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More U.S. Airports Offer Hands-Only CPR Training
Posted today in Daily MedNews
TUESDAY, July 25, 2017 -- Hands-only CPR training is now available at kiosks in three more major U.S. airports, bringing the total number to seven. The three airports are Cleveland Hopkins International, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International, and Orlando International, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Since 2016, more than 20,000 visitors have learned hands-only CPR from the kiosks at O'Hare International in Chicago, Indianapolis International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta...
Read moreWith Pence as Tie-breaker, Senate Votes to Debate Obamacare Overhaul
Posted today in Daily MedNews
TUESDAY, July 25, 2017 -- With Vice President Mike Pence casting the tie-breaking vote, the U.S. Senate voted Tuesday to begin debate on a bill to overhaul Obamacare. Only two Republicans -- Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, both centrists -- voted against the measure. The 51-50 vote was simply procedural, allowing the Senate to begin debate on revisions of major provisions of Obamacare, the controversial health reform law that was the centerpiece of President Barack...
Read more$100 Sweetens the Pot for a Colonoscopy
Posted today in Daily MedNews
TUESDAY, July 25, 2017 -- It appears that $100 might go a long way toward convincing someone to get a colonoscopy. New research found that such a cash incentive doubled the chances that older adults were screened for colon cancer. "Colonoscopy is challenging for patients, requiring a day off from work, a bowel-cleansing preparation, and transportation, in addition to non-financial costs of anxiety and discomfort," said study author Dr. Shivan Mehta. He's an assistant professor of medicine at...
Read moreSperm Counts Continue to Decline in Western Nations: Review
Posted today in Daily MedNews
TUESDAY, July 25, 2017 -- Sperm counts in Western countries have decreased by half in recent years, suggesting a continuing and significant decline in male reproductive health, a new evidence review reports. Sperm concentration decreased an average 52 percent between 1973 and 2011, while total sperm count declined by 59 percent during that period, researchers concluded after combining data from 185 studies. The research involved nearly 43,000 men in all. "We found that sperm counts and...
Read moreBacteria May Explain Why Uncircumcised Face Higher HIV Risk
Posted today in Daily MedNews
TUESDAY, July 25, 2017 -- For the first time, bacteria that live under the foreskin of uncircumcised straight men have been linked to a rise in the risk for contracting HIV, new research indicates. Researchers found four specific types of bacteria tied to a higher risk of the AIDS-causing virus. These bacteria are part of the microbiome -- a collection of microorganisms found in a particular area -- of the area on the penis located under the foreskin. The study of African men revealed that...
Read moreU.S. Kids Overdosing on Dietary Supplements
Posted today in Daily MedNews
TUESDAY, July 25, 2017 -- A curious toddler opens a bottle of melatonin he finds on the kitchen counter, and accidentally overdoses on a supplement typically used by adults to help with sleep. In that case, the doctor who treated the child only had to deal with a very tired 3-year-old, but it might have been a far more serious scenario if a different dietary supplement, such as the energy product ephedra or the male enhancement herb yohimbe, had been swallowed. "We see it all the time," said...
Read moreSenate Prepares for Health Care Vote
Posted today in Daily MedNews
TUESDAY, July 25, 2017 -- With Republican Sen. John McCain making a dramatic return to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, the Senate is preparing to vote on a proposal that could begin -- or end -- the GOP's seven-year quest to dismantle Obamacare. The 80-year-old McCain has been home in Arizona since last week when he started treatment for a type of brain cancer called glioblastoma. In a statement, the respected six-term lawmaker said he "looks forward" to returning to work on health care...
Read moreNearly All Autopsied NFL Players Show Trauma-Linked Brain Disease
Posted today in Daily MedNews
TUESDAY, July 25, 2017 -- Ninety-nine percent of former NFL players who donated their brain to science turned out to have the devastating disorder chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), according to a new report. Researchers found evidence of the degenerative brain disease in 110 out of 111 deceased National Football League players, said study co-author Dr. Daniel Daneshvar. He is a researcher with the Boston University School of Medicine's CTE Center. "A remarkable proportion of the...
Read moreWalking the Dog, All the Way to Better Health
Posted today in Daily MedNews
TUESDAY, July 25, 2017 -- Your dog may be more than your furry companion -- new research suggests it may also be an effective personal trainer. The study found that dog walking gives a significant boost to older adults' exercise levels year-round. Researchers looked at more than 3,000 older adults in England. Dog owners who walked their pooch got an average of 30 minutes more physical activity a day than other participants. The dog walking-linked boost in activity was especially noticeable...
Read more'Diet Foods' to Skip
Posted today in Daily MedNews
TUESDAY, July 25, 2017 -- Certain packaged foods marketed as "lite" or "diet" versions may not be helping your weight-loss efforts or your goal to eat healthier. Here are 5 to cross off your shopping list. Rethink your drink and skip the diet soda. Research done at Purdue University shows that drinking lots of soda with artificial sweeteners can boomerang and cause weight gain and even diabetes. Opt for water or herbal tea to stay hydrated and curb appetite between meals. Skip all diet...
