Very tiny particles known as PM2.5 are a part of pollutants in the air, and have been shown to negatively affect health. Ditto for warming temperatures, which dry out our respiratory system, research by David Edwards, a respiratory health expert … How is poor air quality related to dry air and respiratory health? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More …

Dry air just isn’t good for your respiratory health, new research by David Edwards, a respiratory health expert at Johns Hopkins, has shown. Dry air makes mucus thicker and harder to expel, and traps both toxins and pathogens in our … Does dry air contribute to more respiratory infections? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »…

When you’re in an environment where the air is dry, a whole cascade of responses renders you more susceptible to respiratory conditions and diseases. That’s according to research by respiratory health expert David Edwards at Johns Hopkins. Edwards: It's understood … How are dry air and respiratory disease connected? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read Mo…

As our planet warms, relative humidity hasn’t changed much but evaporation rate has increased, so things are dryer. This is a prescription for increased respiratory problems, says David Edwards, a respiratory health expert at Johns Hopkins. Edwards: We took airway … Dry airways and inflammation are linked, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »…

Climate change and increasing temperatures are already taking a toll on your health, research by David Edwards, a respiratory health expert at Johns Hopkins, has shown. Edwards: Airway mucosa is drying out, like the earth's top soil with warming temperatures, … What are increasing global temperatures doing to your airways? Elizabeth Tracey reports …

Findings on a routine EEG called sleep spindles may be helpful in determining if a nonresponsive person who’s had a brain injury will recover, a new study reveals. Susanne Muehlschlegel, a critical care neurologist at Johns Hopkins, says this may … How is the decision on how long to continue life sustaining treatment made? Elizabeth Tracey reports …

If someone has suffered a brain injury and is on life support, determining when to cease that treatment is challenging if they haven’t recovered consciousness, with a new study identifying something called sleep spindles, seen on EEG, as helpful. Johns … Is two weeks long enough to determine if someone will recover consciousness? Elizabeth Tracey r…

Deciding when to stop life sustaining treatment for someone who’s unconscious after brain injury may be easier now that a new study identifies sleep spindles, which can be seen on electroencephalograms, or EEGs, along with other testing, to predict who … How long should someone remain on life support? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »…

Something called sleep spindles are spikes that show up in an electroencephalogram, or EEG, and may help predict whether someone who’s had a brain injury will regain consciousness, new research shows. Johns Hopkins critical care neurologist Susanne Muehlschlegel says this adds … Sleep spindles may help discern who may regain consciousness, Elizabet…

When a patient is not responsive following a traumatic brain injury it is very difficult to tell when or if they’ll recover. A recent study may help by identifying characteristic tracings on an electroencephalogram, or EEG, that may be associated … It’s always a challenge when someone is unresponsive to determine how active their brain is, Elizabet…

Shingles is a skin infection that results from reactivation of the virus that causes chicken pox. It can occur in areas like the eye where it may compromise vision, and is also associated with persistent and unremitting pain at the … The shingles vaccine is on the do not miss list, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »…

Vaccines against human papilloma virus or HPV have been shown to dramatically reduce the rates of cervical cancer among recipients, data over decades now shows. Vaccine expert Anna Durbin at Johns Hopkins says males who receive the vaccine also reap … Vaccines against human papilloma virus reduce cancers, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »…

Among the many advances seen while Covid was rampant, mRNA vaccines stand out. That’s according to Anna Durbin, a vaccine expert at Johns Hopkins. Durbin: These mRNA vaccines are very safe. mRNA itself the way it's presented to you it's … After billions of doses, mRNA vaccines have demonstrated their safety, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »…

The technology that produced the vaccines against Covid relies on a type of RNA known as messenger RNA. Johns Hopkins vaccine expert Anna Durbin explains why utilizing this approach stimulates an effective immune response. Durbin: What we like about mRNA … Why are mRNA vaccines effective? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »…

RNA stands for ribonucleic acid, and since the development of Covid vaccines a class of it known as ‘messenger RNA’ or mRNA for short has been much in the news. Anna Durbin, a vaccine expert at Johns Hopkins, explains a … What is RNA and how is it used in vaccines? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »…

It’s probably not high on your fun list to go and get vaccinated, so can more than one vaccine be given at a time so you can minimize the number of visits you need? Yes, says Anna Durbin, a vaccine … Should you get more than one vaccine at a time? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »Av Johns Hopkins Medicine

