Spring and summer may bring warmer weather, but they also bring on cases of the sneezes and sniffles for people with seasonal pollen allergies. The U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences says pollen counts typically are higher between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. and on dry, hot and windy days. The agency suggests: Stay… read on >
Parents are more likely to let their kids see violent PG-13 movies if they feel the mayhem is “justified,” a new study suggests. The study, of 610 U.S. parents, found that moms and dads were less disturbed by gun violence in PG-13 movies when they deemed it justified. That included the typical action-movie scenario where… read on >
Women looking for a husband tend to rule out flashy guys, a new study reports. But if she’s just in it for sex, a dude with bling will do. The study of more than 100 women found a man’s practical side carries more weight than bling for those deciding on a lifelong mate. For the… read on >
Outdoor exercise can be invigorating and a great morale booster. But always take a few simple steps to stay safe, no matter the season. For starters, dress for the weather. Whether it’s cold or hot, that usually involves layering so you can start off warm and peel off layers as you heat up. In warm… read on >
End of life care is focused on easing pain and comforting a person who is dying. The focus should be on the person’s mental and emotional needs, spirituality and fulfilling everyday obligations, the National Institute on Aging says. The agency suggests caregivers ask the person’s doctor these questions: Since there is no cure for what… read on >
Stroke is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, but a lack of awareness and resources hinder efforts to change that, the American Stroke Association says. “We must aggressively continue our efforts to reduce stroke, especially in multicultural communities, and to reach people at younger ages,” said Dr. Mitchell Elkind, a professor… read on >
In 2013, there was just one clean-needle program in all of West Virginia, Kentucky and North Carolina, and the latter two states had laws banning such programs. Fast-forward four years: All of those laws have now been overturned and the number of “syringe services programs” available to help addicts has risen to over 50 across… read on >
It’s smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol — and not taking illegal drugs — that pose the greatest risks to people’s health, a new international study contends. Researchers found that alcohol and tobacco use combined cost more than a quarter of a billion disability-adjusted life-years worldwide, while illegal drugs only accounted for tens of millions in… read on >
There’s a danger lurking in rice and you won’t find it by reading labels. It’s the chemical arsenic. And the threat isn’t about immediate poisoning but rather that long-term exposure to small amounts can increase the risk of bladder, lung and skin cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Arsenic naturally finds its way into our soil… read on >
A normal resting heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute, but this rate will be affected by a person’s stress, caffeine consumption, anxiety, hormones, medication and fitness level, the American Heart Association says. Your resting heart rate is the number of times your heart beats in a minute while you are at… read on >
