Latest news with #warmer weather
The Independent
13 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Experts reveal simple ways to help avoid the summer cold
Colds and other viruses circulate year-round, making it possible to fall ill even during summer. Staying hydrated is crucial in warmer weather to replenish fluids lost through increased sweating. Frequent handwashing, especially when travelling, helps prevent the spread of viruses and infections. Ensuring adequate sleep is vital for immune system health, as it aids in the production of protective proteins. Avoid touching your face and be mindful of air conditioning use, as excessive AC can create a dry environment conducive to viruses.
CNET
5 days ago
- Health
- CNET
How to Spot and Respond to a Heart Attack: 5 Vital Tips From Cardiologist
It can be tough to figure out if you or someone else is having a heart attack, especially since they're easily confused with panic attacks. Panic attacks generally aren't life-threatening, although they may feel like it. On the other hand, a heart attack can be fatal. A heart attack is when the blood flow to the heart is blocked. When the heart doesn't get enough oxygen supply, it can become life-threatening. Heart attacks are medical emergencies that can lead to serious issues and death if ignored, and they should be addressed as soon as possible. CNET There are several factors at play when it comes to surviving a heart attack or saving a life, but the most crucial bit is being able to identify correctly when one is taking place and remembering the five key steps. Now, as we're in summer with warmer weather, health issues that you may not be aware of may flare up. We've put together this guide to help you be better prepared, with life-saving tips for heart attacks. Learn more about heart health tips by reading how to check your heart metrics at home, six important blood tests to take and understanding the importance of your blood type. Common symptoms of a heartWhen you think "heart attack," classic symptoms such as chest discomfort might first come to mind. Heart attacks can present differently in men and women and in people with certain diseases, like diabetes. Heart attack symptoms could include: Chest discomfort, pain or pressure that radiates up to your jaw, your back and/or your left shoulder Bad indigestion or nausea Extreme fatigue Shortness of breath Feeling generally unwell "Essentially anything from the belly button up," says Dr. Khadijah Breathett, a heart failure transplant cardiologist and tenured associate professor of medicine at Indiana University. "Constant pressure should raise concern that you should see your doctor, and it's OK if it's something else. We'd rather have an individual come see a health care professional and get evaluated rather than toughing it out at home, because that is what contributes to the escalating risk of death." 1. Call 911, no matter what If you feel any of the above symptoms, even if you aren't sure it's a heart attack, you should call 911 immediately, doctors recommend. "If you feel unwell, or you're starting to have chest discomfort, seek medical attention quickly, because the sooner you get treated, the better," says Dr. Grant Reed, an interventional cardiologist and director of Cleveland Clinic's STEMI program. "A lot of patients ignore their symptoms, and by the time they come in, their heart muscle has already died." Richard T. Nowitz/Getty Images The No. 1 indicator of how well you're going to do after a heart attack is how fast you recognize your symptoms, Reed adds. There's a strong relationship between when you start to have your heart attack (which is generally when symptoms start) and how fast doctors can open up the blocked coronary artery that's causing it -- the shorter the time, the better the outcomes, not just regarding survival but also the likelihood of heart failure or needing to be readmitted to the hospital. When you get to the hospital, medical professionals will likely perform an electrocardiogram, which will determine the diagnosis of a heart attack. If it is a heart attack, you'll be taken to the cardiac catheterization laboratory, where a coronary angiography will be performed. If you have a blockage in your coronary artery, the doctors will offer treatment with a balloon and a stent to keep the artery open. Many people are hesitant to seek emergency medical care due to a lack of insurance or immigration status. In the US, hospitals are required to treat all people who come in with life-threatening emergencies. "It's a lot better to be treated and deal with the financial ramifications after the fact," Reed says. In most cases, costs can be sorted out with the hospital, he adds. jayk7/Getty Images 2. Have an ambulance take you to the hospital If you suspect you're having a heart attack, don't drive yourself to the hospital: Call an ambulance. You could lose consciousness and hurt yourself or others on the road, says Dr. Joel Beachey, a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The same goes for having a loved one drive you -- if your symptoms worsen, they won't be able to help you while they're driving, and may be distracted. Paramedics can provide the best and fastest care while you're on the way to the hospital, including giving you an assessment and providing some treatment, Beachey says. If you're with someone who is having heart attack symptoms and becomes unconscious, you should first call 911 and then engage in CPR, Breathett says. (You can find free CPR training at your local American Heart Association branch and many other places.) 