Health Tips Line

You might bust a weight loss plateau It’s a common scenario: To stay full throughout the day but keep calories low, many people will sip five or six diet sodas and eat their only meal at dinner, explains Caroline Cederquist, MD, a metabolism and weight loss expert and founder of bistroMD. And even if that meal isn’t huge (so their total daily calorie intake is not high), they find they still can’t lose weight. The problem may be all those sugar substitutes. “Artificial sweeteners consumed alone, without food, can trigger the release of insulin, because the body is expecting something sweet,” Cederquist explains. “Insulin is a hormone that helps with the storage of fat.” Eat regular meals to avoid a spike in insulin and you could start seeing excess pounds come off. These are the 10 biggest food myths you need to stop believing . The post 7 Things That Could Happen If You Stop Eating Artificial Sweeteners appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://if

San Diego, California Why you’ll love it: San Diego’s near perfect summer weather, the free beaches of Coronado Island, and the museums and outstanding zoo in Balboa Park all add up to a memory-making quick getaway for families in Southern California for kids of any age. Budget tip: The Balboa Park Explorer pass bundles 16 attractions into a discounted pay-one-price ticket starting at $27. Where to stay: The Coronado Beach Resort is located directly across the street from the iconic Del Coronado Hotel (where Some Like It Hot was filmed), and offers condo-style units with kitchenettes starting at just $159 a night (you’ll also have complimentary access to all the amenities at the Loew’s Resort, too.) San Diego is also one of the best ever spring break destinations . The post 41 Mini Family Vacations That Won’t Break the Bank appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2sSFd5N

TUESDAY, July 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Colon cancer is treatable if caught early. And sending screening tests in the mail might boost timely detection, a new study suggests. University of North Carolina (UNC) researchers found that Medicaid patients were more likely to get screened if they received stool-testing kits by mail instead of just reminders. "There has been a national push to increase colorectal cancer screening rates since colorectal cancer is a preventable disease, but screening rates are only about 63 percent, and low-income, and otherwise vulnerable populations, tend to be screened at even lower rates," said study first author Alison Brenner. Brenner is a research assistant professor and a member of the UNC Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chapel Hill. Among people with health insurance, Medicaid patients have the lowest rates of colon cancer testing, her team reported. The study included more than 2,100 Medicaid patients in North Carolina who were not up

TUESDAY, July 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- There's been a sharp spike in Lyme disease cases in the United States, and the tick-borne illness has now spread to all 50 states, a new report shows. "Lyme disease is a bigger risk to more people in the United States than ever before," said Dr. Harvey Kaufman, senior medical director for Quest Diagnostics, which conducted the study. "Our data show that positive results for Lyme are both increasing in number and occurring in geographic areas not historically associated with the disease," Kaufman said in a company news release. "We hypothesize that these significant rates of increase may reinforce other research suggesting changing climate conditions that allow ticks to live longer and in more regions may factor into disease risk," he added. The researchers analyzed data from more than 6 million laboratory tests conducted in the United States over the past seven years, and they found a significant increase

Brain scans revealed that regions of damaged white matter in the brain were five times more extensive in the women than in the men. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2vppkoT Brain scans revealed that regions of damaged white matter in the brain were five times more extensive in the women than in the men.

Patients with kidney disease have a higher risk for losing a leg because they have an increased risk for peripheral artery disease, which occurs when there's not enough blood reaching the legs. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2LRw0Gx Patients with kidney disease have a higher risk for losing a leg because they have an increased risk for peripheral artery disease, which occurs when there's not enough blood reaching the legs.

The procedures, which use lasers and other energy-based devices to remove or reshape vaginal tissue, claim to treat conditions and symptoms related to menopause, urinary incontinence or sexual function. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2O17NLv The procedures, which use lasers and other energy-based devices to remove or reshape vaginal tissue, claim to treat conditions and symptoms related to menopause, urinary incontinence or sexual function.

More than two-thirds of HIV-associated heart disease occurs in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia Pacific regions, according to the study. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2LTjOVG More than two-thirds of HIV-associated heart disease occurs in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia Pacific regions, according to the study.

