Pregnant women with COVID-19 may be susceptible to pregnancy complications, an obstetrician-gynecologist says. Pregnant women have physiologic changes in their chests that may make them more susceptible to viral respiratory infections, according to Justin Brandt. He’s assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the division of maternal-fetal medicine at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School… read on >
Even if your takeout dinner was prepared by a cook who has COVID-19, there’s little need to worry about your risk of infection, according to an expert in viruses. “Restaurant kitchens can be one of the safest places in this coronavirus outbreak because they already practice strict hygiene protocols to avoid foodborne illness,” said Paula… read on >
Even after people with mild cases of COVID-19 feel better, new research shows that half still have the virus for up to eight days after symptoms are gone. That’s the conclusion of a small international study of 16 COVID-19 patients in China. The researchers took several throat swabs from all of them. “The most significant… read on >
People with asthma and other lung diseases are at increased risk for serious complications from COVID-19, caution experts from the American Lung Association. “Everyone’s health is at risk from COVID-19, and those living with a lung disease or who are immunocompromised may be more vulnerable to the impacts of the virus,” said Dr. Albert Rizzo,… read on >
Having a furry, fluffy or feathered friend can have a profound effect on seniors’ mental health, possibly even helping prevent some suicides, new research suggests. In a group of 35 older people who were pet owners, more than one-third said they were “actively suicidal” or “significantly traumatized,” but their pets gave them a reason to… read on >
The coronavirus pandemic will put extra stress on caregivers of loved ones with dementias, so the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America offers some advice. “Reducing stress is always important for caregivers, and even more so now,” said Charles Fuschillo Jr., the foundation’s president and CEO. “Disruptions in daily routines, social isolation and anxiety are all added… read on >
Before the COVID-19 outbreak, Annette Adams-Brown’s 87-year-old mother was an avid follower of TV news. Now Adams-Brown has to channel-surf for a less stressful pastime. Her mother, Bertha, has dementia, and each time she hears the news about a terrible disease spreading through the country, it’s like she is hearing it for the first time.… read on >
People with high blood pressure and heart disease may be vulnerable to complications from COVID-19, heart experts say. Nearly half of Americans have high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Based on current knowledge, seniors “with coronary heart disease or high blood pressure may be more susceptible to the coronavirus and more… read on >
Trapped in the house with a cupboard full of food: Social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic can spawn an unintended side effect — stress eating. It may be tempting to ease your anxiety with your favorite comfort foods, but emotional eating can hurt you physically and mentally, according to experts from Rush University Medical Center… read on >
The new coronavirus is not just a physical health threat. The stress, anxiety, fear and isolation that go along with it also take a toll on your mental well-being. “One of the basic tenets of how to manage your mental health in a crisis like this is to ensure that you’re taking care of your… read on >
