Political change may be a source of stress and anxiety, research from the American Psychological Association confirms. About 2 in 3 Americans say concern about the future of their country is a cause of significant stress. Moreover, 57 percent of Americans say they are stressed by the political environment. The association suggests these strategies to… read on >
Frolicking in the sea may torpedo your health, new research suggests. It found a twofold increased risk for general ear problems, a 77 percent increased risk for earaches and a 29 percent increased risk for diarrhea and other gastrointestinal illnesses among people who swam in the sea. The findings came from an analysis of 19… read on >
With spring allergy season just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about how to deal with your symptoms, experts say. “Bottom line, very few people suffer from the same allergies or symptoms,” Dr. Bradley Chipps, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), said in a news release from the… read on >
Thinking about a vasectomy? Now — as March Madness begins — might be just the time for the procedure. The NCAA basketball tournament and other major “sporting events are a popular time for men to schedule a vasectomy because we advise them to take it easy for two to three days after the procedure,” Dr.… read on >
Children aren’t the only ones who need protection against a host of dangerous germs, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Vaccines that you receive as a child may wear off over time, the agency says. The list of vaccinations that you’ll need as an adult will vary, based on your age, lifestyle,… read on >
About 500,000 men have a vasectomy each year in the United States, preventing sperm from reaching the semen during ejaculation. While the operation is safe and highly effective in preventing pregnancy, it has its risks, the U.S. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development says. The agency says any general discomfort, bruising and swelling… read on >
You can add hearing loss to the many health risks of smoking, new research suggests. For the study, researchers analyzed eight years of health data on more than 50,000 people in Japan. After accounting for work-related noise exposure and other hearing loss risk factors, the investigators found that smokers were 1.2 to 1.6 times more… read on >
Anxiety is a normal response to stress, but if it becomes overwhelming and difficult to conduct your daily routine, it may be time to seek help. Anxiety disorders affect nearly 1 in 5 people in the United States, the Office on Women’s Health says. Women are twice as likely as men to develop the problem.… read on >
A large study has confirmed what many public health experts have long believed: Colonoscopy saves lives. The study looked at roughly 25,000 patients in the Veterans Affairs (VA) health system, where colonoscopy is widely used. The VA views it as the main screening test for patients aged 50 and older who have average odds for… read on >
People who’ve had a heart attack are more likely to be prescribed and take recommended blood-thinning drugs if they get vouchers to waive their co-payments, a new study shows. The finding comes from a study of 11,000 people treated for heart attack at 300 U.S. hospitals. All of the patients had health insurance: 64 percent… read on >