British scientists found that young adults who had a higher body mass index (BMI) -- an estimate of body fat based on height and weight -- had higher blood pressure and thickened heart muscle. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2O17H6B British scientists found that young adults who had a higher body mass index (BMI) -- an estimate of body fat based on height and weight -- had higher blood pressure and thickened heart muscle.

Bathing suit Today, you’ll rarely see a woman swimming in a dress (unless she forgot her swimsuit!), but in the 1910s, bathing suits were just hitting the market. In the coming decades, handfuls of women began to push the envelope with the development of the bikini. Read these 16 historical facts that will warp your perception of time. The post This Is What 14 Everyday Objects Looked Like 100 Years Ago appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2vnZyRY

Lay’s New England Lobster Roll As part of their Lay’s Tastes of America campaign, the notorious potato chip line has released eight flavors inspired by different regions across the U.S. Coming at a from the Northeast is their New England Lobster Roll , which evokes similar feelings of yumminess you’ll get from fresh lobster served on a buttery grilled roll. Get ’em while you can, these will only be available until September 23. Don’t miss the reason why potato chips are so addictive . The post 13 Weirdest Potato Chip Flavors You’ll Actually Want to Try appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2vs3rFE

Dipping caramel apples Whoever came up with the idea to dip one of the tastiest fruits in one of the yummiest candies was a genius. Start simple with the humble caramel apple or go all out with layers of peanut butter, candy, cookies, toffee, nuts, and other goodies. The only hard and fast rule? You must use tart Granny Smith apples. Only heathens dip red delicious. The post 41 Reasons Fall Is Our Favorite Season Ever appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2vmfMuH

TUESDAY, July 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- As the northern hemisphere is struck by one deadly heat wave after another this summer, new research suggests things are only going to get worse. Climate change is triggering record high temperatures. And extreme heat has been blamed for hundreds of deaths, while dangerous wildfires have raced through neighborhoods in the western United States, Greece and as far north as the Arctic Circle. The deadliest of this summer's disasters have been fueled by weather extremes linked to global warming, Corinne Le Quere, director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research in England, told Inside Climate News , a nonprofit group that reports on climate change. "We know very well that global warming is making heat waves longer, hotter and more frequent," she said. "The evidence from having extreme events around the world is really compelling." And the latest study paints an even more dramatic picture of the years to come.

TUESDAY, July 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- The developing brain of a growing child has incredible ways of compensating for the loss of an essential brain region, a new case study shows. A young boy has retained his ability to recognize faces even though surgeons removed one-sixth of his brain, including the region that normally handles that task, his doctors said. Essentially, the other side of the 10-year-old's brain has shouldered the added burden of facial recognition on top of its normal duties, in an astounding feat of adaptation. Even more compelling, the boy's intellect, visual perception and object recognition skills have all remained age-appropriate, even with a large portion of his brain gone. "In a child's brain, there is the potential for this kind of reorganization and recovery," said senior researcher Marlene Behrmann, a professor with Carnegie Mellon University's Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition. "A child's brain is still un

TUESDAY, July 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Alan Alda revealed Tuesday that he's been living with Parkinson's disease for more than three years. "The reason I want to talk about it in public is that I was diagnosed three-and-a-half years ago, and I've had a full life since," he said on the CBS television show "This Morning." The 82-year-old -- who starred as Hawkeye in the hit TV series M*A*S*H -- said one motivation for going public about his condition is that he "thought it's probably only a matter of time before somebody does a story about this from a sad point of view." "But that's not where I am," said Alda, who noted that he boxes three times a week, plays tennis and marches to John Philip Sousa music. "Marching to march music is good for Parkinson's," he explained. Alda said he wants to reassure people diagnosed with the movement disorder that it's still possible to do things, CBS News reported.

The current warning is linked to chopped romaine lettuce. Caito Foods’ lettuce supplier, Fresh Express, notified the company that the produce was being recalled. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2vlkedp The current warning is linked to chopped romaine lettuce. Caito Foods’ lettuce supplier, Fresh Express, notified the company that the produce was being recalled.

Researchers found that most older Americans who are prescribed opioids aren't advised about the dangers of the drugs, how to use fewer of them, when to use non-opioid alternatives, or what to do with leftover opioids. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2LMpQrn Researchers found that most older Americans who are prescribed opioids aren't advised about the dangers of the drugs, how to use fewer of them, when to use non-opioid alternatives, or what to do with leftover opioids.

