#Thaihealthcare

A growing body of international research and recent expert commentary has exposed common myths about pelvic floor health, raising crucial questions for Thai readers about prevention, treatment, and societal awareness. As pelvic floor issues increasingly surface in medical and lifestyle conversations, Thai health professionals and the public alike must reconsider the idea that pelvic floor disorders are inevitable, unpreventable, or exclusive to women — and whether the all-popular Kegel exercises are always the answer.

A recent review published in Stroke highlights an often-overlooked aspect of post-stroke recovery: sexual health. The study shows that sexual dysfunction and intimacy challenges are common among survivors and calls for a more proactive, empathetic approach from healthcare professionals, including in Thailand.

For many Thai patients and families, recovery is a long journey. Physical rehabilitation and prevention of another stroke are priorities, but sexual health is rarely discussed in clinical visits. Social stigma, embarrassment, and cultural reservations contribute to silence. Yet maintaining intimacy can significantly impact quality of life, mental well-being, and marital stability.

A new study has found that humans’ wounds heal significantly more slowly than those of other mammals, raising intriguing questions about our biology and evolutionary trade-offs. The research, recently profiled by The New York Times, has major implications for medicine and health, especially for Thailand’s ageing population and those managing chronic health conditions.

The discovery comes from a comparative investigation into the healing rates of skin wounds in humans versus other mammalian species, using both laboratory models and clinical data. According to the report, researchers found that while most mammals—such as mice, pigs, and dogs—heal wounds within days or weeks, similar injuries in humans often require much longer timeframes. This discrepancy holds true even when accounting for differences in body size, environmental factors, and medical intervention.

A recent study reveals that human wounds tend to heal more slowly than those of many other mammals. The finding has important implications for medicine and health policy in Thailand, particularly for the aging population and people with chronic conditions.

Researchers compared wound healing across species using lab models and clinical data. Across mammals such as mice, pigs, and dogs, wounds often close within days or weeks. In humans, however, healing can take considerably longer even after adjusting for body size, environment, and medical care. The slower pace appears to be a consistent pattern rather than an artifact of specific cases.

Thai readers increasingly seek non-surgical ways to ease knee pain. Recent guidance points to gentle, low-impact exercise as an effective path to relief and better mobility. Health authorities, therapists, and international experts agree that targeted routines can prevent worsening discomfort and support daily activities.

Knee pain remains a common issue across Thailand, especially among older adults and people with conditions like osteoarthritis. With obesity and an ageing population rising, joint problems are a growing public health concern. In Thai culture, where family caregiving is central and access to advanced medical care can be limited for some, non-drug, home-based strategies are particularly relevant.

A wave of new research is prompting Thai psychiatrists and families to reconsider long-held beliefs about psychosis. Scientists are refining how we distinguish substance-induced psychosis from primary psychotic disorders, with implications for diagnosis, treatment, and hope for patients across Thailand.

Psychosis, a condition marked by a break from reality through hallucinations or delusions, has traditionally been split into two categories: primary psychosis, intrinsic to a psychiatric illness such as schizophrenia, and substance-induced psychosis, triggered by drugs or alcohol. Clear differentiation matters for care decisions, but until now gaps in understanding have complicated clinical judgments and family planning.

A University of Toronto study spotlights a pivotal yet often overlooked issue in women’s health: how the type of hysterectomy may shape post-operative sexual wellbeing. The research compares radical hysterectomy, which removes the uterus, upper vagina, and surrounding tissue, with simpler procedures that spare more tissue. The findings suggest that survival and cancer control must be balanced with long-term quality of life, including sexual function, a consideration that matters for Thai patients as hysterectomy rates rise nationwide.

Thai readers are increasingly seeking ways to manage joint pain without invasive treatments, and recent research is providing promising, practical solutions. A new wave of medical guidance highlights the effectiveness of gentle exercise routines in alleviating sore knees, a common complaint among the Thai population as the country faces an ageing society and sedentary lifestyles. Health authorities, physical therapists, and international experts all point to targeted, low-impact exercises as key to both relief and prevention of knee discomfort.

A University of Toronto researcher is calling renewed attention to a crucial but often overlooked aspect of women’s health: the impact of hysterectomy type on post-operative sexual wellbeing. Recent work suggests the decision between radical and simple hysterectomy—two procedures used primarily in the treatment of uterine and cervical cancers—has profound implications not only for cancer control but also for the long-term quality of life, including sexual health, for women worldwide, including those in Thailand.

