Young women with elevated blood pressure before pregnancy appear to have a greater risk of miscarriage, even if they haven’t been diagnosed with full-blown high blood pressure, a new study suggests. Risk of pregnancy loss increases about 18 percent for every 10-point increase in a young woman’s diastolic blood pressure (the lower number), which indicates… read on >
State laws that require child-seat use among kids eight and younger save lives, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Among states that issued stricter laws requiring car seats until a child is at least 7 years old, deaths and serious injuries among children in vehicles fell 17 percent, the agency says. Which… read on >
Your pet may be at risk for getting sick if you use raw pet food, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. Pet owners also are at risk of getting sick if they handle food that may be contaminated, the agency adds. If you must feed your pet raw food, the FDA suggests: Wash your… read on >
If you have diabetes, it’s time to think about your feet. “Diabetes is a multisystem disease,” Dr. Ronald Lepow explained in a news release from the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. “Circulation in the feet and legs may be diminished because there are problems with blood vessels that get narrowed or clogged as a… read on >
Scientists who found a way to use amniotic fluid to sequence the entire genome of a fetus say the breakthrough could significantly increase detection of genetic conditions during pregnancy. Researchers tweaked a common prenatal test called amniocentesis. In that procedure, amniotic fluid is taken from a pregnant woman’s uterus and analyzed for abnormalities in the… read on >
Women with dark, coarse hair growth on the face, chest or back should be tested for polycystic ovary syndrome and other underlying health problems, a new Endocrine Society guideline says. Hirsutism — the growth of unwanted hair in places where men typically grow hair, such as the face or chest — affects between 5 and… read on >
Home exercise equipment has come a long way over the years. It’s a great option if you’re starting a fitness program and don’t want to go to a gym or can’t get to your gym often enough. There’s also the convenience of having your favorite piece of cardio equipment in your home, especially on bad… read on >
Headed to a Major League Baseball game? Be prepared to duck and cover. As the 2018 season gets underway, a new study finds that fans’ risk of being struck by a foul ball or flying bat at Major League Baseball (MLB) games is on the rise. Each year, about 1,750 fans are hurt by foul… read on >
Hay fever sufferers often choose the wrong medication for their seasonal sniffles, new research suggests. With flowers, trees and grasses springing back to life, folks with allergies will start to complain of sneezing, runny noses, and watery, itchy eyes. More often than not, though, they’ll head to the allergy aisle of their nearest drug store… read on >
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sometimes called heartburn, occurs when yourstomachcontents back up into youresophagus. The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases says without treatment, GERD can lead to a host of medical issues affecting the esophagus and breathing. To help tame GERD, the agency suggests: Lose any excess weight. Wear loose-fitting… read on >
