Health Tips Line

FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Young boys with undescended testes are at increased risk for testicular cancer and infertility in adulthood, new research suggests. Undescended testes are the most common birth defect in infant boys, affecting one in 100. Corrective surgery is required. For the new study, researchers examined data on nearly 351,000 boys who were born in Australia between 1970 and 1999, and followed until 2016. Boys born with undescended testes had 2.4 times the risk of adult testicular cancer compared to other boys, the University of Sydney researchers reported. And that risk rose 6 percent with each six-month delay of corrective surgery. The operation, called an orchidopexy, moves an undescended testicle into the scrotum and permanently fixes it there. Guidelines recommend the surgery before 18 months of age. Boys with undescended testes were 20 percent less likely to father children, and were more than twice as likely to use assisted reproductive technol

The British royal family constantly faces either criticism or praise for their fashion choices by the public—with little in-between. And there are so many fashion traditions to follow. Specifically, Queen Elizabeth II always receives compliments for strategically wearing brightly colored neon ensembles, in various colors. As for Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton, the duo often stick to a more subdued or pastel color palette, Harpers Bazaar and Glamour report. Occasionally, they step out in bolder shades. But there’s one specific color that neither Markle nor Middleton have ever worn in public—orange. Both The Express and Harpers Bazaar Australia  noticed this trend in the royal women’s wardrobes. According to Marie Claire , there isn’t an unspoken royal fashion rule or tradition against wearing orange, and there are a few theories as to why the women don’t wear the color. The most plausible reason is that orange is notorious for looking awful in photographs, per The Express . Anoth

FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Medicaid expansion through the Affordable Care Act, also called Obamacare, may close a big gap in women's access to reproductive health care, a new study suggests. In a survey of nearly 1,200 women of childbearing age enrolled in Michigan's expansion of Medicaid for low-income adults, one in three said the expanded coverage improved her access to birth control and family planning services. Younger, previously uninsured women were most likely to benefit, according to the study published online Aug. 31 in the journal JAMA Network Open . Women aged 19 to 24 were nearly three times more likely to report improved access than women in other age groups, the researchers said. And women who were uninsured for up to a year before gaining coverage through Medicaid expansion were twice as likely to report better access than those who previously had insurance. "Our findings suggest that the expansion provided an important service for popula

In the study, this higher-functioning subgroup was more than four times as likely to suffer from depression, compared to people without autism. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2MHnL1a In the study, this higher-functioning subgroup was more than four times as likely to suffer from depression, compared to people without autism.

The association between stroke and increased dementia risk remained even after other dementia risk factors such as blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease were taken into account, the researchers say. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2NCwmP9 The association between stroke and increased dementia risk remained even after other dementia risk factors such as blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease were taken into account, the researchers say.

Research has uncovered a host of factors that could increase a child's risk of ADHD, such as preterm birth, low birth weight, or moms smoking or taking drugs during pregnancy, he explained. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2NGm8gI Research has uncovered a host of factors that could increase a child's risk of ADHD, such as preterm birth, low birth weight, or moms smoking or taking drugs during pregnancy, he explained.

Keeping your pet disease free First off, don’t worry yourself sick about making your dog sick; it’s actually pretty rare, says veterinarian Jeff Werber, DVM , Mars Petcare Spokesperson VCA Century Veterinary Group. Some research suggests there’ve only been 56 documented cases of zooanthroponosis (diseases transmitted from humans to animals) in the last three decades. Practicing good hygiene automatically reduces the risk of your pet (and you and your family) catching a bad bug. “Keep your hands clean, keep your toilet bowl covers down, and reduce contact when you are sick,” Dr. Werber says. Nonetheless, there are some diseases that are capable of spreading from humans to dogs. These are the ones you need to look out for. The post 8 Diseases You Didn’t Know You Could Spread to Your Dog appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2NBDafJ

FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- The number of ADHD diagnoses among children has risen dramatically in the past two decades, going from 6 percent to 10 percent, a new report shows. However, it's still an open question whether all of these diagnoses represent a true increase in ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) among kids, said senior researcher Dr. Wei Bao. He's an assistant professor of epidemiology with the University of Iowa College of Public Health. "It is likely that we are better at diagnosing ADHD, given physicians' increased awareness of ADHD through continued medical education efforts," Bao said. "This may contribute partly to the increase." Research has uncovered a host of factors that could increase a child's risk of ADHD, such as preterm birth, low birth weight, or moms smoking or taking drugs during pregnancy, he explained. But it might be that doctors are better at detecting the condition in kids who might hav

FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Depression affects almost 20 percent of young adults with autism, new research shows, a rate that's more than triple that seen in the general population. And young adults with autism who were relatively high-functioning -- meaning they did not have intellectual disabilities -- were actually at higher risk of depression than people with more severe forms of autism, British researchers found. In the study, this higher-functioning subgroup was more than four times as likely to suffer from depression, compared to people without autism. People with autism without intellectual disabilities "may be particularly prone to depression because of greater awareness of their difficulties," the researchers theorized. The study was led by Dheeraj Rai, of the University of Bristol. His team published the findings online Aug. 31 in JAMA Network Open . According to one U.S. expert, the findings mirror what many in the autism field have seen. &

FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- You risk serious injury if you consume or handle food and drink products where liquid nitrogen is added just before consumption, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Friday. These products -- which have names such as "Dragon's Breath," "Heaven's Breath" and "nitro puff" -- are available in food courts, kiosks, state or local fairs, and other places where food and drinks are sold. Examples of such products include liquid nitrogen-infused colorful cereal or cheese puffs that emit a misty or smoke-like vapor, and alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks prepared with liquid nitrogen that emit a fog. Liquid nitrogen isn't toxic, but its extremely low temperature can cause severe damage to skin and internal organs if mishandled or consumed, the FDA said in a news release. Inhaling the vapor released by liquid nitrogen in food or drinks can also cause breathing problems, especially among people with asthm

FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- People who've had a stroke face up to twice the normal risk of dementia, a new review suggests. In what they say is the largest analysis of its kind, British researchers examined 48 studies that included 3.2 million people worldwide. "We found that a history of stroke increases dementia risk by around 70 percent, and recent strokes more than doubled the risk," said researcher Ilianna Lourida, from the University of Exeter Medical School. "Given how common both stroke and dementia are, this strong link is an important finding," Lourida added in a university news release. "Improvements in stroke prevention and post-stroke care may therefore play a key role in dementia prevention." The association between stroke and increased dementia risk remained even after other dementia risk factors such as blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease were taken into account, the researchers said. Though the study did not p

Mummy pumpkin Wrapped up with Halloween spirit? Your pumpkin can be too—and you don’t have to break out the carving knives to trick yours out. As far as intricate pumpkin decorating ideas go, this one’s fairly easy to execute. Grab strips of gauze from the medicine cabinet (cheesecloth will work too), hot glue, and two shifty googly eyes to make this easy craft from Mother’s Niche . The post 20 Simple (and Pretty!) No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas Anyone Can Try appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2oqh9Wf

Gaston “No one’s slick as Gaston. No one’s quick as Gaston. No one gets as much candy on Halloween as Gaston!” Buy Now The post The 15 Best Halloween Costumes for Disney Superfans appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2wBEnfJ

The War of the Stars That’s the French title for Star Wars ; in Spanish, it was The War of the Galaxies . Makes sense! The title isn’t the only thing that got a major switch in translation. In Germany, the Millennium Falcon became the “Speeding Falcon.” In France, Han Solo was instead Yan Solo and his Wookie sidekick got the name “Chico.” And their ship? The “Millennium Condor.” Don’t miss these hilarious working titles used for the  Star Wars  movies . The post 21 Movies That Have Hilarious Titles in Other Countries appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2t2O34B

Bride and groom (1950) “In 1950, when I was three years old, I was the bride and my sister Earleen, 6, was the groom in this Halloween photo taken in Redmond, Oregon,” writes Linda Arensmeier Rud of Juneau, Alaska. “We won first place in a local costume contest. My mother, Tonie Arensmeier, made the outfits, and we played with them until they were in shreds.” The post 15 Vintage Halloween Costumes That Could Still Be Worn Today appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2NC6wL9

Besides being a holiday held to celebrate the lives of working people, Labor Day is also deemed as the (unofficial) end of summer—and the halt to wearing white clothing, at least until May. At some point, we’ve all heard the phrase, “Don’t wear white after Labor Day.” This year, instead of accepting this fashion decree as is, we’ve decided to delve deeper into the roots of its history. As it turns out, no one’s  entirely  sure how the color white was originally banned from fall and winter wardrobes, but there are plenty of speculations. One popular theory dates back to the early 1900s. Many progressive changes were occurring for American women, like the election of the first woman to Congress and the passing of the 19th amendment . Despite these advances, social acceptance for wealthy women was based very much on what you wore—and when you wore it. If you were “on-trend,” you only wore white during the warmer months, since you could probably afford to wear leisurely lightweight clot