A wave of fresh research is prompting Thai psychiatrists and families to reconsider long-held assumptions about psychosis, as scientists explore the crucial differences between substance-induced and primary psychotic disorders. This emerging body of evidence, highlighted in a recent Medscape report, could help guide better diagnosis, tailored treatment, and more hopeful outcomes for patients across Thailand.

Psychosis, a condition marked by a loss of contact with reality—often via hallucinations or delusions—has long been categorized into those primarily caused by a psychiatric illness, like schizophrenia, and others triggered by substance use, such as methamphetamine (“ya ba”) or cannabis. Understanding whether symptoms are “primary” (intrinsic to psychiatric illness) or “substance-induced” (caused by drug or alcohol use) shapes every aspect of medical care, but until now, the true distinctions have often been blurred, fueling debates among clinicians and researchers worldwide.

A groundbreaking wave of neuroscience research is redefining what it means to think—and, crucially, why artificial intelligence (AI) still falls far short of the intricacies of the human mind. A newly published feature in Salon highlights the distinct evolutionary adaptations that make the human brain more than a glorified computer, challenging decades-old assumptions fundamental to AI development and the neural network concept that underlies machine learning models.

For years, popular understanding—and much of AI research—has treated the brain as a vast network made up of nearly identical neurons whose intelligence emerges through the patterns of their collective firing. This view inspired so-called artificial neural networks, computer systems designed to solve problems by mimicking the way brains process information. Such analogies, cemented over decades, fostered the belief that if machines could imitate the structure and connectivity of brains, they might one day match, or even surpass, human intellect. But recent scientific discoveries show this metaphor misses the mark in fundamental ways, with profound implications for both neuroscience and the future of AI.

A recent national survey in England has found that one in four women is living with a serious reproductive health issue, shedding new light on the scale of gynecological challenges and potentially offering important lessons for Thailand’s healthcare system. The findings signal the persistent and pervasive nature of conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), persistent pelvic pain, and heavy menstrual bleeding. The study underscores the urgent need for improved screening, public awareness, and healthcare accessibility—issues that are equally resonant for Thai women.

A nationwide English survey finds that about 25% of women live with a serious reproductive health issue. The study highlights common conditions such as chronic pelvic pain, heavy or irregular bleeding, and hormonal disorders like endometriosis and PCOS. The findings call for better screening, public awareness, and accessible care—issues that matter for Thai women as well.

In Thailand, reproductive health is essential but often under-discussed due to cultural sensitivities and limited public dialogue. Delayed diagnosis and treatment are more likely for teenagers and women in rural areas. The English results invite Thai policymakers and healthcare professionals to re-evaluate strategies and engage communities on women’s health.

New neuroscience findings are reshaping what we mean by “thinking.” They show that artificial intelligence, though powerful, still lags far behind the human brain’s complexity and adaptability. A recent feature highlights how evolutionary advances give humans unique capabilities that machines struggle to replicate, challenging long-standing AI assumptions rooted in neural network models.

Why this matters for Thai readers. As Thailand accelerates digital transformation in health, education, and business, understanding how intelligence works—biological and artificial—helps shape better policies and practical AI applications. These insights also matter for how AI is used in Thai classrooms, hospitals, and public services, where accuracy, empathy, and cultural context matter.

A growing body of research and expert commentary shows a global, including Thai, need: sexual health support is often unmet for people living with and beyond cancer. As treatments improve and survival rises, quality of life—especially intimate wellbeing—becomes a crucial part of care. Medical professionals in Thailand and abroad urge clinicians, patients, and policymakers to treat sexual health as an essential component of cancer care, not a side issue.

Cancer touches every facet of life, and sexual health is particularly vulnerable to disruption. A psychologist from a leading international medical center explains that sexual well-being is connected to emotional and physical recovery during diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. Yet doctors frequently overlook these conversations, even as Thai and global studies show most patients experience some sexual health concern during their cancer journey.

Recent research and expert statements have highlighted an often silent struggle faced by cancer patients worldwide—including here in Thailand: the significant unmet need for sexual health support during and after cancer treatment. As treatments improve and survival rates rise, the quality of life, especially intimate wellbeing, has emerged as an urgent concern for many survivors and their families. Medical professionals from the Cleveland Clinic and Thai academic circles now urge healthcare providers, patients, and policy-makers to recognize sexual health as an integral part of cancer care—one that is too often neglected, misunderstood, or left unaddressed (Cleveland Clinic, 2024; J Med Assoc Thai PDF).

