Chikungunya and Dengue Outbreak in Cuba Has Left 33 Dead, Officials Say

A severe mosquito-borne virus outbreak in Cuba has led to dozens of deaths since midsummer, including many young children, health officials there have reported.

Cuba’s deputy health minister, Carilda Peña, said on state TV that 33 people have died from chikungunya and dengue since July. Twenty-one of the deaths were in childre...

Shingles Vaccine May Help Slow Dementia, New Study Finds

A routine shingles shot may do more than prevent a painful rash. It could also support long-term brain health, new research shows.

In a study published Dec. 2 in the journal Cell, Stanford University researchers found that adults who received the shingles vaccine were less likely to develop early memory and thinking problems.

A Common Scan Can Prevent Face Damage From Cosmetic Fillers

Cosmetic fillers are meant to enhance a person’s beauty, but can cause damage and deformity if applied incorrectly.

However, ultrasound scans can help doctors prevent these ugly side effects by precisely guiding treatment to dissolve poorly placed fillers that are blocking blood vessels, according to findings presented Wednesday at t...

Hallucinogens Linked To Mania, Bipolar Disorder

A bad psychedelic trip might have long-term consequences for a person’s mood, researchers say.

Folks who land in the hospital due to hallucinogens are six times more likely to be diagnosed with mania within a few years, according to results published Dec. 2 in the journal PLOS Medicine.

“Our study showed a strong...

Body Shaming, Outdated Ideals Increase Injury Risk Among Female Athletes, Olympics Committee Says

Sports injuries among female athletes can be reduced by creating a safe, supportive environment for training and competition, an International Olympic Committee (IOC) panel has concluded.

Among many other physical safety recommendations, an environment free of body shaming, idealized body types and notions of how women “should”...

Asthma More Common Among Kids Whose Moms Have Eating Disorders

Women with an eating disorder are more likely to have children who suffer from asthma and wheezing, a new study says.

Eating disorders are associated with a 26% increased risk of school-age asthma and a 25% higher risk of preschool wheeze, researchers reported Dec. 2 in the journal Thorax.

This increased risk persisted even ...

Common Painkillers Trick Doctors Into Misdiagnosing Heart Failure, Study Warns

A painkiller alternative to opioids could be tricking doctors into misdiagnosing heart failure, a new study warns.

Drugs like gabapentin and pregabalin are frequently prescribed to treat nerve pain, researchers said.

But a side effect of these drugs is fluid retention, causing a person’s legs and feet to swell.

Unfortunat...

Rectal Bleeding: Is It Hemorrhoids or Cancer?

Hemorrhoids are a common condition that affects about half of all people by age fifty.

Although hemorrhoids are usually harmless, some worry that they may be a sign of cancer. While certain symptoms of hemorrhoids, colorectal cancer, and anal cancer do overlap, it’s important to know how they are...

Small Trial Shows Patients Controlled HIV Without Daily Meds For Months

A small but closely watched study is giving researchers new optimism in the search for long-term HIV control, and possibly a cure.

For the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) study, 10 people living with HIV took a mix of experimental immunotherapies, including an HIV vaccine. After months of the immunotherapy treatments, partic...

FDA Memo Claims COVID Vaccine Tied to 10 Child Deaths

A confidential internal memo from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is creating new controversy around vaccine safety after an agency official said the COVID-19 vaccine may have played a role in the deaths of at least 10 children.

The memo, which was obtained by The New York Times, has not been released publicly or revie...

Britain Takes Even Bigger Bite Out of Sugar with Milk Drink Tax

The United Kingdom is expanding its battle against high sugar consumption by including more drink products in its national sugar tax.

The U.K. Department of Health and Social Care announced the tax will be expanded to sweetened milk-based beverages, including pre-packaged flavored milks and milkshakes, milk-alternative drinks (such as coco...

WHO Issues First Guidance on Using GLP-1 Drugs to Treat Obesity

The World Health Organization (WHO) released its first-ever guideline on using GLP-1 medications to treat obesity.

The disease now affects more than 1 billion people worldwide and is tied to 3.7 million deaths in 2024.

The new recommendations reflect a major change in how obesity is viewed and treated.

The WHO classifies obes...

Up to 1 in 4 Breast Cancers Occur in Women Under 50, Study Shows

As many as 1 in 4 breast cancers occur in women younger than 50, a new study has found.

Among seven outpatient clinics in the New York region, 20% to 24% of breast cancers were found in women 18 to 49, according to results presented Monday at the Radiological Society of North America’s annual meeting in Chicago.

“This res...

Obesity Could Speed Alzheimer's Progression, Study Suggests

Obesity might contribute to faster progression of Alzheimer’s disease, a new study says.

Some blood markers associated with Alzheimer’s increased nearly twice as fast among people with obesity compared to people who didn't have obesity, according to results presented today at the Radiological Society of North America’s an...

Men's Beer Bellies Could Pose Special Risk to Heart

That beer belly a guy’s toting around could mean trouble for his heart, a new study says.

Said belly fat is linked to changes in heart structure that can contribute to heart failure, researchers reported Monday at the Radiological Society of North America’s annual meeting in Chicago.

“Abdominal obesity, a high waist...

Quick Treatment of Head Injury Lowers Alzheimer's Risk

Folks who overlook a concussion might find themselves at greater risk for Alzheimer’s disease down the line, a new study says.

Receiving prompt treatment within one week of a serious head injury can reduce the later risk of Alzheimer’s by up to 41%, researchers recently reported in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease