Latest Health News

14Jun
2023

Disease That Permanently Bends Fingers Could Have Origins in Neanderthal Genes

Disease That Permanently Bends Fingers Could Have Origins in Neanderthal GenesWEDNESDAY, June 14, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- The so-called “Viking disease” causes the fingers of many aging northern European men to lock up in a bent position, and researchers now think they know why.Genetic variants inherited from Neanderthal man appear to be the most powerful risk factors for developing Dupuytren’s contracture -- called the Viking disease because it mainly affects men descended from northern Europeans.Up to 30% of men in northern Europe older than 60 suffer from the Viking disease, which usually begins as a lump in the palm of the hand. As the lump grows, it causes one or more fingers to lock in a bent position.The researchers analyzed data from more than 7,000 people affected by the disease, in hopes of finding a genetic cause.Results showed that the three...

Temptation Alley: Checkout Counters Are Prime Spots for...

13 June 2023
Temptation Alley: Checkout Counters Are Prime Spots for Unhealthy FoodTUESDAY, June 13, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Every grocery shopper must pass through the “temptation alley” that is the checkout aisle, surrounded by candy bars, salty snacks and sugary sodas.Those who’d like a healthy option for an impulse buy while they wait in line -- fruit, veggies, nuts or water -- will be left wanting, a new study says.About 70% of foods and beverages offered at checkout stands are unhealthy, according to a new study in Current Developments in Nutrition.Further, 9 out of 10 (89%) snack-sized options in the checkout aisle are junk food, researchers found.The presence of so much junk food in the checkout lane is calculated, said lead researcher Jennifer Falbe, an associate professor of nutrition and human development at the University of California,...

Teens Rarely Get Anti-Addiction Meds When Treated for...

13 June 2023
Teens Rarely Get Anti-Addiction Meds When Treated for Opioid MisuseTUESDAY, June 13, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- The medication buprenorphine normalizes brain function in people addicted to opioids, but teens rarely receive it at U.S. treatment centers, a new study finds.Only one in four adolescent residential treatment centers in the United States uses the medication to treat opioid use disorder, according to research out of Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU).“These residential treatment centers see some of the most vulnerable adolescents in our communities, but they don't offer the standard of care for these kids," said study lead author Dr. Caroline King, who conducted the research as a medical student at OHSU, in Portland. “With rising fentanyl-related overdoses among adolescents, we really need these centers to provide the best care,”...

A Little Drinking Might Help the Heart, and Scientists...

13 June 2023
A Little Drinking Might Help the Heart, and Scientists Think They Know WhyTUESDAY, June 13, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Many studies have suggested that light drinking can do the heart some good, and now researchers think they have found one reason why: It helps the brain relax.It's no secret that many people pour a drink as a way to unwind and shed the stressors of the day. And research suggests that is not just a placebo effect. In the short term, alcohol has a quieting effect on the amygdala -- a brain area that processes potential threats in our surroundings.Now the new study shows that amygdala activity is habitually dialed-down in moderate drinkers, relative to non-drinkers. And that appeared to partially account for their lower risks of cardiovascular ills, including heart attack and stroke.The findings, published in the June 2023 issue of the Journal of...

Microplastics You Inhale Are Getting Lodged in Airways

13 June 2023
Microplastics You Inhale Are Getting Lodged in AirwaysTUESDAY, June 13, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Humans are inhaling microplastics from the degradation of plastic products in the environment, and these tiny plastic particles are sticking in human airways, according to researchers.People inhale about 16.2 bits of these microplastics every hour --- the equivalent of a whole credit card each week --- according to a study published June 13 in Physics of Fluids. These microplastics usually contain toxic chemicals. “This study emphasizes the need for greater awareness of the presence and potential health impacts of microplastics in the air we breathe,” study co-author YuanTong Gu said in a journal news release. He's a professor at Queensland University of Technology in Australia.Millions of tons of these microplastic particles have been...

Nearly 15% of School-Age Children in U.S. Have Received Mental Health Treatment

13 June 2023
Nearly 15% of School-Age Children in U.S. Have Received Mental Health TreatmentTUESDAY, June 13, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- About one in every seven American kids aged 5 to 17 underwent some form of mental health treatment in 2021, the latest year for which statistics are available.So finds a new report from researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which pegs the percentage of kids who got mental health care in 2021 at 14.9%. Rates of mental health care were higher among older kids (aged 12 to 17), nearly 19% of whom received treatment over the prior year, than they were for children aged 5 to 11 (just over 11%).The new statistics don't necessarily mean that more American children are suffering from mental illness, but it could mean that more are receiving the care they need, one expert said. "I have a report from 2015 that suggests that...

What's Causing Your Indigestion — And How to Treat It

13 June 2023
What`s Causing Your Indigestion — And How to Treat ItTUESDAY, June 13, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Indigestion, or dyspepsia, is a common ailment that can bring about a range of uncomfortable symptoms, leaving one feeling full and experiencing stomach pain.It's a condition that affects many individuals and can significantly impact their quality of life. In this article, experts delve into the intricacies of indigestion, exploring its causes, symptoms and treatment options.Additionally, they shed light on the distinction between indigestion and heartburn, offering clarity on these often confused terms.What is dyspepsia (indigestion)?Dyspepsia, commonly known as indigestion, is a collective term encompassing a range of gastrointestinal symptoms. According to the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK),...

AHA News: A Vacation After a Heart Attack or Stroke Needs Some Extra Planning

13 June 2023
AHA News: A Vacation After a Heart Attack or Stroke Needs Some Extra PlanningTUESDAY, June 13, 2023 (American Heart Association News) -- Karl Rorabacher, an avid hiker and cyclist, was planning a vacation to southwestern Texas when he had a heart attack at age 50.After doctors inserted a stent to open an almost completely blocked artery, he told his cardiac rehabilitation therapists in Houston that he had one main goal: "I wanted to get back to doing the stuff I loved."That included taking his planned trip to Big Bend National Park, where he wanted to complete the Lost Mine Trail, a 4.8-mile round-trip hike.But first, he needed to do some extra planning. In addition to what to wear and what gear to bring, as a recent heart attack survivor, Rorabacher needed to think about issues such as how far he'd be from the nearest hospital and where he could find...

Weight-Loss Surgery Could Bring Weaker Bones to Teens

TUESDAY, June 13, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Weight-loss surgery can have a lot of benefits for obese teens and young adults.But a new study finds a concerning side effect. Young people who had...

Burdened by Medical Bills, Many Americans With Diabetes...

TUESDAY, June 13, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- How prohibitive is the cost of diabetes care? For American patients, including those with insurance, the full scope of related expenses is often so...
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