Even though it’s the end of February, it’s still not too late to get a flu shot, doctors say. This flu season is one of the worst seen in the United States in years. Flu-linked hospitalizations were still rising earlier this month, and 84 children have died from flu complications so far, according to government… read on >
A type 2 diabetes diagnosis that comes early in life carries a deadly load of health risks, new research shows. It was associated with a 60 percent higher relative risk of dying from heart disease or stroke. Not only that, it was linked to almost a 30 percent higher risk of death from any cause,… read on >
A baby’s nutritional balance during the first 1,000 days of life is critical to lifelong mental health and development, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. Sufficient amounts of key minerals, vitamins, proteins and certain fats during the infant and toddler years is key to avoiding permanent loss of brain function, the academy said. The AAP… read on >
Grinding teeth at night often is associated with daytime stress, the National Sleep Foundation says. The group suggests how to help control the problem: Relax in the hours before bedtime. Create a cool, comfortable, dark and quiet sleep environment. Keep computers, tablets and smartphones out of the bedroom. Exercise regularly. Get enough sleep each night.… read on >
Many of us make choices about whether to eat healthy or not-so-healthy foods based on whether we’re in a good or not-so-good mood. When a bad mood strikes, we often tend to reach for junk food. And that can be a recipe for disaster when you’re trying to lose weight. Here’s how to keep your… read on >
More than one-third of early clinical trials exaggerate positive findings and may give patients false hope, a new study suggests. Researchers reviewed data from 930 clinical trials published in 10 leading medical journals between early 2007 and mid-2015. The investigators found that a significant number of early trials reported effects that were 2.7 times greater… read on >
The number of uninsured American adults held steady at about 13 percent in 2017, but many more insured Americans are being presented with high deductibles, new research shows. A high-deductible health plan was defined by the study as one in which a single person would have an annual deductible of $1,300 or more, and a… read on >
Antidepressant drugs actually do help ease depression, countering debate over whether the medications do what they’re supposed to, a large research review has found. Some antidepressants, though, are more effective and better tolerated than others, the findings showed. The researchers analyzed data from 522 trials — published and unpublished — that included more than 116,000… read on >
A young person’s decision to drink alcohol may be related to the stress of trying to fit in with a particular crowd, the desire to get good grades or adjusting to a new school. Keeping open lines of communication with your child or teen may help prevent underage drinking. The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental… read on >
Cramps are a better-known symptom of a woman’s period, but about 20 percent of women are also prone to migraine headaches during menstruation. The Office on Women’s Health suggests seeing a doctor if you have any of these symptoms during menstruation: Your headaches change. Treatments that once worked no longer help. You have side effects… read on >
