Using marijuana when you have HIV could lead to problems with brain function if you also abuse alcohol or drugs, a new study finds. “People with HIV infection have many reasons to have cognitive dysfunction, from the virus itself to medications for HIV infection and related conditions, particularly as they age,” said lead researcher Richard…  read on >

Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty blood substance that your body needs to keep cells healthy. It’s produced by your liver and also is found in animal-based foods. There are two kinds of cholesterol: “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and “good” high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Too much “bad” cholesterol can clog your arteries and raise your risk of…  read on >

Getting a better night’s shut-eye may be as easy as cracking open a bedroom window or door, a small new study suggests. Dutch researchers used high-tech methods to track the nighttime movements of 17 healthy volunteers over five nights. Some of the participants slept with a bedroom door or window open, allowing for better ventilation…  read on >

Doctors, don’t be afraid to deliver bad news. Telling cancer patients the truth about their chances of survival does not harm a physician’s relationship with those people. It could even make it better, according to a new study. “We hope this information will reassure clinicians about any negative impacts of these discussions on their relationships…  read on >

Fall yardwork can stir up allergies, but there are ways to reduce the risk of flare-ups, an ear, nose and throat specialist says. “Know your triggers and avoid those triggers,” said Dr. Do-Yeon Cho, an assistant professor of otolaryngology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “First, find out if you’re allergic to any seasonal…  read on >

Deer hunting this season? As you head to the woods, make safety your priority, two experts say. Joe Hess, of the pediatric trauma program at Penn State Children’s Hospital, reminds hunters to treat every firearm as if it were loaded: Never point it at anyone and never place a finger on the trigger until ready…  read on >

Texting, talking on cellphones, eating, drinking — distractions such as these are a driving hazard, and are more likely to occur among young men, new research shows. People most prone to distracted driving also often tend to think it’s “no big deal” — socially acceptable, the Norwegian study found. These drivers often also felt that…  read on >

Even young children have stress. If it’s bad enough, it may interfere with your youngster’s sleep. The National Sleep Foundation mentions these warning signs of stress-induced loss of sleep in children: Decreased appetite. Headache. Bedwetting. Stomach upset or pain. Inability to relax. Aggressiveness or stubbornness. Inability to control emotions. Unwillingness to participate in family or…  read on >

Holiday overeating can harm your kidneys, a kidney expert warns. “The body absorbs nutrients from the gut and then the liver metabolizes them. Whatever is left that can’t be used by the body is excreted by the kidneys,” Dr. Sreedhar Mandayam, a specialist in nephrology at Baylor College of Medicine, said in a college news…  read on >

People with diabetes can have a healthy and safe Thanksgiving dinner if they follow certain guidelines, a diabetes expert says. The keys are pre-planning and moderation, according to Dr. Vanessa Arguello. She is a health sciences clinical instructor in the division of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism at the UCLA School of Medicine in Los Angeles.…  read on >