All articles tagged with #health
New guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and other groups push for earlier attention to cholesterol—potentially starting around age 30—with clearer targets and guidance on when medications like statins may help, alongside lifestyle changes; doctors emphasize regular cholesterol screening and personalized risk assessment to reduce heart disease and stroke risk.
CNN’s six‑part series “Kara Swisher Wants to Live Forever” examines the longevity boom led by tech billionaires and argues that true gains come from four practical pillars—nutrition, exercise, sleep, and social connection—plus population‑level disease prevention and selective medical advances, highlighting that immortality is unrealistic and that meaningful living is about everyday health, relationships, and purpose rather than chasing a perfect, forever-young state.
A 17-year-old Fall River resident, Broeden Sabin, has been battling fatigue and pain and is seeking a bone marrow donor while undergoing a blood transplant this month, as his family appeals for potential donors.
Maine public health officials warn medetomidine, a veterinary sedative nicknamed 'rhino tranq,' is appearing in the illicit drug supply—often with fentanyl—and is far more potent than xylazine, potentially causing severe withdrawals, sedation, and cardiovascular problems. While statewide overdoses declined last year, hotspots like Penobscot County and Bangor remain of concern. Testing is limited, naloxone should be used for suspected medetomidine-related overdoses (even though medetomidine itself isn’t reversed by naloxone), and harm-reduction groups urge drug checking as the drug supply remains unpredictable.
Thirteen years after a metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer diagnosis, Kate Crawford of Rostraver defied an 18–24 month prognosis thanks to lifelong Herceptin infusions; doctors now see no evidence of cancer, earning her the label of a 'super responder' and prompting research into whether such responses can cure metastatic cancer, while she continues treatment and advocates for patients.
A CNN/KFF Health News report highlights post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS), a poorly defined and undertreated condition where many survivors experience chronic chest, shoulder, or armpit pain months to years after mastectomy and reconstruction. Patients describe pain severe enough to disrupt work and daily life, while doctors often dismiss symptoms and there is no FDA-approved cure. Treatments exist (e.g., nerve targeting, gabapentin) but results vary and evidence is limited. Legislation like the Advancing Women’s Health Coverage Act aims to improve coverage for chronic post-treatment complications and spur more PMPS research, signaling a need to address long-term suffering beyond cancer survival.
Experts say to boost energy for workouts by prioritizing sleep, optimizing nutrition and caffeine use, selecting enjoyable and appropriately paced activities, and adjusting exercise intensity and mindset to improve motivation.
A mother asks Dear Abby for help because her son's home is dirty to the point that it affects her breathing. Abby suggests it could be an allergy to dust or pet dander and urges a medical test; she also advises telling the son that, due to health concerns, she can no longer watch the pets when they travel.
The Conversation argues that while a tobacco-free generation—phasing out cigarette sales for people born after a cutoff—could dramatically reduce preventable deaths, it faces legal, political, and cultural hurdles. Objections include underestimation of smoking risks, tobacco industry tactics, and concerns about personal autonomy. Trials exist (Brookline, Maldives, Massachusetts proposals) with mixed outcomes, including repeals in some places and new bills elsewhere, underscoring that bans are not a silver bullet. Experts emphasize that success depends on combining bans with high prices, plain packaging, advertising and flavored-product restrictions, cessation support, and clear public health messaging to reduce initiation and sustain progress.
Researchers surveyed 122 experts across 11 disciplines to reach an international consensus that positive mental health is a defined mix of emotional wellbeing, functioning, and social connection across 19 dimensions, with six core factors: meaning and purpose, life satisfaction, self-acceptance, connection, autonomy, and happiness. The study clarifies that wellbeing is distinct from mental illness and is shaped by drivers like health and housing, enabling standardized measurement and policy applications.
A health expert promotes EPA-rich cod liver oil as a natural artery cleaner that may help reduce plaque and lower triglycerides, suggesting it could be better than aspirin in preventing heart attacks or strokes; while EPA from fatty fish can influence cholesterol and inflammation, evidence is mixed and medical guidance is essential before using supplements; NHS guidance emphasizes lifestyle changes to manage atherosclerosis.
A large University of Miami study of more than 4 million Americans across 12 states finds that adults who have never been married are significantly more likely to develop cancer across major types, with men about 70% and women about 85% higher risk; anal cancer was notably higher for never-married men and cervical cancer higher for never-married women. Being married was linked to lower risks of ovarian and endometrial cancers. Researchers stress that marriage is not protective by itself and that social factors may reflect other risk factors; more research is needed.
A 51-year-old woman diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer with liver metastases underwent aggressive chemotherapy, then received hepatic artery infusion (HAI) via an implanted pump to deliver high-dose drugs directly to the liver. The hepatic-directed therapy shrank tumors enough to allow liver resection, followed by colon resection and hysterectomy. Now in remission with no active liver disease, she credits HAI with saving her life and emphasizes that Stage 4 is not a death sentence and the importance of screening.
Outside Online weighs evidence that creatine monohydrate, widely used for muscle performance, may also support brain function under stress and fatigue by replenishing ATP, potentially helping decision-making and vigilance in extreme environments (sleep deprivation, high altitude). A 2025 review notes memory and attention gains in older adults; a 2024 study links creatine to reduced tiredness under stress; however, evidence is mixed and not all studies show cognitive benefits, especially in everyday or high-stress settings. In practical terms, 3–5 g/day is considered safe for most people (kidney disease patients should consult a doctor), though initial water retention can occur. While creatine could offer a mental edge during long expeditions or backcountry challenges, researchers emphasize that the brain-benefit remains not fully proven and more research is needed to confirm its impact in extreme conditions.
Massachusetts officials warn that alpha-gal syndrome, a meat and dairy allergy triggered by Lone Star tick bites, is emerging as a public health concern as the tick spreads north, with established populations on Martha's Vineyard and in Barnstable County; the state is tracking cases as a reportable condition and recommends tick checks, showers, heat-drying clothing, and yard maintenance to prevent bites amid rising demand for tick treatments.