People with type 1 diabetes who use marijuana may double their risk of developing a life-threatening complication, a new study suggests. Called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), the condition occurs when there is not enough insulin to break down sugar in the body, so the body burns fat for fuel instead. This triggers a build-up of chemicals… read on >
Smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure: all bad for the heart, but perhaps worse for women’s hearts than men’s, new research shows. Looking at data on 472,000 Britons ages 40 to 69, researchers found that all three of these heart disease risk factors increased the odds of heart attack for both sexes. But the rise in… read on >
The HPV vaccine protects against human papillomavirus, which has been shown to cause cancer in males and females, the American Cancer Society says. More than 270 million doses have been administered since 2006, reports the society, saying studies have shown the vaccine is safe. The society adds: The HPV vaccination is for boys and girls.… read on >
The average home may be riddled with substances that are potentially toxic. These substances can lurk in building materials, cookware, cleaning products, shower curtains, furniture, carpet and other common items, the National Institutes of Health says. Removing these substances can help keep you and your family safer, the agency advises. Here are its suggestions: Clean… read on >
Home pregnancy tests are commonplace, but that doesn’t mean that every type of self-test for health issues is reliable. And even if results are accurate, you shouldn’t forgo getting advice from your health-care provider, especially if the condition is life-changing and requires very targeted treatment. Some kits that let you test at home are fast… read on >
Driving under the influence and distracted driving are well-known hazards, but few people think twice about getting behind the wheel when feeling drowsy, a sleep expert warns. “Drivers can reduce the danger by being aware of risk factors and taking precautions,” said Dr. Praveen Rudraraju, who directs the Center for Sleep Medicine at Northern Westchester… read on >
As stigmas surrounding mental health issues have eased, more U.S. college students are seeking help for emotional problems, a new study finds. Researchers analyzed data from the Healthy Minds Study, an annual online survey involving more than 150,000 students from 196 campuses. In 2017, 36 percent of students were diagnosed with mental health issues, compared… read on >
Although the herbal supplement kratom is still legal and widely available, its opioid-like effects have caused significant withdrawal symptoms in at least two newborns in the United States and that should raise concerns, researchers say. A case study of a baby boy exposed to kratom during his mother’s pregnancy — only the second American case… read on >
The skin is the largest organ in the human body. And petroleum jelly is an inexpensive, readily available way to help protect it. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests: Apply petroleum jelly to damp skin, including lips and eyelids. Apply it to minor cuts, scrapes and scratches to keep nearby skin from drying out. Apply… read on >
It is common and perfectly natural for a young child to feel some separation anxiety when a guardian isn’t nearby, Harvard Medical School experts say. But if separation anxiety is strong enough to interfere with normal activities such as school and friendships, it may be cause for psychological counseling, the school says. In cases of… read on >