What is a semicolon? A semicolon, the hybrid between a colon and a comma, is often considered one of the more pompous punctuation marks. In reality, it gets a bad rap just because few people know how and when to use it. The semicolon is used to indicate a pause, usually between two main clauses, that needs to be more pronounced than the pause of a comma. So what are the practical ways to implement this little grammatical workhorse? Read on to see how it can help you merge connected thoughts, separate listed items clearly, and form a bridge to another sentence. Why use a semicolon? In the classic grammar and style manual The Elements of Style  by William Strunk and E.B. White (first published in 1919), the case for the semicolon is laid out clearly: “If two or more clauses, grammatically complete and not joined by a conjunction, are to form a single compound sentence, the proper mark of punctuation is a semicolon.” In simpler terms, that means you can use a semicolon to separate tw

E. coli was found in about 80 percent of the nearly 2,500 meat samples and in 72 percent of the urine and blood samples from patients who tested positive for infection, the study authors said. E. coli ST131 was the most common type infecting people and was also present in the meat samples. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2NaPh6m E. coli was found in about 80 percent of the nearly 2,500 meat samples and in 72 percent of the urine and blood samples from patients who tested positive for infection, the study authors said. E. coli ST131 was the most common type infecting people and was also present in the meat samples.

“I don’t feel any consumer should have to go through this,” says Drew Calver, who faced a life-changing surprise bill from an Austin hospital after a heart attack last year. After attention as a Bill of the Month patient, he paid the hospital $332. But he worries about other patients with surprise bills. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2C5gfbp “I don’t feel any consumer should have to go through this,” says Drew Calver, who faced a life-changing surprise bill from an Austin hospital after a heart attack last year. After attention as a Bill of the Month patient, he paid the hospital $332. But he worries about other patients with surprise bills.

The study of more than 220,000 pregnancies from 2009 through 2016 found overall use at 5.3% in the first trimester. That number spiked to 11.3% for pregnant women with severe nausea and vomiting. Just over 8% of the women with mild nausea and vomiting used pot while pregnant. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2N7vt3Q The study of more than 220,000 pregnancies from 2009 through 2016 found overall use at 5.3% in the first trimester. That number spiked to 11.3% for pregnant women with severe nausea and vomiting. Just over 8% of the women with mild nausea and vomiting used pot while pregnant.

If you’re a Maxxinista in the United States trying to find your favorite designer discount store abroad in Europe, you might have some trouble. You might come across a T.J Hughes store, but that isn’t the same store—T.J. Maxx is a U.S.-based retailer owned by TJX Companies and T.J. Hughes is a U.K.-based discount department store owned by Lewis’s Home Retail. You’ll have to keep searching until you find a store called T.K. Maxx—and  that’s the European equivalent of your favorite U.S. discount shop. Find out the  12 other brands that are called something different outside of the United States . The reason why T.J. Maxx has a slightly different name in Europe is actually quite simple. T.J. Maxx was founded in 1977, with two inaugural stores opening in Massachusetts. By the ’90s, the store’s parent company had blossomed all over the United States and Canada and sought to expand T.J. Maxx overseas. The only problem? A U.K. discount retailer promising to sell “ premium brands at discoun

Heart disease Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the United States., but game-changing new techniques and technologies may make it possible to predict, prevent, and possibly “cure” heart disease including treatments that seek to extinguish the underlying inflammation that sets the stage for heart disease. These are the latest heart-health findings that could save your life. The post 10 Diseases That Could Be Cured in Your Lifetime appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2C4VU63

FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- If you're happy and you know it, so will a goat. New research suggests that goats can read people's facial expressions and prefer those who appear happy. The study included 20 goats that were shown pairs of images of the same person's face with happy or angry expressions. The goats were more likely to interact with the happy images, approaching them and exploring them with their snouts. This was particularly true when the happy faces were placed on the right of the test arena, suggesting that goats use the left hemisphere of their brains to process positive emotion, according to the researchers. The study was led by Queen Mary University of London researchers and was published Aug. 28 in the journal Royal Society Open Science . "The study has important implications for how we interact with livestock and other species, because the abilities of animals to perceive human emotions might be widespread and not just limited to pe

FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- It's the dieter's tug-of-war: the need to lose weight versus the urge to eat high-calorie foods. Scientists say the easy availability of sweets and other treats has made the desire for them stronger over time. Couple that with a sedentary lifestyle that burns fewer and fewer calories, and battling the bulge is that much harder. To win the war, your dieting strategy has to include a way to manage food urges, especially when eating for reasons other than hunger. At the top of that list is stress, a particularly difficult hurdle to overcome because persistent stress may alter the brain's response to food in ways that lead to poor eating habits and, in turn, overweight. Just telling yourself to resist food urges is rarely effective if you're in the habit of reaching for unhealthy treats. In this case, "just say no" is more of a non -strategy. A helpful tool for dieters is a mental health technique called Acceptance and

Halloween stress balls You don’t have to spend a lot on Halloween to enjoy all the fun, thanks to cheap Halloween decorations and easy Halloween crafts. When the trickeries of the night get too intense, you and your kids will both appreciate these jack-o’-lantern calm down balls on hand. Check out Little Bins for Little Hands for full instructions. The post 15 Easy Halloween Crafts Your Kid Will Love to Make appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2NyOqtl

THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Experiments in mice have shown that an implanted electronic device in the brain can detect -- and deliver drugs to stop -- impending epileptic seizures. Potentially, a similar device might help people with epilepsy, Parkinson's disease and brain tumors who have failed standard treatment. So far, the technology is in the very early stages of development and its clinical applications are years away, the researchers said. "We can envision devices that are implanted in patients suffering from severe, drug-resistant epilepsy that survey brain activity and deliver drugs to prevent a seizure before it arises," said lead researcher George Malliaras. He is a professor of technology at the University of Cambridge in England. "This, however, will take several years to bring to the clinic, as there is still a lot of research that needs to take place before the device is safe for use in humans," he added. The device works by de

THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- An E. coli strain found in fresh chicken and turkey products can cause serious urinary tract infections (UTIs) in people, researchers say. For the study, investigators analyzed chicken, turkey and pork purchased from every major grocery chain in Flagstaff, Ariz. They also collected and analyzed urine and blood samples taken from patients at Flagstaff Medical Center. E. coli was found in about 80 percent of the nearly 2,500 meat samples and in 72 percent of the urine and blood samples from patients who tested positive for infection, the study authors said. E. coli ST131 was the most common type infecting people and was also present in the meat samples. In the next phase of the research, the investigators discovered that almost all of the E. coli ST131 on the poultry products was a strain called ST131-H22, and that it carried genes that help E. coli thrive in birds. This same strain was also found to be causing UTIs in people. The findings

Power up with chargers Traveling with a phone, laptop, or tablet? If it needs power and you’ll be using it during your travels, be sure to keep your power cords in your carry-on, not in checked bags. Also take along a small portable power pack (they start at about $20) so if your phone is on 2 percent and there’s not a plug in site (though you’ll find them under your seat on most airplanes these days) you can still listen to your tunes in-flight or use a taxi app when you land. Buy Now The post 11 Things to Always Pack in Your Carry-On appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2CektOb

Six awards were given out at the first ceremony The very first Emmy Awards, held on January 25, 1949 at the Hollywood Athletic Club, was a low-key affair compared to today’s spectacle. Tickets to attend cost just $5, and only six awards were handed out that night. Original award categories included Most Popular Television Program, Best Film Made for Television, and Most Outstanding Television Personality, among others. Learn more about the humble beginnings of famous award shows . The post 16 Surprising Things You Never Knew About the Emmy Awards appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2N5JfEi

Making the first move Apparently, guys were supposed to ask out girls—only “floozies” ask guys out on a date first. The post 17 Ridiculous Dating Etiquette Rules from the 1950s appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2C9weoG

It might be hard imagining innocent puppies doing anything wrong, but when it comes to service dogs, not all pups are cut out for high demands of the job. There is, however, an adoption program in place for those dogs that just don’t have what it takes to work for the government—and sometimes, it’s because they are “too nice.” According to the BBC , a canine was switched from the Queensland Dog Squad in Australia to a more suitable role at the Queensland’s Government House as the official Vice-Regal dog—all because the pup was too nice and social. There are a few ways for Americans to adopt similar training dogs as well. The main way is through the TSA Canine Training Center Adoption Program , where you can adopt a pup without paying a fee. According to the TSA, these pups are untrained and aren’t housebroken, which means you’ll need these expert tips on crate training your puppy . There are a few requirements to adopt a furry friend from the TSA. First, your home has to meet specif

