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THURSDAY, June 22, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Screening newborns for severe combined immunodeficiency -- SCID, sometimes referred to as "bubble boy disease" -- significantly increases survival rates, researchers say.Infants with SCID appear healthy at birth, but have no immune defenses, making them highly susceptible to severe and often fatal infections. The 1976 TV movie “The Boy in the Plastic Bubble" promoted awareness of the rare disorder.Identifying and treating SCID before the infections can occur can be lifesaving, according to the new study.Researchers found that widespread screening increased the five-year survival rate of children with the disorder from 73% to 87%. Among children who had SCID diagnosed early because of the screening, and not because of illness or family...

WEDNESDAY, June 21, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- "Oh, my aching back!" Everyone has uttered these words at some point, in response to the sharp, sudden pain that comes with back spasms.This article will explore the causes of back spasms, their symptoms and, most importantly, effective treatments. Whether you're experiencing your first spasm or seeking ways to prevent future episodes, understanding the triggers and what to do is key.What is a back spasm?According to the Cleveland Clinic, back spasms can range from tiny twinges to crippling contractions that leave you unable to move. They occur when the muscles in your back contract involuntarily and intensely. The sensation can vary widely from person to person. For some, it may come on as a mild, dull ache or an occasional twitch; for...

WEDNESDAY, June 21, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Alzheimer's disease is a devastating diagnosis, and if a close relative has had it you may worry whether you will be next.According to the National Institutes of Health, it is estimated that over 6 million Americans over 65 suffer from Alzheimer’s. Since this is primarily a disease that comes with age, those numbers are expected to go up as the population ages.For those who have family members with this disease, there is the ultimate question, “Is Alzheimer’s disease hereditary?” But there are others: How does Alzheimer’s develop? Are there things I can do to lower my risk? Here, experts address these questions.Is Alzheimer’s genetic?Since Alzheimer’s disease is most common in those in their late 70s and 80s, age is the...

WEDNESDAY, June 21, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- It’s common knowledge that loss is a part of male aging — loss of hair, loss of muscle tone, loss of vision or hearing.But men growing older also start losing the very thing that makes them biological males, their Y chromosome, and that can leave them more vulnerable to cancer, a new study says.The loss of the Y chromosome can help cancer cells evade detection by the body’s immune system, according to researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, in Los Angeles.Specifically, it results in more aggressive bladder cancer among men, the study authors reported June 21 in the journal Nature.“This study for the first time makes a connection that has never been made before between loss of the Y chromosome and the immune system’s response...