The hottest Treatment Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

We need to plan for the worst

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Pandemics Immunity Treatment Disease Management Public Health
  1. We need to plan for long-term strategies for managing Covid-19 as an endemic disease, considering the possibility that it might never fully go away.
  2. The ongoing mutations in the virus pose a challenge to achieving widespread immunity and point out the importance of developing effective treatments alongside vaccines.
  3. A diplomatic approach is needed in dealing with Covid-19, focusing on finding treatments that can make the disease more manageable in the long run, rather than relying solely on vaccine strategies.

Why the best isn't best

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 31 Aug 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Testing Infectiousness Treatment
  1. The precision of a test doesn't always make it the best choice, especially in cases like testing for infectious diseases.
  2. Having the best test can sometimes be a disadvantage, like with PCR tests that can be too sensitive, leading to unnecessary costs and false positives.
  3. Lowering the sensitivity threshold of tests, like PCR, can be more beneficial in identifying active infections and informing isolation decisions.

Understand Monkeypox

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 08 Aug 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Disease Prevention Treatment Symptoms Vaccination
  1. Monkeypox is a DNA virus that is significantly less contagious than COVID and spreads through close contact, making it unlikely to cause a nationwide epidemic like COVID.
  2. Monkeypox is primarily spread through close skin-to-skin contact and is not easily transmitted through surfaces or asymptomatic individuals.
  3. Vaccines like JYNNEOS are crucial for preventing monkeypox, while treatments like TPOXX and isolation help manage symptoms and contain the spread.

Paxlovid is not a Panacea

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 23 May 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Medication COVID-19 Treatment Vaccination Immunity
  1. Paxlovid is not a one-size-fits-all solution and its effectiveness varies depending on factors like age, vaccination status, and underlying health conditions.
  2. Using Paxlovid in vaccinated individuals is still being studied, but it has shown anecdotal improvement in symptoms for some high-risk patients.
  3. Some vaccinated patients have experienced a rebound of COVID symptoms after finishing a course of Paxlovid, prompting further research and caution in prescribing.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Manage BA.2—And Our Expectations

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 18 Apr 22
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Symptoms Testing Isolation Treatment
  1. The Omicron BA.2 variant is highly contagious but generally not causing more severe illness than previous versions in vaccinated and boosted individuals. Symptoms can range from mild cold-like to more severe, and testing is crucial to differentiate between COVID and other common illnesses.
  2. Rapid antigen tests are effective in detecting contagious levels of the virus, and isolation guidelines recommend staying isolated for at least 5 days after a positive test, preferably until a negative test is obtained.
  3. Vaccination, boosting where eligible, staying home when sick, and seeking medical advice are crucial steps in managing COVID. Understanding that exposure may be inevitable, a balanced approach to precautions is recommended to protect oneself and others.

Fight The Flu

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 20 Sep 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Prevention Treatment Vaccination Immunity Medication
  1. The flu is a respiratory illness caused by the Influenza virus, can be severe, and leads to thousands of deaths each year in the U.S.
  2. The effectiveness of the flu vaccine varies from 20-60%, but even when effectiveness is low, it still significantly reduces mortality and morbidity.
  3. It is important to get the flu shot every year, especially this year, to prevent outbreaks that could strain healthcare systems and to protect against the flu and COVID-19.

Take Stock of Where we are

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 04 Jan 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Medical Mental health Prevention Treatment Vaccination
  1. We know more about treating severe COVID-19, including using supplemental oxygen, dexamethasone, remdesivir, and blood thinners to help hospitalized patients.
  2. For early COVID-19 at home, it's advisable to monitor symptoms, take vitamin D and zinc, rest, hydrate, and get monoclonal antibodies within the first 7-10 days after symptom onset.
  3. To prevent COVID-19, remember MOSHPIT: Masks, Outdoors, Social distancing, Handwashing, Personal responsibility, Information, and Talk to your doctor.

