Dr. Sanjay Gupta breaks down how doctors might treat Billy Joel's neurological disorder
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
22 minutes ago
- CBS News
Oakland neighbors set to transform vacant Caltrans lot into vibrant garden
When Vincent Kitirattragarn looks at the dilapidated, overgrown, vacant lot at 54th and Shattuck in Oakland, he calls a spade a spade. "I moved into this neighborhood in 2016. This corner has always been neglected, it attracts illegal dumping, there's always graffiti here," he said. But, he also sees possibility, and thinks of the famous Louis Armstrong song, "What a Wonderful World." "It goes, I see trees of green, red roses too, I see them bloom for me and you. That's really what I want here," Kitirattragarn said. "We need more beautiful public spaces in Oakland. This should be one of those spaces." So, he and neighbors are working to turn that idea into reality by transforming the lot, which is owned by Caltrans, into a community pollinator garden. "We're going to keep those redwood trees because there a great part of the space right now," Kitirattragarn told CBS News Bay Area. "We're going to create a bunch of pollinator plants around it, with a walking path, as well as areas for seating. So, you're going to see this completely transform." The hope is that it will help alleviate problems with blight and illegal dumping, an issue that many people in The Town want to see fixed. "The quality of life has declined in Oakland, it feels like, significantly, in the last five years or so," said Rob Selna, whose family roots run deep in Oakland. "It feels as though it's a time where more than ever, members of the public need to step up and fill in some of the gaps that the city has left." Selna is helping bring the pollinator garden concept to life, and he has experience on this front. He's the president of the group Sidewalk Trees and Gardens. Ten years ago, he and neighbors created the Temescal Community Garden. "What you see here now represents a transformation of a street that was really secluded, blighted, and a target for criminal and bad activities," he said. "My neighbors and I realized we needed to replace the space with something positive." Selna said studies have shown that planting trees in areas that are lacking them can be good for the environment and community itself. "They're proven to have significant environmental benefits as well as community benefits," he said. When community-led efforts like this arise, there sometimes are people who will say it is the city's job to fix issues like this and not the responsibility of the residents. Selna's response? "People are concerned about their communities. At the moment, the City of Oakland – for a variety of reasons – doesn't have the money to take care of them. So you can decide, well I'm just going to abandon the city and move on because they don't have the money to take care of it or, I'm going to help to bring the city back," he said. Selna said his group is in the process of trying to identify more spaces in Oakland that can be beautified. "In the face of the budget problems that the City of Oakland has – it really hasn't been able to pay for basic services like tree planting and maintenance, parks and rec maintenance, and public safety services," he said. Kitirattragarn said they've acquired the necessary Caltrans permits to proceed with the project. They're fundraising now, with a goal of reaching $30,000. The hope is to begin construction in October.
CBS News
22 minutes ago
- CBS News
Baltimore leaders discuss plan to combat opioid crisis near city's mass overdose site
Baltimore leaders discussed strategies for tackling the city's opioid crisis with residents in the same community where 27 people were hospitalized on July 10 in a mass overdose. Inside the Gethsamane Baptist Church, in the North Penn community, the Mayor's Office of Overdose Response presented its strategic overdose plan focusing on prevention, treatment, and recovery. On Thursday, scientists with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) said drug samples collected from the overdose site revealed a mix of drugs, including N-Methylclonazepam, an ingredient the NIST had not encountered before in street drugs. It can cause intense sedative and hypnotic side effects. A part of the mayor's plan calls for ramping up naloxone distribution (Narcan), possibly mobile treatment centers, and providing 24/7 access to treatment and support services. City leaders are asking for community input and suggestions on ways to eliminate drug overdoses. "It is a plan that is for the entire city, so getting feedback from community members about what the plan looks like and how it's going to show up in their community is really important for us to make sure we're getting it right," said Sara Whaley, executive director of the Mayor's Office of Overdose Response. With $400 million in settlement money from pharmaceutical companies now available to the city, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and his administration are looking to pour that money back into the community by funding resources to curb addiction. "If we want people to get help, we have to have that help there right there on the spot," Mayor Scott said. "This isn't a cookie-cutter thing. When someone is ready to get help or hits rock bottom or goes to something that makes them want to change, what is happening with them, we have to have people there to support that person in that moment, we cannot wait." Donald Young shared his story about fentanyl abuse. He said his mother died from an overdose in 2016. "I lost my mother in 2016 to a fentanyl overdose, and I suffered from substance use until I got clean," Young said. Young was one of dozens of residents in West Baltimore looking for solutions to end the opioid crisis. "We need to see more efforts like this at the prevention and not wait until there's a mass overdose," Young said. As the investigation is still ongoing, residents say they want to make sure mass overdoses don't happen again. "If it's constantly in our environment, then what else are we going to see? But we have to get more involved," resident Terrell Carpenter said. "We can't just talk and not do things. That's one of the reasons why I'm here." WJZ got a tour of the Tuerk House in West Baltimore, where some of the survivors of the mass overdose went for treatment. The survivors were referred to the Tuerk House by local hospitals in the immediate aftermath of the mass overdose. Their rooms are quiet and clinical, yet full of support, with 24-hour nursing staff and access to individual counseling. "One is downstairs and one is right here in this room," said Dr. Pierre Thomas. "We have a 50-year-old male patient who came here from the hospital. He's getting his detox. He has a full shower, we have providers, and peer support." Two additional listening sessions will be held in July: Read the Overdose Strategic Plan here.
