When Americans need medical care, almost one in two people choose the emergency room, a new study reveals. “I was stunned by the results. This really helps us better understand health care in this country,” said Dr. David Marcozzi. He is an associate professor in the University of Maryland’s department of emergency medicine. “This research… read on >
For a child with spastic cerebral palsy, simply grasping a toy may be impossible. But infusions of their own umbilical cord blood might make basic movements like this easier, researchers say. Children with spastic cerebral palsy have stiff muscles that can make it hard to move. The condition is usually caused by brain damage before… read on >
Struggling to lose weight? Maybe posting that selfie on social media can help, researchers say. Their study included 33 people in two weight-loss groups — surgical and nonsurgical — who regularly blogged or posted online about their weight-loss experiences and were followed for four years. Sharing their successes and setbacks on social media helped the… read on >
Many patients overestimate the amount of pain they’ll experience after surgery, resulting in needless anxiety, a new study reports. “We believe providers need to do a better job of counseling patients on realistic pain expectations,” said study co-author Dr. Jaime Baratta, director of regional anesthesia at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. The research included… read on >
A teenage school shooter may be attempting to prove his masculinity. So says an Oregon researcher who analyzed the traits shared by 31 boys involved in 29 mass shootings at U.S. schools. The attacks occurred between 1995 and 2015, and the killers ranged in age from 11 to 18 years old. The total number of… read on >
Labeling some foods as meals rather than snacks could cut down on overeating, a new study suggests. The research included 80 people who were asked to eat a pasta dish presented as either a snack (eaten standing up from a plastic pot with a plastic fork) or a meal (eaten seated at a table from… read on >
Inflammation in middle age may increase the risk for brain shrinkage and dementia in old age, a new study suggests. The researchers tested more than 1,600 people for five “biomarkers” of inflammation in their blood when they were, on average, 53 years old. About 24 years later, the participants were given brain scans and a… read on >
Can caffeine help people with chronic kidney disease live longer? That’s the suggestion of a new study that found that among more than 2,300 Americans with chronic kidney disease, those who drank the most caffeinated drinks reduced their risk of premature death by 24 percent. “Our study showed a dose-dependent protective effect of caffeine consumption… read on >
Heart experts are cautiously embracing the results of a new, landmark clinical trial that questions the value of opening blocked arteries to relieve chest pain. Chest pain sufferers who received a stent — a tiny wire mesh tube — to reopen an obstructed artery did not show any more improvement than people who only took… read on >
Nearly 18 percent of kids have a chronic health condition, such as asthma or allergies. If your child is one of them, working successfully with your school’s nurse will help keep him or her safe. Because a good chunk of a child’s day is spent in school, it’s important to communicate clearly and regularly with… read on >
