Exercise is a great way to preserve mental fitness and reduce stress and anxiety, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America says. Research has shown that physically active people have lower amounts of anxiety and depression than sedentary people, the group reports. It offers these suggestions to help get you started: Jog, walk, bike, or…  read on >

Many women living with advanced breast cancer face significant financial strains — from paying for their care to simply covering monthly bills, a new survey finds. Researchers found that of the more than 1,000 women they surveyed, nearly 70 percent said they were worried about the financial fallout related to their cancer. Many said they’d…  read on >

Polluted air may trigger as many as 33 million asthma-related emergency room visits globally each year, a new study finds. “Millions of people worldwide have to go to emergency rooms for asthma attacks every year because they are breathing dirty air,” said study lead author Susan Anenberg, of George Washington University in Washington, D.C. “Our…  read on >

There’s a good chance a dose of tiny plastic particles has taken up residence in your gut, a new, small study argues. Microplastics, as they are called, were found in stool samples from a handful of volunteers located across Europe and Asia, researchers report. Every single person out of the group of 8 had microplastics…  read on >

With flu season imminent, U.S. health officials urge everyone 6 months and older to get a flu shot. Already, one unvaccinated child in Florida has died from flu, the officials warned. Not many cases have been reported so far, so it’s too soon to know if this year’s strains will be as severe as last…  read on >

After a heart attack, your risk for a stroke is elevated longer than previously believed, preliminary results of a new study suggest. “A heart attack is a risk factor for stroke for at least three months,” said researcher Dr. Alexander Merkler, an assistant professor of neurology at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City.…  read on >

In some bad news for chocolate Labrador Retriever lovers everywhere, new research shows that they have shorter life spans than their black and yellow cousins. Not only that, but they also have higher rates of skin disease and ear infections. For the study, researchers analyzed data from more than 33,000 Labradors in the United Kingdom.…  read on >

With the national shortage of primary care doctors and — in certain areas — specialists, and with a quarter of the population living in rural areas without easy access to care, telehealth has stepped in to help fill the gap. In fact, millions of Americans now use it every year. Telehealth involves virtual office visits.…  read on >

Fleas thrive in hot and humid temperatures. So depending on where you live, fleas can be a year-round problem or a seasonal worry. Adult fleas are no bigger than a sesame seed, making them difficult to spot. And they can easily jump from one pet to another, or even to a person. The American Veterinary…  read on >