Is that raspy voice a sign of seasonal allergies, or could it be something else? Speech language pathologist Carrie Ruggiero explains the causes of hoarseness – and the health conditions it might be masking.
Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease and affects more than 10 million people around the world. To better understand the origins of the disease, researchers from Penn State College of Medicine and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed an integrative approach, combining experimental and computational methods, to understand how individual proteins may form harmful aggregates, or groupings, that are known to contribute to the development of the disease.
Residents of central Pennsylvania had the information they needed to slow the spread of COVID-19 early on in the pandemic, but were overwhelmed with worries about mixed messages and distrust of some sources, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers.
The commitment to give care over a long span of time is one of the most selfless and, for many, sacred things one can do for a loved one – but it is also one of the most demanding.
Over the past year, studies have revealed that certain pre-existing conditions, such as cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure, can increase a person’s risk of dying from COVID-19.
Some women who have gotten vaccinated for COVID-19 have noticed a startling development ― lumps that in the past might have meant cancer. But Penn State Health experts say that temporary swelling of the lymph nodes is normal and expected.
Parents shouldn’t ignore sometimes subtle warning signs of a structural heart defect or heart condition. Dr. Stephen Cyran, pediatric cardiologist with Penn State Health Children’s Heart Group, explains in this Medical Minute.
Individuals with metastatic breast cancer could soon have access to personalized, supplemental supportive care through their smart speaker, thanks to new research at Penn State.
Most people know a good night’s sleep helps them feel refreshed and invigorated. But fewer realize how vital sleep is to their overall health and well-being.
E-cigarettes that deliver a cigarette-like amount of nicotine are associated with reduced smoking and reduced exposure to a major cancer-causing chemical, or carcinogen, in tobacco even with concurrent smoking, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State College of Medicine and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). The study provides new and important information for smokers who may be trying to use e-cigarettes as a means to cut down on their smoking habit and lower their exposure to harmful toxicants.
For a small group of COVID-19 survivors, often referred to as “long haulers,” fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, anxiety and depression can persist for months and can range from mild to incapacitating.
Social distancing and lockdowns may have reduced the spread of COVID-19, but researchers from Penn State College of Medicine also report those actions may have affected clinical researchers’ ability to finish trials. Study completion rates dropped worldwide between 13% and 23%, depending on the type of research sponsor and geographic location, between April and October 2020.
Stress, increased free time and feelings of boredom may have contributed to an increase in the number of cigarettes smoked per day during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While there’s no known cure for endometriosis, women battling the often painful inflammatory condition have more choices than ever before. Learn more from Dr. Kristin Riley in this Medical Minute.
Researchers from Penn State College of Medicine are participating in a study that will evaluate whether a blood test can be used to determine if a person has endometriosis.
National Patient Safety Awareness Week is March 14-20, but in reality, it’s a year-round focus for hospital staff – and one that started long before COVID-19 made you think twice about it.
Evolving evidence shows screening tests should actually start at age 45 for people at average risk for colorectal cancer. Two Penn State Health doctors discuss new guidelines.
Whether the blanket of snow outside beckons you to a winter play land of skiing and sledding or to the mundane tasks of shoveling or snow blowing, consider your health and safety before you venture out.
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center became the second hospital in the nation to implant a newly-designed mechanical pump in a patient with severe heart failure.
Two January 2021 reports show that survival rates for heart transplant and LVAD implant surgeries at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center rank among the nation’s best.
For some people, anxiety over what may happen after they get the COVID-19 vaccine seems to almost outweigh the relief of getting protected. Here are some common questions and answers that should ease concerns.
In a new study, scientists have discovered the cellular pathway that leads to osteoarthritis and have identified a commonly used anti-depressant — paroxetine — that inhibits this pathway.
A combination of genetic mutations may explain the higher incidence of and poorer outcomes from pediatric leukemia in Hispanic and Latino children, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers.
Flu cases are down this year, mostly because all the COVID-19 precautions like hand-washing and social distancing. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stay vigilant. In fact, it might be more important now than ever.
Clinical depression that sets in at a season’s start and goes into remission at the end is called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. With a proper diagnosis, effective treatment is available.
You have the power to save lives today. January is National Blood Donation Month. Learn the benefits of donating—and how local organizations ensure donation is safe—in this week’s Penn State Health Medical Minute.
Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for people with food allergies? Two infectious disease experts offer answers and explain how the body accepts the vaccine in this week’s Penn State Health Medical Minute.
Surgery, in addition to treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy, may increase the length of survival for metastatic breast cancer patients, according to Penn State College of Medicine and Penn State Cancer Institute researchers
The absence of a protein that works to prevent tumor formation may explain why some patients are resistant to a common cancer therapy, according to Penn State Cancer Institute and Penn State College of Medicine researchers.
Vaccines are in the news again – along with misinformation about their safety. We replace the common myths with truths about the safety and benefits of vaccination in this week’s Medical Minute.
As the U.S. authorizes distribution of the COVID vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, here’s what you need to know about the vaccines — how they work, the doses required, their effectiveness and more.
Dr. Jennifer Kraschnewski, professor of medicine, public health sciences and pediatrics at Penn State College of Medicine, has received $2.69 million through the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to establish projects aimed at addressing COVID-19 health disparities among nursing home residents and racial and ethnic minorities.
White blood cells are part of many immune system responses in the human body. New research shows that a specific type of those cells may cause brain cancer tissues to die – but that’s not good news, according to researchers at Penn State College of Medicine and Penn State Cancer Institute.
Young athletes in central Pennsylvania can’t wait to start basketball and wrestling season. But with the COVID-19 pandemic raging, parents wonder how their children can stay safe. And, if their child gets COVID-19, parents wonder when it’s safe for that child to get back to competitive sports.
Cancer cases in adolescents and young adults have risen by 30% during the last four decades, with kidney cancer rising at the greatest rate, according to researchers at Penn State College of Medicine.
Researchers from Penn State College of Medicine are participating in a $10 million project to better understand why males and females have different survival rates with a common and deadly type of brain cancer.
A genetic modification in the ‘coat’ of a brain infection-causing virus may allow it to escape antibodies, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers.
Do people with COVID-19 run a risk of developing myocarditis? Cardiologist Dr. John Boehmer examines the latest research in this week’s Medical Minute.
Cannabidiol (CBD) oils are equally or less effective at inhibiting the growth of certain cancer cells compared to pure CBD, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers.
After nine months of social distancing, masking and quarantining, many people are experiencing pandemic fatigue. Whether it manifests as anxiety, exhaustion or defiance, it’s important to recognize and address it for the sake of our physical and emotional health.
Medical diagnoses involving alcohol-related disorders, substance-related disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviors – commonly referred to as diseases of despair – increased in Pennsylvania health insurance claims between the years 2007 and 2018, according to researchers.
Doctors may soon be able to more accurately diagnose concussions by measuring the number of certain molecules in a person’s saliva, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers.
As families weigh options for celebrating the holidays amid COVID-19 health restrictions, people who have always been together during these happy times are struggling with the idea of being apart this year. A Penn State Health physician has suggestions on how to cope.