A startling 75 percent of black people in the United States develop high blood pressure by the age of 55, a new study finds. That’s a far higher rate than seen among either white men (55 percent) or white women (40 percent), the researchers said. “We started to see differences between blacks and whites by… read on >
Gaps in private insurance coverage are common among American adults with type 1 diabetes, raising their risk for health crises, a new study finds. “Type 1 diabetes requires intensive daily management in order to simply remain alive, so interruptions to care and coverage of insulin and supplies can pose a major risk,” said study leader… read on >
Traveling with someone with a disability may seem daunting, but things are likely to go a lot smoother with some preparation. AARP offers this advice: Contact the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at least 72 hours before departure to explain your loved one’s needs. The number is: 855-787-2227. When you leave, bring all necessary medical letters… read on >
An epi-pen may be a lifesaving injection for a person with severe allergies. But the device must be cared for and stored properly. Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) suggests how to care for your epi-pen: Store it away from direct light. Store it at room temperature. Do not refrigerate it or allow it to… read on >
There’s another study suggesting that the vitamin and mineral supplements bought by millions of Americans do nothing to stave off heart disease. This time, the finding stems from an analysis of 18 studies conducted between 1970 and 2016. Each one looked at how vitamins and mineral supplements — which are not reviewed by the U.S.… read on >
If you want to be happier, try having meaningful conversations. A new study finds that quality conversation is associated with greater happiness, while small talk has no effect on mental state. The results were true for both introverts and extroverts. The findings from the study of 486 people were published recently in the journal Psychological… read on >
Afraid to raise your hand because of embarrassing body odor? Here’s some good news for you: Scientists say they’re one step closer to conquering smelly armpits. Researchers in England say they’ve identified a protein that enables bacteria in your armpits to take up odorless compounds in sweat and make it stink. According to the investigators,… read on >
Bacteria and fungi grow on medical implants, such as hip and knee replacements, pacemakers and screws used to fix broken bones, researchers report. In a new study, Danish investigators examined 106 implants of different types and the surrounding tissue in patients. The findings showed that 70 percent of the implants had been colonized by bacteria,… read on >
More than half of American doctors are burned out, a new national survey suggests, and those doctors are more likely to make medical mistakes. The poll asked nearly 6,700 clinic and hospital physicians about medical errors, workplace safety, and symptoms of workplace burnout, fatigue, depression and suicidal thoughts. More than 10 percent said they had… read on >
A fungal infection most commonly develops on the feet, nails, groin and hands. Effective treatment is needed to prevent recurrence. When a fungal infection recurs, it is typically because the immune system doesn’t recognize and attack the germ as foreign to the body, the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology says. The AOCD suggests: Use antifungal… read on >
