Taking blood-thinning drugs is typically thought to ward off stroke in people with the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation. However, new research out of Britain hints — but cannot prove — that the drugs might actually raise the odds of stroke in seniors with a-fib who also have kidney disease. “Chronic kidney disease is common… read on >
Researchers from Denmark are suggesting a potential — and unusual — risk factor for stroke: Being short as a kid. The investigators found that men and women who had been about 2 inches taller than average at age 7 had, as adults, up to an 11 percent lower risk for an ischemic stroke. That’s the… read on >
They described hearing loud, unusual noises in either their homes or hotel rooms. Afterwards, they experienced concussion-like symptoms such as memory and thinking problems, headaches, dizziness and balance issues. But the exact nature of what harmed more than 20 U.S. government personnel stationed in Havana, Cuba, last year remains mysterious, reports a team led by… read on >
Obese men with advanced melanoma skin cancer seem to have a survival benefit over their slimmer peers, a new study suggests. Among men who received treatment for the potentially deadly cancer, obese patients lived an average of 47 percent longer than those with a healthy body weight, researchers found. For women, however, weight did not… read on >
If you have intense pain in your feet, arthritis may be the cause of your woes. Arthritis leads to swelling and pain in the cartilage and lining of the joints. If these symptoms affect your feet, it’s probably time to visit a podiatrist, the American Podiatric Medical Association says. The group says symptoms of foot-joint… read on >
Brain plaques believed to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease melt away in mice when robbed of a key enzyme, researchers report. And the rodents’ intellectual function actually improved as their amyloid plaques dissolved from lack of beta-secretase (BACE1), an enzyme critical in the formation of the plaques, said senior researcher Riqiang Yan. He is vice chair… read on >
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, new research suggests one behavior can predict how strong a couple’s bond might be. The study of newlywed couples found that if either partner spent too much time looking at attractive members of the opposite sex, their marriage was prone to trouble down the road. A research team from… read on >
Asthma and allergies can put on damper on your Valentine’s Day romancing, an expert warns. “Keeping everyone free of allergy and asthma flare-ups helps keep the focus on romance this Valentine’s Day. Red or itchy eyes, runny noses, coughs and fatigue can ruin your celebration,” Dr. Bradley Chipps, president of the American College of Allergy,… read on >
About 5 percent of American children and 4 percent of adults have a food allergy, but many more are getting unnecessary testing. Specific blood and skin prick tests can help detect food allergies. But the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases recommends them only for people who’ve had immediate allergic reactions, have a… read on >
Lack of sleep is an often overlooked risk factor for type 2 diabetes, the National Sleep Foundation says. Chronic sleep deprivation leads to less insulin production and increased production of stress hormones, the foundation says. Over time, too much glucose stays in the bloodstream and increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Getting insufficient… read on >
