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Latest News Regarding Your Health
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A group of researchers has brought the idea of food as a medicine one step closer. They have identified certain common foodstuffs that alter our microbiome. In science today, food and gut bacteria are two topics that are guaranteed to fuel interest and debate. Both, of course, are interrelated, and a new study focuses on some subtleties of this relationship. The lack of a healthy population of gut bacteria compromises our health; the same is true when we do not eat a healthful diet. However, scientists do not entirely understand the exact impact of specific foods on gut bacteria. This knowledge gap is due, in part, to the unbelievable complexity of the microbiome. One factor that muddies the water is bacteriophages, or phages for short. The phage Phages are viruses that only attack bacteria. Within the gut, these viruses outnumber the dizzyingly numerous gut bacteria. Each phage only attacks a specific type of bacterium, meaning that it can influence levels of gut bacteria. Phages need bacteria to live, so if bacteria are absent, the phages cannot survive. This means that any foods that influence phages can influence gut bacteria and vice versa. For example, if the population of one type […]
New research in pigs finds that sugar intake alters the reward-processing circuitry of the brain in a similar way to addictive drugs. Whenever we learn something new or experience something pleasurable, our brain’s reward system becomes activated. With the help of natural brain chemicals, several brain areas communicate with each other to help us learn and repeat behaviors that improve our knowledge and well-being. Relying heavily on the neurotransmitter dopamine, the reward system helps explain several quintessential human experiences, such as falling in love, sexual pleasure, and enjoying time with friends. However, certain substances, such as drugs, hijack the brain’s reward system, “artificially” activating it. Telling the brain to repeat pleasure-seeking behavior constantly is the mechanism behind addiction. But is sugar such a substance? And if so, does it help explain sugary food cravings? A United States scientist named Theron Randolph coined the term “food addiction” in the 1950s to describe the compulsive consumption of certain foods, such as milk, eggs, and potatoes. Since then, the studies exploring this concept have yielded mixed results, and some experts argue that speaking of food addiction is a bit of a stretch. New research helps shed some light on the matter, as Michael […]
Molly, which is another name for the drug MDMA, typically stays in a person’s system for several days. The exact length of time depends on several factors, including the person’s metabolism and the amount of the drug they have taken. Different drug tests have different detection periods. Some tests can detect molly for only a day or two after a person has taken the drug. Others can detect the drug after several months. Read on to learn more about drug testing, how molly works, and how long it takes for the body to metabolize it. Share on PinterestIncreased heart rate, sweating, and blurred vision are possible side effects of molly. Molly quickly enters the bloodstream. Although the effects may wear off within a few hours, traces of the drug can remain in the body for several days. It is difficult to determine exactly how long molly will stay in a person’s system. It depends on many factors, including: the amount they took the time of their last dose their overall health the rate of their metabolism whether or not they are taking any medications when they last ate a meal the purity of the drug According to some research, molly […]
Adnexal masses are lumps that occur in the adnexa of the uterus, which includes the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. They have several possible causes, which can be gynecological or nongynecological. An adnexal mass could be: A family doctor can usually manage benign masses. However, prepubescent and postmenopausal individuals will need to see a gynecologist or oncologist. Malignant adnexal masses require treatment from a specialist. In this article, we discuss the characteristics of adnexal masses. We also review how doctors diagnose and treat adnexal them. People report different symptoms, depending on the cause of the adnexal mass. People with an adnexal mass may report: severe lower abdominal or pelvic pain that is usually on one side abnormal bleeding from the uterus pain during sexual intercourse worsening pain during a period painful periods abnormally heavy bleeding during periods abdominal symptoms, including a feeling of fullness, bloating, constipation, difficulty eating, increased abdominal size, indigestion, nausea, and vomiting urinary urgency, frequency, or incontinence weight loss lack of energy fatigue fever vaginal discharge Different causes of adnexal masses may have similar symptoms, so doctors usually conduct further investigations to determine the exact cause. Once the doctor has worked out the cause of the adnexal […]
Over the years, people have tried many different methods to help induce labor naturally, from eating spicy food to bouncing on an exercise ball. Some people may be tempted to try castor oil as a means to help induce labor. Those who consider using castor oil to induce labor should try to find out about its effectiveness, particularly the safety issues associated with its use for this purpose, before they try it. This is because there are significant dangers. Keep reading for more information on the risks and dangers of using castor oil to induce labor, whether or not inducing labor is a good idea, and some other ways that may help those who wish to do so. Share on PinterestDehydration, diarrhea, and cramping in the stomach area are some possible side effects of taking castor oil. Castor oil is an extract from Ricinus communis. R. communis is native to southern Asia. For centuries, people have used castor oil for various ailments, though most applications only have the support of anecdotal evidence. Few scientific studies have addressed the effectiveness of castor oil in treating health conditions. Castor oil is a common ingredient in soaps, coatings, lubricants, and other commercial products. […]
The following are some potential causes of dry mouth at night. Natural variation in saliva production According to an article in the journal Compendium, a person’s salivary glands typically produce less saliva at night. As a result, some people may notice that their mouths feel drier in the evening. Treatment: A doctor may prescribe special mouthwashes that can moisten the mouth and reduce sensations of dry mouth before bedtime. People should also consider keeping a glass of water by their bedside. If a person wakes up with a dry mouth, drinking some water will help moisten the mouth. Dehydration According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, an estimated 20% of older adults struggle with dry mouth. In older adults, this condition usually occurs as a result of dehydration or as a side effect of certain medications. Older adults who wear dentures may find that they no longer fit properly as a result of dry mouth. Without adequate saliva, dentures can rub against the gums, causing sore spots. Treatment: A person who experiences dry mouth should visit their doctor or dentist who will help determine the cause of the condition. If dry mouth is due to the medications a person is taking, […]
Many people believe that eye exercises can help improve vision or treat eye conditions. Although there is limited evidence to suggest that eye exercises can actually enhance vision, eye exercises can help with eye strain, certain eye conditions, and overall well-being. Eye exercises can be particularly helpful for people who experience digital eye strain, which is related to the prolonged use of computers. Read on to learn about seven eye exercises. Share on PinterestLooking away from a computer screen every 20 minutes may help people with digital eye strain. Eye exercises can be helpful for the following conditions: nystagmus, which is an eye movement condition strabismus, which is also an eye movement condition amblyopia myopia visual field defects dyslexia vergence problems ocular motility conditions accommodative dysfunction asthenopia convergence insufficiency visual field deficits following brain injury motion sickness learning difficulties It is important to note that people with eye conditions such as retinopathy, cataracts, or glaucoma are unlikely to benefit from trying the eye exercises below. The following are seven eye exercises that people may wish to try for the conditions listed above: 1. The 20-20-20 rule Digital eye strain can become a problem for people who need to focus on […]
Gut bacteria produce an appetite suppressant than can strengthen the effect of an exercise-based weight loss program. Share on PinterestA supplement may boost the fat-burning effects of exercise long after it has finished. The many health benefits of regular exercise are well known. However, its impact on weight loss is less clear, as exercise increases appetite, potentially resulting in an increased calorie intake. A new study appearing in the journal Metabolism presents a possible solution. The research comes from the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, the Universities of Glasgow and the West of Scotland, and Imperial College in London, all of which are in the United Kingdom. It suggests that adding a certain appetite-suppressing supplement to moderate exercise increases the likelihood of weight loss, even without a change of diet. The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council provided funding for this research. A fascinating supplement The study explored a supplement called inulin-propionate ester (IPE). Propionate is a short-chain fatty acid produced in the digestion of dietary fiber by gut microbes. It is a natural and effective appetite suppressor. Propionate breaks down quickly in the body, so to strengthen its effect, scientists have chemically bound it to inulin. This is a […]
Global health policymakers have announced that they are investigating the emergence of a new virus — one very similar to the dangerous severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus — in Thailand and Japan, hinting at worries that it could spread farther. Share on PinterestCases of a new SARS-like virus have emerged in China and now in Thailand and Japan. SARS is part of the coronavirus family, which encompasses a range of airborne viruses. These can cause infections of varying degrees of severity. In the case of SARS, the first symptom is a high fever and sometimes coughing. A person with the infection usually develops pneumonia, which can become life threatening. A SARS epidemic in 2002–2003 affected people in as many as 26 countries, and most cases occurred in mainland China and Hong Kong. In mainland China, the SARS virus infected more than 5,300 people and led to the death of 349, while in Hong Kong it affected 1,750 people and resulted in the death of 286 individuals. After 2003, the SARS virus dropped off the radar, for the most part. However, in December 2019, Chinese authorities reported the emergence of a series of new coronavirus infections. According to information available […]
A recent literature review investigates whether turmeric may be useful for treating cancer. The authors conclude that it might be but note that there are many challenges to overcome before it makes it to the clinic. Turmeric is a member of the ginger family. Native to India and Southeast Asia, people have used turmeric root to flavor their food for thousands of years. Historically, people associated turmeric with healing properties. Even now, some hail turmeric as a panacea for all ills. Recently, its popularity has surged, as evidenced by the recent turmeric latte fad. However, as with many things in life, the reality rarely matches the hype. The chemical in turmeric that most interests medical researchers is a polyphenol called diferuloylmethane, which is more commonly called curcumin. Most of the research into turmeric’s potential powers has focused on this chemical. Turmeric as a healer? Over the years, researchers have pitted curcumin against a number of symptoms and conditions, including inflammation, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, liver disease, obesity, and neurodegenerative diseases, with varying levels of success. Above all, though, scientists have focused on cancer. According to the authors of the recent review, of the 12,595 papers that researchers published on curcumin between […]
Latest Senior Health News THURSDAY, Jan. 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Providing palliative care in hospitals led to a 10% reduction in intensive care unit use by dying patients, a new study finds. Palliative care aims to provide relief from symptoms and stress of a serious illness. Researchers say that ICU use at the end of life is considered an indicator of poor quality of care. The study’s findings suggest that “implementing palliative care programs may be a way to improve the quality of end-of-life care for some patients who die in the hospital,” said study lead author Dr. May Hua. She’s an assistant professor of anesthesiology at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York City. Hua and her colleagues noted that just a 4% decrease in end-of-life ICU use would translate to savings of about $265 million per year in the United States. For the study, the researchers analyzed data from 51 hospitals in New York state that either did (24) or did not (27) implement a palliative care program between 2008 and 2014. Many of those that did were teaching and large hospitals. The analysis did not include hospitals in the state that consistently offered […]
Latest Mental Health News By E.J. MundellHealthDay Reporter THURSDAY, Jan. 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — While the frequency at which Americans binge drink has declined slightly over the past decade, the number of drinks they imbibe during a binge is rising to dangerous levels, new research shows. In the new study, binge drinking was defined as five or more drinks on one occasion by men or four or more drinks for women. Between 2011 and 2017, the percentage of Americans who said they had engaged in binge drinking over the past month fell from 18.9% to 18%, according to a team led by Dafna Kanny of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But when Americans do decide to get “hammered,” they are going at it much harder than in years past, the study team found. Adding up all the drinks consumed during the average binge over the course of a year, the researchers found that, “from 2011 to 2017, the total number of binge drinks consumed by U.S. adults who reported binge drinking increased significantly, from 472 to 529.” That’s a 12% jump in the “intensity” of the average binge. Most of this increase occurred among Americans aged […]
