FDA Not Backing Aspirin for Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Events. After carefully examining available scientific data from major studies, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has concluded that even though daily low-dose aspirin can help ward of heat attack or stroke, it is not for everyone. The agency believes the case has yet…

TVs in Bedrooms Linked to Children Obesity. A recent report reveals that children who have a televisions in their bedroom are much more likely to be overweight. Researchers hypothesize that bedroom televisions may disrupt a child’s sleep pattern and past studies have shown that reduced sleep or poor sleep quality may be a cause of…

More Prevention Needed Regarding Teen Pregnancy. Though births to teens ages 15 to 17 years of age have decreased in recent years, girls in the United States are still giving birth to an estimated 1,700 babies per week. Investigators for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 73% of teens in this…

Vitamin D Insufficiency Increases Fracture Risk. Women with low blood levels of vitamin D over a five-year period had a greater risk of osteoporosis-related fracture over the following decade. Osteoporosis International, April 2014

Alcohol is a Leading Cause of Preventable Cancer Death. Scientists from the Boston University School of Medicine and Boston University School of Public Health report that alcohol consumption leads to about 1 in 28.6 cancer deaths in the United States, including 15% of all breast cancer deaths. Although heavy drinking is linked to the greatest…

Better “Bedside Manner” Affects Patients’ Health. A review of 13 clinical trials has found that doctors who have been given training to improve their people skills have patients who respond more favorably in efforts to lose weight, lower their blood pressure, or manage their pain. Dr. Alan Christensen, a professor of psychology at the University…

Taking a Nap. Taking an afternoon nap has been associated with benefits including improved alertness and performance, fewer accidents and mistakes, and a psychological boost to help one feel both relaxed and rejuvenated. National Sleep Foundation, 2013

New Smartphone Case Measures Vital Signs. Azoi, an American technology company, has just announced a smartphone case that measures blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and blood oxygen levels. This new health tracker is called Wello and works by using several sensors located in the case that attaches to your smartphone. Wello can also connect to…

High Vitamin D Levels May Improve Breast Cancer Survival. A new study suggests that breast cancer patients who have higher blood levels of vitamin D are twice as likely to survive the disease compared to patients with lower blood levels of vitamin D. Researchers found that breast cancer patients in the United States have an…

Mammography Recommended for Women in Their 40s. While the United States Preventive Services Task Force’s 2009 guidelines recommend against routine mammograms for women in their 40s, new research shows that regular screenings would benefit this age group by helping doctors catch the disease when it can still be treated without extensive surgery or chemotherapy. Current…