Latest Health News

WEDNESDAY, April 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- The deadly consequences of wildfires may stretch beyond the people directly in harm's way. Smoke-polluted air may also fuel a spike in cardiac arrests, a new U.S. government study finds. Looking at the impact of California wildfires in recent years, researchers with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found a clear pattern: As smoke from the fires rolled in, more people fell victim to cardiac arrest. Within days of heavy smoke exposure, counties' cardiac arrest rates rose by as much as 70%. The findings add to evidence that wildfires can harm the heart. An earlier EPA study linked California wildfires to short-term spikes in heart attacks and strokes. It has long been known that air pollution can raise the risks of sometimes-fatal...

WEDNESDAY, April 15, 2020 (American Heart Association News) -- A few years after her first child was born, Nina Stanley began experiencing strange blood pressure spikes. While pregnant, she'd had preeclampsia, a condition characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine. She also had HELLP syndrome, a disorder of the liver and blood cells. But all those complications seemed to clear once she delivered her son. She still had a blood pressure monitor from her pregnancy, so she periodically checked her numbers. She kept a journal in hopes of identifying what could be triggering the spikes. She changed her diet. But she couldn't find a pattern. Then came her second pregnancy, and with it the similar complications, with symptoms subsiding after her daughter's birth. But...

WEDNESDAY, April 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- There's no doubt about it: Staying at home, worrying about jobs and finances, is a recipe for depression during the coronavirus pandemic. But one expert offers some tips on how to maintain good mental health during this difficult time. "The current situation has many of us feeling helpless, fearful and adrift," said Dr. Donna Anthony, chief medical officer at Gracie Square Hospital in New York City. "In order to get through this crisis, it is important to acknowledge these feelings and proactively manage stress, maintain your health, and find ways to cope when things seem darkest. We don't know when our lives will return to a semblance of normality, but in the meantime, there are steps we can take to make ourselves feel better," Anthony...

WEDNESDAY, April 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- You're in lockdown, yet you still have to go grocery shopping, but how do you stay safe and avoid catching the coronavirus? The American Medical Association has some timely tips. When you go to the store: Stay at least six-feet away from other shoppers. Don't shake hands, hug or have any physical contact. Wipe down grocery carts or basket handles with disinfectant wipes if you have them. Don't touch your face. Wear a cloth face mask. While waiting and after leaving the store, use hand sanitizer if you have it. If you're sick, don't go shopping. But if you must, wear a mask, wash your hands often and keep a safe distance between you and others. When you get your groceries home: Although it's unlikely you'll be exposed to...