A number of trials have tested the supplement against depression, too, but with mixed results, said Dr. Natalie Rasgon, co-senior researcher on the new study. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2AtdiRf A number of trials have tested the supplement against depression, too, but with mixed results, said Dr. Natalie Rasgon, co-senior researcher on the new study.

Under Sanders' plan, all U.S. residents would have health coverage, with no copays or deductibles, and private insurers would be restricted to a minor role, the Associated Press reported. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2AyEy0q Under Sanders' plan, all U.S. residents would have health coverage, with no copays or deductibles, and private insurers would be restricted to a minor role, the Associated Press reported.

The researchers also found that caffeine did not affect how the participants perceived their appetites, and that body mass index (BMI -- an estimate of body fat based on height and weight) had no effect on how caffeine affected appetite or how much people ate. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2n0mbZ0 The researchers also found that caffeine did not affect how the participants perceived their appetites, and that body mass index (BMI -- an estimate of body fat based on height and weight) had no effect on how caffeine affected appetite or how much people ate.

TUESDAY, July 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Azedra (iobenguane) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat people 12 and older with rare adrenal gland tumors that can't be surgically removed and have spread beyond the original site. The adrenal glands sit above the kidneys and produce the stress hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine. The rare tumors known as pheochromocytomas spike production of these hormones, leading to possible symptoms including high blood pressure, headache, irritability, excessive sweating and rapid heartbeat. Sometimes, such tumors develop outside the adrenal gland, where they're called paragangliomas, the FDA said in a news release. "Many patients with these ultra-rare cancers can be treated with surgery or local therapies, but there are no effective systemic treatments for patients who experience tumor-related symptoms such as high blood pressure," said Dr. Richard Pazdur, director of the FDA's Oncology Center

TUESDAY, July 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Losing a leg is one of the most traumatic consequences of advanced kidney disease, but the risk of amputations has dropped significantly since 2000, a new study finds. Between 2000 and 2014, amputations among U.S. patients with end-stage kidney disease who were receiving dialysis were cut by 51 percent. Despite the decrease, however, almost half of patients who had amputations died within a year of losing a leg, Stanford University researchers report. "Although it is good news that patients with end-stage renal disease receiving dialysis have had a decrease in amputation rates over the past several years, the rates are still much higher than what has been reported in patients with more normal kidney function -- a fact that is probably evident to anyone who has ever spent time in a dialysis unit," said senior investigator Dr. Tara Chang. She is director of clinical research in the division of nephrology at Stanford. Patients with k

TUESDAY, July 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Heading soccer balls poses a much greater threat to women's brains than men's, new research suggests. The study included 49 female and 49 male amateur soccer players, aged 18 to 50. They reported a similar number of headings over the previous year (an average of 487 headings for the men and 469 for the women). Brain scans revealed that regions of damaged white matter in the brain were five times more extensive in the women than in the men. "Researchers and clinicians have long noticed that women fare worse following head injury than men, but some have said that's only because women are more willing to report symptoms," said study leader Dr. Michael Lipton. "Based on our study, which measured objective changes in brain tissue rather than self-reported symptoms, women do seem more likely than men to suffer brain trauma from heading soccer balls," Lipton said. The findings suggest that gender-specific guidelin

TUESDAY, July 31, 2018 (American Heart Association) -- Researchers may have developed a more reliable way to predict the risk of heart attack and stroke in astronauts -- and the technique may eventually help gauge the same danger for regular folks on Earth, too. NASA astronauts currently undergo a special screening method that scans coronary arteries for a buildup of calcified plaque. This calcium scan, which is not routinely done in clinical practice, is a powerful tool in assessing cardiovascular risk. Yet scientists have had trouble integrating the results from these scans with traditional risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and family history of heart attack. But researchers have developed a new equation that combines the calcium scan scores with those well-established risk factors. The result is a more accurate way to predict a person's risk for having a stroke or developing heart disease within the next 10 years, according

