Latest Health News

16May
2023

Black, Hispanic Americans More Likely to Have PFAS Chemicals in Drinking Water

Black, Hispanic Americans More Likely to Have PFAS Chemicals in Drinking WaterTUESDAY, May 16, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Black and Hispanic communities in the United States are more often poor — and also more likely to have harmful levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their drinking water, a new study reveals.Sources of PFAS pollution — including major manufacturers, airports, military bases, wastewater treatment plants and landfills — are disproportionately sited near watersheds that serve these poorer communities, Harvard researchers found. “Our work suggests that the sociodemographic groups that are often stressed by other factors — including marginalization, racism and poverty — are also more highly exposed to PFAS in drinking water,” said study co-author Jahred Liddie. He is a PhD student in population health sciences at...

Almost All TikTok Videos About Vaping Promote It

16 May 2023
Almost All TikTok Videos About Vaping Promote ItTUESDAY, May 16, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- TikTok content overwhelmingly promotes vaping, putting young users at potential risk of e-cigarette use, according to researchers in Australia.The popular social media platform's own policies on promoting e-cigarette use are often violated, their new study shows.“Our study explored how e-cigarettes are promoted on TikTok, to assess the effectiveness of the platform’s own ‘drugs, controlled substances, alcohol and tobacco policy,'" said researcher Jonine Jancey, of the Curtin School of Population Health in Perth. “The sheer amount of potentially harmful content being fed to young people on TikTok shows self-regulation is failing.”The findings show the dangers of letting social media platforms create and enforce their own content...

Who's More Easily Distracted, the Young or the Old?

16 May 2023
Who`s More Easily Distracted, the Young or the Old?TUESDAY, May 16, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Older adults are more easily distracted than younger folks, especially if they’re also physically exerting themselves, according to new research. “Our results suggest that older adults might have heightened distractibility,” said study co-author Lilian Azer, a graduate student from the University of California, Riverside.For the study, the researchers assessed the interaction between physical exertion — such as driving a car or carrying in the groceries — and short-term memory performance when distractors were also in play and when they weren’t.“Action and cognition, which interact often in daily life, are sensitive to the effects of aging,” Azer said in a university news release. “Our study found that in comparison to younger...

Marijuana Can Affect Fetal Development, Even If Used...

16 May 2023
Marijuana Can Affect Fetal Development, Even If Used Early in PregnancyTUESDAY, May 16, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- As recreational marijuana use rises, some dispensaries are recommending it as a remedy for morning sickness, but new research warns that using it during pregnancy may significantly affect fetal growth.While fetal exposure to cannabis in early pregnancy can reduce birth weight, those effects can become more severe if use continues throughout the pregnancy, according to researchers at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Mich.“We show that even when marijuana use occurred only in the first trimester of pregnancy, birth weight was significantly reduced, by more than 150 grams (5.3 ounces) on average,” said senior study author Dr. Beth Bailey, a professor and director of population health research. “If that use continued into the...

Everything to Know About Ketamine for Depression Treatment

16 May 2023
Everything to Know About Ketamine for Depression TreatmentTUESDAY, May 16, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Did you know that ketamine is one of the newest possible methods for treating depression?For a better understanding of ketamine treatment, here are explanations of what it is, how it helps depression, what types of depression it can help with, its side effects and what you can expect during a ketamine therapy session.What is ketamine?Ketamine is a dissociative drug, meaning its mind-altering chemical properties cause you to disconnect from your body. It was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as anesthesia for surgery, according to the National Library of Medicine. It has been used as a street drug under different names like Special K.Doctors sometimes prescribe ketamine for “off-label” (non-FDA-approved) uses, including...

Postpartum Depression: What It Is, Symptoms & Treatments

16 May 2023
Postpartum Depression: What It Is, Symptoms & TreatmentsTUESDAY, May 16, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Becoming a mother is an experience like no other -- a time of joy, anticipation and love. But, for some women, new motherhood can come with challenging emotions.Many women struggle with feelings of sadness, anxiety and overwhelming exhaustion. These emotional struggles, coupled with the physical demands of caring for a newborn, can be signs of a condition called postpartum depression (PPD).What is postpartum depression?About 1 in 7 women develop PPD, according to StatPearls. This mood disorder happens after childbirth. It's characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety and despair that can significantly impact a woman's ability to function and care for herself and her baby, according to the Mount Sinai Hospital Health...

The Different Types of Depression, Explained

16 May 2023
The Different Types of Depression, ExplainedTUESDAY, May 16, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- An estimated 5% of adults worldwide suffer from depression, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).This mental health disorder permeates all areas of life from personal relationships to academic and professional ones and goes well beyond typical mood fluctuations and everyday concerns. Depression can affect anyone, but individuals who have experienced trauma, significant losses or high stress levels are at greater risk. Women are more prone to depression than men.This overview will discuss different types of depression, their symptoms and treatments.Types of depressionAccording to the Cleveland Clinic, there are several types of depressive disorders, the most serious of which is clinical depression, or major depressive disorder.The...

Biden Nominates Head of National Cancer Institute to Run NIH

15 May 2023
Biden Nominates Head of National Cancer Institute to Run NIHMONDAY, May 15, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. National Institutes of Health could get a new leader in Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, the Boston cancer surgeon who's led the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) since last fall.On Monday President Joe Biden formally nominated Bertagnolli to the post, which has been filled by an interim director since December 2021, the Washington Post reported. She would have to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.“Dr. Bertagnolli has spent her career pioneering scientific discovery and pushing the boundaries of what is possible to improve cancer prevention and treatment,” Biden said in a statement. She “will ensure NIH continues to be an engine of innovation to improve the health of the American people.”Bertagnolli, the first woman to head the NCI, is...

A Gene Shielded One Man From Alzheimer's for Decades....

MONDAY, May 15, 2023 -- Researchers have discovered a genetic mutation that should actively protect people from Alzheimer’s, thanks to a man belonging to a Colombian family known to be...

Looking for Inspiration? A Short Nap Might Help

MONDAY, May 15, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Lightbulb inventor Thomas Edison believed a little shuteye could boost his creativity. Contemporary scientists think the iconic innovator was on to...
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