Swimming lessons can lower the risk of drowning, but black kids often miss out on learning this lifesaving skill, a leading pediatricians group says. “Everyone should have the opportunity to learn to swim,” said Dr. Kyle Yasuda, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). “This is an essential life skill for children, teens and…  read on >

Do you pump your arms while walking? Keeping your arms straight while walking is much more energy-efficient than walking with bent arms, but arm position doesn’t make much difference when running, a new, small study finds. The study included eight university students — ranging from casual runners to marathoners — who were filmed while they…  read on >

Dry eye affects millions of adults in the United States, says the National Eye Institute. In a healthy eye, tears keep the surface moist. Without this lubrication, people may feel a stinging, burning or scratchy sensation. The institute mentions potential causes of dry eye: Medications such as antihistamines, antidepressants and decongestants. Conditions such as diabetes…  read on >

A bunion is a bone-like bump that forms at the base of the big toe, says Mayo Clinic. It may form when the big toe pushes against the next toe, forcing the joint of the big toe to stick out. Mayo Clinic mentions treatment options for bunions: Changing shoes. Using padding, tape or a splint.…  read on >

Check out the menus at any county fair — corn dogs, fried Oreos, even fried butter — and you’ll quickly see that Americans love fried foods. But yet another study suggests that it’s time to put that corn dog down. The study found that eating fried foods increased the risk of heart attack and stroke.…  read on >

Ultramarathons are grueling races that typically range anywhere from 30 to 100 miles, but new research suggests that even these distances don’t tax the heart unduly. “The good news is that while experienced runners pushed their heart limits during the ultramarathon, they did not show evidence of cardiac risk assessed through elevated biomarkers [such as…  read on >

Though July 4th has passed, you may have some leftover fireworks. Unfortunately, nearly 300 people in the United States end up in the emergency room each day at the height of the season due to fireworks mishaps, says the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The CPSC offers this fireworks advice: Never allow children to…  read on >

Heartfelt talks between parent and child are essential to help kids overcome tough times and do their best at school, a new study says. Traumatic events in a kid’s life can cause the child to neglect school work and increase the odds that they’ll wind up repeating a grade, researchers found. But having even one…  read on >

Shopping for a gift for a friend or loved one? Instead of wracking your brain over which sweater to buy, keep in mind that gifts for good health are always the right size. You can be extravagant with a gym membership or a state-of-the-art piece of home equipment, but there are also many choices that…  read on >