More than 15 million homes in the United States get their water from private wells, according to federal estimates. While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulates public drinking water, people with private wells need to check their water themselves, along with other maintenance steps. This is especially important if you’re thinking about having a baby.… read on >
Teens and adults with epilepsy are at increased risk for depression and should undergo regular screening, two new studies say. In one study, researchers evaluated nearly 400 teens, ages 15 to 18, with epilepsy. They found that 8 percent had moderate or severe depression and another 5 percent had attempted suicide or thought about it.… read on >
Teens with behavioral problems are more likely than others to use marijuana — but the drug itself doesn’t increase conduct problems, a new study indicates. The findings suggest that a “cascading chain of events” predict marijuana use problems as teens become young adults, according to the University of Pennsylvania researchers. “Cannabis use in and of… read on >
Emotional abuse may add to the woes of menopause, a new study suggests. Researchers found that women who are emotionally tormented by a spouse or partner may suffer from more night sweats, painful sex and hot flashes when their periods stop. “The data show that experience of domestic violence and emotional abuse, sexual assault and… read on >
There’s a good chance that some cases of the mysterious polio-like illness seen recently in U.S. children may have been misdiagnosed, a new study reports. Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), which causes potentially life-threatening paralysis and primarily strikes children, has been recurring in the United States in every-other-year waves since 2014. But it’s likely some kids… read on >
When unborn babies kick in the womb, they may be developing awareness of their bodies, British researchers say. “Spontaneous movement and consequent feedback from the environment during the early developmental period are known to be necessary for proper brain mapping in animals such as rats. Here we showed that this may be true in humans,… read on >
Women who live a healthy lifestyle during the transition to menopause may help keep their blood vessels healthy as they age, a new study suggests. Compared with women who had the least healthy lifestyle, those who led the healthiest lifestyle had less thickening and buildup of fatty plaque in their arteries, researchers found. “Midlife is… read on >
Regular eye checkups are important, especially for children, the American Optometric Association says. The newborn checkup at the hospital isn’t enough, the group warns. By age 6 months, the association recommends that all children have a thorough eye exam. If your child has a healthy prognosis from the eye exam, the AOA says the child… read on >
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 >
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 >
