Not Getting Enough Shut-Eye? You Have Plenty of Company

FRIDAY, Nov. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- More Americans are having trouble falling and staying asleep, and smartphones and technology are probably to blame, researchers report.

Their analysis of data from nearly 165,000 adults nationwide showed that the number who reported difficulty falling asleep at least once a week was up 1.4%...

Nature Nurtures Kids

THURSDAY, Nov. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Taking that trek through the woods with your child may do more than build strong muscles.

New research suggests that time spent in nature is also good for their mental and emotional well-being.

"This research shows that children experience profound and diverse benefits through regul...

Most Docs Don't Know Hair Care Is a Barrier to Exercise for Black Women

THURSDAY, Nov. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- The extra care that black women's hairstyles can require is often a barrier to exercise, but many U.S. health care providers aren't even aware of the problem, a new study finds.

Researchers surveyed doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants in the department of family medicine at ...

AHA News: Treatment to Ward Off Stroke Less Effective in Women

THURSDAY, Nov. 14, 2019 (American Heart Association News) -- Women are at higher risk for stroke and have different stroke symptoms than men. Now, new research suggests another difference: less benefit from a surgery used to treat carotid artery disease, a key risk factor for stroke.

The disease, also called carotid stenosis, is marke...

Vaping-Linked Lung Illnesses Top 2,100, CDC Says

THURSDAY, Nov. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- The number of Americans stricken with a severe lung illness tied to vaping has now reached 2,172, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday.

That's a rise from the 2,051 case total from a week ago.

Cases have now been reported in every state except Alask...

Fewer Americans Than Ever Smoke, but Vaping Poses a Growing Threat: CDC

THURSDAY, Nov. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Cigarette smoking has reached an all-time low in the United States, but experts say the rise of vaping puts a damper on what otherwise would be a tremendous public health achievement.

Just under 14% of American adults smoked cigarettes in 2018, a dramatic decline from the 42% adult sm...

'Meatless Monday' Can Help Change Diets for Good

THURSDAY, Nov. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Many people who tried going meatless one day a week to call attention to food and climate change continued after the campaign ended, a new study says.

Researchers surveyed 320 households from Bedford, N.Y., that took part in the town's "Meatless Monday" campaign in 2018. For 12 weeks, partici...

Fish Oil Is Good Medicine for Heart Failure

THURSDAY, Nov. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Fish oil might help people with heart failure avoid repeat trips to the hospital, a new study suggests.

The findings come from an analysis of a clinical trial first published last year, where researchers tested the effects of fish oil and vitamin D on people's risk of heart disease and cancer...

National Project Will Delve Into How Dogs Age

THURSDAY, Nov. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Calling all dogs! 10,000 of them, to be exact.

The 40 researchers behind the Dog Aging Project want that many of man's furry companions to be enrolled in a 10-year study of what helps canines live long, healthy lives.

"Aging is the major cause of the most common diseases, like cance...

Mindfulness May Be a Balm for Breast Cancer Patients

THURSDAY, Nov. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Women with advanced breast cancer might find mindfulness can ease their pain, anxiety and depression, a new study suggests.

Mindfulness is the ability to keep your mind focused on the present moment.

"Mindfulness helps us relate to our thoughts, emotions and physical symptoms in a d...

AHA News: Heart Attack Survivors Who Develop PTSD Don't Always Take Heart Meds

THURSDAY, Nov. 14, 2019 (American Heart Association News) -- Experiencing a heart attack may be so terrifying that it triggers post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and those who develop PTSD have twice the risk of having a second heart attack.

That's according to new research that suggests this may be because PTSD keeps them from tak...

Experimental Injection May Protect Against Peanut Allergy

THURSDAY, Nov. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- People with peanut allergy must be constantly vigilant to avoid a life-threatening allergic reaction. But researchers report that a new drug injection might offer at least temporary protection against the most severe reactions.

Just one shot of an experimental antibody treatment allowed peop...

Diabetes Technology Often Priced Out of Reach

THURSDAY, Nov. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- While the high price of insulin has gotten a lot of attention lately, it's not the only cost issue facing people with diabetes. New technologies designed to improve blood sugar management often cost too much for people to afford.

Maya Headley, 36, has had type 1 diabetes for 30 years. The ...

Climate Change Will Hurt Kids Most, Report Warns

THURSDAY, Nov. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Children will face more food shortages and infections if climate change continues unchecked, researchers from the World Health Organization and 34 other institutions warn.

Climate change is already harming children's health. And they're at risk for lifelong health threats unless the world mee...

People Who Can't Read Face 2-3 Times Higher Dementia Risk

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Could illiteracy up your odds for dementia?

That's the suggestion of a study that found seniors who couldn't read or write were two to three times more likely to develop dementia than those who could.

The finding "provides strong evidence for a link between illiteracy and dementia ...

For Older Adults, More Exercise Lowers Heart Disease Risk

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Regular exercise lowers older adults' risk of heart disease and stroke, even if they have health problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes, researchers say.

For the new study, researchers analyzed data from more than 1 million people aged 60 and older in South Korea. The study partici...

Too Few Heart Patients Getting Good Results From Medicines Alone

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- A rigorous, new international study finds that, despite doctors' best efforts, many heart patients given standard drugs aren't meeting goals to lower their cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

The study involved nearly 4,000 patients, averaging 64 years of age, treated at centers around th...

Some Headway Made Against 'Superbugs,' but Threat Remains: CDC

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. response to the threat of antibiotic-resistant germs has shown some progress, but these potentially deadly bugs still show no signs of stopping, a new government report warns.

Prevention efforts have reduced deaths from antibiotic-resistant bugs by 18% overall and by nearly 30&#...

'Cannabis Use Disorder' Up in States That Legalized Recreational Pot

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- States that legalized recreational marijuana have seen an increase in problematic pot use among teens and adults aged 26 and older, a new study finds.

The researchers compared marijuana use in Colorado, Washington, Alaska and Oregon -- the first four states to legalize recreational marijuana...

Kidney Injury on the Rise in Women Hospitalized During Pregnancy

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Kidney damage among U.S. women hospitalized during pregnancy is on the rise, and those women are more likely to die while in the hospital, a new study finds.

Kidney injury during pregnancy increases the likelihood of complications and death in mothers and their babies.

For the ne...