Following weeks of increases in flu activity, the latest U.S. government data shows “a single-week decrease” for the first time in months. But health officials warn that the flu season is far from over, with a surge expected shortly. “Folks try not to seek care during the holiday season, so we see these divots in… read on > read on >
Art therapy has the potential to help women deal with menopause, a new study reports. Creative arts therapies combined with nutrition education significantly improved quality of life, stress, anxiety and body image in a group of overweight women who had entered menopause, researchers said. All participants also experienced decreases in body mass index and blood… read on > read on >
Scientists from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration conclude in newly released documents that marijuana has less potential for abuse than other drugs with the same restrictions and it should be reclassified as a less dangerous drug. Not only that, the review found there is some evidence backing its use as a medical treatment. Right… read on > read on >
A crowded house may not be the best for the mental health of a family’s kids, a new study has found. Teens from larger families tend to have poorer mental health than those with fewer siblings, according to a large-scale analysis of children in the United States and China. In the United States, children with… read on > read on >
Taking nitrates for heart problems alongside erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra or Cialis could be a prescription for trouble, a new study warns. Men who combine the two types of medications have a higher risk of death or suffering a heart-related health emergency, researchers reported Jan. 15 in the Journal of the American College of… read on > read on >
Snowstorms are blanketing the United States, prompting countless Americans to pick up snow shovels and clear walkways and driveways. Shoveling snow is more than a chore, however — it can be a health hazard. The exertion of shoveling snow increases a person’s risk of heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest, warns the American Heart Association.… read on > read on >
New research in mice is pointing to a surprising connection: Gum disease could exacerbate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Because gum disease (periodontitis) is a chronic, inflammatory infection, it’s long been linked to higher heart disease risks. Now, Chinese researchers believe it could also have ties to the sixth leading cause of death in the… read on > read on >
Stress appears to increase a person’s chances of developing metabolic syndrome, a cluster of unhealthy factors that add up to an increased risk for serious problems, a new study finds. Inflammation driven by a person’s stress levels can make them more likely to develop metabolic syndrome, just as their lifestyle and genetics also contribute to… read on > read on >
The Quaker Oats Co has widened a recall of granola bars and cereals that was first announced in December, adding more products that may potentially be contaminated with salmonella. The products were sold in all U.S. states and territories, with a full list of recalled products listed on the company’s updated statement. While salmonella could… read on > read on >