TUESDAY, July 31, 2018 (American Heart Association) -- Scientists may have found a way to slip a special type of disease-fighting virus past the guard of the body's immune system and into targeted cells where it can do its intended work, according to new research presented Tuesday at a scientific conference. The body naturally reacts to viruses by fighting them off with antibodies that neutralize them and help the body develop an immunity to them. But there's a harmless virus called adeno-associated virus, or AAV, that actually has the ability to help the body. It can deliver therapeutic genetic material into whatever damaged or diseased cells it's been genetically engineered to target. But the AAV first needs to make it past the antibodies that want to shut it down. Researchers may have found a way to do just that, said Marta Adamiak, the lead investigator on a study she discussed at the American Heart Association's Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Scientific Sessions

TUESDAY, July 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- People with severe depression may have particularly low blood levels of an amino acid involved in brain function, a new study suggests. The substance, called acetyl-L-carnitine (LAC), is naturally produced in the body. It aids in metabolism, and animal research suggests it prevents "excessive firing" of cells in certain parts of the brain. LAC is also sold as a dietary supplement. It's marketed for conditions ranging from age-related memory loss to diabetic nerve damage. A number of trials have tested the supplement against depression, too, but with mixed results, said Dr. Natalie Rasgon, co-senior researcher on the new study. She and the research team came at it from a different angle. They looked at whether people with depression were, in fact, relatively deficient in LAC. So they measured blood levels of the amino acid in 28 patients with moderate depression and in 43 with severe cases. Then they compared them with 45 adu

TUESDAY, July 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- A new survey suggests health care professionals are giving short shrift to their older patients when it comes to explaining the risks of opioid painkillers. Researchers found that most older Americans who are prescribed opioids aren't advised about the dangers of the drugs, how to use fewer of them, when to use non-opioid alternatives, or what to do with leftover opioids. The poll was conducted by the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, and sponsored by AARP and Michigan Medicine, the university's academic medical center. "We know that unused opioid medications that linger in homes are one of the primary pathways to diversion, misuse, abuse and dependence. As prescribers, we must find opportunities to discuss safe opioid use, storage and disposal with our patients," said Dr. Jennifer Waljee, co-director of the Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network. She is also an associate profes

TUESDAY, July 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- If you're trying to control your weight, don't look to caffeine for help. Caffeine is not an effective appetite suppressant or weight-loss aid, researchers report in a small, new study. The study involved 50 healthy adults, aged 18 to 50. The researchers found that after the volunteers drank some juice with a small amount of caffeine added (equivalent to caffeine in about 4 ounces of coffee), they ate 10 percent less (70 fewer calories) at a breakfast buffet than after they had no caffeine. However, this reduction in eating did not continue throughout the day, and the participants ate more later in the day to make up for the lighter eating at breakfast. The researchers also found that caffeine did not affect how the participants perceived their appetites, and that body mass index (BMI -- an estimate of body fat based on height and weight) had no effect on how caffeine affected appetite or how much people ate. The study was publish

TUESDAY, July 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Did you know that a store can sell food past the expiration date printed on the label? Or that manufacturers only voluntarily stamp dates on foods? While the law states that foods must be wholesome and safe to eat, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration can take action to remove a product that poses a danger, the agency doesn't require dates on foods other than infant formula. And when dates are used, they're determined by the manufacturer. That means that you need to become an educated consumer about dating guidelines to protect your health. What's called "open dating" is found mainly on perishable foods such as meat, eggs and dairy. "Closed" or "coded" dating is used on cans and boxes. Dating: An Open & Closed Case: Sell-By: How long the store should display the food. Buy before this date and cook within one to two days for poultry and ground meats, three to five days for red meat. Best

TUESDAY, July 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Deer ticks are scary enough. Now, scientists have linked bites from the lone star tick to about one-third of all potentially life-threatening allergic reactions around Tennessee. A lone star tick bite can cause a severe immune system response to red meat -- such as beef, pork and lamb -- said study lead author Dr. Debendra Pattanaik. Lone star ticks, or amblyomma americanum , "are found in the eastern and southeastern United States," said Pattanaik, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. This tick has become increasingly common in recent years, as have cases of anaphylaxis -- severe allergic reactions that can be fatal if untreated. Food allergies, bee stings and medications are the better-known causes of anaphylactic shock. Pattanaik said it's not clear why lone star ticks might cause anaphylaxis. However, experts think the problem may be a carbohydrate in the tick's sali

