Has stroke hit your family particularly hard? A healthy lifestyle may be your best defense, new research shows. The study of more than 306,000 white British people found that exercising, eating right and not smoking lowered stroke risk — even for those whose DNA predisposed them to the attacks. The findings “highlight the potential of… read on >
Millions of Americans take angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to lower their blood pressure, but a new study suggests they might also increase their odds of developing lung cancer. Among people taking these drugs for more than five years, the increased risk may be as high as 14 percent. Although that seems a small number, it… read on >
Generics make up 80 percent of drug prescriptions filled in the United States and are a big cost savings for consumers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration mandates that they perform the same way and are as safe and effective as brand-name drugs. However, makers of generics don’t have to repeat the clinical trials done… read on >
If you’re on multiple medications and your high blood pressure is still not under control, you might want to ask your doctor to check the lead levels in your shin bones. Researchers found a link between the two, and they noted that standard blood tests didn’t spot rising lead levels while the shin bone test… read on >
Polluted air may trigger as many as 33 million asthma-related emergency room visits globally each year, a new study finds. “Millions of people worldwide have to go to emergency rooms for asthma attacks every year because they are breathing dirty air,” said study lead author Susan Anenberg, of George Washington University in Washington, D.C. “Our… read on >
Many women living with advanced breast cancer face significant financial strains — from paying for their care to simply covering monthly bills, a new survey finds. Researchers found that of the more than 1,000 women they surveyed, nearly 70 percent said they were worried about the financial fallout related to their cancer. Many said they’d… read on >
Teen drivers are more likely to be involved in a car crash that results in injury or death than any other age group in the United States, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. Teens with less than 18 months of driving experience are much more at risk of a crash or near-crash because of factors… read on >
If you suffer from knee arthritis and worry that walking will only worsen your damaged joint, a new study suggests you put your fears aside, slip on some sneakers, and take a brief but brisk walk. The researchers estimated that if older adults with the condition added just 5 minutes of brisk walking to their… read on >
One of the more popular fitness trends are education programs designed for consumers. Fitness buffs and weekend warriors alike can explore new ideas and techniques, and learn from professionals in various fields. These programs take many forms. More and more communities now stage health and fitness events, such as fairs, that offer wellness information and… read on >
With flu season imminent, U.S. health officials urge everyone 6 months and older to get a flu shot. Already, one unvaccinated child in Florida has died from flu, the officials warned. Not many cases have been reported so far, so it’s too soon to know if this year’s strains will be as severe as last… read on >
