New research suggests the effects of high blood pressure during pregnancy may be long-lasting. Researchers found that women who developed high blood pressure during pregnancy had tell-tale signs of abnormal heart structure and function up to a decade later. “This study helps to clarify that, for some women, pregnancy is not just a ‘stress test’… read on > read on >
A class of sedatives called benzodiazepines, which include meds like Ativan, Valium and Xanax, could be linked to higher odds for miscarriage if taken during pregnancy, new research finds. The findings held even after accounting for possible confounding factors such as anxiety and insomnia, the Taiwanese research team said. Looking at data on about 3… read on > read on >
Two types of mental health treatment are equally effective in treating fibromyalgia patients, Swedish researchers report. They compared traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to what is known as exposure-based CBT. In traditional CBT, patients receive several treatment strategies, such as relaxation, exercise or ways to manage negative thoughts. Patients in exposure-based CBT are repeatedly exposed… read on > read on >
A common stomach bug may play a part in Alzheimer’s disease risk. New research found that older folks infected with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) had greater odds for developing Alzheimer’s, the most common type of dementia. “Given the global aging population, dementia numbers are expected to triple in the next 40 years,” said study co-author… read on > read on >
In preliminary findings, Swedish researchers say taking a cholesterol-lowering statin could also slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The study can’t prove cause-and-effect, but might pave the way to a trial that could confirm such a link, said study author Sara Garcia-Ptacek, an associate professor of neuroscience at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. The study… read on > read on >
For the growing number of American seniors who live alone, having a beloved dog or cat by their side could help them maintain a healthy brain. New research on more than 7,900 people averaging 66 years of age found that those who lived alone were able to stave off losses in memory and thinking if… read on > read on >
Getting your preventive screening colonoscopy could be even more of a lifesaver than you thought, a new analysis finds. The two gold standard tests for spotting cancers and polyps of the colon — colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy — offer double the benefit determined in prior studies, conclude a team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT),… read on > read on >
At least 251 cases of lead poisoning linked to tainted fruit puree pouches have now been reported in 34 states, U.S. health officials said. That’s up from 205 cases reported in the last weekly tally, the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention noted in its latest update. States reporting new cases to CDC now include… read on > read on >
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 27, 2023 (HealthDay news) — A rising tide of cannabis-related mental health problems is resulting from the widespread legalization of recreational weed in the United States, warns a new evidence review. Nearly one in five Americans aged 12 and older used marijuana in 2021, and more than 16 million meet the criteria for… read on > read on >
People whose beliefs or concerns make them hesitant to get vaccinated are also likely to forgo vaccinating their pets, new research shows. That could threaten the health of people and their four-legged friends, researchers said. “Decreasing pet vaccination rates pose challenges to society for a number of reasons, including increased incidents of pet disease and… read on > read on >
