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Dr. Small: Hearing Loss Affects Mental Health
Hearing loss affects an estimated one in three adults aged 65 and older, and experts say its impact goes far beyond difficulty following conversations. Untreated hearing decline can strain relationships, disrupt mood, and even contribute to anxiety and cognitive...
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Poor Kidney Health Linked to Dementia, Alzheimer's
Your brain health might be linked to how well your kidneys are working, a new study says. People with impaired kidney function have higher levels of proteins in their blood that are linked to Alzheimer's disease, researchers reported Dec. 4 in the journal Neurology. "Our...
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Pilots Hide Mental Health Struggles to Keep Flying
Annie Vargas could see her son slipping away and pleaded with him to seek help. But her son, Brian Wittke, a 41-year-old Delta Air Lines pilot and father of three, pushed back, terrified that getting treatment for depression would cost him his license and livelihood. The...
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Molecule May Clear Brain of Alzheimer's Proteins
A small molecule called spermine may have the potential to "glue" together harmful protein strands in the brain, making them easier for the body to clear away naturally. A new study published in Nature Communications found that spermine encourages toxic tau and...
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Shingles Vaccine May Slow Dementia Progression
Recent research showed that the shingles vaccine reduces the risk of developing dementia. Now, a new study found that the vaccine may slow the progression of dementia in those already diagnosed with the devastating disease. In the United States, an estimated 6 million people...
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Hallucinogens Linked to Mania, Bipolar Disorder
A bad psychedelic trip might have long-term consequences for a person's mood, researchers say. Folks who land in the hospital due to hallucinogens are six times more likely to be diagnosed with mania within a few years, according to results published Dec. 2 in the journal...
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Obesity May Speed Alzheimer's Progression
Obesity might contribute to faster progression of Alzheimer's disease, a new study says. Some blood markers associated with Alzheimer's increased nearly twice as fast among people with obesity compared to people who didn't have obesity, according to results presented today...
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Quick Head Injury Treatment Lowers Alzheimer's Risk
Folks who overlook a concussion might find themselves at greater risk for Alzheimer's disease down the line, a new study says.Receiving prompt treatment within one week of a serious head injury can reduce the later risk of Alzheimer's by up to 41%, researchers recently...
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Why You Wince When Watching Another's Pain
Ever wonder why you instinctively wince when you see physical harm come to a TV or movie character on screen? There's a scientific explanation for why we flinch when watching painful events, even though we know it's not real, researchers reported Nov. 26 in the journal...
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FDA: 19 Cookware Items That May Contain Lead
A growing list of pots and pans is now considered unsafe, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is urging folks to check their kitchens and get rid of them right away. In a new alert, the agency said 19 cookware products, all made outside the United States, may...
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One Week Off Social Media Improves Mental Health
For many young adults, social media is where life happens: Friendships, news, stress, all rolled into a single screen. But a new study suggests that stepping away, even for just one week, may help ease anxiety, depression and sleep problems. Researchers tracked 295 young...
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Tai Chi Equals Talk Therapy in Easing Insomnia
Having trouble sleeping? New Chinese research suggests the age-old practice of tai chi might help. The study found it equaled talk therapy in helping middle aged people with insomnia regain restful slumber in the long term. "Our study supports tai chi as an alternative...
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Driving Pattern Changes May Signal Cognitive Decline
Researchers say changes in folks' driving patterns could be an early signal of cognitive decline. "We found that using a GPS data tracking device, we could more accurately determine who had developed cognitive issues than looking at just factors such as age, cognitive test...
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More Addicted to Marijuana, Fewer Seeking Help
Megan Feller smoked pot several times a day and couldn't eat, sleep or function without it. But at the time, she didn't see the need to reach out for help. "I didn't think cannabis was a big deal," the 24-year-old said. "It was really socially accepted. "This attitude is...
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Untreated Sleep Apnea May Double Parkinson's Risk
Add one more malady to the potential risks from untreated sleep apnea: Parkinson's disease. A new study involving 11 million U.S. veterans finds that a person's odds of developing Parkinson's nearly doubled if they were diagnosed with sleep apnea but hadn't used a continuous...
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Timely Tips to Ease Holiday Stress
A large majority of Americans feel overwhelmed during the holidays, with an American Psychological Association survey finding that 89% of adults report feeling stressed. But there are ways you can minimize anxiety and tap into the joyous bounty of the season. Expert...
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Novo Nordisk GLP-1 Drug Alzheimer's Trials Fail
Novo Nordisk's closely-watched Alzheimer's trials of an older oral version of its semaglutide drug failed to help slow the progression of the brain-wasting disease, the firm said on Monday, a blow to the obesity drug giant that sent its shares sliding. The trials, which Novo...
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Thanksgiving Turkey is Good for Body and Mind
If you're planning a turkey feast for Thanksgiving, enjoy the bird and the many health benefits it provides. Turkey is packed with muscle-building protein, essential vitamins and minerals that boost immunity, mood and energy as well as being extremely versatile. And no,...
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Dr. Small: Be Mindful of Mental Health This Thanksgiving
With Thanksgiving just days away, many Americans are already anticipating their favorite holiday comforts - turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. While the meal and the gathering often bring joy, experts say the holiday can also have real effects on...
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Head CT Scan Use in US ERs Has Doubled
Use of head CT scans in U.S. emergency departments has more than doubled over the past 15 years, a new study says. Nearly 16 million head CT scans were ordered by ERs in 2022, up from under 8 million in 2007, researchers reported Nov. 17 in the journal Neurology."Head CT...
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Novo Studies to Show if GLP-1 Drugs Slow Alzheimer's
Studies from Novo Nordisk due early next month will give the strongest indication yet of whether blockbuster GLP-1 drugs - a class being used by millions for diabetes and weight loss - can slow progress of Alzheimer's disease. Two trials, described by Novo as a "lottery...
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Deep Brain Stimulation Improves Depression Symptoms
Brain implants that deliver electric pulses can ease depression in people who aren't responding to psychiatric drugs, a new study says. Half of a small group of people who received brain implants experienced significant improvement in their depression symptoms, researchers...
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Survey: 72% of Adults Experience Sleepiness Daily
Tired? Well, a new national survey shows that you're not alone. Researchers found that most adults feel sleepy during the day, and that tiredness affects many parts of everyday life. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) surveyed U.S. adults and found that 72% say...
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Traces of Bacteria Found in Brain Tumors
The brain is thought to be a sterile environment, free from germs. But unexpected deposits of bacteria have been found inside brain tumors, apparently affecting how the cancers grow and behave, a new study says. "This work opens a new dimension in our understanding of brain...
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Lilly Weight-Loss Drug Suppresses Binge-Eating Signal
Researchers monitoring the brain activity of a patient with a severe binge-eating problem reported that Eli Lilly's GLP-1 weight-loss drug appeared to temporarily suppress food-craving signals in the "reward center" of the brain. These are the first direct measurements of...