The hottest Health & Wellness Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health & Wellness Topics

Physician Demonstrates Medical Weight Stigma and Bias

Weight and Healthcare • 958 implied HN points • 06 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Stigma Fat Activism Body positivity
  1. Weight stigma and bias in healthcare can impact fat people, leading to unequal treatment and discrimination.
  2. Healthcare providers should focus on finding solutions to accommodate and care for fat patients instead of blaming and stigmatizing them.
  3. Fat people deserve equal rights, healthcare, and the right to celebrate their bodies regardless of their size or health conditions.
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The Ache

Babbling On • 1297 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Grief Healing Self-Expression
  1. The author reflects on the mixed emotions and struggles he faced after his father's unexpected death.
  2. The funeral on a Super Blue Moon is highlighted as a significant and emotional event.
  3. Memories and stories shared at the funeral display the author's complex relationship and deep love for his father.

Do blue-blocking glasses improve sleep?

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 718 implied HN points • 03 Jul 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Sleep Nutrition Mental health Wellbeing Lifestyle
  1. Blue-blocking glasses may help increase melatonin levels, especially when you're exposed to bright light at night. This means they could help you feel sleepier.
  2. The evidence on whether blue-blocking glasses improve overall sleep quality is mixed. Some studies show a small improvement, while others show little or no effect.
  3. Instead of wearing blue-blocking glasses, it might be better to reduce blue light in your environment, like using dim, warm-colored lights at night.

Welcome To Your Colonoscopy.....AGAIN

Culture Study • 4552 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Healthcare Prevention Wellness
  1. Getting a colonoscopy is important, even at a younger age if there's a family history or other risk factors.
  2. Colonoscopies are crucial, especially for Black individuals who are more at risk of colorectal cancer.
  3. Preparing for a colonoscopy involves strict dietary restrictions, consuming prep solutions, and being mindful of the timing and scheduling for the procedure.

The Worst, Worst Week

Culture Study • 8643 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Grief Loss Recovery
  1. The author's dog passed away, leading to deep sadness and grief.
  2. The author is also recovering from their first case of COVID, adding to the difficult week.
  3. The author is taking a break from the newsletter to heal and put themselves back together.

Why Do Transgender People Report Hypermobile Joints?

Astral Codex Ten • 9498 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness
  1. Transgender people have reported higher rates of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and joint disorders.
  2. Possible reasons for this include genetics, estrogen, and a connection to autism.
  3. Research shows a higher incidence of joint issues in transgender individuals, suggesting a potential link that requires further exploration.

The Dose (January 3)

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1867 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health Vaccination Nutrition Disease Prevention Epidemiology
  1. Winter is here, and respiratory illnesses like flu, COVID, and RSV are on the rise across the country. It's important to stay aware as health services could get overwhelmed.
  2. The new COVID-19 vaccine is showing good results, especially for older adults, helping to reduce hospital visits significantly. Keeping up with vaccinations can strengthen your immunity.
  3. Some Costco eggs may be contaminated with salmonella, so it's best to check your fridge and avoid those eggs to keep your family safe.

A COVID Q&A: booster timing; testing; contagiousness; & the Novavax shot

Are You Okay? • 718 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Medical Advice Vaccination Testing Well-being
  1. It's crucial for high-risk individuals to consider getting a COVID booster shot 6 months post-infection, but the benefits of additional doses diminish for those at lower risk. Boosters may help briefly reduce infection risks, but lifestyle factors like sleep, nutrition, and exercise are also key for health.
  2. COVID testing should be prioritized for cases where results would alter medical care. For healthy individuals, testing may not be as critical for every symptom, but knowing the specific virus causing symptoms can still influence precautions and decisions.
  3. In households with multiple symptomatic individuals, differing COVID test results can occur; one positive and one negative doesn't necessarily mean the negative individual isn't contagious. Contact a healthcare provider for guidance when unsure.

The Night Watch.

Breaking the News • 1988 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Chronic Conditions Health Education Personal Experience
  1. Some people prefer to keep their experiences private, while others are more open about what they're going through. Everyone has different comfort levels when it comes to sharing personal experiences.
  2. Dealing with the aftereffects of COVID-19 can be tough, especially when it comes to sleep issues. It's important to learn from each other's experiences to navigate these challenges.
  3. There are many strategies for improving sleep, and trying different methods might help. Everyone's journey to better sleep can be different, so sharing what works can be really helpful.

On Lord Of The Rings and Roadblocks: Systems For Personal Growth.

Day One • 678 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth Overcoming fear Self-Improvement Education
  1. Personal growth often requires stepping out of your comfort zone, just like Bilbo Baggins in Lord of the Rings.
  2. Fear can hold you back from taking action - it's important to push through it to achieve success.
  3. Building a routine that includes learning, creating, and rest can lead to personal development and success.

Resources to Fight BMI-Based Denials for Lumbar Spinal Surgery

Weight and Healthcare • 778 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Surgery Obesity Healthcare Body positivity
  1. BMI-based denials of care hold healthcare hostage for weight loss, making it inaccessible for many people.
  2. Studies show that being overweight or obese should not be a reason to deny lumbar spinal surgery.
  3. Healthcare systems should adapt to fit patients of all body types, rather than excluding higher-weight individuals from care.

Q&A: helping a loved one with anxiety; Ozempic hair loss; lung cancer screening; & heart rate variability

Are You Okay? • 439 implied HN points • 22 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Medication Anxiety Therapy COVID-19
  1. During the pandemic, many experienced heightened anxiety, including fears around COVID, leading to mental health challenges that may persist post-pandemic. It's crucial to validate experiences, offer empathy, and seek professional help to address anxiety disorders effectively.
  2. Examine potential side effects of medications like GLP1 agonists such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and others, which may cause mild hair loss. Healthcare providers should consider these effects when prescribing and monitor patients accordingly.
  3. The approach to addressing health-related anxiety is multi-faceted, involving psychotherapy, medication, trauma therapy, or even exposure to the feared illness under professional guidance, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to treatment.

Fentanyl Is Killing American Kids. Most Don’t Even Know They’re Taking It.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 4655 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Prevention Education
  1. Fentanyl, a potent and deadly drug, is causing a significant number of deaths among teenagers and young adults, often unknowingly consumed through counterfeit pills.
  2. Drug dealers are lacing various substances like pills, cocaine, and meth with fentanyl to increase their profits, leading to a rise in fatal overdoses.
  3. Children and teens need to be educated about the dangers of counterfeit drugs, as these fake pills can look identical to real medications, making it crucial to only take medications from doctors or pharmacists.

Reader Question - What's With Eli Lilly's Oscar Ad

Weight and Healthcare • 439 implied HN points • 20 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Medication Weight Loss Healthcare system Insurance Coverage FDA Approval
  1. Eli Lilly and other pharmaceutical companies are focused on lobbying for insurance coverage of weight loss drugs, pushing for the idea of higher-weight bodies as a 'disease' worth medicating.
  2. The FDA approval for weight loss drugs like Zepbound requires different criteria based on BMI, raising concerns about the risk assessments being tied to body size.
  3. Pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly prioritize shareholder interests over customer concerns, raising questions about the true motivations behind their actions.

Updated flu report, national edition

Force of Infection • 80 implied HN points • 07 Jan 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health Epidemiology Infectious Disease Vaccination Surveillance Pediatrics
  1. Flu activity is very high nationwide, with outpatient ILI visits around 8.3% and levels not seen in more than two decades, and many states appear to be at or near their peak.
  2. This season is driven by a new H3N2 subclade (K), but early estimates show this year’s vaccine still gives moderate protection—about 30–40% against hospitalization in adults.
  3. Children are bearing the biggest burden with the highest outpatient and emergency visits while adults 65+ have the highest hospitalization rates, and every region is seeing rising activity with the Northeast and South especially hard hit.

