Personalized medicine and what it means for you

Personalized medicine is big news. But why are scientists and doctors so excited by it? Well, imagine being able to get a more accurate and faster diagnosis, and then being given a treatment that your physician can more confidently know is the best treatment option specifically for you. That’s why there’s so much effort going into developing personalized medicines and diagnostics.

NASH/NAFLD: Screening and Diagnostic Testing

The screening practice for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) depends on highly variable global guidelines. Screening refers to checking for a disease in the absence of symptoms. Early detection through screening increases the likelihood of successfully treating the disease. In the US, high-risk populations for NAFLD/NASH are screened through laboratory tests, imaging, and, sometimes, a liver biopsy to determine if they meet the criteria to be diagnosed with NAFLD or NASH.

NASH: Present and Emerging Treatments

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the second leading cause of liver transplantation in the United States. Since available therapeutic options remain limited, developing new therapies that can change the disease outcomes for people living with NASH is vital. This brief article will look at the current NASH management options and discuss new drugs in development.

Hypercholesterolemia: Causes and Management

Two in five Americans have harmful levels of cholesterol in their blood. Hypercholesterolemia, or high cholesterol, remains one of the significant risk factors for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death in the United States. Knowing how to prevent and manage the condition is vital, as there are almost no symptoms.

Clinical Studies and You

You may have heard of clinical studies, but you might not know much about them. Each medicine doctors give their patients must first be approved by a regulatory agency, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and similar agencies in other countries. Before this can happen, we need real-world evidence that a medicine is safe and that it is effective in the populations with disease. Sponsors (pharma and biotech companies) run clinical studies to gather the evidence and submit it to regulatory agencies who review the evidence and approve the medicine for patients, if it is safe and effective.

Diversity in clinical studies: Why it matters

People from different ethnic backgrounds may have a different response to certain medical products (medicines and medical devices) and that is why it is important for clinical studies to include people from all background and across different age groups, races and ethnicities.

Mental Health Challenges: Seasonal Depression and Anxiety

As fall begins, many people may start to experience symptoms of seasonal depression. In fact, about 5% of Americans experience symptoms of seasonal depression every year. It is essential to recognize these symptoms and seek effective treatment options.

Chronic Kidney Disease: Overview and Emerging Therapies

Chronic kidney disease is a condition marked by the progressive loss of kidney function and life-threatening complications such as high blood pressure and heart disease. It is estimated that chronic kidney disease affects more than 1 in 7 Americans. Although kidney diseases rank as a leading cause of death in the United States, 40% of people with severely reduced kidney function remain unaware of their condition.

10 Signs You May Have Kidney Disease

Your kidneys play a crucial role in your overall health and well-being. Serving as the body’s blood filtration system they help remove waste, toxins and drugs, balance fluid levels, control blood pressure, regulate pH levels, and more. Without them you wouldn’t be able to survive.

Navigating the ClinicalTrials.gov website

Researching and understanding clinical trial information can be daunting. With so many different sources of information and language that can be difficult to understand, trying to find a clinical trial that is right for you can be overwhelming. While ClinicalTrials.gov is the most comprehensive database for clinical trials, it is written for healthcare professionals and can be difficult to navigate. But don’t worry, there are several best practices that can help.