Stimulating a specific set of nerves that are nestled along the spine may deliver relief to those who suffer from chronic back pain and cut the need for opioid painkillers, new research suggests. The therapy, which targets the root ganglion nerves, is more effective than other spine stimulation procedures because it places tiny leads precisely…  read on >

Young football players who suffer repeated head blows — but not concussions — may not sustain brain damage, a new study suggests. For the study, researchers followed 112 football players, aged 9 to 18, during the 2016 season. “We expected repetitive impacts to correlate with worsening neurocognitive [brain] function, but we found that sub-concussive head…  read on >

“Eyeballing” emergency room patients may be better than a formal medical assessment in identifying those most in need of urgent care, a new study suggests. Nearly 6,400 patients seeking ER care were assessed over three months. Nurses used an established triage protocol to determine which patients were the sickest, while medical students and phlebotomists (blood…  read on >

Acne is often thought of as a younger person’s condition — a symptom of the transition from childhood to young adulthood. But some people in their 30s, 40s and 50s still have acne, the American Academy of Dermatology says. Here’s the group’s list of common triggers of adult acne: Fluctuating hormone levels during the menstrual…  read on >

A year after a concussion, up to one-third of kids still have symptoms such as headache and irritability that may affect school performance, a new study finds. “Children with all types of injuries may show post-concussion symptoms,” said lead researcher Linda Ewing-Cobbs, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Texas Health Science Center Medical…  read on >

Chicken pox used to be a rite of passage for young children. But with the development of the chicken pox vaccine, the vast majority of kids avoid this itchy and painful illness. While most people who develop chicken pox will recover completely without issue, it can be serious — and even deadly — for babies,…  read on >

Because of the medications they take, losing weight can be difficult for people with diabetes. Diabetes medications are a major roadblock to weight loss, according to a paper from the American Association of Diabetes Educators. “Diabetes medications are vital in helping manage blood sugar, so you shouldn’t stop taking them. Instead, ask (your doctor) about…  read on >

Bleach baths can ease symptoms of moderate to severe eczema and reduce the risk of skin infections, a dermatologist says. Eczema causes itchy, red, scaly skin. It’s often triggered by cold weather or allergens, and can be a chronic source of discomfort. “Bleach is antibacterial, and studies have shown that a diluted bleach bath may…  read on >

The number of women delivering babies via cesarean section has nearly doubled worldwide since 2000, to about 21 percent, new research shows. That’s significantly higher than the 10 percent to 15 percent considered medically necessary, researchers said. When complications develop, C-sections can save the lives of mothers and their babies. But the surgery is not…  read on >