Health

The old saying that laughter is the best medicine may be true, according to new research that suggests it is also a vital catalyst for children's development.Laughter and play are fundamental to healthy brain growth, emotional well-being and social bonding, according to Dr. Jacqueline Harding, an early childhood expert at Middlesex University in London.In her book, "The Brain That Loves to Laugh," Harding argues that joy is a complex biological […]

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently updated its medical marijuana guidelines, adding specific instructions to its "What Can I Bring?" directory for both carry-on and checked bags.Patients who use cannabis to manage chronic pain, anxiety, nausea or other qualifying conditions may travel with their medication for use at their destination.When taking medical marijuana on a flight, experts suggest separating the travel process from the treatment and waiting until arriving at […]

If you find yourself reaching for a bag of chips after a few drinks, hormones may be partly to blame. Researchers suggest they can influence food cravings and may contribute to significant overeating.Studies examining how alcohol affects people’s eating habits have produced inconsistent results, University of Sydney researchers reported in Obesity Reviews.Alcohol on its own always adds calories, but how much it contributes to people’s total caloric intake depends on […]

Alkaline water has entered the conversation as an arguable alternative to regular drinking water.Numerous celebrities, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston, have touted alkaline water in brand campaigns, but is there a real benefit? Experts report that the science is uncertain.Bottled water that’s sold as alkaline water may have added minerals like calcium and magnesium, which help the water reach an alkaline pH, according to Mayo Clinic. A […]

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A new "living bandage" could soon revolutionize how doctors treat serious injuries by accelerating the healing process, according to new research reported by SWNS.The high-tech patch was developed by researchers at Rice University in Texas. It acts like an around-the-clock mini factory, continuously delivering healing proteins directly to different types of wounds, the same source noted.Caring for chronic wounds is often a challenge for doctors, as it's difficult to deliver […]

In the wake of NASCAR star Kyle Busch’s death from sepsis, a Virginia Beach mother who almost lost her life to the deadly condition is sharing her harrowing experience to raise awareness.In 2015, Audrey Leishman was a healthy 31-year-old when she thought she’d come down with the flu. Instead, her condition spiraled into a severe case of sepsis that left her in the ICU for 10 days, including five days […]

The keto diet may help individuals with anorexia nervosa, new research from UC San Diego School of Medicine suggests.The small study, published in the journal Nature, enrolled 22 women between 18 and 45 years old who had a history of anorexia nervosa and a BMI (body mass index) above 17.5.Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder involving food restriction and low body weight, the researchers describe. This is often […]

A popular antipsychotic medication was found to reduce obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – but it also led to impaired driving the next morning.That’s according to a small randomized controlled trial published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.Researchers from Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, conducted the study in 15 adults with OSA who also had difficulty maintaining sleep. Each participant underwent two overnight sleep studies approximately one week apart, […]