Health

Trump wants federal suit against opioid manufacturers

Associated Press

President Donald Trump is asking Attorney General Jeff Sessions to file a federal lawsuit against certain companies that supply and manufacture opioids. Speaking during a Cabinet meeting Thursday, Trump said he's directing Sessions to file a separate lawsuit, rather than joining existing lawsuits filed by states affected by the spread of the often-lethal, highly-addictive drugs. Trump is asking Sessions...

BREAKING: Cause of Ohio Chipotle outbreak identified

by Holly Shively, Staff Writer

At least 647 people that fell ill after eating at an Ohio Chipotle last month now have answers — their illnesses were caused by a foodborne disease resulting from food being stored at unsafe temperatures. After local lab tests on food and stool samples came back negative for any potential pathogens, the Delaware County Health District sent more samples to the CDC to be tested. While the...

Best Buy acquires health service provider for $800M

by Holly Shively, Staff Writer

Best Buy recently purchased a health and personal emergency response service for $800 million. With more than 900,000 paying subscribers, GreatCall aims to help older consumers stay independent longer and reduce health-care costs, according to a Best Buy release. The company uses mobile products and connected devices tailored for aging consumers to reach agents who can connect the customer to family...

Unhealthy smoky air blankets Northwest

The Associated Press

Unhealthy air filled with smoke from wildfires blanketed the Northwest again on Wednesday. Washington state had the worst air quality in the country, according to the National Weather Service. In the central Washington cities of Chelan and Wenatchee the air quality Wednesday reached the hazardous level, prompting Chelan County officials to distribute masks. The smoke reached levels that were unhealthy...

Officials remove special rules for gene therapy experiments

AP Chief Medical Writer

U.S. health officials are eliminating special regulations for gene therapy experiments, saying that what was once exotic science is quickly becoming an established form of medical care with no extraordinary risks. A special National Institutes of Health oversight panel will no longer review all gene therapy applications and will instead take on a broader advisory role, according to changes proposed...

Study: Smokers better off quitting, even with weight gain

AP Medical Writer

If you quit smoking and gain weight, it may seem like you're trading one set of health problems for another. But a new U.S. study finds you're still better off in the long run. Compared with smokers, even the quitters who gained the most weight had at least a 50 percent lower risk of dying prematurely from heart disease and other causes, the Harvard-led study found. The study is impressive in its...

Here’s how to make sure your pooch is ready for the new baby

by Rose Kennedy, For the AJC

Your dog is a member of the family, right? So when that family expands to include a new little human member, your pup is one of the many "loved ones" you'll need to prepare for the arrival of a baby. Expectant parents can take heart from the multitudes of social media compilations featuring gentle dogs playing with their angelic baby companions, but don't expect to start snapping similar...

Kettering Health to open $10M high-tech command center

by Holly Shively, Staff Writer

Kettering Health Network has started construction on a 17,000-square-foot operations command center in the Kettering Business Park that aims to improve patient care in the least amount of time. The health system announced today the new $10 million center at 1050 Forrer Blvd. will open in November and create approximately 25 jobs. The command center could grow to 40,000 square feet and employ 300 when...

5 things every parent should know about immunization

by Shari Perkins, For the AJC

Within the first few months of your child's life, your pediatrician will likely start talking to you about immunizations. Even if your house is stocked with hand sanitizer and antibacterial soap, it's important to know what options are out there to keep your kid safe from diseases that could have harmful consequences. TheWorld Health Organization defines immunization as the process that makes a person...

3 scientists share $500,000 prize for work on cancer therapy

The Associated Press

Tumors once considered untreatable have disappeared and people previously given months to live are surviving for decades thanks to new therapies emerging from the work of three scientists chosen to receive a $500,000 medical prize. The recipients of the annual Albany Medical Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research, announced Wednesday, are being recognized for their studies of the immune...

Congo's health ministry says Ebola spreads to 2nd province

by AL-HADJI KUDRA MALIRO, CARLEY PETESCH, Associated Press

Congo's latest deadly Ebola outbreak has spread into a neighboring province, the health ministry said Tuesday, as health workers began using an experimental treatment for the disease. Health officials are hoping the mAb114 therapy, isolated from a survivor of an Ebola outbreak in 1995, will be effective in this outbreak that so far has 30 confirmed cases including 14 deaths. Five patients have been...

