A mother-to-be’s exposure to air pollution during pregnancy may have a lasting impact on her baby’s brain development, new research indicates. Toddlers scored lower on assessments for thinking, motor and language skills when their mothers had more exposure to pollutants during pregnancy, according to researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder. “Our findings suggest that… read on > read on >
All Mommy:
Preeclampsia in Pregnancy a Bad Sign for Women’s Future Heart Health
A new study finds troubling information about a link between the pregnancy complication preeclampsia and future heart attack, even in younger women. Danish researchers found a fourfold higher risk of heart attack and stroke within just seven years after delivery. Risks continued to be elevated more than 20 years later, according to findings published Jan.… read on > read on >
Could Bad Sleep in Teen Years Raise Risks for MS?
Teens who regularly fail to get a good night’s sleep may face a higher risk for developing multiple sclerosis (MS) as adults, new research suggests. “We found that sleeping too little or experiencing poor sleep quality [as a teen] increased the risk of later developing MS by up to 50%,” said study author Dr. Anna… read on > read on >
As Opioid Deaths Rise Among Teens, Too Few Youth Get Anti-Addiction Drug
The number of American teenagers becoming addicted to opioids is on the rise, yet fewer are being prescribed a medication that can help them, a new government study finds. Between 2015 and 2020, the proportion of teens receiving buprenorphine prescriptions fell by 45%. Buprenorphine is one of three medications approved to treat opioid addiction. The… read on > read on >
Treating Menopausal Symptoms: An Expert Describes Pros, Cons
For women experiencing menopause symptoms with no sign of relief in sight, it doesn’t have to be this way. An expert in women’s health offers some suggestions for helping control symptoms during this time of life when menstrual cycles end. “We sometimes hear the question, ‘Do I need to treat hot flashes or night sweats?’… read on > read on >
Why Midlife Can Bring Risk of New Eating Disorders
Most people think of eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia as afflictions of teenagers, but a new study finds that older women are also vulnerable to developing them, especially around menopause. The main driver of eating disorders in older women? Body dissatisfaction, the researchers found. When researchers looked at eating disorder symptoms among 36… read on > read on >
Home Drug Infusions Can Be Dangerous, But Many Home Care Staff Aren’t Trained
Intravenous (IV) lines are generally associated with medical centers — picture a patient in a hospital bed, an IV drip-dropping needed fluids, nutrients and medicines into their arm. But millions now are receiving IV treatments at home, and a new study warns that not enough people are being properly trained to watch out for potentially… read on > read on >
Is Rest Really Best After a Child Has a Concussion?
When kids suffer a concussion, an extended period of rest at home is always the best course, right? Perhaps not. In fact, a new study suggests that — despite what many people may presume — getting kids back to school quickly is the best way to boost their chance for a rapid recovery and better… read on > read on >
Omicron Silver Lining: Fewer, Milder Cases of MIS-C in Kids
The COVID-19 Omicron variant caused fewer cases of a rare but sometimes deadly complication for children than the earlier Delta variant did, new research shows. “Our study is one of the first to show that during the change to Omicron, MIS-C has become milder and increasingly rare,” said senior researcher Dr. Mark Hicar, a University… read on > read on >
A Probiotic May Equal Antibiotics in Fighting Staph Infection
A probiotic supplement appears to clear the body of a type of bacteria that can cause serious antibiotic-resistant infections, a new study finds. More research is needed, but experts said the work could lead to a way to prevent infections with the bacteria, called Staphylococcus aureus. S. aureus usually causes skin infections, but can also… read on > read on >