Category Archives: Immune System

A study published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology wanted to test out if using disinfectant wipes to clean the kitchen could reduce the risk of food poisoning. The research team used wipes on different counter top materials – granite, laminate, and ceramic tile – to determine if it would reduce the risk of ingesting ...click here to read more

A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) found a link between sleep apnea and pneumonia. It discussed that those who suffer from sleep apnea are at a higher risk of pneumonia. Sleep apnea is a chronic sleep disorder that affects approximately 18 million Americans, so you’re not alone. With sleep apnea, your ...click here to read more

Sjögren’s syndrome may raise the risk of heart attack, stroke and pulmonary hypertension, according to research. Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune inflammatory disease; the body’s immune system attacks the glands where fluid is excreted, like the tear or saliva glands. When this occurs the eyes are unable to produce tears, the mouth becomes very dry ...click here to read more

Sepsis and septic shock-related muscle damage may be repairable by stem cell therapy, according to new findings. Sepsis is an inflammatory response to a severe infection and affects nearly 28 million people worldwide, claiming the lives of eight million. In those who survive sepsis, life-long complications may occur, which are not only debilitating, but can ...click here to read more

Pleurisy (pleuritis) is a type of lung inflammation that causes sharp chest pains when breathing. The pleura is a membrane made up of layers of tissues that line the inner chest cavity and a layer of tissues around the lungs. When this membrane becomes inflamed it leads to pleuritis. Pleuritis leads to chest pains that ...click here to read more

Lupus – systemic lupus erythematosus – increases the risk of osteoporosis and bone loss. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that is more common among women. Osteoporosis has commonly been seen in lupus patients with risk factors including prolonged use of glucocorticoids, cyclophosphamide and possibly gonadotropin-releasing-hormone agonists. Specifically in premenopausal women with lupus, inflammation and medications ...click here to read more

As many of us are quite aware, with the winter comes an increased risk of illness. And yet, even though we know that the odds of catching a cold or flu during the winter are at their highest, it still doesn’t stop us from partaking in habits that can increase these odds even more. You ...click here to read more

Zoonotic diseases are those transferred from animals to humans, including Lyme disease, salmonella, and E. coli. Zoonotic diseases are caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that six out of 10 infectious diseases found in human result from animals. As humans we interact with animals on ...click here to read more

Winter can be a chilling experience, especially because colder temperatures often mean outbreaks of the rhinovirus, or the cold virus. Colder temperatures, gusty winds and snow – and bundling up to take it on – are all what can be expected in a typical North American winter. Even Florida can get frosty! No wonder so ...click here to read more

Cold sores (herpes simplex virus) can raise the risk of memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease. Cold sores are not only unsightly to look at and uncomfortable, but they can be a sign of serious health problems as well. Previous research on cold sores has found that they can be tied to memory loss, but more ...click here to read more

Multiple sclerosis paroxysmal symptoms can be confused with seizures due to its sudden onset. Paroxysmal symptoms are unique to multiple sclerosis (MS) and involve unusual sensations or muscular contractions. The main differences between multiple sclerosis paroxysmal symptoms and epileptic seizures are that paroxysmal symptoms do not cause short-circuiting of brain waves and do not have ...click here to read more

Lupus can contribute to pericarditis – inflammation of the pericardium, a part of the heart. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect many areas of the body, including skin, joints and kidneys. Lupus can also affect the heart in numerous ways as the heart consists of many tissues that can become inflamed and scar. ...click here to read more

In many countries around the world, cellulitis is on the rise, and experts know that cellulitis risk from staph bacterial infection increases with obesity, as well as a weak immune system. Cellulitis is a common bacterial infection of the skin with the potential to have serious consequences. It impacts the surface of the skin and ...click here to read more

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a contagious respiratory infection that causes severe hacking, coughing, followed by a high-pitched “whoop” sound when the person takes in their next breath. Prior to the development of the vaccine, whooping cough was common among children, but now cases are limited to children who are too young to receive the vaccination. ...click here to read more