Many health care workers on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic are struggling with sleep, a new study finds. The researchers also found that those with insomnia were more likely to have depression, anxiety and stress-based trauma. The study included nearly 1,600 health care workers who completed an online questionnaire between January 29 and… read on >
All Lifestyle:
Cheap, Effective Ventilator Made From Ambulance ‘Resuscitation Bags’
With a sudden need for more ventilators due to the coronavirus pandemic, researchers have been busy trying to come up with alternatives to a standard ventilator. Engineers from Georgia Tech and Emory University in Atlanta think they may have developed such a device. They’ve created a simple, low-cost ventilator that builds on the widely used… read on >
Sheltering at Home? Take Steps to Prevent Injuries From Falls
As you shelter at home during the coronavirus pandemic, eliminate hazards inside that could lead to falls, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) suggests. Preventing injuries will help avoid putting added strain on a health care system struggling to treat COVID-19 patients, academy spokesman Dr. Todd Swenning said. One out of five falls causes… read on >
Handle DIY Cleaning Products With Care During Coronavirus Pandemic
If you’re one of the many people making your own cleaning products at home because you can’t find them in stores, you need to be sure what you make is safe and effective, an environmental medicine expert says. Do-it-yourself (DIY) cleaning products made from ingredients such as vinegar, essential oils and baking soda are safe,… read on >
Heart Patients Should Ask About Home-Based Cardiac Rehab
For those with heart problems, home-based rehab can take the place of hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation during the current coronavirus pandemic, heart experts say. “Home-based cardiac rehab is a solution to help provide cardiac rehabilitation to patients with heart disease in a home setting, and to help them survive and thrive during this challenging period of… read on >
Tweets Show Americans Are Following COVID-19 Precautions
An analysis of Twitter data suggests that Americans are heeding social distancing and other safety recommendations during the coronavirus pandemic, researchers say. Officials have told people to limit travel, stay home and distance themselves to slow the spread of the virus. “The question though is how effective are these policies? Once you tell people to… read on >
High-Fiber Diets May Lower Odds for Breast Cancer
Whether she gets it from fruits, beans, grains or vegetables, dietary fiber appears to at least slightly lower a woman’s risk for breast cancer, a comprehensive new review finds. The review covered data from 20 different trials involving millions of women. It found that high levels of total fiber consumption “was associated with an 8%… read on >
How to Connect With Nursing Home Patients in Quarantine
U.S. nursing homes, assisted living centers and other long-term care facilities have closed their doors to outsiders due to the coronavirus pandemic, making it difficult for residents and their families to stay connected. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) has some advice for making this difficult situation better. “Right now, families across the country cannot… read on >
Touching Your Face Is a Coronavirus Danger: Tips to Help You Stop
You’ve been told over and over not to touch your face during the coronavirus pandemic, but that’s easier said than done. Most people touch their face up to 23 times an hour and don’t even realize they’re doing it, a psychologist says. “Typically, we’ll do something like shaking someone’s hand and then failing to wash… read on >
More COVID-19 Tests Arrive, But Bottlenecks Persist
U.S. pathology labs are now awash in COVID-19 tests, with more than two dozen rapid tests on the market thanks to expedited approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, infectious disease experts say. Despite this, laboratories are still struggling with shortages that hamper their ability to get ahead of the ever-expanding pandemic. “Early in… read on >