About 5 percent of American children and 4 percent of adults have a food allergy, but many more are getting unnecessary testing. Specific blood and skin prick tests can help detect food allergies. But the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases recommends them only for people who’ve had immediate allergic reactions, have a… read on >
Lack of sleep is an often overlooked risk factor for type 2 diabetes, the National Sleep Foundation says. Chronic sleep deprivation leads to less insulin production and increased production of stress hormones, the foundation says. Over time, too much glucose stays in the bloodstream and increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Getting insufficient… read on >
Kidney stones are becoming more common, especially in women, new research has found. Better diagnostic tools could be part of the reason for the steady rise in diagnoses, according to Mayo Clinic researchers. By using CT scans, “we are now diagnosing symptomatic kidney stones that previously would have gone undiagnosed because they would not have… read on >
Devices that send electrical pulses to the brain — in the comfort of your own home — are a treatment option for depression and certain other conditions. But a new research review finds little evidence they work. The therapy — known as cranial electrical stimulation (CES) — involves a handheld device that delivers low-intensity electrical… read on >
To prepare for a visit with your surgeon before an operation, it helps to have a list of questions and concerns ready. The U.S. National Institute on Aging suggests what to ask: What is the success rate of the operation? How many of these operations have you done successfully? What problems may occur with this… read on >
About one in four women dies of heart disease in the United States, making it the most common cause of death among women. Some risk factors cannot be controlled, such as gender, race or age. Other factors involve your lifestyle. The U.S. Office on Women’s Health provides examples: Smoking — If you smoke, quit immediately.… read on >
As a particularly nasty flu season rages across the United States, scientists have found a powerful new disinfectant that makes “light” work of the virus. Researchers say a certain spectrum of ultraviolet light — called far-UVC — easily kills airborne flu viruses while posing no risk to people. It could offer a new, inexpensive way… read on >
If you were born with a heart defect, you might have to worry more about developing dementia as you age, a new study suggests. Researchers analyzed the medical records of more than 10,600 people in Denmark born with a heart defect between 1890 and 1982. Compared with the general population, adults born with heart defects… read on >
Online pharmacies may be an affordable alternative to a big-box pharmacy store, but it is important to make sure the online pharmacy you select is safe. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration mentions these warning signs of an online pharmacy that you should avoid: Allows you to buy prescription medicine without a valid prescription. Does… read on >
Just because it’s not summer doesn’t mean you’re safe from sun-related skin damage. “The highest level of concern is usually during the summer months, but sun damage can occur year-round, even on cloudy or rainy days,” said dermatologist Dr. Sarah Taylor, an assistant professor at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. “In fact,… read on >
