A “morning after” dose of a common antibiotic can greatly lower the chances of sexually transmitted bacterial infections in high-risk people, a new clinical trial has found. Researchers discovered that taking the antibiotic doxycycline within 72 hours of unprotected sex slashed the risk of gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis by two-thirds among gay and bisexual men… read on > read on >
All Food:
Genes or Lifestyle? How a Person Becomes Obese Could Influence Heart Health
It’s well known that being overweight or obese can increase health risks. But a new study finds that the reasons why a person is obese may have some impact on heart disease risk. Specifically, being obese because of lifestyle carried higher risks than it did if the extra weight was due to genetic predisposition, researchers… read on > read on >
Pandemic Saw Rise in Opioid Prescriptions Given After Childbirth
New mothers who gave birth early in the pandemic filled far more opioid prescriptions than American women did previously, raising concerns about the potential for narcotic misuse. About 38% of more than 460,000 women who gave birth from July 2018 through December 2020 were prescribed opioids for postpartum pain management, according to the University of… read on > read on >
Which Diets Really Raise Your Life Span? Two Come Out on Top
People at risk of heart disease could extend their lives by going Mediterranean or low-fat, according to a new analysis of popular diets. In the world of nutrition and disease, dietary fat is an often confusing subject. And in general, experts say, recent years have seen a move away from prescribing a strict amount of… read on > read on >
CDC Investigating Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Flour
U.S. health officials are investigating a Salmonella Infantis outbreak that is likely linked to raw flour. It’s not clear what brand of flour is the culprit. Investigators from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Food and Drug Administration have identified 12 illnesses and three hospitalizations occurring across 11 states. Reported illnesses started… read on > read on >
Breast Reduction? Body Weight a Factor in Healing Time, Study Finds
Women who are heavier or older may take longer to heal after surgery to reduce the size of their breasts, new research indicates. Body weight and age can affect complication risk after breast reduction, according to a report in the April 2023 edition of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. “While reduction mammaplasty is a safe procedure,… read on > read on >
ADHD Med Prescriptions Spiked Early in Pandemic
Prescriptions for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new government report shows. The trend may reflect both greater awareness among adults of ADHD symptoms and increased stress driving people to get the care they need. “This report shows there is this growing population of adults who have been diagnosed… read on > read on >
FDA Approves Drug for Cats With Allergic Skin Disease
Cats constantly licking and chewing because of a skin condition called feline allergic dermatitis may benefit from a new generic treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA approved Modulis for Cats on March 29, making it the first generic cyclosporine oral solution for cats with skin conditions resulting from this allergic… read on > read on >
Pets Could Help Prevent Food Allergies in Kids
While research has shown that having pets can lower the chances of respiratory allergies in children, a new study finds it might also reduce the risk of food allergies. Japanese investigators found that young children exposed to dogs in the home were less likely to experience egg, milk and nut allergies, while those exposed to… read on > read on >
FDA Approves First Over-the-Counter Nasal Spray for Opioid Overdoses
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved the over-the-counter use of a nasal spray that can reverse an opioid overdose. Research has shown that wider availability of naloxone (Narcan) could save lives as the opioid epidemic rages on in this country. “The FDA remains committed to addressing the evolving complexities of the overdose… read on > read on >