Melinda Ratini

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Measles Survivors Detail Long-Term Damage

1 month ago | webmd.com | Melinda Ratini |Natalie Slivinski

In 1957, just six years before a vaccine was released, Sarah R. and her cousin were infected with measles at the same time. Sarah, who now lives in Oakland, California, eventually recovered without major lasting effects. But her cousin, whom the family affectionately referred to as “Cotton” because of his platinum blond hair, lost both his hearing and eyesight. They were 6 years old. The two cousins started feeling ill during one of their family’s frequent visits together.
Colonoscopy for Ulcerative Colitis

2 months ago | webmd.com | Melinda Ratini |Nicole Schmidt

Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and sores to form in the large intestine and rectum. It happens when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the colon, leading to swelling and irritation. This can cause symptoms like diarrhea, blood in your stool, stomach cramps, or an urgent need to poop. To diagnose ulcerative colitis, doctors use an endoscope – a thin, flexible tube with a camera attached – to examine the colon.
How Inclusive Is Your Senior Community?

Apr 24, 2024 | webmd.com | Melinda Ratini |Jessica Migala

When LJ Ingram was taking care of her aging parents, she thought about what she and her wife wanted for their future. “We prefer to enjoy our senior years with less worry” and with fewer concerns for their children to shoulder, says Ingram, 69. Millions of American families can relate. By 2030, all baby boomers will be over age 65 and 1 in 5 Americans will be considered an older adult, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Not far behind them, the oldest Gen Xers turn 59 this year.
Heart-Liver Surgery May Help Patients Excluded from Transplant List

Apr 19, 2024 | webmd.com | Melinda Ratini |Alicia Gallegos

Ernest House needed a liver transplant. But a heart condition was keeping him off the transplant list. “I would have died,” he says. “There's no doubt about that. My body was failing.”A former college football quarterback, House had always strived to stay active. That didn’t change when he reached his golden years.
The Influencer: How Finding Her Voice Inspired a Community of Self-Healers

Apr 8, 2024 | webmd.com | Alexa Federico |Melinda Ratini

By Alexa Federico, as told to Skylar HarrisonBefore I became an advocate for those with Crohn’s and IBD, my mom was mine. “Her nails are blue. She’s lost weight. She’s really cold,” she’d tell doctors again and again about her 12-year-old daughter’s alarming symptoms, but they never seemed to take us seriously. “She’s just a skinny girl,” one doctor told us. But my mother, a nurse, knew we needed answers. Something was wrong.
Herbs, Vitamins, and Supplements Used to Enhance Mood

Apr 5, 2024 | webmd.com | Melinda Ratini |Annie Stuart

Mood problems, including depression and bipolar disorder, are no laughing matter. More than 20 million American adults have a mood disorder and 40 million an anxiety disorder. And these numbers don’t include the average worrywart or person who suffers an occasional bout of the blues. For depression alone, the annual cost for treatment and lost wages may be as high as $52 billion.
Managing Muscle Pain, Soreness, and Aches

Apr 5, 2024 | webmd.com | Melinda Ratini |Stephanie Watson

You work hard all week, so when the weekend finally rolls around, you want to play just as hard. There's nothing like a few rounds of golf, a hike in the mountains, or an intense workout at the gym to help you feel recharged. But all of that exercise can cause soreness and stiffness that shows up a day or two later. Don't get sidelined by muscle pain. Find out the causes and treatments so you can stay on your game. What's Causing My Sore Muscles?
Weight Loss for Kids

Mar 27, 2024 | webmd.com | Melinda Ratini |Sharon Liao

If your child is overweight or obese, helping them get to a healthy weight is one of the best things you can do for them now and in the future. But what’s the right way to do it? That usually depends on your child’s age. There’s no single number on the scale that all kids must reach to be healthy. The right range depends on how tall they are, their gender, and their age.
Best and Worst Snacks

Mar 19, 2024 | webmd.com | Melinda Ratini |Amy Capetta

We all snack. But some snacks are better than others, especially if you’re managing type 2 diabetes or obesity. An ideal snack gives you protein or fiber -- or both -- to help you feel full, says Gillian Culbertson, RD, certified diabetes educator at the Cleveland Clinic. It should give you plenty of energy without too many calories. Aim for between 100 and 150 calories for women, and about 200 calories for men, with 15 to 20 grams of protein.
The Scientist: A Physician Who Heals Himself and Others

Mar 15, 2024 | webmd.com | R. Balfour Sartor |Melinda Ratini

By R. Balfour Sartor, MD., as told to Stacia FriedmanMy Crohn’s disease symptoms started in sixth grade when my abdominal pain was misdiagnosed as appendicitis. Inflammatory bowel diseases, which include Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are frequently misdiagnosed. Patients often mistake IBD symptoms -- diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss -- for a GI bug. Rather than seeking medical attention, they self-medicate with over-the-counter remedies such as Pepto Bismol, probiotics, and Imodium.