Norman Mayer, 86, walks around with a computer chip in his chest and doesn’t think a thing about it. Doctors implanted a tiny heart monitor chip in Mayer’s chest after he suffered a mini-stroke in late 2015, to track his heartbeat and potentially detect an irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation (a-fib). “You don’t even… read on > read on >
All Lifestyle:
Not Ready for Post-Pandemic Mingling? Expert Offers Tips to Ease Anxiety
While some people may be ready and eager to reconnect with family and friends at social gatherings post-pandemic, it’s OK to feel apprehensive. As restrictions loosen because infection rates are plummeting and more people are getting vaccinated, many people are experiencing feelings that they didn’t expect — such as anxiety about returning to social situations,… read on > read on >
New Links Between Poor Sleep, Diabetes and Death
A combination of poor sleep and diabetes significantly increases a person’s risk of early death, a new study finds. The analysis of data from nearly 500,000 middle-aged adults in the United Kingdom showed that compared to other folks, the risk of death from any cause over nearly nine years was 87% higher among those with… read on > read on >
Many Heart Disease Patients Keep Smoking, Despite Knowing Risks
Smoking cigarettes or using other tobacco products increases heart risks, but that doesn’t stop some Americans with a history of heart problems, new research finds. Many continue to smoke after having a heart attack, heart failure or stroke even though they are aware of the risk. Nearly 30% of adults with a history of these… read on > read on >
Death Rates Are Rising Across Rural America
In rural America, more people die from chronic health conditions and substance abuse than in suburbs and cities, and the gap is widening. Researchers report in a new study that the difference in rural and urban death rates tripled over the past 20 years mostly due to deaths among middle-aged white men and women. “We… read on > read on >
Real-World Study Shows Power of Pfizer, Moderna Vaccines to Prevent COVID
A real-world study shows that even when folks who get the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines do have ‘breakthrough’ infections, those illnesses are mild. The study, from researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is among the first to show that people who get COVID-19 despite being fully or partially vaccinated are… read on > read on >
ADHD Meds May Help Keep Some Kids From Thoughts of Suicide
ADHD medications might help lessen the risk of suicide in children with serious behavioral issues, a new study suggests. Researchers found that medications like Ritalin and Adderall, commonly prescribed for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), were linked to a lower risk of suicidal behavior among 9- and 10-year-olds with substantial “externalizing” symptoms. That included children with high… read on > read on >
Think You Can Skip That Annual Physical? Think Again
Despite calls from some leading health experts to scrap annual physicals because they are a waste of time and money, a new study finds advantages to routine screenings. “While it is disappointing that I can’t tell my patients a visit with me or my colleagues will help them live longer, it is good to know… read on > read on >
Fibroid Pain, Bleeding Is Driving Thousands of Women to the ER
Far too many women are showing up in U.S. emergency rooms due to fibroids, according to a new study spanning 12 years. Fibroids are common noncancerous growths in the uterus. They don’t always cause symptoms, but those that do may result in heavy menstrual bleeding and severe abdominal pain. Fully tens of thousands of women… read on > read on >
Your Teen’s Smartphone Could Be Key to Unhealthy Weight
Your teens’ route to a healthy or unhealthy weight may be in their hands — literally. New research out of South Korea shows that teens who spend too much time on their smartphones are also more prone to eating habits that increase their odds for obesity. One nutritionist who helps treat obesity in the young… read on > read on >