MNT weekly newsletter - December 05, 2018

Medical News Today

Dear Kuk,

Welcome to this week's Medical News Today newsletter, containing the headlines from the past week, across your chosen news categories.


Blood / Hematology
Undetectable viral load: Everything you need to know
A person has an undetectable viral load when there are so few viral copies of HIV in their blood that a blood test cannot detect them. This is good for a person's overall health and means that they cannot transmit the virus to another person. Learn more about an undetectable viral load and how doctors measure it here.
What does my eosinophil count mean?
Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that help the body fight off infections. The test involves a doctor drawing blood. An eosinophil count may be either too high or too low, which may indicate an underlying condition, or it may be in the normal range. Learn more about eosinophil count here.
What is an HIV viral load?
Viral load is the amount of HIV per milliliter of blood. Antiretroviral therapy aims to reduce a person's viral load to undetectable levels, where the virus is no longer transmittable. Here, we discuss what viral load and CD4 levels mean for a person living with HIV.
What to know about a fever and HIV
A fever may be one of the initial symptoms of an acute HIV infection soon after exposure to the virus. In this article, learn about an HIV fever and other early symptoms.


Bones / Orthopedics
What causes a lateral collateral ligament sprain?
A lateral collateral ligament (LCL) sprain occurs when there is a tear in the ligaments on the outside of the knee. Causes include sports injuries and accidents. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and weakness. Treatment involves rest, medications, and possibly physical therapy. Learn more about LCL sprains here.


Depression
Depression: Ketamine prevents loss of pleasure in primates
Why do people with depression lose pleasure in daily activities? And why does ketamine help treat depression in some? A new study offers some answers.
What to know about multiple sclerosis and mood swings
Multiple sclerosis affects the nerves in the body and may also affect mood. Learn more about the causes of multiple sclerosis mood swings, and the best treatment options, here.
Depression: Electrical stimulation can 'significantly' improve mood
Researchers found that only 3 minutes of electrical stimulation applied to the orbitofrontal cortex relieves symptoms of moderate and severe depression.
This brain circuit is key to both depression and addiction
Recent discoveries about the brain circuitry that drives depression and addiction may point to new clinical targets for the treatment of these issues.


GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
Celiac disease may be treated with cystic fibrosis drugs
New research investigates the similarities between cystic fibrosis and celiac disease, suggesting that drugs for the former may also treat the latter.
What causes abdominal pain and diarrhea?
There are many potential causes of abdominal pain and diarrhea, including infection, indigestion, and stress. Learn more about some of the common causes and how to treat and prevent it here.


Neurology / Neuroscience
What is Lhermitte's sign?
Lhermitte's sign is sometimes a symptom of multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating conditions. In this article, learn about what causes Lhermitte's sign, its triggers, and how to reduce the risk of experiencing it.
Depression: Ketamine prevents loss of pleasure in primates
Why do people with depression lose pleasure in daily activities? And why does ketamine help treat depression in some? A new study offers some answers.
What to know about multiple sclerosis and mood swings
Multiple sclerosis affects the nerves in the body and may also affect mood. Learn more about the causes of multiple sclerosis mood swings, and the best treatment options, here.
Dementia: Gene study boosts search for treatment
Using an innovative analytical approach, researchers pinpointed genes that play an important role in the protein buildup associated with dementia.
Depression: Electrical stimulation can 'significantly' improve mood
Researchers found that only 3 minutes of electrical stimulation applied to the orbitofrontal cortex relieves symptoms of moderate and severe depression.
This brain circuit is key to both depression and addiction
Recent discoveries about the brain circuitry that drives depression and addiction may point to new clinical targets for the treatment of these issues.
What to know about itching and MS
Itching is one type of dysesthesia, or abnormal sensation, that occurs in people with multiple sclerosis. In this article, learn about why it occurs, as well as how to get relief with home remedies and other treatments.
What are the most likely causes of upper back pain?
Causes of upper back pain include herniated discs, muscle overuse, osteoarthritis, and a pinched nerve. Learn more about these and other reasons for upper back pain, and how to prevent it, here.


Nutrition / Diet
Celiac disease may be treated with cystic fibrosis drugs
New research investigates the similarities between cystic fibrosis and celiac disease, suggesting that drugs for the former may also treat the latter.
What is the IIFYM (if it fits your macros) diet?
IIFYM stands for "if it fits your macros." This flexible dieting method focuses on counting macronutrients, namely proteins, carbs, and fats, instead of calories. In this article, we describe how to follow the IIFYM diet and explore potential benefits and risks.
Cancer cells' use of sugar holds the key to their destruction
Either reducing glucose supply or altering its metabolism in cancer cells could greatly improve effectiveness of virus-based treatments, a study reveals.


Pain / Anesthetics
What is Lhermitte's sign?
Lhermitte's sign is sometimes a symptom of multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating conditions. In this article, learn about what causes Lhermitte's sign, its triggers, and how to reduce the risk of experiencing it.
What types of pain can HIV cause?
Pain is common in people living with HIV and can include headaches, joint pain, and abdominal cramping. Pain medications, alternative therapies, and home remedies can help a person manage their pain. Learn more here.


Respiratory
What are the signs of an upper respiratory infection?
An upper respiratory infection is an illness that affects the nose and throat, causing symptoms such as sneezing and coughing. Learn more about upper respiratory infections here.


Sexual Health / STDs
What causes HIV-related fatigue?
Fatigue is a common problem among people living with HIV due to its effects on the immune system, psychological factors, or medication side effects. In this article, we discuss the causes and treatments for HIV-related fatigue.
HIV and AIDS: A timeline and history
In this article, learn about how HIV and AIDS came to affect humans and how researchers discovered the virus. We also cover how the public response and treatment have evolved over several decades.
Undetectable viral load: Everything you need to know
A person has an undetectable viral load when there are so few viral copies of HIV in their blood that a blood test cannot detect them. This is good for a person's overall health and means that they cannot transmit the virus to another person. Learn more about an undetectable viral load and how doctors measure it here.
What types of pain can HIV cause?
Pain is common in people living with HIV and can include headaches, joint pain, and abdominal cramping. Pain medications, alternative therapies, and home remedies can help a person manage their pain. Learn more here.
Hepatitis C and HIV coinfection
People living with HIV are at higher risk of contracting hepatitis C. This because HIV can weaken the immune system, leaving the body more vulnerable to other infections. In this article, we discuss the symptoms, prevention, and treatment for hepatitis C in people living with HIV.
What is an HIV viral load?
Viral load is the amount of HIV per milliliter of blood. Antiretroviral therapy aims to reduce a person's viral load to undetectable levels, where the virus is no longer transmittable. Here, we discuss what viral load and CD4 levels mean for a person living with HIV.
What to know about a fever and HIV
A fever may be one of the initial symptoms of an acute HIV infection soon after exposure to the virus. In this article, learn about an HIV fever and other early symptoms.
Why you cannot get HIV from kissing
There are many myths surrounding the transmission of HIV. A person can only transmit HIV through certain bodily fluids, including blood and semen. HIV is not present in other bodily fluids, such as saliva, tears, or sweat, so people cannot contract HIV through kissing. Learn more here.


Surgery
Surgeons successfully perform full face transplant
With the help of innovative techniques, surgeons at New York University Langone Health have successfully conducted a full face transplant.


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