Can the adoring gaze of a dog or the comforting purr of a cat be helpful to people with mental illness? Absolutely, new research suggests. Although furry companions won’t replace medications or therapy for mental health concerns, they can provide significant benefits, according to British researchers. Their review of 17 studies found that pets can… read on >
A gene mutation that’s passed down from a father is associated with earlier onset of ovarian cancer in daughters and prostate cancer in the father and his sons, a new study suggests. Previous research had shown that sisters of women with ovarian cancer have a higher risk for the disease than their mother, but the… read on >
The only equipment you really need to go running are running shoes. But choosing a pair can often feel like a shopping marathon. There’s no shortage of big box sporting goods stores, but ask the staff at a local running club for suggestions about where to shop. The salespeople at a specialty shoe store should… read on >
Less than a fifth of U.S. children with sickle cell anemia are getting the antibiotics that could save their lives, a new study finds. “Longstanding recommendations say children with sickle cell anemia should take antibiotics daily for their first five years of life,” the study’s lead author, Sarah Reeves, said in a news release from… read on >
You’ve caught the flu, but you have to go to work and you can’t desert your family. What do you do? Believe it or not, one expert says there are ways to stem the spread of sickness — even if you can’t avoid being around other people. It sounds like a tall order during this… read on >
Some of the 17 people killed Wednesday in the senseless Florida school shooting might have survived if their bleeding could have been stopped in time, experts say. Noting that it takes only 5 to 10 minutes for a gunshot victim to bleed to death, the American College of Surgeons has long pushed a nationwide program… read on >
Skiing and snowboarding are great ways to keep your family active during the cold winter months. But as with any winter activity, you should avoid prolonged exposure to the cold by scheduling breaks to go inside and warm up. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these suggestions for skiing or snowboarding with your children: Children… read on >
It’s common to be frequently stressed. When faced with a stressful situation, according to the American Cancer Society, your pulse quickens, you breathe faster, your muscles tense and your brain uses more oxygen. If your stress lasts too long, however, it can harm your health. The Cancer Society suggests methods to better help you cope… read on >
Taking blood-thinning drugs is typically thought to ward off stroke in people with the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation. However, new research out of Britain hints — but cannot prove — that the drugs might actually raise the odds of stroke in seniors with a-fib who also have kidney disease. “Chronic kidney disease is common… read on >
Take good prenatal care of yourself and not only will you have a healthier baby, you’ll also lower his or her risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity and heart disease later in life. First, you’ll want to monitor your weight while pregnant. A baby’s future diabetes risk, for example, is higher if mom is under-… read on >
