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Elevated Protein Level Increases Blacks' Risk of Kidney Disease

TUESDAY, June 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Black Americans with gene variants that raise their risk of chronic kidney disease don't always develop it, and researchers now think they know why.

Fifteen to 20 percent of black Americans have inherited variations of the apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) that put them at risk for chronic kidney dise...

Some GOP Senators Balk at Health Reform Bill

TUESDAY, June 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- The Senate Republican plan to overhaul the Affordable Care Act took a hit Monday with the release of a Congressional Budget Office analysis saying the bill would leave 22 million more Americans uninsured by 2026.

Soon after the report's release, three Republican senators threatened to oppose a...

Could Shift Work Damage Your DNA?

TUESDAY, June 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- When people work the night shift, their bodies might have less capacity to repair everyday damage to cells' DNA, a small study hints.

The research found that people excreted lower levels of a chemical called 8-OH-dG when they worked at night. That might be a sign that the body's ability to rep...

What Is 'Moderate' Exercise Anyway?

TUESDAY, June 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- You've probably heard the U.S. National Institutes of Health's recommendation for most adults to get 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days to stay fit.

But what exactly is moderate? And how do you know if you're working hard or hardly working?

One of the easiest ways to measur...

Senate Health Bill Would Leave 22 Million More Uninsured by 2026: CBO

MONDAY, June 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- The Senate Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act would leave 22 million more Americans uninsured by 2026, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) said Monday.

Hours earlier, Senate Republicans released an updated version of their bill that includes a provision requiring pe...

Persistent Stress May Hasten Death in Heart Patients

MONDAY, June 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- If you have heart disease, unrelenting stress might hasten your death, researchers report.

Adults who suffered from persistent mental distress, including depression and anxiety, were nearly four times more likely to die from heart disease and almost three times more likely to die from any caus...

Gene Sequencing May Reveal Risks for Rare Diseases

MONDAY, June 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- "Genome sequencing" of healthy people reveals that some are at risk for rare genetic diseases, a new study shows.

And doctors need to be sensitive when revealing that information, the researchers said.

"Sequencing healthy individuals will inevitably reveal new findings for that indivi...

How to Dodge Summertime Threats

MONDAY, June 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- During the summer, poison centers get an increase in the number of calls about bites, stings, plants and pesticides.

The Nebraska Regional Poison Center offers these tips on how to avoid poisonings -- and other hazards -- this summer.

"If you are stung, call the poison center. Close o...

Study Highlights the Beauty Industry's Ugly Side

MONDAY, June 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- When you purchase a new eye shadow or shampoo, you expect those products will be safe and that they won't cause skin breakouts -- or worse.

But new research found that's not always the case. And, because cosmetics are woefully underregulated in the United States, and there's no solid system in ...

Study Challenges Touted Link Between Eczema and Heart Disease

MONDAY, June 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- There's no evidence of a link between eczema and increased risk of heart disease, researchers report.

The findings challenge recent studies suggesting that people with atopic dermatitis -- a common form of the skin disease eczema -- are significantly more likely to have heart trouble.

Early Care by Cardiologist May Lower Stroke Risk for A-Fib Patients

MONDAY, June 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with a common heart rhythm disorder who receive a cardiologist's care soon after diagnosis are less likely to suffer a stroke, a new study finds.

Atrial fibrillation, or A-fib, is an irregular, often rapid heart rate that increases the risk of stroke and other complications. It affects...

Workers Unprepared for Heart Emergencies on the Job: Survey

MONDAY, June 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- If your heart stops suddenly while you're on the job, would your co-workers be able to help?

Don't bet your life on it.

Two American Heart Association (AHA) surveys find most American workers are untrained in CPR and first aid. Half have no idea where to find a defibrillator to delive...

What Men Need to Know About ED Drugs and Anesthesia

MONDAY, June 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Men who take erectile dysfunction drugs need to alert the anesthetist before having surgery or other medical procedures, hospital experts say.

Erectile dysfunction drugs such as Viagra and Cialis contain nitric oxide, which opens blood vessels and relaxes muscles. If they are combined with anes...

Childhood Poverty May Predict Heart Failure in Adulthood

MONDAY, June 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Growing up poor might put you at risk for heart failure in adulthood, a new study suggests.

Heart failure, a progressive condition, means the heart isn't pumping as well as it should. This causes fatigue and shortness of breath, and can make everyday activities difficult to carry out.

When Is an Opioid Safe to Take?

MONDAY, June 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Many people in pain are apprehensive about taking an opioid painkiller to ease their suffering, and rightfully so.

Widespread use of opioids for pain has led to an epidemic of addiction in the United States. Forty lives are lost to prescription drug overdose every day, according to the U.S. Cen...

Boozing Can Age You Right Down to Your Cells

MONDAY, June 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- The more you booze it up, the more your cells age, increasing your risk for age-related health problems like heart disease, diabetes, cancer and dementia, a new study suggests.

Researchers studied 134 alcoholics between the ages of 41 and 85 and a control group of people in the same age group w...

Immunizations for High Flyin' Travelers

MONDAY, June 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Nothing spoils a trip faster than getting sick. And a good way to protect yourself is by getting certain vaccinations before you leave home.

Regardless of your destination, make sure you're up to date on routine immunizations like MMR (measles-mumps-rubella), DPT (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis),...

Medicaid Cuts Tied to Delayed Breast Cancer Diagnoses

MONDAY, June 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- As Congress takes aim at replacing "Obamacare," a new study says Medicaid cuts could boost the number of women diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer.

The study looked at what happened after a budget crunch caused Tennessee to cut nearly 170,000 people from its Medicaid rolls in 2005.

Risky Behavior Triggers Vicious Cycle for Vets With PTSD

FRIDAY, June 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Reckless behavior could worsen post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans, a new report suggests.

The study of more than 200 U.S. veterans with PTSD found that risky behavior -- which is one symptom of PTSD -- creates a pattern of repeated stress that can have harmful results.

...

Wallpaper May Breed Toxins: Study

FRIDAY, June 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Wallpaper may contribute to "sick building syndrome," a new study suggests.

Toxins from fungus growing on wallpaper can easily become airborne and pose an indoor health risk, the researchers said.

In laboratory tests, "we demonstrated that mycotoxins could be transferred from a moldy ...