(HealthDay News) — Could people struggling with obesity make headway in their efforts to shed pounds without having to go under the knife? New preliminary research suggests it’s possible: A non-surgical procedure may help moderately obese people lose weight — and keep it off. Unlike standard weight-loss surgery, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) requires no incision… read on >
Though arts and crafts are fun activities for children, safety precautions should still be followed, says the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Safety rules when children are using art materials include: Keep food and drinks out of the art area. Adults should mix powdered and dusty materials. Wash hands after using art materials. Watch for… read on >
Calluses are thick, hardened layers of skin. For healthy people, treatment is only necessary if a callus causes discomfort, says Mayo Clinic. Mayo suggests how to treat calluses at home: Use over-the-counter pads. Soak the area in water. Moisturize your skin. Wear comfortable socks and shoes. For most people, removing sources of friction causes calluses… read on >
If you’re back on the dating scene after being in a monogamous relationship, know that STDs, or sexually transmitted diseases, aren’t just a concern for teens and people in their 20s. STD rates are rising in older adults. STDs are usually caused by viruses or bacteria and can be spread from person to person through… read on >
You don’t have to do hundreds of sit-ups and all manner of crunches to see abdominal muscle definition. The following moves are done standing and holding a weight, such as a 5-pound ball with an easy-to-grip handle. For the standing twist, feet are hip-width apart, toes turned slightly out to the sides for better balance.… read on >
It appears to be safe for people with implantable heart devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators to go through body scanners at airport security checkpoints, researchers say. Body scanners are becoming increasingly common worldwide. But some people are concerned that they may be a source of electromagnetic interference (EMI) that could disrupt implantable devices used… read on >
The United States’ ability to deal with major health emergencies quickly has improved significantly in recent years, researchers say. In 2019, America scored 6.7 on the 10-point National Health Security Preparedness Index. That’s a 3.1% improvement over the last year, and up 11.7% since the index was created in 2013. The findings show the nation… read on >
Bucking a longstanding upward trend, new data shows that the percentage of Americans taking any prescription drug has fallen slightly over the past decade. Still, nearly half — 45.8% — of Americans said they took at least one prescription medicine over the past month, according to a national survey conducted in 2015-2016. That’s a slight… read on >
Profoundly obese people are prone to an irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation, but new research suggests that weight-loss surgery can improve the odds that a procedure to restore a normal heart rhythm will work. When atrial fibrillation, or a-fib, cannot be controlled by medications, a procedure called ablation can help. It targets the nerves… read on >
New York’s ongoing measles epidemic alarmed midtown Manhattan resident Deb Ivanhoe, who couldn’t remember whether she’d ever been vaccinated as a child. So Ivanhoe, 60, sought out her long-time primary care doctor, who performed an antibody test to see whether she had any protection against measles. To her surprise, the test revealed that Ivanhoe had… read on >
