Corticosteroid bursts as short as 2 weeks or less were still linked to severe adverse events among relatively healthy users, according to a large study from Taiwan. For people taking oral steroids over a median 3 days, the risk of such events was elevated in the 5-30 days after steroid therapy initiation compared with the
HEALTH
Nosebleeds occur when blood vessels in the nose burst and blood flows out. In response to this damage, the body forms a blood clot in the nose. It does this to reduce the blood leaking out and to repair damage to the vessels. Nosebleeds are very common and rarely harmful. The blood clot that forms
Fish oil is available as a supplement that manufacturers produce from fish. However, the benefits of fish oil are not always clear, and it may have unexpected side effects. Certain fish and the oil from them contain healthful fats that health experts recommend people regularly consume in their diets. The omega-3 fatty acids from fatty
Scientists have trained an artificial intelligence tool to predict sex and estimate age from electrocardiogram readouts. They suggest that, with further development, the tool could soon be helping doctors to assess the overall health of their patients. One day, an AI-enhanced ECG could estimate a person’s overall health. An electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG
verbaska_studio | Getty Images The first generation of wearable devices, like smartwatches and activity trackers, were aimed at helping generally healthy people track their physical activity. Now, the medical industry is looking for ways to use smart gadgets to monitor patients with chronic illnesses. Keeping track of patients after they go home is increasingly important
Adolescents exposed to higher levels of fine-particle air pollutants have heightened autonomic nervous system reactions to social stress, reports a study in Psychosomatic Medicine: Journal of Biobehavioral Medicine, the official journal of the American Psychosomatic Society. The journal is published in the Lippincott Portfolio by Wolters Kluwer. Teens with anxiety and depression appear to be
Critics of the fluoride-IQ study published this month in JAMA Pediatrics claimed it needed replication. However, the Canadian study by Green (2019) was already a replication of another U.S. government-funded study published in 2017 by Bashash which found similar effects, reports the Fluoride Action Network (FAN). Both were Mother-Offspring studies that used urinary fluoride levels
FDA warnings This drug has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. Sedation. Spravato can cause sedation (sleepiness, trouble thinking clearly, inability to drive or operate heavy machinery). This can make certain activities
FDA warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts in children This medication has a boxed warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This is the strongest warning that the FDA requires. A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. Trintellix can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in
Glycosuria is a condition in which a person’s urine contains more sugar, or glucose, than it should. It typically occurs due to high blood sugar levels or kidney damage. Glycosuria is a common symptom of both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Renal glycosuria occurs when a person’s kidneys are damaged. It is a
Gluten is not necessarily harmful to people with diabetes, and most people will not need to follow a gluten free diet. However, a gluten free diet may provide benefits for some people with diabetes. While gluten is not harmful, many foods that contain gluten can raise a person’s blood sugar levels. In addition, there are
Constipation is a relatively common complaint among people living with diabetes. Diabetes can cause constipation either directly or indirectly. Diabetes can lead to persistently high blood sugar levels, which may cause nerve damage that can result in constipation. In some cases, a person’s diet or medication may also cause constipation. The symptoms of constipation can
A Christian-run health system in Colorado has fired a veteran doctor who went to court to fight for the right of her patient to use the state’s medical aid-in-dying law, citing religious doctrine that describes “assisted suicide” as “intrinsically evil.” Centura Health Corp. this week abruptly terminated Dr. Barbara Morris, 65, a geriatrician with 40
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects the cells that produce mucus, digestive fluids, and sweat. People with cystic fibrosis (CF) usually receive a diagnosis in early childhood. More than 30,000 children and young adults in the United States are currently living with the condition. CF can cause various complications, including chronic lung infections,
Researchers, using data from more than 40,000 women, conclude that eating red meat is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, but consuming poultry appears to link to a lower risk. A recent study investigates the impact of meat on breast cancer risk. Breast cancer affects around 1 in 8 women in the United
Lynch syndrome is an inherited condition that increases a person’s risk of developing colorectal cancer and other forms of cancer before the age of 50 years. Doctors may also refer to it as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Lynch syndrome is responsible for 3–5% of colorectal cancers
What is Truvada? Truvada is a brand-name prescription medication that’s used for treating HIV infection. It’s also used for preventing HIV infection in people who have a high risk of getting HIV. This use, in which the treatment is given before the person may be exposed to HIV, is called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Truvada contains
New research finds that eye tracking tests can accurately detect people who have a form of mild cognitive impairment that predisposes them to Alzheimer’s disease. The direction of a person’s gaze can be a telltale sign of cognitive impairment. Alzheimer’s disease often evolves from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) — a small decline in memory and
New research finds that individuals with higher optimism tend to live longer and also have greater odds of living 85 years and more. Optimism may boost longevity, new research finds. A recent PNAS paper describes how the researchers assessed the link between higher optimism and longer lifespan, with a particular focus on the chances of
Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter talks with the media during a break the Opioid trial in Norman, Okla., June 26, 2019. Sue Ogrocki | AP SC Johnson, maker of Drano, Pledge and other household products, is threatening to sue Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter for citing the company’s slogan in the state’s opioid lawsuit against