Acknowledge the Struggle

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 31 Aug 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Wellbeing Treatment Support
  1. Young people, especially teenagers and college-aged students, are facing increased struggles with mental health during the pandemic.
  2. Acknowledging the struggle and seeking help is important for maintaining mental well-being.
  3. Having a structured plan, including addressing basics like sleep, diet, exercise, processing emotions, and seeking professional support, is essential for coping with mental health challenges.

Exhale (Into your Mask)

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 27 Aug 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Medical COVID-19 Treatment
  1. Ongoing vigilance is critical to combatting COVID-19, even for those who follow safety precautions like wearing masks and social distancing.
  2. Widespread testing of asymptomatic individuals is essential to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
  3. Personal stories of COVID-19 patients highlight the human impact behind statistics, emphasizing the importance of following safety measures and fostering hope.

Get your Flu Shot

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 24 Aug 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Medical Vaccination Infections Prevention Treatment
  1. Flu season in the U.S. generally starts in October and can last till early spring, with a peak in December.
  2. The effectiveness of the flu vaccine varies from 20-60%, but even with lower effectiveness, it can still significantly reduce morbidity and mortality.
  3. Getting a flu shot this year is especially critical to prevent overwhelming the healthcare system and helping to manage both flu and COVID-19.

Keep Hope Alive

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 17 Jun 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health COVID-19 Immune Response Treatment
  1. Steroids, like Dexamethasone, are showing promise in treating the sickest COVID-19 patients by reducing deaths, hinting at a new treatment option in the fight against the virus.
  2. COVID-19 can trigger dangerous cytokine storms in some patients, highlighting the importance of understanding the body's immune response to the virus.
  3. While there's no need to panic or stock up on steroids like Dexamethasone, the discovery offers hope and showcases science's ongoing efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Maintain Hope

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 10 Jun 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Depression Treatment Symptoms Prevention
  1. Depression can be situational or major, affecting people differently, but it's important to recognize and seek appropriate treatment.
  2. Treatment for depression may involve medication, therapy, or a combination based on individual circumstances and severity of symptoms.
  3. It's vital to maintain hope, reach out for help, connect with others, set realistic goals, and engage in self-care activities during the recovery process.

Trust Science

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 14 Apr 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine Mental health Treatment Research Therapeutics
  1. Trust science for COVID-19 treatments: It's crucial to rely on scientific methods like randomized controlled trials and emergency use authorizations for drug approvals.
  2. Current drug treatments: Hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, azithromycin, and convalescent plasma are being explored for COVID-19, but careful monitoring is needed due to potential risks and uncertainties.
  3. Mental and behavioral health impact: Patience with drug development processes is important, collaboration among researchers is key, and humor can play a role in maintaining mental well-being during uncertain times.

Morgane Billuart: Cycles: The Sacred and the Doomed

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Women's Health Mental health Technology Treatment
  1. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is viewed as a condition, disease, and dysfunction that can be misunderstood by society and medical professionals.
  2. Menstruating bodies have complex relationships with technology and healthcare, with advancements like birth control and fertility treatments affecting various aspects of life.
  3. The field of Femtech is emerging as a revolutionary industry aiming to provide care, understanding, and new perspectives for women and menstruating bodies through the use of technology and holistic approaches.

Small RCT Suggests Gargling With Iodine Clears the Virus in 4 Days

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 11 Sep 20
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Treatment Research Prevention Nutrition
  1. Gargling with povidone-iodine could clear the virus in 4 days as suggested by a small RCT.
  2. The study showed significant differences in virus clearance rates between different gargling solutions.
  3. More research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of povidone-iodine in larger groups and more severe cases.

COVID-19: The Three Immunotypes

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 16 Jul 20
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Treatment
  1. A study found that COVID-19 cases can be classified into three different immunotypes with varying levels of immune response - T cells and B cells play important roles.
  2. The three immunotypes identified in the study were categorized based on the balance of T cell and B cell activity, with implications for disease severity and potential treatment approaches.
  3. The study suggests that understanding the different immunotypes of COVID-19 patients could help tailor treatments for better outcomes, but more research is needed to determine the practical applications.

