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 >
Asthma and allergies can put on damper on your Valentine’s Day romancing, an expert warns. “Keeping everyone free of allergy and asthma flare-ups helps keep the focus on romance this Valentine’s Day. Red or itchy eyes, runny noses, coughs and fatigue can ruin your celebration,” Dr. Bradley Chipps, president of the American College of Allergy,… read on >
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, new research suggests one behavior can predict how strong a couple’s bond might be. The study of newlywed couples found that if either partner spent too much time looking at attractive members of the opposite sex, their marriage was prone to trouble down the road. A research team from… read on >
Brain plaques believed to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease melt away in mice when robbed of a key enzyme, researchers report. And the rodents’ intellectual function actually improved as their amyloid plaques dissolved from lack of beta-secretase (BACE1), an enzyme critical in the formation of the plaques, said senior researcher Riqiang Yan. He is vice chair… read on >
Lack of sleep is an often overlooked risk factor for type 2 diabetes, the National Sleep Foundation says. Chronic sleep deprivation leads to less insulin production and increased production of stress hormones, the foundation says. Over time, too much glucose stays in the bloodstream and increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Getting insufficient… read on >
The scale can be your best friend — or your worst enemy — when you’re on a diet. But whether or not you like what you see, a scale isn’t the only — or the best — way to track your progress. Rather than looking for a particular number on a scale, measure success in… read on >
Kidney stones are becoming more common, especially in women, new research has found. Better diagnostic tools could be part of the reason for the steady rise in diagnoses, according to Mayo Clinic researchers. By using CT scans, “we are now diagnosing symptomatic kidney stones that previously would have gone undiagnosed because they would not have… read on >
Instead of gulping your food, try eating more slowly. It may help you drop those unwanted pounds, a new study by Japanese researchers suggests. Also helpful: Avoiding after-dinner snacks and eating anything in the two hours before you go to bed, the researchers said. The study linked those simple changes to a smaller waist, and… read on >
About one in four women dies of heart disease in the United States, making it the most common cause of death among women. Some risk factors cannot be controlled, such as gender, race or age. Other factors involve your lifestyle. The U.S. Office on Women’s Health provides examples: Smoking — If you smoke, quit immediately.… read on >
To prepare for a visit with your surgeon before an operation, it helps to have a list of questions and concerns ready. The U.S. National Institute on Aging suggests what to ask: What is the success rate of the operation? How many of these operations have you done successfully? What problems may occur with this… read on >
