Wash your hands. Don’t touch your face. Don’t grab that door handle. Put the toilet seat lid down before you flush. COVID-19 has prompted a mountain of advice about how to protect yourself against coronavirus infection, and now a trio of studies of infected patients offer very encouraging news on what works. The bad news… read on >
All Lifestyle:
An Allergist Offers His Expert Advice for a Sneeze-Free Spring
While many Americans are ready to celebrate the end of winter, those with seasonal allergies are already dreading the sneezing, wheezing, itchy eyes and runny nose that spring brings. “Spring allergies can be tricky to treat because not everyone is allergic to the same things, even though symptoms may look a lot alike,” said Dr.… read on >
Maria Shriver Sounds the Alarm on Women and Alzheimer’s
Why are two out of three people struck by Alzheimer’s disease women? That’s the question that drove journalist and author Maria Shriver to start the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement (WAM). The group is dedicated to raising awareness that women face a greater risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and aims to fund women-based research for Alzheimer’s disease. “Women’s… read on >
Skipping Sleep to Watch Sports is The Real March Madness
No matter whether your favorite team wins or loses, March Madness will likely put a slam dunk on your sleep habits. For many Americans, staying up late to watch NCAA basketball tournament games is a much-anticipated annual rite. But the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) warns that those late-night games can cause problems. “A… read on >
H1N1 Flu Outbreak of 2009 Helped Ready U.S. Hospitals for Coronavirus
As the new coronavirus spreads across the United States, leading health experts are noting that America has been here before — and past lessons are helping officials prepare for today’s crisis. Starting with the 2003 SARS epidemic and the avian influenza (“bird flu”) outbreak of 2005, many U.S. hospitals, nursing homes and other health facilities… read on >
Want to Help Keep Diabetes at Bay? Brush & Floss
There’s a new, unexpected reason to keep your pearly whites gleaming: avoiding diabetes. New research found that people who regularly brush their teeth three times a day reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes. The study also found that people who have dental disease or a lot of missing teeth have a higher risk of… read on >
Common Sense on Shielding Yourself From Coronavirus
As the new coronarvirus extends its reach, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family, experts say. “As with any respiratory virus, the main recommendations hold true with the novel coronavirus,” said Dr. Rachael Lee, a health care epidemiologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). “Wash your hands, cover… read on >
Harvard Spearheads International Effort to Understand, Fight New Coronavirus
A Harvard/China collaboration has entered the coronavirus COVID-19 fray, with researchers on both sides of the globe working to expand understanding of the potentially pandemic virus. The researchers will be working on vaccines to prevent infection and antivirals to treat the sick, but the effort is a more holistic approach designed to figure out the… read on >
Are Your Vaccinations Up to Date?
Vaccines protect you and your family against a number of diseases, so it’s crucial to keep them updated, health experts say. “It’s important to review your vaccination records with your health care provider,” said Libby Richards, associate professor of nursing at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. “Vaccinations aren’t just for kids. Adults need them,… read on >
Pick Summer Camps Carefully When Your Kid Has Allergies, Asthma
If you child has allergies or asthma, you need to take that into consideration when selecting a summer camp. “Parents and kids alike who are dealing with asthma or severe allergies need to know there’s a good fit and that the child’s medical needs are being met,” said Dr. J. Allen Meadows, president of the… read on >