Latest news with #OregonHealth&ScienceUniversity
Buzz Feed
4 days ago
- Health
- Buzz Feed
Eye Doctor Reveals Worst Thing For Your Eyes
The human eye is a wondrous thing. It is considered the body's most complex organ after the brain and contains over 2 million working parts. About 80% of all learning happens through vision. So how can we keep our eyes in tip-top condition? And what should we never do if we want them to stay as healthy as possible? That's what we — Raj Punjabi and Noah Michelson, the hosts of HuffPost's 'Am I Doing It Wrong?' podcast — asked Dr. Amanda Redfern, an ophthalmologist and assistant professor at Oregon Health & Science University's Casey Eye Institute, when she recently dropped by our studio. ″[Sleeping with contact lenses in your eyes] is bad. It's real bad. Don't do it,' Redfern told us, adding that this even applies to naps. 'It's like a game of Russian roulette.' That's because you can get a corneal ulcer, which is an infection on part of the eye that a contact covers. 'It's not going to happen every time, but when it happens, it's terrible,' Redfern said. 'It can be so bad you could, in really terrible cases, lose your eyeball.' In less severe situations, Redfern said you could end up with a scar on your cornea. 'If that scar is in the center of your vision, that could affect your vision permanently, unless you get a corneal transplant,' she said. Redfern also warned us not to engage in any activity that could cause lenses to become compromised or contaminated, including swimming in a pool or lake while wearing contacts or even showering with them. 'The problem with contact lenses is that it will sandwich bacteria between the lens and your cornea, and you can get infected and then have all the complications we talked about,' she said. 'In general, we frown upon anything where your eye is going to expose to something nonsterile.' That includes using tap water to rinse or store lenses. When asked what she would suggest if someone were on vacation and forgot to bring contact lens solution, pushing them to choose between sleeping while wearing contacts or using tap water to store them, Redfern refused to pick either choice. 'Both of those are awful options,' she said. 'I'd rather you [throw the contacts out] and just walk around a little bit blurry for the weekend.' One thing Redfern does want us to do to keep our eyes healthy? Use eye protection more regularly. 'I always wear eye protection if I'm doing a house project where I'm hammering, sawing — anything where something can fly at my eye,' she said. 'Always wear eye protection, because I actually spend half my time seeing hospital consults and the trauma that you see is just crazy.' If you end up getting something lodged in your eye, don't try to remove it yourself. Instead, tape a paper cup over your eye and immediately see a medical professional. 'Pulling it out in an uncontrolled fashion [could cause] the inner contents of the eye to come out with it,' Redfern said. She also busted some myths about other activities that may be harmful or beneficial for the eyes (spoiler alert — reading in the dark isn't going to ruin your vision), why we get floaters (and when we should see a doctor about them), and lots more. Listen to the full episode above or wherever you get your podcasts. And for more from Redfern, check out her Instagram page.
Time Magazine
02-07-2025
- Health
- Time Magazine
Is Taking a 'Fart Walk' Good for Your Health?
