About one in 10 heart surgery patients who is prescribed an opioid painkiller after the procedure still uses the drugs more than 90 days later, a new study finds. And those prescribed the highest doses are most likely to be long-term users of opioids, researchers say. “Our findings support a much-needed shift toward decreasing opioid… read on >
All Food:
In the COVID Era, Dental Appointments Won’t Be the Same
Dental offices responded to COVID-19 lockdowns in much the same way as other medical professions, halting routine visits and only providing emergency care to patients in dire need. But now that stay-at-home orders are lifting, many dentists are reopening, but with new protocols to limit infection. Your dental appointment will not be the same, with… read on >
Female Athletes Shortchange Themselves on Nutrition
Many female athletes lack knowledge about nutrition, which could harm their performance and put them at risk for health problems, a researcher says. A review of two decades of literature on female athletes older than 13 found “a lack of general knowledge of nutrition among athletes, coaches and other sports team specialists,” said study author… read on >
Latest in Cancer Prevention: Move More, Ditch Beer and Bacon
The latest cancer prevention guidelines may change your typical backyard barbecue: Gone are the hot dogs and booze. In are veggie kebobs and maybe a swim or some badminton. The American Cancer Society’s new cancer prevention recommendations suggest, among other things, adding more physical activity to your days. About 20 minutes a day is the… read on >
For Tasty Tomatoes, Either the Fridge or the Counter Is OK: Study
How you store your tomatoes doesn’t affect the flavor — what really matters is the type of tomato you choose, researchers say. A team from the University of Göttingen in Germany investigated the differences in flavor of ripe, picked tomatoes when stored in the refrigerator (44.6 degrees Fahrenheit) and at room temperature (68 degrees F).… read on >
Could Heartburn Med Pepcid Ease COVID-19 Symptoms?
An over-the-counter heartburn remedy is showing some potential as a symptom reliever for COVID-19, a small study finds. Famotidine, sold under the brand name Pepcid, appeared to improve symptoms in a group of 10 patients diagnosed with COVID-19, researchers reported online June 4 in the journal Gut. The patients’ self-reported symptoms began to feel better… read on >
Trump-Touted Hydroxychloroquine in Short Supply for Lupus Patients
A drug championed by President Donald Trump as a coronavirus panacea appears to be in short supply for people who really need it: lupus patients. More than one-third of U.S. lupus patients who take hydroxychloroquine have struggled to fill prescriptions for the drug during the COVID-19 crisis, a new survey finds. One patient finally filled… read on >
1 in 10 Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients With Diabetes Dies: Study
Ten percent of COVID-19 patients with diabetes die within a week of entering the hospital and 20% need a ventilator to breathe by that point, a new French study found. Researchers analyzed data on more than 1,300 COVID-19 patients with diabetes, average age 70, who were hospitalized in France during March. Of those, 89% had… read on >
For Many Kids, Picky Eating Isn’t Just a Phase, Study Finds
For parents hoping their “picky” eater will grow out of it, a new study may be unwelcome news. Researchers found that choosy 4-year-olds were still turning their noses up at many foods at age 9 — suggesting their finicky eating is more of a trait than a phase. The study, which followed over 300 children,… read on >
Keeping Kids Slim, Fit During Lockdown Isn’t Easy: Here Are Some Tips
Lots of TV time, no PE classes, and a fridge full of food: It’s a recipe for weight gain for kids under “stay at home” rules. But there are ways parents can help them stay healthy, says registered dietitian Audrey Koltun. “During quarantine, we hear we should try to stay healthy, not overeat, and exercise,… read on >