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

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), common in the winter months, is a type of depression triggered by decreased exposure to daylight. Symptoms of SAD include feeling down, irritable, lacking energy, sleeping a lot or having cravings FOR sweet or starchy foods. The National Sleep Foundation suggests how to help manage SAD: Expose yourself to more daylight.…  read on >

If you don’t have to drive while it’s snowing, don’t. But if you must be on the road, the National Weather Service suggests: Slow down. Roads may be slippery, even if they do not look wet. Clean all snow and ice off your car before starting a trip. Let someone know where you are going…  read on >

One in 25 U.S. drivers reports having fallen asleep while driving during the past month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. The first step to prevention is recognizing the symptoms of driving drowsy, the agency says, offering this list of warning signs: Yawning or blinking a lot. Having difficulty remembering the past…  read on >

Fall yardwork can stir up allergies, but there are ways to reduce the risk of flare-ups, an ear, nose and throat specialist says. “Know your triggers and avoid those triggers,” said Dr. Do-Yeon Cho, an assistant professor of otolaryngology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “First, find out if you’re allergic to any seasonal…  read on >

Long-distance travel is worrisome enough. But add a child to the mix, and stress levels can only rise. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests how to make traveling with a child easier: Adjust your child’s sleep schedule a few days before departure to minimize jet lag. Once you arrive, encourage the child to play outside…  read on >

Motorcycle crashes are far costlier than car accidents, both in lives lost and in medical expenses, a new study shows. Canadian researchers found that the death rate from motorcycle crashes was five times greater than from car crashes, and the rate of severe injury was 10 times greater. That came with a six times greater…  read on >

Taking a family vacation is a great way to have quality time, but going on a trip that each family member will enjoy takes some planning. Consider choices for an activity-oriented trip. Besides health benefits, vacations make great memories when everyone participates. Start by getting the whole family involved. Show photos of possible destinations to…  read on >  read on >

Smoke from a nearby wildfire threatens anyone, but poses even more of a threat to people with asthma, COPD, heart disease or diabetes, the American Lung Association says. The group suggests what to do if a wildfire burns near you: Stay inside, if possible. Do not rely on a dust mask to keep your lungs…  read on >

Despite the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the Paris Accord on climate change, the United States will benefit from international efforts to slow the global environmental threat, researchers say. Improvements in air quality and health are likely as a result of domestic and global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to a study led by…  read on >