Latest Healthy Kids News FRIDAY, Jan. 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Are college students choosing marijuana instead of booze when both are legal? New research suggests they are: In states where pot is legal, college kids use it more, but binge-drink less. In states with legal marijuana, college students were 18% more likely to use it in the past month than in states where it’s illegal, Oregon State University researchers report. From 2012 to 2018, the rate of pot users rose from 14% to 17% in states where it was illegal and from 21% to 34% in the states where it was legal. Using the National College Health Assessment survey from 2008 to 2018, researchers examined data on more than 850,000 students from 135 colleges in seven states where marijuana was legalized in 2018 and 454 colleges in 41 states where it was not. They found that older students, ages 21 to 26, were 23% more likely to use marijuana than their peers in states where pot wasn’t legal. The effect was also stronger among women and students living off-campus. That might be because schools honor federal drug laws that classify marijuana as an illegal drug. The team’s report was […]
Latest Infectious Disease News FRIDAY, Jan. 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Sepsis kills more than twice as many people worldwide as once believed, and children in poor regions account for an excessive number of such deaths, researchers say. Sepsis is an out-of-control immune response to infection that harms organs. People who survive sepsis can have lifelong disabilities. In 2017, there were 48.9 million cases of sepsis and 11 million sepsis deaths worldwide — that’s one in five deaths that year. “We are alarmed to find sepsis deaths are much higher than previously estimated, especially as the condition is both preventable and treatable,” said senior author Dr. Mohsen Naghavi, a professor of health metrics sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. Low- and middle-income countries had 85% of the cases, with the most in sub-Saharan Africa, the South Pacific islands near Australia, and South, East and Southeast Asia, the study found. Sepsis was more prevalent among females than males, and more than 40% of cases occurred in children under age 5, the researchers reported. From 1990 to 2017, the number of cases fell from 60 million to about 49 million (down 19%), and sepsis deaths fell from […]
Latest Infectious Disease News Q Fever? A Bigger Threat to Humans Than Thought Salmonella Outbreaks Linked to Backyard Poultry Lyme Disease Now a Threat in City Parks Anthrax Is a Risk on Every Continent Parents Protect Your Child During Measles Outbreak Want More News? Sign Up for MedicineNet Newsletters! (HealthDay News) — Food poisoning symptoms can range in severity depending on the type of germ swallowed, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. After consuming contaminated food, it can take hours or days to have symptoms. The CDC mentions these common signs of food poisoning: Upset stomach. Stomach cramps. Nausea. Vomiting. Diarrhea. Fever. If you have bloody stools, high fever, frequent vomiting or diarrhea that lasts more than three days, the CDC says you should get prompt medical attention. Copyright © 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved. SLIDESHOW Bacterial Infections 101: Types, Symptoms, and Treatments See Slideshow
Latest Infectious Disease News (HealthDay News) — Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that often occurs in people who wear damp socks or tight shoes, says Mayo Clinic. The infection is contagious and is spread by contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces. To help prevent athlete’s foot, the clinic suggests: Keep your feet dry, especially between your toes. Change socks regularly. Wear light, well-ventilated shoes. Alternate pairs of shoes. Protect your feet in public places. Treat your feet with antifungal powder. Don’t share shoes. Copyright © 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved. SLIDESHOW Bacterial Infections 101: Types, Symptoms, and Treatments See Slideshow
Latest Infectious Disease News THURSDAY, Jan. 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Mosquitoes that can’t be infected by or spread dengue virus have been created by scientists. The researchers genetically engineered the mosquitoes to be resistant to all four types of dengue, a mosquito-borne virus that’s a significant global health threat. This is the first time that mosquitoes have been genetically engineered to be resistant to all types of dengue, which could significantly improve control of the disease, the scientists added. The team reported that it may be possible to create wild populations with such genetically modified mosquitoes that would be completely resistant to dengue. The findings were published online Jan. 16 in the journal PLOS Pathogens. “The most important aspect of this study is the fact that we engineered mosquitoes to be refractory to all major serotypes of dengue virus. This may serve as a genetic tool to control dengue in the wild in the future,” researcher Omar Akbari, from the University of California, San Diego, said in a journal news release. According to the World Health Organization, the global incidence of dengue has grown dramatically in recent decades. About half of the world’s population is now at risk. There […]
12 Common Childhood Skin Disorders Impetigo can be confused with other skin infections, including cellulitis (a deeper infection) and even ringworm. Causes of common childhood skin disorders include: Impetigo Ringworm Chickenpox Contact dermatitis Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease (coxsackievirus) Scarlet fever Fifth disease Sixth disease (roseola) Click to read the full 12 common childhood skin disorders with pictures » Source: iStock What is impetigo? Who gets it and how (causes) it? Impetigo (pronounced im-puh-TIE-go) is a contagious, superficial infection of the skin caused by Staphylococcus (staph) and Streptococcus (strep) bacteria. Impetigo is more common in children (especially 2- to 5-year-olds) than in adults. Impetigo is most likely to occur in warm and humid environments and is most commonly spread by close contact (such as between family members). Many years ago the formal name for this disease was “impetigo contageosum.” A rarely used ecthyma is the term for a rash similar to impetigo, but the infection penetrates the skin more deeply. (Its therapy is similar to impetigo.) Is impetigo contagious? Impetigo is generally thought to be contagious during the first 24 hours of appropriate antibiotic therapy. If impetigo is caused by streptococci bacteria it iscontagious for about one to three days. If impetigo is […]
Latest Heart News FRIDAY, Jan. 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Since the 1970s, serious heart disease among childhood cancer survivors had declined remarkably, a new study finds. The decline suggests that efforts to make cancer treatments, including radiation, less toxic are paying off, researchers say. For the study, researchers led by Dr. Daniel Mulrooney, from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., collected data on more than 23,000 U.S. adults included in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study who had survived the most common childhood cancers. Specifically, the team members looked at heart failure, coronary artery disease, heart valve defects, damage to the heart tissue lining and heart rhythm problems. They also took into account risks for heart disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, smoking, exercise and weight. From the 1970s to the 1990s, doses of chemotherapy drugs decreased, as did the doses of radiation. Exposure to cardiac radiation dropped from 77% of survivors treated in the 1970s to 40% treated in the 1990s, the researchers noted. They found that the risk for coronary artery disease dropped from 0.38% in the 1970s to 0.24% in the 1980s and 0.19% in the 1990s. The decreases were mostly […]
Latest Heart News (HealthDay News) — Compression stockings gently squeeze the legs to help improve blood flow, says MedlinePlus. This can prevent leg swelling, aching and, possibly, blood clots. If compression stockings are difficult to put on, MedlinePlus suggests: Apply lotion on the legs. Let the lotion dry before putting on stockings. Use baby powder or cornstarch on the legs. Adjust and smooth out the stockings with rubber dishwashing gloves. Use a stocking donner to slide the stocking over each foot. Copyright © 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved. SLIDESHOW Anemia Symptoms and Signs, Types, Treatment and Causes See Slideshow
Latest Heart News THURSDAY, Jan. 16, 2020 (American Heart Association News) — Britt Spivey knew something was wrong when his pregnant wife showed up at his work following what was supposed to be a routine doctor visit. Autumn started to cry and told him their unborn child had a heart defect. They needed to go to Texas Children’s Hospital in nearby Houston. There, a more detailed scan showed the gravity of the situation. Normally, a heart has two collecting chambers and two pumping chambers. Images showed their daughter, Halle, would be born with only one good pumping chamber. She also had a very small aorta that carried blood out to the body. She would need three surgeries over four years, and they would begin shortly after birth. “I just wanted to know, ‘Is my baby going to be OK?’” Britt said. Anatomy had been one of Autumn’s favorite subjects in high school and college, so she dug into the details and researched what lie ahead. When Halle arrived, she was full term and looked like a healthy newborn. The couple got to take a few pictures before the medical staff whisked her off to the ICU. At 3 days old, […]
Latest Exercise & Fitness News THURSDAY, Jan. 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Uncle Sam has a message for sluggish Americans: Get moving now. More than 15% of American adults are physically inactive, a new U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study reports. And all that time on the couch or staring into a computer screen adds to the risk of health problems and premature death. “Too many adults are inactive, and they may not know how much it affects their health,” said Dr. Ruth Petersen, director of the CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity. The CDC defined inactivity as doing no leisure-time physical activities in the past month — such as running, walking for exercise or gardening. “Being physically active helps you sleep better, feel better and reduce your risk of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers,” Petersen said in a CDC news release. Her comments came as the agency unveiled new estimates of physical inactivity across states and U.S. territories. Estimates ranged from 47.7% in Puerto Rico to 17.3% in Colorado. Rates in seven states and two territories (Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Puerto Rico and Guam) were 30% or higher. […]
Latest Digestion News By Amy NortonHealthDay Reporter THURSDAY, Jan. 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Many of the donor kidneys that are discarded each year in the United States could instead be effectively transplanted, a large new study suggests. At issue are kidneys from deceased donors that are acutely injured. Right now in the United States, about 30% of those organs are discarded, rather than being given to patients on transplant waitlists. But the new study found that donor kidneys with signs of acute injury were no more likely to fail than non-injured kidneys from similar donors. The findings, recently published online in JAMA Network Open, are based on more than 25,000 U.S. patients who received donor kidneys between 2010 and 2013. “This is the strongest piece of evidence to date that these [acutely injured] kidneys do just fine,” said senior researcher Dr. Chirag Parikh, director of nephrology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in Baltimore. “Acute injury” may sound like an ominous problem. But in the context of organ donation, it is usually a manageable issue, Parikh said. Often, deceased donors are relatively young people who were treated in the intensive care unit for severe injuries. Their kidney function […]
Latest Diet & Weight Management News By Amy NortonHealthDay Reporter THURSDAY, Jan. 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — If you want to slow down the aging process, it might not hurt to replace whole milk with skim, new research suggests. The study of over 5,800 U.S. adults found that those who regularly indulged in higher-fat milk had shorter telomeres in their cells — a sign of accelerated “biological aging.” The findings do not prove that milk fat, per se, hastens aging, stressed researcher Larry Tucker, a professor of exercise sciences at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. But the study does lend support to what U.S. dietary guidelines suggest for adults: If you’re going to drink cow’s milk, opt for low-fat or skim, Tucker said. Telomeres are bits of DNA that sit at the tips of your chromosomes — like the plastic caps at the ends of a shoelace. In essence, they help keep the chromosomes from fraying and sticking together. As people age, their telomeres gradually get shorter, and research has linked shorter telomere length to a higher risk of developing and dying from infections, cancer and heart disease. “A variety of lifestyle factors are also related to telomere length,” […]
Latest Diet & Weight Management News THURSDAY, Jan. 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The prescription weight control medicine lorcaserin (Belviq, Belviq XR) may increase the risk of cancer, according to the results of a clinical trial assessing the safety of the drug, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. The agency said “we cannot conclude that lorcaserin contributes to the cancer risk,” but “wanted to make the public aware of this potential risk. We are continuing to evaluate the clinical trial results and will communicate our final conclusions and recommendations when we have completed our review.” Health care providers should weigh the benefits of taking lorcaserin against the potential risks when deciding whether to prescribe or continue patients on the medication, the FDA advised. It said that patients currently taking lorcaserin should talk to their health care professionals about the potential increased risk of cancer with use of the medication. Lorcaserin is approved for use with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity to help weight loss in adults who are obese or are overweight and have weight-related medical problems. Lorcaserin increases feelings of fullness so that people eat less. It’s available as a tablet (Belviq) and an extended-release tablet […]
