No one wants to spend the holidays in a hospital bed, but heading home might not be a good idea, new research suggests. The risk of hospital readmission or death was higher among patients who were discharged over the two-week December holiday period than at other times of the year, Canadian researchers found. For the… read on >
The holiday season can be difficult to navigate if you have diabetes. But with proper planning you can stay healthy, the American Diabetes Association says. The ADA offers this advice: Focus on timing. If your meal will be later than usual, eat a snack before to keep your blood sugar where it needs to be.… read on >
Those Sunday crossword puzzles may not prevent the aging brain from slowing down — but they might protect it in a different way, a new study suggests. Researchers looked at the “use it or lose it” theory on brain health. The concept holds that mentally engaging activities — from reading to crosswords to board games… read on >
Chronic kidney disease is more likely to progress to kidney failure and death in men than in women, a new study reveals. “We found that women had 17 percent lower risk of experiencing [kidney failure] and the risk of death was 31 percent lower in women than in men,” said study author Dr. Ana Ricardo.… read on >
Almost no one is immune to occasional low back pain. But when it’s chronic, when simple movement seems impossible, it can keep you from enjoying life. And painkillers aren’t always the answer. Why not try meditation rather than medication? Research has shown that mind-body practices can help. These include yoga and cognitive behavioral therapy, or… read on >
Rather than just counting carbs, you might want to get familiar with the glycemic index and the glycemic load, numeric weighting systems that rank carb-based foods based on how much they raise blood sugar. While monitoring these indicators might be especially helpful for those with diabetes, they also can be useful tools to keep others… read on >
If your child has eczema, anything that aggravates the child’s skin can worsen symptoms, the American Academy of Dermatology says. While everyone’s triggers may be different, common ones include dry air, sweat and stress. As a child grows older, triggers may change. The academy urges parents to be familiar with their child’s triggers, and to… read on >
It’s great to get exercise during the holidays, as long as you take steps to avoid injuries, a sports medicine expert says. “I would encourage everyone to get out and be active, but we want to be sure that you are able to continue to get out and be active after the holidays,” said Dr.… read on >
On the surface, the news looks good for America’s mental health — a new report shows the rate of people with serious psychological distress is declining, and more folks are seeking mental health care on an outpatient basis. But the haves are edging out the have-nots when it comes to mental health care, a closer… read on >
There’s more evidence that when a survivor of early stage breast cancer takes up healthy eating and regular exercise, the odds of the disease returning go down. The key is sticking with such programs, said study lead author Dr. Wolfgang Janni. Healthier lifestyles “might improve the prognosis of breast cancer patients if adherence is high,”… read on >
