Monthly Check-up

The Monthly Check-up is a dedicated subcategory of editorials that focuses on providing insightful news and relevant events within the ever-evolving healthcare landscape. This section aims to keep readers informed about the latest developments, trends, and important happenings that impact the world of healthcare.

What Is ADHD? 

Skyler Dunphy 

10/3/25

What is ADHD, and how does it affect people? ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder—yes, it's a bit of a mouthful! But what does it mean? In the following paragraphs, we’ll break it down. You might also hear the term ADD, which stands for Attention-Deficit Disorder. Although ADHD and ADD sound similar, they are two different conditions. 

ADHD 

According to Healthline.com, attention deficit hypoactive disorder is a mental condition that can cause unusual levels of hyperactivity and impulsive behaviors. People suffering from ADHD may have trouble focusing their attention on a single task or sitting still for long periods. This means that a person who has ADHD will have a hard time doing seemingly simple tasks, such as doing the dishes, cleaning, doing homework, or even paying attention in class.  

ADD 

According to Lanc.org, attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a term used for people who have excessive difficulties with concentration without the presence of other ADHD symptoms such as excessive impulsiveness or hyperactivity. The only difference is that people experiencing ADD will not be hyperactive or have trouble sitting still. However, people with ADD will still have trouble focusing on tasks.  

ADHD V ADD 

According to Verywellhealth.com. ADD and ADHD are terms used to describe the same disorder. Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is an outdated term, while ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the officially used term. Epstein JN, Loren REA. Changes in the definition of ADHD in DSM-5: Subtle but important. Some people, however, use the term ADD interchangeably with ADHD, and others consider ADD to be a subtype of ADHD. People with ADHD don't always have hyperactivity, but the diagnosis of ADHD still applies. While ADHD and ADD are the same medical disability. People who have ADHD or ADD state that there are two different types. This is because people who have ADHD are not hyperactive.  

Sources  

  • “ADD vs. ADHD: Differences and Symptoms in Children and Adults.” Verywell Health, www.verywellhealth.com/add-vs-adhd-5193759. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024. 

  • Angel, Traci. “Everything You Need to Know about ADHD.” Healthline, 13 Oct. 2021, www.healthline.com/health/adhd. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.. 

Updated 11-1-2023. 

  • ChatGPT. “ChatGPT.” Chatgpt.com, OpenAI, 16 Nov. 2024, chatgpt.com. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.. 

  • This was used to make the opening paragraph sound more fluent . 

  • LANC UK. “Attention Deficit Disorder - Lanc UK.” Lanc UK, 2016, www.lanc.org.uk/related-conditions/attention-deficit-disorder-adhd/. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024. 

 


The End of Cold Medicine  

Skyler Dunphy 

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has decided to pull some cold medicines off the shelves for consumer protection. Why, you may as well, medications like phenylephrine. Phenylephrine, according to MedlinePlus (which is a government program) Phenylephrine is a drug used to treat stuffy noses and sinus problems. When applied to the eye, it can treat uveitis and wide-angle glaucoma. It can also dilate the pupil of the eye. Most of the time, you see it in cold medicines like Sudafed PE. On September 14th of last year, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) held a meeting to discuss the effectiveness of oral phenylephrine as an active ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold products that are indicated for the temporary relief of congestion, both as a single ingredient product and in combination with other ingredients. The committee deemed that evidence showing that Sudafed worked was outweighed by the opposing evidence. This caused the FDA to no longer support using Phenylephrine (Sudafed PE). The FDA has indicated that there are no negative effects associated with Phenylephrine (Sudafed PE). This means that taking this medication shouldn't lead to any adverse consequences, as stated by the agency. As always, you should consult your physician if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.  

 

Sources  

  • Lewis, Tanya, et al. “A Popular Decongestant Doesn’t Work. What Does?” Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2023, www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/a-popular-decongestant-doesnt-work-what-does1/. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024. 

  • MedlinePlus. “Phenylephrine: MedlinePlus Drug Information.” Medlineplus.gov, Nov. 2019, medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a606008.html. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024. 

  • “Phenylephrine (Sudafed PE): Uses & Instructions.” Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/20850-phenylephrine-tablets. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024. 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA Clarifies Results of Recent Advisory Committee Meeting on Oral Phenylephrine.” FDA, Sept. 2023, www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-clarifies-results-recent-advisory-committee-meeting-oral-phenylephrine. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024. 

