When access to therapy is challenging, chatting with AI might seem like an appealing option, but it isn't necessarily a safe one. Instead, look for in-network therapists or use online therapy or community resources. If you’re in a mental health crisis, call or text the national crisis line at 988.

Doctors at Harborview Medical Center urge caution and awareness about e-scooters, cold water swims, window falls and other common circumstances of injuries. @uwmedicine.bsky.social @uwashem.bsky.social

Remarkable story: @uwmedicine.bsky.social clinicians were present to help deliver CPR and, later at Harborview Medical Center, to give cardiac care that saved Jan Patterson. @uwiscrm.bsky.social

When you hear "brain aneurysm," you might picture a medical emergency. But most aneurysms never rupture. Three women found out they had an unruptured brain aneurysm and had surgery to treat it. Read their stories to learn what the experience was like and how they are doing today.

Dr. Beth Ebel Harborview Medical Center says “30-35mph is like falling out of a third-story building and often is a fatal injury if you come to a sudden halt.” Story @kiro7seattle.bsky.social @uwpediatrics.bsky.social @uwmedicine.bsky.social

In 2021, musician Keith McKenzie had a debilitating stroke that led to the loss of function of his left arm. Earlier this year, he underwent surgery to have a small device implanted in his brain that has shown promise in rewiring the brain of stroke patients.

Emergency services have ramped up readiness for the World Cup in Seattle. This includes Airlift Northwest, the air medical transport program for UW Medicine.

You might know someone that considers themselves a bit of a perfectionist. Pushed to the extreme, it can take a significant toll on a person's mental health. But some experts say that when you’re able to recognize flaws as part of common humanity, you naturally feel less alone when you fail.

UW Medicine commemorated Juneteenth with flag-raising ceremonies at Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center – Montlake, UW Medical Center – Northwest, Northwest Outpatient Medical Center, and South Lake Union. Happy Juneteenth!

Jennifer Garrovillas turned to research studies being conducted by universities in hopes to learn coping strategies when she was feeling overwhelmed by her multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis. “Being in the study taught me that I can choose to have a better outlook, and that really helped,” she says.

Fat isn’t bad for you; it’s part of a healthy diet, especially when you focus on healthier fat sources. “Fats are an essential part of cell function and are used for the production of some hormones," says registered dietitian nutritionist Julia Marnadi.

“Socialization is a huge area of concern for people with dementia. The Memory Hub @uwmedicine.bsky.social and the different social engagement resources that we have are really to make it feel like you aren’t alone,” says Marigrace Becker UW Medicine Memory & Brain Wellness Center.

Some people avoid running because they worry about joint pain, but sports medicine physician Dr. Harrast says most people don’t need to stop running to prevent joint issues. As you age, you may just need to adjust your training and recovery. Read the full story.

With Seattle hosting many fans for the global event, Dr. John LynchI from Harborview Medical Center gives tips to reduce your infection risk. @uwmedicine.bsky.social

Personal drive, lasting impacts from personal experiences, and the generosity of donor support has made fourth-year @uwsom-wwami.bsky.social student Caleb Allred’s journey into medicine possible. Learn more about his inspiring journey, and how you can help support others like him here.

It is a challenging time to be trans or nonbinary, which makes support vital. Here are some ways you can show up for the gender-diverse people in your life. Not only will it make a big difference to them, but it will also strengthen your bond.

@uwmedicine.bsky.social is a site for a national clinical trial studying whether a #GLP/GIP drug reduces alcohol cravings and consumption. #AlcoholUseDisorder

This is your sign to go for a walk! Walking is not only great for your physical health but it also has mental health benefits. Here are some ways to level-up on the health benefits of your next walk.

The largest-ever scholarship gift to @uwsom-wwami.bsky.social MD program — $25M from philanthropists Bill & Carolyn Franke — will train more primary care doctors for rural & Native communities across the region. https://bit.ly/4uSeT9U

After a mental health or substance-use ER visit, only 11% to 14% of Washington Medicaid patients saw a primary-care clinician for follow-up within 30 days, in study led by Dr. Staloff & @uwdeptmedicine.bsky.social researchers.

Teams across UW Medicine are preparing for the increase of visitors this summer, and any potential care that may be needed. As international travel increases, Dr. Lynch says that experts will be watching the epidemiology and infectious disease activity in other regions of the world.

A large study suggests #oralcancer risk exists for women independent of tobacco and alcohol use. Surprisingly, no parallel vulnerability was seen in men. Dr. Brittany Barber is lead author. @uwmedicine.bsky.social#oralcancer

Your bones are living tissues that need to be nurtured and cared for as you age. Here are some simple ways to maintain your bone health, like strength training, hormone replacement and other preventive strategies.

Smartwatches, rings and other wearable devices, and the health metrics they measure, have become more popular over the last few years. If the data that you're receiving from one makes you feel anxious, here are some ideas to help you get the most out of your wearable without feeling overwhelmed.

Plastic is extremely difficult to avoid, but some simple swaps may help reduce the plastic in your life. Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana advises avoiding plastic that is being warmed, including plastic kitchen utensils, plastic food containers, or synthetic gym clothing.

Not all phone or social media use is bad; it all depends on how it makes you feel. Anxiety, irritability, disrupted sleep and relationship problems are signs you might need to rethink your online habits. Here's how you can stay connected while protecting your peace.

