Poison ivy rash can range from mild to severe. It typically appears 1 to 2 days after contact with the plant, and is caused by an oil called urushiol, to which most people are allergic. The American Academy of Family Physicians says you can help prevent a poison ivy rash by: Wearing protective clothing when… read on >
Many ticks carry disease, so it’s important to remove a tick if it bites you and becomes embedded in your skin. The U.S. National Institutes of Health suggests how to safely remove a tick: Use fine-tipped tweezers. Grab the tick close to the skin and gently pull up to remove the entire tick. Don’t use… read on >
There’s preliminary research suggesting that abuse or neglect in childhood might have an effect on the quality of a man’s sperm. The study was small and can’t prove cause and effect. But researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston say it points to a way in which stress early in a man’s life… read on >
People with heart failure who are socially isolated are more likely to be hospitalized or die prematurely than those who feel connected to others, new research suggests. The study authors said screening heart failure patients to identify those who lack social support might help to improve outcomes. Previous studies have shown that social isolation may… read on >
When you fire up the grill for your Memorial Day cookout, beware: Those tantalizing aromas hold an underestimated health risk. Grilling meats at a high temperature can produce cancer-causing compounds called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). You can be exposed to significant PAH levels simply by breathing in the sweet scent of barbecue. A new study… read on >
If current trends continue, nearly one-quarter of the world’s population will be obese by 2045. And one in eight people will have type 2 diabetes, new research suggests. Alongside those bulging waistlines, global rates of type 2 diabetes will jump from 9 percent to 12 percent over the next 27 years, placing an even greater… read on >
For some people who struggle with weight gain, their body’s responses to delicious food may be working against them. In a new study, obese people who had trouble keeping weight loss at bay salivated more and had a steeper increase in their heart rate when presented with a tempting pizza, compared to folks without such… read on >
Black eyes are common among kids who play sports. Most cases can be treated with self-care at home. The American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests how to safely treat a black eye: Use an ice pack for 20 minutes at a time, once every hour, to reduce swelling and ease pain. Use a bag of frozen… read on >
Ditching the car and biking or walking to work just might cut your risk of developing heart disease and even dying from it. So says a new British study that finds a person’s risk of heart disease or stroke falls 11 percent and their risk of dying from these diseases falls by 30 percent, just… read on >
Nine out of 10 ER doctors say their hospitals aren’t fully prepared for major disasters or mass tragedies. The finding, from a new poll by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), comes as the U.S. Congress considers major disaster preparedness legislation. ACEP questioned 1,328 emergency room doctors between April 25 and May 6 and… read on >
