Want to ward off high blood pressure? Don’t forget to brush and floss. A new study finds that severe gum disease may make an otherwise healthy person significantly more likely to develop high blood pressure. “[Our] evidence indicates that periodontal bacteria cause damage to the gums and also triggers inflammatory responses that can impact the… read on > read on >
Nonsmokers usually try to avoid secondhand smoke, but many kids have no option, and now a new study finds tobacco smoke exposure puts them at higher risk of hospitalization. Compared to other kids, those exposed to secondhand smoke were more likely to have had an urgent care visit over a one-year period, and to incur… read on > read on >
If you’re getting back into walking, running or outdoor sports this spring after months on the couch, you could be at risk for a common injury known as a stress fracture. It’s a small break or crack caused by repeated impact on a bone that is starting to weaken from overdoing it, and feet are… read on > read on >
If you’re one of the many people who’ve switched to working at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, you need to take care of your eyes, the American Academy of Ophthalmology says. Staring at a screen too long can lead to digital eye strain. Symptoms include blurry vision, headaches and tired, dry eyes. It happens because… read on > read on >
Fifteen years of widespread vaccination of U.S. children with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is reaping big rewards: A more than 80% drop in new infections has been seen in women and girls under the age of 25. That could mean an equally big drop to come in a host of dangerous conditions that are… read on > read on >
FRIDAY, March 26, 2021 (American Heart Association News) — Unlike most of his cardiology colleagues, Dr. Satjit “Saj” Bhusri has personal experience with heart disease – and he doesn’t hesitate to share his story with patients. Sometimes, he’ll even show them a picture. He’s lying in a hospital bed, hooked up to a ventilator and… read on > read on >
When people die some cells in their brains go on for hours, even getting more active and growing to gargantuan proportions, new research shows. Awareness of this activity, spurred on by “zombie genes,” could affect research into diseases that affect the brain. For the study, researchers analyzed gene expression using fresh brain tissue collected during… read on > read on >
Using cellphones to track patients’ painkiller use, a new study found more than 60% of opioid painkillers prescribed to surgical patients after their procedures went unused. That has implications for the ongoing epidemic of opioid misuse in the United States, where unused medications can be diverted to others. Giving surgical patients only the amount of… read on > read on >
The brain may play a role in so-called broken heart syndrome, a new study suggests. Formally known as Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), it’s a temporary — but potentially deadly — heart condition brought on by stressful situations and emotions. In this study, published March 25 in the European Heart Journal, researchers wanted to find out if… read on > read on >
Here’s a silver lining to having to strap a mask across your face when you go out in public: That mask may also help guard against severe spring allergies, an expert says. Many patients with spring allergies are doing well this season because they’re spending more time indoors and wearing a mask when they go… read on > read on >
