A pack year is the number of cigarettes smoked if a person smokes one pack a day for a year. A systematic review of thirteen studies concluded that smoking increases one’s risk for severe obstructive sleep apnea, especially heavy smokers with a history of 20 or more pack years. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, August 2022

According to a recent study, deaths from alcoholic cirrhosis in the United States increased 400% between 1999 and 2019, from 4,000 to 24,000 per year. Lead researcher Dr. Charles Hennekens notes, “My hypothesis is that the reason we’re seeing more of liver disease earlier is not just that people are drinking more, but that they’re…

According to a study that monitored 144,427 adults who resided in the same city for 20 years, those who lived in neighborhoods with more greenery had a lower risk for cancer of the lung, bladder, breast, prostate, and skin. The findings suggest that increasing the amount of green space in urban environments could reduce the…

Third-hand smoke is the invisible remnant of tobacco smoke that clings to surfaces. An analysis of data from the China Kadoorie Biobank study found that women with frequent exposure to either second-hand or third-hand smoke had a 22-24% increased risk for cervical cancer over the following decade when compared with their peers with less exposure…

Tetrahydrocannobinol (THC) is a chemical in marijuana that causes intoxication. An analysis of 80 different readily available THC-free cannabidiol (CBD) products found that about 60% of these products did contain THC. The researchers note that most contained only trace amounts of THC, but these amounts can accumulate in the body and be detected by a…

Prediabetes is a term used to describe elevated blood sugar levels that have not yet reached the threshold for a diabetes diagnosis. An analysis of data regarding 1.79 million hospitalizations for myocardial infarction found that prediabetes increases an individual’s risk for heart attack by 25%, percutaneous intervention (angioplasty) by 45%, and heart bypass surgery by…

New research suggests that nearly 30% of expectant mothers experience poor quality sleep, which can double their risk for antepartum depression, antepartum anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The findings suggest that steps to maintain good sleep hygiene may have a protective effect on a pregnant woman’s mental health. Maternal Child and Health Journal, July…

The University of California, San Francisco School of Nursing reports that annual healthcare costs for vape users are more than $2,000 higher than non-tobacco users. Lead study author Dr. Yingning Wang writes, “Healthcare costs attributable to e-cigarette use are already greater than our estimates of healthcare costs attributable to cigar and smokeless tobacco use…This is…

According to a study that analyzed data from twelve cohort studies with over 120,000 total participants, individuals who drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week (approximately seven to eight bottles of beer or glasses of wine, or 14 single servings of spirits) may experience up to six fewer years of life free from…

Body mass index (BMI) is an estimate of body fat based on weight and height. An analysis of data concerning nearly 120,000 women from seven countries revealed that for every five unit increase in BMI, the risk for endometrial cancer rises by 88%. BMC Medicine, April 2022