Pregnancy can be a big motivator for women to stop smoking. Now a new study suggests that at least some pregnant smokers start cutting back even before they know they’ve conceived. The findings, researchers say, suggest there may be biological mechanisms during pregnancy that can blunt the desire for nicotine. If true, understanding those processes… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
Major Trial of Monkeypox Treatment TPOXX to Launch in Africa
The ability of TPOXX to treat people infected with monkeypox is being directly tested in a new clinical trial in central Africa, U.S. health officials have announced. TPOXX — the antiviral drug tecovirimat — is only approved to treat smallpox, but doctors have been using it to treat infections during the global monkeypox outbreak. The… read on > read on >
Telehealth Boosts Odds That Patients Show Up for Post-Surgery Care
Telehealth became a common way for doctors to see patients during the early days of the pandemic. New research suggests that surgical patients offered virtual care are far more likely to keep appointments before and after their operation than those who rely on in-person visits. “Maintaining routine health care such as clinic visits helps prevent… read on > read on >
Even Without Symptoms, COVID Infection Raises Risks for Trauma Patients
Having COVID-19 could cause further trouble for patients being treated for physical trauma — even if they have no symptoms of the virus. Researchers studying cases of trauma patients who tested positive for COVID-19 and those who were negative found those with the virus had significantly higher rates of heart attack and cardiac arrest. They… read on > read on >
Most Docs Want Telehealth for Opioid Abuse Treatment to Stick Around
Many doctors who used telehealth to treat patients with opioid addiction because of the COVID-19 pandemic would like to make it a permanent part of their practice. A new study from Yale School of Public Health surveyed more than 1,100 physicians who treated opioid-use disorder patients via telehealth. Researchers found that 6 out of every… read on > read on >
With COVID Crisis Ebbing, How Can We Prevent Future Pandemics?
Aggressive measures are needed in the world’s tropical regions to prevent the inevitable next global pandemic, an international coalition of researchers has concluded. Epidemics around the world have largely been driven by viruses that spill over from wild animals into humans, mainly in tropical hot spots where a diverse number of animals come into frequent… read on > read on >
AHA News: 5 Questions to Ask Before Sharing Health Stories on Social Media
FRIDAY, Oct. 14, 2022 (American Heart Association News) — When it comes to posting health information on social media, beware before you share. Experts say that’s an essential step in battling medical misinformation, an escalating problem as more people turn to social media for news, knowledge and advice about all things health-related. In the wake… read on > read on >
With Tough Flu Season Already Here, An Expert Answers Your Flu Shot Questions
Indications are that this year’s flu season is going to be particularly nasty, making the annual influenza vaccine even more important than usual, infectious disease experts say. People already are landing in the hospital with severe cases of influenza, about a month ahead of when flu season usually begins, said Dr. William Schaffner, medical director… read on > read on >
Night Sweats May Be Even Tougher Than Hot Flashes on Women
It’s not anyone’s idea of a fun choice, but researchers recently asked 200 women which part of menopause is worse for them – hot flashes or night sweats? Both can significantly affect a woman’s quality of life, but night sweats may be the most stressful, their study found. “We know that sleep disturbances are one… read on > read on >
Sports Like Soccer, Basketball Are Better Than Running for Young People’s Bones
Playing sports can benefit children in many ways, but all sports are not equal when it comes to their bones. New research suggests children will have healthier bones if they participate in multidirectional sports such as soccer or basketball, rather than unidirectional activities such as running. Mixing it up a bit with a variety of… read on > read on >