Depression affects half of the 6 million Americans who struggle with debilitating heart failure.  Now, research shows that two leading modes of treatment — antidepressants and an approach called behavioral activation psychotherapy — work equally well to ease depression among these patients. Behavioral activation psychotherapy works by promoting involvement in activities that the patient enjoys,…  read on >  read on >

Back pain is a double-edged sword. In most cases, it disappears within about six weeks. But when it doesn’t, low back pain is likely to bother you for the long haul, researchers warn. “The good news is that most episodes of back pain recover, and this is the case even if you have already had…  read on >  read on >

Britain’s King Charles III is expected undergo surgery next week to correct an enlarged prostate, and experts say these procedures are common in older men and safe. The king, 75, has what’s clinically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). “An enlarged prostate means the gland has grown bigger. Prostate enlargement happens to almost all men…  read on >  read on >

Folks with life-threatening chronic illnesses can receive effective support over the telephone as they manage their condition day by day, a new clinical trial finds. Seriously ill veterans living with lung or heart disease experienced significant improvements in depression, anxiety and quality of life from a palliative care program delivered by phone, researchers found. “While…  read on >  read on >

People coming off antidepressants often struggle with emotional and social turmoil, especially if they quit their meds cold turkey, a new study reports. Challenges reported by patients quitting antidepressants included feeling overwhelmed by their emotions, finding social situations less enjoyable, and feeling detached and less empathetic towards others. “Some symptoms were so severe, family and…  read on >  read on >

Electric scooters might seem a fun way to zip about, but they’re also a pricey hazard to riders’ health, a new study argues. Orthopedic treatment for 82 patients injured in e-scooter wrecks averaged more than $28,400 per person, as doctors labored to mend broken bones and dislocated joints. “E-scooters go up to 20 miles per…  read on >  read on >

People are more prone to coming down with a common gastrointestinal infection on hot, humid days, new research shows. The British study suggests that climate change and global warming could increase cases of diarrheal illness caused by campylobacter bacterial infections. “This information is invaluable, as illnesses such as campylobacteriosis not only cause discomfort to individuals,…  read on >  read on >

A daily multivitamin could help people keep their brains healthy as they age, a new trial finds. Results suggest taking multivitamins could help prevent memory loss and slow cognitive aging among older adults, researchers report in the Jan. 18 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The effect was measurable: A daily multivitamin slowed…  read on >  read on >

Many studies have found that getting high on weed and then getting behind the wheel is dangerous for young drivers, and now new research finds it’s no different for seniors. In a driving-simulator experiment, seniors who were long-term marijuana smokers were weaving in and out of their lanes 30 minutes after getting high, Canadian researchers…  read on >  read on >