The Trouble with Binge Drinking Over Age 30

June 23, 2022 – When you think of binge drinking, you probably imagine young college students overdoing it at big weekend bashes: Kegs, shots, loud music, and bad behavior. And indeed, according to a national survey, more than half of college students (53%) reported drinking in the past month, and about 33% engaged in binge…

Tips for Dealing With Neutropenia

When you get chemotherapy for breast cancer, you’ll very likely run low on white blood cells called neutrophils. Doctors call this neutropenia. It’s a normal part of going through chemo. With neutropenia, you’re more likely to get infections and fever. That’s because neutrophils are part of your body’s front-line immune response. So with fewer of…

What to Say to Your Partner Who Has Prostate Cancer

When you find out that your partner has prostate cancer, both of you probably have a lot of questions about what comes next. There will be plenty you need to talk about. But what do you say — and what shouldn’t you say — as you face the disease together? Before you choose your words,…

Starting a Family When You Have HIV

If you’re living with HIV and are thinking about having kids – you can. With the right care and medication, people living with HIV can have healthy pregnancies and children, without transmitting HIV to a partner or child. “We’ve come to a place where we have really wonderful medications and medical advances that advocates of…

Rats Blamed for Spreading Disease More Than They Do

June 22, 2022 – Scientists have long suspected rats might be one reason cities are petri dishes for disease in a way that isn’t seen in rural communities. But a new study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution suggests that rats may not deserve this bad reputation. To study the problem, scientists wanted to see…

Biden Moves to Limit Nicotine Levels in Cigarettes

Editor’s note: This story has been updated.  June 21, 2022 – The White House today announced an effort to require tobacco companies to reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes sold in the U.S. The Department of Health and Human Services posted a notice that details plans for a new rule to create a maximum allowed amount…

‘Patient Influencers’ Partnering With Drug, Medical Companies

June 21, 2022 – In July 2020, reality star Khloe Kardashian appeared on the television show The View. During her segment, Kardashian, who has 255 million followers on Instagram, touted the benefit of migraine drug Nurtec ODT. She became a paid spokesperson for Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, maker of the migraine drug, a few weeks before her…

Products to Remove Moles, Skin Tags Can Be Harmful

By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter MONDAY, June 20, 2022 (HealthDay News) — It may seem tempting to remove a mole or skin tag you don’t like with a product that promises to make them disappear quickly. Don’t do it, experts say. Dermatologists and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration both warn about the dangers of…

Tongue, Lip Piercings May Harm Teeth and Gums

By Robert Preidt HealthDay ReporterHealthDay Reporter MONDAY, June 20, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Getting your tongue or lips pierced? Don’t be surprised when your dentist is unhappy about it. These piercings can do damage to your teeth and gums, a new study warns. “Our study found that many people with oral piercings had deep pockets…

Beer Might Do a Man’s ‘Microbiome’ Good

By Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter THURSDAY, June 16, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Putting a new spin on the term “beer gut,” a small study suggests that a bottle a day may do a man’s gut bacteria some good. In a clinical trial of 19 healthy men, researchers found that a daily bottle of beer —…