Severely obese people may need more frequent COVID-19 booster shots to keep their immunity going, new research suggests. Protection from the shots declines more rapidly in those who are severely obese compared to those at a normal weight, according to scientists at the Universities of Cambridge and Edinburgh in the United Kingdom. “Because of the… read on > read on >
All Food:
Cleveland Case Suggests Tainted Eye Drops Were Harming Vision Months Before CDC Alert
Months before U.S. health officials warned that tainted eye drops were causing vision loss and even death, a Cleveland woman lost the sight in her eye in a case that puzzled her doctors. The 72-year-old went to an outpatient eye clinic last November complaining of blurry vision. She was sent to a hospital emergency department… read on > read on >
FDA Eases Rules on Gay Men Donating Blood
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday finalized the elimination of certain restrictions that prevented healthy gay and bisexual men from donating blood. Instead of requiring men who have sex with men or the women who have sex with them to abstain for sexual contact for three months, the FDA has created an individual… read on > read on >
FDA Approves First Drug Meant to Ease Alzheimer’s-Linked Agitation
A medication to treat agitation in Alzheimer’s patients now has approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA gave supplemental approval to Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., and Lundbeck Inc. for Rexulti (brexpiprazole) oral tablets on Thursday. Rexulti is the first FDA-approved treatment for these symptoms. “Agitation is one of the most common and… read on > read on >
Seat Post Defect Spurs Recall of 2 Million Peloton Exercise Bikes
People who use a Peloton exercise bike at home should check their model number immediately. A recall of 2 million bikes with the model number PL01 was issued Thursday. People should stop using them immediately because of fall and injury hazards, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said. The new recall follows reports of seat… read on > read on >
The Most Common Allergy Medicines
If you suffer from allergies, you know how bothersome and uncomfortable the sneezing and itchy eyes can be. These symptoms are more than irritating — they impact day-to-day activities like work, school, sports, sleeping and even eating. Not only that, but allergies can also cause more serious health problems such as asthma and even anaphylaxis,… read on > read on >
Skin Patch Could Help Ease Peanut Allergy in Toddlers
A “peanut patch” worn on the skin may help protect toddlers who have potentially life-threatening peanut allergies, a new clinical trial shows. The patch is a form of immunotherapy, which means it exposes peanut-allergic children to tiny bits of peanut protein over time — with the goal of training the immune system to better tolerate… read on > read on >
FDA Advisors OK Approval of First Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill
In a unanimous vote, a panel of expert advisors to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday endorsed the over-the-counter sale of a birth control pill, a recommendation that will likely pave the way for far greater access to contraception for Americans. Opill, as the pill is called, was first approved by the FDA… read on > read on >
DEA Extends Telemedicine for Prescribing Controlled Meds as Pandemic Measures End
(HealthDay News) – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration on Wednesday issued a six-month extension for people seeking to fill controlled medication prescriptions via telehealth. That ability had been set to expire along with the ending of the pandemic public health emergency on May 11. “These medications, including those used to treat opioid use disorder, are… read on > read on >
Overweight Boys May Be Grow Up to Be Less Fertile Men
Men who were overweight as boys may have infertility issues in adulthood, according to new research. Researchers studying the issue of male infertility, often a mystery, looked at health data from 268 young people between 2 and 18 years of age. They had been referred to the University of Catania in Sicily for weight control.… read on > read on >