 


Botox For Headaches 

Skyler Dunphy 

There have been some recent studies to prove that Botox may be able to treat migraines. Evidence has shown that botulinum toxin (Botox) interrupts the pathway of pain transmission between the brain and nerves that extend from the spinal cord. When a migraine happens, your body releases neurotransmitters and molecules that are associated with pain. Scientists hypothesize that botulinum toxin (Botox) when injected into the muscles around the face, head, and neck, is taken up by the nerves and interferes with the pain neurotransmitters. According to Dr. Mikhail Varshavskin (Dr. Mike), an American YouTube doctor, Botox was discovered to treat migraines by accident. In 2010, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved Botox as a preventive treatment for migraines. If you are experiencing migraines or headaches, talk to your doctor about possibly taking botulinum toxin (Botox) as a preventative treatment.  

 

Sources  

  • ·   “Chronic Migraine Treatment | BOTOX® Chronic Migraine.” Www.botoxchronicmigraine.com, www.botoxchronicmigraine.com/. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024. 

  • ·   Doctor Mike. “Surprising Body Parts Where Botox Can Be Used.” YouTube, 12 May 2024, www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYSiMs-f-Cg. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024. 

  • ·   Reddy, Sashank. “Botulinum Toxin Injectables for Migraines.” Www.hopkinsmedicine.org, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/botulinum-toxin-injectables-for-migraines. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024. 

Alcohol and Cancer 

Skyler Dunphy 

When you think of alcohol, you most likely don’t think about cancer. This is because alcohol and cancer are not seen as having any relation to each other. That is, until now. According to the STAT, “On Friday, Murthy recommended an update to a decades-old surgeon general warning printed on all alcohol containers in the United States. He proposed that the labels have a more eye-catching look and warn users that drinking increases cancer risks.” Murthy has stated that consuming alcohol will increase your risk of many types of cancer, but women's breast cancer is the biggest one. As most high school students have never had alcohol and have never bought a bottle of alcohol, they most likely wouldn't know that on the label of a bottle of wine, beer, etc, there is a warning label. However, this warning label only states the dangers of drinking while pregnant. Murthy would like to see these warning labels also include a warning of cancer. While it has not fully been proven that alcoholic drinks can cause cancer, there have been studies done by Murthy to show that they do increase the likelihood of you getting cancer.


Sources 

Cueto, Isabella. “The Surgeon General Wants the U.S. To Know that Alcohol Causes Cancer. Plenty Stands in His Way.” STAT, 4 Jan. 2025, www.statnews.com/2025/01/04/alcohol-cancer-risks-surgeon-general-hurdles/. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.

Brain Transplant

Skyler Dunphy 

This month, a different angle will be looked at for the monthly check-up. What would happen if doctors could do a brain transplant? At the same time, a brain transplant is not possible as of right now.  According to life science, a brain transplant is not likely to happen anytime soon, if ever. Life Science stated, “The answer to that is maybe — but it's a long, long way from happening. And it's unclear whether it would be ethical, even if possible. After all, a brain transplant is a body transplant, raising the question: Is it right to save one person's life with a full donor body, or should that donor's organs go to multiple people, potentially saving many lives at once?” This shows that if a brain transplant were ever to occur, the patient would have a whole new body. Essential for two people to swap bodies. Life Science also stated that “Ethics aside, the brain is a delicate organ, and the spinal cord, which connects to the brain, does not recover well after being cut. While there have been animal experiments involving transplanted heads, most animals that have been subjected to these experiments died within hours or days. The longest-lived have made it only a few months.” Even though there have been some animals where a brain transplant worked temporarily, it doesn’t seem like there will be any long-term transplants scheduled, as this project has been given up on by most doctors due to its complexity.  

 

Sources 

  • FARHUD, Dariush D. “Ethical, Social & Psychological Challenges of Head Transplantation in Human.” Iranian Journal of Public Health, vol. 47, no. 9, Sept. 2018, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6174037/. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024. 

  • Update Stephanie Pappas last. “Will Brain Transplants Ever Be Possible?” Livescience.com, 19 Oct. 2022, www.livescience.com/brain-transplants. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024. 


