Common Plastics Chemical Tied to Higher Odds for Postpartum Depression

By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter Moms with higher prenatal levels of plastics chemicals known as phthalates may face a slightly increased risk of postpartum depression, according to a new study. Postpartum depression affects up to 20% of new mothers, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health. That makes it the most common post-delivery pregnancy complication. […]

Climate Change’s Hotter Days Could Bring More Alcohol, Drug Crises

By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter Sweltering temperatures appear to fuel drug-related hospital visits, a problem that could be worsening with climate change, a new study suggests. “We saw that during periods of higher temperatures, there was a corresponding increase in hospital visits related to alcohol and substance use, which also brings attention to some less […]

Buying Marijuana Online Easy for Minors, Study Finds

By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter The lax enforcement of age limits by many online marijuana dispensaries makes it easier for minors to buy weed, claims new research that looked at online weed sales in 32 states. “It is imperative to require strict age-verification procedures prior to cannabis purchases online and to establish stringent surveillance of […]

Stigma, Even Harm Common When Transgender People Meet With Doctor

By Sarah D. Collins HealthDay Reporter Transgender people have a tough time receiving adequate medical care due to issues like voyeurism, being treated as abnormal and even being denied care due to their gender identity, a new study finds. “I would say what I read was not surprising at all, based on things I have […]

Humans Outperform AI in Interpreting Chest X-Rays

By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter AI tools may help boost radiologists’ confidence in their diagnoses, but they can’t be relied on to identify common lung diseases on chest X-rays, a new study says. Researchers pitted 72 radiologists against four commercially AI tools in an analysis of more than 2,000 X-rays. The human experts won, according […]

Teen Boys With High Blood Pressure Face Danger Decades Later

By Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter Teenage boys who have high blood pressure may find themselves on the road to serious heart problems in adulthood. Swedish researchers found that boys who had high blood pressure at 18 were at risk for heart failure, heart attacks, strokes and death as adults. And the risk began when blood […]

Nurses, Health Care Staff Face Higher Suicide Risks

By Sarah D. Collins HealthDay Reporter Nurses, health technicians and health care support workers face a higher risk of suicide than the general U.S. population does, an alarming new study shows. Researchers pointed out these workers have to perform stressful tasks while caring for ill patients and managing heavy workloads, with little control over patient […]

European Commission Grants Approval of Ritlecitinib for Severe Alopecia Areata

By Doug Brunk The European Commission has authorized the marketing of ritlecitinib to treat adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older with severe alopecia areata. This makes ritlecitinib the first medicine authorized by the EC to treat individuals with severe alopecia areata as young as 12 years of age. Taken as a once-daily pill, […]

Breast Cancer Drug, Piqray, Could Trigger Dangerous High Blood Sugar

By Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter For certain patients with advanced breast cancer, a drug called Piqray (alpelisib) may extend survival. But new research confirms the medication often causes seriously high blood sugar levels. “This is a very effective drug that we should be using to treat breast cancer, but the problem is that it causes high blood […]

Tear Gas Exposure Might Harm a Woman’s Reproductive Health

By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter Researchers in Minnesota have uncovered a new link between tear gas exposures and negative effects on reproductive health. The study was prompted by anecdotal reports of irregular menstrual cycles among protestors who were exposed to tear gas during the nationwide protests that followed the May 2020 murder of George Floyd. […]