Loneliness among seniors has been a huge concern among experts on aging as social isolation increases risk of dementia, health problems, psychological disorders and deaths. But a new study suggests that, at least in the U.S., that concern has been somewhat misplaced. Middle-aged people in the United States experience more loneliness than seniors, researchers reported…  read on >  read on >

An oral chemotherapy drug can safely and effectively manage sickle cell disease in children, a new study says. Children taking hydroxyurea had fewer ER visits and spent fewer days in the hospital compared to kids not taking the drug, researchers reported April 17 in the journal Blood Advances. “Our results reinforce that hydroxyurea, the most…  read on >  read on >

housework

Spring has sprung, and the battle with seasonal allergies is underway in earnest. But there’s a lot folks can do to manage their pollen-produced misery, according to Dr. Zachary Rubin, a Chicago-area pediatrician and allergy expert. “There’s a lot of different issues at play when it comes to seasonal allergies, especially as tree pollen counts…  read on >  read on >

Complications during pregnancy can mean a woman’s future heart health is at risk, particularly if she is overweight or obese, a new study says. Women who are carrying excess weight prior to pregnancy are more likely to develop complications like gestational diabetes and high blood pressure while expecting, researchers said. These complications act as a…  read on >  read on >

It’s taking too long for people with psoriatic arthritis to be diagnosed and treated, a new study argues. Visible signs of psoriatic arthritis appear months and even years before a person develops the full-blown inflammatory joint disease, British researchers reported in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. Unfortunately, delays in diagnosis mean that many patients…  read on >  read on >