There were greater increases in colon cancer screening rates in states that expanded Medicaid than in those that did not, a new study finds. It also found that expansion resulted in hundreds of thousands more people getting screened for colon cancer through colonoscopy, stool testing or sigmoidoscopy. “Health insurance is a strong predictor of cancer… read on >
Arthritis in the knees can strike people as young as 45, with symptoms severe enough to limit activities and harm quality of life. What can be done about it? First, know that inactivity isn’t the answer. You need to move, so try low-impact exercises like walking and swimming. Researchers are also looking at possible benefits… read on >
Do you worry a lot? Besides the anxiety it’s causing you emotionally, it can threaten your health. Whether you worry over actual problems or the fear of future ones, it interferes with sleep and quality of life. And, according to research done at Case Western Reserve University, it can be so intrusive that it harms… read on >
Some 2 million people are treated for plantar fasciitis each year, says the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. The condition, which causes pain of the heel, occurs when tissue supporting the foot’s arch becomes irritated. Often, plantar fasciitis develops without an identifiable reason. But obesity, a naturally high arch, running or increased activity raise your… read on >
Scoliosis is an abnormal curve of the spine. Often diagnosed in early adolescence, most cases show symptoms such as uneven shoulders, waist or hips, says the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. These treatment options may be may be needed: Doctor visits every four to six months. X-rays every few years. Bracing. Surgery. The doctor’s group… read on >
It’s a simple concept, but new research reinforces the idea: Teens with type 1 diabetes benefit when they feel their concerns have been heard. Teens with type 1 diabetes may experience anger, frustration and anxiety if they haven’t met their treatment goals. Their parents and health care providers may also feel frustrated and may blame… read on >
Significant but uneven improvements in air quality have greatly reduced U.S. deaths related to air pollution over the past decade, a new study shows. But researchers are concerned that climate change and regulatory rollbacks under the Trump administration will wipe out those advances and put thousands more lives at risk from bad air every year.… read on >
Taking aspirin or anti-clotting medicines like Plavix won’t boost the risk of another stroke if you’ve already survived a bleeding stroke, a new study suggests. In fact, they might even help guard against a second brain bleed, the researchers noted. The findings “are reassuring for survivors of brain hemorrhage who need to take antiplatelet [anti-clotting]… read on >
Some people with sleep apnea have an increased risk of cancer, and the odds may be higher for women than men, researchers say. “Recent studies have shown that low blood oxygen levels during the night and disrupted sleep, which are both common in [obstructive sleep apnea], may play an important role in the biology of… read on >
The food-mood connection isn’t all in your head. In fact, there’s even a name for it — nutritional psychiatry. Scientists in the field are actively looking for connections between diet quality and mental disorders to help treat or even prevent these illnesses. One research review found that a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains… read on >
