The Atlantic seaboard could be in for faster-forming and wetter hurricanes, new research warns. Climate change is the overarching cause, experts say. As parts of the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico recover from powerful hurricanes Ian and Fiona, scientists are trying to better understand the conditions that cause storms to intensify rapidly. “Our findings… read on > read on >
All Lifestyle:
Not Just for Glasses: Eye Exams Could Save Your Life
Eyes may be your window to good health. Patient Barbara Krupar, a 65-year-old Ohio retiree, learned this firsthand. Krupar made an appointment with her ophthalmologist after experiencing disturbing vision changes. Dr. Nicole Bajic detected possible early warning signs of a stroke. She advised Krupar to go to the emergency room immediately to have her head… read on > read on >
As Clinics Providing Abortions Closed in Iowa, STD Rates Started Rising
Even before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last summer, many states had already moved to limit abortion access by defunding family planning health centers. Unfortunately, these very same clinics offer a broad range of essential primary care services beyond abortion, including access to sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening and treatment. Now, a… read on > read on >
Too Few Young People Get Mental Health Follow-Up After ER Visit
When teens and young adults go to the emergency room or are hospitalized for critical mental health issues a staggering number are not receiving quick follow-up care, new U.S. research finds. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts looked at more than 100,000 ER visits of young people ages 12 to 27 who have private insurance.… read on > read on >
What’s Keeping Some Hispanic Americans From Getting the COVID Shot?
MONDAY, Oct. 17, 2022 (HealthDay News) – While a large number of Hispanic Americans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at this point, a new study suggests barriers may still stand in the way for those who might want to get shots. Researchers identified four key barriers to vaccination: access to… read on > read on >
Pregnancy May Have Women Cutting Back on Smoking Before They Know They’ve Conceived
Pregnancy can be a big motivator for women to stop smoking. Now a new study suggests that at least some pregnant smokers start cutting back even before they know they’ve conceived. The findings, researchers say, suggest there may be biological mechanisms during pregnancy that can blunt the desire for nicotine. If true, understanding those processes… read on > read on >
New Omicron Variants Gaining Foothold in U.S.
MONDAY, Oct. 17, 2022 (HealthDay News) – New, more contagious Omicron variants are starting to spread across the United States, new government data show. Luckily, they’re related to the Omicron variant BA.5, so recently updated booster shots should provide some protection against the new variants, known as BQ.1. and a descendant called BQ.1.1. Together, they… read on > read on >
Telehealth Boosts Odds That Patients Show Up for Post-Surgery Care
Telehealth became a common way for doctors to see patients during the early days of the pandemic. New research suggests that surgical patients offered virtual care are far more likely to keep appointments before and after their operation than those who rely on in-person visits. “Maintaining routine health care such as clinic visits helps prevent… read on > read on >
Even Without Symptoms, COVID Infection Raises Risks for Trauma Patients
Having COVID-19 could cause further trouble for patients being treated for physical trauma — even if they have no symptoms of the virus. Researchers studying cases of trauma patients who tested positive for COVID-19 and those who were negative found those with the virus had significantly higher rates of heart attack and cardiac arrest. They… read on > read on >
Most Docs Want Telehealth for Opioid Abuse Treatment to Stick Around
Many doctors who used telehealth to treat patients with opioid addiction because of the COVID-19 pandemic would like to make it a permanent part of their practice. A new study from Yale School of Public Health surveyed more than 1,100 physicians who treated opioid-use disorder patients via telehealth. Researchers found that 6 out of every… read on > read on >