The skin is the largest organ in the human body. And petroleum jelly is an inexpensive, readily available way to help protect it. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests: Apply petroleum jelly to damp skin, including lips and eyelids. Apply it to minor cuts, scrapes and scratches to keep nearby skin from drying out. Apply…  read on >

Kids with summer birthdays, especially those who spend long hours playing on smartphones and tablets, might be at greater risk for vision problems, a new study suggests. Nearsightedness, also called myopia, is on the rise worldwide. It’s what eye doctors call a refractive error, meaning the eyes can’t focus light properly. The result: Close objects…  read on >

Women who love the early hours of the day are less likely to develop breast cancer, a new study suggests. British researchers analyzed two data banks that included more than 409,000 women to investigate the link between sleep traits and breast cancer risk. Compared to night owls, women who are early risers had a 40…  read on >

An autoimmune disorder occurs when the immune system attacks the body itself, rather than disease-causing germs such as bacteria and viruses. The U.S. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases says symptoms of an autoimmune disorder typically include: Joint pain and stiffness. Thyroid problems, which cause you to feel tired, gain weight and…  read on >

Triglycerides are a type of fat (lipid) that’s found in your blood. If your triglycerides are too high, you’re at greater risk of heart disease and stroke, says the American College of Cardiology, which recommends routine blood testing. Here are the group’s suggestions for lowering high triglycerides: Get more exercise. Cut down on calories, eat…  read on >

Melanoma skin cancer death rates in men are on the rise in most countries, but are stable or declining for women in some, according to a new study. Researchers analyzed World Health Organization data from 33 countries between 1985 and 2015. Melanoma death rates in men were increasing in all but one nation. In all…  read on >

MONDAY, Nov. 5, 2018When Americans set clocks an hour ahead in the spring for Daylight Saving Time, hospitalizations rise for people with a common type of irregular heartbeat, a new study finds. Atrial fibrillation affects at least 3 million Americans and possibly twice that many. Its main danger is an increased risk for stroke or…  read on >

Opioid users may be putting themselves at increased risk for atrial fibrillation (“A-fib”), an abnormal heart rhythm that can lead to a stroke, a new study suggests. The preliminary finding stems from an analysis of medical records of more than 850,000 military veterans. It found that opioid use increases the likelihood of A-fib by 34…  read on >

The American Academy of Pediatrics is strengthening its recommendation to ban spanking and other forms of corporal punishment, citing new research that says that type of discipline can affect normal brain development. Harsh verbal punishment, such as shaming or humiliation, is also a threat to children, the AAP says in an updated policy statement. “The…  read on >