Testing children with a suspected sinus infection for three common bacteria might cut unnecessary antibiotic prescribing, a new study suggests. Only half of kids with sinusitis — inflammation or swelling of the sinuses — show any improvement with antibiotics, which target bacterial infections, not viral infections, the researchers note. “When a child comes in with… read on > read on >
Women are more likely to develop endometriosis if they have elevated levels of cadmium in their system, a new study reports. Twice as many women with slightly or moderately elevated levels of the toxic element wound up with endometriosis compared to women with the lowest levels, researchers say. “Although endometriosis is estimated to affect 1… read on > read on >
In yet another example of inequities in U.S. health care, new research indicates that many women and minority men who need statins to protect their heart aren’t getting them. “The recommendation to use statins to treat and prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease has been supported by guidelines from major clinical societies for decades,” said study author… read on > read on >
More than half of all patients with autoimmune diseases also suffer from depression and anxiety — but most are never asked about their mental health, a new study finds. Surveying more than 1,800 patients, British researchers found more than half rarely or never reported their mental health symptoms to their doctor. This could mean the… read on > read on >
Many women are not being counseled about heart disease after giving birth, a new study finds. Only 60% of at-risk women said they were advised about heart health at their postpartum checkup, researchers say. About 90% of U.S. women have a doctor visit during what is referred to as the “fourth trimester.” “We need to… read on > read on >
Results from more than 26,000 respiratory tests in late 2022 found simultaneous infections with COVID-19, influenza or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in more than 1% of positive tests. Co-infections were especially widespread in children and teens. In people under age 21, researchers saw a 6% co-infection rate of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A. “With changing behaviors… read on > read on >
People who have psoriasis may want to get their vitamin D levels checked. New research suggests that blood levels of the so-called “sunshine vitamin” may affect the severity of their condition. In psoriasis, skin cells build up and form dry, itchy, sometimes painful patches. While synthetic vitamin D creams are an emerging therapy, the study… read on > read on >
The extreme heat and choking wildfire smoke blanketing wide swaths of the United States this summer are actively dangerous to heart health, a new study reports. Days where soaring heat combines with fine particulate air pollution can double a person’s risk of a fatal heart attack, researchers have found. “Heat wave exposure interacts synergistically with… read on > read on >
Emergency rooms can be a frightening place for people suffering from dementia, yet each year 1.4 million Americans with Alzheimer’s or other dementias wind up in crowded, noisy ERs, a new study finds. Dementia is responsible for nearly 7% of all ER visits for those older than 65, often because of accidents or mental health… read on > read on >
(HealthDay News) – Heart disease is a high risk for people with HIV, but a new study finds that taking statins significantly reduces the risk of serious heart incidents. People with HIV who took a daily statin pill lowered their risk of stroke, heart attack or surgery to open clogged arteries by 35%, a clinical… read on > read on >
