TUESDAY, Jan. 2, 2024 — Many folks’ New Year resolutions include having a Dry January, and that’s a wise move, experts say. Taking even a one-month break from booze can lead to significant improvements in physical and mental health, said Jennifer Steiner, an associate professor at Florida State University. Your cancer risk and blood pressure…  read on >  read on >

Because athletes young and old can suffer cardiac arrest, some states have mandated the placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in gyms, stadiums and other sports venues. But a new study finds the use of AEDs by bystanders for cardiac arrest at athletic sites didn’t improve much after states enacted these laws. The bottom line:…  read on >  read on >

Reduced income, unemployment and mental health issues are more common among people who live with a loved one diagnosed with depression, new research shows. “These findings indicate that the impact of depressive symptoms may extend beyond the affected individuals, imposing a burden on other adults in their households,” study lead author Paul Greenberg, of the…  read on >  read on >

Glaucoma can steal your sight before you even realize it, and early diagnosis is the best way to prevent it. Many of the 3 million Americans who have glaucoma are unaware of it because they have no symptoms, according to the Glaucoma Foundation. In glaucoma, a buildup of fluid in the front part of the…  read on >  read on >

A diet supplement derived from citrus fruits reduced swelling and pain after knee replacement surgery, a new clinical trial found. The flavonoid supplement, diosmin, could offer a new approach to painful swelling after the procedure, according to a team led by Dr. Pengde Kang of Sichuan University in Chengdu, China.  “Postoperative lower-extremity swelling is a…  read on >  read on >

Millions of revelers hit the road after New Year’s Eve celebrations and the inevitability of impaired drivers make the holiday one of the nation’s deadliest. High blood-alcohol levels are a factor in more than 50% of crashes on New Year’s Day, the American Safety Council warns. Law enforcement officers will be on alert, with checkpoints…  read on >  read on >

Folks who habitually add an extra sprinkle of salt to their meals are doing no favors for their kidneys, new research confirms. The finding held even after researchers accounted for other health issues, such as being overweight, not exercising or smoking and/or drinking. The bottom line: “Adding salt to foods is associated with increased risk…  read on >  read on >

Tiny, powerful magnetic balls sold exclusively online at Walmart as building blocks and stress relievers have been recalled for swallowing dangers, the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) said Thursday. In announcing the recall, the commission pointed to thousands of hospitalizations and at least seven deaths linked to similar products. Swallowing magnets is dangerous because…  read on >  read on >