While some gamble socially and others do it for a living, it’s a serious addiction for those who have an uncontrollable urge to keep going at the risk of losing everything. “In our brain, the centers involved with gambling addiction are the same centers involved with substance addiction,” said Dr. Asim Shah, professor and executive… read on > read on >
All Lifestyle:
CBD for Anxiety: Can It Help?
Anxiety disorder can make it hard to navigate life, but lately CBD has been touted as a natural treatment for the nerve-wracking condition. You can buy CBD almost anywhere — gas stations, spas, farmers markets and grocery stores. It comes in many forms — from gummies to tablets to tinctures to lozenges and patches. But… read on > read on >
The Most Common Anxiety Medications, Explained
Endless worry, irritability and insomnia are all symptoms of a possible anxiety disorder. Luckily, there are numerous anxiety medications that can help ease the condition. Joy Alonzo, a specialist in the pharmacotherapy of mental disorders at Texas A&M’s College of Pharmacy, said recently, “If you understand the different types of medication, then you can become… read on > read on >
Parts of Intestinal Scope Devices Can Break Off Inside Patients
A medical device used to diagnose and treat pancreatic and bile duct disease is getting attention from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after pieces have fallen off and remained in patients’ bodies. Previously, the FDA had expressed concern about duodenoscopes because they can be difficult to clean and may spread bacteria such as E.… read on > read on >
E. Coli From Meat May Be Causing Many UTIs
E. coli bacteria are an infamous cause of food poisoning, but a new study suggests those same microbes lurking in meat may be behind nearly half a million cases of urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTIs are very common, affecting more than half of all women at least once in their lives. And the vast majority… read on > read on >
Losing a Spouse May Be More Lethal for Men
While losing a spouse can shorten anyone’s life, new Danish research suggests widowers may be far more vulnerable than widows. After six years spent tracking health outcomes among nearly 925,000 Danish seniors, investigators determined that when a man between the ages of 65 and 69 loses his wife he is 70% more likely to die… read on > read on >
COVID Pandemic Got More Americans Worried About Being Obese: Survey
Lots of folks gained their COVID weight during the housebound months of the pandemic, and now those extra pounds are weighing heavy on many, a new survey shows. Nearly a third (29%) of just over 1,700 adults surveyed in December 2021 said COVID-19 made them more worried than ever about being obese, according to findings… read on > read on >
Kids With Autism Face Higher Odds of Vision Issues, But Many Don’t Get Screened
Children with autism are less likely than their peers to receive important vision screening despite a high risk for serious eye disorders, researchers report. Only about 36% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) completed vision screenings during their health checkups, a new study found. That was far fewer than the 59% rate for children… read on > read on >
Warming Climate Could Bring Flesh-Eating Bacteria to More U.S. Waters
Global warming is fostering the spread of a deadly flesh-eating bacteria along the northeastern coast of the United States, researchers report. Vibrio vulnificus bacteria grow in warm shallow coastal waters and can infect a person via a cut or insect bite during contact with seawater. The bacteria is found as far north as Philadelphia and… read on > read on >
Too Much Social Media Could Raise Risk for Eating Disorders
Curated images of perfect bodies — often highly filtered and unrealistic — are common on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. And a broad new review of 50 recent studies across 17 countries finds that relentless online exposure to largely unattainable physical ideals may be driving up the risk for eating disorders, particularly among young girls.… read on > read on >