What you once knew as an after-dinner stroll has been rebranded a 'fart walk' on social media—and the trend is having a moment. Fans of the so-called fart walk—a short stroll taken up to about an hour after eating a meal—claim it aids digestion and relieves GI symptoms like gas and bloating. But what do doctors think? New name, old concept 'Feeling bloated after a meal is common,' says Dr. David D. Clarke, a clinical assistant professor of gastroenterology emeritus at Oregon Health & Science University and president of the Association of the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms. That's because people eat too much, or they eat too quickly and swallow excess air, or they drink beverages with dissolved gas in them like soda or beer. To counter symptoms like these and help relieve gas naturally, walking after dinner can help, doctors agree. Walking can enhance the muscle contractions of the gastrointestinal tract—a wave-like movement called peristalsis—which can help pass the gas as belches or flatulence, explains Clarke. Research has also long supported taking a postprandial walk for a different reason: it helps reduce blood sugar levels. The varied benefits of a fart walk This is one social media trend physicians can get behind. A fart walk helps relieve symptoms of bloating and gas and promotes motility of the bowels, says Dr. Shawn Khodadadian of Manhattan Gastroenterology in New York City. Clarke agrees; mild-to-moderate exercise, such as walking, helps the stomach empty more quickly, improving transit through the intestinal tract and clearing out gas and waste through the digestive system, all of which can help alleviate issues like bloating and constipation, he says. 'Walking promotes muscle contractions in the stomach and intestines that can lead to belching and farting,' he says. That quicker emptying will also 'decrease the time that acid is present in the stomach,' which relieves heartburn in most people, Clarke says. (However, some people with poor tone in the sphincter muscle—at the junction of the esophagus and stomach—might experience more acid reflux when stomach contractions are stimulated by walking, he warns.) Read More: What Doctors Really Think of Sleepmaxxing Fart walking may be particularly beneficial for those with medical conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and metabolic syndrome. 'There have been studies that show that mobility in general can lead to decreased sensation of gas and bloating in patients with IBS symptoms,' says Khodadadian. Plus, a post-meal stroll's ability to better regulate blood sugar is especially helpful for people with metabolic syndrome, he says. Short walks after eating can also benefit the heart: helping to stave off weight gain, improve circulation, lower blood pressure, support overall cardiovascular fitness, says Khodadadian. Other perks of fart walking might include reducing the risk of diabetes, Clarke says. 'Walking after a meal facilitates removal of blood sugar by the muscles and thereby reduces the need for insulin secretion by the pancreas,' Clarke says, which may reduce the risk for the future development of diabetes. A postprandial amble can also brighten your mood. 'The addition of aerobic exercise has been shown to improve stress, anxiety, and mild depression,' says Khodadadian. 'This can happen by reducing baseline cortisol levels over time, by improving sleep quality, and by increasing levels of chemicals such as endorphins, dopamine and serotonin in the body.' How to get the most out of your fart walk Fart walks don't have to be long to be effective. Aim for at least four to five minutes of light-to-moderate paced walking within about an hour of finishing a meal. (More is better: for more sustained GI benefits, shoot for 30–60 minutes of moderate-paced walking on most days of the week, Clarke says.) Walking is generally healthy for everyone, and it should not be strenuous—but if you have had recent surgery, motility issues, abdominal distress, arthritis, or heart or lung issues, you should check with your doctor first before proceeding, adds Khodadadian. Based on your medical history, recommendations may vary for precisely how long you walk, he says, but the goal is ultimately to be able to engage in an appropriate level of exercise—including fart walking—for you.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How To Get Rid of Body Odor Fast With Cheap, Easy Remedies
Sweating and body odor often go hand in hand, whether it's a steamy summer day or you're simply picking up the pace on your usual strolls. But excessive sweating isn't the only reason you might notice an unwanted aroma. Everything from bacteria on your skin (or in your mouth!) to an underlying medical condition to changes in your body's pH levels can play a role. Here we reveal how to get rid of body odor fast using simple home remedies that are proven to work. First things first: If you tend to sweat a lot, it's worth talking to your dermatologist or doctor about prescription antiperspirants and wearing more breathable fabrics (or moisture-wicking fabrics) to reduce the amount of body odor you may experience. In the meantime, these research-backed tricks can help get rid of body odor fast so you feel fresh and confident even if your body temperature starts to rise. You might have seen this wacky face wash hack on social media, and research shows it really works. Scientists at Oregon Health & Science University found that for two-thirds of people, cleansing their armpits with a benzoyl peroxide-based face wash (like the kind used to treat acne) helped get rid of their body odor. The reason? Benzoyl peroxide is a potent antimicrobial that kills odor-causing microbes before they have a chance