health lab Articles

doctor talking to patient in clinic with blue shirt
Health Lab

For antiphospholipid syndrome patients, lab results don’t always paint the full picture

Patients with APS have concerns about their ability to function normally, even when their blood work and clinical visits appear normal.
Graphic of a man and woman dressed in green sitting at a table that has a jar of pickles on it.
Health Lab

Can pickle juice reduce cirrhotic muscle cramping?

Liver experts examine the effects of pickle juice on both muscle cramping and quality of life.
suPAR cells enter the blood vessel wall and accelerate the development of atherosclerosis
Health Lab

New immune target to treat cardiovascular disease discovered

A study led by Michigan Medicine has uncovered that suPAR, a protein, causes atherosclerosis, linking cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. The research shows potential for suPAR to be a treatment target for both conditions.
Food blood vial collage
Health Lab

Blood-based metabolic signature outperforms standard method for predicting diet, disease risk

The study found that machine learning techniques improved diet prediction by 10-20%.
prescription pad
Health Lab

Reducing opioids prescribed after total knee and hip arthroplasty can be beneficial for patients and doctors

Large doses of opioids are commonly prescribed after total knee and hip arthroplasty to avoid call-ins for refills, but smaller doses can be just as effective.
Dr. Rajesh Rao using his finger to create a pink line of
Health Lab

Finding new hope for people with vision loss

What do you do when you know there’s a disease that’s as common as all cancers combined that steals a person’s vision? For Rajesh Rao, M.D., you conduct a groundbreaking first-in-human trial, with the goal of using an adult stem cell-based approach to restore vision. 
Female scientist wearing goggles looking at petri dishes on a glass table
Health Lab

Giving childhood cancer survivors the chance to have children of their own

What do you do when you know a disease is reversible, even curable, and yet each year millions of people still suffer from it? For Amy Rothberg, M.D., you find a whole new way to help people not only lose weight, but in some cases even reverse a diabetes diagnosis.
woman smiling hospital bed UM pillow
Health Lab

Her heart stopped more than 25 times. ECMO saved her life

After two birthdays in the hospital, she celebrated with a brand-new heart.
Andre smiles with the blue sky behind him
Health Lab

Andre’s Michigan Answer: A second surgery. And a second chance.

Andre admits he never thought he needed a doctor. But in early 2017 at the age of 49, Andre began to rethink his doctor-less position, because he noticed some subtle changes in how he felt. Sleeping and breathing difficulties created a willingness to visit a primary care physician. After a trip to the ER revealed Andre was in early stage heart failure and that he would need the aortic valve in his heart replaced.
Ear watercolor showing a sound wave
Health Lab

Should you get an over-the-counter hearing aid or see a hearing specialist?

Audiology expert provides insights on the new FDA regulation.
Sleeping baby hanging onto an adult's finger.
Health Lab

10 Tips for New Parents

No matter how many children you have, those first few days at home with your new baby are full of questions. The following tips for new parents can help answer some of these questions until you meet with your pediatrician.
boy holding book
Health Lab

New hope for patients with rare epilepsy

Thousands of children face seizures, developmental delays, and possible death from Dravet Syndrome. A new treatment built on Michigan Medicine research could help.
Bentley shows off his Hulk hands costume at the hospital
Health Lab

Bentley’s Michigan Answer: Life-saving care. Life-changing outcomes.

Marguerita Booth had never heard of a child being born with their organs on the outside of their body. And yet as she laid in the darkened room of her first ultrasound of her first pregnancy, she was suddenly introduced to a condition that surprisingly affects 1 in every 3600 babies.
Health Lab

LaKendra’s Michigan Answer: Liver transplant

Nine years into her elementary school teaching career, LaKendra Butler was ready for anything. But, after experiencing severe pain in her side, she learned she would need a new liver.
kid looking close to screen blinking bright green background
Health Lab

Protecting children’s eyes from screens, sun and sports 

National poll suggests many parents overlook simple steps to minimize children’s risk of eye injuries.