Microbiologists at the United States Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory claim that a unique population of bacteria follows families when they move to a new home. The research team notes that it took less than a day for a family's new … [Read more...]
Health Alert
Numbing Medications Can Be Harmful to Teething Babies
Teething infants can be seriously harmed or even die from certain "gum-numbing" medications, according to a new warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA states that local anesthetics known as viscous lidocaine and … [Read more...]
Today’s Young Adults
Compared with previous generations, today’s young adults (ages 18-24) are more likely to be high school graduates, attend college, and less likely to smoke cigarettes. National Institutes of Health, July 2014 … [Read more...]
Big Rise in Drug-Related Suicide Attempts
In the last six years, drug- related suicide attempts in the United States have jumped 51% among people 12 and older. In 2011, 96% of ER visits for attempted suicide involved the nonmedical use of prescription medications and over-the-counter … [Read more...]
Low Income People with Diabetes More Likely to Lose a Limb
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, have found that the odds of having a limb amputated are up to ten times greater for diabetics who live in low-income neighborhoods. The authors of the study note that the majority of these … [Read more...]
Less Weight Counseling?
145 million adult Americans are overweight or obese, and while the number of overweight and obese Americans has increased, the amount of weight counseling offered by primary care physicians has decreased, especially for patients with high blood … [Read more...]
American Health
Americans have shorter life expectancy and higher rates of injury and disease than citizens of other industrialized countries. A 2011 report showed that the US ranked 50th in life expectancy. In most health issues (infant mortality, teenage … [Read more...]
“Bad” Cholesterol Involved in Cancer Spread
Researchers in Spain and Australia have identified “bad” cholesterol as a culprit in cancer metastasis. According to this new study, low density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol helps cancer cells un-stick from one another so they can more … [Read more...]
Serious Allergic Reactions with Some Acne Products
The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning to consumers who use certain over-the-counter skin products for acne due to the risk of extreme allergic reactions. The active ingredients benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid are suspected to cause … [Read more...]
Watching TV for Three or More Hours Daily May Increase Risk of Early Death
Most people enjoy taking time to watch a favorite television show in order to relax and unwind. New research suggests that watching three hours or more of television per day could double an individual's risk of premature death. Investigators … [Read more...]
Children & Hot Cars are a Deadly Combination
So far in 2014, 18 American children have lost their lives as a result of being left in a hot car. Over the last 20 years, nearly 700 children have lost their lives for the same reason. There are many things parents can do to prevent this type of … [Read more...]
1 in 8 American Kids Mistreated
More than 12% of kids in the United States experience beatings, neglect, or sexual or emotional abuse. Although lower than 25 years ago, the number of affected children is higher than researchers anticipated. The authors of the study note that the … [Read more...]
Smoking & Passive Smoking Cause Hearing Loss
Smokers are 15.1% more likely to develop hearing loss compared with non-smokers and passive smokers (those regularly exposed to second-hand smoke). Moreover, passive smokers were found to be 28% more likely to develop hearing loss than non-smokers. … [Read more...]
Over 1 in 10 Elderly Injured by Outpatient Care
According to new research, nearly 11% of Medicare patients are victims of medical injuries during outpatient care. The primary causes include receiving the wrong medication, an allergic reaction to a prescribed medication, or complications resulting … [Read more...]