6 Tips to Reduce Dementia Risk

Nearly 50 million people worldwide currently suffer from dementia, and this is set to almost double by 2030, and more than triple by 2050. Alzheimer’s is the best known, most common form of dementia, the 6th leading cause of death in America, and once diagnosed with it, the average remaining lifespan is only 8 years.… Continue reading 6 Tips to Reduce Dementia Risk

Sleeping Pills Raise Risk of Hip Fractures

Older people who have been newly prescribed certain kinds of sleeping pills have more than double the risk of hip fracture in the first two weeks of use, when compared to non-users, according to new research. The analysis, which looked at the use of pills such as benzodiazepines and ‘Z-drugs,’ was conducted by investigators at… Continue reading Sleeping Pills Raise Risk of Hip Fractures

Hospitals and Data Breaches

People who are hospitalized have many things to worry about besides a personal data breach, yet this is happening at a startling rate: recent research co-authored by a Michigan State University business scholar found nearly 1,800 occurrences of large data breaches in patient information over a seven-year period. The study, by Xuefeng “John” Jiang, MSU… Continue reading Hospitals and Data Breaches

Simple Steps to Reduce Breast-Cancer Risk

When it comes to breast-cancer prevention, most women know about the importance of self-examinations, mammograms and any genetic factors. But other steps that can help women avoid breast cancer may not be as well known, or at least not as often discussed. “Although breast cancer is, rightfully, a significant concern, every woman should keep in… Continue reading Simple Steps to Reduce Breast-Cancer Risk

Emergency-Room Visits Linked to Increased Disability Risks

Older adults who go to the emergency department (ED) for an illness or injury have higher risks for disability and decline in physical ability up to six months later, accordinig to a study from researchers at Yale. The study was published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine. Most adults aged 65 and older who visit… Continue reading Emergency-Room Visits Linked to Increased Disability Risks

Study: Red Meat Doesn’t Influence Short-Term Cardiovascular Risks

Some good news for meat lovers: Consuming red meat in higher-than-recommended amounts does not affect short-term cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as blood pressure and blood cholesterol, according to a new review of clinical trials from Purdue University. “During the last 20 years, there have been recommendations to eat less red meat as part of… Continue reading Study: Red Meat Doesn’t Influence Short-Term Cardiovascular Risks

New Benefits Found for Aspirin

Taking an aspirin a day can help some older Americans reduce heart-attack risk, prevent some cancers and cancer deaths, and extend their lives, according to a new study from the University of Southern California (USc). The study found that the people who benefited from daily low-dose aspirin had a high risk of heart disease. Researchers… Continue reading New Benefits Found for Aspirin

Study: Caffeine Linked with Reduced Risk of Dementia

Good news for female caffeine consumers: Higher caffeine intake in women is associated with reduced odds of developing dementia or cognitive impairment, according to the results of a new study. The findings were published in The Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences. Among a group of older women, self-reported caffeine consumption… Continue reading Study: Caffeine Linked with Reduced Risk of Dementia

Preventive Steps Substantially Reduce Cancer Risk

If people follow cancer prevention recommendations on diet and physical activity, overall cancer incidence and mortality will be reduced, according to results of a systematic review published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. Adherence to the guidelines set by leading cancer organizations also was associated with… Continue reading Preventive Steps Substantially Reduce Cancer Risk

Breast-Cancer Risk Can Be Reduced via Lifestyle Choices

Women with a high risk of developing breast cancer based on family history and genetic risk can still reduce the chance they will develop the disease in their lifetimes by following a healthy lifestyle, according to new research. The study, led by the Johns , new research led by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of… Continue reading Breast-Cancer Risk Can Be Reduced via Lifestyle Choices

More Exercise May Reduce Memory Loss

Older people who are physically active have larger gray matter volume in key brain areas responsible for memory and cognition, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UCLA. The findings, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, showed also that people who had Alzheimer’s disease or… Continue reading More Exercise May Reduce Memory Loss

How to Read The Health News

  Editor’s Note: We’ve all gulped at some scary health headline. But chances are we’re overreacting. Here, from experts at the National Institute on Aging, are some suggestions on how to read the health news  so you can be informed, not overwhelmed: “Risk” is the chance that something bad will happen—like catching the flu or… Continue reading How to Read The Health News

Brain Circuits and Decision-Making

A discovery by scientists at MIT could point the way toward possible therapies for mental disorders, such as schizophrenia and depression, that are characterized by difficulty in decision-making. “In order to create a treatment for these types of disorders, we need to understand how the decision-making process is working,” said Alexander Friedman, a research scientist… Continue reading Brain Circuits and Decision-Making

COPD Patients Risk Burn Injuries from Oxygen

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are receiving home oxygen have a higher risk of burn injury, according to researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. This study was published on March 30 in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. For their study, the researchers looked at data from Medicare beneficiaries from 2001… Continue reading COPD Patients Risk Burn Injuries from Oxygen

People Want To Learn About Medical Risks As Soon As Possible

The higher their risk of certain illnesses, the more people are inclined to take action, ranging from seeking information to undergoing surgery, a new study shows. The investigation by researchers from Yale and Syracuse universities reveals the attitudes that so many consumers have in an age of “surveillance medicine.” The findings were published in the… Continue reading People Want To Learn About Medical Risks As Soon As Possible

How to Stop Diabetic Eye Disease

Diabetes, one of the most serious health issues today, affects more than 9 percent of the U.S. population. Although we’re accustomed to think of it primarily in terms of excess weight, the illness carries other risks as well, including that of diabetic eye disease. According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National… Continue reading How to Stop Diabetic Eye Disease

Depression: Supporting a Family Member or Friend

Helping someone with depression can be a challenge. If someone in your life has depression, you may feel helpless and wonder what to do. Learn how to offer support and understanding and how to help your loved one get the resources to cope with depression. Here’s what you can do. Learn The Signs and Symptoms… Continue reading Depression: Supporting a Family Member or Friend

Eating Fish May Help Avoid Hearing Loss

We already know that eating fish regularly can help reduce the risk of heart disease, but now research shows that it’s associated with a lower risk of hearing loss in women. Investigators from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston looked at statistics from the Nurses’ Health Study II. In the study, 65,215 women were followed… Continue reading Eating Fish May Help Avoid Hearing Loss