Category: Health News

Anyone who’s taken a bite of a sandwich with too much spicy mustard or a piece of sushi with too much wasabi can attest to the tear-inducing sensation these condiments can cause. These loud warnings to the nervous system of exposure to potentially harmful chemicals are triggered by TRPA1, a calcium channel protein sometimes referred

More parents are smoking marijuana in their homes, exposing children to secondhand smoke. But how harmful is it? The harmful effects of secondhand cigarette smoke have been known for years. However, a recent study shows that efforts to decrease secondhand smoke exposure may be complicated by increases in marijuana use. The study from researchers at

Serious question: When’s the last time you thanked your vulva? What about your vagina? Let’s expand it to your reproductive organs as a whole—when was the last time you actually said “thank you”? If your answer was anything other than “uh, never?” you’re a bold-faced liar, because literally no one does that. But that’s not

The Senate overwhelmingly approved the VA Mission Act on Wednesday, overhauling private sector care options for veterans. Passing with a 92-5 vote, the bill cleared just one week after passing in the House with a 347-70 vote. Its passage meets the White House’s deadline to act on the issue before Congress leaves for a week-long

Although allergies affect more than 50 million Americans, they are occasionally misunderstood and can be seen as a minor condition. An article published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) shows allergies can have serious, far-reaching consequences, especially on adolescent sufferers. “The

Better educational opportunities and higher incomes may be key to closing the gap of cardiovascular health behaviors—including smoking, physical activity, and diet quality—between black and white Americans, according to a new study led by a University of Iowa researcher. The study, headed by Kara Whitaker, assistant professor in the UI’s Department of Health and Human

Abortion rights protesters held pictures of Savita Halappanavar as they marched through central Dublin last year, demanding Ireland’s government ensures abortions can be performed to save a woman’s life. Tonight, our time, Ireland will head to the polls in a groundbreaking referendum that could dramatically increase access to abortion for the country’s citizens. Ireland currently

Two weeks ago, the 104-year-old Australian scientist David Goodall flew from his home in Western Australia to Switzerland to access assisted suicide with the help of lifecircle and Exit International, two right-to-die societies. Goodall was part of a broader but marginal phenomenon sometimes referred to as “suicide tourism.” This occurs when a person travels to

The HIV virus, which causes AIDS, has long been known to target and disable cells of the immune system, which are responsible for fighting off invading microorganisms and for suppressing malignant cancers. More recently, researchers also learned HIV not only targets immune cells in the bloodstream but also in the brain and spinal cord and

Northwestern Medicine scientists identified a cellular mechanism that leads to neurodegeneration in patients with Parkinson’s disease, according to a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Dimitri Krainc, MD, Ph.D., chair and Aaron Montgomery Ward Professor of Neurology, was the senior author of the study, which demonstrated a link between defective synaptic

The family treated as outcasts: FOUR siblings have the same rare skin condition which has destroyed one’s nose and blinded another Javid, Maria, Sobia and Aaaliza Hussain all have xeroderma pigmentosum The skin condition causes severe sunburn and cancer, and cannot be cured Sobia, 17, lost part of her nose to the disease and her

Healthcare access and quality improved globally from 2000-2016 due in part to large gains seen in many low and middle-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, according to the latest data from the Global Burden of Disease study published in The Lancet. Despite this, some countries saw progress slow or stall over this time.

Are your friends very pain tolerant? Then it is likely that you are as well, provided you are a male. A recent study, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Pain, along with an Editorial Comment by Dr. Jeffrey Mogil, published by De Gruyter, shows that there is a positive correlation between the pain tolerance of

What is the Nordic diet? Surprisingly affordable, full of fish, with fewer additives: Why nutritionists are going wild for it The Nordic diet consists of fish, berries and winter vegetables You can eat meat and sweet things, but you first fill up your plate with veg, and meat can take whatever space is left  The

Social media often features celebrities drinking cocktails, boozy how-to posts, and party pictures. This is the environment American teens are immersed in every day, with 71 percent of teens using more than one social media site, spending an average of nine hours a day using media. Despite the popularity of social media and alcohol-filled posts,

Think a chlorinated pool is a safe, sterile place? Think again. There are a few dangers lurking in a shared pool, whether at a gym, a community center, or even a fancy resort. In fact, outbreaks of illnesses from hot tubs and pools have been increasing in recent years, with 493 outbreaks causing more than 27,000 illnesses

It can be distressing to witness the pain of family, friends or even strangers going through a hard time. But what if, just like strengthening a muscle or learning a new hobby, we could train ourselves to be more compassionate and calm in the face of others’ suffering? That is the question behind research from

Brain freeze hits like an icy steam train on the Trans-Siberian Railway. One minute you’re enjoying a 99 (with a Flake), a Magnum or a big old bowl of Italian gelato. The next, your brain feels like it’s in a vice and your mouth is saying ‘no’. Most of us have been there. Upsetting, really.

With summer coming, it’s only a matter of time before the smells and tastes of barbecued foods dominate the neighborhood. But there’s a downside to grilling that can literally get under your skin. In a study appearing in Environmental Science & Technology, scientists report that skin is a more important pathway for uptake of cancer-causing

Challenging yourself, taking aspirin and drinking champagne: The six proven ways to prevent dementia according to science This week is Dementia Action Week, which is raising awareness of the condition  Experts say challenging your brain, staying fit, and being sociable all help 850,000 people in the UK have dementia, which is a decline in brain