The average home may be riddled with substances that are potentially toxic. These substances can lurk in building materials, cookware, cleaning products, shower curtains, furniture, carpet and other common items, the National Institutes of Health says. Removing these substances can help keep you and your family safer, the agency advises. Here are its suggestions: Clean… read on >
Home pregnancy tests are commonplace, but that doesn’t mean that every type of self-test for health issues is reliable. And even if results are accurate, you shouldn’t forgo getting advice from your health-care provider, especially if the condition is life-changing and requires very targeted treatment. Some kits that let you test at home are fast… read on >
Driving under the influence and distracted driving are well-known hazards, but few people think twice about getting behind the wheel when feeling drowsy, a sleep expert warns. “Drivers can reduce the danger by being aware of risk factors and taking precautions,” said Dr. Praveen Rudraraju, who directs the Center for Sleep Medicine at Northern Westchester… read on >
As stigmas surrounding mental health issues have eased, more U.S. college students are seeking help for emotional problems, a new study finds. Researchers analyzed data from the Healthy Minds Study, an annual online survey involving more than 150,000 students from 196 campuses. In 2017, 36 percent of students were diagnosed with mental health issues, compared… read on >
Although the herbal supplement kratom is still legal and widely available, its opioid-like effects have caused significant withdrawal symptoms in at least two newborns in the United States and that should raise concerns, researchers say. A case study of a baby boy exposed to kratom during his mother’s pregnancy — only the second American case… read on >
The skin is the largest organ in the human body. And petroleum jelly is an inexpensive, readily available way to help protect it. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests: Apply petroleum jelly to damp skin, including lips and eyelids. Apply it to minor cuts, scrapes and scratches to keep nearby skin from drying out. Apply… read on >
It is common and perfectly natural for a young child to feel some separation anxiety when a guardian isn’t nearby, Harvard Medical School experts say. But if separation anxiety is strong enough to interfere with normal activities such as school and friendships, it may be cause for psychological counseling, the school says. In cases of… read on >
Kids with summer birthdays, especially those who spend long hours playing on smartphones and tablets, might be at greater risk for vision problems, a new study suggests. Nearsightedness, also called myopia, is on the rise worldwide. It’s what eye doctors call a refractive error, meaning the eyes can’t focus light properly. The result: Close objects… read on >
A newborn can bring a sense of fulfillment to your life … and an equal amount of stress over everything from baby’s health to your own parenting skills. A few simple strategies can help both mom and dad relax. First, expect to feel many different, often contradictory emotions. You might go from pure bliss as… read on >
Women who love the early hours of the day are less likely to develop breast cancer, a new study suggests. British researchers analyzed two data banks that included more than 409,000 women to investigate the link between sleep traits and breast cancer risk. Compared to night owls, women who are early risers had a 40… read on >
