• Opioids Have Cut US Life Expectancy: CDC
  Rising death rates from opioid abuse are chipping away at Americans' life spans, the CDC reports.
• Irma, Harvey Could Boost Zika Cases, Health Officials Warn
  As if those who weathered Hurricanes Irma and Harvey don't have enough to worry about, bug experts warn that the standing water left behind is the perfect breeding ground for Zika-carrying mosquitoes.
• Christie: Drugmakers to Work on Nonaddictive Painkillers
  New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said that pharmaceutical companies agreed to work on nonaddictive pain medications to deal with opioid addiction.
• Surgery Can Trigger Teen Opioid Abuse: Report
  Teens and young adults who have surgery face an increased risk for opioid painkiller abuse, a new study indicates.
• Vet Suicide Highest in Western US, Rural Areas
  Suicide among military veterans is especially high in the western U.S. and rural areas, according to a new state-by-state government analysis.
• Do Antidepressants Raise Death Risk?
  Antidepressants have been linked to an increased risk of an early death in a controversial new study that psychiatrists say is misleading.
• Upbeat Music Linked to Creative Thinking
  Listening to happy music while working may spark creativity and problem solving, a recent study in the Netherlands suggests.
• Should Google Offer Depression Screening?
  Psychiatrists are calling on Google to offer a Web-based depression screening test that could speed diagnoses and treatment of the estimated one in five Americans who experience the mental-health condition.
• Irma Aftermath: Coping With Long-Term Impacts of Natural Disasters
  Major disasters like Hurricanes Harvey and Irma can have lasting impacts , on our hearts, minds, and souls. But experts say that a handful of strategies can boost your mental and physical health and combat post-storm risks. Here's a survival guide.
• Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy Tied to Psychiatric Disorders in Children
  Antidepressant use during pregnancy is tied to an increased risk of psychiatric illnesses, especially mood disorders, in children, according to a new study. The overall risk is low, though. Only about 3 percent of the nearly 905,383 children in the study were diagnosed with...
• Healthy Heart Also Keeps Mind Sharp
  Exercising, eating well, and avoiding cigarettes are not only good for the heart, but they can also help protect the brain from dementia, according to the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association.
• Treating Insomnia Could Help Mental Health Problems
  New UK research has found that treating insomnia with online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) could in turn help treat mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and paranoia.Carried out by researchers at the Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, University...
• Folic Acid May Lessen Autism Risk From Pesticides
  Expectant moms who take the recommended amounts of folic acid around the time they conceive may reduce their children's risk of pesticide-related autism.Having adequate amounts of the B vitamin folic acid before and during early pregnancy is known to reduce the risks of...
• How Repeated Head Blows Affect the Brain
  Researchers are tackling fresh questions about a degenerative brain disease now that it has been detected in the brains of nearly 200 football players after death. The suspected cause is repeated head blows, an almost unavoidable part of contact sports.As a new NFL season...
• Blood Test May Diagnose PTSD
  Scientists have found crucial genetic changes in soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, raising the possibility PTSD could soon be diagnosed with simple blood tests, The Telegraph reported Monday.
• Pet Owners Increasingly Taking Vet-Issued Pain Meds
  Opioid addicts are snitching their pets' prescription painkillers, veterinarians say. The problem has become so profound that some states are taking action to prevent pill-popping pet-owners from using their furry companions as enablers.
• Genetic Factors Tied to Stress-Related Migraines
  Migraines may be caused by errant genes activated by stress, according to a new study.
• Using Cellphones While Pregnant Won't Harm Baby
  Using a cellphone while pregnant probably isn't going to have any negative effects on the baby's brain development, says a study published in BMC Public Health. The new study, which was based on data from a large study of Norwegian moms-to-be, supports other studies which...
• Is ADHD Linked to Lack of Sleep?
  New research presented at the ECNP Conference in Paris on the weekend has suggested that there may be an association between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and a lack of regular sleep.Presented by Professor Sandra Kooij, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at...
• Asthma Meds May Lower Parkinson's Risk
  Scientists have found early hints that compounds in certain asthma drugs might be able to combat Parkinson's disease.The researchers cautioned that their findings are only a first step. Much more work is needed before they can lead to any new treatment for Parkinson's.The...
• Do NSAIDs Boost Blood Pressure in Arthritic Patients?
  Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen may raise blood pressure in patients with arthritis, a new study suggests. "The current findings suggest that the elevated cardiovascular risk with NSAIDs may be partly due to drug-specific increases in blood...
• Lack of REM Sleep Boosts Dementia Risk
  People who spend less time in deep, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep are more likely to develop dementia, a recent study suggests.
• Sleep Apnea Tied to Cognitive Decline
  People who experience breathing problems at night are more likely to develop cognitive impairment, a research review suggests.
• Dementia Dramatically Hikes Family Expenses
  The average lifetime cost of care after for someone with dementia in the U.S. is about $322,000, and families pay about 70 percent of that, new research suggests.
• Gut Bacteria Linked to Mental Health
  Gut bacteria may affect the way genes are expressed in the brain, scientists have found. The link between gut bacteria and anxiety has been the focus of much research in recent years, but determining how the microbiome affects your mental has been a mystery, until now.

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