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Survey: More Than 60 Percent of Americans Take Sleep Aids
If you struggle to fall asleep at night, you are not alone. About 28% of Americans say insomnia is taking a toll on their daily lives, and about 64% say they take sleep aids to help them fall asleep or stay asleep. "Chronic insomnia is a dangerous public health problem," said...
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CDC Panel Recommends Older Adults Get Newer, Stronger Flu Vaccines
Americans 65 and older should get newer, souped-up flu vaccines because regular shots don't provide them enough protection, a federal advisory panel said Wednesday. The panel unanimously recommended certain flu vaccines that might offer more or longer protection for seniors,...
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Study: Light in the Bedroom Linked to Obesity, Hypertension, Diabetes
Keeping your bedroom dark not only helps you get a good night's sleep, but may significantly lower your odds of developing three major health problems, a new study suggests. Older men and women who used night lights, or left their TV, smartphone or tablet on in the room were...
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Stand on One Leg Test Predicts Longevity
It sounds easy, but standing on one leg for 10 seconds can be harder than you think. And your ability to do so - or not - may predict whether you are more likely to die within the next decade, a new study suggests. That's why an international team of researchers says the...
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Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis Death Rate Tripled Over Two Decades
Americans may have a collective drinking problem, made worse by the obesity epidemic, new research suggests. The new study found that deaths from alcoholic cirrhosis have more than tripled in 20 years. In 1999, alcoholic cirrhosis -- an advanced form of alcohol-related liver...
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A Deadly Heat Wave Has Hit the US: How to Protect Yourself
A heat wave has hit the U.S., and a deadly one at that. The National Weather Service Prediction Center in College Park, Md., said 107.5 million people are affected by a combination of heat advisories, excessive heat warnings and excessive heat watches across the...
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Study: Optimistic Women More Likely to Live Past 90
The key to a long life may be your attitude. Researchers at Harvard studied the impact of optimism on women's lifespans, finding that optimism was associated with greater longevity, such as living past age 90. Lead study author Hayami Koga, a PhD candidate at the Harvard T.H....
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Experimental Nonhormonal Drug Alleviates Hot Flashes
Hot flashes are one of the most well-known symptoms of menopause and they can be severe and frequent, happening throughout the day and night over several years. Researchers say they have found a new, effective treatment that could provide relief and an alternative to...
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FDA Requires Disclosure of Suicide Risk for Anti-baldness Drug
U.S. health regulators rejected a request to remove popular anti-baldness pill Propecia and its generic versions from the market, but for the first time required patient notification about reports of suicidal behavior in men taking the drug. The U.S. Food and Drug...
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Adding Just 10 Minutes of Exercise Daily Boosts Longevity
A mere 10-minute power walk every day could add years to your life. A new study of nearly 5,000 adults found that death rates plummeted as physical activity increased. Just 10, 20, or 30 minutes of extra daily exercise reduced annual mortality rates by approximately 7%, 13%...
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Height Linked to Higher Risk for Several Diseases
If you're taller than average, your genes may affect your risk for a variety of diseases, a new study suggests. These include a higher risk for the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation and varicose veins, but a lower risk of coronary heart disease, high blood pressure...
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Survey: Men Think They're Healthier Than They Are, Skip Checkups
It's a classic case of male machismo jeopardizing health: A new survey finds many American men believe they're healthier than other men and don't bother with annual checkups, even though a yearly exam can catch health problems in the early stages. The online survey of nearly...
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Type 2 Diabetes Makes the Brain Age Faster
Type 2 diabetes is linked to memory and thinking problems, and a new study suggests it's because the disease makes the brain age faster. Looking at data from 20,000 middle-aged and older adults, researchers found that - consistent with past studies - people with type 2...
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Study: Coffee, Even With a Little Sugar, Boosts Longevity
Folks who take their coffee with a little cream and sugar have reason to rejoice, health-wise.A new study shows that coffee's potential health benefits persist, even if you add a bit of sugar to your java. People who drink any amount of unsweetened coffee are 16% to 21% less...
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Poll Reveals Dangerous Tanning, Sunburns on the Rise
While most people probably know it's not safe to get a sunburn, many may not realize that tanning also increases the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging. A new survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adults by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) found a sharp rise in...
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Signs You Have The Same Harmful Eye Condition as Bono
U2 frontman Bono, 62, is known for his trademark, fashionable sunglasses, but the real reason behind the sexy shades is that the rocker suffers from glaucoma. This condition is caused by high pressure inside the eye, which can lead to long-term damage to the optic nerve. It...
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These Healthy Habits Add Years to Your Life, According to New Research
A new study found that by adopting certain lifestyle habits you can boost longevity even in your 80s. Researchers from Osaka University in Japan say reducing drinking, not smoking, losing weight, and getting more sleep yield big dividends when it comes to longevity, even...
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Vision Problems Can Lead to Inaccurate Mental Decline Diagnosis
Poor eyesight makes it harder to read and easier to trip. But it can also lead to a misdiagnosis of mild mental decline in older people, according to a new, small study. That can happen if someone's thinking abilities are assessed using vision-dependent tests, researchers...
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Research Reveals How Long Teeth Survive After Root Canal
If you've had a root canal, you can expect your tooth to survive for about 11 years, researchers say. For a time, root canals can maintain teeth affected by cavities or other problems, but the tooth eventually becomes brittle and dies. To learn more about just how long that...
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Pollution Killed 9 Million People Worldwide in 2019
Pollution from varied sources caused 9 million deaths worldwide in 2019, accounting for 1 in 6 of all deaths, a new study says. Of those pollution-related deaths, three-quarters - close to 7 million - were caused by outdoor or indoor air pollution. Toxic chemical pollution...
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Injecting Body Fat Into Arthritic Hands Lessens Pain, Increases Function
Liposuction typically is used to flatten your stomach or shape up your booty, but a new study argues that it could also help people suffering from arthritis of the fingers. Injections of body fat into aching, arthritic finger joints appear to produce significant and lasting...
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Arthroscopy an Effective Alternative to More Invasive Hip Replacement
College basketball player Joey Liedel suffered years of debilitating hip pain that limited his ability to play. As a freshman at University of Detroit-Mercy, he was in constant discomfort. Eventually, the Erie, Mich., athlete underwent hip surgery and took some time off to...
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Resistance Training Boosts Longevity
Recent studies suggest that resistance training can prolong your life. An analysis published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that people who spent 30 to 60 minutes strength training each week had a 40% lower risk for premature death, 46% lower risk for heart...
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Gallstones Linked to Higher Risk For Pancreatic Cancer
A diagnosis of pancreatic cancer may feel like a death sentence because this fast-moving disease is often discovered at a later stage, when it's harder to treat. Now, a new study offers hope for earlier diagnosis, finding an association between recent gallstone disease and...
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US Gun Homicides Jumped to Highest Level in 25 Years During Pandemic
During the first year of the pandemic, the number of Americans felled by gun violence reached a level not seen since 1994, a new government report shows. From 2019 to 2020, the rate of murders involving guns rose by nearly 35%, the highest logged in more than 25 years.In...