A study of millions of people vaccinated against COVID-19 has identified those at greatest risk of hospitalization and death after breakthrough infection. The most vulnerable are those who are immunosuppressed from chemotherapy, a recent bone marrow or solid organ transplant, or HIV/AIDS. Also at risk are people with neurological disorders (such as dementia and Parkinson’s… read on > read on >
Hospitalized opioid addicts die at a rate similar to people who have a heart attack after leaving the hospital. Nearly 8% of patients addicted to opioids died within 12 months of hospital discharge, according to researchers from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). “We need systems that can address comprehensive needs of people with substance… read on > read on >
If you have a cardiac arrest, your odds of survival are best in an airport or airplane, a new study finds. That’s because automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are readily available and so are people ready to help, researchers explained. “Our findings emphasize that cardiac arrest in travelers is survivable and that early resuscitation interventions matter,”… read on > read on >
It’s not just athletes on the field who suffer when outdoor temperatures get too high. Members of college and high school marching bands are at increased risk of heat-related illness, too, researchers warn. “They go out there, and they often wear these really heavy wool uniforms,” said lead author Andrew Grundstein of the University of… read on > read on >
Emotional changes in the run-up to menopause can sometimes lead to depression. It can be important to see a doctor to help determine whether you’re just feeling stressed or “blue” — or whether you might have clinical or major depression, a condition associated with a chemical imbalance in the brain. Changing hormones during perimenopause —… read on > read on >
When hair sprouts where you don’t want it, you can always shave, but other ways to remove unwanted body hair can last longer. The downside: Chemical hair removers can cause burning, itching or redness. “Hair removal creams, lotions and gels are quick and easy to use, but they can sometimes irritate the skin,” dermatologist Dr.… read on > read on >
It’s no wonder many teens are pooped out. “The obligations of school, work, family and friends make it hard for teenagers to get sufficient sleep to perform their best,” said Dr. Raman Malhotra, president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). “While it might seem like teens sleep a lot, most are sleep deprived… read on > read on >
An advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday recommended a third Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine booster shot for all Americans aged 65 or older, as well as for those deemed to be at high risk for severe illness. According to The New York Times, that vote came after a near unanimous decision… read on > read on >
Pfizer is expanding the recall of its anti-smoking drug Chantix (varenicline), the company announced Friday. The nationwide recall of all Chantix 0.5 mg and 1 mg tablets was prompted because they may contain levels of a nitrosamine, N-nitroso-varenicline, that are at or above levels approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Long-term ingestion of… read on > read on >
In kids and teens, symptoms of long COVID rarely last more than 12 weeks, a new international study reports. The researchers also found that exposure to the highly contagious Delta variant did not result in more serious disease in children compared to earlier variants, and that most cases of COVID-19 were asymptomatic or mild. Despite… read on > read on >