Latest Cold and Flu News THURSDAY, Jan. 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Millennials are less likely to have had a flu shot this season and are more likely than other American adults to agree with some false anti-vaccination information, according to a new nationwide survey. The results also showed that nearly one-third of adults polled don’t plan to get a flu shot and many underestimate how deadly flu can be. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)-commissioned survey of U.S. adults aged 25 to 73 found that 51% haven’t had a flu shot this season, and 32% don’t plan to get one. When asked a series of factual questions about the flu, 82% answered at least one wrong, and 28% got all of them wrong. “It is very alarming to see how people are being influenced by the anti-vax movement,” Dr. Alexa Mieses, a family physician in Durham, N.C., said in an AAFP news release. Millennials — the nation’s largest demographic group, ages 24 to 39 — were least likely to have had a flu shot this season (55%), according to the survey. Of those, 33% don’t plan to get one. Misinformation about vaccinations may be a factor. About 61% […]
Latest Cold and Flu News THURSDAY, Jan. 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A rising employment rate in the United States could have an unexpected consequence — greater spread of the flu, an expert says. Each 1-percentage point increase in the employment rate correlates with a 16% rise in flu-related doctors’ visits, according to Erik Nesson, associate professor of economics, Ball State University in Indiana, CBS News reported. The rising employment rate combined with a severe 2019-2020 flu season could convince employers to loosen their sick day policies, Nesson said in a statement this week. “Since a person may be infectious while experiencing mild symptoms, this greatly increases the probability that the virus will spread to other workers in the firm,” he said. “This implies that firms should consider more generous sick day policies, particularly during the flu season.” His study was published last year in the journal Economics & Human Biology. The U.S. November employment rate was 71.7%, just below the pre-recession high of slightly more than 72%, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, CBS News reported. Flu activity is high in the U.S., with at least 9.7 million flu cases, 87,000 hospitalizations and 4,800 deaths from […]
Latest Chronic Pain News By Elizabeth HeubeckHealthDay Reporter THURSDAY, Jan. 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For people with the mysterious chronic pain condition fibromyalgia, researchers say nerve stimulation may offer some relief. In a recent study, use of TENS — transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation — during movement or activity was shown to significantly reduce pain associated with fibromyalgia after just four weeks. Dr. Lesley Arnold, who was not involved with the new study, lauded its outcomes. “The improvements in pain and fatigue were remarkable,” she said. Arnold, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, suggested that the study may help guide physicians in use of TENS for symptom management. TENS uses a battery-operated machine to deliver electrical currents via electrodes attached to the skin. This is believed to activate nerve pathways that inhibit pain. People with fibromyalgia are encouraged to engage in physical activity as a way to manage their symptoms. But, paradoxically, movement can be painful for them. In the study, researchers randomly divided more than 300 women with fibromyalgia into three groups: active TENS; placebo (sham) TENS; or no TENS. Those in the TENS groups were instructed to use the […]
Latest Chronic Pain News THURSDAY, Jan. 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From carpal tunnel to a stiff neck, too much time on the computer can cause a slew of health problems. But what if you ditch the keyboard and mouse for virtual reality? New research from Oregon State University in Corvallis showed that even stepping into virtual reality may be bad for the body. Virtual reality isn’t just for playing games. It’s also used for education and industrial training. In most cases, a headset is worn and users are expected to perform full-body movements. But common virtual reality movements can result in muscle strain and discomfort, the study found. “There are no standards and guidelines for virtual and augmented reality interactions,” said study author Jay Kim, assistant professor in the College of Public Health and Human Sciences. “We wanted to evaluate the effects of the target distances, locations and sizes so we can better design these interfaces to reduce the risk for potential musculoskeletal injuries.” For the study, the researchers placed sensors on participants’ joints and muscles during virtual reality sessions, and asked them to point to specific dots around a circle or to color in an area with their […]
Latest Cancer News By Amy NortonHealthDay Reporter THURSDAY, Jan. 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In another step toward using artificial intelligence in medicine, a new study shows that computers can be trained to match human experts in judging the severity of prostate tumors. Researchers found that their artificial intelligence system was “near perfect” in determining whether prostate tissue contained cancer cells. And it was on par with 23 “world-leading” pathologists in judging the severity of prostate tumors. No one is suggesting computers should replace doctors. But some researchers do think AI technology could improve the accuracy and efficiency of medical diagnoses. Typically, it works like this: Researchers develop an algorithm using “deep learning” — where a computer system mimics the brain’s neural networks. It’s exposed to a large number of images — digital mammograms, for example — and it teaches itself to recognize key features, such as signs of a tumor. Earlier this month, researchers reported on an AI system that appeared to best radiologists in interpreting screening mammograms. Other studies have found that AI can outperform doctors in distinguishing harmless moles from skin cancer, and detecting breast tumor cells in lymph node samples. The new study looked at whether […]
Cannabidiol (CBD) is available in many forms, including oils, tablets, and creams. The ideal dosages vary depending on both its form and usage. There is little research, though, so doctors are not yet able to confirm the safe, beneficial dosages for each use. CBD is an active ingredient in the cannabis plant. Products that contain CBD may provide some health benefits, but they can also pose risks. The CBD market is growing at a fast rate, and the body of research is expanding. However, there is still confusion about the laws, how to use CBD, and its safety and effectiveness. CBD products are legal, though their legal status varies among states. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not control most CBD products. As a result, the quality, amount of CBD per dose, and safety of the products can vary dramatically, and it is difficult to calculate an optimal dosage. This article looks at the dosages of CBD, including the research into which dosages are safe and effective, as well as the possible risks of using CBD products. To date, the FDA have only approved one cannabis-derived product, which is called Epidiolex, and it is only available by prescription. This […]
Ethmoid sinusitis is an inflammation of the ethmoid sinuses, which sit between the eyes. This article provides an overview of the condition.
The main factor that influences a person’s height is their genetic makeup. However, many other factors can influence height during development, including nutrition, hormones, activity levels, and medical conditions. Scientists believe that genetic makeup, or DNA, is responsible for about 80% of a person’s height. This means, for instance, that tall people tend to have children who also grow up to be tall. People usually grow until they reach 18 years of age. Before then, a range of environmental factors can affect how tall they become. This article covers the factors that affect a person’s height, some ways people can increase height during development, and whether or not adults can increase their height. Babies and children grow continuously. This is due to changes in the growth plates in the long bones of their arms and legs. As the growth plates make new bone, the long bones get longer, and the child gets taller. People grow the fastest in the first 9 months of life, before being born. After birth, this slows down. Once a child is 8 years old, they will grow at an average of 2.16 inches (in), or 5.5 centimeters (cm), per year. That said, teenagers will have […]
Blood transfusions work to replace blood that is lost due to injury or surgery. People can also get blood transfusions to treat certain medical conditions. This article will outline what a blood transfusion is, when they are necessary, and what to expect during the procedure. Share on PinterestA person may require a blood transfusion if they have anemia, hemophilia, or cancer. A blood transfusion is a procedure that restores blood to the body. A healthcare professional will pass blood through a rubber tube into a vein using a needle or thin tube. The sections below will cover the different types of blood transfusion procedures available, as well as the different types of blood. Types of blood transfusions According to the American Red Cross, there are four common types of blood transfusions: Red blood cell transfusions: A person may receive a red blood cell transfusion if they have experienced blood loss, if they have anemia (such as iron deficiency anemia), or if they have a blood disorder. Platelet transfusions: A platelet transfusion can help those who have lower platelet counts, such as from chemotherapy or a platelet disorder. Plasma transfusions: Plasma contains proteins important for health. A person may receive a […]
The muscles, ligaments, and tissues of the pelvic floor support the bladder, rectum, and sexual organs. When the supportive structures weaken or become especially tight, doctors describe it as pelvic floor dysfunction. It is a common health issue. When a person has pelvic floor dysfunction, the organs in the pelvis may drop. They often press down on the bladder or rectum, causing a leakage of urine or stool. Or, a person with this condition may have trouble urinating or passing stool. Keep reading to learn more about pelvic floor dysfunction — including the symptoms, treatments, and some exercises that may help. The pelvic floor is made up of muscles, ligaments, and tissues that surround the pelvic bone. The muscles attach to the front, back, and sides of the bone, as well as to the lowest part of the spine, called the sacrum. The function of the pelvic floor is to support the organs in the pelvis, which can include the: bladder rectum urethra uterus vagina prostate People with pelvic floor dysfunction may have weak or especially tight pelvic floor muscles. When the muscles tighten, or spasm, people may have trouble urinating or passing stool. When they weaken, the organs within […]
Certain foods and drinks contain compounds that may improve vaginal health and symptoms of vaginal conditions. These include probiotics, prebiotics, and fermented food and beverages. The vagina uses natural secretions, immune defenses, and “good” bacteria to keep itself healthy. Eating a healthful, balanced diet might also further prevent infections and improve vaginal conditions. This article discusses what little research there is into the effects of diet on vaginal health, looks at dietary choices for common vaginal conditions, and identifies other ways to improve vaginal health. People should speak to a doctor before using diet to address any health concerns. The vagina is a moderately acidic environment with a pH of around 4.5. This acidity helps healthful bacteria to grow and prevents harmful microbes from developing. Some good bacteria, such as probiotics, may help balance vaginal acidity levels. Probiotics Lactobacillus species bacteria is the most dominant type of “good” bacteria found in a healthy vagina. Research has suggested that Lactobacillus could benefit vaginal health in the following ways: regulating the microflora in the vagina improving the vagina’s acidity levels stopping harmful microbes from attaching to the vaginal tissues working with the body’s immune system A 2016 study indicated that using vaginal […]
There are many different types of skin blemish. Some examples include those below. Acne Acne is a skin condition that occurs as a result of the skin producing too much oil. Different factors can cause excess oil production, including: There are several different types of acne, which vary in their appearance. Some examples include: Blackheads Blackheads are small, dark spots on the surface of the skin. They resemble trapped dirt but actually consist of oil that has become stuck inside the pore. When this oil reacts with air, it becomes black. Whiteheads Whiteheads are small, round blemishes that are white or skin-colored. They develop as a result of oil and dead skin cells blocking the pores. Papules Papules are small, hard, red bumps on the skin. These develop when excess oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells travel deeper into the skin, causing inflammation. When lots of papules cluster together, this can give the skin a rough, sandpaper-like texture. Pustules Pustules are raised, red spots that contain yellow or white pus. They occur when oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells collect under the skin, causing infection. Nodules Nodules are large skin blemishes that develop when a pore becomes clogged. Oils mix […]
If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. High blood pressure is a common issue. A person can reduce their blood pressure by following a healthful diet, exercising, and avoiding smoking. Can taking dietary supplements, including vitamins, minerals, or herbs, also help? According to the American Heart Association (AHA), nearly half of all adults in the United States have high blood pressure, also called hypertension. Having hypertension increases a person’s risk of heart failure, heart attacks, and strokes. Leading a healthful lifestyle can reduce blood pressure. This includes eating a healthful, low-salt diet, getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and limiting the intake of alcohol. For some people, doctors also recommend medication that lowers blood pressure. According to some sources, natural treatments and dietary supplements can help reduce hypertension. Do these supplements work, and are they safe? In this article, we investigate the research into supplements for lowering blood pressure, exploring their effectiveness, risks, and alternatives. Share on PinterestA person should talk to their doctor before taking supplements to lower blood pressure. Some evidence suggests that certain supplements could help lower blood pressure. However, most of […]
