College students who use drugs like Adderall to help them focus on their studies may be setting themselves up for trouble. Researchers asked 700 undergraduates across the United States about drugs commonly used by students — including ADHD medications like Adderall, cannabis, nicotine, alcohol, MDMA and ecstasy. They also asked about students’ academic performance and… read on > read on >
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Using Tap Water for Your Nasal Rinse? Beware Amoeba Dangers
Folks with sinus issues often turn to neti pots or “nasal rinsing” to help clear their clogged passages. Unfortunately, too many don’t follow standard advice to avoid using tap water, and that’s leading to sometimes fatal amoebic infections, a new report finds. “A recent study showed that nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults think tap water… read on > read on >
Female Whales Undergo Menopause, and Scientists Now Know Why
Why humans, five whale species and some chimpanzees are the only known mammals to go through menopause has long been a mystery. Now, researchers at the University of Exeter in the U.K. think they’ve found the answer: It’s all about survival of the species. It turns out that females of five toothed-whale species that experience… read on > read on >
Study Questions ‘Rising’ Level of U.S. Maternal Deaths
For years, U.S. health officials have been sounding the alarm over a steady rise in pregnancy-related deaths among American women, with numbers that appeared to far outstrip those of other wealthy nations. However, the statistics behind those trends could be flawed, researchers report in a new study. Their detailed reanalysis of government data from 2002… read on > read on >
Cyberattack Leaves Health Care Providers Reeling Weeks Later
Following a cyberattack on the largest health insurer in the United States last month, health care providers continue to scramble as insurance payments and prescription orders continue to be disrupted and physicians lose an estimated $100 million a day. That estimate was generated by First Health Advisory, a cybersecurity firm that specializes in the health… read on > read on >
Weight-Loss Surgery Could Be Lifesaver for Folks Needing New Kidneys
Weight-loss surgery may help patients struggling with obesity and kidney failure become eligible for a lifesaving transplant, researchers report. Obesity is a key reason why some kidney patients are turned down for a transplant. But weight-loss surgery “not only helps in reducing the patients’ weight to a level where they can safely receive a transplant,… read on > read on >
Cosmetic Surgery Leaves 1 in 8 Patients With Chronic Post-Op Pain
Norwegians are increasingly asking surgeons for a nip, tuck or implant, and many — especially men — have pain that lingers long after their procedure, a new survey shows. Researchers asked 1,746 adults in Norway whether they had undergone cosmetic surgery and how it turned out. One in 10 said they had had a cosmetic… read on > read on >
1 in 6 Gun Deaths for Women Occur In or Around Pregnancy
A woman’s risk of intentional death by firearm rises during and shortly after pregnancy, new research shows. About 1 in 6 intentional firearm-related deaths in women of childbearing age occurred during pregnancy or within a year of childbirth, the study found. Dr. Naima Joseph, of the Boston Medical Center, led the inquiry, which included data… read on > read on >
Precautions Needed When Folks Taking Ozempic, Wegovy Undergo Anesthesia
Nurses who specialize in anesthesia have issued new guidelines to reduce the risk that patients taking weight-loss drugs like Ozempic or Wegovy throw up during surgery. “These medications have exploded in popularity,” said Micah Walden, of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) Practice Committee. “This means additional preparation for patients, anesthesia providers and the surgical… read on > read on >
Depression May Be Tougher on Women’s Hearts Than Men’s
Researchers are zeroing in on the reasons why women who battle depression may be more likely than men to develop heart disease. A study published March 12 in the journal JACC: Asia underscores the need to tailor prevention and management strategies according to sex-specific factors, researchers said. This “may help in the development of targeted… read on > read on >