All children 6 months of age and older should have a flu shot, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says. A flu shot significantly reduces a child’s risk of severe illness and flu-related death, according to the policy statement published online Sept. 3 in the journal Pediatrics. “The flu virus is common — and unpredictable.… read on >
HealthDay News) — Schools often have classroom pets, such as hamsters, fish or frogs. Caring for those animals can be a great learning experience for kids. But exposure to animals does have some risk, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Young children are still developing an immune system, so they are more likely… read on >
Pet medication should be safely stored to prevent your pet from accidental overdose, and other medical problems such as vomiting, diarrhea and pancreatitis, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. The FDA suggests how to keep your pet healthier: Keep pet medication in the original containers with labels. Keep pet medication in a secure location.… read on >
Women need to know the symptoms of ovarian cancer and see a doctor if they have them, an ob-gyn expert says. Ovarian cancer is the fifth-leading cause of death in American women, claiming more lives than any other cancer of the female reproductive system, according to the American Cancer Society. About 22,240 women in the… read on >
The earlier the better when it comes to having your child’s vision checked, eye experts say. “Babies must have a vision screening by a health care professional soon after they are born, which must include an evaluation of the ‘red reflex’ of the eyes,” said Marcela Frazier. She’s an associate professor at the University of… read on >
It’s the dieter’s tug-of-war: the need to lose weight versus the urge to eat high-calorie foods. Scientists say the easy availability of sweets and other treats has made the desire for them stronger over time. Couple that with a sedentary lifestyle that burns fewer and fewer calories, and battling the bulge is that much harder.… read on >
If you’re happy and you know it, so will a goat. New research suggests that goats can read people’s facial expressions and prefer those who appear happy. The study included 20 goats that were shown pairs of images of the same person’s face with happy or angry expressions. The goats were more likely to interact… read on >
Most people know that regular exercise and healthy eating can help you age better. But you may be surprised to learn that participating in activities you enjoy also can support healthy aging. Whether it’s traveling, taking in a weekly movie or joining a card group, leading an active lifestyle and avoiding social isolation can help… read on >
Parents of a child with epilepsy may be preoccupied with keeping the child safe during the school day. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these suggestions: Develop an action plan so that teachers and school officials know what to do in the event of a seizure or similar emergency. Contact the Epilepsy… read on >
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018Experiments in mice have shown that an implanted electronic device in the brain can detect — and deliver drugs to stop — impending epileptic seizures. Potentially, a similar device might help people with epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and brain tumors who have failed standard treatment. So far, the technology is in the very… read on >