Read moreNoise Pollution a Problem in Black Urban Neighborhoods
Posted today in Daily MedNews
TUESDAY, July 25, 2017 -- Noise pollution levels are highest in black neighborhoods in segregated cities in the United States, a new study shows. Researchers looked at 13 years of information gathered from across the United States. They found as percentages of Asian, black or Hispanic residents rose, so did noise levels during both day and night. Neighborhoods with at least 75 percent black residents had median night-time noise levels 4 decibels higher than neighborhoods with no black...
Read moreHealth Highlights: July 25, 2017
Posted today in Daily MedNews
Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay: Buying Time-Saving Services Makes People Happier: Study Spending money on time-saving services can help reduce what researcher call "time famine" and boost your happiness, according to a new study. It included nearly 6,300 adults in the United States, Canada, Denmark and the Netherlands who were asked whether, and how much, they spend on time-saving services such as paying others to clean...
Read moreHealth Tip: Identifying Varicose Veins
Posted today in Daily MedNews
-- Varicose veins are unsightly, swollen vessels that typically affect the legs. The Mayo Clinic mentions these warning signs: Blue or dark-purple veins. Veins that twist and bulge, resembling electric cords beneath the skin. Pain or a heavy sensation. Veins that itch or bleed. Swelling, cramped muscles, throbbing or burning in the affected area. Pain that worsens when you stand or sit for an extended period. Warning signs that need immediate medical attention include hardened...
Read moreHealth Tip: Conserve Energy
Posted today in Daily MedNews
-- When the power goes out, it may mean throwing away lots of food, not to mention the inconvenience of no lights and no TV. You can help prevent a blackout by saving energy. To help conserve power, the American Red Cross advises: Unplug home appliances that draw electricity even when not in use. Common culprits include TVs, computers, phone chargers and video consoles. Turn your air conditioner's thermostat up to 78 degrees and turn off window units when you're not in the room. In winter,...
Read moreMany Primary Care Docs May Miss Prediabetes
Posted yesterday in Daily MedNews
MONDAY, July 24, 2017 -- Most primary care doctors can't identify all 11 risk factors for prediabetes, a small new survey finds. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University said their findings should prompt doctors to learn more about this condition that affects an estimated 86 million adults in the United States and could eventually lead to type 2 diabetes. "We think the findings are a wake-up call for all primary care providers to better recognize the risk factors for prediabetes, which is a...
Read moreIs the 'Anti-Statin' Trend Threatening Lives?
Posted yesterday in Daily MedNews
MONDAY, July 24, 2017 -- A wave of anti-science skepticism may put people with high cholesterol at risk if they're convinced to quit life-saving statin medications, heart experts warn. An "internet-driven cult" is attacking the safety and effectiveness of cholesterol-lowering statins, despite mounds of clinical trial data showing the drugs work and produce minimal side effects, said Dr. Steven Nissen, chairman of cardiovascular medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. "Unfortunately, we're in an era...
Read moreEven a One-Minute Run Might Help a Woman's Bones
Posted yesterday in Daily MedNews
MONDAY, July 24, 2017 -- Just a minute or two of running every day could strengthen your bones, new research suggests. British scientists found that women who engage in "brief bursts" of any high-intensity, weight-bearing physical activity had 4 percent better bone health than their less active peers. "We don't yet know whether it's better to accumulate this small amount of exercise in bits throughout each day or all at once, and also whether a slightly longer bout of exercise on one or two...
Read moreIs Kissing Etiquette 'Hardwired?'
Posted yesterday in Daily MedNews
MONDAY, July 24, 2017 -- The long-awaited kiss is coming. Do you tilt your head to the left or the right? New research says most people are "hardwired" to turn their head to the right before locking lips with a romantic partner. "We as humans make lots of behaviors while interacting with others every day, but almost all the time we are not aware of the biases we have in those behaviors, such as in turning the head to one side during lip kissing," said study lead author Rezaul Karim. He's with...
Read moreDoes Your Child Really Have a Food Allergy?
Posted yesterday in Daily MedNews
MONDAY, July 24, 2017 -- Many people misunderstand what food allergies are, and even doctors can be confused about how to best diagnose them, suggests a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics. It's common for people to think they have a food allergy, but the reality may be different, said Dr. Scott Sicherer, the lead author of the AAP report. "If you ask someone on the street if they have a food allergy, there's a good chance they'll say 'yes,' " said Sicherer, who heads pediatric...
Read moreVideotaping Sleepers Raises CPAP Use
Posted yesterday in Daily MedNews
MONDAY, July 24, 2017 -- A video may be worth a thousand words for someone with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea patients are more likely to use their continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines after they see a video of themselves fighting to breathe at night, a new study says. People with sleep apnea have pauses in breathing while they sleep. Left untreated, the disorder can lead to serious health problems such as depression, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. It also leads to daytime...
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