health-letter
Seasonal affective disorder is thought to be caused by decreased exposure to sunlight during the winter months. Light therapy helps some people, and the FDA has approved the antidepressant bupropion for treatment as well.
A summary of the major health news of the year, including: more evidence of the hazards of not getting enough sleep, inexpensive genome sequencing, new avenues for treating inflammation, improving health insurance coverage, and breast MRI scans.
Concerns about shrinking fish populations may move health-conscious eaters to choose more shellfish. Informed shoppers should be aware of the differences in nutritional value and potential toxins among various types of shellfish.
To reduce the risk of colon cancer, people should cut back on red meat, get regular exercise, maintain a healthy weight, and get a first colonoscopy at age 50.
Sleep apnea has been linked to many health problems. Obstructive sleep apnea can be treated effectively with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, though getting used to using it can be challenging.
Research has found that having a tan may provide some protection from skin cancer, but tanning is not safe, so you should not try to tan just to gain this protection.
Prolonged exposure to radon gas may lead to an increased risk of lung cancer. Combined with smoking, the risk is much higher. Testing can reveal if there is an unsafe level of radon in a home’s air.
Researchers looking at stroke risk found that people who were born and spent their childhood years in states in the southeastern United States have a higher risk of stroke as adults.
I’ve been having PET-CT scans to look for any growth or spread of previously removed tumors. Are they as reliable in detecting breast cancer as a regular mammogram?
I tend to faint when I get sick. Do I need to go to the emergency department (or call 911) when I faint? My doctor said I should, but that seems so unnecessary.