The so-called “Medicaid cliff” is a perennial threat for millions of American seniors whose incomes put them just above the poverty line. While impoverished seniors often have Medicaid to help cover their health care expenses, seniors who make just a little bit more have to pay the higher out-of-pocket costs of Medicare themselves. The upshot:… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
Judge’s Challenge to Abortion Pill Access Brings Swift Reaction
A Texas federal judge has issued a preliminary ruling that invalidates the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval in 2000 of mifepristone, the first of two drugs most commonly taken during a medical abortion. Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk added a seven-day stay to his order, issued Friday, to give the FDA time to mount an appeal.… read on > read on >
FDA Says Repaired Sleep Apnea Machines Still Carry Health Risks
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued another warning about certain sleep apnea machines made by Philips Respironics. Already the subject of a 2021 recall, some of the company’s repaired continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines may still be dangerous to use, the agency said in an alert issued Friday. “The FDA has identified… read on > read on >
Black, Hispanic Patients With Severe Allergies Less Likely to Get Allergy Shots
Seasonal allergies are more common among Black and Hispanic people, but these patients are less likely to get the shots that could ease their symptoms, researchers say. “We already know that these underrepresented populations are more likely to suffer from allergic rhinitis [hay fever],” said researcher Dr. Sunjay Modi, a fellow in pulmonary, allergy and… read on > read on >
Secret Weapon for Quit-Smoking Campaigns: Pets
Put out that cigarette for the health of your four-legged friend. When smokers search social media for anti-tobacco information, they tend to engage most with posts about the risk of secondhand smoke on their pets, a new study reveals. Posts with new information about harmful chemicals also receive high engagement, researchers found. “Our results show… read on > read on >
Spinal Cord Injury Can Lead to Dangerously Low Blood Pressure, But New Implant Might Fix That
Dangerously low blood pressure is considered an “invisible” consequence of paralysis, adding to the woes of as many as 9 out of 10 people with spinal cord injuries. Now, a new implant has been developed that treats the problem by delivering electrical stimulation to a select group of spinal neurons. The device, called a neuroprosthetic… read on > read on >
8 Drug-Free Tips to Fight Spring Allergies
Spring allergies can be brutal, and many — but by no means all — sufferers reach for synthetic medications to combat their symptoms. Many others want something more natural, however. “These allergies cause unpleasant symptoms such as runny noses, sneezing, itchy eyes and nasal congestion,” said Dr. Jo Reed, an expert in allergy, asthma and… read on > read on >
Sleep Apnea Might Directly Harm the Brain, Study Finds
Sleep apnea is a very disruptive breathing disorder that’s believed to rob millions of Americans of sound, restful sleep. Now, a small, new study suggests the disorder may also prompt a decline in brain health among middle-aged men who have no other significant health issues. That decline can manifest as significant memory loss, less impulse… read on > read on >
Stress, Stomach Pain: Diarrhea, Constipation, Ulcers & More
You may be struggling with stomach pain and digestive distress without understanding why, thinking it might be something you ate. Can stress cause stomach pain? Stress, especially chronic stress, can indeed increase your risk for gastrointestinal (GI) problems. “Stress and anxiety are common causes of stomach pain and other GI symptoms,” Dr. Nina Gupta, a… read on > read on >
AHA News: She Was 28 and Went Into Cardiac Arrest at Work. CPR and an AED Saved Her Life.
FRIDAY, April 7, 2023 (American Heart Association News) — Heather Baker was 28 and a school administrator in Pecatonica, Illinois, when she walked into a conference room for a meeting. She was chatting and joking with her colleagues when she was hit by a sudden wave of nausea. “The whole room was spinning,” she said.… read on > read on >