Health News

Hospitalizations in the U.S. due to heart failure are on the rise, according to new research findings. On the other hand, the hospital visits are becoming shorter and survival rates are increasing. The study included data from over 15 million congestive heart failure hospitalizations in the U.S. between 1996 and 2009. Heart failure hospitalization numbers ...click here to read more

Researchers found that by analyzing the germs and other materials on a person’s smartphone, they can get a picture of what the owner’s lifestyle is like, including places a person has been to, their diet, medications taken, hygiene habits, beauty products used, and even their overall state of health. Having access to such information could ...click here to read more

You may have heard of a sweet tooth, but researchers are suggesting that some people may have a salt tooth, too. This ‘salt tooth’ may affect your salt preferences and may help explain why some like saltier food than others. Lead researcher Jennifer Smith explained that some genetic variants make people more aware of bitter ...click here to read more

Taking high-dose statins – cholesterol-lowering drugs – slightly improves survival rates for certain patients. The study followed over 509,000 patients with various forms of cardiovascular disease. The researchers found that survival rates increased by nine percent with high-dose statins, compared to moderate-dose statins, over the course of a year. The participants in the study were ...click here to read more

As estrogen levels drop after menopause, studies show that it impacts women’s memory. Memory loss is a very common symptom many seniors report. In fact, 75 percent of older adults report some degree of memory problems. Although women generally outperform men on memory tests, menopausal women report higher rates of forgetfulness. Executive director of the ...click here to read more

If you’re lacking gym motivation, some social media competition may give you the push you need. Senior study author Damon Centola explained, “Supportive groups can backfire because they draw attention to members who are less active, which can create a downward spiral of participation.” In his words, competition groups “frame relationships in terms of goal-setting ...click here to read more

Brain scans may help with earlier diagnosis of dementia, which affects tens of millions people worldwide. There is no cure for dementia, but there are treatments available to help manage the symptoms. Early detection of dementia amps up the effectiveness of the treatment. The study revealed that MRI scans can help doctors diagnose dementia by ...click here to read more

Individuals with low levels of the ‘love hormone’ – oxytocin – have been found to have less empathy than those with higher levels. Researchers found that oxytocin replacement therapy could improve well-being of people who are low in the hormone. The study included 20 people with medical conditions that lead to low levels of oxytocin ...click here to read more

A new study on mice found that food additives commonly found in processed foods increased the risk of colon cancer. Emulsifiers are commonly added to food for texture and prolonged shelf life. In mice, consumption of two common emulsifiers led to intestinal bacteria changes, promoting inflammation and colon cancer. Researcher Emilie Viennois explained, “The incidence ...click here to read more

A new study has revealed that people living in darker, colder climates – further away from the equator – have a higher risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms earlier on. Multiple sclerosis is believed to be caused by a combination of genetics and environmental factors, including exposure to sunlight and vitamin D. The researchers ...click here to read more

A jury in St. Louis has come to a consensus against Johnson & Johnson on the issue of baby powder being associated with ovarian cancer. The multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the company was started by a woman who suggested she used the product for decades and it contributed to her ovarian cancer diagnosis. There are currently ...click here to read more

This weekly health news roundup presents our latest news articles discussing high triglycerides, overactive bladder, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and heart attack. This week, we looked at the causes, symptoms, and treatments for high triglycerides, overactive bladder diet, ways to lower Alzheimer’s disease risk, and tips for surviving a heart attack when you’re alone. High triglycerides: ...click here to read more

Ever had a song stuck in your head? Many of us have experienced this nuisance. It’s as if no matter how hard you try or what you do, you keep on singing the same tune. British researchers decided to dig deeper into this “earworm” effect and find out why it happens with some songs and ...click here to read more

A new study shows that there is still a large number of children consuming high amounts of salt. Although the effects of salt may not be instant in younger children, excess salt could set them up for health problems later on. The study found that nearly 90 percent of American children are consuming higher levels ...click here to read more