Archive for endocrinology
A coming wave of diabetes? The link with COVID-19
Researchers are observing a new long-term health concern in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 — an increase in new-onset hyperglycemia lasting months after infection. An Italian study found that about half of the patients admitted to the hospital for COVID-19 during the start of the pandemic had new cases of hyperglycemia, or high levels of blood ... Read More about A coming wave of diabetes? The link with COVID-19
‘A 100 percent difference’: Treatment for Graves’ disease helps Emily enjoy college
For Emily Stein, the gift of an Apple Watch led to an unexpected diagnosis. Along with telling the time, delivering texts, and playing music, the gadget tracked her heart rate — and confirmed what the teenager already suspected. “I felt like my heart was always racing,” she remembers. “That was the first sign that something ... Read More about ‘A 100 percent difference’: Treatment for Graves’ disease helps Emily enjoy college
Low-carb diets for diabetes: Rediscovering centuries-old wisdom
This year represents the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin, a hormone that regulates the amount of glucose, or sugar, in the blood. While insulin medications have literally been life-savers for many kids and adults with diabetes, diets that help keep blood sugar levels steady are often overlooked for controlling diabetes. These diets, often ... Read More about Low-carb diets for diabetes: Rediscovering centuries-old wisdom
Signs of diabetes and other medical emergencies: Don’t delay care during the COVID outbreak
Merlin Ladd had been home from school for about six weeks when his parents started to notice that something was off. At first, they thought that the 13-year-old — like many of us — was simply in a funk from being stuck inside due to the COVID-19 outbreak. “He seemed lethargic and out of sorts,” ... Read More about Signs of diabetes and other medical emergencies: Don’t delay care during the COVID outbreak
Maya is moving ahead after thyroid cancer
For Maya Rao, 15, a playful accident last Thanksgiving led to the discovery of thyroid cancer. As she and her older sister, Deepti, fooled around, happy to be reunited for the holiday, Deepti’s long hair — gathered in a bun — softly hit Maya on her neck. It seemed innocuous enough, but then she developed ... Read More about Maya is moving ahead after thyroid cancer
Diet, the microbiome, and how insulin resistance causes metabolic syndrome
Up to a third of U.S. adults have metabolic syndrome, a constellation of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels. Now considered to be epidemic, metabolic syndrome increases people’s risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, as well as kidney and neurodegenerative disease. Metabolic syndrome is ... Read More about Diet, the microbiome, and how insulin resistance causes metabolic syndrome
Feeding and growth difficulties in children: When to refer
Parents are bombarded with so much online information about the best ways to feed their children the nutrients they need to ensure they grow to the best of their potential. As we know, not everything they read is helpful or even accurate. The best thing you can do for your patient families is regularly plot ... Read More about Feeding and growth difficulties in children: When to refer
Endocrine-oncology treatment helps teen with rare genetic condition
Felicia Walbridge has long been interested in biomedical engineering and plans on majoring in the field during college. Until recently, the teenager’s experience in this area was limited primarily to reruns of the TV show “Grey’s Anatomy.” Then, with little warning, Walbridge became the star of her very own medical drama — complete with a ... Read More about Endocrine-oncology treatment helps teen with rare genetic condition
Josh finds recipe for success from endocrine-oncology team
As a chef in training who dreams of opening his own restaurant, Josh Gartland, 15, knows the importance of a good recipe. When it comes to the genetic disorder known as von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, Josh also knows the value of a good treatment plan, and experts in the Endocrine-Oncology Program at Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center ... Read More about Josh finds recipe for success from endocrine-oncology team
Why I’m tall and you’re short: GIANT effort finds rare, potent height genes
Height is the “poster child” of complex genetic traits, meaning that it’s influenced by multiple genetic variants working together. Because height is easy to measure, it’s a relatively simple model for understanding traits produced by not one gene, but many. “Mastering the complex genetics of height may give us a blueprint for studying multifactorial disorders that have ... Read More about Why I’m tall and you’re short: GIANT effort finds rare, potent height genes