Eye problems are a common concern for those who have diabetes. High blood sugar can damage blood vessels in the retina, causing the vessels to swell, leak or close, the American Academy of Ophthalmology says. Here are the typical symptoms of what’s medically called diabetic retinopathy: In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy may not have… read on >
Many people who have had a colonoscopy say the prep is worse than the actual procedure. But it’s a necessary evil. Improper preparation, and you might as well skip the test altogether. The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy advises on preparing for a colonoscopy: A day before the procedure, limit foods to clear broth, tea,… read on >
As America’s opioid crisis continues, too many toddlers are accidentally overdosing on narcotic medicines. But a new study suggests that better packaging might curb the problem. Among kids under the age of 6, single-dose packaging prompted a 79 percent decrease in the number of unintentional exposures to a narcotic called buprenorphine. The medication is given… read on >
A treatment that harnesses the power of helpful bacteria living naturally on the skin might be a breakthrough treatment for eczema, early research suggests. The therapy capitalizes on recent insights into the importance of the “microbiome” — the trillions of helpful bacteria that live in people’s digestive tracts and on their skin. “By applying bacteria… read on >
French Bulldogs can melt your heart with their wrinkled faces and big ears, but they come with a special set of health problems, a new report warns. The breed is becoming the most popular in the United Kingdom, so researchers at the Royal Veterinary College analyzed data from more than 2,200 French Bulldogs that received… read on >
Few people go through life without having episodes of lower back pain. For some people, though, it’s a daily struggle. The American Academy of Family Physicians says back pain may be controlled by maintaining proper posture and sitting, lifting, standing and exercising properly. Others have to seek medical attention for relief. The academy mentions these… read on >
U.S. hospitals are running short of the injectable opioids and anesthesia drugs that most surgery patients need during and after their procedures, a new survey shows. More than 98 percent of anesthesiologists responding to the survey said they regularly experience shortages of these drugs. And recent efforts by the federal government to curb the opioid… read on >
Due to the U.S. opioid epidemic, hepatitis C is up among pregnant women, raising the risk for mother-to-child transmission of the virus, a new study reveals. Hepatitis C can be contracted via dirty needles used by opioid addicts. But just a fraction of newborns exposed to hepatitis C in the womb are screened for the… read on >
People with the most common blood type, type O, may be at higher risk of death after suffering severe injuries because they’re more likely to have major bleeding, a new study suggests. While the study is preliminary, Japanese researcher Dr. Wataru Takayama said the “results also raise questions about how emergency transfusion of O type… read on >
People suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) might find some relief by using the popular party drug ecstasy, a small study suggests. Technically, this synthetic drug is called 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) and it alters mood and perception. When tried with 26 veterans and first responders with PTSD, it helped many of them, investigators found. “In research… read on >
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