Chronic

Medicinal cannabis and its impact on patient-reported outcomes in chronic health

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Medicinal cannabis and its impact on patient-reported outcomes in chronic health

In a recent study published in PLOS ONE, researchers evaluated health-related quality of life (HRQL) and other outcomes in patients taking medicinal cannabis (MC). Study: Health-related quality of life in patients accessing medicinal cannabis in Australia: The QUEST initiative results of a 3-month follow-up observational study. Image Credit: Tinnakorn jorruang/Shutterstock.com Around 47% of Australians have … Read more

Pregnant women living in polluted areas more likely to have smaller babies, study finds

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Pregnant women living in polluted areas more likely to have smaller babies, study finds

Women exposed to air pollution give birth to smaller babies, according to research that will be presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress in Milan, Italy. The research also shows that women living in greener areas give birth to bigger babies and this may help counteract the effects of pollution. There is a strong … Read more

Australian patients with chronic conditions using medical cannabis show improvements in overall health-related quality of life

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Australian patients with chronic conditions using medical cannabis show improvements in overall health-related quality of life

Australian patients with chronic health issues prescribed medical cannabis showed significant improvements in overall health-related quality of life and fatigue in the first three months of use, along with improvements in anxiety, depression, and pain. Interestingly, cannabis therapy did not seem to improve reported sleep disturbances, according to a study published September 6, 2023 in … Read more

Vaping e-cigarettes can be as harmful to gum and oral health as smoking traditional cigarettes

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Vaping e-cigarettes can be as harmful to gum and oral health as smoking traditional cigarettes

For years, it has been known that smoking can contribute to serious damage on gum and oral health, with smokers having more gum diseases, more tooth loss, and increased levels of oral cancer. It has also been known that gum disease can play a negative role on systemic health, e.g., it is implicated in diabetes, … Read more

Machine learning helps identify metabolic biomarkers that could predict cancer risk

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Machine learning helps identify metabolic biomarkers that could predict cancer risk

A novel study from the University of South Australia has identified a range of metabolic biomarkers that could help predict the risk of cancer. Image Credit: University of South Australia Deploying machine learning to examine data from 459,169 participants in the UK Biobank, the study identified 84 features that could signal increased cancer risk. Several … Read more

Respiratory patients are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change

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Respiratory patients are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change

People living with lung conditions, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), face even greater risks from climate change, according to an expert report published today (Monday) in the European Respiratory Journal. The report brings together evidence on how the effects of climate change, such as heatwaves, wildfires and flooding, will exacerbate breathing … Read more

New organic electrodes could revolutionize electrotherapy

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New organic electrodes could revolutionize electrotherapy

Researchers at Lund University and Gothenburg University have successfully developed temporary, organic electrodes that can be seamlessly integrated into biological systems. The method, now published in Nature Communications, opens up a future where bioelectronics can be implanted in and removed from the body without surgery. Electrotherapy is a medical treatment method that uses electrical currents … Read more

Evidence from adults seeking treatment reveals intriguing oligogenic patterns

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Evidence from adults seeking treatment reveals intriguing oligogenic patterns

Obesity is a complex disorder that is dependent on environmental and genetic factors. Severe obesity, which is otherwise known as class III obesity, is a chronic condition that increases the risk of mortality and morbidity. Current estimates indicate that the healthcare costs of individuals with severe obesity are 40% greater as compared to people with … Read more

Sugar-sweetened beverages linked to increased risk of liver cancer and chronic liver disease mortality

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Sugar-sweetened beverages linked to increased risk of liver cancer and chronic liver disease mortality

Approximately 65% of adults in the United States consume sugar sweetened beverages daily. Chronic liver disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and can result in liver cancer and liver disease-related mortality. Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a founding member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, led one of the … Read more

study focuses on pulmonary rehabilitation strategies

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study focuses on pulmonary rehabilitation strategies

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third-leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In 2019, over 328 million people were diagnosed with COPD. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) through regular exercise is a successful intervention for COPD patients. Typically, the exercise prescription provided to COPD patients exceeds their exercising capacity. Hence, there is a need to … Read more