Pierced ears may be all the rage, but they can lead to infection if not properly cared for. The American Academy of Dermatology Association suggests how to reduce your risk: Always wash your hands after touching your ears. After you pierce your ears, leave the earrings in for at least six weeks to prevent the… read on >
There’s another study that finds that taking the epilepsy drug valproate while pregnant may take an intellectual toll on offspring. Children whose mothers took the anti-seizure medication during pregnancy appear to get lower scores on school tests, the new study finds. The U.K. researchers pointed to prior studies with similar results, and they recommend that… read on >
Many people don’t think twice about their vision until there’s a problem, but seeing an eye doctor should definitely be on your wellness radar at different stages of life. Newborns should get a standard reflex test. If a baby is premature or at high risk for vision problems, schedule an exam with an eye specialist.… read on >
Teen boys in the United States are less likely than girls to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) because many doctors don’t recommend the shots to boys’ parents, researchers say. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that can cause cervical, vulvar, vaginal, penile, anal, mouth and throat cancers. The HPV vaccine is recommended as a… read on >
Less than 40 percent of American adults with extremely high cholesterol levels get the medications they should, a new study finds. Researchers examined federal government data to assess rates of awareness, screening and the use of cholesterol-lowering statins among adults aged 20 and older with extremely high levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol. The investigators also… read on >
MONDAY, March, 26, 2018Poverty may be fueling America’s opioid crisis, a new study suggests. Of the more than 515,000 Americans who have died from drug overdoses since 2006, most lived in poor areas where there were few job opportunities, researchers discovered. It turns out that economic and social conditions appear to be driving the geographic… read on >
Diarrhea in young babies should be taken seriously if it lasts for more than one day, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. Prolonged diarrhea can lead to dehydration. Common symptoms of diarrhea in an infant are a faster heartbeat, dry mouth, no tears when crying, or no wet diaper for at least three hours.… read on >
Stress can be triggered by workplace tension, a new baby, an upcoming event or even day-to-day traffic or long lines. Chronic stress may put you at risk for a host of health issues, including digestive problems, anxiety, headache, depression, sleep problems, weight gain, memory problems, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, the American Heart… read on >
Tree care workers have one of the nation’s most perilous jobs, and the danger could grow as climate change increases the risk to trees from major storms, diseases, insects, drought and fire, experts warn. Better training and safety in tree care operations are essential, according to researchers from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J. Every… read on >
The good news is that the fungus that causes athlete’s foot and other nasty skin and toenail infections is headed for extinction. The bad news is it could take millions of years. Scientists analyzed samples of Trichophyton rubrum fungus and concluded it may have lost its ability to sexually reproduce as it adapted to grow… read on >
