Regular bedtimes and adequate sleep during childhood may contribute toward a healthy weight in the teen years, a new study finds. The study included nearly 2,200 kids in 20 U.S. cities. One-third of them had consistent, age-appropriate bedtimes between ages 5 and 9, according to their mothers. Compared to that group, those who had no… read on >
Some people who receive botulinum toxin injections for disorders that cause muscle tightness and contractions develop resistance to the treatment, researchers say. The new study included nearly 600 patients with dystonia or spasticity who had been receiving botulinum toxin type A (commonly known as “Botox”) for about three to five years. The researchers found that… read on >
A new study suggests that an occasional drink won’t harm, and might even help seniors with heart failure. Heart failure patients who drank in moderation — a drink a day for women, two for men — had an average survival that was a year longer than nondrinkers, the researchers found. “My patients who are newly… read on >
In the past two decades, opioid overdose death rates among U.S. kids and teens have tripled, a new study shows. Young children have either died from accidental ingestion of narcotics or from intentional poisoning. Meanwhile, teens have died from unintentional overdoses, using their parents’ prescription painkillers or narcotics bought on the street, said lead researcher… read on >
If you’re pregnant you already know the importance of eating a healthful diet and taking prenatal vitamins, including folic acid and possibly B12 and iron supplements. What not to do isn’t always clear, however. There’s no doubt about the hazards of smoking — to you and baby. But what about alcohol? While one drink during… read on >
How highly you rate your health could predict how likely you are to catch a cold — and, even more important, how healthy you’ll be in later years. Scientists at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh asked 360 healthy adults to rate their health as excellent, very good, good, fair or poor — and then exposed… read on >
Stress and uncertainty plague many Americans, but there are a number of steps you can take to cope, a psychiatrist suggests. “In this day and age of ‘digital’ perfection, the stress of daily living can take a toll on our health, causing anxiety and depression, leading to relationship difficulties, problems at work, and the feeling… read on >
If you’re thinking about making some health-related resolutions for 2019, the American Medical Association (AMA) has some suggestions. “This is the perfect time of year for each of us to consider our personal goals, and how we can make positive health choices in the coming year,” said AMA President Dr. Barbara McAneny. “We encourage everyone… read on >
The scourge of opioid addiction and related deaths cut through American society again in 2018, capturing headlines and making it the year’s top health story. Rates of opioid-linked fatal overdoses have nearly doubled over the past decade and topped 70,000 in 2017, according to data released in November by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control… read on >
If you are caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease, you may develop feelings of grief as the person starts to change, the Alzheimer’s Foundation says. There are five phases of grieving: denial, anger, guilt, sadness and acceptance. The association suggests how to cope with grief and loss: Face your feelings and accept… read on >
