Doctors continue to prescribe far too many opioid painkillers to patients following surgery, a new study indicates. In fact, one of every three patients prescribed an opioid, such as Oxycontin, didn’t take a single pill during their recuperation, said lead researcher Elizabeth Habermann. She is scientific director for surgical outcomes at the Mayo Clinic in… read on >
Deep breathing is a great stress reliever, and the technique called mindfulness meditation is a helpful way to use breathing to get more in touch with your inner self. People who meditate say they feel more positive, and have more energy and better concentration. There’s more than one way to tap meditation’s benefits — through… read on >
The makeup of bacteria in your dog’s digestive tract may be more like your own than you think, researchers say. In a new study, investigators analyzed gut bacteria populations (“microbiomes”) in two dog breeds. The findings showed that the genes in the dogs’ microbiomes had many similarities with humans. In fact, they were more similar… read on >
Women are more likely than men to suffer a knee injury called an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. But — surprisingly — the injury occurs the same way in both genders, a new study reveals. Prior research suggested women are two to four times more likely to suffer ACL tears due to differences in how… read on >
Men under 50 who smoke cigarettes are increasing their risk for a stroke, researchers warn. And the more they smoke, the greater their stroke risk, reported the University of Maryland investigators. The bottom line: quit. But if you can’t, smoking fewer cigarettes may help reduce your risk, the researchers said. “We found that men who… read on >
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that causes the heart to become enlarged, rigid or thicker. As the condition worsens, the heart becomes weaker and is less effective at pumping blood, the U.S. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute says. The agency suggests how to help tame some of the condition’s complications: Quit… read on >
Your teeth may be a good indicator of your heart health, the American Heart Association says. A recent clinical study focusing on tooth loss during midlife found that people who lost two or more teeth during the trial had a 23 percent increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The increase occurred regardless of other cardiovascular risk… read on >
The outbreak of E. coli illness tied to tainted Arizona romaine lettuce continues to expand, federal health officials said Wednesday. “Since the last update on April 13, 2018, 18 more ill people have been added to this investigation, bringing the total number to 53,” the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a… read on >
Is the “e” word — exercise — a downer for you? If so, you need look no further than everyday chores to find new ways to ramp up your workout level and burn more calories. Remember, if you’re moving you’re burning calories — and the movement doesn’t have to be on a treadmill or even… read on >
New research sheds light on why some people’s blood pressure is especially sensitive to salt. The research team previously discovered that a natural gene variation that occurs in 48 percent of people increases a person’s chances of having blood pressure that’s sensitive to salt. Their new study revealed how this gene variant prevents the body… read on >
