Hot summer weather and long days spent outside are the perfect combination for bug bites. But it may be difficult to figure out which type of bug was responsible. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers this primer: Mosquitoes are typically found near water and are attracted to bright colors and sweat. When a mosquito bites,… read on >
A medical emergency can be scary and stressful, but knowing how to call for help can mean the difference between life and death. The American College of Emergency Physicians offers these suggestions when making an emergency call: Speak calmly and clearly. Give the name, address, phone number and location of the person in need. Don’t… read on >
It’s easy to roll your eyes at the latest news nugget about someone trying to take an “emotional support animal” onto a plane, even though it’s too big or out of control. There’s the large emotional support peacock that was denied a seat aboard a United Airlines flight in January, for example. Or the young… read on >
Weak grip strength in children may point to a higher risk of such health problems as diabetes and heart disease, new research suggests. In a new study that followed children from 4th grade through 5th grade, a grip-strength test was given to the students at the start of the study. The researchers said that nearly… read on >
Children born to women who got the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy have no greater risk of autism than other kids, a new study finds. The Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, which is better known as whooping cough. U.S. health officials advise pregnant women to get a booster shot in order to protect… read on >
Controversial state laws that promote vaccinating kids against the human papillomavirus (HPV) do not increase the likelihood that teens will engage in risky sexual behavior, a new study contends. “Parents and caregivers, as well as policy makers, should not be wary of policies or legislation related to HPV education or [vaccine] access, as our study… read on >
Researchers have discovered a link between three degenerative eye diseases and Alzheimer’s disease. They say their findings could lead to new ways to identify people at high risk for Alzheimer’s. “We don’t mean people with these eye conditions will get Alzheimer’s disease,” said lead researcher Cecilia Lee, an assistant professor of ophthalmology at the University… read on >
Planning ahead is the key to staying healthy and safe when you go hiking or camping, experts say. “‘Be prepared’ is the Boy Scout motto, and it is one of the best ways to avoid pitfalls and make the most of any hiking or camping trip,” said Dr. Jonathan Adams, a family medicine physician with… read on >
People with type 1 diabetes have a much greater risk of serious heart problems and early death, especially if they were diagnosed before age 10, new research suggests. But the study only found an association, and didn’t prove cause and effect. More than 27,000 type 1 diabetics in Sweden were followed for an average of… read on >
More than 4 in 10 women with asthma developed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heavy smoking and obesity were among the significant risk factors, a new study found. The research involved more than 4,000 women with asthma in Canada who were followed for about 14 years after being diagnosed with the condition. During that… read on >
