As the worst flu season in five years winds down in Australia, U.S. health officials are bracing for similar severity this coming fall. Why? The flu season in Southern Hemisphere countries like Australia can often predict the potential for a similar experience in Northern Hemisphere countries. “We watch all of the Southern Hemisphere countries very… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
8/9 — Pandemic Brought More Woes for Kids Prone to Headaches
Add more frequent headaches in kids who are already vulnerable to them to the list of ills associated with the pandemic. Before the pandemic, 60% of kids reported headaches on less than 15 days of the month. After the start of the pandemic, this number fell to 50%. What’s more, the percentage of kids reporting… read on > read on >
Lifestyle May Be Key to Helping You Avoid Dementia
Socializing, taking classes and exercising may boost your brain’s cognitive reserve and stave off memory and thinking problems down the road, a new study suggests. Cognitive reserve refers to the brain’s ability to withstand the effects of diseases like Alzheimer’s and not show signs of decline. The best way to boost your cognitive reserve? “Never… read on > read on >
AHA News: What Parents Can Do to Protect Kids From Heart Disease
THURSDAY, Aug. 4, 2022 (American Heart Association News) — The consequences of heart disease often don’t show up until someone is well into adulthood. Why should busy parents be thinking about it in their kids? “Because it’s probably way easier to prevent the development of cardiac risk factors than to try and get rid of… read on > read on >
B 8/9 — When Pot Made Legal, Poisonings From Synthetic Pot Decline
People appear less likely to turn to dangerous synthetic pot products in U.S. states where marijuana has been legalized, a new Washington State University study finds. Researchers discovered a 37% drop in poisoning reports for illicit synthetic cannabinoids in states that have approved recreational use of marijuana, compared to states where pot is still restricted.… read on > read on >
Monoclonal Antibody Might Help Prevent Malaria
Researchers are reporting early but encouraging findings on a potential new way to prevent malaria — an old foe that still ranks as a major killer worldwide. In a small trial of healthy volunteers, U.S. government researchers found that a lab-engineered antibody protected most participants from infection with the malaria parasite — including all of… read on > read on >
CDC Set to Ease COVID Guidance, Including for Schools
THURSDAY, Aug. 4, 2022 (HealthDay News) – Americans could see an easing of COVID-19 social distancing recommendations as soon as this week. Updated guidance expected from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would change current recommendations for schools and some other community settings, sources familiar with the plans told CNN. “The CDC is… read on > read on >
Space Travel Speeds Up Aging, Weakening of Bones
Astronauts may go to space for weeks or months, and their bones can lose years in that environment. Long periods in space can irreparably damage bone structure and cause parts of the human skeleton to age as much as 10 years, new research reveals. Research teams from Germany, the United States and Canada studied 14… read on > read on >
There’s Stress, and Then There’s ‘Good Stress’
A tight deadline at work. A tough exam at school. A big vacation that requires tons of planning. A home repair that’s gone awry. These sources of stress are anything but pleasant, but a new study suggests that they might actually be good for your mental health in the long run. Low to moderate amounts… read on > read on >
Gout Flare-Ups Could Raise Heart Risk for Weeks After
When gout flares up, the joint pain is often excruciating. But that’s not the only worry tied to this common inflammatory arthritic condition. A new British study warns that gout flares double the risk for heart attack or stroke over the two months that follow. A spike in risk endures even three to four months… read on > read on >