuals who suffer from joint pain to postpone a long-awaited knee or hip replacement after surviving a heart attack,” said Dr. Marjorie Gloff, a co-author of the latest study in a news release.

    The study published in Jama Surgery revealed that elderly cardiac patients who had a non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction should wait for three to six months for routine surgeries. The researchers noted that the risk of life-threatening complications, such as another heart attack or stroke, is around two to three times higher if such patients get elective surgeries too soon.

    The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association’s 2014 recommendations advise heart attack patients to wait two months before undergoing elective surgeries. This guidance was established based on a study involving 500,000 patients from 1999 to 2004.

    However, researchers from the recent study propose that these recommendations should be revised based on new findings. “The data physicians are using for patient care decisions today is outdated. Given the advances in care and the ever-changing mix of patients, clinicians need the latest information,” said Dr. Laurent Glance, lead author of the study, in a news release.

    The current study used insurance data covering 5.2 million major non-cardiac surgeries performed between 2017 and 2020 on patients aged 67 and older. Among the patients analyzed in the study, over 42,000 had experienced a heart attack before their surgery.

    The researchers observed that the majority of deaths and significant complications typically occur within the first 30 days following surgery. Interestingly, they also found that the risk of such adverse events decreases during the first 90 days of recovery. After this initial period, the risk tends to stabilize and remain consistent for the subsequent 180 days.

    “Delaying elective noncardiac surgery to occur between 90 and 180 days after an NSTEMI may be reasonable for patients who have had revascularization,” the researchers concluded.

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