The Biden administration has reversed a Trump policy that limited the size of fines that U.S. nursing homes could be slapped with for violating safety standards. The Trump policy was adopted in 2017 and prevented the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) from hitting a nursing home with a fine for each day… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
Premature Delivery Raises Odds for Cerebral Palsy
Extremely premature babies have a much higher risk of cerebral palsy and other neurological conditions than full-term infants, a large Israeli study affirms. Cerebral palsy — the name for a group of lifelong conditions that affect movement and coordination — is the most common cause of severe childhood physical disability and motor impairment. It can… read on > read on >
When Deductibles Rise, More Diabetes Patients Skip Their Meds
As many Americans know, today’s health insurance plans often come with high deductibles. Those out-of-pocket costs could cause harm: New research shows that 20% of people who have diabetes and high-deductible health plans regularly skip their medications. Not keeping up with your diabetes medications comes with the potential risk of an emergency room visit or… read on > read on >
Severe Opioid Overdoses Rose by Nearly a Third During Pandemic
Opioid overdose-related visits to U.S. emergency departments rose by nearly one-third during the COVID-19 pandemic last year. That’s the key finding in a new analysis of data from 25 emergency departments in Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, North Carolina, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. “COVID-19, and the disruptions in every part of our social and work lives, made… read on > read on >
Seniors Rarely Discuss Their Drinking With Their Doctors
Plenty of seniors may struggle with problem drinking, but a new study shows that less than half of them discuss their alcohol use with their health care providers. “Older adults are at high risk for the harms of alcohol use, especially for those with existing chronic disease and who take prescribed medications,” said lead study… read on > read on >
Most Athletes With Genetic Heart Ailment Can Return to Play
Having a genetic heart condition often means the end of sports for young athletes, but new research could be a game changer. A 20-year study by the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., suggests that for kids with most genetic heart conditions, the risks of playing sports can be managed through a shared decision-making process. The… read on > read on >
Type 2 Diabetes in Teens Can Bring Dangerous Complications in 20s
Children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes face a high likelihood of developing complications before age 30, a new study suggests. Researchers found that among 500 children and teenagers with type 2 diabetes, 60% developed at least one complication over the next 15 years — including nerve damage, eye disease and kidney disease. Type 2 diabetes,… read on > read on >
CDC Now Says Vaccinated Should Be Tested After COVID Exposure, Even Without Symptoms
People fully vaccinated against COVID-19 should be tested for the virus if they come into contact with infected people, whether or not they have symptoms, say updated testing guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency previously said that fully vaccinated people did not need to be tested after exposure to… read on > read on >
AHA News: Deaths Related to Irregular Heart Rhythm May Be Rising, Especially Among Younger People
THURSDAY, July 29, 2021 (American Heart Association News) — Deaths related to atrial fibrillation appear to be on the rise, especially among younger adults, a new study suggests. Atrial fibrillation – often called AFib – is an irregular heartbeat that sometimes leads to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other cardiovascular complications. The condition is… read on > read on >
AHA News: She Had a Baby. Then Emergency Heart Surgery. And a Stroke. Then, a New Heart.
THURSDAY, July 29, 2021 (American Heart Association News) — In her third trimester, Kristy Novillo struggled to give tours of the Redmond, Washington, child care center where she worked as a director. Walking and talking at the same time left her out of breath. Two months after delivering her son, Dominic, Kristy was still gasping… read on > read on >