TUESDAY, Feb. 15, 2022 (American Heart Association News) — Could kindness be a magic elixir that makes us happier – and healthier? Research suggests acts of kindness like donating money, volunteering and mentoring can boost the giver’s emotional health, but science also is studying how altruism improves physical health. Acts of kindness can take many… read on > read on >
Once they’re pregnant, women have a lot of checkups to make sure they stay healthy. But a mom’s health preconception is vitally important, too, and a growing cause for concern. Increasingly, moms in the United States are starting their pregnancies already having heart risks like high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes and obesity. A new study… read on > read on >
Many women with epilepsy have breakthrough seizures when they get pregnant, and researchers say they’ve figured out why. Their new study shows that pregnancy can trigger steep drops in blood levels of certain antiepileptic drugs soon after conception. “When it comes to epilepsy, maintaining a fine-tuned medication regimen is critical. Some people mistakenly believe that… read on > read on >
Amphetamines can pull people into a vicious cycle of addiction, but new research now shows that people who abuse these stimulants are also five times more likely to develop psychosis than non-users. The effect of “speed” on neurotransmitter signaling in the brain often causes psychosis symptoms such as paranoia, voices and hallucinations. These typically resolve… read on > read on >
Gender differences extend to cancer treatments, with women having a higher risk of severe side effects from certain treatments than men, a new study finds. Previous research concluded women tend to have more side effects from chemotherapy, and this new paper shows the same is true for immunotherapy and targeted therapy. “It has been understood… read on > read on >
Giving dark chocolate to your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day may be a win-win emotionally and physically, an expert suggests. But it’s important to keep any potential health benefits in perspective, noted Lizzy Davis, an assistant professor of nutrition sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “What is healthy for one person may not be… read on > read on >
MONDAY, Feb. 14, 2022 (American Heart Association News) — Tess Robinson sat in the lobby of the spa at her resort in Negril, Jamaica, waiting for a manicure and pedicure appointment. That evening at sunset, she and her boyfriend of seven years, Josh Oiler, were finally getting married. COVID-19 had already derailed one wedding date.… read on > read on >
MONDAY, Feb. 14, 2022 (American Heart Association News) — After years of advocating for women’s heart health, Susan Lucci wasn’t taking her own advice. One night in January, discomfort was radiating around her rib cage. She was short of breath. Something definitely wasn’t right. But it was late in the evening, and she didn’t want… read on > read on >
Edibles. In adults, they can be used recreationally or to help manage pain, nausea and anxiety. But these THC-loaded products, often sold as gummies, cookies and brownies, have fueled a four-year increase in the number of emergency calls for young children who mistakenly think they’re yummy treats. In 2021 alone, the New Jersey Poison Control… read on > read on >
There’s some bad news for lovelorn men this Valentine’s Day. A new study has found that men are at an increased risk of mental illness after the breakdown of any romantic relationship. And, it found, stereotypes of masculinity may be partially to blame. Researchers sought to understand the types of mental health challenges men face… read on > read on >
