Even amid an epidemic of abuse, opioid painkillers are still commonly prescribed to teenagers and young adults for conditions like tooth and back pain, a new study finds. Researchers found that between 2005 and 2015, opioids were prescribed to teens and college-age adults at nearly 57 million visits to doctors’ offices and emergency departments in…  read on >

The risk of a pregnancy-related type of heart failure is five times higher for women who undergo fertility treatment than those who conceive naturally, a new study says. The condition is called peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). It affects about 1 in 1,000 pregnant women worldwide and is life-threatening to the mother and baby. This study included…  read on >

All-terrain vehicles (ATVS) are involved in an estimated 650 deaths and 100,000 accidents each year, says the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). To reduce your risk of injury, the CPSC suggests: Do not drive ATVs on paved roads. Do not drive ATVs with a passenger or ride as one. Always wear a helmet and…  read on >

Teaching children how to care for an animal can be an invaluable experience, says the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Taking care of pets can help children develop social skills and learn how to treat others nicely. However, certain guidelines must be followed. The AACAP offers advice to parents and guardians: Children under…  read on >

It’s a simple concept, but new research reinforces the idea: Teens with type 1 diabetes benefit when they feel their concerns have been heard. Teens with type 1 diabetes may experience anger, frustration and anxiety if they haven’t met their treatment goals. Their parents and health care providers may also feel frustrated and may blame…  read on >

With childhood obesity rates high, many studies have investigated lifestyle factors that can make a difference — which ones increase the risk and which ones reduce it. Beyond diet, a lack of sleep has been linked to weight gain both in adults and children, so it’s important that kids get enough shuteye, even with their…  read on >

Parents often fret when their teen drivers get behind the wheel, but parents of teens with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may now have added worries. A new study found that teens with ADHD are significantly more likely to get into a car crash than their peers. During the first month a teen with ADHD is driving,…  read on >

Just a few extra pounds during adolescence may translate into higher odds for heart disease in adulthood, a new study of young men suggests. It included about 1.7 million Swedish men who began military service at ages 18 or 19 between 1969 and 2005. They were followed for up to 46 years. During the follow-up,…  read on >

(HealthDay News) — Many American kids don’t don helmets when biking, skateboarding and riding scooters, a troubling new poll finds. Among more than 1,300 parents surveyed, 18% said their kids never wear helmets while biking, 58% said their kids don’t wear helmets while skateboarding, and 61% said their children don’t wear helmets when riding scooters,…  read on >

(HealthDay News) –Every year, thousands of people in the United States are injured or killed by guns, says KidsHealth. If you decide to keep a gun in your home, proper storage can help keep your family safe. If you have a gun at home, KidsHealth urges: Keep the gun unloaded and locked away. Lock the…  read on >