New research suggests that smoking weed is far from benign: Toking every day might raise your odds of heart disease. The increased risk is not insignificant. Daily marijuana users are about one-third more likely to develop coronary artery disease, compared with people who have never used the drug, researchers say. Marijuana is becoming more widely… read on > read on >
Public health officials are warning about an increase in drug-resistant strains of the bacteria shigella. About 5% of shigella infections reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last year were caused by the drug-resistant XDR strain. That compares to 0% in 2015. Limited treatment options exist for people infected with XDR strains.… read on > read on >
Folks who have trouble falling or staying asleep may be more likely to have a heart attack. This is the main takeaway from new research linking insomnia to heart woes. Specifically, people with insomnia were 69% more likely to have a heart attack than folks without the sleep disorder. These rates were even higher among… read on > read on >
MONDAY, Feb. 27, 2023 (American Heart Association News) — Mark Wangrin and his wife, Barbara, put on their athletic gear and drove to their Austin, Texas, fitness center for an early morning Sunday workout. Mark hopped on treadmill No. 1. Barbara climbed onto a nearby rower. Then she switched to weights. While running, Mark glanced… read on > read on >
When depression hits, everyday activities like working, socializing, sleeping and even eating can become a daunting challenge. George Mason University clinical psychologist James Maddux treats patients with clinical depression in his practice. He said, “The problems with both depression and anxiety are the result of what people think about. These thoughts lead to feelings that… read on > read on >
Many women experience blinding migraine headaches around their monthly period, and now researchers have a clue about why. Levels of the female hormone estrogen fluctuate during menstruation, which may lead to increases in calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). This protein widens blood vessels in the brain, which is part of the cascade of events that cause… read on > read on >
Certain gene mutations put women at high risk of breast cancer, and now an early study hints that obesity might make matters worse. The findings come from a study of breast tissue samples from women who carried particular mutations in genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2 — which convey much higher-than-normal risks of both breast and… read on > read on >
MONDAY, Feb. 27, 2023 (HealthDay News) – A new at-home test will help people struggling with upper respiratory symptoms figure out whether they have COVID-19 or the flu. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Lucira under an emergency use authorization (EUA) on Friday. “Today’s authorization of the first OTC [over-the-counter] test that can detect… read on > read on >
MONDAY, Feb. 27, 2023 (HealthDay News) – Federal officials plan to tighten access to drugs that have the potential for abuse by reinstating federal prescribing requirements that were loosened during the pandemic. The Biden administration will require that patients see a doctor in person, rather than through a telehealth appointment, to get a first prescription… read on > read on >
MONDAY, Feb. 27, 2023 (HealthDay News) – Children in Sweden’s capital can breathe a little easier. As Stockholm’s air has gotten cleaner, young people’s lungs have gotten stronger, new research shows. The findings could have implications for cities worldwide. While the adverse impact of air pollutants on kids’ lung health is well-documented, the impact of… read on > read on >
