Regular bedtimes and adequate sleep during childhood may contribute toward a healthy weight in the teen years, a new study finds. The study included nearly 2,200 kids in 20 U.S. cities. One-third of them had consistent, age-appropriate bedtimes between ages 5 and 9, according to their mothers. Compared to that group, those who had no… read on >
In the past two decades, opioid overdose death rates among U.S. kids and teens have tripled, a new study shows. Young children have either died from accidental ingestion of narcotics or from intentional poisoning. Meanwhile, teens have died from unintentional overdoses, using their parents’ prescription painkillers or narcotics bought on the street, said lead researcher… read on >
If you’re pregnant you already know the importance of eating a healthful diet and taking prenatal vitamins, including folic acid and possibly B12 and iron supplements. What not to do isn’t always clear, however. There’s no doubt about the hazards of smoking — to you and baby. But what about alcohol? While one drink during… read on >
While others are decking the halls, many people find the holidays trigger anxiety and depression. Stress can arise from financial strain, dealing with difficult relatives or trying to create the perfect holiday, said Michelle Martel, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Kentucky. Also, the holidays can bring up sad memories for people… read on >
The exhaustion of a new baby can have negative fitness consequences as you lose the motivation to exercise and feel there’s no time to get to the gym. But not exercising actually worsens fatigue, makes it harder to lose your baby weight, and increases the risk of chronic health problems down the road. Don’t fret,… read on >
Taking care of your health is one of the best gifts you can give yourself this holiday season, a medical expert suggests. “This festive time of year can be a lot of fun, but may also hurt our mental and physical health,” said Dr. Joseph Cooke, chairman of the department of medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens… read on >
The hangover is bad enough. But for binge-drinking young people, embarrassing social media posts can be another headache. College students often show signs of social media “addiction” and can suffer significant consequences, according to the authors of a new study. “During these times when young students are feeling disinhibited by alcohol, they may be even… read on >
Paronychia is an infection of the skin around a fingernail that can be red, inflamed and occasionally produce pus. Most cases can be treated at home, the Nemours Foundation says. The infection typically emerges after the skin surrounding a nail is injured and allows germs to penetrate. Biting or sucking nails, clipping nails too short… read on >
Growing pains occur as kids exercise more and their muscles try to keep up. Ironically, these pains aren’t directly caused by the process of growing, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. Generally, parents shouldn’t be too concerned, the academy advises. These muscle aches tend to occur at night as kids are sleeping or are trying… read on >
New research shows that marijuana causes genetic changes in sperm, though it’s not clear what effect those changes have, or if they’re passed on to a man’s children. But the scientists said their findings suggest that men trying to have children should consider avoiding marijuana. In experiments with rats and a study involving 24 men,… read on >