Popular in Lifestyles

Could your child be gifted? Here's what you need to know

by Mary Caldwell, For the AJC

Just about every parent has heard their child say something that seems advanced for his age. Or seen her show off an impressive new skill and wondered, "Is my child is gifted?" Of course, each child has special talents and interests, but giftedness is usually identified in specific ways. What does it mean to be gifted and what traits could indicate that your child falls into this category?...

Multi-gene test may find risk for heart disease and more

AP Medical Writer

You know your cholesterol, your blood pressure ... your heart gene score? Researchers say a new way of analyzing genetic test data may one day help identify people at high risk of a youthful heart attack in time to help. Today, gene testing mostly focuses on rare mutations in one or a few genes, like those that cause cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease, or the BRCA gene responsible for a small...

West Nile a rising Ohio threat: 5 things to know about virus

by Nick Blizzard , Kaitlin Schroeder , Staff writer

The West Nile virus has been detected in several area counties recently as health officials say it is at its highest levels in Ohio since 2012. Recent detection in Clark, Greene, Miami and Warren counties join those in Montgomery County, bringing to more than 30 percent of the state’s 88 counties where the virus has been detected in mosquitoes this year. Here are five things to know about this...

Physician convicted of improper prescribing gets 4 years

The Associated Press

A Kentucky doctor convicted of illegally prescribing opioids to patients who died of overdoses has been sentenced to four years and two months in prison. The Lexington Herald-Leader reported Saturday that 69-year-old Roy D. Reynolds also was ordered last week to pay $25,000 in fines. U.S. Attorney Russell M. Coleman says in a release that Reynolds "became a drug dealer with a medical license...

New $7.8M Greene County health center opens this week

by Richard Wilson, Staff Writer

Greene County Public Health will move into its new $7.8 million facility this week, and the public is invited to tour the building today. During the open house from 3 to 6 p.m., residents can take self-guided tours of the new facility, which is adjacent to the old public health building at 360 Wilson Road. Construction on the project started in June 2017 and was finished earlier this summer. To pay...

Clark County drug deaths are down in 2018, but drug use likely similar

by Parker Perry, Staff Writer

MORE: Addicts, families share stories at Springfield recovery banquet Fewer drug-related deaths have been recorded in Clark County this year, but health officials and law enforcement warn that doesn’t mean fewer people are using drugs. Narcan and other life-saving measures have played a significant role in reducing deaths, said Wendy Doolittle, Chief Executive Director of McKinley Hall, a drug...

White House called toxins contamination 'PR nightmare'

Associated Press

Lauren Woeher wonders if her 16-month-old daughter has been harmed by tap water contaminated with toxic industrial compounds used in products like nonstick cookware, carpets, firefighting foam and fast-food wrappers. Henry Betz, at 76, rattles around his house alone at night, thinking about the water his family unknowingly drank for years that was tainted by the same contaminants, and the pancreatic...

Rent control fuels costliest fight on California 2018 ballot

Associated Press

A Los Angeles-based health care nonprofit known for funding controversial ballot measures is waging an expensive battle with the real estate industry over rent control in California. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation has poured more than $12 million into a November initiative it's spearheading to let cities and counties regulate rental fees in buildings that state law currently shields from such control...

Congo's latest Ebola outbreak taking place in a war zone

Associated Press

Highlighting the dangers in containing an Ebola outbreak in a war zone, suspected rebels killed seven people in northeastern Congo and sent residents fleeing, an official said. Global health officials have warned that combating this virus outbreak is complicated by multiple armed groups in the mineral-rich region and a restless population that includes 1 million displaced people and scores of refugees...

Jury awards $289M to man who blames Roundup for cancer

Associated Press

A jury's $289 million award to a former school groundskeeper who said Monsanto's Roundup left him dying of cancer will bolster thousands of pending cases and open the door for countless people who blame their suffering on the weed killer, the man's lawyers said. "I'm glad to be here to be able to help in a cause that's way bigger than me," Dewayne Johnson said at a news conference Friday...

Jury backs man who claims Roundup weed killer caused cancer

Associated Press

A San Francisco jury on Friday ordered agribusiness giant Monsanto to pay $289 million to a former school groundskeeper dying of cancer, saying the company's popular Roundup weed killer contributed to his disease. Dewayne Johnson's lawsuit was the first of thousands of cases filed in state and federal courts alleging that Roundup causes cancer, which Monsanto denies. Johnson said he hoped his verdict...

