Taking blood-thinning drugs is typically thought to ward off stroke in people with the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation. However, new research out of Britain hints — but cannot prove — that the drugs might actually raise the odds of stroke in seniors with a-fib who also have kidney disease. “Chronic kidney disease is common… read on >
Take good prenatal care of yourself and not only will you have a healthier baby, you’ll also lower his or her risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity and heart disease later in life. First, you’ll want to monitor your weight while pregnant. A baby’s future diabetes risk, for example, is higher if mom is under-… read on >
Obese men with advanced melanoma skin cancer seem to have a survival benefit over their slimmer peers, a new study suggests. Among men who received treatment for the potentially deadly cancer, obese patients lived an average of 47 percent longer than those with a healthy body weight, researchers found. For women, however, weight did not… read on >
They described hearing loud, unusual noises in either their homes or hotel rooms. Afterwards, they experienced concussion-like symptoms such as memory and thinking problems, headaches, dizziness and balance issues. But the exact nature of what harmed more than 20 U.S. government personnel stationed in Havana, Cuba, last year remains mysterious, reports a team led by… read on >
Researchers from Denmark are suggesting a potential — and unusual — risk factor for stroke: Being short as a kid. The investigators found that men and women who had been about 2 inches taller than average at age 7 had, as adults, up to an 11 percent lower risk for an ischemic stroke. That’s the… read on >
If you have intense pain in your feet, arthritis may be the cause of your woes. Arthritis leads to swelling and pain in the cartilage and lining of the joints. If these symptoms affect your feet, it’s probably time to visit a podiatrist, the American Podiatric Medical Association says. The group says symptoms of foot-joint… read on >
Balance exercises can help prevent falls, especially among older adults. But before you begin any exercise program, always consult your doctor. The American Council on Exercise mentions these common balance exercises for active older adults: Side X Balance Reach — Stand on the right leg and lean the body toward the right. Point the right… read on >
Single dads have been played for laughs in countless TV sitcoms, from “The Andy Griffith Show” and “My Three Sons” up to modern takes such as “Arrested Development” and “Louie.” But in real life, being a single dad is tough — so much so that it can lead to an early grave, Canadian researchers report.… read on >
If you worry about ever getting cancer, you might want to pass on the processed foods at your supermarket. Every 10 percent dietary increase in packaged snacks, fizzy drinks, sugary cereals and other highly processed foods boosts the risk for cancer by 12 percent, new research suggests. Breast cancer, in particular, was associated with greater… read on >
About 5 percent of American children and 4 percent of adults have a food allergy, but many more are getting unnecessary testing. Specific blood and skin prick tests can help detect food allergies. But the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases recommends them only for people who’ve had immediate allergic reactions, have a… read on >
