Methamphetamine and opioid use has soared among pregnant American women, putting the health of baby and mother at risk, a new study finds. While addiction among pregnant women has dramatically increased across the country, it disproportionally affects women living in rural America, where access to addiction treatment and prenatal care is limited, the researchers added.… read on >
All Mommy:
Health Tip: Safe Tips For Antibiotic Use
Antibiotics are frequently prescribed to fight bacterial infections. But if used improperly, the bacteria they are meant to kill can become resistant. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these guidelines for safe antibiotic use: Use the medicine exactly as directed. Make sure the recipient takes the entire course of antibiotics, even if the person is… read on >
For Some Women, Mammograms May Need to Begin at 30: Study
Women at increased risk for breast cancer should start receiving mammograms earlier than recommended, even as young as age 30, a new study contends. Young women who have dense breasts or a family history of breast cancer appear to benefit from regular mammograms as much as women in their 40s do, researchers reported. The findings… read on >
What’s Best for Babies With Recurring Ear Infections
Infant ear infections can be a source of frustration for parents and babies alike. But there are steps to lessen them and, when they do occur, “less is more” is a better way to treat them. A typical infection can begin with bacterial growth. Inflammation can lead to fluid buildup behind the eardrum. The eustachian… read on >
It’s Safe to Eat Romaine Lettuce Again, But Check Labels: FDA
Caesar salad fans, rest easy: It’s safe to eat romaine lettuce again. Just be sure to check the label, to avoid any chance of E. coli, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration now says. In a statement released late Monday, FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb announced that the agency was lifting its advisory against eating… read on >
Health Surrogates Often in Dark About Loved One’s Wishes
Few people entrusted with making difficult health care decisions for older loved ones actually know what the patient would want, a new study contends. “Advance care planning cannot focus on the patient alone. The health care agent has to be brought into the conversation,” said study leader Dr. Terri Fried, a professor of medicine at… read on >
U.S. Autism Rate Rises to 1 in 40 Children: Report
A new government study finds that roughly 1 in 40 American children has autism, a huge jump from the previous estimate of 1 in every 59 children. The survey asked parents of more than 43,000 children between the ages of 3 and 17 whether or not their children had ever been diagnosed with autism or… read on >
Obesity Boosts Childhood Asthma Risk by 30 Percent
The wheezy lung disease asthma is yet one more problem linked to excess weight in childhood, a new study suggests. The research contends that as many as 10 percent of pediatric asthma cases in the United States could be avoided if childhood obesity were eliminated. “There are very few preventable risk factors for asthma —… read on >
When You Go From a Family of 3 to a Family of 4
Wondering if having a second child will affect your marriage even more than baby number one did? There’s no doubt that having a baby and changing from a couple into a family requires a lot of adjustment. But research shows that the adjustment period that follows a second child typically isn’t as long. For most… read on >
Early Language Skills Tied to Higher IQ Decades Later
How quickly children pick up language skills may help predict their IQ in middle age, a new Danish study suggests. The researchers found a significant association between IQ test results at age 50 and the speed at which participants achieved a number of developmental milestones in childhood. “Most studies of the relationship between the speed… read on >