MONDAY, Nov. 5, 2018 (American Heart Association) — New research shows that electronic cigarettes contain chemicals that cause heart damage, adding to the growing list of concerns about their safety. The study, which will be presented Nov. 12 at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions meeting in Chicago, investigated the effect that e-cigarettes have on […]
Why a Cold-Weather Workout Can Make You Cough—and What to Do About It
Q: Sometimes after I finish a run outside on a cold day, I have a coughing fit. What’s up with that? While winter workouts are great for some people, cold or dry air can trigger exercise-induced asthma (EIA) in others. EIA is a condition in which the small airways in the lungs swell, making it […]
Do legal cannabis products really work as well as Ibuprofen?
Do legal cannabis products really work as well as over-the-counter Ibuprofen? It’s a booming market with cannabis porridge, cola and even pet food on the way But, while that excites some, experts are still divided on their alleged benefit Home Secretary recently said some doctors will be able to prescribe cannabis A chance conversation overheard […]
Do not give decongestants to young children for common cold symptoms, say experts
Decongestants should not be given to children under 6—and given with caution in children under 12—as there is no evidence that they alleviate symptoms such as a blocked or runny nose, and their safety is unclear, say experts in The BMJ today. Instead, they advise doctors to reassure patients that a cold is distressing but […]
Do you take all your annual holiday leave? You’ll likely live longer if you do
Did you skip your summer holiday, or didn’t take enough time off during the festive season? You might want to rethink your plans for the rest of the year and 2019. Getting away from work and other commitments could be the key to a longer life. A study that began in the 1970s to determine […]
Do you drink more than an average Australian?
If science finally manages to come through with that time machine and you head back to 1970s Australia, whatever you do, don’t get in a shout with someone at the pub. All indications are they will drink you under the table. Certainly, compared to today, people in 1970s Australia drank so much beer it’s hard […]
I have had this mole-like thing on my chest for almost a year now. I thought it used to be a pimple that I popped, but instead of disappearing it became this big soft fatty bump on my chest which makes me look like I have 3 nipples! Is this a bad sign? Do I need to see my doctor?
Anytime you have a skin problem that doesn’t go away, you should make an appointment with your health care provider. Small lumps or cysts (fluid filled sacs under the skin) are common and most of the time aren’t dangerous. They can sometimes get infected and in very rare cases they can be something serious. It […]
It’s 2018. Do you know where your medical records are?
Can you imagine a future where the question “Did you bring a copy of your test results?” becomes entirely unnecessary? That could happen, but the methods that most health care providers use to exchange health care information are little different than they were 5,000 years ago, when physicians caring for the same patient exchanged scrolls […]
I have had a heart attack. Do I need open heart surgery or a stent?
New advice on the choice between open heart surgery and inserting a stent via a catheter after a heart attack is launched today. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) Guidelines on myocardial revascularization are published online in European Heart Journal. Coronary artery disease, also called ischaemic heart disease, […]
Time to stop cancer screenings: what do patients want to hear?
(HealthDay)—Older adults prefer explanations about stopping cancer screening that emphasize the shift to focus on other health issues, according to a research letter published in the August issue of JAMA Oncology. Nancy L. Schoenborn, M.D., M.H.S., from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, and colleagues conducted a cross-sectional survey of 881 U.S. […]