Overdose deaths linked to illicit “designer” benzodiazepines have surged in the United States, as underground labs crank out new synthetic variations on prescription tranquilizers like Valium, Xanax and Ativan. Overdose deaths involving illicit benzos increased more than sixfold (520%) between 2019 and 2020, rising from 51 to 316, according to data from 32 states and… read on > read on >
A new approach to spinal cord stimulation may drastically reduce chronic back pain, a small pilot study suggests. The study, of 20 patients with stubborn low back pain, tested the effects of implanting electrodes near the spinal cord to stimulate it with “ultra-low” frequency electrical pulses. After two weeks, 90% of the patients were reporting… read on > read on >
One-third of the U.S. population — about 103 million people — had been infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus by the end of 2020, but more than three-quarters of the cases weren’t officially confirmed, according to a Columbia University study. “It is these undocumented cases, which are often mild or asymptomatic infectious, that allow the virus… read on > read on >
Do you have an implanted defibrillator or pacemaker? Try keeping your smart watch or smart phone a few inches away from them. New research from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration finds that your phone or watch could interfere with implanted heart devices. Based on the new findings, heart patients and health care providers should… read on > read on >
THURSDAY, Aug. 26, 2021 (American Heart Association News) — It was the evening of Jan. 30, 2007, when Mike Maddux got the phone call from his stepfather. His mother was in the bathroom with the door locked and her husband couldn’t get her to come out. Could Mike help? Mike, who lived nearby, got there… read on > read on >
More than 171 million people are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in the United States, but the highly infectious Delta variant has left some with “breakthrough” cases nonetheless. These cases were anticipated, because the COVID vaccines weren’t designed to eliminate all virus infections, but rather to lower a person’s risk of severe illness and hospitalization. Even… read on > read on >
Even before COVID-19, college could be a challenging experience, but a new study suggests those stresses are much higher for female students. Still, in the face of a continuing pandemic, all students may need interventions to develop healthy coping strategies, the study authors said. “They’re balancing work, classes, relationships and family — and then now… read on > read on >
Women smokers puff fewer cigarettes than men but have more trouble quitting, French researchers report. “Our findings highlight the need to provide smoking cessation interventions tailored to the needs of women,” said Ingrid Allagbe, a doctoral student at the University of Burgundy, who led the research. The study included nearly 38,000 smokers (about 43% women)… read on > read on >
Struggling to decide whether to spend another hour at the office or take a late afternoon stroll? Put on your walking shoes. Making leisure time a priority is good for your mental health. For many, though, especially folks who prize productivity above all, it’s a hard sell, a new study finds. “There is plenty of… read on > read on >
Unvaccinated U.S. troops must immediately start getting COVID-19 vaccines, says a memo issued Tuesday by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, which recently received full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, will be added to the list of required shots for U.S. troops. They’ll be able to get their shots at… read on > read on >
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