In hospitals around the world, noise complaints are booming. But some medical centers are trying to stem the ’round-the-clock’ racket. Medical equipment, air circulation machinery, announcements and staff pages create a cacophony of sounds 24/7 that can stress patients, staff and visitors alike, said Ilene Busch-Vishniac, a consultant on noise control. Besides sleep disruptions, high… read on >
Good nail care is important, but it’s possible to overdo it. For instance, it turns out that too much clipping can actually be harmful. Trimming nails every day can create stress across the entire nail. Over time, it can change nail shape and even lead to conditions like ingrown toe nails. It’s fine to trim… read on >
Everyone knows that smoking is dangerous, increasing the risk of heart disease, cancer, lung disease and stroke. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, it may cause many other health problems among women: Decreased bone density in post-menopausal women. Rheumatoid arthritis. Cataracts. Gum disease. Ulcers. Complications after surgery. Depression. Menstrual problems, including an irregular… read on >
Spanking your child may have unintended consequences as he or she forges adult romantic relationships years later, a new study suggests. The study found that spanked kids tended to have higher odds of being violent toward their dating partners, researchers said. “While we can’t say that spanking causes later violence, it follows that if a… read on >
Pairing medication with an ingestible sensor can help clinicians track how often and when patients actually take their prescription drugs, according to a small new investigational study. The findings come on the heels of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s decision last month to approve the first digital pill for use with the antipsychotic drug… read on >
Older adults commonly suffer damage to heart cells during various types of surgery — even non-heart-related surgeries — and it can significantly raise their risk of dying from the procedure, a new study finds. The research looked at a phenomenon called perioperative myocardial injury, or PMI. It refers to subtler heart damage that can happen… read on >
From the hills of Hollywood to the halls of Congress, it’s now clear that sexual harassment in the workplace has long been a fact of life for working women. But while the media highlights high-profile firings — NBC anchor Matt Lauer and NPR showman Garrison Keillor among the latest — little attention has been given… read on >
What makes a poem touch your heart? New research suggests that poetry that triggers vivid mental images and positive emotions tends to be the most enjoyed. For the study, researchers had more than 400 people read and rate two types of poems — haikus and sonnets. “People disagree on what they like, of course,” said… read on >
Add one more reason to why you should brush and floss regularly: Gum disease bacteria are now tied to higher odds of esophageal cancer. The study tracked the oral health of 122,000 Americans for 10 years. It found that the presence of two types of bacteria linked with gum disease may hike the risk of… read on >
A little knowledge can go a long way in the fight against cervical cancer. In fact, the more women know about the disease, the greater their chances of being able to prevent it, say cancer experts from the City of Hope, a cancer treatment and research center in California. Death rates from cervical cancer have… read on >
