The United States is more ready for health disasters than it was five years ago, but certain regions still lag behind, a new report shows. The nation scored 7.1 on the 10-point 2018 National Health Security Preparedness Index. That’s nearly 3 percent better than last year and nearly 11 percent better than when the index… read on >
Doctors continue to prescribe far too many opioid painkillers to patients following surgery, a new study indicates. In fact, one of every three patients prescribed an opioid, such as Oxycontin, didn’t take a single pill during their recuperation, said lead researcher Elizabeth Habermann. She is scientific director for surgical outcomes at the Mayo Clinic in… read on >
Appendicitis isa painful inflammation of the appendix. It can be life-threatening if ignored and the appendix ruptures. More than 5 percent of people in the United States will develop appendicitis at some point during their lives, the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases says. It may be difficult to distinguish appendicitis… read on >
Men under 50 who smoke cigarettes are increasing their risk for a stroke, researchers warn. And the more they smoke, the greater their stroke risk, reported the University of Maryland investigators. The bottom line: quit. But if you can’t, smoking fewer cigarettes may help reduce your risk, the researchers said. “We found that men who… read on >
Women are more likely than men to suffer a knee injury called an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. But — surprisingly — the injury occurs the same way in both genders, a new study reveals. Prior research suggested women are two to four times more likely to suffer ACL tears due to differences in how… read on >
Deep breathing is a great stress reliever, and the technique called mindfulness meditation is a helpful way to use breathing to get more in touch with your inner self. People who meditate say they feel more positive, and have more energy and better concentration. There’s more than one way to tap meditation’s benefits — through… read on >
The outbreak of E. coli illness tied to tainted Arizona romaine lettuce continues to expand, federal health officials said Wednesday. “Since the last update on April 13, 2018, 18 more ill people have been added to this investigation, bringing the total number to 53,” the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a… read on >
Your teeth may be a good indicator of your heart health, the American Heart Association says. A recent clinical study focusing on tooth loss during midlife found that people who lost two or more teeth during the trial had a 23 percent increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The increase occurred regardless of other cardiovascular risk… read on >
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that causes the heart to become enlarged, rigid or thicker. As the condition worsens, the heart becomes weaker and is less effective at pumping blood, the U.S. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute says. The agency suggests how to help tame some of the condition’s complications: Quit… read on >
Toxic chemicals that have been banned for nearly four decades may be hiding in kitchens across the United States, new research suggests. Polychlorinated biphenyls, more commonly known as PCBs, might be released when cabinet sealants break down, the scientists warn. PCBs are cancer-causing chemicals once used in a wide range of products, from electrical appliances… read on >
