Having health insurance is essential, especially for catastrophic situations. But it’s important to choose a plan carefully because your costs can go well beyond the monthly premium. Knowing key terms will help you calculate potential expenses more accurately. First is your deductible, the dollar amount you’ll pay before insurance covers anything other than preventive services.… read on >
Major volcanic eruptions like the one going on in Hawaii are rare, but they can lead to serious health concerns. Volcanos produce gases mixed with water and tiny particles that form a type of pollution called vog. It can irritate the eyes and trigger heart attacks and respiratory problems such as asthma and wheezing. Active… read on >
Which sunscreen is right for you? There may be no easy answer unless you understand sunscreen lingo, the American Academy of Dermatology says. A recent study in JAMA Dermatology found that fewer than half of people asked at a dermatology clinic understood the meaning of “broad spectrum” or “SPF.” The academy offers this primer about… read on >
Humidity doesn’t hinder the ability of flu viruses to infect people, claims a new study that challenges a long-held belief that the viruses become less active in moist conditions. The researchers found that mucus and other airway secretions expelled during coughs or sneezes protect flu viruses when they’re airborne, regardless of humidity levels. The findings… read on >
One in four U.S. high school seniors would try marijuana or use it more often if it was legal, a new survey finds. That rate — the highest in the 43-year history of the Monitoring the Future survey — likely reflects growing pot legalization in the United States, researchers said. Broken down, about 15 percent… read on >
If you’re a man and you suffer from heart disease or diabetes, stress at work may shorten your life, a new study finds. The researchers said a demanding job in which you have little or no control over your work environment is a formula that can increase the risk of dying early whether you suffer… read on >
It’s your worst nightmare: As doctors race to save your life while performing CPR, you’re actually awake and conscious of what they are doing. A new report shows it happened for one man for up to 90 minutes, and the finding suggests that sedation during CPR should be contemplated. “At this time, we in the… read on >
Many migraine sufferers skip recommended behavioral treatments, such as stress management and talk therapy, a new study finds. Lack of time, cost and skepticism are among the reasons why, said Dr. Mia Minen, director of research for NYU Langone’s headache division in New York City. Previous studies have shown that treatments such as cognitive behavioral… read on >
Child sexual abuse in the United States exacts an enormous economic toll, researchers report. Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health calculated that in 2015 alone, the costs associated with the aftermath of abuse exceeded $9 billion. That figure included costs associated with health care, child welfare, special education, violence and crime,… read on >
An annual flu shot is key for children with asthma, a new study shows. “We now know that if these kids get the flu, the risks are very high that emergency treatment for an asthma attack will fail,” said study co-author and pediatrician Dr. Francine Ducharme. “Instead of having an 18 percent risk of treatment… read on >
