As millions of Americans prepare to travel abroad this summer and measles outbreaks increase worldwide, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has tightened its guidance on how travelers should handle the potential health threat. Americans planning to fly to other countries should consult their doctors at least six weeks before they leave, if… read on > read on >
All Lifestyle:
Waterborne Parasite That Can Kill Dogs Is Spreading to U.S. West
A parasite that can kill dogs has been found in a portion of the Colorado River that runs through Southern California. Heterobilharzia americana is a flatworm usually referred as liver fluke. It has never been reported this far west, according to scientists at UCRiverside, who are warning pet owners of the danger. The worm can… read on > read on >
Pooch Power: ‘Relax’ Brainwaves Begin When Folks Play With Dogs
Playing fetch or grooming Fido isn’t just good for your precious pooch — it also benefits your brain. Such interactions appear to strengthen brain waves associated with rest and relaxation, South Korean researchers report in the March 13 issue of the journal PLOS One. Their small study compared people’s mood or hormone levels before and… read on > read on >
There Are Multiple Child Asthma Triggers in Dirty Air
There’s a toxic stew of chemicals in polluted air that can all trigger asthma attacks in kids, new research shows. Also, where a child lives — for example, near factories or highways — greatly influences how much they’re exposed to these toxins, reports a team from Washington State University in Spokane. “It’s not just one… read on > read on >
What’s Your ‘Sleep Type’? Research Reveals 4 Key Patterns
Do you struggle to sleep during the week and play catch up on the weekend? Do you toss and turn all night long and start the day in a fog? Are you a napper? Or are you among the lucky folks who have no problem getting enough shuteye? Researchers at Penn State University report that… read on > read on >
Cyberattack Leaves Health Care Providers Reeling Weeks Later
Following a cyberattack on the largest health insurer in the United States last month, health care providers continue to scramble as insurance payments and prescription orders continue to be disrupted and physicians lose an estimated $100 million a day. That estimate was generated by First Health Advisory, a cybersecurity firm that specializes in the health… read on > read on >
Cosmetic Surgery Leaves 1 in 8 Patients With Chronic Post-Op Pain
Norwegians are increasingly asking surgeons for a nip, tuck or implant, and many — especially men — have pain that lingers long after their procedure, a new survey shows. Researchers asked 1,746 adults in Norway whether they had undergone cosmetic surgery and how it turned out. One in 10 said they had had a cosmetic… read on > read on >
ADHD Meds Cut Odds for Early Death, Especially by Overdose
People diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) show a marked decline in their two-year risk for death once they start taking medication, new research shows. That was particularly true for deaths due to accidents and drug overdose. People taking ADHD drugs also showed no higher risk of dying from natural causes — suggesting the meds… read on > read on >
Permissive Gun Laws Linked to Higher Suicide Rates
When states let gun owners carry a firearm openly without a permit, death rates soar. Significantly more people died by firearms and suicides in states that have relaxed open carry laws, a nine-year study of death data from all 50 states shows. “Our analysis suggests that because of the change in the law, which provides… read on > read on >
Shortage of Primary Care Doctors Could Bring Crowded ERs: Study
Americans living in areas where primary care doctors and nurse practitioners are in short supply face a greater risk for emergency surgeries and complications, new research shows. They’re also more likely to wind up back in the hospital after they’ve left it. That’s because serious health issues don’t get addressed until they become emergencies, said… read on > read on >