Advanced scanning techniques can find hidden inflammation in the brains of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, a new study shows. This “smoldering” inflammation detected by positron emission tomography (PET) brain scans could help explain why patients continue to decline even though imaging shows no brain changes, researchers reported recently in the journal Clinical Nuclear Medicine. “One… read on > read on >
Most seniors probably view any emergency surgery with a certain level of anxiety. Now, a new study seeks to sort out who might be at highest risk for a complication from such surgeries — and which surgeries are more prone to trouble. Two key factors emerged: How frail any patient over 65 was prior to… read on > read on >
Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) is a leading cause of illness and death, especially for frail and hospitalized Americans. Now, a new study suggests that the leading antibiotic used to fight it, vancomycin, may be losing potency against this killer. “It’s an alarming development in the field of C. diff, as there are only two recommended… read on > read on >
Warning letters sent by Medicare officials can prompt a decline in antipsychotic prescriptions for seniors with dementia, a new study finds. Letters sent to heavy prescribers of quetiapine (Seroquel), the most popular antipsychotic in the United States, led to a significant decline in drugs handed out to seniors, researchers reported April 25 in the journal… read on > read on >
The short post-pandemic uptick in U.S. births may be over, with 2023 numbers showing a decline in births. According to provisional data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just under 3.6 million babies were born in America in 2023, about 76,000 fewer than the year before. It’s also the lowest number of… read on > read on >
As many patients already know, urinary tract infections (UTIs) can recur despite the use of antibiotics. So, it’s welcome news that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved Pivya (pivmecillinam) to fight bacterial UTIs. “UTIs are a very common condition impacting women and one of the most frequent reasons for antibiotic use,” Dr.… read on > read on >
School lunches will soon contain less added sugars and salt under new nutrition standards announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wednesday. “We all share the goal of helping children reach their full potential,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a news release announcing the changes. “Like teachers, classrooms, books and computers, nutritious school… read on > read on >
As bird flu continues to spread among dairy cows in the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Wednesday it will start requiring testing of the animals if they are moved across state lines. The “USDA has identified [bird flu] spread between cows within the same herd, spread from cows to poultry, spread between… read on > read on >
Young people researching health topics on TikTok will find an alarming amount of misinformation on the platform, a new study says. About 44% of TikTok videos related to sinusitis contained non-factual information, researchers reported recently in the journal Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Further, almost half of the videos came from “non-medical influencers” – content creators… read on > read on >
Emulsifiers — substances that are essential ingredients in processed foods — appear to increase people’s risk of type 2 diabetes, a new study finds. In fact, the more emulsifiers that people eat as part of their food, the higher their risk of type 2 diabetes, researchers reported April 23 in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology… read on > read on >
