A small battery-operated device long used as a treatment for pain may also help patients with sleep apnea, a British study suggests. Sleep apnea is a condition that impedes breathing during sleep, reduces oxygen intake and undermines sleep itself. The remedy: zapping sleepers with continuous but controlled electric pulses to open obstructed airways, improve breathing… read on > read on >
Most people with appendicitis who are given antibiotics — instead of having their appendix removed — fare well over the long haul, new research indicates. The conclusion follows roughly two decades spent tracking patient outcomes in Sweden. The study found that among those initially treated solely with antibiotics, rather than surgery, less than half ended… read on > read on >
The heart risks posed by air pollution have grown worldwide over the past three decades, a new study claims. The annual number of premature heart-related deaths and years of disability attributable to particulate matter (PM) air pollution increased 31% between 1990 and 2019, the researchers reported. Men suffered more than women, experiencing a 43% increase… read on > read on >
THURSDAY, Aug. 10, 2023 (American Heart Association News) — Any parent knows that back-to-school season can turn into one of the busiest times of the year. As a medical professional whose many roles include being a parent to two adolescents, Dr. Natalie Muth might know more than most. Muth is a pediatrician and registered dietitian… read on > read on >
Older adults who use certain heartburn medications for years may have a heightened risk of developing dementia, a new study suggests. The study, published Aug. 9 in the journal Neurology, is the latest to point to potential hazards from prolonged use of medications called proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs. They include such well-known brands as… read on > read on >
Modern antidepressants could be effective for long-term treatment of some patients with bipolar disorder, a new trial suggests. Current guidelines discourage use of antidepressants in these patients, over concerns that the drugs will trigger a manic episode. But bipolar patients who remained on antidepressants for a whole year had fewer mood episodes than those who… read on > read on >
Microplastics appear to be everywhere, including within the tissues of the human heart. A new Chinese report describes doctors finding microplastics in heart tissue both before and after heart surgery. The researchers also noted there is evidence suggesting that microplastics may have been unexpectedly introduced during the heart procedures. The researchers, who included Kun Hua… read on > read on >
It may not get the publicity of some better-known vitamins like D, but vitamin K — found in leafy green vegetables — may boost lung health. A new, large study — published Aug. 10 in ERJ Open Research — suggests that people who have low levels of this vitamin also have less healthy lungs. They… read on > read on >
THURSDAY, Aug. 10, 2023 (HealthDay News) – For people who are transmasculine or nonbinary, getting a gender-affirming mastectomy can be life-changing. Now, a new study finds there are high levels of satisfaction and low levels of regret for patients years after the procedure is performed. Researchers from the University of Michigan found an overwhelmingly positive… read on > read on >
If you’re one of the millions of folks bent on racking up at least 10,000 steps a day, read on. A new study finds that heart health starts to improve with as few as 2,300 steps a day. The research also indicates your risk of dying from any disease starts to decrease with only about… read on > read on >