to multiply and waft off a funky scent. One to try: CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser. Sip a cup of iced green tea before meeting up with friends and you can chat away with confidence. Green tea's leaves are packed with potent antioxidants called catechins that neutralize smelly gases known as volatile sulfur compounds produced by bad-breath bacteria, suggests a study in the journal ISRN Preventive Medicine. Best of all, it begins working with the very first sip and keeps going strong for at least three hours. Hot, sticky weather can leave underwear feeling steamy and makes it harder for skin to breathe. And this increase in moisture creates an ideal environment for odor-causing microbes to breed. To help get rid of body odor below the belt, swap synthetic or cotton undies for bamboo ones that reduce sweating. A study published in the journal Thermal Science found that people wearing breathable bamboo underwear felt up to 25 percent cooler and experienced significantly more sweat evaporation than those in pure cotton. And compared to a natural-synthetic blend, they reported feeling more than twice as cool and dry. Smooth mineral sunscreen over your feet and step out in your favorite sandals without fear of a funky odor. A study published in the International Journal of Dermatology suggests that when applied to feet, zinc oxide damages the cell walls of stink-making bacteria, killing them without harming skin. Already dealing with foot odor? Apple cider vinegar (ACVS) helps get rid of the scent fast, says dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, thanks to antiseptic properties that quash bacteria. 'ACV also combats fungal infections such as athlete's foot,' she adds. Dr. Garshick advises soaking feet in a mix of 1 cup of vinegar and 4 cups of water to get rid of the odor. When a sour or 'stale-beer' odor wafts from your bra, that's often a sign of yeast overgrowth, a problem that occurs when skin under the breasts becomes warm and damp. Patting under-breast skin and belly folds with baking soda may increase skin pH, eliminating foul odors, suggests French research. Also smart? Using grapefruit seed oil to get rid of this type of body odor. Laura Corio, MD, author of The Change Before the Change, recommends mixing 3 drops of yeast-fighting grapefruit seed oil with 1 oz. of water and applying it to the undersides of breasts twice daily for a week. Research suggests a green juice smoothie may help get rid of body odor from head to toe. Chlorophyll, the pigment that gives leafy greens their vivid hue, binds to odor-causing bacteria to neutralize body odor from the inside out, suggests a Journal of the American Geriatrics Society study. Blend your own or try cold-pressed green juice from your favorite supermarket. More ways to stay happy and healthy: Why Do My Farts Smell So Bad? 4 Fast-Acting Home Remedies for Bad Gas What Causes Bad Breath? See 6 Triggers and Natural Remedies That Work Fast 'Breathing Like This Cured My Incontinence'—How Core Breathing Strengthened One Woman's Pelvic Floor This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.
CNN
05-05-2025
- Health
- CNN
Marijuana is extremely dangerous to the fetus in the womb, study finds
Source: CNN Using marijuana during pregnancy is linked to poor fetal development, low infant birth weight, dangerously early deliveries and even death, according to a new meta-analysis of research. 'The most striking finding is the increased risk of perinatal mortality — death either during the pregnancy or shortly after the pregnancy,' said obstetrician and lead study author Dr. Jamie Lo, an associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and urology in the School of Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. 'Prior work we've done shows prenatal cannabis use impacts fetal lung function and development, reducing the baby's lung volume,' Lo said. 'We've also found that there is significantly decreased blood flow and oxygen availability in the placenta. These are the likely underlying mechanisms driving some of our findings.' The placenta is a critical link between the mother and the developing fetus, delivering oxygen, nutrients and hormones necessary for growth. When that link is damaged, both the mother and the fetus are at risk. Despite the potential harms to the baby both before and after birth, use of marijuana during pregnancy is rising. A 2019 analysis of over 450,000 pregnant American women ages 12 to 44 by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found cannabis use more than doubled between 2002 and 2017. The majority of marijuana use occurred during the first three months of pregnancy, the study found, and it was predominantly recreational rather than medical. 'There is a mistaken perception that because marijuana is natural and plant-based, it's not harmful,' Lo said. 'I remind my patients that opium and heroin are also plant-based. Tobacco is a plant, and alcohol is also made from plants.' Using alcohol during pregnancy causes fetal alcohol syndrome. Smoking damages a fetus's developing lungs and brain — it is also a cause of SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Taking opioids, such as fentanyl, heroin or cocaine, are well-known causes of birth defects, poor fetal development and stillbirth, plus there's a high risk the baby will be born addicted and have to undergo withdrawal. These medical outcomes are known despite the lack of gold-standard clinical trials asking pregnant women to drink alcohol, smoke tobacco, take heroin, cocaine, oxycodone or fentanyl and then compare the outcomes to pregnant women who abstained. Such research, of course, would be grossly unethical. Thus, because a randomized clinical trial of the impact of cannabis on a fetus will never occur, scientists focus on the outcome of self-reported use by pregnant mothers. 