Parents should learn a host of terms that schools use to indicate various states of emergency, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. The academy defines these key terms: Evacuation: Used to indicate movement of students and staff out of the school building. Relocation: Used to indicate movement of students and staff to a pre-designated alternate…  read on >

Insomnia — the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep — affects more women than men, and older people more than younger ones. The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says people at increased risk for insomnia include those who: Are stressed. Are depressed or have emotional health issues, such as those going through…  read on >

A trip to the barbershop could hold the key to not only looking good, but also feeling good. A new study finds that having pharmacists deliver blood pressure care in neighborhood barbershops resulted in lower blood pressure readings for many black men. The study included 319 black men with high blood pressure who frequented 52…  read on >

If you love exercise, one of the hardest parts of suffering an injury is being sidelined. But if you take the time to heal a sprain or strain correctly, you’ll get back in the game faster. First, understand your injury to treat it appropriately. A sprain affects ligaments, the bands of tissue that connect bones…  read on >

A brutal flu season has had people reaching for relief in their medicine cabinet, but a new study warns that overdosing on acetaminophen (Tylenol) is more common when bugs and viruses are circulating. It turns out that the odds of taking more than the recommended 4 grams a day jumps 24 percent during these months,…  read on >

Doctors can expect to see a host of core and hip/groin injuries among Major League Baseball pitchers. Moreover, these common injuries carry a high risk of re-injury, according to a new study. “Not only are these injuries becoming more prevalent among professional baseball pitchers, but we are also seeing a relatively high rate of re-injury…  read on >

Most people seem comfortable with their health care providers asking about their sexual orientation and gender identity, a new study finds. The finding comes on the heels of earlier research that indicated many health care providers believed that such questions would offend patients. The new study involved nearly 500 patients being seen for the first…  read on >

Traumatic brain injury, most often a concussion, is caused by a sharp and sudden blow to the head. It may be stem from a car accident, football tackle or an unfortunate fall. If you suspect a TBI, you should seek immediate medical attention, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. A doctor may conduct a…  read on >

Wild animals typically avoid human contact, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are sick or are protecting their young. Attacks by pets are more common, but are rarely life-threatening, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says. The agency suggests how to help prevent animal bites: Never pet, handle or feed unknown animals. Leave…  read on >

If you’ve been struggling with your weight for some time, you might be wondering if bariatric surgery is the answer. This surgery, which involves reducing the size of your stomach to limit how much food you can take in, isn’t for moderate weight loss. You need to be at least 100 pounds overweight with a…  read on >