U.S. pharmacies are struggling to keep up with Americans’ demand for coronavirus vaccines and tests, and the pressure could intensify as antiviral pills to treat COVID-19 are approved by federal regulators. “There’s crazy increased demand on pharmacies right now,” Theresa Tolle, an independent pharmacist whose store in Sebastian, Fla., has seen COVID-19 vaccine demand quadruple… read on > read on >
Checking older adults’ resting heart rate could help identify those who are more likely to experience a decline in mental function, a Swedish study suggests. The researchers found that a high resting heart rate was associated with a greater risk of dementia. “We believe it would be valuable to explore if resting heart rate could… read on > read on >
New research offers fresh proof that the COVID-19 pandemic delayed cancer diagnoses in the United States, increasing patients’ risk for poor outcomes. For the study, researchers analyzed data from more than 9 million patients at over 1,200 Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities. Procedures to diagnose cancer were used less often and there were fewer new… read on > read on >
It happens very rarely, but most teens and young adults who do experience heart inflammation (myocarditis) after a COVID-19 shot have mild symptoms and recover quickly, new research shows. “Overwhelmingly, data continue to indicate that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination — 91% effective at preventing complications of severe COVID-19 infection including hospitalization and death —… read on > read on >
In nearly two-thirds of U.S. states, cancer patients weren’t put at the front of the line for COVID-19 vaccines in the initial phase of vaccination, a new study finds. Many cancer patients are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 as the disease or related treatments leaves them with weakened immune systems. Perhaps many cancer patients were skipped… read on > read on >
You might think de-cluttering would make it easier for people with dementia to do daily tasks. Not so, says a new study from the United Kingdom. “It is generally assumed that a person with dementia will be better able to carry out daily tasks when their home space is tidy and clutter-free,” said Eneida Mioshi,… read on > read on >
If you’re a patient with a weakened immune system, roll up your sleeves to stay safe over the holidays and winter months. “Immunocompromised patients absolutely should get a flu shot as well as an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose,” said Dr. Marwa Kaisey, a neuroimmunologist and assistant professor of neurology at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. “Otherwise,… read on > read on >
People who’ve already had COVID-19 have a higher risk of reinfection with the Omicron coronavirus variant than with earlier variants, new research shows. The South African scientists who reported the findings believe that vaccination will have the power to stop severe illness, however. Speaking at a World Health Organization briefing, study team member Anne von… read on > read on >
A boy or a girl? New research suggests that the air pregnant women breathe or the water they drink could play a role in their baby’s sex. The finding stems from tracking hundreds of factors — including pollution exposure — surrounding the birth of more than 6 million Americans and Swedes. “To my knowledge, this… read on > read on >
Five cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant have been detected in New York state, one in Minnesota and one in Hawaii, officials in those states announced Thursday. That brings the known total in the United States to nine, with California and Colorado previously announcing one case each. One of the New York cases is a… read on > read on >
