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MorningMed is the best way to keep up with the world of health and medicine through curated round-ups, useful insights and other practical resources.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a lawsuit against U.S. Anesthesia Partners Inc. (USAP) and its private-equity backer, Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, accusing them of conspiring over a decade to acquire anesthesia practices in Texas, create a monopoly, raise prices for patients, and generate profits. The FTC argues that USAP's anticompetitive conduct has led to significant price increases for patients, amounting to tens of millions of dollars annually. This case is part of the FTC's increased focus on anticompetitive practices in healthcare companies backed by private-equity firms, signaling a potential shift in regulatory scrutiny of smaller buyouts that could result in market monopolies.

A new study of cardiac arrest survivors suggests that nearly 40% of individuals undergoing CPR have memories, dreamlike experiences, or some form of perception even when they are unconscious. Brain waves during CPR sometimes showed signs of activity suggesting awareness for up to an hour as they were being resuscitated. Some survivors had positive memories or experiences, while others reported feeling separated from their bodies or experienced delusions. The study, which involved monitoring 567 people who underwent cardiac arrest resuscitation at 25 hospitals, provides unique insights into near-death experiences during cardiac arrest.

Healthcare workers in the United States are preparing to strike to protest staffing shortages and low wages. These strikes are occurring as the country faces the prospect of another season of respiratory viruses. Healthcare workers argue that staffing shortages are already affecting patient care and causing burnout. Many healthcare professionals report being overworked and underpaid, leading to increased turnover and decreased job satisfaction. The strikes are a response to these issues, and they highlight the challenges facing the healthcare system in the US. Efforts are being made at both the state and federal levels to address these concerns and improve conditions for healthcare workers.

Amid a growing awareness of the economic and health consequences of poor dental health, several U.S. states have expanded their Medicaid programs to include dental care for adults, using federal pandemic funds. This initiative aims to address the long-standing issue of dental neglect among low-income individuals. However, challenges persist, including a shortage of dentists willing to treat Medicaid patients and concerns regarding reimbursement rates in different states.

A new report from the World Health Organization identifies hypertension as one of the leading risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Hypertension affects 1 in 3 adults globally and can lead to severe health problems like stroke, heart attack, and kidney damage. WHO recommends simple measures like a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing sodium intake, and regular exercise to control hypertension. Implementing these strategies, along with comprehensive national treatment programs, could potentially prevent 76 million deaths between 2023 and 2050, according to the WHO.

The case began when surgeons performed an open biopsy on a 64-year-old woman who had been experiencing a series of mysterious symptoms. To their surprise, they discovered a live, string-like worm in her brain, measuring five sixteenths of an inch in length. The worm was wiggling, which stunned the surgical team. The patient's health issues began with a diagnosis of pneumonia, accompanied by symptoms such as high white blood cell count, low hemoglobin, high platelets, and a very high C-reactive protein level. Over the course of a year, she experienced abdominal pain, diarrhea, a dry cough, night sweats, and persistent fever, among other symptoms.

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In today’s digital age, the emergence of generative AI has transformed the way individuals seek medical advice and information. The rise of chatbots, powered by advanced AI algorithms like ChatGPT, has led to a significant shift in how people approach medical symptoms and queries. This transition from the traditional “Dr. Google” approach to consulting chatbots has prompted researchers to emphasize the importance of caution and the need for a well-informed approach to online medical information. Check out the rest of this article to investigate ChatGPT in healthcare!

Investigating competing theories surrounding the controversial and confusing phenomenon of Long COVID

Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), refers to a range of symptoms that persist for weeks or months after the acute phase of a COVID-19 infection has resolved. It affects individuals who have recovered from the initial illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus but continue to experience a variety of health problems. Long COVID can affect people of all ages, including those who had mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 infections. The exact cause of long COVID is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of factors, including the virus's direct impact on various organs, an overactive immune response, and the potential persistence of the virus in some tissues. In this week’s “What to Watch For” section, we will take a closer look at recent research discoveries surrounding Long COVID. Enjoy!

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Is There a Doctor in the House?

A 68-year-old man comes to the office because of a 4-week history of increasing stiffness in his shoulders and upper arms. He is an avid golfer and has been unable to play in the morning because of the stiffness. He says that the stiffness is somewhat improved in the afternoon. He also has felt fatigued and sometimes "headachy and feverish." Medical history is significant for arthritis in his knees treated with acetaminophen, which has not relieved his shoulder and arm pain, and hyperlipidemia treated with pravastatin. He is a retired radiologist. Vital signs are temperature 37.7°C (99.8°F), pulse 76/min, respirations 18/min, and blood pressure 145/80 mm Hg. There is no tenderness in the shoulder girdle, and range of motion is normal bilaterally. The remainder of the physical examination discloses no abnormalities. Results of additional laboratory studies are shown:



Which of the following is the most significant risk factor for the development of this patient's condition?

FDA advisers have convened to discuss the potential use of artificial wombs to support extremely premature babies, aiming to improve their chances of survival and reduce long-term health problems. While no such device has been evaluated on humans, similar systems have been used successfully with animals. These artificial wombs could provide a solution to preterm births, which are the leading cause of death among children under five, particularly among African Americans, who have a 50% higher rate of preterm births than White and Hispanic individuals. The advisory committee is examining the ethical and regulatory aspects of human trials for artificial womb technology.

New research challenges the conventional belief that suppressing negative thoughts worsens mental health, suggesting that it may improve symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In a study involving 120 adults, participants were trained to block out negative thoughts and reported improved mental health outcomes, with high-anxiety individuals experiencing a 44% reduction in self-reported worries. While this approach may offer a valuable tool for treating mental health issues, experts caution against immediate clinical application and emphasize that talking about fears and past traumas can still be beneficial.

A study published in JAMA Open Network found that consuming copious amounts of ultraprocessed foods, which are high in salt, sugar, hydrogenated fats, and additives, may be linked to an increased risk of depression. The research involved more than 31,000 women and revealed that those who consumed nine servings of ultraprocessed food per day were 50% more likely to develop depression than those who had no more than four servings daily. The study also found that foods and drinks containing artificial sweeteners had a particularly negative effect on mental health. While the study does not establish causation, it adds to the growing body of evidence linking diet and mental health.

A study published in the journal Obesity suggests that exercising in the morning may be more effective for managing weight, reducing BMI, and decreasing waist circumference compared to working out at other times of the day. Researchers analyzed data from over 5,000 individuals and found that those who exercised in the morning had lower average BMI and waist circumference, even when they engaged in less overall exercise than those working out in the afternoon or evening. While the exact reasons for this association are not fully understood, it is believed that circadian rhythms and their impact on hormonal processes may play a role in the effectiveness of morning exercise for weight management.

Thank you for reading! More next week,

My best wishes for a productive and idea-filled week ahead. Thanks for your ongoing efforts to improve the lives of the patients we all serve. Please send any news, comments, suggestions and ideas to hello@morningmed.email.

Quiz answer: The correct answer is A) "Age"

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