Peak asthma month is upon parents as summer draws to a close, experts warn. “September is known as Asthma Peak Month because kids have returned to school, and viruses are being passed around,” said allergist Dr. Gailen Marshall, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. “September also sees higher levels of environmental… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
Double Mastectomy May Offer No Survival Benefit to Women With Breast Cancer
Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer in one breast, even in the early stages, sometimes opt for a double mastectomy, due to the fear that the cancer will migrate to the other breast. But that decision may not offer any real benefit in terms of survival, an exhaustive new study of more than 600,000… read on > read on >
Toxic Lead Found in Cinnamon Product, FDA Says
An additional cinnamon product sold in the United States has been found to contain high levels of lead, health officials are warning. In a health alert issued Thursday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the ground cinnamon product, sold as El Servidor, joins a growing list of cinnamon products that have contained high levels of lead. Through… read on > read on >
Certain Abbott Blood Sugar Monitors May Give Incorrect Readings
Abbott has warned diabetes patients that some of its continuous blood sugar monitoring systems may need to be replaced because of inaccurate readings. “Abbott has recently identified a small number of FreeStyle Libre 3 sensors that may provide incorrect high glucose readings, which if undetected may pose a potential health risk for people living with… read on > read on >
Athletes Can Expect High Ozone, Pollen Counts for Paris Olympics
Bad news for Olympians headed to Paris — high levels of ozone pollution and grass pollen are likely during the upcoming games if hot, sunny weather prevails, researchers said. Ozone levels in Paris and its environs tend to exceed World Health Organization (WHO) recommended thresholds about 20 days per month between July and September, according… read on > read on >
Fake Oxycontin Pills Widespread and Potentially Deadly: Report
The rate at which young Americans are ending up in hospital ICUs after using fake Oxycontin pills spiked with fentanyl is soaring, especially in the U.S. West, a new report warns. Medical toxicology data from one unnamed hospital in the western U.S. found the number of cases involving overdoses involving fake “M-30” Oxycontin pills rose… read on > read on >
Shingles Vaccine Could Lower Dementia Risk
Older people who avail themselves of the newest shingles vaccine could reap a hidden benefit: A significant drop in their odds of developing dementia. One expert applauded the new findings. “Dementia isn’t an inevitable part of aging; it’s caused by diseases like Alzheimer’s,” said Dr. Sheona Scales, director of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK. “Finding… read on > read on >
Your Odds for Accidental Gun Death Rise Greatly in Certain States
Americans’ risk of dying in a firearm accident depends in large part on where they live in the United States, a new study finds. People in Southeastern states like Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama run the greatest risk of a gunshot accidentally killing them, researchers said. Meanwhile, the risk of accidental gun death is much lower… read on > read on >
Tough Workouts Won’t Trigger Cardiac Arrest in Folks With Long QT Syndrome
People diagnosed with one of the most common inherited heart arrhythmias, called Long QT syndrome (LQTS), can safely engage in vigorous exercise without any added risk for sudden death or cardiac arrest, a new study finds. “Arrhythmic events were low in these appropriately treated individuals with LQTS in both those exercising vigorously and those exercising… read on > read on >
Wildfires in Western U.S., Canada Create Hazardous Air Conditions
Wildfires raging in several states and Canada are triggering air quality alerts and evacuation orders across the western parts of the United States. Smoke and haze have filled the skies in California, Oregon, Arizona, Washington and several other western states: As of Wednesday, there were 79 large, active wildfires that have burned over 1.4 million acres… read on > read on >