A cold compress is a frozen or chilled material, such as an ice pack or a cool, wet washcloth. When used correctly, they can help to relieve pain and swelling or cool a fever. Cold compresses take a variety of forms, including commercially available products and homemade solutions. A cold compress can aid in treating: […]
19February
2019
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Some people who choose to eat gluten-free often avoid eating overly processed breads, pasta, and other baked goods. This can lead to weight loss and overall health improvements, as people avoid highly processed, unhealthful foods. For some other people, however, eating gluten-free is a necessity. In these cases, a person likely has celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Similar to other food-related allergies and illnesses, a person who cannot process gluten properly may become ill after eating it. It is possible for people eating gluten-free to have healthful diets. A person should focus their gluten-free diet much like any other diet so that it includes: lean proteins vegetables fruits whole grains, such as brown rice and quinoa beans, peas, and lentils healthful fats Read on to discover some of the best gluten-free foods to fit into several dietary options. Gluten-free foods for different diets A person can use gluten-free flour to make baked goods, including pancakes. There are many potential gluten-free options for different diets. People can choose foods that fit into the dietary plan they follow. Below are some suggestions for various diet options. Some gluten-free foods that fit into […]
19February
2019
Vitamin A is essential for overall health and well-being. Because the human body cannot make it, people must obtain this vitamin from their diet. Vitamin A is an essential nutrient that plays a role in many bodily processes, including: immune function reproduction skin health the function of the lining of the gut, bladder, and other surface tissues healthy vision growth and development In this article, we describe 14 of the best sources of vitamin A and the recommended daily intake. Each of these foods contains at least 15 percent of the daily value (DV) in a standard serving. The DV allows people to easily compare the nutrient contents of different foods. It is a percentage based on the recommended daily intakes of key nutrients from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 1. Beef liver Beef liver is among the richest sources of vitamin A. Animal livers are among the richest sources of vitamin A. This is because, like humans, animals store vitamin A in the liver. A 3-ounce (oz) serving of pan-fried beef liver contains 6,582 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin A, which equates to 444 percent of the DV. As an organ meat, liver is high in protein. […]
19February
2019
People who want to develop their lower chest muscles can try doing a range of exercises that strengthen the pectoral muscles. The pectoral muscles, which people often refer to as the pecs, define the shape and appearance of the chest. They also control several arm movements, including flexing and rotating the arm and bringing it in toward the body’s midline (adduction). Two muscles form the pecs. The pectoralis major spans from the shoulder to the middle of the chest, and the pectoralis minor is on the outer edge of the chest, just behind the pectoralis major. To build up the pecs, people can do exercises that work the entire chest area. It is possible to target specific areas of the chest by using modified lifts. According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, people should perform muscle-strengthening activities on at least 2 days of the week. One set of 8 to 12 repetitions (reps) is effective in resistance training, but 2 or 3 sets may be more effective. This article describes five exercises that help people gain strength and definition in the lower chest. 1. Incline pushup Pushups are a great multifunctional exercise because they work the entire upper body […]
19February
2019
Both men and women can experience cramps after sex. The medical term for pain before, during, or after sex is dyspareunia. Cramps may occur after sex for many reasons, ranging from mild muscle strain to underlying conditions that may require treatment. Read on for more information about the potential causes of cramping or pain after sex. Causes of cramps in both sexes A person experiencing persistent or severe cramps after sex should speak to a doctor. There are many potential causes of cramps after sex in both men and women. Muscle strains Similar to during exercise, straining the pelvic and abdominal muscles during sex can sometimes lead to cramping. Tight muscles, dehydration, or working the muscle in an awkward position can all cause cramps. These cramps usually dissipate after a few seconds to minutes. Orgasm An orgasm can also cause cramps. An orgasm involves the involuntary contraction of the muscles in the pelvis and pelvic floor. If these muscles continue to contract intensely, they may cause temporary cramps after sex. Bowel issues Issues with the digestive system can cause abdominal cramping. Constipation and gas are two common causes of stomach pain after sex. Other bowel problems, such as irritable bowel […]
19February
2019
New research shows that activating a gene that, in turn, boosts the activity of certain neurons involved in depression can reverse symptoms of the condition in male mice. By activating a single gene, researchers have reversed symptoms of depression. Depression is “the leading cause of disability worldwide,” as more than 300 million people across the globe are living with the condition. In the United States, major depressive disorder affects 6.7 percent of the population, including over 16 million adults. Recently, more and more studies have been shedding light on the genetic and neurological mechanisms at play behind depression. For instance, a pioneering study has uncovered 44 genetic locations that the researchers showed to have a link to a higher risk of the condition. Other studies have found that brain areas scientists link with reward and memory processing are different in those living with depression. Zooming in on a single gene, a genome-wide association study appearing in 2015 found that a variant of a protein-encoding gene known as Sirtuin1 (SIRT1) correlates with a much higher risk of depression. Now, new research finds that direct activation of this gene in the prefrontal cortex — a brain area we associate with complex thinking […]
19February
2019
A new study suggests that the more pushups a man is able to complete, the lower his cardiovascular risk and vice versa. These findings may establish a new measure of risk assessment that is simple and does not require costly specialized equipment. Being able to do more pushups may correlate with a lower cardiovascular risk in men, a new study shows. World Health Organization (WHO) data indicate that every year there are 17.9 million deaths due to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), accounting for approximately 31 percent of global deaths. Many of the factors that increase the risk of CVD are modifiable, chiefly an unhealthful diet, a lack of physical activity, smoking, or frequent consumption of alcohol. The link between exercise — particularly physical fitness — and CVD, therefore, is not a new one. Yet current methods of correctly assessing physical fitness in relation to cardiovascular risk, such as the cardiac exercise stress test (or submaximal treadmill exercise test), are costly and can take a fair amount of time to conduct. Now, the findings of a new study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, MA, may allow physicians to estimate risk more easily, based simply on a […]
19February
2019
Latest Prevention & Wellness News TUESDAY, Feb. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — More primary care doctors mean longer life for patients, but a shortage of these physicians is looming, a new study finds. Why? Fewer medical students are choosing primary care as a career, mostly because of money, the researchers noted. However, every 10 additional primary care doctors per 100,000 Americans was associated with a nearly 52-day increase in life expectancy from 2005 to 2015. In contrast, 10 more specialists per 100,000 increased life expectancy by only 19 days, the researchers found. “Primary care physicians serve as the primary point of contact for most of the population and often perform preventive care, cancer screening and early diagnosis,” said study lead author Dr. Sanjay Basu. He’s an assistant professor of medicine and health research and policy at Stanford University in California. But according to the Association of American Medical Colleges, a dramatic shortfall of primary care physicians is predicted by 2030. The crux of the problem is that specialists are paid more than primary care doctors, which has prompted more medical students to avoid primary care, the researchers noted. “There are few incentives to go into primary care among U.S. medical […]
19February
2019
(HealthDay News) — Infertility affects about 1 in 10 couples that are trying to have a baby, the U.S. National Institutes of Health says. Latest Pregnancy News Advancing age is a prime cause of infertility, but there are other factors that are more under a person’s control, the agency says, including: Copyright © 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
19February
2019
By Amy NortonHealthDay Reporter Latest Neurology News TUESDAY, Feb. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The number of people living with Parkinson’s disease worldwide could double in the next two decades, experts project. In a report warning of a possible Parkinson’s “pandemic,” researchers say the stage is set for cases to surge to 12 million or more by 2040. What’s to blame? In large part, trends that are generally positive: Older age is a major risk factor for Parkinson’s, and with life expectancy rising worldwide, more people will develop the disease. At the same time, Parkinson’s patients are surviving longer, which drives up the number of people living with the disease at any given time. Then there’s a less expected factor: Declining smoking rates. While the habit has many devastating effects, research suggests it protects against Parkinson’s. Those are obviously trends that no one wants to reverse, said report author Dr. Ray Dorsey. There are, however, other ways to slow the projected rise in Parkinson’s, said Dorsey, a professor of neurology at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York. “We believe there’s a lot we can do toward prevention,” he said. At the top of the list is reducing […]
19February
2019
Latest Healthy Kids News TUESDAY, Feb. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — While the vast majority of American parents support legal medical marijuana, they want pot dispensaries banned near schools or day care centers, according to a new national survey. The C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital poll was conducted by the University of Michigan. Not only did three-quarters of parents support legalizing marijuana for medicinal use, a third supported making it available to pediatric patients, pollsters said. Currently, medical marijuana is legal in about two-thirds of states. But there is no consistent state or local framework for where dispensaries or their operations can be located, the pollsters said. In the new poll, 70 percent of parents said they should have a say in how close dispensaries can be to schools and day care centers. Nearly 45 percent said dispensaries should also be kept away from religious facilities, and 77 percent said pot dispensaries should be governed by the same location rules in place for liquor stores. “Most parents seem to understand that marijuana can have legitimate medical benefits, but parents also have major concerns about the risks that medical marijuana dispensaries might pose to children,” said poll co-director Sarah Clark. “When it […]
19February
2019
By Len CanterHealthDay Reporter Latest Healthy Kids News TUESDAY, Feb. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Codeine is one of the drugs at the center of the opioid epidemic affecting adults and teens across the United States. There are also concerns about its effects on very young children — not addiction, but life-threatening events and deaths due to codeine‘s side effects. Codeine has often been prescribed to kids to ease pain after a surgery like tonsillectomy. It’s also been part of the formula in some prescription and over-the-counter cough syrups that are still available on drugstore shelves in some states. But there’s no evidence that it does anything to stop coughing. Rather, it can make kids drowsy. In fact, codeine’s effects vary greatly from one child to another. About one-third get no pain relief, while one in 12 has a dangerous reaction, most notably slow or difficult breathing, which, in some cases, has been fatal. This could be because young children metabolize the drug very rapidly and/or because of an undiagnosed breathing condition like sleep apnea, research suggests. Published reports about codeine’s potential dangers and efforts of groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) led the U.S. Food and […]
19February
2019
