Author Archives: Rocio Gallegos, MD

GERD is a common condition, affecting about a third of the U.S. population; the main symptom is heartburn and it is often managed with medications. A new study suggests, however, that following diet and lifestyle guidelines may reduce symptoms substantially and could make medication unnecessary for some patients.  The five factors include normal weight, never […]

A new study shows that birth-control pills negatively impact women’s stress response. Researchers have studied the stress response of 131 young women when having a blood sample taken. Some of the women were on birth-control pills, while others were not. The researchers specifically measured the levels of the stress hormone ACTH in the women’s blood. […]

A research group has now shown that the disease can be detected before symptoms appear, using a spinal fluid test.  Lewy body disease is an umbrella term for Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia, it is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease. When movement difficulties are more dominant, the disease is called […]

A study from Binghamton University researchers recently published in the Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials explores how ultraviolet radiation can alter the microstructure of human skin making it appear  “leathery”. Particularly affected is collagen, the fibrous protein that binds together tissue, tendon, cartilage and bone throughout our bodies. “We don’t want to […]

Although recent large epidemiological studies have hinted at a link between ADHD and Alzheimer’s, this is the first study to tie genetic risk of ADHD to chances of developing late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. “This study highlights what many in the field are already discussing: The impact of ADHD can be observed throughout the lifespan, and it […]

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease in which the immune system attacks the body’s own joint tissues, rheumatoid arthritis affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans. A new discovery sheds new light on the molecular processes that drive inflammation seen in rheumatoid arthritis. It could also someday lead to improved treatment of the disease, which currently […]