People believed to have a penicillin allergy are often prescribed much stronger antibiotics that can raise their risk for dangerous infections, a new study suggests. But testing folks to make sure they really are allergic to penicillin could lower that danger, the researchers added. “We know that more than 95 percent of patients with an… read on >
Getting a nursery ready for a new baby can be a lot of fun, but keep in mind these important considerations to make it a safe haven. For crib safety, choose a new crib that meets the latest standards — stronger crib slats and mattress supports, improved hardware and no drop-side rails. The spacing between… read on >
Slow down and savor your ice cream sundae or smoothie — it’s the best way to prevent the dreaded head pain commonly known as “brain freeze.” “When you consume cold foods or drinks too fast, it cools down the carotid artery located just behind your jawline. Doing that chills the blood going to your brain,”… read on >
The actual number of opioid overdose deaths in several U.S. states is likely far higher than death certificates suggest, a new study says. Incomplete reporting of overdose deaths can hamper efforts to fight the nation’s opioid epidemic, according to the University of Pittsburgh researchers. They said that as many as 70,000 opioid overdose deaths were… read on >
Has that week-old yogurt really gone bad? Did the chicken you bought just three days ago already spoil? Your smartphone might one day be able to tell you, new research suggests. A group of scientists is developing a portable, inexpensive and easy-to-use electronic tag to send wireless alerts to smartphones when a telltale gas is… read on >
People who party hard in their 20s could wind up paying for it later with a higher risk of heart disease, a new study suggests. Young adults who binge drink are more likely to have heart risk factors such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels and higher blood sugar levels, researchers found. “They are… read on >
Feeling like you’re getting a sunburn? Get out of the sun quickly and begin treating your skin, the American Academy of Dermatology advises. The burn eventually will heal, but getting a burn because you forgot to apply sunscreen or simply stayed under the sun’s rays too long increases your chances of developing skin cancer. The… read on >
Losing weight and keeping it off comes down to making permanent changes in the way you eat. Although many eating habits are formed in childhood, it’s never too late to improve. But you’ll need to reinforce them until they become second nature. One high-tech way is with diet apps that send you motivational text messages… read on >
Early and aggressive drug treatment does not slow progression of type 2 diabetes in obese children, researchers say. The new study included 91 obese diabetes patients aged 10 to 19, who were divided into two groups. One group took a long-lasting insulin called glargine for three months, followed by nine months of the diabetes drug… read on >
When kidney cancer strikes, surgical removal of the organ is often the standard course of action. But new research supports a nonsurgical approach for some patients: using a needle to “zap” kidney tumors away with either heat or cold. The procedure — known as percutaneous ablation — isn’t applicable to all kidney cancer patients. But… read on >
