Conservative estimates suggest that up to 3.8 million concussions, or mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs), occur annually in the U.S. Common in adolescents, concussions can have long-term consequences. They may affect a person’s ability to function physically, cognitively, and psychologically. Though often associated with…
Wired for distraction Like a browser window with dozens of open tabs, the human brain is built for distraction. In the wake of the Information Age, it’s no surprise that digital distractions are at the top of the list. According to a 2018 study,…
“Hearty laughter is a good way to jog internally without having to go outdoors.” – Norman Cousins A case study in laugh therapy In the years after WWII, American journalist, peace activist, and author Norman Cousins developed a sudden-onset case of connective tissue disease,…
It’s a fact of life: Mistakes happen. When those mistakes involve medical errors, however, the costs can be devastating to patients, families, and healthcare providers. No one is infallible, but healthcare professionals have a responsibility to understand issues related to patient safety and foster…
“I go to nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in order.” – John Burroughs For those of us who spend most of our lives between four walls, even a short a trek into the Great Outdoors translates into…
It’s the perennial summer conundrum. Though exposure to prolonged UV rays can cause skin damage, premature aging, and cancer, our bodies nevertheless need vitamin D to thrive. What is vitamin D? Vitamin D is a prohormone, or a substance that the body converts to…
The American Nurses Association (ANA) has released a statement concerning the recent Supreme Court decision. “ANA is deeply disappointed in the decision to upend Roe v. Wade, which we view as a legal protection of basic reproductive health rights and human rights,” says ANA…
A dangerous tradition Like sunshine and summer, Americans have associated fireworks with the 4th of July since its first celebration in 1777. In all states except Massachusetts, some form of consumer fireworks are legal. Unfortunately, they constitute a dangerous form of festivity. In 2020,…
The images of disaster are never far from our collective consciousness. The flooded neighborhoods of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. The ash-stained streets of New York City after 9/11. The red skies of California during the wildfires of 2020. The ICUs packed to capacity…
Vector-borne diseases — that is, diseases spread by vectors like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas — cause approximately 700,000 deaths annually. These account for about 17% of all infectious diseases, including malaria, dengue, schistosomiasis, yellow fever, and more. Small but deadly Though most common in…