High levels of exposure to the insecticide DDT in women seems to more than double the risk of autism in their children, new research suggests. The study looked for a link between the development of autism and two common environmental chemicals — DDT and PCBs. PCBs are chemicals that were used in many products, especially… read on >
HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is typically a manageable infection, but medications that keep the virus at bay don’t work for everyone. Now, researchers have developed a new medication to help them. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the drug — ibalizumab (Trogarzo) — in March. Phase 3 trial results were published in… read on >
For women with advanced breast cancer who carry the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, an experimental drug could improve survival, a new study suggests. The BRCA mutations are linked with a greater risk for aggressive breast and ovarian cancer. The drug, talazoparib, works by blocking an enzyme called poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP), thus preventing… read on >
Trying to restore blood flow may be better than amputation for patients with a serious leg circulation problem called critical limb ischemia, a new study contends. Critical limb ischemia is the most severe form of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and can lead to ulcers, gangrene and amputation, the researchers said. “Many patients who are diagnosed… read on >
Staying hydrated is a mantra not only when exercising, but throughout the day for optimal health. Yet it’s possible to get too much of a good thing. In recent years, a number of athletes have died from a condition called exercise-associated hyponatremia, or EAH, which results from overwhelming the kidneys with excess fluid and upsetting… read on >
Everything you eat goes through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Eating a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables will help keep your gut in good condition, the U.S. National Institutes of Health says. As many as 70 million Americans are affected by digestive diseases, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),… read on >
Researchers have found that having friends who gain weight — especially friends of the same gender — raises your chance of becoming overweight by more than 50 percent. That’s far more than if your spouse gains weight. But they’ve also found that the same type of social influence can help you lose weight. In fact,… read on >
More than 70 percent of Americans are overweight or obese, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. About 38 percent of those people are considered obese, the agency says. Obesity raises a person’s risk for health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and certain cancers. Obesity is commonly measured by calculating body… read on >
Planning ahead is the key to staying healthy and safe when you go hiking or camping, experts say. “‘Be prepared’ is the Boy Scout motto, and it is one of the best ways to avoid pitfalls and make the most of any hiking or camping trip,” said Dr. Jonathan Adams, a family medicine physician with… read on >
Eating a wide variety of foods might not be good for you after all, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association (AHA). “Eating a more diverse diet might be associated with eating a greater variety of both healthy and unhealthy foods. Combined, such an eating pattern may lead to increased food… read on >
