Boosting athletes’ neck strength in the off season might reduce their concussion risk in sports such as football and soccer, researchers say. This is among several recommendations from researchers at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J., who are looking to prevent these serious head injuries in athletes. “Our ability to detect sports-related concussions has greatly… read on >
If you’ve vowed to be more active this year, be sure you have proper athletic shoes, a doctor suggests. “The right shoe is important for a runner as much as a good tennis racket is important for a tennis player,” said Dr. Ronald Lepow. He is an assistant professor in the department of orthopedic surgery… read on >
Most cancer specialists are comfortable treating LGBTQ patients, but many aren’t confident in their knowledge about these patients’ specific health needs, a new survey finds. “Cancer care within the LGBTQ community is a largely ignored public health issue,” said Gwendolyn Quinn, a professor in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Population Health at NYU… read on >
Poor blood sugar control puts people with type 1 diabetes at increased risk for fragility fractures, a new study shows. A fragility fracture is a broken bone caused by a fall from standing height or less. For the study, researchers analyzed data on more than 3,300 people with type 1 diabetes and more than 44,000… read on >
Anyone who has cared for a hospitalized loved one knows that frequent nighttime sleep interruptions — caused by noise or nursing checks — are a big concern. But in a new study, a Chicago hospital adopted sleep-friendly measures for patients that led to fewer nighttime awakenings without compromising care. Nighttime room entries dropped by 44… read on >
Frailty is associated with a higher risk of both Alzheimer’s disease and its crippling symptoms, a new study shows. “By reducing an individual’s physiological reserve, frailty could trigger the clinical expression of dementia when it might remain asymptomatic in someone who is not frail,” said study leader Dr. Kenneth Rockwood, a professor at Dalhousie University… read on >
Rotavirus causes diarrhea, vomiting, fever and abdominal pain. It is highly contagious, especially among young children with weaker immune systems, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Children can become dehydrated and may require hospitalization. Symptoms of dehydration include decrease in urination, dry mouth and throat, feeling dizzy when standing up and crying… read on >
Nearly 25 percent of antibiotics prescribed in the United States are given for conditions they aren’t meant to treat, a new study finds. Antibiotics are miracle drugs that can cure deadly bacterial infections. But too often they are given to treat viral infections, such as colds and flu, for which they are ineffective. And the… read on >
As if the opioid crisis wasn’t already bad enough, new research shows a sharp rise in the number of Americans taking dangerous combinations of opioids and sedatives. These sedatives, known as benzodiazepines, are prescribed for pain, insomnia and anxiety. And another class of similar medications, called Z-drugs, are also being taken with sedatives at alarming… read on >
Money worries may contribute to heart disease in black Americans, a new study suggests. “Stress is known to contribute to disease risk, but the data from our study suggest a possible relationship between financial stress and heart disease that clinicians should be aware of as we research and develop interventions to address social determinants of… read on >
