Gambling: When Does Play Become Addiction?

While some gamble socially and others do it for a living, it’s a serious addiction for those who have an uncontrollable urge to keep going at the risk of losing everything.

“In our brain, the centers involved with gambling addiction are the same centers involved with substance addiction," said Dr. Asim Shah, professor and executive vic...

CBD for Anxiety: Can It Help?

Anxiety disorder can make it hard to navigate life, but lately CBD has been touted as a natural treatment for the nerve-wracking condition.

You can buy CBD almost anywhere -- gas stations, spas, farmers markets and grocery stores. It comes in many forms -- from gummies to tablets to tinctures to lozenges and patches.

But is CBD good...

The Most Common Anxiety Medications, Explained

Endless worry, irritability and insomnia are all symptoms of a possible anxiety disorder.

Luckily, there are numerous anxiety medications that can help ease the condition.

Joy Alonzo, a specialist in the pharmacotherapy of mental disorders at Texas A&M's College of Pharmacy, said recently, “If you understand the different types of ...

Caregiving for Someone After a Stroke

When a loved one suffers a stroke, it can be a relief that they survived and are getting good care.

But recovery can take time for the patient.

Making sure they get the care they need can be a challenge for the spouse, grown child or other loved one who is providing that care at home.

Fortunately, resources exist to help you t...

Parts of Intestinal Scope Devices Can Break Off Inside Patients

A medical device used to diagnose and treat pancreatic and bile duct disease is getting attention from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after pieces have fallen off and remained in patients’ bodies.

Previously, the FDA had expressed concern about duodenoscopes because they can be difficult to clean and may spread bacteria such as

E. Coli From Meat May Be Causing Many UTIs

E. coli bacteria are an infamous cause of food poisoning, but a new study suggests those same microbes lurking in meat may be behind nearly half a million cases of urinary tract infections (UTIs).

UTIs are very common, affecting more than half of all women at least once in their lives. And the vast majority of those infections are caused b...

AHA News: Many Latinos in the US Don't Get Enough Sleep, and Researchers Are Trying to Learn Why

A good night's sleep is essential for good health, but many Latinos in the U.S. just don't get enough of it.

To shed light on possible reasons why, researchers are studying the sleep habits of those living near the U.S.-Mexico border.

"I honestly don't think we have a very good understanding of what the rates of (sleep problems) are ...

Losing a Spouse May Be More Lethal for Men

While losing a spouse can shorten anyone's life, new Danish research suggests widowers may be far more vulnerable than widows.

After six years spent tracking health outcomes among nearly 925,000 Danish seniors, investigators determined that when a man between the ages of 65 and 69 loses his wife he is 70% more likely to die in the yea...

Sen. John Fetterman Improving, Though Timing on Return to Work Still Unclear

FRIDAY, March 24, 2023 (HealthDay News) – Sen. John Fetterman, who checked himself into Walter Reed Hospital for depression five weeks ago, should be back at work soon, his aide said Thursday.

The Pennsylvania senator suffered a stroke last May that nearly killed him, and depression strikes one in three stroke survivors.

Still, Fet...

COVID Pandemic Got More Americans Worried About Being Obese: Survey

Lots of folks gained their COVID weight during the housebound months of the pandemic, and now those extra pounds are weighing heavy on many, a new survey shows.

Nearly a third (29%) of just over 1,700 adults surveyed in December 2021 said COVID-19 made them more worried than ever about being obese, according to findings published recently ...

Million-Person Study Finds Genes Common to Many Addiction Disorders

Breakthrough research shows genetic markers for substance abuse and could lead to more effective ways to prevent and treat drug and alcohol use disorders.

These findings could help people who face addiction to varied substances, including those who have more than one addiction at a time.

The findings also reinforce the role of the do...

Mental Health Woes Double Women's Odds for Cervical Cancer

Women with mental illness have a risk for cervical cancer that’s twice as high as that for others, according to new research.

Swedish researchers noted that women with mental illness, neuropsychiatric disability or substance abuse were also less likely to get screening tests that can detect cervical cancer.

“Our results suggest t...

Injury-Proof Homes: Creating Safe Spaces for Older Adults

There’s nothing like the comfort and security of home. For many, a home is a place filled with fond memories of happy times.

It’s no wonder older adults choose to extend their independence by trying to stay in their homes as they get older, an experience called aging in place.

But as a person ages, what used to be ordinary in the...

New Tropical Species of Mosquito Migrates Into Florida

Florida has yet another new mosquito species in its midst that has migrated from the tropics, settling in at least three counties since 2018.

It’s not yet clear whether this one, called Culex lactator, will contribute to transmission of mosquito-borne viruses in the state, but scientists are concerned about the rate of new mosqu...

Kids With Autism Face Higher Odds of Vision Issues, But Many Don't Get Screened

Children with autism are less likely than their peers to receive important vision screening despite a high risk for serious eye disorders, researchers report.

Only about 36% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) completed vision screenings during their health checkups, a new study found. That was far fewer than the 59% rate for c...

Close Bond With Your Teen Can Keep Them Physically Healthy, Too: Study

Ask your teen about their day and try to spend more quality time together.

It matters, a new study found.

Teens who report better relationships with their moms and dads are healthier both mentally and physically and less likely to abuse drugs or alcohol as young adults, according to researchers.

“Teens who reported higher lev...

How to Find a Caregiver: A Guide

Choosing a caregiver for a loved one is a decision no one takes lightly.

Figuring out the level of care your loved one needs can help make the process go more smoothly. That’s why it’s a great place to start your journey.

“The goal is to pick up clues early, before they start to impact day-to-day life in a significant way, so ...

U.S. Tuberculosis Cases Rose in 2022: CDC

Tuberculosis cases climbed again in 2022, U.S. health officials announced Thursday.

Still, the 5% increase, which amounted to 8,300 cases, didn't reach higher pre-pandemic numbers, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“The message is loud and clear — TB is still here. For the second year in a row, TB...

1 in Every 36 U.S. 8-Year-Olds Has Autism

More American children have autism than previously thought, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.

It also finds that the COVID-19 pandemic delayed diagnosis for many, which could have lasting impact.

Data from 11 communities in the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, which tracks the numbe...

Weaker Bones, Weakening Brain? Study Makes the Connection

For some older adults, thinning bones may be a harbinger of waning memory, a new study suggests.

The study, of more than 3,600 older adults, found that those with relatively low bone density were at greater risk of being diagnosed with dementia within the next decade. The one-third of participants with the lowest bone mass at the hip faced...