When a child has strep throat, an antibiotic like penicillin usually has them back at school 24 hours later. But a new study warns that strains of bacteria that cause strep throat and “flesh-eating disease” appear close to becoming resistant to penicillin and other antibiotics known as beta-lactams. “If this germ becomes truly resistant to… read on >
Mothers who smoke during pregnancy put their infants at increased risk of fractures in their first year of life, researchers warn. The study looked at more than 1.6 million people who were born in Sweden between 1983 and 2000, and followed for an average of 21 years. Over that time, nearly 378,000 fractures were recorded.… read on >
Nearly half of all opioid doses and more than a quarter of all opioid prescriptions in the United States come from 1% of health care providers, a new study says. The authors said this suggests that efforts to reduce overuse of prescription opioid painkillers should not focus on strict limits for all doctors but on… read on >
About one in five American adults fails to get enough sleep, says the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. It has a variety of causes, including long work hours and certain medical problems. To help cope with sleep deprivation, the academy suggests: Sleep extra hours prior to a known period of sleep loss. Take a 30-minute… read on >
Keratosis pilaris, sometimes called chicken skin, is a condition that causes small rough bumps, says the American Academy of Dermatology. Though the condition is generally harmless, some people opt for treatment. To treat chicken skin, the academy suggests: Apply a moisturizer with urea or lactic acid after a shower or bath. Using a loofah or… read on >
As the case count in China’s new coronavirus outbreak eclipsed those reported in the 2003 SARS outbreak on Wednesday, the United States evacuated 200 Americans from the center of the epidemic. Overnight, the number of cases of the 2019-nCoV coronavirus in China shot from 4,515 to 5,974, while the death toll climbed to 132. There… read on >
Hoarseness describes abnormal voice changes, says Cleveland Clinic. Your voice may sound raspy or strained. Most causes of hoarseness are not serious and go away within two weeks. Cleveland Clinic mentions these potential causes of hoarseness: The common cold or an upper respiratory infection. Using your voice too much or too loudly. Gastroesophageal reflux. Smoking.… read on >
As the death toll in China’s coronavirus outbreak surpassed 100 on Tuesday, the United States expanded its travel alert and prepared to evacuate American government workers who are in the center of the epidemic. Overnight, the number of cases of the 2019-nCoV coronavirus in China shot from 2,835 to 4,515, the New York Times reported.… read on >
Even though the Affordable Care Act expanded access to health insurance, the number of Americans who can’t afford to see a doctor keeps increasing, a new study shows. The researchers found that compared with two decades ago, more Americans today say they have skipped a needed trip to the doctor due to costs, despite a… read on >
Combining an imaging technology with a new drug that “lights up” lung cancer cells may help surgeons spot hidden bits of cancer, a new study suggests. The small, preliminary study found that the new combo — dubbed intraoperative molecular imaging (IMI) — helped improve outcomes in surgeries of 1 out of 4 patients. The drug… read on >
