The leading causes of death in the United States (U.S.) are heart disease and strokes.…
Author: Emma Yasinski
I am a freelance science and medical journalist, fascinated by how the scientific process leads to incredible discoveries, but also can lead to publication bias leaning toward positive findings and minimizing negatives. With a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from Lafayette College and a Master’s in Science and Medical Journalism from Boston University, I’ve written about clinical trial transparency, organ donation, and basic molecular biology for publications like The Scientist, The Atlantic, Undark.org, Kaiser Health News, and more. At MedShadow, I research and write about the sometimes unexpected ways that medicines can affect us, and what we can do if and when it does.
Early in Dee Mangin’s career as a primary-care physician, she noticed that many people, especially older adults, were prescribed large numbers and doses of drugs, which, in some cases, might actually be detracting from their health rather than improving it. Then, she realized that even when polypharmacy (being prescribed five or more medications simultaneously) was recognized as a problem, there wasn’t any systematic way to help patients and healthcare providers assess which medicines might be most effective in a lower dose or discontinued altogether. Mangin is an MBChB (the New Zealand equivalent of an MD) and DPH (doctor of public…
Shingles is not your average rash. The painful, itchy red stripe caused by shingles can last up to 10 days, while long-term nerve pain, a common complication, can persist for months or years. In the rare event that the outbreak appears on your face, it can even cause blindness. Luckily, there’s a two-dose vaccine, Shingrix (zoster vaccine recombinant, adjuvanted), that can prevent the disease. It’s recommended for people 50 years and older, even if you’ve already had shingles, and those 19 and older who are immunosuppressed. Shingles is a unique disease in that it’s not caused by a new infection.…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced that if you’re vaccinated and not in a large crowd, you don’t need to wear a mask outdoors. Some of us, though, may still want to wear one for another reason. Research suggests that the face covering may help reduce the allergy symptoms, like runny noses and itchy throats. Allergy symptoms happen when your body recognizes something harmless, like pollen or dust known as an “allergen,” as potentially dangerous and mounts an immune response. While allergens like peanuts and pet dander persist year-round, many of us suffer from seasonal allergies,…
About MedShadow
MedShadow Foundation is an independent nonprofit health & wellness journalism organization focused on helping to protect lives from the side effects of medication and lower risk with alternative health options.
We help protect your life and the lives of your family by making sure you have the information you need to make informed decisions about the risks, benefits and alternatives to medicines.
Even though MedShadow is nonprofit, we refuse to accept support from pharmaceutical companies or medical device manufacturers. You can be sure that our information is free from the influence of pharmaceutical companies.
FIND ARTICLES
Conditions
Symptoms & Concerns
Medications
SUPPORT
Contribute
Donate
Contact
MedShadow Foundation does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information.
MedShadow Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. MedShadow does not accept advertising or contributions from pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers or political action organizations.
Copyright © 2022, MedShadow Foundation. all rights reserved. Designed by Dante Steward