Yogurt makers can now make limited claims about the food’s power to help prevent type 2 diabetes, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. In a statement released Friday, the agency said it will not object to “qualified health claims” that say there is some evidence that eating at least 2 cups of yogurt a… read on > read on >
The first over-the-counter birth control pill will soon be available in U.S. stores and online, the drug’s maker plans to announce Monday. Sold as Opill, the medication was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last May. Once it is officially for sale, a one-month supply will cost women $19.99, while a three-month… read on > read on >
People with recurring urinary tract infections frequently have persistent pain, even after antibiotics have cleared the harmful bacteria from their system. Now, researchers have figured out why this perplexing problem occurs. It appears that an overgrowth of highly sensitive nerve cells can occur in the bladder as a result of frequent UTIs, researchers report March… read on > read on >
Sleep apnea could have detrimental effects on the brain, causing memory or thinking problems, a new study suggests. People suffering from sleep apnea are about 50% more likely to also report having memory or thinking problems, compared to those without sleep apnea, researchers say. “These findings highlight the importance of early screening for sleep apnea,”… read on > read on >
Major surgery is a dicey proposition for many seniors, with a substantial number landing back in the hospital just weeks or months after their operation, a new study warns. Nearly one in eight seniors (12%) who undergo surgery are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of their procedure, researchers report Feb. 28 in the… read on > read on >
The vast majority (84%) of Americans with pets say their animal companion brings a positive mental health impact to their lives, a new poll shows. The poll of more than 2,200 adults conducted early last month also found about two-thirds of respondents calling their pet “a true friend,” a “companion” and someone who “provide[s] unconditional… read on > read on >
Salad lovers, take note: Lettuce is more vulnerable to E. coli contamination than other leafy greens, researchers report. The physical composition of green leaf and romaine lettuce makes it a happy home for E. coli bacteria, particularly at room temperature, according to a report published recently in the journal Food Microbiology. Other leafy greens –… read on > read on >
As new outbreaks of measles — a once nearly eliminated illness in the United States — continue to emerge, experts remind Americans that there’s an easy way to stop infection: Get vaccinated. “Measles spreads so easily that if one person has it, 90% of the people close to that person who are not vaccinated or… read on > read on >
Children exposed to anesthesia in the womb when their pregnant mom has surgery are more likely to suffer from behavioral issues later, a new study finds. Exposure to general anesthesia before birth was associated with a 31% increased risk of diagnosis with a behavioral disorder as a child, researchers reported Feb. 29 in the British… read on > read on >
CVS and Walgreens announced Friday that they will start dispensing the abortion pill mifepristone this month. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has certified the nation’s two largest pharmacy chains to dispense mifepristone, and they plan to make the medication available first in states where abortion is legal. The chains will not dispense the medication… read on > read on >
