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Climate Change May Bring More Fungal Lung Infections

Fungal lung infections are spreading to parts of the United States where they were once never seen — likely a result of climate change, experts say.

To the average person, the term fungal infection may conjure up thoughts of athlete's foot or toenail problems. But some fungus species cause potentially severe respiratory infections, ...

Monkeypox Renamed MPox Amid Racism Concerns

Monkeypox still exists, but its name is being phased out over racism concerns.

For the next year, the terms monkeypox and the new name mpox will be used interchangeably before the virus is permanently renamed mpox, the World Health Organization announced Monday.

"Racist and stigmatizing language" arose after the virus spread to more ...

Lead Toxin Concerns Spur Recall of Toddler Sippy Cups

Parents whose toddlers use certain Green Sprouts bottles or cups need to discard them immediately because of a risk of lead exposure, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns.

When the base of the cups come apart, it exposes a solder dot that contains lead, according to a CPSC news release.

“Lead is toxic if ingeste...

Advent of 'Bloodless Medicine' Is Helping Some Patients Avoid Transfusions

Before Andrea Acerra, 45, had a hysterectomy due to heavy periods in November, she received an iron infusion to boost her red blood cell count and stave off the need for a transfusion.

"I was just worried about side effects from the iron, but there were none," said Acerra, a senior medical assistant in Bay Shore, N.Y.

South Shore Uni...

A Purpose in Life Might Lengthen Your Life

MONDAY, Nov. 28, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Having a clear purpose in life could reduce your risk for premature death.

That's the conclusion of researchers who spent eight years tracking about 13,000 Americans over age 50.

Those who considered their life particularly purposeful were found to have about a 15% risk of ...

Berry Good for You: Some Foods Can Strengthen Your Brain

Eating more berries and drinking tea may help slow mental decline as you age, new research suggests.

In a study of more than 900 adults, researchers found that foods like these -- containing antioxidant flavonols -- delivered brain benefits to older adults. Flavonols are found in fruits like berries, green leafy vegetables, tea and w...

A Beloved Pet's Death Can Trigger Deep Grief. Finding Support Can Be Tough

Anyone who's ever loved a pet like a member of the family knows that the grief when that dog, cat or other furry friend dies can be devastating.

But too often, finding others who truly understand and support that sense of loss can be challenging.

Michelle Crossley, a mental health counselor, and Colleen Rolland, a pet loss gri...

New COVID Variant XBB Is Gaining Ground Among Americans

MONDAY, Nov. 28, 2022 (HealthDay News) – U.S. health officials are tracking a new COVID variant that's a combination of two earlier Omicron subvariants.

Known as XBB, this latest subvariant now represents 3.1% of new COVID cases throughout the U.S. and 5% of cases in the Northeast.

Based on preliminary estimates from the U.S. Cent...

Skipping Meals Could Shave Years Off Your Life

MONDAY, Nov. 28, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Intermittent fasting -- limiting eating to a small part of the day -- is very popular these days. But that doesn't mean it's healthy.

A new study published online in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests that people who skipped meals, fasted or at...

Type of Medicare Could Influence Cancer Patients' Outcomes

Your chances of surviving cancer could depend on the type of Medicare plan you have, a new study reports.

Americans enrolled in a privatized, cost-saving Medicare Advantage plan are more likely to die within a month of undergoing complex cancer surgery, compared to those in traditional Medicare, the researchers found.

Those covered b...

Lots of Teen Boys Use Steroids, Often With Side Effects

Steroid users, especially teen boys and young men, seem indifferent to the serious side effects and dependency associated with use of the drugs, a new study finds.

“We’re seeing more young adults and adolescent boys engaging in risk behaviors, such as the use of steroids, to achieve what many see as the ideal male body,” said lead au...

Caregiving Can Heighten Loneliness, or Ease It

Taking care of a loved one can either be a break from loneliness or help to bring loneliness on, depending on your circumstances, new research shows.

Researchers broadly studied the issue, using data from 28 studies with more than 190,000 participants in 21 countries. They found certain types of caregiving — such as volunteering and cari...

COVID in Pregnancy Can Vary — Get Vaccinated to Stay Safe

When pregnant women contract COVID-19, one in 10 will have moderate, severe or even critical symptoms, a new study finds.

So it’s important they get their COVID vaccines, experts say.

“Given that patients in all trimesters of pregnancy are susceptible to infection and severe respiratory illness from COVID-19, these findings add u...

Allergies & Asthma: Keep Sneezes & Wheezes at Bay This Holiday Season

SATURDAY, Nov. 26, 2022 (HealthDay News) – It’s possible to have a joy-filled holiday season while keeping allergies and asthma in check.

Being aware of triggers is a key, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).

“While the holidays bring much joy, some of the good times can be derailed by al...

Vitamins: It's Best to Get Them From Food, Not a Bottle

Bottled vitamins might seem a convenient way to get all the important nutrients, but the best delivery method is still just eating actual healthy food.

“We have plenty of studies showing that when we look at food as the bioavailable source of certain nutrients of vitamins and minerals, they tend to be one of the best options,” said Kr...

Exercise Might Ease Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment

An exercise program, even if it's not as intense as national guidelines suggest, could help breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy reduce fatigue and have a better quality of life, new research suggests.

Researchers from Edith Cowan University in Australia included 89 women in this study -- 43 participated in the exercise por...

About 1 in 35 U.S. Pregnancies Exposed to Opioids

FRIDAY, Nov. 25, 2022 (HealthDay News) – Researchers have found that nearly 3% of pregnancies in the United States were exposed to addictive opioid drugs.

The finding stems from an analysis of data from 21,905 pregnant women in what's dubbed the ECHO program (Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes), a federally funded effort t...

As COVID Restrictions Lifted, Asthma Attacks Rose

When COVID-19 restrictions lifted in the United Kingdom, the risk for severe asthma attacks doubled.

While having COVID isn't more likely to cause asthma attacks than other respiratory infections, it may have been that safety measures, such as wearing masks and reduced socializing, kept these attacks at bay, the authors of a new study sugg...

Transgender Youth Much More Likely to Have Troubled Sleep

Transgender youth are more likely than others to experience sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea, and researchers now recommend these young people be screened for sleep problems.

“Transgender and gender-nonconforming identity may precede mental health disorders, and both influence insomnia diagnosis,” said study co-author G...

Acupuncture Might Ease Back Pain During Pregnancy

Many women experience back pain during pregnancy and a new study review suggests an ancient treatment can help.

Acupuncture provided significant relief of lower back and pelvic pain, according to an analysis of 10 trials from various parts of the world. The findings were published Nov. 21 in BMJ Open.

"Acupuncture significan...