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Anxiety

Panic Attack Symptoms: Signs You Shouldn't Ignore

Key Highlights * A panic attack is a sudden surge of overwhelming fear that happens without a clear danger or trigger. * Common physical symptoms include a racing heart, sweating, trembling, and shortness of breath, which can sometimes feel like a heart attack. * Having a single panic attack does not mean you

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Depression

Postpartum Depression: What Every New Parent Should Know

Key Highlights * Postpartum depression is a serious mental health condition, different from the temporary "baby blues." * Key symptoms of depression include lasting sadness, loss of interest, and changes in sleep or appetite. * Risk factors include a personal or family history of depression, a difficult birth, and a lack

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Anxiety

What Are the Top 10 Medications for Anxiety: A Guide

Key Highlights * This guide covers the top 10 medications commonly prescribed to treat various types of anxiety. * Doctors often choose selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as the first treatment for anxiety disorders. * Benzodiazepines can relieve anxiety quickly, but doctors usually prescribe them only for short periods because of the risk

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Bipolar

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms: Recognizing The Signs

Key Highlights * Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings, with periods of emotional highs called manic episodes and lows known as depression. * The main symptoms of bipolar disorder are episodes of mania, hypomania, and depression. These episodes can change your energy, activity, and behavior. * Getting

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Depression

Depression Symptoms: 8 Early Signs to Watch For

Key Highlights Here are the key takeaways about the early warning signs of depression: * Understanding the symptoms of depression is the first step toward better mental health. * Depressive symptoms go beyond sadness and can include physical and behavioral changes. * Several types of mental disorders exist, each with unique signs, from

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Clinical Insight

Leveraging PGx Reports to Enhance Patient Adherence and Collaborative Care

As clinicians, we’ve all been there. You diagnose a patient, prescribe the first-line, evidence-based medication, and schedule a follow-up. When the patient returns, you discover they took the medication for three days, experienced a side effect they read about on the internet, and stopped. Or perhaps they never even

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Anxiety

Anxiety Symptoms: 10 Key Symptoms and When to Seek Help

Key Highlights * Anxiety disorders are defined by persistent, excessive fear or dread that interferes with daily life. * Common symptoms are both physical (like a rapid heartbeat, muscle tension, and shortness of breath) and psychological (like uncontrollable worry, irritability, and difficulty concentrating). * There are several types of anxiety disorders, including generalized

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Clinical Insight

How Pharmacogenetics Can Proactively Mitigate Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs)

As clinicians, we are all too familiar with the conversation: a patient, started on a first-line agent, returns in two weeks complaining of debilitating nausea, brain fog, or insomnia. The medication so effective in clinical trials has failed, not because of its mechanism, but because of its side effects. This

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ADHD

ADHD Symptoms in Women: A Comprehensive Guide

Key Highlights * Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often presents with more inattentive and emotional symptoms in women than men. * Many adult women with ADHD develop "masking" strategies to hide their struggles, which can delay a diagnosis. * Gender bias in diagnostic criteria historically made it harder to get an

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Clinical Insight

The Pharmacist’s Role: Integrating PGx Data into Medication Therapy Management

As the most accessible healthcare providers and the undisputed medication experts, pharmacists are at the center of modern patient care. The goal of Medication Therapy Management (MTM) is to fulfill this role to its highest potential: optimizing drug therapy, improving adherence, and preventing adverse events. In practice, this often means

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Nutrigenomics

​​MTHFR Gene Mutation Symptoms: What To Watch Out For

Key Highlights * An MTHFR gene mutation is a common gene variant that can affect your body's ability to process folate. * This mutation can impact crucial methylation processes, which are vital for numerous bodily functions. * Many people with this gene variation have no MTHFR symptoms, while others may experience

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Clinical Insight

Beyond Metabolism: Understanding a Patient's Individual Metabolic Capacity Before Prescribing

For decades, the standard of care for prescribing new medication, especially in mental health, has been "start low, go slow." A patient presents with anxiety, and the provider prescribes a first-line SSRI. Then comes the waiting game of four to six weeks of hoping for relief, all while

