Childhood obesity is concerning for many reasons, among them that the severity of the sleep disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) grows with obesity levels and age. A new study looked at the role of obesity in children’s OSA. It adds to a growing awareness of the part obesity plays in the condition and…  read on >  read on >

The mental health crisis hitting Americans shows no sign of abating, with provisional numbers for 2022 showing suicides rose by another 2.6% last year. That follows on an overall 5% increase in suicides in 2021, noted officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which on Thursday released the early data for 2022.…  read on >  read on >

People with autism are over three times more likely than their peers without the developmental disorder to experience self-injury, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, or death by suicide, new research shows. “In general, I think there needs to be more support for individuals with autism. And this shows that there are life-threatening consequences in terms of…  read on >  read on >

As researchers continue to try to better understand the condition known as long COVID, a new study has discovered that symptoms can emerge months after infection or even return later for some folks. The research is considered the most comprehensive look at how symptoms evolve over the course of a year. “It was common for…  read on >  read on >

A small battery-operated device long used as a treatment for pain may also help patients with sleep apnea, a British study suggests. Sleep apnea is a condition that impedes breathing during sleep, reduces oxygen intake and undermines sleep itself. The remedy: zapping sleepers with continuous but controlled electric pulses to open obstructed airways, improve breathing…  read on >  read on >

Most people with appendicitis who are given antibiotics — instead of having their appendix removed — fare well over the long haul, new research indicates. The conclusion follows roughly two decades spent tracking patient outcomes in Sweden. The study found that among those initially treated solely with antibiotics, rather than surgery, less than half ended…  read on >  read on >

The heart risks posed by air pollution have grown worldwide over the past three decades, a new study claims. The annual number of premature heart-related deaths and years of disability attributable to particulate matter (PM) air pollution increased 31% between 1990 and 2019, the researchers reported. Men suffered more than women, experiencing a 43% increase…  read on >  read on >

Older adults who use certain heartburn medications for years may have a heightened risk of developing dementia, a new study suggests. The study, published Aug. 9 in the journal Neurology, is the latest to point to potential hazards from prolonged use of medications called proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs. They include such well-known brands as…  read on >  read on >