Latest Health News

31Oct
2022

Cystic Fibrosis Screening Often Misses Black, Hispanic Babies

Cystic Fibrosis Screening Often Misses Black, Hispanic BabiesMONDAY, Oct. 31, 2022 (HealthDay News) – While early diagnosis of cystic fibrosis can prevent permanent lung damage, newborn screening often looks only for genetic mutations more common in white people than those found in people of color, a new study finds.“Newborn screenings are meant to be a public health measure that is equal across populations, but in practice, we are actually creating disparities because children of color are going undiagnosed for cystic fibrosis until an older age,” said lead author Dr. Meghan McGarry, an associate professor of pediatrics at UC San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospitals. “That means they are treated later when symptoms occur, and their outcomes are often worse.”Genetic panels used in newborn screening programs vary by state. But most...

Stress + Air Pollution a Bad Combo in Pregnancy: Study

31 October 2022
Stress + Air Pollution a Bad Combo in Pregnancy: StudyMONDAY, Oct. 31, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Protecting pregnant women from air pollution may improve the birth weight of their babies, a new study suggests. This is especially important for stressed-out mothers who live in neighborhoods burdened by poor air quality. A mother-to-be's exposure to both air pollution and psychological stress during early to mid-pregnancy can disrupt delicate fetal growth, according to the study authors. “Although air pollution has a harmful effect on many different populations, our study identified the effects on expectant mothers who are already most vulnerable,” said study co-author Zhongzheng Niu. “The addition of high perceived stress is another factor contributing to this issue. We already know air pollution is linked to low birth weight and...

Heading South for the Winter? Check This Medical Checklist

30 October 2022
Heading South for the Winter? Check This Medical ChecklistSUNDAY, Oct. 30, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Escaping from a cold, wintery place to a warm climate can be fun for so-called "snowbirds" who migrate south for the winter. Still, experts say it's a good idea for older adults to prepare by having a "medical checklist" to ensure both regular care and help in case of an emerging issue while away from home."Snowbirds should have their medical checklists completed a month before they leave for their long-term destination," said Isabel Valdez, an assistant professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. "The No. 1 thing I recommend is to establish care with an additional primary care doctor at their long-term destination in the fall and winter who can coordinate with their home doctor," she said in a college news release.Check...

Did the Decline in PSA Testing Lead to More Cases of...

28 October 2022
Did the Decline in PSA Testing Lead to More Cases of Advanced Prostate Cancer?FRIDAY, Oct. 28, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- A large new study of U.S. veterans suggests that when prostate cancer screening rates go down, the number of men diagnosed with advanced cancer then rises.Researchers found that across 128 U.S. veterans health centers, the rate of PSA screening for prostate cancer declined between 2008 and 2019 -- a period where guidelines came out recommending against routine screening.But patterns varied among the individual centers, with some maintaining high screening rates.And in subsequent years, the study found, a trend emerged: VA centers with higher PSA screening rates had fewer cases of metastatic prostate cancer, while more cases were diagnosed at centers with lower screening rates.Metastatic refers to prostate cancers that have spread to distant...

AHA News: Black Licorice Is a Candy That Should Inspire Caution

28 October 2022
AHA News: Black Licorice Is a Candy That Should Inspire CautionFRIDAY, Oct. 28, 2022 (American Heart Association News) -- "How do you feel about black licorice?" sounds like a question for starting a simple chat at a Halloween party – or a silly internet fight. It's a love-it-or-hate-it candy that inspires intense opinions.But if you ask a health expert, expect a serious conversation – because eating lots of black licorice can cause complications that are "acutely life-threatening," said Dr. Christopher Newton-Cheh, a cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston.Nobody is saying a twist or two now and then is a problem. But before you dive in, you'll want to know the dangers of overindulging.The root of the issue is an actual root. Licorice, or Glycyrrhiza glabra, is a type of legume (like peas or beans)...

Doctors Answer Your Questions About RSV

28 October 2022
Doctors Answer Your Questions About RSVFRIDAY, Oct. 28, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- While a potential COVID winter surge and the impending flu season get a lot of attention, doctors are worried about another virus.This one is RSV -- short for respiratory syncytial virus -- and hospitals across the country are seeing a surge of cases in infants and young children. The virus can be especially concerning in those who are 6 months and younger.As children's hospitals across the United States are seeing a troubling surge in this common illness, two experts at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles offer information on what to watch for, as well as treatment options. "Young babies can start looking a bit more lethargic and have poor feeding. That can be the first signs that they are in distress," said Dr. Priya Soni, pediatric infectious...

No Sign That Anesthesia in Pregnancy Affects Child's Later Development

28 October 2022
No Sign That Anesthesia in Pregnancy Affects Child`s Later DevelopmentFRIDAY, Oct. 28, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Moms who have had emergency surgery during pregnancy can rest assured that exposure to anesthesia is not linked to developmental issues in their children, a new study reveals.While surgery and anesthesia are typically avoided during pregnancy, up to 1% of pregnant women may require it for unexpected health emergencies, such as appendicitis.“While the results of our study do not change the recommendation that only urgent and essential surgical procedures should be performed during pregnancy, our findings can be used to provide reassurance to women who do require surgery during pregnancy,” according to study author Steffen Rex, head of anesthesiology at University Hospitals Leuven in Belgium, and colleagues.The study, published Oct. 25 in the...

Vaping Might Trigger Irregular Heartbeat, Animal Studies Show

28 October 2022
Vaping Might Trigger Irregular Heartbeat, Animal Studies ShowFRIDAY, Oct. 28, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- In another strike against electronic cigarettes, a new mouse study has found that they can cause an irregular heartbeat, also called a cardiac arrhythmia. Researchers from the University of Louisville's Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, in Kentucky, found that exposure to the aerosols from e-cigarettes could cause heart arrhythmias in animals. These included both premature and skipped heartbeats. “Our findings demonstrate that short-term exposure to e-cigarettes can destabilize heart rhythm through specific chemicals within e-liquids,” said study author Alex Carll, an assistant professor at the institute. “These findings suggest that e-cigarette use involving certain flavors or solvent vehicles may disrupt the heart’s electrical...

First Sex Activates Boost in Vaginal Immune Response,...

FRIDAY, Oct. 28, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- A woman's body appears to go on high alert after she loses her virginity, a new study reports.Specifically, her immune system ramps up activity in her...

How Healthy Is Horror?

FRIDAY, Oct. 28, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- That intense feeling of fear as you watch Jason Voorhees chase his next victim while wearing a hockey mask in "Friday the 13th" might actually be good for...
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