The government has released the latest version of its dietary guidelines, but some health care professionals are disappointed, because they feel that the recommendations regarding sugar-sweetened drinks and salt consumption are not strong enough.
Research suggests that a family history of heart attack is another factor that should be considered in estimating a person’s own heart attack risk.
Proton-pump inhibitors are the strongest type of medicine available for treating stomach acid. There is some concern about their potential side effects and interactions with other medications.
An ultrasound screening can detect blockage in the carotid arteries, but a government task force is discouraging such screenings due to the very small percentage of the population at risk for such a stroke.
A study of nurses found that those who had both diabetes and depression had a much higher risk of premature death from cardiovascular disease, compared to those who had only one, or neither.
No medications currently available to treat Alzheimer’s disease can halt or prevent cognitive decline, and it is unknown if any will be discovered. The available drugs can alleviate symptoms and help manage behavioral issues.
Research on intermittent explosive disorder suggests that serotonin levels in the brain and activity in the prefrontal cortex may be contributing factors.
There’s new advice on the best way to protect children riding in cars. And it may mean changes in the way many parents use car seats. A group of children’s doctors and U.S. highway safety officials issued the new guidelines. They say that kids should use rear-facing car seats until age 2 instead of age 1. The change is based on evidence. Research shows that 1-year-olds are 5 times less likely to be hurt in a crash if they’re in a rear-facing seat. Bigger kids who outgrow front-facing seats should use a booster seat. They need the booster until they’re 4 feet, 9 inches tall. Boosters can help prevent abdomen and spine injuries. Poorly fitting seatbelts can cause these injuries during crashes. Finally, the guidelines say, every child younger than 13 should ride in the back seat. The American Academy of Pediatrics issued the new advice. It appears in the journal Pediatrics.
My mother-in-law had a low alanine transaminase (ALT) score on her last blood test. What is ALT and is it significant?
Because successfully quitting smoking requires overcoming the psychological habit as well as the body’s addiction to nicotine, the combination of a medication and therapy is more effective than either option alone.