Know what to look for if you suspect your child or teen may be depressed. “In children and adolescents who are depressed, you may notice more irritability and loss of interest rather than just sadness or a depressed mood,” said Kimberly Burkhart, a pediatric psychologist at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. Be alert for 11… read on >
Fewer U.S. kids are plagued by tooth cavities compared to just a few years ago, but income disparities persist, according to a new U.S. government study. Researchers found that in 2015-2016, about 43 percent of children ages 2 to 19 had cavities. That was down from 50 percent four years earlier. This is the good… read on >
When it comes to a fever, what’s true for kids isn’t necessarily so for adults. Even a slight temperature in a child warrants a call to the doctor. That’s not the case, though, for most fevers in most adults. What’s considered a normal temperature varies from one adult to the next. In general, though, 98.6… read on >
If you suffer from allergies, you already know that pollen is in the air — even in the parts of the United States with unseasonably cool temperatures. So what kind of allergy season can we expect this year? Will we see a return of the pollen vortex? Might we have a blooming bombogenesis of pollen?… read on >
Some 3 million people — many under age 5 — swallow or consume a poisonous substance each year, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. Common sources include medicines, cleaning products, antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid, pesticides, furniture polish, gasoline, kerosene and lamp oil. The academy advises on how to reduce the risks of poisoning at your… read on >
Eye drops are a popular way to treat glaucoma, a group of diseases that, if untreated, can damage the optic nerve and lead to blindness. To be safe and effective, however, these eye drops must be used as prescribed by a doctor. The U.S. National Eye Institute offers these suggestions: Wash yourhands before use. Hold… read on >
A big boost in cigarette prices could lead to fewer health problems and less poverty for millions of people worldwide, according to a new study. The researchers from the Global Tobacco Economics Consortium used a computer model to predict how a 50 percent cigarette tax increase would affect health and poverty in 13 middle-income countries… read on >
Bringing high blood pressure under control can reduce older black Americans’ risk of dementia, a new study finds. Black people are at high risk for high blood pressure and dementia, the researchers noted. The study included more than 1,200 black Americans, aged 65 and older, with high blood pressure who did not have dementia. The… read on >
You might be a drowsy driver without knowing it, and new research finds that can make you more dangerous on the road. People who suffer from chronic sleep apnea are more likely to crash, the study showed: For those with severe apnea, the increased risk hit 123 percent, while those with mild to moderate sleep… read on >
Wildfire smoke may trigger a heart complication or stroke in vulnerable people, a new U.S. study suggests. Looking at the impact of the widespread California wildfires of 2015, researchers found a spike in emergency department visits for heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular complications. The risk was largely seen among adults aged 65 and older.… read on >