Latest Healthy Kids News SUNDAY, Feb. 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — An average of two children die from burns and more than 300 are treated for such injuries in U.S. emergency departments every day, a burn expert says. Burns are one of the leading causes of death and injury in the United States, and children are particularly vulnerable. Young children are at increased risk for accidental burns because their mental and physical abilities are not fully developed. Also, they have thinner skin layers than adults, which means they suffer deeper burns at lower temperatures and more quickly, the experts explained. “Thirty percent of our burn patients are children,” said Dr. Anthony Baldea. He is medical director at Loyola Burn Center at Loyola University Health System in Illinois. “Most of these burns could have been prevented. While advances in treatments have led to better outcomes, the best strategy is to take simple precautions to prevent burns from occurring in the first place,” Baldea said in a Loyola news release. Loyola’s Burn Center and the American Burn Association offer tips on preventing burns in children. Make sure coffee cups and tea mugs have lids, and never carry hot liquids while holding a […]
19February
2019
By Len CanterHealthDay Reporter Latest Healthy Kids News MONDAY, Feb. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Is the dinner table a battleground at your house? Getting your kids to eat better doesn’t have to cause a fight if you follow these fast and easy strategies to enhance dishes that they already know and love. In some households, veggies and kids just don’t mix. But carrot fries have serious visual appeal plus nutrients, like high levels of vitamin A. They’re a much better choice than fast food fries. Carrot Fries 1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into sticks 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil. Toss the carrot sticks in the oil. Transfer to the baking sheet. Sprinkle with the grated Parmesan and bake for about 20 minutes until fork tender. Yield: 4 servings It’s hard to find a kid who doesn’t love chicken nuggets, but getting a picky eater to enjoy fish prepared the same way can be a big stretch. The answer is these crisp and tender white fish nuggets. Fish Nuggets 1 pound tilapia filets, cut into 1-inch chunks 1 cup breadcrumbs 1 tablespoon flax seeds, […]
19February
2019
Chronic wasting disease has been found in wild deer, elk and moose in 24 states, and hunters should avoid handling or eating potentially infected meat, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned. Latest Infectious Disease News The agency said that animals with the disease — which affects the central nervous system — can experience severe weight loss, lack of coordination and listlessness, and become more aggressive and less cautious of people, CNN reported. Chronic wasting disease is believed to be transmitted between animals through bodily fluids, the CDC said. While the agency said there is no evidence this disease can spread to people, it warned hunters to be careful around potentially infected animals, CNN reported. Copyright © 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
19February
2019
By Len CanterHealthDay Reporter Latest Exercise & Fitness News TUESDAY, Feb. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Upper body strength is important at every age, but you don’t need to be a bodybuilder to benefit from working your pectoral, or chest, muscles. For a study sponsored by the American Council on Exercise, scientists from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse evaluated nine popular pec exercises to determine which ones best engaged these muscles. Popular Pec Strength-Training Exercises Barbell bench press Pec dec machine Bent-forward cable crossover Chest press machine Inclined dumbbell flys Dips Push-ups To develop muscle size, the barbell bench press is at the very top of the list, followed closely by the pec deck machine and the bent-forward cable crossover. Here’s how to perform the barbell bench press. Lie with your back flat on a weight bench. Knees are bent at the far end of the bench with feet flat on the floor. Grip the barbell with both hands, placing them slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Elbows make a 90-degree angle. With control, lower the bar so that it’s just barely touching your chest, then press upward as you extend your arms. Hold briefly and, again with control, slowly […]
19February
2019
By Amy NortonHealthDay Reporter Latest Diet & Weight Management News MONDAY, Feb. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A large, new study has uncovered 24 genetic variations that help separate the apple-shaped people from the pear-shaped ones. Researchers said the findings help explain why some people are prone to carrying any excess weight around the belly. But more importantly, they could eventually shed light on the biology of diseases linked to obesity — particularly abdominal obesity. While obesity is linked to a range of health conditions, excess fat around the middle seems to be a particular risk factor for certain diseases — like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. “But we haven’t really known why,” said lead researcher Ruth Loos, a professor at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine, in New York City. So, her team dug into the genetics underlying body fat distribution. If researchers can learn about the important gene variants, Loos explained, they can better understand why some people develop diabetes or heart disease when they gain weight, while others do not. The findings, published online Feb. 18 in Nature Genetics, come from a huge international research effort, looking at over 476,000 people at 70 research centers around […]
19February
2019
By Len CanterHealthDay Reporter Latest Diet & Weight Management News MONDAY, Feb. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The term “sugar substitutes” is a catch-all that covers a wide range of alternatives, starting with those little pink, blue and yellow packets. But their value as a health or diet aid is still uncertain. A research review in the BMJ found that there’s limited evidence to say how much using them helps with weight loss, and that the real answer is to cut back on sugar in general by drinking water and choosing low- and no-sugar foods. Still, sugar substitutes can free up calories you can spend on healthier foods. Here’s what you need to know: Spoonful for spoonful, artificial sweeteners can be 100 times sweeter than sugar, with few or no calories. As food additives, they’re regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and must get approval before they can be marketed. Approved Artificial Sweeteners Sugar alcohols are a type of sweetener commonly used in packaged foods. They’re carbohydrates, but the body doesn’t completely absorb them, so they don’t raise blood sugar as much as natural sugars. They’re also lower in calories, but they can have an unwanted laxative-type effect. […]
19February
2019
(HealthDay News) — The American Heart Association recommends reducing saturated fat to no more than 6 percent of total daily calories for people who need to lower “bad” cholesterol. Latest Cholesterol News The AHA suggests how to limit saturated fat: Eat more fruit, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, poultry, fish and nuts. Limit red meat. high-fat dairy products, and sugary foods and beverages. Chose unhydrogenated vegetable oils such as canola, sunflower or olive oil. Use soft margarine as a substitute for butter. Look for “0g trans fat” on the nutrition facts label. Doughnuts, cookies, crackers, muffins, pies and cakes are examples of foods high in trans fat. Limit these in your diet. Limit commercially fried foods and baked goods made with shortening or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. Copyright © 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
18February
2019
A person with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth has too many bacteria in their small intestine. This bacterial imbalance in the gut can cause bloating, diarrhea, and pain. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is more common than doctors previously thought. It is more likely to affect females, older adults, and people with digestive issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In this article, we discuss the symptoms, risk factors, and complications of SIBO. We also cover the best diets to relieve symptoms. Signs and symptoms Symptoms of SIBO can include stomach pain, diarrhea, and nausea. The signs and symptoms of SIBO are similar to those of other digestive disorders, such as IBS and lactose intolerance. They can vary in severity from mild stomach discomfort to chronic diarrhea, weight loss, and a reduced ability to absorb nutrients from food (malabsorption). SIBO directly affects the gut, causing uncomfortable digestive issues. The symptoms of SIBO include: stomach pain bloating diarrhea constipation nausea unintentional weight loss Causes This bacterial overgrowth can happen either when bacteria from one part of the digestive tract travel to the small intestine or when naturally occurring bacteria in the small intestine multiply too much. People may experience SIBO as a […]
18February
2019
Lung cleansing techniques may benefit people who smoke, people who get regular exposure to air pollution, and those with chronic conditions that affect the respiratory system, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cystic fibrosis. Breathing in air pollution, cigarette smoke, and other toxins can damage the lungs and even cause health conditions. Maintaining the health of the lungs is essential for keeping the rest of the body healthy. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), exposure to air pollution results in 4.2 million deaths worldwide each year. Cigarette smoking is the cause of death for one in every five people in the United States. In this article, we discuss some of the methods that people can use to try to cleanse their lungs. Is it possible to cleanse your lungs? Steam inhalation is a popular treatment for colds and coughs. Lung health is vital for a person’s overall health. The lungs are self-cleaning organs that will begin to heal themselves once their exposure to pollutants stops, for example, when someone quits smoking. After the lungs have had exposure to pollution, such as cigarette smoke, a person’s chest may feel full, congested, or inflamed. Mucus gathers in the lungs […]
18February
2019
Many women report having abdominal or pelvic pain at the beginning of their menstrual cycle. This symptom can range in severity from mild discomfort that lasts 1 or 2 days to painful, debilitating cramps. Many home remedies can help a person get relief. During a period, the uterus contracts to squeeze the lining away from the uterine wall and allow it to exit the body through the vagina. These uterine contractions cause painful cramps. Most women experience cramps in the lower abdomen, although the pain can also radiate to the lower back, groin, or upper thighs. Menstrual cramps tend to be the worst at the beginning of a period and become less uncomfortable as the days go on. Many home remedies can help relieve menstrual cramps, including the following: Heat A hot water bottle can relieve cramps. Placing a hot water bottle or heating pad against the abdomen can relax the muscles and relieve cramps. Heat helps the uterine muscle and those around it relax, which may ease cramping and discomfort. A person can also place a heating pad on the lower back to get rid of back pain. Another option is to soak in a warm bath, which can […]
18February
2019
Essential oils are scented liquids that manufacturers derive from plants, flowers, and fruits. Research suggests that aromatherapy with some essential oils may help promote relaxation and relieve anxiety. In this article, we discuss some of the best essential oils to try for anxiety and the evidence supporting their use. We also cover how to use essential oils, oil blending, risk and considerations, and when to see a doctor for anxiety. Bergamot orange Essential oils can aid relaxation. Bergamot orange essential oil comes from the Citrus bergamia tree. Producers extract the oil by cold-pressing the rind of the oranges. Bergamot orange is a popular aromatherapy oil for relieving anxiety. According to one 2015 systematic review, inhaling bergamot orange essential oil has an anxiety-reducing effect in rats. Also, a 2013 study found that compared with inhaling water vapor, aromatherapy with bergamot orange essential oil reduced anxiety in people awaiting minor surgery. A range of bergamot orange essential oils is available to purchase online. Chamomile Chamomile is a daisy-like herb. Manufacturers use steam distillation to extract a fruity, sweet-smelling essential oil from the flowers of this plant. According to the National Cancer Institute, a 2-week clinical trial investigated the effects of massage with […]
18February
2019
Lupron is the brand name for leuprolide acetate. This drug is a type of hormone therapy that doctors typically use in combination with other treatments to treat people with prostate cancer. Lupron belongs to a class of drugs called luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists. These medications block the production of LHRH in the body, which results in the testicles producing less testosterone. Lupron is one of several drugs that doctors may prescribe to help fight prostate cancer by reducing testosterone levels in the body. In this article, we explore how Lupron works, how effective it is, and what to expect during treatment. We also discuss testosterone flares, side effects, and the outlook for people with prostate cancer. How does it work? A doctor will administer Lupron as a small implant injected under the skin. Lupron and other LHRH agonists are forms of hormone therapy. For people with prostate cancer, the aim of hormone therapy is to reduce testosterone levels in the body. Male hormones, such as testosterone, encourage the growth of prostate cancer cells. Therefore, lowering testosterone levels in the body can help slow the progression of prostate cancer. Doctors typically prescribe hormone therapy for people with late-stage prostate cancer […]
18February
2019
Allergic asthma occurs when people are around certain triggers. Symptoms may include chest tightness. Treatment may be possible at home or with lifestyle changes. Learn more here.
18February
2019
Trying to lose weight does not mean that a person has to give up all snacks. Certain snack foods, such as almonds and hummus, can help a person reach their weight loss goals. Contrary to popular belief, when a person tries to lose weight, they do not have to avoid eating or only eat at meal times. Some studies suggest that people are more likely to maintain their weight loss if they have a healthful eating pattern. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), skipping food to lose weight generally backfires because it sets a person up to overeat. However, when a person satisfies their hunger with healthful snacks, they are much less likely to want to eat unhealthful foods or go over their calorie limit. What makes a food good for weight loss? Eating healthful snacks can help a person lose weight. Some foods are better for weight loss than others. In general, foods that are high in fiber or protein tend to be more filling. This means a person will feel satiated faster and may eat less at each snack time or meal. Other considerations are finding foods that are low in calories but high in volume or […]
18February
2019
A leading-edge genetic technique that can track cell lineage has revealed much about how breast cancer spreads. It could also help explain why some breast cancers relapse after initially successful chemotherapy. Researchers gain a better understanding of how breast cancer spreads thanks to ‘cellular barcoding.’ The name of the technique is cellular barcoding, and it allows scientists to assess the diversity of cell populations, such as in tumors. They can also use it to tag cells and follow their identical descendants, or clones. Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Australia used the technique to carry out a detailed investigation of breast cancer spread at the cell level using human tumor tissue transplanted into mice. A study paper that now appears in the journal Nature Communications gives a detailed account of the investigation and its results. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast cancer is the “most common cancer in women.” It accounted for more than 508,000 deaths worldwide in 2011. Tumors contain thousands of cell variants The main cause of death in breast cancer is its ability to spread, or metastasize, from the primary, or “main,” tumor to form tumors in other organs […]
18February
2019
New research now published in the journal Circulation finds that some people who are gender transitioning may be at a higher risk of experiencing cardiovascular conditions due to the hormone therapy they are receiving. Some drugs required for gender transition may increase cardiovascular risk. Previous studies have revealed that hormone therapy raises cardiovascular risk. For instance, according to estimates from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), therapy with estrogen and progestin puts menopausal women at: a 41 percent higher risk of stroke a 29 percent higher risk of a heart attack a 100 percent higher risk of blood clots Estrogen alone increases stroke risk by 39 percent and blood clot risk by 47 percent, according to the same NIH estimates. However, how does hormone therapy affect people who are gender transitioning? So far, scientists have not addressed this question fully, so a new study aimed to fill this gap in research. Dr. Nienke Nota — a researcher in the Department of Endocrinology at the Amsterdam University Medical Center in the Netherlands — and her team examined the medical records of 3,875 Dutch transgender people who had hormone therapy between 1972 and 2015. Trans women twice as likely to have a […]
18February
2019
Itchy feet can be bothersome and stop a person from sleeping or focusing on daily activities. Learn about the causes of itchy feet and how to treat them here.
18February
2019
Although marijuana may have some benefits, its use could cause health issues for older people with cardiovascular disease. One case, in particular, is sparking some questions. Marijuana in edible form may have cardiovascular risks for people at risk. In recent years, the legalization of marijuana has become more widespread. Some people use the drug recreationally, while some use it to relieve chronic pain and the impact of some mental health issues. However, experts state that there needs to be more research into the effects of marijuana in older people. Specifically, the scientific community needs to focus on educating the public on aspects such as potential effects and recommended dosages. A Canadian Journal of Cardiology case report goes some way toward that. It examined a 70-year-old man who had a heart attack after eating a lollipop that was infused with 90 milligrams (mg) of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — which is largely responsible for marijuana’s psychological effects. The man lived with stable coronary artery disease, and he was taking cardiac medication. He ate most of the lollipop and did so to help minimize pain and improve sleep. Dr. Alexandra Saunders — who works in Horizon Health Network’s Department of Cardiology in New Brunswick, […]
18February
2019
New research examines the potential of stem cell therapy in the replacement of damaged neurons in Parkinson’s disease. The authors say that stem cells could “provide superior treatment, possibly using different types of cells to treat different symptoms” of Parkinson’s. Could stem cell therapy one day help treat Parkinson’s disease? Parkinson’s disease affects around half a million people in the United States, and the number is only expected to rise given the progressive aging of the population. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimate that doctors diagnose the condition in around 50,000 people each year. The NIH warn that the prevalence of this neurodegenerative condition is only going to increase unless researchers come up with new and better treatments. Currently, the most common therapy uses the drug levodopa to stimulate dopamine production in certain neurons associated with motor skills. These dopaminergic neurons are situated in the nigrostriatal pathway, which is a brain circuit that connects neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta with the dorsal striatum. However, levodopa has a wide array of side effects, from physiological to psychological ones. Also, in the long-term, the benefits of such dopamine-regulating drugs are limited. So, it is crucial that scientists come up […]
17February
2019
Are you one of those people who goes to bed late and wakes up equally late? If so, you may be relieved to know a study has confirmed that this is your natural rhythm. However, in today’s working world, this may have serious effects, due to how your brain is wired. Night owls may be at a disadvantage compared with early risers, new research finds. Some people declare themselves to be morning larks, or early risers, and they effortlessly wake up at the crack of dawn and fall asleep earlier in the evening. Others, however, are night owls, or evening people, who stay up until the early hours of the morning and wake up later in the day, if left to their own devices. Previous research has shown that the night owls face some health risks due to their daily rhythms. These include a tendency towards poorer dietary habits, which, in turn, can increase the risk of metabolic conditions, such as diabetes. Now, a study led by investigators from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom has found out how activity patterns in the brains of night owls are different from those of morning people. The study also highlights […]
17February
2019
New research has shown that impaired insulin signaling in the brain, often a feature of diabetes, may negatively impact cognition, mood, and metabolism — all of which are common aspects of Alzheimer’s disease. A new study examines the links between Alzheimer’s and diabetes. Although the conditions are seemingly independent of each other, earlier studies have found that people with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. However, the mechanisms behind this relationship have remained hidden. A recent study investigated the impact of blocking insulin receptors and insulin-like growth factor (IGF1) receptors in mouse models. The work was carried out at the Joslin Diabetes Center, affiliated with Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA. The results reveal that interrupting these similar pathways impaired both learning and memory. The researchers published their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Insulin receptors and learning The researchers worked with both the hippocampus and the central amygdala, areas of the brain that help with cognition function, as well as metabolic control. They looked into how mice with disabled insulin and IGF1 receptors tackled mazes, and the results were revealing. First, the researchers allowed the mice to explore the maze to […]
16February
2019
Memory loss does not only occur in neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia. It also happens with age, or in relation to mental health problems, such as depression. Now, researchers have developed new compounds that could reverse this cognitive effect. Newly developed compounds may offer fresh hope for depression-related memory loss. Memory loss is not solely a bedfellow of dementia. It can also be a natural part of the aging process, however unwelcome. Memory problems also occur in people experiencing emotional distress, particularly individuals facing conditions that may include depression. For instance, a study appearing last year in the journal Neurology found that people who were exhibiting noticeable symptoms of depression also had poor episodic memory, the type of memory that recalls specific events. Recently, researchers from Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Canada have been working hard to develop new compounds able to reverse memory loss that they believe relates to depression and age progression. “Currently, there are no medications to treat cognitive symptoms such as memory loss that occur in depression, other mental illnesses, and aging,” notes study author Dr. Etienne Sibille. However, the new compounds that the researchers have tested in preclinical trials appear to reverse […]
16February
2019
Both bacterial diversity in the gut and regular exercise are important when it comes to health. But how are the two related? A new study uncovers the effect that exercise has on our health by adjusting the balance of the gut microbiome. New research finds out how exercise could support bacterial diversity in the gut. Though this may seem strange, human bodies are actually made, according to recent estimates, of about as many bacteria and other microorganisms as regular human cells. In the colon alone — the tract that contains the largest number of bacterial cells — there are approximately 38 trillion bacteria. These bacteria have important effects on the state of our health, and loss of bacterial diversity in the gut is linked to a heightened risk of disease. Now, a new study suggests that the level of a person’s physical activity may affect the bacterial diversity in their gut, and thus influence their health. In a paper that appears in the journal Experimental Physiology, the authors, from Indiana University Bloomington and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, also explain the biological mechanism that makes this possible. The link between exercise and the gut The researchers knew that cardiorespiratory […]
15February
2019
Urine consists of excess water and waste products that the kidneys filter from the blood. It can range from pale yellow to dark amber depending on the ratio of water to waste products. Many things can affect the color of urine. Most of these are harmless, but a change in color can sometimes signal a health problem. This article will look at five common causes of dark urine and treatment options. 1. Dehydration Dark urine is usually a sign of dehydration. Dehydration occurs when there is not enough water in the body. It can lead to dark urine as well as: Children, older adults, and people living with severe illnesses, such as cancer, are more prone to dehydration. In most cases, people can treat dehydration by drinking more clear fluids, such as water and herbal tea. People should seek medical advice if they have any, some, or all of the following symptoms: lethargy very dry mouth and tongue skin that moves back very slowly after being pinched weak or absent pulse very low blood pressure minimal or no urine 2. Food, drink, or medication Some foods and drinks can cause a change in the color or smell of urine. Beets […]
15February
2019
People often wonder if a fetus can hear while in the womb. Many expectant parents will speak to or play music for a developing fetus. Evidence suggests that the auditory system starts forming at the 18th week of pregnancy and continues to develop until the baby is between 5 and 6 months of age. Everything that the fetus hears will contribute to this process. In this article, we look at what a fetus can hear at different stages of development. Fetal hearing at each stage of development A fetus will develop their ability to hear while in the womb. Despite being close to a lentil in size, an embryo will begin to develop ears during the 2nd month of pregnancy. The ears start as tiny folds of skin on the sides of the head. After the 8th week, the embryo becomes a fetus. According to Mayo Clinic, the ears begin to stick out from the head at 18 weeks, and the fetus may become able to hear. At this stage, the brain starts to designate the areas that will govern smell, taste, vision, touch, and sound. By 22 to 24 weeks, the fetus will be about the size of a […]
15February
2019
Fresh research offers further information on the potential for diet drinks — that is, beverages sweetened with artificial sugar substitutes — to harm cardiovascular health. Artificially sweetened soft drinks may raise the risk of heart disease and death in postmenopausal women. A study that followed tens of thousands of postmenopausal women for more than 10 years has linked a higher consumption of diet drinks to an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, and death. The link between diet drinks and stroke was strongest for strokes that arise from blocked arteries, and from smaller blood vessels in particular. The journal Stroke has now published a paper about the analysis. The lead author is Dr. Yasmin Mossavar-Rahmani, an associate professor of clinical epidemiology and population health in the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, NY. Dr. Mossavar-Rahmani and her team point out that the findings do not prove that diet drinks harm the heart and circulation system. That is because the study was an observational one, and the figures on diet drink consumption came from self-reports. However, Rachel K. Johnson — who chaired the panel that wrote the science advisory from the American Heart Association (AHA) about diet drinks and […]
15February
2019
People with Alzheimer’s disease experience poor blood flow to the brain, which affects cognitive function. A new study conducted in a mouse model has finally uncovered the reason behind this reduced blood flow. Reduced blood flow to the brain contributes to Alzheimer’s, but what mechanism leads to this vascular problem in the first place? For a while now, researchers have been aware that Alzheimer’s disease goes hand in hand with vascular dysfunction, and reduced blood flow to the brain, in particular. However, it is only recently that investigators have begun to focus their efforts on understanding just how and why poor vascular health can contribute to cognitive decline in this type of dementia. A study published last month in Alzheimer’s and Dementia, the journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, calls vascular dysfunction “the disregarded partner of Alzheimer’s disease.” It argues that researchers must first fully understand all the factors involved in the pathology of this type of dementia before they can develop a pluripotent treatment for it. “Individualized, targeted therapies for [Alzheimer’s disease] patients will be successful when the complexity of [this condition’s] pathophysiology is fully appreciated,” the study authors write. Now, in a study in mice, a team of investigators […]
15February
2019
New research finds that estrogen improves insulin sensitivity and details the mechanism behind this effect. The findings have a “profound impact on our understanding of obesity and diabetes, as well as potential dietary interventions,” say the researchers. The female sex hormone may have significant metabolic benefits. About 84 million people in the United States are living with prediabetes, a condition in which blood sugar levels are very high but not high enough to warrant a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Usually, prediabetes occurs in people with insulin resistance — a condition in which the cells in some vital organs do not respond well to insulin and therefore do not absorb enough glucose from the blood. But what if there was a hormone that could lower insulin resistance and the production of glucose? Researchers believe that estrogen has the potential to do so, and consequently, to reduce the prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Currently, over 100 million people in the U.S. are living with diabetes or prediabetes, and estimates show that over 30 million adults have type 2 diabetes. Shaodong Guo, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Science at Texas A&M University in College Station, led […]
15February
2019
As we age, we may experience a decline in our mental ability. A recent study has concluded that chronic inflammation in midlife might speed up this decline as we get older. Could influencing inflammation slow cognitive decline? The average age of the population of the United States is gradually increasing, so conditions of old age are moving into the spotlight. Growing older is associated with a progressive decline in average thinking abilities. However, it may only affect some people very mildly, while other individuals can develop significant cognitive deficits. Understanding the risk factors involved is of growing importance. We already know some risk factors; for instance, lower levels of physical activity, smoking, and obesity appear to increase the rate of decline. Recently, some scientists have turned their attention toward the potential role of inflammation. Inflammation and its consequences As a protective mechanism that prevents any damage to tissue, inflammation occurs in response to an infection or injury. However, if this acute inflammation continues for longer periods — which doctors call chronic inflammation — it can cause damage. Scientists have already linked inflammation to a range of health concerns, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and asthma. Could inflammation also have a […]
15February
2019
A skin ulcer is an open wound that develops on the skin as a result of injury, poor circulation, or pressure. Skin ulcers can take a very long time to heal. If left untreated, they can become infected and cause other medical complications. These ulcers can form on any area of the skin. Depending on the type, they are especially common on the legs, mouth or lips, hips, and bottom. This article discusses types, symptoms, diagnosis, and home remedies for skin ulcers. What are the symptoms? Skin ulcers look like round, open sores. They range in severity and are usually minor injuries on the skin. In severe cases, ulcers can become deep wounds that extend through muscle tissue, leaving bones and joints exposed. The symptoms of skin ulcers include: discoloration of the skin itching scabbing swelling of the skin near the ulcer dry or flaky skin around the ulcer pain or tenderness near the affected area clear, bloody, or pus-filled discharge from the ulcer a foul odor coming from the area hair loss near the ulcer Types of skin ulcer People can develop the following types of skin ulcer: Venous skin ulcers Venous skin ulcers are shallow, open sores that […]
15February
2019
Humans have been making, listening, and dancing to music since time immemorial, and this art can easily soothe or amplify our emotions. New research explains what “chords” music strikes in the brain, and how it relates to certain cognitive processes, particularly learning. Music is a powerful reward that can motivate the brain to do better, researchers show. In recent years, researchers have shown more interest in how listening to music can pragmatically benefit us in numerous ways. For instance, studies such as this one, which Medical News Today covered last spring, have suggested that people with Alzheimer’s disease who face anxiety and other stressful emotions cope better when they listen to music. Listening to certain types of music may even alter our perception and change the way we see potential partners, while happy songs can help boost our creativity. In a new study, the findings of which feature in the journal PNAS, researchers from McGill University in Montreal, Canada have now shown that we can use music to activate the brain’s reward center and motivate learning in an error prediction model. “Although many authors have proposed that the intense emotions and pleasures of music result from expectancies, predictions, and their […]
15February
2019
(HealthDay News) — The heel is the largest of 26 bones in the human foot, the American Podiatric Medical Association says. Heel pain is typically caused by heel spurs, plantar fasciitis or achilles tendinitis. Latest Skin News The association offers these suggestions to avoid heel pain: Wear shoes that fit well front, back and sides; have shock-absorbent soles, rigid shanks and supportive heel counters. Wear the proper shoes for each activity. Do not wear shoes with excessive wear on heels or soles. Before exercising, warm up and stretch. Pace yourself when you participate in athletics. Lose extra weight. Copyright © 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved. CONTINUE SCROLLING FOR NEXT NEWS ARTICLE
15February
2019
By Steven ReinbergHealthDay Reporter Latest Sexual Health News THURSDAY, Feb. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A startling increase in syphilis cases among Americans may be linked to addiction to methamphetamine and other drugs, federal health officials said Thursday. Between 2013 and 2017, the rate of syphilis infection among heterosexual men and women who use methamphetamine more than doubled, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. “While we don’t know the precise role that substance use may play in syphilis increases, we do know that substance use, particularly methamphetamine and injection drug use, has been associated with sexual behaviors that increase risk of acquiring syphilis and other STDs,” said lead researcher Dr. Sarah Kidd. She is a medical officer in the CDC’s division of STD prevention. It is the risky behaviors that tend to go along with drug use that make one vulnerable to STDs, Kidd noted. These include having multiple sex partners, practicing inconsistent condom use, and exchanging sex for drugs or money. “We also know that substance use can hamper prevention efforts,” Kidd added. People who use drugs may be less inclined to seek health services, and they may also be reluctant or unable to […]
15February
2019
Latest Sexual Health News THURSDAY, Feb. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love, but a new study suggests you have to be ready for a relationship to make it work. “Feeling ready leads to better relational outcomes and well-being,” said Chris Agnew. He is a professor of psychological sciences and vice president for research at Purdue University in Indiana. “When a person feels more ready, this tends to amplify the effect of psychological commitment on relationship maintenance and stability.” The opposite is also true. When someone is less ready to commit to a relationship, they are likely to act in ways that don’t support the relationship, the study authors said. For the study, Agnew and his colleagues surveyed more than 400 adults in a relationship to gauge their commitment plus their satisfaction and investment in their relationship. The researchers found a correlation between a sense of readiness to commit and the level of commitment. In following studies, the research team looked at relationships in more than 200 college students. They looked again after seven months to see if the couples were still together. Being ready to commit to the relationship was the key predictor […]
15February
2019
By Serena GordonHealthDay Reporter Latest Pregnancy News THURSDAY, Feb. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Couples are usually told to wait six weeks after the birth of a baby before having sex again. But new research highlights that there’s not a specific “right” time for everyone. Each woman’s postpartum experience is different, researchers explained. Someone who had a very difficult birth and needed stitches may think six weeks is way too soon. But a woman who had an uneventful delivery may feel amorous again in just a couple of weeks. “The six-week timeline is well established, but we couldn’t find evidence to support it,” said the study’s lead author, Andrea DeMaria. She’s an assistant professor at Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences in Lafayette, Ind. There’s really no one-size-fits-all time for resuming sexual activity, she said. The study authors suspect that the six-week timeline became standard because it coincided with a typical postpartum checkup. But the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, along with other women’s health care groups, recently updated postpartum care guidelines. The groups recommend that women be seen within three weeks after delivery, with a follow-up appointment before 12 weeks after birth. For this study, the […]
15February
2019
By Matt SmithWebMD Health News Reviewed by Hansa D. Bhargava, MD Feb. 14, 2019 — Americans may not be drinking much more than they used to — but they’re drinking more potent stuff. Latest Mental Health News And that trend toward higher-alcohol drinks may be part of what’s driving an increase in alcohol-related deaths and illnesses, according to new research. Sales of wine and liquor have gone up, while beer sales are largely flat. And more of the beer-drinking dollar is going toward varieties with a higher percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV), whether they’re high-gravity craft beers or corner-store malt liquor. “There’s been this observation recently of increases in alcohol-related problems like increases in alcoholic liver disease and mortality and emergency room visits related to alcohol, but we haven’t seen a similar increase in alcohol consumption,” says Priscilla Martinez, PhD, a public health and epidemiology researcher at the California-based Alcohol Research Group. Estimates of how much Americans drank grew only 6% between 2002 and 2013, or about two drinks per person per month, says Martinez, who led the new study. But drinking-related health problems soared during that time. Meanwhile, estimates used to find out how much alcohol is in […]
15February
2019
Latest Mental Health News FRIDAY, Feb. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Insurance rules that limit access to the addiction treatment medication buprenorphine may be worsening the U.S. opioid epidemic, a new study suggests. “Buprenorphine is a safe and effective treatment that decreases deaths due to opioids and stops heroin and other opioid use. People on buprenorphine are able to get their lives back together,” said study co-author Dr. Todd Korthuis. He’s chief of the addiction medicine section at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) in Portland. “Medicare insurance companies are making it increasingly difficult to prescribe buprenorphine, while making it easy to prescribe opioid pain medications that contributed to the opioid epidemic,” he said in an OHSU news release. For the study, the researchers analyzed Medicare Part D prescription drug plan data and found that the growing use of pre-authorization requirements increasingly limited use of buprenorphine among Medicare beneficiaries between 2007 and 2018. Insurers commonly use pre-authorization requirements to manage or limit access to certain drugs to control costs. In 2007, nearly 90 percent of insurance plans offered buprenophine without restriction, but that number had shrunk to 35 percent by 2018. Over that same period, the proportion of plans that […]
15February
2019
(HealthDay News) — Being late to school can affect your child’s ability to learn, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. Getting out the door on time in the morning can be difficult, the academy acknowledges, suggesting these ways to get your child to school promptly and avoid absenteeism: Track your child’s attendance on a calendar. Make sure your child gets enough sleep. Prepare for school the night before by packing lunches and backpacks and laying out clothes. Do not let your child stay home unless the child is actually sick. If the child wants to stay home, talk to the child about why he or she does not want to go to school. Latest Healthy Kids News Copyright © 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved. CONTINUE SCROLLING FOR NEXT NEWS ARTICLE
15February
2019
By Dennis ThompsonHealthDay Reporter Latest Healthy Kids News THURSDAY, Feb. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Marijuana legalization has been sweeping across the United States, raising concerns that more teens will start toking as pot smoking gains in legitimacy. A new study suggests that’s not the case. Researchers actually found fewer teen marijuana users in states that have adopted medical marijuana laws. States with medical marijuana laws had 1.1 percent fewer teenage pot smokers than states without such laws, researchers said. “The shifts were small,” said lead researcher Rebekah Levine Coley, chair of counseling, developmental and educational psychology at Boston College’s Lynch School of Education and Human Development. “For every 100 adolescents, just over one fewer would report having used marijuana in the prior month following enactment of medical marijuana laws.” But the patterns were larger among certain subgroups. “For example,” Coley said, “current use of marijuana decreased among male high school students by 2.7 percent. And use decreased by 3.9 percent among African-American students, and by 2.7 percent among Hispanic students.” For the study, Coley’s team relied on data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a poll conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention every other year. […]
15February
2019