The majority of flu vaccines are grown in eggs, so people with egg allergies would avoid them. Johns Hopkins vaccine expert Anna Durbin says that landscape has changed. Durbin: The original flu vaccines the way they're made is we pick … If you are allergic to eggs should you avoid flu vaccines? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »…

You probably know people who got the Covid vaccines but still got the illness, sometimes multiple times. Ditto for flu vaccines. Before you simply choose not to be vaccinated, consider some facts about vaccines offered by Anna Durbin, a vaccine … Why might you get an illness even when you’ve been vaccinated? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »…

You may recall hearing that this year’s flu vaccine was 40-60% effective against the flu. Why isn’t it more effective? Anna Durbin, a vaccine expert at Johns Hopkins, explains that’s a function of the process that’s used to make the … Why is the flu vaccine sometimes more effective than other times? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »…

Vaccines are public health success stories, with the most effective ones often what’s called ‘live attenuated,’ meaning they do replicate in our bodies but don’t cause infection. Vaccine expert Anna Durbin at Johns Hopkins says there are people who shouldn’t … Who shouldn’t take a live vaccine? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »…

One way to avoid the reported epidemic of insomnia is to create a routine you follow before you go to bed, resetting your brain to prepare for sleep. That’s according to sleep expert Charlene Gamaldo at Johns Hopkins. Gamaldo: There's … How should you create a sleep routine? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »…

Insomnia appears to be epidemic in the US in some studies, with additional data suggesting the problem is growing. Johns Hopkins sleep expert Charlene Gamaldo says there are things you can do to prevent insomnia. Gramaldo: Blue light wavelength suppresses … What can you do to protect yourself from developing insomnia? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read …

Apple watches and other electronic self-monitoring tools may up the risk that you might think you have insomnia when you don’t. That’s according to Charlene Gamaldo, a sleep expert at Johns Hopkins. Gramaldo: All of our devices are great from … Could your electronic devices mislead you into thinking you have insomnia? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read …

Everyone has trouble at times falling asleep or staying asleep, but when does that become the diagnosis of insomnia, and when should you seek help? Sleep expert Charlene Gamaldo at Johns Hopkins offers a few metrics. Gamaldo: How much time … What questions should you ask yourself if you suspect you may have insomnia? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read M…

When you experience interrupted sleep it can quickly progress to feeling exhausted, but when should you consult a physician about it? Sleep expert Charlene Gamaldo at Johns Hopkins says it never hurts to ask the question. At baseline everybody's going … When should you be concerned that you may have a sleep problem? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read Mo…

Good quality, regular sleep is vital to your health, with many studies finding that when it’s not you are at higher risk for a range of health consequences. Johns Hopkins sleep expert Charlene Gamaldo says you should be asked about … Should sleep be assessed just like blood pressure or vision? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »…

Many millions of people worldwide complain of insomnia, putting them at risk for poor health outcomes. Charlene Gamaldo, a sleep expert at Johns Hopkins, says while it is tempting to just turn to a medicine to help you sleep, that’s … Solving sleep problems starts with an assessment, Elizabeth Tracey reports. Read More »…

While it’s been observed that disease and poor sleep seem to sort together, ongoing research is looking into the why of it. Johns Hopkins sleep expert Charlene Gamaldo says a couple of possible causes have emerged. Gamaldo: A couple of … How might compromised sleep put one at risk for poorer health outcomes? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »…

If your sleep is chronically interrupted or too long or short in duration, you may be at increased risk for some types of cancer, research suggests. Sleep expert Charlene Gamaldo at Johns Hopkins says it’s unclear whether sleep quality puts … Is compromised sleep related to the development of cancer? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »…

Sleep is increasingly being recognized as important in human maladies. Charlene Gamaldo, a sleep expert at Johns Hopkins, says sleep quality is important in both management and prevention strategies. Gamaldo: How is sleep potentially impacting the management and the progression … Increasingly sleep is recognized as a modifiable risk factor for dise…

Questions? Comments? Send us a message! In this episode, we discuss a complex ethical dilemma concerning a pregnant woman diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer who refuses recommended termination and chemotherapy due to prior fertility struggles. Several experts in medicine, ethics, law, spiritual care, and social work provide differing perspectiv…

Blood in your urine, so-called hematuria, is fairly common, with a new genetic test being studied to rule out bladder cancer as a cause. William Nelson, director of the Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, says such a test would … Does blood in your urine mean you have cancer? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »…

Blood in your urine is definitely a reason to seek medical attention, and for many people cancer is a top concern. Now a new genetic test that can spot changes in the DNA known as mutations can help rule out … Can a genetic test spot bladder cancer in people who have blood in their urine? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »…