Mayo Clinic names head of Florida campus as new CEO

Associated Press

Mayo Clinic will get a new president and chief executive at the end of the year when Dr. Gianrico Farrugia takes over from Dr. John Noseworthy, the world-renowned health care organization announced Friday. Farrugia, the CEO of Mayo's campus in Jacksonville, Florida, since 2015, told The Associated Press that he will work closely with Noseworthy during the transition period. Noseworthy announced his...

Congo's latest outbreak more challenging than ever, WHO says

The Associated Press

Armed groups, dense populations and mass displacement make Congo's latest deadly outbreak of the Ebola virus more challenging than ever to contain, the World Health Organization's chief said Friday. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus spoke after vaccinations began this week, with support from a U.N. peacekeeping mission, in Congo's restive northeast where multiple rebel groups pose a threat and a heavily...

Back-to-school selfies may spread super lice, expert says

by Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Parents may want to add super lice remedies to the back-to-school shopping list. A 2013 study in the Journal of Medical Entomology found that in North America, most head lice has evolved into a new, more powerful strain that is immune to traditional lice treatments, hence the name “super lice.” Canada had been experiencing an alarming rise in cases, and there have been multiple outbreaks...

Japan queries all medical schools on gender discrimination

The Associated Press

The Japanese government launched an investigation Friday into whether the nation's medical schools have discriminated against female applicants, following revelations that one had done so for more than a decade. The Education Ministry sent a questionnaire to all medical schools asking them for six years of data on the genders and ages of all applicants, those who passed the entrance exam and those...

Appeals court tells EPA to stop sales of harmful pesticide

Associated Press

A federal appeals court has ruled that the Trump administration endangered public health by keeping a widely used pesticide on the market despite extensive scientific evidence that even tiny levels of exposure can harm babies' brains. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco on Thursday ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to remove chlorpyrifos from sale in the United States...

KFC incident with deaf woman leads to sensitivity training

The Associated Press

The management company of 270 KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell franchises nationwide has agreed to provide sensitivity training at those outlets following a May incident at a KFC in Mississippi in which a deaf woman felt she was being mocked. Disability Rights Mississippi, a nonprofit advocating for people with disabilities, said it reached an agreement on behalf of Bobbie Cole, of Byram, Mississippi...

Judge won't bar public from refuge that was once a nuke site

Associated Press

A federal judge on Thursday rejected a request to bar the public from a Colorado wildlife refuge that was once part of a nuclear weapons plant. Environmentalists and community activists had asked the judge to issue a preliminary injunction that would prohibit opening Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Denver while the courts hear their lawsuit claiming the government did not study public...

Court orders ban on harmful pesticide, says EPA violated law

Associated Press

A federal appeals court ruled Thursday that the Trump administration endangered public health by keeping a widely used pesticide on the market despite extensive scientific evidence that even tiny levels of exposure can harm babies' brains. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to remove chlorpyrifos from sale in the United States within...

Doctors nudged by overdose letter prescribe fewer opioids

AP Medical Writer

In a novel experiment, doctors got a letter from the medical examiner's office telling them of their patient's fatal overdose. The response: They started prescribing fewer opioids. Other doctors, whose patients also overdosed, didn't get letters. Their opioid prescribing didn't change. More than 400 "Dear Doctor" letters, sent last year in San Diego County, were part of a study that, researchers...

Report: Jump in deliveries involving moms hooked on opioids

AP Medical Writer

U.S. health officials say they found a dramatic rise in the number of women who are hooked on opioids and delivering babies in hospitals. Opioid use during pregnancy can cause death of the mother or baby, preterm birth and infant withdrawal symptoms like seizures, excessive crying and breathing problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studied delivery hospitalizations in 28 states...

Nevada death-row inmate on legal delays: 'Just get it done'

Associated Press

A Nevada death-row inmate whose execution has been postponed twice said a legal fight over the drugs to be used in his lethal injection is taking a tortuous toll on him and his family and he just wants his sentence carried out. The state should "just get it done, just do it effectively and stop fighting about it," Scott Raymond Dozier told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "I want...

When should my child take those much-anticipated first steps?

by Mary Caldwell, For the AJC

Your child's first steps are a time of great anticipation and excitement, but you might also wonder if he or she is taking too long to reach this important milestone. Most babies start to take their first steps when they're between 9-12 months old, and most are walking well at around the 14- to 15-month mark, according to BabyCenter. The important part to remember is "most," since like...

Outdoor fun dwindles as smoky haze hangs over California

Associated Press

A dull haze and the faint smell of smoke from distant blazes have blanketed many California cities for two weeks, forcing summer campers to stay inside, obscuring normally bright skylines and leaving cars covered with ash. Smoky air from blowing winds is nothing new in California, but air quality experts say it's rare for the dirty air to linger for so long, a reality of ever-larger fires that take...

