(HealthDay News) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved the first pill form of fecal microbiota — similar to what’s known as fecal transplant therapy — to treat the bacterial infection Clostridioides difficile, one of the most common and deadly infections found in health care settings. The drug, Vowst, is approved to…  read on >  read on >

Those TV ads for juicy burgers may trigger your emotions, making you believe you’ll be happier if you run out and get one for yourself. Unfortunately, a similar ad for salad does not appear to have the same emotional impact, according to new research from the University of Michigan. “Many people think that eating highly…  read on >  read on >

If you’re longing for a nap, try to keep it short. Researchers found that siestas of 30 minutes or more in Murcia, a region of Spain, where it’s common to nap, were linked to a higher risk of obesity, a group of conditions called metabolic syndrome and high blood pressure. “Not all siestas are the…  read on >  read on >

Women have heard for decades that cranberry products help prevent urinary tract infections. A new study appears to confirm that longstanding advice. About 60% of women over age 18 will suffer one or more urinary tract infections in their lifetime. About 30% will have recurrent UTIs, averaging two to three episodes a year, according to…  read on >  read on >

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant that has been around for a long time, creating multiple health issues for users. But there is another downside to this drug: It can ravage the dental health of users. Meth was first used during World War II by both sides, to increase the focus and energy of soldiers.…  read on >  read on >

The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to get tougher on Salmonella bacteria found in breaded, stuffed raw chicken products, the agency announced Tuesday. About 1.35 million people are infected with Salmonella bacteria each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Almost a quarter of the nation’s Salmonella infections…  read on >  read on >

Anyone who has ever had a tooth crack or break knows the sinking feeling that follows because it almost certainly means an urgent trip to the dentist. While the enamel on your teeth is the hardest substance in your body, according to the Cleveland Clinic, it is not invincible and sometimes cracks or breaks. The…  read on >  read on >

Each year, about 140 kids in the United States are diagnosed with a craniopharyngioma, a typically non-cancerous brain tumor that develops near the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. Doctors treat craniopharyngiomas with surgery to remove the entire tumor or a less aggressive surgery followed by radiation to kill any remaining cells. Now,…  read on >  read on >

A new study finds that Americans over 50 are interested in cutting back on prescription medications, dovetailing with a movement toward “deprescribing.” About 67% said they would seek their doctor’s advice before dropping a pill, according to Michigan Medicine’s National Poll on Healthy Aging. Yet more than one-third of older adults said they had quit…  read on >  read on >