Caring for a grandchild might be the best way to fight the isolation of old age, new research suggests. This conclusion is based on 2014 data collected as part of an ongoing German survey of older adults. Among the nearly 3,900 grandparents in the survey, more than 1,100 said they cared for a grandchild. Those…  read on >

Puppies in pet stores appear to have transmitted a dangerous, antibiotic-resistant germ that’s sickened 30 people across 13 states, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned on Tuesday. The infection in question is a multidrug-resistant form of Campylobacter jejuni, the agency said in a statement. So far, of 24 patients interviewed by the…  read on >

Treating hearing loss early can ward off problems with a child’s speech and language development, says the University of Rochester Medical Center. A health care team, including an audiologist, otolaryngologist and speech pathologist, can help your child. To manage your child’s hearing loss, the school mentions these potential options: Electronic or battery-operated hearing aids. Cochlear…  read on >

Three-quarters of U.S. teens who use e-cigarettes are vaping addictive or mind-altering substances — more than once suspected, according to a new study. The findings add to growing concerns about teen vaping. “We found that youth were more likely to report vaping nicotine and marijuana than ‘just flavoring’ only, and that cigarette smoking intensity was…  read on >

Figuring out whether your child is well enough to go to school can be difficult, says KidsHealth. It mentions these signs your child is too sick to go to school: If your child has a fever. If your child has nausea or vomiting. If your child has diarrhea. If your child loses appetite, is lethargic…  read on >

Keep the holidays happy, healthy and safe by following a few guidelines, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says. “With a thoughtful approach, families can avoid some of the holiday frenzy, and focus on what is meaningful to them,” said Dr. Benjamin Hoffman, chair of the AAP’s Council on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention. “We…  read on >

The ongoing debate about postmenopausal hormone therapy and breast cancer risk may have turned even more muddy: A large, new study suggests that two different types of hormone therapy have opposite effects on women’s long-term risk of the disease. The researchers found that combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) — with estrogen and progestin — increases…  read on >

A lot of people turn to caffeine to get an energy boost in the morning. But there are healthier ways to start the day, says Iowa State University. The school mentions six ways to wake up without coffee: Perform morning stretches, such as head and shoulder rolls. Have a healthy and balanced breakfast. Drink a…  read on >

Makeup is a daily staple for most women, but new research finds that 9 of 10 beauty products may harbor superbugs after they’re opened. Beauty blenders (sponges used to apply foundation or other products to the face), mascara and lip gloss get contaminated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as E. coli and staph because most aren’t…  read on >

Pediatricians are specially trained to treat children from birth through adolescence and into the patient’s young adult years, says the American Academy of Family Physicians. To find a qualified pediatrician for your child, the American Academy of Pediatrics and HealthChildren.org can supply names of board-certified physicians in your area. Local medical societies and hospitals can…  read on >