Latest Health News

19Sep
2023

Common PFAS Chemicals Linked to Cancers in Women

Common PFAS Chemicals Linked to Cancers in WomenTUESDAY, Sept. 19, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Harmful "forever" chemicals are widespread in the environment, and new research hints they pose a particular health risk to women.A new study suggests women who are exposed to higher levels of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFAS, are more likely to have been diagnosed with certain cancers. Exposure is also linked to liver damage, fertility issues, high blood pressure and other health conditions. PFAS is a category of more than 15,000 compounds found in everyday household items, including shampoo, dental floss, cosmetics, nonstick cookware, food packaging, clothing and more. PFAS compounds can find their way into water and food supplies. They are called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down and can last for...

Early Morning Exercise May Be Best for Weight Control

19 September 2023
Early Morning Exercise May Be Best for Weight ControlTUESDAY, Sept. 19, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- When it comes to staying trim, timing may be everything.That's according to new research that found adults who routinely engaged in moderate-to-vigorous exercise early in the morning were less likely to be overweight or obese than those who worked out later in the day.“For individuals who exercise regularly, their body mass index [BMI] is 2 units lower and waist circumference is 1.5 inches shorter if they exercise in the early morning than in other times of day,” said study author Tongyu Ma, an assistant professor of exercise physiology at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, N.H.BMI and waist circumference are considered two key measures of obesity risk.The upshot, said Ma, is that a “morning workout is a promising tool for weight...

Doctors Working With Trans Kids Oppose 'Unsafe' State Bans

19 September 2023
Doctors Working With Trans Kids Oppose `Unsafe` State BansTUESDAY, Sept. 19, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- A new survey of U.S. doctors specializing in the care of transgender kids finds they're alarmed by pressure to limit patient care, threats to personal and patient safety, and the possibility of legal action.“The increasing number of bans on gender-affirming care in the U.S. and the negative impact on pediatric endocrinologists may lead to areas in the country without access to pediatric endocrine care,” said study author Dr. Stephanie Roberts, a pediatric endocrinologist at Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. This could limit "access to treatment of other disorders we have expertise in besides gender-affirming care, such as type 1 diabetes or adrenal insufficiency, both of which can be life-threatening conditions,”...

Many Women May Overestimate Risks From Genes Tied to...

19 September 2023
Many Women May Overestimate Risks From Genes Tied to Breast CancerTUESDAY, Sept. 19, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Women who carry mutations in genes known as BRCA have an elevated risk of breast cancer. But a large, new study suggests that risk may be lower than generally believed -- especially if a woman has no close relative with the disease.The study, of more than 400,000 British adults, found that women who carried mutations in either of two genes -- BRCA1 or BRCA2 -- had a higher-than-average risk of developing breast cancer by age 60.But the absolute risk was significantly lower than most previous studies have reported -- as low as an 18% chance when no first-degree relative has had breast cancer.The findings, experts said, could help in giving women a more realistic view of their personal cancer risk. And in an age where people are doing at-home...

Using Meds to Manage Your Arthritis Pain: An Overview

19 September 2023
Using Meds to Manage Your Arthritis Pain: An OverviewTUESDAY, Sept. 19, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Millions of Americans suffer from arthritis, and many reach for medication to ease their joint pain and inflammation.The options might seem overwhelming, though. Here, the Arthritis Foundation offers some suggestions for meds that can be purchased at a local drug store or filled with a doctor’s prescription, whether your pain is caused by normal wear and tear (osteoarthritis) or inflammatory disease.Over-the-counter medsSome of the best over-the-counter (OTC) medications for controlling arthritis pain are acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen and acetylsalicyclic acid (aspirin), better known by brand names like Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, Aleve or Anacin.Ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).While those...

Another School Sports Season: How to Lower Your Child's Odds for Injury

19 September 2023
Another School Sports Season: How to Lower Your Child`s Odds for InjuryTUESDAY, Sept. 19, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Playing sports can offer a lot of benefits for kids, but it’s also important to help protect them from injuries. Parents and coaches can make a big difference in helping kids play safely, according to Nemours Kids Health. The medical organization suggests starting with proper equipment. Use it, but also make sure the safety gear is the right size, fits well and is right for the sport. That includes helmets for baseball, softball, bike riding and hockey, as well as for inline skating or riding scooters and skateboards.Ask your child's coach about the appropriate helmets, shoes, mouth guards, athletic cups and supporters, and padding, Nemours advised. Also ask about protective eyewear for racquet sports, field hockey, lacrosse, basketball,...

Earthquakes Are Unpredictable: Plan Ahead to Lower the Danger

19 September 2023
Earthquakes Are Unpredictable: Plan Ahead to Lower the DangerTUESDAY, Sept. 19, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- When an earthquake struck the center of Morocco earlier this month, killing nearly 3,000 and injuring thousands more, no one was expecting it.That sudden rapid shaking of ground as the rocks underneath the earth shift can happen anywhere, but higher-risk areas in the United States include Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington and the entire Mississippi River Valley.In their aftermath, earthquakes can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides and avalanches.That's why the best time to prepare for such a disaster is before it happens, according to the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).FEMA offers some tips for preparing for an earthquake.Start preparing by creating an emergency plan that includes an out-of-state...

ChatGPT Equals Doctors in Diagnosing Emergency Department Patients

18 September 2023
ChatGPT Equals Doctors in Diagnosing Emergency Department PatientsMONDAY, Sept. 18, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Emergency medicine doctors someday might rely on consultation from artificial intelligence (AI) programs like ChatGPT to help them quickly and accurately diagnose patients’ ailments.A new study found that ChatGPT performed about as well as human doctors in diagnosing patients, when both are given the same set of clinical information.“In the end, they were pretty comparable,” said senior researcher Steef Kurstjens, a clinical chemist with Jeroen Bosch Hospital in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. “And as they're pretty comparable, [AI] might be helpful to speed up the process or enhance the amount of diagnoses at the emergency department.”For the study, two-doctor teams and the artificial intelligence program each reviewed physician’s...

Heavy Drinking Tied to Dangerous Buildup of Fat Around...

MONDAY, Sept. 18, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Before pouring another drink, consider this sobering new research: Heavy drinkers can develop fat around the heart, leading to heart failure and other...

Older Americans' Finances Decline in Years Before...

MONDAY, Sept. 18, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Perhaps succumbing to fraudsters or facing mounting bills, older Americans begin losing wealth in the years preceding a definitive dementia diagnosis,...
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