While high school athletes may be getting the message that cigarettes are bad for their health, it appears many don’t see the dangers involved with smokeless tobacco. Between 2001 and 2013, high school athletes use of chew, moist snuff, or dip … [Read more...]
Health Alert
20% of Teen Girls Physically or Sexually Abused While Dating
In the past year, it's estimated that one in five girls and one in ten boys fell victim to either dating-related physical or sexual abuse. The researchers find these numbers to be both high and very troubling and add that these victims also have a … [Read more...]
Statins Linked to Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs may significantly increase a user's risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The authors of a new study found that statins increase insulin resistance and also appear to impair the pancreas' ability to secrete insulin. … [Read more...]
Don’t Wear Heels at Home!
According to researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, half of high heel-related injuries occur at home. This suggests that a simple strategy for women to reduce their risk of injury is to simply wear more appropriate footwear around … [Read more...]
One in Four Breast Cancer Cases May Be Preventable
Experts from the American Society of Clinical Oncology advise that a healthy lifestyle can reduce a woman's risk for breast cancer nearly 25%, even if she has a family history of the disease. Previous research has associated the following lifestyle … [Read more...]
Short People at Greater Risk of Coronary Heart Disease
Researchers at the University of Leicester claim that shorter men and women have proportionally smaller coronary arteries that place them at a greater risk for heart disease than taller people. The investigators found that every 2.5 inch (~6.35 cm) … [Read more...]
Another Reason Not to Get A Sunburn While on Vacation!
According to a report from the United Kingdom, today's seniors are about seven times more likely to develop a potentially deadly form of skin cancer called malignant melanoma than their predecessors from just 40 years ago. Experts speculate that this … [Read more...]
Prescription Combo Can Be Fatal for Seniors
Combining commonly prescribed antibiotics with a widely used heart medication appears to more than double the risk of sudden death in seniors, finds a new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Spironolactone (Aldactone) is a … [Read more...]
Lung Cancer Now the #1 Cancer Killer of Women in Wealthy Nations
According to a new report, lung cancer has overtaken breast cancer as the leading killer of women in developed countries. Experts explain that an increase in female smokers in the 1970s is the likely explanation for the upsurge in lung cancer-related … [Read more...]
Colon Cancer Rates on the Rise Among Americans Under 50
An analysis of National Cancer Institute data reveals that overall colon cancer rates fell by roughly 1% every year between 1975 and 2010. However, the rate of colon cancer among people ages 20 to 34 actually rose 2% annually and individuals between … [Read more...]
Good News for Blood Donors
Maintaining optimal iron levels in blood donors is important, especially when 25-35 percent of regular donors develop an iron deficiency that can lead to fatigue and anemia. In a study of blood donors, researchers discovered that individuals who … [Read more...]
Lyme Disease More Widespread Than Believed
According to a new report, prolonged illness in Americans with Lyme disease is more prevalent, serious, and costly than previously thought. Investigators found Lyme disease patients are nearly five times more likely to have post-treatment Lyme … [Read more...]
Less Competition Among Doctors Results in Higher Medical Costs
A new study has found that competition between medical practices leads to lower healthcare costs in the surrounding vicinity. Investigators found that medical practices charged 3.5 to 5.4% more for their services in regions of the United States with … [Read more...]
Low-Dose Aspirin
The risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding needs to be considered when determining the potential preventive benefits associated with low-dose aspirin for cardiovascular disease and cancer. The risk is increased with the use of cardiovascular … [Read more...]