Drugs and Medications News
- Respiratory Virus Levels Remain High, CDC Says
February 20, 2024 — Respiratory virus levels remain high, although the worst of this winter seems to have passed, the CDC says.
- CDC May Recommend Spring COVID Booster for At-Risk Groups
February 16, 2024 — A CDC advisory committee will meet this month to decide whether to recommend a spring COVID booster for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.
- Fuel Your Body With Color: A New Guide to Healthy Eating
February 16, 2024 — Turns out the pot of gold at the end of the (food) rainbow is health.
- Early Menopause Symptoms Plus Migraines Signal Heart Risks
February 15, 2024 — Regular hot flashes, night sweats, and migraines in early adulthood may mean a higher risk of having heart disease or a stroke, a new study in the journal Menopause suggests.
- Exercise Treats Depression as Well as Therapy, Study Says
February 15, 2024 — Many common forms of exercise are as strong as therapy in treating depression, a new study says. In the study presented in The BMJ, researchers reported that walking, yoga, jogging, and strength training were the most effective exercises, especially if they were performed intensely.
- Leveraging Sense of Smell Could Help Treat Depression: Study
February 14, 2024 — People with depression who get stuck in negative thought cycles could potentially use their sense of smell to help manage their symptoms, according to a new study that prompted people to smell a dozen scents, ranging from coffee to ketchup.
- Maternal Syphilis Rates, Risk for Babies Spike Higher, CDC Says
February 14, 2024 — The overall rate of women giving birth with syphilis more than tripled from 2016 to 2022, according to new figures from the CDC.
- New Blood Analysis May Predict Dementia 10 Years in Advance
February 13, 2024 — A new way of assessing proteins in a person’s blood may be able to predict the likelihood of developing dementia more than a decade later, according to a study published this week in the journal Nature Aging.
- Your Keyboard May Contain More Bacteria Than Your Toilet Seat
February 13, 2024 — Did you know that your keyboard may contain more bacteria than your toilet seat? Here's what to know about keyboard hygiene in the digital age.
- Tai Chi Lowers Blood Pressure More than Cardio, Study Says
February 13, 2024 — The ancient Chinese martial art of tai chi is 52% more effective at lowering blood pressure than traditional cardio exercises like jogging and cycling, a new study says.
- A Cousin to the Mediterranean Diet Shows 2 Big Benefits
February 12, 2024 — People who followed the Atlantic diet eating pattern significantly reduced their waistlines and improved their cholesterol levels, a new study shows.
- ‘Clean’ Beauty: What to Know
February 12, 2024 — "Clean" and “natural” cosmetics and skin care products are all the rage. But there are no definitions for either clean or natural from the FDA, which regulates cosmetics. Here's what to know about the beauty trend.
- Study Suggests Mind-Body Benefits of Weight Loss Drugs
February 8, 2024 — People taking a popular type of drug for weight loss or to manage diabetes have a decreased likelihood of being newly diagnosed with depression or anxiety, according to an analysis of millions of people’s health records.
- Weight Loss Drugs Should Be Taken With Diet and Exercise
February 8, 2024 — People who take weight loss drugs should not neglect diet and exercise. Here's what to know.
- What Counts as a 'Low-Carb' Diet and Is It Right for You?
February 7, 2024 — Among the scientific community, there remains a real discrepancy about what "low carb" means and who would really benefit from these types of diets.
- Chemicals Common in Food Packaging Linked to Preterm Birth
February 7, 2024 — Chemicals used to make everyday plastic items like food containers and cosmetic packages may be linked to the rise in preterm births, according to a new study.
- Mild COVID-19 Can Cause Sleep Problems, Study Finds
February 7, 2024 — Even a mild case of COVID-19 can cause people to have trouble sleeping, according to new research.
- Women With PCOS at Higher Risk of Suicide Attempts
February 6, 2024 — A PCOS diagnosis should alert doctors that their patient may need a mental health screening and referrals to further care.
- Five Lifestyle Factors That May Help Prevent Dementia
February 6, 2024 — People who live a healthy lifestyle may be more resilient to brain changes that can cause symptoms of dementia, compared to people with the same brain changes who don’t have healthy habits in five key areas, an important new study shows.
- Certain Type 2 Diabetes Drugs Lower Risk of Kidney Stones
February 6, 2024 — Patients with type 2 diabetes treated with SGLT2 inhibitors vs other common diabetes drugs show up to a 31% reduced risk of kidney stone development.
- Yoga May Be Even Healthier Than You Thought. Here’s Why
February 6, 2024 — More and more research links this ancient practice to an almost ridiculous number of benefits. What makes it so healthy?
- Research Finds Stronger Vaccine Protection from Alternating Arms
February 6, 2024 — People who alternated arms when receiving multiple shots of the COVID-19 vaccine saw an improved immunity response, according to new research.
- Cancer-Preventing Diet: Lowering Your Risk for Disease
February 6, 2024 — Nutritionists are sounding the alarm on just how much your dietary consumption can affect your risk – or lack thereof – for cancer. A whopping 25% of the 18 million cancer cases in the U.S. could be prevented by improving your nutrition.
- Too Exhausted or Busy to Hit the Gym? Check Out These Tips
February 5, 2024 — If you’re too exhausted to get up for your scheduled workout, or maybe you’re avoiding a costly gym membership, we can help.
- Weight Loss Drug Zepbound May Significantly Reduce Blood Pressure
February 5, 2024 — People with obesity who took the weight loss drug Zepbound experienced a reduction in blood pressure similar to or better than results usually seen with traditional hypertension drugs, a new analysis shows.
