Certain antiviral drugs used to treat HIV may also guard against COVID-19 infection, a new study suggests. The researchers found that people with HIV who are on antiretroviral treatment (ART) with protease inhibitors may have a lower risk of COVID-19 infection. Protease inhibitors are antiviral drugs that block a critical enzyme (protease) that viruses need… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
Out-of-Network Costs Raise Medical Bills for Special Needs Kids
Special needs children often require out-of-network care from specialists, which means more out-of-pocket costs and extra stress for families, a new study finds. “In the U.S., the reality is that the more health care needs you have, especially from specialists, the greater chance you will find your needs won’t be met, even if you have… read on > read on >
Head Bump? Here’s Signs You Need ER Care
Knowing the signs of brain injury and when to seek emergency care could save a life, an expert says. “The brain is the body’s command center,” said Dr. Gillian Schmitz, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians. “One of the smartest ways to protect it is to be able to spot the signs of… read on > read on >
As Climate Change Worsens Allergy Season, Tips on How to Cope
Climate change is prompting longer pollen seasons and higher pollen counts, which spells trouble for people with seasonal allergies, allergists warn. “Allergy seasons have been changing in North America and across the globe, and we see greater changes the further you get from the equator,” explained Dr. Kara Wada, an allergist immunologist at Ohio State’s… read on > read on >
Smartwatch Heart Data May Be Less Accurate for Black Users
Millions of Americans use smartwatches or fitness trackers to check on their heart rate, but the accuracy may fall short for people of color, a new research review finds. The analysis, of 10 published studies, found that in four of them, wearable devices were clearly subpar in gauging the heart rate of people with darker… read on > read on >
AHA News: 5 Barriers to Eating a Heart-Healthy Diet That Have Nothing to Do With Willpower
FRIDAY, March 25, 2022 (American Heart Association News) — The major ingredients of a heart- and brain-healthy diet are fairly well-established: fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, fish and low-fat dairy. Research shows people who stick to this eating pattern are less likely to get sick and more likely to live longer free of… read on > read on >
Health Experts Support End to Masks, Tests for Air Travel
U.S. airline companies want an end to mask and COVID testing rules for air travel — and many top infectious disease and public health experts agree with them. The chief executives of the country’s largest airlines asked President Joe Biden in a letter this week to let federal mask mandates at airports and on planes… read on > read on >
Mental Decline Can Follow a Heart Attack
As if recovering from a heart attack wasn’t hard enough, new research shows many patients may suffer severe thinking declines. Researchers in Poland found that in the six months after a heart attack, 50% of patients experienced some decline in thinking, memory and ability to perform basic tasks. “Assessment of cognitive status isn’t a routine… read on > read on >
Noisy Neighborhood? It Could Raise Your Odds for Heart Attack
Living in a noisy neighborhood may not only cost you sleep, it could also increase your odds for a heart attack, researchers say. They concluded that 1 in 20 heart attacks in New Jersey were associated with noise from highways, trains and air traffic. “When people talk about pollution, they’re usually talking about particles in… read on > read on >
You’ve Had Foot Surgery: How Long Until You’re Active Again?
Most people who have had major foot surgery are able to return to the activities they enjoy, but it may take a long time, new research suggests. The study included 82 adult patients who had surgery to correct a form of “flatfeet” called progressive collapsing foot deformity. “[It’s] a debilitating condition marked by several progressive… read on > read on >