People who gamble on sports are more likely to be binge drinkers as well, a new report finds. Both women and men who bet on sports were at least twice as likely to binge drink compared to non-gamblers, results showed. Further, the odds of binge drinking increased with the frequency of gambling. “With past research… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
FDA Clears 15-Minute Bedside Test to Gauge Soldiers’ Brain Injury
When a soldier is rushed to medical care following a blast or other injury to the head, time is crucial in deciding just how extensive that injury is. Now, the U.S. Army has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared a bedside whole blood test that can answer that question in about… read on > read on >
Most Folks With Heart Disease Consume Too Much Salt
Cutting back on sodium is crucial to treating heart disease, but most heart patients aren’t able to limit their salt intake, a new study finds. On average, people with heart disease consume more than double the daily recommended amount of salt, researchers report. Sodium is essential for human health, but taking in too much can… read on > read on >
Florida Supreme Court Backs Abortion Ban, But Allows Referendum on Issue
In two separate rulings on Monday, the Florida Supreme Court backed that state’s abortion ban while also allowing a proposed constitutional amendment that could undo that ban to be placed on the November ballot. In a 6-1 vote, the court upheld the constitutionality of the state’s 15-week abortion ban, which has been in effect since… read on > read on >
One-Third of Americans Don’t Know Vision Risks From Solar Eclipse, Survey Finds
A total eclipse of the sun is coming up next week, and many folks don’t know that watching it unprotected can cause permanent eye damage, a new survey finds. Nearly 30% of Americans don’t know that looking directly into a solar eclipse without proper eye protection can cause permanent distortions or blind spots in their… read on > read on >
Could the Keto Diet Help Ease Psychiatric Conditions?
Patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder tend to see their conditions ease after four months on the ketogenic (“keto”) diet, a small pilot study finds. While no one is saying the diet should replace standard medications, the researchers believe it could provide additional help for some. “It’s very promising and very encouraging that you can… read on > read on >
Big Improvements Seen in Spotting, Treating Mental Health Issues Around Pregnancy
Expecting or new mothers are much more likely these days to be diagnosed with anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, new research shows. However, more women are also getting treated for these problems rather than roughing it out, researchers report in April 1 issue of the journal Health Affairs. “Taken together, these studies show a… read on > read on >
Adult High Blood Pressure Could Begin in Childhood
The seeds of high blood pressure in adulthood might be sown in youth, a new study suggests. Children and teenagers with excess weight were more likely to have high blood pressure in middle age, researchers report. In fact, there’s a linear relationship between adult high blood pressure and childhood overweight and obesity, researchers found. The… read on > read on >
Better Eye-Tracking: A Hidden Advantage for Sportsmen, Gamers
Smacking a 100-mile-an-hour fastball or shooting down a fast-moving alien invader in a video game might involve more than fast reflexes, researchers report. Elite gamers and pro athletes may also have a hidden vision advantage over others, a new study finds. Some people can perceive rapidly changing visual cues better than others, researchers reported April… read on > read on >
Playtime, Being Social Helps a Dog’s Aging Brain, Study Finds
As their aging brains shrink, older dogs can suffer the same memory and thinking problems as many older humans do. But dogs are just like humans in another way — playtime and social activities can help preserve their brain function, a new study finds. Exercising, socializing, playing with toys and playing with other dogs helped… read on > read on >