Losing a job or taking a big pay cut is hard on more than just your checkbook — it might drastically increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure or death. A new study finds that people who endure large swings in income over the years are much more likely to develop heart disease…  read on >

After having a stroke, heart attack or cardiac arrest, people are less likely to be employed than their healthy peers, new research shows. Even if they are working, they may earn significantly less than people who haven’t had a stroke or heart event, the investigators found. Although the majority of people who have one of…  read on >

With concerns about overfishing, it’s shocking to learn that 40 percent of the edible U.S. seafood supply is lost or wasted every year — and half of that is by consumers. That’s not only money down the drain, but also a loss of valuable nutrients like protein and omega-3 fatty acids. To cut waste, calculate…  read on >

Some 13 million workers in the United States may be exposed to hazardous chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin, the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) says. This type of exposure may lead to contact dermatitis (eczema), skin cancer and skin infection or injury, the agency warns. Workers at risk…  read on >

After suffering through a cold, many people still have a persistent cough — but why? According to Dr. Jonathan Parsons, director of the Asthma Center at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, here are some reasons for a continuing cough: Coughing is protective. It removes irritants from the lungs and protects the airway. The cough…  read on >

New mothers who take opioid painkillers after either vaginal birth or cesarean section may be at increased risk of becoming persistent users, a new study finds. Researchers from Vanderbilt University in Nashville examined data from more than 102,000 new mothers in Tennessee. None had used opioids in the 180 days before delivery. After delivery, 89…  read on >

Missing out on needed sleep can bring a host of health woes, including diabetes because a lack of sleep affects insulin levels. It also leaves you less alert and less able to focus. And get only four or five hours of sleep a night, and problems can develop even if your sleep loss is short-term.…  read on >

As you recover from surgery, it is important to take care of your incision to minimize the risks of infection or excessive scarring, the American Academy of Family Physicians says. The academy urges you to call your doctor if your wound opens up, turns red or bleeds excessively. Your doctor should provide specific post-surgery instructions,…  read on >

If you have had cancer, you are at a higher risk for developing flu-related complications, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. The CDC offers the following flu prevention tips: If you are 65 or older, get the high-dose flu vaccine, which contains four times the strength as the regular flu shot. Consider…  read on >