Disease

Montana just reported its first flu-related fatalities of the season. And considering the potential wallop of the strong influenza strain making its way around the globe, the state and the nation at large may be in for a difficult winter.

It has been a few months since news broke of a suspected "sonic attack" against American diplomats and their staff at the U.S. embassy in Havana, Cuba. Unfortunately, we seem to be nowhere closer to solving the mystery behind what happened.

Insulin resistance is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes, and occurs in more than one type of body tissue. For example, insulin-resistant muscle will not respond normally when insulin directs it to take up glucose from the blood.

Clostridium difficile (C. diff.) colitis is a terrible infection involving the colon or large intestine. It produces watery diarrhea that can be so debilitating that you do not have the energy to get out of bed.

Did you know that when cold-blooded creatures like snakes are infected, they seek warmer environments to raise their temperature? We warm-blooded mammals show similar behaviors, but they are overshadowed by our more efficient thermoregulation.

Concussion remains a problem for several reasons, not the least of which is that it is a clinical diagnosis, based on the symptoms reported to physicians. There are no objective physical findings to make the diagnosis; it is a diagnostic dilemma.

As if fighting in the Vietnam War was not awful enough on its own, veterans are now finding out they could be at increased risk of a deadly form of cancer.

Those of us who are intent on eating only as nature intended apparently want to extend that prescription to our pets.

Although known mainly for their adherence to an older, simpler way of life, some Amish folks also have a genetic advantage with respect to longevity and the likelihood they'll develop diabetes.

According to recent provisional data provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), there has been a 34 percent increase in the number of val