Reading the news can be stress-inducing at the best of times. When the news is particularly worrying, many of us experience levels of anxiety so high that we can have difficulty coping. So how can we stay (reasonably) anxiety-free when the media bombards us with headlines that spook us? Share on PinterestDoes the news get you down? In this Special Feature, we look at some ways to fight off related anxiety. It may seem as though we have entered an age of bad news. Every day for the past few years, newspapers and news websites have turned out stressful headlines full-blast. There is news about wars and civic unrest, impending ecological disasters, failing economies, and violent, sad local events. And — why not admit it? — though we aim to provide our readers with constructive, actionable content at Medical News Today, we, too, sometimes end up highlighting news that could be stressful. While our intent is positive, to warn our readers about possible health dangers and empower our audience to avoid them, our content may sometimes lead to worry and anxiety. So what can you do if what seems like a constant cycle of negative news throughout every media outlet […]
People may think that valuing happiness leads to a happier life. However, new research has found that wanting to feel happy can also have a negative outcome. Previous studies have concluded that excessively valuing happiness can cause a person to feel less happy. In some cases, it may even be associated with symptoms of depression. Interestingly, there is a theory that this negative relationship only occurs in the Western world — particularly in the United States. However, one 2015 study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found a positive association between happiness value and well-being among Russian and East Asian populations. One reason for this cultural discrepancy could be that Western cultures have a habit of basing their happiness levels on individual achievements, rather than universal goals. Recent research, now appearing in the Journal of Happiness Studies, looked deeper into this relationship. Studying people in the United Kingdom Focusing on the U.K., another Western population, the authors of the new research used two separate studies to investigate potential causes of this negative association. The researchers’ theories ranged from impaired attentional control, which sees people focus heavily on negative emotional events as well as positive ones, to choosing ill-suited emotional regulation […]
A new, largest-of-its-kind study finds more evidence of the genetic underpinnings of schizophrenia. The findings may ultimately lead to the development of new drugs. Share on PinterestResearchers have uncovered a new gene that may explain the onset of schizophrenia. The new study appears in the journal Nature Neuroscience. Elliott Rees, a research fellow at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics at Cardiff University in the United Kingdom, is the first author of the paper. As Rees and his colleagues explain, both common and rare risk genetic variants contribute to the onset of schizophrenia. However, scientists have discovered few of these variants, or alleles — common or rare — in the existing genome-wide association studies. So, the researchers set out to discover rarer genetic variants involved in schizophrenia. With this goal in mind, the team performed exome sequencing — a cutting-edge technique that allows for the rapid sequencing of large chunks of DNA — on 613 schizophrenia genetic trios. A genetic trio refers to two parents and one child. The team looked at de novo variants in this sample of trios — in other words, they looked at the offspring’s new genetic variations that arose from […]
Although scientists continually refine cancer treatments, there is still much room for improvement. A new study, carried out in mice, focuses on salt. The researchers have successfully used sodium chloride nanoparticles to destroy cancer cells. Share on PinterestInjecting salt nanoparticles into mouse tumors restricted their growth significantly. Over the decades, researchers have developed an ever-growing arsenal of drugs to combat cancer. However, many of these drugs are toxic, not only to cancer cells but to healthy tissue. The hunt is still on to find more effective treatments with fewer negative consequences for the rest of the body. Scientists — many from the University of Georgia, in Athens — are looking to sodium chloride, or salt, in nanoparticle form. Sodium chloride is essential for life, but in the wrong place, it can cause cell death. To control this, ion channels on the plasma membranes that surround our cells prevent salt from entering. Maintaining the right balance in the cell between sodium and chloride ions outside and potassium inside drives many processes that help support homeostasis — a consistent cellular environment. Salt as a Trojan horse The authors of the new study, published in the journal Advanced Materials, tested their theory that […]
Latest Cold and Flu News WEDNESDAY, Jan. 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) — An experimental flu vaccine gave mice long-lasting protection against six different flu virus strains, researchers report. The nanoparticle vaccine contains two major influenza proteins — matrix protein 2 ectodomain (M2e), and neuraminidase (NA) — and protected the mice for up to four months. The results suggest that this combination has potential as a universal flu vaccine or component of such vaccines, said researchers at Georgia State University’s Institute for Biomedical Sciences. “This nanoparticle antigen combination conferred mice with strong cross-protection,” said study first author Ye Wang, a biology Ph.D. student at the institute. “It can protect mice from different strains of influenza virus. Each season, we have different flu strains that affect us. By using this approach, we hope this nanoparticle vaccine can protect humans from different strains of influenza virus,” Wang said in a university news release. A universal flu vaccine could prevent flu epidemics and pandemics, and eliminate the need for vaccinations each season, according to the researchers. But animal research doesn’t always pan out in humans. The investigators noted that the flu virus protein M2e is found in all flu virus strains, with each strain […]
Latest Cancer News WEDNESDAY, Jan. 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Surgical removal of the entire tumor may extend the lives of patients with a rare and deadly type of brain cancer called brainstem high-grade gliomas, a new study suggests. Researchers analyzed data from 103 patients in the United States who had either a biopsy (15%) or had surgery to remove part or all of the tumor (85%) between 1973 and 2015. Of those who had surgery, about 19% had total removal of their tumor. Median survival after diagnosis was eight months for those who had biopsy; 11 months with partial tumor removal; and about 16 months for those whose tumor was completely removed. Median means half lived longer, half for a shorter time. Survival among a small number of patients who had total surgical removal and other factors associated with longer survival — such as younger age — was up to four times longer than patients who had only biopsies. The Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center-led study was recently published online in the Journal of Neuro-Oncology. “Knowing what these surgeries can do could help neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists and patients have a better sense of what to expect so we can move […]
When a person makes an appointment to see an eye doctor, they may consult with an ophthalmologist, an optometrist, or an optician. Each type of eye care practitioner will have different levels of training and expertise and be able to provide different services. There are three different types of eye care practitioner: optometrists, opticians, and ophthalmologists. Each has a different level of training and expertise, and each will provide different levels of care. This article reviews the differences between the types of eye care professional. It also discusses the roles of other eye care practitioners, including nurses, medical assistants, and technicians. Optometrists provide primary vision care. Their services range from eyesight testing and correction to diagnosing, treating, and managing changes in vision. A person who is training to become an optometrist will attend optometry school, not medical school. It takes 4 years of postgraduate studies to obtain a doctorate in optometry. The practice of optometry involves: conducting eye exams conducting vision tests prescribing and dispensing corrective lenses detecting certain eye irregularities prescribing medication for certain eye conditions performing specialized surgical procedures providing visual rehabilitation In the United States, each state board of optometry defines the drugs or services that an […]
Lichen planus facts Lichen planus is a chronic recurrent skin disease of unknown cause with no established cure. Lichen planus generally affects adults and can involve any portion of the skin and lining tissue (mucous membranes) of the mouth and/or vagina, but it has a predilection for the wrists, ankles, and oral and genital tissues. Lichen planus is characteristically itchy. Lichen planus may spontaneously resolve. Lichen planus is managed with a variety of topical and oral medications. What is lichen planus? Lichen planus is a chronic recurrent inflammatory disorder of the skin and mucous membranes. It is characterized by small, flat-topped, polygonal bumps that may coalesce into rough, scaly plaques on the skin. There may also be involvement of the lining tissue (mucous membranes) of the mouth and/or vagina. Lichen planus is a poorly understood skin condition. Its name is descriptive in that to some it resembles a simple plant, a lichen, which grows on rocks and tree bark, while planus is Latin for flat. What are causes and risk factors for lichen planus? The cause of lichen planus is unknown. In certain locales, patients with extensive lichen planus seem to be more likely to have a hepatitis C virus […]
Latest Prevention & Wellness News By Serena GordonHealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, Jan. 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Many people turn to the internet with health questions, but how reliable is the information you find? When it comes to probiotics, a new study urges caution. The research found that of 150 websites that came up with a search of probiotics, most were commercial sites, hoping to sell a product. Others were news sites or health portals (providing links to other sites). Many of these sites mentioned potential benefits of probiotics, though not all had scientific evidence to back up those claims. And just 1 in 4 of the websites mentioned any potential side effects from taking probiotics. “This study demonstrates that a number of online claims on the health benefits of probiotics are not supported by scientific evidence,” said study co-author Dr. Michel Goldman, a professor of immunology at the Universite Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium. Probiotics are “good” bacteria found in yogurt and other fermented foods and in dietary supplements, according to the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Some of these bacteria are also found naturally in the human body. They may help digest food, fight germs that […]
Latest Prevention & Wellness News WEDNESDAY, Jan. 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) — If you can’t quite bring yourself to declutter your home and toss out unneeded possessions, one reason why might surprise you. Researchers say the emotional tug you feel might be loneliness. “When consumers make decisions about how to get rid of multiple possessions, perhaps when they are moving, it is a time when they are likely to feel lonely,” said Catherine Cole. She’s a professor of marketing at the University of Iowa, in Iowa City. “This could make it more difficult for them to empty out a house or apartment,” she explained. People who feel lonely are more likely to form attachments to objects — for example, the jacket you were wearing when you got engaged or a special toy from childhood — making it harder to donate unwanted clothing or send an old piece of furniture to the curb, she said. Cole and her colleague Jing (Alice) Wang pointed out that feeling lonely isn’t restricted to people who are socially isolated. It can also include people who feel friendless and disconnected, even temporarily. But the consequences of your inability to part with unneeded items can go beyond […]
Latest Pregnancy News By Steven ReinbergHealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, Jan. 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) isn’t confined to soldiers on the battlefield; it can happen to anyone after a traumatic event — including pregnancy loss. After a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, 1 in 6 women can have PTSD nearly a year later, European researchers report. “Early pregnancy loss is associated with a significant level of psychological distress, and in particular, on the order of 20% will have PTSD that persists until at least nine months after the loss and probably longer,” said lead researcher Dr. Tom Bourne. PTSD is a psychiatric condition that can develop after a shocking, scary or dangerous experience. In many cases, PSTD will not respond to general counseling and will require specific treatment, said Bourne, a professor from Imperial College London and a consultant gynecologist at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital in London. His team studied more than 650 women who experienced a miscarriage — defined as loss of pregnancy before 12 weeks — or an ectopic pregnancy. That’s where the embryo starts to grow outside the womb and is unable to develop. Those who suffered from PTSD continued to relive the feelings […]
Latest Neurology News By Dennis ThompsonHealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, Jan. 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The cost of essential medications for multiple sclerosis have nearly tripled this decade, despite the release of the first generic MS drug, a new study shows. The 2015 release of glatiramer acetate — the generic version of Copaxone — did nothing to halt skyrocketing prices for MS medications, said lead researcher Daniel Hartung. He’s an associate professor of pharmacy with Oregon State University, in Portland. “Overall, there were very minimal effects on the price of all the other medications in the class,” Hartung said. “They continued to escalate at about the rate they had before.” Medicaid spending on 15 MS drugs increased from $453 million to just over $1.3 billion between 2011 and 2017, Hartung and his colleagues found. Even after adjusting for average rebate amounts paid to the Medicaid program, spending still more than doubled from $278 million to $600 million per year, the data showed. The spending increase can’t be blamed solely on the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, either. The cost of MS drugs doubled from $2 per Medicaid enrollee to a little more than $4 per enrollee during the […]
