A simple potty stool under your feet might help cure constipation, researchers say. “These toilet stools became popular through things like viral videos and social media, but there was really no medical evidence to show whether or not they are effective,” said researcher Dr. Peter Stanich. He is an assistant professor of gastroenterology, hepatology and… read on >
A vacation or business trip to a developing country can lead to a nasty case of travelers’ diarrhea — if you’re not careful. The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases offers this advice on what to avoid during travel to developing nations: Drinking tap water. Using tap water to make ice,… read on >
Many doctors may worry about giving their hospital patients a flu shot, but a new study suggests they can relax. “We know rates of inpatient flu vaccination are low, often due to physician concerns that the vaccine could complicate healing or delay hospital discharge,” explained study author Sara Tartof, from the Kaiser Permanente Southern California… read on >
It’s a novel idea, but joining a choir at work might lower your stress levels while on the job, a new British study suggests. It included 58 people who were part of workplace choirs in different organizations. They completed questionnaires that assessed their work-related demands, control and support. Being part of a workplace choir was… read on >
Add another danger that e-cigarettes pose to teenagers: A new study finds secondhand exposure to vaping may raise the chances of asthma attacks in adolescents with the respiratory condition. Middle school and high school students with asthma were 27 percent more likely to have suffered an asthma attack if they’d been exposed to vapor from… read on >
An ingrown hair occurs when a strand of hair grows back into the skin, usually after shaving, waxing or tweezing. Symptoms of ingrown hair, according to the Cleveland Clinic, include: Skin irritation Small bumps with hairs in the middle on the face and neck Pain Itching In a condition called pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps), hair… read on >
Surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid can trigger side effects that send some patients back to the hospital, a new study finds. These side effects include tingling in the fingers that can become tremors and spasms in all muscles of the body — including the heart and muscles surrounding the lungs. “The… read on >
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 >
