THURSDAY, Sept. 13, 2018One in seven older veterans are sent home from the hospital with doses of blood pressure medications so high they can leave them feeling dizzy and at risk for falls, a new study finds. Prescribing higher doses of these drugs occurs even though half of the patients had their blood pressure controlled… read on >
Circadian rhythms, the 24-hour body clocks that regulate a person’s sleep-wake cycle, may affect the timing of seizures in roughly 80 percent of epilepsy patients, researchers report. These findings, which shed new light on seizure patterns, could help doctors treat the disease more effectively, the researchers said. “Understanding the cyclic nature of diseases is vital… read on >
More than one in three first-year college students around the world struggle with a mental health disorder, new research suggests. “The number of students who need treatment for these disorders far exceeds the resources of most counseling centers, resulting in a substantial unmet need,” said study author Randy Auerbach, of Columbia University in New York… read on >
Adults have spent a lifetime hearing about or experiencing natural disasters such as Hurricane Florence, which is targeting the Carolinas this week. But how to explain to kids the dangers of these events, without unduly scaring them? The key, said child psychiatrist Dr. Victor Fornari, is to lead by example. “Parents need to remain calm… read on >
Optimism and a sense of purpose can improve your heart health, new research suggests. Psychological well-being has cardiovascular benefits because people with a positive outlook are more inclined to lead a healthy lifestyle, the researchers concluded. Upbeat people are more likely to eat well, engage in physical activity, maintain social connections and avoid negative behaviors,… read on >
Practicing yoga can bolster your overall fitness while improving posture and flexibility, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says. While the agency notes yoga is safe for most people, those who are pregnant or have high blood pressure, glaucoma or sciatica may be at greater risk of injury. The NLM suggests: Talk with a doctor… read on >
Falling from a ladder can cause serious injury, even death. But nearly all ladder injuries are preventable, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society says. The society suggests: Read the safety instructions that come with your ladder before using it. Follow all warning labels on your ladder. Make sure your ladder is designed for the… read on >
The numbers surrounding the continuing cat video craze are astounding. In one year alone, more than 2 million cat videos were posted on YouTube and had close to 26 billion views. What’s even more astounding is that all that time spent watching funny and adorable cat videos can actually be a positive use of your… read on >
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 12, 2018Almost two dozen new cancer treatments received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval in the past year, a new report reveals. These treatments include innovative immunotherapies that target cancer cells (called CAR T-cell therapies) and targeted radiotherapies, according to the report from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). Government-funded research is… read on >
With millions of pain-plagued Americans looking for an alternative to opioids, the solution for some might be no medicine at all. New research suggests that a good many back pain patients might find relief in a “dummy” sugar pill, eliminating their need for strong medication. About half the chronic back pain patients in a new… read on >
