Former professional football players are at increased risk for an enlarged aorta, which can lead to a life-threatening bulge in the artery, a new study reports. The aorta, the largest artery in the body, carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The short part of the aorta is called the ascending… read on >
They may temporarily ease pain, but new research suggests that steroid injections to arthritic hips may exacerbate bone trouble over the longer term. These injections have long been used “for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes for various joint conditions,” noted Dr. Crispin Ong, an orthopedic surgeon who was not involved with the study but reviewed the… read on >
Even if he’s a good boy, don’t put bone treats in your dog’s stocking this holiday season because they can pose a serious health risk to your pooch, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns. The FDA said it has received reports of 68 pet illnesses and 15 deaths caused by bone treats. The reports… read on >
Patients used to see doctors as kindly-but-firm professionals — experts who knew what they were talking about and whose advice should be heeded, even if it wasn’t necessarily welcome. But these days, people have become demanding health care consumers, and they don’t respond well when a doctor disagrees with them, a new study shows. The… read on >
Women may have a variety of bladder problems as they age. But many don’t seek help because they are embarrassed or believe their symptoms are a normal part of aging. Womenshealth.gov identifies these women’s symptoms that may indicate a bladder problem: Needing to go to the bathroom eight or more times per day. Getting up… read on >
Many of us will care for a parent at some point in our lives. If you’re shopping or cooking for Mom or taking Dad to doctor visits, you’re already a caregiver. Caregiving is often in addition to raising kids, running your own home and holding down a job. That means your stress level can soar.… read on >
Before heading out to shop this holiday season, steel yourself for an onslaught of tempting aromas that might lure you into a fast-food restaurant. Food-related cues, like the smell of burgers or eye-catching menu displays, stimulate brain activity. This tempts people to eat more, a new study finds. University of Michigan researchers conducted lab experiments… read on >
Seasonal allergies make life miserable for millions of Americans. So, in a bid to ease some of that discomfort, experts from two leading groups of allergists created a task force that has just issued new practice guidelines on the best ways to quell those bothersome symptoms. The consensus? For most people, nasal steroid sprays are… read on >
Weight loss from dieting can slow the progression of knee arthritis in overweight people, according to a new study. But losing pounds from exercise alone will not help preserve those aging knees, the researchers found. Obesity is a major risk factor for painful knee osteoarthritis — degeneration of cartilage caused by wear and tear. Weight… read on >
More younger Americans experience the aches and pains of arthritis than once thought. Roughly 91 million adults had arthritis in 2015. But the most surprising fact was that nearly one-third of sufferers were aged 18 to 64, a new study found. Those estimates are 68 percent higher than previously reported, said lead researcher Dr. David… read on >
