Blood levels of a flame retardant have fallen in American children since use of the chemicals was banned in consumer products, a new study finds. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were once widely used in household items, such as couches, mattresses, carpet padding and other upholstered items. In 2004, pentaBDE — a specific mixture of PBDEs… read on >
WEDNESDAY, April 4, 2018 (American Heart Association) — Jerry McCann, Ray Rivera and Taunya Stewart are living proof that there’s no good excuse to avoid physical activity, especially during Move More Month in April. For each of them, becoming more active was a matter of life or death. McCann had a heart transplant. Rivera was… read on >
Small moles, medically called nevi, appear at birth in about one of every 100 newborns. They usually don’t cause problems, but can rarely develop into a melanoma, a type of deadly skin cancer, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. So while you don’t have to worry about the moles right away, it’s a good idea… read on >
More than 450,000 burn injuries occur each year in the United States, the American Burn Association says. The Federal Emergency Management Agency suggests how to help prevent burns and scalds in the kitchen: Place objects on the stove so they cannot be pulled down or knocked over. Turn pot handles away from the stove’s edge.… read on >
Rear-facing car seats provide effective protection for children in rear-end crashes, researchers say. Previous studies have shown that rear-facing car seats significantly reduce infant and toddler injuries and deaths in front- and side-impact crashes. But there has been little data on rear-end crashes, which represent more than one-quarter of collisions, according to the Ohio State… read on >
A 40-hour work week may sound like a vacation to those burning the midnight oil. But a study in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine shows that consistently surpassing this standard can be detrimental to your health. Researchers said they found that working 61 to 70 hours a week increased the risk of coronary heart… read on >
Bursitis involves swelling of thebursa — a fluid-filled sac that cushions bone from muscles, tendons or skin. Bursitis often is caused by repetitive motion, so the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases recommends cushioning your joints when appropriate, and taking frequent breaks from repetitive=motion tasks. The agency suggests these treatment options: Resting… read on >
Rosacea is a common skin disease that causes a reddening of the skin, typically on the face. The disease may have differing symptoms, including sensitive skin or a thickening of the skin, resulting in a bumpy texture. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests: Identify and avoid factors that trigger an outbreak. They could include exposure… read on >
Older Americans dramatically reduced their risks for heart attack and stroke over a recent 20-year period, a new analysis finds. The likely reason: greater use of drugs to control cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as a decline in smoking, according to researchers from the University of Southern California. The benefits were seen in both… read on >
Young women with elevated blood pressure before pregnancy appear to have a greater risk of miscarriage, even if they haven’t been diagnosed with full-blown high blood pressure, a new study suggests. Risk of pregnancy loss increases about 18 percent for every 10-point increase in a young woman’s diastolic blood pressure (the lower number), which indicates… read on >
