Ozempic, Chronic Kidney Disease, and Diabetes
In January 2025, the FDA approved Ozempic (semaglutide) to help treat patients with chronic kidney disease and diabetes. Semaglutide belongs to a group of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs), which were originally approved to help control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Other forms of GLP1-RAs include Mounjaro, Wegovy, semaglutide, and […]
Elevated Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Disease
Most people associate elevated cholesterol with heart disease, and for good reason. However, the relationship between cholesterol and cardiovascular health isn’t as simple as “cholesterol is bad.” The body actually needs cholesterol to function properly. It plays a crucial role in cell structure, hormone production, and even digestion. The real issue arises when cholesterol levels […]
How to Understand Blood Glucose Level Results
Managing blood sugar has always been a balancing act for me, especially when I was first diagnosed with diabetes. I remember feeling overwhelmed by the readings of my blood glucose levels and thinking, “What’s ‘normal’, what’s ‘too high’, and what’s ‘too low’?” It didn’t help that the term “normal” blood sugar often seemed to refer […]
Gallstones & Weight Loss FAQs
Like many others, my mother has had issues with her gut most of her life. Several years ago, she experienced an episode of excruciating pain in her chest. Fearing a heart attack, she called an ambulance, but by the time they arrived, the pain had subsided. After some investigation, it was discovered she had sludge in her […]
Can Drugs and Alcohol Change The Teenage Brain?
People naturally want to keep doing things that deliver a reward. For example, when a hungry person eats, the brain’s reward system reacts positively with a flood of dopamine, the pleasure hormone. In the same way, a game of Candy Crush on a smartphone helps people relax after a long day. However, the brain’s reward […]
Deep Vein Thrombosis Awareness
March is Deep Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month, a combined effort to inform people about this common medical condition and its potential serious complication, pulmonary embolism. DVT affects 900,000 Americans yearly, but many don’t know much about it. Most are unaware of the risks, symptoms, and ways to prevent it. Throughout the month, health organizations work […]
Super Bowl Snacks We Bet Shakira and JLo Would Approve Of!
Jennifer Lopez and Shakira put on an impressive show at the 2020 Super Bowl halftime. Their stunning hair, tight costumes, and energetic dance moves made it one of the most talked-about performances. For women in their 40s and 50s, it certainly was inspiring! I’m 16 years younger than J-Lo and struggle to take a flight […]
How to Tackle Childhood Obesity Without Fueling Eating Disorders
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently changed its approach to tackling childhood obesity, moving away from a “wait and see” method to more aggressive treatments for weight loss. This includes recommending bariatric surgery for some teens, medication like Wegovy, and intensive therapy for young children. The AAP claimed these methods wouldn’t lead to eating […]
There’s growing confidence that GLP-1 meds are safe in pregnant women
One of the most frequent cautions that drug companies print on the Product Information leaflet that comes with their product says something like, “This medication has not been tested to be safe in pregnant women and should only be used in consultation with a healthcare provider.” It’s important to understand that this statement is not […]
The Danger Zone: Understanding Why Drugs and Alcohol Don’t Mix
I was 17 when I witnessed my first dangerous mix of drugs and alcohol. I was watching a partygoer having a fit and foaming at the mouth after mixing GHB, a party drug and nervous system depressant, with alcohol. My second experience was at 18, carting a friend of mine home after her drink was […]
