Inflammation Archive

Mind & Mood

Thoughts on optimism

Published July 1, 2021

Science continues to find that people with an optimistic outlook enjoy healthier and longer lives. The power of optimism is not just having a sunny disposition, but applying this mindset to make positive change. Even if people are not naturally optimistic, there are ways to change one’s outlook, such as looking for opportunities during trying times, focusing on personal strengths, practicing gratitude, and visualizing their best possible self.

Pain

Chronic inflammation and your joints

Published July 1, 2021

The immune system sometimes launches a chronic inflammatory response in certain joints. That leads to pain, stiffness, and joint damage known as inflammatory arthritis. It’s usually unknown what triggers the conditions. Types of inflammatory arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and psoriatic arthritis. Treatments include medications, such as biologic or nonbiologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and lifestyle habits, such as exercising, avoiding processed foods, reducing stress, not smoking, and getting enough sleep. Wearing a splint or brace on affected joints and seeking physical therapy may also help ease pain.

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.

Heart Health

COVID-19 and cardiovascular concerns: An evolving story

Published July 1, 2021

Physicians’ understanding of how a COVID-19 infection affects the heart is still evolving. More definitive answers require long-term, randomized clinical trials that control for different factors (including varied medical histories and medication use) to study how COVID-19—and possible therapies—affect people who have or are at risk for heart disease. Like other infectious organisms, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) can increase the risk of blood clots and may damage the heart, but the danger is less common than initial reports suggested.

Cancer

Adjusting gut bacteria may improve response to cancer treatment

Published July 1, 2021

Gut bacteria may play a role in response to cancer treatments that target the immune system.

Healthy aging and longevity

5 important blood tests beyond the basics

Published July 1, 2021

Five blood tests beyond basic blood work may be worth pursuing for older adults. For example, a test to determine one’s vitamin B₁₂ level might be helpful, since older adults sometimes have trouble absorbing that vitamin. Likewise, older adults have less ability to absorb sunlight through the skin, which may lead to less production of vitamin D. Other blood tests to consider include those for HIV or hepatitis C infection, and a test to measure fasting blood sugar.

Healthy aging and longevity

HIV rates rising: Could new forms of PrEP help?

Published June 18, 2021

Last year, approximately 1.7 million new HIV infections occurred worldwide, and rates of infection are also rising in parts of the US. While a daily pill known as PrEP can help prevent HIV, two new formulations could make it easier for a broader range of at-risk people to use.

Pediatric health

Summer camp: What parents need to know this year

Updated June 2, 2021

Many parents and children hope that this summer will allow a return to typical activities. For families who are considering summer camp for their children, adjustments and adaptations will need to be made because of COVID-19, and parents should be prepared to ask questions about planning and risk management.

Heart Health

Are you wasting money on supplements?

Updated June 1, 2021

Taking multivitamins doesn’t prevent heart attacks or strokes, and most dietary supplements (such as fish oil, red yeast rice, and coenzyme Q₁₀) offer no or limited benefits for avoiding heart-related problems. For people who don’t have heart disease, eating two servings of fatty fish weekly or following a healthy vegetarian diet rich in nuts, legumes, and healthy oils makes more sense than spending money on over-the-counter fish oil supplements. People with heart disease would be better off asking their doctor about the prescription drug icosapent ethyl (Vascepa), a high-dose, purified EPA that lowers cardiovascular risk when taken with a statin.

Healthy aging and longevity

Expand your healthy cooking oil choices

Updated June 1, 2021

The healthiest fats for cooking and using on food come from plants. Plant oils consist mostly of unsaturated fat, which in limited amounts is good for the heart. One can enjoy a wide variety of plant oils, such as avocado, canola, corn, flaxseed, grapeseed, olive, peanut, rice bran, safflower, soybean, sunflower, and walnut oils. But high heat can break down plant oil molecules and reduce health benefits. The most fragile plant oils include extra-virgin olive oil and nut oils, such as walnut oil.

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Inflammation Archive

Articles

Thoughts on optimism

Chronic inflammation and your joints

Autoimmune conditions and heart disease

COVID-19 and cardiovascular concerns: An evolving story

Adjusting gut bacteria may improve response to cancer treatment

5 important blood tests beyond the basics

HIV rates rising: Could new forms of PrEP help?

Summer camp: What parents need to know this year

Are you wasting money on supplements?

Expand your healthy cooking oil choices

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