MONDAY, Dec. 19, 2022 (American Heart Association News) — People born with heart defects may face a nearly ninefold higher lifetime risk for heart failure and develop it decades earlier than people born without heart abnormalities, new research shows. Though heart failure is extremely rare in young people, any occurrence in young congenital heart defect…  read on >  read on >

The COVID-19 pandemic. Dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The current waves of influenza and RSV ripping through schools and workplaces. America has had ample examples in recent years of the importance of infectious disease doctors. Despite this, the United States is facing a shortage of doctors choosing to specialize in infectious disease, according to the Infectious Diseases…  read on >  read on >

Many American women have to travel long distances to reach the nearest mammography center, a new study finds — raising questions about whether that keeps some from receiving breast cancer screening. Researchers found that 8.2 million women had limited access to mammography screening in 2022 — defined as living more than a 20-minute drive to…  read on >  read on >

Final exams are stressful for students, but it is possible to ratchet down the pressure with some planning and self-compassion. A psychologist from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston offers a few suggestions for helping teens manage the pressure. Start with the basics, including making sure the teen is getting sufficient sleep, eating nutritiously without…  read on >  read on >

Those who have dementia can find the holiday season disorienting, but their loved ones can help. “The holiday season can be both joyful and stressful for all of us, especially individuals living with a dementia-related illness,” said Jennifer Reeder, director of educational and social services for the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA). “Being proactive, adaptable…  read on >  read on >

Extreme fatigue often tops the list of the most distressing symptoms for millions of people who live with multiple sclerosis (MS). And now, a new study suggests that light therapy may help these folks get their lives back. MS is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body attacks the insulation around its nerves, causing…  read on >  read on >