Following a review of data concerning nearly 1.4 million adults, researchers report that individuals with either asthma or eczema are up to 58% more likely to develop osteoarthritis, and the risk is even greater for those with both conditions. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, March 2023

Using data from the INTERSTROKE study, researchers report the following sleep characteristics are associated with an elevate risk for stroke: short sleep (less than five hours), long sleep (longer than nine hours), poor quality sleep, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, prolonged napping, snoring, and sleep apnea. Neurology, April 2023

A survey of nearly 1,400 parents revealed that a third would still give their child fever-reducing medication at a temperature below 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit and half would provide such pharmaceuticals at a temperature below 101.9 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, one-in-four parents would give their child an additional dose in an effort to keep such a low-grade…

New research suggests that adults with an inconsistent sleep schedule have an elevated risk for a high coronary artery calcium score, plaque build-up in the carotid artery, and abnormal results on assessments of blood vessel stiffness. Sleep expert Dr. Raj Dasgupta adds, “If you have any risk factors for [heart disease] such as high blood…

Between 2016 and 2018, more than 52,000 Americans visited the emergency room to receive treatment for scalding burns caused by hot tap water. Researchers note that water from a water heater set at 130 degrees Fahrenheit (~54 degrees Celsius) can cause a second-degree burn in 25 seconds, while setting the water heater to 140 degrees…

An analysis of data concerning more than a half million adults revealed that regular laxative use increases the risk for dementia over the following decade by 28% and regular use of two or more laxatives boosts the risk up to 90%. Study author Dr. Feng Sha adds, “Regular use of laxatives, even without short-term severe…

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system in which the immune system attacks the brain and spinal cord resulting in symptoms such as numbness, tingling, mood changes, memory problems, pain, fatigue, blindness, and paralysis. A survey of 2,100 adult MS patients and 3,000 otherwise healthy adults revealed that sleeping less than…

With the aid of information from the Danish national medical database, researchers observed an association between frequent antibiotic use and an elevated risk for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The finding underscores the importance of avoiding antibiotic overuse as several studies have found up to half of antibiotic prescriptions may be unnecessary. Gut, January 2023

Following an analysis of data concerning 3.5 million Danish adults, researchers report that for every 10-decibel increase in noise in an individual’s home from nearby roadways, the risk for tinnitus increases by 6%. The research team speculates that traffic noise may indirectly affect tinnitus risk as living near a busy road may affect sleep quality,…

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) recently conducted a poll of 2,199 adults and found that only 55% could provide CPR, 47% knew how to apply a tourniquet to control severe bleeding, and 29% felt they could use an automated external defibrillator to address sudden cardiac arrest. American College of Emergency Physicians, January 2023