Americans spent more on health care in 2016, even though their use of health care did not increase, and rising costs are the reason why, a new report shows. “It is time to have a national conversation on the role of price increases in the growth of health care spending,” said Niall Brennan, president of… read on >
Survival rates are rising for people who have cardiac arrest while in the hospital, a new study finds. But if cardiac arrest happens at night or on a weekend, you’re more likely to die than if it happens on a weekday. The odds of surviving an “off-hours” cardiac arrest are nearly 4 percent lower than… read on >
Severe weather, an earthquake, a fire or flood all present unique challenges for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Their impaired memory and reasoning severely limits their ability to act appropriately during a crisis, the National Institute on Aging says. If you are preparing an emergency kit for someone who has Alzheimer’s, the agency suggests including: Incontinenceundergarments,… read on >
Older adults are at increased risk for hypothermia, a dangerous drop in body temperature, the U.S. National Institute on Aging warns. This can be due to chronic health conditions or the use of certain medicines, including over-the-counter cold remedies. Hypothermia occurs when your core body temperature drops to 95 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Warning signs… read on >
The growing popularity of snowboarding and skiing has meant more injuries on the slopes, a new review shows. In 2015, more than 140,000 people were treated in U.S. hospitals, doctors’ offices and emergency rooms for skiing and snowboarding-related injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Snowboarders are three times more likely than skiers… read on >
The flu is causing widespread misery across the United States this winter, but the American Lung Association says there are things you can do to avoid being felled by the virus. In what is being described as the worst flu season in years, 49 states are now experiencing widespread activity. So far, only Hawaii and… read on >
You’ve gotta be kidding me. That’s gotta be fake. That’s the understandable first reaction of many to the viral phenomenon dubbed the “Tide Pod Challenge.” Sad to say, it’s real. Prompted by internet dares, dozens of U.S. teenagers in recent weeks have popped liquid laundry detergent packets from a variety of manufacturers into their mouths… read on >
How long you take opioid painkillers after surgery is a much stronger risk factor for addiction and overdose than the dosage of the opioids you take, researchers report. The new study included more than 560,000 people who were prescribed opioids such as OxyContin or Percocet after surgery. None had a history of recent or chronic… read on >
A simple, cheap blood test to detect colon cancer — even in its early stages — appears highly effective and accurate, new research indicates. The test detects so-called “circulating tumor cells” (CTCs). Researchers tested it on 620 people in Taiwan who were scheduled for a routine colonoscopy at a local hospital. By comparing the blood… read on >
It’s normal to feel tired every now and then. But when fatigue becomes chronic, it may be time to visit your doctor. Possible causes for fatigue include certain conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, some medications or recovery after major surgery. The U.S. National Institute on Aging says you can help beat fatigue by: Exercising regularly.… read on >
