Women with dark, coarse hair growth on the face, chest or back should be tested for polycystic ovary syndrome and other underlying health problems, a new Endocrine Society guideline says. Hirsutism — the growth of unwanted hair in places where men typically grow hair, such as the face or chest — affects between 5 and… read on >
Medical care costs in the United States can be so overwhelming that Americans fear the cost of treatment more than the illness itself, a new poll shows. “It’s shocking and unacceptable that medical bills strike more fear in the hearts of Americans than serious illness,” said Shelley Lyford. She is president and CEO of West… read on >
Even though they know it’s dangerous, many American drivers still talk on a cellphone or text while behind the wheel, a new survey finds. In fact, the number of drivers who say they talk regularly or fairly often on their cellphone while driving has actually risen 46 percent since 2013, the pollsters say. More than… read on >
Parents annoyed by the loud music that their teens listen to might have good reason to worry. About 20 percent of American kids aged 12 to 19 have some degree of hearing loss, a national survey found. And, according to the World Health Organization, 50 percent of people up to age 35 are at risk… read on >
Most people today simply aren’t as active as people were decades ago. You can blame technology for some of that. The conveniences of modern living have taken away many chances to burn calories. Homes, office buildings and even some public spaces have been modernized in ways that require people to be less physically active throughout… read on >
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s decision late last year to delay a review of electronic cigarettes and cigars is unlawful and a threat to public health, according to a lawsuit launched by seven medical and public health groups, as well as five individual pediatricians. According to the groups, the FDA’s decision to delay the… read on >
Dieters sometimes chalk up their lack of weight-loss success to a lack of willpower. The truth about willpower, though, is that everyone has some. Research has shown that you wake up each day with a limited supply that gets depleted very quickly. The more you use willpower to avoid temptation of any kind, the faster… read on >
There’s another study that finds that taking the epilepsy drug valproate while pregnant may take an intellectual toll on offspring. Children whose mothers took the anti-seizure medication during pregnancy appear to get lower scores on school tests, the new study finds. The U.K. researchers pointed to prior studies with similar results, and they recommend that… read on >
Pierced ears may be all the rage, but they can lead to infection if not properly cared for. The American Academy of Dermatology Association suggests how to reduce your risk: Always wash your hands after touching your ears. After you pierce your ears, leave the earrings in for at least six weeks to prevent the… read on >
MONDAY, March, 26, 2018Poverty may be fueling America’s opioid crisis, a new study suggests. Of the more than 515,000 Americans who have died from drug overdoses since 2006, most lived in poor areas where there were few job opportunities, researchers discovered. It turns out that economic and social conditions appear to be driving the geographic… read on >
