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Gene Test Predicts Risk of 5 Common Diseases

TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- A new type of genetic analysis could identify millions of Americans at high risk for five serious and common diseases, researchers report.

The diseases include coronary artery disease, the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease and breast cancer....

AHA: Home-Delivered Meals Keep Heart Failure Patients Out of Hospital

TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (American Heart Association) -- The delivery of personalized, low-sodium meals to the homes of heart failure patients just out of the hospital has the potential to help them avoid rehospitalization in the days ahead, a new study shows.

Poor nutrition and excessive sodium consumption are common among patients wit...

Study Hints at Why Women Suffer More Migraines Than Men

TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- New insight into why women get more migraines than men could lead to better treatments, researchers say.

The results of lab and animal experiments suggest changing levels of the female sex hormone estrogen make cells around a key nerve in the head and connected blood vessels more sensitive to ...

New Triple-Combo Pill Controls Blood Pressure, Study Finds

TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- A low-dose three-in-one combination pill controls blood pressure more effectively than the regular medications people take, according to data from a new clinical trial.

About 70 percent of patients with mild-to-moderate high blood pressure who were given the "Triple Pill" reached their target ...

When Head Injuries Make Life Too Hard, Suicide Risk May Rise

TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Traumatic brain injury can trigger a daily struggle with headaches, neck pain, dizziness and thinking problems that may drive some to suicide, researchers report.

That risk more than triples in the first six months after a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and it stays significantly higher over t...

Sleep Deprivation May Play Role in 'Global Loneliness Epidemic'

TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Sleep problems can play havoc with your social life, a new study suggests.

A series of experiments revealed sleep-deprived people feel lonelier and less eager to engage with others. That, in turn, makes others less likely to want to socialize with the sleep-deprived, researchers said.

Give Your Child a Head Start With Math

TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Many kids struggle with math -- and for a number of reasons.

Knowing when to be concerned will allow you to get your child study help early on, which is important because research shows that young children who have difficulty with math typically will continue to struggle as they get older.

More Alzheimer's Gene Links Found

TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. researchers say they've identified more genes that may be associated with Alzheimer's disease.

They studied nearly 6,000 people with Alzheimer's and 5,000 people with healthy brains and pinpointed rare variations in genes that may play a role in the mind-degenerating disease.

Th...

Eclipse Viewers Eclipsed Viewing Records

TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- The total solar eclipse of August 2017 was one of the most watched scientific events ever for millions of Americans, researchers report.

And it led a record number of them to seek more information on eclipses, survey results show.

Based on responses from thousands of Americans, the U...

Vaping Shuts Off Immune-Fighting Cells in the Lungs, Lab Study Finds

TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- E-cigarettes have been touted as a safer alternative to smoking, but the vapor they create might harm lung tissue much like regular cigarettes do, British researchers report.

With or without nicotine, e-cigarette vapor increases inflammation and disables cells that protect lung tissue, human ...

New Guidelines for Urinary Incontinence Screenings

MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- New guidelines now recommend yearly urinary incontinence screening for all women.

But some experts say such screening needs to be introduced with caution.

Urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control) affects about 51 percent of women and can harm their physical, functional and socia...

Young Adults Favor Family Over Friends If Forced to Choose

MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- If pressed, young adults will put their parents ahead of their close friends, a new study shows.

"Our study suggests mom still matters," said senior author Jennifer Silvers, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles.

"Parents continue to have an...

Lack of Exercise Can Boost Cancer Risk

MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Few Americans know that inactivity can increase the risk of colon, breast and other types of cancer, a new study finds.

An analysis of survey responses from 351 people revealed that while many knew a sedentary lifestyle increased their risk of heart disease (63.5 percent) and metabolic problems...

Can Eating Crickets Boost Your Health?

MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Jiminy Cricket! New research suggests that saving room on your plate for some crunchy, chirpy protein might be good for your health.

Specifically, eating crickets may help improve the natural bacteria in your gut (microbiome) and reduce inflammation in your body.

In a small pilo...

Lung Cancer Screening's Downside Not Discussed Enough

MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- The potential risks of lung cancer screening are often left out when doctors and patients discuss the issue, a new report suggests.

Early detection of lung cancer can save lives, and lung cancer screening is recommended for high-risk current and former smokers. But the U.S. Preventive Services ...

No Link Between Tdap Vaccine, Autism: Study

MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Children born to women who got the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy have no greater risk of autism than other kids, a new study finds.

The Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, which is better known as whooping cough. U.S. health officials advise pregnant women to get a ...

Promoting HPV Vaccine Doesn't Prompt Risky Sex by Teens: Study

MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Controversial state laws that promote vaccinating kids against the human papillomavirus (HPV) do not increase the likelihood that teens will engage in risky sexual behavior, a new study contends.

"Parents and caregivers, as well as policy makers, should not be wary of policies or legislation re...

From Pigs to Peacocks, What's Up With Those 'Emotional-Support Animals'?

MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- It's easy to roll your eyes at the latest news nugget about someone trying to take an "emotional support animal" onto a plane, even though it's too big or out of control.

There's the large emotional support peacock that was denied a seat aboard a United Airlines flight in January, for example. ...

Need to Lose Weight? Team Up With Friends

MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers have found that having friends who gain weight -- especially friends of the same gender -- raises your chance of becoming overweight by more than 50 percent. That's far more than if your spouse gains weight.

But they've also found that the same type of social influence can help you ...

A Weak Grip May Signal Future Health Trouble -- Even in Kids

MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Weak grip strength in children may point to a higher risk of such health problems as diabetes and heart disease, new research suggests.

In a new study that followed children from 4th grade through 5th grade, a grip-strength test was given to the students at the start of the study. The research...