While the harmful effects of smoking are well-documented, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reminds us of the benefits of quitting: Reduced risk of lung cancer and other types of cancer. Lowered risk of heart disease and stroke within two years of quitting. Fewer respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of… read on >
If you’re one of the millions of Americans who takes one of a class of anti-reflux meds such as Nexium, Prilosec and Prevacid, take heed: These drugs have been linked to higher odds of kidney trouble. The study couldn’t prove cause-and-effect — it’s possible that folks who need these heartburn medicines are simply more prone… read on >
A healthy diet may translate into a healthier old age, researchers report. The scientists followed close to 1,000 men and women in England, who were born in March 1946, throughout their adulthood. Those who ate more fruits, vegetables and whole-grain cereals — and fewer highly processed foods — throughout adulthood did better on three tests… read on >
When Americans need medical care, almost one in two people choose the emergency room, a new study reveals. “I was stunned by the results. This really helps us better understand health care in this country,” said Dr. David Marcozzi. He is an associate professor in the University of Maryland’s department of emergency medicine. “This research… read on >
For a child with spastic cerebral palsy, simply grasping a toy may be impossible. But infusions of their own umbilical cord blood might make basic movements like this easier, researchers say. Children with spastic cerebral palsy have stiff muscles that can make it hard to move. The condition is usually caused by brain damage before… read on >
Many patients overestimate the amount of pain they’ll experience after surgery, resulting in needless anxiety, a new study reports. “We believe providers need to do a better job of counseling patients on realistic pain expectations,” said study co-author Dr. Jaime Baratta, director of regional anesthesia at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. The research included… read on >
Heart experts are cautiously embracing the results of a new, landmark clinical trial that questions the value of opening blocked arteries to relieve chest pain. Chest pain sufferers who received a stent — a tiny wire mesh tube — to reopen an obstructed artery did not show any more improvement than people who only took… read on >
Can caffeine help people with chronic kidney disease live longer? That’s the suggestion of a new study that found that among more than 2,300 Americans with chronic kidney disease, those who drank the most caffeinated drinks reduced their risk of premature death by 24 percent. “Our study showed a dose-dependent protective effect of caffeine consumption… read on >
Inflammation in middle age may increase the risk for brain shrinkage and dementia in old age, a new study suggests. The researchers tested more than 1,600 people for five “biomarkers” of inflammation in their blood when they were, on average, 53 years old. About 24 years later, the participants were given brain scans and a… read on >
A teenage school shooter may be attempting to prove his masculinity. So says an Oregon researcher who analyzed the traits shared by 31 boys involved in 29 mass shootings at U.S. schools. The attacks occurred between 1995 and 2015, and the killers ranged in age from 11 to 18 years old. The total number of… read on >
