Author Archives: health

Medical News Today: Why sleep is the best painkiller

New research, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, finds that sleep deprivation increases sensitivity to pain by numbing the brain’s painkilling response. Sleep may be key for relieving chronic pain, a new study suggests. One in 3 adults in the United States, or 35 percent of the adult population, do not get enough sleep. The… Read More: Medical News Today: Why sleep is the best painkiller »

In Brief: Improving Care for New Mothers with Severe Psychiatric Illness

NPR just aired a short story about a young woman who experienced postpartum psychosis after the birth of her first child.  It was a short article but it brought up several important themes. The article highlights the importance of recognizing postpartum psychosis. While we have worked hard to increase awareness of postpartum depression, the article… Read More: In Brief: Improving Care for New Mothers with Severe Psychiatric… »

Persistent sore throat 'can be cancer sign'

GPs with patients who have a persistent sore throat, combined with shortness of breath, trouble swallowing or earache, should consider cancer as the cause, according to new research. Currently, it is recommended patients with persistent hoarseness or an unexplained neck lump are investigated for throat or laryngeal cancer. However, Cancer Research UK’s Weilin Wu said… Read More: Persistent sore throat 'can be cancer sign' »

What is mastoiditis?

Mastoiditis is a serious infection in the mastoid process, which is the hard, prominent bone just behind and under the ear. Ear infections that people fail to treat cause most cases of mastoiditis. The condition is rare but can become life-threatening without treatment. Symptoms of mastoiditis include swelling behind the ear, pus coming out of… Read More: What is mastoiditis? »