A new test for chlamydia can provide results within 30 minutes, potentially speeding up the start of treatment, researchers say. The rapid test for the sexually transmitted disease (STD) means patients can receive treatment immediately, instead of having to wait for a follow-up appointment. This could help reduce the spread of the disease, according to…  read on >

Living in a neighborhood with lots of greenery just might protect your ticker. “Our study shows that living in a neighborhood dense with trees, bushes and other green vegetation may be good for the health of your heart and blood vessels,” said study author Aruni Bhatnagar, director of the University of Louisville’s Diabetes and Obesity…  read on >

Pain is the number one reason for why people visit the doctor, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) says. Opioids are often used to treat pain, but they are highly addictive. Every day, more than 100 Americans die from an opioid overdose, the agency says. The NIH offers these suggestions: Ask your doctor about…  read on >

As many as 4 out of 5 Americans withhold important information from their doctor that could prove crucial to their health, a new study shows. Between 60 and 80 percent of people admit they avoid telling their doctor details that could be relevant to their well-being. “I know at some level this is a ‘no…  read on >

Only about one in eight American adults has what is known as good metabolic health, a new study finds. This is an “alarmingly low” rate, according to researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Good metabolic health means having ideal measures of five factors without taking medications: blood sugar; triglycerides; good cholesterol…  read on >

There’s an adjustment period for almost every new college student — many young people have struggles balancing independence and a heavy workload. But there are some signs that suggest your young person needs more serious help than a care package from home. Some problems are temporary, like anxiety and stress, which affect huge numbers of…  read on >

If you’re shopping for toys this holiday season, make sure some simple, old-fashioned items are on your list, pediatricians say. In a new report, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is making recommendations on the best toys to buy for babies and young children. The bottom line: The traditional beats the digital. “This report is…  read on >

Women with frontal lobe epilepsy are much more likely to have an increase in seizures during pregnancy than those with focal epilepsy or generalized epilepsy, researchers report. “Physicians need to monitor women with focal epilepsy — especially frontal lobe epilepsy — more closely during pregnancy because maintaining seizure control is particularly challenging for them,” said…  read on >

While completing a full marathon is a goal for many amateur runners, new research shows a shorter endurance race might put less strain on the heart. To gauge stress on the heart among 63 amateur runners after they had run either a full marathon, a half marathon or a 10-kilometer race, the researchers assessed levels…  read on >