Published in Right as Rain·Dec 23, 2020Live Alone? Here’s How to Safely Form a Pandemic PodIf physical distancing has shown us anything, it’s that sometimes not being with other people in person really takes a toll on mental health. Research has actually found that, for some people, prolonged loneliness can be as harmful for health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The health toll of…Friendship6 min readFriendship6 min read
Published in Right as Rain·Nov 18, 2020Why You’re Being Controlled By Your Gut BacteriaPerhaps you’ve heard of the gut microbiome and that it plays a major role in the health of your digestive system. But did you know it also can impact your overall health — and even possibly your behavior? Here’s a primer on what the gut microbiome is, how it connects…Gut Health6 min readGut Health6 min read
Published in Right as Rain·Oct 28, 2020Winter Is Coming: Coping During Dark Pandemic DaysIt’s an understatement to say that 2020 has been a rough year. Now something is coming to make it even worse: the cold, dark days of winter in the Pacific Northwest. If the impending arrival of 4 o’clock sunsets and icy rain marks an annual low point in your energy…Winter5 min readWinter5 min read
Published in Right as Rain·Oct 12, 2020What Everyone Should Know About Inflammatory Breast CancerYou’re diligent about breast health, including self-checks and getting mammograms. You know that you should call your doctor if you feel a lump. But did you know there’s a serious type of breast cancer that may not present with a lump? It’s called inflammatory breast cancer, and while it’s quite…Breast Cancer6 min readBreast Cancer6 min read
Published in Right as Rain·Oct 7, 2020Under 50? You Need to Think About Colon Cancer, TooActor Chadwick Boseman’s death is tragic — and shocking. Though only 43 years old, he died from stage IV colon cancer, the most advanced stage of the disease. “It’s a terrible loss, obviously to his family and the world, and it highlights how tragic colorectal cancer is,” says Dr. Mukta…Colon Cancer4 min readColon Cancer4 min read
Published in Right as Rain·Sep 16, 2020Debunking 10 Common Face Mask MythsEver since the governor’s mask mandate was enacted on July 7 in Washington, a lot of questions about face masks have been swirling around the internet. Here are 10 myths about face masks that you shouldn’t believe — and why it’s so important to wear a mask. Myth: Masks don’t offer protection against COVID-19 Fact: Masks can significantly reduce the spread of COVID-19, especially if worn by an infected personFace Mask7 min readFace Mask7 min read
Published in Right as Rain·Sep 2, 2020Why You Need to Talk With Your Kids About SuicideIt’s a grim reality and something no parent or guardian wants to hear: Child and teen suicide is on the rise. According to 2017 data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), suicide was the second leading cause of death among kids, teens and young adults from ages 10 to…Suicide5 min readSuicide5 min read
Published in Right as Rain·Aug 26, 2020Why Do STIs Impact Women Worse Than Straight Men?Thanks to gender norms, it’s no secret that women who date cisgender, straight men can carry some pretty big burdens. We’re responsible for pregnancy prevention (there’s still no male birth control). We do more than our fair share of emotional labor. …Sexual Health8 min readSexual Health8 min read
Published in Right as Rain·Aug 10, 20204 Common Questions About Genetic TestingYou’ve probably heard about how genetic medicine can make medical care more personalized. After all, how much more personal does it get than using data about a person’s genetic makeup to help treat medical conditions they have and prevent other conditions from occurring? Genetic medicine is somewhat of a buzzword…Genetics5 min readGenetics5 min read
Published in Right as Rain·Jul 29, 2020What Comes After a Pandemic? Resilience, According to PsychologistsBy now, most of us have realized the pandemic isn’t going away anytime soon. And that can be a discouraging thought. You’ve probably seen alarming headlines about how the mental health toll of the pandemic will be high. …Resilience5 min readResilience5 min read
