Significant fatigue at the start of cancer treatment is associated with a greater risk of severe side effects and shorter survival, a new study finds. Researchers analyzed data from four clinical trials of lung cancer or prostate cancer treatments that were conducted by the SWOG Cancer Research Network, a cancer clinical trials group funded by… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
Pandemic Has Depression, Anxiety Rates Among Youth Climbing Worldwide
If you think the pandemic hasn’t taken a toll on the mental health of young people, ponder these two facts from a new review: one in four are suffering from depression, while one in five are struggling with anxiety. “Being socially isolated, kept away from their friends, their school routines and extracurricular activities during the… read on > read on >
The Delta Variant & the Vaccinated: One Expert’s Take on the Data
News that the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 can be picked up and spread by vaccinated folks has sparked confusion and concern, and an infectious disease expert wants to clarify. These worries follow a recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation that urged even vaccinated folks to wear masks indoors in areas… read on > read on >
AHA News: How a Doctor’s Presence May Alter Blood Pressure Readings
MONDAY, Aug. 9, 2021 (American Heart Association News) — A doctor’s presence during a blood pressure reading triggers a “fight or flight” response that can affect the results, say researchers who studied the effect by measuring nerve activity. “White coat hypertension” – the phenomenon when blood pressure rises in some people who are measured by… read on > read on >
Climate Change Worsens Wildfires, Bringing Poorer Health to All
Smoke from wildfires burning along the West Coast is choking the entire United States, reminding everyone of the hazards of climate change. But that haze isn’t just stinging your eyes and choking your breath — it poses a direct threat to your health, experts say. Wildfire smoke has been shown to increase risk of heart… read on > read on >
Knee Replacement Won’t Keep Golfers Off the Course
Golf after total knee replacement is apparently par for the course. Researchers say most golfers can return to the links within five months of surgery and play as well — or as poorly — as they did before. “A lot of patients come to the office wondering when they’re going to be able to play… read on > read on >
New Drug Might Be Non-Surgical Option for Common Skin Cancers
An experimental gel has shown early promise in treating the most common form of skin cancer — hinting at a potential alternative to surgery in the future. Researchers tested the gel in 30 patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), a skin cancer diagnosed in more than 3 million Americans each year. The tumors rarely spread… read on > read on >
Easy Steps to Get Your Child Ready for the COVID-19 Vaccine
Vaccination is the best way parents can protect the health of kids 12 and older during the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. AAP offers a checklist to prepare older kids and teens for the shot. To begin, tell their health care provider you’re planning to have your child vaccinated against COVID. Ask… read on > read on >
Gruesome Cigarette Warnings May Work on Smokers: Study
Gangrene. Throat cancer. A newborn on a feeding tube. Gruesome warning images like those on cigarette packs do indeed scare smokers, but they should be combined with other anti-smoking measures, a new study finds. These kinds of graphic warning labels were approved by U.S. lawmakers in 2009, but implementation has been stalled until legal challenges… read on > read on >
COVID Antibodies Stable 7 Months After Infection: Study
Antibody levels remain stable or even rise seven months after infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, European researchers report. The study from Spain also found that preexisting antibodies against coronaviruses that cause the common cold may also protect against COVID-19. Researchers analyzed blood samples collected from 578 health care workers at a Barcelona hospital four times… read on > read on >