When it comes to kids and medical procedures like needles, expectation is everything. If they think the shot will hurt, it probably will, a new study finds. On the flip side, if they’re coaxed not to expect a lot of pain, they may feel it less. “We know that expectation affects pain experience in adults;…  read on >

Urgent care centers are popping up across the country as an option for medical treatment. But it’s important to know the differences between these facilities and your local hospital emergency department. The ER is for life-threatening situations, yet many people go there when urgent care is more appropriate. According to one study, nearly half of…  read on >

(HealthDay News) — Even if you discover that you have the first biological signs of Alzheimer’s, you are not doomed to develop the crippling dementia, a new study suggests. “Just because you have amyloid [proteins] in the brain doesn’t mean you’re going to get dementia tomorrow. It doesn’t mean you’re going to get dementia in…  read on >

May is Women’s Health Month. With that in mind, doctors are offering suggestions for steps that women can take to reduce their risk of diseases and safeguard their health, both physical and mental. Dr. Blanca Sckell is medical director of the Ambulatory Care Center and internal medicine program at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, in New York City.…  read on >

Alec Smith was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes shortly before his 24th birthday. When he turned 26, he lost his health insurance. Less than a month later, he lost his life because he couldn’t afford the exorbitant price of his life-saving insulin. “Alec had a full-time job that didn’t offer health insurance. But because he…  read on >

When it comes to preventing heart disease, vitamin and mineral supplements are probably a waste of money, a new research review concludes. The findings, published May 28 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, largely confirm what’s already known: Supplements may be popular, but in most cases, there is no evidence they protect…  read on >

Immunizing girls against human papillomavirus (HPV) doesn’t increase their risk for autoimmune diseases, according to new research from Canada. HPV is the world’s most common sexually transmitted disease, affecting up to 75 percent of sexually active people and is the main cause of cervical cancer. Gardisil, the quadrivalent HPV4 vaccine, protects against up to 90…  read on >

Your blood mght be a thirst quencher for mosquitoes during a drought. A new study found that while female mosquitoes need the protein in blood to lay eggs, they also bite you to stay hydrated. According to the research team from the University of Cincinnati, learning more about how often these insects need to drink…  read on >

Driving can become more difficult as people age and their eyesight changes. It may be harder to read signs and to see in the dark or during blinding sunshine. The U.S. National Institute on Aging suggests these safe-driving tips for older adults: If you’re 65 or older, see your eye doctor at least every 2…  read on >

Basketball provides a great full-body workout. But there are steps you should take to reduce your risk of knee, ankle and foot injuries, an orthopedic specialist says. In 2016, more than 60,500 people were treated for basketball-related foot injuries in U.S. emergency departments, doctors’ offices and clinics. More than 355,000 sought help for basketball-related ankle…  read on >