Reducing stress could cut your risk of allergy and asthma symptoms during the holidays. “Studies show stress can cause a number of negative health effects, including causing more symptoms for allergy and asthma sufferers,” said Dr. Todd Mahr, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. “It makes sense that if you want…  read on >

Winter can be hard on your skin, but you can take steps to keep it soft and supple, dermatologists say. “When the weather changes, your skin care products should, too. For most of us, dry skin makes an appearance in the winter due to changes in temperature and humidity, so you need to think about…  read on >

Diabetes has been tied to a number of complications such as kidney disease, but new research has found that older people with type 2 diabetes can also have more difficulties with thinking and memory. During a five-year study, participants with diabetes showed a decline in verbal memory and fluency. Using MRI scans, researchers saw that…  read on >

Good sleep routines can help children get the rest they need, researchers say. For the new report, investigators reviewed 44 studies from 16 countries in North America, Europe and Asia. The studies included a total nearly 300,000 children, aged 4 months to 18 years. “Good sleep hygiene gives children the best chances of getting adequate,…  read on >

As many as 20 million Americans have gallstones. Most don’t have any symptoms, but not all will escape a gallstone attack. The gallbladder is a small organ in the upper right abdomen. It’s a reservoir for bile, the fluid made by the liver to aid digestion. Experts aren’t sure why, but gallstones form from imbalances…  read on >

It’s perfectly normal for parents to be concerned when a child comes home sneezing and coughing with what appears to be the common cold, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. But cough medicine may not be the best remedy, the agency warns. It says some cough medicines could have life-threatening side effects, such as…  read on >

Whether it’s the stress of choosing the right gift, drinking and eating too much, or fighting with relatives about politics, the holidays can be hard on your heart. In fact, new research from Sweden found the odds of a heart attack jump nearly 40 percent on Christmas Eve. “Traditional holidays were associated with increased risk…  read on >

People seeking more satisfaction in their later years might find sex is the spice of life, new research suggests. For the study, researchers analyzed survey data from nearly 6,900 older adults, average age 65, in England. The investigators found that those who said they’d had any type of sexual activity in the previous 12 months…  read on >

Exposure to metals and pesticides at work could increase risk of heart disease, researchers say. Hispanic workers in the United States may be especially vulnerable because of language barriers and lower levels of education, the study authors noted. “Exposure to metals and pesticides is common worldwide, and this study highlights the need to better understand…  read on >

The bites of insects, spiders and dogs are a $1 billion yearly drain on the U.S. health care system, a new study has calculated. And climate change is only going to make matters worse, researchers contend. Attacks by mountain lions, bears and alligators get the most press, but the tiniest critters create the most work…  read on >