Diabetes and osteoarthritis (OA) commonly occur together, but it’s unknown if diabetes increases the risk for OA or if they just happen to share common risk factors. In this study, researchers reviewed data from 40 published studies and found little evidence to suggest that impaired glucose metabolism is an independent risk factor for OA. Seminars…

According to a new government report, emergency room visits for opioid overdoses in the United States increased about 30% between July 2016 and September 2017. Acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Anne Schuchat writes, “This fast-moving epidemic does not distinguish age, sex, or state or county lines, and it’s still…

Older women who have extra body fat may face a greater risk of breast cancer, even when their weight falls in the normal range. An analysis of data concerning 3,460 women, aged 50 to 79, showed that those with higher body fat levels had up to double the risk for developing estrogen receptive positive breast…

According to a new study, smokers who abstain from tobacco products following a hospital stay are 30% more likely to report good health and 19% less likely to experience psychological distress during the following six months. Preventative Medicine, February 2018

Everyday loud noises from traffic, construction, and raucous workplaces may increase one’s risk for heart disease. A review of data from past studies found that both people and animals exposed to frequent, loud noises had a greater risk for heart failure, irregular heart rhythms, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar. Though the…

Though colonoscopies are vital for detecting and removing cancer in the colon or large intestine, a review of the medical histories of nearly 393,000 veterans found that patients who underwent a colonoscopy had a 400% increased risk for appendicitis in the week following their procedure. However, despite this finding, lead researcher Dr. Marc Basson notes,…

After reviewing health data concerning 3,777 older adults for 25 years, a team of French scientists reports that that seniors with self-reported hearing loss have an increased risk for disability, depression, and dementia. However, the investigators did not observe these associations among those who wore a hearing aid. The researchers conclude, “These results highlight the…

In a new study involving 31 men, researchers found that those who took 1,200 mg of ibuprofen each day for 14 days experienced a short-term drop in their testosterone levels, which has been associated with lower fertility. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, January 2018

Based on an analysis of medical expenses and costs associated with work and school absences and deaths between 2008 and 2013, federal health officials say that the economic cost of asthma in the United States is almost $82 billion per year. However, the actual cost of asthma is most likely underestimated because the study did…

Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is commonly taken by pregnant women to help relieve pain, but a new study suggests that this medication may lead to reduced fertility among female offspring. Investigators found that rodents given paracetamol during pregnancy, at doses equivalent to what pregnant woman usually take for pain relief, produced female offspring with…