In the wake of yet another deadly school shooting in the United States, one health specialist offers advice on how to ease children’s fears about acts of terror and violence. Consider the child’s age and emotional maturity when weighing the right time to discuss such tragedies, recommends Dr. Hannah Chow, a pediatrician at Loyola University… read on >
All Mommy:
How to Spare Family and Coworkers Your Flu Misery
You’ve caught the flu, but you have to go to work and you can’t desert your family. What do you do? Believe it or not, one expert says there are ways to stem the spread of sickness — even if you can’t avoid being around other people. It sounds like a tall order during this… read on >
Kids Who Need Sickle Cell Meds Don’t Always Get Them
Less than a fifth of U.S. children with sickle cell anemia are getting the antibiotics that could save their lives, a new study finds. “Longstanding recommendations say children with sickle cell anemia should take antibiotics daily for their first five years of life,” the study’s lead author, Sarah Reeves, said in a news release from… read on >
Dad Can Pass on Ovarian Cancer Genes, Too
A gene mutation that’s passed down from a father is associated with earlier onset of ovarian cancer in daughters and prostate cancer in the father and his sons, a new study suggests. Previous research had shown that sisters of women with ovarian cancer have a higher risk for the disease than their mother, but the… read on >
Here’s to a Healthy Pregnancy
Take good prenatal care of yourself and not only will you have a healthier baby, you’ll also lower his or her risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity and heart disease later in life. First, you’ll want to monitor your weight while pregnant. A baby’s future diabetes risk, for example, is higher if mom is under-… read on >
Being a Single Dad Can Take a Big Toll on Health
Single dads have been played for laughs in countless TV sitcoms, from “The Andy Griffith Show” and “My Three Sons” up to modern takes such as “Arrested Development” and “Louie.” But in real life, being a single dad is tough — so much so that it can lead to an early grave, Canadian researchers report.… read on >
Shining a Deadly New Light on Airborne Flu Virus
As a particularly nasty flu season rages across the United States, scientists have found a powerful new disinfectant that makes “light” work of the virus. Researchers say a certain spectrum of ultraviolet light — called far-UVC — easily kills airborne flu viruses while posing no risk to people. It could offer a new, inexpensive way… read on >
Heart Defects May Raise Odds for Dementia
If you were born with a heart defect, you might have to worry more about developing dementia as you age, a new study suggests. Researchers analyzed the medical records of more than 10,600 people in Denmark born with a heart defect between 1890 and 1982. Compared with the general population, adults born with heart defects… read on >
Keeping in Touch With Your Kids in College
A variety of emotions can arise when kids go off to college and start on their adult life. Research done at the University of Kansas shows that being able to communicate through texting and other channels can help you feel more connected and have a more satisfying relationship with your grown kids. Gone are the… read on >
Health Tip: Prevent Exposure to Lead
Lead exposure has been linked to problems including reduced IQ, focus and academic performance. So every effort should be made to prevent lead exposure in the home, particularly among children. Lead-based paint was banned for use in American homes in 1978, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. But older homes may still… read on >