Brenda Mooney, Author at U.S. Medicine

Genetic Changes Increase Likelihood of Poor COVID-19 Outcomes in Chronic Lung Diseases; Environmental Exposures, Lifestyle Put Veterans at Higher Risk

by Mary Anne Dunkin | May 29, 2022

Because they are molecularly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, patients with chronic lung diseases appear to be primed for worse outcomes after infection, through the dysregulation of genes related to viral replication and the innate immune response in epithelial cells, and basal differences in inflammatory cell gene expression programs, according to a new study. The authors cautioned that patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are most at risk but the greater danger also affects those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and interstitial lung disease.

Bipolar Disorder Often Misdiagnosed as Major Depression, Leading to Improper Treatment

by Brenda Mooney | May 29, 2022

Nearly 70% of bipolar patients are initially misdiagnosed and a third or more still haven’t gotten an appropriate diagnosis a decade later. Making the situation even more troubling is that many bipolar patients are being treated for major depressive disorder and receiving antidepressants alone – therapy that is suspected of actually destabilizing mood.

Did Military Toxic Exposures Increase Risk of AML, MDS in Veterans?

by Brenda Mooney | May 29, 2022

The debate continues a half-century after Agent Orange use ended over whether exposure to the herbicide in Vietnam and elsewhere contributed to the development of acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. A recent article from Yale researchers raised the issue anew.

Co-Morbid Conditions Make Veterans’ Alcohol Use Disorder Even Riskier

by Brenda Mooney | May 29, 2022

While alcohol use disorder is common among U.S. veterans, it often doesn’t stand alone. Instead, AUD is frequently found as a co-morbid condition with other psychiatric diagnoses or post-traumatic stress disorder. The combinations make the condition riskier and harder to treat.

Tracking How Much COVID-19 Vaccination Was Distributed, Lost in Early Rush

by Brenda Mooney | May 16, 2022

In an effort to improve future efforts, data has been made available on initial COVID-19 vaccine shipments and wastage across the United States, which occurred shortly after those vaccines became available.

Safety Procedures Aren’t Always Followed at DHA Facilities

by Stephen Spotswood | May 13, 2022

Dez Del Barba was only a short way into Army basic training at Fort Benning, GA, when he began to experience escalating pain in both legs. Physicians wrote it off as simple muscle soreness.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Aging Women Tends to Differ From Men

by Mary Anne Dunkin | May 13, 2022

Obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder associated with persistent collapse or narrowing of the upper airway during sleep, has been linked to several detrimental outcomes including excessive daytime sleepiness, high blood pressure, neurocognitive decline and metabolic disorders.

Smoking History Affects Overall Survival in Women With Breast Cancer

by Brenda Mooney | May 13, 2022

Largely because of its association with conditions such as lung cancer and cardiovascular/pulmonary diseases, cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the United States, with about 480,000 deaths each year attributable to the habit.

Future Employers Might Not Know About Problem Clinicians Fired by VA

by Stephen Spotswood | May 12, 2022

A recent investigation by the VA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) found widespread noncompliance by VA facilities in reporting healthcare professionals whose conduct or incompetence led them to be fired to state licensing boards (SLB) or the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB).

Costs of Severe Drug Reactions Resulting in Hospitalization at the VHA

by Mary Anne Dunkin | May 12, 2022

Each year, approximately 2 million serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs) occur in the U.S. and are responsible for around 100,000 deaths, according to the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

Niacin Supplements Appear to Help PD Motor Function

by U.S. Medicine | May 12, 2022

Can niacin supplementation improve motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease patients?

Altered Cholinergic Innervation in New Parkinson’s Patients

by U.S. Medicine | May 12, 2022

While evidence is strong that altered cholinergic innervation plays a key role in cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease (PD), at least in advanced stages, less is known about the relationship between cognitive impairment and cholinergic innervation early in the disease.

Adverse Events Predict Cognitive Decline After Brain Stimulation

by U.S. Medicine | May 12, 2022

In a small subset of Parkinson’s disease patients, deep brain stimulation is linked to statistically and clinically significant cognitive declines.

