High blood pressure is a rare health issue among teens, but U.S. case numbers are creeping upwards. Now, research published recently in the Journal of the American Heart Association, shows that healthy sleep can help keep hypertension at bay in the young. That’s probably because “disrupted sleep can lead to changes in the body’s stress… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
Telehealth Can Help Prevent Suicide in Those at High Risk
Therapy provided via telehealth can reduce a person’s risk of suicide, a new study reports. Cognitive behavior therapy reduces suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts even if delivered for a short time via telehealth, according to results published Nov. 12 in the jouirnal JAMA Network Open. That’s good news, given that therapy these days is more… read on > read on >
Most Parents Don’t Ask About Unlocked Guns in Homes Their Kids Visit
Most parents haven’t considered the potential risk of an unlocked, poorly stored firearm in a house their child is visiting, a new study shows. More than 60% of Illinois parents have never asked another parent about an unlocked gun in their home before allowing their child to visit for a playdate, researchers found. Most said… read on > read on >
America’s Epidemic of STDs May Finally Be Slowing
TUESDAY, Nov. 12, 2024 — The epidemic of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States appears to be cooling off after more than two decades, a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study says. Gonorrhea cases dropped for a second year in 2023, declining 7% and falling below pre-pandemic levels, researchers say.… read on > read on >
Vitamin D Supplements Could Help Lower Blood Pressure in Obese People
Vitamin D supplements might lower blood pressure in seniors who are obese, reducing their heart health risk, a new study says. But taking more than the recommended daily dose will not provide additional health benefits, researchers report in the Journal of the Endocrine Society. “Our study found vitamin D supplementation may decrease blood pressure in… read on > read on >
Grandparents & Grandkids: Poll Shows Them Helping Each Other
Grandchildren are a true blessing for seniors, helping them avoid loneliness and keeping them on their toes, a new poll reports. Overall, 72% of people with grandkids say they hardly ever feel isolated, compared with 62% of those without grandchildren, according to results from the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging. People without… read on > read on >
Beta Blockers Unnecessary for Folks Without Heart Failure; May Be Linked to Depression
Beta blockers are go-to meds for many people who’ve survived a heart attack. However, new Swedish research has found that they might not be needed for heart attack survivors whose hearts have retained a normal pumping ability. Using them in this group might even raise patients’ odds for depression, the data showed. “We found that… read on > read on >
Genomic Test Might Quickly Diagnose Any Type of Infection
A cutting-edge genetic test can rapidly detect and identify almost any kind of disease-causing microorganism in the human body, whether it’s a virus, bacteria, fungus or parasite, researchers say. Doctors have been using the genetic test for more than a decade to identify pathogens in spinal fluid, after its development at the University of California-San… read on > read on >
Could Asthma Harm a Child’s Memory Skills?
Asthma is associated with memory problems in children, a new study has found. Further, the early onset of asthma might worsen potential memory deficits in kids, researchers found. This is the first study to make such a connection, researchers said. “This study underscores the importance of looking at asthma as a potential source of cognitive… read on > read on >
Report Finds Big Disparities in Americans’ Well-Being by Region
Americans’ well-being varies widely between different regions of the nation, a new study reports. People in the southern U.S., Appalachia and the Rust Belt states score lowest on the Human Development Index (HDI), a composite measure that includes a population’s life expectancy, education and income, researchers report in The Lancet. The highest levels of well-being… read on > read on >