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What is With All The Energy Drinks

Skyler Dunphy 

There has been an uptick in how many teens are buying energy drinks. But before you head over to Walgreens and buy a case, there are some health concerns you should learn about first. Some of them can have lifelong effects! Starting with the pros of energy drinks. According to healthline.com, caffeine is the only good thing in energy drinks. Caffeine has many beneficial effects; some of them improve brain function, leading to an increase in mental alertness. Caffeine specifically improves memory, concentration, and reaction time. Since caffeine is a stimulant, there has been some talk on whether caffeine can be good for people with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactive disorder) or ADD (attention deficit disorder), since most medications that treat these conditions are stimulants. Although, some scientists believe that it is not caffeine alone that gives the positive effects. Some scientists believe that the sugar in the drinks helps so much that we would not work as effectively if it were removed. However, this has not been proven and with all good, there is bad. Energy drinks can cause heart problems in some people. It has been reported that 20,000 ER (emergency room) visits have been associated with energy drink use annually in the US alone. It has also been shown that energy drinks may increase blood pressure, and heart rate, and decrease important markers of blood vessel function; this can be bad for the heart’s health. Experts have stated that heart problems occur when energy drinks are consumed in excessive amounts. In addition, it is recommended to not consume more than 16 ounces (about 473.18 ml) of caffeine a day, which is about one normal-sized energy drink. As with everything you read, you should take everything with a grain of salt, as they say, and do your research, especially regarding your body and health, as everyone is different.   

  • Sources  

    • Barclay, Rachel. “How Does Caffeine Affect ADHD?” Healthline, Healthline Media, 27 Feb. 2015, www.healthline.com/health/adhd/caffeine. Accessed 22 Oct. 2024. 

    Pearson, Keith. “Are Energy Drinks Good or Bad for You?” Healthline, 13 Apr. 2017, www.healthline.com/nutrition/energy-drinks. Accessed 22 Oct. 2024. 


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Nose Spray EpiPen 

Skyler Dunphy

Edited By OpenAI 

Needles No More 

Neffy Offers a Life-Saving Alternative to Epinephrine Auto-Injectors. For many people with severe allergies, the fear of needles has long been a barrier to using life-saving epinephrine. But now, thanks to a new product called Neffy, that fear may be a thing of the past. Neffy, a needle-free nasal spray, has just received approval from the **U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)**, offering a new, more accessible option for those who need epinephrine in emergencies. Developed by **ARS Pharmaceuticals**, this innovative product delivers 2 mg of epinephrine in a simple nasal spray—eliminating the need for the large needles traditionally associated with auto-injectors like the EpiPen. 

 

The Problem with Needles 

 

Research has shown that many people with severe allergies often hesitate to use epinephrine auto-injectors due to the fear of the large needle, which can range from 1.17 to 1.6 cm in length. This hesitation could be life-threatening in an emergency. Neffy’s nasal spray eliminates that barrier, potentially improving adherence and saving lives during critical moments. 

 

Neffy’s Benefits 

 

Approved for adults and children who weigh at least 66 pounds, Neffy offers a fast-acting alternative to traditional auto-injectors. Without the anxiety-inducing needle, users can quickly administer the medication themselves, making it easier to respond to allergic reactions promptly and effectively. 

 

Possible Side Effects 

 

Like all medications, Neffy does come with some side effects. The most common include throat irritation, headaches, nasal discomfort, and sensations of nasal congestion, runny nose, or jitteriness. Some users have also reported a fast heartbeat after using the spray. People with a history of nasal polyps or recent nasal surgery should be cautious, as these conditions may affect how well the epinephrine is absorbed. 

 

Is Neffy the Right Choice for You?  

 

While Neffy offers a promising alternative to the traditional auto-injector, it’s important to consult with your doctor before switching treatments. Your healthcare provider can help you weigh the pros and cons of Neffy, considering your unique health needs and medical history. 

 

At the end of the day, Neffy represents a major step forward in making life-saving medication more accessible and user-friendly for those at risk of severe allergic reactions.  

 

*Note: This article is not sponsored by Neffy or ARS Pharmaceuticals. The Varsity News has no affiliation with either company. * 

 

Sources  

  • Parikh, Purvi. “New Epinephrine Nasal Spray for Anaphylaxis May Be Coming Soon | Allergy & Asthma Network.” Allergyasthmanetwork.org, 9 Aug. 2024, allergyasthmanetwork.org/news/epinephrine-nasal-spray-for-anaphylaxis/. 

  • Song, T. Ted. “Epinephrine Needle Length in Autoinjectors and Why It Matters.” The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, vol. 6, no. 4, July 2018, pp. 1264–65, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2017.11.035. 

  • "Story above" Edit story. ChatGPT, OpenAI, 16 Nov. 2024. https://chatgpt.com. 

 
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