Are folic acid and folate the same thing? How much and what type should I...
TL;DR Folic acid is a type of folate- one of the B vitamins (B9). A total of 600 mcg of folic acid is recommended daily for anyone who is pregnant or could become pregnant. This can be difficult to get...
View ArticleTips for a Safer Thanksgiving
‘Tis the season of SO many respiratory viruses! As we face another Thanksgiving with surging viruses, how can we enjoy precious moments with family and friends while lowering the risk of getting or...
View ArticleHow can I celebrate the holidays when I am grieving?
Grief can feel complicated, but know that you are not alone. Many people find this time of the year difficult, especially so when they are facing the death or loss of a loved one. The holidays can...
View ArticleQ: Why can’t I get antibiotics for a cough?
A: Taking an antibiotic when it’s not needed contributes to antimicrobial resistance and can put you and others at risk of more severe infections. TLDR: Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria,...
View ArticleFree COVID Tests Available Again Now in the US
🥳 Free COVID-19 tests are once again available in the US as of Monday, Nov 20, from covidtests.gov. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Each household can receive four tests. 📈 With lots of gatherings ahead and COVID cases on the...
View ArticleIs ‘Immunity Debt’ Behind China’s Rising Childhood Pneumonia Cases?
TL;DR: There is no “immunity debt” for individuals. But *populations* can experience a “catch-up” period after a period of low virus transmission, which is what seems to be happening in China right...
View ArticleWill ketamine help my mental health?
It can be helpful for some people with treatment resistant depression or major depressive disorder. Ketamine is a medication commonly used during surgery and was first developed to be an anesthesia...
View ArticleAre Ozempic and Wegovy “game-changers” for improving health?
Semaglutide (aka, Ozempic/Wegovy), reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, even if you don’t have diabetes. But we still have a lot to learn. A new paper published last week in the New England...
View ArticleDecember 1st is World HIV/AIDS Day.
It’s World HIV/AIDS Day. Where do things stand with HIV? Before we drop some knowledge, let’s take a moment to remember and honor those we have lost to HIV/AIDS. This Nerd lost Stuart and Bob, uncle...
View ArticleI am in perimenopause. What is happening to my brain?!
We have so many brain changes during the menopausal transition (MT) that they can make our heads spin. Changes in mood, memory, energy level, temperature regulation, cognition, executive...
View ArticleCan the new diabetes and weight loss drugs affect reproductive health?
A: Potentially, yes! Semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound) may reduce birth control effectiveness and may increase risk of birth defects if taken during pregnancy....
View ArticleIt’s not too late to get your flu and updated COVID vaccines before the...
Go get your flu and COVID vaccines NOW to be protected for the holidays. Peak protection takes around 2 weeks to ramp up, so now is the perfect time. No one wants to fall ill right before a big holiday...
View ArticleWhat can I do to stop my eyes from feeling like sandpaper or watering like...
An eye care routine can improve symptoms of dry, itchy, or watery eyes. Routine eye care includes keeping your fingers out of your eyes, gentle cleansing, using sun protection, and seeking care with a...
View ArticleMeet Those Nerdy Girls! Sarah Whitley Coles, MD
Meet Those Nerdy Girls! Sarah Whitley Coles, MD – Founding Member Dr. Sarah Coles is an Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix in the Department of Family,...
View ArticleYou can now “test to treat” at home in the US!!
TLDR: Home Test To Treat is a new program that provides telehealth and antiviral home delivery for people testing positive for Flu or Covid-19. The U.S. The Test To Treat Program aimed to make it...
View ArticleThose Nerdy Girls’ Goals for 2024
Dear Nerdy Girl Community, As 2023 draws to a close and with the first few months of my role as Executive Director behind me, we have been reflecting on where Those Nerdy Girls has been. But now I’d...
View ArticleDo zinc supplements help treat or prevent colds?
Maybe. Maybe not. Some studies find that zinc supplements may help prevent or treat colds, but many others find no benefit. On balance, the case for boosting zinc to fight colds is weak, unless you are...
View ArticleLight in Darkness
🌏 Across various cultures, light-filled festivals during the colder months are a shared experience rooted in astronomical, psychological, and cultural factors. These celebrations provide warmth, hope,...
View ArticleNOW is a good time to dial up your strategic masking.
COVID is surging again, just in time for the holidays. NOW is a good time to dial up your use of strategic masking. Masking sometimes is a form of harm reduction. Here are tips to help you rock the...
View ArticleHoliday Etiquette: Repro Health Edition
‘Tis the season once again when many of us prepare to see our loved ones for the holidays. And once again, many of us might find ourselves anxiously anticipating invasive questions about, well,...
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