Surgery coming up? Mimicking the high-altitude breathing of mountaineers might make your procedure safer, a tiny study suggests. It’s a form of what surgeons call “prehabilitation:” Making a patient’s body a bit fitter beforehand to withstand the risks and rigors of surgery. Investigators found that exposing patients to reduced oxygen levels (“hypoxia”) for a week… read on > read on >
Women who enter menopause early could be at increased risk of muscle loss in their senior years, a new study suggests. Conversely, the more extended a woman’s reproductive period, the lower the risk of declining muscle mass as measured by handgrip strength. “This study showed that a longer reproductive period and later age at menopause… read on > read on >
Having mom or dad hold their preemie baby against their own skin immediately after birth appears to help the infants in their development months later, new research shows. In many neonatal wards, babies born prematurely are transferred soon after delivery to an incubator, to keep them warm and help them stabilize. But even a few… read on > read on >
SATURDAY, Dec. 2, 2023 (Healthday News) — The holidays are typically a happy whirlwind of gift-buying, house decorating, party planning and family gatherings, but all that work can also stress people out. Luckily, experts at UT Southwestern Medical Center say there are things you can do to keep your stress levels under control and help… read on > read on >
A new study of identical twins has provided fresh evidence that a vegan diet can vastly improve a person’s heart health. Twins assigned a vegan diet for two months had significant improvements in cholesterol, insulin and body weight compared to their siblings, who ate a healthy diet that included animal protein. “Based on these results… read on > read on >
Got a naturally sunny disposition? It might protect you from dementia as the years advance, new research shows. A team at Northwestern University in Chicago report that certain personality traits — being conscientious, outgoing and positive — appear to lower a person’s odds for a dementia diagnosis. On the other hand, being neurotic and more… read on > read on >
FRIDAY, Dec. 1, 2023 (Healthday News) — In testimony provided Thursday to members of Congress, the head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that a surge in respiratory illnesses in China is not being fueled by a new virus. Instead, the spike can be linked to existing viruses and bacteria, including… read on > read on >
Doing some squats during commercial breaks or between YouTube videos can help couch potatoes keep their minds sharp, a new study suggests. Young volunteers who did short sets of squat exercises every now and then while relaxing performed better in brain games than when they simply sat around for hours, researchers report. Short bursts of… read on > read on >
Bodybuilders are largely unaware that the protein supplements they use to bulk up might harm their fertility, a new study shows. Four out of five male gym enthusiasts (79%) said they use protein supplements as part of their fitness plan, the poll found. But only 14% had considered how those supplements — which contain high… read on > read on >
FRIDAY, Dec. 1, 2023 (Healthday News) — Shoppers should steer clear of any pre-cut cantaloupe if the brand is unknown, as a salmonella outbreak linked to the fruit continues to widen, U.S. health officials warned Thursday. Eighteen more illnesses have been reported since Nov. 24, the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention said in… read on > read on >
