Quitting smoking after a cancer diagnosis can deliver a big payoff for another major health concern: the risk of heart attack or stroke. Cancer patients who kept smoking had a nearly doubled risk of either of those emergencies, as well as death from cardiovascular disease, new research showed. “A cancer diagnosis is an extremely stressful… read on > read on >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
