You should check your cholesterol at least every five years, or more often if there’s a problem, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) says. Your blood sugar and blood pressure could influence your cholesterol levels, the association says, so a person with diabetes should pay particular attention to these risk factors. The ADA offers these tips… read on >
Every day, more than 300 children are treated in U.S. emergency rooms for accidental poisoning, and two children die from it. Reports of youngsters getting sick after eating colorful laundry and dishwasher detergent pods that they thought were candy have renewed warnings about keeping all cleaning products both out of sight and out of reach… read on >
Nearly half of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients who should have genetic testing don’t receive it, a new study finds. Genetic testing can play an important part in deciding the best course of treatment, the University of Michigan researchers noted. The study included just over 1,700 women with early stage breast cancer who could benefit… read on >
A wearable heart defibrillator reduces the overall risk of early death for heart attack survivors, but not the risk of sudden cardiac death, a new study finds. The defibrillator — housed in a lightweight vest worn directly against the skin — continuously monitors the wearer’s heart. It sounds an alarm and/or verbally announces the need… read on >
Believe it or not, new research suggests that people hospitalized for a heart attack are more likely to survive when certain heart specialists are out of town. The study of more than 34,000 U.S. heart attack patients found survival rates were higher when interventional cardiologists were attending their annual conference. Those cardiologists are specialists in… read on >
“Financial toxicity” caused by high cancer drug prices is harming people’s ability to fight the dreaded disease, a new report from the President’s Cancer Panel warns. The report, released Tuesday, argues that urgent action is needed to stem the growing price tags associated with new cancer drugs, particularly if the price doesn’t match the amount… read on >
Insomnia — the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep — affects more women than men, and older people more than younger ones. The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says people at increased risk for insomnia include those who: Are stressed. Are depressed or have emotional health issues, such as those going through… read on >
Parents should learn a host of terms that schools use to indicate various states of emergency, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. The academy defines these key terms: Evacuation: Used to indicate movement of students and staff out of the school building. Relocation: Used to indicate movement of students and staff to a pre-designated alternate… read on >
If you love exercise, one of the hardest parts of suffering an injury is being sidelined. But if you take the time to heal a sprain or strain correctly, you’ll get back in the game faster. First, understand your injury to treat it appropriately. A sprain affects ligaments, the bands of tissue that connect bones… read on >
Poorer Americans with anal cancer — a highly treatable disease — are more likely to die than wealthier patients, a new study finds. Researchers analyzed 2004-2013 data from 9,550 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the anus. Each year, 8,200 cases are diagnosed in the United States, and more than 1,000 people die of the… read on >
