Health News

1. Ruth Bader Ginsburg Dies from Pancreatic Cancer

   The three-time cancer survivor faced her most recent troubles in late 2018, when she had surgery for lung cancer that was discovered after she broke several ribs in a fall in her chambers. In January of 2020, Ginsburg announced that she was cancer free. But in July she said she was undergoing chemotherapy after a lesion was found on her liver.

2. Sore Jaws, Cracked Teeth COVID Collateral Damage

   Reports of pandemic-related dental problems liked cracked teeth are common, and sales of mouthguards to prevent people from grinding their teeth are up.

3. Many Need Follow-Up Colonoscopy and Don't Know it

   Colon cancer is the third most common cause of cancer death in the United States. Because people with advanced polyps have triple the risk of developing cancer, it's generally recommended that they have a colonoscopy every three years.

4. Moderna: We'll Know Soon if COVID Vaccine Works

   Along with Moderna's vaccine, there are six others in final Phase 3 testing that involves large-scale human tests.

5. Another Rapid COVID-19 Test Shows Promise

   The results are available within 90 minutes, while conventional COVID-19 tests provide results within 24 hours, the researchers said.

6. 90,000 Young U.S. Adults May Get Cancer This Year

   The report from Ohio State University projects that nearly 90,000 Americans between 15 and 39 years of age will be diagnosed with cancer this year and more than 9,200 will die.

7. COVID Adds Risk for People With Addiction Disorders

   People with a recent addiction disorder diagnosis were more likely than others to develop COVID-19, and the connection was strongest among those with opioid and tobacco use disorders, the findings showed.

8. CDC Posted Test Guideline Without Scientific Review

   The guidance -- which was posted on Aug. 24 and widely criticized by experts -- said it wasn't necessary to test people without symptoms of COVID-19 even if they'd been exposed to the virus, and was posted on the CDC website when public health experts were urging more testing, not less.

9. Meager Meals, Dirty Rooms: Life in ‘Quarantine U’

   Students say meager meals, unclean quarters and a general lack of necessities has made isolation feel like a punishment – adding to an already stigmatizing experience.

10. COVID Prevention May Mean Record Low Flu Rates

    Researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believe the social distancing measures put into place across the country last spring kept more than the new coronavirus at bay.

11. Coffee May Slow Spread of Colon Cancer

    Of the nearly 1,200 patients in the study, those who drank four or more cups of java on a daily basis had 36% higher odds of surviving during the 13-year study period.

12. Colleges and Universities: The New COVID Hot Spots

    More than 61,000 positive cases have been discovered on campuses since late August.

13. Smoking Ups Your Risk of a Fatal Brain Bleed

    Compared to nonsmokers, the risk of fatal bleeding in the brain was three times higher among heavy and moderate smokers, and 2.8 times higher among light smokers.

14. COVID Conflicts Are Straining Relationships

    As the coronavirus pandemic wears on, it's clear that not everyone's on the same page when it comes to preventing the risk of infection.

15. Big Ten Reverses Decision, Will Have 2020 Season

    The Big Ten joins the SEC, ACC and Big 12 among the "Power Five" conferences to play this year.

16. Do Eyeglasses Offer Protection Against COVID-19?

    People who wear glasses every day might be less susceptible to COVID-19 infection, a new study reports.

17. ‘Self-Care’ Urged for Women Caregivers Amid Pandemic

    The CDC released new practical guidance last week on how women facing unique challenges during the epidemic can care for both themselves and others.

18. Black Children at Higher Odds for ADHD

    In a review of 21 previously published U.S. studies, which included nearly 155,000 Black children in the United States, researchers found that 14.5% of these children had ADHD.

19. Blood Clotting Tied to Worse COVID-19 Outcomes

    While it's not clear precisely how SARS-CoV-2 causes clots, a new study suggests that the amount of a particular protein -- called factor V -- in a patient's blood may have something to do with it.

20. Can a Parkinson's Drug Treat Macular Degeneration?

    More than 15% of Americans over age 70 have AMD, and 10% to 15% of those cases go on to develop the more severe wet macular degeneration, which can cause swift and complete vision loss.

21. Coronavirus and Apartments: What’s the Risk?

    The best advice for apartment and condo dwellers is what you already know: Wear a mask, wash your hands often, and keep your distance from others in highly trafficked common areas in your building.

22. Lack of Antigen Tests Has U.S. ‘Blind to Pandemic’

    A KHN review found more than 20 states either don’t count or have incomplete data on the use of COVID-19 antigen tests, leaving the public in the dark about the true scope of the pandemic.

23. Some Psoriasis Meds May Also Help Prevent Heart Disease

    Chronic inflammation in people with psoriasis is associated with the development of plaque in heart arteries, which increases the risk of coronary artery disease. In biologic therapy, patients receive protein-based infusions to reduce inflammation.

24. Half of Pediatricians Dismiss Anti-Vaccine Families

    When doctors dismiss families for refusing vaccines, parents are sometimes swayed, the survey revealed. In fact, 18% often or always change their minds, while another 48% sometimes do.

25. Many MS Patients Struggle With Finances, Forgo Treatments

    More than one-third (35%) of the patients reported not sticking to their medication or medical imaging routines due to the cost. Thirteen percent said they didn't get recommended imaging tests.