3. Take aspirin, if you have it If you're having heart attack symptoms and have access to aspirin, take a full dose of 325 mg after calling the ambulance, Beachey says. (If you have baby aspirin, which comes in an 81 mg dose, take four of those.) He recommends chewing it instead of swallowing, so it gets into your system faster. The reason? When you're having a heart attack, a plaque inside your arteries becomes unstable and ruptures, which forms a blood clot that can close off supply to that artery. Taking aspirin can help break down some of that blood clot. ER4. Advocate for yourself In an ideal world, healthcare providers would take all patient concerns seriously when it comes to heart attack symptoms, but studies show women and people of color are less likely to receive adequate treatment for heart attacks and heart disease. For example, older Black women were 50% less likely to be treated when they arrived at a hospital with a heart attack or coronary artery disease symptoms than white women, including after accounting for education, income, insurance status and other heart health complications like diabetes and high blood pressure, a 2019 study found. "It's been very clear over most of our history in the US that women and people of color are not heard," Breathett says. "Their symptoms get dismissed, and they have worse outcomes. As a health care system, we have a lot more work to do to change that system so that each person can get equitable care irrespective of their demographic." Until that time comes, patients need to be their own advocates and speak up for themselves, she adds. If they aren't being heard, they have the right to seek care elsewhere. One tip recommended by a resident on TikTok: If you feel a provider isn't taking your symptoms seriously, for heart health or otherwise, you can ask the provider, "What is your differential diagnosis?" A differential diagnosis is a term to describe what the different diseases are that could be contributing to your symptoms, basically asking the provider to explain why they've ruled out a heart attack and what else it could be. "That might help a person realize, oh, I haven't effectively tested to make sure this is not cardiac disease," Breathett says. You can also bring a family member or friend to help ask questions on your behalf. Write down questions in advance if you can, so you can have them addressed during your short visit. And call back with any questions that weren't answered. If you're not satisfied or feel that you're not being heard, seek out another care team. 5. Work on prevention You've heard it a million times, but that's because it's true: The best way to prevent a heart attack is by maintaining a healthy diet, doing moderate exercise for 120 to 150 minutes per week, keeping your cholesterol and blood pressure under control and not attacks can happen to people of any age, race or gender. You should get regular physical exams with your primary care provider to assess your risk and make lifestyle changes that can help with prevention. Some people might also benefit from taking a baby aspirin every day as a preventative measure, but you'll need to talk to your care provider about that. Exercise is important even if you have a history of heart trouble, Beachey says. Knowing what to do to prevent and respond to a heart attack is just one of the many important elements of your health you should know about. Read on to discover the best workouts to strengthen your heart, the difference between the types of cholesterol and how your diet affects your health. Plus, if you're looking for new ways to monitor your metrics, check out CNET's list of recommended fitness trackers and blood pressure monitors.
Medscape
11-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Fast Five Quiz: Presentation and Diagnosis Plaque Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis. Recognition of symptoms and prompt diagnosis are critical to prevent the progression of joint damage and to improve patients' quality of life and long-term physical function. How much do you know about the presentation and diagnosis of plaque psoriasis? Test your knowledge with this quick quiz. According to a recent analysis, patients with moderate disease most commonly present with more cracked skin, tender skin, and redness or discoloration than those with mild disease at diagnosis. Conversely, scaling and flaking are less common in patients with moderate psoriasis at diagnosis than in those with mild disease. Although both mild and moderate psoriasis can present with other symptoms such as pruritus, burning, and pain/stiffness in joints, the differences in prevalence are not statistically significant or as distinctive. Learn more about physical examination for plaque psoriasis. Guttate psoriasis is normally self-limited, but in some cases, it can progress to chronic plaque psoriasis. Patients with plaque psoriasis have frequently reported worsening of symptoms in the winter and improvement of symptoms with warmer weather; however, symptoms can worsen at any time, depending on the patient. Koebner phenomenon refers to the appearance of new lesions at sites of injury or trauma to the skin. It is believed to occur in up to 75% of patients with psoriasis. Pruritus is a cardinal feature of plaque psoriasis and can occur with any severity of disease. Learn more about the presentation of plaque psoriasis. The physical examination of a patient with plaque psoriasis might reveal symmetrical lesions on the scalp, trunk, buttocks, and limbs as well as the extensor surfaces of the knees, elbows, and genitals. In some cases, plaque psoriasis might present as well-demarcated oval-shaped plaques that can range in size. Widespread erythema covering nearly the entire body with variable amounts of scaling is more likely to be seen with erythrodermic psoriasis, not plaque psoriasis; it is considered a life-threatening emergency, as these patients are at risk for hemodynamic instability. Drop-shaped, salmon-colored papules with fine scale are more characteristic of guttate psoriasis, not plaque psoriasis. Learn more about the signs and symptoms of plaque psoriasis. Psoriatic plaques tend to have a high degree of uniformity with few morphologic differences between the two sides. Fissuring within psoriatic plaques can occur when lesions are present over joint lines or on the palms and soles. They are raised and easily palpable owing to the thickened epidermis, expanded dermal vascular compartment, and infiltrate of neutrophils and lymphocytes that are characteristic of the disease. Further, psoriatic plaques are symmetrically distributed over the body. Learn more about the signs and symptoms of plaque psoriasis. According to a review consisting of patient data, Black individuals with psoriasis reported lower amounts of erythema but higher rates of dyspigmentation and more BSA involvement than White individuals. Moreover, other data have indicated that lasting skin dyspigmentation is also among the most frequent complaints in patients with skin of color, and Black individuals might have thicker plaques that appear grayish or purple. Additionally, scalp psoriasis is more commonly seen in Asian and Black individuals than in Western European individuals, and Asian and Hispanic individuals are also more likely to cite stress as an exacerbating factor than White individuals. Learn more about the nuances of plaque psoriasis presentation.
