For the first time, the American Heart Association has issued a statement cautioning that drugs used to treat a variety of conditions can cause or worsen heart failure. Patients should show each of their healthcare providers a complete list of their medications, including over-the-counter drugs…

Travelers frequently report experiencing a significantly slower jet lag recovery after an eastward vs. westward flight. While some are quick to dismiss this complaint as being “all in their head,” new research suggests it may be caused by the oscillation of a certain type of…

Zinc acetate lozenges may reduce the duration of the common cold by nearly 3 days, according to a recent analysis.Among 199 patients with the common cold who participated in three randomized placebo-controlled trials, the effect of zinc lozenges was not modified by allergy status, smoking,…

Changes may increase risk of continued drug use and addiction Most people would get a little ‘rush’ out of the idea that they’re about to win some money. In fact, if you could look into their brain at that very moment, you’d see lots of…

Keeping count of daily steps and boosting physical activity can really pay off for children with type 1 diabetes, according to new research from the University of Adelaide and the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.For the first time, researchers have shown that children who have type…

Ten potentially modifiable risk factors account for 90% of strokes worldwide, but regional variation should be considered, says studyHypertension remains the single most important modifiable risk factor for stroke, and the impact of hypertension and nine other risk factors together account for 90% of all…

Postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome report lower sexual activity, desire, and sexual satisfaction, according to a new report in The American Journal of MedicineUnderstanding the effects of age and disease on sexual wellbeing is crucial as sexual health is increasingly associated with vitality. In a…

Consuming probiotics, so-called ‘good bacteria’, can reduce body weight and body mass index (BMI) according to a new meta-analysis published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition.The digestive health benefits of probiotics have been widely debated. Probiotic supplements, often added to yoghurts, may…

Steam inhalation is not effective in relieving symptoms of chronic sinus congestion, research from the University of Southampton has shown.The study, published in the CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal), also showed that advice to use nasal irrigation, which is when the nasal cavity is washed…

Magnesium, an essential element in the human body, may modestly lower blood pressure, according to research published in the American Heart Association’s journal Hypertension.Magnesium is found in whole grains, beans, nuts and green leafy vegetables.Researchers have long debated whether magnesium plays a role in regulating…

Higher education is associated with a reduced risk of developing heart failure after a heart attack, reports a study in more than 70 000 patients published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.“Heart failure is a serious complication of acute myocardial infarction and substantially increases…

A 45 year study in middle-aged men has shown that the impact of low physical capacity on risk of death is second only to smoking. The research is published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.“The benefits of being physically active over a lifetime are…