For veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) combined with a drinking problem, the type of psychotherapy prescribed can make a difference in recovery rates, a new study finds. So-called prolonged exposure therapy is more effective than coping skills therapy in helping these patients, according to researchers at the VA San Diego Healthcare System. “The main… read on >
Playing team sports is a great way to teach kids life lessons about leadership, teamwork and how to socialize with peers. Sports are also a great way to build self-esteem and gain physical skills. Most important, they’re fun. But too many — nearly three-quarters of young athletes — are specializing in just one activity as… read on >
The idea behind immunotherapy for peanut allergy is appealing in its simplicity: Ask a patient to eat tiny amounts of peanut every day, and over time their immune system will become desensitized to it. Unfortunately, this cure might be doing more harm than the allergy itself, a new evidence review suggests. People who undergo immunotherapy… read on >
Stroke survivors often face limited mobility, which quadruples their odds of osteoporosis, broken bones and falls. But most are never screened for these problems, new research reveals. “Our study adds to previous research that found despite an increased risk, only a small number of people who have recently had a stroke are tested and treated… read on >
A boy who wondered if snakes flick their tongues to smell prompted a surprising new discovery about how human senses work. Turns out your tongue helps you smell, according to researchers at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia — a team that included the curious 12-year-old’s dad. Taste and smell had been thought to… read on >
Having sex after a heart attack is a concern not only for men, but for many women, too. Because of fear and a lack of information, many may think it’s no longer possible to enjoy a sex life. Fortunately, that’s rarely the case. However, while many women do resume their sex lives within months after… read on >
Most people have popping and cracking of their joints, especially as they age. Though the reasons behind these sounds are unclear, doctors think they may be caused by ligaments stretching and releasing, or the compression of nitrogen bubbles. Usually, the phenomenon doesn’t need treatment. However, if these sounds are accompanied by swelling and pain, seeing… read on >
Injuries, heart attacks, lung infections, strokes and other medical emergencies caused about half of the world’s 28 million deaths in 2015, a new study reports. Such deaths are on the rise, and rates are much higher in poor countries than wealthy ones, the researchers said. “We believe our study is among the first to identify… read on >
Typically, doctors treat appendicitis with removal of the organ, medically called an appendectomy, says the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Laparoscopic surgery uses several small incisions, usually leading to few complications and a short recovery time. A laparotomy uses a single incision in your lower right abdomen. Post-surgery, doctors recommend… read on >
Think breakfast isn’t the most important meal of the day? Think again, say researchers behind a new study that found the risk of heart-related death rises dramatically for folks who skip the morning repast. Compared to people who always ate breakfast, those who say they never did had a 87% higher odds of dying from… read on >
