A rule requiring U.S. federal government employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 has been reinstated by a federal appeals court. The mandate was introduced in September but enforcement was halted in January by a preliminary injunction issued by a federal judge in Texas, The New York Times reported. On Thursday, the U.S. Court of Appeals… read on > read on >
All Lifestyle:
Medicare Will Only Cover Aduhelm for Alzheimer’s Patients in Clinical Trials
(HealthDay News) – Medicare announced Thursday that it will limit its coverage of the pricey new drug Aduhelm to Alzheimer’s patients enrolled in clinical trials of the drug. Approved amid controversy last year by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the latest decision was meant to protect patients while gathering more clinical data on whether… read on > read on >
Among Vaccinated, Omicron Symptoms Ease 2 Days Earlier Than With Delta
If you’re vaccinated and get COVID-19 anyway, which variant you have and whether you’ve been boosted make a difference. Symptoms last longer when breakthrough infections are caused by the Delta variant and not the more contagious Omicron variant, according to European researchers who are reporting other differences in how SARS-CoV-2 variants affect vaccinated patients. They… read on > read on >
Two-Thirds of U.S. Water Systems Contain Uranium
Two-thirds of U.S. community water systems have detectable levels of uranium, and the highest levels are in Hispanic communities, according to a new study. “Previous studies have found associations between chronic uranium exposure and increased risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, kidney damage and lung cancer at high levels of exposure,” said researcher Anne Nigra, assistant… read on > read on >
Heart Disease & Sleepless Nights Often Go Together
Insomnia is widespread in heart disease patients and significantly boosts the risk of heart attack, stroke or other major heart event, a new study says. The findings show the need to check for and treat sleep problems in heart disease patients, according to researchers. “Our study indicates that insomnia is common in heart disease patients… read on > read on >
Few People Get Infected Heart Devices Removed, Despite Benefit
When implanted heart devices get infected, doctors recommend surgery to remove them, but many patients ignore that advice, a new study reveals. More than eight in 10 patients with an infected implant (such as a defibrillator or pacemaker) choose antibiotic treatment instead, though it puts their life at risk. Having the devices removed carries a… read on > read on >
Could Viagra, Cialis Raise Men’s Odds for Eye Trouble?
Men, you may be thinking mostly about your performance in the bedroom when you take drugs like Viagra and Cialis, but you might want to be on the lookout for vision problems that can crop up once you start taking them. In a new study, taking erectile dysfunction medications regularly translated into a higher risk… read on > read on >
Is the CDC in Crisis? Former Agency Directors Debate Its Future
A handful of former directors of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say they support a sweeping review of the agency that’s been ordered up by CDC head Dr. Rochelle Walensky. Earlier this week, Walensky announced that she has asked outside experts to conduct a month-long review of the agency’s inner workings, as… read on > read on >
Experimental Pill May Fight Antibiotic-Resistant UTIs
Urinary tract infections are common and usually simple to treat. But for people who become sick enough to land in the hospital with one, an experimental antibiotic may soon offer a new treatment option — taken by mouth instead of delivered by IV. In a clinical trial, researchers found that the pill, called tebipenem HBr,… read on > read on >
FDA Advisors Weigh COVID Booster Shots for Fall
(HealthDay News) – Outlining a daunting timeline for development of any updated coronavirus vaccine for next fall, federal health officials told an expert advisory panel on Wednesday that clinical trials of potential candidates would have to begin by next month, and a final formula chosen by June, to meet that tight deadline. The assessment came… read on > read on >