Research indicates a possible link between sleep apnea and COVID-19 risk. In the United States, more than 18 million people suffer from sleep apnea, a disorder that makes it difficult to breathe while sleeping. Sleep apnea can lead to poor sleep hygiene and has also been linked to obesity, heart disease, hypertension, and teeth grinding.
Clinical Trials & Research
A recent study reports on the beneficial effects of a new inhalable COVID-19 treatment. Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) originated in Wuhan, China December of 2019 and has since turned into a pandemic. As this rapidly growing health crisis has swept over the globe, it has affected 4 million people and caused 283,000 deaths in over
Study examines how COVID-19 lockdown affected New Zealanders. The COVID-19 pandemic has markedly changed the way people are living their everyday life. Grocery pick-up, remote work, mask-wearing, virtual school, and social distances are some of the new norms of this post-pandemic lifestyle. While the measures have been put in place for the protection of citizens’
Researchers investigated the influence of daily solar irradiation on the seasonal patterns of respiratory viral epidemics in temperate regions. It is well known that many respiratory viral epidemics, such as influenza, develop during autumn and winter in northern and southern hemisphere temperate regions. On the other hand, in equatorial regions respiratory viral epidemics are present
Fecal immunochemical tests may improve diagnostic pathway for colorectal cancer. Bowel symptoms are an imprecise indicator of colorectal cancer (CRC). Essentially the bowel symptoms produced by colon cancer can also be caused by a range of other conditions. However, such is the seriousness of bowel cancer that when symptoms are present, patients will usually be
Researchers studied whether eating oatmeal helps improve gut bacteria and lower cholesterol. In 2008 up to 39% of adults over 25 had high cholesterol levels, which increases the risk for heart disease and stroke. Diet and exercise have long been known to improve heart health, but much attention has lately been focused on gut bacteria
What do we know about the outcomes for young people hospitalised with SARS-CoV-2? Are young people at risk of dying from coronavirus? The SARS-CoV-2 virus has had a devastating impact worldwide since it first began to circulate almost one year ago. The total number of deaths as a result of the pandemic has already surged
Recent study compares high intensity training for older adults with moderate intensity continuous training. For adults aged 65 and older, the World Health Organization recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week. The exercise improves heart and brain health, and lowers the risk of death from
Researchers studied the success rates of ketogenic and low glycemic index diets, to see which keeps weight off long term. In 2016, 39% of adults worldwide were overweight. Poor health conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and heart attack are more common in the overweight. While bad for
A new study published in Communications Biology identifies how maternal consumption of a high omega-6/low omega-3diet during pregnancy increases compulsive eating behaviors in the offspring. Over the past century an increase in high-fat diet trends has served as a precursor to the development of obesity-provoking disorders such as diabetes. Omega-6 (n-6) and omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated
Researchers investigated whether an EEG sleep test for dementia can help to identify individuals with or at risk of developing the condition. Dementia, a brain disease that causes a progressive decline in memory, thought processing, behaviour and everyday functioning, is an increasing problem worldwide. Usually affecting older adults, the condition not only leads to disability
A recent study investigates the relationship between nutrition, diet, and rheumatoid arthritis, finding healthy food associated with lower risk. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systematic autoimmune disease that causes joint inflammation that can lead to joint damage, muscle loss, pain, and an overall loss of physical function. While many factors combined contribute to the development
Researchers compared sodium glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors to DPP-4 inhibitors. According to the American Heart Association, people that suffer from diabetes are two to four times more likely to die from heart disease as those without it. Diabetics are more likely to have high blood pressure, cholesterol, body weight, and blood sugar, all of
Although it may not seem like it, the human bone structure is in a constant state of flux. Bones are continuously being broken down and rebuilt in a process known as bone metabolism. This process is controlled by the brain. As a result, certain mood disorders, such as depression, have been linked to bone abnormalities.
Researchers measured physiological and psychological changes in the body to investigate whether short simple massage techniques boost relaxation. The body’s mental and physical responses to stressful situations (such as increased heart rate, blood pressure, and brain alertness) are important for preparing the body for action. However, if these stress responses become chronic this can have
In a large multi-year study, investigators study the benefits of eating nuts in preventing gradual weight gain. Despite being high in calories, just a half serving of nuts per day (14 gm or ½ oz) is associated with a lower risk of weight gain and obesity, just one of the benefits of eating nuts,
A study conducted at a major UK medical centre shows the risk of hospital staff contracting COVID-19 at the height of the coronavirus pandemic was lowest among intensive care staff. The occupational risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 has caused great concern since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Due to the nature of their work,
A recent study carried out in the United States did not find a significant link between hair dyes and most cancers. The use of permanent hair dyes is common in modern societies. In Europe and the United States, 50-80% of women and 10% of men above the age of 40 use hair dye. The wide-use
Surgery for obstructive sleep apnea may offer relief, but do the benefits outweigh the risks? There’s nothing quite like a good night’s sleep. But for people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a good night’s sleep can often be difficult to come by. OSA is usually caused by a structural airway issue, frequently a
New study explores the role of the immune response in severe COVID-19 and whether immunotherapy might be used to treat COVID-19 patients. The body’s immune response is largely controlled by signalling molecules known as cytokines. In the presence of an infection, pro-inflammatory cytokines encourage the accumulation of defensive cells at the site of infection. This
Psychologists reviewed anxiety in young children caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is normal for children to feel anxious when experiencing change. Studies have shown that during non-pandemic times up to 15.7% of adolescents and 2.7% of young children have symptoms of health-related anxiety. But in the middle of a global pandemic, how can parents
A recent study investigates whether a test can differentiate between celiac and non-celiac gluten sensitivity. A recent survey found that nearly 11% of Americans suffer from some type of food allergy. Many food allergies are severe and require lifelong dietary changes. Gluten is one of the many food allergies that cause debilitating pain for many
A recent study investigated high levels of a protein in nose epithelial cells to which the coronavirus binds. We are currently experiencing the near-global spread of the life-threatening coronavirus. Researchers are trying to understand the mode of entry of this virus in the human body. So far, we know that the coronavirus enters the cells
The negative health effects of BPA exposure are associated with a higher risk of death. BPA (Bisphenol A) is an industrial chemical found in most consumer plastics and coatings. It is used to help manufacture plastic bottles, and to coat water pipes and beverage cans. The widespread exposure of BPA in everyday items makes it
Results of an ongoing study investigate the effectiveness of treatments for COVID-19, including remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, and glucocorticoids. COVID-19 continues to spread across the globe; so far, more than 15.6 million people have been infected, with more than 636,000 deaths. Faced with the immediate pressure of the global pandemic, healthcare workers around the world are prescribing
Researchers studied the relationship between concussion and sleep quality, finding an increase in sleep disturbances in these patients. In 2018, it was estimated that 69 million people suffered from traumatic brain injuries, especially in lower and middle-income countries. Mild traumatic brain injuries typically present as concussions and frequently occur because of falls, traffic collisions, and
Can machine learning decode the brain’s response to pain and improve our ability to manage pain? The human brain is nature’s equivalent of a super computer. As technology has advanced, we have developed the ability to measure and understand brain activity, in particular, how the brain responds to certain situations and stimuli. Understanding these brain
Research study investigates whether SARS-CoV-2 antibodies provide equal protection against infection. As the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic continues to impact the world, healthcare officials implement policies they hope will flatten the curve. This strategy aims to slow the spread of the virus, so hospitals are not overwhelmed. Ultimately the result is a population that has been exposed