Latest Healthy Kids News FRIDAY, Feb. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Infants who are given general anesthesia for an hour are unlikely to suffer harm, but the safety of longer and repeated exposure remains unknown, a new study says. Among more than 700 infants in seven countries, the researchers didn’t find any measurable neurodevelopmental or behavioral problems up to the age of 5. “Nearly half the general anesthetics given to infants are used for less than one hour. Therefore, our findings should reassure health professionals and the millions of parents whose young children undergo surgical or diagnostic procedures with anesthetic drugs worldwide every year,” said researcher Andrew Davidson, from Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Australia. The study authors noted that most of the infants in the study group were male and more research is needed to confirm the findings in girls. In the first three years of life, about one in 10 children in developed countries have surgical, medical and diagnostic procedures where a general anesthetic is used. These procedures can include hernia repair, tonsillectomy, imaging scans and endoscopies. For years, the safety of giving infants a general anesthetic has been debated. In 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration […]
15February
2019
Latest Heart News THURSDAY, Feb. 14, 2019 (American Heart Association News) — Given the choice of walking 3 miles or 1 mile, Amanda “Mandi” Tate always opts for the longer route at the Tampa Bay Heart Walk. In 2015, her boyfriend Patrick Shelley and childhood friend Jessica Dosio joined her. When Mandi ran off to grab something, Jessica asked Patrick what she’d been asking him for months: “When are you going to propose?” “Actually,” he said, “it’s happening today, and I need your help.” After they crossed the finish line, Patrick kneeled as if tying his shoe. “Wouldn’t it be great if I had a ring right now?” he told Mandi. She playfully punched his shoulder and laughed, just as he’d expected her to. On cue, Jessica tossed a box to Patrick. “Will you marry me?” he said, as Jessica recorded the event. The scene was perfect, especially with Jessica playing a supporting role. Twenty years before, in November 1995, during a sleepover at Jessica’s house, she awoke early and wondered if her friend was awake. “Hey Mandi,” she said. “Do you wanna play?” Jessica went to Mandi’s side. That’s when she heard Mandi gurgling. Jessica woke her mother, then […]
15February
2019
Latest Heart News THURSDAY, Feb. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Many older Americans are diagnosed with the irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation, or “a-fib.” Now, research suggests that everyday foods, drinks or activities might trigger episodes of the stroke-linked condition. The bad news: Triggers include coffee, alcohol and sleepless nights. The good news: These factors can all be avoided or reduced, according to researchers at the University of California, San Francisco. They stressed that the study wasn’t focused on the underlying causes of atrial fibrillation, but rather factors linked to a-fib episodes in people already diagnosed. “Almost all a-fib studies have to do with risk factors for the initial development of the disease,” said senior study author Dr. Gregory Marcus, associate chief of cardiology for research at the university. “This study focuses on specific exposures that cause an individual episode to occur.” One-quarter of adults over 40 in the United States are at risk for a-fib, the study authors said. By 2050, nearly 6 million Americans may suffer from it. In a-fib, electrical impulses that control the upper chambers of the heart — the atria — fire erratically, preventing the chambers from contracting normally. Over time, that can lead […]
15February
2019
By Steven ReinbergHealthDay Reporter Latest Digestion News THURSDAY, Feb. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients with kidney failure who are on dialysis or have received a transplant have a sharply higher risk of dying from cancer, Australian researchers report. In fact, compared with people who don’t have kidney failure, they have more than double the odds of cancer death. The odds are particularly high among patients aged 20 to 34, for whom the risk is 11 times higher, the researchers reported. “We need to be aware of the risks of cancer and look for better ways to care for these people in addition to their kidney disease,” said lead researcher Eric Au, a doctoral candidate at the University of Sydney. Kidney failure affects thousands of Americans. Of the more than 660,000 being treated for the problem, 468,000 are on dialysis and more than 193,000 have had a transplant, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Each year more than 100,000 Americans are diagnosed with kidney failure. In this study, the investigators found that among dialysis patients, cancer deaths were mostly from cancers that began before dialysis. Cancer deaths among transplant patients, however, were mostly from cancers that started after the transplant. […]
15February
2019
Latest Digestion News THURSDAY, Feb. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Scientists say nearly 2,000 previously unknown types of bacteria in the human gut have been identified. The human gut hosts many species of microbes, collectively referred to as the gut microbiota. Scientists are working to identify the individual species and understand the roles they play in human health. While investigators are getting closer to completing a list of common microbes in the guts of North Americans and Europeans, there is a significant lack of data from other regions of the world. Some microbes remain unidentified because of their low numbers in the gut or because they can’t survive outside it. For this study, researchers at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory’s European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) and the Wellcome Sanger Institute in England used a number of computational methods to analyze gut bacteria samples from people worldwide and reconstruct the bacteria’s genomes. These methods allow scientists to understand bacteria they cannot yet culture in a lab, according to Rob Finn, a team leader at EMBL-EBI. “Using metagenomics [the study of genetic material directly from environmental samples] to reconstruct bacterial genomes is a bit like reconstructing hundreds of puzzles after mixing all the […]
15February
2019
By Len CanterHealthDay Reporter Latest Diet & Weight Management News FRIDAY, Feb. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A typical workout doesn’t give you license to eat whatever you want. Even a full hour of vigorous skiing burns just 600 calories — less than the amount in a super-sized fast food sandwich. That’s why it’s important to think of exercise as just one part of a shape-up plan. Exercise works the cardiovascular system and builds muscle, but it takes calorie restriction to also lose weight. Small diet tweaks that you can make when you’re building a healthier body through exercise will maximize your efforts. Here’s what you need to know about nutrition when you work out regularly. You don’t need to fuel up like a marathon runner, but give your body some nourishment about two hours before every workout to make exercise more effective. Have a small meal with healthy carbs and protein, and some fat. If eating two hours in advance doesn’t work with your schedule, aim for a small snack about an hour before your workout. It’s also important to eat a small meal with carbs and protein within two hours after your workout to give your body the […]
15February
2019
By Steven ReinbergHealthDay Reporter Latest Cold and Flu News THURSDAY, Feb. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — This year’s flu shot is already outperforming the vaccine issued during the tough 2017-2018 influenza season, federal health officials reported Thursday. The 2017-2018 flu shot offered just 25 percent effectiveness against the predominant strain of flu that season, H3N2. But this year’s shot offers 47 percent protection against all circulating strains, according to researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In other words, getting the current vaccine could nearly cut in half your odds of acquiring a severe case of the flu. The news was even better for vaccinated kids. “For children aged 6 months to 17 years, overall vaccine effectiveness was 61 percent,” the CDC team reported. That’s based on data up to Feb. 2 on nearly 3,300 children and adults enrolled in the U.S. Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Network, said investigators led by Dr. Joshua Doyle of the CDC’s Influenza Division. Still, the latest agency statistics show that the United States remains in the grip of the flu and the season may not have peaked yet. As of Feb. 2, flu is widespread in 47 states, and 24 states are […]
14February
2019
Numbness in the fingers can have many different causes, from carpal tunnel syndrome to some types of neuropathy. In some cases, treatment may simply require a change in the way that a person uses their hands. However, medication or surgery may be necessary for cases with more complex underlying causes. This article looks at six causes of numbness in a person’s fingers, as well as the treatment options. 1. Carpal tunnel syndrome Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common causes of numbness in a person’s fingers. According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH), one of the most common causes of numbness in a person’s fingers is carpal tunnel syndrome. The carpal tunnel is a passageway in the base of a person’s hand. The median nerve passes through it, and the pinching of this nerve can cause numbness, itching, or pain in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and ring finger. Carpal tunnel syndrome often causes the hand to go numb while a person is sleeping because of the position that they hold it in. To diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome, a doctor will take a detailed medical history, asking about any other conditions that a […]
14February
2019
Dogs have a different digestive system from humans. This means that some foods that are safe for people can be harmful or even very dangerous for dogs. However, many human foods are also safe for dogs and can provide important nutrients and health benefits. Here, we look at which people foods are safe for dogs and which not to feed them. Which human foods can dogs eat? While many people foods are safe for dogs, they should generally only eat in them moderation. Human foods that are safe for dogs include: Carrots Some human foods are safe for dogs to eat. Carrots are a healthful food for dogs. Chewing on carrots can help remove plaque from their teeth and otherwise promote good dental health. Carrots are also a good source of vitamin A, which is beneficial for a dog’s immune system, skin, and coat. However, too much vitamin A can be toxic, so feed a dog carrots in moderation. Apples Apples provide many important vitamins for dogs, including vitamins A and C. Apples are also a good source of fiber, which can help regulate a dog’s digestion. However, eating rotting apples can lead to alcohol poisoning in dogs. White rice […]
14February
2019
Hemp oil can refer to a full-spectrum oil from the Cannabis sativa plant or hemp seed oil, which is oil that comes from just the seeds of the hemp plant. There is very little risk of intoxication from hemp oil as all forms of hemp oil come from food-grain strains of hemp. The authors of a study in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research note that food-grain strains of hemp must contain less than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the compound that causes the so-called “high” of marijuana. Hemp oil is not the same as cannabidiol (CBD) oil. The production of CBD oil uses the stalks, leaves, and flowers of the hemp plant, which contain a higher concentration of CBD, another potentially beneficial compound in the plant. Hemp seed oil comes from the small seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant. The seeds do not contain the same levels of compounds as the plant itself, but they still have a rich profile of nutrients, fatty acids, and useful bioactive compounds. Full-spectrum hemp oil that also contains plant matter may add other effective compounds, which may help with certain health issues, such as inflammation. Skin health Hemp oil contains fatty acids […]
14February
2019
Many people try to keep their diet healthful. However, thanks to marketing techniques or simply public belief, many foods that people regularly eat are actually less healthful than they seem. What is healthful and what is not may not always be clear. Even many of the foods on this list have more healthful versions available. The difference is knowing what to look for. Here are the six most unhealthful foods that people may often consider healthful. We also discuss how to make better choices when incorporating them into the diet. 1. Many breads White bread can have a high glycemic index. Natural 100 percent whole-grain bread is a very nutritious addition to many diets. Breads comprising natural whole wheat still contain the bran and germ of the kernel, which contain much of the nutrients and fiber. Many processed breads strip the bran and germ from the kernel to give the bread a smooth texture. However, this also affects the bread’s glycemic load, as the fiber in whole-grain bread helps slow down the absorption of the carbohydrates and sugars. The glycemic index (GI) measures to what extent high-carbohydrate foods raise blood glucose levels. The American Diabetes Association report that white bread […]
14February
2019
Arthritis is the term for a group of conditions that cause joint inflammation and pain. Although medical treatments can help, some home remedies and lifestyle changes may also reduce symptoms. In the United States, arthritis affects more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis and related diseases. The most common type is osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative disease that wears away the cushioning between the joints, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. Another common type of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints and other parts of the body, causing uncontrolled inflammation. Arthritis of any type can cause pain and result in lasting damage to the joints. In this article, we outline some of the most effective home remedies for slowing disease progression and treating the symptoms of arthritis. 1. Aquatic exercises Aquatic exercise can relieve pressure on the joints while providing a workout. Aquatic exercises can be beneficial for people with arthritis. Water provides resistance, which helps increase exercise intensity. At the same time, the buoyancy that the water provides helps support body weight, relieving pressure on the joints. A 2015 scientific review […]
14February
2019