12 New COVID-19 Studies

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 09 Jun 20
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Research Treatment Testing Inequality
  1. Neutrophils respond to SARS-CoV-2 by producing NETs that damage lung tissue, resembling Spiderman's tactics.
  2. Viral load in COVID-19 patients across ages shows no significant difference, indicating children's immune response may explain lower symptom frequency.
  3. Women display a stronger T cell response to COVID-19 than men, possibly contributing to better outcomes for women.

“Leaky Blood Vessels” May Underlie Clotting in COVID-19

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 15 May 20
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Nutrition Exercise Treatment Prevention
  1. Hypertension, diabetes, and obesity are strongly linked to severe COVID-19 outcomes due to systemic clotting, potentially caused by "leaky blood vessels"
  2. Exercise is crucial as it can decrease the permeability of blood vessel walls, making home exercise important during lockdowns
  3. Citrulline, zinc, and antioxidants may play a role in supporting the endothelium and potentially help prevent clotting dysfunction in COVID-19

Remdesivir Is Probably a Reproductive Toxin, and Its Benefit Is Unclear

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 04 May 20
🏥 Health Politics Research Mortality Toxicity Treatment Fertility
  1. The benefit of remdesivir in COVID-19 patients is uncertain, with conflicting results from different studies.
  2. Remdesivir could have a time-dependent effect, showing potential benefits when given early in the course of the disease and potential harm when given late.
  3. There are concerns about the reproductive toxicity of remdesivir, particularly in male mice, raising questions about its impact on fertility in humans.

Small Blood Clots May Be at The Root of the COVID-19 Hypoxemia

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 22 Apr 20
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Medical Research Treatment Nutrition Public Health
  1. COVID-19 patients may experience severe lack of oxygen due to small blood clots in the lungs
  2. Mechanical ventilation may not always be necessary for COVID-19 patients as their lung function can be preserved but still experience low oxygen levels
  3. Inflammatory reactions in the lungs of COVID-19 patients might lead to increased blood clot formation, impacting oxygen delivery

Can Hydroxychloroquine or Chloroquine Treat COVID-19?

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 27 Mar 20
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Medication Research Nutrition Treatment
  1. Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine have shown antiviral activity in vitro but their effectiveness in humans against COVID-19 is uncertain.
  2. Recent trials have not provided clear evidence of the effectiveness of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine in treating COVID-19.
  3. The World Health Organization is conducting trials to test the efficacy of various treatments for COVID-19, including Hydroxychloroquine, but currently, there is no definitive proof of its effectiveness.

Profiting by deceit: a treatment for alcoholism in Edwardian London

The Quack Doctor • 0 implied HN points • 31 May 24
💾 History Medical Alcoholism Treatment
  1. Businessman Arthur Lewis Pointing profited from deceit by selling fake products like 'A. D. Invisible Elevators' that falsely claimed to increase height.
  2. Pointing's 'Antidipso' product preyed on the families of alcoholics, offering false hope and claiming to cure alcoholism with covert powders for the drinker's coffee.
  3. The scandalous nature of Antidipso, revealed through deceptive marketing and ineffective ingredients, eventually led to Pointing's downfall, highlighting the unethical nature of profiting from deceit.

Sidelined

Splattern • 0 implied HN points • 18 Jul 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Healthcare Treatment Medicine Infection Alternative Medicine
  1. Getting hurt can change your plans quickly. The author had to cancel a climb after realizing their toe pain was serious.
  2. Traditional medicine, like using salt and garlic, can be common in some places. Local knowledge can be really useful for treating injuries.
  3. Accessing healthcare can be different in other countries. In Africa, it's possible to get treatment for very low costs, but it might involve long waits.