A major new report brings much-needed relief to the global cancer community, revealing that advanced cancer diagnoses in the United States—which spiked during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic—have now returned to levels seen before the global crisis. Published Monday in the journal Cancer, the study offers a broad analysis of U.S. cancer statistics, addressing widespread fears that disruptions to screening during the pandemic would drive a lasting increase in late-stage cancer cases and, ultimately, higher death rates (AP News).

A major new analysis offers relief to the global cancer community: advanced cancer diagnoses in the United States have largely returned to pre-pandemic levels after a spike during the COVID-19 crisis. The study, published in Cancer, examined U.S. cancer statistics and found that disruptions to screening did not cause a lasting rise in late-stage cancers or cancer deaths. This insight provides guidance for policymakers and health planners in Thailand as the country redoubles its screening efforts.

A routine sore throat became a life-changing crisis for Vanessa Abraham, a California speech pathologist. Her condition deteriorated rapidly, landing her in intensive care for weeks and leaving doctors puzzled for months. The case, highlighted by CBS News, spotlights the challenges of diagnosing rare neurological conditions, including a little-known Guillain-Barré syndrome variant. The story resonates beyond the United States and offers lessons for Thai readers navigating similar medical uncertainties.

Abraham’s initial symptoms appeared flu-like: fatigue, body aches, and a raspy voice. Within days, she could barely move or breathe on her own. She was rushed to hospital, intubated, and placed on a ventilator. She recalls the experience as among the most fear-filled moments of her life as clinicians searched for answers while she could not speak or eat. The medical team’s tireless efforts eventually revealed a diagnosis four months later: the pharyngeal-cervical-brachial (PCB) variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome—a rare form that affects nerves in the throat, neck, and arms.

Two new clinical studies strengthen the case for stem cell transplants as a potential treatment for Parkinson’s disease. Published in Nature, the trials show that surgically implanted, lab-grown dopamine-producing cells can improve symptoms with no serious early side effects. This marks a meaningful milestone after decades of research aimed at replacing the neurons that gradually fail in Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s disease damages dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, leading to tremors, rigidity, fatigue, and slowing of movement. While medications and deep brain stimulation help manage symptoms, there is no cure yet. In Thailand, an aging population is increasing the burden of neurological illnesses, underscoring the need for new, accessible therapies and clear regulatory pathways.

Exciting news in the fight against Parkinson’s disease: Two newly published clinical studies are providing the strongest evidence yet that stem cell transplants may offer a powerful new treatment for people living with this debilitating condition. In results published this week in the journal Nature, both research teams found that surgically implanting lab-grown dopamine-producing cells into the brains of patients led to symptom improvements and no serious side effects—marking an important milestone after decades of painstaking efforts to replace the dying neurons at the root of Parkinson’s. For over a million Americans and countless others worldwide, including an estimated 150,000 Thais suffering from Parkinson’s, this research signals fresh hope for dramatically improving quality of life in the coming years (NPR).

A new study suggests that daily Montmorency tart cherry juice can reduce gut inflammation by up to 40% in people with ulcerative colitis (UC), a form of inflammatory bowel disease. Researchers from the University of Central Lancashire and the University of Hertfordshire led the work, offering hopeful news for millions living with digestive conditions. For Thai readers managing similar health challenges, the findings point to a complementary, natural option to support standard medical care.

A groundbreaking study has found that drinking Montmorency tart cherry juice daily can reduce gut inflammation by as much as 40% in patients with ulcerative colitis—a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. This discovery, led by researchers at the University of Central Lancashire and University of Hertfordshire, comes as hopeful news for millions suffering from debilitating digestive conditions worldwide. For Thais coping with similar problems, the findings offer a promising, natural supplement strategy to improve quality of life alongside standard medical care (source).

A new study from a leading medical research center shows that repeated exposure to blast waves can alter brain networks in elite soldiers. The research highlights hidden injuries that may not show up on standard scans but are linked to memory problems, mood changes, and PTSD symptoms. This could influence how brain trauma is diagnosed and treated in the future.

The study followed 212 U.S. special operations veterans, active and retired, with a history of blast exposure. Researchers found significant differences in functional connectivity—the way brain regions communicate—in those with high blast exposure versus those with lower exposure and healthy controls. Disruptions in this network correlated with more severe scores on neuropsychological tests, pointing to risks commonly associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI).