Could the calcium supplement you take to help your bones be harming your colon? That’s the suggestion from a new study that finds a link between the daily supplement and an increased risk for polyps in the colon. Polyps are not cancerous, but some can eventually turn into cancer if they’re not removed. Further research…  read on >

If people with sleep apnea who’ve been hospitalized for any reason don’t use their breathing treatments when they return home, they’re much more likely to end up back in the hospital. They were 3.5 times more likely to be readmitted for any reason within 30 days, a new study found. And those who didn’t comply…  read on >

For people who have both type 2 diabetes and heart failure, new research offers a mixed message on taking a daily low-dose aspirin. The study found the daily pill can reduce the risk for heart failure-related hospitalization and death in people who have both conditions. However, it also found that a daily aspirin raises their…  read on >

Optimism can benefit angina patients, according to researchers who suggest doctors can help these folks feel more hopeful. Angina is chest pain that occurs when the heart isn’t getting enough oxygen. The pain can be severe, and it’s a common reason for emergency department visits. Angina can have a major impact on quality of life,…  read on >

This year’s flu season is shaping up to be the worst in nearly a decade, experts say. The flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself. If you do develop symptoms including high fever, severe body aches, headache, extreme fatigue, sore throat, cough, runny nose, vomiting or diarrhea, you probably have the flu, the…  read on >

Forging new friendships and maintaining old ones may help slow cognitive decline among seniors, the U.S. National Institute on Aging says. For seven years, researchers at Northwestern University studied a group of so-called “superagers” — people 80 and older who had maintained long-standing friendships. The researchers found that the group collectively had memories of past…  read on >

Though the dangers of smoking during pregnancy to both mother and baby are well-known, just over 7 percent of women still light up while pregnant, a new government report shows. Younger and less educated moms-to-be were the most likely to continue puffing on cigarettes while pregnant, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, part…  read on >

Teaching kids about telling the truth is a critical life lesson. And your approach can determine how motivated your kids are to be honest. Younger children are more likely to tell the truth because they want to please you; older ones understand that it’s the right thing to do. Older kids also are less motivated…  read on >

A vegetarian diet is safe for a person with diabetes, the American Diabetes Foundation says. In fact, a vegetarian diet is naturally higher in fiber, and much lower in saturated fats and cholesterol than the typical American diet. These factors, particularly the higher fiber content, may help lower blood sugar levels, the foundation says. The…  read on >