As syphilis cases surge across America, a group representing the nation’s STD specialists says members are reporting shortages of a drug essential to fighting the disease. In a survey from the National Coalition of STD Directors conducted in early November, 46% of sexual health clinics said they’d tried to order Bicillin L-A — only to… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
‘High Altitude’ Simulations Might Shield Patients Ahead of Surgery
Surgery coming up? Mimicking the high-altitude breathing of mountaineers might make your procedure safer, a tiny study suggests. It’s a form of what surgeons call “prehabilitation:” Making a patient’s body a bit fitter beforehand to withstand the risks and rigors of surgery. Investigators found that exposing patients to reduced oxygen levels (“hypoxia”) for a week… read on > read on >
Trim Your Holiday Stress This Season: Experts Offer Tips
SATURDAY, Dec. 2, 2023 (Healthday News) — The holidays are typically a happy whirlwind of gift-buying, house decorating, party planning and family gatherings, but all that work can also stress people out. Luckily, experts at UT Southwestern Medical Center say there are things you can do to keep your stress levels under control and help… read on > read on >
Your Personality Might Help Shield You From Dementia
Got a naturally sunny disposition? It might protect you from dementia as the years advance, new research shows. A team at Northwestern University in Chicago report that certain personality traits — being conscientious, outgoing and positive — appear to lower a person’s odds for a dementia diagnosis. On the other hand, being neurotic and more… read on > read on >
Respiratory Illnesses in China Not Caused by New Virus, CDC Director Testifies
FRIDAY, Dec. 1, 2023 (Healthday News) — In testimony provided Thursday to members of Congress, the head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that a surge in respiratory illnesses in China is not being fueled by a new virus. Instead, the spike can be linked to existing viruses and bacteria, including… read on > read on >
Couch Potatoes, ‘Squatting Breaks’ Could Keep Your Mind Sharp
Doing some squats during commercial breaks or between YouTube videos can help couch potatoes keep their minds sharp, a new study suggests. Young volunteers who did short sets of squat exercises every now and then while relaxing performed better in brain games than when they simply sat around for hours, researchers report. Short bursts of… read on > read on >
Most Men Taking Bodybuilding Supplements Don’t Know They Can Harm Fertility
Bodybuilders are largely unaware that the protein supplements they use to bulk up might harm their fertility, a new study shows. Four out of five male gym enthusiasts (79%) said they use protein supplements as part of their fitness plan, the poll found. But only 14% had considered how those supplements — which contain high… read on > read on >
Persistent Inflammation Could Drive Brain Issues in Former Football Players
The repeat head injuries suffered by football players, boxers and other athletes appear to affect brain health long after players have given up their sport. New research from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore could explain why: The persistence in the brain of inflammation tied to the original injury or injuries. “The findings show that participating… read on > read on >
U.S. Gun Suicides Keep Rising; Now Make Up Half of All Suicides
The latest national data show that when it comes to suicide, Americans are increasingly resorting to firearms as their method of choice. An analysis by researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that of the nearly 50,000 suicides recorded in the United States in 2022, more than half (27,000) involved a… read on > read on >
New Clues to What Might Drive Tinnitus
Tinnitus, or “ringing in the ears,” affects up to 1 in every 10 people and can be disabling for some. Now, scientists at the Massachusetts Ear and Eye Infirmary believe they may have discovered a key cause of the condition: A degeneration of nerves crucial to hearing. “We won’t be able to cure tinnitus until… read on > read on >