After a heart attack, your risk for a stroke is elevated longer than previously believed, preliminary results of a new study suggest. “A heart attack is a risk factor for stroke for at least three months,” said researcher Dr. Alexander Merkler, an assistant professor of neurology at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City.… read on >
Childhood obesity has been linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and early heart disease, but new research now ties it to a sometimes crippling hip condition. It’s called slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), and it causes the hip to become deformed, occasionally so much so that the hip collapses. SCFE causes pain… read on >
Fleas thrive in hot and humid temperatures. So depending on where you live, fleas can be a year-round problem or a seasonal worry. Adult fleas are no bigger than a sesame seed, making them difficult to spot. And they can easily jump from one pet to another, or even to a person. The American Veterinary… read on >
Every three hours, someone in the United States is involved in an accident with a train, the National Safety Council says. There are about 212,000 railroad crossings in the United States. To help avoid an accident at a train crossing, the council suggests: Never try to beat a train at a crossing, either on foot… read on >
Jack-o’-lanterns can be scary, but they shouldn’t be dangerous. Last year, pumpkin carving accounted for nearly 3,200 of the 16,706 Halloween-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency departments, doctors’ offices and clinics, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. “Pumpkin carving is a fun activity, but it can result in serious cuts on the hand and… read on >
Teens with allergies and asthma can enjoy Halloween as long as they take precautions, an allergist says. “There’s no reason a teen with allergies should have to miss anything,” said Dr. Bradley Chipps, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Teens usually know the drill when it comes to handling their food… read on >
Kids take their cues from mom and dad, so it only makes sense to participate with them when teaching them the merits of exercise. Couch potato kids are a real concern. The College of New Jersey exercise science professor Avery Faigenbaum defined the term exercise-deficit disorder — or EDD — to draw attention to our… read on >
Many dogs perk up at certain words, like “treat” or “squirrel.” But does Buddy really understand what you’re saying, or is he simply reacting to the excitement in your voice? Researchers at Emory University in Atlanta might have some answers. In a study of 12 dogs, the investigators say they’ve dug up some new details… read on >
Though the maker of Juul e-cigarettes has claimed its product is aimed at adult smokers trying to quit, almost a quarter of the company’s Twitter followers are under 18, a new study finds. And many of these young fans are retweeting the company’s messages, investigators added. The findings are cause for worry, the University of… read on >
Age-related increases in estrogen may be the reason why inguinal hernias are common among older men, new research with rodents suggests. Inguinal hernias occur when soft tissue — often part of the intestines — protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall near the groin. These hernias are the most common reason men undergo… read on >
