Latest Health News

TUESDAY, May 9, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Having a latex allergy is no fun, but it can be a real challenge for health professionals who have to work with a wide variety of medical equipment that can contain the allergen.Latex allergy can trigger a range of symptoms, from itchy hives and rashes to life-threatening anaphylaxis. While StatPearls estimates that it only affects 1% to 2% of the population, it can be a source of frustration for those who have it. To make matters worse, the same report suggests that latex allergy is more likely in health care workers, who are surrounded by items containing latex, including stethoscopes, electrode pads, syringes, respirators, gloves, drainage tubes and more.Understanding latex allergy is crucial, especially for those frequently exposed to...

TUESDAY, May 9, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- There are many medications for type 2 diabetes, but one class may stand out for protecting the heart, a new study suggests.The study, of thousands of U.S. veterans with diabetes, found that those who added drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists to their usual regimen were somewhat less likely to suffer a first-time heart attack or stroke in coming years.That was in comparison to vets who added either of two other types of diabetes drug.GLP-1 receptor agonists are a newer class of drug for type 2 diabetes and include medications like dulaglutide (Trulicity), liraglutide (Victoza) and semaglutide (Ozempic). They are usually taken by injection.The drugs are already recommended options for people with type 2 diabetes who either have heart disease or...

TUESDAY, May 9, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Does where you live affect your risk for lung cancer? Just possibly, experts warn.Although cigarette smoking is the principal cause of most lung cancers, new research has found evidence that Americans who live in areas where air quality is poor may be at greater risk for the most common cancer killer in the United States.The finding is based on mapping that zeroed in on Detroit and surrounding Wayne County, Michigan, to see how lung cancer incidence over nearly 40 years stacked up against air quality in different areas.“The main takeaway is that there is a relationship between incidence of lung cancer and specific environmental pollutants,” said lead author Dr. Hollis Hutchings, a thoracic surgery research resident at Detroit’s Henry Ford...

TUESDAY, May 9, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- In a major change from its longstanding advice, an influential medical panel now recommends that women start mammography screening for breast cancer at age 40.The new guidance, from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, says women at average risk of breast cancer should start having mammograms, every other year, when they turn 40. For years, the recommendation had been to start at age 50 -- though women in their 40s were advised to talk with their doctor and choose what was best for them.The change, published as a draft recommendation on May 9, brings the task force guidance more in line with what other medical groups advise.Those groups -- including the American Cancer Society and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists --...