Australian researchers are sounding the alarm over cases of a highly infectious intestinal illness that appear to be resistant to all forms of standard oral antibiotic treatment. The disease is called shigellosis, a form of dysentery. So far, most cases have involved gay and bisexual men in the Australian state of Victoria, the researchers said.… read on >
Long hours spent working will do no favors for your blood pressure, a new Canadian study suggests. The five-year study tracked the working hours and blood pressure readings of 3,500 white-collar workers at three public institutions in the province of Quebec. Compared to those who worked less than 35 hours a week, those who worked… read on >
Healthier eating could save the United States more than $50 billion a year in health care costs associated with heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and related illnesses, according to a new study. An unhealthy diet is one of the leading risk factors for poor health and accounts for up to 45% of all deaths… read on >
Birthdays are a time of celebration. But, according to a new study, a spring or summer birth date could mean a higher risk of dying from heart disease. The reasons aren’t clear, but might include factors such as seasonal fluctuations in diet, air pollution levels, and the availability of sunlight before birth and in early… read on >
The holiday season is fast approaching. Regardless of what you celebrate, this time of year is a great opportunity to appreciate the gift of health, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To stay safe and healthy this holiday season, the CDC suggests: Wash your hands often with soap and water. Cover your… read on >
Good sleep patterns can help reduce your risk of heart disease or stroke, even if you’re at high genetic risk, new research shows. In fact, the study of several hundred thousand people found that having a “healthy sleep score” of 5 (on a scale of 0 to 5) appeared to reduce a person’s odds for… read on >
Caring for a grandchild might be the best way to fight the isolation of old age, new research suggests. This conclusion is based on 2014 data collected as part of an ongoing German survey of older adults. Among the nearly 3,900 grandparents in the survey, more than 1,100 said they cared for a grandchild. Those… read on >
If you think vaping is less likely to harm your lungs than traditional cigarettes, think again. E-cigarettes have been touted as safer than tobacco smoke, but evidence is mounting that they are both damaging to your airways, U.K. researchers report. A team from the School of Pharmacy at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland compared… read on >
Federal health officials have unveiled plans to allow prescription drug imports from Canada and other foreign nations. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is proposing a rule under which states could import some prescription drugs from Canada, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar announced Tuesday. The agency also plans to make it easier… read on >
Puppies in pet stores appear to have transmitted a dangerous, antibiotic-resistant germ that’s sickened 30 people across 13 states, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned on Tuesday. The infection in question is a multidrug-resistant form of Campylobacter jejuni, the agency said in a statement. So far, of 24 patients interviewed by the… read on >
