Radiation Treatment Is Hard on the Heart

Radiation therapy that targets cancers in the chest area can tax the heart and trigger high levels of fatigue, breathing problems and a reduced ability to exercise, a new study suggests.

However, doing more physical activity before undergoing radiation therapy may help reduce these problems, the researchers added.

"Thi...

Vaping Causes DNA Changes Similar to Those in Cancer: Study

People who vape have potentially cancer-causing changes in their DNA similar to those found in cigarette smokers, according to a new study.

These chemical alterations -- called epigenetic changes -- can cause genes to malfunction. They are found in nearly all types of cancer, as well as other serious diseases, the researchers noted.

14 Americans From Cruise Ship Hit By Coronavirus Test Positive for Infection

Fourteen of the more than 300 U.S. passengers evacuated from a cruise ship hit by the coronavirus outbreak have tested positive for infection during their flights home, U.S. health officials said Monday.

The news comes from a joint statement from the Departments of State and Health and Human Services, CNN reported. The 14 pass...

1 in 4 Opioid ODs Involves Kids and Teens

More than a quarter of all opioid overdoses in the United States involve teenagers, and a full fifth of those cases were likely suicide attempts, new research shows.

The findings follow an in-depth analysis of nearly 754,000 American opioid poisoning cases that occurred between 2005 and 2018. All had been reported to the U.S. National ...

Kids Raised by Grandparents More Likely to Pile on Pounds: Study

Grandparents can be a bad influence on kids' weight, researchers say.

That's the upshot of an analysis of 23 studies conducted in the United States and eight other countries by a team from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis.

The study found that kids who were cared for by grandparents had nearly 30% hi...

AHA News: Diabetes, Alzheimer's Together Might Increase Stroke Severity

Bleeding strokes are the deadliest type of stroke and the hardest to treat. What might make matters worse is having both diabetes and Alzheimer's disease versus either condition alone, new research shows.

The study looked at 2,071 adults in the Kentucky Appalachian Stroke Registry who had a hemorrhagic stroke. The researchers reviewed...

U.S. to Evacuate Americans on Cruise Ship Hit by Coronavirus; First Death Occurs Outside Asia

The COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak -- and the global response to it -- continues to evolve, with the first death outside Asia reported in France on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, U.S. health officials announced that a chartered flight will arrive on Sunday to evacuate 400 American passengers stranded on a cruise ship docked in Japan.

Don't Try to Kick the Smoking Habit Alone

Going solo when trying to quit smoking isn't enough, one lung health expert says.

"Smokers develop a physiological dependence on nicotine, and they need more than willpower to quit," said Dr. Danish Ahmad, a pulmonologist with Penn State Health's Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

The American Cancer Society says that smokers...

Keep Your Kids Safe, Warm in Wintertime Fun

Sledding, skiing and ice skating are big fun in the winter, but can lead to big injuries, too.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reminds parents to take steps to help their kids avoid injury and make sure they're dressed appropriately for the cold weather.

"This is the time of year when we see people return from winte...

Shower Your Valentine With Love All Year Long

You need to work on your relationship with your significant other all year round, not just on Valentine's Day, a relationship expert advises.

There are five key things you can do to keep your relationship healthy, according to Frank Provenzano, an instructor in psychology and a clinical psychologist at Furman University, in Greenville,...

Traumatic Brain Injuries Raise Risk of Psychiatric Ills in Soldiers

U.S. soldiers who suffer a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are more likely to suffer other mental health woes than those with other serious injuries, a new study finds.

It also showed that the rate of mental health disorders among seriously injured soldiers is much higher than previously reported.

"A central t...

Could 9 in 10 Cases of Dengue Be Prevented?

Scientists say that 90% of dengue cases could be slashed by artificially infecting mosquitoes.

Dengue viruses are spread to people by infected mosquitoes. But infecting the insects with Wolbachia bacteria blocks the dengue virus from replicating in mosquitoes and being transmitted between people, the international researchers said ...

Antiviral Drug, Plasma Transfusions Show Promise in Treating Coronavirus

The race is on to find effective treatments against the new COVID-19 coronavirus spreading through China, and two new therapies show real promise, researchers say.

One is an experimental antiviral medicine that already being used by Chinese doctors on a "compassionate" basis in coronavirus patients and has shown effectiveness in monkey...

Hot Chocolate Could Help Ease Painful Clogged Leg Vessels

Could hot chocolate deliver relief to those suffering from the painful condition known as peripheral artery disease (PAD)?

A small, new study says it's entirely possible.

Though you may be picturing a steaming cup of hot milk chocolate with tiny marshmallows bobbing on the top, the concoction the study volunteers drank was ma...

5 Secrets to an Allergy-Free Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is a great opportunity to shower your loved one with gifts, but some may do more harm than good.

"If you want to impress your beloved this year, take a pass on gifts that cause sneezing and wheezing," said allergist Dr. J. Allen Meadows, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).

AHA News: Spanish-Speaking Stroke Survivors Face More Obstacles

Stroke survivors who speak Spanish are more likely to have low stroke literacy and a negative perception of their health care, according to a new study that called for breaking down language barriers.

The preliminary study, being presented next Friday at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference in Los Angeles,...

Coronavirus Spreads Most Easily When Patients Are Sickest: CDC

Coronavirus is most infectious when patients are at the peak of their illness, U.S. health officials said Friday.

"Based on what we know now, we believe this virus spreads mainly from person to person among close contacts, which is defined as about six feet, through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneeze...

Cholesterol Drugs Might Help Curb 'High-Risk' Prostate Cancers

Drugs that many men with prostate cancer might already be taking -- cholesterol-lowering statins -- may help extend their survival if they have a "high-risk" form of the disease, new research suggests.

High-risk patients include men with high blood levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and a "Gleason score" of 8 or more. Gleason s...

How to Dispel Your Child's Fears About the New Coronavirus

With stories about the new coronavirus outbreak flooding the media, it's easy to get scared. And if you're scared, your kids might be, too -- but they don't have to be.

Honesty and directness are key when talking to your child about this new virus, said Diane Bales, associate professor of human development and family science at the Uni...

Restful Romance: Smelling Your Lover's Shirt Can Help You Sleep

Bedtime without your partner on Valentine's Day could make sleep elusive. But a new study suggests one remedy: Cuddling up with a piece of his or her clothing.

Researchers say having a loved one's natural scent nearby could be as effective a sleep aid as melatonin.

"One of the most surprising findings is how a romantic partne...