A trio of risk factors not only increase your risk of stroke, but they also raise the odds that such a stroke will be debilitating, a new study warns. What are these three big dangers? Smoking, having high blood pressure and suffering from atrial fibrillation all significantly raise the risk of suffering a severe stroke,… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
Telling Your Doctor About a Health Issue Doesn’t Mean It Enters Medical Record
THURSDAY, Nov. 14, 2024 (HealthDay news) — Don’t think your doctor is always taking your health concerns seriously? You might be right. New research reveals that primary care physicians frequently won’t write down health issues raised by patients into their medical record for future reference. When a person initiates a discussion about a health issue… read on > read on >
Many Cases of Dementia Go Undiagnosed in Poorer Communities
Dementia strikes all races, but new research suggests thinking declines in poor seniors are often overlooked. Among a group of more than 200 low-income patients who were treated at community health centers, 3 of 4 had undiagnosed cognitive issues, researchers reported recently in the journal JAMA Network Open. Of those, 62% had mild cognitive impairment,… read on > read on >
Gum Disease & Diabetes: A Strong Link
Periodontal (gum) disease and diabetes are locked in a grim partnership aimed at undermining your health, experts warn. “Recent research has shown that diabetes is not only a major risk factor for periodontitis but that the relationship between the two conditions is bidirectional, meaning they both influence and exacerbate one another,” said Dr. Anton Sculean, chair… read on > read on >
Ozempic Could Help Curb Alcoholism
The blockbuster GLP-1 drug semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) could curb drinking for people battling alcohol use disorder, helping them to avoid crises that require hospitalization, new research shows. Numerous studies had already hinted that semaglutide might act on appetite centers in the brain to suppress the urge to drink, just as it does the urge to… read on > read on >
Psychedelics Like Psilocybin, MDMA Tied to Higher Odds for Schizophrenia
People are at higher risk of schizophrenia if they indulge in psychedelic drugs, a new study warns. Patients who land in the ER following hallucinogen use have a 21-fold higher risk of developing schizophrenia compared to the general population, Canadian researchers report. Even after controlling for a person’s existing substance use and mental health disorders,… read on > read on >
Big Post-Election Surge Seen in Online Sales of Morning-After Pills
In the wake of Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential election, retailers report that online sales of emergency contraceptives have soared. The spike in purchases of what is also known as the morning-after pill or Plan B suggests women worry the incoming administration might soon limit their access to emergency contraception, Monica Cepak, CEO of… read on > read on >
Good Night’s Sleep Wards Off High Blood Pressure in Teens
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 >
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 >