The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday gave the nod to Emgality, an injected medication that’s the first to cut the frequency of cluster headaches. Episodic cluster headaches are “an extremely painful and often debilitating condition,” the FDA’s Dr. Eric Bastings noted in an agency news release. He’s deputy director of the Division of… read on >
For people who use nasal sprays to combat seasonal allergies, it’s important to follow safety guidelines, says the Allergy & Asthma Network. When using a nasal spray. you should: Aim away from the center of your nose. Always follow the package instructions, as brands vary. Blow your nose gently before use. Wipe the spray tip… read on >
Being an Instagram influencer isn’t always a good thing. New research found that vulnerable young people who see online posts of self-harm — like cutting — may copy those destructive behaviors. Almost one-third of teens and young adults who reported seeing self-harm posts on Instagram said they had performed the same or similar self-harming behavior… read on >
Having emergency heart surgery is always risky, but a new case report reveals an unexpected danger: A flash fire ignited a man’s chest during such a procedure. A 60-year-old man underwent lifesaving heart surgery for a torn aorta, the main artery that carries blood away from the heart. The patient had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease… read on >
Sudden withdrawal from coffee and cigarettes can trigger symptoms that mimic serious disease, leading to unnecessary tests in hospital intensive care units, a new review concludes. “Nicotine and caffeine are some of the most commonly used and highly addictive substances in modern society, but they are often overlooked as a potential source of significant withdrawal… read on >
Liver spots are flat, dark areas of pigment that appear on the skin — often on areas exposed to the sun. The likelihood of getting such spots tends to rise as we age, says MedlinePlus. Common after age 40, the painless spots typically appear on the face, forearms or shoulders. While not dangerous to your… read on >
Liquid detergent packets or “pods” continue to poison kids years after their makers volunteered to make them safer. Such poisonings fell just 18% between 2015 and 2017, a new study reports. From 2012 to 2017, poison control centers fielded nearly 73,000 calls about poisoning from these pods. That’s about one call every 42 minutes, and… read on >
Parents, here’s another reason your teenager should get enough sleep: A new study suggests tired teens may be more likely to have unsafe sex. Researchers analyzed data collected from 1,850 teens in Southern California between 2013 and 2017. The participants were 16 in 2013. Teens who consistently did not get enough sleep at any time… read on >
In what amounts to a double whammy for those living with HIV, a new American Heart Association scientific statement says these patients face higher heart risks but also major barriers to health care. Three-quarters of people in the United States with HIV are older than 45 and have significant health problems at earlier ages than… read on >
From climbing on the playground to playing in a soccer game, children are prone to getting minor cuts and wounds to the mouth. Most of these injuries can be handled with simple first aid, says the University of Rochester Medical Center. Although most are easy to care for, mouth injuries can be avoided. To prevent… read on >
