The hormone testosterone is responsible for male characteristics such as facial and body hair, muscle development, regulating sex drive, sperm production and bone health. Low testosterone can result in loss of hair and muscle, mood changes, less energy and smaller testes, the Endocrine Society says. If your doctor detects low testosterone, he or she may… read on >
Less than 40 percent of American adults with extremely high cholesterol levels get the medications they should, a new study finds. Researchers examined federal government data to assess rates of awareness, screening and the use of cholesterol-lowering statins among adults aged 20 and older with extremely high levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol. The investigators also… read on >
Teen boys in the United States are less likely than girls to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) because many doctors don’t recommend the shots to boys’ parents, researchers say. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that can cause cervical, vulvar, vaginal, penile, anal, mouth and throat cancers. The HPV vaccine is recommended as a… read on >
Many people don’t think twice about their vision until there’s a problem, but seeing an eye doctor should definitely be on your wellness radar at different stages of life. Newborns should get a standard reflex test. If a baby is premature or at high risk for vision problems, schedule an exam with an eye specialist.… read on >
Diarrhea in young babies should be taken seriously if it lasts for more than one day, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. Prolonged diarrhea can lead to dehydration. Common symptoms of diarrhea in an infant are a faster heartbeat, dry mouth, no tears when crying, or no wet diaper for at least three hours.… read on >
Tree care workers have one of the nation’s most perilous jobs, and the danger could grow as climate change increases the risk to trees from major storms, diseases, insects, drought and fire, experts warn. Better training and safety in tree care operations are essential, according to researchers from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J. Every… read on >
The good news is that the fungus that causes athlete’s foot and other nasty skin and toenail infections is headed for extinction. The bad news is it could take millions of years. Scientists analyzed samples of Trichophyton rubrum fungus and concluded it may have lost its ability to sexually reproduce as it adapted to grow… read on >
Simply climbing a single set of stairs, walking around the block or taking a three-minute jog can improve a middle-aged person’s health, even when such activity is spread across the day, new research suggests. After tracking the activity habits and health of more than 4,800 adults 40 years old and up for four years, researchers… read on >
Piling on pounds is bad for your health from head to toe. So say Korean researchers, who report that unhealthy weight gain ups a person’s odds for disfiguring toenail fungal infections. In fact, people who are statistically obese have more than double the rate of the infection, known as onychomycosis, compared to slim people, the… read on >
While napping can’t replace a good night’s sleep, it can offer a quick recharge in the midst of a busy day. The National Sleep Foundation says a nap shouldn’t be longer than 30 minutes, to prevent a groggy feeling when you wake up. So where can you sneak in a few minutes of shuteye? The… read on >
