People with recurring urinary tract infections frequently have persistent pain, even after antibiotics have cleared the harmful bacteria from their system. Now, researchers have figured out why this perplexing problem occurs. It appears that an overgrowth of highly sensitive nerve cells can occur in the bladder as a result of frequent UTIs, researchers report March…  read on >  read on >

Sleep apnea could have detrimental effects on the brain, causing memory or thinking problems, a new study suggests. People suffering from sleep apnea are about 50% more likely to also report having memory or thinking problems, compared to those without sleep apnea, researchers say. “These findings highlight the importance of early screening for sleep apnea,”…  read on >  read on >

The vast majority (84%) of Americans with pets say their animal companion brings a positive mental health impact to their lives, a new poll shows. The poll of more than 2,200 adults conducted early last month also found about two-thirds of respondents calling their pet “a true friend,” a “companion” and someone who “provide[s] unconditional…  read on >  read on >

CVS and Walgreens announced Friday that they will start dispensing the abortion pill mifepristone this month. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has certified the nation’s two largest pharmacy chains to dispense mifepristone, and they plan to make the medication available first in states where abortion is legal. The chains will not dispense the medication…  read on >  read on >

An outbreak of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) across Europe and North America made headlines in 2022.   According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the 2022 outbreak of mpox (formerly called monkeypox) in the United States involved 31,698 known cases and 56 deaths. Globally, the outbreak involved almost 93,500 cases. Mpox…  read on >  read on >

Although the pandemic has ended, staffing shortages and employee burnout still plague U.S. nursing homes, a new government report finds. But the problems didn’t end there: The report, issued Thursday by the Inspector General’s Office at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, showed that infection-control procedures were still sorely lacking at many facilities.…  read on >  read on >

Vaping and skipped meals appear to be the main causes of frequent headaches among teens, a new study says. Teens who ate breakfast and dinner with their family had a lower risk of frequent headaches than those who regularly missed meals, researchers report Feb. 28 in the journal Neurology. Meanwhile, vaping also was associated with…  read on >  read on >

A bicycle built for two could be a positive prescription for Parkinson’s patients and their caregivers, a small, preliminary study says. Parkinson’s patients had better overall quality of life, improved mobility, and faster walking speed after sharing regular rides on a stationary tandem bike with a care partner, researchers plan to report at the annual…  read on >  read on >