We are pleased to announce that we have received a multi-year philanthropic grant from the Odyssey Group Foundation, which continues their support of MCC research spanning over a decade. Thank you, Odyssey Foundation and Andy Dickson! Read more: mc3institute.uw.edu/node/324 #UWMedicine #FredHutch

Happy National Nurses Week! Thanks to our incredible nurses for working hard each day to improve the health of the community, one patient at a time.

UW Medicine has dedicated the Center for Behavioral Health and Learning at UW Medical Center – Northwest to Washington State House Speaker Emeritus Frank Chopp.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined UW Medicine’s Multiple Sclerosis Center at Seattle Walk MS. Together with the National MS Society, we’re raising awareness, supporting patients, and moving toward a future free of MS.

Today is Husky Giving Day! This 24-hour community event is an opportunity to come together to power UW Medicine’s mission. Special matches and challenges mean your gift today can have an even greater impact. Help make this a record day of support: https://give.uwmedicine.org/husky2026

We're passing the phone to a few of the doctors and researchers advancing UW Medicine’s work every day. Tomorrow is Husky Giving Day! Your gift supports world-class care, research discoveries and highest-level training for future healthcare providers: https://give.uwmedicine.org/husky2026

In celebration of National Donate Life Month, UW Medical Center raised the Donate Life flag to honor donors, recipients and their families and to raise awareness for the need for organ donation. The flag features a national symbol of unity, hope and remembrance for organ, eye and tissue donation.

The 3 Wishes Program focuses clinical teams on considerations that matter most to patients. “This program really is about trying to grow and support compassionate, humanizing and patient-centered care,” executive director Matthew Smith said. @uwmedicine.bsky.social

Gardening and being outside can contribute to your overall health and well-being. The sweet spot is around 20 to 30 minutes per session, totaling around 120 minutes per week, says research social scientist Kathleen Wolf, PhD.

The 3 Wishes Program is transforming end-of-life care by focusing on what matters most to patients. The program helps fulfill meaningful wishes that create lasting memories. It’s a powerful reminder that, especially at the end of life, compassion and humanity matter most.

While using vocal fry may be perceived as unprofessional by some, it doesn’t actually reflect someone’s intelligence or ability. As long as you are not experiencing any pain or discomfort, there is nothing to fix, and you should use vocal fry if you want to.

April 23 is Husky Giving Day — our moment to come together to support exceptional patient care, groundbreaking research and training for tomorrow’s healthcare professionals. You don’t have to wait to make an impact. Make your gift today: https://give.uwmedicine.org/husky

Drug-resistant Shigella bacteria are making childhood infections harder to treat and more dangerous. With cases rising and antibiotics failing, @uwdgh.bsky.social's Patricia Pavlinac warns a vaccine is urgently needed. @uwmedicine.bsky.social @uwdeptmedicine.bsky.social

Lung cancer screening can save lives, but only 1 in 5 eligible people are getting screened. Low‑dose CT scans help detect lung cancer early, when survival rates are much higher, says UW Medicine thoracic surgeon Dr. Douglas Wood. Find out who should get screened and how to start the conversation.

Weight-loss medications known as GLP-1s are transforming lives. “These drugs are terrific at reducing body weight, improving diabetes, and reducing cardiovascular events,” Dr. David Cummings said. @uwendocrinology.bsky.social @uwmedicine.bsky.social

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Huang recently led the first thumb joint-replacement surgeries performed in the Pacific Northwest. In this @seattletimes.com story, he compares the procedure to a "mini hip replacement,” with quicker recovery times, less pain and a wider range of motion.

A bequest from UW alumni Cherie and Ray Wilson will support UW Medicine’s BRaIN Laboratory, advancing research on brain injury and neurodegenerative disease. Read the full story on UW News.

A compounded medication is a medication that has to be custom-made for a patient. Therefore, it’s a type of medication that isn’t mass-produced by drug companies. There are some misconceptions about them, though. Learn more about compounded medications and the pharmacies that provide them here.

Today is #WorldHealthDay, and this year‘s theme is “Together for health. Stand with science.” Medical research is core to UW Medicine's mission to improve the health of all people. Academic medical center research is essential for improving quality of life for everyone.

A small biosensor roughly the size of a grain of rice will continuously monitor fluid from the tear duct for signs of disease. In the project’s proof-of-concept phase, the sensor would focus on two targets: inflammation and blood-sugar levels.

Body weight regulation researcher Dr. David Cummings @uwdeptmedicine.bsky.social was among experts interviewed by BBC News on pluses & minuses of weight loss drugs. He explained why pounds can return when drug is stopped.

It’s normal to experience stress about finances. But, if it’s becoming overwhelming and constant, it’s important to do something about it so your stress levels don’t impact your health. Start with small goals, seek support and find ways to metabolize your stress so you’re seeing things clearly.

Fresh produce like baby bok choy, mustard greens and spinach are in season, and more is on the way! Health experts say you should try to eat at least 2 ½ cups of vegetables and at least 2 cups of fruit each day. If some of that produce is in season, even better!

We're not joking around, today is #NationalWalkingDay! Regular physical activity has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, several cancers and more. We've got ideas on how to stay active with the things you have around you.