Abortion activists vow to press fight despite Argentina loss

Associated Press

Women's groups across Latin America vowed to keep fighting for a right to abortion despite the Argentine Senate's rejection of a bill early Thursday that would have legalized the procedure in Pope Francis' home country. There were even expectations that the conservative government might now move to decriminalize abortions following the wave of demonstrations by feminist groups that pushed the legislation...

GOP congressman from New York charged with insider trading

Associated Press

Republican U.S. Rep. Christopher Collins of New York was arrested Wednesday on charges he fed inside information he gleaned from sitting on the board of a biotechnology corporation to his son, helping family and friends dodge hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses when one of the company's drugs failed in a medical trial. Collins, a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump who was among the...

Famed California research center settles 2 gender bias suits

Associated Press

Southern California's Salk Institute for Biological Studies has settled two of three gender discrimination lawsuits filed by top female scientists. The renowned research center and two former plaintiffs, Kathy Jones and Vicki Lundblad, said in a statement Tuesday that they've agreed to "put our disagreements behind" and "move forward together." Terms were not disclosed. The third...

Helping nature: Inducing labor avoids cesarean for some moms

AP Chief Medical Writer

Move over, Mother Nature. First-time moms at low risk of complications were less likely to need a cesarean delivery if labor was induced at 39 weeks instead of waiting for it to start on its own, a big study found. Their babies fared better, too. The results overturn the longtime view that inducing labor raises the risk for a C-section, and prompted two leading OB-GYN doctor groups to say it's now...

No easy answers on best heart check-up for young athletes

AP Medical Writer

What kind of heart check-up do young athletes need to make the team? A large study of teenage soccer players in England found in-depth screening didn't detect signs of trouble in some athletes who later died — yet allowed others at risk to get treated and back in the game. At issue is cardiac arrest, when the heart abruptly stops beating. It is rare in young people, especially athletes thought...

Argentine Senate debates measure to legalize abortion

Associated Press

The Senate debated all day Wednesday over a bill that would legalize elective abortion in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy in the homeland of Pope Francis, setting up a vote that could reverberate around the region. Argentina's lower house of Congress already passed the measure, and President Mauricio Macri said he would sign it if approved by the Senate. The Senate session spilled over into Thursday...

Huge Los Angeles gas leak leads to $120 million settlement

Associated Press

A Southern California utility reached a nearly $120 million settlement over a massive blowout at a natural gas storage field that became the nation's largest known release of climate-changing methane and forced thousands to flee their Los Angeles homes almost three years ago, officials announced Wednesday. The settlement between Southern California Gas Co. and state and local governments aims to mitigate...

Med students, health center plan outreach around closed Good Sam

by Kaitlin Schroeder, Staff Writer

The neighborhoods surrounding Good Samaritan Hospital are being canvassed to survey residents on their health needs and to help people get connected to existing health resources following the closure of the longtime Dayton hospital. About 100 medical students with Wright State are volunteering with Five Rivers Health Centers in the effort to provide residents options for their health needs. The Premier...

Ebola vaccinations begin in Congo's latest deadly outbreak

The Associated Press

Ebola vaccinations began Wednesday for Congo's latest outbreak of the deadly virus that has already claimed at least nine lives. Health officials have warned that containing the outbreak in North Kivu province is complicated by the presence of multiple armed groups vying for mineral-rich land in the northeastern region that borders Uganda and Rwanda. Ebola screening of travelers at the Congo-Rwanda...

China orders recall from overseas as vaccine scandal churns

The Associated Press

Investigators in China have begun recalling defective vaccines produced by a Chinese drugmaker from domestic and overseas markets, health authorities said. Investigators found Changchun Changsheng Life Sciences Ltd. had blended expired fluids in its vaccines and falsified records from as early as April 2014, the National Health Commission said in a statement Tuesday. The names of the overseas countries...

Japan medical school confirms altering scores to limit women

Associated Press

A Tokyo medical school apologized Tuesday after an internal investigation confirmed that it altered entrance exam scores for years to limit the number of female students and ensure more men became doctors. Tokyo Medical University manipulated all entrance exam results starting in 2006 or even earlier, according to findings released by lawyers involved in the investigation, confirming recent reports...

