Contrary to popular belief, heart surgery patients who leave the hospital on a weekend or holiday do not have a higher risk for readmission, a new study finds. Some studies have reported the readmission rate after major heart surgery is as high as 22 percent. Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles looked at… read on >
Women whose final stages of pregnancy occur during the short, dark days of winter may be at increased risk for postpartum depression, a new study suggests. It has to do with reduced exposure to sunlight — the same culprit that contributes to seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. That’s a type of depression that usually starts… read on >
The hormone prolactin — most commonly associated with breastfeeding — may play a role in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, a new study suggests. Researchers found that women with the highest levels of the hormone, though still in the normal range, had a 27 percent reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared… read on >
School is in full swing, and with it comes a plethora of colds passed back and forth among kids. But parents who want to alleviate a sick child’s misery would do best to avoid over-the-counter cough and cold remedies. Decongestants should not be given to children younger than 6 because there’s no evidence that they… read on >
Your Mom told you not to do it, and new research confirms that nose-picking isn’t healthy for you or those around you. In a study involving 40 adults, British researchers found that the bacteria behind potentially lethal pneumonia could be spread by picking and rubbing the nose. It was known that the pneumococcus bacteria that… read on >
With sales of electronic cigarettes skyrocketing, Americans remain divided on whether the devices are a boon or a threat to public health. That’s the main finding of a new HealthDay/Harris Poll that surveyed over 2,000 adults on their e-cigarette views. Vaping has long been promoted as a way to help smokers kick the habit —… read on >
If you’re overweight and thinking of starting a family, there’s compelling evidence that you should lose the excess pounds before you get pregnant. For starters, some health conditions associated with being overweight, like polycystic ovary syndrome (or PCOS), can make it harder for you to conceive. Once you get pregnant, being overweight increases your risk… read on >
A child who has trouble with handwriting may be at risk of developmental problems that could hinder the child’s ability to learn, the American Occupational Therapy Association says. An occupational therapist can evaluate the underlying components of a student’s handwriting, including muscle strength, endurance, coordination and motor control, the association says. A child’s handwriting may… read on >
There are four common myths about breast cancer that can affect prevention and treatment of the most common type of cancer in American women, an oncologist says. The first is believing you’re not at risk because no one in your family has cancer. “Less than 10 percent of breast cancers are linked to genetics or… read on >
Breast cancer screening is the most reliable way to detect the disease when it’s at an early stage and is most treatable, experts advise. “Today, there is greater awareness of the disease, and breast cancer is being detected earlier through screening,” said Dr. Kathryn Evers, senior radiologist and a professor of diagnostic imaging at Fox… read on >
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