Fireworks are a beautiful sight to behold, but they can damage your hearing if you’re not careful. Protecting your hearing should be one of the safety precautions you take when you and your family are at fireworks displays and other events on the Fourth of July, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) says. Fireworks and firecrackers… read on >
Summer is synonymous with mosquitoes, and that means possible exposure to the West Nile and Zika viruses. Both are spread mainly through mosquito bites. Most people won’t experience symptoms from either virus, but there are important differences to be aware of. West Nile Up to 20% of infected people have symptoms, such as a fever,… read on >
An EpiPen is an injection device containing epinephrine, which is used to treat severe allergic reactions, says the University of North Carolina. UNC offers this advice on using an EpiPen: Remove the device from its clear carrier tube. Hold it in your fist with the orange tip pointing downward. With your other hand, remove the… read on >
Although many restaurants, offices and even apartment buildings are smoke-free, American universities appear to be an exception. By 2017, only 1 in 6 had gone completely smoke-free or tobacco-free, a new study reveals. “Continued success in increasing the adoption of comprehensive smoke-free and tobacco-free protections at institutions of higher learning will strengthen smoking prevention among… read on >
The anti-vaccination movement is now a global crisis, an international panel of scientists say, and everyone must do more to combat it. “We are alarmed that the WHO [World Health Organization] this year declared vaccine hesitancy a top-10 international public health problem. This is a man-made, dangerous and wholly unnecessary crisis,” said Dr. Scott Ratzan.… read on >
When babies are born without one heart chamber, a special surgery can save their lives. But a new study shows that these patients face lifelong health issues that require special care. Still, a new American Heart Association (AHA) scientific statement says, they can have rich and fulfilling lives. A normal heart has two lower chambers,… read on >
Remember the “mood ring” craze of the 1970s? A high-tech wristband is being developed along the same lines, potentially helping patients who struggle with mood disorders. The smart wristband would use a person’s skin to track their emotional intensity. During a mood swing, either high or low, the wristband would change color, heat up, squeeze… read on >
If you’re an older woman, your heart disease risk might be shaped by the shape of your body. Researchers report that if you look more like an apple than a pear, your chances of heart trouble are heightened, even if you are a normal weight. Interestingly, women who carried their weight in their legs had… read on >
Infants and young children with vitamin D deficiency may have a heightened risk for elevated blood pressure later in childhood and in their teens, a new study finds. Researchers followed 775 children in Boston from birth to age 18. Most were from low-income families in urban neighborhoods. Compared to children born with normal vitamin D… read on >
With school, sports and assorted activities, many kids have little or no free time. That fast-paced lifestyle can actually stifle their development, making them less likely to be self-starters. It could also limit their imagination, an important ingredient in creativity and problem-solving. University of Colorado-Boulder researchers found that kids who spend more time in less-structured… read on >
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