Wherever Kathleen Simmonds goes, her service dog, Emma, isn’t far behind. Emma — also known by her Instagram handle, “Type 1 Wonder Dog” — has been trained to sniff out dangerously high and low blood sugar levels and alert Simmonds so she can take action. Simmonds, 48, has had type 1 diabetes for more than… read on >
When it comes to monitoring physical activity, we’ve come a long way from pedometers that only counted steps. Today’s health trackers use sensors to monitor movement and store and analyze the data. You can track calories burned, calories consumed, your heart rate during and after exercise, and even how long you sleep. Like a personal… read on >
Three weeks in a cast or brace may be just as effective in healing ankle fractures as the typical six weeks, a new study shows. While six weeks in a cast is the usual treatment, there are risks associated with prolonged immobilization, including stiffness, skin damage and blocked blood vessels. Finnish researchers decided to find… read on >
Just because a medication is available over the counter doesn’t mean it won’t have side effects or pose other dangers. One example is PPIs, a popular type of heartburn medication that can harm the kidneys, especially when taken long-term. Heartburn is the result of stomach acid backing up into the esophagus, the tube that goes… read on >
Custom orthotics are specially made devices designed to support and comfortthefeet, ankles and legs. Orthotics are made typically after a podiatrist has conducted a complete physical evaluation of these areas, the American Podiatric Medical Association says. If you are considering orthotics, the association suggests these things to keep in mind: Consider your health. If you… read on >
The percentage of U.S. liver transplant recipients with alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) doubled over 15 years, but significant regional variations remain, a new study finds. ALD has replaced hepatitis C as the most common reason for U.S. liver transplants. One reason is that hepatitis C rates have decreased due to antiviral therapy. But a more… read on >
An artificial intelligence (AI) system can analyze chest X-rays and spot patients who should receive immediate care, researchers report. The system could also reduce backlogs in hospitals someday. Chest X-rays account for 40 percent of all diagnostic imaging worldwide, and there can be large backlogs, according to the researchers. “Currently, there are no systematic and… read on >
Germs may thrive at the gym, creating a perfect breeding ground for skin infections. Bacteria, viruses and fungi thrive in warm and moist places, such as the locker room or sweaty gym equipment, the American Academy of Dermatology says. The academy mentions these preventive tips: Wear loose-fitting, moisture-wicking clothing. Always wear shoes around the locker… read on >
Leaky blood vessels in the brain may be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease, researchers say. They followed 161 older adults for five years and found that those with the most severe memory declines had the greatest leakage in their brain’s blood vessels, regardless of whether the Alzheimer’s-related proteins amyloid and tau were present. The… read on >
Whether it’s infiltrating a cruise ship, a restaurant or a college dorm, the norovirus is often in the news. It’s the leading cause of illness from contaminated food in the United States. While food can be tainted at its source, food workers who acquire the infection can unintentionally cause outbreaks as well, often by touching… read on >
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