Look who's talking: When should your baby start talking?

by Mary Caldwell, For the AJC

Parents look forward to their kids saying their first words, eagerly listening for that first "Mama" or "Dada" or even something random. If you have friends telling you that their child had already started to chatter at a certain age, you may start to wonder if your child will ever talk. Those first sounds represent your child's attempts to interact with her environment, and it...

7 tips to help soothe your teething child

by Mary Caldwell, For the AJC

Those first few baby teeth look awfully cute, but as they're working their way through your child's gums, they can cause a good bit of discomfort. Naturally, you'll want to make your baby as comfortable as possible. Give your baby something cold – like a pacifier, teething ring, spoon or clean wet washcloth that's been placed in the fridge – to help relieve the pain, WebMD experts suggest...

Man's limbs amputated after dog's lick likely caused bacterial infection

by Michelle Ewing, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

A Wisconsin man's limbs were amputated after doctors said he contracted a bacterial infection – likely from a dog's lick. According to WITI, Greg Manteufel, 48, of West Bend, believed he had the flu when he went to the emergency room in late June. But doctors later determined that capnocytophaga, a type of bacteria found in dog saliva, had caused the infection that left him bruised, dropped...

Alzheimer's trial drug shows promise, lifts hopes of local families

by Breaking News Staff

More than 5.7 million Americans are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, including 30,000 in the Miami Valley. A new clinical trial has many feeling hopeful, especially with the number diagnosed expected to jump to 15 million over the next two decades. Eighteen months after patients took a drug called Ban 2401, many said they saw a dramatic improvement. John Loveless and his wife, Jennifer, life...

9 healthy, delicious school lunch ideas your kids will love

by Helena Oliviero, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

You want to pack a healthy, appealing lunch for your kids every day. Problem is, it’s easy to fall into a lunch rut. Who hasn’t eaten the same turkey sandwich every day for a week? Experts say planning ahead and getting your kids involved in the process can go a long way in preparing a healthy, balanced — and enticing— school lunch. Here are six tips and nine recipes (see box)...

Hot Cheetos, Takis under fire after mom blames spicy snacks for daughter's gallbladder surgery

by Zach Crenshaw, Fox13Memphis.com

A health warning tonight for parents: Doctors say popular spicy snacks are making many kids sick. A doctor at LeBohneur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, told WHBQ that more kids have been checking in with stomach pain. They believe the spicy snacks are the main contributor, and they are encouraging parents to know what their kids are eating. “There's a YouTube...

8 warning signs that your child could have a speech delay

by Mary Caldwell, For the AJC

Your child's first few words represent an exciting milestone, so if there’s the slightest delay in those first words or their evolution into sentences, it may alarm any doting parent. Parents often wonder if their child has a speech delay, especially if other children seem to be speaking at an earlier age. Most children eventually catch up, but if you can detect any potential issues early, you...

What’s that red spot? Things to know about rashes and your child

by Mary Caldwell, For the AJC

Childhood rashes are extremely common and in most cases, they're not serious. It can be worrying though to see hives, welts or other types of rash on your child's skin and you may be confused about what's causing the issue. The following guide will help you understand the causes of rashes and to know when you should be concerned enough to call the pediatrician: Rashes can be caused by a lot of different...

Frequent teen technology use linked to ADHD symptoms, study finds

by Fiza Pirani, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood, affecting millions of American children annually, according to the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While the causes and risk factors of the disorder are unknown, researchers are studying how brain injury, exposure to lead and other environmental factors during...

Does your child have a food allergy? Here's how to tell

by Mary Caldwell, For the AJC

Food allergies are a growing problem, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and in the cases of children, an allergic reaction to something as simple as sandwich could potentially be life-threatening. About 4-6 percent of children in the U.S. have food allergies, and it's important to know whether your child is among this group. The most common food allergies in children...

Man dies after eating raw oysters at Florida restaurant, report says

by ActionNewsJax.com

A man died from a Vibrio vulnificus bacterial infection after eating raw oysters at a Florida restaurant, health officials say. The 71-year-old man reportedly died two days after eating the raw oysters in a Sarasota restaurant. Health officials have not said which restaurant. "We have an individual that consumed some raw oysters and to the best of our knowledge had no exposure to salt water...

5 signs your relationship is hurting your mental health

by Rose Kennedy, For the AJC

Everyone in a relationship knows how easy it is to accuse a partner of something they didn't do. It's their fault, you tell them, whether the spat is about towels on the bathroom floor, an angry mother-in-law or a missed restaurant reservation. Sometimes you know you're wrong the second these words leave your mouth; other times you recognize your mistake in the days to come. But the same people often...

