For many families, summer means longer days, less routine and more time outside. That’s not all good news, one expert says, because it could jumble a family’s sleeping habits. Even without the rigorous and often hectic school-year schedule, it’s important to ensure that everyone gets enough sleep, according to Dr. Cheryl Tierney, chief of behavior… read on >
Insomnia affects up to 15 percent of Americans, but sleeping pills aren’t the only — or the best — answer. A good sleep routine, exercise and mindfulness are all options to get the restorative sleep you need. Set up a daily sleep pattern by going to bed at the same time each night and waking… read on >
Young American children are being sickened — and even dying — after being poisoned by a drug used to fight opioid addiction, a new report contends. Investigators reported that between 2007 and 2016, more than 11,000 emergency calls were made to U.S. poison control centers after a child or teen was exposed to buprenorphine, a… read on >
Canning food is a long-standing tradition in many households and a perfect way to enjoy the freshness of summer foods year round. But improper canning can lead to nasty consequences, such as botulism, a potentially deadly illness produced by a germ Clostridium botulinum. When it comes to canning, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and… read on >
Heartworm is a deadly disease that can strike your dog, cat or ferret after the bite of an infected mosquito. The good news is that it’s preventable with medication. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggests giving your pet heartworm medicine year-round. The FDA also recommends that you: Talk to your veterinarian about testing your… read on >
It’s important for children to socialize during their summer holidays, a family medicine and psychiatry expert says. “Kids deserve a break during the summer. They’ve worked hard during the school year and this is their time to relax, but they should continue interacting with their friends and meeting new people,” said Dr. Jin Han. He’s… read on >
When packing for your summer vacation, be sure to include the right footwear, a podiatrist advises. “The type of vacation you go on will determine the type of shoe you need,” Dr. Ronald Lepow, an assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine’s department of orthopedic surgery, in Houston, said in a school news release. If… read on >
Exercise boot camps get you in shape through one or more days of intensive training. Some have a celebrity aspect, like camps run by the dance squads of pro sports teams, while others promise the secrets of elite military training forces. There are so many that a quick internet search could serve up dozens in… read on >
Police killings of unarmed black Americans harm the mental health of black adults nationwide, researchers report. “Our study demonstrates for the first time that police killings of unarmed black Americans can have corrosive effects on mental health in the black American community,” said co-lead author Dr. Atheendar Venkataramani. He’s a health economist and general internist… read on >
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that causes considerable pain in joints. At some point, most people with RA develop pain in the ankle and foot. While there is no cure, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says there are things you can do to ease symptoms of the disease: Rest. Limit activities that make… read on >
