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 >
Too few teens and young adults with an opioid addiction are tested for hepatitis C, even though they’re at high risk for the liver infection, researchers say. In 2016, hepatitis C killed more than 18,000 Americans, making it the most common cause of death from a reportable infectious disease, according to the U.S. Centers for… read on >
In 2016, almost 174 Americans died each day due to drug overdoses — and roughly two-thirds of those deaths were caused by opioid drugs. The statistics are startling and make the problem seem hopeless. But is it? Beating drug addiction — whether it’s opioids (such as OxyContin), methamphetamine or something else — is definitely a… read on >
If your child has seasonal allergies, you may be overwhelmed by the process of deciding on a treatment plan. The American Academy of Pediatrics says you should start with your child’s pediatrician. The doctor may refer you to a pediatric allergy specialist, or suggest a treatment plan during an office visit. The academy offers these… read on >
Tough pregnancies might translate into tough times during menopause, new research suggests. Women who developed complications during pregnancy — including dangerously high blood pressure (“preeclampsia”) and gestational diabetes — were more likely to experience more hot flashes during menopause, the researchers found. “This study further underscores the importance of pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes… read on >
TUESDAY, Oct. 2, 2018The number of Americans with diabetes who wind up in hospitals with serious infections, or who develop them while in the hospital, is on the rise. Between 2010 and 2015, the number of diabetics hospitalized for infections rose 52 percent (from 16 per 1,000 people to 24 per 1,000), according to researchers… read on >