Organize your closets to keep dust to a minimum Closets are a dust haven, full of tiny fibers from clothes, towels, and bedding. And every time you open the door, you whip up an invisible dust storm. You can’t prevent clothes from shedding fibers, but you can make closets easier to keep clean, which will vastly cut down on dust. How to get rid of dust in your closet? Box or bag items on shelves. Clear plastic containers are best—they lock fibers in and dust out and let you see what’s inside. When you dust, they’re easy to pull off the shelves and wipe clean. Keep coats in garment bags. And finally, keep closet floors clear. If the floor is cluttered, chances are you’ll just bypass it while vacuuming, and dust bunnies will start to collect. Here is how your house might be making you sick . The post Dust Allergy? 7 Smart Strategies to Get Rid of the Dust in Your House appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2LU9Vae

Eddie Redmayne and Prince William Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne went to school with Prince William at Eton and even played on the same rugby team. Although the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them actor says William was “substantially” the better player, “The thing about playing rugby with Prince William is it was great for us, because all the people from the other schools would want to tackle him because they could go home and tell their families they tackled Prince William. So we were sort of running around with no one on us,” he said in an interview . The schoolmates recently caught up a couple of years ago at an event, where Redmayne says they bonded over being new dads. The post 14 Unlikely Royal Friendships That Will Surprise You appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2M5W0em

They make a habit of napping It’s been shown that lack of sleep causes weight gain, leads to a compromised immune system and increases the production of cortisol, a hormone that triggers stress. But Sarnoff Mednick, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Southern California, doesn’t worry about such things. As profiled by Gene Stone in his book, The Secrets of People Who Never Get Sick , Mednick would take an afternoon nap for most of his adult life and never suffered from colds or flu. The fact is, until about the 13th century and the invention of mechanical clocks, humans napped daily. The best time for a short snooze: Between the hours of one and three in the afternoon. Here’s how the summer season is making you sick and what you can do to stay healthy . The post 20 Secrets to Steal from People Who Never Get Sick appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2M10iU9

Buddha You’ve likely seen fat, smiling “Buddha” statues in Chinese restaurants, antique stores, or gardens, but did you know that little guy is not actually the “real” Buddha? It’s actually Budai, the “laughing Buddha,” who is a reincarnation of the “real” Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. The “real” Buddha was actually thin, because in the Buddhist tradition, once you’ve become “enlightened,” you no longer crave the pleasures of the world. Gautama spent half of his life in wealth and half in poverty, in order to find the ideal balance. His philosophy became the modern Buddhist religion. The post 10 Historical Figures You’ve Been Picturing All Wrong appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2M0lFVK

What’s the difference between an ER visit and urgent care? Both sound like they’re meant for an immediate medical condition, but they aren’t for the same types of emergencies. Urgent care centers are designed for similar care to what you’d get from your primary care doctor. If you have a fever, sore throat, vomit, or a shallow cut and can’t make an appointment with your regular physician, head to urgent care. The ER should be reserved for conditions that need quick or advanced treatments that you can only get at a hospital. Difficulty breathing, severe pain in the abdomen or chest, eye or head injuries, and cuts deep enough for stitches should all be treated in an emergency room. These are the  secrets urgent care centers won’t tell you . The post 28 Medical Words to Never, Ever Confuse appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2LM5tdF

There are many things we love about Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. She’s a huge foodie (her  official wedding menu  attested to that), a strong advocate for causes close to her heart, and the brand-new wife of the lovely Prince Harry. When it comes to her nutrition, the duchess likes to follow a strict diet during the week, which is  surprisingly easy to follow . But on her weekends, she likes to have a little fun. And if fun involves French fries, Meghan is  totally  in. Meghan  loves  carbs! In an interview with  Best Health Canada , Meghan talked through how she tries to stay healthy throughout the week. Yet when the interviewer asked what her “kryptonite” food was, she immediately admitted that French fries are her go-to guilty pleasure. “I could eat French fries all day long,” she said. “And I love pasta. I love carbs—who doesn’t love a carbohydrate?” Meghan, we  feel  you. She keeps it balanced Meghan’s philosophy on keeping a balanced diet makes perfect sense to us: Ke

