Health Lab

How E coli. and other illness-causing bugs get past the microbiome’s defenses.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/lab-report/bad-bacteria-make-their-own-food-to-colonize-gut Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For many Americans, life in the time of COVID-19 means forming “pods” – small groups of people who agree to share child care and education responsibilities, or to study or socialize together. For more information about this story visit https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/wellness-prevention/how-to-keep-covid-19-from-invading-your-pod-and-how-to-stay-safe-if-it-does Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As schools prepare for fall, a small study suggests that young children may carry coronavirus at high levels – but that doesn’t prove they’re contagious.For more information about this story visit: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/childrens-health/why-relationship-between-kids-and-spread-of-covid-remains-unclear Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A research scientist and his team examine the relationship between proton pump inhibitors, endoscopy, esophageal conditions and psychological distress for patients with GERD.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/lab-report/does-ppi-response-predict-other-conditions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When people think about forensic pathology, images of crime shows where an investigator sets out to determine a murder victim’s cause of death often come to mind. However, it’s important to acknowledge the crucial role this field actually plays in our collective response to death, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unravel.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/body-work/covid-19-heroes-you-havent-met-yet-behind-scenes-of-a-pandemic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is it possible to have COVID-19 more than once within a short period of time? Two recent reports, one out of Hong Kong and one in a patient in Reno, Nevada, have many scratching their heads—and wondering what the cases mean for the future of the pandemic.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/rounds/should-we-worry-about-covid-19-reinfection Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You’ve heard it time and again: One of the easiest and most effective ways to limit the spread of COVID-19 is by wearing face masks. That’s true whether you’re at the grocery store or seeing friends and family who live outside your immediate household. For more information, visit https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/wellness-prevention/4-mask-myths-put-you-at-risk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lessons from early peak state of Michigan could inform hospitals in other areas. Four months ago, Michigan glowed red on COVID-19 maps. Hundreds of patients packed hospital intensive care units in the southern part of the state, and hospitals statewide rapidly put strict new visitor policies in place to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. ICU teams had to scramble to connect with the families of critically ill and dying patients in new ways. Now, a new study documents how 49 of those hospitals reacted, and how those efforts varied.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/rounds/outside-looking-hospital-visitor-rules-vary-during-pandemic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How researchers, doctors and recovered patients are joining efforts to see if one of the oldest pandemic treatments really works.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/industry-dx/convalescent-plasma-and-covid-19-hope-blood-and-chanceResources:C3PO, short for Clinical Trial of COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma of OutpatientsUS COVID Plasma effort Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After preliminary observations of 200 COVID-19 patients with severe hyperglycemia, a Michigan Medicine team is shedding light in a new Diabetes paper about why high blood sugar may trigger worse outcomes in people infected with the virus. And researchers have developed a blood sugar management tool that may potentially reduce risk of secondary infections, kidney issues and intensive care stays in people with diabetes, prediabetes or obesity who get COVID-19.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/rounds/does-high-blood-sugar-worsen-covid-19-outcomes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You've seen it—a large spherical mass with protruding red spikes plastered across the television and the internet. It's an image that has become all too familiar over the last few months. We know it well as COVID-19, but what exactly does this picture tell us other than serving as the visual representation of the pandemic?For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/lab-report/coronavirus-decoding-spiky-fuzz-ballResources:University of Michigan's BioArtography ProjectFinding Beauty Through a Microscope Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apps like Uber or Lyft can find you easily for a ride to the airport. So why is getting help to get to a hospital in an emergency so much more complicated?For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/health-tech/uberization-of-911 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parents in Michigan, Ohio and Illinois varied in their support for risk-reduction measures like random COVID-19 testing and face mask requirements. The majority of parents surveyed (two-thirds) said they will likely send all of their children to school in fall. Most also support certain safety measures, including decreasing the number of children on buses, daily