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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 CDC's report unveils a mental health crisis among US health workers, detailing increased burnout, harassment, and deteriorating mental health outcomes linked to workplace pressures and the pandemic. Stressing the need for immediate intervention, the study emphasizes that supportive work environments and employee involvement in decision-making significantly mitigate mental health risks, urging urgent action to address this widespread crisis.

Senate Democrats are advocating for federal agencies to ensure comprehensive coverage of the newly approved over-the-counter birth control pill, Opill, by private health insurance plans. This initiative aims to promote wider accessibility and affordability without the need for a prescription, seeking to address disparities in contraceptive coverage under the ACA and provide broader access to this form of birth control.

The Biden administration is seeking $1.55 billion from Congress to combat overdose deaths linked to illicit fentanyl, hoping to enhance addiction treatment and recovery services. Stalled legislation like the SUPPORT Act, critical for addressing the opioid crisis with resources for prevention and treatment, faces challenges amid congressional dysfunction and partisan politics.

The US Environmental Protection Agency's proposed ban aims to restrict all uses of trichloroethylene (TCE), a carcinogenic compound prevalent in manufacturing and water sources. This measure underscores efforts to curb health risks associated with TCE exposure and aligns with President Biden's initiative to combat cancer.

Psychedelic drug effects can endure for days or even weeks, according to recent research findings, serving as a cautionary tale highlighted by the case of an off-duty pilot's attempt to interfere with a plane after consuming "magic mushrooms." While controlled therapeutic use of psychedelics shows promise in treating mental health issues, the unforeseen risks underscore the need for careful supervision and understanding the individual's suitability for such treatment.

Isabelle Soerjomataram, PhD, from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), emphasized the critical need to raise global awareness regarding the direct connection between alcohol consumption and cancer risk during a session at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Annual Meeting in 2023. Soerjomataram stressed the responsibility of healthcare professionals, including oncologists, nurses, and general practitioners, in increasing awareness about this link to potentially reduce alcohol intake.

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In recent years, the healthcare industry has witnessed a transformative shift towards telemedicine. This innovative approach to healthcare delivery has proven to be not only convenient but also highly effective, especially in addressing complex issues like opioid use disorder. In this article, we will explore how telemedicine has revolutionized the initiation of buprenorphine treatment for individuals struggling with opioid addiction.

The comparison between the Heart Rate Variability (HRV) score and widely used clinical tests like the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) as sensitivity indicators for nervous system, cardiovascular malfunctions, and other physiological conditions is intriguing.

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Is There a Doctor in the House?

A 26-year-old doctoral candidate comes to the office 1 day after she passed bloody mucus with her stool. She noticed mild abdominal cramping and some constipation preceding the episode; she has not had diarrhea or melanotic stools. She has not had any exposure to unusual or poorly kept food or to any known infectious agents. She says she has been under considerable stress because of the anticipated defense of her thesis. Her only medication is acetaminophen for occasional headaches. Her father had colon cancer and died at age 48 years from metastatic disease. She recalls being told that an aunt died of an unknown abdominal tumor. The patient's vital signs are temperature 37.6°C (99.6°F), pulse 90/min, respirations 18/min, and blood pressure 110/74 mm Hg. Abdomen is mildly distended, nontympanitic, and tender to palpation only in the right lower quadrant. There is no rebound tenderness or guarding. Pelvic examination shows no masses or mucosal lesions.

Rectal examination elicits pain and bloody mucus. Which of the following is the most appropriate diagnostic study?

A recent study from Linköping University reveals that the appearance of the thymus gland, observed through chest CT scans, is linked to the aging of the immune system, impacted by sex, age, and lifestyle. The thymus, previously considered insignificant in adult life due to fatty degeneration, appears to play a more significant role in the immune system, with fatty degeneration linked to lower T-cell regeneration, potentially affected by factors like gender, abdominal obesity, and dietary habits.

Exercising for at least 30 minutes, three times a week, has been found to be as effective as medications like Viagra in improving erectile function, according to a recent analysis published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine. The study revealed that aerobic activities, such as walking or cycling, showed significant improvement in erectile function across men with varying degrees of erectile dysfunction, even in those with severe cases.

Hitting the snooze button, a common habit among sleepers, was found to not significantly disrupt sleep quality in new research published in the Journal of Sleep Research. The studies suggested that, for some individuals, snoozing could mitigate morning grogginess without majorly affecting sleep duration or cognitive performance.

The Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi, granted FDA approval, could potentially be administered through weekly subcutaneous shots at home, according to research findings from Eisai, offering a more convenient treatment option for patients compared to the current IV infusion method. Despite some concerns about potential side effects, the subcutaneous form has shown promise in reducing amyloid plaques, marking a significant advancement in Alzheimer's treatment, although its usage has been limited, and the drug's administration costs and coverage considerations remain areas of interest.

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) "Colonoscopy"

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