Latest Mental Health News WEDNESDAY, Jan. 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Drugs may kill twice as many Americans as government records suggest, a new study claims. In 2016, the reported rate of drug-related deaths among 15- to 64-year-olds was 9% — compared with about 4% several years earlier — with 63,000 deaths classified as drug-related. However, the new study concluded that the actual number of drug-related deaths could have been about 142,000 in 2016. “Drugs can kill in other ways,” said study co-author Samuel Preston. He is a professor of sociology and a member of the Population Studies Center at the University of Pennsylvania. “Infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, impaired judgment, suicide, circulatory disease — these are all affected by drug use. People who are perpetual drug users have much higher mortality in general,” Preston explained in a university news release. For the study, his team analyzed more than 44 million death certificates issued nationwide over 18 years and identified just over 667,000 that were coded as drug-related. But the team’s models showed that these drug-coded deaths — which include drug overdoses and mental and behavioral disorders related to drugs — accounted for only about half of all drug-associated […]
Latest Mental Health News WEDNESDAY, Jan. 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Alcohol consumption by Americans has been on the rise for two decades and is now greater than when Prohibition was enacted in the late 1910s, federal data shows. The average amount of alcohol downed by adults and teens before Prohibition was just under 2 gallons a year and it is now about 2.3 gallons. That works out to nearly 500 drinks, or about nine a week, the Associated Press reported. The heaviest drinking in the United States was in the early 1800s, and it’s estimated that average consumption by an adult in 1830 was 7 gallons a year. The new data also show increases in alcohol-related emergency room visits, hospitalizations and deaths, the AP reported. “Consumption has been going up. Harms [from alcohol] have been going up,” Dr. Tim Naimi, an alcohol researcher at Boston University, told the AP. “And there’s not been a policy response to match it.” One bit of good news is that drinking among teens has declined. Copyright © 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved. SLIDESHOW Addicted to Pills: The Health Risks of Drug Abuse See Slideshow
Latest Mental Health News TUESDAY, Jan. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Even when they’re not high on marijuana, recreational users of the drug display signs of impaired driving, a new study finds. The findings may come as a surprise to many, said senior study author Staci Gruber, director of Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscientific Discovery (MIND) at McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School affiliate in Belmont, Mass. “People who use cannabis don’t necessarily assume that they may drive differently, even when they’re not high,” Gruber said in a hospital news release. “We’re not suggesting that everyone who uses cannabis will demonstrate impaired driving, but it’s interesting that in a sample of non-intoxicated participants, there are still differences in those who use cannabis relative to those who don’t.” Gruber and her colleagues looked at marijuana users and nonusers whose driving performance was assessed on a driving simulator. At the time they used the simulator, the users had not used marijuana for at least 12 hours and were not intoxicated. Compared to nonusers, heavy marijuana users had worse driving performance during the test. For example, they hit more simulated pedestrians, went over the speed limit more often, made fewer stops at red lights, […]
Latest Menopause News WEDNESDAY, Jan. 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For women, a humdrum sex life might also mean an earlier onset of menopause, a new study suggests. British researchers who tracked the sex lives and menopausal status of nearly 3,000 American women for a decade found that those who had less sex were more likely to begin menopause at an earlier age. Women’s bodies may react to a lessening of sexual activity on a “use it or lose it” basis, the research team theorized. “The findings of our study suggest that if a woman is not having sex, and there is no chance of pregnancy, then the body ‘chooses’ not to invest in ovulation, as it would be pointless,” explained study first author Megan Arnot. “There may be a biological energetic trade-off between investing energy into ovulation and investing elsewhere, such as keeping active by looking after grandchildren,” said Arnot. She’s a Ph.D. candidate in anthropology at University College London. One U.S. expert said it highlights another possible “plus” to good sexual health for women. “Doctors have long known that there were many benefits from continued sexual activity,” said Dr. Jennifer Wu, an obstetrician/gynecologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in […]
Latest Healthy Kids News WEDNESDAY, Jan. 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Mom and dad may be key in curbing the epidemic of drowsy teens, a new study suggests. American teens aren’t getting enough sleep, which can lead to anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. Sleepy teens also are more likely to get into car crashes and have a greater risk of being injured while playing sports. The lack of sleep may be due to too much homework, too many extracurricular activities, too much caffeine, early school start times and too much screen time, researchers say. But parents can play a pivotal role in helping their teens get the rest they need. “Greater enforcement of parent-set bedtimes for teenagers aged 14 to 17 are associated with longer sleep duration,” said study lead author Jack Peltz, who conducted the research while at the University of Rochester in New York. He is now an assistant professor of psychology at Daemen College in Amherst, N.Y. For the study, teens kept a sleep diary over seven days and parents gave information about their enforcement of sleep-related rules and bedtimes. The study found that enforced bedtimes, along with later school start times, had the greatest influence on […]
Latest Infectious Disease News WEDNESDAY, Jan. 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) — It’s safe again to buy and eat romaine lettuce grown on farms around Salinas, California, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday. Back in November, the CDC first issued a warning on Nov. 22 that consumers should avoid all romaine lettuce grown in Salinas, Calif., due to possible contamination with E. coli bacteria. But as of Wednesday, the outbreak of E. coli illnesses linked to the lettuce “appears to be over,” the CDC said in a statement. Overall, “a total of 167 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 were reported from 27 states,” the agency said. “Eighty-five people were hospitalized including 15 people who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. No deaths were reported.” But the romaine that caused these illnesses is no longer thought to be available, so the agency “has lifted its advice that people avoid romaine lettuce from the Salinas Valley growing region in California,” the CDC said. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration noted that the strain of E. coli identified in the recent outbreak is a familiar one. “Genetic analysis of the E. coli […]
Latest High Blood Pressure News By Serena GordonHealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, Jan. 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Popular media often portrays heart disease as a man’s problem, but new research suggests that women’s blood vessels actually age faster than men’s do. The new study found that blood pressure started increasing in women as early as the third decade of life, and it continued to rise higher than blood pressure in men throughout the life span. The researchers said that this early change in blood pressure sets the stage for different types of cardiovascular disease later in life. “Women actually start out with a lower blood pressure,” explained study senior author Dr. Susan Cheng, director of public health research at the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, in Los Angeles. “If you think of it like a race, women start behind the starting line. So, when they get to the finish line, women have gotten there by running faster and harder, [which] causes more stress to their systems,” Cheng said. Based on these findings, she said, it’s possible that women should be aiming for lower blood pressure numbers. The study was published online Jan. 15 in JAMA Cardiology. During the past […]
Porphyria facts* A health care provider diagnoses porphyria with blood, urine, and stool tests. *Porphyria facts medically edited by William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR Porphyria is a group of diseases that are due to the deficiency of one of the enzymes needed to make an important substance in the body called heme. Porphyrias are often classified as acute or cutaneous. Acute types of porphyria affect the nervous system, whereas cutaneous types mainly affect the skin. Most porphyrias are inherited disorders. People with cutaneous forms of porphyria develop blisters, itching, and swelling of their skin when it is exposed to sunlight. Those with acute forms of porphyria develop numbness, tingling, paralysis, cramping, vomiting, constipation, personality changes or mental disorders, and/or pain in the abdomen, chest, limbs, or back. Doctors diagnose porphyria using blood, urine, and stool tests. Treatment may involve avoiding triggers, receiving heme through a vein, taking medicines to relieve symptoms, or having blood drawn to reduce iron in the body. People who have severe attacks may need to be hospitalized. What are porphyrias? Porphyrias are rare disorders that affect mainly the skin or nervous system and may cause abdominal pain. These disorders are usually inherited, meaning they […]
Latest HIV News WEDNESDAY, Jan. 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in newborns with HIV is similar whether it begins within days or within weeks, a new study finds. It included 73 infants in South Africa who were born with HIV infection. Of those, 46 started ART when they were less than 2 days old and 27 started ART between 2 and 14 days after birth. Rates of attaining and sustaining HIV suppression were 51% in the first group and 54% in the second group. The study was recently published online in the journal E-Clinical Medicine. “The results of our trial suggest that very early treatment in newborns may not have to mean within hours of birth,” said study author Louise Kuhn, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia Mailman School of Public Health in New York City. “While we certainly do not want to introduce undue delay, starting ART within the first two weeks of life led to similar outcomes to starting within the first two days of life,” Kuhn said in a university news release. The researchers designed their study in the wake of a report about an HIV-infected infant in Mississippi who started […]
Aicardi syndrome is a very rare condition that usually affects girls. Depending on its severity, it can cause developmental delay, epilepsy, problems with vision, and a shortened life expectancy. In this article, learn more about Aicardi syndrome, including its risk factors, symptoms, and treatments. Aicardi syndrome is a rare condition that almost exclusively affects females, with doctors having reported only a few cases in males. Another name for Aicardi syndrome is agenesis of corpus callosum, or ACC. Experts think that the condition develops in an embryo during early pregnancy, when there is a change in the DNA of one or more genes. Aicardi syndrome is not passed down through families. It occurs in people with no family history of the condition. Doctors usually diagnose Aicardi syndrome in early infancy after the baby experiences seizures called infantile spasms. Children with Aicardi syndrome may also have developmental delays, learning difficulties, and partial sight or blindness. They may also have a shortened life expectancy. Aicardi syndrome is very rare, occurring in just 1 in 105,000–167,000 babies in the United States. Around the world, there are likely about 4,000 people with the condition. Most of these people are female. Researchers believe that Aicardi syndrome […]
Typhus is the term for a group of rare bacterial infections that people can contract after being bitten by an infected insect. Different subspecies of the bacteria Rickettsia cause different types of typhus. In the past, typhus killed millions of people. Today, the disease is rare due to improvements in healthcare and sanitation. Nonetheless, people who live in close quarters and crowded conditions remain more vulnerable to typhus. This article outlines the causes and symptoms of typhus. We also discuss the risk factors for contracting typhus, as well as the treatment options available. Share on PinterestA person may contract typhus when they come into contact with an infected insect, such as a chigger. Typhus is a bacterial infection that a person can acquire when they come into contact with infected insects. The insect contracts the infection by biting an infected person or animal. The insects spread the infection by biting another person or animal. Different insects spread different types of typhus. Examples include: Chiggers: These carry scrub typhus, which is most common in southeast Asia. Body lice: A person may contract epidemic typhus after a bite from an infected body louse. Fleas: A person may contract murine typhus after contact […]
A full liquid diet means that a person eats no solid foods and only consumes liquids, such as soups, juices, and smoothies. For most people, it is a temporary measure and not a long-term nutritional strategy. Full liquids are different than clear liquids. On a clear liquid diet, a person can only have clear liquids, such as water, tea, and broth. Full liquids offer more diverse flavor and greater nutritional value. A person may be able to eat pureed versions of their favorite foods in addition to a wide variety of thicker liquids, such as tomato soup. In this article, learn more about full liquid diets, including their uses, the possible effects, and what to eat. Doctors usually recommend full liquid diets as a short-term strategy when a person has a medical issue that makes eating solids dangerous. They might recommend that people follow a full liquid diet in the following situations: when recovering from pancreatitis following weight loss surgery, as a transitional step between clear liquids and soft foods following dental or oral surgery, either to reduce pain or because a person is unable to chew after gastrointestinal surgery or to ease the symptoms of a digestive disease following […]
