Excess drinking on New Year’s Eve can lead to a painful morning after, with no sure-fire cure available. But helpful strategies for treating a hangover do exist. Hangover symptoms — headache, nausea and dizziness — occur when the body withdraws from alcohol and a chemical called acetaldehyde is produced, Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency physician…  read on >

If you live in a cold climate, you should keep a complete emergency kit in your car. The National Weather Service suggests including: A mobile phone, charger and batteries. Blankets. A flashlight with extra batteries. A first-aid kit. A knife. High-calorie, non-perishable foods. Extra clothing to keep dry. A large empty can to use as…  read on >

When the weather gets colder and the winds gustier, it’s time to winterize your home. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests: Install weather stripping, insulation and storm windows. Insulate water lines that run along exterior walls. Clean out gutters and repair roof leaks. Have heating systems inspected by a professional. Inspect and…  read on >

Buying new clothes for an upcoming holiday trip may top your to-do list, but packing the right medications can mean addressing health needs with ease rather than scrambling to find an all-night drugstore in a strange city. Prescription medications are the top priority, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Bring enough…  read on >

Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, resist taking a vacation from the smart eating strategies you follow at home. Start off on the right foot at the airport by bringing a small baggie of your own homemade trail mix with a few different kinds of nuts and dried fruits. Buy a salad or sandwich…  read on >

When families travel during the holidays, they must contend with crowds, traffic and unfamiliar surroundings. But children’s safety should always come first, a leading pediatricians’ group says. When taking a train or airplane, it may seem inconvenient to have to worry about car safety seats. But the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents…  read on >

Many people insist their joints ache more when it rains. But that popular notion might be all wet, a new study suggests. The study of more than 1.5 million older Americans found that people were no more likely to visit the doctor with joint or back pain during rainy weeks than sunny ones. Even among…  read on >

A full moon may spell extra danger for motorcyclists, a new study suggests. Momentary distractions are a common cause of crashes. Because a full moon can be a major distraction and occurs about 12 times a year, researchers decided to investigate whether full moons might be linked to more motorcyclists’ deaths. “Glancing at the full…  read on >

Buying new clothes for an upcoming holiday trip may top your to-do list, but packing the right medications can mean addressing health needs with ease rather than scrambling to find an all-night drugstore in a strange city. Prescription medications are the top priority, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Bring enough…  read on >

Hypothermia — abnormally low body temperature — is an ever-present danger during winter. It occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can be produced. The U.S. National Weather Service says warning signs of the dangerous condition include: Confusion. Shivering. Difficulty speaking. Fatigue. Stiff muscles. Source: HealthDay