Exercise can help improve the symptoms of asthma in the long term, in addition to improving overall health. Some forms of exercise have the potential to cause asthma flare-ups, leading to wheezing or chest tightness. However, people may be able to avoid symptoms or asthma attacks by using specific techniques and participating in suitable activities. As long as a person’s asthma is under control, exercise can offer them many health benefits. In this article, we look at how to stay safe while exercising with asthma and what to know about exercise-induced asthma. We also provide tips on how to avoid asthma complications. Can exercise help with asthma? Exercising can improve heart health and lung function. In general, exercise offers many varied health benefits, such as improving heart health, boosting mental health, and reducing the risk of many health conditions. People with asthma may also notice other specific health benefits, including: improved lung function, which builds overall stamina and reduces the time that it takes for a person to feel out of breath weight loss, which can reduce the risk of asthma attacks improved immune system function, which reduces the risk of upper respiratory infections that can trigger asthma symptoms improved […]
14February
2019
Many people see love as the pinnacle of human existence, and some equate it with happiness itself. But sometimes, being “lovesick” can feel exactly like that — an illness. In fact, romantic love can bring about many adverse psychological effects, and in this Spotlight feature, we take a look at what they are. Love is not always an all-round positive, happy feeling. On Valentine’s day, people around the world dwell on the positive and beautiful aspects of romantic love. They celebrate the value that this unique feeling brings to human existence and the central role it plays in our search for happiness. Furthermore, science shows that the neurophysiological benefits of being in love are numerous. A few years ago, we wrote a Spotlight feature on the positive health effects that being in a relationship brings. From relieving pain, lowering blood pressure, easing stress, and generally improving one’s cardiovascular health, love and being in a relationship have associations with a wide range of health benefits. But if love was nothing more than positive feelings, warming sensations, and feel-good chemicals, we probably would not apply words such as “smitten” or “lovesick” to describe the intense effects of this emotion. On this Valentine’s […]
14February
2019
Asthma is a lung disease that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways. Common symptoms include breathing difficulty, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and tightness in the chest. Symptoms can vary from person to person and range from mild to severe. People may only experience symptoms in certain situations, such as when exercising. In some cases, asthma can be life-threatening. In this article, we discuss the symptoms of asthma in children, adults, and other groups, such as older people and pregnant women. Asthma in adults Symptoms of asthma can include chest tightness and coughing. Adults with asthma typically develop the condition in childhood. Less commonly, a person may acquire it as an adult. In this case, doctors call it adult-onset asthma. The main symptoms of asthma in adults include: chest tightness coughing, especially at night or when laughing difficulty breathing shortness of breath sleep problems, resulting from breathing issues wheezing, a whistling sound in the chest when exhaling Over a person’s lifetime, asthma symptoms can result in permanent lung damage. These symptoms often get worse when people have a cold, flu, or another respiratory virus. Certain asthma triggers — such as strong odors, dust mites, and smoke — can also […]
14February
2019
Orbital cellulitis is an infection of the soft tissues within the eye socket. It is a serious condition that, without treatment, can lead to permanent vision loss and life-threatening complications. Orbital cellulitis, which is sometimes called postseptal cellulitis, can occur at any age, but it most commonly affects young children. The infection develops behind the orbital septum, a thin membrane that covers the front of the eyeball. Periorbital, or preseptal, cellulitis refers to infections that occur in front of the orbital septum. Periorbital cellulitis can spread to the skin around the eye and the eyelid. This condition is less serious than orbital cellulitis but still requires immediate treatment. In this article, we discuss the symptoms and causes of orbital cellulitis. We also cover the diagnosis, treatment, and complications of this condition. Symptoms Orbital cellulitis is a serious infection that affects the fat and muscle tissues within the eye socket, or orbit. The infection causes inflammation that can push the eye out of the socket. Pain, swelling, and proptosis, which is the protrusion or forward displacement of the eye, are common symptoms of orbital cellulitis. Other symptoms of orbital cellulitis can include: limited eye movement or pain when trying to move […]
14February
2019
New research involving Australian women aged 45 years and over found that the majority of this cohort believes that there is not a significant link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer risk. That could not be less true, the investigators warn. Women should be more aware of the link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer risk, warn the authors of a new study. The World Health Organization (WHO) note that breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in women across the world. Many factors can increase the risk of developing breast cancer, some of which are nonmodifiable — chiefly age and sex — and some of which a person can act upon, including a lack of physical activity or being overweight. Another proven risk is alcohol consumption, with one major report warning that a single alcoholic drink per day can boost a person’s likelihood of developing breast cancer. Despite this, it seems that numerous women over the age of 45 years, who are those most at risk of developing this type of cancer, continue to ignore specialists’ warnings that they should reduce their alcohol consumption. At least, that is the conclusion of a recent study that recruited a […]
14February
2019
Keeping blood glucose at a healthy level reduces the risk of developing diabetes. But until now, reducing high glucose levels has focused on limiting carb and calorie intake, rather than on how individuals respond to different foods. How blood sugar levels respond to different foods varies from person to person. The number of people in the United States who receive a diagnosis of diabetes continues to rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 9.4 percent of the U.S. population had diabetes in 2015. Some sources estimate that about 40 percent of U.S. adults have prediabetes. This condition is characterized by higher than normal blood sugar levels and may lead to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Experts are always looking for ways to prevent the onset of the condition. Reducing blood sugar — or blood glucose — levels is the primary method. Typically, this involves controlling diet with a specific focus on lowering calorie and carbohydrate intake. Not only can this prevent diabetes, but it can also reduce a person’s risk of obesity and heart or kidney disease. However, new research has shown that taking a more individualized approach may produce better results. “The current […]
14February
2019
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A contagious cancer that has almost decimated the Tasmanian devil population probably won’t drive the species into extinction, a new study suggests. Latest Cancer News Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD) kills most of the animals it infects and has led to an 80 percent decrease in the number of wild devils since the disease was first identified in 1996. But “our findings suggest that immediate management interventions are unlikely to be necessary to ensure the survival of Tasmanian devil populations,” said research leader Konstans Wells, from Swansea University in Wales. “With growing evidence that devils are showing signs of adaptation to DFTD and that so far the disease has not caused local extinctions, management actions targeted at understanding the devil’s adaptive strategies to cope with DFTD should be considered,” added study co-author Rodrigo Hamede, from the University of Tasmania. Tasmanian devils are carnivorous marsupials, weighing about 13 to 26 pounds. DFTD, which causes tumors to form on the face and neck of the animal, is spread when the devils bite each other in the face during fighting. Affected devils die within six to 24 months. In the study, the scientists compared field […]
14February
2019
By Serena GordonHealthDay Reporter Latest Sleep News THURSDAY, Feb. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Sure, he may snore. She may steal the covers. But if a relationship is solid, your partner will help you sleep better this Valentine’s Day and far into the future, a new study suggests. Good relationships in early adulthood seemed to lead to less disruptive life events, which in turn appeared to lead to better sleep years later, researchers report. “Your partners can have a huge impact on your stress and health behaviors. They can be a source of stress or a reducer of stress,” explained study author Chloe Huelsnitz. She’s a Ph.D. candidate in the department of psychology at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. So, how does being in a satisfying partnership affect sleep? Are people more content, or is a good relationship just a sign that you have better people skills that help reduce your stress throughout life? “It’s probably a bit of both,” Huelsnitz said, though the study could not prove that a good relationship caused sleep quality to improve. She explained that if you can have a good relationship, you probably have good interpersonal skills. And if you get along well […]
14February
2019
(HealthDay News) — Alopecia areata is a form of hair loss that’s triggered by your immune system mistakenly viewing hair follicles as threats to your health. Latest Skin News This can trigger patchy hair loss on the head, complete hair loss on the head or the loss of body hair, the American Academy of Family Physicians says. The condition — for which there is no cure — is most common among children and adults in their early 20s. The AAFP says you should ask your doctor: How much hair should I lose before you and I become concerned? I have a parent who had the condition. Is there a genetic test that will determine if I will get it? Do certain diseases or conditions raise a person’s risk for developing alopecia areata? Copyright © 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
14February
2019
Latest Skin News WEDNESDAY, Feb. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — If you have tattoos, it’s probably safe to get an MRI scan, European researchers say. While millions of people with tattoos have MRIs every year without side effects, some adverse reactions have been reported. Researchers said there had been no systematic studies of how safe it is for people with tattoos to have an MRI. Reported side effects include a pulling sensation on tattooed skin because tattoo ink can contain pigments that are magnetic and interact with the MRI’s strong magnetic fields. Tattoos may also absorb energy that would ordinarily be spread out, increasing burn risk, according to study researcher Nikolaus Weiskopf. He’s director of the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig, Germany. Weiskopf and study authors from University College London examined 330 volunteers before and after an MRI, testing 932 tattoos in all. Volunteers sported various colors of ink, but most tattoos were black. To ensure participants’ safety from potential burns, there were limits on the size and number of tattoos. A single tattoo could not exceed about 8 inches in size, and no more than 5 percent of a volunteer’s body could be […]
14February
2019
By Len CanterHealthDay Reporter Latest Sexual Health News THURSDAY, Feb. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A global study about what men and women want in a mate seems to confirm — to a point — long-established stereotypes. Men still go for looks — in general they said their preference is for a partner who is younger and physically attractive. Women said they’d prefer an older partner who’s ambitious and has good financial prospects. The researchers, from the University of Texas at Austin, explained that these responses, which came from 10,000 participants in 33 countries, can probably be traced back to the respective mating challenges men and women faced throughout the course of human evolution. On a more positive note, both sexes do gravitate toward some of the same less superficial traits — a pleasant disposition, good social skills, and similar politics and religious beliefs. Another study with an international team of researchers found that men and women approach relationships in another similar way: They’re both influenced by deal breakers, or perceived negative traits, and deal makers, the traits that they find most appealing. Both sexes process these pros and cons simultaneously when they meet someone new and apply higher standards […]
14February
2019
By Dennis ThompsonHealthDay Reporter Latest Pregnancy News WEDNESDAY, Feb. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In the race to conception, the female body is set up to separate weak sperm from strong, researchers report. A woman’s reproductive system presents a veritable obstacle course that stress-tests sperm, making sure that only the strongest swimmers have a chance of reaching a woman’s egg, according to a new study. Narrow gate-like passages within the female reproductive tract force competing sperm to barge their way through, ensuring that weak and less viable sperm are left behind, the researchers explained. “It’s survival of the fastest swimmers,” said Dr. Harry Fisch, a clinical professor of urology and reproductive medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. Fisch was not involved in the study. “The ones that are swimming properly and … can make it through the openings of the female reproductive system are the ones with the best chance of fertilization,” he explained. This new knowledge will help couples struggling to conceive a baby, either by giving natural conception a boost or by improving the process of in vitro fertilization, reproductive medicine experts said. Sperm count has been an ongoing focus of reproductive medicine, but […]
14February
2019
By Amy NortonHealthDay Reporter Latest Pregnancy News WEDNESDAY, Feb. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Pumped breast milk might not be quite as good as milk that comes directly from Mom’s breast, a new study suggests. Researchers found that breast milk from women who pumped tended to have more potentially bad bacteria — and less abundance and diversity of friendly germs — than milk from women who only fed their infants from the breast. The study is the latest step in a newer area of research: What determines the makeup of bacteria in breast milk, and what are the potential effects on babies‘ health? “Until about 10 years ago, it was assumed that breast milk is sterile,” explained senior researcher Meghan Azad. However, the human body is teeming with resident bacteria and other germs. And research is beginning to illuminate how those “bugs” — particularly ones in the gut — affect body processes and disease risks. Some of those studies have focused on breast milk, finding that it actually contains an abundance of bacteria, according to Azad. But that leaves a lot of questions unanswered, including: Where do those bacteria come from? And what factors make breast milk from one woman […]