Demisexuality is a type of sexuality or sexual orientation. People who identify as demisexual only feel sexual attraction to another person if they form a strong emotional bond or connection with them first. Keep reading for more information about what a demisexual is and how demisexuality differs from other sexual orientations. We also provide the answers to some other frequently asked questions on the subject. Share on PinterestA person who identifies as demisexual may only feel sexual attraction toward someone with whom they have a strong emotional bond. Some people only feel sexual attraction toward those with whom they have developed a strong personal bond. If this is the case, the person is known as being demisexual. According to the Demisexuality Resource Center, a person who is demisexual will feel sexual attraction and desire to engage in sexual activities far more rarely than the general population. For example, most people can feel sexually attracted to random people whom they meet in public or at work or school. In some cases, this is based purely on physical attraction and comes from simply seeing the person. In contrast, a demisexual will only feel sexual attraction toward a person once they have had […]
A Baker’s cyst, also known as a popliteal cyst, is a sac of fluid that forms behind the knee. Baker’s cysts tend to feel hard when the knee is fully extended and soft when the knee is bent. Physical therapists call this change in density Foucher’s sign. Most Baker’s cysts cause no symptoms. Usually, a person will only realize that they have one when a doctor discovers it as part of a routine examination or a test for another issue. However, this type of cyst can cause pain or swelling, which can limit movement. Baker’s cysts sometimes go away without treatment. A doctor is unlikely to recommend medical intervention unless the cyst causes discomfort or difficulty moving the knee. A number of remedies and exercises can help reduce any symptoms of Baker’s cysts and prevent them from forming. Keep reading to learn more. Exercises that focus on preserving the knee’s range of motion may ease pain and prevent muscle weakness. However, before trying any exercise for a Baker’s cyst, speak to a doctor or physical therapist. The wrong exercise may injure the knee, intensifying pain. The following exercises may benefit a person with a Baker’s cyst: Standing calf stretch Stand […]
A stiff knee is a common complaint, especially among older adults and those who are very physically active. Knee stiffness can occur as a result of poor flexibility or muscular imbalances in the legs. Injury and arthritis are other common causes of knee stiffness. In this article, learn more about the causes of knee stiffness. The article will also outline some treatments and home remedies that may help alleviate this symptom. The following are some common causes of a stiff knee. Injury to menisci The menisci are two “C” shaped pieces of cartilage that sit inside the knee joint. Their role is to act as a cushion, or shock absorber, between the bones that make up the joint. A person can injure or damage a meniscus by suddenly moving or twisting the knee. This is most likely to occur during sports or other types of physical activity. The menisci are also prone to degeneration with age. Specifically, as the menisci degrade, they become more prone to tearing. A person will likely hear or feel a “pop” when a meniscus tears. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the knee will then start to feel stiff. In many cases, people […]
Cold sores, also known as herpes labialis, are caused by nongenital herpes simplex virus type 1. People can develop a cold sore on their lips or in their mouth. Transmission of the nongenital herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) occurs during childhood through nonsexual contact, but adults can contract the infection through sexual activity. HSV-1 hibernates inside skin cells and neurons under the skin until a trigger stimulates it. Before the cold sore appears, people may feel a burning, stinging, or itching sensation on their lips. For best results, doctors recommend starting treatment as soon as the tingling begins, before the cold sore appears. In this article, we discuss the stages of a cold sore and what to do if a cold sore develops. We also explore how doctors treat the infection and how people can avoid getting a cold sore. A cold sore develops in five stages and will typically last between 9 and 12 days. Stage 1 Initially, people will feel a tingling, itching, or burning sensation underneath the skin around the mouth or base of the nose. Doctors call this the prodrome stage. Other symptoms that may occur during this stage include: malaise fever tender or swollen […]
Feeling depressed before and during a menstrual period is common. Experts believe that these emotional changes occur as a result of fluctuating hormone levels. Most people who menstruate will experience some symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), including moodiness and headaches. However, some individuals can develop more severe symptoms, such as depression and anger. Hormones can also cause people to feel nauseated during their period. Severe PMS symptoms may indicate another condition, which is called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Additionally, existing mental health conditions may temporarily worsen during a menstrual period. In this article, we explore why some people feel depressed during a period. We also list home remedies and treatment options. Hormonal changes during the second half of the menstrual cycle, called the luteal phase, may cause a low mood and irritability in some people. After ovulation, which occurs midcycle, the levels of the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone begin to fall. Rising and falling levels of these hormones can affect brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Examples of these neurotransmitters are serotonin and dopamine, which are both chemicals that influence mood, sleep, and motivation. Low levels of serotonin and dopamine can cause: sadness anxiety irritability sleep problems food cravings All […]
A number of conditions can cause the hands to feel numb. When a person has a sensation of numbness in the hands, weakness and painful tingling sensations may also occur. This article will explore some of the possible causes for numbness in a person’s hands, the accompanying symptoms, and some treatment options. The following cardiovascular conditions may cause numbness in the hands. 1. Heart attack If a person is experiencing a suspected heart attack, they or someone near them should seek emergency medical help. Severe blockages in the heart’s main blood supply can cause chest pain as well as tingling and numbness down one arm or the other. Symptoms Other symptoms may include: nausea sweating shortness of breath dizziness tingling and numbness down either side of the body shoulder pain unexplained fatigue Treatment Treatment includes admission to a cardiac catheterization laboratory in a hospital, where a specialist can diagnose and possibly reopen the blocked cardiac artery. Learn more about heart attack here. 2. Stroke An interruption in the blood flow to the brain — potentially from a traveling blood clot or a ruptured artery causing a brain bleed — can lead to stroke. Symptoms Symptoms may include: sudden weakness or […]
Lowering an older person’s systolic blood pressure to 120 mmHg or lower reduces the risk of heart disease, but increases the chance of kidney changes. Share on PinterestOlder adults may need different guidelines for maintaining healthy blood pressure, new research suggests. In the United States, over half of the people aged 60 and over have high blood pressure, or hypertension, and maintaining one’s blood pressure at healthy levels can be crucial. The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines recommend a systolic blood pressure of no higher than 130 milligrams of mercury (mmHg) for those over 65. However, by the time many people reach 85 years old, they have developed health issues. The U.S. Department of Commerce estimate that by 2050, 10% of adults in the U.S. will be 85 or older. A team of researchers has now completed an exploration of blood pressure recommendations for these individuals. Their study appears in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Using the SPRINT study for new guidelines The study’s findings come from a randomized trial of 1,167 participants. Researchers gathered information from the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT). They included data from individuals who had experienced strokes, […]
Everyone ages differently, but why is that? A team of researchers has pinpointed four “ageotypes” — main biological pathways for aging — that could help us answer that question. Share on PinterestThe identification of four ageotypes may help explain why our bodies age in different ways. Everyone ages, but not in the same way. Getting older can often mean learning to cope with different health problems — but again, different people face different issues. Why? That is the question that a team of researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine in California has begun to investigate in a new study. The team’s research involved a group of 43 healthy participants between the ages of 34 and 68 years who agreed to undergo assessing for molecular biology markers at least five different times over 2 years. The Stanford scientists chose this longitudinal approach to help them build detailed aging profiles to “map” individuals’ different aging parameters. “We know already there are a handful of nice molecular and clinical markers, such as high cholesterol, that are more common in older populations,” says the study’s senior author Prof. Michael Snyder. “But we want to know more about aging than what can be […]
Researchers have zoomed in on the fine molecular and epigenetic mechanisms that explain the aggressive spread of melanoma. Share on PinterestScientists examine the epigenetic silencing of circRNA and how this drives the spread of melanoma. Along with DNA and proteins, RNA is one of the three essential macromolecules necessary for all forms of life. The typical process at the basis of all known forms of life comprises three steps: The genetic information from our DNA — which works as the “blueprint” of the cell — is converted into an RNA “photocopy,” which, in turn, helps create proteins required by the cell. Most RNA is in linear form. However, some RNA molecules are circular. These are called circular RNAs (circRNA). Linear RNA encodes proteins, but very few circRNAs have clearly understood functions. In fact, the medical community is only now beginning to elucidate the contribution of circRNA to normal physiology and disease, write the authors of a new paper. So, what is the role of circRNAs in the spread of melanoma? Senior study author Eva Hernando, Ph.D. — an associate professor in the Department of Pathology at New York University (NYU) Langone Health — and colleagues set out to investigate. The […]
A new report carried out by German officials suggests that even though exposure to dangerous aluminum compounds in foods has been decreasing, we are still ingesting more of this substance than experts deem safe. What can we do to minimize our exposure to aluminum compounds? Share on PinterestResearchers from Germany warn about the dangers of aluminum in non-food products. While some people may find it hard to believe, the truth is that people face exposure to and likely ingest some quantity of aluminum compounds daily. This regular exposure occurs because aluminum is present in many products, including food, cosmetics, baking tools, and, of course, aluminum foil. Researchers explain that aluminum compounds are present in drinking water, helping to purify it, as well as being an additive in processed foods, where they serve a range of purposes, including as an emulsifying agent and a food colorant. Sometimes, fresh fruit or vegetables contain aluminum compounds. This happens because human activities, such as mining, have contaminated the soil with aluminum. Some cosmetic products, particularly deodorants, contain aluminum salts that manufacturers include to enhance the products’ antiperspirant effects. This metal is also present in baking trays and other cooking utensils. However, its use is […]
Mastoiditis in children and adults definition and facts Mastoiditis in adults and children is a serious condition that requires prompt treatment. Mastoiditis (acute and chronic) is a bacterial infection of the mastoid cells in the mastoid bone, which is located just behind the ear. Mastoiditis can become serious if the infection spreads outside the mastoid bone. Symptoms of acute mastoiditis include: Pain in or behind the ear Swelling of the area behind the ear Ear discharge Fever Headache The most common cause of mastoiditis is an untreated inner ear infection (otitis media). Diagnosis of mastoiditis begins with an examination of the ear. Tests that may be used to confirm a diagnosis include CT scan, MRI, X-ray, blood tests, fluid culture, hearing test, and lumbar puncture or “spinal tap.” Mastoiditis cannot be treated at home. Medical treatment with antibiotics, and in some people surgery, is necessary as the infection can spread and cause serious complications. Home remedies to help ease symptoms of mastoiditis, include: Treatment for mastoiditis is with antibiotics. If antibiotics alone do not cure the infection, surgery may be needed to drain the middle ear or to remove part of the infected mastoid bone. The main way to prevent […]
What is osteoarthritis? What is osteoporosis? Picture of a doctor showing an X-ray to a woman. Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of chronic joint pain, and affects over 23 million Americans. The definition of osteoarthritis is degeneration of joint cartilage tissue and the underlying bone. The definition of osteoporosis is a medical condition that results in bones becoming brittle and/or fragile. Are osteoarthritis and osteoporosis forms of arthritis? Arthritis is defined as painful inflammation and joint stiffness. Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that involves both the underlying tissue and the underlying bone of a joint. Osteoporosis is mainly a loss of bone tissue that is not limited to the joint areas. The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is possible for one person to have both conditions. Which one is more painful and worse, osteoarthritis or osteoporosis? Both conditions may be mild, moderate or severe, but because of the high risk of bone fractures with osteoporosis, some doctors may consider osteoporosis, especially if it is severe, to be the “worse” disease because of a high risk for other fractures. However, “worse” may be seen differently by others, because osteoarthritis pain with joint destruction may […]
