An exceptionally pricey gene therapy cure for sickle cell disease could soon be available, but it’s not clear whether insurance companies will balk at the cost and deny coverage. On the surface, the gene therapy does not appear as cost-effective as the grinding medical care that sickle cell patients now receive, according to a new… read on > read on >
All Lifestyle:
Men’s Mental Health: Symptoms, Treatments & Where to Find Help
When it comes to mental health, men don’t always seek help when they need it. But maybe they should. June is Men’s Mental Health Month, so here are the most common mental health conditions men experience, the symptoms that may differ in men vs. women and what resources are available for those seeking treatment options.… read on > read on >
HPV: What It Is, Symptoms in Men vs. Women & Treatment
Talking about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be uncomfortable. But whether you’re talking to your partner, child or doctor, these are important conversations to have. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 20% of Americans had an STI in 2018. There are still more undetected, unreported and untreated STIs that can result in… read on > read on >
One Key to Good Sleep for Teens: No Social Media at Bedtime
Teens need their sleep, and a new study sheds light on one way to help them get it: Keep cellphones and screens out of the bedroom. “Getting enough sleep is crucial for teenagers because it helps their body and mind grow and develop properly,” said lead author Dr. Jason Nagata, an assistant professor of pediatrics… read on > read on >
Microplastics Are Harming the Guts of Seabirds — and Maybe Humans, Too
Microplastic pollution is altering the gut microbiomes of wild seabirds and that could be a warning sign for humans, researchers report. Scientists from McGill University in Montreal, along with colleagues from around the world, found that tiny bits of plastic present in the gastrointestinal system of seabirds have modified the gut’s microbiome. The plastics are… read on > read on >
When Arthritis Strikes, Keep Moving
Your achy joints may suggest that you take it easy. Don’t listen to them, experts say. If it hurts when you get up from a chair or climb stairs, you might have osteoarthritis. If so, it’s best to keep moving. “While the pain from osteoarthritis worsens with activity and improves with rest, exercise is still… read on > read on >
Huge Mass of Sargassum Seaweed Is Targeting Florida’s Coast, With Hazards to Health
Be cautious when heading to Florida’s beaches this summer, an expert warned, as a 5,000-mile floating mass of sargassum seaweed has begun washing up on the state’s shores. It can be low risk in some instances, but it also has the potential for triggering serious respiratory health issues. “The sargassum itself is not dangerous. It… read on > read on >
Are ERs Safe? Patients, Nurses and Doctors Say No in New Survey
Emergency departments aren’t perceived as safe for professionals or their patients, according to an international survey from the European Society of Emergency Medicine (EUSEM). More than 90% of emergency professionals surveyed said they felt at times the number of patients exceeded the capacity the emergency department (ED) had to provide safe care. Overcrowding was a… read on > read on >
Switching to Plant-Based Diet Helps Your Heart, Major Study Finds
Vegetarian and vegan diets lead to lower blood levels of cholesterol and fats, according to a major new analysis of all evidence from clinical trials published since 1982. Compared to people eating an omnivorous diet, those following a plant-based diet experienced an average reduction in total cholesterol levels of 7% from levels measured at the… read on > read on >
More Mpox Cases Reported as Health Officials Fear a Summer Resurgence
U.S. health officials are bracing for the possibility that mpox could surge again this summer as cases mount in several states. On Thursday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 21 more cases of mpox, with Illinois, New York and Maryland reporting the most new infections. Illinois had nine, while New York and… read on > read on >