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Mouth Feel Like It's on Fire? Here's How To Relieve the Pain Fast
From brain fog to hot flashes, there are more than a few menopausal symptoms we're (unfortunately) familiar with. But one that has until recently flown under the radar is the aptly named burning mouth syndrome. Just as it sounds, it's characterized by a burning sensation in the mouth and is more common in menopausal and postmenopausal women—in fact, Meghan Trainor, 31, recently opened up about her burning tongue syndrome on her podcast. We asked experts to share everything you need to know about this complex condition, including simple ways to get instant relief from burning mouth syndrome. What is burning mouth syndrome (BMS)? Burning mouth syndrome is a recurring daily burning sensation inside the mouth lasting more than two hours per day for more than three months—with the lining of the mouth appearing normal and without any other identifiable cause, reveals Kathryn Jones, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine graduate student, who researches BMS. While doctors first described the condition 150 years ago, it wasn't until 2004 when it was finally categorized as a distinct syndrome, adds Grigoriy E. Gurvits, MD, Professor of Medicine and gastroenterologist at NYU Langone. 'The main triad of symptoms are pain, dry mouth and an altered sense of taste.' He adds that burning of the tongue or lining of the mouth is also common. These sensations tend to get worse in the evening and can be quite debilitating, he continues, explaining that this may be because people are typically more tired at night, which can make pain more acute. 'This is a complex condition whose root cause is not yet fully understood—but one word that has been used a lot in recent research to describe it is psychoneuroendocrinological,' says Jones. We bet even Noah Wylie on The Pitt couldn't say that three times fast. It's a mouthful for a reason, reflecting the multifactorial nature of BMS: psychological, neurological and endocrinological (involving hormones). Instant relief for burning mouth syndrome Here, Jones and Dr. Gurvits suggest proven strategies to ease the pain of burning mouth syndrome fast: Pop a stick of gum Chewing gum is one way to get instant relief from burning mouth syndrome because it helps prod saliva production, which acts like a fire hose to put out the burning, notes Jones. 'I've also read personal testimonials of people who suck on a piece of dried fruit to help activate saliva and get that lubrication going.' She recommends choosing gum that contains Xylitol because it has the added benefit of tamping down harmful oral bacteria. One option: Xylichew. Suck on an ice cube No mystery why this strategy freezes out pain. But if an ice cube is too frigid, try softening the 'brr' a bit by drinking a glass of cold water. Indeed, Dr. Gurvits recommends his patients keep a glass by their bedside at night for instant relief from burning mouth syndrome. Consider a tongue protector This remedy is specifically for patients who have tongue-thrusting habits that exacerbate burning mouth syndrome symptoms, notes Jones. 'Research shows improved pain scores in patients who wore the tongue protector for 15 minutes, three times a day.' Talk to your dentist or medical professional to learn if this option may be right for you. Try the proven Rx + supplement combo The prescription medication Neurontin (generic name: gabapentin) has been shown to calm nerve activity and reduce pain in patients with burning mouth syndrome, reveals Dr. Gurvits. Boost the benefits by taking it in conjunction with the powerful antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid (ALA). 'Taking 300 mg of Neurontin in combination with 600 mg of the over-the-counter supplement is shown to improve symptoms and reduce pain in two-thirds of patients,' he says. One caveat: Neurontin can make you sleepy, which is why Dr. Gurvits tells his patients to take it in the evening. That works out well because, as he noted above, BMS pain tends to worsen at night. Swap your toothpaste Toothpastes that contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), can worsen symptoms of burning mouth syndrome, he reveals. 'I advise my patients to try a toothpaste free of this preservative—it may help a little bit.' Otolaryngologist Melissa A. Scholes, MD, Surgeon-in-Chief, Children's Hospital of Mississippi agrees, and suggests trying a 'non-detergent based' toothpaste like Tom's of Maine or Davids. Does HRT relieve burning mouth syndrome? Since burning mouth syndrome is most common in post-menopausal women, it would make sense to think hormone replacement therapy (HRT) might help ease symptoms. But, unfortunately, the evidence just isn't there, says Dr. Gurvits. 'It's always worth trying, but HRT most likely won't work because it's just too late [in post-menopause] to take effect.' The bottom line on BMS: There is hope and treatment 'I think it's important to stress that if someone feels their provider isn't listening to them, to find someone who has some knowledge of up-to-date treatment and is willing to be aggressive with therapies,' encourages Dr. Scholes. 'Consider an oral surgeon or homeopathic provider as well. Often burning mouth syndrome is ignored and under-treated, especially in 'women of a certain age,'' she says ironically, acknowledging the 'ickiness' of that term. The good news? 'It usually is self-limiting, meaning it typically resolves itself—it does get better.' More ways to ease menobothers: Tired of Waking up Drenched in Sweat? Here's How To Stop Night Sweats and Block Them From Returning What Are Some Early Signs of Menopause? Doctors Share Symptoms That Manifest Sooner Than Expected Dr. Anna Cabeca: These Are the Superfoods That Help Shrink a Menopause Belly This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.
