The most common test of lung function, spirometry, probably is not detecting signs of emphysema in some people with the lung ailment, a new study says. In particular, Black men are at greater risk of suffering from undiagnosed emphysema, since the way spirometry results are interpreted appears to “normalize” their bad lung function, said lead… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
AHA News: Rethink What You Thought You Knew About COVID-19 Reinfection
WEDNESDAY, July 20, 2022 (American Heart Association News) — Forget what you thought you knew about catching COVID-19 more than once. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, keeps evolving – and so has information about your risk of being reinfected. “Two years ago, we thought if you had COVID once that you would never get… read on > read on >
Weather and Arthritis: Is There Really a Connection?
(HealthDay News) – It’s long been conventional wisdom that weather makes arthritis pain worse. The issue has been studied through the years, with conflicting findings. But three recent studies found weather does have some impact, said Dr. Robert Shmerling, writing for the Harvard Health Blog. In one study with 222 participants who had arthritis of… read on > read on >
COVID Often Joined by Heart Disease, Diabetes
In a mix of bad and good news, a new large study confirms that COVID can raise the risks of new-onset heart trouble and diabetes — though those threats typically wane again after a few months. The study, of nearly 430,000 British COVID patients, found that the risks of suffering a blood clot or heartbeat… read on > read on >
U.S. Hospitals Are Getting Safer for Patients, Study Finds
U.S. hospitals became much safer places for patients over the past decade, with medical errors and adverse events declining significantly across the nation, federal government data show. Between 2010 and 2019, patient safety dramatically improved among the four types of conditions for which people are most often hospitalized: heart attacks, heart failure, pneumonia and major… read on > read on >
Lonely Childhoods Make Adult Drinking Problems More Likely
Having friends in childhood may help keep you clean and sober as a young adult, new research suggests. Researchers from Arizona State University (ASU) interviewed more than 300 college students who participated in assessments that focused on childhood loneliness, stress levels and drinking behaviors. The results determined there was a link between feelings of loneliness… read on > read on >
Does Your Loved One Have an Eating Disorder? Look for These 7 Signs
Roughly 30 million Americans have an eating disorder in their lifetime, and calls to a nationwide support group have surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between March 2020 and October 2021, the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) recorded a 58% increase in calls, texts and emails seeking help. Behind opioid addiction, eating disorders have the second… read on > read on >
Rehab: What to Expect After Your Knee Replacement
Most people who have had a knee replacement would agree that the procedure brings relief from pain. And following a comprehensive rehabilitation plan can make recovery quicker and easier, and improve long-term mobility, according to doctors at Penn Medicine, in Pennsylvania. Typically, immediately after knee replacement surgery, patients are moved to a recovery room for… read on > read on >
Fatal Drug ODs Are Soaring, Especially Among Minorities: CDC
The nation’s opioid epidemic is hitting minority groups the hardest, with the latest government study reporting the steepest increases in overdose deaths among Black Americans and American Indians/Alaska Natives. While overdose deaths climbed 24% among whites in 2020, still an historic high, they jumped 44% among Black people and 39% among American Indian and Alaska… read on > read on >
Fewer Americans Are Dying of Heart Disease Than a Decade Ago
Deaths from heart-related causes have dropped over the past 20 years, though differences persist by race and ethnicity as well as where people live and their access to care. The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), which partially funded the research, detailed the results of three papers. The findings were published July 18 in the… read on > read on >