A middle-aged woman had persistent symptoms that doctors couldn’t explain. Frustrated, she took an increasingly common route: a search through the internet. “Dr. Google” led the woman to specialists at Wake Forest University Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. There, she was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease (ADTKD). This… read on >
If you spend a lot of nights watching the clock instead of sleeping, new research suggests you may need to be as concerned about your heart health as you are about lost shut-eye. People with genetic variants linked to insomnia have an increased risk of heart disease, heart failure and stroke, according to the study.… read on >
Heart experts are advising that prescription-strength fish oil pills might help lower excess levels of blood fats known as triglycerides. The pills contain heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. When prescribed by a doctor, these meds can lower high triglyceride levels by 20%-30%, according to a new American Heart Association science advisory. “From our review of the… read on >
Forty percent of U.S. parents say they would likely find a new doctor if their child’s primary care provider sees families who refuse childhood vaccines, a nationwide poll finds. And three in 10 say their child’s primary care provider should not treat youngsters whose parents refuse all vaccines. Those are key findings of the latest… read on >
If you’re satisfied with your life, you probably have emotional well-being. Emotional well-being can be mastered just like any other skill, according to Richard Davidson, founder of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. How? By developing four key traits, said Davidson, a neuroscientist. The first is resilience. Research at the Center… read on >
Sometimes it’s obvious when older parents need outside help — like when they’re having difficulty managing numerous chronic illnesses or losing mobility and unable to maneuver well even at home. But mental problems may not be as easy to spot. For instance, is Dad’s forgetfulness — his misplacing house keys or missing appointments — normal… read on >
Painful urination (dysuria) is the pain or discomfort associated with going to the bathroom, says Cleveland Clinic. It doesn’t refer to how often you urinate, although dysuria can be accompanied by frequent urination. Often, dysuria is associated with urinary tract infection. Other causes of painful urination include vaginal infection, inflammation of the urethra, prostate disease,… read on >
Healthy kids do better in school — something parents need to think about as they prepare for a new academic year. “As a parent and grandparent, I know that back-to-school time is a busy time. Yet, I encourage parents and students to be mindful of some health essentials to add to your to-do lists,” said… read on >
Your dog bounds heedlessly into a local lake or pond, playfully splashing in the water. But within minutes, your canine companion is staggering, drooling or suffering seizures. Left untreated, the dog will likely die. This fate has befallen a handful of pooches exposed to toxic algae blooms this year, experts say. “Blue-green algae is a… read on >
Transgender college students are two to four times more likely than their classmates to have mental health problems, researchers say. They analyzed data from more than 1,200 gender-minority students on 71 U.S. campuses who took part in an annual nationwide survey. Gender-minority means their gender identity differs from the sex assigned to them at birth.… read on >