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy translates to chemotherapy for cancer before surgery, with a recent study demonstrating its benefit for people with esophagus cancer. Kimmel Cancer Center director William Nelson at Johns Hopkins says this strategy is time tested. Nelson: Neoadjuvant therapy is … Are there advantages to receiving chemotherapy for cancer bef…

Cancer of the esophagus is a tough cancer to treat, and more people worldwide are developing it. A recent study compares one regimen giving chemotherapy and radiation before surgery versus another strategy using four chemotherapy drugs plus surgery. William Nelson, … What is the best way to treat esophageal cancer? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read Mor…

Pain in nerves, called neuropathy, is more common when a couple types of cancer drugs are used or when someone has lung cancer versus other types of cancer, a new study concludes. Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center director William Nelson … Is it possible to catch nerve pain early in cancer treatment and minimize it? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read M…

Neuropathy, or painful nerves, are seen in more than 40% of people who’ve been treated for cancer, a recent study reports. Kimmel Cancer Center director William Nelson at Johns Hopkins says the magnitude of the problem is huge, although there … Can painful nerve pain following cancer therapy be avoided? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »…

Nerve pain, or neuropathy, can be a big problem for some people who’ve been treated for cancer, with a new study showing just how big a problem it is. William Nelson, director of the Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, … How often does someone who’s been treated for cancer experience nerve pain? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »…

A greater sense of control, feeling in partnership with their care team, and not finding reporting symptoms burdensome are just a few of the outcomes reported by people with advanced cancer in a study of an electronic intervention where they … How does reporting symptoms impact cancer care for patients? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »…

Imagine you have advanced cancer and your doctor asks you to report your symptoms electronically, so that intervention is possible before things like pain or breathing difficulties become especially troublesome. Kimmel Cancer Center director William Nelson at Johns Hopkins describes … Is it helpful for people with advanced cancer to report their sy…

Helping people with advanced cancer is facilitated by having them fill out symptom questionnaires for their medical team, who can then intervene promptly, a new study demonstrates. William Nelson, director of the Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, applauds the … Patients with advanced cancer can help in their own care, Elizabeth Tracey reports …

Av Johns Hopkins Medicine

Questions? Comments? Send us a message! This case report explores the use of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injections for treating post-thoracotomy pain syndrome (PTPS), a chronic neuropathic condition affecting many patients after thoracotomy. The study highlights that traditional treatments often fail to provide adequate relief, prompting invest…

If you’ve just learned that you have Parkinson’s disease and you’re not already a physically active person, you might want to take up a few forms of exercise to slow down disease progression. Johns Hopkins neurologist Liana Rosenthal says the … Physical activity is beneficial for people with Parkinson’s disease, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »…

Once someone receives a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, there are things they can do themselves that are likely to be beneficial. Johns Hopkins neurologist Liana Rosenthal explains. Rosenthal: The other things you can do that help now if you already … Diet can help in those who already have Parkinson’s disease, Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More …

The majority of cases of Parkinson’s disease aren’t related to genetics, research shows, while some environmental exposures increase your risk to develop the condition. Liana Rosenthal, a neurologist at Johns Hopkins, names a few factors that are under your control … You can lower your risk for developing Parkinson’s disease, Elizabeth Tracey repor…

Specific pesticides as well as other chemicals increase one’s risk for developing Parkinson’s disease, research shows. Liana Rosenthal, a neurologist at Johns Hopkins, describes which ones are known to be problematic. Rosenthal: Paraquat increased the risk of PD by 150%. … Environmental exposures are linked to Parkinson’s disease, Elizabeth Tracey …

More and more people around the world are being affected by Parkinson’s disease, a common condition often showing up first as a movement disorder. Liana Rosenthal, a Johns Hopkins neurologist, says North Americans are especially hard hit. Rosenthal: The overall … Where in the world are Parkinson’s disease cases most common? Elizabeth Tracey reports…

The aberrant protein alpha synuclein is known to be involved in the development of Parkinson’s disease, but how and why this abnormal form develops remains an area of active investigation. Liana Rosenthal, a neurologist at Johns Hopkins, examines the role … How big a role does genetics play in the development of Parkinson’s disease? Elizabeth Trace…

Abundant evidence points to a protein called alpha synuclein in causing the range of symptoms seen in Parkinson’s disease, with the condition progressing as it travels up to the brain. Johns Hopkins neurologist Liana Rosenthal describes the process. Rosenthal: Alpha … How do abnormal proteins get into the brain in Parkinson’s disease? Elizabeth Tra…