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Depression

Male Loneliness: An Epidemic in Today's Society

Key Highlights * The male loneliness epidemic is a significant topic today, but evidence suggests it may be an age old struggle rather than a new issue. * Recent surveys show high rates of loneliness among men, with many reporting having fewer close friends than in previous decades. * Societal roles, changing communication

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ADHD

Fidgeting: Understanding the Risks and Benefits

Key Highlights * Fidgeting involves small, repetitive body movements that often happen unconsciously. * These fidgeting behaviors can be a natural response to stress, anxiety, or the need to concentrate. * Fidgeting serves as a coping mechanism for stress relief by providing a temporary mental break. * While common for many, excessive fidgeting can

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ADHD

How to Focus With ADHD: 4 Techniques and Tips That Work

Key Highlights Here is a quick overview of what we'll cover to help you improve your focus with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). * Understanding how your unique brain chemistry affects your ability to concentrate. * Exploring simple focus techniques that you can integrate into your daily life. * Breaking down

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Medication

Medication in Pregnancy: A Guide to Risk, Safety, and the Role of Genetics

Key Takeaways * No medication is 100% risk-free during pregnancy. Every decision requires a careful risk-benefit conversation with your healthcare provider. * Your personal risk from a medication is not universal. It is heavily influenced by your unique genetic makeup, specifically the genes that control how your body metabolizes drugs. * Pharmacogenetic (PGx)

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Nutrigenomics

5 Foods That Naturally Decrease Cortisol for Better Health

Key Highlights * A balanced diet is a powerful tool for stress management and can help naturally lower your cortisol levels. * Fatty fish like salmon provide healthy fats, specifically omega-3s, that support brain function and reduce stress. * Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants that fight cellular damage and help buffer your

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Nutrigenomics

GLP1 Supplement: Natural Ways to Trim Down

Key Highlights * Natural GLP-1 supplements aim to support your body's own appetite regulation for weight loss. * These supplements utilize natural ingredients to regulate blood sugar and refine metabolic health. * They work by promoting feelings of fullness, helping you consume fewer calories. * Unlike synthetic GLP-1 receptor agonists, natural options

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Nutrigenomics

GAPS Diet for Autism: What You Need to Know

Key Highlights * The Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) diet is a nutritional protocol designed to improve gut health. * It's based on the theory that healing the gut can lessen behavioral conditions linked to neurological function. * The diet is highly restrictive, eliminating grains, starchy vegetables, and processed foods. * There

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Medication

The Tylenol Autism Link: The Genetic Factor No One Is Talking About

Key Takeaways * Recent studies have suggested a correlation between frequent acetaminophen (Tylenol) use during pregnancy and a higher risk of ADHD and autism in children, causing understandable concern for parents. * The key takeaway from this news is not that Tylenol is universally dangerous, but that an individual's risk

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Clinical Insight

Integrating PGx Testing to Enhance Clinical Confidence and Reduce Patient Risk

In modern medicine, the pressure on clinicians has never been greater. Patient complexity is increasing, time is always limited, and the demand for evidence-based, personalized care is the new benchmark. While we have more therapeutic options than ever, the fundamental challenge of prescribing remains: how can we be confident that

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Clinical Insight

The MTHFR Question: An Evidence-Based Guide for Clinicians on Folate Metabolism and Medication Response

It’s a question more clinicians are hearing in their practice: “I think I have the MTHFR mutation. What does that mean for my health?” Driven by direct-to-consumer genetic testing and online health forums, patients are increasingly aware of the MTHFR gene. While this awareness can lead to confusion, it

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Nutrigenomics

Liquid Collagen: Does It Live Up To The Hype?

Key Highlights * Liquid collagen is a convenient, ready-to-drink supplement that could offer numerous health benefits. * It primarily contains hydrolyzed collagen peptides, which are easily absorbed by the body. * Key benefits include improved skin elasticity, hydration, and a reduction in fine lines. * Beyond beauty, it can also support joint health, potentially

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Clinical Insight

Precision in Pediatrics: Using Pharmacogenetics to Safely Navigate Psychiatric Prescribing for Children & Adolescents

Prescribing psychiatric medication for a child or adolescent is one of the most considered decisions a clinician can make. The responsibility is immense, and the process is often fraught with uncertainty for providers, parents, and the young patients themselves. Unlike in adult medicine, you are working with a developing system

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