Being able to go online offers a wealth of knowledge, keeps you connected to loved ones and makes all sorts of transactions more convenient. But there’s a downside. In a nationwide survey by the Pew Research Center, more than three-quarters of respondents said they liked having access to a vast wealth of information, and two-thirds… read on >
All Lifestyle:
Social Media a Big Driver of Teen Vaping Craze: Study
Social media is helping spur the e-cigarette epidemic among America’s teens, a new study suggests. Nearly 15,000 Instagram posts related to Juul, the most popular e-cigarette brand, were released between March and May 2018, researchers found. More than half the posts focused on youth culture or lifestyle-related content that would appeal to teens, according to… read on >
Anti-Vaccine Movement a ‘Man-Made’ Health Crisis, Scientists Warn
The anti-vaccination movement is now a global crisis, an international panel of scientists say, and everyone must do more to combat it. “We are alarmed that the WHO [World Health Organization] this year declared vaccine hesitancy a top-10 international public health problem. This is a man-made, dangerous and wholly unnecessary crisis,” said Dr. Scott Ratzan.… read on >
Health Tip: IUD Fast Facts
An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small T-shaped device that is placed in the uterus by a doctor. The cervix keeps it in place and, once it is in, you typically cannot feel it. Depending on the type of IUD, it can work for 3 to 10 years, the U.S. Department of Health and Human… read on >
How Are You Feeling? Check Your Wristband
Remember the “mood ring” craze of the 1970s? A high-tech wristband is being developed along the same lines, potentially helping patients who struggle with mood disorders. The smart wristband would use a person’s skin to track their emotional intensity. During a mood swing, either high or low, the wristband would change color, heat up, squeeze… read on >
Where a Woman’s Fat Lies Hints at Future Heart Troubles
If you’re an older woman, your heart disease risk might be shaped by the shape of your body. Researchers report that if you look more like an apple than a pear, your chances of heart trouble are heightened, even if you are a normal weight. Interestingly, women who carried their weight in their legs had… read on >
Low Vitamin D at Birth Linked to Kids’ High Blood Pressure Risk
Infants and young children with vitamin D deficiency may have a heightened risk for elevated blood pressure later in childhood and in their teens, a new study finds. Researchers followed 775 children in Boston from birth to age 18. Most were from low-income families in urban neighborhoods. Compared to children born with normal vitamin D… read on >
Health Tip: Wear Sunglasses With UV Protection
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can damage your eyes, says Mayo Clinic. Sunglasses can help protect your eyes from UV-related problems, such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Mayo Clinic recommends looking for sunglasses that: Block 99 percent to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. Screen out 75 percent to 90 percent of visible… read on >
Eye Injuries From Fireworks in U.S. Have Nearly Doubled
As communities across America enjoy fireworks this July Fourth, folks should keep eye safety in mind. The number of eye injuries caused by fireworks nearly doubled from 2016 to 2017, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) is urging Americans to take proper safety precautions this holiday. Fireworks-related eye injuries rose from 700 in 2016… read on >
Sour Note: Marching Band Members at Risk When Temperatures Soar
A new study is sure to strike a chord with anyone who plays in a high school or college marching band. The researchers report that long, afternoon practices and playing on artificial turf put marching musicians at high risk of heat stroke. “People usually think of football players when they think of students struggling with… read on >