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 >

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 >

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 >

Almost everyone has had a dizzy spell after standing up too quickly, but some people suffer them regularly. Now, a new study suggests two do-it-yourself ways to help. The study focused on what’s called initial orthostatic hypotension (IOH), where a person’s blood pressure drops sharply within 30 seconds of standing up from sitting or lying…  read on >  read on >