What is autism? Things to know about the disorder

by Shari Perkins, For the AJC

Autism is a disorder that has been around since the 1940s, but still has an air of mystery around it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 1 in 59 children in the United States has autism. But with a list of different symptoms and causes, it can be hard to know what you should look for and how to tell if your child might be showing early signs. To help you, here's an overview...

Grandma was right: Why it's good for your health to be outdoors

by Rose Kennedy, For the AJC

Sure, there are treadmills at climate-controlled gyms and Nintendo's Wii is still going strong with indoor workouts like Zumba Fitness 2. And yet, old-fashioned advice to "go outside and play" is still the best for your health, according to researchers the world over. In one study published by the NCBI, researchers found a decrease in both heart rate and cortisol...

Back-to-school selfies may spread super lice, expert says

by Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Parents may want to add super lice remedies to the back-to-school shopping list. A 2013 study in the Journal of Medical Entomology found that in North America, most head lice has evolved into a new, more powerful strain that is immune to traditional lice treatments, hence the name “super lice.” » RELATED: Back-to-school sales starting early as first day approaches...

Baby sleep: 7 tips for surviving the first few months

by Mary Caldwell, For the AJC

The first few months of motherhood can make you feel like you're the unwitting victim of a sleep-deprivation experiment. The common advice is to sleep when the baby's sleeping, but that only works if your idea of getting rest is sleeping for two hours at a time and giving up all your other responsibilities. When you're getting up at nighttime to feed your baby, Today's Parent recommends that...

9 infant illnesses to watch for (and when to worry)

by Shari Perkins, For the AJC

The first couple of years of children's lives are full of discoveries for their parents. You'll learn about their personalities, their favorite foods and what makes their faces light up. However, that time can also be a little unsettling due to some common ailments that infants often encounter within the first few years of their lives. Hand, Foot and Mouth DiseaseHand, foot and mouth disease starts...

6 things your child should know before starting kindergarten

by Mary Caldwell, For the AJC

Your child will learn a wealth of information in kindergarten, and you can help ensure that he or she knows what's needed to get off to a good start. If you're like most parents, you probably wonder how much and exactly what your child needs to know in order to feel at ease and be ready to learn. Your child should know some basics that will help kindergarten start more comfortably and easily...

Coffee drinker? You’re more likely to live longer, study finds

by Fiza Pirani, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The list of health benefits of drinking coffee continues to grow longer. A new study published Monday in JAMA Internal Medicine revealed that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of death compared to non-coffee drinkers. To understand whether heavy coffee consumption is linked to an increased risk of mortality, researchers from Maryland and Illinois assessed demographic, lifestyle...

7 ways to put bed-wetting to rest for your child

by Mary Caldwell, For the AJC

Bed-wetting is no fun for your child, who's waking up with soaked sheets, or for you, the parent. This problem is common, with about 5 million children in the U.S. wetting the bed, according to HealthyChildren.org. About 20 percent of five-year-olds, 10 percent of seven-year-olds and 5 percent of 10-year-olds wet the bed. If your child is wetting the bed, he or she will probably outgrow it, but...

What is juuling? 5 things to know about concerning teen trend

by Kara Driscoll, Staff Writer

A popular product in the e-cigarette market is getting kids addicted to nicotine fast, some health experts say. The Juul, a small vape device that resembles a flash drive, can be charged in a laptop USB port. Juul uses an “intelligent heating mechanism that creates an aerosol and is engineered to minimize combustion,” according to the company’s website. Only adults ages 21 or older...

Is your child's teeth grinding normal?

by Mary Caldwell, For the AJC

Teeth grinding – which is also known as bruxism – is very common in children, especially among toddlers and preschoolers. If you hear your child doing this at night, or if they have symptoms of teeth grinding, here's what you need to know about whether this habit is anything to be concerned about: About 20-30 percent of kids grind their teeth or clench their jaws. They usually outgrow...

Childhood asthma: What you need to know

by Mary Caldwell, For the AJC

For parents of children who have asthma, it's scary to see your child have trouble breathing. You'll want to learn what you can about this chronic condition so you can recognize the symptoms and help your child manage his or her asthma. About 6 million children in the U.S. have asthma, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It's a chronic condition that causes the...

Cincinnati Children’s jumps to No. 2 spot in nation, is first in Ohio

by Breaking News Staff

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center ranks second in the nation and first in Ohio. For the last seven years, the hospital — which also operates the Cincinnati Children’s Liberty Campus in Liberty Twp. in Butler County — ranked third in the nation among all Honor Roll hospitals in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Children’s Hospitals ranking. “This...

