Researchers have long tried to pinpoint a reason that some people have autism or autistic traits. A new study from the United Kingdom builds upon evidence about one potential factor, finding that young children with ear, nose and throat problems were more commonly diagnosed with autism later. This isn’t to say that all young kids…  read on >  read on >

Each year, about 140 kids in the United States are diagnosed with a craniopharyngioma, a typically non-cancerous brain tumor that develops near the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. Doctors treat craniopharyngiomas with surgery to remove the entire tumor or a less aggressive surgery followed by radiation to kill any remaining cells. Now,…  read on >  read on >

A new study finds that Americans over 50 are interested in cutting back on prescription medications, dovetailing with a movement toward “deprescribing.” About 67% said they would seek their doctor’s advice before dropping a pill, according to Michigan Medicine’s National Poll on Healthy Aging. Yet more than one-third of older adults said they had quit…  read on >  read on >

Kids who were infected with respiratory syncytial virus, better known as RSV, in their first year may be at greater risk for asthma, according to researchers. Their new study looked at the effects of RSV infections of different severities on childhood asthma risk. “For 60 years investigators have repeatedly identified the link between severe RSV…  read on >  read on >

Patients hospitalized with pneumonia typically stay on IV antibiotics until they’re stable, after about three days, but a new study suggests a different option. Researchers report that more patients who have community-acquired pneumonia could switch sooner to oral antibiotics. Antibiotics given as pills were also linked with earlier release from the hospital. They were not…  read on >  read on >

Skin conditions may be the first sign that a person has a rheumatic disease that will also affect the joints, muscles or ligaments. It’s essential to know what to look for, said Dr. Kathryn Dao, an associate professor of internal medicine in the Division of Rheumatic Diseases at UT Southwestern in Dallas. “Skin lesions can…  read on >  read on >

Heard of gonorrhea? Most likely. What about gonococcal arthritis? Maybe not. Most folks are familiar with what is gonorrhea, but few may know about gonococcal arthritis, a rare side effect of this sexually transmitted disease (STD). Unfortunately, gonorrhea cases are on the rise, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, especially among…  read on >  read on >

Imagine getting your tooth extracted and a bacterial infection develops afterwards that travels down to your heart. Known as infective endocarditis, or bacterial endocarditis, it happens more often than you might think and it can be life-threatening. Penn Medicine defines infective endocarditis as inflammation of the lining of the heart chambers and valves. Typically, it…  read on >  read on >