Could clues to future health emergencies be found in Facebook posts? Maybe so, according to a new study that discovered there are changes in users’ posts before they seek emergency care. For the study, researchers analyzed the Facebook posts and medical records of more than 2,900 patients at a U.S. urban hospital, including 419 who’d…  read on >

Taller and thinner girls are more likely to develop the often painful condition known as endometriosis, according to the results of a six-decade study. The findings could lead to earlier detection and treatment of the common gynecological disease, the researchers said. In endometriosis, tissue that looks and acts like the lining of the uterus grows…  read on >

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 >

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 >

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 >

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 >

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 >

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 >