Hurricane Michael, now a powerful category 4 storm, is expected to make landfall in northern Florida Wednesday. And as with every such storm, power outages will occur, along with the risk of deadly carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from gas-powered generators. “Unfortunately, poison control centers continue to see surges in generator-associated carbon monoxide poisonings during and… read on >
With sales of electronic cigarettes skyrocketing, Americans remain divided on whether the devices are a boon or a threat to public health. That’s the main finding of a new HealthDay/Harris Poll that surveyed over 2,000 adults on their e-cigarette views. Vaping has long been promoted as a way to help smokers kick the habit —… read on >
A migraine headache can be so painful that it prevents you from doing most daily activities. About 12 percent of Americans get frequent migraines, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says. Sufferers are more likely to be women, have a family history of migraines or have other medical conditions, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder,… read on >
A child who has trouble with handwriting may be at risk of developmental problems that could hinder the child’s ability to learn, the American Occupational Therapy Association says. An occupational therapist can evaluate the underlying components of a student’s handwriting, including muscle strength, endurance, coordination and motor control, the association says. A child’s handwriting may… read on >
There are four common myths about breast cancer that can affect prevention and treatment of the most common type of cancer in American women, an oncologist says. The first is believing you’re not at risk because no one in your family has cancer. “Less than 10 percent of breast cancers are linked to genetics or… read on >
There’s nothing like the convenience of working out at home or going for a walk on your schedule. But taking classes at a gym or fitness center could hold some motivational magic for you. And you don’t have to give up your home gym or on-your-own workouts. Think of adding a gym routine as a… read on >
For black Americans striving for lower blood pressure, churches may provide the answer to their prayers. “African-Americans have a significantly greater burden of hypertension and heart disease, and our findings prove that people with uncontrolled hypertension can, indeed, better manage their blood pressure through programs administered in places of worship,” said study lead author Dr.… read on >
Dropping weight might do more than make an older woman feel good. New research suggests it could lower her odds of breast cancer. The study included over 61,000 postmenopausal women with no prior breast cancer and normal mammogram results. Their weight was checked at the start of the study and again three years later. During… read on >
The quick weight loss that occurs after bariatric surgery seems to have an unintended consequence — a greater risk of gallstones, a new study suggests. The rapid loss of pounds was linked to a 10-fold increase in the hospital admissions for pancreatitis, gallstones and other gallbladder conditions. “Gallstones are quite common in post-bariatric surgery patients.… read on >
Lack of motivation, time, energy, and the costs associated with many workout programs may limit your desire to exercise more. The National Institute on Aging suggests how to overcome these potential obstacles: Exercise first thing in the morning. If you can’t squeeze in 30 minutes for physical activity, consider three 10-minute spurts. Vary your regimen… read on >