'This systematic review is unique in that we only reviewed studies in which cannabis was used during pregnancy,' Lo said. 'Prior work has included studies which also looked at cannabis use along with other substances such as nicotine or alcohol.' The new research, published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics, analyzed 51 studies with over 21 million participants. Use of marijuana during pregnancy was linked to a 52% higher risk of preterm delivery before 37 weeks — full term is 40 weeks of gestation — and a 75% higher risk of low birth weight, which is less than 2,500 grams, or roughly 5.5 pounds at delivery, the study found. Only six studies looked at the impact of cannabis on mortality. Those studies found a 29% higher risk of infant death associated with the use of marijuana during pregnancy. The new meta-analysis used the GRADE (grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation) approach to rating the quality of each study. In a prior analysis published in 2024, Lo and her team rated available studies as very low or low certainty, which means the evidence in the studies was limited and the findings not reliable. Just a year later, existing evidence was upgraded to low to moderate certainty. A moderate grade indicates researchers are reasonably confident in using that information for decision-making but recognize that future research might refine conclusions or recommendations. 'Research is evolving quickly in this area,' said Brianna Moore, assistant professor of epidemiology at the Colorado School of Public Health Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora. She was not involved in the new study. 'This review found that as more studies are conducted with consistent results, there is more certainty that there is an association between prenatal exposure to cannabis and adverse birth outcomes,' Moore said in an email. In addition to believing that marijuana is safe because it's natural, expectant parents are also getting mixed messages about the health harms of cannabis. 'Perceptions of safety are compounded by the increased availability and legalization of cannabis,' Lo said. 'In addition, health care providers are poor at counseling due to confusion over conflicting studies. Therefore, there's no clear public health messaging. 'We're trying to change that by updating systematic reviews and producing peer-reviewed clinician briefs to help guide clinical counseling and management.' Historically it has been difficult to investigate cannabis use because weed has been illegal — and still is — in many states, while any studies that were undertaken had to follow strict federal regulations. Modern research into the potential harms of cannabis is still in its infancy. Older studies, often done in the 1980s when marijuana was much less potent, may not reflect today's reality, experts say. Research over the last decade has linked marijuana use to cognitive decline and dementia, complications during elective surgery, and an increased risk of some cancers. Weed users are nearly 25% more likely to need emergency care and hospitalization, according to a 2022 study. Any level of marijuana use may raise the risk of stroke by 42% and heart attack by 25%, even if there is no prior history of heart disease and the person has never smoked or vaped tobacco. Weed has also been linked to cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation; myocarditis — an inflammation of the heart muscle — spasms of the heart's arteries and a higher risk of heart failure. Young people who use marijuana are more likely to develop long-lasting mental disorders, including depression, social anxiety and schizophrenia, and drop out of school, the CDC said. Studies show overuse of marijuana by youth with mood disorders leads to a rise in self-harm, suicide attempts and death. Daily use by adolescents and adults can result in another unpleasant side effect: uncontrollable vomiting, according to a 2021 study. And a 2020 study found children born to marijuana users had more psychotic-like behaviors and more attention, social and sleep problems, as well as weaker cognitive abilities. 'Ideally, it's best not to be exposed to THC, which is the psychoactive ingredient of cannabis, no matter what form you're using,' Lo said. See Full Web Article
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Forget common folklore about the safety of weed. Marijuana harms babies, research shows
Using marijuana during pregnancy is linked to poor fetal development, low infant birth weight, dangerously early deliveries and even death, according to a new meta-analysis of research. 'The most striking finding is the increased risk of perinatal mortality — death either during the pregnancy or shortly after the pregnancy,' said obstetrician and lead study author Dr. Jamie Lo, an associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and urology in the School of Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. 'Prior work we've done shows prenatal cannabis use impacts fetal lung function and development, reducing the baby's lung volume,' Lo said. 'We've also found that there is significantly decreased blood flow and oxygen availability in the placenta. These are the likely underlying mechanisms driving some of our findings.' The placenta is a critical link between the mother and the developing fetus, delivering oxygen, nutrients and hormones necessary for growth. When that link is damaged, both the mother and the fetus are at risk. Despite the potential harms to the baby both before and after birth, use of marijuana during pregnancy is rising. A 2019 analysis of over 450,000 pregnant American women ages 12 to 44 by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found cannabis use more than doubled between 2002 and 2017. The majority of marijuana use occurred during the first three months of pregnancy, the study found, and it was predominantly recreational rather than medical. 