COVID-19 Disrupts Gut Microbes

A study published in the journal Nature Microbiology found that COVID-19 infection can significantly alter the composition of the gut microbiome. The researchers found that people with COVID-19 had lower levels of beneficial bacteria and higher levels of harmful bacteria. These changes in the gut microbiome may contribute to the symptoms of COVID-19, such as diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Show Your Heart Some Love!

February is American Heart Month, a time to raise awareness about heart disease, the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. The American Heart Association recommends several lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of heart disease, including eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking.

Advances in Childhood Cancer

Treatment advances are helping more children survive cancer than ever before. In 2019, the five-year survival rate for children with cancer was 80.4%, up from 58.1% in 1973. These improvements are due to a number of factors, including new drugs, better surgical techniques, and more personalized treatment approaches.

Rare Neurological Condition is ‘Important Potential Risk’ of Pfizer’s RSV Vaccine, FDA Says

The FDA has issued a warning about a rare neurological condition called Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) that may be linked to Pfizer’s RSV vaccine for infants. The agency says that the number of GBS cases reported after vaccination is higher than expected, but that the overall risk of the vaccine is still considered to be low.

Stem Cell Therapy May Reduce Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke in Certain Heart Failure Patients, Study Shows

A study published in the journal Circulation found that stem cell therapy may reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in certain heart failure patients. The researchers found that patients who received stem cell therapy were less likely to experience a major cardiovascular event than patients who did not receive the therapy.

Here are the signs of an eating disorder — the ones you know and the ones you don’t

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can have devastating consequences. If you are concerned that you or someone you know may have an eating disorder, there are resources available to help. The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) offers a helpline (1-800-931-2237) and a website with information and resources.

These are just a few of the many health headlines from February 2023. For more information on these and other health topics, please visit the websites of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO).