Julie Dubin

You may know that taking some antibiotics and acne medicine can trigger skin sensitivity to the sun, but common over-the-counter meds like aspirin and antihistamines can also spark sunburns and rashes.
Medications with a possible sun sensitivity side effect are prescribed for a wide range of conditions including allergies, arthritis, depression, diabetes, hypertension, and rosacea. You may have gone through this reaction, which doctors call “photosensitivity.”
What Is Photosensitivity?
Photos...

You might've heard about the lone star tick, which can carry the Heartland virus, a rare and potentially deadly tick-borne disease. The virus doesn't produce a distinctive symptom; however, it's characterized by fever, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, headache, decreased appetite, and joint or muscle pain. It's usually severe enough to seek medical attention. The lone star tick has surfaced in at least six states, so—with everything you've heard—you may be wondering whether you should worry.
The sho...

You know managing your type 2 diabetes may bring challenges, but you shouldn’t feel this way in your doctor’s exam room. If you feel that you have unanswered questions about your condition, you may be able find ways to share your concerns and get better care. Being your own advocate and speaking up is key for managing your type 2 diabetes.
What Is Self-Advocacy?
Self-advocacy is representing your own interests as you manage your condition. It will help you as you find, evaluate, and use infor...

Following training, he sought a place where the pace was faster and the stakes higher.

Matt Norvell pulls into the hospital parking garage during the early morning and receives a page: A young patient unexpectedly went into surgery and the mother is crying, afraid that her child may not survive. Norvell sits for hours with her in the surgical waiting area, reminding himself this is why he chose to become a minister and pastoral counselor.

“In high school, people said I was a really good listener and that shaped me,” he says. “A piece of my inspiration toward professional minist...

When Dr. Shawn Ralston presented at Pediatric Grand Rounds last November, she shared what she cares about most as a clinician and a researcher: Overtreat­ment. She delved into her favorite topic: De-implementation (divesting from in­effective and harmful medical practices). Because she views de-implementation ideas through the lens of cognitive psy­chology, she illustrated her points with another favorite subject: ‘80s movies scenes, like those in "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off" and "The Breakfast Club."

You feel a bit of a nasal drip about to hit your lip. What you really need to do is grab a tissue and clear the airway, but that would mean unleashing that sound you make in public. The snorty, blowing raspberries-like explosion that has you channeling your hankie-carrying grandfather. Because, when it comes to nose-blowing sounds, you never know what you're going to get.
Whether a foghorn or a sweet whisper, it's true that your nose-blowing sounds can vary, and even startle some people, but t...

If you’ve ever experienced excruciating, throbbing pain on one side of your head, coupled with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, smell, and noise, it’s safe to say that you’re probably in the migraine club. Often misunderstood, migraine isn’t just a headache, it’s considered a neurological condition with symptoms that last for hours and shock your world in such a way that you can’t get on with your daily routine. The good news? There are things you can actually do to help prevent mi...

Helping patients manage diabetes without blame. Moving past the stigmas with mental health support.

You’re constantly tired, your muscles ache or joints feel swollen, and you may notice dry eyes or sores in your mouth. Could it be an autoimmune disease? It’s sometimes not clear at first because symptoms can vary and easily go unnoticed.
Body on guard
You know immunity is important during cold and flu season, but what does it mean to have an autoimmune condition?
“In a normal state, the immune system is like a guard or lookout in the body. Its job is to protect against external invaders like...

Dr. Rana Awdish shares her near-death trauma and the importance of teaching physicians to connect with patients.

Tossing and turning at 3 am is never fun, but add being drenched in sweat and you may start dreading bedtime altogether. Night sweats can happen any time of year and they’re not always a sign of merely being overheated. Sometimes, they’re a symptom of an underlying medical condition.
Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating unrelated to heat or exercise) is a common complaint, explained Peter Nassar, MD, a sleep medicine specialist with the Baptist Health’s Sleep Center. “On average, 24% of patients...

When people first hear they have bipolar disorder, they may fear a future of limited options and instability, or that they’ll forever be on a mix of heavy medications.
But a diagnosis of this mental health condition doesn’t mean life will be different.
“With proper understanding and treatment, you can live a regular life, have normal relationships, pursue a fulfilling career and do anything anyone else can do. It doesn’t limit your abilities,” said Shariq Refai, MD, a psychiatrist with Baptis...

What will it take to conquer the highly transmissible COVID-19 delta variant? Vaccines are our best protection. How about a back-to-school virology refresher to explain why?
Viruses aren’t living, rather they need a host (i.e. you) to survive. Once the virus that causes COVID-19 has infected someone, its genetic material, called ribonucleic acid (RNA), reproduces quickly and without a checking mechanism, so errors (mutations) occur.
“They are like naturally occurring misprints or typos," expl...

If your time spent indoors during the pandemic had you yearning for a healthier home environment, you’re not alone. Creating a clean, fresh space is a booming wellness trend. But do you need to buy gadgets to combat stale air, or will dusting and opening windows do the trick?
If you live in a newer home near vegetation and away from water, you likely have good indoor air quality. But if you reside in a mold-prone older house near water, you may need to make some changes, said Danny Pulido, MD...