temperature screens for students, alternating between in-person and online classes, regular testing of school staff, and requiring school staff and older children to wear masks.The report, published by the Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center (CHEAR) at the University of Michigan, included 1,193 parents of school-aged children in the three states who were surveyed from June 12-22. For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/rounds/13-of-parents-3-states-may-not-send-children-to-school-because-of-covid-19 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Providers find patients hospitalized from COVID-19 need physical and cognitive rehabilitation care to aid in their recovery from the virus’ damaging effects on the body and mind. For patients that experience severe cases of the COVID-19 virus, no longer needing mechanical ventilation and leaving the intensive care unit are great successes. But, for some patients, recovering from the virus is just beginning.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/body-work/rehabilitation-care-needed-for-many-covid-19-patients Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patients who received single intravenous dose of tocilizumab were also more likely to leave the hospital or be off a ventilator within a month, despite double the risk of additional infection.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/body-work/drug-calms-cytokine-storm-associated-45-lower-risk-of-dying-among-covid-19-patients-on Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Increased light exposure can have positive and negative effects on your health — depending on the time of day. In the age of working from home due to COVID-19, many of us may be spending significantly more time inside looking at bright screens. As we attend online meetings and scroll through social media, we are exposed to more artificial light than our bodies are accustomed to. Doctors have been investigating the relationship between light and human health, and our growing artificial light exposure may only be making the impact stronger.For more information about this story visit: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/lifestyle/how-timing-of-light-exposure-could-be-affecting-your-health Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A doctor and fourth-year medical student propose improvements to the residency application process during COVID-19 and beyond. During this academic year alone, over 40,000 medical students will apply for residency programs throughout the United States. However, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, this process will look very different than in previous years.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/med-u/covid-19-applying-for-residency-could-look-different-for-aspiring-doctors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new study finds that fewer women were first authors on COVID-19-related research papers published in the first half of this year. The difference was particularly striking during the first two months of the pandemic when schools closed and researchers were told to work remotely.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/industry-dx/covid-19-widening-gender-gap-academic-medicine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The United Asian American Medical Student Association unveils a social media campaign designed to amplify diverse voices in support of diversity, equity and inclusion.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/med-u/stories-we-share-a-social-justice-campaign You can find The Stories We Share campaign on Facebook, @the.stories.we.share on Instagram and @TSWS_umich on Twitter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As lockdown restrictions ease up around the country, health experts share their input on travel and how to make vacationing as safe as possible. The number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. has been increasing daily at the highest rate since the pandemic began. Despite this, with lockdown restrictions loosening around the country, many have found themselves booking beach vacations or traveling to see friends and family. Though cities and businesses are beginning to open up, health experts say traveling is still something we must do with major caution.For more information about this story visit: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/lifestyle/it-safe-to-travel-age-of-covid-19 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tips for helping a family member or roommate cope with coronavirus (COVID-19) effects, while protecting yourself and others. Read the full article here. *Article updated in 2021.For more on this story and for others like it, visit the Health Lab website where you can subscribe to our Health Lab newsletters to receive the latest in health research and information to your inbox each week. Health Lab is a part of the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network, and is produced by the Michigan Medicine Department of Communication. You can listen to Health Lab wherever you get your podcasts. All Health Lab content including health news, best practices and research insights are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always seek the advice of a health care provider for questions about your health and treatment options. