Nearly 1 in every 10 chronic pain patients treated with prescription opioids winds up addicted to the painkillers at some point, a new review finds. Further, nearly 1 in 3 will show symptoms of opioid addiction, researchers reported Aug. 7 in the journal Addiction. That evidence runs counter to claims made by companies like Oxycontin…  read on >  read on >

Many people with Parkinson’s disease may fear dementia as a common consequence of the disease. But new research suggests dementia is not inevitable with Parkinson’s, and in fact is less common than presumed. If dementia does occur, it typically does so much later in life than was previously assumed, the study also found. “These results…  read on >  read on >

More than 1 in 4 Americans 50 or older are now caregivers, looking after at least one family member or friend who has a health problem or disability, a new poll has found. In all, 30% of all people in their 50s and early 60s provide care to at least one person, the University of…  read on >  read on >

This summer’s blistering temperatures have helped prompt an emergency blood shortage, the American Red Cross has warned. Heat waves affected almost 100 blood drives last month, either by hurting turnout or forcing the events to be canceled. Since July 1, the national blood supply has fallen by more than 25%, the organization said in a news…  read on >  read on >

Whites are three times more likely to survive a cardiac arrest after receiving bystander CPR than Black adults are, a new study has found. Likewise, men are twice as likely to survive after bystander CPR than women, researchers found. “CPR saves lives — that, we know,” said researcher Dr. Paula Einhorn, a program officer at…  read on >  read on >

Remember your besties from high school? Sure, they made a lasting impression, but science suggests they influenced the trajectory of your health, too. It’s not that far-fetched: Your friends carry genes that may or may nor predispose them to mental health issues ranging from addiction to anxiety and depression. That can influence the mental health…  read on >  read on >

It’s tough to open up to a doctor, even though it’s vital if patients want the best care for what ails them. Why the reticence? People worry they’ll be judged by their doctor if they share mistaken beliefs or false ideas. Now, a new study finds that’s not an unfounded worry. Doctors really do take…  read on >  read on >

About 14% of women will develop diabetes while pregnant, a condition known as gestational diabetes. It’s linked with obesity and older age, and the number of cases is growing although they usually resolve by the time of delivery. Now, a new study delivers reassuring news for women hit by gestational diabetes: The condition will not…  read on >  read on >

David Lynch, who transformed television and film with series such as “Twin Peaks” and movies like “Blue Velvet” and “Mulholland Drive,” announced Monday that he is battling the lung disease emphysema. Lynch, 78 and a former long-time smoker, first spoke about his illness in an article for Sight and Sound, a magazine from the British…  read on >  read on >