'There is a mistaken perception that because marijuana is natural and plant-based, it's not harmful,' Lo said. 'I remind my patients that opium and heroin are also plant-based. Tobacco is a plant, and alcohol is also made from plants.' Using alcohol during pregnancy causes fetal alcohol syndrome. Smoking damages a fetus's developing lungs and brain — it is also a cause of SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Taking opioids, such as fentanyl, heroin or cocaine, are well-known causes of birth defects, poor fetal development and stillbirth, plus there's a high risk the baby will be born addicted and have to undergo withdrawal. These medical outcomes are known despite the lack of gold-standard clinical trials asking pregnant women to drink alcohol, smoke tobacco, take heroin, cocaine, oxycodone or fentanyl and then compare the outcomes to pregnant women who abstained. Such research, of course, would be grossly unethical. Thus, because a randomized clinical trial of the impact of cannabis on a fetus will never occur, scientists focus on the outcome of self-reported use by pregnant mothers. 'This systematic review is unique in that we only reviewed studies in which cannabis was used during pregnancy,' Lo said. 'Prior work has included studies which also looked at cannabis use along with other substances such as nicotine or alcohol.' The new research, published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics, analyzed 51 studies with over 21 million participants. Use of marijuana during pregnancy was linked to a 52% higher risk of preterm delivery before 37 weeks — full term is 40 weeks of gestation — and a 75% higher risk of low birth weight, which is less than 2,500 grams, or roughly 5.5 pounds at delivery, the study found. Only six studies looked at the impact of cannabis on mortality. Those studies found a 29% higher risk of infant death associated with the use of marijuana during pregnancy. The new meta-analysis used the GRADE (grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation) approach to rating the quality of each study. In a prior analysis published in 2024, Lo and her team rated available studies as very low or low certainty, which means the evidence in the studies was limited and the findings not reliable. Just a year later, existing evidence was upgraded to low to moderate certainty. A moderate grade indicates researchers are reasonably confident in using that information for decision-making but recognize that future research might refine conclusions or recommendations. 'Research is evolving quickly in this area,' said Brianna Moore, assistant professor of epidemiology at the Colorado School of Public Health Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora. She was not involved in the new study. 'This review found that as more studies are conducted with consistent results, there is more certainty that there is an association between prenatal exposure to cannabis and adverse birth outcomes,' Moore said in an email. In addition to believing that marijuana is safe because it's natural, expectant parents are also getting mixed messages about the health harms of cannabis. 'Perceptions of safety are compounded by the increased availability and legalization of cannabis,' Lo said. 'In addition, health care providers are poor at counseling due to confusion over conflicting studies. Therefore, there's no clear public health messaging. 'We're trying to change that by updating systematic reviews and producing peer-reviewed clinician briefs to help guide clinical counseling and management.' Historically it has been difficult to investigate cannabis use because weed has been illegal — and still is — in many states, while any studies that were undertaken had to follow strict federal regulations. Modern research into the potential harms of cannabis is still in its infancy. Older studies, often done in the 1980s when marijuana was much less potent, may not reflect today's reality, experts say. Research over the last decade has linked marijuana use to cognitive decline and dementia, complications during elective surgery, and an increased risk of some cancers. Weed users are nearly 25% more likely to need emergency care and hospitalization, according to a 2022 study. Any level of marijuana use may raise the risk of stroke by 42% and heart attack by 25%, even if there is no prior history of heart disease and the person has never smoked or vaped tobacco. Weed has also been linked to cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation; myocarditis — an inflammation of the heart muscle — spasms of the heart's arteries and a higher risk of heart failure. Young people who use marijuana are more likely to develop long-lasting mental disorders, including depression, social anxiety and schizophrenia, and drop out of school, the CDC said. Studies show overuse of marijuana by youth with mood disorders leads to a rise in self-harm, suicide attempts and death. Daily use by adolescents and adults can result in another unpleasant side effect: uncontrollable vomiting, according to a 2021 study. And a 2020 study found children born to marijuana users had more psychotic-like behaviors and more attention, social and sleep problems, as well as weaker cognitive abilities. 'Ideally, it's best not to be exposed to THC, which is the psychoactive ingredient of cannabis, no matter what form you're using,' Lo said.
