Many women who develop severe pre-eclampsia during pregnancy have undetected high blood pressure in the year after they give birth, a Dutch study contends. Pre-eclampsia, which is the development of high blood pressure and elevated protein in the urine during pregnancy, occurs in 3 to 5 percent of pregnancies in developed nations. Left untreated, it… read on >
X-rays have led to countless improvements in diagnosing and treating broken bones and other conditions. But they’re not without risks. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says such risks are “small when compared to the benefits that [X-rays] can provide,” the agency says efforts should be made to prevent unneeded exposure to ionizing radiation.… read on >
Scarlet fever, also known as scarlatina, is a bacterial infection caused by “group a” streptococcus. There is no vaccine, and the disease is typically treated with a round of antibiotics. Possible symptoms to watch for are a red rash, fever, sore throat, redness in the underarms and groin, a whiteish tongue, swollen glands and body… read on >
Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, but there are a number of things you can do to protect yourself, a cardiologist says. “Heart disease kills hundreds of thousands of Americans each year, but many of these conditions are preventable,” said researcher Dr. David Slotwiner, chief of the division of… read on >
If the constant stream of bad news from around the world gets to you, one psychiatrist suggests that helping others might make you feel better. “The sheer volume of stressful events occurring on a near-daily basis can make people feel pessimistic or fearful,” said researcher Emanuel Maidenberg, a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University… read on >
The United States is in the grip of a tough flu season, no doubt. It might seem as if every other person you know has fallen prey to influenza. Actually, though, health experts say this flu season is pretty much on par with other severe seasons. Here’s what else they have to say: How bad… read on >
Maybe there’s some truth in the long-standing belief that dogs can sense fear in a human. According to a new British study, anxious people may be at increased risk for dog bites. The finding came from a survey of nearly 700 people in northern England, done by researchers from the University of Liverpool. As part… read on >
Is learning a second language on your bucket list? Here’s compelling evidence to get started right away. Numerous studies at institutions, including Penn State, have found that learning a new language is great for brain health. It can strengthen your brain just as exercise strengthens your muscles. And like muscles, the more you work at… read on >
Many people, the far majority of them blind, have non-24 Sleep Wake Disorder (Non-24), which affects the circadian rhythm. This means their bodies don’t properly prepare for sleep while it’s dark outside and for wakefulness while it’s light out. As a result, many people with the disorder cite ongoing fatigue. The National Sleep Foundation mentions… read on >
You may not want to sit down for this. New research finds the mere act of standing burns more calories over time compared to sitting, and anyone bent on weight loss may want to remain upright a few more hours each day. In fact, standing for six hours each day — at a ‘standing desk’… read on >