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) facts About 90% of women experience PMS symptoms at one point in their life. PMS stands for premenstrual syndrome. Premenstrual syndrome is a set of specific physical and psychological features. Physical symptoms of PMS include breast tenderness and bloating. Psychological symptoms such as mood swings are common in PMS and may include anger and depression. PMS occurs in the last half of a woman’s menstrual cycle. The exact cause of PMS is unknown but is believed to be related to interactions between sex hormones and brain chemicals (neurotransmitters). PMS must be distinguished from other disorders that produce similar symptoms. PMS symptoms also must, in some cases, be distinguished from early pregnancy symptoms. The only way to distinguish PMS symptoms from those of early pregnancy in the absence of a menstrual period is a pregnancy test. A helpful diagnostic tool for PMS is a menstrual diary. Natural treatment options and home remedies for PMS include exercise, a healthy lifestyle, and emotional support from family and friends. Possible medical treatments to treat cramping and other symptoms of PMS include medications such as diuretics, pain killers, oral contraceptives, drugs that suppress ovarian function, and antidepressants. The mood changes surrounding this […]
Rosacea, Acne, Shingles: Common Adult Skin Diseases Learn to spot and treat skin conditions commonly found in adults such as acne, eczema, shingles, psoriasis, rosacea, hives, cold sores, razor bumps, athlete’s foot, and more. Read more: Rosacea, Acne, Shingles: Common Adult Skin Diseases
Latest Prevention & Wellness News By Dennis ThompsonHealthDay Reporter TUESDAY, Jan. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — New drugs are being approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for patients based on less and less solid evidence, thanks to incentive programs that have been created to promote drug development, a new study shows. Researchers report that more than 8 out of 10 new drugs in 2018 benefitted from at least one special program that streamlines the approval process. The result is that patients are being prescribed pricey new medications that have not been tested as rigorously, said lead researcher Jonathan Darrow, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. “The evidence standards have changed, but it’s not clear that physicians, let alone patients, understand either the basic FDA approval standard or that requirements have become increasingly flexible over the past 40 years,” Darrow said. The share of new drugs supported by two strong clinical trials, rather than just one, decreased from 81% to 53% between the 1990s and the 2010s, researchers found. The time that the FDA spent reviewing each new drug dropped during the same period, from 2.8 years in the late 1980s to about 7.6 months in 2018, Darrow […]
Latest Neurology News TUESDAY, Jan. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Severe deprivation in childhood can lead to a smaller-than-normal brain, lower IQ and attention deficits in early adulthood, a new study suggests. Researchers analyzed MRI brain scans of 67 young adults, ages 23 to 28, who were institutionalized as children in Romania during the Communist regime. They had spent between 3 and 41 months in institutions, where they were often malnourished and had little social contact or stimulation. All were later adopted by families in the U.K. Their brain scans were compared to those of 21 English adoptees, ages 23 to 26, who didn’t experience institutional deprivation during childhood. The brains of young adult Romanian adoptees were 8.6% smaller than the brains of English adoptees. The more time that the Romanian adoptees spent in the institutions, the smaller their brain. Each additional month of deprivation was associated with a 0.27% decrease in total brain volume, the scans revealed. The deprivation-related brain changes were associated with lower IQ and more symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study — recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — is the first to examine how severe deprivation in childhood […]
Latest Neurology News TUESDAY, Jan. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Far too many U.S. children with autism are waiting too long for a diagnosis, new research shows, and those delays can greatly affect their quality of life. About one in every four 8-year-olds assessed in the new study was found to have undiagnosed autism and wasn’t receiving autism services. Most of those kids were black or Hispanic, according to the report published online recently in the journal Autism Research. It’s not clear why minority kids, especially, aren’t getting the diagnoses and services they need, the investigators noted. “There may be various reasons for the disparity, from communication or cultural barriers between minority parents and physicians to anxiety about the complicated diagnostic process and fear of stigma,” said study co-author Walter Zahorodny. He’s an associate professor at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and director of the New Jersey Autism Study. “Also, many parents whose children are diagnosed later often attribute their first concerns to a behavioral or medical issue rather than a developmental problem,” Zahorodny said in a Rutgers news release. One autism specialist unconnected to the new study said the findings are concerning. “Despite the emphasis on identifying and treating […]
Latest Infectious Disease News By Adam Townsend on 01/15/2020 3:10 PM Source: MedicineNet Health News Chinese health officials this week revealed the full genome of a mystery pneumonia virus that sickened more than 40 people in the city of Wuhan, China. Dubbed Wuhan-hu-1, Chinese scientists widely published the virus’ full genome Monday with an eye toward quickly sourcing a vaccine or treatment from the global research community. Xu Jianguo, head of an evaluation committee advising the Chinese government on the outbreak, told the magazine Science that researchers believe the virus developed in bats, which then infected other wild animals commonly consumed in the inland Hubei Province where Wuhan is the capital city. The virus probably mutated while living in the market animals into a form that could infect humans, Xu said. State officials shut down and disinfected a fish-and-game market in the city Jan. 1 after they linked the respiratory infections there. The Huanan Seafood Market sold “chickens, bats, cats, marmots, and other wild animals” in addition to seafood, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The disease seems to be relatively mild compared to fears it could mimic SARS (sever acute respiratory syndrome) or MERS (Middle East respiratory […]
Latest Heart News TUESDAY, Jan. 14, 2020 (American Heart Association News) — Researchers who went into one of the nation’s poorest regions to educate people about their health ended up getting a few lessons themselves – and together, they made some striking improvements. The effort targeted Appalachian Kentucky, an area in the eastern part of the state that’s near the bottom in economic measures but in the top 1% for cardiovascular disease. Social conditions that contribute to poor health – food deserts, limited educational opportunities, lack of space for exercise – abound. A team from the University of Kentucky enrolled 355 people, most of them women, who had at least two risk factors for heart disease. Participants chose the factor they wanted to focus on, then took part in a 12-week self-care course that monitored progress and gave feedback. Researchers checked their progress a year later. Compared with a group of people who did not enroll in the course, participants succeeded in meeting their goals much more often in crucial measurements such as blood pressure (88% met their goal versus 18% in the control group), cholesterol levels (83% versus 10%) and body weight (36% versus 9%). Study author Debra K. […]
Latest Digestion News TUESDAY, Jan. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Researchers report they have developed a machine that can repair injured livers and keep them alive outside the body for up to a week. They said the machine could one day increase the number of livers available for transplant and save the lives of many people with severe liver diseases or cancer. Until now, it was only possible to store livers safely outside the body for a few hours. But this new technology — a complex perfusion system that delivers blood to the injured livers — can extend safe outside-the-body storage of livers to up to seven days and offers a wide range of possibilities, including repair of liver injury, cleaning of fat deposits in the liver, and even regeneration of partial livers, according to the researchers from the University of Zurich in Switzerland. Injured livers from dead donors aren’t suitable for transplantation, but the study authors said this machine may restore these organs to full function after several days. “The success of this unique perfusion system — developed over a four-year period by a group of surgeons, biologists and engineers — paves the way for many new applications in […]
Latest Digestion News By Steven ReinbergHealthDay Reporter TUESDAY, Jan. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Learning how to control the urge to urinate may be all the therapy men need to treat an overactive bladder, a new study suggests. A combination of drugs and behavioral therapy seems to work better than drugs alone, but behavioral therapy alone also worked better than drugs, the researchers found. The trial of 204 men with overactive bladder suggests behavioral therapy may be a good way to start treatment, the study authors said. “The study provides good evidence that for the group of men with overactive bladder, symptoms without obstruction from an enlarged prostate can be successfully managed with behavioral therapy alone,” said Dr. Manish Vira, who was not involved with the study, but reviewed the findings. He’s vice chairman of urologic research at Northwell Health’s Arthur Smith Institute for Urology in Lake Success, N.Y. Many medications typically prescribed for overactive bladder have significant side effects, especially in older men using multiple medications, Vira added. For the trial, Kathryn Burgio, associate director of research at the Birmingham VA Medical Center in Alabama, and colleagues randomly assigned men to six weeks of behavioral therapy alone, drug therapy […]
Latest Cancer News By Dennis ThompsonHealthDay Reporter TUESDAY, Jan. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Nearly two decades after terrorists attacked New York’s World Trade Center, certain cancers are striking police and recovery workers who saved lives, recovered bodies and cleaned up the wreckage. This particular group of responders appears to have an increased risk of developing thyroid cancer, leukemia and prostate cancer, as well as a slightly elevated overall risk of cancer, researchers report. Yet, “there is no evidence of an epidemic of cancer. There is evidence of increased risk for certain cancers among WTC-exposed responders,” said lead author Moshe Shapiro, a biostatistician with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. U.S. federal programs provide continuing care for the different types of rescue workers who poured into Ground Zero, the researchers added. In the 2001 attacks, terrorists flew two commercial airliners into each of the twin towers, causing both skyscrapers to collapse in a matter of hours. This new study focused on nearly 29,000 members of the WTC Health Program who belong to the General Responder Cohort, a group of mostly police and recovery workers, Shapiro said. Firefighters mainly belong to a different group under […]
A person may experience an itching sensation, or pruritus, on their face for a number of different reasons. Although pruritus can occur due to visible conditions, such as psoriasis or an insect bite, it might also indicate the presence of an underlying condition. This article will look at the different causes of pruritus on the face, as well as some options that may provide relief. Dry skin on the face can be a cause of pruritus. A person might have dry skin on their face for many reasons. These may include: frequent washing exposure to harsh chemicals low air humidity The American Academy of Dermatology recommend following these tips to prevent dry skin: Use warm water for bathing and washing. Choose a mild, fragrant- and alcohol-free cleanser. Cleanse the face once per day at night, then rinse with cool water in the morning. Limit bath and shower time to 5–10 minutes. Apply moisturizers immediately after taking a bath or shower, while the skin is still damp, to lock in moisture. Shave after taking a bath or shower, and use a shaving cream or gel to soften the hairs. Change razor blades every five to seven uses. Apply cool cloths to […]
Neosporin is a brand of triple-antibiotic ointment. It contains bacitracin zinc, neomycin sulfate, and polymyxin B sulfate. Bacitracin ointment is also available, and it does not include the other two antibiotics. While both types of cream can help treat minor scratches, cuts, and burns, many people are allergic to bacitracin. Antibiotic ointments can help reduce the risk of infection, which is particularly important for people with weak immune systems. However, a 2018 meta-analysis found that these creams were barely more effective at preventing infection than a placebo. In this article, learn more about the differences between Neosporin and bacitracin-only ointments and whether they are necessary. Share on PinterestPeople with weak immune systems may benefit from antibiotic ointments, as they can reduce the risk of infection. Bacitracin and Neosporin are both topical antibiotics — medicated creams that a person can use directly on their skin. Doctors sometimes call Neosporin “neo-bac-polym” because of the combination of antibiotics that it contains. Some pharmacies also sell triple antibiotic ointments that are generic versions of Neosporin. The formulations in these vary among manufacturers — they may contain slightly different ingredients from Neosporin or different proportions of each ingredient. Bacitracin ointment only contains one antibiotic. This […]