14February
2019
By Len CanterHealthDay Reporter Latest Mental Health News THURSDAY, Feb. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Everyone has certain personality strengths that make them unique. For instance, you might be the type of person who loves to nurture others or who always tells it like it is and is known for your honesty. Studies on human psychology have found that developing your unique set of strengths can lead to happiness and even help overcome depression. But research has also shown that, all too often, rather than capitalizing on their strengths, people are more motivated to try to fix what they see as weaknesses. That could amount to wasted energy and might not even be desirable. Neglecting your strengths can cause them to fade. This can be true for a trait like kindness as well as one like creativity. On the other hand, developing strengths with what experts call “positive psychology interventions” leads to personal growth. The idea is to use one or more strengths in a new way every week through activities that lead to positive feelings, behaviors or thoughts. To get started, make a list of your strengths. The ones you put at the top of your list — those […]
14February
2019
Latest Healthy Kids News WEDNESDAY, Feb. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Social media is now a key part of American youngsters’ lives, so parents need to provide guidance and rules to help them enjoy its benefits and protect them from potential dangers, experts say. Social media can help kids connect and find others who share their interests and concerns, SAY specialists at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Health Network, which comprises more than 160 pediatricians. But those benefits come with potential threats. Among them: cyberbullying and cyberstalking, exposure to inappropriate content, distraction from homework, social isolation, privacy issues, and anxiety caused by unrealistic comparisons with others. While kids can have social media accounts starting at age 13, it’s best to keep them off social media for as long as possible, said Dr. Bhavana Arora, medical director of the network. When children do start using social media, parents should talk with them about rules and privacy settings. Parents who are unfamiliar with the sites or apps their children are using should learn about them. Parents also need to lead by example, putting their phones aside and spending time with their kids, said Dr. Jennifer Hartstein, whose practice is part of the […]
14February
2019
Latest Healthy Kids News THURSDAY, Feb. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — If you think that sibling rivalry can border on brutality at times, you won’t be surprised by new research from British scientists. They found that children are more likely to be bullied by a sibling if they have more than one, and firstborn children and older brothers are most likely to bully siblings, a new study finds. “Sibling bullying is the most frequent form of family violence, and it is often seen as a normal part of growing up by parents and health professionals, but there is increasing evidence that it can have long-term consequences, like increased loneliness, delinquency and mental health problems,” said lead study author Dieter Wolke, from the University of Warwick in England. He and his team analyzed data from more than 6,800 British children born in 1991 and 1992 to assess bullying when the children were aged 5 and 12. Bullying was defined as psychological (saying nasty or hurtful things), physical (hitting, kicking or pushing) or emotional (ignoring a sibling, telling lies or spreading false rumors). About 28 percent of the children were involved in sibling bullying, and psychological abuse was the most common form. […]
14February
2019
By Serena GordonHealthDay Reporter Latest Healthy Kids News WEDNESDAY, Feb. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Pot may be particularly dangerous for the teenaged brain, a new review suggests. Not only were those who smoked marijuana more likely to suffer depression and suicidal thoughts, they were also more than three times as likely to attempt suicide between the ages of 18 and 32. What isn’t clear from the review is why. Does marijuana (cannabis) somehow affect the developing teen brain? Or might teens who were later diagnosed with depression or who later attempted suicide have been using the drug to self-medicate? Regardless, teens and preteens “should avoid using cannabis, as use is associated with a significant increased risk of developing depression or suicidality in young adulthood,” the Canadian researchers wrote. In the United States, pot use is growing exponentially, the study authors noted. Between 2001-2002 and 2012-2013, the number of people aged 18 to 29 who used marijuana in the past year jumped from almost 11 percent to more than 21 percent. Among U.S. high school seniors, about 7 percent said they smoked pot daily, according to background information in the report. In the Canadian review, researchers led by Dr. Gabriella […]
14February
2019
By Alan MozesHealthDay Reporter Latest Heart News THURSDAY, Feb. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Older women, beware: New research warns that drinking a lot of diet sodas or artificially sweetened fruit juices may increase your risk for stroke. In a study that tracked nearly 82,000 postmenopausal women, those who drank two or more diet drinks per day saw their overall stroke risk rise by 23 percent, compared with those who consumed diet drinks less than once a week. Blocked arteries were often the main culprit, with heavy diet drink consumption linked to a 31 percent greater risk for an ischemic stroke, which is triggered by a clot, the study findings showed. Study author Yasmin Mossavar-Rahmani acknowledged that an “association does not imply causation.” But she stressed that the findings held up even after taking into account the nutritional value of each participant’s overall diet. So, “we can’t assume these diet drinks are harmless, particularly when consumed at high levels,” Mossavar-Rahmani said. “The take-home message is that these findings give us pause,” she added. “We need to do more research on why we are seeing these associations. What are the scientific mechanisms? Is there something about the artificial sweeteners, for example, […]
14February
2019
What should you know about gastritis? What is the medical definition of gastritis? Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining. There are two types of gastritis, acute and chronic. What are the signs and symptoms of gastritis? Some people with gastritis may not have any symptoms; however, both acute and chronic gastritis may have symptoms and signs of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and occasionally, belching, bloating, loss of appetite and indigestion. What causes gastritis? A bacterium called Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the two main causes of gastritis; however, there are many other causes of the condition, for example, infectious agents, autoimmune problems, diseases like Crohn’s disease, sarcoidosis, and isolated granulomatosis gastritis. How do you know if you have gastritis? Gastritis can be diagnosed by the your symptoms and history (for example, NSAID and/or alcohol consumption), or by breath, blood, stool, immunological, and biopsy tests to detect H. pylori, and other tests like endoscopy or radiologic studies demonstrate mucosal changes. What is the treatment for gastritis? The treatment for gastritis varies according to the cause. Other less common causes may be treated similarly, but do not treat the underlying cause. Is there a diet […]
14February
2019
Latest Digestion News WEDNESDAY, Feb. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Downing the wrong type of drink when you exercise could put you at risk of kidney disease, a new study warns. Specifically, the threat is from having sugary, caffeinated soft drinks during exertion in a hot environment, according to researchers at the University at Buffalo in New York. The small study included 12 healthy adults who did long stretches of exercise in a laboratory setting replicating a 95-degree day. In one session, the study participants drank a high-fructose, caffeinated soft drink, and in the other, they drank water. At least seven days passed between sessions. After the session in which they were given the soft drink, participants had higher levels of creatinine in the blood and a lower “glomerular filtration rate” — both of which are markers for kidney injury. These temporary changes did not occur when participants drank water during exercise, the researchers said in a news release from the American Physiological Society. The investigators also found that during and after drinking the soft drink, participants had higher blood levels of vasopressin, a hormone that raises blood pressure. They also were mildly dehydrated, noted study corresponding author Zachary Schlader, […]
14February
2019
An expert panel for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has endorsed a drug for major depressive disorder that is a close relative to the club drug ketamine, or “Special K.” Latest Depression News Ketamine is a powerful anesthetic used in hospitals, though recent research has shown it may help those whose depression resists treatment. If approved by the FDA, the new drug known as esketamine would be available to patients who haven’t found relief with at least two other antidepressants. The Tuesday vote was 14-2, with one member abstaining, according to CNN. The FDA does not have to follow the recommendations of its expert panels, but it typically does. A decision is expected in early March. Made by Janssen, a division of Johnson & Johnson, esketamine is a nasal spray medication that targets different pathways in the brain than other antidepressants do. Unlike antidepressants that can take four to six weeks to take effect, esketamine’s benefits can be felt within hours or days, the FDA said. That makes it likely that esketamine might be used effectively in conjunction with an antidepressant, the agency added. Depression can be tricky to treat, with between 30 and 40 percent of those with […]
14February
2019
Latest Cancer News THURSDAY, Feb. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Exposure to high levels of the pesticide DDT increases breast cancer risk — but when the cancer surfaces depends on when women first came in contact with the chemical, researchers say. “What we have learned is that timing really matters,” said lead author Barbara Cohn, from the California-based Public Health Institute. “We know that if harmful exposures occur at times when breast tissue is rapidly changing, such as during puberty, they impact breast development in ways that can later result in cancer,” added Cohn. The breast cancer diagnoses tended to occur about 40 years after exposure to DDT, her team concluded. DDT was widely used in agriculture until it was banned in the United States in 1972, and banned in many countries in the 1970s. Many women and girls in the United States were exposed to the pesticide. The youngest of them are now reaching the age of increased breast cancer risk. For this study, researchers looked at more than 15,500 women in California who participated in the institute’s Child Health and Development Studies for nearly six decades. Levels of DDT exposure were determined by analyzing stored blood samples taken […]
13February
2019
Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are psychiatric conditions that have some common traits, but also key differences. Bipolar disorder causes shifts in mood, energy levels, and thinking. Schizophrenia causes a person to appear to lose touch with reality. People with bipolar disorder may experience episodes of mania and depression, often separated by periods of relative stability. Individuals with schizophrenia experience symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations or delusions. Some people with bipolar disorder also experience psychotic symptoms. Because of some overlap in symptoms, getting the right diagnosis can be challenging. Also, a person can have both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, which can complicate diagnosis. Some people have schizoaffective disorder, which involves a combination of schizophrenia symptoms and those of a mood disorder. In this article, we look at the similarities and differences between bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. We also discuss methods of diagnosis and treatment options. Symptoms of bipolar disorder People with bipolar disorder experience extreme changes in mood. Symptoms of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia vary and can differ in type and severity. They may get worse, then significantly improve or go away for a period, which some doctors call remission. People with bipolar disorder experience extremes in mood. Doctors may […]
13February
2019
Cloudy urine can be unsettling, especially when a person does not know the cause. Sometimes it can signal an issue with the urinary tract, such as dehydration or a urinary tract infection, or it may point to kidney problems. Each underlying cause of cloudy urine has additional symptoms, which can help a doctor make a diagnosis. In this article, learn about the possible causes of cloudy urine, as well as how to treat them. Causes Causes of cloudy urine can include: 1. Dehydration Drinking more fluids may help treat cloudy urine. Cloudy urine, especially if it is dark, could indicate that a person is not consuming enough liquids. Very young or very old people have a higher risk of dehydration. Also, anyone fighting off an illness that causes diarrhea, vomiting, or a fever will need to drink more fluids. Those who do strenuous exercise or physical labor during hot days may also have a higher risk for dehydration if they are not drinking enough water. Dehydration can cause cloudy urine in some people, as well as other symptoms, including: dark yellow or orange urine fatigue confusion or difficulty concentrating dizziness dry mouth and a feeling of intense thirst dry eyes […]
13February
2019
Eating more fruit is an excellent way to improve overall health and reduce the risk of disease. Fruits are an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals, and they are high in fiber. Fruits also provide a wide range of health-boosting antioxidants, including flavonoids. Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables can reduce a person’s risk of developing heart disease, cancer, inflammation, and diabetes. Citrus fruits and berries may be especially powerful for preventing disease. A 2014 study ranked “powerhouse” fruit and vegetables by high nutrient density and low calories. Lemons came out top of the list, followed by strawberry, orange, lime, and pink and red grapefruit. In this article, we look at the nutrition and the many and varied health benefits of these and other fruits you can find in the supermarket. 1. Lemons Lemons contain vitamin C and other antioxidants that benefit health. Lemons are a citrus fruit that people often use in traditional remedies because of their health benefits. Like other citrus fruits, they contain vitamin C and other antioxidants. Antioxidants are essential for human health. These compounds mop up free radicals in the body that can damage the body’s cells and lead to diseases, such […]