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Properly wearing a mask or cloth face covering can help keep you safe while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. As cases of COVID-19 begin to spike again across the country, it’s important to stay steadfast in helping prevent further spread of the virus. While you should continue to wash your hands, cover your coughs and sneezes, avoid touching your face and follow social distancing rules, wearing a mask is an additional step you should also take to stay safe. For more information about this story visit: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/wellness-prevention/yes-you-should-wear-a-mask-heres-how-and-why Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pandemic historians who showed the power of efforts to ‘flatten the curve’ say it will take all-out effort by individuals, industry and elected officials to reduce death and suffering until vaccines are available.For more information about this story visit: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/wellness-prevention/covid-19-curve-has-unflattened-fast-now-whatResources:Michigan Health Blog: Flattening the Curve for COVID-19: What Does It Mean and How Can You Help?Michigan Health Blog: With the COVID-19 Curve Flattening, It's Time to Prevent a Second PeakThe Conversation: Lessons from the 1918 pandemic: A U.S. city’s past may hold cluesUniversity of Michigan Medical School Center for the History of MedicineInfluenza Archive: University of Michigan Center for the History of Medicine and Michigan Publishing, University of Michigan Library Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Without an alarm clock set for school, sleep routines are anything but routine right now in many homes. A sleep psychologist shares what parents should know. For more information about this story visit: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/childrens-health/helping-your-kids-overcome-stress-related-sleep-disruption Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The mental health toll of caring for COVID-19 patients will need long-lasting attention, as it adds to already demanding professions. An outpouring of public support may have helped maintain the spirits and well-being of health care workers as they faced the early months of the coronavirus pandemic. But as the salutes fade into memory, and COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rise across the United States, mental health experts are worried about the health care workers-turned-heroes who were so much in the spotlight a few months ago.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/industry-dx/spring-they-were-heroes-but-summer-may-be-cruel-for-health-professionals Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As coronavirus research comes at us fast, key things to remember as you read and share the latest news. Sometimes it feels like trying to drink from a firehose. All those news headlines making new claims about coronavirus and COVID-19. All those social media posts debating this restriction or that reopening. All the worry about whether we overreacted, or didn’t do enough. It’s enough to make some people want to stop paying attention. But the world needs people who can spot and share solid information about COVID-19, and call out misinformation and exaggeration. They’ll be key to the next phase of the pandemic, and to reducing suffering and death as the health crisis continues. For more information about this story visit: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/wellness-prevention/4-ways-to-be-a-savvy-news-consumer-a-pandemicWant to learn more about picking apart health news? Visit websites like Health News Review, the BBC Academy’s “Beyond Fake News” page, and this guide to evaluating information online from California State University. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Members of Michigan Medicine’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee discuss resources for the LGBTQ+ community. June is Pride Month, a time to honor the impact of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) people throughout the United States and beyond. The Stonewall riots, which occurred at the end of June of 1969, are often characterized as an integral series of events that gave way to the gay liberation movement. They also had a hand in why June was chosen for this celebratory month. “The LGBTQ+ community continues to face various health care disparities and hardships due to discrimination and other unfair practices,” says Pedro Coracides, a project manager in Michigan Medicine’s Office of Patient Experience. “That’s why it’s so important for us to focus on patient and family-centered care for all of our guests, as we constantly strive to make our health system an inclusive space for everyone.” For more information about this story visit: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/health-management/a-moment-of-pride-resources-serve-lgbtq-communityResources:Human Right’s Campaign Healthcare Equality IndexMichigan Medicine’s Office of Patient ExperienceMichigan Medicine All-Gender Restrooms GuideMichigan Medicine Patient Story LibraryTransgender and Gender Nonconforming Adult Support GroupSupport Group for Parents of Gender Nonconforming PeopleC.S. Mott Children's Hospital Child and Adolescent Gender Services clinicMichigan Medicine Comprehensive Gender Services ProgramMichigan Medicine HIV/AIDS Treatment Program Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new study finds the use of HGH treatment in patients that have undergone ACL reconstructive surgery may prevent the loss of muscle strength and weakness. For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/lab-report/human-growth-hormone-treatment-after-acl-injury-may-prevent-loss-of-muscle-strength Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A roundup of 10 studies highlighting the health disparities between black and white Americans. The second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence states clearly: “all men are created equal.” But does this hold true for all people in 2020? Yes, Americans can legally vote in elections, go to school or