Many 'Gen Xers' Desolate as They Navigate Adulthood: Study

MONDAY, April 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Despair runs rampant through Generation X as these Americans struggle through middle age, a new study reports.

So-called indicators of despair -- depression, suicide, drug and alcohol abuse -- are rising among those in their late 30s and early 40s, and it's occurring across-the-board, research...

Could Diabetes Drug Metformin Help Keep People Slim?

MONDAY, April 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests a first-line drug for treating type 2 diabetes -- metformin -- may help people with pre-diabetes maintain long-term weight loss.

People who lost weight while taking metformin maintained a loss of about 6% of their body weight for six to 15 years. People who lost weig...

You Can Cut Your Odds for an Aortic Aneurysm

MONDAY, April 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- People at risk for an aortic aneurysm should get screened for the life-threatening condition, an expert says.

Aortic aneurysms are balloon-like bulges that can develop anywhere along the aorta, which runs from your heart through your chest and abdomen. An untreated aneurysm can grow until it r...

How to Avoid Skin Problems When You Garden

MONDAY, April 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- As you dig into gardening this spring, be sure you don't plant the seeds of skin problems, an expert advises.

"Adverse skin reactions from gardening are very common and may include bug bites and stings, plant-induced rashes, and cuts and infections," said Dr. Sonya Kenkare, a dermatologist in ...

Many U.S. Kids Don't Drink Enough Water, and Obesity May Be the Result

MONDAY, April 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- On any given day, 1 in 5 American youngsters don't drink any water at all, a new survey shows.

And those who don't end up consuming almost twice as many calories from sugar-sweetened beverages.

That, investigators warn, translates into an extra 100 calories per day, which over time c...

Preschool Is Prime Time to Teach Healthy Lifestyle Habits

MONDAY, April 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Teaching preschoolers about healthy habits can reduce their risk of obesity and heart disease later in life, new research suggests.

The New York City study included 562 youngsters in 15 preschools in Harlem, which has a largely black and Hispanic population. The two groups are known to have an...

Sit All Day at Work? Exercise Can Counter That

MONDAY, April 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- If your job keeps you chained to a desk all day, you might be able to erase the ill effects with regular exercise, a large new study suggests.

Research has shown that people who spend a lot of time sitting may pay for it with a higher heart disease risk and a shorter lifespan. But the new stud...

AHA News: Evidence Grows for an HPV-Heart Disease Connection

MONDAY, April 22, 2019 (American Heart Association News) -- Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the country.

In several studies, it's also linked to the nation's leading cause of death -- cardiovascular disease.

There are more than 150 strains of HPV, including the ones respons...

Babies Still Dying Due to Unsafe Sleep Practices

MONDAY, April 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- The death of a baby is always tragic, but safe sleep practices could have prevented some recent suffocation deaths, new research claims.

The study found two factors appeared to be behind a majority of infant deaths by suffocation:

• A baby not sleeping on his or her back.

Many Teens Don't Know They Are Vaping Nicotine

MONDAY, April 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- As e-cigarette use soars in high schools across America, new research shows many people don't understand the amount of addictive nicotine they're inhaling with every puff.

In a new survey, many teens said they regularly used e-cigarettes, but swore they only vaped nicotine-free products.

Medical Marijuana Use Rising Among Cancer Patients

MONDAY, April 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Americans with cancer are more likely to use marijuana and prescription opioids than those without cancer, and the use of medical marijuana by this group is on the rise, new research shows.

Pain is common among cancer patients, but many do not get adequate pain relief, the researchers noted.

Strict Blood Pressure Limits for Kids Tied to Heart Health Later

MONDAY, April 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Tighter high blood pressure guidelines for children might better spot those at risk for heart disease in adulthood, a new study suggests.

Compared to 2004 guidelines, the updated 2017 guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics increased the number of children considered to have high bl...

Asparagus: A Tasty Spring Veggie That Boosts Gut Health

MONDAY, April 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Asparagus is a great spring vegetable that can be a tasty side dish or the starring ingredient in a main course like risotto. And it's more than just delicious -- asparagus is great for digestive health, too.

It's a prebiotic food, meaning it feeds the helpful bacteria that live in you...

How to Make Your Workplace a Healthier One

MONDAY, April 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Even if you love your job, your workspace might not love you back. Because people may spend 40 or more hours on the job, often at a desk, all that exposure to less-than-inspiring surroundings can negatively influence health.

While some people suffer emotional and physical problems from a stre...

Almost Half of Young Asthma Patients Misuse Inhalers

FRIDAY, April 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Many children with asthma don't use their inhalers properly and don't get a full dose of medicine, researchers report.

They evaluated inhaler use among 113 children between the ages of 2 and 16 who were hospitalized for asthma. Such patients are at highest risk for complications and death from...

Do Hospitals Have Flu's Spread Under Control?

FRIDAY, April 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Many hospital workers and patients spread the flu before they show any symptoms, a new study says.

The bottom line: Current flu infection control measures in hospitals may be inadequate, the Swiss researchers say.

"Our findings suggest that influenza infection in acute care is common...

FDA Approves 1st Generic Nasal Spray Against Opioid Overdose

FRIDAY, April 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- The first generic naloxone nasal spray to treat opioid overdose has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Teva Pharmaceuticals' lifesaving product is also the first generic naloxone nasal spray approved for use by people without medical training. There was already a bra...

Weight-Loss Surgery Just as Successful for Teens With Down Syndrome

FRIDAY, April 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Young people with Down syndrome or other cognitive impairments are just as successful in shedding excess pounds after weight-loss surgery as their peers, a new study finds.

Researchers reviewed outcomes for 63 young people, aged 13 to 24, who had bariatric surgery at Children's National Healt...

Even a Little More Exercise Might Help Your Brain Stay Young

FRIDAY, April 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Alzheimer's and dementia are not an inevitable part of normal aging, and a little exercise might help keep them at bay, a new study suggests.

The researchers found that every hour of light exercise on top of recommended weekly levels of more intense activity reduced brain aging by about a yea...

Heart Patients Pay the Price When Nearby Pharmacy Closes

FRIDAY, April 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- When a neighborhood pharmacy shuts down, it could have dire repercussions for heart patients living nearby, new research suggests.

That's because such closures could mean patients skip or stop taking the prescriptions they need to stay healthy and safe, according to a team from the University ...