Almost half of American firefighters have some form of physical and emotional burnout, with sleep problems and mental health disorders as major factors, a new study finds. Researchers surveyed more than 6,300 firefighters from 66 fire departments nationwide and found that 49% had high levels of physical and emotional burnout in at least one area.…  read on >

A vape pen exploded in the face of 17-year-old Nevada boy, breaking his jaw and requiring multiple surgeries to repair the damage, according to a case report in the latest New England Journal of Medicine. The 2018 incident highlights a little-known danger of e-cigarettes — the devices can unexpectedly blow up, causing burns and severe…  read on >

Being first at the office and the last to leave may help get you that promotion, but new research warns that working long hours may not be so good for your heart. And the longer you do it, the higher your risk for a stroke, French researchers said. The findings come from a review of…  read on >

For people recovering from surgery or dealing with a painful injury, an expert suggests that there are a number of safer alternatives for managing pain than using potentially addictive opioids. “Today, more than ever before, we have a host of other methods that can effectively lessen pain,” Dr. James Grant, chair of the department of…  read on >

You know how important getting enough restorative sleep is for facing each new day refreshed and ready to take on the world. Now research suggests that your sleep position may have an impact on brain health, too. For a study done on animals, researchers used dynamic contrast magnetic resonance imaging to see the brain’s glymphatic…  read on >

Cigarette use fell in most countries over the past three decades, but increased in some nations, notably China, a new global study says. Researchers analyzed data from 71 countries that represent 85% of the world’s population and account for more than 95% of global cigarette use. While overall cigarette use declined, there were significant differences…  read on >

The body relies on many systems to coordinate balance, says KidsHealth. The ears, eyes, joints and muscles all work together to keep a person steady and upright. Without good balance, simple activities, such as walking, riding a bike or doing school work, can be difficult and frustrating. Signs of balance disorders may include: An unsteady,…  read on >

Waking up in the middle of the night is a surefire way to disrupt the next day’s activities. Often, waking in the night is triggered by a type of insomnia, says Cleveland Clinic. Underlying health problems, such as chronic pain or acid reflux, can trigger the condition. To get back to sleep, Cleveland Clinic recommends:…  read on >

Most Americans think they won’t get caught driving while high on marijuana, a new AAA Foundation survey finds. Nearly 70% of the nearly 2,600 licensed drivers polled think there’s a low chance that a driver using pot will be stopped by police. “Marijuana can significantly alter reaction times and impair a driver’s judgment,” said David…  read on >

Many parents of lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) children take years to adjust after learning about their sexual orientation, a new study finds. The study included more than 1,200 parents of LGB youth aged 10 to 25. The parents visited a website with LGB resources and were asked to complete a questionnaire. Of those parents,…  read on >