Whether it’s THC, marijuana, heroin, or cocaine, at-home drug testing kits only screen for it and do not confirm it. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), these tests can be accurate when used exactly as directed, but their purpose is screening only, not diagnosis. Let’s dive deep into ‘Are at-home drug tests […]
While we tend to share unique genetic makeup, getting the same drugs and dosages without knowing how they may affect our bodies involves trial and error. Pharmacogenomics (PGx), by giving insights into our genome, allows healthcare specialists to tailor medication based on an individual’s genetic makeup. This lays out the major Pharmacogenomic Testing Benefits by […]
Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). A frequently asked question is, ‘Can you catch chlamydia from kissing?’ — and the quick answer is no. Chlamydia is transmitted through fluids during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Putting your mouth, lips, or tongue on your partner’s vulva (vaginal opening, urethral opening), penis, […]
Pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing requires a DNA collection, for which there are two methods typically used: cheek swabs (buccal swabs) and saliva samples. Both are non-invasive and have their own pros and cons. According to a report shared by PubMed, cheek swab tests have proven to be more stable and resilient. Following is a deep dive […]
If you ever take medicine like clozapine or olanzapine, you also know that these are very powerful. They give relief in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. But so many people who take these medicines face a problem, and the side effects of these medicines are tough to handle. Some effects like constant sleepiness, rapid weight gain, […]
Ear infections are very common, especially in children. Many individuals, especially parents, ask: Are ear infections contagious? The answer is not that straight, while ear infections are not contagious, but you can catch the cold or flu virus which often leads to one. Think of it this way—your friend’s ear pain is not contagious, but […]
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS), where the body’s immune system attacks its own nerve fibres and myelin (the protective layer around nerve fibers), mainly in your brain and spinal cord. And if you are wondering, ‘Is MS Hereditary?’, while not always hereditary, having this disease […]
Once you’ve heard of lymphedema or experienced it, and are conversant with a lymphedema patient, the first issue raised is “Is lymphedema hereditary?” The answer is yes, lymphedema can be hereditary in its primary form, caused by genetic mutations passed through families, but most cases are secondary and not inherited. Primary lymphedema affects an estimated […]
Is Lupus Genetic? The short answer is yes, lupus is genetic. Lupus is a complex autoimmune disease that can affect almost any part of the body. It causes the immune system to mistakenly attack healthy tissue. Studies suggest that lupus is often a result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors. This article breaks […]
While both the Ehlers Danlos and Marfan syndromes are different and can affect your body differently, they may be confused due to some similar symptoms. People with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome have connective tissue weaknesses so it is in people with Marfan syndrome, as a result, both have flexible joints. However, some of the easy to see […]