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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
Is arthritis pain getting in the way of your fitness plans? That need not be the case. In fact, physical activity can be vital to your continued mobility. Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that affects about 27 million Americans — most often in the knees and hips, but also in the lower back and neck.… 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 >
A traumatic brain injury (TBI), even a mild one such as a concussion, may raise your risk for dementia, a new study suggests. Researchers analyzed 36 years of data from 2.8 million people and found that those who sustained TBIs were 24 percent more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or other dementias than those… read on >
There’s little doubt that the last presidential election sparked a host of emotions among Americans. But new research suggests it might also have triggered obsessive-compulsive behaviors in Democrats and Republicans alike. “The idea for our study came about while I was taking a break from a group project. During the break, everyone pulled out their… read on >
