All articles tagged with #health
Maine residents are seeing a surge of deer ticks and dog ticks, now in the adult stage, in backyards, on hikes, porches, and even playground equipment. A public health entomologist notes the uptick is because both major tick species are in their adult life cycle, prompting vigilance for outdoor activity and tick exposure.
A CAR-T cell therapy that reprograms the immune system has put lupus into remission in early UK trials, with five of the first six patients in remission for more than 18 months and one showing improvement but a flare at 11 months. The approach destroys rogue B cells by using modified T cells and could extend to other autoimmune diseases, though long-term durability and broader efficacy remain to be seen.
An observational analysis of 147,000+ adults over up to 30 years finds that 90–119 minutes per week of strength training is associated with lower all-cause mortality (13%), cardiovascular mortality (19%), and neurological mortality (27%), with no extra benefit above 120 minutes; cancer deaths also drop at lower training levels; the strongest reductions occur when strength work is combined with high levels of aerobic exercise, though causality cannot be established due to self-reported data and study limitations.
Three children in Connecticut died from diphenhydramine (Benadryl) overdoses, renewing warnings about a dangerous social-media trend. Officials have not confirmed a link to TikTok’s Benadryl Challenge, but experts warn of ongoing misuse and urge safe storage; the FDA advises keeping medicines out of reach and locked. Diphenhydramine can cause serious heart problems, seizures, coma or death when misused, a risk public health officials and clinicians have highlighted since the trend began in 2020.
Three Connecticut children have died in the past two months from diphenhydramine (Benadryl) overdoses. Doctors warn the antihistamine can cause dangerous sedation and cardiac complications, urging families to securely store medications. Officials have not confirmed a link to the Benadryl Challenge, a resurging social-media trend that promotes taking up to 24 tablets in 24 hours to induce hallucinations.
A one-off two-dose meningitis B vaccination program will be offered to about one million young people across England, Wales and Scotland, focusing on Year 13/S6 pupils and 18–25s entering university or residential further education, with doses delivered through pharmacies and NHS channels this summer and autumn, to reduce risk amid recent MenB outbreaks in Kent, Weymouth and Reading.
Public health officials warn that large World Cup crowds in 16 host cities could spread crowd-driven infections, with measles as the top concern due to outbreaks and gaps in vaccination; other risks include influenza, COVID-19, RSV, norovirus, GI illnesses, and increased STI transmission at mass gatherings. Health departments across host metros are boosting disease surveillance and public guidance; Ebola and hantavirus are considered unlikely. This is Part 1 of a two‑part series.
Rising awareness and positive long-term data have boosted demand for menopause hormone therapy (MHT), with body-identical estrogens and progestogens used to relieve symptoms and support bone health. Yet supply shortages continue and gaps in research and clinician training linger, including limited menopause education in UK/US curricula. In New Zealand, online menopause-care training for health workers has been developed and advocates are calling for more funded MHT options and NZ-specific data on users’ experiences and outcomes.
As U.S. measles outbreaks rise due to declining vaccination rates, researchers and biotech firms are racing to develop an approved antiviral or treatment, though none exists yet; the resurgence highlights the ongoing health and economic costs of low vaccination coverage and has spurred renewed interest in antiviral strategies and potential therapies under investigation by scientists.
Week 2 of the Touch Grass Challenge recommends turning off your phone 30 minutes before bed to improve sleep, noting that nighttime screen use stimulates the brain and can disrupt rest; if possible put the phone in another room or on do-not-disturb, and use the half-hour for analog activities like reading, journaling, or calming rituals to help you fall asleep faster.
An observational study from the University of Florida analyzed patient records and found that people with Alzheimer’s who took glucosamine—a common joint supplement—were about 25% more likely to die within five years than those who didn’t use it. The researchers emphasize the association, not causation, and say a clinical trial is needed to determine if glucosamine contributes to faster cognitive decline. They note that glucosamine might be harmful in brains already experiencing decline but could be safe or even protective in healthy brains; more research is needed on dosage, brands, and patient context.
As tick season peaks in New England, emergency visits for tick bites are rising and cases of tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease and alpha-gal syndrome are increasing, but experts emphasize that outdoor activity can continue with proven prevention strategies to minimize tick encounters.
HaysMed and Greenfields Outdoor Fitness are creating a $1.1 million Lifelong Vitality outdoor campus beside the Center for Health Improvement in Hays. The three-area site will include youth development zones, ADA-accessible gear, shaded cardio/strength equipment, and social spaces (plus a putting green and expanded turf) as a free community resource designed for all ages and abilities. Phase I is complete; Phase II is underway, with about $375,000 still to raise through donations and grants, and construction could begin next spring once funding arrives.
Norovirus cases are rising this summer, likely tied to more gatherings, with symptoms that can include sudden vomiting and diarrhea lasting up to a few days and risking dehydration. There’s no specific cure; treatment focuses on staying hydrated and, if dehydration is severe, getting IV fluids. Prevention hinges on thorough handwashing (at least 20 seconds with soap), avoiding contact with the sick, and cleaning contaminated surfaces and foods, since hand sanitizers don’t kill norovirus. Experts say the uptick is not unusual and should be monitored, not panicked about, as summer usually brings a slight decline after spikes.
Summer heat can be dangerous for people with heart conditions, as higher temperatures make the heart work harder and can trigger problems, especially for older adults. Hydration with electrolytes is essential, but sugary or caffeinated drinks can worsen dehydration. Many heart medications can increase sun sensitivity, shortening safe outdoor time; knowing your condition and meds and staying mindful of exposure is key to protecting heart health in heat.