When a parent works full time, it can be difficult to balance responsibilities at work and at home. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests how to ease the pressure of feeling overworked: Try to relax during the day, even if for a few minutes of meditation, a short walk or a brief period of silence.… read on >
Having a four-legged friend around the house could make us happier, healthier and help us live longer. Research shows having a pet can lower blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides. A cat, dog or other pet can also combat feelings of loneliness and depression. But Fido and Fluffy also harbor germs that could make us sick,… read on >
Learning how to do a skin self-exam could save your life. “Skin cancer is one of the few cancers you can see with the naked eye,” said Dr. Ali Hendi, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. “Yet sadly, many people don’t know how to be their own… read on >
Are tablets, smartphones and laptops robbing Americans of shut-eye? Absolutely, said researchers who found that the unending entertainments and the light the devices emit are a powerful, slumber-killing combo. The finding comes from a small analysis of nine otherwise healthy adults in their 20s. Their sleep was tracked after five straight nights of unrestricted tablet… read on >
The deadliest form of black lung disease is on the rise among American coal miners, a new study finds. Increases in cases of progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) are occurring despite measures to control coal dust that were put into place decades ago. The finding stems from an analysis of U.S. Department of Labor data on… read on >
Endometriosis is a painful condition affecting many women, yet often years pass before it’s diagnosed. Tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus starts growing outside it, often affecting the ovaries, the bowel or tissue lining your pelvis. Cysts or scar tissue can form. Beyond intense physical pain, endometriosis can affect everything from your… read on >
Excessive weight gain is never a good idea for health. Now, new research supports the notion that putting on pounds raises cancer risks for middle-aged women. The study, which tracked more than 137,000 Norwegian women for 18 years, found that the odds of developing certain cancers rose as waistlines expanded. The take-home message: “maintaining stable… read on >
There’s preliminary research suggesting that abuse or neglect in childhood might have an effect on the quality of a man’s sperm. The study was small and can’t prove cause and effect. But researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston say it points to a way in which stress early in a man’s life… read on >
People with heart failure who are socially isolated are more likely to be hospitalized or die prematurely than those who feel connected to others, new research suggests. The study authors said screening heart failure patients to identify those who lack social support might help to improve outcomes. Previous studies have shown that social isolation may… read on >
When you fire up the grill for your Memorial Day cookout, beware: Those tantalizing aromas hold an underestimated health risk. Grilling meats at a high temperature can produce cancer-causing compounds called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). You can be exposed to significant PAH levels simply by breathing in the sweet scent of barbecue. A new study… read on >
