Immune and infectious diseases Archive

Diseases & Conditions

Should I get the new shingles vaccine?

Updated August 17, 2021

Healthy aging and longevity

Shingles vaccine may also reduce stroke risk

Updated August 16, 2021

The shingles vaccine was associated with a 10% to 20% lower risk of stroke among adults ages 66 and older, according to a recent study.

Diseases & Conditions

Bracing for flu season: Steps to protect yourself right now

Updated August 16, 2021

Heart Health

New treatment for pericarditis approved

Published August 1, 2021

The FDA has approved a new drug called rilonacept (Arcalyst) to specifically treat recurrent pericarditis, a painful inflammation of the fluid-filled sac that surrounds the heart.

Heart Health

Cold-water dips: Healthy or risky?

Published August 1, 2021

Swimming (or just dunking) in cold water is generally safe. But people with heart rhythm disorders should be cautious about this practice. The evidence for the health benefits for cold-water immersion (which allegedly include fat loss and reduced inflammation) is limited. Submerging the face in cold water triggers the diving reflex, which causes the heart to slow down and blood pressure to rise. This response, in addition to an adrenaline surge from cold water on the skin, may trigger an underlying arrhythmia.

Healthy aging and longevity

A vaccine that can prevent shingles

Published August 1, 2021

The best way to avoid shingles and long-lasting pain that may result from it is to get the shingles vaccine (Shingrix), given in two doses. The vaccine contains a protein from a dead varicella-zoster virus. The shot is 90% effective and is recommended for adults ages 50 or older, even those who have had shingles before, received an older shingles vaccine called Zostavax, or don’t recall having had chickenpox. People should avoid the vaccine if they currently have shingles, are allergic to components of the vaccine, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Cancer

7 strategies to prevent cancer

Published August 1, 2021

Making healthy lifestyle changes can prevent an estimated 40% of cancers. These include eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, getting adequate sleep, and maintaining a healthy body weight. People can also help prevent cancers by seeking recommended cancer screenings. Some screenings merely identify cancers early, but others, such as colonoscopies and Pap tests, can find precancerous conditions and are actually able to prevent cancer.

Diseases & Conditions

Chronic gut inflammation: Coping with inflammatory bowel disease

Published August 1, 2021

Chronic inflammation in the gut may be due to inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. It’s unclear what causes IBD. Doctors suspect it’s a combination of factors, such as eating an unhealthy diet or using certain medications; altered gut bacteria; having a leaky gut; or genetics. The goal of IBD treatment is remission: suppressed symptoms, lower blood levels of inflammatory markers, and normal-looking bowel and tissue biopsies. Approaches to achieve remission and prevent flare-ups include medication, a healthy lifestyle, and possibly surgery.

Pediatric health

New information for parents on myocarditis and COVID-19 vaccines

Published July 1, 2021

Reports of young people developing myocarditis and pericarditis after getting one of the mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 have made some parents reluctant to get their children vaccinated. It's understandable to worry about such a side effect, but before choosing not to vaccinate, it's important to look at the whole picture.

Heart Health

Autoimmune conditions and heart disease

Published July 1, 2021

People with systemic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and psoriasis are more likely to have heart attacks and to die of cardiovascular disease than people in the general public. The 2019 expert guidelines for preventing heart disease says these conditions should be considered "risk enhancers" when estimating heart attack risk. But this added risk may be underrecognized and undertreated.

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Immune and infectious diseases Archive

Articles

Should I get the new shingles vaccine?

Shingles vaccine may also reduce stroke risk

Bracing for flu season: Steps to protect yourself right now

New treatment for pericarditis approved

Cold-water dips: Healthy or risky?

A vaccine that can prevent shingles

7 strategies to prevent cancer

Chronic gut inflammation: Coping with inflammatory bowel disease

New information for parents on myocarditis and COVID-19 vaccines

Autoimmune conditions and heart disease

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