Auckland, New Zealand to Doha, Qatar Total flight time: 17 hours, 40 minutes Mileage: 9,032 Check out these things that airlines don’t want to tell you (but every flier should know). The post The 15 Longest Nonstop Flights in the World appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2C9w9Bo

Age Baby to 1: Grandma Wishes Did you know there’s a special Grandma Star that only grandmothers can wish upon? This sweet story features bright and delightful illustrations of woodland creatures sure to captures a baby’s heart. Little ones learn about the love that comes from Grandma and all the hopes she has for their future. Check out the story of this tech-savvy grandma found the secret to staying close to grandkids who live far away. Buy now   The post 18 Best Books for Grandparents to Read to Their Grandchildren appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2PQFssU

If you typically associate red lips with fall, we have some exciting news: This season's hottest shades go way beyond the classic berry hue (although we love them, too). Think soft nudes, peppy pinks, and deep plums. Here, our favorite new shades to try now. Velvety Nude In rosy nudes (think your lips, but better). Spotted on the Herve Leger runway, the look is "universally flattering" says Troy Surratt, a makeup artist and the founder of an eponymous line. "It lets you fake fuller lips." He suggests using a lip-toned liner to draw a bit past your natural lip border, then topping with a liquid lipstick. We like (from top): Bare Minerals Gen Nude Matte Liquid Lipcolor in Famous ($18, sephora.com ); Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Dash ($16, nordstrom. com); Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Canvas ($20; sephora.com ); Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lovesick ($20, sephora.com ). RELATED: The Best Concealers Under $10, According t

AT-121 provided the same level of pain relief as a typical opioid, but at a 100-times lower dose than morphine, according to the research team from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, in Winston-Salem, N.C. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2wojVQj AT-121 provided the same level of pain relief as a typical opioid, but at a 100-times lower dose than morphine, according to the research team from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, in Winston-Salem, N.C.

This freakish decoration was REAL If there were a prize for most morbid Halloween decoration in Frederica, Delaware, in 2005, it would have gone to the body hanging from a tree . It would have beaten out the fake witches, skeletons, and jack-o-lanterns dotting the neighborhood. For hours, people passed by admiring it. Of course, it had an edge over the other decorations. This was a real body. Police believe it was that of a woman who had committed suicide the night before. Don’t miss these other real-life ghost stories that will chill you to the bone . The post 11 Creepy Real Events That Actually Happened on Halloween appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2olT6rs

Everyone knows the old saying that the quiet ones are the most dangerous. But how true is it, really? According to one new study, it’s pretty accurate—at least as far as American states go. That’s right. The state with the most psychopathic residents is also one of the most under-the-radar. So just where will you want to watch your back? Connecticut. The tiny northeastern state ranked number one on Southern Methodist University professor Ryan Murphy’s research-backed list of the most psychopathic states in the country. California, New Jersey, New York, and Wyoming filled out the top five. If you live in one of these states, make sure you know the 13 signs you’re dealing with a psychopath . To find these results, researchers relied on previous surveys that established the levels of the big five personality traits (extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience) in each state. They found which of the big five personality traits were most common

There isn’t really a good place to get a bee sting. Ideally, it’s best to avoid the painful sting in the first place. If you are a sting victim, however, you might feel better knowing there are places on the body where stings could be more painful than others. Although pain is subjective, Justin Schmidt created a sting index in the 1980s. His Schmidt Sting Pain Index measures the painfulness of stings from 78 different species of insects on a scale of zero to four, according to Discover Magazine . Cornell University graduate student Michael Smith—who studies the behavior of honeybees—used that index as a jumping off point for his own experiment, National Geographic reports. Yes, Smith endured multiple bee stings on himself to determine the most painful spot for a sting. According to the results, all stings unsurprisingly induced pain. The study rated the painfulness of honey bee stings on 25 different body locations. The most painful ones were in the nostril, followed by the upper

Biotin Looking for long, healthy hair and nails? Biotin pills may not be the miracle you were hoping for. “Some supplements don’t have much evidence that they work,” says Ginger Hultin, MS, CSO, a Seattle-based registered dietitian, nutritionist, and Arivale coach. “Take biotin, for example—unless there is an outright deficiency, it’s not proven to help. It’s generally a best practice to get the nutrients you need from food if you can.” Foods naturally rich in biotin include eggs, salmon, sunflower seeds, sweet potato, almonds, spinach, broccoli, and dairy like milk, cheese, and yogurt. The post 15 Vitamins (and Supplements) Nutritionists Don’t Take—so You Shouldn’t Either appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2NBDRWy