Love your time in the local sauna? Your heart may love it, too. New research from sauna-loving Finland suggests that for people aged 50 and older, saunas may lower their odds of risk of dying from heart disease. Specifically, just 5 percent of Finns in the study who spent more than 45 minutes in a… read on >
Risk of heat-related disease and death is rising worldwide due to climate change, a new report warns. Hotter temperatures threaten the elderly and other vulnerable people with heat stress, and heart and kidney disease, according to an international team of experts. Last year, more than 157 million at-risk people were exposed to heat waves worldwide.… read on >
Antibiotics are frequently prescribed to fight bacterial infections. But if used improperly, the bacteria they are meant to kill can become resistant. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these guidelines for safe antibiotic use: Use the medicine exactly as directed. Make sure the recipient takes the entire course of antibiotics, even if the person is… read on >
Infant ear infections can be a source of frustration for parents and babies alike. But there are steps to lessen them and, when they do occur, “less is more” is a better way to treat them. A typical infection can begin with bacterial growth. Inflammation can lead to fluid buildup behind the eardrum. The eustachian… read on >
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, but you’re worried about type 2 diabetes, you might want to skip sugary drinks. New research suggests that drinking sugar-sweetened beverages, such as cola, likely boost your risk of type 2 diabetes much more than the sugar found in fruit or even 100 percent fruit juices. “All foods are… read on >
There’s little you can do about wrinkles appearing — they’re a natural part of the aging process. That doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to avoid becoming too wrinkled, the American Academy of Dermatology says. Here’s are the academy’s suggestions: Wear sunscreen daily and apply it to all skin that is not covered by clothing.… read on >
An hour or less of weightlifting each week might significantly cut your risk of heart attack or stroke, new research suggests. Evaluating nearly 12,600 adults over more than a decade, scientists found that small amounts of resistance exercise weekly were linked to between 40 percent and 70 percent fewer cardiovascular events. But doing more weightlifting… read on >
Few people entrusted with making difficult health care decisions for older loved ones actually know what the patient would want, a new study contends. “Advance care planning cannot focus on the patient alone. The health care agent has to be brought into the conversation,” said study leader Dr. Terri Fried, a professor of medicine at… read on >
A freeze-dried polio vaccine that could be used in locations without refrigeration might help doctors conquer the disease, researchers report. For the study, scientists freeze-dried the injectable vaccine into a powder and kept it at room temperature for four weeks. They then rehydrated it and injected it into mice, giving them full protection against the… read on >
Almost every relationship will be affected by conflict at some point. Whether it’s with a spouse or a child, a co-worker or friend, there are healthy ways to address and resolve these problems, according to experts at the University of Texas at Austin Counseling and Mental Health Center. Differences of opinion are usually at the… read on >
