If you’re an obese heart patient, weight-loss surgery might be good medicine for you. New research suggests it significantly reduces the risk of heart failure and fatal heart attack in this vulnerable group. “Our findings suggest, for the first time, that bariatric [weight-loss] surgery can prevent the development of systolic heart failure and remarkably reduce… read on >
Even a little running on a regular basis can extend your life, Australian researchers say. They analyzed 14 studies that included more than 232,000 people whose health was tracked for between 5.5 and 35 years. During the study periods, nearly 26,000 participants died. The collective data showed that any amount of running was associated with… read on >
Loneliness can take a heavy toll on heart patients — including a higher risk of death in the year after hospitalization, researchers found. “This study confirms what has also been indicated in previous research regarding the serious health consequences of loneliness,” said lead researcher Anne Vinggaard Christensen, of Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark. “Loneliness should… read on >
Heavy winds and chilly temps can quickly lower your body temperature, says the National Institutes of Health. The NIH provides advice for dressing for the cold and wind: Wear loose layers of clothing. The air between layers helps keep you warm. Put on a hat and scarf. You lose a lot of body heat when… read on >
Shaving without cutting yourself or missing patches of hair can be a challenge, says the American Academy of Dermatology. To get a proper shave, the academy recommends: Before you shave, wet your skin and hair. Shave in the direction that the hair grows. Rinse after each swipe of the razor. Store your razor in a… read on >
If you’ve ever experienced an immobilizing sense of panic when faced with a difficult or threatening situation, you’re not alone. It turns out that the well-documented fight-or-flight instinct for self-preservation isn’t a guaranteed reaction. Research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found that stress can actually lower your ability to… read on >
Only about half of all American adults meet the national guidelines for aerobic activity and only about one-fifth meet the combined aerobic and strength-training goals. One reason is that some people just don’t find it enjoyable, so they don’t stick with it. Changing your mindset can lead not only to increases in exercise time, but… read on >
There’s early promise in the quest for a blood test that might spot breast cancer up to five years before clinical signs of the disease appear, researchers say. The test identifies specific immune system “autoantibodies,” British researchers explained. The immune system produces the antibodies when it comes into contact with tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), which are… read on >
When parents can no longer get “personal-belief” exemptions from childhood vaccinations, they may get around it by asking for religious exemptions for their kids, a new study finds. Researchers found that after Vermont banned personal-belief exemptions, the number of kindergartners with religious exemptions from vaccination suddenly shot up — from 0.5% to nearly 4%. That… read on >
Bloating occurs when the gastrointestinal tract fills with air or gas. This uncomfortable feeling can be caused by eating certain foods and constipation, among other reasons. To prevent bloating, the American Academy of Family Physicians says you should avoid: Foods known to cause gas, such as beans and lentils. Chewing gum. Straws for drinking. Carbonated… read on >
