Friday, Sept. 6, 2019 (American Heart Association News) — Incorporating pumpkin pulp or seeds into a healthy diet may help reduce blood pressure levels, according to a new study using rats. The research, presented Thursday at the American Heart Association’s Hypertension 2019 Scientific Sessions in New Orleans, compared the effect of a control diet to…  read on >

Suicide continues to become more common in the United States, with rural areas hit hardest by this ongoing crisis of despair, a new study reports. Deprivation, isolation and lack of access to mental health care all appear to be driving the crisis in rural America, said lead researcher Danielle Steelesmith. She’s a postdoctoral fellow at…  read on >

U.S. adults with diabetes are no more likely to meet disease control targets than they were in 2005, a new study finds. Typically, diabetes treatment focuses on controlling blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, as well as not smoking. For the study, Massachusetts General Hospital researchers analyzed data on diabetes care in the United…  read on >

From a car accident to a sports mishap, any incident that snaps the head forward and backward can trigger whiplash. Hallmarks of whiplash include pain, decreased range of motion and stiff neck. Because the injury can’t always be seen in imaging tests, symptoms are the primary way to identify whiplash, says Cleveland Clinic. To treat…  read on >

A herniated disc is a spinal injury that can be caused by excessive strain, says the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Symptoms of a herniated disc can range from a soft back ache to extreme pain or numbness. After diagnosis, doctors usually recommend that patients maintain a low, painless activity level for a few days…  read on >

The overall death rate of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa may have been underestimated, with new research finding survivors could have a five times higher death rate after leaving the hospital than the general population. An outbreak of Ebola is currently raging in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where more than 3,000 cases of…  read on >

Marriage has been said to deflect depression, stave off stress, even help people live longer. Now a new study says it may also decrease your chance of developing dementia. Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Married people have a far lower chance of…  read on >

When severe storms or hurricanes like Dorian sweep through communities with high winds and flooding, they can leave more than physical damage in their wake. New research suggests that dealing with the aftermath — which can include a damaged home and property — puts people at high risk for depression, anxiety and other mental health…  read on >

More than 40 million Americans suffer from varicose veins, which can be both unsightly and painful, but the best way to get rid of them hasn’t been clear. Now, British researchers report that laser ablation and surgery appear to be better options than ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy. All three treatments essentially close off the swollen, twisted…  read on >