The Omicron variant could prompt a reshuffling of the way doctors treat COVID infections in the United States, and antiviral pills will likely lead the way in that redoubled effort, Harvard experts say. New antiviral pills developed by Merck and Pfizer are expected to remain effective against the Omicron variant, mostly because they interfere with… read on > read on >
“Fights off tumors and alleviates symptoms of chemotherapy,” one vape’s advertising claims, while another is touted as an “asthma remedy, ADHD remedy, and dementia treatment.” Don’t believe the hype. Despite claims that certain vaping products may alleviate health problems, there’s no proof that they do — and they may even cause health issues, the U.S.… read on > read on >
Children with hard-to-control asthma may get relief from adding an injectable antibody drug to their standard treatment, a clinical trial has found. The drug, called dupilumab (Dupixent), has been available for several years to treat stubborn asthma in adults and teenagers. Based on the new findings, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently gave it… read on > read on >
What do all the microbes living rent-free in your gut have to do with disease risk? Perhaps a lot. A groundbreaking analysis of decades-old stool and blood samples from the early AIDS epidemic suggests that men who had high levels of inflammation-causing bacteria in their intestinal tract may have had a greater risk for contracting… read on > read on >
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday backed the emergency approval of Pfizer’s booster shots for Americans aged 16 and 17. The decision came shortly after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized a third dose for that age group; boosters for those aged 18 and up were approved in November. “Although… read on > read on >
Children at risk for multiple sclerosis (MS) might find some protection from the disease by spending more time in the sun, a small study suggests. Although MS is rare in children and young adults, those with relatives who have the condition have increased odds of developing the disease early. Exposure to sunlight may cut their… read on > read on >
For people suffering from clots in their legs, a new study finds that one of two commonly used blood thinners is safer and more effective than the other. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) can cause clots to form in the deep veins in the legs, and if one breaks loose it can travel to the lungs and… read on > read on >
When a woman’s periods begin to slow down and finally stop, digestive problems often pick up — and new research suggests race and ethnicity play a role. With menopause, levels of estrogen decrease, while cortisol levels increase, triggering an adrenaline boost that changes digestive function. It can set off symptoms such as bloating, nausea, diarrhea,… read on > read on >
President Joe Biden promised cheaper prescription drugs for all Americans on Monday as his social agenda legislation winds its way through Congress. Biden tried to shift Americans’ focus to pocketbook provisions overlooked in his $2 trillion legislation, which deals with everything from climate to family life and taxes. The legislation has passed the House and… read on > read on >
The best available treatment for COVID-19 infection just got a lot easier to administer to more people, potentially saving more lives in the process, a new study claims. Monoclonal antibodies have been shown to dramatically reduce risk of hospitalization and death if given within five days of developing symptoms of COVID. However, there’s a big… read on > read on >
