Even low levels of air pollution can pose a threat to the lungs of cigarette smokers, researchers say. They tested 29 nonsmokers, 71 smokers without lung disease, and 58 smokers with the lung condition chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study found that the lungs of both groups of smokers could be harmed by levels… read on >
Playtime is important to any child, especially one that is under pressure and stressed, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. Playtime is a brain-building activity that’s a healthy and necessary part of childhood development, the academy adds. The group offers this advice to parents, doctors and educators: Doctors should encourage playful learning by writing a… read on >
All children 6 months of age and older should have a flu shot, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says. A flu shot significantly reduces a child’s risk of severe illness and flu-related death, according to the policy statement published online Sept. 3 in the journal Pediatrics. “The flu virus is common — and unpredictable.… read on >
Homelessness threatens young children’s health, even if it occurs while they’re still in the womb, a new study shows. “These findings back up what we already knew about how the stress of homelessness affects children’s heath, but this helps us determine which children are at greatest risk, and makes the argument that policymakers and providers… read on >
Not being able to attend face-to-face meetings doesn’t mean you can’t get the benefits of joining an organized diet group. All you need is an internet connection. Online diet programs let you sign in for information and motivation at any hour of the day or night. Participating in a web-based weight-loss program can be helpful… read on >
Pet medication should be safely stored to prevent your pet from accidental overdose, and other medical problems such as vomiting, diarrhea and pancreatitis, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. The FDA suggests how to keep your pet healthier: Keep pet medication in the original containers with labels. Keep pet medication in a secure location.… read on >
HealthDay News) — Schools often have classroom pets, such as hamsters, fish or frogs. Caring for those animals can be a great learning experience for kids. But exposure to animals does have some risk, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Young children are still developing an immune system, so they are more likely… read on >
Women need to know the symptoms of ovarian cancer and see a doctor if they have them, an ob-gyn expert says. Ovarian cancer is the fifth-leading cause of death in American women, claiming more lives than any other cancer of the female reproductive system, according to the American Cancer Society. About 22,240 women in the… read on >
If you’re happy and you know it, so will a goat. New research suggests that goats can read people’s facial expressions and prefer those who appear happy. The study included 20 goats that were shown pairs of images of the same person’s face with happy or angry expressions. The goats were more likely to interact… read on >
Exposure to toxic metals such as arsenic, lead, copper and cadmium is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and heart disease, researchers report. Their analysis of 37 studies that included nearly 350,000 people linked arsenic exposure to a 23 percent increased risk of coronary heart disease and a 30 percent increased risk of cardiovascular… read on >