Not a hoax: There is a tick that causes red meat allergies

by Rose Kennedy, For the AJC

Burger lovers, rib grillers, Taco Tuesday fans−listen up. The Center for Disease Control's May 2018 report that diseases transmitted by fleas, mosquitoes and ticks have tripled in recent years was bad enough, but this is even worse. One type of tick bite causes a red meat allergy. The actual ailment is galactose-alpha, or alpha-gal. It's transmitted by the Lone Star Tick, or amblyomma...

What is selfitis? 5 things to know about the obsessive selfie disorder

by Jason Lemon, For the AJC

The term "selfitis" may have started off as a hoax back in 2014, but now psychologists have warned it's a genuine mental health issue. Researchers form the Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom and Thiagarajar School of Management in India actually investigated the social media phenomenon, leading them to create a "Selfitis Behavior Scale." Now, individuals...

Here’s how to identify (and get rid of) venomous spiders in your home

by Mary Caldwell, For the AJC

Most people aren't too happy when they encounter a spider, and that's especially true if the creepy-crawly you come across happens to be venomous. Although it's understandable to be anxious about venomous spiders, it’s important to know the difference between a harmless spider and a dangerous one. Here are some important tips from experts on dealing with venomous spiders and what to do if you...

Stung by a jellyfish on vacation? Here’s what you should do

by Kara Driscoll, Staff Writer

Contrary to popular belief, you really shouldn’t pee on a jellyfish sting. Jellyfish stings are on the rise in Florida, according to The Weather Channel. More than 600 people were treated for jellyfish stings over the weekend along Florida’s central Atlantic coast, according to lifeguards on the beaches. Here’s what you need to do if you suspect you’ve been stung by a jellyfish...

An hour-by-hour, easy guide to improving your energy all day long

by Rose Kennedy, For the AJC

Is “just −so −tired” your constant state of being? Batteries drained? All out of oomph? Exhausted? There are so many ways to describe that blah, no energy feeling that can strike throughout the day. And while sometimes the explanation is obvious (binge-watching an entire season of Santa Clarita Diet last night may not have been the best idea), other energy sappers...

How to sleep more soundly in the summer swelter

by Rose Kennedy, For the AJC

The rewards for getting proper shut eye (averaging at least 6 hours per night) range from boosted immunity and reduced stress to lower risk of obesity and the ever-important ability to function at work and while driving. These benefits don't alter in the slightest when summer rolls around. But when Atlanta summer temps start ranging from "sweltering" to "Inferno conditions," the...

Birth control pill recall: Taytulla packaging error could lead to unintended pregnancy

by Michelle Ewing, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Drugmaker Allergan has issued a recall for a popular birth control pill over a packaging error that could lead to unintended pregnancy. According to a news release Tuesday, Allergan is recalling one lot of Taytulla birth control pills because capsules were placed in the wrong order. The recalled products are from lot No. 5620706 and have a May 2019 expiration date. "Allergan recently identified...

Stream and dream: How to binge-watch Netflix and still get sleep

by Rose Kennedy, For the AJC

Scientists and your average insomniac have long known that factors from stress to overly hot bedrooms to a partner's snoring can cause poor sleep. Now, there's another item for the list, one that goes in the "life is unfair" column − because it turns out that binge-watching Netflix (your source of joy, stress reduction and water cooler conversations) can cause poor sleep...

Sweet dreams: How to conquer your nightmares

For the AJC

You're asleep, right? You can hardly be expected to control your actions, much less your thoughts. But if bad dreams are ruining your sleep (and affecting your waking moments), you can work to eliminate or minimize them, according to psychologists and sleep experts. "One way of thinking about dreams is that they're part of the same problem-solving processes that we use during the day time,"...

Aimovig: New migraine prevention drug approved by FDA

by Michelle Ewing, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

If you suffer from chronic migraines, relief is here. According to The Associated Press, the Food and Drug Administration last week approved Aimovig, a monthly shot that aims to reduce migraines. The drug, developed by Amgen Inc. and Novartis AG, is "injected monthly just under the skin using a pen-like device," the AP reported. Its price tag: $6,900 annually before insurance. But how...

