If you use cannabis, do it safely
Key safety tips as legal medical and recreational marijuana evolve. It’s fair to say that society’s views on cannabis have been evolving. Today, adult recreational use is legal in 21 states and medical use is legal in most other states, to varying degrees. The use of cannabis doesn’t seem to be going away. Given that, […]
5 skills teens need in life — and how to encourage them
All parents want their children to be successful in life — and by successful, we mean not just having a good job and a good income, but also being happy. And all parents wonder how they can make that happen. According to Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child, it’s less about grades and extracurricular activities, […]
What are the chances that prostate cancer will return after surgery?
A new imaging technology forecasts the likelihood of recurrence. Outcomes after prostate cancer surgery can vary: in some men the cancer never returns, while in others it does. Doctors try to gauge the odds of recurrence by evaluating certain types of clinical information. For instance, if a man’s biopsy results reveal highly aggressive cancer, then […]
Winter hiking: Magical or miserable?
How to safely explore the joys of winter hiking. By midwinter, our urge to hibernate can start to feel constricting instead of cozy. What better antidote to being cooped up indoors than a bracing hike in the crisp air outdoors? Winter backdrops are stark, serene, and often stunning. With fewer people on the trail, you […]
Low-carb diet helps cut blood sugar levels in people with prediabetes
Several health measures — including blood glucose levels and weight — improved. For most people, there’s no single healthy way to eat, though there are healthy foods and eating patterns. Yet for people with prediabetes, a low-carb diet could quickly bring elevated A1C levels back to a healthier range, a trial published in JAMA Network […]
The case of the bad placebo
While studies sometimes reach faulty conclusions, researchers can help correct the record. When it comes to clinical research, the most powerful type of study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. But even a well-designed trial can arrive at questionable conclusions. Recent follow-up on a 2019 cardiovascular study dubbed REDUCE-IT is one example that offers a […]
Do we feel pain more at night?
Chronic pain often fluctuates during the day and for some it worsens at night — but why? As many as one in five adults in the US — 50.2 million — experience chronic pain, according to a recent survey. These people usually encounter fluctuations in pain during the day: sometimes it’s better in the morning […]
Aspirin and bone health: Is there a connection?
Results of a new study looking at falls and fractures among aspirin users are disappointing. For decades, aspirin has been called a wonder drug. It’s easy to see why; It’s a pain reliever. It can bring down a fever. It can reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack in people at high risk for […]
Thinking of trying Dry January? Steps for success
Let’s file this under unsurprising news: many American adults report drinking more since the pandemic began in March 2020, according to a survey on alcohol use in the time of COVID-19. If you’re among them, you might want to start the new year on a healthy note by joining the millions who abstain from alcohol […]
Edibles and children: Poison center calls rise
If a 3-year-old finds a cookie on the table, chances are they are going to eat it. Even if it is made with marijuana or THC, CBD, or other components of cannabis. As more states have legalized the use of marijuana and an ever-widening range of derivative products, it’s not surprising that more children are […]