If you ask Dr. Molly Benedum whether there is a shortage of doctors in America, this is the story she will tell you: After joining the Appalachian Regional Health System’s family practice in North Carolina, she saw an immediate influx of patients — women in particular — that reflected both pent-up demand for primary care… read on >
(HealthDay News) — Are you scared and confused over the threat of coronavirus? You’re not alone: Every day, every hour, new media reports can have you worrying about worst-case scenarios. Experts say panic is a natural — if unhelpful — response to major crises like COVID-19. But there are ways to stay both informed and… read on >
With screening, colon cancers can effectively be detected and prevented. Though colon cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in the United States, one-third of Americans over age 50 are not getting screened. “Screening saves lives and can prevent colon cancer,” said Dr. Susanne Shokoohi, a gastroenterologist at Loyola Medicine in Maywood, Ill. More… read on >
As coronavirus continues to spread, pregnant women may be especially anxious. But a University of California, Los Angeles expert says there’s no reason to panic. While expectant mothers are at higher risk for developing complications from some respiratory viruses because they have a weakened immune system, they need not be overly concerned about coronavirus, according… read on >
A test that can detect the genetic “fingerprint” of prostate cancer in blood could improve diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of the disease, researchers say. The test checks for prostate cancer DNA in blood in order to provide the earliest evidence that prostate cancer is active. This could help doctors monitor tumor behavior, determine if cancer… read on >
Suicidal thoughts have haunted nearly one of every 10 pre-teens in the United States, a new study reveals. About 8.4% of children aged 9 or 10 said they’d temporarily or regularly harbored thoughts of suicide, researchers report. Importantly, only around 1% of children that age reported a suicide attempt or planning their suicide. But suicidal… read on >
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 >
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 >
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 >
