Heidi Moawad

Cleveland

Associate Editor, Humanities Section at Neurology

Articles

3 Foods That May Spike Cortisol Levels and Stress

1 week ago | verywellhealth.com | Heidi Moawad

Some foods and beverages may contribute to your natural stress responses or even affect your blood cortisol. Cortisol, known as the stress hormone, is produced by the body and is essential for many functions. Stress can cause brief spikes in blood cortisol, and some medical conditions can cause higher-than-ideal cortisol levels. At times, diet may also influence your responses to stressful situations and raise your cortisol levels.
New Thrombolytic Choices: Is One Better?

2 weeks ago | medscape.com | Heidi Moawad

The introduction of intravenous (IV) alteplase almost 30 years ago changed ischemic stroke care. The recent approval of TNKase (tenecteplase), a second tissue plasminogen activator thrombolytic medicine, raises the question of whether there are patient characteristics or circumstances that would make one thrombolytic a better choice than the other. TNKase is delivered as a single 5-sec IV bolus, while Activase (alteplase) is administered as an IV bolus followed by a 60-min infusion.
Songs That Help Me Manage Episodes

2 weeks ago | bezzymigraine.com | Sarah Garone |Heidi Moawad

When migraine pain hits, music is one of my go-to self-care strategies. I’m a musician myself and have long turned to playlists as a means of soothing my emotions, so I tend to think of the right songs as welcome companions during a migraine attack. Some studies have actually shown that music can help prevent these attacks!One small 2021 study showed that daily music therapy was useful for preventing migraine episodes among the participants.
What Causes Sleep Paralysis?

2 weeks ago | verywellhealth.com | Heidi Moawad

Sleep paralysis is the phenomenon of being unable to move upon waking from sleep. Episodes generally last for a few minutes. These episodes are often described as scary, and sometimes they’re associated with a sense of a presence or intruder in the room or a general unexplained frightening feeling. An individual episode can be triggered by stress, alcohol or drug use, or disrupted sleep.
Is Paradoxical Insomnia Real? Causes and Treatment

2 weeks ago | verywellhealth.com | Heidi Moawad

Paradoxical insomnia is a sleep disorder in which a person feels like they are not getting enough sleep, yet objective sleep testing does not detect any sleep disturbances. They may experience limited daytime symptoms of insufficient sleep that are not proportional to their perceived lack of sleep. The perception that you aren't getting enough sleep can be frustrating and stressful. Getting medical attention is important if you feel like you are not getting enough sleep.
Why Sleeping on an Incline Could Be Beneficial for You

2 weeks ago | verywellhealth.com | Heidi Moawad

Sleeping on an incline or with part of your body elevated can be beneficial for some people and may help relieve symptoms of certain health conditions. You can use pillows or an adjustable bed to raise your head, upper back, or legs. Before making any changes in your sleep position, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider to see whether raising part of your bed while you sleep could help relieve your symptoms and whether it is safe for you.
How Bezzy MS Readers Experience DMT Side Effects

3 weeks ago | bezzyms.com | Laurie Budgar |Heidi Moawad

With dozens of disease-modifying therapies now available for multiple sclerosis, people often want to know more about how the side effects compare. Here, Bezzy MS readers share their insights. Multiple sclerosis (MS) was a disease without a cure or treatment for many decades. Even in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) started to become available, people didn’t have a lot of choices regarding which treatment to try.
Signs and Characteristics of Autism in Adults

3 weeks ago | verywellhealth.com | Heidi Moawad

While autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is often associated with childhood, some people with autism are not diagnosed until adulthood, even if they had signs and symptoms in their early years. Autism has characteristics that include challenges in social communication and social interaction, as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests. Adults living with autism face unique challenges that can affect work, daily life responsibilities, and relationships with family and other people.
How to Diagnose and Test for Autism in Adults

3 weeks ago | verywellhealth.com | Heidi Moawad

Adults can have autism, and for many people, this condition is not diagnosed until adulthood. If you are wondering whether you or someone you care about has autism, screening tests are available, and there are diagnostic criteria for adult autism. Discuss your symptoms and how they are affecting your life with a healthcare professional.
How Ecstatic Dance Helped Me Embrace My Body with Chronic Illness

1 month ago | bezzyms.com | Julia Edelman |Heidi Moawad

This freeform style of expression allows you to move in whatever way feels natural and at your own pace and ability level. I first discovered ecstatic dance by accident. I was at a music festival in Uvita, Costa Rica, 5 years ago, and in the late afternoon, I came upon a group of people dancing underneath a large outdoor tent. I had never seen anyone dance like this in my life. No one was moving in ways you’d normally expect on a dance floor.