Using sulfonylurea drugs with or instead of metformin to control blood sugar increases type 2 diabetics’ risk of serious complications, a new study finds. Metformin is a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes, meaning it is the first drug that will be tried. But sulfonylureas are the most often-used second-line treatment, commonly along with metformin.… read on >
Bed bugs are excellent at hiding in the seams of chairs, in and around the bed and in the folds of cushions, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says. The agency suggests how to prevent bed bug infestation at home: Check secondhand furniture for any signs of bed bugs before purchasing. Use protective covers to… read on >
Having a late dinner and heading straight to bed may boost your risk of breast or prostate cancer, a new study suggests. Spanish researchers analyzed data from 621 prostate cancer patients and 1,205 breast cancer patients, as well as 872 men and 1,321 women without these cancers. People who ate their evening meal before 9… read on >
Chemicals used to cure meats like salami and hot dogs may be linked to a mood disorder called mania, researchers report. Those chemicals, known as nitrates, are frequently added to processed meats to prevent bacteria growth. “There’s growing evidence that germs in the intestines can influence the brain,” said study lead author Dr. Robert Yolken.… read on >
Illnesses that lack exact testing methods can be difficult to diagnose, treat and live with, both physically and emotionally. Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, is one such disease. Until recently, it was very poorly understood or even acknowledged. But after 9,000 studies, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the U.S. National Institutes of Health have… read on >
Choking is the 4th-leading cause of unintentional injury death in the United States, the National Safety Council says. The Heimlich maneuver is an effective way to help a person who is choking, but is not recommended for children under age 1. Here are the agency’s suggestions for performing the Heimlich maneuver: Stand behind the choking… read on >
As the tick population surges across the United States this summer, one doctor says the best way to avoid being infected with the nasty illnesses the tiny bugs carry is to wear protective clothing and to check your body thoroughly after every trip into the woods. Just last week, a new study found that ticks… read on >
Children with autism show abnormalities in a deep brain circuit that typically makes socializing enjoyable, a new study finds. Using MRI brain scans, researchers found that kids with autism showed differences in the structure and function of a brain circuit called the mesolimbic reward pathway. That circuit, located deep within the brain, helps you take… read on >
Even if it’s not visible to the naked eye, blood in the stool can be serious — a sign of a potentially fatal disease other than colon cancer, new research suggests. This could include circulatory, respiratory, digestive, blood, hormonal or neuropsychological diseases, the Scottish scientists said. A test that picks up unseen blood in feces,… read on >
The last thing you want to do after surgery is develop an infection. So caring for a surgical wound is of prime importance. The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions: Follow your doctor’s instructions about when and how often you should change the surgical bandage, if there is one. Keep your incision dry… read on >
