Could the Pill Reduce Asthma Attacks?

Women with asthma may suffer fewer severe symptom attacks if they are on birth control pills, a large new study suggests.

The study of more than 83,000 women with asthma found that those who used birth control pills for at least three years tended to have fewer severe flare-ups.

The difference between p...

More Kids Injured by Tiny Magnets After Sales Ban Was Lifted: Study

Small, powerful magnets in toys like Buckyballs building sets and jewelry kits are causing an alarming number of serious pediatric injuries in the United States, new research warns.

Analyzing national data, researchers found an 80% rise in these injuries to children from 2016 to 2019, following the repeal of ...

People Should Know That COVID Vaccine Might Spur Transient Sickness: CDC Experts

TUESDAY, Nov. 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) – At least thee new COVID-19 vaccine candidates are already in the pipeline, will a roll-out expected early in the new year. But on Monday, experts attending a meeting of an advisory committee to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stressed that Americans who get a shot shouldn't be surp...

Anxiety Might Speed Alzheimer's: Study

Older adults with memory problems may progress to Alzheimer's more quickly if they are also suffering from anxiety symptoms, a preliminary study suggests.

It's common for people with Alzheimer's disease to have mood symptoms, including anxiety and depression. And some research has suggested those symptoms can, in older people, act as early...

COVID Cases Could Double by Biden's Inauguration: Study

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States is likely to nearly double before President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, researchers warn.

Cases could rise from 11.4 million to 20 million by the end of January, according to a study published Nov. 23 in the journal Scientific Reports. Of course, counts vary day to da...

Mediterranean Diet Cuts Women's Odds for Diabetes

Overweight women who eat a Mediterranean-like diet may reduce their odds of developing type 2 diabetes by 30%, compared with women who don't, a new study suggests.

The Mediterranean diet is rich in olive oil, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. Previously, it has been linked with a reduced risk of heart disease, type...

Coronavirus Most Contagious Soon After Infection

People infected with the new coronavirus are most contagious in the first week after they develop symptoms, which shows the importance of identifying and isolating infected people early, researchers say.

They reviewed 79 studies and clinical trials, including 73 that included hospitalized COVID-19 patients only.

SARS-CoV-2 viral load...

Sitting Raises Women's Odds for Heart Failure

Too much sitting or lying down significantly increases older women's risk of hospitalization for heart failure, even if they get recommended amounts of physical activity, a new study warns.

"These findings are consistent with other studies confirming that people with more daily sedentary time are more likely to develop chronic health condi...

Common Weight-Loss Surgery Can Weaken a Teen's Bones

Sleeve gastrectomy, a procedure used to help obese people lose weight, may damage the bones of teen patients, a new study finds.

"Childhood obesity is a major public health issue that has increased over the last 10 years," said researcher Dr. Miriam Bredella, a professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School. "Sleeve gastrectomy is the mo...

Poll: 1 in 3 Parents Pick Holiday Gathering Over COVID Safety

As COVID-19 cases surge throughout the United States and the holiday season kicks off with Thanksgiving on Thursday, families are faced with a challenging choice.

Do they skip family gatherings and the usual way they celebrate their traditions? Or do they risk bringing the novel coronavirus to their extended family of loved ones?

In ...

Junk Food, Booze Often Star in America's Hit Movies

If there was an Oscar for "most unhealthy food in a leading role," many of America's most popular movies would be serious contenders.

That's the conclusion of a new review of food content featured in 250 top-grossing U.S. movies. More often than not, the fictional food choices were so bad they wouldn't make t...

AHA News: Long-Term Survival After Heart Attack Could Hinge on Where You Live

Having a heart attack before your 50th birthday is bad enough. But new research shows if you also live in a poor neighborhood, your chances of dying within a decade of that heart attack are higher.

"This tells us that we need to focus not just on a patient's medical problems, but on the whole person, on where they live and the resources th...

AHA News: Why People Fear Performing CPR on Women – and What to Do About It

Women are less likely than men to receive CPR from a bystander. But why?

The reluctance, new research suggests, may be fueled by worries of being accused of sexual assault or doing physical harm. Knowing people's secret fears is the first step to dispelling them, experts say.

The insights come from a new survey of 520 men and women w...

Another Study Finds COVID Usually Mild in Kids

COVID-19 is mild is most children, a new study says, but certain children have a higher risk of severe illness.

Of more than 135,000 children tested for the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) at seven children's hospitals in the United States up to September, 4% were found to be infected.

Those most likely to test positive included childre...

Third COVID Vaccine Shows Effectiveness; FDA Approves New Treatment

MONDAY, Nov. 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) – Americans were greeted with possible advances against coronavirus as Thanksgiving week began: A third vaccine candidate shows good results in shielding recipients against the virus, and an antibody therapy used by President Donald Trump against COVID-19 got emergency use approval by the U.S. Food and D...

Black Americans Suffer More From Heart Disease: The AHA Wants to Change That

The Black Lives Matter movement put racism in the United States under the glare of the public spotlight in 2020. And at its recently concluded annual meeting, the American Heart Association pledged to fight racial disparities in heart health and boost the life expectancy of all Americans.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that systemic racis...

Vegan Diets Tied to Higher Bone Fracture Risk

Chew on this: Vegans face a 43% higher risk for bone fractures than meat eaters, a large British study warns.

The rise in risk was not confined to vegans, who eat no meat, fish, dairy or eggs. The researchers also identified a notably higher risk for hip fractures among those who eat fish but no meat (pescata...

Does Parents' Nagging Kids About Screen Time Even Matter?

Parents' constant refrain, telling their teens to turn off the TV, stop playing video games or put down the cellphone, may not be necessary.

And new research suggests those worried about their kids becoming addicted to technology may even be able to breathe a sigh of relief.

The amount of time young people spend on technology -- and ...

Parents' Age Key to Whether Kids Get Vaccinated Against COVID, Study Finds

As scientists worked on COVID-19 vaccines, other researchers were addressing a question: Once shots are available, will parents vaccinate their kids against the new coronavirus?

The answer: Younger parents are much less likely than older ones to plan to vaccinate their children and themselves against COVID-19.

"Parents' willingness t...

College Kid Coming Home for Thanksgiving? Here's How to Keep Your Family Safe

As college students prepare to leave their campuses for Thanksgiving or study remotely for the rest of the semester, families should consider their risks and work to reduce them, according to an infectious disease expert.

Dr. David Cennimo, an assistant professor in pediatric infectious disease at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newar...