Many ticks carry disease, so it’s important to remove a tick if it bites you and becomes embedded in your skin. The U.S. National Institutes of Health suggests how to safely remove a tick: Use fine-tipped tweezers. Grab the tick close to the skin and gently pull up to remove the entire tick. Don’t use… read on >
Poison ivy rash can range from mild to severe. It typically appears 1 to 2 days after contact with the plant, and is caused by an oil called urushiol, to which most people are allergic. The American Academy of Family Physicians says you can help prevent a poison ivy rash by: Wearing protective clothing when… read on >
Research shows that fasting on alternate days has health benefits, including lowering the amount of inflammation in the body. That’s important because inflammation has been linked to many chronic diseases and keeping it under control can increase longevity. And now there’s growing evidence that fasting can be an answer to weight loss, too. New approaches… read on >
When you fire up the grill for your Memorial Day cookout, beware: Those tantalizing aromas hold an underestimated health risk. Grilling meats at a high temperature can produce cancer-causing compounds called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). You can be exposed to significant PAH levels simply by breathing in the sweet scent of barbecue. A new study… read on >
People with heart failure who are socially isolated are more likely to be hospitalized or die prematurely than those who feel connected to others, new research suggests. The study authors said screening heart failure patients to identify those who lack social support might help to improve outcomes. Previous studies have shown that social isolation may… read on >
There’s preliminary research suggesting that abuse or neglect in childhood might have an effect on the quality of a man’s sperm. The study was small and can’t prove cause and effect. But researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston say it points to a way in which stress early in a man’s life… read on >
Black eyes are common among kids who play sports. Most cases can be treated with self-care at home. The American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests how to safely treat a black eye: Use an ice pack for 20 minutes at a time, once every hour, to reduce swelling and ease pain. Use a bag of frozen… read on >
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg grows outside theuterus, most commonly in the fallopian tube. The growing fetus eventually will cause the fallopian tube to burst, which can lead to life-threatening bleeding that could require immediate surgery. Half of women who develop an ectopic pregnancy have no known risk factors, the American College… read on >
For some people who struggle with weight gain, their body’s responses to delicious food may be working against them. In a new study, obese people who had trouble keeping weight loss at bay salivated more and had a steeper increase in their heart rate when presented with a tempting pizza, compared to folks without such… read on >
If current trends continue, nearly one-quarter of the world’s population will be obese by 2045. And one in eight people will have type 2 diabetes, new research suggests. Alongside those bulging waistlines, global rates of type 2 diabetes will jump from 9 percent to 12 percent over the next 27 years, placing an even greater… read on >
