Two-thirds of nieces and nephews caring for an aging relative with dementia never expected to wind up with that responsibility, a recent small-scale study says. These caregivers say they either gradually fell into the role, or had it forced upon them by family circumstances, according to findings published recently in the journal The Gerontologist. “That… read on > read on >
Some women have a greater risk of depression as they go through premature menopause, according to a new study. Premature menopause occurs when the ovaries stop functioning normally before age 40, researchers said in background notes. The condition has been linked with a more than tripled risk for depression and nearly quintupled risk for anxiety,… read on > read on >
Poor dental health could be a harbinger of chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes and heart disease, a new study warns. People with missing teeth, coated tongues and other signs of poor oral health also were more likely to have elevated blood sugar, high cholesterol and diminished kidney function, researchers reported recently in the Journal… read on > read on >
Florida virologist John Lednicky couldn’t have a more devoted research partner than his sleek black house cat Pepper. Pepper, an avid hunter who often leaves “gifts” for his people, made news last year for his role in helping detect the arrival in the U.S. of an exotic germ called jeilongvirus. Now, he’s at it again.… read on > read on >
Insomniacs have a much higher risk for depression if they have chronic inflammation, a new sleep lab experiment says. Seniors with insomnia were three times as likely to report symptoms of depression if they’d been dosed with a substance that promotes inflammation, according to results published July 16 in JAMA Psychiatry. “Insomnia not only robs… read on > read on >
Some newer antiseizure medications appear to be safer for pregnant women to take without risk of birth defects, a new study says. Second-generation antiseizure drugs like levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, gabapentin and zonisamide did not show an increased risk for birth defects, researchers reported July 16 in the journal Neurology. On the other hand, the study confirmed… read on > read on >
Middle-aged women with more belly fat have a higher risk for stress urinary incontinence, a recent study says. Fat around the waist and visceral organs increases by 33% a woman’s risk of leaking when she sneezes, coughs or exerts herself, researchers reported in the journal Menopause. “Abdominal obesity may cause pelvic tissues to encounter chronic… read on > read on >
Kids coping with chronic health problems like asthma also are struggling with the emotional burden of stress, fear and sadness, a new study says. Almost 94% of comments posted online by chronically ill kids and their caregivers expressed negative feelings like disgust, sadness and fear, according to results published recently in the Journal of Affective… read on > read on >
A federal appeals court has ruled that West Virginia can limit access to mifepristone, a medication used to end early pregnancies. The decision is the first of its kind and could affect how other states handle access to drugs that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Mifepristone is part of a… read on > read on >
Adult children aren’t likely to fill the void left by the loss of a spouse, a new study says. Becoming widowed might cause a stronger bond between the remaining parent and their children, but these bonds don’t appear to ease the loneliness left by loss, researchers reported July 14 in Aging & Mental Health. These… read on > read on >