assemble in groups to peacefully protest. However, true equality goes beyond laws and policies. From inadequate access to fresh food and clean water, to screening in early stages of disease or the inability to rent an apartment because of discriminatory housing practices, these long standing systemic inequities for some black Americans can have long lasting effects on health. For more information about this story visit: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/lifestyle/health-inequality-actually-a-black-and-white-issue-research-saysResources:Racial Disparities in the Time of COVID-19Study Explores Why Prostate Cancer Mortality is Higher in Black MenMinority Patients Benefit From Having Minority Doctors, But That’s a Hard Match to MakeRacial and Ethnic Disparities in Insurance Access Impact Maternal-Infant HealthYoung African Americans with Colon Cancer Fare WorseWhy Does Dying Cost More for People of Color?Blood Pressure Associated with Racial Differences in Cognitive DeclineStudy Reveals Blind Spot in Coverage of Low Vision DevicesACA Helped Make Health Insurance Access More Equal, But Racial and Ethnic Gaps RemainEven Before COVID-19, Many Adults Lacked Stable Food SupplyVisit Michigan Medicine’s Office for Health Equity and Inclusion for anti-racism support and tools. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While case counts in some areas are going down, COVID-19 is still out there. How do you safely kick off the unofficial start of the summer during a pandemic? Five ways to reduce your risk of COVID-19 over the summer holidays and beyond.For more information about this story visit: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/lifestyle/staying-summer-safe-during-pandemic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3D printing fuels U-M efforts to rapidly increase ventilator capacity while providing each patient on vent support with individually tailored gas pressures and pressure monitoring.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/health-tech/personalized-device-could-support-multiple-covid-19-patients-from-single-ventilator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michigan Medicine experts highlight how their teams have increased access to transgender care during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.For more information about this story visit: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/health-management/lifting-barriers-to-care-for-transgender-and-non-binary-patientsResources:Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Adult Support GroupParents of Gender Nonconforming PeopleChild and Adolescent Gender ServicesComprehensive Gender Services Program Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Researchers look to the genes behind COVID-19 for early answers. Viruses may seem like cunning villains, purposefully mutating to increasingly deadlier forms to outwit their human hosts. In reality, a lot of what happens with a virus is completely random. This randomness can make figuring out where a virus came from, how it spreads and what makes it tick especially tricky. For SARS-CoV-2, the new virus that causes COVID-19, scientists are looking to its genome for answers to some of these questions.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/lab-report/what-sars-cov-2-genome-reveals Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rapid shifts removed out-of-pocket costs that could keep people from getting coronavirus care. That trend may continue.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/industry-dx/covid-19-care-mostly-free-to-patients-should-other-vital-care-be-too Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Food insecurity disparities by age, health status, race, ethnicity and education seen in National Poll on Healthy Aging; pandemic may have worsened them.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/industry-dx/even-before-covid-19-many-adults-lacked-stable-food-supplyResources:National Poll on Healthy AgingFood on the MoveThe Campus Kitchens Project Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A quick guide to volunteering to help researchers understand the virus, the disease and its effects on people and society. For more information about this story visit: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/wellness-prevention/everyone-vs-covid-19-how-you-can-help-science-make-progressResources:Information on Donating to the University of Michigan Biorepository for COVID-19 ResearchUniversity of Michigan Health Research RegistryHEROES Registry for Health Care WorkersCOVID Near You StudyCOVID Symptom StudyNational Daily Health SurveyNational Institutes of Health Antibody Test Study to, "...find the number of people with detectable antibodies to SARS-COV2 from a sampling of adults who have no known exposure or clinical illness."Rare Disease ListResearch Survey for Rare Disease Patients and Their Families About Impacts of COVID‑19National Institute of Mental Health's Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic StudyMap of COVID-19 Related Trials on ClinicalTrials.govClinicalTrials.gov Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Practical tips and online support can help people with depression, anxiety and other conditions cope. Living with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD and other mental health conditions can pose a challenge even in “normal” times.For more information about this story visit: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/wellness-prevention/getting-through-a-pandemic-when-you-have-a-mental-health-conditionResources:Michigan Psychiatry Resources for COVID-19: ToolkitMichigan Medicine Depression Center Toolkit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For children with autism