A new study suggests there’s more to sleep than how long you snooze each night. Your overall sleep pattern could shape your mood, brain function and even long-term health. Researchers from Concordia University in Montreal identified five distinct sleep profiles that may help explain why some people feel well-rested while others struggle with fatigue, poor…  read on >  read on >

A Minnesota-based company is recalling two types of organic frozen spinach sold nationwide because they may be contaminated with Listeria, a bacteria that can cause serious or even life-threatening illness. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said the recall affects products made by Sno Pac Foods, which distributes both under its own brand name…  read on >  read on >

Wildfire smoke could be damaging men’s fertility, according to a new study. Key measures of sperm quality appeared to drop among dozens of men participating in fertility treatments, researchers recently reported in the journal Fertility and Sterility. “These results reinforce growing evidence that environmental exposures — specifically wildfire smoke — can affect reproductive health,” said…  read on >  read on >

Heart-related health problems might affect as many as 1 in 7 pregnancies, even among women without any prior heart disease, a new study says. Researchers found a steady increase in heart-related health problems among more than 56,000 pregnancies between 2001 and 2019 in New England. Heart attack, stroke, heart failure, blood clots, high blood pressure…  read on >  read on >

A widely prescribed opioid painkiller is not all it’s cracked up to be, a new evidence review has concluded. The opioid painkiller tramadol does little to reduce moderate to severe pain, according to results published Oct. 7 in the journal BMJ Evidence Based Medicine. At the same time, tramadol increases a person’s risk of serious…  read on >  read on >

The healthy habits people adopt and stick with in their 20s and 30s have a massive and direct impact on their risk of a heart attack or stroke decades later, a landmark study says. Young adults who fail to keep heart-healthy practices can see their risk of future heart disease skyrocket by as much as…  read on >  read on >

“Fun-sized” bits of exercise sprinkled throughout the day might help boost the fitness of inactive folks, a new evidence review says. These exercise “snacks” — intentional short bursts of physical activity — significantly improved heart and lung fitness among adults, researchers reported Oct. 7 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. People also found it…  read on >  read on >

Federal health officials are warning consumers not to eat two types of Hello Fresh ready-made meals that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause serious illness. The warning came Monday after officials traced the affected Hello Fresh meals back to FreshRealm, a California-based company also linked to an ongoing national Listeria investigation involving…  read on >  read on >

Halloween is all about costumes, candy and fun, but all that sugar can take a toll on your child’s teeth. Dr. Cheen Loo, chair of pediatric dentistry at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, shares ways families can enjoy the treats without letting tooth decay join the party. Candy that can be tough…  read on >  read on >

Foster Poultry Farms is recalling more than 3.8 million pounds of chicken corn dogs after wood fragments were found in the batter, causing injuries. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said the Livingston, California–based company received multiple complaints from consumers who discovered wood in the products. At least five people…  read on >  read on >

More people are dying from accidents that occur while they’re using drugs, a new study says. The death rate from unintentional injuries related to drug use rose nearly 60% between 2018 and 2023, researchers reported Tuesday at a meeting of the American College of Surgeons in Chicago. “Drug use is now contributing to more accidental…  read on >  read on >

Rectal bleeding could be a powerful early warning sign of colon cancer among younger adults, a new study says. Such bleeding increased more than eightfold the odds of a colon cancer diagnosis among people younger than 50, researchers reported Tuesday at the American College of Surgeons’ annual meeting in Chicago. By comparison, a family history…  read on >  read on >