Breathe easy, folks. A new study affirms that wearing a cloth or surgical face mask won’t hamper your breathing. Researchers in Ohio based that conclusion on tests of 50 adults (median age: 33), both with and without masks. Nearly one-third said they had a chronic health condition, such as asthma. Volunteers’ heart rate, oxygen levels… read on > read on >
If you decide to try pot to relieve your migraine, new research suggests you could be asking for trouble. In fact, marijuana use was linked to rebound headaches, which can occur when pain medication is overused, scientists noted. “This study shows that there is some kind of association between cannabis use and medication overuse headache… read on > read on >
People taking statin drugs often complain of muscle aches, but a new study finds the medications are unlikely to be the culprit. The results come from a trial involving patients who had quit taking their statins, or were considering quitting, due to muscle pain. The researchers found that those aches were just as likely to… read on > read on >
Spinal cord injuries can be devastating to the more than 17,000 Americans who suffer them each year. But many patients may have new reason for hope: Early research suggests infusions of stem cells could help them regain lost sensation and movement. These improvements may occur within days or weeks of receiving the stem cell therapy,… read on > read on >
If you’ve gone to the doctor for a urinary tract infection (UTI), chances are that you’ve been given the wrong antibiotic or a longer-than-necessary treatment plan. That’s even more likely if you live in a rural area, researchers say. A new study of private insurance claims data found that 47% of women were prescribed antibiotics… read on > read on >
MONDAY, March 1, 2021 (American Heart Association News) — Some patients looking to reschedule annual physicals, wellness visits or other routine medical appointments long delayed by COVID-19 first may need to make time to find a new doctor. Thousands of practices have closed because of the pandemic, a recent survey shows, with thousands more planning… read on > read on >
MONDAY, March 1, 2021 (American Heart Association News) — Systolic blood pressure is the best way to predict future cardiovascular events and death, irrespective of age, according to new research. But in younger people, diastolic blood pressure could still be important. Systolic pressure – the upper number in a blood pressure reading – measures how… read on > read on >
Older Americans on a Medicare Advantage plan could face hospital bills of $1,000 or more if private insurers start charging out-of-pocket costs for lifesaving COVID-19 care, a new study warns. Cost data show that Medicare Advantage patients pay an average $987 out-of-pocket when they are hospitalized with the seasonal flu, and about 3% pay more… read on > read on >
Putting the oldest people near the front of the line for COVID-19 shots will save more lives and may extend their lifespan, too, researchers say. The new study findings challenge the view that older people should be lower on the list for shots because they have a shorter life expectancy, according to the team from… read on > read on >
While many Americans await their turn for the COVID vaccine, a potentially record-setting number have already had their flu shot. That’s the key finding in a nationwide poll of more conducted in December by the University of Georgia, involving more than 1,000 adults . In all, 43.5% of respondents said they had already had a… read on > read on >