New autism research could predict whether children as young as 3 months old are at risk

by Boston25News.com

A groundbreaking study is being done at Boston Children's Hospital that researchers say could potentially predict whether a child as young as 3 months old is at-risk for developing autism. Right now, most children can't receive a reliable diagnosis until they are at least 1 year old. Chase Minicucci and his mother, Hillary Steele Minicucci, regularly go to Boston Children&rsquo...

Major depression diagnoses on the rise in the U.S., study finds

by Fiza Pirani, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Over the past five years, diagnoses of major depression in the United States have risen by at least 33 percent. That’s according to a new report from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, for which analysts assessed the BCBS Health Index built from billions of claims for more than 41 million commercially insured Americans annually. >> Read more trending news The index...

Drowning doesn't look like what you think. How to recognize the signs

by Rose Kennedy, For the AJC

No yelling, no waving. Just a silent gasping for air and 20 to 60 seconds later, submersion. And someone has drowned, maybe in plain site. "Drowning is not the violent, splashing call for help that most people expect," noted Coast Guard retiree and trained rescue swimmer Mario Vittone in an article that appeared on the Army blog. "To get an idea of just how quiet and undramatic...

WATCH: Pollen cloud springs from tree in sneeze-worthy viral video

by Michelle Ewing, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Look away, allergy sufferers: This viral video from New Jersey might bring you to tears. On Monday, Facebook user Jennifer Henderson shared a clip of a backhoe tapping a tree in Millville – and the enormous pollen cloud that followed. >> Read more trending news "When my husband said the pollen's bad, I probably should've taken his word for it. Crazy!" Henderson wrote...

Ohio among states battling sudden rise in Hepatitis A cases

by Breaking news staff

The number of Hepatitis A cases in Ohio and neighboring states has spiked since January, the Ohio Department of Health is reporting. The are currently 31 cases in the state, the highest since 2015, the Greene County Public Health said in a release Tuesday. In comparison, there were four cases during the same period in 2017, two in 2016 and five in 2015, according to the release. Hepatitis...

‘Being LGBTQ is not an illness’: Record number of states banning conversion therapy

by Susan Miller, USA TODAY

A record number of jurisdictions this year are taking aim at conversion therapy for minors: an attempt to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity through tactics as obvious as hypnosis or as subtle as inducing shame. Almost 50 bills have been introduced in 24 states targeting conversion therapy, which has been discredited by dozens of medical associations and child-welfare institutions...

5 centenarians share strange secrets to longevity

by Jason Lemon, For the AJC

What is the secret to longevity? This question taunts all of humanity. Although we have yet to discover a fountain of youth, centenarians – individuals who live to be over 100-years-old – can potentially give us clues on to how to live longer, healthier and happier lives. By taking a closer look at their lifestyles, genetics and social dynamics, some scientists are trying to...

Death of loved one during pregnancy may affect child's mental health, study says

by Najja Parker, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Grieving the death of a loved one can affect an entire family, including babies. In fact, losing a relative during pregnancy may affect the mental health of a child later in life, according to a new report. Researchers from Stanford University recently conducted a study, published in the American Economic Review, to determine the effect a family member’s death may have on...

Breast cancer patients may help boost survival chances by building muscle, study says

by Najja Parker, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Chemotherapy and radiation are common treatments for breast cancer. However, building muscle may also help boost chances of survival, according to a new report. Researchers from Kaiser Permanente recently conducted a study, published in JAMA Oncology, to determine the association between muscle quality and the disease. To do so, they examined 3,241 women from Kaiser...

Add this common snack to your diet to help avoid heart attacks, study suggests

by Najja Parker, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Looking for ways to improve your heart health? Munching on nuts and seeds could lower your cardiovascular disease risk, according to a new report. Researchers from Loma Linda University in California recently conducted a study, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, to determine which foods may contribute to heart disease risk, which can lead to high blood pressure, cardiac arrest...

Pasta could help you lose weight, study says

by Najja Parker, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Do you avoid pasta when attempting to drop pounds? Don’t do away with the dish just yet, because it has been linked to weight loss, according to a new report. Researchers from St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, Canada, recently conducted a study, published in the BMJ Open journal, to determine how the Italian staple affects our health. To do so, they took a look at 30 trials that...

Avoid the pain, get the gains: 5 most common exercise-related injuries

by Rose Kennedy, For the AJC

For those that take their workouts seriously, be sure to add one more fitness goal to the list: avoiding exercise injuries. Not only does getting hurt in the gym or on the trail cut back on how much time you spend getting fit, it's also painful and treatment can be costly. Personal trainer Justin Price, M.A. told Men's Fitness that there are two main reasons for workout-related...