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A study finds that an estimated 170,000 people who are transgender in the United States may access hormones from friends, online or other non-licensed sources, which poses health and safety risks. From the article: "Researchers evaluated national data and found that 84% of the 27,715 respondents were interested in using hormones, while only 55% were using hormones. Overall, 3,362 (15%) of respondents were uninsured, compared with about 13% of all Americans at the time of the survey in 2015. Among insured respondents, 21% reported that their claims for gender affirming hormones were denied."For the full story, visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/rounds/underinsured-transgender-americans-more-likely-to-turn-to-riskier-sources-for-gender See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

You wake up one morning feeling under the weather. While in previous years you may have chalked up a sore throat or body aches to a run-of-the-mill cold or flu, this year’s COVID-19 pandemic adds a new element of concern to getting sick. An expert offers advice for those worried sick about their symptoms.For more information about this story visit: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/wellness-prevention/cold-flu-or-covid-19-heres-how-to-tell-difference See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Problems with her placenta inspired physician Courtney Townsel to specialize in helping others understand the high risk pregnancy conditions that impact this vital organ. For more information about this story visit https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/womens-health/5-placenta-issues-every-woman-should-know See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Seeing, hearing or perceiving things that aren’t really there may seem like something to hide, but seeking help early can make a big difference. For more information about this story visit https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/brain-health/distorted-reality-what-to-do-about-early-signs-of-psychosis See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Experts advise on how to celebrate without putting yourself, and your loved ones, at risk. For more information about this story visit https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/wellness-prevention/how-to-have-a-safe-holiday-season-during-covid-19-pandemic See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A social worker shares coping strategies to help patients deal with the stress of health challenges. For more information about this story visit https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/wellness-prevention/11-hidden-hardships-only-patients-understand-and-ways-to-cope See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For those able to work remotely, experts say it’s a good time to address your sleep habits to improve your health.For more information about this story visit: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/wellness-prevention/still-working-from-home-try-these-5-tips-improve-your-sleep See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Try these modifications to help keep the Halloween spirit alive.For more information about this story visit: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/childrens-health/5-ways-to-have-a-safe-halloween-during-covid-19 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Now that we know more about the coronavirus, this is the time to stay the course to prevent infections and buy time until vaccines are ready, expert says. For more information about this story visit: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/wellness-prevention/curve-fattening-not-flattening-what-can-we-do See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How E coli. and other illness-causing bugs get past the microbiome’s defenses.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/lab-report/bad-bacteria-make-their-own-food-to-colonize-gut See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For many Americans, life in the time of COVID-19 means forming “pods” – small groups of people who agree to share child care and education responsibilities, or to study or socialize together. For more information about this story visit https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/wellness-prevention/how-to-keep-covid-19-from-invading-your-pod-and-how-to-stay-safe-if-it-does See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As schools prepare for fall, a small study suggests that young children may carry coronavirus at high levels – but that doesn’t prove they’re contagious.For more information about this story visit: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/childrens-health/why-relationship-between-kids-and-spread-of-covid-remains-unclear See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

When people think about forensic pathology, images of crime shows where an investigator sets out to determine a murder victim’s cause of death often come to mind. However, it’s important to acknowledge the crucial role this field actually plays in our collective response to death, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unravel.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/body-work/covid-19-heroes-you-havent-met-yet-behind-scenes-of-a-pandemic See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Is it possible to have COVID-19 more than once within a short period of time? Two recent reports, one out of Hong Kong and one in a patient in Reno, Nevada, have many scratching their heads—and wondering what the cases mean for the future of the pandemic.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/rounds/should-we-worry-about-covid-19-reinfection See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

You’ve heard it time and again: One of the easiest and most effective ways to limit the spread of COVID-19 is by wearing face masks. That’s true whether you’re at the grocery store or seeing friends and family who live outside your immediate household. For more information, visit https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/wellness-prevention/4-mask-myths-put-you-at-risk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Lessons from early peak state of Michigan could inform hospitals in other areas. Four months ago, Michigan glowed red on COVID-19 maps. Hundreds of patients packed hospital intensive care units in the southern part of the state, and hospitals statewide rapidly put strict new visitor policies in place to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. ICU teams had to scramble to connect with the families of critically ill and dying patients in new ways. Now, a new study documents how 49 of those hospitals reacted, and how those efforts varied.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/rounds/outside-looking-hospital-visitor-rules-vary-during-pandemic See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How researchers, doctors and recovered patients are joining efforts to see if one of the oldest pandemic treatments really works.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/industry-dx/convalescent-plasma-and-covid-19-hope-blood-and-chanceResources:C3PO, short for Clinical Trial of COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma of OutpatientsUS COVID Plasma effort See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After preliminary observations of 200 COVID-19 patients with severe hyperglycemia, a Michigan Medicine team is shedding light in a new Diabetes paper about why high blood sugar may trigger worse outcomes in people infected with the virus. And researchers have developed a blood sugar management tool that may potentially reduce risk of secondary infections, kidney issues and intensive care stays in people with diabetes, prediabetes or obesity who get COVID-19.For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/rounds/does-high-blood-sugar-worsen-covid-19-outcomes See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

You've seen it—a large spherical mass with protruding red spikes plastered across the television and the internet. It's an image that has become all too familiar over the last few months. We know it well as COVID-19, but what exactly does this picture tell us other than serving as the visual representation of the pandemic?For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/lab-report/coronavirus-decoding-spiky-fuzz-ballResources:University of Michigan's BioArtography ProjectFinding Beauty Through a Microscope See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Apps like Uber or Lyft can find you easily for a ride to the airport. So why is getting help to get to a hospital in an emergency so much more complicated?For more information about this story visit: https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/health-tech/uberization-of-911 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.