Veterans Suffered Myriad Mental Health Outcomes After COVID-19 Infection

by Mary Anne Dunkin | May 10, 2022

More than two years into the pandemic, studies are showing the long-term effects COVID-19 can have on the heart, lungs, kidneys and other organ systems.

Burn Pit Exposure Legislation Likely to Get Senate Vote Soon

by Stephen Spotswood | May 10, 2022

The Honoring Our PACT Act–the comprehensive toxic exposure legislation that passed with broad bipartisan support in the House–is looking increasingly like it will get a vote in the Senate.

Chronic Inflammation in mTBI Affects Sleep Quality

by U.S. Medicine | May 10, 2022

Occurring immediately after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), elevations of inflammatory cytokine levels can persist for years and are associated with neuropsychological outcomes, including depression and PTSD symptoms.

Daily Physical Activity Helps Less Serious Insomnia

by U.S. Medicine | May 10, 2022

An often recommended lifestyle intervention for insomnia is physical activity (PA). It is not clear, however, that more activity benefits patients across the range of insomnia severity.

Anger Contributes to PTSD Sleep Disorders

by U.S. Medicine | May 10, 2022

Anger is a major contributor to sleep problems among military servicemembers with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Most, but Not All, Hospital Acquired Infections Rose at VA During Pandemic

by Mary Anne Dunkin | May 10, 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on hospital acquired infections in various types of VA acute care was a mixed bag, although, overall, many rates increased, according to a new study.

Hospitalized Male Veterans With COVID-19 Didn’t Improve With Androgen Suppression

by Brenda Mooney | May 10, 2022

A potential protective role for suppression of the androgen receptor (AR) against COVID-19 incidence and severity has been observed in some retrospective analyses.

Milwaukee Nurse Identified Syringe Problem That Led to Recall

by Stephen Spotswood | May 10, 2022

In August 2021, the medical device manufacturer Cardinal Health recalled approximately 267 million of their prefilled saline syringes. The syringes had been found to reintroduce air into the syringe after it had been expelled, which could have resulted in the injection of air into blood vessels, leading to serious injury or death.

COVID-19 Outbreak During Army Training Exercise Offers Prevention Lessons

by Brenda Mooney | May 10, 2022

Extreme weather during a field training exercise forced more than 100 Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldiers to shelter closely together last year and led to an extensive outbreak of COVID-19.

Older Black, Hispanic Veterans Much More Likely to Get Dementia Diagnosis

by Brenda Mooney | May 10, 2022

The incidence of dementia varies significantly by race and ethnicity among older adults receiving care at VHA medical centers, according to a new study. Why that occurs was not immediately clear, however.

Material things are delightful, but they’re not important

by Chester Buckenmaier III, MD, COL (ret), MC, USA | May 10, 2022

When you are a billionaire like Sir Richard Branson, you tend to have a lot of stuff (I would assume). Furthermore, you are relieved of the pressure most people in the world feel to afford the necessities of life. While I agree with Branson’s thesis, I am not sure a person’s opinion regarding materialism is worth much when they command such overwhelming resources. As are most readers of this column, I am not a billionaire, although I recognize that my employment as a federal physician has supported my family far beyond basic necessities. Having traveled much of the world and witnessed first-hand the poverty that consumes much of the world’s population, I am keenly aware of how well we live in America.

Study Finds Alarmingly High Suicide Rates Among AI/AN VHA Patients

by Mary Anne Dunkin | May 10, 2022

American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) in the general population have the highest rates of suicide of all race groups in the United States, as well as the most rapidly growing suicide rates, according to a new study.

VA Continues Inconsistent Measurement of Veteran Wait Times for Care

by Stephen Spotswood | May 10, 2022

On its website, VA regularly reports misleading information on how long it takes for a veteran to be seen at its facilities, according to a recent VA Inspector’s General report. That can lead to confusion among veterans and anyone researching wait times, it added.

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