They described hearing loud, unusual noises in either their homes or hotel rooms. Afterwards, they experienced concussion-like symptoms such as memory and thinking problems, headaches, dizziness and balance issues. But the exact nature of what harmed more than 20 U.S. government personnel stationed in Havana, Cuba, last year remains mysterious, reports a team led by… read on >
Researchers from Denmark are suggesting a potential — and unusual — risk factor for stroke: Being short as a kid. The investigators found that men and women who had been about 2 inches taller than average at age 7 had, as adults, up to an 11 percent lower risk for an ischemic stroke. That’s the… read on >
If you have intense pain in your feet, arthritis may be the cause of your woes. Arthritis leads to swelling and pain in the cartilage and lining of the joints. If these symptoms affect your feet, it’s probably time to visit a podiatrist, the American Podiatric Medical Association says. The group says symptoms of foot-joint… read on >
Balance exercises can help prevent falls, especially among older adults. But before you begin any exercise program, always consult your doctor. The American Council on Exercise mentions these common balance exercises for active older adults: Side X Balance Reach — Stand on the right leg and lean the body toward the right. Point the right… read on >
Single dads have been played for laughs in countless TV sitcoms, from “The Andy Griffith Show” and “My Three Sons” up to modern takes such as “Arrested Development” and “Louie.” But in real life, being a single dad is tough — so much so that it can lead to an early grave, Canadian researchers report.… read on >
If you worry about ever getting cancer, you might want to pass on the processed foods at your supermarket. Every 10 percent dietary increase in packaged snacks, fizzy drinks, sugary cereals and other highly processed foods boosts the risk for cancer by 12 percent, new research suggests. Breast cancer, in particular, was associated with greater… read on >
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 >
