Gina Arata had a bright future, wrapping up college and preparing for law school, when a 2001 car wreck left her with lasting brain damage. After her recovery, Arata wound up taking a job sorting mail, but struggled even in that. “I couldn’t remember anything,” said Arata, who lives in Modesto with her parents. “My… read on > read on >
MONDAY, Dec. 4, 2023 (Healthday News) — While flu and COVID cases are now on the rise, RSV infections may soon peak and level off, U.S. health officials report. COVID-19 continues to fuel the most hospitalizations and deaths among all respiratory illnesses — about 15,000 hospitalizations and about 1,000 deaths every week, Dr. Mandy Cohen,… read on > read on >
As syphilis cases surge across America, a group representing the nation’s STD specialists says members are reporting shortages of a drug essential to fighting the disease. In a survey from the National Coalition of STD Directors conducted in early November, 46% of sexual health clinics said they’d tried to order Bicillin L-A — only to… read on > read on >
Surgery coming up? Mimicking the high-altitude breathing of mountaineers might make your procedure safer, a tiny study suggests. It’s a form of what surgeons call “prehabilitation:” Making a patient’s body a bit fitter beforehand to withstand the risks and rigors of surgery. Investigators found that exposing patients to reduced oxygen levels (“hypoxia”) for a week… read on > read on >
SATURDAY, Dec. 2, 2023 (Healthday News) — The holidays are typically a happy whirlwind of gift-buying, house decorating, party planning and family gatherings, but all that work can also stress people out. Luckily, experts at UT Southwestern Medical Center say there are things you can do to keep your stress levels under control and help… read on > read on >
Got a naturally sunny disposition? It might protect you from dementia as the years advance, new research shows. A team at Northwestern University in Chicago report that certain personality traits — being conscientious, outgoing and positive — appear to lower a person’s odds for a dementia diagnosis. On the other hand, being neurotic and more… read on > read on >
FRIDAY, Dec. 1, 2023 (Healthday News) — In testimony provided Thursday to members of Congress, the head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that a surge in respiratory illnesses in China is not being fueled by a new virus. Instead, the spike can be linked to existing viruses and bacteria, including… read on > read on >
Doing some squats during commercial breaks or between YouTube videos can help couch potatoes keep their minds sharp, a new study suggests. Young volunteers who did short sets of squat exercises every now and then while relaxing performed better in brain games than when they simply sat around for hours, researchers report. Short bursts of… read on > read on >
Bodybuilders are largely unaware that the protein supplements they use to bulk up might harm their fertility, a new study shows. Four out of five male gym enthusiasts (79%) said they use protein supplements as part of their fitness plan, the poll found. But only 14% had considered how those supplements — which contain high… read on > read on >
The repeat head injuries suffered by football players, boxers and other athletes appear to affect brain health long after players have given up their sport. New research from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore could explain why: The persistence in the brain of inflammation tied to the original injury or injuries. “The findings show that participating… read on > read on >