spectrum disorder, who thrive on routines and predictability, the everyday disruptions and uncertainty from the pandemic may be especially stressful.For more information about this story visit: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/childrens-health/6-ways-to-support-children-autism-during-pandemicResources:Autism SpeaksMichigan Medicine Department of Psychiatry Program: Zero to ThriveDo2Learn Icons Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ventilators have gotten a lot of attention in the ongoing fight against COVID-19. But hundreds of hospitals around the world have another, less publicized weapon that might help some of the most desperately ill patients survive when ventilators aren’t enough.Right now, hundreds of COVID-19 patients in intensive care worldwide are being kept alive using a life support technology called ECMO and the skills of specially trained teams of nurses, respiratory therapists, technicians and doctors.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/rounds/when-ventilators-dont-help-covid-19-patients-might Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The novel coronavirus still affects a very small number of children, but new reports describe serious symptoms in some pediatric cases in parts of the U.S. and Europe. For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/rounds/rare-covid-related-inflammatory-disease-affecting-children Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A startling and disproportionate death rate among black Americans around the country from COVID-19 is revealing persistent inequities and the need for solutions to address them.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/rounds/racial-disparities-time-of-covid-19 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A pediatric intensive care nurse survived COVID-19 in part due to the excellent treatment she received from her peers. This National Nurses Week, she shares her appreciation.  For more information about this story visit: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/health-management/one-nurses-journey-surviving-covid-19-facing-a-long-road-to-recovery Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Survey of Michigan nursing homes at start of coronavirus suggests great improvement since just before the H1N1 pandemic.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/rounds/nursing-homes-prepared-for-pandemics-but-covid-19-reveals-gaps Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does COVID-19 impact pregnant people differently? Should pregnant people take extra precautions? More research is needed to better understand how the coronavirus affects pregnant people and babies. An OB/GYN weighs in about what we know and don’t know.For more information about this story visit: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/womens-health/12-things-to-know-about-covid-19-and-pregnancy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

History shows the dangers of relaxing restrictions too soon in a pandemic. Easing up on “social distancing” steps too soon, and too quickly, could give the novel coronavirus a chance to race back into broad circulation. Serious cases, and deaths, could spike again, and waste all the progress that has been made so far.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/industry-dx/covid-19-curve-flattening-its-time-to-prevent-a-second-peak Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A collaborative for emergency departments across the state of Michigan is working to help its colleagues through various aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/industry-dx/emergency-departments-across-michigan-collaborate-on-covid-19-responseResources:MEDIC PPE InfographicMEDIC Supporting the COVID-19 Response Across Michigan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As more and more hospitals across the U.S. admit patients with COVID-19, a Michigan team offers advice for doctors “drafted" for duties outside their norm.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/rounds/switching-gears-at-high-speed-for-hospital-covid-19-careResources:COVID-19 Continuing Medical Education Portal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Researchers from the University of Michigan have developed a helmet solution to provide support for COVID-19 patients, protect health care workers and safeguard hospital systems.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/health-tech/repurposed-industrial-respirator-could-free-ventilators-for-covid-19-patients Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Being cooped up at home due to social distancing could put kids at higher risk of getting hurt. An expert offers tips for avoiding emergency room visits. With schools and daycare centers closed, many parents are working from home while making three meals a day, tending to home tasks and taking on teaching responsibilities. High on the list of challenges? Managing it all while still properly supervising rambunctious little ones.For more information about this story visit: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/childrens-health/how-to-prevent-7-common-pediatric-injuries Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An endocrinologist with diabetes shares guidance on how to manage the condition during the pandemic. Uncertainty surrounding the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, may be especially unsettling for people who fall into the often mentioned “high risk” groups, such as those with diabetes.For more information about this story visit: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/health-management/what-to-know-about-covid-19-if-you-have-diabetesResources:Diabetes 101: Taking Charge Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.