13February
2019
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder, and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders currently lists five types: bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymic disorder, other specified bipolar and related disorders, and unspecified bipolar and related disorders. In the United States, about 4.4 percent of adults experience bipolar disorder at some point. People with bipolar disorder tend to have moods marked by highs and lows, or periods of mania and depression. The duration and intensity of these episodes enable health professionals to determine which subtype of bipolar disorder a person has. Types of bipolar disorder A medical professional can diagnose the type of bipolar a person may have. The categories include: Bipolar I disorder: This involves manic episodes lasting 7 days or more, or severe mania that requires hospitalization. The person may also experience a major depressive episode that lasts 2 weeks or more. A person does not have to experience this type of episode to receive a bipolar I diagnosis. Bipolar II disorder: This features both mania and depression, but the mania is less severe than in bipolar I, and doctors call it hypomania. A person with bipolar II may experience a major depressive episode preceding or following a […]
13February
2019
Fever-like symptoms and inflammation around a cesarean delivery, or C-section, wound could be signs of infection. Keeping the wound clean and in a sterile environment can help reduce the risk of infection. Infections following a cesarean delivery, which some people call a C-section, are common. They occur in around 2–15 percent of all C-section surgeries. The wound coming into contact with bacteria or other harmful microbes is a common cause of these infections. Different causes can lead to different types of infection, such as cellulitis or urinary tract infections. This article will discuss signs of C-section wound infections, as well as some prevention tips. Signs Although wound infection is common, there are ways to help prevent infection following a C-section. After a C-section, it is normal to experience some swelling, redness, and pain around the wound. In some cases, clear fluid may also seep out of the wound. However, with wound infections, these symptoms increase in intensity. Signs and symptoms to look out for include: abnormal swelling, redness, and pain around the wound clear or discolored fluid coming from the wound abnormal vaginal bleeding pain or swelling in the legs abdominal discomfort These symptoms may occur with fever-like symptoms such […]
13February
2019
An international team of scientists has uncovered molecular evidence of how exercise benefits metabolism and health through its effect on fat. The evidence reveals that fat plays an active role in the process. New research offers a molecular explanation of why exercise has a positive effect on metabolism. The finding follows earlier work in which the researchers were the first to show that exercise prompts fat tissue to release molecules that regulate metabolism. Now, in a new paper that appears in the journal Nature Metabolism, they describe how they identified one of these molecules and investigated its activity. The molecule is a protein called transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGF-beta 2) and the study concerns its effects on glucose and fatty acid metabolism. Using mice, the researchers demonstrated that exercise stimulated fat cells to release TGF-beta 2, which improved glucose tolerance. In addition, treating sedentary mice with TGF-beta 2 reversed “the detrimental metabolic effects of high-fat feeding” in the animals. “The fact,” says corresponding study author Laurie J. Goodyear, Ph.D., a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA, “that a single protein has such important and dramatic effects was quite impressive.” Adipokine improves glucose tolerance TGF-beta 2 […]
13February
2019
The symptoms of many conditions include difficulty breathing, which can be mild or severe. A person who is having difficulty breathing feels short of breath, has trouble inhaling or exhaling, or feels as though they cannot get enough oxygen. Very often, people experience trouble breathing after exercising or when they feel anxious. In some cases, breathing difficulties can signal a medical condition, so it is essential to work out the cause. In this article, we look at the possible reasons why people might experience difficulty breathing. We also cover the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of this symptom. Colds or flu Inflamed airways and a stuffy nose can make breathing more difficult. People with a common cold or the flu may have difficulty breathing. These illnesses cause the following symptoms, which can make breathing more difficult: When a cold, flu, or chest infection is the cause of breathing difficulties, the symptoms should clear up when the illness resolves. Learn how to ease the symptoms of a cold here. Anxiety Anxiety can cause physical symptoms, including shortness of breath or breathing difficulties. A person’s breath is likely to return to normal once their anxiety eases. Other symptoms of anxiety include: feeling nervous […]
13February
2019
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint that connects the upper arm bone to the shoulder blade. Four muscles attach to the bones of the shoulder joint, and these form the rotator cuff. Performing certain rotator cuff exercises can help prevent injury to this part of the body. The rotator cuff has many functions. The muscles do the following: center the upper arm bone in the socket of the shoulder joint and hold it there power arm and shoulder movements The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body. It is possible to misuse or overuse the joint, which makes it very easy to injure the rotator cuff and other parts of the shoulder. People can help prevent injuries by doing exercises to keep the rotator cuff muscles strong and flexible. Rotator cuff injuries Some sports, such as tennis or baseball, can cause rotator cuff injuries. Most rotator cuff injuries are overuse injuries from repetitive overhead motions. People who are prone to rotator cuff injuries include athletes who play baseball or tennis and people with jobs, such as house painting or construction, that require repetitive overhead motions. Rotator cuff overuse often leads to rotator cuff impingement, which is the pinching […]
13February
2019
According to a recent study, the so-called Western diet could help explain why sepsis affects some people more severely than others. According to the CDC, 1 in 3 people who die in the hospital has sepsis. Sepsis, although not a household name, is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. This life-threatening condition is a complication that arises from an infection. Sepsis, which people colloquially refer to as blood poisoning, occurs when the body’s immune response begins to damage organs and tissues. Without treatment, blood pressure can become fatally low, which doctors describe as septic shock. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1.7 million adults in the U.S. develop sepsis each year, and approximately 270,000 of them die. In fact, 1 in 3 people who die in the hospital has sepsis. There are still many unanswered questions about sepsis. For instance, experts do not know why sepsis occurs in some people and not others. It is also difficult to predict who will develop the most severe cases. There is some evidence that sepsis is becoming more common too. This may be partly due to the aging population as people aged 65 years […]
13February
2019
A new phase I/II open-label, dose-escalation trial has recently tested the effectiveness of a “Trojan horse” drug in treating multiple types of otherwise treatment-resistant cancer in its late stages. A new clinical trial assesses the safety and effectiveness of an innovative drug against multiple cancers at an advanced stage. Recently, a team of experts from The Institute of Cancer Research in London and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust — both in the United Kingdom — has conducted a phase I/II clinical trial of a newly developed anticancer drug called tisotumab vedotin (TV). To make the novel compound, scientists attached a toxic substance to an antibody that targets the “tissue factor” receptor, a protein that is abundant on the surface of numerous cancer cells and the presence of which predicts poor survival rates. TV acts by concealing the toxic agent to allow it to enter cancer cells and then releasing the substance within these cells. “What is so exciting about this treatment is that its mechanism of action is completely novel — it acts like a Trojan horse to sneak into cancer cells and kill them from the inside. Our early study shows that it has the potential to treat […]
13February
2019
Latest Cancer News TUESDAY, Feb. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Recent increases in vocal cord cancers among younger, nonsmoking Americans may be explained by the spread of human papilloma virus (HPV), researchers report. “Over the past 150 years, vocal cord, or glottic cancer, has been almost exclusively a disease associated with smoking and almost entirely seen in patients over 40 years old,” explained study senior author Dr. Steven Zeitels. He directs the Division of Laryngeal Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. “Today, nonsmokers are approaching 50 percent of glottic cancer patients, and it is common for them to be diagnosed under the age of 40,” Zeitels said in a hospital news release. “This epidemiologic transformation of vocal cord cancer is a significant public health issue.” In the study, the researchers examined the records of 353 patients treated for vocal cord cancer at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) between July 1990 and June 2018. None of the 112 patients treated from 1990 to mid-2004 were 30 or younger, but 11 of the 241 patients treated from 2004 to 2018 were 30 or younger, including three who were aged 10 to 19. Only three of […]
13February
2019
What are the treatments for esophageal cancer? The approach to cancer treatment is individualized to each patient’s situation. Recommended treatments depend on the stage and health of the patient. A team of physicians will help decide with the patient and family what might be the best approach to their specific situation. These providers may include specialists in medical oncology, radiation oncology, and surgery, in addition to the patient’s primary care provider. Esophageal cancer is often found in older patients who have other underlying illnesses that complicate treatment. Esophageal cancer is usually diagnosed late in the course of the disease because symptoms often occur only after a tumor has grown and potentially spread. Most often, if the patient can tolerate it, treatment consists of a combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network maintains up-to-date guidelines based upon ongoing clinical trials that allow cancer specialists to offer treatment advice to patients and family. Surgery The decision to undergo surgery and the type of surgery that might be appropriate depends upon the type of esophageal carcinoma (squamous cell or adenocarcinoma), its staging, and the underlying health of the patient. Some patients are high-risk for surgery and anesthesia because […]
13February
2019
By Len CanterHealthDay Reporter Latest Sexual Health News WEDNESDAY, Feb. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Many drugs — both prescription and over-the-counter — can cause side effects like dizziness or upset stomach. But some can affect you in surprising ways, like causing problems with your sex life. Sexual side effects are wide-ranging. You might lose interest in sex, have difficulty becoming aroused or achieving orgasm. Or, if you’re a woman, you may experience pain because of vaginal dryness. Men can have trouble getting or keeping an erection. Some over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants, and even nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can cause erectile dysfunction or problems with ejaculation. In terms of prescription medications, the many categories of antidepressants and other mental health drugs, like antipsychotics, can cause any and all types of sexual problems, not just erectile dysfunction. Other Suspect Drugs If you’re experiencing sexual issues that aren’t directly connected to a health problem and think a drug may be the culprit, review medications with your doctor, especially if the sexual problems coincided with the start of a new drug regimen. You may feel embarrassed, but keep in mind that this is a situation your doctor has certainly addressed before and he […]
13February
2019
(HealthDay News) — When a person truly needs an antibiotic, the benefits of taking one outweigh the risks of side effects and antibiotic resistance, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Latest Prevention & Wellness News But is an antibiotic always needed? The CDC offers this information: Antibiotics are not effective on viruses, such as a cold or the flu. An antibiotic will only treat an infection that’s bacterial, not viral or fungal. If an antibiotic is overprescribed or prescribed for an illness that is not bacterial, it raises the risk of producing antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This occurs when bacteria mutate to become immune to an antibiotic’s bacteria-killing effects. Never stop taking an antibiotic just because you’re feeling better. The infection you’re trying to eliminate may not be altogether gone, creating the potential for re-development of the infection that could be resistant to the antibiotic you’ve been taking. Antibiotics also can have side effects, such as dizziness, nausea, diarrhea and yeast infections. Copyright © 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
13February
2019
Women at risk for depression during and after pregnancy should receive certain types of counseling in order to prevent it, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says. Latest Pregnancy News In a recommendation published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the task force said its review of available evidence showed that women who received one of two forms of counseling were 39 percent less likely than those who didn’t to develop perinatal depression, The New York Times reported. One type is cognitive behavioral therapy that helps women manage their feelings and expectations to create healthy, supportive settings for their children. The other type is interpersonal therapy that includes coping skills and role-playing exercises to help deal with stress and relationship conflicts. The government panel of health experts gave this recommendation a “B” rating, meaning that under the Affordable Care Act, this counseling should be covered without co-payments, The Times reported. Perinatal depression is the most common complication of pregnancy, estimated to affect between 180,000 and 800,000 American mothers each year and up to 13 percent of women worldwide. This is the first time that any method has been scientifically recommended to prevent perinatal depression, which occurs in as […]
