In a sign that the U.S. opioid epidemic is still not under control, a new report shows that prescriptions for the highly addictive painkillers haven’t declined in the last decade. After peaking in 2012-2013, opioid use and doses leveled off. But doses were still higher in 2017 than in 2007, and opioid use was particularly… read on >
Hot summer weather can lead to itchy skin rashes, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. Clogged sweat glands, bug bites and exposure to certain plants, chlorine and fungi are just a few of the common triggers for rashes. The AAP offers this list of rashes to watch for during summer: Heat rash. Poison ivy and… read on >
If you think your inability to control food cravings is all in your head, you’re right. Losing weight is about more than cutting calories — you also have to resist food urges. And while behavior modification is a successful long-term tool, sometimes you need a quick fix. If everyone craved broccoli, there wouldn’t be a… read on >
People who want to have weight-loss surgery are facing much longer wait times now than a decade ago, a new study finds. Among weight-loss surgery patients in Michigan, the typical wait time almost doubled between 2006 and 2016 — from 86 days, to 159 days, researchers reported. Delays were especially common for patients on Medicaid,… read on >
As women around the world wage war against cancer, good news on the breast cancer front is tempered by predictions that lung cancer deaths could rise more than 40 percent. Researchers in Spain reported that between 2015 and 2030, lung cancer deaths among women worldwide will likely increase 43 percent. During that same period, however,… read on >
A single traumatic brain injury can raise a person’s risk of dementia, a new study suggests. “Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability in young adults,” said researcher Elisa Zanier, from the Mario Negri Institute in Milan, Italy. “Moreover, even in milder cases, it represents a risk factor for dementia, such… read on >
The urinary system is the body’s way to rid itself of wastes and extra water. But the urinary tract also is a common spot for infection (UTI). While anyone can develop a UTI, about four times as many women develop them as men, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says. You’re also at higher risk… read on >
Postpartum depression causes symptoms including unhappiness and hopelessness among new moms. The good news is that it’s usually temporary and treatable, Postpartum Support International says. The organization offers these suggestions for the partner of a woman with postpartum depression: Reassure her that the condition is not her fault, that she is not alone, and that… read on >
Deer ticks are scary enough. Now, scientists have linked bites from the lone star tick to about one-third of all potentially life-threatening allergic reactions around Tennessee. A lone star tick bite can cause a severe immune system response to red meat — such as beef, pork and lamb — said study lead author Dr. Debendra… read on >
People with severe depression may have particularly low blood levels of an amino acid involved in brain function, a new study suggests. The substance, called acetyl-L-carnitine (LAC), is naturally produced in the body. It aids in metabolism, and animal research suggests it prevents “excessive firing” of cells in certain parts of the brain. LAC is… read on >
