An increase in heat waves driven by climate change is causing hundreds more heart disease deaths in the United States each year, with men and Black people at particular risk, researchers say. Each year, the United States now has about three times as many heat waves as in the 1960s. Heat can put increased strain… read on > read on >
The more blazes firefighters battle, the higher their risk for a heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation (a-fib), a new study shows. “Clinicians who care for firefighters need to be aware of the increased cardiovascular risk, especially the increased risk of a-fib, among this unique group of individuals,” said senior study author Dr. Paari Dominic.… read on > read on >
Unable to move a single muscle, even to open your eyes. Completely locked into your own body, yet fully conscious and aware. Lou Gehrig’s disease — amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — is a nightmare in its advanced form, leaving patients without any means of communicating their needs and wishes. But a new brain implant has… read on > read on >
TUESDAY, March 22, 2022 (American Heart Association News) — What do blueberries, spinach and dark chocolate have in common? They’re all rich in flavonoids, the chemical compounds found in plants that give them color – and medicinal powers. Research shows flavonoids provide a wide range of health benefits, from fighting cancer and lowering the risk… read on > read on >
Women can safely use abortion pills without first getting ultrasound scans, or having an in-person medical appointment at all, a new study confirms. For more than 20 years, U.S. women have had access to medication abortions for ending early pregnancies, using the drugs mifepristone and misoprostol. But for most of that time, the U.S. Food… read on > read on >
TUESDAY, March 22, 2022 (American Heart Association News) — As a nurse practitioner who is passionate about helping patients make better lifestyle choices, Ashley Breaux admits she may be a bit more anxious about her own health than most people. “I’m hypervigilant,” she said, noting she has always eaten a healthy diet, exercised up to… read on > read on >
Medical marijuana could be a viable alternative to opioid painkillers for people dealing with arthritis or chronic back pain, two new studies show. Many patients prescribed opioids for their chronic pain wound up taking fewer painkillers — or stopping them altogether — after doctors certified them for medical cannabis, said lead researcher Dr. Asif Ilyas,… read on > read on >
The party drug “ecstasy” might be the key to helping people heal from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), new clinical trial results indicate. In a small study, PTSD patients treated with a powerful combination of the psychedelic drug, also known as MDMA, and talk therapy were much more likely to see an end to their recurring,… read on > read on >
Knee replacement surgery is increasingly common among people over 80 sidelined with knee pain, and the procedure isn’t as hazardous for them as often assumed. That’s the main message from a new study of more than 1.7 million seniors who underwent knee replacement surgery. The findings come as no surprise to Dr. Thomas Fleeter, whose… read on > read on >
At-home COVID-19 tests are a key tool in containing the spread of the coronavirus. But a few safety precautions are in order to prevent serious injury, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns. The tests can cause harm if they’re not used according to manufacturers’ instructions, and they also need to be kept out of… read on > read on >
