Latest Health News

22Dec
2020

Older and Getting Surgery? Get Fit Beforehand

Older and Getting Surgery? Get Fit BeforehandTHURSDAY, Dec. 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Getting fit before surgery can limit the amount of muscle older adults will lose during their recovery, researchers say.Strength training before a scheduled operation ("prehabilitation") helps counteract muscle wasting during bed rest after a procedure. But it needs to be a long-term, targeted exercise program to be effective, according to the new report.For the study, British researchers had a group of older adults lift weights four times over one week. But participants exercised one leg, and not the other.Participants then rested in bed for five days, which is the duration of a typical hospital stay for an older patient after surgery.The researchers expected that the exercised leg would have less muscle loss, but it was about the same in...

Esophageal Cancer on the Rise Among the Young: Study

22 December 2020
Esophageal Cancer on the Rise Among the Young: StudyTUESDAY, Dec. 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Esophageal cancer is increasing among young Americans, and they're more likely to be diagnosed with advanced disease, according to a new study.Esophageal cancer accounts for about 1% of U.S. cancer diagnoses, and just over 18,000 cases are expected to be diagnosed nationwide this year. Only one in five patients is alive five years after diagnosis.In the new study, researchers analyzed data on esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) — one of the most common types of esophageal cancer — in the United States between 1975 and 2015.Over that time, the disease rose in all age groups, with the incidence among people younger than 50 rising an average 2.9% per year.Younger patients were more likely to be diagnosed at advanced stages of disease, with 85%...

Involved Dads Make a Difference for Disadvantaged Teens

21 December 2020
Involved Dads Make a Difference for Disadvantaged TeensMONDAY, Dec. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Dads matter: New research shows how attentive, involved fathers can really boost the mental well-being and behavior of teens from low-income families.The study looked at 5,000 U.S. children born between 1998 and 2000, and their fathers' involvement with them between ages 5 and 15.That included activities such as feeding, playing, reading, helping with homework and providing non-cash items, such as clothes, toys, food and other necessities.The researchers also assessed behavioral and emotional problems among the children, including crying, worrying, fighting, bullying and skipping school.Teens whose fathers paid more attention to them had fewer behavioral and emotional problems, according to the Rutgers University-New Brunswick study published...

Pandemic Closures, Fears Keep Patients From Lung Cancer...

21 December 2020
Pandemic Closures, Fears Keep Patients From Lung Cancer ScreeningMONDAY, Dec. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, many routine cancer screenings were put on hold. Now a new study suggests that lung cancer screenings have yet to rebound.The findings come from one hospital system, but experts said they add to worries about the pandemic's impact on cancer care.In the spring, when many U.S. hospitals were overrun with COVID-19 patients and stay-at-home orders were issued, elective medical care -- including cancer screenings -- was largely delayed.Research since then has pointed to the early consequences. One study found that in March and April, the United States saw a 46% drop in new diagnoses of six common cancers -- a sign that many cases were being missed for lack of screening.When it comes to lung cancer...

Pandemic Fuels Interest in Careers in Infectious Disease

21 December 2020
Pandemic Fuels Interest in Careers in Infectious DiseaseMONDAY, Dec. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- As scientists have labored to understand COVID-19 and develop a vaccine to combat it, interest in infectious disease careers seems to be growing.Academic leaders from the United States and Israel have noted the increased interest among medical students."We just went through an applications season for fellows, and we had more applicants than in recent years," said Richard D'Aquila, director of the Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute at Northwestern University, in Chicago.D'Aquila spoke at a recent webinar — "In the Aftermath of COVID-19: The Impact on Science and Research" — sponsored by the Israel Innovation Project.Itai Benhar, director of the Center for Combating Pandemics at Tel Aviv University, said, "We had registration for...

As U.S. Decides Who Gets COVID Vaccine Next, More Infectious Strain Seen in Britain

21 December 2020
As U.S. Decides Who Gets COVID Vaccine Next, More Infectious Strain Seen in BritainMONDAY, Dec. 21, 2020 (Healthday News) – Even as U.S. experts announced Sunday which Americans will be next in line receive a COVID-19 vaccine, health officials worldwide worried about a new strain of coronavirus that appears to spread faster than before.In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's vaccine advisory committee voted to recommend that those over 75 and essential workers -- people like firefighters, teachers and grocery store employees -- be next in line for COVID-19 shots, the Associated Press reported. The two latest groups in line for a vaccine number roughly 50 million.Things are not running quite as smoothly in Britain, where officials announced they have discovered a strain of coronavirus emerging in southern England that appears to...

Weight-Loss Surgery Lowers Long-Term Heart Risks for Diabetic Teens

21 December 2020
Weight-Loss Surgery Lowers Long-Term Heart Risks for Diabetic TeensMONDAY, Dec. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Weight-loss surgery significantly reduces the risk of heart problems in obese teens with type 2 diabetes, a new study finds.Teens who have the surgery can see their long-term risk for heart attack, congestive heart failure, stroke and coronary death lowered nearly threefold, compared with obese teens whose diabetes is medically managed, researchers say."The mitigation in risk does not seem to be completely activated or ascribed to weight loss, but largely to the remission of diabetes," said lead researcher Dr. Petter Bjornstad, an assistant professor of pediatric endocrinology at the University of Colorado.After surgery, patients need to make significant changes in diet and lifestyle, he said."So even though we're seeing these great results, I...

Do Genes Doom Some Kids to Obesity? Probably Not, Study Finds

21 December 2020
Do Genes Doom Some Kids to Obesity? Probably Not, Study FindsMONDAY, Dec. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- While childhood obesity is a significant challenge, German researchers have uncovered some hopeful news while investigating the impact of genes.Though some "obesity genes" do play a minor role in the success of weight loss interventions, environmental, social and behavioral factors make the biggest difference, according to a new study from the Technical University of Munich.Those are far more important to consider in obesity treatment strategies for children, the researchers suggested."Distinguishing individuals who are more likely or unlikely to respond to obesity treatment based on their genetic predisposition may not necessarily lead to better treatment success," said study author Melanie Heitkamp. She's a researcher in the university's...

How Are 'Super Agers' Protected From Alzheimer's and...

TUESDAY, Dec. 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Some older folks are still sharp as tacks and dementia-free well into their 80s and beyond. Now German researchers have uncovered a possible reason why:...

Don't Believe Vaccine Myths

MONDAY, Dec. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- There's a lot of misinformation about vaccines as the United States begins its massive COVID-19 vaccination program, so an expert wants to dispel the many...
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