Parasitic Diseases

While, to many, fall is as good a season as any other, it can be the worst for those who are prone to oak leaf itch mites. These are commonly known to feed on larvae of an oak gall midge (fly) that live on the edges of pin oak leaves. From late July to early fall, these mites drop from the tree after completing their development, landing on animals and humans and biting them. This bite causes a rash-like and itchy reaction which, at times, can be intense. What Are Oak Leaf Itch Mites? Scientifically known as Pyemotes herfsi, oak leaf itch mites are nearly invisible to the naked eye (0.2 mm in length), but they are responsible for mite bite outbreaks in several states across the country during the fall. Some facts about this microscopic creature: A single female can produce 200 to 300 eggs. Once hatched, larvae take only a week to reach adulthood. Cooler temperatures and moist conditions can increase population growth. A single large pin oak tree can rain down up to 40...

Your body needs to consume at least 13 vitamins and 16 minerals regularly to function properly. A well-balanced diet is the best way to obtain these nutrients. That said, multivitamins provide a good alternative source for those who are unable to meet their nutrient requirements through diet alone. Multivitamins that provide up to 100% of the daily Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) are generally considered safe and often free of side effects, as long as you take them as directed. Nonetheless, some people may still experience a few side effects when taking multivitamins. Some side effects are more common than others ( 2 , 3 ). Common side effects Certain side effects are more likely to occur than others when you're taking multivitamins. These include ( 2 , 3 ): constipation diarrhea upset stomach nausea These gut-related side effects are generally minor and often temporary. They tend to disappear as your body gets used to taking the multivitamin. Nevertheless, contact your healthcare...

[unable to retrieve full-text content] Lyme disease warning after blood-sucking parasites found on children playing in park    North Wales Live

By Nabil Tahir | Design: Mohsin Alam PUBLISHED June 19, 2022 KARACHI: Sports are an excellent way for young people to be physically active, make friends, and have fun. It can also help build essential skills like discipline and perseverance. On the other hand, pressure on young athletes to gain a competitive advantage can lead to using banned substances, including anabolic-androgenic steroids. Although these drugs are most commonly used by male athletes, it is not uncommon for female athletes use them as well. Until the athletes are playing a sport that doesn't require mass muscle or strength to be competitive, the athlete stays on a regular diet, but in sports like bodybuilding, weightlifting, wrestling or boxing, or sometimes football and baseball, the pressure to increase your body's mass can compel and athlete to start taking illegal anabolic steroids in hopes to enhance their performance. However, there are sports where frequent dopin...

SciCheck Digest Many U.S. athletes have been vaccinated against COVID-19 without any adverse effects. But a conservative outlet has cited a list of supposedly vaccine-injured athletes to claim "there may be something wrong with the vaccine." There's no proof that the listed athletes — most of them are actually retired — were harmed by the vaccines. How do we know vaccines are safe? No vaccine or medical product is 100% safe, but the safety of vaccines is ensured via rigorous testing in clinical trials prior to authorization or approval, followed by continued safety monitoring once the vaccine is rolled out to the public to detect potential rare side effects. In addition, the Food and Drug Administra...

Acne is a common skin condition that causes pimples, especially on the face, back, shoulders, and chest. It's most common among teenagers, but it can affect people of all ages. Many factors contribute to acne development, including genetics, stress, and fluctuating hormone levels. Dietary triggers, especially dairy products, have also been implicated in acne development, although this link remains controversial. Still, given that whey is one of the primary proteins found in dairy products, you may wonder whether there's any link between taking whey protein supplements and acne. This article examines the current evidence to answer whether whey protein causes acne. Diet can play a significant role in acne development, with dairy products often cited as a key contributor. Indeed, a review of 14 studies found a significant link between milk and acne development and severity in both teenagers and adults ( 1 ). However, these studies were observational, meaning they cannot prove a ca...

Radishes and turnips are two nutrient-rich root vegetables that can provide lots of flavor to your meals. While they're two different species — Brassica rapa (turnip) and Raphanus sativus (radish) — they are both cruciferous vegetables that belong to the Brassicaceae (mustard) family, due to the pungent smell of their plant compounds ( 1 , 2 ). Both have been widely studied for their potential benefits, such as prevention and treatment of several chronic diseases, namely cancer and metabolic syndrome ( 1 ). Yet, despite sharing some similarities and being often confused with one another, they have different appearances, tastes, textures, and culinary uses. This article reviews radishes and turnips and tells you what sets them apart. Radishes and turnips are both root vegetables — meaning that the root is the edible part of the vegetable — with multiple similarities. However, their main differences involve their physical and sensory characteristics, such as appearance, taste, and...

Macnamara FN. Zika virus: a report on three cases of human infection during an epidemic of jaundice in Nigeria. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1954;48:139–45. CAS  Article  Google Scholar  Gulland A. Zika virus is a global public health emergency, declares WHO. BMJ. 2016;352: i657. Article  Google Scholar  CDC. Zika virus disease. Available online: https://www.cdc.gov/zika/about/overview.html. (accessed on 5 August 2019). PAHO. Epidemiological alert: neurological syndrome, congenital malformations, and Zika virus infection—implications for public health in the Americas. Washington, DC: Pan American Health Organization, December 1, 2015. Available online: https://www.paho.org/hq/dmdocuments/2015/2015-dec-1-cha-epi-alert-zika-neuro-syndrome.pdf. (accessed on 5 August 2019). Di Cavalcanti D, Alves LV, Furtado GJ, Santos CC, Feitosa FG, Ribeiro MC, et al. Ech...