- Studies: Smoking Pot Affects Driving Longer Than People Think
February 5, 2024 — Studies conducted by the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research at the University of California, San Diego, show people should wait about 4.5 hours after smoking one joint before they attempt to drive a car,
- New COVID Vaccine 54% Effective at Preventing Symptoms
February 2, 2024 — The researchers took people who tested for COVID and then asked them about vaccine history. The bad news is only 22% of American adults have received the updated vaccine.
- Can Smart Technology Really Improve Your Sleep?
February 2, 2024 — Many of us are now using various high-tech devices to track our sleep, all in an effort to better understand how well we’re resting. But it's what we do with that information that is most important.
- Lab Testing Detects Synthetic Pot in ‘Gas Station Heroin’
February 2, 2024 — A new CDC report says synthetic cannabis has been found in some “gas station heroin” products, which are often marketed as mood-boosting supplements that can help with alertness or energy.
- Researchers Find Link Between PCOS and Midlife Cognitive Decline
February 1, 2024 — A common condition called polycystic ovary syndrome that causes irregular menstrual cycles has been linked to signs of early cognitive decline.
- Eating for Confidence: What to Know
February 1, 2024 — Confidence can be built in many ways -- working out, practicing self-care, being kinder to yourself -- and new research shows that what you eat might have an impact. Specific nutrients can boost feelings of self-esteem by feeding your brain and subsequently affecting your emotions in a positive way.
- Improving Fitness May Lower Risk of Prostate Cancer
January 31, 2024 — Improving cardiorespiratory fitness by 3% or more annually over three years reduced the chances of men developing prostate cancer by 35%.
- Nurses Are Most Trusted Professionals, New Poll Says
January 31, 2024 — Nurses are the most trusted professionals in America, new poll results show. For the 22nd year in a row, they are perceived more often as ethical, even compared to doctors, clergy, and pharmacists.
- Your Co-worker or Fellow Plane Passenger May Be Sick and Lying to You
January 30, 2024 — Getting sick brings on more than sniffles or a fever. For most people, it brings out the sneaky in them. An impressive 75% of people admitted they have concealed an infectious illness in a new study.
- Study Finds Link Between Teen Substance Use and Mental Health
January 30, 2024 — Teenagers who drink alcohol, or smoke cigarettes or pot are more likely to experience mental health issues than those who don’t regularly use those substances, reports a new study.
- Measles Warning Signs Growing: How Concerned Should We Be?
January 30, 2024 — Throughout the COVID pandemic, what was happening in Europe foretold what we could expect here stateside. Is the same true for measles? WebMD asked experts just how concerned we should be, and what, if anything, about measles keeps them awake at night.
- With Case Count Rising, CDC Issues Nationwide Measles Alert
January 26, 2024 — Nearly two dozen cases of measles have occurred in the U.S. in the past two months. The count has prompted the CDC to issue an alert to health care providers to be on the lookout for people with symptoms such as a rash, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes.
- Extra Exercise May Offset Early Death Risk From Sitting All Day
January 26, 2024 — A new study recommends 15 to 30 more minutes of exercise to make up for the higher risk of early death for those who sit all day at work.
- New Study Reveals Why Fats and Sugars Are Irresistible
January 26, 2024 — If fats and sugars sometimes seem irresistible, you’re not alone. A new study published in Cell Metabolism reveals why.
- Big Move: Eli Lilly Offers Obesity Drug Directly to Consumers
January 25, 2024 — For many of the 42 million Americans with obesity, weight loss medications such as Wegovy, Saxenda, and the brand-new Zepbound can be a godsend, helping them lose the excess pounds they’ve struggled with for decades or a lifetime.
- Flu Vaccines Given to Pregnant Women Protect Their Newborn Babies
January 25, 2024 — Researchers found that vaccinating moms reduced the rate of emergency room visits for infants younger than 6 months old by 20% and the rate of hospitalizations by 40%. Vaccinating pregnant women also reduced the risk of babies younger than 6 months from getting the flu by one third.
- Robitussin Cough Syrup Recalled Nationwide Due to Fungus Concerns
January 25, 2024 — Some Robitussin cough syrup products are being recalled nationwide due to potentially deadly microbial contamination.
- Many Patients Who Stop Weight Loss Drug Keep Pounds Off: Study
January 24, 2024 — An analysis of health records for people who lost weight while being prescribed drugs like Wegovy, Saxenda, or Ozempic showed that many maintained most of their weight loss or continued to shed pounds within the year after their prescription ended.
- Stop Using the Medicine Cabinet. Oh, and Now Clean It Out
January 24, 2024 — Despite its name, you shouldn’t keep your pills in the bathroom medicine cabinet. There are two major reasons why, experts say.
- It’s Time to Change the Way We Think About Hearing
January 24, 2024 — Hearing loss is a cognitive conundrum with significant health consequences.
- Metformin May Lower the Risk of Some Macular Degeneration
January 24, 2024 — The study, published in the February issue of the journal Retina, found that people who take metformin have a 5% lower risk of developing the eye disorder.
- Inexpensive Blood Test Can Screen for Alzheimer’s: Study
January 23, 2024 — A blood test that’s already commercially available is nearly as accurate as more invasive tests like spinal taps at detecting potential signs of Alzheimer’s disease, a new study shows.
- Home Tests Detect the New COVID Variant, But May Take Longer
January 23, 2024 — JN.1, the now-dominant COVID-19 variant that accounts for nearly 86% of all currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains, may take longer to show a positive result on home antigen tests.
- Post-Breast Cancer Pregnancy Rate Boosted by Egg Freezing: Study
January 23, 2024 — New research is reassuring for young women who want to become pregnant after being treated for breast cancer.
- Study Shows Loneliness Raises Mortality Rate for Obese People
January 23, 2024 — Loneliness has been known to be a serious health problem, and a new report makes the case that the suffering is worse for people who are obese.