High blood pressure might increase a woman’s odds of suffering migraines, a new study finds. Specifically, high diastolic blood pressure is linked to a slightly higher risk of women ever having a migraine, researchers reported July 31 in the journal Neurology. Diastolic pressure is the second number in a blood pressure reading, and occurs when… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
Are Celebrity Suicides ‘Contagious’ Among Regular Folk?
Celebrity suicides seem to be contagious, prompting everyday folks to consider the same, a new study suggests. The 2014 suicide death of comedian Robin Williams caused a thousand-fold increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts, reflected in a spike in calls to what was then the equivalent of the current 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline,… read on > read on >
Most Americans Don’t Know About Lung Cancer Screening: Survey
People who’ve had a history of smoking can get a lung cancer spotted early — when it’s most treatable — through annual CT screening. Unfortunately, most Americans polled in a new survey didn’t know this potentially lifesaving screen exists. “The survey shows that we have a significant amount of work to do in increasing awareness… read on > read on >
Eating Less Processed Red Meat Could Cut Your Odds for Dementia
Skip the bacon and those holiday hot dogs: A new study finds eating processed red meats raises your odds for dementia. Overall, just two servings per week of processed red meat was linked to a 14% rise in dementia risk, compared to folks who ate less than three servings per month. The finding made sense… read on > read on >
Some Americans Lost Trust in Medical Profession During Pandemic
The number of people who trust doctors dropped steeply during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new study says. Worse, those who lost their faith in medicine are less likely to get vaccinated against COVID or the flu, researchers found. “Trust in physicians and hospitals can be critical for public health, and restoring the trust that was… read on > read on >
Nearly 1 in 3 U.S. Adolescents Are Getting Mental Health Treatment
In findings that suggest more young Americans struggling with mental health issues are getting the help they need, a new poll shows that nearly a third of American adolescents and teens received some sort of mental health treatment in 2023. That translates to over 8 million young people between the ages of 12 and 17… read on > read on >
AI Is Helping Doctors Interpret a Crucial Brain Test
Artificial intelligence is adding new luster to the old-fashioned EEG brain scan, increasing the potential usefulness of the century-old medical test, a new report says. The EEG, or electroencephalogram, tracks brain activity through a dozen or more electrodes stuck to the scalp. It is often used to detect epilepsy. But the test’s squiggly waves are… read on > read on >
Friendships Are Not in Decline Among Americans: Study
Loneliness has been a major concern in America, particularly in the wake of the social isolation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. But friendships are not in decline in the United States, a new study has found. An American adult has an average of four to five friends, similar to numbers reported in previous research from… read on > read on >
Doing Everyday Chores Isn’t Enough to Protect You From Stroke
Puttering around the home or office isn’t enough to protect a person from stroke, a new study says. People need to be more active to lower their stroke risk, either by exercising in their free time or biking or walking to work, results show. “Physical activity during leisure time and as transportation is becoming increasingly… read on > read on >
Suicides Among Kids Ages 8 to 12 Are Rising, Especially Among Girls
The kids are not alright. New data shows a troubling 8% annual increase in the number of American children ages 8 to 12 who died by suicide, with the sharpest increase seen among girls. Suicide has now become the fifth leading cause of death among both male and female preteens, report a team led by… read on > read on >