Some forms of breast cancer cause no symptoms in the initial stages, so it is crucial to attend regular screenings. As with other forms of cancer, a person’s outlook is more favorable when a doctor detects the disease early. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), the most common sign of breast cancer is a new lump or mass in the breast. People should become familiar with the typical look and feel of their breasts so that they can detect any changes early on. Breast cancer can develop in males and females, but due to differences in breast tissue, the disease is much less common in males. Below, we outline some early indications of breast cancer in females and males. We also describe the various types and treatment options. Finally, we look into some benign conditions that people may mistake for breast cancer. A new mass or lump in breast tissue is the most common sign of breast cancer. The ACS report that these lumps are usually hard, irregular in shape, and painless. However, some breast cancer tumors can be soft, round, and tender to the touch. The following breast changes can be symptoms of breast cancer: full or partial […]
Oscillopsia is the sensation that the surrounding environment is constantly in motion when it is, in fact, stationary. Oscillopsia is usually a symptom of conditions that affect eye movement or the eye’s ability to stabilize images, especially during movement. Keep reading to learn more about oscillopsia, including the common causes and symptoms and how to treat it. Share on PinterestA person with oscillopsia may experience dizziness, vertigo, and balance problems. Oscillopsia usually occurs as a result of conditions that affect eye movement or alter how parts of the eye, inner ear, and brain stabilize images and maintain balance. It often links to types of nystagmus, which is a condition that causes abnormal or involuntary eye movement. Conditions that affect areas of the brain — especially the cerebellum or parts of the ocular motor system — are another common cause of oscillopsia. The ocular motor system is a series of biological processes that keep images stable when the head or eyes are moving. Ocular motor system damage tends to impair vision and make it seem as though the world is always in motion, particular when a person is changing the position of their head or moving. Some of the most common […]
Hot flashes are common during menopause, as well as in perimenopause, which is the stage before menstruation stops. A 2015 study found that four out of five women experienced hot flashes in middle age. On average, symptoms lasted more than 7 years. Some participants, however, reported hot flashes that lasted up to a decade or even longer. Neither hot flashes nor menopause is dangerous or a symptom of an illness. The sudden rush of heat during a hot flash can be unpleasant, though. In this article, learn more about how a hot flash feels and what to expect. Hot flashes cause a sudden sensation of heat in the upper body. A person might experience symptoms in the chest, arms, neck, or face. The heart rate also tends to increase during a hot flash, intensifying the sensation of heat. Most hot flashes last between 30 seconds and 10 minutes, but they can be longer. The frequency of hot flashes varies significantly among individuals. For instance, they can happen many times an hour, a few times a day, or less than once a week. Some people find that their hot flashes follow a predictable pattern. During a hot flash, blood vessels in […]
Many people experience headaches around the time of their periods. These headaches can be severe and interfere with daily life. Period headaches may be mild and accompanied by symptoms such as irritability and tender breasts. In this case, a person may be experiencing premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Also, menstruation can trigger migraine in people with the condition. A menstrual migraine headache may occur before, during, or after a period. This article will explain how periods can cause headaches, the difference between headaches brought on by PMS and migraine, and when a person should speak to a doctor. Share on PinterestHeadaches may occur during a period due to the falling level of estrogen in the body. During a menstrual cycle, the female body’s hormones rise and fall in preparation for pregnancy. One cycle typically takes between 25 and 30 days. It runs from the first day of one period to the first day of the next. Estrogen and progesterone are hormones that help regulate the menstrual cycle, and the levels of these hormones may affect the severity and prevalence of headaches. According to a 2014 review, for example, acute migraine headaches may occur when the level of estrogen in the body drops […]
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term lung condition. It gets worse over time, and a range of factors can affect how quickly it progresses. COPD can involve chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and irreversible, or refractory asthma. Some people with COPD have all three conditions. Keep reading to learn more about COPD, including its symptoms, types, causes, and some treatment options. Share on PinterestA person with COPD may experience coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing. COPD is a progressive disease, which means that it gets worse over time. The rate of progression varies considerably, depending on the individual and the type of disease involved. Treatments and lifestyle changes can significantly affect how quickly COPD progresses. According to the American Lung Association, more than 15 million people in the United States have a COPD diagnosis, and many more likely have the disease without realizing it. All forms of COPD adversely affect the lungs and cause breathing problems. However, the exact physiology and the type of lung damage can vary. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are commonly involved in COPD. Both tend to develop later in life, due to factors such as tobacco smoking. They generally involve a progressive decline that results in […]
People have long been aware of the benefits of exercise. Now, a new study finds that one particular aspect of fitness — that is, training for a specific goal — may be particularly advantageous. Share on PinterestA new study has shown that training for and running a marathon can reverse vascular aging. The value of goal-oriented exercise ties directly into the aging process. As a person gets older, their arteries are more likely to stiffen. Aerobic exercise can reduce arterial stiffening, which the medical community sees as a predictor of cardiovascular events. However, it is difficult for doctors to recommend a form of fitness that is likely to work for everyone. Recent findings, however, suggest that training for and running a marathon could be an excellent choice for people looking to improve their cardiovascular health. A total of 138 people running in the 2016 and 2017 London Marathons participated in the study, which appears in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Training for the marathon None of the participants had completed a marathon before, and none had any significant medical history or preexisting heart disease. They were also all running a maximum of 2 hours a week before […]
The symptoms of frontotemporal, or early onset, dementia can appear as early as age 40. Have researchers found a new way to treat this condition using antibiotics? Frontotemporal dementia, or frontotemporal lobar dementia, is an umbrella term that refers to a range of early onset dementias characterized by the progressive atrophying of the brain’s frontal lobes, temporal lobes, or both. The main symptoms in this form of dementia are cognitive function impairments and personality and behavioral changes. These can appear as early as age 40. Researchers explain that frontotemporal dementia is usually heritable, and they tie most cases to specific DNA mutations. Now, scientists at the University of Kentucky’s College of Medicine in Lexington — in collaboration with colleagues from other research institutions — have studied the mutated genes associated with frontotemporal dementia. They wanted to determine whether or not anything can prevent these genes from triggering the condition. In their new study, the findings of which appear in the journal Human Molecular Genetics, the researchers focused on one specific gene mutation. Fighting a key mutation with antibiotics? The study authors explain that, among others, a key player in this form of early onset dementia is a mutation in the […]
New research in mice shows “for the first time” that scientists can use protons to administer radiation therapy in a matter of milliseconds, killing cancer cells while protecting healthy tissue. Share on PinterestA proton-based FLASH session of radiotherapy could kill cancer in milliseconds, research suggests. Over half of the people with a cancer diagnosis receive radiation therapy. Radiation damages the DNA of cancer cells, either slowing their progression or killing them. However, this is a slow process; radiation does not destroy cancer cells right away — sometimes it takes weeks of treatment to damage the DNA of the cells enough to kill them. A further reason why radiation treatment can take several weeks is that the therapy is most likely to succeed when cancer cells are growing and dividing into new cells. So, spreading the treatment over a long period increases the chances that the radiation will target cancer cells when they are in a growing phase. Finally, administering radiation in small, daily doses helps protect healthy cells by giving them more time to repair. But new research suggests that there may be a way to administer radiation at record speed while also protecting healthy tissue. The innovative technique is […]
Latest Prevention & Wellness News (HealthDay News) — Found in more than 600 different medicines, acetaminophen is the most common drug ingredient in the United States, says the Consumer Healthcare Products Association. To use the painkiller safely, the CHPA urges you to: Always read and follow the directions on the label. Never take more than the recommended dose. Know if your medicines contain acetaminophen. It may be abbreviated as “APAP” or “acetam.” Take only one medicine at a time that contains acetaminophen. Speak to your doctor if you have questions about dosing or instructions. Copyright © 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved. QUESTION About how much does an adult human brain weigh? See Answer
Latest Women’s Health News (HealthDay News) — Most women will get a vaginal yeast infection at some point, says the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its uncomfortable symptoms may include burning and itching. A yeast infection is typically treated with an antifungal medicine. This drug usually can be purchased over-the-counter, and comes in the form of a cream, tablet, ointment or suppository. Before buying an antifungal medicine, the agency urges you to see your doctor. It is important before treatment to make sure you have a yeast infection and not a different medical problem. Copyright © 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved. QUESTION The vagina includes the labia, clitoris, and uterus. See Answer
Latest Women’s Health News Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common infections that account for more than 10 million doctor and hospital visits in the U.S. every year, according to MedicineNet author Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP. Now scientists from the University of Bath have developed a test that quickly diagnoses UTIs using a smartphone camera in under 30 minutes. Traditional rapid-diagnosis test strips can quickly determine whether bacteria is present in a urine sample, but the strips cannot tell what kind of bacteria is causing the infection. It takes up to several days to get the results of urinalysis testing back from a lab, which identifies the microorganism causing the UTI. This lag time of several days before bacteria are properly identified leads to over-prescription of antibiotics, which may increase the risk of developing antibiotic resistance. “The culprit in at least 90% of uncomplicated infections is a type of bacteria called Escherichia coli, better known as E. coli,” according to Dr. Balentine. However, other microorganisms can sometimes cause UTIs. The smartphone-based test developed by UK researchers quickly identifies and quantifies bacteria in samples, which may one day assist in the fight against antimicrobial resistant bacterial strains. The test involves passing a […]
Latest Prevention & Wellness News MONDAY, Jan. 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Want free tickets to Super Bowl LIV in Miami? Roll up your sleeve and give blood this week. The American Red Cross has an urgent need for all blood types, but especially for type O. People who donate blood or platelets by Jan. 19 will be entered automatically in a drawing for two tickets to this year’s big game. It’s part of an effort by the Red Cross and the National Football League to encourage football fans and others to be a part of National Blood Donor Month in January. “The winter is historically a challenging time to collect blood — with the holidays, winter weather and flu — and, unfortunately, this year is no different,” said Chris Hrouda, president of American Red Cross Biomedical Services. “That is why we are so excited to team up with the NFL to help motivate and thank donors who come in and roll up a sleeve so that patients have access to the lifesaving treatment they need in the weeks to come,” he added in an American Red Cross news release. You can make an appointment to donate blood by calling […]
Latest Prevention & Wellness News By Amy NortonHealthDay Reporter MONDAY, Jan. 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — If climate change continues unabated, the United States should prepare for an increase in deaths from injuries, a new study claims. Looking at data on injury deaths and temperature over 38 years, researchers found a correlation between unusually high temperatures and increased rates of death from a range of causes — traffic accidents, drownings, assault and suicide. The researchers predict that in an “anomalously warm year” — 1.5 degrees Celsius (or 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above the long-term average — the United States could see an additional 1,600 deaths from injuries. Boys and men between the ages of 15 and 64 would account for most of that increase. The fact that climate change affects human health is not news. But the focus has mainly been on links to infectious diseases and chronic conditions such as heart and lung disease, said lead researcher Robbie Parks, who conducted the research at University College London. “The association between rising temperatures and injuries has, until now, been less explored and understood,” said Parks, who is now with Columbia University’s Earth Institute in New York City. There are various reasons […]
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Almost one in three people will develop shingles in their lifetime. There are roughly one million cases reported in the United States annually. Even though you may be living a healthy lifestyle, you could still be at risk.
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