After having a stroke, heart attack or cardiac arrest, people are less likely to be employed than their healthy peers, new research shows. Even if they are working, they may earn significantly less than people who haven’t had a stroke or heart event, the investigators found. Although the majority of people who have one of… read on >
New mothers who take opioid painkillers after either vaginal birth or cesarean section may be at increased risk of becoming persistent users, a new study finds. Researchers from Vanderbilt University in Nashville examined data from more than 102,000 new mothers in Tennessee. None had used opioids in the 180 days before delivery. After delivery, 89… read on >
Missing out on needed sleep can bring a host of health woes, including diabetes because a lack of sleep affects insulin levels. It also leaves you less alert and less able to focus. And get only four or five hours of sleep a night, and problems can develop even if your sleep loss is short-term.… read on >
“Dry January” is the self-improvement meme of the moment, with people around the world pledging to take a break from alcohol this month. “Basically, it’s a New Year’s resolution,” said Dr. Scott Krakower, assistant unit chief of psychiatry at Zucker Hillside Hospital, in Glen Oaks, N.Y. “You’ve been drinking during the holidays, and the idea… read on >
Moving from one community to another can be difficult for everyone in the family, especially if leaving friends and relatives behind. But the problems can be magnified for kids who have to switch middle or high schools. Studies show that, for high school students, moving just once in a 12-month period can cut in half… read on >
For many city-dwelling teens with asthma, their chronic lung disease may go undiagnosed and untreated, a new study finds. According to a survey of more than 33,000 New York City high school students, 20 percent reported having asthma-like symptoms, but were not diagnosed with the illness. The researchers also found that teenage girls and Asian-Americans… read on >
Don’t wait until you get sick to see a doctor — wellness visits for women can catch problems before they become serious, as well as make sure you’re taking all the right steps for good health. A well-woman checkup focuses on preventive care. It may include immunizations, screenings to check your blood pressure, cholesterol levels… read on >
There are few life events more unsettling than being in a hospital emergency room. In situations that threaten life or limb, you may not have any say in your care. But in some instances, there is time to evaluate your options. Leaders in the field of emergency medicine have been developing initiatives, such as checklists… read on >
A hysterectomy may be recommended for cases of uterine fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic support problems, abnormal uterine bleeding, chronic pelvic pain and gynecologic cancer, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says. Hysterectomies can be done vaginally, abdominally or laparoscopically. Vaginal hysterectomies tend to cause the fewest complications, the college says. The procedure does carry potential… read on >
Drivers should avoid talking on their cellphones while on the road, the U.S. National Safety Council warns. It’s a myth that the human brain can simultaneously handle both the many aspects of driving while chatting with a cellphone in one hand, the council says. The agency dispels these additional myths: Talking on a cell phone… read on >