How Bad Therapy Hijacked Our Nation’s Schools

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 4609 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Therapy Schools Children Education
  1. American kids are facing increasing mental health challenges despite being considered the most privileged generation, with a significant percentage considering suicide, indicating a worrisome trend.
  2. The focus on mental health by parents and schools may be inadvertently contributing to the rise in anxiety and depression among children, highlighting a possible correlation between therapy culture and the decline in youth mental well-being.
  3. The prevalence of 'bad therapy' practices, such as excessive emotional check-ins and emphasizing social-emotional learning over traditional academic subjects, is suggested to be exacerbating emotional distress in kids, showing a need for reevaluation of current approaches in schools.

Outbreak Outlook - National - Jan 4

Force of Infection • 86 implied HN points • 04 Jan 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Infectious Disease Public Health Epidemiology Outbreaks Vaccination Food Safety
  1. Flu activity is very high across the country, with emergency visits and hospitalizations elevated in many states and several areas near or past their seasonal peak.
  2. COVID-19 and RSV are both rising; COVID remains generally low but has notable increases in some states, while RSV is at moderate levels and climbing with some states reaching seasonal baselines.
  3. Norovirus activity is increasing and highly contagious, so hand washing and surface cleaning are important. Multiple food recalls and a large measles resurgence also highlight the need for food safety and vaccination.

Saturday PITT Review - February 5 to 9, 2024

Parents with Inconvenient Truths about Trans (PITT) • 589 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Gender Ideology Parenting Therapy Transgender Mental health
  1. The post provides a weekly roundup of articles, books, podcasts, and social media related to gender ideology.
  2. Therapy First has grown significantly and offers support for families struggling with gender-related issues.
  3. A therapist in Washington raised concerns about pressure to transition young patients, adding to a growing conversation about gender transitions.

Leyla Kazim Is Choosing A Slower Life

Changing The Channel • 538 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Work-life balance Mental health Consumerism Hobbies
  1. Leyla Kazim focuses on living a slower, intentional, and joyful life, advocating for shedding consumerist social conditioning.
  2. There is a pervasive hustle and burnout culture in the UK and US, affecting people's well-being and pushing them into overwork.
  3. The pandemic has led many to re-evaluate their lives, with some realizing the importance of hobbies and the detrimental effects of tying identity solely to work.

Saturday PITT Review - January 22 to 26, 2024

Parents with Inconvenient Truths about Trans (PITT) • 648 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Gender Ideology Legislation Activism Book recommendations
  1. The PITT weekly roundup includes posts, favorite books, social media links, and podcasts focusing on the impact of gender ideology.
  2. Support the Protect Kids California Initiative, which aims to require parental notification from schools and protect girls' sports.
  3. The Abolition of Sex book sheds light on the harms posed by the 'transgender' agenda to women and girls, highlighting the fightback by advocacy groups.

Friday Q&A: dietary protein; holistic primary care; long COVID & Paxlovid; & preventing caregiver burnout

Are You Okay? • 718 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Long Covid
  1. Protein is crucial for various bodily functions like energy, muscle mass, and immune function. It's possible to meet protein needs with a vegan diet.
  2. Primary care physicians may not always have the time to create a comprehensive treatment plan for multiple health issues. Finding a holistic practitioner who can integrate inputs from various specialists is important for whole-body care.
  3. As we age, maintaining muscle mass becomes essential. Daily protein requirements may vary but generally range from 0.32 to 0.45 grams per pound of body weight. Various food sources like chicken, fish, tofu, and lentils can provide sufficient protein.

Near-Instantly Aborting the Worst Pain Imaginable with Psychedelics

psychotechnology • 23 implied HN points • 07 Feb 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Neurology Pain management Psychedelics Neuroscience Patient Advocacy Clinical Research Pharmacology
  1. Cluster headaches are an extreme, recurring form of pain that can be utterly incapacitating and even drive people to desperate measures.
  2. Psychedelics—especially inhaled DMT at low doses—can abort attacks almost instantly, and psilocybin/LSD can reduce or prevent cycles, often outperforming standard acute treatments.
  3. Legal barriers and crude healthcare metrics leave many patients without access or funding, so advocacy and organized efforts are pushing for research, policy change, and expanded compassionate access.