Anyone who has cared for a hospitalized loved one knows that frequent nighttime sleep interruptions — caused by noise or nursing checks — are a big concern. But in a new study, a Chicago hospital adopted sleep-friendly measures for patients that led to fewer nighttime awakenings without compromising care. Nighttime room entries dropped by 44… read on >
Frailty is associated with a higher risk of both Alzheimer’s disease and its crippling symptoms, a new study shows. “By reducing an individual’s physiological reserve, frailty could trigger the clinical expression of dementia when it might remain asymptomatic in someone who is not frail,” said study leader Dr. Kenneth Rockwood, a professor at Dalhousie University… read on >
Most cancer specialists are comfortable treating LGBTQ patients, but many aren’t confident in their knowledge about these patients’ specific health needs, a new survey finds. “Cancer care within the LGBTQ community is a largely ignored public health issue,” said Gwendolyn Quinn, a professor in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Population Health at NYU… read on >
Poor blood sugar control puts people with type 1 diabetes at increased risk for fragility fractures, a new study shows. A fragility fracture is a broken bone caused by a fall from standing height or less. For the study, researchers analyzed data on more than 3,300 people with type 1 diabetes and more than 44,000… read on >
(HealthDay News) — Rotavirus causes diarrhea, vomiting, fever and abdominal pain. It is highly contagious, especially among young children with weaker immune systems, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Children can become dehydrated and may require hospitalization. Symptoms of dehydration include decrease in urination, dry mouth and throat, feeling dizzy when standing… read on >
As if the opioid crisis wasn’t already bad enough, new research shows a sharp rise in the number of Americans taking dangerous combinations of opioids and sedatives. These sedatives, known as benzodiazepines, are prescribed for pain, insomnia and anxiety. And another class of similar medications, called Z-drugs, are also being taken with sedatives at alarming… read on >
(HealthDay News) — Rotavirus causes diarrhea, vomiting, fever and abdominal pain. It is highly contagious, especially among young children with weaker immune systems, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Children can become dehydrated and may require hospitalization. Symptoms of dehydration include decrease in urination, dry mouth and throat, feeling dizzy when standing… read on >
As if the opioid crisis wasn’t already bad enough, new research shows a sharp rise in the number of Americans taking dangerous combinations of opioids and sedatives. These sedatives, known as benzodiazepines, are prescribed for pain, insomnia and anxiety. And another class of similar medications, called Z-drugs, are also being taken with sedatives at alarming… read on >
Money worries may contribute to heart disease in black Americans, a new study suggests. “Stress is known to contribute to disease risk, but the data from our study suggest a possible relationship between financial stress and heart disease that clinicians should be aware of as we research and develop interventions to address social determinants of… read on >
About half of the population will one day have a vein problem. For some, it will involve the thinner, blotchy spider veins that don’t bother some people, but cause itching or burning in others. Still others will be plagued by the more noticeable bulging of varicose veins. Most varicose veins appear in the legs due… read on >
Nearly 25 percent of antibiotics prescribed in the United States are given for conditions they aren’t meant to treat, a new study finds. Antibiotics are miracle drugs that can cure deadly bacterial infections. But too often they are given to treat viral infections, such as colds and flu, for which they are ineffective. And the… read on >
The most common genetic disorder among northern Europeans — called hemochromatosis — occurs more often than previously thought, according to a new study. The researchers also found that people with the condition often develop serious health problems. People with hemochromatosis — a build-up of iron in the body that can damage the liver, heart and… read on >
There could be an added bonus to keeping your cardiovascular health on track — a heart-healthy lifestyle can also prevent type 2 diabetes, researchers say. And it’s better to prevent type 2 diabetes than to have to treat it, the Ohio State University researchers added. “Healthy people need to work to stay healthy. Follow the… read on >
U.S. dermatologists are prescribing fewer antibiotics overall but are writing more short-term orders for the drugs, a new study finds. Dermatologists prescribe more antibiotics per doctor than any other medical specialty — more than 7.1 million prescriptions per year, the University of Pennsylvania researchers said. According to their analysis of 2008-2016 data from privately insured… read on >
Not every budding musician will become a rock star, but studying music has brain bonuses for kids, even those who don’t take up an instrument until their teen years. There’s no doubt that participation in in-school music programs boosts motivation. Mastering an instrument or performing with a group brings a sense of accomplishment and is… read on >
(HealthDay News) — You should never ignore a change in skin color, especially if you have cancer, the American Cancer Society says. A change in skin color typically means something’s wrong in the body. In people with cancer, it can be due to factors including tumor growth, sun exposure or a side effect of treatment,… read on >