No matter how much sweeping, mopping and spraying you do, that musty basement smell just won’t go away. You’ve come to realize it’s just the way your below-ground floor prefers it. But don’t give up so fast! That damp scent reminiscent of a wet dog can be eliminated! The first step in learning how to get rid of musty smell is to find the culprit. It’s not enough to clean, because the reality is it’s not a build up of dust or dirt at all. Basements are the ideal environment for harboring moisture, which is why you’ll need to do some investigative work to determine what is causing the smell. Water in your basement? Many basement leaks can be cured with a weekend’s work. Underground living spaces can’t hold moisture like the upper levels of your home. When the warmer air from above seeps into your basement, the moisture in the air condenses and ends up on your dark basement walls and cold water pipes. Mold begins to form, and the unpleasant smell you can’t seem to shake is born. It’s

Players can’t: Tuck in their jerseys In 2013, the NHL debuted this bizarre rule alongside several other stipulations about hockey players’ uniforms. “ Rule 9.5 ” states that “players are not permitted to tuck their jersey into their pants in such a manner where the top padding of the pant…is exposed outside the jersey.” If the top padding of any player’s pants is not covered by the back of the jersey, that player can be sent to the penalty box. Since “tucking in your shirt” seems rather out-of-place among other hockey offenses like fighting and stick-checking, this rule has fans and players alike raising their eyebrows. The NHL has cited “safety reasons,” but some players and fans have speculated that the NFL is planning on putting advertisements on the back of their jerseys, advertisements that they’ll want unobstructed. Here are some more unusual things that are banned in the United States . The post 11 Strange Things That Have Been Banned in Sports appeared first on Reader's

MONDAY, July 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Eating raw centipedes never sounds like a good idea, but for two people in China it turned out to be downright dangerous. In a new case report, doctors say the people became infected with a foodborne parasite called rat lungworm after they ate raw centipedes. The parasite is found in certain parts of the United States. Rat lungworm, which earned its nickname for its preference for the pulmonary arteries of rats, can cause mild infections that may go away on their own. But it can also penetrate the brain and spinal cord, resulting in meningitis (infection of the fluid around the brain) and, in rare cases, paralysis and death. It's the first time that rat lungworm, or Angiostrongylus cantonensis , has been detected in centipedes, the researchers said. It's typically found in snails and other mollusks. The parasite is mainly found in China and Southeast Asia. But it also has been detected in Hawaii, Louisiana, South Florida, the Carib

In 2013, an unvaccinated teen visited London and carried the measles virus home to New York City, according to a report the journal Pediatrics that traces the outbreak, the largest in the city since 1992. Fifty-eight people came down with the measles, out of more than 3,300 exposed contacts identified by public health officials. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2KatGWq In 2013, an unvaccinated teen visited London and carried the measles virus home to New York City, according to a report the journal Pediatrics that traces the outbreak, the largest in the city since 1992. Fifty-eight people came down with the measles, out of more than 3,300 exposed contacts identified by public health officials.

MONDAY, July 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Despite their growing popularity, there's no evidence that so-called "vaginal rejuvenation" procedures are either safe or effective, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns. The procedures, which use lasers and other energy-based devices to remove or reshape vaginal tissue, claim to treat conditions and symptoms related to menopause, urinary incontinence or sexual function. But in a statement released Monday, the FDA said it's identified numerous cases of vaginal burns or scarring tied to vaginal rejuvenation, as well as post-procedural pain during sexual intercourse or recurring or chronic pain. It's true that the agency has "cleared or approved laser and energy-based devices for the treatment of serious conditions like the destruction of abnormal or precancerous cervical or vaginal tissue," or genital warts, FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb noted in the statement. "But the safety and effectivene

MONDAY, July 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- People with HIV are twice as likely to develop heart disease than those without the AIDS-causing virus, British researchers report. Their review of studies from 153 countries also found that HIV-associated heart disease has more than tripled in the past 20 years, as more people with HIV live longer. More than two-thirds of HIV-associated heart disease occurs in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia Pacific regions, according to the study. It also found that in some areas of the world, HIV equals well-known risk factors such as diet and lifestyle as a major cause of heart disease. More than 35 million people worldwide have HIV, and that number is on the rise. It's believed that HIV may cause inflammation of the blood vessels, which puts stress on the cardiovascular system. It's also thought that HIV may contribute to heart disease by increasing fat levels in the blood and affecting the body's ability to regulate sugar levels, the researche